AUGUST2019

HealthyLife®

LETTER

Are your ears ringing?PAGE 3

Digging into detox diets

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GIVE

When it comes to leafy greens, spinach and kale get most of the attention. But leafy greens are so nutritious. Why limit yourself to just two types?

Swiss chard has less bitterness than kale, and offers plenty of important nutrients. Plus, this time of year, swiss chard is plentiful at farmers’ markets or the local grocery store. It can be used like any greens:

• Raw in a salad

• Sautéed or steamed

• Added to pasta and soups

Here’s more about swiss chard’s nutritional benefits:

• Rich in magnesium, potassium, vitamin A, vitamin C, several B vitamins and iron.

• One cup (chopped) contains more than 700 percent of your recommended daily intake of vitamin K, which is needed for bone health and blood clotting.

• Each cup contains only 35 calories and nearly 4 grams of fiber. Talk about a low-calorie and nutritious punch!

Source: USDA Nutrient Database

When gambling is unhealthy

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swiss chard A TRY

Digging into

The word “detox” is a popular term in diets today. Many detox diets and plans promise to help your body flush out toxins and get you healthier.

detox diets

Sources: American Liver Foundation, National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health

SAFETY CONCERNSMany detox plans haven’t been proven to be safe. Supplements and extreme diets can cause health problems. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has taken action against detox products that are dangerous or contain illegal ingredients.

Don’t assume that a “natural” detox plan is safe. It may be risky because:

• Drinking large quantities of juice can be dangerous for people with kidney disease.

• Drinking juices that are “raw” or unpasteurized can cause serious illnesses from bacteria.

• People with diabetes often need to eat a healthy diet and need to eat at regular times. Fasting or drinking juice instead of meals can cause dangerous blood sugar levels.

• Using too many laxatives can cause dehydration, severe diarrhea and an imbalance in minerals and vitamins.

• Fasting for long periods can cause headaches, dehydration and fainting.

YOUR BODY’S OWN DETOXThe human body is already designed to get rid of toxins. Most of this is done by the liver, which processes and removes chemicals, toxins and other unwanted things.

Supporting your liver is a healthy and safe way to “detox” without extreme or dangerous diets. You can support your liver by:

• Eating a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean protein and whole grains

• Working toward a healthy weight if you’re overweight

• Avoiding or limiting processed foods

• Drinking plenty of water

• Avoiding or limiting alcoholic drinks

• Getting exercise regularly

• Following directions on medicines and take medicines as your doctor prescribes

• Getting vaccines for hepatitis A and B, which are diseases that affect the liver

Some detox diets follow extreme guidelines like:

• Fasting (not eating) for long periods

• Drinking only special detox drinks or juices

• Using supplements or products that claim to detox your body

• Using laxatives, enemas or other products to empty the colon

Not all diets are safe. Before you start any detox or diet plan, ask your doctor.

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HEALTHYEATING

• White noise machines or sound machines. Some people notice tinnitus more at night. This is probably because when you’re lying down in a quiet room, the tinnitus is easier to hear. For these times, you may benefit from a machine that plays noise while you sleep to override the tinnitus sound.

• Antidepressants or anti-anxiety medicines. Some people have severe tinnitus that interferes with their life. Tinnitus can cause anxiety or depression. In these cases, medicine to treat these health conditions can help.

WHY DOES IT HAPPEN?Tinnitus can be caused by many different things. Some possible causes include:

• Certain medicines – see a doctor right away if this happens. Tinnitus can be a serious side effect.

• High blood pressure

• Being around loud noises

• Sinus infections

• Brain injuries

• Injuries to the neck or head

• Anemia

• Thyroid problems

• Autoimmune diseases

• Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders

Sometimes a person has tinnitus without being able to identify an obvious cause.

Are yourears ringing?Ringing in the ears, known as tinnitus, is not a disease. It’s a symptom of something wrong with your body’s hearing system. And, it may not be “ringing” at all. Some people hear sounds like roaring, hissing, clicking or buzzing.

Experts think that tinnitus happens when certain nerve cells are out of balance. This makes a person hear a sound that isn’t really there.

CAN I MAKE IT STOP?There is no cure for all types of tinnitus. But, if your doctor can find out what’s causing it, there may be a treatment to resolve the issue. For instance, you might need treatment for high blood pressure or a sinus or ear infection.

Some people have tinnitus because they also have some hearing loss. That’s why using a hearing aid may be helpful in these cases.

If there’s no obvious cause, other things may help. They include:

• Wearable sound generators. These small devices fit inside the ear. They create a soft, pleasant noise that helps you ignore the sound of tinnitus.

If you notice sounds or ringing in your ears, see your doctor. They may be able to help you find a solution that improves your quality of life.

Sources: American Tinnitus Association, National Institutes of Health3

WELL-BEING TIP

{ {Copyright 2019, American Institute for Preventive Medicine. All rights reserved.

30445 Northwestern Hwy., Ste . 350 Farmington Hills, MI 48334248.539.1800 • aipm@healthylife.com • www.HealthyLife.com

When gambling A lottery ticket, bingo, or a few pulls of a slot machine—these are all types of gambling that can be fun and harmless. But sometimes, people don’t just gamble for fun. It can become an addiction.

Problem gambling is when gambling becomes unhealthy to the gambler, their family or others. Over time, problem gambling can get worse and lead to health problems. The person may ignore their physical health, smoke, drink too much alcohol, or lose their job or relationships.

Problem gambling is not something the person can “just stop.” Often, they need help from a doctor or a mental health professional. That’s because for some people, gambling can stimulate areas in the brain that make it addictive, like nicotine in tobacco.

SIGNS OF PROBLEM GAMBLING:

• You think about gambling all the time.

• You gamble with money that is needed for other things.

• You don’t tell others how much you are gambling.

• You feel uneasy if you try to quit gambling.

• Even if you lose money, you keep gambling to try to win it back.

• You feel the need to gamble with larger and larger amounts of money.

• You lose a job, relationship or opportunity because of gambling.

• You feel like you simply can’t stop gambling, even if you try.

is unhealthy

A person should not feel embarrassed if they have a problem with gambling. Doctors have different treatments for problem

gambling that work. Getting medical care for problem gambling can save a person’s

physical, mental and financial health.

Source: National Institutes of Health

FINANCIAL HEALTH