HealthyLife Articles

Category: Uncategorized

  • Brighter, Whiter Smile

    WELL-BEING

    Image of older couple smiling.

    Whitening procedures and products can help restore a whiter smile. But there’s a dark side to whitening your teeth, according to the Pennsylvania Dental Association. Certain tooth whitening procedures being done by nondentists at salons, spas, and even shopping malls may not be what’s right for you.

    The association says to have a thorough exam performed by a licensed dentist before having any tooth whitening procedure. You may have problems with some of the solutions especially if you have many fillings, crowns, and extremely dark stains.

    After a thorough exam, your dentist can determine if bleaching is right for you. The following are common treatment options your dentist may recommend:

    *Prescription bleaching kits.These are dispensed by a licensed dentist and contain peroxides that will bleach the tooth enamel. Gel whiteners are placed in a tray similar to a mouth guard. By obtaining the bleaching solution from your dentist, he or she can make a custom-fitted tray specifically designed to fit your teeth. Poorly fitting trays can irritate your gums and cause tissue burning.

    *Zoom whitening.Also known as power whitening, this is a high concentration of hydrogen peroxide gel coupled with a high-intensity light used to whiten the teeth. This in-office procedure takes about one hour. The teeth whitening lasts about three years.

    *Whitening toothpaste.This will not change the natural color of teeth, but some contain a special chemical or polishing agent to help remove stains from the tooth surface.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Gas Leak

    WELL-BEING

    Illustration of 911 Emergency written.

    Be aware of all the possible signs of a gas leak, including a distinct unpleasant smell. The odor is added to natural gas to help identify leaks.

    If a leak is suspected:

    *  Stay calm.

    *  Don’t light a match, candle, or cigarette, and don’t turn any electrical devices on or off, including light switches, or use any device or equipment that could cause a spark.

    *  Immediately evacuate the area where the leak is suspected and from a safe location call your gas company or 911.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • If You Help Others, You’Ll Be Healthier

    WELL-BEING

    Image of a group of volunteers.

    The benefits of volunteering or helping other people seem to pay off for the giver and not necessarily the receiver.

    Providing tangible help to others protects your health and may lengthen your life, according to a 5-year study by researchers at 3 universities.

    The lead researcher Dr. Michael J. Poulin, assistant professor of psychology at the University of Buffalo, says, “Giving assistance to others may offer health benefits to the giver by buffering the negative effects of stress.” The study was published in the American Journal of Public Health.

    Here’s why giving works. The study subjects were people from Detroit. They told researchers they had experienced stressful events during the past year such as serious illness, burglary, job loss, financial troubles, or death of a family member. They also reported the amount of time they had spent in the past year helping friends, neighbors or relatives who did not live with them. They did errands, shopping and housework. They also provided transportation, child care and other tasks.

    The researchers concluded that helping others reduced the risk of illness and death by protecting the givers, even though they themselves had significant life stress. The social interaction was an important factor.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • National Preparedness

    WELL-BEING

    Image of emergency kit.

    Floods, tornadoes and hurricanes are common stories in the news. Would you and your family be ready for these weather disasters and other unexpected events, such as a house fire or a terrorist attack?

    The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in the US Department of Homeland Security wants you to learn what you need to do to be prepared for a variety of disasters. Its website,www.ready.gov, takes you through the following steps to make preparation easier:

    *  Be informed

    *  Make a plan

    *  Build a kit

    *  Get involved

    Each of these areas covers what to do when you are at home, as well as other locations. These include workplaces, schools, and college campuses. You will also find out ways to address caring for pets, aiding family members with access and functional needs and safely shutting off utilities.

    Pre-financial disaster planning is also important. Disasters leave many people without access to finances or with expensive damages. Learn what documents, such as your house deed and insurance policies to keep in a safety deposit box or other safe place away from your home. Make copies of important documents and keep them in your emergency kit or an emergency financial first aid kit (EFFAK). Get a complete list of what to put in the EFFAK fromwww.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/29791.

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has many resources and tools to help you be prepared for disasters. Access these fromwww.cdc.gov/features/beready.

    Some disasters strike without warning, so get started today to be prepared.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Safer Winter Driving For Under $30

    WELL-BEING

    Image of car driving down a snowy road.

    Rain, fog, snow, ice, and sleet-all the challenges of winter driving. You can’t control the weather, but you can take care to be prepared (and spend less than $30 to be safer), say auto claims experts from MetLife.

    *  Cold weather can cut the life of a car battery in half. Buy a battery tester for less than $1, and check the health of your battery to make sure you won’t be left stranded out in the cold.

    *  Check to see if your antifreeze is at the recommended 50/50 ratio of antifreeze to water to protect your car’s cooling system from freezing. Buy an antifreeze tester for less than $2.

    *  Properly inflated tires guarantee the best possible contact with the road, giving you more control. Check your air pressure to make sure it matches your tire guidelines. Air pressure drops as the temperature drops.

    *  If your windshield wipers leave a streak across the windshield, it’s time to invest in winterized wiper-blade refills (around $7).

    *  Top off the windshield wiper fluid and always carry an extra gallon ($2).

    *  Buy an ice scraper and de-icer for about $2 to break up any ice that might be blocking your vision or clogging your locks.

    *  If your car is stuck in snow or ice, have a folding snow shovel (about $7) and a bag of cat litter (around $2) handy to dig yourself out and provide traction for your tires on the slippery surface.

    *  Keep free stuff from your home in your car: old blankets, hats, gloves.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Are Your Ears Ringing?

    WELL-BEING

    Women covering her ears with her fingers.

    Ringing in the ears, known as tinnitus, is not a disease. It’s a symptom of something wrong with your body’s hearing system. And, it may not be “ringing” at all. Some people hear sounds like roaring, hissing, clicking or buzzing.

    Experts think that tinnitus happens when certain nerve cells are out of balance. This makes a person hear a sound that isn’t really there.

    Why does it happen?

    Tinnitus can be caused by many different things. Some possible causes include:

    *  Certain medicines – see a doctor right away if this happens. Tinnitus can be a serious side effect.

    *  High blood pressure

    *  Being around loud noises

    *  Sinus infections

    *  Brain injuries

    *  Injuries to the neck or head

    * .  Anemia

    *  Thyroid problems

    *  Autoimmune diseases

    *  Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders

    Sometimes a person has tinnitus without being able to identify an obvious cause.

    Can I make it stop?

    There is no cure for all types of tinnitus. But, if your doctor can find out what’s causing it, there may be a treatment to resolve the issue. For instance, you might need treatment for high blood pressure or a sinus or ear infection.

    Some people have tinnitus because they also have some hearing loss. That’s why using a hearing aid may be helpful in these cases.

    If there’s no obvious cause, other things may help. They include:

    *  Wearable sound generators. These small devices fit inside the ear. They create a soft, pleasant noise that helps you ignore the sound of tinnitus.

    *  White noise machines or sound machines. Some people notice tinnitus more at night. This is probably because when you’re lying down in a quiet room, the tinnitus is easier to hear. For these times, you may benefit from a machine that plays noise while you sleep to override the tinnitus sound.

    *  Antidepressants or anti-anxiety medicines. Some people have severe tinnitus that interferes with their life. Tinnitus can cause anxiety or depression. In these cases, medicine to treat these health conditions can help.

    If you notice sounds or ringing in your ears, see your doctor. They may be able to help you find a solution that improves your quality of life.

    Sources: American Tinnitus Association, National Institutes of Health

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Healthy Aging

    Mature Health: Over Age 50

    Grandparents playing with 2 young grandkids.

    Physical activity is a cornerstone of healthy aging. Studies show people who exercise regularly live longer and may live better, without pain or disability.

    If you exercise on a regular basis, good for you! Keep it up! If not, now is the time to start. Check with a doctor before you begin an exercise program. Choose activities you can do and enjoy. Start out slowly and progress slowly. Some exercise is better than no exercise.

    Research shows that eating a Mediterranean-style diet has both physical and mental health benefits that support healthy aging. This eating style includes plenty of vegetables and fruit, whole grains, healthy fats, more fish and less processed foods.

    Staying mentally active is linked to physical and mental health and may reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Find ways to lower stress and increase emotional well-being.

    Exercise your memory and your mind. Continue to learn new things. Read. Join a club.

    Health at Home Lifetime book by the American Institute for Preventive Medicine. www.HealthyLife.com. All rights reserved.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • 10 Ways To Get The Most Out Of Midlife

    SELF-CARE CORNER

    Image of couple dancing.

    Are your best years ahead? A national survey of women between the ages of 35 and 49, sponsored in partnership with the National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health and Teva Women’s Health shows that more than three-quarters of women in midlife say the best years are ahead, not behind. Yet midlife is notoriously known as a time of crisis. Women’s health expert, Dr. Judith Reichman, tells how women are seizing the midlife moment and making new choices related to their health.

    If you have not already joined the ranks of women enjoying midlife, here are 10 ways to get the most out of these years:

    1. Don’t obsess about those 8 glasses of water each day. Drink when you are thirsty and when you are exercising briskly. Too much water reduces the impact of electrolytes and strains the bladder.

    2. Focus on family bonding. Often midlife crises for women are not an age phenomenon but rather due to the very significant changes that occur in the lives of our growing-up children and our maturing (we hope) partners.

    3. Spend more time with your partner. Don’t wait until the nest is already empty. This is the time to rediscover why you fell in love in the first place.

    4. Rev up the love life. You are free to go on dates with your partner-real dates!

    5. Periodically reevaluate your choice of birth control. The second-highest rates of unplanned pregnancies occur in midlife.

    6. Worry more about you. PMS gets worse with age, and work and family responsibilities continue to rise, so it is important to establish de-stressing routines, including setting aside time to exercise and visit with friends.

    7. Cut down on salt, reduce your caloric intact by 100-200 calories per day and boost your calcium and vitamin D intake. By midlife, most women are at high risk for high blood pressure and heart disease. Cutting salt can save your life and set up your family for healthy habits as they get older.

    8. Embrace your desire to sleep. Now is the time to develop good sleep habits to prepare you for the next stage of life as hormonal changes during menopause increase sleep troubles.

    9. Do something you thought you would never have time for. Take up a new hobby or go back to an activity you love-knitting, dancing, learning, or volunteering. Do something that makes you feel good about yourself.

    10. See your doctor. You have always made sure everyone else in the family gets a yearly check-up, but what about you? Schedule those yearly health screenings and don’t neglect your own health.

    Judith Reichman, MD, is an attending physician in gynecology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and author of Slow Your Clock Down: The Complete Guide to a Healthy, Younger You.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine