Category: Men’s Health Care

Taking care of your sexual health is vital, but many people avoid using sexual health services as they feel ashamed or embarrassed. This can mean that thousands of people go years without a check up, leading to serious problems.

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Many people also feel embarrassed about buying condoms, which means that they are at an increased risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases through unprotected sex and of unplanned pregnancy. Thankfully, various services are now addressing this issue by providing a range of sexual health services that can be accessed at home.

Below are some of the most useful sexual health services that you can access from home.

Websites

There are several websites that allow users to speak to medical professionals through their computer, including JustDoc, HealthTap and LiveHealth Online. Contraceptives can also be ordered online and brought straight to your front door, such as through the website Nurk, avoiding any potential embarrassment of purchasing in person.

There is also a range of websites through which you can order at-home STI-testing kits. For example, if you would like to order chlamydia testing kits in London, then why not check out visit bexleysexualhealth.org for a chlamydia testing kit for more information?

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There has so far been a fairly positive response to these new online services: one study found that teenagers and people in their early 20s were more likely to get tested if they could order at-home STI kits, as this means that they can avoid ’embarrassing’ in-person conversations.

Potential concerns

Although these new sexual health services have been praised by many, some issues have also been raised about the various websites and at-home testing kits available. Some physicians believe that the value of some of these services is limited as the user isn’t checked over by a doctor, so there is the chance of a misdiagnosis. There is also the possibility of a false result with an at-home testing kit, so there would still be the need to attend a conventional medical appointment for a follow-up check.

However, many physicians also concede that the tests can work well if they are interlinked with professional medical care. They can be fairly effective for more straightforward health issues, but for people with complex medical issues a doctor’s visit is always recommended.

Getting tested for an STI (sexually transmitted infection) is not what most people would consider fun, but it is a sensible thing to do, and getting the results quickly is definitely a bonus. It is hoped that a new type of fast test will enable patients to be tested, a diagnosis made and treatment offered in one streamlined visit.

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Accurate Diagnoses

The diagnostic tool is about the size of a shoe box. Experts have welcomed the development of the testing machine, saying that it will help with the early detection and accurate diagnosis of common STIs that often have similar symptoms.

It is hoped in particular it will help with treating diseases that have become resistant to antibiotics such as gonorrhoea. Too many antibiotics have been over-prescribed for treating general STI symptoms while waiting for results, and using too many antibiotics indiscriminately leads to resistance.

For more on the rise of the super-gonorrhoea that is resistant to all treatment by antibiotics, see this report from The Guardian.

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Advanced Technology

The test was developed at St George’s, University of London, in conjunction with Atlas Genetics Ltd, an innovation company. To use the apparatus, some urine or a swab is put inside a cartridge, which is then analysed by the machine. Clinical trials will be conducted to ascertain the machine’s effectiveness before the NHS considers using it in sexual health and outreach clinics.

Apart from gonorrhoea, the machine could also be used to detect other common STIs such as syphilis and chlamydia, which often exhibits no symptoms at all. Up to 70 per cent of women infected with chlamydia in the UK were not aware of any symptoms. If you would like to find out more about chlamydia testing kits in London, it would be quick and helpful to visit Greenwichsexualhealth for a chlamydia testing kit. A company like this has an extensive background offering chlamydia testing kits in London and will be able to give you all the options available along with helpful tips and advice.

Looking after sexual health is important, as failure to do so can have severe consequences in later life. The tertiary stage of syphilis can spread to the brain or cause blindness – damage which may not be treatable. In women untreated chlamydia can cause infertility.

Following on from our previous article, here are a few more things you might want to know before you sign up to take part in a clinical trial. Although the rates of pay can be great, there are risks attached. Making an informed choice is the best way to avoid problems.

They can require a time commitment

This is great financially, but it may not balance as well with your studies. Make sure that you know what you will be required to do whilst taking part. Will you be reporting in person or sending in your observations via a website?

Paid research studies are regulated

In addition to all the scientific research that happens before the company gets as far as a study, they also need to convince a number of regulatory bodies that the study is safe. These boards will keep an eye on the process and make sure that the risk is kept to a minimum.

There should be some aftercare

At the close of the study, you will probably be assessed again to see what changes have occurred during the process. The company may also offer you aftercare to follow up with you over a period of time. Even if you don’t think there have been any negative effects, it is worth signing up just in case. Companies that organise trials such as trials4us.co.uk can advise you when you sign up.

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You can quit

If circumstances change, you are free to leave the trial at any time. Even though you’re being paid, you’re still a volunteer and you can choose to say no more whenever you like. Nevertheless, you shouldn’t sign up for studies unless you’re sure as that just wastes everyone’s time.

There’s more than one way to get involved

You may find that companies advertise opportunities at your university. If not, you can browse the web for one of the many companies that recruits students to take part in medical trials. However you choose to get involved, there are lots of opportunities. You can also sign up for opportunities through the NHS clinical trials gateway.

That’s trials in a nutshell. However you choose to sign up and whatever type of trial you are involved in, you can know that you are helping medical science whilst earning some extra cash. What a noble endeavour!

Digital dentistry is the face of the future and can be defined as dental technology that incorporates digital components as opposed to just relying on electrical or mechanical equipment alone. Here we take a look at the areas where digital dentistry can be applied:

• The diagnosis of caries
• Digital radiography – both intraoral and extraoral
• Laser technology
• Computer-aided implants
• CAD/CAM imaging
• Photography
• Analysis and diagnosis of Temporomandibular joint disorder
• Matching shades for veneers or crowns
• Digital patient management systems

Digital technology may take time to be adopted in all areas of dentistry. For example, it took 25 years for the widespread adoption of implants to take place. Some new innovations can be deemed disruptive and in many other industries, the average time for new technology to be widely accepted and make it into mainstream use is 25 years. For General dentistry Leicester, visit http://www.sjrdental.co.uk/

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There are many advantages on offer with digital dentistry but another factor can be the cost involved in adopting new and innovative methods. It seems that cutting-edge technology becomes a part of mainstream operations when the costs involved are reduced over time. The advantages of using digital dentistry become obvious when these things can be proven:

• Accuracy is vastly improved as compared to previously used methods
• The positive outcome is highly predictable
• Efficiency is vastly improved in terms of cost and time

The major factor in preventing the widespread adoption of digital dentistry is the high costs involved. Introducing new technology requires an increased capital investment, especially for those who are among the first to adopt the new measures. Only when the return on investment is considered to be high, will the technology be wholly embraced.

Another problem facing the adoption of the latest cutting-edge equipment is the need for training of both the clinicians and the staff. Not following instructions and not receiving adequate team training can lead to the belief that the equipment doesn’t work effectively and result in abandonment and wasted funds.

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When it comes to other aspects of dentistry, here are some trends that have been predicted to be happening in 2020:

• Dental chains will be on the increase as opposed to single-owner practice which will see a decline.
• A growing number of women are entering the profession and a higher proportion of them will work part-time.
• The majority of young dentists replacing those who are due to retire, will be female.
• Chair time will become shorter and productivity higher.
• Investments in new technology will be vital for opening new dental practices.
• Dental labs will integrate with practices resulting in less independent labs and fewer dental technicians.
• Dental and medical patient information will be completely digital and will be integrated.
• 3D views of the mouth will be achieved with the use of digital scanning technology.
• The use of dental implants will increase hugely and long-term maintenance will become more important.
• Other key trends will include patients who are much more informed, a more diverse customer base and increased digitalization will continue to change the workflow.

In the last decade, Kratom has gained a lot of popularity all over the world as a natural remedy that can be used for alleviating pain, treating opiate addiction and various other health problems. This herbal remedy has been used by the natives of Southeast Asia, where it grows abundantly, for thousands of years and it can offer a completely non-chemical and natural relief. Recently, its use began to increase as it was legalized in the United States and people realized the positive medicinal properties it has that can contribute to their overall health.

Anxiety relief is one of the benefits that Kratom can offer to people as it is known to have anxiolytic effects. Those who are suffering from anxiety and wish to use a natural solution for dealing with it should consider using this plant rather than resorting to pharmaceutical drugs. The leaves of the Kratom plant contain alkaloids that can have positive and powerful impacts on the mind and body. These alkaloids affect the nervous system thereby controlling and calming the triggers that lead to anxiety. This can be helpful in relaxing the mind and body. Hence, Kratom makes the stress seem more manageable as it calms down the triggers and also promotes relaxation in the body.

But, this is not all; this herbal remedy is also great for inspiring feelings of optimism in people and promotes the lack of worry. This can be immensely useful for treating anxiety because you are actually able to feel your entire body, as well as your mind, relax and let go of any stress you may have been experiencing. Moreover, Kratom also comes in handy for providing the body with daytime energy so you can function properly and the right strain can also promote sleep. You will notice an improvement in the quality of your sleep if you get the right Kratom strain.

However, the most important fact that you should know about using Kratom for anxiety treatment is that it doesn’t have any significant side-effects. Pharmaceutical drugs are loaded with dangerous side-effects and your body can also become addicted to them very quickly. The only thing to remember with Kratom is to use the right dosage for getting the desired results. You will find a wide array of Kratom strains in the market and different ones can serve different purposes. Therefore, you have to make the choice carefully, depending on your need.

The best Kratom strains that can be great for dealing with anxiety and stress are red vein strains. With these strains, you can release the tension in your body and mind and relax completely. This Kratom gives you a feeling of optimism and well-being, which can be effective in eradicating any anxiety issues. The Red Bali and Red Thai should be your topmost choice, but you have to be careful with the latter as they can have some energetic and strong strains that can actually worsen the anxiety. Also, the dosage should be kept at moderate levels for relieving anxiety.

Do you own a dog? If you do, you most likely have a very strong bond with your canine friend. Therefore, you want to give your dog the best care possible when it gets sick or injured. There might come a time when your dog suffers an injury to its leg. If this should happen, it is very important that you take the right steps to ensure that the injury heals correctly. Otherwise, there is a chance that your dog might not be able to walk correctly for the rest of its life. Here are a few tips you can use when you are looking for a high quality leg brace for your dog.

1. Talk to other dog owners to find out the brands of leg braces they use for their own dogs.

You will be able to get some valuable advice from people who have been in the same situation you find yourself in now. There is the chance that you know someone who has needed to buy a dog leg brace in the past. If this is the case, you should talk to these people and ask them questions about the brace. Did it help with their dog’s rehab? Did their dog’s leg heal well as a result of wearing the brace? What is their overall rating of the brace? Would they recommend that you buy the same leg brace for your own dog? Make sure you get the exact brand of the leg brace if they recommend one to you.

2. Read as many online reviews of dog leg braces as you can find.

You should also seek out the opinions of people who have written reviews of dog leg braces online. You might be able to discover some brands of leg braces that you never heard of before. These reviews will be helpful to you because the people who wrote them will be honest about all of the various pros and cons that each leg brace has.

3. Make sure that you can get a refund with no questions asked.

It might turn out that your dog is not comfortable wearing a particular leg brace. This is why it is important to look at the return policy of the website you buy the leg brace from. They should give you a refund without any hassle. Read the return policy info very carefully.

At some point in our lives, each and every one of us experiences feeling of anxiety, whether it is preparing for an examination or making an important decision. Feeling anxious in everyday situations is normal, but excessive and persistent anxiety can lead to serious mental health issues. It is one of the most common mental health issues all over the world. A low level of anxiety is deemed healthy as it serves as a motivating force, but there are times when it can take over your life. The best way to overcome this problem is to understand it in the properly.

What is anxiety?

Anxiety is often defined as a type of fear that’s mostly associated with something that may go wrong in the future or a perceived threat, but it can also occur due to something happening in the present. While fear is basically your response to immediate danger, anxiety involves worrying and tension without a specific cause. Chronic anxiety can have negative consequences because it can impact your concentration, thereby damaging your work performance and personal relationship.

Why do you feel anxious?

There are a lot of things that can give rise to anxiety and they can vary. Your reaction can depend on what worries you and what you do when you feel apprehensive or nervous. The environment in which you were brought up, your genes, how you survived in life and how you coped with things can all have an impact on your feelings of anxiety and their intensity. One of the first steps to managing anxiety is knowing what makes you anxious. This can be work, financial issues, loneliness, ageing, your personal relationships or even medical conditions.

What are the signs of anxiety?

Stressful incidents are a part of life and it is perfectly normal for you to be anxious when they occur. This is a natural survival response, but sometimes, anxiety levels get so high that they manifest physically such as:

• Sweating
• Dizziness
• Irregular or rapid heartbeat
• Fast breathing
• Tensed/weakened muscles
• Dry mouth
• Churning stomach

There are also psychological signs like:

• Lack of concentration
• Difficulty sleeping
• Loss of self-esteem
• Feeling depressed and irritable
• Constantly worrying about things

How to manage anxiety?

It is simply not possible for a person to just stop themselves from feeling anxious. There is no on/off button that you can press and your worries will be over. This doesn’t mean that it is incurable and you will suffer from it for the rest of your life. The key is to know what to do. For immediate effectiveness, it is best to start with anti-anxiety medicines such as Etizolam, which is great for promoting calm and peace and can even help you sleep. You also need to open up to a professional about what you are going through as they can aid you in identifying your triggers and understanding the cause of your anxiety. You can learn relaxation and meditation techniques for countering your anxious feeling and leading a stable life.

As autumn takes hold and winter looms large, many foodies’ thoughts turn away from light salads and fresh fruits to warming comfort foods. Sitting by the fire with a mouthwatering and hearty meal on your lap is something we all aspire to when the colder months arrive.

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These winter warmers often come with a well-deserved reputation of being fattening, artery-clogging and drowning in cholesterol, but it doesn’t have to be that way.

There are plenty of winter foodstuffs you can eat without feeling guilty. In fact, many of them have positive health benefits.

Brussels sprouts

Sprouts – those Christmas dinner staples – are full of nutrients. A member of the cruciferous vegetable family (commonly called brassica vegetables) along with cauliflower, cabbage, kale and broccoli, sprouts are packed with glucosinolates.

These compounds are known to help our bodies protect themselves against cancer, so a helping of sprouts and other such vegetables a few times a week can help you avoid life-threatening illness. This is certainly something worth encouraging your children to eat! Sprouts also contain loads of vitamins K and C, so they’re a great way of getting enough of these essential vitamins.

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Beetroot

Beetroot – often referred to as beet – is an earthy root vegetable that many people enjoy as an accompaniment to meals. Packed with vitamins and minerals, beetroot contains the organic compound geosmin and has been proven to offer many health benefits.

Beets can be eaten raw on a salad, pickled or roasted. For some ideas about incorporating beetroot into your winter diet, try searching for online food recipes at a website such as http://food-tales.com/. You never know – you might find a new winter favourite!

Citrus fruit

We may not get them in our Christmas stockings any more, but we all love a satsuma or tangerine in the winter. Most citrus fruits are harvested during the winter months, and they all brighten up our lives in more ways than one.

Citrus fruit contains flavonoids, which have both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and it is packed with vitamin C. According to the NHS, this essential vitamin has several important functions, including helping protect cells and keeping them healthy; maintaining healthy blood vessels, skin and bones; and assisting with healing.

Don’t skimp on the citrus fruit this winter, and you’ll stay healthy even when the winter winds bite!