Home Authors Posts by admin

admin

484 POSTS 1 COMMENTS

4 Things A Hearing Specialist Can Do For You

Nov 15, 2015

3468

Remember back in grade school when we had those mandatory vision and hearing screenings? It was the greatest day! Spelling lists and multiplication tables got put on hold while the entire first grade was taken, class by class, to the nurse’s office where they recorded our height and weight. Then we went into a room full of mysterious magic. One guy asked you to look at some chart while covering an eye. Next you sat down and put these crazy headphones on while another guy asked you to raise your hand when you heard a beep.

Chances are the person sitting behind you that day was an audiologist.

Audiologists actually provide a lot more services than just screening for hearing, and there’s a good chance one could offer some help to you. A quality ENT office might even have one on staff, and at the very least your primary care physician is going to have an audiologist he or she prefers to work with.

Today’s hearing specialist can do a lot more for you than just making sure elementary children don’t have an undiagnosed hearing problem.

Preventative Care

One of the best services a hearing expert will offer you is suggestions and product to protect your hearing in the first place. Hearing loss is one of those things that is permanent, so the more you can do to prevent loss in the first place, the better off you’ll be. And it’s more than just wearing ear protection when you mow the lawn. They can design custom ear plugs that help block out unwanted noise–anything from the average earbuds for casual listening to special purpose earphones professional musician’s use. Having the right fit when it comes to ear protection is one of the key steps to avoiding permanent damage to your hearing.

Balance

A few years after we got that hearing test, we learned a really cool thing about the ear canal. It’s how we balance. We’d been testing it for years spinning around on those tires on the playground. Who knew? An audiologist is there for you when your tire swing days are long behind you and you’re having unexplained balance issues. He or she will provide you with a test for the symptoms and along with your doctor recommend a program of rehabilitation to get you to feeling better and address the problem.

Tinnitus

1 in 5 people suffers from what is commonly thought of as a ringing or buzzing in the ears. The technical term for it is tinnitus. It can be caused by an adverse reaction to medications or it might indicate an underlying health problem. Either way, an audiologist has specialized in determining the severity and helping locate an exact cause for the problem.

Hearing Loss

Of course, if you’re already suffering from hearing loss, you may need to look at a hearing aid to help. Fortunately, hearing aids today are smaller and more advanced than ever, and you guessed it, an audiologist is going to be an expert on these as well. At very least, he or she is going to sit you back in that chair and run another hearing test, only this time it’s going to be much more sophisticated and probably more accurate.

It’s been a long time since we lined up outside that nurse’s office. If you’re having any problems with your balance or hearing, or if you want to make sure you never do, it’s probably time to put those headphones on again.

Personal Trainer Will Keep You On The Track To Success

Nov 15, 2015

2467

When you go to the gym, oftentimes, you get there with plenty of energy, but in less than an hour you are dragging around and sometimes you even go home early. Does that sound like you? If so, then you are not alone. Everyday hundreds of gym goers start their day with good intentions but many of them fail to reach their daily workout goals due to lack of motivation. If you are like most of us then you will probably benefit from hiring a personal trainer.

One great thing about working with a personal trainer is the fact that you will always have someone pushing you to reach your fitness goals. Most trainers are great motivators and they know just how to get you to keep up with your workout. Trainers are high energy people and that energy can rub off on you causing you to work harder and longer on your fitness goals. When you work out alone it can be boring and mundane but when you have someone there with you it makes it more exciting.

Another good reason to hire a personal trainer to work with you is that they will be able to help you develop a workout plan. Once your body and your mind get into a proper routine it will be much easier to make it to the gym and to actually work towards a fitness goal. While some people can stick to a routine on their own, most people need help to establish one in the beginning. After the routine has become second nature, it won’t even seem like work at all. What’s not to love about that? If personal fitness is your goal, contact personal trainers in Toronto today.

Trainers will be able to teach you proper forms and techniques. This is really important and can help prevent you from getting hurt while lifting weights and working out. Having proper form will allow you to build muscle faster and help burn calories quicker. If you are wondering why you are not seeing any results from your workouts, this might be the reason.

Trainers will help you maximize your workout which will help you reduce the amount of time you will need to spend at the gym. Trainers will teach you shortcuts that will allow you to strengthen your workout and reduce time all at once. This is great for those who are very busy or need to spend less time at the gym.

Massage Therapy Is Part Of An Active Lifestyle

Nov 15, 2015

5223

Massage therapy�has become extremely popular because it not only helps in relaxation of the body but is also used as a preventative treatment option for various ailments. The�benefits of massage based therapy�are wide and varied. For lower back pain, for instance, massage work better than spinal modification and acupuncture. A massage will lessen your reliance on painkillers by as much as 36%. Headaches, particularly migraines, can also be controlled using massages and have been shown to help people sleep better. In osteoarthritis patients, massages are effective against fatigue and nausea, swelling, and pain. The side effects of the treatment for cancer are also relieved or controlled to a certain extent when massages are used as complementary treatment. A large number of studies reveal the efficacy of massages against anxiety and depression.

There are two main kinds of massage therapies – rehabilitative and relaxing. Relaxing massages or Swedish massages work on the top layers of the muscles. The strokes are kneading, long and soft or involve tapping. A Swedish massage can not only help to relax the body but also works to energize the person. The first stroke is usually effleurage that relaxes the soft tissue of the body. It is then followed by petrissage where the muscles are rolled and kneaded. Friction strokes are circular and deep, aimed at causing friction between the tissues so as to help with blood flow. Finally, tapotement strokes (tapping) are performed by cupping the hands and fingers.For the best massage in Toronto drop by the Medical Massage Boutique. The skilled masseuses at Medical Massage Boutique can provide both rehabilitative massage and relaxing massage.

Rehabilitative massages offer deep tissue massage. This kind of massage therapy is aimed to relax and rehabilitate specific areas of the body that are causing trouble. This refers to areas where the muscles are stiff or painful. Deliberate and slow strokes are used on the trouble spots so that the layers of tissue under the skin are massaged. Tendons and muscles that are sore can be massaged using this therapy option. Back sprains and muscle injuries along with chronic pain ailments are usually treated using deep tissue massage.

Pregnancy massages are also quite popular and come in two varieties – pre and postnatal massage therapy. These massages focus on the pain, anxiety and stress that a woman’s body goes through before and after pregnancy. Pregnancy massages lower anxiety levels, reduce pain in the leg and back, help with sleep, reduce levels of norepinephrine (stress hormone), increase dopamine and serotonin levels, reduce cortisol, and help in mood management. Commonly, pregnancy massages are conducted on a special table and include deep tissue massage, Swedish massage, and Shiatsu massage.

All in all, people who lead an active lifestyle can benefit a lot from massage because they can help to counteract the cons of such a lifestyle. They can help with both pain and stress, and improve quality of life.

Is Anorexia a Form of Female Autism?

Oct 3, 2015

3083

Recently, a lot of attention was devoted to the issue of anorexia and the ways of treating it. The specificities of this well-known disorder were analyzed in a different light, which led scientists to find unexpected results and conclusions.

Continue

E-cigs: the safer alternative to smoking?

Sep 30, 2015

2981

No less a body than Public Health England said recently that vaping was safer than smoking and could lead to the end of the traditional cigarette. The pronouncement came in the form of a 111-page review of the product, and was packed with juicy titbits for the pro-vaper; e-cigarettes are apparently 95% less harmful than normal tobacco, and could one day be dished out by the NHS.

The news was greeted enthusiastically by many within the industry, and reinforced the groundswell of support that is pushing smokers towards this new-but-not-actually-new replacement. PHE’s conclusions have been replicated and endorsed by hundreds of other studies globally, mainly showing that the thousands of toxins, poisons and dangerous chemicals found in tobacco smoke are largely absent in the moisture created by vaping.

In Scotland it is estimated that one in 20 of the population are using e-cigarettes. Smoking is dropping across the world � in the past year alone the smoking rate fell by 10% in the US. There are now around two million ex-smokers who use e-cigarettes in America, while research from last year found that the proportion of adults smoking in the UK had fallen to its lowest level since measurements began, back in the 1940s.

Such is the support for e-cigarettes that veteran tobacco companies are muscling in on the market. British American tobacco recently signed an agreement to buy e-cigarette manufacturer CHIC.

There is still resistance, particularly in Wales. While the general Welsh public is slightly against it, the Welsh Assembly’s Health and Social Care Committee is still considering a ban on the use of e-cigarettes in enclosed public and work spaces. Officials believe that the use of e-cigarettes normalises the tobacco culture, and could act as a gateway into the use of tobacco.

The evidence suggests otherwise. In fact, if that were the case there would surely be more of an outcry from the general public, and especially concerned parents and guardians. The reverse is true, signified in stories such as the tale of Manchester teenager Mason Dunn whose e-cigarette was confiscated by his school. The Daily Mail reported that the 14-year-old’s mother Sue had purchased the device to try to wean him off the smoking habit, which started when his father died.

The very fact that this is a story shows that schools such as Kearsley Academy are still regarding vaping and smoking as kindred spirits, and they’re not alone as we’ve seen in Wales.

So why do many other parties regard vaping as more healthy? The lack of toxins such as tar and carbon monoxide in an e-cigarette, which are meticulously tested by e-liquid manufacturers, is an obvious starting point. Nicotine is addictive but has few other damaging qualities. There’s little social stigma as there is no smoke to carry to other people, and it doesn’t damage nails, teeth and hair. Pound for pound it could also be cheaper as well, so it is safer for your wallet.

The evidence continues to mount and there are still sceptics too willing to lump smoking and vaping together. However, if the NHS steps in that may be enough to convince the doubters.

An Overview on Mesothelioma

Life Style

Sep 25, 2015

3387

Although asbestos is no longer as available and utilized now as it was a few decades back, it remains to be a threat to human health. Every year, about 2,500 to 3,000 people are diagnosed with mesothelioma in the United States alone. Such numbers make it even more important for people to be more aware of this lesser-known disease, as well as the role that asbestos plays in its development.

What is Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive type of lung cancer that commonly affects the linings of the lungs and chest. Known to be almost exclusively caused by exposure to asbestos (often in the workplace), it can take somewhere between 20 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos before any symptoms can start appearing.

How is it diagnosed?

Mesothelioma, unfortunately, does not usually cause any symptoms to show early on. In fact, having symptoms early is rare. A lot of patients may even ignore the symptoms that start to come out at first, often mistaking them for minor problems, thus making it common for patients to be diagnosed with mesothelioma only several months after starting to experience symptoms.

The first step of diagnosis involves a physical exam, and an interview that asks about occupational as well as medical histories. A PFT or a Pulmonary Function Test may also be performed to check how well the patient’s lungs are working. If these exams and questions suggest a diagnosis of mesothelioma, the doctor then confirms it with other tests that include biopsies, imaging scans, and blood tests, among others. Typically, doctors perform chest x-rays first, and if an abnormal growth is detected, other scans such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT) scan, or a positron emission tomography (PET) scan are ordered. Biopsies are utilized to confirm the type of cancer that the patient is afflicted with.

How does asbestos cause a person to develop mesothelioma?

Asbestos, by itself, does not normally pose any threat to human health. However, when disturbed, it can cause microscopic asbestos fibers to be distributed into the air, where it can be inhaled. When a person inhales these microscopic asbestos fibers, they can travel down through the respiratory tract, and through small airways where they can lodge into the linings of the lungs. In time, this can cause tissue scarring and genetic changes that often lead to pleural mesothelioma.

If your job puts you at risk for being exposed to this deadly substance, get certified on asbestos safety. Avoid putting yourself and your family at risk for exposure to asbestos. As there is no known cure for mesothelioma, the best way to avoid developing this disease is still through prevention.

Childhood Asthma: Symptoms & Treatments infographic

Sep 25, 2015

2695

FilterBuy

Ever Dreamt to Get Rid of Insomnia?

Sep 23, 2015

2434

Insomnia is one of the most frequent sleeping disorders affecting practically half of the population based on the data of different researches. Moreover, more than ten percent of that number was diagnosed with a long-lasting, chronic form of the disorder.

Continue

7 advances in medicine that have changed the way we treat patients

Life Style

Sep 21, 2015

2648

From infection control to vaccinations, medicine has come on leaps and bounds over the years with scientists and doctors working together to keep people healthy. While it takes much time, energy, research and money to improve the health system, breakthroughs and innovative procedures are happening all the time, so let’s take a look at seven medical advances that have changed the way we treat patients.

1. Improved mobility

Any hospital worker will tell you how difficult it can be to move hospital patients around without the correct mobility equipment. Thankfully, there are now a wide range of products including the hospital bed castors here which lighten loads significantly and make it far easier for medical staff to manoeuvre their patients through hospital corridors with ease.

2. Human Genome Project

Ground-breaking and ambitious, The Genome Project tasked scientists to find, map and understand the genome of human beings and while challenging, a completed draft sequencing of all human genes was announced in 2003. Not only did this help researchers to identify single genes that cause diseases but it also allowed them to create better treatments.

3. Stem cell research

By studying and watching stem cells mature, scientists have been able to get a better understand of how diseases and conditions develop which in turn has helped them to find more appropriate cures. Stem cell research has also revealed that cells can be guided into specific cells that can be used to repair and regenerate diseased or damage tissue in people.

4. HIV treatment

While most people are aware of the dangers of HIV these days, the virus which causes AIDs wasn’t actually identified until 1983. Treatment used to require a complex cocktail of medicines, but Atripla changed all that by combining antiretroviral drugs into one complex pill. Medical advances such as this are just one of the many milestones seen in the 30 years since HIV was diagnosed and while there is no cure yet, perhaps there will be in the future.

5. Targeted cancer therapies

Cancer can spread if it’s not caught early and treated quickly. The good news is, targeted cancer therapies interfere with the spread of cancer blocking cells involved in tumour growth. They can also kill harmful cancer cells and are much more direct that chemotherapy/radiotherapy which tends to kill the healthy cells that our bodies need to recover.

6. Laparoscopic surgery

Thanks to laparoscopic surgery, patients no longer have to endure long operations and painful recovery periods for simple procedures such as gallbladder removal, hernia repair and appendectomies. Laparoscopic surgeries also tend to be quicker, less invasive and leave smaller scars.

7. HPV vaccine

The first Human Papillomavirus vaccine was approved by the FDA in 2006 and protects against the strains of HPV that can cause cervical cancer and genital warts. Three injections are issued over a six-month period giving females more control over their gynaecological health.

Medicine has come on leaps and bounds over the years and it’s sure to keep improving, leading to some exciting and life-saving changes.

5 Treatments to Help You Beat Depression When SSRIs Don’t Work

Sep 19, 2015

4588

If you suffer from depression symptoms that don’t abate, or don’t abate entirely, with conventional treatments, you’re not the only one. Treatment-resistant depression is very common. Thirty to 40 percent of the 13 to 14 million Americans who are diagnosed with depression each year won’t experience full recovery, or any recovery, with standard SSRI treatment.

While SSRIs are great for those who respond to them, for those who don’t respond to these drugs the prospects can be grim. Without treatment for your depression, you’re at a greater risk of substance abuse and suicide or suicide attempts. Even if you don’t succumb to substance abuse or act on suicidal thoughts, you’re still left living with the misery of untreated depression. But if SSRIs aren’t working for you, there’s hope. Exercise, meditation, cognitive-behavioral therapy, acupuncture, and a new treatment known as ketamine infusion therapy have all been shown to bring relief for treatment-resistant depression.

1. Exercise

Exercise has many health benefits, but did you know it can also treat mild to moderate depression? A recent review of research going all the way back to 1981 found that regular exercise can treat mild to moderate depression and may even help relieve the symptoms of severe depression. Researchers believe it’s because exercise stimulates the production of feel-good hormones called endorphins, which improve mood, reduce your perception of pain, and boost your immunity. Exercise can also cause your brain to produce norepinephrine, a neurotransmitter that works to elevate mood.

Aerobic exercise is best for treating depression symptoms, but it doesn’t need to be vigorous; maintaining a brisk walking pace is sufficient. You’ll need to exercise for at least 35 to 60 minutes a day for at least five days a week in order to feel mood benefits from exercise.

2. Ketamine Infusion Therapy

Ketamine is a veterinary tranquilizer that has gained a bad reputation as an illegal party drug. But emerging research suggests that ketamine infusion therapy may be an effective � and fast-acting � treatment for moderate to severe depression. Ketamine infusion therapy relieves symptoms even in those who suffer from severe, treatment-resistant depression. Unlike most antidepressants on the market, which take four to six weeks to bring about symptom improvement, ketamine infusion therapy works fast. It works so fast that it’s been used in emergency rooms to bring about rapid symptom relief in people experiencing suicidal ideation. While the effects wear off eventually, ketamine infusion therapy can bring about symptoms relief long enough for moderate to severe depression sufferers to benefit from other treatments.

3. Meditation

Meditation benefits the brain in just as many ways as exercise benefits the body. A Johns Hopkins-led review of 18,000 studies found that mindfulness meditation was just as effective as antidepressants at treating depression symptoms. Overall, researchers found that just eight weeks of mindfulness meditation practice was enough to bring about an improvement in symptoms. Of course, the longer you practice regular meditation, the more your symptoms will improve. Meditation, like antidepressants, is most effective when paired with other treatments.

4. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of many effective psychotherapies for depression treatment. CBT teaches depression sufferers to identify and root out unhealthy patterns of thought, feeling, and behavior that can lead to depressed mood. In CBT, you’ll learn to make real change to distorted patterns of behavior and thought that lead to depressed feelings, while learning healthy, productive ways to cope with the normal challenges of life. CBT is most effective when combined with another form of treatment, such as ketamine infusion therapy, meditation, exercise, or all three.

5. Acupuncture

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese medical practice that uses thin needles to remove blockages in the qi, or life energy, that flows through the body along meridian lines, according to traditional Chinese practitioners. While the traditional theory of why acupuncture works may or may not be valid, Western research suggests that acupuncture may be an effective treatment for depression. According to one study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, acupuncture can improve depression symptoms just as dramatically as SSRIs, and improvement occurs much more quickly, with patients experiencing symptom relief after just two weeks of treatment.

Are you struggling with treatment-resistant depression? Have SSRIs failed you? Well, you’re not out of options. There are many effective alternative and complementary treatments for depression. By combining one or more alternative treatments with psychotherapy, you could experience the symptom relief you so desperately need.

Prev 1...212223...49 Next

Page 22 of 49