Noise-induced hearing loss can often sneak up on you, as it tends to present differently from hearing loss related to other causes. Rather than making noises seem quieter, it instead causes a distortion in hearing, making it difficult to pick up certain frequency ranges. This is caused by the degradation of the Cochlea, which occurs from repeated, long-term exposure to loud noises. Things like using a lawnmower, listening to loud music, or using noisy equipment at work can all lead to noise-induced hearing loss over time. Avoiding noisy environments and using hearing protection can help prevent this issue.
Community News
Smoking, Vaping and COVID-19
If you smoke or vape, are you at a higher risk of getting COVID-19? This is a common question, and since there is strong evidence that smoking can increase your risk of viral and bacterial infections (like colds and flus), it’s possible that it could increase your risk of getting COVID-19 as well. Smoking can weaken your body’s immune cells over time, making it harder to fight infections, and also negatively impacts your lung function. Quitting smoking with the aid of treatments like laser therapy is a good way to help limit your risk of experiencing complications from COVID-19.
Advice from a Travel Expert
With all that is going on in the world, here is some sage advice for when you travel. Always purchase travel insurance that includes coverage for medical, cancellation and interruption. This is what is going to help you not only if you need medical care, but also if there are travel advisories, flight cancellations, and other unexpected world events. Always use a travel advisor. Wouldn’t you like to have someone else advocating for you and solving your travel problems? Remember to leave contact details of where you will be with a family member or friend.
Hearing Loss and Brain Health
Hearing involves not only your ears but also the brain, so it’s no wonder that hearing loss can go hand in hand with thinking and memory problems. Studies are increasingly linking hearing loss to issues such as faster brain shrinkage, earlier onset of significant cognitive impairment, and up to a quintupled risk of dementia. Addressing conditions such as hearing loss, however, could help prevent a third of dementia cases worldwide, per a UK research collaborative. With hearing health and overall wellness so connected, it’s important to seek regular hearing checks and address listening difficulties early.
Get Too Much Sun?
If you have a sunburn, applying Aloe Vera is a great way to promote healing and get respite from the pain and swelling. Aloe Vera is a tropical medicinal plant that has been used for thousands of years to treat skin conditions, such as wounds and burns. It is so effective at soothing burns that it’s sometimes referred to as the “burn plant.” To treat a sunburn, spread a layer of pure gel extracted from the inside of an Aloe Vera leaf over the burnt skin. You can grow your own plants at home, or you can use a store-bough product, as long as it is 100% Aloe Vera gel.
Fear of Falls Causes Unsafe Behavior
When someone is fearful of falling, they start to avoid everyday activities by staying at home and doing less. This lack of activity leads to loss of strength, reduced muscle tone, and loss of coordination and balance. This physical deterioration increases the risk of falling and if a fall does occur, it further heightens the fear. Turn your fear of falling into positive actions; remain active, exercise regularly, use assistive devices such as walkers or grab bars and wear sensible shoes. Consider joining a group session designed especially to teach balance exercises for fall prevention.
Need Cosmetic Dentures?
Teeth have three main functions: chewing food, lip support, and speech. The loss of your teeth can have negative effects on your self-confidence and your overall quality of life. Since your teeth provide structure and support to your cheeks, tooth loss can result in the sagging of your face. It is essential that your missing teeth are replaced as soon as possible. A new set of cosmetic dentures can instantly improve your appearance and remove facial flaws. Age is inevitable, but cosmetic dentures can help brighten your smile and make you feel young again!
Which Sunscreen is Best?
Summer is here! Have you been protecting yourself against sun exposure? When selecting a sunscreen, go for the “broad spectrum” protection. Sunscreens with this label protect against both UVA and UVB rays. Make sure your sunscreen has a sun protection factor of 30 or higher. The SPF number is the level of protection the sunscreen provides against harmful rays. Higher SPF numbers do mean more protection, but the higher you go, the smaller the difference becomes. Secondly, look at the ingredients. Physical blockers (titanium dioxide, zinc oxide) provide the best protection and cause less skin irritation than chemical sunscreens.
Allergy Season Is Back
Many people suffering from head pressure, itchy eyes, and a runny or stuffy nose this allergy season will find only temporary relief, or no relief at all, from over the counter remedies. Alternative approaches, such as nutritional supplementation and Biofeedback focus on more than just symptomatic relief. They enable the body’s ability to remove existing allergens imbedded in the sinus tissues, thereby minimizing the histamine and inflammatory reactions. This stops the over-production of mucus that the body makes to try and push the allergens out. Take a different approach this allergy season – treat the cause, not just the symptoms.
Healing Through Blood Flow
BEMER is changing the way we think about our health, challenging our understanding of the human body, and empowering us to reach optimal physical condition in a natural, non-invasive way. If micro-circulation to each cell is improved, cardiac function is enhanced, strength and energy increase, mental acuity and concentration are improved, detoxification processes improve, stress is reduced and sleep improves! ALL 100 trillion cells in the body are affected by blood flow, so ALL cells have a chance at healing. Imagine feeling better tomorrow than you do today!
Treating Stress with Acupuncture
Stress can be managed through several traditional therapies. Did you know that Acupuncture will stimulate your brain with several chemical reactions to reduce stress? Stress activates the sympathetic nervous system, while acupuncture can activate the opposing parasympathetic nervous system, which initiates the relaxation response. Research has shown that acupuncture may specifically benefit symptoms of stress by deactivating the ‘analytical’ brain, which is responsible for anxiety and worry. This therapy regulates levels of neurotransmitters and hormones such as serotonin, noradrenaline, and dopamine, thus altering the brain’s mood chemistry to help to combat negative affective states.
