Health

A biopsy is a medical process wherein a small amount of tissue is taken out of the body. The sample taken will be examined through a microscope so that the doctor will see any abnormal cells. If your doctor is requesting a biopsy, you don’t have to worry about anything. They are just trying to understand what is going on inside you.

What are biopsies for?

Biopsies are often used to diagnose cancer. It is done if you can feel a lump or a little swelling in the body with no possible cause. A biopsy is conducted to determine where exactly the cancer cell is located.

Inflamed organs can also be seen after a biopsy. It identifies the particular cells that are affected as well as the specific reason for the inflammation.

It can further assess the condition of a current disease too. It also determines the stage and type of cancer so that your doctor can provide you with the best course of treatment for you.

Different types of biopsies

• Punch biopsy. This is done to diagnose different kinds of skin conditions. A small hole is punched by an instrument to remove a sample of skin.
• Needle biopsy. This is done for organs that are underneath the skin. A long needle is inserted through the skin to reach the kidney, thyroid, liver and bone marrow.
• Endoscopic biopsy. A thin flexible telescope is used to view different organs. A biopsy of a tissue is taken during this procedure. An example of which is gastroscopy.
• Perioperative biopsy. This is done during surgery wherein the surgeon takes a small amount of tissue and examines it for a few minutes. It aids doctors to asses how they shall proceed with the operation.

Who should undergo a biopsy?

The best person to assess if a patient needs to undergo a biopsy is an internist or an organ specialist. It can also be used to check for another type of diseases that may be a side effect of an existing treatment. Before a biopsy is performed, it may be necessary for the patient to undergo a private scan in London to assess which organ should undergo the biopsy.

If your doctor suspects that your current condition is worsening, they may also request a biopsy. The result of the biopsy can help doctors to provide you with a much better course of treatment to enhance your condition.

Risks and complications

There are only 2 major risks of biopsy – bleeding and infection. Bleeding is normal, especially if a cut is necessary. Infections may be prevented by inducing medication prior to the procedure. A patient may also experience nausea, fever, vomiting and excruciating pain. If in case you feel any of these, inform your doctor immediately.

Aside from those mentioned above, there are several reasons as to why a doctor might request a biopsy. So next time your doctor requests you to undergo such a procedure, don’t think its cancer. They might just want to further understand what is going on in your body.

10 Telltale Signs of Alocholism

The problem with drug addiction is that the drugs reduce the users’ ability to self-evaluate. This is especially true when it comes to alcoholism. If you suspect you might have a drinking problem, here are 10 telltale signs of alcoholism.

Alcoholism is becoming more common.

A recent study found that one in eight American adults are alcoholics. That’s 12.2 percent of the U.S. population!

The problem with drug addiction is that the drugs reduce the users’ ability to self-evaluate. This is especially true when it comes to alcoholism.

If you suspect you might have a drinking problem, here are 10 telltale signs of alcohol addiction.

1. Hiding or Lying About Your Drinking

If you find yourself hiding anything about your drinking, you probably have a problem. You wouldn’t lie about how much you had to drink if you thought it was normal. Denial is familiar with addiction.

Be honest with yourself and your family. If you don’t have a problem, you shouldn’t have anything to hide.

2. Drinking to Feel Better

If you need alcohol for a mood boost, you may have an unhealthy addiction. A glass of wine or beer while toasting at a special occasion or a night out with friends is normal. If you drink to feel better because you are unhappy, there is a big red flag.

Alcohol mood enhancement is only temporary and can increase anxiety and depression. Using alcohol to get rid of your stress, unhappiness, or negative feelings will not help you in the long run.

If you have a bad day and feel like you need to drink more, you may be drinking as an emotional crutch. You should be able to relax without drinking. If you don’t think you can enjoy yourself without alcohol, you most likely have some sort of dependence.

3. “Blacking Out” Regularly

Having so much alcohol that you don’t remember what happened is a big problem. You drink too much. You should clearly remember most of your night as if you hadn’t been drinking.

You are drinking an excessive amount of alcohol to have this happen. Your brain cannot function normally when you have extreme blood alcohol levels. If this happens regularly, this is a huge red flag for a serious problem.

You shouldn’t risk brain damage for alcohol. Alcoholism can lead to irreversible brain damage. If you black out often, its time to seek professional help.

4. Drinking at Weird Times

Having alcohol first thing in the morning is a sign of a big problem. If you can’t start your day without a drink, you have a significant issue. Drinking before work is definitely not normal.

If you take medication but still drink, this is another big red flag. Also, you shouldn’t be consuming a significant amount of alcohol before you drive or go to work. If you do, you are willing to take risks that make alcohol a big priority in your life.

5. Relationship Problems

Do you have regular arguments with your family or friends about your drink? You may be addicted if you can’t give up alcohol even after your family or friends have expressed concern.

It’s difficult to turn your back on your family, and you wouldn’t do that if you didn’t have a problem. The sooner you address your drinking habits, the sooner you can heal your body and your relationships. Your family and friends should be the essential thing in your life.

6. Drinking More

Has your tolerance increased? If you find that you can drink more than you used to, this could be a sign you are an alcoholic. Having a higher tolerance means your body is exposed to alcohol enough that it has learned to process it better.

When you increase the amount you drink, your health also declines. You may notice that once you start drinking more, you gain weight, have memory issues, experience blackouts, or have tremors.

7. Experiencing Withdrawal

Having withdrawal is not a hangover. It is a reaction to lack of alcohol. You may feel tired, depressed, anxious, or irritable.

Other symptoms are sleeping issues, appetite changes, and shakiness. Hangovers can have some of the same effects, but if you experience these symptoms for days, this is not a hangover.

Your body is telling you that it is physically addicted to alcohol. These symptoms will subside after you eliminate alcohol for a long time. Your body will readjust to your healthier state of mind.

8. Not Wanting to Quit or Can’t

Have you tried to quit drinking and realize you can’t? You may need additional help to quit. Because you can’t stop on your own, this means you probably have an alcohol addiction.

It’s not unusual for some of us to want to cut back our drinking at some point. Once you are addicted, you won’t be able to cut it back.

Your body relies on alcohol when you have an addiction. Withdrawal can also be life-threatening, so you may need medical assistance as you begin your recovery.

9. Changes in Your Face

Have you noticed any changes in your face? Physical signs of alcoholism include broken capillaries and flushed skin on your face. These symptoms can range from rosy cheeks to large blood vessels visible on your face.

Having large amounts of alcohol in your bloodstream regularly damages your skin and your smaller blood vessels. If you have any of these signs, your body is changing, and you need to seek help.

10. Trembling Hands

Trembling hands is a big sign of alcoholism. If you notice your hands are shaking after you drink, this is because the alcohol damages the nerves in your body.

You may also notice shaky hands when you quit drinking for good. If you have a physical dependence, your body will shake if it doesn’t get alcohol. You will also have issues with your fine motor skills like writing or using utensils.

Seeing Signs of Alcoholism?

There are different stages of alcoholism. If you start to notice any of these symptoms above, it may be time for you to face reality. You may need help.

The most significant step is admitting you need help. There are several ways for you to get the help you need. Do some soul searching to see what is right for you and your family.

Need Other Advice?

If you want to read some entertaining stories, check out We are Augustines for articles on music, lifestyle, home, and fashion.

Help! How Do I Know If I Have Sun Poisoning?

When you’re spending a lot of time out in the sun, you have to use an SPF to protect your skin. However, we know sometimes it’s easy to forget to put it on (or reapply it) and we end up with a sun burn. But… What are the signs that indicate your sun burn is actually sun poisoning? Read our article and find out more.

Studies have shown that about 30 percent of all Americans get a sunburn at least once every year.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention does its best to tell people the dangers of going out in the sun without sunscreen. Unfortunately, there are still millions of Americans who do it anyway.

In some rare cases, people are also subjected to more than sunburn. They could get sun poisoning, which is an extreme form of sunburn with even worse consequences.

It can be unpleasant dealing with sun poisoning. In some cases, it can lead to serious health consequences if you aren’t careful.

Here are some of the ways you’ll know you’re likely dealing with a bad case of sun poisoning after a day out in the hot sun.

It Feels Like Your Body Is Battling the Flu

Does your body feel awful after spending a lot of time out in the sun?

This is one of the first signs of sun poisoning. It can almost feel like you’re dealing with a sudden bout of the flu when it first starts to kick in.

When you have sun poisoning, your body releases a bunch of chemicals that send your immune system springing into action. Those chemicals make you feel run down zaps your energy.

The good news is that this proves your immune system is doing its job. The bad news is that it’s a sign that you’re going to feel a little under the weather for at least a day or two.

Your Skin Is Very Prickly and Sensitive to the Touch

Any time you get a sunburn, your skin will feel very sensitive. Even something as simple as your T-shirt rubbing against it will irritate your skin and make you want to scream.

When you are battling sun poisoning, this feeling will be about 100 times worse. A little wind blowing against your red, raw skin will feel like a fire blazing over top of it. You’ll want to jump out of your skin and get relief as quickly as you can.

Unfortunately, this feeling is going to last for quite some time. It’s part of the healing process, and there’s nothing you can do to make the pain go away completely.

But you can try these steps to make your skin feel better:

• Apply aloe vera to your skin
• Jump into a cold shower every so often
• Place a cold compress over your skin
• Take ibuprofen to relieve some of the pain

Again, there’s no surefire cure for this level of sunburn. But with a little bit of patience, your skin will likely start to feel better in a day or two.

You’re Very Dizzy and Lightheaded

When your body gets too much sun, it can zap your hydration levels. This is especially true if you didn’t drink much water while you were laying in the sun.

When you’re dehydrated, you will usually feel dizzy and lightheaded. You might even have a touch of nausea and feel like you’re going to throw up at any moment.

Rehydrating your body will take time. You should start drinking something that contains electrolytes right away. You’re going to need more than water to get the job done.

You should also avoid alcoholic beverages or anything that is going to dehydrate you any further.

You Have a Fever

When you first step out of the sun, you are, of course, going to feel a little bit warm. The sun is going to cause your temperature to go up a bit.

But if you still feel warm long after you’ve come in from out of the sun, it could be a big problem. If you develop a fever, you might be experiencing sun poisoning.

It’s generally better to be safe than sorry when it comes to a fever associated with being out in the sun. You might want to consider taking a trip to the doctor’s office to get your condition checked out sooner than later.

If nothing else, you should take an over-the-counter medicine designed to bring your temperature down and see if it helps.

Your Skin Starts to Blister

As your skin starts to heal following sun poisoning, you may see blisters start to develop in the affected areas.

On the one hand, this is a good sign because it shows that your body is making an effort to heal. On the other, blisters can allow germs and bacteria to work their way into your body if you aren’t careful while treating them.

You should continue to apply aloe vera to your skin as it heals. This will moisturize it and promote quicker healing.

You should consider seeing a doctor if you experience any blistering on your face, your hands, or any other sensitive areas.

Your Skin Doesn’t Feel How It Usually Does With a Sunburn

There are a lot of people who will brush off sun poisoning thinking it’s just sunburn.

While you don’t want to get paranoid about your condition, you should keep a close eye on anything that looks like sunburn. Make sure that it doesn’t develop into something worse.

If you’re experiencing unbearable pain that won’t go away no matter what you do, it’s time to bring a doctor into the mix to diagnose you.

You should also keep an eye on your skin for signs of skin cancer and other problems following bouts of sunburn and poisoning. This office can provide you with more information.

Avoid Sun Poisoning at All Costs

You can prevent sun poisoning by wearing sunscreen and staying away from too much sun exposure.

It will reduce your chances of dealing with sunburn and poisoning and reduce the risks of sun cancer.

Take a look at our blog to read more about leading a healthier lifestyle.

10 Gym Accessories You Must Have

When taking off for the gym, you want to be as prepared as possible. These 10 gym accessories will keep your workouts, simple, efficient, and way more fun.

Working out may not always seem appealing from the start, but it makes you feel so much better once you actually do it — physically, mentally and emotionally.

Sometimes just some shoes and a little motivation are all you need to enjoy a great workout.

However, it can be exciting to try a variety of gym accessories to spice up your workouts, too.

Here’s a rundown of 10 gym accessories that will keep your workouts simple, efficient and way more fun.

Let’s dive in!

1. Top Gym Accessories Include the Mobility Ball

You can use a mobility ball prior to your workout to regain tissue suppleness and mobility.

Breaking up chest adhesions as well as glutes that are knotted up is possible simply by lying and sitting on the ball, respectively. Using this type of ball is essentially like getting a deep-tissue massage on the go.

2. Fitbit

No workout is complete without a Fitbit on your wrist.

This device is excellent for tracking your weight, exercise, and activity, but it’s also a great way to keep track of your sleep and food intake — factors that no doubt play a major role in your health.

3. Resistance Bands

These bands are a great addition to your workouts, as they’ll keep the user’s body changing and his or her muscles guessing.

Resistance bands are essentially fat-blasting, lightweight and portable bands that offer varying levels of resistance to meet your unique needs. What’s great about these bands is that you can use them to get in a great workout even if all of the machines in the gym are taken.

4. Mini Bands

These are other types of portable bands that can easily enhance your workout.

The bands, nine inches long, are excellent for warming up your glutes and hips quickly and efficiently. You can even use them to warm up your shoulders.

5. Weightlifting Belt

If you’re into lifting weights, you can’t go wrong with a weightlifting belt. This gym accessory allows you to lift heavy weights without ruining your back long term.

How so?

For starters, they are designed to prevent injuries, especially orthopedic injuries. These belts also reduce the amount of stress placed on your spine, which is critical as you get older.

In addition, with this type of belt, your body is essentially forced to complete squats and deadlifts with the perfect form. Again, this helps to prevent injuries and improves your biomechanics.

Weightlifting belts are especially recommended for serious lifters who have been lifting weights for one to two years.

6. Knee Sleeves

Lifting weights can make your muscles stronger but have the opposite effect on your knees.

Deadlifts and squats can, unfortunately, place large amounts of pressure on them. Explosive athletics, such as football and basketball, can, too.

You might not notice problems with your knees when you’re younger, but the wear and tear will eventually catch up with you. That’s why knee sleeves are such an important gym accessory for weightlifters.

Knee sleeves keep your knees warm during training, which ensures that plenty of blood is flowing through them. This allows essential nutrients to get to the knees and help them to heal, thus increasing your recovery time.

If you are over 25 years of age and plan to lift weights long term, knee sleeves are worth the investment for protecting your cartilage down the road.

7. Grenadier Grips

This is yet another must-have accessory if you’re a weightlifter.

Training with a thick bar is an excellent way to make your forearms and arms thicker. The problem is that the majority of gyms lack thick bars.

The solution? Turn your dumbbells or bars into thick bars with some Grenadier Grips.

Not only will you get thicker arms but also these grips take pressure off of your joints. In fact, many athletes claim that training with Grenadier Grips for several months helped them to iron out imbalances in their upper body muscles.

8. Music

One of the most enjoyable parts of any workout? The blood-pumping music you listen to for confidence and motivation.

Of course, one of the most annoying things about using headphones is having them fall out frequently during rigorous gym workouts.

Fortunately, with the right headphones — such as Beats by Dre — you don’t have to face this problem anymore. Beats by Dre are made to remain in place no matter your ear shape and size. Finally, you can blast your favorite 90s tune with no fear.

9. Fitness Gloves

Whether you enjoy using a rowing machine or lifting weights, you may notice that your hands become raw pretty quickly. And who wants horrible callouses covering their hands?

You can prevent this problem simply by adding fitness gloves to your gym bag. These fingerless, ventilated gloves offer great grip so that you can continue to exercise while saving your palms from painful friction.

10. Bench Blaster

Breaking through your plateau on the bench press is one of the most exciting experiences you’ll have as a weightlifter. But sometimes you can’t do this on your own. You need the help of a Bench Blaster.

If you have bench pressed for years but have noticed that your chest isn’t growing like it used to, the Bench Blaster can help you to add weight relatively quickly.

Finally, you can see some gains and thus reignite your motivation to hit the gym time and time again.

How We Can Help

We offer a wide range of tips and advice on various topics, ranging from health to business and daily living.

For example, through our site, you can find out the benefits of sauna sessions, the advantages of soul searching, and even how to create the perfect content marketing plan for promoting your business.

We also cover fashion in our online magazine with the goal of helping you to keep your look unique and current. Our goal is to help you to put your best foot forward in all aspects of your life.

For more working-out tips in particular, contact us to learn more about today’s popular gym accessories and how you can take your workouts to the next level this summer and beyond.

The water treatment process requires chemical solutions like corrosion inhibitors, oxidizers, surfactants and ion exchange resins to properly complete tasks. These crucial products need to be delivered safely and securely so that the entire system runs on schedule without error. To guarantee that the chemical solutions arrive in the best state possible, you should turn to a reliable supplier with a keen awareness of industry standards and superior customer service.

One essential way to ensure safe and secure delivery is to use packaging and labeling techniques that protect the product. Last year, the National Science Foundation updated their specifications for packaging water treatment chemicals to avoid someone possibly disrupting or tampering with products — these requirements are meant to provide additional security and act as evidence of human interference when supplies are breached or missing.

 

Type of Packaging	Requirements
Bags and Supersacks	·         Labels with the company’s name ·         Seals that are destroyed upon opening or that make resealing improbable
Drums and Small Containers	·         High-quality construction ·         Packages need to display the company’s name ·         Seals that are destroyed upon opening or that make resealing improbable
Bulk Shipments and Big Reusable Containers	·         Non-reusable tamper-evident seals ·         Seals should be numbered and tracked before and after delivery ·         Or enforce a chain of custody protocol

If you want your chemical products to meet these high standards, you should find a chemical solutions provider that is highly invested in the Canadian water and wastewater treatment industry. Their involvement in the industry shows just how committed they will be to meet demands for additional safety, security and verification. A supplier like CCC Chemicals is an ideal choice for this because they are long-time participants with organizations in the water treatment field, like the Water Environment Federation and the American Water Works Association. Their chemical products are certified by the National Science Foundation, the organization that came up with the official packaging requirements.

CCC Chemicals can also cater to customers in the municipal water and wastewater treatment industry by having multiple services for packaging, labeling, storing and transporting chemical product orders. The company has ISO 9001 certified facilities equipped with automated multi-purpose bagging operations — the bulk bags range in sizes, starting at 20kg and going as high as 1200kg for customer convenience. They provide labeling and Material Safety Data Sheet options for all newly packaged products. If immediate transportation is not needed, the supplier can also store bulk orders securely until the products should be delivered — these tanks are in full-spill containment areas and are heavily-monitored by facility workers. Finally, the orders can be transported by dry vans or liquid bulk tankers readied with GPS devices for the quickest delivery time. The company’s regulatory zeal guarantees that chemical products get delivered to their destination swiftly and safely.

The delivery of chemical solutions is an important step in the ordering process, which means you need to find a supplier that doesn’t neglect the aspects of packaging, labeling and transportation. When these security elements are taken seriously, you are sure to end up with the exact materials that you want.

8 Tell-Tale Signs of Low Testosterone in Men

Been feeling tired, weak, low on motivation, or lacking your usual drive? Now is a good time to get familiar with the signs of low testosterone.

If someone were to ask you right now what testosterone does, you would probably name some of the commonly understood things. It builds strength and muscle mass and improves sex drive, right? It’s the hormone that gives men their more masculine traits.

But that’s not all it does. And when men age, their testosterone levels start to drop and they start feeling less and less like themselves every day.

There are a number of different signs of low testosterone and we’re going to walk you through them here.

What is Testosterone?

Testosterone is a part of a class of male hormones called androgens, or steroids. It’s androgenic, which means it causes physical male characteristics, and anabolic, which means it develops muscle.

Testosterone is produced in the testicles and the adrenal glands and it’s involved with a lot of different processes in the body. It controls the development of male sex organs and the secondary sexual characteristics, like penis size and facial hair.

The boost of testosterone that comes during puberty is also the cause of the various growth spurts boys experience.

Testosterone is very important for sex drive, red blood cell production, sperm production, fat distribution, and muscle mass and strength.

Signs of Low Testosterone

There are a lot of different things that can happen when testosterone production slows.

1. Low Sex Drive

As we mentioned, testosterone is a key ingredient in a man’s libido or sex drive. Some men might start to experience less of a sex drive as they get older naturally. However, someone with low testosterone will probably experience a dramatic drop in this desire.

2. Erectile Difficulty

Testosterone also helps men achieve and keep an erection. It won’t cause an erection on its own, but it does cause the receptors in the brain to produce nitric oxide, which helps to trigger the necessary chemical reactions that do cause an erection.

If a man doesn’t have enough testosterone, they will have a hard time achieving an erection. They could also deal with spontaneous erections as well.

But, like we said, this is only one of the many factors that allow for men to have proper erections. There is inconclusive research about whether or not testosterone replacement therapy will help erectile dysfunction. You can discover more about hormone replacement therapy here.

There are a lot of other health issues that play a part in erectile issues. These issues could be:

• Diabetes
• Issues with the thyroid
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Smoking
• Alcohol
• Depression
• Stress
• Anxiety

If you suspect that any of these issues are causing erectile dysfunction, talk to your doctor today.

3. Less Semen Volume

Men with less testosterone often experience less volume in their semen.

4. Hair Loss

For most men, balding is a perfectly natural part of aging. This is another aspect that testosterone has an effect on, as it also helps to produce hair.

There is a large portion of balding that men inherit through genetics, but lower testosterone will also cause low body and facial hair as well.

5. Fatigue

Men also report a change in their energy levels as well. If you experience extreme fatigue, getting tired despite getting adequate sleep, or finding it more difficult to get yourself moving throughout the day, you might be dealing with a loss of testosterone production.

6. Less Muscle Mass and More Body Fat

Studies show that testosterone probably affects muscle mass, but it doesn’t seem to play much of a part in the strength or function of those muscles. Still, as testosterone does have a lot to do with the production of musculature, low T can sometimes show up as a decreased muscle mass.

Additionally, men with low testosterone tend to experience more body fat. Particularly, they develop enlarged breast tissue.

Both estrogen and testosterone exist in both men and women, so when one of those hormones gets out of whack, the other is more prevalent. This is why men start to develop the appearance of breasts when their testosterone levels drop.

7. Decreased Bone Mass

Women are usually the ones associated with osteoporosis or the thinning out of bone mass. However, if a man has low testosterone they could very easily experience this as well. Older men tend to have a lower bone volume, making their bones more easily broken.

8. Mood Changes

This is one of the most obvious changes in men with low testosterone. Testosterone is a hormone that very easily triggers different mood and mental states.

In addition to this, the other aspects of low testosterone often cause less self-esteem, which only makes a foul mood or mental illness worse.

Men with low testosterone more often deal with depression, irritation, and a lack of focus.

The Drop in Testosterone

When women deal with menopause, they experience a quick drop in their hormone levels. But men usually deal with these drops in smaller increments over a longer period of time.

The older a man is, the more likely he will experience low T levels. And these symptoms can happen with T levels as low as 300.

Low Testosterone

If you notice that you have three or more of the above-mentioned signs of low testosterone, it would be a good idea to talk to your healthcare professional for information on what to do next.

Sometimes the fix can be as simple as a change in diet and exercise, but sometimes medication or hormone replacement therapy is needed.

For more information about living a healthy lifestyle, visit us today!

What is the Point of a Sauna? 5 Health Benefits of a Sauna Session

You’ve seen them in movies and TV shows, but you’ve never actually used a sauna before. So what is the point of a sauna? Why do people like to sit and sweat in these hot and humid rooms? Click here to learn more about the benefits of sauna sessions.

You know they’re relaxing, but what is the point of a sauna? According to experts, sitting in a sauna can promote specific health benefits. Doesn’t that sound like a great idea?

Keep reading for a list of the top ways saunas can improve your life.

What is the Point of a Sauna?

The concept has been around for over a thousand years, but why do people use saunas?

Cardiovascular Health Benefits of Saunas

Heart health is a big deal. And being able to relax while working on your circulation is what makes saunas so great.

When you sit in a sauna, the rate of your heartbeat increases. When that happens, your blood vessels become wider, resulting in improved circulation. In some cases, the heartbeat can rise to 100-150 beats per minute.

Using a sauna may also contribute to lower blood pressure.

Pain Relief

Blood circulation isn’t only good for cardiovascular health.

It can also help relieve pain. Pain such as sore muscles and arthritis can be helped with the sauna and its moist heat. Infra-red saunas can also be helpful by relaxing joints and muscles.

Take a look at these saunas for more information.

Relief of Asthma Symptoms

Dry saunas can benefit those who suffer from asthma and trouble breathing.

The warm air stimulates the lungs to open up. It allows for more air to pass through your airway and relieve asthmatic symptoms.

Skin Conditions

Certain skin conditions such as psoriasis can sometimes be improved with sauna use.

The warm, dry air of a sauna can help dry out the skin condition. But speak to a doctor before trying this method. There are some skin conditions that could become worse if you aren’t careful.

Stress Relief

Stress is a large part of today’s society. It can contribute to lack of sleep and stress disorders.

Regular use of saunas can help promote stress relief. The heat that improves circulation is also improving stress levels. That will enhance a feeling of relaxation and produce fewer stress hormones.

Precautions to Consider

Consult your doctor before attempting to treat your health conditions in a sauna.

Risks to be aware of are:

• Dehydration
• Blood Pressure
• Overheating

Drink lots of water in order to avoid dehydration in the sauna. Water can also help prevent overheating. If you do begin to overheat, exit the sauna immediately.

A spike in blood pressure can occur if you switch between the heated sauna and a cold bath or pool. Blood pressure can also become too low for some people.

Avoid staying in a sauna for extended periods of time. And don’t drink alcohol while using one as it can cause dizziness and dehydration.

More Health Reads

The sauna can be beneficial whether you decide to use it for health or relaxation. And the next time someone says “what is the point of a sauna?” you’ll be able to tell them the details.

Looking for more great information? Try reading “How Technology Can Change Healthcare.” Or you can browse our Health section for more related topics.

10 Tips for the Best Post Pregnancy Workout

With the right post pregnancy workout, you will have more energy and move closer to regaining your figure. Check out this article for 10 helpful tips to maximize your goals.

Are you the mom of a newborn baby? Congratulations!

Pregnancy can be a wonderful, yet tiring endeavor. With a new baby in the house, you’re probably more tired than ever.

While you may want to lose your baby weight as soon as possible, starting a workout routine can be a challenge. You probably haven’t exercised in several months, and the thought of getting back into a workout routine may seem scary. But it doesn’t have to be!

You can create a great post-pregnancy workout that challenges you without overexerting you.

And you can do it right in your very own home without spending tons of money on a gym membership.

Do you want to know more? Keep reading to discover 10 tips for the best post pregnancy workout.

1. Practice Your Breathing

Are you looking for ways to start your new exercise routine right away? Well, the good news is you can start it before you even leave the hospital.

Practicing your breathing can help relax your muscles and reduce stress. If you breathe a certain way you can also start tightening your abs. All you have to do is inhale deeply from the diaphragm. Flex your abs tight while you breathe in and hold it for as long as you can. Then, relax your muscles and exhale.

Pair this breathing exercise with a commitment to cut out processed foods and sugars. This may not seem like a lot, but it’s the first step to a new workout and a healthy lifestyle.

2. Take Your Baby for a Walk

The most important thing to remember when you begin exercising is to take it slow. Your body just went through a lot.

If you’re like many pregnant women, you may have suffered from swollen ankles, back and foot pain, and fatigue during your pregnancy. This may have caused you to spend more time than normal in bed or on the couch.

That’s why one of the first steps to your routine is to get up and walking again. It helps ease you into a fitness routine, plus sunshine and seeing your baby enjoy their first outings can boost your mood.

3. Turn That Walk into a Run

Running is a great postpartum exercise to reduce tummy size. But, don’t feel like you have to start by running several miles right off the bat.

Once you’ve gotten used to walking, start mixing in some light jogging. Once you can jog for a while, start to run. Running will help you lose weight and improve your endurance which will help you with your other exercises as well.

But the best way to lose weight isn’t to run at full speed the entire time. Instead, you should mix high-intensity and moderate exercises together in one workout, such as alternating between running and jogging.

4. Try Some Kegels

You may have opted to do some Kegels during your pregnancy. They’re a great way to practice control over your bladder muscles.

For many women, the incontinence doesn’t stop once the baby is delivered. Up to 50% of women still experience some bladder control issues 5 years after giving birth. A great post-pregnancy workout is all-encompassing, including exercising those bladder muscles with Kegels.

5. Do Lunges

Once you have fully recovered from your birth and you have your doctor’s okay, you can start some more strenuous exercises.

Lunges are an amazing exercise after pregnancy to reduce stomach size. But they do so much more than that. They also strengthen your legs and back and they can improve your balance.

If you’re looking for an extra challenge, consider holding your baby at your chest while you do lunges. This will help strengthen your muscles and add a little upper body workout into the mix.

6. Dance it Out

Some women have trouble sticking to post pregnancy workout routines because they’re not fun.

But who says you can’t enjoy working out?

Dancing is a great way to get a full body workout. Zumba is an amazing option if you’re looking for a structured full-body workout. You can find lessons online or you can take a class at Kinetix Inspired Fitness (or your local gym).

7. Take Yoga Classes

While yoga may seem easy, it does offer an encompassing workout. You’ll strengthen your core muscles, improve your balance, increase your flexibility, and learn how to control your breathing.

The best part about yoga is you get these amazing benefits but still fell relaxed at the end of class. This makes it a great add-on to any exercise routine. You may end your workout with 30 minutes of yoga or begin your day with a yoga class. Again, you can find these online or at your local gym.

8. Squat with Your Baby

But the stomach isn’t the only area you’ll want to work on when you create a post-pregnancy workout. You may also want to tone your booty and legs. That’s where squats come into play.

They can help tone your butt, legs, and hip flexors.

If you want to make them more challenging, you can hold your baby against your chest. When you squat down, lower the baby until their feet touch the floor. Then, lift them up against your chest before rising again. It’ll give your legs and butt a better workout while also adding in some upper body exercises.

9. Try Crunches

Crunches are one of the most quintessential workouts when it comes to flattening your tummy.

They also tend to get a bad reputation for being boring and difficult.

Try to make it fun by adding music into the mix. You could pick your favorite song or anything upbeat to motivate you. Once you’re able to do a lot of crunches, challenge yourself to do crunches for the entirety of the song. Alternatively, you could opt to do crunches for the entirety of your child’s favorite TV show intro.

10. Try a Crunch Alternative

If you can’t face crunches just yet, you can try an alternative exercise after pregnancy to reduce stomach size: leg lifts.

There are several variations, but the best is to just lay on the floor and lift your legs as high as you can without bending the knee. You may also choose to hold your legs in the air for a few seconds to get a better ab workout.

The Best Post Pregnancy Workout Tips

Getting back in shape after a pregnancy can be hard. And it can be even harder when you have a newborn baby to care for!

But there are some amazing exercises that you can do right from your very own home. The best post pregnancy workout tips include dancing it out, doing leg lifts, trying yoga, and taking your baby for a walk.

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