Things to Consider Before Buying Medicines Online

In the last ten years, online pharmacies have taken the internet by storm and they are growing in a steady pace each day. Ordering medicines online can save you a great deal of time, effort and money. Online pharmacies sell medicines at half the price of your local medicine shops and they offer attractive discounts to customers. Not only that, you can sit in the comfort of your home and get your medicines delivered to your doorstep.

Nowadays you don’t think twice before buying or ordering something off the internet, but before taking the plunge of buying medicines online, you need to keep certain things in mind. Not all online pharmacies are to be trusted. Wrong or counterfeit medicines can put our health at risk, so before putting your trust on an online pharmacy, make sure you have the following things cleared up-

Is the pharmacy legal?

There are numerous online pharmacies operating online, but not all of them are legitimate. To make sure the pharmacy is not fraudulent check the privacy and security policies of the website. If they sell drugs without prescriptions, then the site is definitely not legal. Also they should have a physical address and contact information on their website.

Is your personal information kept private?

See to it that any personal information you provide is kept private and not sold by the website. Refrain from sharing any personal information like address, social security number, credit card information, and medical history unless you are sure that they will not be sold or misused in any way.

Do they have a licensed pharmacist?

Any legitimate online pharmacy would have a licensed pharmacist working for them who should be available to answer any questions or queries you might have. If you have doubts, call the store and speak to the pharmacist yourself.

Do the deals seem too good to be true?

If the medicines are being sold at incredibly low prices, then something may be wrong with them. Extremely low prices may suggest that the drug is fake or not approved by the FDA. So steer clear of super bargains and dirt cheap prices when buying medicines online.

Are they based in your country?

It is best to ensure that the online pharmacy that you are buying from is based in your country. The chances of fraud are more when you order from dubious foreign pharmacies that don’t have proper validation.

Are the medicines genuine?

Some illegal websites may be selling fake drugs or drugs that have been tampered with. If you find the seal of your medicine broken, if the medicine looks or smells funny to you, if the packaging looks different- do not consume the medicine and report the website.

How popular are they?

Since there are so many online pharmacies to choose from, it is best to compare and analyse before making a choice. Ask your friends or family and research online to find out if an online pharmacy is trustworthy or not. Word of mouth can sometimes help when buying medicines online. You can also ask your family doctor or health care physician for a recommendation.

Once you have done the necessary research and made sure the pharmacy is certified, you are safe to purchase your medicines online. Don’t forget to have a talk with your doctor first!

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5 Herbs That You Should Be Making Medicines Of For Home Based Treatments

Since ancient times, human beings have sought the refuge of medicinal plants and herbs to treat their illnesses. Even a few hundred years ago when allopathic medicines and treatments were not that rampant, people used  extracts from plants and herbs to produce medicines that helped them recover from common ailments like cough and cold to more serious ones like jaundice and malaria. Still now, ayurvedic treatment is one of the most sought after medicinal alternative to allopathic and many people place their trust on it, mainly because natural remedies don’t have side effects and are pretty inexpensive as well.

While herbal medicines are readily available online or in markets, you can make your job easier by growing the herbs at home- on your windowsill, balcony, porch, backyard or even the roof. This way you can enjoy their benefits whenever you need them and you don’t even have to spend money to buy them.

Here we have listed five extremely beneficial medicinal herbs that you can grow in your herb garden. They don’t take up a lot of space, so you can plant them in little pots and watch them grow.

1. Peppermint- Mint needs a beautiful sunny weather to thrive. Nevertheless it can grow in shaded areas too. It should be kept in a sunken pot on its own because it grows profusely and can suffocate the other plants. Remember mint loves water! So don’t forget to water it everyday.

Medicinal properties- Rich in Vitamin A and C, antioxidants, manganese, iron. 

Benefits- Soothes tummy troubles, relieves headaches, reduces inflammation. Can be used in food or infused in tea.

2. Aloe Vera- Aloe Vera is a wonder plant with multiple uses which has gained popularity in the beauty industry as a healing and moisturising agent. Aloe Vera grows under normal conditions in bright sunny weather. The gel that is extracted from its leaves can be applied on the skin externally and its juice can be consumed orally.

Medicinal properties- It contains minerals, Vitamins, amino acids and active enzymes. 

Benefits- Acts as an anti-inflammatory on the skin, useful for rashes, acne and eczema. When consumed it aids digestion, helps in weight loss, constipation and improves circulation.

3. Chamomile- Chamomile flower is known around the world for its usefulness in herbal teas but it has many other benefits too. This perennial plant requires occasional watering and needs to be placed close to the sun.

Medicinal properties- Rich in minerals, copper, zinc, iron, salicylic acid and Vitamins C and B1. 

Benefits- When added to tea, chamomile facilitates sleep, relaxes the mind and muscles and reduces stress. It is an anti-inflammatory that can be used on the skin to cure rashes and infections.

4. Lemon balm- This herb has a distinct minty citrus smell and can grow at an alarming rate, so the stems need to be trimmed regularly.

Medicinal properties- It is a natural antioxidant rich in flavonoids, rosmarinic and phenolic compounds. 

Benefits- When rubbed against the skin, the leaves heal insect bites, rashes, sores and herpes. The juice is beneficial for headaches, insomnia, fever, colds and depression.

5. Basil- This medicinal herb is used frequently in cooking. It cannot withstand cold so do not keep it outside in cold temperatures. Also, it requires regular watering and plenty of sun.

Medicinal properties- Contains antioxidants, vitamins, calcium and iron. 

Benefits- Basil is used to cure gas, lack of appetite, flatulence, cuts, headaches and kidney stones.

However before planting any herb, make sure the weather conditions are favourable otherwise the plant will not thrive like you want it to.

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Study Reveals Sitting Long Can Cause Liver Disease Also

As of now, it was very much known that sitting for long hours could cause obesity, heart disease and even diabetes, but recent study from North Korea shows that it can increase the risk of liver diseases also.

Researchers found in the study that people sitting for 10 hours or more daily have 9% greater chance of developing Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) than those who sit lesser than that or 5 hours on average.

Physical activity was also found to be interlinked with the development of NAFLD. Persons who are physically active are 20% less likely to grow the disease than those are less active, according to according to the study published on Sept. 15 in the Journal of Hepatology.

Dr. Seungho Ryu, professor of occupational and environmental medicine at Kangbuk Samsung Hospital in South Korea and lead author of the study, told Live Science that in today’s date sitting has been increased tremendously. People are spending more time sitting in front of computer or television. More than 139,000 men and women were examined within the age range of 39.9 years for the study. They have reported their level of physical activity and sitting time as a part of the survey. The study suggests that regular physical activity does not fully protect against the risks associated with long sitting, he said. If the results of the study are confirmed, it will be important to encourage people to both increase their physical activity and reduce their sitting time to reduce the risk of developing NAFLD, he added.

Michael Trenell, a professor of metabolism and lifestyle medicine at Newcastle University in England wrote in an editorial that accompanied the study in the journal that human body is designed to move not to sit idle which is characterized by low muscle activity and has direct impact on physiology. "What remains less certain is the effect of inactive behavior on the liver," he said.

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Study Says Happiest Parents Have Many Kids

According to a new study in Australia, parents are happier and much more satisfied with at least four children. Despite of the chaos and expense, parents are in delight to have more children, Daily Signal reports.

Study Head Bronwyn Harman tells ABC News Australia that in case of big family they have social support within the family only. It is most beneficial for the kids itself, as they get never bored, they always find partners to play with and most importantly they get independence early on. This study is based on a total interview of 950 parents over a period of 5 years to assess flexibility, happiness level and social support.

As per the study lead, few parents deliberately planned out a large family as because they could get more reasons to celebrate and experience the joy of togetherness. Although Harman thinks that they should be stressed out, but as per them the house could always be full of laughter and they will never feel stressed out.

This article originally appeared on Newser: “Want Satisfaction? Have at Least 4 Children”

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Calculate Your Heart’s Age

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that about 69 million adults have hearts that are 5 years older than their actual age. It has been found that most of the people are not as young at their heart as they believe they are.

CDC found 40% of adults had hearts that were five or more years older than their actual ages using a machine calculator which measures age, BMI, blood pressure. As per the CDC Director Tom Frieden to reveal a person’s risk of heart attack is best measured by the heart risk calculator. The Heart Age calculator test is designed to give you an overall idea of the health of your heart, and a general indication of how lifestyle related factors may affect your heart health. This test is not intended to be a medical diagnostic. But it will give you a good general indication of whether there’s more you can do to take care of your heart.

Heart age is an understandable simple tool for people to understand their heart risk," Frieden said. This type of study is the very first analysis of its kind which was examined on half a million adults aged between 30 and 74.

As per CDC, people can reduce their heart disease risk and make it younger by regular exercise, diet control and not smoking. More than 75% of heart disease cases can be prevented with certain lifestyle changes.

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Parental Care - Biggest Sacrifice One Can Make

“Parenting is the biggest sacrifice one can make, it’s putting your life on hold to fulfill the promise of your children’s tomorrow – Frederica Ehimen

To become a parent is a bliss. Parents only know that a child is an invaluable gem showered on them. A child is a God’s blessing that is bestowed on every parent. Parents are like angels to their children. They protect, nurture, and take care of their children till the last breath of their lives. “Parental care” - the term is used to describe the legal duty of a parent towards his or her children. If you are a mother, you will automatically be expected to provide care for your biological children. If you are a father, you will only usually be expected provide care for your children if you are married to their mother and/or listed on their birth certificates.

Your parental responsibilities starts from the very day your child takes birth. Your child is your precious one. So, to carry on the responsibilities for your child is your first and foremost priority. The first thing that comes to our mind after child birth is to name the child. Choose a name for your special one. Your child needs a comfortable home. So, provide him or her with a home. The preaching of discipline should start from the very early age of the child. Teach the child the basics of discipline and educate him or her how to maintain it to the core. This will be of a long term help for the child. Providing education for the child is a must. Provide the child with the right education that will help him become a better human being in the future. Determine the religion of the child. It is very important for the child to know his or her religion. The child should be provided with any necessary medical treatment. This will keep the child free from any kind of diseases thus keeping him or her healthy and strong. Disclose confidential information about the child only where it’s necessary. Take responsibility for your child’s property. Protect your child’s property and take adequate responsibility in handling them. If the situation demands, appoint a legal guardian for your child. Financial support for the child is very essential and provide him or her with it till he is attending the age to be financially free.

If you need to provide parental care over a child you do not reside with, then, you will not necessarily have a right to make contact with him or her. In such a case, the other parent must keep you updated with regards to your child’s physical and emotional well-being and personal progress.

If you do not have parental responsibility over your child, you will need to apply to the court for parental care. To apply for parental care, you must have a connection to the child. As for example, you must be a father, stepmother, stepfather or second female parent. If you are a father or second female parent who desires to provide parental care, you must complete a parental responsibility agreement, while if you are a step-parent, you must complete a step-parent parental responsibility agreement. You must then take your agreement to your nearest family proceedings court, along with the child’s birth certificate and formal proof of your identity. After visiting the court, you should send two copies of your agreement to the Principal Registry of the Family Division.

If you wish to provide parental care to your child, but the mother does not agree to your application, you will need to apply for a court order through your nearest family proceedings court. When considering your application, the court will take into account factors such as your commitment and attachment to your child, alongside the reasons for applying for parental responsibility. The court will then accept or reject your application, based on the best interests of your child.

Your parental responsibilities will decrease as your child grows older. Once your child reaches 18 years of age you will cease to have parental care over him or her. But there are some areas in which you will want to retain financial responsibility for your child, for example, when your child applies for a university grant.

So, enjoy parenthood to the fullest. To become a parent is a blessing in itself. So, carry out your parental responsibilities for your little one. Your little bundle of joy seeks your parental care. So, extend your warmth to your apple of the eye. Only under your shadow, the little one will turn up into that wonderful human being that you always dream of.

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Stroke More Probable With Long Working Hours

A toll on long working hours has recently been revealed in a major study published in the Lancet medical journal that people who are working long hours extending normal 8 hours are more prone to stroke.

There is a regular office going rush in everyone’s life after waking up in morning. Then the whole day passes by with work pressure. There is actually no way if the office leaving time already exceeds due to heavy pressure at work. Which results in the reduction in pace of life unconsciously. Though it sounds unreal but the same has been released in a journal stating that 55 hours or more work per week can put a full stop to anyone’s life.

As per the Lancet Journal people doing more than 55 hours of work can be at risk of increased cardiovascular diseases which results in many heart related disease at young age only. This largest experiment has been run for long 7 years on more than 5 lakhs 28 thousand men and women. 

Now it’s clear that people working more than 48 hours increases the risk by 10 % and the risk increases by 20 % for the people who work for more than 55 hours per week.

Experts suggests that people working for long hours should keep a regular check on their blood pressure. Dr. Mika Kivimaki, from University College London suggests that people need to be more conscious to maintain a healthy lifestyle instead of long working hours or long sitting. It leads to stress also which can make people tired and find less time for regular exercise.

All the experts and doctors shares a common view that not only work pressure but along with it alcohol consuming, smoking, stress altogether rings the alarm of heart stroke.

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