Do you live in or are you traveling to areas that have a high prevalence of mosquito-borne diseases? If so, it is crucial to take extra caution to protect yourself and your loved ones. Mosquitoes cause diseases such as yellow fever, malaria, and dengue fever—all which can be life-threatening. Even if you live in a relatively safer zone, you can use some of these tips to reduce your chances of catching an infection. Below are the ways you can protect yourself from illnesses caused by mosquitoes.

• Spay your yard

Spraying your yard is one of the best ways to practice mosquito control. Yard spraying is serious business, so you need a professional to do it for you to avoid possible exposure to harmful chemicals. These toxins can harm your children, pets, natural plants, and harmless insects. If you are inexperienced, you may also waste the spray by doing it the wrong way. A pro will also identify hidden areas in your compound which can be possible mosquito breeding spots.

If you are entertaining guests outdoors, spray the area at least 24 hours before you use it. If the party or get-together will go late into the night, use repelling candles and lanterns. You can hang them up or place them on a flat surface. Place them strategically to cover most of the area. Look for candles which contain geraniol, the most effective ingredient at repelling mosquitoes.

• Drain away stagnant water

There should be no standing water in your compound. Check for water contained in idle toys, plates, cans, buckets, flowerpots, and small holes on the ground. Chlorinate your swimming pool to repel mosquitoes.

• Invest in natural repellants

There are plants which produce chemicals that ward off mosquitoes. Some essential oils also help in repelling mosquitoes. Examples of mosquito-repelling plants which you can plant in your garden or near your house include peppermint, basil, thyme, and catnip. Some examples of essential oils known to be effective against mosquitoes are eucalyptus, clove, and lemongrass.

• Apply a repellant or put on a spray

Sprays or repellants which contain DEET are safe for both adults and kids. Other options include picaridin, oil of lemon, and eucalyptus. You may need to reapply these repellants regularly as per the specifications to keep them active.

• Protect yourself with the correct dress code

Mosquitoes love dark colors such as black and navy. Avoid these as much as possible and invest in light-colored and lightweight clothes which cover most of your skin. These include caps, tops with sleeves, and trousers. Mosquitoes also bite down on your feet, so you should protect your feet by wearing high socks and high-top sneakers.

Staying indoors as much as possible may also keep you from mosquito bites. Most mosquitoes bite at dawn and dusk, but the ones thought to carry Zika will attack you during daylight hours. Repair any broken doors and windows so that you can keep these insects from entering your house.

 

Every single person wants to maintain his or her mental and physical wellbeing, but the question is, how can you do this? You’ve been told that doing this will improve your quality of life, but you have no idea where to start adopting better and healthier habits. That is why this article will go over 6 tips that, when pursued, will help maintain your overall health.

Take the example of staying physically healthy, for instance. In order to maintain your physique and elevate your energy levels, it’s important that you stay physically active at all times. This, among other beneficial habits, will be explained in more detail below.

• Stay physically active

In order to stay physically fit, you must exercise everyday and stay active. Even if you don’t have the time, you can at least try doing this every single other day. This, then, will improve both how you look and feel.

Physical activity releases endorphins in the brain, after all, or the feel-good chemical.

• Eat a nutritious diet

Food is fuel that your body needs for the sake of energy, and the type of meals that you eat are thus tremendously important for your overall wellbeing.

The sooner you get into the habit of eating a nutritious diet, the better you will feel.

• Realize when you need help

You are always responsible for your own wellbeing, but there are times when you simply will need help in order to get back on track. In particular, there are some moments in your life where you may realize that you need to receive treatment from a professional facility, for a particular problem that you are facing.

This could be a mental health problem such as a severe form of depression, or something even much worse. Rather than suffering the prolonged consequences of letting this go unattended, you should take action, and you can do so, in this case, by reading more about how the clinical team at edentreatment.com can aid with improving your mental state.

• Get enough sleep

At this moment in time, how much sleep are you getting every single night? The healthy adult needs at least 7-9 hours to be fully rejuvenated for the following day.

In order to make sure that you abide by this habit, you need to make a point of going to bed earlier, and avoid spending time on your mobile phone before you sleep, as well.

• Pursue a hobby and other activities you enjoy

By pursuing a hobby or other activities that make you happy, your mental health will also reap the benefits.

• Accept yourself

When you accept yourself in terms of who you really are and what your interests in life are, you are also elevating your quality of life.

You will be a lot happier, and you will wake up each morning with a newfound sense of inspiration and positivity. This is, after all, what anyone would want to achieve, at the end of the day.

These tips and tricks are guaranteed to improve your overall wellbeing, so long as you take them to heart and incorporate them into your lifestyle.

 

With the warm weather months already upon us, it’s important to take the proper precautions against canine heat exhaustion. Here are a few facts and tips that will help you keep your canine bestie cool and comfortable all summer long.

Summer is the time of year when we want to enjoy plenty of outdoor time with our pups and play lots of games of fetch and frisbee in the park. However, even though your pooch will probably have the time of their life running and jumping and romping in the sunshine, they may become dangerously overheated, and if their temperature rises above 103-degrees, there is a real risk of organ failure.

Symptoms of heat exhaustion may be difficult to spot at first – if your dog was just playing, the indication of heat exhaustion might be easily mistaken for fatigue after vigorous exercise. While dog’s may be panting and drooling somewhat heavily, if they are overwhelmed by the heat, they may also exhibit the following symptoms:

• Nausea
• Fainting
• Diarrhea

The weather doesn’t have to be exceedingly hot to trigger heat exhaustion symptoms, nor does a dog have to have exerted themselves to an excessive degree. Here are a few precautionary measures you can take to ensure your dog never succumbs to the heat.

• Keep water available at all times. Bring bottles of water and a bowl to the park, beach, or wherever you plan to enjoy the outdoors with your pup.
• Rest in a shady spot. Don’t sunbathe with your dog – always stay in the shade.
• Never leave your dog in an unattended car. No matter what the weather is, leaving your dog in a car is dangerous. A car can heat up to more than 100-degrees on a 70-degree day if it is parked in the sun.
• Make sure you keep your home cool. It’s important to adjust the climate control or keep fans going while your dog is in the house to make sure it’s always at a healthy temperature. After all – your pup can’t sweat, and they’re always wearing a coat!
• Take your dog out in the very early morning or early evening. Go for your walks and hikes early enough to be able to enjoy moderately cool weather when the summer months begin to really swelter.

Older dogs, puppies, breeds with heavy coats, and dogs with medical conditions are especially susceptible to heat exhaustion. Make sure to keep a close eye on vulnerable dogs in warm weather, particularly when the weather is humid in addition to being hot. If you have a chubby dog, talk to your vet about weight loss strategies because hot weather can be especially dangerous for obese dogs. Regardless of whether you feed your dog Nutrish, Blue Balance, or Zignature, DCM, obesity, high blood pressure, and other weight-related conditions can make your dog dangerously prone to overheating.

If your dog becomes overheated, you can give them a cool (not cold) bath, give them water, and contact your vet for further steps.

I’m a diehard dog lover, and when I’m not writing about dogs, you’ll probably find me at the dog park with my two rescue girls!

 

Mental health is often overlooked and neglected. You may not even realise you are doing it; perhaps through long nights spent working, or through constant dismissals that ‘everyone has bad days’ and ‘it’s okay to be tired all the time when you’re working so hard.’ Does this sound familiar?

Your mind is what makes you you. Obtaining a healthy mindset shouldn’t be ignored and can lead to negative consequences down the line. It’s essential to take control of your mental health, and therefore, your own positive life.

Look After Yourself

An optimistic mindset stems from making all the right decisions in your self-care. You need to make conscious decisions to eat healthily and get enough exercise. The latter doesn’t have to mean hours spent at the gym to stay in shape – it can mean gentle exercise such as a peaceful evening walk or perhaps an hour spent doing yoga or meditation. Choose an activity which works for you and which you enjoy. After all, if you don’t enjoy your chosen activity, you won’t want to do it. Eating sluggishly and consuming junk will only leave you feeling less than your best, and this can take a toll on your mental health and motivation.

Know Your Limits

If you know that agreeing to do another overtime shift again is going to make you feel miserable, don’t do it. If you’ve made the effort to socialise an extreme amount in a short space of time and you simply don’t have the energy to do it again for a while, that’s okay too. Don’t push the boundaries of what your mental health can cope with. It’s okay to say no sometimes, and taking the time to understand better how far you can go with something before it takes a toll on your mind means you will know better when to stop.

Extinguish Negative Relationships

If any relationship in your life is making you feel low and aggrieved, whether this a romantic relationship, family relationship, or a friendship, then you shouldn’t be in it. It can be very difficult to make the steps to remove yourself from an abusive or negative relationship, but for the good of your mental health, you should do so as soon as possible. Seek the support and help of people who do care about you to make the transition easier. You should pay attention to the signs of negativity when they arise.

If you are left feeling low or depressed due to a bad relationship, don’t hesitate to seek professional help, such as igniteteentreatment.com.

 

Make Time for You

The key to good mental health is making time for the things which you love. You may feel social pressure to meet obligations and socialise with people during your free time, but it’s also crucial to spend time alone, too. This way you can explore hobbies and pastimes which make you happy, and it can help to refresh and revitalise you.

You should also make plans to go on holiday or take a trip from time to time, to recharge your batteries.

 

The health and wellness industry has seen amazing advancements and innovations within the first half of 2019, making self-care and alternative health solutions more accessible than ever.

In fact, trends in the health and wellness sector have gained immense mainstream popularity, causing more and more retailers to incorporate these products into their inventory. With that in mind, read on to find out more about the latest health trends.

Dietary supplements

According to a new report by Grand View Research, the dietary supplement industry is projected to reach $194.63 billion by 2025. Rising health awareness among consumers of all age groups has contributed to the growing popularity of dietary supplements and vitamins.

In fact, 75 percent of adults in the United States (170 million) take dietary supplements, according to data from the 2018 CRN report. Since American diets are typically high in calories but low in nutrients, private label vitamins and supplements are needed to fill nutritional gaps.

More people are turning to one-a-day multivitamins to protect against nutritional deficiencies and create a more balanced diet. In addition, taking a daily multivitamin has been associated with weight loss, slower aging, better memory, and reduced risk of disease.

Meanwhile, others are turning to dietary supplements for a wide range of benefits, including improved cognitive function, bone strength, and cardiovascular functioning. In particular, collagen has gained popularity for its anti-aging effects and protection against neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s and Parksinson’s.

Essential oils

Essential oils are becoming an increasingly popular way to boost physical and mental health. In 2017, the global aromatherapy market earned $1.2 billion in revenue, and sales have increased in the United States by 200 percent since 2012. According to a Transparency Market Research report, the industry is expected to grow to $27.49 billion by 2022.

Whether you’re looking to jump on the bandwagon or you’re already a fan, you’ve probably heard of the health benefits associated with essential oils. Different oils are associated with different benefits: for instance, lavender can help with insomnia, while peppermint can help digestion.

For those looking to try essential oils, start with Bulgarian organic lavender essential oil. The oil is produced through extended steam distillation and a proprietary filtration process, making it exceptionally high-quality. In addition, the oil has a superior calming effect, and can help to detoxify and improve blood circulation of the hair and skin.

Plant-based alternatives

According to the Good Food Institute, grocery sales of plant-based foods directly replacing animal products have grown by 31 percent in the past two years, reaching $4.5 billion in 2019. Today, plant-based sales make up 20 percent of the food and beverage expenses of Americans, with beef alternatives accounting for 44 percent.

As a result, more and more start-ups are beginning to think beyond standard plant-based products. For example, Good Catch released plant-based tuna made from lentils, chickpeas, and fava beans. Alongside companies like Wild Type and New Wave Foods, Good Catch plans to deliver a wide range of products that reduce the environmental impact of overfishing.

In addition, brick and mortar restaurants are beginning to offer more plant-based alternatives. Many restaurants are integrating vegan options into their menus to appeal to a wider demographic and diminish the environmental pressure of producing meat.

The health and wellness industry has grown immensely within the first half of 2019, with many new trends gaining mainstream attention from retailers and influencers. Ultimately, following the latest wellness trends can help you find all-natural ways to live a healthier life and take better care of yourself.

 

While a nursing degree opens the door to a traditional nursing career, nurses can do far more than walk the wards. In fact, with further education or specialized training, you could move into whole new roles you didn’t even know existed. Here are six alternative healthcare careers you never thought about. We’ll also discuss the training, certifications or experience necessary to move into these alternative careers that nurses could pursue.

Medical and Health Services Management

If you earn a master’s of nursing and MBA, you can move into management at any healthcare facility. Note that you can complete MBA MSN dual degree programs online, an invaluable option when you’re trying to continue working while attending school. A dual degree like this is often necessary to become the Director of Nursing.

A number of accredited institutions allow you to get your MSN MBA from the comfort of your home, and teach you what you need to know to become a healthcare administrator or healthcare executive. You could then work in nursing homes, doctor’s offices, medical insurance companies, healthcare systems and doctor’s offices as an administrator at any level. You could work to improve their productivity, profitability or quality of care. You may ensure that they’re fully compliant with various regulations and laws they’re bound to obey.

Another great option to consider would be to work in healthcare recruiting. You’ll be able to help healthcare facilities identify and retain nurses and other medical staff. There are programs that allow you to specialize in healthcare administration, human resources development, general management, leadership and organizational consulting.

A related job title is the nurse administrator. A nurse administrator may work as a case manager in home nursing services or assisted living facilities. They may also work in Human Resources, recruiting and hiring nurses.

Clinical Manager

A clinical manager is given authority by physicians to manage the day to day treatments that have been authorized for patients. They may deliver medications, track medical instruments or ensure a physical therapy and pain management regimen is adhered to. They may also oversee all of the personnel in a medical office aside from the physicians. Clinical managers may work in doctor’s offices, hospitals or healthcare systems.

Another position that is related to clinical manager is administrative service manager. In this role, you’re coordinating and planning the support services for patients. This might include physical therapy and home health aide visits for someone who is discharged from the hospital. Or you will coordinate the delivery of public health services. For example, this could include the delivery of medical supplies to a community after a disaster or the rolling out of vaccines in an area with an outbreak.

A bachelor’s degree in nursing is a minimum for this job, so you should consider a master’s degree if you want to be the preferred candidate for the role.

Nurse Practitioner

Many people still can’t make the distinction between a registered nurse and a nurse practitioner, but they both differ significantly in terms of responsibilities and autonomy. A nurse practitioner is a nurse with an advanced degree, but with almost as much authority as a doctor. They can also handle the vast majority of cases that a physician can. Nurse practitioners are in demand by an aging and growing population, partly because of the slow and constrained pipeline for creating new medical doctors.

Nurse practitioners routinely earn more than a hundred thousand dollars a year, and they can often do so with only a master’s degree. Many nurse practitioners work in a complementary role with physicians, but a few are general primary care professionals, often serving in areas where there is a shortage of medical services. A few nurse practitioners earn MBAs so that they’re better able to handle the administrative side of the business.

Nurse Educator

If you are looking for a job outside of the ER, or just want a change of pace, then you should definitely consider becoming a nurse educator. However, note that you will need to earn a master’s degree to become one. This is typically a master’s degree in nursing. Some hold an MBA in addition to an MSN or in place of one. As a nurse educator, you may be asked to provide continuing education for nurses and caregivers for instance. Or they may teach the next generation of nurses. Others may evaluate nurses and caregivers and fill in gaps in their knowledge.

A Legal Nurse Consultant

A legal nurse consultant sits at the intersection of law and medicine. This job typically requires a bachelor’s degree in nursing plus an understanding of the laws they’re working under. They may provide an expert medical opinion to law offices handling personal injury and workers’ compensation cases. They may create timelines and summaries of medical records for insurance companies and law firms working with clients. For example, they can tell insurers and legal professionals whether a condition was pre-existing or due to the person’s injuries.

Quality Improvement Administrator

Healthcare facilities are supposed to deliver the right care on time and in as efficient a manner as possible. However, mistakes happen. These can be costly, life-threatening or both. This is why healthcare facilities and networks have a quality management system, or QMS. A quality improvement administrator may administer the mandatory reporting systems regarding medical mistakes. They may provide training and coaching on new processes to improve quality of care. Or they may provide input on new processes, procedures and techniques so that patient care is faster, cheaper, safer and more effective.

A related role is the risk management administrator. These professionals focus on risk reduction; they may work within quality improvement programs or they may work in clinical documentation. Their job is to identify potential risks, try to identify likely root causes, and mitigate or eliminate them. These issues may be legal or regulatory. Both roles require a least a bachelor’s degree in nursing, while a master’s degree in nursing and/or MBA makes you the ideal candidate.

All these positions have something different to offer, and are perfect whether you want to be close to the action or do some administrative work. Explore the options at your disposal, and consider furthering your education if you’re interested in switching paths.

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

It is common for mothers to want to know as much as possible about their developing babies. Discovering your child’s genetic health and chromosomal status, for example, could give you information about certain conditions your child may have. This can help you make informed decisions about your child’s future. You can learn about your baby’s genetic health in the first two trimesters of pregnancy through a test called serum screening. Here’s what to expect from serum screening for Down syndrome.

What Is Serum Screening?

Serum screening, also called the multiple marker test, uses a maternal blood sample in the second trimester of pregnancy to assess the risk of chromosome disorders in the infant. A serum screening has the ability to detect Down syndrome and Edwards syndrome, as well as conditions such as anencephaly and spina bifida. This noninvasive test for Down syndrome works by analyzing the mother’s DNA fragments during pregnancy. Analyzing cell-free DNA sequences can determine whether the infant has more chromosome 21 present than the average baby. This leads to an accurate prediction of whether the fetus has Down syndrome.

During maternal serum screening, the mother gets a single blood test done around 15 to 21 weeks’ gestation. If the mother already received first trimester screening, she may only receive serum screening in the second trimester for open neural tube defects. Serum screening measures biochemical markers in the mother’s blood, including alpha feto-proteins and inhibin A. the levels of these markers are typically different in mothers carrying babies with Down syndrome. Measurable differences, therefore, could point to a chromosomal abnormality.

Serum screening does not provide a definitive Down syndrome diagnosis. Instead, it simply groups mothers into high or low-risk categories based on predictions. Your healthcare provider should receive the results of your serum screening within one week of the blood test. This type of noninvasive prenatal DNA testing is popular in mothers who may have risk factors for Down syndrome, such as advanced maternal age. If the chance for Down syndrome is greater than 1/385 according to the serum screening, it is a positive result. False positive results are possible.

Are There Other Down Syndrome Screening Options?

Mothers have several noninvasive prenatal tests (NIPT) to choose from when trying to screen for Down syndrome and other chromosomal abnormalities, on top of serum screening. The NIPT test you choose depends on your unique needs, concerns, and goals. Here is a breakdown of three noninvasive screening options available to mothers in the second trimester:

 

1. MaterniT ® 21 PLUS. This NIPT test screens for Down syndrome and trisomy 21, as well as other conditions, such as DiGeorge syndrome. Parents can customize their tests according to risk factors.

2. MaterniT® GENOME. This test is a robust option that can give parents information about every chromosome for a more comprehensive view of the baby’s health.

3. informaSeq®. This tests for common trisomies such as Down syndrome but has the option not to reveal information about fetal gender, unlike other NIPT tests.

 

Serum screening has been in use for over 40 years. Only recently, however, noninvasive prenatal screens became available. Serum screening can detect 80-90% of infants with Down syndrome, trisomy 18, and open neural tube defects depending on the test chosen and the stage of pregnancy. Later, a diagnostic test can confirm or deny a positive serum screen. First and second trimester serum screening may be the right NIPT for your family.