Tag Archives: warning signs

Top Signs Your Health Needs Your Attention

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Top Signs Your Health Needs Your Attention

When you are constantly on with the challenges of every day life, it’s very easy to overlook the signs that our health might be slipping. Your body does, however, have a way of telling you when something is off. It’s just a matter of listening carefully. From the physical symptoms to mental fatigue, these are the early signals that are often your first line of defense from preventing more serious issues down the road. One example that is often ignored is the persistent ringing in the ears, which could be a sign of damage and may require professional tinnitus treatment. Here are the top signs that your health may need your attention:

You’re dealing with persistent fatigue that doesn’t go away: Feeling tired after a long day or a poor night’s sleep is normal, but if you’re constantly exhausted even after resting, it could signal something deeper. Chronic fatigue might be linked to poor sleep quality, nutritional deficiencies, stress, or even undiagnosed conditions like thyroid disorders or anemia. If rest doesn’t recharge you like it used to, then you need to dig a little deeper and speak to a healthcare provider.

    There are changes in your hearing: If you’re struggling to follow conversations, constantly turning up the volume, or hearing a continuous ringing or buzzing sound, your ears are trying to tell you something. That ringing, known as tinnitus, is often a symptom of underlying hearing loss or nerve damage. There are different tinnitus treatment options available, but you do need to speak to an audiologist to figure out what’s best for you. Ignoring it can lead to further deterioration and even affect your mental health over time.

    Shortness of breath or chest discomfort: If you feel breathless from minor exertion or notice tightness in your chest, it could be a sign of cardiovascular issues, respiratory conditions, or anxiety. While it may be tempting to dismiss these symptoms, they should always be taken seriously. Sudden or unexplained difficulty breathing warrants immediate medical attention, even if it doesn’t seem severe.

    Frequent digestive issues: Occasional indigestion or bloating is normal, but if you regularly experience stomach discomfort, constipation, or diarrhea then it may be worth speaking to a specialist. Poor digestion can indicate food intolerances, inflammation, or even more serious gastrointestinal conditions.

    Mental fog and mood changes: Feeling off, irritable, anxious, or struggling to focus could be your brain’s way of asking for support. Mental health is deeply connected to physical health, and issues like chronic stress, poor sleep, or nutrient deficiencies can all affect mood and cognitive functions. Don’t ignore your mental health therapy. Lifestyle changes on medication can make a difference.

      Your body will give you clues when it needs your attention and you must not ignore the signs. Investing the time in your health right now will make a big difference in preventing more serious issues tomorrow.

      Featured Image By: Pexels

      Signs It’s Time To See Your Dentist

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      Signs It’s Time To See Your Dentist

      Your smile is your greatest asset and you want to make sure that you take good care of your teeth so you can keep flashing those pearly whites. A dentist visit is recommended every six months and this is the best way to ensure that your oral health is a-okay. However, if you are experiencing any of these issues, then you need to get into your dentist’s chair as soon as possible:

      Dental Pain:

      Dental pain is one of the telltale signs that you have a problem. Your teeth are there to help you, not hurt you! Also, dental pain is the absolute worst and can make going through your day unbearable. Schedule an appointment with your dentist ASAP to get to the root of what is causing your pain.

      Loose Teeth:

      If your teeth have become loose, then there’s nothing you can do about it except to visit your dentist. This is another situation in which you should not sit and wait. The longer you wait the worse it gets. Most of the time this annoying situation is caused by gum disease also known as gingivitis. Gingivitis is easy to deal with especially when you start adopting proper hygiene principles, which your dentist will help you create a game plan for.

      You Have Swelling:

      Swelling is one of the most obvious signs that there is something wrong with your teeth. If your gums have blown up, it won’t be too long before your jaw and your entire face get swollen as well. In this case, it’s probably because you have an abscess tooth. Fortunately, with a few antibiotics your dentist can get that swelling down and then go in and deal with the tooth that is causing you problems.

      Poor dental health has a potential to lead to problems with your hearing as well. This type of swelling can inflame blood vessels in your ear leading to hearing loss and needing rechargeable hearing aids to assist with your hearing. There’s no use running away from the dentist because you’re just going to end up running right back to them.

      Consistent Bad Breath:

      If you have consistent bad breath, then it is also time to go and visit your dentist. This is not normal and if you have been brushing and flossing as you should, this should be something that you can squash very easily. If that’s not working, then there is some underlying problem that needs to be addressed.

      Going to the dentist is never fun, but letting any of these issues fester is going to make things so much worse for yourself. Don’t wait to schedule an appointment!

      Featured Image By: Pixabay

      Early Signs Of Hearing Loss

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      Early Signs Of Hearing Loss

      According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, around 15% of the adult population in the US have some level of hearing loss or hearing difficulties. While many types of hearing loss are genetics or the natural ageing process, a large portion is noise-induced hearing loss.

      One of the most important factors when it comes to hearing loss is the early signs. Once you identify hearing loss in yourself, your children, or someone else – it is time to book a hearing test and look at options like hearing aids and other preventative measures. There are so many options when it comes to hearing aids, from behind the ear hearing aids to inner ear hearing aids that’ll make more sense to you when you speak to an audiologist. You can then make the best possible decision for your hearing health. Once you start noticing some differences, you’ll be happier to visit hearing aid clinics and get the right support from hearing health professionals. It’s vital that you do this as soon as you can so that you can be diagnosed and supported. Here are some of the early signs to look out for:

      Exhaustion:

      Feeling tired can be tricky because most of us have very busy lives. Are we tired because we have been exercising more? Are we tired because work has been insane? But there is a type of exhaustion that comes with straining to listen all of the time too. Listening fatigue happens when you are using a lot of energy to engage in conversations for most of the day. Working extra hard to fill gaps and intensely listen to what is going on. Sometimes listening fatigue can present itself in ways like wanting the room silent or getting to a point where you can’t listen or engage anymore.

      Crowds:

      High-frequency hearing loss can be more noticeable in crowds, social events, clubs, bars, and even in restaurants. The background noise and speech can become blurred together, making following a conversation increasingly difficult. Another sign can be if you decide to stop attending events because you are embarrassed or not comfortable due to the fact that you find it difficult to hear people speaking to you.

      High Pitched:

      When was the last time you heard the birds singing? Or the trill of a high-pitched song or even the doorbell? Sometimes the first thing to not notice anymore is the birds, but because we don’t actively listen to them, it can be difficult to recognize that they are missing. It can also happen with people who speak at a higher pitch, like children. If you start to notice that you aren’t hearing birds or high pitches anymore, it is time to get your hearing checked.

      Consonants:

      With age-related hearing loss, the early signs are often consonants and some other letter combinations. These are typically sounded out at a lower frequency, with the middle of the word being lower in pitch. When these are more difficult to hear, miscommunications can happen more frequently. Here is a list:

      • S
      • F
      • Sh
      • Th
      • H
      • P
      • V
      • K

      Repetition:

      Can you say that again, please? One more time? When you find yourself asking someone to repeat themselves often or get frustrated or embarrassed and stop asking – that can be an early sign of hearing loss. For the person with hearing loss, this can be hard to manage because feeling like a burden often comes along with asking people to repeat themselves. It can also present itself as needing to rewind the movie or TV show you are watching to hear it again.

      Hearing loss is common, but getting a hearing test regularly should be part of your general health and wellness checks: Health Checks To Add To Your Schedule.

      Featured Image By: Kimia Zarifi on Unsplash

      A Parents And Teacher’s Guide To Teenage Depression

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      A Parents And Teacher’s Guide To Teenage Depression

      As a parent or teacher, we know that it is normal for teenagers to be moody and sullen. However, it is important to understand when this becomes something more serious. It is a sad fact that the suicide rate in young people is growing, so as a concerned adult you need to recognize the symptoms of depression and understand the pressures your children might be facing.

      It may be that you already work in the field of mental health, are considering a career in doing so, or taking one of the masters in clinical mental health counseling programs. Parents, teachers, and counselors are on the front line when it comes to caring for children, and it is vitally important that you know how to help when they are suffering inside. Depression sucks, and here’s a few of the reasons of what might be causing it in your children, students, or friends:

      Causes of Depression: Medically speaking, there is still no real evidence as to what causes depression. Genetics may play a part, as is a chemical imbalance in the brain. For the teenager, there are certain factors that can contribute. These include:

      Self-Image: Every day, children are bombarded with messages from the media, peers, and social networking on how they should look, feel, and conform. Many young people suffer from body issues when they unrealistically compare themselves to the airbrushed models in magazines and online. If they are not the right weight or don’t have the right clothing, this can be a great source of stress for the teenager, especially when they face bullying because of it.

      School: We all know how hard school can be (as if we needed reminding!). It is supposed to be a place of learning and growth, however, for some young people, the only knowledge they are getting is that they are not good enough. Fitting in with peers, broken relationships, dealing with too much homework, studying for tests and exams, and preparing for colleges can add a huge amount of stress into your child’s life.

      Bullying is a major issue that can affect children physically and mentally. With the rise of social media, so much bullying is done online, with vile private messages and the posting of personal pictures, which the child has no control over. This can give off the illusion of nowhere being safe for the child.

      What can you do? For starters, be there to offer support. They may not tell you how they are feeling, but encourage them to talk when appropriate. Symptoms of depression include moodiness, withdrawal from family and friends, lack of passion in things that they normally enjoyed doing, and mood swings. Some of these are normal for a teenager as their bodies change, but they could also be warning signs.

      When you talk to your child or student, be open and listen to what they have to say. Do not judge or say something glib, such as ‘snap out of it’ (smh!!). Share your concerns with a doctor and other mental health professionals to ensure that the child receives the help that they need to get them back on track and smiling again.

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