Tag Archives: health

Feb23

How To Sharpen Up Your Senses

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How To Sharpen Up Your Senses

Like the old saying goes: You don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone. This is certainly true of your senses, which is why it is so important to look after all five of them in the best way that you can. In this blog post, we will give you a general overview of how you can protect them so that these senses can always stay sharp:

Sight:

Beyond the age of 45, your eyes tend to dry out resulting in light sensitivity, blurry vision, and burning eyes. A diet rich in omega-3s such as fish or walnuts can help to keep this condition at bay. You can also get prescription drops as a way of stimulating tear production. Taking supplements such as vitamin C can help to prevent cataracts in the future. You should also try to avoid prolonged sun exposure by taking regular breaks and investing in a good pair of sunglasses for driving or outings.

Smell:

The older you get, the weaker your sense of smell becomes. You should be aiming to minimize your contact with smoke and household chemicals. There is also some evidence that the more you seek out different scents, the better you can protect your sense of smell. A couple of things that you could include in this sniffing exercise include peppermint and cinnamon. You could also make potpourris to place throughout your home to help keep your sniffer strong.

Taste:

The first thing that you should do to protect your sense of taste is practice good oral hygiene. This will help to keep your tongue in good condition and protect your taste buds from infections. Though there isn’t much that you can do to reclaim your sense of taste, what you can do is add extra spices and flavorings to your food. If you find that you are suffering from a dry mouth, you should aim to reduce your intake of dehydrating substances like caffeine and alcohol.   

Hearing:

You should have a hearing test if you notice any issues or if you simply want to gain some peace of mind. Prevention is important when it comes to hearing, so you should wear protective devices when you are exposed to any loud noises. Don’t listen to music through headphones at too loud a volume or for too long. If you have already damaged your hearing, you should speak to your doctor about being fitted with a hearing aid.

Touch:

As you start to get older, your skin becomes less elastic and you are likely to lose sensitivity over time. A few of the ways that you can help to prevent it include a healthy lifestyle full of regular exercise, a low-fat diet, and not smoking. Taking aspirin will dilate blood vessels and improve circulation therefore increasing stimulation of the dermis.

Of course, age-related sensory decline is an inevitable fact of life, but there are plenty of ways that you can protect all five of them in the best way possible. Following some of the advice in this article is a great starting point!

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Feb23

Are You Looking After Your Hearing Right?

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Are You Looking After Your Hearing Right?

Protecting your hearing is a huge part of protecting both your mental and physical health and there are a lot of things you might want to think about to ensure that you are doing this effectively. In this post, we are going to consider some of the main ways in which you can look after your hearing with best practices you can start today. Like the following:

Slow Fading:

Hearing loss is rarely dramatic at first. It tends to creep in. High-frequency sounds usually fade before lower tones, which means consonants like “s,” “f,” and “th” become harder to distinguish. Conversations start to sound muffled, especially in places with background noise. You may still hear that someone is speaking, but clarity drops away. The brain works overtime to fill in the gaps. That mental effort can be surprisingly exhausting. Many people attribute the fatigue to stress or poor sleep, never suspecting that straining to hear is draining cognitive energy throughout the day.

Noise Is Louder Than You Think:

You do not need to stand next to jet engines to risk damage. Prolonged exposure to everyday noise can be enough. Traffic, construction, power tools, loud gyms, concerts, and even constant headphone use all contribute. A good rule of thumb is this: If you need to raise your voice to be heard at arm’s length, the environment is probably too loud for prolonged exposure. The same applies to headphones. If someone sitting next to you can hear your music clearly, it is too loud. If you are using them for hours a day, even moderate volume can become an issue over time.

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Importance Of Hearing Tests:

One of the most overlooked parts of hearing care is simply having a hearing test. Many people wait until they notice a clear problem, but by that stage, changes may have been happening for years. A professional hearing test is quick, painless, and far more detailed than most expect. It measures how well you hear different frequencies and volumes, identifying patterns that might indicate early-stage loss, noise damage, or other issues. Even if your hearing is currently fine, a baseline test gives you something to compare against in the future.

Small Habits:

Looking after your hearing does not require drastic change. Often, it is about consistent small habits. Lower the volume on personal devices and use noise-cancelling headphones rather than turning music up to drown out background sound. Wear proper ear protection when using power tools or attending loud events. Give your ears rest periods after exposure to high noise levels. Be mindful of ear hygiene too. Cotton buds can push wax deeper into the ear canal, potentially causing blockages. If you suspect excess wax, professional removal is safer than attempting to clear it yourself. Hydration, general cardiovascular health, and avoiding smoking also play a role. The inner ear relies on healthy blood flow, and what benefits your heart often benefits your hearing as well.

Can you hear me now? Good! Keep it that way with these tips!

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Feb21

How Technology Has Changed The Performance Of Modern Hearing Aids

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How Technology Has Changed The Performance Of Modern Hearing Aids

The technology within many of the modern hearing aids nowadays is incredible. It’s a lot different from the older versions, some one or two decades ago. Modern hearing aids have been transformed by AI, Bluetooth, and advanced signal processing. It’s shifted from simple amplification to intelligent and personalized sound enhancement. In this guide, we’ll take a look at how technology has changed when it comes to the performance of modern hearing aids and how they’re something to be sought after, rather than avoided by people who need them:

Artificial intelligence and machine learning:

AI enables hearing aids to learn user preferences, whilst automatically adjusting settings in real-time. It helps you to switch from a quiet room to a busy street without needing to do anything. AI hearing aids are certainly the future of hearing aid technology.

Advanced noise reduction and directional microphones:

With modern devices, they analyze sound in real time in order to reduce background noise and instead focus on speech. It allows the user better hearing in complex and noisy environments.

Rechargeable batteries:

Modern hearing aids now eliminate the need for small, disposable batteries. Instead, users benefit from rechargeable hearing aids that can be charged overnight while you sleep. It provides all-day power, which is highly beneficial for uninterrupted audio experiences.

Smart apps and personalization:

With modern hearing aids, it works with smartphone apps that allow users to fine-tune sound, adjust volume, and help to monitor battery levels directly too.

Health tracking and biometrics:

Some advanced models will include sensors that monitor physical activity, analyze environmental data, and track your heart rate, too. These insights can be great for improving your overall health and not just your hearing.

Telehealth and remote fitting:

Audiologists are now able to adjust hearing aid settings remotely. It removes the need for in-person appointments for any minor tweaks that need to happen, which is helpful for those who might not live near an audiologist or hearing center.

Smaller and discreet designs:

With smaller and discreet designs, you’re getting a more comfortable and less noticeable device.

Signs you need a hearing aid or two:

There are some tell-tale signs that you need a hearing aid or two. Such signs include the following:

  • Difficulty with conversations – Frequently asking people to repeat themselves.
  • Volume adjustment – Turning up the TV or radio to levels that are too loud.
  • Muffled sound – Voices and surrounding sounds are muffled or unclear.
  • Tinnitus – Persistent ringing or buzzing in the ears.
  • Social withdrawal – Avoiding social situations as it’s too exhausting or difficult to keep up with conversations.
  • Fatigue – Feeling stressed after conversations and fatigued as your brain is working harder to understand sounds.

Technology has changed the performance of modern hearing aids, so explore what they could do for you if you need them in the future!

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Feb20

How To Stop Stressing Over Your Age

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How To Stop Stressing Over Your Age

Getting older is something that happens to everyone. In fact, it’s a sign that you’ve been successful. Once you reach the age of 50, 60, 70 or beyond you have survived a long time in an otherwise difficult world. But people have many problems when it comes to their age. They often look at it the wrong way. If you’re somebody who’s stressing about their age and worried about getting older then this post is for you. We are going to look at some strategies you can use to reduce the stress you feel and really enjoy your life day to day:

Reframe aging as a privilege:

The first thing to do is to reframe aging as a privilege. This was something that we hinted at in the introduction. Instead of seeing birthdays as the next stage in the inevitable march through life, you can look at them more as success stories or milestones. Getting to a specific age is actually quite an achievement, especially once you start getting into the higher numbers. If you can reframe how you look at the situation, then you can totally control how you feel about it.

Focus on the things you can control:

Another thing you can do is stop pretending that aging is something you can control. You can’t actually map and manage the time passing on the calendar, but you can intervene in your lifestyle to change how you feel and function. Many people forget all about aging once they improve their exercise routine, stress management, nutrition, sleep, and skincare. Combining all of these factors often slows down the aging process significantly. It can also change the nature of the aging process so that it doesn’t lead to chronic disease and dysfunction.

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Get the treatment you need:

Sometimes, feeling less stressed about the aging process is simply getting the treatment that you need. For example, if you have hearing loss, go to the audiologist and ask for hearing aids. Similarly, if you struggle to walk or you have physiological problems, you can get a trainer to improve muscle strength. You should find that once you’ve got this treatment, it has a meaningful and lasting effect on your life. It makes a profound difference to how you approach things.

Practice being present or mindful:

Worrying about aging also often means worrying about the future. Therefore, it’s a good idea to practice being present or mindful. Many people get to a certain age and wonder why their lives aren’t turning out the way they wanted them to. They stress about the things that they should have done differently in the past. Being present is the best way to counter this sort of thought process. If you can focus on what you’re doing now, you often discover that your life is much better than what you thought.

So there you have it – some of the things you can do to stop stressing about the ageing process. Looking at the positives and accepting what’s happening is often the best approach!

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Feb20

Early Signs Of Hearing Loss Every 20 Something Should Know

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Early Signs Of Hearing Loss Every 20 Something Should Know

Anyone can lose their hearing. No matter how old you are or how healthy you feel, your hearing can be affected by your day to day activities. Too much loud noise at home, in the workplace, or coming through your headphones and you could be dealing with a lower level of hearing. And for some people, genetics play a role in causing hearing loss at a younger age. It’s a complex thing, and it’s something to keep an eye out for so you can act in time. As such, here are some of the most common early signs of hearing loss that you should know about as a young adult:

Everything Needs Turning Up Higher:

Have you started needing to turn the volume up on your phone, tablet, or TV much louder than you used to? Say you always had the volume set to fifteen and that was fine, but these days you need it at twenty and above. Dialogue just doesn’t feel all that easy for you to parse anymore. It could be an issue with the device itself, of course. It could also be a problem with the way the sound was recorded for whatever media you’re watching. But it could also be a sign your hearing has been impacted.

People Keep Saying You’re Being Loud:

Are you noticing that more and more people are saying you’re talking quite loudly, but you didn’t even realize? That could be a sign of hearing loss, especially if no one really said anything like this to you before. Or alternatively, you think you’re speaking at a normal volume, but everyone’s suddenly telling you that you’re being really quiet. Both of these things can, in fact, be a sign of hearing loss. And when it comes to difficulties in general conversation, a trip to the audio doctor is the next best thing to plan. After all, you could be in need of hearing aids. And if you do, there’s no need to worry. There are plenty of different styles and options to suit your ears, lifestyle, and personal preferences. Plus, your audiologist will be there to walk you through choosing a set that’s right for you.

You’ve Stopped Noticing Background Noise:

It’s hard to notice when you’re not noticing something – that’s why it’s called ‘background noise’. But if you’re never noticing when there’s some sound going on around you, it could be another sign you’re dealing with a form of hearing loss. Maybe cafes aren’t as loud as they used to be, as you haven’t really heard much chatter going on around you? And what about when you’re on the bus to work – does the sound of the bus sound as loud as it used to? The next time you get the chance, focus on the background and see what you’re picking up.

Hearing loss can creep up on you, and it can happen at any age. Pay attention to signs like these to prevent the problem from getting worse!

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Feb20

5 Technologies That Can Improve Your Health

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5 Technologies That Can Improve Your Health

There’s no doubt that technology is making our lives easier – but the right tools can also make us healthier! If your priority is to look after your health, form better habits, and improve your living space, some technologies can make it easier to improve your well being and prevent future health problems. In this guide, we’ll look at a few investments worth making this year. Let’s dive in:

Wearables:

Wearable devices like smartwatches play a key role in helping you take better charge of your health. They can help you track essential indicators such as step counts, heart rate, stress levels, sleep quality, and more. Some specific devices, such as wearable alarms, can also improve safety levels among older people and those with mobility limitations. Make sure to find the best model for your needs and consult a doctor to understand how to best use your wearable technology to support your health.

Smart Home Technology:

Smart home devices can create a healthier home that fosters healthy habits. As well as adding convenience to everyday life, these technologies can help you control temperature, lighting, air quality, and safety features. Some investments worth making for your health and well being include:

  • Air Purifiers: Improve indoor air quality, reducing the risk of allergies and respiratory issues.
  • Smart Thermostats: Maintain temperatures for better sleep quality and overall comfort.
  • Smart Lighting: Support healthy sleep cycles and mood regulation.
  • Voice-Activated Assistants: Help with reminders for hydration, exercise, medication, and provide hands-free emergency assistance.
  • Sleep Trackers: Monitor sleep patterns for better sleep health.

AI Hearing Aids:

Did you know that unaddressed hearing loss can lead to significant complications, including an increased risk of dementia? However, deciding to wear hearing aids is not always an easy choice, as it can impact your confidence and comfort. Thankfully, newer models are less noticeable, more efficient, and fully adjustable. For instance, AI hearing aids can adapt to different sound environments, filter out background noise, and even learn your listening preferences, making communication much easier and natural.

Telemedicine Platforms:

Telemedicine has been a game changer for both healthcare providers and patients. Over the past few years, it has contributed to overcoming common barriers to treatment, including long travel distances, childcare or eldercare, busy schedules, and mobility limitations. Telemedicine allows you to consult specialists within your area and beyond from the comfort and privacy of your home. Patient portals can also help in scheduling appointments, getting test results, asking questions to your provider, and repeating prescriptions as directed. Consult your primary healthcare provider to understand what telemedicine systems they offer.

Digital Mental Health Tools:

Last but not least, technology can help in supporting mental health, too. Thanks to guided meditation apps, online therapy platforms, and support from mental health professionals available via chat or video calls, getting support at any stage of life is easier than it has ever been. Be sure to explore the best tools to boost your health and make calculated investments in the technologies that can provide support in the long term.

Improve your life and health with the technology above and you will be sure to notice a huge difference!

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Dec24

A Little Update

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A Little Update

Hi there! I wanted to give everyone a little update on something health related so buckle in. I am HPV positive and for the past two years I have needed a biopsy of my cervix. A few weeks ago I had my second biopsy and it was unpleasant but doable. All that was left to do was wait for the results and I got them in last week. The results showed fragments that did not show up on my pap smear and I will need to repeat a biopsy and pap in a half a year. It might be HPV related and resolve itself or it could be pre-cancer/cancer cells that will require a surgery on my cervix to remove.

Although it was scary to hear, I consider this a best case scenario result. It could either be nothing or it could be something that has a surefire way of being treated. I think that’s very lucky and I am so thankful. This is not a post looking for sympathy, but a post to serve as a gentle reminder to take your health seriously. Do not ignore your gynecological care. Attend your appointments, commit to the doctor’s orders, and be proactive in asking questions and voicing concerns. Cervical cancer is, blessedly, treatable but it is up to you to get a head start. Regular appointments means finding problems early which will increase the success of the treatment even more.

I would be a liar if I said that the first few days after my doctor called me with the results weren’t difficult. They were and I felt really sad. However, I am feeling much better after having time to sit with these emotions. The most helpful thing for me has been repeating a mantra in my head and to Johnny too. It goes a little something like this: It’s either nothing or it will be treated. Those are the facts and focusing on them has kept my mind from wandering to worst case scenarios. It’s so easy for your brain to go haywire when you get not so great news and fact driven self talk restored my sanity. ❤

In conclusion, everything is A-okay. While lifewithlilred is full of fashion and fun, it’s about my life too and I just wanted all of my dear friends and readers to be updated. I love you all!

Do you have a mantra you repeat? How do you engage in positive self talk? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Dec10

Covid Chronicles

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Covid Chronicles

Howdy!! On Friday morning I was ecstatic. I had a short shift, then I was going to get my hair done. Afterwards my best friend was going to come over for our Christmas celebration and a Chinese food dinner and it was going to be a perfect day. Until I got a fateful text from Johnny at six in the morning that his boss had Covid. In an instant, my stomach dropped and my plans flew out the window before I even took a test. Somehow, I just knew and the faint pink positive line on my test confirmed it. I promptly said goodbye to my perfect day and Johnny and I hunkered down together in our covidness.

I believe this is our fourth round of Covid and, I have to say, this time around was a breeze. I felt excellent and would have had no idea we had Covid if we weren’t aware of the exposure. Johnny, on the other hand, felt a little crummy but it was more like how you feel when the weather shifts suddenly. This also made sense for him to feel that way as the weather in our neck of the woods took a drastic dip into low temps with snow. Alas, we were both positive and it positively sucked to have so much we were looking forward to cease to exist…. but did it really?

Lol, listen I was not thrilled whatsoever when my test was positive. However, looking on the bright side – I literally never take time off and my holiday break just came slightly early. I swear, every time I go for months on end without taking a day off, the world says hold my beer and gives me the flu or, in this case, Covid with no symptoms. Minus my big weekend being canceled, this was the best case scenario and I planned on enjoying it!

During my Covid stint I watched So. Much. TV! We’re talking Gypsy Rose Life After Lockup, the reunion of The Secret Lives Of Mormon Wives, St. Denis Medical, and so much more. Not only did I have a healthy bingeathon but I also had fun playing Animal Crossing again after three years and one month lol. Once the cockroaches from my house were clear, I got back into the groove of island life and am eagerly awaiting the update in January. I forgot how much I liked playing Animal Crossing after being apart from it for so long. I guess I played my fill when the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic was happening!

It’s funny because I texted my blogging bestie to complain about my positive test and I said something along the lines of “I think people just forgot to test for Covid when they aren’t feeling well”. But the thing is, I forgot too. It has been a long time since Covid was headline news that it was easy to chalk it up to a thing of the past. It is still very real, though, so do be sure you get a few tests as the holiday season approaches. Then, everyone can gather safely together and have a blast celebrating. ❤

My Covid Chronicles read more like a really lazy handful of days off and, hey, I’ll take it. Stay healthy and stay safe, everyone!

What is your favorite lazy day activity? Have you been sick recently? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov27

How To Shop For Your First Pair Of Hearing Aids

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How To Shop For Your First Pair Of Hearing Aids

Shopping for your first hearing aids can feel a little daunting, especially if you’re not sure what you’re looking for or what the market of hearing aids looks like nowadays. There’s been a lot of significant advancements in hearing aids, so your idea of what they might look like may be a lot different from reality. It’s good to know what to expect when shopping for hearing aids and what steps are required to get them that are tailored for you and your hearing needs:

Get a comprehensive hearing test:

The first step to getting hearing aids is to book in with your local hearing specialist for a hearing test. A comprehensive hearing test will look at anything and everything when it comes to your hearing to understand what exactly is missing and what needs improvement. Have a thorough hearing test to not only check your hearing but to rule out anything that might be underlying as a medical condition that you weren’t even aware of. There are often reasons why your hearing loss is the way it is, and for some, that might be an infection or wax buildup.

Discuss options and choose a professional:

Based on the test results you’re given, the audiologist will recommend some suitable hearing aid options. These may be prescription or over-the-counter options. Those who have mild to moderate hearing loss can purchase OTC hearing aids, but those with significant loss will be required to work with a professional to get a prescription device instead. This is due to the need for custom fitting and ongoing support for the user. Shop around for your options, as hearing care providers will often set their own prices and costs, which are bundled into the service.

Select the right hearing aid for style and features:

This may be the point at which you realize that the options for hearing aids are vast and a lot more versatile than you first thought. To find hearing aids, the right style and features are a personal choice. Take a look at everything that’s offered to see which ones match your style and needs. Common devices include Behind-the-Ear (BTE), Receiver-in-Canal (RIC), and In-the-Ear (ITE) or Completely-in-Canal (CIC) models. Features of the device are important to consider too, like noise reduction, rechargeable batteries, and Bluetooth connectivity, for example.

Trial periods and aftercare:

Before you commit to the hearing devices, review any associated policies and be aware of any warranty attached to them. Be aware of what trial period you have available so that if needed, you can return them for a refund if they don’t work well for you. You also will want all of the details when it comes to the aftercare of your devices to ensure its longevity.

Get fitted and follow up:

Finally, it’s time to get the hearing aids fitted properly and to adapt to these devices as you navigate day-to-day life. Keeping up with follow-up appointments will help to address any concerns you have so that adjustments can be made accordingly.

Life will change for the better once you find the hearing aid that is just right for you. Use the tips above to get started!

Nov26

What To Do When You’re Worried About Your Child’s Health Problems

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What To Do When You’re Worried About Your Child’s Health Problems

It’s completely normal to be worried about your child’s health problems. After all, you love them and want the best for them. But what should you do if you find yourself in this position? What action should you take? This issue comes up more than you might think. Many parents go into meltdown when something goes wrong with their child’s health, no matter how minor it might seem on the surface. Fortunately, we’ve written this guide to help. It runs through some of the tactics you can use to be your best to help your kiddo:

Trust Your Gut:

One of the best things you can do as a parent in this position is trust your gut. Accepting what’s happening and then trying to get to a solution is essential. Usually, you’ll know if something is seriously wrong or not. What’s more, as a parent, you know your child. You understand what’s normal behavior for them, and what isn’t, so your senses are attuned to theirs.

Track Their Symptoms:

It’s a good idea to track their symptoms. You want to know how they’re evolving over time. If you can figure out when it started and then measure the severity, you’re often in a good position to know how long it will take them to recover and what’s wrong. Tracking symptoms is also going to be so helpful when you take your child to the doctor so they will have a full history of the problem.

Check For Red Flags:

Red flag situations are when it is essential to take action. For example, things like a high fever or persistent vomiting: these are signs that something might be seriously wrong. You might also notice things like not responding to sound. Perhaps they need to go to the audiologist for grommets or hearing aids. Seizures and extreme lethargy or not waking properly are all red flag signs too. Get help immediately.

Call the Pediatrician:

If you encounter something you haven’t seen before or symptoms seem worse than usual, getting on the phone with the pediatrician is a good idea. They can provide advice on what to do next, including whether or not to go to hospital.

Provide Comfort:

Sometimes, just providing your child with some comfort can have a profound effect on their well-being. Their bodies are highly tuned to their surroundings. Even skin-on-skin contact, which seems quite simple, can have a huge effect. You can also do things like bring them their comfort items or put them in a room that feels safe to them. These small changes may improve their health.

Ask “Dumb” Questions:

Lastly, if you do go to the doctor with them, don’t be afraid to ask dumb questions. The more of these you pose, the more likely you are to understand what’s happening in the future if something similar happens again. Every question you have is worth asking and your child’s appointment is the time to do so.

Any health concern for your child can be scary. Keep a level head, find a solution with the doctor, and do your best to accommodate!

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