Month: July 2018

2018-07-31T10:01:00

(BPT) – When you get lost in wanderlust, do you find yourself dreaming of Africa? This exotic continent is on many people’s travel bucket lists, but planning a trip can be intimidating. If you are ready to stop dreaming and start planning an unforgettable African adventure, here are some simple tips to help you get the most out of your trip.

1. Make time for research

When deciding where to go and what to do, consult online resources and guidebooks to get a sense for what interests you most. For example, many African safari destinations have the Big Five — lions, elephants, rhino, leopard and buffalo — but more rare species like the endangered mountain gorilla are only found in a few countries, including Uganda. Uganda also offers some of the most diverse cultural experiences on the African continent, drawing visitors from around the world.

With 10 distinct national parks, Uganda gives you the chance to explore myriad landscapes and natural habitats, each with its own impressive characteristics and wild inhabitants. Most people only have time to visit three or four parks in Uganda, so it’s important to get a feel for which one may be right for you. Book a boat safari on the Nile in Murchison Falls National Park, or head out on a game drive in Kidepo Valley National Park to see elephants, giraffes, lions and more with your own two eyes. Learn more about these and other unique Ugandan experiences at www.visituganda.com.

2. Prioritize must-do activities

When you start your research, you’ll quickly find there are countless things to see and do. That’s why it’s important to create a bucket list for your trip. Once you know the things you don’t want to leave without accomplishing, you can start putting together an itinerary.

How about the thrill of encountering mountain gorillas in their natural habitat, tracking chimps through dense forest or catching a glimpse of the powerful tree-climbing lions? Birding opportunities are also rich considering more than half of Africa’s bird species can be found in Uganda.

3. Consult a trusted travel professional

Especially if you’re traveling to a foreign country for the first time, a travel expert can provide customized insight you won’t find by doing it solo. Plus, they can help craft the ideal itinerary by suggesting activities or VIP services you may not know about.

For example, maybe kayaking Uganda’s Lake Bunyonyi wasn’t on your radar. Travel agents and tour operators can tell you why it should be. Want to upgrade your gorilla tracking experience? Travel professionals can arrange educational sessions with organizations like the Gorilla Doctors and their jungle veterinarians. They can help you book a rafting trip on the White Nile in Jinja, Uganda’s adventure capital, or arrange a visit to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. All these activities and more are made easier when you consult a trusted travel professional.

4. Go beyond wildlife

From the snow-capped peaks of the Rwenzori Mountains to the savannah of Queen Elizabeth National Park and the lush banks of the Nile, Uganda’s beautiful landscapes differ dramatically throughout the country. Wildlife flourishes, but there is so much more to explore than Mother Nature’s delights. The people that make this land their home are the true heart of Uganda.

To make your trip feel complete, incorporate cultural activities into your itinerary. For example, hike to the top of a mountain near Kidepo Valley National Park and visit the Ik people, a centuries-old community maintaining their traditional way of life. Another opportunity is the Batwa Experience where you can explore Uganda’s forest with its original inhabitants. Finally, don’t forget to spend a day in the capital city of Kampala, to see what modern life is like for the people of Uganda.

5. Open your mind and take it all in

An African safari is unlike any travel experience you’ll ever have. From mind-blowing wildlife encounters to outdoor adventures and immersive cultural experiences, Uganda has plenty to offer every type of travel personality. Keep an open mind and open heart and the things you’ll experience will change you forever.

2018-07-30T09:03:00

(BPT) – Your pets are an integral part of the family, so it’s important to practice preventative care to support their well-being and help them live long, healthy lives. But just like people, pets can be affected by chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and allergies. That’s why, as a pet parent, staying informed and being proactive can help to avoid or at least prolong the onset of chronic conditions.

Pet health trends change over time. Cats and dogs are more prone to certain conditions now than they have been in the past. For example, over the past 10 years there’s been a 30 percent increase in environmental allergy cases in dogs and an 11 percent increase in cats, according to the Banfield 2018 State of Pet Health Report. Allergens can vary by region and climate, but many common triggers can be found in the home, notes the study.

Additionally, pets today are also more prone to being overweight, and obesity cases are rising. One in three pets are overweight, according to Banfield, and the numbers are growing. While you can be proactive in helping pets exercise and eat a nutritionally-balanced diet, there are many other health conditions you have no control over. Pets can suffer from chronic diseases such as arthritis, heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes and thyroid disease.

The first step to keep pets healthy is to invest in preventative care. One of the most important things you can do to ensure the ongoing health of any animal is to bring them in for annual checkups whether they are experiencing health issues or not. This allows veterinarians to screen for a variety of health issues and provide insight on any concerns. This is also an opportunity for you to ask important questions and get expert insight.

If you discover that your pet has a chronic condition that needs to be treated, don’t panic. Modern medicine and treatment plans help pets live a long, high-quality life even with conditions like allergies or diabetes. You may have to make lifestyle adjustments such as changing food or activity routines, but it’s usually manageable and you’ll likely notice an improvement to your pet’s health and demeanor quickly.

As is the case with humans, chronic conditions are often treated with preventative medications. In fact, many of the same prescriptions that people use are also used on pets, just at a different dosage. That means you can buy your pet’s medication at your local pharmacy instead of the vet’s office. By doing this you can access deep discounts offered with the Inside Rx Pets card, in more than 40,000 participating pharmacies nationwide.

The program offers savings on commonly prescribed medications such as insulin and antibiotics, as well as glaucoma and anti-inflammatory drugs. A list of the medications with which you can use the Inside Rx Pets card, as well as information to compare the pricing in pharmacies in your area and other use terms, can be found at InsideRx.com/pets.

Just like people, taking preventative measures for your pets’ health will help save costs in the long run. What’s more, it will help ensure that your favorite furry family members are by your side for many years to come.

2018-07-30T15:47:00

(BPT) – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) wants patients and families to know that antibiotics are the most powerful tools we have to fight life-threatening infections, like those that can lead to sepsis.

Sepsis is the body’s extreme response to an infection. It happens when an infection you already have — in your skin, lungs, urinary tract, or somewhere else — triggers a chain reaction throughout your body. Certain people are at higher risk of developing sepsis, including those younger than 1 and 65 or older, those with weakened immune systems, and those with chronic medical conditions, like diabetes. Each year, at least 1.7 million adults in America develop sepsis, and nearly 270,000 die from it.

Antibiotics save lives and are critical tools for treating a number of common infections, such as pneumonia and other infections associated with sepsis. If your healthcare provider suspects sepsis, antibiotics should be started as soon as possible. He or she should then reassess antibiotic therapy in 24 to 48 hours to stop, adjust or continue therapy as needed. Your healthcare provider should always prescribe antibiotics appropriately by following clinical guidelines and making sure that the antibiotic type, dose and duration are correct.

However, when you take antibiotics that aren’t needed, they won’t help you — and the side effects could still hurt you. These side effects can be minor (rash, dizziness, nausea, diarrhea, yeast infections) or very severe (life-threatening allergic reactions or C. difficile (C. diff), which can lead to severe colon damage and death).

Anytime antibiotics are used, they can lead to antibiotic resistance — one of the most urgent threats to the public’s health. This happens when bacteria become resistant to the antibiotics designed to kill them, and it makes infections more difficult to treat. Each year in the United States, at least 2 million people become infected with antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and at least 23,000 people die as a result.

When your healthcare provider recommends antibiotics, the benefits usually outweigh the risks of side effects and antibiotic resistance. Improving the way healthcare providers prescribe antibiotics — and the way we take antibiotics — will keep us healthy, help fight antibiotic resistance, and ensure that these lifesaving drugs will work when they’re needed most, like for treating infections associated with sepsis.

How can I use antibiotics appropriately?

• Take antibiotics only when needed — for treating certain infections caused by bacteria.
• Take your antibiotics exactly as prescribed.
• Talk with your healthcare provider if you have any questions about your antibiotic.
• Let your healthcare provider know if you develop side effects — especially diarrhea, which could be caused by C. diff infection and should be treated immediately.
• Never pressure your healthcare provider to prescribe an antibiotic — instead, ask what you can do to relieve the symptoms of an illness.

How can I prevent sepsis?

• Talk to your healthcare provider about steps you can take to prevent infections.
• Practice good hygiene, including washing your hands and keeping cuts clean and covered until healed.
• Know the signs and symptoms of sepsis:
  • Confusion or disorientation
  • Shortness of breath
  • High heart rate
  • Fever, shivering or feeling very cold
  • Extreme pain or discomfort
  • Clammy or sweaty skin
• Get medical care IMMEDIATELY if you suspect sepsis or have an infection that is not getting better or is getting worse.

CDC’s National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic and Infectious Diseases (NCEZID) helps protect Americans from urgent public health threats, including antibiotic resistance and life-threatening conditions, like sepsis. For more information about antibiotic prescribing and use, visit www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use. To learn more about sepsis and how to prevent infections, visit www.cdc.gov/sepsis.

2018-07-30T09:01:00

(BPT) – Back-to-school season is an exciting time for both students and parents, but it can be a stressful time as well. For students, it can be intimidating taking on new classes and settings, all while juggling extracurricular activities. Meanwhile, parents face added financial and emotional stress that comes with a new school year, from purchasing school supplies and new clothing to learning to let go. Through it all, one constant between students and parents is the desire to stay connected.

As parents prepare to send their kids off for the new school year, Total Wireless is serving up five simple tips to help you confidently stay connected during the upcoming back-to-school season:

1. Plan ahead: There are many elements that go into prepping for back-to-school and the long list of to-do’s can be daunting. Taking things one step at a time and getting organized in advance can make all the difference. Using your smartphone to keep track of your to-do list and look up move-in checklists for packing and shopping guidance can help you stay organized, save time and allow you to work smarter, not harder.

2. Stay in touch: Thanks to technology, there are a variety of ways to connect in between study sessions and after-school activities. With the ability to call, text, video chat and email, smartphones are an essential tool for staying in touch with loved ones near and far. Look for ways to experience things “together” by texting regularly over good news, small updates or things that make you think of one another. Set up time weekly — or multiple times a week — to video chat, and never underestimate the power of a phone call. And with nationwide coverage on America’s largest, most dependable network, Total Wireless makes staying connected to family easier than ever.

To offer families a dependable way to stay in touch this back-to-school season, Total Wireless is giving away 5GB of free 4G LTE^† data (that never expires![1]), with the purchase of a new line through Sept. 30, 2018.[2] Head to your neighborhood Target store during the month of August to try out the latest devices and learn more about this great promotion.

3. Send care packages: For parents with kids heading off to college, plan a sweet surprise with a customized care package to show your student just how much you miss them. Send along their favorite healthy snacks, treats, magazines and more just because, or in advance of a big exam or special occasion. Consider including a pair of headphones — a college staple, perfect for hunkering down to study, a trip to the gym or getting around campus. Plus, Total Wireless is giving away 30,000 Pandora Premium 90-day subscriptions for devices purchased through August — the perfect complement for a new pair of headphones.[3] Ultimately, no matter what you choose to send in a care package, it will put a smile on their face knowing you are rooting for them at home.

4. Enjoy some “me” time: Along with heading back to school comes a level of adventure — for parents, too! Take advantage of an open schedule and some time of your own by planning a trip to a destination you’ve always wanted to visit, or checking an item off your bucket list. For those who just want to kick back and relax, consider treating yourself to a spa day or a good read. Given there’s an app for everything these days, you can use your smartphone to find activity ideas, or score the best deals, regardless of how you choose to spend your “me” time.

5. Be confident: While experiencing change can be intimidating or overwhelming, trust in your child (and yourself!) and believe they are strong enough to face any challenges that may arise. Offer them positive encouragement by letting them know you are proud of their accomplishments and have full confidence in all they will achieve in the future.

Parents and students alike, focus your energy and time on making new memories and maintaining communication with loved ones throughout the school year. And most importantly, remember “you got this!” Discover more on the latest devices and great rate plans at TotalWireless.com.

†To get 4G LTE speed where available you must have a 4G LTE capable device and a 4G LTE SIM card. Actual availability, coverage and speed may vary. LTE is a trademark of ETSI. Please always refer to the latest terms and conditions of service at TotalWireless.com.