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Understanding the impact of water contamination on health

Water is one of the most essential components for the survival of all living organisms. However, rapid urbanization and industrialization over the last few decades have led to an increase in the contamination of water sources in the country. Even with multiple facilities designed for filtration and purification, drinking water can have hazardous elements that increase the risk of known chronic diseases and severe illnesses. Here is a look at the consequences of water contamination:

Health concerns
As the human body is made up of nearly 70% water, most organs and functions are affected by consuming contaminated water. Here are the common consequences:

Heavy metal contamination issues
Heavy metals like lead, arsenic, and mercury increase the risk of developing cancer in the liver, bladder, or lungs. Long-term consumption can affect neurological development among kids affecting their cognitive skills. Women drinking contaminated water during pregnancy are at substantial risk of developing fetal malformations. Heavy metals like arsenic can also be introduced into breast milk, affecting the health of breastfed newborns.

Respiratory issues and autoimmune disorders
Byproducts of chlorine and other chemicals used for disinfection can mix with groundwater. These chemicals adversely affect the upper respiratory tract, causing chest pain and lung irritation. Repeated exposure also increases the risk of genetic abnormalities as the contamination affects the DNA and triggers cell mutation. Hazardous chemicals often increase the risk of developing autoimmune responses by the body, leading to autoimmune disorders.

Pathogenic diseases
Groundwater contamination leads to microbes and parasites entering homes. This kind of contamination is a product of unsafe agricultural practices, excessive animal husbandry, and even mismanagement of sewage waste. Common pathogens include E coli, Giardia, Salmonella, Legionella, and Cryptosporidium. The disease-causing pathogens increase the risk of diarrhea, blood toxicity, and dehydration linked to chronic illnesses.

Common symptoms
Regular intake of unsafe water can lead to the following symptoms:

Eye infections, including trachoma, caused by pathogens
Nausea, vomiting, respiratory difficulties, and stomach infections
Organ damage and liver and kidney function failure
Skin diseases due to exposure to metals like arsenic
High blood pressure and increased risk of anemia due to lead poisoning
Teeth and bone problems caused by the fluoride chemicals found in contaminated water
Diarrhea, dysentery, typhoid, and cholera caused by pathogens

Camp Lejeune water contamination
The water at U.S Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina was heavily contaminated. It was consumed by on-site personnel for several years and may have been affected by diseases like cancer or autoimmune disorders. Veterans, reservists, and guardsmen on active duty (for at least 30 days) at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987 qualify for Veterans Affairs health care benefits. Treatment is free for eligible health complications triggered by exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

Coping with urges that can trigger a relapse post treatment

Addictions when left untreated can turn into crippling conditions. One can be addicted to smoking, binge drinking, or even shopping. Once addicted, one willfully submits to urges, despite having satisfied them before. However, addictions can be managed and to a great extent treated to full recovery. But, the post-recovery phase is crucial where both the mind and body are put to test and can trigger a relapse. Continue reading to know more about the most common triggers for addictions and how to deal with them.Stress Stress is commonly the root cause of many problems and addictions, both physical and psychological. One can become an addict as a way to manage the stress that may stem from strained relationships or priorities. The best way to avoid a relapse during recovery is to make lifestyle changes that donât trigger a return to addictions amidst a stressful situation. One can practice mindfulness, engage in relaxation techniques, manage oneâs time to avoid stressful situations, and imbibe healthy eating habits and exercise in their daily routine. EmotionsThere is an umpteen number of triggers that invoke a positive or negative emotional response. However, the stress associated with dealing with emotions daily can trigger urges without one even realizing. Often, one turns to a glass of alcohol or relies on prescription medications to put the mind at ease. It is not a permanent solution and prolonged use of these substances can cause more harm in the long run. One must learn and explore productive ways of controlling emotions better to avoid a relapse during recovery. For example, writing and maintaining a journal that contains oneâs feelings and thoughts can act as a healthy outlet. Similarly, there are other healthy ways to channel oneâs energy and manage emotional responses.Positive conditioningPeople who have addictions such as smoking or drinking may often find themselves in situations where a lit cigarette or a glass of wine can trigger a relapse. This is understandable considering these substances were the primary source of comfort and relaxation. However, with positive reinforcement and reconditioning one can train the mind and curb such urges. Relaxation doesnât always mean techniques like yoga or meditation, it can also be pursuing your hobby. Counseling for group gatheringsBirthdays, parties, New Yearâs events, and any celebration in general call for alcohol consumption and smoking. At times, these could be the very addictions one is recovering from, and in a social gathering, such temptations can be strong. However, a recovering addict should refrain from indulging in any of these as even a taste can turn into a relapse. For instance, a recovering alcoholic must avoid having a single drink as that could put him/her on a slippery slope to relapse. Here, one-on-one counseling can help prepare the mind to resist the urge. It is never healthy for a recovering addict to simply avoid socializing fearing a relapse.

Eosinophilic esophagitis – Symptoms, causes, and therapy

Eosinophilic esophagitis, widely known as EoE, is an allergic condition of the esophagus - the tube connecting the mouth and stomach. When a person suffers from it, their esophagus becomes inflamed and unable to contract. This condition can lead to the development of abscesses or rings, and the body employs eosinophils, better known as white blood cells, to counter it. It can happen at any age, and the symptoms vary between persons. Symptoms Eosinophilic esophagitis is a disease that is often confused with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) due to matching symptoms. The symptoms of the condition differ with age and can also vary from one patient to another, but may include trouble while swallowing, food getting stuck in the throat, upper abdominal and chest pain, heartburn, and vomiting. Causes and risk factors This condition develops when eosinophils build up in the esophagus, causing discomfort and inflammation. Multiple factors like food allergies, history of the disease in the family, and climatic conditions may put a person at risk of developing this health condition. Food allergies Food allergies are one of the biggest risk factors as it triggers the eosinophils to travel to the esophagus. It can sometimes even lead to medical emergencies and may require the assistance of a healthcare professional. Foods that trigger allergies include dairy products, soy, eggs, and wheat. Family history Some illnesses can be passed on from one person to the other hereditarily. Genetics plays a huge part in this condition. People with a family history of eosinophilic esophagitis are at an increased risk of developing the disease. Climate A person living in the coldest parts of the country may be more at risk of developing this condition than others. A flare-up may also happen during the other seasons, such as summer, spring, or fall. Diagnosis As GERD shares certain symptoms with this condition, the doctors will rule out acid reflux and ask for further diagnostic tests like endoscopy and blood tests. Endoscopy The doctor examines the upper part of the digestive tract through this test. A thin and long scope is used to locate signs of inflammation and white blood cells. Sometimes, even tissue samples are taken for a biopsy. Blood tests Sometimes blood tests are carried out to see if the patient is sensitive to a particular allergen. Blood test detects immunoglobulin E (IgE) circulating in the blood. It proves helpful in detecting certain conditions linked to IgE-mediated food allergies. Therapy There are various ways to treat this condition, requiring the patient to continuously work with the doctors to see good results. Some of the treatment methods are- Esophagectomy surgery This surgical procedure removes either a part of the esophagus or completely removes it, then reconstructs it using parts of different organs to ease digestion. Avoiding allergens One of the most practical ways to treat this condition is to avoid all sources of allergens, either food or environmental. It helps in steering clear of all triggers that may make cause flare-ups.

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4 tips that can help you pick the right investment advisor

An investment advisor can be a game-changer. A capable advisor can help solve most of your financial issues and give you the best investment advice so that you can turn market situations to your favor. But, finding the right investment advisor is not easy. Here are a few things you need to keep in mind while looking for the best investment advisor. Know what type of service you need First, you need to decide what kind of financial assistance you need. Do you need help picking investments? Or are you seeking advice on real estate, retirement, or insurance needs? Asking yourself these questions will help determine the type of investment advisor you are looking for. Nowadays, many people use a robo-advisor, which is as competent as a human investment advisor. A robo-advisor is great for investment management and other basic investments. But if you want substantial transformation in your money-situation, a human advisor is the viable option. Choose a fee-only advisor If you’ve decided to pick a human advisor, the next step is to choose the type of advisor: commission-based, fee-based, or fee-only. If you’re planning something big financially, you must pick a fee-only advisor. Such advisors work for and get paid by other clients like you, so they always act in their clients’ best interest.

Handy tips for retirement-focused investments

With pension plans becoming more and more obsolete, retirement-focused investments have come to the fore in the past few years. Besides helping you fund your future, these valuable assets also provide incredible gains, and in some cases, constant income till the end of life. Since investing for retirement—and planning it—can prove to be challenging, we have put together a list of tips that may be helpful in the process. Assess your options Multiple investment vehicles are ideal for long-term gains and can return a sizable amount by the time you retire. Mutual funds, stocks, bonds, exchange-traded funds, cash investments, annuities, and dividend reinvestment plans (DRIPs) are also good sources of high returns, although they depend on investor characteristics and risk aptitude. Saving money in certain tax-advantaged accounts such as 401(k), individual retirement accounts (IRA), and brokerage accounts is also an option. Start early and young No one is ever too young to invest. It’s a healthy habit that can earn serious money in the long term, with even the smallest of investments capable of making a difference a few years down the line. Starting early gives your money time to grow and lets you accumulate more compound interest over a period of time.

4 popular credit cards for college students

A good credit score is essential as it can be a criterion for lucrative job prospects or renting an apartment. Moreover, a good credit score is an uncompromisable necessity while applying for a loan that has terms and conditions that favor you. To ensure that you have a good credit score, it is better to start building it young and early. One of the easiest ways to do so is by applying for a student credit card from prominent credit cards companies. Now, there are several credit cards companies that offer lucrative credit cards, making choosing the right one confusing. To help you narrow down your choices, here are some of the best credit cards companies that offer student credit cards. Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students: One of the biggest credit card companies in the country Bank of America offers a slew of benefits with its student credit card. With each dollar spent using this card, students can earn 1.5 points. This applies to purchases without any caps. The points can be redeemed as discounts on hotels, flights, rental cars, and vacation packages. There are no restrictions or blackout dates applicable for availing these discounts. With no foreign transaction fee or annual fee, the card allows one to earn nearly 25,000 points on spending about $1000 in the first 90 days.

What you must know about guaranteed business loans

If you’re looking for funding your small business with a loan, you’ll most likely come across the term “guaranteed business loans.” People often misunderstand this term as business loans that are guaranteed to be approved. But, this is not what guaranteed business loans means. To clarify the confusion, let’s understand what the term actually means, and discuss the most popular types of guaranteed business loans. What are guaranteed business loans? In simple terms, guaranteed business loans in the world of small business loans refer to loans that are secured or backed by a guarantee. The guarantee can be in the form of collateral, deposit, or an agreement. This essentially means that the lender is guaranteed to receive their money back even if the borrower fails to pay. When we talk about guaranteed business loans, we refer to loans with a personal guarantee or, more commonly, loans guaranteed by the small business administration (SBA). Let’s take a look at both these types. Personally guaranteed business loans As you understand from the term “personal,” when you make a personal guarantee on a business loan, you essentially agree to sell your assets to pay off the loan, if your business is unable to do so.

5 mistakes to avoid when investing in a high dividend ETF

Exchange-traded funds (ETF) have been gaining popularity in the investment sector for some time now. Along with mutual funds, they have been one of the most preferred investment options among investors. With investors having pumped in billions of dollars in ETFs by now, these funds sure seem like a lucrative investment avenue. However, financial experts suggest treading this path carefully so as to avoid unforeseeable losses. Here are a few mistakes that you can avoid while investing in high dividend ETFs: Overlooking long-term investment Looking at long-term goals is the golden rule when it comes to any type of investment. However, seasoned investors invest in ETFs on a short-term basis through a type of trading called intraday trade. This type of trading allows the investors to buy and sell stocks and other investments on the same day. However, if not thought out carefully, investing in high dividend ETFs through intraday trading can result in lower returns and higher trading costs. Buying an ETF simply based on its name This is one of the most common mistakes people make when investing in high dividend ETFs. Investors may think that an ETF’s name provides an insight into its investment reach, i.e., whether the ETF has local or/and global investors.

How to qualify for a reverse mortgage

A reverse mortgage provides the elderly access to equity in their homes and supplements their income. With its flexible repayment option, it gives homeowners more control over their money. However, the government has laid out strict rules and guidelines concerning reverse mortgage eligibility criteria. So, if you’re considering a reverse mortgage, read on to know the reverse mortgage eligibility criteria and the types of reverse mortgages. Reverse mortgage eligibility criteria The first criterion for a reverse mortgage is that the primary homeowner must be at least 62 years of age. If your spouse is under the age of 62, you might still be eligible if you meet other reverse mortgage eligibility criteria. If you’re not 62 or older than 62, then you won’t qualify for a reverse mortgage even if you satisfy the criteria mentioned below. You must be the primary resident of the home you’re seeking a reverse mortgage for. Note that vacation homes or rental properties do not qualify. You must either entirely own the house or have at least 50% equity in it. If you have any mortgage balance remaining while applying for a reverse mortgage, you must be in a financial position to pay off that balance.

Understanding the impact of water contamination on health

Coping with urges that can trigger a relapse post treatment

Eosinophilic esophagitis – Symptoms, causes, and therapy

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