Community News
Ask The Expert

Q: At my last eye exam I was told to clean my eyelids more often. I was rather shocked because I’m proud of my hygiene. Is this for real?

A: Yes – but don’t think of it as a hygiene problem. The edges of the eyelids and eyelashes have their own complexion and biochemistry, as well as their own unique set of microorganisms. For some people, keeping these areas extra clean is a good way to reduce symptoms of chronic irritation of the eyes. There are numerous products to help you with this. Try to stick with it! If you’re experiencing this common issue, or are overdue for your regular eye exam, Mosaic Optometry is here to help.

The Mood & Mind Club

It’s time to do mental healthcare differently and The Mood & Mind Club is where we start! Let’s empower ourselves to take back control of our health and throw away the band-aid approaches that don’t offer the lasting results we need. In this private membership we’re creating a community of women that are supporting their mental health in a more natural, holistic way. They don’t want to be on meds, they see the power in nutrition, mindset work, self discovery and self responsibility. Want to know more? Visit https://www.shinetruewellnessco.com/moodandmindclub

Safe at Home by MOTION™

MOTION™ Courtenay offers a variety of products that help you stay mobile and safe in your home. Some of the products offered include: STAIRLIFTS – choose from a variety of stairlifts to suit any type of stairway – straight, curved, split-level, or intermediate landing, and enjoy our fast in-home or virtual consultations. POWER LIFT RECLINERS – available in a wide range of styles, colours and materials, they help the user lower into and raise up from a seated position with ease. GO-GO SCOOTER® & GO CHAIR® – exceptional portability and provide a whole new level of comfort and performance with feather-touch disassembly.

Hear to Help

Clients often ask me, why do their ears seem to produce more earwax since wearing hearing aids? Hearing aids can stimulate the ear canal gland and cause it to produce more earwax than normal. This is why so many people report an increase of earwax when they begin using hearing aids: it’s how the body naturally reacts to something foreign in the ear. Up to 50% of hearing aid repairs are due to ear wax. Ear cleaning should also be a part of your hearing aid maintenance routine.

Why Does my Tooth Hurt?

Tooth pain can arise from various reasons, causing discomfort and affecting daily activities. The most common cause is tooth decay, where bacteria erode the enamel and reach the sensitive inner layers. Gum disease, characterized by inflammation and infection of the gums, can also lead to tooth pain. Dental abscesses, which are pus-filled infections, often result from untreated decay or severe gum disease. Tooth fractures or cracks can expose the nerves, causing sharp pain. Additionally, tooth sensitivity to hot or cold stimuli may indicate enamel erosion or gum recession. It is essential to seek professional dental care to diagnose and treat the underlying cause of tooth pain. It is essential to seek professional dental care to diagnose and treat the underlying cause of tooth pain. The sooner the pain is addressed, the better chance there is of saving the tooth.

Book Club: The Longevity Paradox

How to Die Young at a Ripe Old Age. by Dr. Steven R Gundry. In The Longevity Paradox, he maps out a new approach to aging well—one that is based on supporting the health of the “oldest” parts of us: the microorganisms that live within our bodies. Our gut bugs—the bacteria that make up the microbiome—largely determine our health over the years. From diseases like cancer and Alzheimer’s to common ailments like arthritis and the appearance of our skin, these bugs are in the driver’s seat, controlling our quality of life as we age.

Clean Eating Recipe

Spinach Tofu Smoothie
Add a touch of freshness to your breakfast with this delicious, protein-rich smoothie. It’s a great way of incorporating tofu into the first meal of the day! Ingredients: 3 c. fresh spinach. 2 bananas. 1½ c. chopped frozen mango. 1 c. chopped frozen pineapple. 10 oz. soft tofu. 1½ c. milk or almond/soy beverage. Fresh mint, optional. Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Add extra liquid, as necessary. Enjoy! Pair with a serving of whole grains for a complete breakfast!

Prevent Noise Induced Hearing Loss

Hearing is a vital sense that allows us to connect with the world around us. However, it’s easy to take it for granted. According to a report by the World Health Organization, hearing loss is becoming an increasingly prevalent issue worldwide, affecting an estimated 1.5 billion people.

There are many factors that can contribute to hearing loss. One of the leading causes of hearing loss is exposure to loud noises. Loud noises are encountered everywhere in your daily routine, from the sounds of busy traffic, construction sites, concerts, listening to music and even the TV.

The good news is that noise-induced hearing loss is preventable!

Here are some steps you can take to protect your hearing from loud noises:

Wear earplugs or earmuffs:

­­­Sounds are considered harmful when they exceed 85 dB, which is similar to the loudness of heavy traffic.

Exposure to loud noises can damage the sensory hair cells in the cochlea. The cochlea is a shell-like organ in the inner ear where sounds are converted into electrical signals. This damage can lead to both hearing loss and the development of tinnitus, which is characterized by a ringing or buzzing sound in the ears. Wearing earplugs or earmuffs can be a simple yet effective way to protect your ears.

However, it’s important to choose the right type of earplugs or earmuffs for your needs. Make sure they are comfortable to wear, fit well, and provide adequate noise reduction. If you’re not sure which type to choose, consult a hearing healthcare professional or audiologist who can recommend the best option for you.

Turn down the volume:

It’s also important to be mindful of our listening habits. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 1.1 billion young people are at risk of hearing loss due to exposure to loud music or noise through headphones or earphones.

If you’re someone who enjoys listening to music or podcasts through headphones, try to keep the volume at a reasonable level. As a general rule of thumb, if someone can hear the music coming from your headphones while standing beside you, the volume is too high! A good way to ensure that your volume is at a safe level is to use the 60/60 rule. This rule recommends listening to music at no more than 60% volume for no longer than 60 minutes at a time. Afterward, give your ears a break for at least 5-10 minutes to recover.

Take breaks:

If you’re exposed to loud noises for extended periods, take breaks in quieter environments to give your ears time to recover. Taking just a five-minute break every hour can significantly reduce the risk of hearing damage from loud noise exposure. So, if you’re in a loud environment for a prolonged period, try to take short breaks regularly to give your ears a chance to recover.­­­­

While hearing loss prevention is important, it’s also essential to get regular hearing tests. Many people don’t realize that hearing tests are just as important as regular physical exams or dental checkups.

Hearing tests are essential because they can detect hearing loss early on, which is crucial for effective treatment. The earlier hearing loss is detected, the better the chances are for successful treatment.

It’s worth noting that hearing loss can have a significant impact on a person’s quality of life. Untreated hearing loss can lead to a decline in cognitive function, making it more challenging to perform daily tasks and affecting memory, attention, and decision-making skills.

Research conducted by the National Library of Medicine has demonstrated that individuals who take action to address their hearing loss at an early stage are more likely to experience positive outcomes, such as enhanced communication abilities, improved quality of life, and a lower risk of cognitive decline.

Your ears are essential to your quality of life, and we want to help you LoveYourEars by taking care of them properly.

Book a free hearing test and take the first step towards better hearing today!

Sources: World Health Organization (WHO)

National Library of Medicine

Teachings From Nature

Trees teach us how to live our lives with resilience. When we turn to the trees as our teachers watching how they grow and transform, they can teach us how to live our lives with resilience. They remind us of the importance of being grounded and rooted, fully planted deep beneath our feet into the earth. Their roots connected with other like-minded roots and souls as a foundation to draw upon. Our trunk solid like the oak or flexible like the Willow allows us to adapt and shift to the demands of unforeseen changes around us. Resilient when storms or branches break, finding creative ways to re-emerge or work around. Their branches wide open with leaves creating a canopy of growth, shelter a pathway of expansion to receive. Then they shed, release and begin a new cycle once again.

Improve Your Overall Health

According to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, 1 in 3 adults don’t get enough good quality sleep, which can contribute to a host of serious health issues, including: Cardiovascular Disease, Alzheimer’s Disease, Diabetes, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, high cholesterol, and more. Conversely, the right amount of good quality sleep can: strengthen your immune system, speed the healing of cells, tissues, and blood vessels, improve brain function and reflex speed, lower your stress as well as lower your risk of chronic illness. If you are struggling to get a good night’s sleep, it could be your mattress. Find out how a new, high-quality mattress can improve your overall health.

Benefits of a Hydrafacial Treatment

Hydrafacial is an intensive multi-step treatment that deeply cleanses, exfoliates, extracts and resurfaces the skin; while simultaneously infusing potent nutrients, antioxidants, hyaluronic acid and peptides to the deep layers of the dermis. The treatment is further enhanced by the addition of Lymphatic Drainage and LightStim LED light therapy. Hydrafacial normalizes healthy skin structure and function and is fully customizable to treat a number of skin health concerns including fine lines and wrinkles; oily and congested skin; dull, dry skin; pigment; acne and laxity. The results are immediate with no downtime and leave the skin deeply hydrated, firm, glowing and more youthful.