Alopecia areata is an unpredictable disorder that makes hair fall out. The condition affects about 1.7% of the population, including children, men, and women of all ages. Hair loss might occur as a solitary patch, multiple patches, or as a widespread loss. While it is considered a medically harmless, non-contagious condition, alopecia areata can affect a person’s well-being and sense of self. There is no known cure for the condition, though there are various treatments that are sometimes used to help manage it. Another option is using hair fillers and lightweight handmade wigs with refined fibres that come in a variety of styles and colours to help people regain their confidence.
Community News
#selfcompassion #healing
In our story lies the undeniable case for self-compassion. It illuminates the path to healing. Your life is a journey, one that’s unique and began long before you were born. Take a moment to reflect back: The lives of those in your personal family tree have shaped your lifestyle, reactions, and how you respond to stress. This history may have included multiple symptoms that developed and got worse over time, and some could say your biography became your biology. If this is true then some of the answers we seek for our current physical and emotional imbalances might be in our stories. As we reflect back, let self-compassion be our ultimate goal.
Take a Hike
If you think of hiking as simply taking a walk, you’re missing out on all of the great benefits that go along with it. Hiking can be a fantastic cardio workout, which can help lower your blood pressure, strengthen your heart, and even improve your lung capacity. It can also help build strength and bone density, as it is a weight-bearing exercise that uses many muscles at the same time. As well, studies have shown that hiking can improve your mood, boost your creativity, and decrease feelings of anxiety and depression. So, get out and enjoy all that the wilderness has to offer!
Avoid Denture DIY
Trying to adjust or repair your denture yourself can easily cause irreparable and permanent damage and negatively affect how they fit. If you break your denture, if a tooth falls out, if you notice they’re cracked, or if they’re simply uncomfortable and you’re feeling like they need an adjustment, a professional denturist can help. Denturists will ensure that any repairs are completed properly, eliminating any problems that could occur if you try to fix your dentures yourself. Most adjustments can be made while you wait, and today’s modern technology means that many repairs can be completed within an hour.
Start Practicing Mental Fitness
It’s a good idea to assess your emotional health regularly and to take a few moments each day to practice mental fitness. A few mental fitness practices can include: • Daydream – Think of yourself in your personal stress-free place and enjoy the sensation of being in that space. • Recall – Remember the experiences of having felt loved, comfortable, and confident. • Cope with negative thoughts – Interrupt those thoughts, reject them and know you are NOT what those negative thoughts are telling you. • Share humour – Enjoy the occasions when someone or something can make you laugh. • Exercise – Physical exercise on a regular basis helps to improve your mental well-being.
Clean Eating: Omelet Stuffed Peppers
Ingredients:
2 bell peppers, halved (seeds removed)
8 eggs, lightly beaten
1/4 c. milk
4 slices turkey bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 c. shredded Cheddar
2 tbsp. finely chopped chives, plus more for garnish
kosher salt
Freshly cracked black pepper
Directions:
Preheat oven to 400°. Place peppers in a large baking dish and bake 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, beat together eggs and milk. Stir in turkey bacon, cheese and chives and season with salt and pepper.
When peppers are done baking, pour egg mixture into peppers. Place back in the oven and bake 35 to 40 minutes more, until eggs are set. Garnish with more chives and serve.
Physiotherapy – Getting to the Core
An effective and efficient exercise program prescribed by a physiotherapist can reduce injury and improve function. One such program is Pilates core strengthening. When prescribed and instructed by a trained physiotherapist, it can lead to improved posture and spinal alignment. Pilates strengthens muscles in the deeper layers that act to stabilize the spine. The Pilates method combines modern exercise science with spinal rehabilitation, making it an excellent exercise choice for optimal spine health and function. Consult a physiotherapist for a program specific to your needs. Remember, inactivity is one of the leading causes of chronic health conditions in North America.
Happiness Requires Change
When was the last time you felt truly happy? How much are you judging yourself on a daily basis for not getting it right, doing enough, being enough, for not having the right body, the perfect relationship, the money, the great sex, the successful career and business? What if your body, your relationships, your finances, and your future are just waiting for you to offer or infuse them with new possibilities? There are tools available that can help you change your money situation, your relationships, your body, and your life. A change in your reality requires a change in you.
Strategies for Back Health
There are a few simple strategies to avoid back pain. One is to try to get up and walk around every 30 minutes. This avoids something called “tissue creep”, which occurs with prolonged sitting. For light lifting off the ground, consider a “golfer’s lift”. It is the same technique that golfers use to pick up the golf ball from the cup. Notice how they don’t round their back while both feet are on the ground? This may be useful for picking up clothes off the floor. For heavier lifting, the hip hinge (using your hips without flexing your back) is the most proven method for lifting weight off the ground.
The Eyes and Ears Connection
As we age, we’re more susceptible to hearing loss and vision changes. According to the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB), you’re at greater risk of social isolation and reduced community participation if you have vision loss. The same goes for hearing loss. Having both a vision and a hearing problem can affect your ability to lip-read, which is detrimental to communicating with co-workers, family, and friends. A decreased ability to socialize is linked to a greater risk of dementia. However, Statistics Canada reports that 90 percent of people with hearing loss can improve communication with a properly fitting hearing aid, counselling, or environmental changes.
Returning to Work After an Injury
Motor vehicle accidents (MPI) and workplace injuries (WCB) can be stressful, especially if you end up needing time off from work. It is important not to rush back and risk further injury. Physiotherapists will provide the appropriate hands-on treatments and exercises, while offering safe return-to-work plans with graduated hours and workplace restrictions, if needed. Soft tissue typically takes 3 to 6 weeks to heal, depending on severity, and so functional testing will be done routinely throughout your treatments to ensure that increases in job demands are appropriate and will not flare up symptoms or cause re-injury.
