Sometimes your day can be thrown off track by fear and worries that are, for the most part, in your head.

Deep breathing techniques can help get you back on track and pull you back into the moment. They can help you refocus by relieving anxiety and have a calming effect.

Breathing is something so natural that we barely think about it. You breathe about 20,000 times per day without making an effort. So, how can something so natural and simple as breathing calm your fears and worries?

Known as “prana” to yoga practitioners, breathing has calming effects on your brain and the rest of your nervous system.

Anxiety speeds up breathing. When you purposefully slow your breath, it helps you gain more control over your mental state. Best of all, you can do it anywhere. Here are some different techniques to try.
Diaphragmatic or Belly Breathing: Start by sitting comfortably or lying on your back. Place one hand on the upper part of your chest and the other on your belly. Relax your stomach muscles and breathe slowly through your nose until you feel your belly start to rise.

Exhale slowly through pursed lips and feel your belly fall.

Repeat.

Box Breathing: Breathe out while counting to four. Hold your breath and count to four. Breathe in and count to four. Hold your breath and count to four. Repeat.

You can start with just a minute or two of deep breathing and increase from there. Try doing it for at least 10 minutes each day (5 sessions at 2 minutes to start), and try to focus on becoming aware of the feeling of the breath during each session. Pay attention to what happens when you concentrate on your breathing.

As you progress, you can try learning to meditate to take your calming efforts even further.

New research links sleeping pill use to Alzheimer’s risk in older adults. So if you’re using these sleep aids, you might want to keep reading.

Although the study cannot prove that sleeping pills cause dementia, it does show a link that requires further exploration.

According to the researchers involved in the study, sleeping pills are one of the most commonly used medications among older adults, but their frequent use may not come without consequences.

The team found that participants reporting that they “often” or “almost always” took sleeping pills had a 79 percent higher risk of developing dementia compared to those who said they “never” or “rarely” used them.

Interestingly, the connection was only seen in white participants. There was no connection between sleeping pill use and dementia risk in Black participants. Roughly 60 percent of the participants were white, and about 40 percent were Black.

Researchers looked at about 3,000 seniors who shared their sleeping medication routines starting in 1997. There were between 70 and 79 years old none had dementia. They were asked about sleeping aid use three times over five years: never, rarely (once a month or less), sometimes (2-4 times per month), often (5-15 times per month), or almost always (more than 15 times).
Sleep aids included both over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medications. OTCs included antihistamines, melatonin, and valerian. Prescription medications included antidepressants, antipsychotics, benzodiazepines, and zolpidem (Ambien).

Of course, the reason for the link needs to be examined much more closely. People who have worse sleep habits have a higher dementia risk, and taking sleeping pills indicates poor sleeping habits.

It’s also important to talk to your doctor if you are taking sleep aids. It is possible that they may interact with other medications you are taking.

Before looking to medications, try other ways to get better sleep. This could include visiting a sleep clinic to identify issues like sleep apnea or using lifestyle modifications to improve sleep hygiene.

February is American Heart month, so let’s take a look at one of the most severe injuries you can have to your heart: heart attacks.

Many don’t really know what a heart attack feels like and the warning signs, even though more than 800,000 occur in the United States every year, a number that the American College of Cardiology predicts will continue to rise.

Heart attacks are life-threatening emergencies that require immediate treatment. They cause damage to the heart and can lead to serious health issues or death. Knowing the signs and symptoms is one way to reduce the risk of severe damage or death.

A heart attack is a blockage of one of your coronary arteries. Think of it like the plumbing in your house: when a pipe gets blocked and blood can’t flow through, the muscle that’s feeding it starts to die.

The American Heart Association (AHA) says a coronary artery can be blocked by a buildup of fat, cholesterol, or other substances that partially or completely block blood flow to a part of the heart.

Reduced blood flow results in a lack of oxygen, which can damage the heart muscle or cause death.

Signs and symptoms of a heart attack can range from mild to severe and vary from person to person. They can include:
– Pain or discomfort in the chest, arm, or shoulder
– Lightheadedness, nausea, vomiting
– Pain in the jaw, neck, or back
– Shortness of breath
There are some common signs and symptoms of heart attacks, but they do not all look the same. Symptoms can be quite different for women and men, typically resulting in women waiting longer to get treatment. They often don’t even consider their symptoms a warning sign.

Chest pain and pressure, for example, are less common in women. More likely symptoms include:
– Fatigue or weakness
– Sleep disturbances
– Shortness of breath
– Heartburn or indigestion
– Unusual fatigue
– Anxiety or feelings of impending doom
– Pain or pressure in the lower chest or upper abdomen

If you’re feeling any of these symptoms, call 911 or have somebody immediately take you to the hospital.

Maintaining a healthy diet is essential for helping to keep cognitive decline away.

Unfortunately, many older adults experience food insecurity, which can greatly impact their cognitive abilities. Research has found that compared to older adults who are food secure, those who experience food insecurity show a more significant cognitive decline over time.

Understanding the consequences of chronic hunger on aging is important to support our elderly population best. Read on to learn more about the connection between food insecurity and decreased mental capacities in older age.

The new article published in The Journal of Nutrition analyzed a sample of older adults in the United States using National Health and Aging Trends Study data. The study ran for approximately eight years, starting in 2012, and participants reported their experiences with food insecurity.

They were classified as either food sufficient or food insufficient. It was found that food-insecure adults experienced cognitive declines more rapidly than food-secure adults. The greater cognitive decline rate observed in the insecure food group was equivalent to 4.5 years older, while the food secure group was 3.8 years older.

“For an aging population, roughly four years of brain aging can be very significant,” explained lead researcher Muzi Na. “These results really point to the importance of food security for people as they age and the value SNAP can have in improving people’s cognitive health. We need to make sure that people have access to—and encourage them to use—the SNAP program as they age.”

As this study goes to show, food insecurity can cause more harm than some may think. Aside from cognitive decline, food insecurity has also been suggested to add to depression and malnutrition, among many other health conditions.

Future studies are needed to investigate the impact of food insecurity and promoting food programs such as SNAP on cognitive decline.

Promoting Brain Function

While some degree of cognitive decline is nearly inevitable as you age, this study shows how other factors can take a toll on the ability of the brain to function at peak potential. This can affect memory, concentration, and overall brain function.

The Smart Pill can help to enhance cognitive function and memory through 9 ingredients that help to support, nourish, and maximize brain health. These include ginkgo biloba, huperzine A, bacopa extract, rosemary extract, and a B vitamin complex. The formulation of these ingredients is an excellent way to help fight free radicals, boost circulation, and provide nutritional support to assist with cognitive function.

Heart attacks can seem sudden and out of nowhere, but many may be triggered by underlying coronary heart disease.

A heart attack is a big event, but for some, it could only be the first sign of a problem that has been building for a long time. Coronary heart disease (CHD), which is also known as coronary artery disease (CAD), is one of the most common types of heart disease in the U.S., according to the CDC.

According to the American Heart Association (AHA), CHD is actually a result of CAD, although the terms are often used interchangeably. The disease is preventable and typically comes with some warning signs like chest pain, shortness of breath, and more.

It happens when blood flow to the heart is limited because of plaque growth caused by waxy cholesterol along coronary artery walls. It affects the large arteries on the surface of the heart, causing them to narrow over time.

The narrowing process, called atherosclerosis, can block some or all blood flow. The sudden rupture of plaque can also lead to a blood clot, according to the AHA.

More than 18 million Americans likely have the disease, which is the leading cause of death in the country.
It is never too early to start protecting against coronary heart disease. The first thing you can do is cut down on things like drinking and eating processed foods. If you smoke, do your best to quit.

Being more physically active is one of the biggest ways to help prevent the disease. Exercising at a moderate or vigorous intensity for at least 30 minutes per day can help, as does taking a 5-minute break from sitting every hour or so.

If you’ve never exercised before, talk to your doctor about starting an exercise routine.

You can also make some simple dietary swaps: swap out butter or margarine for olive or canola oil when cooking. Avoid using salt to season food and try other flavors, and include more fruit, vegetables, and nuts in place of snacks, starchy sides, and sugary foods,

In the never-ending quest for better gut health, a recent breakthrough in fiber could be the game-changer we’ve been waiting for. Scientists have discovered that changing the fibre structure could help promote healthy gut bacteria and reduce gas formation, especially in people with irritable bowel disease. This revolutionary development could help millions of people worldwide improve their overall health and well-being through better digestion.

The new study, published in Food Hydrocolloids, examined psyllium, a type of natural dietary fiber. This fiber was found to have a major impact on gas production, often linked to bowel discomfort.

To test the fermentation products and evaluate the impact of the structures of the microorganism, the research team performed vitro fermentation experiments seeded with human stool.

Dr. Gleb Yakubov, one of the lead researchers on the study, explains: “Although fibre is an important part of any diet, for many people it can cause bowel discomfort and for people with IBS or IBD fibre can be a trigger. This is because some foods cause bacterial interactions in the gut that create gas that can lead to pain or discomfort. Our study shows that the physical state of the fibre has a major impact on gas production by creating beneficial compounds that promote the creation of the good bacteria in the gut.”

Psyllium fiber produces long-chain sugars, which produce beneficial short-chain fatty acids that can positively contribute to gut health. This shows that different states of fiber can impact the way dietary fiber breaks down. During this process, microbes can colonize fiber during fermentation.

Because of these findings, we now know that there are new opportunities for designing targeted structures using psyllium which could either be through seed processing or selective breeding. This new type of fiber can then offer clear clinical benefits above those of unrefined psyllium powders to aid in the treatment of gastrointestinal discomfort.

Research has also started at the University of Nottingham with the School of Medicine to create and test psyllium-mimicking materials as an alternative source of fiber for those with bowel conditions, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Trials will be starting this Spring.

Promoting Health Digestion

Healthy Colon provides an excellent solution to healthy digestion. The unique blend of ingredients includes natural sources of fiber, herbal ingredients, and probiotics to help prevent constipation and diarrhea. Poor digestion can impact the absorption of nutrients and vitamins, depriving the body of the valuable nutrients it desires. But Healthy Colon can target a number of causes of digestive issues, promoting overall health and wellness.

Fresh snow can be a calming and inviting atmosphere for a walk, but it can be more dangerous than it looks.

Fresh snow applies a blanket to potential hazards like steps, downed branches, and even ice, which can boost the risk of trips, slips, and falls. And if you go down, what do you do? Like most, you probably extend your hands and arms to break your fall.

And that response makes sense. Using these extremities to break your fall could help you avoid a more serious injury, like a broken hip or thigh. But using your hands to break a fall often leads to injury in the small, intricate bones in the hands and wrist.

Here are some ways to protect your hands and wrists from potential injury from walking on a lovely winter day.

The first is to stay alert and aware of your surroundings. Snow makes it easy to miss steps, for example, so do your best to walk in familiar areas and remember where there are steps, curbs, etc.

It is also a wise idea to clear the pathways and steps of your home as soon as you can.

Looking out for ice and black ice, in particular, can help prevent falls. Black ice makes surfaces look wet, and avoiding stepping in these areas is the best way to stay upright.
Focus on where you are going and observe what lies ahead. That may mean taking a break from the chat you’re having during your walk to put a little effort into your movements.

Avoid looking at a screen or texting during your walk.

Wearing appropriate footwear with good traction is important, too. A good set of winter boots and icers are essentials for people who enjoy snow walks.

If you have poor vision, make sure you wear your corrective lenses during your walk or walking aid. Also, use one if you have chronic health conditions or take medication that boosts the risk of falls.

You can further support yourself by doing strength training exercises, which can help with bone density, stability, and balance. Getting plenty of calcium and vitamin D can help, too.

Stay safe on your winter walks, and remember the potential dangers.

Feeling run down and fatigued all the time could be a sign that you’re not getting enough sleep. Sleeping is a vital part of staying fit and healthy, both mentally and physically. When we don’t get quality rest, it can leave us stressed out, unproductive, and more likely to make unhealthy decisions throughout our day. It can also disrupt our fitness levels.

To avoid these adverse outcomes, it’s crucial to understand how more restful habits can help improve your physical fitness level and overall well-being.

This blog post will discuss why adequate sleep is essential for health in adults and offer some tips on how to create better sleeping patterns for an improved lifestyle.

All the best athletes know how important sleep is for staying fit. For stars like Serena Williams and LeBron James, sleep is part of their fitness lifestyle. And for a good reason.

Sleep plays a role in metabolism, ensures memory, reaction time, and decision-making, and it grows and repairs tissues. These processes impact athletic performance, so athletes must get a good night’s sleep.

It is important to understand that sleep is vital, not just for elite athletes but for anyone who is looking for peak fitness. Even amateur gym-goers can maximize the benefits of exercise for their fitness and health.

Some ways that sleep can benefit fitness are:

Aerobic Fitness – Exercise is essential for improving aerobic fitness. It can improve both aerobic efficiency and capacity, allowing the body to run faster with heavier loads, and require less oxygen to run or cycle at the same pace.

Research has also shown that poor sleep can reduce the function of mitochondria which is responsible for energy production.

Muscle Growth – Muscle growth occurs when new proteins are added to the muscle structure. This process, known as muscle protein synthesis, is stimulated by exercise and food. However, research shows that even just a few nights of insufficient sleep can reduce this synthesis, making it harder for the body to build muscle.

Anabolic Hormones – Two hormones released during sleep, testosterone and growth hormones, may be important for recovery and adaptation to exercise. Both of these hormones have been linked to improved body composition, which can benefit exercise and health.

Insulin – Numerous studies have shown that sleep can reduce insulin’s effectiveness, which can impact the body’s ability to replace glycogen stores. However, exercise uses glucose as a fuel source. Since it can take up to 24 hours to fully replenish stores, the hormone insulin is needed for muscles to absorb glucose to make glycogen.
Getting a restful night’s sleep may be achieved through simple lifestyle changes. These changes include following a consistent sleep schedule, limiting caffeine after 2 PM, blocking all light from the bedroom, and limiting screen time at least two hours before bedtime.

If you are having sleep issues and lifestyle changes don’t seem to work, It may be time to speak to your doctor to rule out any sleep disorders such as insomnia or sleep apnea.

Improving Sleep And Muscle Health

Sleep Sure Plus is designed to help promote optimal sleep and restfulness through a variety of ingredients. One of the most important ingredients included in this unique formula is melatonin. Melatonin is a hormone essential for regulating the circadian rhythm (the internal clock of the body). Sleep Sure Plus also contains valerian, one of the best natural ingredients for promoting rest and relaxation. These two essential ingredients are joined by another 6, which all work together to provide a better quality of sleep.

Muscle loss can begin at a relatively young age and will only continue with time, so it is important to take steps to help maintain it. As this study shows, getting enough sleep is vital to help maintain muscle strength, but having the right vitamins and nutrients is also essential in keeping muscle strength and mass. That is where Clinical Strength Muscle Support comes in.

With a unique formula that includes Tongkat Ali extract LJ100®, Clinical Strength Muscle Support is designed to help support aging muscles, so you can maintain your active and healthy lifestyle for years to come.

Research has shown that chest pain is not always just a symptom of a heart attack, but it can still be alarming when it suddenly occurs. While chest pain is often connected to cardiac issues such as heart attacks or coronary artery disease, other non-cardiac causes at play can cause chest pains.

In this post, we will explore these various causes in more detail to help you better understand your situation should you experience chest pains unexpectedly. Don’t let fear and anxiety drive your decision-making; read further for facts about the possible non-cardiac sources of chest pain so you can talk through your concerns with your doctor during an appointment.

Chest pain and the possibility of a heart problem are not to be taken lightly, but there can be many other reasons for pain other than a heart attack. Overall, the likelihood of a cardiac issue hinges more on a patient’s risk profile.

Three Main Causes
There are regularly three main causes of non-cardiac chest pain or discomfort. Gastroesophageal reflux disease, commonly called GERD, is one of the most common reasons for chest pain. This acid reflux causes heartburn, expressing pain in the center of the chest.

Certain foods, such as spicy, fatty, or acidic foods, can cause GERD. Additionally, GERD-triggering heartburn pain is often worsened after consuming large meals, alcohol, or a lot of caffeine. And if you have GERD, you may find that lying down leads to worse chest pain, an uncomfortable symptom of GERD that can mimic the more serious condition of chest pain related to heart issues. It is best to be aware of your diet and lifestyle habits if you are prone to GERD attacks and take steps to minimize your GERD symptoms.

Chest pain can also commonly originate from the muscles and joints in the wall of the chest. Heavy lifting or a strenuous workout can strain these muscles, causing pain and discomfort. Coughing due to a respiratory illness can also cause strain on these muscles and cause chest discomfort as well.

If chest pain is consistent with strenuous physical activity, take time between workout sessions to allow the muscles to repair and grow.

The third thing that can commonly cause chest pain is emotional stress and anxiety. Having a panic attack can cause chest tightness or pressure and difficulty breathing. If you are experiencing stress, anxiety, or depression, there are lifestyle changes that can help relieve symptoms. Try following a meditation routine or enroll in a yoga class.

So, how can you tell if your chest pain is a serious cardiac issue or not? It can be difficult to distinguish between causes, so evaluations such as electrocardiograms and blood tests may be necessary.

Physicians are more concerned about chest pain in patients with risk factors for heart disease, such as high blood pressure, kidney disease, and diabetes, and those over the age of 60. All of these conditions also increase the risk of coronary artery disease or blockages in the heart arteries.
If you are experiencing chest pain that is very brief, lasting only seconds or minutes, and it goes away without any other associated symptoms like nausea or shortness of breath, it may not be heart-related.

On the other hand, if your chest pain is new and severe or accompanied by other symptoms, you should go to the emergency department. Not every patient will experience the same symptoms during a cardiac event, but some may include nausea, pain on the left side of the chest, jaw, or down the arm, shortness of breath, and feelings of indigestion. Sometimes people with a heart attack may also feel “unwell” and be cold and clammy.

If you are experiencing chest pain, it is always advised to get checked by your doctor.

Maintaining Heart Health

Keeping the heart healthy throughout life is vital, so Heart Rescue was designed to help support and promote cardiovascular health using a variety of ingredients, including omega-3 fatty acids and CoQ10. The omega-3 fatty acids play an important role in cardiovascular function, while CoQ10 is involved in energy production at the cellular level.

These two heart superstars are supported by 5 other ingredients that can help to promote and support cardiovascular function as you age. This formula’s health benefits can help strengthen the heart muscle, support circulation, and help reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

CoQ10 is a vital nutrient needed to promote healthy cardiovascular function. However, research has shown that CoQ10 levels can decline with stress, age, and cholesterol-lowering statin use. Due to this decline, it is essential to help support and maintain CoQ10 levels.

The major issue with standard CoQ10 supplementation is that it is a large, fat-soluble molecule that is poorly absorbed in the body. However, CoQ10 Premium Gold gets around this issue by supplying a water-soluble form of CoQ10 for superior absorption by the body. This gives the body the CoQ10 it needs to support energy production and help maintain cardiovascular health.

In recent years, a lot of information has come out about ways to slow cognitive decline and dementia, and it can all get a little confusing.

And although there is no known cure or failsafe prevention method for avoiding cognitive decline or dementia, researchers have identified a series of lifestyle factors that appear to be associated with risk.

The SHIELD plan incorporates a number of lifestyle interventions that have been found to help reduce the risk of dementia and strengthen cognitive function in aging. And perhaps most importantly, it gives you an acronym that is easy to remember.

SHELD stands for:

Sleep: Getting 7-8 hours of sleep per night can help improve brain health. It gives your body enough time to send through a cleanup crew that can remove plaques from your brain.

Handling stress: Stress can also beat away at your brain’s capacity to function optimally. Finding ways to deal with stress, including exercise, managing expectations, or meditation, can all help.

Interacting with friends: Loneliness is a major risk factor for Alzheimer’s and dementia. Spending time talking to friends, family, and other acquaintances can help. Joining community groups, hiking groups, or volunteering can all help.
Exercise: Exercise may help strengthen brain regions affected by Alzheimer’s and trigger the breakdown of amyloid plaques that can contribute to Alzheimer’s. Find an exercise modality that you enjoy and try to do it for at least 150 minutes per week.

Learn New Things: Learning new things can strengthen and increase the number of synapses in your brain, which are the connections between nerve cells storing your memories. Synapse loss is correlated with dementia, so making more gives you more to spare.

Diet: Eating a Mediterranean-style diet, which minimizes processed food and red meat and is rich in fiber from fruits and vegetables, is also associated with a healthier brain. It is also good for your gut, which could influence inflammation and nerve cell health in the brain.

Adopting the SHIELD plan is an easy way to remember the steps to a healthy brain that could lead to better brain health and reduced risk of Alzheimer’s.

Do you find yourself getting less than the recommended amount of sleep? If so, listen up!

Lack of sleep may be causing more harm to your body than you realize—from making you more prone to illness to dramatically increasing your risk for diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, respiratory conditions, and cardiovascular diseases.

In this blog post, we’ll explore why healthy adults should prioritize quality sleep and how it can have serious long-term health implications if neglected. So, read on to learn about the risks associated with unhealthy sleeping habits so that your mind (and body!) can stay in top condition!

How Much Sleep?

Experts suggest that adults should sleep for 7-9 hours every night, and adolescents require 8-10 for their growing brains and bodies. When we sleep, our bodies are able to restore themselves and recharge, promoting physical well-being.

Self-care may be difficult during times of uncertainty and stress, but adding sleep into your routine has proven to have mental health benefits, such as improved concentration, better moods, and even a lowered risk of depression and dementia. Sleep is essential for well-being, so don’t forget the importance of getting the recommended amount each night.

How to Get Better Sleep

If you are not getting the recommended hours of sleep, the good news is that you can make many simple lifestyle changes to help you get better rest. For example, taking in natural sunlight during the day and limiting exposure to light at night is an important way to ensure a healthy circadian rhythm.

Natural circadian rhythms occur over 24 hours and control various processes, from body temperature, metabolism, and hormone patterns. To set your circadian rhythm and get a good night’s sleep, practice making your home dark in the evening.

When possible, open windows to let in natural light during the day. Controlling artificial light like electronics should also be taken into consideration; try to limit evening activities that involve bright screens or lights. Making changes like these can help reset your internal clock and set you up for a restful night of sleep.

For those who are experiencing sleep problems, exercise can also be a great help. Exercise helps tire out your body and releases endorphins that make you feel relaxed and stress-free.

Studies have also indicated that sleep patterns improve when regular exercise is a part of your lifestyle. However, it is important to note that exercising too close to bedtime can have the opposite effect, so if sleep issues are present, it’s best to plan for physical activity earlier in the day.
Sleep is essential for health and well-being. If you find yourself having sleep difficulties, one of the easiest changes to make is to reduce or eliminate caffeine intake. Caffeine may be a contributing factor to sleep deprivation because although it can help people feel more awake and alert during the day, it can also interfere with sleep cycles at night.

Studies have shown that consuming caffeine up to six hours before sleep can cause significant sleep disturbances, such as decreased sleep efficiency and increased sleep onset latency. So, if you’re looking to improve your sleep habits, closely examine your caffeine consumption and see if reducing or eliminating it could help you get some quality restorative sleep.

A good night’s sleep is one of the best things you can do for your overall health. Not only does it make you feel refreshed and energized throughout the day, but it also helps to improve your immune function, which can help reduce levels of chronic illness and disease. So, taking the steps needed to get the proper night’s rest your body requires is vital.

Promoting Optimal Sleep and Brain Health

Sleep Sure Plus is designed to help promote optimal sleep and restfulness through various ingredients. One of the most important ingredients included in this unique formula is melatonin. Melatonin is a hormone essential for regulating the circadian rhythm (the body’s internal clock). Sleep Sure Plus also contains valerian, one of the best natural ingredients for promoting relaxation. These two essential ingredients are joined by another 6, which all work together to provide a better quality of sleep.

If stress is causing sleep problems, it can also take a toll on the brain, affecting concentration, memory, and overall brain function. The Smart Pill can help counteract these effects through nine ingredients that help support, nourish, and maximize brain health and cognitive function. These include ginkgo biloba, huperzine A, bacopa extract, rosemary extract, and a B vitamin complex. This unique formula helps boost circulation, fight free radicals, and help to promote clear thinking.

You’ll want to read this if you’re prone to dry eyes and treat them with eye drops.

U.S. officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are investigating whether a specific brand of over-the-counter eyedrops is behind one death and dozens of bacterial infections across several states.

Although the infections are yet to be traced to preservative-free EzriCare Artificial Tears, a majority of people who became ill reported using the drops, according to a CDC statement.

An investigation found the bacterium Psuedomonas aeruginosa, which is resistant to most antibiotics, in bottles of the eye drops. Tests are underway to see if the strains match the patient’s infections.

The CDC has recommended people “immediately discontinue use of EzriCare Artificial Tears until the epidemiological investigation and laboratory analyses are complete.”

At least 50 people in 11 states have been infected with the bacteria. One of the patients died after the bacterium entered their bloodstream.

Standard treatments for bacterial infections are not available to treat the condition because the bacterium is resistant to most antibiotic treatments.
In 11 cases, people developed eye infections. Three were blinded in one eye, and some experienced respiratory or urinary tract infections.

P. aeruginosa infections typically happen in hospital settings in people with weakened immune systems, although the bacteria can be found in water and soil. People can also carry it on their hands.

The eyedrops may have been contaminated during manufacturing or as a person with bacteria on their hands opened them.

It is important to note that the brand being investigated does not contain preservatives to inhibit the growth of germs. As of yet, the product has not been recalled.

If you experience dry eyes, it’s best to stay away from this brand.

Eye infection symptoms include pain and swelling, and sometimes redness, discharge, blurry vision, light sensitivity, and a feeling like something is in your eye. If you’re having any of them, go and see an eye doctor.

If you repeatedly wake up feeling unrested or have a partner explaining how you’ve kept them up again with raucous snoring, it might be time to have your sleep assessed.

Sleep apnea is a condition that can have some serious consequences. It is marked by breathing difficulties during sleep, which can lead to lower oxygen levels in the body, inflammation, oxidative stress, and shortened breathing patterns. It is closely associated with high blood pressure and risks to heart health.

Now new data is suggesting it could contribute to weaker bones and teeth.

Low-bone mineral density is an indicator of osteoporosis and can increase the risk of fractures and cause teeth to become loose and dental implants to fail.

Researchers from the University of Buffalo in New York recently made the discovery. They used cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) – a type of x-ray – to measure bone density in the heads and necks of 38 adults, half of which had sleep apnea.
The scans found that people with sleep apnea had significantly lower bone mineral density than the participants without the condition. It is possible that the symptoms of sleep apnea may have a chronic effect on bone metabolism and, eventually, bone density.

This is only the beginning stage of looking at the potential impact of sleep apnea on bone and tooth health, and more are likely to follow. The results are also observational, meaning that it does not prove that sleep apnea necessarily causes weaker bones and teeth.

Sleep apnea is also associated with being overweight, which may indicate poor nutritional habits and added stress on bones, which can contribute to weakness.

In any event, it is possible that weak bones and teeth could be yet another complication of sleep apnea. If you don’t seem to be sleeping well, indicated by fatigue during the day, go for a sleep assessment. Dealing with it may reduce the risk of osteoporosis and more.

It’s been a pretty mild winter where I live. Until about a week ago, when the snow, ice, and frigid temperatures took hold.

The shoes I was wearing a week ago are back on the shelf, and snow boots aren’t leaving the rotation.

Without the right footwear, getting around in the winter can be tough and dangerous. The snow and ice pose a significant danger, and ensuring your feet are properly taken care of is the first step toward safety.

Here are some tips on winterizing your feet.

Make sure your winter shoes, boots, and snow boots still fit. Feet can change with age, and the footwear you had last year may be too tight this year. Squeezing your feet into shoes that are too snug can cause pain, blisters, bruises, and other problems.

If you need to get new boots, do your shopping in the late afternoon or evening when your feet are full-size. Also, bring the socks you plan to wear in the cold weather because you may need extra space to accommodate them.
If last year’s footwear still fits, you’ll want to take a look at the traction. If you do a lot of walking, it may be time for a new pair – the more traction in the winter, the more protected you are from the potential of slipping.

Some boots offer ICE FX technology, which helps improve grip in wintery conditions. You may also want to consider purchasing anti-slip devices to offer enhanced traction for slick surfaces.

Keeping a pair of emergency boots/winter footwear at work or in the car is a good idea in the case of some unexpected winter weather.

Exposure to cold air can lead to slower circulation to the extremities. To protect against frostbite, wear waterproof or water-resistant footwear, insulated footwear, and warm socks if you’re going to be out in the cold.

If you start to feel numbness or pain, go to a warmer environment as soon as possible. If you have diabetes, you’ll want to pay careful attention because neuropathy may prevent you from feeling cold.

Taking care of your feet can help you stay safe this winter. Don’t overlook the importance of proper footwear.