Health

Taking good care of your teeth, mouth and gums is a worthy investment for your overall health. Good dental and oral hygiene can prevent gum disease, bad breath, tooth decay- and keep your teeth stronger for longer. Kami Hoss believes Although most people take a fire-fighting approach to dental healthcare, it’s important to adopt a preventive dental healthcare model.

As more research continues to establish the link between dental and overall health, the case for good oral hygiene keeps getting stronger. A healthy mouth can help you ward off plenty of medical problems. Dental decay and gum disease are some of the major dental health problems we face today.

Without proper oral hygiene practices such as brushing and cleaning in between the teeth every day, plaque can accumulate and cause gum disease. If left untreated, gum disease can get worse without causing any pain. However, there are cases where the bacteria become more active causing gum soreness.

Dental decay, on the other hand, happens when the dentine and enamel of a tooth become softened by acid attack after consuming sugary foods and drinks. Over time, the acid may make a cavity on the tooth.

Maintaining proper dental health requires a dedicated effort to exercise oral hygiene and visit your dentist regularly, at least every six months. Having a proper diet also has a role to play in dental health. A diet rich in minerals, fresh fruit and vegetables and vitamins can help to prevent gum disease, which can cause bad breath and lead to tooth loss.

Dr. Kami Hoss is a highly trained and experienced orthodontist and founder of Super Dentists. He is a passionate dental practitioner always working towards providing premium dental services to his patients. He has spearheaded numerous projects in the dental industry and cultivated Super Dentists from a single -doctor practice to more than 120 employees working to serve well over 100, 000 active patients.

While there are many dental remedies to varying dental issues, braces are beginning to gain popularity, especially with regards to recent developments in the dental industry. Back in the day, braces were frowned upon and those who donned them had to bear with nicknames and stigma. Well, things have changed. Today, braces are a fashion statement. With different color combinations including the “invisible “kind, people of all ages are wearing braces with pride. In as much as braces have many benefits, they also have their cons.

Pros and cons of Dental Braces

Pros

The most significant positive is that you get straight teeth with no gaps and a great smile. Braces also help to strengthen gums so they can hold the teeth firmly in place. By dealing with problems of inaccessibility that may be caused by say overlapping teeth, braces can also promote better oral hygiene.

Cons

One of the major cons of braces is the discomfort associated with them in your mouth. Although more recent types of braces reduce the effect of braces on speech, they can still affect speech slightly. Also, chewy foods like soft candies, as well as very crunchy or hardy foods could damage your braces, so you must avoid them.

Have you ever been on a treadmill? If so, you’ll have probably noticed the heart rate zones that change depending on your workout. You might have also seen one option called the “fat-burning zone” which tells you just how hard you have to work to prompt your body to burn more fat than carbs. This is misleading, and we’re here to explain why.

How do our bodies burn fat?

Whether we’re exercising or not, our bodies are always at work trying to turn carbs and fat into energy. The dominant energy source will change depending on what we’re doing and what we’ve recently eaten. Generally, our bodies will choose to burn whatever is most abundant. That means that eating a high-carb meal before exercising will prompt your body to rely on them for energy, no matter how hard you work. This can be frustrating for those that are trying to lose weight.

 Your body uses fat for fuel, then carbohydrates

 Fat and carbohydrates are burned for fuel in a process that involves cells converting nutrients to a usable form of chemical energy. This chemical energy is called adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and the way that our bodies produce this will depend on our level of activity. This is because your cells need oxygen for this process to work, and when we’re breathing normally, fat is metabolised slowly.

High-intensity workouts = more calories burned

The harder you work out, the quicker your body will turn nutrients into ATP. Your body can do this faster with carbohydrates better than it can with fat due to the simple fact that oxygen is not always needed to convert carbs. So, when we’re out of breath during exercise, the proportion of fuel that comes from carbs increases.

Your cardiovascular and respiratory system will be working overtime to keep your body moving and functioning during such a high-intensity workout. Your heart needs to contract quicker to supply enough blood to your muscles, and your respiratory system needs to allow you to work quicker so that you can breathe. Understandably, when your body works harder, you need more calories to keep going.

Conclusion: if your overall goal is to burn fat, burning more calories overall is better than working out at a low-intensity rate and staying in the so-called “fat-burning zone”.

What should you do instead? 

Planning a workout regimen that mixes high-intensity workouts with moderate workouts I the best way to lose fat. Fitness experts recommend that you make every third workout the one that’s the most intense, then fill in your other exercise days with moderate-intensity plans. Of course, being active every day is the best way to lead a healthy lifestyle, but if you’re doing this make sure to vary intensities so that your body has time to recover and repair itself while still expending energy.

A lot of high-intensity workouts can lead to injury and burnout, but if your ultimate goal is to lose weight, then you shouldn’t skip it. Establishing a balance in your fitness regimen will make it more sustainable and encourage you to get the best results. Fitness companies such as Prestige Boot Camp can help you to create a fitness plan that works for you, keeping your health and your goals in mind.

If you’re interested in how new advances in technology can change the healthcare industry,Matias Campiani has ideas to discover four innovative ways which technology has started to change the healthcare industry.

How Technology can Change Healthcare:

1. New technology makes it easier for patients to communicate with their doctors

Many doctors offices now offer handy applications which allow patients to ask their doctors questions, without having to book a doctors appointment. While its also becoming increasingly more common for doctors offices to allow patients to request repeats of their medications via a helpful app.

Such apps benefit both doctors and patients, as doctors may be able to request a small payment for their time, while patients won’t have to pay for a full doctors appointment. Patients will also appreciate being able to request medical advice if their doctor doesn’t have any available doctors appointments for the next few days.

2. New technology can help doctors correctly diagnose patients’ illnesses

New technology can also help doctors correctly diagnose a wide variety of illnesses. As an example, doctors can enter the symptoms which their patients are suffering from, in order to narrow down a list of possible illnesses which their patients may be suffering from.

Such databases are useful if a doctor has a fair idea of the possible illnesses which their patient may be suffering from but are not certain which of the shortlist of possible illnesses that their patient is most likely suffering from.

3. New technology can help individuals decide whether or not they need to book an urgent doctor’s appointment

Some doctors offices may also offer questionaries on their apps, which may be able to help their patients decide whether they need to book an urgent doctors appointment, or whether they can afford to rest at home for a couple of days. To see whether they just require a bit of downtime in order to recover from their condition, or whether they need to book a doctors appointment at their local doctor’s office.

4. New technology allows medical professionals to share patient information in a matter of seconds

Thanks to new technology your general practitioner or local doctor will be able to share some of your files with the doctors at your local hospital, in the blink of an eye. This is particularly useful if you ever end up being rushed to hospital. Your local doctor will also be able to share information, with your permission with other medical professionals who you may visit. Examples of which may include chiropractors and radiologists.

As a bonus, since your doctor will be able to transfer your files to other doctors digitally, you won’t have to fill out pages of forms, every time you visit a new medical professional.

As the years pass technology will continue to have a marked impact on the healthcare industry and how patients and medical professionals communicate with each other. Which is great news as all of the changes which are being made and being made in order to benefit both patients and medical professionals.

With wide-ranging consequences to a patient’s health, an autoimmune deficiency has the potential to play havoc with the human body. When suffering from an autoimmune condition like psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, or lupus, the body’s natural tissues can find themselves attacking one another – a common consequence which often results in a reduction in the body’s ability to fight off diseases. Luckily, though, there are ways to detect an autoimmune deficiency and to make sure you have the tools to spot the signs. Here are some of the methods you can use to detect the symptoms of these conditions and how you can prevent them from getting worse.

Watch out for physical signs

When it comes to autoimmune deficiencies, there are lots of different conditions which all fall under the same umbrella. Yet, despite this variety of conditions, they have some symptoms in common. For example, it’s normal for those suffering from an autoimmune deficiency to experience problems such as swelling or paint in the joints, excessive fatigue, a swelling of the glands, or issues with their skin. Educating yourself about the signs of an autoimmune deficiency and making sure you’re aware of possible symptoms is a good move, as it means you can be on the lookout as you monitor your general health.

Monitor your mind and sleep

It’s not only physical symptoms which can occur when you’re suffering from an autoimmune deficiency. It’s also possible for symptoms to manifest themselves in your mind too, and you may find yourself experiencing problems with a psychological element. For instance, if you start to find it difficult to focus on tasks or you can no longer fully concentrate on a subject when you were previously able to, it could indicate an autoimmune deficiency. Similarly, insomnia can also be a sign, so if you’re struggling to sleep well at night, then it might be worth checking in with a physician.

Make sure you get tested

Whether you’re experiencing symptoms or your family has a genetic history of autoimmune disease, it’s definitely a wise idea to get tested. Almost anyone can be tested for an autoimmune disease, and an inflammation blood test is a good way to detect any issues. While some inflammation can help the body as part of its natural systems, excessive inflammation can be a sign that your autoimmune system is not working properly.

As a result, a test which shows that you’re experiencing high levels of inflammation may lead your physician to search for other symptoms of autoimmune disease. Prevention, as the saying goes, is the best cure, and getting tested regularly by a professional is an ideal way to stay on top of any symptoms which may emerge.

Keep an eye on your weight

Maintaining a healthy weight is essential for all people, not just those who are at risk of – or who are worried about – developing an autoimmune disease. However, for those who are specifically looking to avoid developing or worsening an autoimmune condition, working on weight control is a particularly good idea. It’s not certain why those who are overweight are at a higher risk of certain autoimmune disorders, but one possible reason is that carrying extra weight can cause a great deal of stress on your joints.

Ask your doctor about medications

Drugs like antibiotics are great for helping us tackle the many health conditions we can face in our day to day lives, but no matter what the beneficial effects of the drugs we take are, there can sometimes be substantial side effects. Sometimes, these side effects can be the development of health problems associated with autoimmune issues.

For example, medications which help people to control the amount of cholesterol in their bodies, which are known as statins, can sometimes lead to an autoimmune disease affecting the muscles known as myopathy. The solution, however, is not to avoid certain medications simply to cut your risk of these diseases. Instead, you should speak to your physician about any concerns you might have. That way, you’ll be able to get expert advice and achieve a balance of medications which works for you.

While the prospect of suffering from an autoimmune deficiency can be frightening, there’s reason to be hopeful even if you’re at risk or worried that you’re developing a problem. From watching your weight to getting tested, there are lots of ways you can monitor your body for the telltale signs and symptoms of this condition and make sure that you stay healthy.

You don’t need me to tell you all the reasons to stop smoking. It’s an incredibly dangerous habit that can lead to cancer and many other health problems. However, it’s also true that quitting isn’t easy. That being said, there are a number of things a person can do to help with the quitting process. We’re going to take a look at a few of those things today. Here are five ways to stop smoking.

Make a Plan to Quit: It’s difficult to stop smoking if you don’t have a plan in place. You want to take the time to think about how you’re going to quit. For example, are you going to stop smoking gradually, or are you going to quit cold turkey? It’s also helpful to set a specific date on which you’ll quit smoking. It’s important that you don’t set this date too far into the future, or else you might be tempted to change your mind. At the same time, you want to make sure you give yourself enough time to prepare.

Keep Yourself Busy: One thing that can help you stop smoking is to stay busy when the cravings come. Exercise is one great way to distract yourself when you feel cravings. Meditation and mindfulness techniques have also proven to be very beneficial. You might even consider taking up a new hobby to keep your mind occupied. Whatever you decide, make sure you pick something that will keep your mind off smoking.

Use Nicotine Replacements: Getting your nicotine from other sources can eventually help you stop using cigarettes. There are a number of these on the market right now, including nicotine gum, lozenges, and patches. With these, you’ll be able to satisfy your nicotine cravings without the use of tobacco. Many people have had success with this in the past. However, keep in mind that the goal is to eventually be free from nicotine as well.

Get Outside Support: Having other people there to help you while you try to quit has proven to be beneficial for many people. Examples of this could include therapy, support groups, or attending a stop smoking seminar. It can be extremely helpful to know that other people are facing the same challenges as you. It’s also good to have other people there to motivate you when the going gets tough.

Know Your Triggers: Another thing that can be helpful is to know what triggers you to smoke in the first place. Pay attention to the emotions and stressful situations that lead to cravings. It’s also a good idea to throw away anything that reminds you of smoking, including ashtrays, lighters, and the cigarettes themselves. You should also try drinking water and avoid caffeinated drinks. Furthermore, it’s good to have non-smoking friends if you don’t already.

Above all, you want to keep a positive attitude while you’re trying to break the habit. It’s not always going to be easy but keep reminding yourself why you want to quit in the first place. With enough perseverance, you’ll be able to stop smoking once and for all.

The United Kingdom is very lucky as a nation to be served by the NHS (national health service). The NHS is a beloved British institution and is one of the cornerstones of British culture and identity today. To the majority of us, the thought of losing the NHS is unconscionable, in fact, support for the NHS is one of the most strongly cross-bench bipartisan issues that exists in British politics.

The NHS not only treats patients for free, it is renowned throughout the world for the quality of the healthcare that it provides. The vast majority of the millions of patients who pass through the NHS every year, whether through hospitals, doctors surgeries, or other more specialised healthcare facilities, have a positive experience. However, people aren’t perfect, inevitably there are mistakes made sometimes, and in some cases these mistakes might even rise to the level of clinical negligence.

What is Clinical Negligence?

Not every mistake that occurs while under the care of medical professionals, even if the mistake was easily preventable, will qualify as clinical negligence. Some of the most common examples of clinical negligence include mistakes made during surgery or another procedure, prescribing or dispensing the incorrect drug, failing to obtain informed consent, failure to disclose the necessary risks of a particular treatment, and either failing to diagnose a condition or diagnosing it incorrectly.

It should be noted that these incidents occurring is not enough in itself to make a medical negligence claim. In order for such a claim to proceed there has to be clear injury, either physical or psychological, that the patient has suffered as a result of the mistake that was made. Incidents which don’t qualify as medical negligence are referred to as either ‘medical accidents’ or ‘patient safety incidents’.

The test that all medical negligence claims must satisfy is known as the Bolam test. Under this test, the plaintiff (the person seeking compensation) needs to show that a duty of care existed between the patient and the medical staff who are responsible for their care. Demonstrating that the duty of care exists is the easy part, simply by virtue of admitting you to hospital the NHS is accepting a duty of care towards you. It is the other part of the Bolam test that is harder to prove. The second test criteria is whether an act or omission on the part of any of the staff responsible for the patient’s healthcare breached that duty of care and caused harm to the patient.

Taking Legal Action

If you believe that treatment that you received while under the care of the NHS constitutes a case of medical negligence then you should consult with medical negligence solicitors such as The Medical Negligence Experts, who offer free consultations over the phone. The best medical negligence solicitors will be happy to discuss the merits of your claim with you without charging a fee. In fact, many medical negligence lawyers operate on a no-win, no-fee basis. This means that you will only have to pay them for their services if you are awarded financial compensation.

You can also pursue a medical negligence claim on behalf of someone else if you are their next of kin and they have either died as a result of medical negligence, or they don’t have the capacity to pursue the legal claim themselves.

There is no requirement for plaintiffs to first approach the hospital or NHS before pursuing a legal claim, but you should be aware of the existence and function of the NHS Litigation Authority (NHSLA). The NHSLA represents the NHS during legal disputes and other claims and complaints. While you aren’t required to speak to them before pursuing your claim, many plaintiffs will find it helpful to do so. By having the NHSLA investigate your case, you will be able to get the other side of the story, this will help you, and your solicitors, to make an informed decision as to whether it is worth proceeding with the claim.

If you make a complaint to the NHSLA and then begin a clinical negligence claim, they should not affect one another. The only circumstances in which they would conflict is if a judge rules the NHSLA investigating the complaint would jeopardise the legal claim.

Above all else, you should remember that pursuing a legal claim is an expensive and time-consuming process. If you hire solicitors who will only charge you if you are awarded financial compensation for medical malpractice, then you will not have to worry quite as much about the costs of pursuing the claim, but you will still be in for a relatively difficult and stressful time. To give yourself an idea of what to expect, try searching online news stories for ‘medical negligence UK’ or medical ‘negligence claims UK’, have a read up on past cases and see if you can find details of individual experiences.

Compensation

If your case is successful and a judge rules in your favour, you will be awarded financial compensation. Note that the judge only has the power to award monetary damages, the judge does not have the authority to force individuals to apologise, to mandate for changes in hospital procedures and policies, or to forcibly remove individuals from their current roles.

The amount of money you receive will be calculated according to a number of different factors. In essence, the award will reflect the level of suffering and injury that you have endured as well as any additional costs you may be facing as a result of malpractice. Examples of factors affecting your award include compensation for activities and hobbies that you can no longer take part in, loss of earnings arising from your inability to work, the cost of any equipment that you now require, the costs of having to adapt your home, and compensation for psychological damage or emotional distress.

Time Limits

Claims for medical negligence must be pursued within three years of the incident occurring. In cases where there is a delay in the onset of symptoms resulting from medical malpractice, the three year countdown will begin when those symptoms become apparent. In the case of children, or those who were children when incidents occurred, the three year time limit won’t start until the plaintiff’s 18^th birthday.

In cases where a claim is being pursued on behalf of someone who lacks the capacity to manage their own affairs, this three year time limit doesn’t apply until they recover from their disability. If they do not recover then they are exempt from the time limit. You should take advice on your potential claim as soon as possible after the incident.

If you believe that you have been the victim of medical negligence then you should consult with solicitors about whether it is worth pursuing financial compensation. There are a number of different ways that you can fund your case if you are working with a solicitor who requires you to pay regardless of the outcome. The Legal Aid scheme which provides funding to those facing criminal charges can no longer be used to fund clinical negligence claims, however some insurance policies have provisions for clinical negligence claims. There is also an organisation called Action Against Medical Accidents who can help you source funding and representation.