Category: Health

How To Be A Wise Health Care Consumer

Employee Benefits, Health, Wellbeing

In honor of February being Wise Healthcare Consumer Month, we offer the following tips that can help you keep more money in your pocket and get healthier, too. Take some time to learn how you can make smarter healthcare choices.

·       Know your insurance and understand your options: Make sure you understand what your insurance does and doesn’t cover, and what your share of costs will be. When your plan renews, make sure you understand any changes so you can switch to a different plan if your current insurance doesn’t meet your needs. Depending on your health, the plan with the lowest premium isn’t always the lowest-cost plan overall, so be sure to compare your options every time you have an enrollment opportunity.

·       Get preventive care: Insurance typically covers 100% of costs for in-network preventive care. Discovering health conditions early on may reduce the overall cost of treatment, mean fewer doctors visits, and lead to better outcomes.

·       Shop around: Whether you’re choosing a doctor or figuring out where to have a procedure done, you can shop around to find the best price and learn who provides the best care. If you take prescription drugs, ask your doctor if there’s a generic version available that will meet your needs—generic drugs are usually cheaper than brand-name.

·       Visit an in-network urgent care center for non-emergency care. They can treat sprains, cuts and breaks, colds, fevers and other non-life threatening conditions for a fraction of the cost of visiting an ER.

·       Review bills and EOBs: Compare your medical bills with your insurance explanations of benefits (EOBs) to make sure there are no discrepancies. If there are, call your insurance to find out what’s going on. Sometimes there’s just a billing error that can easily be fixed.

·       Take care of yourself and maintain a healthy lifestyle: As always, good self-care can reduce your health care costs by helping you stay in the best health possible. That means eating nutritious foods, getting enough daily movement, getting adequate sleep, and managing stress. Don’t forget that your mental health is just as important as your physical health, and that good self-care can help you manage both.

Reference: Alliant Insurance Services

Be a Hero and Donate Blood!

Health

The pandemic and winter’s circulation of colds and flu have created a critical shortage in the nation’s blood supply. Fewer people are donating and fewer blood drives exist. Yet donating blood remains lifesaving for so many who need transfusions (which may include you at some point), and it’s especially important now to consider donating and be a hero! If you’re hesitating to donate for one reason or another, here are a few things to keep in mind:

It only takes an hour. That includes registration, a health check (checking your temperature, blood pressure, hemoglobin, and pulse, and reviewing your travel history) and the blood donation itself.

It feels like a momentary pinch. Try pinching the flesh on the underside of your arm—that’s how it feels when the needle is inserted.

Donation centers make safety a top priority. Blood is only collected from individuals who are healthy and feeling well at the time of donation—and employees follow thorough safety protocols to help prevent the spread of any type of infection. Donors and employees wear masks.

Any blood type is needed. If you don’t know yours, you will find out after you give a donation. Type O positive blood, the most common type, is given to patients more than any other blood type and is one of the first to run out during a shortage due to its high demand.

Taking medications doesn’t automatically disqualify you from donating. However, you may have to wait some length of time to donate blood after taking the last dose.

You’re never too old to donate blood. Donors need to be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health. Additional eligibility criteria may apply.

Sign up to donate.

Have more questions about donating if you have high blood pressure or other medical conditions, bringing guests/kids to the donation center, or other concerns? Click here for answers and/ or view our FAQ answers here. You can also view other resources about your health and blood donation by visiting Health Advocate. 

Struggling with your Goal Setting?

Employee Benefits, Exercise, Health, Healthy Eating, Wellbeing

 

At the beginning of the year, setting goals and making immediate progress to work towards them is all the craze.  The produce section of the grocery store has run out of salad, and the gyms and fitness classes are more crowded than usual.

And then, two or three weeks later, there’s plenty of lettuce in stock, and you can hop on your favorite treadmill again.

The thing with goal setting is this: They’re always started with good intentions, but they’re often too hard for people to live up to. Perhaps the goal is too restrictive or time-consuming. Perhaps it wasn’t realistic in the first place.

If you’re struggling with your goal setting, consider turning to a different approach—one that will allow you to achieve some of what you want to achieve, but in a reasonable, realistic way. Read on for some different approaches to common resolutions.

If your goal was eating healthy all the time, consider these alternate approaches:

  • Eat healthy 80 percent of the time and less healthy 20 percent of the time. Give yourself a little room to have treats in moderation—that way, eating healthy doesn’t feel too restrictive.
  • Aim to eat five servings of fruits and veggies per day. You don’t have to just eat salad! Have frozen or canned veggies as a side dish with dinner. Have no-sugar-added applesauce or fruit juice as a snack. Try a sneaky substitution.
  • Or, is five servings too much right now? Focus on including just one additional fruit or veggie serving per day. Then when you get good at it, increase it to two a day, and so on!
  • Try the Real Appeal program offered at no cost to GW medical plan participants. This program can provide you with resources to create healthy nutrition habits.

If your goal was working out every day, try these approaches instead:

  • Start your workout routine slowly! Going from working out zero days a week to seven days right away is generally too lofty of a goal. Start out aiming to work out two days a week. Succeed at that for a few weeks, and then increase it to 3 days a week—so on and so forth.
  • Instead of focusing on exercising, aim to add more movement into your day. That could be setting reminders to take a quick stretch or walk break each hour you’re working, take an after-dinner walk, or catch up on household chores (like laundry or cleaning out the fridge) that require walking and movement.
  • Find activities you truly enjoy doing. If you’re forcing yourself to go to the gym and you don’t really love it, consider other activities! Try an online fitness class. Buy a yoga DVD. Head to a park on the weekend and play a game of basketball with your kids. Go for a walk at lunchtime. Take a dance class. If you’re doing something you love, it’ll feel less like exercise and more like fun!
  • Get your workout goals started with Active & Fit Direct discounted gym membership program. If you enroll now through March 31, 2023, they are waiving the standard network enrollment fee.

If your goal was to meditate every day, try these ideas:

  • Going from never meditating to meditating every day might be too challenging—and that’s okay! Consider setting a goal to try meditation every other day to start.
  • Or, are you trying to meditate for too long, and getting frustrated because you can’t keep up? Ease yourself into it. Start with a 3-minute or 5-minute meditation. Get comfortable with those shorter lengths, and then increase the time when you feel more ready.
  • Maybe you discover that meditation isn’t really your thing. That’s fine—there are other ways to de-stress! Instead of meditating, try doing deep breathing exercises instead.
  • For additional mediation tips, GW employees can join Headspace, mindfulness app, at no cost.

A few other helpful approaches:

How to track your progress

It’s fun to track your progress and truly see your success! Here are a few easy ways you can do this:

  • For fitness goals, use a fitness tracking device
  • Use a habit-tracking app to mark your progress on any types of goals or habits
  • Use a paper calendar—mark every day you worked on a goal. You can even use the same calendar for multiple goals—just use different colors to signify each different goal.
  • Share your goals and progress with us by tagging our GW Benefits twitter account. 

Get the most value from your GW benefits from staying in the know for 2023 by visiting our website. We wish you luck achieving your healthy goals this year! 

Healthy Reasons to Exercise

Exercise, Health, Wellbeing

We’re frequently exposed to public service announcements, messages and advice from health professionals that encourage us to exercise. But sometimes little or no explanation is provided to understand what it is about exercise that benefits our health. Understanding the benefits of exercise may help you feel more motivated to get started with—or continue with—exercise!

Exercise may help to improve your outlook, brain function, energy and sleep. 

Feel happier through exercise!

You may find yourself feeling happier when you exercise. As you work out, your brain releases neurotransmitters—such as serotonin, dopamine and endorphins—that influence happiness. Research suggests exercising may reduce stress and anxiety levels through increased happiness and confidence.

Improved brain function

Exercising increases your aerobic capacity or your ability to take in oxygen. Greater oxygen consumption can lead to better cognitive functions due to improved circulation. Essentially your brain gets more blood to work! Recent studies suggest exercise helps to create new neurons, preserve memory skills and may even protect against dementia.

Increased energy and sleep

Improvements in your aerobic capacity may also help with energy levels and sleep quality. Exercise improves endurance and strength, and with adequate levels of oxygen, your body is able to use more of the nutrients consumed through food. As a result, you may have more energy. You may also experience more energy from improved sleep. Exercise impacts sleep by improving your circadian rhythm, which is what makes you alert during the day and sleepy at night.

Exercise may help you live longer!

The cumulative health benefits of exercise may add up to a longer life through improved physical, mental and emotional health. Regardless, if you exercise for 15 minutes a day or an hour, any amount of activity may help to improve your health and quality of life. With all of these reasons to exercise, get started today!

Not sure where to start with exercise? Explore our Active & Fit Direct program, chat with a representative from your employee assistance program and review resources from Health Advocate.

Diabetes Awareness Month: What you should know

Health

“More than 37 million Americans (about 1 in 10) have diabetes, and approximately 90-95% of them have type 2 diabetes” (CDC). Type 2 diabetes most often develops in people over age 45, but children and young people are also developing it. It’s important to understand what you can do to help prevent or delay type 2 diabetes.

Fast Facts

  • Type 1 diabetes is a disorder that typically begins before adulthood where the body does not make the insulin hormone that helps blood sugar (glucose) enter the cells to be used for energy
  • Type 2 diabetes is a condition where the body doesn’t properly use glucose for energy
  • In people with diabetes, glucose builds up in the blood; if left untreated, this can lead to serious health issues like glaucoma and nerve damage
  • Type 2 diabetes can be prevented through healthy lifestyle changes
  • While there’s no known prevention for type 1 diabetes, healthy lifestyle changes can help better manage this condition

Understand your risk of type 2 diabetes

The cause of type 2 diabetes is not completely understood, but certain factors can put you at risk.

  • Excess weight, including being overweight or obese
  • Age 40 or older
  • Family history of diabetes, specifically a parent, brother or sister
  • Sedentary lifestyle
  • Lack of exercise
  • Unhealthy diet
  • Smoking
  • Previous or existing medical conditions, including gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, polycystic ovarian syndrome or cardiovascular disease

Take action now!

Changing these lifestyle factors can help you lower your risk of type 2 diabetes and also help you be healthier in general.

  • Lose weight. Aim to lose weight through healthy eating and exercise. Even losing just a few pounds can help lower your risk of type 2 diabetes!
  • Be active. Keep moving as much as you can and reduce your time spent sitting. Aim to exercise 150 minutes a week—walking can be a great exercise to start with. Talk to your doctor first if you are new to exercise.
  • Eat better. Choose balanced meals with plenty of fruits and vegetables, and other high-fiber foods. Eat consistent, moderate amounts of food at regular intervals. Limit added sugars.
  • Quit tobacco. People who quit smoking reduce their risk of type 2 diabetes by over 50%!

Remember to schedule your annual physical included in your GW medical plan that includes preventative care blood work screenings. For more information about diabetes view recourses from health advocate or speak with your health care provider.

Tips to Quit Smoking

Health

Quitting is tobacco isn’t easy, but you are not alone. GW offers programs and resources that can assist you with tobacco cessation at any time.

Talk to your doctor about getting help to quit and choose a quit method such as cold turkey, tapering, nicotine replacement therapies, or doctor-prescribed medication.

Develop a plan that defines your goals, prepares you to quit and will hold you accountable to your commitment to be tobacco-free.

Remember your reasons for quitting. Are you quitting because you want to live a long, healthy life? Whatever your reason, keep it top of mind all the time!

Share your decision to quit with people who will support your efforts. This could be your significant other, best friend, coworkers, sibling, etc.

Know your triggers. Recognize people, places and things that you associate with tobacco/nicotine—and avoid them until you feel confident that you can be around them without temptation. Consider these examples:
• People: If you have a smoking buddy at work, politely explain you’re quitting and that you won’t be joining them outside for your routine break.
• Places: If your vape spot is a particular chair on your deck or porch, avoid sitting in it or move it elsewhere to weaken its association with nicotine.
• Things: If you enjoy a chew or dip after your morning coffee, try swapping your coffee with tea or a brisk walk for a morning jolt of energy.

Tobacco use is a leading cause of preventable disease, disability, and death in the United States, accounting for more than 480,000 deaths every year, or about 1 in 5 deaths. Quitting tobacco is one of the best steps you can take toward a healthy lifestyle.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month Tips

Health, Wellbeing

Each year in the United States, about 255,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer and 42,000 women die from the disease. It is the second most common cancer in women, behind skin cancer. To honor those still fighting and those who have passed away, below are some tips to help you approach breast cancer awareness month.

Live in the moment. During this month, you may find that many memories resurface–some may be pleasant and some, you probably don’t want to think about. Concentrate on the memories that make you happy, but remember to live for the day. Dwelling on negative parts of the past or trying to think of how things could have been different will just make you feel worse.

Appreciate what you do have. Expressing gratitude can help you heal emotionally. Think about all of the things that are positive in your life. It can be a healthy habit to develop year-round.

Avoid anger. It can be upsetting to see celebrations and hear stories of recovery, but feeling angry about your situation isn’t going to contribute to your emotional or physical health. You don’t have to try to be happy about it, but try not to let it stress you. Stress can be detrimental to your health.

Find other ways to contribute to the month. Not feeling the pink party? You can contribute to breast cancer organizations and hospitals in other ways. Donate money or your time by volunteering at the facility where you or your loved one has or had treatment. Find groups that put together care packages or make meals for people currently in treatment. You can even create your own event! There are so many opportunities to contribute to Breast Cancer Awareness Month during the month of October and all year long.

Seek support. Seeking the support of family or friends can provide you with an outlet to talk about your feelings. You may also want to consider speaking with a mental health professional. There are also many support groups for both cancer patients and their family members. Check out some of the resources listed below:

Allow yourself time to grieve. Grief is a natural process that everyone experiences when they lose someone. Key things to keep in mind about grief:

  • Grief is not linear; you may start to feel better, but then may feel bad again.
  • Everyone grieves differently.
  • There is no set timeline on grief. Some people may grieve for a few months; others may grieve for years.
  • By grieving you come to terms with your loss, so avoid delaying or suppressing the emotions.

Did You Know? In addition to Health Advocate and the resources listed above, all benefits eligible employees and members of their household may use Talkspace, a free text therapy app for five weeks per issue.  Visit the GW EAP page for details.

Keep Safe from Partner Violence

Health, Wellbeing

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, an opportunity to understand more about this tragic issue that affects more than 10 million men and women across the country each year. 

According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have been the victim of domestic violence during their lifetime. 

At the center of domestic violence is the issue of control. The abuser is intent on gaining and maintaining power over their partner through fear and intimidation and he or she may achieve this through various tactics. Learn more about signs that could indicate someone may be a victim of domestic violence below.

Know the signs of abuse and get help

If you recognize any of the behaviors below, it’s important to seek help as soon as possible. Below is a list of possible signs of abuse. You may be in an abusive relationship if your partner engages in the following:

  • Emotional abuse/threats: Yelling, ridiculing you, humiliating you in front of others; controlling and monitoring what you do all the time; preventing or discouraging you from seeing friends or family; controlling how you spend your money and/or your use of needed medications; threatening to hurt you or your children or pets, or cause serious problems for you
  • Physical abuse: Hitting, shoving, kicking, slapping, biting or throwing things; destroying your property or things you care about
  • Sexual abuse: Forcing you to have sex against your will or do something sexual that you don’t want to do
  • Threatening you at work: Harassing phone calls, texts or emails; stalking in the parking lot, following you, or other threatening behavior; preventing or discouraging you from going to work or school.

Check out additional resources from Health Advocate or as a reminder, you and your household members can also give the GW EAP a call for free, confidential support and referrals for 24/7 in-the-moment support.

Fight the Flu

COVID-19, Employee Benefits, Health

Both COVID-19 and the flu will be with us this flu season, making your annual flu shot as important as ever. Vaccination is the most effective preventive measure. For best protection, get vaccinated between September and the end of October. If you happen to miss that time, getting it later will still work well.

Everyone age 6 months or older is recommended to be vaccinated annually for the flu. It’s especially important for people at higher risk, including young children, pregnant women, people age 65 and older, people with weakened immune systems or chronic illness, and caregivers for others who are at high risk.

  •     Employees covered by a GW medical plan can visit area pharmacies and convenience care clinics to receive a flu shot at no cost. GW medical plan participants will need to show their CVS Caremark ID card at the time of your flu shot.
  •     If you are not covered on a GW medical plan, please verify costs with your health insurance company. Most plans will cover the full cost of seasonal flu shots.

By getting the flu shot, you can:

  • Keep yourself healthy and away from busy hospitals
  • Protect your family members and community, especially those at risk for serious illness like older adults, young children, and people with chronic conditions or weakened immune systems
  • Reduce the severity of illness if you do get the flu

Tips to prevent getting sick and spreading the flu

  • Avoid contact with sick people and stay home if you aren’t well.
  • Keep your hands away from your eyes, nose, and mouth to avoid spreading germs.
  • Cover your coughs and sneezes, and wash your hands or use hand sanitizer frequently.
  • If you do get the flu, stay home for at least 24 hours after fever is gone without using fever reducers.
  • Stay-at-home guidance if you have COVID-19 may differ, so follow those guidelines if you have confirmed or suspected COVID-19. You can find more information here.

Most people don’t need medical attention for the flu. But if you’re in a high-risk group, or experience severe symptoms, such as high fever, severe shortness of breath or chest pain, seek medical attention immediately.

For up-to-date information about the 2022-2023 flu season, visit https://www.cdc.gov/flu/season/faq-flu-season-2022-2023.htm

Substance abuse in the family: What you can do

Health, Wellbeing

Having a family member—whether it’s your spouse, parent, or teen—who has a drinking or drug problem can create an unhealthy effect on the entire family’s well-being. Alcohol or drug abuse can spark arguments, money problems, issues with responsibilities, and may even cause isolation from friends and relatives in order to hide or cover up the problem. If you suspect a family member has an alcohol or drug problem, consider the following tips: 

Speak to them privately to intervene as early as possible. Offer help and support without judgment. List specific examples of your loved one’s behavior that worry you, and urge them to seek help.

Avoid attempting to punish, threaten, bribe, or preach. Don’t use emotional appeals that may only increase feelings of guilt and compulsion to drink or use drugs. 

Don’t hide or throw out alcohol or drugs. Don’t cover up or make excuses for the abuser, or shield them from the negative consequences of their behavior. Don’t drink alcohol or use drugs with them. 

Don’t feel guilty or responsible for another’s behavior. You can’t force anyone to get help.

Look out for your own needs. Talk to your health practitioner or a mental health counselor or seek support from organizations like Al-Anon, which is for people worried about someone with a drinking problem. You may learn ways to take care of yourself and how to set limits with the family member who is abusing alcohol or drugs. This can help you focus more effectively on other important matters in your life. By helping yourself, you may be better able help the person with the problem. 

Contact SAMHSA’s National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357). This service from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration offers individuals and family members facing mental and/or substance abuse disorders referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations, along with free publications. 

Offer children support. Children in families experiencing alcohol or drug abuse need attention, guidance, and reassurance from adults with whom they feel safe and who will offer them appropriate help for their age. They also need to just have fun and be kids. Look into participation in school or church-based support groups in your community.

Above all, remember that you are not alone. Drug or alcohol dependence disorders are medical conditions that can be effectively treated. Millions of Americans and their families are in healthy recovery from this disease.  Often a person with alcohol or drug dependence will need treatment provided by professionals just as with other diseases. Your doctor or one of the organizations listed here may be able to guide you.

Resources

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism

National Institute on Drug Abuse

American Council for Drug Education

Check out additional substance abuse resources from Health Advocate or through the EAP, benefits eligible employees and members of their household may use Talkspace, a free text therapy app for five weeks.

Staying Fit in the Summer Heat

Health

Summer temperatures and high humidity   doesn’t mean you need to hit pause on your daily outdoor workout.  However, you should use commonsense precautions to prevent heat-related illnesses. Be sure to discuss any workout routine with your doctor, especially if you suffer from heart-related and blood pressure ailments.

  • Get acclimated. If you’re used to exercising indoors or in cooler weather, take it easy at first when you exercise in the heat. It can take at least one to two weeks to adapt to the heat. As your body adapts to the heat over time, gradually increase the length and intensity of your workouts.
  • Watch the temperature. Pay attention to weather forecasts and heat alerts. In running events, there are “flag” warnings that correspond to the degree of heat and humidity. For example, a yellow flag requires careful monitoring, and races are canceled in black flag conditions.
  • Know your fitness level. If you’re unfit or new to exercise, be extra cautious when working out in the heat. Your body may have a lower tolerance to the heat. Reduce your exercise intensity and take frequent breaks.
  • Drink plenty of fluids. Dehydration is a key factor in heat illness. Help your body sweat and cool down by staying well-hydrated with water. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink fluids.
Image of beach supplies

Suncreen and Your Morning Routine

Health, Wellbeing

Wearing sunscreen is one of the best — and easiest — ways to protect your skin’s appearance and health at any age. Used regularly, sunscreen helps prevent sunburn, skin cancer and premature aging.

To help make sunscreen a part of your daily routine, read the advice of dermatologist Anna Chien at Johns Hopkins to remind yourself which SPF you should use, how much you need, and how often you should apply.

What SPF should I buy?

For day-to-day use, pick a sunscreen with sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30. If you spend time outdoors, choose a product with SPF 60 or greater. In reality, most people do not use as much sunscreen as they should, and this higher SPF helps compensate.

woman smiles with sun drawn in lotion on shoulder

Sun Safety

Everybody needs some sun exposure to produce vitamin D (which helps calcium absorption for stronger and healthier bones). But unprotected exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays can cause damage to the skin, eyes, and immune system.

Learn more about sun safety

How much sunscreen do I need?

To protect your face, neck, arms and legs, you’ll need about 1 ounce of sunscreen. Squeezed into your hand, 1 ounce of sunscreen is enough to completely cover your palm.

Should sunscreen come before or after other products?

So long as the sunscreen is at least SPF 30, water-resistant, broad-spectrum and applied about 15 minutes before going outside, it doesn’t matter in what order you apply your skincare products. Some people find it’s easiest to work with bare skin — before makeup or moisturizer have been added. Find what works best for your routine.

If you have concerns about layering specific products, speak with your dermatologist.

Does makeup with SPF work?

Makeup is not enough to protect your skin — even if it has a high SPF. Unless you’re willing to wear an entire ounce of foundation atop your face, stick with a standalone sunscreen.

Are organic sunscreens any better?

There are no firm data that indicate organic sunscreens have any additional benefits. Your preferred product is a personal choice.

Do I really need to reapply sunscreen throughout the day?

Generally, sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours, especially after swimming or sweating.

If you work indoors and sit away from windows, you may not need a second application. Be mindful of how often you step outside, though. Keep a spare bottle of sunscreen at your desk just to be safe. Even a short stroll at lunch could put your skin at risk.

Keep in mind that no sunscreen is perfect. Wear wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses or other protective clothing and seek shade whenever possible.

June is Mens Health Month

June Is Men’s Health Month

Health, Wellbeing

June is Men’s Health month. The goal is to heighten awareness of preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment among men and boys. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, men in the United States, on average, die five years earlier than women and die at higher rates from the three leading causes of death, heart disease, cancer and unintentional injuries.

One of the most steps to maintaining your health is to stay up-to-date on preventative care.  To help you stay on target, create a customized checklist on the UnitedHealthcare website. Enter your age and gender, then receive a customized list of screenings that you should undertake regularly.  It’s easier to treat and manage disease when it’s caught in its earlier stages.

Lerner Health and Wellness

Discounts & Perks, Health

At Lerner Health and Wellness, there are multiple services for your health and wellness needs.  Join drop-in or league organized sports, take advantage of space and equipment for personal workouts, massage therapy, private training, or group exercise!

Want to try it before you join? Simply drop in and speak to the Recreation Membership team to get a two-week complimentary pass that provides access to the facility and group exercise classes. Questions? Email the team at HWCMembership@gwu.edu.

 

Heart Health: Know the Symptoms

Health

For Heart Health month we want to take a look at simple symptoms of heart disease. Chest pain is not always present in people with heart disease. It may just be other symptoms that signal an alert that shouldn’t be ignored.

“Any symptom that seems to be provoked by exertion and relieved by rest could be heart-related. Particularly in people with underlying risk factors such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and a strong family history of heart disease,” says Dr. Randall Zusman, a cardiologist with Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital.

When any of the following symptoms appear with no obvious reason, pay attention and report them to your doctor.

  1. Fatigue

Fatigue can be caused by many illnesses and by medicines. But a constant, new fatigue also can sometimes signal heart failure (a condition in which the heart fails to pump well) or coronary artery disease. “It’s less common as an indication of coronary artery disease, but it can be,” Dr. Zusman says.

  1. Unexplained aches or pains

The blockage of the blood supply to the heart muscle that occurs with coronary artery disease leads the heart to “cry out in pain” when it is asked to work harder. However, that pain is not always felt in the chest. Sometimes it is felt in the shoulders, arms, back, jaw, or abdomen. Particularly when pain in these locations occurs with exercise and disappears with rest, the pain could well be a sign of heart disease.

  1. Shortness of breath

Don’t be too quick to assume shortness of breath is just a matter of being out of shape. Unexplained shortness of breath that occurs with small amounts of activity could indicate heart trouble. “If you climb up five flights of stairs, I expect you to be short of breath. But if you go up 10 stairs and you’re short of breath, that may indicate a heart problem,” Dr. Zusman warns.

  1. Swollen feet or ankles

Leg, ankle, or foot swelling — the kind that leaves an indentation if you press your finger into it — could be a sign of heart failure. It also could be caused by kidney disease, liver failure, eating too much salty food, inefficient blood flow in your legs (venous insufficiency), or a side effect of some drugs (particularly calcium-channel blockers).

Is it a heart attack?

Heart attacks may be provoked by exercise, but they also can occur when someone is at rest. Call 911 if one or more of the following symptoms come on suddenly:

  • Shortness of breath
  • Pressure or pain in the chest or upper abdomen
  • Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, the neck, the jaw, or the stomach
  • Extreme fatigue

https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/5-overlooked-symptoms-that-may-signal-heart-trouble

doctor holding stethoscope

Preventive Health 101

Health

Did you know that preventative care is covered under most health plans with $0 out-of-pocket expenses?  Preventative care includes routine well-exams, screenings, and immunizations intended to prevent or avoid illness or other health problems. For example, under the GW PPO and HSP medical plans, GW covers 100% of the cost when you see an in-network doctor for well-child and adult exams.

UnitedHealthcare’s preventive guidelines document provides an overview of covered care for children and adults.  Take 15 minutes today to schedule your annual appointments and feel good knowing that you’ve put your and your family’s health as a top priority in 2020

Real Appeal

Employee Benefits, Health, Healthy Eating

Are you enrolled the GW HSP or PPO medical plan and looking for the right weight-loss program? Look no further, Real Appeal is available to start today!

Real Appeal is a no-cost, virtual weight loss support program offered through UnitedHealthcare.  Since January 2019, over 300 GW employees have joined the program and as a group, they have lost a total 1,300 pounds.

Take small steps for big results.

The program supports members with a body mass index (BMI) of 23 or more. Weekly online coaching sessions and tools, such as a Program Success Guide, Nutrition Guide, fitness DVDs, and resistance bands, are included with your enrollment.  Members support one another through online forums and coaching sessions are flexible – if you miss a coaching session, you can reschedule.

Ready to begin? You may enroll in Real Appeal at any time. (Please note that BMI eligibility criteria must be met.)

Visit gwu.realappeal.com for more information and be inspired by the Real Appeal Success video.)

Quit for Life Smoking Cessation Program

Discounts & Perks, Employee Benefits, Health

Today, more than 43 million people in the United States smoke cigarettes – about 1 in 5 adults.

The Great American Smokeout focuses on encouraging Americans to quit tobacco smoking. The challenge is to quit smoking for at least 24 hours, potentially inspiring smokers to hopefully quit forever.

GW employees, eligible dependents and students can participate for free in the Quit For Life® program, brought to you by the American Cancer Society® and Alere Wellbeing. Expert Quit Coaches® help participants gain the knowledge, skills and behavioral strategies to quit smoking for life. Participants enjoy unlimited access to phone- and web-based coaching, as well as to Web Coach®, an online community for e-learning and social support.

Real Appeal

Employee Benefits, Health

Are you enrolled in a GW HSP or PPO medical plan and looking for a weight-loss program? Real Appeal is available to start today!

Real Appeal is a no-cost, virtual weight loss support program offered through UnitedHealthcare for employees on a GW medical plan.  Since January 2019, over 300 employees have joined the program and as a group, they have lost a total 1,300 pounds.

Take small steps for big results!

The program supports members with a body mass index (BMI) of 23 or more – at no cost. Weekly online coaching sessions and tools, such as a Program Success Guide, Nutrition Guide, fitness DVDs, and resistance bands, are included in your enrollment.  Members support one another through online forums and coaching sessions are flexible – if you miss a coaching session, you can reschedule.

If you are currently enrolled in a UnitedHealthcare medical plan through GW, you may enroll at any time. If you newly elected a GW medical plan through UnitedHealthcare for 2020 Open Enrollment, you may enroll beginning January 1, 2020. BMI eligibility criteria must be met.

Visit gwu.realappeal.com for more information and watch this overview video.

World Diabetes Day

Employee Benefits, Health

World Diabetes Awareness takes place throughout November and this year’s theme is “Family and Diabetes”.

The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) is raising awareness of the impact that diabetes has on the family and support network of those affected. Families and caregivers play an important role in the management, care, prevention, and education of diabetes.

Noticing the Warning Signs

Families are urged to learn more about the warning signs of diabetes and find out their risk of type 2 diabetes. Research conducted by IDF in 2018 discovered that parents would struggle to spot this serious life-long condition in their own children. Although the majority of people surveyed has a family member with diabetes, four-in-five parents indicated they would have trouble recognizing the warning signs. One-in-three wouldn’t spot them at all.

Be More Informed

Test your diabetes knowledge and assess the risk of type 2 diabetes through an online quiz and assessment.

Manage Diabetes with Livongo

GW offers CVS Health’s Transform Diabetes Care with Livongo (TDC/ Livongo), a total condition level management program designed to improve health outcomes and lower your pharmacy costs. On average, people with diagnosed diabetes incur medical expenses that are approximately 2.3 times higher than those of non-diabetics, according to the American Diabetes Association. If you have been diagnosed with diabetes and participate in a GW medical plan, you’re eligible to participate.  To enroll, visit livongo.com using registration code “GW.”

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