The outer ear can benefit from a good cleaning now and then but in most cases, there is no need to clean the ear canal with a cotton swab. During showers, enough water enters the ear canal to loosen any wax. The skin in your ear canal grows in an outward, spiral pattern. As it sloughs off, ear wax goes with it. Someone with heavy wax build-up may need a trip to the doctor. If you think wax could be affecting your hearing, contact your hearing professional. They can assess the situation by looking inside your ear with an otoscope and suggest your best course of action.
“Floaters” in Your Eyes?
Most people have “floaters” – small pieces of tissue inside their eyes that can be seen against white snow or plain backgrounds. These floaters move with eye movements but remain otherwise stable throughout life. However, a sudden onset of new or increased floaters particularly accompanied by flashes of light are a cause for concern. Be sure to visit your eye care professional as soon as possible for a dilated fundus exam to rule out a retinal detachment!
How Many Times Do You Chew Your Food?
Do you ever count how many times you chew your food before you swallow? If no, try it! Eating slowly is a massive part of a healthy diet even if the food you are eating isn’t classified as “healthy”. Why? Chewing allows your teeth and saliva to begin digestion so you can use the nutrients from the food to fuel your body. Eating slowly also helps to ease bloating and digestive problems, increases enjoyment, and helps you to avoid overeating. If you currently take 3-5 chews aim for 8-10 and build your way up to 20-30 overtime. Happy slow eating!
What is in Your Skin Care Product?
Today we want to know what’s inside our skin care products and there is a huge demand for safe, natural beauty products. The term organic refers to something that was produced without the use of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, GMOs, sewage, ionizing radiation, as well as antibiotics and growth hormones. Natural means something that originally “existed in” or was “derived from” nature. When looking for skin care chose those made from natural organic ingredients and are free from Parabens, Phthalates, Sulfates, PEG compounds, Petrochemicals & Mineral Oils, Ethoxylated Ingredients, as well as Synthetic Fragrances & Colors.
Unequal Leg Length?
The majority of the population has one leg that is longer than the other. This inequality results in uneven stress on the body and contributes to lower back, hip, and knee pain, as well as aggravation of arthritic hips and knees. While some cases of leg length discrepancy are due to actual differences in leg bone length, many cases are due to an imbalance in the muscle tension of the hip and leg. This imbalance is due to habitual movement patterns, emotional stress, and other repetitive activities of life. Gentle Somatic Body Movement Classes retrain the nervous system to relax these chronically tight muscles and reduce pain.
Recognizing Caregiver Stress
As the Canadian senior population grows, unpaid caregiving becomes more widespread than ever before. Over 4.5 million Canadians play a role in caring for a family member and caregiver stress and burnout is a significant issue. Caregivers need to be honest about how much care they can realistically provide. While most caregivers want to be present 24/7, this is impossible while juggling other family and career responsibilities. Today’s caregivers deserve respect and gratitude. Whether motivated by love, duty or simply a selfless desire to help others, they play an invaluable role in the care of our senior population.
Am I a Candidate for Dental Implants?
Today’s bone grafting procedures can overcome most physical factors including insufficient or poor quality bone. Existing dental conditions such as gum disease do not prevent the placement of dental implants but may modify when and how they are placed. Your age is not a major consideration as long as you are in good general health but some medical conditions do exist that may prevent you from being a good candidate for dental implants. As our general life expectancy is increasing, you still have many potential years of healthy eating ahead of you. Your dentist can help determine if indeed you are a candidate for dental implants.
Selective Hearing or Something More?
Think you’d notice if you have impaired hearing? Those with hearing loss are often the last ones to recognize it. Unless the impairment occurs through sudden physical or medical-related trauma, hearing loss generally occurs slowly over time. This gradual change presents itself as people mumbling, unclear voices, or difficulty hearing through background noise. Friends and family are usually the first to notice when they aren’t being heard, or when they are consistently asked to repeat themselves. You may be tempted to brush it off as selective hearing, but if those close to you have said they suspect you have a hearing loss, it’s time to get your hearing checked.
Find Your Balance: Gambling Awareness Week
The theme for the 2019 Gambling Awareness Week is “Find Your Balance”, in support of maintaining a balanced outlook of the role gambling may play in our lives. In early May, be on the lookout for BC Responsible & Problem Gambling Program community events in your area; ranging from sponsored swims, pop up community awareness booths and contests at community centers and other locations. Finding Our Balance in life can be challenging. Striking that balance is easier when we have a diverse array of activities in which to engage.
Meet the Practitioner: Dr. Daniela Jesin, ND
Dr. Daniela Jesin, ND Naturopathic Physician has a wealth of experience and is committed to guiding her patients in their quest to naturally achieve their personal vision of wellness. Completing her Naturopathic Medical training at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine in Toronto, Dr. Jesin was a member of the clinical focus shift treating patients suffering with Fibromyalgia and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis. She has treated patients at Brampton Civic Hospital; Canada’s only Integrative Naturopathic Clinic in a hospital setting. Dr. Jesin practices at Elegance Sculpting. Her services include cupping, acupuncture, allergy testing, chronic pain, hormone health, and more. She offers 15 minute complimentary consultations.
Dance for Health & Wellness
Dancing – it’s fun and so good for you. According to experts, dancing regularly improves your cardio fitness, muscle strength and tone, endurance, balance, motor skills, coordination, agility, flexibility and can be a factor in weight management. In addition, studies show that dancing is also great for the brain, as it improves memory and overall mental function. Meet new friends, express yourself through movement and enjoy all the health benefits of dancing. From Ballroom to Zumba, Parks and Recreation offers many types of dance. Contact our recreation experts and dance like nobody’s watching!


