All Your Most Annoying Body Problems, Solved

July 22, 2020 Leave a Comment

Our bodies are wonderful machines. Nothing else in the universe, except other animals perhaps, can direct its actions, repair itself, and think about the external world. But as with any complicated device, things can go wrong from time to time, and it is incredibly annoying! 

 

Here are some of the most annoying body problems you can experience, solved: 

 

Waterlogged Ears

 

The human is a highly sophisticated piece of biological engineering, capable of capturing sounds and even telling us the direction from which they came. With that said, their performance can be a little disappointing in the water. Liquid gets into the ear canal and become stuck there, disrupting your ability to hear. 

 

If you have this problem, tilt your head to the side and then jerk it slightly. Usually, this will release any lodged water. Failing that, you can use a hairdryer on a low setting. Be careful not to burn yourself. 

 

Dry Mouth

 

Dry mouth occurs when your body ceases producing sufficient saliva to keep everything moist. Often it occurs after taking antidepressants or antihistamines. 

 

The solution is pretty simple: drink more. Also, reduce your intake of alcohol and quit smoking if you have a longstanding problem. You can also use many over-the-counter sprays and gels to alleviate the symptoms. But please be warned – these won’t eliminate the underlying cause of the condition. 

 

Blisters

 

Blisters are one of the body’s defences against infection. If it detects that the skin is about to be breached, the immune system will create a layer of fluid between layers of skin to allow the body time to heal. 

 

If you have a blister, leave it alone. It’ll go away naturally once the underlying skin heals. Try to resist the temptation to pop it. Blisters get infected easily. 

 

Ringing In Your Ears

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Ear ringing or tinnitus is an annoying condition in which the brain hallucinates sounds that aren’t there. Usually, it develops in people with un-diagnosed hearing loss. As the auditory center of the brain receives less stimulation, it starts to create its own reality, leading to annoying ringing, whirring, and whooshing noises. 

 

Getting rid of tinnitus usually relies on a variety of techniques. The most powerful intervention is to wear a hearing aid to restore normal levels of stimulation to the auditory cortex. Some people also try cognitive behavioral therapy to help them think differently about the condition, making it more bearable. 

 

Sneezing Fits

 

Sneezing occasionally is normal. It’s the body’s way of getting rid of pollutants and irritants from the airway. Some people, though, can experience fits of uncontrollable sneezing where they can’t stop. Usually, this is the result of a viral infection of some type. For others, it’s an issue with nervous signaling that affects the sneeze reflex. 

 

If you have regular sneezing fits, you often need to take steps to control your environment. If allergies drive it, you’ll need to remove these from your home, if possible. Pet dander and pollen are the most common culprits. 

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5 Top Ways of Taking Care of Your Hearing Health

July 21, 2020 Leave a Comment

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Imagine if you couldn’t hear the people that you love and care about speaking to you anymore. Or, what would it be like to not be able to enjoy your favorite songs anymore? 

 

Hearing loss is something that can affect anyone at any age. You may think that it’s just a sign of ageing, however, if you don’t take care of your ears, you may find that your hearing will deteriorate.

 

But there are things that you can do to protect your hearing. 

 

Here are the top five ways of looking after your hearing health. 

 

  1. Get Your Hearing Tested 

 

If you need to ask people to repeat themselves because you mishear them often, this could be a sign that you are experiencing hearing loss. If you’re having to turn the TV or your music up especially loud, then you should probably get your hearing tested. 

 

Whether you’re experiencing hearing loss, or not, it is a good idea to have your hearing tested occasionally. 

 

When booking an appointment for hearing loss testing, you can expect to have a few simple tests to test your hearing. This will include listening to and identifying sounds that are played to you. 

 

Following a hearing test, an audiologist may recommend that you wear a hearing aid, have ear wax removed, or that you have an underlying infection treated. 

 

  1. Stop Listening To Music Loud

 

One of the more common causes of hearing loss is listening to music at a high volume.

 

Many modern devices designed for playing music will have recommended volume settings when using headphones. Make sure that you stick to these volume levels. If needed, use noise-cancelling headphones so that you cannot hear anything other than your music. 

 

Prolonged exposure to loud noises and music could cause physical damage to your inner ear resulting in hearing loss. 

 

  1. Get Ear Infections Treated 

 

If you get an ear infection, you may be tempted to just see if it goes away on its own. While it might do that, you may be left with blocked ears or a lingering infection that could cause you damage. 

 

Head to the doctors when you get earache and get yourself checked over. 

 

  1. Wear Protective Earwear

 

Do you work in a noisy environment such as a factory, or a construction site? If so, you should be supplied with protective wear such as earmuffs. Make sure that you use any protective wear supplied to you. 

 

If there is no earwear supplied to you, speak with your employer and see if they will get you any. 

 

  1. Don’t Put Things In Your Ear 

 

If you have a build-up of wax in your ear, you may be tempted to try and work this out using a Q-tip. However, putting small items such as this inside your ear canal can cause you serious damage. 

 

Your ear has some very delicate piece, and you may irreparably break them. If you have a build up of wax, use ear drops to break this up instead.

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Do You Know How To Take Care Of Your Health As You Get Older?

July 3, 2020 Leave a Comment

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One thing that a lot of people really don’t want to think about is the fact that their body is going to change as they get older. Sure, right now you might feel totally invincible but that’s not always going to be the case. The biggest mistake that a lot of people make is that they leave those kinds of concerns for the future. The issue is that, by that point, the things that you can do are a whole lot more limited. With that in mind, here are some areas of your health that you might want to start thinking about more as you get old.

 

Your eyesight

 

If you’re spent your entire life with practically perfect vision, the idea of your eyesight deteriorating as you get older can be pretty scary. However, there are always plenty of things that can be done to deal with issues with your eyesight, from the obvious stuff like glasses to more drastic options like laser treatments or even surgery. Of course, to help to avoid doing any added damage to your sight, the best thing that you can do is to try and reduce the amount of strain that you put them under. This means that it’s a good idea to take a break from staring at screens from time to time.

 

Your hearing

 

There are few things more fun that going to a concert or even just blasting loud music in your car but the truth is that those things can have serious consequences if you’re not protecting your ears. Experiencing hearing loss can be pretty scary but the truth is that there are plenty of things that can be done about it, from surgical options to rechargeable hearing devices. But, as with so many other things, the best solutions are preventative. Protecting your hearing with things like earplugs can make your life a whole lot more pleasant further down the line.

 

Your lifestyle

 

There’s something wonderful about being young and feeling like you can do anything you want without any consequences and that often extends to your health. People feel like they can eat what they want, drink what they want, stay up all night, and do all kinds of things that are pretty terrible for them. However, as you get older, these kinds of things start to have more and more of a negative impact on both your health and your life as a whole. Learning to moderate your lifestyle when you’re younger is an essential skill to help you stay healthy as you get older.

 

It might feel like all of these things are issues that won’t become serious until well into the future but the truth is that a lot of these things can impact people who are pretty young as well. The truth is that, no matter how invincible you might feel, the best thing that you can do is to take the best possible care of your body no matter what stage of life you’re at. That way you can live the longest, healthiest, happiest life possible.

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Hearing Loss? 4 Ways To Improve Your Hearing

June 1, 2020 Leave a Comment

Hearing loss is not uncommon, with over 48 million Americans affected by different hearing conditions at one point in their lives. Although this is a huge number, it does not mean that nothing can be done to improve hearing health. Hearing loss is a condition that can affect both the old and young alike. Thus, there is no right age to start paying attention to your hearing health. Here are a few things you can do to improve your hearing.

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  • Use Hearing Aids

 

With the incredible technology that goes into hearing aids lately, you will be doing yourself a huge favor by opting for them. This is especially important if you have been diagnosed with hearing loss and recommended to use hearing aids. Technology has also gone a long way to improve hearing aid style, comfort, and efficiency. Plus, there are several brands to choose from. Hearing aids provide the required amplification required by the ears to send sound waves to be processed by the auditory part of the brain. Hearing aids are also beneficial to mental health as well as health in general.

 

 

  • Exercise

 

Regular exercise is important for so many health reasons. And improving your hearing is one of them. This is especially true in adults, as lesser physical activities have been proven to be associated with a higher risk of hearing loss. Exercise helps in improving the blood flow to the ears. And this helps to support the many tiny hair cells located in the inner part of the ear. These cells are responsible for sending received sound as electric impulses to be translated by the auditory part of the brain. When these hair cells are destroyed, our hearing suffers permanent damage as the cells cannot be regenerated. This is why exercise is essential to support the cells.

 

 

  • Turn Down High Volume

 

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How many times have we been cautioned about the negative effects of high volume on our ears? Even our smartphones alert us when the volume of music is too high. High volume is one of the easiest ways to cause permanent damage to our hearing. Noise-induced hearing loss is responsible for a lot of hearing disabilities across the world. To keep your ears safe, stay away from noise louder than 85 decibels. Alternatively, you can wear any form of hearing protection if you know you’re going to be exposed to high levels of noise.

Simple practices like turning down the volume of your music or television can go a long way to protect your hearing.

 

 

  • No Smoking

 

Habitual smoking is responsible for so many health issues, and this includes hearing problems. Smokers are nearly 70% more likely to develop hearing problems and permanent hearing damage. This is mainly due to the carbon monoxide and nicotine content. These tend to make the blood vessels tight, and thus, sever the oxygen supply needed by the inner ear to keep the hair cells healthy. If you’re still looking for one more reason to stop smoking, then this is it – aside from the numerous other health challenges the habit comes with.

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What Type of Hearing Aid is Right for You

June 1, 2020 Leave a Comment

What Type of Hearing Aid is Right for You? 

 

If you’ve recently made the choice to acquire a hearing aid, good for you! There are many great hearing aids out there in a variety of styles, sizes and other options to suit any particular need and restore your hearing. Hearing aids are easy to install, totally painless and generally comfortable, and don’t require a ton of maintenance. They’re an easy choice for those who wish to restore their hearing. 

Photo Credit: Andrea Piacquadio

 

Speaking to your audiologist to determine which type of hearing aid you need is a good rule of thumb. If you’re curious about the best hearing aids for your money, there are lots of great guides around to help you determine which one is your best choice. 

First, you need to know about the three main types of hearing aids and how they work. 

The first is the BTE or OTE, the behind-the-ear or outside-the-ear hearing aid. These fit comfortably behind the ear and are generally quite visible. They amplify and process the sound, bringing to your ear via the receiver tube. These rare very commonly used hearing aids and are suitable for adults and children alike. Some people dislike these types because they are so clearly visible and bigger than other types, but many people prefer them. 

The second type of hearing aid is the ITE, or inside-the-ear device. These are very similar to the BTE, but they are worn just inside the outer ear. They can still be somewhat visible, but they are more comfortable to wear and can be hidden by the hair. These are another very common type of hearing device that are generally worn by adults, but sometimes okay for kids. 

The third type is the ITC, or inside-the-canal hearing aid. These are much smaller than the other two types and are worn inside the ear canal, making them virtually invisible. Many people prefer these because they are very comfortable and cannot be seen by others. However, due to their very small size and placement they can be harder to manage and can be easily lost. 

All three of these types of hearing aids come in a host of different brands, styles, and price points. It’s a good idea to read reviews online and learn about each type and the brands offered so you can make an educated decision. 

Which type of hearing aid is best for your unique circumstances is totally up to you. All three are good for people dealing with mild to severe hearing loss and all types can be installed easily and painlessly. IN some cases insurance may cover, but if not, speak to your doctor about payment options. 

If you think a hearing aid is right for you, make an appointment today with your local hearing center who will administer a hearing test and screen to diagnose your hearing loss and help you choose the right hearing aid for you today. Hearing aids can partially restore your hearing and help your quality of life so much for the better, so why not invest in one?

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3 Vital Health Examinations You Should Have Every Year (At Least!)

February 28, 2020 Leave a Comment

The thought of visiting a medical professional for any type of examination is scary. You’re worried about the results. Even if you feel healthy and have no concerns, you’re worried about what the examiner might find. As a result, we tend to avoid going for regular health screenings and checkups. 

 

Ironically, by being too scared to get health exams because you don’t want to find out if you have health problems, you will usually end up getting health problems. Exams and screenings are there to spot issues before they present themselves. Medical professionals can see signs and symptoms of a potential health issue and provide treatment to eradicate it. Prevention is easier than finding a cure, and it’s much better to spot things before they have a chance to develop. 

 

With that in mind, here are some vital health examinations you should have at least once per year: 

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A Full Physical Examination

Firstly, you need to have a full physical exam at least every year. This is very important when you get older – particularly if you’re a woman who’s had children. It’s a chance for your doctor to have a look at your general health and wellbeing. They can run tests for your blood pressure, heart rate, get blood tests for cholesterol, etc. This exam lets you know an overview of your current state of health and if there are things to act on or keep an eye on. 

 

A Hearing Test

Hearings tests will see how healthy your ears are, and if you’re suffering from hearing loss – or other relatable conditions. It’s something you only need once a year, though the frequency may increase as you get older. If you’ve never had one before, then you should undergo some hearing test preparation to ensure that you know what to do during the appointment, and what will happen. By checking for signs of hearing loss, you can take action as early as possible. This makes it more likely you can prevent the issue from getting bad enough to require hearing aids. 

 

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A Dental Checkup

This is probably the only thing you need to do more than once a year. The reason being that your oral health can deteriorate very quickly. It takes around 48 hours for calculus to form, which leads to dental caries, fillings, and potentially some missing teeth. So, if you don’t brush your teeth for a couple of days, then you will already end up with plaque forming on your teeth! Dental exams check for things like this and ensure that any problems are dealt with before they turn into expensive and extensive procedures. Also, your dentist will check your neck for any lumps, so it’s crucial to go for that reason as well. 

 

I know you probably hate the thought of seeing any medical professional. You’ll make every excuse under the sun to avoid going, but the truth is that you’re scared. Don’t worry about it! The worst-case scenario is that something bad gets identified very early on, making it easier to treat. If you didn’t go to the appointment, then the problem may not have been apparent until it’s too late to treat it.

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Don’t Let Anxiety Spoil Your Health

February 28, 2020 Leave a Comment

Firstly, for anyone who suffers, or has suffered with anxiety and the whole scale of problems that come under the umbrella of the word, it can be a very difficult thing to deal with. Anxiety can cause a mass of health issues, because anxiety manifests in a physical way, it’s just the nature of the game. 

 

Many people suffer with it, and whilst some people suffer with panic attacks, you must remember also that anxiety attacks can last weeks, they can be hard to get under control and in this time you may suffer a panic attack. There may be things that spark your attacks, such as a stressful period at work, or a difficult home life or maybe it’s relating to your health, such as a diagnosis of something. A lot of health issues can be prevented; a lot of diabetes cases can be, as well as hearing loss. Hearing loss prevention is very important but if you’re suffering with anything physical, it could affect your anxiety. 

 

Here are some of the things to help you live a happier and healthier life in the long run.

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  1. Saying YES

 

Fear is the worst thing to bring on anxiety. Letting go of it, yes it is a work in progress for everyone, is one thing that allows your body to naturally release itself of those feelings.  For example, feeling too anxious to go out into a busy place on a night out. If you surround yourself with people who you trust, you have your phone, you have maybe even set a time limit on when you want to come home. You go, you embrace what you’re doing, and suddenly you’re out of your comfort zone. 

 

  1. Have a good sleeping routine

 

Sleeping more is vital. It really is. Even if you are not fully sleeping, if you are in bed at a certain time, and just resting, even meditating, then it all contributes to assisting your body clock.

 

  1. Keep doing what you love! 

 

When you have a purpose in life, suddenly, your feelings of worry about your life, can slowly dissipate. What I’m saying is, keep busy! There’s the old saying that nothing good ever comes easy and it’s true. The more time you put into doing the things that you love, the better! Your passions, and your interests can be really cathartic. Immerse yourself in what you love, and the harder you work, the bigger the benefits!

 

  1. Herbal remedies and other tricks! 

 

Lavender is a great one for keeping calm. You can have a diffuser or oil burner. Especially for the people who suffer with insomnia. Slow breathing, which takes time to master, can really bring down your heart rate if done properly, which in turn will make your mind and body feel better. Concentrate on the sounds you’re listening to. For example, beach waves, or rainfall, or a serene garden. Transport yourself there, take your mind instantly off those thoughts, because once the bad thoughts get into your mind, you can be sucked in and that can cause a panic.

 

Don’t ever think you can’t do it. You can do it. We are all capable of doing anything!! Go enjoy life!!

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The Most Annoying Health Problems In The World, Ranked

February 28, 2020 Leave a Comment

Most diseases are unpleasant. Some, though, are downright annoying. You’d do anything to make them stop. Here, we chronicle what these conditions are and how you can avoid them. 

 

#1: Hiccups

 

Researchers think that hiccups occur when the diaphragm starts contracting involuntarily. When it spasms, it causes your vocal cords to snap shut, creating the hiccups. 

 

You can get hiccups for all kinds of reasons –  drinking too much, eating spicy food, or an allergic reaction. For most people, they last for a couple of minutes – an hour max. But for some, they can drag on for weeks and months. Once you irritate the diaphragm, there can be no stopping it. 

 

Home remedies for hiccups involve finding ways to help it relax. Since the purpose of the diaphragm is to help you breathe, some people find that holding their breath for a minute can help. 

 

#2: Tinnitus

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Tinnitus is an annoying condition in which your ear and brain machinery “hallucinate” sounds that aren’t really there. For most people, this takes the form of a low-level humming or buzzing noise that persists for days on end. 

 

Tinnitus treatment involves things like wearing hearing aids and going to therapy sessions. Because tinnitus affects people with hearing loss the most, medics think that a lack of sound to the brain’s auditory processing center might cause it. In effect, the lack of real sound forces the brain to create its own – which is extremely annoying for the person with the condition. Hearing aids restore the incoming noise and can, over time, reduce symptoms. 

 

Most people experience a mild case of tinnitus at certain times in their lives – such as when their ears pop after a plane ride. But, for many, tinnitus symptoms can drag on for years. 

 

#3: Chapped Lips

 

Chapped lips are another one of those health problems that can really wind you up. 

 

Most people experience dry lips during the cold winter months as temperatures shut down the body’s natural lubrication. For some people, though, lips can become chapped and itchy, getting worse and worse over time. Frequently licking your lips provides temporary relief, but it can also dry them out even more. The only solution is a trip to the corner store for some balm. 

 

#4: Ingrown Hairs

 

Ingrown hairs arise both naturally and because of shaving. Usually, they occur because the main shaft of the hair doesn’t line up with your pores, forcing it to curl back round as it grows. 

 

The best way to deal with these is to stop shaving, tweezing or plucking. If that’s not an option, you might want to try laser therapy which kills the follicle, preventing the hair from growing back. 

 

#5: Dry Skin

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You can eat all the olive oil in the world, but you can still wind up with dry skin, usually on your knuckles, face, feet and ankles. 

 

There are many reasons for dry skin. The top offender is soap which scrubs all the moisture from the surface. Thyroid issues and dry air can also lead to bouts of dryness and flakiness.

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Hearing Loss Is Way More Of A Problem Than You Think

February 25, 2020 Leave a Comment

If you think hearing loss is just being a little “hard of hearing,” then you’re sadly mistaken. It can have massive repercussions for the rest of your life, especially if it goes untreated. 

 

Hearing loss affects a substantial proportion of older adults. The machinery in the inner ear begins to break down, and the brain can’t interpret the sounds as well as it did when it was young. A person with hearing loss can then find it challenging to hear conversations around them, leading to all kinds of problems. 

 

In this article, we’re going to spell out some of the damage untreated hearing loss can do to your life. Hopefully, it’ll motivate you to go and see your ENT doctor. 

 

Hearing Loss Leads To Tinnitus

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Tinnitus is perhaps the most irritating condition out there. People characterize it as a persistent buzzing or ringing in the ears with no external source. For some, the noises come and go, whereas for others, they’re a permanent feature of their lives. 

 

Research indicates that people with hearing loss are at a much higher risk of developing tinnitus. The reasons for this aren’t entirely clear. Doctors, however, believe that it has to do with a lack of stimulation of the auditory cortex. Damage to the ear means that it cannot transmit incoming sounds to the brain. The region of brain tissue responsible for interpreting sounds, therefore, starts hallucinating its own, and the patient begins to experience annoying whining. 

 

Fortunately, you can treat tinnitus by wearing hearing aids. Assistive hearing devices restore communication between the outside world and the brain, helping to stimulate the auditory cortex. If you have tinnitus, then visit your doctor today. 

 

Hearing Loss Can Lead To Social Isolation

 

Hearing loss can often lead to another problem: social isolation. A person who can’t hear finds it very difficult to communicate with the people around them and will sometimes retreat into their homes. This behavior, in turn, increases the likelihood of depression. It is not good for people to spend long periods by themselves, especially if they’re naturally outgoing. 

 

Hearing Loss Can Prevent You From Getting Promotions

 

People with hearing loss typically earn less at work than their colleagues. Researchers think the reason is that they are unable to pick up on nuances in conversations at work. Leaving out key details makes it more difficult for them to ingratiate themselves with their superiors and that they will make mistakes. These effects then combine to result in lower overall pay – not good. 

 

Hearing Loss Can Put You In Harm’s Way

 

Finally, there’s the fact that hearing loss can put you in harm’s way.

 

If you can’t hear sounds in your immediate environment, you’re much more likely to put yourself in harm’s way unnecessarily. For instance, you might not be able to hear the sound of approaching traffic. 

 

Hearing loss, therefore, is about much more than just being a little “hard of hearing.” It can have a real impact on your well being and life chances.

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Important Health Checks You Shouldn’t Overlook

January 8, 2020 Leave a Comment

Many of us wait until we feel ill to see a doctor. However, there’s no need to wait until you you’re unwell to see someone about your health. There are health checks that you should have carried out to help pick up on any problems before they become more obvious. This is especially important as you get older because your risk of developing a number of different illnesses and health conditions rises as you age. Once you reach 50, there are many health checks and tests that can help you stay on top of your health and catch any problems earlier.

 

Cancer Screening

 

There are many different types of cancer, and several of them become more of a risk as you get older. Some cancers should be screened for when you’re a younger adult, such as cervical cancer and testicular cancer. However, as you get older, there are various other cancers which are more common. These include breast cancer, bowel cancer, and prostate cancer. There are different screening tests that pick up on different types of cancer. For example, a mammogram is designed to detect signs of breast cancer. Prostate cancer can now be detected with a blood test. It’s also a good idea to check your skin and keep an eye on moles for signs of skin cancer.

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Blood Pressure Tests

 

Your blood pressure can be an indicator of your health in a number of ways. If it’s too high (hypertension) or too low (hypotension) is could mean there’s a problem or it can increase your risk of developing several problems. High blood pressure can put you at risk of heart attack, heart failure, stroke and kidney disease. It might also be linked to some types of dementia. Your blood pressure can be checked at any time and any age. It involves a cuff around your arm, which will inflate to measure your blood pressure. They’re usually digital these days, but they can sometimes be manually pumped up too.

 

Health Checks for Your Heart

 

Measuring your blood pressure will help to pick up on any problems that could cause heart issues. There are other ways to test the health of your heart too, from simple things you can do yourself to tests your doctor or a nurse can carry out. You can check your pulse on your own using a watch with a second hand or digital watch/timer. Your doctor can also measure your pulse, often with a small device placed on your finger, as well as listen to your heart with a stethoscope. Blood tests can check your heart health too by checking for signs of kidney and liver failure, which can be signs of heart failure.

 

Eye Tests

 

Getting your eyes tested is something that you should do throughout your life. You could find that you need glasses at any point, and your eyesight can get worse or sometimes better at any time. There are also various eye conditions that can affect you, especially as you get older. Eye tests can even pick up on some signs of other health conditions, from brain tumors to diabetes. An eye test every two years is usually recommended, and some people might benefit from having them more often.

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Hearing Tests

 

As well as testing the health of your eyes, it’s a good idea to get your hearing checked too. While people are often great at keeping up with routine eye tests, getting our hearing tested isn’t something that we do as often. It’s most important as you get older, but also if you notice any problems with your hearing. As hearing test will pick up any hearing loss by checking the functioning of your ears and the sounds that you are able to register. Hearing tests consist of several different parts, including a physical examination of the ear, a pure tone test that consists of different tones being played into the ear, and a speech test.

 

Cholesterol and Blood Glucose Tests

 

Checking your cholesterol is something you should do if you’re over 40, take cholesterol-reducing medication, are overweight, have a condition that can raise your cholesterol (such as high blood pressure) or there is a history of cardiovascular disease in your family. High cholesterol levels can increase your risk of cardiovascular diseases, such as heart attack and stroke. Testing your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels is also a good idea, helping to pick up on signs of diabetes and other conditions.

 

Routine health checks can help you to detect problems with your health before they have a chance to develop further or cause more issues. Talk to your doctor about which checks you should be having.

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The Invisible Health Complaints That You Must Learn To Manage In 2020

January 8, 2020 Leave a Comment

When picturing a healthy person, it’s only natural to think about body image and other visual elements. In reality, though, millions of us have health issues that other people cannot see. While they can range from mild inconveniences to major issues, they all deserve our attention.

 

Unfortunately, without anybody spot the conditions and advise you about seeking help, it’s easy to ignore them. Here are six that you must not overlook a second longer.

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Digestive Problems

 

We all appreciate the importance of feeding our bodies with the right nutrition. However, it’s not solely about the calories and macros. Millions of people have extra dietary needs. If you are one of them, treating those digestive issues is crucial.

 

The most common intolerance include dairy and gluten. Adapting diets to meet these additional needs will have a huge impact on your mood and energy levels. IBS, Crohn’s, and diabetes will require medications and medical management. Without it, you will experience ongoing pain and discomfort.

 

Meanwhile, nut allergies and other dietary requirements must be respected. Even if it simply means adjusting your diet, those changes can transform your world.

 

Mental Health Issues

 

Whether it’s depression, anxiety, or early signs of dementia doesn’t matter. Mental health issues deserve the same degree of attention as physical conditions. After admitting that there is an issue, the next step is to seek help.

 

Opening up about your mental health issues to a mental health expert instantly halves your problems. In addition to the instant release of pressure, it allows you to develop coping mechanisms. From appreciating your triggers to battling through tough moments, the benefits are huge.

 

The stigma surrounding mental health has largely faded. Whether the signals have started recently or have plagued your life for years, now is the time to take charge.

 

Eyesight Problems

 

Sometimes it can be very difficult to spot changes in your health, especially when the damage grows on a gradual basis. Gradual sight loss is a very common issue in today’s world, particularly as we spend so much time glued to our screens. Sadly, delaying treatment increases the harm.

 

There are various symptoms to look out for. If you have noticed any of the possible dangers, speaking to an eye doctor should be top of the agenda. There are various ways to protect and correct your vision, but a correct diagnosis is always the first step to success. 

 

Every aspect of your life will be affected by the failure to treat your eyesight issues. With this in mind, you must not ignore it any longer.

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Hearing Loss

 

On a similar note, we rely on our hearing on a daily basis for a host of issues. From human interaction to staying alert to data, auditory communication is vital. Sadly, the gradual nature of most hearing loss means many people do not get checked until it’s too late.

 

If you have noticed yourself struggling to hear people or turning up the television, you may have an issue. Even if it’s only a mild form of hearing loss, a professional hearing test can diagnose it. Whether you require sound therapy, hearing aids, or another form of management, fast action is key.

 

Hearing loss affects over 50 million Americans. So, if you do experience these issues, you are not alone.

 

Restricted Mobility

 

Our bodies are designed to move, put chronic aches and pains can cause serious restrictions. You may think it’s OK to use push through the problems with the support of painkillers. In reality, now is the time to take control of the situation.

 

Restricted mobility won’t always relate to postural issues. It’s equally common for rheumatoid arthritis to occur, especially as you get older. Pains in the hands and other joints should not be ignored. Operations, medications, and other solutions may be possible. 

 

Protecting your full range of movement today will prevent further regression and damage. So, it’s a smart move for your future as well as the present.

 

Continued Headaches

 

We all experience headaches from time to time. However, frequent headaches, particularly those that aren’t related to hangovers or dehydration, can impact your life. Worse still, they can surface at any time.

 

The headaches may be a symptom of other conditions, including poor eyesight or stress. Or it can be linked to a host of other conditions. While the situation can often be solved with a simple treatment plan, it’s best to get the correct diagnosis right away. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

 

Besides, headaches will impact your enjoyment of time spent with family as well as your ability to work.

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3 Health Issues We Don’t Always Take Seriously

December 24, 2019 Leave a Comment

There are certain issues with health that we will take seriously and we will always focus on. For instance, if you have a pain in most areas of your body, you’re probably not going to ignore it. This can lead to a lot of false alarms. Back pain, for instance, is known for having a bark for worse than it’s a bite. So people often rush to the doctor only to discover that they’ve just pulled a muscle. However, there are other issues that we won’t focus on at all. Here are some of the health issues that you certainly shouldn’t ignore and are more important than you think. 

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Hearing 

 

It’s probably easier than you think to damage your hearing. Once sound reaches above a certain volume, your hearing is at risk. The worrying thing is that there are a lot of situations in typical daily life that cause this type of danger. A train passing by is loud enough to damage your hearing and so is an Imax theatre. These are things which we don’t even think about and we often consider are completely safe. There’s also the dangerously loud noises that will be apparent in certain work environments too. 

 

It’s also fair to say that a lot of people underestimate the importance of their hearing. For instance, you might not take the problem of tinnitus seriously. However, this can impact your quality of life and it’s not uncommon for people with tinnitus to feel depressed or even suicidal. Crucially, you can’t cure tinnitus which means that the only option is to come to terms with a condition like this once it sets in. 

 

So the question then becomes how should you handle the issue. There are numerous options here. One of the best possibilities is always going to hearing protection and this is available in various different forms. So, you will always be able to find the right choice that you need. That could be ear muffs, custom protection or earplugs. 

 

Oral Health

 

Ignoring this issue is not a case of misunderstanding the importance. Instead, it’s about avoiding something that we all hate. We’re of course talking about the dentist appointment. No one likes going to the dentist because there’s always the concern that you might end up with a filling or worse still, a root canal. The problem with this is that dental checks are actually quite crucial. 

 

Dental checks aren’t just to make sure that you are brushing your teeth regularly enough. It’s also about ensuring that you’re not showing any signs of serious health issues like oral cancer. A doctor won’t check this, only a dentist will typically notice the signs and help you move forward with a potential diagnosis. 

 

As well as this, there are certain oral health issues that impact other areas of the body. An example of this is certainly going to be teeth grinding. Grinding teeth can cause you to develop issues with headaches. If you’re waking up with headaches in the morning, this is usually a clear sign that there’s a problem with your teeth. 

 

Diet

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Your diet can affect a lot more than just your weight. Studies show that the food we eat can impact everything from our mood to our general level of fitness. Some studies have even suggested that diet can mean you are more at risk of developing long term cognitive issues including dementia. Diet also becomes far more important as you get older. Once you start to age, your body is less able to bounce back as effectively. Instead, it becomes difficult to both lose weight and stop the negative impact of unhealthy foods. 

 

So, how can you make sure that you are eating the right diet that your body needs? Well, there are a few possibilities here. For instance, you can think about simply getting your five a day. However, your main focus should be on antioxidants. These are found in lots of natural foods. They help fight back against the process of oxygenation in your body. This is another process that has been linked to a variety of negative issues that can impact your body. It’s usually just a case of ensuring that you are consuming more fruit and veg. 

 

We hope this helps you see that there are certain health issues that we tend to ignore and that we definitely shouldn’t. Instead, it’s important to be aware of the potential dangers here and take the right steps to ensure that we are protecting our health. 

 

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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.  

 

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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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