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Types of lights to enhance the existing home décor

Types of lights to enhance the existing home décor
Lighting helps set the mood of a room. When done correctly, the results are simply jaw-dropping! You can play around with different types of lights in different areas of the house to see what works. While at it, you can even experiment with smart fixtures that integrate with the internet for remote control. If you can’t think of anything, look at these simple types of lights for home décor and find inspiration! Ambient lighting This is the most basic type of lighting that illuminates a room or a particular area, such as the dining space. The light could reflect off walls for uniform brightness throughout. The primary ambient light source could be anything, like a chandelier, pendant lights, or LEDs. Many homeowners prefer chandeliers hung from the ceiling as they both enhance the look and feel of the room while illuminating the entire space. Don’t limit your creativity when installing chandeliers. You can add a single unit in the middle of the room or multiple at fixed intervals. If you decide to buy pendant lights for ambient lighting, you will find many modern options with LEDs. LED lights provide a cooler shade that doesn’t strain the eyes when switched on for extended periods.

8 ways to find water leaks at home

8 ways to find water leaks at home
Households rely on running water to carry out all kinds of tasks, from drinking and bathing to watering plants. This supply can stay uninterrupted as long as the water is safely contained in pipes. The problem arises when water finds gaps and leaks, potentially damaging the home’s structure. One way to prevent such damage is to check for leaks around the home. So, here are a few ways to find hidden water leaks: 1. Monitoring the water bill Over time, one tends to have a clear idea about the average water bill they can expect each month. Sometimes, one may use excess water, which could drive up water usage. However, sometimes, one can get a high water bill even without excessive usage. Such unexpected charges should be monitored as they could be signs of leakage in the house. Even tiny leaks, such as a faucet with a steady drip, may waste as much as 10,000 gallons of water per year. So, tracking the bill each month is the best way to identify and fix a water leakage at the earliest to prevent spikes in bills. 2. Checking meter readings Monitoring the water meter is another method of tracking a leak before it worsens.

8 mistakes to avoid while waxing at home

8 mistakes to avoid while waxing at home
Removing hair or waxing at home can be quite frustrating. This is because it causes several problems, such as missing a patch of hair, skin breakage, unnecessary pain, ingrown hair, and redness. All of this can result in a bad waxing experience. Besides, there is a waste of time and money. Also, people tend to make some common mistakes that can further worsen the hair removal or waxing experience at home. 1. Waxing at the wrong time One of the most important but often overlooked things about waxing is when to do it. The timing should not be too soon or too late. This means one needs to wait for the hair length to grow to at least about 1/4 inch long before deciding to undergo hair removal or waxing at home. If the length is too short, the experience will be too painful. On the other hand, longer hair means more breakage during the waxing process. This will not give a smooth finish like waxing is supposed to do. 2. Ignoring the wax temperature and consistency Waxing may seem like a simple thing to do: just heat up the wax and apply it. But this is not how it works.

7 mistakes to avoid when selling a home

7 mistakes to avoid when selling a home
Even more challenging than buying a home is selling one. From the long list of tasks that need to be completed to the emotional attachments that one needs to let go of, there are many things one needs to consider when selling one’s home. Given the complexity of this transaction, it is common for people to make big mistakes when trying to sell their home, which could cost them a lot of money. 1. Trying to DIY the sale Real estate agents indeed ask for a hefty commission, anywhere between 5%-6% of the total price of the sale. While this can feel steep, these agents also bring in a lot of expertise that could ease the selling process, especially for first-time sellers. On the other hand, trying to go down the For-Sale-By-Owner (FSBO) route could result in complicated paperwork and botched-up negotiations. This is why one must look for a good real estate agent who has the seller’s best interests at heart. They will help one set a competitive price for the home, manage the emotional aspect of meeting prospective buyers, and negotiate a better price. They are also well-versed in the paperwork involved in completing the sale, which can be crucial in preventing any delays or legal issues.

9 things a home warranty does not cover

9 things a home warranty does not cover
A home warranty is a service contract that offers financial cover for the wear and tear of a home’s appliances and systems. So, if something breaks down, the homeowner does not have to bear the cost of repairs. Rather, the warranty company will cover the expenses. But it is important to note that a home warranty does not cover all repairs. When signing the contract, one must take note of the exclusions. Cosmetic repairs Cosmetic repairs are made solely for aesthetics or to improve the home’s appearance. A home warranty does not cover such repairs. It only covers the cost of damages caused by normal wear and tear. For instance, if an oven breaks down or stops working during regular use, homeowners can expect the home warranty to cover the expenses. The contract will not cover the price of fixing scratches or dents on the oven because it counts as cosmetic repairs. Outdoor elements Another big thing a home warranty excludes is the cost of repairing fixtures outside the house. Examples are pools, spas, and septic systems. The contract may also leave out outdoor plumbing systems and their parts, like sprinklers, faucets, and valves. While most home warranty companies do not cover these things in their standard package, some offer add-ons that include outdoor elements.

Things That Make Home Look Messy and Hacks to Deal With It

Things That Make Home Look Messy and Hacks to Deal With It
Home renovation does not necessarily mean hiring contractors and spending a lot of money. However, it need not be as easy as hanging framed pictures and relying solely on seasonal decorations. Instead, the focus should be on identifying the best hacks that have a significant impact and upgrade the appearance of your home’s walls and furniture. This article discusses simple hacks for home upgradation. Read on to learn more about home upgradation. What makes your home look untidy? Before discussing some of the best home improvement hacks, let’s take a quick look at some things that may make your home look cluttered. Too many accessories When you have a few pieces tastefully displayed, it makes the place looks classy. However, when there are too many décor pieces stacked along each other, they make your home look overwhelming. Items not in their place Often there are small things that keep floating about the house. Though small, things like keys, purses, and shoes make homes look messier. This also includes laundry piled up in different rooms. Cables and cords An increasing number of appliances being used at home, like smartphones, tablets, and other electronic gadgets, also bring with them various cords. All these cables tangled together and lying in heaps make your home look messier.

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3 ways to deal with an overactive bladder

People with an overactive bladder (or OAB) experience a sudden and frequent urge to urinate. About 40% of women and 30% of men in the country deal with this condition, which can be caused by weak pelvic muscles, nerve damage, and excessive caffeine consumption. Those affected may have to urinate more often than usual and can even experience leakage. Here are a few treatment options, foods to eat and avoid, and ways to manage OAB: Treatment options Persistent symptoms should be discussed with a doctor so that they can determine the right course of treatment for OAB. Here are popular options that can be considered based on the doctor’s recommendation: Gemtesa: It is an FDA-approved prescription treatment for adults affected by OAB. It helps relieve urinary symptoms like urgency, frequency, and even incontinence. Gemtesa is an oral treatment, usually taken with water. Common side effects include diarrhea, headache, or nausea. Myrbetriq: It can help treat bladder issues like neurogenic detrusor overactivity and overactive bladder. This treatment option relaxes the detrusor, a bladder muscle, making it easier for the bladder to accommodate more urine and reduce OAB symptoms. Doctors recommend oral consumption of Myrbetriq once a day. Adults can have it with or without food, while children must take it with food. Toviaz: It prevents frequent bladder contractions and calms the bladder muscles. Additionally, Toviaz reduces symptoms like frequent urination, persistent urge to pee, and incontinence. Doctors may not recommend this option for those who suffer from stomach-related issues and cannot empty the bladder. Allergic reactions are common side effects of this treatment option. Enablex: It helps treat OAB by relaxing the bladder muscles, improving the ability to control urination, and reducing the likelihood of leakage, frequent bathroom trips, and sudden urge to urinate. Enablex can be taken with or without food once a day.

Top tips for managing rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic condition that affects one’s joints. In some cases, it can also damage several other body systems like blood vessels, the heart, lungs, eyes, and skin. It is an autoimmune disorder that occurs when your immune system starts mistakenly attacking your body’s tissues. The condition affects the joint’s lining, resulting in painful swelling, which can later cause joint deformity and bone erosion. Here are some treatment measures for rheumatoid arthritis: Treatment options for rheumatoid arthritis Actemra® It is a prescription, FDA-approved biological therapy for relief from rheumatoid arthritis. Actemra ® helps lower the inflammation in the body by directly blocking the action of a protein in your body called interleukin-6 (IL-6). Your doctor may administer it as a subcutaneous or intravenous injection. The former is administered at home or at a medical facility, but the latter is given solely at a medical facility. Plaquenil It is an FDA-approved prescription treatment that helps treat acute and chronic rheumatoid arthritis. It helps manage symptoms such as stiffness, inflammation, joint pain, and swelling. It is to be taken exactly as per the recommendation of one’s primary healthcare professional. Rinvoq® Rinvoq ® helps treat moderate to severe cases of rheumatoid arthritis in adults when tumor necrosis factor blockers were used but could not be tolerated or did not work well. This treatment option can affect your immune system adversely, making you susceptible to fatal or severe infections. So, get in touch with your doctor if you experience weight loss, diarrhea, skin sores, cough, tiredness, fever, aches, chills, or a burning sensation while urinating. Trexall It is a treatment measure for severe rheumatoid arthritis and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. It is an antimetabolite treatment. Trexall not only helps manage swelling in the joints, but it can also help decrease damage to them and any long-term disability due to the condition.

4 practical ways to deal with psoriatic arthritis

Arthritis commonly affects people with psoriasis, a disease that results in red patches on the skin with silvery scales. Typically, people experience psoriasis years before they get diagnosed with this arthritis. It affects thirty percent of people with psoriasis. However, in some people, joint problems start before psoriasis or during the same time. Swelling, stiffness, and joint pain are the key signs of psoriatic arthritis. Here are the prevalent treatment options for psoriatic arthritis: Treatment options These prescriptions are known to work well against the symptoms of psoriatic arthritis: Otezla Otezla is an oral treatment plan that can be taken with or without food, or as the healthcare professional recommends. You should not chew, split, or crush the tablet before consumption. The recommended dosage depends on your response to treatment and condition. To keep side effects at bay, the doctor may start with a low Otezla dosage and gradually increase it. Rinvoq Rinvoq should be consumed by mouth with or without food, typically once daily or as the doctor recommends. Do not split, chew, or crush the tablet. It can release the entire dosage in one go and heighten the susceptibility to side effects. To get maximum benefit, you must use Rinvoq regularly. The dosage depends on age and response to the treatment. Adalimumab A biological therapy, Adalimumab helps treat psoriatic and rheumatoid arthritis, wherein the body produces excessive TNF. Adalimumab blocks TNF, and lowers inflammation. It is not a painkiller but helps with the condition and starts showing results in two to twelve weeks. Doctors do not prescribe it if you have an infection, your arthritis is not active, or you have not tried other treatment options first. Leflunomide Leflunomide helps treat psoriatic and rheumatoid arthritis. It takes about four to six weeks for leflunomide to ease the symptoms.

How to manage osteoporosis and improve bone health

Osteoporosis is a condition that makes the bone brittle and weak. When severe, even slight pressure caused by coughing, bending over, or falling can cause a fracture. Such fractures are predominant in the spine, wrist, or hip. Osteoporosis occurs if the new bone fails to keep up with the loss of the old bone. It affects men and women, but post-menopausal women are more susceptible. Let’s discuss the correct osteoporosis treatment and management plan: Treatment plan Prolia It is a prescription treatment plan for relieving osteoporosis in women post-menopause who cannot use other options or have not responded well to prior treatment and are susceptible to fractures. Doctors will prescribe it for at least six months. Prolia helps treat both men and women. However, professionals do not recommend it for pregnant women, women trying to get pregnant anytime soon, or people with low blood calcium. Further, those allergic to denosumab or any other Prolia ingredient must avoid it. Evenity Evenity helps with osteoporosis in two ways: it slows down bone loss and helps build new bone simultaneously. It is an FDA-approved treatment for osteoporosis that comes as a prefilled, single-use syringe with solution. But Evenity may have severe side effects. It aggravates the risk of developing a stroke, heart attack, and other cardiovascular problems. So, before receiving Evenity, discuss your history, like a stroke or heart attack, especially if it occurred in the last year. Boniva It helps treat and prevent bone loss and maintain stronger bones. Boniva also lowers the risk of fractures or broken bones. Use this treatment option as directed by the doctor. Usually, orthopedics recommend using it once orally on the same day of every month. Ingest it at least an hour before your first meal of the day. Avoid taking it while you are still in bed or at bedtime.

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3 tips for diabetes management

3 tips for diabetes management

High blood sugar or hyperglycemia is associated with prediabetes and diabetes. The body generates insulin to manage blood sugar levels. But when the liver produces excessive glucose, and the body makes little insulin or fails to use insulin, it leads to high blood sugar levels. The condition can leave one tired and thirsty, cause blurry vision, and result in the frequent urge to pee. Read on to know some treatment plans for diabetes management: Treatment options for diabetes management Invokana® It is an excellent treatment plan that works in tandem with the proper meal plans and exercise to lower high blood sugar levels in those with type 2 diabetes. Invokana ® also reduces the risk of death from stroke or heart attack. Plus, it helps decrease the risk of end-stage kidney disease and worsening of kidney function. GlucoTrust GlucoTrust promises to help maintain healthy blood sugar levels, reduce one’s craving for sugar and unhealthy foods, and support deep sleep. It also claims to have a formula of all-natural ingredients. However, it is strongly advisable to consult your doctor before opting for supplements like GlucoTrust since it may not bring the desired results in all cases. Kerendia® It is an FDA-approved prescription treatment that aids in lowering the risk of complications in people with Type 2 diabetes.
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4 tips for dealing with asthma

4 tips for dealing with asthma

Asthma is a respiratory condition wherein the airways in the lungs swell up, become narrow, and produce extra mucus, making it difficult to breathe. People affected can experience breathlessness, coughing, and wheezing. The disease could be a minor issue for some, while others may have to deal with serious long-term symptoms. Although there is no permanent cure for asthma, here are treatment options, foods to have and avoid, and alternative therapies to manage the symptoms: Treatment options Doctors can recommend the right course of treatment based on the severity of asthma symptoms. Here are a few popular options: Tezepelumab: It is a popular treatment option, approved by the FDA as a supplementary maintenance remedy for pediatric patients over 12 and adults with asthma. Tezepelumab is an injectable option and the first and only biologic to significantly and consistently reduce severe asthma symptoms in clinical trials. Fasenra: This is a monoclonal antibody that works on the immune system activity in the body. Fasenra helps control the elevated eosinophil count responsible for severe asthma symptoms. This injection is suitable for children over 12 and adults and can be used with other treatment plans to keep flare-ups in check. Nucala: This is a monoclonal antibody that also reduces the eosinophils in the body.
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