4 Surprising Things That Cause (or Worsen) Wrinkles

To some degree, wrinkles are the natural result of aging, but that’s not to say that we don’t have some control over how our skin looks. Though it’s not yet possible to completely eliminate all wrinkles naturally, there are things you could do (or not do) to improve the look of wrinkles.

The Sun 

Or should we say, ultraviolet rays. The next time you go to the beach, don't forget your all-too-important sunscreen. All too often, young people skip the sunscreen so that they can tan. What they don’t realize is that all they’re really doing is damaging their future skin. We also strongly advise people to stay away from tanning beds. Not only can the damage the look of your skin, but they’re a major contributor to skin cancer.

Makeup 

The skin around your eyes is perhaps the most sensitive skin you have. But don’t get us wrong, putting on make up for the day will do very little damage to your skin. What really hurts it is leaving your makeup on at night. Each night, just before bed, use a gentle cleanser to take off your make up, then put lotion on.

Squinting 

Going out into the sun? Don’t forget your sunglasses! Not only will they protect your eyes, but sunglasses will prevent you from squinting — the action that causes crows feet.

Your Pillow (and Pillowcase) 

Are you a tried and true stomach sleeper? If so, your pillow is more important to your beauty regime than you think. Though the best way to prevent wrinkles is to sleep on your back, we understand that that’s not an option for some people. Especially if you sleep on your stomach, make sure your pillow is relatively flat and that you clean your pillowcase at least once a week.


Want to improve the look of wrinkles or prevent them from ever appearing? If so, call the experts at Florida ENT at 877-EAR-NOSE or visit us online for more information. From BOTOX to facial fillers, we’ll have you loving the way you look in no time! 

Dos and Don’ts of Good Ear Health

When it comes to physical health, ear health tends to take a back seat to things like your heart, lungs, stomach, and muscles. But when you think about all that your ears do, it’s crazy that we don’t all try to take better care of them. In addition to being the reason why you can hear the world around you, your ears are also responsible for balance.

If you want to improve on your ear health (and who doesn’t!) we’ve got a few simple dos and don’t you should follow.

Do… 

• Use earplugs or noise-canceling headphones any time you’re around loud noises. 
• Follow medication labels, Some common, over the counter medications can contribute to hearing loss if taken too often. 
• Keep your ears dry. Excessive moisture is all that bacteria needs in order to grow. 
• Stay active. We all know exercise is good for your heart, lungs, and muscles, but it’s also necessary for good ear health. Cardio exercises (like running, walking, and swimming) pump blood to your ears and help keep them healthy. 
• Get regular checkups with a specialist. Because hearing loss is very gradual, you may not realize how poor your hearing has become over the years. Regular visits with an ENT will help keep everything in check. 

Don’t….

• Turn the volume on your electronics all the way up. 
• Use cotton swabs. Their thin shape might make them seem like the ideal solution for cleaning your ears, but cotton swabs are the cause of thousands of busted ear drums every year. 
• Leave your ears exposed in the cold. 
• Let your stress levels get too high. A little bit of stress is normal, but too much is bad for all aspects of your physical health, including our ears. Very high levels of stress have even been known to cause “phantom ringing” — a high pitch noise only you can hear. 

If you have any questions about our office or are interested in making an appointment, please give us a call at 877-EAR-NOSE or visit us online for more information. To keep up with the latest from our office, be sure to visit our Facebook page.

10 Ways to Stay Healthy While Traveling

Airports, train stations, bus stops, and fuel stations are never more crowded than around the holidays season. If you’ll be traveling to a loved one’s house for the holidays this year, you’ve probably got things like food and presents on your mind, but have you stopped to think about health?

Why Traveling Negatively Affects Your Health 

• The number of people you’re near drastically increases. Bottom line is that more people = more germs. 
• Your sleep schedule is off. Waking up at 4 a.m. for a 6 a.m. flight can have serious effects on your circadian rhythm. 
• Your diet is different (and usually different in a bad way). Fast food and car snacks do not a healthy diet make. 

10 Ways to Stay Healthy While Traveling 

1. Get to sleep early and try to sleep as often as you can. 
2. Stay hydrated by always carrying a reusable water bottle. 
3. Once you get to your (hopefully sunny) destination, don’t forget to put sunscreen on! Even if you’re going somewhere cold, you should still put a small amount of sunscreen on your face every day. 
4. If you do have to buy food on the go, stick with healthier options, like wraps, salads, and granola bars. 
5. Set an alarm to remind you to take any important medications you may have forgotten about. 
6. Keep your alcohol intake to a minimum while on holiday. 
7. Wash your hands several times a day — after you go to the bathroom, before you eat, and anytime you pass a sink. 
8. Find easy ways to workout while away, like walking and hiking. 
9. Stimulate your mind while you travel by reading, learning another language, writing, or listening to music. 
10. Pack a small first aid kit with you. Make sure it has bandages, bacitracin, hand sanitizer, ibuprofen in it. 

Another great way to make sure you’re ready for your travels? Have your ENT health checked! If you have any questions about our office or are interested in making an appointment, please give us a call at 877-EAR-NOSE or visit us online for more information. To keep up with the latest from our office, be sure to visit our Facebook page.

Do I Need to Get a Flu Shot if I Live in Warm Weather?

The short answer — yes!

Many people think they can only catch the flu if they live in cold weather. But we’re sorry to say that flu season is from October - March all across the United States, not just the north.

How Effective is the Flu Shot? 

In a typical season, the flu shot is able to reduce your chances of getting the flu from 50 - 70%. This means that it will protect roughly two-thirds of the people who get it.

It’s Necessary Each Year 

Unlike many other vaccinations, that you only needed to get once, getting the flu shot should be on your annual to-do list. This is because even though we call it “the flu” each year, the disease changes year to year. Because of this, different flu shots are created each season.

How Serious is the Flu? 

All too often, the common cold and flu are lumped together when talking about winter illnesses. Because of that, people often associate the two together — thinking the flu is like a bad cold. But if you’ve ever had the flu, you know that’s far from the truth.

Influenza is anything but the common cold. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that each year, flu-related deaths are as high as 50,000. Furthermore, more than 200,000 people are hospitalized each year because of the flu.

Signs and Symptoms of the Flu 

Unlike a cold, which typically consists of a runny nose and sinus congestion, the flu can cause:

• A high fever
• Chills
• Body aches
• A sore throat
• Coughing
• Fatigue
• Dehydration 

If you have any questions about our office or are interested in making an appointment, please give us a call at 877-EAR-NOSE or visit us online for more information. To keep up with the latest from our office, be sure to visit our Facebook page.