Addiction is a compulsive activity, which translates to a sensation triggered by a substance. Some merely enjoy the feeling stimulated by an addiction, whereas others are dominated by their indispensable need to use a particular substance that stimulates the addiction. These substances can be harmful with prolonged use and often manifest in unusual ways. From among several weird addictions, such as the constant urge to work out, go shopping, use smartphones, drink coffee, and eat inedible substances, which one tames, explained below in detail are five unusual such addictions that are pretty common.

Caffeine enema
For most people, their daily cup of Joe is what gets them ready for the day. But for some, their addiction to coffee has motivated them to take it in from the bottom! Similar to an enema, caffeine enema can be done quite easily, and many do this multiple times simply because coffee can be absorbed faster. Doctors may recommend a caffeine enema, as it is an effective colon cleanse. It also acts as a laxative stimulant for healthy bile flow. However, many enjoy the activity so much that they now have a compulsive need to perform a coffee enema.

Tanning
Who would have thought that the pleasurable activity of basking in the sun at the beach can become an addiction? However, science does support these observations as the sun’s UV rays trigger a release of feel-good hormones called endorphins in the body. Endorphins make you happy, which also explains why tanning is such a favorite activity. However, some take it to the next level of addictions and risk blisters, sunburns, and even cancer from overexposure to the sun.

Eating inedible substances
People who suffer from eating disorders eat large quantities of regular food that leads to health complications, such as obesity, diabetes, and cholesterol. Some people have a strange fixation for inedible substances that can also cause bodily harm; for example, eating dirt, soap or laundry detergent, chalk, paint chips, and even drinking urine, are a few of the strange addictions that people are struggling to shake off.

Nasal spray
Nasal sprays are available over the counter, or one can even make it at home with lukewarm water and salt. The saline solution is beneficial for people who suffer from allergies and need the spray to clean out their nasal passage. However, some people are addicted to these types of sprays and use it several times a day. It is difficult to ascertain why these addictions manifest, especially when people know its harmful effects.

Smartphones and social media
In today’s day and age of technology, it was only going to be a matter of time before someone got hooked to their phones so severely that it would become one of the many addictions listed. In fact, for many people, just ignoring their phone for a couple of hours could trigger anxiety and restlessness. It gets worse for people active on social media who feel the constant need to check their phone for every little notification. Classic signs of smartphone addiction include ignoring people around you, never turning it off, responding and expecting replies, and always staying alert to check your phone.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurological disorder that affects the central nervous system (CNS). Due to this disorder, your immune system attacks myelin, which is the protective sheath covering the nerve fibers. As a result, communication between your brain and body is hampered.

Causes of multiple sclerosis

The exact cause of multiple sclerosis is still uncertain. However, some factors that cause this disorder are as follows:

1. Immune system

If the immune system is compromised, it may attack the CNS. The myelin protective sheath is affected, thereby disrupting the functioning of your brain, resulting in multiple sclerosis.

1. Infection

Certain viruses and bacteria can cause multiple sclerosis. Some viruses cause inflammation that breaks down the myelin, triggering multiple sclerosis. It is possible that brain-cell-like bacteria and viruses can cause the immune system to erroneously identify normal cells as foreign cells, thereby destroying them. Some of the viruses and bacteria that can cause multiple sclerosis include Epstein-Barr virus, measles viruses, and human herpesvirus-6 causing disorders like roseola.

1. Genetics

One can be highly susceptible to multiple sclerosis if one has a family history of this disorder. The possibility of one developing this disorder in such instances increases by 2.5% to 5% in the country. For an average individual, the possibility is roughly 0.1%. Multiple sclerosis patients are born with genetic susceptibility to unfamiliar environmental agents, which triggers an auto-immune response.

1. Environmental factors

Epidemiologists have noticed a higher number of multiple sclerosis patients in countries that are far from the Equator. This may be a correlation with Vitamin D as it is believed to be highly beneficial for the immune system. Since people living in countries closer to the Equator receive plenty of sunlight, their bodies produce more Vitamin D, which reduces the risk.

Symptoms of MS

Symptoms vary and depend on the affected nerves and extent of nerve damage. Severe multiple sclerosis patients may be unable to walk independently, while some patients may experience long periods with no symptoms. Some common symptoms of multiple sclerosis include:

• Weakness or numbness in the limbs of one side of the body, or trunk and legs
• Unsteady gait, trembling, and lack of coordination
• Lhermitte sign, where you may feel electrical shock-like sensation with neck movements especially while bending forward
• Issues with vision, such as partial or complete loss of sight in one eye, experiencing pain while moving the eyes, blurry vision, or long periods of double vision
• Sexual, bladder, and bowel functioning trouble
• Slurred speech
• Pain or tingling sensation in various parts of the body
• Dizziness
• Fatigue and tiredness

Risk factors causing MS

• Although the disorder may appear at any age, people between the ages of 16 and 55 years are more commonly affected
• Smokers who may experience MS-like symptoms initially are more likely to relapse
• Women are twice or three times more likely to develop multiple sclerosis than men
• Autoimmune disorders like inflammatory bowel disease or type-1 diabetes can increase the possibility of developing multiple sclerosis
• Countries with temperate weather conditions see a higher number of multiple sclerosis patients
• Infections and lack of Vitamin D can also trigger multiple sclerosis

If you are new to gardening and looking to buy a leaf blower, you might get overwhelmed with all the different kinds available. Here are the brief descriptions of different types of leaf blowers.

Gas leaf blower and electric leaf blower
Leaf blowers can be roughly divided into two categories, electric and gas. As the name suggests, gas leaf blower runs on gas while the other one runs on electricity. Electric leaf blowers are either with cord or cordless. Cordless electric blowers need a battery to run them. They have lesser power but are lightweight. We have further explained the different types below.

Corded-electric blowers
These are small and are meant to be used single-handedly. Most of them weigh up to 8 pounds. If you have a small a garden and a power outlet is within 100 feet’s, you can consider this option. Mobility is limited in such kinds of blowers. Eco friendliness and easy handling are also two good features.

Cordless-electric blowers
If you are looking for a low-maintenance leaf blower but do not want to deal with cords, these type of leaf blowers might be the right option for you. They typically run with the battery and are lighter than gas leaf blowers are. The only downside is that battery can drain in about an hour and you would have to charge it again before any further use.

Gas-powered handheld blowers
These are powerful blowers and are more capable than electric blowers in sweeping and blowing the leaves. They are louder than electric ones although recently, many brands provided blowers that adhere to noise limitations. Periodic maintenance is required because they have a powerful engine. Available in two-stroke and four-stroke engines, they weigh around 10 pounds usually and a little bit more in the case of four stroke engines.

Gas-powered backpack blowers
These blowers are typically carried as a backpack and they provide more power than handheld blowers do. Added power need more weight and they weigh close to 17 pounds. They are also costlier than the handheld ones. One downside is that they are not able to vacuum or shred.

Gas-powered wheeled blowers
If you are looking to clean a big area quickly, these leaf blowers can be a good option. Provided with wheels and a four-stroke engine, they weigh up to 100 pounds. They are costlier and mostly noisy although some brands have recently provided models with a very low noise level.

Often choosing the right plan is easier in comparison to getting the right network. Whoever said that it’s just “the network” needs to think again. You do not want to get trapped in the wrong network and then regret later.

Your network also depends on the device you use and thereafter which plan you prefer. That’s because new devices come with inbuilt radio technology that has a band 12 of spectrums which tap the data faster at a jet speed. So if your device does not support the new technology then any network may not work for you.

Deciding the perfect network

Getting best mobile network is not a child’s play. Before you set out to shop for networks, do check the map zones where you would be using it. Some phone service providers like T-Mobile offers in-home extenders which can save your phone from bad area network coverage. Wireless carriers have come up with a solution for those dealing with network problems. They have equipment free Wi-Fi calling which enables the user to direct the call through his Wi-Fi signal, assuming that it is good.

If you are little tight with your budget then ignore the big four, and go with low-cost carriers called as MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operators) who use the same signal or network as AT&T, Sprint, Verizon, and T-Mobile. There are a whole lot of them that have the best mobile networks and plans of all types that can fit your budget.

Most phone service providers have tall claims of having the best mobile network in the country. Don’t fall for their claims as the coverage may differ in each city and area. Moreover, the network coverage, these service providers claims are mostly for populated areas.

At times, when most carriers are looking forward to 5G network speed, one should do their research while heading with any of the carriers and getting into their plans. The best mobile network needs a good coverage and reception that is reliable and has a better call quality.

Sometimes small carriers do have an edge over the big carriers in terms of coverage and networks.

Several items are used at a Church during a Catholic mass. These items are sanctified, and those that are used for the Holy Body and the Holy Blood of God are made of gold or gold-plated silver. To understand Catholicism, you need to know about the components used during prayers. Some of the most popular and best religious items used are discussed herein:

Books
Four books are used in general, which include the Books of Gospel, Lectionary, Hymnal or Missalette, and Sacramentary. Each book serves a different purpose and is used at separate points during the mass.

Chalice
Also one of the best religious items used at mass, the chalice is a sacred glass used to hold the wine that is known as the Blood of the Lord. It is only touched by the clergy during the prayer ceremony.

Purificator
A white linen cloth embroidered or marked with a cross, the purificator is used to cleanse the chalice.

Paten
It is a shallow saucer-like disk made from the same material, as the chalice and only touched by the clergy. The paten holds the bread or the Body of the Lord. The Bishop consecrates both chalices and patens.

Corporal
During the mass, a white linen cloth will have the Paten and Chalice on it. This cloth is known as corporal. It is ironed in a predetermined manner; so, the cloth can be unfolded into nine equal squares.

Ciborium
A bigger chalice covered by a lid with a cross at the top, a ciborium serves multiple purposes. It is used to hold the Body of Christ during which a white silk veil covers it. Ciborium also reserves the Blessed Sacrament in the tabernacle.

Thuribulum
Also known as Censer, this religious item is used to incense the wine and bread after the offertory, altar, Priest, and the congregation during solemn occasions.

Processional Crucifix
It is a crucifix on a rigid staff that is carried by hand. It is held while entering the Church for Mass and exiting later, in front of Liturgical processions, before gifts are brought up to the altar, and for other solemn occasions. It is placed on the altar at all other times.

Pall
It is a white-colored stiff cover placed over the Paten when it is kept on the chalice. It pall prevents any foreign particle from falling into the chalice.

Communion cups
These items are similar to a Chalice and utilized when people receive from the cup during communion. Communion cups are kept on the Credence Table and brought to the Altar only during the communion.

There are many types of property insurance available for insuring your property in the event of a break in, fire, or any other damage. These can be availed whether you are a home owner or if you are renting property.

Homeowner’s and home insurance are policies that you take out to protect yourself and your property in the event of experiencing some loss or damage on account of thefts, break in, fire, rain or storm damage or any other such accident. Given the uncertainty of the times we live in, most investment advisers recommend that whether you own property or rent one, it would be a wise investment to pay a yearly premium towards home insurance.

Property insurance can cover a range of things that have been listed below.

• Home owner’s insurance
• Renter’s insurance
• Earthquake insurance
• Flood insurance

If you possess high-value assets that you keep on your property they may also be insured by purchasing an additional rider to the property insurance.

While property insurance covers losses incurred due to damage caused by fire, wind, hail, smoke, lightning, and theft, it also provides a liability coverage in case a person who is not the owner or renter of the property is injured when on the property, in the event of a suit being filed. Always ensure that you read the fine print on your insurance policy so that you are well informed of exactly the kinds of losses that are covered and what are not as some kinds of damage may fall under an exclusion clause.

Home owner’s insurance comes under property insurance and covers any loss or damage caused to the insured’s house and possessions, the subject of course to the filing, and approval of a proper claim with all necessary supporting documents.

Renter’s insurance is another form of property insurance which primarily provides coverage for the insured’s possessions or liability for injury when on another’s property.

Property insurance premiums are calculated on the basis of the total insurable value which is a summation of all the costs of the physical structure as well as the expense of all objects housed within it.