COPD is an acronym of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. COPD describes lung diseases like chronic bronchitis, emphysema, refractory or non-reversible asthma and some form of bronchiectasis. COPD is characterized by enhanced breathlessness. COPD takes time to develop and has several stages. In the early stages of the disease, the symptoms are not noticeable. The symptoms are more pronounced in the developed stages of the disease. Contact the doctor as soon as you notice COPD symptoms. Request your doctor for a spirometry test. Symptoms of COPD COPD is characterized by the following symptoms: – Enhanced breathlessness – Wheezing – Frequent coughing with or without sputum – Tightness in the chest The risk factors and the common causes of the disease COPD can occur because of the following causes: – Inhaling pollutants and that includes cigarette smoking (active or passive). – Chemicals, fumes, and dust found in the work environment contribute to the occurrence of the disease. – A person’s bad genes can be the cause of the disease. – To sum it up, smoking, environmental factors, and genetic factors result in the occurrence of the disease. Early detection of the disease and subsequent treatment is advisable for patients with COPD condition. – There are several stages of COPD. Early detection of the disease can prevent lung impairment or death. In this context, it is important to understand the way the stages are detected. There is the GOLD staging system, and there is the BODE index. Doctors use the BODE index as it helps to understand better the severity of the symptoms or how COPD affects your life. There are other types of lung function tests that help in identifying the various stages of COPD. The stages of COPD The stages of COPD vary from mild to severe. It affects different persons differently.

Vitamins are elements that make the body grow and develop as you transform from a child into an adult. Including various food items in your diet or basking in the early morning sunlight can help fulfill only some part of the daily requirements of the body. As you grow, the nutritional value needed increases at a high rate, and this cannot be satisfied by a normal adult diet no matter how many additional portions you add to it every day. Doctors advise the use of supplements for these natural vitamins to cover up the gap and maintain overall well being. First of all, it is important to know the best natural vitamins that make up a balanced diet. Vitamin A This fat-soluble element is known by its scientific name Retinol and found in food items such as pumpkin, fish, spinach, etc. Ripe yellow fruits are responsible for fulfilling the requirement of Carotenoids. On the one hand, a deficiency of the same can cause night blindness; on the other hand, too much Vitamin A can cause hypervitaminosis. Vitamin B This is a complex water-soluble vitamin that is further divided into eight parts: Vitamin B1: Vitamin B1 or Thiamine is found in potatoes, eggs, and oatmeal. While beriberi is said to have been caused by a lack of this vitamin in the body, excessive intake of the same can result in drowsiness. Vitamin B2: Riboflavin, as it is known in the medical world, is essential to prevent stomatitis and anemia. Food items such as bananas, asparagus, and dairy products help attain the required nutritional value. Vitamin B3: The onset of a disease called pellagra can be triggered if Vitamin B3 or Niacin is not included in the diet. However, it should be noted that if taken immoderately, this vitamin can also result in liver damage.

Sitting in the backyard and enjoying the weather can be an issue especially in warmer seasons when mosquitoes freely buzz around and pose a potential threat to the health of your family. Although mosquito repellants serve as an interim solution to this problem, a proper backyard mosquito control becomes essential for permanent results. Before finding out ways to get rid of these tiny insects, it essential to know about the breeding cycle as well as common locations where they might reproduce. Understanding the breeding cycle – A female mosquito has the capacity of laying eggs multiple times after one session of mating with the male mosquito. The surface of the water body is where t he mosquito lays eggs, and these do not hatch until the water level rises due to rain, etc. While mosquitoes grow in a typical larvae-pupae-adult cycle, the time duration taken by each stage will depend on the species present in the backyard. Adult mosquitoes are capable of biting in the winter season as well. Possible locations – The eggs are laid in damp areas such as water and marshes where there is sufficient amount of moisture. In the backyard, the hotspots include areas such as gutters, pots, tires, bird baths, buckets and the like. It is noteworthy that mosquitoes can fly up to forty miles from the place of their birth. Reducing breeding areas can at least prevent them from mating and producing more mosquitoes in the house. The size of mosquitoes may be small, but their sting can cause life-threatening diseases. There are numerous backyard mosquito control measures, and a combination can be undertaken for effective elimination. Some mosquitoes are resistant to certain forms of control methods and therefore, hiring the services of a professional pest controller can ensure that the right method is used.

There are numerous holistic medicine schools in the United States that boast of offering high-quality education in overall wellness. A holistic program requires a long-term investment of time as well as effort, and therefore it is essential to have an awareness of what all should be expected from these schools. If you plan to get yourself enrolled in one of the holistic medicine schools, then here is some basic information that will provide you an overall understanding of the same. Holistic medicine schools aim to provide knowledge of the medicinal traditions and methods that have been used since ancient times in different parts of the world. If overall wellness interests you, then these educational programs provide interesting career options. These programs have started gaining attention only recently, particularly with the increasing shift in mindsets towards the importance of health in general. The value of yoga has increased magnanimously and faith of people in acupuncture has been restored. According to a report, customers for massage therapies have multiplied in the past few years. Today, holistic medicine is considered equally important by doctors, especially in physiotherapy treatments. Statistics have revealed that alternative approaches to medicine are being tried and tested by every individual. Holistic medicine schools have seen a surge in the number of students taking admission in the various courses offered by them. Given the enhanced importance of natural healing, opportunities for holistic medicine practitioners are growing at a fast pace. This has made students opt for the unconventional courses on naturopathy, chiropractic treatments, and others in holistic medicine schools. The kind of holistic medicine school you wish to choose will depend on the course you want to undertake and the field in which you want to work. While some holistic medicine schools offer courses focusing on one single specialty, others teach you a comprehensive list of age-old methods.

Fundamentally speaking, coughing is a normal activity. It is an activity to clean your throat from phlegm and other types of irritants. Nevertheless, a prolonged cough needs to be treated properly because it can be a symptom of health problems such as viral infection, bacterial infection, allergy, or GERD. Although there are over-the-counter medications available, you can treat a cough with the help of natural remedies. Here are the five best natural options for the treatment for cough: Licorice root tea Licorice root is one of the best natural remedies available to treat a cough. It is a well-known expectorant, and excellent demulcent properties can also be associated with licorice. This tea creates a soothing effect on your airways, and it also gets engaged in the process of thinning and loosening mucus. Treatment for cough becomes effective when the congestion is addressed, and the best remedies also control the inflammation effectively to reduce the throat irritation. That is what exactly happens with this licorice root tea. Two tablespoons of dried licorice root must be placed in a jug, and 8 ounces of boiling water should be poured into the jug. The water needs to cover the root completely, and you must steep it for 10 to 15 seconds before taking a full cup two times a day. Tea thyme Thyme has always been an excellent natural remedy for a wide range of health problems. The anti-microbial properties of thyme are excellent, and it relaxes the bronchi and trachea muscles with utmost efficiency. Opening up the airways also becomes a less complicated process with this wonderful natural remedy. First of all, you need to bruise two tablespoons of dried thyme (you can also use fresh thyme), and it should be placed in a mug. Eight ounces of boiling water should be poured over the bruised thyme, and then, you need to steep for 10 to 15 minutes.

What is a partial onset seizure? An abnormal electrical activity in the human brain causes these types of seizures. Specific underlying medical conditions can also lead to a seizure, and the patients have to keep a record of their seizures to assist the doctor to find out the triggers in a more efficient way. Here are the four important aspects you need to know about partial onset seizure: Learn about major symptoms of partial onset seizures Partial onset seizures can be classified into two categories, and they include simple partial seizures and complex partial seizures. As far as a simple partial onset seizure is concerned, you do not have to worry about losing consciousness. However, you may have to deal with a change in feelings or emotions at the same time. The way in which you hear, smell, or see things is also going to change. It can often be compared to a focal seizure without losing consciousness. When it comes to complex partial seizure, you may have to deal with the loss of consciousness and awareness. Meaningless or non-purposeful movements can be associated with a complex seizure. Rubbing your hands and smacking your lips are good examples and this type of partial seizure can also be referred to as focal dyscognitive seizure. Create better understanding of the leading causes Different types of lifestyle factors, underlying medical conditions and behaviors play an important role in triggering a seizure. If you can manage to find out the trigger, you will become successful in preventing future seizures. You can control some of the triggers in an easy way, but some others are really difficult to control. When you have to deal with a seizure, you have to consult with your doctor. You can take notes about the past seizures you have encountered, and this method helps your doctor find out the frequency of seizures and your pattern of behavior during each seizure.

Are you worried about cleaning your bathroom properly? Several people are of the opinion that bathroom cleaning is a tedious and time consuming process. If you are among them, you do not need to panic because these 10 bathroom cleaning tips will teach you how to make bathroom cleaning hassle-free, enjoyable, and result oriented. Offer maximum protection against mildew You need to realize that bathrooms are highly vulnerable to mildew growth. For reducing the spread of mildew, you must promote best air circulation. Keeping the bathroom windows open whenever possible ensures optimal air circulation. When you are running water, it is always advisable to switch on the bathroom. If you don’t have bathroom fans or windows, you can depend on dehumidifiers. Give special attention to clean the ceiling Most people spend maximum time for cleaning the tiles and fixtures in the bathroom. Unfortunately, they forget about the ceiling. It is a place where a lot of grime and mildew accumulate and you might be able to see a lot of spots as well. For cleaning the ceiling, a mop bucket needs to be filled with white vinegar and water in equal proportion, and a long-handled sponge mop should be dipped into this mixture before applying it to the ceiling to clean one section at a time. Clean mirrors carefully using a microfiber When you clean bathroom, you must make special efforts to clean the mirrors. A microfiber cloth is the best option and if you can manage to get flat weave, it will be perfect. This is one of the 10 bathroom cleaning tips where you just need to combine vinegar and water. This environment-friendly solution can be used to clean the mirrors with the help of microfiber cloth. Use natural products to clean the tiles Dirt and gems easily accumulate on the grouting between bathroom tiles.

Medical expenses are soaring high every passing day and it has become increasingly difficult for a commoner to identify the most practical and affordable medical insurance plan. Millions of people out there are struggling to find out affordable healthcare options. If you do not have an affordable health coverage, there are high chances that you might miss on the medical and financial benefits you may gain from doing so. Follow these five steps to make the best decision for all your medical requirements. Identify your marketplace Majority of the people get health coverage or insurance through an employer. If you have insurance through your employer, there is no need to utilize the marketplaces or government insurance exchanges. Your work can be described as your marketplace. However, if you still want to find an alternative plan in the exchanges, there are a lot of options available. You need to remember that the expenses of marketplace plans are always on the higher side. The least expensive option available is the insurance plans through employers. If your employer does not offer a health insurance benefit, you can search for the most affordable option available. Keep searching online for various options that will fit your bill. Compare different options before going forward to choose an insurance plan for yourself. Draw comparisons During the research phase, you will come across a lot of options that include POS, EPOs, PPOs and HMOs. When you compare various options, you must check the summary of benefits. Most online marketplaces offer a link to the summary and they display the price somewhere near the title of the plan. You must also go through the provider directory that gives details about the doctors and clinics associated with the plan’s network. The medical needs of your family must be assessed in a detailed manner while comparing different plans.

Asthma is a lung disorder which results in breathing difficulties, coughing, wheezing, and other symptoms. It is mainly caused by high air pollution, allergy, smoke, dust, cold conditions, and sinus. People who have asthma must focus on how to prevent asthma attacks and reduce it effectively for living a better life. They should follow certain tips for preventing asthma attacks successfully which help enhance the quality of life. Another thing is that they show ways for minimizing the risks in homes, working place, outdoors, and school to reduce potential threats. There are no proper medications available for treating asthma and one should know reducing and relieving the symptoms to improve the living standards. Asthma patients must keep some medicines with them in order to manage sudden attacks. Anyone who wants to know more about how to prevent asthma attacks can follow the below tips for accomplishing goals in life. Taking control over humidity Air quality contributes more in controlling the asthma problems. Poor air quality and extreme hot or cold might trigger asthma disorders in many people. Therefore, it is necessary to avoid them to minimize the symptoms. Moreover, it is always advisable to avoid the exposure of pollution in indoor and outdoor areas that ultimately give ways for keeping lungs in a healthy condition. The following pointers can help in controlling humidity. – Using an air conditioner in indoor areas will help to decrease high humidity levels. – It is advisable to live in an environment that is free from air-borne pollutants, dust, and high pollution. – Limiting the exposure to varying temperatures and damp climate might help prevent asthma attacks. Controlling the dust exposure Dust plays an important role in inducing asthma and people make sure that their home is in a tidy condition. It is an important one to reduce the dust levels and dust mites efficiently for living a trouble-free life.

Are you finding it difficult to lose weight despite following a low-fat and low-calorie diet and a strict workout regime? If you are consistent with your efforts and still not finding good results, you might be missing some essential vitamins and supplements that your body needs. Here are the top 5 vitamins and supplements for fast and effective weight loss: Glutamine This is an essential amino acid required by your body for building protein to maintain optimal muscle mass. You have to understand the fact that muscle plays a very critical role in shedding calories and the absence of sufficient amount of glutamine makes your weight loss efforts ineffective. Several studies have shown that taking glutamine supplements for a month helps people lose weight in a faster manner compared to taking protein supplement and the health experts also declared that glutamine was safe and effective for rapid weight loss. Foods such as cabbage, spinach, and beans are good sources of glutamine, and if you do not consume an adequate amount of these foods daily, you must take a dependable glutamine supplement to maintain your glutamine intake optimally. Fish oil Fish oil comprises of omega-3 fatty acids. Excellent health benefits can be associated with omega-3 and they not only aid fast weight loss but also enhance your overall heart health. Some people are doubtful because of the name ‘fatty acids.’ The fact of the matter is that fish oil supplements contain good fats and they encourage fast weight loss by efficient activation of enzymes that take up the responsibility of the fat burning process in cells. The natural sources of omega-3 fatty acids are nuts and salmon. Several people do not consume sufficient amount of these fatty acids through their foods and in such a situation, you have to take fish oil capsules to ensure proper supply of omega-3 fatty acids.