Here are 6 health problems caused by smoking that you probably didn’t know about! 1. Loss of Eye Sight – Smoking increases your risk of age-related macular degeneration.
2. Erectile Dysfunction – Tobacco causes narrowing of the blood vessels all over your body, including those that supply blood to the penis. 3. Ectopic Pregnancy – Is a life-threatening reproductive complication in women that is more likely in smokers. 4. Hip Fractures – Smokers lose bone density.
5. Colorectal Cancer – Smoking is linked to an increased risk of developing and dying from this type of cancer. 6. Rheumatoid Arthritis – It causes painful swelling that can eventually result in bone loss and joint deformity.
Community News
CBT for Mood Disorders
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is an effective way to help people who are struggling with mood disorders, like depression and bipolar disorder. These disorders can make life really hard, so it’s important to find ways to help people feel better. CBT is a type of therapy that has been proven to work well. It helps people understand and manage their feelings, thoughts, and actions.
CBT is built on the idea that thoughts, feelings, and actions are all connected. It is thought that wrong or twisted thoughts can make mood disorders worse. CBT teaches people to find these wrong thoughts, like when someone always thinks the worst will happen or blames themselves too much. When they notice these thoughts, they can try to change them to more reasonable ones. This helps them see things in a better way.
CBT also helps people handle strong emotions. This is important when it comes to mood disorders because emotions can get out of control. With CBT, people can learn skills like mindfulness, which means paying attention to the present moment. This can help them feel more in control of their feelings. Learning these skills doesn’t just help in tough moments, but also makes it less likely for the bad feelings to come back.
One thing that’s great about CBT is that it’s well-organized and doesn’t take forever. People who do CBT work with their therapists for a set number of sessions. They work together to make goals that can actually be reached. This makes people feel like they’re making progress, and it gives them hope and motivation. Also, because CBT is time-limited, it focuses more on practical solutions than just thinking and talking.
CBT has a trick up its sleeve called “behavioral activation.” This is really helpful for people with depression. When someone is depressed, they often stop doing things they used to enjoy. Behavioral activation helps them start doing those things again. By doing things that make them happy or feel good, their mood can improve. This shows that changing actions can change feelings and thoughts too.
Studies have shown that doing CBT alongside taking medicine can make people feel even better. This is because CBT deals with the mind and behaviors, while medicines work on the brain’s chemicals. So, the two treatments can team up to tackle mood disorders from different angles.
There are websites and apps that let people do CBT activities at home. These digital tools have things like lessons, interactive games, and even virtual therapist chats. They can’t replace talking to a real therapist, but they can be super helpful, especially for those who can’t easily go see a therapist in person.
By giving people practical skills, CBT helps them take charge of their own healing journey. It’s useful by itself or with medicine. CBT gives hope to people who are fighting mood disorders and helps them get back control of their feelings and thoughts.
Winter Pet Safety
It’s important to practice diligence when bringing your pets outside as they can suffer from hypothermia and frostbite. Exposed skin on noses, ears and paw pads are at the most risk during extreme cold snaps. For this reason, short-haired dogs often feel more comfortable wearing a sweater—even during short walks. Rock salt and other chemicals used to melt snow and ice can irritate the pads of your pet’s feet. Wipe all paws with a damp towel before your pet licks them and irritates their mouth. Consider opting for booties to keep your dog’s paws extra warm and comfortable, all while protecting them from irritants.
Warning Signs of Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a complicated ocular disease whereby elevated intraocular pressure damages the optic nerve causing vision loss. There are different types of glaucoma and often there are no symptoms. There is currently no cure for glaucoma, but there are treatment options if it’s detected early enough. If you experience any of the following symptoms, you should seek immediate help: Loss of peripheral or side vision, tunnel vision, seeing halos around lights, sudden vision loss, or a cloudy-looking cornea. Optometrists are trained to test and interpret for glaucoma with specific qualified instrumentation.
Advanced Dentistry
Experience state-of-the-art dental technology at Pristine Dental. Our digital scanner ensures precision in same-day crowns, eliminating the need for multiple visits. We employ 3D scan technology and advanced sterilization systems for comprehensive care. Say goodbye to waiting with our same-day mouthguards. Restoration dentistry, including crowns and bridges, is streamlined with CEREC, allowing for creation and placement in a single appointment. Trust Pristine Dental for efficient, advanced dental solutions. Let us take care of your smile with cutting-edge technology and personalized, same-day services. Your oral health is our priority – embrace the future of dental care with us.
Words to Live By
“Life is a journey, and self-care is the map that guides you to the most beautiful destinations within yourself. Prioritize your well-being and enjoy the scenic route.” – Keith Macpherson
Online Health and Wellness Resource
Wellnessnews Choices for Healthy Living® invites you to check out the WellnessHub, your online Health and Wellness resource for Vancouver Island. The WellnessHub features hundreds of local business and practitioners offering services and products. In addition, there are hundreds of health tips, articles and podcasts on a variety of topics. It is easy to search, access and share information. While you are checking out the WellnessHub, don’t forget to subscribe to receive a monthly email letting you know about events and the monthly contest. You can also read the digital version of our five island editions of the newsletter.
Health Benefits of Knitting
Did you know that knitting has mental health benefits? Knitting involves the movement of the hands and fingers. This active finger and wrist movement, dexterity, and fine motor coordination can facilitate improvements in other functional skills. Recent studies show that knitting can help with: ▪Lowering blood pressure, ▪Reducing depression and anxiety, ▪Slowing onset of dementia, ▪Distracting from chronic pain, ▪Increasing sense of wellbeing, ▪Reducing loneliness and isolation. Knitting is one of many activities offered and encouraged at Sherwood House.
Watch Out for Caregiver Burnout
Caregiver burnout is the emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion that occurs when caring for others. Family caregivers who are experiencing burnout may feel depression, anxiety, fatigue, and even physical ailments such as pain or illness. If you are a caregiver for a loved one, be honest about how much care you can realistically provide. Seek help, such as by talking to a trusted friend or co-worker; find a support group; and be realistic about your loved one’s state of health. Recognize that it may be time to hire outside caregivers. We are here to help.
Celebrate Important Relationships
As February arrives, people are reminded of the importance of spending time with family and the importance of relationships in their lives. Valentine’s Day brings up mixed emotions for many, with some looking to celebrate it, while others, for various reasons, try to avoid it. If we look at Valentine’s Day as we used to when we were children, we can see the day as a way to celebrate the important relationships we do have, regardless of type, and connect with all of them to let them know we are thinking about them.
Sleep Changes & The Elderly
Seniors generally wake up more often during the night and earlier in the morning, have a harder time falling asleep, and spend less time in deep, dreamless sleep. Some measures to help you sleep better include: 1) Eat a light bedtime snack. 2) Avoid caffeine for at least 3 or 4 hours before bed. 3) Avoid napping during the day. 4) Exercise regularly, but not within 3 hours of bedtime. 5) Practice relaxation techniques at bedtime. 6) Don’t watch TV or use devices while in bed. 7) Go to bed and wake up at the same time each day.
