Category Archives: Going Healthy

Going Healthy, Health, Lifestyle

5 Essential Benefits of Doing Puzzles

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Most people will tell you that there are benefits to doing puzzles, and they aren’t only for the elderly to pass the time. Puzzles can help you spot greater details in everyday things. And they can also help increase your IQ. So, if you’re on the fence, here are some reasons for puzzles.

A Workout for Your Brain

The greatest overall benefit of puzzles is that they are like a workout for your brain. From crosswords and word puzzles to 10,000-piece jigsaws, puzzles are effective at making your brain much healthier over time. And this kind of exercise for your brain can help lower the chances of things like Alzheimer’s. Some are hard, though, so use things like Wordscapes cheats for some help now and then, so you can get back to work or your favorite hobbies.

Improved Ability for Details

Puzzles help improve your ability to spot the finer details in things, especially jigsaws. This is because there are many similar details in puzzles, and your brain must filter through a large amount of data to find what it needs. This can be hard and time-consuming at first, but you will get better at it. And it can help you in everyday life, such as spotting mistakes in your work.

The Benefits of Doing Puzzles Include Memory

Your memory is one of the first things to be impacted when your brain is in poor health. But puzzles can help strengthen the neural pathways that form to create and store your memories. This can also speed up your thinking and reasoning skills too. It is believed that the visualization skills needed for completing jigsaws, word puzzles, and math problems affect the same part of the brain for memory and therefore exercises it. It is especially useful for teen-level homework.

Increasing Your IQ 

Intelligence Quotient, or IQ, is a general measurement of your brain’s abilities. But for the most part, standard IQ tests measure how quickly you can solve a problem. Of course, a high IQ is a great thing to have and can advance your life in many ways. Studies by some top universities have shown that 25 minutes per day completing puzzles can help increase your IQ by as many as 4 points. This includes word games, math puzzles like Sudoku, and, of course, jigsaws.

Better Work Relationships

Anything that can help you at work is always a good thing, right? Puzzles have been shown to help increase productivity that carries into work. This is because of the improved levels of concentration. But you can also greatly improve your teamwork and collaboration skills at work by solving puzzles together with co-workers. This helps strengthen bonds for increased problem-solving. And this also helps improve the mental effectiveness of the team as a whole.

Summary

There are many benefits of doing puzzles. These include giving your brain the workout it needs to stay sharp. But it can also help improve memory and extend into making you better at work. It is recommended to do puzzles from an early age, but it’s also never too late to start the fun.

Going Healthy, Health, Life, Tips

Safety and Comfort: The Role of Medical Supervision in Detox

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Detoxification involves removing toxins from the human body to enhance recovery after substance abuse. It is among the first few steps in the long journey to recovery and sobriety. Unfortunately, detox is a dangerous process that triggers withdrawal symptoms, from pain to Delirium Tremens, a life-threatening condition.

Complete weaning off from drugs or substances typically sends the brain into overdrive, making a person crave alcohol or drugs. These withdrawal symptoms vary from one individual to another, making it hard to predict the extent or intensity of their manifestation. Therefore, medical supervision is critical during detox to minimize discomfort, pain, and the chances of life-long complications. Here are more benefits of medical supervision during the detoxification process.

Improved Health and Safety

Medical supervision can improve safety, especially for people with chronic drinking history, mental health issues, and previous detox history. The medical supervision team helps patients alleviate discomfort or pain and prevent health complications.

If health experts notice signs of health complications, they address the problem immediately, making the process safe and comfortable. This is because the patients’ vitals and body responses are monitored 24/7 to keep tabs on their progress and avoid sudden turns of events. Besides, medical detox involves regularly assessing the physical and mental health, thus preventing withdrawal symptoms-related emergencies.

Timely Intervention to Manage Withdrawal Symptoms

Under medically supervised detox, patients are monitored by different healthcare professionals. These professionals have the knowledge, skills, and experience to mitigate or manage withdrawal symptoms. This means a patient does not struggle with the symptoms alone since the team is dedicated to ensuring the recovery process is safe and smooth.

Safe and Conducive Environment

What would happen if a patient develops medical or mental conditions and switches from the recovery center to the hospital and back for treatment? Medically supervised detox offers detox, treatment, and monitoring in a safe and conducive environment. This makes it easy to prevent access to alcohol or drugs, eliminating triggers and reducing the chances of relapse. The temptation to drink alcohol or abuse drugs is reduced into cravings until the patient recovers fully and can resist the urge.

In most cases, detox is one of the first steps of a comprehensive treatment and rehabilitation program. Therefore, the patient will continue the treatment process until they achieve sobriety after detox. Medical supervision helps identify causes of chronic stress, triggers, and ways to manage body responses that might compel the patient to relapse. The medical professionals also offer aftercare support and medical follow-up to ensure patients are back on their feet.

Enjoy Medical and Psychological Support

Mental health stability plays a significant role in enhancing the rehabilitation process. Therefore, health professionals strive to address medical and mental conditions during detox to ensure the patient recovers fully. Healthcare workers pay attention to signs of mental disturbance and provide holistic care that improves the detox process and its outcomes.

But how do detox programs facilitate holistic detox and recovery? The recovery process involves the collaborative efforts of medical doctors, therapists, and counselors. Therefore, each case is referred to the relevant professional for coordinated diagnosis and treatment.

Detox and substance withdrawal are dangerous since they can cause pain or life-threatening conditions. However, medically supervised detox helps monitor progress and respond to medical or mental complications associated with the detox process. This enhances safety and improves the outcome of the recovery process.

Going Healthy, Health, Life, Tips

Understanding and Recognizing Hearing Loss in Dads: A Guide to Better Communication

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Every June, Father’s Day reminds us of the importance of communication in families. Effective communication is the cornerstone of any healthy relationship, and a key aspect of successful communication is clear and accurate hearing. Hearing loss, unfortunately, can affect individuals of all ages and genders, including dads. Recognizing the signs and symptoms of hearing loss in fathers is crucial to supporting their overall well-being and maintaining strong family bonds.

Studies show men ages 20 to 69 are twice as likely as women to experience hearing loss. The perception that hearing loss only happens to older people is not necessarily true. Men can start losing their hearing in their 30s and 40s when communication with their children is paramount to developing strong relationships. While it is true that men are more likely to experience hearing loss at an early age compared to women, the exact reasons for this gender disparity are not entirely clear. Several factors contribute to this phenomenon, including lifestyle influences. Men are often over-represented in occupations that expose them to high levels of noise, such as construction, manufacturing, and military service.

According to the Hearing Loss Association of America, it takes people, on average, seven years from the time they suspect they might have a hearing loss to the time they seek treatment. So, this June we ask, “How do we get dads on-board with better hearing health?”

First, we need to recognize the signs of hearing loss. Hearing loss can be gradual and may go unnoticed for some time. Dads experiencing hearing loss may exhibit the following signs:

  1. Difficulty following conversations: If your dad frequently asks others to repeat themselves or appears to misunderstand what has been said, it could be an indication of hearing loss.
  2. Turning up the volume: Notice if your dad consistently sets the television or radio volume higher than usual. This compensatory behavior may suggest difficulty in hearing.
  3. Social withdrawal: Hearing loss can lead to frustration, embarrassment, and isolation. If your dad begins avoiding social gatherings or seems less engaged in conversations, it could be due to hearing difficulties. Healthcare experts warn that withdrawing from social interaction can lead to cognitive decline or depression.
  1. Misinterpreting speech: If your dad frequently misinterprets or misunderstands words, it may indicate a decline in hearing capabilities. Spoken consonants can be especially tricky, so for example, when you offer dad “cake” and he asks about Aunt “Kate,” that may be a sign of hearing loss.
  2. Ringing in the ears: Tinnitus, characterized by a ringing, buzzing, or hissing sound in the ears, is often associated with hearing loss. If your dad complains of such symptoms, it is essential to consider the possibility of hearing impairment.

Once you have recognized potential signs of hearing loss in your dad, it is crucial to encourage him to seek professional help. Approach the subject with empathy and understanding, emphasizing the benefits of early intervention. A comprehensive hearing evaluation by an audiologist or hearing care specialist can determine the extent of hearing loss. While the goal should be for dad to make an appointment with a hearing care professional, his familiar primary care physician can also be a good place to start. In addition to its network of audiologists and licensed hearing aid specialists, HearUSA works closely with primary care physicians.

Additionally, broaching the subject of hearing aids means understanding for yourself how modern devices differ from what your father (and maybe you) think of them. Various models are designed to be discreet, so they don’t stand out; and rechargeable, so he doesn’t have to worry about changing those tiny batteries. Many models also offer a wireless connection to your smartphone, laptop, or tablet to adjust the hearing aid performance based on the specific sound situation, such as having a conversation in a crowded restaurant.

The impact of hearing loss extends beyond the individual experiencing it. Family members can contribute to a positive and supportive environment by learning about hearing loss and its effects on communication. Understanding the challenges your dad faces can help you adjust your approach and offer appropriate support. Encourage your dad to share his experiences, concerns, and any adjustments he may need to improve communication. Be patient with your dad and empathize with his struggles. Recognize that hearing loss can be frustrating and emotionally challenging. Providing emotional support can significantly improve your dad’s well-being.

Recognizing hearing loss in dads and taking proactive steps to address it is essential for maintaining strong family connections and overall well-being. By recognizing the signs, encouraging professional evaluation and implementing treatment, everyone benefits.

By: Andrew Wagner Au.D. CCC-A at HearUSA