What’s new at FIRSTCALL

How to map out a safe vacation

If you're going on vacation—whether to cruise the Greek islands or visit your grandchildren in Maine—a little planning goes a long way. Although we all enjoy a bit of excitement on vacation, most of us don't like unexpected surprises. By thinking ahead and planning for your vacation before you go, the only surprises you'll encounter [...]

What to do if you get sick while traveling

Becoming ill while traveling in a foreign country can be frightening, so it is best to be prepared before you leave home. Taking the following measures can minimize inconvenience and distress should you become ill while traveling in a foreign country. Be prepared before you leave Check insurance coverage with your carrier and specifically identify [...]

2016-06-30T13:49:46-04:00July 1st, 2016|What's new at FIRSTCALL|

Don’t take a vacation from healthy eating

Even though it's summertime, children shouldn't be allowed to take a vacation from healthy eating habits, advises Dr. Sarah Armstrong, a pediatrician at Duke University Medical Center. "Routines go haywire, and with nothing to do after a few days in the pool, kids head straight for the refrigerator or snack bar, because they think they're [...]

Drug addiction in health care professionals

The abuse of prescription drugs—especially controlled substances—is a serious social and health problem in the United States today. People addicted to prescription medication come from all walks of life. The last people we would suspect of drug addiction are health care professionals-those people trusted with our well-being. Unfortunately, health care workers are as likely as [...]

Prescription drug addiction

People take prescription medications for many reasons. They may use them to ease pain, anxiety or attention deficit disorder. Most of these people use such potentially addictive drugs correctly. But some people end up abusing them. In some cases, people may abuse drugs that aren’t prescribed to them. They may get them from friends or [...]

2016-05-31T11:57:56-04:00June 1st, 2016|Substance abuse, What's new at FIRSTCALL|

Chronic pain may trigger many cases of painkiller addiction

Chronic pain may be a major driver behind the recent surge in addiction to prescription painkillers, a new survey finds. Opioid addiction and prescription drug abuse in the United States are among the country's biggest public health threats, the researchers said. And, more than eight in 10 people abusing prescription drugs said they were doing [...]

2016-06-02T14:05:10-04:00June 1st, 2016|Substance abuse, What's new at FIRSTCALL|

Avoid addiction to pain medication

People who suffer from pain are often prescribed medications such as Vicodin, OxyContin, and Hydrocodone. These pain medications are beneficial when they’re taken as directed—but when misused, they can be dangerous and addictive. One study of more than 900,000 people with chronic pain published in the journal Population Health Management found that only 25 percent [...]

2020-03-22T22:34:37-04:00June 1st, 2016|Substance abuse, What's new at FIRSTCALL|

Work around workplace diet-busters

It’s not just during the holidays; your workplace is likely to be deluged with diet dilemmas on an almost daily basis. The list can seem endless: snacks sent by vendors, candies on the receptionist’s desk, homemade muffins and other treats in the break room, high-calorie luncheons. It’s hard enough to stick with healthy choices at [...]

Food and Emotion: Why some people eat too much

America has a weight problem. More than one-third of U.S. adults are classified as overweight or obese. And the trend shows no signs of slowing down. Overeating is at the heart of this troubling trend. And, in some cases, you may overeat as a desperate attempt to answer emotional needs. How can you address your [...]

2016-04-29T12:29:33-04:00May 1st, 2016|What's new at FIRSTCALL|

Emotional Eating: How to cope

If you raid the fridge when you’re stressed or upset, that’s called emotional eating. Emotional eating affects most everyone from time to time, but regularly letting your feelings guide your food intake can affect your health. Sadness, boredom, and other negative emotions can drive emotional eating—such as polishing off a container of ice cream after [...]

2020-03-22T22:34:37-04:00May 1st, 2016|What's new at FIRSTCALL|
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