Month: October 2018

Best Facial Cleansers For Each Skin Type

There is no universal “perfect cleanser,” because different types require different formulas. We cover dry skin, oily skin, and everything in between.

The folks at Goodfind Guru have put together a comprehensive list of some of the most beloved and effective cleansers on the market for every skin type.

Every single step of your skin care regimen should be reflected by your skin type and skin care concerns. If you’re going to use rich and emollient moisturizers on oily skin and lightweight lotions on dry skin then you’re going to run into problems. Cleansing is no exception and whilst we all want that squeaky clean feeling, not every cleanser suits all.

Cleansers are there to rid your skin of any impurities, including makeup, dead skin cells, grime, pollution, product build-up, and excess oils. Due to the cleaning effect on skin, some cleansers can be drying and it’s important you choose a cleanser to match your skin type, especially if you have sensitive or dry skin. Cleansers can also add extra nourishment to your skin, so some ultra-rich cleansers for dry skin may be too heavy for oilier complexions.

We’ve got the rundown on all the best cleansers, so no matter your skin type, you can make sure that you’re giving your skin exactly what it needs whilst maintaining a cleansed complexion.

Oily Skin
Indicators: Large, visible pores and a greasy sheen that develops quickly after you’ve cleansed.

What to Look for: An oil-control face wash that digs deep to purify pores (ones with charcoal are highly effective), and helps regulate oil production without leaving your face feeling dry. A formula that balances pH will also slow the growth of bacteria and help prevent breakouts.

Dry Skin
Indicators: Your skin is often itchy, flaky, or generally tight.

What to Look for: A cleanser that clears away grime and impurities without stripping skin of its natural oils. A hydrating face wash (especially those made with glycerin or essential oils) should do the trick, and look for soap-free formulas wherever possible.

Sensitive Skin
Indicators: Your skin is often red—especially after shaving or cleansing—and prone to irritation.

What to Look for: Cleansers with dense, creamy foams and soothing ingredients like aloe vera, willow bark, and witch hazel. Balancing pH is also important, as skin can get dry or irritated when its pH is out of whack. If possible, avoid heavily sudsy products (less creamy, more bubbly).

Normal Skin
Indicators: An even skin tone with no flaking, redness, or sheen, and only the occasional breakout.

What to Look for: Honestly, just about anything—your skin isn’t picky. We recommend potent (yet non-drying) cleansers with a range of bonus perks: antiaging, toning, and hydrating ingredients are all a major plus.

Combination Skin
Indicators: An oily T-Zone (your forehead, nose, and chin) alongside drier skin on your cheeks.

What to Look for: A formula that balances a thorough clean with a healthy dose of hydration. Like a cleanser for dry skin, it should clear away oil and grime without stripping skin of moisture. The ideal is a face wash that protects skin’s lipid barrier, locking in natural moisture while cleansing surface oil.

Best cleanser for dry skin: Fresh Soy Face Cleanser

Due to the nature of their purpose, cleansers can be incredibly drying to skin and remove a little too much, leaving skin feeling dehydrated and tight. Those with dry skin need to make sure they’re using a cleanser which is rich and nourishing, without removing any essential oils. The Fresh Soy Face Cleanser gently removes impurities from the skin without stripping it back or leaving it feeling uncomfortable. Rich in amino acids, borage seed oil, and rosewater to calm, balance, and strengthen the skin, this is the perfect choice for dry skin types.

Best cleanser for oily skin: Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Oil

If you have oily skin, you may think to avoid cleansing oils is the best way to go but actually, these lightweight cleansers are the perfect choice for oily complexions as they can dissolve excess oils like no other. In fact, anything too drying may cause your skin to produce even more oils. The Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Oil is one of the most effective available,, removing every scrap of makeup and every impurity to enjoy a fresher complexion in no time.

Best cleanser for sensitive skin: REN Evercalm Gentle Cleansing Milk

If you have a sensitive complexion, you need to be particularly careful with cleansers as the abrasive formulas can cause irritation. The REN Evercalm range has been developed with sensitive skin in mind as it helps to soothe irritation and calm redness. The range has expanded over the years and now features this stunning Gentle Cleansing Milk, a cleanser soft enough for sensitive skin types. Containing fennel seed extract to neutralize pollution and de-stress skin, omega 3 and 7 to boost hydration and calendula oil to heal skin, the Gentle Cleansing Milk has all the ingredients you need for cleansing sensitive skin.

Best cleanser for aging skin: Peter Thomas Roth Anti-Aging Cleansing Gel

Don’t just stop at night serums and eye creams when it comes to building your anti-aging routine, the Peter Thomas Roth Anti-Aging Cleansing Gel has extra anti-aging benefits for when you cleanse your skin. Enriched with glycolic acid, salicylic acid, fruit extracts, and white oak bark, the powerful cleanser helps to resurface skin and accelerate skin cell turnover for a brighter, smoother, and more youthful looking complexion with every cleanse.

October 2, 2018
Best Over the Counter and Natural Pain Remedies!

Sometimes you just need a bit of pain relief. Whether it’s sore muscles, a bad bruise, a killer headache or whatever else, you’d rather it just not hurt so bad.

Thankfully, there are plentiful over-the-counter remedies available as generics to help relieve your pain. There are also a few natural solutions that many people swear by when it comes to pain remedies. We’ll highlight a few of the most popular so you can make an informed choice!

Best Over the Counter (or Natural) Pain Remedies

OTC: Ibuprofen

The brand name versions of this drug are Advil or Motrin. It’s been clinically tested with a nearly 9 out of 10 rate of people feeling it’s worth taking. It could upset your stomach, so make sure you take it with food. Also, it could cause kidney damage, so don’t take it if you’ve got a history of kidney problems!

Natural: Turmeric

Many swear by the anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric. It’s been shown to help with upset stomach, indigestion, and even help as part of treatment for more serious conditions. It could even help with common aches and pains. If you’re the type who doesn’t tend to like taking pills, try this out the next time you’ve got a sore muscle!

OTC: aspirin

Aspirin is one of the most well-known pain relievers, often found in the brand-name Alka-Seltzer. In its various forms, it can be either a pain reliever or an indigestion aid. Children under 12 should avoid aspirin, though, as it could be harmful to the liver if taken too much. Keep in mind this is aspirin with a lower-case a, which is different from the version from Bayer with a capital A.

Natural: Heat and Ice Application

The pain-relieving qualities of applying heat and/or ice to a sore area are well-document. However, be careful when applying hot or cold items to your body! Apply heat to an area if it is stiff or if your pain is arthritic. Conversely, ice can help reduce swelling and cut back on inflammation. Athletes swear by this pain-relieving method! Speak to a physician about how this natural remedy could be applied to your aches or pains if you’re hurt.

OTC: Aspirin

The brand name Aspirin, which is different from Alka-Seltzer’s version, is another well-known pain remedy. It can reduce fever, as well, and is even known to have helpful effects in those with heart disease. However, keep in mind that it is a blood-thinner. If you’re at risk for internal bleeding, stick with ibuprofen or one of the natural pain remedies!

Natural: Acupuncture

Seeking pain relief from an acupuncturist may seem silly at first, but it’s a well-documented and ancient practice. The Chinese art helps relieve pain through a process known as qi manipulation, altering the path of your body’s natural energies. Scientific study of the practice has found that the pain-relieving qualities are a result of the serotonin released by the sensation of the needles being driven into your skin. Either way, it’s been proven to help in some cases!

OTC: Acetaminophen

This medicine works by affecting the part of your brain that controls temperature and regulates pain messages. As such, it doesn’t alter the physical causes of your pain, but instead tricks you into not feeling the pain. While that might sound scary, it’s quite safe! Prolonged sessions of taking acetaminophen can lead to liver damage, though, so be aware! Just take enough to ease your pain, don’t overdo it.

Natural: Cryotherapy

There are a few ways to go about this, whether with a cryotherapy chamber or just an ice bath. The idea behind cryotherapy is that, by shocking your body with cold, you make your body produce special type of protein. These cold-shock proteins have anti-inflammatory properties that can help naturally fight pain!

OTC: Naproxen

Those with a history of heart disease may prefer naproxen over ibuprofen. Naproxen is good for treating general aches and pains, as it is an anti-inflammatory. It does run the same risk of upsetting the stomach that many other over-the-counter pain remedies, so take it with food!

Natural: Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy

The theory behind PEFT is that using electromagnetic fields to stimulate natural anti-inflammatory compounds. While it sounds high-tech, you can actually get the treatment for between $30 and $60 from a physical therapist or chiropractor. If you want a machine in your own home, they’re a bit pricey: they run around $1500 on the low end.

October 2, 2018
Let Me In; August Smart Lock
We all want to just Lock and unlock your door with your phone. Giving keyless entry to family, friends, housekeepers and other home services without worrying about lost or copied keys is key. With the new 3rd generation August Smart Lock you have that capability. The August Smart Lock easily attaches to your existing deadbolt so you can also use your regular keys. Piece of cake, Peace of mind, that’s all I ever wanted from a Smart Lock.

The Great
- Works with Alexa for voice control (hub required, Alexa device and hub sold separately). Requires 110-240V
- Secure, keyless entry for your smart home. Lock and unlock your door, control keyless access and keep track of who comes and goes, all from your phone.
- Keep your existing lock and keys. Easily attaches to your existing deadbolt, so everyone can still use their keys.
- Control access for anyone. Grant access for a few weeks, a few hours, a few minutes. It’s up to you.
- Be sure you are secure with DoorSense. DoorSense to tell you the door is completely closed and locked.
- Locks automatically as you leave and unlocks when you arrive.
- Simple, DIY installation. Install in about 10 minutes with just a screwdriver.
The Not
- To remotely control the lock you have to purchase a seperate wifi adapter
- Not Homekit compatible
- Loud internal operation when the lock is activated
The Conclusion

This seems to have everything I would want in a smart lock. However if you want anything more than bluetooth connectivity, you’ll need to buy the separate device that hooks up to wifi, called the August Connect

August has been at the forefront of home security for several years, impressing consumers with two generations of smart and secure door locks that integrate with third-party devices and work with Amazon Alexa, Siri, and Google Assistant. August’s family of Smart Home products include the Smart Lock Pro, the August Connect Wi-Fi Bridge, and August Doorbell Cam Pro. Today we take a look at August’s new entry-level smart lock. That is just what it is entry level.

With an installation time of just 15 minutes thanks to an innovative design and step-by-step guidance through the process. Despite being less than half the price of the Smart Lock Pro, it’s pleasing to see that August hasn’t scrimped on the Smart Lock’s impressive user experience. It also won’t confound your friends or family members who haven’t seen a smart lock before. Mom…

IT is easy to use, easy to set up and wont break the bank. The big catch is you have to partner lock with the August Connect Wi-Fi Bridge, available separately at $79 for remote access and enhanced smart device integration. Otherwise, the August Smart Lock supports an impressive array of features.

The Final August Smart Lock Thought

There’s no Z-Wave Plus or Apple HomeKit support, and without the $79 August Connect bridge, you can’t use Alexa or Google Assistant, or remotely control your lock away from your home either. Those are notable missing features, but it makes the price gap — $279 for the Pro and $149 for the standard Smart Lock. Entry level smart lock to protect and modernize the entry of your home.
October 2, 2018
Which Mobility Scooter is Right for You?

So your mobility isn’t what it used to be… no problem! Today, some insurance companies will actually help with coverage on a mobility scooter, or even pay for the whole thing. Check it out for yourself! Either way, it may be worth checking them out and seeing if it fits your lifestyle. With that in mind, let’s look at the top ten mobility scooters.

Drive Medical Phoenix Heavy Duty

A heavy, sturdy scooter for a great price, this one is a good pick. This one has a headlight, which is good for darker areas. It also has a basket in the front for carrying things, making it great for grocery store trips! The seat is customizable, broad and comfortable. For $1,200, this is a great heavy-duty pick.

Pride Mobility Go-Go Sport

This scooter is notable for its four-wheel drive and durability. It’s not terribly fast, topping at 4 MPH. That said, it’s rugged and durable, and works great when outdoors! If you like being outside and enjoying the sunlight, this is a great pick! For a combination of durability and mobility, check out the Go-Go Sport!

E-Wheels EW-72

A stylish and slick scooter, the E-Wheels EW-72 has a look inspired by classic cars! For those looking to really zoom, this scooter has a top speed of 15 MPH! As a heavy-duty scooter, it works quite well, as it has a top weight rating of 500 pounds! If you’re looking for a great, stylish, heavy-duty scooter, this is a great choice for you!

Transformer Electric Folding Mobility Scooter

Another great choice for carrying in a trunk and carrying around with you, this transforming scooter is pretty neat. It folds up into a nice, compact shape so it can go anywhere with you! The battery is airline compliant, so it can fly with you, which is great for those who fly often. If you’re on the move and need a scooter that can keep up, this is the one for you!

E-Wheels Jellybean Electric Scooter

The second E-Wheels scooter on our list, this one is also quite heavy-duty! This one is three-wheeled, though, so it’s got a bit of a different construction from some others on this list. The best thing about this scooter, though, is the high speed! It tops out at 18 MPH, which makes it a serious scooter! It has a great battery, too, offering up to 45 miles on a single charge. This one also has an anti-theft alarm, which is great! It sports a huge back-mounted basket, perfect for trips to the market.

Spitfire 420 Ex

Another great scooter, this one has interchangeable panels in different colors. The panels come in red, blue and silver, and are easy to change out! It also boasts quick-connect batteries, a comfortable seat and padded armrests. The wheels are anti-tip, which makes this a very safe pick. The front-mounted basket even has an interior lining, which is great for shopping. If you’re looking for a good mobility scooter for medical reasons, such as old age, this is a good pick.

SmartScoot Lithium Foldable Travel Scooter

This folding scooter is great to throw in the trunk or backseat and carry with you to a destination. The best thing about this scooter: the battery! It has great battery life for how portable it is for travel. It lasts for up to 12 miles! It also breaks down into three parts, and only weighs 27 pounds.

Drive Medical Scout 3 Wheel

At the very low price of right around $600, this three-wheeled scooter is a popular choice. A little less expensive than its four-wheeled counterpart, this one is a good value. The drawbacks to this scooter include its three-wheeled construction, slightly low battery life and make. There are more comfortable, high-end scooters, but if you’re looking for a good bargain, this is it. This scooter is the most affordable on our list!

Best Value: Drive Medical Scout Compact 4 Wheel

For those on a budget, the Drive Medical Scout Compact is a very popular choice. At $700, it’s a fantastic value, and it shows in its popularity. It’s a good scooter, with all the trimmings you’d expect from a medical mobility scooter. Older customers on a fixed income love the low price, and the price doesn’t compromise the quality. This one also has interchangeable panels in red and blue, so you can change your style! A great value for the money for those looking to save.

Best Overall Mobility Scooter: Shopride Sunrunner

If you’re looking for an especially comfortable scooter, look no further than the Sunrunner! It has a 300-pound capacity and a huge 25-mile battery. You can opt for a headlight, which is quite useful. It has a front basket, perfect for shopping. The star of the show is the big, comfortable seat, though. You can’t beat the level of comfort on display here! It’s hard to find something this premium and high-quality for this price! It retails for $1,500 but can often be found on sale for less.

October 2, 2018
Tips on How to Quit Smoking

It’s neither controversial nor shocking to say that cigarettes are bad for you. It’s now no secret that smoking can cause heart problems, lung disease, a stroke and cancer. Nearly everyone who smokes is fully aware of the nature of just how bad cigarettes are for your body.

Your risk of cancer, lung and heart problems and issues with your kidneys and intestines are all increased by smoking. However some smokers still fail to accept these proven risks and give up cigarettes. People who smoke die an average of 13 to 14 years sooner than nonsmokers. Smoking can also cause sexual and reproductive issues. Pregnant women who smoke risk the health of their unborn child as well.

Quitting can be extremely difficult though and nicotine and smoking has been proven to be highly addictive. What is the main reason why you want to quit smoking? It is important to establish why you want to quit to stay motivated during what could be a long process.

Tips on How to Quit Smoking

Talk to People About It

You don’t have to go it alone. In fact, if you try to handle this by yourself, you’re likely going to relapse. So, to prevent the likelihood of that, tell people in your life that you’re trying to quit. Talking about things helps to make them feel more real. It’s harder to stay consistent if there’s no one to hold you accountable. Get the people closest to you on board in this process!

Get Help

Whether it’s medical help or therapy, you should look beyond just moral support of friends and family. Addiction is a serious thing, and it takes some serious work to undo the claws tobacco products have in your central nervous system. Things like nicotine gum, patches and support groups are all excellent steps to combat the issue.

Eliminate All Traces of Smoking from your Personal Space

This one might seem obvious, but it goes deeper than you think. Start by throwing away or giving away all of your cigarettes, ash trays, lighters and matches. Then, shampoo your carpets, clean your drapes and do everything you can to eliminate the smell. You don’t want that smoke smell welling up and driving your desire to light one up.

Find Healthy Alternatives

Even if you’d prefer to not use nicotine in your efforts to quit smoking, look for other ways to relax. The biggest draw to smoking is the relaxation that follows a cigarette as nicotine sinks into your system. In order to combat the worst cravings, seek out other relaxing activities.

Meditation, yoga, tai chi and hobbies like painting, drawing or making music are all great alternatives. If you can afford it, getting professional massages hits similar mental notes as smoking a cigarette! These activities are good for your mental health as well as your physical health.

Don’t Give Up

If you slip up and smoke a cigarette after weeks of being smoke-free, it’s not the end of the world. Don’t sweat the small lapses like that, and don’t let them convince you to pick smoking back up. No one is perfect: small mistakes don’t define you. Keep up the good effort and follow the advice in this article. You’re strong enough to quit smoking, so keep at it!

October 2, 2018
Best Deals for Contact Lenses

Contact lenses are a great option for people who need corrective lenses but don’t want to wear glasses. While many people like the look of spectacles, there are people who would prefer to not wear them, whether its aesthetic or due to the ease of wearing contacts.

Customers have many options to choose from when they buy contact lenses. In the past, contact lenses were rigid with less oxygen permeability. Now most contact lens wearers can choose soft lenses made of more flexible materials. The newer contacts are more comfortable, can be worn for longer and allow more oxygen through.

When choosing the best contact lenses, wearers need to first consider their doctors’ advice, and then look at the best options in the available brands. The best contact lenses are the ones which are the most comfortable, that allow the user to see clearly, and that match the lifestyle of the wearer, such as how long the lenses will be worn during the day. In either case, there are a ton of great sites to go through for deals on contacts! Today we’re looking at some of the best deals for contact lenses!

Best Deals for Contact Lenses

CooperVision ProClear

The CooperVision ProClear line of contact lenses is great for people who suffer from dry eyes when wearing contacts. If you find your eyes get dry rapidly while wearing contacts, you may use this brand. While the ProClear lenses can be fitted for either nearsighted or farsighted patients, they don’t offer any UV protection. That said, one of the best deals on these lenses is through Lens.com, who offers a six-pack for under $18. That’ll last you for sixth months! Talk about a deal!

Air Optix Aqua Multifocal Contact Lenses

These lenses are the preferred for patients suffering from presbyopia. Presbyopia, which is farsightedness that develops due to elasticity loss in the eye, is often difficult to treat. Thanks to the unique shape of these lenses, however, they can address the issue. The Air Optix lenses also have a smooth transition from near to far when worn, which reduces disorientation and dizziness. These lenses are available from Lens.com and OptiContacts.com for around $32 per box!

Acuvue Oasys

The Acuvue Oasys lenses are the contacts of choice for those who prefer extended wear. If you like to sleep with your contacts in, these are likely the contacts for you. The lenses benefit from technology that allows them to work with the layers of water on your own eye to keep from getting dry. Additionally, these lenses offer excellent UV protection, keeping your eyes safe from harmful rays. OptiContacts.com and EzContacts.com both offer boxes of six for as low as $14!

October 2, 2018
Fall is Here, Time For Pumpkin Spice Everything!

October 1, 2018- It’s that time of year, folks. The auspicious time when the winds from the North drift downward and cover the lands with chill that only Ugg boots, a down sweater-vest, and a Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks can remedy…You’re all guilty of it, and frankly so am I. Although I’m not a giant fan of the PSL’s, I am a fan of Autumn. Here are a few topics and items to get you all warm and fuzzy and in the mood for Fall.

The changing of the Leaves in New England

A top bucket lister for us southern folks is renting a car and driving through New England in October to see the changing of leaves. Making a stop in Salem, Massachusetts for an evening and a quick haunt. Eventually making way into Vermont and Maine and fully submitting to the brisk air and heavenly views.

Enjoying a Good Old Fashion Harvest Festival

Duluth, Georgia is home to the Nations Best Harvest Festival. The entire town fully commits to the harvest season and has been doing so for years. With a variety of concerts, to hay rides, corn mazes, and even basket weaving. This is one item that it sure to get you ready for Fall.

Can’t Forget About Halloween

With Halloween invoking so many feels and traditions, it’s easy to see why this is many folks favorite holiday. It fully imbibes the Fall Spirit and we usually look back fondly on the memories of the weather changing, decorating our homes and the sense of neighborhood comradery it brings on All Hallow’s Eve. It’s always a sight to behold when you see entire communities walking the streets, laughing, playing, and forgetting about everything else for just a moment and enjoying some sweet treats.

Fall does bring out certain emotions in us and tends to lodge in the euphoria center of our brains. Every year is different, but somehow always the same. Go enjoy it. Put a scarf on, enjoy the Pumpkin Spice Lattes, have fun in the pumpkin patches, and embrace the light hearted spookiness the month brings.

October 1, 2018
Monday Movie Review: Small Foot

Hooray, Its Monday. That means like most of you and the free world I got to hit the theaters over the weekend. I like to do this every weekend. I wanted to take a little bit of time to tell you my experience at the movie,. Just a minute to shed a little insight and perspective on Hollywood’s latest hit. Seeing a great movie in the theater can be life altering. It can also be an easy way to waste a couple of hours and 30 bucks. My hopes is that with a quick review from this self proclaim movie contasour I can save a few readers hours. Or better yet, possibly change a few more lives. Today’s flick is the children’s movie Small Foot.

Small Foot; 27% Waste

Smallfoot is the latest in a long line of innocent kid movies set out to indoctrinate our kids with more liberal point of views. Its a animated movie about a Yeti ( Channing Tatum) who lives a full, content and obnoxiously happy life in his Yetti village. His village is high in the mountain above the clouds. He has pride in role in the community and enjoys all the traditions, rituals and guides. HIs community is a wonderful eutopia of Yetis and everyone has a role to play. When he stumbles upon a human in a wrecked airplane, his thoughts and world are turned upside down. Fun, Fun, Fun.

The laws/religion of the village, which are a set of stones worn as a robe, says no such small foot ( humans) exist. Now our hero is pitted against himself to refute what he saw and go against the village’s stones or “stuff his thoughts and questions down” admitting he didn’t see a “small foot”. In essence this movie sets out to state that the laws, religions, histories and traditions of the past are wrong and only forced on everyone. As it turns out the towns elders have always know the truth and set the stones up as a way of safety and societal protection, which worked magnanimously up until now.

The Final Thought

I came away thinking, maybe ignorance is bliss. I mean I have never seen a happier, healthier Yeti than in the first 5 mins of the movie. All metaphors and indoctrinations aside, it was bland and predictable at best. It was a forgettable kids movie that even my 5 year old nephew was bored with. He was ready to leave by the third act. All in all Small Foot was a waste of 2 hours and $30 bucks. For me it gets a %27 Waste of Time. Jaxon said 2 gummi worms, out of five..

October 1, 2018
Experiencing Pain from Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Many folks begin to experience pain from Rheumatoid Arthritis as they reach middle age and older. If can be very painful and limit movement in your fingers and put a big damper on your life if not addressed. Here are some causes and tips to dealing with RA.

The Causes and Symptoms

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disorder that can affect more than just your joints. In some people, the condition also can damage a wide variety of body systems, including the skin, eyes, lungs, heart and blood vessels. An autoimmune disorder, rheumatoid arthritis occurs when your immune system mistakenly attacks your own body’s tissues. Unlike the wear-and-tear damage of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis affects the lining of your joints, causing a painful swelling that can eventually result in bone erosion and joint deformity. The inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis is what can damage other parts of the body as well. While new types of medications have improved treatment options dramatically, severe rheumatoid arthritis can still cause physical disabilities.

Signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis may include: Tender, warm, swollen joints. Joint stiffness that is usually worse in the mornings and after inactivity. Fatigue, fever and weight loss. Early rheumatoid arthritis tends to affect your smaller joints first — particularly the joints that attach your fingers to your hands and your toes to your feet. As the disease progresses, symptoms often spread to the wrists, knees, ankles, elbows, hips and shoulders. In most cases, symptoms occur in the same joints on both sides of your body. About 40 percent of the people who have rheumatoid arthritis also experience signs and symptoms that don’t involve the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis can affect many non-joint structures, including: Skin, Eyes, Lungs, Heart, Kidneys, Salivary glands, Nerve tissue, Bone marrow, Blood vessels. Rheumatoid arthritis signs and symptoms may vary in severity and may even come and go. Periods of increased disease activity, called flares, alternate with periods of relative remission.

What can be done about it?

Here are some of the remedies and treatments to Rheumatoid Arthritis. Inflammation Medication. In the case of RA, all other pain-relief strategies are secondary to controlling inflammation, The No. 1 option in the pain relief arsenal is to control inflammation with disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs, called DMARDS. These drugs, which work to suppress the body’s overactive immune system response, are also used to prevent joint damage and slow the progression of the disease. DMARDs are often prescribed shortly after a diagnosis in order to prevent as much joint damage as possible. Diet. Although some diets may be touted to help RA, they aren’t backed by the medical community. There is no evidence that any special diet will reduce RA pain. But there is some evidence that omega-3 fatty acids can help reduce inflammation — and the joint pain that results from it. Omega-3s can be found in cold-water fish and in fish oil supplements. A study found that people who took fish oil supplements were able to reduce the amount of pain medication they needed. Other things, such as exercise, Acupuncture, hot and cold treatments are other ways to combat RA.

If you are experiences the early signs of RA, please contact your primary care physician to obtain more information regarding the matter. Don’t ignore it because it will only get worse.

October 1, 2018
Careers as a Medical Billing Specialist

A career in medical billing is a growing field that allows you to work within the healthcare industry. While you’re not dealing directly with patients, you’re providing a valuable skill that is the foundation of a great healthcare system.

A medical billing specialist has a unique role in the world of healthcare that isn’t diminished by being behind the scenes compared to the role of a doctor or nurse. Are you looking for a new career? Great with data and numbers? Interested in the growing health care field but don’t have an advanced degree? You should definitely consider becoming a medical billing specialist. Check out some important information about the medical billing career that we put together!

Medical Billing Specialist Schooling Requirements

There’s no degree associated with a job as a medical billing specialist. However, there are a number of programs you can attend to get a certificate for the position. Most employers would prefer to employ specialists with certificates, so they are well-worth acquiring.

Additionally, specialists will need a basic understanding of medical and biological terminology. This is because they have to input codes for billing based on procedure and need to understand what those procedures entail.

Workplace

Specialists typically work inside a hospital, doctor’s office or nursing homes. They could also work in a therapist’s office or a similar environment. Essentially, any place that offers medical treatments and accepts health insurance is in need of at least one medical billing specialist.

The work can be described as, generally, medium-stress and not physically taxing. It’s largely typical of office work and involves working from a desk at a computer. This means that people who want to work in the medical field, but maybe not be in the thick of it, would enjoy this type of career.

Medical Coding

The medical coding performed by a billing specialist is very important. For one thing, they’re the way that the hospital gets paid. For another, they’re highly specialized. If someone inputs the wrong code, the wrong amount of money will be billed, which simply can’t happen! Jokes aside, the type of coding is called ICD-10, which is what you learn during certification.

Once that information is input into the system, it’s updated alongside a patient’s file. That means that working as a billing specialist is really important for both record-keeping and medical accuracy. Typically, this also means that billing specialists will work closely with doctors and nurses to ensure that a patient’s information is correct in their file. The last thing you want is to bill a company for a procedure that didn’t happen!

Reasons to Work in This Field

There is ample work to be found in this field! For one, there is a great amount of demand. There is a large aging population that will need medical service, and that service will require billing! That means that there is a good deal of demand and job security. If you’re looking for a career opportunity with growth, this is also one great part of this field.

The medical administration field grows as the medical field does. Administrative positions generally oversee things like personnel, filing and, of course, billing. The type of work wouldn’t change much, though the opportunity for advancement would be a great draw! That’s a lot of upsides for a career path that doesn’t necessarily require a 4-year degree.

Type of Work

The type of work performed by a billing specialist includes inputting codes into computer software to send bills to an insurance company. This means that the work is primarily from a desk, on a computer and involves mostly data entry. If you don’t mind sitting at a desk to work, and you’re proficient at entering data from a chart, this type of work might be right for you!

The job of a billing specialist is an important one. For one thing, it’s the main way hospitals and the like get paid by insurance agencies! That means that, for people to receive adequate care, the billing specialist has to be doing their job! That makes them just as important as other medical professionals, although they are primarily behind the scenes.

Average Pay

On average, billing specialists make about $38,000 per year, or roughly $18 per hour. That’s not too bad, considering the position doesn’t require a 4-year degree! Maybe a job as a billing specialist is right for you!

October 1, 2018