Category: health

Everyone wants to look and feel their best. Teeth whitening is a relatively new trend that is popular in the dentist’s chair and in the home.

Methods of teeth whitening, professionally and at home, were first presented around 1989. Over the years, the medical and consumer health awareness communities have conducted studies to judge the safety and effectiveness of teeth whitening methods. In general, these processes have received positive reports in regards to safety and effectiveness.

It’s important to consider several elements when considering teeth whitening processes. Remember the following points:

Both medical and consumer communities have raised some concerns about the risks involved with bleaching. Some bleaching agents may pose cancer-causing risks.

Studies have shown, however, that the concentration of carbamide peroxide in teeth whitening products will not cause any cancer in mouth tissues or gums. An agent naturally present in saliva seems to offset the amount of peroxide that’s emitted by teeth whitening agents.

Much consideration and attention has also been given to the fear of damage or erosion of tooth enamel caused by bleaching agents. After careful study, medical experts now say that more damage is done to a tooth’s enamel by soft drinks or fruit juices than by tooth whitening bleaches.

The issue of nerve endings being affected by teeth whitening is still in its early stages since this can be studied only in longer intervals such as five to eight years after the teeth whitening procedure. Despite this concern there is still little damage being shown to teeth that have undergone whitening and been in for a five to eight year checkup after the process.

Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common type of sleep apnea. Medical professionals are still at a loss as to the exact cause. For most people with obstructive sleep apnea, the soft palate is the most affected region. It happens because the muscle relaxes somewhat when the air passage fully collapses and ends up obstructed.

The Period of Interrupted Sleep

Since the air passage collapsed, breathing ceases and the individual wakes up as a result of obstructed air passage. This waking up typically lasts for few seconds and the again the individuals sleeps. This persistent disruption averts the individual from reaching the deep sleep level, that is, Rapid Eye Movement (REM) level sleep, which our body desperately needs in order to become rejuvenated and to fight off against different adverse psychological and physical health conditions.

Possible Risk Factors

Being obese or overweight can be harmful for anyone. So also is obstructive sleep apnea. One of the main causes of obstructive sleep apnea is obesity. It generally happens because of the buildup of extra fat on the sides of the airway resulting in it becoming narrower, especially when the muscles relax. Age is another risk factor of obstructive sleep apnea because aging means reduced muscle mass.

Signs, Symptoms and Complications

Eight studies from the researchers from the Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, US, indicated that the symptoms of Acid Reflux Disease are increased by having a high BMI or body mass index. Acid Reflux symptoms can increase by as much as 50 percent in overweight people compared to people with normal weight. Obesity is not good news at all.

It was shown in 2006 by Dr. B Jacobson, from Boston University of Medicine, USA, that digestive health is affected by excess weight. A normal weight person gaining a bit of weight, can still look fine and not be considered obese, but could still become more prone to Acid Reflux. Also a person who notices his Acid Reflux symptoms become more severe can shed a few pounds to help relieve those symptoms.

So why does obesity matter?

Imagine layers and layers of excess body fat compressing the stomach, pushing it in, localizing and trapping stomach acids in little natural enclosures in the stomach folds so formed. Then the effects of indiscriminately imbibed food, and resultant hernias. And we are still not considering the hormonal modifications going on in the body that cause your obesity, and possibly, some problems in most of your body functions, like digestion.

Twenty percent of Americans today suffer from periodic Acid Reflux disease or GERD. Acid Reflux can then interfere with daily things like eating or sleeping. Obesity is becoming an epidemic today and helps to add to this percentage. Certain cancers including cancer of the esophagus have been linked to obesity.