Sport utility vehicles, or SUVs, have become increasingly popular over the years, as they offer spaciousness, versatility, and ruggedness that many other vehicle types cannot match. In addition, buying an SUV that ranks high for safety can help save you on insurance rates, as insurers take safety features and crash test ratings into account when setting premiums. Here are five SUVs that stand out for their safety features and ratings.
1. Mazda CX-5
The Mazda CX-5 is a stylish and sporty SUV that has earned high marks for safety. It comes with a range of advanced safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking. In addition, it has earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), thanks to its excellent crash test results.
2. Hyundai Tucson
The Hyundai Tucson is a compact SUV that is available in electric, hybrid, and gasoline powertrain options. It boasts an impressive suite of safety features, such as forward collision avoidance assist, lane departure warning, and driver attention warning. The IIHS has given the Tucson a Top Safety Pick rating, making it one of the safest SUVs in its class.
3. Ford Bronco Sport
The Ford Bronco Sport is a rugged and capable SUV that has been designed for off-road adventures. It features a range of advanced safety features, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping system, and automatic emergency braking. The Bronco Sport has earned high ratings from both the IIHS and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), making it a top choice for safety-conscious buyers.
4. Kia Sportage
The Kia Sportage is a versatile and well-equipped SUV that comes with a long list of safety features. It offers blind-spot collision warning, rear cross-traffic collision warning, and lane departure warning, among other features. The IIHS has given the Sportage a Top Safety Pick rating, while the NHTSA has awarded it a five-star overall safety rating.
5. Jeep Grand Cherokee
The Jeep Grand Cherokee is a classic SUV that combines ruggedness with comfort and luxury. It has a range of safety features, such as adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-path detection. The Grand Cherokee has earned high ratings from the IIHS and the NHTSA, making it a safe and reliable choice for families and adventurers alike.
6. Honorable mentions: Land Rover, Buick, and Toyota
While the above five SUVs are standouts for their safety ratings, it’s worth noting that other SUV makes and models also offer excellent safety features and ratings. For example, Land Rover SUVs are known for their off-road capabilities and advanced safety technologies, while Buick SUVs are popular for their comfortable ride and modern amenities. Toyota SUVs, such as the RAV4 and Highlander, are also known for their reliability and safety features.
When shopping for an SUV, it’s essential to consider safety as a top priority. The Mazda CX-5, Hyundai Tucson, Ford Bronco Sport, Kia Sportage, and Jeep Grand Cherokee are all excellent choices for their advanced safety features and high crash test ratings. Remember that buying an SUV that ranks high for safety can help save you on insurance rates, making it a smart financial choice as well as a safe one.
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.
If you suffer from allergies, asthma, nasal polyps, or cold and flu, chances are you’ve experienced issues with breathing at one point or another. There are many ways to help treat and medicate breathing issues, whether that be with an air purifier, puffers, Flonase, Stiolto, Spiriva, Allegra, Claritin, Dupixent, or in more serious cases, oxygen therapy. But did you know that there are certain foods and changes you can make to your diet that will help you with breathing issues? Based on what you eat, different nutrients make you produce more carbon dioxide for the amount of oxygen used, and others make you produce less. Read on to see what foods and nutrients you should incorporate into your diet to help with your breathing:
1. Whole grains
Whole grains are packed with important vitamins and nutrients like vitamin E, fatty acids, selenium, and fiber that are all great for lung health and have antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. Avoid refined grains and instead reach for whole-wheat bread, quinoa, oats, barley, and other whole grain products.
2. Garlic
Garlic is rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, thanks to the compound known as allicin. What’s more, garlic has been shown to improve lung function by decreasing oxidative stress. These properties make them a healthy additive for a great boost of flavor to your meals.
3. Leafy greens
Spinach, kale, collards, romaine, and broccoli are great sources of the antioxidant carotenoids. Eating a balanced diet with a good amount of leafy greens is shown to reduce risk of lung cancer and will boost healthy breathing and lung function.
4. Sources of protein
Good sources of protein include most meats, nut butter, milk, eggs, fish, and beans. Getting enough protein supports the maintenance of strong respiratory muscles as well as strengthening respiratory cells, thanks to proteins assistance in repairing cells and making new ones.
5. Tomatoes
Tomatoes are the biggest source of lycopene—an antioxidant known to improve lung health. Tomatoes have been shown to reduce airway inflammation and improve lung function. Try adding sliced tomatoes to your sandwiches or chop them up and add to a fresh salad.
6. Lots of fluids
I know what you’re thinking—water isn’t food! But, it is an important enough factor in helping you breathe, so it needed a place on this list. Staying hydrated is essential to keeping mucus thin for easier removal, thus keeping your airways clear and unblocked. Spread out drinking 6-8 glasses of water a day, and keep in mind that many caffeine-free beverages and a variety of foods contain a substantial amount of water as well.
Your kidneys are essential for filtering excess waste and liquids from your bloodstream that are then excreted from the body through urine. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) involves a gradual loss of kidney function that can lead to a dangerous build up of fluid, waste, and electrolytes. Many individuals do not receive a diagnosis until the disease is advanced, as the symptoms are minor and hard to notice—once you receive a diagnosis and as the symptoms progress, you can be treated with medications like Kerendia. To catch kidney disease early on, be aware of the following early warning signs:
1. Loss of appetite
Although a very general symptom, it can occur as a result of kidney failure. Due to the toxins being trapped in your body and not filtered out properly, it can kill your appetite. With kidney disease, even if you’re not hungry, it’s extremely important to eat so you can get all of the nutrients you need and keep your body energized to fight the disease.
2. Changes in urination
If you notice any abnormal changes in your urination, it may be a sign of kidney failure. When the kidney filters are damaged, it can cause an increase in urination frequency. Healthy kidneys keep blood cells within, but if they are damaged at all, they can leak out into the urine and result in blood in your urine. Lastly, foamy urine indicates protein in the urine, suggesting issues within the kidney. Keep an eye out for any changes in your urine and see a doctor if anything strange occurs.
3. Swelling and puffiness
Kidney disease may show up in swelling of the feet and ankles or even puffiness in the under eyes. As a result of decreased function of the kidneys, sodium retention occurs—the cause of swelling at the feet or ankles. Puffiness in the eyes is a result of leaking protein into the urine, as it’s meant to stay within the body.
4. Weakness and fatigue
The buildup of toxins in the blood can result in significant feelings of weakness and fatigue. This can also cause individuals with kidney failure to struggle with focus and concentration. If you find yourself feeling weak and tired more often than usual, and especially if it’s impacting your daily life, you should see your doctor.
5. Itchy skin
Healthy kidneys not only filter out waste, but they also help make red blood cells, maintain strong bones, and maintain the proper amount of minerals within the body. If you’re experiencing dry and itchy skin, it could be a result of mineral and bone disease—a disease that often accompanies more advanced kidney disease. Due to the loss of kidney function, your body will struggle to regulate and balance your vitamins and minerals.
6. Cramping
Since kidneys also regulate electrolytes in the body, if you begin to lose kidney function your electrolytes will be imbalanced, thus resulting in cramping muscles.
Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are debilitating conditions affecting millions of individuals worldwide. As people age, it becomes increasingly important to recognize the early warning signs of these diseases, such as memory loss, and consider various care options including supplements, caregivers guidelines, independent living, assisted living, and medic alert bracelets to help manage the effects of progressive cognitive decline. In this article, we’ll explore the early warning signs of dementia and discuss some different care options available to individuals and their families:
1. Confusion about time and place
Dementia can cause confusion, particularly when it comes to time and place. Patients may get lost in familiar surroundings, have difficulty following a routine, or forget the day of the week.
2. Changes in behavior
Dementia can also cause changes in mood and behavior. Patients may become agitated, irritable, or withdrawn. They may also experience changes in personality or exhibit impulsive behavior.
3. Memory loss
Memory loss is often one of the first signs of dementia. Patients may forget important events or appointments, have difficulty remembering names or faces, or struggle with new information. Supplements such as Omega-3 fatty acids, ginkgo biloba, and vitamin E may be helpful in supporting brain health.
4. Difficulty communicating
As dementia progresses, patients may have difficulty communicating their thoughts or ideas. They may struggle to find the right words, repeat themselves, or have trouble following a conversation.
5. Difficulty with activities of daily living
In the early stages of dementia, patients may have difficulty performing activities of daily living such as cooking, cleaning, and personal hygiene. They may struggle to remember the steps involved or become disoriented during the process. In some cases, they may forget to perform these activities altogether, which can have a significant impact on their quality of life. Caregivers can provide support and assistance with these tasks to help patients maintain their independence for as long as possible.
Now, let’s explore some care options to consider for patients with dementia:
In conclusion, early detection of dementia and Alzheimer’s is key to ensuring patients receive proper care and support. By being aware of the warning signs and considering care options that can make positive and safe changes in the home, patients may continue to live independently and receive the care they need to maintain their quality of life.
