Category Archives: In the Know

anosmia, Conversations, COVID-19, FYI, health, In the Know, pandemic

Holiday Smells & Smell Dysfunction

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Episode #71 of An Aromatic Life: Frauke Galia, of Falk Aromatherapy’s latest podcast may help you, or someone you know. It is a conversation about what it is like for those who have smell challenges, and how to manage smell dysfunction.
Learn from people who lost their sense of smell due to Covid, and some other smelling conditions as well.
Listen to their suggestions for developing coping mechanisms. And, how to search out support /tools for proactively finding personal solutions and methods that can make a difference in handling the various issues smell dysfunction can cause.

Get connected with an empathetic experience by clicking on the podcast link below.

https://www.falkaromatherapy.com/71

All the best for your well-being and the holiday season!

anosmia, Conversations, COVID-19, FYI, health, In the Know

Revisiting a Conversation about our Sense of Smell

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A recent, on-going topic and cause of concerns being discussed since the onset of COVID-19 is the sense of Smell.

You may recall in August 2021, I covered this topic on my Wellness Connections podcast #11, with Frauke Galia, of Falk Aromatherapy.

In that podcast Frauke explained that there are various types of smell dysfunction. Here are two:
Anosmia, for example, became a keyword to describe when one is infected with COVID-19, and permanently or temporarily loses the sense of Smell. Anosmia = loss.

There’s also Parosmia, which is Smell dysfunction that distorts the smell of things. One example I read about is that sweet smells may instead smell rotten. Parosmia = distorts.

Our sense of Smell is being recognized in a new light. At my Website you can learn more about Smell dysfunction at the link below.

https://www.judithguerra.com/smell-memory-for-senior-citizens

There is so much information available to help us get more acquainted with how to use our sense of Smell and why it is important.

Sources for helpful tips:

https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-regain-sense-of-smell-naturally#methods-to-try

https://www.foodunfolded.com/article/anosmia

All the best in Wellness!

Beauty, black hair, cancer, Conversations, FYI, Hair Care, Healthcare, In the Know

Recent Reports about Hair Straighteners & Uterine Cancer

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Disconcerting information about uterine cancer – a rare type of cancer, has resurfaced in the news recently. A study from the National Institutes of Health revealed that women who use hair straightening products at least 4 times a year are twice as likely to develop uterine cancer.

And, Black Women are at a higher risk. Below are some key points listed in the article. Use the source links in this post to get a detailed description of the study.

Key Points

  • Uterine cancer is the sixth most commonly diagnosed cancer in women around the world.
  • A new study from the National Institutes of Health has found that women who use hair straightening products are twice as likely to develop uterine cancer than those who do not.
  • Researchers believe Black women may be at increased risk due to a higher usage rate of hair straightening products.
    Source: Uterine cancer: Chemical hair straighteners double risk (medicalnewstoday.com)

The information is both important and disturbing. After reading the articles, you may want to consult your care providers for more information and recommendations specific to your personal circumstances. One question, which comes to mind is does the study indicate that other types of cancer may also be attributed to hair straighteners?

Additional Source:
WEBMD HEALTH NEWS,  Article written by Lisa O’Mary
https://www.webmd.com/beauty/news/20221018/hair-straightening-products-linked-uterine-cancer-risk-study

The harmful ingredients in hair straightening products are:

  • Ammonium thioglycolate (found in relaxer/straightener products that do not use lye)
  • Guanidine hydroxide (found in relaxer/straightener products that do not use lye)
  • Mineral oil
  • Polyethylene glycol
  • Sodium hydroxide (found in relaxer/straightener products that use lye)
    Source: medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002706.htm

All the best in Wellness!

cancer, Conversations, Healthcare, In the Know

FYI: New York City MOBILE MAMMOGRAPHY

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Source: https://www.mountsinai.org/care/radiology/services/mobile-mammography

Let’s be aware 🙂 and share.

We at Mount Sinai want to help. We offer a mobile mammography program that brings diagnostic technology to all five boroughs of New York City. Our goal is to help all women 40 and over get annual screening mammograms. We want to catch breast cancer as early as possible, when it can be most easily treated.See more

SERVICES

The best way to have a mammogram when our mobile mammography van is in your area is to make an appointment. You can call EZMAMMO (844-396-2666) for an appointment or to ask questions. We may be able to see a few people without appointments.  

All the best in Wellness!

cancer, Chemotherapy, Conversations, FYI, Healthcare, In the Know

FYI – Breast Cancer Awareness Month

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What is Breast Cancer Awareness Month? Breast Cancer Awareness Month, held in October every year, was created in 1985 to promote screening and prevention of the disease, which affects one in eight women in the United States every year and 2.3 million women worldwide. Known best for its pink theme color, the month features a number of campaigns and programs — conducted by groups ranging from breast cancer advocacy organizations to local community organizations to major retailers — aimed at: supporting people diagnosed with breast cancer, including metastatic breast cancer educating people about breast cancer risk factors stressing the importance of regular screening, starting at age 40 or an age that’s appropriate for your personal breast cancer risk fundraising for breast cancer research.

This information is provided by Breastcancer.org.
Donate to support free resources and programming for people affected by breast cancer.

All the best in Wellness!

https://www.breastcancer.org/podcast

Men’s Breast Cancer Awareness Week Although breast cancer is much more common in women, breast cancer affects men, too. In 2021, U.S. President Joe Biden designated October 17 to October 23 Men’s Breast Cancer Awareness Week. About 2,710 American men this year are expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer, and about 530 are expected to die from the disease. But lack of awareness and stigma can be barriers to detection and care. Some men, trans men, and non-binary people choose to call their cancer chest cancer.

This information is provided by Breastcancer.org.
Donate to support free resources and programming for people affected by breast cancer.

Information Links:
https://community.breastcancer.org/topics/active
Cancer Support Groups:
https://www.cdc.gov/cdc-info/healthy-living.html

Beauty, Conversations, FYI, In the Know, skincare, sunscreen

Sunburn Remedies: Aloe Vera, Hydrosols & Essential Oils

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What are some of the SPF guidelines when using sunscreen? Why should we be interested and concerned? What are the methods we can use to soothe and alleviate the effects of sunburn, if we find ourselves in this unfortunate situation?

Listen to my recent podcast on this topic and then use the links in this post for detailed information about sunscreen, spf, and remedies for sunburn.

This podcast is available on Apple podcast, Google podcast, and other platforms of your choice. 
Just click this link to select:
https://anchor.fm/judith-guerra7.

Aloe Vera, for example, has been used for sunburn remedies. Apple cider vinegar and other remedies with recipes can also be found at the link below.

https://theherbalacademy.com/remedies-for-sunburn-and-summer-heat/

What are the signs you may recognize when you have sunburn? And, what should you do to alleviate the symptoms?
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sunburn/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20355928

Is it enough to be ‘born’ with melanin protection?
True or False: Dark-skinned People Don’t Need Sunscreen | Winchester Hospital

https://www.upi.com/Health_News/2006/07/27/Dark-skinned-people-get-skin-cancer/14611154021205/

Continue reading Sunburn Remedies: Aloe Vera, Hydrosols & Essential Oils →
APPS, Conversations, FYI, In the Know, pandemic

Mental Health Month – Toolkits

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Photo by RODNAE Productions on Pexels.com

I am eager to share this information for May 2022 Mental Health Month. According to its website Mental Health America (MHA) is a community-based, non-profit organization founded in 1909.

The focus of MHA is to help people who have been living with the stress of the pandemic and to provide assistance with “early identification and intervention for those at risk”. And, this year’s theme is “Mental Health Month – Back to Basics.”

FYI – Below is a description from their website:

In 2014, Mental Health America (MHA) launched our online mental health screening: a collection of online, free, confidential, anonymous, and scientifically validated screening tools to help individuals understand and learn more about their mental health.

Source: https://www.mhanational.org/mental-health-month

You can also signup for their Newsletter and take a Mental Health Test at the link below.
https://screening.mhanational.org/about-mha-screening/

Additional tools to help you work through issues on your own are available at the link below:
https://screening.mhanational.org/diy/

All the best for your mental well-being.

Wellness Connections Podcast link:
https://anchor.fm/judith-guerra7/episodes/Episode-41—May-is-Mental-Health-Month-e1ibigq

Aromatherapy, Beauty, Conversations, In the Know

Thanks for the Feedback

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Hello everyone, I want to take a moment to let you know that I appreciate getting your feedback when you click a ‘like’ button, or click a ‘follow’ button to receive emails from the blog posts that I create.

I have been blogging for about 10 years. Currently, I post on 4 blogs. Recently, I started doing a Podcast. I am an essential oil enthusiast. My intention is to provide interesting and useful information for your Well-being journey, and Wellness regimen.

If you would like to learn more about the topics I post, please visit my website, JudithGuerra.com

All the best for your well-being,

Judith

Beauty, cruelty-free, In the Know

FYI – Latest Cruelty-Free List

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Has it ever occurred to you that purchasing cruelty-free products is good for our planet? You can learn more at the link below.

https://biofriendlyplanet.com/eco-awareness/7-ways-cruelty-free-products-help-save-the-planet/

Find out more about the latest cruelty-free brands by clicking the link below. The list is available in this free pdf document from Cruelty-Free Kitty:
https://www.crueltyfreekitty.com/exclusive/2022-March-CF-guide.pdf

Happy Earth Day!