Health & Nutrition Archives | Page 11 of 11

Driver suffering from neck pain after accident

3 Effective Ways of Recovering from a Car Accident

December 19, 2018December 19, 2018 by Bridgette Rodriguez

People are sometimes involved in inevitable car accidents. These may result in casualties for both the passengers on board and the pedestrians. Some may be just badly injured and in need of medical treatment and proper care. The most important aspect of an accident is how well its surviving victims are managed on their way to recovery. With proper management and treatment, the victims may soon be back on their feet. Below are some ways a car accident victim can recover from the trauma. After a horrific accident on the road, the victims should manage their pain and trauma, undergo physiotherapy, and receive counseling.

1. Pain Management

Following an accident, many victims continue to suffer back and neck pain. The pain usually persists even after they have completely healed their physical wounds. There are many reputable auto accident doctors in Wilmington, Delaware, who can assist in pain management of the car accident victims. It is important to be checked by a doctor if you have just been involved in a car accident. You may seem all right physically, but your mental and spiritual state are a different story. Also, you might have internal injuries caused by the accident, and it is best to know about them. That way, you can be treated promptly and prevent further complications.

Usually, the doctor you settle for will place you in a pain management program aimed at accelerating your rate of recovery. The doctor provides personalized care that is specific to a patient’s situation.

2. Physiotherapy

This refers to the use of physical exercises to induce the body’s healing process. It is aimed at restoring a patient’s mobility and overall motor coordination following their involvement in an accident. Sometimes, accident victims remain bedridden for an extended time. By the time of their recovery, it is likely that their minds may have forgotten how to trigger walking. In such situation, physiotherapy comes in handy. Just make sure to find the perfect psychotherapist for your fast recovery.

3. Counseling

Many accident victims suffer psychological trauma following their involvement in an accident. That is especially true if the accident was fatal. The sight of spilled human blood and lifeless bodies is likely to take a toll on a person, even if that person is not a direct victim of the accident. He or she might just be a passerby, but he or she can also suffer psychological trauma. The situation becomes worse if the victim has been in the company of a friend or a family member. The psychological trauma could be much worse in this situation. All accident victims ought to be placed into counseling. The aim is to assist them to cope with the trauma from the accident.

After a terrible accident on the road, the victims need appropriate care to accelerate their healing process. Healing involves both their physical and mental well-being. Through proper care, it may be possible to restore their fitness and well-being. As a car accident victim, you need to seek the help of professionals for a fast recovery. Still, proper care from your friends and family is more effective.

Healthy Habits: 4 Everyday Must-Do’s for Better Teeth

December 12, 2018December 12, 2018 by Bridgette Rodriguez

When it comes to taking care of the teeth, you can never be inconsistent. Skip a brush or miss the dentist, and you’re a step closer to having dental problems. Of course, toothaches and gum diseases won’t show up right away, but when they do (and they will), they will be at their worst state. The truth is oral hygiene is a lifelong commitment, and a habit you must do every single day. More specifically, these are the things you should make time to achieve healthy teeth:

1. Brush your teeth

It’s the oral care habit people have been doing since they were little. Interestingly, it’s also the habit that’s often done wrong. You can’t just brush your teeth — you have to brush properly. Proper brushing routines help get rid of food debris left in the mouth after eating, preventing the onset of tooth decays and gum diseases.

What exactly does proper brushing mean? It starts with placing your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the gums. Use back-and-forth, gentle strokes at the outer, inner, and chewing surfaces of the teeth. The entire routine should last for two minutes (or sing the alphabet song to achieve the full two minutes).

2. Use fluoride

A lot of people think that fluoride toothpaste whitens teeth, but the truth is, fluoride strengthens the enamel (the protective layer of the teeth), thus helping prevent tooth decays and other dental problems. If you do want to achieve the perfect pearly whites, though, go for the professional teeth whitening South Bend dentists offer.

Hydrogen peroxide, the active ingredient in gels, is what would make your teeth whiter. To protect your enamel from wearing away (and eventually revealing yellow teeth), go for fluoride treatments. Dentists often apply this chemical as gel, foam, or varnish. They might also prescribe fluoride supplements.

3. Floss the hard-to-reach

A lot of people think that flossing is just an optional routine. If you’re already cleaning your teeth with a brush, you won’t ever need to floss, right? Wrong. While brushing teeth can get rid of food residue, there are still little nooks and crannies in your mouth, especially the spaces between teeth, that couldn’t toothbrush couldn’t brush.

For that, you would then need to floss. When flossing, be gentle on your strokes to avoid cutting or damaging the gums with the swift movement. It’s best to do this routine just before brushing your teeth, especially if you’ve eaten food that has high acidic content, where it’s recommended to wait for at least half an hour before toothbrushing.

4. Eat healthy

A healthy diet results in healthy teeth. If you have the habit of munching on sweets in between meals or during your leisure time, you may have an increased risk to cavities. Sugar can alter the mouth environment, in such a way that it would be more favorable to the build-up of plaque. Try to limit intake of sweets or when you do consume such, rinse your mouth with water right away to get rid of the acids.

Again, oral hygiene is a lifelong, everyday commitment. Stick to these habits for better, healthier teeth.

Is There Such a Thing as a Yogi Diet?

July 20, 2018July 10, 2018 by Stephanie Moore

The main goal of yoga is spiritual development. It helps you develop self-awareness and self-regulation. As you master it, you become more conscious of what’s going on in your body and surroundings. As a result, you’re calmer, happier, and more at peace.

Apart from your spiritual well-being, you achieve optimum physical health, too. The poses increase your flexibility, balance, and coordination. It strengthens the bones and tones the muscles. Yoga also improves sleep quality and relieves pain. Spend some time on the mat regularly, and you’ll get a body that looks good and functions well.

My years of yoga has taught me, moreover, that the principles of yoga should be carried beyond the yoga studio. And one of the most crucial aspects is to keep your diet in check.

The Diet of a Yogi

Eating well, in my opinion, should be part of your lifestyle, if you really want to achieve the goals of yoga. Imagine if you spend hours on the mat practicing various poses but feed yourself with loads of sugar and unhealthy oils. It would just nullify the good that yoga does to your body. And it also won’t give you the nutrients to sustain the mind and body.

But is there an official diet for yoga?

Yoga is an ancient practice with a lot of literature about it. But classic yoga texts, such as the Yoga Sutra and the Bhagavad Gita, did not mention specific foods. And that’s a good thing, I think. Not everyone has access to the Indian ingredients that they would have listed. And people have different needs, depending on their lifestyles, body builds, the seasons, and more.

There are, however, general rules to live by if you want to adhere to the principles of yoga:

Be mindful of the ingredients of your food. I recommend fresh, organic fare.
Steer clear of processed foods.
Do not stuff yourself with food. Stop eating when you feel satisfied.
Drink plenty of liquids. It is recommended that men take 3.7 liters of fluids, while women take 2.7 liters. The need increases as your daily activities become more strenuous, so adjust accordingly.

Should You Go Vegan?

One of the most polarizing aspects of the yoga diet is the ahimsa, the principle of non-harming. It advocates against violence towards the self and others, while keeping in harmony with one’s personality.

Different people have varying interpretations of this principle, just like how they have different versions of poses. Some yoga instructors I know prescribe veganism as a way of embracing ahimsa. They believe that to adhere to the ahimsa, one must not do harm to anyone, animals included.

Others, meanwhile, adopt an omnivorous diet, which consists of a healthy balance of meat, grains, vegetables, and fruits, among others. After all, it is what works physiologically for them. They use the energy they get from humanely produced meat and fish to heal themselves, teach, and help people.

So, if you ask me, going vegan is entirely up to you. I can prescribe no right or wrong way — it all depends on your personal ethics and what feels right to you. Consider your physiological conditions, as well. Some people are allergic to grains, which makes it extremely difficult for them to go vegan.

If you can, weigh in on what you believe in. And think of the pros and cons of veganism, too. But, ultimately, do what’s best for your body.

Planning a Yogi Diet

In yogic philosophy, all things are composed of three qualities: Raja, Tama, and Sattva.

Raja refers to the quality of being hot, fast, passionate, and action-packed. These are foods that are spicy, salty, and bitter. These have a stimulating effect, like caffeinated drinks, chocolate, and spices. These should be taken in moderation.
Tama is the characteristic of being slow, bland, and lethargic. These have a sedative effect on the mind and body. Tamasic foods include meat, alcohol, tobacco, and fermented foods. Like Rajasic foods, these should be taken in moderation.
Sattva refers to the attributes of purity and harmony. Sattvic foods should compose most of your diet, as these nourish and detoxify the body and help you maintain a peaceful state. These include vegetables, fruits, milk, nuts, seeds, and teas. If you decide to go vegan, you may opt for coconut or almond milk.

The Right Time to Eat

Your body works best when it works in cycles. When you eat during regular hours, the body anticipates the intake of calories and utilizes nutrients better.

I recommend not eating for two hours before exercise or sleep. This way, the body won’t redirect the energy supposedly for digestion to exercise. Similarly, digestion won’t take energy away from tissue repair, hormone production, and fighting infection during sleep.

Sticking to Your Meals

Admittedly, it’s pretty hard to stick to a yoga diet. My students often tell me they’re tempted to abandon it altogether, in fact. But think about the benefits the diet would give you, I often tell them. Sticking to your diet helps you get the most out of yoga. You feel cleaner, healthier, and more energetic.

So, here are some tips:

Remind yourself of your motivations – Make a list of everything that motivates you. You want to adhere to yogic principles and get the most out of yoga. You want to have a healthier weight, toned muscles, stronger immune system, etc. Pull this list out whenever you feel discouraged.
Don’t starve or stuff yourself– Take everything in moderation. It’s better to take several small portions than stuff yourself once then starve yourself for hours.
Prepare a set of meals–Make sure they’re specific, so there’s no room for guesswork. For example, breakfast involves whole-grain bread, eggs, fresh fruits, and milk. For lunch, go for a green salad with tofu or chicken, avocado, and a simple dressing. For dinner, veggie tacos. Nuts, seeds, and fruits are great snacks.
Have someone accountable – I recommend getting a diet buddy because it’s easier to stick to a plan when there’s two of you. If you can’t find one, get someone you can report to whenever you miss your diet. He or she will keep you in check.

There’s no “official” yoga diet—you alone could tell what works for your body. To get the most out of this ancient practice, you have to be mindful of what you eat. A diet fitted to your needs sets you on the path to better physical, mental, and spiritual health.

Check our site for more healthful insights.