SPECIAL SECTION: HEALTHY LIVING
Considering
Cervical Fusion
Surgery?
Learn about disc
replacement
with Mobi-C®.
you are hunting, going to concerts or doing
other loud activities for an extended period of
time. It is also important to have your hearing
tested on a regular basis. Early detection is
key to preventing complete hearing loss.
FDA
Approved
• Alternative to
Fusion
• Simplified
Surgical Technique
• Designed to
Restore
Mobility
Learn more at
www.cervicaldisc.com/pittsburgh
Mouth Health
Your mouth can tell a lot about your
overall health. Investing in your oral health
is also investing in your general health.
There are several conditions that are linked
to oral health including endocarditis and
cardiovascular disease. When bacteria from
your mouth, or other parts of your body,
spread through your bloodstream they can
attach to your heart, causing an infection
in the inner lining, also called endocarditis.
Research suggests that poor oral health is
linked to clogged arteries and stroke as well.
Keeping tabs on your oral health is critical
for warding off bad breath and poor health. It
is important to brush at least twice a day, floss,
eat a healthy diet, replace your toothbrush
every three to four months, and avoid tobacco
use to maintain a healthy mouth. Visiting
your dentist for regular cleanings can also
ensure that oral hygiene is at its best.
Heart Health
We are all aware that it is important to eat
healthy and stay fit for heart health. A diet
rich in plant foods and low in processed food
and animal products lends itself to a happy
heart. Paired with cardiovascular exercise,
you’ve got it made for a healthy body. But
have you ever thought of staying positive
as a way to keep your heart healthy? A
research study being done at the University
of Illinois shows that people with optimistic
attitudes have higher odds of having ideal
cardiovascular health when compared to
pessimistic people. The study analyzed
“the mental health, levels of optimism, and
physical health of 5,100 adults ranging from
45 to 84 years of age. Heart health scores—
based on American Heart Associationapproved metrics, including blood pressure
and body mass index—increased right
alongside optimism levels.” So when you’re
42 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE | Upper St. Clair
feeling down, remember that staying positive
affects more than just your day, so keep your
head up and your heart happy.
Digestion
Digestive issues affect all of us at one
time or another. From upset stomach,
gas, and heartburn, to constipation and
diarrhea, digestive problems are painful and
embarrassing. Some of the most common
digestive problems are:
u Food Intolerance – Often confused
with a food allergy, food intolerance
allows you to eat a small amount of the
offending food without any issues (a
food allergy could be life-threatening).
Causes include celiac disease, sensitivity
to food additives, food toxins, and
absence of an enzyme needed to fully
digest a food.
u Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
(GERD) – A chronic digestive disease,
GERD is defined as experiencing acid
reflux and heartburn at least twice
a week. GERD affects 20 percent of
Americans and can cause persistent bad
breath, tooth erosion, nausea, pain in
chest or upper abdomen, or it can make
swallowing and breathing hard to do.
u Hemorrhoids – Hemorrhoids are
inflamed blood vessels found at the end
of your digestive tract. Often painful
and itchy, they are caused by chronic
constipation, diarrhea, or a lack of fiber
in your diet. Seventy-five percent of
Americans over the age of 45 suffer from
hemorrhoids. Staying hydrated, eating
more fiber, or over-the-counter creams
may provide relief from hemorrhoids.
u Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) –
Affecting 15 percent of Americans,
IBS is characterized by stomach pain
or discomfort at least three times a
month for severa l months. Symptoms
vary widely with IBS, making it hard to
determine the exact cause. Treatment
focuses mostly on diet, eliminating
common trigger foods such as dairy,
alcohol, caffeine, artificial sweeteners
and beans. Doctors also recommend a
diet high in fiber and consumption of
probiotics found in yogurt.
Skin
Most likely, if you are unhealthy on the
inside, it will show on the outside. Your skin
often mirrors your body’s true overall health,
so a healthy diet, exercise, and drinking lots
of water will do wonders. But keep in mind:
Continued on page 46 ➢