Ortho K Sydney

The orthokeratology treatment reshapes the front of the eye.

It is misleading to think that the lenses physically push the eye into the correct shape. Rather, the hydrostatic pressure induced between the lens and the surface of the eye causes the reshaping. Fluid dynamics in the eye cause a redistribution of the cells on the surface of the cornea, reshaping the eye and slightly adjusting the focus.

Myopia Control Sydney

The exact adjustment of the cornea for correct vision needs to be very precise. That is why several visits are often required. Once the correct amount of adjustment is found the treatment tends to be quite stable. Continued use will not only allow near optimal vision, it will prevent the underlying myopia from becoming worse.

Keratoconus Optometrist Sydney

Orthokeratology is particularity well suited to Keratoconus issues. Keratoconus has a misshapen cornea due to fluid pressure. Orthokeratology corrects misshapen corneas, partly by working with fluid pressure. As such, this particular treatment is well suited to the particular vision impairment. There are only concerns when the impairment is extreme.

Ortho K Sydney Optometrist

Orthokeratology is idea for minor short sightedness through to Keratoconus vision problems. Talk to your optometrist about any vision problems. For Keratoconus Sydney optometrist Centre Eyes at Neutral Bay is highly recommended.

One of the support characters in film Little Shop of Horrors actually enjoyed going to the dentist. Other than the remake of the same film I can think of no other example of this attitude. But the extent of the fear seems unfounded. There are far more uncomfortable and painful experiences in life. We seem to have an instinctive reaction to the situation, poorly justified by some partial truths.

Psychological explanations for our dental anxiety vary. Some believe we have an instinct to keep out mouth and nose unblocked in order to facilitate breathing. We hate having to hold this natural desire in check by having our mouth examined, even as there is no legitimate threat. Traditional psychoanalysis saw the loss of teeth as symbolic of an emotional loss; though dentistry is really about having healthier teeth. Others believe we simply hate feeling vulnerable in the dentist’s chair.

We might expect there would be a positive way to exploit this type of fear. We might think that we would take good care of our teeth in order to avoid uncomfortable dental treatments later on. But this is not how human nature works. People who have an irrational fear often avoid thinking about the problem, and avoid any preventative measures. Exceptions occur, but we avoid brushing our teeth because dental issues are something we don’t want to think about. Of course this makes the problem worse.

Understanding the particular dental treatment and what it entails alleviates some people’s fears. Other people find meditation helpful. More than a few individuals respond to the smell of dental clinics, which is not really strange as smell is strongly connected to memory. In the end most people realize the dental visit doesn’t last long, and simply get it over and done with. Talking to the dentist is recommended for any particular issues.

Newington Dental Auburn

Talk to you Auburn dentist about any concerns. It is in everybody’s best interest for you to have health teeth and gums, and approach the situation without fear.

The first medical imaging system was the X-ray machine. Being discovered in 1895 the x-ray predated much of the present knowledge of physics. It was not till 1909, 14 years later, that the modern model of the atoms started to take shape; and even then it was still incomplete compared to today’s (still developing) version. X-rays are actually gamma rays, though the naming conventions do vary. Basically, this is stream of protons, a component of the centre of an atom, being emitted from a source such as a decaying atom.

X-rays are useful because their travel is affected by the material they encounter. This principle is simple. Hard/dense materials like bone are difficult for an X-ray to penetrate; soft materials are easy to penetrate.  A plate that is sensitive to X-rays works like a photography, showing a silhouette of any bones (or hard foreign object) in the body. This is rather like shining light through paper.

Of course the limitations of this method are obvious- only dense/hard objects can be seen on an X-ray. The soft tissues of the body are hard to distinguish on an X-ray, unless something else is introduces into the procedure.

With angiography a contrasting agent is used in to give an accurate visualization of organs and blood vessels. This contrasting agent is introduced into the body either orally or by injection, with the angiographic imaging techniques showing the path it takes through the body, and hence the body’s systems. Unlike x-rays it is very useful for shoeing the distinction between soft tissues. .

Different forms of medical imaging in radiology may use different techniques, but the underlying principles tend to fall into two types: either there are projected particles that distinguish dense materials from softer substances; or there are vibrations that bounce off objects to give an image, as in the case of Ultrasound. These two principles give us a lot of insight into an individual’s internal functioning.

Cholesterol still has a bad name, though not as bad as it did before the distinction was drawn between good and bad cholesterol. The confusion is understandable; cholesterol is a part of our body essential functioning; we need it to live. At the same time we know that bad cholesterol raises our risk of serious health problems, such as strokes, heart attacks and high blood pressure.

Lipoproteins are often mentioned in the same articles as cholesterol; they carry cholesterol through the bloodstream. LDL (Low-density lipoprotein) delivers much needed cholesterol to every cell in the body; HDL (High density Lipoprotein) picks up excess cholesterol which is stored or disposed of via the liver.  We can see the advantage of HDL as it keeps cholesterol from becoming excess.

There are potential problems with LDL, however – it easily becomes oxidised in the blood by free radicals. It is this oxidised substance that forms the plaque on artery walls. This plaque not only accumulates, it changes the artery wall itself. The stroke, heart attacks and blood pressure risks all stem from this.

The best approach for dealing with cholesterol is a combination of using antioxidants (vitamin E, C lipoic acid) to prevent oxidation of the LDL that is in your body, and reducing the total LDL by use of Policosanol.

Policosanol has little, if anything, in the way of side effects, and works very well even in small doses. Being derived from sugar cane is it fairly unprocessed; it is not artificially created like some drugs. It seems to restore healthy function rather than artificially induce a change; it seems your body will deal with cholesterol in a natural way when using policosanol.

An antioxidant rich diet, consisting of a variety of vegetables, fruit and tea, will make a considerable difference to both cholesterol levels and health in general. Combining natural foods such as these with Policonsanol will increase the effectiveness of both approaches.

Soda will dissolve a tooth overnight

An exaggeration, but still a concern. Soda has similar amounts of acid and sugar to many fruit juices and sports drinks. None of these things will literally dissolve a tooth in a short period of time, but they will cause serious decay. Rinse with water, and brush your teeth 30 minutes later to reduce the effects of acid and sugar.

Wisdom Teeth have no use

Our wisdom teeth come through later in lie, usually after the age of twenty. Given the pain they cause, and the fact they often don’t fit in our mouths we can understand why people find them annoying. But they once served to replace other teeth that wore out. And it now seems they will be a future source of stem cells. Though often painful they look to have their uses.

Cosmetic dentistry is just to look good.

There is no simple line between form and function. Things that look neat and tidy tend to work well, though this is not an absolute. Many procedures are performed to make the mouth look attractive, but at the very least they encourage people to look after their teeth; and the teeth will be easier to clean as well. Most procedures concentrate on health, with improved appearance being a side effect.

Orthodontics is just for appearance.

As with cosmetic dentistry there is no simple dividing line here. Orthodontics aims at improving the alignment of the jaw, the spacing of the teeth and giving a patient an even bite. When this is done the patient has a better functioning mouth; it often gives them a better smile as a side-effect.

Don’t be afraid to visit a cosmetic dentist, Sydney has many fine dental facilities. Even if you are only looking to improve your dental appearance you will probably be benefiting your health as well.

For those seeking Dental care Sydney has some fine practitioners. Dental health is a great investment; few other things are with you every moment of your life.

Good quality Korean Ginseng improves our health in many ways, both mental and physical. As an adaptogen it improves our immune system; as a source or energy it provides steady, longer acting endurance rather than a fast (but short lived) boost. Other beneficial substances that might be used with Ginseng include:

Guarana:  a red fruit that contains caffeine in its seeds. However, it is superior to regular caffeine because it also contains theophylline and theobromine, which prevent the caffeine’s over-stimulating effect. This combination proves effective for those wanting a longer term energy boost that won’t cause anxiety.

Green tea and any other tea that contains theanine are useful for concentration. Like the combination in Guarana the caffeine and theanine complement each other to produce focus and concentration rather than jittery energy. Ideally there should be two parts theanine to one part caffeine (scientific studies and opinions vary); though natural teas tend to have this ratio reversed. Supplementing some extra theanine might be the best option.

Cacao powder is an unrefined version of cocoa powder, the main ingredient of chocolate. While regular chocolate does have a few health benefits this raw version is far superior, being an antioxidant, a good source of nutrients and a solid source of energy. Research shows that it is best consumed without dairy, which inhibits absorption.

Lion’s mane Mushroom: A fungus that seems to benefit concentration, immunity and memory. It also seems to benefit curiosity and wellbeing, making it a great treatment for depression.

It is best to avoid artificial energy sources such as carbonated energy drinks, even as a few of the ingredients of these drinks can be beneficial. It is usually best to try the natural sources of these beneficial substances, avoiding the processing and additives that many well compromise heath.

Sometimes it can be tricky to differentiate between supplements, drugs and additives. A reasonable guide Is to think about healthy living rather than forcing any improvement. Anything that gets us closer to optimal performance is usually a good thing; anything that pushes us too hard, that substitutes for a good night sleep rather than allowing for it, tends to be bad, at least if used more than occasionally. Good nutrition, good sleep and some reliable natural supplements make for a better and more enjoyable lifestyle. The idea is to be more fully human, and not fool ourselves into thinking we are more than human.

Benefits are the whole reason for doing anything.

For acupuncture they include:

• Lower stress
• Better sleep
• More energy
• Mental clarity
• Better digestion

Side effects are things that were not intended, but appear anyway. Some are pleasant, some are nor pleasant but are insignificant compared to the real benefits.

• Healing crisis. The symptoms get worse before they get better. This occurs in many areas of life. Confused and depressed patients initially feel more depressed as their confusion lifts, but become less depressed as the increasing clarity allows them to sort things out. Frozen or cramped muscles feel painful when they come back into action, but this is a sign that the bod is moving again.
• Fatigue: Feeling ‘wiped out’ after an acupuncture session is a sign that you already need rest. After a good night’s rest you will feel better than you did prior to treatment.
• Muscle spasm: sometime a muscle will twitch after or during an acupuncture session, even if that muscle wasn’t being treated. This doesn’t appear to pose any threat.
• Light-headedness. Rather rare, but not unpleasant. Eating before the treatment will all but prevent this. As long as you don’t drive this shouldn’t pose a problem.
• Emotional release. Actually this is part of the aim of the treatment, not a side-effect. If you experience an emotional release it is because you needed it. The penned up emotion was affecting you, even as you did not know it. It should not be as much of a problem after that.

MJ Clinic has massage centres at Burwood, Concord, Homebush, Strathfield.

For those living in Carlingford, dentists are available in North Rocks.

Modern society was forced to add chemical and preservative to food in order for products to survive the transportation and storage needs for modern cities. The effects of these various chemicals have been of great concern for the past generation or two. Here we will look at the impact they might have on teeth,

WHAT BENEFITS YOUR TEETH.

Fluoride: There is some controversy here, but this has to do with ingesting fluoride. It may cause health problems if we drink/eat too much, but it is good for the teeth. Apply fluoride to the teeth, but avoid swallowing it.

Fluoride has been added to tap drinking water for many decades as it has been shown to reduce dental problems. It has become less used following the trend towards bottled water. The amount consumed via tap water is fairly low.

Green Tea: This seems to have great general health benefits, but some of the catechins in green tea combat oral plaque, bacteria and bad breath. Having noticed the positive research a few companies have started to market green tea mouthwash.

Oils like Peppermint, wintergreen or powders like cinnamon will both effectively fight dental problems and give better breath.  These are natural, and seem to have been known centuries ago for their oral benefit.

Home Made toothpaste. Try mixing baking soda, sea salt, Hydrogen Peroxide, coconut oil, and some of the natural oils listed above.

WHAT TO AVOID:

Avoid any toothpaste with artificial sweeteners. This can be hidden as chemical names or numbers; you will have to do some internet research.  These just tend to be bad for health, even if not directly for teeth, and are linked to many allergies. Why toothpaste needs sweetening is questionable; presumably the sweeter product sells better.  Xylitol is a semi exception here. As small quantities appear in natural food it is not really artificial; so far it seems to be safe and healthy.8

Do not swallow toothpaste or dental treatments. Even the best products, containing useful ingredients, are harmful in any sizable quantity. Fluoride is of great benefit to teeth, but can cause health problems for the rest of the body.

Far any Carlingford Dental concerns talk to North Rocks Dentists.