Important Habits to Protect Your Ear Health and Hearing

Published on: 12 June 2018 Last Updated on: 03 March 2021

Hearing loss isn’t always something that can be prevented. Sometimes loss of hearing is just something that happens as you get older.

But in an increasingly loud and busy world, hearing loss might be caused early or worsened by the environment around you.

And once you’re hearing is gone, it can be gone for good.

Can you imagine life without being able to hear? It’s a scary thought for many and should be. And yet, very few of us take the proper precautions in protecting our ears and our hearing.

That changes now. If you’re committed to the concept of ear health and protecting your hearing, read on. We’ll discuss several ways to help ensure that your hearing stays strong and true for many years to come.

The Case For Earplugs :

You likely rolled your eyes back in your youth when your parents advised you to wear earplugs to that rock and roll concert. But they were on to something.

Approximately 15% of Americans lose hearing as a result of too-loud work or leisure environments. If you work or spend lots of time in an environment where the sound level forces you to shout to be able to communicate, it’s likely that the sound levels there are dangerously high. This loudness could be due to a concert or club, or even more often, due to some form of loud and consistent machinery.

If you know that you spend many hours around this kind of noise level, you should absolutely invest in a good pair of earplugs. Earplugs are easy to obtain, generally affordable, and can even be made individualized for your ears upon request. They can dampen the level of sound coming in from your environment by a significant margin, helping to curb the possible loss of hearing.

Keep The Volume Low :

According to the World Health Organization, over a billion people each year are at risk of hearing loss due to the unsafe use of audio devices. Earbuds, like the popular headphones designed by Apple, are especially dangerous for ear health as they fit directly into the eardrum.

If you’re a music lover, you probably spend a lot of time listening to music on headphones. If you care about the health of your ears, though, you should make an effort to keep the volume at a lower level. Doctors recommend a philosophy they’ve dubbed the 60/60 rule. The rule is a recommendation that you listen to music through headphones at 60% volume for less than 60 minutes a day for the benefit of your hearing.

Even when not listening to headphones, you should aim to keep music played at a normal level to ensure long-lasting ear health.

Avoid Cotton Swabs :

One of the most common items in any household bathroom cabinet is a jar of cotton swabs. These little tools have been used by people to clean out ear wax for years and years, but it’s only more recently that their nefarious reputation has begun to reach the public.

It actually turns out that a little wax in the ears is both healthy and normal. Ears are self-cleaning organs and the wax in your ears actually serves to prevent dust and other particles from entering your eardrum.

If you do have excess wax, it is not advisable that you use a cotton swab. You can very easily damage your eardrum by using a cotton swab. Instead, considering using a damp towel to gently clean around the canal.

There are also various ear wax solutions that are available in stores. These are applied to the ears overnight and can help to dissolve and soften ear wax so that it can flow out of the inner ear on its own.

Keep Your Ears Dry :

Another frequent cause of ear damage is extra moisture. Excess moisture can allow bacteria to enter the ear canal and cause serious problems, such as a swimmer’s ear or other infections.

Following swims at the pool or beach, showers or baths, or any other water-related activity, you should be sure to gently towel-dry your ears. If you can feel the moisture in your ear following swimming or bathing, tilt your head to the side and tug lightly on your eardrum to help water drain out.

There are also specially designed swimmer’s earplugs available on the market, which can help prevent water from entering your eardrum during a swim. They work great for any age, kids or adults, and can be individually fitted for your ear by a licensed physician.

Consider Getting Regular Check-Ups :

Especially as you get older, you should ask your physician to incorporate hearing screenings into your regular checkups. Hearing loss doesn’t happen in a flash of light, it is a very gradual process. It’s recommended, then, that you have yearly consultations with a hearing healthcare professional, who can recognize the signs of hearing loss while it is still in the early stages.

Taking action against hearing loss is important, as is discussing it with your doctor. Loss of hearing has been linked to other health concerns such as depression, dementia, and heart disease. Establishing a relationship with your doctor in regards to ear health early on can contribute to better overall health later on.

If you do find yourself losing hearing, you should ensure to invest in a proper hearing aid. With all the advances in rechargeable hearing aids over the past few years, they now serve people with hearing impairment much better. A well-designed hearing aid can help improve the quality of life for someone who has lost hearing and can stave off the other health issues previously mentioned. If you’re interested in the best hearing aids on the market, you can learn more here.

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4 Essential Ways Of How To Make Your Feet Stronger

The human feet are a masterpiece of engineering and a work of art that enables you to stand for long hours, walk for long distances, hop, skip and jump and follow the activities that your heart wants to follow. Just like a sound foundation ensures that a building stands upright forever; having strong feet ensure a longer, happier, and healthier life. However, we often tend to take our feet for granted. Even the best of athletes focus upon building muscles legs, arms, calves, abs, and the rest of the body; but hardly anyone pays attention to the feet. We seem to forget the fact that our feet are involved in almost every activity we do. They provide us the support and balance in almost all our bodily movements. Lack of strength in our feet is therefore bound to compromise our ability to do any physical activity; be it walking, running, jump, high-intensity sporting event, or even standing! The Science Behind the Structure of the Feet Before we embark upon knowing the ways about how to ensure that your feet stronger, it is important to understand the three most important aspects that dictate how strong or weak your feet are. These are - 1.The Soles Most of us who wear shoes all day long have very soft and tender feet soles. You would have noticed that those who spend time barefooted, have thicker soles. This makes them stronger and firmer and they are able to withstand superficial injuries as well as normal wear and tear quite easily. 2. The Joints, Muscles, And Tendrils Of The Feet The human foot is a very complex structure. It is made of 33 joints, 26 bones, and almost 100 ligaments! They all are designed to function in a manner that the foot can take the weight of the entire body and spread it evenly to maintain balance in all types of movement. Strong feet not only help an efficient movement but also help in improving the posture. They also help in avoiding spinal injuries by efficiently maintaining our balance, thus cushioning the effect of any jerks. 3. Arches in the Feet The arches in our feet help in an efficient rolling action, which maintains the balance during movement. Sometimes the arches are not well developed, giving rise to a situation commonly known as flat feet. When someone is flat-footed, it is difficult to maintain good rolling action which in turn leads to a lower range of action consequently lowering strength as well as speed. How to Make Your Feet Stronger Most of us are blessed with well-shaped feet that can take the rigors of our daily life and all the activities we undertake, but often we tend to neglect our feet and suffer the consequences by way of loss of strength as well as suffer from early aging symptoms. It is but natural that if the feet are weak, a person's mobility will be restricted and he will do fewer activities. This would have an adverse effect on overall health. On the other hand, if a person is active, some of the drawbacks of being flat-footed can be overcome. Here are some of the ways of how to make your feet stronger - Exercises By consciously spending some time doing the following specific exercises is the best way to make your feet stronger – Caterpillar Type Movement – (Benefit- Strengthens the arches) Lie down on your back, draw your knees and place the feet flat on the floor about 8 inches away from each other. Then lift the arches of both the feet and simultaneously pull your toes backward toward the heels. Keep this position for a few seconds and bring back the arches and toe to their original position. Then do the reverse- arches up and heels toward the toes. Repeat this set three to five times. Windshield Wiper Movement – (Benefit- Strengthens the entire foot and improves ankle stability) In continuation with the caterpillar type movement exercise listed above, lift the toes, keeping the feet flexed while only the heels are touching the floor. Then slowly roll your feet to the ground and lift the heels keeping only your toes are on the ground. Repeat 8-10 times. Wing and Sickle Movement - (Benefit - Strengthens the ankles and promotes correct posture) Continue lying down as above and roll your feet inward along the inner edge in line with the toe, then roll outwards in line with a small finger. Do this 3-5 times. The Round Knot Movement - (Benefit - Stretches the ligaments and aids foot alignment) Sit upright on the floor and extend your legs in front. Bend the left knee towards yourself and interlace the fingertips of the right hand with the left toes. Inch them forward and backward giving the foot a stretch. Repeat 6-8 times. Then do the same with the other foot. Toughening up Your Feet There are many other ways of how to make your feet stronger. Stand More Often – Our daily life is mostly based on sitting. Be it office or home, we spend the day sitting. Consciously standing more often would help strengthen and stretch the muscles of the feet. Jogging/Walking on the Sand – If you have access to a sandy beach, try walking or running gently on the sand. This would increase the flexibility and strength in your feet and exercise the arch. Read also: Why Jumping on Trampolines is More Beneficial than Running or Jogging? Walking Barefoot– Crazy as it may appear, walking on smooth rocks can do wonders for your feet' strength. Walking barefoot on grass is equally effective as it toughens up the feet soles and makes the feet stronger. Using Shoes With Insoles Insoles were traditionally used for making short people appear taller. These days however they are scientifically designed for multiple functions and assist in skiing, biking, golf, etc. Using best insoles for flat feet ensures not only physical comfort but also improves efficiency and performance in all your multifarious activities. Even those who suffer from other ailments like Morton’s Neuroma and plantar fasciitis can benefit by using the best insoles for flat feet and carry out all activities normally. Go On, Focus On Your Feet! If you want to enhance your control, balance, and power, it is important to start focusing on strengthening your feet. It will also make you agile with better control of movement. Following these simple tips in your daily routine can put you on the way to balanced, more powerful, and stronger feet in a matter of a few days! Read also: Get up and Workout! Things to Consider

Symptoms and Treatments for Shingles

There are many painful illnesses that are not life-threatening in particular, and shingles are one of such illnesses. If you have ever had the chickenpox, even when you were a child, then you are at some risk of experiencing the discomfort of shingles. Shingle is an infection of the skin that is caused by the varicella-zoster virus. This is the same virus that causes chickenpox. What Causes Shingles? The varicella-zoster virus can remain dormant in a person's body for years after they have had the chicken pox. The virus attaches itself to the nerve tissues that are located close to your brain and spinal cord. However, not everyone who has once had chicken pox will get shingles. Although the reasons for the reactivation of this virus is not quite clear, it seems to have to do with a less effective immune system. Research has shown that most older adults who have weaker immune systems tend to get shingles. While some of them might have other health conditions that weaken their immune systems, the general weakening of the immune system as we get older seems to be the primary reason. Symptoms of Shingles: The most noticeable symptom of having shingles is a painful rash on the body. This rash is often limited to one small section of the body. Usually, it manifests as a rash that wraps around either the right or left side of the trunk or torso. Most people find out they have shingles when they visit a dermatologist to find out why they have developed a rash. The rash itself might cause pain, itching, burning or a combination of all three. Sometimes the sensations can become very intense and hard to ignore. The rashes are often sensitive to the touch and produce puss-filled blisters that crack open. When these cracked blisters dry, the skin turns crusty. Other symptoms of shingles might include a fever, tiredness, headaches and a sensitivity to bright light. Some people might experience an upset stomach and nausea as well. Treatments for Shingles: The only way to prevent shingles is with a vaccine, the same kinds that are used to prevent the chickenpox. The most popular and most used are Shingrix and Zostavax. While both of them have been effective, there are a few reasons to be wary of Zostavax. There have been many reports that Zostavax can actually cause chickenpox and shingles in many people, including children. There have also been published warning that this vaccine causes keratitis or inflammation of the cornea. Antiviral medications are used to slow down the development of the shingles rash. However, it's important to take these antiviral medications no more than about 72 hours after first experiencing symptoms. This is why a quick diagnosis is imperative. This means telling your doctor about any symptoms as soon as possible. The pain and inflammation caused by shingles can be managed by over-the-counter pain medications like Ibuprofen, Acetaminophen, and Naproxen. However, if the pain and discomfort are too extreme, your doctor might prescribe pain medications that are more powerful. Sometimes, numbing medications like Lidocaine might be suggested by a doctor. Other times, Capsaicin cream might be used to reduce irritation and inflammation. It's important to tell your doctor about any former skin conditions or serious illnesses you have had in the past. This can give your doctor a better idea of what kinds of medications and treatments will suit you best. Read Also: Treatments And Home Remedies To Tackle Tinnitus Go Trampolining To Have Fun And Maintain Your Fitness

Eating Good Quality Foods For Diet

If you are someone that routinely follows the health and wellness industry, chances are that you have heard about Keto and Paleo diets. There are many proponents for both kinds of diets. In this article, we look at some of the elements associated with both and the effect that they have on weight control. Eating Good quality foods for diet can help you to maintain your diet in the right order. Eating Good Quality Foods For Diet Is Essential For Everyone There are several good quality foods for a diet you can maintain for every one to improve your business in the right direction. Paleo Diet- What does it mean? Fundamentally, the Paleo diet has been referred to as a cave dweller’s diet. Individuals eat food articles similar to the way as ancient human beings did. Their belief stems from the fact that this is a healthy way to sustain life. Eating good quality foods for your diet can make things more comfortable for your diet. This hypothesis asserts that cutting edge nourishment handling is the essential driver of human medical issues. The proponents argue that in order to check and reduce weight, people need to "return" to the manner in which it was amid the mountain man period. They think straightening out your dietary pattern to the ancient human beings, or to the Paleolithic era plan empowers the normal organic capacity of the human body to process food better thereby assisting in wellbeing. Paleo Menu- What does it stand for? Changing a human being’s dietary habit, according to a paleo diet means that an individual should stay away from and resist processed sources of food like grains, fruits, meats, and others. Now, you might be wondering as to what should be then eaten instead. The food items that a Paleo diet entails consists of natural products and ingredients as are found in nature. In other words, food that has not been processed artificially. Items like eggs, seeds, nuts, meat, fish, and vegetables. Individuals are permitted to add a certain amount of oils and fats to their meals. Again, these should be natural, and not artificial. Ghee, avocado oil, natural fats are allowed. To certain individuals, paleo is in excess of an eating routine. It centers on affecting the earth emphatically with the nourishment decisions we make. It is considered as a way of life, as a model choice of living that helps improve both the human body, as well as the environment around man. Keto diet, then again, is an alternate eating routine with its very own reasoning. Keto diet- What does it mean? A Keto diet comprises of a type of diet, which is moderated by a high-fat quotient. The high fat is complemented by average protein intake, along with severely reducing the carbohydrate intake. It centers on controlling the body to revitalizing itself by putting away fats rather than starches. With a keto diet, the human body is supposed to be in a state, which is called ketosis! This is also the principle distinction between the two diets-keto and paleo. The distinction between the two comes forward through the changes in the consumption of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats in food. Fundamentally, a ketogenic diet should comprise of: 5% carbohydrates 25% protein 70% fat The motivation behind fine-tuning the human body towards a keto diet is remarkable. The keto diet forces the body to burn fat, whenever energy is required by the body, thereby making the body perform optimally at high levels of energy at all times. This burns the fat, thereby reducing or keeping the weight in check for most who follow a keto diet. Nonetheless, it is fundamental you carefully monitor the consumption of macronutrients. If you are unable to do so, it might unbalance your body’s digestion levels. Another noteworthy advantage of a keto based diet plan is adjusting the glucose levels and the human body’s weight reduction. Differences between Keto and Paleo: While keto limits the admission of carbohydrates, paleo permits a few entire nourishment wellsprings of sugars as long as it is in the adequate sustenance classes. A Ketodiet wants you to remain inside a predefined measure of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. However, paleo puts no limitations on macronutrients, but it permits exercises outside the accompanying the eating routine like care, and activities. A Paleo diet does not allow processed sources of food items like soy, or dairy products. However, a keto diet permits consumption of dairy fat as well as soy; as long as they fall inside the predefined macronutrient go. Eating good quality foods for a diet is essential for you to maintain a healthy lifestyle. In any case, the two weight control plans offer a sound way of life, yet a few people may think that its hard to keep up the keto diet, which includes computation of macronutrients, not at all like paleo that is fundamentally straight forward and offers a wide assortment of nutritious alternatives. Likewise, a great many people lean toward the paleo diet in light of its adaptability with nourishment decisions. All in all, the two eating regimens are astonishing in their own right; the keto diet is successful for weight reduction and glucose control, while the paleo diet urges individuals to eat entire nourishments that are accessible to people amid the Paleolithic time. Read Also: 5 Tips To Kick Start Your Fitness Routine 9 Magical Benefits Of A Vegetarian Diet Why Have A Diet Chart For Weight Loss? 5 Ways You Can Be Inhibiting Your Fitness Easy Diet Tips To Summer Six Pack Abs Choosing A Diet Based On Your Personality Type 11 Foods You Must Incorporate Into Your Diet For Great Skin