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Cold & Flu – All you need to know

Cold & Flu – All you need to know

In many cases, cold and flu are often confused, and an inappropriate treatment can be given for the other symptoms. These occur due to the fact that cold and flu often carry the same traits and in most cases- often carry the same symptoms. There can be however some telltale differences that we can spot, so that we can tell the differences. Let us look at some of them. Common Cold comes in stages. First, you might develop a runny nose followed by watery eyes. Congestion might set in later and the period of sneezing /coughing might start. You may experience these symptoms for about 3 to 10 days. Fever is not usually associated with a common cold. Flu on the other hand has the symptoms that can set in quickly. It usually happens abruptly and not in stages. Your body may experience fever and chills, and soon it may start experiencing body aches. It can last longer than the common cold and in some cases may last even up to 3 weeks. Both of them have many similarities as per the symptoms are concerned, and these can include a runny nose, sneezing, coughing, sore throat, and headache. The flu symptoms can further include a high fever, body aches and pain and a dry cough.
Lymph nodes, understanding the condition

Lymph nodes, understanding the condition

The lymph system forms a vital part of the overall body immune system. Lymph nodes forming part of this system have the important task of carrying the lymph fluids, nutrients and even waste material from the body tissues to the blood stream and back. These are small, glands which resemble the shape of beans and help carry the fluids throughout our body. Swollen glands in neck, alternatively known as swollen lymph nodes refers to a condition which can be caused due to any injury, any infection or in severe cases due to the tumor which develops near the lymph nodes. Since the lymph nodes system is the body’s defense system against known diseases, swollen glands in the neck should be treated with immediate effect. The most common causes of swollen glands include: Swelling in glands can be caused due to any infection or tumor which develops near vital organs in the lungs, breasts, neck or even in your abdomen. The glands above your collarbone may swell due to these areas being affected, a condition which targets the supraclavicular lymph nodes. An infection in the foot, legs, or genitals can cause a condition which leads to swollen glands commonly affecting the femoral or inguinal lymph nodes.
An overview of Costco hearing aids

An overview of Costco hearing aids

Costco operates dedicated hearing aid centers to provide free hearing tests and good quality devices. These centers are served by trained staff members who provide services like hearing tests and product demonstrations. You can buy Costco hearing aids as per your needs and budget. Things to Know before Buying Costco Hearing Aids At Costco, you can go for a free hearing test at no obligation to buy a hearing aid from their store. • Since Costco is only for members, you may need a membership to go to their hearing aid centers. If you not a member, you can always call ahead the location of your choice and know more about their hearing aid services and how to avail the same. • Costco warehouses have private booths for conducting hearing tests. It can take up to an hour for the tests to complete. If you need a hearing device, you have many buying options from the collection of Costco hearing aids. • The staff members at these centers do not receive a commission on the sale of Costco hearing aids. So, you can be rest assured that you are getting an unbiased service in terms of your need and the cost of hearing devices.
Everything to Know about AARP’s Medicare Advantage Plans

Everything to Know about AARP’s Medicare Advantage Plans

The American Association of Retired Persons, more commonly known as AARP, is a non-profit organization that aims to “empower people to choose how they live as they age.” The members of AARP are bestowed with several benefits and one of those is insurance. AARP is not an insurance company, but it caters to the unique insurance needs of retirees. Before retirement, these individuals are a part of an organization where health care benefits are provided by employers. Once they retire, they are faced with a tedious task of finding affordable health insurance options. Though AARP doesn’t sell insurance policies, it serves as a one-stop health insurance shopping option for the members’ insurance needs. What does AARP do? Seniors who need health insurance plans can find a wide selection to choose from if they sign up for an AARP membership. These insurance products are made available to the members at discounted rates and from top-rated insurance carriers who are financially stable. AARP strives to improve the quality of life of seniors and has founded coalitions worldwide for this very purpose. After retirees lose the health care benefits that accompanied their jobs, AARP makes it easier for them to find affordable health insurance owing to their affiliation with major insurance providers.
Things to know about anxiety and stress

Things to know about anxiety and stress

Anxiety & stress are similar in numerous ways, with one or two crucial differences. Both are emotional responses to pressures of everyday life or childhood traumas. Additionally, the symptoms in most cases are the same, be it physical or emotional. Both can influence, to a great extent, the quality of life experienced by an individual. Read on to know the differences between anxiety & stress, its causes, symptoms, risk factors, and the different types:  Anxiety & Stress – Difference between the two Causes  A person experiences stress when caused by an external factor or trigger. For example, you are likely to be stressed when there’s a deadline to meet at work or when you have a fight with your loved ones.    Anxiety is a person’s reaction to internal stress. So, when stress is induced externally, anxiety lurks in. A person prone to anxiety is inclined to worry excessively, without any stress or triggers. The feeling of apprehension persists even if things are not as bad.   Duration  In most cases, the trigger for stress is short-term. That is why stress itself, in most people, does not persist for too long.    Anxiety is usually a persistent problem and can become a long-term menace if not addressed well in time.
1400 calorie diet plan

1400 calorie diet plan

It is important to eat healthy and keep your diet in check. It is healthy to consume 1400 calories a day. You can choose from several free diet meal plans that you can choose from. Below is a 1400 calorie meal plan, that can be tweaked a little, and personalized. Breakfast: ½ a cup of egg substitute, or a whole egg, and 1 white egg with a teaspoon of butter (which of course is optional), makes for the most famous breakfast delight. Additionally, a cup of cantaloupe and whole wheat bread or an English muffin should do the trick. An optional menu to this would be a cup of fat free milk, ½ cup of strawberries, and a whole wheat muffin. Most people do think that stopping butter and oil will help you reduce weight. But in reality, our body needs the basic needs of nourishment, and one teaspoon of butter would work out well. Snack: Always remember that eating more than three meals a day is necessary. Eat in small quantities, but eat more often. Two tablespoons of granola + ¼ cup fat-free milk or one graham cracker, can fill your little biscuit urges. Consume this with one cup of fat free milk with two tablespoons of chocolate syrup.
4 effective medical treatments for providing relief from vicious bee sting

4 effective medical treatments for providing relief from vicious bee sting

Nature provides us with everything we need to lead a comfortable life. However, there are certain elements which mean more harm than good. Insects are one such element of nature that though are miniature in size can cause great unease. There are instances where people have been rushed to the emergency room because of vicious insect bites. The most common cases of a bad encounter with insects include bee stings, wasp stings, chigger bites, flea bites, spider bites, etc. Bee stings cause one of the worst inflicted pain ever. When one is stung by a bee, the pain and the swelling is what causes maximum misery. So, what would you do if you are stung by a bee? The obvious answer would be to seek a bee sting treatment. A bee sting can cause excruciating pain, but it can be treated. The best part of the medical treatments available for bee stings is that the same treatment can be used as wasp sting treatment, chigger bite treatment, flea bites treatment, etc. This is possible because the symptoms caused by each of these insect bites are almost similar. If you are ever stung by a bee, here are some bee sting medical treatments available at your disposal.
4 effective home remedies for treating bee stings

4 effective home remedies for treating bee stings

If you have children or you are one of those trekking enthusiasts, insect bites are something that you might be quite familiar with. Some insect bites might cause mild irritation and applying an antiseptic ointment can rid you of the itching and rashes caused by the bite, whereas some insect bites require immediate attention as they can trigger allergies that can be life-threatening. A bee sting is one of the most common insect-inflicted misery that one might come across. The initial moments when the bee stings you, the acute feeling of the swelling rising and spread across the affected area and the pain it is accompanied with is enough to give people nightmares for days. However, as bad as it might sound, there are bee sting treatments available. And the good news is that the bee sting injury can be treated at home with natural ingredients. Here are some of the effective home treatments for bee stings, that can also serve as wasp sting treatment, chigger bites treatment, spider bite treatment, etc. Apple Cider Vinegar Apple Cider Vinegar is known to possess medicinal properties, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that it can be used effectively as a form of bee sting treatment.
4 home remedies for treating foot pain effectively

4 home remedies for treating foot pain effectively

One of the most infuriating conditions that wreak havoc in your daily schedule is an uninvited and excruciating foot pain. Pain at the bottom of our foot is quite a common thing these days. Leg pains and cramps, which were earlier confined to the elderly section of the population has started affecting the younger lot as well. What might have started as a harmless nagging pain in the heels will turn into a more serious version of the same by next day. Heel pain, pain in the ball of the foot, leg and foot pain are quite common and can be treated effectively as well. If you aren’t keen on visiting the physician, there are different home remedies you can opt for. Here are some of the tried and tested home remedies for treating the bottom of the foot pain, and even pain in the side of the foot. Hot and cold water We are aware of the fact that hot and cold compress works wonders for reducing any kind of pain. If you experience pain at the bottom of your foot, you can soak your feet in hot and cold water simultaneously. The hot water ensures that the blood circulation to the legs is uninterrupted.
4 natural remedies for sinus drainage

4 natural remedies for sinus drainage

Everybody at some point in their lives struggles with a blocked or leaky nose that causes a lot of discomfort and uneasiness. When a runny nose is accompanied with puffy eyes and sore throat, the trouble only gets multiplied. People with sinus drainage issues, experience this discomfort several times throughout the year. Therefore, many sufferers resort to home remedies for sinus drainage treatments to get rid of the uneasiness. Some of these sinus drainage treatments have been listed below. Hydrate yourself well Drinking enough fluids is one of the essential sinus drainage treatments for instant relief. Additionally, running a humidifier or vaporizer may help thoroughly drain the sinuses. Humidification helps lubricate the sinuses and keeps the skin well hydrated. While having huge quantities of water is recommended, it is important that you refrain from caffeinated and alcoholic drinks. Try nasal irrigation Nasal irrigation is one of the most effective sinus drainage treatments for instant congestion and irritation relief. Saline irrigation is an efficient method that helps you flush out the nasal passage with a solution. Mostly this is done with a neti pot, special squeeze bottle or syringes. A neti pot is a simple apparatus that helps you effectively carry out nasal irrigation.
3 foods that aid in osteoarthritis pain relief

3 foods that aid in osteoarthritis pain relief

The pain that is experienced by an individual who suffers from osteoarthritis is inexplicable. The chronic condition is caused by friction in the joints of the bone. The ends of the bones are coated with a substance that is known as cartilage. However, when the cartilage breaks down, the ends of the bones are left bare and these lead to soreness and inflammation that increases with each passing day. Osteoarthritis is commonly experienced in the joints of the knees, elbows, lower back, etc. In a few rare cases, the condition can develop in the joints of the toes and fingers of the hands or feet. The condition becomes worst in time, increasing pain and thus effective one’s lifestyle and other factors like work and relationships. While the following foods may not treat the condition, they can bring about effective osteoarthritis pain relief with time: Fatty fish – Fish fat is believed to have a very good effect in relieving osteoarthritis pain and inflammation. This is because fish such as salmon, tuna, mackerel, etc are rich sources of omega-3 fatty acid. This acid is widely used in supplements to fight against inflammation in the body. A portion of fish should be consumed as a part of the diet, at least a few times a week.