100% of physicians recommend not using cotton swabs to clean ears; 100% of people use cotton swabs to clean their ears  

Ears are self-cleaning. Say what? It’s true. Our ear canals are self-cleaning. As the skin of the ear canal sheds, the wax is carried to the outer part of the ear canal and drains from the ear. By itself.  

Normally, earwax is a self-draining liquid that does not cause problems. Earwax helps filter dust, keeps the ears clean and protects the ear canal from infection. Skin, sweat, hair and debris, such as dirt and shampoo, are held together with a fluid secreted by glands (ceruminous glands) inside the ear canal and form earwax (cerumen).  

Everyone makes earwax, but the amount and type are genetically determined just like hair color or height. Smaller or oddly shaped ear canals may make it difficult for the wax to get out of the canal. This can lead to wax impactions.  

The outer half of the ear canal produces the earwax, so unless it’s pushed in, it will not become deeply impacted. Attempts to clean the ear with cotton swabs, a finger or, well, anything smaller than your elbow, pushes ear wax deeper. The ear canal can become blocked (impacted) by pressing the wax against the eardrum.  

Impacted earwax can cause some hearing loss or other problems, like ringing in the ears (tinnitus) a full feeling in the ears, or vertigo – a sense of motion or dizziness when you aren’t moving. If you have pain in your ear, call your physician. 

If it feels like you have an excess of earwax but you’re not in pain, there are home remedies that don’t involve a cotton swab or an elbow: 

• Buy an over-the-counter earwax removal kit. 

• Make your own removal solution. Soften and loosen the earwax with warm mineral oil or a mixture of hydrogen peroxide mixed with an equal amount of room-temperature water, Place two drops of the fluid, warmed to body temperature, in the ear twice a day for up to five days. Be sure to warm the fluid because cold fluid can cause pain and dizziness.  

Ears are self-cleaning. Say what? It’s true. Our ear canals are self-cleaning. As the skin of the ear canal sheds, the wax is carried to the outer part of the ear canal and drains from the ear. By itself.

Running an extra five minutes, having salad for lunch and taking the stairs. Making small decisions can have a big impact on your health. For some, choosing healthy options is easy. However, if you struggle with leaving one cookie on the plate (and a lot of us do), you should consider health tracker apps.  

There is an abundance of free and paid apps available for smartphones. Watching the bar graph grow as you take more steps each day or tracking calories to know when to skip dessert can be a better motivator than a personal trainer you see for 60 minutes three times a week. The apps are always there and never yell. They also don’t judge if we have French fries occasionally.  

There are apps for just about all your fitness goals. You can track your steps, pushups, calories, water intake and almost anything else. Several of these apps can even upload data to charts shared with physicians.  

Do health apps guarantee you will make healthier decisions? No. Only you can do that. They can provide motivation and a sense of accomplishment when you cross off goals and see your fitness totals rise. Before starting any exercise routine, start by talking with your doctor. When you are ready, think about what you want to accomplish, read a few reviews on health tracking apps and download a free version. If it works for you, then think about splurging for a paid version if needed. 

After all, you already pay for your smartphone, it might as well help you achieve your health goals. Just be sure to clean your phone often, especially after a workout.  

If you struggle with leaving one cookie on the plate (and a lot of us do), you should consider health tracker apps. 

In the literal sense, this is about your body temperature. Does your body tend to run hot, or cold? To find out, take your temperature a few times when you’re well. Check your temperature in both the morning and evening. Body temperature can vary by as much as 1°F during the day. It’s helpful to know your average to gauge if you have a fever.  

Before you take your temperature: 

• Wait at least 30 minutes after smoking, eating, or drinking a hot or cold liquid. 

• Wait at least an hour after strenuous exercise or a hot bath. 

Body temperature is a measure of how well your body can make and get rid of heat. The body is very good at keeping its temperature within a safe range, even when temperatures outside the body change a lot. 

• When you’re too hot, the blood vessels in your skin widen to carry the excess heat to your skin's surface. You may start to sweat. As the sweat evaporates, it helps cool your body. 

• When you are too cold, your blood vessels narrow, which reduces blood flow to your skin to save body heat. You may start to shiver. When the muscles tremble this way, it helps to make more heat. 

A fever is the body's normal and healthy reaction to infection and other illnesses, both minor and serious. It helps the body fight infection. A fever is a symptom, not a disease. 

Comparing temperature types 

Thermometers show body temperature in degrees Fahrenheit (°F). The average normal oral temperature is 98.6°F. Temperature readings vary depending on where you place the thermometer. The armpit and the forehead are usually 0.5 to 1°F lower than an oral temperature reading. An ear temperature is 0.5 to 1°F higher than a forehead temperature. 

Glass thermometers that contain mercury aren't recommended. If you have a glass thermometer, contact your local health department to find out how to dispose of it safely. If you break a glass thermometer, call your local poison control center right away. 

Does your body tend to run hot, or cold?

For some people, naps conjure images of comfy couches, soft blankets and peaceful slumber. For others, they are a natural power boost. A chance to re-energize and keep going whether it is at the office, gym or running errands.   

Studies have shown naps can do more than fend off crankiness. When a nap is taken correctly, it can provide multiple mental and physical benefits.  

Perks of a nap 

• Better memory 

• Increase in creativity 

• Reduce stress 

• Improve your mood 

• Solve problems easier 

• Perform better 

Power nap options 

Naps are generally broken into two categories, short, approximately 20 to 30 minutes and long naps. Some people wake from a short nap feeling refreshed and alert. Others wake in a state of grogginess. If you are part of the second group, try consuming a small amount of caffeine before lying down. It typically takes 20 to 30 minutes for caffeine to impact your system, so as you wake, you will benefit from both the nap and caffeine according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  

Napping tips 

According to Behavioral Brain Research, late afternoon, around the 3 p.m. drowsy hour tends to be best for most people to nap. Find a dark, quiet, comfortable place to catch up on your sleep. Eye masks and earplugs can transform less than ideal locations into a napping haven. Most importantly, although more companies realize the benefits and provide opportunities for naps, don’t try it if your boss has not caught onto the napping trend.  

Studies have shown naps can do more than fend off crankiness. When a nap is taken correctly, it can provide multiple mental and physical benefits.

Wake up! That’s the fourth time you’ve hit my snooze button! Speaking as your alarm clock, you are really slow in the morning. Maybe it’s your immune system. Have you thought about trying to bolster it? Since you’re obviously not getting up for a while, let’s test your knowledge. 

Wake up! That’s the fourth time you’ve hit my snooze button! Speaking as your alarm clock, you are really slow in the morning. Maybe it’s your immune system.

Sitting Too Long is Harmful for Your Health

Too much sitting is harmful — even if you exercise regularly. “Research shows that being sedentary outside of physical activity (for example, running or going to the gym) raises your risk of developing many serious health conditions, including coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and breast and colon cancers,” said Stephen Ulrich, M.D., Perry County Family Practice, New Lexington, OH. It also shortens your life expectancy.

It’s easy to understand how we’ve become so sedentary. We can hit the drive-thru at the bank or coffee shop or take the elevator rather than walk up the steps. Many of us spend hours in front of a computer during the workday and a TV screen in the evening. In fact, the average person spends at least nine hours per day sitting. That’s more than half of your waking hours.

We should ALL increase our standing and walking time during the day. In fact, if you are overweight, you should try to increase the amount of time you spend in non-exercise physical activity by two and a half hours a day. While that may sound a bit overwhelming, when you break it down into short intervals throughout the day, it’s not. Taking frequent standing and moving breaks can quickly add up.

You burn 30% percent more calories when you stand versus when you sit. And the accumulation of muscle contractions required to move throughout the day uses more energy than a continuous period of dedicated physical exercise.

Here are a few tips to help you get moving:

· Get up every 30 minutes when you are on your computer. Take a break for several minutes to stand, stretch and move about.

· Do chores standing up, such as folding laundry, when you’re watching TV.

· Stand when you’re talking on the phone.

· If you work in an office, encourage your colleagues to stand during meetings.

· Take a short walk during your lunch break.

· Use a fitness tracker to track your steps throughout the day and set increasing goals for yourself.

Too much sitting is harmful — even if you exercise regularly. But the average person spends at least nine hours per day sitting.

Do you want to live a long healthy life? Of course. So, you probably get plenty of exercise, try to eat right and avoid things that negatively impact your body. However, are you doing everything you can to keep your brain healthy for the long run? 

Take our quiz to find out. 

Do you want to live a long healthy life? Of course. So, you probably get plenty of exercise, try to eat right and avoid things that negatively impact your body. However, are you doing everything you can to keep your brain healthy for the long run? 

Having a heart attack is scary and can be deadly. If you do not act quickly, you can die. But there are things you can do to reduce your chances of having a heart attack. 

However, sometimes bad genetics or not following the guidelines can cause a heart attack. Knowing what to do, can mean the difference between life and death. No exaggeration.  

Pay attention. This is a test you want to ace.  

(Quiz) Having a heart attack is scary and can be deadly. If you do not act quickly, you can die. But there are things you can do to reduce your chances of having a heart attack.

What is diverticulitis?    

Half of Americans over 50 years old have pea-sized bubbles that push through weak spots along their large intestine’s wall. In fact, people can have hundreds of them. The bubbles form little pouches, and though the pouches themselves aren’t a problem (it’s called diverticulosis), if the pouches become inflamed or infected with bits of stool, trouble can fester (that’s called diverticulitis). These bulges can form anywhere along the 5-foot-long large intestine, yet they most commonly take shape within the colon’s lower left quadrant. 

The condition’s impact can range from uncomfortable to intolerable.  

“Diverticulitis has a wide spectrum in terms of severity. Most episodes are managed by a primary care physician who can prescribe antibiotics in an outpatient setting. On the other end of the spectrum, diverticulitis can lead to severe problems, including a ruptured colon that requires emergency surgery. There’s also everything in between,” said Adam Rothermel, M.D., Board-certified General Surgeon and Director of the Genesis Center of Surgical Excellence.   

Common symptoms associated with diverticulitis include: 

• Abdominal pain on the lower left side – which can come on suddenly or start mildly and increase over days 

• Fever 

• Chills 

• Nausea/vomiting 

• Constipation  

• Bloating 

Why do so many Americans get diverticulosis?    

Research shows that people most at risk for diverticulosis and diverticular disease, like diverticulitis  

• Are males 

• Are over 50 years old 

• Are obese and don’t exercise enough 

• Eat low-fiber diets (meaning, not enough leafy green vegetables, beans and legumes, grains or nuts)  

• Eat a diet high in fat and red meat 

• Take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (like aspirin, ibuprofen, steroids or opioids)   

• Smoke 

Dr. Rothermel said: “In America, because of our low fiber diet, our colon has to work harder to poop. Just like when you roll over the curb in your car and create a bubble on your tire because of the pressure, you can develop bubbles on your colon because of extra pressure. The best thing we can do is eat a lot of fiber (25 grams a day) and drink 6 to 8 glasses of water a day.”  

How is diverticulitis treated?  

People who experience symptoms of diverticulitis should see their primary care physician, as many mild cases can be treated with prescribed antibiotics. People who experience multiple episodes of mild attacks, or those who experience one or two episodes of more severe attacks, may consider talking with their physician about surgery. 

If surgery is elected, a colonoscopy is performed first to confirm diverticulitis and rule out other possible diagnoses.   

“The expectation with minimally invasive surgery for diverticulitis is that things will only get better, and the previous bowel problems should improve,” Dr. Rothermel said. “I love seeing people get back to enjoying their lives. It’s why I do what I do.”

Can problematic diverticulitis be treated with minimally invasive surgery? 

Surgically treating diverticulitis includes removing the involved portion of the colon, usually a 6-to-10-inch segment. Surgeons can use either minimally invasive or traditional techniques for the procedure, depending on the physician’s skillsets and what is best for the patient.  

“When patients are a good candidate for minimally invasive surgery, that is my preferred method,” said Dr. Rothermel, who uses the DaVinci Robotic Platform when performing minimally invasive surgeries at Genesis Hospital. “Patients who undergo minimally invasive surgery for diverticulitis receive a long list of benefits, including significantly less risk of developing a hernia from surgery. Approximately 20 percent of people who have the traditional surgery will develop a hernia – that’s 1 in 5 people. Thankfully, it’s very rare with the minimally invasive technique.”  

Other benefits of minimally invasive surgery for treating diverticulitis include:  

• Shortened length of hospital stay (generally two nights, as opposed to four or five nights)  

• Less pain and therefore less need for narcotic pain medication  

• Smaller incision sites 

• Less chance of infection at incision sites 

• Faster recovery (with a return to full activity in 1 month, compared to 6 to 8 weeks)  

“The expectation with minimally invasive surgery for diverticulitis is that things will only get better, and the previous bowel problems should improve,” Dr. Rothermel said. “I love seeing people get back to enjoying their lives. It’s why I do what I do.” 

What is diverticulitis, and how is it treated?

Eat healthy, exercise, get plenty of rest and write in a journal. What?! Just what you need, one more thing to do. Plus, how is writing your thoughts and feelings going to improve your health? Take our short two-question quiz to find out if writing could help you be the best you. 

True or false: Journaling can improve your mental well-being. 

True. If your first concern when reading this quiz was “How will I find time to do this,” chances are you are already stressed. Although some stress is beneficial, continued high levels of stress can wreck your life with headaches, upset stomachs, trouble sleeping, weakened immune systems and the list goes on and on. 

According to a study by the Cambridge University Press, the good news is that writing about stressful events can reduce stress and help you identify and solve problems. Even better, you don’t have to do it every day. The study recommends 15 to 20 minutes a day, three to five times over four months. 

True or false: Journaling can heal physical wounds faster. 

True. No, that is not a misprint. In 2013, New Zealand researchers found 76% of adults who journaled about their thoughts and feelings for 20 minutes, three days in a row, two weeks before having a biopsy were fully healed within 11 days. Of the group that did not journal, only 42% recovered as quickly.  

Still wondering if journaling can help you in life? We can’t promise that you will write the next blockbuster or become a leader who will be remembered for centuries, but there may be something to it as some of history’s most successful people from various professions kept journals, including Winston Churchill, Marie Curie, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Frida Kahlo, George Lucas, Isaac Newton, Leonardo da Vinci and Mark Twain. 

Eat healthy, exercise, get plenty of rest and write in a journal. What?! Just what you need, one more thing to do.