Category: Health & Fitness

These days it seems everyone is talking about using CBD oil.

There’s a good reason for this, as CBD oil has many health benefits, for both physical and mental health.

If you’re curious about the health benefits of hemp oil or want to know how and when to take it – read on!

All About CBD Oil

You’ve been hearing about CBD oil for a while now.

Maybe you’re still unclear on what health issues it can help with, exactly what it is, and if it is legal.

Well, we’ve got you covered.

Let’s take a look at this little miracle.

What is CBD Oil?

Cannabidiol (CBD) oil is an extract from the hemp plant. It doesn’t give users the mind-altering ‘high’ associated with marijuana. The marijuana extract responsible for a psychotropic high is Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

Not only will CBD not get you high, it has in fact been shown to reduce that effect if combined with THC use.

CBD oil is extracted from the buds and flowers of hemp plants. It is currently legal in 30 states where medicinal marijuana is legal – but make sure you double-check your local laws.

How Does it Work?

Humans naturally produce cannabinoids. They are hormones that work in a key-and-lock system with body receptors.

When people use CBD oil, cannabinoids trigger the body’s natural endocannabinoid hormone system. They also increase the body’s own production of cannabinoids.

We have receptors in the immune system as well as in the brain. CBD oil can increase the brain’s ability to coordinate movement, manage pain, process memory and emotion.

Receptors in the immune system, once triggered, reduce inflammation to speed up the body’s ability to heal. This is true for neuron damage as well as skin damage.

What is it Used For?

As it targets the brain as well as the immune system, CBD oil has many applications. It has been shown to be effective for:

• Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
• Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Skin conditions such as burns or cold sores
• Chronic Pain
• Epilepsy
• Cancer
• Arthritis
• Dementia

Physical Effects of Using CBD Oil

The physical effects of CBD oil are wide-ranging. It works not only by directly triggering the body but by increasing the body’s own production of cannabinoids.

This creates a positive feedback loop and fast results. A brief list of just some of the effects of CDB follows.

Anti-inflammatory Properties

As CBD reduces inflammation, it has many applications. Diseases as diverse as arthritis, dementia, diabetes and chronic pain have inflammation in common.

Neuronal Effects

From epilepsy to multiple sclerosis, illnesses connected to damaged neurons can see a great result from CBD oil. It halts damage to neurons and in some studies is seen to trigger the body’s own healing ability.

It helps MS sufferers to improve motor abilities and greatly reduces seizures in epilepsy patients.

Pain Relief

CBD oil has been shown to reduce pain in two ways. It reduces the swelling or inflammation triggering pain response. It also lessens the brain’s sensitivity to chronic pain.

The biggest benefit of CBD over other pain relief medication is that is is not addictive. Addiction to pain medication is a growing issue in places like the US. The terrific advantage of CBD oil is that it gives natural, non-addictive pain relief.

Improved Memory Storage and Retrieval

Sufferers of PTSD can struggle to benefit from therapy as accessing their traumatic memories is painful and frightening. CBD triggers the body’s storage and retrieval of memories.

Hemp oil also relaxes the patient and increases their ability to replace the fear response to a trauma with a new learning, dramatically increasing the effectiveness of talk-therapies.

Promising Effects for Cancer Patients

Recent experiments have shown hemp oil might block cancer cells from spreading to other areas of the body. It also reduces its invasion in a localized area.

It seems to increase the death rate of cancer cells and suppress their growth.

It has further benefits to cancer patients due to its low toxicity, pain relief, and effect on nausea.

A Natural Sleep Aid

Cannabidiol is a sleep aid. This has applications for those with anxiety, chronic pain and other illnesses that impact on their ability to sleep.

We now know that sleep is critical for the body’s healing mechanisms.

That means that when we use CBD oil as a sleep aid it has the double impact of relaxing us and helping the body to heal itself.

How is it Taken?

Hemp oil can be used as drops on the tongue, your evening cup of tea, or in food. It can be applied topically to skin concerns.

Some companies sell CBD oil as an inhalant for vaping. It is even sold in capsule form.

Start with some internet research on your particular health concern to see what other users recommend. Dosage and application will vary between illnesses, and even between people.

Some people need to use much more or less of the medicine than others to see results.

Is Using CBD Oil Safe?

CDB Oil is non-addictive and has an extremely low rate of overdose. This makes it much safer than many over-the-counter medications.

But there are still some things to be careful of.

Many uses of CDB oil still require further research. The quick growth in the industry also means that it is largely unregulated.

That means that concentrations can change greatly from one product or brand to another.

It’s a good idea to find a medical doctor (MD) who supports the use of medical marijuana to have them recommend the type, brand, and dosage for your health concern. They can then monitor your usage and it’s impact and calibrate it accordingly.

Maybe It’s Time to Try

If you are curious about using CBD oil, we recommend you do some research online and talk to a specialized medical doctor.

Like any other medication, the results vary greatly between people and illnesses. It might not have the effect you are hoping for.

Then again, it might just be the change you’ve been waiting for to improve your health.

Like many things in life, the only real way to find out is by trying. So be careful, do your research, but be open to giving it a go.

Start your research at an expert site such as Floyd’s of Leadville, and take it from there.

For more ideas to increase your family’s health and happiness, check out our articles on coping with divorce, healthy eating, and more here!

Because the symptoms of Lyme disease are vague and changeable, they can be hard to spot.

Children suffering from Lyme disease can’t always describe how they’re feeling. They may just come across cranky or tired.

So if you live in an area that has a lot of ticks, you need to know what the symptoms of Lyme disease look like.

Take a look at this guide to find out how you can spot the warning signs of Lyme disease before it becomes serious.

Getting Bit by a Tick Doesn’t Mean Your Child Has Lyme Disease

A single tick bite won’t give your child Lyme disease. So don’t panic if you find a tick on your kid. If you remove the tick right away, your child can’t end up with Lyme disease.

Why?

A tick can only transmit Lyme disease if they’ve lived on a person for roughly 48 hours. As long as you’ve removed the tick before that time, your child doesn’t have Lyme disease.

Not All Ticks Carry Lyme Disease

The tick that bit your child may not even carry the disease. There are several types of tick, like a wood tick, that don’t have the ability to give people Lyme disease.

Lyme disease is usually spread by deer ticks. These ticks have red bodies and black heads, and they are about the size of a sesame seed. If the tick that bit your child doesn’t look like this, you probably don’t have to worry about Lyme disease.

Not All Deer Ticks Pass the Disease

Remember, a tick can only give your child Lyme disease if it’s been living on them for about 48 hours.

If you do find a deer tick on your child, check the size. A deer tick swells up when it feeds, so if the tick is still small, it hasn’t had a chance to pass on the disease.

Even a bite from a deer tick doesn’t mean your child has Lyme disease. It can take days for the tick to transmit the disease. So don’t panic if you find a deer tick on your child. If it’s not swollen, your child is most likely safe.

What Should I Do if I Find a Tick on My Child?

If you find a tick on your child, you should remove it right away. And to do this, all you need is a pair of tweezers.

Don’t try alternative remedies to remove a tick. Things like petroleum jelly or a match won’t necessarily work. In fact, they could cause the tick to crawl deeper into the skin.

Pulling the tick out with tweezers is the best way to remove it.

1. What You’ll Need to Remove a Tick

Before you remove a tick, take a moment to gather the supplies you’ll need. These supplies include the following:

• Tweezers
• Cotton ball (Q-tip, cloth, etc.)
• Rubbing alcohol
• Ziplock bag (or another sealed container)

Once you have these things gathered, have your child sit down at the table.

2. Use the Tweezers to Remove the Tick

Grab the tick as close to the skin as possible. Then just steadily pull the tick straight out of the skin.

Don’t twist as you pull. This could cause part of the mouth to break off and stay attached to the skin. If this does happen, just leave those pieces alone.

Trying to dig them out could push them further in. They will fall off on their own after a while.

3. Swab the Bite with Rubbing Alcohol

After you’ve pulled the tick out, dip a cotton ball into some rubbing alcohol and dab it on the bite. This will clean the area.

4. Put the Tick in a Ziplock Bag

If you know the tick isn’t a deer tick (or doesn’t carry Lyme disease), you don’t have to keep the tick. However, if you’re concerned your child might have Lyme disease, it’s a good idea to keep the tick. The doctor may want to see it.

But don’t just send the tick in for lab testing.

A tick that has Lyme disease doesn’t necessarily pass that disease on when it bites. So sending a tick to a lab doesn’t usually tell you or the doctor anything.

Symptoms of Lyme Disease

If your child has been bitten by a tick, it’s important to know the signs and symptoms of Lyme disease in children.

Keep an eye out for these things after a bite. As soon as you notice any symptoms, you should visit a doctor immediately.

(Note: a small, red bump usually forms around a tick bite. Though it sticks around for a few days, this is normal. It does not mean your child has Lyme disease.)

Early Symptoms

A rash can form around the tick bite anywhere from three to 30 days after the bite. This rash usually looks like a bullseye, and it can expand to 12 inches across.

This rash isn’t normally itchy or painful.

Other early symptoms of Lyme disease include things like chills, fevers, general aches, fatigue, and headaches.

Later Symptoms

If you don’t treat the disease right away, more bullseye rashes can appear on the body.

Your child may also experience joint pain and swelling, especially in their knees. They can also suffer from weakness in their limbs, impaired muscle movement, meningitis, and Bell’s palsy (paralysis of half of their face).

These symptoms can occur either weeks or months after the initial bite.

Visit a Doctor

You should always visit a doctor as soon as you notice these symptoms. Even if the symptoms seem to go away, visit a doctor anyway.

The lack of symptoms doesn’t mean the disease is gone. And it could get worse if you don’t get Lyme disease treatment. Lyme disease will never go away on its own.

Avoid Lyme Disease in Children

The best way to avoid Lyme disease in children is prevention and pest control. Whenever your children play in bushy, grassy, or wooded areas, make sure you check them for ticks when they come back inside.

If your child has been in an area that may have ticks, keep an eye out for symptoms of Lyme disease. As soon as you spot anything out of the ordinary, schedule an appointment with your pediatrician.

Need some help keeping pests out of your yard? Take a look at this guide for some helpful pest control tips.

Testosterone is the hormone in males responsible for such functions as developing bigger muscles, controlling your sex drive, and making sperm. Believe it or not, as men age, their testosterone levels drop. This results in around 4 out of 10 men over the age of 45 experiencing low testosterone.

This drop in testosterone can cause problems with your sex drive, the ability to have kids, and just be simply embarrassing. Though it can be easy to confuse low testosterone levels with erectile dysfunction, low testosterone mostly has to do with libido and low sexual desire.

Many men choose to seek help by visiting a Low T clinic. If you are considering going to a Low T clinic yourself, what do you need to know?

7 Questions to Ask a Low T Clinic

If you have low testosterone, TRT will help build your testosterone levels. But you need to ensure the Low T clinic is reputable. Here are 7 questions to ask.

1. What are Your Treatment Goals?

As a man with low testosterone, your primary goal is to feel better. You are likely experiencing some of the following symptoms:

• Loss of endurance
• Changes in weight
• Sexual dysfunction
• Fatigue
• Depression

These are all typical symptoms of low testosterone and can be easily treated. The goal of receiving treatment is to start feeling like your old self again. So be sure to make certain that the clinic’s goal is to address the above symptoms.

2. Do You Follow Specific Ethical Standards and Principles?

Every medical clinic should have a stated list of specific ethical standards and principles. As medical professionals, they should be working to provide the highest standard of care by being dedicated to principles rooted in evidence-based medicine.

Feel free to ask the clinic for a list of these standards and principles in writing.

3. What Sets You Apart From Other Clinics?

Not every Low T clinic is the same. As with any business or medical practice, for every good apple, there are plenty bad ones. Don’t be shy about asking any clinic what sets them apart from others in the area and why you should consider going to them for treatment.

Do plenty of research, and ask around among the medical community to find out which clinics have a reputation for cutting corners. Listen to your gut, and never hesitate to walk away if you feel uneasy about the way a clinic operates.

4. What are Your Methods for Administering Supplemental Testosterone?

Again, it’s so important to do your research ahead of time to know what questions to ask, especially about the methods they use to administer supplemental testosterone.

Ask them if they use injections for testosterone replacement therapy. If they don’t, ask why not? This is a very important question because if they don’t use injections, it would be wise to reconsider receiving treatment from them.

We suggest seeking treatment from clinics that recommend weekly injections. This is because weekly injections is a method for better ensuring dosing accuracy, and you are more likely to get the results you’re wanting. There are other methods, but they tend to be far less reliable.

5. What are the Possible Side Effects?

As a potential patient seeking treatment for low testosterone, be aware that possible side effects do exist. These can include the benign growth of your prostate, male pattern balding, and increased skin oiliness and acne.

Each man receiving treatment will react differently, but any reputable Low T clinic should be upfront about these possible side effects and will be proactive about determining the proper dose for your body, then consistently monitoring your levels.

And when you do experience side effects, how will the clinic mitigate them? The use of injections and frequent testing are vital to helping your body level out to a normal hormonal balance, rather than relying on a predetermined testosterone score.

6. How is Progress Monitored?

We highly recommend that you not be shy about asking the clinic to describe their process for determining whether a candidate is suitable for testosterone replacement therapy and how that patient’s progress will be monitored.

Your safety should be their number one priority, rather than rushing into treatment. It’s very common for low testosterone levels to fluctuate, so the clinic should conduct frequent blood testing so that adjustments can be made for dosing to be properly administered.

An important question to ask would be, is their treatment plan based on recommendations passed down from the Endocrine Society? If not, this is a major red flag that shouldn’t be ignored.

7. What Improvement Should I Expect?

How long should it take to expect improvements in how you feel? Some patients begin to notice improvements within a month of beginning therapy. But of course, the clinic should explain that these results can vary from patient to patient.

It’s probably more reasonable to expect to see positive results around the 4-6 week mark. The quality of how your care is managed will be the top factor in how well your body responds to treatment.

Low T treatment can be tricky. There are no shortcuts. Manage your expectations, and don’t expect miracles or for your low testosterone symptoms to magically disappear after the first treatment. It will take time for the delicate hormonal balance to be properly restored.

Click here for more info on testosterone for men.

Once you’ve found a reputable clinic with the knowledge and ethical principles necessary to provide you with the best care possible, put your trust in them to monitor lab results, as well as your body’s symptomatic response, and to then make educated medical decisions to get the kind of results that you want and deserve.

The Importance of Being an Informed Patient

If you feel embarrassed at the notion of speaking to a Low T clinic about your low testosterone, relax, this a fairly typical male reaction. There is no reason to feel embarrassed at all. The reality is that all of our bodies go through changes as we age.

Just remember, there is help available, and you shouldn’t let your ego get in the way of seeking a solution for your low testosterone.

Click here for more information on important health-related topics.

It is tough to make a healthy choice. Watching television is easier than working out. A cookie or two is tempting.

Likely, you’re already aware that avoiding healthy choices now results in consequences later. By not exercising, you might fail to drop to your goal weight. By eating a cookie or two, or three or four, you’ll possibly gain weight.

What you may not know is your choices impact your wallet.

Healthy choices can sometimes cost more short-term. However, healthy choices save more in the long run.

Below, I’ve listed ten healthy choice ideas that can — and will — save you money.

10 Healthy Choice Ideas That Save You Money

It’s common knowledge that the cost of living is skyrocketing all over the United States. Now more than ever before, it’s important to save when and where you can.

Saving starts with good health. And good health starts with making healthy choices.

Let’s check out 10 healthy choice ideas below.

1. Exercise

Exercise is one of the most effective healthy choices that you can make.

Certainly, a regular work-out will help you lose weight. Obesity and being overweight can lead to health complications down the road, such as diabetes and high blood pressure.

But let’s say you already suffer from high blood pressure. Exercise increases your body’s tolerance for stress, thereby lowering your blood pressure.

You can work out at a gym, but you can also work out at home. You can take a jog around your neighborhood in the morning or evening. You can also do sit-ups, push-ups, and other exercises in the comfort of your own home.

2. Don’t Eat Out

Eating out is expensive. It’s hard to find a restaurant that charges less than $10 for a burger, fries, and soda.

Moreover, eating out is unhealthy. Case in point: the burger, fries, and soda.

In fact, most food served at restaurants is fried and, as a result, fattening. Even if it isn’t fried, there’s a good chance the portion size is too big.

Stick to packed lunches or good, old-fashioned, home-cooked meals. They’re portion-sized and not as often fried.

3. Eat Fresh Products

It’s true that packed lunches and home-cooked meals are less expensive and more healthy than meals served at restaurants.

It’s also true that home-cooked meals tend not to be the healthiest.

Mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, and fried chicken are all staples of home-cooked meals. They’re also not healthy choices.

When it comes to eating right, nothing beats fresh fruit and vegetables. Celery, apples, carrots, peppers, grapes, and the like are wonderful sources of vitamins. Plus, they don’t have the calories that potatoes, meat, pasta, and cheese have.

It should be noted that canned fruits and veggies are not fresh. They are preserved. The preservation process wipes them of most of their nutrients.

4. Drink Water

Water is necessary for human beings to function. After all, we’re made of 60% water.

Stay hydrated and refreshed by keeping a small, refillable water bottle with you at all times. Refill it when you come to a water fountain. Make sure you don’t leave it when you leave your home.

While exercising, it is especially important to stay hydrated. Sweating causes you to lose fluid, which water replenishes.

Plus, water is typically the only free drink at restaurants. It also helps fill your stomach and ease food cravings while dieting.

5. Stop Smoking

Do I even have to explain this one?

Cigarettes contain numerous toxins and poisons, including those that are known to cause cancer. Smokers also suffer from short breath, constricted blood vessels, and heart disease, among other health issues.

But let’s not focus on the unhealthiness of smoking for a second. Instead, let’s focus on the finance strain it causes.

One pack of cigarettes can cost as much as $10. Ten-packs of cigarettes can cost as much as $100.

Smoking is as expensive a habit as it is an unhealthy one. If you’re already smoking, stop. If you’ve never smoked, don’t start.

6. Participate In Wellness Programs

Many companies offer wellness programs through their health insurance plans. Health insurance companies use programs such as HealthEdge to stay on top of their clients’ workers and those workers’ health.

Wellness programs reward participants for making healthy choices. For example, if you pass a wellness screening, the insurance company might lower your monthly premium. It might also send you a gift card or other prize.

Another common offering made by wellness programs is health-based challenges. For instance, in exchange for a small prize, you might be challenged to walk a certain distance within a day.

7. Turn Down Your Thermostat

Keeping your heat turned up doesn’t just cost you dollars. It also costs you sleep.

Heat causes discomfort. When you’re uncomfortable, you don’t sleep very well.

Not sleeping well leads to sleep deprivation, which turns into stress. When you’re stressed, you’re more likely to gain weight.

8. Keep A Food Diary

Keeping a food diary isn’t an obvious healthy choice. But, it’s one worth looking into, especially if you’re struggling with your diet.

Food diaries help keep track of what you eat during a given time frame. They’re a wonderful opportunity to count calories and ensure you’re eating right.

Additionally, food diaries can help you make healthy choices according to which foods leave you feeling good. Fruits and vegetables are lighter as well as nutritious, so you’ll find they make you feel better than fried foods do.

9. Download A Work-Out App

Struggling to exercise like we all do?

No problem! There are numerous work-out apps that help you exercise.

These apps keep track of your work-out for you. You can set how long you want each work-out to be. You can also choose a certain part of the body to work on.

10. Bike To Work

Cars are extremely expensive to maintain. They require gas, inspections, and regular oil changes.

That’s not even touching on any repairs you might have to make to your car.

Instead of driving a car, bike to work. Biking to work will save you a ton of money as well as give you an opportunity to exercise.

Need More Advice? Check Me Out!

Paying full-price is for suckers! My name is Laura, and I’m a thrifty momma looking to help you save a buck or two. Check out my blog for advice, tips, coupons, giveaways, and other goodies.

Know a great way to save cash? Want me to cover it? Contact me today!

In 2016, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated that more than 37 million adults smoked cigarettes. Considering the amount of information that’s produced and shared regarding the dangers of smoking, that figure seems shockingly high.

For many of those people, however, smoking is not a choice. It’s an addiction that can feel impossible to break.

But just as the amount of information on the dangers of smoking has risen, so has the number of options available for people who are interested in breaking the habit. If you’re a smoker and you’re trying to quit, there is now more support and tips being shared than ever before.

Below, we’re reviewing five of the top tips that may help current smokers who are looking to quit. Doing so can improve your health, your happiness, and your life.

1. Get Motivated

There are a lot of reasons to quit smoking, but in order to be successful, you have to find the one that resonates with you. Not everyone will have the safe motivation for giving up cigarettes.

Consider the thing in your life you want the most. Maybe it’s to improve your health, or to extend your life so that you experience your children growing up. Keep reminders of your personal motivation in visible places so you’re always thinking about the reason you’re quitting.

2. Tell People That You’re Quitting

One thing to keep in mind if you’re interested in breaking the habit of smoking is that you don’t have to do it alone. Quitting is hard, and it’s harder if you don’t have people to encourage you along the way.

Tell your friends and family that you’re finally serious about quitting. They’ll hold you accountable when you’re craving a cigarette, and support you as you begin to achieve your goal.

3. Consider a Vape

People who are trying to quit nicotine cigarettes sometimes fail because they try to go cold turkey. If you don’t have an alternative to satisfy your oral fixation, you may end up right back where you started.

Electronic cigarettes are good replacement for nicotine, and many former cigarette smokers have found success in trading one for the other. Start conducting research on a site like ecigwizard.com. You may determine that this is a good alternative for you.

4. Avoid Your Triggers

For some smokers, the habit is triggered by other situations. Take some time to evaluate when you most often reach for a cigarette. Is it when you’re feeling stressed or anxious? Is it when you’ve been drinking alcohol? Is it when you’re around others who smoke?

Identifying any unique triggers you have is the first step to knowing how to avoid them. The less you’re in those specific situations, the less you’ll reach for cigarettes.

5. Join a Support Group

Your friends and family may be great for holding you accountable and encouraging you to quit. But unless they are smokers or former smokers themselves, they can’t really understand what you’re going through.

Joining a support group of others who are trying to quit smoking is another great way to set yourself up for success. You can share what you’re going through–the victories and the failures–with others who can relate on a more personal level.

Ready to Begin Breaking the Habit?

It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been a smoker; there is never a bad time to quit. The process isn’t always an easy one, but it’s well worth it in the end.

For more information on healthier living, please contact us at any time.