Our body needs to recuperate after undergoing surgery. The length of recovery depends on the surgical area, the presence of concurrent medical disease, the age of the patient, and the presence of emotional burdens. Medical illnesses such as diabetes can prolong healing time, and injury secondary to a misdiagnosis can have an emotional impact on a patient. According to Tinker Law Firm, incidents such as these are pretty common in the US. In fact, as much as 4,000 Americans suffer from preventable surgical errors.

Recovering after surgery involves having a lot of willpower. In most cases, your healing time will depend on how willing you are. Here are some of the things you must do after having a procedure done at a surgical center.

Walk

Depending on your surgical area, walking is a great way to keep your body functioning the way it used to before surgery. First, consult with your doctor about how much walking you can do. Remember, moving around allows blood to circulate in your body, including around the surgical area. This blood circulation will allow for faster cell regeneration and muscle strengthening. If you still have difficulty walking, try changing your positions in your bed. Any movement will prevent the development of bedsores and encourage blood flow. Visit NativeState to know more about the importance of body movement after surgery.

Eat Healthily

Immediately post-op, your diet is pretty limited. But, once your digestive system is working correctly, most doctors advise loading up your body with healthy and nutritious food. Food items with high levels of protein can help your body heal faster. Try to include walnuts, egg whites, almonds, chicken, and fish to your daily meals.

Hydrate

Hydration is a key component of healthy living, and you’ll require more liquids when you are recovering after surgery. Aside from flushing all the anesthesia out of your body, hydration will also address any electrolyte imbalance you might have. Most patients get dehydrated after surgery, so keeping sufficiently hydrated should be a top priority.

Manage Your Pain

After surgery, it is normal for you to feel pain as the effects of anesthesia wear off. One of the ways you can deal with your pain is to practice deep breathing exercises. You can also do meditation to help attain a calm mind that will help you in your recovery. Dealing with your pain will allow you to move around quicker.

Avoid Stress

Undergoing surgery is stressful as it is. It comes with unnecessary costs and limitation of movement. There are tons of things that you cannot attend to, and this can cause you a lot of stress. As mentioned earlier, stress and anxiety can delay the healing process. Take your mind off from any of the stressors and instead focus on more positive things like listening to music or catching up with friends who visit you in the hospital. Stop thinking about your daily tasks and instead have someone do it for you in the meantime.

Stop Infection

Since you underwent surgery, you are categorized as immunocompromised. With your immune system at low levels, you have to protect yourself against infections. Drink your antibiotics diligently and ask about how you should clean and dress the surgical area. If you notice that your incision area has any redness or inflammation, inform your doctor right away.

Your movements become limited when you undergo surgery, but this should not be an excuse for you to be lax in taking care of yourself. Taking care of yourself is your responsibility. So, whatever the consequences of giving up on your health, you will be the one to suffer. The best thing you can do today is to prepare for your recovery so you can get back in shape in no time.

Are you new to using essential oils for health purposes? Learn how long do essential oils last and how to use them correctly in this article.

The essential oil industry is worth over 3.4 billion. 

But what’s all the fuss about? Do essential oils really work?

If you know what you’re doing and use the right ones, the answer to that question is a definite yes. We’ve put together this guide to help you learn more about essential oils and to answer other important questions, like “How long do essential oils last?”.

So let’s get started!

What Are Essential Oils?

Essential oil is made from compounds extracted from different types of plants. These compounds are then added to carrier oils, which creates the products so many people use today. 

But what does this oil actually do?

That depends on how you use it. 

When you take a deep breath of essential oil, it interacts with your limbic system. This is the part of your brain that influences behaviors, emotions, sense of smell, etc. 

Because of this, the scent of essential oils can lift your mood, relax you, give you more energy, and more. 

The Many Benefits of Essential Oil 

Essential oils have a number of benefits that affect both mental and physical health. For example, breathing this oil can do the following things: 

• Reduce stress 
• Relieve anxiety 
• Treat headaches and migraines 
• Improve the quality of sleep 
• Help sleep insomnia 
• Fight inflammation 
• Lift your mood 
• Reduce depression 
• Give your focus 
• Provide antibiotic properties 
• Relieve pain 
• Reduce depression 
• And more

The list of essential oil benefits goes on and on. You can use essential oils for autism and other serious health conditions as well. Some types of essential oil even act as a natural insect repellant and house cleaning. 

You can also use essential oil for much simpler purposes—there’s nothing wrong with wanting your house to smell nice!

Does Essential Oil Have Any Side Effects?

Essential oil doesn’t usually have any negative side effects. However, there are a few things you should know before you start using it. 

If you are sensitive to strong smells, essential oils might give you small headaches. Essential oils can also produce rashes or allergic reactions if you are allergic to any of the ingredients. 

But most people don’t have any issue with these oils. If you are worried about possible side effects, you can talk to your doctor first. 

How to Pick the Right One 

Different types of essential oils do different things. So how do you know you’ve picked the right one for your needs? 

It all starts with a few simple Google searches. 

Do Your Research 

A Google search will be able to tell you what essential oils work best for things like anxiety, inflammation, headaches, etc. We’ve put together a quick guide for a few of the most popular types.

• Peppermint: relieves inflammation/pain and boosts energy
• Lavender: relieves stress
• Tea Tree: fights infections
• Jasmine: helps relieves depression 
• Rose: reduces anxiety
• Sandalwood: improves focus 
• Lemon: relieves headaches, improves mood, helps digestion, etc. 

Remember, there are over 200 types of essential oils. So spend some time doing your own research about what they are and what they do. 

Educating yourself will ensure you find the right type for you. 

Check the Purity 

Pure essential oil shouldn’t contain any synthetic oils, chemicals, or other additives. Read the ingredients before you buy anything and make sure they only list the plant’s botanical name. 

Make Sure It’s High-Quality 

To ensure the essential oil you buy is high-quality, only buy it from reputable places.

This doesn’t mean you can’t buy essential oils from online stores. It does mean, however, that you should read reviews and do some research before you buy anything. 

How to Use Essential Oils

You should never swallow essential oil. Instead, you should use one of these methods. 

Breathe It In

Open your essential oil bottle, hold it under your nose, and take several deep breathes. You can also put a drop or two of the oil on a cloth and hold it against your nose. 

Rub It on Your Skin 

Pour a few drops of essential oil of your hands and rub it over your skin. 

Don’t use too much. You can dilute your essential oil in another carrier oil to get more out of each drop. 

Put It in a Bath 

The next time you take a bath, put a few drops of your essential oil into the water. This will turn your bath into a relaxing and enjoyable experience—even more than normal!

Use a Diffuser 

One of the best ways to experience the benefits of essential oil is to use a diffuser. Even a small diffuser can disperse a fine mist of oil throughout the entire room. 

And all it takes is a few drops. After that, you can turn on the diffuser, sit down, and relax. 

How Long Do Essential Oils Last?

Essential oils can last anywhere from three to 20 years. It depends on the type of oil you get. You should be able to find the expiration date on the bottle. 

But storing it in the right place can make it last longer. 

Always keep your essential oil in a cool location away from the sun. Keep the lids screwed on tight and don’t transfer the oil into anything other than glass. 

A Beginner’s Guide to Essential Oils

Using essential oils can benefit your mental and physical health in a number of ways, but only if you use it correctly. 

Make sure you know the answer to basic essential oil questions before you start using it, such as “How long do essential oils last?” and “What type of essential oil is best for me?”.

Want to learn some other helpful health tips?

Make sure you keep exploring the rest of our blog!

Hearing about going to the dentist’s office triggers a whole new level of anxiety in most people. This is because the idea of getting work done on the teeth while bearing the pain can be very hard to imagine, but it is necessary as well. However, it is not important that every time you visit a dentist or have a toothache, it necessarily means having a cavity resulting in dental filling. Following are some points you can keep in mind before going for a dental filling appointment, so you get an idea about what to expect.

Initial Dental Examination

The very first step to visiting a dentist is to confirm through your check-up what the problem is and if you really need a dental filling. The check-up will consist of a thorough examination of any cavities or slight fractures in teeth because if these issues are not attended on time, it can result in infection, pain and tooth decay. Sometimes, special gel and dyes are also used to expose the affected area of the mouth or can be tested by metal equipment. Sometimes, X-Rays also give the right report, but all methods depend on the case of the patient and preference of the doctor.

Learning About the Procedure

Researching about the procedure beforehand might trigger anxiety, but it might also help you understand the working and prepare yourself mentally. The procedure for dental fillings does not require any fasting, and you can brush your teeth and have your breakfast normally as you do. In case you are afraid of dental procedures, try scheduling in the morning so you get it done early without worrying about it the whole day. Dental fillings procedure does not take long or several visits, however some cases might differ depending on the condition of the teeth.

Usage of Local Anesthetic

Dental filling procedures are usually carried out by injecting the tooth and surrounding area with anesthesia. Numbing the tooth area saves you from pain. The anesthesia is either injected or applied in gel form. Thanks to anesthesia, the procedure feels just like the prick of a needle. Besides the gel and injection dosage, some dentists opt for laughing gas to relieve pain as well. In case you suffer from serious anxiety and cannot bear the procedure, you can consult your dentist to give you sedation as well. Understand that the gel and injection can make the dental filling procedure very comfortable, and the sedation option is more convenient for extreme anxiety patients.

Preparing the Affected Tooth for Procedure

If you are going to the dentist’s office for a dental filling, you should know that dentists prepare the tooth first to perform the procedure. You are provided with sedation, anesthesia or gel first to numb the area. Any decaying in the tooth area is then removed and it is filled. Usually, the procedure is performed by instruments that can be held by hand in order to get rid of all the water, debris and any decay. Some dentists might even use lasers to remove the damaged portions. Towards the end, a gel is applied which helps in maintaining the cleanliness of the tooth.

Applying the Filling on Damaged Tooth

Per New York Total Dental, removing the decay is important for filling the tooth. Different cases will require different materials for dental filling; which might include resin, metal or amalgam. The first thing in filling the tooth is to apply adhesive material over the tooth which helps in creating a strong bond to the tooth. The next step you’ll experience is the application of gel. The dentist will apply a light to secure the tooth by hardening the material. This process might be repeated several times to bind the materials together. This sealing of tooth can save the tooth from any further damage and intrusion of bacteria.

Adding Finishing Touches

After the procedure is done, the last bit is also important to refine the tooth filling. The composite material applied requires smooth finishing by polishing the teeth and edges. After this polishing, there is the step of biting down carbon paper as a test and to ensure that the filling is perfect. In case there is a problem, the tooth is filed down so that you get a natural feel after the procedure and have no issues while eating. Finishing touches are important to avoid any inconvenience later, so even if you are in a hurry, do not opt to leave this step and ensure that you feel comfortable with the dental filling before leaving the clinic.

Numerous studies conducted over the years in countries such as Russia, Korea, China, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand have revealed a wealth of scientific evidence supporting the incredible benefits of deer antler velvet. Thanks to this research, we can now confidently acknowledge the validity of its traditional usage and recommend it as a daily health supplement. With its proven effectiveness, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t include deer antler velvet in your everyday health routine!

Starting a workout routine can be rather complicated, especially with a full schedule. You can’t always find the time to hit the gym, and even worse, you don’t eat right or at proper times. Still, it is something everyone must do, because working out will improve not only your physical health but also your mental one. 

When you’re exercising, the body releases hormones that alter your state of mind, and you feel less stressed. But to get there, you need to properly exercise, which means you also need to know how to help your body recover. Sometimes, it’s not just about how well you sleep. The body needs extra incentive to recover on occasions. These workout recovery supplements can help you get there. But, like most workout supplements out there, you should always check out their reviews, preferably by experts in the field. This will give you a good idea of just how good a certain supplement is and whether or not it could really help your body recover faster.

Creatine 

If you talk to fitness enthusiasts, you’ll find that most of them use creatine before and after their workout for its varying benefits. This supplement helps you get more out of your workout, increasing your endurance level, and pushing you to make that extra rep. As a direct result, it helps increase muscle mass since your whole exercise intensity is enhanced, and in the long run, you gain muscles at an improved rate. 

Workout intensity aside, creatine is also known to help with post-workout recovery, and studies have shown that it helps athletes recover much faster after strength training. Regular doses should allow your body to regain its strength at a better rate, which means you can hit the gym on the following day without feeling muscle soreness or fatigue.

Whey protein

Whey protein is arguably the most famous fitness supplement in the market, and it is always in high demand for athletes of all sorts. It has a high concentration of amino acids, like cysteine, which repairs and builds muscle tissues after an intense workout. When you take whey protein before and after exercising, your muscle and tendon tissues will have a chance to recover in a matter of hours, instead of days. The great thing about this supplement is the fact that it is easily digested and rapidly absorbed in the body, giving the branched-chain amino acids within it a chance to quickly get to work and help your entire body recover. 

L-Glutamine

This is another amino acid that has great effects on post-workout recovery. A study published in the Journal of Exercise Science & Fitness showed that using L-glutamine after an intense strength training helped in reducing delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS), which basically means you’d feel less exhaustion and soreness after working out. This supplement is present on its own in a lot of protein powders, but you could also use it separately as it comes in pills, liquid, and powder forms. Glutamine also helps increase protein synthesis in your body, as well as boosting your immune system and improving gut health. 

L-Carnosine

L-Carnosine is a great supplement, even for those who don’t regularly exercise. It helps reduce aging symptoms and promotes cellular rejuvenation by reducing hydrogen ions in your blood plasma, which usually cause of lowering the pH levels in your blood. L-Carnosine is actually quite popular as it helps delay the onset of fatigue in the body, but there are many brands out there offering it in different forms, which might not be as potent. This is why you need to be especially certain that you’re getting the best product on the market by seeing what other people have to say about it. 

Branched-Chain Amino Acids

Branched-Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs) are quite possibly the most potent workout supplements your body needs, and they have a ton of benefits. BCAAs are leucine, isoleucine, and valine, and they help your body recover faster than ever. When you work out, your body relies on the amino acids to get energy as your glycogen levels are at their lowest. This is why you need to replenish those acids since they reduce muscle soreness and damage, and they help your endurance levels as well, which means you can get more out of your exercise. 

Beta-Alanine

A lot of research on Beta-Alanine has been done, and it always yields great results. It is another amino acid that your body regularly produces to help combat fatigue by producing carnosine, which is a compound in your body that fights exhaustion. Your blood doesn’t usually have a very high concentration of Beta-Alanine, and this is why using it as a supplement is a good idea since it will promote the production of carnosine. This, in turn, will help you recover faster, and you’d also be able to perform better in terms of endurance and stamina. 

Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha is a form of adaptogens that can help your body combat stress and avoid exhaustion in the long run. It works by reducing the levels of the stress hormone cortisol in the body, and as a result, you feel more relaxed, and your body recovers much better. 

Citrulline

While research is still a bit young on this particular supplement, some show that it can have a good effect on post-workout recovery, and some athletes have reported improved healing process after intense strength training. Citrulline enhances the production of Adenosine Tri-Phosphate, which also improves the energy levels of living cells in your body.

The good news is, you can find all these workout supplements online, from trusted sources, like Supersmart. At the end of the day, you need a lot of things to recover from an intense workout. Supplements can and will help your body avoid exhaustion and muscle soreness, but you need to dehydrate and drink a lot of water during and after working out. Your body needs to replenish the fluids it lost during the exercise, and you have to drink the required amount of water if you want to recover and avoid the symptoms of fatigue. And it goes without saying that none of this would matter if you don’t get enough hours of sleep every day because this is how your entire body rests and prepares for the next workout. 

Finding the best vaping devices can be a tricky task; there are so many to choose from! In this post, you’ll find some tips for sorting through the many types of vaping devices to choose the one that works best for you.

Let’s dive in!

Types of Vaping Devices

Here are the main types of vaping devices.

E-Cigarettes/Cigalikes

E-cigarettes can take many forms, but they will always resemble conventional cigarettes or cigars. (Source: Vaping360, CC BY 2.0) 

E-cigarettes, also known as cigalikes, can either be disposable (common with one-piece designs) or meant for reuse (common with two-piece designs that have replaceable cartridges).

These tend to be the best vaping devices for vapers who prioritize stealth, discretion, and convenience. 

Vape Pens

Vape pens are among the most popular vaping devices. They offer a similar level of discretion and convenience as e-cigarettes but their slightly larger size makes for longer battery life and better performance.

Vape pens are among the best vaping devices for people who want something relatively small that can be reused indefinitely.

Pod Vapes

Pod vapes are similar to vape pens, both in terms of form and practicality. They typically come in two pieces — a battery and the replaceable (sometimes refillable) pods. Pod vapes are popular vaping devices among folks who enjoy nicotine, since there are many flavored nicotine pods available for them.

Box Mod Kits

When people new to vaping think of a vape, they’re often thinking of a box mod kit. These are larger than any of the previous types of vapes and provide improved performance to match.

They typically rely on external batteries and offer a wide range of customization options. For example, you can find box mod kits with temperature control, variable wattage, and specialized tanks.

These are among the best vaping devices for people who have been vaping for some time and have developed preferences.

Desktop Vaping Units

These come in a variety of formats but the most popular, by far, is the Volcano Hybrid Vaporizer. It’s a large unit that can vape concentrates or herbs with both balloons and whips. Its predecessor, the Classic Volcano Vaporizer, was frequently hailed the best of the best vaping devices in its day, and the modern version maintains that reputation.

This unit is pricey, though. For that reason, it tends to be among the most popular vaping devices with experienced, serious vapers. Since it’s not portable, though, such individuals tend to carry one of the above types of vaping devices for regular use.

Best Vaping Devices

Now that you have an overview of the different types of vaping devices, let’s look at the best individual products. If you’re not sure vaping is for you, however, click for more info about a popular alternative.

1. Volcano Hybrid Vaporizer

Let’s get this one out of the way since we’ve mentioned it already. The Volcano Hybrid Vaporizer, made by Storz N Bickel, is one of the best vaping devices, period. It is built to last, produces an exceptional-quality vapor, and is versatile (you can vape both herbs and concentrates).

Because it features a removable power cord, you never have to worry about battery life. You can even control the unit from an app for Android and iOS.

It provides a truly premium vaping experience and includes several accessories, including an herb grinder and air filter set.

2. Dr. Dabber Ghost Vaporizer Pen

The Dr. Dabber Ghost Vaporizer Pen is one of the top rated vaping devices of its kind. It features an atomizer made from titanium, meaning it can effectively vaporize e-liquid. 

The Dr. Dabber Ghost Vaporizer Pen’s design renders it virtually indestructible, which is perfect as its small enough to bring with you everywhere. Accessories this vape pen comes with include a dab tool and storage container.

3. DaVinci IQ Vaporizer

As far as best vaping devices go, you’re unlikely to find one with a design as beautifully minimalistic as the DaVinci IQ Vaporizer. Designed for vaping dried herbs, the DaVinci IQ features a bowl made from ceramic, a removable battery, and colors that include copper, blue, stealth, and gunmetal.

It’s a great portable vaporizer that fits in the palm of your hand.

4. Pulsar APX Wax Vaporizer

The Pulsar APX Wax Vaporizer is not only one of the best vaping devices out there, but among the smallest as well. Don’t mistake its small size for a lack of functionality, though; this thing packs a punch.

The Pulsar APX features a powerful 1100mAh rechargeable battery that provides up to one and a half hours of vaping time. It heats up in just five seconds and its pure quartz chamber distributes that heat evenly thanks to a strong glass mouthpiece.

If you’re looking for one of the top rated vaping devices that is compact and discreet yet powerful, this is it.

5. Boundless CFX Vaporizer

The Boundless CFX Vaporizer may bear more resemblance to an old cassette player (especially when its screen is on, revealing classic-looking graphics) but it’s indeed one of the top rated vaping devices.

It’s great for vaporizing herbal blends and aromatherapy formulas and is one of the few portable vaporizers out there that features an LCD screen.

But perhaps what truly makes the Boundless CFX one of the best vaping devices out there is its incredible battery performance. It lasts 75 minutes and takes only 30 minutes to recharge.

6. Mighty Vaporizer

The Mighty Vaporizer is so rugged it looks like it’d fit right at home on a construction site. This is another one of the popular vaping devices by Storz N Bickel. It relies on a dual power system that can last for about an hour and a half.

The Mighty Vaporizer is portable and uses both conduction and convection heating methods. Great for vaping both herbs and liquid, it’s one of the best vaping devices for people seeking something portable that doesn’t need to be too discreet.

7. Da Buddha Vaporizer

Here’s one of the most popular vaping devices for achieving zen. The Da Buddha Vaporizer’s materials include aluminum, ceramic, and glass. It takes a “no-frills” approach to design that is in keeping with both its name and the lower price point it comes in at compared to other desktop vaporizers.

It comes with several accessories, including three feet of tubing, a wand and mouthpiece made of glass, and a padded storage bag. The Buddha is ideal for vaping dry herb.

8. Tyga x Shine Atmos Pillar

This is one of the most popular vaping devices in part because of its affiliation with rapper Tyga. While the company that manufactures it, Shine, is perhaps best known for their astronomically-priced 24 karat gold rolling paper, the Atmos Pillar comes in at a very reasonable $99.95.

You have a wide range of temperatures to choose from with the Atmos Pillar; it can handle between 340F and 440F. That makes the Atmos Pillar suitable for vaping wax concentrates at the higher end of its temperature spectrum.

The Atmos Pillar is one of the best vaping devices for people looking to find a lightweight and durable unit.

9. Yocan Evolve Plus XL Vaporizer

If you’re looking for one of the best vaping devices under $100, the Yocan Evolve Plus XL is a great option. It features a 1400mAh battery, five second heat-up time, and USB charging. It is one of the most popular vaping devices among new vapers.

One of the Evolve’s most impressive features is its quad coil technology that makes it ideal for cloud chasers.

10. FireFly 2+ Vaporizer

Last but certainly not least on this list of the best vaping devices, we have the FireFly 2+ Vaporizer. While many of the other vapes on this list feature heating times of five seconds (which is certainly impressive), the FireFly 2+ takes it a step further and offers three seconds of rapid heating team.

Its removable battery allows you to swap it out as needed. The unit also offers a free app for Android and iOS.

Conclusion

Now you know about the many different types of vaping devices. You also have 10 great options that should cover your every need. If you’re brand new to vaping, consider starting with one of the cheaper models to get a feel for what you like. Over time, you’ll develop preferences and be able to justify buying some of the truly premium models out there.