Tag Archives: doctor

Apr5

Living With A Disability: Overcoming Everyday Challenges

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Living With A Disability: Overcoming Everyday Challenges

Disabilities can be very hard to come to terms with, even if you were born with one. No disability or long-term health condition is the same, and they each come with unique challenges that sufferers have to overcome on a daily basis. Even though there can be major differences between them, there are still some similarities. Here are some things that everyone who has a disability will have to face on a daily basis, as well as some ideas for how to deal with them:

It’s OK To Get Assistance: Some people who suffer from long-term disabilities try to be more independent than what they should be, and try to get by without the assistance of wheelchairs and walking sticks. This often does more bad than good, as it can be ever so easy to end up falling or having an accident when you try to avoid equipment that can assist you. The main reason why people try to get by without the likes of wheelchairs is that, then, their disability isn’t so visible. But, at the end of the day, you shouldn’t care what people think about you and your illness. It is much more important to get the help and assistance that you need to keep yourself in good health.

The same goes for support at home or considering assisted living. If your disability is preventing you from safely completing household tasks like cooking or cleaning, you are putting yourself in danger every day. Programs like Sunnysights disability support (or something similar in your local area) can provide help while maintaining as much independence as possible. This can include assistance at home or with accessing the community for appointments, errands, and fun.

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And That Goes For Financial Assistance, Too: With the cost of doctor appointments, medications, and different therapies, a disability can be expensive. Thankfully, there is plenty of support from the government that you can claim in benefits. You can also find details here about how to claim compensation after a personal injury that might have caused your condition. Make sure that you are clued up on all of the financial help that you are eligible for as these can make your life a lot easier to manage as you will be able to afford a lot more help and support.

If your disability is a result of an accident or personal injury, now is the time to start researching law firms that can help you like Long & Long Injury Attorneys (or a similar practice in your local area). You can assist in this process by keeping meticulous medical records and all documentation related to the incident. Do not be afraid to shop around to find the best fit for you as you will want a lawyer who is easy to work with, trustworthy, and well reviewed.

Self Advocacy: One of the most important things you can do as a person with a disability is learn how to advocate for yourself. This will ensure that your rights are protected at all times and enhance your quality of life and relationships. Self advocacy can be easier said than done, especially if you have never done it before. You can find disability help here that can provide self advocacy workshops as well as teaching skills in negotiation, problem solving, and coordination assistance. These are all valuable skills and can offer a whole new lease on life.

Lean On Your Friends And Family: I’m sure that your friends and family will all be there for you to help you live your life to the fullest. Their offers to help and assist you are made because they love you, and is something that there is no shame in accepting. Your friends and family will all want to help you improve your quality of life, and they will also be able to keep your moods up in the process. So, let them help you rather than ignore the offer or feel embarrassed over it. That really is what friends and family are for!

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Push Yourself Every So Often: It’s also good to challenge yourself and push yourself every now and then. You might be surprised at what you can do even with your disability! These challenges can be as big or as small as you need them to be. The main thing is that you keep them personal and achievable. For instance, the first challenge you might set for yourself could be to take five steps unaided, if that is something that you struggle with. Once you ace this, you might want to take this to the next level and aim for ten steps.

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Mar29

You’re Never That Old! How To Slow Down The Aging Process

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Most of us wouldn’t dare to admit it, but there are certain times in life where it feels good to be just that little bit smug. This could be when the work project you pushed for that no one else had any faith in comes good. Or maybe the investment that friends and family said was a waste of time actually brings you back a healthy return. The majority of people will try and hide their smugness in these kinds of situations, even if they feel pretty happy with themselves on the inside! But one thing is certain, and that is that internally, we are patting ourselves on the back and enjoying basking in a little bit of self righteousness.

Another example of this happening is when people think that you look younger than you are! We are a society that is obsessed with aging and with trying to hold the years off for as long as possible. The media plays a huge role in this. Just watch television for a matter of minutes, and you are sure to see at least one anti-aging product grace your screen in an advert. This has made much of the general public fearful of getting older and is why we praise people for looking younger than their years. On a more personal level, retaining some of your youthful features can simply be a big confidence boost, especially if your body-image is at all important to you. Of course, none of us are (regrettably) going to stay 21 forever. But there are certain things that you can do to keep an air of youth about you, even if the years are creeping up a little bit faster than you would like!

Work Out Regularly:

When it comes to working out to stay looking young, you need to first be aware of your body’s limitations. No matter how hard you try to convince yourself otherwise, you simply won’t have the physical prowess at 40 that you had at 15. Forcing yourself through hard workouts just because you used to be able to do them means you probably won’t enjoy your fitness journey all that much. Plus, you could put your body at risk of serious damage, too. A youthful body is not worth any long-term damage, so just be realistic about your expectations. All that said, working out on a regular basis obviously does have many benefits to both your physical and mental health – and can contribute to you looking younger.

You may find that as your approach middle age you put weight on more easily (this is typically known as ‘the middle-aged spread’), so you need to switch up your exercise regime to accommodate for this. You may need to simply accept that you will be a little heavier as you get older, but that doesn’t mean that you need to be ‘out of shape,’ necessarily. Change your gym routine so that you are doing more weight-based exercises, as this will help to tone up any excess fat you are carrying. You may be bigger and heavier overall, but if you are still fit and toned no one will really be able to tell that you’ve aged.

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Namaste Forever Young!

Seek Professional Help:

Sometimes the aging process isn’t all that kind to us and it can creep up on us when we least expect it. If you look down at yourself one day and don’t recognize your body as your own, it can be pretty shocking and disheartening. When this happens, you need to assess the situation and see if it is possible for you to turn back the clock on your own. Often, there is only so much that you can do with exercise and supposed ‘miracle’ products – and you could end up wasting a lot of time and money in the process of trying both of these. Instead, it might be worth finding out about Dr. David Halpern or a similar expert in both general and reconstructive surgery. Then, you can ensure that you are speaking to someone who is trained in this medical field and they will be able to offer you concise and honest advice on whether this could be the kind of route for you to go down. And, contrary to some beliefs, there is absolutely no shame in this!

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Flickr Image

Be Good To Your Skin:

Our skin is probably the biggest giveaway for our age. If you have always been plagued by oily skin, you could be in luck, however, as oily-skinned people tend to develop fewer wrinkles. Why? Well, mainly because the sebum (oil) helps to keep the skin plump and full of moisture, which in turn wards off wrinkles. People with sensitive skin or dry skin may find that they develop wrinkles earlier, or that the wrinkles they do develop are deeper or more pronounced. This can be a severe knock to your confidence and many of us end up piling our faces full of makeup to mask any lines. But this, in turn, can actually make us look older, as the makeup inevitably seeps into the lines and gives that ‘cakey’ effect.

The best thing to do if you have noticed lines and wrinkles appearing is to go back to the basics – stay out of the direct sunlight, drink lots of water, and get enough sleep! UV rays are the leading cause of aging on the skin, as they damage the DNA that makes up our skin cells. Try and stay out of the sun between 11 AM and 2 PM when it is at its lowest and always wear sunscreen. Aim to drink at least eight glasses of water a day and to get around 8 hours of sleep every night. These things might not seem like much, but adopting a healthier lifestyle can help infinitely in keeping your skin looking healthy and fresh. Have you ever noticed how dull your skin looks after a poor night’s sleep or when you’re feeling dehydrated? And finally, don’t overburden your skin with products either – find a gentle cleanser and a moisturizer that works for you and stick to that. Your skin will be radiant and you can bask in all of the compliments you will receive for looking younger than your years – smug, who?! Oh yes, me!

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Best. Eye Cream. EVER!

I’m still working on finding the Fountain Of Youth, myself, but hopefully these tips and tricks will motivate you to make some healthy changes to stay on your eternal youth A-game!

Mar21

Forever Young: It’s Never Too Early To Start Delaying The Aging Process

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Forever Young: It’s Never Too Early To Start Delaying The Aging Process

Most of us want to look and feel youthful for as long as possible. Even if you’re only in your 20’s or 30’s, it’s never too early to start thinking about trying to delay the aging process. It’s impossible to make time stand still, but there are ways that you can look younger and prevent the effects of aging from taking their toll prematurely. Here are some tips to help you stay forever young besides listening to the song on repeat for the rest of your life:

Look After Your Skin: Your skin is usually the first part of your body to display visible signs of aging and it really is never too early to start protecting and caring for it. Your skin is your body’s barrier against the environment and it has to withstand a lot. Take care to protect it from the elements and nourish it using skin care products. Always wear sunscreen, drink plenty of water, and never go to bed wearing makeup. Choose products that suit your skin type and treat yourself to a pampering session from time to time. If you’re tired, an indulgent facial could be just what you need to lift your spirits and restore your skin’s radiant glow.

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Ahhhh 🙂

Brush Up On Dental Hygiene: If your teeth are worn, broken, or stained, this can make you look a lot older than you are. In contrast, a healthy-looking and bright smile can make you look incredibly youthful. Take good care of your teeth and gums and don’t shy away from the dentist. Regular checkups reduce the risk of decay and gum disease by up to 60 percent and you can boost this statistic even further by sticking to a thorough daily oral hygiene regime at home. Remember to swap your toothbrush every 3-4 months and brush for 2 minutes each time. If you’re interested in natural whitening to give your smile that little bit of sparkle, take a look at websites like https://miswakclub.com/. If you’re worried about discoloration, consider using a straw when you drink, especially if you are a fan of wine, cola, or coffee.

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Smile!

Get Your Body Moving: Exercise isn’t just important for your health now, it’s also essential for good health in years to come. If you work out on a regular basis or you have an active lifestyle, you’ll cut your chances of developing illnesses such as cancer, obesity, heart disease, and Alzheimer’s disease. People who exercise are also less likely to suffer from stress, which can be a cause of premature aging. Keeping in shape will also help to reduce the risk of injuries in later life and improve the radiance of your complexion. When you’re moving, blood flow to the skin increases and this ensures that your skin cells get all the nutrients they need. If you need more convincing, check out more benefits of exercise here https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/pa-health/.

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Namaste in bed!

We’re all going to get older, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that we have to look or feel our age. If you’re keen to maintain your youthful looks and joie de vivre for as long as possible, hopefully these tips will inspire you and help you to make positive changes to your lifestyle.

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Mar20

Choose The Right Medical Career Path For You

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Choose The Right Medical Career Path For You

Whether you’re looking to start your career fresh out of college or you’re an older adult who is looking to give their career a fresh lease of life and retrain, the medical industry has such a vast variety of jobs and roles that there is something to suit anyone, from any background or specialty. Some roles require no specific training or education and you can enter at high school diploma level and receive all of the training you require on the job. Others may require you to return to university to study on a medical or science based program.

One thing is for sure, though – if you’re looking for a job with career prospects and advancement opportunities, the medical field is almost certainly for you. It’s moving and evolving at a fast pace with the many changes in technology and scientific breakthroughs, so you’re going to be kept on your toes. If this sounds like the field for you, but you’re not sure which job or specialty is for you, here are some handy questions to get you thinking:

Are you a people person?

Some medical jobs require you to deal with people on a daily basis and form strong and close personal connections with patients who rely on you for support and their health. If you’re great with people, then nursing, surgeons, doctors, and practitioners might be the way to go. These roles all require specific training, but they put you on the front line of dealing with patients on a daily basis. If you’d prefer something a little less medical, but still within the care field, then health and social services and care givers might be a good direction to consider. These roles require you to care for the sick outside of the hospital, either in their own homes or in another institution, such as a nursing home. These are great jobs for people who don’t want to head back into a college education, and would prefer to learn on the job or in a community college, but still want to put caring at the center of their career.

If you’d prefer not to work with patients every day, either because you’re shy or just not a people person, but still want to do good and help to advance the field of medicine, then a lab job or researcher’s position could be more suited to you. These posts tend to be accessed through a college education, but lab work can be obtained with a high school diploma and promotions will come through experience in the role. Other positions include a pharmacist or pharmacy assistant, technician, or computer database operative, all of which are essential in the medical field, but don’t rely on regular one on one communication with patients.

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Wikimedia Image

Where would you like to work?

Not all medical jobs take place in a hospital or doctor’s office so don’t give up hope yet if that was initially putting you off. There are so many important jobs that happen behind the scenes like administration or Healthcare Laundry Cleaning to provide patients with sanitized gowns and linens. If you want to help people, work with other professionals, and you’re not too emotional, a hospital or hospice could be perfect. It’s important to know what sort of roles you wouldn’t enjoy, as well as ones you will. If you’re very easily stressed, it could be best to avoid the ER or other fast-paced environments. If you’d prefer to work in a job which helps people, but isn’t overly heart-wrenching, then why not consider eye or ear care, such as the Ear Science Institute? They’re always looking for people who want to care for people and offer training within the field for people who want to retrain from another skilled profession.

If you’re more interested in working with younger or older people, you could look into nursing jobs at assisted living facilities or pediatric centers. Knowing the types of people you’d like to work with or the types of work you wouldn’t like to undertake can help you to narrow your search to the right type of institution, which can then help you to refine it down to the specific role within that field. Don’t forget to consider some more unconventional locations to work, such as a medical base or cruise ship. Almost everywhere needs some type of medical professional, right?

Do you have computer skills?

You might wonder how your current skill set translates to the medical field, but you might be surprised at the incredible range of non-medical roles which are available. Computing, programming, and coding are always important in the field, so people who have those skill sets are encouraged to apply for jobs and training posts. There are a lot of databases which require maintenance within the medical field for patients and research, so that could be an option. You could even assist in creating technology like barcode scanners used by medical professionals. There is always a place for technical skills in the field of medicine! Otherwise, people with computer skills are required in research positions for genetics, where the human DNA is being deconstructed in a way which computer specialists will be familiar with. There is also a lot of technician work available for people with skills using their hands or electricals – the medical machinery and computers need maintenance, after all.

Do you love working with children?

Some people prefer working with adults and elderly people; others find working with children is the ultimate feel good career. There are many roles which involve working with babies and young people. Nursing roles range from midwifery all the way to pediatric nursing for children with long-term disabilities or illnesses. Pediatrics is a field which is highly emotive and can be quite heart-wrenching, so it’s not for the easily upset. Many people consider it to be one of the more fulfilling fields in the medical sphere, though.

How do you deal with stress?

Each different job within the medical field comes with its different types of stress. If you deal well with high-stress and fast-paced environments, working in the ER might be for you. Those who work in the emergency room have to deal with patient after patient, who could be in a tremendously life-threatening situation and the shifts can be long and relentless. People who don’t deal so well with high and sustained levels of stress might find hospice care, clinical work, or research more appropriate.

There are vast numbers of different roles in the medical field for people at any point in their professional or educational life and of different personalities and backgrounds. If you want a job in which you can help people and get immense career satisfaction, consider choosing a career path in the medical field – you won’t regret it.

Featured Image By: Pexels

Mar13

Sleep Trouble: What’s Keeping You Awake At Night?

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Sleep Trouble: What’s Keeping You Awake At Night?

There’s been a growing trend in the wellness, health, and fitness industries towards helping people get a better night’s sleep. Given that around 45 percent of all individuals in the country are struggling to catch enough sleep every night, that can only be a good thing. Regular readers of my blog might remember my struggles with getting good sleep, and there’s every chance that almost half of you reading this will be experiencing something similar. And it’s a huge issue. You end up being less productive in the day, it affects your general health, and it can even result in conditions such as obesity, depression, and diabetes.

Scary, right? And it’s no surprise that many of us want to fix out sleep problems! The key to that is, of course, working out why you can’t get to sleep properly, which will give you the chance to address the issue. So, in today’s guide, we’re going to go through some of the most common factors that are lying behind many people’s sleep problems. Let’s take a closer look:

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Zzzzz

Physical Pain: First of all, do you have pain problems? If you have a bad back or suffer from regular headaches, for example, it can be affecting your sleep. Try taking a warm shower or bath before going to bed – it will relax your muscles and give you the chance of getting a better quality of sleep than you are having right now. See your doctor, too, and talk to them about some basic pain management tips. Your doc might recommend heat pads or even painkillers on a temporary basis. Long-term care might involve physiotherapy or you could try an activity like yoga. Namaste.

Mental Anguish: Other common causes of poor sleep are stress and anxiety. In an increasingly busy and stressful world, many of us battle against active brains that prevent us from getting some shut-eye. Most people will experience this at some point. The mind goes into overdrive, going through all of your problems in fine detail, and the more you think, the more your anxiety levels increase – meaning you slip into a vicious feedback loop. Yoga can help with this issue, as can mindfulness – the key to getting over your problem is to try and turn off your brain and prevent those intrusive thoughts from occurring in the first place.

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Admittedly not the best place to fall asleep!

Environmental Issues: There is a vast range of environmental issues that can prevent you from sleeping properly. Internal factors include bed bugs, which can keep you up at night and cause intense itching, according to the Pest Control of Alabama. There are also external factors such as noise pollution and noisy neighbors, too – could the outside world be keeping you up at night?

Think about installing double – or triple – glazed windows if you want to reduce the impact of the former. For the latter, you have to play it carefully,. Talk to your neighbors first and most will tone it down a little. However, you can also contact your local EHP practitioner to act on your behalf if they continue to cause you problems.

Featured Image By: Pexels

Mar8

How To Improve Your Physical, Mental, And Spiritual Health

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How To Improve Your Physical, Mental, And Spiritual Health

In the hustle and bustle of daily life, it can seem almost impossible to find the time to look out for Number One: Yourself. Creating a healthy lifestyle not only for your physical well being but for your mental and spiritual self, as well, can only benefit you in the long run. In this article, we will explore some simple changes that you can employ for a better, healthier you:

Your Physical Health

Start Eating Well: There’s nothing better for your health than making sure that you eat good food cooked from scratch. Convenience foods may be handy but they often contain more sodium and sugar than you should be eating, which can affect your fitness and moods. Start meal planning so you don’t get stuck for what you should have for lunch or dinner and make sure that you eat breakfast so you aren’t tempted to snack on candy and junk food during the morning at work.

Get Physically Fit: If you don’t feel as though you’re at peak physical condition, now is the time to change that. You don’t necessarily have to go to the gym every day after work – instead, start walking more and make sure that you start to take the stairs instead of the elevator whenever you can. Start a class like yoga or Zumba – you could even take a friend along with you for moral support and a good laugh!

Take Care Of Your Senses: As much as we may rely on them, we often overlook our senses when it comes to making positive changes for our health. Ensure a routine hearing check to get the full scope of your hearing health, and to see whether you might need hearing aids or not. Make appointments for eye tests, as well. As we get older, the chances of changes to these senses increase exponentially, so we have to be proactive in addressing them.

Pain Management: If your aches and pains feel constant, it is not only a huge deterrent to your physical health but mental health too. This is not something that you should simply live with but find a way to improve. Clinics like next pain management roswell (or something similar in your local area) can provide personalized treatment plans to help you get back to feeling your best. With excellent pain management, you will notice a boost in your energy levels and overall sense of well being.

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Namaste!

Deal With Your Chronic Conditions: If you have any chronic conditions, then it’s important that you deal with them carefully and that you get healthy to whatever extent that you can. If you have asthma, make sure that you use a preventative inhaler to stop yourself from getting tight chested and suffering from asthma attacks – Ventolin can be ordered online. If you suffer from chronic pain, make sure that you stay active and do gentle exercises to help ease the tension in stiff joints.

Your Mental Health

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Learn Coping Strategies: If you suffer from panic attacks or depression, then it’s important that you try to learn coping strategies that will help get you through every day. Learn to identify issues that will affect you – perhaps you don’t like crowded trains or there are certain things that your boss says that rattles you – and focus on how you can better deal with them. Breathing deeply often works wonders as well as giving yourself plenty of time to deal with anything that might arise.

Go To Your Doctor: If you think that you may be suffering from mental health difficulties, then go to your doctor. It’s an illness like any other and you shouldn’t feel ashamed if you’re affected by a condition like depression or anxiety. They can negatively affect a lot of areas of your life, which means that you need to get them sorted out as quickly as possible. Therapy can help a lot of people, as can medication. Remember, you’d medicate a physical health ailment so why not your mental health, too?

Sleep Better: It’s very difficult to get much done during the day if you aren’t sleeping well. If the light comes into your bedroom in the morning and wakes you up, then why not invest in blackout blinds? You should also make sure that you turn off all of your technology like your laptop and phone before you go to bed, because they can keep you awake. Instead, use the hour before you go to sleep as an excuse to have a lavender scented shower, read a book, or light some candles and meditate.

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Zzzzzz…

Your Spiritual Health

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Learn To Be Alone: If you don’t spend much time by yourself, now is the time to start. Learning to love yourself begins with realizing that you’re an interesting person to be around. Make sure that you indulge yourself in your hobbies – you can go to see movies alone, you can go to galleries, to shows, to concerts. Take a solo vacation and luxuriate in the joy of having only your own whims to attend to.

Be Around Good People: One of the battles of everyday life is instantly won when you’re around good people who truly listen and want the best for you. If you have any old friends who don’t make you feel good anymore, it’s okay to gently phase them out of your life. Friends who challenge you and make you think are great but if your friends don’t support you, they might not be a healthy fit for your current lifestyle.

Be Kind To Yourself: Finally, you need to make sure that you treat yourself with as much kindness as you treat others. Cut yourself some slack – make sure that you have a night in by yourself if you feel tired and worn out by other people and don’t beat yourself up too much for any little embarrassing moments. We often tend to treat ourselves a lot less kindly than we would treat others so try to remember how supportive you’d be for someone in your situation and treat yourself the same way. And remember: You’re one hundred and fifty percent totally awesome.

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Take some you time!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Mar7

Sore Throat When You Wake Up?

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Sore Throat When You Wake Up?

Do you wake up from a refreshing night’s sleep only to find that your morning has been ruined before it’s even got started as you feel that familiar pain when you swallow? Having a sore throat in the morning is a fairly common complaint and although it’s irritating, it is rarely a cause for concern. Of course, just because a sore throat isn’t going to kill you doesn’t mean that it can’t be really annoying when it happens, which is why you need to know what you are dealing with so that you can put your morning sore throats to bed once and for all. Here are some of the most common causes of sore throats upon waking:

Snoring: When you snore, your mouth is open and your throat can get quite dry because of all the air that you are taking in. If you wake up only to find that your throat is hoarse and dry, it could be that you are snoring and should try to record yourself sleeping for a few nights or ask your sleeping partner to listen out, if you have one. If you are snoring a lot, take a look at http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/features/easy-snoring-remedies#1 to sort the problem out and start waking up pain-free.

Dehydration: If you don’t drink enough fluids before you hit the hay or if your room is too dry, you could become dehydrated through the night. This, like snoring, can cause your throat to dry up and become sore.

Acid Reflux: If you wake up not only to a sore throat but also to an unpleasant sour taste in your mouth, there is a good chance that acid reflux could be the problem. Acid reflux is a condition in which the acid in your stomach partially comes back up through the esophagus. It can cause stomach pain, heartburn, and sore throats (and bad breath!!). You can deal with acid reflux by following the steps at https://chriskresser.com/get-rid-of-heartburn-and-gerd-forever-in-three-simple-steps/. If reflux continues to be a problem after this, see a doctor

A Swollen Uvula: The uvula is that small bit of skin that hangs down at the back of your mouth. It can become inflamed and swollen when you are sick with a virus or infection, or when there is too much bacteria in the area. Although you are likely to experience throat pain all day when you have a swollen uvula, it could be the case that some of the other factors mentioned in this post can increase your throat pain when you wake up in the morning. You can find out more about the uvula at https://safesymptoms.com/swollen-uvula/ .

Upper Respiratory Infection: If your upper airway is infected, your nose will begin to produce more mucus than before as a form of defense against the invading virus. Sometimes, this mucus trickles down to the back of your throat when you’re sleeping and it can inflame, irritate, and dry out the area – meaning that your throat will be pretty sore in the morning.

If you continue to experience a sore throat upon waking for a prolonged period of time, you should definitely have it checked out by a doctor. Chances are it’ll be nothing serious, but it’s always best to know. And waking up ache free at the start of your day will also be an added plus!

Featured Image By: Flickr

Feb21

Little Changes You Can Make Today To Guarantee A Healthier Future

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Little Changes You Can Make Today To Guarantee A Healthier Future

We all have little things that we would like to change about ourselves. Health concerns that we really need to get diagnosed or concerns about our future health. but when they’re not pressing, it can be easier and less scary to just sweep them under the rug. They say that prevention is better than the cure and it’s a whole lot cheaper, as well. Here are a few changes or appointments that you can make today to put your mind at rest about your future health:

Go Green: Usually going green is about changing your lifestyle to a more environmentally friendly one, but in this case, we literally mean make your food greener. If you’re not eating a whole lot of fruits and veggies a day – at least five different pieces – you could be putting your body at risk of heart disease, digestive problems, and even cancers. Greens are full of all of the nutrients that your body needs to function at its best, but it also helps to ensure that you’re digesting everything properly and your metabolism is working efficiently. Introduce a load of leafy greens to your diet and see positive changes almost immediately, and further down the line too.

Visit Your Gynecologist Regularly: Many women are embarrassed to visit their gynecologist and discuss “women things”, but it’s a really important part of your general health. They check that everything is working as it should, that your fertility is fine, and that you won’t face any problems further down the line. For example, pap smears to check for abnormal cells which could lead to cervical cancer, one of the leading causes of death in younger women in the USA, can catch problems before they escalate. All you have to do is pop down to your local family planning clinic or your gynecologist, and the exam will take just a couple of minutes. It could save you all sorts of problems in the future, so it’s far better to be safe than sorry.

Cut Your Meat Intake: Eating meat every day really isn’t necessary for our bodies to function – there is a whole load of protein in dairy, vegetables, and legumes which means it’s perfectly safe for us to go without meat at all. Red and processed meats are full of fats and salts which are terrible for our body. If you cut meat out of your diet for one day a week, such as Meat Free Monday, you can make a significant improvement to your health.

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Yummm

Get Your Cholesterol Checked: A poor diet doesn’t just affect our weight, it also puts a whole lot of pressure on our arteries and heart. Even if you’re not overweight, you could have high cholesterol. This is the stuff which helps to build new cells, but when there is too much it can clog arteries, which leads to heart attacks. If you have a family history of heart disease, ask your doctor for a cholesterol check and they will be able to advise on how to bring it down to a safe level.

There are so many changes we can make to our health today to guarantee our health in the future, so don’t put it off and you will begin to reap the benefits.

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Feb9

The Lowdown On Recovering From A Major Health Scare

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The Lowdown On Recovering From A Major Health Scare

When serious illness hits, it can knock some of us out completely with shock. Many of us realize just how much we took our health for granted before we became ill, if it does end up happening to us. This is something a lot of people beat themselves up about, but really, it is just human nature – when everything is going well we take it all in stride, but as soon as something goes wrong it can put our whole world into free fall. The months or years which you deal with your illness can be very challenging and may even bring about some particularly dark times.

But what a lot of people are not prepared for is the period of recovery afterwards. Once you’ve been given the all clear, you may find that a lot of people expect you to simply be back to normal straight away. In reality, however, that is rarely the case. Most people go through all sorts of physical and emotional changes as they are recovering from serious illness, so it’s important that you know what to be prepared for.

Coming to Terms With The After-Effects: No one who has gone through a major health problem simply springs back to their old self minutes after being told that they are on the mend. Chances are, you will still have some physical signs of the illness on your body, which serve as a constant reminder and, in some cases, can prevent you from going about your daily business. This could be a large scar from the surgery you had, or maybe you are still suffering from joint damage or even the loss of a limb. Learning to live with any of these things doesn’t just happen overnight, and you are best off seeking the help of a professional – you can read about Dr. Allison for an idea of the kind of aid you may require.

Getting Back Into Normal Life: Going through a major health scare or trauma can easily change your perspective on many things. You may be more aware than ever of how short life is and it may spur you into taking the plunge into something drastic such as a round the world trip or a complete change of career. But initially, it’s all just about getting back into normal life – so living alone/with friends again and not having your life revolve around the illness.

Seeking Support From Friends: In those first few months after hospital discharge, you may find yourself leaning on friends and family more than you ever thought you would before. Being ill can be a lonely time, as everyone needs to still go about their own daily business regardless of whether you are sick or not. So, relish the chance to rekindle some old relationships when your time is your own again. Explain to your friends that you are still adjusting to ‘normal life’ again and that it may take you awhile to get back into the swing of things. But, by surrounding yourself with positive people, you will find that the whole thing is a lot easier for you.

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The best ships are friendships! 😀

Featured Image By: Flickr

Jan25

Fail-Safe Methods To Give Back Pain The Brush-Off

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It is estimated that more than 30 million Americans suffer from back pain. If your bad back is making life a misery, it’s time to do something about it. These fail-safe methods will help you to give back pain the brush-off for good:

Sort Your Sleeping Arrangements: It’s important for everyone to feel comfortable when they sleep. However, if you suffer from back pain, it’s essential to get your sleeping arrangements right. When you sleep, your mattress and pillows should provide support for your spine. If you wake up in pain, your bed may be making the situation worse. If your mattress is worn or you’ve had the same pillows for years, your spine could suffer. Replacing old beds and pillows can make a massive difference to the quality of your sleep, as well as helping to reduce aches and pains. Visit some local stores and try out some different types of mattresses and pillows. If you do suffer from persistent pain, it may be best to go for something that offers additional support, such as a gel memory foam pillow.

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 Flickr Image

Sit Up Straight: Poor posture is the leading cause of back pain in the US. Millions of people have office jobs, which involves sitting at a computer for hours every day. If you’re not sitting in the right position, this can contribute to your back pain. When you’re typing, your spine should be straight, and your head up. Relax your shoulders and rest your wrists on your desk. You shouldn’t have to strain to reach the keyboard or crane your neck to see the screen. If you are doing this, adjust the height of your chair or the desk.

Seek Medical Advice: Many of us experience back pain on a temporary basis, usually when we’ve slept in a funny position or we’ve been sitting or standing for a long period of time. However, it’s not normal to endure persistent pain or to be struck down by the onset of severe pain. If you are suffering, seek medical advice. There may be treatments and therapies out there which can protect your back and ease your symptoms.

Perfect Your Technique: Exercise has a range of benefits for all ages. However, it can also carry risks, especially if you haven’t got the proper technique nailed down. If you lift weights, for example, using the wrong technique can increase strain on your muscles and cause pain. If you do play sports or you go to the gym on a regular basis, make sure that you’re utilizing the right methods to go about your work out. If you’re new to the gym, make sure you book an introduction or take some classes with a personal trainer. Take extra care when lifting. Know your limits and make sure that your spine is straight. If you start to develop pain, stop. If you choose to try and carry on or lift heavier weights, you could do serious damage.

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 Pump that iron!!

Back pain is one of the most common complaints in the US. If you’re one of the millions of people who suffer from a bad back, bear these tips in mind. Look after your back and don’t be afraid to see a doctor if your pain is getting worse.