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When Springtime Is Allergy Time: 8 Steps to Avoid Suffering in 2023

Isaiah on April 3, 2023

Flowers and trees are starting to bloom, the birds are singing, and the sun is shining – once again, spring is here! While many of us are delighted that the cold gloom of winter is behind us and the longer, warmer days of spring are finally here, it also marks the start of allergy season.

It is estimated that allergies are the sixth leading cause of chronic illness in the U.S., with more than 50 million people affected by them. Allergies are abnormal responses of the immune system where the body’s defenses react to a usually harmless substance in the environment, such as pollen, animal dander, or food.

Allergies can have a greater impact on older people due to age-related changes in their immune systems. Many things can trigger an allergic reaction, but springtime allergies are frequently triggered by pollen. As pollen levels rise, you may hear people say they have hay fever, which is another term for seasonal allergies.

Basic symptoms associated with seasonal allergies include:

  • Itchy eyes, nose, and throat
  • Sneezing and/or coughing
  • Stuffy or runny nose; watery and/or dark circles under the eyes
  • Fever
  • Fatigue and weakness

How to Protect Yourself from Seasonal Allergies:

Taking early action against symptoms can prevent them from slowing you down. Some symptoms can lead to more serious illnesses, including sinus, ear, and upper respiratory infections.

  1. When pollen counts start to rise, limit time outdoors.
  2. Keep windows and doors closed when pollen is high.
  3. Wash your hands when returning from the outdoors.
  4. Use an air purifier indoors to clean the air of pollen.
  5. Change your air conditioner filter regularly.
  6. Dry your laundry in the machine, not outdoors on a clothesline, to keep pollen off your clothes and bedding.
  7. Ask your doctor to recommend a treatment for your specific allergies, such as over-the-counter products, prescription drugs, or allergy shots.
  8. Make a checklist of the things that trigger your allergies.

    Another checklist you need to make is to make sure you have all the coverage you need. A FREE Benefits Review with a caring AMBA representative can help. Each of our agents is trained to explain how specific coverage may help fill in the gaps of what Medicare, state pensions, and other sources may not cover. Schedule your Benefits Review today at www.amba-review.com or call 866-615-4063 Mon.-Fri 8am-6pm CT.

Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5362176/

What Famous Person in American History Invented Bifocals?

Isaiah on April 3, 2023

When you think of the greatest inventions humankind created, answers like “the wheel”, “the printing press”, or “the internet” come readily to mind. But the importance of corrective lenses – eyeglasses, including bifocals – is frequently (apologies for the pun) overlooked. But eyeglasses for visual aid are one of the most common – and essential – tools even now in the 21st Century. However, the history of glasses is complex with many contradictory beliefs about where and when they were created.

Imagine a world without glasses. Where being able to recognize people from a distance or read a book in your lap was a major challenge, if not impossible This is how it was for centuries. People struggled with visual impairment and accepted it as a fact of life. And when corrective lenses first became available, they were a rare possession only the rich could access and afford.

The First Eyeglasses

Many believe that eyeglasses were created in Italy during the 13th Century by Salvino D’Armati. D’Armati’s invention placed two convex lenses in a wooden setting, with a shaft held together with a rivet. These early glasses were not fitted to the face. To use them, the wearer had to hold them in place.

It wasn’t until the 18th century that the eyeglasses we recognize today began taking shape. A nose bridge and temples were added to keep the eyeglasses in place. Advancements continued, including improved materials, better-designed temples, and more comfortable nose pads.

History of Bifocal Lenses

None other than Benjamin Franklin is credited with inventing bifocals in 1784. Like most of us, Franklin’s eyesight worsened as he got older, developing both near- and far-sightedness. Tired of switching between two pairs of eyeglasses, he invented “double spectacles” by cutting and then attaching the two lenses’ segments into one glass with a distinct switch between the upper and lower lenses. In 1824, Peter Williams came up with the name “bifocals” for this type of corrective eyewear. Williams would later be credited with the invention of trifocal lenses.

Although the design of today’s bifocals hasn’t changed much since Benjamin Franklin’s time, better materials, manufacturing methods, and better lens technology have evolved to make the bifocal lens more advanced and more usable.

Today’s Eyeglasses: Practical, Comfortable, and Fashionable

We frequently take our glasses (whether they be a single lens, bifocals, or trifocals) for granted – until we misplace them. Then we’re quickly reminded of the importance of our eyewear.

Eyeglasses have come a long way through history to become what they are now, including options such as contact lenses, trifocals, and corrective surgeries. But the usefulness and longevity of eyeglasses are assured. Plus, eyeglasses accentuate our own personal style and fashion sense. Your association and AMBA have a Vision Plan that can help you get the eyeglasses and the prescription that’s just right for you. Our plan includes an annual WellVision checkup and coverage on a large selection of designer eyewear. Sign up now at www.AMBAdentalvision.com or call 866-979-0497.

Source: https://www.ushistory.org/franklin/science/bifocals.htm

5 Dental Issues That Could Be Hereditary

Isaiah on April 3, 2023

You can probably look at old photos of your parents and recognize what features you got from each. Maybe you got your mother’s eyes or your father’s smile. But are you also born with your parents’ dental issues? If your parents had poor dental health, then you will most likely have problems too. While it’s true some of your oral health is a direct result of your DNA, much of it is up to you.

Hereditary Dental Issues Factors

Your genes affect your oral health, the size and shape of your mouth, and bone structure. Your ancestors pass down issues like overcrowded or crooked teeth. The same applies to the size of your jawbone which can lead to problems with your bite or issues with your jaw joints.

1. Misaligned (Crooked) Teeth

If you had braces, your siblings also probably needed them. Genetics are a major factor in the shape of your face and the size of your jaw. Misaligned or crooked teeth can cause crowding, gaps, overbites and underbites, and food to get trapped between teeth, resulting in the growth of bacteria, which can cause cavities and gum disease.

2. Tooth Color

Tooth color is determined by a combination of your genes and environment. People whose teeth develop naturally with thinner enamel generally have teeth that appear more yellow, although this can also be a consequence of losing enamel as you age.

3. Tooth Decay

Just as you should discuss with your family doctor if your parents have a history of health issues like heart disease, be sure to tell your dentist if your parents had a greater risk of cavities in their adult teeth. Certain variations of genes are linked to a greater risk of cavities. Adults with a high risk of tooth decay may benefit from prescription toothpastes or mouth rinses.

4. Periodontal Disease (Gum Disease)

Up to 30% of the population may be genetically predisposed to gum disease. If you experience symptoms like sensitivity and inflammation, see your dentist. If left untreated, gum disease can eventually cause tooth and bone loss.

5. Oral Cancer

Every year, oral cancer is responsible for the deaths of thousands of Americans every year. Although tobacco and alcohol use are the highest risk factors for developing the disease, people with certain genetic markers have a higher risk than normal. You can lower your risk by quitting tobacco, cutting back on alcohol, and eating a healthy, nutritious diet.

Dental Issues Are Often a Result of Bad Habits

Dental problems such as gum disease and tooth decay are almost entirely preventable and are largely due not to your genes but your own oral hygiene practice. Even if you have “bad teeth”, there is a lot you can do to help them be as healthy as possible; a good oral hygiene regimen can prevent cavities and gum disease.

See Your Dentist for Checkups

With smart preventative oral care and visiting your dentist twice a year for checkups, you can significantly reduce the risk of the genetic factors that cause “bad teeth” and can help you keep your mouth healthy and avoid problems. Exams at least every six months give your dentist a chance to provide advice on caring for your teeth and allows him or her to detect oral health problems early, when they’re most treatable.

Your association and AMBA offer an excellent Dental Plan with low deductibles and high maximums. This plan gives you coverage with over 400,000 in-network providers nationwide and includes savings on checkups, fillings, and many procedures. Sign up now at www.AMBAdentalvision.com/NCRGEA or call 866-979-0497.

Source: https://www.ada.org/resources/research/science-and-research-institute/oral-health-topics/genetics-and-oral-health

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