Home Blog Page 548

This Is Why Strong And Independent Ladies Have Trouble Finding A Real Man

By
Stephanie Reeds

There’s nothing wrong with knowing how much you deserve and fighting for your own rights. We should all look up to these types of people.

Strong women are the pillars of the earth. They know their worth, they stand up for themselves, they don’t put up with other people’s issues and they simply refuse to let others take control of their lives.

In a nutshell, strong women are the ones who give us the courage to never give up.

But, there’s something about these beautiful human beings that I just don’t get.

They might have everything going for them, but when it comes to love, they have a hard time finding a special someone who would love and cherish them for exactly who they are.

Why is it so difficult for these amazing beings to find love?

Well, I figured it’s best to spend some time discussing this subject with some of the women in my life. And this is what I’ve found out so far.

1. MOST MEN ARE INTIMIDATED BY INDEPENDENT WOMEN

You might be fascinated by the energy these women radiate with, but believe me, not all men out there respect them for what they are – fearless warriors. The sad truth is… most men have very fragile egos and conservative, traditional values, so as a result, they are easily intimidated by women who are not afraid to speak up for themselves.

2. STRONG WOMEN WOULD NEVER SETTLE FOR JUST ABOUT ANYONE

These women have been through a lot in life. They’ve put up with all kinds of relationships, partners, and disappointments to finally realize that it simply isn’t worth it. From that moment on, they promised themselves that they would never settle for just about anyone.

3. THEY DON’T NEED A MAN TO FEEL COMPLETE

More importantly, strong women are whole on their own. They don’t see relationships as a way to complete themselves, but rather as a part of their life that should only make them even happier than they are.

4. MOST OF THEM PRIORITIZE THEIR CAREER OVER ROMANTIC LOVE

However, one of the reasons why they usually struggle to find their significant other is the fact that most of them often prioritize their careers and goals over romantic love. These women usually have a lot going on, so as a result, it is very hard for them to leave everything else aside and focus entirely on the relationship. After all, it is all about their priorities and their choices.

5. STRONG WOMEN ARE NOT AFRAID TO EXPRESS THEIR EMOTIONS

These women know exactly what they want in life, so when they really like or love someone, they don’t hesitate to show those feelings. Strong women don’t have time to play childish hard-to-get games. They don’t have time to pretend like they don’t care. When they meet someone they truly like, they go all in. However, not every man knows how to handle this kind of boldness. And so, most of them are threatened by these independent women.

6. THEY WON’T PUT UP WITH MEN WHO TAKE THEM FOR GRANTED

They are not used to being treated like doormats. Strong women don’t tolerate such rude and disrespectful behavior. They speak their mind and they’re not afraid to leave people who mistreat them, even if they eventually end up all alone.

7. THEY NEED TO BE WITH SOMEONE WHO WOULD CHALLENGE AND SUPPORT THEM

Strong and independent women are looking for a man who would be 100% supportive of their individual journey, someone who would hold their hand and fight beside them. They want a man who would never stop challenging them.

8. THEY KNOW THEIR WORTH

No matter how lonely they sometimes feel, they never let their temporary feeling weigh them down and force them to settle for something average. Strong women stand their ground and stick to their core values. They want a man who would treat them like they deserve to be treated. Someone who would support them every step of the way.

Who Says All Introverts Are Antisocial? This Is The Truth About Introverts And Extroverts

By
Stephanie Reeds

We all know the main difference between extroverts and introverts. The most common misconception about these creatures is the fact that introverts are shy, reserved and they hate to socialize, while extroverts are basically the life of the party. They’re extremely outgoing and they’re the complete opposite of the socially withdrawn introverts.

However, the reality is not so black and white, after all. There’s much more to these amazing human beings if you actually bother to scratch the surface.

It is true that extroverts refill their tank with energy by socializing and spending time around bigger crowds of people. It’s just the way they are. But, it is not that introverts shy away from social events. It’s not that they’re terrified of other people. They simply recharge on their own unique way. These incredible, peculiar human beings need to be alone with their thoughts to reconnect with themselves.

This once again doesn’t mean that they don’t like to socialize, but rather that introverts are far more sensitive when it comes to being around big crowds.

While extroverts would spend their whole night partying, introverts would attend the party, catch up with friends, but after a while, they would leave and spend the rest of their night alone with their thoughts. That is the kind of balance these people need.

Extroverts and introverts have a different reaction to the external stimuli.

In a 2005 study, Dr. Michael Cohen and his team of researchers have found that extroverts have more active dopamine systems. They asked a group of introverts and extroverts to engage in a gambling task, and the results were, well… obvious. The extrovert’s response to a won bet was much stronger than the introvert’s reaction.

The research showed that introverts and extroverts have a different system for processing rewards and it is clearly linked with their dopamine system.

Even though the terms introvert and extrovert were first popularized by Carl Jung himself, it was Hank Eysenck who in 1960 said that the differences between these two opposing personality types are due to their distinct brain psychology.

He stated that these two personality types don’t have the same level of arousal. The extroverts are constantly on the lookout for more excitement, more adventure, and more new experiences, and therefore, their arousal level is lower. But, introverts, on the other side, as a result of their high arousal level, tend to keep the excitement at a minimum.

That is exactly why extroverts and introverts have different pathways for processing external stimulations.

Since extroverts have a lower level of arousal, it is only natural for them to seek additional stimuli which will boost their dopamine system and provide them with all kinds of rewards. This often results in extroverts stepping out of their comfort zones and searching for new hobbies, experiences, and interests. Dopamine is their drug. Simple as that.

But, introverts, on the other side, they stick with the acetylcholine – another neurotransmitter responsible for that happy, pleasant feeling which is also known as the alertness chemical. Acetylcholine is also linked with introspection. That’s one of the reasons why introverts don’t need external stimulation to feel better.

While extroverts are on the lookout for new, exciting things, introverts enjoy the process of self-reflection. While extroverts seem like they are easily distracted by everything that surrounds them, introverts are the ones who practice the art of focus.

So, which one are you? Are you an introvert or an extrovert?

Share with us.

Understanding and Coping With Teenage Depression

By
Elizabeth Williams

Depression doesn’t just affect those who are diagnosed with it. It can also extend to family and friends. Watching someone you love go through such a difficult mental illness can be frustrating and heartbreaking, and these issues can arise during adolescence. But there are steps that you and your teenager can take, and you don’t have to try and figure it out on your own. With proper guidance and the help of a team of specialists, treatment centers, and family members, you can help your teen in the right direction.

What is depression?

Depression isn’t just the occasional mood swing or feeling of sadness. It can consist of long bouts of suppressed appetite, overwhelming negative emotions (or even an overwhelming “empty” feeling), and low levels of energy. Depression affects over 16 million adults and over 3 million teenagers per year in the United States.

And mental illness doesn’t just interfere with your internal state: it can alter life in many ways everyday, such as interfering with family, social interactions, and work life. A depressed person may lose interest in things he or she once enjoyed. By the age of 14, more than half of all chronic mental illness begins to show, and if left untreated, it can worsen. Chances are, the depression won’t fade without treatment — while there are important benefits to speaking with friends, family, or even therapy pets (not that they’ll answer much), it’s also crucial to look for professional support by consulting with a psychologist or psychiatrist, whether at a private practice or in a treatment center.

Treatment for depression in teens

Being a teenger brings on a range of excitement and anxiety. Normal feelings of doubt, sadness, and other mixed emotions are common in young adults. Their body is ever-changing and they may not always understand what’s happening. Self-identity is also blossoming for teenagers, which is complicated enough without the academic challenges and evolving social norms.

Luckily, the pain you are feeling can’t last forever, and the day will come when you decide to end your relationship with the narcissist and put a full stop to narcissist breakup games. To overcome depression due to breaking up with your loved ones, it’s time to have an appointment for Teen Mental health treatment.

If you suspect your teen is struggling with depression, you can find help through hotlines or at treatment facilities like Polaris Teen centers. Treatment centers provide support and guidance for teens who struggle with major depression, self harm, eating disorders, and other conditions. A team of mental health doctors and counselors will create a program just for your teen and the specific issues they’re facing. A study showed that with help, two out of three teens found beneficial results during mental health treatment. A treatment plan can consist of not just therapy, but medications which can help reduce symptoms.

What can you do to help

Supporting a teen who is struggling with depression can be difficult for the entire family. Your teenager may not wish to divulge their problems, and approaching a teenager who is depressed can be daunting. Always employ a gentle approach by asking what you can do to help. You can take this time to gain insight into why they feel the way they do. By acknowledging how they have been acting lately, you are letting them know that you’re concerned and worried.

However, if they choose not to tell you, don’t be discouraged. Keep an open line of communication and let your teen know you are there for them. You can ask if they have anything on their mind, and make offers to do things together. Spending time together can open your teen up in a non-aggressive or threatening way, and this way, you’re giving them the lead to share on their terms. It can be hard for your teen to express how he or she is feeling, and asking for space, whether in an aggressive way or not, is your teen’s way of coping.

So don’t give up. In the meantime, there are further steps you can take such as researching signs of teen depression and gathering the contact info for local therapists. Mental illness is a tough thing to deal with, but with the right tools and support, you and your family can get through it one day at a time.

8 Things You Do That Show You Have Zero Respect For Yourself

By
Riley Cooper

We all feel we deserve respect from others. But has it ever occurred to us to stop and ask ourselves whether we’re respecting the person staring at us in the mirror? I believe I know the answer.

Unfortunately, people wrongly think that respect means following the norms, agreeing with everything someone says, or praising and worshiping someone because you respect them or the other way round. But, respect is so much more than that. Respect is about being true to and have confidence in yourself. It’s about listening to your thoughts and emotions.

Respect is about accepting and cherishing yourself just the way you are, with all your quirks, irritating habits, insecurities, and fears. It’s about treating yourself with kindness, compassion, and love. Respect is about feeling comfortable in your own skin.

When you don’t accept yourself the way you are and feel comfortable in your own skin, you project onto other people what you don’t like and accept about yourself. And in this way, you’ll never be able to respect yourself and others as well.

Here are 8 things you do that show you’re disrespecting yourself:

1. You seek the approval of others.

You constantly seek the validation of other people. Whether it’s about your feelings, beliefs, physical appearance, or actions, you seek their consent and approval. You also have a hard time making decisions, both small and big, and therefore, you ask for your friends and family members’ opinion.

You need to understand that no one has the right to decide for yourself and have control over your opinions, beliefs, and actions. You’re the master of your own life. You don’t need others to tell you how to live it.

2. You put yourself last.

You always take care of others and put their feelings, needs, and problems ahead of your own. You spend your time and energy on helping others solve their problems while neglecting yours.

I know, caring for and helping others bring us joy and satisfaction. Yet, that doesn’t mean you should put yourself last on your priority list. And no, this is not selfish at all. It has another name – it’s called self-care. And only when you practice self-care, will you feel more emotionally stable and productive.

3. You hide your emotions.

You tend to suppress negative feelings such as fear, sadness, and anger because you perceive them as weaknesses. Therefore, you don’t display them in public. Sometimes you even hide your joy and excitement because you fear others may think you’re boastful or arrogant.

But, know that by hiding your true feelings you prevent yourself from feeling things truly and deeply. So, if you want to scream, then scream at the top of your lungs. If you feel like crying, cry your eyes out. If you want to show your love, show it wholeheartedly.

If you feel worried, sad, depressed, or angry, and someone asks you, Is everything okay,? don’t say, Yes, I’m fine. Instead, tell them honestly how you feel. Acknowledge your emotions and be honest with yourself.

4. You often tell white lies to impress others.

When you pretend to be someone you’re not just to impress others, this is a sure sign you’re disrespecting yourself and suffer from low self-esteem. Don’t lie to other people so as to make them like you. When you present a fake image of yourself, you always run the risk of getting busted. And when that happens, you’ll lose your integrity for good.

So, be yourself. You’re good enough and worthy just the way you are. And if someone can’t see that, then they’re not worth your time and attention.

5. You’re hard on yourself.

We all make mistakes and experience failure. But, they’re not fatal or something we should punish ourselves for. They’re lessons. It is through them that we grow, learn more things about ourselves and the world around us, and become wiser and stronger.

There’s no point punishing yourself by indulging in negative self-talk and blaming yourself when you make a mistake or fail to accomplish a goal and meet your expectations. What you need to do is forgive yourself and let go.

6. You keep doing things you don’t like.

Whether it’s a relationship, job, or lifestyle, doing the things that bring you more harm than good is not the way how you should treat yourself. There’s no point spending your energy and time on people and things that are not beneficial for you.

Moreover, this kind of masochistic behavior can greatly affect your mental and emotional health and even cause serious conditions, such as anxiety and depression.

7. You’re angry.

You can feel angry for variety of reasons. You can be angry with your parents, partner, brother or sister, or coworker. You can even be angry at yourself.

Yet, no matter the person you’re angry with and the reason, anger is always an indicator that you’re not satisfied with your current situation. So, make some changes. Fix and improve the things you don’t like about your life.

8. You don’t trust your gut.

You tend to ignore that little, inner voice in your head because you fear to hear the ugly truth. You’re afraid to hear how you truly feel about someone or something. You’re also afraid to base your decisions on your intuition because you worry it presents too much of a risk.

You also silence your inner voice when you want to resist change and avoid conflict. But, remember that no matter how hard you try to ignore your intuition and believe in illusions you create and find easier to accept than the truth, the latter will always find its way to you.

4 Types Of Narcissists All Empaths Should Keep A Lookout For

By
Riley Cooper

We’re all aware of what kind of people narcissists are, and yet, many fall into their toxic trap over and over again. And having been burned by a couple of narcissists myself, I know how easy it is to end up in a dangerous, toxic, life-sucking relationship that leaves you feeling drained and hurt.

Narcissists manipulate your thoughts, play with your feelings, and twist your perception of reality. They hide behind a self-inflated image of themselves. They appear charming, kind, and loving on the outside, but, in fact, they’re uncaring, self-absorbed, indifferent, and cruel.

On the other hand, we know what kind of people empaths are. They’re caring and compassionate. They feel other people’s feelings and energies, and when they notice someone is hurt or feels sad, they do their best to help them and alleviate their pain.

Due to their highly sensitive nature and need to help others, empaths often have a hard time establishing clear boundaries for themselves, and this often negatively affects their mental, emotional, and physical health. Moreover, this also makes them an easy victim for people who want to take advantage of them.

With that being said, can you put narcissists and empaths together? No, I don’t think so. So, why is it that these two diametrically opposed types of people feel such a powerful, magnetic attraction towards each other? There’re different theories, but at the heart of it, I believe that this is the way life creates balance.

Both narcissists and empaths face their opposite selves and both are forced to experience pain, learn from each other, and grow. And what all empaths need to understand is that they can never “fix” or “heal” the narcissist in their life. The only person who can “fix” a narcissist is themselves.

There are 4 types of narcissists all empaths should look out for, but before we present them, let’s take a look at the two main types of narcissists:

Vulnerable Narcissists

These people tend to be shy and quiet. However, to compensate for their feelings of unworthiness and self-hatred, they create an idealized image of themselves.

They have no respect and consideration whatsoever for other people’s feelings and opinions. Their greatest fear is being rejected and abandoned, which is why they’re incapable of loving someone honestly and unconditionally.

All they care about is to get attention and admiration from others.

Invulnerable Narcissists

These people are extremely self-confident, self-centered, and unsympathetic. They have a strong need to be the center of attention, and they relentlessly seek recognition,  praise, power, and pleasure.

They consider themselves as superior to everyone else and they’re incapable of creating meaningful, deep relationships with others.

And here are the 4 subtypes:

1. The Elitist Narcissist

These people reflect the traditional image of narcissists: that of an entitled, highly self-confident people. This kind of narcissists is prepared to do anything to climb the social ladder, and, of course, get to the top.

They’re convinced that they’re better than and superior to everyone else due to their successes or backgrounds, and they feel a strong need to dominate others.

No matter how absurd and even funny it may sound, but Elitist Narcissists believe they were born as the smartest, most beautiful and capable people, and therefore they deserve special treatment. And this unrealistic and unmerited expectation of favorable treatment by others is present in every area of life, from family environment to work.

2. The Amorous Narcissist

This kind of narcissists measures their self-worth and power by how many sexual partners they’ve had in their life. They use their charm and attractiveness as well as gifts and flattery to lure their prey into their trap.

Yet, once their needs and desires are satisfied, they dispose of their victim like a puppet without feeling any shame or guilt.

That’s why these narcissists have the reputation of being the ultimate heart-breakers.

3. The Compensatory Narcissist

In order to compensate for their weaknesses, failures, and past traumas, this kind of narcissist emphasizes their achievements and present themselves as being the smartest, most capable and successful people.

In order to regain control over their life, these narcissists look for emotionally vulnerable people who will listen to their stories about how accomplished and successful they are and how amazing their life is.

4. The Malignant Narcissist

The behavior of this kind of narcissists often matches that of people with antisocial personality disorders, such as sociopaths and psychopaths. They lack moral principles and values and they’re incapable of feeling guilt and remorse for their actions.

If you have something that they want, they’ll stop at nothing to get it, and they won’t bother at all whether their actions will hurt you.

Malignant Narcissists can often be found in gangs, prisons, and drug rehabilitation centers.

Don’t Lose Hope – What Is Meant To Be Yours Will Come To You

By
Stephanie Reeds

I am a person who doesn’t like to settle.  I’m a fighter. I fight things that don’t make any sense. I don’t accept half-assed things. I want it all or nothing. I get frustrated and paranoid when something I worked hard for goes out of control.

So, you could probably say that I’m not the spontaneous, live-for-the-moment type of person. I like to make things my way.

But, silly me often forgets that as long as I breathe and live on this planet called Earth, there won’t be such thing as perfection.

You see, we can fight for the things we think we deserve, we can bend over backward to achieve something, but if something isn’t meant to come our way, it won’t.

Simple, yet very disappointing, huh?

I know, but that is the truth.

If there’s something I learned throughout these years, it is that life doesn’t always go according to our plan. It doesn’t follow our dreams and it simply doesn’t walk the same road we do.

Hey, I’m not saying that there aren’t moments when everything falls into place and we’re thrilled to have finally hit the jackpot in life. Fortunately, these rare moments exist.

But, then again, so does those hopeless ones.

We fall in love with the most wonderful person, we believe that our love will last forever, and then in the blink of an eye, everything we once knew shatters in front of us. We work hard for the dream job we hoped, we get it, but then all of sudden, nothing makes sense like you thought it would.

We rise, but then we fall down. And then, after a certain period, we rise again. Only this time we’re stronger than before.

In a nutshell, that is life, showing us that those things were never meant to be ours.

I know, those moments often leave us wounded, confused, insecure and sometimes even unable to move forward. They don’t give us all the answers we need. We don’t understand what’s happening, where are we going and what should our next move be. Before us, is the unknown and we’re strangers to that darkness. We’re terrified.

We scream we shout, we cry, we doubt our potential, we’re angry at the world because it suddenly feels like the whole world comes crashing down.

But, the truth remains. No matter how hard it was, they weren’t meant to happen to us.

The most important thing we have to remind ourselves is that we have to keep our faith. We have to keep moving on. We have to accept the failures as our lessons and continue our road.

Because what is meant for us, will eventually find its way to us.

It might drift away, and it might take some time to arrive, but ultimately it will find its way back to us. You have to be sure of it.

So, please. Don’t stress. Don’t overthink. Don’t blame yourself. Don’t give up. What is meant to be in your life, will happen at its own pace. It might not happen today, or tomorrow, but it will happen soon.

You just have to believe it.

5 Tips to Choose the Perfect LTL Freight Carrier

By
Elizabeth Williams

It could be a difficult and tedious task to find the ideal LTL Freight Carrier for your shipments. There are several things to be considered right from the correct determination of the weight of your items to finding the lowest possible rates.

What’s more? Most freight carriers shell out more attention to FTL shipments and in such cases, the LTL freight’s priority becomes an issue. To help you out, in here, we have provided a few tips that would help you in choosing the perfect LTL freight carrier and would ease you off by shedding all the worries

Choose the Perfect LTL Freight Carriers: 5 Key Tips

There are some important tips to efficiently choose the LTL carrier that is aligned with your shipping requirements. However, several factors like weight, freight class, and stow-ability need to be considered beforehand. The tips given below provide you assistance for a smoother experience and help you ensure that you find the best rates for your LTL shipment.  

1.Go for regional carriers

We recommend you to consider regional carriers according to the destination of your shipment. Mostly, the density of the truckloads of regional carriers is much higher; therefore they are willing to offer lower rates.

Regional carriers even have more insights as far as embargoes are concerned. While you are considering a regional LTL carrier, ensure that they provide proper customer service. Furthermore, such carriers must also inform you about any changes, problems or anything regarding the shipment.

2. Track your freight

Make sure that your freight carrier provides you with access to tracking your shipment. Be it pick up or drop off; ensure that you can view the whereabouts and the status of your freight. Hence, be sure that the freight carriers you have chosen provide easy tracking.

Freight carriers who render various options for transportation are ideal. It could be that a particular means of transportation could be more suitable for your freight, so the carrier should provide you with the best means available.

3. Pay attention to fees and billing

It is important to pay close attention to all the details while you are filling the bill of lading or the BOL. Even by mistake, there is a discrepancy; it could be bad for the entire process.

Make sure that the freight quote involves all the correct details, be it in regard to how the freight is being shipped or what is actually being shipped. Also, appropriately prepare your entire shipment so as to avoid any extra fees or charges.

Whether you want to properly determine the freight class or have to secure the goods in a pallet, any kind of problem or issue, in this case, could result in extra charges from your carrier.

4. Do proper research as per your goods

You must understand what freight class is actually and what freight class will actually suit your requirements. In total, there are 18 distinct freight classes, therefore you must do your research beforehand. You can use various freight class and density calculator available in the market.

Additionally, shippers are expected to package the items to avoid any further extra charges properly. And the more properly you package your freight, you shall be charged lesser. If you are placing the freight on the pallets, ensure that all the items are firmly stacked as well as are tight and secure. Do wrap them properly as well to make sure there is double the safety for your goods.

5. Negotiate

Negotiating is always recommended. There are a few carriers out there who are willing to work on freight rates, especially if you are willing to enter into a contract with the shipper.  So, do not be afraid to ask, maybe you can find some luck on this side. It could be as little as waiving or reducing the extra charges.

Whenever you are approaching a freight carrier, make sure to compare the best ones before approaching any. Whether you want to transit times or management system, either can help you make a spreadsheet, compare costs and utilize transportation as well as tell you about insurance policies.

Bonus tip if you are seeking LTL carriers

We recommend you to avoid 3PL’s or the third-party logistics. Even though the third-party logistics can be beneficial for some, that’s not what the case is with LTL shipments. Various shippers who are seeking LTL freight may consider the third-party logistics, but the lack of control over deliveries and the upfront costs could be a major disadvantage.

In addition to distribution, this is often due to warehousing and therefore, they aren’t a good solution for LTL shipments. So, if you would not need warehousing or don’t have a good volume of the shipments then third-party logistics is not a viable option.

Learn What Are Endodontists, Prosthodontists, and Periodontists?

By
Ana Miller

Everyone should have a family dentist. Regular dental visits allow for catching problems before they get in the advanced stages. They allow your dentist to check for problems that you may not see or feel. These checkups may reveal cavities, oral cancer, and gum disease.

You should also know that dentistry has a variety of specialities. Some offices, like the team at 9 West Main Dental, can handle various situations in addition to general dentistry. You can usually look at your dentist’s website to see what types of services they offer.  Read on to find out what endodontists, prosthodontists, and periodontists are.

Save Your Teeth With Endodontists

An endodontist is a dentist with a speciality. This occupation requires an additional two or more years of training outside of dental school. The extra training focuses on performing root canal procedures, doing procedures on the tooth interior and diagnosing tooth pain.

When a cavity is left untreated, it eventually affects the centre of your tooth. The centre is known as the pulp of your tooth. It contains blood vessels and sensitive nerves. If the pulp disease is not treated, then it can spread to the supporting bone. This results in losing your teeth. (1)

However, you should treat a diseased tooth before it gets to complete tooth loss. A diseased tooth has a better chance of being saved with endodontic treatment. One of the most common procedures used is a root canal. It involves removing the diseased pulp, cleaning the pulp chamber, cleaning the root canal and sealing the tooth.

Your Teeth With Prosthodontists

A prosthodontist is a dentist who has completed three additional years of advanced training. You also have to complete an ADA-accredited prosthodontic graduate program. Prosthodontists are experts on anything that needs to be replaced on the inside of your mouth. These replacements include the gums, a single tooth, multiple teeth or all of your teeth.

Specialists in this field have advanced training in replacing and restoring teeth. They can fix facial and dental problems relating to jaw structures. If you have missing teeth, then the prosthodontics field performs a variety of procedures to replace them. These procedures include dentures, bridges, crowns, and dental implants. They are highly trained in cosmetic dentistry and treat temporomandibular disorders as well.

These specialists are also the leaders of your dental treatment plan. They work with health professionals, specialists and general dentists to develop dental solutions for patients.

Diagnose Disease With Periodontists

A periodontist is a dentist who has three additional years of advanced training in periodontal disease. Specialists in this field specialize in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of periodontal disease. They are also experts in the placement of dental implants and treating oral inflammation. (2)

You would see a periodontist for complex dental cases. A dental problem can become complicated with a complex medical history and with severe gum disease. A visit with this specialist involves examining your gums for recession, checking the bite and looking for loose teeth.

Periodontists perform a variety of procedures, such as root surface debridement and scaling and root planing. They stay updated on the latest technology for treating periodontal disease and performing cosmetic periodontal procedures.

This specialist treats severe cases of gum problems using surgical procedures. Soft tissue grafts are a procedure carried out in this field. It helps with replacing gum tissue that was lost from your gums receding. The replacement gum tissue comes from the root of your mouth. Periodontists also have advanced training in the maintenance, placement, and repair of dental implants.

If you ignore dental problems, then it allows the condition to spread and become more severe. You should never minimize the significance of gum disease. It has been linked to major health complications, such as stroke, pancreatic cancer, and heart disease. You should consider scheduling a dental appointment now.

Is Gout a Serious Disease? Some Facts About the Disease Decoded

By
Ana Miller

As one grows older body starts to show symptoms of wear and tear by way of pains and aches. While these pains and aches can be very bothering, timely action by way of accurate diagnosis and treatment goes a long way in helping the body recover and stay healthy. Most often we treat pains of muscles and joints as casual sprains and try to get relief by either consuming painkillers or applying pain-relieving topical ointments. But what happens if the pain is a symptom of an underlying serious medical ailment. Hence, if the pain is unusual and long driven, timely medical intervention is extremely crucial to treat it. (1)

What is Gout?

A disease that is characterized by pains and aches of muscles and joints; Gout is a disease that is very similar to arthritis. Gout is a disease commonly diagnosed among men and generally involves sudden spurs of burning pains, muscle stiffness, and joint swellings. These painful spurs are recurring in nature unless the disease is treated completely. When left untreated for long, Gout can result in harming the joints, tissues and ligaments making even basic day to day activities seem painful.

Can Gout strike you?

Check out the common causes of the disease:

The presence of excessive Uric acid in the blood can lead to Gout. It is usually common to find high uric levels in the bloodstream of individuals but for some individuals, the Uric acid levels increase beyond control. Extremely high levels of uric acid in the blood can lead to the uric acid components formation of hard crystals in the joints which in turn causes gout. Individuals eating excessive amounts of meat, consuming too much alcohol or those who are obese; stand higher risks of being diagnosed with Gout. Meat and particularly plates of seafood like fishes are high on a chemical compound is known as purines which is one of the major factors resulting in Gout. Medications such as water pills or diuretics can also lead to gout.

What happens to the body when Gout strikes?

Gout though shows up suddenly in most cases, it is a result of prolonged reasons. It takes years for the uric acid to build up as crystals around the joints and tissues thereby causing Gout. Typically, a gout attack begins at night with some pain that grows into acute pain as the symptoms progress. A usual gout attack involves symptoms like swelling, excessive pain, redness around the affected skin area and inflammation around the joint affected. Most often the symptoms are seen around the big toe. In most cases, Gout symptoms will last for a specific period of time and then recur. Mostly gout symptoms are known to settle down in a week’s time. The milder painful episodes may last up to one or two days and are hence often misconstrued and a sprain or a muscular catch. In severe cases of Gout, the muscle soreness and tenderness can last up to a month. The reoccurrence of gout symptoms can be anywhere between 6 months up to 2 years. The intervals between attacks could also extend up to a year. When left untreated, the frequency of gout episodes could be higher.

The Gout disease progresses in an individual’s body in three steps:

Step 1: In the first step of this disease, the body has high levels of uric acid but does not show any symptoms of the same. The levels may continue to remain high without showing the physical symptoms. The crystals could in some cases also result in kidney stones before triggering the first episode of a gout attack. (2)

Step 2: In the second step of gout the attacks begin as the uric acid crystals form, generally seen around the big toe. After the first attack settles the patient may feel normal. The time between the episodes of gout may be short or long and the severity of each gout episode may also vary. The attacks may either be concentrated around one area involving any one particular joint or may involve more than one joint.

Step 3: In this step, the symptoms of the attack may either last longer or just stay on. The effect could be seen on more than one joint. This stage of gout is rather serious, but most people never get there due to advanced treatment options that are available. There are unpleasant nodules that appear under the skin in this stage. They are called Tophi. In case not treated on time, these tophi could spread to the external ear or to the tissues around the joints. This can lead to pain, swelling, redness of the skin and inflammation. This can further advance to the destruction of the bone tissues, impairing them permanently. (3)

Risk factors associated with Gout

There are a number of factors that may result in Gout disease or increase one’s chances of acquiring this disease. Some of the known associated risks of gout are:

  • Men are more likely to be affected by the gout disease
  • In many cases, gout is seen to be a hereditary disease affecting those with a family history of gout
  • In some individuals, there is a birth defect whereby the body automatically is prone to high uric acid in the bloodstream. Such people by default fall under the risk zone of acquiring gout disease
  • Certain medications such as aspirin, diuretic medicines, chemotherapy medicines or immune suppressants such as cyclosporine are known to cause gout in some cases

Symptoms of Gout

The common symptoms associated with gout include:

  • The first part of the body that starts showing symptoms of gout is generally the big toe. The patient can feel a warm, painful sensation around the joints. Most patients face these symptoms at night and they can get worse rather quickly. The pain could be so intense that any pressure that the patient feels can be very painful and difficult to manage.
  • Discoloured skin (mainly reddish or purple) around the joints that are most affected by the gout pain
  • Restricted movement of the joints or feeling intense pain when trying to move at all
  • The skin may feel itchy or scaly as the condition improves.

An important thing to remember about gout is that people feel varied symptoms of the disease at different points.

  • In some cases of gout, instead of gout attacks, patients may feel the pain due to gout all the time. In the case of older adults, it becomes difficult to classify gout as it is often confused with arthritis.
  • The gout disease can spread to cause discomfort and pain around the feet joints, ankles, knees, fingers, wrists and elbows. (4)

Diagnosing the symptoms of gout

To diagnose gout, the onus first lies on the patient to understand the pain of gout is different from a normal muscular pull or sprain. The patient must visit the doctor as soon as the severe pain is felt in any one particular joint that can come and go very quickly.  Also, a visit to the doctor is necessary where the joints feel swollen and tender and there is slight redness around the skin. If the pain subsides also, the patient must visit the doctor for a complete analysis of the condition as the uric acid buildup which results in gout can cause serious complications eventually.  When diagnosed and treated on time, the uric acid buildup can be corrected through medications and the symptoms of the disease can be reversed.

Following tests may be recommended by the doctor for a complete diagnosis of the disease:

  • A test that involves examining the joint fluid (arthrocentesis) is recommended to confirm gout. This test confirms the presence of uric acid crystals present in the bloodstream.
  • The doctor obtains a complete medical history (including the family history of the patient) followed by a physical examination before confirming gout.
  • In the case for any reason if the doctor is not able to obtain the joint fluids, then the uric acid levels are tested for in the bloodstream by means of a blood test.
  • Urine tests are also recommended to measure the uric acid levels present in the body.

Treatment and Medications

The good news as far as gout disease goes is that it can very much be treated and managed under medical supervision. The treatment aims at managing the pain and preventing further gout attacks. The mode of treatment is largely through medications and certain home measures that help in effectively managing the pain and other symptoms.

In the case of acute and severe gout attacks, medications such as Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), Colchicine and Oral corticosteroids are prescribed by the doctor. These medications are usually temporary and recommended to manage the first signs of gout. Resting the joint that has felt the impact of gout is also very crucial in managing gout. Patients are advised to refrain from indulging in high-intensity activities such as running, gaming etc that can put pressure on the affected joints thereby causing pain and discomfort. Ice packs and cold packs are recommended to soothe skin inflammations. Painkillers are usually recommended to bring about relief from the pain and aches.

If Gout is not treated on time, it can continue as a long-term disease that can cause immense discomfort due to the pain and other symptoms. It can also become chronic affecting more than one joint. To manage the symptoms of gout one must complete the medication prescribed. If there are long-term drugs indicated by the healthcare practitioner that can effectively reduce the reoccurrence of the attacks, then the patient must complete the entire course. Further medication with regards to controlling uric acid in the blood may also be required to be consumed for the long term.

Although gout is a disease that put a persona through a lot of pain and discomfort it is not really a life-threatening disease. However, ignored symptoms can lead to quality of life getting affected. Hence, to manage the disease and from preventing it one must make an early diagnosis and take the treatment to get relief from the disease at the earliest.

Internet psychotherapy or online therapy – Taking a closer look at it

By
Ana Miller

Nowadays with the tap of an app or with the click of a mouse, you get immediate and quick access to an online therapist without having to visit the office of the therapist. All you need is a computer or a smartphone and an internet connection. The majority of people these days are comfortable with using the internet and for all of them, seeking the help of an online therapist is certainly more convenient than sitting in front of a therapist and sharing their problems. (1)

Due to the fact that this kind of therapy is delivered through different telecommunication devices and tools, psychologists usually refer to this as telepsychology. While there are several online resources like e-counseling.com/online-therapy/ where you can get to seek the help of the best therapists, there are still a few things that you should know.

What makes people love online therapy?

Online therapy resolves to offer several types of benefits as compared to face-to-face psychotherapy. Here are a few reasons why people love online therapy.

  • It is convenient: As you don’t have to take leave from the office in order to meet the therapist and you don’t have to worry about the traffic, this is a more convenient option.
  • It is less costly: As against in-person therapy, online therapy is also cost-effective. Each online session might seem to be considerably low priced as compared to the in-office visits.
  • It is more comfortable: There are many who feel hesitant to share their issues with someone unknown by sitting in front of them. For such people, communicating online is a better option.
  • It is more accessible: For all those who are not able to visit the office of the therapist due to any health or mobility issue, they can find it helpful to sit back at home and enjoy the services of an online therapist.

A word of caution before choosing an online therapist

In spite of the fact that online therapy offers so many benefits before you choose, you should consider whether or not this is the best option for you. You have to understand whether the tool is appropriate for you and one more thing to check is whether or not the therapist is licensed. You should ensure seeking the help of a licensed therapist so that you can be sure about the quality of the services that you’re offered.

Therefore, whenever you’re eager to seek the help of an online counsellor or a therapist, you should take into account the vital points mentioned above.

1...547548549...709Page 548 of 709

Follow us on Instagram @curiousmindmagazine

© Curiousmindmagazine 2015