New Year, New You
by Linda Donley, from the offices of James R. Donley, DDS
In the well known Lewis Carroll story, "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" there comes a part in the story where Alice is standing at a "Y" in the road so she asks the newly appeared Cheshire cat, "Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?"
The Cat replies "That depends a good deal on where you want to get to."
"I don't much care where" says Alice.
"Then it doesn't matter which way you go" answers the Cat.
The obvious moral of the tale is that you have to know where you are trying to go if you ever want to get there and that is really the purpose of having goals in your life. All of us have at least some vague idea of how we'd like our life to be different, but without a clear picture, you have no map and no checkpoints along the way to let you know you're going in the right direction. Goals act like powerful magnets in your life. Once you set them and put them down in writing, your mind will open up to your goals.
Most people are not sure how to set goals or what type of goals you should set and that is totally understandable since most of us have never been exposed to the art of goal setting. Here is what I have learned about the proper way to set goals:
- You must put your goals into writing.
- A goal will only be effective if it clearly identifies where you want to be in the future.
- Any goal that you set has to be in line with your values as a person.
- Always state your goals in a positive way.
- Make sure that the only person that your goal depends upon is you.
- Visualize in your mind how you will feel when you accomplish your goal.
- Set your goal in context and be specific about the date, time place, etc.
- Write down what the price of accomplishing your goal is going to be, financially as well as in terms of time and effort needed.
- Only share your goal with people who will support you and help you achieve it.
Dr. Jim's goal is to help you set goals for your health. Research now shows that a healthy body starts with a healthy mouth. Therefore, you need to begin with a complete new patient experience. At this time Dr. Jim will do a complete exam which includes digital x-ray images, an oral cancer exam with the Velscope which helps detect oral cancer in the early stage before it can be seen. Also, part of the exam is to check for cavities as well as gum and bone disease. If there is bone disease, tests for HbA1c and CRP are performed to indicate the risk for diabetes and heart disease.
Good oral hygiene is a step towards an overall healthier life. Many older adults are faced with medical problems that can affect their general overall health as well as their dental health. Studies show links between the bacteria in the mouth that cause periodontal (gum and bone) disease and systemic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, low birth weight babies, stroke, etc. As you age, you may also suffer the side effects of bone recession, dry mouth and brittle teeth.
Periodontal disease can often be effectively kept in check and often reversed. By setting goals with Dr. Jim to overcome this disease, you can plan a course of action that may reverse or effectively keep this disease in check.
We are here to help you achieve the best possible health that is possible through dental health. Procrastination is your enemy and it is a formidable one. Keep reminding yourself that "The road to Someday only leads to the town of Nowhere!"
To begin your goal setting for a healthy mouth, please call Dr. Jim's office today at (231) 744-6661 and we will help you begin your journey to a healthy smile and a healthy you.
Dr. Donley and staff can be reached at (231) 744-6661. Their offices are at 166 N. Causeway in North Muskegon.
Holiday Health
by Erik Johnson, Manager, Health Hutt
As winter's dropping temperatures arrive, are you falling short on energy this holiday season?
No problem with Alpha Lipoic Acid. It partners with many B vitamins in your diet and helps unlock energy from proteins, fats and carbohydrates. This was discovered from many studies of those suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome. It was found that this same combination affects the immune system and feeling good in a very positive way.
Alpha Lipoic Acid has been suggested to help in physical endurance and memory enhancement. It has been known to protect billions of neurotransmitters that are traveling around the brain and also throughout the body. The true benefit in the end is that there have been reports of Alpha Lipoic Acid supplementation helping to slow aging, support vision, and promote clear, vibrant skin.
It has been found that Resveratrol, another antioxidant, may be able to help protect you this season against the flu and lessen the panic over the need to get a flu shot. In this study, researchers saw that Resveratrol "strongly inhibited" the replication of the flu virus in cell cultures, even if Resveratrol was taken within a short period of time after the virus was ingested.
Also, Resveratrol may have the ability to help healthy cells in the body to live longer. Researchers found that Resveratrol increased the activity of a certain protein that repairs our DNA and therefore increases the longevity of each individual cell. When this happens the cells are healthier and continue to divide, they live longer and become stronger and this helps to reduce aging of the body.
A review of Resveratrol found that it helps to inhibit cancer prevention through a number of mechanisms:
- Blocking the activity of an enzyme that promotes inflammation in the body.
- Increasing the activity of an anti-tumor protein.
- Stopping dysfunctional cells at a certain stage in their life cycle before they become cancer cells.
Resveratrol has exhibited a number of different ways to help prevent cancer and that should justify an intake of Resveratrol for a healthier you.
Stop in today for a healthy tomorrow at one of our Health Hutt locations!
To ask about natural remedies or other vitamin supplements visit the Health Hutt closest to you: 3112 Henry St. in Muskegon, 1519 Holton Rd. in North Muskegon and 700 Washington Ave. in Grand Haven. Be sure to watch "Forever Young" Wednesdays at 3:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. and Thursdays at 3:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. on Comcast Cable 97.
LASIK and Flex Spending Accounts - Use it Before You Lose It!
from Shoreline Vision
Do you have money set aside in a Flex Spending Account (FSA) through your employer? Have you thought about LASIK surgery?
LASIK surgery is an elective procedure. You choose to have LASIK because you want to, not because it is medically necessary, therefore most insurance companies do not cover LASIK. Flex Spending Accounts are a great option to pay for your procedure…tax-free!
Flex Spending Accounts offer employees the ability to set aside pre-tax money from their gross income to cover medical expenses partially covered or not covered by their basic medical plans. Each pay period, a specified amount will be deducted on a before-tax basis from the employee's paycheck and deposited into a special account. A maximum contribution amount is determined by each individual employer and does not roll over from year to year. Contact your Human Resources Manager for details regarding your specific plan, including eligibility for enrollment.
If you are not yet enrolled in an FSA, and are considering LASIK, schedule an appointment for a LASIK evaluation prior to enrolling. Find out if you are a candidate before setting the money aside. If you are 20 to 65 years old, have had a stable prescription for two years and you have healthy eyes, you may be a good candidate.
At Shoreline Vision, we offer you the information you need to make the best overall decision for your vision care needs. Call (231) 737-4751 for more information regarding LASIK or to schedule a free LASIK evaluation.