The signs of the season are an ever-present reminder that the holidays are just around the corner, and when it comes to having peace of mind and looking your best, Chattanooga is home to many professionals that offer high-end services to help get you ready.
Caring for loved ones
For families with aging or ill loved ones, peace of mind during the holidays is crucial both for you and them. To that end, 5 Star Home Care offers guidance and help.
For example, watching a family member suffer with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is not an easy thing to do. However, seniors living with COPD can greatly benefit from having a caregiver who is knowledgeable about the disease and how to treat it.
"Getting patients with COPD back to a functional quality of life is absolutely doable," said owner Kenny Higdon. "Part of that is staying in the mindset that caregivers can help."
The business provides assistance to Tennesseans living with disabilities or recovering from injuries, illnesses or age-related needs. This includes seniors who struggle to breathe because of COPD - a condition of emphysema and chronic bronchitis usually caused by smoking or other long-term exposure to lung irritants - such as air pollution, chemical fumes or dust. The progressive disease is the third-leading cause of death in the United States, according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.
Families who are concerned about the health and safety of their loved ones may reach out to 5 Star Home Care at 423-893-8181.
Focus on total wellness
Isha Institute of Inner Sciences is another local resource with services focused on gaining peace of mind and healthy bodies.
Through his new book, "Inner Engineering: A Yogi's Guide to Joy," Isha founder Sadhguru helps one to master the most sophisticated machine on the planet - the human being. For the first time, Sadhguru presents Western readers with a path to achieving absolute well-being through the classical science of yoga in a practical, accessible book. The wisdom distilled in this transformative book offers readers time-tested tools for creating inner situations exactly the way they want them, turning them into the architects of their own joy.
Sadhguru also presents a philosophical and practical introduction to the power and profundity of yoga, as he puts it, "not as acrobatics or metaphysics, but as an empirical science that makes you the master of your own destiny."
Be sure your memories are crystal clear
Making sure your vision is top notch is also crucial at any time of the year, but especially during the holidays when visiting with family and friends you don't get to see often. Patients with cataracts can find it a frightening or worrisome matter to deal with, but thanks to the doctors at Complete Eye Care, patients are able to find solutions and peace of mind. And with growing advances in laser-assisted surgery, they can find even more certainty than before.
Dr. J.D. Bonner, a board-certified ophthalmologist, opened Complete Eye Care and has been at the Soddy-Daisy location since May of 2005. He handles cataract surgeries and patients at the local practice, and said he's glad to do what he does.
"Decreased vision from cataracts is reversible with cataract surgery," Bonner noted. "Oftentimes, cataract surgery will decrease your dependency on glasses and may alleviate the need for glasses altogether."
Bonner went to explain that with the use of the laser which precisely corrects astigmatism, patients have a better chance of getting 20/20 vision after their cataract surgery.
Complete Eye Care is located at 9453 Dayton Pike in Soddy-Daisy. For more information about its services or to schedule an appointment, call 423-332-8222 or visit completeeyecare.org.
Prepare for holiday photos
Smiling for all the holiday photos is nothing we can escape, but thanks to the team at Soddy Daisy Smiles, everyone can make sure their smile is camera ready.
"If you fear going to the dentist, you are not alone," said Dr. Mandy Shearer, dentist at Soddy Daisy Smiles. "Between 9 and 15 percent of Americans state they avoid going to the dentist because of anxiety or fear."
The key to coping with dental anxiety is to discuss fears with your dentist. Once your dentist knows what your fears are, he or she will be better able to work with you to determine the best ways to make you less anxious and more comfortable.
She and her husband Dr. Robert Shearer, also a dentist at Soddy Daisy Smiles, also stress the importance of cleaning, because once plaque sits on your teeth for more than 24 hours, it hardens into tartar. Plaque and tartar contain huge quantities of bacteria, which release toxins causing deterioration of the bone and soft tissues holding the teeth, resulting in eventual tooth loss. Tartar must be scraped off professionally with scalers and cannot be removed with a toothbrush or floss.
For more information about Soddy Daisy Smiles and its services, visit soddydaisysmiles.com or call the office at 423-332-5275 to schedule an appointment.
Don't miss a note
Identifying the appropriate hearing health care provider and hearing aid to be sure you or your loved ones don't miss out on hearing and singing some beloved holiday songs can be a daunting task. Current advertisements, online articles and newspaper promotions often serve to further confound the pressing issues. Patients seeking the best value for their hearing health care frequently question the range in pricing and available stores for hearing aids.
Local audiologists at Johnson Audiology offer tips and guidance to help educate patients to be sure they find the best device or devices for them.
"Our audiologists are not beholden to any specific manufacturer, which allows patients a greater variety of available options depending on their type and degree of hearing loss, lifestyle demands, and budget," said Dr. Megan Johnson with Johnson Audiology.
It is important to understand that manufacturers rarely issue their latest technology to the re-branded proprietary label when it is available. Additionally, they seldom distribute the exact model to the private label franchises. Therefore, the proprietary hearing aids often come with less advanced or fewer technological features.
For more information about Johnson Audiology or to schedule a consultation, call 423-710-1432 or visit johnsonaudiology.com.
Relieve pre-holiday stress
In today's incredibly fast-paced and high-stress society, finding rest and relaxation is more important than ever, and the team at Woodhouse Spa in Chattanooga is set to provide just that for clients on a daily basis.
As the quintessential leader in day spa elegance, the spa features state of the art experiences that cater to the needs of each guest, making every visit an unforgettable experience.
"Treatments like ours, and massage in general, are growing every year due to stress and people realizing they need this type of care," said owner Calina Burns. "Spas are becoming a necessary part of overall wellness more and more."
Step foot through the large signature wood doors at Woodhouse, and you're immediately lost in the tranquility of aromatic scents and soft music filling the air, making it impossible to do anything but relax. Spa Concierges escort each guest to change into a luxurious robe and Sensi sandals. While waiting for each customized experience, guests may gather their thoughts and enjoy cups of tea or glasses of wine.
Guests can choose from more than 70 spa treatments and experiences, according to their needs Burns shared. The professionally trained and dedicated staff is eager to take guests to their next levels of overall wellness, exceed expectations and, most importantly, give them a break from the stress of life.
The Woodhouse Day Spa is located at 1110 Market St. and can be reached at 423-443-4478. Its hours of operation are Sunday from 1-6 p.m. and Monday-Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. For a menu of services or more information, visit chattanooga.woodhousespas.com.
Banish unsightly veins
Finally, if you're struggling with bulging, unsightly veins and don't want to fight the battle any longer during the holidays, it might be time to visit University Surgical, as these veins may signal something more serious, such as venous or vein disease. Recent advancements and improved technology have led to new options for people who are bothered by vein problems or vein or venous disease.
The Vein Center at University Surgical Associates offers treatments that are safe, effective and minimally invasive. To ensure patient comfort, it also offers conscious sedation.
"Venous insufficiency or venous reflux occurs when your legs can't pump enough blood back to your heart," said Dr. Charles Joels, vascular surgeon with The Vein Center at USA. "The veins in your legs have one-way valves, assisting the blood to circulate up the leg against gravity and prevent the blood from flowing back down. When these valves aren't working properly, blood can 'pool' in the legs or collect in the veins. Varicose veins are swollen veins visible on the skin's surface that develop as a result venous insufficiency."
To schedule an appointment at the Vein Center at University Surgical Associates, call 423-267-0466.