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Things Every Caregiver Must Know About Bedsore Prevention

March 30, 2021
Patients who stay in the same position due to any type of continuous sickness may suffer from the pressure sores. These are the wounds that occur on the area where tissues under the skin and surface of the skin damage due to the constant position of pressure on the specific area. It leads to an open and irritated wound. There are different causes of these wounds such as injured skin, and interrupted blood flow can come into view due to the pressure from lying or sitting too long without changing the position, satta rubbing or friction occurs during shifting especially when the body rubs and drags over the bedsheets and shearing. It happens when the body slides in a bed or chair. In this way, skin pulls or slides away from the supportive tissues.

Common Areas of Different Body Position

Human body contains some specific spots where bed sores develop. For instance, sitting leads to sores on the back or bottom of the patient. Lying down is a higher-risk position that causes sores in different places.
- Back along areas of vertebrae protrude
- Head region that rubs with pillows and bed surface
- Sit bones or pelvic that bears the weight when sitting
- Hips sides
- Heels of the feet
- Tailbone or Coccyx
- Sacrum
All these areas are at risk if the patient stays for long in the same position. These pressure ulcers are highly painful, if you do not care for these wounds that can be risky for life. Moreover, bedsore prevention is better than its treatment. Therefore, the attendant or the caregiver must learn about the precautions through which you can secure your patient from these health issues.

Is it Suitable to Hire a Caregiver for your Patient?

Yes, it is much better for your patient’s healthy life, good care and prevention from other problems that you hire caregivers. Moreover, you will be at peace of mind that your patient is getting good care. Veterans who are experiencing illness or injury as a result of their military service need the assistance of the caregivers for activities of daily living. Most military veterans need their assistance if they experience mental disorders like PTSD. They help with home care, other daily tasks, health care appointments and others. These caregivers provide support and home care to people who are handicap, disable or cannot perform their routine tasks.

Moreover, they follow the tips and tricks for building mental health and quick recovery. They help patients to handle depression and stress as well as other negative health outcomes, increased financial difficulty, relationship distress, problems at work and others.

Responsibilities of Caregivers

These caregivers use to perform a lot of tasks from personal care to routine tasks of the patients. If a patient is unable to take his personal care, then they help them with exercising, toileting, grooming and bathing. They help them in food preparation and eating as well. Helping with tasks like dropping off mail and other outdoor work can be their responsibilities.

These caregivers are responsible for giving medication on time and handle the doctor’s appointment. No doubt, they can provide emotional support to patients. Some patients have mobility challenges, these caregivers help them to move as well as get out and into the wheelchair.

If patients are sitting or staying in the same position, then the chances are higher that they will have pressure ulcer. Moreover, the specific part of the skin rubs the surface of your wheelchair or bedding and it becomes senseless. In this way, the tissues in the area become dead and it begins to damage the specific part of the skin. These caregivers can improve the blood circulation in that area with the massage or other therapies.

Challenges for the Caregivers

Taking care of others can be stressful and a difficult thing to do. It needs patience and tolerance. Moreover, these caregivers have to pay attention to the patients to improve their health. Therefore, some people experience the signs of physical symptoms, anxiety and depression as well as headaches because of self-neglect.

How do they Help in Bedsore Prevention?

A caregiver can help you in pressure ulcer prevention by repositioning the patient after intervals to evade pressure on the skin. They take care of skin, cleaning it with disinfectants and moisturize it. Caregivers know about their healthy and balanced diet as well as they can secure you any of the health problems by following your diet chart. They can help patients by exercising daily, managing stress, quitting smoking, fluid intake and good nutrition. Some other things caregivers should absolutely know are here.

Helps you Shifting your Weight

Your caregiver can assist you with repositioning once in an hour.

Helps you lifting

It will be the best technique to save yourself from bed sores. With the help of your caregiver, you can lift your body and do wheelchair pushups. On some wheelchairs, patients can tilt them. It relieves pressure.

Use Cushions and Mattress

Support for cushions and mattresses can be helpful to avoid pressure sore. It helps your body to get the right position when you are sitting or lying on the bed.

Skincare

You need to keep your skin dry and clean and your caregiver can do this task very well with the pat dry and gentle cleanser. Caregiver maintains this cleansing routine regularly. They can keep you clean after exposure to stool, urine and moisture.

Protect the Skin

They know how to use moisture barrier creams to secure the skin from stool and urine. They change clothing and bedding daily to save you from germs and bacteria. Buttons and wrinkles can cause skin irritation.

Inspection of Warning Signs

A caregiver knows the warning signs of pressure ulcers so that they take care of and inspect the body for it.

Bottom Line

Aged people and patients of all ages want to enjoy their aging with dignity and freedom at their own will and convenience as well as their pace. It is their home obviously. To improve the quality of life and health, access our team for ease and comfort. Caregivers can help patients and disabled people for in-home assistance and consultation. They perform a lot of tasks from personal care to routine tasks of the patients.
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Trigger Foods: 11 Foods To Avoid If You Have Migraine

March 12, 2021

Migraines are attacks of medium and high-intensity headaches, which a person feels in half head. It is rare that a person has not experienced a migraine at least once in their life. And due to the modern pace of life, ecology, as well as malnutrition, the occurrence of such headaches has become more frequent.

And today, we want to talk about a non-obvious trigger for the appearance of migraines – the food. Here are a few foods to avoid (or at least reduce your intake) to reduce the duration of headache attacks.

Foods That Trigger Migraines

If you are somebody who has regular migraines, then you should skip the following foods and drinks.

1. Caffeine

Caffeine is a highly controversial component in terms of its effect on migraines and is present in coffee and tea. According to the American Migraine Foundation, caffeine may indeed be effective in treating acute headaches. But in the case of migraines, you should consume coffee no more than twice a week.

Otherwise, caffeine taken three or more times a week can lead to an increase in the frequency of migraines. The Foundation recommends avoiding caffeine for people with headaches, at least until the frequency of migraines decreases.

2. Alcohol

Alcohol is one of the most commonly reported migraine-causing drinks. In experiments research, it was found that more than 35% of the participants suffered from migraines precisely because of alcohol consumption. Moreover, Red wine is the most common trigger for headaches among people.

The reason for this is not only the poisoning of the body with alcohol decomposition products but also dehydration. This significantly contributes to the development of headaches, as well as other harmful effects of ethanol. If you are an alcoholic, the chances are that you will suffer from migraines more often.

Therefore, you will have to give up alcoholism if you want to get rid of headaches. There are many rehab centers providing alcoholism treatment to people across the globe. You can choose the one located near your home to recover soon.

3. Chocolate

According to the American Migraine Foundation, the second most common trigger for headache attacks is chocolate. It negatively affects about 22% of people with migraines. The fact is that chocolate contains beta-phenylethylamine, which can cause headaches in some. However, according to other researchers, there are no reliable studies that would prove that chocolate is a trigger for migraines.

4. Aged Cheese

Aged cheeses contain tyramine, an organic substance that is also present in ergot and rotting tissues. Tyramine has a vasoconstrictor effect. It increases blood pressure, affects the processes of excitation and inhibition in the nervous system, and is a toxic substance.

It also serves as one of the triggers of migraine. The longer the cheese gets aged, the higher the tyramine content will be. This is why people with frequent headaches should limit their intake of blue cheese, Gruyere, cheddar, and other aged cheeses.

5. Pickled And Fermented Foods

Like aged cheeses, some pickled and fermented foods may contain tyramine. A reasonably large amount of this substance is present in pickles, sauerkraut, and pickled jalapeno peppers. Those people who are at higher risk of migraines should definitely avoid eating these fermented foods.

6. Processed Meat

Sausages and other semi-finished meat products contain preservatives for longer shelf life, including nitrates. It preserves the taste and color of the product. Nitrates can release nitric oxide into the bloodstream, which dilates blood vessels in the brain.

This can contribute to headaches. The researchers found that during a migraine attack, the subjects experience a significant increase in nitrate levels, while in periods without headache, they decreased.

7. Aspartame

Aspartame is one of the most commonly used sweeteners used in place of sugar to reduce calories and reduce the risk of diabetes. However, research shows that adding foods containing aspartame to the diet of people with migraines can lead to a significant increase in the incidence of headaches.

8. Yeast

Bad news for bakeries: yeast can also trigger migraine attacks. It’s all about the tyramine substance already described above, which is present in cheeses. It is also present in pickled as well as fermented foods. Therefore, it is worth reducing the number of baked goods in your diet to reduce headache attacks.

9. Quinoline yellow

Quinoline Yellow (E 104) is an organic compound that has a yellow-green color and is used, for example, in Mountain Dew and other drinks. This compound can cause not only headaches but also, according to the researchers, hyperactive behavior in children. Since 2010, products containing this dye are sold in the European Union should have a warning: “May impair activity and attention in children.”

10. Citrus

There is currently no consensus on whether citrus fruits trigger headaches. But if we take the point of view of scientists who consider them a trigger, then the most often mentioned is the effect of synephrine. It is present in orange, lemon, lime, and grapefruit. Synephrine is a stimulant that increases blood pressure, which in turn can trigger migraines.

11. Foods High In Histamine

Histamine is a chemical compound involved in the immune response to allergen exposure. Anyone with allergies knows about antihistamines that can help reduce the symptoms of an allergic reaction. Also, histamine can be a trigger for migraines.

In addition to the alcohol, chocolate, and citrus fruits already described above, histamine is present in tomatoes, eggplant, nuts, shrimp, mussels, oysters, spinach, vinegar, pineapple, plums, strawberries, etc.

Conclusion

Many people in today’s era have regular headaches, but they do not know that what they eat can trigger such aches. The foods listed in this article should not be a part of your diet if you suffer from migraines. If you cannot completely cut them off, then you should at least try to minimize their use. Remember, it is better to take precautionary measures rather than depending on medication for the rest of your life.

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Is Intermittent Fasting Effective In Weight Loss?

March 2, 2021
There are numerous ways to cut off extra calories. Exercises, diet, and medications can help for the same purpose. People also fast time to time to reduce their weight. Moreover, some people begin skipping their meals and go on a diet in the run to lose weight. It is significant to know that skipping meals does not help burn your calories. Conversely, it weakens your system and makes you crave more food. Therefore, it is always better to consult with your doctor before picking any way to lose weight. He or she may prescribe the best weight loss medicine along with suggesting other methods to reduce extra body mass. In addition, your healthcare provider may also tell you some exercises, diet plans, and other ways like fasting to lose extra pounds.

Intermittent fasting is one of the most popular and well-working methods to lose weight. It is a pattern of eating that comprises habitual and temporary fasts or episodes of minimum or zero consumption of food. Many people go for this method to lose weight. Abstaining from food for a short period can help people to intake fewer calories. It ultimately assists in shedding extra pounds. Moreover, this method can also reduce the risk of medical problems.

There are certain methods of intermittent fasting. You can consult with your doctor to know which of them suits you the best.

What Are the Benefits of Fasting For Short Period?

You can be benefitted in various ways through the intermittent fasting method. However, you should consult with your doctor before picking up any of its methods. He or she may tell you if this way of losing weight suits your health condition. Moreover, ask your dietitian about the potential benefits and risk factors of the same.

Some of the benefits of short fasts are as follows-
- Help Reduce Extra Body Mass
As discussed above, the intermittent fasting method helps to reduce weight. The main factor responsible for the same is the intake of fewer calories.
- You Start Eating Simple and Healthy Food
When people refrain from food for a short period of time, they think to eat healthy in the time period they eat food. It makes people eat simple and healthy during they work to reduce the body mass.
- The Muscle Mass Is Maintained
Most of the dieting methods reduce muscle mass. However, various studies show that while you perform intermittent fasting, your muscle mass remains unaffected.

What Should I Keep in Mind While Doing Intermittent Fasting?

You should keep certain things in mind while you work on reducing your extra body mass. While your dietitian suggests you the best weight loss medicine, ask him or her about the things you need to pay attention to. Nevertheless, some of them are as follows-
- Maintain Regularity
The most important factor that affects the achievement of something is consistency. You have to follow the fasting process for a considerable and standard period of time to see successful results.
- Food Quality
Food quality is very important while you refrain from food for short periods and eat in episodes. However, you can consult with your doctor about the foods that are suitable to eat while you are on a diet.
- Stay Patient
Your body may take time to adjust the fasting method. Give yourself time and have patience; you will accomplish your goal to lose weight.
- Be Careful with Calorie-Intake
You should not compensate for the fasting periods in the time you are taking food. Try to eat in a normal manner in the periods when you are not abstaining from food.

Moreover, you can also do exercise while implementing the intermittent fasting method. Consult with your doctor for the exercises that may help you bring better results.

Above all, it is always a wise idea to consult with a doctor before picking-up any method to lose weight. He or she may tell you the best suitable method while keeping your health condition in their minds. In addition, keep taking your medications and doing exercise while fasting for short periods in order to lose weight.

You can seek an online doctor consultation for weight loss. Visit the Daily Chemist web page for any queries. Moreover, you can also request medical guidance from experts.
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STD Test Helps Find Out If You Have Genital Warts Or Not

February 22, 2021

Talking about STD test might feel a bit awkward, but don’t be embarrassed. Remember, many doctors have heard and seen it all before. Most individuals acquire an STD at least once during their lifetimes, which means that having screened yourself at least a few times is the smart thing to do. It is important for you to have a full understanding of what an STD is, the signs and symptoms of an STD, and the preventive measures that you can take to avoid contracting or transmitting an STD. This article will help you understand STD testing and what you should know regarding STD tests.

The first thing you need to remember is that you are always responsible for your own health safety. Always go to your doctor for STD testing instead of choosing to self-diagnose or self-treatment. If you are sexually active, make sure you get tested on a regular basis so you know for sure you are healthy or have a low risk of contracting STD. Don’t put off seeking out medical treatment, it may be the best decision you ever make regarding your personal health!

There are a few STD symptoms, you need to look for in order to determine whether or not you have Genital Herpes or HIV. These common STD symptoms include sores or blisters on the genitals, vaginal discharge that has a foul odor, fever, and chills. If you experience one or more of these common STD symptoms, make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible. Your doctor will conduct a simple STD test and tell you whether or not you have Genital Herpes or HIV.

If you think you might have an STD but aren’t sure, you should take precautions to prevent spreading STD. One way you can prevent getting an STD is to avoid having intercourse while you’re sick. Always use protection when having intercourse, and make sure you know and understand how to use a safe condom. If you have a chance to practice safe sex, do so. It’s important to always be aware of your health in this day and age, and taking immediate action when you think you may have an STD is your best option.

If you think you have an STD, you may be able to get tested at a gynecologist or STD clinic otherwise you could get a sti test at home. If you’ve been diagnosed with an STD, you should immediately start an anti STD regimen, such as daily pap smears. A common STD test at an STD clinic includes a swab test for genital warts, and sometimes an ultrasound. Both of these tests will tell you if you have HPV or not.

You can also be tested for sexually transmitted diseases at a doctor’s office or at a women’s health care clinic. Depending on the STD test you’re given, you’ll either be asked to produce symptoms for your condition or be given a type of medication to treat it. The most commonly used STD treatment is a prescription cream or a vaginal gel that’s applied directly to the area. This area is then covered with a dress or other protective garment until the medication has taken effect. There are also over-the-counter medications that can help ease discomfort and cure current infections, although they won’t necessarily help prevent you from getting more STD’s in the future.

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Maryland Drug Rehab

December 28, 2020
Maryland has one of the highest rates of illegal drug abuse in the U.S. 15.83% – about 950,000 residents, abuse drugs and 272,000 abuse alcohol every year. As a result, alcohol and drugs were the cause of 13.54% of deaths in Maryland in 2008-2017. This is almost one percent above the national average for alcohol and drug induces deaths in the same period. The city of Baltimore-Columbia had the highest death rates at 15.88% with Germantown-Silver having the lowest at 8.12%. From the statistics, it is apparent that there is need for efficient Maryland drug rehab services.

Considerations When Choosing A Maryland Drug Rehab Center

There are many different types of treatment options and rehab programs to consider. The following are some of the decisions you need to make:
- Service setting, that is, outpatient or residential inpatient programs
- Specialized rehabs which include alcohol and drug detox, rehabs for dual diagnosis, or holistic rehabs.
- Rehab lengths – shorter rehab length, 30 days, or longer-term option, 60 days or more
The major factors that determine the rehab option that best suits you are your financial situation, unique situation, and severity of your addiction.

Finding A Substance Abuse Treatment Center In Maryland

Contact Your Referral Center

In Maryland, you first contact the Maryland Department of Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) to get substance use treatment resources in your area. Visit the BHA website to obtain information on available services and locate a treatment program.

The purpose of a referral center is to establish the type of help you need and the resources available for your type of need. The referral center also serves as a point of contact for anyone who needs assistance paying for Maryland drug rehab treatment. If you want to know if you qualify for low0income Medicaid services, and establish eligibility, visit the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene website.

Substance Abuse And Rehab For At-Risk Groups

Substance Abuse Treatment For Veterans

PTSD and substance abuse disorder go hand-in-hand for many veterans. Veterans face unique challenges that place them at a higher risk for substance abuse disorder than the general population. This is because some of them suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), unemployment, chronic pain and homelessness.

Substance Abuse Treatment For Adolescents

In the period 2017-2018, 7% of adolescents aged 12-17 reported to have engaged in marijuana use in Maryland. This is way higher than the national average of 6.6%. In the same time period and for the age group, 9.6% of them had engaged in alcohol use, which is slightly higher than the 9.4% national average. To address the challenges faced by the youth in overcoming substance use addiction, some Maryland drug rehab centers provide adolescent-specific treatment programs.

The same gender-specific and age-specific programs are also available at United Recovery Project. Call our treatment referral helpline on 954-249-5026 for more information.
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Helpful Tips to Make the Most Out of Cannabis Product for Health and Wellbeing

December 8, 2020
Studies have shown that CBD products can help humans maintain their health and treat many complex diseases. Its use has become legal in many states, but you still need a marijuana card to buy it. Also, you have to consult a weed doctor to ensure your health and safety if you are opting for medical marijuana treatment.. Before we talk about the tips and benefits of taking CBD, let’s take a quick overview of what CBD is.

What is CBD or Cannabidiol?

CBD is a chemical as well as naturally occurring compound directly derived from the hemp plant. With the research on it, CBD has become an essential component of medical marijuana. What makes CBD different from marijuana is that it is non-psychoactive and thus non-intoxicating, and this factor makes it one of the main reasons people are utilizing it.

How is CBD Being Used?

The use of CBD isn’t only limited to medicinal purposes. Still, many CBD products are also being used in the cosmetics industry, and it won’t be wrong to say that since the introduction of CBD-infused products, the cosmetics industry has been on the rise. CBD is being used to treat diseases and minor pain or injuries; it can treat knee and muscle pain.

Another thing that might surprise you about CBD is that it is also being used to treat several animals’ diseases. Because of its pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties, it is treating conditions like epilepsy, cancer, injuries, and anxiety in animals.

Tips to Make the Most Out of Cannabis Product for your Health and Wellbeing
- Firstly, start with making CBD products a part of your routine. You don’t only have to use them as a cure for significant diseases because they can also help you treat minor pains and aches. As CBD infused product like a serum can relieve your reduced inflammation on your skin, or a CBD made moisturizer /cream can help you treat wrinkles.
- While using a CBD product, you always need to follow the directions that are prescribed for it. CBD products have to be used appropriately; you can’t only do what you think is right, but instead, you need to follow the directions mentioned on the box for its efficient effect. This way, CBD products will be more effective, and you can also get the most benefit out of them.
- CBD oil is the easiest and most reliable way of taking CBD products. People who suffer from anxiety should consider the use of CBD oil. Many studies have shown that CBD oils’ regular use can treat anxiety, depression, and stress. Moreover, it can also treat insomnia, migraines, agitation, and any other form of dysfunction in the body. Research has shown that CBD oil was able to treat insomnia and anxiety in children with PTSD.
- Muscle spasms are often so strong that they leave constant pain in your body; for that, you can use CBD oil, as CBD oil reduces the muscle spasms in the affected area and helps you in mobility. Many older people are always complaining about back pain or knee pain, so we would recommend using CBD oils regularly for them.
- CBD oil can also use to treat allergies and asthma. Most of the people using CBD oil have reported that it has helped them decrease allergy symptoms by lowering inflammation levels. And once again, due to its anti-inflammatory properties, CBD oil can also cure asthma issues.
One thing that makes CBD reliable is that it is a natural compound, and it won’t have side effects on your body. But also, you need to have a medical marijuana card to access the CBD products easily. We can guarantee you that using CBD products and making them a part of your routine will positively change your health and WellbeingWellbeing.
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Addiction Treatment in South Weymouth, MA

November 27, 2020

Addiction treatment is complex, and no single plan will work for everyone. Drug rehab in Weymouth, Massachusetts, offers programs designed to treat the whole person because many people also have underlying mental health issues.

It is essential to find the right program for yourself. You’ll see that some patients fare well in an intensive outpatient program, whereas others need a supervised residential care setting.

Alcohol and Drug Detox Programs

You may need to go through a detox program before entering an inpatient or outpatient service. Detox that is managed enables you to undergo withdrawal from the drug in a safe environment.

Detoxification can have some potentially dangerous side effects like tremors, seizures, and hallucinations. Remaining in a detox treatment facility allows for management of the side effects using comfort care and medication.

Inpatient Addiction Treatment

Inpatient treatment or residential care is a program where you live in a facility with full-time professional supervision. You’ll have access to extra activities such as nutrition education, group therapies, individual therapy, and medical management at the center.

Outpatient Addiction Treatment

Outpatient care enables you to get treatment while continuing with work or school. Outpatient services are less expensive than inpatient care; however, they are only recommended if you have a supportive home structure.

Outpatient programs offered in drug rehab in Weymouth Massachusetts, exist on different levels, such as partial hospitalization, intensive, and basic. All these levels call for regular visits to the center for group programs and individual therapy.

Medication-Assisted treatment

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) combines medication with behavioral therapy. You’ll take medications such as Suboxone or methadone to help manage opioid cravings. We also have a different MAT program available for alcohol use ailment.

You’ll also attend counseling sessions to learn how to avoid your triggers that may lead to drug abuse and how to change your behavior. A combination of medication and therapy brings about the best chance of recovery.

Aftercare and Alumni Services

Alumni services or aftercare come in after you finish a primary outpatient or inpatient treatment program. Through aftercare, you’ll receive continuing support to help keep you on the right path.

These programs offered by drug rehab in Weymouth Massachusetts usually include a peer support system such as 12-step meetings or supplementary services to help you get back into your everyday life. Additional programs might consist of education, sober living housing, or job training.

Questions About Treatment?

To see if the United Recovery Project is an option for you or your loved one, connect with us today, and let’s get you on a course to full recovery.

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Best Water To Drink While Pregnant

September 25, 2020
Pregnancy and plenty of pure, uncontaminated water are two things that should go hand in hand. The reason is obvious; you are drinking for two. And for you and your baby to stay fit and healthy, 2 liters of daily water is a must. 3 if you engage in physical activities.

You see, if you take sufficient water, issues like morning sickness, constipation, headaches, fatigue, and a possible miscarriage will all stay at bay.

But the big Q is: Are all waters safe for drinking? Or rather, which is the best water to drink while pregnant? I know you are probably thinking of the crystal-clear water flowing in that kitchen faucet. Is it safe? A big NO. Why? It may contain a variety of contaminants such as fluoride and lead which, according to sciencemag, lower the IQ of the baby.

So that’s it, I can’t drink tap water? You can drink it but only when you are sure it’s safe. Read on to get the full details.

Is tap water safe?

When we need to quench our thirst real quick and there is no time to boil the water or rush to a grocery store for bottled water, drinking from the tap is the easiest alternative. And why not drink it anyway? After all, it looks clean and comes from a safe source. Actually, most cities test the water for viruses, treat it, disinfect it, and filter it before releasing it for consumption.

But, owing to aged and leaking pipes, harmful pollutants like lead and copper find their way in. On the same note, many cities have been found to violate the water code, exposing many people to health risks. This is according to a 2018 study that indicates that 45 million Americans consume whose sources are questionable. This only means that tap water is unsafe for anyone and potentially dangerous for expectant mothers. Another study by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) says that tap water could contain 316 contaminants.

Probable contaminants in your tap water

Fluoride- According to a research by ScienceMag, 2/3 of Americans have fluoridated water flowing in their taps. The logic behind this is to control diseases, strengthen teeth and prevent common teeth complications. While fluoride has proved to be effective in improving teeth, it has turned out to be a harmful contaminant as well. Children, particularly boys, born of mothers who consumed fluoridated water, have been observed to have a low IQ. The researchers are still trying to figure out why this affects only boys.

Lead- Lead is toxic and harmful to your health, and the baby’s even in low amounts. Its major source is corrosion of pipes, worn-out paint, erosion of natural deposits, and leaks. The more acidic the water, the higher the leaching of lead. And worse if the pipes are old. Exposure to lead during pregnancy affects the baby in the following ways:
- A lower IQ
- Low cognitive function
- Learning problems
- Stunted growth
- Premature birth
Manganese- Manganese is a metal contaminant that makes it to your piped water through leaches from rocks and soil. This metal does not only affect pregnant mothers and children but also causes loss of memory and poor attention in adults. In children, it is linked to:
- A lower IQ
- Learning difficulties
- Verbal disorders
- Poor behavioral performance
Arsenic- This is another metal pollutant that results from earth natural deposits, industrial pollution, and agricultural chemicals. Its health effects include miscarriages and premature birth.

Bacteria and microorganisms- Expectant mothers have vulnerable immune systems. These contaminants can lead to stomach diseases such as vomiting and diarrhea. They can find their way to the city water reservoir or to the local borehole through sewage or animal waste.

Chlorine- Chlorine and other disinfectants are used to kill bacteria and microorganisms found in tap water. When they react with the natural organic matter found in water, they form chloroform, a highly toxic contaminant that has adverse health effects. Chloroform has been linked to the following complications on children:
- Birth defects like low weight
- Heart problems
- Cleft palates
- Cognitive problems
- Asthmatic attacks
Mothers are under the risk of miscarriages. However, health experts agree that the evidence is not so ample, and further research needs to be done.

Pesticides- They are used by most farmers to control weeds and contain nitrate and atrazine. They might contaminate your tap water through runoffs and are attributed to slowed fetal growth. They might also cause methemoglobinemia, a blood disorder where too little oxygen is delivered to the child’s blood cells.

Industrial chemicals- They contaminate tap water through industrial waste runoff. Exposure to these chemicals may lead to pregnancy-related complications and even miscarriages.

This, however, doesn’t mean that you should not drink tap water. What’s important is ensuring that the water is safe.

How do you know your tap water is safe?

The water running in our taps mostly comes from public water reservoirs. So, you can rest assured that the water has been treated, and the chances of it being unsafe are very low. You can always contact your local water supplier or health department in case the water tastes strange or if you have any suspicions. Always pay attention to alerts by the supplier. In the case of leaks or breakdowns, they will always inform you. When they cut out supply for maintenance, contamination is highly likely to happen. So you might wanna boil the water before drinking.

But you can always test the water for reassurance and extra safety. Testing water for contaminants, thanks to available test kits, is a 5-minute process, and even in low concentrations, these kits don’t miss a single detail. Depending on your budget and the levels of accuracy you are aiming, you can use 3 types of testing kits:

Test strips: Did you take chemistry classes? Remember how litmus papers worked? Test strips use a similar mechanism. They are small one-time use strips that are dipped or held against a stream of water and change color to indicate the presence of a contaminant. To determine the concentration of the impurity, you compare the color with the colors chart. Test strips are cheap and less accurate if you don’t follow instructions carefully. They can be used to test for nitrate, lead, iron, manganese, chlorine, and other metal contaminants.

Colour disk kits: Colour disk kits are more accurate and reliable. You put the water to be tested in a reusable plastic tube then add powder or a liquid reagent. The color changes if any contaminants exist. To know the concentration of the pollutant, you are required to place the plastic tube in a viewing box, where there is a plastic disk printed with a color gradient. You then rotate the disk to find the color that matches the color of the test sample. Color test kits can be used to test for like any contaminant but are more expensive and have prescribed waiting times.

Hand-held digital instruments- They are the most effective and accurate. They can be portable water meters, photometers, or calorimeters. However, they are more expensive and delicate as well. They require calibration and run on batteries.

So, what do you do if you find your water contaminated? You can make it safe.

How to make your water safe

There are many ways of purifying water and making it safe for drinking. Boiling always does the trick, but the most effective method is installing a whole house water filter. The system was invented to filter or get rid of any contaminants in the water. It does all the hard work for you and ensures that the water you’re drinking, cooking with, or washing utensils with is free of any harmful substances.

But if for any reason, you can’t install a water filter, you can opt for bottled water, which is actually the safest for mothers-to-be. Also known as mineral water, this water is not only safe but also contains minerals such as sulphur, magnesium and calcium which are good for you and your baby. People also say that mineral water has good taste, which is another reason you should drink it.

Final thoughts

The last thing you want is a miscarriage or a baby with a low IQ or verbal disorders. It’s rather sad that this has happened to many people simply because they didn’t know. Be conscious of the water you take in. Make sure it is clean and safe.

The best water to drink while pregnant is filtered water, bottled water and boiled or distilled water.
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Health

7 Things You Should Know About Medical Cannabis

June 18, 2020

Cannabis is a plant that contains compounds like cannabinoids. Cannabinoids are the active chemicals that are called marijuana. Cannabis contains hundreds of cannabinoids including the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). It is used medically as decontaminated cannabinoids (eg, CBD), synthetic cannabinoids (eg, dronabinol), or parts of the whole plant.

Besides the formation, there are many important things you need to know about medical Cannabis but a few of those for your knowledge are as follows:

1- Forms Of Medical Marijuana

There is various form of using medical marijuana. You can gasp a vaporized spray, take a pill or liquid, smoke the leaves, or can bake it in foods. All these ways are different in terms of using it. And all these types are used differently and perform in a way that how they are being used and how they are affecting your symptoms and the side effects you may feel.

2- Function Of Medical Marijuana

The chemicals in medical marijuana got connected with specific parts of the cells called receptors. There are certain cannabinoids receptor cells in the brain and the immune system. But the process of the flow of it and how it affects the human body is understudies yet.

3- Medical Benefits

Patients with spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis, nausea associated with chemotherapy, Alzheimer’s, ALS, cancer, Crohn’s disease, rare forms of childhood epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, posttraumatic stress disorder, chronic pain have been shown the clear results from the medical use of exact cannabinoids. But the scientists are still making sure that the use of it is helpful for all these conditions. Whereas the research is clear with its treatment as a painkiller, to control vomiting during chemotherapy, to dismiss some MS symptoms, and to treat a few rare types of epilepsy.

4- Treatment Of Pain And Anxiety

Evidence has demonstrated that medical cannabis is very helpful in reducing pain. Even the most consistent use of it can reduce nerve pain. The use of it has portrayed the enormous benefits for insomnia, marijuana for anxiety, depression, and opioid addiction but the conclusive evidence is still on wait.

5- Risks Associated With It

Like many benefits, few of the risks are also associated with it. Like, if you smoke it you can have breathing issues like bronchitis, and chronic cough. It causes serious accidents if the driver has taken it. If taken by the pregnant ladies, they may affect their baby’s health and development. There is a strong tie between the pot and psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia.

6- Do It Causes Addiction?

The addiction risks are not much clear yet and are understudied process. But people who use medical marijuana to get high on to these substances might have misuse issues. One of the most common problems is the dependency on it. If you are dependent on it, you might feel severe withdrawal symptoms if you stop using it. And if you got addicted to it, you might get a severe problem to go out of the drug.

7- From Where You Can Get It?

The rules of every state vary. Usually, you need to access a doctor and analyze is your state has approved using it or not. Even, in some states, you can have them at specific stores called dispensaries.

Conclusion

Even though medical cannabis has been used as an herbal remedy for so long but its performance is still confusing in many cases. A large number of studies are still being conducted to draw effective conclusions out of it. Products differ in their strengths and to measure doses, which has made arbitrating the benefits of marijuana even more complex.

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Health

The Best Equipment A Gym Owner Like You Needs!

February 25, 2019

You just opened your new business, you know gyms are in demand nowadays but you don’t know which gym equipments to buy. Of course you only want the best, but the best could be pricey. At gym pros, we will provide you with high quality machines at a discounted price! All you need to do is visit our website and there you will be able to choose in our pool of gym equipments what you think is best for your business.

Refurbished equipments

“Why are your equipments so cheap?” Our high quality equipments are being remanufactured or refurbished, meaning we take in used gym equipments and replace its parts, internally and externally. Your equipment would look and feel good as new, without paying for the new price tag! The technicians who refurbish the gym equipments are product certified and have over 30 years of experience in their field, so you can expect that when you buy gym equipment from us, it will be in 99.9% perfect condition.

When you’re buying refurbished equipments, you’re receiving the same quality products when you buy a new one. But of course the real steal is that it costs half the price from the new one. This would give you the ability to buy a lot of piece equipments without hurting your wallet; after all if you’re going to be starting a gym, you’d need at least half a dozen of gym equipments for your investment to return.

Experts in the field

The people at gym pros know the ins and outs of their field, any question you ask we can answer. When you come and look for a product, you will be met by an expert who knows the different brand and models of the wide range of gym equipments, meaning we know what exactly it is you want for your gym. When you’re starting a new business you want to trust a partner who knows what they’re doing. When you’re starting a gym for a business you want your gym equipment to come from the best, and gym pros is your man. They know their products and thoroughly check the refurbished machines before they are being taken to customers like you.

Gym pros’ ultimate goal is that you get to take home only the best products they offer, this is because they want you a business owner to rest easy and get back to what you meant to do in the first place, run a gym business with equipments that won’t hurt your budget.

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