Osteoarthritis is generally caused by progressive wear and tear on our joints that results in the breakdown of our joint cartilage. When cartilage breaks down, the bones start to grind against each other, creating inflammation in the joint. These changes are what cause you to experience painful symptoms. The degenerative process itself may not be painful, however the resulting inflammation and irritation to surrounding muscles, ligaments, and tendons usually cause you to experience uncomfortable and sometimes debilitating symptoms. Cold laser therapy offers an innovative treatment for a variety of acute and chronic, often painful, conditions like osteoarthritis.

Bruxism, better known as teeth grinding, can be caused by stress and anxiety, an abnormal bite, missing and crooked teeth, or it can be due to sleep disorder. When under stress, many people find themselves grinding their teeth or clenching their jaws during sleep. Over time, bruxism may lead to symptoms such as dull headaches or a sore jaw. Severe grinding can lead to painful, loose teeth or fractures in your teeth. Consult your dentist to determine if you have a problem. You may need a mouth guard to protect your teeth during sleep.

A lack of adequate sleep results in an increase of free radicals in the brain, which can have damaging health effects such as weight gain, cardiovascular disease, blood sugar dysregulation, anxiety, and depression, amongst others. General tips for better sleep include going to bed at the same time every night, potent calming teas and practicing meditation and deep breathing exercises. Very important in today’s world is to avoid TV/electronics later in the evening as the blue light they emit blocks melatonin production, which is essential for proper sleep. Also, equipping your room with blackout shades or otherwise creating a dark environment for the entirety of your sleep is crucial – especially in the summer months!

There are many conversations that families should have. One of those concerns your final wishes. Planning your funeral and cemetery arrangements in advance means you can discuss the options with family in a relaxed, stress-free environment. The other conversation is planning for your future health care. If you were sick and couldn’t speak for yourself, would your family know your wishes? You might be surprised by the space between what you want for future care and what your loved ones think you want. It’s important that they know your values, what is meaningful in your life, and how you would like decisions to be made.