When to See a Specialist: Three Health-Specific Appointments You Should Make

For those of us who are getting older, we’re no stranger to making various health appointments for those little aches and pains and weird, quirky health things that crop up from time to time. For many of us, it’s just a matter of course. For another subset of folks, you may find yourself ignoring those little aches and pains and choosing instead to focus on other responsibilities and hobbies, rather than wasting time to go to the doctor.

Photo Credit: EVG photos

The truth is, though, that old adage “you’re only as healthy as you feel”, is only partially true. If you’re ignoring health concerns, no matter how minor, you may be creating bigger problems for yourself down the line. And it isn’t always as simple as going for routine checkups, either. There are times when you may need to see a specialist - a doctor who has a certain area of expertise - to pinpoint those bigger health problems and provide you with the care you need. 

Below are just three areas of specialized medicine and why it’s a good idea to book that appointment: 

Surgical Oncologists

A surgical oncologist is a surgeon who typically perform minimally invasive procedures and minor surgeries on patients to alleviate symptoms, and remove both malignant and benign growths, tumors and cancerous cells. Surgical oncology can assist patients with breast cancer, those with tumors (in various areas including the lungs, neck, and breast), those with bladder, colorectal, gynecological cancers, and many more. If you have a tumor or a growth that concerns you, or if you’re worried that a lump or mole might be malignant or cancerous, a surgical oncologist is who you should see. Most procedures are non-invasive and in some cases, outpatient. 

Orthopedics

A huge portion of the population find themselves, at one point or another, in need of an orthopedic physician or orthopedic surgeon. Whether you’ve got foot issues just from aging or a demanding job, or if you have an injury that will require physical therapy and treatment to recover from, an orthopedic doctor, west seattle foot and ankle should be on your call-list. Orthopedics is an ever-growing practice that sees millions of patients a year. Sometimes those issues shouldn’t be ignored, and calling an orthopedics practice to make an appointment is a great idea. There’s no reason you should be in pain! 

Gynecology/OBGYN

All those with female anatomy should have a gynecologist or OBGYN on their speed dial. For routine visits such as pap smears, cancer checks and testing, as well as more specific care for those who are pregnant, seeking procedures, or need treatment for disease or illness. As you age, pap smears become more infrequent, but you still should have a dependable gynecologist on hand for any emergencies or necessary routine visits. Often these are accessible even to low-income individuals through sliding scale clinics, health departments and hospitals.

These are just three areas of specialized medicine where you should make an appointment. Taking your healthcare nto your own hands is a good idea no matter what your age, socioeconomic group or health history. 

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Making Money From Your Camper Van

Do you own a camper van? If so, you could be missing out on a massive opportunity by overlooking the prospect of hiring the van out. Camper van hire is becoming exceptionally popular at present. There are tons of people looking to hire a vehicle just like yours. Thus, there is certainly a lot of money to be made, whether you simply want to cover the running costs or you are looking to make some extra cash.  On average, a camper van will sit on an owners’ driveway for 80 percent of the year. After all, unless you live in your motorhome, it’s highly unlikely you are going to be using it for the majority of the year. Therefore if you really want to increase the van’s value to you, why not consider hiring it out instead? 

Most people will agree that the van is better in someone else’s care whilst extra money is in your bank, as opposed to sitting on your drive and dwindling down your bank balance in terms of maintenance and running expenses. 

One of the reasons why you may not have considered the option of cheap motorhome hire is because it may seem like a huge inconvenience. This can be the case if you are left to sort everything out yourself, which admittedly some people do prefer. However, you don’t need to worry about any hassle, as one of our options is to hire the services of a company, which gives you the possibility of simply kicking back and letting us take care of everything for you. This means that they will sort out everything from arranging insurance cover, to the admin side of things, to marketing and finding hirers. However, you may want to read reviews on different camping products to include with your camper van to sweeten the deal and tempt people to hire yours. 

Thus, if cheap motorhome hire appeals to you but the thought of it seemed like too much hassle, you will be pleased to know that there is an option whereby your only responsibility will be to keep your van roadworthy and fit for hire. You will need to ensure that it is taxed as well. These are likely to all be responsibilities you already carry out. The only extra thing you will be responsible for is conducting a handover and showing the hirer how your van works. It really is as simple as that. So, contrary to popular belief, you can make an extra bit of cash without all of the hassle. Hiring out your camper van is also a great way of getting to know other people that enjoy going on similar types of holidays. You could pick up some great tips about different places to visit.

Another great thing about this option is that it is entirely flexible. You only hire out your camper van when you want to hire it out. Thus, if you only want to hire it during the winter when you know you won’t be using it, then that’s fine. Or, if you are going through a tough patch and could do with a few extra pennies, this could be a short-term option. You are not committed to anything. It is your vehicle and thus you can do what you like with it. Of course, there are a lot of companies that will try and make you register your camper van exclusively with them, so do be mindful of this.

Top Tips For Moving Abroad

Are you thinking about moving overseas? Perhaps you need to relocate for work reasons, retirement, family commitment, or quite simply want a whole new way of life.

Whatever the reason for wanting or needing to move, adapting to life in a new country is one of the most exciting - and quite often terrifying challenges that anyone can face in life. As well as all of the life lessons and positives that come from uprooting and becoming an ex-pat, there are lots of obstacles to overcome. This may be getting used to a whole new pace of life, a new education or healthcare infrastructure to try to get your head around or the language barrier.

These hurdles all have something in common: a little bit of preparation and forward planning can make them a whole lot easier to deal with. Here, we look at some of the issues that you may face and the things you can do to make the process a lot smoother for all involved.

Have a financial safety net in place

It is imperative that before you move, you have a financial safety net to fall back on should anything go wrong. It is a good idea to have a minimum of two months - longer, if possible, living expenses in your bank as a buffer should things not go to plan, or if any unexpected expenses crop up.

Maintain flexibility

While delays to the moving process can be extremely frustrating, it is important to remember that often, they are out of your control, and the best way to deal with them is to accept them and be as flexible as possible. For example, until you have your visa sorted, don’t give up your job, just in case it falls through, or it is delayed for any reason.

Consider renting before buying

It can be tempting to want to jump straight onto the property ladder in your new country, but exercise caution, and do not rule out the benefits of renting over buying a property, to begin with. Spending a few months in an area without long term commitment is a great way to assess if it is the place for you. It might look perfect on paper, but only by living there will you know if your face fits and it is somewhere you can see yourself living long term. Once you know exactly where you want to live, you can buy a property, such as a Second hand-house in Thailand.

Check out the healthcare infrastructure

Your new country may differ significantly from what you would be used to in terms of the healthcare standards, costs, and systems. If your employer is sponsoring your relocation, they should be able to give you information and resources to advise you of your rights and anything you need to do. However, it is ultimately up to you to find out more about the infrastructure and whether you need specific ex-pat insurance, where your nearest hospital is, and how you go about obtaining prescriptions.

Start learning the language

A basic knowledge of a few key phrases could be hugely advantageous in the moving process. Not speaking the language at all can leave you vulnerable to fraud or not getting the best out of your move. It also puts you on a backfoot for looking for work. If you don’t have a job, make new connections and friendships and education. Enroll in evening classes, online groups, or even download an app such as Duolingo to give yourself a heads start on learning the language. Once you are over there and fully immersed in the culture, you will find yourself picking it up very quickly.

Find a community

In most countries, you will be able to find a community of ex-pats. It is just a case of seeking them out. Be proactive in finding them and building up new relationships. It will be lonely at first, leaving behind your family and friends, so meeting people is important. Look online for any local ex-pat groups, join book groups or sports clubs, and involve yourself in local neighborhood activities as much as possible.

Don’t underestimate the paperwork involved\

Opening a bank account and setting up services can involve pre-booking appointments, providing different paperwork, completing multiple forms, and jumping through hoops in general. Make sure you have all of the documents that you may need to hand.

By putting these tips into practice, moving abroad can be an exciting time for you and your family.

Sell Your Home Faster And Live The Life You Dreamed Of

If you have put your house up on the market for sale and you’re not able to shift it and sell it quickly, then you may feel that your home isn’t right for any buyer and perhaps start questioning its look and feel. There are many different reasons as to why your home is not selling and these elements can be changed and improved on. When people walk into a house, they want to see something that they feel they could live in, homely, clean, and above all, have a sense of homeliness and cosiness. You are going to want to make someone feel as if it is the perfect house for them, but here are some ways to change up your house to make it feel a little more inviting for a sale. If you are looking for your own home, you may have seen a property you like, maybe you’ve had a look on Camijoneshomes.com and you are wanting to move, you need to first sell your own home, so let’s see how you can achieve this. Let's look at the tips below to see how you can start to shift your home and get into a new chapter:

1. Look at your flooring! A carpet or flooring of any description can create a vibe in a house. Carpets often make your home feel warm and cosy, but they do take a lot of upkeep and can be difficult to look after, if you drop something on the floor on carpet, then you will find it may be difficult to get the stains out and you don’t want to show that to any buyers. Yes of course you can hide it with rugs but you could also look at some new flooring such as wooden floors or lino. There are many options to make the home still feel loved and lived in, and rugs do help. You can clean rugs easier and they break up the wooden floor space and can be full of so many different designs. 

2. Keep the place homely and light - don’t avoid showing how cosy your house vibes are and although you will want to be placing photos of yourself away, you will also want to make it look loved and lived in. Magazines on the table, cushions, cosy throws and maybe a tea cup set out just to show that it is homely and ready to live in right away, even without your furniture. 

3. Use your garden well - if you’re lucky enough to have an outdoor space then turn it into an indoor feeling garden, and use nice furniture to look chic and elegant, add fairy lights and flowers and anything that will help bring the indoors outdoors, so it feels like it is part of the house, because people do love to congregate in the gardens in summer.

4. Aromas! We can be easily seduced by a beautiful scent and so keeping your home smelling amazing in every room will attract a buyer. A nice scent for a candle or oil burner will make your home feel very clean and fresh as well as getting rid of any animal scents or anything else that may be clogging up the air. 

Making your home feel virtual and inviting is going to help sell your home faster. You can also look at some smaller additions to your home such as:

1. Create a focal point such as a piece of furniture, or curtains or something that will feel as if it is a main focus.

2. Depersonalize and get rid of any family photos or dog collars, anything that shows it is your home as it will not feel appealing to your buyers at all. 

3. Stay neutral with colours - allow your buyers to see a blank canvas so they can look at specific ideas for their home including paints and wallpapers, only give them a taste.

4. De-clutter your home, keep things neat, tidy, buy simple storage solutions and don’t make anything look overcrowded.  

5. Add home touches such as scented candles, fresh flowers, as well as art work, cushions and lamps. 

So if it’s time for you to say goodbye to your house, make sure you follow some simple steps and find your home the new owners it deserves. Selling your home can seem overwhelming and tiresome but with the right resources, you can make your home very appealing. You can look at tricks and tips and get your home looking spic and span ready for that sale!

Dealing With Upper And Middle Back Pain

Back pain is something that a lot of people experience today. If you have been suffering from back pain, you may be wondering what sort of help is available. Online, you will often see that most pain is referred to as lower back pain, and so getting help regarding upper back pain can be difficult. With that being said, read on to discover more.

One of the most common types of upper and middle back pain

Thoracic pain is experienced in the upper and middle back, as this is where the thoracic spine is located. If you suffer from thoracic pain it can be extremely frustrating and painful, as this is the part of the spine that is built for stability, and so it plays a massive role when it comes to protecting the vital organs in the chest and holding the body upright. If you begin to experience pain in this area of your back, you should book a physiotherapy session as soon as possible, as you certainly don’t want to run the risk of the problem getting worse, causing further pain and limiting your normal functionality. Some people today take CBD, such as PearlCBD, to help them cope with the pain until they are finished getting the treatment they require to get to the bottom of the problem. 

What happens when you book an appointment with a physiotherapist for this type of back pain

When you book an appointment with one of the experienced therapists in your area, they will carry out a thorough assessment to come to an accurate diagnosis. This is exceptionally important because there are a number of causes of thoracic pain and there are a number of areas that can be affected, including the joints, spinal segments, muscles, nerves, connective tissues, and bone. More often than not people experience thoracic pain because of muscle tension or irritation, yet there are many other cases, such as vertebral fractures, arthritis, and joint dysfunction. This is why the diagnosis stage is so important so that the specialist can get to the root of the problem and put together the most effective treatment plan. 

You are also going to need to manage the condition effectively at home

The course of treatment they put together will be a mixture of exercises, hand manipulation techniques and other drug-free approaches that will help you get back to normal functionality and ensure the pain is reduced. This is the best solution to go for if you suffer from thoracic pain because it deals with the issue whereas a lot of other options, such as pain medication, only provide temporary relief. They don’t simply provide you with treatment at our practice and then leave you to it; they will give you all of the advice and education you need to manage your condition effectively, so you don’t experience the pain again.

The Price of the Pandemic: Ways You Can Improve Your Financial Situation Right Now

The coronavirus pandemic is hitting us all hard. Even those who are lucky enough to have avoided infection thus far. The death toll in New York alone has surpassed 1,000 while the state has around 45% of the nation’s 125,000+ cases. Many New Yorkers are without work, while even the lucky ones will face a reduction in income as they either work from home or are placed on furlough. With no clear end in sight, many are wondering how they will be able to afford to keep the roof over their head. These are stressful and uncertain times, to be sure. But it’s critical not to panic. Take a deep breath. Meditate. Think about some practical solutions to your problems.

If you’re worried about money, here are some things you can do to improve your financial situation right now.

Ask for a mortgage payment holiday

Whatever you do, you should take care to keep hold of your property! Panic selling would be a huge mistake. This doesn’t just go for your property but for your stocks and other investments. Panic selling in this volatile market will leave you with a meagre return which you’ll regret when the fog has lifted. Instead, ask your bank for a mortgage payment holiday. If you need it, you may be able to apply for a payment holiday on any other debts such as personal loans. However, think twice before doing this. A payment break will inevitably see you spend more in interest and prolong the debt. 

Take advantage of low interest rates by refinancing

Speaking of debts, savvy readers will have learned that interest rates have, after a tumultuous few weeks, plummeted and stayed down. 30 year mortgages are in the low 3s while 15 year mortgages are in the high 2s. If you can spare a little extra in monthly repayments, refinancing now may see you pay a whole lot less in interest and pay off your home loan faster. 

Take stock of your other assets

If you need fast access to cash now, it might be worth taking a look at other assets around the home that you can live without. That first pressing vinyl you bought in 1983. Those Star Wars figures you rescued from your Mom’s attic. Heck, take a look at your cellar. Have you ever wondered just how much is your wine worth? You may be surprised to know, especially when it comes to those prestige bottles you’ve been keeping in reserve. Selling off some non-essentials around the home can give you a little liquidity when you need it.

Resist the urge to panic buy

As important as it is not to panic sell, it’s also essential not to panic buy. The last thing you want is to plough liquid assets into more pasta than you’ll ever be able to eat and more toilet roll than you’ll ever be able to use. Stores will stay open. There’s no need to stockpile like there’s an impending nuclear winter.

Keep a cool head, take the time to learn the reality on the ground and keep a proactive approach and you’ll find that it’s possible to improve your financial situation and mitigate the price of the pandemic.