Smoking the odd joint may seem pretty harmless, but like the sirens of the seas who softly called sailors to early graves, weed cleverly draws you into dangerous waters. It’s never too late to tackle your addiction, or too early to quit before it really gets a grip and starts to dictate everything you do. So if you need a little motivation here are three good reasons why you need to stop smoking weed, and a brief look at just a few of the many benefits that decision will bring.
Reason 1: It’s bad for your health
There are worst habits of course, but that argument doesn’t really justify smoking something which seriously increases the risk of heart, brain and breathing problems, along with certain cancers. While it’s true that weed can help some people deal with pain, illness and chronic conditions that type has very low levels of THC – the bit that makes you ‘high’, so it doesn’t have the same damaging effects. Recent research also makes a strong link between weed and serious mental illnesses. It’s a scary road to walk down.
Benefits of quitting: improved health, less chance of dying early, and a halt to the permanent damage smoking weed does to your memory, ability to learn and to properly experience appropriate emotions.
Reason 2: It makes you stupid
You already read that smoking weed affects your memory and learning abilities – and that damage is unchangeable. Imagine then what young people are doing to their brains, and in turn to their future. And don’t forget that if you smoke the chances that your kids will is higher than it would be otherwise, after all you can hardly complain, right?
Benefits of quitting: halting the damage to your brain function so you don’t miss out on anything else in life, and the chance to be a good role model for your children.
Reason 3: It’s holding you back
Apart from the fact that if you started smoking young you probably did poorly at school so are not able to find a decent paying job, regular weed smokers are statistically more likely to be unemployed, or to lose their job because they are not able to do it properly, well or safely, or they took too much time off. Weed stops you caring; it kills ambition and realistic dreams and goals. Relationships are more difficult to keep up, and personal care can take second place to zoning out.
Benefits of quitting: better work prospects, looking and smelling good, the chance to realise your true potential, and enjoy nurturing personal relationships.
Quitting weed isn’t always easy, but it’s a whole lot easier in the long run than dealing with the fallout it causes, and there are plenty of good things to look forward to as a result. If you’d like to see a resource on quitting weed and some tips on how to stop smoking weed, then check out Kevin Bryce’s blog for tricks and ideas on quitting for good. Here is his Weebly and Blogspot too.
How would you rate your average energy level throughout the day? If you’re like most people, you wake up tired, spend the day caffeinating in order to keep energy levels up, and then crash as soon as your daily responsibilities are over.
While this sort of daily routine may be normal in American society, it’s certainly not healthy. Our bodies aren’t designed to be tired all the time, which indicates that we’re doing something wrong.
By finding answers, maybe we can offset low energy and spend our waking hours thriving.
How to Improve Your Daily Energy Level
Energy often feels like an intangible thing, which makes it harder to grasp and take control of. However, the effects of energy are undeniable. As you seek to improve your daily energy level, here are some practical steps you can take:
1. Get More Sleep
Quite frankly, most people with low energy levels simply don’t get enough sleep. This idea has been supported by study after study, including a recent YouGov report.
“While 54% say that they sleep the recommended 7 or 8 hours (and a lucky 6% report sleeping 9 hours or more each night), 38% say that they sleep for 6 hours or less most nights. Among people who say that they sleep 6 hours or less, 25% report waking up tired each day and 54% report waking up tired most days each week,” YouGov explains. “Among people who slept the recommended amount only 27% report waking up tired most of the week.”
The simplest solution? Try adding more quality sleep into your routine. (With quality being the key word here.)
2. Be Smart With Your Diet
“Ultimately, what is responsible for how much energy your body produces is your metabolism,” Dr. Mariesette Zeyl writes for InVite Health. “As we age, our daily lifestyle activities do not tend to promote a healthy metabolism. Cellular metabolism is controlled by the powerhouses of the trillions of cells in your body, also known as the mitochondria. The main fuel source for energy production are fatty acids, but they are only able to cross the mitochondrial membrane with help from certain nutrients.”
When it comes to staying energized, you need to make sure your diet includes nutrients that encourage optimal functioning of your metabolism. You may also want to include supplements like acetyl-l-carnitine, alpha-lipoic-acid, vitamin B-complex, and coenzymeQ10.
3. Exercise More Often
It seems backward to some people, but exercise actually gives you more energy. It forces your body to move and provides adrenaline. And while you definitely want to spend extended periods of time working out throughout the week, there are also some quick exercises that may provide a momentary boost of energy when you’re feeling tired.
Stretches, yoga poses, and body weight exercise can be performed in the office, at your home, or on the go. Try some of these workouts and see if they make a difference for you.
4. Watch What You Drink
The liquids you consume – and when you consume them – can have a major impact on your daily energy levels. As a rule of thumb:
- Use caffeine to improve energy and focus, but never consume it in large amounts after 2 p.m. This will have the adverse effect of keeping you awake at night and hurting your sleep cycle.
- Limit alcohol intake. A beer at lunch might seem like a good idea, but it’ll lead to an early afternoon crash. And if you plan on getting work done in the evenings, it’s probably best to avoid the glass of wine with dinner.
- Drink lots of water. When your body is short on fluids, fatigue has a way of following close behind.
Changing the way you think about caffeine, alcohol, and water can have a major impact on the amount of energy you have throughout the day.
Stop Living a Tired Life
Just because you spend your days walking around in a fog doesn’t make your chronic energy deficiency normal. It’s time to understand your body and start doing things that affect it in a positive manner. In doing so, you’ll discover there’s more to life than being tired all the time.
If you’re one of the many people who vowed to be healthier in their 2018 New Year’s resolutions, then you probably know how difficult it can be to actually stick to it. By mid-January, many people are often left feeling defeated and discouraged when they still haven’t made progress in their goal. However, there are many small, daily steps you could take to improve your health and overall wellbeing.
Meditate
Simply setting aside a few minutes each day to meditate can be extremely beneficial to your mental health. Daily meditation can help clear your mind and improve your mood, since it releases mood-boosting endorphins, similar to exercise. Meditation can also be extremely helpful for people with anxiety issues, and many people find comfort in setting aside time each day to meditate. There are several mobile apps available to make meditation easier than ever, and this accessibility has been successful in exposing more and more people to meditation. The next time you’re feeling anxious or just need to relax after a long day, take a few minutes and give meditation a try.
Drink More Water
Drinking enough water is one of the most essential parts of maintaining a healthy lifestyle, so it is important to make sure you’re getting your daily dose. It is recommended that adult women drink about 9 cups of water each day, and men drink about 13. People who frequently exercise or live in a hot climate may need to drink even more water, so keep this in mind when filling up your water bottle every day. Not only is water essential to your body’s overall function, but there are a plethora of additional benefits to drinking water. Drinking a healthy amount of water each day can promote clear skin, aid in weight loss, and flush out toxins, just to name a few.
Snack Smart
If you’re one of the 126.40 million Americans who are employed full-time, then you probably know how difficult it can be to eat healthy when you’re on the go. Oftentimes, you don’t even have enough time to cook a meal, and it’s easy to grab whatever unhealthy snack is closest at the moment. Making healthy snack choices is crucial to maintaining your overall wellbeing, so be sure you’re making conscious decisions about what you’re putting into your body. Try packing a healthy snack or two in your lunch before leaving for work, that way you won’t be tempted to snack on junk throughout the day. Many employers offer corporate wellness programs to employees in order to promote wellness in the workplace, so be sure to take advantage of that if that is something your employer offers. Fueling your body with healthy snacks will not only improve your physical wellness, but your mental clarity as well.
Get Some Fresh Air
Simply opening a window or going for a brisk walk can make a huge difference in your overall mood, so make sure to set aside time each day to get some fresh air. Even just going on a quick walk around the block during your lunch break can improve your mood and get your blood pumping, and can also help you work off some extra calories. This is especially beneficial for people who are often too busy to hit the gym, and every little bit of physical activity counts. The next time you’re feeling cooped up, take a few minutes to get outside and breathe in the fresh air.
Practice Self-Care
In addition to all of these tips, there are other steps you can take to practice self-care. Something as simple as taking a hot bath or curling up with a good book at the end of a long day can do wonders for your overall wellbeing, so make sure you’re spending quality time with yourself. It’s easy to get caught up in all of life’s daily demands, so carving out time each day to relax and unwind is crucial to your wellbeing.
Starting a fitness shop can be one of the most rewarding paths into entrepreneurship out there. Not only do you get to work within the health and wellness field, but be committed to helping others achieve their fitness goals. This is a big honor, and one that you should feel appreciative of, but before you get started on launching your own store, there are a few key points you should know. Check them out below:
Get Your Foundation On Point
If you’re going to be starting a fitness store, then one of the most important steps should be building out the foundation. Not only does this include the practicals like what platform you’re going to use, the type of inventory you’re going to have, or even business filings, but how you’re going to afford this thing. After all, running a retail store is always going to require some upstart capital for inventory, which is why it’s crucial to divide out a budget before you start pushing anything else.
Make a list of the type of items that you’re going to need for your fitness shop, including which ones you believe will produce the best ROI. Additionally, give your best estimate on the cost, where it’s better to be over prepared than under; because as noted by Fundera, with 75 percent of small businesses upstart capital coming from loans, lines of credit, and credit cards, it goes without saying that there’s a risk there. However, with the right plan in place, you’ll not only rest assured regarding affordability but also know you have an exact plan for success.
Learn How To Market Efficiently
Another important aspect of working in the fitness world is how you market yourself, as well as how that’s going to bring in customers. For most of us, things like social media seem to be the most intuitive medium, as that’s a place we not only hear fitness news but follow our favorite athletes. However, marketing a business versus personal use is a drastically different practice and one that you should get familiar with the ropes on how to do.
According to Instagram, there are approximately 258 million posts with the hashtag “fitness” at the time of writing this sentence. That’s a pretty staggering number of people to be checking out this topic, and something that you should learn how to hone in on one. Make no mistake; learning to market on Instagram or any other platform is going to take a lot of effort. You should try to focus on either locality, a difference in offerings, or a combination of both. This will take some time, consistency, and effort to get used to, but once you do, you’ll be off to the races with engaging with your audience.
Find Motivational Leaders
No matter how big or small you plan your business to be, it’s always a good step to find some mentors or inspirational figures that will help guide you along. As noted by Inc, 70 percent of mentored businesses survive more than five years, which is significant when you consider how many firms fail before that. Which, if you’re looking to avoid a similar path, then finding those that motivate you is a must for success.
Start out by looking at those that genuinely inspire you, making a note to follow their content as frequently as possible. Additionally, try to find people working in a variety of mediums who could provide useful insight; for example, Brian Magierski is a serial entrepreneur who knows how to disrupt an industry. All-in-all, try your best to find those that inspire you to do your best work, pushing your business to be at its best at all times.
Pick Up Some New Skills
Finally, as it goes with any entrepreneur, picking up some new skills will almost be inevitable. As you’re responsible for not only your finances, but additionally marketing, advertising, and even logistical items, this is one aspect to owning a business that you’re going to have to get used to. However, not only is this an incredibly rewarding task but one that won’t take as much out of you as you might imagine.
An excellent example of this is with something like social media, which while a lot of us use, we seldom think about how businesses work with it. This is where skills like learning graphic design can come in handy. For example, according to Buffer, tweets with images get 150 percent more retweets than those that don’t. And if this is one aspect you’ve been considering on improving, then it’s wise to start getting consistent with it now to ensure success in the long run.
What excites you the most about starting a fitness shop? Comment with your answers below!
Losing weight tops the list of most people's New Year's resolutions, but precious few will accomplish their goals, mostly due to the many misconceptions about dieting. All the weight loss regimens offered on the market, from specialized dieting programs to exercise plans to supplements and weird gadgets, promise success while consistently failing to deliver.
A superior way to lose weight should be natural, simple, free, permanent and healthy. This better way is to simply cut out sugary drinks like sodas, energy drinks and even diet drinks, and to cut down on juices and milk. Here’s a rundown of these qualities along with an explanation of how each one applies to this method:
Natural. This means it's not artificial, but it also means the weight loss comes naturally, almost automatically. Some people report losing weight “by accident” when they cut out sugary drinks like soda.
Simple. This quality comes along with being natural. Your best way to lose weight should not be complicated, weird or gimmicky. However, it’s important to keep in mind that simple does not mean easy. Due to addiction, quitting drinking all these sugary beverages is often far from easy and will take some real concentrated effort to accomplish.
Free. The weight loss industry reached a market size of about $175 billion in 2017 and is expected to grow to $245 billion by 2022. Not only is this weight loss method free of cost, but it can save you money.
Permanent. This isn't a temporary weight loss technique, but a new way of living that will keep off the weight. Before long, this weight loss technique will become a matter of routine, your new normal.
Healthy. Most importantly, the way you take off weight must be good for you. By cutting out sugary drinks, you immediately gain benefits to heart health, mood, sex life, teeth and bones, bladder, kidneys… the list goes on and on. Plus, you can avoid or recover from some diseases like diabetes and gout.
Here are the specific drinks you should eliminate or reduce from your daily intake:
Sodas. Your best bet for losing weight is to quit drinking sodas for good. This category includes energy drinks, which contain just as much sugar as sodas. Also avoid diet drinks, which trick your body into craving sweets.
Juice. The juicing trend has gotten people to consume way more natural sugars than they need, putting their diet out of balance. Eat whole fruits and vegetables to keep quantities in check and to receive all the fiber, nutrients and benefits from chewing and digestion.
Milk. Drinking milk in large amounts is good for bulking up babies and calves, but not for adults who want to lose weight.
Instead of those beverages, drink these:
Water. Perhaps this whole article could be boiled down to the single sentence, “To lose weight, just drink water instead.” On a daily basis, you should try to drink half an ounce to one ounce of water for every pound you weigh. If you like, drink sparkling water flavored with a dash of 100% fruit juice.
Tea. There are so many varieties of delicious tea, from classic herbal blends to fruits like apple and raspberry. Black and green teas are fine as long as you account for the caffeine boost. “We lawyers love caffeine, but obviously it’s best to drink it in the morning, not close to bedtime,” says Jonathan Marigliano, a partner at Prieto Marigliano. Cooled and poured over ice, tea serves as a good soda replacement, but you should avoid store-bought iced teas that are loaded with sugar.
Coffee. Drinking 3-4 cups of coffee per day is not only okay for weight loss, since coffee has almost no calories, but it contains healthy antioxidants. Black coffee is best, but if you usually take cream, use a dash of low-fat milk or a natural milk substitute instead. Go with nut milks rather than rice or soy milk, since the nut varieties are low in sugar and high in protein. Sorry, but you should stop drinking the fancy coffee concoctions that contain syrups and whipped cream.
A little processed sugar won't hurt in coffee or tea, but a better alternative is stevia, a natural sugar substitute extracted from the leaves of the Stevia rebaudiana plant.
This year, lose weight naturally and even save some money by cutting out the sugary drinks and eating a balanced diet. As discussed, this method is natural, simple, free, permanent and healthy, but nobody said it’s easy. If you’re addicted to drinking sodas every day, like most Americans, quitting that addiction may prove to be very difficult. Just keep in mind that these promises for weight loss and better health are real and enduring, and once you get on track you’ll never look back.
Almost 8% of Americans will experience PTSD at some point in their lives.
That percentage increases dramatically where soldiers are concerned, with approximately 30% of those who have been in war zones reporting the condition. An additional 25% will have partial PTSD at some point in their lives.
Finding ways to cope with past experiences can be difficult. However, recent studies indicate that exercise can alleviate the symptoms.
What exercise is best for you or your loved one?
Here, we’ll provide an overview of PTSD as well as several workouts to contemplate adding to your daily regimen.
What is PTSD?
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder affects many who have undergone a traumatizing event. It can manifest in three different ways: re-experiencing symptoms, avoidance and numbing symptoms and arousal symptoms.
Re-experiencing symptoms occur when the victim relives the traumatic event in flashbacks.
Avoidance symptoms include taking measures to avoid reminders of the event or isolating oneself from others.
Constantly being alert is an arousal symptom. The individual may have trouble sleeping or have emotional outbursts.
Can Exercise Really Help?
People who exercise regularly tend to be happier, and for veterans or others who have experienced PTSD, sports and active lifestyles can lead to a sense of achievement and positive self-identity.
Additionally, exercising can reduce stress, increase mood and alleviate depression.
Suggested Exercises
Individuals and family members must consider triggers, disabilities and social barriers unique to the one being affected.
However, there are exercises that studies have shown reduce the symptoms and stress of PTSD.
Biking
A study by the University of Regina’s Mathew G. Fetzner and Gordon J.G. Asmundson found that aerobic exercises, particularly pedaling on stationary bikes, reduced symptoms of PTSD and depression in every group studied.
Stationary bikes are especially useful for PTSD cases because certain models, such as recumbent bikes, may be easier alternatives for those suffering from a disability.
Yoga
More people with PTSD are turning to alternative treatments like yoga to cope with anxiety and depression.
People who suffer from PTSD, especially those who experience arousal symptoms, may benefit from such practices. According to psychiatrist and author Dr. van der Kollk, relaxing techniques like yoga, Qi gong and drumming can teach patients to regulate the fight or flight responses triggered by PTSD.
Swimming
Scuba diving with sharks and fish is proving to be a common therapeutic choice.
Water has been known to have calming effects, and it quite literally slows our brainwaves, creating the feeling of relaxation. But adding wildlife and depth to the mix gives recovering individuals the adrenaline rush many (especially soldiers) have trouble with.
Participants in the Wounded Warrior Project claimed it forced them to face their fears, feel exhilaration and appreciate life.
There Are Treatments
“PTSD is a serious condition,” says Rose Burberry-Martin, the marketing director of Chisholm, Chisholm, and Kilpatrick LTD. “We must take it seriously.”
Every case is different, every event unique. While exercise may not be a complete treatment, it can reduce anxiety and increase happiness.
The more we learn about the human body, the more critical a proper diet becomes. What we feed the machine, greatly affects our overall health. It seems that there is no health problem that a healthy diet won't ease, and arthritis is no exception.
Here are 10 foods you should always have on hand if you struggle with arthritis.
1. Fish
The Arthritis Foundation recommends eating fish twice a week to ease arthritis symptoms. The pain of arthritis comes from inflammation and swelling in the joints. Fish is full of omega-3 fatty acids that reduce inflammation and the pain that comes with it. If you don't like fish, consider taking a fish oil supplement instead.
2. Red Foods
No, red velvet cake won't do the trick, but foods that are naturally red are generally good for arthritis. Red foods, as well as purple and blue ones, contain a chemical called anthocyanins that are good at reducing inflammation.
Avoid the cake but do consume strawberries, grapes, blueberries and cherries.
3. Dairy
Dairy products contain a special protein that can irritate the muscles and joints in some people. Because of this, some people with arthritis avoid dairy. Dairy does, however, contain large amounts of calcium and vitamin D, both of which are important to bone health. Improved bone health can reduce osteoarthritis pain.
So, skip the dairy if you're struggling with rheumatoid or other forms of arthritis but eat up if you have osteoarthritis.
4. Broccoli
Broccoli is an excellent source of calcium and a substance known as sulforaphane. Sulforaphane is believed to slow the progression of degenerative bone disorders by strengthening bone tissue. Calcium also promotes healthy bones, making broccoli a double threat to osteoarthritis. Other foods that contain sulforaphane include Brussel sprouts, cabbage, kale and cauliflower.
5. Citrus
Vitamin C contains antioxidants which have been shown in clinical studies to reduce the likelihood of developing osteoarthritis. These antioxidants also reduce inflammation, which eases all types of arthritis. Dietary sources of vitamin C include oranges, strawberries, kiwis, pineapples and cantaloupes. You can also take a vitamin C supplement but do so cautiously. Exceeding more than 65 to 85 milligrams of vitamin C a day can lead to kidney stones.
6. Beans
Perhaps the only food to have inspired a childhood song, beans may help you toot your way clear of arthritis pain. Beans are inexpensive and full of protein to boost your immune system. This boost may help reduce the pain of rheumatoid arthritis. Beans also contain antioxidants that lower C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. Elevated CRP levels increase inflammation and therefor arthritis pain, so foods that lower it are quite beneficial.
7. Spices
A healthy diet doesn't need to be a bland one, so feel free to spice things up. For arthritis sufferers, garlic is a great way to add some kick to a meal while improving your health. Garlic, along with leeks and onions, contains a compound that eases osteoarthritis pain. Doctors think it works by lowering the amount of certain enzymes in your cells. These enzymes damage cartilage and perpetuate osteoarthritis issues. Ginger and turmeric also reduce inflammation and ease arthritis pain.
8. Nuts
Nuts are a satisfying snack and they are overflowing with healthy nutrients like calcium, zinc, vitamin E, fiber and protein. They also possess anti-inflammatory properties. Walnuts are particularly effective inflammation fighters, but pine nuts, pistachios and almonds are all helpful. Nuts are also heart-healthy, so eating them will please your rheumatologist and your cardiologist.
9. Soy
Like fish, soy contains high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids and does a good job of reducing inflammation. You can add soy to your diet through soy milk and edamame. Edamame is difficult to pronounce and is really just a fancy way of saying soybeans. You can add edamame to your salads or purchase edamame bean snacks at your local health food store. If you're so inclined, you can also eat tofu for a soy boost.
10. Olive Oil
Olive oil is one of the best foods those with arthritis can eat. Studies have shown that olive oil helps to prevent arthritis altogether, reduce joint inflammation and slow the deterioration of cartilage. This makes it an excellent option no matter what specific type of arthritis you have. Adding this beneficial food to your diet is simple. To do so, get rid of the other oils in your kitchen, such as vegetable oils, and use olive oil instead. This simple substitution may lead to a noticeable decrease in your arthritis symptoms.
11. Foods to Avoid
While some foods may ease your arthritis pain, others will potentially aggravate it. Fried and processed foods can both increase inflammation, so try to avoid them. Fresh foods are much healthier than their frozen and processed counterparts. Sugar, carbohydrates, corn oil, salt and preservatives can all increase inflammation in your body. There is no need to deprive yourself of these foods, but it is best to eat them sparingly.
Try as you might, there is no escaping the fact that a healthy diet is the closest thing to a panacea that doctors have found. The best way to ease arthritis pain is to take a tour of your kitchen. Get rid of the things that aggravate your arthritis to make room for the foods that will ease it. There is no cure for arthritis, but tweaking your diet can minimize your symptoms and perhaps reduce your reliance on pain medications. A better diet will also improve your overall health, so you have nothing to lose but pain and discomfort.
The Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta estimates that 84 million Americans, or one out of three people, currently live with prediabetes. This condition is a precursor to Type II diabetes, which itself can seriously impair a person's everyday health. You can take actions now to prevent the onset of Type II diabetes you learning more about the symptoms of pre-diabetes.
Frequent and Persistent Thirst
Like Type 2 diabetes, prediabetes will often manifest in the human body with persistent and frequent thirst. Pre-diabetics and Type II diabetics alike experience glucose levels that are too high. The body attempts to flush out this excess blood sugar by demanding that you drink more water. If you feel thirsty much of the time or you do not feel satisfied after drinking a glass of water, you could have prediabetes.
Frequent Urination
Another way the body attempts to flush out the excess blood sugar is through frequent urination. In fact, because you drink more water to satisfy your persistent thirst, your body works overtime trying to flush out the excess hydration and high levels of glucose.
This in turn puts a strain on your kidneys, which is why both Type II diabetes and prediabetes are dangerous conditions from which to suffer. If you find yourself needing to use the bathroom frequently, it is imperative that you be tested right away for pre-diabetes or Type II diabetes.
Extreme Fatigue
When you have pre-diabetes, your body works twice as hard to control the glucose levels in your bloodstream. The amount of work it puts into keeping you healthy and protecting your internal organs especially your kidneys often results in you feeling tired much of the time. If you are extremely fatigued throughout much of the day, and you also have other symptoms of prediabetes, it is crucial that you have yourself tested for this condition.
Blurred Vision
Prediabetes puts a strain on the blood vessels and cells in your eyes. When they suffer damage, they in turn make it difficult for you to focus and see objects both up close and at a distance. In fact, many pre-diabetics notice first that they are starting to lose their central vision when before they had normal eyesight.
While blurred vision can be caused by factors like taking medications or fatigue, it is commonly caused by prediabetes and Type II diabetes alike. Your primary care doctor can test you for prediabetes using diabetic supplies like glucose monitors if your blurred vision does not clear up on its own or grows worse over the course of several weeks.
Dry and Itchy Skin
Along with affecting your vision, prediabetes can also take a toll on your skin. As it damages the blood vessels and cells in and under your skin, pre-diabetes can cause you to develop yellow, red, or dark patches of skin.
Your skin may also become dry, itchy, and take on a shiny, waxy appearance. If you notice these types of skin changes, it is important that you report them to your doctor and be tested for prediabetes.
Gout
Prediabetes often leads to sufferers to develop a painful and bothersome condition known as gout. Gout is a type of arthritis in which high levels of uric acid build up in your bloodstream and joints. It causes painful flare-ups in your toes, feet, and legs.
Type II diabetes and gout go hand-in-hand in most cases of both illnesses. Most diabetics go on to develop serious cases of gout for which there are few treatment options. Many diabetics also develop nerve damage as the result of both their diabetes and gout. If you have pain in your feet especially in or around your toes, you should be tested for prediabetes.
Hair Loss
Prediabetes starts the process of cells throughout your body being seriously damaged. Along with taking a toll on your eyes and skin, this illness also affects your hair. Your once luxurious and thick hair may fall out in clumps after you develop this condition because of extensive cell damage.
While hair loss can be caused by taking medications, menopause, and other health conditions, it is frequently linked to prediabetes. If you notice that you are rapidly losing hair or that your hair is becoming noticeably thinner, you should consider being tested for prediabetes.
Prediabetes is one of the most common health conditions in the U.S. today. It is easily preventable with proper diet and exercise. It can be stopped in many instances before it develops into Type II diabetes.
This article was written by the management team at QuickRxRefill.
Telemedicine, the field of delivering medical assistance via distance using technological devices, has come a long way since its debut in 1960’s. Most recently, like all other technology-related industries, telemedicine has taken a turn toward the world of mobile devices. A 2016 study published in Telemedicine Journal and E-Health covers the concept of telemedicine via mobile devices, writing, “Mobile videoconferencing applications (apps) enable consultations between healthcare providers and patients from any location, even while in transit, using data-capable mobile devices with cellular or Wi-Fi access. Mobile videoconferencing apps are a form of cloud computing, where locally installed client software communicates over networks with programs on servers providing services.”
Using a mobile device for this type of medical care not only opens the doors to a greater scope of accessibility, but also to convenience. The latest report of advancement in mobile phone telemedicine is being designed to cater to pregnant women and their caregivers. Doctors, medical students, hospitals, emergency services, and even midwives will benefit from the evolution which has been set in motion.
Working with Lumify
While telemedicine is no stranger to mobile phones, the latest news in eHealth relates the use of mobile phones specifically with ultrasound technology. The latest company to take a stab at this? IIT, or Innovative Imaging Technologies. IIT has developed an application called Lumify, which runs on the Reacts Platform designed by them.
Lumify is a transducer, primarily for ultrasounds, which receives a signal and converts it into an image to be viewed through a mobile phone. It creates an opportunity for two-way visual communication using said signal. This means that pregnant women in remote areas can have their ultrasounds read by professionals across the globe. The same can be said for illnesses like cancer, which require an ultrasound.
The Benefits of Mobile Telemedicine
Unfortunately, there are some areas of the United States, let alone the world, which don’t have access to a doctor as easily as they should. Many small rural towns in the United States are half an hour or more away from a licensed physician or a proper hospital, making it difficult to seek help when help is needed. Mobile telemedicine can help with this by connecting patients to medical help without the long drive. From the Canadian Medical Association Journal, Dr. Mendez and Dr. Van Den Hof explain, “In industrialized nations, barriers to medical care caused by distance and lack of adequate health care infrastructure and medical expertise have a negative impact on the provision of health care to vulnerable populations in underserviced remote communities. These barriers have an even greater impact in the developing world, where large segments of the population may lack access to primary health care services.”
The fact that a developed country like the United States could have citizens going without proper care and ultrasounds when pregnant or sick seems impossible, but it’s true. Further development of the mobile telemedicine concept could improve all forms of medical care for these people.
Other Ultrasound Advancements with Mobile Devices
Lumify isn’t the only technical solution to long distance ultrasounds. A recent study found that augmented reality techniques may also be practical to the progression of this type of technology. In a scientific publication titled, “Augmented Reality as a Telemedicine Platform for Remote Procedural Training”, researchers describe another recent ultrasound technology via telemedicine using augmented reality. They say, “Doctors can use AR as a visualization and mentoring aid in open surgery, endoscopy, and radiosurgery. It has also commonly been used in orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery and oral maxillofacial (OMF) surgery, enabling the surgeon to visualize the proper positioning of their surgical instruments.”
Augmented reality is different from virtual reality but has a similar foundation in that it increases the clarity and usefulness of real world information by enhancing it with computer generated information. While this form of augmented reality isn’t yet used in all facets of telemedicine it could promise an entirely different way of receiving care in areas where hands on care isn’t always available.
Outside the Realm of Ultrasounds
Mobile telemedicine also offers diagnosing and prescription services to those in rural areas, or city dwellers who are unable to get to a physician due to scheduling or physical restraints. For example, some wheelchair users find it difficult to make it to the doctor’s office when a prescription refill is required. Using telemedicine applications through a mobile phone makes it simply to connect with a trained physician who can then send a prescription to a nearby pharmacy. Similarly, this type of service is helpful for those out of town on business or vacation who don’t have access to a family doctor but require a prescription refill before they get back home.
The area of telemedicine has certainly increased in volume and importance over the past decade, and ongoing research suggests we will continue to see more of the same.
Skin care, fitness, and fashion go hand-in-hand. Helping clients put their best body forward also means looking at everything from their nutrition to their skin care. While we don’t always have all the answers we need, we do all have one thing in common: the desire for improvement. For that to happen, and continue, everyone, regardless of age, sex, or location, needs a game plan.
Because the skin is our body’s largest organ, it is a natural place to start. Most people understand that pampering their skin is important; however, it is the “how to” that stumps them. It all begins with cleaning our skin properly, keeping it refreshed, protecting it, and moisturizing it. When your skin has peak performance, your risk for illness and infection is also greatly reduced.
Today’s stores, online shopping, and yes, even fitness gurus proffer many different kinds of skin care. Top products typically come in two classifications: natural and manufactured. It is a known fact that natural skin care is the preeminent way to go, and is just as important as healthy eating, and living a healthy lifestyle.
Abha Saraswat, is the Founder and CEO of Sano Naturals (http://www.sanonaturals.com). In discussing healthy skin care, as well as beauty, she offers this: “when you take care of your skin the way nature intended, you see the benefits for the short-term and the long-term.” Ironically, Saraswat personally created the Sano Naturals skin care line when she was unable to find a product that met her own skin care criteria. “I used to believe that makeup was the only way I could hide my skin and look better,” said Saraswat, “until I created a protocol which combined real science and nature to repair, nourish, and change my own skin. Once I accomplished this, I realized that it could also help others; thus, Sano was born.”
The American Society of Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS) is the main organization studying and promoting healthy skin care today. While their recommendations change from time to time, one thing remains constant: healthy skin is skin that is well-cared for, moisturized, and protected, regardless of age or season.
Natural products like Sano’s Korean Beauty Mask, when incorporated into your skin care regimen, follow the ASDS protocol. With natural, gentle cleaners and exfoliation, the mask removes harmful toxins the gentle way. When used properly, and finished with a moisturizer, the mask provides a true skin fitness plan. Remembering to moisturize is so important, explains Saraswat. “After the mask, the skin is clean and new, so this is the absolute best time for the moisturizer, so your skin will get the best benefits from it.”
When living a healthy lifestyle, regardless of the amount of times per week you visit the gym, or how perfect your healthy lifestyle is, it all begins with healthy skin. As the entrance to the body, and our outer protective layer, it provides the fastest way to improve our image, our bodies, and our lifestyle.
