Are Clear Braces Right for You?

You’ve visited the dentist (or a mirror) and found out that your smile isn’t as beautiful as it could be or once was.  You’ve got crooked teeth and you’d like to do something about them, which is good, because there’s a number of ways to straighten your smile and let it shine.

Typically, crooked teeth meant braces – nasty, sharp and jagged metal braces.  Metal braces, also known as regular or traditional braces, are never fun - causing many annoyances and pain for the wearer.  Eating or taking care of your oral health is complicated and there is also no relief because they cannot be removed until your treatment plan has been completed.  Regular braces can also stain or damage your tooth enamel, leaving you with discolored teeth once the braces are removed.  Even after your teeth have been straightened, you could still find yourself with a less than perfect smile years down the road when your teeth fall out of alignment again.

Long story short, braces suck!  Until now that is, as clear braces have been developed and are taking over the fight against crooked teeth.  Also known as clear aligners, invisible braces, clear aligner trays and more – these custom made, plastic trays have simplified and taken most of the hassle out of wearing braces to straighten your teeth.  Clear braces let the wearer say goodbye to the pain of metal braces cutting into their gums and lips as well as freeing them from the confidence draining nightmare of an ugly metal smile.  Clear braces are virtually invisible, way more comfortable and can be removed when you eat or clean your teeth.  Best of all, they can give you a straighter smile in record time.

Types of Braces

You want straighter teeth – here are your options:

Metal Braces (Traditional Braces)

These types of braces feature metal brackets that are attached (bonded or glued) to your teeth and connected with a metal wire.  The wire acts to pull your teeth into their correct alignment over time and allows for incremental adjustments (tightening).  Metal braces are very uncomfortable, ugly and require many visits to the dentist for adjustments.  They are also non-removeable and create issues keeping your mouth clean and healthy.

Ceramic Braces

These braces look and function just like metal braces but use ceramic brackets that are colored to match your teeth.  They are less noticeable but most of the discomforts and the hassles or traditional braces still remain.  Ceramic braces are applicable for virtually all teeth straightening requirements but cost more than traditional metal braces.

Lingual Braces

Just like traditional braces, lingual braces feature metal brackets and wires attached to your teeth.  They differ from regular metal braces because they are attached on the inside of the teeth as opposed to on the front.  Lingual braces cannot be seen when you smile but they are very hard to clean, uncomfortable to wear, difficult to adjust and often affect a person’s speech, causing slurring and a lisp.

Clear Braces (Invisible Braces)

The most sought-after teeth straightening method is undoubtedly clear braces and for good reasons.  Clear braces feature a series of custom-made mouth guard like clear aligner trays that patients wear all day and night to progressively straighten their teeth.  Clear braces are almost invisible, do not require any attachments (brackets and wires), are comfortable to wear and can be removed while eating and for your oral care routine.  Clear braces don’t work well for seriously crooked teeth and are not available for children.  Clear braces are often used as follow up or maintenance treatments to ensure your smile stays straight for life.

What You Need to Know About Clear Braces

Since the inception of teeth straightening braces, dentists have been trying to find a method that produces results without filling a patient’s mouth with uncomfortable brackets and wires.  Clear braces have been in the works since the 1970’s but the first concept didn’t appear until 1997 when 3D technology allowed fabrication of clear plastic aligners trays that looked like mouthguards.  Clear braces have since been available as a treatment option since around the year 2000 but it’s been in the last few years that their prominence as a viable tooth straightening tool has really come to bear.

Clear braces are available for teenagers and adults with mild to moderate teeth alignment issues.  For patients with severe issues, traditional or ceramic braces may be required instead.

Benefits of Clear Braces Compared to Regular Braces

Clear braces are becoming very popular and it’s easy to see why.  The benefits of clear braces minimize the three largest drawbacks of traditional braces –pain, maintenance and looks.  No more metal mouth, no raw and cut up gums or lips and performing your oral care routine is a breeze.  Even though patients are required to wear the clear braces 24 hours a day (just like regular braces) they can be removed for meals and for cleaning, which is a massive bonus as anyone who’s every had to wear braces can attest.  Clear braces are also just that, clear, meaning that they are almost invisible and won’t give you an unsightly smile that can end up hurting your confidence. Another big advantage is that clear braces don’t require repeated and annoying appointments with your dentist.  Instead, your clear aligner trays are mailed directly to you and all you have to do is pop in the new set and away you go.

•    Clear and virtually invisible
•    Not directly attached to your teeth (no staining, discolouration or damage to your tooth enamel)
•    Virtually pain-free to wear
•    Can be removed for meals and oral care
•    No repeated visits to the dentist
•    Allow rapid straightening of mild to moderate tooth Talignment problems
•    Can be used as a remedial or maintenance treatment to help keep teeth straight for a lifetime

However, clear braces may not be right for everyone.  Patients with moderate to severe teeth alignment issues may still need corrective help from regular braces.  Some dentists are using two-part treatments, where the toughest realignment is achieved with regular braces before transitioning to clear braces for the final touches.

Clear braces can be a game-changer for patients looking for a straighter smile.  It is recommended to speak with your dental care professional for more information on whether invisible braces are a suitable treatment option.  There are a handful of invisible braces brands out there, such as Invisalign and ClearCorrect, and consumers can research which options they prefer.  Our dental offices at Martindale Dental specialize in Invisalign style invisible clear braces and can help you or your family achieve the beautiful, straight smiles you deserve.

This is a guest blog posting.

Revolutionary Dental Procedures to Look Out For At Your Dentist

A beautiful smile starts with the perfect dental health but this is not easy. Most people suffer teeth problems from an early age and these become major issues leading to teeth decay, loose teeth, periodontal disease, and oral cancer among other serious dental issues. Ultimately, a smile for such people becomes a mirage.

Luckily, advances in dental technology have seen new revolutionary dental procedures to remedy even the worst dental cases. If you have always wanted to restore that beautiful smile but you have a problem with your teeth, it is time to learn more about the latest dental procedures and how they can transform your life.

Importance of New Dental Procedures

People with dental problems struggle with low self-esteem and other mental health issues. A smile might not sound like much but for anyone with discolored teeth or missing teeth; it is something they would give anything to regain. 

The latest dental procedures not only help with smile restoration but also help overcome dietary problems such as an overbite.  It is also possible to prevent periodontal disease by protecting the gums. These procedures can also keep off serious dental issues such as oral cancer.

Dental Procedures Your Dentist Should Use

Your dentist first carries out a thorough dental assessment and an evaluation of your dental history. A recommendation for treatment only comes after this assessment. Some of the main dental procedures dental professionals use today includes:

1. Dental Implants:  If you have a missing tooth, it is easy to understand how frustrating this situation can be in your life.  A dental implant is a permanent replacement and includes a titanium screw fixed deep into your jawbone and a crown replacement which looks and feels like a natural tooth.

2. Laser Dentistry: Some dental procedures involve discomfort and pain but with laser dentistry, such problems no longer occur. From tooth fillings, cavity detection, reducing tooth sensitivity, eliminating tumors to teeth whitening, laser technology has revolutionized modern dentistry.

3. Invisalign: Braces have for a long time helped correct dental issues but the problem with traditional braces is the discomfort they cause. Invisalign are invisible braces custom-made to fit perfectly over individual teeth. They straighten teeth without causing discomfort and you can remove them any time you wish.

4. Computer Aided Design (CAD) Technology: Dental visits have become shorter with CAD technology. Preparing a crown is faster with this technology and the tooth replacement fits better.

5. Porcelain veneers: These veneers made from porcelain shells help correct tooth defects such as discoloring, chipping or cracking. They look natural and last longer than other tooth coverings.

6. Better Bonding and Filling Materials: Modern bonding materials include resin which is thinner and lasts longer. "Tooth-colored" composite or porcelain fillings perform better compared to traditional materials used in these procedures.

7. Gum disease treatment: Some of the advanced procedures in diagnosis and treatment of gum disease include laser technology, membranes, Scaling and root planning, bone grafts, or proteins for tissue growth, flap surgery/pocket reduction surgery and Guided tissue regeneration are a few of the new approaches treating gum disease.

During your next dentist appointment, ask about the latest dental procedures and ask which can help improve your treatment.   These advanced dental procedures will restore your smile and make a huge impact on your life.

This is a guest blog posting.

Bladder Scanning: Preventing Unnecessary Procedures

One of the most common infections in the hospital is a catheter-associated urinary tract infection or commonly known as CAUTI. This infection is caused by germs which enter the body via a urinary catheter, a tube inserted into the urinary tract to drain urine. If patients get affected with it, these infections can lead to serious complications, even death, especially for critically ill patients.
Hence, the role of nurses plays a very important part in preventing this infection to occur. Through the help of a bladder scanner, many patients can now prevent costly and painful procedures, such as unnecessary catheterization and cystoscopy.

What is a Bladder Scanner?

Bladder scanners are revolutionary tools that use technology to noninvasively and accurately evaluate the need for catheterization of the patient. It is a portable, hand-held ultrasound device, which can do an easy and painless scan of the bladder.

All bladder scanners have a transducer or probe and each piece determines the type of procedure your physician will conduct. Basically, a bladder scanner mainly uses high-frequency sound waves which are transmitted through the probe that provides a virtual 3D image of the bladder and the volume of urine retained within the bladder. This data will be documented and registered on a computer for examination and analysis of the physician afterwards. The data also includes images of the internal soft tissues of the bladder and other related organs.

This ultrasound procedure is known as bladder scanning which normally takes only a couple of minutes to complete and does not require the supervision by a sonographer. Most physicians use different medical approaches for diagnostic purposes. This usually varies on the organ that needs scanning. For instance, external organs such as bladders, breast, and muscles require higher frequency application while lower frequencies are applied in assessing deep structures such as the kidneys, and the liver.

Benefits of a Bladder Scanner

Bladder scanning is an innovative medical procedure as it provides painless medical assistance to patients and eliminates the risks associated with an unnecessary medical procedure, such as catheterization. There are several bladder scanners now available in the market consists of a battery-operated LCD display console, an ultrasound probe that scans the patient's bladder, and a pair of rechargeable batteries with a charger.

A bladder scanner is an effective device which is now commonly used by many medical professionals in ascertaining post void residual left in the urinary bladder of the patient. No wonder why this powerful device is considered as a powerful medical tool as aside from providing noninvasive medical assistance, this medical device also provides a cheaper procedure compared to other procedures like cystoscopy and catheterization. In fact, bladder scanning has superseded urethral catheterization as the latter medical procedure has been linked to unnecessary pain and other potential medical risks.

Bladder scanning has so many benefits to offer which include:

• Bladder scanners can provide data about the prostate size, diverticula, stones and large tumors in the bladder.
• Bladder scanners are utilized to identify the main causes of bladder irritability, urinary frequency, and identify bladder distention. It is an effective tool in bladder training, too.
• It is proven to be a powerful device in assisting in an accurate examination of a patient's hydration status.
• Bladder scanners are useful in the diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of postoperative urinary retention or commonly known as POUR. It is likewise essential in avoiding catheter-associated urinary tract infections. 

Conclusion

The utilization of ultrasound bladder scanner is not only imperative but necessary in order to prevent the aggravation of bladder illnesses such as urethral stricture, urosepsis, urinary tract infections and bladder dysfunction. This is important to save the patient from excruciating pain, damage to his/her renal structures and most especially, to avoid unnecessary medical care that can only lead to additional medical expenses and may lead to other potential medical risks to the patient.

Indeed, the benefits of bladder scanning cannot be overemphasized and medical experts, as well as patients, should take advantage of these. Many medical suppliers, such as Emech Medical Supplies, sell high-quality bladder scanner that helps medical experts easily gather accurate data of the patient’s bladder status.

This is a guest blog posting

Have You Ever Experienced Transient Global Amnesia?

Transient global amnesia is a sudden temporary occurrence of memory loss. What happens is that if you suffer from transient global amnesia, you can’t remember recent events. Most incidents will lead you to repeat the same question despite being answered.

Note, with transient global amnesia, you know who you are, and you can recognize people. The condition is quite rare but is harmless. It will most likely not occur again after it happens the first time.  It is characterized by short episodes with it lasting a couple of hours. After that, you regain your memory fully.

You suddenly can’t remember how you got where you are. You certainly can’t remember the answers you’ve been given which makes you ask questions repeatedly.  During the recovery process, you may slowly begin remembering stuff.

This condition mostly affects the middle-aged and the elderly.

Symptoms

For transient global amnesia, it is mainly characterized by a person’s incapability to form new memories. Below are some other signs to diagnose transient global amnesia. They have to be present to confirm that a patient is suffering from the condition.

• Knowing one’s name despite the memory loss
   
• Sudden memory loss which has to be verified by a witness
   
• An absence of any physical damage to particular areas of the body such as the brain
   
• Normal cognition of ordinary objects or ability to follow directions
   
• The condition staying no more than 24 hours or less
   
• No history of epilepsy
   
• No seizures during the amnesia period
   
• The gradual return of memory
   
• Repetitive questioning

Possible action

When you notice your loved one having the above symptoms, seek urgent medical attention. This is the only way to distinguish other serious illnesses that also cause memory loss.

Causes

The primary cause for transient global amnesia is not known. However, there is a slight link to migraines. Also, another possible cause is overfilling veins with blood due to some blockage or venous congestion.

In as much as the primary cause is unknown, there are reported events that have been associated with this condition:

• Strenuous physical activities
   
• Sexual intercourse
   
• Some medical procedures including endoscopy and angiography
   
• Mild head trauma
   
• Prompt immersion in hot or cold water

Another cause could be stress. Stress could be due to the loss of a loved one or having a bad credit score which deters you from accessing loans. However, there are service providers who can give you a personal loan without checking credit. This should help reduce your stress levels to avoid episodes of transient global amnesia.

In most cases, transient global amnesia is likely to occur 4.5 more times in people aged 50 and above than in young adults. However, if you experience migraines, you risk getting transient global amnesia more than people who don’t experience migraines.

This condition should be treated as an emergency. Schedule an emergency appointment and take the affected person to the hospital.
 
How to support the affected person in the hospital

1. Ensure that you stay with the person all through. Take notes as the doctor gives useful information that will help in making the decisions after that.
    
2. Notify the doctor of any emotional or physical events that could have triggered the memory loss such as immense debt.
    
3. Provide the doctor with any previous conditions or diagnoses the person may have received.
    
4. Don’t forget to point out any medication your loved one is taking.
    
5. Since the loved one is not in a position to ask some questions, do so on their behalf. For example, ask about what causes the symptoms, what are the recommended tests? Will it be a full recovery?

Tests to be performed to rule out other illnesses

Memory loss can be due to other conditions such as seizure and stroke. This is why it is crucial for physical examination such as checking reflexes, coordination, and sensory function.

The doctor may also ask questions that will test judgment and thinking.

Imaging and brain tests are also necessary. The doctor may perform an MRI, CT scans or an EEG.
The EEG is necessary mostly to rule out epilepsy in case you have more than one episode of transient global amnesia.
 
Remember, the condition in most cases occurs a maximum of two times.

In the case that you bring the affected person, the doctor will ask some common questions to help understand the occurrences. Some of the questions will be:

• Has the person had seizures since the condition started?
   
• Does the person have a history of migraines?
   
• When did the memory loss start?
   
• Did the person accidentally fall and injure his or her head?
   
• Is there any recent surgery the person underwent?

All of these questions are meant to help the doctor understand what happened precisely to rule out other severe conditions. Transient global amnesia does not need any treatment. As mentioned earlier, the episodes are, and the affected person regains his or her memory fully.

This is a guest blog post.

Allergic Reaction or Something More? Common Rashes You Shouldn’t Ignore

Everyone gets a rash at some point in their lives. More often than not, rashes are minor and pop up as a reaction to an external irritant, like changing soap or laundry detergent or coming in contact with certain plants or animals.

These rashes typically go away on their own or with a simple over-the-counter treatment and are nothing more than a temporary annoyance.

Sometimes, though, a rash is an indicator of a more serious health issue. In fact, doctors often look at patients’ skin as a sort of window into what’s happening inside the body, as many serious illnesses often appear as hives, rashes, lesions or other skin issues. The kinds of rashes requiring medical attention are usually, but not always, accompanied by additional symptoms that need to be addressed. If you have a rash or skin irritation along with any of the following signs and symptoms, or you simply don’t feel well, don’t ignore it, and see a doctor right away.

Bullseye Rash
One of the most common types of rashes that needs immediate medical attention is a bullseye or circular rash, whether it appears with additional symptoms or not. One of the classic signs of Lyme Disease, the bullseye rash appears after you’ve been bitten by an infected tick; it can take up to 30 days for the rash to appear, and it might appear in several places on your body. If you notice this rash, get to a doctor right away as a course of antibiotics can cure the disease. It’s especially important to see a doctor if this rash is accompanied by a fever and chills, fatigue, headache, body aches and a stiff neck.

Purple Rashes
Any time you notice a rash that appears purple, you should see a doctor right away as these rashes are often indicative of chronic disease. For example, rashes that are purple and velvety feeling and appear on the back of your neck and in the folds of your body (like your underarms) are often a sign of Type II diabetes, especially when accompanied by other symptoms including fatigue, unexplained weight changes, excessive hunger or thirst, headaches and vision problems.

Another purple rash that shouldn’t be ignored is one that appears as spots on your hands and feet, which may indicate a bacterial infection in the heart. Lesions that look like bruises and are located all over your body can also be an indicator of a circulation issue or vasculitis, which indicates that your blood isn’t clotting properly. And finally, a purple rash that is limited to your lower legs and feet can be a sign of hepatitis C, so a visit to the doctor is in order.

Butterfly Rash
Facial rashes are commonly caused by sun exposure or cosmetics, but one type of rash in particular requires medical attention. The so-called “butterfly rash,” named because of the way it spreads across one’s cheeks, is a classic sign of the autoimmune disease lupus. While the rash isn’t typically painful, it can itch and burn. This type of rash may be accompanied by fatigue, stiff or sore joints, headaches, mouth or nose sores, hair loss and extreme sensitivity to cold temperatures; if this sounds like you, you need to see your healthcare provider for testing and treatment.

Itchy, Dry Skin
Itchy rashes aren’t necessarily a sign of a serious health problem, but they can be if they don’t clear up quickly or they come with other symptoms. For example, many people suffer from eczema, characterized by dry itchy skin that appears inflamed and might be thickened or crusty. Most eczema can be managed with topical treatments, but you should see a doctor to rule out more serious illness, including thyroid conditions or autoimmune diseases that could be causing the problem. It’s especially important for women to see a doctor if the itchy rash appears on the breasts and is accompanied by discharge from the nipples, as that may be indicative of cancer in the breast ducts.

Ultimately, any rash that is accompanied by pain or fever, has blisters or any type of pus or discharge or isn’t readily explained by a change in your environment — especially if it appears to be triggered by your diet or medication — needs to be evaluated by a physician. It might be dry skin or a reaction to something unexpected, but it’s better to be sure and take care of the issue quickly.

This is a guest blog posting. 

Radical treatment of moyamoya disease

Moyamoya disease is a chronic pathology that affects cerebral vessels. In patients with moyamoya, main arteries of the brain become narrow and can’t provide sufficient blood supply. In order to compensate deteriorated blood flow, smaller arteries begin to widen and new tiny vessels grow.

It is believed that the pathology is caused by a genetic factor, as it is often diagnosed in members of one family. Other possible causes include autoimmune disorders, fibromuscular dysplasia and cranial trauma.

Symptoms of the pathology

Symptoms of moyamoya disease are caused by two factors: cerebral hypoxia due to blockages of vessels and formation of new, abnormal artery clusters. Patients usually have the following complaints:

●    Headaches
●    Blurred vision
●    Numbness and/or weakness in the extremities, usually unilateral
●    Seizures or seizure-like episodes
●    Uncontrolled and involuntary movements
●    Speech disturbances
●    Psychomotor retardation in children
●    Decline of cognitive functions in adults

Symptoms usually reveal themselves during the physical exertion – sports training, intensive coughing, crying. Other trigger factors include fever and arterial hypertension.
Moyamoya disease diagnostics

Diagnostics of the pathology includes a number of investigations that allow visualizing cerebral vessels and checking their function:

●    MRI and CT scans provide a comprehensive picture of the whole brain
●    Cerebral angiography is a direct vessel examination that includes highlighting them with special contrast agent
●    Transcranial Doppler ultrasound examination provides information about vessels’ structure and intensity of blood flow
●    PET and SPECT scans reflects brain functional activity
●    Electroencephalography measures electrical activity of the brain

Only well-equipped hospitals abroad are able to carry out all the necessary examinations and ensure reliable result of the diagnostics.

Approaches to treatment of moyamoya

 Moyamoya disease treatment tactics includes drugs administration and surgery. Drug intake can
prevent stroke in some measure and improve headache and seizures.

During the direct revascularization, or direct bypass surgery, a doctor connects a superficial scalp artery to a brain artery. This allows for passing narrowed vessel segments and restoring normal blood flow.

Indirect revascularization, or indirect bypass surgery, involves gradual growing of normal superficial arteries into the brain tissue. A healthy scalp artery is attached to the brain surface through a hole in the skull. Over time, the artery forms new branches inside cerebral tissue.

Surgery is more preferable than drug treatment, as it reduces hemorrhage risk more significantly and doesn’t require lifelong medications intake.

Clinics that help patients with moyamoya

In order to provide effective treatment with a low rate of complications, hospitals should have state-of-art equipment for neurosurgical interventions and a well-coordinated team of doctors (neurosurgeons, neurologists, therapeutists). World leading hospitals that offer moyamoya disease treatment include:

●    University Hospital of Ludwig Maximilian, University of Munich, Germany
●    Charite University Hospital, Berlin, Germany
●    University Hospital HM Monteprincipe, Madrid, Spain
●    University Hospital for Neurosurgery, Salzburg, Austria
●    Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Israel

All of these hospitals admit patients from abroad provided that they have a visa, correctly prepared medical documents, and invitation for treatment.

Cost of treatment
 
Patients with moyamoya disease usually require thorough diagnostics followed by individually chosen neurosurgical intervention. Moyamoya surgery cost mainly depends on the country, level of the hospital, and doctor. Surgery price starts from 7,215€ in Thailand, from 8,485€ in India, and from 9,793€ in Spain. Price for diagnostics starts from 535€ in Thailand, from 876€ in Turkey, and from 1,725€ in Germany.

In order to choose the best hospital exactly for your case, you should contact Booking Health. Booking Health is the only international certified medical tourism operator. We will guide you through the whole process of treatment abroad, assisting with all medical and organizational aspects.

This is a guest blog entry.

Implementing Responsible Gambling Using Online Casinos

Gambling is something that most people enjoy. Currently, online gambling is a huge trend among people all around the globe. Online casinos guarantee a safe gaming environment. But is it really safe for you to gamble at these online casinos?

The Online Gambling Trend

 The gambling community has gone digital with online gambling. There are several online casinos which offer an extensive range of games for you to select from. People are rapidly adjusting themselves with this new industry.

The different leading online casinos offer an ultimate gambling experience. But along with that, there are certainly other things that must be taken care of as well. These are things that can easily destroy the well-being of any person. And must therefore not be neglected by the online casinos.

Things to Consider

The online casinos must take preventive measures to protect their customers from all kinds of problems. Too much gambling can turn into an addiction. The privacy of the members of these online casinos could be at risk by hackers. Here are some tips for responsible gaming that you need to know about.

-    Protecting users against Gambling Addiction.

Did you know that online casinos can limit the amount of time their visitors are allowed to play? If you are looking to sign up for one, note if they have any such rules. The decision to limit the time is to prevent people from getting heavily addicted to gambling.

-    Not Allowing Underage Gambling.

In many countries, it is illegal to gamble if you are under the age of 21. So, care must be taken to make sure that the age of the visitors is at least 21 or higher than that.

-    Securing Private Details of Customers.

When their members register at their online casinos, they enter a lot of personal details on their servers. These details must not become available to any other person without the consent of the customer.

-    Protecting their Members against Criminal Offenses.

The online casinos must host a protected server for their customers. They will be entering a lot of personal details including their credit card and bank account details. No one should be able to compromise their privacy.

Effect of Responsible Gambling

Online casinos must implement responsible gambling at their casinos. This will develop trust among the people and will, in turn, be good for the casinos themselves. All the measures mentioned above must be taken seriously by every online casino. These are necessary to make gambling a secure and safe experience for people around the world.

Gambling is not illegal, but it can be disastrous when a person gets addicted. With the option of online casinos, people are more at risk of getting addicted than ever. For this reason, implementing responsible gambling has been a necessity. And it must not be overlooked by online casinos to provide their customers maximum satisfaction.

How do you gamble and what is your strategy to ensure that you do not go overboard? Let us know below.

This is a guest blog entry.

Brief Overview of Coping With Heavy Periods

Unfortunately, menstruation is a problem women have to deal with on a monthly basis. You're most likely infinitely familiar with the cramping, fatigue, and irritability that accompany your week-long flow. But are your symptoms more serious than average? If you're consistently experiencing extreme bloating, gut-clenching stomachaches, and a very heavy flow, this is not normal. Use the following information to help yourself cope with heavy periods and finally put an end to your monthly suffering.

What Classifies as a Heavy Period?

Generally, most women don't lose more than 80 milliliters (16 teaspoons) of blood per cycle, with the average blood loss being about 6 to 8 teaspoons. Your flow will be considered heavy if you have 80 milliliters or more of blood loss or if your period lasts more than seven days. A good way to measure this is to use a menstrual cup, which often comes with measurement lines below the rim.

Get Help From Your Doctor

If you suspect you're dealing with a heavy period, your first step should be to contact your doctor. They can better diagnose your condition and also look for what might be causing it. They might ask you a number of questions about your period, such as how often you have to change your sanitary products, if you have any blood clots in your flow, or if you need to use two sanitary products at one time.

In many cases, your doctor will prescribe hormonal birth control to help. Contraceptives make coping with heavy periods easier because the estrogen in the pill, patch, or ring increases the clotting factors in your blood, helping to slow your bleeding.

Take Ibuprofen

Image via Flickr by timsackton

Ibuprofen has a multitude of benefits for women on their period. Not only can it help reduce cramping, but it can also limit your flow. In fact, research has shown that taking high-dose anti-inflammatories can reduce your flow by as much as 10 to 20 percent. Just keep in mind that ibuprofen isn't a permanent solution; you'll need to take continuous doses each period to limit how much you actually bleed.

Change Your Diet

Eating better and drinking more water on your period can definitely influence how you feel. In addition to eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, you'll want to add a few specific foods to your diet to help lessen your flow. Turmeric, in particular, has been shown to block the enzyme aromatase, which can naturally lower estrogen and prostaglandin levels. To get the most effects, take it daily and then increase the dose while you're on your period.

Iron is another good nutrient to supplement, as women with heavy periods often become anemic because of the extreme blood loss. Eating plenty of red meat, eggs, and leafy greens are the best way to boost your iron intake.

You don't have to keep suffering each month. Instead, take back control of your body with the above tips. These heavy flow hacks won't get rid of your period, but they should make it far more manageable than it was before.

This is a guest blog entry.

Ways to Maintain Your Mental Health

In today’s fast-paced and ever-evolving society, there are many factors that may have a negative effect on your mental health. These include hectic work schedules, a busy family life, natural disasters, life-changing events, and ever increasing exposure to screen time, among others. The natural aging process also influences mental changes, such as decreased mental functioning and slower processing speed (although certain lifestyle habits can help delay or prevent these types of age-related changes in mental abilities from occurring). In this article, we will explore some of the most essential and beneficial strategies for maintaining your mental health.

Eat Nutritious Meals

A new and rapidly-developing field called “Nutritional Psychiatry” emphasizes the important role that nutrition plays in sustaining optimal mental health. Research shows that individuals whose diets consist of healthier foods are less likely to experience psychiatric symptoms or mental disorders (e.g. anxiety, depression, dementia). This healthy diet includes food such as lean meats, whole grains, low-fat dairy, fruit, vegetables, legumes, olive oil, and fish. In contrast, people who eat more processed foods (such as chips, hamburgers, pizza, white bread, flavored beverages, beer, etc.) have a higher risk of experiencing mental health problem.

Eating processed foods is associated with increased concentrations of inflammatory substances that can damage cells throughout the body – and brain. In other words, the same types of foods that are linked to conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer may also impair your mental health. A consistent diet of processed food is associated with high levels of C-reactive protein (CRP): a marker of inflammation. Increased CRP levels are generally observed in the brains of individuals who have Alzheimer’s disease. High levels of this protein have been found to increase the risk of developing dementia as well. Healthy food such as legumes and fish contain omega-3 fatty acids that have active components which disrupt the activity of inflammatory substances that can damage brain cells. Research indicates that a nutrient-rich diet supports optimal mental clarity, focus, performance, memory function, and a heightened mood.

Perform Exercise on a Regular Basis
 
Exercise is as essential as proper nutrition. Regular physical activity has proven to be beneficial toward enhancing memory function while reducing anxiety and depression. In particular, exercising releases mood-, mental performance-, and energy-enhancing neurotransmitters (chemicals in the brain) such as adrenaline and dopamine, as well as endorphins, which are mood-enhancing hormones.

This process supports enhanced mental health.

Heightened levels of these neurotransmitters and endorphins improve the body’s ability to maintain mental stability in response to emotional distress that may be experienced during future incidents. Exercise has a sustained effect on anxiety levels and mood. This helps individuals who exercise on a regular basis display more emotional stability and enhanced mental resilience to intense situations.

Kids playing sports regularly show more resilience against stressful events.  The same degree of mental composure is not always observed in people who are not physically active. As little as thirty minutes of daily exercise provides these types of benefits toward your mental health.

Try Alternative Approaches

When you believe that self monitored measures are not adequate, it is time to see a professional.  The world of medications and therapy has developed over many decades although some individuals either do not like the side effects of the medications or do not find them helpful.  Talk therapy can be significantly helpful for many individuals.  Now there are various smartphone apps that help addressing anxiety, insomnia, and other mental health symptoms. 

Epidemiological studies show that about one third of people with depression do not respond to several trials of medications and therapy.  For them, other non-medication interventions such as deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (dTMS) can be beneficial.  dTMS involves use of magnetic pulses to stimulate neurons in the brain. This type of deep stimulation helps target psychiatric symptoms such as depression, as well as cognitive impairments such as memory problems, language issues, and decreased processing speed. It even targets mental difficulties that are associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Clinical research shows that dTMS reduces psychiatric symptoms in many neuropsychiatric conditions. 

There are different types of transcranial magnetic stimulation protocols, but dTMS is well tolerated and has improved efficacy with treatment resistant depression and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).  Shorter duration of the sessionis also an added benefit, especially for people who have busy schedules.  A session lasts for about 20 minutes, which allows people to return to their daily activities with little delay. It is an FDA approved procedure backed by multiple clinical trials. 

The key to maintaining your health is incorporating healthy habits into your lifestyle. 

Remember,habits that can have a negative effect on your physical health can also disrupt your mental health. A nutritious diet nourishes both your body and mind, and regular exercise releases natural substances that further enhance mental health.  If needed, seek professional help to see if you can benefit from technologically advanced treatments with deep TMS.  It is necessary that you approach your health in holistic manner and implement lifestyle changes that improve your physical and mental health because one is incomplete without other.

Author bio: Dr. Manish Sheth is Licensed and Board Certified in Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine. He has experience working with patients who have various conditions such as depression, bipolar disorder, OCD, anxiety, ADHD, and various mood disorders. He is the founder of AchieveTMS.com

How are the electronic cigarette companies helping people to shift from tobacco smoking?

Did you know that it was stated by Public Health England in the year 2015 that vaping is at least 95% safer than smoking? This declaration led the entire UK to completely endorse these vaping products as the best and the most effective forms of smoking cessation aids. It was later on added that although vaping is not 100% safe and free of risk but if considered as an option against tobacco cigarettes, they’re certainly much safer. Moreover, the e-cigarette companies are promoting e-cigs as smoking cessation tools and people are being asked to take to vaping in order to be able to quit smoking.


While you can vape e-liquids or e-juices, you can also find CBD oil and vape pens from Vsavi from the wide array of collections that they have. Keeping in mind the fact that CBD oil doesn’t produce the ‘high’ feeling which is usually common with THC which is also found in cannabis plants, it is common that CBD is also now being accepted as a vaping element.

What does a successful ex-smoker has to say about quitting tobacco?

The first thing that you have to focus on while quitting smoking is to use the vaporizer in the right way. When you take a single puff on  your cigarette, this will contain higher level of nicotine as compared to an e-cig and hence you have to determine the total number of puffs which you require taking in order to inhale the right level of nicotine. If you fail to get that required amount, the ex-smokers will continue to crave for the stimulant and this can soon make them reach out for a cigarette.

There are various types of vaporizers and the best ones for stopping smoking are the ones where you are allowed to adjust the level of nicotine that you inhale. This will let you minimize the amount of nicotine over time. Experts always suggest that at the first, you should rather keep it simple instead of experimenting with several flavours and other fancy devices for vaping. Remember that the familiar and simpler it feels, the effortless the transition will be.

You’ve got to control your health

Despite all this that you came to know about the benefits of vaping over smoking, no-one is suggesting that you should take to vaping e-cigs for a long term. Once an ex-smoker weans off of nicotine, he/she should begin to work on putting aside the vaping devices to take proper care of his/her health.

So, if you’re someone who is trying to quit smoking with the help of vaping, you can take into account the above listed ways of weaning yourself away from the habit of smoking.

This is a guest blog post.

Tips to Finding a Good Rehab Center in NJ

Overcoming an addiction is not easy if you don’t get professional help. In NJ, there are several rehab centers offering treatment services to addicts. Although there are several centers to choose from, finding the perfect rehab center for you or a loved one depends on many things. When looking for the best rehab center, there are certain things that you need to consider for you to make the right decision.

That is because rehab services are different depending on what type of addiction you want to deal with.

Some of the things to look for when searching for rehab centers in NJ include:

How long it has been in existence

The high demand for rehab services can make it easy for someone to take advantage of you. That's why it is better to go to a rehab center that has been in existence for a more extended period of time, let’s say five years. According to experts, a rehab center that has been operating for a longer period of time is more likely to be capable of handling your addiction problem compared to one which has just been opened recently.

Reports also have it that many new rehab centers in NJ end up being shut down due to unethical practices. Note that the high demand for rehab services should not point you to a rehab center that you know nothing about.

Types of treatment offered

Addictions are dealt with differently. As there are institutions that use medical procedures, there are others that use a more spiritual and mental approach. Depending on what type of addiction you want to fight, you will know which rehab center to go for. However, it is advisable that you find professional advice on which type of rehab center and treatment will work for you. It is better to know which kind of help you need because it will give you an easy time of knowing where to find help.



Location

The location of a rehab center plays a huge role. Addicts live a very stressful life, and there is nothing better than finding a rehab center that is ideally located. In most cases, people prefer going to rehab centers that are located in private and quiet neighborhoods. That is because such patients require a peaceful place where they can let go of their stress. A good location should also give the patient freedom to meditate peacefully without triggering a relapse.

How long the treatment will take

After being assessed by a physician and the problem identified, the physician is likely to know how long treatment should take. Note that, there are different ways of dealing with addiction. There are rehab centers that will take a matter of days to solve your problem while some addiction cases require the patient to be admitted.

Whichever the case, it is important to know how long you or your loved one can take before the problem is solved. You should also note that it is not a must for a patient to stay in a rehab center to receive treatment. Most rehab services tend to diversify how they treat patients with respect to their condition. That is why you will find rehab centers offering treatment to patients without requiring them to leave their homes.

Conclusion

Finding the best rehabilitation center for you or your loved one involves more than searching the internet. You need to make a few confirmations before starting your search. However, the best way to start looking for the perfect rehab center is to first identify the problem. After that, you will slowly get to find out the best type of treatment and then finally find where to get the treatment.

This is a guest blog entry.

Choosing the right bike for touring and for health purposes

Traveling on a bike is an incredible feeling plus a different means to mix travel with the cycling the sport. Bike touring has unique equipment needs beginning from the most vital item: the bicycle itself. If you desire to have it correct from the start, it is significant to discern how choosing the right bike for touring goes well with your needs.

What are some of the cycling benefits?

Weight control and obesity

Cycling is a decent way to reduce or control weight, as it increases the metabolic rate, burns body fat and builds muscle. If you want to lose weight, biking must be combined with an excellent eating plan. Cycling is a contented form of workout, and one can adjust the intensity and time– it can be built up gradually to suit your needs.

Muscle tone and strength

Cycling shall build muscle, particularly the glutes, calf, and quads. The extra muscle mass one grows, the stress-free it is to burn fat. Conditional on how you cycle it can likewise tone plus build the upper body. If one frequently stands in the saddle, the shoulders and arms shall get a decent work-out as well.

Better-quality cardiovascular function

Biking is an aerobic activity, which implies your lungs, blood vessels and heart all have a work-out. With time, cycling shall decrease the blood pressure plus the resting heart rate. Cycling a bicycle fast, or on mountains, is the sort of vigorous physical activity of which numerous people do not get adequately.

Cycling diminishes cancer risk and heart disease.

Cycling upsurges your heart rate and gets blood pumping in the body, plus it burns down calories, off-putting the risk of one being obese. Therefore, it is amid a collection of forms of exercise recommended as being a healthy means to cut the risk of developing serious illnesses like heart disease or cancer.

Augmented energy

Riding builds muscle strength, overall physical endurance, and stamina; consequently, for several new cyclists, it is an unanticipated advantage to have extra energy for everyday activities. Walking up the stairs shall no longer be a strenuous exercise with the extra fitness and strength built with consistent cycling.

Arthritis, bone injuries, and cycling

Cycling improves coordination, strength and balance. It may likewise aid to inhibit fractures and falling. Cycling your bicycle is a relaxing form of exercise for those people with osteoarthritis as it is a low-impact exercise that places little stress on your joints. Biking does not precisely help osteoporosis (the bone-thinning illness) because it is not a weight-bearing sort of exercise.

Mental ailment and cycling

Mental health disorders for example stress, anxiety and depression can be abridged by steady bike riding. This is owing to the consequences of the workout itself and because of the pleasure that riding can offer.

Choosing the right bike for touring can help to guard you from grave ailments for example stroke, several cancers, heart attack, obesity, arthritis, diabetes and dejection. Bike riding is healthy, delightful and a low-impact sort of exercise for everybody.

This is a guest blog entry.

Top 20 Things You Should Know About Common Pain Relievers

Pain is nothing but the agitation of the nerves which is the body’s way of saying that some part of it needs immediate attention and care. The concept and application of painkillers and pain relievers has been around for over two thousand years. Back in the olden times, people used the essence of the bark of a willow tree to cure fever and pain. With the passage of time, modern medicines have come a long way and now a wide array of different pain relievers have been developed for commercial use.

What are pain relievers?

Pain relievers are medicines that help decrease and reduce headaches, sore muscles, arthritis and other such bodily pains and aches. Medicines and drugs like Dolo 650 are effective pain relives that are over the counter medicines or OTCs.

20 things to know about common pain relievers

1. Effect: pain relievers are fundamentally drugs, some of which help reduce pain caused by inflammation. Conditions like arthritis are often related to inflammatory pains which can be subsided by the use of painkillers and pain relievers.
2. Strain on the gut: pain relievers are hard on the stomach walls and can cause irritation from continued use. Apart from the most common OTC, aspirin, Dolo and another drug of the same type have been prominently observed. The side effects of medicine like dolo 650 is mentioned at docprime and are due to longer term use or heavy use of such medicine. So occasional use of pain relievers is often completely safe.
3. Other pains: pain relievers are generally associated with pain caused by inflation. For other pains which are non- inflammatory based, acetaminophen is recommended to ease pains in a different way.
4. Specific COX- 2 inhibitors: developed in the year 1990, this is a new class of pain relievers that are said to be just as effective but have a positive side which would spare the stomach from irritation. Though easy on the gut, this line of drugs can put a strain on the heart. Because of this, dosages of 200mg each day is set as the maximum becaue under this limit the heart bears little strain.
5. Common OTCs: Dolo 650 side effects are not very severe as it is one of the common OTC’s which are less expensive than the branded one and work just as well. Buying generic pain relievers is a great choice for normal occasional use.
6. Extra help: if a person finds themselves in a position where he or she needs to take pain relievers every day for a long time, then they should take some complementary medicines to counteract the strain put on the stomach due to continuous consumption of pain relievers.
7. Pain relievers and aspirin: if a doctor has recommended and prescribed aspirin from the heart, then taking pain relievers before the aspirin will help prevent clots from forming in the blood due to the properties of aspirin.
8. Time difference: if one happens to be taking multiple medicines along with pain relievers, then he or she should wait 8 hours after taking a pain reliever before administering other medication.
9. Blood pressure: pain relievers tend to increase the blood pressure of the patient who takes the drug. This is most prominent in people who already have high blood pressure but can also be seen in those with normal blood pressure also.
10. Kidney problems: pain relievers, when taken in heavy doses for a continued period of time can be very hard on the kidneys
    and in some extreme cases can even lead to kidney failure.
11. Effectivity: different people have different side effects of pain relievers. This is why consulting a doctor before taking any is a smart choice.
12. Different drugs: there are a plethora of different pain relievers on the market. Knowing which one is the best for a person is important to get the best results.
13. Allergic reaction: reading the key components of pain relievers is a vital part of buying one. There are different components and a person may have an allergic reaction to a specific type of pain reliever.
14. Types of pain relievers: there are two types of OTC pain relievers. Acetaminophen and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs. The first is used for fever related pain and pains from non-inflammatory sources and the later is for pain caused due to inflammation.
15. Safe amount to take: NSAIDs and other pain relievers are safe for everyday use but it is wise to stick to the lowest required dosage. Staying below 3,000 mg each day will help avoid any major future complications.
16. Prescription: one does not need to have a prescription to buy pain relievers OTC but is it important to make sure that you have consulted a doctor before taking any.
17. Side effects: the major side effects of pain relievers are nausea, drowsiness, and constipation. This is why a doctor should handle and manage the medication closely.
18. Safest drug: for most of the older adults and elderly, the safest pain reliever is acetaminophen which is commonly known as paracetamol.
19. Immunity: after taking any pain relievers, the immune system of the body tends to weaken. It is important to take rest and be careful after taking pain relievers as the immunity of the body breaks down.
20. Avoiding alcohol: alcohol and pain relievers should never be taken at the same time. The combination of the two can prove to have disastrous consequences on the body and should be avoided at all costs. 

For those who are taking pain relievers or are considering taking this type of drug; they should be aware of these common aspects and traits of pain relievers and the act of consuming them. No matter what the cause of the intensity of the pain, it is crucial to get a doctor’s point of view and have a check up before self-administering any kind of pain reliever. Being aware of these common aspects of pain reliever will help people avoid any major problems in the future and can make their way to a speedy recovery.

This is a guest blog entry.

Top 5 CBD Affiliate Marketing Programs You Should Consider Investing in

For those who are unfamiliar, CBD stands for Cannabidiol. It is one of the many compounds you find in a Cannabis plant. No, it is not an illegal drug, and in fact, the World Health Organization has recommended not to schedule it as an internationally controlled substance. CBD is an entirely natural product that almost has no side effects when ingested. It is used to treat epilepsy, relieve pain, drastically reduce anxiety and help with depression.

The CBD industry is projected to become a 22 billion USD industry by 2022 according to marketing experts at Brightfield Group. With this growth, comes great opportunity. More than being able to enjoy the wonderful benefits of this natural drug, you too, can enjoy the profit it brings.

Here are the top five CBD affiliate marketing you should consider investing in:

1. Hemp Bombs

Hemp Bombs is undisputed in offering the best opportunities to affiliate marketers. They provide the best pricing, customer experience, and has one of the best websites that’s proven to convert customers. More than having a user-friendly website, Hemp Bombs also provides high-quality content that you can share for promotional purposes. CBD articles are essential to educate customers about its benefits and remove the stigma of Cannabis. Other educational materials can also be found at https://trustedcbdoil.com/.

Here are more benefits of joining Hemp Bombs:

• Commission rate starts at 20%
• They provide weekly payouts
• Cookies are stored for 90-days
• A chance to earn from sub-affiliates

Best selling products include tinctures, pain rub, gummies, vape juices and CBD capsules.

2. CBD Essence

CBD Essence’s major selling point for affiliate marketers is their cookie storage time which lasts up to 180-days. When cookies are stored longer, your earning capabilities increases as well. They also offer high-quality products and customer service. More than the service, they are also proud of their friendly interface that promotes a seamless online shopping experience for their customers.

Here are more benefits of joining CBD Essence:

• High converting website
• They offer free shipping to entice more customers
• Prompt monthly payments
• 180-day cookie period

Best selling products include pastes, pet CBD, edibles, tinctures and capsules.

3. CBD FX

CBD FX is a known and certified CBD manufacturer and seller. They manufacture CBD oil, shots and capsules. What’s good about CBD FX is their dedication to selling quality products to their consumers. They offer almost every CBD products in the market, so it’s a one-stop shop for customers which means more chances of conversion. CBD FX also provides their customers a Certificate of Analysis for each product they sell. The certificate shows the customer that they received a full-spectrum CBD product.

Here are more benefits of joining CBD FX:

• 20% affiliate commissions
• 10% potential earning from sub-affiliates
• Personalized coupons and URLs
• Sign-up bonus of up to $25

Best selling products include pen kits, CBD wax dabs, CBD shots, oils and vape juice.
 

4. Diamond CBD

Diamond CBD is another affiliate marketing company that offers high-quality CBD products. Their team manually selects the plants they use for their products from farms in Kentucky and Colorado. They say that they don’t use any synthetic compounds and it’s all pure organic and natural CBD. More than using social media to promote products, they also do offline events that put their customers, front and center — which means more opportunities to earn.

Here are more benefits of joining Diamond CBD:

• 30-day cookie
• Monthly payouts
• 20% commission
• Positive consumer reviews

Best selling products include gummies, creams, wax dabs, edibles and beverages.

5. CBD Pure

Another industry leader, CBD Pure is one of the leading CBD oil providers. Their affiliate commission rate is unmatched and the highest in the industry.  CBD Pure’s parent company has over ten years of marketing experience in consumer products. They also offer a 90% money-back guarantee to their customers which is the reason why a lot of customers trust in their product.

Here are more benefits of joining Diamond CBD:

• 40% commission (highest in the market)
• 30-day cookie
• No pesticides and herbicides on their plants
• Monthly payouts
• 5% commission on sub-affiliates

Best selling products include oil, tinctures and softgel capsules.

Conclusion

The CBD market is the next gold rush, and with a projected billion dollar industry in a couple of years, you don’t want to get left behind. These affiliate marketing companies have been around for a couple of years and have amassed a massive customer following. Signing up is the easy part, what's challenging is turning those promotions into profits. If you’re not sure which company to go for, you can always try them all and see which one you prefer.

This is a guest blog entry.

5 Tips for Staying Healthy As A Professional Truck Driver

Professional truck drivers live a very unique lifestyle. This style of living consists of long hours on the road and away from home. As a professional truck driver, you may have noticed how the job can take a toll on your health. In fact, too many truck drivers put their health second to their driving duties. As a result, they suffer from numerous health problems. Taking some time out for jogging won’t kill you. Fortunately, there are methods for living a healthier life. Here are some tips for staying healthy as a professional truck driver.

Find Ways To Exercise Daily

Professional truck drivers often underestimate their chances to exercise regularly. Of course, you spend long hours sitting each day. However, you also make frequent stops along the way. Take advantage of these pit stops. Use the time to move your body. You can do something as simple as performing 20 push-ups outside your truck. There is also the option to get in a quick, 10-minute walk. Other exercise times may include food runs and bathroom stops. Find ways to exercise daily to stay healthy as a professional truck driver.

Set Aside Time To Rest
Another way to stay healthy as a professional truck driver is to allocate time to rest. Truck driving is not a typical 9-5 job. On the contrary, you may be required to begin a shift at 1:00 AM. With this in mind, it can be difficult to get enough sleep. You must set aside at least 8 hours a day for sleep. As a trucker, this is a crucial tip to follow. Without enough rest, you could put your life along with others' lives at risk. According to this Guide to California Truck Accident Laws, you could face consequences like tickets, loss of job or CDL license if found to be at-fault in an accident. To ensure the safety of yourself and others, get the recommended amount of sleep each day. It will keep your mind and body feeling energized. Hence, designating 8 hours for rest is essential to staying healthy.

Eat When You Are Hungry

To stay healthy as a professional truck driver, you must eat when you are hungry. Truck driver or not, waiting until you are starving is abusive to your body. When you wait too long to eat, your body's blood sugar levels drop. Then, your body signals that you are starving. Severe dips in blood sugar could lead to diabetes in the future. Your career can be negatively impacted by such a diagnosis. It can be difficult to keep up with blood sugar checks while on the road. Fortunately, it is preventable. The simple solution is to eat regularly so that you do not starve yourself and mess with your sugar levels.

Grab Healthy On-The-Go Foods

While eating frequently is important, you must fuel your body with healthy foods. You will not benefit from eating when you are hungry if you are eating tons of junk food. Many truck drivers are under the impression that the only on-the-go food options are unhealthy ones. Nowadays, there are plenty of nutritious food options to eat health while traveling. Choose an apple instead of a bag of chips. Purchase unsalted trail mix instead of a bag of M&M's. Simple food swaps will keep your body and mind working properly throughout long shifts. Even if you choose to eat more frequently, healthy food choices will keep you sustained throughout the day.

Exercise Your Mind

You can also maintain a healthy mind through exercise. While driving for several hours per day, your mind can also fall short of activity. Life on the road does not always permit the chance to do a crossword puzzle, read, or solve math equations. Luckily, there are other ways to exercise your brain while on the road. As long as you do not get distracted, you can listen to audiobooks. If this do not sound interesting to you, turn to music. Music can stimulate your brain as well. Start by varying your genre preferences. Open your mind up to new songs and artists. Get creative in exercising your mind to stay mentally healthy and strong as a professional truck driver.

Professional truck driver should follow these tips to take care of their physical and mental health. Contrary to popular belief, it does not have to be difficult to maintain. Firstly, find ways to exercise each day. Allocate enough time for sleep. Eat when you are hungry. When those times come, choose healthy food options. Lastly, ensure your mind gets enough exercise while on the road too. All of these tips will contribute to your health while driving for a living.

This is a guest blog entry.

5 Bad Habits We Should Give Up In Order To Lose Weight

Losing weight seems to be a rather delicate topic nowadays. Advising someone to start working out or eating healthier might come across as a direct and personal attack. And, though it’s true that the media has hardwired our brains to think that being skinnier is always better; the point might come where our weight starts to interfere with our health; then, rather than an aesthetic socially induced choice, it becomes an issue that might tamper with our happiness, our health, and our life.

It’s always important to ask ourselves this question: Why do I want to lose weight? Whatever the answer is, it should always revolve around us and how we feel about ourselves without taking into account what others (unless it’s a health professional) might think.

Nevertheless, even if we actually want to lose weight, there are several bad habits that are  ‘normal’ companions to our everyday life and may end up sabotaging our own goals. And the worst part is that in a lot of cases we’re not even aware of it.

Here are 5 bad habits that are stopping you from losing weight successfully:

Not enough sleep

Getting enough sleep is what gives us the energy to function the next day. If we don’t charge up our own batteries, our body will try to store extra fat the next time we eat, because, as amazing as nature is, it “thinks” that this will become a habit and it needs to have enough energy to compensate for our lost sleep.

Not having enough sleep also affects the secretion of cortisol, which is the hormone that regulates our appetite. In other words, we’re setting our own bodies in survival mode and we will feel hungrier because we don’t have enough energy to go through the day.

Losing sleep might not be something we’re doing because we want to. It can be induced by stress, depression, long working hours, amongst other factors. However, no matter what’s happening in life, we have to keep in mind that we need to take proper care of ourselves. Before the paying the bills or dealing with any stressful situation, we need to always prioritize our well-being by leading a healthy lifestyle.

Not eating in a healthy way

This does not only refer to what we eat. The way we eat also plays a huge role in how our weight is managed. We all know there are certain types of food that will make us gain weight. But even if we’re eating only “healthy” food, not doing it properly can still tamper with our weight-loss plan.

Bad habits such as skipping breakfast, overeating at dinner, or doing our grocery shopping without having eaten first, are small and simple things that without us even noticing, will have a negative effect on the way we lose or gain weight.

Just as with sleep deprivation, skipping breakfast sets our body on survival mode, making it use the reserved energy it might have and forcing it to store more fat the next time we eat. Eating more than enough will force the stomach to grow bigger which leads to us needing more food to feel satisfied. Even buying food while being hungry becomes a massive willpower test that, if we’re being honest, not many of us can overcome.

We need to make sure we always have healthy snacks at home for those situations where it’s not either lunch or dinner time, but we still need to eat something. Keeping a bag of any kind of nuts at home, as well as fruits, will always be an amazing alternative to chips or junk food in general.

Leading a sedentary life

It’s always important to remain active. Having a 9 to 5 office job will certainly never be demanding enough to be considered as exercise. If we go straight to the couch to watch TV right after we get back home from work, we will not only be getting our bodies used to do nothing, but we will be providing it with a lot more energy than what it actually needs and consumes. Thus, we start the path that leads to gain weight.

There are many activities and workout routines that we can follow to help us lose weight, but it really is a combination of quite a few things that will fit together as pieces of the puzzle to a healthy fit lifestyle.

Alcohol and soft drinks

We can’t always turn away from a couple drinks after work, or a soda with popcorn when we go to the movies, but it should never become a habit. Being able to enjoy a weekend with friends while having some beers or cocktails is never a sin, but when we start to do it a bit too often, we might not only be gaining an immense amount of calories without even noticing, but we could also be abusing our food intake when abusing alcohol.

Our sugar intake with drinks becomes a lot more dangerous because we can’t really feel it, plus, continuous alcohol intake makes our body and digestive system slower, making it harder to process the sugar and a lot harder to process the existing fat,

Eating more than what’s necessary

More than eating too much, what we should think about is: Is it really necessary? We can’t always be loyal to our diet or our workout routine, and sometimes it will be OK to “cheat” but instead of going out of proportion with it, we can evaluate and make healthier choices within an unhealthy one.

For example: Next time we’re getting a hamburger with fries and a drink, we can stop for a second and say no if we’re asked whether we want extra bacon with it, or choose water instead of cola, or simply getting a normal portion instead of having it large. It all comes down to smaller healthier choices that little by little will start to make a difference not only in our appearance but also in our habits and decisions.

Losing weight is something that will always require some effort, dedication, and discipline. If we never let go of the bad habits, we will be going around in circles without any improvement. You don’t have to turn your life over right away. It doesn’t mean we can never again get ice cream during the week or getting takeout after a long day at the office. But we need to be actively taking measures to ensure that we actually achieve our goals. By doing so, we will not only be benefiting our own body, but we will also have a happier, healthier, and longer life.

Did you find this article helpful? If you’d like to suggest any other bad habits we should give up when wanting to lose weight, feel free to leave a comment below.

This is a guest blog entry.

The Pros and Cons of Fasting Diets

There always seems to be a new dieting craze year after year. Once it was the juice cleanse, now it’s the fasting diet, but do they actually work? The short answer is that it depends on the diet. The juice cleanse has been proven largely ineffective by many studies over the years, whereas the fasting diet’s success in helping you lose weight is both due to its extreme nature and due to the cellular processes that fasting induces.

As with any diet, it is your lifestyle habits outside of whatever meal plan you choose that will dictate your ongoing success. Low-calorie and fasting diets, however, provide a stepping stone to your losing the weight and hitting your desired weight quickly and easily. Then, once you have reached your goal, you can find ways to help you stick to your weight through exercise and calorie control.

The Pros of Fasting Diets

Fasting can be quite good for the body and your lifestyle, but only when done with all the facts at hand. Just like anything if taken to the extreme, you can experience incredibly negative side effects.

Before we get into that, however, here is a quick rundown of the benefits:

Can Change Your Cellular Process
Your cells react to fasting in many interesting ways. One of the most interesting reactions to fasting is that it forces your cells to go into autophagy, which means your cells purge themselves of unhealthy toxins they have built up over time and even increases their cell repair process.

Can Help Burn Fat Directly
Fasting can also put your body into ketosis, which burns fat faster than many other options on the market. This means through fasting, you can finally burn off that belly fat that has been plaguing you for ages.

Health Improvements
You can see a variety of health improvements through fasting, especially when done on a specific diet that is designed to introduce the process of ketosis. Some health improvements of those on fasting diets include:

• Reduction Insulin Levels and Prevent Type 2 Diabetes
• Reduction Oxidative Stress and Inflammation
• Reduction Cholesterol Levels
• Reduction Cancer Risk
• Reduction and Improve Alzheimer’s
• Reduction Longevity

More studies need to be done on human subjects in order to verify the findings of current studies of fasting in relation to these health benefits, but so far the scientific evidence is in favor of the practice.

The Cons of Fasting Diets 
 
Like all diets, there are cons, but regarding fasting, these are limited with the benefits far outweigh any disadvantages.

Common Side Effects of Fasting Diets
Some common side effects of these fasting diets include:

• Lethargy
• Hunger
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Headaches
• Nausea

Fasting diets should also never be done for more than 12 weeks at a time, though intermittent 5:2 diets can be done for longer. Regardless of what your strategy, always work with others to ensure your health remains safe while you lose their weight.

Low-calorie diets, such as the intermittent 5:2 diet, has risen in popularity recently because of its simplicity. Reducing your calorie intake for two days a week can help you gain the many benefits above.

This is a guest blog entry.

4 Viruses Travelers to Asia Should be Aware Of

Each region around the world has their own collection of exotic and not so exotic viruses that travelers might be vulnerable to. Some are ones that you can get inoculations against before you travel whereas, for others, there’s no known protection.

It’s fair to say that most visitors to Asia don’t pick up anything untoward, but nonetheless, it’s good to understand what viruses are present in Asia.

Here are four viruses that travelers in Asia should pay attention to.

Dengue

Dengue and the resulting dengue fever are a collection of viruses that are all carried by mosquitoes.

Dengue fever has two forms. The first is regular dengue fever and the second is hemorrhagic fever, which includes bleeding as a secondary symptom.

Travelers with dengue will usually exhibit three main symptoms: fever, headache, and joint/muscle pain. Swollen glands and a body rash in the latter stages are not uncommon too.

While some medicines prescribed by a clinic or hospital will lessen the severity of the symptoms, there is no cure currently for dengue fever. Additional medicine and a hospital stay are required with hemorrhagic fever because it affects the platelet levels in the blood and is potentially life-threatening. Usually, hemorrhagic fever only occurs in the second or subsequent dengue infection.

To protect against all kinds of disease, it’s sensible for China expats to buy travel or health insurance. This will cover a hospital stay for illnesses that require it, such as hemorrhagic fever.

Zoonotic

The zoonotic viruses are highly infectious and originate from animals like bats. It can be transmitted to humans through a scratch or bite. There’s a selection of viruses that get transmitted from animals to humans, which include the Nipah and Hendra viruses.

For travelers who plan to go spelunking in caves or visit caves as part of a tour group, it’s worth considering whether you need any booster shots before you travel.

Gastrointestinal

Almost one-third of diseases reported by travelers across multiple GeoSentinel websites who returned from a trip to SE Asia were gastrointestinal by nature. The most common issues related to this included Salmonella, Campylobacter, and diarrhea.

The main issue with eating food in SE Asia is the level of cleanliness of the food, its preparation, and who is preparing it. Not every cook washes their hands thoroughly before preparing meals. Cooks at street stalls often receive banknotes as payment and go back to preparing street food without washing their hands. Therefore, bacteria on the banknotes is transferred to the food preparation area. Standards of food hygiene and a better understanding of how to achieve sensible food standards is an ongoing development issue in the region.

Be aware that unprepared food must be actively chilled and covered. Bacteria multiply in the sweltering heat of Asia. A rapid turnover of food at a busy, organized street food stall can be safer than a restaurant that doesn’t get much trade. The stall’s food might be refrigerated and fresh that day.

Zika

The Zika virus is not that common, but it occurs both in dense urban areas and rural ones too. There are a few cases a year, but the virus is particularly virulent. Zika was first seen in Africa and then traveled to Asia in the 1950s. There are no major outbreaks at present in Asia, but the odd case pops up. The virus itself is carried by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which is common within the Asian continent.

To prevent dengue, avoid being outside during the evening and wear long pants or a skirt when you do. Get a mosquito net over the bed if your accommodation occasionally has mosquitoes flying around. Also, use common sense about food choices. Where possible, stick with places that didn’t cause you an upset stomach the last time you ate there.

This is a guest blog entry.