sick

Best Money Tips: 10 Home Items That Are Making You Sick

Amy Lu — Fri, 18 Aug 2017 08:00:07 +0000

Welcome to Wise Bread's Best Money Tips Roundup! Today we found articles on things you have in your home that are making you sick, useful tips for gig workers, and ways to save money when you’re moving abroad.

7 Ways to Avoid Getting Seriously Sick on Vacation

Nick Wharton — Tue, 27 Jun 2017 08:30:14 +0000

Heading off on vacation is often the culmination of months of planning and saving for your travel budget. It's the one time of year when we really get to relax, let our hair down, and enjoy the freedom of being away from work. So why risk wasting all that effort by allowing an unexpected bout of sickness to ruin it?

Health dangers are part of nearly every trip, but with proper precautions before and during your travels, it's entirely possible to avoid getting sick on vacation.

1. Get your shots

Your number one priority when heading off on an international vacation should be making sure that you are protected from diseases. First, double check that you are up to date on your routine vaccinations, such as those for Tetanus-Diphtheria-Pertussis (Tdap) and Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR), which may require a booster. Then you need to figure out what jabs are necessary for whichever country or countries you are planning to visit.

The best way to do this is to make an appointment with your health care provider or a specialized travel clinic, which should be able to advise you on exactly what you need. It's important to leave yourself plenty of time, as some of the shots, such as the vaccination against cholera, require two doses. Also make sure you check if there is any medication you need to take while you are traveling, such as anti-malaria tablets. It's far better to be safe than sorry.

2. Prepare for the plane journey

You don't want to ruin your vacation before it's even begun by arriving at your destination feeling out of sorts, so it's important to make sure you're properly prepared. Long plane journeys are renowned for having a detrimental impact on your health, but even short flights could be hazardous. The effects of air travel on the body range from dehydration and restlessness, to the potentially fatal deep vein thrombosis.

Do your best to make sure that you are fully rested in the days leading up to your flight. Consider boosting your immune system by taking some multivitamins, eating healthily the week beforehand, and ensuring that you are fully hydrated when you board the plane. However tempting it may be, particularly if you're a nervous flyer, stay away from the airport bar, as the combination of alcohol and altitude may undo all of your preparation.

3. Avoid tap water

Regardless of your destination, avoiding the local tap water is always a good idea when you go on vacation. There are many locations around the world where it's unsafe to drink the tap water, but even in the countries where it is technically safe, the water may still upset your stomach. This is due to the different balance of minerals and chemicals in the local water, as well as the different purification methods used.

The easiest way to avoid any issues arising is to stick to bottled water, but that's both potentially expensive and bad for the environment. If you want a practical and ecological way to steer clear of single use plastic bottles, there are plenty of other options you can consider. There is a huge variety of filtration bottles available on the market that get rid of almost 100 percent of microbiological contaminants as well as chlorine, fluoride and heavy metals. (See also: Eat These 6 Foods to Stay Healthy While Traveling)

4. Wash your hands and use antibacterial gel

Washing your hands thoroughly with soap and water is the most effective way to clean them. This is because it gets rid of dirt that may be harboring germs, and kills the germs themselves. But there isn't always a ready supply of water and soap for this to be a practical option. In these cases, hand sanitizing gel or antibacterial spray is the secret weapon of the savvy vacationer. When used properly, these products kill over 99 percent of bacteria.

Always carrying a small bottle of antibacterial liquid around with you is a simple and convenient way to ward off any germs that may have been transferred onto your hands. Don't wait until you arrive at your destination to start. Planes are notoriously unclean environments, so it pays to spray before and after boarding your flight, as well as when you're going to the bathroom. Always wash up before eating, but don't be afraid to use hand sanitizer at regular intervals throughout the day, too. (See also: 10 Items You'll Never Regret Packing on a Trip)

5. Watch what you eat

Food, and specifically the different bacterias found within it, are one of the main causes of people getting sick while they're away. The number one rule to follow when you're eating on vacation is to be cautious. Of course you want to sample the delicious local delicacies — it's one of the pleasures of traveling. But try to ease your stomach into exotic foods rather than immediately bombarding it with all of these new and exciting flavors. (See also: How to Eat Street Food Safely While Traveling)

Be aware of where you eat and the establishment's hygiene standards, whether it's a hotel restaurant, or a local street food stall. Food poisoning indiscriminately affects anywhere that has poor practices. To steer clear of food that will make you ill, always make sure it's freshly prepared and piping hot, avoid raw food, and don't eat anything prepared with tap water that isn't boiled. A great way to get the lowdown is to ask around for recommendations on which places are good, or do some research online.

6. Beat the mosquitoes

Despite their diminutive size, mosquitoes are some of the most dangerous creatures on the planet. At best, they'll give you an annoying bite that will lead to a lot of itching and discomfort, or even a fever, which in itself could ruin your vacation. At worst, depending on where you're going, you could end up with any one of a long list of nasty diseases that could be threatening to your health.

The only way to completely stop any risk is to not get bitten, so if you're going to a mosquito-heavy area, take plenty of tried and tested repellent, cover up areas of exposed skin, and always sleep under a mosquito net.

7. Take care in the sun

One of the pleasures for many travelers heading overseas is the opportunity to spend some time catching a few rays. But too much fun in the sun can have seriously negative effects on your health. The most common of these is sunburn, but more serious illnesses such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke aren't to be taken lightly. In extreme instances, they can even lead to death.

If you overdo it in the sun, you could end up spending days on your sickbed recovering, so it's best to know your limits and take it easy. Use a suitable strength of sunscreen, don't spend too much time directly in the sun, avoid strenuous activity at midday and drink plenty of water to keep hydrated. (See also: 8 Health and Fitness Tricks for Travelers)

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This article is from Nick Wharton of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

The 5 Best Ear Thermometers

Andrea Cannon — Wed, 12 Apr 2017 08:00:09 +0000

With the right ear thermometer, you can get professional medical results at home in seconds. Research has shown that ear thermometers can be more accurate than forehead or rectal thermometers. That’s because your eardrum shares blood supply with the body's temperature control center, so it quickly reflects changes in the body’s core temperature.

What Is an Ear Thermometer?

An ear thermometer is a device that can quickly read temperatures to detect a fever. It uses an infrared ray to accurately measure the temperature inside your ear canal to provide an accurate reading in seconds. Ear thermometers are quick, convenient, and safe to use on the whole family.

Top 5 Ear Thermometers

Braun Ear Thermometer

Amazon’s #1 best-seller in ear thermometers, the Braun Ear Thermometer is trusted by pediatricians and medical professionals. It is quick and easy to use. It measures the infrared heat generated by the eardrum, which clinical studies have shown can reflect changes in core body temperature faster than oral thermometers and more accurately than rectal or temple thermometers.

The award-winning ergonomic design features a patented pre-warmed tip to minimize the cooling effect on the ear canal that can result from using room-temperature tips. The professional technology can provide precise, accurate results in just a few seconds. The unique guidance system uses a light and beep to confirm correct positioning for accurate readings. The memory function recalls the last temperature reading. The small, soft, flexible tip makes it gentle to use, even on sleeping children or patients. It is safe to use on the whole family.

It includes two AA batteries, 21 lens filters, and a protective case. It is Amazon’s Choice for ear thermometers and one of the “most wished for” items on Amazon. It is frequently recommended online and has outstanding reviews, including thousands of five-star reviews on Amazon. It is also used by more doctors' offices than any other infrared thermometer brand. The Braun Thermoscan Ear Thermometer with ExacTemp Technology is another highly reviewed Amazon best-seller, but is more expensive.

Currently $33.99 on Amazon

Kinsa Digital Smart Ear Thermometer

The Kinsa Digital Smart Ear Thermometer is more than your average thermometer. The BPA-free, latex-free smart thermometer syncs wirelessly with the free Kinsa app on most iPhone and Android devices. The app tracks temperature readings, symptoms, diagnoses, medications, and other notes in a time-stamped log, for each member of the family. It can store up to 50 readings, so you can easily share this health information and photos with a doctor. It can also provide real-time guidance with tips on the best next steps, as well as information about illnesses trending in your area. You can also use the thermometer without the app.

The ergonomic design features an illuminated easy-to-read screen. It provides professionally accurate readings in one second. It is water-resistant and features an easy-clean tip, so no probe covers are required. It is quick, gentle, and easy to use, even on sleeping children or patients. It is safe for use on the whole family. The award-winning thermometer is recommended by Consumer Search and The Sweethome.

Currently $39.97 on Amazon

Innovo Forehead and Ear Thermometer

The Innovo Forehead and Ear Thermometer can be used in the ear or on the forehead. The digital thermometer is quick and easy to use. The ergonomic design has reflective finishing and instantly displays results on the advanced LCD Display. It uses the latest infrared detection technology, AccuSense Sensor, and upgraded software to accurately measure temperature. It uses a light and beep to alert you when the temperature exceeds 99.5°F. It can store and recall up to 20 readings. It is clinically tested and proven to be reliable and accurate. The BPA-free, latex-free thermometer is CE and FDA-approved. It is recommended by doctors, pediatricians, and medical professionals. It is safe for the whole family to use.

This comes with two AAA batteries that will last through thousands of readings. It is an Amazon best-seller and has outstanding online reviews, including hundred of five-star reviews on Amazon. Innovo has another option, the Innovo Medical Forehead and Ear Thermometer, which claims to have improved accuracy, if you’re willing to spend a few more dollars.

Currently $28.99 on Amazon

Ear Thermometer by Iproven

The Ear Thermometer by Iproven is quick and easy to use. It’s recommended by pediatricians thanks to its professional accuracy and superior sapphire probe lens. It features a large backlit display and improved infrared technology. It’s clinically proven to provide a highly accurate, reliable reading. It’s safe for use on the entire family.

This includes a battery and protective case. It is easy to clean, so it doesn’t require the use of caps or probe covers. It has outstanding online reviews, including hundreds of five-star reviews on Amazon. It is also backed by a money-back guarantee.

Currently $19.30 on Amazon

Vicks Behind Ear Gentle Touch Thermometer

The Vicks Behind Ear Gentle Touch Thermometer is easy to use. Simply place it on the hollow behind the ear for one second to get a professionally accurate reading. This area is close to the carotid artery (which carries blood to the brain), so it provides a more accurate reading. It has clinical accuracy and is proven more accurate than a forehead thermometer. The Fever InSight color-coded screen has a fever guidance, which can track the progression of a fever. The large, easy-to-read LCD display beeps to display temperature. It can track and save the last eight readings. The noninvasive thermometer is safe for use on the entire family and gentle enough to be used on a sleeping child.

It is frequently recommended online and comes from the trusted Vicks brand. It is built to last and backed by a lifetime warranty.

Currently $17.24 on Amazon

And those are our recommendations for the best ear thermometers. As always, be sure to check Wise Bread's Buying Calendar to learn when and how to buy just about anything!

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This article is from Andrea Cannon of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

10 Reasons You Should Call in Sick Today

Brittany Lyte — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 10:00:13 +0000

Downtime is a prerequisite of productivity. Research shows that we actually need rest to not only perform at our peak, but to perform well, period. A 2010 LexisNexis survey of 1,700 white collar workers from the U.S., China, South Africa, the U.K., and Australia revealed that employees spend more than half their workdays receiving and managing information. What's more, half of those surveyed workers confessed that they were reaching a breaking point after which they would not be able to accommodate the deluge of data. (See also: 20 Free or Really Cheap Ways to Reduce Stress)

"Idleness is not just a vacation, an indulgence or a vice; it is as indispensable to the brain as vitamin D is to the body, and deprived of it we suffer a mental affliction as disfiguring as rickets," essayist Tim Kreider wrote in The New York Times. "The space and quiet that idleness provides is a necessary condition for standing back from life and seeing it whole, for making unexpected connections and waiting for the wild summer lightning strikes of inspiration — it is, paradoxically, necessary to getting any work done."

So read on for our roundup of the best, most legitimate reasons you should call in sick today.

1. You Need to Memorize a Lot of New Information

Remember how those vocabulary words would click better the morning after a long study session? That's because memory depends on sleep. When our brains take pause from learning something new, all that recently accumulated data gets etched into the tissue of our minds so that it's at the ready for real-world application. It stands to reason that a day of rest might be just what you need to solidify all that new information.

2. You Long to Be Anywhere But the Office

Taking a deliberate periodic rest has been found to make workers more satisfied with their jobs and more likely to envision a long-term future at the company that currently employs them. Even a single day off during the regular five-day work week has been shown to make workers not only more productive, but also more prideful in their work. "A short vacation is like a cool shower on an oppressively muggy summer day — a refreshing yet fleeting escape," writes Scientific American writer Ferris Jabr.

3. Your Creative Spark Needs Rekindling

When we're overworked, our creative energy tends to be the first thing to go. To get it back, we need rest and time away from our work. "In the breaks, that's where the 'aha moment' comes," said Brigid Schulte, author of Overwhelmed: Work, Love and Play When No One Has the Time.

4. You've Been Yelling At Your Spouse and Kids

We all have work frustrations, but not all of us feel comfortable expressing them in the office. So in turn we cope with them at home. If you've been treating your family unfairly due to work-related angst and stress, it's probably time for a time-out.

5. You Haven't Been Sleeping Well

Studies show that if insomnia, apnea, and other kinds of sleep disturbances were eliminated, the total cost of worker sick days could be cut by 28%. "It is well known that chronic sleep deficiency causes several daytime impairments," said Borge Sivertsen, a researcher at the Norwegian Institute of Public Health. "Our ability to sustain attention and maintain peak cognitive performance is significantly reduced if we are sleep deprived over longer periods." So if you wake up in the morning still feeling bleary-eyed, Siversten said the remedy is most likely more sleep.

6. You're Stressed Out

Long-term stress and anxiety actually changes our brain chemistry, making us over-sensitive and even paranoid. If you're beginning to experience these symptoms, experts say it's best to pull yourself out of that stressful environment and give your brain a chance to shock itself back to normal.

7. You're Dealing With a Personal Crisis

When we're dealing with emotional trauma from things like depression, the death of a friend or family member, or divorce, it's nearly impossible that our job performance won't suffer. That's because we perform better and are more likely to come up with the next big idea when we're emotionally sound and happy. The only way to overcome a personal crisis, and thereby get your job performance back on track, is by taking the time to deal with it head-on.

8. Your Child Is Home Sick From School

Most employers have a policy about staying home from work when your child is sick and unable to attend childcare or school. That's because one of the most important parts of parenting is being there when your child is ill and needs you most. Don't forget to alert your boss early if your child has a serious illness and you think you may need more than one day away from the office.

9. You're Burnt Out

The only way to pull yourself back up after you've worked yourself into the ground is to take a little breather. Man is not machine, and if you keep pushing yourself to act like the Energizer Bunny, it's only a matter of time before you're bound to crash and burn. (See also: 4 Signs You're Burned Out)

10. You're Actually Sick

Coughing at your cubicle all day is downright discourteous, especially toward the other bodies in the room that are trying to stay healthy. And research shows it doesn't pay off in the performance review department, either. A British study found that 45% of employees attend work while sick at least once during an average four-week period. And those who most frequently attend work despite illness score lower on performance reviews than their colleagues who are more apt to call in sick, according to the study.

When do you call in sick?

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This article is from Brittany Lyte of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Pet Peeves Part 3: Vet Visits

Andrea Karim — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 17:36:18 +0000

My animals are a pricey bunch. Cute, and sweet, but medically challenged. Between facial fold issues, allergies to grass (seriously, what kind of dog is allergic to grass?), and a cat with apparent manic depression, we've spent a lot of time at the vet's office, at a few hundred bucks a pop.

The last thing that my dog managed to come down with was a grass seed between his toes. He never gave any sign of distress, and I only noticed it when the other dog started sniffing at the wound. Apparently this is common, and you probably won't see it until it swells up and starts bleeding.

The thing is, most of my animals' health issues are annoying and probably painful, but not deadly. And they always occur on a Saturday night, meaning that I have to wait until Monday morning to get them seen by a vet, unless I want to take the to the emergency hospital, which is twice the price of the regular vet.

I've stopped going to the emergency hospital because I've learned to combat pet problems, at least the ones that send us to the emergency room, by being prepared.

Ounce of prevention, pound of cure

Here's a list of things that I keep on hand to keep my animals out of the vet's office:

A solid pair of rubber gloves, especially if you have to peform some first aid on a cat. Cats don't like you trying to fix them. Actually, cats just don't like you. Nothing personal. They're cats.

A regular first aid kit can do wonders, if you don't want to go to the trouble of buying gauze and butterfly bandages separately.

Good pair of tweezers, for removing ticks, pulling out splinters, etc.

One of those head-cones. You never know when you're going to have to stop your dog from chewing on his butt or licking a wound. Yes, he will look stupid running around the house with one of those things on. Too damn bad.

Baby wipes. I think anyone who is alive should keep these onhand, pets or no pets. They are incredibly handy.

Neosporin, for small scrapes and scratches.

Skin-cooling spray or cream. Hydrocortisone is good, or you can use something with soothing chamomile. Scalpicin works fine, too.

Hydorgen peroxide, for cleaning small wounds, such as the ones caused by an exiting grass seed.

A damn good pair of electric clippers, for trimming the hair around a wounded area.

Pepto-Bismol tablets, for diarrhea. I give two to each dog almost anytime they get runny. Also, egg yolks and yogurt, which are eaten by adventurers the world over to combat traveler's diarrhea, are a great way to plug up a pooch that has a slight stomach upset, as long as you feel that the source of the upset isn't dangerous. For instance, switching (non-contaminated) food brands. Don't get the idea that you can give your pets any kind of human medication, because you can't.

Particularly flatulent mutts can be treated with sweet potatoes, according to this home remedy from Itchmo.

Flea shampoo and flea treatments. I don't use these as regularly as some people do, but I keep them around, just in case an infestation occurs. It's very rare for us, but good to be ready if it happens.

Pet meds. If your pet regularly takes medication, don't fall behind in providing them. It can mean the difference between happy and healthy, and sitting at the pet hospital at 3AM and getting angry at bloggers. [Not that I'm suggesting the Kirk wasn't giving his dog his meds or anything.]

My vet recommends Benadryl for the times when my shih tzu has a massive allergy attack. Most human meds aren't good for dogs, and you should obviously check with yours before giving anything to your dog. Benadryl seems to be widely accepted for allergy treatments, however.

Treats. Dogs (and some cats) will forgive you for popping a huge cyst on their foot if a treat immediately follows.

Lots and lots of towels. You can never have too many towels.

Pet Insurance

The discussion over pet insurance is a long and tedious one, and I can't crunch the numbers for anyone else. Since pet insurance doesn't cover any pre-existing conditions, I haven't seen any reason to buy it (for my two pups, it would cost me roughly $100 a month with zero coverage of their current problems). I know that very serious diseases can be a problem later on, but I've already decided that I'm not going to let me dogs suffer through harsh treatments for something like cancer. That's my personal decision, and I don't expect anyone to agree with it.

Kitten picture by Simon Jackson.

This article is from Andrea Karim of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

sick

Best Money Tips: 10 Home Items That Are Making You Sick

Top 5 Articles

Other Essential Reading

7 Ways to Avoid Getting Seriously Sick on Vacation

1. Get your shots

2. Prepare for the plane journey

3. Avoid tap water

4. Wash your hands and use antibacterial gel

5. Watch what you eat

6. Beat the mosquitoes

7. Take care in the sun

Like this article? Pin it!

The 5 Best Ear Thermometers

What Is an Ear Thermometer?

Top 5 Ear Thermometers

Braun Ear Thermometer

Kinsa Digital Smart Ear Thermometer

Innovo Forehead and Ear Thermometer

Ear Thermometer by Iproven

Vicks Behind Ear Gentle Touch Thermometer

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10 Reasons You Should Call in Sick Today

1. You Need to Memorize a Lot of New Information

2. You Long to Be Anywhere But the Office

3. Your Creative Spark Needs Rekindling

4. You've Been Yelling At Your Spouse and Kids

5. You Haven't Been Sleeping Well

6. You're Stressed Out

7. You're Dealing With a Personal Crisis

8. Your Child Is Home Sick From School

9. You're Burnt Out

10. You're Actually Sick

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Pet Peeves Part 3: Vet Visits