mindmingles, Author at Smart Health Shop

8 Point Guide to the Dangers of Prescription Drugs

Prescription drugs can prove to be even more harmful than other drugs because they are mostly considered innocuous by most of us. The National Institute on Drug Abuse reported that almost 2.7 percent of Americans abuse prescription drugs both intentionally and unintentionally.

Therefore, there is a mandatory precaution that should be exercised while handling prescribed drugs, whether you order them online or buy directly from a pharmacy. Even pharmaceutical companies, like the makers of Zantac, are getting sued for harmful medications. Hence, if you are going through an unregistered effect of Zantac, you should consult a Zantac Attorney immediately.

Every day, more and more people are falling prey to prescription drug overdoses as there has been an evidential increase in such fatalities. Therefore, in the wake of such dreadful statistics, we have listed an ultimate guide for you that describes the dangers of prescription drugs comprehensively.

Addiction

Like any recreational drug, prescription drugs, if taken beyond a prescribed quantity, can make you crave for them. Therefore, it is mandatory to take a prescribed medication according to the instruction of the doctor.

Tolerance:

Like mentioned before, prescription drugs have the same effects as recreational drugs. The only difference is the former’s therapeutic effects, which get diminished when the drug is taken in unadvised quantities.

Because then the whole exercise becomes more about quenching the addiction than about feeling the therapeutic effects. Moreover, such chronic bodily dependence has severe withdrawal symptoms, which can have life-threatening complications.

Out of hand:

In the face of addiction and chronic body dependence, leaving such drugs becomes a virtually impossible task for the user. Therefore, they essentially give up and resign themselves into this life of wretchedness.

Poor Decision-making skills:

Chronic abuse of prescription drugs adversely affects decision-making ability, and consequently, the poor decisions taken under the influence can change or finish the life of the user forever. For example, a user can suffer from an STD or get pregnant after engaging in unprotected sex, or a user can have a fatal accident while driving under the influence.

Financial Issues:

Prescription drugs cost good money, and if you get into a habit of abusing them, your finances can take a severe hit. Moreover, chronic drug abuse will also negatively affect your work performance due to diminished cognitive, motor, and decision-making skills.

Resultantly, you may find yourself without a job because no employer will be welcoming towards an incompetent employee, and eventually, you will not have any money to address your addiction.

Criminal Activities:

In the absence of money and the presence of severe withdrawal symptoms, the user will find himself with no option other than resorting to illegal activities to earn quick cash. In a nutshell, once the user gets trapped, he finds himself deeper and deeper into the world of trouble.

Relationships Disintegration:

Familial relationships and friendships disintegrate once you become a victim of drug abuse because none of your beloveds will be able to put up with your impulsive behavior and instability.

Overall Health Problems:

Prescription drugs are harmful even in prescribed doses, but they are medically advised after gauging benefits against the risks. Therefore, in unlimited amounts, these drugs have the ominous potential of wreaking havoc in the human body and can consequently cause deadly health disorders.

Therefore, we must develop a sense of caution around the usage of prescription drugs and shall use them under prescribed conditions only after exhausting all other options.

6 Most Common Causes of Varicose Veins

Our bodies thrive on the circulation of the blood because that is how cells, tissues, and bodily systems derive oxygen to work efficiently. But, our sedentary lifestyles have made it difficult for our bodies to remain healthy because we have to deal with various resultant maladies.

What are varicose veins?

One such disease is called varicose veins, and it is so common that one in four Americans suffer from this condition. It is the swelling up of veins in the legs and ankles that can lead to bleeding and ulceration in extreme cases.

You may find various ways of treating varicose veins, but there exists a popular method called venaseal, and you can click here to know all about it.

But, as they say, that prevention is better than a cure; therefore, you must be familiar with different causes of varicose veins so that they can be prevented. Here, you can find the six most common causes of varicose veins.

Obesity:

Being overweight increases the weight on the latter part of your body, especially the legs and ankles, and therefore causes the veins in the legs to bulge and twist under the pressure of extreme weight. With obesity on the rise, you must always look to incorporate exercise in your daily routine because it can cause damage way beyond the varicose veins.

Long periods of standing and sitting:

If your job demands you to stand for long periods, then make sure that you move around or flex your legs after a while because extensive bouts of standing increases the risk of developing varicose veins.

Even sitting for long periods stresses the veins in your legs and can result in varicose veins, therefore avoid remaining sedentary in a single position for an extended amount of time.

Pregnancy:

Pregnancy is an additional cause of varicose veins in women because weight gained in this condition puts a lot of pressure on the veins in the legs, causing them to swell up. Moreover, pregnant women have increased blood flow for the healthy growth of the fetus inside them, which also makes their veins bulge and become more tortuous.

Aging:

Like the valves in our washrooms control the flow of water, valves in our heart control the flow of blood in our veins. Moreover, as the body wears out due to age, valves also start to lose control and results in the accumulation of blood in the body.

The accumulation due to valve leakage leads to varicose veins, and they can appear in any part of the body, but their most common dwelling site is legs.

Poor skincare routine:

Cuts and bruises are a part of life, but they can also disrupt the circulation of blood and cause varicose veins if you avoid moisturizing and massaging your skin.

Wearing high heeled shoes:

Walking is excellent for the blood circulation in the lower leg muscles, but it can cause varicose veins as well if you do not protect your feet with appropriate shoes. Shoes like high heels limit the movement of your ankles and calves because they are locked in a single position, and resultantly blood movement gets limited as well. Therefore, avoid wearing such shoes too often to prevent varicose veins.

Therefore, avoid the activities mentioned not only to prevent your legs and ankles from blue sores and inflammation but also to sidestep other associated illnesses. Enjoy a healthy life!

How TO Clean Your CPAP Mask

After you put in the effort to be tested and treated for sleep apnea, don’t put your health on the line again with dirty CPAP supplies. The dangers of using a dirty CPAP include fatigue, getting sick, and the failure to receive enough oxygen for restorative rest.

Why You Need To Clean Your CPAP

You and your CPAP have a pretty personal relationship as regular use introduces your equipment to the oils and dead skin cells on your skin every night. Plus, your warm breath spreads vapor droplets that may contain germs and bacteria.

Your CPAP machine also pulls in air from the surrounding area and as a result can pick up dust, allergens, and harmful pathogens, making it easier to send them directly to your lungs. Plus, your humidifier creates the optimal environment for molds, bacteria, viruses, yeast, and more to flourish.

All of these factors increase the risk of catching infections such as pneumonia, sore throat, sinus infections, bronchitis, and irritated airways.

Aside from preventing illnesses and irritation regularly cleaning your supplies can prolong their life, saving you money because you won’t have to replace them as often.

So now that you know why it’s important to keep your CPAP clean let’s take a look at how to clean it.

How To Clean CPAP Supplies

As a general rule of thumb, it’s best to clean your CPAP equipment about once a week, unless you’re sick. Then you will need to clean your supplies daily to get rid of germs and harmful pathogens until you feel better.

You only need a few items that you probably already have at home to get started:

A source of warm water
A mild dish soap
Clean, dry towels
Vinegar
Room to allow your equipment to dry

How To Clean Your CPAP Hose and Mask

Completely disassemble your hose and mask.
Set your cloth headgear aside (Do not place it in the washing machine).
Place each mask and hose part in a sink or bucket filled with warm water with a few drops of soap.
Swirl the pieces around for about five minutes.
Thoroughly rinse them in clean water.
Set each item on a dry, clean towel and hang your hose up to dry.
Allow each piece to completely air dry before reassembling your mask and hose.

How To Clean Your CPAP Filters

Note: Disposable filters need to be replaced according to their recommended resupply schedule.

Reusable filters should be washed about once a week depending on how much dust, pollen, animal dander, and other debris they collect. Cleaning them will help them continue to operate at peak performance by catching particles before they enter your CPAP hose.

Remove your filters from your CPAP.
Rinses them out under warm, running water.
Squeeze them to remove excess moisture.
Blot them dry with a clean towel.
Lay them about to completely dry before putting them back in your CPAP.

How To Clean Your CPAP

Be sure to unplug it FIRST.
Wipe the body down with a clean, damp cloth.
Dry it with a clean towel.
Do not plug it back in until it’s 100% dry.

How To Clean Your CPAP Humidifier

If you have a CPAP with humidifier, it needs to be cleaned once every two weeks.

Carefully detach the humidifier from your machine and empty out any remaining water.
Then place the humidifier chamber in a solution that contains 1 part vinegar and 5 parts water to soak for 30 minutes.
Next, thoroughly rinse it and place it on a towel to completely dry.

Note: Refer to your CPAP manual to see if it’s safe to place your humidifier in the dishwasher.

How To Disinfect Your CPAP

About once a month, your hardened CPAP supplies such as the mask and hose need to be fully disinfected.

Disassemble your mask and hose and place them in a vinegar solution for 30 minutes.
Thoroughly rinse them with warm water and set each part out to completely dry.
Dispose of the vinegar solution after every user.
Do not clean softer items such as your headgear or filters with vinegar.

Happy CPAP Cleaning!

Enjoy fully benefiting from your sleep apnea treatment, prolonging the life of your equipment, and preventing yourself from getting sick by keeping your CPAP nice and clean. If you don’t have the time to wash your equipment by hand, consider using a CPAP cleaner such as Lumin or SoClean. Either way, you’ll sleep better.

Top Reasons Why You Should Practice Good Hygiene

Good hygiene is a vital part of your daily routine. You may sometimes feel too lazy to clean yourself or take a bath, but if it develops into a bad habit, it can negatively affect your life. Maintaining personal hygiene is very important for health, and personal and social reasons. It can be very embarrassing to interact with other people if you are unkempt. Here are several reasons why excellent hygiene should be your number one priority at all times.

Avoid embarrassment

Are you ashamed of wearing open-toed sandals in front of your family and friends? Do your nails look weird and thick? It could be a symptom of a fungal infection underneath your nail bed. Left untreated it could spread to other parts of the body and emit a foul odour. You need to treat the condition with prescription medications like a fungal nail infection cream from your doctor. Also, brushing and flossing your teeth frequently will prevent you from incurring halitosis or bad breath which is also a major cause of embarrassment.

Some people may not comment on what they see, but they can talk about your condition behind your back. Other people do not mind confronting you directly and will speak their mind and say embarrassing things right to your face. It would be best if you make some effort to look and smell good when meeting or socializing with other people, in order to avoid any uncomfortable confrontations.

Improved self-esteem

Not all people are born confident. There are still a lot of individuals, especially teenagers, who have very low self-esteem. Some people who undergo depression and anxiety tend to forget about themselves. If you have problems with self-esteem,

taking time to fix yourself and look presentable in front of others can help you feel good about yourself and adds confidence.

You may not look like the models that you see on TV or in print ads, but being clean is good enough for people to accept you and treat you with the respect that you deserve.

Makes you healthy at all times

Poor hygiene can result in a weak immune system, making you more prone to sickness. If you have open wounds or cuts, it is essential to clean them properly and treat them immediately to avoid the risk of getting an infection

If you have other conditions like dandruff, head lice or scabies, it is essential to find the right treatment methods to stop it from spreading to other people. Also, poor hygiene makes you susceptible to colds, flu and other illnesses that can compromise your immune system. That is why taking a bath and wearing clean clothes daily is very important.

Lastly, poor hygiene can make you focus less at work. People, especially your colleagues, might end up staring at you because of your poor appearance. Also, clients will have doubts when it comes to dealing with you because of your unprofessional look.

5 Unique Careers In The Healthcare Industry

Healthcare is the fastest-growing industry in terms of employment in the U.S. In the year 2000, there were 7 million more manufacturing jobs in the U.S than in healthcare jobs. In 2018 however, healthcare surpassed manufacturing with 16 million healthcare jobs recorded vs. just a little over 12 million manufacturing jobs.

There were many factors that led to the increased use of healthcare over the past two decades. From an aging baby boomer population to the advent of new technologies and procedures, but what is clear is that if you are looking for employment it may be time to consider the healthcare industry.

Everyone knows the most common industry jobs, like nurses and pharmacists, but there are many unique opportunities within healthcare that may surprise the layman.

Patient Advocate

Are you a people person? Do you love being there for loved ones in times of need? If so, being a patient advocate may just be the perfect position for you.

Patient advocates spend their time explaining complex policies, procedures, and services to patients. They often interview patients and family members so they can address their concerns, and ensure their needs are met.

In today’s often convoluted healthcare system patients need someone on their side, that is the role of a patient advocate.

Patient advocates also aren’t required to have a college degree so the position is attainable for a large percentage of the population.

Respiratory Therapist

Respiratory therapists are specialists in pulmonary medicine. They have a wide variety of responsibilities including education, diagnosis, and treatment of people who are suffering from breathing problems.

They can either graduate with an associate’s, bachelor’s, or master’s degree in respiratory therapy. The most educated therapists tend to end up in emergency rooms, while those with associate degrees usually work in outpatient care facilities or in-home practices.

All levels of respiratory therapists are required to be certified by the NBRC (National Board for Respiratory Care). There are seven unique specializations within respiratory therapy as well, they include: CRT (Certified Respiratory Therapist), RRT (Registered Respiratory Therapist), CPFT and RPFT (Certified or Registered Pulmonary Function Technologist), ACCS (Adult Critical Care Specialist), NPS (Neonatal/Pediatric Specialist), and SDS (Sleep Disorder Specialist).

The variety of levels and specializations within respiratory care means the career is a great opportunity no matter your level of education. All healthcare jobs are rewarding, but respiratory therapists have the responsibility of keeping people alive in the direst of times, making this one of the most fulfilling careers around.

Dental Ceramist

Dental laboratories partner with dentists to create dentures, crowns, and bridges for their patients. The job of a dental ceramist is to form these dental implants using precision craftsmanship.

Dental ceramists need to have in-depth knowledge of dental anatomy and terminology. However, they aren’t required to have college degrees, so this is a great opportunity for entry-level job seekers.

Dental ceramists also have one of the highest-paying professions in the healthcare field that doesn’t require a college degree. On average ceramists pull in over $62,000 a year.

Speech-Language Pathologist Assistant

Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are specialized physicians who attempt to prevent, diagnose, and treat speech, language, communication and swallowing disorders in their patients. They are required to be certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (AHSA).

A speech-language pathologist assistant aids the physician in the treatment process. Not every state allows the use of SLPs assistants, but those that do offer a great potential career for entry-level job seekers.

If you are interested in becoming an SLPs you must acquire the ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) in Speech-Language Pathology. Then you are on your way to a rewarding and fruitful career.

Wound Care Specialist

Those afraid of blood need not apply.

Wound care specialists are some of the most specialized nurses and physicians around. Their job is not easy. They are required to clean, treat and dress the wounds of patients. They also help educate families and patients on at-home wound care.

All wound care specialists are required to be certified by the American Academy of Wound Management (AAWM) and physicians are further required to be certified as Certified Wound Specialist Physician (CWSP).

Wound care specialists have a brutal, emotionally taxing job that many simply don’t want. However, they are paid handsomely for their services. Wound care specialist nurses make an average of over $90,000 annually.

The healthcare industry is booming, so if you are looking for employment it only makes sense to try your luck in healthcare. Many of the most common jobs, however, are facing stiff competition, so don’t be afraid to apply to some of the more unique careers in the industry.

It pays to be unique.

Procedures That Go Together like PB&J

What many don’t stop to consider is that many plastic surgery procedures can go great when paired together, and there are many benefits of combining multiple procedures into one too.

For those wishing to undergo multiple augmentation procedures, or even for those who want the best possible results in a certain area, it may be best to consider combining the two surgeries into one.

Ahead, we’ll take you through just some of the possible procedures out there that go hand in hand together, along with some of the great benefits and reasons why combining procedures can make for a more efficient, safer, less painful, and more cost-effective plastic surgery procedure than having multiple surgeries performed over a period of time.

Breast Lift and Breast Augmentation

According to Breast Lift expert, Stephan Baker, by undergoing a breast lift and breast augmentation in the same procedure, you can ensure that you’ll achieve the perfectly sized breasts that are fuller, rounder and perkier. As the unfortunate aging process does its nasty work, breasts inevitably lose volume and shape and begin to sag. Combining a breast lift with breast augmentation is perfect for women looking for more youthful, larger breasts but are hesitant about undergoing more than just the one procedure. When breast implants are performed alone without a breast lift, you won’t achieve the lifting affect you may be looking for.

Tummy Tuck and Liposuction

Tummy tucks have become increasingly popular in recent years. Many women opt for a tummy tuck to address loose skin after childbirth or weight loss. For those who also want to get rid of love handles on their waists, combining a tummy tuck with liposuction could be the answer. The tummy tuck would provide the flat stomach and address lax skin while the liposuction can give them an attractive waistline.

Rhinoplasty and Chin Augmentation

By combining rhinoplasty and a chin augmentation into one, the resulting profile of your face can be much more harmonious and balanced. In some cases, patients may have a super prominent chin and a disproportionately large nose, so by undergoing rhinoplasty and a chin augmentation together, you can be sure of the most optimal results.

Eyelid Lift and Botox

By combining an eyelid lift with BOTOX injections, patients can effectively and efficiently combine two of the most popular facial rejuvenation treatments into one procedure and address signs of aging over the lower, middle and upper areas of the face. BOTOX and an eyelid lift are also perfect for specifically addressing aging eyes, including crow’s feet.

Rhinoplasty and Lip Fillers

When undergoing a rhinoplasty procedure, the resulting swelling can spread its way to the lips. In this case, it’s not wise to get lip filler treatment while healing from rhinoplasty surgery. If done at the same time, however, then the two can be performed safely in tandem with one another for the best possible results.

Facelift and Neck Lift

Two of the biggest indicators that we, unfortunately, have to deal with when it comes to aging are the skin of the face and the neck losing their elasticity and starting to sag. When undergoing a facelift procedure, the neck will more than likely look somewhat out of place and be a dead give away to your true age, and the same goes for a neck lift with no facelift. By combining the two procedures, you can be sure that you’ll achieve the best results, and dial the clock back years.

Brow Lift and Upper Eyelift Surgery

When undergoing a procedure for a brow lift, any loose skin around the upper eyelid will be raised and tightened. By combining the brow lift surgery with eyelift surgery, much like with many of the other examples, you can be sure that the two will work perfectly in tandem with one another for the best possible results.

The Benefits of Combining Procedures

There are many benefits to be taken advantage of when considering combining multiple plastic surgery procedures, such as the following:

You’ll only need to undergo one procedure: The risk of complications during surgery is always going to be a thing. However, if you were to undergo multiple procedures at once, less stress will be placed on your body with one procedure than with two procedures. By combining your plastic surgery procedures, you can obtain all of the benefits of both while having to deal with much less of a risk of any complications, and also with significantly less pain too.

A study undertaken in 2012 by the American Society for Plastic Surgeons on patients undergoing a tummy tuck and liposuction in the same procedure found that there was no increase in pain felt by any of the patients.

You’ll see better results from the surgery: The majority of patients who’ve combined their procedures have reported back much greater satisfaction with their results after having more than one of their aesthetic concerns seen to. For some, having just a chin augmentation, for example, may result in their large looking somewhat larger in comparison with their new smaller chin. Those that had their chin augmentation combined with a rhinoplasty found that their profile was much more balanced and symmetrical.

You won’t require such a long recovery time: With several procedures performed at once, you can enjoy a much shorter recovery time overall than undergoing the two procedures separately. By combining a breast lift with breast augmentation, for example, undergoing both procedures at the same time will not result in extended recovery time.

You’ll save money in the long run: In recent years, plastic surgery has become more and more affordable, and therefore more and more accessible to more and more of us. Be this as it may, many procedures can still be incredibly costly, all things considered, and there are many additional fees thrown on top that you may not be considering. You can save money on fees such as facility fees, surgeon fees, anesthesia, and more when combining multiple plastic surgery procedures into one, as many will only need to then be paid the one time.

Facelift or Neck Lift. Which is Best for You?

Our faces show the signs of aging and lifestyle choices such as our diets, whether or not we smoke(d), and how much unprotected time we spent in the direct sunlight. Many of us have stood in our mirror, lamenting the sagging bagginess, while using our faces to pull our facial flesh up and away, holding the excess flesh and tissue in our hairline. Most of us have had that “what would I look like if I got a facelift?” moment.

Facelift Facts

Dr. Anthony Bared MD, of Facial Plastic Surgery Miami, facelift surgery is used to address your jowls, reduces saggy bags and folds that plague some people’s facial skin, specifically beneath the eyes, on the cheeks, and along the jaw.

When a facelift is done, layers of skin on both sides of the face get pulled away from the face. The tissue that is found under the skin gets surgically molded to the contour of the face, and the result is a naturally younger face for the patient.

Before the flap is sewn up, excess skin and fatty deposits are surgically removed as well.

A neck lift is done as a step in the facelift procedure. The purpose is to decrease the fatty deposits and sagging flesh that forms the infamous “turkey neck” or the double chin.

A facelift is not meant to decrease fine lines and wrinkles in your skin or reverse damage resulting from excessive sun exposure. Those problems can be addressed by other procedures such as laser resurfacing.

Why Choose a Facelift?

As we age, the shape of our face changes, the appearance is no longer the same. Skin loses elasticity thus beginning to sag and fatty deposits disappear in some parts of the face and build up in others.

Changes in the face due to aging include:

saggy cheeks
baggy and excessive skin on the jawline (called jowls)
deepened laugh lines from out nostril to mouth corner
sagging neck skin (only if a neck lift is being done with the facelift)

Potential Risks

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the decision to get a facelift is a life-altering decision and it should not be made on the spur of the moment. As with any surgical procedure, risks do exist. Before you get the surgery you will have to sign forms stating that you understand the procedure and you know what complications and risks could potentially arise. The risks that occur with a facelift are extremely rare, but if there is a slight potential, you should be informed. The possible complications are:

anesthetic reaction
excessive bleeding
skin loss due to slow healing of wounds
nerve damage to the face with weakness
hair failing to grow at incision whether it be temporary or permanent
fluid build-up on the face
numb sensation
chronic pain
jagged and deep scars
swelling refusing to go down
discoloring of the flesh

Additionally, the stitches may become easy to see and irritated by clothing and may require getting the sutures taken out.

whereas a neck lift is recommended as a procedure to be done during the same trip to the operating room as when a facelift is performed.

Adding a Neck Lift to your Facelift Procedure

A neck lift is a cosmetic procedure that is performed to remove hanging skin and fat deposits around the line of the jaw. It gives the patients face a defined neckline. While the results of the surgery possess great longevity. You must remember that a neck lift does not stop the hands of time. The flesh on your face and your neckline will continue to age.

Why Get a Neck Lift?

The neck lift procedure is done to lessen the aging that shows in the jawline down through the chin and neck. Facelifts and neck lifts are commonly done at the same time.

Risks Involved

As with any surgery, there are risks. The risks associated with neck lift surgery are:

internal bleeding
anesthesia reaction
scarring
Clots
infection
nerve damage
loss of skin

How to Prepare for both Procedures

Diet and Meds

There’s a good chance your doctor will tell you to discontinue aspirin and any other medication (even prescribed) 72 hours before surgery. Prescription drugs may include Warfarin, Xarelto, Coumadin, Jantoven, or Heparin. Over the counter medications that should be stopped are aspirin, Ibuprofen, Motrin IB, or Advil.

Cigarettes

Smoking tobacco accelerates the aging of your skin and also bogs down the healing process, sometimes causing extra recovery time. A good doctor will tell you to quit smoking before the procedures can take place.

Do Not Drive

You shouldn’t drive yourself to your surgical appointment because you definitely cannot drive home post-op. Additionally, you need an adult to look after you for at least 24 hours after the procedure.

What to Expect

Before having a face and neck lift, your doctor should set up a pre-operative appointment to go over the surgery goals and discuss your expectations. At this point, your doctor will determine what method of surgery will be the best fit for you and he/she may suggest adding on procedures such as browlift, eyelid surgery, and/or laser resurfacing.

Measurements of your face will be taken and the doctor will examine your face and neck. He/she will then formulate a surgical plan. A photo may get taken for before and after comparison.

Your recovering will last a few weeks. If you heal slowly it may take a bit longer. It can take up to six months for the suture lines to fade completely. Your doctor will guide you through post-op.