Lifestyle Blogger

We all understand just how important it is to stay healthy. After all, being able to stay healthy is an essential part of living the longest, happiest life possible. However, for a lot of people, it’s easy to fall into the trap of feeling stuck when it comes to making any kind of improvements to your health. Whether you’re trying to become more active, lose weight, deal with an existing issue, or any reason at all, it’s shockingly easy to find yourself feeling like you’re running in place. Not only does this leave you unable to make the positive changes that you really need but it can also lead to you feeling incredibly demoralized. However, that’s not the way things have to be. Here are just a few things that you can do to rethink the way you approach your health and get unstuck!




Understand your motivations


Getting your health right                                                                                       Source

One of the biggest mistakes that a lot of people make when it comes to trying to improve their health is that they don’t actually bother to consider one very important question: why? Why are you trying to improve your health? This might seem like an odd question since it’s assumed that the answer to that is self-evident. However, that’s not exactly the case. The truth is that people want to improve their health for a lot of different reasons. It could be because you’re looking to improve your ability to live a particular lifestyle, it could be in response to an illness, it could even be because you’re simply looking to lose weight for aesthetic reasons. The reality is that if you don’t know your motivations, it’s so easy to get stuck feeling unmotivated. Make sure that your motivations for improving your health are positive ones. If you’re working from a negative place, it’s so much easier to feel stuck in place. Think about the things that you want, rather than focusing on getting away from things that you don’t.




Find a network of support


Trying to make positive, healthy changes in your life is incredibly important, but far too many people fail to realize just how difficult it really is. One thing that will make it a whole lot more difficult is trying to handle it all on your own. The reality is that trying to make changes to your health is complex and difficult and trying to do so without any kind of support network in place is going to leave you exhausted and discouraged. The key is to make sure that you have people around you who understand the things that you’re doing, what you’re trying to achieve, and how they can best support you in that. This includes friends and family, of course, but you might also want to consider something like a personal trainer if you’re looking to get a little fitter. Having someone else around to both motivate and guide you is one of the absolutely best ways to ensure that you don’t end up feeling stuck in a rut when it comes to your health.

Know that you have options


Far too often, people try to make positive changes to their life and health, stumble, and wind up giving up entirely. On one level, this is somewhat understandable, after all the last thing anyone wants to have to deal with is any kind of failure. However, it’s a mistake to assume that just because one thing failed, that means that there’s no way that you can find any way to succeed. Whether it’s emotional support, mental health counseling, a weight-loss treatment service, a new workout routine, or any other of a huge number of different things, you always have options in place to make sure that you’re getting the most out of any changes you’re making to your life. It’s just a matter of being able to recognize when something may not be working and to move in a different direction if that’s the case.

What is Neurodiversity?

Neurodiversity is a term that refers to the idea that people experience and interact with the environment in a variety of ways; there is no single "correct" method of thinking, learning, and behaving, and variations are not considered as weaknesses.


Although the term "neurodiversity" refers to the diversity of all people, it is frequently used in conjunction with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other neurological or developmental problems such as ADHD or learning impairments. It was in the 1990s that the neurodiversity movement was launched with the purpose of enhancing the acceptance and inclusion of all people while also respecting their neurological differences and differences. Online platforms enabled an increasing number of autistic persons to unite and develop a self-advocacy movement. Simultaneously, Australian sociologist Judy Singer created the term neurodiversity to advocate for the equality and inclusion of "neurological minorities." While neurodiversity is largely a social justice movement, it is becoming increasingly influential in how clinicians evaluate and treat specific impairments and neurological diseases.




In neurodiversity, language is critical.


Despite the fact that many disability advocacy organizations favor person-first language ("a person with autism," "a person with Down syndrome"), According to certain research, the vast majority of autistic people choose identity-first language when interacting with a person with Down syndrome or another autistic person. Rather than forming assumptions, it is critical to openly inquire about a person's preferred language and preferred manner of communication before making any assumptions. Clinicians must also be aware of neurodiversity and use polite language in order to treat the mental and physical health of people with neurodevelopmental variations.

How to practice Neurodiversity


Autism spectrum disorder and neurodiversity


Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by difficulties with communication, learning, and behavior, though it manifests differently in each individual. Individuals with ASD may exhibit a wide variety of strengths, abilities, needs, and difficulties. For instance, some autistic individuals are capable of verbal communication, possess a normal or above-average IQ, and live independently. Others may be unable to articulate their needs or emotions, may battle with impaired and dangerous habits that jeopardize their safety and well-being, or maybe completely reliant on others for support in all parts of their lives. Additionally, for some individuals with autism, deviations may cause no discomfort to the individual. Instead, societal standards may establish restrictions that cause social exclusion and unfairness, resulting in pain.

Why does your nose run when it's cold outside?


Sniffles in the winter

You don't have to be sick to have the sniffles in the winter. In many cases, it means your nose is performing its job. It is through the nose that air is heated and moistened before entering the lungs. The blood-filled membranes that cover the bones of the nose protect them. Behind the nasal cavities, blood flows through these membranes, keeping the area warm.

Nasal membranes release water and mucus when exposed to cold air. Moisture drips down the walls like a little steam bath in a small room. The more water and mucus created as the air becomes colder and dryer, the more sniffles, and tissues are produced.

A warm shower or bath can also help dry up a runny nose and relieve your sinuses. Because you're already breathing moist, warm air, it allows the membranes to stop secreting mucus.

When you have a cold, your nose runs for a completely different reason. When you sneeze, your body creates a lot of mucus to flush out the bacteria that cause a cold. During a cold, mucus may change color due to the white blood cells that fight infection.

Antibiotics will do nothing to alleviate the symptoms of a cold, no matter what color it is. Instead, use a pain reliever or decongestant over the counter to relieve your symptoms. (Check with your doctor or read the labels to see if the ingredients are safe for you.) Take hot baths or showers on a frequent basis to aid in the drainage of your nose.

Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed type of cancer in women in the United States and the second largest cause of cancer-related mortality. Each year, it is believed that approximately 270,000 women — and a much lower number of men — are diagnosed. When detected early, it is frequently highly curable.

A promising new approach to targeted therapy may expand treatment options for some women with early-stage breast cancer associated with specific genetic mutations. (Cancers in the early stages have not spread to distant organs or tissues.)

What does the BRCA gene do?

You may have heard of the BRCA (BReast CAncer) gene family, which includes the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. Normally, BRCA genes contribute to the repair of DNA (genetic code) damage that occurs on a regular basis in cells throughout the human body.

BRCA mutations that are inherited are aberrant abnormalities in these genes that are handed down from parent to kid. When an individual carries a BRCA mutation, their body is unable to repair regular DNA damage to cells as easily. This cumulative damage to cells may contribute to the development of cancer. Having a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation — or both — increases a person's risk of developing breast, ovarian, prostate, or pancreatic cancer, as well as melanoma. Other gene alterations and other factors can also affect a person's risk of developing breast cancer.

In general, only about 3% to 5% of all women diagnosed with breast cancer have BRCA gene mutations. However, certain subgroups of people are more likely to have BRCA mutations, including those with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), Ashkenazi Jewish heritage, a significant family history of breast and/or ovarian cancer, and younger women with breast cancer.

Breast cancer types and inherited BRCA mutations

Breast cancers of specific types are frequently detected in women with BRCA gene mutations.

Estrogen receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer: Women with a BRCA2 mutation are more likely to develop estrogen receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer — that is, cancer cells that are fuelled by estrogen but not by a protein called HER2 (human epidermal growth factor 2).

Women with a BRCA1 mutation are more likely to develop triple-negative breast cancer (ER-/PR-/HER2-) – cancer cells that are not fuelled by estrogen, progesterone, or HER2.
Understanding what causes various types of breast cancer to grow aids scientists in developing new treatments and physicians in selecting available therapies to delay or stop tumor growth. Frequently, this will require a combination of treatments.

A new treatment option for early-stage breast cancers associated with BRCA mutations

Women with early-stage breast cancer and hereditary BRCA1/BRCA2 mutations were included in the Olympia trial. Despite normal treatment, all were at significant risk of breast cancer recurrence.

The study participants had received standard breast cancer treatment:

surgical procedure (a mastectomy or lumpectomy)
Chemotherapy (which may be administered before to or following surgery), radiation, and maybe a hormone-blocking medication called endocrine therapy.
They were randomly allocated to consume olaparib or a placebo (sugar tablets) twice daily for one year.

Olaparib is a member of a class of medications known as PARP inhibitors. PARP (poly adenosine diphosphate-ribose polymerase) is a typically occurring enzyme that aids in DNA repair. By inhibiting this enzyme in BRCA-mutated cancer cells, increasing DNA damage leads the cells to die.

The New England Journal of Medicine reported the study's findings. Women who got olaparib were less likely than those who received a placebo to have their breast cancer relapse or metastasis (spread to distant organs or tissues). After an average of two and a half years, slightly more than 85% of women who took olaparib were alive and had no recurrence of cancer or new second malignancy, compared to 77% of women given with placebo.

Additionally, the researchers calculated that after three years:

With olaparib, the probability of cancer not spreading to distant organs or tissues was roughly 88 percent, compared to 80 percent with placebo.
The olaparib-treated group had a 92 percent chance of survival, while the placebo group had an 88 percent chance of survival.
Olaparib may cause a decrease in white blood cell count, a decrease in red blood cell count, and fatigue. These were extremely unlikely to develop.

Conclusion

Olaparib has previously been licensed by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of BRCA-related ovarian, pancreatic, and prostate cancers, as well as metastatic breast cancer. FDA approval for BRCA-related early-stage breast cancer is expected soon, based on this study. These findings imply that continuing to take olaparib for a year following completion of normal therapy may be a suitable option for women with early-stage breast cancer who have a hereditary BRCA gene mutation and are at a high risk of cancer recurrence and, possibly, metastasis. 

Breast cancer

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Let's begin by discussing everyone's least favorite aspect of warm weather: bugs. It's difficult to go an entire summer without receiving a bite. That is why it is critical to understand the sort of insect bite or sting and how to treat it.  Melody Jacobs health guide has put together some of the top tips for treating insect bites and stings.

1. Remove the Stinger


If a honeybee or yellow jacket stings you, they will leave a stinger in your skin. To remove it, use a flat-edged instrument, such as a credit card, to gently scrape the area. Using your fingers or tweezers to pinch the stinger can result in more venom being injected.

2. Cleanse the Bite/Sting


This tip is straightforward. Keep the area around the insect bite or sting-free of dirt and debris. Maintain cleanliness by cleaning the area with a mild soap and water solution.

3. Put the ice on it


Ice might lessen any pain caused by the bite or sting. Apply a cold compress or ice pack to the area in 10-minute intervals to aid with pain and swelling reduction. Wrap the ice in a clean cloth to prevent it from coming into direct contact with your skin. Additionally, you can use over-the-counter analgesics such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.


4. Refrain from Scratching the Itch


While it may be tempting to scratch an itchy bite, it is critical to let it alone. Apply calamine lotion or a mixture of baking soda and water to the region several times daily to alleviate the itch.

5. Watch for Severe Allergic Reactions


Insect bites and stings can have varying effects on various people. Certain individuals experience an extremely severe allergic reaction to bug bites and stings. Hives, abdominal pains, nausea and vomiting, swelling of the face, lips, or throat, breathing difficulties, and shock are all signs to watch for. If you have any of those symptoms within a few hours after being stung or bitten by an insect, you should immediately contact 911 or your local emergency services.


What are Multiplex Ads?  


Multiplex ads are the new Matched content unit ads. Google Adsense just sent out an email alerting that Matched content units will be renamed "Multiplex ads" starting March 1, 2022, and will only display advertisements.

This means that matched ad units that are used to content Ads and your website contents will only show ads. This is due to the decreased use of the matched content ad.

Multiplex ads are a type of native advertisement, similar to content suggestion ads. Publishers can use them to distribute advertising that mixes in seamlessly with their website's content. 


Why you should consider using Multiplex ads?

Google just released a beta version of Multiplex ads.

In recent years, platforms such as Taboola, Revcontent, and Outbrain have acquired substantial traction in the ad tech business. A compelling reason for this is that these platforms provide publishers with cutting-edge advertising alternatives. Publishers can monetize their inventory differently with content recommendation advertising than they do with standard display ads.

Despite the popularity of many content recommendation services, many publishers may be hesitant to partner with them due to concerns over ad quality. Publishers, thankfully, now have the option of utilizing Google's Multiplex ads.

Continue reading to learn about multiplex ads, how they can offer value to publishers' inventory, how to get started, and best practices for their implementation. 

Quote of the day

Please remember to bring it to the Lord in prayer. Melody Jacob
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