The pain that is experienced by an individual who suffers from osteoarthritis is inexplicable. The chronic condition is caused by friction in the joints of the bone. The ends of the bones are coated with a substance that is known as cartilage. However, when the cartilage breaks down, the ends of the bones are left bare and these lead to soreness and inflammation that increases with each passing day. Osteoarthritis is commonly experienced in the joints of the knees, elbows, lower back, etc. In a few rare cases, the condition can develop in the joints of the toes and fingers of the hands or feet. The condition becomes worst in time, increasing pain and thus effective one's lifestyle and other factors like work and relationships. While the following foods may not treat the condition, they can bring about effective osteoarthritis pain relief with time: Fatty fish - Fish fat is believed to have a very good effect in relieving osteoarthritis pain and inflammation. This is because fish such as salmon, tuna, mackerel, etc are rich sources of omega-3 fatty acid. This acid is widely used in supplements to fight against inflammation in the body. A portion of fish should be consumed as a part of the diet, at least a few times a week. If one is not comfortable with consuming fish, omega-3 supplements are a good option, however, this should only be taken after consulting the doctor. Broccoli - Broccoli is a green vegetable that is packed with a compound that is called, sulforaphane. This compound helps in slowing the damage process of the cartilage in the joints. Broccoli not only aids with osteoarthritis but is also a great ingredient that promotes good health. It can be added to a salad or eaten after a little toss in some olive oil. Cabbage, cauliflower, and sprouts are also beneficial foods to eat to bring about osteoarthritis pain relief. Garlic - Garlic, a member of the onion family, contains a compound that is known as diallyl disulfide. This is a component that is found to be extremely beneficial in the treatment of several diseases that also included osteoarthritis. The diallyl disulfide does have an effect in bringing about a control in the damage of cartilage. It is also anti-inflammatory, thereby aiding in osteoarthritis pain relief. Osteoarthritis or the pain that comes with the condition should not be left untreated. Consulting a medical professional and getting treated for the illness is absolutely necessary.

Cadillac has been lauded for developing a great reputation over the years in the automobile sector. The vehicles are known to glide along the road while putting forth comfort as the most pivotal aspect. However, certain setbacks have been associated with the several Cadillac sedan models of the past and they include lack of head-turning design with a bland driving experience. The arrival of the Cadillac XTS has induced many automobile enthusiasts to take a closer look and transformed the new offering as a savvy choice for sedan seekers. A sharp luxury sedan, the Cadillac XTS runs ahead of its time with its cutting-edge design and a slew of amenities packed along. The vehicle is built on the same platform as major lauded offerings of the market while being a recipient of great critical applause. If you are planning on buying the Cadillac XTS, it only makes sense to understand about the safety features assimilated in the vehicle. Here are four notable features that will let you rest assured about the safety measures undertaken in the XTS. Surround Vision Surround Vision is one of the latest and most admirable features of safety that has been added to this vehicle. It is a safety inclusion that lets the driver receive a bird's-eye view of the road or the immediate area that surrounds the vehicle. Surround vision ensures safety especially while taking a reverse or at low speeds. The view of the surrounding is projected through the user experience screen fitted in the car. It amazingly aids the driver and increases the awareness when parking the vehicle. Automatic Braking Not being able to hit the brake at the right time can cause severe damage. Taking this factor into close consideration, the Cadillac XTS includes an automatic braking system when driving at low speeds in both forward and reverse directions. The automatic brakes are designed to sense a potential collision and execute the braking function if the driver hasn't already. Lane Keep Assist Keeping track while staying in the right lane can be difficult for some drivers. The Cadillac XTS addresses this problem by employing the Lane keep assist safety function. The functionality drops a lane departure warning that aid in staying in the right driving lane throughout the journey. Rainsense Wipers Intense rainfall can disrupt clear vision and pose a major hazard while driving. Cadillac has addressed the safety hazard by including Rainsense wipers in the XTS. The safety feature automatically detects the intensity of rainfall and adjusts the wipers to match pace.

Cooking can be a pleasure or a matter of dread depending on the way your kitchen has been designed and set up. Investing in the right kind of equipment for the right kind of environment when you are cooking is as important as choosing the right bedding or lighting for your home. And the good news is that brands like Calphalon stock up on a variety of pots and pans and other kinds of cookware that come in different kinds of materials. These materials can be chosen depending on the kind of dishes that you need to cook. Take a look at these various types of pots and pans to make a good choice! Stainless steel pots and pans Stainless steel is a non-reactive metal, which means that you can cook any kind of food in it. Yet, the downside is that it heats up very fast and one has to be extremely careful while handling such pots and pans. This is ideal for boiling fluids and cooking pasta as well. You can also use this kind of pots and pans for making stock because they do not destroy the nutritional values of the vegetables or meat. You can also choose stainless steel vessels that have an inner coating of aluminum and copper in case you feel the exterior is too thin and may end up burning the bottom if the food is boiled or cooked for too long. Copper pots and pans The thermal conduction rate of copper is extremely high which makes it ideal for cooking purposes. In such cases, you will not end up wasting too much energy when it comes to cooking. This is because the heat spreads swiftly and in an even manner so that the food is well cooked and retains its natural flavor and textures as well. The only downside here is that copper is high on maintenance because it needs regular polishing and simply running it in the dishwasher will not do. Hence, it may be difficult to use this kind of vessels on an everyday basis. Aluminum This material has been used for cooking purposes for a very long time now. Aluminum also has great conductivity, plus it is lightweight at the same time. This makes it a rather versatile kind of material to cook in. Yet, there are many health concerns that may come up with long term use of this metal, because it changes easily with heat as it is lightweight in nature. So, one should opt for anodized aluminum, if possible, as it is a superior material for most types of cookware. Cast Iron This is a naturally non-stick material which is rich in iron and also very heavy. It may be a slightly more expensive choice, but it is very good in the long run. So take your pick from the collections of various brands like Calphalon and give your kitchen the best it deserves.

Home heating prices vary by region and is also a lot dependant on the type of home, the requirements to be met and budget in hand for installing or redoing the existing system and its future maintenance. The market does offer a plethora of options to choose from. There is always a DIY up for grabs, which would cost anywhere between $1500-2500 including an efficient thermostat system for $200. Geothermal home heating systems seem to be the most expensive of the lot, costing anywhere between $20,000 to $25,000 just to install it. However, this system has been receiving ` raving reviews, making several Americans to turn their attention towards it. While we always look at the price of the system as such, do we even bother to work on the maintenance cost just to keep the system running? The following statistics from Energy Information Administration (EIA), will indeed throw some light on this aspect: Heating Oil $2800 Oil prices have risen so high that oil heat, once competitive with other major home-heating fuels, has become the most expensive to use. Prices are tied to world events, so they can change quickly. Nationally, only about 6 percent of homeowners use oil as their primary home heating source and they are predominantly from the northeast part of the country. Propane $2200 Although it's a relatively clean fuel, propane is expensive and has been losing popularity for years. The cost varies a lot by region. In the Midwest, heating a home with propane costs an average of only $1,534. Electricity $1400 The use of electric heat is on the rise, even in the frosty Northeast. Cost is the main draw, although some homeowners complain that electric heat isn't as efficient as other fuels. Nationally, about a third of the country rely on electricity as their primary heating source. Natural Gas $1000 Of the four main fuels used to heat our homes, natural gas is the most popular and now the cheapest, as well. A decade ago, gas cost about 80 percent of an equivalent amount of oil; it now costs less than half of oil, as oil prices have risen and the countries boom in natural gas drilling has kept gas prices low. Nearly half of all homes use natural gas as their primary heating source. Some analysts forecast a huge supply of the fuel will be available for decades to come. However, not everyone believes the supply is so large that natural gas will continue to be a low-cost fuel. Now that the cost to run your heating system is blatantly revealed, work your math and save up some money!

Plastic bags are one of the most versatile carry bags. They are also feasible for businesses since they are cheaper than paper and cloth bags. Compared to paper bags, plastic bags are stronger and resistant to water. Hence, many customers prefer to use plastic bags. Apart from using to carry groceries, plastic bags are also re-used by many to line their trash cans. However, once they are disposed of, plastic bags are serious environmental hazards. They do not degrade and accumulate over time and fill up landfills and waterbodies and choke drainage systems. Here are 5 ways in which plastic bags have been found to be harmful to the environment.

• Issues with landfill Plastic bags are difficult to recycle. Bags made from polyethylene can be recycled into new plastic bags, drainage pipes, composite lumber, or outside the fencing. However, the process of recycling requires that the plastic bag does not have any moisture; in order to be recycled, it is necessary that food or other water-based materials have not been stored in the plastic bags. This reduces the percentage of plastic bags that are recycled. The bags that do not undergo recycling accumulate on the landfills. This increases the volume of the landfill since the plastic bags take a very long time to decompose.
• Issues with waterways Plastic bags take nearly 400 to 1000 years to decompose. When plastic bags enter the waterbodies, they do not break down completely. They are converted to plastic dust, which is made of compounds knowns as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), which are bio-toxins. These toxins enter the food chain as plants and animals are exposed to the water containing PCBs.
• Issue with wildlife Plastic bags that are disposed into landfills or released in any way into the environment enter into the water bodies such as rivers, oceans, and tributaries. These floating plastic bags are mistaken for food by the aquatic animals. For instance, sea turtles that feed on jellyfish may mistake plastic bags for food since a floating plastic bag appears like a jellyfish. Once plastic bags enter their bodies, it affects their health since plastic cannot be digested. Small animals and birds get entangled in the floating plastic bags and often strangle to death.
• Issues with flooding Since plastic bags do not decompose or dissolve in water, they clog drains and sewers. This causes flooding since the normal flow of sewage water is blocked. This issue has been observed in a lot of developing countries.

The immune system reacts against foreign substances that enter the human body. They are usually harmless, but for people who are prone to allergies and have sensitive skin, the reaction can be aggravated in nature. Doctors refer to those triggers as allergens, which include pollen, animal dander, mold and particular food items like milk, fish, eggs among other things that cause irritation to the skin. Allergies can occur if your skin comes in contact with the allergens, or if you inhale or consume something that you are allergic to. As a response, your body starts to produce antibodies to combat the threat, which is termed as an allergic reaction. Symptoms The allergic symptoms are based on the type of allergy and how you are exposed to them. If you have a skin allergy or a nasal allergy, there are some common symptoms:

• Fatigue
• Sneezing
• Runny nose
• Watery eyes
• Rash or hives

Food allergies can cause diarrhea, cramps and vomiting. An allergy from an insect bite would cause redness, itching and pain in the affected area. Symptoms are sometimes not noticeable. But if the condition is severe, then a fever might occur and you would need to consult your doctor. Anaphylaxis It is the most severe type of reaction due to allergies. The situation can be fatal and almost life-threatening. An epinephrine auto-injection is the best way to control an allergy from spreading. However, immediate medical treatment is required, or your life would be in danger. The symptoms of anaphylaxis include:

• Shortness of breath
• Wheezing
• Hoarseness in the throat
• Rashes and hives all over the body
• Tingling feeling in the hands, feet, lips and scalp
• Type of allergies

Allergies can be broadly divided into four categories: Respiratory Allergy: It again can be further sub-divided into the following parts: Hay fever: Also known as allergic rhinitis, it occurs from pollen grains and other substances. It is an immune disorder and is of two types - seasonal and perennial. Spring allergies: It occurs during spring and can be controlled with the help of home remedies and medications. Summer allergies: It occurs from the pollen of the grass and weed. Fall allergies: Dust mites and mold are the biggest triggers of allergy during the fall season. Winter allergies: These are indoor allergies caused from mold or dust found inside the house. Food allergy: Consuming certain food items such as pulses, milk, egg and seafood can have an allergic reaction in a sensitive person. Skin allergy: Some people can be allergic to the sun and would have heat burns on their skin. Latex, insect bites and dermatitis are the common causes of skin allergies. It leads to rashes, skin irritation and redness in the area. Other allergies: It includes conjunctivitis in the eyes or allergies to drugs like Aspirin or Penicillin. Treatment Prescribed medication and a few restrictions are the only treatment for allergies unless it is anaphylaxis, which has a different set of therapy as the organs get affected. Being aware and exercising caution is the best way to fend off allergies.