Category Archives: Health and Wellness

Parker’s Guide to Dental Implants: Transforming Smiles in Our Community

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Having a complete set of teeth not only contributes to a beautiful smile but plays a significant role in our overall health and quality of life. Missing teeth, or even just one tooth can lead to difficulty in eating, speaking, and even socializing. Fortunately, dental technology has come a long way, and dental implants have become the top solution in restoring lost teeth. In this blog, we will discuss Parker’s guide to dental implants, how they work, and how they can transform your smile.

Parker dental implants

What are dental implants?

Dental implants are surgical components inserted into the jawbone to replace the root of the missing tooth. These implants are designed to fuse with the bone and function as a stable and durable base for the crown. Implants are typically made of titanium, considered the most biocompatible material within the body.

Benefits of Dental Implants

Dental implants have changed the game for tooth replacement. Unlike other solutions like dentures or bridges, dental implants can provide long-lasting and natural-looking results that are virtually indistinguishable from natural teeth.

One of the biggest benefits of dental implants is their ability to stimulate the jawbone’s growth and prevent bone loss. Without the tooth root present, the jawbone can begin to deteriorate and weaken, leading to changes in your face’s appearance. Dental implants prevent bone loss by mimicking the natural tooth root’s structure and encouraging bone growth.

Process of Dental Implants

The process of dental implants requires a thorough consultation with a dental professional who specializes in implants. During this consultation, the dentist will take a comprehensive evaluation of your condition and map out a personalized implant treatment plan.

The process of getting dental implants often involves two surgeries, first to place the implant and the second to place an abutment and tooth crown. The surgery is generally done under local anesthesia and can be completed in one visit, depending on your personalized treatment plan.

After Care and Maintenance for Dental Implants

Caring for dental implants is similar to caring for natural teeth; however, as they don’t decay, they have a longer lifespan. Proper oral hygiene, including brushing twice a day, flossing daily, and attending regular dental checkups and cleanings, can help prolong the lifespan of your dental implants.

Dental implants provide an innovative and life-changing solution for individuals who have missing teeth. At Parker, we believe It’s never too late to restore your confidence and transform your smile. If you have missing teeth, let the best Parker dental implants specialist guide you through the process of restoring your teeth with dental implants. Contact us today to book a consultation.

What Are the Common Causes of Uterine Fibroids?

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uterine fibroid embolization in Arizona

Uterine fibroids are tumors made of smooth muscle and connective tissue. They are benign, but contain more estrogen and progesterone receptors than most uterine muscle cells. Estrogen and progesterone are well-known hormones that stimulate the development of the uterine lining during the menstrual cycle. They are useful and even essential to the body.

However, their imbalance can cause abnormal growths in the uterus whenever their levels increase unnecessarily. As a result, seventy to eighty percent of women are prone to fibroid growth. However, many of them do not seek treatment even though fibroids can cause infertility and profuse bleeding that sometimes leads to anemia. Submucosal fibroids can affect fertility not by interfering with ovulation, but by simply hindering the uterus from maintaining pregnancies, which is significant enough to be a cause for concern among women that wish to procreate.

As a tumor, the uterine fibroid multiplies rapidly when exposed to the aforementioned hormones. Therefore, it is wise to avoid foods that can increase estrogen levels. Among such specific foods are sweets and refined carbohydrates (pasta, white bread, white rice, cakes and cookies).

Risk Factors

Risk factors for the growth of uterine fibroids include: old age, menopause, large consumption of red meat, obesity, vitamin D deficiency, alcohol consumption, stress and a diet low on fruit, vegetable or dairy. In terms of stress as a risk factor, it is important to understand that stress is a biochemical response to effort, challenges and difficult circumstances. Stress is handled by the body through the production of extra hormones. Therefore, it can lead to a rise in hormone levels that can stimulate fibroid growth and flare-ups. Furthermore, under the influence of stress, pre-existing fibroids can become symptomatic and release red, pinkish or brown discharge.

Reduction of Risk

According to doctors providing uterine fibroid embolization in Arizona, reduction of risk can be achieved by: lowering blood pressure, supplementing with vitamin D, giving up smoking, balancing estrogen levels, relinquishing alcohol drinking and enjoying a Mediterranean diet that includes fresh fruit, vegetables and fish. Avoiding certain foods can also be part of the process if one can give up: caffeine, hyper-caloric sweets, high-fat meat, sugary drinks, salt and added sugar. Conversely, nutrition support consists of: fiber-rich foods (including oats and barely), potassium-rich fruits and vegetables (such as bananas and avocados) and calcium-rich products such as dairy.

Prevention can also play an important role in living a fibroid-free life, which is why supplementing with vitamins A and B-1 can be very useful. The former can be ingested from animal sources –usually dairy products –and the latter can be administered by means of injections or medication that also helps with bloating, cramping and menstrual pain.

Treatment Options

Medical treatment is usually required to reduce the symptoms and effects of uterine fibroids. Among the best options, myomectomy is a procedure used to remove fibroids in a mild and safe manner. It is highly effective and less invasive than hysterectomy which consists of removal of the entire uterus. However, fibroid tissue can also be passed during one’s period naturally or after being treated with UFE (uterine fibroid embolization).

How Placing a Parent with Alzheimer’s in A Memory Care Facility Can Help

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Memory care facilities are care homes that provide specialized nursing for people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or from some other form of dementia and who have special needs that exceed the capabilities of assisted care facilities. Memory care facilities are also homes that feature layouts and amenities designed especially for ensuring the safety of people with Alzheimer’s, such as marked corridors and arrangements that prevent wandering. Here are some of the benefits of placing a parent with Alzheimer’s in a memory care facility.

Freedom and Security

Alzheimer’s disease is associated with many symptoms that make it unsafe for the sufferer to live alone. Memory care facilities are designed to ensure the maximum safety of the residents, with non-slip surfaces and marked spaces to prevent slip and fall accidents, confusion and wandering. The personnel working in memory care are trained to ensure the safety of the residents while also ensuring their freedom and quality of life, encouraging mobility while reducing the risk of slip and falls and wandering.

Senior Living

An Atmosphere that Feels Like Home

Transitioning to a new environment can be tough for anyone, especially for Alzheimer sufferers, who are very attached to their usual environments. Most Alzheimer’s Senior Living facilities provide various floor plans to choose from, allowing their residents to take their personal belongings with them to their new place.

Around-the-Clock Supervision

One of the challenges that make caring for an Alzheimer’s sufferer in a family environment is the need to provide care and attention around the clock. Memory care facilities provide skilled nursing services 24/7, with permanent monitoring of the resident’s condition and emergency care that gives the residents as well as their families peace of mind.

Ensuring Healthy Nutrition

Another challenge addressed successfully in memory care facilities is balanced, healthy nutrition. The residents in these facilities can get meals prepared to meet their preferences and tastes and the facilities make sure that residents receive and also eat their meals.

Ensuring that Medication is Taken as Prescribed

Not taking medication at the prescribed intervals and in the prescribed dosage is also a common problem with Alzheimer’s sufferers – they might either forget to take their meds or they might forget that they have already taken their pills and take them again before it is time for the next dose. One of the most important duties of memory care nurses is the correct administration of medication to ensure that comorbidities are kept under control for as long as possible.

Opportunities to Socialize

Isolation and loneliness are frequent emotional problems for Alzheimer sufferers. Memory facilities provide help with this issue as well, by organizing special programs for the residents as well as through various therapy sessions. The residents of such facilities are encouraged to spend time together enjoying cultural events as well as to participate in community activities designed to ease feelings of loneliness and to encourage the development of new friendships. Family members and friends are also encouraged to visit – most facilities allow for shorter as well as for longer visits as frequently as possible.

 

What Are the Main Illnesses That Can Affect Your Sleep?

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insomnia treatment

Are you having trouble sleeping? In this day and age, with all the technology that surround us, the chaotic lifestyle choices we elect to live through and the toxins in the foods we elect to eat, it’s no wonder that insomnia is pretty high on the list among the most problematic and prevalent mild disorders that humanity is facing these days. However, even though they’re common, it can be a good idea to explore the reason why sleep disorders might set in. Sometimes the illnesses that represent the underlying cause can be a lot more serious than we might imagine.

Breathing Issues

Breathing problems associated with various respiratory disorders or allergies can be a definite source of the problem when you can’t sleep properly. When circadian related issues occur that are linked to the muscles around your airways, it’s easy for you to feel constricted and to feel like something is making your airways shrink and causing you an increased difficulty when it comes to breathing. Additionally, shortness of breath caused by bronchitis, emphysema, the use of various steroids or medical drugs, or the onset of gradual heart failure can be associated with sleep apnea and shortness of breath as well.

Muscoskeletal Disorders

You might already know about the fact that musculoskeletal disorders are frequently associated with sleep problems. Having a simple magnesium deficiency can often lead to muscle pain and spasms that will keep you up at night. However, some muscoskeletal issues can’t be treated as easily as by taking a magnesium supplement pill. Sometimes, frequent steroid treatments or fibromyalgia caused by the onset of early arthritis can also lead to insomnia, which makes for a good point in favor of why you should consider seeing your doctor for if you suffer from virtually any kind of problem that adversely affects your sleeping patterns.

Kidney Disease

Impaired kidney function and advanced stages of kidney disease alike are often associated with sleepless nights caused by restless leg syndrome and similar problems. As the kidneys become unable to filter toxins from the blood as efficiently as they did when they were healthy, or keep electrolytes in balance, insomnia often becomes a debilitating side effect of the disease, forcing many patients to result to sleeping pills and other less desirable methods to try and get some shuteye. What baffles most medical insomnia treatment experts and researchers, however, is that even once the kidney heals or is replaced, sleep function often never fully returns to normal.

The Onset of Nocturia

Finally, a frequent need to urinate during the night – known as a disorder called Nocturia – will often lead to people having problems sleeping, as even milder cases will urge the patient to get up at least once or twice every night in order to urinate. Nocturia can be caused by a number of serious disorders, including heart failure, diabetes, liver failure, an enlarged prostate or sleep apnea – especially in the case of older adults. So, if you find yourself suffering from Nocturia over a longer period of time, it might be important to see your doctor as soon as possible. In some cases, it might simply be a result of excessive fluid intake or of taking certain medication right after dinner. However, there is also a risk that you could be suffering from one of the disorders mentioned above.

Staying Safe While Smoking Weed: Does Colorado Have Marijuana Checkpoints?

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If you use drugs like marijuana, which is legalized in some states but remains illegal to use in others, it’s important to make sure you stay safe and avoid bringing it into a state where marijuana checkpoints could lead you to get in trouble with the law. Whether you keep your stash of weed home, or you choose another route that allows you to avoid going through the state in question altogether, keeping track of checkpoints in certain states can help you avoid jail time and stay safe overall.

The Law in Colorado and the Surrounding States

As more and more states are legalizing marijuana for recreational use, a lot of people are beginning to buy more marijuana and various THC-based products. The problem is that not everyone is cautious enough, and the gray areas of the law are actually more problematic than one might believe.

First of all, it’s important to note that you can legally own 1 ounce of THC in Colorado, but locals can only purchase as much as 28 grams in one transaction, while the restriction for tourists visiting the state of Colorado is 7 grams per transaction.

Now, the law isn’t specific about details such as how you can calculate the concentration of the drug in certain products, or what a “single transaction” means, for that matter. But it is clear that only people over the age of 21 are allowed to own any type of cannabis-based product for recreational purposes.

Pueblo dispensaries

Checking for Colorado Checkpoints

When visiting Colorado with the intent of visiting Pueblo dispensaries and purchasing anything from the plant itself, to cannabis-based concentrates and edibles, you have to look out for Colorado drug checkpoints. These checkpoints will test to see the amount of marijuana you possess, and since they are often placed at the border between Colorado and other states, being caught with any trace of marijuana with the intent of exiting the state is punishable by the full extent of the law.

The problem with Colorado is that, even though the state itself has lifted its past restrictions associated with the ownership of marijuana, its neighboring states haven’t. So, even if you’re from Nevada – another state where recreational marijuana is currently legal – you can’t drive from Colorado to Nevada with cannabis products on you, since you’d have to go through Utah, which is a state where possessing marijuana is not legal.

This basically means that Colorado has marijuana checkpoints on all of its borders, so trying to exit the state while in possession of the drug will not end well. If you have some marijuana that you purchased in Colorado, make sure it’s no longer with you before going through one of these checkpoints. Failing to do so could leave you facing severe charges, and it might even cost you your freedom.

A dependable drug defense attorney could help you get a solid defense and a good chance to get past your charges, as long as you have a solid case. You’ll find that most of the best drug attorneys in the United States are based in Colorado, and they’ll be more than happy to help you out.

How Long Does It Take to Recover from Wisdom Teeth Extraction?

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The back molars, known as wisdom teeth, are the last teeth to emerge, usually in our twenties and vestigial teeth that don’t have much function in grinding out food. As a result, wisdom teeth tend to cause more serious problems, such as severe decay, improper emergence, even horizontal growth under the surface of the gum and the best solution is, more often than not, extraction. Wisdom teeth extraction is also somewhat more complicated than the extraction of other teeth, but even so, the recovery is usually quite fast – here are the factors that influence the duration of the process.

wisdom teeth removal Colorado Springs

The Extraction Process

Wisdom teeth that have erupted and grown normally are extracted as any other tooth. The wisdom teeth removal Colorado Springs oral surgeon performing the intervention administers the local anesthetic, then the tooth is loosened and removed from the jawbone. However, in many cases, wisdom teeth extraction is more complicated, especially if the tooth has not erupted correctly or it has not erupted at all and is growing horizontally, inside the gum, pushing the entire row of teeth. If the case is more complicated, the surgeon might recommend complete sedation to perform the operation and in these cases, the surgical wound might also be larger, requiring one or several stitches.

 

In the case of simple wisdom tooth extraction, recovery time is about 3-4 days, very similar to the extraction of other teeth, while in the case of more complicated extractions, recovery might take a week or so.

Complications that Might Prolong Recovery

One of the most common complications after dental extraction is dry socket. After extraction, a blood clot forms in the socket of the extracted tooth. The clot plays a very important role: it protects the socket from inflammations and infections and it promotes the healing. Unfortunately, the blood clot can be lost easily – it can be swallowed while eating or drinking and a stronger swish while cleaning the teeth can also dislodge it. If that happens, the patient will start experiencing increasing pain in the extraction area about 3-5 days after the surgery and the surgical area needs to be examined by an oral surgeon as soon as possible. The pain related to dry socket is usually caused by an inflammation and the doctor might prescribe antibiotics or a special mouthwash to eliminate it. The healing process after dry socket might take a couple of weeks longer than in cases in which the blood clot is preserved.

Other Factors that Might Influence Healing after Wisdom Teeth Extraction

Patients need to take it easy for a while after wisdom teeth extraction – it is not recommended to engage in any strenuous physical activity, to consume alcohol, foods and beverages that are too hot or too cold, foods that need to be chewed, dairy, carbonated beverages and spicy dishes. Smoking is also counter-advised – the draw from the cigarette generates negative pressure in the mouth that might dislodge the blood clot and the chemicals released in the mouth increase the risk of infections, so smokers who have undergone wisdom tooth removal should also stay away from smoking at least for a couple of days after the surgery.

Tips to Make Your Skin Better for the Holidays

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The holidays are happy times that we are all looking forward to, but they are also tiring. For many of us, the holidays also mean lots of traveling, spending time in hotels or as guests in someone else’s home, changes to our regular diet, consuming more sugar and alcoholic beverages, less sleep and more make-up, all of which disrupt our daily beauty care routine and take a toll on our skin. A great way to make sure that your skin stays unharmed by all this stress is to implement a targeted skin care routine a few weeks before the holidays, a regimen that nourishes and moisturizes the skin to help it stay beautiful smooth and even if it does not get too much of your attention for a couple of days. Here are some tips on what to include into that special routine.

natural exfoliant

Preventive Skincare at Home

The first phase of your new skincare regimen should be the removal of dead skin cells through scrubbing. You can find a gentle, natural exfoliant at specialty skincare online sources. Or you can also prepare your own scrub mixing coconut oil, lemon juice and sugar, what is important to apply the scrub carefully on your skin, avoiding any scratching or other harm. Use the exfoliant of choice every two weeks – on the rest of days, use a gentle cleanser in the morning as well as in the evening to remove impurities from your skin before moving on to the next steps of the skin preparation routine

Once your skin is clean, it is time for nourishing and moisturizing it. Each time after you exfoliate the skin, apply a nourishing face mask – you can either prepare your own or buy the product that is suitable for your skin. On the days when you don’t exfoliate, apply a light day cream in the morning and a richer moisturizer for the night. Don’t neglect the sensitive skin around the eyes either – get a special eye cream and use it every day.

Turn to a Professional

You can also pamper your skin with a complete treatment in a beauty salon. Ideally, the treatment should include professional peeling and cleansing, the application of nourishing masks and massage to improve skin circulation.

Lifestyle Changes

Staying hydrated is essential for having skin that is glowing with health and your diet also influences the way your skin looks. Try to consume at least eight glasses of water, herbal tea or fresh fruit juices, add more fresh fruit and vegetables to your diet, limit your intake of sugar, reduce the amount of caffeine and alcohol that you consume and try to get enough sleep, too. Going to a sauna about once a week can also help a lot – sweating eliminates the toxins from the entire body, the skin included.

The results will take a couple of days to become visible, but when they do, your skin will look spectacular – soft, smooth, refreshed, free from blemishes and imperfections, just perfect for a stunning appearance during your holiday visits.

How Can I Keep My Teeth White and Avoid Cavities and Other Dental Problems?

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Before you find out about the best toothpastes and the dental hygiene practices that work best for you, it’s possible that you might ask, how can I keep my teeth white without having to use a lot of expensive products? As it turns out, most dentists will tell you that this is the best question you could possibly ask when it comes to dental hygiene and prevention.

clean white teeth

Not only is keeping your teeth white and clean a crucial prerequisite to maintaining your oral health, but it’s also one of the best practices that will help you avoid the need for cosmetic dentistry.

Practical Teeth Whitening Tips You Can Use

Keeping your teeth white is easier once you visit a cosmetic dentist Lakewood CO professional and spend money on some quality teeth whitening techniques. But you might ask, how can I keep my teeth white without having to go too far above the budget allocated for basic toothpaste or dental floss?

Although more challenging, this possibility will allow you to use the best affordable dental prevention and teeth whitening methods you will ever find:

  • Go on a diet and avoid products that would normally cause staining and discoloration, such as black tea, wine, cigarettes or gravies.
  • Change your toothbrush or the head of your electric toothbrush at least once every 2-3 months.
  • Avoid the buildup of bacteria on your tongue by cleaning it with a tongue scraper.
  • Use common baking soda to brush your teeth at least once every week.
  • Practice flossing without a mirror, so you can do it more frequently.
  • Finally, do a basic morning gargle with apple cider vinegar to avoid stains and kill bacteria in your gums.

Whitening your teeth and keeping them white are, of course, two very different goals. However, regardless of which one you’re focusing on the most, you’ll find the need to buy some high quality toothpaste to be essential when it comes to keeping your teeth in good shape.

Selecting a Teeth Whitening Toothpaste

Before you go looking for teeth whitening toothpaste, there’s something you must understand: this special type of toothpaste was indeed designed to help whiten teeth, but only to a certain extent. It can’t whiten stains that go deeper than the tooth’s surface, and it won’t change the natural color of your teeth. That being said, this is the best products to buy, if you want to know how to keep your teeth white longer.

Since whitening toothpastes require special abrasives and chemicals that help break down stains and assist with the tooth whitening process, they are not as regulated as most toothpaste brands. As a result, you have to go looking for a brand that has a seal of approval from a well-known and reputable dental association such as the American Dental Association Seal of Acceptance.

When used twice per day, the best whitening toothpastes shouldn’t take more than 2-3 weeks to show concrete results. Use reviews and testimonials to find out if they do, prior to making your purchase. Also, make sure you don’t have to spend a fortune on them. As we have seen earlier, there are less expensive ways to keep your teeth white.

Once you know which toothpaste fits your needs best, you no longer have to ask “how can I keep my teeth white,” and you’ll find your smile will be completely irresistible, whether you’re at home, with your friends or at the office.

What Is Integrative Medicine? – Principles and Illnesses Successfully Treated

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Many people suffer from illnesses and physical conditions that are deemed incurable by experts in traditional medicine, even though alternative medical methods, such as integrative medicine could efficiently treat them – when these people first hear of what is one of the most efficient modern, holistic approaches today, the first question they ask is usually this: but what is integrative medicine? Here is a short outline of the approach and a short list with the conditions it can treat.

The Approach Used

Integrative medicine is a healing-oriented treatment method. During the diagnostic period and in the treatment phase as well, the doctor of integrative medicine takes into account not only the symptoms experienced by the patient, but the patient’s medical and family history, their living circumstances, their general attitude toward life and many other personal aspects. In short, integrative medicine treats the whole person and looks for the root causes that led to the appearance of the symptoms.

The Principles of Integrative Medicine

Unlike the relationship between doctor and patient in traditional medicine, the patient-doctor relationship in the integrative treatment process is more like a partnership. The diagnostic and the treatment phase take into consideration not only the body, but the spirit, the soul, the mind of the patient as well and information is collected about the community and the circumstances that the patient lives in.

When selecting the best course of treatment, the doctor of integrative medicine uses a combination of the solutions offered by conventional medicine as well as alternative healing methods that activate the body’s innate capacities of self-healing. The treatment process does not stop when the initial symptoms are eliminated – integrative medicine lays special emphasis on disease prevention as well, so the patient is educated in issues related to health promotion and healthy lifestyle as well.

The Illnesses that Can Be Successfully Treated by Integrative Medicine

fibromyalgia sign for Denver functional medicine services

Integrative medicine is nowadays successfully used in the treatment of numerous illnesses and physical conditions, being especially efficient in the treatment of chronic conditions – here is a short list:

  • Adult ADHD – the treatment approach combines mind-body treatments and psychiatric solutions,
  • Anxiety, depression, panic attacks and phobias – meditation and massage therapy are combined with conventional treatment options,
  • Asthma – treatment options include combinations of acupuncture and massage,
  • Diabetes,
  • Fibromyalgia – a condition that is treated by conventional medicine only at the level of the symptoms and the root causes of which are usually successfully identified and treated by integrative medicine,
  • Migraines,
  • Insomnia,
  • Problems of the digestive tract, including irritable bowel syndrome and Crohn’s disease,
  • Symptoms caused by chronic inflammations in the body, such as rheumatoid arthritis,
  • Bone and joint problems, such as tennis elbow, bursitis, sciatica, carpal tunnel syndrome and osteoarthritis.

Denver integrative medicine is practiced by experts who are trained and qualified to provide conventional medical treatment as well as alternative treatments. If you suffer from a chronic disease or from symptoms the causes of which have not been elucidated yet, schedule an appointment at one of the integrative treatment centers in your area. During your consultation, you will not only find the answer to the question what is integrative medicine, but you will also see one of the most modern medical approaches available today at work.