How to Do CPR - Update!

For 50 years, CPR has been performed the same way: quick breaths into the victim's mouth, followed by chest compressions in a repeated cycle to get the heart beating again. But in recent years, studies have shown that doing away with rescue breathing and using chest compressions alone may be just as effective, if not more so, in resuscitating victims of cardiac arrest. That's why the American Heart Association is updating its guidelines and urging both trained and untrained rescuers to start with the compressions and either eliminate or delay mouth-to-mouth breathing in cases when a victim's heart has stopped.

There are both social and medical reasons for the shift. About a third of people who collapse from cardiac arrest never receive CPR, largely because bystanders are unsure or squeamish about delivering it the right way. Streamlining the procedure to include only compressions - which should be firm enough to depress the chest by about 2 inches (5 cm) - could make it easier for more people to attempt resuscitation.

Medically, say experts, the body has enough oxygen to function for a few minutes after the heart stops, so using compressions to restore its pumping action should be the priority.

This article is from the Nov 1 Time Magazine by Alice Park.

Heart Disease is the number one killer of women. All adults should take CPR classes or learn how to do CPR. You never know when you will need it to possibly save the life of a loved one.
I just finished my class and realized I should have do it years ago. It makes you feel like you have the knowledge to help another in an emergency.

To Your Health,
Leigh

Tips for Eating Healthy for Cancer Patients and Everyone!

Additional Tips for Eating Healthy!

Eat Breakfast: One of the best things anyone can do is to eat something nutritious at the beginning of the day. Having a good breakfast will help keep you from getting to hungry by lunchtime, a problem that often leads to overeating.

Order from the Kid’s Menu: If you want to cut down on the amount of calories you consume at lunch, the kid’s menu is a great place to start. Many restaurants will allow adults to order from the children’s menu, just ask.

Put another Shrimp on the Barbey: Ordering grilled items like chicken and fish are a much healthier choice than other protein sources at many restaurants. Try to consume fresh fish - grilled if possible- at least three days per week for more healthy benefits.

Downsizing: Portion sizes are out of control so be aware of how much food is put in front of you when you eat out. If possible, get a to-go box at the beginning of your meal and take half of your meal home or back to the office to eat another day.

Start bringing something from home: If people could do one thing to help them eat healthy, it is to prepare more meals at home. Fix a little extra to take for lunch the next day.

Healthy eating is one of the most important thing a cancer patient can do to help themselves.

Good health to us all!

Leigh

Healthy Ways to Eat OUT.

One of the hardest things to do is to Eat Out Healthy!

We are always so busy running through the drive-through on the way to the children's events (football, soccer, cheerleading, etc). There never seems to be enough time so we get in the habit of quick food. Lunches at work seem to get shorter and shorter. You are late getting out of work so you run through the drive-through or call ahead for a pizza. That does not mean it has to be FAT food.

First you need to educate yourself on what your favorite drive-through or restaurant has available. Then plan ahead what you will be getting to eat. Ask the kids ahead of time or in the car before you get there,what they would like to eat from a healthy choice, not waiting for the last minute and letting them have whatever they want.

Even when we think we are eating healthy at a fast food place, often that turns out not to be the case. Just because it says "Salad" does not mean it is healthy. Pre-prepared salads have more sodium and calories than the regular items on the same menu. Some of the calorie amounts in many salads will open your eyes to this fact. Ordering a side salad or a small salad when possible is a better choice.

If you like the "Buffet" style restaurant, keep in mind those green beans, cabbage and squash are swimming in butter, oily stuff or a lot of water, then losses all it's vitamins. If you can order fresh vegetables and have melted butter on the side.

Watch for more tips!

To your health, Leigh