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Tips for Choosing the Best Footwear for Bunions

April 19, 2015 By

Located at the base joint of the biggest toe, a bunion (also known as hallux valgus) is a painful swelling that may feel bony or lumpy and affect the toe’s pointing direction.
Bunions can be more than an inconvenience, often causing great discomfort and pain for the sufferer, making it difficult to find shoes that fit comfortably. Whilst surgery may be an option for some, you may have reasons for not following through with the procedure, such as cost or personal complications. Without surgery, the only option for sufferers is to find a way to cope with the effects.

Tips for Choosing the Best Footwear for Bunions

A common complaint amongst those with bunions is the lack of footwear available that suits their needs, with sufferers often having to settle for anything that fits, rather than the styles they love and enjoy wearing. However, due to demand, there are many stores, both brick and mortar and online, that offer a wide range of styles suitable for your feet.
Well-designed shoes for bunions will prevent strain on the area and minimalize inflammation of the joint. Shoes should never be smaller than your feet, as this may result in your toes being forced into uncomfortable positions, leading to painful effects.

If your feet are different sizes, choose the size that fits the larger. The other can be easily padded with insoles and you won’t have to sacrifice the comfort of your bigger foot.
Take into account the fact your feet may swell throughout the day from walking or long periods of standing. Trying on shoes in the evening will ensure your new pair fit you at all times, saving you both time and money as you won’t have to change into a different pair upon leaving work or social gatherings.

You may want to avoid heels to reduce pressure on your aching joints. Keeping heels under two inches will allow you extra height and style without causing damage or soreness.
Choosing an ideal pair of socks can also make a difference to the comfort of your feet while walking or running. A thin, light pair made from anti-blistering material will cut back on extra padding and leave more room for your toes to manoeuvre in the shoe, yet still protect your bunions from irritation.

In addition to selecting the right footwear, there are also accessories that can help relieve bunion sufferers from discomfort. Gel cushions are relatively thin and can provide flexible padding to support your feet and toes. You may also wish to try a shoe stretcher – a device that can be placed inside your shoe while not work to stretch its outline to a size that will accommodate the swelling caused by your bunions. Finally, arch supports are available that can help to distribute your weight effectively between the arch and the balls of the feet to ensure your swollen joint isn’t under unnecessary strain.

By researching the shoes and accessories available, you’ll be able to choose a perfect pair that will allow you to remain comfortable without compromising on your style.

Filed Under: Personal Comfort
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Keeping Termites Away from Your Home

April 19, 2015 By

Termites are a common pest that if left untreated can cause thousands of dollars in damage to your home, even rendering it unlivable. Here are some things that you can do to keep termites away from your home.

Eliminate excessive external moisture

Termites love damp soil and excessive moisture can also contribute to wood rot. One of the easiest ways to keep termites away is to simply fix those moisture problems. Repair any leaking faucets and pipes, and make sure that your air conditioner unit isn’t dripping or creating puddles. Make sure you modify your yard so that you have good drainage and no standing water. And make sure you clean out your downspouts and gutters regularly, termites can thrive on the damp rotting leaves and brush that can collect in the gutters.
Keep organics away from the foundation

This includes plants, mulch and groundcovers. It is important to keep these items 3-4 feet away from the foundation of your home, because it provides an environment where termites can thrive. Mulch provides a moist, wood-pulp rich environment for termites to establish themselves in and from there it is easy for them to move into your home.

Firewood = Termite Feast

If you use firewood in a grill or to heat your home, it should be kept away from the side of your house. Set up your firewood storage at least 4-5 feet away from the foundation of your home. That way, on the off chance that termites invade your firewood, they won’t be tempted to move into your foundation from there. This is an important rule to remember for lumber storage as well as paper and cardboard waste.

Get Rid of Debris

Stumps, branches, and other yard debris should be removed from the area quickly. If left untreated, these can attract and breed termites very quickly.
Inspect Any External Wood

External wood would include decks, fences, wood paneling, and any other external parts of your home that could be at risk for termite infestation. These should be inspected regularly, especially during wet and warm seasons where termites are known to thrive. Any wood that is in contact with the ground, including fence posts and deck supports, are at risk for termite damage. Wood paneling on your home should not come into contact with the ground at all. If you find termite damage, it is essential that you replace the damaged wood and have the rest of your home sprayed and treated for termites.

Regular Inspections are the Key

Even if you haven’t experienced any termite swarms or noticed any damage to your home or deck, it is important to have your home inspected for termites. If you have never had any termites in your home, an annual inspection is usually sufficient. If you have been the victim of a termite infestation, it is important to have it treated quickly. Most exterminators will offer a contract which includes quarterly inspections for the first year to make sure the infestation doesn’t reoccur.

Termites may seem small, but they are no laughing matter. Taking steps to prevent infestation can save you hundreds of dollars in treatments and repairs in the long run.

Filed Under: General Advice
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How energy companies create energy

April 19, 2015 By

There are multiple methods to collect and create energy in our world. Many companies have harvested this energy to make the electricity that heats and cools your home, lights the streets, provides you with internet access, and even allows you to purchase things without cash on hand. Electricity is a very big part of our modern life but where does electricity come from and how does the electric companies harvest it for us to use. Electricity is something that we often take for granted, but the process of getting the power from the source to your home is much more complicated than it seems.

Fossil Fuels: Fossil fuels such as coal and oil are among the very first methods used to create electricity and motion. Coal has been used for centuries to heat homes and power factories and trains. Coal, gasoline, nuclear power, and oil can be burned to produce a steam turbine that will turn a spinning electrical generator. Fossil fuels have gotten a bad reputation over the past few decades, because of the noxious emissions that can cause disease.

Renewable energy: Green or renewable energy sources like wind, hydroelectric dam, and solar energy are energy sources taken from nature and they won’t pollute the air in the way that coal or other fossil fuels will. Renewable energy sources are also ones that are not in limited supply and easily harvested , unlike fossil fuels which often require mining or drilling.Gathering power from the sun, wind, or water is safe for the environment because there is no danger of pollution in the air or water. The methods of getting green energy resources is much safer for employees than gathering fossil fuels which can lead to cave ins.

Waste-to-Energy: Waste to Energy is considered to be a renewable energy source by some, but can be thought as a large pollution spewing plant by other environmentalists. Waste to Energy takes the waste that people produce every day and burning it to convert it into electricity. While many environmentalists feel like this emits a large amount of carbon dioxide that is bad for the environment, the waste will break down into carbon dioxide over time anyway if it were to sit in a landfill for several years. There is still much debate over whether this is a clean renewable resource or not.

The energy companies take the electricity created by the various methods and takes it from the generator to a transmission substation. The substation uses transformers to convert the power into the voltage that is needed to travel long distances. The electric charge is then sent along the wires of the transmission grid and then is sent to the distribution grid, whose hub is the distribution substation. The distribution substation lowers the voltage of the electricity so that it can be converted to be used in homes and businesses. The power travels to the distribution bus which then sends power to the distribution or otherwise known as power lines. These power lines bring power to your home and allow you to do all the wonderful things that you can do and enjoy with electricity. Energy companies help to make our lives at home and work easier by making energy available to the masses.

Filed Under: Renewables