Osteoporosis is a bone-thinning condition, which can manifest as debilitating fractures, affecting mainly the spine, wrist and hip. The disease often occurs in women, but men may also be affected. As per estimated reports, 10 million people in the United States, (8 million women and 2 million men), are already suffering from the condition, while around 34 million are placed at high risk of suffering from osteoporosis due to thinning bone mass (osteopenia). A bone density scan test is a simple, non-invasive technique to diagnose the risk or presence of osteoporosis.  The test also helps monitor osteoporosis treatment. The doctor might suggest a bone density test in the case of the following: Height loss: People who have lost at least 1.6 inches in height may develop fractures in their spines, which is mainly due to osteoporosis. Fracture of a bone: Fragile bones have more tendency for fracture. Certain medicines: Prolong use of steroid medications (e.g., prednisone) hampers the bone-rebuilding process, which can lead to osteoporosis. Organ transplant: Organ transplantation increases the risk for osteoporosis, partly because immunosuppressant drugs also interfere with the bone-rebuilding process. Reduced hormone levels: Women undergo a natural drop in their hormone levels after menopause. Also, estrogen levels may also decrease during certain cancer treatments. Treatments for prostate cancer may also reduce testosterone levels in men - which increases the risk for osteoporosis in men. An imaging X-ray of a lower dose is employed to spot symptoms of decreased bone density as well as loss of minerals. The scan evaluates the hip and the spinal density, while the scan of the forearm is evaluated in patients who suffer from hyperthyroidism or in case their hip cannot be scanned. For screening of patients under the age of 60, clinicians usually recommend just a scan of the hip. The density of the total body, the spine, and the hip is evaluated by the machines, while the peripheral machines measure and evaluate the density in the heel, shin bone, kneecap, wrist, and finger. The central machine is used and employed in a bone density scan, which takes about a quarter of an hour including the process of registration. During the procedure, the person will lay on a scanning table for 5-8 minutes. 3D detailed images of these body parts are provided in the scans which can also evaluate the effects of age and diseases other than osteoporosis in the bones.

NCCP or Non-cardiac chest pain are those causes of chest pain that are not caused due to heart diseases. As many as 30 percent of citizens across the country complain about chest pain that radiates to the neck, arms or jaw. These symptoms might not relate to myocardial infraction or heart attack. Here are some causes of chest pain that do not necessarily relate with heart diseases: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) Also known as acid reflux, This is one of the common and top causes of chest pain that is non-cardiac. It is characterized by reflux, which is a type of back flow of stomach contents into the esophagus. GERD can be diagnosed using barium swallow that helps in visualizing the esophagus. GERD can be treated with lifestyle modifications that includes weight loss, avoiding large meals and waiting for at least 2 hours after a meal before you lie down. If you frequently experience this symptom, avoiding alcohol, peppermint, caffeine, chocolates and citrus juice will help in preventing GERD. Pulmonary embolism It refers to the development of blood clot in one or more of the arteries of the lungs. Pulmonary embolism if not treated, can be potentially life threatening. This condition usually develops when a blood clot in one of the deep veins travels to the lungs. Thus, Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) usually leads to Pulmonary Embolism. Pulmonary angiography is the standard diagnosing procedure of PE. To prevent future blood clots, prototypical anticoagulants also called as blood thinners are administered. Pneumothorax This is one of the causes of chest pain that occurs due to abnormal presence of air in the pleural (chest) cavity. It usually leads collapsing of the affected lungs. Pneumothorax is caused primarily due to trauma. Smoking increases the chances of getting affected with spontaneous Pneumothorax. This is one of the condition that may lead to cardiac arrest. To treat this condition, talc or tetracycline antibiotics are introduced in the chest cavity which causes scarring, thereby decreasing the chances of recurrent pneumothorax. Pneumonia It is the infection of the lungs which could be due to a viral, bacterial or fungal infection. This cause of chest pain might be classified as community or hospital acquired NCCP. It is usually diagnosed with chest x-ray. People diagnosed with CAP may or may not need to be admitted to the hospital based on its severity. If a person is suffering from any of the above-mentioned symptoms, it is highly advisable to consult a doctor to get the condition diagnosed. This will help in understanding the root cause of the condition and thus the treatment approach to get relief from the medical condition.

Payday loans are short-term loans that help you get through an emergency financial requirement. They ensure that you remain cash rich even in the event of an unexpected occurrence or expenditure. According to the Consumer Federation of America, payday loan agreements are permissible in 41 states. Although there are several disadvantages associated with taking payday loans, several individuals resort to it in times of need. Before you take a payday loan, exercise caution and keep the following aspects in mind. Why do you need a payday loan? Payday loans come with exorbitant interest rates. There have been instances when borrowers have paid up to 400% interest on a two-week payday loan amounting to $100. Such high-interest rates can inevitably put the borrowers in the trap of repeated borrowing. If you are taking payday loans repeatedly, to take cover from the reduced cash flow, then there are high chances that you will incur consumer debts. On the other hand, if you are taking a payday loan cash advance for a one-off expenditure, you will not get yourself into more financial trouble. Before taking a payday loan, determine what you need it for. Do you need it to for a one-off purchase, an unexpected expenditure or for gaining short-term relief from a financial crisis? Or do you need them for settling monthly bills and covering living expenses? There is a high risk of defaulting and incurring bad debts if you choose to take payday loans for the latter purpose. Can you afford the interest rates levied on payday loans? Several payday lenders create traps by charging extortionate interest rates. Although, several states have introduced a cap on the loan amounts and the amount repayable, there are no specific guidelines regulating payday loans. As a result, the interest rates can fluctuate inconsistently. It is therefore pertinent that you give special attention to the loan amount and the amount that is to be repaid before signing the loan agreement.

Abdominal pain is one of the most commonly experienced ailments in the world. The abdominal region ranges anywhere between the chest and pelvic regions, any form of pain in these regions can be termed as abdominal pain. The causes for abdominal pain can be various and can, range from minor illnesses to medical emergencies. Here are a few causes of abdominal pain, their symptoms, and prevention. Viral Gastroenteritis Viral Gastroenteritis also known as the stomach flu. The symptoms can consist of inflammation of the belly and intestines and has numerous causes, The stomach flu or stomach bug is highly contagious and can spread through proximity to people or through contaminated water and food. The most vulnerable groups to this disease are: Children under five years of age. Elderly. Anyone with a weak immunity system. There can be numerous ways to catch a form of viral gastroenteritis, some of them are listed below: Unsanitary methods of food storage. Preparation of the food is not sanitary. Contamination of water and food. Food is exposed to unhealthy bacteria during transport. The Symptoms of Viral Gastroenteritis are: diarrhea vomiting and nausea fever pain in the stomach, head, joints or muscles excessive sweating Clammy skin Precautions against Viral Gastroenteritis: Washing hands often and thoroughly. The condition is transferable. The Utensils, towels or any other personal things of infected person should not be shared. Proper cleaning of fruits and vegetables. avoidance in eating raw or uncooked food. Vaccination for rotavirus. Food Poisoning Food poisoning is a common ailment that affects most people when they eat food that is either rotten or is close to rotting. Food poisoning if not treated properly and on time has the possibility of becoming fatal. It is recommended that medical assistance is sought in order to effectively treat this illness. Symptoms of food poisoning: Stomach Ache Diarrhea for extended periods, If diarrhea persists beyond three days it can be a sign of severe food poisoning Fever - Mild fevers are common with mild food poisoning. If the temperature continues beyond one hundred and one degrees for an extended period, it can be a symptom of severe food poisoning Severe dehydration - This includes symptoms like dry mouth and a lack of flow in the urinary stream. Nausea and Vomiting General lack of energy and loss of strength Headaches Loss of appetite Precautions against food poisoning: The most effective way to combat food poisoning is to ensure a healthy diet and hygienic food practices. Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS It is also known as spastic colon, irritable colon, mucous colitis, and spastic colitis. IBS is a chronic condition that can impact daily life in extreme manners. Below are some of the symptoms of IBS The symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome are: Stomach aches Stomach Cramps Abdominal Bloating. Constipation Diarrhea Stress is a common cause for IBS and stress relieving forms of therapy is recommended to patients. Indigestion Indigestion also known as dyspepsia is the most common and least severe cause for abdominal discomfort. Below are some symptoms of indigestion. Symptoms of Indigestion: Vomiting Gas inflammation in the stomach Most common causes of Indigestion are: Smoking More than average consumption of alcohol Side effects of medicines Spicy food Stress

First-time shoppers can often find themselves confused in between the different kinds of washers and dryers and the features they have. If you are a first-time shopper for these washing and drying machines and have come across washer and dryer combos, here is a guide to help you buy the right one and understand what it is. What is a Washer and Dryer Combo? A washer and dryer combo is a single unit of front loading machine that performs the functions of a washing machine and a condenser clothes dryer. These combos allow you to use either the washing or the drying functions or both according to your laundry needs. While the machine washes the clothes just like any other washing machine, the dryer is a bit different than the vented dryers as it uses the condensation method to drain out the moisture from the clothes. The best washer and dryer combo for you should be able to take care of all your laundry needs and should fit well within your laundry area. Why should one buy a washer and dryer combo? Washer and dryer combos are ideal for small living spaces like apartments or for homes that have a small laundry area. Since it is just a single unit of the machine, it helps save a lot of space. It gets the work of two machines done within the space of just one machine. These combos are compact machines that can be easily placed under work benches or even small closets as these are portable machines. What factors should one consider when buying a washer and dryer combo? Some important factors to consider before buying a washer and dryer combo include: Cost The initial cost of buying a washer and dryer combo is comparatively more than purchasing washer and dryer sets. Be ready to spend a lot more on the best washer and dryer combo if you need only one washing and drying unit in your home. Since most of these washer and dryer combos are portable, these are available only in electric variants so bear in mind the electricity costs of operating them as well. Energy efficiency This is an important factor to consider when you are looking for any electronic goods in general. In comparison to washer and dryer sets or bundles, washer and dryer combos use less water, and condenser dryers use less energy as compared to the vented dryers. So you can be rest-assured that the washer and dryer combo choice will not only use the power efficiently and but also save you from heavy utility bills. Functionality and capacity The best washer and dryer combo should be able to complete all your laundry needs without damaging your clothes and should save you time and money on the utility bills. When shopping for a washer and dryer combo, look for units that have the sufficient capacity to take care of the laundry needs of your households. Getting a combo with a smaller capacity than what you need, will increase the laundry cycles you run and time you spend for doing your laundry. Features Look for the washer and dryer combos that have the maximum wash and drying cycle options to ensure that you can clean various kinds of fabrics easily. Consider other features like self-clean mechanism, sanitizing wash cycles, wrinkle-free drying, and noiseless operation among other features that increase the convenience. There are a number of washer and dryer combos available in the market. Choose the best washer and dryer combo for you by comparing the different models and researching well about them before getting one.

The standard dimensions of a queen mattress are usually kept between 60 inches in width and 80 inches in length. When compared with dimensions of other mattresses, it can be noted that the standard king-sized mattress measures between 76 inches by 80 inches while a standard full mattress measures approximately between 53 inches by 75 inches. These measurements are approximations, as every mattress manufacturer can have a discrepancy of a couple of inches here and there, depending upon the upholstery used on the mattress. In terms of thickness, the measurement of the thickness of mattresses can vary a lot. The thickness may also be classified in terms of height. Most commercially available best-rated queen mattresses fall between 6.75 inches, 8 inches (which is considered to be the traditional thickness measurement), 10.75 inches, 11 inches, 12 inches, 13 inches, 13.5 inches and 15 inches. These are specifications relating only to the actual mattress and are not inclusive of the other support on which the mattress is placed or the box spring. Queen mattresses can have different dimensions in terms of thickness. For example, memory foam mattresses that have larger thickness measurements as compared to regular mattresses are essentially designed to conform to the body movements and contours. Mattresses that offer easy portability and storage and are readily available in discount outlets or sales are usually relatively thinner. Some other factors that can affect the thickness of a mattress include layering, quilting, type of upholstery and the method used for manufacturing the mattress. Queen sized mattresses may be smaller in dimension than a regular mattress, but this fact has nothing to do with the thickness of a mattress. Thickness can relate to the type of the mattress as well as the brand and has very little to do with the size. Memory foam based queen mattresses have different types, and these types have the same height across all the given sizes. Additional layers can also be added through customizations and accouterments, depending on the buyer’s preferences in the form of quilting, foaming, and upholstery that can affect the thickness through the presence of additional layers. On the size chart, a queen mattress falls between the king size and the full-size mattress. The size of a queen mattress is given by vendors and manufacturers using a set of standard measurements to mark the dimensions. The thickness, as mentioned before, does not depend upon these measurements and so no queen mattress can be said to have the standard thickness. Some vendors and manufacturers may not even consider the thickness of a queen mattress important enough to list it as a part of the product dimensions. Queen mattresses can provide support if chosen with care. The support of a mattress refers to the ability of a mattress to push back against the body that helps keep the spine straight and promotes a good posture for sleeping. Other than support, another factor that matters is the comfort, which refers to how the mattress feels against the body in terms of being firm or soft. Mattresses that are firm and soft can also provide support, and these terms are not antonyms. The difference between the terms comfort and support in terms of mattresses is that the amount of support provided by a mattress does not affect the comfort provided by it directly. Support mainly refers to the rigidity while comfort can be a relative term, changing from person to person. A person should always keep these parameters in mind before purchasing the best-rated queen mattress and keep a lookout for good deals that can add value to the purchase of the mattress.