The mouth is the door to the inner body. Ignoring its vitality in general health exposes you to the risk of contracting diseases. With poor dental health, a bacterium grows, leading to various diseases. Here are some things that your teeth may tell you about your overall well being.
Endocarditis and Dental Health
Endocarditis occurs when there is an infection of the heart valves or chambers. When you have poor dental health, the bacteria spreads to the heart through the bloodstream causing this infection. In severe cases, when bacteria affect the valves, it may cause inflammation, disrupting blood flow, causing stroke and heart disease.
Pregnancy and Dental Health
Periodontitis and severe gum disease cause birth complications. These complications include premature birth, ear infections, developmental, and behavioral problems. Additionally, it increases the risk of infant mortality. A dental check-up is vital for expectant mothers to ensure the well-being of their unborn child.
Diabetes and Dental Health
A high level of periodontal disease is likely to cause diabetes type 2 more than when a person has low or no gum disease. The inflammatory bacteria causing the periodontal disease attach themselves to the insulin receptors, thus preventing the cells from getting insulin for use in the body. This leads to reduced sugar regulation which causes diabetes.
Pneumonia and Dental Health
When bacteria in the mouth find its ways into the lungs, they can cause pneumonia and other respiratory diseases. The bacteria may cause inflammation in the lungs or block the bloodstream, which can cause severe consequences.
Keep Your Oral Health in Check
You can’t afford to become sick, courtesy of poor oral health. Ensuring that your mouth is clean and having regular check-ups can save you from these diseases and more. To ensure that your overall health is okay, learn more and purchase quality products that enhance your well-being.
If you are a health practitioner, you can improve your career by enrolling in a course. Visit Avidity Medical Design Academy to learn more. We also have scented soaps and candles with a healthcare theme, to help you relax and improve your frame of mind. Visit Avidity Medical Scentations for more information.
Stress, long hours on the road, and sitting at the wheel without any physical activity can make it challenging to stay healthy while you drive. Luckily, there are things you can do to make sure you are as healthy as possible while you spend your time in your car. They can help you be healthier and feel better while driving. Below are things to know about staying healthy while you drive:
10 Ways to Stay Healthy While Driving
Look out for smells inside or outside the car that may signal a potential health problem. Check for the smell of gas or engine oil that can affect your health when driving or parked.
Consider purchasing car upholstery that does not trigger allergic reactions. This is essential to your comfort and safety. Remove fabrics that might trigger an allergic reaction, like interior carpets, air conditioning filters, and air vents.
Before going for a long drive, purchase high-quality deodorizers and microfiber cloth for cleaning the car’s interior without leaving a mess.
Look for homemade remedies to keep safe during drives. Pack a first aid kit, drinking bottle, and pack natural remedies like tea brewed with herbs like ginger and chamomile.
Long drives mean you will be confined to your car or SUV for hours. It is best to be ready for unprecedented health dangers like elevated heart rate, blood pressure, and driver drowsiness.
Nibble saltine crackers and light snacks to ease nausea and symptoms of allergies. Avoid greasy, acidic, or heavy foods that may worsen your condition as they are slow to digest.
Avoid caffeinated beverages like sodas and coffee that can lead to dehydration and worsen your nausea. Instead, drink carbonated drinks or cold water.
Allow quality air to flow inside the car. If the weather does not allow you to open windows, consider using a fan or turning on the vents to blow air on your face.
Use aromatherapy with scents like peppermint essential oil on your trips. Other ways to scent your car include soaps and scented candles.
If your job involves frequent traveling, make an appointment with a doctor. They will prescribe medications as a long-term option to help deal with allergies during long trips.
It is probably not the right fit for you if you don’t feel comfortable with a doctor
Conclusion
Choosing the right doctor is an important decision. We hope these ten tips will help you choose the right doctor for you. For more healthcare information and tips, follow the Avidity Medical Design Blog today. To learn more about our healthcare courses, visit Avidity Medical Design Academy. To purchase healthcare candles and soaps inspired by healthcare, visit Avidity Medical Design SCENTations!
Holiday dinners and lunches bring a sense of family and unite friends. However, resisting an extra bite of that tasty food can be challenging. While eating larger portions or binge eating is tempting, it is detrimental to your health. Here is a list of ten dangers of overeating during the holidays.
If you have a fast metabolism, you burn more calories even when resting. On the other hand, people with a slow metabolism burn fewer calories and gain weight faster.
While a fast metabolism can slow down weight gain, you are still highly likely to overeat. Thus it’s still vital to watch your food intake to avoid overeating during the holidays.
How to Identify if You are Overeating
Overeating isn’t simply taking a lot of food. Hence, there are many ways to determine if you have this issue.
Can’t keep your favorite meal in the house; instead, you eat it in one sitting
Feel weighed down after eating
Barely paying attention to your plate
Feel bloated after eating
Tips to Avoid Overeating
Mindful eating is a perfect way to ensure you don’t stuff yourself during the holiday season. Avoid distractions so you can pay attention to your body’s fullness signals. Likewise, chew your food slowly and thoroughly.
More tips to avoid overeating during the holidays are:
Watch your portions
Use a smaller plate
Avoid going to events on an empty stomach
Cut back on taste testing
Eat more proteins than carbs
Eat foods rich in fiber, like vegetables and whole grains
Follow Avidity Medical Design Blog for More Information
Overeating during the holidays has many health effects, but luckily, it’s avoidable. At Avidity Medical Design Blog, we have many helpful health articles. Besides, we sell scented candles and soap to improve mindfulness and wellness. Visit Avidity Medical Scentations for more information. To enroll in a healthcare course, visit Avidity Medical Design Academy.
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.Â
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.Â
Creating a medical emergency kit also helps lessen the worrying part by helping you anticipate potential medical emergencies ahead of time.Â
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?Â
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:Â
Temperature: Normal Range 97.7Â 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.Â
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.
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.
