OIL PULLING: THE LINK BETWEEN ORAL HYGIENE AND GOOD HEALTH PART 2

Scientists are discovering more and more about the connections between dental health and the health of our entire body. David Goding investigates

If our eyes are the windows to our soul, then our teeth may well be the windows to our health, according to mounting evidence that suggests there is a strong link between the two

If the scientists are right – and the evidence is becoming hard to ignore – our oral health can play a big part in our risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes and even the health of a newborn child. And this may be only the tip of the iceberg.
“There’s a whole lot of research out there at the moment trying to focus on the links between oral health and general health in both directions – poor oral health affecting general health and poor general health affecting oral health,” says Dr Matthew Hopcraft, president of the Australian Dental Association Victorian Branch Inc.

“It’s not surprising really. The whole body is connected, but for such a long time we’ve thought about the mouth as being a separate part of the body and that dentist’s work in isolation from the rest of the body. That clearly doesn’t make any sense anymore, anatomically or physiologically.”

CHRONIC DISEASES, TIED TO OUR TEETH
Our mouths are home to millions of microorganisms and while most of them are harmless, some cause tooth decay and oral infections. As most of us know, this can translate to cavities—followed by the nasty sound of the dentist’s drill. But it can also lead to more serious health problems.

KNEE ARTHRITIS

A 2012 study suggested oral bacteria may contribute to some cases of knee osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. The researchers tested the synovial fluid, which is found in the joints, of 36 people with knee arthritis. Five of the patients had gum bacteria in their fluid. For two of the patients, the bacteria found in the joint fluid were a genetic match to bacteria found in the mouth.

Bacteria in the joints could exacerbate arthritis, the researchers said. However, because the study was small, more research is needed to prove that mouth bacteria can cause or worsen arthritis.

RESPIRATORY ILLNESS

Bacteria in the mouth may also find their way to the lungs if a person breathes in tooth plaque, Ratcliffe said. This may cause pneumonia or other severe respiratory disease. The risk for this happening is highest in people with underlying conditions, such as conditions that compromise the immune system, he said.

Bacteria in the airways can also worsen chronic lung conditions, such as emphysema, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.

Often, people might not think about the ways that their oral health affects the rest of their body.

Therefore, oral health and general health should not be interpreted as separate entities.  Our mouths are full of bacteria, various types of plaque, and bio films. Oral health is an integral part of general health and is essential to the overall health and well being of man and animals. When we have plaque in our mouth, it can play havoc with other parts of our bodies because of bacteria and the inflammation it can cause.

BENEFITS OF OIL PULLING
 Oil pulling therapy with coconut oil reduces plaque, halitosis and gingivitis. Other health benefits can include whiter teeth, better digestion, and clearer skin, and some Ayurvedic practitioners and naturopaths believe it helps with heart disease and hormone imbalances.
By swishing and sucking the oil around your mouth and through your teeth, the oil pulls at hard-to-reach plaque from your teeth and gums. Like an oily mouth massage, your teeth should feel cleaner, your breath sweeter and fresher.
References:

http://www.livescience.com/40195-oral-health-body.html

http://www.divinecaroline.com/self/wellness/connection-between-oral-hygiene-and-overall-health

http://www.naturalhealthmag.com.au/content/dental-hygiene-linked-overall-health

http://www.dentistrytoday.com/hygiene/1225

http://www.naturalhealthmag.com.au/content/what-is-oil-pulling-health-benefits

A FEW MINUTES CHECK COULD SAVE YOU FROM BLINDNESS

As recent as 2010, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that 285 million people were visually impaired. Of these numbers, 39 million were blind.  Presently, 4.5 million (about 15 per cent) of the world’s blind population are blind as a result of glaucoma. This has raised concerns globally about this disease which has been termed the second leading cause of blindness in the world. In fact, the WHO categorizes it as one of the priority eye diseases plaguing the world today.

How glaucoma works

Experts explain that there is a small space in the front of the eye called the anterior chamber. Clear liquid flows in and out of the anterior chamber and this fluid nourishes and bathes nearby tissues. If a patient has glaucoma, the fluid does not drain properly— it drains too slowly — out of the eye. This leads to fluid build-up and pressure inside the eye rises. Unless this pressure is brought down and controlled, the optic nerve and other parts of the eye may become damaged, leading to loss of vision.

According to Dr. Idris Babatunde, an ophthalmologist, “Glaucoma is not just a single disease, but is a group of disorders that have certain features in common. One is that there is damage to the optic nerve which leads to progressive, irreversible loss of vision. Also, there is usually increased pressure of the fluid in the eye (intra ocular pressure).”

Why glaucoma is a huge concern

Besides the fact that it has no symptoms as the disease progresses until it gets to a point of no return, in the world today, glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness, followed by cataracts. However, while blindness from cataracts is reversible, blindness from glaucoma is irreversible. In other words, glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness in the world today.

Am I at risk of having glaucoma?

Certain factors predispose a person to having glaucoma. According to Fatima Kyari of the Department of Ophthalmology, College of Health Sciences, University of Abuja, gender is not consistently associated with prevalent cases of glaucoma but age is an important and consistent risk factor, with a higher prevalence of glaucoma associated with increasing age. Other risk factors especially for open angle glaucoma according to her include increasing age, higher internal ocular pressure (IOP), lower systolic blood pressure (BP) to IOP ratio (BP/IOP), lower mean diastolic ocular perfusion pressure (diastolic BP minus IOP), thinner central corneal thickness (CCT), and a positive family history.

Although increasing age is a risk factor, experts have pointed out that in recent times, young people have also been known to have glaucoma.

Regarding heredity, an ophthalmologist, Dr Ben Ajayi, of Ojulowo Eye Hospital, Ibadan, Oyo State, says “in some cases, hereditary factors have been found but they are in the minority. The fact that either or both parents have glaucoma doesn’t mean all the children would have it. This means that there might be environmental factors that modify the presentation of glaucoma.”

How do I know I have glaucoma?

The sad thing with glaucoma is that it does not have any symptom and this is why it is referred to as the silent thief of sight. Dr Ajayi says, “unfortunately, glaucoma has no symptoms and the most vulnerable people are those who think they have no eye problems. It is not just for the old and the sad part is that people who have it usually don’t even know they have it until their sight becomes affected. By the time there is vision loss, it is actually already too late. Whereas, if they had had periodic eye exam, it could have been detected before vision loss occurs.”

However, eye doctors at the Maxivision Eye Hospital, Lagos State, say some symptoms which present when a person already has glaucoma includes blurred vision, severe eye pain, headaches, halos (which may appear as rainbows) around bright lights.

Can glaucoma be prevented or treated?

According to Dr. Babatunde, “presently, there is no known preventive measure for glaucoma. But if it is diagnosed early, there are treatments that can prevent blindness. Otherwise, the progression of the disease would eventually lead to blindness which is irreversible.” This is why periodic eye exam is very important.

The link between blood pressure and glaucoma

Regular eye exam is important to discover glaucoma in its early stages but it is more important for those with high blood pressure. According to Dr. Ajayi, “There is a link between blood pressure and glaucoma but the link is not well-defined. However, it’s a known medical fact that with patients who have severe hypertension and glaucoma, immediately the blood pressure is lowered too much, they can go blind. This is why for hypertensive patients with glaucoma, the ophthalmologist works closely with their primary physician. However, it’s not that hypertension causes glaucoma or vice versa.”

How long would an eye exam for glaucoma take?

Initial check-up is simple, painless and takes only a matter of minutes and this can be the defining moment for whether a person who unknowingly has glaucoma would eventually suffer blindness or not. This is because the earlier a patient is diagnosed with glaucoma, the better his/her chances for treatment and prolonged use of the eyes. The ophthalmologist checks the eye for structural change and functional deficit. According to Dr Ajayi, “functional deficit of the eye could be in the ability to see and recognize objects, the eye’s visual field (that is, if one eye is closed, how much can the person see around him with the other eye without turning his head) and ability to see colour. With glaucoma, colour vision is not commonly affected but the visual field is usually the first to be affected. An exam of the structure of the eye can provide clues to show that a person has glaucoma.”

If I am diagnosed with glaucoma, does that mean I’ll definitely go blind?

Not necessarily. If caught early, there is hope. But if allowed to fester to the point where there is already loss of vision, it can lead to blindness which is irreversible

http://tribune.com.ng/component/k2/item/32486-a-few-minutes-check-could-save-you-from-blindness

7 QUICK TRICKS TO SLEEP BETTER TONIGHT

These sleep hacks can help you catch the best ZZZs possible. Give one a whirl!

Robin Amster

Getting a good night’s sleep is just a dream for a lot of people—and it takes more than counting sheep to drift off and stay snoozing’. While there’s certainly no lack of tips for a solid slumber—get plenty of exercise, keep the bedroom at a cool temperature, drink a warm glass of milk—they’re often as tired as the sleep-deprived people they’re meant to help.

A new generation of sleep hacks—some unconventional, others counter-intuitive—could maybe, just maybe, solve your sleepy-time problems. So kick the jumping sheep to the curb (unless they’re working for you, then keep on counting!). Here are seven fresh tips you can try ASAP:

1. Eat to sleep.

Eating before you go to sleep is a no-no… right? Actually, no. Research has found that eating a small portion of food—carbohydrates combined with either calcium or a protein containing the amino acid tryptophan—can lead to a better night’s sleep. These food combinations boost serotonin, a brain chemical that helps produce calm. The snack should be eaten about an hour before bedtime.

2. Stay put if you can’t doze off.

Conventional wisdom says, if you can’t sleep, get out of bed. But it’s often better to stay between the sheets. Lie in the dark, head on pillow, and do deep breathing or visualization exercises until you feel drowsy instead.

3. Have a cup of joe.

Caffeine is the enemy when it comes to sleep—or at least that’s what you’re used to hearing. Yet a UK study found that people who took a “coffee nap”—they drank one to two cups of coffee and then immediately took a 20-minute nap—not only fell asleep but awoke more alert and energized.

4. Smell the ZZZs.

Some scents appear to help people drift into sleep. The smells of lavender, chamomile and yang-ylang, to name a few, activate the alpha wave activity in the brain, which leads to relaxation and sleepiness. Try mixing a few drops of essential oil and water in a spray bottle and spritz your pillows.

5. Colour your bedroom.

The colour of bedroom walls can do more than impact a room’s aesthetics—it can transform your room into a sleep haven if you choose wisely. Some colours are energizing; others promote drowsiness. White, for instance, curbs melatonin, a hormone that helps the body regulate its sleep-wake cycle, experts say. Better choices include browns or navy blues, which boost the secretion of melatonin instead of reducing it.

6. Forget the warm milk. Say hello to cherry juice.

Studies show that drinking cherry juice improves sleep because it’s a natural source of melatonin and tryptophan. So stop by the grocery store on your way home and start pouring yourself eight ounces of tart cherry juice twice a day. Voila!

7. Play mind games.

Don’t underestimate the power of your mind—and imagination—to help you fall asleep. Try this: Imagine the night’s rest is over and it’s time to pop out of bed, jump in the shower, get dressed and leave the house… preferably on a cold, wet day. The contrast between that chilling prospect and a warm, comfy bed might just be enough