A Healthier YouCompliments of Health Management & Wellness Autumn 2016

Fall Into Good Health | 2Get Tested Live On | 3Put Diabetes In Its Place! | 4Healthy Teeth | 5Weighing What’s Healthy | 6Expecting Well | 7On The Go | 8

2 | Autumn 2016

Children’s HealthAs fall approaches, we begin to look forward to cooler weather. And if you have children, you

are probably getting settled into a consistent routine after the whirlwind of getting your

children back to school. Now is a great time to set up annual appointments for kids and

teens before we gear up for the holiday season.

Explanation of vaccines:

DTaP/ Tdap Booster - This vaccine can help prevent diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis

(whooping cough).

IPV — This vaccine can help prevent polio.

MMR — This vaccine can help prevent measles, mumps and rubella (German measles).

VAR — This vaccine can help prevent varicella (chickenpox).

Meningococcal — This vaccine can help prevent meningitis and blood infections.

HPV — If you have a child between ages 11-12, he or she should receive the Human

Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. He or she will get three doses for the prevention of cervical

cancer, precancerous changes and genital warts caused by HPV.

Quick tips for parents:

1. Discuss sensitive topics such as drugs, drinking, smoking and sexual health with

your (pre)teen.

2. Help your children make healthy choices while encouraging them to make their

own decisions.

3. Be sure to get all health screenings needed to keep your child healthy.

Fall Into Good

Health!

For more information on reaching your health and wellness goals, visit

www.BlueOptionSC.com. You can also call us at 855-838-5897

to connect with a personal health coach.

At annual checkups, your child’s doctor checks his or her overall health. The doctor may:

• Measure physical development. The doctor will look at your child’s overall development, growth and weight. He or she may also offer tips on physical activity and nutrition.

• Discuss mental and social development. The doctor may talk with your child one-on-one about school, life and ways to manage stress.

• Discuss puberty and/or sexual health. This can include talking about the sexual health history of your son/daughter, advising about safer sex practices and testing for sexually transmitted infections (such as chlamydia).

• Discuss any medications your child takes to manage things like asthma, diabetes, ADHD, etc.

• Perform recommended health screenings and vaccinations. The CDC (2016) recommends the following immunizations based on age:

4-6 years 7-10 years 11-12 years 13-15 years 16-18 years

5th dose of DTaP Flu Flu Flu Flu

4th dose of IPV Meningococcal Meningococcal Booster

Flu Tdap Booster

2nd dose of MMR HPV

2nd dose of VAR

Live OnGet Tested,

3 | Autumn 2016

Health Screenings

If you need help finding a Primary Care Physician (PCP), visit

www.BlueOptionSC.com/FindADoc.

Americans are living longer, healthier lives than ever — and

screening tests may have something to do with that. Screenings

allow doctors to detect health concerns before they become

serious. This allows for early treatment to keep you feeling

your best.

Talk to your doctor about which of these screenings are right

for you:

• Colorectal cancer: When caught early, 9 in 10 cases of

colorectal cancer are curable. The American Cancer Society

recommends that people 50 and older get screened. There

are several screenings to choose from. Each type has its

own benefits. Your doctor can help you pick the test

that’s best for you.

• Breast cancer: A woman’s risk for breast cancer

increases with age. Experts recommend that women

ages 50–74 get a mammogram at least every two

years. If you have a family history of breast cancer,

you may need to be screened earlier. Ask your doctor

when and how often you should be screened.

• Prostate cancer: One of the most survivable forms of

cancer. Some experts recommend that men start being

screened in their 50s. Ask your doctor when you should

be screened.

• Chlamydia screening: This common, sexually transmitted

bacterial infection is easily cured. However, if left untreated,

it can cause a number of complications, including infertility

and pregnancy complications. Sexually active women 25 and

younger should be screened every year.

Healthy Steps:

1. Play an active role in your health care. Make a list of your

top three health questions and concerns before your next

appointment to talk about with your doctor.

2. There is a shortage of primary care doctors nationally. That

means that it can take a little while to schedule a physical

(checkup) with your doctor, so make sure to call early and

make your appointment.

Controlling Diabetes

Put Diabetes In Its PlaceMost people know that keeping your blood sugar close to normal helps prevent or delay some

diabetes-related problems. But diabetes care doesn’t stop there. You can prevent problems

with your eyes, kidneys and heart by making healthy lifestyle changes. Make the choice to

put diabetes in its place by following these recommendation:

Yearly:

• Get a seasonal flu vaccine.

• Have your annual diabetes care checkup. During your visit, your

doctor should:

• Review your diabetes care plan, including medicines,

nutrition, activity and body mass index (BMI).

• Do a blood test for LDL cholesterol. On average, your LDL

should be less than 100.

• Check your kidney function with a urine microalbumin test.

• Check your blood pressure — for most diabetics, it should

be under 140/90.

• Check the blood flow and nerves in your legs and feet.

• Have a diabetic retinal eye exam with an eye doctor.

Twice a year:

• Have a dental cleaning.

• Get your A1c checked. On average, your goal should be less than

7 percent. If your A1c is higher than 7 percent, you may need an

A1c check every three months.

Every day:

• Take medications exactly as directed.

• Make healthy food choices and stay active.

• Do not use tobacco products.

• Avoid high-sodium foods like fast foods, frozen meals and

smoked meats or fish.

People with diabetes also have a higher risk of pneumonia.

Talk to your doctor to find out when you should get the

pneumonia vaccine.

4 | Autumn 2016

For more information on reaching your health and wellness goals, visit www.BlueOptionSC.com. You can also call us at

855-838-5897 to connect with a personal health coach.

5 | Autumn 2016

Dental Health

Good news: It is not only in the genes! Just because your parents and grandparents

wore dentures, this does not mean you, too, will lose your teeth. With good home care

and regular visits to the dentist, most people can maintain a healthy smile their

whole life.

These small steps will go a long way to help you keep a beautiful, healthy smile for a

lifetime. Most preventive services are covered at 100 percent by many insurance plans

when visiting a network dentist. Visit www.BlueOptionSC.com to find a network dentist

near you.

Here are some helpful tips:

1. Brush twice a day for two minutes each time — once

after breakfast and again just before bedtime.

2. Don’t drink soft drinks or sugary sports

drinks — water is best.

3. Floss every day.

4. Use an antibacterial mouthwash twice daily.

5. Have any cavities or broken teeth repaired

quickly — these problems can become worse

with delayed treatment.

6. Snack on nuts and cheeses rather than crackers,

candy and chips — the proteins in nuts and cheeses

help you feel full, while the carbohydrates and sugars in

crackers, candy and chips feed the bacteria in your mouth that

eat away at teeth and cause cavities.

Healthy Teeth:Is It Only In My Genes?

Healthy Weight

The benefits of maintaining a healthy weight are endless. It can help you look better, feel better

and prevent a number of problems, including heart disease, diabetes and even cancer. Reaching

a healthy weight doesn’t happen overnight. But small, gradual steps can lead to big results.

Don’t be fooled by programs, services and vitamins that promise quick results. The truth is that

the key to reaching and maintaining a healthy weight is that your energy out (physical activity)

must be greater than energy in (calories). In other words, you need to burn off more calories

than you take in.

Here are a few tips to help you reach a healthy weight:

• Eat a healthy diet that is rich in whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, and lean protein.

• Make your plate colorful. Try swapping out your standard baked potato for a nutrient-dense

sweet potato. Or try adding fresh, steamed broccoli to your plate.

• Substitute healthier ingredients in your favorite meals. For example, try using non-fat milk

and light cream cheese in your favorite macaroni and cheese recipe.

• Be active at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week. Even if it’s done in smaller

blocks of time (for example, three 10-minute walks), the key is to get moving and get your

heart pumping.

• Do activities you enjoy. You don’t need to spend hours at the gym to maintain a healthy

weight. With activities like Zumba, kickboxing and spin, there’s something for everyone.

• Get outdoors! The air is cool and crisp, and the leaves are beginning to change. Now is the

perfect time to get out and get active. Not only will it benefit your physical health, research

also shows that being in the great outdoors can do wonders for your mood.

It is important to remember that each person’s body is unique and has different needs. A healthy

lifestyle requires balance: in the foods you eat, in the drinks you consume, in the way you carry

out your daily activities and in the amount of physical activity or exercise you include in your

daily routine. For help getting started in the healthy weight process, whether it is change or

maintenance, call a health coach at 855-838-5897 to get started today.

Weighing In On What’s Healthy

6 | Autumn 2016

7 | Autumn 2016

Reduce Pregnancy Problems

When you think about the health of a mother and her new baby, most people think of the care

they receive between conception and birth. However, preconception, prenatal and postpartum

(after birth) care are extremely important for both mother and baby.

Preconception

Women who maintain a healthy lifestyle before pregnancy tend to have healthier pregnancies

and healthier babies. By improving your health before becoming pregnant, you can reduce your

chances of experiencing pregnancy-related problems, such as gestational diabetes, miscarriage

and preterm birth. If you are thinking about becoming pregnant within the next year, follow

these steps to preconception health:

• Discuss your plan to become pregnant with your doctor.

• Eat healthy foods.

• Be active.

• Take 400 micrograms of folic acid daily.

• Avoid harmful chemicals and toxins, such as synthetic chemicals, metals, fertilizer, bug spray, and cat or rodent feces.

• Update vaccinations.

• Manage and reduce stress and get help with any mental health challenges.

• Learn about your family’s health history.

• Get regular checkups.

• Stop smoking and reduce alcohol intake before trying to get pregnant. Stop drinking while trying to get pregnant and during pregnancy.

• Manage health conditions, such as asthma, diabetes and unhealthy weight.

Prenatal

Medical checkups and screening tests help you and your baby stay healthy during pregnancy.

This is called prenatal care. It also involves education and counseling about how to handle

different parts of your pregnancy. During your visits, your doctor may discuss many things,

such as healthy eating and physical activity, screening tests you might need and what to

expect during labor and delivery. Outside of regular prenatal checkups, here is a list of other

pregnancy tips:

• Take a multivitamin that contains folic acid.

• Avoid X-rays.

• Get a flu shot.

• Eat a variety of healthy foods, and drink plenty of water.

• Do not use tobacco or other drugs.

• Do not drink alcohol.

• Try to get at least two hours and 30 minutes of physical activity in a week.

• Take a childbirth class.

Expecting Well

For more information on reaching your health and wellness goals, visit www.BlueOptionSC.com. You can also call us at 855-838-5897 to connect with a personal health coach.

We want to make sure you have the most current information about your policy. You can

have health information delivered right to your phone with the BlueChoice HealthPlan WireSM,

our text messaging tool. You get important news and updates about:

• Getting the most out of your coverage

• New features or enhancements

• Health and wellness reminders

To get started, simply text the word BlueTEXT to 73529 or call 844-206-0622. You’ll need to

have your member ID card ready.

On The Goand Still In The Know

Reduce Pregnancy ProblemsPostpartum

After your baby arrives, there is a lot to think about. It’s important for new moms to have a

postpartum checkup. This is usually done about six weeks after having a baby. This visit allows

your doctor to make sure you’re recovering from childbirth, both physically and emotionally. It

is important that you go to this appointment, even if you feel fine. Here’s what you can expect

during your visit:

• Your provider may talk with you about:

• Any issues you had during pregnancy, labor and delivery.

• Your options for birth control and family planning.

• Your feelings and concerns about being a new mom.

• A physical exam to monitor your health and make sure that you are healing well.

• Your provider may make sure that your vaccinations are up to date.

• Your provider may also order lab tests, if necessary. For instance, if you had gestational

diabetes, you may need a test to check your blood sugar.

It is also important to schedule your baby’s first well-baby visit. This visit should occur within

two weeks of going home with your baby.

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9 | Autumn 2016

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BlueChoice HealthPlan of South Carolina is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

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