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Powerful Advice From A Woman Who Came Back To Life After Dying From Cancer

January 21, 2017 by Power of Positivity

We all wonder what will happen to us when we leave this world, and no matter how much we think about it, none of us truly knows the answer. Unless, of course, you’ve died and come back to life.

Many of us can’t even fathom what life after death will entail, but one lady who literally came back to life after dying from Stage 4 cancer says she had a very enlightening and surreal experience on the other side.

We will talk more about her inspiring story below, and how her experience changed her life for the better.

Powerful Advice From A Woman Who Came Back After Dying From Cancer

After being diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and fighting the cancer for four years, Anita Moorjani actually died and came back to life, seemingly healthy and without any cancer. Doctors couldn’t believe it, but they think Moorjani’s body responded quickly to the chemo, which brought her back to life.

However, when Moorjani woke up one morning and realized she couldn’t move her body, her husband rushed her to the hospital. The doctors gave her only 36 hours to live, as the lymphoma had worsened to Stage 4 cancer. Her organs had already begun to fail, and things started to look pretty grim for Moorjani.

After she eventually lost consciousness, Moorjani realized she still could comprehend her environment and maintain awareness. She heard the conversations between doctors and her husband, and could even see her brother preparing to board his flight in India to come visit her in the Hong Kong Hospital.

However, the rest of her story is what made her experience so life-changing:

“… I actually “crossed over” to another dimension. I was engulfed in a total feeling of love. I also experienced extreme clarity of why I had cancer, why I had come into this life in the first place, what role everyone in my family played in my life in the grand scheme of things, and how life works in general.”

“The clarity and understanding I obtained in this state is almost indescribable. Words cannot describe the experience. I was at a place where I understood how much more there is than what we are able to conceive in our three-dimensional world. I realized what a gift life is, and that I was surrounded by loving spiritual beings, who were always around me even when I did not know it.”

Not only had Moorjani technically died and come back to life, but the cancer that killed her had totally disappeared. Doctors couldn’t believe it, and actually made her stay to take a battery of tests before they released her.

“The doctors were very confused, but told me it must have been a rapid response to the chemo. Because they themselves were unable to understand what was going on, they made me undergo test after test, all of which I passed with flying colors. Clearing every test empowered me even more! I had a full body scan, and because they couldn’t believe they didn’t find anything, they made the radiologist repeat it again!”

Others who have died and come back to life or had a near-death experience usually report similar feelings and experiences. The International Association for Near-Death Studies classifies a near-death experience (NDE) as “a distinct subjective experience that people sometimes report after a near-death episode. In a near-death episode, a person is either clinically dead, near death, or in a situation where death is likely or expected.”

Doctors think Moorjani had a near-death experience, but even though others have had similar experiences, Moorjani’s is even more surreal since she actually died and came back to life.

If you’d like to hear more about her experience and story, you can watch the video below, where she explains how dying and coming back to life totally changed how she sees the world and what she considers important in this lifetime.

Have you ever had a near-death experience? What did you learn from it? Share with us in the comments below!

(C)Power of Positivity, LLC. All rights reserved

How to Make Smudging Sticks to Clear Negative Energy Around You

January 11, 2017 by Power of Positivity

Smudging dates back to the times of indigenous tribes in America, and this ritual of using the sacred energy of plants is now available to anyone who wants to try it out in their own lives. Native Americans actually called this practice the “Sacred Smoke Bowl Blessing,” and would place herbs and resins in a special bowl, light them, and call upon the spirits within the plants to cleanse a space, person, or object.

In today’s fast-paced world, we now have more portable options, such as smudge sticks. Smudge sticks are made of bundles of dried herbs bound together by a thread. You still light them and set an intention for the practice, and you can take them with you wherever you go. If you sense bad energy in a new place, you can simply pull out a bundle of sage or whatever herb you prefer, and begin the healing ceremony.

Everything on this planet vibrates with a subtle energy, and we have the power to transform this energy based on the own frequency we emit. If we have the intention of spreading love and compassion, and healing the Earth along our journey, then we can literally change the vibration of the planet over time.

To get a better idea for the power of plants, ancient tribes have used smudging for such purposes as:

– clearing negative energy

– mental, emotional and physical healing

– protection and guidance

– religious ceremonies

– relaxation

– consecration

You might have heard more about smudging in recent times, but it’s hardly a New-Age idea. People have been using this method of healing for thousands of years in order to cleanse energy and keep connected to Mother Earth.

Not to mention, one study even proves the benefits of smudging. According to a landmark study done in 2007, medicinal smoke can completely eliminate adverse bacteria from the air within a confined space. The study cites:

“We have observed that 1 hour treatment of medicinal smoke emanated by burning wood and a mixture of odoriferous and medicinal herbs (havan sámagri=material used in oblation to fire all over India), on aerial bacterial population caused over 94% reduction of bacterial counts by 60 min and the ability of the smoke to purify or disinfect the air and to make the environment cleaner was maintained up to 24 hour in the closed room. Absence of pathogenic bacteria Corynebacterium urealyticum, Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens, Enterobacter aerogenes (Klebsiella mobilis), Kocuria rosea, Pseudomonas syringae pv. persicae, Staphylococcus lentus, and Xanthomonas campestris pv. tardicrescens in the open room even after 30 days is indicative of the bactericidal potential of the medicinal smoke treatment. We have demonstrated that using medicinal smoke it is possible to completely eliminate diverse plant and human pathogenic bacteria of the air within confined space.”

So, not only does smudging help with cleansing negative energy, it also eliminates harmful bacteria from your immediate environment! Of course, no studies exist to prove the expelling of negative energy, but that’s something you have to feel on a personal energetic level. Many people, however, can attest to the feelings of peace and positivity they feel after smudging their living or work space.

Smudging can also help you to feel more connected to the Earth from the simple act of touching and burning the plants. Many people lack a direct connection to the Earth, so smudging can certainly help you to gain energy directly from nature, as we used to do before modern times.

How To Make Smudge Sticks

You can either buy smudging sticks at a local natural shop, or make them yourself. To make them, you’ll simply need to cut the plant material of your choice into sticks about 7-10 inches long. Then, measure a piece of thin cord or thread that’s 4 times the length of the cut branches. Bundle the branches together, and then start wrapping the thread tightly around the base of the bundle. You want the tips of the branches to point down. Slowly make your way toward the tip of the branches while wrapping the cord around the bundle and pressing the branches together firmly. Work your way back toward the base, and then tie the cord together. You can trim the edges if you prefer, but this step isn’t necessary. Set the smudge stick out to dry for 7-10 days.

Plants to Use For Smudging

The following list is a sample of plants commonly used in smudging:

sage — negative energy clearing
sagebrush — to treat wounds + headaches + colds
cedar leaf — cleansing + purification
pine needles — cleansing + purification
balsam fir — cleansing + purification
sweetgrass — healing + purification + brings positive energy
mugwort — lucid dreaming + purification + calming
juniper — cleansing + purification
holy basil (tulsi) — purification + calming
rosemary — protection
lavender — calming
mullein — cleansing sickrooms + heals/improves respiratory function
rose petals — meditation + calming + attracts love
desert chaparral — negative energy clearing + protection + calm
peppermint — healing + protection
yarrow — eliminates toxins from the body
lemon balm — spiritual cleansing + calm

How to Smudge

First, you’ll need to light the tip of the smudge stick. Once it has a nice flame, blow it out so the smudge stick is smoking. To catch the ashes, bring along a bowl or other fire-safe container. Then, you simply set your intentions, and fan the smoke around the room or person you’re cleansing using either a feather or your hand.

Have you ever tried smudging before? Let us know in the comments below!

Sources: http://www.greenmedinfo.com/article/medicinal-smoke-can-completely-eliminate-diverse-plant-and-human-pathogenic-bacteria-air

(C)Power of Positivity, LLC. All rights reserved

19 Surprising Things That Damage Your Eyesight According to Ophthalmologists

January 11, 2017 by Sarah Barkley

Your eyes are a complex part of the human body, so you must take care of them. There are many things that damage your eyesight, and knowing about them is the first step to taking care of your eye health. Surprisingly, many of these eye-damaging habits can harm your vision.

Research shows that 80% of your memories and the things you learn occurs through your eyes. Plus, most vision-related problems could be cured or prevented with proper care of the eyes. With this being the case, protecting your eyes can make all the difference in your life.

You can’t always control changes in your eyesight, but you can avoid damaging it further. Once you know the things that damage your eyesight, you can make the necessary changes to improve your health.

19 Surprising Things That Damage Your Eyesight

Protect the health of your eyes by knowing what can affect eyesight negatively.

1. Rubbing Your Eyes

Rubbing your eyes, particularly when itchy, can damage your eyesight by exposing your eyes to germs. Plus, rubbing causes unnecessary pressure and can cause damage to the surface of your eyes. Research shows that excessive eye rubbing can cause corneal damage and break the vessels around your eye.

Check to make sure there is nothing in your eye, and flush them gently with water. Rubbing your eye when something is in it can cause the debris to get further into your eye. If you need some relief, use a cold compress instead of rubbing your eyes.

2. Excessive Screen Time

Most people look at a screen multiple times each day. It’s a normal part of life, but spending too much time can cause eyestrain. When you’re looking at a screen, you are less likely to blink, causing you to have dry, red, and itchy eyes.

Vision problems related to screen time have become so common that experts have started calling it Computer Vision Syndrome. If you have to look at a screen for an extended time, take frequent breaks to rest your eyes.

3. Smoking

Smoking causes many health problems, and damaging your eyesight is one of them. The chemicals found in cigarette smoke can damage tissue and cause macular degeneration, leading to vision loss. It can also cause cataracts and glaucoma.

While it isn’t always easy to stop smoking, doing so is essential to your health. Start by decreasing the amount you smoke each day until you can quit.

4. Unhealthy Diet

Your eyes need specific nutrients and vitamins to stay healthy, including vitamin C, zinc, vitamin E, and omega-3 fatty acids. Nutrient deficiencies can cause blindness as it damages the optic nerve.

Some of the foods that contain nutrients for eye health include:

leafy greens
seafood
nuts
fruits
vegetables
beans

5. Not Wearing Eye Protection

Not wearing eye protection is a sure way to damage your eyesight. When swimming, wear protective goggles to keep chemicals, dirt, and anything else out of your eyes. You should even wear eye protection when doing yard work like mowing the lawn.

Anytime debris can potentially get into your eye, take precautions and use eye protection. Some other instances that require eye protection include:

working on home improvement projects
using chemicals
working on a vehicle
using cooking oil
playing sports
while at work

6. Lack Of Sleep

Not getting enough sleep can make your eyes red, puffy, and itchy. A lack of sleep will cause eye twitching, dry eyes, blurry vision, and pain. These symptoms will cause temporary damage to your eyesight, but the damage can become permanent.

If your lack of sleep goes on for too long, your eyesight can become permanently damaged. It can even lead to popped blood vessels and light sensitivity.

7. Excessive UV Exposure

UV rays damage your eyes just as much as they damage your skin. Make sure to wear sunglasses when you go outside, even if it is cloudy, and never look directly at the sun. Please pay attention to the sunglasses you get, though, because not all of them offer protection from UV rays.

8. Missing Regular Eye Doctor Checkups

Skipping eye doctor appointments is one of the biggest things that damage your eyesight. Preventative care can prevent and treat many vision problems. Make sure you get your eyes checked once each year and visit the ophthalmologist anytime you think something is off.

9. Wearing Contact Lenses Too Often

Keeping contacts in for too long can cause loss of vision and scarring. Experts say that leaving them in for too long also restricts oxygen exposure that can damage your eyesight. Damage also occurs when you wear contact lenses too often, as you don’t give your eyes a chance to breathe.

10. Sleeping With Your Makeup On

When you don’t remove your makeup at night, it increases your risk of eye damage. It allows bacteria and parasites to grow along your eyelids and eyelashes. Then, the organisms secrete toxins that get into your eye and cause irritation, redness, and itching.

If this process happens too often, it can cause permanent damage to your eye. It can damage the area that secretes tears, causing chronic dry eye and other problems.

11. Overusing Eye Drops

Eye drops can offer temporary relief occasionally, but overusing them can damage your eyesight. These drops constrict your blood vessels, and overuse can lead to even more redness. The American Academy of Ophthalmology explains that eye drops don’t improve your eye health and can cause irritation when used too often.

12. Wearing Contact Lenses In Water

Swimming with contact lenses in your eyes can cause an infection because it allows bacteria to get in. You can develop a rare infection from an acanthamoeba, which is a microorganism that lives in freshwater. This infection can cause permanent damage to your vision.

If you can’t see when you’re swimming, try using prescription swimming goggles instead of wearing your contacts. Take your contact lenses out before you take a shower, too.

13. Sleeping With Your Contact Lenses

You might be tempted to fall asleep with your contacts in when you’re exhausted, but it can damage your eyesight. Sleeping with your contact lenses in your eyes can cause infection, chronic dry eye, and microscopic damage to your cornea. Ophthalmologist Benjamin Bert at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center explains that sleeping with contacts in your eyes can also cause ulcers.

When you sleep with contact lenses in your eyes, bacteria can cling to the lens. Plus, it limits the amount of oxygen that can get to your cornea. A lack of oxygen causes the growth of abnormal capillaries as an attempt to replenish oxygen levels.

14. Undiagnosed Medical Conditions

Many medical conditions can cause vision loss and other eye problems. When the health concerns are undiagnosed and untreated, it can lead to complicated issues for your eyes.

Diabetes can cause diabetic eye disease, which is one of the leading causes of blindness. Additionally, high blood sugar can cause blood vessels to leak into your eye. A study published in The Journal of Ophthalmology explains that sleep apnea can also cause damage, as it increases the risk of developing glaucoma.

These medical conditions aren’t the only ones that damage your eyesight, either. Visit your doctor regularly to keep up with your health and get the proper treatment.

15. Not Following The 20-20-20 Rule

The 20-20-20 rule is a method to relieve eye strain for people that sit in front of a computer all day. The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends that for every 20 minutes of screen time, you should shift your eyes to an object 20 feet away from you. Then, keep your focus on that object for at least 20 seconds.

This rule helps with readjusting your eyes and giving them a moment to relax. As you look at the object, remember to blink. Blinking cleanses and lubricates the surface of your eye, promoting eye health and protection.

16. Using Expired Makeup

Use fresh makeup to preserve healthy eyes.

Wearing expired makeup can spread bacteria and increase your risk of developing an eye infection. Expired makeup can also cause eye irritation and redness. Consider replacing your mascara and other makeup items every three months.

17. Stress

Research shows that chronic stress increases cortisol, a stress hormone that negatively affects the nervous system. When your nervous system isn’t functioning correctly, it can affect your eyes and brain, causing vision problems.

Find healthy coping techniques to help you overcome stress in your life. Consider things like exercise, spending time with your friends or loved ones, or practicing meditation.

18. Excessive Drinking

Drinking too much alcohol can cause vision problems related to dry eye. Many reasons factor into this, but watch for the signs and consider if you’re drinking too much. Symptoms of dry eye include:

stinging or burning sensations
light sensitivity
redness
eye fatigue
discomfort when wearing contact lenses

19. Dehydration

If you aren’t drinking enough water, your eyes are often one of the first things to suffer. When the eye surface is dehydrated, it can cause damage to your vision. If the dehydration lasts too long, it can cause cracks and scar tissue development.

Final Thoughts on Surprising Things That Damage Your Eyesight According to an Ophthalmologist

There are a surprising number of things that damage your eyesight. Knowing and understanding potential risks can help you maintain or improve the health of your eyes.

Every time you do one of the things that damage your eyesight, you are causing further problems. If your lifestyle habits are damaging your eye health, protect your eyes before the condition worsens.

Psychologists Reveal The Singlemost Important Trait Needed to Be Highly Attractive

January 11, 2017 by Power of Positivity

“Humans interacting with other humans must be able to understand their interaction partner’s affect and motivations, often without words. We examined whether people are attracted to others whose affective behavior they can easily understand.” – Anders, S., et. al: “A neural link between affective understanding and interpersonal attraction.”

Ask someone what they find attractive in another person, and you’re likely to get a wide array of answers; from the physical – eyes, shoulders, legs, butt, hair, etc., to the internal – ambition, sweetness, sense of humor, intelligence, spontaneity…and so on.

Attraction, as with most anything psychological, is a very mysterious thing. Attraction involves a mix of physical, mental and emotional components that is inordinately difficult to articulate.

Here’s what researchers had to say about attraction, and what you need to be attractive to others. Some of the finer details of the study are absolutely fascinating.

Let’s get to it then!

The Study

“…the neural mechanisms that control human interpersonal interaction and the selection of cooperation partners are not well-understood.”

This short snippet concisely explains the research study’s rationale. Noting the importance of social interaction and collaboration – in both relationships and other interactions – scientists and professors from the University of Lubeck wanted to understand the brain mechanisms involved in interpersonal communication.

Here’s a short overview and explanation of the study:

– The research team recruited 92 volunteers (49 women, 43 men)

– Two experiments were conducted. Experiment One comprised a behavioral study; Experiment Two used a combined behavior-fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging) to measure brain activity

– Both groups of participants watched short video clips of six different female “targets,” who had “experienced and facially expressed two emotions, fear or sadness.”

– After the video clips had ended, researchers asked each participant to evaluate each of the six female targets affective state (sadness or fear); along with how confident the participants were in their evaluation.

– In Experiment One, researchers measured interpersonal attraction using both a motivational-behavioral framework and the participant’s self-reported attraction to each target.

– In Experiment Two, researchers measured the participants’ brain activity during each clip. fMRI imaging was used to observe neural activity in areas associated with the brain’s “reward system.”

– An “emotional experience task” was administered after Experiment Two, allowing researchers to compare the self-reported experience task results with observed neural activity

Emotional Understanding = Attraction

Fascinatingly, the research team discovered that participant confidence in perceiving, or successfully reading, the woman’s emotional state directly correlated with increased activity within the brain’s reward system. More specifically, fMRI scans displayed increased activity within the ventral striatum – the region associated with interpersonal attraction.

Silke Anders, author of the study and professor of Social and Affective Neuroscience, had this to say about the findings:

“What I believe makes our findings really exciting is the fact that understanding and personal attraction seem to depend on both the sender’s brain and the perceiver’s brain, and on how well they match.”

In addition to an emotional connection, Anders states, similar brain circuitry between two individuals attracted to each other may exist as well. Surprisingly, the study doesn’t note any observable difference in brain activity between positive and negative affective states. As Dr. Anders puts it: “If the emotional signals sent by a sender – for example, a facial express of fear or sadness – can efficiently be processed by the perceiver’s brain, then their reward system will fire and they will feel attracted to the sender.”

Conclusion: Three Important Discoveries

The study concludes by elaborating upon three “important findings” relative to neural mechanisms and interpersonal attraction:

1. “Confidence Signals in the Brain’s Reward System.”

Authors cite the observation of confidence-related factors – and its activation of the brain’s reward system – as the first significant discovery. Researchers interpret this observation as a potential link between one’s ability to decipher another’s emotional state and level of attraction.

2. “Common Coding’” and Success of Affective Communication”

The second important finding pertains to neural activity observed in the anterior insula cortex (AIC) – the region of the brain associated with emotional awareness. Researchers found that neural activity within the AIC and ventral striatum (the “reward system”) were very similar. In other words, activity within the brain’s reward and emotional awareness regions appear to mimic one another when there’s a possible attraction between two people.

3. “Success of Communication and Interpersonal Attraction.”

Lastly, the research team posits that emotional understanding when evaluating potential mates may be equal in importance to “genetic fitness and fertility.” In a way, this challenges prolific evolutionary research that cites perceptive reproductive abilities, such as genetics and fertility, as (by far) the most important factor.

Resources
Anders, S., Jong, R. D., Beck, C., Haynes, J., & Ethofer, T. (2016). A neural link between affective understanding and interpersonal attraction. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 113(16). doi:10.1073/pnas.1516191113
Sifferlin, A. (2016, April 4). This Factor Is Key to Your Attractiveness. Retrieved December 30, 2016, from http://time.com/4280521/what-causes-attraction/

(C)Power of Positivity, LLC. All rights reserved

4 Signs Someone Has Postpartum Depression

January 9, 2017 by Power of Positivity

The birth of a baby can trigger a jumble of powerful emotions, from excitement and joy to fear and anxiety. But it can also result in something you might not expect – depression. – The Mayo Clinic

With postpartum depression, feelings of sadness and anxiety can be extreme and might interfere with a woman’s ability to take care for herself or her family. – The National Institutes of Mental Health

The birth of a child is an event in a woman’s life that often brings a sense of overwhelming joy. An elated feeling of creating something beautiful and precious. This joy, despite any difficulties that may arise prior to or after birth, is likely to remain throughout the woman’s life.

But as is well known by now, complications prior to and after birth are possible. These complications can be tremendously difficult, perplexing, frustrating, and even dangerous. Difficulties throughout pregnancy and after birth can tax the woman’s physical and/or mental health, sometimes to a very unhealthy level.

A few new moms experience what is known as postpartum depression (PPD), which is the topic of this article. More specifically, we focus on the signs that someone may be suffering from the condition.

Here, we discuss four of the main signs of PPD as recognized by medical professionals. We’ll also provide some professional recommendations pertaining to treatment of PPD.

Difference between PPD and “Baby Blues”

It is vital to make a distinction between two similar yet very different conditions.

“Baby blues” is a common term used to describe the feelings of “worry, unhappiness and fatigue” that many women experience after giving birth. The National Institutes of Mental Health (NIMH) estimates that up to 80 percent of women experience “baby blues.” The abovementioned feelings are mild in comparison, and generally dissipate after a week or two.

PPD also evoke these feelings, but the degree to which they are experienced is magnified. Also, other symptoms will often surface.

Also important to understand that PPD is a recognized medical and mental health condition, and one that is less common than “baby blues,” but more common than one may think.

To understand the prevalence of PPD, consider that the condition exceeds annual (male and female) new cases of: Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy, leukemia, multiple sclerosis, lupus, leukemia, Parkinson’s disease, and tuberculosis.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 11 to 20 percent of women who give birth each year experience PPD symptoms. Using a base average of 15 percent, this number equate to about 600,000 cases of PPD in the U.S. alone.

Here are 4 signs of postpartum depression:

1. Inability or unwillingness to make decisions

Anxiety is a near-universal symptom of those with PPD – and it is often extreme. For first-time mothers, this anxiety can even seem debilitating; making it much more difficult to make any decision.

But decision-making for those with PPD often involves fear, too. A woman with PPD is already have a tough time making choices, but when it comes to having to decide on something relating to baby care (e.g. feeding, nourishing), a sense of fear can take hold too. Mostly a fear of doing something wrong.

2. Fits of crying or emotional outbursts

Anyone that has experienced the onslaught of negative emotions brought on by depression can relate to this one. As with all PPD-related symptoms, the depressive feelings felt by those with the condition are magnified, making the person more susceptible to its effects.

Severe depression drastically changes the chemical makeup of the brain, including serotonin – the neurotransmitter responsible for mood stabilization. For mothers with PPD, this chemical alteration of the brain – combined with the inevitable stress that motherhood brings – can result in an overwhelming flood of emotions. This emotional buildup can manifest into fits of crying, anger, verbal outbursts, and other “erratic” behavior.

3. Exhausted, yet unable to sleep

To begin with, new mothers often do not get an adequate amount of sleep. Feeding and taking care of the child throughout the night is a common routine, after all. In most circumstances, when the child is asleep, the new mother will compensate for any sleep deficiencies by falling asleep herself.

However, due to a myriad of reasons (including those on this list), PPD patients often report the inability to fall asleep – a condition known as insomnia.

When the woman finally can fall asleep, the quality of sleep is often poor. Of course, the (already overtaxed) brain does not recharge thus; this unhealthy cycle further complicates an already difficult situation.

4. Thoughts of hurting self or baby

Although this sign is likely just a byproduct of abnormal brain activity, further exacerbated by extreme stress and anxiety, it is considered serious by medical professionals. Unfortunately, many PPD patients are too ashamed or embarrassed to seek out guidance for these thoughts.

But psychiatrists and clinicians are adamant in that there is no shame to seeking help. In fact, many women that have sought help received prompt reassurance, not to mention a treatment plan that can help them through this difficult time.

Treatment of PPD

Fortunately, several treatment options exist for someone suffering from PPD. The most common treatments of PPD involve talk therapy, counseling, medication, or a combination of the three.

Per the Mayo Clinic, postpartum depression generally resides within six months with appropriate treatment. As with any other mental health condition, it is essential to continue treatment for the prescribed amount of time, even after feeling better.

References:
Learn About PPD & More | Postpartum Progress. (n.d.). Retrieved December 16, 2016, from http://postpartumprogress.org/learn-about-ppd-more/
Postpartum depression. (2015). Retrieved December 16, 2016, from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/postpartum-depression/basics/treatment/con-20029130
The Facts on Postpartum Depression | Postpartum Progress. (2013). Retrieved December 16, 2016, from http://postpartumprogress.org/the-facts-about-postpartum-depression/
The National Institute of Mental Health. (2016). Postpartum Depression Facts [Brochure]. Retrieved December 16, 2016 from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/postpartum-depression-facts/postpartum-depression-brochure_146657.pdf

What Does Your Earwax Reveal About Your Health?

January 9, 2017 by Power of Positivity

Ear wax is a completely natural wax-like substance secreted by special glands in the skin on the outer part of the ear canal. Earwax assists in repelling water and trapping small dirt and dust particles from entering your inner ear canal.

When you think about it, it’s weird how much the “gross stuff” our bodies produce can tell us about our health. A saliva sample can detect anemia; feces can pinpoint various types of cancer; urine can detect problems of the bladder, kidney and prostate…and so on. Turns out that our earwax can also tell us quite a bit.

First, we’ll talk a bit about the stuff and why it’s there. Then we’ll discuss what earwax tells us our health.

What is earwax?

As its name implies, earwax is a yellow waxy secretion of the ear. It is produced by the cerumen (suh-roo-mun) glands underneath the skin of the external ear canal (the part located between the fleshy and middle parts of the ear).

When most of us think of earwax, we just think of it as some nasty byproduct that needs a cotton swab once in a while. Actually, earwax is quite important. In fact, it serves these roles:

Moisturizes and protects the skin.
Prevents dry, itchy ears, especially within the ear canal.
Contains chemicals that ward off potential ear infections.
Helps prevent damage to the ear drum by suppressing outside noise.
Traps dirt, dust, and other foreign agents that enter the ear canal.

What Does Your Earwax Reveal About Your Health?

The color and consistency of earwax (as with the other “gross stuff”) is important. As with pee, poop, and spit, earwax should appear and feel a “certain” way. With that in mind, if your earwax looks like this…it may mean this…

1. It’s dry or sticky

This one is kind of cool, and it’s less about health than it is about genetics (though the two aren’t always mutually exclusive.) In an article published in the journal Nature Genetics, researchers discovered that the consistency of our earwax can clue us in on our ancestry. More specifically, the climate (thereby, location) in which our ancestors lived.

The authors explain: “Human earwax consists of wet and dry types. Dry earwax is frequent in East Asians, whereas wet earwax is common in other populations.” It all depends on the ABCC11 gene, which has a dry consistency. This gene increases according to geographic location, observed as a “north-south and east-west” downward trend.

2. It’s absent

If you notice an almost complete lack of earwax, which is usually noticeable when trying to clean your inner ear, there’s probably not much to worry about. However, it feelings of pain or stuffiness are present, it could indicate a rare condition known as “keratitis obturans.” This condition causes a hard buildup of wax deep within the ear canal.

As a precaution, it may be worth taking a trip to a family physician (FP) or an ear specialist – an otolaryngologist.

3. It’s leaking

When debris accumulates within the ear canal, it usually discharges through natural mechanisms or cleaning of the ear canal. When this debris noticeably leaks from the ear, it may indicate an abnormal skin growth called “cholesteatoma.”

Other symptoms of this condition include feelings of pain or pressure within the ear. These symptoms result from a “cyst-like” growth creating pressure within the canal.

It’s a good idea to see a specialist or FP in this case.

4. It’s scaling or flaky

This is no big deal, really. As with many other glands, the cerumen loses moisture as it ages. As a result, our earwax will also scale or flake.

Chalk it up to getting older.

5. It’s quite pungent

Earwax that gives off a strong and nasty odor may indicate either damage or infection in the middle part of the ear. The medical terminology for symptoms resulting from a damaged or infected middle ear is “otitis media.”

Aside from some nasty smelling earwax, you may notice some other symptoms of (acute or chronic) otitis media, including: fever, earache, fatigue and/or hearing loss.

The good news: most symptoms of acute otitis media will reside within a couple of days. However, it is advisable to seek medical attention if there is no noticeable sign of improvement.

6. It’s green and watery

There are one of two reasons why your earwax appears green and watery. First, if you’ve been sweating for any reason (e.g. exercise), it’s natural for the perspiration to make its way into the ear canal and mix with the wax, resulting in a watery, green discharge.

Or, you have an ear infection. Aside from a greenish tint, an ear infection may produce a lovely dark yellow liquid mixture. Here’s another time when it’s probably a good idea to see the doc.

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Powerful Advice From A Woman Who Came Back After Dying From Cancer

Have you ever had a near-death experience? What did you learn from it? Share with us in the comments below!

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How To Make Smudge Sticks

Plants to Use For Smudging

How to Smudge

Have you ever tried smudging before? Let us know in the comments below!

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19 Surprising Things That Damage Your Eyesight

1. Rubbing Your Eyes

2. Excessive Screen Time

3. Smoking

4. Unhealthy Diet

5. Not Wearing Eye Protection

6. Lack Of Sleep

7. Excessive UV Exposure

8. Missing Regular Eye Doctor Checkups

9. Wearing Contact Lenses Too Often

10. Sleeping With Your Makeup On

11. Overusing Eye Drops

12. Wearing Contact Lenses In Water

13. Sleeping With Your Contact Lenses

14. Undiagnosed Medical Conditions

15. Not Following The 20-20-20 Rule

16. Using Expired Makeup

17. Stress

18. Excessive Drinking

19. Dehydration

Final Thoughts on Surprising Things That Damage Your Eyesight According to an Ophthalmologist

The Study

1. “Confidence Signals in the Brain’s Reward System.”

2. “Common Coding’” and Success of Affective Communication”

3. “Success of Communication and Interpersonal Attraction.”

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Here are 4 signs of postpartum depression:

1. Inability or unwillingness to make decisions

2. Fits of crying or emotional outbursts

3. Exhausted, yet unable to sleep

4. Thoughts of hurting self or baby

Treatment of PPD

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What Does Your Earwax Reveal About Your Health?

1. It’s dry or sticky

2. It’s absent

3. It’s leaking

4. It’s scaling or flaky

5. It’s quite pungent

6. It’s green and watery

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Rise and Shine On! Master Your Day with the Ultimate Positive Morning Guide + Checklist

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Master Your Day with the Ultimate Positive Morning Guide + Checklist