5 Reasons Gratitude is Great for Your Health

 Florida Ear Nose Throat

Facial Plastic Surgery Center
877-EAR-NOSE

www.FloridaENT.com

There are hundreds of reasons to be thankful this holiday. But what we are most thankful for is good health. Good health offers many benefits - and if you show your gratitude for being healthy, the perks are even greater.

1. You’ll feel happier
Studies show that when you write down one thing you are grateful for every day, you are 25 percent more happy. Practice this for a few weeks and you will notice results. When you realize what you are appreciative of, you’ll realize all the good things in your life.

2. You’ll boost your energy levels
Writing down that you’re thankful for leads to an increasing sense of vitality. When you give thanks, you feel more energetic and get a boost of feel-good hormones.

3. You get healthier
Gratitude also leads to improved kidney function, reduced blood-pressure, stress hormone levels, and a stronger heart. People who express gratitude also take better care of themselves, smoke and drink less.

4. You become kinder
When others express grateful for you, your body triggers a response in the brain to release dopamine - the feel-good chemical. Thanking people for their acts of kindness also makes us feel good and reminds them of why we are in their lives.

5. You’ll be more resilient
The more gratitude you pay forward, the more our brains become wired to seek out positives in any situation to seek out the positive in any situation, making us more resilient in every situation. 

How do you show appreciation for your health?

If you're feeling under the weather or suffering from sinusitis and allergies this winter, we encourage you to make an appointment at Florida Ear Nose Throat right away. We offer allergy screening, allergy management and immunotherapy. To schedule an appoint, give us a call at (877) EAR-NOSE. For more information about our office, visit www.floridaent.com. 

3 Miraculous Cures for a Dry Nose

 Florida Ear Nose Throat

Facial Plastic Surgery Center

877-EAR-NOSE

www.FloridaENT.com

Cold and allergies are the most common cause of a dry nose. But let’s not forget how unforgiving winter can be too! When the temperatures drop and the weather dries up, so can your nose. Luckily, there are three easy and miraculous cures that can relieve some of the discomfort:

Petroleum Jelly
This product is so easy to find at any drug store, yet is so relieving when it comes to a dry nose. Simply use your fingers to apply a small amount of petroleum jelly to the lining of the inside of your nose and right along the outside. This is great for moisturizing your nose and won’t upset your stomach like other medications. Lip balm is another safe alternative.

Nasal Spray
Nasal spray isn’t just for allergies, it’s also perfect for winter when your nose dries up and you get stuffy. Nasal sprays are used to wet the nasal passages - just be cautious to not overuse them, as they can actually have the opposite effect, leading to a chronic dry nose.

Humidifier
If you don’t have one already, a humidifier can work wonders for a dry nose. Sleeping with dry mist in your room can increase humidity and relieve the dryness in your nose. For the best results, place the humidifier in the middle of the room rather than directly next to you. Be careful not to point it in the direction of furniture, as the humidity can warp the wood.

Suffering from a chronic dry nose this winter? If the symptoms are unbearable or worsen overtime, we encourage you to make an appointment at Florida Ear Nose Throat right away. We offer allergy screening, allergy management and immunotherapy. To schedule an appoint, give us a call at (877) EAR-NOSE. For more information about our office, visit www.floridaent.com. 

How Winter Affects Your Sinuses

Florida Ear Nose Throat

Facial Plastic Surgery Center

877-EAR-NOSE

www.FloridaENT.com

Contrary to popular belief, sinus infections can occur all year round. How does it happen and what are the symptoms? We can answer that:

The Trigger
What first occurs is a cold or flu, which causes the skin inside your nose and sinuses to swell up. When your nose and sinuses swell, they can’t drain mucus properly. As a result, the mucus starts to build up, creating bacteria and a sinus infection.

The Symptoms
When the sinus infection occurs you get stuffed up, which creates headaches. You may also experience a slight fever and other painful sinusitis symptoms.

The Allergies
Many people also experience allergy symptoms which can cause similar symptoms:

• Mold
• Alcohol
• Food
• Artificial Fragrances

All of these allergy triggers seem to stay at the top of the winter allergies list. You can fight it by avoiding these as much as possible and taking a nasal spray to clear the passages.

If you're suffering from  sinusitis and allergies this winter no matter how hard you try to fight the symptoms, we encourage you to make an appointment at Florida Ear Nose Throat right away. We offer allergy screening, allergy management and immunotherapy. To schedule an appoint, give us a call at (877) EAR-NOSE. For more information about our office, visit www.floridaent.com.

Are You At Risk for Winter Allergies?

 Florida Ear Nose Throat

Facial Plastic Surgery Center
877-EAR-NOSE

www.FloridaENT.com

Some get lucky when spring and summer allergies come to an end. But for others, winter is just as bad. From pet dander to mold, here are a few common allergies you might be at risk for and what you can do to eliminate your chances:

  
Pet dander: Cold weather means your pets will spend more time indoors, exposing you more to dander.

Mold and mildew: leaves and other waste in the yard gives mold and mildew a breeding ground in which your allergies could worsen. This also goes for shoes and clothes that provide damp irritants with an easy path indoors.

Dust mites: Winter means more indoor heat and less fresh air. With the air getting stuffy, it’s easy for dust mites to create some sensitivity.

Damp wood: Cut wood that is stored outside becomes moist. Bring that wood inside and you’re only inviting a heavy allergy trigger.

You can avoid such allergies in a few ways:

• Wash your bedding often to eliminate pet dander and dust mites
• Shower when you feel symptoms progress to wash away allergens stuck to your body and in your hair
• Try a saline solution to relieve nasal congestion
• Purchase a humidifier to create more moisture indoors

If you're suffering from allergies this winter no matter how hard you try to fight the symptoms, we encourage you to make an appointment at Florida Ear Nose Throat right away. We offer allergy screening, allergy management and immunotherapy. To schedule an appoint, give us a call at (877) EAR-NOSE. For more information about our office, visit www.floridaent.com.

How to Reduce Your Risk of Hearing Loss

 Florida Ear Nose Throat

Facial Plastic Surgery Center
877-EAR-NOSE

www.FloridaENT.com

Hearing loss is one of the most frustrating, and unfortunately one of the most common occurrences that happens to people of all ages - especially those who are aging. Genetic makeup is a common cause of hearing loss, but oftentimes it is also due to exposure of loud noises. That being said, you might be wondering the answers to these questions:

What are the warning signs of hearing loss?

• You hear ringing or buzzing in your ears after noise exposure
• You have difficulty understanding people after exposure to noise
• You experience a “fullness” in your ears after leaving a noisy environment

How do I protect myself from noise damage?

• Block out noise by wearing earplugs and earmuffs when necessary
• Avoid loud sounds by putting hands over ears if you can’t avoid a noisy situation
• Turn the volume down and keep earbud volumes to a minimum
• Limit exposure to noisy activities at home.

They key is to be alert to risks of hazardous noise in your everyday life.

At Florida ENT, we are committed to helping patients who suffer from hearing loss at all levels of severity and at any stage. Utilizing the latest advances in medicine combined with the state-of-the-art techniques, our goal is to treat our patients with comfort and compassion. Our general and specialized services include:To learn more about the services we provide, please call us today at 407-944-3340 to schedule an appointment. 

The Sinus Sufferers' Guide to A Restful Sleep

 Florida Ear Nose Throat

Facial Plastic Surgery Center
877-EAR-NOSE

www.FloridaENT.com

The environment you sleep in is everything, especially for those who suffer from allergies and sinus infections. Getting a restful sleep is important for so many reasons, but if you’re not relaxing in a clean and comfortable space, you can only make your symptoms worse. That being said, we have a few pointers for getting a good night’s sleep: 

Keep pets out
Pet dander can lead to more sinus issues and breathing complications. So as much as you love your furry companions, make a comfortable space for them either right outside your door or on the opposite side of the bedroom in a cozy bed. Having them sleep in bed with you can only make allergies worse. 

Buy an air filter
Dust and other allergens can make it more difficult to breathe in your bedroom. By using an air filter, you can filtrate allergens and restore fresh, clean air for a comfortable sleep.

Clean sheet regularly
Cleaning your sheets weekly is essential - especially if you’re extra sensitive to dust. And every time you open your bedroom window, more allergens become airborne and get caught in your bed sheets. By washing them on a regular basis, you can help keep seasonal allergies at bay.

Use a nasal spray
Use a saline solution to rinse out the sinus area. Repeat every night before bedtime to help you feel less congested before you lie down for sleep.

Sleep on your side
Some doctors recommend sleeping on your side to fight the uncomfortable feeling of postnasal drip, which will reduce the amount of sore throats you experience upon waking up.

Can’t get sleep to sleep without feeling miserable from your allergies or sinuses? We encourage you to give our Sinus & Facial Plastics Institute a call to schedule an appointment. We offer allergy screening, allergy management and immunotherapy. To schedule an appoint, give us a call at (877) EAR-NOSE. For more information about our office, visit www.floridaent.com.

How Hearing Loss Truly Impacts Your Life

Florida Ear Nose Throat

Facial Plastic Surgery Center
877-EAR-NOSE

www.FloridaENT.com

 A whopping 38 million people in America between the ages of 65 and 74 have hearing loss, and it’s no easy feat. The challenge of hearing is difficult, but the impact it has on your daily life runs deeper. From the emotional to the financial well-being, you’ll want to hear this:

The Effects
Studies have associated untreated hearing loss with these effects:

• Irritability, negativism, and anger
• Fatigue, tension, and depression
• Reduced alertness and increased risk of personal safety
• Impaired memory and ability to learn new tasks
• Withdrawal from certain social situations

How, might you ask, does this impact your life? Well, in many ways, your social, personal, and professional life can alter from this health condition. Here’s how:

Education and Employment
The great news is that surveys show no prevalence in employment or education. Despite the effects, individuals function “quite well” and are fully able to perform their daily tasks with no problem. In fact, many people are delaying retirement due to the need for financial stability. However, that does not mean there aren’t times of frustration and difficulty during a certain task - it’s a constant struggle, but it can luckily be fought.

In the Home
The home might be a little bit of a different story, solely because of the effect it has on family and friends. The are emotional ties attached to hearing loss, such as anger and frustration. There needs to be a great deal of understanding in a household if you suspect someone close to you suffers from the effects of hearing loss. Be kind, be gentle, and don’t be afraid to speak slowly and repeat. This should make the change slightly easier to adjust to.

If you or someone you know suffers from hearing loss, learn about audiologic testing.

The doctors at Florida ENT specialize in hearing loss and offer many different resources to you. For more information about hearing aids or hearing loss in general, give us a call at (877) EAR-NOSE today!