Is vaping harmful to health?

When it comes to vaping, there’s one big question that continues to be debated - is vaping harmful? It’s a divisive subject that’s having a huge impact on how vaping is being viewed and the regulations that are being put in place in the U.S. and beyond. But with so much conflicting information out there it can be difficult to untangle the facts from the myths.

The first thing you need to understand when it comes to vaping is that in medical and research terms it’s still a very new phenomenon. That means that reliable, long-term studies have yet to emerge and many of the studies that have been conducted have been done on a small sample, making it difficult to gain a bigger picture of the health implications of vaping. But there is research that’s being conducted and findings already released now that can help us assess whether or not vaping is harmful to health.

Many of the research has been centered on comparing vaping to smoking traditional cigarettes. As vaping is being used as an aid to give up tobacco, these pieces of research help to inform policy decisions. An expert independent review published by Public Health England in 2015 concluded that when compared to tobacco, e-cigarettes were 95% less harmful. The landmark findings have been used extensively since, with many policymakers recognizing the potential benefits of using vaping in place of smoking.

These findings have been further supported by another study which found similar results.

One of the key reasons that vaping is so much better (in terms of harm caused) than tobacco cigarettes is the chemicals each contains. A typical cigarette contains over 4,000 chemicals, including over 40 that are known to cause cancer. Other chemicals are toxins. This is significantly higher than those that are in e-juice, even those that have complex flavors. Choosing natural e-liquid further reduces the chance that what you’re vaping contains nasty chemicals that could have a negative impact.

While nicotine doesn’t cause much of the harm that results from smoking cigarettes, it is the addictive agent that keeps people reaching for another. E-liquids are available in varying degrees of nicotine, including those containing no nicotine at all. It puts vapers in control of what they’re inhaling, allowing them to reduce health risks and cut their dependence of the chemical.

While vaping has been found to be significantly less harmful than traditional cigarettes, there are still some health risks. Many of the claims are still in the study phase, so how likely they are to happen and whether they’re connected to vaping is often a little uncertain. However, understanding the potential risks is important to help vapers make an informed decision. It also means that vapers can keep an eye out for symptoms that could be linked to vaping.

Among the health concerns of vaping are:

• Increased risk of cardiovascular diseases
• Higher chance of stroke
• Causing ‘popcorn lung’
• Affecting the immune system

How harmful vaping is to your health is still unknown. Research shows that when compared to smoking it is a better alternative. But if you’re not switching from traditional smokes to vaping, it’s uncertain how you could be raising your chance of serious health concerns. Over the coming months and years, there will be plenty of research conducted on this topic.

It’s also important to note that some of the risks associated with vaping may be linked to regulation. It’s only recently that governments around the world have taken steps to improve the regulation of the fast growing industry and in the past some e-liquids have been found to have misleading labels and claims relating to nicotine levels and ingredients. With greater oversight and improved awareness of why vapers should choose reputable sellers, these risks could be cut even further.

This is a guest blog post.

Essential Guide to Psoriasis

Concerned a patch or red, itchy skin could be something more than simple dermatitis? You may have heard about psoriasis on TV, but still aren’t  sure exactly what it is or if you should see a doctor about your own concerns over getting it. If that sounds like you, don’t miss this go-to psoriasis guide:

What is Psoriasis?
While referred to as a common skin condition, psoriasis is actually a diagnosable autoimmune disease. Characterized by reappearing small to large patches of abnormally red, dry, or scaly skin on the body, psoriasis is a chronic condition currently without a cure.

What Causes Psoriasis?
Somewhat baffling to the medical and scientific communities, psoriasis occurs when the normal life cycle of skin cells is rapidly sped up, leading to a buildup of cells on the surface of the skin. These buildups may present as patches of specific regions of the body or in some cases, covering almost the entirety of the body. Symptoms of psoriasis include:

• Discolored patches of skin, often red, shrouded in thickened, silvery scales

• Thick nails with pitting, or shallow or deep depressions

• Soreness, itching, burning of scaly skin patches

• Tight, stiff, and swollen joints

• Dehydrated, cracked skin (that may break and bleed)

Interestingly, flare-ups of psoriasis may dissipate after some time and potentially even go into remission. The root cause of the sped up skin cell replication is still unknown, however, researchers believe it has something to do with overactive T cells in the body. T cells play an important role in helping your body stave off infection by traveling around and eliminating foreign entities like bacteria, fungi, and viruses.

In patients with psoriasis, T cells mistake healthy skin cells for infectious agents and attack them instead. The body then triggers production of new skin cells to travel up to the top layer of skin where they die and accumulate. While this process should normally take weeks, psoriasis sufferers will experience it within days, leading to the rough, scaly buildup of itchy patches on their body.

What are the Risk Factors for Developing Psoriasis?
Unfortunately, scientists are still trying to figure out what causes the hyper-normal T cell activity in the first place. They have, however, nailed down some key risk factors including:

• Genetics: Having a parent with psoriasis does increase risk for developing it.

• Excess weight: Obesity boosts risk for developing psoriasis and especially acquiring psoriatic plaques (lesions) in the creases and folds of excess skin.

• Chronic infections: Adults and children who develop regular bacterial or viral infections are at increased risk for developing psoriasis.

• Smoking: Smoking is believed to contribute to initial development and severity of psoriasis. The National Psoriasis Foundation shares findings that smoking might double the risk of getting psoriasis.

• Stress: High stress levels can suppress the immune system and open the window for psoriasis.

For people with psoriasis, flare-ups are often triggered by external factors like an existing injury or sunburn of the skin, excessive alcohol consumption, stress, an infection, certain medications like beta blockers, smoking, and vitamin D deficiency. Harvard Medical School research reveals that vitamin D produced in the body from sunlight helps to keep skin healthy and strong and that people with plaque psoriasis are often deficient in this nutrient.

What are the Types of Psoriasis?
Depending on the severity and location of your psoriatic symptoms, doctors may diagnose you with one of these types:

Plaque psoriasis - around 90% of psoriasis sufferers develop this type which is marked by red, itchy patches of skin covered in scales of silver tinting. Patches may be small or large, and appear anywhere, including in the soft tissue linings of the mouth.

Guttate psoriasis - characterized by drop-shaped lesions, this type of psoriasis is most common in children and young adults who develop a bacterial infection.

Nail psoriasis - irregular nail growth, nail pitting, discoloration, and even a separating of the nail from the nail bed might be caused by this type of psoriasis in either the fingernails or toenails.

Erythrodermic - this rare form of psoriasis will cover almost the entirety of the body with a red, flaking and peeling rash that is significantly itchy or burns.

Inverse - largely found under the breasts, in the groin, genitals, or armpits, this form of psoriasis is exacerbated by fungal infections and the friction and sweat of body regions which rub together.

Pustular - Sometimes accompanied by fever, chills, diarrhea, and severe itching, pustular psoriasis looks like red and tender patches of skin that develop pus-filled blisters.

Psoriatic arthritis - mild to severe joint stiffness, inflammation, and pain may accompany an episode of psoriasis patches and nail changes. Progressive joint damage from this type of arthritis can lead to long-term deformity.

How is Psoriasis Treated?
While many preventative measures can help keep psoriasis symptoms from flaring up, there are some medical and natural treatments which can mitigate existing symptoms and tackle the skin cell buildup, itchiness, and pain.

Topical corticosteroids are medicated ointments which can be rubbed on psoriasis patches to relieve itching and reduce inflammation. A back lotion applicator can help psoriasis sufferers apply topical agents to hard to reach places - see more here.

Vitamin D analogues are synthetic forms of Vitamin D, which can be administered as topical therapy; the analogues bind to vitamin D receptors in the body helping to stave off the worsening of psoriasis symptoms. Other topical aids like Anthralin and Calcineurin inhibitors help to slow skin cell growth, remove built-up scales and plaques, and reduce inflammation. Ointment-based moisturizers should be applied to the skin following bathing to help lock in moisture and prevent excessive water loss that makes psoriasis patches burn and itch more.

Phototherapy is another avenue for treatment and involves exposing the skin to controlled amounts of sunlight and lasers to help it fortify itself against breakdown. Severe and resistant cases of psoriasis may require prescriptions for oral or injected medications that suppress the immune system, fight inflammation, and slow skin cell growth. These types of medications often come with a laundry list of dangerous side effects and are typically only administered when other treatments have failed to work.

Bottomline
If persistent skin irritation like you see with psoriasis patches is inhibiting your day to day life and making tasks like going to work and hanging out with friends hard or embarrassing, talk to your doctor about evaluating you for psoriasis. Early detection and helpful information can have you tackling psoriasis symptoms before they lead to further complications or pain.

This is a guest blog post.

How To Reduce Dental Anxiety

Visiting the dentist is an essential part of your healthcare regime. You have just one set of teeth to last you a lifetime, to achieve this you need the help of professionals! Yet, despite knowing it is good for you, that does not stop and estimated one in five people being scared of visiting them.

It doesn’t matter if you use the best dentist Bankstown has to offer or one that has just qualified; these tips will help you to reduce your dental anxiety and get the best possible care for your teeth.

Make the Appointment

The first step is to simply make the dental appointment. It is advisable to do this by phone as you can persuade yourself that you are making a different type of appointment.

The alternative is to get a friend to make an appointment for you.

Whether you or your friend calls make sure you tell the dentist that you suffer from dental anxiety. This will enable them to help you at the appointment and they will know in advance to take it slowly.

Take A Friend

Unfortunately the waiting room is one of the most nerve racking places to be, even without dental anxiety! It is, therefore, important to take a friend with you for moral support. They can keep your mind busy by chatting about all sorts of other things.

Breathe Slowly

As you start to get nervous you will probably find that you are holding your breath. Unfortunately this will reduce the amount of oxygen getting to your brain and other vital organs; increasing the feeling of panic.

Simply practice breathing slowly and deeply before, during and after the appointment.

Check-Up

When making an appointment specify that you merely want a check-up. Yes, you may need cleaning or dental work but that doesn’t mean you have to undergo it straight away. By visiting for just a check-up all you are doing is letting the dentist inspect your mouth and tell you about the condition of your teeth.

You can worry about any treatment which is needed later.

Timing

Visiting the dentist is stressful. It is, therefore; imperative that you choose the best time for your appointment. You need to have no pressing demand for your time; this will simply add stress to your day.

Instead make sure you have at least a 2 hour window clear; this will help you remain calm.

Talk To The Dentist

There are so many people with dental anxiety that your dentist will be used to dealing with it. Talk to them about your concerns and they will be able to help you. A good dentist will take it slowly, allowing you several appointments before they do anything to your teeth.

It is also a good idea to discuss hand signals with your dentist; you may not be able to talk when they are poking round your mouth. Having a set of signals means that you can remain in control and stop the appointment any time you need to.

However, you will be surprised at how quickly you feel comfortable in the chair.

This is a guest blog post.

Three Unique Ways to Beat Insomnia

Insomnia can be a debilitating issue.  Lack of sleep for a prolonged period of time can sap your energy and make it difficult for you to work or enjoy life.

It can also lead to several health problems.  But what are you supposed to do when you've tried all the common methods to beat insomnia, and sleep still won't come?  Chances are there are a few methods you have yet to try. Here are three unconventional ways to beat insomnia that are worth checking out.

Try Math Problems

You have probably heard about counting sheep to get to sleep.  Unfortunately, counting sheep doesn't work very well because it's such a boring exercise that instead of making you sleepy, makes your mind wanders off to other subjects.  The act of counting sheep is also not mentally challenging.  You won't spend much energy on it, which won't make you tired.

A better idea is to try doing mental math: specifically, math that is easy enough to do in your head, but difficult enough to give your brain a workout.  One idea is to start at 300 and then count backwards in threes until you hit zero.  

Although subtracting by three is not difficult to do, you do have to put some thought into it, which will keep your mind off of other worries that may be keeping you up. If you are still having trouble falling asleep by the time you hit zero, start at a higher number and try again.

Listen to a Boring Podcast or Audio Book

Like math problems, the idea here is to distract your mind from the day's worries without making you think too hard.  Find something that is interesting enough to distract you without keeping you awake.  Choosing a speaker with a soft, pleasant voice is another helpful idea.  Some options you can try include documentaries or instructional podcasts or audio books.  Some podcasts are even made specifically to induce sleep, so try doing a search for those.

Wear Blue-Blocking Lenses Before Bed

Our brains naturally produce a hormone called melatonin at bedtime, which makes us sleepy.  Unfortunately, the light emitted by electronic devices such as smartphones, televisions, and computers blocks the production of melatonin.  This can cause sleep issues in several people. 

For many of us, electronics are a fact of life and it's not easy to avoid using them before bedtime.  If that's the case for you, you may find blue-blocking glasses to be a solution.  These glasses, which can be bought at a variety of places online, are amber-colored and block the blue light emitted by electronics.  This encourages your body to produce melatonin.  For many people, wearing the glasses for a few hours before bed every night makes a huge difference when it comes to falling asleep.

Insomnia that lasts for more than a few weeks can be indicative of a more serious health problem, so be sure to see a doctor if your sleeplessness concerns you.  Hopefully, with a little bit of help from these techniques, you'll be sleeping soundly again soon.

This is a guest blog post.

7 Ways to Naturally Stimulate the Lymphatic System

Want to give your body a fighting chance come cold and flu season? In addition to being smart about washing hands, getting vaccinated, and avoiding areas of flu outbreak, you might want to consider boosting your own lymphatic flow.

What exactly is the lymphatic system? You may have had a doctor check you for swollen lymph nodes when you have felt under the weather so you’ve likely heard the term before. Lymph nodes are a key component to the lymphatic system, an intricate network of lymphatic vessels, nodes, glands, organs, and ducts through which lymph fluid flows helping to filter out toxins from your system and fight potential infections.

Unlike your circulatory system which pumps blood from the heart all around your body (upwards of 2,000 gallons a day!), your lymphatic system relies on the contracting and relaxing of muscles to push fluid down and around through lymphatic vessels and back up to the heart to be reabsorbed into the bloodstream. Lymph fluid carries white blood cells with it which play an important role in detecting pathogens (infectious viruses, bacteria, fungi, etc) and eliminating them before they spread. The glands and organs of the lymphatic system including the tonsils and spleen help to filter out toxin build-up and waste by-products that could potentially make you ill.

There are many ways you can naturally stimulate your own lymphatic system, some of which might surprise you:

Dry Brushing - brushing your skin in long upwards strokes from your feet and hands inwards towards you chest with a dry brush has been shown to trigger lymphatic drainage. The best skin brushes for dry brushing will have long handles and coarse bristles made with natural hair. Dry brushing also serves as an exfoliator, helping to clear skin congestion and soften skin tone and texture.

Inversion -  while gravity does its job pulling you towards the earth and keeping you from floating into the sky, when it comes to supporting a lymphatic flow back up towards your heart, gravity isn’t helping. That’s where inversion, or hanging upside down with secure foot straps, comes into play. Inverting the body helps to decompress joints and fill muscles and tissues with blood where the lymphatic system then drains the toxic build-up.

Rebounding - don’t skip out, join your kids on the trampoline, it could be good for your health! Rebounding, or essentially jumping up and down on a bouncy surface like a trampoline for at least ten minutes passively mobilizes lymph flow and boosts your blood circulation too.

Massage - manual lymphatic drainage techniques, or lymphatic massage, can be used to boost lymph flow through targeted, deep pressure manipulation of muscles and tissues. Stagnant lymph fluid will build up with toxins and congest the entire system; specialty massage like this can help mobilize that fluid and get it flowing once more to be filtered out.

Practicing Yoga - the gentle, flowing movements, stretches, and poses of yoga are great for enhancing flexibility, while the deep breathing practice and meditation supports stress relief and mindfulness. When it comes to boosting lymphatic flow though, it is many of the inversion poses of yoga which help, as well as the twisting and contorting that causes a natural contraction and release of muscles which the lymphatic system relies on.

Drinking Water - staying properly hydrated essentially helps to flush the lymphatic system along, preventing lymph fluid from sitting and building up more toxins. While drinking glasses of water regularly throughout the day helps, so does eating water-rich foods like fresh fruits, vegetables, soups, and smoothies.

Hydrotherapy - sure a nice warm soak in the bath sounds lovely, but when it comes to lymphatic flow, alternating between cold and warm water is actually key. Best done in the shower, switching from hot to cold water when bathing will cause your muscle tissues and blood vessels to expand, contract, expand, contract, and so on. This acts like a natural pump to cue the movement of fluid through your lymphatic system as well as kick start your immune system.

This is a guest blog entry.

Herbal Treatments for CTS Symptoms

We all know what life is like these days. From a young age children are huddled over remote controls for either the television or gaming stations. Tablets, computers and mobile phones are commonplace. It is no secret that as this transition has taken place the instance of carpal tunnel syndrome has increased considerably.

What Is Carpal Tunnel?

Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs in the wrist and is caused through the compression of the meridian nerve which basically controls the function of your hand. It is a painful condition that often carries with it feelings of numbness and tingling and an overall weakness of the hand. In severe cases the mobility and function of the hand may be hindered.

What Causes Carpal Tunnel?

There are a number of different causes and reasons for the onset of carpal tunnel syndrome. These may include but are not limited to aging, diabetes, ganglion cysts, lupus, gout, injuries that have not healed correctly or entirely, and even repetitive motions like those used when typing on a keyboard or pressing the buttons on a gaming remote.

Treatments Available

While carpal tunnel syndrome can be treated non-invasively, surgery does sometimes become necessary. The pain associated with carpal tunnel can be severe and pain medication is often a necessity. If you suffer from carpal tunnel and you are feeling the pain, consider all your options before settling on one.

One natural treatment that many have used for pain relief is CBD. If you’re curious about CBD oil - what is it and how it can help you?- it’s a natural extract of the cannabis, or hemp, plant. The difference between the two is the level of THC.

THC is the chemical element that is picked up through urine testing or blood testing and this is the chemical that is illegal in most countries. THC causes the “high” that is associated with marijuana smoking. Although THC and CBD are found in both marijuana and hemp plants, hemp has a higher amount of CBD, and the medicinal value of the CBD oil extracted from hemp is considerable. It can act as a an effective pain management aid and also assists in calming and relaxing which in turn puts less stress on the joints.

This form of self-medication can be taken both orally and topically. There are a variety of strengths available. It is best to find one that is suited to your needs and easy for you maintain regularly. A trained professional should always oversee your treatment and of course, the recommended dosages should always be followed.

Carpal tunnel syndrome at the end of the day is a man-caused ailment. Our lifestyles and the work we do have a lot to do with its causes. Too quickly these days do we turn to chemical-filled medication that often does more harm than good. It is time to turn back to mother nature and use what she so graciously provides.

Using CBD oil from the hemp plant does not mean you are addicted to marijuana and certainly won’t be the cause of a failed drug test. Take your health into your own hands. You might be pleasantly surprised at the overall health benefits you achieve. CBD oil can also boost your health in other areas.

This is a guest blog entry.

What is the Klotho Protein, and What is its Role in Aging?

The klotho protein has been hailed by biologists around the world as having the potential to help slow the aging process, as well as slow the progression of common age-related health problems (like heart disease and kidney failure). But what is klotho protein, and what is its role in aging?
Read on for an overview of the klotho protein, which will provide you with the information you need about its potential use in the field of anti-aging medicine.

What is the Klotho protein?

Klotho is a protein encoded by the Klotho gene (or “KL” gene), which was originally identified in mice as a protein that extends their lifespan when overexpressed.  This means that mice whose bodies produce more klotho protein tend to have longer lifespans than those who produce less of it.  In fact, mice with lower-than-average levels of klotho protein tend to see more signs of aging earlier than those with higher klotho levels.

Klotho is most known for regulating vitamin D and mineral metabolism, and may have some effect on heart and kidney health. Scientists have found an unexpected connection between human metabolism and the specific way that the klotho gene ages. This has led some scientists to believe that the klotho protein might be able to slow down the human aging process, theoretically preventing some age-related illnesses.

Doctors have theorized that the klotho protein might be able to play a role in shrinking tumors, reducing diabetes symptoms, slowing aging and improving cognitive function.  One review of multiple studies found that reduced klotho production may be linked to a higher prevalence of coronary artery disease, and that “high Klotho gene expression was independently associated with lower risk for CAD.” These findings have generated interest within the scientific community around assessing whether klotho protein could be used to prevent disease and extend human lifespan.

How is the klotho protein involved in the aging process? It’s clear that there is a connection between klotho protein and the aging process, with many scientists theorizing that it may be able to be used to extend the lifespan of a human being.

Scientists with the Mayo Clinic have reported that the klotho protein might act as an aging suppressor (in addition to suppressing the growth of tumors). Researchers noted that klotho levels in older mice, rats and monkeys were substantially diminished. They observed that, in all the brain tumors they studied - klotho was “downregulated” (it’s production was reduced) - which leads many scientists to believe that klotho could be used to treat brain tumors.

While many studies have focused on the effects of a lack of klotho, it has been shown that increasing a mouse’s klotho levels can increase lifespan among many other benefits. According to many members of the scientific community, it might be possible to see a similar effect in humans.

What are scientists doing now?

A number of scientific studies are currently under way with the goal of assessing the klotho protein’s ability to extend a person’s lifespan, as well as help treat brain tumors, coronary artery disease, stroke, and kidney failure. Biotech companies like Klotho Therapeutics are conducting research and making klotho protein available to the public in a clinical setting.

In the future, many are optimistic that the klotho protein could be used to decelerate the progression of age-related diseases, and change the way that we think about aging. Though we’re far from having klotho come into common use by general practitioners in the United States, the benefits are becoming clearer with each published study.

Sources: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3110841/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24813892

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4176932/

https://mayoclinic.pure.elsevier.com/en/publications/the-anti-aging-and-tumor-suppressor-protein-klotho-enhances-diffe

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/02/110218165252.htm

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0085253815524605

This is a guest blog entry.

Powerful Health Benefits of Taking a Bath

Head pounding from sinus pressure brought on by seasonal allergies? Muscles aching from a stressful week at work? Having trouble getting to sleep at night? You might think that these seemingly non-related minor health issues wouldn’t have anything in common, except you would be wrong.

Turns out one very simple and often overlooked activity could be the key to fixing them . . . taking a bath.

Alleviates Muscle Aches
Lower back and neck pain are all too often realities for people living in the digital age, many of whom spend day in and day out sitting at a desk working on a computer, practicing poor posture habits and barely getting enough stretching or exercising in each week. Baths provide a unique opportunity for muscles to be swathed in warm water, helping to reduce inflammation, boost blood circulation, and mitigate the pain signals being sent back to the brain.

Similar to applying a heat pad to a sore back, lying in warm bath water can alleviate dull aches and muscle tension, and potentially prevent you from having to take over the counter pain medicine. Arthritic joints that experience stiffness, inflammation, and pain can also receive relief both in and out of the bath. Some hydrotherapies involve lying in a cool bath, or ice bath, and when a person then transitions into a warm bath, blood flow rushes back through vessels and arteries flushing out lactic acid and built-up waste byproducts, and delivering fresh oxygen and nutrients to fight inflammation and aid tissue repair.

Improves Sinus Pressure
Pressure, pain, and headaches symptomatic of sinus inflammation can be debilitating, making it hard to carry on with even the simplest daily tasks. The cheekbones, forehead, and bridge of the nose may ache from a sinus infection, seasonal allergies, a cold, the flu, and so on. What causes that pain? Most often, sinus pressure results from inflammation of the lining of the nasal passageways as well as potential buildup of mucus and other gunk in the nasal cavities that result in a blockage.

The steam from a hot bath can provide temporary relief of some sinus pressure by opening up nasal passageways and eliminating some of the blockage. Nasal tissue inflamed from constant sneezing and blowing of the nose can also benefit from relaxing steam from a bath, especially when the water is enhanced with essential oils like peppermint or eucalyptus. Scientists have also found that elevated body temperatures (like with a fever or taking a bath) actually stimulate a more powerful immune response in the body which can potentially help you stave off infections.

Nourishes and Hydrates Skin
Did you know that an estimated 500 million skin cells will die off on the surface of your body every single day? While many fall off and become dust on your shelves and windowsills, millions remain building up, clogging pores, and making the appearance of your skin seem dull or rough. Taking a warm bath after exfoliating your skin can do wonders from scrubbing away built-up dead skin cells to improving tone, texture, and pore size. Experts recommend first showering and exfoliating with a cloth, gloves, or brush like a back scrubber - for back scrubbers, click this URL.

This washes off dead and damaged skin cells, oils, lotions, and any other potential contaminants that were on your skin. Following this routine with a warm bath then helps to rehydrate your skin, which is technically the largest organ on your body. The heat of the water raises both your temperature, which may cause you to sweat, your body’s natural cleansing process, as well as your heart rate, stimulating lymphatic flow and blood circulation.

Promotes Healthy Sleep
The combination of pain relief, cleansing, and stress relief a bath brings is in itself a recipe for better sleep at night, however, there is a unique way a warm bath also aids this process. The body naturally enters a cool down period when it is time to sleep, helping you relax and enter a deep unconsciousness where system functions start to repair, from the brain to your muscles.

When you exit a warm bath into naturally cooler air, especially right before bedtime, melatonin release is triggered in the body, a hormone which is responsible for helping you fall asleep. Bathing by candlelight, listening to calming music, and avoiding looking at digital devices prior to bed may help you fall asleep faster and even get better quality sleep.

This is a guest blog entry.

5 ways to ensure that you recover effectively

Being unwell is never a pleasant experience. It can be extremely frustrating to sit around and wait for the moment that you start to feel better. That is why you should be doing everything in your power to make sure that your recovery goes to plan.

Even small changes can make a huge difference. If you are desperate to be fighting fit again, you should read on. Below are five ways to ensure that you recover effectively.

Get lots of rest

If you are an active person, spending your days in bed may seem like a nightmare. However, plenty of sleep is one of the best ways to speed up your recovery. If you struggle to get a decent amount of rest, you could always try meditation. Alternatively, you could read or listen to soothing music. The important thing is to avoid overstimulating your mind. Being as relaxed as possible will help you to sleep well.

Recuperate in a pleasant environment

Make sure that you are recuperating in a pleasant environment. If you are surrounded by clutter and chaos, it will be extremely difficult to relax. That is why you need to clear the space around you. If you are not up to tidying, ask one of your loved ones to step in. You should also fill the room with items that bring your joy. You should surround yourself with positive affirmations and images that bring back good memories. This will provide both motivation and comfort.

Think about hygiene

If you are receiving visitors, you will need to think about hygiene. Make sure that you have an antibacterial gel in your room. Encourage everyone to use it when they are entering and leaving. You should also ask them to thoroughly wash their hands. When your body is recovering, it is more susceptible to illness and infection. Instead of being able to battle off a simple cold, you are much more likely to be affected. That is why you need to take every precaution possible.

Purchase the right equipment

Don’t forget to purchase the right equipment to help you with your recovery. This is one of the best ways to speed up your progress. For instance, if you are waiting for a wound to heal, you will need use the correct bandages. Tegaderm Transparent Film Dressing, provides a comprehensive bacterial and viral barrier. It is also flexible enough to allow for greater patient comfort. Why settle for a less than satisfactory product, when you can purchase equipment that is specifically designed to promote a more effective recovery?

Challenge yourself

When it comes to your recovery, you want to be making progress each day. That is why it is essential that you challenge yourself. You need to visualize feeling completely better and take consistent steps towards this outcome. However, it is vital that you do this in accordance with your doctor’s recommendations. Pushing yourself too far could result in a major setback. You need to strike the right balance between perseverance and patience.

This is a guest blog entry.

Hernia Guide - Causes, Symptoms, Treatment

Ever wondered how all of your internal organs stay in place? Connective tissues that vary from thin internal skins to a comprehensive network of nerves, blood and lymph vessels help keep organs in placed - they include areolar tissue, reticular tissue, and adipose tissue.

Sometimes, however, organs can bust through those protective tissues which hold them in place and cause real trouble - you know this occurrence by the term “hernia.”

What is a Hernia?
Occasionally, an organ will actually push through an opening in the tissue or muscle holding it in place leading to a painful and potentially dangerous injury called a hernia. Most often occurring in the abdominal region, hernias may also develop around the groin, belly, and upper thigh. If you discover a visible lump that doesn’t reduce in size and feels tender or aches, you should consult your doctor right away in case you do have a hernia. Symptoms of hernias depend on the type of hernia you have. Based on a physical exam, medical history, and discussion of recent strain and symptoms, your primary care doctor should be able to assist you in a customized treatment plan to prevent the hernia from worsening.

What Causes a Hernia?
Hernias may develop almost immediately or over a prolonged period of time. A combination of strain and muscle weakness is often the cause for a hernia. Damaged tissue from an injury or surgery, older age, chronic coughing, or some congenital defects can lead to weakness in connective tissues which can’t reinforce their own walls.

Strain can then result from a variety of activities from lifting heavy loads to sudden weight gain, excessive coughing or sneezing, constipation, buildup of abdominal fluid, and even being pregnant. When the weakened muscle causes an abnormal opening, the contained organ (like the intestines) will exit through the opening resulting in a bulge. Factors which put you at risk for developing a hernia include:

•    Family history of hernias
•    Chronic cough (and things which cause chronic cough like cystic fibrosis, smoking, etc.)
•    Chronic constipation (leads to strain when having a bowel movement)
•    Being obese or simply overweight

What are the Types of Hernias?
4 main types of hernias exist, varying in degree of severity as well as requirement of invasive treatment.

Inguinal hernia: The most common type of hernia, inguinal hernias result from the intestines actually pushing through a weakened or defective area of the inguinal canal (lower abdominal wall). These types of hernias are more common in men and can lead to symptoms including weakness, pressure, or a heavy dragging feeling in the groin as well as burning or aching at the site of a visible bulge, and pain or discomfort in the groin when coughing, lifting, or bending over. Note: A femoral hernia also appears in the groin, and while rare, most often develops in women who are overweight or pregnant.

Hiatal hernia: Hiatal hernias affect the diaphragm, the respiratory muscle used to help breathe in air. When part of your stomach bulges through the hiatus, the small opening of the diaphragm meant for the esophagus to go through to the stomach, a hiatal hernia occurs in your chest cavity. Symptoms of a hiatal hernia include heartburn, difficulty swallowing, chest pain, abdominal pain, belching, feeling super full after a meal, or even vomiting or excreting blood.

Umbilical hernia: While having the potential to affect adults, these types of hernias are most common in infants under 6 months old whose abdominal walls are still strengthening. A bulge in or near a baby’s belly button might indicate a hernia where an intestinal loop has pushed through the abdominal wall near the belly button. In addition to a visible protrusion, babies may experience pain, tenderness at the site, swelling, discoloration, or they may begin vomiting.

Incisional hernia: Following some type of surgery to the abdomen, you may experience a hernia where the intestines pokes through the incision site where the surgical wound never completely healed. The hernia may occur right at the scar, or in the surrounding, weakened tissues. A visible lump may be accompanied by pain, swelling, fever, and pressure.

How Are Hernias Treated?
Hernia treatment can vary from simple monitoring to surgical intervention. Depending on the severity of your hernia and its effects in the body, your medical care team will strategize a treatment plan that may include:

•    Exercises to strengthen the muscles around a hernia site
•    Dietary modifications to address acid reflux of a hiatal hernia
•    Activity limitations to avoid strain, lifting, and bending
•    Wearing a hernia belt to compress the raised bulge and alleviate pain
•    Medication to reduce stomach acid
•    If necessary, surgery to return the organ to its proper area and close off the tissue opening

Even if a raised bump or bulge doesn’t feel painful or tender, it’s critical to seek a medical evaluation as fast as possible. All hernias have the potential to lead to more complicated or life-threatening conditions like obstructed bowels, intestinal strangulation, and infection.

This is a guest blog post.

Potential Mental Problems Each Gambler Shares

Every gambler who has a gambling problem eventually loses control over the amount of money and time he or she spends in gambling. They start focusing more on gambling and forget about all other duties and the damage that gambling can cause. This eventually can lead to mental problems.

Mental problems caused by gambling

1.    Depression and anxiety

Most gamblers who gamble too much have mixed feelings. They know that their gambling addiction is affecting the people who love them and they get more anxious and sad and they may even hate themselves. However the desire to gamble is so high that they can’t control it. They feel that they cannot do away with the money, time, and emotion that they have put into gambling. They find it difficult to accept that they will never recover whatever that they have lost.

There are others who try to quit gambling but it is not easy. They fear getting caught by their loved ones and this drives them into hiding and into dept. They go on believing that they will win huge from casino offers such as free spins and put an end to all their problems. This can lead to depression and anxiety.

 

Depression, anxiety and stress are common to both the gambler and his loved ones. This makes thinking, sleeping, and solving issues difficult. Symptoms and possible indicators of major depression include:

●    Losing interest in the things one used to love doing.
●    Feeling depressed, irritable, and down.
●    Difficulties in falling asleep, poor sleep, or sleeping too much.
●    Change in appetite.
●    Gaining or losing weight.
●    Feeling hopeless, helpless, or despairing.
●    Finding it difficult to recall things and thoughts becoming slower.
●    Going over guilty feelings from time to time.
●    Feeling tired, heavy and slow, or feeling jumpy and uneasy.
●    Feeling angry
●    Contemplating suicide.
●    Ulcers
●    Muscle pain

2.    Suicide risk

The rate of committing suicide is very high for those that gamble too much. The ones who are highly capable of attempting suicide are those who have also suffered mental problems like depression or use of drugs. Those that have threatened to commit suicide in the past are also at a higher risk.

https://pixabay.com/en/people-emotion-dramatic-female-1492052/

 3.   Compulsive gambling

This is where a person seeks greater excitement while expecting a huge return for little or zero effort. Criminal thinking processes can exist in a person with such choices. They include:

●     Looking for huge payoffs for little effort.
●     Unrealistic expectations.
●     Lying by commission or omission to people who may hold them accountable.
●     Ignoring the consequences of one's actions.
●     Super-optimism in counting on an ultimate big score.
●     Betrayal of trust (for example, of workmates and family members).

Conclusion

Other mental problems associated with gambling include attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and bipolar disorder. These are serious problems which must be expedited for treatment. With the right treatment, gambling addicts can recover and become a winner for life.

This is a guest blog entry.

Key Risk Factors for Low Back Pain

Suffering from chronic low back pain? Looking to prevent old back pain from returning? Turns out a handful of activities you do and don’t do could be putting you at risk.

Low back pain is essentially any ache or soreness targeted to the lumbar spine region of the back where the spine is curved inwards toward the abdomen. The comprehensive system of musculoskeletal components that make up the lumbar spine area include bones, muscles, tendons, nerve roots, spinal discs, and joints. Any of these can potentially be involved in injury or strain.

Pain typically results from inflammation of muscles, tendons, and joints which puts pressure on vulnerable nerve endings. Additionally, sometimes the spongy pads (discs) that sit between each of the vertebrae and serve as shock absorbers degenerate or herniate, which can also cause moderate to severe pain.

So what are you doing that is putting you at risk for low back pain?

Sedentary Lifestyle
You may have heard the new saying “sitting is the new smoking” which refers to the health dangers associated with prolonged sitting. A new study from the Annals of Internal Medicine has found in the most serious degree that prolonged sitting, 12+ hours a day, especially for folks spending 60 to 90 minutes sitting at one time, can increase your risk of early death. Back pain from sitting might not seem as grave as those findings, however, it could be a more prevalent reality in your life.

When you spend significant amounts of time sitting down, you place up to 90% more pressure on the spine than you do when you’re standing. A hunched, rounded back can lead to muscle tension, pelvic imbalance, and constant strain in muscles and other connective tissues coming off the spine. Experts recommend never going more than 30 minutes sitting without standing up to stretch and briefly walk around.

Overweight / Obese
An astonishing 1 in 3 adults in the U.S. is obese according to StateofObesity.org. In addition to generating chronic low back pain, being overweight or obese increases risk for developing debilitating conditions like heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and dementia. There are a handful of indirect ways obesity can cause low back pain including promoting inactivity and altering center of gravity.

When you carry extra weight, especially around the abdomen/midsection of the body, your center of gravity is actually pulled forward. This can impact the way you sit, stand, and walk, causing you to pull forward than you normally should and causing your spine and back muscles to work harder to keep you supported and the aligned. Inactivity in the form of avoiding exercise also contributes to low back pain by preventing tense muscles and stiff joints from becoming stretched and lubricated, which allows for more circulation and less inflammation.

Physical Labor Job
One of the top causes of acute low back pain would have to be strain and injury from physical labor jobs which either require heavy lifting or repeated movements involving the back. Good examples include baggage handling jobs at airports, working in a warehouse, nursing involving lifting patients, or even hauling a growing baby and diaper bag daily like many new moms do.

The continuous bending, arching, twisting of the back combined with pulling, pushing, and lifting of heavy work pulls on crucial muscles in the back causing them to become inflamed, tense, and stiff. In addition to pain, you might experience spasms and limited range of motion. Experts recommend people in these fields avoid lifting more than 50 pounds at a time, wear proper fitting and supportive shoes, consider wearing an orthotic aid like a back brace, do gentle spinal stretches to lengthen and reinforce the spine, and always use help (from others or equipment) when possible.

Poor Posture Habits
Say you don’t have a job that requires awkward body positions or heavy lifting, and that you don’t spend most of the day sitting, could you still be doing something that is causing your back pain? Absolutely. Poor posture habits, either with sitting or standing are possibly the biggest culprit when it comes to back pain. Everything from slouching and slumping when sitting, to crossing your legs, leaning on one leg when standing, and craning your neck and head past your shoulders when staring down at a device like your laptop or smartphone.

The more work your back muscles have to do to keep your spine straight, aligned, and supported, the more inflamed and strained they become. Don’t fret though, there are myriad ways you can address bad posture and reverse those dangerous habits. Fortify the back with exercises that gently stretch back muscles and strengthen your core. Use ergonomic cushions like a lumbar support pillow for the car or desk chair. Sit on a stability ball when working at a desk instead of in a chair, or invest in a standing desk. There are even smartphone apps you can download like Perfect Posture Workout (iOS) and Perfect Posture (Android) that alert you when you need to correct your posture.

This is a guest blog post.

Health Benefits of Volunteering

When it comes to enhancing your own health and well-being, diet and exercise are typically top of mind, however, there are a handful of other activities that play important roles too. Volunteering covers all your bases - physical activity, social engagement, and feeling the positive effects of helping others. Healthwise, volunteering has been shown to:

Combat High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure, hypertension, plagues millions of Americans and is a key risk factor for developing a host of conditions including heart disease and diabetes. When the blood vessels in your body narrow or your heart becomes weakened, your heart must pump blood through with greater force to keep up with the circulation needs of all your organs, nerves, and so on. The higher that force, or pressure, the more stress and strain it places on the cardiovascular system and critical organs, even the brain. Findings from a 2013 study found specifically that older adults who volunteer regularly are less likely to develop hypertension than non-volunteers.

Relieves Stress
While a calming yoga session or relaxing music might be your go-to stress relievers, getting busy helping others might also do the trick. Volunteering has the unique power to help those serving others gain new perspectives and outlooks on life, don a sense of purpose and fulfillment to life, as well as engage them with groups that share their interests and passions. Even altruistic volunteering done largely to make one feel good about oneself can bring about feelings of confidence, self-reliance, and purpose that may have been lacking.

Improves Cognitive Function
As volunteering requires both physical and emotional contributions, it can be a powerful activity for improving brain health. A 2009 study from John Hopkins University found that elderly adults at higher risk for cognitive decline benefitted from volunteering as mentors for young people. Brain scan evidence revealed that crucial regions of the brain responsible for planning and decision-making actually experienced short-term gains and were matched by positive behavioral improvements too.

Boosts Mood
You know that little high you get when you eat chocolate or spend time with a good friend? That “pleasurable” feeling is actually the result of the hormone dopamine being produced in your brain. Turns out volunteering can also stimulate dopamine release, turning your time helping others into a feel-good sensation you will want to get more of. Prioritizing giving back by scheduling time to serve even when you are busy has also been shown to enhance feelings of personal efficiency and know-how.

Can Give You a Workout
Volunteering and service projects which incorporate physical labor can be beneficial to your mind and body by providing a low-impact workout that gets your heart pumping and your body sweating. Everything from building houses to highway cleanups, running camp activities, or volunteering to walk dogs for the local animal shelter can provide a physical workout that helps strengthen your muscles and bones.

Looking for health-benefiting volunteer ideas for the fall?
The beautiful weather of fall matched with an abundance of holiday activity make the last few months of the year the perfect time for volunteering. Fall service ideas include:

•    Volunteering at a fall festival or carnival in your community
•    Running or walking in a fall or holiday charity athletic event that raises money for a good cause
•    Installing fall prevention equipment like shower grab bars, railings, and ramps for an elderly neighbor
•    Serving at a local food bank or homeless shelter during the holidays
•    Walking and grooming dogs for the local animal shelter
•    Helping rebuild houses and communities impacted by recent hurricanes
•    Participating in a highway, neighborhood, park, trail or river cleanup
•    Rake leaves or shovel snow for a local nonprofit or homeless shelter

Where time and budget allows, volunteering also affords you the opportunity to travel and widen your horizons. “Voluntourism” is popular in many countries where people who want to travel and help others are put up for weeks or months at a time and can do a range of things from teaching to building houses and helping the environment. Look for volunteer opportunities near your with free online services like CreatetheGood.org and Volunteermatch.org.

This is a guest blog entry.

8 most common Sleep disorders that plague adults

In this busy life we all lead, sleep is one of the most important factors, combined with exercise and nutrition, that keeps us going. To ensure that we can accomplish everything we do every single day, we must get a good night sleep. Eight hours of uninterrupted sleep is the best scenario, but unfortunately it is an impossible target for about one third of the population. Several sleep disorders plague about 30% of the population, all over the world.

REM sleep behaviour disorder is extremely rare and consists of intense movement during sleep. The affected person could suddenly trash about in their sleep and even fall off their bed on occasion.

Narcolepsy occurs when the brain does not control the REM sleep cycle appropriately. This causes a person to fall asleep at the most peculiar moments or spend their days in some kind of daze; stuck in an in-between state where they are neither fully asleep nor fully awake. Bruxism, or teeth grinding is not only annoying for the people sleeping near the affected person, it has significant side effects. The person who grinds their teeth during their sleep will generally wake up with a sore jaw and severe headaches. This condition can be helped with the use of a mouth guard, but the underlying cause of stress should be identified to help the person reach better sleep.

Sleep terrors and sleep walking, although different, are generally more frequent in children. Sleep terrors manifest themselves with the person screaming in their sleep and waking up terrified, having a deep feeling of fear and danger. Adults suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) could also experience night terrors. Sleepwalking occurs when a person is walking about while not fully awake or conscious. It is generally due to fever, lack of sleep, or medication.

RLS or restless leg syndrome is a sleep disorder that reaches more than the legs. The affected person has an uncontrollable urge to move the limbs over 100 times during the night. Fortunately, the condition can improve with regular physical activity and diminution of caffeine absorption.

The last two disorders are the most frequent, affecting a large percentage of the population. Sleep apnea can be found in 10% of the population. It happens when a person’s airways, in the throat, get obstructed, therefore preventing the affected person from breathing properly. The brain then signals the person to wake up to re-open the obstructed airway. Far from ideal, this condition can cause side effects such as high blood pressure and constant tiredness. Someone suffering from sleep apnea might not be aware of their condition, but their loud snoring is sure to have been noticed by their partner.

Aside from losing weight, a good solution to this condition is the use of a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) device such as ResMed machines that push air through your throat, forcing it to remain open. Finally, insomnia is the most common of all sleep disorders and can be caused by stress, anxiety, depression as well as drug or alcohol abuse. A person suffering from insomnia might have difficulty falling asleep or might wake up during the night and not be able to get back to sleep. Aside from medication, cognitive behavioral therapy might be necessary to resolve the problem.     

For more detail on each disorder, consult the articles provided by the sleep foundation. Because of the seriousness of sleeping disorders, it is important to consult a sleep doctor if you or someone you know suffer from one of the conditions mentioned in this article. Trying to solve the issue on your own might prove more problematic in the long run. Don’t delay and contact your sleeping expert rapidly.

This is a guest blog entry.

3 Alternative Remedies for Epileptic Seizures

An epileptic seizure occurs when the brain experiences an abnormal electrical discharge. It can be produced by anything that is irritating to the brain. In some cases, the discharge affects just a tiny part of the brain and only results in the person noticing an odd taste or smell.

In other instances, it may affect bigger areas and cause jerking-convulsion and muscle spasms throughout the victim’s body. The individual may also lose muscle control and suffer brief attacks of unconsciousness. Seizures can and do affect those who aren’t epileptic.

Natural remedies, although not a substitute for conventional treatment, can help address the symptoms of epileptic seizures without the side effects that arise from the use of anti-epileptic medication. If you’ve been wanting to add something new to your seizure treatment regime, you can look into the following alternative therapies.

1. Natural Supplementation

Nutritional and dietary interventions are considered useful and even therapeutic. For instance, low dose (less than 1000 mg) of omega-3 supplementation can reduce the frequency of epileptic seizures. A dosage of Vitamin E can increase antioxidant capabilities, which can help reduce epilepsy symptoms that aren’t responding to conventional medication. Cannabis oil supplementation has been reported to stop life-threatening seizures. The right supplementation, therefore, can work wonders for your recovery.

You can find cannabis oil for sale, as well as other supplements, on health product websites. Look for quality assurance that has been done in-house, as well as verified through third-party labs that conduct high-performance testing, to ensure purity and potency in every bottle. Reliable vendors will also instruct you to do your own research and consult with your healthcare professional before taking any dietary supplement.

2. Biofeedback

This is a technique of using imagery or relaxation to alter body functions including blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing. The practitioner uses a monitor and an electrode to measure these functions. Patients are first asked to envision a stressful situation and then the practitioner teaches them various calming techniques.

The procedure can help people with seizures, migraine headaches, high blood pressure and pain. The patients are able to see the differences between relaxed and stressful situations on the monitor. They can then use the techniques to control their body functions and feel more relaxed. After ample training sessions the frequency of seizure goes down and so does the aura rate.

3. Acupuncture 

Acupuncture can help lessen the severity and frequency of epileptic seizures. The technique helps in restoring the flow of energy (qi) throughout the patient’s body. Qi energy flows through pathways called meridians and this is the force that is said to play a role in the functioning of the body. A person without epilepsy is believed to have a balanced qi. In a person with the condition, the qi flow is believed to be distorted. The goal of acupuncture is to rebalance qi flow throughout the patient’s body.

To restore qi flow, tiny needles will be inserted by the acupuncturist into certain areas of the body; this helps the professional in analyzing the meridians via which the energy flows. If a person is suffering from epileptic seizures, key points would be manipulated by the acupuncturist to increase the flow of qi energy to the head. After restoration, the therapist will recommend natural exercises and dietary supplements to keep the qi in its balanced state.

Patients dealing with the stresses of epileptic seizures are likely to benefit from these measures. 

This is a blog post by Nancy Evans.

Fall Prevention Outside The Home

September 22, 2017, the first day of fall, is also the 10th Annual Fall Prevention Awareness Day, created in an effort to bring more awareness to the issue of fall prevention in seniors.

While most falls occur inside the home, many also happen right outside in nearby vicinities like the yard or driveway. In-home upgrades like installing grab bars, using shower chairs, placing guide tape at stairways, and updating room lighting can make a huge difference in helping seniors see and navigate their home environments better. But what can be done for fall prevention outside the home? Don’t miss these go-to tips and best practices:

Getting In and Out of The Car
Getting in and out of the car might seem like an easy feat when you’re young, but as joints stiffen and leg muscles weaken with age, it can become more and more difficult. Retaining the ability to drive plays an instrumental role in helping seniors maintain their confidence and independence, but ensuring their safety when getting in and out of the car is also important for preventing immobilizing injuries like hip fractures.

A variety of car transfer tools exist which simplify the process of getting in and out of the car, no matter how tall or short it is. These include:

•    Swivel seat - a swivel seat is simply a cushion, usually made of comfortable gel or foam, that pivots (slide turns) to help people enter and exit the seat of a car without having to twist or turn their body.

•    Car cane - a car cane (car standing aid) is a reinforced handle that slides into the steel door latch of your car and gives you an extra supportive handle to hold on to when exiting the car.

•    Seat belt reacher - a seat belt reacher is a super basic tool that attaches to the seat belt and features and extra long loop handle with which someone can more easily reach  over to grab their seatbelt.

Walking the Dog
Going for a leisurely walk with your trusted canine companion may seem like a ‘walk in the park’, however, a sudden tug or pull of your dog chasing down a squirrel can leave even the sturdiest senior having to catch their balance. Dogs may also have a tendency to wrap the leash around their leg when walking, requiring their owner to bend over and adjust it.

These risk factors can make walking a dog a huge fall hazard, especially for seniors who have experienced a fall before. If you are a senior with a dog, consider finding a neighbor, family member, or friend who will join you in walking the dog, or ask a young person to walk your dog regularly as a way to earn a little bit of cash.

Yardwork/Gardening
The bending, squatting, and lifting associated with many yardwork and gardening duties can put seniors at risk of not only falling outside, but of potentially injuring themselves in ways that can contribute to a fall. For example, bending over for an hour working on the garden can lead to muscle strain and inflammation in the lower back, which in turn could slow down response times and flexibility for a senior.

When working outside, avoid sitting, bending or squatting for more than 30 minutes at a time without standing up to walk around and stretch for a few minutes. Hauling heavy loads makes seniors more susceptible to injuring themselves as well, so get help when moving large items and use assistive equipment like wheelbarrows for transporting leaves, grass, mulch, hay, etc.

Other contributing factors to outdoor falls include poor outdoor lighting, debris and trip hazards around door entryways and on porches, slippery surfaces (ramps, porches, driveways), and uneven curbs or outdoor stairways. Simple steps like weather proofing the porch, adding non-slip grip tape to outdoor walkways, and installing sturdy railings around steps and stairs can go a long way to keeping you or your favorite senior upright and mobile!

This is a guest blog entry.

All I want for Christmas is a new front tooth

Everyone loves going to see the dentist, right?  Right?

Then again, maybe not; I could be wrong…  However the difficulties if you do not go are even more difficult to deal with.

But healthy teeth and gums are important for more than just a pretty smile.  Taking care of your mouth is vital to your oral health, your overall health, and especially your appearance.  Practicing good dental hygiene at home and with the assistance of professional care helps maintain that smile that you like to flash around.

Your oral health - This one is obvious.  The regular maintenance of your teeth and gums helps keep them looking good and feeling good.  And you should always pay attention to the warning signs.  Increased sensitivity to hot and cold food, hot and cold beverages, or sugar can indicate an issue.  And it is always better to get the issues fixed sooner rather than later.  Filling a cavity is significantly easier than a root canal or a dental crown.  This is truly a case of an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure. Brushing twice a day, flossing, and visiting the dentist regularly are all keys to healthier teeth and gums.  Gum care is also critical to your mouth’s health.  Untreated teeth problems can lead to gum disease and vice versa. 

Your overall health - Not only can gum disease (also known as periodontal disease) cause mouth pain and discomfort, it can also can lead to even more serious health complications such as strokes, heart complications, diabetes complications and respiratory issues.  Also an important point to note, certain very serious health conditions can begin with signs and symptoms in the mouth, such as ulcers, swollen gums, and receding gums.  If you start to show any of these symptoms, it is most certainly time to visit your dental professional to see if there’s anything else going on.

Your appearance - No one really wants to have the smile that might be discolored, crooked, or gapped.  If you have ever had these or similar issues with your smile, you are well aware of how self-conscious it can make you.  And whether you realize it or not, your teeth also affect the size and shape of your face.  Have you ever seen an older person without their dentures in place?  Their jaw looks smaller, and their lips disappear without the support of the teeth.  The teeth do affect the entire face!

Your potential solution options

Besides pain and discomfort, the first visible sign of teeth problems is usually a cavity.  If you can catch it early enough, it can usually be fixed with a simple filling.  However, sometimes cavities can get too deep for a filling to repair.  More than likely, at that point you are facing crowns and possibly even a root canal.

If you do not get to the dentist quickly enough, the decay can spread and ultimately cause tooth loss.  One of the most difficult complications of not taking care of your teeth is the actual loss of a tooth.  Depending on where the loss is located, one of the main reasons people get dental implants is for aesthetic reasons.  But there are deeper reasons to replace those missing teeth.  Not only do most people not want a gap in their smile, but when one tooth falls out of the lineup, other effects start happening.

• The jaw bone underneath the missing tooth area starts to weaken without that support piece.
• The other teeth in the area are no longer held in place by the missing one.  They can start shifting around, causing further gaps and possibly even requiring orthodontia to correct.
• The general bite of your teeth and jaws can become affected, depending on where the loss occurs and how everything else overcompensates.
• There can even be an increased risk of losing the other teeth in the area because of the weakness and shifting.

Replacing the missing tooth is critical to maintaining the overall health of your mouth.  Quite honestly, the crowns that are used to complete the dental implant can even be color-matched to the rest of your teeth so that they just blend right in.  Dental implants can reduce or eliminate the effects of that missing tooth by filling in the gap and replacing the loss.

• It can aid digestion.  When you are able to properly tear and chew your food before swallowing, your body can more effectively and more efficiently digest your food.
• It can assist in speaking.  Whether you realize it or not, the teeth play a critical role in helping your speech patterns.  The way your tongue and lips and teeth interact affects the sounds that you make when you speak.
• It can make you look younger.  That really is not an exaggeration.  When one or more teeth are missing, especially in the same area, the face can look saggy or sunken in that area.  The teeth help keep the facial structure in place.
• It will help your feel better about yourself.  Sometimes we don’t even realize how much our teeth affect our self-esteem, until there is an issue.  When our teeth start to deteriorate, we don’t even want smile any more.  And everyone’s mood is improved when you smile.  To quote, “If you see someone without a smile, give them yours!”

Personally, I have had my own dental implants for over twenty years and love them.  I can’t imagine not having the teeth there, and I don’t want to imagine the damage that could have been caused by leaving the gaps.  My issue was that I did not have the permanent teeth, only the baby teeth.  I finally had them pulled and had the implants put in.

While it is not an easy procedure, completing the process of installing your dental implants will give you the confidence that you might have lost when you lost that tooth.  And having your tooth back is something to smile about!

This is a guest blog entry.

8 Fall Fitness Activities for Seniors

Fall into a fresh, new fitness habit this Autumn with inspired exercise ideas that might surprise you. Whether it’s the cooler temperatures or simply the energetic excitement of a holiday season around the corner, fall is the perfect time for seniors to find motivation to stay active and fit. Don’t miss these 8 fall-inspired fitness activities for seniors:

Hiking
Take in the sights and smells of fall with a mountain hike through the beautiful changing colors of the season. Hiking in nature is a great way for seniors to stay active, burn calories, and strengthen muscles and bones. Not only that, but hiking makes for great balance and coordination practice as well, which is essential in preventing falls in seniors. Just remember that the autumn season brings shorter days and cooler weather, so wearing layers and making sure you have appropriate lighting with you is a must when hiking.

Outdoor Yoga
Take your newest favorite fitness hobby outside into the crisp, cool air of fall and practice amongst the beautiful golds, oranges, yellows, and reds Autumn’s foliage has to offer. Yoga practice has been shown to help build bone density, relieve low back pain, reduce high blood pressure, and boost feelings of positivity. Combine the mindfulness of yoga with the outdoor setting in nature and take exercise to the next level this fall.

Pumpkin Carving
Rock some fine motor skills by getting in on the pumpkin carving fun with the grandkids this year! Just like crafting, knitting, or folding origami, pumpkin carving which requires the use of small tools, creativity, and grip strength can help older adults support good brain health and exercise weaker arm and hand muscles.

Cycling
Swap out your summer swimming routine for some bicycle action this fall! While cycling might seem high risk, it is actually a superior low-impact activity for seniors. Cycling helps increase heart rate, boost circulation, tone and strengthen muscles, as well as hone coordination and balance skills, all while taking it easy on older joints. The cooler weather and beautiful scenery of fall is simply the cherry on top!

Rake Leaves
Approach your favorite fall chore instead as what experts call “functional fitness.” Did you know you can burn over 100 calories in one half hour of raking leaves? Combine that with bagging and carrying them to the curb and you have a real low-impact exercise on your hands! Don’t have a yard? Offer to rake leaves for a neighbor or friend, or join a community/neighborhood cleanup service project happening in your area.

Fall Proof Your Home
Take a note from the season of “fall” and find time this season to fall-proof your own home by removing clutter and installing helpful tools for getting around your house safely. Update your bathroom with helpful nonslip grip tape, grab bars, and a shower stool or chair. Check that all lighting is bright and consistent from room to room, and remove trip hazards like cords and turned up corners of rugs from common walking pathways.

Go Apple Picking
Apple season has arrived, and what better way to spend time with family and give your body a little exercise than with an apple picking adventure. Not only does the movement of walking the orchard and picking apples help you loosen joints and build up bone strength, but apples themselves make great additions to a healthy diet. Packed with fiber and Vitamin C, apples are also great sources of antioxidants which can help protect you against cancer and other diseases.

Volunteer
Lots of fall volunteer opportunities offer an added bonus of physical fitness, and are a great way for seniors to spend their free time. Volunteering at a holiday festival, joining a trail or river cleanup, participating in an animal adoption event, even walking in a Thanksgiving 5K - the ideas are endless! The last handful of months of the year are also full of awareness events for important causes like ending childhood hunger, fighting prostate and breast cancer, and celebrating family caregivers.

This is a guest blog entry.

What Snoring Means for Your Child

Children snore from time to time, and it isn’t often a concern for parents. Snoring comes in a variety of forms, from slight grunts and gasps during one’s sleep to freight train-esque noises that can be startling. Although most snoring is more of an endearing thing when coming from a small child, parents may have a reason to pay closer attention to those cute sounds. Mild health issues, like a common cold or a respiratory infection may be behind snoring in some children, but in other cases, persistent snoring could be a warning sign of sleep apnea.

Among children aged one to nine, nearly twelve percent have sleep apnea in some form. That pales in comparison to the nearly 20 million adults who are diagnosed with sleep apnea, but it does require some understanding of the condition among parents with young children. In the advanced world of medicine we live in today, being diagnosed with sleep apnea does not mean a life of uncomfortable breathing or restless sleep. Instead, sleep apnea can be treated and controlled, even in young children, so long as early intervention takes place. Parents who have a child that snores more than three times a week are smart to evaluate other behaviors to determine if a doctor’s visit is the best next step. Here’s what parents can do to take charge of their child’s health and well-being when snoring may be a consistent issue.

What is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea, whether diagnosed in a child or an adult, is defined as the obstruction of normal airflow during a night’s sleep. Being unable to breathe throughout the night can take place two to three times or a few hundred, depending on the severity of the sleep apnea. During sleep, an individual’s breathing temporarily stops because the natural flow or air is impeded. This causes the brain to signal the person sleeping to wake up abruptly so that normal breathing can resume. While most children with sleep apnea fall back asleep shortly after the forced wake up, the condition can cause mild to severe medical issues that take away from their quality of life.

Sleep apnea comes in three main categories. Obstructive sleep apnea is by far the most common among children and adults, as it is caused by the relaxing of muscles in the throat. OSA takes place when the muscles become so relaxed that they allow the fatty tissue surrounding the throat and the tongue to fall back, blocking the normal airflow during sleep. Some experience a partial blockage while others have a complete blockage. In either case, breathing is halted during the night which causes the child to wake up briefly so that they can breathe again. Gasping for air and choking may occur each time a child wakes up after the airflow is blocked, but once they have enough air again, sleep resumes.

Different from obstructive sleep apnea, central sleep apnea occurs when signals sent from the brain to the throat muscles are not received correctly. The muscles do not react, leading to a blockage of airflow that causes breathing to stop. Similar to obstructive sleep apnea, children with central sleep apnea may experience gasping or choking when the brain sends the signal to wake up and begin breathing again. Central sleep apnea is far less common than obstructive, but snoring can be a warning sign as well.

Mixed sleep apnea is the last category, which combines elements from obstructive and central sleep apnea. There are many misfires of communication in the brain along with the relaxing of the throat muscles, all which cause a child to stop breathing during sleep.

Warning Signs in Children

Each type of sleep apnea carries similar warning signs that parents should be able to recognise in their children. Drowsiness during the day, even after what seemed like a full night’s rest, is a common sign of sleep apnea in children. Snoring more than a few times per week over an extended period of time is also a cause for concern. Children may experience behavioural issues at school or throughout the day, which can be linked to sleep apnea and the reality that they are not getting enough rest to remain healthy. If it is difficult to wake a child up in the morning, they sweat during sleep, or they wet the bed, these could all be signs of sleep apnea as well.

Getting the Best Treatment

Even though the diagnosis of sleep apnea in a child may seem overwhelming, parents have plenty of options for treatment to help their children get a good night’s rest. However, a specialist firm of medical negligence solicitors that works with several ear, nose, and throat cases, advise parents always to seek out a second, or even third, opinion when sleep apnea is a suspected issue. This is because ear, nose, and throat specialists may recommend a treatment like surgery that could not deliver any respite for the child, leaving them with the same symptoms as before. In some cases, a misdiagnosis may lead to other unnecessary treatments that simply prolong the issue instead of making it better. Parents should understand that treatment options come in a variety of forms, including non-invasive and at-home options that may be more beneficial and less traumatic for the child.

Sleep apnea affects more children than parents are aware, and because snoring seems like a non-issue, the condition may go undiagnosed for longer than necessary. Paying close attention to your child’s sleeping habits as well as their behaviours throughout the day are pertinent to recognising sleep apnea as a potential issue. Once the correct diagnosis is made, children with sleep apnea can begin treatment and ultimately lead a healthier, more comfortable life that includes restful sleep.

This is a guest blog entry.