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INTERVIEW

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ALL ABOUT EYES

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HEALTHY EATS

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SOCIAL MEDIA

An in-depth interview with a local audiologist answers all your hearing questions from hearing aids to earwax!

Tips for Eye health are shared and a common vision myth is busted!

Recipes to try that the AOA recommends for healthy eyes.

MADNESS

Information about our new interactive health program is revealed! Get involved.

W ELLConnect
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AUGUST 2012

Can You Hear Me Now? Good.

An interview with a local Audiologist answers hearing questions we all wonder about but never ask!

I got a chance to sit down with Dr. Jane Brook, MS AuD, an audiologist at Beloit Memorial Hospital. I talked with her about commonly asked questions related to hearing, balance, & even earwax! Q: Is hearing loss genetic? A: Hearing loss is often genetic. What type of hearing did your parents experience as they aged? That may be what you would expect as you age.

Q: Who is most at risk to experience loss of hearing? A: Presbycusis (age onset hearing loss) usually begins about age 50 and continues to progress for about 30 years, So folks over the age of 50 are most likely to experience hearing loss. However, with the loud levels of music these days we are seeing

hearing loss begin younger and younger. Noise exposure is a huge cause of hearing loss; noise at work and noise during hobbies or activities. So, people exposed to loud levels of noise are also at great risk for hearing loss.
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What type of hearing loss did your parents experience as they aged? That may be what you can expect as you age.

Can You Hear Me?

>> CONT. FROM PAGE ONE

Q: Is it normal to have ringing in your ears? A: Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) can be the result of many things. Often, it is the first sign of hearing loss. So, if your ears are ringing and you are experiencing some hearing difficulties as well the ringing may be related to the loss. However, tinnitus can also be the result of medical issues i.e. high blood pres-

One of the major effects of hearing loss is isolation & depression, wearing hearing aids will bring a person back into socialization, Its amazing to watch!

A: For most people leave it alone! People often cause problems for themselves when they try to dig the wax out and end up pushing it further into the ear canal where it gets stuck and can result in infection. Ear wax typically moves itself out all on its own. There are a few people that have very narrow ear canals and their ear wax always seems to get stuck, those folks often have to be seen by an Ear Doctor once or twice a year to have the ear wax professionally removed. But, for the great majority of us.the wax will take care of itself. Q: How common are hearing aids? A: As hearing aids become better and better (with digital technology) they are becoming much more popular. These newer aids sound so much better than they ever have. Although it can be difficult for individuals to admit they have hearing difficulties, I am finding that once people try the aids they really appreciate the help being offered. One of the major effects of hearing loss is isolation and depression; when a person can't hear, he or she feels left out, and begins to feel like they don't want to participate in conversation because they may not catch what is being said. Wearing hearing aids will bring the person back into socialization, its amazing to watch! Q: How does a hearing aid work? A: Hearing aids amplify the sounds that the person isnt catching. Its not like turning a TV up, that turns all sounds up equally. Hearing aids amplify differently for the various frequencies (pitches) that we are supposed to hear but don't hear because of our specific loss.

sure, reaction to medication or even related to dental issues. When the ears are ringing it is always wise to check in with your physician. Q: Should you be getting a hearing check-up on a regular basis? A: No, not regularly. But, if you are noticing hearing changes, difficulty understanding what people are saying, or trouble understanding what is said when you are in a noisy environment then it would be wise to check in with an Audiologist for a baseline hearing test. Q: How easy is it to damage your hearing? A: Loud noise damages hearing and the longer you are in the noise the greater the potential for hearing damage. If you are in a noisy environment and you have to shout to be heard by a person within 6 feet from you then that noise is loud enough to cause hearing loss. Noise induced hearing loss is 100% preventable if you wear hearing protection when in the noise. Q: What kind of effects do going to live concerts or other loud events have? A: Both short & long term. Concerts are LOUD (but then so are movie theaters these days!).

Often after a concert you will notice your ears will be ringing for a day or so, that is the sign that the inner hear has been "hurt" by the noise exposure. Often, if you are away from noise after the concert the ringing will go away and any hearing loss you have acquired as a result of the concert noise will resolve. That is called a temporary hearing loss but, if you were in the band and playing night after night after night (plus practicing) that constant noise exposure never allows your ears to recover and the hearing loss will become permanent. Q: Is being dizzy or having poor balance related to your ears &/or hearing? A: Dizziness and balance issues can certainly be related to ear/hearing issues. The balance system and the auditory system are next door neighbors in your head; problems with one area can lead to problems in the other, thats why when you have dizziness or balance problems you are often sent to an Ear Doctor and often he will order hearing testing. Hearing test results may provide information as to the reason for the balance issues. Q: How do I know if having an ear ache is normal or if theres a problem? A: Ear aches can be the results of anything from wax in the ear canal, to a boil, to infection as a result of swimming in polluted water. An ear ache that lasts a day and then goes away is not an issue, but if the earache continues for 24 days (especially if associated with fever) it would be wise to seek medical consult. Q: Earwaxwhat should you do with it? Leave it or clean it?

All about Eyes

W h a t t o k n o w a b o u t yo u r e y e s

VISION BY THE NUMBERS

An estimated 90 million people in the United States either have presbyopia or will develop it by 2014 49.7 million Americans have more than one pair of prescription eyeglasses (33.2% of eyeglass wearers) 19.42 million Americans who wear reading glasses have more than one pair (73.3% of reader wearers) 149.7 million US adults had eyeglasses in 2010 (63.5% of US adults) Of those, 90.5 million are over the age of 44
TheVisionCouncil.org

WELL#TRENDING
Health Topics that are trending with Tweeters. #Pharma100: Top 100 Pharmacy influencers #hcsmin: Social Media Communication for Healthcare #BTSM: Brain Tumor Social Media #NHStweets: National Health Service (UK) #CDCchat: Chat with the Center for Disease Control #MedStartr: Health Start-ups TWITTER FOR VISION/HEARING Hearing: #Deafness #HearingLoss @AcademyofAud @StudentAud @hearinfo @HelpKidsHear Vision: #EyeTips @TotalEye @SightForLife @VistionHelpers @Eyeppl

Contacts to Cataracts. Tips & Tricks for Happy, Healthy Eyes

CATARACTS Although Doctors arent sure what causes cataracts, the Mayo Clinic provides some tips to help reduce the risk. Regular Eye Exams can detect problems early, so preventative measures can be taken. Sunglasses can help block the Ultraviolent rays that can contribute to cataracts, make sure your sunglasses block UVB rays. Maintain a healthy weight, being overweight or obese puts stress on your body that can harm your eye health. Adding colorful fruits and vegetables to your diet will ensure that you're getting a lot of vitamins and nutrients. Scientists havent proven that vitamins in pill form have the same effect as the nutrients from fresh fruits and vegetables. SMOKING According to EverydayHealth.com, the link between smoking and macular degeneration is as strong as the link between smoking and lung cancer! Not smoking reduces the risk of AMD, which is a leading cause of blindness. Smoking also enhances oxidants (chemical by-products that damage cells) that can cause severe vision problems. MAKE-UP When wearing make-up, especially with contacts, follow these tips from Acuvue.com. Make sure make-up is oil and fragrance free to reduce irritation. You should also replace your mascara monthly, eyeliner every 3 months and shadow every 6 months. Keeping eye make-up too long can lead to bacteria growth and infection. You should always remove contacts before removing eye make-up. If you have problems with eye irritation when you wear make up try switching to water -based cream shadows and use waterproof mascara and eyeliner to prevent flaking. Hair products are also over looked when it comes to eye irritation. Be careful with hair spray and other products. Especially when you use It on hair that falls near your eyes.

M yt h b u st ers
Eating Carrots Improves Eyesight
You have probably heard that eating carrots will improve your vision. Your Mother may even have used it as an excuse to get you to eat your veggies. But, will eating carrots really give you Hawk-like super vision?

FALSE
ORIGINS The carrot myth got its start during World War II when Britain's air ministry spread the word that a diet heavy in carrots helped pilots see Nazi bombers attacking at night. However, that was a lie to distract from the real reason for the Royal Airforces success: Airborne interception radar (AI). British intelligence didnt want the Germans to find out about the new technology they had developed so they created the somewhat-plausible rumor as an explanation for the sudden increase in bombers being shot down. The disinformation was so persuasive that the English public took to eating carrots to help them see during the blackouts. TRUTH BEHIND THE MYTH Although carrots wont give you hawk-like vision, there is some truth to the myth. Beta-carotene, which is found in carrots, may help reduce the risk of cataracts and macular degeneration. However, the studies that proved this used higher does of Vitamin A or beta-carotene that were higher than found in the standard diet. It would be nearly impossible to consume enough carrots to reach the intake levels used in the studies.

Fun Eye Facts: Sailors thought wearing gold earrings would improve their eyesight. Your eyes blink over 10,000,000 times a year!
An ostrich's eye is bigger than its brain. Eyes are the most complex organs we possess except for our brain. 80% of what you learn is through your eyes. Its impossible to sneeze without closing your eyes. Each of our eyelashes has a life span of about five months. The eye muscles are the most active muscles in the whole body. The shark cornea has been used in human eye surgery since its so similar to our eyes. Www.Chicago-Eyes.com

Eating for your Eyes

a n d yo u r p e e p e r s h a p p y

R e c i p e s t h a t wi l l m a k e y o u r t a s t e b u d s

The American Optometrist Association recommends eating a diet with a variety of foods loaded with key nutrients for maintaining & improving eye health. These recipes use common ingredients and are easy to make. Plus, every one is absolutely delicious! Visit www.AOA.org for more delicious Optometrist approved recipes.

Cr e a m y Hum mus & W hol e W hea t P ita w i th Bel l Pe ppe rs

Hummus is a versatile food that is a great appetizer, snack, or sandwich spread! Make your own at home for lower fat & calorie content than store-bought brands. Super rich in: Vitamin C, vitamin E, folate, and zinc Rich in: plant-based omega-3s, fiber, calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, and selenium Ingredients: 1 (15-ounce) can garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed 1 tablespoon lemon juice 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 clove garlic, minced 1/3 cup chopped parsley 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil (or, 3 to 4 teaspoons dried basil) pinch of cayenne pepper salt and pepper to taste 1/4 cup sliced green onions 1 tablespoon minced fresh basil (or, 1 teaspoon dried basil) 2 whole wheat pita breads, cut into wedges 1 red bell pepper, stemmed, seeded, and sliced into 1" slices 1 cup broccoli flowerets Directions 1. In a food processor or blender, blend first 8 ingredients, adding enough water to make a smooth dip. (Makes approximately 1 1 /2 cups.) 2. Spoon into a serving bowl and top with green onions and basil. Serve with pita wedges and vegetables. Makes 4 servings Nutritional Information (per serving): 310 Calories; 28 % fat (9.6 g total, 1 g saturated), 141 mg omega-3s, 56 % carbohydrate (43 g), 16 % protein ( 12.4 g), 0 mg cholesterol, 10 g fiber, 67 mg vitamin C, 1.8 mg vitamin E, 2.2 mg zinc, 137 mg sodium.

Seared Tuna with Orange, Avocado, and Cilantro Salsa

Tuna has always been a super food in the health food world. Combine it with avocados and youve got a dynamic duo of nutrient-packed flavor. Check out another tasty way to prepare it you may not have tried before! Super rich in: lutein/zeaxanthin, vitamin C, vitamin E, folate, and omega-3s Rich in: fiber, iron, magnesium, and potassium Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 clove garlic, minced 2 tablespoons lemon juice 4 four-ounce tuna steaks (preferably sushi grade) 1/3 cup red onion, minced 2 oranges, peeled with all pith removed, and cubed 1 avocado, peeled, seeded, and cubed 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped juice of 1 lime salt and pepper to taste Directions 1. Blend olive oil, garlic, and lemon juice in a shallow pan. Add tuna, turn to coat evenly, cover and marinate for up to 1 hour. 2. In a medium bowl, blend onion, oranges, avocado, cilantro, lime juice, and salt & pepper. Cover and refrigerate for up to 1 hour. 3. Place steaks in a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Cook 2 minutes per side for medium rare (3 to 4 minutes per side for well done). Serve with salsa spooned over top. Makes 4 servings. Nutritional Information (per serving): 304 Calories; 45 % fat (15 g total, 3 g saturated), 1,410 mg omega-3s, 18 % carbohydrate (13.7 g), 37 % protein (28 g), 43 mg cholesterol, 3.4 g fiber, 44 mg vitamin C, 3.4 mg vitamin E, 1 mg zinc, 50 mg sodium.

Take it to the Web

Join the Social Media Community
Social Media is an excellent opportunity to stay connected to wellness news and information at any time! We have an abundance of news articles, information, recipes, workouts, and fun tips available on the web. Social media also gives you the chance to connect with us!

NEXT ISSUE:
In September look for information on Prostate cancer, Alzheimers, and healthy aging. Also, keep an eye out for a section on the benefits of Yoga along with some poses to get you started!

PHASE TWO The next step in our interactive wellness plan is coming soon! Including the launch of our WellConnect website!

You can find us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter! Feel free to leave comments, send messages, and tweet us with any questions, feedback, or interesting information you would like to share! Our Twitter is updated daily and look for new information on our Facebook weekly! We look forward to connecting with you in the social media world and being able to assist you with all of your wellness needs.

BPSWellness

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Communications Corner: Weve reconstructed the newsletter & given it a new name: WellConnect. We have also had some changes within our Wellness team. Our new Wellness Coordinator will be Jenny Howell. Jenny will be here to coordinate all things wellness. We also added a new position to the WellConnect team, I will be the WellConnect Editor & Social Media Coordinator. WellConnects goal is to make your day-to-day wellness experience more interactive through social media and the internet. If you are not already following our Twitter, please do! Its a great way for us to share fun articles and tips with you, but its also an awesome way for you to communicate with us! This month also marks the launch of our new Facebook page, please check it out and like us to get access to more tips and recipes. Look for more announcements in next months issue of WellConnect, we will be launching phase two at that time, which means more health & wellness resources for you to enjoy. Thank-you,

929 S. ALPINE, SUITE 400 ROCKFORD, IL 61108 815-397-3737

Adele Brook