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LIVING WITH CANCER TAKES a special kind of strength; every day, you’re faced with a new set of challenges that can include anxiety, body pain, and stress, and it’s not always easy to deal with those mental and physical issues in a healthy way. You may be worried about what the future will bring, about financial concerns, or about taking care of all your responsibilities while making sure your health is still a priority. It can easily become overwhelming, so it’s important to do what you can for your mind, body, and soul every day.

Self-care can mean any number of things. It can range from eating healthy foods to taking a timeout when you’re feeling stressed. It can be something as small as sitting with a good book to something as big as taking a vacation to another state or country. The things that help you feel good, boost your mental health, and allow you to feel strong are the ones you need to focus on. Fortunately, there are things you can do to ensure that your overall health is in good shape.

Eat Well

Living with cancer often means looking for the best ways to help your body fight off illness, which means boosting your immune system as much as possible. One of the easiest ways to do this is to eat the right foods, which will help boost your strength and energy at the same time. Berries, nuts, fruit, and lean protein like turkey and fish will go a long way toward helping you feel good every day. Talk to your doctor about the best foods for your specific needs and look for ways to incorporate them into your daily diet.

Look for Exercise Alternatives

You may not be able to get as active as you want every day. Many individuals who are living with cancer have body pain or mobility issues. However, there are some ways you can exercise without sacrificing your comfort, such as stretching. Stretching exercises can help relieve tension, promote good circulation, and enhance your mood. If you need a little extra motivation to get moving, a cancer service dog can provide physical and emotional support you need. As an added bonus, the friendship of a dog is a well-known mood booster that can help fight the anxiety and depression that often accompanies an illness like cancer.

When you do work out, however, you might notice that your body hurts more afterward than it once did. As such, it’s important to incorporate rest days into your routine, regardless of your activity level. Also, many people have turned to products like CBD oil to help alleviate muscle soreness and inflammation. CBD can also help with stress and anxiety, as it often gives people a sense of euphoria not unlike a “runner’s high.” However, always talk to your doctor before adding any supplements, and search around online to learn more about all the best brands.

Meditate

Meditation can help improve your mood and ease stress, especially when it’s combined with a physical exercise like yoga. Meditation is a great way to focus on the present, which means it can help you reduce feelings of anxiety or worry, and it’s a wonderful way to be still and enjoy the moment. When you find that you need a few moments of peace and quiet, meditation can help you put all the noise aside and focus on your own needs. Look for a space in your home that will allow you to meditate without distraction.

Look For Support

Whether it’s from friends, family, a support group, or a church, look for a community who will be there to help get you through the difficult days. It can be extremely overwhelming to deal with the effects of cancer on your body, mind, and feelings, especially if you feel like you’re alone. With a little help from people who care, you can get through those difficult days with a little more comfort, and it will help boost your self-esteem at the same time.

Living with a disease like cancer can be stressful, but there are many things you can do to offset those feelings of stress. Think of the best ways to feel better that you can incorporate into your daily life, and talk to your doctor before starting any new exercise regimen. This can help you avoid injury and keep your health in focus.

Written by Scott Sanders

From all of us at Gorczyca Orthodontics, your smile is our inspiration. (925) 757-9000

RECENTLY, ANTIOCH ORTHODONTIST Dr. Ann Marie Gorczyca was a guest speaker at the Western Regional Dental Experience 2019 conference in Glendale, Arizona. During that conference, Dr. Gorczyca once again realized something she had forgotten, which is that some people are not sure how to pronounce her name!

Dr. Gorczyca’s Pronunciation Tips

To make it simple for everyone, Dr. Gorczyca likes to say, “It’s Gor-si-ca, like the island of Corsica.” Corsica is an island in the Mediterranean Sea, just to the southeast of France. Most people have heard of it and it is easy to spell and pronounce. Corsica is most famous for being the birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte.

In the past, Dr. Gorczyca has also said, “It’s Gorsica, like the Chevy Corsica” if you remember that model of car. In any case, with Gorczyca, just replace the “czy” with “si” and you’ve got it!

We Look Forward To Seeing You At Gorczcya Orthodontics

We are thankful that our patients, family, and friends in the Antioch, California area have heard orthodontist Dr. Ann Marie Gorczyca’s name so many times that they just know how to say it. Dr. Gorczyca has been offering orthodontic services, braces, Invisalign, retainers, and all orthodontics services in East Contra Costa County at Gorczyca Orthodontics since 1996.

Find us at 5201 Deer Valley Road, Suite 1A in the Deer Valley Dental Professional Building, right behind Deer Valley High School. Reach us at 925-757-9000.

You don’t need to speak Polish to say Gorczyca. And by the way, Gorczyca means “mustard seed” in Polish!

Thank you for choosing Gorczyca Orthodontics. Your smile is our inspiration.

MANY ADULTS MISTAKENLY believe that they missed their chance to get braces because they didn’t have them as teenagers. However, the number of adult orthodontic patients has risen dramatically over the last few decades, and today we’re going to debunk all of your excuses for not getting braces and show you why orthodontic treatment is still a wonderful option for adults with dental alignment issues.

“It’s Too Late; My Teeth Won’t Move”

It may be preferable to start young for orthodontic treatment, but there is no age limit to getting a straighter smile. We can help determine the best treatment for your circumstances. One advantage adult orthodontic patients have over teens is the self-discipline that comes with maturity; adults will often be better at following instructions for their treatment, which means it will go much smoother.

“I’ll Be Fine If I Keep My Crooked Teeth”

If you’ve been living with crooked teeth your whole life, you might think there’s no point in getting orthodontic treatment. But having straight teeth isn’t just about appearances — it’s also about improved oral and overall health. Straight teeth are easier to clean and make it easier to speak, chew, and even breathe effectively, whereas crooked teeth cause difficulties in all of these areas and can grow more crooked over time.

“Having Braces Will Make Me Look Unprofessional”

Some adults who would like straighter teeth may still hesitate to seek orthodontic treatment because they worry that spending a year or longer in braces could impact their personal lives or careers by making them look immature or unprofessional. Luckily, there are several low-profile orthodontic treatment options for patients who don’t want to broadcast their treatment to the world, such as invisible aligners, clear ceramic braces, and lingual (tongue-side) braces. With these, you can straighten your teeth without anyone noticing your hardware!

“Orthodontic Treatment Is Expensive”

Orthodontic treatment can certainly cost more than a regular dental appointment, but it’s also an investment in your future, saving you from the expenses of problems that come with crooked teeth or a bad bite. If you aren’t sure you can fit braces into your budget, schedule a consultation with us. Together, we can find the best and most affordable option for you.

Leave Your Braces Excuses Behind

Leave crooked teeth behind.  Call us today start your orthodontic treatment.  No more excuses!  You will love your new smile!  Your smile is our inspiration. Please call Gorczyca Orthodontics in Antioch, California at 925-757-9000 to schedule your complimentary orthodontic exam. Find us at www.clubbraces.com. Together, we can make braces affordable for you. We also offer CareCredit long term financing with no down-payment and OrthoCalc sliding scale 0% financing.

Don’t let excuses keep you from your dream smile!

Top image used under CC0 Public Domain license. Image cropped and modified from original.

The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.

IF YOU ARE presently sleeping with a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine or wearing a custom oral appliance for sleep apnea, a permanent double jaw advancement may cure you of your sleep symptoms.

Jaw Advancement Can Cure Sleep Apnea

A double jaw advancement, called bimaxillary orthognathic surgery, can cure sleep apnea. This treatment will be done by an oral surgeon working with your orthodontist and your sleep team. The cost of this procedure is covered by medical insurance.

The expanded airway no longer collapses during sleep, and because it is no longer obstructed, breathing can continue without interruption. This patient can now get a good night’s sleep without additional machines or devices. Snoring is eliminated and sleep is normal.

This patient was treated by orthodontist Dr. Ann Marie Gorczyca of Gorczyca Orthodontics in Antioch, CA. Find us at www.clubbraces.com. To find an orthodontist near you, visit the American Association of Orthodontists at www.mylifemysmile.org.

“I never dreamed I would sleep so well. Thank you Dr. Gorczyca and team!”
–Mario

This patient was cured of all severe sleep apnea symptoms. You can be too. Wishing you a good night’s sleep.