Health

Emergency Dental Care Saves Smiles One Tooth at a Time

Posted by Cindy Barera on in Health

There is a common misconception when it comes to teeth that if they don’t hurt and are still intact, there is nothing to worry about. While on the surface, a person’s teeth may look and feel fine, there are so many things that could be going on underneath the surface and gums that can lead to serious problems at any time.

Most dental emergency situations don’t just develop overnight. A few instances of pain here and there are often ignored until the pain and discomfort become chronic. Sometimes, the issues could result in damage to the enamel or overall structure of a tooth. Regardless of what problems arise, it’s important not to let them persist for too long. It’s a good idea to have an emergency dentistry Windsor Terrace in mind before they are needed.

Prevents Serious Dental Problems From Becoming Worse

Knowing when to go to an emergency dentist instead of waiting for an appointment with a regular one is important and can mean the difference between losing and saving a tooth. Emergency dentists are no strangers to treating abscesses, chipped and broken teeth, painful and sensitive gums and other issues where the discomfort starts to interfere with one’s ability to eat, sleep and function normally.

Reasons Why People Choose Emergency Dental Care

Most people do not put off seeing a dentist for their teeth because of busy schedules. Usually, there is some kind of reluctance, anxiety or fear about not knowing what to expect. There is also speculation that tooth removal is the only solution and that all emergency dental treatments involve more discomfort.

Not all emergency dental work involves pain and the loss of an ability to eat. The sooner proper treatment is given, the better the prognosis for recovery. There is also less risk of infections spreading to other teeth.

Showing Someone You Care Can Make a Difference

Posted by Cindy Barera on in Health

Mental and emotional health is important to physical health. Likewise, someone who is very ill, may show some symptoms of depression or emotional distress from the strain his or her body is under. What can you, as someone who cares about someone who is ill, do to help buoy up their spirits and show them they are not alone?

A Thoughtful Gift

If distance prohibits a personal visit, a thoughtful gift can show you care. Choose something you know the person enjoys like a book by a favorite author or one of those m&m gift baskets. Avoid choosing an item they will be unable to use, such as an umbrella if they are housebound or nuts if they wear dentures.

An Outing

If the person is able to safely leave their home, a peaceful drive through a scenic area may cheer them up. Or if they are up to it, treat them to lunch or a movie. Choose a time when fewer people will be around to reduce stress, like the hour before the lunch rush or a matinee.

A Relaxed Visit

An in-person visit can be very therapeutic. Allow the person to talk and share what they are going through. You could read to the person or catch them up on the latest (pleasant) news or gossip. Act as if there is no place you would rather be, but pay attention to cues indicating they are tired out, and graciously leave so they can rest.

A Little Tender Loving Care

A little TLC can go a long way. A haircut, manicure or pedicure can lift spirits. Arrange for a relaxing and therapeutic facial or body massage. Arranged to have it done at their home if they are not up to going out.

The most important thing to remember is just to be there. Show them you care and that they are important to you and worth the effort. There is not a lot that can encourage a person more.

Common Types of Drug Screenings

Posted by Cindy Barera on in Health

Drug testing is usually completed by potential or current employers who want to ensure their employees are not using drugs. An employee taking a drug while on the job can present many issues for employers, from not performing well at work to becoming a liability if the employee is injured on the job due to a debilitated state of mind. Drug screenings can deter drug use and instill better habits in employees, as well as weeding out liable hires. These are some of the types of drug screenings you may encounter during employment.

Urine Testing

This is the most common form of testing, where urine samples are collected from an employee and tested in a lab. This is the only test that is federally-mandated.

Oral Fluid Testing

Employers can test an employee’s saliva for drug use, a method that is generally more comfortable and easier for the employee. It can also be collected at work, making it harder for employees to fake a sample.

Hair Testing

Hair testing is considered the long-lasting test as it can detect drug use up to 90 days later. This prevents employees from simply pausing their drug use several days before a scheduled test.

Times When Drug Screenings May Occur

You may be asked to take a drug test more than once. Finding a reliable company to return to in these cases can be as simple as googling drug screening Houston. There are several situations that may warrant initial or extra drug screenings for employees:

  • Pre-employment screening: an employer wants to ensure a new hire is clean
  • Post-accident screening: in the case of an accident, an employee may be tested to see if drug-induced impairment was the cause
  • Random screening: some companies may require unannounced tests to make sure no employees are trying to take drugs under the radar
  • Follow-up screening: another test may be distributed after an employee failed to pass a random screening

Testing for drug use can be the best way to discover your most responsible employees and detect potential problems. Screenings are not just for seeing who is using drugs, but they can help ensure workplace safety and proficiency.

Raising Healthier Families

Posted by Cindy Barera on in Health

Caring for your family can feel overwhelming at times, especially with the pressures of society, the responsibilities of adulthood and the increased availability of unhealthy choices. However, it’s important to continue to make health and wellness a top priority for you and your children.

Don’t Skip the Doctor’s Office

Most parents are faithful to take their young children to the doctor for all of their scheduled well visits to ensure they’re developing normally and receiving their recommended vaccines. But if your child is relatively healthy, it’s easy to allow too long of a lapse between visits. Regular checkups are important for detecting and preventing serious conditions in children and adults. If scheduling and keeping appointments is a struggle for your family, use an app or reminder on your phone to stay organized. You may want to consider searching for a new pediatrician houston tx that’s in a more convenient location or offers extended hours.

Provide Healthy Meals and Snacks

It’s relatively common knowledge that prepackaged items, fast food and processed foods aren’t the best choices and should only be enjoyed in moderation as a part of your family’s diet. Rather than taking an elimination approach to your food, you may be more successful at finding creative ways to add healthier foods back in. For example, sneak carrots and spinach into smoothies or add peas to macaroni and cheese. To boost water intake and help prevent unnecessary snacking, keep a water cup or bottle available to sip on at all times.

Make Exercise a Priority

Television, tablets and phones are now an everyday part of the average child’s life and can lead to increasingly sedentary habits. Make them a reward for time spend exercising instead of a go-to activity. You can also include them in your family’s exercise routine by using fun workout videos, playlists or apps. Creating a family competition can also help motivate everyone to live a more active lifestyle.

Whether you need creative ideas or modern solutions, it may be times to revisit these basics of healthy living and create a plan for your family today.

What Comes After Rehab

Posted by Cindy Barera on in Health

Overcoming addiction is a difficult and lifelong process. Having the proper resources and support can mean a lot for your personal journey. Professional treatment is an excellent first step, but it doesn’t end there. What should you do next?

Transitional Spaces

Everyone is different, but sometimes returning to society after your treatment can be overwhelming. It is jarring to go from such a supportive and restricted environment to being surrounded by temptation. It might be a good idea to ease yourself into your new life. Sober housing can provide a transitional and safe living space. You would be cohabiting with those who understand your struggle and you would have easy access to resources for building a fresh start.

Goal-Setting

No great invention happens without trials and prototypes. No puzzle is put together without the pieces. We’ve all heard these types of analogies before- baby steps! Setting goals for yourself may seem like a no-brainer, but there is actually a science to it; effective goals require specific kinds of thought processes and expectations. Make sure to take the time to plan your short-term and long-term future properly and keep yourself looking forward. This could be invaluable for staying on track.

Support Network

Knowing that someone has your back can give you the strength to keep going when it gets hard. Whenever you have doubts, need to talk or want to celebrate a milestone, talk to someone. An open line of communication is key for the early stages of recovery. If you can, create a network of reliable friends and family for yourself. You are not alone on this path. Remember to also be a good friend to others!

It is an impressive feat to overcome an addiction. Don’t sell yourself short, make this process as painless as possible by seeking out the support you need without feeling any shame. You’ve got this, now go out there and live your life!