Arthritis and Available Treatments

Arthritis and Available Treatments

When it comes to arthritis, you need to know all the treatment options available. How you treat it will depend on the type of you have. Arthritis occurs naturally the older you get and this form is known as osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis and is defined by a painful degenerative joint disease. Osteoarthritis affects the joint locations such as the hips, knees, neck, and back. It can also affect smaller joints such as in the feet and hands.

 

Rhematoid Arthrtitis

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease which means your immune system turns on itself and begins attacking the joints and other organs. There are prescription medications that can help alleviate the pain from arthritis regardless of the type. With some types of arthritis such as RA, you’ll most likely be prescribed something to help with the inflammation from the immune system as well.

 

Lifestyle Changes Can Help with Arthritis

There are some things you can change yourself to help relieve the pain. Weight loss is typically ideal for those who are obese because it put extra pressure on your hips, knees, and feet. Of course, you should discuss this changes with your doctor first. Some non-pharmaceutical treatments involve physical exercise, yoga, physical therapy, and stretching. Stretching and yoga help increase flexibility and reduces the strain on neighboring muscles and joints over time. It can help make movements less painful and release tension.

CBD And Cannaboids

A question many ask: Can CBD (the non pyschoactive ingredient in Cannabis) help with Arthritis? While the general consensus is not quite clear yet, there are several studies that suggest that CBD (e.g. as CBD Oil or in CBD capsules) can help with the symptoms of arthritis, as CBD helps to fight inflammation in the joints by activating the pathways of CB2 receptors. If you are interested to find out more about CBD and its effects, you should check out the CBD Project, or talk to your GP.

Over the Counter Products for Arthritis

Some medications can be bought over the counter to help with arthritis such as an anti-inflammatory. These can help reduce the swelling in the affected joints. Heating pads are another great alternative. They help reduce stiffness and alleviate pain. Heat is not ideal for those dealing with swelling at the moment, however. If the swelling is present, it’s best to use a cold compress. There are hot/cold patches that you can wear or menthol gels and creams as well that many find to help get them moving easier.

 

Other Options

Although for most it’s ideal to get more exercise, many find that it’s just too strenuous and painful. Hydrotherapy is often recommended for those who find other exercises or therapy to be too hard. Hydrotherapy reverses the gravitation pull that affects the joints and allows you to move more freely. Massage is another option most could look into. Massaging the area whether it’s for yourself or a massage therapist can increase blood flow to the area and aid in healing. Many find that it also helps reduce stiffness in the morning. Muscles support the joints throughout the body. You’d be surprised at how much muscle pain can affect the joints. Acupuncture helps release the tension in the muscles and turn helps with arthritis pain as well.

 

Surgery

Even with all the treatments available, sometimes they just aren’t enough. Most doctors agree it’s better to go without surgery as long as possible, but for some it is necessary. If you’ve tried a combination of treatments for arthritis pain to no avail it may be time to talk with your doctor about other treatments such as surgery. If the cartilage in a joint is severely worn down, you may benefit from joint replacement. Through this procedure, the joint or joints will be replaced with artificial mechanisms that make moving easier and with much less pain.

Protecting Your Ears at the Gun Range

Protecting Your Ears at the Gun Range

If you visit gun ranges frequently and do not protect your ears from the noise, adverse hearing problems and hearing loss can quickly occur. Young and new shooters often get caught up in the excitement of being at the range and shooting guns, and while they may protect their eyes, their ears are a different story. Appropriate eye and ear protection should be used every time you visit the range. If you wanna find out some more after reading our articles, just check out : Shooting Hearing Protection Reviews.

 

Noise Hazards

 

Few people realize that all it takes is a single gunshot to permanently lose hearing in unprotected ears. Gunfire noise is the number one non-occupational cause of hearing problems. One shot from a .357 Magnum is equivalent to over 40 hours of noise in a loud workplace. Even if permanent hearing loss does not occur, you can still experience hearing problems, such as tinnitus, hissing, humming and ear pain if you do not protect your ears from gunshot noise.

 

OSHA Standards

 

Noise is measured in decibels (dB) and OSHA, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, has set a permissible level of exposure to noise at 115 decibels for just 15 minutes. While each gun has its own decibel level, depending on how it is made and its caliber, a gunshot averages between 150 and 160-dB. According to the American Speech-Language Hearing Association and the University of Central Michigan, permanent hearing damage can occur in unprotected ears when exposed to decibel levels exceeding 140.

 

Noise Amplification

 

Additionally, as the amplitude level of noise increases, the time in which your ears go undamaged decreases. You also have to take into account where you are shooting your gun. An indoor gun range causes reverberation which can amplify the decibel level, while outdoor gun ranges allow sound waves to dissipate. Muzzle breaks and other modifications can amplify the decibel level as well.

 

Hearing Damage

 

Even small caliber guns like the .22 still produce noise levels at or just over 140-dB and pistols or big-bore rifles produce decibel levels over 175. Many people think that hearing protection hampers their shot or is unnecessary because they’ve shot before and never experienced any problems. However, hearing loss can occur from a single instance as well as be caused cumulatively. Just because you think there has been no damage sustained by your ears, it doesn’t mean that is the case. Hearing damage can occur each time you are in close range of a gunshot and that damage can add up to severe ear pain and permanent hearing loss.

 

Select Appropriate Ear Protection

 

Selecting ear protection that provides an acceptable noise reduction rating is essential for protecting your ears. The greater the noise level, the higher the noise reduction rating should be. For general gun range needs, the noise reduction rating should be no less than 25. Ear plugs only allow for minimum protection and passive ear muffs are great if you shoot infrequently or have a small caliber gun. However, if you have a loud gun or shoot often or for extended times, electronic hearing protection headsets are a great investment.

 

Once your hearing is gone, it does not come back, so take the necessary steps to protect your ears while you are at the gun range.

 

Tips & Tricks for Sewing Beginners

Tips & Tricks for Sewing Beginners

If you’re just starting out with sewing, then it might seem a bit intimidating. A lot can go wrong, from unseemly seams to mismatched pieces. If you don’t know what to do, then chances are you’ll make a few mistakes. Thankfully there are a few tips and tricks to help even the most novice beginners sew better.

 

1 – Get the Right Equipment.

 

Believe it or not, not all needles and scissors are made equal. Look for dressmaking scissors or a mat with a rotary cutter. Also select the correct needle for the materials you’ll be using (such as thicker, longer needles for upholstery work, thicker needles for denim, so on).

 

2 – Always Double (and Triple!) Check.

 

There’s a saying you’ve probably heard before ‘cut once; measure twice’. Always measure and measure and measure to ensure that you’ve got everything done right before you cut. You can always alter a garment before you cut, but once you start cutting, it becomes a lot harder. Double check your measurements, placements, and pieces (ensuring that you have 1 right and 1 left arm cut out rather than 2 right or left arms) are correct.

 

3 – Wash and Dry Your Fabric Before You Sew.

 

Wash and dry your fabric after you buy it, and before you sew it. This helps to reduce the amount of shrinkage you can expect after your finished product. This ensures that it fits you better and as it should. If you’re working with a fabric that can’t typically be washed and dried at home (like wool), take it to a dry cleaner to be pre-shrunk.

 

4 – Iron Pattern Pieces – and the Fabric, Too!

 

Iron your pattern pieces with a dry iron to ensure that you get a more accurate shape. Patterns are very easily crumpled and should be treated with care. For even more accurate results, you should also iron the fabric you intend to use (if it can be ironed).

 

5 – Pin the Pieces Together.

 

It’s much easier, whether you’re sewing by hand or with the best sewing machine for beginners, to sew close to the seam when you pin the pieces together. Always make sure, though, that you’re sewing the garment or item ‘inside out’. You will flip it right side out when you’re finished.

 

6 – Use the Whole Length of the Scissors.

 

To ensure cleaner, straighter cuts, use the entire length of your scissors when cutting. Stop right before the tip of the scissors, then start again. This will help your cuts look crisper and be easier to sew.

 

7 – Use a Flat Surface.

 

When you’re doing your cutting and other prep work, using a large, flat surface is incredibly important. Most people find that the dining room table is amply flat and large. Find a space that isn’t cluttered and has room for you to spread out all of your equipment.

 

Sewing is an amazing hobby and you can expect to at the very least save money with it (if not earn a little!) Don’t be afraid to experiment and have fun, but follow these basic tips and tricks for a better overall experience!

CBD Vape Juice – An Overview

CBD Vape Juice – An Overview

The Ins and Outs of Vape Juice

CBD (cannabidiol) vape juice, in a nutshell, is a relatively new phenomenon in the vaporization world. Vape juice refers to the fluid that’s used in conjunction with electronic cigarettes and vaporizers. “E-liquid” and “e-juice” are a couple other common names for it. Vaping enthusiasts heat vape juice prior to beginning the vaping process. There are many diverse choices in vape juices accessible to vaping fans lately. They’re made in many flavors that can enhance users’ vaporization experiences considerably as well. People can easily find classic vape juices in popular flavors including watermelon, strawberry, strawberry banana, strawberries and cream, grapefruit, blueberry, grape, cheesecake, bubble gum, vanilla custard, raspberry syrup, French vanilla and cream cheese icing. Strong and pleasant vape juice flavor is thought by many to strengthen vaping sessions and make them significantly more enjoyable and relaxing.

CBD Vape Juice Details

There are indeed many options in vape juices out there. More and more people these days are turning to CBD vape juices now as well. These are e-liquids that consist of cannabidiol, a natural compound that’s linked to relaxation benefits. Many people depend on CBD for anxiety relief. There are also people who depend on it for additional health benefits. There are quite a few people who believe that CBD has the ability to minimize vomiting and nausea. There are also many believe who believe that it can help with depression, anxiety, cancer, tumors, respiratory disorders, neurodegenerative conditions, inflammatory conditions, psychosis and seizures. People who suffer from chronic breathing conditions such as asthma sometimes turn to CBD for assistance and relief.

CBD Vape Juice Background Information

CBD vape juice is derived from the hemp plant. The liquid originates in the plant’s stalks and stems. It’s not the same as hemp seed oil, however, although some individuals occasionally confuse the two. CBD oil offers quick action. That’s one reason people who enjoy vaping often appreciate it so much. If you’re trying to find an e-liquid that can offer you the gift of tranquility, CBD vape juice may be a good match for you and for your vaporization setup. CBD vape juice is rising in popularity among vapers who want to wind down without any of the potential risks of addiction.

Shopping for CBD Vape Juice

CBD vape juice use is on the rise these days. That’s why the liquid is becoming easier and easier for vapers to purchase. If you want to reap the benefits of this natural juice, you can turn to the Internet with pure confidence. There are seemingly countless online retailers that sell CBD vape juice of all varieties. They exist in all dosages. They exist in a vast array of appealing flavors as well. Prices for CBD vape juice run the gamut. There are some CBD vape juices that are rather inexpensive. There are others, however, that are considerably pricier. Your goal should be to locate a CBD vape juice product that’s within your budget. It also should be, however, to find a product that’s reputable and reliable. Nothing matters more than your safety, comfort, convenience and peace of mind, after all. If you wish to revel in serenity without any concerns of addiction or anything else, you should explore all of your CBD vape juice choices as soon as possible.

Improving Lives Through Robotics Technology

People’s lives have been immensely improved by advancements in robotics technology.   What was once impossible is now already attainable.

Adaptive and assistive technology, as well as brain-computer interface and implants, are only a few of the advancements that benefited the disabled.

Adaptive Technology

People with disabilities, including the blind, have also benefited from robotics technology.  In the 80s, adaptive technology for people with sight impairments was developed.  Experts have developed programs capable of synthetic speech based on texts appearing on screens and later on through scanned texts.

Robotics and computers have changed lives for the better.  Around the world, a lot of children cannot attend school because of hearing or visual impairments, however, because of adaptive technology, learning is made possible.

BCI Technology

It is the goal of experts developing assistive technologies to aid those who are living with physical impairments.  That is why extensive studies of brain-computer interface (BCI) is constantly pursued.

While viewed by many as invasive, the advantages of using neuroprosthetics cannot be understated.  Vital functions such as sensing and motor capabilities are revived.  Lost limbs can now be replaced by synthetic parts capable of transmitting signals to senses.  Those who are hearing impaired benefit from cochlear implants.

Brain implants have also been introduced to help those afflicted by Parkinson’s disease.  A very tiny device is embedded in a particular region of the brain so that electrical impulses reaches other regions thereby triggering the required movement.

Not all BCIs are invasive.  There are those that involve merely neuroimaging, functioning as an interface tool.  Signals are meant to stimulate implants to trigger movement.  This non-invasive method can be a substitute for surgical procedures involving the brain.

Cochlear Implant Procedures

Those who are hearing impaired benefit from cochlear implants.  These implants have been popular in Europe and to date, more than 120,000 patients have benefited from it.  In three years’ time, it is projected that hearing impaired children could already be receiving cochlear implants before they even reach their 5th birthday.

Ethical issues could spring from robotics and technological advancements, yet no one is blind to the glaring benefits of applying these in the lives of people today.  They provide each person the opportunity to lead a healthier life and with it come the privilege to engage in work and worthwhile activities.