Gangrene is a condition which occurs when some tissues in a particular part of the body perish due to lack of oxygen-rich blood. Often this can happen in the hands or the feet, but it can arise in any part of the body. It is important to understand that gangrene is a serious condition and needs to be addressed right away, as it can lead to amputation or even be fatal. Primarily there are two types of gangrene, i.e., wet and dry gangrene.

• Dry gangrene Also known as mummification, this kind of decay progresses at a slower pace and is mostly a result of chronic disorders such as diabetes. In such cases, the skin turns dry, dark and wrinkled. Apart from hyperglycemia, it can be the consequence of Raynaud's disease, severe burns, frostbite, etc.
• Wet gangrene In this type of gangrene, the skin gets inflamed and creates blister which may contain pus. Typically wet gangrene can develop due to injuries, embolism, and a fragile immune system.

Apart from wet and dry gangrene, there are two rare types of gangrene, i.e., gas and Fournier's.

• Gas gangrene This form of infection rarely occurs, but it can be life-threatening. It is when the infection takes place in inside the body, mostly because of trauma. Bacteria known as clostridia is responsible for gas gangrene as it releases poisons which radiates through the entire body along with gas trapped within the tissues. As the stages of gas gangrene progress, the skin begins to turn paler and when pressed makes a snapping noise due to the stuck gas.
• Fournier's gangrene This kind of gangrene attacks the genital area and is relatively rare. But it is more prevalent in men. However, both women and children can contract it. Fournier's gangrene is caused due to hysterectomies, bladder infections, urinary tract disease and abscesses.

Ten early signs of gangrene

• Glossy appearance of the skin
• Shedding of the skin with a discernable line forming between the affected and healthy area
• Wound that does not appear to better
• Discoloration of the infected area which turns dry and dark
• The affected part will be cold
• Loss of sensation
• Nausea
• Faster pulse rate
• Fever
• Bleeding or pus-producing blisters

Depending on the type of case, these early signs of gangrene may vary from person to person. If you notice any of the early signs of gangrene mentioned above, immediately notify the doctor. Without medical intervention, gangrene can spread to the blood and result in sepsis.

Some people have a hobby wherein they regularly enter to win sweepstakes held online. Well, comprehending the “why” behind it is pretty straightforward. Naturally, when you enter a giveaway, you get free stuff if you win. This is all the more reason for you to be excited to participate in one. However, which sweepstakes are worth participating in? We have rounded up some great options for you. HGTV - Ultimate House Hunt Giveaway Want to know how you can use that extra money? HGTV's Ultimate House Hunt Giveaway is the perfect choice to enter to win sweepstakes. If you are lucky, you can win yourself a cash prize of a good $10,000. The eligibility criteria for this sweepstake are simple. You have to be over 21 years old and must be residing in the USA. If this one is up your alley, sign up quickly since the giveaway has already begun. However, you have time till August 4th, 2021, 5 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time) to enter. The eligible entry frequency is only once per day per person or email.  Country Music Cruise Sweepstakes Love cruises and country music? Well, this is the perfect sweepstake for you. In all honesty, you need zero convincing to enter this sweepstake. It is a week-long cruise for two people. The cruise takes off in November 2021.  What's more? You might see special appearances by Mark Chesnutt and Josh Turner. In this sweepstake as well, you can apply only once a day. Do check out the rules on their website to enter. The end date for application is 1st August, 2021. Once again, this sweepstake is eligible solely for US residents, excluding citizens residing in Rhode Island, Hawaii, and Alaska. You must hold a valid passport and must be older than 21 years to participate.  Travel Channel - Summer Fun Giveaway This sweepstake provides you with an incredible chance to win a massive sum of cash. You can enter the giveaway and be eligible to win $10,000, which can be used however you desire. To enter the giveaway, you should be 21 years old and must be residing in the US. The contest has already started, but you can apply until 11th August, 2021, till 8:59 a.m. ET. The entry frequency is limited to only one per day per person or per email.  APQS' Quilt Forever Contest Last but not the least, APQS’ Quilt Forever Contest will give you a chance to win a longarm quilting machine worth more than $11,000. More so, the monthly winners of the contest are also eligible for a complimentary basket comprising quilting supplies. This contest is open for all and you must be over 18 years of age to enter. You can register until August 13th, 2021, till 5:00 p.m. CT. The entry frequency is limited to only one per day per person or per email.

Gone are the days when there was no help for individuals with hearing loss. With the hearing aid segment continually evolving, especially with the digital hearing aids that are available today, the situation has improved considerably. Around 300 million people worldwide, who have different levels of hearing difficulty, are dependent on such aid. Hence, there is an increasing demand, yet the cost is a factor which makes such hearing aids inaccessible for many. Purchasing affordable hearing aids A pair of good digital hearing aids, on an average, can cost around $1500-$2000 which can be affordable. But if you invest some time in research, you will be able to purchase the best hearing aids at a much lesser cost. Here is an insight into some of the most affordable brands available in the market that will be of help. Sonic Cheer 20 This is the latest offering from Sonic, and is a custom programmable hearing aid that costs only $1000 per pair. This amazing device has great features such as speech variable processing, wireless Bluetooth connectivity, and noise reduction systems that reduce impulse sounds and amplify speech signals to help the listener better understand speech. The device comes with a 1-year repair warranty as well as a 1-year loss and damage policy. Hear Clear HCX Digital Hearing Aid This is the best hearing aid for people suffering from noticeable to severe or high-frequency hearing loss. This is one of the best-selling affordable digital hearing aids out there. Although its actual cost is $849, some online shopping portals are offering it for as less as $350 during the sale period. This product is very compact yet powerful. It is best for those people who can still hear but find it hard to understand conversations in noisy places such as restaurants, shopping malls and in vehicles. The hearing aid is virtually invisible and has a small case with a very thin tube and soft medical grade tip. This device offers a warm sound that is pleasant to the ear and has 10 bands of layered noise reduction to keep the background noise down. It typically comes with a 6-month limited warranty and 30-day money back guarantee. Simplicity Smart Touch Digital Over-the-Ear Hearing Aid This is one of the best digital hearing aids if you are losing out on high-end sound. The high frequencies usually die out sooner, so the simplicity over the ear hearing aid amplifies the higher frequencies and cuts down on unnecessary low frequencies. The device costs $699 but is available for $499 or lower on many online shopping sites. The device can be worn throughout the day as it is an extremely light digital hearing aid. The advanced active feedback management eliminates those annoying whistling sounds that most devices have issues with. MEDca rechargeable hearing aid This rechargeable hearing aid is now a new and improved variant over the previous ones. This hearing aid supports your hearing condition by amplifying sound to optimum hearing levels and offers a high sound resolution for understanding speech better. Since the device is rechargeable, there is no need to constantly change batteries which can be a big hassle. The hearing aid has a small and simple design thus making it very user-friendly, and it fits perfectly behind the ear. This model comes with an advanced noise reduction feature which is responsible for the high resolution amplified sound. With an adjustable wheel for volume control, it allows the user to adjust the volume as close as possible to suit their hearing needs. So, you can check these brands and their offerings to choose the hearing aid that suits you best and enjoy the pleasurable sounds of nature.

Protein is present in the bloodstream of every individual. This protein is necessary for the healthy functioning of the body. It promotes the growth and aids in the building of muscles and bones while carrying out other important functions such as controlling the excess formation of fluid in the body. However, when the kidneys do not function well, the protein escapes the filters and enters into the urine. This condition is known as protein in urine or proteinuria. People who suffer from diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure are at a greater risk of having protein in urine. However, an individual who has a family history of kidney disease too can be affected by the condition. A weak kidney system can trigger this problem too. If one notices indicators such as foamy urine and abdominal swelling, the doctor will suggest undergoing a protein in urine test. In some cases, a patient may also be asked to undergo a protein in urine test in case of abnormal kidney functioning or urinary tract infection (UTI). A protein in urine test measures the amount of protein in the urine. During the urine test, a doctor may examine a one-time sample or a sample that is collected over a duration of 24 hours. A one-time sample test can be undergone at home or at the doctor's clinic. During this kind of test, you will be asked to collect a sample of your urine in a container that will be provided. Do ensure that you do not touch the inside of the container or the test sample can get contaminated. A 24-hour protein in urine test is carried out after the one-time sample test detects the presence of protein in the urine. Urine must be collected in a collection container over a period of 24 hours. This activity can be performed at home post which the sample has to be returned to the clinic for testing. Preparation of a protein in urine test Before taking a test, the doctor must be informed of the of medications being taken or medical conditions that one suffers from. Some medications that you take can have an effect on the protein levels in urine, thus, the doctor may ask you to pause consumption a few days before the test. Also, urine tests require one to be well hydrated. A dehydrated body produces urine that may give out inaccurate results. It is a good idea to undergo the protein in your urine test in at least two different labs as this will give you absolutely accurate results for you to be sure.

Leaf blowers are one of the equipment that we need throughout the year as it is useful not only for blowing extra leaves from your patio but also for cleaning sandy floors during the summer, light snow during winters, and spring’s windblown pathways. You can find a lot of options while purchasing a leaf blower. These include corded electric, gas operated, and battery powered leaf blowers. There are also various styles in which these leaf blowers are available. For example, they come in handled units, wheeled units, and backpack models. There are a lot of companies which sell these leaf blowers and three popular ones have been listed below: Worx Turbine This leaf blower is of the corded electric style. With the help of this leaf blower, you can blow wet and heavy leaves in a few seconds. This can also be used for blowing snow from your garden or patio. This leaf blower is lightweight and comes with a handle. This can work very quietly and you cannot feel its vibrations or get irritated by its sound. This is an amazing product in the corded electric type. Hitachi RB24EAP This excellent product from Hitachi is used for blowing leaves effortlessly. This is a gas operated leaf blower, so there is no requirement of cords. This enhances its portability as you can move with it and clear larger areas. This leaf blower is lightweight so you will not feel exhausted while cleaning your garden or pathways. It produces an effective stream of the air; thus, the leaves can be blown away easily. It can blow soggy leaves and grumpy seed pods very easily. Toro 51619 This leaf blower is a powerful variant of leaf blowers. With the use of this leaf blower, you can effortlessly push, guide, and cover the leaves from your garden. This blower requires an extension cord for its movement, but you can carry it easily with its handle. You can adjust its power setting—this is the most special feature of this leaf blower. It has a wind speed of around 250 MPH, which is a very commendable speed for any leaf blower. This blower has additional nozzles to remove even the most persistent leaves from the ground. It can also be used as a vacuum or mulcher. This Toro leaf blower can suck up leaves and other materials as well, and the spinning blade will then chop these leaves to make a fine powder so that it can be disposed off easily. These are a few popular leaf blowers to choose from. You can look up online for more types and classify them based on their performances and prices and choose the best one according to your requirements.

When it comes to health, what you introduce into your body and environment holds great importance. This holds for lung health as well. With increased levels of air and water pollution surrounding us, impaired lung capacity is a growing concern. In such a scenario, avoiding foods that could further contribute to the deterioration of your lungs is necessary. Avoiding foods that can compromise lung health can also help maintain heart health. Processed meat Increased intake of highly processed meats like bacon, sausages, hot dogs, and other deli meats has long been linked to compromised lung health. According to numerous research results, daily intake of processed forms of meat can impair lung function, increasing the risk of developing and triggering conditions like COPD. A set of research also found the rehospitalization rate to be higher in COPD patients that continued using processed meat. The problem is the high salt content and the subsequent water retention these foods can cause. Added sugar Sugars that are not naturally present in food and have been added as a measure of taste enhancement or preservation are added sugars. Most often, it is in the form of refined sugar or other syrups. Commonly occurring foods with added sugars include cereals, granola, cakes, flavored yogurts, and more. It is important to read the nutrition label on all packaged foods to avoid lung-harming ingredients like excess salts and sugars. Carbonated beverages Carbonated beverages are loaded with carbon dioxide. Constant addition of these drinks to a patient's meals and refreshments can cause bloating, gas, and even stomach ache. This discomfort can often be linked to increased difficulty in breathing and overall discomfort for people with pre-existing lung conditions. The added space that the patient’s hyperinflated condition takes up in the case of COPD and asthma patients can cause physical discomfort and make breathing a chore. Fried food Foods that are heavy on oils and come packed with trans fats are an absolute no for good lung health. Donuts, fries, and chicken wings might leave watering mouths in their wake but also trigger asthma, COPD, and other equally complicated lung health scare episodes. The high saturated fat content in these foods can give rise to abdominal gas, bloating, and indigestion which can trigger breathing issues and discomfort. Incorporating baked alternatives of your favorite fried food into your meals is a better lung-friendly option.