What are Shingles?

6th of April, 2017

What is Shingles?

Shingles (Herpes Zoster) is a virus that occurs in individuals who had chicken pox as children. The chicken pox is dormant in your body, but once in awhile it travels down the nerves in the body and creates a very painful rash called shingles. This can happen to anyone but the likelihood increases with age. Individuals who take immunpsuppressing drugs or have HIV are also at an increased risk for shingles.

Shingles cannot be passed down from person to person, but it can pass on chicken pox to someone who has never had it before.

Shingles is incredibly painful but it presents other signs and symptoms as well. The most common ones are fever, nausea, red rash on body, itching, chills and aches all over the body. As the virus progresses, the blister-like rashes burst and crust over. 

Shingles can last anywhere between 2-5 weeks and although the recovery is not pleasant, most people get better.

The best way to prevent shingles is by getting a vaccine, especially if you are over 60 years old. Talk to your doctor and discuss getting a shingles vaccine. To treat shingles one must take anti-viral medication such as acyclovir or famciclovir. Pain medicine may also be provided to those who experience severe pain from the shingles virus.

The best way to diagnose and treat shingles is by seeing a trusted healthcare professional!

Diabetes: Causes, Symptoms and Prevention

5th of April, 2017

Diabetes: Causes, Symptoms and Prevention


Diabetes is a disease that involves problems with insulin.  The pancreas releases insulin to help your body utilize and store sugar for energy. Unfortunately in people with diabetes, this does not work the way it should and insulin is either not produced at all, not enough, or the body doesn't respond to insulin. Diabetes can affect people of all ages, races and sizes.  

There are genetic factors that cause diabetes. If a family member has diabetes, then you are more likely to develop it too. Constant weight fluctuations, excess sugar consumption and obesity are also factors that can cause diabetes.

There are several types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes occurs in young adults and children.
Gestational Diabetes occurs in pregnant women who were previously not at risk for diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes is more common. This occurs when the body doesn't make its own insulin or does not respond well to insulin that is being made.

Some warning signs of type 2 diabetes are poor eyesight, intense thirst, weight loss, constant urination.
Warning signs for type 1 diabetes are similar and include constant urination, weight loss, nausea, constant hunger, lethargy, numbness in lower extremities,
Gestational diabetes usually does not present any signs or symptoms and must be tested by a professional. A blood test would reveal if a pregnant woman has gestational diabetes.


Although in many cases diabetes is genetic as well as environmental, there are many ways to reduce the likelihood of developing diabetes.
Here are some ways of preventing diabetes before it even happens:

Maintaining a healthy weight/proportional to your height.
Getting regular exercise (cardio and resistant training).
Keeping sweets to a minimum (an occasional treat)
Keeping stress to a minimum.
Making healthy food choices and limiting sugary drinks.

In some cases, diabetes can be reversed with a healthy diet that is limited in animal products and regular exercise and stress management. Seek advice from a healthcare professional in this regard, as results vary for every individual. 

Preventing Skin Cancer

29th of March, 2017

Preventing Skin Cancer:

With summer around the corner, one of the main affects of skin cancer is radiation from the sun. Constant exposure to the sun increases the risk of developing various forms of skin cancer. This occurs when the rays from the sun alter the DNA make up in your cells and cells begin to grow exponentially. The lighter your complexion, the more sensitive and susceptible you are to the damaging affects of the sun.


You are also more likely to get skin cancer if you have a family history of skin cancer. Moles, birthmarks and lesion also increase the risks. Excessive exposure to sun leading to sunburns also increases your risks for cancer. Older people, children and people with weakened immune systems are also at a higher risk for developing skin cancer.



So here are some ways to prevent skin cancer:
Use a broad spectrum sunscreen (UVA and UVB) whenever you are outside for long periods of time. Lather it on your face, hands and any areas exposed to the sun. It is important to use sunscreen  and not just at the beach - use it every day.

Protect your eyes and make use of sunglasses. When you purchase them make sure that the label includes UVA & UVB protection.

Avoid the sun during the harshest times. 10am-3pm is the time of day and is when sun should be avoided. If you NEED to be outside during those times - by all means cover up your head and parts of your body with clothing to avoid harsh sun exposure.

An overall healthy lifestyle also decreases the risks of all types of cancers. Eat a healthy, balanced diet, avoid smoking and excess alcohol use and maintain an exercise regimen.

Finally, visit a skin doctor at least once a year. It is important to have your skin looked at by a professional for any warning signs!

Lowering Your Cholesterol Levels the Natural Way

7th of March, 2017


Lowering Your Cholesterol Levels the Natural Way:


It is bound to happen to a lot of us, but rising cholesterol levels as we age are definitely preventable.
But is it reversible? It most definitely is with the right attitude, diet and exercise.

First let's find our how high cholesterol actually happens. Several factors affect cholesterol: aging, foods we eat, family history, being overweight. The negative aspects of cholesterol are possible heart attack, stroke, clogged arteries (atherosclerosis).

It is much more difficult to control cholesterol levels as we age, but is certainly not impossible. You can decrease your risks for high cholesterol by exercising several hours a week and eating a healthier diet consisting of fruits and vegetables. Decreasing foods from animal sources can also help decrease cholesterol. This means eating less meat, cheese, milk, etc. Not smoking cigarettes and decreasing alcohol intake are also a huge help! Increasing cardio and resistance training is definitely also a great source for lower cholesterol.

 While there are medications available for cholesterol control, changing old habits into healthier ones will take you a long way and have the most impact. Always consult your doctor prior to making any drastic changes to diet or exercise.

Pet Therapy to Boost Mood for Older Adults

7th of March, 2017


Pet Therapy to Boost Mood for Older Adults:


Aging is something we all must endure at some point in our lives. It is a process that brings many ailments with it and the most common one is clinical depression. There are many ways to help alleviate the symptoms of depression: exercise, socializing, medication, sunlight therapy. However, one of the newest ways of battling depression in older adults is through Pet Therapy.

Owning a dog generally has positive side affects on people and especially on the elderly. It significantly lowers blood pressure, risk of heart disease, and encourages them to exercise because the dog must be walked. Owning a dog has even helped improve vital signs for elderly experiencing dementia. Although it is not a cure-all for disease, it certainly improves the situation for a lot of people!

Spending time with dogs and petting them, releases "feel good" chemicals such as serotonin, oxytocin (a bonding hormone) and prolactin. These chemicals critically improve mood and alleviate depression.
So the next time you sense your parent or grandparent is depressed, let them spend a little time with the neighbor's pooch! It will go a long way.

What Home Care Costs?

What Home Care Costs?

As you investigate the different options available to you, you want to choose the type of care that fits into your lifestyle. One of the first things on your mind is how you care decisions will affect your bank account. You are not alone: many people searching for care are apprehensive about the potential financial burden of paying for long-term care. What will home care cost for you? It maybe more affordable than you think.

The Average Cost Of Care

The cost of non-medical home care varies depending on where you live and the amount of care you will need. According to the "Cost of care Survey" an annual report by Genworth, home care costs less than other options like adult day care, assisted living and skilled nursing. The national average cost of home care per hour ranges between only $ 10 to $ 36. By comparison, the average resident at an assisted living community pays $3,600$ per month. Nursing homes can cost up to $250 per day. In the past five years, the costs of assisted living and skilled nursing have risen by 3,5%.

Preventing Costly  Accidents 

In addition to being an affordable option, home care can prevent the accidents and injuries that lead to hospital stays and visits to the doctor. ComForCare Companion  Caregivers help with activities of daily living: they can help prevent falling and promote a healthier living environment. Falls can lead to head injuries and broken bones, and having a steady hand helps many seniors be more sure on their feet.

Keeping track of prescription  is also a challenge  for many people using home care services. Medication reminders given by a ComForCare Companion caregiver  can prevent our clients from forgetting to take their medication or overdosing, both of which can lead to more serious health concerns.

ComForcare Companion Care is proud to provide the services that lead to a higher quality of life for many people and their families. Contact our ComForCare Companion Care office in Brooklyn     New York to find out more about what home care cost for you.