Topiclocal.com | Planting, growing and taking care of hydrangea plants

Planting, growing and taking care of hydrangea plants

The hydrangea plant is one the most versatile plants which can be planted and grown indoors. It is mainly used for medicinal purposes. Its root is full of alkaloids which are helpful in treating cold and indigestion. It is also used for decoration and ornamental purposes because of its dense flower head. It grows in four different colors such as blue, pink, purple and white. It usually blooms in summer and spring. This plant has the ability of re-blooming, which makes it easier to grow. Taking care of a hydrangea plant can be little tricky.

Planting the hydrangea plant
Planting them is a very easy task. By just taking care of few things, you could get reap great benefits from this plant. Some tips are listed below for you to understand the planting process better.

Selection of the site: Site selection is the very first step of this process. If you are living in a northern state, then you have the climate conditions that are needed to grow the hydrangea plant. Always choose a site where these plants can get at least 2-3 hours of the morning sun.
Preparing the soil: The soil is just as important as the climate for these plants to grow and bloom. You could test the soil’s fertility level at the local nursery. Knowing the quality of the soil is very important. Basically, there are 4 types of soil available. They are sand, silt, clay, and loam. Out of these, the loam type soil is ideal for these plants.
Planting: When you have found the right place and the soil, all that is left is to do the planting. Measure the size of the site and plant it such that there is enough space for each plant to bloom. Gently untangle the roots with your fingers before planting.

Tips on growing and taking care
Growing hydrangea plants can be little tricky. If you know the right way, then there should not be any problem in growing this plant throughout the year. Here are some useful tips that can make taking care of the hydrangea plants easier for you.

Morning light: The hydrangea requires the morning light. However, it cannot tolerate the afternoon sun.
Water requirements: When they are in the blooming phase, they need to be watered regularly. The water requirement diminishes after they have finished the blooming. Rain water is the best for these plants.
Protect from strong winds: Since these plants belong to the shrub family, they need to be protected from strong winds.
Proper drainage: The site must have a proper drainage system to prevent the roots from rotting.

Thus, if you pay attention and take care of the hydrangea plant, you will enjoy its beauty and the medical benefits.

How is pulmonary rehabilitation a good COPD treatment?
COPD is quickly becoming one of the most lethal illnesses in America due to an increasing number of people taking up smoking and being exposed to airborne pollutants. What makes it even worse is that more than half the patients are undiagnosed, and their condition only comes to light in the advanced stages of COPD. Though COPD has no complete cure yet, certain medications can work as treatment options. With about 11 million people being diagnosed with COPD in America, COPD medication is in high demand.

Pulmonary Rehabilitation – What you need to know?
COPD treatment can comprise a combination of medications and certain other treatments such as COPD oxygen therapy, pulmonary rehabilitation, surgery and psychological help to deal with stress. Pulmonary rehabilitation is the most popular COPD medication used by patients. Pulmonary rehabilitation helps patients to deal with COPD and carry on their everyday activities. It may not cure COPD but helps patients to deal with it. The highlights of pulmonary rehabilitation are as follows:
- Pulmonary rehab is a treatment program that is customized to the need of the patient.
- This COPD treatment teaches COPD management strategies to increase the quality of life, i.e., it helps patients to train the mind, heart, and muscles to achieve the best they can even with damaged lungs.
- In this type of rehabilitation, a team of specialists prescribes COPD medication to deal with and prevent certain symptoms of COPD.
- Pulmonary rehab also has an element of social care, which helps patients to come together and learn to cope with COPD together. This conditions the mind to deal with the illness.
- This facility also encourages patients to exercise on a daily basis, teaching them breathing exercises to improve the functioning of their lungs, and also to eat well.
- The rehab provides education regarding COPD and the various other treatments such as symbicort COPD treatment, new COPD treatment, and other information that patients with this condition ought to know.
COPD medication combined with the right treatments can help to improve the quality of a patient’s life. Pulmonary rehab is an amalgamation of various treatments being offered in one place.
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4 Best Electric Blankets to Keep You Warm

Electric blankets are heated using low-voltage wiring and are much safer than older models. The new models have transformers, so the voltage is lowered and circulated throughout the blanket. The blanket could be used to save energy if you turn down the thermostat during the night. It also eliminates the need for extra bedding.

Following are what experts call the best and safest electric blankets in the market today.

Sunbeam® Premium Quilted Heated Electric Mattress
The Sunbeam® blanket is really top-of-the-line stuff. It comes with plenty of padding and a cotton top. It is extremely comfortable and easy to use. The plug has a locking mechanism so that you can be sure you will be warm the rest of the night. The plug only takes up one outlet, even for their huge king-sized and queens-sized heating pads. With the controller being very user-friendly, this blanket becomes the top contender.

Soft Heat Luxury Micro-fleece
This micro-fleece blanket is very soft and comfortable and hugs your skin. The low voltage heat ensures that the likelihood of any burns or accidents reduces considerably. The blanket also takes longer to heat up because of this. However, it can be used to preheat your bed. The backlit display and the temperature controls are fine-tuned for all your needs. You and your loved one can set individual temperatures for both queen-sized and king-sized beds.

Sunbeam® King Velvet Plush Heated Blanket
Sunbeam® is a big player in the market. Their electric blankets are also quite comfortable. This one is cheaper than the Sunbeam® Premium Quilted Heated Electric Mattress, but unfortunately slightly lower in quality. The pad does a poor job of masking the heating wires and the blanket is made of polyester, so it does not absorb sweat as well. The digital controls are good with fewer buttons than the Premium Quilted pad but support a similar temperature range.

Biddeford Blankets® Comfort Knit
Another popular electric blanket is this one from Biddeford Blankets®. The wires are far better in this, so much so that you do not feel them under the padding, because they are more flexible. While the blanket itself stays quite warm, king and queen-sized beds will need two power outlets for controlling temperature, as both partners may have different preferences. The control functions are not as varied as some of the Sunbeam variants, but they do get the job done.

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Buying the best clothing for your baby boy

In between feeding your baby, changing his clothes and soothing him when he cries, the last thing you want is to worry about the baby’s clothing. Baby clothing can be abrasive to your boy’s delicate skin if chosen incorrectly. Shopping for baby clothing can be quite daunting, particularly for new parents

Choosing clothes for baby boys is not just about buying any clothes that come in shades of blue. Various other factors are in play. These are some of the most important factors to consider.

Know how size varies
Sizing for the clothes of a baby boy can vary from one company to another, just like adults. You should buy clothes that you think will fit your baby rather than going for the size that claims to fit your baby. Check to see if they have a chart available, especially if you are buying online.

Buy in small numbers
Your little boy will grow fast and if you have a lot of clothing for a particular size, it will be wasted. This tip also applies to baby boys that are not born yet. Let your friends know that you want limited clothing gifts for your baby at your baby shower.

When you are not able to decide the size
When in doubt, go with the larger one. Babies, be it a girl or a boy tend to go overnight. You are always free to roll up the sleeves or tuck in the large t-shirts between growth spurts.

Opt for soft fabrics
Newborn babies have very sensitive skin. According to most experts, cotton clothes are best for babies although soft cotton blends also work well. If budget is not a constraint for you, then you can go for organic cotton which is softer than either of the two. Sometimes, baby boy clothing will not have tags since this seems to cause irritation for some babies. The washing instructions and size will be printed on the back of the neck.

Consider how easy or difficult it is to put on the clothing
For a wriggly baby boy, buttons can be the most frustrating object on the planet to the parents. In such cases, zippers and snaps are the best choices. You can even go for those brands which have magnetic straps for eliminating the hassles of zipper jams. You should opt for snaps and stretchy neck holes at the collar so that you can slide the cloth gently and easily over your baby boy’s head.

These tips will help you to choose the best clothing for your little boy. Make sure it is not only comfortable but easy to take off and clean.

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What is AFib stroke and what causes it
Afib (Atrial Fibrillation) is a condition in which there is abnormal and fast electrical rhythm in the upper chambers of the heart. When afib occurs, the upper chambers do not contract completely, and hence the flow of blood gets restricted. As the blood collects or gets stagnant, it slowly starts forming clots. These blood clots could move to the brain causing a stroke. Afib treatments, therefore, need to be done quickly to prevent this from happening. Before starting on afib stroke medications, it would be beneficial to understand the causes of this condition.

According to the statistics, more than 2.6 million Americans are affected by Afib. This number is only expected to increase to about 12 million by the year 2050, due to the aging population. Afib-related strokes are said to be nearly twice as fatal and disabling as non-afib related strokes.

Causes of Afib stroke
Afib is a condition that should not be left untreated. Many people with afib are usually unaware of their condition, hence diagnosing afib is even harder. If there is no timely treatment, afib stroke can have serious repercussions on the physical health. Listed below are some of the causes of Afib:
- High blood pressure
- Heart attacks or previous heart surgeries or congenital heart defects
- Overactive thyroid glands
- Exposure to certain stimulants like tobacco, alcohol or caffeine
- Cholesterol is seen to be the cause in many cases of afib
The main cause of afib stroke is the formation of clots due to the chaotic electric rhythm in the upper chambers of the heart. Afib treatment medication is hence focused on preventing the formation of clots. Also, understanding the patient’s condition could help in getting the right type of atrial fibrillation medications.

The best afib treatment medication would be to prevent afib strokes by treating it, rather than ignoring it. Periodic testing would be the best way to be safe. Also maintaining a healthy diet and an active lifestyle will be beneficial.
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COPD – Types, symptoms, and flare-up management options
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a severe, long-term lung condition that includes chronic bronchitis and/or emphysema. The disease makes it difficult for the air to pass through the airways comfortably, leading to obstructive breathing. According to studies, chronic lower respiratory diseases, including COPD, are the leading causes of death in the country. While the illness is manageable, COPD flare-ups can cause discomfort. Here’s what you need to know about the condition and its management options.

Types of COPD
- Chronic bronchitis
  Chronic Bronchitis is a condition characterized by persistent coughing that lasts at least three weeks. This happens when the breathing tubes, called bronchi, are inflamed and irritated, further leading to thick mucus buildup. Air pollution, dust, and smoke particles can all contribute to the development of this illness.
- Emphysema
  This condition causes shortness of breath due to the air sacs (alveoli) being damaged in the lungs. With time, the inner walls of the air sacs weaken and can even rupture, leading to difficulty breathing.
COPD flare-ups
If one experiences shortness of breath, excessive wheezing or coughing, or producing more phlegm, one might have a COPD flare-up, also called an exacerbation. The symptoms of the disease are visibly worse than usual and require additional treatment. While the intensity of the flare-up ranges from moderate to severe, frequent exacerbation can cause lung damage which can be irreversible.

Signs and symptoms
Some of the signs of a flare-up include fever, scratchy throat, and other similar signs of cold, swollen ankles, coughing with mucus that is green, tan, or red in color, fatigue, unusual sleepiness or drowsiness, and a confused state of mind.

Some signs of an emergency include drowsiness, chest pains, shortness of breath, lips or fingers turning blue, or inability to think clearly. An emergency treatment kit may help, but if the symptoms worsen, consult a doctor at the earliest.

Treatment options
While some lifestyle changes may help manage the illness, treatment plans may help control the flare-ups to a great extent.
- Muscle relaxers
  These treatment options help relax the muscles around the airways, easing symptoms like shortness of breath and coughing. The effects of these relaxers last up to 4 to 6 hours. Usually, this kind of treatment is prescribed when one experiences uncomfortable symptoms.
- Prescription
  BREZTRI is a long-term treatment plan that treats COPD symptoms and even reduces the number of flare-ups experienced. The recommended dosage of the inhaler is two inhalations twice a day. Also, note that BREZTRI is not a treatment to relieve sudden breathing problems, therefore, it may not be effective for asthma.
- Pulmonary rehabilitation
  This is a program designed to help manage COPD and its symptoms. It includes breathing exercises, nutritional therapy, exercise routine, healthy lifestyle counseling, and tracking and journaling progress through the treatment program.
Preventive measures
Some preventive measures to ensure the flare-ups are not as frequent or severe include getting a flu shot (against pneumonia), avoiding big gatherings or crowds, washing hands regularly, and avoiding the use of fragrant cleaning products or perfumes.
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Top 5 Android Phones in the Market

Android phones have been ruling the market for quite a while now. However, with the number of brands such as Samsung, HTC, and OnePlus in the market, picking the right one may be confusing.

There are phones with great cameras but not good battery backup, or phones with good battery backup but not a good enough screen. There are various things you need to consider before buying an Android smartphone. Price factor also plays an important role in selecting phones. These phones are expensive, hence, you need to make sure that you get your value for money.

Here are some of the best Android phones you can consider purchasing.

Samsung Galaxy Note 8

This is the biggest smartphone by Samsung. After a year of controversy, Samsung is back with this giant smartphone sporting a 6.3-inch HD+Infinity display screen. Available for $923 approximately, this is easily the most feature packed phone you can buy. The battery life is amazing, and the phone also features a top of the line processor, expandable storage, wireless charging options, and is also water resistant. The Samsung Galaxy Note 8 is probably the best smartphone your money can get you.

LG V30

Probably the only other phone to be considered a rival to the Note 8, the LG V30 is one of the sleekest and best working Android phones in the market. The 6-inch screen is a combination of glass and aluminum, giving it an iPhone-ish touch. The phone also contains a top of the line dual camera with excellent video shooting quality and one of the best headphone jacks available in the market. The 64 GB model is priced at $810-$830 approximately, while the 128GB model is priced at $912 approximately.

Google Pixel 2

After the massive success of the inaugural Google Pixel, the Pixel 2 keeps up all the promises while delivering even more. This phone has the best camera on an Android phone with its razor-sharp focus and an amazing low light capture mode. The screen is 5 inch one but if you want a bigger screen you can grab the Pixel 2 XL that sports a 5 inch screen. Available in 3 colors, the Google Pixel 2 is priced at $649 for the 64GB model and $749 for the 128GB model approximately.

Samsung Galaxy S8

Easily one of the classiest from Samsung and in the smartphone market in general, the Galaxy S8 is all about Android goodness. The 5.8 inch screen gives you edge to edge smoothness with the perfect cut that fits in almost anywhere. The specs are up to date and the phone itself is highly competent. The Samsung Galaxy S8 does come with a slightly higher price than its competitors, priced at $750 approximately. The only problem people seem to have with this phone is the placement of its fingerprint scanner.

OnePlus 5T

Although OnePlus is a newcomer to the Android market, their products have always been top of the line with their USP being great phones at a cheap price. With the introduction of the OnePlus 5T, one of their best models got all the updates it needed. With a 6 inch AMOLED display, and a 20 megapixel camera, top of the line processor, and a durable battery, this phone brings together all the best parts of the hardware and the software worlds. The latest model also features facial recognition technology to unlock the device, quite a handy tool. The best part about this phone is that it’s priced at $499 for the 68 GB model and $599 for the 128GB model approximately.

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Know your bathroom faucets inside out
For a regular buyer, selecting a bathroom faucet is usually limited to style elements. We huddle over design manuals and debate about the finish, but are usually less concerned about what goes inside of a faucet. Most of us find the specs difficult to understand, so we just skim over this essential part. In this article, our aim is to simplify the valve construction to enable you to make a well-informed decision.

The make of the valve is not only important from the point of view of durability, but it is also essential for hassle-free day-to-day use. Most standard quality faucets are made from brass, plated with chrome or PVD to render them resistant to corrosion. Over the years, faucet technology has moved in the direction of lead-free construction. It is increasingly being replaced by bismuth.
It is always better to check the installation manual while purchasing a new faucet. This gives you a good idea about the plumbing essentials and the ease with which the faucet can be installed in your bathroom.

The valve controls the flow of water from the faucet making it the most important part of the faucet mechanism. There are four kinds of valves, which can be used in bathroom faucets.
- Compression valve faucets: This basic valve design features a screw that compresses a rubber washer to regulate the flow of water. Usually, separate handles are provided for cold water and hot water. It is very common for this type of valve to wear out with continuous use. The rubber washer losses its elasticity or is snipped by the edges of the screw. Leakage and replacements are frequent in this kind of valve design.
- Ball valves: They feature movable slots to control the mixing of hot and cold water. When you twist or turn the handle, the opening to the slots is changed, which in turn determines the amount of water flowing through them. Ball valves are usually used in faucets sporting a single handle.
- Cartridge valves: This valve design comprises two concentric cylindrical cartridges of varying diameters. When you turn the faucet handle, you are actually moving the cartridges relative to each other. Rubber O-rings are used to control the flow of water. Cartridge valves are fairly reliable and durable in the long run.
- Ceramic disc valves: These consist of two specially designed ceramic disks, which slide against each other to control the flow of water through them. Although ceramic disc faucets are expensive in comparison to other kinds of valves, they require the least maintenance and are the most durable.
Control options
Handles and levers are more yesterday; now bathroom faucets boast of a variety of sophisticated controls.
- Hands-free operation: A motion sensor built-in to the faucet regulates the flow and temperature of water.
- Touch-sensitive: Much like your smartphones, this technology activates by a simple touch or tap anywhere on the faucet.
Apart from these, you can also go for cross handles, joysticks, knobs push buttons or lever handles.
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Where to find the cheapest tires online

The world of technology has significantly altered the way consumerism functions, right now, anything we want is just a touch away. And tires my friend are no exception! Want a wheel, log on to that website, and within a few days you will be rolling around the city in your car.

The best part about purchasing tires online is that you find the cheapest prices. Unlike, your regular auto repair shop or local garage, the tires available online don’t burden your pocket. If you are concerned about the quality due to the low prices, don’t worry, there are many reputable brands selling their tires online at a low cost. While hunting for tires online you will also notice that there are myriad of options. So, you can easily shortlist options and choose. These cheapest prices and variety make your online shopping experience comfortable and hassle free.

Tires Easy, Online Tires, Tire Buyer, Simple Tire, Tire Rack, Tire Warehouse, Walmart, Tire Crazy, etc. are some of the popular tire selling websites online that will provide you with the cheapest and the best alternatives. To find if they ship in your state, check their website for zip or store locators. You can also find many brand stores online. They have attractive offers and discounts not only on tires prices, but also on shipping and membership.

Apart from the tires, you can find many auto parts on these websites. The biggest benefit of the virtual shopping is the online community which assists you in making an informed decision. Reading up reviews or connecting with someone with similar experiences can help you deflect possible mistakes. You can also find videos and blog essays related to the different brand of tires for reference purposes.

If you are wondering, besides from the cheapest prices and wide selections, what else can these online sellers can offer, you can find many advantageous aspects. For example, certain websites make the delivery, based on your convenience. If you order today, there is a good chance that they will be delivered by the next day, if you need them on an urgent basis.

Also in terms of installation, many websites have tie-ups with the local installers in your town. These tires can even be delivered to the local mechanic of your choice, instead of your residential address. In this way, you can get the process of installation started as soon as possible.

To find the best and cheapest tires for your vehicle, remember to research well.

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