Category: Health

Older adults talking together over a photo album

How Parkinson’s Can Change the Way You Speak and Swallow

Most people link Parkinson’s with a tremor or slower movement.

Fewer know it often affects the voice as well.

The changes tend to creep in slowly. Quite often, a partner or close friend notices them before the person does.

That slow start is part of the problem. When something changes a little at a time, it is easy to put it down to tiredness, age or a noisy room.

In Perth, Perth Speech Therapy sees adults with Parkinson’s at its Subiaco and Alfred Cove clinics, and help with voice and swallowing is closer than many families realise.

(more…)

5 Core Principles Of Promoting Health And Wellness Within A Landscaping Design

5 Core Principles Of Promoting Health And Wellness Within A Landscaping Design

When a new landscaping design is needed, various approaches can be taken. Some designs are shaped by the limitations of a small budget.

Other projects allow landscapers the freedom to create almost anything, thanks to an unlimited budget. In some cases, the design is guided by a specific concept that must be reflected throughout the entire landscape.

Another basis upon which a landscaping design might be founded is the desire to create a garden that promotes health and wellness.

On a practical level, this might be due to physical restrictions of the person whose garden it will be and on occasion, there may also be features designed to maximise the experience of being in that garden for those with dementia or Alzheimer’s.

(more…)

How to Avoid Deep Vein Thrombosis

Deep vein thrombosis is not only caused by sitting for long hours in an airplane; it can be caused by sitting at your computer desk for long periods without moving. If you are a website designer, computer programmer or an SEO consultant for instance, you can get so caught up in what you are doing that you forget the time and even where you are.  You can even forget to move for hours at a time.

Exercise is essential for a healthy body, but how can you get enough exercise when you have a sedentary job that requires you to sit for long periods of time?  Here are some tips to help you get the kind of exercise you need to remain healthy and avoid problems such as deep vein thrombosis.

  • Get up at least once every hour and stretch, then walk to the water cooler or around the office for a few minutes.
  • While seated, move your feet and legs around to different positions.
  • Balance your feet on your toes and bounce your heels up and down for five minutes. This is easiest if you place your toes under your chair.
  • Lift one foot off the floor and swing it backwards and forwards several times, then change to the other foot.
  • Have a footstool under the computer desk so you can sit with your feet raised up a little for some of the time.

(more…)

3 Must Have Juicing Ingredients

3 Must Have Juicing Ingredients

Fruit and vegetables are good for us. Period. But we’re just not eating enough of them. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) only 49.8% of people aged 18 years and over are meeting the health guidelines for the 2 recommended daily serves of fruit and 5 serves of vegetables. So how do we fix it? How do we sneak in your kids’ 5+ per day?

Let’s juice it up! Juicing is a quick and effective way to increase the amount of vegetables in your diet. Base your juices on one of these three amazing ingredients:

  • Go green: Spinach contains loads of essential nutrients that our bodies need such as iron, magnesium, calcium, vitamins A and C and potassium.
  • Go red: Beetroot is full of antioxidants and folate which boosts your stamina and supports liver detoxification.
  • Go orange: Carrots are rich in vitamin A and beta-carotene which are both powerful antioxidants and essential for glowing skin.

Be creative with your juices! Add ginger and lemon for a zesty kick start or some cucumber and apple for a refreshing pick-me-up. When juicing the key is to make sure the bulk contain veggies and not too many fruits which, when juiced, increase sugar content. Try adding coconut water if you need some sweetness.

(more…)

Speech Therapy Goals And Why They Are Important

Speech Therapy Goals And Why They Are Important

There can be very few aspects of our lives that would not be enhanced by setting goals that we then seek to achieve, and for those who work in support of children’s language development, setting speech therapy goals for children that they are treating can play a crucial role. Setting goals allows them, the child’s parents, and others who have the child’s best interests at heart, to strive for and assess the child’s progression.

Anyone reading this who has set goals in the past, whether personal, for their education, for their career, or for a business they own, will be familiar with how to set goals properly. This will involve making goals specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. In other words, they follow the tried and trusted SMART goals method.

As for speech therapy goals, many speech therapists will indeed follow the SMART goal formula, however, each speech pathologist can also use their own goal setting methodology. The crucial test is whether the goals being set are working and helping children’s speech and language development, rather than the specific goal-setting process which is used.

(more…)

How To Turn Your Landscaping Design Into A Healing Garden

How To Turn Your Landscaping Design Into A Healing Garden

Many products and pastimes without medications can be associated with health, wellbeing, and healing, which most people would consider as alternative therapies. Examples would be the use of pets, art and cooking as therapeutic activities and we can also add into that mix, landscaping.

Whilst landscaping, and the others were have mentioned, might not be the first items your doctor prescribes for you if you are suffering from some kind of ailment, nevertheless, countless examples and case studies show that all of these have offered those who use them, benefits for both their physical and mental wellbeing.

If we focus on landscaping, one of the specific ways in which it can contribute to your well-being is when you have a healing garden created. Given the complexities, planning and implementation work necessary for landscaped gardens, in most cases, they will be created by professional landscaping experts.

However, given that you would have lots of input (after all it is going to be your garden) you can request that your landscaping company include a healing garden within the plans, or go even further, and make your entire landscaped garden a healing garden. Wondering what a healing garden is? Well, read on and we will explain all.

What Is A Healing Garden?

Let us put to bed one misconception and that is a healing garden is not one where you simply grow lots of herbal and plant-based medicines. You could certainly grow them, but they are not the only feature that normally falls under the definition of a healing garden. In truth, the definition is a lot simpler which is a healing garden provides the setting, the ambience, and the surroundings that promote a sense and feeling of peacefulness, relaxation, and harmony.

(more…)

7 Reasons Why Dogs Get Dry Skin Dandruff And How To Treat It

7 Reasons Why Dogs Get Dry Skin Dandruff And How To Treat It

One of the things that a visit to a dog grooming service will often highlight is that the dog in question is suffering from dry skin and dandruff. Just as dandruff can be an annoyance to humans, which doubtless accounts for the number of anti-dandruff shampoos which are advertised, dandruff is also a problem for dogs and one which they rely on their owners to resolve for them.

What Causes Dry Skin?

Dry skin and the dandruff which can follow, will occur for several reasons, and the seven most common are outlined below.

  • Skin Infections: Fungal and bacterial skin infections are the primary reason why your dog might suffer from dry skin and dandruff. These infections can make their skin scaly and flaky, and this occurs especially in the folds of their skin. This can also be accompanied by unpleasant skin odours. In the worst cases, you might see evidence of bleeding, pus, and fur loss.
  • Changes in Weather: Although there is much in the news about climate change, we are not suggesting that it is responsible for your dog’s dandruff. However, when the local weather is changeable it can affect your dog’s skin, especially in extremes of hot and cold weather which can cause dry skin and itchiness.

(more…)

5 Options For Replacing Your Missing Teeth

5 Options For Replacing Your Missing Teeth

If you have any missing teeth, or it is inevitable that you are going to have to have one or more teeth extracted, then it should reassure you to know that there are several options available for you to replace those teeth. These options range from dental implants on one end of the scale with respect to longevity and cost, to dentures at the other, and of course, there are other possibilities in-between.

One piece of advice we hope you will take on board is that your decision with respect to replacing missing teeth should not be made in haste. Bear in mind, your decision could be one that you have to live with for years. Instead, you should carefully weigh up the pros and cons of each, and also take into account the financial implications of your selection given that there is a huge difference in the costs across all your options.

To start along the path of deciding what tooth replacements you finally opt for, we are going to provide you with a brief outline of five of the main options that are available. We hope you find it helpful.

Option #1: Dentures

The option that most people have heard of simply because it is the most popular. Dentures are basically imitation teeth, usually made from acrylic or other plastic material. The ‘teeth are mounted on a moulding that is designed to fit snuggly on the gums.

Dentures can be used to replace an entire set of top and/or bottom teeth. Where just a few teeth are missing the structure will be much smaller and is called a partial denture. In most cases, dentures are the cheapest option.

(more…)

Surprising Benefits of Waist Trainers

Surprising Benefits of Waist Trainers

Waist trainers have been growing in popularity for some time. And most people aren’t surprised. They can take your workout to a new level and are suitable for both men and women.

Still, not everyone is convinced that waist trainers can offer benefits. But there are some quite surprising ones that everyday users are finding out for themselves. Some of these are listed below.

They Can Improve Posture

Because of the framing inside waist trainers, you aren’t able to slouch. As a result, whenever you’re standing or sitting, you’re able to maintain excellent posture while receiving much-needed back support.

You Can Feel More Confident

As more and more people start to wear waist trainers while exercising and eating well, their confidence can improve. They begin to see results, and they feel happier about how they look and feel.

They May Be Able to Assist with Weight Control

Waist trainers do not exist to help you lose weight. Still, they can assist with weight control. When you wear them, you tend to find it uncomfortable to consume large portions. So, you can eat little but often, which is something that may be able to give you more control over your weight.

What’s more, with high-quality waist trainers made from latex, they can increase sweating during workouts.

(more…)

Does Your Medical Centre Need Digital Marketing?

Does Your Medical Centre Need Digital Marketing?

Whilst the primary goal of a medical centre or medical advice blog is to treat and care for its patients, there would be no patients were it not for its efforts to make itself known to them via marketing. Experts in the digital marketing field have advised that the number one way medical centres can increase their patient and client numbers is via a digital marketing campaign.

This is not an article where we will explain every single element of digital marketing, first because there are so many ways to market online. Second, if you run or manage a medical centre, you are much more likely to want to know how digital marketing can benefit you rather than its mechanics.

So, to better understand how digital marketing can benefit the medical centre or centres you are responsible for, we will explain three main benefits. They are improved reputation/branding, increased revenues, and the ability to compete on level terms with more significant medical centres.

Improved Reputation and Branding

Given the nature of the services offered by medical centres, it follows that the higher its reputation, the better off it will retain existing clients and gain new ones. This is where digital marketing can have a substantial positive impact on a medical centre. It can ensure that it has a brand seen in those online locations where those researching or looking for a medical centre will likely recognise it.

(more…)

Dealing With the Mental Health Effects of Disability Discrimination

Disability Discrimination

Most people don’t realise just how debilitating it can be to have to live with a disability. There are many different types of disability, and a lot of them aren’t even visible on the surface. Instead, they linger as mental health problems, unseen physical health problems and even degenerative diseases.

Because of this, a lot of people suffer from disability discrimination within the workplace. Essentially, this is when a disabled employee (regardless of the disability) is treated differently from their able-bodied coworkers. This can range from not having the tools and training to work effectively to not being granted appropriate time off or breaks to manage your disability.

And unfortunately, ongoing disability discrimination can lead to low self-worth, depression and various mental health issues. Because of this, we’ve put together the following guide to help you deal with the negative mental effects of disability discrimination.

  1. Don’t Suffer Alone

First, it’s extremely important to make sure that you never suffer alone, regardless of how embarrassed you are about your mental health and/or disability. There are thousands of people across Australia suffering from similar problems and discrimination, and support is available.

For starters, tell someone close to you about your struggles. This could be a partner, family member or even just a close friend. Seek advice from a psychologist if required, and don’t hesitate to seek legal advice in the case of ongoing disability discrimination.

(more…)

5 Things to Consider Before Getting Laser Eye Surgery

Getting Laser Eye SurgeryLaser eye surgery is an increasingly common procedure used to correct a range of vision problems, including long-sightedness, short-sightedness, and astigmatism. In general, it’s a safe, low-invasion procedure with few side effects and a short recovery time.

However, there are still a few things you should consider before you go in for laser eye surgery. You need to make sure that you have a decent understanding of what your procedure is and what it’s going to involve.

With this in mind, we’ve put together a short list of five things you should consider before committing to laser surgery. They include:

1. The Different Types of Surgery

Basically, there are three different types of laser eye surgery suited to different people. Your surgeon and optometrist will ultimately have the final say on the right surgery for your needs, but you should be aware of the options and the associated risks.

The three main types of laser surgery are ASA, LASIK and SMILE. All three can be used to treat short-sightedness and astigmatism, while ASA and LASIK can both be effective for correcting long-sightedness.

(more…)

How to Tell a Loved One They Need Help

Need HelpIn 2017, around 71 million people were estimated to have a drug use disorder or addiction. Not only is that 71 million people who are not living their best life, but tens of millions of families who are trying to convince their loved ones to book into drug rehab.

Most people will know from experience that it’s an uncomfortable feeling to be told to do something you don’t want to do. Drug addiction is a disease, and even if someone knows deep down that they have a problem, they aren’t always willing to combat it.

If you are facing the impossible task of trying to tell someone you love that they need help and possibly drug rehab, then read on. Here are a few things that might assist with the process.

Hold an Intervention

Most people have seen an intervention on TV. Family and friends sit around in a circle and talk about how much they care about the drug user and how they need to get help. Even though it might seem cliché, it remains a highly effective method for helping a loved one understand they have a problem.

Social pressure in any other situation is usually a no-no, but when it comes to an addiction, it can often be the soundest method. The goal of an intervention is to first show the user how many people want them to get better and care about them, then provide them with a solution to their problem.

(more…)

You Might be Damaging Your Teeth, And You Don’t Even Know It

Damaging Your TeethThere are several reasons why people visit a dentist for a cosmetic dental service.

Some people are not happy with a gap in their front teeth, the colour of them, or they might have a chip or crack they would like to repair to get a near-perfect or the perfect set of teeth.

Other times, daily habits have caused damage, or are causing damage, and you weren’t aware of it until the damage was done.

(more…)

Root Canal Myths

Common Root Canal Myths You May Have Thought Were Fact

Thousands of people get root canal treatments from their dentist in Australia every year. Even though the procedure is one of the most common, there are still many mistruths in the community. Those mistruths could stop people who desperately need a root canal from getting one.

Here we attempt to dispel some of the more common myths about root canals.

  1. The Treatment is Painful

There’s always an audible groan from at least one person in a group when you utter those dreaded words ‘root canal’. The truth is, the procedure is not as painful as you may think. Your dentist uses a local anaesthetic to numb your tooth and the surrounding area. If you are particularly nervous and think it will be painful, you can also talk to your dentist about nitrous oxide gas to calm your nerves.

  1. No Pain, No Need for a Root Canal

You don’t have to experience pain in your tooth to need a root canal. Sometimes, there’s an infection or damage in the pulp of your tooth that calls for a root canal – even if the pain is not a symptom.

A damaged tooth with something that looks like a pimple is a common sign. That pimple is often a fistula, which is tissue that is draining pus from your infection. That infection can get worse without seeking treatment from your dentist.

(more…)

5 Ways to Know You Need Emergency Dental Care

Emergency Dental CareHow often do you find yourself going to the dentist for anything other than pain and discomfort? An alarming number of people are not seeing their dentist for health checks and instead, wait until something goes wrong to seek dental help. But how do you know when a trip to the emergency dentist could be on the cards? Here are a few tell-tale signs.

You Have a Loose Tooth

As an adult, you should not have any loose teeth. If you do, something has gone wrong, and you now need a trip to the dentist to find out what it is. When you injure a tooth to the point of it being wobbly, nerve or jaw damage can be a risk – especially if you have knocked it loose. Even if you haven’t, seeing your dentist means they can run some tests to work out what is causing the loose tooth. Sometimes gum disease and infection are to blame.

Your Gums are Sore and Bleeding

Bleeding gums is often a sign of gum disease, which is something you can avoid with regular flossing and brushing. However, if your bleeding gums are accompanied by achiness, then that’s something that might require you to see your dentist. If you do not treat these early stages of gum disease, you may not be able to return your mouth to the healthy state it was before.

You Have a Toothache

If severe toothache is starting to impact your daily routine, or even a minor pain is more than you can handle, then it could be time to see your dentist. Your teeth don’t ache for no reason, and a emergency dentist may be able to provide immediate relief. If you notice your teeth are sensitive, sore, and achy, then make an appointment with your dentist today. (more…)

Hospital Plumbing

Superbugs and Hospital Plumbing

You may not want to know this, but hospital plumbing according to plumbers is a huge reservoir of drug resistant superbug germs. They splash about in the plumbing and share their superpowers with other bacteria. Checks of plumbing in major hospitals show drains can be full of dangerous bacteria.

The thing is that the germs are breeding down there and passing their drug-resistant properties on to other germ species. The superbugs are not found anywhere else in hospitals and as a result are not a threat to the general public. However, hospitals should be aware of the potential problem and keep ahead of any possible risks.

Looking for the Superbug

The search for these germs was brought about by the deaths of 7 patients after an outbreak of antibiotic-resistant infections. They discovered a bug by the name of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae.  Medical centre officials made a concerted effort to find out how the patients became infected. Many of the bugs were found to be living in the plumbing and the sink drains even though these had been scrubbed out. An investigating team, independent to the hospital found that the bacteria could splash back out of sink drains.

(more…)

Why Banana Makes an Excellent Hair Care Product

Hair Care

Everyone knows that bananas are one of the most popular fruits on the planet, and are also one of the most delicious, but did you know they make an excellent natural hair care product as well?

Natural skin care and hair care guru this is because they are packed full of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and nutrients, it was only a matter of time before someone was going to say: hey, maybe we could put this fruit in our hair? That time is now, and here’s why it could be something for you to consider.

Health

If your hair is feeling a bit lacklustre, your first thought may be to reach for a chemical-laden product. Instead, why not try a natural hair care product – or, something out of your fruit bowl? Bananas feature plenty of folic acid, which helps to make your hair shiny, hydrated, and moisturised. What’s more, because of the high levels of potassium, they also improve your hair’s overall health.

Softness

Soft hair is something everyone aspires to have. However, some people have to work hard for it by using natural hair care shampoo and conditioner, as well as other tips and tricks from professionals. What if it were as easy as grabbing a banana from your fruit bowl and coconut milk and avocado from the fridge?

(more…)

Are You Depressed?

Depression

Depression is an insidious condition and even though you may easily recognize the symptoms in other people, it is much harder to recognize depression in yourself.  If the depression is not very severe, you may think you are just feeling a bit off, but you don’t know why.  Sometimes, it may just get better by itself, but other times it does not, and may become worse.

If you have had the symptoms for some time, you may forget just how good life used to be and that is the big danger; accepting how you feel now as the norm. If you don’t enjoy life as much as you used to, it is a good idea to ask friends or loved ones if they have noticed any change in your behaviour. It could be that you have become more irritable or you refuse to go out with your friends like you used to.

If you are not as happy as you would like to be, think about why that might be. Naturally, if you have suffered an emotional or even physical trauma of some kind it is going to change you for a while until you come to terms with it. But if you can think of no reason why you should feel down, then it is time to look at what is happening to you.

Here are some of the milder symptoms that can help you to recognize depression in yourself, but they may also have other causes:

(more…)