Category Archives: Health

Pain After a Workout? Common Medical issues You Might Have

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On average, only a quarter of people exercise enough. But whether you are a dedicated athlete or an avid walker, you can experience pain after a workout. Even walking can strain muscles, and your lifestyle can exacerbate issues. Nevertheless, strains and inflammation are common, and fortunately, you can relieve most problems with simple care and attention.

Heel and Foot Problems

Feet are designed to take the pressure of your body’s weight. And although they do the job very well, they often succumb to injury as a result. The bones of your feet can become stressed and muscles inflamed. Additionally, you may experience various types of heel pain. But what does heel pain mean? Well, it can mean a number of things, such as:

  • Heel spur syndrome
  • Stress fractures
  • Bursitis
  • Achilles tendinitis
  • Sever’s disease
  • Haglund’s deformity

All of these issues are common, yet they are treatable. For example, if you find you constantly have severe pain in your heel after a workout, there may be more going on than simple strain. Fortunately, you can consult a licensed orthotics expert for guidance, advice, and treatment.

Musculoskeletal Strains

Some of the most painful injuries are those to the musculoskeletal system. They result from sudden jerking movements that damage the nerves in most cases. It results in pain in the ligaments, muscles, bones, and tendons. Generally, the pain is localized to one area that undergoes repeated strain, such as the shoulder when lifting weights. The pain associated with these injuries can be debilitating and take months or even years to heal. Therefore, a gentle exercise regimen such as water aerobics, swimming, and walking is recommended until the pain has completely gone. Also, if these exercises don’t help, it is wise to go for surgery to ease the pain. If you are worried about the procedure or the after-effects, make sure to read on to find more information to make a trusted decision.

Back Damage

Your back will be put under some strain during almost all exercises. The intensity of the strain will depend on what you are doing. In the beginning, you will feel stress in your back if you perform repeated strenuous exercises such as sit-ups and heavy weight lifting. To prevent this, you should wear the necessary back support. Already existing back problems can also worsen. Those with related back pain may benefit from sciatica tape. Nevertheless, you should avoid exerting too much pressure on the area if you suffer from severe back problems.

Inflamed Muscles

Muscle soreness is almost certain to accompany your back pain, and aches and pains are unavoidable with exercise. However, you will soon become accustomed to muscle soreness if you regularly exercise with strenuous routines. Also, after spending most of your life sedentary, you might experience great pain if you start exercising for the first time. But it’s important not to give up when you experience pain. Cold and heat can soothe the aches. Cold decreases swelling and inflammation, while heat loosens tissues and facilitates blood flow.

Lack of Essential Vitamins

Not eating correctly is a significant cause of low energy and concentration. A poor diet will produce deficiencies of vitamins and minerals like A, B, C, and D. However, the human body also isn’t great at absorbing certain nutrients. And people with medical conditions can also have issues absorbing much-needed nutrients. However, insufficient vitamins and minerals can result in pain. For instance, a lack of D vitamins will cause muscle soreness and weakened bones and nerves. Apart from eating a balanced and nutritious diet, you can try multivitamins and supplements to boost your intake.

Helping Your Older Loved Ones Navigate Hearing Loss

As we get older, life becomes more challenging for a whole host of reasons. It could be mobility or the loss of loved ones, after retirement, many people have difficulties adjusting to their new life without a sense of purpose or belonging and these issues can result in feelings of isolation or depression.

Certainly, as we move through different stages of life, the challenges are different – but this doesn’t have to mean that the challenges are negative or debilitating. Life is for living and different phases of our natural evolution also offer us the chance to experience richer, fuller lives armed with a diversity of life experiences and skills. 

Now, one of the most important challenges that many of us will face is experiencing the issues that age brings with it, and often this means, hearing loss. If you’re concerned that you might be showing signs of hearing loss, then you should take action as soon as possible. Early diagnosis is key and as the adage goes, prevention is better than cure, so the earlier you see an audiologist the more options you’ll have at your disposal to address any issues.

However, when we start to see these signs in our older relatives and loved ones, it’s important that we understand the challenges they’re going to be facing and how we can support them constructively and lovingly, and most importantly, with empathy. This is especially true if they’ve never had hearing issues before and are facing a new reality, which could be causing feelings of anxiety and stress.

So, we’re going to look at a few ways that you can recognize signs of hearing loss in older relatives and what you can do to make their lives a little easier.

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COMMON SIGNS OF HEARING LOSS

The first step to finding help for your relatives and loved ones is to recognize when things are not going exactly to plan with their hearing, and while some signs are more obvious it is likely that at the beginning phase of hearing loss, the clues are going to be less obvious.

You may notice that they’re having difficulty hearing other people clearly or that they misunderstand what you’re saying to them, a scenario that can be more obvious in noisy places.

If they start to ask you to repeat yourself and this happens in greater frequency or if listening to music or watching the television needs a higher volume than normal, this is a sign of deteriorating hearing.

Missing telephone calls or not being able to hear the person on the other end, finding it difficult to keep u with conversations, and if you notice that they become stressed or tired after engaging in a conversation may well mean that it is time to get that audiologist check scheduled.

While these signs are common in most people, you also need to pay special attention to your Dad and older male relatives or loved ones because men are far less likely to speak up about hearing loss, just something to be aware of.

WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU NOTICE SIGNS OF HEARING LOSS

When you notice that your loved one is showing signs of hearing loss (and they have not said anything to you yet), it’s important to proceed with sensitivity and understanding. Try to imagine yourself in their position and realize that this is one stage of life that we’d all rather not have to experience. So empathy and patience are your two most important keywords.

The first thing you’re going to do is have a conversation with them. Discuss your concerns and the reasons why you’re worried, let them speak, and accept that this first interaction may not go exactly as you want it to, but patience is key and handling the situation delicately is a great departure point.

The next step is to schedule a hearing exam with an audiologist. They’ll be able to ascertain the extent of damage and at what stage of hearing loss they’re at. Based on that assessment, they’ll also be able to recommend a treatment plan moving forward and offer advice on how best to cope with the current state of hearing loss.

Your audiologist will also recommend the appropriate devices if they’re necessary and this is also your cue to learn everything you can about those devices, how they operate what hearing aid programming tips you’ll need to enjoy optimum levels of use and benefit from them.

The more you know, the better you’ll be equipped to help your loved ones cope with this new change in their lives and it doesn’t have to be all doom and gloom. People with hearing loss live rich, varied, and interesting lives, just like everyone else does.

7 Investments on Your Health You Shouldn’t Skimp On in 2022

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Photo by Artem Beliaikin from Pexels

In the US, the most common New Year Resolutions include doing more exercise, improving fitness, and focusing on a healthier diet. So, most goals for the new year include getting healthier! However, not many people actually fulfill their resolutions, especially when the goal is vague or difficult to achieve. 

At the same time, it has never been more important to focus on becoming healthier – especially after two years dominated by terms like “Covid-19”, “pandemic”, “quarantine”, and “isolation.” if you are not sure about how to get started on your path towards better health, the tips below can be an excellent starting point. Get started today! 

Fitness and Wellbeing Center Subscriptions

We all tend to skimp on fitness and wellbeing center subscriptions. And, it is undeniable that some of these centers are expensive and beyond your means. However, it is possible to find local gyms and fitness centers that are well within your budget, accessible, and suitable to your needs. 

If you are new to the world of fitness, you don’t need hundreds of classes and facilities. But what you truly need is a healthy, welcoming, and comfortable environment in which you can spend hours looking after yourself. And, don’t forget that exercising can help you manage your weight, feel at your best, and strengthen your immune system. 

Medical Devices That Can Enhance Your Quality of Life

No matter who you talk to – everyone struggles with one or more health conditions. However, leaving your condition untreated means that you might pay the consequences of your choices! 2022 is the perfect year to take the leap and invest in those medical devices that can help you live a much higher quality of living – including sensory aids and mobility aids

While, at first, you might be tempted to opt for the cheapest alternative, don’t forget that a tailored solution to your needs can truly make a difference in your experience. Learn more about a popular type of hearing aid, such as the Air Conduction Hearing Aid, or custom-made wheelchairs.

Regular Health Checkups

We all tend to visit the doctor’s office when we are ill. However, doing so means that you are already struggling with that health condition, complications might have made it worse, and cures can be more difficult. Skip an optician appointment or two and you may need to visit an eye surgery center in short order. After all, if you’re not an expert in health, it’s hard to determine just how well you really are. 

Instead, investing in regular annual checkups can help you keep an eye on diseases and health conditions that are developing, thus finding a cure before they turn into severe disorders. For example, most skin cancer types are easily preventable and curable if addressed immediately – and you can do so only through regular visits to your dermatologist. 

While some of the most common general health exams you will need to include blood tests, eyesight checkups, and dental appointments, your doctors can help you better understand your needs. 

Creating a Healthy Home Environment

We often don’t realize how powerful the impact of our home environment on our health can be. However, over the past two years, we have realized that creating a healthy indoor environment can help our health. Some of the crucial modifications you will need to make to create a healthier home living space include:

  • Swap heavy drapes for light curtains and let natural light in
  • Control your indoor air quality by letting in some fresh air, adding plants, and promoting ventilation and circulations
  • Keep an eye on humidity levels and mold growth
  • Use natural textures and elements that help you strengthen your bond with nature
  • Opt for a minimalist design that is essential to promote energy, relaxation, and wellbeing

Vacations and Self-Care

Vacations are and time off are important aspects of a healthy lifestyle. Thanks to regular breaks, you can avoid burnout, keep at bay stress, focus on yourself, and live a more balanced life. And, of course, vacations give you the chance to spend more time with your loved ones. 

If you are on a budget, you don’t have to miss out on the benefits of spending time outdoors, in nature, and in the company of your loved ones. If you are looking for inspiration, make sure to check these 7 outdoor activities to enjoy with your whole family!

Buy the Right Foods (Even if They Are More Expensive!)

Healthy choices start at the grocery store! While, today, the choice of foods and ingredients is overwhelming, eating healthily and following a diet composed of legumes, grains, and fresh, seasonal vegetables and fruits can help you live a healthier life. 

Speak to a Mental Health Professional

Science agrees: your mental health, emotional balance, and self-awareness can impact your health level and immune system. One of the best investments you could make in 2022 to live a healthier life is to consult a mental health professional. Get started today!