2015

Successful Home Recovery From Knee Joint Replacement Surgery

The replacement of your painful knee joint with an artificial one is a complicated process. The actual surgery is just the first step. The physical therapy services and home exercises that you do on your knee after the surgery determines how much functionality you will get from your knee. Here is what to expect from these activities so you'll have a successful recovery at home and a fully functional knee joint.

Using A Home Health Care Service When Recovering At Home From Your Total Hip Replacement

As you prepare to go in for your hip replacement surgery, it's time to consider where you will spend time recovering. Many people choose to recover at home from a major surgery. Not only is it less expensive than staying in the hospital, but there are other advantages, especially if working with a home health care service. Here are some reasons to consider recovering from your hip surgery at home with help from a home health service.

Fighting Off Those Winter Blues: Alternative Treatments For Seasonal Affective Disorder

When winter rolls around, many people are happy and excited about the holidays, time with family, and beautiful snowy weather. However, others have an entirely different experience of winter and find themselves experiencing a lack of energy and motivation, a general feeling of being down or perpetually in a bad mood, and who cannot adjust to the shorter days and daylight that winter bring along. These issues, collectively known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD for short) can make winter miserable for those affected.

4 All-Natural Ways To Whiten Your Teeth

Have you always longed for a whiter and brighter smile? If so, here are a few different all-natural ways to whiten your teeth that you may want to consider trying.  1. Eat Crunchy Fruits And Vegetables  Eating crunchy fruits and veggies such as apples, pears, celery, and carrots is an excellent way to whiten your teeth. These crunchy foods produce a great deal of saliva which helps stop plaque in its tracks so that stains don't form on your teeth.

Tips For Choosing Great Glasses For Your Child

Some children need glasses at an early age so that they can see clearly. If an eye doctor has tested your child's vision and determined that he or she needs glasses, it is important to take your time when choosing which glasses to have made for your child to ensure that they will last a long time. Use the guide that follows to learn how to choose the right glasses for your child.

5 Steps To A Heart-Healthy Life

More than 600,000 people die of heart disease every year in the United States. There are things you can do to reduce your chances of developing heart disease. Here are five steps you can take to keep your heart healthy and avoid heart disease. Stay Active All Day If your job requires you to sit for a majority of the day, your weekly exercise might not be enough to keep your heart healthy.

Recovering From Post-Concussion Syndrome? Make Bathing Easier With These Mobility Aids

After being diagnosed with post-concussion syndrome, which is commonly referred to as PCS by patients and healthcare professionals, you may find that once-simple tasks are now difficult or painful. Bathing is one task that can be hard for patients with PCS who struggle with symptoms such as dizziness, lightheadedness, headaches, or nerve pain. Talk to your doctor or physical therapist about the following mobility aids to determine if any of them may be beneficial for your condition.

4 Things You Need To Know About Pressure Urticaria

Urticaria, also known as hives, can develop after exposure to allergens, but allergens aren't the only thing that can cause hives. Surprisingly, even pressure against your skin can cause hives. This type of urticaria is known as pressure urticaria; here are four things you need to know about it. What causes pressure urticaria? Pressure urticaria is caused by pressure against your skin. This pressure may include things like wearing tight clothes, sitting or standing on a hard surface, or carrying a bag of groceries.

2 Reasons to Consider STD Testing

One of the most useful resources out there for any sexually active individual is STD testing. Many areas even offer free STD testing as a way to encourage individuals to routinely get tested and halt the spread of these diseases. You should consider STD testing for your own peace of mind and to provide yourself with the best possible treatments. Peace of Mind One of the biggest reasons to consider having yourself tested is to provide yourself with the peace of mind that comes from knowing that you are free of any sexually-transmitted disease.

Orthopaedic Surgery: Enhance Your Recovery With These High-Protein Foods Post-Op

According to John Hopkins Medicine, there are several things that you should do following orthopaedic surgery to increase your chances of success and to speed up recovery. This includes things like a careful exercise program and showering instead of bathing. However, one of the most important instructions is eating a high-protein diet to assist with wound healing. If you aren't sure what foods are high in protein, here are some portable (since you may want to eat in your bed!

Are You A Senior? 3 Things You Should Have Help With If You Cannot Get Out Of The House

If you are a senior and cannot get out of your home by yourself, there are a variety of services available to you so you can remain in your home alone. This can help you become more independent, as you will not have to worry about calling on your family and friends when you need things. Pharmacy Medications If you are on any type of medications, your pharmacy probably has a delivery service.

Two-Phase Orthodontics: Are They Right For Your Child?

You may be surprised at the age of some of the children you see wearing braces. It used to be common to wait until all, or the majority, of the secondary teeth are present. However, more orthodontists are recommending a two-phase orthodontic treatment. The first phase starts as early as seven or eight. This phase will last anywhere from 12 to 14 months, depending on your child's teeth. The second phase will begin once the rest of the permanent teeth have erupted and will take another 24 months.

Left Behind: Three Common Issues Younger Siblings Encounter When An Older Sibling Leaves For College

For households with two or more children, the oldest child's high school graduation and upcoming college admission are new and exciting events for the entire family. This transition period is saturated with emotion, not only for the oldest child about to start college, but also for the younger siblings left behind. Usually, the younger siblings adjust to the older sibling's departure without incident, but sometimes, younger siblings have a difficult time adapting to this event.

Recreational Rehabilitation Can Help Wounded Warriors Return To A Normal Productive Life

You have a family member who returned from combat overseas with a traumatic brain injury. His life, as well as your family's, is suddenly turned upside down, and you don't know what the future will bring. You know it's going to be a long and tough rehabilitation process, and whether he will fully recover is uncertain. One type of rehab is called therapeutic recreation, and it can help patients to return to the activities they did prior to the injury.

Six Often Overlooked Symptoms That Could Indicate An Underactive Thyroid Gland

Thyroid disorders can be tricky. Often, the symptoms they cause are very non-specific, meaning that they're easy to overlook or blame on something less sinister like the flu or lack of sleep. Many people live with an underactive thyroid gland for years, simply because they don't realize the symptoms they're experiencing are anything worth mentioning to their doctors. However, since untreated hypothyroidism can lead to complications like heart problems and infertility, it's important to tell your doctor if you're experiencing any of these often-subtle symptoms of an underactive thyroid.

When To Tip -- And When Not To Tip -- After Getting A Massage

Booking a massage appointment is the first step toward seeking pain relief or a reduction in your stress. As you relax on the table, your therapist is hard at work to ensure you're pleased with the outcome of your session. If you're happy with the massage you receive, you might be tempted to give a tip to the therapist at the treatment's conclusion. This method of conveying your gratitude is appropriate in some circumstances but not necessary in others.

Balance Testing: Preparing For The Audiologist

If you're having trouble with dizziness or your balance, you'll want to see an audiologist -- a doctor who specializes in hearing and balance. An audiologist will be able to assess your balance issues and any related hearing problems using a variety of tests and measuring methods. The doctor will then be able to recommend a treatment plan based on your personal symptoms and diagnosis. Make sure you have plenty of information ready to give your audiologist before your appointment to help the doctor make an accurate assessment.

What Could Your Testicular Lump Be -- Other Than Cancer?

If you've recently noticed a lump on (or inside) your scrotum, you may be nervous and filled with dread at the thought of being diagnosed with testicular cancer. However, there are a variety of relatively harmless conditions that can also result in unexplained lumps and bumps in your groin area. Before you worry too much, read on to learn more about some of the conditions that may have caused your recent lump, as well as some red flags that could indicate a more serious problem.

Genius Status: 4 Uncommon Ways To Give Your Brainpower A Boost

No one wants to be dumb, and they most certainly don't want to develop a life-altering brain condition at an early age or any age for that matter. However, without taking a few steps to prevent that from happening, you are essentially allowing your brainpower to decline. Here are four unusual ways that can boost your brainpower and have you ready to tackle the world: 1. Play a Round of Golf (Unless You're a Pro Already).

Understanding the Differences between General Practitioner, Urgent Care, and ER

Being in an emergency can be scary, especially if you or someone you love is injured. When a crisis strikes and you need medical care, you probably head off to the emergency room. However, that may not be necessary; and going to the emergency room for minor incidents bogs down the system, which puts other people in danger. So it is important that you know which doctor you should go to: a general practitioner, an urgent care clinic, or the emergency room.

Tired Of Living With Digestive Issues? See A Gastroenterologist Today

Regular medical doctors are great for finding minor problems you may have, but they are not always able to track down the root cause of certain types of issues you may have. If you are suffering from diarrhea, abdominal pain, and any other type of intestinal issue, you might be better off looking for a gastroenterologist. This is a doctor that specializes in intestinal diseases and conditions, and he or she will be able to diagnose and treat the problem.

3 Tips For Caring For A Loved One With Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease is a devastating illness that affects the brain and its function. The hallmark of the illness is it causes those with it to have memory loss and cognitive regression that gets worse over time. People with Alzheimer's eventually need a full-time caregiver to watch over them and help them with daily tasks. Once the disease progresses to a certain point, some can no longer cook or even bathe themselves.

These Are The Absolutely Essential Features In An Independent Living Facility

Although someplace may be called an "independent living facility", some of them may make people feel more like they are living in a hospital. Nobody wants an antiseptic environment where they feel anything but independent. Fortunately, there are plenty of amazing facilities out there. You just have to know exactly what to look for. Keep reading to learn two absolutely essential features in an independent living facility. Help When You Need It

When Is It Time To Get An Asbestos Inspection In Your Home?

Asbestos remediation services can be expensive, which leads some homeowners to put off their asbestos removal until it's necessary. Left undisturbed and undamaged, asbestos is relatively harmless. Asbestos fibers are only a threat to humans when they become airborne and are breathed into the lungs. In homes where the asbestos is intact, occupants can live safely for years or decades. However, knowing the condition of the asbestos is an important part of living safely in a home.

Can't Hear Properly with Your Hearing Aid? Try These Solutions to Common Problems

When you finally get used to your hearing aid, you may think that your hearing problems are over. However, over time, you may start to have a problem hearing with your device. Here are some common problems that you may experience, as well as solutions that might help your hearing aid work properly again. Howling or Whistling One common problem that many hearing aid wearers experience is hearing extra sounds in their device.

Things That A Hearing Amplifier Can Help You Prevent

There is estimated to be 2 to 3 children out of every 1,000 that are born in the US who suffer from hearing loss in one or both ears. However, this number does not account for the more than 30 million people over the age of 12 who are reported to have hearing loss in both ears. While the children would have been given every opportunity by their parents to access hearing devices to make their lives easier, adults are more reluctant to acknowledge their status and find ways to fix it.

Webbed Finger Conditions In Children: Questions And Answers About Surgical Reconstruction

Webbed fingers and toes, a condition known as syndactly, can be frightening to see on your new baby, but it's no reason to panic. The condition is fairly common, especially among Caucasian male infants. Reconstructive surgery is necessary to remedy the condition, and it's usually performed before your child is two years old. Understanding the basics of the procedure can help set your mind at ease. Question #1: Will the Procedure Be Painful?

Three Types Of Pediatric Therapy For Children With Cerebral Palsy

When a child is diagnosed with an incurable condition such as cerebral palsy, it might be hard for the parents to know who to go to for help. Here are three types of pediatric therapy that can help your child reach their fullest potential. Pediatric Speech Therapy - Cerebral palsy is caused by a lack of oxygen to the brain either before, during or shortly after birth. The lack of oxygen damages cells in the brain and impedes the communication between the brain and the muscles.

3 Housing Options For Seniors

If you have a relative that is reaching retirement age, it might be time to start thinking about their senior housing options. While it is difficult to think they may someday move out of their family home, this isn't always an option for everyone. However, many senior housing communities nowadays provide nursing care, daily activities, entertainment, and excellent socialization, making them an excellent alternative to remaining at home. Here are three housing options that seniors can choose from:

Three Things They Don't Teach You In Beauty School

You've always wanted a degree in cosmetology and as a result, you've headed off to a beauty school in your area. The program goes well and eventually, you graduate. Now you are finally qualified to run your own salon and start working for the public. While beauty school may have given you the skills that you need to survive in the cosmetology world, there are a few things that you will eventually have to learn on your own because the school did not teach them to you.

Don't Fall: Tips For Avoiding Tripping Hazards For Seniors

 A simple action such as heading to the mailbox can become very dangerous when you are having a difficult time seeing, your muscles are weakened and you do not feel like you have the same agility. Luckily, if you have your home designed properly, you can keep the risk of slipping and falling as low as possible. Walk Through Your Home with a Friend Have a friend or family member walk with you throughout your home to look for anything that you could potentially trip over.