“Leave the mine!, the canary is dying..”
~ By Cynthia G. Creel
I sat and watched the flame move and change from a bright red in the center to a soft yellow on the edges. It changed in color and moved to a beat only it could hear. I glanced away and spied the TV guide (to know what was going to be on TV) I reached over the candle and before I could do anything else my mom was screaming, “Your hair!!!!”
I couldn’t understand, it meant nothing to me as I stopped only because she had made such a fuss. Luckily my brother grabbed a cup of water just in time to stop my hair from exploding in flames. I had not realized the tips of my hair crossed the flame too closely and had ignited the tips of the hair, which would have quickly spread to the rest of my head if not for my brother reacting quickly and concisely for what was need the most, a cup full of water. That day my mom was the mining canary that set off the warning that I couldn’t figure out, however my brother did. Tragedy was diverted and this tale is short. Ending in a what could have been rather than a what was.
Mining canaries were originally used to test the air in mines, if a canary died while in the mine that indicated that everyone may be at risk because of a dangerous gases such as methane or carbon monoxide leaking into the air trapped by the mine-shaft. If the danger wasn't realized or danger was present just not clear the miner could loose their life, unless the miner had the canary in the mine to clarify the danger with an understanding of what the danger was and the action of leaving quickly enough to live another day.
Mining canneries are more than for the mines and don’t have to even be a canary. The canary for our bodies are signs that are over looked by most. Signs that are thought of as becoming old or becoming fat or more accurately more unhealthy.
One of the newest signs is hearing loss being the canary for declining mental function. Johns Hopkins researchers have found this is a sign, an indication that hearing loss often precedes memory and other cognitive problems. Testing elderly patients undergoing hearing loss, the people at Johns Hopkins discovered a 30% to 40% increased in comparison of like ages who maintained hearing.
Hearing loss doesn't play well for mental functions. In aging, the decline of auditory perception is often a canary in the coal mine of mental decline. Johns Hopkins researchers couldn't have said it better, "Our results show that hearing loss should not be considered an inconsequential part of aging, because it may come with some serious long-term consequences to healthy brain functioning," says researcher Frank Lin, assistant professor at Johns Hopkins' School of Medicine. (1)
With most of the population having the thoughts that this is just a part of getting old or life, having the thought and feeling that it is not if, it is when I loose my hearing. Johns Hopkins gave good advice, "Our findings emphasize just how important it is for physicians to discuss hearing with their patients and to be proactive in addressing any hearing declines over time." (1)
So now what, everyone you know who is older has hearing problems, the difference is now we know lifestyle affects everything, how much depends on what the person does to themselves or for themselves. The more we do to help our bodies operate the better we are at making choices and doing what is right for our bodies and minds. The less wear and tear there is and the more likely to keep things like hearing in place and functioning well. As stated by John Hopkins, “Factors already known to contribute to loss of brain function were accounted for in the researchers' analysis, including age, high blood pressure, diabetes and stroke.” (1) All of these, high blood pressure, diabetes and stroke, can be improved, if not eliminated in many cases under the advice of your medical care provider and listening to the canaries of the body.
So give yourself the best chance to live and live well, step on the path of True Health, Your hearing is waiting for an answer that you care to do something for yourself to help yourself and in the long run help someone else do a little bit better. Step on the path before it is deaf and no longer able to hear your words. Change today for a better tomorrow.
By Design ~ Life is good By Design.”
2-6-2013
all rights reserved ©2013
Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of By Design or Cynthia G. Creel.
Links:
(1) http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2013-01/jhm-hla011713.php
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