The pristine beauty of nature is best explored by a backpacker. Choosing paths and locations which are offbeat and quiet; away from civilization with an option to stay amidst natural surroundings is what you enjoy when you choose to stay in backcountry lodges.
If you are a frequent backpacker, you are well aware of the trouble of carrying a huge backpack with all essentials. In addition to your clothing, you need to carry a good number of utilities that include a bed, stove and much more.
The backcountry lodges can lighten your load. Their vantage location not only promises breathtaking views but also offer beds, wood burning stoves, and at times, wait staff as well. Located in rustic surroundings, they offer you the necessities that you would need while on a backpacking trip.
Here are four of the the best backcountry lodges.
Located in Custer Gallatin National Forest in Montana gives unobstructed views of the Gallatin River Valley. Take the Garnet Mountain National Recreational trail and hike up 3.5 km and you will reach this two storied lodge. It offers bunk beds with mattresses, two burner stoves plus a wood burning stove as well.
Located in Yosemite National Park, in proximity to the Ostrander Lake, this stone hut is the perfect stay option for skiers and offers breathtaking views. It’s a hard trek indeed. Open only in winter; there are 25 bunks on offer on the bottom floor with an open kitchen. The huntmaster who stays upstairs can help you out.
Overlooking the Talkeetna Mountains in Alaska, the cabin is located on the edge of a bowl. Accessed after an 8-mile trek across moss carpeted meadows and rivers of snowmelt, you can make this cabin as your base camp before you set to conquer the mountains or explore the Mint Glacier, which is half a mile away. Open only to members of the Alaska Mountaineering Club, the cabin offers an 8-person occupancy, with a two-burner stoves, cookware, beds and a composting toilet as well.
If you have set out on a Colorado trail, this is where you must head to. A little more than a 2-hour drive from Denver, you leave behind the crowds and set foot amidst 12000 feet high peaks, dense conifers, unnamed lakes and lots of moose. Drive a 1.5-mile distance through a forest service road to reach the twin wooden cabins. Just a mile away is the Lake Agnes. Each of these huts can accommodate six persons. You’re privy to a well-stocked kitchenette equipped with a wood burning stove.
The next time you head out on a backpacking trip, make your reservations in one of these backcountry lodges and explore the virgin landscape.
Multiple sclerosis is a lifelong disease that requires various modalities of treatment. Plan of care considerations include (1) the patient’s age at onset of illness; (2) sex; (3) the extent of the disability at the time of diagnosis as well as (4) the form of multiple sclerosis. Treatment will be a multidisciplinary approach that involves specialists such as neurologists, rehabilitation specialists, neuro-urology experts, psychiatrists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and social workers. This method is essential to ensure that all aspects of the disease are considered to help improve their quality of life.
The management of multiple sclerosis consists of a four-prong approach that involves: (1) management of acute exacerbations; (2) reduction of the frequency of relapses; (3) administration of the complications and (4) management of permanent disability that has already occurred. These are the goals of the management. No cure for the disease has been established.
High-dose steroids such as corticosteroids are the cornerstone of treating acute exacerbations because they reduce and control inflammation. Steroids are generally reserved for patients with exacerbations severe enough to cause functional disability or in those that exacerbations are prolonged beyond the duration of 24 hours. Corticosteroids work by reducing the inflammation which is a primary cause of the systems of multiple sclerosis. They work by binding to receptors on the cell surface and preventing the formation of various proteins. This, in turn, leads to inflammatory activity suppression. 2014 guidelines recommend pulsing with intravenous methylprednisone or methylprednisone given orally at doses of 500mg to a maximum of 1 g and 2 g respectively for a total of 3-5 days. The steroids can then be tapered off over two weeks or, be followed by a dose of prednisone 60-80 mg once a day which can be tapered off over two weeks.
Pulsing with high-dose steroids helps to reduce the severity of the acute attack as well as reduce the number of days of disability. However, their benefit in preventing future relapses or halting disease progression has not been shown. Their use is limited to a maximum of three times a year due to the multiple adverse effects that result from chronic steroid use. These include: osteoporosis, psychosis, mood lability, cataracts, gastritis, fluid retention, weight gain, Cushing’s syndrome, increased insulin resistance and increased the incidence of infections. Proton pump inhibitors such as esomeprazole have been used for prevention of gastritis especially in patients who report the incidence of peptic ulceration. Histamine receptor antagonists have also been used. Lithium, a mood stabilizer, has been used in the management of the mood disorders that result.
Plasmapheresis has also been used in the management of acute episodes where corticosteroids fail. Its wide use is limited by resources as it is quite expensive.
The relapsing-remitting form of multiple sclerosis is characterized by episodes of attacks followed by periods of disease remission. One of the goals of treating these patients is to prevent the relapses. Disease modifying drugs are used to achieve this. The two main drugs used are Glatiramer acetate and Interferon beta (IFN β). These two drugs should be initiated before permanent disability sets in because they have no effect on permanent neurological deficits. Four conditions need to be met before therapy with these agents can be started. They are: (1) the patient should be physically fit and able to walk for a substantial distance without assistance; (2) they should have a history of at least two severe relapses in the past 24 months; (3) they should be above 18 years and (4) they should have no contraindications to the use of the two drugs.
Interferon β belongs to a group of cytokines in the body called interferons. It is classified under Class 1 of that group. The two forms of interferon β have been found to be useful in the management of relapsing/remitting multiple sclerosis are as follows: interferon β 1a (Avonex and Rebif) and interferon β 1 b (Betaferon). The mechanism of action of these drugs involves reducing the frequency and severity of attacks by (1) lessen the manifestation of Major Histocompatibility Complexes (MHC) on the surface of antigen presenting cells; (2) inhibiting cytokines that favor inflammation and increasing those that regulate the levels of other cytokines; (3) reducing T-cell proliferation and (4) lessen the entry of inflammatory cells into the central nervous system.
Avonex is given as an intramuscular injection, 30 micrograms once per week. Rebif is given subcutaneously, 44 micrograms three times a week. Betaferon is also given subcutaneously, 250 micrograms every other day. Some of the common side effects of interferon therapy include skin reactions at the sites of injection causing necrosis; lipoatrophy due to the subcutaneous injections and flu-like symptoms like headaches, fever, fatigue and muscle aches.
Glatiramer acetate is an immunomodulatory drug that contains four amino acids: glutamic acid, lysine, alanine, and tyrosine. It has been shown to reduce the frequency of attacks in patients with relapsing- remitting form. The mechanism of action is not well elucidated, but various theories exist. Some of these theories suggest that glatiramer can facilitate the conversion of inflammatory T cells into non-inflammatory forms as well as act as a decoy since it has a similar structure to the myelin which is the target of the inflammation. It has however not been shown to influence the permeability of the blood-brain barrier as the interferons do. Glatiramer is given as a subcutaneous injection, 20 mg daily. Just like Interferon β, it causes injection site reactions.
Other drugs that have been used in the prevention of attack rate include Natalizumab, Fingolimod, Teriflunomide, Mitoxantrone Hydrochloride, Cladribine, Intravenous Immunoglobulins, Methotrexate, and Cyclophosphamide.
Hustle culture and side hustles have become increasingly popular in recent years, particularly among young adults and entrepreneurs. Hustle culture is a mindset that emphasizes the importance of working hard, being productive, and constantly striving for success. Side hustles are a part of hustle culture, where part-time jobs or entrepreneurial ventures are pursued alongside a person’s main source of income. Side hustles can offer financial benefits and opportunities for personal growth. Here are the top earring side hustles you can pursue:
1. Participate in clinical trials
Clinical trials are a great opportunity to make a difference in this world and getting paid to do it. Oftentimes universities and hospitals will offer clinical trials where they implement different biomedical or behavioral studies on willing participants. If you suffer from a health disorder like asthma or osteoporosis you may be able to find a study that you can participate in about that disorder, or if you are completely healthy you might be able to participate in a control group. Regardless, there are many opportunities to make money on the side by participating in clinical trials.
2. Work with pets
There are many different jobs in the world of pets, many of which can be done on the side. These include being a dog walker, pet sitter, even being a pet groomer can be a side hustle. If you love animals and need a bit of extra cash why not offer pet services to those in your area. Put up flyers, post an ad online, or spread the news through word of mouth that you are available and watch as clients come to you.
3. Participate in surveys
Participating in surveys is another great way to make money to supplement your income. All you have to do is sign up online and fill out a pre-set questionnaire and many companies are willing to pay participants for their time. These surveys can be focus group testing, health surveys, customer happiness reports, and more. Just take the time to find some online and reap the rewards.
4. Rent out storage space
This is an often overlooked side hustle, but one that many people are willing to pay a lot of money for. If you have a lot of extra space in your basement or garage that you are never going to use, let people rent out the space to store their items. One thing many people in tiny rentals have is a lack of space for their important items, so many people are more than willing to pay money to store their items elsewhere.
5. Work as a driver
There are many side hustle options available to those who can drive. With companies like Uber and Lyft becoming available around the country anybody can become a driver and help people get where they are going around the city. All you need is a driver’s license and a personal vehicle you can drive people around in.
As new parents, we often want to provide the best possible environment for our little ones. We buy all sorts of baby products, from car seats to baby mattresses and from strollers to cozy bedding sets, without realizing that some of these items could be dangerous to our newborns. In this article, we will discuss five baby products that could pose a risk to your baby’s safety:
1. Soft crib mattresses and loose blankets
Soft crib mattresses and loose blankets may seem like a cozy place for your newborn to sleep, but they can be dangerous. Soft bedding increases the risk of suffocation and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Babies should sleep on a firm crib mattress covered with a fitted sheet and no other bedding.
2. Infant walkers
Infant walkers may seem like a great way to help your little one start walking, but they can be dangerous. Walkers can tip over easily, causing your baby to fall and get injured. They can also give babies access to dangerous areas, such as stairs or hot stoves, that they might not be able to reach otherwise. Instead of using a walker, encourage your baby to practice walking with your help.
3. Crib tents
Crib tents are designed to keep babies from climbing out of their cribs, but they can also be dangerous. The mesh sides of the tent can pose a suffocation risk if they come loose and cover the baby’s face. Additionally, if the tent is not installed correctly, it can collapse and trap the baby inside.
4. Co-sleepers
Co-sleepers are designed to allow parents to sleep close to their babies, but they can also be dangerous. Co-sleepers that attach to the parents’ bed can pose a suffocation risk if the baby gets trapped between the mattress and the co-sleeper. Additionally, if the co-sleeper is not installed correctly, it can collapse and trap the baby inside.
5. Baby swings
Baby swings can be a great way to soothe a fussy baby, but they can also be dangerous. Swings that are not properly secured can tip over, causing the baby to fall and get injured. Additionally, babies can slide down and get trapped between the swing’s frame and seat, posing a suffocation risk.
In conclusion, as parents, we want to provide the best possible environment for our little ones. However, we need to be aware that some baby products can be dangerous to our newborns. Soft crib mattresses and loose blankets, infant walkers, crib tents, co-sleepers, and baby swings are just a few of the products that parents need to be cautious of. When it comes to choosing baby products, always prioritize safety over aesthetics. Remember to follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully and never leave your baby unattended in a swing, stroller, or car seat.
Refrigeration is extremely important for food safety and preservation. Refrigeration works in complex ways, but in general it’s meant to slow down the activity of bacteria, keeping the food you buy fresher and extending the shelf life. This technology has helped us learn more about food safety and transportation.
With refrigeration, we can carry fruits and vegetables across countries to other parts. In times before refrigeration, food items like fruits or vegetables would have a tough time making the long distance journey across the country without spoiling. With refrigeration and refrigerated trucks we’re able to preserve and transport these goods easily. However, there are some food times that are easily stored and don’t require refrigeration. Here are six foods that don’t require refrigeration
1. Hot sauce or chili pepper sauces
Hot sauce is a popular condiment that is found in many kitchens throughout the world. Hot sauce is great because it goes with so many common meals like chicken, beef, or fish. Hot sauce doesn’t need to be refrigerated because most hot sauces contain a lot of vinegar and a lot of salt, which helps reduce the growth of bacteria already
2. Avocados
Avocados have boomed in popularity throughout the last decade. Commonly found with dishes like guacamole and spread on toast, the avocado is a food that is extremely delicious. They should not be placed in the refrigerator. Placing them in the refrigerator will halt the ripening process and you won’t achieve the best tasting results
3. Bananas
Bananas are an extremely popular fruit. This fruit is both nutritious and delicious. However, you’ll want to make sure you keep them in the pantry and not the refrigerator. They have no way to process the cold temperatures. They’ll go bad extremely quickly and you’ll miss the prime ripe period
4. Coffee
Coffee is a super popular morning beverage. It can be enjoyed in many different ways like hot or iced. It can also be enjoyed in lattes and macchiatos. However, you’ll need to make sure you store your beans in a dry place. The beans absorb moisture and since your refrigerator is a very moist place, your beans will go bad very quickly and it will ruin the flavor of your favorite beverages
5. Nutella
Nutella is the chocolate-hazelnut spread that has taken the world by storm. It’s enjoyed on cakes, pastries, ice cream, and even by itself. There’s no benefit to storing this chocolate spread in the refrigerator, as it doesn’t extend the shelf life. Keeping it out of the fridge also helps savor the flavor and makes it easier to spread
6. Bread
Bread is found in almost every home throughout the world. It is popular and delicious. It can be used in sandwiches, for toast, and even for dipping in oils and dips. It should always be kept at room temperature. When you place it in the fridge, you’re causing the starch molecules to recrystallize faster. What this does is cause your food to go stale at extremely fast rates. Next time keep it at room temperature for best taste and enjoy
