The Italian Alps form an arc stretching from Monaco in the west to Trieste in the east, encompassing the entirety of Italy's northernmost region.
They are divided into three major categories. With its dramatic playground of snowcapped mountains, which borders France and Switzerland, the western side of the high Alps is the southern end of the high Alps. The Italian Lakes are located in the center of the country, where large lakes are surrounded by smaller hills and picturesque villages. The Dolomites, on the other hand, are jagged rocky peaks surrounded by lush alpine meadows in the eastern section.
From Milan, the entire Italian Alps region is easily accessible. When visiting the Dolomites in the eastern section, the best activities are only a short drive away from Venice or Verona in the south, or Innsbruck in the north, depending on where you are coming from in Italy or Austria.
1. Lake Braies by @elcampa1969
2. Molveno by @funk_design
3. Val Badia by @ilhan1077
4. Lake Braies by @rita_manzella_
5. Rifugio delle Odle by @elcampa1969
6. Val Badia by @ilhan1077
2. Molveno by @funk_design
3. Val Badia by @ilhan1077
4. Lake Braies by @rita_manzella_
5. Rifugio delle Odle by @elcampa1969
6. Val Badia by @ilhan1077
The most critical lifesaving tool we have in this pandemic is vaccination against the virus that causes COVID-19. All of the vaccines that have been licensed in the United States have been proven to be extremely safe and reliable. And we've known from the start that the robust protection they provide would eventually wane.
However, has protection deteriorated sufficiently to warrant booster shots? Recent studies published by researchers in the United Kingdom, Israel, and the United States (reviewed here and here) raised this possibility, and Israel and the United Kingdom have already launched ambitious booster programs.
Vaccinate every single person.
You might be aware, that the CDC and FDA conducted a review of the need, safety, and effectiveness of boosters for the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine. In the coming weeks and months, both agencies will conduct a review of data for Moderna and Johnson & Johnson. This is the only booster shot available right now.
But first and foremost, it's critical not to overlook this fact: vaccinating the unvaccinated should take priority over booster shots for those who have already received vaccines. This is true for individuals in the United States who have been unable or unwilling to obtain the vaccine, as well as individuals in other parts of the world with limited access to vaccines.
Not only would expanding the pool of people who have received their initial vaccinations save more lives than promoting boosters, but it would also help reduce COVID-related healthcare disparities between richer and poorer countries. That is why the World Health Organization (WHO) has called for a moratorium on booster doses. Biden administration officials announced that an additional 500 million vaccines would be donated to developing countries with low vaccination rates, bringing the US commitment to 1.1 billion doses. The administration emphasizes that establishing a booster program in the United States and assisting other countries in vaccinating their citizens are not mutually exclusive.
Is a booster dose different from a third shot?
Not all additional vaccine doses are boosters. FDA approved a third dose in August 2021, the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine for immunocompromised individuals. This includes individuals living with HIV and those undergoing cancer treatment that suppresses the immune system. The extra dose is not considered a booster for them; it is considered part of their initial immunization series.
Choosing the right time to receive vaccine boosters
Ideally, vaccines booster are administered no sooner than necessary, but well before widespread protective immunity begins to decline. The dangers of waiting too long are self-evident: as immunity declines, infection, serious illness, and death rates may begin to rise.
However, there are downsides to administering boosters prematurely:
Side effects may be more common. While published research indicates that boosters are safe, we don’t yet have long-term data.
The benefit may be small. It may be advisable to wait on booster vaccinations if the majority of people are still protected by their initial vaccinations.
It's possible that current boosters won't cover future variants. Boosters may be modified to include new variants of concern in the coming months.
Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine booster recommendations
The CDC and FDA have concluded that boosters are necessary for some recipients of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine. A booster dose is recommended at least six months after the second dose for those who are :
- 65 years of age or older.
- 18 to 64 years of age and at a high risk of developing severe illness from COVID, such as those who have chronic lung disease, cancer, or diabetes.
- Residents of long-term care facilities, healthcare workers, teachers and daycare staff, grocery workers, and prisoners all work in high-exposure environments.
There are currently no Pfizer/BioNTech boosters recommended for the general population. This is because the initial doses continue to provide adequate protection against serious illness and death.
Countless unknowns
The publication of these new recommendations for Pfizer vaccine boosters raises several concerns:
How credible is the safety data? To date, reports indicate that boosters are safe, but additional research and real-world data are needed.
Moderna and Johnson & Johnson boosters are still awaiting FDA approval. When can we expect that?
Should all boosters contain the same vaccine as the initial regimen, or does mixing vaccines provide additional protection?
The unfortunate thing is that some people are combining vaccines on their own, sometimes by falsely stating they didn't get the COVID shot before getting a different kind of shot altogether.
Will booster doses be identical to initial doses? So far, the answer for the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine has been affirmative. If the Moderna booster is authorized, it will very certainly be for a half-dose.
Will boosters be altered to protect against new variants?
Will there be a future need for additional boosters? If so, how frequently?
In the coming weeks and months, look for answers to these questions.
What is next?
Based on ongoing review and analysis of available research, the FDA and CDC are expected to revise and expand booster recommendations. Meanwhile, we should intensify our efforts to vaccinate those who have not received vaccines. Individuals can benefit significantly from boosters. However, as Dr. Rochelle Wallensky, director of the CDC, notes, "we will not boost our way out of this pandemic."
The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) is urging people to check their skin and nails for cancer signs. Under and around the fingernails and toenails, melanoma can develop. According to the AAD, it frequently manifests itself on the thumb or big toe of your dominant hand or foot.
A brown or black streak beneath the nail, a bump or nodule beneath the nail, the darker skin around the nail, a nail that is lifting and pulling away from the nail bed, or a split down the middle of the nail are all signs of melanoma in and around the nails. Melanoma becomes more prevalent as people age, but it is highly treatable if detected early.
A brown or black streak beneath the nail, a bump or nodule beneath the nail, the darker skin around the nail, a nail that is lifting and pulling away from the nail bed, or a split down the middle of the nail are all signs of melanoma in and around the nails. Melanoma becomes more prevalent as people age, but it is highly treatable if detected early.
Do you have any immediate plans to change your manicure? then you should take a look at these lovely nail designs that are appropriate for all seasons. They're everywhere on Instagram, and you may want to give this trendy nail design art by Heluviee a try
High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is a common disorder in which the heart has to work harder than necessary to pump blood due to increased pressure and stiffness in the arteries. This illness, which affects hundreds of millions of individuals globally — one in every four adults — frequently manifests itself without symptoms, leaving many people with high blood pressure undetected. Hypertension has been dubbed "the silent killer" for this reason. High blood pressure has been linked to an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, heart failure, and renal disease, particularly when left untreated.
Blood pressure is a two-digit number that is generally expressed in millimeters of mercury (mmHg). Systolic blood pressure is the first number, and diastolic blood pressure is the second. The systolic/diastolic blood pressure is 120/80.
The pressure your heart produces on your arteries when it pumps is known as systolic blood pressure.
Diastolic blood pressure: the pressure in the arteries during rest.
Individuals with high blood pressure should be monitored by their personal physician.
Blood Pressure Interpretation:
- Normal blood pressure: <120 / 80
- Elevated Blood Pressure: >120-129/ 80-89
- Hypertension (Stage 1): 130-139/ 80-99
- Hypertension (Stage 2): Over 140/90
*Children's values are different.
What Are the Causes of Hypertension?
Hypertension can be caused by a variety of factors, including a lack of physical exercise, an unhealthy diet, being overweight or obese, insulin resistance, prediabetes, diabetes, kidney disease, certain drugs, and heredity. However, it may arise as a result of aging in the absence of any other identifiable reason.
Can Hypertension Be Managed?
If your blood pressure is elevated or stage one, lifestyle changes may be sufficient to help normalize it — there are times when people with newly diagnosed hypertension can be treated solely through diet and exercise changes. This is typically reserved for those who have few risk factors and are committed to making urgent lifestyle changes, including home blood pressure monitoring with a digital blood pressure monitor.
Vegetable, nut, and fresh fruit-rich diets can be advantageous since they contain potassium, magnesium, and calcium, all of which assist maintain the circulatory system's balance and health.
Conventional Blood Pressure Treatment
Physicians and patients have been able to treat high blood pressure and, as a result, lessen the risks associated with it. Over the last several decades, medications to treat high blood pressure have been the predominant method of lowering higher levels.
The following is a list of commonly used blood pressure drugs, along with their class designation. While there is little doubt about their usefulness, many are concerned about their adverse effects. However, in the majority of cases, the advantages outweigh the risks. Often, an individual will take two or more drugs from different groups to regulate their blood pressure.
Medications for High Blood Pressure That Are Frequently Used
- Alpha-blockers (Clonidine)
- Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (Olmesartan, Losartan, Irbesartan)
- Vasodilators (Hydralazine)
- Beta-Blockers (Atenolol, Metoprolol, Carvedilol, Sotalol)
- Calcium Channel Blockers (Amlodipine, Diltiazem, Nifedipine)
- Diuretics (Hydrochlorothiazide, Triamterene, Chlorthalidone, Spironolactone) or “water pills”
- Ace Inhibitors (Lisinopril, Benazepril, Enalapril, Ramipril, Fosinopril)
Natural Blood Pressure Therapies
- Stress reduction and routine exercise
- Meditation and relaxation techniques, including prayer
- Supplements
- Diet rich in vegetables and fruits
- Weight loss
Supplements That Can Assist in Blood Pressure Reduction
L-Arginine
L-arginine is an amino acid, which is a protein building block. It is found predominantly in red meats, seafood, poultry, and dairy products and is classified as a semi-essential or conditionally essential amino acid. L-arginine is a precursor to NO, or nitric oxide, a powerful blood vessel vasodilator. According to studies, it may help lower blood pressure.
Benefits were demonstrated in a 2011 study published in the American Heart Journal. Eleven randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials were evaluated by the researchers. These studies examined 387 patients with hypertension in total. The daily dose of L-arginine was between 4 and 24 grams. Systolic blood pressure was decreased by 5.4 millimeters per hour, while diastolic blood pressure was decreased by 2.7 millimeters per hour.
Additionally, a 2017 study found that users of a L-arginine-containing supplement had lower blood pressure than those who took a placebo pill. According to a 2018 study, supplementing with L-Arginine and B vitamins can significantly lower overall blood pressure in people with hypertension.
Dosage range: 1,000 mg to 6,000 mg per day.
Fatty Acids Omega-3
Omega-3 fatty acids, alternatively referred to as polyunsaturated fatty acids or PUFAs, are critical for overall human health. They are thought to have a variety of beneficial effects on the heart, brain, gut, and joints. Omega-3 fatty acids may also aid in blood pressure reduction. These critical nutrients are found in a variety of foods, including krill oil, fish (mackerel, cod, and salmon are particularly high in these nutrients), walnuts, chia seeds, flax seeds, hemp seeds, avocado, and natto.
A 2009 randomized controlled trial published in the Journal of Hypertension found that taking omega-3 fatty acids at a dose of 4 grams (4,000 mg) per day could help lower blood pressure. According to a 2014 study published in the American Journal of Hypertension, DHA/EPA decreased systolic blood pressure and, when taken in excess of 2 grams (2,000 mg) per day, also decreased diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number). This 2014 study evaluated a total of 70 randomized controlled trials.
Finally, a 2016 study published in the Journal of Nutrition demonstrated that consuming fish oil at a dose of as little as 700 mg per day can significantly help lower blood pressure. Omega-3 fatty acids, according to a 2017 study, resulted in significant improvements in both vascular function and blood pressure reduction.
Dosage range: 1,000 to 4000 mg per day.
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