Author: Sondra Forsyth

Clearing Up 5 Myths About Wearing Braces

For many youngsters, braces are part of growing up. With a smile considered one of the building blocks to developing self-esteem and self-confidence, parents make the investment to straighten their child’s teeth. Nearly 4 million young people between the ages of 6 and 18 wear braces, according to the American Association of Orthodontics. Also, statistics… Continue reading Clearing Up 5 Myths About Wearing Braces

Sound Can Directly Affect Balance and Lead to Risk of Falling

What people hear and do not hear can have a direct effect on their balance, according to new research from the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai (NYEE). The research, published in the March 12 issue of JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, provides a better understanding of the relationship between hearing loss… Continue reading Sound Can Directly Affect Balance and Lead to Risk of Falling

Create Your Own Low Maintenance Relaxation Garden

Create an outdoor space to relax and recharge. Transform a corner of your landscape, deck or balcony into your own escape from everyday deadlines and stress. Use decorative fencing, sheer curtains or plantings to define the space and create a bit of privacy. An outdoor carpet, steppers or groundcover can also help define the space… Continue reading Create Your Own Low Maintenance Relaxation Garden

Senior Scams Are on the Rise: Tips to Protect Yourself and Your Loved Ones

Have you ever received a suspicious phone call or email? If you are a senior citizen, you probably have. Your parents or elderly relatives most likely have as well. Police and prosecutors say scams against seniors are on the rise nationwide. Here are some common scams targeted towards older adults: Lottery phone scams in which… Continue reading Senior Scams Are on the Rise: Tips to Protect Yourself and Your Loved Ones

Early Spring Preparation for a Beautiful Summer Garden

As winter fades into spring, gardeners can’t wait to get busy in the garden.  Pruning, cutting back perennials and ornamental grasses and preparing the garden for spring planting are just a few of the tasks. Keep yourself and the pollinators overwintering in your garden safe as you start the cleanup process. Always prune with a… Continue reading Early Spring Preparation for a Beautiful Summer Garden

Upgrading Your Friendship Network in Midlife

Many empty nesters have failed to build healthy social networks because they haven’t invested the time. Most middle-class parents have been “intensively involved” in their children’s lives in the last 60 years and continue to laser focus on their young adults, says Annette Lareau, author of Unequal Childhoods: Class, Race, and Family Life. That leaves little time… Continue reading Upgrading Your Friendship Network in Midlife

Face Washing Mistakes Can Age You

Skincare is a unique process for everyone. Beauty routines range from the systematically meticulous to borderline nonexistent. But the truth of the matter is that no matter where you lie in the skincare spectrum, you could be making mistakes that cause your skin to age simply by washing your face incorrectly. I counsel patients on… Continue reading Face Washing Mistakes Can Age You

For Frequent Headaches, Rethinking Popping Painkillers

Headaches remain a common source of pain in the U.S., but the frequency and severity differ widely among sufferers, and how to avoid headaches altogether is still a head-scratcher. The first remedy for most people is to take a painkiller. But this may not always be the best or safest option. Whether it’s aspirin, acetaminophen, naproxen,… Continue reading For Frequent Headaches, Rethinking Popping Painkillers

Grow Houseplants with Style and Convenience in Mind

It starts with one plant on a sunny windowsill then morphs into an impenetrable jungle. You may feel you need a machete to reach each individual plant to water and tend. Clear the way to improved growing conditions and convenient care while showcasing every plant with style. Group plants with similar light and watering needs… Continue reading Grow Houseplants with Style and Convenience in Mind

Advice About Coronavirus (COVID-19) and Travel Insurance

There continues to be significant concern about travel as the new coronavirus wreaks havoc with travel plans, including for those who were hoping to book trips later in the year. Should they go ahead and book the trip, or will they be out of luck if travel is compromised? To cover a cancellation due to… Continue reading Advice About Coronavirus (COVID-19) and Travel Insurance

Advice for Those Facing a Late Autism Spectrum Diagnosis

Better late than never! That is the best outlook one can possibly have upon learning of an autism spectrum diagnosis long after the fact. This wisdom comes from experience. At first, I felt blindsided, frustrated, confused and let down that it took as long as it did (40 years), considering that I had already worked with a good number of clinicians… Continue reading Advice for Those Facing a Late Autism Spectrum Diagnosis

Breast Cancer Surgery: What to Wear When You Come Home

While planning for breast reconstruction surgery, many women wonder about what they should wear during the recovery period. In the first weeks home, you may want to avoid tight-fitting, restrictive clothing and anything that requires you to lift your arms over your head. Clothes should be loose and comfortable, and they should slip on easily… Continue reading Breast Cancer Surgery: What to Wear When You Come Home