What makes the 2019 Novel Coronavirus so deadly?

coronavirus diseases

What makes the 2019 Novel Coronavirus so deadly?

February 04, 2020

What makes the 2019 Novel Coronavirus so deadly? | Healthbiztips

Why the 2019 Novel Coronavirus is deadly? | Healthbiztips

@healthbiztips by Arlene Gentallan

First emerged in the city of Wuhan in China, this new strain of coronavirus, called the 2019 novel coronavirus, has been declared by the World Health Organization as a global health emergency. Infecting thousands and claiming hundreds in it's wake, this ailment significantly heightened the public's fear, but what makes it so notorious and lethal?

Although signs and symptoms of the 2019 novel coronavirus may appear atypical with manifestations of fever, cough, and breathing difficulty, reported deaths are primarily brought by the development of pneumonia and respiratory distress.

One source of concern among healthy individuals that are afflicted with this illness is the developement of cytokine storm in which the body's immune's system goes out of control resulting to damage in vital organs such as in the lungs and kidneys which can ultimately lead to the demise of the infected person. The problem with cytokine storm is that the more robust the immune system of the individual, the more damage it does to the body as it goes haywire causing fluid build-up and unnecessary inflammation. Note however, that cytokine storm is not the hallmark of the 2019 novel coronavirus as it can also occur as a result of some other forms of infectious diseases.

What is more, this disease is especially fatal to the vulnerable part of the population such as those afflicted with cancer, are immunocompromised, at the extremes of age (young and old) since their weak immune system is unable to fight off an infection.

Although much is said about the potential danger of the 2019 novel corona virus, it is worth mentioning that the death rate of 2019-nCoV (2019 novel corona virus) is very low at just 2% which means that only 2 people out of 100 infected died. In comparison to ebola with a mortality rate of more than 50%, 2019 nCoV isn't as deadly.

Considering that this is a newly discovered disease, there is no vaccine nor medicine that has yet been made to treat it. Treatment is primarily supportive which includes hydration and assisted ventilation.

Adding insult to the injury, the outbreak in Wuhan China shows the world that a citywide infestation is possible, yet most of the nations, especially the developing ones, may not have enough resources to isolate and manage it.

Another source of alarm is that those afflicted with this brand-new disease are believed to be able to transmit it even before they show visible symptoms. Incubation period of this disease can be as short as 2 days or as long as 14 days at which time a person may be unknowingly spreading the infection.

This novel virus is a part of a larger family of coronavirus whose various strains are  identified as the causative agent of common cold, SARS, and MERS.

Low dose Aspirin Stops Cancer

aspirin cancer

Low dose Aspirin Stops Cancer

January 14, 2020

Low dose Aspirin Stops Cancer

@healthbiztips by Arlene Gentallan | health blog

In search of revolutionary ways to fight off cancer, we stumble onto an affordable medicine, in the form of aspirin, that can ward off this dreaded disease.

Aspirin is a cheap medicine commonly use for headache, fever, as well as for the prevention of heart attack and stroke, that has been shown by studies to possess a remarkable ability to significantly reduce the development of colorectal cancer.

Study shows that long term use of baby aspirin for roughly 3-5 years can substantially lower a person's risk of colorectal cancer. Low dose aspirin or baby aspirin is 100mg or less.

Colorectal cancer is a malignant tumor of the large intestine and rectum that afflicts hundreds of thousands each year commonly seen among individuals ages 50 and above. This discovery is beneficial especially among high risk groups including people with family history of colon cancer, presence of colon polyps, inflammatory bowel disease, chrohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, physically inactivity, and cigarette smoking.

In addition, aspirin had a remarkable ability to reduce the  spread of cancer to other parts of the body (metastasis). This is beneficial among those already diagnosed with cancer as spread of tumor cells to various parts of the body is a hindrance to successful treatment.

Currently, colonoscopy is the primary screening test to detect and remove benign and precancerous colorectal polyps that can potentially become cancerous if otherwise left.

Although, it is worth noting that aspirin is not a drug that's suited for everyone. People with clotting problems, taking blood thinners, have gastrointestinal upset or have allergy to this drug may not be suitable candidate for aspirin therapy. It is imperative to consult with your health care provider before taking aspirin.

Aural+ Natural Hearing Recovery Review

product review

Aural+ Natural Hearing Recovery Review

December 28, 2019

Aural+ Review

Aural plus Review | Is it a scam?

 @healthbiztips by Arlene Gentallan | health blog

Aural + is a health product with a very strong claim to astonishingly cure deafness, but does this thing really works? Let's find out on this review.

First of all, before anyone gets tempted to purchase Aural+, wouldn't it be wise to first check out what's on this thing? Anyone who thinks that this natural hearing loss aid is made up of anything extraordinary will definitely get disappointed to find out that it's composed of mere maltodestrin (a sugar with high glycemic index), unspecified herbal extracts, B vitamins, and good ol' vitamin C.

Aural+ Review

The formulation of Aural+ resembles a typical food supplement, yet it claims that in just 19 to 21 days of use you will have "Complete recovery of 100% hearing. You abandon your hearing aid forever, and receive maximum quality of life."

While there are positive testimonies online hailing the effectiveness of this product, there are many who finds this supposedly hearing miracle as a scam. What can you expect from a combination of sugar, vitamins, and unstated herbs?

The fact that this product is marketed as having the ability to restore 100% hearing without the need of surgery is a big take away. It's very suspicious.

What's so special about this product such that it can cure hearing impairment? Any special ingredient? They don't mention any specifics about what makes it effective.

One of Aural plus' constituent, maltodestrin is portrayed in their website in a positive light yet is is a highly processed sugar additive that is more potent in shooting up blood sugar level than your typical table sugar.

Another distressing stuff about Aural+ is that you need to purchase not one, not two, but 3 boxes of it in order to complete using this Aural plus for 21 days.

Aural+ Review

There's even this countdown timer on their website that alerts customers to purchase the product right away within 10 minutes, otherwise their 50% sale will close. Here's a spoiler--it won't. Once the timer hits zero second, it will revert back to the 10 minute period. I have to say their marketing strategy awfully looks like that of OptiVisum.

Aural+ Review

Of course, everything in their website is meant to lure people into buying this product, with their overrated claims and promises. They even mentioned that you get a "100% MONEY BACK GUARANTEE If you’re not satisfied with the product, return it and we will give your money back – no questions asked." However, according to the reviews and feedback I've seen, they don't respond to messages nor issue a refund.

Aural+ even have a disclaimer that "This disclaimer states there is no guarantee of specific results and each person results may vary. The information contained in this website is not intended to be interpreted as a promise or guarantee." So, in the end, they are their own contradictory statement to their supposedly 100% claim.

You see, there's no such thing as 100%!

If you want to buy Aural plus out of sheer hope of finding a cure, then bewarned. That hope can cost you more. If you have a hearing problem, then why hesistate to spend the money instead to seek professional help from a doctor or a physician. Consulting with an otolaryngologists or an ENT doctor will cost you money but so is Aural plus. By the way, why don't you ask your own doctor about Aural+ and see if they actually recognize this thing.

Mobile Marketing Tips for Insurance Agents and Brokers to extend Leads

Insurance Tips

Mobile Marketing Tips for Insurance Agents and Brokers to extend Leads

December 18, 2019

Mobile marketing is increasingly getting used to launch new campaigns. With traditional marketing channels phasing out mobile marketing is that the effective use of mobile devices to advertise and launch promotions and campaigns, specifically via SMS (Short Message Service) text messaging to focus on audiences.

The world today has become so connected with increasing number of apps available to consumers who want business information delivered in few words and available for reading on the fly. because of the explosion of Internet-enabled mobile devices, you and your customers can now communicate on the go. Studies by the Pew Internet Project report confirmed that 84 percent of adults within the us own a mobile , and 43 percent of them own an iPhone, Blackberry, or an identical smartphone. Also 88 percent of smartphone users access the web or email on their device and two-thirds of users do so daily.

Increasingly, even as how the house broadband Internet connection remains always on, the mobile environment seems to be ever available.

For you to develop a sound mobile marketing project there are creative ways you'll deliver on mobile devices marketing that encourage customer interaction. You create a marketing strategy to require advantage of this unique marketing tool and consider the subsequent mobile marketing tips within the development of a strong mobile campaign:

• Offer incentives so as to receive reciprocally . Endeavor to supply incentives like expand your service with special promotions and send a mobile message or link to a coupon for the discount or special service you're offering. you'll also provide additional opportunities like access to relevant information (news alerts, local event information, weather alerts, etc.), or mobile content ("tip of the week" or trivia question messaging) to extend take rates and consumer participation.
   
• Use mobile marketing channels to verify and set appointments. you'll use mobile marketing to schedule appointments. Nothing is more immediate than doing it via text.
   
• Customize your mobile device with icon-based links to business apps and videos. Mobile phones became even more popular as personal devices wont to manage consumers' lives with scheduling, banking, GPS, and games management functionality. As such, you'll want to form your mobile strategy easy to access and more importantly, relevant and private .
   
• Consider the mobile as a productivity tool also as a source of entertainment. Design your mobile marketing offers with an inherent sense useful or urgency to drive a mobile response by providing consumers with either meaningful information or entertainment in bite-size chunks as consumers always look to mobile as a source of engagement and entertainment.
   
• Endeavor to be in compliance with the CAN-SPAM Act. Legally you would like to. Have a proper or informal opt-in process in situ and include how your clients can opt-out within the future.
• Give mobile customers what they have . the foremost sought-after information (a company's hours, locations, and directions) and popular features should be front and center where customers can easily find them.
• Encourage reviews on the run. Encourage customers to share their thoughts about your product or service. make certain you stay top of any customer reviews posted about your company.

With the market so connected and more mobile technologies arising , enabling businesses and customers to remain connected, no matter location, the growing popularity of gadgets and apps can support your marketing and allow you to package your business information to raised reach a wider audience. Mobile marketing thus creates some unique opportunities for savvy business professionals to plug products and services to a broader market.

Why do non-smokers have lung cancer?

@healthbiztips cancer health blog healthbiztips lung cancer

Why do non-smokers have lung cancer?

December 06, 2019

Why do non-smokers have lung cancer? Healthbiztips
photo credit: Franck V. @franckinjapan @unsplash

Why do non-smokers have lung cancer? Healthbiztips

@healthbiztips by Arlene Gentallan | health blog

Tobacco smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer so the emergence of this dreaded disease among non-smokers baffles and surprises many. Try turning the table around and ask why not all smokers develop lung cancer.

First and foremost, although smoking tobacco is the major risk factor for the development of lung cancer, it is not the sole culprit. Circumstances like gene mutation, exposure to second hand smoke, air pollution, radon gas, asbestos, and radiation can also be the reason for the development of lung cancer.

The presence of a family history of lung cancer puts a person at an increased risk of developing this disease. Likewise, environmental factors like inhalation of chemical irritants can have serious implications.

Another culprit shown by research that can greatly contribute to lung cancer formation is the presence of major stressful life events such as divorce. Moreover, particularly startling is the discovery that when these stressful events does show to significantly contribute to lung cancer, their effect manifest in just several months to a few years whilst those attributed to smoking takes decades to develop.

Particularly alarming about lung cancer is it isn't usually apparent during it's early stage as it doesn't manifest signs and symtoms. By the time that symptoms like persistenct cough, breathing difficulty and chest pain does manifest, lung cancer has already advanced to end stage Stage IV in which cancer cells have metastazised to nearby organs such as the liver and brain. Thus, the survival rate for this type of cancer is low.

The possibility that a non-smoker will be diagnosed with lung cancer is by no means a way to put smoking at a better light. Take note that about 80% of individuals who have lung cancer have a history of smoking tobacco.

Overall, the development of lung cancer can involve various factors, not just cigarette smoking.


Resouces:

Jafri, S. H., Ali, F., Mollaeian, A., Mojiz Hasan, S., Hussain, R., Akkanti, B., … El-Osta, H. (2019). Major Stressful Life Events and Risk of Developing Lung Cancer: A Case-Control Study. Clinical Medicine Insights. Oncology, 13, 1179554919835798. doi:10.1177/1179554919835798

Why Saffron is the Most Expensive Spice & What does it Taste?

@healthbiztips health health blog healthbiztips saffron spice

Why Saffron is the Most Expensive Spice & What does it Taste?

December 05, 2019

Crocus sativus flower from which Saffron is obtained

photo credit: Mahdi Dastmard @mahdigp @unsplash 

Why Saffron is the Most Expensive Spice & What does it Taste? - Healthbiztips

@healthbiztips by Arlene Gentallan - healthblog

A gram of saffron can cost roughly more than $6 but why is it so ridiculously high-priced? What many people don't know is the painstaking process involved in the making of this spice.

Saffron can only be harvested for one to three weeks each year since the violet flower Crocus sativus from which saffron is obtained blooms only during autumn. Not only that, the flowers have to be carefully handpicked and each of it's three stigma meticulous plucked and extracted by hand as well.

Each Crocus sativus flower contains only 3 redish stigma or stamen which are the saffron itself. Considering that each of these have to plucked out by hands, it is indeed a hard labor. A cultivator has to go through about 150 flowers to come by with a single gram of saffron. Meanwhile, an ounce of saffron will require roughly 75,000 flowers.

Did you know that this Crocus flower is sterile so they can not propagate by pollination and instead depends on human intervention to reproduce? So, it's bulb-like corms have to be unearthed manually, divided, and replanted in order to perpetuate their species.

Turning to it's taste. Powdered saffron looks quite like paprika but it definitely isn't on the spicy spectrum. In fact, this spice has a sweet hay-like and distinct taste with a signature fragrant aroma.

Although saffron has a unique taste, it's quite hard to define it in words. In addition, people have varying perception of it's taste. Despite this, it is undeniable that the infusion of this spice takes foods and drinks into a whole new level.

Many will argue that there is no replacement spice for the extraordinary taste of saffron. In fact, the absence of saffron can break the palatability of certain traditional dishes like Spanish paella.

The best quality saffrons are red in color, without a yellowish tint. Intact saffron stigma is preferred than powdered form as this ensure there is no filler like tumeric and paprika that have been added.

Saffron is widely used, especially in the Middle East Asia and India to color and season dishes, beverages, desserts, and is treasured for it's medicinal property.

Saffron is an irreplaceable spice with thousands of years of culinary traditions across the globe, but requires extensive labor to cultivate.

Fifteen Ways to save lots of On Your Home Insurance

Insurance Tips

Fifteen Ways to save lots of On Your Home Insurance

December 05, 2019

Here are 15 ways to slash the value of your home insurance. a good sort of discounts are available, starting from the sort of artifact wont to build your home to how close you reside to a fireplace station. These discounts will vary by state and insurance firm .

1. go searching

Check with several different home insurance companies to urge rate quotes (an independent insurance agent can provide rate quotes from a spread of companies). Do your friends or relations like their home insurance company?

2. Raise your deductible

The deductible is that the amount of cash you've got to pay toward a loss before your insurance kicks in. Typically, home insurance deductibles are $1,000.

Change your deductible to: $500 and ante up to 12 percent on your premiums. $1,000 - standard. $2,500 and save to 12 percent. $5,000 and save to 26 percent.

Make sure you'll afford to pay the upper deductible out of pocket if something should happen.

3. Buy your home from the a carrier that focuses on property insurance

Few companies actually concentrate on property insurance; they provide lower rates than companies who plan to sell you multiple policies supported offering discounts for extra lines of insurance (these carriers charge more for insurance supported surveys researched by the Dept. of Insurance in many States).

4. Consider insurance when buying a home

If you are looking at buying a home, believe the value of insuring the house . a more moderen home's electrical, heating, and plumbing systems and overall structure are likely to be in better condition than those of an older home. this will cause a reduction on your premiums.

You'll also want to think about the development of the house and where you reside . If you reside on the Atlantic Coast , you'll be wanting the house to be ready to get up to wind damage, while on the Pacific Coast , you would like to stay earthquakes in mind. In most States, Earthquake and Flood coverage isn't included on the homeowners policy .

5. Insure your home, not the land

While your home and its contents are in danger from fire, theft, windstorms, and other perils, the land your home sits on isn't . Don't include the worth of the land choose what proportion home insurance you would like to shop for . you would like to get coverage for the reconstruction of the dwelling and replacement of your personal contents. Your agent can assist you assess the coverage you would like .

6. Improve security and safety

Items like dead bolt locks, burglar alarms, and smoke detectors can usually bring discounts of 5 percent each, counting on the corporate . Your insurance firm can also offer a big discount of 15 or 20 percent if you put in a classy home-security system. If you're brooding about buying such a system, ask your insurer to ascertain which systems you will get a reduction for.

7. Stop smoking

Smoking accidents account for quite 23,000 residential fires per annum . Some insurers offer to scale back premiums if nobody within the home smokes.

8. search for senior discounts

Insurance companies have found that retired people occupy home more and spot fires before working people. Older people even have longer for maintaining their homes. If you're a minimum of 55 years old and retired, you would possibly qualify for the maximum amount as a ten percent discount.

9. search for group coverage

Large employers and alumni and business associations often compute insurance deals with an insurance firm , which incorporates a reduction for workers and members.

10. stick with an insurer

If you've kept your coverage with a corporation for several years, you'll receive special consideration. Several insurers will reduce their premiums by 5 percent after you stick with them for 3 to 5 years; and a few companies will discount you the maximum amount as 10 percent after six years.

11. Check your policy annually

You want your policy to reflect the worth of your home and belongings. If you review your policy per annum , you'll be ready to make the required adjustments. If, for instance , you only sold a valuable painting, you will not to wish an equivalent amount of private property coverage. But if you've added a garage, you will need to extend your dwelling coverage.

12. search for private insurance first

If you reside during a high-risk area — one that's especially susceptible to coastal storms, fires, or crime — and think you will be forced to shop for home coverage from your state's high-risk insurance pool, check first with an independent insurance agent . you'll find that you simply can still buy insurance at a lower cost within the private insurance market than from your state's insurer of pis aller .

13. EFT Payments

Many companies now agitate to $5.00 or more for mail payments, so if you've got your payments automatically deducted it'll help shave off some excess cost. Sometimes the deductions can come from your mastercard so you are doing not need to worry if the cash is in your checking account when payment time comes.

14. Credit Ratings

Many companies now check your credit and base your policy on the knowledge they find. confirm your credit is in fine condition , and if not, hunt down other companies that don't run credit checks. Please note: some States prohibit carriers from checking credit.

15. Actual Cash Value vs. cost

Actual cash value coverage reimburses the policyholder for the value of the property at the time of the claim, minus the deductible. If you employ this feature , you would like to account for depreciation, which can end in a lower claim payment than you expect.