Search Results for: hearing

Bad Habits That Can Damage Your Hearing

April 26, 2019 Leave a Comment

Not all of us are blessed with excellent hearing. Many people suffer from hearing loss from a very young age, and others see (or rather hear) a deterioration as they age. And chances are, you may struggle with hearing yourself.

If you do notice the signs of hearing loss, you should visit your doctor or audiologist for advice and support. They will guide you on the way forward. However, you can also take steps to protect your hearing, and this includes making an effort to avoid the following bad habits we will cover in this article.

Bad Habit #1: Poking around in your ear

If you have a build up of wax in your ear, the tendency might be for you to stick your finger in there and have a dig around. Not a good idea, as the deeper you probe, the higher the chance of you perforating your eardrum. This can result in lasting damage to your hearing. And the same applies to cotton buds or Q-tips. While they can be used to clean the outer rim of your ear, you could cause damage if you push any further. Therefore, avoid sticking anything into your ears in the first place. Use ear drops to soften up the wax and/or visit your doctor for ear irrigation, which is a painless process of cleaning out your ear.

Bad Habit #2: Smoking

You know smoking is bad for you, but did you know it can affect your hearing? As is discussed in this article, research suggests smokers are 70% more likely than non-smokers to suffer from hearing loss. This is because the nicotine and carbon dioxide from cigarettes lower oxygen blood levels and limit the blood vessels that are needed for good ear health. If you ever needed another excuse to give up smoking then, let the state of the long-term health of your hearing make you think you think twice before having another cigarette.

Bad Habit #3: Playing music too loud

When listening to music through your headphones, you should set the volume so you can still hear what is going on around you. If you can’t hear anything other than your rocking tunes, then you have the volume turned up too loud. Prolonged exposure to loud noises will affect your hearing, and this extends to having the television turned up to the max, or listening to music at a concert without some form of ear protection to dampen the noise. You might find reading the information here will be useful to you, so check out the article, and then think twice before turning up the dial on your music in the future.

Bad Habit #4: Drinking alcohol

As with smoking, it will be of no surprise to you to know that drinking alcohol in excess is bad for your health. As well as damaging your liver and your nervous system, studies suggest excessive drinking can also lead to ototoxicity, a condition that creates a toxic environment in your bloodstream which can result in permanent hearing loss. If you don’t want to cut out alcohol from your life forever, the least you can do is moderate your drinking habit to alleviate the risk to your hearing.

Hear this!

Stop poking around in your ear, ditch the cigarettes, turn down your music, and cut back on the alcohol! By taking steps to avoid any of these bad habits, you stand a better chance of good hearing in your life. Consider this today, and see your doctor if you need any further advice.

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Filed Under: Health

“What Did You Say?” Unmistakable Signs Of Hearing Loss

October 26, 2017 Leave a Comment

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Everyone worries about their health. But, there are areas which appear more significant than others. The idea of living without your sight is not very nice. Compare that with muted hearing and the majority of people would take the latter over the former. Losing a sense is a traumatic experience, yet hearing is integral to a person’s way of life. So, when it starts to go, the consequences can be hard to swallow.

By spotting the signs, it is possible to limit the damage and save your ears. To do that, though, you must understand the symptoms as and when they appear. To help underneath is a selection of the leading alarm bells. When the following go off, you need to take action providing you can hear them in the first place.

Muffled Speech

This is a big one because it’s a sure-fire sign something is wrong. In the end, it may be a buildup of wax blocking the path. Or, it may be damage to the eardrum which distorts the clarity of sound. The worst case scenario is your hearing is deteriorating. Regardless, it’s essential to go to the doctor’s as soon as possible to find an answer. Hopefully, they will only have to syringe the wax and your hearing will come back to full health. If not, hearing aids and other devices which help boost the volume of sound are available.

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Volume On TV/Telephone

When you watch TV or take a call, it’s not hard to adjust the volume. All you have to do is find the button and press. The thing is increasing the noise on a device maybe because of hearing loss. It could be that the television or phone is quiet, especially if it’s a landline. Usually, different variables can affect the quality of the call. However, if others in the house don’t have the same difficulty, it is a bad sign. Regarding the television, let the rest of the house set the volume. Then, you can judge the noise level and gauge your level of hearing. Should everyone have it at the same intensity, then you are okay. If the setting is low and you struggle to hear, there is an issue.

Following A Conversation

The majority of people find following a conversation a simple task. Even if you’re hearing isn’t great, there are other ways, such as lip reading. The difficulty starts when multiple people speak at once. Then, it is much harder to read lips and piece together the conversation. Now, it is worth noting that it may not be a sign of hearing loss. Over time, it gets harder and harder to process signals. Plus, five people talking at once is confusing. But, a hearing specialist would find your answer troubling should you struggle to keep up. The only way to be sure if you’re worried is to see a professional and take some tests.

Straining To Hear

Sure, there are times when you need to focus on hearing someone speak. When it’s noisy, hearing doesn’t come as naturally. Still, there are other times when you shouldn’t need to concentrate. For example, when you are sitting at home and there are only two people in the room. Unless the noise is deafening, there should be no reason to strain. So, if you are doing it all of the time, there is something wrong. One way to tell is to relax the next time you speak with a friend or family member. If you’re not tense, you’re not straining. Also, gauge your tiredness levels. Focusing all day is mentally fatiguing and leaves people exhausted.

Misunderstanding

Finally, you may think you hear what they are saying, but what you repeat isn’t right. Lots of people do this, especially the older generation. Rather than be confident in what they hear, they have to repeat the sentence. Usually, what people with hearing loss say needs rectifying because it’s far from the truth. The reason, of course, is due to hearing problems. Another giveaway is saying “what?” a lot when people ask a question. Sometimes, people speak quietly or you miss the train of the conversation, which is why “what?” is handy. However, if you are saying it multiple times a day, then there’s an issue. To be sure, try and count how many times per day the word comes out of your mouth. Also, aanalyzeit in context.

These are only five signs, but there are plenty more. The key is to understand that muffled or low speech is a big warning sign and requires action.

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Filed Under: Health, Health Reviews, Healthy

Health Warning Signs To Look Out For Later On In Life

April 29, 2019 Leave a Comment

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As we all get older, health problems can become more common. Many of these health problems can be reduced or cured by taking steps against them early. In order to take these steps, you need to catch the warning signs early. Here are just a few warning signs to be wary of.

Keep forgetting things?

Many of us get more forgetful as we get older, and this is usually nothing serious. However, if you find yourself continuously forgetting things, it could be an early sign of dementia. You should see your doctor the moment you notice this and get tests done to get an official diagnosis. Whilst there is no current cure for dementia, there are many medically approved ways to slow it down and stop it in its tracks.

Keep losing your balance?

A lot of people have more frequent falls as they get older. This could be due to naturally weaker muscles and joints, however, it could be a sign of other conditions too such as labyrinthitis or low blood pressure if accompanied by dizziness. It’s worth seeing a doctor get this diagnosed. Preventing falls could be particularly important if you have osteoporosis.

Straining to see things properly?

Loss of vision is also common as people get older. This could include struggling to read or struggling to see things far away, both of which can be easily corrected with prescription glasses. More serious visual symptoms to look out for include clouded vision or sensitivity to light which could be a sign of cataracts – this can be cured if caught early. Sudden blurry vision could also be a symptom of diabetes.

Having trouble hearing?

Hearing loss is also common with age – especially if you’ve had jobs in the past that were based in noisy environments. Hearing aids can usually help to restore hearing to full working order. You should see a doctor immediately if hearing loss is accompanied by pain in your ear or you’re suffering a loss of balance as well. Some people can also experience hearing loss accompanied by ringing in the ears, which can be a sign of tinnitus.

Not reaching the toilet on time?

A lot of older people can develop incontinence, which is an inability to control one’s bladder. If you notice that you’re unable to reach the toilet on time because you get a little warning, it could be worth seeing a doctor. Changing your diet and exercising your pelvic floor may be able to counter this issue. Whilst this condition can be embarrassing, it’s worth getting a diagnosis just to cancel out any serious digestive problems.

Getting regular chest pain?

Regular chest pain is one of the more serious symptoms to look out for on this list. It could be a sign of heart disease, which could be fatal if you don’t take steps to control it. Heart disease is the biggest killer in the world. That said, it can usually be kept at bay by making certain lifestyle changes and taking medication. A doctor will be able to diagnose this condition for you.

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Filed Under: Health

What’s That Constant Ringing In My Ears?

March 19, 2019 Leave a Comment

Can you hear that? It’s a low buzzing sound but sometimes it becomes a high pitch ringing noise. Well, firstly you may want to calm down because no, you’re not insane or superhuman. You’re not actually hearing things are happening elsewhere, you’re just hearing things that aren’t there. This might be confusing but it can be explained simply by this. You’re having a hearing hallucination but you’re still hearing real noises too. This is called Tinnitus as the strange buzzing or ringing noise you constantly hear is partially biological and partially mental. It’s not that uncommon but it’s not all that common either, and it’s even sometimes temporary. The noise feels like it’s coming from the inside of your head and sometimes it’s right in the base of your ear. The condition doesn’t interfere with your normal life in any way and there are some easy ways to get around it or have it treated.

Brush up

Before anything else, you should learn more about tinnitus as it will help you understand the real world implications of having the condition. There’s no need to panic, first of all, it could just be triggered and momentary. Using various sources around the internet, you can learn about what the condition is, what possible treatments you have on offer medically, and how to cope with it in your normal everyday life. Brush up on how it is caused and with more knowledge you can better adjust your life to it.

Blockage in the tunnel

Our ears are incredibly sensitive, any small detail in the ear itself and our hearing can be affected. Speak to an audiologist who can run various tests on you to see if there is a problem with your hearing physically. Using magnifying tools, they can look deep into your ear canal and see if there is anything blocking the eardrum and surrounding area. Don’t forget that our ears have very small and thin bones that vibrate to absorb the sounds we hear, it’s not out of this world to believe something could be wrong internally.

One of the biggest issues that can cause tinnitus is ear wax. This isn’t just any old ear wax, this is wax that has accumulated over time and becomes very thick and hard. The audiologist can melt down the ear wax, and using very precise tools excavate the ear canal free of the impeding earwax. If you have experienced a sudden drop in hearing and an increase in a strange ringing sound, this is a treatment that could do you wonders.

Don’t focus on it

Sometimes the ringing noise can be caused by the environment you’re in such as a loud manufacturing facility or it can be simply all in your mind. Regardless of this fact however, don’t focus on the noise. It is indeed a white noise that your brain is making up and even doctors don’t fully understand how or why this is being done. The key to not aggravating the hallucination is to simply not focus on it. Don’t stop what you’re doing to mentally try and pinpoint the sound of the noise. This only makes things worse.

However, you know the old adage of when you try not to focus on something you end up either consciously or subconsciously focusing on it even more. Find a hobby which you can focus on, or perhaps cook something new tonight. Do anything you can to take away your mind’s focus and revert attention away from the ringing noise.

See a specialist

If things really do get out of hand and you’re worried about it interfering with your life, then go and see an ears, nose and throat specialist. There could be something wrong with the nasal passage that can also cause uncommon vibrations. The specialist will do their best to see what could be the cause of the problem. However, don’t go into the room thinking they will find a perfect solution because this is still not understood in the medical world. As mentioned before, the ringing noise in your ears is partly environmental but also involving hearing hallucinations. Don’t worry though, because it’s known to come and go and often times it will eventually become far less severe.

The ringing noise you constantly hear is a condition called tinnitus. It’s a strange white noise that you seem to hear due to environmental causes as well as mental tricks your mind is playing. The key to not making it worse is to simply not focus on it and whisk your mind away to someplace else. If you really want to get to the bottom of it then go as see an audiologist who can remove any ear wax that could be causing the issue and run some other tests.

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Filed Under: Health Tagged With: Ear, eardrum, hearing

8 Signs It’s Time To Visit Your Doctor

March 18, 2019 Leave a Comment

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When it comes to calling your doctors and booking an appointment, it can be hard to know where to draw the line. Whilst some people will call their doctors surgery for absolutely everything, others don’t want to be seen as a nuisance. Although it is important to know there is a time to book an appointment, don’t let that stop you from reaching out if you’re seriously in need. To help, here are 8 signs it’s time to visit your doctor:

– If You’re Struggling To Get Rid Of An Infection

If you have been suffering from an infection for a number of weeks and you are struggling to get rid of it, it might be time to speak to your doctor. It may be that you have a chesty cough or a sickness bug that just won’t budge, but without antibiotics that only your doctor can prescribe you will be struggling for much longer. For tips and tricks on how to help ease the pain of an infection, you can visit this site here.

– If You Have Sustained A Minor Injury

If you have managed to injure yourself but don’t think you need to go to A&E, it may be best to visit your doctors. Not only will they be able to advise whether or not you need to visit your nearest emergency room, but they’ll also be able to prescribe you something for the pain. if you find after a couple of days it still hasn’t helped, heading back for a second visit will definitely help.

– If You Are Experiencing Throat Or Ear Pain

One of the most painful things you can experience is either ear or throat pain and if you’ve been suffering for a few days then you’ll definitely agree it’s time to see a doctor. If you’ve been suffering from pain in your ear or you are experiencing hearing loss, it’s important you book an appointment as soon as you can to see a doctor or audiologist. Providing they have appointments, they’ll be able to help you within a matter of hours.

– If You Have Had The Flu For Over A Week

If you have had the flu for a couple of weeks and the home remedies you have tried have not helped it subside, booking an appointment to see your doctor may be the best possible option. Whilst they may not be able to give you any different medication to the ones you’ve been taking, they will be able to tell you if you have something more serious than the flu. For more information and tips on how to self-treat the flu, you can visit this guide here.

– If You Have A Persistent High Fever

If you have had a high fever for a number of days then you need to visit your doctor. Although it may just be a high temperature, it could be something much more severe. Give yourself a couple of days and if you’re not feeling better book yourself an appointment as soon as you can. In the meantime, you can try a couple of home remedies to keep your temperature down. If you start experiencing any other symptoms alongside your high temperature, call your doctor immediately.

– If You Are Experiencing Severe Chest Pain

If you are experiencing severe chest pains, booking an emergency appointment with your doctor is vital. They will instantly be able to tell you whether or not you need to go to A&E and if not, they’ll be able to advise you the best possible ways to help the pain subside. If you’re suffering from severe pain and can’t see your doctor, visiting an emergency room is definitely the next best option.

– If You Have Lost An Unexplained Amount Of Weight Quickly

If you have noticed you’re losing weight at an alarming weight and you haven’t done anything to cause it, you may want to think about visiting your doctor. Whilst they may not be able to get to the bottom of it right away, they will be able to run the necessary tests needed to find out if it is something serious. Whilst most of the time it isn’t, it is definitely better to be safe than sorry.

– If You Think You’re Suffering From Mental Health Issues

Finally, if you have been experiencing issues with your mental health it definitely bests that you book an appointment to see someone. They will be able to talk you through all of your available options, giving you the best possible advice you can get. If you’re struggling to find the courage to book an appointment, why not try asking a friend to go with you?

Are you always unsure when it is time to see a doctor? What symptoms do you look for? Let me know in the comments section below.

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Filed Under: Health Reviews Tagged With: Health, injury, pain

All By Yourself; Don’t Wanna Be All By Yourself (Through Injury)

October 25, 2018 Leave a Comment

When you receive an injury, you do so alone. You’re the one who has to live through the moment, deal with the pain, and attend the endless hospital appointments. Other people may want to support you, but they just don’t understand what you’re going through. This can be so frustrating that you may choose to isolate yourself. You’re in this alone anyway, right?

But, facing injury alone could be about the worst thing for your recovery. Your loved ones are only trying to help. It’s no one’s fault that you were alone when this terrible thing happened. But, if you remain isolated through your experience, you only have yourself to blame. If you still aren’t convinced to let people in, keep reading to find out how isolation can worsen your injury.

You won’t get the help you need

Refusing to let anyone in means you won’t get the help you need. On a fundamental level, this means that you won’t have a helping hand around the house. You’ll have to get your own meals and make your own way to the bathroom. None of which is easy. Shutting everyone out also means you won’t get the professional help you need. Refusing to speak to a doctor could see them unable to offer you the best treatment. Not contacting a personal injury lawyer soon enough could see you unable to gain compensation for what’s happened. All because you were too stubborn about coping alone.

You might not spot changes

Having people around during recovery is also essential for spotting changes. A change for the worse could mean you need immediate medical attention. A change for the better is a sign that you’re doing something right. But, like children we see every day, you may fail to spot differences in your injury. You’re looking at it all the time, after all. By comparison, a friend who comes round once a day will be able to see straight away how things are going either way. That alone could save your life.

Your mental health will suffer

Isolation is also terrible news for mental health. In case you didn’t know, mental struggles can have an enormous impact on recovery. Even a negative outlook can severely extend the time you spend out of action. Something such as depression can also impact your quality of sleep. It doesn’t take a genius to work out that sleepless nights will also hinder your body’s chance to heal. In short; isolation is terrible news from every mental angle you could consider.

The answer?

So, that’s why shouldn’t isolate yourself right now. The question is, how do you let other people in? The good news is, there’s a simple answer. All you need to do is talk to people. They can’t know exactly what you’re going through, but hearing about your experience can help. Ask a friend around sometimes. Pick someone to attend hospital visits with you. Before you know it, you’ll get your life back on track this way.

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Filed Under: Health, Injury, Wellness

Health Professionals to Check In With Regularly

July 30, 2018 Leave a Comment

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No matter how busy your personal schedule may be, it’s extremely important that you prioritize your health and schedule routine appointments with various health professionals in order to assure yourself that your body is functioning as it should. Here are just a few professionals you should consult on a regular basis!

A Doctor

The majority of us only ever visit our doctor when we are experiencing symptoms of illness or significant problems with our overall health and wellbeing. But you can visit for a general health check too! This will involve having your BMI worked out (to check that you are a healthy weight) and having blood taken for routine examinations. If your weight is deemed unhealthy, a doctor will then be able to advise you of parts of your lifestyle that can be changed for positive improvement. This kind of check can put your mind at rest. They’re essentially an MOT for your body and will ensure that everything is working and in good nick.

An Audiologist

Believe it or not, hearing loss affects a large percentage of the population at some point or another. What’s more? Its effects aren’t limited to the elderly. Individuals of any age can experience problems with their auditory health. Changes can be temporary or permanent and they can also take place suddenly or over a gradual period of time. Regardless of the way that hearing loss begins to creep into your life, it’s important to remember that it can ultimately have profoundly detrimental effects on your day to day routine, so you do need to monitor your hearing carefully. Sometimes changes may not be immediately apparent to you. But there are signs that you can look out for. Common symptoms of auditory loss include having the volume turned up too high on devices and not realising until someone with good hearing points it out, misunderstanding what others are saying to you, asking people to repeat themselves regularly, or having to concentrate and focus intensely on what people are saying in order to gather the information that they are putting across. If you do begin to experience any of these symptoms, however, don’t despair. There are plenty of brilliant developments taking place in the field of auditory health. You can learn more about the options available to you here!

A Dentist and a Hygienist

When it comes to dental care and hygiene, you only need to routine two appointments on annual basis – one with your dentist and one with your hygienist. This, for the most part, will consist of your dentist poking around your mouth and giving you the all clear, and the hygienist giving you a quick scale and polish. However, if problems are identified, these professionals will be able to rectify them with relatively quick and completely painless procedures!

These are just a few health care professionals you should make time for in your routine. But they are perhaps the most important! So, schedule your next appointments as soon as possible for the sake of your health and wellbeing!

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Filed Under: Health

The Health Issues We Need To Be Concerned About As We Get Older

May 20, 2018 Leave a Comment

As we get older, it’s always going to be a worry that our health deteriorates. No matter how well we look after ourselves, there are somethings we just can’t prepare for. While that may seem a little doom and gloom, this post is more to highlight them to you. So if it happens you know exactly what you can do to make things easier. It may not always be pleasant getting older, but we should be able to enjoy our golden years having fun with our family and loved ones.

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Our sight can get worse

As we get older, we may notice that our eyesight gets worse. This could mean that we struggle to read books or menus. Or it may affect us in the opposite way when it comes to seeing distance. While our eyesight is deteriorating shouldn’t be something to celebrate, we are blessed with great eye care. This means that we can get glasses to help us read or see further. Meaning it isn’t all that bad. The best thing to do is to keep attending regular eye check-ups.

Hearing loss

Our hearing may get worse for many reasons. Getting older is one of them. But also, if we have been exposed to loud machines or noise in working life, then this can have an adverse effect on the future. Our hearing is another sense that we grow so use to and take for granted. But by seeing a specialist, we may be able to get hearing aids to help us in the future. Hearing aids are not as daunting as they once were, and your appointment with an audiologist won’t be as bad as you probably imagine. With advancements in technology they won’t be a huge issue in your life but definitely can give you improvements.

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Dental health

No matter how often we brush our teeth, our dental health can deteriorate as we get older. This can be down to many reasons. Good dental care is vital from an early age, and in most instances, this will bode well for us in the future. Always keep up to date with your dental check-ups to keep an eye on those teeth.

Rising blood pressure

Stressful jobs or troubled lives, in general, can have an effect on our blood pressure. While we are young, we have the tools to tackle this, which may not be the case as we get older. As we enter the golden age of our life, it would be good advice to take it easy a little. It’s the time to enjoy things and not get stressed out.

High Cholesterol

Finally, as we get older, we can be hit with high cholesterol. Which means a higher fatty substance in our body that cause problems for our general health. This is normally brought on by an unhealthy diet. The best thing we can do is take care of ourselves. Think about what you eat and the effect it can have on your body.

However, if we can take good care of our bodies now, then they will do their best to take care of us as we get older.

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Filed Under: Health, Health Reviews

Improve Your Quality Of Life

April 13, 2018 1 Comment

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Some people’s quality of life is amazing. They can go wherever they want, free from any aches, pains, or even just setbacks. But some people are the complete opposite, and just getting out of the house is a struggle. But it’s not just health, the quality of life people can have is largely determined by the income they have, and the way in which they have been brought up. It can also be determined by the quality of life you believe you’re having, and how much you actually enjoy life on a daily basis. However, it doesn’t matter what your beliefs are; there’s always something that could be improved. At the end of the day, life is far too short to be held back by a quality of life, especially when there are so many things you can do to improve it. Here are just a few ways that we think your life could be completely transformed.

Is Your Health Holding You Back?

Health is probably the number one factor to consider if you feel as though your quality of life isn’t the best. Most of the time, the way we treat our bodies determines whether we’re going to be held back. There are some people who treat their bodies like a temple. They’re at the gym every other day, eating healthy every single day, and maybe having a little treat here and there come the weekend. These are the people you want to try and be like, but obviously, not everyone has the self-control to be like this. The people who might be being held back a bit in life are the ones who don’t seem to look after their bodies as well as they could do. If this sounds like you, there are a few things that you need to change that could seriously improve the quality of your life. First, you need to focus on your fitness routine. Fitness plays a big part in how you feel overall. Despite popular belief, exercise doesn’t tire you out, it gives you more energy in the short term and makes you feel absolutely amazing after doing a bit of exercise. Endorphins are released from the body during exercise, and it’s these endorphins that give you that rush of a good feeling. Although actually having the motivation to get up and go to the gym is the biggest problem people face. If you do manage to go a few times a week, you’ll notice improvements in your weight, muscle tone, and overall energy throughout the day. Plus, a good work out a few hours before bed will knock you right out when it comes to sleeping.

Then you’ve got the things that we just can’t help that could be holding you back. These are the things that happen to us as we age, and when they do, they can be rather frightening. All of the sudden we aren’t the young spring chicken we used to be and things just seem to start falling apart. One of the most common is the loss of hearing of sight. Not a complete loss, but if you’re noticing a reduction in hearing, for example, it might be worth considering what options are out there for you. A lot of people hate the thought of having to wear a hearing aid due to them being on display all of the time. But companies are now working to reduce the size, but increase the effectiveness of their products. This 2018 guide to buying TV Ears will show you the best ones you can get for general everyday use. If you’re noticing your sight decreasing, then things might be a bit easier to sort. All you’ll need to do visit your local opticians and have a checkup. Again, people are reluctant to do so because they feel as though it’s giving into old age, especially if they’ve had the perfect vision all their life. Even though it’ll be a tad expensive, it’ll definitely be worth it in the long run when the quality of life is improved overall.

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Are Your Finances Holding You Back?

This is the main one for a lot of people. Money is everything, and there’s not much you can do without it nowadays. So to improve your quality of life, sometimes you need to find a way to take the stress away by removing financial issues. The best way to do this is to look at your spending and decide where you might be going wrong. A lot of people don’t realize how much money they’re wasting on rubbish all the time until they actually total up their monthly spendings. So, sit down and do a money plan, focusing on absolutely everything that you might need to buy on a monthly basis. We’re talking everything from food shops and household bills, to days out with the kids or a meal out with friends. What you’re left with is usually a lot of things that you can actually cut down on. For example, your TV box company. Some companies out there charge through the nose for additions such as movie channels, sports channels etc. Do you really need it all? The flat rate to just have normal channels could save you big bucks each month! Anything you can cut back on to give you a better quality of life, in general, is going to pay off. There’s no point being left with hardly any money left over to be able to treat yourself just so that you can have something as simple as a few extra channels each month!

Is Your Work The Problem?

Whether your quality of life is amazing, or whether you feel like there’s some room for improvements, work is always going to be a problem. We’re a slave to the system until it comes to retirement age, and sometimes that system is absolutely terrible to work for. Granted, there are a few people out there who get to live the absolute dream and have their dream job that they enjoy. But for the most of us, we really struggle with getting through the day and staying motivated. So, if this sounds like you, take a stand and find a reason to enjoy work again! If that means leaving your job, leave your job! There are so many different career paths out there that a person can take that will mean their whole quality of life is changed. Life is just far too short to be worrying about work and having to get up every morning to be there. Plus, you never know, some careers that you’ll find might end up taking you around the world, which brings us to our next paragraph.

Why Not Go Travelling?

Travelling is one of the most liberating and freeing things that you’ll ever do. But so many people get to old age and look back and think ‘I wish I actually gone traveling’. So many people waste the perfect opportunity to go and see the world. Instead, they’re stuck in work just waiting for their life to pass them by. Sound like you? Well, find a way to go traveling and go and do it. Don’t let money hold you back, you can always bar hop in different countries to bring in a little money. Or you could go freelance so you’re able to take your work with you wherever you go! Even if you go traveling solo it is still worth doing to get that excellent life experience. The people you meet along the way could well remain friends for life as well!

So, do you now feel as though you can improve your quality of life? Don’t spend life wishing you could, be proactive and make it happen!

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Filed Under: Family, Lifestyle Tagged With: traveling

Protecting Your Senses This Christmas

December 15, 2017 Leave a Comment

As we approach Christmas and New Year, the festivities are running high and the world becomes infused with gingerbread, cloves, flickering lights, fireworks and everything that you can imagine can be linked to Christmas. It’s wonderful and magical but can also have a detrimental effect on your health. And we’re not talking about the extra pounds everyone puts on over the holidays. But these issues can be easily prevented without them putting a damper on the holiday fun.

Sight

With the millions of lights suddenly adorning every street, store, house front, and tree it’s an assault on the eyes. You might think that eating dinner by the light of your Christmas tree is romantic and full of Christmas spirit, but you’re actually straining your eyes to focus on what’s in front of you. The same when you light candles and try to see by that light alone. Use lamps and the big light in a room to alleviate the pressure on your eyes to see in the dark.

Hearing

Apart from having to listen to the same bunch of Christmas songs since the first of November, the main thing to worry about is the fireworks. From Christmas Eve and onwards people love to keep the celebrations going by letting off fireworks every evening. And where

they aren’t much of an issue now and again, the constant barrage is enough to damage healthy ears, let alone those who already have damaged ears – which occurs more in the elderly. Hearing protection is simple enough in this instance; earplugs. You will still be able to hear the fireworks but dimmed enough to protect the delicate works of your inner ear.

Feel

Feeling can only be lost through nerve damage, which, usually, can only be damaged by extreme circumstances, but it can be temporarily damaged easily in the cold weather. Where it takes an extremely low temperature to cause instant frostbite, and people think that it only happens at the north pole, it can be developed within more habitable places like the UK, Russia and Northern parts of the US. The more you are exposed to the cold, the more the danger of frostbite grows. Which can cause irreversible nerve damage and cause you to lose feeling. Prevent this by wearing the right clothes out in the cold – don’t choose fashion over function. And by limiting the time you expose yourself to the cold weather.

The protection of your senses can be as simple as thinking things through. Like wearing a coat designed to withstand the cold, rather than layering a jacket with a jumper and hoping for the best. By giving your ears a break from the relentless booming of the celebratory fireworks. And by turning the lights up when necessary instead of straining your eyes in the attempt to be more festive.

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Filed Under: Health, Health Reviews, Healthy, Wellness

Tech Will Change Life For The Disabled Forever

September 25, 2017 Leave a Comment

It can be agonizing to come to terms with the fact that you have a disability. This will be true whether you recently received a medical diagnosis of a mental disability. Or, if you have suffered a life-changing injury. You will certainly feel the impact on your quality of life, and it is sadly, common for people with a disability to experience some level of debt. Usually, this is because someone who has special needs will find it more difficult to get a job and move forward with their life. But, hope is on the horizon because new tech is benefiting people with disabilities in lots of fascinating, often incredible ways. Let’s look at some of the different tech that has helped those with special needs.

Hearing Again

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Yes, technology has certainly helped those with hearing issues. In the past, hearing aids were your best option for getting help with a hearing issue. This would essentially amplify the sound to make sure that you could still hear properly and understand when people were talking to you. However, hearing aids often broke for various reasons. Thankfully, hearing aid repairs are often quite simple, and it’s easy to get the devices working again as they should be. But recently we have moved past hearing aids with hearing implants.

These implants are useful for several reasons. First, they can be completely hidden, and as such, no one will be able to tell an individual has hearing difficulties. Second, the quality of the sound often seems to the user for more natural, as though their ears are learning to hear once more. Implants can also be used to block out sound caused by a disability such as tinnitus.

Robotics

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Losing a limb, a hand or perhaps even being born without one of these parts of your body certainly impacts your quality of life. Aside from feeling different and perhaps feeling as though you look odd abnormal or ugly the loss of a limb can stop you from completing the most basic tasks in life. That’s why robotics are now being used to give these individuals a second lease on life. These new robotic arms and legs can be, with training, used like a second limb due to the fact that they can essentially sync in with the rest of the body. As such, it’s possible for an amputee to be able to control their new arm as they would if they had been born with it.

Currently, this type of technology is both rare and expensive however it won’t always be that way. As more hospitals and research labs develop this tech, it will become more common, and there will be fewer people living their life missing an arm or a leg. You can often see this tech on full display during the Paralympics.

Mobility

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It’s fair to say that one of the biggest issues for people with a physical disability is mobility. They often experience lower levels of movement, and the inability to enjoy life the way they want to. Similar to the elderly, many people with a disability rely on others to take them places or to get from A to B. However, in the future, things could be different and that is certainly thanks to autonomous cars. Whenever we consider this tech, we often think about how it’s going to improve the lives of the typical person rather than those who really need it. The fact is that once the autonomous tech is fully available to everyone and affordable, it’s going to mean massive changes for people with disabilities. Many will no longer have to rely on others and can regain some of their lost independence.

Looking To The Future

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Exploring current research areas, you can discover that ten or twenty years from now a disability is not going to be the life change that it is today. Could exoskeletons help people who have paralyzed due to spinal injuries walk once more? It’s certainly possible, and studies are currently ongoing. In Israel, experts are testing the potential of nanotechnology to heal and fix issues with the body that have caused a disability. For instance, chronic pain is caused by plates pushing against the spine. Theoretically, using sophisticated nanotechnology an otherwise impossible surgical procedure could be completed.

As such, it is important that we keep exploring different avenues and looking at ways that tech could change the lives of those with a disability. From the simple such as providing software for basic subtitles on video media to the incredible like giving those in a wheelchair the chance to walk again.

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Filed Under: Health

The skeleton of a home is rarely discussed when it comes to renovation goals. We always think about the exterior of the interior, because we either want to update the decor and make ourselves look fashionable, or we just want a change of surroundings. However, just like human beings, without a healthy skeleton, the body becomes weak, and the skin starts to wither away. The same pretty much applies to property. The inner workings of a home are what makes it a livable space, with functioning water, heat, electricity and gas. All of these energy sources should move freely throughout the home, without putting anyone inside it at risk of physical harm. It’s logical to live by the term of hearing no evil, see no evil. But what lurks beneath the wallpaper, and inside the walls, under the floorboards, and in the attic, cannot be assessed openly. You have to go digging, and the home relies on you and your determination to keep a close eye on the quality and health of the structure that keeps it working and standing upright.

Get prepared and focused

To renovate your home is no easy task and cannot be done on the fly whenever you feel like it. You have to feel comfortable with what you’re going to see and know exactly what key aspects of the structure to examine. You should approach the task of renovation, like a project which is all encompassing. Don’t just stick to one room or one floor, as aforementioned, the home is like a skeleton, and everything is connected. Properties degrade over time, so don’t become complacent and start expecting not to find anything where you perceive the structure is healthy.

Source – kate hiscock

Strike a budget

First and foremost, you need to set yourself a budget. Start planning to save 20 – 10% of your monthly salary to use solely on your renovation project. Workout roughly how much you believe you’ll need to spend, and this is done by accessing your memory bank. Obviously, you have picked up on some things that have been nagging away at you, which you’re aware need attention such as cracks in the walls or ceiling. Save a little extra for any hidden or unforeseen costs when it comes to buying materials or for when you realize the situation you’re addressing is actually worse than previously thought.

Image by – kebabknight

Perform an exterior checklist

Methodically and precisely, go around your home from the front garden, the exterior walls and right through to the opposite end of the property. Go through each room, examining the walls for any signs of deterioration, cracks in the layers of brick, or even flaking wallpaper and paint which needs replacing. The floor is just as important as the walls, so place your feet carefully, listening for any groans from the wooden floorboards, which would indicate aged and stressed planks. Go next toward the plug sockets and the skirting boards. Any loose boards will need to be tightened or replaced, and the sockets should be put under the category of a hazard if they prove to be subpar. Any light fixtures or entrance for wires through the ceiling should also be marked in the same manner.

Photo credit – music4life

Perform an interior check

The main operation for checking the interior of walls is to see where the water pipes are and to track their layout. Purchase or rent a domestic water leak detector from a home improvement supply store or perhaps a plumbing specialist store. You can read online about this technology and how to use it, but it’s relatively simple, so ask the clerk or store assistant about it. You’ll be able to find pipes and wires, and the gadget will make a sound or perhaps flash a light when it confirms a positive detection. Mark the location of the wires and pipes you have found, faintly with a pencil or some DIY tape, such as low tack masking tape.

Conclude and assess

Before taking any action, you need to compile your list of part of the home which requires the most attention and the least. The first stage to any kind of renovation is to perform an assessment of the information you have gathered. Any signs of structural damage which you believe are detrimental to the overall safety of the home should be looked at first. Signs of damp, where the wall has become covered in mold, and the wallpaper and plaster has become soft to the touch, show there is a leak emanating from within the wall or close by. Cracks in walls and ceilings may be purely aesthetic and skin deep, some others may be more serious where the weight cannot be supported for much longer. Exposed wires should be cordoned off and children, as well as pets, kept away from them.

Photo credit – stevepb

Addressing water leaks

When addressing pipes leaks, use the hunting prowess of the domestic water leak detector and where the damaged walls are, hover over the immediate and surrounding area. Water on the outside can flow from one part of the pipe to the other, so don’t fool yourself into thinking the pipe leak will be exactly where the mold or damage wall is. You should call out a water damage restoration service, who can find the leak in no time, and explain everything you need to know to you. What’s more, they can clean up any damage and then restore the property back to how it was original. Don’t try to fix the leak yourself as certified water technicians arrive with a van full of professional equipment that can access the leak without damage your property.

Replace the floor

Where you can hear squeaks and groans, take out the floorboard that is making these noises. Over time wood can bend, and due to cold and warm temperatures of the seasons, the structure can tighten and expand, stretching the molecules that hold it together. A rigid floor is what you should be aiming for, with a very little bend to your weight, hardly any noise perhaps even, an aesthetically pleasing look. Modern hardwood such as aged oak is a great and comprehensively priced purchase option, with the ability to get the wood in a dark brown, and light beige. If you have stone flooring, say for example for your patio, replacing the stone is going to be costly just in labor alone. It’s much better to use a filling agent to cover up the crack and maybe chisel away at the surface concrete or mortar, then replace it, so the stone fits better.

Photo source – Laqfoil Ltd

Cracks in ceilings

This task is the most troubling to manage, but above all else, keep health and safety in mind at all time. First, if you spot a crack in the ceiling, get a ladder and stand on it to examine how deep the crack goes. If the crack is more to a deeper nature, this means that you should treat it as a tear, as in a structural integrity issue. If this proves to be the case, make sure nobody walks underneath the crack or maybe even the room. Equally, do not allow anyone of the household to go into the room of which the ceiling is to, the floor. Call in ceiling experts that will have the tools and the training to support the entire room’s structure, while repairing the ceiling from the bottom and top. On the other hand, if it’s just a crack that is shallow, it could be due to minor distressing such as old paint and plaster or perhaps man made damage. Lath and plaster the plasterboard ceiling, which will join and fill the parting.

Exposed wires

Exposed wires are a severe health hazard which means before you treat the problem, switch off the electricity in the home from the mainframe. If the damage is minor and all that’s visible is the inner copper strands, electrical tape, neatly and tightly wrapped around will solve the issue. If you know that the copper strands are ripped and flailing out of the wire, you will need to do a section repair. You can’t take the wire out as that would require the house to be ripped apart, but you can cut the damaged section off. With the same type of wire, i.e., earth, live or neutral, cut a little longer strip off your fresh supply. Peel back the casing and expose the copper strands; do the same to the wire being repaired. Intertwine the copper strands together, tightly, at both ends, Once the wire is roughly or perfectly fitting, wrap a decent layer of electrical tape around it. Put the wire back in its place and cover the area up as it should be.

When you renovate your home, you should avoid doing it in spurts and instead treat it as a project. One thing leads to another, and it’s very easy for problems left unchecked to spiral out of control. When you see cracks in ceilings and walls, address them immediately, so you don’t endanger the lives of those in your home with possible catastrophic structural integrity failure. Water leaks shouldn’t be treated as a secondary issue as the mold that grows on your walls leads to respiratory concerns, especially in young children. Insects and parasites can begin feasting on the mold, producing a foul smell in the process. Renovation of the skeleton of your home is just as important as aesthetically pleasing makeovers.

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What To Know About Facing Life With Disability

September 18, 2017 Leave a Comment

For a long time before now and even now, in many circles and groups, disability has been something of a taboo. It’s something we don’t talk about in any real way, often until it’s staring us in the face and we have to learn how to deal with it. It’s a big change, and often a difficult one. But by thinking about how to cope with it, we can make living with it a lot easier.

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Know what you’re dealing with

Many disabilities are there from birth or a result of an accident or injury. There are others, however, that come in with time. Knowing the signs of disabilities like eye disease, deafness, and back pain that could grow chronic can help us start challenging them a lot sooner and learning the realities of a situation. Beyond getting regularly checked out, it’s also worth looking at your family history and seeing any conditions in your family history that could serve as a risk factor in your own life.

Know what you can do about it

Your doctor is always going to be the first port of call when it comes to treating the symptoms associated with a disability and helping you find ways around it. But there are other groups and organizations that can provide real practical advice. From devices like hearing aids for developing deafness to coping techniques for chronic pain, there is a lot of advice on offer. If you’re diagnosed with a disability, it’s worth looking at groups and organizations near you that can help serve as a support system. Your healthcare providers and family can help, but sometimes getting someone who truly understands what you’re going through can help you find real practical advice for fighting it.

Know how it will change your life

Of course, the difference between disability and other forms of disease or illness is that we don’t consider disability temporary. It requires some changes, which means we have to learn how to understand what our limitations are and how to cope with them. This might mean looking at benefits on offer or modifications we might have to make to the home. Learning to accept our disability and start living with it, not against it, can also help in the next point.

Know the other ways it might affect you

We’ve mostly been tackling the effects of physical disability on your life, and mental disability is another topic deserving a multitude of posts on its own. But it’s also important to be aware of the impact that physical health can have on mental health. Stress, depression, and lowered self-esteem are some very common side-effects of learning to live with a disability. Be aware of the risks and that you might have to face them through counseling or by joining a support group like those mentioned above.

Living with a disability can be a challenge, but it doesn’t have to stand in the way of a fruitful, comfortable, and fulfilling life. Being proactive and facing those challenges head-on is going to give you the best chance of getting that.

Filed Under: Family, Health, Health Reviews, Healthy