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Raisie Bay

Health

Everything You Need for a Healthy Smile

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A smile is a powerful thing. When we smile, we send a signal to our brains that we are happy, and our brains respond by releasing happy chemicals. So, while we smile because we are happy, it can work the other way around too, with a simple smile actually able to improve your mood. Even better than this, smiles are contagious. Your smile makes other people smile. They then get a little happy boost, and their moods improve. So, they smile at other people. It’s incredible, really. 

Your smile can also boost your confidence, and make you appear more trustworthy and approachable, which helps you to build positive relationships and help you at work. Most of the time, smiling comes naturally, but it can be a struggle. If you are worried about your smile, here’s a look at some of the things that you need to make sure your smile is healthy and bright. 

Image of woman with long dark curly hair and a big white smile.

Give Up Some Habits

Bad habits, like smoking, drinking too much coffee and red wine, and eating too much sugar, can have a negative effect on your teeth, your gums and your breath. Giving up, or at least cutting back, can whiten your teeth and reduce staining. 

Toothbrushing

If there’s one essential that you absolutely can’t do without when you are trying to maintain a healthy smile, it’s toothbrushing. 

Brush twice daily for two minutes, before flossing and using a mouthwash. A normal family toothpaste is fine unless you have sensitivity, in which case a sensitive toothpaste can help. 

Braces

Many of us had braces when we were younger. If you didn’t, or your teeth have returned to their original position over time, you might worry that it is too late and that your teeth will never be straight. As an adult, you might worry about the brace cost UK, and also have concerns about how effective braces are. The good news is, it’s never too late for straight teeth. 

Many people ask how much do braces cost UK when they consider teeth straightening options. Straight My Teeth offer affordable braces, and a variety of ways to pay, so cost doesn’t have to get in the way of straighter teeth. You can also get clear braces now, which are a great option for adults.

Take Care of Your Lips

Of course, your smile isn’t all about your teeth; your lips are important too. As we move into the winter, you might want to use a sugar scrub to remove dead skin, and a gentle balm to keep them soft and supple, even in harsh conditions. 

A healthy smile, with straight white teeth, looks great. But, it’s far more important than what you look like.

Once we’ve got our adult teeth, hopefully they’ll last for the rest of our lives. That’s a long time for something that we use so much. A healthy smile and good oral hygiene will mean that you are less likely to need costly and uncomfortable dental treatment, the risks of you developing gum disease and other infections are reduced, and you could even prevent some cancers. So, taking care of your smile is well worth it!

photograph of a lady leaning against a wall with a big perfect smile
#Blogtober20

This is a collaborative post.

Chronic Illness Writing Prompts for October.

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Each month I write about my Chronic Illness following the writing prompts from Sheryl at A Chronic Voice. I appreciate the chance to talk about my chronic illness as it part of who I am. This October the writing prompts are:

  • Producing
  • Acquiring
  • Switching
  • Dissapointing
  • Forming

October Writing Prompts

Producing

I’ll be producing a lot this month. For starters, I’m taking part in Blogtober which means I’ll be producing, or attempting to produce, a blog post for every day of the month. I have taken part before and it’s such a lovely way to meet new bloggers and spend a lot more time writing.

I’m also producing a lot more with my crochet. I have three works in progress on the go and I have plans to start making Christmas gifts and decorations. I really wanted to make some pumpkin beanie hats which are so cute, but I don’t think I’ll have them ready in time for Halloween, so I’ll focus on Christmas instead.

I feel pretty confident I can do this, despite being back in hospital next week. My treatment seems to be working and I am feeling better than I have done in ages.

Acquiring

In Sheryl’s October writing prompt she talks about maybe acquiring new symptoms, but I feel the opposite. My last MRI came back clear so now I have less worry about what is going on in my brain. (Not my mind, that’s another matter!)

With my IVIG going ahead I feel that I am acquiring more strength and health. When I first went for IVIG treatment I thought it was going to be my miracle cure, and I was pretty devastated that it wasn’t. After about 18 months I decided to stop the treatment as I felt it wasn’t working. I went downhill pretty quickly, acquiring dozens of new symptoms and so much more pain. After talking with my consultant we agreed that the IVIG may not have been a cure but it was keeping me stable. I have a progressive condition so it’s bound to get worse, but the IVIG was delaying the progress. So now I’m back on it and already feeling better.

IVIG an infusion.

Switching

I find it hard to switch off. I don’t just mean digital devices, they are just a part of life. But, I find it hard to switch off from all the things going on in the world and in my home.

I watch the news and follow social media, I do research, I never take things at face value. I have to know everything, both sides of the story. But there is so much going on in the world it’s driving me crazy.

Then I have my family issues with two of my three youngsters refusing to go to school. I’m constantly talking to the school and working on ways of helping them. I feel like I never get the chance to switch off.

When I think of all the things I fit in to my day I wonder if I have any space at all to even breathe.

This is when switching off becomes vital. An early night, a movie, a good book, a moments meditation, peace and quiet. There are many ways to switch off and I try to practice them often. Otherwise I risk my brain exploding again!

When you have a chronic illness you feel like you don’t do much. Housework is practically impossible for me (apart from folding washing which takes up a lot of my time) as is shopping, the school run, cooking dinner all the usual things that a busy mum has to do. But, sometimes there are just not enough hours in the day to do the things I do. Plus I have to think about making money too, that means working from home. Physical work is not possible, but that doesn’t mean that I don’t do anything!

Disappointing

Well, if I wrote a list of all the things I’m currently disappointed with I’d be here all day.

I find the human race disappointing at the moment. We are in the middle of a pandemic and all we can do is argue about what is right and what is wrong. Why can’t we all just work together and beat this damn virus down.

The girl’s school has been both disappointing and helpful. Star has failed to attend, but they do keep trying new stuff and tomorrow she is going to try school again, in a classroom with one other child, both socially distanced and with masks, with a teacher with a shield. They will be there for two hours catch up lessons and not have to mix with any other children. It sounds extreme, but it’s what she needs. Her anxiety is through the roof.

Boo, is now having issues which are different to Stars but I am disappointed that they have not managed to keep their original promises and things have gone haywire. It all adds to my stress and causes conflict within the family too.

I will not disappoint my family and I’ll do my best to make everyone happier.

On a brighter note, The Little Man is doing brilliantly, he loves his school and his new teacher and is so much happier since he went back.

Forming

October is definitely the time of year when I form new groups and friendships, especially through Blogtober and This year I’m also joining in with 20 books for Christmas over on my other blog At Home A Lot.

I am also hoping to form new routines and habits. The world is changing and we need to change too. I have to try and get two of my family members to understand this and form new ways of getting them to survive these changes.

I’m also forming so many new ideas, for my personal life, my blog and my crafts and I’ll be excited to share a lot with my readers. Last week I created my very first crochet pattern which was really exciting, so I’ll be forming many more I’m sure (if life gives me the time.)

As Autumn is upon on and changes are happening everywhere, my objective in life is to form a new path, a new direction, a new outlook on life.

Thank you for reading, and thanks to Sheryl for writing these October writing prompts and creating the link up each month.

October writing prompts
October Writing Prompts

The Use of CBD for Relieving Chronic Pain

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Many people who want to relieve the uncomfortable symptoms of chronic pain are turning to CBD oil, which is gaining popularity as a natural approach to pain relief. Cannabidiol is a compound found in the marijuana plant that is sometimes used as an alternative to traditional medication in the treatment of a range of common conditions such as back pain or arthritis. While CBD for pain relief may be quite a new concept in the western world, its use actually dates back to ancient China. Experts believe that CBD oil can help to ease the symptoms of chronic pain by reducing inflammation. It can also be used to improve sleep for people who suffer from insomnia as a result of chronic pain. 

cbd for chronic pain

What are the Benefits of CBD Oil?

Scientists are still conducting research on CBD oil and how it might alleviate pain. However, there is some evidence to suggest that CBD might work by affecting the body’s endocannabinoid system, which is a complex system involving cell-to-cell communication. The endocannabinoid system influences a range of brain functions including mood, memory, and how we experience pain. 

What Conditions Can It Treat?

CBD oil is becoming an increasingly popular choice of treatment for the 100 million Americans currently suffering from chronic pain. Chronic pain in many forms not only drastically reduces the quality of the patient’s life but can also impact the cost of medical care and negatively impact work productivity. CBD oil has been used to treat a wide range of chronic pain types including headaches, fibromyalgia, lower back pain, cancer pain, multiple sclerosis pain, osteoarthritis, irritable bowel syndrome, neuropathic pain and more. 

Are There Any Side Effects?

Right now, there is limited research into the side effects of CBD oil, although those who use this remedy report little to no side effects when taking the correct dosage of a high-quality product. However, it’s important to note that CBD oil may interact with certain medications, so it’s important to consult with your doctor if you are considering using CBD oil for chronic pain. Topical CBD application can also lead to irritation of the skin in some users. 

Is CBD Oil Legal?

In the UK, CBD oil is legal as long as it does not contain any THC, the psychoactive compound found in marijuana that leads to the ‘high’ feeling. If you want to be sure that you are buying CBD oil legally, it’s important to get it from a trusted retailer like Handpicked CBD. Handpicked CBD allows you to buy a range of CBD oils and products online that are legal to use in the UK and provided by tried, tested and trusted brands like CBD Brothers, giving you peace of mind regarding the safety and purity of the product. 

If you suffer from chronic pain and have tried everything to relieve the symptoms, CBD oil might be your next option. Today, CBD is becoming increasingly popular as a natural pain reliever, sleep aid and calming substance that is definitely worth a try.

pain in the shoulder

This is a collaborative post

When Did You Last Have Your Hearing Tested?

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I have my ears tested at the same time as my eye tests. At present my hearing is good, but it hasn’t always been that way. As a small child I had multiple ear nose and throat infections and these caused a lot of problems with my hearing. After a tonsillectomy when I was seven things began to improve.

Types of Hearing Loss

Conductive Hearing Loss

Most people at some point have either a blockage or infection in their ear or ears which can cause hearing loss. I once had a middle ear infection which not only affected my hearing but also my balance. I felt dizzy unless I held my head to one side! Thank fully it was sorted out with a quick visit to my GP.

The most common cause for conductive hearing loss is ear wax which has built up in the ear canal. Ear wax is important for cleaning, guarding against bacteria and lubrication. It can sometimes build up to much though, or be pushed too far back into the ear by cleaning with cotton buds. You can get help from places like the Earwax Removal Clinic in London.

Sensorineural Hearing Loss

This is loss that can happen by damage to the Cochlea in the ear. Damage can be caused in many ways, for example, loud noises, head trauma, putting objects in the ear, perforated ear drum and infection.

The first course of treatment for sensorineural hearing loss is corticosteroids which can work really well. If they don’t work then a hearing aid might be the answer. It is also possible to have a cochlea implant.

Sensorineural hearing loss is also common in older people and those with conditions like Multiple Sclerosis.

Congenital Hearing Loss

Some babies are born with hearing loss, this can be inherited or down to the baby catching an infection while in the womb. In the UK all newborn babies have hearing tests after birth. Only one of my children, Boo, failed her test. She was what is known as a meconium baby and born in respiratory distress. Thankfully she was treated quickly and everything was fine. It did affect her ears for a while though. We were lucky as it can cause permanent loss.

There are many ways to improve hearing, from aids, professional cleaning, and operations such as cochlea implants, or even an Auditory Brainstem implant.

Deafness in the community

If you are a fan of the soap Eastenders you will see that they have incorporated deafness into their storyline. Which is always a great way of raising awareness.

I have been learning British Sign Language because it’s something I’ve always wanted to know how to do. I don’t know anyone profoundly deaf, but it still feels like a useful thing to learn. I’m always interested in different types of communication.

Deaf people who lip read are having a hard time at the moment because of facemasks. Thankfully there are some available that allow the face to be seen, like this one I found on Etsy.

window face masks to help the hearing impaired

Some More Advice from the NHS.

The NHS site gives 5 specific points to help protect your ears.

  1. Avoid Loud Noises
  2. Take Care When Listening to Music
  3. Protect Your Ears During Loud Events and Activities
  4. Take Precautions at Work
  5. Get Your Hearing Tested.

My Post on Tips for wearing a Face Covering.

This is a collaborative Post

Lets Get Checked Promotion

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Today I have a promotion for you from Lets Get Checked which offers home tests for all kinds of health issues.

This week we celebrated my daughter’s 15th birthday, but 17 years ago I was having a stressful time trying to get pregnant. I knew that I was a little older to be trying as I was already over 35. I had to wait for tests and help from the NHS as you always do. If you are younger you can be waiting even longer. I was lucky enough to be picked for a study at Oxford University on fertility and it help me immensely to understand my body.

Lets Get Checked for Fertility

LetsGetChecked provide home testing for a whole range of different health issues. Recently I did a test to see if I had Coeliac Disease. You can also test for diabetes, lyme disease, liver, thyroid and kidneys just to name a few. You can also test your fertility.

Lets Get Checked has three fertility tests;

Progesterone

The Progesterone-Ovulation test offers you an insight into your ability to ovulate by measuring the level of Progesterone in your blood.

Ovarian Reserve Test

The Ovarian Reserve Test offers you an insight into how many eggs you have left in your ovaries by testing the range of Anti Mullerian Hormone (AMH) in the blood.

Female Hormone Test

The Female Hormone test offers a comprehensive picture of your fertility status by looking at a number of key hormones including Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Luteinizing Hormone (LH), Prolactin and Oestradiol.

There is loads more information on the site.

Lets Get Checked Promotion

Lets Get checked are offering my readers a 30% discount on all tests except COVID19 until August 31st. Just use code ‘raisiebay’ at checkout.

lets get checked promotion, image shows an open box with a hand holding a small vial.