How to Improve Your Overall Health Starting Today

It's almost impossible to get through the week without hearing about different ways people try to improve their overall health. There are some who skip eating meat on Mondays and increase the amount of vegetables they eat on that same day, those who stopped eating gluten and those who found easy and convenient ways to workout more.

You may also hear about the growing number of people taking health supplements and wonder if those supplements are right for you. Before you start shopping for supplements, you need to look at other ways you can start improving your health today.

Get More Sleep

The human body needs sleep to remain healthy, but if you are like most people, you probably don't get enough sleep every night. Most adults need a minimum of six hours of sleep each night. If you have problems drifting off, you can cut back on your caffeine intake, spend some time relaxing at the end of the night and use a white noise machine in your bedroom. Taking out your television and any other distractions in the room can also help.

Become a Meditation Enthusiast

Meditation is one of the best ways to improve your mental health. Though you might imagine people sitting on yoga mats and communing with nature, meditating is something you can do in the middle of your home or even in the office. All you need is a quiet place that makes you feel relaxed. Sit down in a comfortable position and focus on your breathing. Clear your mind as you slowly inhale and exhale. Spending just 10 minutes meditating every day can help you regulate your moods and feel happier.

Eat Healthier

If you want to look better and feel healthier, you need to make some dietary changes. Aim to eat at least three servings of fresh fruits and vegetables every day. You might grab a handful of berries before leaving for work in the morning, snack on carrot and celery sticks in the middle of the work day and treat yourself to a ripe apple as a dessert. Keep single-serving snacks on hand too. When you bring home fresh fruits like berries and grapes, portion those fruits into individual bags that you can take with you. You'll also want to make sure that your serving of vegetables at every meal is larger than the serving of meat that you take.

Cut Back on Bad Habits

Smoking is extremely bad for you. It can increase your risks of suffering from a stoke or developing lung cancer. While smoking is bad, other habits are just as bad for you. Leading a sedentary lifestyle that has you sitting on the couch for hours at a time or lounging in bed all day can increase your risks of suffering a stroke or a blood clot. Today is the day that you finally cut back on those bad habits and start seeing your overall health improve.

Play Games

Playing simple games is a great way to boost your mental health. Some even believe that playing mind games can reduce your risk of developing Alzheimer's in the future. Look for simple games like puzzles that require you use your brain. You can download those games right to your phone or tablet and take those games with you. The next time that you find yourself waiting in line at the DMV or sitting in the waiting room at your doctor's office, play a few levels instead of flipping through a magazine.

Take Supplements

Many of the top health supplements today contain an ingredient called shilajit. This is a natural ingredient that functions in the same way that fulvic acid does. It can help remove toxins from your bloodstream, improve the look of your skin and reduce the impact of environmental pollutants and toxins on your body. As more than 90% of the supplements containing this ingredient found on the market today are counterfeit though, it's important that you buy from a reputable source and a company that guarantees all the products it sells. Other supplements contain ingredients that can help improve blood flow, reduce stress, boost your memory and reduce your risks of contracting certain diseases.

Improving your overall health can help you feel better about yourself and increase your lifespan too. Though you might think that it takes years to improve your health, you can make some simple changes today like taking health supplements, eating better and meditating more.

This is a guest blog post.

Don’t Stress Getting a Second Opinion

Our interactions with the medical field can be stressful, especially when a diagnosis or treatment plan is considered serious. Critical conditions or life-threatening illnesses evoke a level of fear not found in most other life situations, and oftentimes, there is a sense of urgency that surrounds a medical professional’s recommendation for how to get back to a healthy status. Despite the sense of urgency, making quick decisions when it comes to medical care is not always the best course of action. Taking the time to fully understand your diagnosis and course of treatment options is one of the best steps we can take to ensure a positive end result.

Part of that process is obtaining a second opinion.

Doctors are trained to diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions and diseases, and so it is natural to simply go with the initial advice from your primary care physician. However, they don’t always get it right the first time, resulting in misdiagnoses, unnecessary treatment plans or prolonged symptoms. According to a recent study, over one third of patients within the United States never get a second opinion, despite the fact that just under 10% of all patients do not fully comprehend their diagnosis or plan for care. Seeking out the advice or counsel of a medical professional above and beyond your current provider is a smart way to combat these issues, but the process of getting a second opinion is often wrought with discomfort – most of us wish to not rock the proverbial boat.

To ensure you are receiving the most suitable treatment for your medical condition, getting a second opinion is incredibly important. Here’s how to tackle the process.

What Prompts a Second Opinion?

Seeking out a second opinion is highly recommended when your diagnosis or condition is severe; however, that does not mean a second opinion cannot be obtained for less serious cases. Getting advice from another medical professional should be the norm when you experience the following:

•    Little understanding of your diagnosis or prognosis
•    A diagnosis of a severe or life-threatening disease or condition
•    When the FDA has not yet provided clear guidance on approved treatments for your condition
•    When a trial drug or treatment is recommended
•    If your provider is not able to provide clear answers on why or how a treatment will be completed
•    When complications take place during treatment

Receiving a second opinion soon after any of these circumstances take place is important in maintaining control over your medical care. Additionally, second opinions are helpful in protecting you against malpractice or questionable treatment plans implemented by your doctor. Patient Claim Line, a medical negligence solicitors firm, reports that 14% of medical claims within the UK are directly related to information provided during a second opinion. Safeguarding yourself from adverse outcomes related to your health is necessary, no matter how big or small your condition or illness.

Our Rights as Patients

Obtaining a second opinion feels a bit awkward in practice, especially when the relationship between you and your primary doctor is strong. However, it is important to remember that we all have the right to seek out a second opinion when we deem it necessary, as it is our responsibility to take as much control as possible over our own medical care. The majority of health care coverage plans afford patients the ability to get a second opinion for serious conditions without too much of a hassle. Others, however, make it more challenging to receive the advice from a specialist or another physician for a condition already diagnosed or after treatment has begun. Regardless of the circumstances under which you fall, it is necessary for you to be heard if you feel a second opinion is needed or otherwise desired.

Doctors are often willing to lend a hand for patients who want a second opinion, and most understand this to be a basic right of all patients. Take the stress out of asking for a second opinion by being open and honest with your primary medical professional about your concerns or questions surrounding a diagnosis or treatment plan. If they seem put off by your request, or disinterested in assisting you, work directly with your health care coverage provider to find another medical professional to assist you in achieving the best possible care.

Keeping your Doctor Informed

Second opinions need not be an awkward or uncomfortable request, but it is natural to feel some level of uneasiness when your desire to get a second opinion comes up. To help fight off that unrest, use the following phrases to start the conversation with your doctor or medical professional:

I want to get a second opinion before starting any treatment plan. Can you help me with this?

Would you get a second opinion if you were in my shoes?

My family has urged me to get a second opinion about my diagnosis/treatment plan.

This diagnosis and treatment plan concern me. To feel comfortable making this decision, I want to consult with another doctor for a second opinion. 

Starting the second opinion discussion off with one of these phrases will help eliminate some of the stress that comes with seeking out additional/different advice. If you choose to seek out a second opinion without asking your doctor for help, know that it is necessary to still keep them informed. Medical records including lab results, notes and current or past prescriptions need to be shared with secondary doctors in a timely manner to ensure there are no delays in receiving additional advice or care.

As much as second opinions are an important aspect of maintaining control over your health care and treatment, the process seems arduous to most patients. Obtaining a second opinion does not have to be a challenging or uncomfortable process, however. Start by knowing when a second opinion is warranted, and how obtaining this supplemental information is beneficial to your well-being on a multitude of levels. Work with your primary doctor first, and take advantage of your health insurance provider should you run into any issues. Know that obtaining a second opinion is one of your basic patient rights, and don’t be afraid to follow your gut when the need arises.

This is a guest blog entry.

How Do Diabetes Test Strips Work?

Diabetes test strips or blood glucose test strips are an essential component when it comes to testing levels of blood glucose. These small, disposable plastic strips may look insignificant, however they actually play a hugely important role in helping people with diabetes to better monitor and manage their condition. In the majority of cases, each meter will take one type of test strip only. However, there are certain blood glucose meters which also test for ketone levels and take blood ketone strips. So, how do diabetes test strips work?

Royalty free photo

How Do Test Strips Work?

The specifics of how diabetes test strips work is something that crops up a lot in diabetic FAQ. When it comes into contact with the test strip, the blood will react with the glucose oxidase chemical, which produces gluconic acid from the glucose in the blood. The meter then transfers a current to the test strip via electronic terminals which allows the meter to measure the current. Depending on the amount of gluconic acid which has been produced, the current between the terminals will vary. The blood glucose meter will then use an algorithm to determine the level of glucose in the blood based upon the difference in current.

Where Can I Get Test Strips?

Diabetes test strips and meters can be obtained on prescription from your doctor. They can also be purchased in certain pharmacies and online pharmacies. Whether or not you are able to get diabetes test strips on prescription will depend on the type of diabetes that you have and the severity of the condition. You can also get test strips from ‘diabetic strips for cash’ schemes, which buy unused and unwanted test strips from people and sell or give them to diabetics who need them. If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, your doctor will be able to tell you whether or not you need to use test strips in order to manage your condition.

How Long Do the Strips Last?

Blood glucose test strips will normally have a use by date, either on the strip itself or displayed on the box in which they arrived. Once opened, the majority of diabetic test trips will be good to use for around three to six months, however it’s crucial that you refer to the box or the information slip provided with your test strips to ensure that you do not end up using out of date blood glucose test strips, which may produce inaccurate results.

How Should Diabetes Test Strips Be Stored?

Blood glucose test strips should be stored at room temperature, and within the sealed vial. You should never refrigerate your diabetes test strips or expose them to heat, as extreme temperatures can cause serious damage. Exposure to humidity and direct sunlight can also render your test strips unusable. You should not use any test strips which have come into contact with other substances or if they have been damaged in any way.

Diabetes test strips are absolutely crucial to managing diabetes day to day.

This is a guest blog post.

EMGs: What You Need To Know

An EMG, otherwise known as electromyogram, is a test used to measure the electrical activity in muscles. It's typically done alongside a nerve conduction velocity test (NCV), which measures nerves ability to send signals.

The tests are usually performed by an electromyographer, who is typically a Psychiatrist or Neurologist. In some cases, the NCV test is performed by a trained technician. This is a procedure that can be done in-office and doesn't require hospitalization. The average EMG takes between 30 minutes and 2 hours, depending on how extensive the testing is. In most cases, it doesn't require any preparation and can be done at any time of the day.

What Happens During These Tests

At the time of the test, you'll be in a room with one or more EMG machines. They look like a regular laptop or desktop computer and aren't as intimidating as they sound. The test usually consists of two parts, and you'll be laying comfortably on an examination table while they are performed.

The first test, the NCV, the doctor will attach some small electrodes to the surface of your skin and then touch you in another area with electrodes to produce a small electric shock. This is to determine how well your nerves conduct the current - an indication of how healthy they are. You may feel a slight tingling sensation during this test, but the electrical current is always at a safe level. This procedure is normally repeated a few times to ensure all nerves in the area are tested.

The second part of the test is known as a needle examination. In this test, the doctor will insert very thin needles into relaxed muscles and gently moved around to record the muscle activity. The needle insertion itself may cause a little pain, but once inserted you should only feel a little pressure or discomfort.

Why an EMG is Performed

EMG tests are most often performed when a patient has symptoms that might indicate a muscle or nerve disorder. These symptoms can include, numbness, tingling, muscle pain, weakness or cramping and some types of limb pain. Also, a patient experiencing difficulty walking, handling objects or buttoning clothes may need an EMG.

Disorders EMG Tests can Diagnose

The results of EMG tests can be used to rule out or diagnose many conditions including muscle disorders like polymyositis and muscular dystrophy.

Results may also help in the diagnosis of nerve disorders such as a pinched nerve, peripheral neuropathies and carpel tunnel syndrome and disorders that affect the root of the nerve like a herniated disk or sciatica.

EMG test results are also used to diagnose disorders that affect motor neurons in the spinal cord or brain like polio and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, otherwise known as Lou Gehrig's Disease.

The EMG test is a relatively new procedure, with electrodes and the cables necessary to produce signals being mass produced in the mid-1980s, and is one of the fairly recent medical testing advances that can detect and diagnose conditions and save lives. 

This is a blog post by Nancy Evans.

Egg Freezing: The Fertility Process That Gives You Options

Did you know your age significantly impacts your fertility? As you get older, the quantity and quality of your eggs begins to decline, reducing your chances of having a healthy pregnancy. You’re most fertile in your twenties, followed by your early thirties, but what if you’re not ready to start a family within this time frame?

Thanks to advanced egg freezing technology, you can now preserve your fertility at its peak. This opportunity extends your childbearing years, giving you more options for the future. If you’re considering egg freezing, take some time and learn what you can do to be successful.

HOW DOES EGG FREEZING WORK?

Freezing your own eggs for future pregnancy involves four key phases:

Evaluate

Your first step is consulting with a reproductive endocrinologist to review your medical history and discuss your pregnancy goals. Bloodwork is drawn to test your hormone levels, and then an ultrasound is performed to assess your ovarian reserve. Finally, if you are not on the birth control pill, your doctor may ask you to start taking it for a month or two to regulate your menstrual cycle.

Stimulate

To prepare your body for egg retrieval, you will receive hormone injections that stimulate the ovaries to produce as many mature eggs as possible. During this time, which usually lasts five to 10 days, you will have regular bloodwork and ultrasounds to monitor egg follicle growth in your ovaries. Medication dosages may be adjusted based on follicle development. After about two weeks, once your follicles have reached maturation, you are given a “trigger” shot 36 hours before your retrieval. Timing is very important! The trigger shot, or hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin), causes your follicles to release the mature eggs just when you are ready for retrieval.

Retrieve

Eggs are retrieved during a 10-15 minute procedure in which you are under mild anesthesia.
Your doctor will use an ultrasound-guided needle attached to a catheter to remove the eggs from your ovaries. You may experience some cramping following the procedure; it takes about two weeks for your ovaries to fully recover from stimulation and retrieval.

Freeze

Once retrieved, the eggs are taken to a lab where an embryologist separates the mature from the immature eggs. All mature eggs undergo vitrification, a new technology that is the most effective way to preserve eggs. To prevent damaging ice crystals from forming, eggs are exposed to liquids known as cryoprotectants, then placed into liquid nitrogen and stored. Until recently, egg freezing happened through a slow-freeze process that often led to ice crystals forming in the eggs, destroying them. Now, the vitrification process freezes eggs so rapidly that ice crystals are unable to form, keeping the cell structure together. As a result, eggs that have been vitrified are virtually indistinguishable from freshly retrieved eggs. Within 24 hours of your retrieval, the fertility clinic will let you know the number of eggs retrieved, and the number of mature eggs frozen.

USING YOUR FROZEN EGGS TO GET PREGNANT

The beauty of egg freezing is you have control over the timeline in which you would like to conceive. You can access your frozen eggs whenever you are ready to proceed with in-vitro fertilization (IVF).
Prepare For IVF Transfer

You begin by taking medications, including estrogen and progesterone, for about four weeks to prepare the endometrial lining of your uterus to accept the embryos during the IVF transfer.

Receive and Fertilize Eggs

When it’s time for the transfer, the egg bank sends your frozen eggs to the fertility clinic, where they are removed from storage and quickly rehydrated and warmed. Next, the embryologist examines your eggs to determine their quality. Then, eggs are combined with your partner's sperm using a process called intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), in which a single sperm is injected directly into each egg with a needle, instead of allowing sperm to penetrate the egg in a Petri dish.

IVF Transfer

After fertilization, the embryos begin to develop. The embryologist selects the most viable embryo(s) to place in your uterus three to five days after the egg retrieval. The doctor will transfer these embryos into your uterus by inserting a thin tube called a catheter through your cervix. You and your doctor will discuss the optimal number of embryos to transfer based on several parameters.

Pregnancy Test

Two weeks after the transfer, you will return to the fertility clinic to take a pregnancy test; specifically, a blood test that measures the level of hCG, also known as the pregnancy hormone. At that time, you will learn whether the cycle was a success.

Make Future Fertility Yours

Egg freezing is a reliable option to explore when considering your future family; don’t let your biological clock - or anything else - determine when the time is right for you to have children. 

This is a guest blog post.

More Than Just Heartburn: Know the Risks of Untreated GERD

Sixty million Americans suffer from heartburn at least once a month and most of the time it’s nothing serious. But an estimated 19 million have burning and discomfort at least twice a week on a long-term basis and could be at risk for complications of a condition known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

While GERD can’t be diagnosed by heartburn alone, heartburn could be an indicator of GERD and should be evaluated by a doctor. Thankfully, most cases of GERD can be managed with lifestyle changes, but ignoring it could trigger a variety of other health problems. Here are a few:

-  Irritation or swelling of the esophagus (esophagitis). Triggered by constant exposure to stomach acids as they wash over the lining of your esophagus, it can cause pain and make your esophagus vulnerable to scarring and additional damage.

-  Esophageal stricture.  If your esophagus stays irritated long enough, this tube that carries food from your mouth to your stomach may develop a narrow area filled with scar tissue known as a stricture. Strictures can make it hard for food to pass and may cause choking. Strictures can be corrected with procedures to stretch or dilate the esophagus.

-  Hoarseness when you speak.  Not every case of GERD comes with classic heartburn. You may notice your voice changes and you become hoarse, have a sore throat, or chronic cough—all of which may be part of untreated GERD.

-  Asthma and pneumonia. As stomach contents wash up your esophagus, there’s a chance they could take the wrong path, entering your lungs. Anytime an outside fluid gets into the lungs you have a risk for the development of infection (pneumonia), shortness of breath, and the development or worsening of conditions like asthma.

-  Tooth decay. Sometimes considered a symptom of advanced GERD, tooth decay occurs when stomach acids wash all the way back up to the mouth. You may notice this as a sour taste in your mouth and nothing more—but contact of acid with your teeth over time can cause erosion and permanent damage to your teeth.

-  Barrett’s esophagus.  Also an advanced complication, these precancerous changes in the lining of the esophagus can only be diagnosed by endoscopy—when your doctor runs a light and tube down through your esophagus and takes a sample of the tissue for testing. There are no symptoms of Barrett’s esophagus outside of what your GERD may cause, and if left untreated could lead to esophageal cancer.

What you can do to defend yourself against GERD

If you’ve been diagnosed with GERD there are many ways you can ease your symptoms and live a better quality of life. Medications are a typical first line treatment, but may come with side effects. Talk to your doctor about the best treatment for you and also consider:
-  Changing your diet to avoid trigger foods

-  Exercising and losing weight

-  Not smoking

-  Using a GERD pillow at night

-  Eating smaller, more frequent meals

-  Talking to your doctor about adjusting medications that may worsen GERD symptoms

Gastroesophageal reflux disease may develop from different causes and may present itself in many ways. Being informed about the complications that come with it is half the battle towards minimizing GERD’s negative effects. Talk to your doctor if you think you may have GERD and learn more today.

This is a blog post by Nancy Evans.

The Many Wonderful Benefits Of Organic Juices

It is sad how the quality of edibles is degrading day by day. Adulterated food products, though cheap, are harmful for you in the long run. You cannot afford risking your family’s well-being, and when it comes to the health of your loved ones, only the best will do. An organic nutritious diet keeps you and your family fit and fine.

A glass of fresh fruit or vegetable juice is a great way to kick-start the day! Check out the many blessings and benefits of organic juices mentioned below-

Get real vitamins and minerals

Unlike processed juice cans, organic juices have nothing artificial about them. These juices are freshly squeezed out from a real fruit or vegetable. This way you get all the proper vitamins and minerals of the fruit directly. Your body needs some important vitamins and minerals for proper functioning and organic juices replenish that need.

Instant energy 

Organic juices keep you active and energised throughout the day. As some fruits are naturally sweet, the sugar content in them is a great source of energy. This is because consuming fresh fruits and vegetables keep you refreshed, increases you stamina and boosts your immunity. You can focus better and not feel exhausted every time.

Boosts the immunity

The many vitamins and minerals present in organic juices help fight harmful bacteria and prevent other diseases. Fruits such as oranges, lemon, and apples are great to boost the immunity as they contain Vitamin C, an important factor that fights all the harmful viruses and infections.

Help in losing weight 

Yes, consuming organic juices also takes you one step closer to shedding those extra kilos and getting that perfect toned body. Although proper workout is also necessary, one cannot deny the role or juices. Pure coconut water, lemon juice and beetroot help you manage your weight issues as these fluids your appetite and are very low on calories.

Keeps your skin glowing and youthful

Drinking organic juices daily can work wonders on your skin. Getting that perfect radiant, glowing and youthful skin is no more a dream! Lot of fruits and vegetables have anti-aging properties as well that help you look naturally beautiful. Also drinking organic juices reduces inflammation and baggy eyes and gives you an even toned complexion.

Keeps you hydrated throughout the day

Fruits and vegetables such as watermelons are a great source of water and consuming them as juices also help you overcome dehydration. Also the sugar content in some fruits manages the glucose levels of the body. Especially beneficial in the hot and humid summer, organic juices keep up the water content in your body and keep you hydrated throughout the day.

Prevents ulcers and kidney stones

Most of the fruits and vegetables are rich in vitamin C, and are therefore a great way to strengthen your immune system! Also vitamin C reduces the risk of ulcers and painful kidney stones considerably. The citrus acid present in many fruits prevent kidney stones form forming and ensure proper elimination of wastes.

Cures other deadly diseases

Rich in nutrients the organic juices are low on calorie and fat free thus balancing the cholesterol levels and even preventing heart attacks!  Vegetables such as spinach and kale help in the production of blood and even prevent deadly diseases such as diabetes, blood pressure and even fight cancer!

Contains antioxidants

Consuming organic juices also gives your body the much needed antioxidants that cleanse your body and eliminate the harmful toxins. Antioxidants also prevent acnes and pimples and keep your skin clear and blemish free.

Contain healthy carbohydrates and proteins

Fruits and vegetables are also a rich source of healthy carbs and proteins. This means a glass of organic juice can help you develop those rock hard muscles! Also most fruits have healthy levels of carbs and are almost fat free and hence a healthy option for athletes.

Factors to consider when buying organic juices

Keep these points in mind before you buy any organic juice
•    It should be 100% organic with no added flavours or preservatives
•    Use vegetables that are free of harmful pesticides
•    Don’t add any extra sweetener to the juice
•    avoid packed or canned juices

Mauricio Prinzlau  inspires people to go organic and live a healthy life at Bestjuicer.net. He writes about various organic juice recipes and reviews best juicers. Get in touch with him at Facebook and Twitter.

Fracking Spills Responsible for North Dakota Soil and Water Contamination

Accidental spills of wastewater at unconventional oil drilling sites in North Dakota have resulted in widespread soil and water contamination, according to a new study conducted by researchers from Duke University, which was recently published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology.

The scientists found high concentrations of lead, selenium, ammonium as well as other toxic pollutants, together with high salt levels in wastewater produced during fracking activities at oil drilling sites in North Dakota's Bakken region.

Streams contaminated by the fracking wastewater contained concentrations of pollutants that in many cases exceeded federal safety standards set for drinking water or for environmental health of freshwater systems.

Soil samples taken from spill sites showed that soils were contaminated with the radioactive element, radium, which chemically bonded with the soil following the release of spilled wastewater. In one case, the scientists still found high concentrations of pollutants in spilled wastewater four years later.

"Until now, research in many regions of the nation has shown that contamination from fracking has been fairly sporadic and inconsistent," said Avner Vengosh, professor of geochemistry and water quality at Duke's Nicholas School of the Environment. "In North Dakota, however, we find it is widespread and persistent, with clear evidence of direct water contamination from fracking."

"The magnitude of oil drilling in North Dakota is overwhelming," Vengosh said. "More than 9,700 wells have been drilled there in the past decade. This massive development has led to more than 3,900 brine spills, mostly coming from faulty pipes built to transport fracked wells' flowback water from on-site holding containers to nearby injection wells where it will be disposed underground."

During the course of the study, the researchers mapped the 3,900 wastewater spill sites to illustrate how oil drilling intensity played a key contributing role in wastewater spills.

Over a seven year period between 2007 - 2014, unconventional oil production has increased from around 100,000 barrels per day to over 1 million barrels per day in North Dakota. The increase in production is largely due to advances in hydro-fracturing and horizontal drilling technologies. The expansion of the oil and gas industry in North Dakota has spurred economic growth, particularly in the rural areas and tribal lands. However, this expansion has also fueled concern about the impact on drinking water quality.

According to lead author of the paper, Nancy Lauer, a doctoral student at Duke, unlike oil, which breaks down in soils, brine-laden spilled wastewater contains salts, heavy metals and inorganic chemicals that do not readily biodegrade. Consequently these contaminants persist in the environment for a very long time. As a result, we now have a legacy of radioactive contamination at these spill sites.

Lauer points out that soil samples collected further downstream from wastewater spill sites had higher levels of radiation than soils samples collected from a wastewater spill site itself, suggesting that radium accumulates in soils as spilled wastewater flows through.

Considering that wastewater spills can occur upstream from drinking water sources, it is important to conduct long-term monitoring of waters further downstream to determine the impact on drinking water quality, notes Vengosh. For example, in 2014 a leaking underground pipeline spewed roughly 1 million gallons of brine into Bear Den Bay, situated less than a mile upstream from Lake Sakakawea which supplies drinking water to residents nearby.

Aerial view of resource extraction in Texas.

"Many smaller spills have also occurred on tribal lands, and as far as we know, no one is monitoring them," Vengosh added. "People who live on the reservations are being left to wonder how it might affect their land, water, health and way of life."

Journal Reference

Nancy E. Lauer, Jennifer S. Harkness, Avner Vengosh. Brine Spills Associated with Unconventional Oil Development in North Dakota. Environmental Science & Technology, April 27, 2016.  DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.5b06349

Danielle Ward

Theravent For a Great Night Sleep

Keep a box in your medicine cabinet and you won’t have to worry about those random nights when you are snoring up a storm for no apparent reason. When you partner is kicking you out of bed, and waking you up in annoyance to because you sound like an elephant. If you keep one or more options that are capable of stopping snoring in its tracks simply and easily, you might get to stay in bed.

You know those nights when you are so tired you can’t think straight, or when you have had a really late night enjoying a few drinks with your friends. Other causes for occasional snoring can be seasonal allergies, or colds that cause inflammation in the airways. These types of snoring are easy to curtail using simple theravent strips, which will assist in keeping the airway, open and reduce the obnoxious noises.

For those who need nightly treatment, at just over a dollar a day this option is a really good alternative to more invasive mask therapy. Though if you are snoring every day you might want to be sure you don’t have a full on case of sleep apnea which can be much more complicated and require more aggressive treatments. Theravent is available in three different types which can handle the light snorer, the mid range snorer and the master snorer who might easily be mistaken for a bear coming out of hibernation.

It is really easy to believe that snoring isn’t a thing to be concerned about, especially if you don’t have anyone in your bed that is complaining about the noise. You will still be waking yourself up and not experiencing the restful and rejuvenating sleep you need, but you may not be aware of how often or how much your are suffering. When in doubt it is a good idea to speak to your physician. Even if you are simply feeling more tired than normal and don’t have an obvious reason why that might be happening. Getting a grip on the problem early can reduce your risks of suffering major problems that can be very serious. Sleep apnea is nothing to blow off; it can cause some very serious illnesses and even death.

Having a simple solution to sometimes snoring is an excellent way to ensure the restful nature of your sleep for those who love you and spend the night in your bed. You may also find it helps you to achieve a better night sleep as well since you likely startle yourself with the noise. Everyone experiences occasional bouts of snoring and this is nothing to worry about at all. It is only a problem when it becomes frequent and especially if it is accompanied by moments when it seems you stop breathing all together.

Be prepared for anything with a stocked medicine cabinet that includes stop snoring aids, first aid supplies, and a variety of cold, pain and allergy medications to be sure you have the situation covered before it even occurs.

This is a guest blog post.

Take Care of Your Braces with These Dental Supplies

Braces are one of the most common forms of treatment in our society. In fact, they’re almost like a rite of passage for many of us during our teenage years. They’re usually required for 12 to 24 months, not only to correct the alignment of our teeth for functional purposes, but also for aesthetic reasons. After all, a straight smile is a beautiful smile! But what about that time when we do have the braces on our teeth – how do we make the most of our smile then? For starters, taking care of your braces is pivotal. Let’s look at some of the dental supplies available from Orien Dental Supplies to help you look after your braces so they can help you create the smile you want.

Your Toothbrush
 
Brushing your teeth is always important, but especially so when you’re wearing braces, as there are more spaces for food particles to get lodged in and potentially cause dental problems. While people are recommended to brush twice daily, people with braces should brush their teeth after every meal – even that mid-afternoon snack. 

Your choice of toothbrush is also an important point of consideration. In the battery powered vs. manually operated debate, many dentists and healthcare professionals tend to side with battery power. The common belief is that people who brush with a traditional, non-augmented toothbrush tend to brush harder than necessary, which has the potential to cause unintended damage to the teeth. Add braces into the equation and the damage could become quite expensive. With electric or battery powered toothbrushes, however, users are less likely to brush unnecessarily hard, as they tend to put their faith in the speed and intensity of the brush. Dental suppliers Orien Dental have a selection of manual and powered toothbrushes to suit your needs.

Flossing with Braces

You might think that flossing with braces might be difficult with the wires and metal pieces, but it’s simpler than you might think. We recommend flossing once a day; not only between the braces, but underneath the wires as well, where food is most likely to be caught. Orien Dental Supplies can provide you with the Paro Brush’n Floss that allows you to clean around your braces using the foam-like portion to remove any food particles or plaque that your toothbrush can’t. The Paro Brush’n Floss also has a stiffened end dental threader that allows you to manipulate it around your braces. Additionally, Orien Dental Supplies has a comprehensive range of interdental brushes with a variety of handles and brush sizes to complement your cleaning needs. These products are orthodontically friendly and are ideal for cleaning around your braces.

Toothpaste

During your orthodontic treatment, you may be asked to use a chlorhexidine gel or toothpaste to help with any gum issues that may arise. We can provide you with these dental supplies. There are also two strengths of fluoride toothpaste that we can provide for your daily use that are SLS free with a mild mint taste.

Mouthwash
 
At Orien dental supplies, there are 2 types of mouthwash that you can use to help protect your teeth and gums during your orthodontic treatment. Your dentist is the best person to recommend the type of mouthwash you may require.

Within our chlorhexidine mouthwash range, there are three different strengths of the active ingredient available depending on the oral issue. All are alcohol free. We at Orien are the only Australian dental supplier to have 3 different strengths of chlorhexidine mouthwash.

We also supply fluoride mouthwash, such as the Parodent mouthrinse that has 250ppm fluoride and is alcohol and colour free. It comes in a 500ml bottle with a unique measuring dispenser to reduce wastage. This is only available from Orien Dental Supplies.

Your One-Stop Dental Supply Shop
 
While most people typically only have braces on for 18 to 24 months, it can be quite a difficult period of adjustment no matter what age the wearer is. Looking after your braces is crucial if you’re committed to looking after your teeth, and Orien Dental Supplies is committed to looking after you. As a leading provider of dental supplies in Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney and across Australia, discover just what we can do for you. Explore our comprehensive range of dental supplies online today.

This is a guest blog post.

Do You Know How the FDA Approves New Medications? It’s Time You Learned!

Over the years there have been so many FDA approved medications that have been pulled from the shelves that it leads many to wonder how they were ever deemed safe for the general public in the first place. If you or a loved one has been prescribed a ‘new’ medication that you are unfamiliar with, and even those you’ve heard of before, it pays to know a little bit about how the FDA approves new medications safe for use in the United States. With drug after drug being recalled and class action suits filed against the manufacturer, like the recent Xarelto Lawsuit filed against Bayer AG and Janssen Pharmaceuticals, consumers should know how the medications they take actually reach their pharmacists’ shelves.

Royalty free photo

Center for Drug Evaluation and Research

The group within the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) that has the final say on whether or not pharmaceuticals are safe to be sold in the U.S. is the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, CDER. By the very name of the group you would think that the FDA has gigantic laboratories equipped to thoroughly test every drug that applies for patent and to be sold here in the U.S. Unfortunately, this really isn’t the case.

Research Is Not Conducted by the FDA

Where consumers go wrong is in thinking that the FDA employs thousands of scientists and research assistants to conduct studies on each and every medication that comes across their ‘desk.’ Unfortunately, this is simply not the case. CDER does limited testing only after the medication (or supplement) has been studied by the manufacturer and that particular formulation meets with the FDA’s requirements. But does it really? Since the FDA, or CDER to be exact, does not do the testing for efficacy and safety, they are pretty much operating on the assumption that the testing conducted by the manufacturer and/or third party laboratories is thorough and accurate. The only research conducted by CDER is usually in terms of quality control. In effect, what the government is looking for is problems in the process not in the safety or efficacy of the drug.

Consumers Can Pay More than They Bargained For

If all the necessary paperwork required by the government is in order and the manufacturer appears to have tested the drug in compliance with FDA guidelines, most pharmaceuticals are approved for sale in the United States. CDER’s Office for Testing, as mentioned above, will do sporadic quality control tests but does not test for safety. Consumers should be made aware of the fact that they are, for the most part, taking the word of the manufacturer who of course wants to sell that drug for profit. Consider the fact that a pharmaceutical company most likely invested tens of millions, if not hundreds of millions, of dollars in producing the formulation so they want to profit from their investment. But at what cost?

Are FDA Guidelines Strict Enough?

This is not to say that a manufacturer knowingly withheld pertinent information from the FDA when seeking approval for their new medication. Many times it took being released to millions of people to realize the full extent of potential side effects. Whether the pharmaceutical company fell short on their ethical responsibilities or the required testing wasn’t sufficient to find those exceptions to the norm isn’t really at issue here. The point is, consumers are led to believe that the FDA approved each and every drug after doing their own independent studies and this is just not the case.

Consumer beware. Do your own research before taking any new medication because there may already be problems reported that you should be aware of. If you don’t take your own safety into your own hands, who will?

This is a guest blog post.

The Anti-Snoring Toolkit - Helping You Combat Snoring Easily

Snoring occurs when the nasal and throat airways are obstructed, causing the surrounding tissues to vibrate. Snoring can be caused by a number of factors including poor diet, weight gain, the aging process, sedentary lifestyle, stress, etc.

While snoring can usually be a symptom of a more serious ailment, it can also affect your relationship with your family and loved ones. Therefore, it’s important to follow regulated methods to eliminate snoring once and forever.

Reduce those love handles

Obesity can drastically increase the accumulation of fatty tissue around your throat area, by following a healthy weight loss program, you can shed the extra calories to decrease fat cells around your neck and help ease your airways to breathe better, thus eliminating snoring once and forever.

Follow a fitness program

Adopting a vigorous cardio or weight lifting regime can help tone your muscles and keep you fit. An active lifestyle contributes to optimum sleeping habits, thereby reducing your snoring levels over time. It is a good idea to monitor your fitness habits via a fitness journal and periodically check to evaluate your snoring levels.

Kick the Bud

Smoking has been proven to be one of the leading causes of sleep disorders such as sleep inertia, insomnia, sleep apnea, etc. all of these disorders cause snoring as their symptoms. Quit smoking to improve your overall health as well as clearing your lungs to receive clean and fresh air.

Avoid Alcohol Consumption

If you are an alcoholic or partake in the frequent consumption of liquor, it’s recommended to decrease or completely stop alcohol consumption. Alcohol is a muscle relaxant and can cause your throat tissues and muscles to contract, this can proceed to cause episodes of snoring.

Change your Sleeping Position

If you are someone that prefers sleeping on their back, you might want to opt to sleep on your sides. Sleeping on your back can cause your tongue and muscles to rest on your throat, this, in turn, can cause obstruction to your throat passages and may promote snoring.

A simple way to force your body to sleep on the side is to wrap a tennis ball or body pillow to your back, enabling your body to forcefully shift to your side.

Eliminate Dust Mites

Dust mites encourage allergic reactions causing your nasal airways to relax. This can increase your snoring levels. Also, avoid playing with pets in your bedroom to prevent them from shedding animal dander, an irritant that causes nasal allergies.

Cleaning your pillow covers and bed sheets every two to three months can relieve your snoring condition.

Regular Sleeping Patterns

It goes without saying, if you have a sleep problem, your chances of snoring are high. It’s advisable to stick to the same sleeping pattern daily to keep your biological clock in check. Getting a good night’s rest can improve your chances of decreasing snoring altogether.

Meditate to Improve Lungs

Yoga or meditation can cause a deep sense of relaxation. Incorporating breathing exercises can clear your airways and increase lung capacity for better air flow within your nasal and throat passages. Meditation has also proven to decrease stress levels, which can aid immensely in gaining a good shut-eye every night.

Seek out Anti-Snoring Appliances

There are quite a few devices that help combat snoring either by forcing your head to attain a relaxed position or by oral application.

The chin strap is a popular device recommended by sleep experts to help prevent snoring, the apparatus works by strapping the belt across your head and chin to assist in keeping your mouth closed while you snooze. With your mouth closed, your airways remain clear to eliminate snoring.

The anti-snoring mouthpiece is a device that when inserted into the user’s mouth enables the user’s mandible or jawbone to widen and increase airways, this reduces wind turbulence inside the mouth and allows the user to breathe without restriction.

If none of the above-listed methods have proved to be effective in relieving your snoring condition, then perhaps it’s time to visit a Somnologist or Neurologist to determine the underlying condition. Snoring is a condition that should never be ignored, it could relate to a more serious and undetected sickness that could prove to be fatal if not caught early. 

Danielle Ward

How CEOs With Learning Disabilities Innovated Groundbreaking Technologies

CEOs are different from almost everyone else. They thrive on risk and reward. In today’s economy, many run multi-million dollar high-tech companies. It takes charisma to persuade thousands of employees to share a corporate vision and to believe in “the evidence of things not seen.”

It takes unusual talent and persistence to create gigantic corporations, handle nationwide marketing campaigns, deal with Internet security issues along the way, and fight against all the calamities associated with network security and data loss prevention. And it takes courage to handle the massive financial losses or career reversals that can unexpectedly occur in the course of building an empire. For example, Steve Jobs was fired from the company he founded.

It’s only natural to assume that these CEOs must have extraordinary mental talents to be able to invent new technological systems, detect emerging marketing trends, and make a fortune from opportunities that most people failed to notice in the first place.

However, what may surprise you is that this is often not the case. A number of CEOs and entrepreneurs have learning disabilities, the most common being dyslexia.

Against all reasonable assumptions, they have often managed to turn their weaknesses into strengths or found a way to make their weaknesses irrelevant.

Here are four stories of famous people who have created high-tech companies that changed the world. They did not let their disabilities slow them down, and have done things most people would consider bordering on the impossible.

Dyslexia

According to Medical News Today,“Dyslexia is a specific reading disability due to a defect in the brain's processing of graphic symbols. It is a learning disability that alters the way the brain processes written material and is typically characterized by difficulties in word recognition, spelling and decoding.”

Often people with dyslexia find it difficult to read because of reversals of numbers, letters or words

Three famous technologists who suffered from dyslexia were Steve Jobs, who founded Apple; Bill Hewlett, who started Hewlett Packard; and John Chambers, the former CEO of Cisco Systems.

Steve Jobs

Steven Paul Jobs was an American inventor, visionary, and tech entrepreneur. He co-founded Apple, Inc, and served as its chief executive and chairman. He was also the CEO of Pixar, the American computer animation film studio in Emeryville, California famous for making Toy Story.

He is well-known for his thought-provoking quotes about the nature of innovation:

“Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.”

“Sometimes when you innovate, you make mistakes. It is best to admit them quickly, and get on with improving your other innovations.”

Although dyslexia made it difficult for him to read, it didn’t stop him from his prolific urge to make a dent in the universe in the world computers, animation films, and telecommunications.

Bill Hewlett

American engineer William Redington Hewlett and David Packard founded the computer manufacturing company Hewlett-Packard. At one time, it was the second largest computer company in the world. He also founded Agilent Technologies, Hewlett Foundation, and Public Policy Institute of California.

John Chambers

Executive chairman and former CEO of Cisco Systems John Thomas Chambers did not let dyslexia stop him from running the famous multinational technology company that designs, makes, and sells networking equipment.

He not only managed a multinational company, but he also wrote the popular book, “The Truth about Networking for Success: The Top Tips to Becoming a Great Networker, the Facts You Should Know.”

Asperger’s Syndrome

Here is how WebMD describes it. “Asperger's syndrome, also called Asperger's disorder, is a type of pervasive developmental disorder (PDD). PDDs are a group of conditions that involve delays in the development of many basic skills, most notably the ability to socialize with others, to communicate, and to use imagination.”

Often people with Asperger’s syndrome find it difficult to get a job because of difficulties in socializing with others and communicating their interests.

Bram Cohen did not let his Asperger’s syndrome stop him from becoming one of the top computer programmers in the world by creating a disruptive protocol that changed the Internet.

Bram Cohen

American computer programmer Bram Cohen authored the peer-to-peer protocol called BitTorrent. He also authored the first file sharing program that used the BitTorrent protocol.

Essentially, what the protocol does is allow users to transfer huge amounts of information over the Internet.

He did not have a learning disorder, but many psychologists consider Asperger’s syndrome a disorder that falls within the autism spectrum.

Bram Cohen turned Asperger’s syndrome to his advantage because it gave him a deeper interest in patterns and puzzles than most people have the patience to figure out.

Making A Dent in the Universe

Despite difficulties that would have stopped most people in their tracks, these four technology innovators have changed the world in a significant way. What is particularly impressive is that they excelled in a field that requires tremendous study and knowledge to excel in.

This is a blog post by Nancy Evans.

Transforming Public Health Worldwide

As technology advances, new ways of tracking outbreaks are continually evolving. As you work toward your online MPH degree http://mphdegree.usc.edu, you’ll learn that Medical Geographic Information Systems have become an important tool for transforming public health worldwide. Here’s how (click to enlarge):


University of Southern California Master of Public Health Online
This is a guest blog entry.

Top 4 Alternatives to Seeing a Primary Care Physician

When you have the sniffles or a sore throat, you might think that it’s time to pay a visit to your family doctor. However, as the healthcare industry continues to change in the U.S., a doctor’s visit can be very expensive and you could end up spending a lot of time in the office without receiving the results you want. Instead, consider some of these alternatives to seeing a primary care physician.

Utilize E-Visits

Image via Flickr by Army Medicine

There are a growing number of healthcare professionals who offer online tools and resources to diagnose and treat basic symptoms. Curely.co is a site where patients can talk to certified medical staff members about specific health problems and even receive prescriptions for medications if appropriate. These online alternatives are more affordable than regular office visits and can save you time as well.

Check Into a Retail Health Clinic

Many retail stores, such as drugstores and supermarkets, now offer another option to see a doctor for your symptoms. The purpose of retail health clinics is to provide a faster and more convenient experience for a patient who has an episodic minor illness. Similar to an urgent care facility, a clinic of this nature isn’t a substitute for regular medical checkups or annual wellness exams. Instead, it is a great option for when you are ill but want to see a provider while you are already at the store picking up over-the-counter meds for your symptoms.

Homeopathic Remedies

You can also use homeopathic alternative remedies to treat your symptoms instead of bundling up and heading out to see your doctor. Many illnesses are viral, so there aren’t any prescription medications that will offer relief. A primary care physician might prescribe or recommend a medication that will help with symptoms, but homeopathic options often provide similar or better results. The main benefit of choosing homeopathic medicine is that is more natural and safer than using drugs. It is practiced throughout the world and remedies will not interact with other conventional medications.

Consider Alternative Care Providers 

There are other types of healthcare providers that can assist in providing relief. If you are experiencing sore and aching muscles, schedule an appointment with a massage therapist who can give a treatment that heals inflammation, releases endorphins to help you feel better faster, and works on both a hormonal and cellular level. Hypnotherapy is an alternative treatment for chronic pain or addiction. Osteopathic doctors focus on health management through strengthening of the joints, muscles, spine, and connective tissues. A naturopathic healthcare provider will use natural resources, including exercise, nutrition, meditation, and herbs, to heal bodies. The goal of naturopathy is overall balance, which promotes wellness.

With so many options available to you, skip the visit to your primary care physician the next time you have an illness that isn’t life-threatening. Of course, anything that is cause for concern should be evaluated by a licensed medical professional. These other options make it easier to find a provider in your area so you can feel better sooner through additional treatments and remedies.

This is a guest blog post.

Is Your Primary Doctor Up to Date with Modern Medical Technology?

The role of the primary care physician is as important as ever in the health of men and women worldwide. They are the first line of defense in preventative medicine. However, it’s important for patients to practice a certain level of due diligence when visiting their go to doctor during their next appointment.

The matter at hand is determining whether or not your physician is on the ball regarding the latest in modern medicine. They have an obligation to their patients to be on the forefront of state of the start healthcare, or be in touch with someone with specialized knowledge to fill the gaps.

Next time you see your doctor, don’t be afraid to get an idea as to where they stand regarding the following core components of modern medicine:

Samples Management

A tremendous level of modern medical theory revolves around the examination of samples. Sometimes the right expert is several states away, requiring samples to be transported. When time is of great importance such as the detection of cancer, the proper handling of these blood and tissue samples is critical. Medical institutions use biotransport and storage services from companies like pbmmi to make sure samples are handled according to recognized standards.

Data Management

The idea of computer systems playing a greater role in healthcare sounds scary, but the honest truth is that software is less likely to make a medical mistake than a human being. The push for electronic health records is one your physician ought to be embracing with open arms. In fact, it’s the law.

Knowledge Updates

Experience is a tremendous asset for a doctor to have. However, medical science changes dramatically from one decade to another. A physician has an obligation to stay up to date on these changes. Don’t be afraid to ask your doctor about what medical journals they read on a regular basis. If you see an unfamiliar commercial on TV for a new drug, ask your physician about it just to see whether or not they’re caught up on the latest pharmaceutical developments.

Specialist Network

There’s only so much a general physician can keep in his or her brain. The role of the specialist is to focus intensity on a specific avenue of medical science. These individuals are privy to the state of the art developments in their respective area of expertise. Therefore, it’s important for your regular doctor to be well connected with reputable specialists in the major sections of healthcare.

Every year, millions of people are properly treated by professional and knowledgeable general practice physicians. These doctors are often times the first to know if someone is not right, and are tasked with deciding on what to do next. Patients trust their physicians to do what's best, only sometimes the best intentions become fogged by an outdated approach. Doctors must stay up to date on the proven methods to help patients, as well as incorporate technological changes into their practice. Failure to do so goes against the fundamental nature of helping people to be well.

This is a post by Nancy Evans.

So How Does Frozen Donor Egg IVF Work?

Have you tried traditional IVF using your own eggs and not had success? Many women in this difficult situation are turning to frozen donor egg IVF. By choosing to use donor eggs from a young woman under 32, you can increase your odds of having a healthy pregnancy.

Frozen donor eggs have become an attractive option since the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) lifted the experimental label on egg freezing a few years ago. Success rates are now approaching those achieved through fresh donor egg IVF.

If you’re considering frozen donor egg IVF, it may be helpful to educate yourself on the following 7-step process of a typical cycle that takes about 6 weeks.

Enroll In A Frozen Donor Egg Program

After you’ve taken the first step and enrolled in a frozen donor egg program, this will be your chance to ask questions and explore the financial plans available to cover the cost of donor eggs.

Select An Egg Donor

By viewing the egg bank’s database of donors, you’ll be able to find a donor who suits your individual preferences. You will be able to evaluate a wide variety of donor profiles that reflect the diversity of the United States.

The detailed profiles typically include medical history, genetic disorders, fertility history, college degree, employment status, and a few short-answer questions, including her reason for donating eggs. You will even have access to donors’ photo albums to assess their physical characteristics, if desired.

Prepare For the IVF Transfer

In order to prepare the endometrial lining of your uterus for implantation, you will need to take fertility medications, including estrogen and progesterone, for approximately four weeks prior to the embryo transfer. According to Baby Center, an endometrium of at least 7 mm is critical for a successful donor egg IVF cycle. Your doctor will do an ultrasound to measure your uterine lining prior to your transfer to ensure that the optimum thickness is reached.

Receive Eggs

When you are ready, the egg bank will send the frozen eggs to the fertility clinic of your choice via priority overnight shipping. You will receive a minimum of 5 mature eggs, the number deemed optimal to produce one healthily-developing embryo for transfer. 

Thaw and Fertilize Eggs

Once your uterus is ready for the embryo to be implanted, the embryologist will start the fertilization process. Eggs are removed from the storage vat and quickly rehydrated or warmed. The embryologist will examine the eggs and grade them based on their quality level. Then the eggs will be combined with your partner's or donor’s sperm and incubated overnight. During frozen donor egg IVF, doctors typically recommend fertilizing the eggs using a technique called intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). With ICSI, a single sperm is injected directly into each mature egg with a needle, instead of allowing sperm to penetrate the egg in a Petri dish.

Undergo IVF Transfer

After fertilization, the embryos will begin to develop. Three days after the egg retrieval, some of the eggs that were successfully fertilized become 6- to 10-celled embryos. By the fifth day, some of these embryos will develop into blastocysts with a fluid-filled cavity and tissues that are starting to separate into a placenta and baby. The embryologist then selects the most viable embryo or embryos, depending on various factors discussed with your doctor, to place into your uterus 3 to 5 days after fertilization. The doctor will transfer the resulting embryos into your uterus by inserting a thin tube called a catheter through your cervix.

In some cases, there may be more than one or two viable embryos, in which case the additional embryos can be cryopreserved and used for a potential future cycle.

Take A Pregnancy Test

Two weeks after the embryo transfer you will receive a blood pregnancy test that measures the level of hCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin, also known as the pregnancy hormone) in your system. The clinic will continue to measure your hCG levels until you’re released to a traditional OB/GYN at around 7 weeks.

When a woman is told that using her own eggs to get pregnant is impossible, the emotional results can be devastating. But by considering frozen donor egg IVF, her sense of hope and her dreams of having a family can happily be restored.

This is a guest blog post.

What’s Your Metabolism Type?

Metabolism is the chemical process your body uses to keep cells alive and your body functioning. To do this, cells need energy that is delivered from the nutrients you take in from food.

This energy comes in the form of calories from fats, proteins, vitamins and minerals. Just as no two people are alike, there are no two metabolisms that are exactly the same. That’s why what you eat should be customized to the type of metabolism you have. Here are the three most common metabolic types:

Type A

The type A metabolism craves salty foods like potato chips and tends to have trouble with anxiety. Researchers believe that type A’s burn protein and fats more efficiently than carbohydrates so it’s fine for these types to enjoy dairy, ice cream, cheese, fruits and vegetables, but they should stay away from refined carbs like white bread. Type A metabolisms should try to make sure 50% of their calories come from protein, 30% from fat, and 20% from carbohydrates each day.

Type B

If you crave sweets, you may have a type B metabolism. To help you fuel your body most efficiently, follow a low-fat, low-protein diet (this means increasing your healthy carbohydrates). Take in more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains and try to get 70% of your daily calories from carbs, 20% from protein and 10% from fat. If you eat dairy as your protein source, make sure to choose low-fat options.

Type C

Do you find yourself craving different flavors at any time? It’s not an identity crisis--you’re probably just a type C metabolism. In this case, you should aim for a balance of all nutrients and take in 33% of your daily calories from fat, 33% from carbs and 33% from protein.

Don’t guess at your metabolic type

While many quizzes and questionnaires can be found online that deem to determine your metabolic type, the best way to find out what’s happening inside your body on the cellular level is to consider nutrigenomic profile testing. This simple saliva test, provided by Pathway Genomics can reveal exactly what nutritional needs your body has based on your DNA, so you can begin eating what’s right for you—no guessing required.

This is a blog post by Nancy Evans.

Getting Older: How to Keep the Aging Mind Sharp

We’re all given a vehicle at birth. How we handle it and care for it in the years to come will determine how long it runs. While some of us may be blessed with a vehicle capable of taking abuse, others may be given one with limited capabilities. But one way or another, how we treat these vehicles will affect the lifetime mileage.

This vehicle being talked about is not a car, but the human body. The older we get, the more likely our parts aren’t going to perform as well as they did in years past, not unlike an automobile. It’s therefore important to do what we can to keep ourselves in running condition for as long as possible.

Folks in their late-50s and onward have a particular obligation to keep their minds running properly. It’s no secret our thinking starts to get a bit muddled as we get older. Most aged care training courses focus heavily on dealing with declining mental agility among the elderly, a clear indicator of how much brain power influences independence later in life.

To help older readers out, here are five ways to keep the mind sharp past 60 years of age:

Read Regularly

Studies strongly suggest that reading books on a regular basis can help prevent dementia in adults as they age. While all forms of reading are welcome ways to exercise the brain, it appears that books and other longform writing are best for keeping the mind healthy.

Play Games

The same studies which point to the brain benefits of reading also point to puzzle solving and similar games as a great way to help the mind stay sharp. While we can’t definitively say your favorite bird themed video game is good for the brain, anything requiring critical thinking is likely to count. This includes everything from the ancient game of chess to strategy based MMO (massively multiplayer online) games.

Question Things

The older we get the more we settle into certain grooves of thought. We align ourselves politically, culturally, and socially, and feel confident we’re in the right. The unfortunate side effect is a reduced amount of scrutiny placed on the information we receive. It’s critical to continue applying skepticism to seemingly trusted facts and figures. Otherwise we begin to build inaccurate webs of self-deception in the final chapters of life.

Travel

Visiting a foreign city is a mentally enriching event at virtually any stage of life. It certainly keeps the mind on nonstop absorption mode, taking in all the exotic sights, sounds, smells, and tastes. Travel as much as possible in older age to encourage a well rounded brain. If you’re financially incapable of globe trekking, or even going out of state, a simple walk around town can invigorate the mind in a similar fashion. The goal is to expose your senses to different things.

Eat Properly

The benefits of healthy eating in old age are shown to help prevent bone and muscle injuries common among the elderly. However, a proper diet can also help prevent mental deterioration. The right ratio of vitamins, proteins, and complex carbohydrates results in a brain receiving its desired balance of nutrients.

Whether it’s Volvo or BYD, every automobile will run longer if well maintained. The same is true for the human body. The better we take care of our personal vehicle, the more miles we’ll rack up before the timing belt breaks.

This is a blog post by Nancy Evans.

Helping a Friend Deal with Depression

Depression is a common disorder in the United States, with reports showing that 1 out of 10 people will suffer from this debilitating condition in their lifetime. With modern stressors, genetics, and mystery factors not yet understood combining to increase the frequency of this disease, it is likely you will personally know someone struggling with depression at some point in your lifetime.

If you’re worried your friend might be suffering from depression and want to help as much as possible through this difficult period, consider these tips.

How is Depression Different?

Everyone has periods of sadness, but clinical depression is another type of beast. A severely depressed individual may find it a struggle to complete even the most simple of daily tasks, rendering them unable to function effectively in their normal routines. It’s not something that can always be overcome with positive thinking, and it affects so many different facets of life, including namely, relationships—don’t let yours with your friend become a victim to this disease.

Encourage Them to Seek Professional Help

Your friend might be very resistant to reach out to you, let alone reach out to a therapist or other licensed professional. However, depression is a scary condition, and it’s worth talking to your friend about accessing care should the situation require it. It can be hard to know whether they need care or not. There are certain signs to look for: if he or she mentions suicidal thoughts, if they aren’t able to eat, or if sleep has become impossible, they need to seek help and work out some sort of treatment.

Get Educated

While mental illness is more talked about in recent years than it has ever been, there’s still plenty of misconceptions about depression and anxiety. To fully be there for your friend, you need to take your time to understand the condition. Do your research; go online, check out books, look at recent studies. The more you know, the more helpful you can be.

Be There

Your friend likely won’t reach out for you, but that doesn’t mean they don’t need your support. Stay in touch as much as possible. It may be frustrating when they aren’t returning your texts or answering your calls, but it’s essential that you continue reaching out. Their retraction from life is no reflection of their feelings towards you or your friendship; depression makes even basic functions feel impossible. Part of being there might mean taking initiative to do the things he or she can’t handle anymore. This might mean picking up groceries, doing their laundry, or even dropping off prepared meals to make sure they’re eating. If you live far away, you can help do many of these things through services. You can send a cleaning brigade to their home with Merry Maids, have groceries or recipe boxes like Hello Fresh dropped off at their door, and ask close-by friends to check in on them every now and again.

Listen

You should strive to become a listener more than a talker when it comes to your interactions with your friend. Listen to their concerns, prompt them with open ended questions that will get a conversation going, and be wary of offering advice. Don’t feel compelled to say something; depression doesn’t always make sense, and there isn’t always an answer. You can, however, always provide words of support and hope, without diminishing the pain your friend is currently experiencing. Everyone deals with and overcomes depression in a different way, so what works for someone else you knew might not work for this particular friend.

Little Surprises

By no means will gifts help them “get over” their illness, but providing little bits of happiness will put bright spots into a week that might have been otherwise difficult. Grab a special gift to let them know you’re thinking of them, or drop off a bouquet of flowers just because. This is another way to show you care without overwhelming your friend, and lets them know you’ll be patient while they work through their illness.

Watching a friend suffer from depression is tough, but you can make the difference by being a pillar of support while they work to get better. Use these guidelines to be there for your friend and give them hope of a brighter future.


This is a guest blog entry.