“The turkey is roasting in the oven. The pies are cooling on the counter. And you may be telling yourself, “Thanksgiving Day is no time to be overly rigid about what I’m eating.”

Health experts say – you might have a point.

“I don’t want people overthinking their relationship with food during Thanksgiving, when the holiday should be about friends, families, being thankful and counting our blessings,” said Dr. Colleen Spees, an associate professor of medical dietetics at Ohio State University College of Medicine in Columbus.

Holidays tend to bring out all-or-nothing attitudes about eating, said Krystal Dunham, a registered dietitian nutritionist in Tulsa, Oklahoma. People are either “YOLO! It’s the holidays! I’m going to let all the rules go!” or “It’s the holidays, and I’m not touching anything unless it’s celery.”

“And I think there’s a way to exist in the middle,” Dunham said.

That middle ground allows for enjoyment, peace of mind and health, she and Spees said. And while some people, including those with diet-related medical conditions such as diabetes, might require more thoughtful planning, everyone can make simple, healthy last-minute choices that enhance the day.”

https://www.heart.org/en/news/2023/11/20/ideas-for-keeping-thanksgiving-healthy-and-happy

“Few days before if not already done, make serving extra-easy with a planned layout. Fill the dining table with your chosen serving bowls and glasses, placing food labels in the proper dishes. If you’re buying flowers for your centerpiece, remember to pick those up few or even couple of days before or easier fake lay our flowers (that is up to the hostess and host doing the party).

Night before most Thanksgiving chopping, peeling, or toasting can be done about 24 hours before Thanksgiving. Make the Thanksgiving pies if they need refrigeration after made that day do so, and set out the overnight dinner rolls to rise. As you prepare the side dishes and appetizers that can be made early, remember to set out any dishes or kitchen tools that you will need for Thanksgiving Day.

If you have a dessert and coffee table set it up the night before; you can even make a staging area for coffee, desserts, and drinks. Stock with flatware, sugar, creamer, and cups to avoid guests finding themselves underfoot.

Having a Turkey thaw it out 24 hrs before cooking.”

Striveforgoodhealth.com (striveforgoodhealth.com)

3 days before the big day or sooner TIPS! Well lets get prepared if you have the party at your house!

1. Thanksgiving, you can put the finishing touches on the guestroom and set out front porch decorations. Prepare the guest room with fresh linens and other amenities and rake the leaves when you get a chance. If children will be attending, get out Thanksgiving movies or games that kids will love, including BABY SAFE.

2. Double-check your home to make sure you have enough of everything for everyone. Think napkins, plates, serving bowls, name cards—even ice! This is a good time to wash or dry-clean your table linens, too.  Clean house for them and you guys giving the party!

3.  TODAY no later write down the menu if not already done.   Write down any items you’ll need to buy; remember to consider meals for the rest of the weekend if guests are sticking around. Turkey should be first and foremost if it isn’t already ordered. Consider purchasing perishables like milk and fresh fruit a day or two before the party so they don’t go bad.

4. If you’re purchasing a frozen bird, allow the turkey to thaw in your fridge for 24 hours for every 4 pounds of turkey.

5 Speaking of that delicious Thanksgiving turkey—plan ahead for tasty turkey leftovers. Make sure you have enough containers to hold all the leftovers. You may also want to grab a few inexpensive leftover containers at places like the dollar store or Walmart’s or Target, you get the idea!

6. To remember your health be STRESS FREE! 2 Days before the holiday do the following:  Prepare ingredients inadvance and tackle make-ahead dishes where you can. Prepare ingredients in advance and tackle make-ahead dishes where you can. Thanksgiving, clean and peel any vegetables and refrigerate them (keeping them in water can keep them from browning). Set out the bread for homemade stuffing (stale stuff works best), and pre-make your favorite sweet cranberry sauce and creamy mashed potatoes.   Run your dishwasher and make it dish free for the big day so clean up is easier!  SET UP YOUR BAR with empty ice buckets and alcohol not open yet like new wine bottles and harder alcohol on the table with the wine openers if you need them.  Make sure at the bar or in your closet you have enough clean glasses to lay out Turkey morning!

7. Few days before if not already done, make serving extra-easy with a planned layout. Fill the dining table with your chosen serving bowls and glasses, placing food labels in the proper dishes. If you’re buying flowers for your centerpiece, remember to pick those up few or even couple of days before or easier fake lay our flowers (that is up to the hostess and host doing the party).

8.  Night before most Thanksgiving chopping, peeling, or toasting can be done about 24 hours before Thanksgiving. Make the Thanksgiving pies if they need refrigeration after made that day do so, and set out the overnight dinner rolls to rise. As you prepare the side dishes and appetizers that can be made early, remember to set out any dishes or kitchen tools that you will need for Thanksgiving Day.

9. If you have a dessert and coffee table set it up the night before; you can even make a staging area for coffee, desserts, and drinks. Stock with flatware, sugar, creamer, and cups to avoid guests finding themselves underfoot.

LESS STRESS THE BETTER YOU THE HOST OR HOSTESS NEED TO ENJOY YOUR THANKSGIVING TOO!

“Some tips on things you can do post thanksgiving with your Turkey:

• Remember the Two-Hour Rule: Refrigerate perishable items within two hours of coming out of the oven or refrigerator. After two hours, perishable food enters the “Danger Zone” (between 40 F and 140 F), where bacteria can multiply quickly and cause food to become unsafe. Perishable food should be discarded if left out for longer than two hours, so refrigerate or freeze items to prevent food waste.
• Use Shallow Containers: After you break down your Thanksgiving meal into smaller portions, store leftover food in shallow containers in the refrigerator until the Monday after Thanksgiving, or in the freezer for later use.
• Freeze or Consume Within Four Days: Use the Monday after Thanksgiving as a reminder that it is the last day you can safely eat leftovers. If you want to keep leftovers longer, freeze them within that four-day period. Frozen food stays safe indefinitely, though the quality may decrease over time (best quality if eaten within six months).
• Reheat to 165 F: Make sure your reheated leftovers reach 165 F as measured with a food thermometer. Reheat sauces, soups and gravies safely by bringing them to a rolling boil.
• Microwave Food Safely: When reheating in the microwave, cover and rotate the food for even heating. Arrange food items evenly in a covered microwave safe glass or ceramic dish and add some liquid, if needed. Because microwaves have cold spots, check the internal temperature of the food in several places with a food thermometer after allowing a resting time.”

USDA (https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2021/11/22/leftovers-lets-keep-best-part-thanksgiving-safe)

“While Thanksgiving can be the perfect time for gathering around the table, this beloved American tradition can also play havoc with your heart health. Here are heart health habits to incorporate into your holiday tradition.

1. Downsize Your Plate

Be mindful of portions, try using a smaller plate so it appears full, and avoid heading over to Thanksgiving dinner on a completely empty stomach. To fill up a little, eat a high-protein snack, such as nonfat yogurt.

2. Stay Hydrated

Because the same part of your brain (the hypothalamus) is responsible for interpreting both hunger and thirst signals, mixed messages often lead us to believe we are craving food when all our body really wants, is fluids. Drinking a cup or two of water about a half-hour before your Thanksgiving meal can help you to feel full without overeating, aid in digestion and help your heart to work more efficiently.

3. Keep Stress in Check

Chronic stress is associated with an increased risk of heart attacks and stroke and that feeling of, “I can’t get it all done,” can really take a toll.

• Avoid over-committing. Prioritize yourself and make an investment in your physical and mental health.
• Take some downtime and head outdoors. Research suggests that a 10-minute walk may be just as good as a 45-minute workout in relieving anxiety symptoms.
•  Try to get enough rest and a good night’s ZZZs.

4. Ready, Set, Move

In addition to relieving anxiety, exercise not only lowers levels of a hormone (ghrelin) that stimulates appetite and raises levels of a hormone (peptide YY) that suppresses appetite, it also boosts your ‘good’ cholesterol, lowers your blood pressure, keeps your weight down and is a kind of one-stop-shopping for your overall well-being. During the holidays — and, in fact, all year round — aim for 30 minutes a day of brisk movement at least five days a week. Spread out the 30 minutes into more bite-sized 10-minute chunks and still reap the benefits. Be sure to talk with your doctor first if you are starting a new exercise program.

5. “Holiday Heart”

Alcohol can affect your heart health. Drinking too much and/or too quickly can result in an irregular heartbeat. Moderation is key. Binge drinking can produce disturbances in cardiac rhythm, even in people without underlying heart disease. Anyone can be at risk for “holiday heart syndrome,” a term that is applied to an irregular heart rhythm called atrial fibrillation, which is commonly triggered by excessive alcohol intake.”

Stony Brook Heart Institute (https://heart.stonybrookmedicine.edu/Thanksgiving)

“This is a great opportunity to come up with mindful strategies on how to avoid the overindulgence of those oh-so-good but oh-so-unhealthy foods. While it is important to enjoy ourselves and our families, it doesn’t have to mean we throw away all of our good habits.  One of the best strategies to prepare for the holiday feast is to get moving before your big meal. While you might think it makes sense to save up calories for the big meal, experts say eating a small meal in the morning can give you more control over your appetite. Start your day with a small but satisfying breakfast — such as an egg with a slice of whole-wheat toast, or a bowl of whole-grain cereal with low-fat milk — so you won’t be starving when you arrive at the gathering.  Whether you are hosting Thanksgiving dinner or bringing a few dishes to share, make your recipes healthier with less fat, sugar, and calories. There is more sugar and fat in most recipes than is needed, and no one will notice the difference if you skim calories by using lower calorie ingredients.

• Use fat-free chicken broth to baste the turkey and make gravy.
• Use sugar substitutes in place of sugar and/or fruit purees instead of oil in baked goods.
• Reduce oil and butter wherever you can.
• Try plain yogurt or fat-free sour cream in creamy dips, mashed potatoes, and casseroles.

Try to resist the temptation to go back for second helpings. Leftovers are much better the next day, and if you limit yourself to one plate, you are less likely to overeat and have more room for a delectable dessert.

Slowly savor and eat slowly on one plateful and no refills to have a nice healthy desert.

Remember, Thanksgiving is not just about the delicious bounty of food. It’s a time to celebrate relationships with family and friends.”

Texas Southern University (https://hr.tsu.edu/tips-for-having-a-healthy-thanksgiving/)

“Often COPD can be hard to diagnose because symptoms can be the same as those of other lung conditions. Many people who have COPD may not be diagnosed until the disease is advanced.  There are tests a GP or pulmonologist can order. Treatment is based on how severe your symptoms are and whether you often have bouts when symptoms get worse. These bouts are called exacerbations. Effective therapy can control symptoms, slow how fast the condition worsens, lower the risk of complications and improve your ability to lead an active life.

The most essential step in any treatment plan for COPD is to quit all smoking. Stopping smoking can keep COPD from getting worse and making it harder to breathe. But quitting smoking isn’t easy, especially if you’ve tried to quit and haven’t been successful.

Talk with your healthcare professional about stop-smoking programs, nicotine replacement products and medicines that might help.”

MAYO Clinic (https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/copd/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20353685)

If you have COPD, you may have symptoms such as:

• trouble breathing
• cough
• wheezing
• tightness in your chest

Smoking often causes COPD, but in some cases, breathing in toxins from the environment is the cause.

There’s currently no cure for COPD, and the damage to the lungs and airways is permanent.

However, several medications can help reduce inflammation and open your airways to help you breathe easier with COPD.

Short Acting Bronchodilators:

Bronchodilators help open your airways to make breathing easier. Your doctor may prescribe short-acting bronchodilators for an emergency situation or for quick relief as needed.

You take them using an inhaler or nebulizer.

Examples of short-acting bronchodilators include:

• albuterol (Proair HFA, Ventolin HFA)
• levalbuterol (Xopenex)
• ipratropium (Atrovent HFA)
• albuterol/ipratropium (Combivent Respimat)

Short-acting bronchodilators can cause side effects such as:

• dry mouth
• headache
• cough

These effects should go away over time.

Other side effects include:

• tremors (shaking)
• nervousness
• a fast heartbeat

If you have a heart condition, tell your doctor before taking a short-acting bronchodilator.

Corticosteroids:

With COPD, your airways can be inflamed, causing them to become swollen and irritated. Inflammation makes it harder to breathe.

Corticosteroids are a type of medication that reduces inflammation in the body, making air flow easier in the lungs.

Several types of corticosteroids are available. Some are inhalable and should be used every day as directed. They’re usually prescribed in combination with a long-acting COPD drug.

Other corticosteroids are injected or taken by mouth. These forms are used on a short-term basis when your COPD suddenly gets worse.

The corticosteroids that doctors most often prescribe for COPD are:

• Fluticasone (Flovent). This comes as an inhaler you use twice daily. Side effects can include headache, sore throat, voice changes, nausea, cold-like symptoms, and thrush.
• Budesonide (Pulmicort). This comes as a handheld inhaler or for use in a nebulizer. Side effects can include colds and thrush.
• Prednisolone. This comes as a pill, liquid, or shot. It’s usually given for emergency rescue treatment. Side effects can include headache, muscle weakness, upset stomach, and weight gain.

Methylxanthines:

For some people with severe COPD, the typical first-line treatments, such as fast-acting bronchodilators and corticosteroids, don’t seem to help when used on their own.

When this happens, some doctors prescribe a drug called theophylline along with a bronchodilator.

Theophylline works as an anti-inflammatory drug and relaxes the muscles in the airways. It comes as a pill or liquid you take daily.

Side effects of theophylline can include:

• nausea or vomiting
• tremors
• headache
• trouble sleeping

Long Acting Bronchodilators:

Long-acting bronchodilators are medications that are used to treat COPD over a longer period of time. They’re usually taken once or twice daily using inhalers or nebulizers.

Because these drugs work gradually to help ease breathing, they don’t act as quickly as rescue medication. They’re not meant to be used in an emergency situation.

The long-acting bronchodilators currently available are:

• aclidinium (Tudorza)
• arformoterol (Brovana)
• formoterol (Foradil, Perforomist)
• glycopyrrolate (Seebri Neohaler, Lonhala Magnair)
• indacaterol (Arcapta)
• olodaterol (Striverdi Respimat)
• revefenacin (Yupelri)
• salmeterol (Serevent)
• tiotropium (Spiriva)
• umeclidinium (Incruse Ellipta)

Side effects of long-acting bronchodilators can include:

• dry mouth
• dizziness
• tremors
• runny nose
• irritated or scratchy throat
• upset stomach

More serious side effects include:

• blurry vision
• rapid or irregular heart rate
• an allergic reaction with rash or swelling

Combination Drugs:

Several COPD drugs come as combination medications. These are mainly combinations of either two long-acting bronchodilators or an inhaled corticosteroid and a long-acting bronchodilator.

For people with COPD who experience shortness of breath or trouble breathing during exercise, the American Thoracic Society strongly recommends a long-acting beta agonist (LABA) combined with a long- acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA).

Triple therapy, a combination of an inhaled corticosteroid and two long-acting bronchodilators, is recommended for those who continue to have shortness of breath or trouble breathing and are currently using LABA and LAMA combination therapy.

Recommended LABA/LAMA combination bronchodilator therapies include:

• aclidinium/formoterol (Duaklir)
• glycopyrrolate/formoterol (Bevespi Aerosphere)
• tiotropium/olodaterol (Stiolto Respimat)
• umeclidinium/vilanterol (Anoro Ellipta)

Combinations of an inhaled corticosteroid and a long-acting bronchodilator include:

• budesonide/formoterol (Symbicort)
• fluticasone/salmeterol (Advair)
• fluticasone/vilanterol (Breo Ellipta)

Combinations of an inhaled corticosteroid and two long-acting bronchodilators, called triple therapy, include fluticasone/vilanterol/umeclidinium (Trelegy Ellipta).

A 2018 research reviewTrusted Source found that triple therapy reduced flare-ups and improved lung function in people with advanced COPD.

According to current guidelines, the inhaled corticosteroid may be withdrawn if you have not had a flare-up in the past year.

However, it also indicated that pneumonia was more likely to develop with triple therapy than with a combination of two medications.

Antibiotics:

Regular treatment with antibiotics like azithromycin and erythromycin may help manage COPD.

Long term antibiotic therapy needs further research studies.

Cancer Medications for COPD:

Several cancer drugs could possibly help reduce inflammation and limit damage from COPD.

A 2019 study found that the drug tyrphostin AG825 helped lower inflammation levels in zebrafish.

The medication also sped up the rate of death of neutrophils, which are cells that promote inflammation, in mice with inflamed lungs similar to COPD.

Research is still limited on using tyrphostin AG825 and similar drugs for COPD and other inflammatory conditions. Eventually, they may become a treatment option for COPD.

Different types of medications treat different aspects and symptoms of COPD. Your doctor will prescribe medications that will best treat your particular condition.

Types of surgery for COPD:

Some considerations for surgery candidates include:

• You must be strong enough to have the surgery.
• You must participate in a pulmonary rehabilitation program.
• You cannot be a current smoker.

Some lung surgeries require that the lung damage must be in an area that is localized (a specific area) and can be removed. The decision for surgery is based on the results of many tests. Talk to your doctor to find out if lung surgery is right for you.

There are two types of lung surgery performed to address COPD:

• Bullectomy is a procedure where doctors remove one or more of the very large bullae or blebs from the lungs. Bullae are large air sacs that form from hundreds of destroyed alveoli. These air spaces can become so large that they crowd out the better functioning lung and interfere with breathing. For those people, removing the destroyed air sacs improves breathing.
• Lung Volume Reduction Surgery (LVRS) is a procedure to help people with severe emphysema affecting the upper lung lobes. LVRS is not a cure for COPD but can improve one’s exercise capacity and quality of life. The goal of the surgery is to reduce the size of the lungs by removing about 30 percent of the most diseased lung tissues so that the remaining healthier portion can perform better. LVRS also can allow the diaphragm to return to its normal shape, helping you breathe more efficiently. The surgery has been shown to help improve breathing ability, lung capacity and overall quality of life among those who qualify for it.

Surgery Transplantation for patients who are candidates:

Lung transplantation can prolong and dramatically improve quality of life for patients with advanced lung diseases. The Center for Advanced Lung Disease and Lung Transplantation at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center is one of the oldest in the United States, having performed more than 1,300 lung and heart-lung transplants since 1988. Between 2001 and 2019, with the launch of new program leadership, they performed over 1,000 lung transplants.

Their patient survival rates are much higher than the national average — even though they treat sicker patients than most U.S. centers. We’ve also worked to expand the pool of donor lungs through innovative technologies. Over the years, they have earned a reputation for our clinical expertise and rigorous commitment to excellence.

“Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterised by poorly reversible airflow obstruction and an abnormal inflammatory response in the lungs. The latter represents the innate and adaptive immune responses to long term exposure to noxious particles and gases, particularly cigarette smoke. All cigarette smokers have some inflammation in their lungs, but those who develop COPD have an enhanced or abnormal response to inhaling toxic agents. This amplified response may result in mucous hypersecretion (chronic bronchitis), tissue destruction (emphysema), and disruption of normal repair and defence mechanisms causing small airway inflammation and fibrosis (bronchiolitis).

These pathological changes result in increased resistance to airflow in the small conducting airways, increased compliance of the lungs, air trapping, and progressive airflow obstruction—all characteristic features of COPD. We have good understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the pathological changes found in COPD.”

National Library of Medicine (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1463976/)