How To Recover From A Car Accident Injury Quickly

Thousands of people are injured in car accidents every year. With the number of drivers on the road, it can be really tough to avoid becoming one of the statistics. However, you do not have to suffer like those who are injured with low back pain. Rather, you can take a proactive approach to healing yourself quicker and getting back on the road to recovery. By using these ways to recover, your medical complications after an accident will be significantly reduced.

Go To The Hospital

Many vehicle owners try to avoid the emergency room. Even for minor accidents, an emergency room can do all the proper checks required to ensure the best treatment possible. Sometimes, there are “hidden” injuries (e.g., a broken rib) that are not identified until weeks later. Rather, an initial visit to the hospital could reveal any potential injuries that could get overlooked at a regular doctor’s office.

Identify Traumatic Emotions

Immediately, you will feel a rush of emotions. It’s important to keep yourself in check. Yes, accidents can be a traumatic event. If you would like to get past these emotions sooner, you must make the effort to identify any anger, irritation or sadness. Remember, accidents happen to everyone and the situation should get better. One goal should be to learn from the experience and move forward. It is important to be conscious of your emotions in an attempt to try to get over the emotional trauma.

Take Time For Yourself

After such an event, you need to just take time to yourself. Sometimes, you need to rest, relax and let time heal things. Focus on how you are feeling, eating well, and sleeping properly. Do the basics right to ensure that your body and mind can recover from the event. It will help you heal faster and start doing things that make you feel better. 

Follow Your Recovery Plan

Next, you should follow the plan set out by your doctors. They will give you medications, exercises, therapy and other strategies to help your recovery. Of course, these will only work if you follow the plans strictly. A proactive and sincere approach to your health is essential. Make a schedule and document all your information. This will help you in case you decide to contact an Atlanta car accident attorney later on. Stick to your prescribed plan and you’ll start feeling better sooner.

Stretch & Breath Consciously

With the approval of your medical practitioner, practice stretching your muscles and breathing deeply. These two activities will focus your mind, keeping you calm. Additionally, they relax the body which can facilitate recuperation. Stretching and breathing may also reduce soreness and take your mind off of any discomfort when doing lower body exercises. Surely, these practices can have lasting positive effects on your health as well.

Injuries of any capacity can be demoralizing. In this case, it might be a very traumatic experience. Take care yourself by getting properly checked out. Then, win the mental battle and follow your plan for a full recovery. Get plenty of rest and the recovery process will go much quicker compared to if you are worrying about it the entire time. Here’s to your successful and fast recovery.

This is a guest blog entry.

4 Myths About Dentists in Tijuana

Are you thinking about getting a dental treatment in Tijuana, Mexico? If yes, there are some myths about dentists in Tijuana that you should know about. Whether you need veneers or dental implants in Tijuana, it’s best that you see the truth behind some of these myths and misconceptions. Let’s see 4 of the more familiar ones.

Myth 1: Clinics in Tijuana are Sub-Standard

The lower dental prices in Tijuana cause many people to doubt the quality of clinics there. This is a common misconception which to some extent is understandable – price often does signify quality. Thankfully, this isn’t the case in dental tourist destinations such as Tijuana. While there may be some clinics that aren’t up to the mark, there are plenty of top-notch quality clinics in this Mexican city.

Myth 2: Dentists in Tijuana are Not as Qualified or Experienced

Similar to the myth about the clinics, this one has people questioning the competence of Mexican dentists. The reality is that there are a lot of exceptional dentists working in Mexican destinations such as Tijuana. Many of them have received all or part of their qualification and qualification in the US. This goes to show that you can be in good hands when you travel to Tijuana for your dental procedure.

Myth 3: Finding a Good Clinic in Tijuana is a Gamble

While some people question the existence of reliable dental clinics in Tijuana, some believe that it’s almost impossible to find a good clinic. This is also understandable to an extent. But thanks to online resources such as Dental Departures, you can easily research, shortlist and choose the most suitable dental clinic for your needs.

Myth 4: Tijuana is Unsafe Because Mexico is Generally Unsafe

This myth targets not just Tijuana but Mexico in general. It implies that Mexico is an overall unsafe country and that you’re risking your life by traveling there. And this misconception is also often highlighted in popular culture, like in movies and TV shows.

In reality, Mexico is safer than ever. For instance, consider the fact that the number of tourists to Mexico keeps increasing every year. Or that Mexico’s economy continues to evolve into on important one. Moreover, the drug-related violence is mainly restricted to drug gangs who target each other, not tourists.

Before you choose a clinic, you should also know the Tijuana dentist prices and how they compare to prices back home. Here’s the comparison for a couple of dental treatments:

Dental Implants Price in the US: USD $3,915
Dental Implants Price in Canada: CAD $5,030
Dental Implants Price in Tijuana: USD $1,250, CAD $1,567

Dental Crowns Price in the US: USD $1,164
Dental Crowns Price in Canada: CAD $1,483
Dental Crowns Price in Tijuana: USD $500, CAD $630

Dental tourism is becoming increasingly popular as more people are realizing the reality behind myths such as those discussed above. Every year, more people from the US visit dentists in Tijuana and return home quite satisfied by the dental treatment and savings.

This is a guest blog entry.

The Importance of Tracking Your Weight

Keeping track of your weight is important for your overall health, especially if you’re already overweight. While obsessing over the numbers on the scale isn’t necessarily healthy, having a scale around can boost your desire to keep fit as well as alert you if you’ve recently gained some extra weight.

Benefits of Weighing Yourself
A 2017 study conducted at West Virginia University showed that those who kept track of their weight at least five days a week experienced sustained and significant weight loss over a period of time compared to those who were inconsistent in tracking their weight or had done it fewer than five days a week.

When it comes to tracking your weight loss at home, there are many scale options available to you - from the digital bathroom scale to a wireless Bluetooth body weight scale paired with a weight tracking app, or a scale that tracks hydration, muscle and bone mass.

Going Beyond the Scale
Self-monitoring by maintaining a daily calorie log and sticking to a regular exercise routine, along with self-weighing are great tools that can be beneficial for weight loss. Setting small milestones and goals for yourself like losing one pound a week may give you a sense of accomplishment that can snowball into greater positive benefits over the course of your weight loss program.

Making it to the gym and or playing a high-intensity sport three times a week is a good start too. After you have achieved this goal, you can boost it to four and then five days a week. With each achievement under your belt, you might feel a great sense of empowerment. Stronger mind equals stronger body and vice versa.

Make It a Sport
When you record your diet and track weekly weight loss it can tend to become a sport in your mind. This can serve as a motivational tool for you to succeed and compete against yourself or compete against your goals so to speak, which could possibly push you to go above and beyond and get results faster. Think of your daily calories as your opposition, and your scale as the last defender before you score the winning goal. Approaching each week as one game can go a long way in helping you to achieve your weight loss goals.

Peaks and Valleys
Keeping track of your weight loss can also help to avoid hitting peaks and valleys. Maintaining a steady course during your weight loss program can help reduce the “yo-yo” effect, which may lower the risk for developing type II diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Your scale is another way to protect against the “yo-yo" effect. You’ll be able to see any spike in weight gain and subsequently make the right adjustments before it becomes a bigger issue.

Instant Gratification
The world today has become one of instant gratification. Perhaps tracking your weight loss and daily fitness routine can provide you with instant gratification in a positive way. Seeing the results of each and every day of hard work and discipline can only help to motivate you for the next day and so on while giving you a sense of accomplishment. 

Higher Learning
Keeping a daily food diary can help you become more educated about your health. You may see differences in what certain types of foods do to, and for your body. You’ll also learn how to gauge portion size which can be a great tool in reducing weight gain. You could also possibly realize that you’ve been taking in double the grams of carbs you should be ingesting. Coming to this realization may help you lose excess weight.

As always consult your physician before starting any diet or fitness program.

This is a guest blog entry.

Five Quick Travel Tips For The Mobility Impaired

Already this winter, many Americans have endured much colder weather than normal. With sustained warmer weather still several weeks or months away, a quick trip to some place warm and sunny is often just what the doctor ordered, especially for people with limited mobility.

The Americans with Disabilities Act gives mobility-impaired individuals the right of equal access to all public facilities. However, a company may not necessarily give it to you just for the asking. So, before you book those travel plans, here are a few things to keep in mind.

Talk to Your Doctor

Describe the trip in detail, including destination, travel time, length of stay, mode of travel, and possible activities. A family physician is a great resource in this area, especially if you aren’t used to traveling with mobility impairments.

Ask the doctor for a letter describing your condition and your physical limitations. This letter could be important both for hotel/transportation facilities and any planned activities. The correspondence should also have the doctor’s emergency contact information and the name and number of a local physician who’s aware of the situation.

Make Advance Preparations

In a perfect world, mobility-impaired individuals would show up at airports or hotels and all their needs would be met. But we don’t live in a perfect world. Many times, there’s a choice between complaining about the situation later or handling it proactively. The latter usually works best.

Do more than just mention the situation when you make the reservation. Be very specific about your condition and your needs. Do not minimize either one of them and do not use specialized language or acronyms that many people do not understand. Use email or written confirmation if possible and voice verify the arrangements a day or two before you arrive at the facility.

Avoid Connecting Flights

Most airlines are very good about giving mobility-impaired individuals extra time to board and deplane. They’re also very good at ensuring that wheelchair passengers are the first ones on and first ones off. However, multiple connecting flights are often a hassle that’s just not worth it.

There are always exceptions, most notably if a direct flight would be very long and you have extreme difficulty navigating to an airplane’s restroom and back. If you do use connecting flights, allow at least an hour and a half, and maybe two hours, to get from one gate to the other.

Bring Spare Parts

Murphy’s Law isn’t necessarily a bad thing. If you always assume that something will go wrong, you are at least prepared. That’s especially true with regard to rollators, walkers, and wheelchairs. Bring spare parts and tools. Furthermore, many airlines will ask individuals to dismantle these instruments in flight, so be prepared for that.

Once you reach your destination, be sure there is suitable transportation waiting for you. If that means a hotel shuttle, be sure the driver knows what to expect.

Splurge a Little

First class has a lot more room than coach. For some people, that’s just a luxury, but in some cases, it’s almost a necessity. Furthermore, upgrading to a lounge will make those airport waits a lot more bearable. In some cases, the airline might be willing to upgrade you at a lower cost. Remember, you never get anything unless you ask.

The flight to and from that tropical locale or warm, sandy beach may be what you remember more than the vacation itself. So, take a few minutes to ensure that your transportation is as seamless as possible and be prepared for some bumps in the road.

This is a guest blog entry.

How To Recover After An Illness

Major illness can occur at any time. A heart attack, a stroke, a big operation, perhaps. Or maybe you have been involved in an accident – a vehicle crash or falling from a horse. Maybe you need medication detox recovery. There are a lot of ways and reasons for the human body to be damaged. In many cases, you can go back to living a full and happy life even if you have had serious trauma happen to you. However, it will be hard work. There are some important things you should do to try and regain your strength and mobility. Here are some of them.

Keep Positive
A positive mental attitude is one of the most important elements of getting better after a major accident or illness. If you feel sorry for yourself, you are actively encouraging your body and mind to remain in a negative state. Don’t let other people pity you either. There is nothing to pity. It is a shame that a bad thing happened, but that’s over now. It’s time to look to the future with a positive outlook. Believe that you will feel more like your old self again and you will. Don’t believe it and you won’t. It’s a simple process. Of course, that doesn’t mean that you should not let your emotions out; a rant now and then is good for you as long as you pick yourself up again afterward. Plus, allowing friends and family to help take care of you is important too; don’t start thinking you can do this alone just yet. Let them help you, and you will heal faster.

Get Into The World
For many people recovering from a major illness, staying in and hiding from the world is their preferred option. They don’t want other people to see them in their ‘weakened state’. It’s understandable, but it’s not good for you. It’s essential that you get out into the world as soon as you are able. Breathe in the fresh air as it is good for you body and your mind. You don’t have to do too much; a quick stroll around the block or to the local park and back is fine. It’s just important to get outside, away from the comforting surroundings of your home, and experience the real world again. Once you’ve had a taste, you’ll want to keep trying it, and that’s good for you. Try to make your journey outside longer each time you go, and this will help to strengthen tired muscles and brighten weary minds.

Keep Your Mind Active
As you recover, it’s crucial to keep your mind active as well as your body. In fact, having a healthy brain is one of the most important steps to having a healthy body. If you can’t go outside just yet, then try doing puzzles like crosswords, word searches, sudoku, and other ‘brain training’ games. You can do these on paper or online. You can even read murder mysteries and try to work out who the killer is – write your theories in a notebook as you go and figure it out before you get to the end. If you are up to leaving the house then why not try an escape game with friends? Not only will it get your mind working, but it will get you socializing again, which is hugely important to recovery.

Learn New Things
As well as puzzles, it’s a good idea to learn new things, particularly if you are not yet active enough to do much in the way of exercise. You can sign up for a class, possibly an online one if you can’t yet leave the house, and learn a new skill such as a language, a musical instrument, or artistic techniques. Some courses will let you learn at your own pace, which can fit in perfectly with your recovery schedule too. If you can leave your home and attend a class, you will meet people who enjoy the same things as you, and this kind of stimulation can boost your recovery after illness or trauma too.

Exercise
It goes without saying that if you have had a traumatic accident and your limbs, back, neck or muscles were damaged, then you will need to do specific exercises to strengthen those areas once they have healed. They will be weak from disuse, particularly if it has taken you a long time to recover. Understand that you may need to push your body further than it feels you can go to get results, but that you should also be careful; go too far, and you might find yourself needing to spend more time recovering and less time exercising, which is not the point at all. If you are under the care of a physiotherapist, it is important to do as they say as they are the experts. If you don’t have a physiotherapist, then you may wish to consider hiring one because you’ll then know that what you are doing is making a difference and not causing you additional harm.

Sleep Patterns
Trying to get back into a normal sleeping pattern routine is another important element of recovery. It’s a simple step to regain normality in life, and it will help you both physically and mentally as well. At first, you might be tired because of it, but if you set yourself a bedtime and a specific number of hours of sleep then eventually that pattern will become a habit, and your body will get used to it. Even if you are tired earlier in the evening, try to stretch bedtime out to a more usual time. It might be earlier than you are used to, but that’s fine; you still need to recover after all. Once you arrange your sleeping patterns, your circadian rhythm will start to get back to normal, which will make the rest of your recovery go much more smoothly.

Listen To The Experts
Finally, whatever you do, listen to what your medical experts tell you. They know the best ways for your body and mind to recover after something traumatic has happened, and they have your best interests in mind when they give you a list of instructions. It may not be what you want to do, but it’s important to do it anyway if you want to have the best chance of a speedy recovery.

This is a guest blog entry.

Common Signs of Addiction to Look Out For

People are introduced to drugs at different phases in their life. For some, it may have been friends in high school, for others, it may have been at a college party, while for someone else it could have been a response to personal challenges. While some people try drugs or alcohol and eventually stop using it for various reasons, others, unfortunately gradually become addicts. Once addicted, it can be an extremely difficult task to break the addiction and can cause a great amount of damage if not quickly dealt with.

There are several signs to look out for if yourself or anyone you know is struggling with substance abuse. This article will mention a number of them as well as what to do in order to break the addiction.

How Does Addiction Work?

When you take drugs, a rush of a neurotransmitter called dopamine goes to the brain. It then triggers feelings of pleasure which the brain remembers and then wants to feel repeatedly because the part of the brain that regulates movement, emotions, motivation, and pleasure is overstimulated. The craving can then become uncontrollable which is when it often begins to affect other areas of your life negatively. It is often because satisfying the craving becomes a number one priority. It is believed that there isn’t truly a defining moment in which using drugs or alcohol crosses over to becoming an addiction. However, there are definitely common and noticeable signs of addiction which will be mentioned below.

Withdrawal

One of the most common signs of addiction is said to be withdrawal. Once substance abuse begins, feelings of guilt, fear, and shame can begin taking over which can cause an abuser to hide and withdraw. They may not want friends or family to see the number of drugs or alcohol they are consuming, so resort to hiding and using in secret. It is one of many ways which addiction can spiral out of control as it becomes harder for people to notice.

Issues in Relationships

Following on from the first sign, withdrawal can cause issues in relationships. It could be because friends and family don't hear from you like they usually do, or because you’re standing people up and avoiding contact with them. On the other hand, it could also be a result of them suspecting that there is a substance abuse problem and them becoming increasingly frustrated with the behavior that ensues as a result. Substance abuse can also cause the abuser to become physical and verbally abusive, behave irrationally, or become completely withdrawn altogether.

Challenges at Work or School

Seeing as drug or alcohol abuse can affect the brain, it is one of many ways it can cause challenges at work or school. The user may find it difficult to pay attention and concentrate and may also find themselves making more mistakes than usual. Additionally, they may even begin missing days and stop going altogether. It could create a series of issues with management and colleagues as well as concern for the cause of the unusual behavior. If issues in the workplace escalate it could also result in being suspended or dismissed which could trigger greater substance abuse. Before it gets to this point, however, it’s worth trying to seek professional help by visiting a recovery facility such as The Recovery Village Ridgefield.

Financial Issues

Financing an addiction can be extremely expensive. It can cause an abuser to go to any lengths to find money to feed their addiction. It could mean spending all of their income, dipping into their savings pot, selling their assets, and even stealing and borrowing from others. This also means that many important bills could end up being left unpaid which could result in the loss of their home as well as a large amount of debt. If it seems you or someone you love no longer has control over their finances, then this is a sign that addiction could be taking over.

Physical Changes

Substance abuse can cause noticeable physical changes. These could include bloodshot or glassy eyes, a runny nose, the loss or gain of weight, bags under the eyes, looking extremely untidy, dilated or constricted pupils, as well as bruises or infections on the skin near the site of entry. You may also notice in terms of substance intake, that the amount which is being used is increasing in quantity. It is because the more that you abuse the drug, the higher tolerance your body has for that drug. Increased quantities are then needed to achieve the previous effects or higher, which can be the source of the addiction. Increasing intake is also often one of many things that can lead to a substance overdose.

Managing Addiction 

If one or more of these signs seem familiar to you, it could indicate that you or someone you know is struggling with addiction. It can be a difficult thing to come to terms with for several reasons, however, the sooner it is accepted and addressed the better. For one, once it is addressed, the road to recovery is more likely to happen which means that the user can get their life back. It will also bring peace of mind to family and friends knowing that the person they love is getting better. If addiction isn’t controlled, it could destroy many lives and lead to serious health issues and death in extreme cases. Treatment centers which address the individual’s needs, offer behavior therapy, medication, and constant assessment may, therefore, be the best way to manage an addiction.

The repeated use of drugs or alcohol can be detrimental to an abuser’s health. It can affect the way the brain works, cause other serious health issues, and if not well handled, resulting in death. Also, along the way, it can cause emotional damage to family and friends. It is, therefore, important to pay attention to the signs and seek help as soon as possible. By doing so, you could save yourself or your loved one a lot of heartaches and perhaps even their life.

This is a guest blog post.

How to Age Well - 5 Tips for Staying Independent As the Years Advance

Staying healthy is a worthy pursuit, no matter one's age. But for many seniors, living on their own and staying out of a care facility is the goal they strive for. Sound familiar?

Are you among those who want to enjoy their independent living accommodations for as long as possible?

Here are the mindsets and actions you can take that will help you stay independent, even as the years pass.

1. Know your limits.

Just because you have a youthful outlook doesn't mean that you are physically capable of everything you could do when in your twenties.

Believing that you have physically remained unchanged could be literally setting you up for a fall. And, according to the CDC, falls are one of the number one causes of injury and death in older individuals.

While you do not want to place limiting beliefs on yourself that could curb your potential, it pays to be realistic. Having a firm grasp of reality will help you work within your capability and not do something to threaten your future mobility.

In some cases, this could mean turning to a home care agency to help with certain tasks. In other situations, it might mean lowering the intensity of your gym sessions to keep your heart rate in check. Counsel with a doctor and be open to their suggestions.

2. Keep your brain agile.

Mental decline is common for seniors, but it is not a given. There are ways you can keep your brain young.

Harvard Health Publishing lists 12 actions that could prevent cognitive impairment. They cite mental stimulation at the very top of their list. Why? When you engage in activities that stimulate the brain, your brain continues to form new connections. This action and its results can go on to prevent future brain cell loss.

What does that mean for you? Anything that keeps your brain on its mental toes gets two thumbs up from your doctor. But you need not only turn to crossword puzzles and sudoku. Aerobic exercise provides the brain with the oxygen and nutrients it needs to perform at its best.

3. Have a network - and use it.

Do your children live close by? If not, do you have friends or a network you can call when needed? Do you talk with your neighbors? Do you have friends over weekly?

Your friends and those in your reading club are all part of your social circle, but they are also your network.

Take a moment to consider if you have someone you can call within your circle of friends if you needed a ride to a hospital immediately. What if you suspect you were a victim of fraud--who would you call? The network of people in your phonebook can act as a support system for you. Not only that, they can keep tabs on how you are doing emotionally and physically.

If no one immediately springs to mind, consider boosting your social circle or signing up for a support group.

You should also be sure to check out  internet safety guides for seniors which highlight what are the top scams targeted to seniors, how important it is to be aware of the current threats, and how to deal with them to name a few.

4. Be optimistic.

Researchers reviewed 80 studies and found that optimism had a marked impact on one's health. The studies covered a wide range of health situations and outcomes, including longevity. Their findings? A positive attitude can provide a physical boost.

How can you cultivate more optimism in your life? Try gratitude as a path that can lead you toward a brighter outlook.

Start or end your day with an acknowledgement of everything that you are thankful for. And you just might be surprised by all the added benefits that accrue due to this shift in thinking.

5. Stay active in ways you enjoy.

If you don't use it, you lose it. The saying is doubly true for seniors desiring to stay independent. Exercise is one of the best ways to prolong your independent lifestyle. Check with your doctor before beginning any exercise program, and then stay moving.

If you have tried to stay active in the past but have failed, consider a moderate approach. Look for ways to engage in an enjoyable activity that will also have you moving about. Make mall walking dates with your friends. Making exercise a social activity can help get you out the door when you are feeling like staying on the couch.

Be careful to not over do it. It's better to start off slow and safe then hurry toward an injury which gets harder to recover from as you advance in years.

This is a guest blog entry.