Adam

There are over 25 million people in the US who suffer from asthma. And while those who experience the condition will know just how difficult it can be to manage, there are an awful lot of misconceptions out there about just how bad it is. It can stymie any attempts on the part of the sufferer to engage in physical activity, for example, while it can also be complicated even further by issues of long-term pain and both physical and psychological discomfort. And that’s before any issues related to medication are factored in.

For those who are allergic to their medication or who are otherwise unable to go down the traditional inhaler route, alternatives are needed. With all of this in mind, this article will explore the diverse range of issues faced by asthma sufferers and will begin to explore some of the solutions put forward to help them deal with the condition and to enjoy life to the full.

Inability to be active

Asthma can present many kinds of problems, but perhaps the most obvious one in the mind of the general public is the difficulties it can cause with breathing. It’s often more difficult for asthma sufferers to catch their breath, and this is down in large part to the swelling that occurs inside the airways that prevents them from breathing normally. For those who have the condition but want to play sports, go running or head to the pool, there can be quite serious barriers in the way.

Asthma patients may find themselves changing their lifestyles in order to accommodate the condition – such as by giving up or significantly reducing physical activity of all kinds. Or they may find that they have to carry a range of paraphernalia around with them, including refills for their inhaler. Even day to day life can get in the way: going for a walk in the summer while everything from pollen to smoke from barbecues is in the air can be a challenge.

Medication troubles

For those who do not have asthma themselves, a misapprehension about the nature of the medication being taken can often spring up. “Asthmatics can just take inhalers to ease their problems,” a non-sufferer might say. And while it’s definitely true that asthma medication has come on in leaps and bounds in the last few years, it’s certainly not the case that everything can be solved with a puff of medication from that small handheld device.

On the contrary, some people with asthma are actually unable to take inhaled medication for a whole host of reasons. They may have unrelated problems with their tongue, teeth or mouth, for example, or they may have a reaction to the steroids in a prevent inhaler. Thankfully, some alternatives have sprung up in recent years: CBDLuxe’s spray can be used topically, while there are also tablets available for some cases.

Pain and discomfort

While struggling to breathe normally due to the narrowing and swelling of the airways is of course a major risk for asthmatics, there is also another dimension: pain. Coughing and spluttering is a common occurrence in those with asthma, and for many, it can lead to significant throat pain – especially if the coughing is left untreated. Tightness of the chest can also be a factor.

And there’s a psychological and mental element to experiencing asthma, too. Many asthmatics find that they begin to worry when they sense an asthma attack coming on: this, in turn, can lead to raised stress and worry levels, and ultimately even panic. Deep breathing, which is a common method of controlling panic attacks, is not always possible for asthma sufferers – leading to a vicious cycle.

Asthma is an unpleasant condition, and despite the fact that it is widely known about, there’s still no cure. And the problems associated with the condition can range from excessive coughing to tightness of the chest – and even psychological health issues. But the good news is that steps are beginning to be taken towards ensuring that asthmatics can better deal with the symptoms of the condition. Whether it’s empowering asthma sufferers to ensure that they have everything they need with them all the time or looking into alternative forms of treatment which do not require the carrying around or usage of an inhaler, there are effective ways available that help with keeping the illness under control.

To read more on topics like this, check out the health category.

The answer is simply that they are effective ways in which to keep an active mind and body. As the population gets older it has never been so important, as rates of dementia and mental health problems continue to rise. But whatever age you are, it’s never too late to incorporate fun ways to stay mentally fit and physically active, and you can even do it all online too.

Playing a board game with the family removes age barriers

There’s no doubt that the playing of board games is experiencing something of a renaissance these days. The likes of Monopoly, Cluedo, Game of Life, and Scrabble are still enjoying healthy sales.

Gathering around a board game with family or friends can allow multiple generations to play and interact – which is not always possible in a world full of gadgets and online gaming preferences. In fact, board game cafes are popping up across the country as if to prove that this activity isn’t restricted to just after Christmas dinner.

But that doesn’t mean you have to get up to leave the house or visit friends and family that might live a long distance away. For example, the gaming site Steam has an online board game simulator where you can play with other board game fans or friends around the world.

Walking has health advantages and unique social benefits

Walking has been proven to provide a broad number of health benefits, including weight loss, reducing high blood pressure, mood improvement, helping with balance, preventing heart disease, and strengthening muscles.

The speed, length, and frequency of a walk can dictate how much benefit is gained from it. So long as a good pair of shoes is available there’s no limit to what can be enjoyed. It can either be a walking weekend with friends, heading out with family for the weekend dog walk, or even getting online with apps like Strava or Komoot.

Strava has a number of features that enable walkers and hikers to compare and distances or to join other groups of similarly inclined walkers. Similarly, Komoot is a social app that compares and discusses different walking routes, with both offering ways to socially interact and monitor improvement through walking.

Playing number games like bingo is the new bridge club

Long gone are those crusty bridge nights immortalised by Gloria Swanson in Sunset Boulevard. They have been replaced by number games like Sudoku or Bingo which have long been associated with better mental health and social benefits.

Even if mobility is an issue for people, heading online to sites like the Lucky Pants Bingo slot games, which has an equally broad number of bingo and slots games as Steam has online board games, can actually help both lonely and vulnerable people become part of a social site. But it also stimulates the mind too.

Researchers have long known that games like bingo and puzzle problems like Sudoku have benefits in cognitive perception for people getting older. This can help to combat degenerative diseases like Parkinsons and Alzheimers.

Without a doubt, the classic games are back. No one should underestimate the power of a board game to bring the whole family together (ensuing arguments are optional though). However, games offer just one way to help increase social interaction and mental stimulation. The same effects can also be had with online and physical bingo games.

For actual physical health benefits, simple walking can work on many different levels, but all of these activities can be done both in person or online, which makes them a valuable weapon in prolonging and sustaining better mental health.

I spent most of the last summer huddled indoors, desperately trying to escape the heat. The year before that was just as hot and gave me a newfound appreciation for air conditioners. Was it my imagination? Where summers always this brutal? For those of you wondering the same thing, I can tell you now; summers are getting hotter.

Whether you believe climate change is a human-made phenomenon or not, there is no denying the data being collected about our climate. Summers are indeed getting hotter which might sound nice for holidaymakers but can spell disastrous results for our home planet.

Who to believe?

There is a massive amount of misinformation floating around about climate change. While originally referred to as “global warming,” climate change describes the effects of mass human inhabitation on the earth’s climate. Many people believe that our lifestyles and the resulting pollution is choking our atmosphere and slowly producing a “greenhouse” effect.

As layers of these “greenhouse gases” build up in our atmosphere, our planet is effectively insulated, trapping heat from the sun and creating wild changes in weather. It certainly seems like this is happening. But is it all our fault?

There is evidence to suggest that the earth has gone through huge periods of climate change well before humans become so ubiquitous. Some scientists claim that during the earths 4.5 billion years of existence, it has gone through 5 ice ages already, and we are due for another one.

Regardless of what you believe, there is no denying that temperatures are rising, and weather events have become much more extreme. There is hard satellite data that reflects this change.

Effects on human health

While you might think extra sunshine and warmth is a good thing, it can cause major problems for humans and animals alike. As the sun shines down on earth it bombards us with ultraviolet radiation; this radiation is incredibly dangerous and in large doses can kill a human quite easily.

Excessive heat can cause cramps, exhaustion, and as mentioned above, death. Excessive heat can also cause pre-existing conditions to flare up. UV radiation at high doses (such as the Aussie mid-day sun) can even cause immunodeficiencies and congenital disabilities.

As the temperature rises, those in urban population centers will be hit harder. Built-up areas will absorb and retain heat longer, effectively turning cities in urban heat islands. This heat island effect has already happened, with many city dwellers spending time indoors while blasting their air conditioners.

Experts predict that heat-related deaths and illness will dramatically increase over the next decade as more people move to urban centers and the temperatures continue to rise.

How to stay cool

With an apocalypse brimming on our doorsteps it’s easy to get disheartened or even angry. Staying cool is even more important now than ever, and with some simple fixes you can keep cool while the earth melts.

Air conditioners are the easy chose; they are effective, and newer models are surprisingly energy efficient. I personally like this Rinnai air conditioner, but any unit will do the trick. For best results, many air conditioners have an auto mode, which will keep your home cool without wasting precious energy or turning your house into an icy tomb.

For those not fortunate enough to own a Rinnai air conditioner, you will have to manage with some old school techniques. Wearing loose, natural fabrics, as well as keeping hydrated will go along way in keeping you cool without an air conditioner.

Many homes will absorb heat from the sun during the day and retain that heat overnight, keeping your home warm and not very pleasant to sleep in. Swapping out your curtains with blackout curtains can help keep the sun’s heat away. Those who have installed blackout blinds and kept them closed during the hottest parts of the day report an average of %30 reduction in room temperature.

Changing out your linen and pillows can also help you have a cool night’s sleep. Natural materials such as buckwheat grains absorb more moisture and breathe better than synthetic fabrics. Practice these techniques and you might discover you don’t need an air conditioner… but they definitely help!

How can we help?

The future might seem bleak, especially if you let the news fill your head with noise. Even if humans aren’t contributing to climate change, should we sit idly while the earth warms up? Not acting could spell the end for our species, but it’s not too late to change our way.

It would be easy to cower underneath your Rinnai air conditioner and let summer blissfully pass you by. Sure, you could exist like this for decades maybe even live the rest of your life like this, but there won’t be any future for your children or your family.

Acting now against climate change doesn’t have to downgrade your quality of life, its more about making small adjustments to our daily routines. By reducing our energy consumption, we are reducing the emissions made from fossil fuel derived electricity thus reducing the number of greenhouse gases.

Switching to a green energy provider will have a more direct result, squeezing companies out of business that still insist on operating coal-fired power plants. Many energy providers will allow you to decide how much of your power is coming from renewable sources.

For ways to help fight climate change as well as keeping fit and learning new skills, consider replacement. What does this mean? Replacing activities that produce emissions with ones that don’t is a straightforward method of reducing emissions. For example, replacing your daily drive to work with a bike ride or public transport will reduce your footprint on our planet.

No, it’s not your imagination, summers are getting hotter. The earth is getting hotter, and as a result we suffer more extreme heat events and wild weather. You can sit inside and blast your air conditioner, or you could act now and help reduce emissions and provide a safer, brighter and cooler future for the next generation.

To read more on topics like this, check out the health category.

With the eyes being the focal point on a person’s face and also one of the first locations on the face to show signs of aging, the areas of the faces surrounding the eyes are often the focus of cosmetic surgery as well. So what is a Blepharoplasty?

What is a Blepharoplasty?

Blepharoplasty is a cosmetic procedure which lifts the eyelids. As someone ages the eyelids usually become droopy and lax. The thin tissue of the eyelids loses its elasticity and pulls down over the eyes giving them a tired and unhappy look. During a Blepharoplasty operation, excess skin is removed from the eyelids, eliminating sagging tissue, which can make the patient look years younger, making them appear rested and refreshed. A Blepharoplasty can be performed on the upper eyelids, the lower eyelids or both.

Blepharoplasty is usually performed as an outpatient procedure under general anesthetic or IV sedation with a duration of typically one to three hours for completion depending on the extensiveness of the work to be carried out. It can also be combined with a Face Lift or Fat Transfer to provide optimal results.

What Happens During Blepharoplasty Surgery?

During Blepharoplasty surgery a small incision is made across the crease of the eyelid which excess fatty tissue and skin is removed. The remaining skin is then pulled taut with sutures put in place to allow for healing.

Blepharoplasty Recovery

Recovery from a Blepharoplasty procedure can take between ten and fourteen days with the most likely visible affects being bruising and swelling of the eyelids and surrounding area. The patient should expect mild pain including tightness and soreness across the eyelids which have been treated. Medications for pain and sleep may be administered by the surgeon to aid recovery.

The Blepharoplasty patient can aid recovery time and visible signs of the surgery by taking the prescribed medication as instructed by the surgeon, by keeping the head elevated, specifically when sleeping as well as awake. Icepacks applied to the eyes will help reduce swelling and can be applied for twenty minutes as a time, with a twenty minute break in between. A stress-free recovery is essential and should include a healthy diet and plenty of water.

Potential Blepharoplasty Surgical Complications

Eyelid surgery is safe and effective and rarely results in complications, as the surgical site is small and is carried out as an outpatient procedure. As with any surgery there is always a small chance of post-surgery issues such as infection leading to some scarring. Choosing an experienced and respected cosmetic surgeon is important as they know how to reduce the number of complications and also help advise on recovery.

Scarring from the surgical incisions are expected with Blepharoplasty surgery but these tend to be very minimal and well concealed in the creases of the eyelids. They may be more visible when you have your eyes closed but likely not visible at all when your eyes are open.

So a Blepharoplasty is a simple surgical procedure to improve the appearance of the eyelids.

To read more on topics like this, check out the health category.