Washing hands is basic hygiene that has been recommended even during the pre-coronavirus era. By just washing hands with soap, you could get rid of the germs in your hands. But it has become highly encouraged during this pandemic. In fact, it was one of the COVID-19 mitigation measures recommended by the WHO.

The reason why public health experts encourage the washing of hands is the way COVID-19 is transmitted. With the washing of hands as recommended, you can get protect yourself from catching the virus. But how does the coronavirus spread, and why is the washing of hands important? What about wearing gloves? Can gloves help prevent COVID-19? The article below answers all these questions.

How Covid-19 Spread And Importance Of Handwashing

Covid-19 spreads through mucus and droplets. When an infected person sneezes or talks, they drop saliva droplets and mucus and infect surfaces near them. If their hands are infected, they will infect any surface they touch. That include people they handshakes with.

If you touch the infected surface or shakes hands with the infected person, you collect the virus with your hands. So, if you touch your nose, eyes or mouth with the infected hand, you catch the virus.

Importance Of Hand Washing

Even if you’ve come into contact with the COVID-19 virus, you can reduce the chances of getting infected to zero. That’s if you wash your hands as recommended by the public health experts. You’ll be able to wash the virus off your hands. But you need to wash your hands the right way.

Washing hands with water alone will not eliminate traces of the virus on your hands. You need to apply enough soap all over the hand. Then, scrub the surface of the hands, including the back, and between fingers for 20-30 seconds. Rinsing the hands with running water is very important. Then wipe the hand dry using a towel or a clean cloth.

The importance of washing hands is to help avoid getting infected. Even if you have picked the virus, you can wash it off your hands with water and soap. But if you are in public, the use of sanitizer, of at least 60% alcohol, is recommended.

Can Wearing Gloves Help During This Pandemic?

Initially, people thought that wearing surgeon gloves would protect them from catching the virus. But what they didn’t know is that gloves work just like their bare hands. What gloves do is creating complacency on the part of the user. They give a false sense of security when outside. Just like your bare hands, gloves can pick up COVID-19. If you touch your nose, throat or mouth with the infected glove, you’ll catch the virus.

When You Should Wear Gloves

There are several situations when wearing gloves are crucial during this pandemic. A good example is when cleaning and disinfecting a coronavirus infected surface. You need to wear gloves to avoid getting infected.

If you’re caring for a COVID-19 patient in the hospital or even at home, you need to put on nitrile medical gloves. They are the best types of medical gloves for bacterial and virus protection. Latex surgeon gloves are also cheaper than the nitrile types.

Gloves are also recommended for food preparation. Wearing disposable latex food preparation gloves prevent you from passing the virus to others. You should wear gloves when preparing ready to eat food. Use one pair of gloves for every task.

Lastly, you must learn how to put on surgical gloves and remove them for proper protection. Wash your hands for 20-30 seconds and dry them before and after putting on gloves.

A water filter is a critical part of any household in Australia. These appliances play a critical role in determining the quality of water consumed in your house. But why should you install a water filter in the first place? Well, there are many benefits that come along with installing these appliances in your home.

First, it is important to note that the water supplied to our homes contain harmful bacteria, heavy metals, chemicals amongst other contaminants that lowers its quality. Even if chlorination is done at the treatment plant, the water will pick these harmful bacteria and other microorganisms from the supply pipes and your house plumbing system. In this article, we have rounded up 10 reasons why you need a water filter in your home.

Here are 10 reasons for installing a water filter in your home

1.     Safer Drinking Water Anytime

“One of the biggest benefits of having a water filter in your house is the improved quality of drinking water. Drinking water directly from the municipal treatment plant exposes you to numerous waterborne diseases.” said Filter expert David Wher from Discount Fridge Filters “Lead and some harmful bacteria that cannot be killed through chlorination are also present.” That is why it is recommended that you install water filters throughout your home to remove such toxins in your water. That’s one of the most effective ways of ensuring the safety and quality of the drinking water in your home.

2.     To Reduce Risk of Diseases

The overwhelming amount of chemicals and harmful microorganisms in the water can be dangerous when consumed. There are many waterborne diseases that can affect your health if you are taking tap water direct from the treatment plant. You probably know that compounds found in water such as chlorine, ammonia and other chlorine by-products are carcinogens. You, therefore, need to remove them from the water to ensure its safety. So you need a water filter to reduce the risk of diseases such as cancer amongst others.

3.     To Reduce Aggravation Of Skin Conditions

When we talk of quality of water, it’s not about drinking water only but also water for other domestic uses. Whether it is a shower or laundry, you need water that’s safe for your skin. Some of the harmful substances in water such as heavy metals, chlorine, and fluoride can cause skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, especially in children. Therefore, preventing such skin conditions is another reason why you need a good household water filter.

4.     Improve Taste And Smell Of Water

Is your water tasting or smelling funny? That is not a rare thing here in Australia. However, some people think that the cause is common contaminants such as sand, but that might not be the case. Sometimes the reason could be dangerous bacteria or heavy metals in the water. But after installing a water filter in your home, the funny taste and smell of the water will improve significantly. In fact, the water smells and tastes better when filtered.

5.     To Keep Your Clothes Clean

One thing that you will notice after using water directly from the treatment plant is the presence of soap scum and deposits on the clothes. That means your clothes will never get clean as they should. The problem is usually chemicals and other microscopic organisms found in the water. In addition, your clothes might start producing a funny smell. You may also begin to experience allergies and rashes. All these problems can be sorted by installing a water filtration system to remove chemicals for brighter, softer, and longer-lasting clothes.

6.     To Reduce Rust and Sediments

Even if the water is treated at the municipal treatment plant, it does not remove all corrosive compounds and silt. If you have seen your taps producing coloured water, it is a sign of corrosion in the plumbing system. On the other hand, some of the appliances, such as water, dishwashers, and wash machines, may start having a sediment problem. For instance, you might find yourself flushing the water heater tank very often. You need to install a whole house water filter to fix the rust and sediment problem.

7.     Reduce Allergy/Asthma

It has been proven that dirty or contaminated water increases the risk of allergy and asthma attack. Water contains numerous allergens that can make the condition of the allergic and asthmatic patient worse. For instance, some of these allergens can be on your clothes and might trigger an asthma attack when you wear them. So by investing in a water filter, you will significantly reduce the prevalence of asthmatic attacks in your home.

8.     Reduce Plumbing Cost

Most of the plumbing costs, especially replacing worn out parts, is due to contaminated water. Noosa Plumbing team Absolute Plumbing & Gas Solutions tell us that “Corrosive elements in water destroy you metallic pipes, taps, and other appliances including water heater tanks and dishwashers amongst others.” You will find yourself paying high bills for repairing and replacing your plumbing system when you consume water directly from the treatment plant. But with the best water filter system, you will significantly reduce these costs.

9.     Enhancing Disaster Management

Have you ever imagined what would happen if a sewer near your house bursts? Well, that means some of the sewer’s content might find itself into your water system and hence contaminating it. Therefore, you likely to end up drinking the same water, and that will get you sick. But if you have installed a water filter, you will be protected from such disasters.

10.   Save You A Lot Of Money

With a good and the best water filter in the market, you will save up hundreds of dollars per year. Apart from plumbing cost, you will spend less on soaps and clothes. You will not need to flush your water heater tank regularly if you a good filtration system. Lastly, you will save a lot of money that could have been used to pay hospital bills as a result of waterborne diseases. You will be able to cut on many other costs.

These are just 10 of the reasons why you should invest in a good whole house water filter. Fortunately, there are many advanced water filtration systems you can pick from. If you don’t have much knowledge about home water filters, seek professional help from a reputable plumbing company.

By now, you will have heard the argument that sitting all day is bad for your health and overall wellbeing. So many of us work office-based jobs which require us to spend long and consistent hours in front of a computer screen. Experts are saying that there are significant health risks associated with these prolonged periods of sitting. Dr James Levine, Director of the Mayo Clinic at Arizona State University, coined the now common phrase ‘sitting is the new smoking’. Levine’s research has found that sitting at a desk for five or more hours in a day is the health equivalent of smoking a pack and a quarter of cigarettes in terms of the expected reduction in life expectancy. These revelations are profoundly worrying given that the average person spends 12 hours a day sitting.

Why Sitting Is Bad and What To Do to Mitigate The Risks

Facts & Figures

The American Heart Association actively encourages people to ‘sit less, move more’. This is, of course, a good start, but unfortunately, there is more to it than simply introducing more movement into our daily routines. Even those who find themselves doing regular, intense physical exercise are not absolved of the risks associated with prolonged periods of sitting. Physical inactivity is now the fourth leading risk factor for global mortality, responsible for 2.3 a staggering million deaths a year.

One of the more obvious effects of sedentary sitting is that of weight gain. A lack of movement can slow down the metabolism and diminish the ability of muscles to break down fats. Sitting down has been found to burn 21% fewer calories than standing up. It is no wonder, then, that those who move more regularly are significantly less susceptible to obesity than those who don’t.

The vast majority of those who find themselves sitting for long periods of time will do so with less than perfect posture. It takes the average person only three minutes of sitting before they fall into a slumped posture. The all-too-common spinal curve perpetuated by sitting in front of a screen for hours can lead to an unnatural head position and hence a strained neck. Many also experience soreness in the shoulders and back due to the over extension of shoulder and back muscles, and the overworking of spinal ligaments.

Movement allows the soft disks between vertebrae to expand and contract and soak in fresh blood and nutrients like sponges. A lack of regular movement can lead to an inflexibility of the spine, where disks are squashed unevenly and collagen begins to harden around tendons and ligaments. The contraction of the psoas muscles created by extended sitting can also lead to herniated lumbar disks.

There is also a substantial risk posed to the internal organs through this kind of sitting. Those who sit for long periods have a greater risk of developing heart disease. A lack of movement means that muscles burn less fat and blood flows more slowly through the body, allowing fatty acids to more easily cause blockages in the heart. Extended seated periods have also been linked to high blood pressure and elevated cholesterol. Sedentary individuals are around twice as likely to develop heart disease as their moving counterparts.

Sitting all day in a curved spinal position can also create lung compression and limit the capacity of the lungs, meaning that the body has less access to vital oxygen. This, combined with the reduced speed of blood being pumped around the body means that much less oxygen than is required is sent to the brain or to other parts of the body.

Another potential health problem is an overactive pancreas. The pancreas is the organ responsible for producing the hormone insulin. Insulin carries glucose to the cells to provide energy. Since cells in inactive muscles don’t respond as effectively to insulin, the pacreas produces increasing amounts. These changes – which can start to take place after only one day of prolonged seated activity – can lead to diabetes and other diseases.

Research and Studies

A series of studies have shown prolonged periods of sitting to be a risk factor in the development of colon, breast and endometrial cancers. Although the reason is, as yet unclear, the evidence shows a clear correlation between sedentary sitting and these types of cancers.

As you might expect, long periods sat down and not using many of the body’s larger muscles can cause muscular issues. Abdominal muscles go unused when the body is slumped into a chair, causing them to go mushy. Hip flexors can become very tight because they are rarely extended. Glute muscles can become limp due to underuse. All of these can lead to a number of postural issues and easily become very painful.

The Poor circulation of blood around the body can cause fluid to pool in the legs. This can lead to a variety of issues from swollen ankles and varicose veins to potentially fatal blood clots and deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

Bones are strengthened through weight-bearing activities such as walking and running. Those spending long hours seated can find their bones becoming softer, and may find that osteoporosis develops as a result.

It is not just the body that will deteriorate as a result of long seated periods. The effects on the brain are also significant. Prolonged periods of sitting mean that few of our muscles are active, this slows blood flow and noticeably reduces the release of productivity and mood-enhancing chemicals such as endorphin, oxytocin, serotonin, and dopamine to the brain. This increased blood flow to the brain has repeatedly been shown in studies such as this one to improve concentration, productivity and engagement. The long-term impact of this can be huge, as increased movement dramatically increases the number of new brain cells created over time.

Experts have documented the link between both high and low glucose levels in the brain and the onset of dementia. Extended periods of sitting are commonly associated with low glucose levels in the brain. Studies have shown that low-intensity exercise such as walking after a meal can dramatically reduce both spikes and drops in glucose levels when compared to sitting after a meal.

Gym bunnies should be aware, however, that whilst intense exercise may be good for your fitness levels, it will do little to reduce your susceptibility to any of the aforementioned ailments. Studies like this one have found that it does not matter if you are training for a marathon after work, you are almost as likely as your sedentary counterparts to experience many of these health complications if you are not incorporating regular movement consistently as an integral part of your work day.

What To Do to Reduce Risks

All that sounds pretty serious, but you will be pleased to know that there are simple ways that you can mitigate those risks. The good news is that now you know better, you have the tools to do better.

Experts recommend that you break up prolonged periods of sitting by standing up, moving and contracting muscles, even if it is only for a minute or two. What is the best form of exercise to do? It actually doesn’t matter – the human body just wants to be moving regularly.

We hear a lot of talk about people changing to using standing desks as a way to overcome this long – and frankly quite terrifying – list of possible health complications from sitting all day. Is it necessary to switch to a standing desk? The simple answer is no. You do not need to be standing, you just need to not be sitting for long stretches of time.

Expert recommendations include incorporating small routine changes into your day such as getting up to make a cup of tea, taking phone calls standing up, holding walking meetings, taking the stairs instead of the lift and sitting on something wobbly like an exercise ball. There are also plenty of chair options on the market that encourage good posture and the correct engagement of the abdominal muscles.

Many of these changes are small ones, but to make the shift to a more active work-style will take a good degree of commitment. We, here at MyHealthyFamily, believe that hose who are able to make a sustainable shift towards regular movement throughout their day will inevitably find themselves rewarded with a better health prognosis than those who do not make the shift.

Whether it comes to your overall health, your PH level is fundamental. Natural alkalinity or PH is achieving alkalinity through eating and living a healthy lifestyle. For proper body function, you should be in an alkaline state. 

How to Achieve an Alkaline Body State Naturally

Although the body has the natural mechanism, you must always aid it by providing it with the necessary resources. Here are ways to alkaline your body naturally.

Drink Plenty of Water/Lemon Juice

This is one of the most effective ways of achieving alkalinity naturally. Water is known to be a great solvent, and it works by neutralising the acidic levels in the body. You should always start your morning by drinking a large glass and a juice of a whole freshly lemon. There is a high possibility of acid level rising while sleeping and that’s why it’s advisable to start your day like this. Alkaline water is highly recommended.

Eat Vegetable and Fruits

Most vegetables and fruits are alkaline, and these nutritious foods can help your body strike the much-needed balance. Greens and sprouts are an excellent choice of vegetables that you can choose. You can have them in a salad or blend them up to get the best out of their juice. There are numerous options that you can eat to help enhance the alkalinity of the body and improve your nutrition.

Baking Powder and Water

One of the advices that will be given to you after a  naturopathic consultation in Gold Coast session is to take in baking powder and water. This is one of the easiest and favourite ways of alkalising your body. In fact, it is one of the methods that can make you feel the effect instantly. It’s a very popular trick that anyone can do at home to deal with acid-reflux immediately. You just need to mix a teaspoon of natural baking soda with a cup of water and drink. If you have acid-reflux as a perennial problem, drink the solution first thing in the.

Aloe Vera Juice

Aloe Vera is one of the plants that have been used widely in different medical and cosmetic industry. The plant extracts are also known for the alkaline properties and can work great in increasing the body alkalinity naturally. Just make sure that the aloe vera you are using does not have carrageenan. You just need scoop out the pulp inside the leaves and blend with water to have the juice. Taking the juice first thing in the morning is recommended.

Reduce Stress and Avoid Acidic Foods

Stress messes your body by affecting the functioning of various body parts such as digestion system. This causes a rise in acidic levels, and that’s why you should avoid or reduce stress. For better health and well-being, avoid acidic foods such as soda, alcohol, coffee, meat and beans amongst other food. 

Reference:
https://www.honeycolony.com/article/10-ways-alkalize-your-body-important/
http://www.ivlproducts.com/Health-Library/Health-Concerns/Healthy-Living/5-Tips-To-Alkalize-Your-Body/
http://www.youngandraw.com/11-ways-for-you-to-become-more-alkaline/

Roundup reputation has come under scrutiny after a federal court unsealed documents raising questions about its safety. The documents also put into question the safety and research practices of its manufacturer, Monsanto. The popular weed killer, whose ingredient is the world’s most used, might be a health hazard if the litigation sails through.

Roundup Main Ingredient Might Cause Cancer

Like the rest of the weed killers, Roundup is used around the world including Australia on everything from home garden to row crops. It is indeed one of the Monsanto’s successful products, and it was found to be relative safe by the industry-funded research. This founding comes in spite of the concerns of many Australian doctors, residents and scientists. Litigation in federal court in San Francisco is also challenging that conclusion. The plaintiffs are building their case on the finding of an international agency that claimed Roundup’s main ingredient might cause cancer.

The documents provided to the court include Monsanto’s internal emails and email traffic between the federal regulators and the company. The files provided tangible evidence of an alleged conspiracy to conceal the truth about possible adverse effects of the main ingredient in this weed killer. They suggest that the company had ghost-written research that was later attributed to academics. According to the records, a senior official at the Environment Protection Agency (E.P.A) was involve in stopping any attempted to research on the main ingredient, glyphosate. For instance, United state Department of Health and Human Service was supposed to review the Roundup, but that never happened. According to the report, this was intentionally done to conceal the truth about glyphosate.

According to the files, they have exposed a disagreement within the E.P.A over the authorities own safety assessment. The files were unsealed by Judge Vince Chhabria who is presiding over the case. The plaintiffs claim to have developed non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (a form of cancer originating from the lymphatic system) after being exposed to glyphosate.

The case was triggered by a determination made by World Health Organisation’s branch, International Agency for Research on cancer, nearly two years ago. This body came to a conclusion that glyphosate was a probable carcinogen and linked it to non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

According to the report, the manufacturer was tipped off to the International Agency for Research on Cancer report by Jess Rowland who was then the deputy division director at the E.P.E. This is why the company managed to launch a public relations assault to counter the report before it was published. The internal email traffic also showed that the Mr Rowland had promised to protect the company’s product from being reviewed by the Department of Health and Human Service. But he asked for a “medal” according to Dan Jenkins (Monsanto executive) emails. This was a case of corrupting the system by Mr Rowland so as to protect Monsanto’s interests.

Though the safety of glyphosate is not settled scientifically, different agencies are already involved in a vicious disagreement with the international cancer agency. European Food Safety Agency and E.P.A are some of the agencies that have dismissed the determination. Monsanto is also leading a vigorous campaign to defend glyphosate.

But the records in the court have also revealed a lot of happenings inside E.P.A, particularly the Office of Research and Development. A lot of concerns about how the Office of Pesticide assessed product were also raised. Important to note was that Mr Rowland was a senior official at the time.
But amid these allegations, Monsanto have maintained that glyphosate is not a carcinogen. In their statement, they defended Roundup and blame the plaintiffs of submitting documents that they believe were out of context.

The outcome will mean a lot to the Roundup’s users. For now wait-and-see would be the best thing for farmers. Whichever way the case goes, it is important to get the facts right. If the records unsealed by the court were anything to go with, then farmers and homeowners in Singapore must be very careful with this wind killer.