Should I get the shingles vaccine?
Q: I’m 55, and a friend my age just got the shingles vaccine and urged me to do the same. But I’ve heard the shots can cause severe arm pain for days. Is it really worth it?
A: Yes, it usually is. The shingles vaccine, given in two doses over several months, helps prevent a much bigger problem than a sore arm or other side effects like fatigue, fever, and achiness.
The vaccine called Shingrix is very effective against shingles, which is a reactivation of the chickenpox virus that stays dormant in your nerves. Shingles can cause a very painful skin rash and may lead to a complication called postherpetic neuralgia, which is severe nerve pain that can last for months or even years after the rash disappears.
It’s smarter to prevent these issues rather than avoid the shingles vaccine because of temporary side effects. Shingrix is FDA-approved for adults 50 and older. Discuss your concerns with your doctor and get her advice.
Last Saturday, I went to visit the Govan Stones with my partner, and it was a lovely tour. Today, I’ll be sharing what I wore and keeping this post simple. Later next week, I’ll share my entire tour of the Govan Stones and other places we visited. I’m super excited to share this with you as it is historic and, in my opinion, interesting.
I changed in the car because I knew the weather could get cold and unpredictable—one minute it’s cold, and the next, it’s raining and windy. I wore this pink short outfit to the second location, but since the first location we visited was a church, I wore black cargo pants from Route one instead.
Here’s what I wore:
White/Green Tee: River Island
Sleeveless Jacket: Topshop
Shoes: Zara
My God has done it again! He told us to trust in Him, and He would take care of us, and today, I have a powerful testimony to share with you all. My heart is overflowing with praise and thankfulness to God. Every time we step out and return safely, it is truly a miracle.
Photo credit: Fluxfactory
Cocktails at cruising altitude come with potential serious health risks.
When we have had a long day before the flight, we tend to want to relax during the flight. Some relax by drinking alcohol. While it might sound like a fun way to celebrate the start of a trip, there’s something important to consider: drinking alcohol on a plane could actually be risky. If you’re planning to catch some sleep on a long-haul flight, you might want to think twice about ordering that champagne.
What happens to your body when you are in the air?
Once you’re cruising at high altitude, the lower atmospheric pressure means your body gets less oxygen. Normally, your blood oxygen levels hover around 96% to 100%, but up in the sky, they can drop to about 90% or even lower.
To adjust, your body kicks into high gear: you start breathing faster to get more oxygen, and your heart pumps quicker to circulate blood throughout your system. This works for most people, but heart conditions can make it difficult.
Things get even more complicated when you throw alcohol into the mix. According to Dr. Matthew Mosquera, a medical expert from McLean Hospital, alcohol can mess with how your red blood cells pick up oxygen. It disrupts hemoglobin, the molecule responsible for carrying oxygen, making it harder for your body to stay oxygenated.
So, if you've got your boarding pass and a drink order in mind, here are some things you might want to think about. There are a few factors that can make your blood oxygen levels drop even more on a plane:
Aging: As we get older, our bodies become less efficient at adjusting to changes in oxygen levels.
Sleeping: Our breathing naturally slows down while we sleep, and this can be even more pronounced on a plane.
Underlying conditions: If you have lung disease, sleep apnea (where you briefly stop breathing while you sleep), or heart issues, less oxygen will reach your lungs.
Hey everyone! Last Sunday, after church, my partner and I decided to visit Springburn Park for a chill day out and to snap some fab pics of my lime green outfit.
Springburn Park is located in the north of Glasgow, Scotland. It’s about 2.8 miles from the city center and spans a whopping 31 hectares (or 77 acres!). This park is not just huge but also super pretty with its extensive spring and summer bedding, vibrant bulbs, wallflowers, and polyanthus. If you’re into plants and flowers, it’s definitely a must-visit!
The park has loads of facilities catering to everyone. Whether you're into sports or just looking to relax, you’ve got options like a synthetic football pitch with floodlights, a juvenile football pitch, a multi-purpose games court, three bowling greens, a cricket pitch, and even an orienteering course!
One cool feature is the Glasgow City Health Walks, which happen here. They’re perfect for anyone looking to get into walking as a gentle exercise. The routes are short, ranging from half a mile to two miles, and they’re mainly on flat ground, making them ideal for beginners. For more info on these walks, visit Glasgow city council.
Public toilets are available at the Bowling Pavilion (May to September), Stobhill Hospital, and Springburn Leisure Centre.
Fun fact: The park was first acquired by Glasgow Corporation in 1892. Back then, it was just agricultural land with an old ironstone pit and quarry. It was developed with contributions from Sir James Reid and his family, and even had a Winter Gardens built, thanks to a generous donation. Although the Winter Gardens are currently closed due to structural issues, there are plans to restore them.
The winter gardens at Springburn park