Bless Your Heart Health, Ladies!

Posted on February 6, 2012 by

According to the American Heart Association, heart disease kills more women than all cancers combined.  That is pretty amazing, given our rightful attention to causes such as breast cancer awareness.  More interesting is how women support and take care of each other through these causes – women are natural caregivers, even with strangers.

However, we have an obligation to take care of our own health – for ourselves, our family and friends.  That’s not as natural for us!  So, let’s start with some heart health basics since February is Heart Health Awareness Month:

  • Get your cholesterol checked if you haven’t in the past year.  Consider a VAP Test or PLAC Test, which offer more comprehensive information.
  • Exercise!  Practice for and join your community health walks.  This is an excellent way to move and socialize at the same time!
  • Eat right  The holidays are over! It is time to get serious about what you are putting into your body.  Try your local farmer’s market, stores that carry organic and fresh produce, or if you are on the run, try Meals To Live frozen meals, which are diabetic-friendly.
  • Monitor your glucose and take action right away if you’ve been diagnosed as a pre-diabetic or diabetic.
  • Stop smoking.  Enough said.
  • Recognize symptoms of a possible heart attack  Women’s heart attack symptoms can be different than those of men.  Be on alert for:
    • Uncomfortable pressure, fullness, squeezing or pain in your chest
    • Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
    • Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.
    • Other signs such as breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.
    • Women are somewhat more likely than men to experience some of the other common symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting and back or jaw pain.

Ladies, Bless Your Hearts and learn more by visiting the American Heart Association and get tested at your local ANY LAB TEST NOW.

Posted in ANY LAB TEST NOW, Cholesterol, Health, Heart Disease, Lab Tests, Uncategorized, Wellness | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

2011 Franchisee of the Year and Best Start Franchise Awards

Posted on January 30, 2012 by

Congratulations to our 2011 Franchisee of the Year, co-owners Jeff Nugent and Syl Trepanier, Dallas, TX.  Check out our surprise award visit to learn why this team deserves to be recognized:

Jeff Nugent, Dallas, TX, 2011 Franchisee Of The Year

Then there are Quentin Caswell and Carl Smith, co-owners of ANY LAB TEST NOW, Joplin, MO, recognized as the 2011 Best Start Franchise.  We didn’t get to make a trip to Joplin; however, do want to to share why they were chosen.

Just a few weeks prior to their store opening, Joplin incurred severe devastation due to tornados that ripped their town apart.  Instead of letting this setback get the best of them, Quentin and Carl pushed even harder to get open and help their community.  Many of the local labs and physicians had been displaced, and they made every effort to reach out and be there to fill in the gaps for affordable lab testing.

Carl and Quentin, Joplin, MO, 2011 Best Start Franchise

Click here to learn more about these amazing ANY LAB TEST NOW franchisees.  Congratulations Jeff, Syl, Quentin and Carl!

 

Posted in ANY LAB TEST NOW, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Got a Refund? Get a Paternity Test

Posted on January 26, 2012 by

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), 41% of all babies are born out-of-wedlock (2009).  This rate has been inching up year after year.  Unfortunately, this also results in more highly-emotional relationship situations between the mother, the alleged father and even their families when it comes time to establish paternity for the child, who is ultimately affected by his or her parents’ reactions and decisions.

When a mother or father inquires about a paternity test, they most commonly state they just want to know the answer, is he or is he not the father; and they want to know quickly.  Urgency is a given – these parents are dealing with so many emotions, ranging from anger to frustration to confusion to trying to decide whether or not they should bond with the baby yet.   Many purchase what is called an “informational paternity test” or “self-collection kit” because it is the cheapest.  Yet, is it the right test?

Here are the most common ways people ultimately use their paternity test results:

  • Seek or deny child support
  • Seek or deny child custody or visitation
  • Seek military, health insurance or social security benefits
  • Add or rescind a father’s name on the child’s birth certificate
  • Adoption

This is the sad part:  Parents buy the cheapest test, because it is what they can afford to answer their question.  Yet, does it?  No.  These test results cannot be used to solve the most common ways people use paternity test results!  In these instances, they must have a legally-admissible test result document – no other option.

It’s tough when you are a parent in this position; however, you have to get past the “I just want to know” and move towards what’s in the best interest of the child; how you and your family will be able to more quickly bond and develop a strong relationship with the baby when you know the answer; and relieving all of those emotions that ultimately show up when there are paternity questions.

If you didn’t have the money before, maybe now is the time.  Many people will be getting their tax refunds this quarter.  Consider investing in your child’s future and your peace of mind.  It is a priority.

Happy Mom and BabyTo learn more, download our free e-book, or contact your local ANY LAB TEST NOW location.

Posted in ANY LAB TEST NOW, DNA / Paternity, Lab Tests | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Thinking About January, And We Haven’t Even Made It Through The Holidays!

Posted on December 6, 2011 by

I’ve already caught myself already thinking ahead to the new year, about my resolutions.  It might be because I stuffed myself at Thanksgiving and every party I go to has tons of amazing food and of course, cocktails.  I jump on the scale and just watch the digital numbers bump up ever so slightly each time (knowing even a little jump every day will eventually add up…).

So, now I reason with myself that if I at least plan for January, I’ll be ready to take off any weight gained early in the game and take better care of me.  Right… is that the guilt factor speaking to me?

So, here’s my plan to make it through the holidays:

  • I went and got my B-12 Shot to increase my energy.  I’m now ready to juggle everything I need to do to get ready for the holidays AND still have the energy to exercise (that is, as long as I make the time).
  • I need to get my cholesterol and glucose checked so I have a baseline after the new year.  With all the butter, sugar and other good ‘ole down-home food my family slaps on the table, I can only imagine what my results might look like after the first of the year.  Knowing where I am now may help keep me in check…
  • I will jump on my elliptical trainer at least 5 times per week.  I will, I will, I will!
  • Salad will become my best friend when I am not attending a holiday function.

Then, after January 1, I am going to make a new year’s resolution that works, and knowing my health on the inside as well as seeing how I look on the outside is what’s going to drive me to continue past January 31, the normal “end” to those resolutions we set for ourselves.

What is your holiday plan to Take Control of Your Health™?

Posted in ANY LAB TEST NOW, Cholesterol, Health, Lab Tests, Wellness | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Post-Thanksgiving Toast to Health

Posted on November 29, 2011 by

So, it’s the week after Thanksgiving.  I know it is past and usually everyone moves on to the Christmas season.  It may be cliché’, but I really took being thankful for my health to heart this year.  Part of it may be age, but part was also thinking differently about how I care (or don’t care) for myself affects my friends and family.

As I start nearing that ripe old age of “50”, I realize I still have a great deal of life to live.  The question is whether or not my body will keep chugging along with me!  I am not ready to give up the joy of grandchildren during the holidays, the vacations together with my children or the freedom of getting to do what I want to after years of raising my family.  Reality clicks in – it is up to me to make sure I am taking care of myself to make that happen.

I also see how poor health affects a family financially.  Many of my friends have lost jobs and/or their health insurance.  So, they start making choices and forego taking care of their health the way they know they need to, such as showing up for regular check-ups, staying on their medications, and so forth.  Ultimately, their family pays – from the stress of a sick parent or child to dealing with the costs of a worse condition that now requires treatment…. Or else.  The financial blends into an emotional affect, as everyone tries to deal with the consequences.

Be thankful for your health and continue to take care of yourself, for you and for your family.  You all deserve it.  At ANY LAB TEST NOW, we try to help you take control of your health affordably and conveniently.  Let us know if we can help and until then, eat right, exercise, and see your doctor when needed or as scheduled.

Terri McCulloch, Vice President, Sales & Marketing

Posted in ANY LAB TEST NOW, Cholesterol, Health, Lab Tests, Wellness | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Drug Free Work Week

Posted on October 20, 2011 by

By Laura Bradbury

Toxicology Manager

This week we are participating in National Drug Free Work Week here at ANY LAB TEST NOW®. Waaaaaaiittt, before you stop reading- stay tuned for some information that might surprise you about drug testing. Even if you are not an employer, this can affect you as an employee. So buckle your seat belt and read to the end.

Drug testing is expensive, right? I mean in this economy we are all tightening our belts. We have to make sure every penny that we are spending has a positive return on investment. It takes money to make money, but a penny saved is a penny earned.

So let’s break down a few myths that you may have heard.

The first myth is: I will lose all of my employees if I drug test.

At ANY LAB TEST NOW, we work with the most highly accredited and reliable toxicology labs in the country. They’ve done a lot of research about drug use. In a year of testing tens of thousands of employees, our data shows that less than one in ten employees test positive for drugs. For companies that have a rigorous random drug testing policy in place, the percentage of positive tests drops dramatically to one in twenty or even as low as one in fifty. Did you know that 44% of callers to the cocaine hotline admitted that they have sold drugs at work? Do you really want to employ folks who may be bringing drugs to your place of business?

The second myth is: Drug testing takes a lot of time and it’s a lot of paperwork.

One of the options that ANY LAB TEST NOW is happy to offer is on site testing. We will come to your location to do the collections. That means we can have an employee off line for less than 10 minutes. This is just one of the convenient services your personal drug testing specialists will be able to offer you. We can also help you create a drug testing policy as well as help you qualify for worker’s compensation insurance discounts where applicable. It’s all part of the total package solution that we provide.

The third one is: Drug testing is expensive, I can’t afford it.

Drug testing does come with a fee; however the financial benefits by far outweigh what you will spend in drug testing costs. Have you noticed that health care costs are rising? If you are a small, medium or a large sized business, you may have had to reduce the healthcare benefits you are offering to your employees. The fact is ONE drug or alcohol abuser can cost an employer over $6000 per year! If you have 20 employees, you may spend less than $1000 to drug test all of them. Having a drug free workforce gives you a positive return on your investment in testing.

Secondly, drug and alcohol abusers may not always be under the influence at work, but they most definitely suffer the consequences of drug use in their performance. In a study of admitted cocaine abusers, 67% of them admitted that they under performed on the job. So what does that really mean? That means YOU are paying a drug abuser 100% salary to do two thirds of a job! Think of how much money you could save to fire the underperformer and hire someone able to give 100%.

Last but not least, we are here to help. If you need employee education materials to raise awareness of the impact drug and alcohol abuse, supervisor training or a substance abuse professional, your personal drug testing specialist from ANY LAB TEST NOW will guide you every step of the way. All though this week we are promoting National Drug Free Work Week, every week should be at your place of business.

Congratulations! You’re almost to the end where you get to find out some good news. We are going to give you something for FREE! Would you like to find out how much money you can save by implementing a drug free work place? Contact your personal drug testing specialist at ANY LAB TEST NOW and ask for a consultation. Not only is it free, it may save you money.

Posted in ANY LAB TEST NOW, Drug testing, Lab Tests, Toxicology | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Get Me Off This Hormone Rollercoaster!

Posted on October 6, 2011 by

As I’ve gotten closer to that (cough, cough) “middle age,” I’ve noticed that there are days and weeks when I am all out of whack.  I wake up more irritable than I normally do, find myself crying at the smallest thing, then can be blissfully happy, acting like a school girl again.  There are nights when I wake up with my pajamas soaking wet and my body shivering cold, then I force my husband to wear his thermals in the middle of summer.  The air conditioner must be on 65 degrees!  Hubby tip-toes around me lightly, not knowing what kind of mood I might be in.

So, at my next regular check-up, I decide to face my reality – I might be entering menopause.  I discuss this with my doctor, Ms. Happy-and-Bright-Cheerleader-Who-Is-Not-Even-CloseTo-“That-Time”, and tell her I want her to check my hormones to see if what I suspect is correct.   A week later, I get the call I am expecting, with an unexpected answer, “You are just fine, and everything’s normal.”

No!  Everything is not normal!  At this point, I am beginning to feel like a hypochondriac, but there is no way wringing out my bed clothes is normal.    I tolerate the never-ending rollercoaster a few more months and decide to try again.  Surely the reality is showing up in my blood now.  But nope – still “normal.”

Then, I find out about saliva hormone testing.  The beauty of this test is:

  • I no longer have to bug my doctor, who already thinks I’m crazy
  • I can do it myself in the privacy of my own home
  • It measures my hormone levels throughout the day, even when I am craziest, instead of at the time of the blood draw
  • I am ready to take it when I feel it is most appropriate, because it is a kit I collect at home

Watch out world – I’m in control of my health now.  How about you?

Saliva hormone tests are now available at certain ANY LAB TEST NOW locations.  $10.00 off this month in celebration of Women’s Health Month.  Woo-hoo!

Posted in ANY LAB TEST NOW, Hormones, Lab Tests, Wellness | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Think Fast – How Many Pills in Your Medicine Bottle? What You Need to Know About Teen Drug Use

Posted on September 29, 2011 by

How many Vicodin or oxycodone pills do you have left in your prescription bottle from the last time you had a need for short-term pain relief?  Ah, don’t remember, do you?  Most of us wouldn’t – doctors give us a prescription for 10 or 30 pills, we take them as needed until the pain becomes bearable then we save them “just in case” we ever need them again.

Did you know the fastest growing trend in teen drug abuse is prescription medications?  Yep, those young ‘uns are smart cookies.  They know where you keep your meds, and they know you won’t miss 1 or 2 or 5 pills with a street value between $20 – $40 each.  It’s party money to them, and unknown to you.

So, what should a parent do?  Here are a few tips to protect your family from prescription drug abuse and the peer pressure teens sometimes face with their friends:

  1. Many communities host periodic prescription drug “take back” programs.  This means you take your unused or expired prescription medications to a designated drop-off location, and they’ll take it from there.  Ask your local pharmacist about an upcoming event.
  2. Consider a safe for your medications, such as Rx Drug Safe, or build a locked cabinet specifically for this purpose.
  3. As you’ve heard many times before, “keep all medications out of reach of children,” meaning no low drawers or cabinets where little ones can easily reach.
  4. Consider random drug testing, following our Trust But Verify Program.
  5. Ask your physician to only prescribe enough pills to get you over the hurdle in managing your pain.  Move to another over-the-counter pain reliever when you are able.

Parenting is hard, and today’s social environment doesn’t make it any easier.  Help your teen and protect your meds.

Posted in ANY LAB TEST NOW, Drug testing, Lab Tests, Prescription medications, Toxicology | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Cholesterol? What Cholesterol? My Internal Battle

Posted on September 13, 2011 by

Every time I turn around, there are news blurbs and health blogs about high cholesterol.  Heck, is there anything that won’t make us susceptible?  Well I know a few things that will!

  • My fave – French fries
  • Age (I really don’t want to hear that word right now…)
  • My parents and their parents – an easy excuse – genes
  • Back to my bad eating habits of fast food
  • Alcohol
  • Smoking (not my habit, just one of those things I know about)

I’m at that “give and take” part of my life. I’m going to have to give up some of the “good stuff” like Twinkies, Little Debbie Swiss Rolls and Coconut Fudge ice cream to save myself from the “bad stuff”, heart disease.

I fear pain.  I am a bit of a wimp.  I cannot even imagine what a heart attack feels like.  I will give my bags of chips up any day and will even climb on the dusty elliptical trainer sitting in the corner of my living room rather than having to deal with that issue.  That is, if I really need to…  That’s the problem – willpower, and knowing!  You can’t see or feel those waxy globs of fat in your system, so I’m taking a risk with the occasional late-night snack while reasoning with myself why I deserve it.

So, I finally got smart.  I got my cholesterol tested.  It gave me something real to look at.   Sorry snack cakes, you are going to have to go on vacation.  The numbers are reality, and reality reminds me of my biggest fear.  Knowing my cholesterol level is more motivating than hiding in the closet and hoping the grim reaper of blood gunk will pass me by.   So, I encourage all my readers to get your cholesterol tested and know your reality today.

Posted in ANY LAB TEST NOW, Cholesterol, Heart Disease, Lab Tests, Wellness | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

What’s Up With That?? What’s Good For Me Can Also Be Bad For Me?

Posted on August 31, 2011 by

There’s a reason why your momma always told you to “drink your milk” when you were a child.  You’ve seen the milk commercials – it builds strong bones.  Then, when you started becoming the sunbathing god or goddess on the beach, your mother’s mantra changed to “wear your sunblock”.  Both good for you, right?

Well, yes and no!  Who would have thought that sunblock would also inhibit our body’s ability to produce Vitamin D?  The good news is if you use sunblock, you are protecting yourself from the negatives associated with sun exposure – skin cancer, wrinkly skin, unwanted aging and sunburn.  The question is, is your body getting enough exposure to produce a sufficient amount of Vitamin D?

It sounds silly to get a Vitamin D test in the summer when you’ve got a great tan going on; however, it may be the smartest thing to do to ensure you are not deficient if you are taking care of your skin through sunblock protection.  Who wants Vitamin D deficiency when you are older?  Now we have to deal with osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, hypertension – whew!  The list goes on.

Lucky for us, if we just get tested periodically, we will know if we have a deficiency, then can take care of it in a number of ways, from combining a Vitamin D rich diet with supplements, or seeking guidance from our physician or nutritionist.  So, I’m not going to end this with “break a leg” (caused from Vitamin D deficiency); take control of your health, even in the summer.

Posted in ANY LAB TEST NOW, Lab Tests, Vitamin D | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment