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5 Things You Can Do Every Day to Take Care of Your Heart

Do you want to practice better heart care? Here are some things you can do every day to do just that.

Eat clean

When it comes to keeping your heart healthy, any cardiologist will tell you that it all starts with your diet. You want to make sure you avoid things that are high in cholesterol, saturated fat, sugar, and salt. Instead, you should eat foods like veggies, fruits, fish, and other healthy snacks. Fish has a lot of omega-3 fatty acids, which work well to improve your cholesterol levels.

Exercise

As a rule of thumb for heart care, you want to make sure you are getting at least 30 minutes of exercise every day. You can jog in place while you’re watching your favorite TV show, or you can take the dog for a walk after dinner. You want to make sure the time you spend with moderately intense exercise adds up to 150 minutes by the end of the week. You also want to make sure you aren’t sitting for long periods at a time.

Brush and floss

You wouldn’t think that in cardiology centers in hospitals around the country that doctors are telling their patients to get better at dental care in order to help their hearts, but they are. Dental health is always a sign of good overall health. This is especially true for heart health because those with periodontal disease have the same risk factors for heart disease. The bacteria in your mouth caused by gum disease can move into your bloodstream and cause an increase in the protein that makes your blood vessels inflame. In order to practice good heart care, you need to practice good dental care too.

Get enough sleep

your sleeping habits can also have an impact on your heart health. A lack of sleep can lead to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, even if the rest of your health is in good shape. Not enough sleep causes disruptions in your biological processes and other underlying health conditions, including blood pressure and inflammation. You want to get between six and eight hours of sleep every night to lower your risk.

Stay hydrated

Lastly, you want to make sure you are always drinking enough water. A lack of water consumption can have a serious negative effect on your health in many ways, and that especially goes for your heart health.

Across America, heart disease is the number one cause of death. You want to make sure you practice good heart care by eating well, exercising, brushing and flossing, sleeping well, and drinking enough water. These simple things you can do every day just might save your life.

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A Guide To Hip Replacement Surgery

In 2014, up to 2.5 million Americans were living with an artificial hip. Hip replacement surgery and physical rehabilitation are often recommended when a patient experiences chronic hip pain and no other pain management procedures work.

Here’s an in-depth guide to hip replacement surgery and why this surgery is sometimes the best alternative for patients with chronic hip pain.

What is a total hip replacement?

A total hip replacement, or total hip arthroplasty, is the removal of damaged hip cartilage and bone. The part of the hip that’s removed is replaced with prosthetic components.

During the procedure, your surgeon will remove the damaged femoral head of your hip and replace it with a metal stem. This stem is placed in the hollow center of your femur. A ceramic or metal ball is then placed in the upper part of the metal stem, thereby replacing the femoral head.

A metal socket also replaces damaged cartilage. A spacer made from metal, plastic, or ceramic is inserted between the socket and new ball to create a smooth surface.

After the procedure, physical rehabilitation at a physical therapy center is necessary to improve mobility and reduce pain. Your physical therapist will also show you physical therapy exercises to do at home.

Would I be a good candidate for hip replacement surgery?

Whether you’re a good candidate for total hip replacement surgery depends on your level of pain and disability. There aren’t any absolute weight or age restrictions.

The majority of patients who receive total hip replacement surgery are between the ages of 50 and 80, but younger patients may receive the surgery if an orthopaedic surgeon has determined it’s a good option.

Your orthopaedic surgeon may recommend total hip replacement surgery if you:

    • Experience chronic hip pain throughout the day, night, and while resting
    • Experience hip pain that limits bending, walking, and everyday activities
    • Experience little relief from pain management such as physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medication, or walking supports such as a cane or crutch
    • Experience stiffness in the hip that limits your mobility including your ability to move or lift your leg

Hip replacement surgery is often used as the last possible option. Advanced physical therapy has been known to reduce pain and improve mobility in those suffering from chronic pain.

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6 Common Skin Ailments and How to Spot Them

Having nice and healthy skin is taken for granted sometimes. Skin diseases can have a seriously negative impact on your quality of life for many reasons, both social and physical. Here are some different skin conditions that dermatology specialists are all too familiar with.

  1. Psoriasis: This is the most common autoimmune disease in America, affecting about 2.2% of the population. It presents with symptoms such as peeling dead skin, tender flakes, redness, and itchiness. While not a very dangerous condition, it certainly can leave affected individuals feeling unattractive.
  2. Skin Cancer: Most skin cancer can be treated very effectively and it has a fairly low mortality rate. Still, if you are out in the sun, wear sunscreen. It’s better to be safe than to have skin cancer, so get checked regularly.
  3. Sun Burns: Speaking of skin cancer, overexposure to the sun can give you that, and it can leave you with a wicked sunburn. Trying to sleep on a beat red back in the sticky nights of middle summer is excruciatingly uncomfortable.
  4. Acne: Acne is an unfortunate part of life that most people must go through. Like with most other things related to puberty, the acne treatments and subsequent acne scar treatments are simply a right of passage. Or something like that.
  5. Moles: Moles could be early warning signs of melanoma, but if you’ve had them your whole life, you’re likely fine. If you are really worried, or just don’t like the way they look, talk to your dermatologist about mole treatments. The approach for your mole treatment could range from an ointment to a surgery depending on your intentions.
  6. Wrinkles: As long as gravity continues to slowly pull our faces to the ground, wearing at our skin’s natural elasticity, there will be wrinkles. With botox on our side, though, gravity loses.

No matter what life tosses at your skin, be it gravity, acne, skin that attacks itself, or the sun itself, you should always treat it well. Keeping your skin protected can increase your lifespan and overall health for years to come. Talk to a dermatologist today to learn more about treatment options and strategies.