If you are a kind of person who would like to keep unnecessary expenses at bay, you would probably not sacrifice so much bedsides your frigid existence. You may give up on expensive outfits unless you have cheap clothes that are neat and decent to wear. You may not mind using a basic prepaid phone as long as you still have a wireless plan and an undamaged phone and ultimately you may not mind giving up your cable TV subscription as you can still watch your favorite shows that you love to watch. There are a couple of strategies that one could opt for in order to stick with the cable service connection and not paying for all the entertainment channels that you enjoy. This is a legal method that anyone could try at home. Here’s how we do it.
Watch your favorite shows online:
Definitely you will be having a computer, laptop, or a tablet that you could stream online videos on. Watching movies and videos via the Internet is a well-known option. There are numerous sites that let you watch TV shows free either the day of or within a few days of the episodes streaming of regular TV. Here is a list of websites that you can look for. Hulu.com is great for their countless options. Pluto TV is great for web videos; however, you need to stream it on your TV through Chromecast or other devices. Certain TV networks sites like ABC, CBS, and NBC provide full episode streaming option. Veoh, Crackle, and AOL videos are also good for watching videos providing tons of content.
Watch HDTV over broadcasts:
One of the cool options is that you can watch all major channels and local television stations free of charge over the amazing new digital airwaves. Around 94 top shows out of 100 are broadcast on TV with HD picture quality which is better than regular cable on TV. This is possible if you have a proper antenna and a HDTV tuner in order to search for the shows, such as Mohu Antenna that provides over-the-air DVRs which lets you watch live broadcast TV and record shows or series. Channel Master and Tablo TV DVR lets you record and download shows on the computer with a special software.
Watch them on DVD and streaming:
Though this is a very old option, you can still be benefited by watching your favorite shows and movies on DVD at a cheaper price. There are plenty of websites that deliver movies and TV shows for low price. Redbox and Netflix are considered the best of the all. Redbox lets you watch movies on rent for an extremely low cost. Using coupon codes, you can grab these videos for an even lesser price Netflix has the option of monthly rentals.
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Here’s what you need to know about osteoporosis tests
Read moreOsteoporosis is a form of arthritis that causes the bones to weaken, which makes them increasingly fragile and highly prone to fractures. It is estimated that around two million fractures are caused by this condition annually. Although osteoporosis can affect any bone, it is usually observed in body parts like wrist, spine, and hip. Almost 80 percent of the osteoporosis patients are postmenopausal women. This is because, during menopause, a woman’s body experiences a significant hormonal change. Therefore, it is essential for women over 65 to get osteoporosis assessments on a regular basis.
How often should you get screened for osteoporosis?
The osteoporosis testing frequency depends on multiple factors like age, gender, underlying medical conditions, medical and family history. For example, if you are a woman in your 60s in the post-menopause phase with vitamin D deficiency, then you should get osteoporosis testing done every year. On the other hand, if you are a healthy woman in your postmenopausal phase, then you should get osteoporosis testing done in every two years.Moreover, osteoporosis testing is not only valuable for identifying the condition but also for monitoring it. If you are already dealing with osteoporosis, then the doctor might ask you to get screened in every few months to keep an eye on the progress of the condition and how well are the treatments working against it.
What does osteoporosis testing involve?
After you have discussed your symptoms, medical and family history with the doctor, a physical exam will be performed. If the doctor suspects any anomalies, she or he will recommend you with the following two tests for osteoporosis.- Bone density evaluation Like the name suggests, the bone density evaluation (DEXA test dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) gauges if the mass inside the bone tissue has reduced.
- Urine and blood exam Such type of tests allow the doctors to verify if bone loss is occurring due to an underlying health condition.
Likewise, QCT (quantitative computed tomography) is typically used for assessing any changes in the spine, however, it can detect bone changes in any part of the body. QCT for bone loss is done to review the effectiveness of the osteoporosis treatments.
Do insurance companies cover osteoporosis testing?
Yes, insurance providers like Medicare will cover expenses for osteoporosis testing like DEXA in every two years for:- Women who are 65 years or above
- Men who are 70 years or above
For younger patients, any private insurance company will cover the screening costs if they:
- Have suffered a low impact fracture in past.
- Are battling a disease linked to bone loss.
- Have been taking medications associated with bone loss.
- Are already fighting osteoporosis.
- Are receiving cancer treatments.
- Are eligible for an osteoporosis treatment.
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3 effective tips to quit smoking completely
Read morePeople pick up unhealthy habits due to a variety of reasons; it can either be peer pressure or some personal issue that forces them into developing this habit. One such addiction that claims 480,000 lives every year is smoking. Smoking is a highly-addictive habit that poses a great threat to the individual who smokes and those in the vicinity of smokers. In fact, passive smoking or secondhand smoking has resulted in about 41,000 deaths every year.
So, if a loved one is trying to kick the butt, they’ll need all they can get. Here are some handy tips that will help people quit smoking effectively.
Gear up before going “cold turkey”
One cannot quit smoking simply by throwing away the cigarettes out. Smoking is an addiction and it affects the brain as well. The brain becomes addicted to the nicotine, and without it, the individual will experience withdrawal symptoms. Which is why it is imperative to make arrangements in advance as the individual will need support to get through this phase. So, it is sensible to ask the doctor for ways to cope with the withdrawal symptoms, or join some quit-smoking classes, establish a solid support system, counseling, or opting for hypnosis or medication.Opt for nicotine replacement therapy
When someone decides to quit smoking, the nicotine withdrawal can give them headaches, fatigue, and mood swings. The craving will hit them hard, and the urge for “one last drag” will make all the efforts futile. If this is the case, opting for nicotine replacement therapy can help ease the withdrawal symptoms. Nicotine replacement therapy includes nicotine gum, nicotine patches, and lozenges, and these will improve one’s chances of quitting smoking successfully.Avoid alcohol and other triggers
Alcohol is known to weaken one’s resolve as people under the influence of alcohol aren’t capable of making sound decisions. It is harder to stick to the goal of quitting smoking if one consumes alcohol. So, it is imperative to try and limit the alcohol intake in the beginning, and stop it completely as the journey to quit smoking progresses. Instead of drinking alcohol, one can switch to tea for a few weeks and the urge to drink will subside eventually.Adhering to these tips to quit smoking will require a lot of conviction and willpower, and even if the individual fails the first time, the resolve to kick the butt should make them try harder the next time.