(ARA) - With all the bending, lifting and stretching involved, gardening can be a fun and effective workout - if you know how to make the most of it.

Stacy Walters, registered kinesiotherapist, fitness director and creator of the Fit to Garden program, provides tips on how to turn a day of lawn and garden care into a day of healthy exercise.

Gardening warm-up
Like any other workout activity, gardening requires a warm-up to prepare the heart, muscles and joints. Begin with five to 10 minutes of stretching the legs, ankles, arms, shoulders and wrists as well as light aerobic activity to help reduce the risk of injury and decrease soreness.

Proper technique
Time spent in the garden can be relaxing, and it's important to make sure you're in a comfortable position when planting or weeding. To keep from getting stiff, try alternating between squatting, kneeling on a pad and sitting on a stool. Remember to keep your work close to you and tighten your abdominal muscles to protect your back when you reach and move.

Garden workout
When lifting heavy bags of soil or mulch, remember to keep your feet shoulder-width apart, tighten your abdominal muscles and bend at the hips and knees, not at the waist. This activity helps strengthen the upper body and the abdominal muscles.

Mulching is an important step when gardening and an excellent way to help conserve water in your garden, prevent weeds and keep your outdoor spaces looking neat. Scotts NatureScapes Advanced is a color-enhanced mulch made of natural forest products that comes in a variety of colors and textures to maintain moisture and create a groomed landscape all year long. 

To mulch efficiently, use a wheelbarrow and stand close to your work when shoveling. Scoop and lift the mulch with a shovel while keeping stomach muscles tight and avoid twisting the spine.

Raking is another way to build upper body strength, but make sure to vary your movement during the task. If you've been raking right to left, change direction and alternate arm and hand positions so one arm isn't doing most of the work. When you're finished, use the proper bending and lifting technique to move the product of your labor.

Gardening cool down
Following a garden workout, be sure to cool down. Stretching the hips, hamstrings, back, neck and shoulders will help balance muscle groups that may have been overused and decrease post-gardening soreness.

In addition to the physical health benefits of working in a garden, multiple studies have shown the mental and emotional benefits of creating and working in green spaces. Gardens have a calming effect and can help relieve stress, improve attention skills and reduce feelings of anger, fear and aggression.

For more information on garden workouts, visit Scotts.com or OutdoorLivingWithStacy.com.

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(ARA) - Schools with only a third of the students sitting in chairs, offices sending out notices to employees asking anyone with a fever or cough to please stay home, and hand sanitizer stations popping up everywhere; the signs are very visible this year that flu season has arrived.

Seasonal and H1N1 flu viruses are making big headlines. And while everyone has the potential to catch either variety, senior citizens tend to suffer more from the complications of flu.

"It's a good idea for everyone - including caretakers of senior citizens - to get the flu shot. And there are many other ways to help prevent the spread of viruses from one person to another," says Richard Bitner with Visiting Angels, a senior home-care service. "If you provide care, or even just frequently visit with a senior, pay attention to their living environment to make sure it is safe and protects your loved one from viruses. And make sure you take care of yourself as well, so you don't pass on the germs."

Seniors are more vulnerable because they spend time with grandchildren, get out and explore new activities and visit with friends and family. The CDC recommends everyone over the age of 50 get a yearly flu vaccine because the flu can be more serious and even deadly for seniors. About 36,000 people die from flu complications annually, and of those deaths, 90 percent are age 65 or older.

In addition to getting both the seasonal flu vaccine and the H1N1 vaccine, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the following steps to help protect your health:

* If you are sick with flu-like symptoms, stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone - unless you need to get medical care.

* Even if you aren't sick, keep your home stocked with a supply of over-the-counter medicines, alcohol-based hand rubbing solution and tissues, so that if you do start experiencing symptoms, you don't need to go out and to purchase supplies.

* Wash your hands every day with soap and water - or if this isn't available, hand sanitizer.

* Avoid close contact with sick people.

When you are visiting a senior citizen in senior home care, make sure they have supplies on hand and are practicing good personal hygiene. Do they have a squirt bottle of soap next to every sink in their house? Do the counters and bathroom sinks get cleaned frequently? Are tissues available next to chairs in every room?

Remember, seniors may not pay attention to basic preventative measures when it comes to viruses. But by practicing good health habits yourself, you can help keep them from getting sick from the flu. For more information about flu prevention and seniors, visit visitingangels.com/library.asp.

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(ARA) - It's been called "the disease of kings" because of its association with historical figures like Henry VIII, Benjamin Franklin and Isaac Newton, but gout, a painful and potentially debilitating form of arthritis, is anything but a "historical" condition. In fact, 3 million to 5 million Americans currently suffer from gout, and this number is expected to rise as the population ages.

Despite gout's growing prevalence, results from a survey of more than 2,000 Americans reveal that 65 percent of adults admitted to being "not at all knowledgeable" about gout. The new survey by the Gout & Uric Acid Education Society illustrates major gaps in the public's understanding of the condition.

"Gout has a rich history, but the notion that the condition is no longer a major health problem can't be further from the truth," says Dr. N. Lawrence Edwards, chairman of the Gout & Uric Acid Education Society, a specialist in rheumatology and professor of medicine at the University of Florida, Gainesville. "What many people don't realize is the number of Americans with gout has actually doubled over the past 30 years."

Gout is one of the most painful forms of arthritis and the most common form of inflammatory arthritis among adults. It causes sudden intense pain and swelling in the joints and, if left untreated, can lead to permanent joint damage and destruction of tissue.

The survey revealed that many Americans don't realize just how serious a condition gout can be - almost half (49 percent) of adults were not aware of the potential crippling effects of gout, such as needing to use a cane or walker, or having to stop working because of limited mobility. More than 70 percent did not know that gout is a form of arthritis.

"Advanced gout leads to the same level of work loss, physical disability and diminished quality of life seen in advanced rheumatoid arthritis, but, as these survey results indicate, the severity of the disease remains underappreciated," Edwards says. "People with gout are often stereotyped as being overindulgent or heavy drinkers, and there is a perception that sufferers bring the condition on themselves. If we are going to improve care for the growing number of Americans living with gout, these myths need to be corrected."

If you have gout or think you may be at risk, Edwards and the experts at the Gout & Uric Acid Education Society have some tips to help manage the condition:

1. Know the risk factors and triggers for gout

Risk factors include obesity, previous joint injury or disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, kidney disease, genetics (one out of four people with gout has a family history of the condition) and elevated uric acid levels (hyperuricemia).

Triggers for attacks include surgery or sudden severe illness; consumption of large quantities of purine-rich foods, especially meat products; or excessive intake of alcohol, especially beer.

2. Stay in control of your uric acid levels

Most experts agree that lowering a person's uric acid level to less than 6.0 mg/dL is helpful to reduce urate crystal accumulation and prevent the consequences of hyperuricemia and gout. It is important to work with your physician to monitor your uric acid level.

3. Talk to your doctor and visit www.GoutEducation.org to learn more

The www.GoutEducation.org Web site features a downloadable patient brochure with key information about gout.

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(ARA) - While a diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig's disease, is extremely frightening for patients, there is ongoing research, new technology and medications to help make life easier.

"While we are waiting for a cure, people need to know that a lot can be done to make life easier and longer for people with ALS," says Dr. Robert G. Miller, the lead author of guidelines on treating ALS that are published by the American Academy of Neurology in the Oct. 13 issue of the medical journal Neurology.

ALS is a rapidly progressive and fatal neurologic disease that attacks the nerve cells controlling voluntary muscles, or the muscles a person can control. These muscles - for example, the arms, legs, and throat - eventually stop working. About 10 percent of people diagnosed with ALS will live 10 years or more, significantly longer than the three to five years typically predicted.

Tom Kobler, 57, of Eden Prairie, Minn., noticed he didn't have good control of his left foot in the spring of 2007, and received an official ALS diagnosis in May 2008.

"I had a lot of people at work asking why I was limping," he says. "I first thought I had lower back issues."

In addition to seeing his regular physician, Kobler attends an ALS clinic at Mayo Clinic on a quarterly basis to meet with several specialists, including a neurologist, dietician, speech pathologist, swallowing specialist, nurse and a physiatrist (a doctor of physical therapy). They anticipate together the challenges he will face over the next several months, and plan ways to get around those challenges.

"I probably see seven people over the course of four to five hours at that clinic, and they're all talking to each other," Kobler says. "[ALS] symptoms can progress quickly. Knowing what you can do with the use of various types of equipment is very helpful. We try to anticipate when my weaknesses would come and have the equipment in place as I need it."

Dr. Miller says research affirms the importance of multidisciplinary care. "Attending a multidisciplinary clinic will likely increase survival and access to treatments, and may improve quality of life," Miller says. Several ALS clinics have met standards set by well-known medical organizations, and if you've been diagnosed with ALS, your doctor can help guide you in finding a clinic in your area you can work with.

Kobler has been involved in reviewing the last decade of ALS research and agrees with Dr. Miller. "In my battle with ALS, I have tried to anticipate my family's future needs to make living with ALS as manageable as possible. That is not something easily done, but with frank conversations with my medical team at Mayo and at home, we have been fairly successful in having the equipment and expertise on hand when needed to allow me and my family to enjoy my remaining life as fully as possible," he says.

One guideline identified by the American Academy of Neurology recommends people with ALS use the drug riluzole, which slows the rate at which the disease progresses. It is the only drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat ALS, and has a modest effect on prolonging survival.

As ALS progresses, it starts affecting the muscles in the mouth, which can cause eating, talking and drooling issues. The drug botulinum toxin B is recommended by the Academy for patients who are suffering from sialorrhea - also known as drooling - if oral medications aren't working.

Kobler's disease has limited him to a wheelchair, but he continues to prepare for future needs. He says any equipment that allows him to conserve energy helps.

"More recently we have gained access to a lift that lifts me out of bed and into my wheel chair," he says. "I have also recorded my voice for certain requests - 'I need water,' 'I'm cold,' 'I need to go to the bathroom.'"

Recent studies indicate the disease typically proceeds to affect the muscles that control breathing, so people with ALS have problems getting enough oxygen. People with ALS who use an assisted-breathing device usually have increased life expectancy and may have better quality of life. Longer life expectancy is also likely for people with ALS who use a feeding tube known as a PEG tube, since nutrition plays a critical role in extending survival.

People with ALS who develop thinking or behavioral problems will be less likely to initially accept treatment with an assisted-breathing device or a PEG tube. Doctors need to approach these people differently to help them accept these treatments.

The cause of ALS is still a question mark, and it's not known why the disease strikes some people and not others. About 30,000 Americans are currently diagnosed with ALS.

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(ARA) - As cold weather sets in, thousands of retirees are making plans for a winter getaway. If you're one of them, switch to direct deposit for your Social Security payments before you leave - it's the safest, easiest way to receive your money.

"Each year, the U.S. Department of the Treasury receives more than 1.4 million inquiries regarding paper check-related problems," says David A. Lebryk, commissioner of the Treasury Department's Financial Management Service.

Yet, approximately 10.5 million Americans continue to receive their Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments by paper check each month. The Treasury Department's Go Direct (R) campaign encourages senior citizens and people with disabilities to switch to direct deposit.

Increased safety, convenience and reliability

When there's a problem with a Social Security payment, nine times out of 10 it's with a paper check, not a direct deposit payment, says Lebryk.

Paper checks can be vulnerable to financial crimes like theft and fraud. In fact, the Treasury Department investigates more than 70,000 cases of altered or fraudulently endorsed checks each year, totaling $64 million in estimated value.

"In 2008 alone, more than 485,000 Social Security and SSI checks were reported lost or stolen and had to be reissued," says Lebryk.

Direct deposit is also more convenient and reliable. There is no more waiting for a check to arrive in the mail, and there are no more worries about delivery delays due to severe weather, local emergencies and other check related problems. Last year alone, severe weather events forced alternative delivery arrangements for millions of Social Security and SSI paper checks.

"Switching to direct deposit for federal benefits is such an easy way for people to safeguard their money, especially when traveling for extended periods of time," says Lebryk. "Your money is deposited to your account on payment day, so there's no need to worry about delivery delays or a check sitting in your mailbox while you're gone."

Prepaid debit card option

In addition to direct deposit, the Treasury Department recommends the Direct Express (R) Debit MasterCard (R) card as an alternative to paper checks for people without bank accounts.

More than half a million Americans signed up for the optional Direct Express (R) card in its first year of availability, according to the Treasury Department. A recent survey of cardholders finds that 95 percent say they are satisfied with the prepaid debit card, and 86 percent say they would recommend it to family members or friends who receive a federal benefit payment.

With the Direct Express card, cardholders can make purchases, pay bills and get cash at thousands of locations nationwide. Sign-up is free and no bank account is required. While most services are free, there are fees for a limited number of optional transactions and services.

Making the switch is easy

It is easy to make the switch to electronic payments for federal benefits. To sign up for direct deposit, call the Treasury Department's Go Direct campaign helpline at 1-800-333-1795 or visit www.GoDirect.org. To sign up for the Treasury-recommended Direct Express card, or to learn more about the card's features and fees, call 1-877-212-9991 or visit www.USDirectExpress.com. preceding information has been provided by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Financial Management Service.

The

The Go Direct (R) campaign is sponsored by the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Federal Reserve Banks. The Direct Express (R) Debit MasterCard (R) card is issued by Comerica Bank, pursuant to a license by MasterCard International Incorporated. MasterCard (R) and the MasterCard (R) Brand Mark are registered trademarks of MasterCard International Incorporated. The Go Direct (R) logo, Direct Express (R) logo and Direct Express (R) are service marks of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Financial Management Service.

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(ARA) - A diagnosis of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) often results in a patient feeling helpless and depressed about not being able to maintain a normal, active lifestyle. However, with a chronic lung disease like COPD, it's particularly important, and tremendously beneficial, for patients to exercise and stay active.

It is a misconception that people with COPD are unable to stay active post diagnosis. On the contrary, exercise can help patients feel less short of breath, strengthen muscles (including the heart) and can improve a patient's mood, according to the National Jewish Medical and Research Center.

COPD patients should always consult with their doctor to collaborate on developing an appropriate exercise program prior to beginning one. Done properly under a doctor's supervision, exercise can increase energy levels, muscle strength, cardiopulmonary endurance and help with shortness of breath. Not to mention the additional benefits of losing weight and lowering blood pressure and blood sugar levels.

If you have COPD and are overweight, the extra weight can make it even more difficult for you to breathe. Losing the weight by participating in a doctor-supervised exercise program will help to reduce the strain on your heart and lungs. Common activities include stretching, strength exercises such as leg lifts and arm extensions and endurance activities like cycling, swimming and water aerobics.

Patients and their caregivers may be concerned about blood oxygen saturation (measured by oximetry) levels during periods of activity. In the past, patients would be required to visit a clinic to have their blood oxygen saturation levels monitored. Today, however, doctors often prescribe a fingertip pulse oximeter for patients with COPD.

By self-monitoring with a personal fingertip pulse oximeter such as Nonin Medical's GO2, blood oxygen saturation can be measured safely and independently - anytime, anywhere. A doctor can prescribe the GO2 during a patient visit.

Managing a condition like COPD is a lifelong commitment. It is important to stay active, keep healthy and monitor your oxygen during exercise. Work with your doctor to create a program that best suits your needs and take back control of your life.

For more information on the GO2 fingertip pulse oximeter, as well as helpful patient education resources, visit www.Nonin.com/go2. of ARAcontent

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(ARA) - To his owners, Moby, a 4-year-old Australian Shepherd, was a very healthy, spry dog, so when his veterinarian told them that beneath his thick, reddish-brown coat he had a weight problem, they were a bit shocked.

Apparently, all that baby food licked off the floor, and the lack of activity that came with the two toddlers who had recently joined the family, added about 10 extra pounds on a normally 65-pound dog. The good news is the veterinarian was able to put Moby on a program of diet and exercise, and he was back in perfect shape within a year.

Studies show that pet obesity is an epidemic in this country. According to a 2005 study, approximately 35 percent of American dogs and cats are obese or overweight, and some veterinarians report that they see even higher percentages now.

"I would say that probably more than 50 percent of the animals that we see are overweight," says Dr. Larry R. Corry, a companion animal practitioner in Georgia and president of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). "We say that people are 'killing their pets with caring.' They want to give too much food, table scraps and too many treats. They simply don't realize how unhealthy that can be."

Obesity can cause a number of health problems, including diabetes and heart problems. Diabetes in animals can be treated successfully with diet and insulin, but treatments are expensive and difficult to undertake successfully with cats. Diabetes treatments require animals to eat on a consistent basis, and cats don't often enjoy following a schedule. Treating obesity before the animal becomes diabetic is a far simpler solution, Dr. Corry says.

"If we can get pet owners to comply with weight-loss plans, usually we don't have any problem getting the animal's weight under control,"Corry says. "Weight-loss diets generally involve specially formulated pet foods or simply a reduction of the amount of food the animal receives.

"Every member of the family has to be in agreement, because if one person is slipping the dog scraps under the table, the program won't work," he continues.

For dogs and cats on a diet, one little treat can truly be a diet buster. For example, giving a cat one potato chip may not seem like an extravagant snack, but it's equivalent to giving an adult human half a cheeseburger or half a candy bar. And giving your cat an ounce of milk is equivalent to eating four and a half cheeseburgers. Giving your pet pooch one hot dog is equivalent to you eating two cheeseburgers. Needless to say, giving a pet table scraps is a sure ticket to pet obesity.

The AVMA has partnered with Hill's Pet Nutrition Inc. to combat obesity by sponsoring the Alliance for Healthier Pets - Obesity Awareness and Prevention Program. The initiative's primary goal is to educate the public on how to recognize obesity and to suggest simple solutions. Visit www.petfit.com to see examples of how common pet treats translate into major calories. Watch as personal trainer Gunnar Petersen teaches pet owners how to exercise with their pets and then take the "Pet Fit" Challenge.

For more information about animal health, visit www.avma.org and visit www.avmatv.org for an informative video about pet obesity.

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(ARA) - Women facing breast cancer report that their cats rank among the most important of the many loyal, loving and understanding supporters they rely on to help them through their treatment. In fact, cats rank alongside parents and siblings as an important source of daily support, according to a recent survey.

Studies show that an important emotional connection exists between pets and their owners. During times of stress or illness, the bond between a pet and owner can be particularly strong. Missy Fish is undeniable proof of this.

Fish, a two-time breast cancer survivor, leaned on the companionship of her two cats, Phoebe and Jack, during her treatments.

"They were the perfect companions when I needed them most," Fish says. "They were silent sources of strength and empowerment."

Fish is far from the only breast cancer survivor to attest to the power of her cat. A recent Purina Cat Chow national survey of breast cancer survivors with cats underscores this important emotional connection and relationship.

The survey found that 84 percent of women battling breast cancer said their cat had a calming effect on them during their treatment. Cats also provided daily support to the patient, according to 76 percent of survivors surveyed.

Dr. Karen Sueda, a Diplomate at the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists, says that cats are perceptive to their owner's needs during an illness.

"Whether pet owners are fighting a disease such as breast cancer or going through a rough period in life such as job loss or financial stress, their cats often display intuitive behaviors of knowing when they need extra love and support," says Sueda.

Inspired by one cancer survivor's touching story of the role her cat played during her battle with cancer, Purina Cat Chow is doing its part to help the fight against breast cancer. This year, in a partnership with Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Purina Cat Chow will donate more than $200,000 to the cause and will raise awareness for breast cancer through the Purina Cat Chow Connected for the Cause campaign.

"We have heard countless stories from breast cancer patients and survivors of how they have been emotionally supported by their cats," says Katy Laciny, Purina Cat Chow's assistant brand manager. "Purina Cat Chow's Connected for the Cause campaign honors this exceptional relationship and invites consumers to help us raise awareness and increase support for Susan G. Komen for the Cure so that a cure can be found."

Susan G. Komen for the Cure is the world's largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists fighting to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find the cures. The organization has invested $1.3 billion toward ending breast cancer, becoming the world's largest source of non-profit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer.

Visit www.catchow.com/pink to hear survivor stories, read about the unique connection between survivors and their cats and share photos of support. For every picture uploaded, Purina Cat Chow will donate an additional $1 to Susan G. Komen for the Cure up to $10,000.

The Purina Cat Chow Connected for the Cause campaign culminates this October with limited-edition pink bags at grocery, mass and pet retailers nationwide in honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Products featuring pink bags include Purina Cat Chow Complete Formula and Purina Cat Chow Indoor Formula, both available in 3.5 pound and 16 pound bags.

For more information on the Purina Cat Chow Connected for the Cause campaign, go to www.catchow.com/pink. of ARAcontent

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