Category Archives: Health Tips

Relax and Rejuvenate: A Guide to Using Infrared Saunas for Stress Relief

In today’s fast-paced world, stress has become a common companion for many individuals, especially those grappling with chronic pain. While various methods exist to manage stress, one increasingly popular option is the use of an infrared sauna in Pittsburgh, PA. These innovative wellness tools offer a range of benefits, including stress relief, relaxation, and pain management. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into how infrared saunas work, their potential benefits for stress relief, and practical tips for incorporating them into your wellness routine.

Understanding Infrared Saunas

Infrared saunas utilize infrared light to generate heat, which is then absorbed by the body, promoting sweating and various physiological responses. Unlike traditional saunas that heat the air around you, infrared saunas penetrate the skin more deeply, providing a gentle yet effective heat therapy experience. The infrared light spectrum used in these saunas is divided into three categories: near, mid, and far infrared, each offering unique therapeutic properties.

Benefits of Infrared Saunas for Stress Relief

Numerous studies have explored the potential benefits of infrared sauna therapy for stress relief, offering promising results. One study published in the Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine found that regular infrared sauna use was associated with reductions in stress and anxiety levels among participants. Additionally, infrared sauna sessions have been shown to stimulate the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good hormones, promoting relaxation and a sense of well-being.

Moreover, the heat generated by infrared saunas can help relax tense muscles, alleviate pain, and improve sleep quality, all of which contribute to stress reduction. As individuals with chronic pain often experience heightened stress levels, incorporating infrared sauna sessions into their wellness routine may offer significant relief.

Practical Tips for Using Infrared Saunas

If you’re considering incorporating infrared sauna therapy into your stress management routine, here are some practical tips to maximize its benefits:

Start Slowly: If you’re new to infrared sauna therapy, begin with shorter sessions lasting around 10 to 15 minutes and gradually increase the duration as your body adjusts to the heat.

Stay Hydrated: It’s essential to drink plenty of water before, during, and after your sauna session to prevent dehydration. Replenishing fluids lost through sweating is crucial for maintaining overall health and well-being.

Choose the Right Temperature: Infrared saunas typically operate at lower temperatures than traditional saunas, usually between 120°F to 150°F. Experiment with different temperature settings to find what feels most comfortable for you.

Create a Relaxing Atmosphere: Enhance your sauna experience by creating a tranquil environment. Play calming music, dim the lights, or incorporate aromatherapy with essential oils to further promote relaxation and stress relief.

Incorporate Regular Sessions: To experience the full benefits of infrared sauna therapy for stress relief, aim for regular sessions, ideally several times per week. Consistency is key to maximizing the therapeutic effects of sauna therapy.

Infrared Saunas in Pittsburgh, PA

For residents of Pittsburgh, PA, access to infrared saunas is readily available, with various wellness centers, spas, and fitness facilities offering these services. Whether you’re seeking relief from chronic pain, stress reduction, or simply a rejuvenating experience, infrared saunas can be a valuable addition to your wellness routine. Many establishments in Pittsburgh provide infrared sauna sessions tailored to individual preferences, ensuring a comfortable and relaxing experience for each visitor.

In conclusion, infrared saunas offer a holistic approach to stress relief and pain management, making them a valuable tool for individuals dealing with chronic pain. By understanding how infrared sauna therapy works, exploring its potential benefits, and implementing practical tips for usage, you can harness the power of heat therapy to relax, rejuvenate, and restore balance to both body and mind. Consider incorporating regular infrared sauna sessions into your wellness routine to experience the transformative effects firsthand.

Things You Must Know About Over the Counter Medication For Yeast Infections

That eerily familiar yeast infection rings bells in many women’s minds. You rush for the nearest over the counter yeast infection meds. However, picking the wrong meds can make for a murky situation. Commonly, doctors prefer a prescription yeast medication called fluconazole. You find these pills rampantly. While this medication is highly effective and commonly prescribed, here is all you need to know about the drug before you take it.

How does fluconazole work?

Fluconazole is a prescription-strength antifungal. Yeast infections occur when your vagina’s natural pH balance and that of intrinsic bacteria is disrupted. This imbalance leads to an overgrowth of Candida, a yeast infection-causing fungus. An uncontrolled, over growth of Candida leads to inflammation, unusual discharge, and the infamous itch. Fluconazole functions by inhibiting the growth of Candida and ceasing its multiplication. Often times, a singular pill of fluconazole, 150 mg in strength, is enough to treat a yeast infection completely.

Should I take fluconazole for a yeast infection?

If you experiences recurring yeast infections or are currently experiencing one, fluconazole is a great option! This effective over the counter yeast infection med interrupts a cycle of frequent infections too. Additionally, it is affordable and easy to buy.

Symptoms of a yeast infection often overlap with those of other common vaginal infections; therefore, if you feel unsure about whether you are truly experiencing a yeast infection, do consult a doctor to confirm. Commonly noticed symptoms of yeast infection include
Itching

White, chunky, and odorless discharge

Burning sensation during urination

When should I take the second fluconazole?

If your symptoms do not subside after a treatment of 2 days, you may consider taking a second dose of 150 mg fluconazole.

Why does my Yeast Infection keep coming back?

You are not alone in experiencing recurrent episodes of yeast infection. Chronic yeast infection is more common among folks than it seems. Here are a few possible causes of these repeat symptoms.

Your initial infection was not treated completely

You are creating humid or moist conditions for Candida to thrive

You have a drug-resistant strain of yeast

Your vaginal bacteria is out of whack

You have a weakened immune system

At the end of the day, every individual has a significant body composition and chemistry. If you are experiencing recurring episodes, it might simply be because your unique body chemistry predisposes you to yeast infections. Maintain good vaginal hygiene, stay dry in your cotton underwear, and wear loose-fitted clothing to keep the infection at bay. These practices will also break in your endless cycle of recurrent infections. Additionally, you can combine boric acid and reproductive probiotics to your dose of over the counter yeast infection meds too. These additions help hasten recovery and prevent infections in the future. Integrating reproductive probiotics into your routine can also help your vaginal flora thrive and contribute to a healthy microbiome.

Can you get Yeast Infections from sex?

If you do have frequent yeast infections, especially if they occur after sex, you may be wondering if you can get a yeast infection from sex. Yes, it is entirely possible for sex to trigger a yeast infection, but that does not mean it is an STI. Sex can be a contributing factor in disrupting your vaginal ecosystem, which in turn can lead to a yeast infection. In rare cases, a person with a penis can also get a yeast infection after penetrative vaginal sex with someone who has a yeast infection. Yeast infections can pass easily between female partners. Thus, it is best to put yourself out of commission until your infection clears up.

Hoping this guide has answered all your pertinent questions, do consult a doctor and take the necessary dosage of the most effective over the counter yeast infection med known—as fluconazole.

What are the Effective Natural Dry Eye Remedies at home?

If one experiences a typical dryness or itchiness in the eyes more often, then that person may be a dry eye sufferer. Such individuals will experience fatigue in the eyes, and there will be blurred vision in many cases. The reasons for dry eyes can be varied. This situation can come to pass because of aging. When you get old, naturally the metabolism will become slow, and hence, there is a possibility of getting dry eyes. Besides, some kinds of medicines will become a cause of this problem. Similarly, some people will be allergic to some objects or products. Hence, there is a possibility of getting dry eyes. Environmental factors will also become the cause. That said, there are some effective dry eye remedies at home that you can try at home. Nevertheless, even if you want to try popular home remedies, it is always better to get medical guidance from an eye doctor. A specialist ophthalmologist will be able to diagnose your problem properly and prescribe the needed medication.

What are the Effective Natural Dry Eye Remedies at home?

Though there are some popular natural remedies that you can try at home, it is a must that you must consult a practicing eye specialist if the problem persists.

Varied brands of eye drops and eye ointments are available in the contemporary market. You can try those medications to get relief from the dry eye problem. However, you must consult a practicing ophthalmologist to find out the best suitable one that goes well with the specific condition of your eyes. Remember, some of such medications will have preservatives, which is essential to prolong their shelf life of the same. Hence, only an expert eye specialist will be able to advise you as regards the one that you must use. So, you must not buy straight from a pharmacy before getting a nod from an expert medical practitioner. Here, there is one significant thing that you must remember. Ointments will be a bit more glutinous than eye drops, and hence, it will be convenient for you to use them during the night time, just before you go to bed. You can use eye drops during the daytime, which will be convenient.

Environmental pollution can also cause dryness to the eyes. In our time, the possibility of pollution is very high. Hence, you must clean your eyes whenever you feel uneasy. You can wash your eyelids and the near areas of the face using warm water. You can also do a gentle massage around the area. These actions will give you relief.

Using a warm compress is another method that you can try at home. Dryness to the eyes occurs due to the lack of sufficient lubrication within. There will be proper lubrication only when there is adequate creation of tears. The main components of tears are water, oil, and mucus. The main reason for dry eyes is the clogging of oil. When you use a warm compress, the process will ease the prevailing irritation as there will be a loosening of the clogged oil. You can use a clean and wet cloth dipped in warm water. When you place this damp cloth on the eyes you will feel comfortable.

These days, you can buy eye pads for performing the warm compress. However, you must buy authentic ones from reliable stores. The present market holds quite a few popular eye pads. There are some main reasons why you must buy your eye pads from authentic sellers. This list of reasons includes:

• The products will be authentically created.

• Recommendations from doctors

• There will be the backing of science

• Affordable nature

That said, you must not play with the disease. If the problem does not subside within one or two days, you must consult a practicing eye specialist. For instance, if you notice that your eyes are too red and you suffer from pain, you must rush to see an optometric physician. Another major symptom that you must take seriously is swelling in and around the joints and related pain. However, it is practically sensible to see your ophthalmologist as soon as you notice that something is wrong with your eyes.

The Best Way How to Cure Genital Herpes

Genital herpes presents itself in the form of blisters and ulcers around the genital area. It is caused by a virus called Herpes Simplex Virus and can be transmitted during intercourse. Once infected, a person may or may not suffer from the outbreak. However, the virus remains in the body in a dormant stage and can be reactivated due to external factors. Hence, a person can experience recurrent episodes that may vary in severity.

Some of the factors that trigger an outbreak are fatigue, exposure to extreme heat or cold, stress, injury, illness, alcohol, etc. The first outbreak can be scary, especially if you are not aware of its treatment methods. Also, the first outbreak can extend to a period of two weeks. The recurrent episodes can heal sooner and can be milder in comparison.

Let us discuss some of the ways to Cure Genital Herpes.

How to cure Genital Herpes?

Genital Herpes is an incurable infection. The virus remains in the nervous system of an infected person and can cause future outbreaks. However, there are ways to treat and prevent these episodes. Also, some treatment methods can ease the pain and discomfort caused by blisters and ulcers.

Antiviral medication

Since the outbreak is caused by a herpes simplex virus, it can be contained with the help of antiviral medication. These medicines are available as oral medicines and Genital Herpes Cream Over the Counter.

Some of the most popular antiviral medications used for the treatment of genital herpes are acyclovir, famciclovir, and Valtrex (valaciclovir).

These medicines are especially helpful during the first outbreak. A health care provider may prescribe these medicines for a period of seven to ten days.

If the outbreak is severe, the course of medication can be extended for a longer duration. This will help relieve the effects of the symptoms. However, it is important to note that oral antiviral medications are available only with a prescription. However, you can purchase topical Genital Herpes Cream Over the Counter.

The number of recurrent episodes varies for every person. Some people may experience a few mild symptoms in their lifetime, while others can have an outbreak every one to two months. Based on your symptoms and their severity, your doctor may prescribe antiviral therapy for the future.

If you are having frequent outbreaks that impact your daily life, relationships, and productivity, you may start a suppressive treatment. The therapy requires you to take antiviral medications daily to prevent outbreaks. This also reduces your chances of transmitting the infection to your partner. Hence, a suppressive treatment provides you with a normal life even after a herpes infection.

One of the issues with suppressive treatments is the inconvenience of taking the medication every day. Also, you need to have a prescription ready to refill the stock of your oral medication. You can visit your health care provider once a year to decide whether or not suppressive treatment is required in the future.

If you are experiencing outbreaks that are not very frequent, you can choose to go for intermittent therapy. You can keep an antiviral drug in your house or have a prescription filled out to buy your medication. You can start your course of medication as soon as you experience the first symptoms of the outbreak.

Most people can experience a tingling and burning experience before the blisters appear. The sooner you start the medication, the better it is. Taking the antiviral medicine in the first five days can shorten the outbreak. Also, you can purchase a Genital Herpes Cream Over the Counter.

Be extremely careful when you apply a topical medication to the blister. Pat the cream and avoid rubbing it in the surrounding area. Also, avoid touching the blisters. Use a cotton swab or gloves to apply the antiviral ointment.

The best way to treat genital herpes is an antiviral medication. However, you cannot eliminate the virus. Hence, there are always some chances of recurrence.

Why Do Cancer Patients Get Immunotherapy?

A collection of organs, special cells, and substances that help protect us from infections and various diseases is our immune system. These cells travel across our body to secure us from germ-causing infections and diseases and keep a check on the substances found in the body. In the presence of an alien substance that it tracks, it alarms the immune system to prepare for the attack.

Fortunately, the immune response is capable of destroying any foreign substance, such as germs or cancer cells. However, it has a difficult time targeting cancer cells because it causes healthy cells to alter them & grow out of control, which is where immunotherapy comes in. Immunotherapy cancer is also called immuno-oncology, a type of cancer treatment that employs the body’s immune system to block, dominate, and eliminate cancer as it can help with:

● Coach the immune system to acknowledge and strike specific cancer cells.

● Amplify the performance of immune cells to eradicate cancer

● Provide additional accessories to improve the immune response

Immunotherapy is an evolving promise for cancer treatment engaging the immune system to fight the cancer internally. The immune system contains organs, antibodies, and cells that work together to fight disease and infections, namely:

● B-cell lymphocytes: White blood cells to produce antibodies for fighting infections.

● T-cell lymphocytes: A specialized form of White blood cell targeting diseased cells and alerting other cells for the presence of a pathogen.

● Dendritic cells: These cells converse with T-cells stimulating immune responses.

● Granulocytes: A mixture of neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils that fight infections.

After being alerted by the lymphocytes, the Immune cells manufacture cytokines, a protein molecule acting on other cells to instigate the immune response for striking diseases & make it effortless for the system to recognize infected cells. It helps treat different types of cancers like brain tumor, cervical, breast, kidney, prostate, skin cancers or leukemia, and more.

The common known types of immunotherapies are:

● Adoptive cell therapy: In this therapy, the diseased immune cell is removed, redesigned, and then reinstated in the body to modify their immune response which then seeks to destroy cancer cells.

● Cancer vaccines: Just like any other vaccine, they stimulate an immune response in the body to protect it against diseases. The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is used for the prevention from cervical, anal, throat, and penile cancers while the hepatitis B vaccine prevents liver cancer.

● Immunomodulators: They change the body’s biological responses by reviving the immune system’s ability to track and kill cancer cells. The treatments in this use are checkpoint inhibitors, lymphokines, interferon, and interleukins.

● Monoclonal antibodies: Lab engineered, these proteins strike particular parts of cancer cells by delivering drugs, toxins, or radioactive material directly into the tumors.

● Oncolytic viruses: This is the kind of modified virus specially designed to attack infected cells.

Why immunotherapy

After years of testing and studying, immunotherapies have been accepted in the United States to treat cancers and are prescribed by oncologists. Although immunotherapy may not work for every patient and certain types may be associated with severe but manageable side effects, studies show most patients are likely to gain from this treatment, and has frequently helped prolong the lifespan of many patients.

It is still being researched and holds the potential to become more accurate, personalized, effective & with lesser side effects once fully understood.

Obviously, there are limitations in our immune system’s ability to fight cancer on its own because sometimes the immune system doesn’t see or recognize the cancer cells as foreign as they can mimic normal cells.

To address this, researchers have come up with methods to strengthen the immune system & recognize cancer cells to destroy them. Consequently, our body is actually getting rid of cancer itself, with some help from science.

Benefits of Immunotherapy

1. Much like the entire human body, the immune system is also very particular, so it can specifically target cancer cells while sparing other healthy cells.

2. The immune system is capable of adapting consistently, just like cancer cells, so if a tumor goes undetected, an immune system re-evaluates and attacks immediately.

3. The immune system has a memory that allows it to remember so it can target and eradicate if cancer returns.

Conclusion- Immunotherapy is a boon and has definitely opened up great possibilities and prolonged life spans with minimal side effects for cancer patients. Conclusively, it requires more understanding and research and may eventually prove to be the new ray of hope for cancer patients.

How Often Should You Do IV Therapy?

Although it is advisable to drink an average of eight glasses of water in a day, people drink much lesser than that for multiple reasons. Body fluids are essential for the overall function of your body. Did you know that the estimated life span of our bodies to survive without food is for about three weeks; however, you can only live for about three to four days without water intake. If you struggle to comply with your body’s demand for hydration and vitamin supplements, Intravenous or IV therapy Salt Lake City is an excellent option for you.

Fast food and the ease of access to junk food have altered our body functions. Soda, for instance, is addictive. Often, when people are thirsty, they leap for a gulp of their favorite soda drink. In reality, sodas do not keep you hydrated as much as water can. Soda can also lead to obesity due to the high concentration of sugar in them. Taking IV therapy in Salt Lake City can help provide the supplement vitamins your body needs that you could not consume daily. The treatment is highly beneficial, especially if you have a busy lifestyle. IV therapy can also help out with other ailments.

What Is IV Therapy?

Intravenous therapy or IV therapy is administered by a professional. It involves needle insertion directly in your veins. It bypasses your digestive system, making the solution reach your organs and allowing for immediate absorption and use. The standard IV fluid is to keep you hydrated and serves as an alternative to water, sugar, and salt.

The IV therapy keeps you hydrated, helps in your anti-aging regimen, helps alleviate your ailments, and can be an excellent supplement to help you prevent other diseases. Typically, it consists of B-complex vitamins, vitamin B12, vitamin C, and magnesium.

What Are the Benefits of IV Therapy?

IV therapy not only keeps you hydrated and gives you the energy you need, but it also alleviates other medical ailments such as migraine. The therapy is also known to cure nausea, vomiting, and tingling by subduing the overactive nerve endings. It boosts your immune system too.

IV therapy promises to make you feel energized, gain more focus, and improve your body functions. Depression, upper respiratory tract infections, and cardiovascular disease are also some of the medical conditions that IV Drop treatment can prove beneficial for.

After knowing about the infinite benefits of this therapy, now is the time to answer your main question.

How Often Should You Get IV Therapy?

If you decide to opt for IV therapy in Salt Lake City, you must first consider your wellness goal. Your health goal determines the number of doses and number of sessions that you can take. The effects of the treatment vary from person to person; therefore, it is important to not expect the same efficiency level with the same number of sessions. Usually, as a stand-alone supplement, IV Therapy can be administered once or twice a week or once every two weeks. However, taking your doctor’s or health professional’s advice is the best course of action, when it comes to deciding the dose and number of sessions that you must take.

Once your body’s nutrition becomes optimal, the frequency of your IV therapy in Salt Lake City can be minimized. Typically, weekly sessions for three weeks can help you reach your health target. Once it does, you can opt to take monthly infusion instead of your regular sessions. If you experience other symptoms, taking an extra IV fluid is also possible.

Overall, IV therapy is a formidable concoction of medical-grade nutrients that your body needs to perform optimally. In case you are living with medical ailments that need IV therapy, or you wish to simply boost your immune system, or even improve your sporting performance, all you need to look up is IV therapy in Salt Lake City is the only answer.

Antibiotics For UTI Treatment: What Are My Options?

Millions of people get affected by urinary tract infections every year in the world. It is one of the most common types of infection that affects the urinary system of the body. In women, it is the most commonly seen.

What is Urinary Tract Infection?

UTI can affect the urinary tract. It can happen in the kidney, ureters, bladder, or urethra. In most cases, the bladder and the urethra are the two places that get affected. When someone gets UTI, they always feel the urge to urinate, a burning sensation while urinating, and sometimes pain in the lower abdomen.

Common symptoms associated with UTI are:

• Burning feeling with urination.

• Frequent need to urinate.

• Discoloration of urine.

• Blood in the urine.

• Foul-smelling urine.

• Cramps and pain in the pelvic region.

Best Antibiotic Options To Treat UTI

For UTI antibiotics over the counter, solution is one of the fastest and best options. But the medicine depends on the severity of the condition and the area affected by the infection. A person with UTI in the bladder region will have different treatment methods and medicines than a person with UTI in the kidney. Thus the antibiotics will work differently for every individual patient.

This is why it is highly recommended to consult a doctor before getting any medicines for infection in the urinary tract.

Patients are thoroughly diagnosed and based on the test reports the doctor will recommend suitable antibiotics. In most normal UTI cases doctors prescribe UTI antibiotics over-the-counter options. If the condition persists even after the recommended medication without any improvement, the doctor will ask the patient to undergo some more tests.

A urinalysis is a common test done to check if the infection is there. The tests help the doctors to determine the type of medicine required for the treatment.

Some of the important UTI antibiotics recommended are:

• Nitrofurantoin

• Fosfomycin

• Sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim

How To Choose The Right Antibiotics?

Choosing the right antibiotics depends upon the doctor. They will recommend the antibiotic for UTI based on your medical history, type of infection, and other necessary aspects. Although initially, doctors prescribe nitrofurantoin or fosfomycin, it may not be suitable for everyone. Some may respond better to amoxicillin than fosfomycin.

Who Needs Intravenous Antibiotics For UTI?

Not everyone can take oral antibiotics for certain reasons. If you are a lactating mother, pregnant, or have a high fever, the doctor may ask you to get admitted to the hospital. Such cases are given intravenous antibiotics. IV antibiotics are given to patients with complicated UTI cases. Once the patient starts to show positive results, the doctor may switch to oral medicines. The common intravenous antibiotics are ceftriaxone, gentamicin, and tobramycin.

FDA Approved Modern Antibiotics For UTI

Some latest antibiotics are showing promising results in the treatment of UTI. These are:

Vabomere- is a combination of two medicines- a carbapenem antibiotic and a beta-lactamase inhibitor. Since August 2017, vabomere has been in use for the treatment of UTI in adults, especially in complicated cases. This medicine is given intravenously after every 8 hours, the dosage depends on the patient’s condition and the severity of the infection.

Zemdri- This is used for complicated cases of UTI. It is infused intravenously and is given to those patients who have no other alternative treatments. It is administered once a day.

Important Note: One must not neglect any symptoms of UTI. If left untreated, UTI can affect the kidney and can cause serious issues. One of the best ways to treat UTIs is to drink plenty of water and other fluids throughout the day. Above all women must practice proper hygiene every time they urinate.

Antibiotics can safely and effectively treat UTI. But you must always consult a doctor before choosing the antibiotics.

What is a Negative Air Machine, and When Should you Consider Using One?

As their name suggests, HEPA filter negative air machines combine two technologies: HEPA filters and negative air machines. High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters are responsible for removing harmful particulate from the air. Negative air machines are responsible for keeping the filtered air contained, so that nothing above the specified particle size goes in or out. The need to combine the precision of a HEPA filter with the power of a negative air machine was somewhat of a rarity in pre-pandemic life, but now this is changing.

Air barriers and the limitations of existing structures

An air barrier refers to any situation where you have air on one side of a structure that is kept separate from the air on the other side. The classic example would be cooler indoor air that is kept separate from warmer air outside. Although it may work well to have housing material serve as the main device for creating air barriers in most applications, it is not good enough in others. For example, in a hospital ward where some patients are infected with a contagious airborne virus, it is not always possible to erect a structure around them to create the necessary air barrier. Even if this could be done, you also have the problem of ventilation – what kind of duct work would have to be present to keep the air moving? Where would the contaminated air go once it leaves the structure itself?

Because this kind of solution is infeasible, the most common approach for many years was to simply filter the air where it was needed, and if the filtration was robust enough, hope that it was sufficient to keep people safe. Usually this involved using an air scrubber device. An air scrubber is essentially a HEPA filter with fan blades underneath it. The idea is that the fan can operate at differing speeds. For a room that is small, you can expect the air in the room to be cleaned on a lower fan speed. If the room is larger, the same level of air purity will require a higher fan speed. This kind of solution is hardly adequate. The main issue is that it often takes an air scrubber one hour to clean the air in the whole room. During that one hour, there is plenty of opportunity for an airborne virion to travel to the other side of the room and get inhaled by somebody else. Increasing the fan speed may lower the amount of time that a particle has to travel, but this is surely not enough to stop the migration of particles altogether. This is where the magic of HEPA filter negative air machines comes in.

Why negative air machines are the gold standard

The general idea behind a HEPA filter negative air machine is that it is a portable structure with its own ducts, filters and fans. Often the walls of the structure are made of a soft material, like a tarp or tent. This is partly a matter of convenience – it is practical for a non-permanent structure to be easily taken down and put up again. It is also ideal from an engineering standpoint. The soft structure has the ability to act like a balloon when the air pressure in the structure is higher than outside, and act like a vacuum when the inside pressure is below the outside level. This means that if you want to prevent the particulate from dissipating, making the unit’s pressure lower than outside will serve to keep everything contained because of the vacuum effect. Analogously, when the pressure inside is higher than outside, the balloon effect will serve to push the harmful particulate away, keeping the space isolated and safe.

Effectiveness and Reliability

Pre-COVID there was not as much demand for negative air machines that had HEPA filters on them. HEPA filters are usually used to remove particulate down to 0.3 microns in size, which means they can catch airborne bacteria and viruses. The rise of COVID has led to a surge in demand for HEPA filter negative air machines because they are the only equipment out there that can remove the COVID virions in the air, and also create either a balloon or vacuum effect to preserve the necessary air barrier to stop transmission. These machines were pivotal in stopping transmission within intensive care settings throughout North America and Europe. One can only hope they will remain just as reliable in the presence of Omicron.

Herpes: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

The mere thought of contracting herpes is scary. However, here is a useful guide highlighting the symptoms, causes, and over the counter medication for herpes.

What Is Herpes?

Herpes is the common name of the herpes simplex virus. The two common viral strains of herpes are HSV-1 and HSV-2. Some people have repeated episodes of cold sores on their mouths; these are caused due to the HSV-1 virus strain. Genital herpes, on the other hand, is caused by HSV-2. Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) that is very common among sexually active people.

The tricky thing about herpes infection is that you may not know you have it until a few days or weeks after being exposed to it. If unchecked, you could transmit it to another sexual partner unknowingly. This reiterates the need to always have protected sex with condoms and dental dams, and to get regularly tested for STDs.

What Are the Causes of Herpes?

The virus enters the body through mucous membranes, which are thin layers of tissue that line the openings of your body found in your nose, mouth, and genitals.

Once the virus particles enter the body, they enter the nerve cells of the pelvis and multiply there.

HSV-1 or HSV-2 can be found in people’s bodily fluids, including

• saliva

• semen

• vaginal secretions

What Are the Symptoms of Herpes?

Blistery Sores.

These open sores are one of the most obvious signs of herpes. They look like a blister and are quite painful when they open up. The sore starts out as a white-like blister, then turns red, and then scabs over.

Vaginal Discharge.

Vaginal discharge can be a sign of a multitude of other diseases; however, when they are accompanied by sores, it is probably due to herpes.

Other related symptoms include an itching around your lady parts, and a burning sensation while peeing.

Flu-like Symptoms.

One may experience generalized body ache, have a fever, headache, and chills.

Swollen lymph glands.

Our lymph nodes assist the body in fighting inflammation and infection. When they are actively fighting off the herpes virus, the lymph glands try to trap as many of the virus particles as they can, filling with fluid as a result. One can feel one’s lymph nodes along the underside of one’s jaw, armpits, or around your groin and notice that they feel hard and swollen.

Tingling and burning sensation.

People infected with herpes notice a weird tingling feeling around their genitals and along their legs. This sensation is attributed to the virus inhabiting the nerves, sending a pins-and-needles kind of feeling. It has been studied that taking over the counter medication for herpes or antivirals early can prevent the outbreak from progressing.

Medication for Herpes

If you consult with a physician immediately after the first outbreak, the doctor is likely to prescribe a herpes treatment of antiviral drugs, like Valacyclovir (Valtrex) or Acyclovir, for 7 to 10 days. Over the counter mediation for herpes or antiviral medication are extremely effective at reducing the severity of the symptoms, curbing, and preventing future outbreaks.

The two main antiviral medications—acyclovir and valacyclovir—are FDA-approved antiviral drugs that have been used as trusted herpes treatments for over two decades. The over the counter medications for herpes are available as pills and creams. While they are highly effective in their oral pill form, some studies have pointed out that pairing the pills with the same drugs in a topical cream increases the effectiveness of treatment.

Half-baked knowledge and fear often give rise to more problems than the real problem. Educate yourself and treat the herpes infection with the help of a trusted physician and over the counter medications for herpes.

Pediatrics — Helping Your Child

Finding the right healthcare for your family is a top concern for every parent. In fact, finding great children’s health care services nearby is one of the first worries. Although it is possible, it is not enough to just take your child to a nearby medical clinic or the hospital when something goes wrong. Having a pediatrician in your pocket should be your choice. Here are some of the top reasons to choose Jax pediatrics.

Pediatrics will set your worries at rest

Pediatrics in Jax offer qualified pediatricians who are always ready to see your child and be of all the help they can be. A good pediatrician knows that it’s not always easy to find someone quickly because emergencies can happen at any time. That’s why they are emergencies! So, when you have a pediatrician who knows your child and understands their health issues, then that is calming, and it puts you a step closer to knowing that everything will be all right. The pediatricians are there to help.

Pediatricians are specialists in children’s health

Medical professionals all specialize in something. Pediatricians specialize in providing medical care to children, and in understanding the ailments and health care issues that children have. If there are any significant concerns that parents would like to discuss with their children’s doctor then dedicated pediatrics in Jax will be helpful without being time consuming, frustrating, or costly.

Pediatricians know how to talk to children and to ease the minds of worried parents

Not every doctor knows how to talk to children and about children in the way a pediatrician does. The offices for pediatrics in Jax are child-friendly, and that means that children don’t worry or feel afraid when they go and see their doctor. Helping children is as much about appealing to children with the services provided.

Pediatricians are always there

Parents and caregivers can breathe easier knowing that they will always be able to see the pediatrician when they need to. Here, pediatrics in Jax help because they are always available. It is easy to make an appointment, and it is just as easy to see someone when it is necessary, 24-7. Pediatrics in Jax is close by, easy to access, and they have the expertise and knowledge to help your child right now.

Children need the same doctor until adulthood

When parents choose pediatrics in Jax instead of the family doctor, the pediatrician and the Pediatrics Care Center are there to help the child throughout their childhood. Imagine the comfort of knowing that your child will be seen at the same place from infancy to adulthood. That means that they will have records of health history and medication records that are kept for all those years. It is a big help and a peace of mind knowing that someone remembers exactly what that medicine was that was taken for a while back in the first grade!

Pediatric Care Centers in Jacksonville are more than just a clinic for the sick

Children can have all kinds of health issues, from a broken bone emergency to insomnia, to ADHD. If a parent does not have a pediatrician to see their child for all issues, then life becomes a constant search for a new specialist. Pediatrics in Jax can help with what you need. They put parents and children first.

Your child will always be served by the centers for pediatrics in Jax. The clinics are open every day, all day, and there is always a real person there answering the phone, ready to help you. Our services are dedicated to children, and we are dedicated to keeping children out of the emergency rooms! We cost less than an ER visit as well.

When you are choosing a great pediatrician in Jacksonville to help your child, look for a pediatrician and a center that provides quality care for all needs. Look for a place where all the staff has the proper compassion, the patience, and the commitment to provide that care. These things are essential. Find out as much as you can about the pediatrician and the pediatric care center that you are considering and choose the center for pediatrics in Jax that is close to where you live, but that also has the necessary skills to help.

Is Vaping Safe? -The Truth About Vaping

Revisions in vaping laws have given rise to many questions pertaining to the safety of the vaping practice. Is vaping safe? Is it truly an alternative to smoking? Is it addictive and many more such questions? Let us understand the basics of vaping in order to get answers to these piercing questions.

Electronic cigarettes, also known as e-cigarettes or vaporizers, are battery-powered devices that mimic the action of smoking. E-cigarettes contain a liquid-filled cartridge.

The liquid gets heated with the help of an atomizer. A heated filament in the atomizer vaporizes the liquid to produce a gas. The gas condenses with water in the atmosphere to form an inhalable aerosol.

The liquid, also known as e-liquid, e-fluid, e-juice, or vape juice is composed of water, nicotine, flavorings, and a propylene glycol (PG) or vegetable glycerin (VG) base (or sometimes a mixture of PG and VG).

The process of using such e-cigarettes is referred to as vaping.

Is Vaping Safe?

A 2019 study by the British Heart Foundation suggests that vaping may be less harmful to one’s blood vessels than smoking cigarettes1. The study was conducted on 114 people all of whom had smoked at least 15 cigarettes a day for at least two years. Within just one month of switching tobacco for electronic cigarettes, measures of the subjects’ blood vessel health, including blood pressure and stiffness of their arteries, had begun to show improvement. This shows that vaping may be less harmful to one’s blood vessels than smoking cigarettes.

Although, less harmful does not translate to completely safe.

It is evident due to multiple studies that vaping contains significantly fewer harmful chemicals. However, there is a lack of data pointing towards the long-term impact of the chemicals on heart health and other general aspects of health.

Experts are against the use of e-cigarettes and vaping by people who do not smoke, already. Although, vaping has also been recognized as a useful tool to help people quit smoking completely.

Many smokers with a heart condition have attempted to quit in the past and failed. Experts say, in such a case, an electronic cigarette makes quitting smoking a lot easier. Further down the line, though, it is important for people with a heart condition to quit vaping too.

Supporters believe that responsible marketing and regulation are needed to ensure the appropriate use, which will help spread the positive impact of vaping far and beyond. A report by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention further highlights the need for appropriate regulations2. According to their report, as of mid-January 2020, more than 2,600 people were hospitalized for e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury or related deaths. The majority of the cases were seen in people who admitted to having used illegal, unregulated vaping products, such as illicit vaping fluids containing THC, a derivative of cannabis, and vitamin E acetate.

In conclusion, those using vaping to quit smoking should only consume regulated products. Individuals e-cigarettes as a quitting tool should reduce the nicotine they vape and then stop when they feel the time is right. It is important for such individuals to recognize their own pace and act judiciously.

Some experts have even gone on to claim that to really feel the benefits of using an e-cigarette, one must stop smoking cigarettes completely. Once an individual quits smoking, the health benefits of smoking cessation are readily apparent. The risk of having a stroke or a heart attack begins to go down within a few hours, while the risk of getting cancer also begins to go down. Furthermore, symptoms of cough and sputum also begin to improve.

What You Should Know About Chlamydia?

According to CDC, Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted disease reported in the US. Almost four million people were infected with chlamydia in 2018. Many more were estimated as most people do not report Chlamydia because it can asymptomatic, meaning to have no or very minimal symptoms. It is also estimated that 1 in 20 sexually active women in the age of 14-24 years has Chlamydia.

What is Chlamydia?

Chlamydia belongs to a class of sexually transmitted diseases (like HIV, Gonorhhea) which attacks on the rectum, genitals and the throat . It is the most common STD transmitted by bacteria. Chlamydia Trachomatis is the most common culprit here. Although, we can’t callit the culprit, it is just doing its job. A pregnant woman can pass it to the foetus.

It can permanently damage the female reproductive system nulling the chanes of pregnancies. It can also give birth to ectopic pregnanicies (when the egg attaches itself anywhere outside the uterus).

How does Chlamydia spread?

As said earlier, the most common way to get Chlamydia is to have sexual intercourse without proper precautions (like not using the condoms. However, this is not the only case. If you’re getting oral sex from a person infected with Chlamydia in the mouth and throat, then you can also get the infection.

You can also get the infection if you’re giving oral sex to a person with chlamydia infected genitals. Other that these, rimming (oral-anal) contact can also cause Chlamydia.

What are the symptoms of Chlamydia?

Chlamydia can be asymptomatic too, which results in people not getting tested for it and spreading it through sexual encounters. Although there no vaccines to treat Chlamydia, Chlamydia medications can help with the symptoms. Some common symptoms of Chlamydia are:

When symptoms do occur, they usually take 2 to 3 weeks to appear but it can take as long as six weeks. Common symptoms vary depending on where the infection is:

●  Infections of the genitals can cause an unusual fluid (or discharge) to come out of the vagina or the penis, and pain when urinating (peeing).

●  Rectal infections can cause discharge or bleeding from the anus and pain in the anus.

●  Throat or mouth infections can cause a sore throat.

If it is not treated, chlamydia may lead to infertility, abdominal pain or pregnancy complications.

How to treat Chlamydia?

As mentioned earlier, there are no vaccines for chlamydia. So, you can’t get a shot and stay infection-free all your life. However, there are Chlamydia medicines which you can take to lower the spread of infections and other symptoms.

Chlamydia can be treated in two ways, the first one is a single dose and the second one is a course of aitbiotics. Your doctor will suggest you which way to go, so it is absolutely necessary to get tested right away if you feel you have Chlamydia.

If you’re given a single dose you should refrain from having sex for atleast seven days. If you’re doing an antibiotic course, you should refrain from sex until the course gets over.

What happens if you don’t treat Chlamydia?

The symptoms of Chlamydia can be different for men and women. Usually, Chlamydia pills can easily treat the infection. However, some people are ignorant about the infection or even try to treat it by themselves. In men, Chlamydia rarely does any real damage. The infections can spread up to the vas deferens which carries the sperm and bring out fever and pain. Chlamydia related conditions when men cannot have babies is really rare.

However, this is totally opposite in women. Chlamydia pills and doses, if not taken, can spread the infection to the fallopian tubes and the uterus leading to pelvic inflamatory disease. PID can cause permanent pelvic pain, inability to get pregnant, and even ectopic pregnancies.

Conclusion

Chlamydia is pretty common in teenagers and people in their twenties. It is also very common to talk about it in public. You can also discuss this with your partners and family. Wearing condoms is the safest way to deal with this infection. And if you have it, please go to the doctor.