According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there have been at least 30,000 reported cases of acute Hepatitis C infection every year. A study shows that around 3.5 million people were detected with Hepatitis C virus in 2015. The Hepatitis C virus causes inflammation of the liver that occurs over a prolonged period. This makes Hepatitis C is one such disease that does not show immediate symptoms.
It has been observed that about 20 to 30 percent people experience Hepatitis C symptoms in the first six months. The symptoms of Hepatitis C tend to resemble those of common flu. Hence, it is quite difficult to detect whether a person has been infected by the Hepatitis C virus or not. If you get the following symptoms, consult your doctor and ask whether you are at a risk of Hepatitis C infection.
- You frequently experience pain in your upper abdomen. The pain usually occurs on the right side. You will also notice a swelling on this part. This happens due to water accumulation. You might also suffer from diarrhea.
- Your urine is dark and you pass light-colored stool. This is one of the clearest symptoms of Hepatitis C. If you observe these symptoms in yourself, rush to doctor and get tests done to determine whether you are suffering from Hepatitis C.
- You have jaundice. Your skin and eyes develop a yellow tint. You might suffer from constant itching.
- You lose your appetite and lose interest in your daily activities. You tend to be nauseous and experience vomiting.
- You are constantly tired. You experience periodic pains in your muscles and joints. Also, you experience chronic body aches from time to time.
- You might also suffer from extreme mood swings with a persistent feeling of sadness and lack of energy and enthusiasm.
Most of these symptoms appear within first three months of infection. These can last for two to twelve weeks. Sometimes, certain subtle symptoms can occur periodically over decades. It can take about six months to ten years to became aware of the virus in the body. Since most of these symptoms are similar to illnesses such as flu or diarrhea and other viral infections, Hepatitis C often goes undetected in most cases. It is only when the liver stops functioning normally that it becomes clear that the person is suffering from Hepatitis C infection. In extreme cases, the person might suffer from a condition known as cirrhosis. If you observe any of the above six symptoms, ask your doctor to test you for Hepatitis C. After all, prevention is better than cure!
-
Storage Ideas for Small Spaces
Read moreA small area is often viewed with apprehension and a misconception that it doesn’t have enough scope for experimentation surrounds it. But the point remains, small apartments are best for young couples who have just started their journey together. You do not require a lot of space to adorn your private space in a way that reflects your personality and style. Follow these tips and decode small spaces.
Think vertical
When you have pared down on all your belongings and possessions, you will always face the dilemma of determining the place which would stack up all your essentials effortlessly. If you take inspiration from the cities, you will be able to understand how the different aspects such as people, homes, and institutions work within the limited footprint. This logic would help you to get creative with home furnishing and come up with smart storage ideas for your small residential space. And it needs to be mentioned that one of the best and least utilized spaces in the residential homes is the vertical space. So, rather than investing in low dressers and storage cabinets, you can invest in a few wardrobes as well as closet units including the closet systems. By making use of the vertical spaces, your apartment would be quite an efficient city rather than a juggling suburb.Opt for multi-functional pieces
When it comes to larger homes, you have the option to look for items that serves a single purpose where a couch functions just as a couch, a dining room is left only for dining. But if you have a small apartment, it would be great if a particular furniture piece could be used as for a few purposes. The best means of achieving this is by using multi-functional storage furniture for limited spaces. This gives you access to the furniture that can be used in different ways and alternative purposes without any one particular usage. So, what you can do is convert existing pieces of furniture into pieces that can offer different types of usage. Furniture with storage spaces are a viable means of utilizing space wisely. You can also look for wall beds which come with shelves and optional table option on the front side. There is a host of designs to select from that would match your existing home decor seamlessly. This is particularly useful for the small bedrooms that do not have cabinetry or wardrobes to store in the daily essentials. -
Tips to buy a hearing aid at a reasonable price
Read moreLoss of hearing is not an easy thing to deal with. Often hearing loss leads to social isolation, inability to earn income, lack of concentration, depression, dementia, etc. As per estimates, more than 40 million people in the US suffer from hearing loss. In fact, it is a chronic condition, which is more common than heart disease and cancer.
If you have been diagnosed with permanent hear loss, know that you are not alone. And thankfully, hearing aids are there to help you lead a normal life! Hearing aids such as Costco hearing aids have enabled people to get on with their lives while combating this disability like pros.
Usually, a majority of people suffering from hearing loss do not opt for hearing aids owing to its cost. And it’s true that most of the hearing aids are priced high. So, are you one among them who are reluctant to buy hearing aids as it is not within your budget? Listed below are a few tips to help you get hearing aids at a reasonable price.
- Check with your insurance company
Most of the health insurance policies do not cover the cost of hearing aids. Don’t expect your insurance provider to finance your Costco hearing aids fully. However, you may check with them before buying one. Some of the insurance companies in the US offer a partial refund in specific policies. You can also make use of pretax dollars or health savings account in order to buy the hearing aids.
- Do not spend on features you don’t need
Technology is progressing by the minute and you will find products including Costco hearing aids with premium features. An example is its Bluetooth capabilities. Do you think you will make use of such modern features? If no, it’s better to avoid it and save some money on it. While you look for an economical hearing aid, opt for the one with the basic features. Also, discuss with your healthcare provider about which one would work best for you.
- Don’t be reluctant to bargain
Before stepping out to buy a hearing aid, make sure you do a ground research about the pros and cons of the product. For instance, if you are buying Costco hearing aids, go through user reviews and conduct an online research about the product. The point here is when you know the pros and cons, you can confidently bargain. It may or may not work, but still, you can give it a try. Also, you may find some surprise offers or discounts at times. Grab the chance then!
- Get in touch with organizations
If you are out of funds to get hearing aids, this will make the next best option. There are many NGO’s, social organizations, clubs and groups that help people in buying hearing aids. You may have to go through a set of procedures to get financial support from such organizations.
- Choose the product wisely!
Finally, don’t choose the wrong product since you will have to spend twice on buying a hearing aid. Take your audiologist’s opinion before you buy the product. You should find it useful and feel comfortable while wearing it. It’s favorable if you can go for a written contract with the retailer while you buy Costco hearing aids. This will be largely helpful if you want to replace or exchange the product later due to ineffectiveness. Mention the length of the trial period as well.
So, now that you have enough ways to find a reasonable hearing aid, do not put off your plan to buy them. Instead of saying no to hearing aids, choose an affordable one. However, just because a product is affordable, do not compromise on the quality.
- Check with your insurance company