NAD+ Peptide- An Anti-Aging Holy Grail?

Natural aging occurs over a long period, gradually decreasing one's ability to do everyday tasks. As we age, the body's natural hormones and proteins diminish.  NAD+, an energy-building protein critical to maintaining youth, also decreases with age. According to scientific evidence, NAD+ concentrations in people's bodies fall to half their normal levels by the time they reach middle age.

However, there are other theories as to why NAD+ levels diminish with age, including decreased synthesis and more significant hydrolysis of Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide. NAD+ peptides and supplements are available to combat this scenario and maintain NAD+ levels in the body, preventing aging and promoting long-term well-being. Here is how you can buy NAD+ peptide if you are a researcher.

What is the function of NAD+?

An endogenous nucleotide, NAD+, is an abbreviation for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, found in all living organisms. Among its many roles, NAD+ is essential for basic body processes, including metabolism and energy generation, and DNA repair and maintenance through a calcium-dependent signaling pathway.

The Origins of NAD+

Arthur Harden and William John Young discovered NAD in 1906 as a cellular component that stimulates alcohol fermentation and has been used ever since.  Niacin and nicotinamide were discovered as vitamin precursors by scientists in the 1930s. A precursor to NAD+ was discovered in yeast and fungus as part of research into the eukaryotic production of NAD+.

Researchers showed in 1936 that NAD is a critical component in redox processes and proposed the nomenclature "NAD" which refers to the chemical backbone regardless of electron charge (NAD+ and NADH refer to the oxidized and reduced versions of NAD, respectively). It was shown that more NAD+ research was carried out from 1960- to 1990 & that NAD+ is also engaged in numerous enzyme interactions with SIRT and PARPs, which will be explored further below throughout this period.

How does it all go down, exactly?

As a cofactor for three key enzyme classes, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) works with SIRT, PARP, and CARS enzymes, all of which deacetylate acetyl-CoA, adenosine, and threonine (cADPRS).  Because they are dependent on NAD+, SIRTs promote mitochondrial homeostasis, stem cell renewal, and the prevention of age-related problems such as stem cell loss and nerve degeneration. 

PARPs, comprised of 17 enzymes, work with NAD+ enzymes to produce poly ADP ribose polymers, which are essential for genome integrity.  Immunological cells such as CD38 and CD157 may be found in cADPRS. Stem cell renewal and DNA repair are essential for cellular health because cADPRS hydrolyze NAD+.

The enzymes listed above are NAD+ dependent, meaning they work in the body only when Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD) is present. Because NAD+ is required by all three enzymes listed above, the bioavailability of NAD+ may be compromised due to competition amongst the enzymes.

SIRTs, for example, may be more active, resulting in decreased PARP activity and weaker systems. To get the best results, it is necessary to maintain a delicate balance between NAD+ availability and NAD+ consumption.

Advantages of NAD+ Peptide

NAD+ has several benefits, including:

• Anti-aging effect

• Reduce the level of stress

• Enhances the process of DNA repair

• Ensures a good night's sleep

• Boosts energy levels and raises metabolism.

• Helps to keep the cell cycle in good shape.

• Component of an immunomodulatory system

This is a guest blog entry.

Tips to Help You Develop a Career in Medicine

If you are looking to forge a career in an essential industry that offers a host of career opportunities, the medical sector could be a perfect choice for you. Within this sector, there are many different positions that you can consider depending on your preferences, skills, qualifications, and other factors. Once you get into the medical sector, you can look forward to a lucrative, exciting, and rewarding career with many benefits.

The medical sector is made up of a wide range of professionals, and this means that you should be able to find the type of position that is perfect for you. From doctors and consultants to nursing staff, therapists, administrators, and managers, there are lots of different options you can consider. You do, of course, need to ensure you gain the necessary qualifications for the type of medical career you want, and there are also some other steps that can help. We will look at some of these within this article.

Some of the Steps to Take

In order to succeed when it comes to this type of career, it is important to take the right steps so that you can work toward getting into your ideal medical job. Some of the steps you should take are:

Studies and Training

One of the things that you need to focus on with many jobs within the medical sector is getting the right education and training. This is something that is crucial when it comes to clinical positions within the industry, but you may also need to do some specialist training for other positions such as certain administrative posts like a medical secretary. So, make sure you find out what you need in terms of training and qualifications so that you can work toward achieving what is required.

Resume Creation

Another thing that you need to do is to consider creating a solid resume once you have completed the necessary training and studies. You will find professional cover letter examples and resume templates online, and you can use these to help you to create a perfect resume and cover letter. This can then boost your chances of getting an interview when you start applying for positions, which brings you a step close to a successful career in this sector.

Using Job Sites

One of the additional things that you can do for some types of jobs in the medical sector is to turn to job sites that allow you to add your details to the database. You can also provide information relating to the type of medical jobs you are interested in so that the details of suitable opportunities can then be sent to you directly. This is a great way to save yourself a lot of time and hassle as well as reduce the risk of missing out on some great jobs.

These are some of the tips that can help you if you want to secure a job within the medical sector. 

This is a guest blog entry.

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Study Tips for Online Nursing Students

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Enrolling in an online nursing program is a perfect way to advance your knowledge and skills in nursing. And the best thing about online nursing classes is that they offer you unmatched flexibility, allowing you to complete your studies while still earning a paycheck. This way, you can do your coursework when it’s most convenient to you rather than following a strict on-campus schedule.

However, online learning can be pretty challenging since you still have work and home responsibilities to manage. If you’re looking to pursue an online FNP program, you need to plan and manage your time better and stay on top of your studies to successfully complete your nursing course. Here are a few study tips that can help make your online learning experience easier:

1. Participate in Discussion Forums and Study Groups

Connect with your classmates and form a study group together. The group discussions can be done virtually or by meeting in person if you all live locally. Participating in study groups and discussion forums with your classmates offers a perfect opportunity to learn from each other by sharing ideas and information. It also helps you stay accountable and on track with assignments and deadlines.

Keeping in contact with your classmates gives you a chance to vent, support and encourage each other. This gives you a community of support and networking options after you’ve completed your nursing degree.

2. Connect With Your Instructors 

Apart from your peers, you also need to know your instructors as well as how they can be contacted. This way, you can contact them for clarification or guidance whenever you get stuck or are struggling with your studies. This can save you the hassle and frustration of trying to solve or understand a topic or a piece of work you’re struggling with.

Use the feedback from your instructor for further learning and seek clarification in case there’s anything you don’t understand. You can also reach out to your instructor for a deadline extension in case you’re late with your assignments. Besides your instructors, ensure you connect with other faculty members, such as counselors, mentors, and student support services. They can help you get back on track when you have personal issues causing you to fall behind in your studies.

3. Carve Out Study Time Each Day

It’s nearly impossible to cram a week’s worth of classwork in only a few hours during the weekends. Working while attending online classes can feel difficult to prioritize studying in an already packed schedule. However, finding time in your busy schedule to block off for nursing studies can make a big difference.

Scheduling study time daily can make you feel less overwhelmed and help you retain more information. Be sure to stick to the schedule and make it a routine. Take regular breaks in between whenever you start losing interest or concentration. This can help you recharge and improve retention.

Endnote

To complete your nursing program online, you need to commit to your studies fully. While you still have other responsibilities to attend to, with a bit of planning and some great study tips, you can be able to manage your time better and stay on top of your studies. Always remember your goal and work towards it daily, so you can stay focused on your studies despite the challenges along the way.

This is a guest blog entry.

Tips for Choosing an Online Nursing Degree Program

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With the ever-growing rapid demand for well-qualified nursing experts, it's not surprising that there is an uptrend in the number of students joining online nursing programs to steer their career goals. However, with so many online nursing courses being offered at so many schools, how do you choose the right program for you? The truth is that no one can tell you exactly which online nursing program is ideal for you – it is your responsibility to choose the right career path and decide how you get there.

There exist numerous differences between the various online nursing programs, all with their pros and cons. However, if you wisely make an informed decision, you will be halfway towards accomplishing your goal. Whether an online DNP FNP programs or online BSN degree program, ensure the type of program you choose resonates well with your personality, needs, and schedule to achieve your nursing career goals.

In this post, we'll look at the best ways to choose your online nursing degree program:

1. College or University Accreditation

To start, ascertain that the nursing school of your choice is accredited by recognized regulatory bodies such as the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Accreditation gives you the confidence that the nursing program you're considering enrolling in meets the highest expected standards by employers, government regulators, and other colleges.

Accreditation can severely impact your ease of transferring to another nursing school and even your ability to qualify for financial aid. Attending an online nursing school that lacks proper accreditation can lead to major issues in getting licensed and even limit your future career growth options.

2, Well Equipped Faculty

Usually, a great faculty member is not necessarily a great online environment instructor. Although most schools avail digital tools to their faculty members, exemplary online nursing schools offer advanced training on effective lesson delivery. By providing such training and equipment, the school shows that they are committed to the success of its online nursing students.

3. Program Cost

Though the cost of enrolling in a nursing program may play a key role in your decision to join or not, you must not let the perceived expenses deter you from exploring a nursing program of interest. While the average costs of online nursing courses vary significantly, the quoted cost isn't necessarily the cost you'll incur. You can request financial aid or apply for a scholarship at the institution; this will significantly reduce the cost of your enrolling to the school.

4. Time Requirements

When choosing an online nursing course, your time availability is very crucial. Remember always to check that you can allocate the required minimum amount of time to your coursework studies. Nevertheless, most schools offering online programs usually operate on the same premise as the standard schools.

This way, they often require students to attend classroom studies for a minimum number of hours before graduation.  All this course schedule will usually be outlined in the course description. You can also check with the school to know about the length of the program and the rime requirements.

Endnote

Whether you are a beginner or looking to advance your career, online nursing education is a great choice. However, it's crucial that you take your time to research and choose the right online nursing course to steer your nursing career toward a successful future. With the right program, you can go ahead to pursue your degree and stay confident that you made the right choice to serve your nursing career well.

This is a guest blog entry.

Kick-Start Your Career as a Nurse Today

Making sure you kick-start your nursing career today is one of the best things you can do to improve this. You have to try to make sure you focus on the best ways of achieving this, and there is a lot that plays a part here. It is imperative that you come up with some of the key ideas that will help you with this, and you need to understand the appeal of being able to boost your career these days.

If you want to make the right decisions to help improve your business as much as possible, it is important to make sure you focus on the best possible factors that will allow you to have the career you’ve always wanted. And it is hugely important to make sure you focus on what it takes to make the most of this; these are some of the best steps you can take to kick-start your nursing career right now.  

Get Qualified

When you are looking to improve the career path you want to have, there are a few things you can do to help you achieve this. If you want to kick-start your career as a nurse today, it is imperative that you ensure you get the best possible qualifications as much as possible. There are some brilliant ways of being able to achieve this, and you have to focus on the specific qualifications that can enhance and improve your life and help you secure more opportunities for successful career movements.

Stand Out

Standing out in the world of nursing is one of the best things you can do to improve this process, and there are a lot of great options you should be looking to make the most of with this. It is so important to make sure you focus on the right ideas that will allow you to stand out as a budding nurse. One of the best ways of being able to improve this process is to look at touching up your resume as much as you can. Nursing resume examples can be really useful for allowing you to make the most of this, as well as coming up with some of the key ideas that can help you improve this as much as possible.

Research the Role

Researching the role is one of the most important things you can do when you are trying to improve your nursing career. A lot of people want to go into this sector but they don’t realize what the ins and outs of the job actually entail, so it is important to try to do your homework with this. Understanding precisely what is expected of you when you’re going into the world of nursing is so important.

It is important to make sure you take the right steps to help research your career as much as possible, and this is something that can make a huge difference. There are loads of excellent ideas that will help you to make the most of this, and you need to focus on the right ideas that will help you improve this moving forward as much as possible.

This is a guest blog entry.

How CBD Hemp Flower and Oils Can Help You

CBD hemp flower is a strong and flavorful natural product, which may help provide relief from many symptoms and ailments. 

Unlike marijuana, CBD flowers contain low levels of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), which is the chemical known for producing a high. CBD hemp flower also does not contain any nicotine, unlike tobacco. 

The benefit of CBD hemp flower is provided by high levels of CBD (cannibidiol), a chemical that can reduce pain and can decrease depression or anxiety. CBD is a type of cannabinoid, which is a natural compound that occurs in the Cannabis sativa plant.  There have been over 480 compounds identified in the plant, 66 of which have been classified as cannabinoids. 

In addition to CBD hemp flower, CBD oil is a popular way to obtain the potential benefits of CBD. This is usually done by applying it to the skin, inhaling it, or consuming it.

The reason CBD can have a beneficial effect on the body is because the human body contains natural receptors for them. This is known as the endocannabinoid system. 

Even if you do not use CBD, your endocannibinoid system is still present and active. This is because your body naturally produces different types of cannibinoids known as AEA and 2-AG that interacts with this system. This system is known to impact appetite, mood, fertility, memory/thinking, and sleep.  

As a result, CBD can potentially have roles to play in treating eating disorders, mental health problems, infertility, and insomnia. CBD has also shown some promise in treating inflammation, seizures, high blood pressure, reducing the growth of cancer cells, improving, and reducing the risk of developing heart problems.

Be sure to consult with your physician before using hemp or any other medications or supplement so you are aware of potential side effects and are informed how to use it properly.

7 Effective Tips for Cutting Down on Drinking

You want to cut down on drinking because you know it’s not good for your health. Perhaps, you want to lose weight or realize that you drink too much and want to cut down.

When you are on medication, drinking can cause side effects when mixed with alcohol. Drinking too much can cause problems in your job, with your family and friends. Below we discuss some effective ways to cut back.

1. Drink Alcohol At Meals or With Food

You should drink alcohol at meals and with other family members or friends present. Use your drink to enjoy the food and sip it slowly while you eat. When you have a meal or attend a party, limit yourself to one or two drinks and always eat something with it.

Eating with your drink will lessen the side effects of alcohol. Prepare healthy food you really enjoy eating, so the food is more tempting than the alcoholic beverage.

2. Cut Down on The Amount Of Alcohol You Buy

When you drink wine, instead of buying a half gallon for home, buy smaller bottles, 12- or 16-ounce sizes. Buy two or three smaller bottles and measure your drinks at meals. According to the National Center For Health Promotion and Disease Control, women should drink one-5-6 ounces of glass of alcohol daily and men no more than two.

Instead of buying three six packs of beer, try buying one. Buy single cans of beer and wine to cut down on the amount. Stop buying hard liquor completely or cut down on the amount you drink. If you are still thinking about ‘how to manage moderate drinking’, then cutting back on the amount is one way to do it.

3. Drink Mocktails A Few Days A Week

Plan meals without alcohol and replace the drink with tasty alcohol-free choices. You will find many great recipes for mocktails on the Internet. They have iced tea, limeade, lemonade, fruit spritzers, and seltzer in assorted flavors without sugar or salt. If your concerned about calories, avoid drinks with milk, cream, too much sugar, and ice cream. You will be surprised that mocktails can be a refreshing change with your meals.

They sell a variety of fruit syrups and juices without much sugar that you can dilute with water or seltzer to make refreshing mocktails. They are sold in health food stores, supermarkets, and online. Try to have 2 or 3 days a week where you do not drink alcohol. Think about trying non-alcoholic beer, wine, or cider.

4. Exercise to Relieve Stress

Stress sometimes causes people to drink and finding ways to relieve stress can help you cut down on drinking. Drinking in women has increased due to stress at work and home. Find an exercise you like to do regularly; walking, biking, swimming, jogging, yoga, going to the gym and stick with it. Try to find something you enjoy, or you may not stay with it. Exercise alone or with friends, depending on what you enjoy more.

You can purchase exercise videos or follow video routines on the Internet. Join a gym or take an exercise class with others. This will increase your enjoyment and you will meet new people with a similar interest. This is another technique for how to manage moderate drinking.

5. Develop A Hobby

Some people drink to relieve boredom or to manage painful emotions like anger, guilt, and shame. A hobby can be a way to take your attention off your problems and focus on something else. A hobby will be an activity that you enjoy doing; reading, sewing, making quilts, yoga, cooking, gardening, watching sports, flower arranging, and crafts.

6. Manage Emotions With Yoga, Meditation, and Deep Breathing

To manage painful emotions, learning yoga, meditation, deep breathing, and tai chi have many exercises that can help you manage your anger and other emotions. They have videos, classes, and online information to get you started on these practices. They can help you manage emotions and cut down on drinking.

7. Seek Therapy or Help

Seek help by talking with family and friends and telling them you want to cut down. When you have serious concerns, your doctors, a therapist, or counselor may be able to help you. Talking with someone that treats addiction can help you find ways to change your behavior. When you overdrink frequently, a group like AA or Smart Recovery can help because you meet others dealing with the same problems and it provides support.

This is a guest blog entry.

The Top Tips for Medical Billing

If you are looking for a way to maximize your revenue in the medical world, you need to pay attention to your medical billing and coding practices. If you do the job, you need to make sure you get paid for it. Unfortunately, a lot of medical providers do not collect nearly as much money as they should because of issues with the billing and coding process. Even though it is not the most exciting part of medicine, it is very important. After all, if you do not collect enough money to keep the lights on, you will have a difficult time providing the right level of care to your patients. Take a look at some of the most important steps you need to follow if you want to maximize the results of your billing and coding.
 
1. Document Everything

First, you need to make sure that you document everything. In medicine, there is a saying that if you do not document it, then it does not happen. Even though you may have done everything necessary to take care of the patient, the insurance company will not believe you if you do not write it down. Even though it can take a while to document everything, you need to do so if you want to maximize your chances of getting paid. If you want to save time on your medical documentation practices, you may want to think about hiring a scribe who can help you.

2. Train Your Staff

Speaking of hiring a scribe, you need to make sure you train your staff well. There is a good chance that you are not going to be responsible for handling every single bill that you send to the insurance company. You are going to be relying on your staff to do this for you. If you want to make sure that your claims are accepted, you must make sure that you train your staff appropriately. Make sure your staff understands the most common codes that you use, and make sure they understand when to apply specific codes. This will make it easier for you to get paid on time.

3. Understand Prior Authorizations

Keep in mind that there are specific procedures that may require you to obtain a prior authorization. This means that instead of asking for approval on the back end, you will ask for approval on the front end. Before you order an MRI for a patient, the insurance company may ask you to call them to get an authorization for that procedure. Different insurance carriers have different policies, so you need to make sure you understand when you need to get a prior authorization for certain medications and procedures.

4. Know Your Carriers

Speaking of insurance carriers, you need to make sure that you get to know them. You are probably going to deal with a wide variety of insurance companies. You may have your private insurance carriers, such as Blue Cross Blue Shield. Then, you will probably have your government programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid. All of these are going to be different, and you need to make sure you understand the rules you are playing by if you want them to pay you for your services. Take a look at the details of each insurance carrier, and make sure you file claims that have a high chance of being approved.

5. Consider Outsourcing

Ultimately, all of this is a lot of work, so you may want to consider outsourcing it to a third party. Even though you will have to pay that third party to handle your billing and coding for you, it may be worth it if you get a higher percentage of your claims accepted. If you feel like you have enough business to warrant outsourcing this to another organization, you should consider the options carefully. That way, you know that you put your practice and your patients in the best position possible to be successful. There are certain situations where outsourcing your billing and coding operations might be the best option for your practice.

Get the Most out of Your Billing and Coding Practices

 
Ultimately, these are just a few of the most important points you need to keep in mind if you are looking to maximize the revenue you generate from medical billing and coding. There are a lot of medical fields where it is not viable to simply not accept insurance carriers. If you are forced to work with insurance companies, you need to make sure you maximize your chances of your claims getting accepted. Remember that this is not something that you need to go through on your own. If you would like to get more out of your medical billing and coding, reach out to a professional who can help you.
 
This is a guest blog entry.

What Is Holistic Therapy and How Can It Benefit You?

When it comes to treating certain conditions like addictions, anxiety, stress, or depression, finding the right treatment can be hard. There are a lot of options out there.

One option people might overlook is holistic therapy. This type of therapy can be effective, especially if other types of treatment aren't working well.

But what exactly is holistic therapy? In this post, we'll go over what holistic therapy is and what benefits it offers. 

What Is Holistic Therapy?

Holistic therapy is a type of treatment that focuses on the whole person, rather than just their symptoms. It considers all aspects of a person's life, including their physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health.

Holistic therapy is meant to promote relaxation and mindfulness. Holistic therapists will often incorporate other forms of psychotherapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, in their treatments. 

How Can It Benefit You?

There are many ways that holistic therapy can benefit you. Here are some of the most common benefits.

Help you to regulate your emotions

When it comes to regulating your emotions, holistic therapy can be extremely effective. It can help you to understand why you feel the way you do and how to manage your emotions better.

Connect with your spirituality

If you're looking to connect with your spirituality, holistic therapy can help. It can provide a space for you to explore your spiritual beliefs and practices. You will be encouraged to learn about yourself and your beliefs.

Improve your communication skills

Holistic therapy can help you to improve your communication skills. This is because it helps you to understand yourself and others better. You might be taught how to engage in active listening and read nonverbal communication.

Reduce stress and anxiety

One of the main benefits of holistic therapy is that it can help to reduce stress and anxiety. It can help you to learn how to manage your stress levels more effectively. Some techniques you might learn are deep breathing and meditation. You might also be encouraged to engage in aromatherapy or massages for stress relief. 

Develop a stronger sense of self-awareness

Holistic therapy can help you to develop a stronger sense of self-awareness. This is because it encourages you to look at all aspects of your life, including the good and the bad. As you learn more about yourself, you'll be able to make better decisions for your future.

Improve your stress management skills

When it comes to managing stress, holistic therapy can be a great way to learn new skills. You will learn how to identify your stress triggers and how to deal with them in a healthy way. This can help you to feel more in control of your life. 

Improve your sleep quality

Poor sleep quality can be caused by stress and anxiety. Holistic therapy can help to improve your sleep quality by teaching you how to relax and manage your stress levels better. 

Reduce your reliance on medication

If you're relying on medication to manage your condition, holistic therapy might help reduce your reliance on them. This is because it can help to improve your overall well-being, which might make you feel better and require less medication.

Get into better physical condition

Holistic therapy can also improve your physical health. You will be encouraged to examine how you treat your body and what can be done to improve your physical condition. You might be recommended to take up yoga or learn proper nutrition. 

As you can see, holistic therapy can offer a range of benefits for you. While it may not be the end-all cure to your problems, it can help you out a lot.

If you're looking for a different type of treatment, or if other treatments haven't been working well, holistic therapy might be a good option. Talk to your health care provider to see if it's the right choice for you.

Author bio:

Indranil Kar

INDRANIL is Director of Marketing at BacklinksMedia. With 5+ years of experience in public relations and marketing, he loves talking about content creation, SEO and his dog.

How Do You Know if a Dental Issue is Truly an Emergency?

Many dental issues can be temporarily treated using simple methods at home. That buys time until you can set up an appointment and have a dentist examine your teeth and gums. Unfortunately, there are some issues that cannot wait; they need immediate attention by one of the Westfield dentists near you. How do you tell the difference between something that needs treatment soon and a problem that requires immediate attention? Here are some signs you are dealing with a real dental emergency. 

Sudden Tooth Looseness or Loss

That direct blow to the mouth did more than cause your lips to swell and bruise your ego. As a result of the blow, you now have teeth that are loosened. Worse, a couple of them have popped out of the sockets. In cases like this, there’s no time to lose. 

All of those teeth need to be resettled in the gums as soon as possible. You also need advice on how to keep the teeth that popped out viable while en route to the emergency dentist. Quick action by yourself and a dental professional increases the odds that you won’t lose any of those teeth. 

Unusual Gum Swelling

Gum swelling around the base of one or more teeth is nothing to take lightly. It’s not just the discomfort; swelling of this type indicates the presence of an infection. Given the fact that infections can impact the entire body and not just the mouth is reason enough to seek help at once. 

If you want to prevent the infection from spreading and causing damage, the only smart move is to contact an emergency dentist and see the professional at once. After the dentist assesses the issue and provides a treatment, you may begin to see a difference within hours. 

Bleeding That Shows No Signs of Slowing Down

While your teeth were not loosened during the fall, there is bleeding. In fact, it isn’t slowing down at all. It appears to be getting worse. No matter what you do, nothing seems to get any better. 

This is a true dental emergency in that there’s likely more damage than you realize. A dentist can order tests that shed more light on the problem, isolate the reason for the bleeding, and take action to correct the issue. Prompt action will reduce the risk of infections or the development of several other concerns. 

Pain That Nothing Seems to Lessen

When the pain began, you figured it would be easy to deal with it at home until the dentist could see you in a few days. That turned out to not be the case. You’ve tried everything to help ease the pain. From taking over the counter pain relievers to using ice packs, then trying heat, to rubbing the gums with different substances recommended by loved ones, nothing seems to make a bit of difference. Worse, the pain is so strong that you can’t even sleep and enjoy some respite from the discomfort. 

The fact that the pain is constant and isn’t eased by anything that you do is a sign something unusual is happening. At this juncture, the only thing you can do is call for emergency dental help. Only after the origin of the pain is isolated will it be possible to setting on a course of treatment that resolves the problem and helps ease the pain at the same time. 

Whatever the issue seems to be, don’t spend too much time wondering if it’s a dental emergency or if it’s something that can wait a day or two. Call your dentist and describe what’s happening. Be detailed in what you’re experiencing and what steps you’ve taken up to this point. Always answer any questions in full. Doing so will make it easier for the dentist to make a preliminary assessment, and tell you if some type of treatment is needed right now. 

This is a guest blog entry.

How diet and nutrition Optimizes Your Eye Health

Photo Credit: Soroush Karimi via Unsplash

We all know that proper diet and nutrition play an essential role in improving your overall wellness and keeping your health at its best. But less know the full effects of what this really means. For example, proper health and nutrition can be instrumental in helping your eye health.

When you think about nutrition, you may not be thinking about how it can impact the health of your eyes, in addition to your overall wellness. Whether you see a nutritionist or Vancouver optometrist, both will likely agree that consuming a healthy diet of certain foods can help to maintain eye wellness, prevent diseases, and even improve your eyesight. Here’s how!
 

Essential Nutrients

The foods we eat contain essential nutrients for our physical health. When it comes to the eyes, nutrients that are beneficial can include:
 

• Lutein
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin A
• Vitamin E
• Zeaxanthin
• Omega-3 fatty acids
• Gamma-Linolenic Acid
• Zinc

Research has shown that eating a diet high in these nutrients can help to decrease the risk of eye diseases such as cataracts, dry eye syndrome, or other age-related eye conditions. A healthy diet can also help prevent other conditions, such as diabetes or hypertension, which are known to affect the eyes.
 

Nutrient-Rich Foods
 

There are many foods that can help benefit the eyes. Certain fruits and vegetables are the leading sources of these nutrients. Carrots are the most widely known source, containing high levels of Vitamin A and beta carotene, which help the eye surface and prevent infections. Other vegetables and fruits such as kale, orange peppers, spinach, berries, and kiwi all contain large quantities of these essential nutrients. Studies have also shown that adding fish such as salmon, tuna, and rainbow trout roughly twice a week can help prevent certain eye diseases.
 

Many types of seeds and nuts are also beneficial to eye health. Almonds, for example, are a nut that is high in vitamin E, which helps the eye bolster itself against instabilities, which can lead to weakened eye tissues and diseases. This is also true for other nuts and seeds like peanuts, sunflower seeds, and hazelnuts.
 

Other Tips for Great Eye Health
 

While diet plays an important role in your eye health, it is far from the only contributing factor. There are many other ways to help keep your eyes in top physical condition. Wearing sunglasses on very bright and sunny days is an easy example of protecting your eyes from harmful UV rays. Wearing protective eyewear while engaging in activities such as sports, construction, landscaping, or any other event where debris can easily fly into the eye is another important way of keeping yourself safe from injury.

Maintaining other healthy lifestyle habits such as balancing a good blood sugar level and avoiding smoking are two other ways to help prevent diseases that can cause eye conditions. Smoking alone can increase the risk of cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and more.
Lastly, a great way you can ensure your eyes are in optimal condition is by seeing an eye doctor roughly every one to two years.


This is a guest blog entry.

List of HIV/AIDS Medications

A wide range of medications are used to treat the various symptoms of HIV/AIDS and help get this disease under control. It should be noted, however, that none of these medications or treatments are a cure for the medical condition.

There are dozens of FDA approved medications for treating HIV/AIDS that fall under the antiviral classification, and there are other types as well. Let’s break down what some of these are and how they may be able to help you. Keep in mind that people react differently to these medications, so what works well for one person might be dangerous for someone else because of its side effects.

Most doctors will prescribe a combination of several antiviral drugs (labelled a cocktail) for best results. Be sure to adhere to your doctor’s dosing and prescription direction precisely. Any deviation with HIV medications can be very risky.

NNRTIs

These are known by the longer name Non-Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors as well as the shorter non-nukes and include drugs like Efavirenz, Doravirine Rilpivirine, Etravirine, and Cabotegravir, to name a few. These are protein binders that prevent viral replication, making it impossible for HIV to spread through copying itself.

NRTIs

The longer version of their name is Nucleotide Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors, and these include drugs like Emtriva, Ziagen, Zerit, Epivir, and Videx, as well as others. These medications stop HIV virus replication as well, utilizing erroneous building blocks to prevent HIV spread and hinder new copies of HIV cells from being formed.

Integrase Inhibitors

There are a number of inhibitors used to treat HIV/AIDS. Most of these are toxic to some degree and become more toxic with use. That means that they can usually on be used to treat the disease for a short while before other treatment methods need to be implemented.

Integrase Inhibitors are known sometimes as INSTIs, which stands for integrase strand transfer inhibitors. They prevent HIV from using proteins to prevent HIV from working its way inside normal cells in the body. INSTIs include Dolutegravir, Cabotegravir, Bictegravir, Raltegravir, and others.

CCR5 Antagonist

The HIV virus will try to work its way into the body’s healthy cells, establishing an attachment that helps it to hold on tight. This makes it hard for the immune system to force the virus out of the body like it normally would, and CCRF drugs like Selzentry will keep HIV from getting inside the cells at all. It protects healthy cells and uses a type of barrier action to block integration. HIV won’t be able to get its hooks in through the defense this drug puts up.

Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis

Also known as PrEP, this drug is useful for protecting the body against HIV before a person comes into contact with the virus. They have to be taken daily without fail to be most effective. However, they are not a guaranteed method of preventing HIV infection, but they are quite effective.

Anyone who is taking PrEP drugs at the advice of their doctor will likely be told that they need to take additional precautions against HIV, like practicing safe sex or abstaining from sex entirely. They may also want to be careful about who they choose for sexual partners, getting tested before intercourse for extra safety.

Drugs that fall into this category include Descovy and Truvada, among others.

Combinations

While doctors will often prescribe combinations of several of the drugs already mentioned here, some medications combine two or more antiviral treatments in one. These are incredibly effective and give HIV sufferers a way to use just one medication to treat the disease. This simplifies medication and effectively fights the virus on multiple fronts.

Take Precautions to Protect Yourself

To minimize the risk of contracting HIV, you should not share needles or other medical apparatus that could transfer blood or other bodily fluids. Homosexual men are at high risk for contracting the virus, especially when compared to straight men and women. AIDS is most often transmitted sexually, but it can be contracted through any means that puts bodily fluids from one person into the bloodstream of another person.

If you think you might have contracted HIV/AIDS, you should get tested, though the virus may not be testable for up to 18 days after exposure.

This is a guest blog entry.

Outpatient Program Facts You Need to Know

For those who are wondering what exactly is an outpatient program, it is a treatment system that allows patients to stay at their homes during the whole treatment procedure without the need of moving to a facility. Outpatient programs provide the opportunity to treat addiction issues while staying in their familiar settings. The goal here is that a person recovers much faster in his familiar surroundings. The outpatient programs may be in group form or single periodic appointments. 

Outpatient treatment can be undertaken in many cases but recently substance addiction is being treated most by this. Teen outpatient treatment programs have enabled the youth to be cared for with convenience. This can save them from all the stigma and hassle associated with substance abuse. Below are listed some facts regarding outpatient programs which will help you understand the true dynamics involved.

• It is sometimes thought that the outpatient programs are for substance abuse only. This is very far from the truth. In addition to substance abuse, outpatient programs are equally helpful in treating people with mental disorders like anxiety, and depression. Various PTSDs (Post Traumatic Stress Disorders) are being treated using an outpatient approach.

• Outpatient treatments mostly deal with people who are not completely lost to any disorder. They are still in their senses and just need additional support to lead them back to normality. For more severe cases, inpatient programs are more viable options.

• Outpatient programs serve as viable alternatives for people for whom inpatient treatments are not suitable. People who are not dependent on the substance completely can benefit from these programs. Patients with critical work obligations can also benefit from these programs.

• For people who prefer anonymity for a variety of reasons, outpatient treatments are bliss. There is no need to portray your illness when it can be rectified quietly. Celebrities and well-known professionals often resort to outpatient methods owing to the freedom it allows. Outpatient treatments are one way of dodging every looking paparazzi's eyes.

• Patients who have undergone complete inpatient programs and are on the way to normality can benefit from these programs. In most cases, such patients only need a little treatment touchup which is best provided through outpatient programs. One reason is that prolonged inpatient programs are at the risk of doing more harm than good for the progress can reverse in unfamiliar often uncomfortable environments of the correctional facilities.

• Even after complete rehabilitation, addicts have chances of relapse. It is often seen that patients relapse after some time of sobriety. For such cases, outpatient remains the best available option.

• Statistics have shown that most people choose outpatient programs for the sake of cost-saving. These programs are often cheap as they don’t include heavy charges for hospital stays. Moreover, outpatient programs require only periodic appointments which can further save some bucks. 

• Outpatient programs lack certain benefits provided by inpatient treatment options. Amenities like nutrition, specialized exercise assistance, medication management, motivational lectures, yoga and many other things can not be provided at patient’s home.

This is a guest blog entry.

Methods for Combatting Stress and Anxiety

Stress and anxiety are two of the biggest problems which plague a lion's share of our population. Today we are going to take a look at some ways of alleviating stress:

• If you have been feeling very stressed lately, then getting some physical exercise can help you relax. A sedentary lifestyle has been linked with sleep disturbances, poor mood, and high stress. These activities can improve your mood drastically alongside common mental health conditions like depression and anxiety.
• The food you eat has a big role to play in determining your mental health. Various studies have shown that people consuming ultra-processed food with high sugar content experience higher stress levels. We develop a tendency of overeating highly palatable foods when we are chronically stressed and this inflicts a negative impact on our health and mood. There is also a high chance of succumbing to nutrient deficiencies of Vitamin B and magnesium which are essential for regulating our mood and stress levels. Thus, it is advisable to stick to whole foods like fruits, vegetables, fish, beans, nuts, and seeds to ensure proper nourishment of your body. 
• Smartphones and tablets have evolved into an integral part of our lives. But using them too often can increase your stress level. Higher screen time is associated with increased stress levels and lower psychological well-being. Blue light emitted from the screen tends to hamper our normal sleep routine causing increased stress levels. 
• Caffeine found in tea, coffee, chocolate, and energy drinks stimulates our central nervous system. Excess consumption of caffeine can increase feelings of anxiety by causing insomnia. If you have been feeling anxious or jittery lately following caffeine intake, then it's high time to swap your morning coffee routine with water or decaffeinated herbal tea. 
• Love and care of friends and family can help us cope with the most stressful times. A study linked higher levels of perceived stress, depressive symptoms, and loneliness with not having enough support from near and dear ones. A social support system can significantly impact your overall mental health. You can join different clubs or volunteer for a social cause to feel more contented at the end of the day.
• Understanding your priorities and avoiding procrastinating can be an effective way of keeping stress under control. Our productivity gets hampered by procrastination leading to a high level of stress and disturbed sleep. If you have a habit of procrastinating regularly, then you can come up with a to-do list according to priorities. Setting realistic deadlines and working your way down the list can ward off stress. 
• Yoga has evolved into a popular means of exercise which increases our body and breath awareness. Practicing yoga regularly lowers the secretion of cortisol or stress hormone while increasing the level of gamma-aminobutyric acid which helps tackle mood disorders. 
• The human touch can be your ally in coping with stress. Various studies have linked positive physical contact with reduced levels of stress and loneliness. Cuddling with your loved one lowers the level of cortisol and increases the release of the oxytocin hormone. This also assists in lowering heart rate and high blood pressure which are infamous for causing physical stress symptoms. 
• Spending time in the lap of mother nature can serve as an excellent means of releasing stress. You can keep anxiety at bay by spending more time in green spaces like forests and parks. While hiking and camping are excellent options for adrenaline junkies, you can also take a tour of local parks, botanical gardens, and arboretums. 
• Modern millennials are increasingly opting for cannabis to benefit from its medicinal properties of stress relief by interacting with our endocannabinoid system.

Conclusion

Stress can arise from an array of factors ranging from health concerns to family obligations and even relationship problems. However, you can gain an upper hand over stress by following the tips listed above. 

This is a guest blog entry.