Let's face it. You only have one crack at life, so why take stupid chances? Most people would want to live a long and productive time, yet they attempt to sabotage themselves at every turn. It happens in a variety of ways, many of which most of us do not even realize. Here are just a few that come to mind.
(1) How often do you floss? If you do not you are running the risk of a heart attack or contracting heart disease. There is considerable research that bacteria in dental plaque can prompt blood to clot. And the lesionsrought about by gum disease can provide a route for germs to enter the bloodstream. So this would lead to the conclusion that keeping your teeth plaque-free would help against heart attack, and that would be through the result of better flossing. In addition, for several years a number of studies have suggested that people with mouth infections run a higher risk of heart disease. Dr A Bazile and colleagues from the Department of Periodontics at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland found precisely that in their research presented in the June, 2002 Journal of Periodontology.
(2) Want to help prevent a stroke? Take a baby aspirin every day. The American Heart Association recommends aspirin use for patients who have had a myocardial infarction (heart attack), unstable angina, ischemic stroke (caused by blood clot) or transient ischemic attacks (TIAs or "little strokes.) This recommendation is based on sound. evidence from clinical trials showing that aspirin helps prevent the recurrence of such events as heart attack, hospitalization for recurrent angina, second strokes, etc. (secondary prevention). Studies show aspirin also helps prevent these events from occurring in people at high risk (primary prevention).
(3) How's your driving? According to a recent poll, most accidents occurred on quiet streets with no inclement weather or other external conditions. Rather, they were the result of drivers that just were not paying attention or easily distracted. A study, sponsored by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and connected by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, offers detailed evidence that inattentive driving causes accidents and that young drivers are much more likely to be distracted. The report labels cell phone use as the most frequent behavior distracting drivers. According to the report, almost 80 percent of crashes and 65 percent of near misses occur within three seconds of some form of driver distraction. So pay attention on the road, okay?
(4) Are you eating while reading this article? Then you might want to put down that double cheeseburger and pay attention. According to US Health Statistics, Americans are on-the-whole overweight and out-of-shape. Researchers have linked obesity and a lack of exercise to the development of adult onset diabetes, heart disease, many forms of cancers, and to high blood pressure. According to experts, one should also engage in vital activity such as fast walking, bicycling, jogging, swimming or doing aerobic exercises for at least 30 minutes, three times weekly. In other words, try a soy burger instead while you're running to the mailbox.
(5) What's the air quality like in your home? According to the National Safety Council, air pollution can cause health problems including burning eyes and nose, itchy irritated throat, and breathing problems. Some chemicals found in polluted air can cause cancer, birth defects, brain and nerve damage, and long-term injury to the lungs and breathing passages in certain circumstances. Above certain concentrations and durations, certain air pollutants are extremely dangerous and can cause severe injury or death. So it's time to purchase a HEPA based air filter for inside the home.
And these are just five things. There are countless others, but start with these and you've probably dodged a bullet this time round. Best wishes for a long life.