How Asbestos Hiding In Your Walls Can Affect Your Health

Asbestos is a hazardous substance that people should avoid as much as possible. Breathing in this mineral can cause the fibers to get stuck in the lungs and aggravate the lung tissues. As a matter of fact, asbestos is not generally considered a harmful mineral unless it is releasing fibers or dust in the air where they can be ingested or inhaled. Inhaled asbestos fibers are carried into the lower sections of the lungs where they can weaken the respiratory function and health.

The fibers are resistant to chemicals, heat, and fire, and occur naturally in the environment. The threads are used in industrial and commercial application and have been used commonly in many industries. Asbestos exposure can happen to anyone. In fact, even the asbestos in the walls of your house can harm you, but how might there be asbestos in your house and how does it affect your health?

Asbestos Can Be Found In Your Home And Other Places

There are a lot of places where asbestos is used in construction, and there's a possibility that your own house may contain asbestos. Asbestos was used in drywall manufacturing as late as the 1970s. If your house was built before 1980, be aware of the high likelihood that there's asbestos in your house before you decide to demolish old walls or reconstruct the basement,

Old construction materials containing asbestos usually include plumbing fixtures, vinyl floor tiles, boiler and fireplace insulation, drywall and cement sheets, attic insulation, electrical panels, putties, caulking and plaster materials, and popcorn ceilings.

However, new homes are also constructed with common construction materials containing asbestos nowadays, such as sheets and pipes, pipeline wrap and millboard, roofing and flooring materials, and cement shingles. That's why before remodelling your house, hire a professional to safely discard asbestos from your home.

Asbestos is also used for soundproofing and fire prevention in churches. It is added to acoustical panels to make them more durable and to soften the reverb and echo of music in churches. Some schools and public buildings, such as shopping malls, restaurants, airports, barbershops and hair salons, movie theaters, and grocery stalls also have asbestos-containing construction materials.

Asbestos Can Cause Serious Diseases

The smallest and deadliest asbestos fibers can't be seen by the naked eye and requires a microscope. There are also six different types ofasbestos: chrysotile, actinolite, crocidolite, tremolite, amosite, and anthophyllite. In addition, asbestos is also categorized as a carcinogen, which means that it’s a cancer-causing substance. The following are the diseases caused by inhaling asbestos:

• Mesothelioma. This is a rare form of cancer that usually occurs in the lungs and chest cavity (pleura), the thin membrane linings of the abdominal cavity (peritoneum), or other membranes around the internal organs, and seldom in the heart. People who work or live near asbestos mining areas, shipyards or product factories that use large quantities of asbestos have a high risk of mesothelioma. The signs of mesothelioma cancer from asbestos may appear 30 to 40 years after exposure, so consider getting legal help in case this happens to you.

• Lung cancer. This causes deadly tumors that attack and block the air passages in the lungs. People who are exposed to asbestos and other carcinogens, such as tobacco, have a higher risk of lung cancer than people who are only exposed to asbestos. Symptoms include fever, chest pain, chronic cough, weight loss, shortness of breath, and anemia. 

• Asbestosis. Inhaling asbestos fibers can irritate lung tissues and cause scarring in the lungs. This creates difficulty for the carbon dioxide and oxygen to pass in and out, and breathing becomes difficult. People who work in demolishing and repairing buildings that contain asbestos or those who experience excessive exposure over a long period of time have a higher risk of asbestosis. Symptoms are a dry breaking sound in the lungs and shortness of breath.

To fully comprehend the seriousness of the risk that asbestos poses to your health, consider the death rates related to asbestos exposure from 1982 to 2000. Out of all the cases that were documented, blacks had a 448% increase in death rate, while whites witnessed a 342% increase during this period. Most deaths involved people aged over 45 years old.

Determining Factors For Asbestos-Related Diseases

Depending on the environment, people can be exposed to asbestos in different places. Some encounter occupational exposure during their jobs, others enlisted in the military experience exposure during the construction of military ships, and several workers come across product exposure where products contain asbestos. Other types of exposure are talc exposure, and secondary exposure where fibers stay on the skin, hair, or clothes.

There are also factors that determine the likelihood of developing asbestos-related diseases such as the following:

• The duration of exposure. The longer you are exposed to asbestos, the higher the number of fibers that can enter your body and cause asbestos related diseases.

• Smoking history. People who smoke and are exposed to asbestos have a higher risk of developing lung cancer because of synergistic effects. 

• Age. When younger people inhale asbestos, they are more likely to develop mesothelioma. This is the reason why efforts are made to prevent children from being exposed to asbestos.

• Type of asbestos. It is suspected that some types of asbestos are even worse than common white asbestos, known as chrysotile. 

• Genetics. According to researchers, genetics mutation also plays a role because not everyone with prolonged asbestos exposure develops dangerous asbestos-related diseases.

Takeaways

As some people work in industries where they are exposed to harmful minerals such as asbestos, and others can be at risk due to asbestos in their own homes, it is important to be enlightened about how these minerals affect your health. That’s why visiting your doctor, getting regular medical exams, having vaccinations against pneumococcal pneumonia and flu, and quitting smoking is important because it contributes to your overall health and wellness.

This is a guest blog entry.

Protecting Your Feet To Ensure Maximum Mobility

Many people take their feet for granted and this could lead to big problems in the future. If you neglect your feet, there is a risk that something is going to go wrong. You may lose sensation in your toes or you might develop an ingrown toenail. Both problems can make it very difficult to move around. With decreased mobility, your life is going to be far different and less enjoyable. Suffice to say, it is pertinent to protect your feet so you can maintain maximum mobility at all times. Within this guide, you’re going to find ways to protect your feet.

Wear The Right Shoes

First and foremost, you need to make sure that you’re wearing the right shoes. This will prove to be far more important than you could ever imagine. If your shoes are too tight, you’re going to experience numerous problems. The shoes may slip up and down. That could lead to your feet developing blisters and that is going to be very painful. Your shoes should fit perfectly so you can avoid these issues.

Simultaneously, you’ll want to make sure that your shoes offer sufficient padding and support. If they do not, you’ll want to switch as soon as possible. Make sure that you’re wearing the right shoes and you shouldn’t experience any problems with your feet.

Keep Them Dry

If you allow your feet to get wet and you don’t remedy this problem, you’re going to experience various issues. Wet feet will stink and they’ll be prone to bacteria and other problems. With that being said, you need to go above and beyond to fix this problem. Make sure that you wear breathable shoes so you can keep your feet dry at all times. This will make a big difference and help ensure that your shoes are always fresh.

Protect Feet In Public Areas

You may decide to visit the gym at some point or you might stay at a campground. If so, there is a chance that you’re going to use a public bathroom or shower house. If you’re going to take a shower using public facilities, you need to be very cautious. Failing to protect yourself could lead to major problems. For starters, you need to protect your feet from viruses. Make sure that you wear sandals when showering in public facilities. This will help you avoid problems and protect your feet.

Elevate Your Feet

If you spend hours sitting in one position at work or home, your feet probably ache and swell. This symptom is probably related to lack of exercise and sitting for long periods. The best thing you can do for your feet in this situation is to invest in a foot rest pillow. Place the pillow on a stool or chair, so you can rest your feet on it. This will help keep your feet elevated, resulting in less pain and edema.

Pamper Your Feet

Way too often are feet ignored. People will spend hours doing their hair and nails but pay little attention to their feet. Your feet are an important part of your body, so why not treat them to routine massages and pedicures? The best thing you can do for your feet is buy a massager. These machines are very affordable and easy to maintain. There are several types of foot massagers, one that utilizes water and another that relies only on vibration. It really depends on your preferences and needs as to which type you should invest in.

The water foot massager will offer more benefits than the vibration-only model. The water will soften and clean your skin while improving blood circulation and relieving your aches and pains. You really cannot go wrong with one of these machines because they offers many health benefits. Within a few days, you will notice improvement in your joint mobility and pain.

Examine Them

You may have a foot problem right now but you don’t realize it. With that being said, you need to pay close attention to your feet. When you shower, you should look at your feet and make sure that everything is okay. Do you notice anything out of the ordinary? Are you experiencing pain and discomfort? Or, have you noticed that the skin between your toes is starting to peel? These problems might be minor right now. They’ll spiral out of control if you don’t act. Once you’ve found one of these issues, you’ll want to visit your doctor so you can fix the problem as soon as possible.

This is a guest blog entry.

4 Simple Ways to Use CBD Oil

We are living in an exciting time where the consumption of CBD products is booming. Intake is considered a daily routine for vitamins and meditation. Read along to learn the details of the products.

What is CBD oil?
CBD is a cannabinoid found in the hemp plant. There is a great misconception as regards to its use to get high. However, you need to differentiate it from THC as it is what causes highness. CBD is one of the cannabinoids from the cannabis family.

Before you start your journey of taking CBD oils, have solid goals with you. You can achieve your objectives by seeking guidance from a health expert to help you determine the correct dosage. A lot of individuals use various methods such as eating CBD foods and bathe in CBD soaked water, among other options available. 

One may wonder what the effective ways are to use CBD oil while experiencing the benefits of the product? Here are some simple ways to effectively use CBD oil.

•    Sublingual tincture
Sublingual refers to below the tongue. It is an effective way whereby you place oil drops under the tongue for some time, preferably 30 seconds before swallowing. It is a procedure widely accepted when you want to calm down chronic pains. You should, therefore, buy in the form of sublingual tinctures for more comfortable use as droplets under your tongue when you are worried about how to use CBD oil while in public. You don't need any extra accessories. It is a simple way to control its use and have long-lasting effects. However, for you to avoid intake of oil tincture that contains alcohol, go for oil products made with vegetable glycerin.

•    Ingestion
It entails adding a few drops of CBD oil to your food or drink. Whereas we have products such as gummy bears and lollipops that have been infused CBD oil, you can make yours edible at the comfort of your home. It isn't necessary to always buy premade ingested products. However, take precautions on how much edibles are injested. Edibles may take up to 3 hours before their effects are felt. You may be tempted to overeat. Be wise enough to wait for a few hours before you have your next edible meal.

•    Topical application
It implies the application of CBD oil to your skin in the form of ointments or palm. Topical application is straightforward since no special tools are required. Equally, it is an effective method when you have sore muscles, acne, back pains, or some migraine.

•    Inhalation
It is the quickest way that CBD can get to the bloodstream through the lungs. With inhalation, the two methods are smoking and vaping. You will use tools such as vaporizers, a dabber, or an oil rig. However, it is vital to note; the method is not comfortable. There may be harsh experiences.

How to use CBD oil in the correct dosage can be quite a hassle. The FDA is yet to enacted regulation for its safe consumption. Its use relies entirely on manufacturers and retailers to recommend its dosage. Have your goals in mind while consuming CBD oils and always be sure to check with your doctor before using!

This is a guest blog entry.

DIFFERENT KINDS OF HEALTH INSURANCES TO AVAIL

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Human beings have basic survival needs such as food, shelter, and healthcare, to name the few. When it comes to health, we all are aware of a balanced diet and other essential measures to keep our lifestyle active and healthy. We all have people in our surroundings who we know as health freaks. The reason they get this label is that you will always find them being conscious of their food intake and exercise routine. Where there is health, there are chances to fall ill as our immune system might not be enough to battle the disease out. In case of any ailments, we all know that we need to consult a doctor. Healthcare systems hold great importance in our lives, and everybody has the right to access it anytime.

Usually, health services are expensive, and people avoid going to hospitals unless it is an emergency. Every country has some health protocols devised for its citizens; for this reason, they have health policies along with access to services procedures. It is a state’s responsibility to ensure the well-being of its citizens. To assist in this regard, you will come across different sorts of insurance plans, either suggested by your state government or local agencies. The foremost benefit of having any kind of insurance plan is to pay for the losses. It can also be essential to manage the cash flow uncertainty.

The United States of America has devised an Affordable Healthcare Act (ACA). This healthcare protocol encompasses various health insurance plans, which citizens can access easily.  People who hold membership in an insurance plan can enjoy the benefits with minimal expenses. Having an insurance plan at hand can reduce your costs up to 50%, and it can also save your monthly income for your other needs. The USA has 50 states; each state holds the responsibility to ensure the availability of primary survival rights to its citizens. Maryland lies in the mid-Atlantic region of the US, bordering with Virginia and some parts of the District of Columbia. Health coverage plans in MD (Maryland) also follow the ACA protocols, which makes it for the citizen to choose the insurance policy according to their budget and health requirements.

Here are different kinds of insurance plans described to help your selection comfortable.

1. Employer Offered Insurance

If you are working in a multinational firm, you must be enjoying some healthcare benefits offered by your organization. You might have noticed that your organization provides access to a few selected hospitals and doctors. If you go somewhere else, your company will not pay for your health services. Organizations and businesses use a PPO plan for their employees. PPO (preferred provider organization) enables the employees to have access to preferred doctors and hospitals. Employees have to fulfill annual deductible amount criteria before the company’s health insurance plan starts to cover their medical bills. A PPO plan is best suitable when your employees want the flexibility of choosing a doctor and other providers.

2. Premier Choice Plans

You have recently joined your new employer, which means that you will not be eligible for health benefits without having the deductible amount filled. In such a scenario, it is wise to have a premier choice plan for yourself that does not bound you with a deductible amount to satisfy. This plan provides first dollar payments to specified diseases and accident plans. This plan also gives you the liberty to choose your preferred network of doctors and covers the bills ensuring you maximum benefits.

3. Dental services coverage

Oral hygiene might not appear expensive; when it comes to affording your regular visits to your dentist, you will be surprised. Dental expenses cost more than your regular physician services. A dental services coverage plan also requires you to satisfy a deductible. This plan further has three categories varying in terms of the calendar year deductible and allows you to choose as per your convenience.

4. Health Maintenance organization

Just like state health policies offer the Affordable care act (ACA), there are health maintenance organizations (HMOs) that also provide insurance plans. Most health insurance plans have out of pocket expenses other than the bills that it covers. Having an HMO plan will lower the out of pocket cost. HMO plan allows you to choose your primary care physician (PCP), and if you want specialist services, you will need your PCP’s referral. HMO plans have the flexibility of not paying the deductible before you can avail of the services; it offers you copayment instead. An HMO plan is suitable if you wish to pay for lower premiums. If you want excellent preventive services like coverage of bills for checkups and immunization services, then the HMO plan is your call.

5. Health Saving Accounts

We all prefer to save some of our money for rainy days. Many people opt for money-saving accounts, and some even have health saving accounts. As much as health saving accounts (HSAs) appear to be unnecessary, it has its benefit too. Health saving accounts help the taxpayers to qualify for high deductible health plans. The funds you have in your HSA can give you the liberty to avail yourself of medical expenses without fearing the penalty of taxes.

Conclusion

The Healthcare industry is an essential part of our daily lives. Emergencies are unpredictable. To cope with high expenses of a bone fracture or maternity services, health insurance plans can save us from going bankrupt. In the United States, the healthcare system heavily relies on private health insurance services. The type of insurance plan that you are going to choose for you or your family has a significant impact on your finance.  Every insurance program has some premium and out of pocket costs. People can also choose managed care plans which allow them access to lower-cost medical care services. If you are a person with good immunity, you might need a low budget insurance plan. Most of the people in the US do not prefer to register in ACA. These people are either unemployed; they do not feel that they might need financial coverage. A good insurance plan will not only save you from extra expenses, but it will also give you an insight into which category suits best for you and your budget.

This is a guest blog entry.

Technological Advances in Medicine in The Past Decade

Technology and medicine go hand in hand. The advancements in the technology sector are making a host of opportunities possible in the medical world, improving success rates in complex procedures and treatments. There has been some significant advancement in the past decade, and the trend is set to continue as professionals come up against different diseases and health issues.

A lot can happen in ten years. So take a look at some of the top pairings of technology and medicine to showcase how important each has been for the advancement in medicine.

Fitness and health wearables

Since the inception of Bluetooth at the turn of the century, people are using this technology to track a host of different things and communicate information, including health statistics. For many individuals, this might just be a case of monitoring what calories you burnt at the gym. However, this technology is proving beneficial when used in connection with monitoring health issues. People with chronic problems such as diabetes and cardiovascular problems can use wearables to improve their health and fitness levels. In 2018, Apple also launched a new watch, which featured ECG technology. It was said that people used it extensively during the first few weeks and has been reported to detect some heart variations that the user may not have been aware of previously.

Tailored treatments

Everyone is different, so treating patients in an individual manner has always been a top priority for physicians. In recent years, this is being made possible with biotech such as translation control therapeutics. These drugs can select target proteins to offer a more targeted approach to treatment. This also helps to improve the success rate of treatments for cancers and other diseases and reduce damage to other healthy cells. Moving forward into the next decade, we’ll see this technology developed further to improve the success rate of a range of health issues.

Bio-printing

If you’ve heard of 3D printing, then this technology goes a step further with the introduction of bio-printing. To the average person, it may sound like something from a sci-fi movie. However, since its creation, it has been used to regenerate skin cells for burns victims. It has also moved onto more complex areas such as creating blood vessels, synthetic ovaries, and other organs. As professionals progress with this technology, they will be focusing on ways to ensure the body does not reject replicated organs. This alone could save millions of lives across the globe.

Smart inhalers

Many people have asthma, and it is common to carry various inhalers around in case of an attack. However, technology is helping to make sure these individuals use inhalers correctly to manage breathing problems successfully. The introduction of Bluetooth-enabled inhalers gives the user information such as the date and time the last dose was administered. Plus, it tells you if it was delivered correctly. By monitoring this, trials show that using this type of device helped to control symptoms and reduce inhaler use.

This is a guest blog entry.

Staying Mentally Active During Tough Times

There are many times in life when the unexpected happens and you are forced to stay home much longer than you are normally accustomed to. At the time of this writing, the coronavirus pandemic is a big reason why millions of people across the globe are stuck at home. Other reasons for staying at home unwillingly includes loss of a job, lack of transportation, and a medical condition.

Although there are some people who enjoy being alone, continued isolation can result in depression, anxiety, and/or anger. Left untreated and without any intervention, mental illness can result in someone’s regular daily functioning becomes significantly compromised. Emotional disorders can result in cognitive problems such as difficulty paying attention and memory difficulties. They can also result in physical problems such as sleep disturbances, unwanted weight changes, fatigue, and deconditioning.

During tough times, it is very important to remain mentally active in order to stay emotionally healthy. One way to do this is to maintain close social contact with family and friends but being sure to remain a safe physical distance during a pandemic. Active mental engagement differs from passive mental engagement because the former involves being an active participant (such as reading) while the other merely involves being a recipient of information (such as watching television).

Other common type of active engagement includes Suduko puzzles, word searches, jigsaw puzzles, video games, board games, and responsible use of online casinos. When it comes to online casinos, it’s hard to look past slots.lv (see slots lv online casino review) for an impressive assortment of over 160 games and generous welcome offers.

Participating in tasks that are fun, rewarding, and mentally stimulating can go a long way in keeping people mentally active during tough times. However, if you are still experiencing emotional difficulties during tough times despite active engagement, you should talk with your doctor and ask about a referral to a psychologist or other mental health provider. Psychotropic medications can also be considered. It is important to remember that there are now many telehealth providers available so you can receive treatment without leaving your home.

What is Digital PCR Testing?

When listening to the news about the coronavirus pandemic and COVID-19, you may have heard the term “PCR testing” used and wondered what it was. PCR stands for polymerase chain reaction. While that sounds intimidating, the term is not as complicated as it sounds. We just need to break down the component parts.

Chain reaction: a sequence of reactions caused by the product of a prior reaction.

Polymerase: refers to an enzyme in DNA that causes it to replicate.

A PCR test is one that takes a very small DNA sample (such as the genetic material within a virus) and quickly makes millions to billions of copies of it so it could be more easily studied and identified. This process is known as amplification. Samples can be taken from a variety of sources depending on the condition. For example, in coronavirus, samples can be taken from the upper nasal cavity.

Different PCR tests can be created depending on what genetic material is targeted by the test. It usually takes a few hours to do a PCR testing. The reason why it may take a week or more to get the results has to do with transportation time to the lab, preparation time, and a backlog of other samples that need to be tested. Some PCR tests can more quickly copy the genetic material and provide faster results.

Unlike standard PCR, digital PCR can partition a sample into thousands of reactions, some of which contain the molecule of interest and others of which do not. During amplification, the amount of target material from a particular person can be quantified as the process is measured in real time. In fact, the total number of positive reactions is directly proportional to the number of positive molecules in the sample.  As a result, a digital PCR coronavirus test can identify the viral load (amount of virus present) in a particular patient. This can better inform people on how contagious someone is.  It can also help detect rare mutations and genetically modified organisms.

Digital PCR avoids the undercounting of target molecules by applying a statistical modelling technique that makes is capable of analyzing complex mixtures. By increasing the volume of samples analyzed, digital PCP can identify rare individual targets, increasing sensitivity. Digital PCR is also more accurate and precise than standard PCR. Further, it does not require reference to an external reference standard. Discover the simplicity of digital PCR with https://www.stillatechnologies.com/