Otorhinolaryngology is the term that not many of us are aware of. But it the study of problems related to ear, nose, and throat ENT. ENT problems are common, easily diagnosed, and curable, and yet, can get serious at times if not taken care of at an early stage. Infections are common in the ear, nose, and throat among many people. It is important to understand the seriousness of ENT infections as these organs are closest to the brain and cause a lot of pain whenever there is an infection. Reporting to a doctor in minor pains can be helpful in preventing yourself from potential infection in the future.
To prevent an infection, you must know the causes of the same.
Ear infection
A ear infection is the most common type of infection in ENT infections. You need to know when you are getting an infection, if you do.
If you feel an ache or pain, if you feel you cannot hear thing as clear as you used to or if you’ve completely lost hearing, if you feel some weird pressure in your ear(s), if there is pus or something like pus in your ear that you see or feel, then there is a chance of having or getting an infection.
Allergies, cold, adenoid problems (small tissue near your tonsils), smoking, excess mucus production, and bacteria/virus in your ear are some of the common causes of a ear infection.
You can prevent the infection by protecting your ears from cold by boosting your immune system, by getting allergies check with an ENT specialist on a regular basis, taking medication, and keeping your ears clean regularly.
Throat infection
Sore throat is the most common type of throat infection and can be caused by viral infection such as, common cold, infection in the voice box, mononucleosis, herpangina, influenza, mumps, etc; bacterial infections can occur from strep throat, inflammation in tonsils or epiglottis or uvula, in rare cases, STD; and irritants and injuries also cause throat infections such as, smoking, mouth allergies, and stomach problems.
Prevention of a throat infection will depend on the cause, but the one type of prevention that will help all the ENT infections away is the care from the start. Keeping yourself away from habits of smoking, drinking freezing cold water, keeping yourself exposed in the cold for too long, eating healthy so your immune system can handle such infection in the initial stage, and visiting the doctor regularly are some of the prevention methods that will always help you stay away from these painful infections.
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Your guide to getting FHA loan approvals
Read moreA Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loan is a type of mortgage which is insured by the FHA and is considered one of the most affordable and fastest loans to procure.
Simply put, the borrower needs to be approved by the FHA to get this loan. You may then look for different mortgage rates with different FHA-approved lenders. There are plenty of portals which may help you get fast quotes and you may subsequently take the process ahead with any lender whose rates you have found affordable.
Important guidelines to get an FHA loan approval
Discussed below are a few important aspects to keep in mind while applying for an FHA loan.Credit score
The credit score requirement to get an FHA loan approval is not stringent. The minimum eligible credit score for the same is 580. Even if you do not have a credit history, your lender will need to evaluate your eligibility, based on a non-traditional merged credit. Some borrowers may require a score of 640-680 to be eligible for this loan.While this is a guideline set, many lenders also give a loan to people with a credit score of at least 500.
Debt to income ratio
The debt to income ratio is a critical guideline followed by lenders to evaluate the eligibility of a borrower. It is a way in which lenders (even mortgage lenders) calculate a borrower’s ability to repay the debts, considering their regular incomes. The acceptable limit of this ratio is 31:43 to get an FHA loan approval.Mortgage insurance
Even though getting an approval for an FHA loan seems fairly easy, the real challenge arises in getting two types of mortgage insurances as prerequisites. One insurance needs to be paid fully while the other has to have a provision of being paid in monthly installments.Down payment
The minimum down payment required for an FHA loan approval is 3.5%. While the standard rate for down payment runs at 20%, the 3.5% comes as a great relief for borrowers who cannot afford such a high amount.Other important areas
A lender will look into your employment history, lawful residency in the US, as well as a valid Social Security number (SSN). You would also require to have an appraisal for the property from a verified FHA-approved appraiser.The other requirements differ from lender to lender, and it is always advisable to gather full information about your verified FHA loan lender before applying for a loan.
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3 ways SMA patients and caregivers can maintain a healthy relationship
Read moreThe relationship between a person diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and their caregiver is a two-way street. It is important to remember that both the patient and caregiver have their individual needs that should be communicated clearly. Irrespective of whether the primary caregiver is a parent, friend, or someone who has been hired to take care of the SMA patient, there are a few important things to consider for a healthy relationship between them. Below are three tips for SMA patients to maintain a healthy relationship with their caregivers-
- Informing the caregiver in advance about any schedule changes
SMA patients should remember that their caregivers, whether family, friends or professional caregivers, have their own schedules and needs. One needs to ensure that they don’t make any last-minute changes without informing the caregiver well in advance. A caregiver plans everything according to the SMA patient’s schedule, and any sudden changes might cause problems with the caregiver’s schedule and routine. It is important to remember that the caregiver is likely to have other jobs, people to meet, and other personal errands of their own. Hence, it is essential to inform the caregiver in advance if there are any changes to one’s schedule.
- Conveying one’s needs clearly
If an SMA patient is hiring someone through an agency or via the Internet, it is vital to know that the caregiver has probably had clients with a wide range of needs, levels of independence, and abilities. Hence, it is necessary for the patient to inform the caregiver about what their specific needs are, what tasks they can do, and what tasks they cannot perform. The best way that a caregiver will be able to help a patient properly and cater to all their needs is by just communicating with them. If one is used to doing certain things in a particular manner, let the caregiver know that beforehand so that they are able to do their job thoroughly by keeping their patient’s needs in mind.
- It is okay to have disagreements with the caregiver
When the caregiver is a friend or family member, fights and arguments are inevitable. However, when one has a fight, a confusion, a misunderstanding, or whether there is a simple disagreement with one’s caregiver, one needs to ensure that this tension does not last. It is important to communicate openly and work together towards solving the problem.
- Informing the caregiver in advance about any schedule changes