It is imperative to seek medical help as soon as you develop shingles-related symptoms to manage and control the infection. The standard anti-viral medication prescribed for shingles is most effective in the early stages of infection. Anti-viral medication reduces the time taken by the blisters to heal and also help in managing pain. However, they are several steps you could take to speed up your recovery. Touching the rash repeatedly or scratching it should be avoided. Avoid pricking the blisters as this increases the risk of secondary bacterial infections and may cause permanent scarring. It can also spread the infection to those coming in contact with you. Daily care:

• Keep the area clean with mild soap and water. Do not add strong antiseptics or perfumed additives to your bath water.
• Use a towel dipped in cold water to compress the rashes several times a day. This helps to relieve the pain and itchiness while keeping the area moist and clean.
• Apply petroleum jelly and calamine lotion to keep the area moist.
• Apply a thick paste containing two parts of cornstarch and one part water to the blisters for 10-15 minutes every day to alleviate the itchiness associated with them.
• Wear loose clothes to allow air circulation around the blisters, which helps them to dry faster.

Alternative therapies

• Apply manuka honey and clover honey to the blisters to manage the pain and speed up the recovery process.
• Raw honey, leek juice and aloe vera mixture also have soothing properties.
• Several studies claim that essential oils are an effective treatment for the pain associated with shingles. Germanium oil, tea tree essential oil, lemongrass essential oil and peppermint essential are some of the options you may consider. However, exercise caution while administering these potent essential oils. It is best to perform a patch test to eliminate the chances of sensitivity. If the patch test turns out okay, you can mix 2 drops of an essential oil with 1/4 teaspoon of coconut oil and apply it over the painful areas. Another alternative is to diffuse the essential oils in the air.
• Several people have found acupuncture therapy to be quite effective in relieving shingles pain.

Food for shingles

• Keeping yourself well hydrated at all times is essential for good health. Besides, a good diet goes a long way in strengthening your immune system to fight the virus. You should try to include the following items in your diet:
• Food items high in Vitamin B including low-fat dairy, eggs, organic chicken and wild-caught fish
• Raw garlic and onions
• Fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C
• Green leafy vegetables
• Try all of these alternative treatments for faster relief, but remember, they are not an alternative to medication. For the right treatment, shingles affected patients must consult a doctor as early as possible, and check with them if trying the alternative therapies in conjugation with the medication is recommended.

Computers have changed the world of education. Some of us may still remember taking books and pens to the school, college, or university. Those times are almost gone. Professors, teachers, students, and school-management teams have moved to different types of electronic gadgets for learning. Student laptops are the most important of them all. The demand is ever-increasing and it is a must in many institutions. This leaves a student on a hunt for a laptop that can help him/her through this phase. There are so many tech giants like Dell, HP, Lenovo, Acer, etc., who release laptops every month. Google has its Chromebook line of laptops while Microsoft has Surface. Apple is certainly standing at the top of that mountain. Too many options always leave us in a confused state. Peer pressure and marketing hype may lead a student to buy a product which they later regret. Our youth are bright and smart, but buying a student laptop can be quite a challenge. So what are some details we should look into for buying a student laptop?

The course you take

A student pursuing a career in designing or graphic arts will require a laptop that has a high-end graphics processor. A music student who records and does a lot of other creative work may choose a MacBook, which is the best fit for that line of work. Based on the line of studies you take and its requirements, select the required laptop. Many universities have a prescribed set of technical specifications that suit the course.

Longevity

Electronic companies release new products and new updates almost on a daily basis. When there are so many demands and advancements in technology, one should make sure they buy a product which has all the latest hardware and software updates. You are probably going to have only one laptop for the entire course. This makes it important to have the latest model which will be compatible with future updates until you are done with school or college. For example, if you buy a laptop with the latest processor (such as Intel i7 processor), you may be able to compete with the speeds of any future laptops that have a higher processor. On the contrary, if you choose a laptop that has an i3 processor, it will not be very fast when newer products come out. The important aspect to remember, however, is our first point. The course you take. Maybe, you do not need the latest high-end laptop, but try to buy a laptop that can match up with any future requirements of your course.

Sale and warranty

It might be possible that your educational institution has tied up with a vendor who offers a discount. If that is the case, you should check them out. Always wait for a sale as that would help you save some hard-earned money. Do a lot of research online and in-store before you circle out the right product with the right price. Check for the warranty that is provided by the manufacturer or vendor and always add additional damage protection for those unforeseen circumstances. It is also important to educate yourself on the technology because you don’t want to be waiting in long queues when you call customer support.

Entertainment

Student life is one of the best phases in everybody's life. Gaming and entertainment are a huge part of this life. If you are someone who loves gaming, you need a laptop which has a decent graphics memory. You may be a hardcore gamer or a part-time gamer, but having a laptop that can help you play that favorite game of yours will add to the satisfaction. Never forget the entertainment bit as that is going to be an important stress buster. Make sure you run through the above checklist before buying a student laptop.

Health insurance is one kind of an insurance coverage policy wherein an individual who seeks to be insured pays an annual predetermined premium based on the total sum insured. This policy will cover the expenses of that person’s medical care, particularly concerning any hospitalization that is required in the stated period. This health insurance, also known as medical health insurance is available and valid for as long as the premiums are paid. There are a large number of plans available from many insurance companies that among other products also offer health insurance. It is important to take the time to research all the health insurance plan options available thoroughly and choose the one that best suits your specific needs and your budget. Health insurance plans are widely available in the marketplace and outside. When you insure your health using one of the available programs, then in the event of your requiring hospitalization, the insurance will cover a significant percentage of your medical expenses, so that your out of pocket expenses are kept to the lowest minimum. Health insurance plans vary depending on whether you are seeking insurance coverage for yourself and your family or whether you are seeking insurance coverage through your employer. Group plans and employee plans vary from individual and family plans. Most health insurance policies carry variable rates of premium based on a medical examination of your medical condition at the time of applying for the policy and also based on the presence of any pre-existing health conditions, aggravation of which may be given only limited coverage under the policy. The rate of premium chargeable is directly proportional to one’s age with younger and healthier people paying less as annual premium than those who are older and already ill. Given the exponentially rising costs of quality medical care in America and other parts of the world, it would be a good idea to make use of a large number of online sites to obtain a health insurance quote online.

A brief overview on thyroid The thyroid gland is located below Adam's apple or at the base of the neck. The thyroid gland is a vital part of the endocrine system. As we know that the endocrine system is a crucial system that takes care of the functioning and coordination of different activities of the body. The thyroid gland is responsible for producing hormones that help in regulating the metabolism of the body. In case the thyroid gland produces too less or too many hormones then there arises different disorders. Production of excess hormone from thyroid gland is known as hyperthyroidism and too less production of hormones is known as hypothyroidism. Thyroid can lead to a number of health issues and the four most common disorders are:

• Goiter
• Thyroid Nodules
• Hashimoto's disease
• Grave's disease
• Excessive weight gain
• Thyroid cancer

What are the causes of thyroid problems? It is seen that health issues related to the thyroid are the reason of excess or less production of hormones. But there are some of the conditions that can occur. Take a look! Grave's disease Grave's disease is caused due to excess production of hormones from the thyroid glands, which is also known as hyperthyroidism, as mentioned above. Cancerous growth in the thyroid gland Although it is seen only in a few cases, hyperthyroidism can be caused due to the cancerous growth in the thyroid gland. Subacute thyroiditis In case there is an inflammation of the thyroid, it leads to the leakage of excessive hormones from the thyroid gland. This results into momentary hyperthyroidism, which can last for months or even a few weeks. Malfunctioning of pituitary glands Hyperthyroidism can be caused due to the malfunctioning of the pituitary glands. This, however, results in the release of excess hormones. It is extremely necessary to treat the thyroid issue and if left untreated it can lead to a number of other health problems. For instance, a mild form of hypothyroidism can cause mild depression. But if left unnoticed, the symptoms of the same will increase. Let us take a look at some of the signs and symptoms of the thyroid:

• Fatigue and tiredness
• Inability to lose weight
• Muscle and joint pain
• Hormone imbalances such as irregular periods, PMS, etc.
• Mood swings, depression, anxiety, etc.
• Constipation
• Swelling in the neck

These symptoms might look common but should not be neglected. Always consult a doctor and go for prescribe medication.

Often mistaken for indigestion, gastritis is a more serious version of stomach disorder. Although the symptoms of gastritis are similar to those of indigestion, it is caused by a bacteria known as H.pylori as opposed to a diet that may cause indigestion. However, diet can aggravate the symptoms of gastritis. So, it is necessary to take care of gastritis foods to avoid and be mindful of food that is eaten during a bout of gastritis. The H.pylori bacteria causes inflammation of the stomach lining leading to gastritis, which in extreme cases may lead to stomach ulcers. The effects of this are abdominal pain, discomfort, burning sensation in the abdomen, nausea, and so on. Acute symptoms of gastritis go away in a couple of days by following a careful diet. However, if the symptoms persist for a longer duration and the discomfort continues, it is best to consult a doctor. Here is a list of gastritis foods to avoid and foods to eat:

• Eat broccoli: Broccoli contains sulforaphane. It has anti-bacterial properties that help to deal with H.pylori bacteria that causes gastritis. Broccoli sprouts can help to provide relief from gastritis symptoms. You can add them to salads, sandwiches or just stir-fry them. If you want to try something different, you can add them to smoothies as well.
• Stay away from citrus fruits: Citrus fruits such as grape fruit, orange, lemons, and limes are high in acidic content. Eating these fruits or juices of these fruits can increase the inflammation of the stomach lining. This can aggravate the abdominal pain and other symptoms of gastritis.
• Add yogurt to your diet: The presence of active cultures of good bacteria in yogurt makes the gut healthy and helps to fight against the symptoms of gastritis. Eating a bowl of yogurt every day helps to strengthen the immune system and prevents gastritis in the body. Fat-free organic yogurt without any flavor is recommended for effective gastritis relief.
• Avoid spicy food: A group of gastritis foods to avoid the most is spicy foods. Spices such as chili, garlic, black and red pepper, and jalapeno may cause further inflammation of the stomach lining leading to stomach cramps and pain. The burning sensation will be aggravated.
• No processed or refined foods: This is another group of gastritis foods to avoid to get relief from painful symptoms. Avoid eating anything with trans fat or food cooked in refined vegetable oils. It is best to avoid pasteurized dairy products, pasta, bread, food with added sugar, greasy fried food, and factory-farm poultry products.

Verizon Wireless is one of the best wireless networks in the country. It is known for its amazing services and high speeds in the industry. Verizon has the best performance and reliability when compared to other wireless networks. You may pick any Verizon cell phone plans and it will still be better from others. Here are some of the reasons for why you should choose Verizon as your network provider.

• Quality and coverage

There is nothing more important than the quality your network offers you. After the “Can you hear me now?” marketing campaign, Verizon has proclaimed their superior coverage and no other brand in the market offers that kind of broad reach and quality.

• Fees and pricing

Verizon cell phone plans and tariffs have become simpler than they used to be. After the end of contract pricing system, which means you are not locked in the two years of service and you may leave it anytime as you like but, only if your device is compatible with other wireless networks; people are more attracted towards the plans.

• Features of the plans

All Verizon cell phone plans offer unlimited texts and calls. It offers different plans for smartphones and for regular phones. It also has an unlimited data plan for heavy Internet users. If you stream a lot of music and videos, then the company’s plans are just perfect for you.

• Selection of the device

Verizon cell phones plans are available on all biggest phone brands like iPhone and Samsung. So, there is no shortage of options while selecting a phone. Motorola, HTC, LG, and more are available on the Verizon-exclusive droid line.

• Help and support

Almost all network providers do not score well when it comes to customer services. However, Verizon still ranks the best of them all. Not all customers are happy with the network’s support system. But, Verizon has improved over time and users recommend it to others as well. With so many advantages, it is clear that Verizon is among the best players in the industry. Pick one of its most favored plans and be assured of an excellent user experience.