have seen the negative effects and often
assume they are symptoms of ADHD, when
these distracting behaviors could likely be
reduced or even eliminated by an earlier
bedtime.
Make Sleep Matter
• Set bedtimes and wake times. You can
start to make sleep a higher priority for
your kids by setting a good example and
getting enough sleep yourself. Start by
setting bedtimes and wake-up times that
you can adhere to on both weekdays and
weekends. Creating a pattern will help
your body understand its sleep cycle,
allowing for more restful nights.
• Create wind-down activities before
bed. The half-hour before bed should
be free of high-energy activities. Start a
bedtime routine that includes calming
activities like bathtime or reading.
• Make a bed sanctuary. As adults,
nothing is better than a comfortable
place to sleep at night. Make your
children’s beds the same for them. Add
extra pillows for comfort and a favorite
stuffed animal to keep them company at
night. Keep lights down to a dim lamp or
nightlight to make the room dark enough
for sleeping.
• Keep electronics out or off. Electronics
produce a blue light that sends a signal
to your brain to stop the release of
melatonin, making it harder to fall asleep.
On top of wanting to text with friends
or check social media, children and
teens will give any excuse to stay awake.
Electronic devices are best left in the dark
at bedtime.
BAD HAIR DAYS?
If you seem to be having a stint of bad
hair days, maybe your body is trying to tell
you something. Poor hair condition could
be a sign of physical or psychological issues.
Keeping an Eye on Your Hair
• Increase water intake. Dehydration
becomes evident in many forms, but
one lesser known form is brittle hair.
Increasing water consumption has many
benefits, including improving the look
and feel of your hair.
• Hair loss may be a sign of bigger issues.
It is normal to lose 80-100 hairs per day.
Feel like you are losing more than that?
Stress and anxiety could be the cause. If
you can’t identify specific stressors, talk
to your doctor. Excessive hair loss could
be a sign of other health problems.
• Eat well for luscious locks. Think your
diet has nothing to do with the way your
hair looks? Think again. Hair quality
can change over time with continual
consumption of processed foods. Keep
a healthy diet full of nutrient-rich foods
including healthy fats, dark leafy greens,
and fish and you’ll be on your way to
radiant hair.
HEAR ALL ABOUT IT
Although hearing loss is most
commonly associated with aging, it could
happen at any time and can be caused by
environmental conditions like working
in a noisy environment, earwax buildup,
or inner ear damage. According to the
National Center for Health Statistics, the
average person waits six years after the first
signs of hearing loss to get checked by a
doctor. Hearing problems are considered
an undertreated issue for reasons including
patient denial, vanity, and less awareness
of issues associated with hearing loss. With
the oldest Baby Boomers entering their
70s, an age at which many individuals only
start seeking medical attention for hearing
ailments, it is important to take charge at
the first signs of trouble.
A study on the psychological effects of
hearing loss was done for the American
Psychology Association and focused on
mental health in patients who suffer from
hearing loss. The National Council on
Aging study found that 2,304 people who
suffered from hearing loss but used no form
of treatment were 50% more likely to suffer
from sadness or depression than individuals
who wore hearing aids. It revealed that
individuals not using hearing aids showed
more signs of anger, anxiety and frustration,
causing them to be less involved in social
activities than those who wear aids. The
risk for dementia also increases in patients
who suffer from hearing loss, due to sensory
loss and growing social isolation, pointed
out in a study conducted by the Archives of
Neurology.
Start becoming aware of the signs of
hearing loss, and consult your doctor or
audiologist if you start to notice some of the
symptoms:
• Trouble hearing over the phone
• Vertigo, causing dizziness, pain, or ringing
in the ears
• Mumbled voices
• Having to ask others to repeat themselves
often
• Avoidance of social situations
• Having a family medical history of
hearing loss
Individuals with hearing loss may often
be reluctant to face the reality, but may
not know about the deeper implications of
letting it go untreated. If you or someone
you know may be experiencing some of
the symptoms of hearing loss, be sure to
understand and share the benefits of seeking
treatment.
SEEING INTO THE FUTURE
Twenty-first century children will be
looking beyond genetics as a cause for
needing corrective eyewear, according to
MONROEVILLE
Continued on page 27 >
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WINTER 2019
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