Our sense of smell is an important part of physical, mental, and spiritual health. – Avidity Medical Scentations (http://aviditymedicalscentations.com)
When you buy your friend or family member scented soaps or candles, you actually provide them with the valuable benefits of aromatherapy, especially in a relaxing stress-free environment, and especially after a hard day’s work. Aromatherapy has been around since the time of Hippocrates. But, like many ancient remedies, it has been relegated to alternative medicine. Modern Western medicine generally uses pharmacology and medical procedures to heal the body. However, it is slowly coming around to recognize the impact the olfactory system has on the body.
The Olfactory System and Your Health
The olfactory system is your body’s sense of smell. Amazingly, scientists claim it can distinguish somewhere between 30,000 and 1 trillion scents.
You might think olfactory cells would be confined to the nasal region of the human body, but they are everywhere! Olfactory cells exist in the heart, intestines, liver, and skin, among many other organs.
Since these scent cells are all over your body, it is not surprising that aromatherapy could offer many kinds of health benefits.
Benefits of Aromatherapy and Science
Research has offered somewhat inconclusive results because the methods used in aromatherapy are not standardized. Furthermore, the results depend on personal responses. However, the studies focusing on benefits reveal potential breakthroughs in pain relief and the reduction of stress and anxiety.
Most of its supporters can attest to the benefits of aromatherapy that research has supported. These benefits break down into several primary categories:
Physical Health.
Mental Health.
Spiritual Health.
Emotional Health.
Science doesn’t have all the answers. However, it does offer evidence of the benefits of aromatherapy that fit into these three categories. For example, headache or other pain relief (physical) and stress reduction (mental and/or spiritual).
Scented Products and Your Health
When considering scented products for yourself or as a gift, there are many reasons to choose a product. One of those reasons should be the impact a certain scent could have on your health. Not only will you enjoy the pleasure of the scent or the memories that it evokes, but you may experience the reduction of medical symptoms that could greatly enhance your life.
Visit Avidity Medical Scentations and sign up to receive our product notifications. Each candle or soap will offer you the therapeutic benefits of aromatherapy. It also comes with an inspirational message to remind you to maintain good mental, physical, and spiritual health in everyday living.
Our sense of smell is very complex, and it is interconnected to the rest of our body through our olfactory system. Scientists and healthcare professionals may not understand exactly how or why it works. However, they are beginning to understand that it is an important part of physical, mental, and spiritual health. Take steps now to support your health and well being. Go to Avidity Medical Scentations to sign up for notifications on our healthcare candles and soaps. Each candle or soap includes a health care reminder message to remind you to take steps to maintain your health and well being every day.
Most people have no idea how to interpret medical terminology. If you are entering the medical field, you will find many unfamiliar terms that may appear to be confusing at first. This course teaches you how to combine medical word parts to form complete medical terms. Medical terms that may initially appear to be complicated are very easy to learn and understand once you understand the parts that form the entire word. As you learn new medical terms, you will also learn how to apply each term that you learn to everyday life. This reinforces your knowledge and helps you remember what you learn.
Listen to “How to Learn Basic Medical Terminology” Podcast – Click Here to Sign Up Now!
Many people know that eating fruits and vegetables are good for the diet, but eating certain types of fruit and vegetables can also lower your risk of getting certain medical diseases and disorders such as cardiovascular disease (protect your heart), diabetes (lower your blood sugar), obesity (lose weight), and diverticular disease (protect your colon health). This course shows you how certain types of fruits and vegetables can help you prevent certain diseases and disorders.
Taking online courses sounds like a great idea at first glance. There’s no need to go to a physical location, you can study and complete your work when it’s convenient for you, and the courses are by and large less expensive than traditional courses are. The problem many students realize is that study time becomes even more important when there’s no class time.
That’s why it’s important to minimize all possible distractions so you can get the most out of your study time.
In order to avoid distractions you need to have answers to all of the basic questions before you sit down to work. Who, What, When, Where, How (we know why you’re studying, so you get that answer for free).
– Who: Are you studying alone, or with someone else? Some students work best in solitude, while others work well with someone to keep them on task.
– What: What are you studying? Pick a given thing to study in a session and study that. Maybe it’s a review of chapters 1-3, or just a discussion of the last lesson, but you need to know what you’re studying in order to stay focused.
– When: Different times of day come with different distractions. Late night studying is ideal for some students because it means there’s quiet and roommates or children are asleep. Early mornings might be better, particularly if there are fewer demands on your attention. Once you’ve selected a time make sure you stick to it as best as possible, and inform people who might need to get hold of you that you’re not to be interrupted during this time if it isn’t an emergency.
– Where: Your location is a prime consideration when it comes to distractions. Studying in a familiar place like your bedroom might sound like a good idea but are you surrounded by too many distractions? Your TV with recorded episodes of your favorite show, friends and family stopping by to chat, and worst of all your bed constantly tempting you with a nap. Often it’s a good idea to pick a location where you have nothing else to focus on, such as the library. If leaving home isn’t an option then picking a spot like the basement or the kitchen where there are fewer distractions is a smart idea.
– How: Different people learn in different ways, and it’s important to know how you learn best before you start studying. If you’re the kind of student who can just crack open a book and read that’s great, but if that approach is going to bore you then you’re going to fade quickly and your attention is going to wander. Do you need a video that shows you examples of what you’re studying to focus? Do you need silence or loud music to concentrate? Do you need to take breaks every 20 minutes or so, or are you the sort of student who if you lose your momentum will never get it back? You need to know what works best for you before you get set up.
If you have answers to the above questions then you have the broad strokes of what you need to do to avoid distractions while you study. There are some specific things that can help if you find your attention wandering though.
– Turn Off Your Communicators: Studying is hard enough without people trying to get hold of you. As such you should close any chat or social media programs you have going that aren’t necessary, and you should turn off notifications on your phone. Leave text or the ringer on, but ignore the rest until you’re done.
– Shut Your Doors: An open door is an invitation to poke one’s head in and see what’s going on. Whether the doors are real (like your bedroom door) or metaphorical (your computer’s connection to the Internet) keep them closed until you’re done.
– Study in Small Doses: It’s a lot easier to study for half an hour or forty minutes a night for a week than it is to study for two hours a night for two days before a test. Your attention is less likely to wander if you just need to take a bite than if you try to eat the whole horse at once.
If you need more tips for making the most of your study time then contact us today!
Medical terminology is important if you work in the healthcare field. It is the basis for all that you will do. It is used to describe symptoms, diagnoses, tests that need to be ordered and ran, and special medical equipment. The terminology is spoken and written in charts so you must learn to say, spell, and read medical terms.
It allows all healthcare workers to communicate in one language.
You will use it every day when you work in the healthcare field.
If you have to get your medical dictionary out every time you get asked to do something, you will be wasting valuable time. Nurses, doctors, and other health care professionals do not have time to waste, especially in an emergency situation.
One small mistake can make a big difference. You could give the wrong medication or just give the right medication the wrong way. It can be the difference between ordering the right test or the wrong one! You need to understand medical terms.
Common abbreviations are used in patient records. This helps doctors and nurses write quickly and efficiently in the records so that they can be onto the next patient. It also allows you to read and understand the records quickly.
If you want to do a great job in the health care field, you need to learn medical terminology and understand it! You do not want to have to reach for a medical dictionary every time you are told to do something. If you are unsure, it is better to check your dictionary than get something wrong. However, with a basic understanding of medical terminology, you will be able to communicate quickly and efficiently with other healthcare professionals.
Sheila D. McCray, MS, CCS, CCS-P, is the principal of Avidity Medical Design Consultants, LLC, and Avidity Medical Design Academy. She holds a B.A. in Journalism with a specialization in advertising from Temple University, and an M.S. in Instructional and Performance Technology from Boise State University. She also holds certifications in inpatient and outpatient medical coding, medical transcription, medical claims processing, clinical trials research for pharmaceutical development, microbiology, desktop publishing, and other specialties. Based in Texas, she has worked in the healthcare field since 1987, beginning in Pennsylvania, and continuing in Virginia. As a certified professor, she has taught for several online universities throughout the country. As a healthcare instructional designer, she teaches and develops hybrid curriculum for online students and online instructors, in all areas of allied health and health information management. She also develops her own line of online courses for Avidity Medical Design Academy. Follow the Avidity Medical Design Blog to stay up to date on the latest developments in healthcare. For instructional design consulting services, visit http://aviditymedicaldesign. To take an online healthcare course, or to review current course offerings, visit http://aviditymedicaldesignacademy.com. Check back regularly for updates on future healthcare courses currently being developed.
Suicide is a significant public health problem that leaves a lasting effect on your loved ones. In fact, it is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States generally and the 2nd leading cause of death in people aged 10 to 34. Here’s where the importance of suicide risk screening comes in.
Suicide Risk Screening
Suicide risk screening is a process that estimates the probability of someone attempting suicide or dying by committing suicide. It is also one of the most effective ways to prevent suicide, especially in children and adolescents.
How to Determine if You Need Suicide Risk Screening
You need a suicide risk assessment if you have the following:
A history of attempted suicide.
Family history of suicide attempts.
You suffer from depression.
You have been through family violence.
You have been in prison recently.
You experience chronic pain.
Your family has a history of depression as well as other mental illnesses.
Having a medical emergency kit is one of the things you at no time think you require until you do. They are essential for short-term survival providing core items to protect you from unforeseen events. Regarding any potential issue that may indicate a possible medical emergency seek a doctor’s advice.
Types of Medical Emergency Kits
First-aid kits
Emergency kits
Bleeding control kits
Biohazard kits
Hygiene kits
Workplace first aid kits
Burn kits
DIY Personal Medical Kit
Customizing your medical kit to meet your needs. Choose the type of kit you need, and the products you need to include in your kit. The kit should also be stored in a waterproof storage container, kept in an accessible place, checked, and resupplied every few months.
Your emergency kit should have items for your essential needs in the event of a natural disaster or an emergency event. A doctor’s or a clinic’s phone number should also be part of the essentials. Some of the vital components you should have in your medical emergency kits are:
Storage container
Wound dressings and closure (roller gauze, medical tape, triangular bandage, gauze pads)
Specialty equipment (for instance, an epi-pen)
Topical cleansers and treatments
Personal protective equipment (gloves, eye protection, and masks)
Trauma care equipment (CPR pocket masks, trauma shears)
Before creating your medical kit, consider taking a healthcare course to familiarize yourself with the healthcare field. Avidity Medical Design Academy offers a variety of courses in different areas of healthcare. The next step is to determine the type of kit you need, based on your lifestyle or your family’s lifestyle. List the contents of your kit, how many kits you will need, and add items to each kit periodically.
Importance and Benefits of Having a Medical Emergency Kit
Having an emergency kit can be invaluable when you need professional medical help, or your life is in danger and you are waiting for an ambulance to arrive. For example, you may not be able to suture a wound, but you can slow down the bleeding for as long as you can until help arrives.
Owning an emergency kit also ensures you are ready for any unforeseen medical events, especially for if you have a pre-existing illness.
Creating your medical emergency kit offers you and your family peace of mind.
Emergency medical kits are essential for fighting off stress as well as reducing the fear of the unknown.
Creating a medical emergency kit also helps lessen the worrying part by helping you anticipate potential medical emergencies ahead of time.
Circumstances That Necessitate Having a Medical Emergency Kit Around
Owning a medical emergency kit is imperative in preparing as well as protecting your household from unforeseen events. Some of the unexpected events that may necessitate having a medical emergency kit include:
Car accidents.
Allergies.
Asthma attacks.
Minor injuries.
1st and 2nd-degree burns.
Life-threatening medical conditions like diabetes.
You’ve probably heard the phrase “vital signs,” but you may not know how truly important they are. Vital signs are an objective and helpful way to get a quick snapshot of someone’s health — including your own. For vital signs to be useful, however, you first have to understand what they are and why they’re important.
What are Vital Signs?
Vital signs are an objective measurement of all the critical physiological functions of a person’s body. In healthcare, vital signs are the essential first step in evaluating someone’s health status. Whether in a doctor’s office for a routine check-up or in the emergency room preparing for surgery, healthcare professionals will take a person’s vital signs before providing care. Why? Because vital signs, though simple, offer a plethora of information about a person and help direct the care professionals provide.
Vital signs consist of four basic pieces of information:
Temperature: Normal Range 97.7 to 99.5 degrees Fahrenheit
A person’s temperature is typically taken with a thermometer by mouth, ear, or forehead. The normal temperature range is 97.7 to 99.5 degrees Fahrenheit. For example, a temperature of 102 degrees Fahrenheit may indicate a fever from an infection or dehydration. On the other hand, a low temperature of 90 degrees Fahrenheit may show that the person has been exposed to cold for too long or has an underactive thyroid.
Blood Pressure: Normal Number 120/80 mmHg
Blood pressure measures the force of blood against the walls of arteries as the heart pumps out blood and is obtained using a blood pressure device. The numbers on a blood pressure reading consist of two numbers, with one number (systolic) over another (diastolic).
Although “normal” blood pressure is 120/80 mmHg or lower, most people fall within a range of that number. Because blood pressure readings measure the force of blood pumped by the heart, it says a lot about the condition of a person’s heart and cardiovascular system. A person with repeated high blood pressure readings of 140/90 mmHg, for example, may have heart disease. In contrast, a person with a very low blood pressure reading of less than 90/60 mmHg may be suffering from heart failure or heatstroke.
Pulse: Normal Range 60 to 100 beats per minute
Typically taken while a person is resting, a normal range for a person’s pulse — also known as heart rate — has a wide span of 40 beats per minute because a normal pulse may vary from person to person.
A person’s pulse fluctuates depending on their emotions, illness, injury, or even how often they exercise. An athlete, for example, may have a normal pulse of about 55 or lower due to their healthy heart. A non-athlete with a slow pulse of 55, however, may have a heart problem. Conversely, someone who has a fever, heart issues, or experiencing severe pain may experience a fast heart rate of 130 beats per minute.
Respiratory Rate: 12 to 20 breaths per minute
Being able to breathe well is essential for life. Your breathing is one of the primary indicators of good health. A normal range for respiratory rate, also known as breathing rate, is 12 to 20 breaths per minute. For example, a low respiratory rate of 9 may indicate a drug overdose or carbon monoxide poisoning. A high respiratory rate of 24, however, may be a sign of a lung condition or pneumonia.
Vital Signs: Knowledge is Power
When it comes to your vital signs, knowledge is power. Taking your vital signs and knowing what the numbers mean can help guide you to make healthy decisions about your habits and lifestyle. Your vital signs show you whether you’re on the right path and what you need to address to make improvements.
Interested in a little self-care? Purchase scented candles and soaps through Avidity Medical SCENTations to pamper your skin and rejuvenate your mental, spiritual, physical, and emotional health.
Working out is an excellent way to maintain your health. It keeps one intellectually and emotionally balanced as well as physically fit. There are numerous ways to exercise, depending on one’s physical needs and comfort level; nonetheless, regardless of the type of exercise chosen, it is critical to take specific precautions to avoid workout injuries. Here are 10 common workout injuries and how to treat the injury.
Common Workout Injuries
When people exercise, they injure themselves in a variety of ways. Among the most common workout injuries are:
1. Shoulder Injury
The most prevalent cause of shoulder injury happens when performing shoulder-related activities too frequently without allowing the muscles and tendons to rest in between workouts. Working out hard can cause inflammation and injury to the rotator cuff.
Treatment for shoulder injuries differs depending on the severity and extent of the damage. Anti-inflammatory medication, injections, or physical therapy may treat smaller tears. However, surgery can usually treat total rotator cuff tears.
2. Muscle Pull and Strain
You will experience a muscle pull when your muscles become exhausted, overused, or used in the wrong way. Strains can affect any muscle, but the lower back, neck, shoulder, and hamstring are prevalent. Treatment of muscle pull and strain involves the use of ice, anti-inflammatory medication, and ice cubes to relieve mild to moderate pain. While severe pain will require medical treatment.
A wrist sprain is an injury to the ligament, while a wrist dislocation means the bones have been misaligned. Minor injuries can lead to chronic pain and suffering if not properly cared for and treated. Mild dislocation can be treated through reduction, while a severe case of wrist dislocation calls for surgery.
4. Achilles Tendinitis
Achilles tendinitis is one of the most common workout injuries that can occur to runners who increase the intensity of their running and end up injuring the Achilles tendon. The most common symptoms are heel discomfort and soreness. Rest and pain relievers are frequently used in conjunction with at-home treatment under the supervision of a doctor.
5. Sprained Ankle
When working out, you might twist, roll or even turn the ankle in an unusual way, causing a sprained ankle. As a result, the ligaments that maintain the ankle bones together might be stretched or torn. The degree of a sprained ankle determines the course of treatment. Self-care and over-the-counter pain relievers may help. However, you may need a medical examination to assess how seriously you’ve sprained your ankle and the recommended treatment.
6. Knee Injuries
Sprains and tears of soft tissues (e.g., ligaments, meniscus), fractures, and dislocations are the most common knee injuries. In many cases, injuries to the knee involve more than one structure. When you do strenuous workouts, you may end up getting a knee injury. The most frequent symptoms of a knee injury are pain and swelling. Furthermore, the knee can catch or lock.
7. Shin splint
Pain along the shin bone (tibia), the big bone in the front of your lower leg, is referred to as “shin splints.” Runners, dancers, and military recruits are all susceptible to shin splints. Shin splints, also known as medial tibial stress syndrome, are common among athletes who have recently increased or altered their training routines. Muscles, tendons, and bone tissue can become overworked as a result of increased activity.
You can treat shin splints with rest, ice, and over-the-counter pain relievers, and then you can resume your normal activities. In case of severe and persistent shin splint pain, visit your doctor right away to check for additional problems including a tibia stress fracture.
8. Hamstring Strain
A hamstring strain, often known as a strained hamstring, occurs when one or more leg muscles are overstretched and begin to tear. Hamstring strains can be minor, resulting in little pain and a quick recovery. They can sometimes be severe, necessitating surgery and weeks of crutches.
A hamstring strain is most commonly caused by muscle overload, such as when you’re jogging and your leg is completely extended immediately before your foot hits the ground. When your foot hits the ground and you put all of your weight on it, the muscles might become overstretched and tear.
9. Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar Fasciitis is a painful condition that affects runners. It is an inflammation of the bottom of the feet. A sharp, tight painful sensation at the base of the heel, similar to stepping on a nail, is a common characteristic of this condition. Overtraining, overuse, or the incorrect choice of footwear can cause this workout injury. Nevertheless, relief can be obtained by rolling the foot on a golf ball, cooling the painful area, and extending and strengthening the calf muscles.
10. Foot Numbness
Nerves in the torso, spine, legs, hips, feet, and ankles can become compressed, causing numbness in the feet and legs. To reduce numbness in the foot, you can perform the following therapies to reduce the symptoms: massage, mindful meditation, taking vitamin B supplements, and acupuncture. In addition, you can treat long-term foot numbness using antidepressants, corticosteroids and Gabapentin, and pregabalin.
To learn more about healthcare, enroll in one of our healthcare courses. Visit Avidity Medical Design Academy to learn more about our current course offerings. To purchase scented candles and soaps with a healthcare theme, visit Avidity Medical Scentations.
Access to transportation is a prerequisite for access to universal healthcare. A recent study in the United States shows that approximately 3.6 million Americans miss or delay attending their medical appointments. Most of the patients who miss out on their consultations are from the lower cadre of society. Some, like the elderly, are vulnerable and can barely afford the taxi system, which is often expensive. In 2018, Uber launched a program known as Uber Health in partnership with other hospitals and healthcare systems like Maryland-based MedStar Health.
Since then, several hospitals and health systems have adopted this program to help transport their patients. Lyft has also launched a similar program to help transport patients.
How Does Uber Health Work?
This program offers a wide range of services for you as a patient or a healthcare provider. However, it specializes in transporting patients from their homes to the healthcare facilities for medical appointments, including medical evacuation.
So how does this work? If you are a patient and have an appointment with your doctor, Uber Health is instrumental. You don’t have to worry if you do not have a smartphone since your healthcare provider will be responsible for booking the ride. And if you don’t have a mobile phone, there is an option for landline rides. Uber will send your ride information via an automatic message on your landline. You will not be booked for transportation as a patient, but, rather, your medical provider will pay for the ride. In some instances, insurance defrays the bill.
How to Book Rides for Patients
As a healthcare provider, it’s important to note that you can book rides for your patients a few hours until the appointment or days in advance. There are two types of rides that you can make for your patients: scheduled rides and designated pickups. In the case of planned rides, they are flexible, and you can set them up immediately or for up to 30 days, allowing patients to confirm when they are ready. On the other hand, facilities with big campuses are advised to use designated pickup locations set within the platform. After booking, both your patient and the driver will receive a detailed brief sent to them regarding the pickup location.
Uber Health is accessible to patients who do not have a smartphone. Your healthcare provider is responsible for booking your ride to and from the hospital, and a text message bearing the details of the ride is sent to your phone.
Uber Health helps healthcare organizations keep track of spending. This is because the billing statements are readily available and easy to interpret. This reduces the likelihood of losing money, even thousands of dollars.
Final Thoughts
The Uber Health program will revolutionize the transportation of patients unprecedentedly, leading to a reduction in the cases of missed appointments that is costing healthcare providers billions of dollars annually.
Everyone wants a full, beautiful, healthy head of hair. Most people think of hair problems as cosmetic issues and rely on beauty products for solutions. However, just like healthy skin and healthy teeth, healthy hair is more than a sign of cosmetic beauty, and issues with hair health affect more than just the way you look.
Hair Products Can Mask Underlying Issues
Common hair problems can include dandruff, dullness, brittleness, and split ends. Most of us head to the salon for a trim to get rid of those unsightly split ends. For most other hair concerns, we hit the beauty aisle for spendy hair products that promise to strengthen, fortify, and hydrate hair, add shine, or eliminate dandruff. While these products can make your hair look healthier, the real causes of hair problems can indicate underlying health issues. Addressing these root causes will improve your overall health, which means healthier hair.
10 Hair Problems and What They’re Telling You
1. Split Ends
When we notice split ends, we assume it’s just time for a haircut. Most of us just clip them off and never think about why they occur. Split ends indicate dehydration. If you have lots of split ends on a regular basis, drink more water and avoid things that exacerbate dehydration, like coffee and alcohol. You can prevent and easily treat these hair problems. Following these tips can help reduce them.
Turn down the heat: washing your hair with scalding hot water damages the follicles.
Check the ingredients: avoid using harsh shampoos with harmful sulfates, parabens, and even formaldehyde.
Protect your hair before styling: avoid prolonged use of heated styling tools at high temperatures. Reducing the temperature should also create less frizz.
2. Premature Graying Hairs
Going gray prematurely happens to both men and women. While graying hair is rarely associated with a health problem, it is rarely a source of joy for people in their early 20s. In some cases, premature graying can be caused by a deficiency of vitamin B12. Pituitary or thyroid gland problems can also cause premature graying. Graying hair can be reversible in some cases once the vitamin deficiency or other problem is treated.
3. Dandruff
If you experience annoying dandruff, understanding the underlying causes can give you important insights into your health. The first item to examine is your existing shampoo. Harsh chemicals can irritate the scalp, so listen to your body and pay attention when any hair product causes discomfort, pain, itching, or irritation.
Some people may think dandruff is a sign of washing your hair too much. However, in mild cases, frequent washing can exfoliate scales on your scalp. More severe cases require treatment with a shampoo containing zinc.
As with so many other hair problems, an unbalanced diet that lacks sufficient vitamin B can cause dandruff. Leafy vegetables, eggs, milk, legumes, and sweet potatoes are rich in vitamin B. You should also add foods with healthy oils to your diet.
Dandruff-like flaking can indicate scalp psoriasis. If your dandruff is yellow instead of white, you may have seborrheic dermatitis which requires doctor-prescribed treatment.
4. Dryness
Dry hair often indicates a dry scalp, which can lead to dandruff. Aging and the hormonal changes women go through during menopause can also cause dry hair. Environmental conditions like living in a hot, dry climate can contribute to dry hair.
Overwashing, using harsh shampoos that strip your hair of natural oils, and heat damage also contribute to dryness. Shampooing your hair every day is not recommended. Some medications and medical illnesses can cause extremely dry hair. If you’ve ruled out all other possible causes, you may want to talk to a doctor.
5. Hair Loss
If you notice excessive hair loss in yourself or someone you know, it may indicate a more serious health problem. While we all lose up to hundreds of hairs every day, noticeably abnormal hair loss can be a sign of eating disorders like anorexia nervosa or bulimia. In some cases, it can be a side effect of certain medications. Hair loss is also associated with iron deficiency, which can easily be treated by modifying your diet or taking iron supplements. Because there are many causes that can contribute to hair loss, it’s best to talk to your doctor.
6. Pattern Baldness
Male pattern baldness is associated with coronary heart disease. Hair loss, in general, is associated with heart health. People with pattern baldness and other types of hair loss have an increased risk of developing hypertension (high blood pressure). A study has also shown that male pattern baldness is a major risk factor for COVID-19. Coronary heart disease does not, however, cause vertex baldness.
7. Dullness
People usually consider dull hair as a simple cosmetic issue that can be fixed with a salon treatment. Certain medical deficiencies or overexposure to certain elements are common reasons for issues like dull hair. Dullness can result from too much sun or chemical exposure. Doctors also believe that dullness and brittleness may be signs that you’re not absorbing enough protein, phosphorus, sulfur, and selenium. If those vitamins and minerals are missing from your diet, you might also notice an effect on your teeth.
8. Excessive Oiliness
Certain hair types are naturally more oily than others. Natural oils collect at the root of the hair follicle, creating oiliness on the scalp. Some people dislike the damp appearance this gives to their hair. Luckily, there are ways to control overly oily hair, including dry shampoos and techniques like washing your pillowcases regularly.
Overusing hair products, exerting lots of physical energy, and other environmental factors can contribute to oiliness. Surprisingly, so can over-washing your hair. Oiliness is more common in straight hair and can be made worse by certain products. If you’re concerned about excessive oiliness or scalp irritation, contact a dermatologist.
9. Brittleness
A diet low in protein and vitamins can cause your hair to become dull, dry, and brittle. It can also make your hair fall out. Certain nutrients can make your hair stronger and thicker, especially iron, zinc, vitamin B, and folic acid. A diet rich in fish, nuts, leafy greens, and legumes also help fortify hair. Brittle hair can also be caused by overly treated hair that has been repeatedly colored, bleached, chemically treated, or styled with heated tools.
10. Bald Patches
If you have bald patches that appear suddenly and only affect a limited area, you may have a form of alopecia called alopecia areata. This skin disorder is believed to be an autoimmune disorder in which the body attacks hair follicles. In most cases, lost patches of hair regrow within 12 months or so, but alopecia can result in total baldness in certain people. Contact a doctor if you notice patchy hair loss, loss of eyebrow or eyelash hair, or thinning of your beard or body hair.
If you’re searching for harmony, peace, and better health in 2022, there’s no better place to start than with Feng Shui. If you’re not familiar with the Feng Shui, it is the ancient Chinese practice of arranging objects in the environment to promote positive energy and achieve balance. The main idea of Feng Shui is the Taoist belief called “chi,” which is the ever-present life force that inhabits all things. When you practice Feng Shui, your goal is to arrange things in your home to promote harmony, positive energy, and balance in the space where you live.
How Does Feng Shui Promote Good Health?
Chi is made up of opposing forces called yin and yang. By balancing yin and yang through the arrangement of furniture, decorations, and building layout, Feng Shui draws luck, prosperity, and good health for its users.
Feng shui promotes good health by:
1. Reducing Allergies.
Feng Shui advises people to do away with clutter. This is the main principle of practicing what is called a “minimalist mindset.” According to practices, clutter only serves to trap negative energy. When it comes to your health, clutter traps dust, mold, and mildew — all items that contribute to allergies, asthma, and other illnesses.
2. Preventing Accidents.
According to Feng Shui practice, doors should remain unblocked to allow positive energy access into the home. Health professionals also advise the same, because blocked exits can lead to falls, especially during an emergency.
3. Fostering Calmness.
Flowing water represents refreshment and vitality, and a small water fountain or aerated fish tank will do just that. The sound of flowing water and the serenity of swimming fish helps revitalize a stressed brain.
4. Cleaning the Air.
Potted plants are an excellent opportunity to bring the outdoors into the home, and they’re also a must when it comes to Feng Shui. Healthy plants attract abundance, and they also lower indoor carbon dioxide and pollutants.
5. Preventing Illness.
In Feng Shui, the windows are the eyes of the home, so it’s essential to keep them bright and open to light and air. Keeping clean air flowing through the home helps to eliminate toxins, dust, and germs, while stagnant air promotes illness.
6. Lifting the Spirit.
Sunlight is preferable when it comes to Feng Shui, but electric lights also serve a purpose. Keeping areas well lit attracts positive energy, but it also brightens the mood and prevents accidents from occurring.
7. Maintaining Relationships and Family Ties.
Honoring family and friends is a major part of Chinese custom. Placing photographs and mementos around the home to connect you improves your sense of well-being.
8. Keeping Germs Away.
Removing your shoes before entering the home is a well-known Asian custom, and Feng Shui also recommends this practice. People often track dirt and germs throughout the home by way of their shoes. Removing footwear keeps potential sources of infection out of your home.
9. Enhancing Self-Reflection.
Mirrors are like water in Feng Shui, taking on the form of whatever container it’s in. Use mirrors to see yourself in a positive light, and place them in areas that reflect the sunshine.
10. Improving Overall Well-Being.
Whether it’s your child’s drawing or a Picasso, hanging artwork that is meaningful to you helps establish good Feng Shui. Enjoying the space you live in means making it your own, and the artwork you choose says a lot about you.
This ancient Chinese practice improves both your physical and mental well-being. For more tips on how to stay healthy, follow Avidity Medical Design Blog. If you’d like to take a healthcare course, visit Avidity Medical Design Academy. If you are interested in relaxing with scented soaps and candles, visit Avidity Medical Scentations to see our current product offerings.
Music has always been viewed as an effective tool to promote health and wellness. Ancient cave paintings depict shamans who played the flute, and music was used to help wounded soldiers after World War I. Today’s science is still not able to accurately describe how the mind and body can be supported by listening to music. However, there is a strong connection between the mind and the body, and health and wellness, and music therapy.
10 Types of Music You Can Listen to for Good Health
Traditional Indian music is designed around “rasa,” or the essence of music. These musical qualities evoke emotional states that may help some people disconnect from the throes of addiction and engage in positive mental attitudes.
The genre used in heroic films is often uplifting and motivating. This can be useful to accomplish difficult tasks like exercising or working on large projects. The end result is fulfillment, stress reduction, as well as happiness…all good things for your health!
Anxiety and depression are rampant among today’s youth and adults, which is why the Zen genre can be good for the soul. Also referred to as meditation or nature sounds, Zen is typically a calm instrumental mixed with some sounds from nature.
A faster tempo can increase the heart rate and improve circulation. Even aggressive rock tunes can help some people process anger or negativity, which leads to a better emotional state.
Jazz
Cool and calm, smooth and soulful, jazz elevates the mood and gets you ready to have a good time. This is also the music of survivors, and its lyrics often spout tales of overcoming hardship.
If you’re in need of a brain break, folk music seems to be the answer. Its calming effect is similar to sitting next to a fire with a cup of cocoa, and it benefits mental health.
You cannot discuss music and health without referencing what most people hear on the radio or in public venues. These are the songs that everyone knows whether they like them or not. If you do like them, they are uplifting, and their familiarity is comforting.
Some people say the blues put difficult situations in perspective. Others liken them to a good cry. Either way, it is an emotional expression at its finest. Processing hard emotions through blues is also a healthy alternative to other options.
Finally, it would be difficult to deny the power of inspirational music. It doesn’t matter if it’s cliched, inspirational genres make you feel like you can take on the world.
Good Health and Music is an Individual Experience
The important thing to remember about music, is that it is an individual experience. Practically any type of music can support good health, but the type of music and it’s ability to support health and wellness varies from listener to listener. The general consensus is that vulgarity and aggressive genres can limit health progress, but this may not be the case for a person who listens while working out in the gym. The music may motivate the listener to engage in more exercise, hence supporting good health. That is why it is important to remember that, while music listeners are different, each listener may benefit by including, or sampling different forms of music to see which works best for therapy, relaxation, health, and wellness.
Keeping your home safe and clean is essential to protecting your health. However, some everyday household products could put you and your loved ones at risk. Even the alternative options labeled “green” or “natural” may still contain harmful ingredients. So how can you distinguish these toxic household products?
It may be difficult to distinguish all of the health hazards in your home. Still, you can limit your exposure to dangerous threats by reading the labels and using products as directed. To help you determine which ones you may want to stop buying, get rid of, or replace, here is a list of the most toxic household products:
10 Most Toxic Household Products You Must Know About
1. All-Purpose Cleaners.
Most cleaning solutions tend to be the biggest toxic offenders in your home. The cleaners labeled “all-purpose” usually comprise ammonia, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether acetate, sodium hypochlorite, and/or trisodium phosphate. These chemicals contribute to skin, eye, nose, as well as throat irritation and can be highly poisonous to humans and animals if ingested. Since it’s not a requirement to list the unsafe ingredients, many consumers unknowingly purchase and use these toxic household products.
The safest alternative for all-purpose cleaning is a solution of baking soda, Borax, Castile soap, vinegar, lemon, and hot water. But if you choose to work with an all-purpose cleaner:
Always protect your skin by wearing rubber gloves;
Make sure you use it where there is good air circulation; and
Avoid mixing different cleaners. Combining cleaning agents like ammonia and bleach will produce chloramine, a gas that causes severe breathing problems and could be fatal if inhaled in large quantities.
2. Non-Stick Cookware.
The invention of non-stick pots and pans may seem helpful because it eliminates the concern about food sticking to the surface. However, non-stick cookware contains trace amounts of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), a cancer-causing chemical. When the lining of those pots and pans gets scratched or chipped, the chemicals can seep into your food. It would be safer to swap the non-stick for cast iron or stainless steel cookware.
3. Air Fresheners.
The purpose of air fresheners is to keep your home smelling fresh and clean. Instead, it pollutes your home with several highly flammable, cancer-causing chemicals, including formaldehyde, petroleum distillates, p-dichlorobenzene, and aerosol propellants. If you’re going to use air fresheners, it’s best to keep them away from open flames and spray in well-ventilated areas. Or you can opt for non-toxic alternatives like baking soda and vinegar, which both absorb odors.
4. Antibacterial Cleaners.
Antibacterial cleaners usually contain a fragrance, surfactant, and pesticide, which can cause irritation to your eyes and burn your skin and throat. Therefore, you should wear latex gloves when using these cleaners. And if the product comes in contact with your skin or eyes, wash the area immediately.
5. Plastic Food Containers.
Plastic food containers consist of chemicals like phthalates, which give plastic flexibility, durability, and transparency. However, plastic eventually breaks down, especially when you add heat to it. That breakdown releases phthalates and other dangerous chemicals into your food, causing damage to the liver, kidneys, lungs, and reproductive system. To protect yourself from these health risks, avoid heating and storing food in plastic containers and switch to glass containers.
6. Antibacterial Soaps.
You may have grown accustomed to using antibacterial soaps and gels to keep your hands free from germs. But every time you do so, you may be rubbing toxic chemicals like triclosan and triclocarban on your skin. Who wants harmful substances that create antibiotic-resistant bacteria all over their hands? Using regular soap and water is a safer, effective way to keep germs away.
7. Oven Cleaners.
Many oven cleaners contain poisonous and corrosive ingredients such as lye. If inhaled or ingested, these chemicals can cause severe tissue damage and may be fatal. That is why you should always wear protective gear (apron, gloves, and safety goggles) and operate in a well-ventilated area when working with oven cleaners. Or you can opt for an oven cleaner that doesn’t include lye.
8. Insect Repellents.
When you apply repellents to protect your skin from biting insects, you’re also exposing yourself to pesticides such as pyrethrin and chemicals commonly known as DEET. These chemicals may burn your eyes, skin, and throat and cause anxiety, a loss of coordination, and mental and behavioral changes. Spraying insect repellent only on your clothing can help prevent this threat to your health and will still shield you from bugs.
9. Insecticides.
You may use these products to eliminate pests from your home or pets, but you could make yourself sick in the process. The same pesticides found in bug sprays are also in pet flea and tick treatments. These chemicals can cause headaches, dizziness, twitching, and nausea. When handling insecticides, make sure not to use them on or around surfaces that come in contact with food. And if you use flea and tick medication on your cat or dog, it’s best to wait 24 hours before petting them.
10. Bleach.
Similar to other toxic household products, chlorine bleach contains chemicals that can irritate the skin, eyes, nose, and throat and damage the esophagus and stomach if consumed. Therefore, you should always handle bleach with caution by wearing protective gear, using it in a properly ventilated area, and keeping it away from young children.
To learn more about other healthcare topics similar to this one, follow the Avidity Medical Design Blog or sign up for a course at Avidity Medical Design Academy. For products that support your mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual health, visit Avidity Medical Scentations to purchase our scented candles and soaps. Sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date on new products that support health and well being.
