Here’s what you need to know about child vaccination schedules
Here’s what you need to know about child vaccination schedules

Vaccination as a subject does not need any introduction and that whether one opts for it or not is absolutely an individual thing. However, it is essential for your children to get immunized against  deadly diseases.

The CDC recommends the appropriate vaccines for the US residents according to a child vaccine schedules. The program ensures that you don’t miss out on the required vaccines at the right time. And to keep it simple and stress-free, your doctor would guide you through the process which eventually rules out of remembering all by yourself.

The CDC works with a couple of factors before creating child vaccine schedules. These include the place, mortality rates, prevalence of particular disease, overall suffering and disability, the effectiveness of vaccine, epidemiology, history & tradition and cost f

actors.

Essentially there are 14 diseases against which the CDC have created the schedule. Healthcare experts do refer to the CDC recommendations and footnotes to administer vaccines for children as well as adults. Additionally, the schedule is updated on an annual basis along with catch-up immunization schedule details for children aged four years and above. Further to this, additional vaccines are also suggested for children at higher risk and with low immunity.

The vaccine administration is a proper organized one along with a Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System in place which makes the reporting of adverse effects of immunization convenient and easier if any.

Since 1995, the child vaccine schedule has become a more balanced and a harmonious one with clustered vaccines through one injection. Indeed, going by the latest trend, the child vaccine schedule includes around 36 and more by the time the child is six years old. And one has to more or less comply with the vaccine schedule to admit their children to a public school and kindergarten.

CDC is always on a spree to craft the best child vaccine schedules with updates so to ensure that nothing is missed out. And with technology in hand, parents are well informed of the required vaccines at the right time.

  • Sleep number: The new name for comfort

    Sleep and good health are directly proportional to each other. If you sleep well, you will remain healthy. But sleep well does not mean sleeping for 8 hours or taking pills to have a comfortable sleep. Comfort comes in the best form with Sleep Number. It is the kind of bed that is adjustable. How would you feel to sleep on the bed that adjusts itself to cater to the needs of you and your partner? Sleep Number provides comfort with its wide range of adjustable beds along with a promise of firmness and support for a blissful sleep. Check out some of the top features of the bed!

    Two people are never alike and nor are their choices. Similarly, they have varying comfort levels. Till now it seemed impossible to satisfy both of them in comfort, but with the new smart Sleep Number adjustable beds, both can adjust the bed according to their individual comfort and support. It has Responsive Air technology. Since your sleep number setting varies from that of your partner, you can choose the setting in a wireless remote and adjust accordingly so that there is no clash between the two and both of you get what you desire.

    The flex fit adjustable base can be added to any Sleep Number bed for an experience on a greater level. With such a base, you can now enjoy your time reading a book or watching TV or surfing the internet, all in the comfort of your bed.

    Snuggling in the warmth of the bed always assures the best sleep. What if the bed is pre-heated? It is true that the Sleep Number bed has a feature that pre-warms each side of the bed so that both of you are ready for a comfortable sleep. Warm beds also help you in falling asleep faster.

    Tired with your partner’s snoring habits? Worry not, Sleep Number provides you with a bed that can be raised on either side to help prevent snoring.

    The memory foam contours adjust for both the partners. You can experience the ultimate blissful cooling and comfort with Sleep Number adjustable beds.

    The adjustable bed not only provides the comfort you need, but it also offers relief from back pain and promotes better posture. The budget is a bit on the higher side with the Queen size ranges between $3500 and $4500 approximately. However, the best things in life come with a price and make the experience priceless.

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  • 4 foods that may help manage ulcerative colitis

    When the immune system misidentifies and targets good gut bacteria, the cells that line the colon, and food, it can lead to ulcerative colitis. The condition drives the white blood cells to attack the colon lining and trigger symptoms like irritation, inflammation, and ulcers in the large intestine. While ulcerative colitis is a chronic condition, adding certain foods to one’s meals and following some treatment options may help manage the condition.

    Foods for ulcerative colitis

    Nut butters
    A good source of proteins and healthy fats, nut butters like peanut butter, cashew butter, and almond butter may help manage any flare-up that may result from ulcerative colitis.

    Peeled and cooked veggies
    Peeled and cooked vegetables are soft and contain less insoluble fiber, making them less irritating to the gut. A few foods to consider are carrots, spinach, parsnips, turnips, and potatoes. The vegetables are abundant in nutrients like vitamins A and K, which can help reduce the effects of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a type of ulcerative colitis.

    Yogurt
    Fermented foods like yogurt are rich in probiotics that contain healthy bacteria. Such bacteria aid the digestive system and reduce ulcerative colitis symptoms and flare-ups. But one must steer clear of flavored yogurt as its sugar content may worsen symptoms.

    Salmon
    Salmon is a rich source of protein and healthy omega-3 fatty acids. These properties are known to curb inflammation caused by ulcerative colitis. Other fish rich in omega-3s include shrimp and tuna.

    Treatments for ulcerative colitis
    Ulcerative colitis symptoms can be managed with certain treatment options, such as:

    STELARA® (ustekinumab)
    STELARA® is a prescription treatment for children who are six years and older and adults with moderate to severely active ulcerative colitis. Patients injected with the treatment may find quick relief from their symptoms within eight weeks.

    Entyvio® (vedolizumab)
    Adults with moderate to severe ulcerative colitis are given Entyvio when other treatment options do not work efficiently. The dosage is 300 mg infused intravenously over about 30 minutes as directed by the doctor.

    Remicade® (Infliximab)
    The treatment option has multiple purposes when it comes to managing ulcerative colitis. Remicade® (Infliximab) reduces the symptoms and maintains remission. The injection also boosts intestinal healing in adult patients with moderate or severe ulcerative colitis.

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  • The truth about DNA ancestry tests

    All of us have heard about genealogy tracking, but do you think we can really track our historical ancestors with these tests? The answer is no. Everyone around the world is in a craze to know from which historical figure they have ascended. Using this craze, many companies are doing big business with genealogy tracking by promising their customers that they will perform a DNA ancestry test, which will cost around $300.

    Nothing but a possible interpretation
    Some scientists around the world have raised awareness regarding these DNA ancestry tests and called them genetic astrology as they are entirely flawed and can never be relied upon. Companies promise to make new discoveries regarding your ancestors and your cultural roots and demand a lump amount of money for that. It is scientifically proven that the DNA that we inherit from our relatives just a few generations back are nothing compared to the huge amount of DNA that we have shared with our common ancestors. So performing these DNA ancestry tests will give us results that are just one possible interpretation among many more.

    Though it may sound exciting, it is not a reliable truth

    Humans, throughout history, have migrated from one place to another. Who knows whether your ancestor even lived in the same country as you are? Because of this, there may be a thousand possibilities regarding your genealogy. You can never rely on any service centers who provide these DNA ancestry tests and predict that you have ascended from an eminent historical character. It is good to hear, but may not be the truth.

    The DNA for any individual is compared with the DNA of that person about whom some information regarding ethnicity is already present, and some of the aspects of the DNA are looked into.

    Some of these are
    The DNA of the Y chromosome is only found in men as it ascends along the male line.
    The DNA of the mitochondria is present in both males and females as it is inherited by both. There is only one ancestral lineage for an individual regarding the mitochondrial DNA.
    Autosomal DNA makes about 98% of your DNA and it can be inherited from any of your ancestors. It is made up of numerous sections of DNA, and each section has its own history to tell.

    The one thing that is clear from all this is that the more you go back in your generations, the more amount of DNA you will share and the DNA ancestry tests will become vaguer as you go up the ladder of your ancestors. If any DNA ancestry test concludes that your DNA has matched with a certain person belonging to a totally different community in some other part of the world, the only chance is that maybe some of your ancestors, long before, were in that community. DNA ancestry tests are accurate when you want to know your family maybe up to two to three generations, but as you go back there is a vast mix of genetic material, and the results are increasingly unreliable.

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  • Buying a mattress according to weight

    The decision to buy the best mattresses depends on a lot of factors, but the weight of the sleeper is probably one of the most important, yet underrated consideration. It might not seem important, but this factor matters and should weigh in heavily when picking a mattress. The support provided by a mattress, its sinkage, plushness, cooling mechanism and overall feel can be majorly influenced by the body type as well as the body weight. To create the ideal feeling and support required by the body, every mattress needs to be configured for the body weight and type it will be supporting. The best mattresses to buy can depend on the weight of the sleeper and can be classified into the following categories:

    Medium feel for people weighing 150 pounds or less
    People who weigh less than 150 pounds do not tend to sink too deep into their mattresses, which means that the top layers of the mattress that are too dense may not feel too comfortable with them. Choosing a mattress a few points lower than the recommended point is essential because most mattresses are designed for average sleepers.

    Medium feel for people weighing between 150 – 200 pounds
    People weighing between 150-200 pounds are considered to be average sleepers, the sweet spot for the marketers since most mattresses are designed around this weight range. The universal comfort range of mattresses falls on 5-7 on a scale of ten, and these are characterized as a medium, medium firm and luxury firm.

    Medium feel for people weighing between 200 pounds and more
    People who weigh 200 pounds or more are classified under the heavy sleepers range, and a mattress needs to account for the extra weight and pressure that is received through these sleepers. A comfort layer of at least 4 inches is required, and it provides consistent comfort and support for heavy sleepers. Some people who have extra cooling needs or require a mattress that provides extra edge support often opt for coil on coil mattresses or luxury innerspring options. A mattress that focuses on the foam side rather than edger support offers more body shaping and contouring options.

    Soft feel for light sleepers
    Since light sleepers do not sink into a mattress that has a foam base, certain mattresses work very well for them. Foam mattresses offer the plush, cloud-like sensation without bending down under the weight to cause support and heat retention issues. A range of 3-4 in terms of the firmness scale out of 10 are for this class of sleepers.

    Soft feel for average sleepers
    Average sleepers who need a soft feel are akin to the light sleepers of the same category. Anybody near the 150-pound weight mark can proceed to follow the same instructions as those for light sleepers, while those nearing the 200-pound weight mark would need to consider the sinkage aspect of the mattress. While side sleepers prefer an increased level of sinkage, most back and almost all stomach sleepers do not like it and prefer a firmer support.

    Soft feel for heavy sleepers
    Heavy sleepers who weigh over 200 pounds and more and need a soft feel often find it difficult to find a mattress that works well for them in terms of both comfort and support. A mattress that offers deep compression support is the need for these cases.

    Different body types require different mattress types and best mattresses to buy depend on these factors.

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  • Car navigation with GPS

    Vehicle navigation is one application of all the aspects of GPS Systems that the common man uses the most. With the advent of smartphones which are GPS-incorporated, car navigation has become immensely popular. However, it has introduced a limitation that an internet or a mobile service is necessary for its operation. These navigation systems are equipped with various other facilities that has made driving safer and more relaxed activity. This write up tries to explain the intricacies of the system in jargon free language. There are various devices in the market with many added features.

    The navigation device has the following elements.

    The GPS antenna receiver receives the signals from the satellite.
    The direction sensor provides the direction in which the vehicle is travelling.
    The speed sensor provides the speed of the vehicle and the system calculates the distance has yet to travel to reach the destination.
    The display screen to show the navigation computer output.
    The Map data base checks the information from the antenna and sensors against the map database and sends the outputs to the display screen using the control circuitry of the navigation computer.
    Navigation computer, which is the brain of the system. It compares the information received from the antenna, the various onboard sensors and compares them with the map database and determines the vehicle’s exact present position, and calculates the time of possible arrival at destination, taking into consideration the remaining distance, vehicle speed etc. It shows the remaining distance to the distance also.

    Another important function the navigator is to perform is route selection and constantly monitor traffic on this and other parallel routes to avoid traffic congestion and resulting delays.
    These functions it performs by using the four following databases.

    Road Network data, road configuration, connection conditions, attributes etc.
    Background data which gives information like rivers, shorelines, railroads, contours etc.
    Site information data such as building names, addresses, representative structures etc.

    Voice data voice guidance: Firstly, the current location is determined consulting current location details. Secondly, it finds the destination and setting using the destination details. Third, the route to the destination is searched and fixed. Lastly, it searches for a route which is shortest and quickest, and recommends the same to the driver.

    Background data are searched to provide guidance using the voice guidance.
    Route details are displayed.

    Finally, it collates information received from various agencies like traffic police other drivers and informs of traffic congestions. All in all, it makes driving to any destination hassle free and smooth.

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  • Types of therapy for addicts in drugs and alcohol rehab programs

    A counselor provides therapy to addicts enrolled in drugs and alcohol rehab centers. Their function is to find the root cause of the addiction and help the addict move on to a sober life. The counselor develops a therapy and recovery plan for each individual enrolled in drugs and alcohol rehab centers. They have to educate the addict about their addiction and what it is doing to them and how to move to a life without abuse. All this has to be achieved through counseling.

    Why is counseling important for addicts
    Addiction is more than just a physical dependence on drugs or alcohol. Even post the detoxification process, there are high chances of addicts relapsing. Factors which contribute to relapse include social media, environmental cues (for example, visiting a drug-frequented neighborhood), or even stress. Hence, counseling is important for the addict to not relapse.

    Types of therapy
    Not all individuals enrolled in drugs and alcohol rehab centers would respond to the same type of treatment; hence, several types of therapy need to be formulated as per the need of the individual. Some popular therapy types include motivational interviewing, contingency management, cognitive behavioral therapy, family therapy, and so on.

    • Motivational interviewing: This type of therapy tries to prepare an individual to change his behavior and accept treatment for the addictions. The patient has to accept his behavior and make changes where required. The user has to realize that change has to come from them if they wish to start living a sober life.
    • Contingency management: This type of therapy is positive reinforcement counseling. It encourages the patient to abstain from drug use. The patient is rewarded for progress. This form of therapy is very successful and highly effective in drug abuse cases.
    • Cognitive-behavioral therapy: One of the most common types of therapies, it helps patients understand the situations that can lead them to use drugs. It also teaches them coping skills. He/she recognizes negative thoughts, triggers, emotions, and devices. This skill, once learned, remains with the patient for a long time.
    • Family therapy: This type of therapy is multidimensional as it addresses the influence that a family has on the patient. They work with each family member alone and then as a unit. This treatment is sought for young patients.

    A drug abuse counselor requires qualities like compassion, patience, understanding, and sensitivity. Counselors put a great deal of time, energy, and hope in understanding and helping their patients.

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  • Signs that Indicate You May be Suffering from Hypertension

    Hypertension or high blood pressure is a medical condition where the blood pressure of the individual exceeds the normal blood pressure range. Hypertension affects millions across the globe. This condition does not affect adults alone, as teens and children are also affected by high blood pressure. Hypertension symptoms are difficult to spot and usually appear only at critical stages. The only way to detect hypertension is to check your blood pressure regularly.

    Normal blood pressure is 120/80 mmHg. Blood pressure above this range is considered high blood pressure. Unchecked hypertension increases your risk of other serious health issues. Hypertension is a condition that develops over the years

    Causes of hypertension
    Hypertension is a chronic condition that is categorized into primary and secondary hypertension. A common type of hypertension is primary hypertension. This type of hypertension does not have any particular cause but develops over a period of time. Secondary hypertension is the result of a separate health condition. A highly stressful or lethargic lifestyle is a precursor for hypertension. Alcohol consumption and smoking habits are also known to cause heart-related issues in the long run.

    Symptoms of hypertension
    Hypertension symptoms are often mistaken for those of other diseases. Signs and symptoms of hypertension are not specific and usually occur only at severe and life-threatening stages. Common hypertension symptoms are as follows:

    • A severe headache: A severe migraine headache is a classic symptom of hypertension.
    • Fatigue or confusion: People with high blood pressure experience fatigue or are in a confused state of mind.
    • Anxiety: People with high blood pressure are often anxiety ridden. However, this symptom may be due to other health issues as well.
    • Vision problems: Chronic hypertension results in damage to blood vessels in the eyes.
    • Irregular heartbeat: Irregular heartbeat is a symptom related to all cardiac diseases.
    • Shortness of breath, chest pain, blood in urine, and pounding in the ears, chest or neck are other common symptoms of hypertension.
    • Hypertension symptoms like dizzy spells, nosebleeds or dull headaches are rare but warrant emergency medical help. These symptoms of hypertension occur during blood pressure spikes (180/120 mmHg) and termed as a hypertensive crisis.

    Hypertension symptoms are very subtle; you may not even know that you have it. Hypertension is a “silent killer” since it is a largely symptomless condition. Regularly check your blood pressure if you have a family history of cardiac issues or any other symptoms.

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  • Is balance transfer a possibility when the credit limit is low?

    All of us have experienced a drop in our finances. We think of various ways to get out of the situation, but we hit a snag. This is when many people turn to the best balance transfer, which will help them to lower their credit card debt. In case you are stuck in such a situation, don’t panic. Listed below are some of the options available to you:

    • There is nothing like being able to get a balance transfer at this time in order to lower your credit card debt. Paying interest on debts is what puts you in even deeper debt. Best balance transfer cards can help you as most of them come with 0% interest payments for the promotion period. But make sure that you are aware of the balance transfer fee that banks charge you as they may sometimes work out more in favor of the bank than in favor of you. To qualify for the best balance transfer you would need an excellent or good credit, only then can you be eligible to obtain a 0% card. That is a big hurdle that you need to jump over in order to get debt free. The next hurdle would be to get a high credit line on the 0% card to transfer your entire high-interest balance to it.
    • You need to make sure that by doing a balance transfer your whole debt and not just a portion of it is refinanced. If this happens, you need to call the issuer of the best balance transfer and ask them for a higher credit limit. Some of them may be a little flexible, and you might just get what you wish.
    • If talking to an issuer doesn’t help, then you should try and apply for a personal loan.

    Hence, getting a balance transfer with a low credit limit is not impossible.

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