(StatePoint)

 Nothing is more important than the health of your family. So when it comes to selecting the right heath care providers, it is vital to do careful research and come up with the right choices for you and your loved ones. When it comes to selecting a doctor, most of us are very particular and know what to look for. Things aren’t necessarily so clear when it comes to selecting other types of health practitioners, such as health care providers, rehab facilities, long-term care facilities and others. “It’s always important to equip yourself with some background knowledge and to use it to ask plenty of questions of any potential health provider or facility that will be treating you or a family member,” says Paul Grace, President and CEO of the non-profit National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc. (NBCOT).

The experts at the NBCOT recommend these tips as you search for a certified health care provider:

• Ask if he or she is certified, and if so, by what board or authority. Certification and accreditation are designed to ensure that health professionals are qualified, capable, and prepared to perform the required services.

• Request documentation to confirm certification.

• Question the provider about his or her level of education, training and experience in the desired field.

• Inquire about any specialty certifications or other skills that might apply to your needs.

• Ask for references and perform independent research to determine suitability to provide the care. Finding the right rehabilitation or long-term care facility in the event of an injury or ailment is just as important as finding a health care provider. Always make sure facilities provide evidence that they are qualified to perform designated clinical activities and have met certain quality standards.

• Ask management if the facility is currently accredited, and if so, by what board or authority.

• Ask to see relevant documentation to confirm its commitment to excellence and evaluation.

• Ask about how the quality of care is measured and monitored by the facility.

• Check the benchmarks by which the facility is compared to on the regional and national level.

• Review client satisfaction surveys and perform independent research on each potential facility. When it comes to the health of your family, you don’t want to cut any corners. Make sure you cover all bases and provide your family with the care they deserve.

(StatePoint)

Flu season is upon us, bringing with it new strains of the virus. So now is the time to brush up on all the flu-fighting facts. Here are eight wellness tips to help keep you and your family in tip-top shape – from what behaviors to avoid, to how homeopathic treatment can help:

1. Know your risk: Seniors, children under age 5 and pregnant women are at high-risk for developing complications from flu, as well as those with asthma, heart disease and weakened immune systems. Seek professional advice on your risk factors.

2. Wash your hands: Flu viruses are spread by droplets from infected people when they sneeze, blow their nose, or wipe secretions from their nose or eyes. Keep your hands out of your mouth, avoid rubbing your eyes and thoroughly wash your hands several times daily. Avoid alcohol and chemical-based hand sanitizers, instead opting for soap and water or a natural, essential-oil based hand cleanser.

3. Eat wisely: Foods containing vitamins C and E are believed to support the immune system. So stock up on sunflower seeds, almonds, citrus fruits, broccoli and green peppers. Limit your intake of concentrated sugar found in soda and candy, as it impairs immune response.

4. Sleep tight: Lack of sleep may profoundly inhibit your immune system. A full night’s sleep will keep your body’s natural defenses at optimum efficiency.

5. Stay hydrated: Staying hydrated will lessen your chances of coming down with flu. When you’re under the weather, drink extra fluids to loosen mucus, keep your throat moist, and prevent dehydration caused by fever.

6. Nip it in the bud, safely: Reduce the duration and severity of flu-like symptoms by listening to your body when you feel achy or run down. Don’t wait until you’re “sick enough” to act. If you’re concerned about side effects, drowsiness and drug interactions, opt for a natural homeopathic medicine like Oscillococcinum, which is clinically supported. It has no known side effects and is safe for everyone ages 2 and up, including seniors. Keeping something like this on hand can help you treat yourself sooner, allowing you to rest rather than trek to the store. “The key is to watch for symptoms and be prepared to act quickly with a complication-free treatment,” says Lawrence Rosen, MD in his newly published book “Treatment Alternatives for Children.” Read more natural tips from his book at www.LawrenceRosenMD.com.

7. Exercise regularly: A recent study reported in the journal “Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise” found that modest exercise may prevent the elderly from getting colds and flu.

8. Seek help if you get worse: The flu can be potentially dangerous, leading to other infections like pneumonia. If your symptoms become significantly worse after the first three days of illness, especially if your fever subsides and then returns, seek medical attention. More flu facts and health tips can be found at www.oscillo.com. Help yourself stay healthy this season through prevention and by treating symptoms before they get the best of you. 

A.D. Ibarra -

Eagle Pass

Precinct 2 announces their pet vaccine clinic campaign to assist residents of his precinct in protecting their pets from deadly disease and to encourage their friends and neighbors to do the same. Dr. Claudia Torres, a local veterinarian, will be in charge of dispensing the vital preventative medications to both cats and dogs from 9:00 A.M. to 12:00 noon at the Maverick County Water Works facility at 3905 Deer Run Blvd. Prices for the vaccines are very affordable and are recommended for your family's pet to live a comfortable life free of the maladies that traditionally tend to affect dogs and cats in South Texas which can cause serious illness and death to animals if untreated. The Rabies vaccine is only $10.00, and the combination Distemper/Parvo/Hepatitis/Parainfluenza for dogs and the feline Rhinotracheitis/ Panleucopenia/Calici vaccine for cats are only $15.00. The dewormer for puppies over the age of one month is only $5.00 and the Frontline Plus tick and flea treatment is only $14.00. Dr. Torres will even provide pet owners with the Preventic Collar for $15.00 for pups and dogs three months and older. For questions about this event you can call Dr. Torres at 830-352-1415.