PROMOTING GOOD HEALTH

January is National Health Awareness Month, all body systems included. Seems January is a good month to choose since it's the beginning of each new year. What better way to start the year than to resolve to be more of an advocate for your own health. With health insurance being an issue high on the list of things to change, it's important to follow through on the basics of taking care of yourself.  There are lots of things that can be done in ones everyday life to live healthy and practice preventive measures.

Good personal hygiene is not only important for the body and the clothes we are wearing to be clean and presentable. Cleansing the skin from head to toe, including mouth/teeth and tongue, helps maintain proper body functioning on the inside (the body systems). Of course, it makes it easier on the senses of everyone concerned when the body is fresh and clean on the outside, along with clean clothes. Yet, there are things to be considered which, at first, do not meet with the perception of the senses. When the skin and the clothes we put on are consistently dirty, bacteria seeps into the pores/skin and its deeper layers and enter into the bloodstream and can cause infections and dysfunctions of bodily systems. This includes blood and kidney infections and kidney failure. To the extreme you may ask? Not so, as it may take time to get there, but the possibility of it happening is true.

Added Benefit:  Research has shown that the running of warm water on the skin releases endorphin filled molecules which stimulate both the skin and our brain activity.

Seeing your dentist every six months (unless otherwise directed by your doctor or dentist), is vital to the prevention of diseases pertaining to the mouth as well as other diseases.

*Bad breath: A clean mouth fights bacteria that cause bad breath.

*Cavities/Gum Disease: Good oral hygeine is key to preventing cavities and gum disease. Once you have been diagnosed with cavities or gum disease seeing your dentist and following his/her recommendations is optimal.

*Heart Disease: Proper brushing, rinsing and flossing help prevent plaque build-up and increased C-reactive protein levels caused by inflammation of blood vessels. The increase of this protein can encourage heart disease.

*Pneumonia: The risk of pneumonia is greatly reduced by good oral care.

Remember brushing and flossing is an easy preventive measure and dentists say that flossing gives more benefit to your oral care.

*Diabetes: Good oral care helps prevent complications of diabetes.

*Throat cancer: Your dentist can screen you for early detection and prevention of throat cancer. Oral inspection will make him/her aware if you are at risk.

Both women and men should have their yearly check-ups to make certain the reproduction system is functioning properly and free of any cancer causing bacteria. Did you know that there are over six million people diagnosed with HPV each year? Early diagnosis (schedule your appointment) in addition with good hygiene will give both men and women the step ahead in preventing bacteria in the reproductive system to become cancer causing.

There are over one-hundred strains of HPV but not all cause cancer. Yearly exams are therefore important. Be wise and take the pledge for HPV awareness, prevention and care, as there are usually, no signs that you have the virus.

Most men are concerned about their prostate health when they get older, as it usually affects those over fifty years of age. Which means lots of younger males believe they have a long time before they have to be concerned about it. But...Did you know that more men are affected more commonly with testicular cancer. Men between the ages of twenty and thirty-five years of age are more likely to develop it. It is one of the most leading causes of death in males under forty years of age. You can see how yearly exams are very important.

 The thyroid gland affects the brain, intestinal functioning, liver, hormones, blood cells and the cardiovascular system and more.  You name it, the thyroid gland has a link to it somehow, someway.  If you are consistently having feelings of not feeling well, low body temperature and sensitivity in the neck, please see your physician for an exam.

National Health Awareness Month is for the body as a whole. Including, eyes, ears and your feet. .

Points to Remember:

Kidney Disease (when not advanced) is usually without symptoms.

Thyroid disorders are not easily detected (even by the physician) and most shrug off that 'I just don't feel well, feeling.

High blood pressure is a silent killer.

YOU NEVER KNOW, UNTIL YOU GO: Screenings are free! You can call your local state department of health, local hospitals or search the internet for local health screenings in your area.