Fantasy sports are a relatively new age genre of online sports in which many imaginary or virtual teams that are based entirely on a real sport played by real players are assembled. Currently, fantasy sports are hugely trending, and they constitute an industry that is worth several billions of dollars and rapidly growing.
Fantasy sports have their origin in a tradition known as rotisseries, which trace back to the second World War. Fantasy golf is reported to have first been developed in the 1950s, and the first reported fantasy football game being played at Oakland in 1962. This was closely followed by the initiation of the first fantasy baseball league in 1963.
The arrival of the internet era significantly contributed to the mushrooming interest in fantasy sports with even well-known sites such as Yahoo offering its users a chance to play fantasy sports free of cost.
In fantasy sports, be it football, baseball, or any other such competitive sport online, the virtual teams and players mirror the statistics achieved by the actual teams and players. The performance of each competing team and player is then converted into a standardized system of points that are tallied and managed by a fantasy league commissioner. Just as players are recruited, traded, and cut off in the actual games, players in the fantasy sports are also recruited, traded, and cut off.
Significantly, over 58 million people in the country are known to be avid players of fantasy sports, with the industry continuing to boom in leaps and bounds.
Many fantasy sports players are of the opinion that the drafting process is the most exciting part of the online gaming trend, where each team owner takes turns to fill up his roster with the names, statistics, and profiles of the actual players and teams.
The American Fantasy Sports Trade Association has research evidence that indicates that each online player of fantasy sports spends upwards of $450 on these online fantasy sports, with interest being typically divided between football and baseball. These fantasy sports are closely followed by auto racing and basketball.
A shorter, accelerated version of the regular fantasy sports are the daily fantasy sports, in which the virtual game is conducted over the span of a single day or a few days, as opposed to virtual play that mirrors the actual play that goes on for the entire length of a season.
Today, there are literally hundreds of websites and apps that offer fantasy sports, and a huge proportion of Americans state that they commonly play fantasy sports on their smartphones, especially while commuting by public transport.
While some people play simply because it offers a sense of connection to others who share a passion, there are many who are addicted to fantasy sports for the sheer thrill of competition.
Liver cancer, as the name suggests, is the cancer that begins in the liver cells. There are many types of cancers associated with the liver, out of which, hepatocellular carcinoma is the most commonly found cancer. A cancer is termed liver cancer only when it starts in the liver, other cancers that have spread to the liver over the time are known as metastatic cancer. Unfortunately, an overview of liver cancer will tell you that cancers that spread to the liver from other organs are more common than the cancers that start in the liver.
Liver cancer happens when liver cells mutate their DNA. One of the outcomes of this process is that cells start growing rapidly resulting in a single tumor or multiple tumors. It is very difficult to understand the causes of liver cancer. Not every case comes with a reason but one very common reason is an infection by a type of hepatitis virus. Following are some of the high risk factors associated with liver cancer-
A chronic infection caused by hepatitis B virus or hepatitis C virus increases the risk of liver cancer.
Liver cirrhosis is a progressive and irreversible condition, which increases the chance of getting liver cancer.
Inherited liver diseases increase a person’s chance of suffering from liver cancer. Two of these diseases are hemochromatosis and Wilson’s disease.
People suffering from high blood sugar are more prone to suffering from cancer as compared to people who do not have blood sugar.
A fatty liver is prone to cancer.
Aflatoxins are molds that grow on crops stored in poor conditions. These are poisonous chemicals that increase the risk of liver cancer.
Alcohol can be very harmful for the liver. It can lead to irreversible liver damage and tremendously increases the risk of liver cancer.
The most unfortunate fact about liver cancer is that most people do not experience any symptoms in the early stages of cancer. The symptoms start showing after the disease has progressed to a certain level. Some of the most common symptoms are-
A person with the above mentioned symptoms is believed to have liver cancer. To further confirm the diagnosis and the stage of cancer, doctors undertake a few procedures that give them an overview of liver cancer.
Liver cancer is a dangerous disease because in most cases it is not detected in the early stages. Even when detected on time and treated, liver cancer might not get treated completely and needs frequent follow-ups. It is best to consult a doctor before making any decision.
With the winter season looming, you might be one of many who are planning to go somewhere warm for the holidays. Whether you are looking into a Turks and Caicos beaches booking, or a Bahamas booking, it may be in your best interest to look into cruise travel this year. However, eating on a cruise ship should be something you want to prepare yourself for first. Here is a list of 5 cruise food pitfalls to avoid:
1. Too much spice
Cruise ship dining often offers a wide variety of international cuisines, and while this can be exciting, it’s essential to be mindful of the spice levels in your meals. The chefs on board may use different spice blends and seasonings than you’re used to, and overindulging in spicy foods can lead to discomfort or digestive issues. To avoid this pitfall, start with milder dishes and gradually explore spicier options as your palate adjusts. Ask the waitstaff for recommendations if you’re unsure about a dish’s spice level.
2. Forgetting to drink water
With all the tempting food and beverages available on a cruise, it’s easy to forget to stay hydrated. Dehydration can lead to fatigue and discomfort during your trip. Make a habit of drinking water regularly, and consider carrying a refillable water bottle to ensure you have access to fresh water throughout the day. Hydrating between alcoholic or sugary drinks is especially important to keep you feeling your best.
3. Open-air dining options
Cruise ship buffets are notorious for their tempting array of dishes, but they can lead to overindulgence and unhealthy choices if you’re not careful. To avoid this pitfall, survey the buffet before loading up your plate. Opt for a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. Avoid mindlessly piling on high-calorie items and save room for desserts in moderation. It’s also a good idea to use smaller plates to help control portion sizes.
4. Too much alcohol
Cruise vacations often include tempting drink packages, but it’s easy to overindulge in alcoholic beverages. Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to a host of problems, including dehydration, seasickness, and poor decision-making. To avoid this pitfall, set a personal limit for the number of drinks you’ll have each day and make sure to pace yourself. Opt for non-alcoholic alternatives or enjoy a mocktail to savor the experience without overdoing it.
5. Piling on the pub grub
Cruise ships often have enticing pub-style or fast-food options available, such as burgers, hot dogs, and fried foods. While indulging in these treats occasionally is part of the cruise experience, overeating them can lead to digestive discomfort and weight gain. Be mindful of portion sizes and balance your meals with healthier options from the ship’s buffet or dining rooms. Consider having a lighter meal before enjoying some pub grub to curb your appetite.
By being aware of these cruise food pitfalls and taking a thoughtful approach to your dining choices, you can fully enjoy your cruise vacation without experiencing unwanted discomfort or health issues. Bon appétit, and bon voyage!
Health insurance protects you from unexpected, high medical costs that cover things like vaccines, screenings, check-ups, prescription drugs, emergency services, rehabilitative services, and so on. There are many options for health insurance, including Aetna Medicare Insurance, Cigna Medicare, Humana Insurance Plans, Mutual of Omaha—there are different layers of Medicare, ranging from affordable Medicare with less coverage or more expensive Medicare with more coverage. There are many common mistakes people make when purchasing health care, so read on to know what you should watch out for:
1. Not knowing what’s covered
Oftentimes, individuals purchasing health insurance don’t consider what each of the policies cover, when you can use each policy, and what you may have to pay for yourself. There are limitations on what is covered, and without doing the proper research, you may be left paying for a lot of healthcare situations out-of-pocket, leaving you wondering if you choose the right plan.
2. Not having enough coverage
As your life changes, minimal health insurance coverage probably won’t cut it. If you buy a home, get married, have children, etc., your income and budget will change, and so should your healthcare plan. Be sure that you have the right amount of insurance for your specific needs, and do it sooner than later. You’re more likely to get approved for higher coverage when you’re in good health, so don’t wait, and it will bring you some peace of mind for the future.
3. Hiding accurate medical history
Many individuals think that by concealing their medical history out of fear of higher premiums or being rejected. However, health insurance plans are built on the good faith in the information provided, and by lying or hiding something, you risk being denied insurance claims later on. While disclosing medical history may result in a slightly higher premium, it will prevent the possibility of future claim rejection, so save yourself the trouble and be honest.
4. Investing in health insurance only during old age
Contrary to popular belief, health insurance is not just for the elderly. A medical emergency cannot be predicted, and being young doesn’t exclude you from any potential issues. By investing early on, you can avoid any wealth erosion by having to pay out of pocket for medical expenses. In fact, policies for those under the age of 45 often are easy to obtain and have a lower premium payment.
Having depression can require different forms of treatment, such as therapy, visiting depression treatment facilities, getting online depression counseling therapy, or taking medications. Some medications that a doctor may prescribe are TRINTELLIX (vortioxetine), VRAYLAR (cariprazine), FETZIMA (levomilnacipran), Wellbutrin (Bupropion), AUVELITY, VIIBRYD (vilazodone HCI), and REXULTI (brexpiprazole). Another part of treatment is also self care, which includes what you are consuming in terms of foods. Avoid things like refined sugar, caffeine, alcohol, and saturated fats. There are lots of ways to ensure your diet includes good carbs, like fruits, vegetables and foods high in fiber, vitamins and supplements, such as Omega-3s, Vitamin D, and Selenium, but here is a more comprehensive list of foods that can help you manage your depression:
1. Apples
Everyone heard this as a kid: an apple a day keeps the doctor away, and there is a reason for that. Apples are very high in antioxidants, which can help to repair oxidation damage and inflammation. They also help to balance blood sugar swings because they are full of soluble fiber. You can grab an apple on the go in the mornings, or slice them up with some almond butter for an afternoon snack.
2. Avocados
Avocados are a super brain food that contain healthy fat which keeps your brain functioning smoothly. They are also very low in sugar and high in dietary fiber, and contain 4 grams of protein. You can add a whole avocado to any meal, breakfast, lunch or dinner.
3. Berries
You can have a variety of berries for breakfast every day; raspberries, blueberries, strawberries and blackberries. All are very high in antioxidants, some of the highest available to us. Antioxidants are amazing warriors who can not only lower your depressive symptoms, but also prevent other illnesses and diseases, such as cancer.
4. Beans
Beans can actually mitigate cravings for processed grains and other types of breads, and can help to level out your blood sugar levels. They also act as anti-diabetes and weight loss foods, which is another huge win.
5. Dark leafy greens
The foods with the most powerful immune-boosting and anticancer effects are dark leafy greens, such as kale, spinach and swiss chard. They are the healthiest and most nutrient dense foods available to us. So throw some salad onto your daily food menu.
6. Mushrooms
Mushrooms work as a probiotic, promoting healthy gut bacteria. They also even out your mood because of their ability to lower blood sugar levels. Needless to say, mushrooms are great for our mental and intestinal health.
7. Onions
Eating onions and other allium vegetables, like garlic or leeks, are beneficial to your gut health which connects to your mood and overall mental wellbeing. Onions are known for their high concentrations of anti-inflammatory flavonoid antioxidants, which helps to fuel the anticancer properties in them.
8. Tomatoes
Many medical studies show that patients with depression also have a folate deficiency, and tomatoes are packed with folic acid. Folic acid is something that actually fights off depression, so it’s a great idea to add tomatoes, whether they’re big garden tomatoes or baby tomatoes, into your salad.
9. Walnuts
Walnuts also show up in medical studies to help reduce symptoms of depression because of their mood-boosting Omega-3 fatty acids. They also support brain function, so make sure to grab a handful of walnuts to snack on every day.
10. Seeds
There are several types of seeds you can reach for instead of a bag of chips, that will increase your source of Omega-3s; chia seeds, hemp seeds, flaxseeds or sunflower seeds are all great options to consume to help alleviate depressive symptoms.
