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marcdouffet · 3 years

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LGBTQ Sexual health

It’s Pride! And although this years celebrations have been shadowed by COVID, quietly bubbling away in the background, our LGBTQ community continues to shine on through.

Throughout June, as part of Pride Month, we have shared snippets of information on sexual health, looking out for signs and symptoms and preventative measures to keep you and your partners safe.

An estimated 1.4 million people over the age of 16 now identify as lesbian, gay or bisexual. Of course, London is rated as a place of safety and acceptance, with 3.8% of residents identifying as LGB.

With a rise in young people now identifying as LGB, it is essential to continue to educate and push the message of safe sex and discuss the risk, especially to young gay men.

This article will cover all aspects of LGBTQ+ sexual health, including signs, symptoms and treatments.

LGBTQ Sexual health

Anyone who is sexually active is at risk from STIs if they have unprotected sex. The trusty condom will help protect against HIV and lower your risk of contracting other STIs and although this advice is ingrained in us all, there are still so many occasions where we slip up and end up at the doctor’s.

Education is key. If we have the correct information, we can make informed decisions and lower the risk of contracting a sexually transmitted disease.

Infections, diseases and protection.

It is important to note: As some STIs do not cause any symptoms, gay or bisexual men should have check-ups at least once every six months.

Hepatitis A

What is Hepatitis A?

Hepatitis A is an infection of the liver which is spread by poo. Although it is common among gay and bisexual men, the infection can also spread through contaminated food or inadequate handwashing.

Symptoms of Hepatitis A

Symptoms of hepatitis include nausea and tiredness. Symptoms can also appear up to 8 weeks after contracting Hepatitis A.

Is Hepatitis A life-threatening?

No, Hepatitis A is not life-threatening, and most people will make a full recovery within a few months.

How to prevent contraction on Hepatitis A

Use a condom.

Practice good personal hygiene. Washing hands often and showering after sex.

DIscourage oral sex after anal sex or change the condom between anal and oral.

Don’t share sex toys.

You can also get the Hepatitis A vaccine which is effective in around 95% of cases and has been known to last for up to 10 years.

Hepatitis B

What is Hepatitis B?

Hepatitis B is a viral infection that causes the liver to be inflamed. Unlike Hepatitis A, Hep B is passed through contact with an infected person’s blood, semen, and vaginal fluids. Again, Hep B can pass with minimal symptoms, and recovery will take a few months; however, in some cases, the infection can cause liver disease, including liver cancer.

Symptoms of Hepatitis B

Symptoms of Hepatitis B include tiredness and feeling sick; some liken symptoms to the flu, with aches and pains and a fever. Chronic Hepatitis B symptoms include loss of appetite and yellowing of the skin and eyes.

Is Hepatitis B life-threatening?

No, for many people, Hepatitis B is not life-threatening and considered a short term illness; however, chronic Hepatitis B can lead to life-threatening health issues like cirrhosis or liver cancer. This is usually seen in those who have had hepatitis B from a very young age.

How to prevent contraction on Hepatitis B

Use condoms.

Wash your hands with soap and warm water if you have been in contact with blood.

Avoid sharing needles, razors, toothbrushes or any other sharps which may transfer the virus.

Clean up blood spills, preferably with diluted bleach.

Avoid street drugs, including poppers.

You can also get the Hepatitis B vaccine that has a 98%-100% protection rate and has been known to last for up to 30 years.

Hepatitis C

What is Hepatitis C?

Again, Hepatitis C is a viral infection that causes inflammation of the liver, which can lead to liver disease. This virus is also transmitted through blood to blood contact.

Symptoms of Hepatitis C?

Symptoms of Hepatitis C include tiredness and feeling sick; some liken symptoms to the flu, with aches and pains and a fever.

Is Hepatitis C life-threatening?

If left untreated, Hepatitis C can cause scarring of the liver, leading to liver failure and cancer of the liver.

How to prevent contraction of Hepatitis C

Avoid sharing needles, razors, toothbrushes or any other sharps which may transfer the virus.

Gonorrhoea

What is Gonorrhoea?

Gonorrhoea is a bacterial infection caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. It is often referred to as the clap and can affect both men and women.

Symptoms of Gonorrhoea?

Symptoms of gonorrhoea include a greater frequency of urination or the need to urinate and a discoloured discharge, in men, pain in the testicles or redness and pain at the opening of the penis. Women may experience heavy periods and bleeding between periods.

As you can get oral Gonorrhea, you may experience a sore and inflamed throat.

Is Gonorrhoea life-threatening?

No, but if left untreated, Gonorrhoea leads to ectopic pregnancy and infertility. Women can also pass Gonorrhea on to newborn babies.

How to prevent contraction of Gonorrhoea?

Use condoms.

Avoid sharing sex toys.

Chlamydia

What is Chlamydia?

Chlamydia is a bacterial infection that affects the urethra and or rectum. Like Gonorrhoea, it is passed on during sex. Chlamydia is one of the most STI’s in the UK.

Symptoms of Chlamydia?

Chlamydia is known to show no symptoms, and many people continue unaware of having the infection, which is why it is one of the most common STIs in the UK. However, the few that do experience symptoms may experience pain when urinating and discoloured discharge. In men, symptoms can include swelling of the testicles and pain in that area. In women, symptoms can include bleeding between periods and after sex.

Is Chlamydia life-threatening?

No, but again, if left untreated, the infection can cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). PID can cause infertility, chronic pelvic pain, and tubal pregnancies.

How to prevent the contraction of chlamydia?

Use condoms.

Avoid sharing sex toys.

HIV

What is HIV?

Human immunodeficiency virus, AKA, HIV is a virus that damages the cells in your immune system. As a result, it weakens your ability to fight off serious illnesses, and when your body succumbs to one or some of those illnesses, you go from having HIV to having AIDS. The progression from HIV to AIDS can also result from the CD4 cells falling below 200 cells per cubic millimetre of blood.

Symptoms of HIV

The most common symptom of HIV is a fever which may be accompanied by a sore throat, fatigue and swelling in the lymph glands. In general, HIV symptoms can be likened to the flu but with the distinction of a rash. This usually would happen 2-6 weeks after getting infected and can last 1-3 weeks.

Is HIV life-threatening?

Seeking treatment is key to continuing life as normal as possible. Without treatment, your body will deteriorate faster than usual, and you can succumb to AIDS, which is chronic and potentially life-threatening.

How to prevent HIV?

It is vital to take prevention seriously as there is no cure for HIV or AIDS. To prevent HIV, you must –

Get vaccinated

Use condoms

Limit your number of sexual encounters

Be monogamous

Get tested – For gay and bisexual men, testing should happen once every six months at least.

Don’t share needles

Don’t inject drugs

It is essential to also talk to your GP about PrEP. PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is preventive medicine and is highly recommended for those who are in the high-risk categories, such as gay and bisexual men.

AIDS

What is AIDS?

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, AKA AIDS, is the term we use to describe several potentially life-threatening infections and illnesses resulting from an attack on your immune system by the HIV virus.

Symptoms of AIDS

AIDS is a word used to describe the state of one’s body/health after HIV has weakened the body to a point it succumbs to illness. Someone who has digressed to AIDS would have symptoms which include –

Weight loss

Fever

Night sweats

Extreme tiredness

Diarrhoea

Sores in the mouth, anus or genitals

Pneumonia

Many other symptoms may occur and can be unique to each individual.

How to prevent AIDS?

Once you have HIV, you can only prevent the deterioration to AIDS with medical treatment.

To prevent AIDS altogether, you must prevent HIV.

This month and over July, we are delighted to be offering 25% off all sexual health screening appointments.

MSM screen:

HIV, Hepatitis B and C, Syphilis

Chlamydia/Gonorrhoea and mycoplasma (urine and rectal)

Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea (throat)

Rectal HPV

Female2Female screen (F2F)

HIV / Herpes /syphilis

Vaginal Chlamydia/Gonorrhoea/Mycoplasma/Ureaplasma

BV/TV

HPV

If you are concerned you may have an STI or are considering a health check, get in touch today. If you would like an appointment to see one of our sexual health specialists, you can book online.

LGBTQ Sexual health published first on https://medium.com/@PickupSexDolls

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sfbarf · 5 years

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Bonus Money for Housing

The state of California had been overcharging San Francisco (and three other counties). Our eagle eyed Controller noticed the mistake and clawed our money back - $415 MILLION dollars! These revenues come from property taxes. California cities and counties send most of their property tax revenue to the state general fund. The 4 counties that were overcharged all had rapid increases in property tax revenues.

Reader: Why do property tax revenues go up? Because of new buildings! San Francisco had three great years for building - 2015, 2016, 2017. Building new housing is good not only because we get the housing, but also because we get new tax revenues. Now - What are we going to do with this money?

The SET-ASIDES

All over the internet, many people’s first response to this influx is to say, SAVE IT! The recession is coming! Put some aside for a rainy day! And in fact, the biggest chunk of the money - $130 Million - is going to savings, aka “City Reserves.”

Another popular spending priority is education, and it’s already in there - $35 million for the San Francisco Unified School District and $19 million for workforce development and pre-school subsidies for low-income families.

How about transportation? $38 million for the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency so they can buy over 150 new light rail vehicles.

Finally, $9 million for the SF Public Library, and $2 million for street tree maintenance. The above spending priorities are all mandated in the city charter. These are the famous “Set Asides.” Over the years, San Francisco voters have taken away discretion from the Mayor and the Board of Supervisors over how to spend money in the city budget. Here is part of a memo from the Mayor’s Office describing the mandated spending (emphasis added by me):

The POLITICAL FOOTBALL

The remaining $181 million can be spent at the discretion of the Mayor and the Board of Supervisors! But, 6 Supervisors and the Mayor, or, 8 Supervisors have to all agree on how the spend the money.

All of the (feasible) proposals for spending the remaining $181 million propose using the money as gap funding for the recently passed ballot measures that are being held up in court. The three recently passed taxes that are being challenged are:

JUNE 2018

Prop C - Taxes commercial rents to pay for childcare

Prop G - Parcel tax to pay for teacher salaries

NOVEMBER 2018

Prop C - Taxes gross receipts of big businesses to pay for Housing, Shelter and Homeless Services.

The city estimates that it could be as long as 4 years before the court cases are settled in the city’s favor (or we could lose and never be able to collect these taxes).

The Mayor’s Plan (notes added by me)

The Mayor is proposing spending the surplus according to the November Prop C priorities - half to permanent housing and half for shelter, mental health and SRO master lease programs (for people moving out of shelters).

In public speeches, Mayor Breed has specified that the Pre-development money (item 2) and the Acquisition money (item 4) are specifically for projects in the Mission, and the Substance Use Recovery Beds (aka drug rehab) (item 10) will be located on Treasure Island. The Healing Center Beds (item 9) are where people who are in “conservatorship” will go. One thing that hasn’t been discussed much in the public conversation is that in addition to the state lacking the legal ability (until recently) to commit people who can’t take care of themselves, there is a (surprise surprise) shortage of beds for the mentally ill who do already meet the criteria for conservatorship. The other plans

Three incoming Supervisors, Matt Haney (District 6), Shamann Walton (District 10) and Gordon Mar (District 4), have said that they want to spend some of the discretionary money on the June Prop G priority - teacher salary raises. Matt Haney specified that he wanted to spend $50 million on SFUSD, on top of the $34 million that is already going to be allocated to SFUSD.

Anyone who wants to spend $50 on teacher salaries is going to have to explain what exactly from the above list is not going to get funded. I will be damned if they take anything out of shelter or homeless housing.

Six current supervisors, Aaron Peskin (District 3), Sandra Lee Fewer (District 1), Rafael Mandelman (District 8), Hillary Ronen (District 9), Jane Kim (District 6) and Normal Yee (District 7), have released a plan that would allocate $121 million to the Mayor’s Office of Housing & the Department of Public Health together, $10 million to childcare (on top of the $19 million already allocated), and an inexplicable $50 million to buy electrical equipment from PG&E.

This plan is such nonsense it constitutes professional malpractice. The reason it is such an insult to the voters is that the Supervisors have the sole authority (they don’t need the agreement of the Mayor) to borrow money to buy this equipment. If they actually thought this purchase was a good idea, nothing is stopping them from borrowing the money today to make this purchase and in fact Clean Power SF advocates have been asking for them to borrow this money and buy this equipment, and they have been ignoring those advocates for months.

It’s going to be Housing vs Teachers

Sad but true, the controversy over this surplus is going to come down to whether we are going to prioritize housing, shelter, homeless services or funding raises in teacher salaries. The loudest and most organized constituency is going to win. You, dear reader, are going to have to decide what you think the city should prioritize.

Upcoming Opportunities to make your priorities known:

Sunday January 7th Come hand out flyers at 1:30 - 3:00 Glide Memorial Church Matt Haney community swearing in

Monday January 8th First meeting of the new Board of Supervisors. General public comment is at 3pm. Room 200, City Hall

Monday January 14th 6 – 7:00 p.m. South Beach Harbor Services Building Community Room Pier 40A (between Pier 40 & the Ballpark)

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opedguy · 4 years

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Trump and Melania Test Positive for Covid-19

LOS ANGELES (OnlineColumnist.com), Oct. 3, 2020.--Testing positive for coronvirus AKA SARS CoV-2 or Covid-19 yesterday, 74-year-old President Donald Trump and his 50-year-old wife Melania quarantined at the White House for a minimum of 14 days, throwing the 2020 presidential race into chaos. Trump most likely got the virus from his 31-year-old Communication Director Hope Hicks, who tested positive for the virus, exhibiting symptoms while traveling with Trump & Co. on Air Force 1 and Marine One helicopter. Contracting the virus, Trump gives 77-year-old rival former Vice President Joe Biden more ammunition to criticize the president’s response to the Covid-19 crisis. Trump showed reluctance to use face-covering and to heed medical recommendations to socially distance, continuing to host campaign rallies at a furious pace. Contracting the virus, pulls the rug out from underneath Trump 31 days before the election.

Tweeting he and Melania tested positive for the virus at 1 AM, Oct. 2, no one knows for sure how long the virus incubated in the president. Furious contact tracing has been going on to determine where and when the president contracted the virus, tracing it to a campaign event in Deluth, Minnesota. Trump cancelled a rally scheduled for La Crosse, Wis. on Tuesday, primarily due to lease issues at the airport. But wherever Trump got the virus, it upends his appearance of invincibility, often crisscrossing the country at a furious pace, while Biden remained confined to his compound in Wilmington, Del. Contracting the virus shows for all to see the extreme contagiousness of the virus, but also the appearance that Trump didn’t take his own Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC] seriously, wearing a mask and keeping contacts to a minimum.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), no fan of Trump’s, mentioned Trump’s lax approach to the virus, essentially saying, “I told you so.” Biden hasn’t yet said that, wishing Trump and Melania a speedy recovery. But the overall narrative for Trump isn’t a good one a month before the Nov. 3 election. Unlike Biden that’s up in the polls, Trump’s running a come-from-behind race, much like he did with former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton four years ago. While things are different today than back then, Biden doesn’t have the same negatives as Hillary with her private server and deleted emails, giving Trump an inroad to victory. With margins tight between he and Biden, Trump contracted the virus might have done him for reelection. Not so much because hel’ll lose his base but because it’s not going to play well with undecided voters trying to make up their minds.

Contracting Covid-19 sends the exact wrong message for Trump who’s tried to convince the nation to get back to business as usual. Watching the virus infect the president, his wife and key members of his inner circle, confirms the message that this crisis is far from over, regardless on any progress on reduced cases, deaths and a possible vaccine. Trump’s now forced to take whatever therapeutics are available to him, including the recently approved anti-viral drug Remdesivir or more controversial protocols like the anti-malarial drug Hydroxychloroquine, azithromycin, zinc or other protocols tried to reduce severity of symptoms. While Trump quarantines, there’s little way to confirm the president’s actual condition. Reports that he has mild symptoms say nothing other than some first hand reports suggesting the president was exhausted after his Sept. 30 Deluth, Minn. Rally.

Media were quick to point out that 61-year-old White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows was not wearing a mask when he briefed the press today about Trump’s condition. “I’ve obviously been tested. We’re hopefully more than 6 feet away,” Meadows said. “And if there’s any concern there, form a guidance standpoint, we have protocols in place,” Meadows said, admitting he’s been in contact with the president, first lady and Hope hicks, who also tested positive. Meadows confirmed that Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel and Sen. Mike Lee (R-Ut.) also tested positive for the virus. Contracting the virus has undermined Trump’s narrative that things were getting better, whether they’re getting better or not. Trump’s reluctance to wear a mask, actually making a joke out of Biden’s mask use at Tuesday night’s presidential debate, makes Trump look foolish.

Contracting Covid-19 may have done in Trump’s 2020 bid for a second term. If Trump can’t push the pedal-to-the-medal in the last month of the campaign, it gives Biden a big advantage heading into the final stretch. However painful watching Tuesday night’s debate, it’s likely that no further debates will take place. No one knows for sure Trump’s actual medical condition. One thing’s for sure, the White House has gone into stealth mode, keeping any possible staff with knowledge of Trump condition away from anyone that could leak to the press. All estimates for a man of Trump’s age and weight would suggest his recovery could take time, not happen over night. In the best-case scenario, Trump won’t be campaigning for at least two weeks, maybe longer. Biden couldn’t imagine that Covid-19 of all things was the one event that helped him become the next U.S. president.

About the Author

John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news. He’s editor of OnlineColumnist.com and author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.

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bloojayoolie · 5 years

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Anaconda, Andrew Bogut, and Apparently: FULL OF SMILES, TAIL WAGS AND WARM ENERGY Ruby Ul A Burst of Sweet Sunshine #32264, Spayed, 3 1/2 years old and 53 adorable lbs Waiting for her hero@Manhattan ACC TO BE KILLED 1/29/2019 ABSOLUTELY LOVELY – SHE IS A BURST OF SWEET SUNSHINE!! A volunteer writes: Ruby is one of the happiest dogs I've ever met. Full of smiles, tail wags, and warm energy, she gained so many smiles back from passersby as we walked together in the park. Ruby was engaged with me, and interested in all the smells around her, as well. She turned to me expectantly each time I called her name. This sweet 3-year old loves treats -- one of life's simple pleasures -- and knows exactly how to sit for a yummy biscuit. She seems housebroken. Ruby's coat is mostly caramel colored and looks quite healthy. She enjoyed soft pats on her marshmallow-white chest while we sat on a bench. Do you need a burst of sweet sunshine in canine form? Ruby might be the girl to dazzle you! Come and meet her today at the Manhattan Care Center! Another volunteer writes: "She is a girl full of surprises! Shy on the one hand and amazingly playful on the other. This is our Ruby, an adorable orange little gal we house at the Manhattan Care Center. Ruby yearns to please and to belong but yes, she needs a little push to spring out of her shell! She obediently comes when called, hops on the bench, seeks caresses, attention and furtively kisses her caretaker. When we least expect, she zooms through the yard and even takes us aback by playing with toys. Imagine what a lovely pet she will be in the warmth of your home and in your loving hands! Ruby is waiting for you!" Ruby aka Boogie #32264 Spayed female tan dog @ Manhattan Animal Care Center About 3 years 6 months old Weight 52.9 lbs Surrendered as a stray on 10-Jan-2019. You may know me from such films as... https://youtu.be/v7KCTtqC6ok https://youtu.be/yN-yO3sG0Ds Let's get to know each other a bit more... A volunteer writes: Ruby is one of the happiest dogs I've ever met. Full of smiles, tail wags, and warm energy, she gained so many smiles back from passersby as we walked together in the park. Ruby was engaged with me, and interested in all the smells around her, as well. She turned to me expectantly each time I called her name. This sweet 3-year old loves treats -- one of life's simple pleasures -- and knows exactly how to sit for a yummy biscuit. She seems housebroken. Ruby's coat is mostly caramel colored and looks quite healthy. She enjoyed soft pats on her marshmallow-white chest while we sat on a bench. Do you need a burst of sweet sunshine in canine form? Ruby might be the girl to dazzle you! Come and meet her today at the Manhattan Care Center! Sorry, this pet is for new hope partners only. Ruby is at risk, new hope only, for behavioral reasons. Ruby has been fearful in the care center and has displayed distance increasing behaviors, and has shown sensitivities to touch. Ruby would be best suited for a new hope partner that can offer behavior modification in a low stress environment. Medically, Ruby appears healthy. INTAKE INFO - BASIC INFORMATION: Boogie is a female brown and white large breed dog that is estimated to be 2 years old. She was brought in as a stray when she was found wandering to street. Boogie was friendly with her finder and walked alongside him on a leash. Medical Notes: Boogie has no known medical concerns. BEHAVIOR NOTES Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Stray Bite history:: Yes. In June 2018, two people in her home got into a fight. During the fight, Boogie bit both people on the hand, breaking skin. SHELTER ASSESSMENT - Date of assessment: 11-Jan-2019 SUMMARIES Summary:: LEASH WALKING Strength and pulling: Moderate Reactivity to humans: none Reactivity to other dogs: None- pulls slightly towards Reactivity other: none Leash walking comments: None SOCIABILITY Loose in room: Moderately social Call over: Approaches with coaxing Sociability comments: Shy, but warms quickly HANDLING Soft handling: Accepts contact Exuberant handling: Tolerates contact Handling comments: Slightly uncomfortable, whale eye during front leg touch AROUSAL Jog: Follows handler (playful escalates) Tug: Does not engage with tug toy Comments: None RAISED VOICE No response Comments: None TOY No response Comments: Sniffs and paws toy, but afraid of hand. Play bows and hard barks at hand when hand pushes toy towards her PLAYGROUP NOTES - DOG TO DOG SUMMARIES: Slow introductions are recommended between Ruby and respectful dogs. 1/11: When introduced off leash to a male greeter dog, Ruby is fearful but allows polite greeting. 1/12: Ruby avoids interaction with the other dog. 1/17-1/18: Ruby greets the other dog politely but then seeks handler attention. 1/19: Ruby engages in running play with male dogs today. 1/22: Ruby engages in brief play, corrects when no longer wanting to engage. 1/23: Ruby avoids interaction today. 1/25: Ruby avoids interaction again today. INTAKE BEHAVIOR - Date of intake:10-Jan-2019. Summary: Stiff, growling - Boogie was stiff bodied during intake she was backing away from me and did not allow me to approach her. She let off low growls and hid behind her finder. She did not allow me to collar or scan her. MEDICAL BEHAVIOR - Date of initial:12-Jan-2019 Summary:Growled, no teeth, muzzled and sedated ENERGY LEVEL: Because Boogie is a stray, we are not sure how her energy level will be in a home environment. At the care center, Boogie has shown a medium energy level. IN SHELTER OBSERVATIONS: 1/14/19: Boogie has opened up with handlers at the care center, approaching socially and becoming playful. BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only Behavior Asilomar: TM - Treatable-Manageable Recommendations:: No children (under 13),Place with a New Hope partner Recommendations comments:: Due to Ruby's bite history, we recommend an adult only home. Though Ruby has displayed social behavior in the care center upon warming up to handlers, she displayed fearful behavior in the beginning. Upon intake, she allowed minimal handling and displayed high level warning signals. She has since warmed up and improved significantly and has readily allowed all handling, however, due to the behavior on intake combined with her bite history we believe being placed with a New Hope partner would be most appropriate at this time. Force-free, reward based training is advised when introducing or exposing Ruby to new and unfamiliar situations. Potential challenges: : Handling/touch sensitivity,Fearful/potential for defensive aggression,Bite history (human) Potential challenges comments:: Ruby has shown some sensitivity when her paws have been touched or handled. Please see sensitivity handout on how best to manage this behavior Ruby has been fearful at the care center and in some interactions has growled. In her previous home, she bit the people in her home when the got into a fight, showing that she may bite in highly charged situations. Please see handout on Fearful/potential for defensive aggression. Ruby bit two people in her previous home on the hands when the people got into a fight. The bites broke skin and the people received medical treatment. Please see the handout on Bite History. MEDICAL EXAM NOTES Progress Exam 24/01/2019 SO Monitoring for CIRDC QAR, laying on bed when observed. EN -- eyes and nose are clear with no discharge. No coughing or sneezing A Apparently healthy P continue to monitor while in shelter Details on my behavior are... Behavior Condition: 3. Yellow Behavior History Behavior Assessment Boogie was stiff bodied during intake she was backing away from me and did not allow me to approach her. She let off low growls and hid behind her finder. She did not allow me to collar or scan her. 11-Jan-2019 DVM Intake Exam: Estimated age: 3y. History : found stray, MC positive, was in system. Subjective: BARH, normal appetite no elimination concerns. Observed Behavior - very timid, growled but did not show teeth, was sedated and muzzled (0.6ml d, 0.6ml t, full reversal). Evidence of Cruelty seen – no. Evidence of Trauma seen – no. Objective: P = wnl, R = wnl, BCS 5/9. EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted. Oral Exam: unremarkable. PLN: No enlargements noted. H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupnic. ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated. U/G: female spayed linear green tattoo, no leakage or discharge. MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat. CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities. Rectal: visually normal. Assessment healthy. Prognosis: excellent. Plan: ok for adoption contact owner for potential reunification. ---------------------------------------------- MEDICAL NOTES FIRST STAY July 2018 Medical Assistant 20/07/2018 Canine OHE Pre Medication: Morphine 25 mg/ml mg/mL injectable, 0.6 mL IM, once at 10:40 am Dexdomitor 0.5 mg/mL injectable, 0.16 mL IM, once at 10:40 am Induction: Ketamine 100 mg/mL injectable; 0.6 mL IV, once at 10:55 am Venous access: 22 g IV placed in RF cephalic vessel. Anesthesia notes: Anesthesia notes: Size 9.5 fr. ET tube placed, maintained general anesthesia throughout procedure on variable Isoflurane and O2. Size 3 L rebreathing bag. Intraoperative fluid administration: (Rate, Fluid type) Intraoperative IV fluids (LRS) administered at a rate of 200 mL/hr throughout procedure. NSAID: Rimadyl 50mg/mL injectable, 0.9 mL, SQ, once post operatively, for post operative pain relief. Recovery Status: Uneventful Extubation time at 11:32 am Dexdomitor 0.5 mg/mL injectable, 0.0.12 mL IM, once at 11:36 am. Anesthesiologist/Surgical Monitor: 0391/0811 Start 1 table Carprofen 100 mg sid po x 4 days as pain management. Weight: 52.9 lbs 7/07/2018 DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 3 Microchip noted on Intake? N Microchip Number (If Applicable): History : RTO Subjective: BARH Observed Behavior - very timid, unpredictable so placed a muzzle, barrel rolling, flipping back Sedated Exam - Dexmeditomidine 0.5 ml Butorphanol 0.5 ml IM Evidence of Cruelty seen - n Evidence of Trauma seen - n Objective T = - P = wnl R = wnl BCS = 5/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: teeth in good cond PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupnic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: Developed MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Rectal: externally normal Assessment: Healthy Prognosis: Excellent Plan: SPAY and complete intake txs SURGERY: Okay for surgery 9/07/2018 SO BAR, barking at front of kennel. EENT -- Serous nasal discharge, coughing and huffing during cageside exam. A CIRDC P doxycycline 100mg tablet -- give 2 tablets PO q24h x 14 days cerenia 60mg tablet -- give 1/2 tablet PO q24h x 4 days 17/07/2018 SO BAR, EENT -- no nasal discharge, no sneezing or coughing. A CIRDC -- resolved P move out of ISO schedule OVH surgery 20/07/2018 Pre-op exam Hx: Had CIRDC, recently recovered S: Alert, crouches as she walks, timid, gives whale eye. No growling or barking. O: BAR-H, BCS 5/9, MMs pink and moist, CRT <2 sec EENT: No discharge OU, AU, nose. Clean teeth. PLNs: Not significantly enlarged. H/L: NSR, NMA. Eupnic, quiet lung sounds. Abd: Slightly tense, no pain on palpation, no masses palpated, not distended M/S/I: Amb x4. No skin lesions noted. UG: Female, small nipples, no mammary masses or vulvar discharge Neuro: Alert and appropriate, no sign neurological deficiencies A: Apparently healthy Short-term prognosis: Excellent P: Spay today 20/07/2018 Surgery report Was this dog in heat, pregnant or have a pyometra? No - normal canine uterus and ovaries Ventral Midline Incision Ovaries Ligated with: 0 PDS in two modified Miller's knots per pedicle Uterine Body Ligated with: 0 PDS in two modified Miller's knots Abdominal Closure: 0 PDS. Linea - simple continuous. SQ - simple continuous. Skin - intradermal Green Linear Tattoo Placed on Midline 21/07/2018 SO post op recheck BAR in kennel. incision site is clean and dry. A healing sx site P continue to monitor post op. ---------------------------------------------- *** TO FOSTER OR ADOPT *** HOW TO RESERVE A “TO BE KILLED” DOG ONLINE (only for those who can get to the shelter IN PERSON to complete the adoption process, and only for the dogs on the list NOT marked New Hope Rescue Only). Follow our Step by Step directions below! *PLEASE NOTE – YOU MUST USE A PC OR TABLET – PHONE RESERVES WILL NOT WORK! ** STEP 1: CLICK ON THIS RESERVE LINK: https://newhope.shelterbuddy.com/Animal/List Step 2: Go to the red menu button on the top right corner, click register and fill in your info. Step 3: Go to your email and verify account \ Step 4: Go back to the website, click the menu button and view available dogs Step 5: Scroll to the animal you are interested and click reserve STEP 6 ( MOST IMPORTANT STEP ): GO TO THE MENU AGAIN AND VIEW YOUR CART. THE ANIMAL SHOULD NOW BE IN YOUR CART! Step 7: Fill in your credit card info and complete transaction HOW TO FOSTER OR ADOPT IF YOU *CANNOT* GET TO THE SHELTER IN PERSON, OR IF THE DOG IS NEW HOPE RESCUE ONLY! You must live within 3 – 4 hours of NY, NJ, PA, CT, RI, DE, MD, MA, NH, VT, ME or Norther VA. Please PM our page for assistance. You will need to fill out applications with a New Hope Rescue Partner to foster or adopt a dog on the To Be Killed list, including those labelled Rescue Only. Hurry please, time is short, and the Rescues need time to process the applications. Shelter contact information Phone number (212) 788-4000 Email [email protected] Shelter Addresses: Brooklyn Shelter: 2336 Linden Boulevard Brooklyn, NY 11208 Manhattan Shelter: 326 East 110 St. New York, NY 10029 Staten Island Shelter: 3139 Veterans Road West Staten Island, NY 10309 *** NEW NYC ACC RATING SYSTEM *** Level 1 Dogs with Level 1 determinations are suitable for the majority of homes. These dogs are not displaying concerning behaviors in shelter, and the owner surrender profile (where available) is positive. Some dogs with Level 1 determinations may still have potential challenges, but these are challenges that the behavior team believe can be handled by the majority of adopters. The potential challenges could include no young children, prefers to be the only dog, no dog parks, no cats, kennel presence, basic manners, low level fear and mild anxiety. Level 2 Dogs with Level 2 determinations will be suitable for adopters with some previous dog experience. They will have displayed behavior in the shelter (or have owner reported behavior) that requires some training, or is simply not suitable for an adopter with minimal experience. Dogs with a Level 2 determination may have multiple potential challenges and these may be presenting at differing levels of intensity, so careful consideration of the behavior notes will be required for counselling. Potential challenges at Level 2 include no young children, single pet home, resource guarding, on-leash reactivity, mouthiness, fear with potential for escalation, impulse control/arousal, anxiety and separation anxiety. Level 3 Dogs with Level 3 determinations will need to go to homes with experienced adopters, and the ACC strongly suggest that the adopter have prior experience with the challenges described and/or an understanding of the challenge and how to manage it safely in a home environment. In many cases, a trainer will be needed to manage and work on the behaviors safely in a home environment. It is likely that every dog with a Level 3 determination will have a behavior modification or training plan available to them from the behavior department that will go home with the adopters and be made available to the New Hope Partners for their fosters and adopters. Some of the challenges seen at Level 3 are also seen at Level 1 and Level 2, but when seen alongside a Level 3 determination can be assumed to be more severe. The potential challenges for Level 3 determinations include adult only home (no children under the age of 13), single pet home, resource guarding, on-leash reactivity with potential for redirection, mouthiness with pressure, potential escalation to threatening behavior, impulse control, arousal, anxiety, separation anxiety, bite history (human), bite history (dog) and bite history (other). New Hope Rescue Only Dog is not publicly adoptable. Prospective fosters or adopters need to fill out applications with New Hope Partner Rescues to save this dog.

#funny #lol #humor #memes #meme #memehumor #dank memes #funny pics #rolf #lmao #Anaconda #Andrew Bogu

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archerwindsor · 4 years

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10 Of The Biggest Diet & Exercise Myths Of All Time – Debunked

In this article, we’re going to look at 10 of the biggest diet and exercise myths of all time.

And don’t worry if you’ve fallen for one of these yourself – I’m not calling you out. It happens to the best of us.

Instead, my intention is to dispel these diet and exercise myths so you avoid future pitfalls, get the results you want, and have more confidence in the decisions you’re making to boost your health, fitness and body shape.

Myth #1: Eating carbs means you gain weight

It’s probably not the first time you’ve been told or read you should ‘avoid carbs’ if you want to lose weight. The internet is littered with articles that stress the importance of ‘avoiding carbs after 6pm’ and describing how ‘carbs make you fat’.

Well, carbs have a bad rep. Carbs are not the enemy – here’s why.

First, let’s look at how you lose weight. All successful weight loss diets share one thing in common:

They create a ‘calorie deficit’.

If you eat less calories than your body needs, your body has no choice but to burn its stored energy for fuel, aka fat. This leads to weight loss.

Most of the time, it doesn’t matter whether you follow a high-carb diet or a low-carb diet. As long as you successfully create a calorie deficit, you will lose weight. Fact.

That said, there are some things to consider when eating carbs.

Carbs can lead to weight gain, but not necessarily fat gain. You’ll only gain fat if you eat too many calories. If you’re in a calorie deficit but notice the scales go up, it’s likely to be water weight.

For every carb you eat, your body holds onto 2-3g of water. So the weight gain on the scales is water, not fat. The other reason for an increase in weight is usually down to increased glycogen, which are carbohydrates stored in your muscles as fuel.

Weight fluctuations throughout the week are frequent, and just because you gain weight it doesn’t mean the weight you’ve gained is body fat.

Instead of letting the scales dictate your mood, focus on the factors you can control, such as creating a calorie deficit and being consistent. If you follow this path, weight loss is guaranteed.

Side Note: Low carb diets and carb cycling can be beneficial, especially if you have a lot of weight to lose, or are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes There’s nothing wrong with going low carb, but don’t think you can’t ever have carbs again because that’s just not true.

Remember: Carbs do not make you fat, eating too many calories does.

Myth #2: Gluten-free desserts are healthier

According to BBC News, it’s estimated that 8.5 million people in the UK have now gone ‘gluten free’. I remember going through a gluten-free dessert phase, where I would go to the ‘gluten-free section’ at the supermarket and pick up a bunch of tasty treats.

I remember once buying some gluten-free cookies and angel slices. They tasted great, but I was shocked to see the calories were just as high as standard cakes.

Gluten cannot be broken down efficiently by the body, and 1-100 people have coeliac disease (an autoimmune disease) where the body has a severe reaction to gluten. So cutting out gluten isn’t a bad thing, but just because you eat gluten-free desserts, it doesn’t mean they’re healthier.

For example, from a weight-loss perspective (and presuming you don’t have coeliac disease), what do you think would be more conducive towards achieving your weight loss goal..

a) A regular chocolate brownie? That’s 320 calories. b) A gluten-free chocolate brownie? That’s 340 calories.

Hopefully, if you read the first point in this article, you’ll realise that it’s calories that matter the most when it comes to weight loss, and that the lower-calorie brownie would be a better choice.

Though, probably, no brownie would be a little better.

Just kidding. Eat whatever you like, as long as you’re in that calorie deficit.

There’s nothing wrong with ‘gluten-free’ desserts, but be sure to check the calories and ingredients before buying.

Myth #3: The power of ‘fat-burning’ foods

Wouldn’t it be nice to go to a supermarket, pick up 20 fat-burning foods and then wake up the next day a stone lighter?

Spoiler: there’s no such thing as fat-burning food.

As we learnt at the start of this article, weight loss comes down to calories in vs calories out.

That said, some foods can be more beneficial when trying to lose weight. For example, protein-rich foods such as steak, chicken, and eggs are called ‘thermogenic foods‘, which means your body has to burn extra calories to break them down. Other thermogenic foods include:

Spices

Green tea

Coconut oil

If you combine a calorie deficit with thermogenic foods, you’re onto a winner.

Myth #4: Weight gain means body fat gain

You’ve eaten well all week, tracked your calories, trained at the gym five days in a row and you hop on the scales feeling optimistic. You’ve already imagined the numbers showing a net loss of 2-3lbs.

But you look down, and you’ve gained 2lbs.

Er, what?

You’ve done everything you’re supposed to do but you’ve gone backwards – how is this fair? It can leave you feeling deflated, frustrated, and wanting to throw in the towel.

The truth is your weight will fluctuate. Weight gain does not mean fat gain. Your body is composed of three main components: fat, lean body mass (muscle, bone, and organs), and water (60% of body weight).

There will be days when your body holds onto more water, for example, through hormonal changes with your body, such as the menstrual cycle for women. Nicholas Screeton, a body transformation coach at Lep Fitness, says it’s not uncommon for women to gain ‘up to 8-12lbs during a menstrual cycle’. It’s often only water weight and will disappear as quickly as it appears.

Myth#5: You need to eat protein straight after your workout

You’ve finished your weights workout and get chatting to your friend for 10 minutes. But then you panic because you’ve not had your protein shake.

There’s a myth, that still goes around the gyms today, that you need a protein shake straight after your workout. It’s false.

There’s no doubt that protein is a crucial ingredient for changing your body shape and speeding up recovery between workouts. That said, don’t worry too much about the post-workout window, but rather the bigger picture, i.e. what you eat over 24 hours.

And, for the record, if you do like a protein shake post-workout, there’s nothing wrong with this, but don’t stress on the rare occasions when you’ve left your shake at home, or have run out of protein powder.

Myth #6: Lifting weights makes you bulky

Thankfully there’s been a significant shift in the health and fitness industry over the last ten years. It used to be that guys lift heavy weights, and women jump around in lycra, do side leg lifts, and lift light weights for high reps.

What a load of BS.

We know that lifting weights doesn’t mean you’ll get bulky muscles. Yes, lifting heavy weights can have this impact, but 99.9% of people needn’t worry about this. Building bulky muscles doesn’t happen overnight – you have to have been training for a long time (often years), and be eating a ton of food.

Don’t fear that lifting weights will make you bulky. It’s usually the opposite – you’ll get leaner and more toned. Weight training is one of the best (arguably ‘the’ best) things you can do to transform your body shape and improve all components of fitness, from muscle tone, stamina, and mobility.

Myth #7: Cardio is best for weight loss

Yes, cardio is a great thing to do. A good cardio session can burn a whopping number of calories, improve your fitness, and leave you feeling elated from the surge of endorphins you get post-workout.

Cardio is important, but to say ‘cardio is the best for weight loss’ isn’t accurate.

Let’s go back to weight training.

You might not burn as many calories in weight training sessions, but the more muscle you can build, the more calories you’ll burn over 24 hours.

For the best results, it’s good to combine a mixture of resistance training with cardio. For example:

Monday: weights Tuesday: cardio Wed: weights Thursday: cardio Friday: weights Saturday: cardio Sunday: rest

The above is just an example. You can do fewer days per week or incorporate cardio at the beginning or end of your workouts.

Myth #8: Ab exercises can get you ripped abs

Imagine if you could do 100 sit-ups per day for the next 30 days and notice a bunch of stomach flab disappears – wouldn’t that be awesome?

But the reality is you could do 1,000 sit-ups per day for the next year (not advised!) and still not have a flat midsection.

Ab exercises are essential. A strong core will support your lower back and prevent injury.

That said, most people spend too long training abs thinking they’ll lose fat solely from their stomach. I’m afraid that following celeb ab workouts from magazines isn’t going to give you the most bang for your buck.

Instead of doing thirty different plank variations, and hundreds of crunches, you’d be better off focusing on compound exercises that burn lots of calories and build large muscle groups. For example:

Deadlifts Bench press Squats Lunges Split Squats Pull-ups Rows

The exercises above (done correctly) will naturally work your core and have a more significant impact on helping you to get a leaner midsection.

If you like, you can still throw in some specific core exercises either at the beginning or end of your workout, but spending more than 5-10 mins on specific ab work is often not the most optimal way to spend your time in the gym.

Myth #9: You have to suffer to lose weight

You see it in gyms all of the time:

People are pounding treadmills, sweating buckets, and making all sorts of grunting noises. There’s the famous saying ‘no pain, no gain’ – often interpreted as pushing yourself to the limit during every workout.

You don’t need to suffer in order to lose weight.

If all you were to do is create a calorie deficit and increase your daily steps, and you did that for the next three months, you would lose lots of weight. Yes, really – you can lose weight without making yourself throw up.

The more aggressive you go with both your diet and exercise, the more you will suffer. For example, most people will go from doing zero or little exercise to doing 5-7 workouts per week.

They will also go from eating and drinking anything they like (and usually in high quantities) to then living off chicken salads and less than half of their regular daily calories.

This is a recipe for failure and suffering, but it doesn’t have to be this way. You can still create a calorie deficit, but a smaller and more sustainable one (100-200 calories) per day and do it over a more extended period.

The quicker you want results, the more you’ll have to suffer, and the more likely you’ll be to fall off track. If you starve your body and go too aggressive with your diet and exercise, you will likely run into trouble. How many times have you tried an extreme diet, to later fall off the bandwagon and binge?

Remember, weight loss is a marathon, not a sprint.

Myth #10: The more you train, the better the result

More equals better right? And practice makes perfect?

This is not entirely true when it comes to working out. Your training results and progress will all depend on how quickly you recover. Trying to train at 100% effort and every single day is a recipe for disaster, fatigue, and injury.

Rather than looking at frequency alone, it’s important to assess the following:

Recovery: are you fresh for each workout, or are you going into each session tired, sore, and fatigued? If so, read these seven easy tips that will speed up your recovery.

Performance: are you getting stronger, fitter, improving your reps, speed and time?

It’s not so much about quantity but quality. Once you’ve assessed those things, you can then make the right decisions about how often you train.

The post 10 Of The Biggest Diet & Exercise Myths Of All Time – Debunked appeared first on Food For Fitness.

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flipfundingstuff · 4 years

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Top 10 Recession-Resistant States for Small Businesses

We’re currently living in the longest period of sustained economic growth in US history, but it can’t last forever. There isn’t a surefire way to predict when the next recession will come, so instead, we’ve turned our attention to the states where small businesses are best prepared to weather the storm when it hits.

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What Prepares a Small Business for Recession?

Small businesses can be hit the hardest by a recession. They often don’t have money in reserves to “wait it out,” and lenders grow more cautious with funding decisions. Revenue, time in business, and credit score—always key factors in qualifying for a small business loan—become even more important during a recession. Having previous business loans may help small business owners come recession time, too, as it demonstrates a history of loan repayment—aka that a lender can trust your small business not to dine-and-dash with a loan.

Societal issues also play a part. States with higher unemployment and volatility in state budgets may be more susceptible to the negative effects of a recession. To determine which states are the most prepared for our next recession, we analyzed Lendio data from over 8,500 small business borrowers and ranked for time-in-business, average annual revenue, credit score, and average loan amount that businesses have qualified for in the past year and combined that with unemployment data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Pew Charitable Trust’s measure of state budget volatility (based on the amount of money a state takes in from year to year).

10. Nebraska

According to the US Small Business Administration (SBA), 46.7% of private workforce employees in the state of Nebraska work for small businesses. In 2015, the largest sectors for small business employment were “health care and social assistance” and “accommodation and food services,” followed by retail and construction. Nebraska ranks 9th in the country for the average loan amount small business owners have been able to secure ($18,578). Combine its funding history with its low unemployment rate and low volatility rating, and Nebraska has earned the #10 spot for states most prepared for the next recession.

The state came in lower on the list because of its lower scores for small business annual revenues, credit scores, and time in business. This may be due to the concentration of sole proprietors in the state. Non-employer small businesses make up the largest portion of small businesses with 131,519 such businesses.

9. Connecticut

Small businesses account for 97% of Connecticut businesses and employ 49% of employees, according to the SBA’s Small Business Economic Profile. Like Nebraska, “health care and social assistance” and “accommodation and food services” were the 2 largest industries for small business employment. In Connecticut, manufacturing, retail, and “professional, technical, and scientific services” ranked in the top 5 sectors. These specialized factors may be responsible for the state’s high marks for time in business, credit score, and annual revenue, all of which factor into its 4th place ranking for the largest average loan ($21,517).

It didn’t fare as well when it came to state budget volatility or unemployment rate, which were both high. Startups are contributing to volatility in the state. In the second quarter of 2014, startups created 7,810 new jobs. In the same timeframe, they were responsible for 5,786 job losses. Many startups depend on funding raised every 18 months in order to survive. Once a recession hits, that funding will be more difficult to acquire, spelling trouble for the more than 19,200 Connecticut startups created in the first half of 2019.

8. Maryland

All but 0.5% of businesses in Maryland are small businesses, according to the SBA, employing 50.2% of the private workforce in 2015. The state has had slower growth than the national average, with growth at an annual rate of 2.6% in the 3rd quarter of 2017 (compared to the national growth rate of 3.4%). But the state makes up for it with the 3rd lowest state-budget volatility rating in the country, making it the state embodiment of “slow and steady wins the race.”

Maryland has one of the lowest statewide averages for funded small business credit scores, but they make up for it with an average 9 years and 4 months in business, meaning that the average Maryland small business was started shortly after the start of the Great Recession (so they’ve got some practice with surviving the trials of a recession).

7. Iowa

Like Maryland, over 99% of businesses in the Hawkeye State are small businesses, employing 646,525 people (48.3%) in the private workforce. The state has 4 times as many non-employer firms as it does small businesses that employ between 1 and 20 people, which may play a role in the state’s lower rankings for average annual revenue and time in business. Yet, the entrepreneurs who strike out on their own in Iowa have stronger credit scores, with a statewide average credit score of 668, which has helped them secure an average loan of $13,662.

The state is poised to fare well during a recession thanks to its low unemployment numbers and low volatility in the state budget. In 2018, the state budget closed with a $127 million surplus, putting the state in a good starting position to continue to perform necessary services even in the face of economic hardship.

6. Utah

Utah stood out for its ability to navigate growth through the perilous economic times of the Great Recession. Since past performance is a strong indicator of future performance, Utah has demonstrated that they know how to weather a recession, setting them up for success come the next economic downturn. The state has the 5th highest statewide average credit score for funded small businesses, and the 6th highest average loan size ($20,268).

Since the Great Recession, growth has continued. The state is going through a building boom, and it has the 2nd fastest-growing tech sector in the country. The SBA reported that Utah created 29,956 net jobs in 2015, with the largest gains coming from companies with 20 or fewer employees, contributing to the state’s low unemployment rate.

In case of a recession, Utah small business owners may want to watch the high volatility in the state budget. According to the 2017 Revenue Volatility Report, the state’s rainy day funds have been stagnant since 2011. While the state managed to repay $111 million of the $113 million borrowed from the rainy day fund after the Great Recession, $79 million of the $97 million borrowed between 2009-2011 still needs to be repaid.

5. Minnesota

Minnesota is well-prepared for a recession with its rainy day fund. According to research from George Mason University, the state’s $1.75 billion in reserves would help give it ample room to weather a mild recession, which would require an estimated $259 million, or moderate recession, which would pull an estimated $996 million from the rainy day fund. Only the most severe recession scenario would require Minnesota to pull more from the rainy day fund than it currently has.

Minnesota small businesses are killing it when it comes to their average annual revenue, credit scores, and time in business. Yet, it’s worth noting that while Minnesota performs well on these metrics compared to other states, entrepreneurship within the state has been on the decline since 1977. The startup rate of businesses has dropped over that same period (from 16% to 8%), while the closing rate of businesses has remained relatively steady, hovering around 8%. Large businesses, on the other hand, have taken the lion’s share of employment growth during economic recoveries.

Still, small businesses are responsible for 47.8% of private-sector employment in the state, totaling 1.2 million employees. The biggest industries in the state for companies with 1–20 employees are construction and “professional, scientific, and technical services.”

4. Massachusetts

Small business is big business in Massachusetts, where the average annual revenue for business borrowers is just over $1 million, the second-highest in the nation. Small businesses employ more than 1.5 million people, 46.1% of private-sector employees. With an average of 8 years and 1 month in business, small business owners have proved they have the staying power for good times and bad.

The state endured the Great Recession better than most thanks to its higher education, technology, and health care sectors. “Professional, scientific, and technical services” is the largest industry for small businesses in the state, with a total of 98,300 non-employer firms and 17,805 small businesses with between 1 and 20 employees. Unemployment in the state is low because of the state’s steady job creation.

3. Hawaii

Hawaii took 3rd place for the states with the highest annual revenues. Business borrowers took in an average of $995,854 in the state and took out an average business loan of $16,061. Small business owners have good credit with an average credit score of 668 and an average of 8 years and 1 month in business.

Unemployment in the state is low. Small businesses employ 271,340 people in the state, and in 2015, they created 3,718 net jobs. Businesses with between 1 and 20 employees were responsible for most of that job growth (2,303). Of the 128,863 small businesses, 58% are minority-owned businesses.

As a state that is heavily reliant on tourism, Hawaii is susceptible to the negative effects of an economic downturn. During the Great Recession, vacation cancellations hit the state hard. But given the strong financial standing small businesses in the state have today, they should be able to weather a less severe recession more easily.

2. Alabama

Small business owners in Alabama are 2nd-most prepared for the next recession. Small businesses in the state have strong revenues, credit, scores, and time in business. The state has neither the highest highs nor the lowest lows. Unemployment rates and state budget volatility were higher than some states on this list but high enough to maintain its overall ranking.

With a current rainy day fund of $627 million, Alabama has the cash available to weather a mild recession and most average recessions, according to George Mason University. The state wouldn’t be able to cover the high end of an average recession, which would require $719 million in capital.

1. New Hampshire

New Hampshire topped the list for states where small business owners are in the best shape come the next recession. Small business owners there have been able to secure some of the largest small business loans with an average funding of $21,295. Having a history of repaying a loan will help business owners in the state to secure capital when they’re dealing with cautious lenders during the next economic downturn.

Small businesses in the state are responsible for employing 50.5% of New Hampshire’s private sector employees. In 2015, small businesses created 6,747 net jobs. Small business owners in the state have some of the highest credit scores (average of 677) and longest time in business (average 9 years 10 months) in the country, along with their strong revenues—bolstering their lending history with solid standing on the 3 biggest factors lenders take into consideration.

Unemployment and state budget volatility in New Hampshire are also low. Its rainy day fund? Why, it’s ranked 6th best in the nation. The state currently has $83 million in reserves, $3 million more than it would need to cover the top end of a severe recession, putting New Hampshire small business owners in the best shape—if and when the economy takes a turn for the worst.

The post Top 10 Recession-Resistant States for Small Businesses appeared first on Lendio.

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fishermariawo · 6 years

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Restless Legs Syndrome: Causes, Factors and Treatments

For anyone who’s experienced it, the frustration can be miserable. The countless tossing and turning, the minutes that tick by (turning into hours), and you STILL haven’t gotten a modicum of decent sleep. No matter how hard you try to ignore it, that urge to constantly move or stretch your legs just won’t let up.

Restless legs syndrome (RLS), aka Willis-Ekbom disease, affects a decent chunk of the population: thought estimates vary wildly, this 2017 representative survey places its prevalence between 5.7 and 12.3% of the population. That’s up to around 40 million people in the U.S. alone who go to bed every night knowing they’ll likely be kept awake for hours with that unrelenting, restless sensation.

Conventional RLS Treatments

For people suffering from moderate to severe RLS, pharmaceuticals like dopamine agonists, Alpha-2-delta ligands, opioids, anticonvulsants, and benzodiazepines are often prescribed.

Dopamine agonists operate under the assumption that RLS is linked to impaired dopamine function in the brain. While they do tend to produce good results in the short term, even at low doses they’re also notorious for augmentation, a scenario in which RLS symptoms actually worsen from taking the drug. They’re also commonly associated with an increased risk of impulse control disorders, like pathologic gambling, compulsive eating, and compulsive shopping. Not ideal.

Other common first-line treatments include alpha-2-delta calcium channel ligands, and in some cases, opioids. Alpha-2-delta ligands are often effective in treating RLS that occurs in tandem with painful peripheral neuropathy, certain forms of chronic pain, and even Parkinson’s disease; however, they’re also linked to depression and suicidal tendencies. Also not ideal. And then there are opioids. Whether they’re a viable treatment for RLS or not, they may undoubtedly introduce more problematic side effects and addictions than they’re worth for many people.

Nutritional and Medical Factors Related to RLS Magnesium

Magnesium, which most of us are seriously lacking, interacts with calcium in the body to help regulate the nerves and muscles. When serum magnesium levels are low, nerve cells become overactive and can get a bit trigger happy in sending messages to our muscles. The result is constant muscle contraction, which explains many of the symptoms of restless legs syndrome.

In a small study involving patients with mild to moderate RLS, oral magnesium every evening for 4 to 6 weeks improved symptoms in all patients. Another study involving a pregnant woman given intravenous magnesium sulfate for 2 days indicated complete recovery from RLS symptoms. Magnesium is considered “investigational” by a larger review study, but research is scant.

Despite the apparent lack of research on the link between RLS and magnesium deficiency or supplementation, there’s still a decent amount of positive anecdotal evidence. If you’re magnesium deficient, it’s worthwhile trying a magnesium supplement given it’s support for other elements of health. Some people chose chelated forms like magnesium glycinate, but others swear by transdermal magnesium and magnesium citrate.

Iron

Unlike magnesium, the link between iron deficiency and RLS has received plenty of attention in the literature. This 2007 study showed that RLS sufferers with low serum ferritin were more likely to experience an iron deficiency in the central nervous system. This, in turn, impedes dopamine signaling, the result of which is greater risk of RLS. A 2013 study verified these findings by using MRI to show that RLS sufferers have significantly lower iron content within several areas of the brain.

Considering the importance of iron for healthy dopamine signaling, the results make sense. And several studies have shown that RLS patients with low serum ferritin (generally less than 75 mcg/L) have responded well to both oral and intravenous iron.

Of the two dosages, oral iron supplementation is by far the safest and easiest, especially when combined with vitamin C. That being said, it’s important to get your ferritin levels checked at least every 3 to 4 months during oral iron supplementation to ensure you don’t go overboard, since excess iron imposes health risks.

Vitamin D

Like iron, vitamin D appears to play a key role in dopamine synthesis and metabolism, meaning those who are deficient are more likely to experience RLS symptoms. A 2014 study showed that presence of RLS was significantly higher in vitamin D-deficient patients, while a 2015 study found that certain variations in the vitamin D3 receptor gene were associated with an increased risk of RLS.

Luckily, vitamin D treatment is a fairly straightforward affair, and it seems to yield good results for those dealing with RLS. One recent study showed that vitamin D3 treatment (oral or intravenous) in those who were deficient was able to improve symptoms from a median RLS severity score of 26 down to 10. While this impressive result hasn’t necessarily been reflected across the board, it suggests that vitamin D supplementation is worth a shot if you suffer from RLS. For most people (particularly in winter), it’s worth upping your vitamin D levels whether you’ve got RLS or not.

Alcohol

There isn’t a lot of research to support the association between alcohol and RLS, but plenty of anecdotal evidence suggests it’s worth exploring. Alcohol can otherwise lower sleep quality and increase conditions of sleep apnea, which in turn can contribute to worsening of RLS symptoms. In a European study spanning close to 19,000 people, those who drank at least 3 alcoholic beverages a day were more likely to have RLS. Even if that tops your usual imbibing, alcohol probably isn’t helping your restless legs.

SIBO and Other Gut Disorders

Whether you’re low in iron or not, it’s worthwhile considering the link between gut conditions like small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) and restless legs syndrome. A 2011 study of 32 RLS subjects found that 69% of RLS sufferers had SIBO, compared to only 28% of healthy controls. As part of the same study, another 28% of RLS subjects had irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) compared with just 4% of controls. A Japanese study of 80 outpatients diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) found that 20% of them also suffered from RLS. In another study involving 272 Crohn’s disease outpatients, RLS prevalence was 30%, and 43% had suffered from RLS at some point in the past. Celiac disease has much the same relationship with RLS, with 1 in 4 celiacs also reporting RLS symptoms.

Conventional treatments for IBS patients have shown dramatic improvements in RLS symptoms, but this generally involves a heady dose of antibiotics. A more Primal-friendly course of action would involve regular use of a good quality probiotic and a low-FODMAP diet until your RLS symptoms improve. Here’s what I use.

Autoimmune and Inflammatory Diseases

It might seem like highlighting the association between RLS and both autoimmune and inflammatory disease states is something of a catch-all, but the fact remains that people with conditions like Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, Celiac disease, MS and rheumatoid arthritis are far more likely to suffer from RLS than healthy individuals. A literature review found that out of 47 RLS-associated conditions, 42 of them had an autoimmune or auto-inflammatory component. Another study published last year also found strong links between patients’ neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, a key marker of systemic inflammation, and RLS.

As far as specific treatments go, this is where things get tricky and individualized. How you approach the problem depends on your inflammatory or immune condition, but improvements can almost always be achieved by adopting an anti-inflammatory, Primal type of diet. You know, one loaded with nutrient-dense, whole foods and relatively devoid of inflammatory foods. Adjusting lifestyle factors to reduce stress and increase movement and sleep will also make a huge difference, but more on that next.

Other Factors For Treating RLS Stress

As far as nonpharmaceutical measures go, one of the most successful RLS treatments is simply to reduce stress. That means, of course, eliminating causes of stress in your life where possible, but healthy practices that ameliorate its impact are a good idea, too.

For example, in a 2012 study, 13 women with moderate to severe RLS were placed on an 8-week self-guided Iyengar yoga program. At the end of the 8 weeks, “participants demonstrated striking reductions in RLS symptoms and symptom severity, with symptoms decreasing to minimal/mild in all but 1 woman and no participant scoring in the severe range by week 8.” Another study published last year combined yoga with aerobic exercise for 12 weeks to see significant improvements in RLS symptoms—to the point where patients were able to reduce their dosages of the RLS drugs they were on.

If yoga isn’t your thing, there’s plenty of other stress-alleviating options. Getting out into nature, using guided meditation, trying an adaptogen supplement (with your doctor’s okay), and even watching a good comedy can all chip away at the stress we feel.

Medications

Certain medications have been shown to contribute to higher risk and severity with restless legs syndrome. A literature review of applicable studies found that antidepressants, neuroleptic agents, dopamine-blocking antiemetics, and sedating antihistamines have a strong correlation to incidence and greater severity of RLS, and where possible should be avoided. Obviously, this isn’t always an option, but it’s worth exploring whether a substitution can be made. As always, discuss your concerns with your doctor before discontinuing any medication.

Exercise

A 12 week trial involving 28 participants showed that aerobic and lower body resistance training produced significant improvements in RLS symptoms across the board. A smaller study found similar results, with aerobic exercise over the course of 16 weeks producing an average reduction in RLS severity of 42%.

Stretching has also been shown to improve RLS symptoms, so consider doing some light leg stretches before bed or when the restless legs hit.

Compression Devices

While a trifle inconvenient and decidedly uncomfortable, compression devices show some serious promise in treating RLS. A 2009 study had 35 subjects wearing either a therapeutic compression device or sham device for at least an hour a day for 1 month. After 1 month, the compression group saw significant reductions in RLS symptoms, with an almost 50% reduction in severity. Another study involving 10 RLS patients saw 1 patient pull out of the protocol due to discomfort, but the remaining 9 used a compression device for 1 to 3 months and saw either complete remission of RLS or a marked improvement in symptoms. Obviously, if the need is great, compression devices are worth considering.

Beyond traditional compression accessories, however, more comfortable measures like weighted blankets may offer relief for some people. Those without RLS may find they sleep better with them, too.

Pregnancy

An estimated 1 in 5 women experience RLS during pregnancy. And although RLS symptoms usually recede shortly after delivery, it can make sleep more difficult during pregnancy and even pose its own health risks.

Generally speaking, many of the non-pharmacological treatments outlined above are effective in reducing the symptoms of pregnancy-related RLS. It’s always a good idea to get regular blood tests, as low iron levels (a common contributor to RLS) are a common occurrence in pregnant women. Other risk factors for RLS during pregnancy include vitamin D deficiency, impaired calcium metabolism, and a lack of low-impact exercise. Address these factors, and you’re bound to see a difference.

Thanks for reading, folks. For those of you with RLS, what’s worked (and hasn’t worked) for you? Share your thoughts below.

0 notes

milenasanchezmk · 6 years

Text

Restless Legs Syndrome: Causes, Factors and Treatments

Conventional RLS Treatments

For people suffering from moderate to severe RLS, pharmaceuticals like dopamine agonists, Alpha-2-delta ligands, opioids, anticonvulsants, and benzodiazepines are often prescribed.

Nutritional and Medical Factors Related to RLS Magnesium

Iron

Vitamin D

Alcohol

SIBO and Other Gut Disorders

Autoimmune and Inflammatory Diseases

Other Factors For Treating RLS Stress

Medications

Exercise

Stretching has also been shown to improve RLS symptoms, so consider doing some light leg stretches before bed or when the restless legs hit.

Compression Devices

Beyond traditional compression accessories, however, more comfortable measures like weighted blankets may offer relief for some people. Those without RLS may find they sleep better with them, too.

Pregnancy

Thanks for reading, folks. For those of you with RLS, what’s worked (and hasn’t worked) for you? Share your thoughts below.

0 notes

naijamoment · 7 years

Link

With the recent pictures of Kim Kardashian partying in Mexico doing the rounds, eyebrows have been raised over the star's figure. Looking as slim as ever in a vintage Dior bikini - and with tape placed deliberately over her nipples to prevent any errant wardrobe malfunctions - Kim was body-confident as can be after giving birth to her second child, Saint 16 months ago. But many were left wondering what Kim had done to her face and body in the decade or so since she's been in the public eye - especially as her trademark behind looked bigger than ever. Here's a rundown of all the rumoured plastic surgery and procedures Kim is believed to have had over the years. Kim Kardashian Killer Curve Put On Display As She Steps Out In Los Angeles So how did Kim get her famous bum?

Kim Kardashian in 2010 and 2014 (Photo: Getty)

Kim has long denied having bum implants to enhance her famous butt. She even submitted to an X-ray in Season 6 of Keeping Up With The Kardashians to silence the critics who insisted she must have had implants put in to explain the rapid inflation of her bum from before she was properly famous. But, as a surgeon from MYA.co.uk points out, there were other ways to boost Kim's bum that didn't involve silicone implants. "This does not rule out fat transfer/fat injections to the buttocks. This would not show on an x-ray as it is the patients' own body fat and not an implant," the spokesperson pointed out. "It is possible she has had fat transferred from less desirable areas such as the waist or stomach and had it put into her buttocks and hips to create a curvier frame." This is known as the Brazilian bum lift and costs in the region of £5-7,000. The suspected nose job

Having once admitted her nose was her biggest insecurity, Kim has always denied having rhinoplasty on it. As she revealed to Wonderland magazine in 2016: "People think I've had my nose done. I haven't. "I used to hate this bump on my nose. Hated it. Now I love that it makes me look more ethnic." However, Kim did admit that she could see why people thought she'd had work done on it, saying: "It does look smaller. Maybe it's the contour I use." The MYA expert reckons the difference is most noticeable when looking at older pictures of Kim compared to now. They say: "She has most likely had an open septo rhinoplasty to slim the bridge and an alar base reduction to refine the tip of the nose. "Scarring is minimal and recovery time is roughly around 6 weeks but it can take up to a year for the swelling to fully settle." The estimated cost of such an operation is between £6,000 and £10,000. The boob job(s)

Kim is rumoured to have had at least two boob jobs, although she's never confirmed them

Pictures of Kim from before she became properly famous – AKA the Paris Hilton wardrobe assistant years – show a young woman who, while in no way flat-chested, was definitely not blessed with the cup size of her later years. The MYA surgeon tells us: "In my professional opinion, based on the images I have been shown, I would suggest that Kim has under gone a breast enlargement during KUWTK Season 1 to 4. "There appears to be more fullness to her breasts whilst still staying in proportion to her frame; she has clearly asked for a natural breast enlargement."

#IFTTT #Blogger

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thehrisworld · 7 years

Text

The Impact of Repealing PPACA on Your Business - Are We Numb to the Present Pain?

New Post | The Impact of Repealing PPACA on Your Business - Are We Numb to the Present Pain?

Update April 2017

Given the failure of the U.S. Congress to replace the PPACA, we are republishing this to remind everyone where we have been and what it is we are replacing.

By nature, people are resistant to change, even when what they are living through at the moment is consistently providing a lot of pain in their lives — the impact of PPACA on businesses as well as personal finances is already well known as well as the magnitude of the surprises many have shared.

Obamacare was passed by the Senate on December 24th, 2009, the House on March 21st, 2010, and signed into law 2 days later. The HRIS World had provided research to various clients on the impact it would have to their organizations, most of which were negative. What positives could be found were with a very small percentage of their employee population – the rest were negative impacts to the bottom line of every client. Somehow, all are still with us, though the same can not be said to the total number of employees they once had. We are reposting this with an update in the comments section. The only word of advice we can offer now is to be discerning as to whose voice you listen.

We can’t avoid mistakes nor keep from repeating them when we choose to ignore history (the content) — as well as choose to remain ignorant of what lead up to the decisions and actions that formed that history (the context). As long as enough influential leaders are pretending not to

As long as enough influential leaders are pretending not to know what is really needed by the people then their constituents are going to consistently experience pain points that are entirely unnecessary.

The complexity of any situation is always the result of lost focus, lost priorities, missed opportunities and in many cases appeasement being practiced at one or more levels.Until we return our focus to sound ethics, the building of character and holding ourselves as well as others accountable and responsible for their decisions actions while ignoring any level of political correctness, we are going to have the sam results no matter what we do.

Until we return our focus to a sound and a singular set of ethics, return to the building of character, return to holding ourselves as well as others accountable and responsible for their decisions actions while ignoring any level of political correctness and ignoring oppressed identity politics, then we are going to have the same results no matter what we do, no matter what we rename it, no matter how we repackage it.

We can not and never will solve the problems we have created with the same thinking we used to create our problems in the first place — and that will only happen when we abandon being told what to think and start learning how to think.

PPACA – Obamacare – Is Already Affecting Every Level of the USA

Questions still abound: How much more don’t we know about? Why is this thing so BIG?

A recent question was posed on the PEOCompare.com blog, which is owned and operated by Mark and Carolyn Sokol, concerning the impact of PPACA (aka Obamacare) to independent medical insurance brokers.

What probably prompted this is the thoughts and nervousness of the PPACA leading to a single-payer system.

This, for many, is a very legitimate concern on every level.

The question posed was this…

“Do you feel there is any validity to the claim that independent medical insurance brokers will be a thing of the past, be put out of business, by the ACA?”

Carolyn requested a short response from us as we are viewed as impartial to the subject.

Our response was sent as follows…

“Any time there are set of dynamic and a broad spectrum of changes, everything always appears worse than it really is.

“Will the Independent Health Insurance Agents Association (IHIAA) and its brokers will become thing of the past?

“Like most things that the government tries to implement that affects free enterprise negatively, the brokers will find ways to not become a thing of the past but given the magnitude of PPACA they will probably suffer heavy damage.

“Recovery from this will be possible only if an action to defund PPACA takes place.

“This recovery, if it takes place, would take several years to regroup and rebuild – and most likely place the IHAIAA and its members in a stronger position, resulting from lessons-learned before and during the hopefully short-lived reign of PPACA.”

This request got us thinking as well since we are sitting a pile of information we have yet to share.

So, we share…

The government has already proved that the PPCAC is going to strictly embrace policy and unless you are in Congress and Senate, everyone will be forced to find whatever means they can to find the treatment they need at whatever country they can afford.

India has already seen a drastic increase of people making inquiries as well as arriving from the USA and don’t see it slowing down anytime soon.

The PPACA has also proven to be Pandora’s Box as the Senate and Congress will have their own health insurance plans,

which slaps the 28th Amendment in the face — though recently a bill was introduced to put the Executive and Legislative branchs on PPACA as well.

From a few recent interviews with the members of the bench, the Supreme Court is waiting for this to arrive to their dockets (as a court they cannot bring this upon themselves but must wait for it to be brought to them).

The policies of the PPACA has caused many businesses to shift and mold their operations differently in order to survive…

the PPACA mandated IHIAA and its brokers to provide free insurance to 18 to 22 year olds but as the PPACA couldn’t mandate they not make any changes to policy, the age eligibility was changed from 18 to 22

33 states will not setup SHOP or exchanges is already a major blow to the implementation of PPACA – allowing free enterprise to be exercised by their brokers

the government makes a claim that the 45 million uninsured will be covered. the CBO as well as independent research groups have claimed this will be more towards 27 million – given the level of integrity of past government claims, business owners and CEO’s are paying much attention to the government

there is concern over a combination of factors, including

the readiness of exchanges to provide a broad array of new insurance options

the ability of state Medicaid programs to absorb new beneficiaries, and

the over all response by the populace to the availability of the new coverage

as many as 8 million people will lose health care plans now offered through their employers, the CBO estimates

part of this lose of health care plans comes from exemption within the PPACA — employees that work 29 hours or less do not need to be covered

many employers are opting to change their entire workforce from full-time 40-hour weeks to part-time 29-hour weeks – this may mean more part-time jobs but to what end?

the IRS is now involved with your healthcare as well, needing to hire 16,000+ agents to monitor and enforce this legislation (and anything related to it), as well as prosecute those that don’t abide

Under the new bill and with the latest analysis by CBO, a single insured can look forward to paying $800 per month while family insured will be paying $4000+ per month

How big is PPACA?

A process flow was performed by several research agencies.

The current general process could be placed on one free-standing whiteboard of standard size (1200x900mm or 47×35 inches).

The PPACA?

The process flow for PPACA required between 7 and 8 whiteboards of same size, depending on how it was interpretted and apparently how small one wrote on the boards.

Why such a drastic difference?

Well, for starters, PPACA creates

68 grant programs

47 bureaucratic entities

29 demonstration or pilot programs

6 regulatory systems

6 compliance standards and

3 entitlements…

That’s for starters…

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) represents the regulators who oversee each state’s insurance market.

The NAIC came up with the following flowchart in an attempt to draw up the most basic, simple questions to determine eligibility for insurance subsidies or Medicaid…

click on image for larger presentation (pop-up blocker off?)

These are just a few of the changes happening now.

Once PPACA goes into effect, there more aspects of this bill that many are not aware of that will be implemented – and any policy implemented by the government is always full of it challenges compared to the private sector.

For now, the PPACA has added nearly $1 trillion to the federal government spending, and is estimated to go as high as $10-12 trillion in the first 10 years… (per CBO)

Now the icing on the cake: the PPACA is funded only for the first 10 years, after that, the government has to foot the entire bill — that means more taxes…

Here’s a look at the diagram to flow the PPACA (click the image for a closer view – a new window will open, you may need to let your blockers permit this to open)…

click on image for larger presentation (pop-up blocker off?)

Broken Promises

We all act and react according to promises made, even if cautiously. When the promises don’t pan out, we know from experience there is always a cost that is going to be painful associated to the broken promise. According to the Energy and Commerce Committes in a report release March 2013, here’s the scorecard of promises made and promises kept or not kept…

Promise: “Coupled with comprehensive reform… that could save families $2,500 in the coming years – $2,500 per family.

Reality: Despite President Obama’s repeated promises that families could save $2,500, the average family premium has instead grown by over $3,000 since 2008.

Promise: “If you like your current health care plan, you will be able to keep it.

Reality: Obamacare incentives employers to drop coverage in response to new regulations and the availability of subsidized insurance in the new exchanges.

According to a new economic report from the Congressional Budget Office, 7 million people will lose their employer-sponsored coverage, nearly double the previous estimate of 4 million.

Promise: “I will not sign a plan that adds one dime to our deficits—either now or in the future.”

Reality: In 2010, the Congressional Budget Office calculated that the ten-year cost of Obamacare, in terms of its spending increases, was $940 billion. In 2013, CBO’s ten-year spending estimate was $1.88 trillion. By 2015, the CBO’s ten-year spending projections are likely to exceed $2.5 trillion. Our federal debt exceeds $16 trillion today. A recent report by the GAO suggests that, under the most realistic scenarios, Obamacare will end up adding $6.2 trillion to the deficit over the next 75 years.

Promise: “Under my plan, no family making less than $250,000 a year will see their taxes increase…not any of your taxes.”

Reality: According to a March 5, 2013, Joint Committee on Taxation report, Obamacare includes 21 new or higher taxes that will cost taxpayers roughly $1.1 trillion over the next decade. The IRS will impose new and higher taxes on medical devices, prescription drugs, health coverage, high-premium health plans, and health savings accounts that will affect the average American.

Promise: The president promised to help Americans with pre-existing conditions, stating that a “temporary program makes health coverage available and more affordable for individuals who are uninsured and have been denied health insurance because of a pre-existing condition.

Reality: The Obama administration just announced sick Americans would be shut out from the “Pre-Existing Condition Program.” House Republicans said that health reform should tackle the biggest problems first – lowering health care costs, increasing access to patient care, and prioritizing funding for chronically ill Americans. House Republicans reiterated that priority in a recent letter to the president.

Promise: So this bill is not only about the health security of America, it’s about jobs. In its life it will create 4 million jobs, 400,000 jobs almost immediately.”

Reality: According to the Congressional Budget Office, Obamacare will reduce the labor force by 800,000 over the next decade and the cost to American businesses due to inability or failure to comply is estimated to be $52 billion. Additionally, a 2012 Gallup poll revealed that 48 percent of business owners cite the potential cost of health care regulations in their decision not to hire additional workers. A March 2013 Federal Reserve report on Current Economic Conditions acknowledges the health care law slows hiring, stating, “employers in several Districts cited the unknown effects of the Affordable Care Act as reasons for planned layoffs and reluctance to hire more staff.”

Promise: “I will protect Medicare.”

Reality: Instead of making the program stronger, Obamacare raided $716 billion from Medicare to fund its $1.9 trillion in new health spending over the same period. Included in these cuts are significant reductions in payments to Medicare Advantage plans, which could disrupt coverage for the 14 million Americans enrolled in the program today.

Promise: “No federal dollars will be used to fund abortions, and federal conscience laws will remain in place.”

Reality: HHS released a mandate that requires employers to provide access to abortion-inducing drugs, contraceptives, and sterilization procedures at no cost to their employees. The latest proposed rule expands the definition of institutions that could qualify for “religious employer exemption,” but does nothing to fundamentally alter the mandate itself. The administration’s proposal makes a minimal change to the mandate’s religious exemption, but it still allows only formal houses of worship and their integrated auxiliaries a reprieve from the mandate. This change does nothing to help countless individuals and employers who will now be forced to violate their conscience as a direct result of this Obamacare mandate.

Promise: “You see, part of the genius of our Founders was the establishment of a federal system in which each of our states serves as a laboratory for our democracy…our approach has been to give you the flexibility that you to need to find your own innovative ways forward.”

Reality: Obamacare tramples state flexibility. States that have or wish to implement market-oriented exchanges cannot because of Obamacare. State exchanges must comport with what HHS dictates and comply with hundreds of pages of rolling requirements coming from bureaucrats in Washington.

Promise: “I’m willing to look at other ideas to bring down costs, including one that Republicans suggested last year: medical malpractice reform to rein in frivolous lawsuits.”

Reality: The president did not include medical liability reform in his massive overhaul of the health care system, and he has repeatedly ignored attempts by congressional Republicans to work together on this issue. He ignored the fact that defensive medicine contributes as much as $200 billion a year to rising healthcare costs. According to the CBO, comprehensive medical liability reform would reduce the budget deficit by at least $48.6 billion and as much as $57 billion over 10 years.

Promise: “The Affordable Care Act is designed to make it easier for younger Americans to obtain and maintain health insurance.”

Reality: Young adults can stay on their parents’ plan until the age of 26, but those without access to a parent’s plan or those between 27-39 are facing steep increases. Young, single adults who make about $25,000 a year or more will face premium hikes of 42 percent in the individual market. Single thirtysomethings who are ineligible for exchange subsidies will be affected as well, with their premiums likely to increase by 31 percent.

Source: Just Days Ahead of Obamacare’s 3rd Anniversary, Committee Releases Scorecard of the Law’s #BrokenPromises

From Our All About PPACA Playlist on Our Career YouTube Channel

if video is not visible, click here

Some Closing Thoughts

Is the concept of a better health care possible without being a burden on both the government as well as the people? without rationing care, medications, as well as allocating certain procedures to those of a certain age and/or fitness?

So far, the answer seems to be no — every country that has taken on a national health care system has strapped the government as well as the people at some or many levels.

Those that saying some countries are doing well with a national healthcare system are only partially correct — liberties had to be sacrificed as well as funds collected above what is already burdening any countries budget, it still was not possible without causing higher taxes and a controlled environment for care and medications.

We need to remember, once a program has been implemented and is under their control and management, decisions are never based on emotions — it is purely analytical and the analysis has to fall within policy, not the other way around.

Governments will, however, rely on appealing to your emotions to have such programs in place — and unless the facts are out on the table, in full view for all to see, without distorting any analysis, then many times the happy emotions of having gained something like this soon becomes a bitter pill to swallow.

Money does not grow on trees nor in bushes — and unless construction companies, personnel, and utilities are all providing their services and materials for free, then healthcare is not free either: someone has to foot the bill and that means the people, and that means limited resources which leads immediately to rationing at any but mostly all levels.

Some may not mind this – but they are also are ignoring the liberties of those that do mind, which has only lent itself to liberties lost.

When we are not protecting the liberties of those we disagree with, those we do not like and even those we hate, then we will only lose our own liberties in the process — liberty is all or nothing, and once lost it has always been lost entirely.

What Are Your Thoughts?

✔ Obviously there are more thoughts healthcare than there are pages to the PPACA bill — even the OMB and CBO can’t agree on what this bill has cost the taxpayer. What impacts are you seeing now that is necessitating a change in operations?

✔ As this bill gets older, 2 things have become painfully obvious — it is costing more than what we had previously, and there are going to be fewer people that are going to be covered, due to the size of the workforce shrinking. What are your recommendations?

✔ What research can The HRIS World provide you concerning a healthcare replacement?

Please share your thoughts with us and our audience in the comments section below! Or you can reach us directly from our contact page.

From the ADP Playlist on Our YouTube Channel

if video is not visible, click here

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francesmorris-blog1 · 7 years

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I was very against getting botox and fillers up until the age of 25 but that all changed when I became friends with two girls in London who had been getting aesthetic procedures done for years and looked incredible! At first, I wasn’t aware that there would be any plausible reason to have anything like that done under the age of 50, seeing as though we have makeup and facials to help with the aging process. However, their reasons were rather different.

Firstly, since Kylie Jenner and other popular, young celebrities became very public about their cosmetic enhancements, I noticed a sudden increase in ladies and gentlemen getting botox and fillers from as young as 17, which I originally thought was crazy, to be honest, nevertheless, now that I have been getting these procedures done for years now, I understand why and there are a few reasons you may not have thought of. Firstly, yes it is a trend, especially as the Kardashians seem to rule the world right now and set the bar for makeup looks, physical appearance, and fashion. Secondly, when it comes to lip fillers, cheek fillers etc, they are only temporary and can certainly make one appear, more sexualised; definitely appealing to young men and women. Thirdly, with botox, in particular, it doesn’t just prevent you from getting deep set wrinkles in the future but it allows you to look ‘well rested’ at all times, which for me, previously working 16 hour days, was a God send. Finally, all of the above allows for a better make-up application which is super popular right now with YouTube and the oh so kind ‘media’, for young girls, and allows you to wear less of it in fact, because it makes for smoother skin and more defined features.

Upon a recent visit to the UK, I was informed that the NHS (national health service) also provides this service for those who suffer from migraines; Botox paralyzes the muscle and stops you from straining, although they haven’t proven whether it actually makes a difference. One friend of mine who does not need Botox at all, still has it done because she swears it stops her from getting migraines, myself included actually.

Below I outline what options are available to you and what they mean/do, what cosmetic procedures I have tried, tips, what to expect, who I have gone to and recommend in the UK and Italy, as well as other non-evasive treatments/products to try before you make the plunge!

Botox

Botox (onabotulinum toxin A) was licensed specifically for the treatment of a chronic migraine in July 2010 by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). It since caught on for aesthetic reasons, given that the wrinkles can be visibly, completely erased as a result. There are seven types of botulinum toxin, named type A–G. Type A and B are capable of causing disease in humans and are also used commercially and medically. Types C–G are less common; types E and F can cause disease in humans, while the other types cause disease in other animals. Botulinum toxin types A and B are used in medicine to treat various muscle spasms and diseases characterized by overactive muscle. The commercial form is marketed under the brand name Botox, among others. Botox is made by Allergan a pharmaceutical company.

In cosmetic applications, botulinum toxin is considered safe and effective for reduction of facial wrinkles, especially in the uppermost third of the face. Injection of botulinum toxin into the muscles under facial wrinkles causes relaxation of those muscles, resulting in the smoothing of the overlying skin. Smoothing of wrinkles is usually visible three days after treatment and is maximally visible two weeks following injection. The treated muscles gradually regain function and generally return to their former appearance three to four months after treatment. Muscles can be treated repeatedly to maintain the smoothed appearance.

Botulinum toxin is also used to treat disorders of hyperactive nerves including excessive sweating, neuropathic pain, and some allergy symptoms. In addition to these uses, botulinum toxin is being evaluated for use in treating chronic pain.

Below I have outlined on my face only, where you can have Botox administered and what it does.

I get botox regularly in my crows feet or smile lines, frown lines (between my eyebrows) and forehead and this keeps me looking super fresh and well rested. I have also had a smile lift because naturally, I have RBF aka ‘resting bitch face’ and those lines from the nostrils to the corners of the mouth but only once because it made me look too plastic.

I personally do not think it hurts at all, a slight sting but only slight. In fact, I don’t even have the numbing cream that they can plaster all over you, my only tip would be to close your eyes unless you would enjoy seeing a needle come at you under blinding lights. The plastic surgeon or aesthetic nurse will ask you to frown and they either mark your face or inject where you frown/have wrinkles immediately. It takes around 5 minutes and you will start to see the results in 3-5 days and lasts 3-6 months but everyone is different. For me, I am lucky if I get 3 months out of botox. See below for any further tips/suggestions before getting botox.

Dermal Fillers

Derma Fillers/’Soft Tissue Fillers’, also known as injectable implants, or wrinkle fillers are medical device implants approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in helping to create a smoother and/or fuller appearance in the face, including nasolabial folds, cheeks and lips and for increasing the volume of the back of the hand.

They instantly change your appearance so proceed with caution. Above I have highlighted where you can have fillers specifically and what it does.

I have had cheek enhancements and lip enhancements to date but regularly get lip fillers as I naturally have thin lips. The cheek enhancement didn’t really make a noticeable difference on me, maybe it’s because I didn’t get a lot put in, only 1ml per cheek and seeing as though I do not have any cheekbones to speak of visually, I probably needed to get a lot more put in but it is expensive; upwards of €800 and something I can live without.

Lip fillers can be painful so the numbing cream is a must. I do not personally feel it being injected, or any pain until they do my cupids bow which stings and feels like the needle is going up into my nose. The great thing about fillers, in general, is instantly you see the results before the swelling kicks in, the filler, (I shall list the many types available below) last between 3 months – 1 year depending on the brand you choose. The more you have your lips done, the longer they last, so for me, my lip enhancement lasts just under a year. My cheek enhancement lasted 6 months and I had a slight bruise on my left cheek; easily covered by makeup and went away within 4 days.

Brands: Restylane, Perlane, Juvéderm Ultra, Teosyal, Belotero, Radiesse and Sculptra. These are also known as hyaluronic fillers which mean they are a naturally occurring substance, present in every living organism so it is very biocompatible and rarely causes any reactions (aka water based). It is estimated that 30 million patients around the world have been treated with some form of hyaluronic acid. Your aesthetic nurse or cosmetic surgeon will tell you which brand of filler will produce the best results for the area in which you want to be injected.

I have Juvederm Ultra injected into my lips because it lasts the longest but more pricey and have had Juvederm Voluma injected into my cheeks because it is a thicker substance and therefore more suitable for the area. My first time having my lips filled, I had Restylane because Juvederm hadn’t become popular yet on the market so it wasn’t as readily available at the time. The only downside with Restylane is I had severe swelling for a lot long period and with Juvederm that recovery time was cut in half, with less hardening of the lips and significantly less swelling. Restylane did not last as long as the Juvederm product did so it was an easy decision for me moving forward.

Medical Professionals

It is vitally important that you only go to either a certified aesthetic nurse, cosmetic surgeon or dermatologist to have any of the non-surgical procedures listed above, done.

The biggest factor when shopping for any non-surgical treatments is the experience. With experience comes the knowledge of which areas and amounts work best to get a natural-looking result that lasts as long as possible. Experience should not only be measured in years but also how regularly it is done by a particular aesthetic nurse, plastic surgeon or dermatologist. In many cases, a board certified plastic surgeon is going to have more experience specifically in aesthetic procedures, however, a very experienced Dermatologist would be a better choice than an inexperienced plastic surgeon.

Another way to gauge how much experience a doctor or specific practice has is to ask about their Allergan account level. Allergan is the manufacturer of Botox as mentioned above and has various levels of accounts by a doctor or by practice based on how much Botox they are purchasing. Levels include silver, gold, platinum, platinum plus, diamond and then black diamond is the highest, meaning they are in the top 1% of injectors nationwide.

After experience, comes a good eye. Just as a dermatologist would have a very developed eye for certain skin abnormalities, a good plastic surgeon will have an artistic eye for what appears natural and what does not when performing Botox and/or injectable filler procedures; same goes for the aesthetic nurse who has to have had the following experience just to become certified;

Be currently licensed as a Registered Nurse

Work in collaboration or in a practice with a physician that is Board Certified within one of the following specialties: Plastic/Aesthetic Surgery, Ophthalmology, Dermatology, or Facial Plastic Surgery (ENT); and

Have a minimum of two years of nursing experience as a registered nurse within one of the listed Core Specialties above in a general staff, administrative, teaching, or research capacity within three years prior to application, and

Have spent at least one thousand (1,000) practice hours within the core specialties during the preceding two years, and

Have their Supervising Core Physician endorse their application.

Removal

If for whatever reason you are not happy with the results and with that being said, you have waited at least 7 – 10 days for the swelling to go down, you can go back to the person who carried out the treatment, or find a new practitioner, to remove the derma fillers completely. This takes just as long as it did to carry out the treatment in the first place but with a twist.

They will inject the area(s) with hyaluronidase; Hyaluronidase is a protein enzyme and works by causing rapid spreading of injected fluid into the body, which increases the absorption of injected fluids.

You will be swollen and very bruised after this and it hurts like hell. I have thankfully only had this done once but only in the area where there was too much product injected; the left corner of my mouth which made me look like the honey monster lol. This really is a last resort but I am glad this is available so that any mistakes/results you are not happy with can be erased and so quickly. They can also target particular areas if you do not wish all of the injectable product to be dissolved, so to speak.

Tips

Again, I can not stress this enough, please only go to either a board certified plastic surgeon, a certified aesthetic nurse or a dermatologist for any of the above mentioned non-surgical treatments.

Purchase Arnica in either cream or tablet form; this can be bought almost everywhere in stores such as Holland & Barret, Boots in the UK any worldwide Pharmacies, Walgreens and CVS in the USA. I prefer the cream to prevent any bruising, which is a common occurrence, especially after your first time getting either botox or dermal fillers; more common with derma fillers in my experience. The tablets you take at least 5 days before getting the treatment. Arnica works wonders and quickly! Arnica also helps with swelling which is brilliant.

Remember to breathe and relax. I know this sounds hard given the needles and the emotional rollercoaster you go through in anticipation of your appointment but it is key, especially when the medical professional is carrying out the actual treatment.

Do your research and don’t be afraid to ask questions, you will not offend them, they are there to put you at ease and never overdo it on your first go; in fact whichever medical professional you choose, if they are good, won’t let you overdo it just for the cheque!

Make sure your reasons aren’t just to keep up with the Kardashians or the Jones’ for that matter; yes this is mainly done for cosmetic reasons but at least have a plausible explanation for doing any of the above because it is highly addictive and an expensive habit as a result. If you can’t afford to have it done regularly then don’t bother starting and it’s also good to listen to your friends/family/someone you trust because more often than not, people don’t notice when they are going overboard which is easily done because over time you become braver and want to change more and more, especially when it comes to the face.

After you have had dermal fillers you may feel like there are balls of hardened gel in, for example, your lips. The professional will give you a full list of aftercare instructions but for the sake of this blog, I will mention a few that were important to my recovery and results. Massage the area and hard! Do not go gently. You will rarely end up with lumps and bumps but on the rare occasion that I have heard of this happening, it is because they did not massage the area. These lumps will feel very hard in the first 3 days, longer if it’s your first time. It may feel slightly tender/painful but it is important especially if you want perfect results.

Don’t use an ice pack directly onto the swollen area after dermal fillers. Many suggest that you do but it actually hardens the dermal filler ‘balls’ in my experience and postpones the recovery time. Instead, rub cold water on the area or use frozen peas wrapped in a thick tea towel if you really have to.

In particular reference to lip enhancements, sleep a little upright for the first few nights; this stops you from swelling so much.

Don’t panic; especially if it is your first time getting any non-surgical procedure, the swelling and bruising can sometimes be dramatic and make you question what you have done to yourself. It is perfectly normal to freak out but give it time and always attend the 2-week checkup appointment even if you are happy with the results. I often find numerous posts online with people crying for help on what to do after 3 days of bruising and swelling, realistically you will not look normal, or have the results you want within 10 days. Think duck mouth. I recommend you don’t even touch your face at least 1 month before a special event.

Gadgets/Products I Recommend

If my honesty hasn’t sufficiently put you off, or you are not sure if you want to look frozen/plumped then below are some products I have personally used that will give you similar results without the injections. With that being said, there is absolutely no product on the market that will give you better results than Botox, especially when it comes to reversing wrinkles despite what it says on the tin, however, there are some fabulous anti-ageing products that can smooth out the skin and or temporarily plump up your lips to give you a better visual idea on what you may look like.

Candy Lipz Italy

Candy Lipz USA & Canada

Candy Lipz UK

Is a fantastic product/device that plumps up your lips to the size of your choosing temporarily. I was sent this product around a year and a half ago and use it for when I am in between treatments. The effects last around 2 hours and great for a night out or event as long as you bring it with you! If you scroll far enough back on their or my Instagram @theblondecitizenblog then you will see a video of me using this product. You may have to give it a few goes before getting it right but follow the instructions given and or watch the numerous videos of how it is used beforehand. I did try this on my mothers’ almost non-existent lips and it made only a slight difference so I would say it helps to have lips before using this product.

Sunday Riley is one of my favorite skin care brands. Below I have included a review from BeautyPedia.

“Sunday Riley is a brand that has captured the attention of many with its mix of luxury-positioned skincare products and its ties to today’s top fashion designers. This coupling, plus the brand’s cult-like status among beauty editors, has led many of our readers to ask us whether Sunday Riley products are deserving of the hype. Often noted in Sunday Riley’s products is the NV-5 Ageless Complex. Despite the number “5” in this trade name, the complex contains a mix of seven plant ingredients: prickly pear extract, blue agave, lady’s slipper orchid extract, opuntia tuna fruit, cactus extract, aloe, and a type of yeast extract (Saccharomyces cerevisiae). We explored the research on each of the ingredients in the NV-5 Ageless Complex. While all of them have some benefit for skin, they’re not ingredients that have comparative benefit to long established ingredients such as retinol, vitamin C, and niacinamide, for example.”

Despite the non-conclusive review, I swear by them and albeit an expensive line, they have personally worked for me which is why I recommend the following if you are looking for an anti-aging, skin plumper for your wrinkle concerns:

Good Genes found at Sephora and Space.NK is formulated with high-potency, purified grade lactic acid that immediately exfoliates dull, pore-clogging dead skin cells, revealing smoother, fresher, younger-looking skin. Fine lines appear visually plumped while the skin looks more radiant and, with continued use, the appearance of stubborn hyperpigmentation and visible signs of aging are reduced for a healthier-looking complexion. Also enhanced with licorice for brightening, Good Genes clarifies, smoothes and retexturizes for instant radiance.

This treatment can be applied under your foundation as a radiance primer without any oiliness.

1 oz.

Paraben-free; sulfate-free; phthalate-free

Trusted Medical Professionals I Recommend | UK | Italy

Below is a list of both plastic surgeons, aesthetic nurses and trusted professionals who I have had first-hand experience within the UK and Italy along with pricing and website details.

Ashleigh Todd Aesthetics

About:

With clinics both in Newcastle Upon Tyne, Edinburgh, and Glasgow, Ashleigh Todd Aesthetics is a leading skincare and beauty expert offering a wide range of services including wrinkle-reducing injections, PRP, Epionce Peels, Cryolipolisis, Dermal Fillers and Agera Peels.

With care and attention, and doing the simple things to perfection, Ashleigh Todd is a passionate skincare and beauty treatments pioneer that delivers the “Wow Factor” to make you stand out from the crowd.

After attending Duncan of Jordanstone Art School and the University of West Scotland to complete a degree in Nursing Studies, Ashleigh combined her medical experience with her outstanding artistic ability to deliver top quality aesthetic beauty treatment in clinics across Scotland and North East England.

In addition to her practitioner’s qualifications, Ashleigh continues her professional development by regularly visiting Harley Street in London, Paris, and Berlin keeping up to date with the latest training and procedures.

Ashleigh is now an Elite Aesthetics Nurse with over five years’ experience. Growing demand for her services led to the setup of the first Ashleigh Todd Aesthetics Clinic in Newcastle upon Tyne in 2014.

Pricing:

Please contact Ashleigh Todd directly for prices.

Emma J Lowe Aesthetics

Emma also works in the Inverness NHS Hospital in Scotland and is referred to by doctors for patients needing Botox for medical reasons.

About:

Emma J Lowe is a highly experienced Registered General Nurse, Advanced Aesthetics Practitioner and Harley Street Trained. She also has a Nurse Medical Prescriber Qualification. Over time she has gained a huge amount of specialist knowledge and experience in the areas around the eyes and face.

Her original training and experience were in The Moorfields Eye Hospital in London, which is an international center of excellence.

Emma is currently working as a Nurse Practitioner and Nurse Prescriber within the NHS, carrying out botulinum clinics, as well as emergency clinics, intravitreal injections, and minor procedures.

A reputation based on trust, knowledge & experience

Emma has 20 years ophthalmic and nursing experience and has had specialist training in aesthetics during this time. As a foundation for her botulinum work, Emma has completed qualifications in botulinum toxin administration as well as dermal filler administration and holds the certificate in Advanced Aesthetics Practice.

Emma is a member of the Association of Scottish Aesthetics Practitioners and interacts at national and international aesthetic meetings.

Emma independently runs her aesthetic clinics within the ophthalmology department at Raigmore Hospital, Inverness which offers both a discrete and clinical/medical environment. A gold standard for aesthetic treatments.

Prices:

Please contact Emma J Lowe directly.

Norma Conroy & Gwen Inglis Aesthetic Practitioners – Edinburgh

Surface Beauty

About:

Surface Beauty is one of the leading Aesthetic Practices within Scotland, with extensive years’ experience in the field of aesthetics and a team of fully qualified practitioners, you can relax knowing our nurse practitioners are the best in the business and you are receiving one of the most competitive prices in the Aesthetic business. We only use 100% approved products prescribed by an on-site qualified practitioner in accordance with the NMC rules and regulations. As we have no large overheads, unlike our competitors, we pass all our savings to our clients.

Norma Conroy BN RGN NIP & Aesthetic Medical Practitioner

Having qualified from Napier University Edinburgh with distinction Norma has successfully completed the specialist certified courses in dermal fillers and all aspects of Anti-Wrinkle injections and has completed her degree in Nurse Independent Prescribing. Norma is one of the few practitioners in Edinburgh to be trained to an advanced level within the aesthetic practice and can perform specialist treatments on the lower face and neck area. She also specialises in tear trough rejuvenation, lip enhancement & cheek augmentation. Norma has been trained at Harley Street as a Lipoglaze Technician.

Gwen Inglis BN RGN & Aesthetic Medical Practitioner

Gwen successfully obtained her nursing degree at Napier University and has had an extensive nursing career within Vascular and General Surgery and the Scottish Transplant Unit. She has successfully completed the specialist certified course in Dermal Fillers, all aspects of anti-wrinkle injections to an advanced level and has also been trained in Harley Street as a Lipoglaze Technician. Gwen also specialises in lip enhancement and has a huge following in Edinburgh for lip augmentation with both the younger and older generation, giving beautiful natural results.

“Our ultimate goal is to provide comprehensive aesthetic treatments to help maintain a healthy and vibrant appearance whilst maintaining health and well-being of each client and to enhance natural beauty in a safe environment.”

We are fully insured by Hamilton Fraser www.hamiltonfraser.co.uk

Pricing:

For full pricing please refer to the ‘Fee’ section of their website.

Botox 3 areas; prices start at £250

Dermal Fillers; £210 per syringe aka 1ml of Juvederm

Emily Draper

The Skin Clinic – Preston, England

About:

Emily Draper specialises in anti-wrinkle injections and Dermal fillers who is a registered Nurse with many years of experience in Aesthetics. She is particularly superb at lip enhancements from my experience. You can see the many 5 star reviews in the link above.

Pricing:

For 3 areas of Botox i.e Crows Feet, Frown Lines, and Forehead Lines prices start at £250.

For Dermal Fillers, prices start at £150.

Italy

MedLight

Dott. Michele Bianchini

About:

Born in Siena in 1977, Michele Bianchini has devoted his studies at the Aesthetic Medicine also gaining considerable experience in the use of laser technology. He graduated in Medicine with a specialization in Hygiene and Preventive Medicine with diploma in Aesthetic Medicine (Quadrennial School of Aesthetic Medicine, Fondazione Fatebenefratelli, Rome), Master’s Degree in Aesthetic Dermatology (University of Florence), Master’s Degree in Aesthetic Surgery (at Humanitas, directed by Prof. M. Klinger, Milan).

Institute of Health responsible MEDLIGHT, Bianchini shuns any stereotypical model of beauty, convinced that the original physical features should never be overwhelmed but if anything changed in the sense of greater harmony.

An active member of the Italian Society of Aesthetic Medicine (SIME), a member of the Italian Federation of Aesthetic Medicine (FIME) and the Italian Society of Dermatology Aesthetic and Corrective (SIDEC).

Pricing:

Botox is around €300 Euros for 3 areas; Crows Feet, Forehead Lines, and Frown Lines.

Dermal Fillers are €300 i.e lip enhancement.

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I hope you found this blog useful, I have tried to include as much information as possible but if for whatever reason you need to contact me regarding my experiences then feel free to on the following links!

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Yours Truly,

The Blonde Citizen

Botox & Dermal Fillers: Tips | Everything You Need To Know | Removal | Pricing | Where To Italy | UK | Other Product/Gadget Recommendations #lipenhancement #cosmeticsurgery #dermalfillers #lipfiller #kyliejenner #kardashians #cosmetic #surgeons #aestheticnurse #ashleightoddaesthetics #ashleightodd #emmajlowe #emmajloweaesthetics #surfacebeauty #recommended #lifestyleblog #lifestyleblogger #expat #expatlife #expatblog #style #beauty #beautyblog #beautyproducts #productreview #juvederm #juvedermultra #juvedermvoluma #dottmichelebianchini #aesthetics #botox #botoxreview #lipfillereview #recovery #tips #travel #traveltips #theskinclinic #goodgenes #sundayriley #candylipz #candylipzreview #Hyaluronidase #nonsurgicaltreatments #nonsurgical #italy #firenze #florence #injectables #nonsurgicalfacelift #cheekfiller #cheekenhancement #eyebrowlift #surgicaljourney #crowsfeet #theblondecitizenblog I was very against getting botox and fillers up until the age of 25 but that all changed when I became friends with two girls in London who had been getting aesthetic procedures done for years and looked incredible!

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