Health

Whether you already play a musical instrument or you’re considering picking up this talent, playing music can have a lot more benefit to you than simply being a fun hobby or making you look cool. In fact, playing music has been linked to improving your overall health in a variety of ways. 

So if you’re needing more reasons to convince you to dust off your guitar or to start piano lessons, here are three reasons why playing music is good for your health. 

It Reduces Stress

According to Harvard Medical School, playing music can help you to feel less stress in your life.

Not only is this possible because it allows you to get your mind off of other things that could be stressing you out, but it also can help you feel more of a connection with your emotions and the emotions of other people, both of which will also help you to reduce stress and find more contentment in life. 

But the effects of music on stress don’t stop at just your own internal stress. Playing music while you’re sick or recovering from some illness or surgery can also help to speed your recovery by reducing the stress that will naturally accumulate within your body in situations such as these. 

It Helps With Your Memory And Recall

As you age, your memory and your ability to recall things that you thought you had remembered will start to dull. But for people who play a musical instrument, this memory and recall won’t be dulled quite as much.

According to HopkinsMedicine.org, especially if you’re able to pair certain pieces of music with other things that you’re trying to remember, your recall for that information will be much easier for you to access. Additionally, just the sheer act of using more of your brain to learn how to play a musical instrument will give your brain better practice with building connections between thoughts and ideas, further improving your memory. 

It Improves Your Heart Health

Playing and listening to music can also have a positive effect on the overall health of your body, particularly when it comes to your cardiovascular health.

Fred Cicetti, a contributor to LiveScience.com, shares that studies have shown that making music, not just listening to it passively, can lower your blood pressure and decrease your heart rate. So even if you’re just playing a musical instrument for yourself as a pastime, you can have some major physical benefits from it. 

If you’ve been thinking about playing a musical instrument but didn’t feel like it could really be beneficial to you in your life, consider how the mental and physical improvements mentioned above could impact your life in a positive way. 

During almost every minute of every day, there’s a chance that you could get injured in one way or another. While most of these injuries are small, some situations open you up to the possibility of getting majorly hurt.

One potentially dangerous thing that many people participate in on a daily basis is riding in a car. So many drivers don’t give the road their full attention when they’re behind the wheel, which sometimes causes some major car accidents that can result in physical injuries for the people involved.

Luckily, if you’re safe and prepared within your own vehicle, you can do things that might mitigate the extent of the injuries you might sustain when in a car accident. To show you how this can be done, here are three common car accident injuries and how to avoid them.

Whiplash Or Other Neck Injuries

A very common injury that people get from being in a car accident, even if it’s just a minor car accident, is whiplash. Whiplash happens when the force of your car being hit causes your neck and head to snap back, injuring both the muscles and the bones in your cervical spine area. David Landers, a contributor to Nolo.com, shares that this sudden movement can cause some real problems and pain for people.

One thing you can try that will help to reduce the injuries you get from whiplash is to keep your head pressed back against the headrest of your seat as much as possible. Especially if you can see the accident coming but don’t have time to avoid it completely, try to keep your head on your headrest so it won’t have the ability to snap back as much.

Cuts and Bruises

Many people find random cuts and bruises on their bodies after being in a car accident. Depending on the car accident, these cuts and bruises might be caused by broken glass or by objects within your vehicle becoming like projectiles as you car gets hit during an accident.

To reduce the cuts and bruises your body might sustain, you should always wear a seat belt when riding in a car. Your seat belt will not only keep your body in place in the event of an accident, but DignityHealth.org shares that seat belts can reduce your chances of getting hurt or killed in a car accident by about half.

Broken Bones

Because of the impact on your body during a car accident, many people will come out of a car accident with broken bones. However, if you can ensure that your car is equipped with working airbags, Cascade Business News reports that you may have a better chance of avoiding broken bones entirely.

To help you keep from getting majorly injured when in a car accident, consider using the tips mentioned above to prepare yourself and stay safe.

Proper hygiene and good health are closely linked. When you don’t do what you need to do to keep the outside of your body clean, the germs are bound to make their way inside.

It’s also important to keep in mind that you aren’t the only person affected when your hygiene habits are brushed to the wayside. If you have a cold and bad hygiene habits, you place everyone around you at risk of being sick too.

Some people live with compromised immune systems, so it’s responsible of you to practice proper hygiene. Take a moment to read through some simple personal hygiene tips to keep you feeling fresh and clean.

Handwashing is extremely important

Your hands touch a lot of surfaces throughout the day, and you don’t really want all of the germs you pick up along the way to have the opportunity to cause your body problems. Regular handwashing is the most effective way to fight against common illnesses like a cold or the flu.

Wash your hands after using the restroom, before handling food, after sneezing or coughing, after you handle trash, or any other time you feel you have contaminated your digits.

Take a shower/bath regularly

Regular bathing helps to wash off all the potentially harmful junk you came in contact with throughout the day. Your skin benefits from showering, as it helps to exfoliate dead skin cells. Regular exfoliation will help you to maintain healthy, more youthful, skin.

Shaving is also an important piece of the puzzle of hygiene, but you have to do it right. Invest in a high-quality shaving subscription, so you always have the best products to keep your skin rejuvenated.

Brush your teeth twice daily

Brushing your teeth can save you from a whole lot of pain as you age. It is recommended that you brush your teeth twice a day to prevent excess plaque buildup and tooth decay. Poor dental hygiene can also lead to gum disease, and gum disease can cause some serious health issues.

Regularly clip your nails

Your fingernails are a perfect scooping dirt/germ trap, and they’re more efficient at their job when they’re overgrown. Trim and clean your finger and toenails on a regular basis to ward off excess exposure to harmful biohazards. Proper nail hygiene will help your hands and feet avoid some painfully nasty issues as well.

Keep your clothes fresh and clean

A major part of your personal hygiene is the clothing you wear. Clean clothes not only make you look and smell better, but the sanitization of the process of washing the clothes kills any harmful germs you pick up throughout the day.

There are many definitions and interpretations of family doctors or primary care providers. The World Health Organization defines primary health care as an overall approach to health and well-being considering the needs and preferences of an individual, his or her family and the community as a whole. It addresses important aspects including mental and social health as well as other health determinants such as the environment and economy. Primary health care comes from a commitment to equity and social justice. However, figures show that fewer adults in the country visit their primary care doctors. Here are reasons why you should visit your doctor.

Improves health outcomes

A few studies back this claim as they demonstrate that having a regular family doctor reduces mortality, hospitalizations, and health care expense. It is effective in addressing poor health, making it a good investment for it decreases health care costs. It improves threats to health such as epidemics and bacteria resistance.

Builds your health history

Knowledge of family medical history is important not just in diagnosing an illness but also in preventing future diseases as your physician can catch symptoms of serious conditions early on. Most family practitioners treat a range of conditions and you can get primary care from them at any point in your life. When the doctor knows your family history of illness, it helps them make accurate diagnoses.

Provides holistic care

A family doctor is trained in addressing a little bit of everything and treating a patient in one central location, regardless of if you are experiencing a physical or emotional problem. Providing holistic care means treating you based on your family, personal experience or other major aspects of life. It is the goal of family doctors to nurture patient-centered relationships, giving integrated care over a person’s lifespan.

Better level of comfort

If you have a trusted primary care provider, you can have someone you feel comfortable with to talk about your health concerns. The more you visit your doctor, the better your relationship will be. By having one person to go to for your family’s medical conditions, you skip the need to adjust or feel awkward on the first visit. You need not even discuss everything that happened previously because previous illnesses are recorded.

Referrals you can trust

When you need a specialist for more serious health conditions, your family doctor is the best person to refer you to someone who fits your needs or even your personality. They know the best doctors around to help you with your health care.

Family doctors have extensive training in major areas including pediatrics, internal medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, psychiatry, surgery, neurology, community medicine, and other areas. They can treat you better than you think. They can help manage chronic illnesses such as diabetes, heart ailments, and cancer. The list goes on of what they can do. Your first goal is to find the right one whom you know you can trust. Choose wisely, just how healthcare companies choose the right physician recruiter to handle the sourcing for them.

To read more on topics like this, check out the health category.

The benefits of using medical marijuana have been proven for a wide range of medical conditions. Cannabis has the ability to treat everything from depression to seizures, especially when using pure CBD oil. CBD lacks the same psychoactive powers provided by other components of weed – specifically THC – but its medical benefits can be life changing.

Maybe you only considered using CBD to treat your own personal anxiety or chronic pain, but what about your K-9 counterpart? Some people might consider giving marijuana to their pet controversial, but CBD oil is perfectly safe. Not only are they safe, they can be extremely effective and prolong the life of you dog.

Still on the fence about CBD hemp oil for dogs? Keep reading to learn more about giving your furry friend CBD hemp oil.

What is CBD hemp oil?

CBD is one of the many potent compounds found within the cannabis plant. Most of the rage associated with weed is behind THC, but CBD is responsible for a majority of health benefits involved with marijuana. CBD hemp oil is pure oil derived from the marijuana plants containing cannabidiol (CBD).

Since CBD oil contains essentially no THC, there is no risk of getting high. So you don’t need to worry about your dog having the munchies or getting locked to the couch.

What are the benefits of CBD oil for pets?

Humans take CBD oil every day for a variety of ailments, so why not give it to your dog in small doses? There are so many potential benefits, especially in older K-9’s. Similar to in people, CBD oil can treat seizures, nausea, arthritis, back pain, cancer-related symptoms, and gastrointestinal issues.

Even if CBD oil can just alleviate symptoms but doesn’t act as a treatment, it is well worth it. If your dog is suffering from back pain, administering pure CBD hemp oil can greatly improve his/her quality of life.

Are there any potential risks involved?

CBD oils for pets is actually much safer than a lot of the traditional pet medications on the market. There is essentially no risk of overdose with cannabis oil, and CBD oil does not harm the kidneys, liver, or GI tract like other medications. The only potential risk of administering too much would be you dog getting high.

But even so, too much CBD oil is one hundred times safer than your pet eating foods like raisins, coffee, or chocolate. However, it is still important to administer the proper amount and avoiding giving your dog more than necessary.

What is the best method for administering it to my pet?

Depending on your dog’s condition, CBD oil can be administered either topically or orally. For skin conditions and even sore muscles, a topical cream is more likely than an oral medication. Medical conditions like pain, nausea, and seizures are more likely to be treated with CBD oil capsules or even doggy treats.

Is CBD hemp oil for dogs easy to access?

Nowadays, CBD hemp oil is extremely easy to access – and most dispensaries offer it at the right price. You can order most products on the internet and have it delivered right to your door. Certain companies specialize in CBD pet products, so consider buying from here rather than a dispensary geared towards humans.

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Cancer is something which is an unfortunate fact of life, one in two people will have direct contact with this disease in their lifetimes and whilst advancements are being made, for now we have to make do with what treatments that we have available. One of the most common types of cancer is breast cancer which occurs mainly in women but can also occur in men. Over the last 20 years we have seen huge progress in the treating of this disease and the mortality rate is incredibly high. If you have had some troubles with your breasts and recently discovered that you indeed have breast cancer, this will of course be a very difficult time for you. To help you to stay positive and deal with this news, we spoke to a breast cancer surgeon who offered the following advice.

Owning the Illness

Medical staff and professionals will of course have an action plan for how they will attack your cancer but they will need some help from you and it is on you to take ownership of this disease. After the initial anger, or emotional disappointment, it is time to start thinking about how you will take action. Instead of allowing something to grow inside you without knowledge of it, learn about the cancer and what it can do and also learn about how it can be killed off.

Consider Options

Depending on the stage of your cancer your doctor will likely have given you some options to think about in terms of treatment. For example the doctor may have recommended a mastectomy which involves removing ether one or both breasts. Alternatively you may have been offered a period of chemotherapy and it will be very important that you weigh up the pros and cons of each treatment and what it will mean to you.

Support

You do not have to go through this on your own and you can make use of support networks that are out there. Many cancer charities run support networks which could be a great way for you to open up about how you feel and what you are going through, sharing your story with others who are suffering from the same fate. Reach out to your local charities and get involved in the community, it can really help to make you feel more positive about everything that is going on.

Talk When Ready

There is absolutely no pressure on you to talk right now, take your time to absorb what you have discovered and when you feel ready to you can start talking with your friends and family about what is happening. There is no pressure on you here at all, take some time for yourself and only when you are ready should you start discussing your disease with other people.

There is a lot of hope to be found here so stay positive and keep an open mind. To learn more about health from the 60 Degree blog, click here.

More than 67 million Americans suffer from allergies. Common allergens like tree pollen, ragweed, and others are often in full force during the warmer seasons. Seasonal allergies in the spring tend to be the worst, as a wide range of trees, flowers, and plants bloom. However, even during the cooler months, allergens still pose a problem for millions of people.

While pollen production is very minimal during late fall and winter, indoor allergens like mold, mites, dust, and pet dander still cause a wide range of allergy symptoms and side effects. If you suffer from seasonal allergies, keep reading to learn how the condition affects your body.

What Are Allergies?

When your body is allergic to a substance, your immune system responds in various ways. Your body’s immune response can be quite mild, causing a runny nose or coughing. However, an allergic reaction can also cause anaphylaxis, which is life-threatening.

Allergic reactions start in the immune system. When a substance, like pollen, dust, or mold is encountered by someone who is allergic, the body produces antibodies to attack the allergen. This then causes runny nose, itching, wheezing, and itchy eyes.

So how do you become allergic to something? An allergy is developed when the body creates antigens against a substance. Depending on the immune system’s response, repeated exposure may increase the severity of the reaction.

How Seasonal Allergies Impact the Body

When you think about the side effects of seasonal allergies you likely think of:

• Watery/itchy eyes
• Itchy sinuses
• Ear congestion
• Coughing
• Sniffling
• Wheezing

While these are the most commonly experienced symptoms, seasonal allergies also cause a wide range of other symptoms that are often overlooked.

Fatigue

Chronic fatigue can also occur as a result of allergies. This is because during an allergic reaction, your body produces chemicals that can cause you to feel tired. Allergies can also make you feel fatigued in that they make it much harder to get sound sleep. There’s nothing more frustrating than trying to sleep when you’re coughing or sneezing every other minute!

The good news is that most allergy products contain ingredients that make it much easier to get the sleep you need to rest and heal.

Asthma

Another often overlooked side effect of allergies is asthma. In fact, the two conditions go hand-in-hand. During an allergic reaction you may experience allergic asthma, which occurs when you come into contact with an allergen. According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, a large percentage of the 26 million Americans that suffer from asthma also have allergies.

Upper Respiratory Infection

When suffering from allergies, many people confuse their symptoms with a cold. For both conditions it’s not uncommon to have sneezing, coughing, post nasal drip, or a stuffy nose. For some these symptoms worsen and can turn into an upper respiratory or even a sinus infection. Tell-tale symptoms include fever, cough, and discharge from the nose and mouth.

Long-Term Impacts of Untreated Seasonal Allergies

For most people, seasonal allergy symptoms are quickly remedied using medication or an alternative treatment. When your body is reacting to an allergy, it’s working overtime to prevent more serious side effects. However, if the allergy isn’t treated, the immune system eventually starts to slow down. This leaves room for more powerful allergy symptoms to occur.

An untreated allergy often causes infection and/or inflammation. This is because the immune system is weakened. A weak immune system isn’t able to fight off infection or inflammation, which can lead to headaches, sinusitis, ear infections, and asthma. Chronic sleep issues are another side effect of untreated allergies. Nasal congestion, coughing, and sneezing can cause poor sleep quality. This can lead to insomnia and even sleep apnea.

Other side effects of an untreated allergy include:

• Irritability
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Lack of concentration
• Moodiness
• Memory problems
• Decreased productivity

While an untreated allergy may not seem like a serious health issue, allergies leave your immune system and brain function extremely vulnerable.

Conclusion

While the typical symptoms of seasonal allergies are quite frustrating (and even a little painful!), the condition also causes a variety of other side effects. Though many don’t think of it, allergies can be deadly, especially if left untreated.

If you suffer from seasonal allergies, ensure you’re taking the proper precautions to minimize exposure. This includes staying indoors during high pollen times, replacing air filters in your home, and taking medication as needed.

There are a multitude of reasons why you may be scared to speak up about your health. If you find it difficult opening up to medical professionals like LloydsPharmacy about your health, simply continue reading to discover why it’s crucial to speak up about your health!

Why it’s important to speak up about your health:

You probably already know how important it is to protect your skin from the sun. You’ve heard that you should put on sunscreen, wear sunglasses, and limit your exposure during the hottest parts of the day.

Protection from the sun should be a part of everyone’s lifestyle routine, but did you know there’s more you could be doing to reduce your chances of developing skin cancer?

Here are a few surprising ways you can protect yourself from the sun that go beyond wearing long sleeved shirts and using plenty of sunscreen.

Window Treatments

You know you need to put sunscreen on when you leave the house, but did you know that you could be getting sun damaged skin inside your own home?

The UV rays from the sun can penetrate glass. That means, if you’re sitting by the window, you could end up damaging your skin. That’s where the right window treatments come in.

American Blinds has some great window treatment options that include:

• Solar shades
• Sheer shades
• Cellular shades

Don’t forget skylights! They could use shades too!

Window Film

The windows in your home aren’t the only windows that expose you to the sun. it isn’t uncommon for truckers to end up with uneven skin damage due to their exposure on the road, even when the windows are rolled up.

Window film is a must if you spend a lot of time in the car. It’s also a must if you travel with little kids in the car.

Window film isn’t just for the car though! Because it can provide great skin protection, you can use it on windows in your home. Not only will it protect you from UV rays, it can also provide you with more privacy.

Eat the Right Foods

Did you know the right foods can protect you from the harmful effects of the sun? A few include:

• Carrots because they are rich in beta-carotene
• Tomatoes because they contain lycopene and flavanols
• Olive oil because it contains healthy fats and vitamin E
• Green tea because it is high in polyphenols

You’ll be happy to hear that dark chocolate promotes anti-inflammation and is rich in flavonoids that can protect your skin from the sun too!

Wear Your Hair the Right Way

You spend a lot of time worried about your nose, cheeks, and chest. You may even understand the importance of using an SPF lip balm, but have you thought about how you wear your hair?

It isn’t uncommon for people to get burned on the head, especially if they have fine hair or light skin. Even a simple part in the hair can leave you susceptible to sun damage! That’s why you should wear your hair in a ponytail or wear a hat.

Don’t forget the sunscreen, but in order to truly protect yourself from the sun, you have to think outside the box. The ideas on this list will make sure you’re safe from the sun’s rays, no matter what!