IN Sewickley Winter 2016 | Page 26

SPECIAL SECTION: HEALTHY LIVING yellow deposits beneath the retina to determine if you have AMD. Intermediate and late AMD can be treated with daily intake of vitamins and minerals that can slow the progression of the disease. Therapy and surgery can also be considered for types of advanced neovascular AMD, which typically results in severe vision loss, to stop further progression. Hearing Loss and Prevention It is common for hearing loss to occur as you age. According to the Mayo Clinic, about 25 percent of people in the United States between the ages of 55 and 64 have some degree of hearing loss, increasing to one in two people by age 65 and older. Chronic exposure to loud noises and aging are the two main causes of hearing loss, resulting in muffled speech from others, difficulty understanding words, frequently asking others to repeat themselves, loud volume on the television or radio, and avoidance of social settings. Hearing loss occurs when there is damage to the inner ear, infection in the ear, or ruptured eardrum. Damage to the inner ear can happen with age, or constant exposure to loud noises over an extended period of time. These cause wear on the nerve cells in the cochlea that send sound to the brain. When they are damaged, signals aren’t transmitted as effectively, causing loss of hearing. Heredity, aging, occupational and recreational noises, some medications, and some illnesses may cause either partial or full hearing loss, but there are ways to treat hearing loss. Treatment can include surgical procedures, hearing aids, or cochlear implants. Preventive measures can also be taken to protect against noiseinduced hearing loss and to avoid age-related hearing loss. Be sure to wear protective earmuffs if you work in a loud environment or if you are hunting, going to concerts or doing other loud activities for an extended period of time. It is also important to have your hearing tested on a regular basis. Early detection is key to preventing complete hearing loss. Mouth Health Your mouth can tell a lot about your overall health. Investing in your oral health is also investing in your general health. There are several conditions that are linked to oral health including endocarditis and cardiovascular disease. When bacteria from your mouth, or other parts of your body, spread through your bloodstream they can attach to your heart, causing an infection in the inner lining, also called Continued on page 26 ➢ 24 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE | Sewickley