Cravings — they can feel like a comforting friend or a gut-punching enemy, depending on what you’re craving. An estimated 90% of people experience cravings, and, believe it or not, not all cravings are bad. Leaning into our healthy cravings can help establish a healthy diet. Don’t worry, we’re thinking the same thing: “If that’s the case, why do we crave sugary snacks and fatty foods the most?!” It’s complicated, but understanding your brain is a great place to start. What are cravings, really? Decades of research have proven that cravings start in our brain, not our body. This might be shocking for some, since it was commonly believed for a long time that if you were craving a steak, you were probably low in iron. However, the brain connection makes way more sense. Think about it: Does your body love circulating excess sugar that can lead to health complications, or does your brain enjoy sugar more? After all, sugar releases the feel-good neurotransmitter dopamine, which our brains love. A chocolate milkshake or lemon bar helps us feel good by literally triggering our brain’s pleasure centers. That means when we’re unhappy, stressed, or needing a pick-me-up, we might start craving foods that comfort us, such as ice cream. How do I stop craving unhealthy things? One thing is for sure: Restrictive diets don’t always work. It’s hard to “rewire” the brain by completely rejecting how it currently operates. Instead, you might want to consider accepting your cravings, but make slow and deliberate changes to how you satisfy those cravings. For example, if you’re craving potato chips, why not try kale chips or another crunchy but healthier alternative that you already enjoy? If you’re craving soda, why not crush some fresh fruit into sparkling water instead? Make it a treat, make it special, but make it healthier. Eating more filling, nutrient-dense food and getting more sleep are also great ways to fight cravings. It leaves little time or room for binging on bad foods. However, a 6-month 2018 study in the National Institutes of Health has shown that flexibility in your diet can make a difference for making real, meaningful changes to your lifestyle long term. By overcoming shame and accepting your cravings, you won’t fear making a single mistake as much. It’s all about playing the long game.
When you visit an emergency room, you’re usually afraid, in pain, and vulnerable. It’s a time when you most hope to receive high-quality care. But the crowded and hectic nature of most emergency rooms can result in mistakes, some of which rise to the level of medical malpractice. EMERGENC MALPRACTICE IN HOW THE LAW HA
Emergency room malpractice refers to errors, mistreatments, or additional damage a patient may endure when treated in an ER. Often, these cases are more difficult to prove due to the limited time a doctor can spend with each patient and the lower amounts of paperwork typically involved. But emergency room doctors can still be held liable for scenarios like medical error, misdiagnosis, surgical error, and premature discharge.
Per a law that went into effect on Jan. 1, 2022, New Mexico has increased the total amount a medical malpractice victim can
receive in damages. For individual providers, the legislature raised the cap from $600,000 to $750,000. Even better, outpatient treatment facilities — like emergency rooms — have seen a cap increase from $600,000 to $4 million. The cap will also continue increasing by $500,000 each year until it reaches $6 million.
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