Tag Archives: healthy

Is It Time You Booked A Dental Appointment? Red Flag Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore

Standard
Is It Time You Booked A Dental Appointment? Red Flag Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore

Dental health is different to general health. Most of us only tend to see a doctor when we’re feeling under the weather or if we’ve noticed changes in our mood, energy levels, or the way our body works. When it comes to your teeth and gums, you shouldn’t wait until you have a dental disaster to book a dental appointment. Prevention is always better than cure, and this is why regular checks are recommended. If you haven’t been to the dentist for a while or you spot these red flag signs, pick up the phone now!

Bleeding Gums: If you noticed that you were bleeding from any other part of your body, you’d probably take note straight away. But for some reason, many of us ignore bleeding gums. The trouble is that bleeding gums are often a sign of gum disease, a potentially serious disease, which can contribute to early tooth loss. Gum disease is caused by harmful bacteria. Mild gum disease, known as gingivitis, is relatively easy to treat with good oral hygiene and cleaning treatments. However, advanced gum disease, or periodontitis, is much more difficult for dentists to manage. It causes irreparable damage to the gums and the bone tissue that lies beneath. The end result is premature tooth loss, as the bony sockets are unable to hold the teeth in place any longer. If you do spot blood when you brush your teeth, or you’ve noticed that your gums are swollen or sore, see your dentist. Don’t wait for your next scheduled check-up, as gum disease can develop quickly.

Tooth Pain: Tooth pain is very common, and sometimes, it’s nothing to worry about. However, it can often be a sign of underlying issues, such as decay. If you have severe pain or pain that is getting worse, it’s particularly important to seek advice from your dentist. The earlier you address the problem, the better. If you have a cavity, for example, a filling can prevent further damage to the tooth and reduce the risk of an abscess from forming. Dental pain can also be caused by an infection. If you get shooting pain when you bite down or you experience throbbing pain, this may be symptomatic of an infection.

Slow-Healing Ulcers: Mouth ulcers are very common. They tend to develop when you’ve accidentally cut the inside of your cheek or lip when you’ve been eating, for example. In most cases, ulcers don’t cause any problems and they heal within a week without the need for treatment. If you’ve had an ulcer for longer than two weeks, it’s advisable to see your dentist. It’s very unlikely, but slow-healing sores can be a sign of oral cancer.

If you haven’t been to the dentist in the last 6-12 months, pick up the phone now and make an appointment! Dental issues only get worse with time, so it’s particularly important to visit your dentist if you’ve experienced problems or noticed any of these red flag signs.

Featured Image By: MaxPixel

Dental Differences: 3 Differences Between Male And Female Oral Health

Standard
Dental Differences: 3 Differences Between Male And Female Oral Health

Men and women have some very obvious differences when it comes to our bodies. However, did you know that something like our teeth can also have stark differences when comparing the two genders? For example, men often only visit their dental professionals when there are serious issues that need to be dealt with and, as a result, they have less dental checkups than women do. Here are a couple more differences between men’s and women’s dental health that you probably didn’t know about.

Men Usually Have More Dental Issues: Women often take care of their teeth more than men due to regular checkups and the lesser likelihood of using products such as chewing tobacco, cigarettes, and alcohol. As a result, men put themselves at risk of developing more dental issues than women. Oral diseases usually come with very few warning signs. Bleeding gums, tartar build up, and slightly annoying pains are usually ignored by men and they get on with their daily lives. Women, on the other hand, see it as a problem and deal with the issue before they develop or let the symptoms worsen.

Oral health issues can often go unnoticed until the disease fully develops. So regardless of if you’re a male or female, make sure you check out a dental practice like Bulverde North Family Dental where you can get the optimal care not just for you, but for your entire family.

Women Brush More Often Than Men: Women are, on average, more likely to brush their teeth at least twice a day when compared to men. Women are proven to be more disciplined when it comes to oral health care. They are more likely to stick to brushing at least twice a day, flossing at least once a day, and using mouthwash at least twice a day. Men, on the other hand, are more likely to skip out brushing days, forget to floss, or go to bed without even using mouthwash. Women are also more likely to brush their teeth and floss after a meal, while men ignore it most of the time. No matter what gender you are, you need to make sure that you brush at least twice a day in the morning and before bed. Flossing is best done at night if you can’t stomach doing it after meals and mouthwash can be skipped if you already have good teeth because it can do more damage than good in some cases.

Remember that the technique you use while brushing your teeth is just as important as your oral hygiene routine. It is advised to brush in a circular motion from the gums at a forty-five degree angle. Have you just realized you have been brushing your teeth wrong for years?! Going to the dentist is always a good thing and your hygienist and dentist will be able to show you the best practices at your appointment. The trick is making an appointment and keeping it! Simply enter a search for “Dentist in Hatfield” (or your local area) to find a top rated practitioner. Pay close attention to the satisfied reviews as it can help ease some anxiety before your cleaning.

teeth5.png

Pexels Image

Women Go To The Dentist More Often: Women often care more about their health, attending regular checkups and appointments, and making time for it no matter their schedules. Dental appointments are on that list of regular visits, and women often visit a dentist at least twice a year every six months. This is recommended to both men and women, but women are far more likely to stick to this schedule. In addition to going for an initial appointment, women are more likely to attend follow-up appointments or, in some cases, book several checkups in the event that something needs to be fixed, cleaned, or treated.

Featured Image By: Pexels

Want to Get More Z’s? Check Out These Top Tips for a Better Night’s Sleep

Standard
Want to Get More Z’s? Check Out These Top Tips for a Better Night’s Sleep

If you have trouble making the trip to the land of nod each night, you are not alone. Millions of people suffer from insomnia and struggle with sleepless nights every year, and it can have a massive impact on their quality of life. Fortunately, there are many things that you can do to ensure that you and your family have no more sleepless nights. Just check out the following tips for a better night’s sleep, and you’ll be dreaming in no time:

Sleep at the Same Time Every Night: Possibly the best thing you can to improve the quality of your sleep is to set up a sleep schedule and stick to it. Work out a bedtime that will work for you and will give you between 7 and 9 hours of sleep a night and aim to get to bed by that time each night. Of course, there will be times when you cannot meet your bedtime deadline but if you do your best to be in bed by the designated time, you will see a vast improvement in your sleep.

sleep3.jpg

Maybe not a 6:20 bedtime but you get the point!

Get Ready for Bed: Once you have a sleep schedule in place, it is important that you leave an hour or so before your bedtime to wind down. Turn off the TV and take a hot bath, read a book, meditate, or drink some chamomile tea and a blissful evening in bed will be yours for the taking.

sleep4.jpg

Read Up!

Dress Your Bed Correctly: It is important that you use the right bed sheets for the right season. For example, using Egyptian cotton sheets in the summer will ensure that you stay cool, as natural fibers are much more breathable than synthetics. On the other hand, you might want to use fleece or flannel sheets in the winter, which will retain heat and keep you warm. If you have the right temperature conditions in your bedroom, you will find it much easier to drift off and stay asleep.

sleep5.jpg

Flickr Image

Keep Technology Out of the Bedroom: Your bedroom should be your sanctuary. If you bring TV’s, smartphones, and other electronic gadgets into the bedroom, it weakens the association your brain has between bedroom and sleep and this can make it harder for you to fall into a sound slumber.

sleep6.jpg

I like that room!

Banish Light: If your bedroom window is letting in too much light, your body may not realize that it is time to sleep. The easiest way to remedy this particular problem would be to invest in some good blackout blinds or a nice pair of thick curtains.

sleep7.jpg

Flickr Image

If you try all of the above and you find that you are still unable to get a proper night’s sleep that leaves you feeling refreshed and ready to take on the day, you might want to visit your doctor, who will be able to rule out medical problems like sleep apnea or insomnia.

Featured Image By: Flickr

“It’s Probably Nothing”: The Three Silliest Words In Health And Wellness

Standard
“It’s Probably Nothing”: The Three Silliest Words In Health And Wellness

All of us know someone – or are someone – who hates to seek medical attention. The reasons why are familiar to us all, of course. Among them are some true doozies, like “I don’t want to bother anyone.” Oh, you don’t want to bother the doctor, whose job is to treat people like you? Or your family, who would sooner run a thousand miles than see you in pain?

Another reason that people give is “I don’t need to go to a hospital. Those places are full of sick people”. Which is just a semi-comedic way of saying “Stop bothering me, I’m being stubborn.” But, perhaps the most pointless way of escaping a trip to a doctor is the statement. “Oh, don’t worry about it. It’s probably nothing!”

Step back and consider that statement for a moment. Imagine you went to a doctor and explained your symptoms, were examined, and then sat down and asked “Will I be OK?”. If the doctor said “Probably”, you’d jump out of your skin. In health, there is no room for “probably”. If a health concern is “probably nothing”, then it might be something. It’s better to stay healthy than appear brave.

“I’ve Been Having Headaches For Awhile … It’s Probably Nothing”: We don’t talk about symptoms in and of themselves unless we’re concerned about an illness. However, each thing you notice that’s not quite right about your health is a symptom. It may just be a symptom of dehydration because you haven’t had enough water. But it is a symptom. If you’re having headaches over a period of time, it could be for any number of reasons. It might be that you need new glasses, or indeed because you’re not drinking enough water. It might also be something more serious. Without going to see your GP, you’re not going to know.

“I Fell And Now My Ankle Hurts … But It’s Probably Nothing”: All of us have little accidents and small strains every so often. They hurt – sometimes a lot, and most of us just let it go. This isn’t the smart way to deal with it, not by any stretch of the imagination. Experiencing pain after falling means you’ve injured yourself. Maybe it doesn’t hurt enough to be broken and there may be merit in saying you don’t need to go to a hospital. If you’re not in immediate danger of death or serious acute injury, not going to a hospital is fine. Wait times are long enough and it is important that people with serious issues are seen first. But services from Our Urgent Care and similar can stop an injury from becoming chronic. You should certainly seek treatment from them.

“This Bleeding Won’t Stop, But I’ll Leave It, It’s Probably…”: Let’s stop you there. If you are bleeding profusely then a GP surgery or even urgent care aren’t the places for you. You need a hospital and you need it now. If you’re still bleeding ten minutes after sustaining a cut, then it’s not nothing. At the very least, it’s a serious cut and will probably need suturing. You definitely should not leave it to clear up on its own – the blood loss alone can be seriously unhealthy.

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Natural Ways To Help Make Sure 2017 Is Your Healthiest Year Yet

Standard
Natural Ways To Help Make Sure 2017 Is Your Healthiest Year Yet

We are two weeks into the new year; how are your goals of keeping fit and being healthier going? It can be hard to make a complete change overnight but after a few weeks, things should hopefully start to become a habit. For many people, as soon as they hear the word diet, all they can think about is food. But is is important to have a healthy relationship with food and not see it as a punishment or a reward. The best way to stick to your goals of being healthy is to make some small changes. When you do this, it is much easier to maintain and make it last. Here are some natural ways that you can maintain your health and make sure that 2017 is your healthiest yet:

Control Portion Sizes: Portion control is a huge deal and something that many of us fail at. Eating out can cause a lot of damage, too, as the portions that a lot of restaurants serve are huge. So to start with, it might be just something as simple as eating off a smaller plate. When a large plate is in front of us, we feel like we have to fill it. Second of all, you need to think about going for seconds. The food might have tasted amazing but are you actually hungry? Think about how your body feels and learn to say no.

Don’t Eat in the Car: When you find yourself snacking in the car, it becomes a learned behavior. Then every time you get in the car, you’ll feel the need to eat something. So it might make you more likely to stop off at a drive-thru or pick up unhealthy snacks. It can be a habit that is hard to break, so try to avoid it in the first place. Keep your meals at a table as your food choices will be much healthier.

Drink Lots of Water: Water is amazing for our bodies in many ways. One of which is that it helps to keep you hydrated as you should be. Meaning your body will work as it should and you’ll have the energy that you need. Water is also great as it helps you to feel full. Quite often when you think that you are hungry, you’re actually just dehydrated. So drink lots of water. You could also think about getting something like a water alkalizer. It is a pretty well-known fact that when you maintain an alkaline state in your body, it is much better for you than acidic. A body in an alkaline state has been known to help combat diseases like cancer and diabetes. It can also help you to lose weight, too.

Avoid Temptation: If there are sweet and sugar filled treats in the house, then it is almost torture to have them there. So one of the best ways to not eat them is to simply not buy them. If they aren’t in the house, then you can’t be tempted by them. The ‘out of sight out of mind’ philosophy can work wonders!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Women’s Health: Four Appointments Every Woman Needs To Make

Standard
Women’s Health: Four Appointments Every Woman Needs To Make

We only get this one life, so it is important that we live it to its fullest. Which is why it is important that we make sure that we are living as well as we can and that we are as healthy as possible. Even if you are eating right, exercising, and doing all of those good things, you can still get sick. So it is important for us as women to make some appointments regularly. Then we can check for sure that all is well. So if you haven’t had any check ups for a while, what are you waiting for? Here are the places you should be making appointments for:

A Wellness Check: You should make an appointment for an overall wellness check at least annually. This is usually done with your general practitioner. Things like your height and weight can be recorded, as well as blood pressure and any other concerns that you have. It is important to remember that your wellness isn’t all physical. So it is a good time to talk to your doctor about how you are feeling overall and to check on the state of your mental health, too. This kind of check up is just general but can indicate if there are any areas of concern.

Dental Appointments: You should see a dentist at least once a year. Ideally, every six months would be best. It will keep you up to date on the state of your teeth and gums and raise any concerns if there are any. You might get referred to see a hygienist or perhaps an orthodontist if there is a specific problem. But it is all to help your overall health and well being, so it is worth taking your dentist’s advice. And if you happen to have a fear of the dentist (like me!), just remember that the appointment will be worth it to keep your pearly whites healthy!

Eye Test: Having your vision tested is really important, especially as we get older. Every two years is a good recommendation for an eye exam. But if you are having specific problems with your eyes then you should obviously make an appointment sooner. When did you last have an eye exam? When we hit our forties, our vision tends to decrease in quality. So it is a good idea to check your eyes more regularly at that point.

Cervical Smear Test: Women from the age of twenty-one on are recommended to have this exam every couple of years. Some doctors will send you out a letter when you are due for one next; others will expect you to make the appointment. So have a think about when your last one was. If it was a while ago, then it is a good idea to book one soon. Cervical cancer is one of the biggest killers among young women, so it is important to have yourself checked. Then you can deal with things if the worst does happen. If you never have it checked, how will you ever know?

Featured Image By: Pexels

Ensure Your Child Stays Warm And Toasty This Winter With These Unmissable Hacks

Standard

As the weather gets worse outside, our mind is focusing on ensuring that our children stay healthy during the winter months. After all, it’s so easy for them to pick up a flu bug or a skin issue at this time of the year. And they are easily preventable if you make sure that your child stays a good temperature during winter. Here are some unmissable hacks to ensure that your child stays warm and toasty when it is freezing cold outside:

Get Them a Good Hat, Scarf, and Gloves Set: One way that you can make sure your little one stays warm is by investing in a good winter set for them. A hat, scarf, and pair of gloves are essential to keep your child toasty during the cold months. You need to make sure the hat fits comfortably so they aren’t tempted to take it off while they are out. And you can even get some gloves which have been designed to use with mobile phones. That way, they can still surf the net without taking their hands out of the gloves!

child.png

Aw! :’)

Get Them a Good Winter Coat: Another essential which will keep your child at a good temperature during the winter is a coat. If they go out without this most important item, they are bound to end up feeling the chill while they are out and about. And it will put them at a higher risk of getting the flu during the winter months. So head out to the stores and find a good coat for your little one. Some brands like moncler kid do a range of coats which will be perfect for keeping your child warm in the winter. And remember to pick something which will last your little one the whole season. That way, you won’t have to head out to buy them a new coat any time soon.

child1.png

Pixabay Image

Keep the House Warm: While you can’t control the temperatures your child may face outside, you can warm thing up inside your home. If your house is nice and toasty, it will put your child at a lower risk of picking up bugs during the cold months. You might want to set the thermostat so that it comes on just before they get home from school. And if your home needs some extra heat, you might want to consider putting a fireplace, if you have one, to good use so your home can have some additional warmth and a nice atmosphere. It’s a win win!

And, of course, it’s always a good idea to have your heating system looked into in the fall as schedules for these services will book up quickly. A company like Yorkshire Heating & Renewables (or a similar one in your local area) can assist with boiler repairs as well as underfloor heating installation for a toasty home from floor to ceiling. Do not wait until the last minute to enlist the help of a local professional as you don’t want your heating unit to fall into disrepair as soon as the cold weather strikes.

Update Their Bedding: You should also make sure that your child has adequate bedding that will keep them from any drafty chills during the night. Shivering in the early hours can lower the immune system and your child could wake up with a bug in the morning. Break out the flannel sheets and a good quality duvet which will keep them extra snug at night. You should also get a throw or blanket which they can pull around themselves if they get extra chilly as they prepare for bed.

Monday Update: 24 Hour Fasting Edition

Standard
Monday Update: 24 Hour Fasting Edition

Hiii everyone and happy Monday! I hope you all had a fab weekend. So, I’m not gonna lie, this past holiday season (as amazing as it was) left me feeling far less than confident about my body. With big events like my graduation party, Christmas, and New Year’s, I was left feeling bloated and just not okay. And the fact that Ohio winters are freaking frigid leaves outdoor activities out of the option when it’s a whole fifteen degrees out!

Normally, I have few body blues now, which I am so thankful for, but the utter lack of confidence that I felt about the newly found tightness in my clothing made me kind of freak out. My weight typically fluctuates give or take five pounds but what I had was a weight gain that I could notice in the way my clothes fit and the way I felt and I hated it.

I had heard about 24 Hour Fasting before just from the random online articles and crazy celebrity diets that you might hear about on E! and I figured that I might as well give it a go. I liked that it was something that I could start right away without having to prepare for a shopping trip to the grocery store to stock up on all things healthy. It was also something that I knew that I would be successful at because my eating schedule is so haphazard as is that sometimes I only end up eating a meal at dinner which is what the 24 hour fast would leave me with.

So, two week ago, the plan was to have a meal that was something that I would normally eat at five o’clock in the afternoon and I was to eat enough to feel satisfied. Then, my next meal would commence twenty-four hours later. Initially and admittedly, it sounds crazy. But, my god, was it effective. After one week of following this plan strictly, my clothes were left fitting back to normal if not, looser than before. My stomach looked nice and flat and I was SO pleased.

Don’t ask me the amount of weight that I lost because I refuse to weigh myself but I knew that it was enough to get me back to feeling totally normal. The following week, I was less strict with the plan because of the progress that was made and only did the fast for three days. By the end of the week I was happy to see that I was still looking and feeling as good as I did at the end of the first week.

Now, for this week I plan on fasting for two days and then working my way back into a normal eating routine afterwards. I will say that the 24 hour fast is not for everyone – especially for those with diabetes or other medical conditions which require eating throughout the day. However, for those that are trying to lose a little weight and are able to not eat for a significant amount of time and not feel lightheaded, then I think the 24 hour fast is a great way to go.

If this is something that you would be interested in, then I recommend doing a lot of research before you start. I looked into it by reading articles and blog posts about the fast and made sure that I felt comfortable with it before I started. In the future, I plan on perhaps doing two or three days of 24 hour fasting once a month (or none at all) and leave it at that because I am really happy with my results! I am also especially happy that I can say bye bye to the tummy that I gained compliments of going too hard this holiday season. 🙂

So there you have it, this week’s Monday Update: 24 Hour Fasting Edition! What is one of the craziest diets that you have tried? How do you personalize intermittent fasting for yourself? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Four Tips That Will Help You Get The Body You’ve Always Dreamed Of

Standard

It’s been said that the best way to get your summer body is to start working on it during the winter. Arguably, all you need for the perfect ‘beach body’ is to have a body, and to be on the beach – but there’s nothing wrong with making sure that you feel beautiful. Here are some tips to help…

Eat Well: It’s important that you eat healthily all year. Of course, there are times when you might want to pig out – Thanksgiving and Christmas particularly, and let’s not forget about Halloween candy! But as a rule, you should try not to use the winter as an excuse to wear oversized sweaters and gain weight. Make sure that you meal plan, don’t snack too much, and that once the holidays are over you go back to your normal eating habits.

body3.png

Yummm

Get Active: One of the best ways to feel better about your body is to impress yourself by what it’s capable of. We spend so much time worrying about our stomachs and thighs that we don’t focus enough on what they can do. If you’re able bodied, then your legs are great no matter what they look like – they’re strong and they carry you around and they do their job! Think about the positives rather than the negatives. Try out Couch To 5K – it’ll build you up into being able to run a 5k, and you’ll be delighted at what your body can do when given a little pushing. You could also try out yoga. If there are no classes near you or if you aren’t feeling very confident yet, try out the YouTube channel Yoga With Adriene. You’ll be amazed at how quickly muscle builds up and how much your balance will improve.

body4.png

Go, go go!

Try Cosmetic Options: If you are really unhappy with your body, then there’s absolutely nothing stopping you from getting cosmetic surgery and treatments to improve your self-esteem. If you hate having to shave your legs and bikini line, then try out laser hair removal so you don’t have to get expensive, painful waxes or sort out your stubbly shins every day when you’re on vacation. If you’re self-conscious about your figure, try out body contouring, a sort of liposuction that will eliminate unwanted fat. If you want to find out more, read it at www.Clderm.com/non-surgical-lipo.

body5.png

Pixabay Image

Get Smoother Skin: During the winter, when you’re covering up in black opaque tights,  jeans, and sometimes even thermal underwear (!!!), the condition of your skin is the furthest thing from your mind. But make sure that you stay smooth and glowing by exfoliating your body at least twice a week. If you shave your legs, chances are they’re a little rough and not in the best condition, so make sure that you use a good shaving foam. Hair conditioner also helps to keep your legs soft and smooth when you’re shaving them. Put on moisturizing body cream, especially before you go to bed, so you can let it sink in overnight. During the day, use a cream that complements the scent of your perfume so you can feel perfectly put together.

body6.png

Body butter is a must!

Are Your Teeth Ageing You? Here’s What You Can Do About It!

Standard

With a world that is obsessed with youth, it can be argued that some of this pressure to stay looking young comes from the media and from celebrities who seem to reach the age of forty and then stop ageing completely. But for the average person on an average income, it’s not always so easy to stay youthful. We can’t all attend aerobics classes and have healthy meals prepared for us by a personal chef daily! The most important thing is that you recognize what about you is a dead giveaway when it comes to how old you are. Skin is obviously one of them, but have you ever considered your teeth? When it comes to our teeth, they only look as good as we treat them. So, here are some ways in which your teeth can prematurely age you, and what you can do to keep yours looking young.

teeth1.png

Ahhhhh

Missing Teeth: If there was ever a way to make you look older than you really are, it is through a missing tooth. In society, we tend to picture people with missing teeth as elderly. This is simply because in the olden days, before dental hygiene was considered important, old people would lose their teeth as said teeth started to decay. But the truth is, if you don’t take care of your dental health, you could be at risk of losing your teeth at any age. Gum disease is one of the most common causes behind a missing tooth and it’s something you need to tackle immediately to avoid losing any more of them. If you have already lost one, you might want to consider getting dental implants to fill the space and give you back your smile.

Discolored Teeth: Another dead giveaway for teeth that have aged before you have is discoloration. Of course, a perfectly white Hollywood smile is a pipe dream for most of us. But if your teeth are quite clearly yellow, or even brown, you will know that you definitely have discoloration. You can get them whitened professionally, but of course, prevention is better than the cure. Consider making a few lifestyle changes, such as stopping smoking, avoiding too much red wine and coffee, and brushing your teeth at least twice a day.

Teeth whitening services paired with lifestyle changes can really make a difference in transforming your smile. Not only that, but it will provide a huge self confidence boost too. To begin this journey, simply enter a search for “Philadelphia smile makeover specialists” (or your local area) to find dentist offices that offer teeth whitening solutions. Your dentist will be able to create a plan to give you your brightest smile ever.

Crooked Teeth: We can’t help the teeth that we are born with. It’s a bit of a lottery of luck, really; some people are born with perfectly straight teeth while others are dealt a pretty crooked card. Many people who feel their crooked teeth age them resign themselves to the fact that they can’t do anything about it. But, in reality, crooked teeth can actually be changed whatever your age. Braces aren’t just for children and teenagers these days! If you do feel self-conscious, simply go for some invisible braces, and no one will know the difference.

Investing in your smile is always going to be a good thing. You are doing something to care for yourself and you are going to have a major self confidence boost. Whether you go with traditional or Invisible braces is your prerogative, but it is absolutely worth discussing with your dentist if you would like to make a change.

teeth2.png

Aw :’)