The Air Fryer Or Instant Pot, Which Is The Superior Kitchen Buddy?

The one-pot, the instant pot, the microwave oven, the oven, the range, the toaster, the deep dryer, and the list goes on. There really is almost no end to the kitchen gadgets available today. Combine this with the ever-growing technology available in today’s world, and it is easy to see how one could go bankrupt getting swept up buying these gadgets, trying to make life easier and healthier. All that being said, there are really two gadgets that stand out on this list amongst the rest. That would have to be the air fryer and the instant pot. If you had to choose only one, which should you opt for and why?

The Instant Pot

You can put in your research, speak to professional cooks, and read reviews about the instant pot, and you’ll find one thing that is a constant. People from all around are going to boast on the device for being able to perform a multitude of functions. However, the real truth of the matter is that it only has one primary function. And, that primary function is pressure cooking. This is not to say that it is a bad function, but it is certainly a far cry from a multitude of functions. Does this make the instant pot bad? Of course not, as the instant pot can be utilized in a variety of ways. You can use it to pressure cook, cook rice, slow cook, make yogurt, saute and brown, and warm. So, you do get a multitude of benefits.

Items that people oftentimes make with the instant pot are roasts, whole chickens, ribs, pasta dishes, vegetables, seafood, soups, and desserts like cakes, cheesecakes, and Brulee.) These pots also come available in 3 distinctive options. This would be the 3-quart, 6-quart, and the 8-quart.

Why Choose Just One?

Why just settle on the air fryer or the instant pot when you can have both? No, this doesn’t mean that you have to purchase two separate devices either. Thanks to the technology available today at Corrie Cooks, there is now an air fryer lid that will fit right over your instant pot. This lid magically transforms your current instant pot into an air fryer, giving it the capabilities of a traditional air fryer, while still retaining the functions of an instant pot. Just make sure that you get an appropriate sized lid for your make, size, and model.

The Air Fryer

An air fryer is a completely different beast than the instant pot. In fact, it is like a little miniature oven, giving you access to a heating element that heats and a fan that circulates air around your delectables. This gives you the added benefit of providing a crisp outer texture to your food. Something that’ll come in more than handy when you are cooking items like egg rolls, chicken fingers, meatballs, and fries. The air fryer is much more basic in terms of usability, as it works by adjusting the time and temperature. With the instant pot, you’ll have to adjust settings based on the type of food that is being prepared. The air fryer gives you the benefit of selecting a desired temperature along with the desired time. Doesn’t get much simpler than that.

This is a post by Corrie from Corrie Cooks

Consumer Alert: Zantac Linked to Various Cancers

If you’ve taken ranitidine, better known by its brand name Zantac, you should be aware of the following:

●    Zantac and its generic alternatives have been linked to various cancers
●    The drug was recalled by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
●    If you were diagnosed with cancer after taking ranitidine, you may be eligible for compensation

Here’s how it all unfolded – and what you can do.

Online Pharmacy Detects Unsafe Levels of NDMA in Zantac

N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) is an organic chemical classified as a probable human carcinogen by the FDA and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The substance is a “known environmental contaminant” that can be “found in water and foods, including meats, dairy products, and vegetables,” according an FDA statement.

In June 2019, online pharmacy Valisure detected unsafe levels of the chemical in Zantac and its generic alternatives. They then notified the FDA of their findings.

Valisure Files a Petition to Recall Zantac
Three months later, Valisure filed a petition with the FDA requesting that all ranitidine products be recalled. The company’s research found that NDMA was the result of the “inherent instability of the ranitidine molecule,” meaning that all medications containing ranitidine could potentially unleash high levels of NDMA in the body. They noted that ranitidine has a “high perception of safety” and is heavily prescribed to adults and infants.

In the months that followed, numerous manufacturers voluntarily recalled Zantac from pharmacy shelves.

FDA Recalls Zantac
On April 1, 2020, the FDA ordered the recall of all prescription and over-the-counter ranitidine medications. The decision was influenced by a growing body of evidence that the drug was contaminated with unacceptable levels of NDMA.

The FDA noted that low levels of NDMA are commonly ingested by humans, for example in food and water, and “would not be expected to increase the risk for cancer.” However, they said, “higher levels of exposure may increase the risk.”

After conducting thorough laboratory tests, they found that the impurity in some ranitidine medications increased over time. When stored above room temperature, NDMA levels increased significantly, posing a serious risk to consumers.

Litigation Begins
If you’ve used Zantac or a generic alternative to treat heartburn, stomach ulcers, or another medical condition, stop taking it immediately and dispose of your remaining supply. Your doctor can offer alternative treatment options to address your symptoms. The FDA recommends Pepcid, Nexium, and Prilosec, among others.

Next, assess your legal options. If you’ve been diagnosed with cancer after taking Zantac, you may be entitled to significant financial compensation. Manufacturers have an obligation to ensure medications that reach the public are safe. An attorney can help you determine whether you have grounds for a lawsuit.

To learn more about Zantac lawsuits, click here.

This is a blog post by Mary Smith.

How Celebrities Deal with Depression And Could You Do The Same

It’s time to be honest. Studies show that one in four people are affected by some form of anxiety, depression or a similar mental health issues. The world we are living in is making a lot of things rather difficult and our mental health is the first thing that suffers from all the stress of our everyday lives. It can keep creeping up on you for years and years and then suddenly become so strong that you cannot seem to bear it anymore. Since people tend to have misconceptions about what depression feels like, I suggest you learn more about it before we go any further.

Speaking of misconceptions, here’s another common one. If you have a successful career, make good money and have a generally happy family, there’s no way you’ll become depressed. It’s just insulting how untrue this is. This is a mental illness we are talking about and it’s about time that people started taking it seriously.

Following the “logic” above, one would say that famous and successful people, actors, musicians, businessmen and similar all have a shield around them not letting depression creep in. If that were true, then statistics would show very different numbers. That’s, however, completely untrue. This disorder does not discriminate in anyway. After all, it is an illness, and illnesses don’t care how much money you have.

Raising Awareness And Motivating Treatments

When you spend months or years trying to unsuccessfully find meaning in your life and enjoy it, when everything feels meaningless and hopeless and when your career and your relationships are affected by your inability to focus or find any joy in life, money becomes completely irrelevant. It’s definitely not the way to solving the issue. If it were, you couldn’t find a depressed famous person, could you?

Oh, but we can very well find them and easily. As I have already mentioned, this illness doesn’t discriminate and doesn’t choose its victims in accordance with their bank account. Nor do the victims choose it. That’s why you will find so many celebrities with depression, which, paradoxically, might be a good thing, because it can teach us that we are all in the same boat.

Plus, if anyone has the power to influence the public, then celebrities do. That means that they can raise awareness about the seriousness of this illness, but also help a lot of individuals find their path towards recovery. Today, we’re going to see how celebrities usually and successfully deal with this disorder and, hopefully, we’ll motivate someone to do the same thing if it turns out to be applicable.

How Celebrities Do It

Demi Lovato admits that this disorder got here whole life off track, but she claims to be the living proof that everything can change for the better once you get the necessary treatment. Robert Pattinson says that he has learned to love his little quirks that anxiety has brought about, while Angelina Jolie claims that she didn’t appreciate her life enough in the past and that the humanitarian work she does has really helped her find herself. Chrissy Teigan wants people to know that they aren’t alone in this and that it can happen to anyone.

Do you know what all of these and much more celebrities who fought depression have in common, though? They would all agree that getting the right treatment is of utmost importance when struck by this disorder. Getting the right treatment, of course, means that you need to get in touch with medical professionals who are able to help you.

No matter all the other techniques that celebrities have employed, such as Lena Dunham and her accent on exercising, there’s one thing nobody can deny. Nothing can top therapy and most of these celebrities have sought professional help to overcome their struggles. That only goes to show that there are a lot of layers to dealing with depression, but therapy is definitely the top and most important layer.

Here’s what else these people have to say about depression: https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/health/wellness/g3541/celebrities-with-depression/?slide=5

How You Could Do It

You should exercise, that’s for sure. You should also take care of your diet, engage in activities you like, pick up a hobby or two and try to do improve your lifestyle in order to help yourself feel better at least temporarily. That’s the thing, though. These techniques are usually temporary and, frankly, they sometimes sound like those ignorant pieces of advice you hear from people who have never dealt with this in their entire lives.

They aren’t ignorant pieces of advice. It’s just that you cannot get yourself to get off the couch and do any of those things, even though you know they’ll help. That’s where therapy comes into play. It helps you regain control over your life and yourself in the first place which, consequently, leads to following all the other pieces of advice that these celebrities have given us.

This is a guest blog entry.

Why darker eyeglasses are better for sensitive eyes?

If you are the guy that loves to close the blinds, turn off the lights, or like to stay in a dark corner of the room, your eyes may be sensitive. Putting on sunglasses may seem like an easy solution, even indoors. But wearing darker sunglasses for sensitive eyes is not a long-term solution. This is why:

Don't make your eyes love the dark.

Wearing sunglasses indoors can reduce your short-term discomfort. It might even help you avoid having a migraine if certain types of light are a trigger for you. But with that sense of immediate relief, there's a significant risk: the risk of adjusting the darkness to your eyes to become even more sensitive to light over time.

The last time you went to see a movie during the day, do you remember how it felt to leave the dark theatre and go out in the sun? Especially if you're sensitive to light, it could have been downright painful. While you were in the theatre, your eyes got used to the dark and just weren't ready for daylight.

Wearing sunglasses indoors regularly, be it the average pair or the darkest sunglasses for sensitive eyes, you can find that darkness can adapt your eyes over time. This means that his retinas have become so used to the darkening conditions that when he inevitably ventures into normal light, he gets that painful cinematic effect.

Wearing sunglasses indoors should be strongly discouraged. By wearing dark sunglasses indoors, patients go dark, adjusting their retina and worsening their sensitivity to light. "

Necessarily, the regular wearing of sunglasses indoors will make your eyes more sensitive to light over time. And since you often can't control lighting outside of your own home, that will become a problem.

Where to buy

You can buy these darker eyeglasses online at SmartBuyGlasses collection. If you want to buy prescription glasses, you may need a prescription first. Lens Scanner app has been specially developed to get your prescription at home. After getting your prescription from this app, you can easily buy your desired glasses at SmartBuyGlasses collection.

Choosing the right sunglasses for the outdoors

You must be sure about the quality and ability to reflect light when choosing outdoor glasses.
Sunglasses must have a UVB transmittance (315 to 280 nm) of less than 1% and a UVA transmittance (380 to 315 nm) of less than 0.3 times the transmittance of visible light.

These are the darkest standard sunglasses you can get that are legal to drive in the United States. They provide a high level of sunburst reduction and the right level of UV protection against the intense sun or reflected light from water or snow.

Darker sunglasses for sensitive eyes won't work indoors - try glasses designed for light sensitivity.

Sunglasses are designed to darken all kinds of light. But light-sensitive people should remember that not all lights are created equal. Certain types of light in the spectrum are more likely to be a problem than others. Instead of wearing sunglasses indoors to block all types of light, it is better to filter only the painful types.

This is a guest blog entry.

Foods to Boost Your Immunity During Pandemics and Flu Season

While we are still in the midst of summer, the fact of the matter is that the influenza season is not far off (not to mention that we are still in a pandemic). This is why there is no better time than the present to begin adopting a healthier diet. Did you know that certain foods can help your body combat the flu and others will provide your immune system with a much-needed boost before autumn arrives? We’re not promising a cure to COVID-19, but let's take a look at some excellent (and tasty) suggestions that are easy to adopt. You can therefore remain confident that you are fully prepared for whatever the remainder of 2020 has in store.

The Importance of Certain Vitamins

Why do some individuals become sicker than others? While there are several factors which can come into play, it is a well-known fact that a deficiency in specific vitamins can lower our immune systems. This is particularly the case when referring to vitamin C and the vitamin B complex. So, it only makes sense that we should consume plenty of foods high in these substances. The majority of fruits contain high levels of vitamin C. These include:

• Citrus fruits (lemons, oranges and grapefruit)
• Strawberries and raspberries
• Tomatoes
• Leafy greens such as spinach and cabbage

Vitamin B is another must-have nutrient if you wish to bolster your immune defenses. Not only can vitamin B help to prevent infections, but it has also been shown to boost cellular health, to increase digestive efficiency, to improve the function of your brain, and to ensure good eyesight. The good news is that plenty of foods will provide you with an ample dose such as:

• Whole grains (including brown rice and barley)
• Seeds and nuts
• Dark leafy green vegetables
• Citrus fruits, bananas and avocados
• Milk, cheese and eggs

All of these foods are also quite tasty and they can be prepared in a number of different ways. So, you can remain healthy without having to resort to multivitamins alone.

Heart-Boosting Benefits

While maintaining a healthy immune system is obviously important throughout the year, some of us have a tendency to overlook the beneficial impacts that some foods can have upon the cardiovascular system. There are many foods that are good for the heart and you might be surprised to learn of the variety at your disposal. Here are some interesting examples:

• Raspberries, blackberries and blueberries.
• Nuts and legumes
• Natural vegetable crisps
• Dark chocolate (an excellent source of antioxidants)

It is therefore clear to see that maintaining a healthy heart does not signify that you will be forced to eat bland foods. Of course, maintaining

A strong heart and immune system also involves other suggestions such as getting plenty of exercise, obtaining the recommended amount of sleep every night and quitting smoking. If you are able to make these healthy changes, you will be much better prepared for the upcoming flu season.

This is a guest blog entry.

5 Science-Based Health Benefits of Drinking Enough Water

Water is essential to all life on the planet. It doesn’t matter if you’re a camel that can survive up to 7 months without water or a human that can survive approximately 3 days. At some point everything needs water.

For humans, it is an essential part of staying alive and functioning correctly. Of course, the quality of the water also helps. That’s why you should consider having your tap water tested and speaking to this specialist in water filters Sydney. You may be surprised at what you discover.

If you’re still not convinced about the importance of water consider the following 5 science-based health benefits.

1.  Physical performance

When exercising you can lose up to 10% of your water weight, especially if you’re exercising in a hot climate.  However, dehydration of as little as 2% will start to affect your thought processes and your ability to exercise.

The result is a reduced ability to control body temperature, increased tiredness, and even mental fatigue.  Stay hydrated to prevent this from happening!

2.  Mood & Concentration

As mentioned a lack of water gives you mental fatigue. There is a direct link between drinking enough water and brain function. Dehydration has been linked with impaired mood, reduced levels of concentration, and increased feelings of anxiety/paranoia.

3. Fewer Headaches

Research shows that a headache is one of the most common symptoms of dehydration. Because this is likely to be the issue of your headache, drinking water can actually relieve the pain. Of course, drinking water is also going to rehydrate you which should help to eliminate the headache.
It should be noted that while there has been a lot of research to support this, more needs to be done to show why water consumption generally relieves headaches so effectively.

4. Relieves Constipation

Infrequent bowel movements and stools that are hard to pass is a surprisingly common issue. It’s painful and can lead to further complications.

Unsurprisingly, dehydration is a factor in constipation. Drinking more water daily will reduce the occurrence of constipation and make bowel movements more regular and softer. It’s worth noting that mineral water is particularly effective at helping with constipation, especially if it’s rich in magnesium and sodium.

5. Weight Control

Because water is so essential for your body it can actually help you to maintain your weight! In the first instance, water allows the transfer of nutrients into your cells and the removal of toxins. This encourages your cells to use the resources available efficiently rather than simply storing them.
But, you’ll also find that the process of drinking water leaves your stomach feeling fuller. This reduces your ability to consume food, helping you to lose weight or simply maintain your current weight.

You may also like to note that many people confuse thirst with hunger and reach for a snack. In fact, the sensations are similar. So, when you think you’re hungry, try drinking a glass of water. It’s good for you and may just stop you from grazing.

This is a guest blog entry.

Top Hidden Benefits of Cryolipolysis You Did Not Know About

With the improvement in technology, you can lose fat in specific body parts without undergoing surgery. The technique used to remove these unwanted fats is called cryolipolysis. This fat-freezing method targets stubborn fats that are resilient to exercises and diets. Both men and women can undergo the procedure. The process is known as cryolipolysis, CoolSculpting, or fat-freezing. The benefits of cryolipolysis include:

The Procedure Is Low Risk

Coolsculpting is less risky compared to other procedures like liposuction. The process does not involve needles, surgery, or medication. During the procedure, your plastic surgeon will not administer any anesthesia; hence you will be conscious and relaxing.

There are no dangers of getting injured or having infections after the process. Your surgeon will also be using a low temperature that cannot damage your skin or internal organs. You can resume your usual plans immediately after the procedure.

The Procedure Is Clinically Approved

Food and government administration have approved cryolipolysis. The approval indicates that the procedure is legal and safe. Thus, you need not worry about risking your health.

The Process Is Quick

Cryolipolysis procedure is fast and efficient. Going for an appointment to freeze any lose fat will not consume your time. Depending on which area you are targeting, it can take you minutes to finish. Most doctors will confirm to you that the treatment takes roughly thirty minutes to one hour.
Guaranteed Noticeable Results

When you undergo fat freezing, the results are noticeable. Most experts affirm that CoolSculpting will benefit you one hundred percent compared to other procedures. Institutions such as the National Institute of Health have tested and approved the technique. After undergoing fat freezing, your confidence level will improve since the stubborn fat that would bother you will be a thing of the past.

Fat freezing using cryolipolysis systems allows you to remove the fat in multiple areas in one session. Thus, you can use the device to freeze fat, for instance, around the stomach area, thighs, chin, arms, and legs. You will be able to go to the beach or put on those clothes previously a challenge.

Your doctor will tell you that some users swear to notice the results in four weeks after the treatment. However, the procedure will peak around the twelfth week, which is for three months.

Cryolipolysis Completely Destroys the Fat Cells

The fat-freezing procedure will be destroying these cells, and they will never recur. Using technology thus gives you peace of mind. CoolSculpting changes the contents of the fat cells, thus eradicating them. Since the procedure eradicates the fat cells, the risk of regaining the weight is low.

The End Result Looks Natural

If you decide to freeze fat using the technology, the result looks natural and amazing. For instance, if you had previously started losing weight, cryolipolysis will suck any hanging skin or bumps. Hence, to avoid scars that remain after weight loss surgery, it is best to try CoolSculpting.

If you have stubborn fat that has refused to end after exercising and dieting, you should not despair to try fat freezing using cryolipolysis systems; the procedure is less risky. The other benefits include; attaining natural results, the process is approved, guaranteed results, and no possibility of regaining back the destroyed fat.

This is a guest blog entry.

How To Stay Sober Through a Global Catastrophe

As we are enduring the effects of the COVID 19 pandemic, many people are experiencing the hardest parts of life during a time of self isolation. Experiencing the loss of a friend or loved one, having those close to you contract a potentially fatal illness, losing a job, and even getting sick yourself are scary and emotional events. These things can be triggering, and unfortunately increase stress, and therefore the danger of a relapse taking place. Feeling isolated does not help with this situation either. However, there are some things that you can do to stay sober during these tough times. Here are some ways on how to stay sober through a global catastrophe.

1. Continue Your Therapy Online
Addiction treatment and recovery usually involves one or more therapy types. Attending therapy is a crucial element to treatment for multiple reasons. The first reason is that therapy is an excellent tool for learning how to understand triggers and manage addiction cravings. This type of support is especially important during a global catastrophe because of all the emotions surrounding this kind of event. Due to the fact that mental health issues and conditions can also cause relapse, therapy is important for treating these things as well. Luckily, most therapists have continued their appointments online via video chats or phone calls.

2. Attend Support Group Zoom Meetings
Like online therapy sessions, support group meetings have moved online since the Coronavirus pandemic has started. Support groups are a great way to connect with others who understand what addiction treatment and recovery is really like. It also gives recovering addicts the opportunity to meet people who are farther into recovery than they are themselves. This can be a motivator that not only encourages recovering addicts to continue with their treatment but also that achieving a successful sober life is possible.
                                                                                                                   
3. Stay Connected With Your Close Friends and Family
Keeping in contact with close friends and family is extremely important for maintaining a sober living home. Self isolation and social distancing can, at times, feel incredibly lonely. However, phone calls, text, and video calls are ways that you can stay in close contact with your support system safely. Doing these things can reduce the chances of a relapse occurring, and it can help improve feelings of loneliness and anxiety.

4. Keep Yourself Busy
Keeping yourself busy throughout the day is important for all recovering addicts, but this is especially true for those going through a drug detox. Keeping yourself occupied provides a distraction from withdrawal symptoms and addiction cravings. It can also be a great way to keep your mind off of the elements of a global catastrophe. Starting a new hobby, reading, writing, exercising, and exploring creative outlets are productive and healthy ways to keep yourself busy from home during addiction treatment and recovery.

5. Try To Keep Up a Routine
 One of the best ways to keep yourself busy everyday is having a set daily routine. Although working from home or losing a job can disrupt your old routines, establishing a new daily routine or maintaining an old one greatly improves the chances for success in addiction treatment. Establishing a set time to wake up, eat meals, and go to sleep is a great way to get a daily routine started. Doing things like creating an exercise routine and attending virtual support group meetings can help with forming a daily routine as well.

Continue Living a Healthy Lifestyle
The main goal of addiction treatment is to improve the health of a recovering addict. However, oftentimes there are multiple lifestyle changes that need to occur before a healthy sober life is achieved. Eating a healthy diet, keeping yourself hydrated, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep are simple things that you can do to improve your health. These things help with both managing withdrawal symptoms and creating a sustainable daily routine. For example, strength training has been proven to help reduce insomnia and staying hydrated has been shown to help with managing nausea. Having an exercise routine and taking the time out of your day to prepare healthy meals and get enough sleep help with creating a daily routine as well. It is important to continue to maintain your health during a global catastrophe.

Conclusion
Staying sober during a global catastrophe can be hard, but there are things that you can do to continue addiction treatment safely from home. Luckily, we live during a time with plenty of technological tools that we can use during times of self isolation. For example, therapy sessions have begun to take place over the phone or on video calls, and support group meetings are now taking place over zoom. Staying in contact with close friends and family is also easier than it ever has been before. Keeping up with having therapy sessions, attending support group meetings, and staying in contact with your support system are still possible and extremely beneficial. In addition having a daily routine, keeping yourself busy, and living a healthy lifestyle are ways that you can distract yourself from and manage addiction cravings and withdrawal symptoms.

Author bio:
Kelsey Brown is an Austin-based writer. She received her B.S. in Journalism from Missouri State University and writes about addiction recovery, health, and well-being for Briarwood Detox Center. In her spare time, Kelsey enjoys doing outdoor activities with her family like hiking, camping, and kayaking.

What Is Covered By A Medicare Supplement Plan?

It is important to realize that Medicare supplement plans operate differently from many of the health plans with which you may already be familiar. The fact is that they do not provide benefits in the same way that a conventional sort of coverage would. Instead, they are designed to assist with costs not paid by original Medicare plans.

Some of the costs that a supplement plan can cover include:

1. Medicare deductible amounts
2. Coinsurance payments
3. Hospitalization costs incurred once Medicare coverage is exhausted
4. Costs for skilled nursing care once Medicare coverage runs out

The paragraphs below will offer some useful information on how a supplemental plan works.

A supplement plan will require you to pay a monthly premium amount. Plans of this nature are sometimes referred to as Medicap plans. A plan pays most of the out-of-pocket costs you would otherwise incur. So, when you have a doctor visit, you will not be responsible for the 20% coinsurance amount that Medicare would typically require. Rather, your supplemental coverage will kick in at this point. With certain supplemental plans, you may need to pay some form of copay rather than the 20% coinsurance amount.

Supplemental plans of this sort are not the only available option, however. Medicare Advantage options exist which can also lower the costs connected to Medicare coverage. Such plans tend to provide even greater coverage that supplemental plans do not offer.

Now we will move on to a discussion of the ways in which supplemental plans and Medicare Advantage plans diverge. It pays to do your research to determine which option suits your circumstances best.

Medicare Supplemental Plans:

1. You may need up to three difference insurance coverage cards.
2. You will need to coordinate your coverage between Medicare itself, your supplemental plan, and a Part D prescription drug plan, if applicable.
3. This type of plan can help pay costs that would otherwise be paid out of pocket under traditional Medicare.
4. You will not receive coverage for vision, dental, or prescription drug needs.
5. There are no network restrictions.
6. You will receive no coverage for prescription drugs under Part D, therefore a Part D plan would be needed separately.

Medicare Advantage:

1. You will have just one insurance card.
2. There is just one company with which to coordinate your care.
3. You may receive ancillary benefits such as vision, dental, and prescription drugs.
4. There may be network limitations as to which doctors you may see.

Find out more about Medicare Advantage Plans 2021 here.

Supplemental plans can be ideal for those with existing coverage for prescription drugs through the military or through an employer plan.

This is a guest blog entry.

Tips To Help You Cope With Anxiety

Everyone can feel anxiety, tension and nervousness in some situations. Here are five tips to help you manage these feelings and keep your anxiety under control.

Learn Relaxation Techniques

We all think relaxation is something very easy to do. However, resting on your couch, watching TV or playing games on the computer aren't true relaxation. On the contrary, some of these activities can even generate more stress. This is also true for smoking, alcohol or drugs. Even though the use of such substances appears to relieve stress and anxiety, this is only for a very short time. What your body really needs is the regular practice of a proven relaxation technique that helps calming the mind such as yoga, tai chi, and deep breathing. Deep breathing, for instance, can trigger the relaxation of a major nerve that reaches to the brain. The body gets this message to let go and relax.

Sleep, Eat, And Exercise

If you want your body and mind to feel strong and fully capable to deal with stressful situations, you have to ensure you get the right amount of sleep. The use of essential oils for better sleep is proven to aid a deeper relaxed sleep. Also, you have to pay attention to the things you eat. A healthy and balanced diet, with fruit, vegetables and high-quality proteins, will provide you with the energy you need to cope with life's ups and downs. Exercise is also useful, as it helps sending oxygen to all cells in your body, thus providing them with the fuel they need to work properly.

Connect With Your Peers

Try to spend quality time with your family and friends. While organized activities and various events are awesome, simply hanging around with people you love can have the same effect. Doing things with our beloved ones is a surefire way to strengthen our bonds, to feel more loved and more secure. Having fun with other people can make us feel happier and take negative things easier. If you feel anxious about something, the simple fact of sharing your thoughts with someone else can help you feel better. You'll discover that you're not alone, as all of us worry about various issues every now and then. You are not an exception, you are just a regular person with thoughts, feelings and emotions.

Connect With Nature

Make a habit of walking in the park or hiking the mountains. Such activities can help you feel peaceful and relaxed. Make sure you pick safe places to hike or walk, in order to relax and enjoy the scenery. In addition, walking, hiking, biking or snowshoeing will provide you with the benefits of working out. You don't have to walk or hike alone. Invite one of your friends to join you.

Pay Attention To Good Things

Pay attention to minor blessings and positive things. You'll be amazed at how many such things we overlook each and every day. Allow yourself to daydream and to let go of the mundane, at least for a while.

This is a guest blog entry.

Some important facts you should know about erectile dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction is most often defined as the inability to obtain and maintain an erection of a member sufficient for satisfactory sexual intercourse. They are often accompanied by individual discomfort and difficulties in the relationship with a sexual partner. A report states that about 5 percent of men that are 40 years old have complete erectile dysfunction, and that number increases to about 15 percent of men at age 70. You can buy tadalafil in uk with Numan and its effects last for 36 hours.

How does erectile dysfunction manifest themselves?
Erectile dysfunction is now considered not so much as a separate disease, but as a symptom of other diseases, especially those affecting the cardiovascular system, since most risk factors are the same. Symptoms of disorders may increase gradually (more often then the involvement of organic factors is suspected, e.g. increasing in connection with hypertension and excess cholesterol vascular damage) or suddenly appear in a person who has been functioning well until now (more often then the involvement of psychological factors, e.g. stress related to a new partner, acute stress related to another area of life or a direct influence of other factors, e.g. the consumption of large amounts of alcohol).

What to do if symptoms occur?
The occurrence of symptoms once or several times in a situation that can be psychologically understood or attributable to a factor, e.g. alcohol consumption, does not require action, especially when the elimination of this situation results in a resolution of symptoms. However, repetitive or persistent erectile dysfunction that builds up during erectile dysfunction requires medical consultation in order to make the correct diagnosis. The doctor may be a sexologist, urologist, psychiatrist or internist. It may also make sense to report to a cardiologist because erectile dysfunction may be several years ahead of other symptoms of coronary artery disease and is frequented by a coronary heart attack.

Is it possible to cure completely?
The possibility of complete recovery depends on the cause. The effectiveness of oral medications for erectile dysfunction is very high. In patients with severe vascular damage, advanced diabetes, penile tissue damage, and in those who have testicular hypo existence in testosterone secretion, the efficacy of oral medications is lower. The cause may also be incorrect intake of oral medications. Similarly, good results are achieved after injection into the cavernous bodies of a member or vacuum apparatus.

These methods may be effective as indicated in some patients who do not respond to oral medications or cannot use them. Psychotherapeutic and training methods show good effectiveness in cases in which the problem appeared at some point in sexual functioning (does not apply to, for example, all life), partners have a good bond, mutual desire and good general health are present. It is often appropriate to combine pharmacological and psychotherapeutic methods.

This is a guest blog entry.

The Dos and Don'ts of Buying from an Online Pharmacy

Buying commodities online has never been more relevant than now. With strict regulations on social distancing, most people find internet shopping not only a safer choice but also more convenient. And nowadays, everything you need is available at a click of a button – including medicine.

Online pharmacies are usually independent businesses but are sometimes also affiliated with brick and mortar stores. These stores can fill your prescriptions online efficiently, and most if not all have physicians available to write a prescription for minor conditions after the customer has completed a questionnaire.

Why are online pharmacies gaining popularity?

The primary driver for the success of online pharmacies is convenience. For people on the go, it's a relief when you have the option to buy essential medication without having to go line up inside a store. Buying online also means you can discreetly purchase medicine that you'd otherwise maybe feel embarrassed to buy in person.

But like any service where you can't physically examine the product you buy, there are risks you need to be aware of and avoid. For instance, if you want to order antibiotics online, you need to make sure that you're getting the right dosage according to your prescription. Let's discuss further the dos and don'ts of buying medicine online.

Do buy from a reputable and licensed online pharmacy

Because online pharmacies are in demand, you'll likely come across some shady shops out there. As such, you'll need to identify red flags so that you can avoid them. First, check if the store has a license. If possible, you may want to cross-reference it with the appropriate agency. Another sign to look into is whether their prices seem too good to be true. You should also avoid spam emails from stores that offer the cheapest medicine online.

Do have your prescription ready

When buying from an online pharmacy, make sure that the store asks for and verifies your prescription. They should also have a licensed pharmacist available to answer your questions. If you don't need a prescription for the medicine you need, the pharmacist should at least help you in buying the appropriate dosage or choose from branded and generic alternatives.

Don't buy from an overseas store

One of the most critical things to avoid when buying medicine online is a store that operates overseas. There have been many instances of people getting duped into purchasing counterfeit or placebo drugs. Not only are these ineffective but also can be dangerous to your health.

Don't experiment with unknown medicine brands

One of the most enticing aspects of buying online is how you get bombarded with marketing information about specific products. Many people end up buying what they don't need which they'll often later regret. The same thing applies to online pharmacies. Once in a while, you'll see an advertisement for a supplement or medicine worth trying. Some of these products won't require a verified prescription from your physician. But without a prescription and consultation with your doctor, experimenting with such medicine will be harmful to your health and might lead to adverse side effects. 

Image: https://unsplash.com/photos/L4iKccAChOc

This is a guest blog entry.

How to Get a Better Night’s Sleep

Did you know that getting a good night’s sleep is just as important for your health as eating a balanced diet and getting regular exercise? Many people overlook the significance of a good sleep regime. However, it’s an aspect of your lifestyle that needs to be considered for your future health and well-being. If you’re a poor sleeper and are used to tossing and turning for hours on end every night, you’re likely to feel constantly sluggish, tired, and even, in some cases, sick the following day, which eventually takes its toll both mentally and physically.

This guide will help you put some strategies in place to get a better night’s sleep:

Sleep at regular times

One of the main reasons why you may be struggling to nod off is because you may be sleeping at irregular times. Most adults should be getting between 7-9 hours of sleep each evening, but this is often easier said than done. Making the effort to fall asleep and wake up at specific times will ensure you’re getting the rest you need - try and set a bedroom schedule to follow on a step-by-step basis to help you get into a routine.

While you may be tempted to catch up on a nap during the day after missing several hours of sleep during the night, this will only disrupt your sleeping routine further.

Wind down routine

It’s difficult to climb into bed and expect to fall asleep straight away. A winding down strategy is often needed to help get into a relaxed state for sleep. Here are a few ideas which may be useful to make a note of:

• Take a warm bath
• Meditation session
• Read a book or listen to a podcast to distract the mind
• Download sleep apps
• Write down thoughts to help clear the mind

A weighted blanket

One of the trendy new home decor items and the latest sleep remedy is a weighted blanket. According to researchers, this type of blanket is designed to help you maintain a better sleep pattern. Typically, the blanket is filled with plastic pellets, which provides a heavy sensation when laid over the duvet, and the deep pressure stimulation has been discovered to ease anxiety and, therefore, promote sleep.

Control your exposure to light

Melatonin is a sleep hormone that’s released in the brain, which alerts your body of the appropriate times to sleep and wake. As it starts to get dark, more melatonin is released, which makes you feel tired and ready to sleep, while being exposed to natural light makes you feel more energized. Therefore, it would be advised to spend as much time in the sunlight during the day to keep your energy levels up, but refrain from using your phone or any other technological devices before you go to bed. Doing the latter can drastically interfere with your sleeping pattern if you’re exposed to too much light. These devices emit artificial blue light, which keeps your brain stimulated for hours and makes it more difficult to drop off to sleep.

This is a guest blog post.

How To Keep Fit And Healthy During Covid 19 Pandemic

COVID 19 has altered most of the things that we are used to, and people are now learning the 'new normal'.  Going to the gym and exercising with others is no longer safe as people fear to contract the deadly virus. Heading to the market and get fresh produce is not also advisable because you are not supposed to interact with crowds. Some people have been laid off their jobs while others are working from home. Staying home for prolonged periods poses a challenge for those who want to remain physically active. The following are some practical tips on how to remain active during this period
Dance

Even if the virus does not have a vaccine nor a cure yet, that does not mean that you should always be sad. Dancing is one of the best exercises when you want to maintain a healthy heart. You do not have to be an expert dancer to enjoy such exercises. You can choose from moderate to high-intensity dancing techniques to keep yourself fit. There are numerous videos that you can stream online or even watch your TV for such programs. Dancing helps your body release endorphins that boost your moods even when having a bad day.

Take breaks

Working from home can be the best thing to happen to you. You no longer have to deal with traffic jams or even office politics daily. However, you may find that you spend a lot of time sitting at your office desk, which is not good for your health. You need to plan your tasks in bits if you want to be productive. Ensure that you take a short break after every 45 minutes and let your mind rest. You can walk around in your home or even stretch before you resume your tasks.

Join a Spa

Your physical appearance does not have to suffer just because there is a global pandemic. You can get the looks and appearance that you have been craving for when you are in the right hands. You can enjoy both physical and online Spa services to keep your health in check. A Spa such as New Medspa in Flushing, NY can take care of different things such as your face and the general body to ensure that you are relieved from various conditions and get that young look you have been craving for. The ideal Spa is one that takes holistic approaches and the latest technology to ensure that you get the desired results.

Try some relaxation techniques

You may tend to focus so much on the physical health and forget about the mental well-being. It even gets worse when your industry has been adversely affected by this pandemic. Meditation and deep breaths may be all that you need when you feel as if your moods are low. You can even try yoga as it helps you concentrate on things that matter in your life. Ensure that you have a quiet space as you try some of these techniques. Let yourself be vulnerable and address some of the issues that might be troubling you.

Eat healthily

It cannot be stressed enough about the role that foods play when it comes to leading a healthy lifestyle. Being near your kitchen and the fridge may tempt you to have a bite frequently. However, you need to ensure that you take only healthy foods and in the right proportions. Take a walk in the neighborhood to aid the digestion of these foods while still observing social distancing guidelines. Take your time and visit the market or shop online from select vendors as this helps you keep your health in check
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Get active

You shouldn't spend the entire day at your house. You can move around or even use the stairs to get active. This sounds simple but can come with numerous health benefits that you cannot even imagine. If you live in an apartment, then it is time that you abandon the lift and let the staircase be your best friend. You are likely to lose some weight when you are physically active and frequently use the stairs, which is good for your health. Your legs will also be strong, which ensures that various muscles attain some leanness level.

Keeping fit during this pandemic is realistic when you follow the above tips. Life should continue even if we have to learn some new routines and shortcuts to good health. Being creative and innovative as humans should be a blessing to make life better and bearable.

This is a guest blog entry.

How to Deal With Pandemic-Related Stress

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, it’s no surprise that so many people are struggling with heightened levels of stress. In a new world of self-isolation and mandatory quarantine, adjusting to a life with little socialization can be very stressful. Furthermore, with so little information about vaccines and hopes for the future, not knowing what to expect moving forward can create even more anxiety. With this in mind, it’s no wonder that many people are experiencing pandemic-related stress. Addressing mental health challenges in constructive ways is important. To combat anxiety, here are a few things you can do:

Keep Connected
Humans are, by nature, social creatures. Numerous studies have demonstrated the importance of social interactions on mental health. But with unprecedented levels of isolation, more people are struggling to adjust to a lifestyle that lacks physical communication. However, rather than retreat, it’s important to prioritize a digital connection as best as possible. This goes beyond the standard Facetime call; with the outbreak of the coronavirus, there are more tools than ever to help individuals stay connected in fun and meaningful ways.

For instance, with the mobile application House Party, you can video conference while playing a variety of games. And with the Chrome application Netflix Party, you can watch movies with your friends and family with synchronized viewings. For larger gatherings, use Zoom or a similar platform to bring everyone together.

Seek Therapy
Therapy is one of the most effective ways to help manage stress, anxiety, and depression. According to Alan Behrman, a therapist in Alpharetta, therapy can not only help you discover the key elements contributing to your stress (both consciously and subconsciously), but can also help you practice ways of coping. Because of quarantine, finding an in-person appointment may be difficult, but there are many therapists offering video sessions, and apps like Talkspace help streamline this.

Find Laughter
You may have heard of the old adage, “Laughter is the best medicine.” If you’ve ever been in a negative mood and found yourself lifted when you laugh, chances are you understand why. Laughter stimulates the lungs, brain, and heart, which ultimately releases endorphins in the brain. Even for a brief moment, laughter can relieve the body’s stress response.

Explore Hobbies
Spending so much time in the home can leave you feeling rested, and cabin fever can settle in quickly. These feelings of uneasiness can easily build up stress hormones. Because of this, it’s important for you to explore past hobbies or take up a hobby you’ve been interested in but never got around to making happen.

Doing so can help bring passion back into your life, and it’s something that many people have already begun to explore since stay-at-place orders have been announced. Research has shown that more and more people are putting dollars into hobbies, and arts and crafts and cooking supply demand has increased significantly. Whether you’ve always wanted to write a book or learn to bake, now is a great time to start exploring some of those passion projects.

Practice Gratitude
With so much negativity happening in the news each day, it’s important to start to practice gratitude. It’s natural to start to feel grief over the loss of your normal lifestyles and routines, but in a seemingly unending cycle of bad news, it’s more important than ever to learn to appreciate the good things that are happening.

For instance, perhaps now that you’ve been in isolation more, you’ve gotten to spend more time with family that you wouldn’t have otherwise. According to research, people who practice gratitude regularly sleep better, experience more positive emotions, and even have stronger immune systems.

One of the best ways to do this is by using a gratitude journal. A gratitude journal helps us better perceive the world around us and what we choose to focus on. Over time, it shifts the lens we look out of with each day. This is pretty straightforward; the idea is to keep a regular recording of the things you’re grateful for, whether it’s one item daily or five items weekly. It’s important that you don’t just go through the motion; rather than just writing to complete a task item, really think about what and why you’re grateful.

Try to keep a healthy balance between the things that you’re grateful for and the people that you’re grateful. And where possible, get specific. Another way to express gratitude is to begin expressing your thoughts and feelings to others.

This is a guest blog entry.

Our Top 5 Summer Health Tips

For the majority of people, summertime is the one season where they can finally let loose. Work schedules are more relaxed, and school is out of session. Even though we might be stuck at home, that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy small family barbeques, or tanning in a hammock — or even on the grass. Of course, with so much leisure time, you don’t want to forget about your health. Here are our top 5 ways to stay healthy this summer.

Protect your Eyes

Wearing sunglasses during the summer isn’t just about looking cool. It’s a protective measure. The UV rays are stronger in the summer months, and your eyes are more susceptible to irreversible damage. Too much UV exposure can give you cataracts and macular degeneration, a condition that can ultimately make you go blind.

Water does a great job of reflecting sunlight, but that also means it can be quite damaging to your eyes if not properly protected. Wear sunglasses that filter out UV light, especially when going to the beach or by the pool.

Find the Shade

Getting some sun feels great on the body, but moderation is key. Being outdoors all day long cannot only give you a sunburn, but it can also lead to hyperthermia. This can happen even while being sufficiently hydrated, too.

Instead of staying in the sun for prolonged periods, find some shade to cool off. Do outdoor activities either before midday or in the latter half of the afternoon when the sun’s rays aren’t as strong. Also, make sure to stay in well-ventilated areas.

Take Some Time to Relax

When you’re the person in charge, it’s hard to find ways to relax. Not taking proper care of yourself can easily lead to stress, anxiety, and irritability. None of which should be experienced on a beautiful summer day. So, keep your mental health in balance by taking some time for yourself.

Unwind with some CBD-infused tea. CBD use helps reduce stress. So, let the stress melt away as you enjoy a black vanilla CBD-infused tea made from premium cannabis. If you’ve never used CBD, it doesn’t work like THC — the psychoactive chemical in cannabis. Instead, it produces a calming state rather than a high. It works naturally with your body to produce a relaxed state. If you’re curious about the effects of CBD, learn more about cannabis ingestion as well as upcoming tea blends that you might like to try.

Shield from Mosquitoes

No one likes getting bitten, and the itching sensation that never seems to go away can be pure torture. And while you can’t avoid bugs and insects altogether, you can definitely prep your skin so you don’t become their feast. Use repellant that contains between 20-30% DEET, and reapply as needed. Also, avoid wearing dark clothing as mosquitos are attracted to it.

Stay Hydrated

Drinking water should already be part of your daily routine, but in the summer heat, it becomes a necessity. Water helps to regulate the proper functioning of your organs, skin, hair, and nails. Sugary drinks and alcohol are not substitutes, but teas and natural fruit juices can be included in your daily intake. Keep hydrated and you’ll be able to stay outdoors longer without experiencing fatigue.

Summer may be here, but that doesn’t mean you should forget about taking care of yourself. Follow our health tips, and you’ll be on your way to a great summer!

This is a guest blog entry.

Tips to Prepare Yourself for A Pulaski NY General Surgery Procedure

The weeks leading up to any medical operation can be nerve-wracking. However, irrespective of the type of operation, your recovery depends on the pre-treatment preparation and on the post-surgery health care tips. Hence, being aware of your own condition before the operation and better familiarity with the doctor can facilitate smooth recovery. To learn more about the services offered by Oswego Hospitals and find the location nearest you, click here.

1.  Get to Know Your Medical Professionals

Even for a routine surgical procedure, it’s important to know that you are in good hands. Talk to your physician to ensure they are qualified to perform the operation. Similarly, they can help you learn what the procedure will involve and how you should prepare for it. You will generally have a preadmission appointment a few weeks prior to your operation so that you and your doctors can go over the necessary pre-op steps. You should also consult your physician anesthesiologist, the highly trained medical professional who will administer anesthesia and monitor your health during the operation.

2.  Know Yourself – and Your Insurance!

Talk to your physician about your medical history so that you can be aware of all the risks. Prior medical conditions, blood pressure, allergies, weight, diet, alcohol and drug use all play a role in how your operation will go. These factors will help inform your doctor what you need to be most careful of before surgery. Lastly, check your medical insurance coverage to make sure that you won’t end up with any surprise bills after the surgery.

3.  Eat Healthy

For most operations you cannot eat or drink anything after midnight on the day before your procedure. Prior to this, however, having the right diet can significantly reduce the risk of post-surgery complications. Cutting down on sugary foods while increasing protein and fiber consumption will keep your circulatory and digestive systems working optimally as you recover. Anti-inflammatory foods, such as fruits and veggies, can also contribute to a speedy and pain-free recovery.

Some doctors may also advise taking dietary supplements to improve your nutritional intake, whereas others may advise against taking them. Make sure your doctor knows what medications and supplements you take regularly before your surgery.

4. Pause Unhealthy Habits

Smoking decreases blood flow, so smokers have increased risk of suffering a stroke or a blood clot after surgery. Moreover, smoking on the day of your operation greatly increases the risk of surgery-site infection. If you cannot quit smoking entirely, do not smoke on the day of the operation. Additionally, try to cut down on smoking for at least two weeks leading up to your operation. Similarly, alcohol can react unpredictably with anesthesia and may cause other health complications. So, consider holding off on drinking in the weeks prior to surgery.

5. Stay (or Get) in Shape! 

After your surgery you will inevitably have to remain inactive for some time, so to help your body recover faster it’s important to be in the best shape you can be prior to the surgery. Individuals with an exercise routine in place already should continue it up until the day of the surgery. Even if you live a relatively inactive lifestyle, walking at least 30 minutes a day in the weeks leading up to the surgery can help improve your chances of a speedy recovery.

Similarly, if you are overweight, losing a couple kilos can help your surgeon operate more efficiently. Excess body fat reduces visibility in surgery and can mean a longer time spent under anesthesia, which can ultimately be detrimental to your health.

6. Make a Game Plan

On the day of your surgery, wear loose fitting clothing and leave any jewelry and valuables at home. Make sure to bathe, ensuring that the area that will be operated on is as clean as possible. Get a loved one to take you to the hospital for your surgery and drive you home afterwards. You should also have someone stay with you the first night home post-surgery. It could even be a good idea to do extra shopping ahead of time, so you have a well-stocked pantry while you recover.

7. Listen to Your Doctor

The ultimate judge of what you should (or shouldn’t) be doing before a surgery is your doctor. Depending on the kind of surgery you are planning to undergo, as well as any previous conditions, your doctor may recommend taking additional or different preparatory measures. Advice from a trained professional supersedes any general medical tips and will help ensure your post-operation health and safety.

Heath Buckner 

Heath Buckner is a healthcare professional who loves to write articles about the industry. Heath aims to educate the general public about the different innovations in the healthcare industry and how all of these can affect their lives.

Restless Leg Syndrome Explained

Legs are not just mere skeletal designs of your body. They play a crucial role in your daily mobility and physical balance. Without your legs, you can't chase your dreams or run in the sprint of your ambitions. As the primary mode of transportation, the health of your legs should not be overlooked.

Nowadays, many people still neglect the issues of leg health - either people don't want to talk about it, or people concentrate more on facial beauty. As the leg health issue becomes more exclusive, more and more people hide their fears and keep their complications left untreated.

In worst-case scenarios, what will you do when your legs become immovable due to an uncomfortable sensation? How will you fight against a severe muscle cramps in the middle of your sleep?

Don't allow Restless Leg Syndrome to be your pillow at night. In this article, we will teach you how to prevent Restless Leg Syndrome through understanding its nature, causes, and remedies.

What is Restless Leg Syndrome?

Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS), or also known as Willis-Ekbom disease, is a neurologic sensorimotor disorder causing an intense and irresistible urge to move your legs, arms, or even your body during your sleep.

RLS may happen because of mental health or physical conditions, or is caused by adverse effects of some medications.

RLS can affect your daily mindset and your comfort, as it leads to mild complications - particularly on your lack of sleep - which affects your mental concentration and mood swings.

Leading causes of RLS are iron insufficiency, abnormalities of dopamine level, and varicose veins. 

If you are suffering from RLS, have your immediate screening and consultation with Elite Vein Clinic to examine the venous insufficiency in your legs through ultrasound imaging. Don't let RLS get worse. Get your consultation today!

What are the symptoms of Restless Legs Syndrome?

The occurrence of the symptoms of RLS is mysterious and surprising. It can happen anywhere at any time - whether you're sitting in a confined space with your awakened presence, or whether you've fallen asleep.

People with RLS feel uncomfortable sensations in their legs, during sitting or lying down, accompanied by an irresistible urge to move the affected limb, as suggested by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

A simple muscle cramp and a quick tingling sensation does not qualify as Restless Leg Syndrome. People who have experienced RLS have described the pain as sensational, burning, aching, crawling, creeping, itching, tugging, tingling, similar to electric shocks - which occurs repetitively or longer than seconds.

How many people have Restless Leg Syndrome?

Approximately 10% of the people in the United States are suffering from RLS. According to WebMD, the occurrence of RLS is more common in women than in men, and middle-aged people are prone to experience the symptoms.

What are the Leading Causes of Restless Leg Syndrome?

Up to this day, medical researchers and universities are still looking for the root cause of Restless Leg Syndrome. In other words, the definite cause of RLS is still unknown. However, there are three probable causes of RLS:

Iron Insufficiency

Iron insufficiency remains the strongest and most consistent finding that caused Restless Leg Syndrome. Research suggests that people living with RLS have lower iron content or substantia nigra in the brain, compared to normal individuals.

The substantia nigra is one of the primary brain regions where dopamine production takes place. If it has lower iron levels, the worse the symptoms will be. Thus, when there is a diminished iron and iron storage protein and iron insufficiency in the dopamine cells, RLS can occur.

Abnormalities of Dopamine Levels

In RLS, there is a decrease form of dopamine receptors and increase numbers of proteins associated with producing dopamine (tyrosine hydroxylase). This means that there is a malfunction of dopamine receptors that bind the dopamine and transmit dopamine signals to other cells.

The abnormal increase of dopamine is harmful since it complicates the brain cells, responding to a poor signal. That's why brain cells behaved abnormally during the day time or nighttime, leading to the development of RLS symptoms.

Varicose Veins

Varicose veins develop when the valves within veins collect and create a pool of blood. It causes swelling, aching, pain, and a feeling of heaviness in the legs and feet during nighttime. As varicose veins build fluid and toxins, especially at the end of the day or during at night, RLS occurs, giving you a gradual leg pain and uncomfortable sensation. 

According to the National Sleep Foundation, 98 percent of patients affected by RLS were relieved after minimally invasive sclerotherapy procedures. Researchers also linked the likelihood of pain caused by varicose veins and restless leg syndrome.

How can you treat Restless Leg Syndrome?

Vein Treatment
Varicose vein treatment can relieve the pain and tingling sensations of RLS. The venous insufficiency affects the flow of blood in the blood vessels in the leg. That's why people living with RLS need to have a consultant screening regarding varicose veins.

Sclerotherapy - a non-invasive varicose veins treatment where your doctor injects a sclerosant directly into the affected vein or lymph vessels. The sclerosant solution minimally scars the vein, causing it to collapse, then forces blood to reroute its flow to make healthier veins.

Radiofrequency Ablation - During RFA, your doctor treats the varicose veins using radiofrequency waves to ablate or "burn" the nerve that causes the numbing pain. The thermal energy, which the radiofrequency gives off, will burn the walls of the vein. As a result, the ablated vein will be reabsorbed by the body and disappear.

Laser Ablation - As the name implies, laser ablation involves laser energy to remove and treat venous diseases. Your doctor inserts a laser fiber into the catheter then heats the affected blood vessels.

Home Treatment
Home treatments are effective when properly and regularly executed. Through proper diet and best sleeping routines, you can reduce the symptoms and pain caused by RLS.

Stretch before bedtime - RLS commonly occurs during nighttime. Its hallmark symptom creates a strong urge to move the legs when you're asleep. Hence, adopting a regular stretching routine, such as leg elevation, will regulate the blood flow of your legs before going to sleep.

Eliminate caffeine - Caffeine is a trigger to RLS, particularly that its effects may last up to 12 hours. Not only does it give you temporary energy during the daytime, but it disturbs your sleep at nighttime. That's why you need to avoid energy drinks, soda, chocolate, or tea, which has a hidden caffeine.

Regular physical exercise - Exercise remains to be the best way to regulate your blood pressure and normalize your dopamine levels. It allows your concentration to balance and relaxes your breathing. By producing sweat through a 30-minute exercise, your legs may feel relieved, getting you a good night sleep. However, you need to consult with your doctor to have a safe engagement in physical activity.

Drug Approved Treatment
Your doctor's prescription matters in your daily medication for Restless Leg Syndrome, most especially that some medications cause unfavorable side effects.

Always take note that these drug-approved medications do not cure RLS, but only relieve the triggering symptoms. These following medications are commonly prescribed by doctors:

Dopamine agents and agonists - these drug-approved medications increase and normalize the dopamine levels in the brain. For instance, drugs such as pramipexole (Mirapex), ropinirole (Requip), and Sinemet will help the brain to improve leg sensations in RLS.

However, these drug medications have minimal side effects, including daytime sleepiness, nausea, hallucinations, involuntary movements, vomiting, and lightheadedness.

Opioids - A classic medication also used in Parkinson's Disease, Opioids attach specific molecules called opioid receptors - a nerve cell that decreases the amount of a person's feeling of pain. Today, narcotic medications are available as over-the-counter drugs that need a doctor's prescription, including codeine, oxycodone (Oxycontin, Roxicodone, and hydrocodone (Hysingla ER, Zohydro ER).

Pain killers and muscle relaxants - taking Ibuprofen - a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) will help alleviate and manage your pain, particularly that Ibuprofen blocks the prostaglandins. Prostaglandins trigger RLS by giving off painful and inflamed sensations. However, you need to consult your doctor about taking ibuprofen and its side effects.

Key Takeaways

Legs are not just mere skeletal designs of your body. It plays a crucial role in your daily mobility and physical balance. While others still overlook the leg health issues, more and more people hide their conditions and keep their complications left untreated.

One of the leg complications that disturbs 10 percent of the American population is Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS). RLS, or also known as Willis-Ekbom disease, is a neurologic sensorimotor disorder causing sensational, burning, aching, crawling, creeping, itching, tugging, tingling, similar to electric shocks - which occurs repetitively or longer than seconds.

The occurrence of the symptoms of RLS is mysterious and surprising. It can happen anywhere at any time - whether you're sitting in a confined space with your awakened presence, or whether you've fallen asleep.

Up to this day, the root cause of RLS is still unknown. However, medical researchers have identified three leading causes of RLS, including the Iron Insufficiency, Abnormalities of Dopamine Levels, and Varicose Veins.

How do you treat Restless Leg Syndrome?

You have three options to treat RLS, depending on your doctor’s prescription:

1. You may avail vein treatment by sclerotherapy, radiofrequency ablation, or laser ablation;
2. You may subscribe to home treatment by having a stretch before bedtime, eliminate caffeine consumption, and regular physical exercise; or
3. You may take drug-approved medications through dopamine agents and agonists, opioids, pain killers, and muscle relaxants.

Don't allow Restless Leg Syndrome to be your pillow at night. Get yourself a consultation with your doctor today!

This is a guest blog entry.

7 Helpful Tips For Health Insurance

Your healthcare costs could be tremendous and you might be facing challenges in managing them.  Advantageously, your health insurance can help you manage these costs. However many people could be under-exploiting the benefits insurance has to offer. And in return, they might be paying much extra than they need to cater to healthcare. Let's find out how you can have your insurance policy working for you effectively and efficiently.

1. Select An Appropriate Plan For Your Family

Before deciding on the financial plan to stick with, it's essential to consider the various kinds of medical and dental needs members that your family has at the moment. If you'll require orthodontics, or maybe someone in the family suffers from a chronic illness, pick wisely for a plan that will cover all needs excellently. Take a look at Medicare part C plans here.

2. Take Time To Understand Your Plan

Store properly the documents you are issued with the moment you sign up for the insurance plan. These documents will be resourceful. You'll get from them information on various payments necessary to make, and the rules that apply for your insurance plan – such as if you need to visit a specialist. The quality you receive is amazing yet you save reasonable amounts.

3. Seek the services of an Advocate

"If the bill for services is huge in a way you are unable to understand - let's say due to surgery - hire an expert medical billing advocate to work for you," Says Ruth Linden, the founder of Tree of Life Advocates in San Francisco. "They'll not charge you if things are in order. However, in case of errors or questionable charges, there's a probability the billing advocate will charge you a third to a half of the amount they help you save. And the remember you're likely to save thousands of dollars." Mostly, these prove very important for you if you're facing complex medical issues that require extensive care which should be expensive. Some insurance companies are upgrading and provide their advocates. Such include the Advocate4Me program belonging to UnitedHealthcare. What they do is connect you to a professional who breaks down every detail of the coverage for you and assists you whenever you are stuck.
                                                                                                                   
" The cheapest charges are for physicians and hospitals part of your insurance network," utters Adria Goldman working at MedWise Insurance Advocacy located in Monroe, within New York. "Ensure the doctors treating your kids are included in your insurance plan. It's also good to be sure that the doctors are connected to the hospitals covered on your insurance policy."

5. Make the Most Of It Once You Settle Your Deductible

The moment your deductible in your plans are met, what you pay out of pocket for health care you use above and beyond that is less. That means if your deductibles for the year are met, it's wise for you to plan for appointments to have your skin checked or any other services you need to be offered to you at lower costs.

6. Have Your Prescriptions Through Mail Order

Ordering pills on a subscription service via your insurer is necessary for medications you use every other time, since it saves you the struggle and additional costs. "Making use of 90-day supplies and mail order is likely to reduce dispensing fees," words from Diana Graalum, working as a  clinical pharmacy manager at MedSavvy.

7. Max out discounts, benefits and programs

Insurance companies may be offering various health and wellness programs, like discounted prices on fitness classes, programs suited to aid in handling specific medical conditions, apps to help you follow up on medications and health records, or other improvements. Often check your insurance company's website for updates on available benefits.

This is a guest blog entry.