The problem of an enlarged prostrate, otherwise medically known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or the benign enlargement of the prostate, is a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate. It is a condition which can greatly affect the way men pass urine. While what causes BPH is not exactly clear, it is normally said to be a part of the aging process in men and is said to be caused by the changes in cell growth and hormonal balance.
How does BPH happen?
BPH is the hyperplasia (an increase in the amount of tissue) of prostatic epithelial and stromal cells which result in the formation of discrete, large nodules in the prostate’s transition zone. When they become sufficiently large, the nodules push forward, narrowing the urethra that leads to a greater resistance to urine flow from the bladder (a.k.a. obstruction, even though the actual phenomenon is compression). This causes the bladder to work harder during the voiding process, leading possibly to weakness, instability or progressive hypertrophy of the bladder muscle.
If an enlarged prostate causes bladder obstruction and remains untreated, there could be complications such as bladder stones, recurrent urinary tract infections, and even chronic kidney disease, which could lead to possible kidney failure.
Enlarged prostate symptoms
When the prostate becomes enlarged, it places pressure on the urethra and consequently, the bladder. Men suffering from BPH show the following symptoms:
While in some men, the symptoms are mild and don’t need treatment, they can get very troublesome in others. In very rare cases, an enlarged prostate causes the bladder to become blocked, making it extremely difficult or even impossible to urinate. This problem could also result in urinary retention, which could lead to kidney damage, bladder stones and infections.
Complications of BPH
Benign prostate enlargement can sometimes lead to complications as well. These include acute urinary retention and urinary tract infections. Acute urinary retention (AUR) refers to the sudden failure to pass any urine. Symptoms of AUR include swelling of the bladder (so much so that you can feel it with your hands), severe lower abdominal pain, and suddenly not being able to pee at all. One should immediately go to the nearest ER if one experiences these symptoms of AUR.
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common in 20-50% of the men beyond the age of 50; symptoms being a frequent and intense urge to urinate, foul-smelling or cloudy urine, pain in the bladder region, burning sensation or pain during urination, etc. One should visit a physician immediately, who will prescribe antibiotics.
Secondhand smoke is actually one of the passive health effects of smoking; you might not do it, but you might get affected by someone who does. Moreover, if you smoke or know someone who does, you must have noticed the unpleasant smell and seen people wave off the smoke or cover their nose and mouth around you. But the unpleasantness of the smoke goes beyond the smell.
Secondhand smoke is the smoke released [exhaled] by a smoker or by the cigarette into the air. There are about 4000 chemicals in the secondhand smoke, 50 of which can cause cancer. In some, the carcinogenic products found are greater in secondhand smoke than the smoke inhaled by the smokers. There is also twice the amount of nicotine and tar in the secondhand smoke.
Cigarette smoke remains in the room for several hours. No amount of ventilation, air-filtration, or opening a window is effective in removing smoke from a building. The best way is to prevent secondhand smoking effects is to make it a rule to not smoke indoors.
The toxic chemicals found in cigarette smoke remains in the air much longer after you stub the cigarette. It settles on walls, fabrics, carpets, furniture, and toys. Anyone close to these objects may experience effects of secondhand smoke/passive smoking. If you are in a room or vehicle where people usually smoke, then you are exposed to secondhand smoke, even if no one smokes in your presence.
Effects of secondhand smoking on health
There are many secondhand smoking effects on the health. A slight exposure could cause serious problems. Children are the most affected as they breathe more rapidly and their immune system is vulnerable. Those exposed to secondhand smoke develop bronchitis, tonsillitis, asthma, and other respiratory problems.
Seniors, pregnant women and people who have cardiac or respiratory problems are at a greater risk.
Prominent secondhand smoking effects include irritation to the eyes, in the nose, and throat. It can also cause a headache, coughing, and nausea. It may increase the risk of asthma, lung infections, and even lung cancer. It can result in heart problems, damage reproduction system, and reduce fertility; it also leads to breast cancer, if exposed prior to menopause.
While redesigning or remodeling your house, the kitchen is perhaps the one place that can leave you flummoxed. This is because the kitchen has a lot of intricacies that are missing in the bedroom or the drawing room. For instance, all the pipe fittings and drainage layouts for the kitchen can be quite confusing to figure out. However, this never means that you will have to sacrifice your dream of getting a lovely kitchen straight out of those classic magazine covers.
Tips for designing kitchen cabinets
The first factor to keep in mind while designing a kitchen is to have the right amount of storage space. When it comes to storage, the perfect options would be kitchen cabinets. Designing a kitchen cabinet will require precision, understanding of your storage needs, and finally a proper budget. You will have to decide where exactly to position your kitchen cabinet. This is because your kitchen cabinet cannot be removed once it is built. It is better to avoid any experimentation and affix the same to an area of your choice. Decide on what material you will be employing in your kitchen cabinets. You will also have to make sure that it is waterproof and heat resistant. Make an inventory of all your kitchen wares and see how much would fit in the cabinet, with the planned dimensions of your kitchen cabinet. Even though you have picked the design from a magazine or a TV show, you have to make sure that proper customizations are in place for the kitchen cabinet at home. This is because what could be suitable in one kitchen will not be perfect for yours. Moving on, you will have to decide what kind of finish would you like to render to the kitchen cabinet. From polish to plywood to even sheet pasting, there are a lot of options available in the market today.
Budget with care
Formulate a perfect budget for your kitchen cabinet and discuss the possibilities with your woodwork contractor. Many things, which you would want to go forward with, might be difficult to afford. There’s no need to feel bad about it since the design is an endless stream of ideas; the best of what you originally have in mind and can afford. Designing kitchen cabinets must also be based on the kind of ideas that are not harmful to the environment. Materials that are certified green and safe for use are best to be used for making kitchen cabinets.
One thing to keep in mind is not to employ a very light colored material for your kitchen cabinet. You could be doing this only when you are very much prepared to put in long hours of maintenance. Kitchen cabinets can make or break the entire look of the kitchen. Make sure you put in some time in the design with options open for innovation as well as classic designs. The bottom line is that designing kitchen cabinets need a little bit of understanding and a lot of planning. Choose a design that does not have too many corners and nooks as this eases up the maintenance process. Remember, prices of kitchen cabinets are high, and it is not very often that you can change them.
Google’s latest offering, Pixel, is making the right noise. Say goodbye to complicated phones that make you miserable with unnecessary apps and say hello to Google Pixel.
Interesting features
Pixel has its own personal assistant that can be engaged with the words “OK Google.” Google Assistant is at your service when it comes to performing any task on your phone. One thing is assured with the Google Pixel; you will never run out of space as it offers unlimited cloud storage for videos and photos, unlike other smartphones. Pixel comes with a The SmartBurst camera feature that enhances the images and gives clear and crisp photos any time of the day, under any light conditions. What’s more, even video calling is made simpler with the new Google Duo app.
Network compatibility
Google Pixel is equipped with CDMA technology. So Verizon is the official carrier of Pixel and Pixel XL. It is available at Verizon or the Google Store. If the buyer is already on the Verizon network, they may get some credit when purchasing from the Verizon store in exchange for the old phone. However, if the buyer is not on Verizon, then they may buy an unlocked Google Pixel from Google store or online retail sites, and choose the carrier of his choice, like AT&T, T-Mobile, or Sprint.
Best place to buy it from
Buyers are especially curious as to which is the right place to purchase the Pixel. Google has released Pixel and Pixel XL. So what are the best bets for a better deal? Since it is a Google phone, the best and first choice would be to grab it from the official Google store. One advantage of purchasing from the Google store is the easy finance option, which may not be available elsewhere.
Pricing and payment options
The Pixel starts at USD 650 for 32GB. Both Google and Verizon offer financing at USD 24 per month for 24 months. Google has a special promotional offer for pre-ordering the Pixel. The buyer gets Daydream View Virtual reality headset worth $79 for free. Pixel 32GB is available in silver, black, and blue color, while the 128GB model is available in silver and black only.
The availability of unlocked Google Pixels may vary from one retailer to another. Before making a decision about buying the Pixel, it is always better to check out any deals or promotional offer available online or in stores.