Health insurance is a legal contract between two or more parties that promises certain performance in exchange for considerations. A health insurance policy is considered a unilateral contract. This is because only one party (the insurer) is required to fulfill their obligation. While a policy owner may decide to terminate premium payments, as long as the payments are paid the insurer must meet their responsibility under the contract.

A health insurance policy can provide just one or any combination of certain benefits:

• Hospital, medical and surgical expenses resulting from sickness or an accident

• Accidental death or dismemberment

• Disability resulting from accident or sickness (sometimes this can also be referred to as “loss of income” or “loss of time”

An accident is an injury that occurs accidentally.  A sickness is an illness or disease that is not the result of an accident.  Knowing the difference is important because policies may have different (more…)

The clinical definition of a sleeping disorder is a disruptive pattern of sleep that may include difficulty in falling or staying asleep, falling asleep at inappropriate times, excessive total sleep time, or abnormal behaviors associated with sleep.

There are four basic categories that each sleeping disorder can be put into: insomnia, hypersomnia, sleep disruptive disorders, and basic trouble with adhering to a normal sleep pattern. Some symptoms of having a sleeping disorder are: difficulty in falling asleep, daytime drowsiness, loud (more…)

It is important for all individuals to maintain an active lifestyle for good mental and physical health. It is just as important for the older person who has type-2 diabetes to stay physically active for their good health. The reason is that exercise can actually improve the sugar control that is so important to managing diabetes. Contracting and relaxing muscles use up energy. As the body uses energy it uses the sugar supply in the blood during the time that you are exercising. This reduces the blood sugar level in your system. Exercise also increases the body’s ability to use insulin. This equates to your body needing less insulin in the process of taking sugar into your body (more…)

The skin is an indispensable structure for human life. Because it forms a barrier between the internal organs and the external environment, the skin participates in many vital functions of the body.

The outer surface consists of stratified layers of dead, “keratinized” cells that form an effective protective covering against the penetration of noxious substances from the outside environment. The protective function is further enhanced by the oily and slightly acid secretions of the sebaceous glands, which discouraged the growth and multiplication of many harmful bacteria.

Underlying this tough outer layer or the epidermis are the dermis and subcutaneous tissues that, far from being homogeneous, are (more…)

For as long as one can remember, it has always been the pursuit of many to keep their youthful looks, even at great costs. And in this day and age, the trend has not changed. Now more than ever, methods, techniques and treatments meant to retain that “youthful glow” proliferate everywhere. As it is the most telltale sign of getting old, anti-aging goods and services account for billions of dollars spent in the hopes of delaying the onset of skin aging.

Unfortunately, many have been and are misinformed on how and why the skin ages misleading these same people into buying products that only offer short-lived, if not unsuccessful and disappointing, results.

It is therefore only smart to know just how the skin develops over time. In understanding the hows and whys of aging skin, the correct (more…)

Ask yourself; “What came first, the chicken or the egg?”  This question relates to whether stress and anxiety is preventing you from sleeping or is your lack of sleep causing you more stress. Well the answer is not only staring your right in the face but it is all around you. You can train your brain to recognize the right time for sleep and manipulate your environment to make sleep better. Not having enough sleep impairs your ability to concentrate, slows you down, and can impair your immune system (Read "How Stress Affects Disease").

Sleep is controlled by an internal clock called a circadian rhythm. This rhythm, which there is more than one, is the biological clock for waking and sleeping. The internal environment of your body is influenced by the external cues that it receives. Some of the external cues are light, temperature, sounds, hunger, emotions and even your sleeping attire. To sleep better you need to train your brain to recognize (more…)

So many people today suffer from a potentially life threatening condition involving high or elevated cholesterol. Elevated or high cholesterol can come from not following good dieting techniques, being overweight, or even a hereditary predisposition. The use of various medications has helped many people, but there are natural concepts and actions that you can take to lower your cholesterol naturally. Even if you do not have high cholesteroll you can use these healthy tips to prevent it [high cholesterol] from occurring. (more…)

Travelers Workout and Diet Plan
Christopher R. Mohr, PhD, RD
wwwmealplans101.com

Packing on slabs of muscle is easy for those who have all the time in the world to train, eat, and rest. Unfortunately, 1% of us fall into that category. The question then arises as to what to do for those of us who are “running” on the corporate treadmill that keeps increasing in speed.

Admit it, you’ve fallen prey to corporate work hours, your significant other may complain you are not spending enough time with the kids, you are consistently traveling for work, your nutrition has gone to pot, and frankly, you are beaten by life. Does this scenario sound (more…)

By: Jayson Hunter RD, CSCS
www.mealplans101.com

Most individuals do not eat like they are supposed to. Out of those individuals 95% of them don’t realize that by making 10 simple changes to their eating lifestyle they can improve their diet by 90% along with improving their health and overall well-being.

Apply these changes to your diet today and you too will be experiencing an increased benefit to your health, probable weight loss, a leaner body, and likely improvements to your blood profile. This all (more…)

Have you ever found yourself dragging your weary body out of your bed in the morning? 

Can you not function properly without drinking gallons upon gallons of strong coffee?  Do you feel lethargic and sleepy during the afternoon? VISIT EnergyFirst.

If you experience any of the above conditions you may need an energy boost by simply planning the appropriate nutritional diet that is right for your needs and preferences.

It is actually not advisable to simply rely on caffeine or to the nearby candy and chocolate machine to give you that immediate boost of energy. Believe it or not, choosing to eat healthy is a more effective and long- term plan that helps you rev and energize your whole body. 

The following are basic tips and advice on the proper nutrition and diet you must take in so as to (more…)