The internet has brought with it an amazing number of things and it has changed our lives in ways that most of us never even thought were possible. Naturally however much like any technological advancement, there are ways to use the internet which shouldn’t be done. As the great Paul M Willette MD continues to tell me, one such use of the internet which we should all avoid is searching for our symptoms on Google when we are not feeling well.

Let’s be honest, we have all been guilty of jumping on the search engine and typing in what is wrong with us in the hope that good old Dr. Google will bring us the news, and hopefully a diagnosis, this however is not really something that we should be doing, and here is why.

Extreme

You could have a sore fingernail and start to search for things on Google and soon enough it is highly likely that you will have managed to self-diagnose yourself as having cancer, or perhaps a tumor of some kind. The point here is that we are so desperately looking for an answer and the fact that humans are always looking to survive, we consider the worst case scenario and plan for that. The sore fingernail which you have could be as a result of jamming it in a door, but we would instead prefer to prepare for the worst, and accept that tumor diagnosis.

Treatment

Thankfully I am not in this category but there are people out there who will not only diagnose themselves, they will then go on to try and seek a treatment for the condition which they have decided that they are suffering from. I am sure that I don’t need to go into how dangerous this could possibly be, but it is glaringly obvious that this not something which you should be doing, there is a reason after all that it takes 10 years to get a medical license.

Doctors Anyway

The main reason why there is little point in Googling your symptoms is that if you need to go to the doctors now, you will still need to go after you have diagnosed yourself of having some life-threatening disease, only then you will have a far greater urgency and face much greater levels of anxiety. The point is that your searching for symptoms online is not going to cure you or allay your fears, it will only exacerbate the situation which is not good for anyone. Make a doctors appointment and wait until you are able to speak to someone who has gone through years of training for situations just like this.

It is tempting I know, but the reality is that if you are feeling unwell and you aren’t sure what it is, there really is only one person who is going to be able to tell you that with any accuracy, and their name is not Dr. Google.

 

You can never stop or take control of the turning wheels of time, nor can you prevent its ravages. The brightest candle shedding light on this subject is our age, the most critical as well as a cruel gift of time. We learn and progress towards becoming a better version of ourselves every day as we walk out that front door. But we also become fragile, anxious, and find it hard to do things ourselves over time, and all that means that we become dependent onto others for doing them for us. That is why aging with time can be a double-edged sword.

The scale of problems that accompanies aging is beyond measure, as you don’t just assume life slipping away from your hands. Instead, you imagine everything that is working like clockwork slowly taking the toll of your age. You can see your daily routines crumbling, values shifting, family members growing distant, and the worst part is that you are in a helpless state to avoid all that from happening. By this time, there’s a good chance that you might have stopped bothering about it unless a good friend or some extra drinks bring it out of you. As bad as it already sounds, you would not like to know that it is the worst possible way of dealing with this situation.

Wasting yourself away and accepting that it must be fate which drove you to this point can’t help but worsen your position. Luckily enough, there are a lot of people going through this, so someone had to find ways to improve standards of living for people battling aging. Every individual tried their remedy to achieve this distinctively. It was physical activities that turned things around for some people, while others preferred more abstract methods to help them overcome the circumstances. The results depend on person to person, but they surely made a positive difference in changing the outlook of some rigid people.

If you are someone already battling this, or slowly falling into that pit, then here are some of the popular solutions to help you maintain that posture. These tips will help you maintain that health even at an old age with a charm.

1. SUPPLEMENTS

It can be hard to confess that you are no longer in a position to hold your ground. Some people feel vulnerable from making it clear while others are afraid of the embarrassment that they will experience afterward. These inhibitions against being dependent and reliant on others are natural.

What you can do to make things less discomforting is turning to supplements in time. It is a lot better to take the necessary supplements that your body needs instead of having strong opinions against them. Getting your routine vitamins is essential, but it is better to go the extra mile. Order coq10 online, a natural care product that will help improve your heart function and cellular energy to spend a healthier day. The perfect supplement that you need to not only look fresh but feel fresh from within.

2. EXERCISE

Nothing affects your health as much as being in good shape. If you are not a fitness freak before hitting your 60s, then it might be a good time to start from the basics. Try going out for some walks to help build your stamina. You can get a pet dog to help you with that. They are loyal and lively companions who worry about you as much as you do. That strikes two birds with one stone.

Avoid going over the top and pulling any heroics, though. Where it helps to be in shape, remember that there’s an age for everything. You shouldn’t expect yourself following a taxing routine in your fragile state.

3. HEALTHY DIET

Food can never stop making a positive impact on your health unless you exploit its luxuries. Following a healthy diet can do wonders and bring a significant change in your life. Eating healthy is good for blood, skin, bones, eyesight, and what not? Technically speaking, you won’t ever come across half of the health problems that you had to face if you are careful what you eat. That is why you need to healthy and lots of it to have yourself functioning in optimum condition.

4. MENTAL HEALTH

Losing your capabilities and your loved ones can make a drastic impact on your life and affect your mental health. It can lead to having drinking problems, depression, anxiety, and make you frustrated in your day-to-day conduct. That means that you will be driving more and more people away from you.

In the current position, that is not ideal for anyone in their 60s. You need to avoid that from happening by being open to possibilities. Go out for drinks with your friends, have lively conversations, meet new people, and don’t miss out on the chance of coming across a beautiful partner for your evening. Sex may seem all pleasure, but it plays a vital role in improving your mental health.

5. EXERCISE CAUTION

Talking of maintaining health, remember that you can achieve this by avoiding to welcome more health problems. Remember to fit into the shoes of a 60-year-old before you think of shouldering any extensively troublesome tasks. Try not to get too excited and shoot your blood pressure at good things, and don’t think of going running around the house when alone. A fracture is the last thing you want your frail body to handle.

Practice good hygiene so that you don’t catch onto any viral and infections. Take medicines on time and go for annual health checks and physical exams to ensure that you are fit.

6. CHANNELIZE YOUR ENERGY

Besides these, another excellent suggestion to maintain that health would be to channelize your energy the right way. Giving up a working environment and sitting at home doesn’t mean that you have lost all the mojo within you. For all you know, it might be welling up inside you and demanding you find ways to invest it. Failing to answer the call might mean that you will stumble upon the idea that you have nowhere to be.

Instead of falling into that depression, you can take up an activity that you always wanted to master. It could be something like table tennis or snooker, or if you wish to look like a brainiac, chess might be a great choice. Just get up, get out, and use that time to be productive.

7. REST

While it may be necessary to keep yourself occupied and lively, don’t neglect that excellent health warrants sufficient rest. Try to take a breather more often and lie down when you get time. Relieve yourself from the stress and let your senses rest to recover. Relaxing is in itself a healing process and can significantly improve your health, so be sure not to neglect it.

SUMMARY

These are some of the useful guidelines that you need to consider for maintaining your health in your 60s. If you encounter a more persistent problem, be sure to visit the nearest clinic to get a professional medical opinion. And never think that age is just a number, don’t let it define who you are and how you prefer living your life.

 

 

Clinical radiology uses modern devices like X-ray machines to understand what’s happening inside your body. Using clinical radiology, radiologists can make an image of the insides of your organ and detect diseases, and injuries. Using these images, doctors can treat those ailments, fractures, injuries, etc. Clinical radiology uses several kinds of machines to meet its objectives.

X-ray machines can detect broken bones, malignant tumours, etc. inside the body by sending a beam of energy particles. These particles can be gamma rays, photons, etc. CT scanners use X-ray machines to make highly detailed sequences of body parts to understand a particular disease. These machines are employed for analyzing soft tissues.

Sometimes your radiologist may use a Magnetic Resonance Image machine to draw a picture of your body. In an MRI, the technician uses a magnetic field, and not radiation to understand your body. Radiology, in all its forms, is used to detect various kinds of medical complications. What are they?

During pregnancy

You can track your pregnancy through the various reports generated by MRI machines and CT scanners. This way, your doctor can check the state of the embryo and prescribe the next steps. Using these reports, your gynecologist can also predict the expected date of delivery.

Doctors can also track the health of your fetus using advanced imaging techniques. They can find out about the growth of the unborn baby’s lungs, heart, brain, and other body parts. Click here to know more about how radiology can help new mothers and their unborn children lead healthier lives.

Sports injuries

X-ray machines can detect broken bones, swollen tissues and other medical complications inside your body. If you are an athlete and if you think you have broken a bone or pulled a hamstring, get yourself examined by an X-ray technician. Based on his report, you would be examined by an orthopedic doctor for a future course of action.

Head injuries

Non-invasive radiological techniques can detect some brain injuries. Since a skull covers our brain, and the former is an extremely complex tissue, some deep-seated brain injuries can be checked only by MRI or CT scanners. However, when the injury is quite complicated, surgery might be required.

Kidney ailments

Our kidneys perform some of the essential functions of the human body. They filter out the waste products so that our blood remains clean and our body is healthy. Over a period, our kidneys might get infected by certain bacteria and become unwell. There could be other reasons also why our kidneys can become unwell. Radiologists and nephrologists can understand our kidney’s health by using advanced imaging equipment in a non-invasive way too.

Cancers

Many deep-seated cancers can also be detected by MRI and CT-Scanning machines.

Gastrointestinal problems

Medical technologists sometimes use these machines to detect ulcers, swollen appendix, and other medical conditions in our alimentary tract. Some stomach cancers can only be discovered using these machines.

Problems of the lung

Our lung filters the air we breathe and keeps us healthy. However, it may get diseased due to several reasons. Many people might develop lung cancer. In this scenario, radiologists use X-rays and other advanced imaging equipment to get to the bottom of the problem.

Radiology can solve many health and medical problems. It is safe to use, and there is a very little chance of someone getting cancer by this technology. If you think you have a long-standing medical problem that can be treated by radiology, please first consult a doctor. Stay around for more information on this subject.

 

Whether you’ve just moved to a new city, your old doctor has retired, or you’re just ready to transfer your care to someone new, it’s important to know how to pick the right primary care doctor for you and your family. So much of your health will depend on this doctor’s ability to provide you with quality care, so it’s wise to take your time in finding the right fit.

To help you with this, here are three tips for picking a new primary care provider for your family.

Find Someone In Your Network

If you have medical insurance, the most important thing for you to look for when getting a new primary care provider is someone in your insurance network. In many instances, if you don’t see a doctor that’s in your insurance network, Elaine K. Howley, a contributor to U.S. News and World Report, shares that your medical services won’t be covered in the way that they otherwise would be. This could cost you a lot of money in addition to what you’re already paying for insurance.

Along with finding someone in your insurance network, you should also tap into your personal network and ask for their suggestions or referrals to try to find a doctor that’s already been vetted by someone that you trust.

Research The Doctors Standing And Reputation

Once you’ve created a small list of the doctors that you’d consider bringing your family to, you should then do some more in-depth research about those doctors and their reputation and standing with the medical board.

Dr. Brunilda Nazario, a contributor to WebMD.com, shares that you can check through various online resources to see if there have been any complaints or disciplinary actions have been taken against any of these doctors for medical malpractice reasons. If you do find anything on these websites, that should be taken as a red flag.

Do Some Trial Runs For Compatibility

Along with finding a primary care provider that is a responsible medical professional, you should also be concerned with a doctor that fits well with you and your family in your lifestyle and personalities.

To determine this, Joel Keehn, a contributor to Consumer Reports, recommends that you use your first visit with your doctor to really judge things like if the doctor listened to you, if your questions were adequately answered, how comfortable you were with the treatment, and more. Even if it takes seeing a few different doctors to find the one that’s right for your family, it will be well worth it when you’re finally able to find someone that you’re all compatible with.

If you’re needing to find a new doctor for your family, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you pick the right provider.

Staying healthy and paying attention to the self shouldn’t just be as a reaction to illness or negative situations. It should be a constant priority, with self care not only seen as an enjoyable way to live, but also as a preventative measure for worsening health, whether that’s the mind, body or soul.

If you feel as though your self care could do with a significant boost, try the following steps to help you get a better handle on it.

Make Self Care an Official Schedule

You’re not required to explain your self care needs to anyone. However, you may find it a lot easier to relax and keep up with your self care routine if you are open and honest about it. If you have friends who regularly like to socialize, be sure to let them know when you are in need of some time spent alone, or if there is an official day of the week you would like to avoid social plans in order to concentrate on yourself. If you are honest, they will understand. This is better than saying yes to all social and personal life responsibilities, and then becoming frustrated trying to fit self care time around all that.

If you live with others, whether roommates, a partner or a family, be sure to speak about when you need time alone, or which rooms are off limits when you need privacy.

If others know and understand, they can work with you to achieve your self care goals.

Set Up a Home Retreat

For those moments when you need relaxation time spent in a quiet environment away from the pressures of life and from others, you’ll require a room or space within your home where you can comfortably retreat to. You’re more likely to be able to relax and concentrate on yourself when you find a spot which isn’t usually spent working or as part of your living area. It’s much better for your self care retreat to only ever be used for self care, so that your mind can focus while you are there.

Consider how you would best optimize the space for your own comfort needs, and which surroundings and furnishings will best help to relax you.

Decide what function you want the space to serve – will it be a comfortable place to meditate? A place to sit and write in your journal? Perhaps just a cozy spot to curl up with a book?

Once you know how you best intend to use the space, fill it with things you love. Consider relaxed seating like that from Comfy Sack, fill with soft furnishings and relaxing colors, and add finishing touches like scented candles or incense. Anything that helps you to relax.

Pay Attention to Your Health

During a busy and demanding lifestyle, it’s easy to either ignore symptoms of declining health or fail to notice at all. These could be subtle symptoms, such as constantly feeling exhausted, feeling less positive about things or maybe just feeling run down. These are clear indicators that more focus is needed on your self care and personal routine.

If you are feeling run down, try the following methods to take better care of yourself:

• Always try to get enough sleep. If you feel exhausted, this could be a sign that you’re not getting enough – even if you always thought that you were. Try going to bed earlier and taking measures to eliminate distractions, and set your bedroom up to be a relaxing haven. A lack of sleep can also contribute to a less effective immune system and lower cognitive function, so it’s important to hit the hay in the best way.
• Consider whether you are working too hard. When was the last time you had a proper day off, or a full vacation? Being overworked can lead to strains on your body and your mind, so think about your work schedule carefully and take time off regularly.
• Ensure that you are getting plenty of exercise. A healthy fitness routine will not only keep your body in shape and working as it should, but can also help to make you feel more motivated. Find an exercise you enjoy and couple it with relaxation exercises and stretches, like yoga, as these can really help the mind, too.
• Make sure that you are consuming a healthy diet. Good food will make you feel better, it’s as simple as that. Having a healthy and varied diet will keep you energized, feeling your best and keep your body in the best shape. This includes drinking enough water, as dehydration and lack of water consumption can lead to feeling sluggish and contribute to headaches.

Care Less About What Others Think

This can often be difficult to accomplish. It’s a natural desire to not want to upset others and to spend time helping those around you, especially family and friends. However, in order to truly fulfil your own needs, you need to learn when to say no – without feeling guilty. Trying to please everyone, at all times, is impossible, and it’s only you who will end up suffering due to the effort you’re going to.

Say ‘yes’ to plans and people when you want to, and when it’s right – and always be sure to say ‘no’ if you don’t want to do something, or if you know that you need some time spent alone for a change. The people that matter will always understand, and the people who make you feel guilty for it perhaps shouldn’t be part of your plans anyway.

In Summary

Self care shouldn’t be considered a luxury or an afterthought. Self care is fundamental to your own wellbeing, health and happiness – and not only that, but it’s your base right. Be honest with yourself in regards to what would make you happy and help you to relax when it comes to self care, and make sure you never feel guilty about taking the time to put these plans into action.

 

Nothing boosts your confidence like a bright healthy smile. And the good news is there are lots of things you can do right at home to give you the smile you are after. Here are 7 tips for a brighter smile.

1. Stay Away from Red Wine and Coffee

Food and drinks that are dark in colour will not only stain your carpet, they can also stain your teeth.

Red wine, coffee and coloured drinks can leave a residue behind and dull your pearly whites. One way to get around it is to limit the amount of red wine and coffee you consume and if you do partake, be sure to rinse your teeth immediately with water after drinking. This will rinse away the residue before it can leave a stain.

2. Ditch That Smoking Habit

If you are a smoker, it is very difficult to keep your teeth bright and healthy. To get a bright white smile, the best thing to do is to quit smoking. Nicotine and tar from your cigarettes are absorbed into the pores of your teeth, turning them yellow.

Often tobacco stains are difficult to remove because they occur over years of smoking and nicotine stains both the surface enamel and the inner layer of dentin. Smoking not only stains your teeth but also contributes to bad breath and puts you at higher risk for oral cancers and gum disease. So do your teeth and gums a favour and quit smoking.

3. Get To Your Dentist Every 6 Months

Your 6-month dental visit ensures that your oral hygiene is on track and a regular cleaning from your hygienist gets rid of plaque and tartar build-up that can dull your smile. Dr. Pamela Li, a dentist in downtown Ottawa can also advise you on a professional teeth whitening treatment to make your teeth shine.

4. Brush With a Whitening Toothpaste

Your dentist may recommend a whitening toothpaste to help polish your smile Whitening toothpastes can help get rid of surface stains on your teeth from drinking coffee, or red wine but it won’t help with deeper stains beneath the surface. Many brands of whitening toothpaste also contain small amounts of hydrogen peroxide to help whiten your teeth over time.

5. Brush after each meal and floss every day!

Keeping your teeth and gums healthy through regular dental check up at a dental office in Oshawa goes a long way for a brighter smile. Use a fluoride-based toothpaste. It will help strengthen your tooth enamel and prevent tooth decay. Also, avoid rinsing your mouth after brushing as this rinses away the benefits of fluoride.

Flossing alone won’t change the colour of your teeth, but it removes food particles and plaque from between your teeth, which makes your whole mouth healthier.

Dentists also recommend brushing at least twice a day and after every meal, if you can manage it. This rinses food particles from your mouth after a meal and prevents plaque and harmful bacteria from building up.

6. Eat Some Crunchy Fruits and Vegetables or Chew on Some Gum!

If you can’t get to your toothbrush after a meal, take a bite of a crunchy apple, or a piece of celery or carrot. The vitamins in the fresh fruits and vegetables will help build strong teeth and bones, and they will also help clean your teeth as you eat them.

Chewing sugar-free gum is also a great way to clean your teeth. As you chew it removes debris from your teeth and it stimulates the production of saliva which can reduce the harm acid and bacteria causes in your mouth and strengthen your tooth enamel.

7. Try Some Bright Red Lipstick

If all else fails, try wearing some bright red lipstick with cool blue undertones. The colour makes your teeth appear whiter next to your lips. Pick a berry or deep red for the most dramatic effect and stay away from yellow-based reds, these tend to make your teeth appear more yellow.

It took me almost 10 dentists before I was able to find one which the kids didn’t hate, and that man was Dr. Kami Hoss. Sadly, just after we found Dr. Hoss, he relocated his offices from Los Angeles to San Diego, but that didn’t stop me. In fact San Diego has a great dental community and because of how the kids felt about their new dentist, we would make the 6 monthly trip from LA to SD so that they could get their dental checkups. Just after I found Dr. Hoss I asked him how I could get the kids to care more about their dental health, and the tips he shared with me worked a charm. If your kids aren’t too interested in dental health, here are the tips which helped my 3 kids to get engaged.

Information

We can often be guilty as parents of telling our kids what to do without actually explaining why they should be doing it. When it comes to brushing their teeth do your kids actually know what they are doing and why? Once you explain this to them you may very well find that they become a lot more engaged in what they are doing.

Routine

Kids love doing things as a family and that includes brushing teeth together! My husband and I decided that we would all brush our teeth at the same time morning and night, and the 7 o clock club was born. Within just a few days of setting this up the kids would start shouting us 15 minutes before 7, to give us an early warning that it was almost time to brush our teeth. I was stunned at how engaged this got the kids and with regular brushing came more questions from them about their dental health, mission accomplished.

Ownership

Kids love having their own things and one great piece of advice which Dr. Hoss gave me was to let the kids choose their own toothbrushes, something which I hadn’t done previously. This worked incredibly well and the kids could’t wait to get their new brushes out of the packaging and get started on their teeth. So simple yet incredibly effective.

Marks Out Of Ten

If you have a friendly dentist who is good with kids then ask them to mark your kids’ teeth out of ten when they go for a checkup. We did this with my 3 and it became a real competition to see how could get the highest marks. I even decided that there would be a trophy for the winner, and they could keep it until the next 6 month checkup. This was easily one of theist ways in which we got the kids more engaged about caring for their oral health and it is a tip which I am sure can work very well for you and your kids.

Give them a try and see what works best.

 

A lot of people are under the false misconception that the only people who go to a therapist are “messed up.” However, the truth is that therapy isn’t just a means for “repairing” something. Regardless of what you’re facing in life, anyone can use a little extra support.

Therapists use their knowledge to help you handle the challenges that life can throw your way and consider managing your obstacles in a new way. Before you decide that therapy isn’t for you, take a look at some of the ways that you could benefit from it.

Better Well-Being

Seeing a therapist is good for your overall well-being. Just as you can practice daily self-care by doing things like taking a shower, shaving your face, and combing your hair, you should also do the same with your mind.

Therapy is self-care for your brain. It balances out anything that’s going on in your brain that needs to be sorted through. Going to a therapist means quite the opposite that you’re “crazy” or that there’s something wrong with you. In fact, people that regularly see a therapist are much healthier overall!

Improved Relationships

A lot of relationships suffer from being dysfunctional. When two people come together who don’t have the best tools to manage their emotions, emotions can run high.

However, therapy can help you get rid of bad habits and improve communication. By strategizing methods to handle conflict, you can improve not only your marriage but also your friendships.

You Can Find Your Purpose In Life

Just because you have a career doesn’t mean that it defines you. Therapy can help you discover the roots of who you truly are. Have you ever stopped to ask yourself what really drives you?

Sometimes life can get so busy that you don’t take the time to uncover your true self and passions. A therapist can help you do that.

Self-Acceptance

Some people may have never suffered any traumas in their life, nor have they ever really gone through anything particularly distressing; however, they struggle with accepting themselves as they are.

Even though you may not necessarily be depressed, you may suffer from being self-critical and low self-esteem. A therapist can help you find practical ways to appreciate who you are and love yourself just the way you are.

Therapists come in all shapes and sizes. Some lean more on the side of life coaches, while others are full-fledged psychotherapists. You may choose a different kind of therapy, depending on your specific set of needs.

The idea is to make yourself a happier and healthier person. Who couldn’t benefit from that?

 

Once you’ve moved to a new area, one thing to consider next is what dentist to choose for your pressing dental needs, whether routine or specialist. Choosing a dentist isn’t easy, whether you want one for ongoing care or a specific, perhaps cosmetic, treatment.

However, by accounting for the following factors, you can significantly narrow down the list of palatable candidates and so help to make your final decision a lot less arduous to reach.

What services the dentist offers

We’ve already touched upon two broad categories of dentistry, but you have to remember that the procedures and treatments available can significantly differ even between individual dentists. Therefore, you should carefully research exactly what each candidate offers.

It will all depend on the given dentist’s training, and differences in services can be subtle. For example, some dentists may offer invisible braces, but not necessarily the Invisalign variety.

If you request a service not offered by your dentist, they might refer you to a colleague, the Consumer Guide to Dentistry cautions.

How the dentist can react to dental emergencies

Like with a medical emergency, you can’t be certain when a dental emergency will strike. For this reason, you should consider the dentist’s contingency arrangements for a situation like this.

A dental emergency is classed as a dental issue where abrupt oral damage results in pain and restricts or prevents oral activities like eating. Examples of dental emergencies can include broken or lost teeth, oral abscesses and inflamed dental pulp.

How the dentist will put you at ease

Don’t feel bad if you are anxious about visiting the dentist; it’s actually a common issue. That’s why many dental practices purposefully go out of their way to assuage nervousness in patients.

Nonetheless, not all practices will necessarily resort to the exact same means of soothing patients – which is why, during your first consultation with a dentist, you should ask them what comforts they offer. These comforts may include headphones, aromatherapy and even massage.

The location of the dentist’s clinic

Colgate advises you to choose a dentist near your home or workplace, as this would ease your efforts to schedule visits and attend them on time.

You could be pleasantly surprised by how easily you can find even providers of specialist dental treatments locally. One such provider is Ten Dental, which employs dentists in Balham, Wandsworth and Clapham, meaning a pleasing spread of dental professionals across the UK capital.

The reputation of the dentist or their clinic

Your friends and relatives could be great sources of recommendations regarding dentists, perhaps even going as far as providing insights into particular dentists’ personalities and those of their office staff. You could also learn how long you usually have to wait to meet a particular dentist.

Of course, you could try trusty, old-fashioned Google for recommendations, too. If the dental group has won multiple awards, this would obviously be another positive sign. Ultimately, take your time deciding on a dentist to save yourself potentially having to rush the decision later.

 

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.