Sunday, February 17, 2008 

The Basics Of Mortgages

A mortgage is a loan that is availed from a lender such as a financial institution, credit union, or bank to buy a property, residential or commercial. The base of a mortgage is that if the borrower does not pay back the sum borrowed the lender will take away the property and recover the money by selling it.

A mortgage has two main aspects the principle or capital, that is the sum borrowed and the interest charged on the borrowed sum. In a mortgage what happens is that the property purchased is kept as collateral by the lending institution.

The basics of mortgages are:

1. A mortgage is amortizing, which means monthly payments made towards the principle amount borrowed and interest due will pay back the loan in a fixed tenure of time.

2. The tenure of a mortgage loan is usually 10, 15, 30, 0r 40 years and the length of time is determined depending on the age and capabilities of the borrower. However a mortgage must be paid back in say 10 years as a longer tenure means larger amounts will be paid to the lender as interest which may sometimes exceed the principle sum borrowed.

3. Many mortgages require a down payment of say 20% of the sum borrowed.

4. Most lenders of mortgage loans require that the loan is covered by a private mortgage insurance, government insurance, or guarantee.

5. Interest rates on mortgages vary and 15 year loans have lower interest rates than 30 year loans. Interest rates can be fixed or floating and depend on the kind of loan chosen.

There are many kinds of mortgage loans:

Conventional mortgages are not insured by the government. Loans with a down payment of less than 20% will require insurance to protect the lender. In depth information on conventional mortgage loans is at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac websites.

FHA-Insured mortgage loans are integral to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development initiatives. This gives low downpayment loans to those who cannot afford downpayments. The downpayment is usually just 3% of the loan amount. But here the mortgages are for low cost housing. Information on such programs is at the HUD website.

VA-Guaranteed Loans are for those in military service and requires no downpayment. More information on this is at http://www.homeloans.va.gov/ .

Rural Housing Service Loans are for those who need homes in rural areas. There are special schemes for low-income people too. Generally these mortgages are at lower interest rates.

State Housing Finance Loans are for first time home owners and are at lower interest rates than that prevalent in the market.

ARM or Adjustable Rate Mortgages are mortgage loans where the interest rates changes according to financial market movements such as Treasury bill rates. These loans are offered by banks and other lenders.

When you are thinking of buying a house or a commercial real estate property you need to first learn what mortgages are and find out what will suit you best. Study mortgages, your personal finances, future plans, and your housing needs before setting out to buy a property. Think of long-term and not immediate needs

Barry Allen is a freelance writer for http://www.1888mortgages.com , the premier website to find best mortgage rates, home equity, investments, auto, Credit Cards, cash out refinancing, home loans, home equity loans and many more. His article profile can be found at the premier Home Loans site http://www.1844homeloans.com



 

Change Your Time By Not Changing A Thing (Pt. 4 of 5)

As our society becomes busier and more demanding, people find they have less time but more responsibilities. Work demands more productivity, families have more scheduled activities, and even your hobbies need to be put in your appointment book as "scheduled activities." How can you manage your time, when your time is managing you?

Time management programs are a dime a dozen (well, they are a LITTLE more expensive than that), and they all start from the same basic premise: create "To Do" lists, prioritize the items according to some criteria, and do them. Well, that's pretty easy to say. How do you find the time to make the list? How do you find the time to set the criteria to determine the priority of the items? What happens when crisis after crisis screws up your list?

Time management MUST become a habit, not just another activity that you schedule; otherwise, time management itself will have to be prioritized along with all the other activities demanding your time. How do you make this a habit? By making it happen unconsciously, like breathing. Starting today, take a small notebook that fits inside your pocket and write down as many activities that you perform throughout the day, as close to when you perform them as possible. These are NOT journals or diaries - they are simply jotting something down. They are not detailed time sheets. These are YOUR notes for YOU. For example: "8:30 opened mail; 8:50 call from Smith; 9:15 call to Lopez; 9:25 reviewed memo; etc." That's it. Simply record what you do.

At some point, you will look at this list. You'll see that you are spending too much time on the phone with Smith, or that you really WANTED to write a certain memo but didn't get around to it, so maybe tomorrow you need to do that first. This is the beginnings of making time management a habit. YOU will then begin to decide what system works for you, because YOUR habit will want to make this happen.

Time management is critical to success in almost anything you do, whether it is planning a covert military operation or your kid's birthday party. But time management is foreign to most people, and commercial systems often feel forced and artificial. By making time management a habit, an internal imperative, you will gain control over your time without having to take time out of your day to do it. And isn't that the point of time management anyway?

ERIK CARTER has been weightlifting since high school and practicing karate since college. He maintains a fitness portal at http://fitnessportal.bravehost.com. He also promotes "Complete Sales Package For YOUR Success (http://salespackage.bravehost.com)" and "4 Steps To Success(http://4steps.bravehost.com)," 2 sites designed to help you start or expand any on-line business.



 

Wine Etiquette With Ease

Correct wine etiquette makes the tasting experience much more enjoyable. Like most interests, there is a set of protocol that most wine lovers adhere to. Good taste dictates that tasting at wineries, ordering wine at restaurants, and hosting a dinner party all require certain formalities.

Tasting Room Etiquette

In a winery's tasting room, white wines are generally tasted first, followed by reds, and then dessert wines. Within these categories, lighter-bodied wines preceed fuller-bodied ones. Water and crackers may be offered to cleanse the palate between each wine. Correct wine etiquette does not dictate that you must finish every glass. Winery tasting rooms provide jars to dispose of excess wine. Do not feel that you need to sample every wine offered- taste what appeals to you.

If you ask for a second tasting of a particular wine, it is in good taste to buy a bottle. Many wineries charge tasting fees which are generally applied to any purchase. It is not mandatory that you buy wine; purchase only what you desire. That being said, if you have made an appointment at a small winery, it is in good taste to make a purchase. Proper wine etiquette dictates that you not bring children to a tasting room.

General Restaurant Wine Etiquette

Wine service at a nice restaurant can be an unneccessarily difficult ordeal. The following tips will allow you to follow the customs of wine service with ease and confidence.

When choosing a wine from a restaurant's wine list, the main goal is to accomplish a suitable pairing with the entrees of your party. If the food orders are too different to generalize with one wine, consider purchasing splits or ordering by the glass. Waiters and sommeliers are there to answer your questions, but availing yourself to their services and advice will be much more beneficial if your questions are relatively specific.

For example, don't ask the sommelier, "What goes well with a rack of lamb?" Rather, ask, "I'd like to balance the spiciness of the lamb with a full-bodied, Syrah-based Rhone. Do you have any favorites?" Your effort will be appreciated and service and interaction will be more seamless. I guarentee you will be more pleased with the outcome.

After ordering, the waiter/sommelier will retrieve your selection, and then present it, label forward, to the host of the party. This is merely to verify it is the correct wine. The cork is removed and placed on the table. Unless it is clearly tainted, (the waiter/sommelier should notice if it is) do not touch or smell it, as it means nothing.

A small amount will then be poured for the host. Swirl the wine in the glass, smell, then taste. This is to make sure the wine is not spoiled and is not an opportunity to send back a sound wine that you are not crazy about. After approval, the wine will be poured clockwise to the right, ladies first. The host's glass will be topped last.

Corkage Etiquette

It is increasingly customary in many parts of the country for restaurants to extend corkage policies for patrons whom wish to bring their own wine. However, this is not the case everywhere, (especially on the East Coast), and proper wine etiquette dictates that several things should be kept in mind.

Always call the restaurant in advance to verify that corkage is allowed. Also ask what the fee is to avoid any surprises. In my experience, very few restaurants charge over $20 as a corkage fee. Some restaurants will waive this fee if an additional bottle is purchased from the wine list, but do not assume that this is always the case.

Wine brought to a restaurant should be relatively unique or rare, and definitely should not appear on the restaurant's wine list. After the waiter/sommelier opens and pours the contents, proper wine etiquette dictates that you offer them a taste. Following these guidelines will ensure that both you and the restaurant staff are happy.

The Duty of the Host at Dinner Parties

The duty of the host toward his/her guests is one of the most ancient and enduring forms of etiquette in human civilization. When serving wine, making sure that your guests are comfortable with the process should be your paramount concern.

Before serving, always allow wine time to breathe at room temperature. Never pour wine for guests immediately after opening. It is the host's responsibility to discreetly ensure that the wine is sound and unspoiled. This should be done away from company, and a small amount should be sampled.

Always serve wine to your guests in clean, spotless glasses. This may seem obvious, but it is a very mistake. Additionally, if more than one wine is served, make sure that they are poured in a logical progression.

Especially with older wines, be aware that there may be a significant amount of sediment at the bottom of the bottle. Keep this in mind when deciding the portion given to each guest. Avoid the embarrassing instance of the last person receiving an unacceptable amount of solids in their glass. If this is a concern with a particular bottle, refrain from pouring the last half glass.

It may be necessary or beneficial to decant a wine to either remove sediment or to expose it to oxygen. Be cautious with this practice, as older wines may quickly fade if left in a decanter for too long.

Wine enjoyment should be an enjoyable and unintimidating process. With these tips in mind, you are prepared for the majority of social situations that involve wine.

Ben Bicais lives in the Napa Valley and has written several articles about Wine Etiquette



 

Sun Protection to Prevent Premature Aging and Skin Cancer

Some of us might love a healthy tan but others (like myself) prefer to shy away from the sun. Either way, sun protection is still a must. Harmful ultraviolet rays from the sun can cause skin cancer and premature aging of the skin.

To be sufficiently protected, you will need a sunscreen that can protect you from UVA and UVB rays. UVA rays are the ones that cause sagging and wrinkles, and the level of protection from these rays is shown by a PA rating system, with PA+++ being the highest index.

UVB rays are the ones that cause burning and spots. The SPF (Sun Proctection Factor) of a sunscreen shows how long you will be protected from UVB rays. For example, if you usually take 10 mins in the sun to get burned, a sunscreen of SPF 15 will protect you for 15 times longer (150 mins). I recommend at least SPF 30 and PA+++ for daily use and SPF 50 if you are planning to stay in the sun for hours.

Everyone needs sunscreen, not only the fair-skinned. Though darker skin provides some natural form of sun protection, it doesn't prevent skin cancer and sunburn. Also, remember to reapply sunscreen every 2 hours or so, or more often if you sweat alot or go swimming. This is because some of your sunscreen will come off (even if it's waterproof), and thus offer less protection.

Lastly, don't miss out places such as your ears, feet, nose, eyelids when applying sunscreen. I once forgot to apply sunscreen on my ears before going out for hours in the sun and I ended up with pinkish sun-burnt ears for a week! Ouch.

About the Author:
Valerie is the owner of A Starry Blanket, a personal blog housing her rants, raves and experiences in daily life.

She also runs a blog shop selling affordable handmade gifts. Visit Dreamy Gifts now to browse through the items available. (Gifts are sold within Singapore only.)



 

Natural Remedies for for the Treatment of Hair Loss

Since the introduction of Rogaine in the early 1980's, androgenic mediated hair loss, or 'male pattern baldness' has been considered a treatable condition through the use of pharmaceutical preparations. The perception that over-the-counter and prescription drugs are the only means to successfully treat this type of hair loss is perpetuated by the lack of well-funded and publicized studies on the efficacy of natural treatments. However, as the understanding of the biological mechanism of male pattern baldness has become clear through a great body of research, the reality of an effective natural treatment regimen is at hand. After a review of the available natural products, some suggestions will be made for creating your own regimen for treating hair loss naturally.

The overall cause of male pattern baldness is now well-known: this type of hair loss seen in about a third of the male population is mediated by the androgenic metabolite of testosterone known as dihydrotestosterone or DHT. The production of this now-infamous hormone increases later in life for many men, along with changes with the receptors for this hormone at the hair follicles.

In general, the pertinent hair follicles shrink with continued exposure to the androgenic hormone, some forming only small, villus hairs, while others eventually die completely. Some sources claim these follicles are still getting an adequate blood supply, while others note a waxy buildup or scar-like tissue surrounding the follicles, preventing adequate nutrient delivery. Thus, the localized cause of hair loss, at the follicle level, is still being researched. This does not mean there has been success in discovery of natural hair loss remedies!

The regrowth of hair due to androgenic-induced loss should be addressed on two fronts. First, the levels of DHT produced within the body (rather than topically) should be addressed, along with the binding of DHT at it's receptor sites. Second, hair growth should be stimulated topically with application of nutrients and/or DHT suppressors on the follicles themselves. Let's first address the suppression of DHT production and binding systemically (within the body).

Prescription drugs such as Finasteride and Dutasteride are available which lower blood levels of DHT, and have been used to improve hair loss conditions. There are now several well-known natural, plant-based products which either reduce testosterone's conversion to DHT (via the 5-alpha-reductase enzyme system), block the binding of DHT to receptor sites, or both. Most common, and most important are Saw Palmetto Berry extract and Stinging Nettle Root extract. These to herbs work in combination to both block the conversion of testosterone to DHT and prevent it's binding to receptor sites in the scalp. Other herbs employed with similar functions include pygeum africanum and pumpkin seed oil, both used to bring into balance the testosterone/DHT ratio; lastly, the plant sterol Beta-Sitosterol is often used successfully to treat prostate enlargement, which has similar causes to male pattern baldness - whether it will support hair growth is not yet known, but it likely won't hurt!. Finally, getting an adequate supply of Zinc is also important in maintaining this hormonal balance. The entire androgen hormone regulation system is fairly complex; just remember these items: Saw Palmetto, Nettle Root (not leaf!), Pygeum, Zinc, and Beta-Sitosterol. By the way, if using a prostate formula for these nutrients, they should be taken in gel cap form - they are better absorbed this way than in plain powder, and hence more effective.

In addition to these herbs, which are also commonly used around the world for blocking the creation and effects of DHT, Procyanidins, or Polyphenols, have been shown to inhibit DHT systemically, AND can stimulate hair growth when applied topically. These anti-oxidant compounds first became renown with the discovery of the amazing action of grape seed extract and it's powerful ability as a free-radical scavenger. More recently, Japanese researchers went through the effort of testing HUNDREDS of compounds in the laboratory for their effect on the stimulation of hair growth, and they found the compounds of grape seed extract grew hair at a greater rate than the pharmaceutical preparation Minixodil. With further testing, using variations of the polyphenols, they discovered those found in apple skin polyphenols to be even more effective, nearly twice effective as Rogaine. Further, with the addition of Forskolin, another herbal extract, the effect was even greater. Exciting news! The interesting thing is that these compounds actually stimulated the hair follicles to become active, whereas it seems Rogaine works by lowering blood pressure in the scalp, thereby increasing blood flow to the follicles. And these compounds did not produce an initial 'shedding' as Rogaine has been known to do.

Ok, before we get to the good stuff - like how to create your own hair regrowth program, let's look at one more class of natural products - essential oils. Essential oils are powerful, aromatic compounds distilled from plants, with highly regarded medicinal properties, well beyond the effects of only their aromas. Rosemary essential oil has long been considered a 'hair tonic', more than likely because of it's ability to stimulate blood flow locally. A certain type of rosemary, known as rosemary verbenone, also contains compounds which influence skin regeneration. Recall the addition of Retin-A to the use of Rogaine? This was to stimulate the turnover of the skin, increasing the pace of the hair regrowth process. Other essential oils, such as Lavender, have an anti-inflammatory (inflammation is sometimes implicated in hair loss) and skin regenerating effects. Thyme and Cedarwood oils have also been studied, and the combination of these oils has been shown effective at hair growth stimulation in patients with alopecia areata.

Given all this wonderful information, how does one combine them into an effective regimen? The best thing to do is keep it simple - the more simple it is, the more likely it is you'll stay with it for the several months it will take to see significant effects. So, for the systemic DHT suppression and inhibition, look at formulas either designed specifically for hair, or those for the support of the Prostate gland - they will contain almost the exact same ingredients. Look for a high-quality supplement, with standardized Saw Palmetto extract, Nettle Root extract, and Pygeum extract. Do not take the un-extracted herbs, they will not likely be strong enough in doses you are willing to consume. Saw Palmetto can be consumed in doses between 160 and 320mg daily, Nettle Root a bit more, and Pygeum significantly less. They should be in a gel cap, preferably in Pumpkin seed oil. Take a separate Beta Sitosterol supplement, around 400mg daily, if it is not included already. This is typically found in dry capsules, and there have not been reports of the importance of consuming this in an oil-based capsule, though you can take it with fatty food if you want to be sure (this may help the absorption). Add an oral supplement of Green Tea extract, Grape Seed extract, or Apple Polyphenol extract if you like, along with a good multivitamin.

Now for the topical applications - the polyphenols can be mixed in water. Even better would be to find Nettle Root, grind it up and make a strong tea. To this, create a 1-3% solution by weight of the polyphenols in the liquid and apply twice daily (shake really well or use a blender). Grape seed extract is acceptable, though apple polyphenols would be best. They are hard to come by just yet, but are becoming more popular and available. A bulk supply is best, so you don't have to go opening capsules! A .5-1% addition of Forskolin herb extract can be made io increase effectiveness, but is not completely necessary. Applying right after a shower may make it easier to distribute the liquid on the scalp, and may also increase absorption. It is important to note that increasing the concentration beyond 1% for Grapeseed extract and 3% for Apple polyphenols extract is not advised - higher concentrations did not show increased efficacy - in fact, there may be an opposite effect. For the record, there are about 30 grams of water in one ounce; 1 gram of powder in this is just over a 3% solution. Finally, to this solution, a small amount of the Saw Palmetto blend from a ge lcap can be added - though the efficacy of this has not been noted in the literature.

For the essential oils, use 1ml of each oil per one once of carrier oil (a blend of jojoba and grapeseed was used in the study showing hair regrowth in Scottland). Because this is isn't as attractive once applied, though you will smell nice, apply in the evening, before bed, between once a day and once every three days. Or apply during the day some time, massaging into the scalp, and leaving in for 20 minutes to an hour, then wash out. This will give enough time for the oils to penetrate the skin and have their effect.

So there it is, the roundup of the more well-known and tested natural remedies for male pattern baldness. While Rogaine for growth stimulation, and Finasteride or Dutasteride for DHT inhibition are completely reasonable ways to go, their costs are high and the effects of their long term use are not well known. And then there are some folks that would prefer to stay away from chemically manufactured medicines altogether - hopefully this bit of information will help. There is much more research available on the internet, though hopefully this is enough information to get you confidently started.

Eric Cech is a consultant to the Ananda Apothecary, and online resource of pure aromatherapy essential oils and blends along with a wealth of information on their use.



 

Wheat Grass Juicer - Your Way To A Wellness Whip

With the growing interest in the perceived benefits of wheat grass over the last few decades, it comes as no surprise to find a variety of wheat grass juicers on the market to exploit this green vegetable to the fullest!

The nutrient rich young wheat plant is considered to be a vegetable at this early stage of its life cycle. It is a concentrated source of vitamins, minerals, chlorophyll (70% in juice form) and enzymes.

It has superb health benefits, from cleansing the lymph system, building the red blood cells, removing toxic metals from the cells, nourishing the liver and kidneys, and restoring vitality.

However, it needs to be consumed in juice form, as the body cannot process the plant fibres.

It is interesting to note that wheat grass is gluten-free. Gluten is found only in the seed kernel and not in the stem and grass leaves of the young plant. It should therefore be safe for individuals with a gluten intolerance.

Many wheat grass juicers have been developed over the years, both manual and electric.

A number of single auger manual wheat grass juicers are available. Your first choice should be the stainless steel Back to Basics Juicer or the Hurricane Wheat Grass Juicer. Both these juicers are available in packaged kit form, containing everything you need to start growing your own wheat grass.

A book on wheat grass and instructions on how to proceed, form part of the kit. If you have a sunny kitchen, you can even grow your own wheat grass indoors!

Both juicers offer a stainless steel screen, and can accommodate other leafy greens and some soft fruits. They are easy to disassemble for cleaning.

The limited warranty is for a period of 5 years. However, take good care of these juicers, and they will give you a lifetime of use.

The Porkert Manual Wheat Grass Juicer is perfect if you are on a tight budget. It juices wheat grass, herbs, and sprouts. It can also be used to extract juice form soft fruits and leafy veggies.

It's tin-plated cast iron body gives it a rugged appearance. Carefully drying it and oiling all surfaces after washing, will prevent rust. It has two stainless steel filter screens. This juicer will also give you many years of service.

A dedicated electric wheatgrass juicer such as the Miracle MJ-550SS is a very popular machine with stainless steel juicing parts. It claims maximum juice output of wheat grass in one pass without foaming.

With a 90 rpm, 220-watt motor this juicer is also useful for berries and soft fruits. It can be cleaned easily and has a safety switch to keep the motor from overheating.

Wheat grass juice has an extremely strong flavor. It is wise to introduce it gradually in very small amounts and always in combination with other juices. Investigating a wheat grass juicer that was developed to juice a number of other fruits and vegetables, may therefore be wise. This will save you from having to buy two separate machines.

An example of a combination vegetable and wheat grass juicer, is the Omega Model 8005 which turns at only 80 RPMs. The powerful motor pulps the plant fibers and penetrates the membrane to extract vitamins, enzymes and mineral content.

This juicer can also be used to juice fruit, to mince or chop, to grind, to make delicious nut butters and for many other healthy, tempting treats. The Omega has been designed in such a way that all the delicate nutrients are protected and retained during the juicing process.

Another possibility is a twin-gear juice extractor, such as the Green Star GS-3000. Apart from wheat grass, the unique slow-rotating twin gears will cut and juice almost all vegetables including carrots, celery, and leafy vegetables. This juicer can be a bit tricky to clean.

There are three cutting points on the Green Star GS-3000 to cut stringy fibers into small pieces, preventing a machine jam. This machine is also very quiet, which is a sign that nutrients are retained to the absolute maximum. The Green Star offers one-step continuous juicing with automatic pulp ejection.

To make the most of your wheat grass juicer, it is a good idea to read more about the subject. In 'The Wheatgrass Book' by Ann Wigmore, for example, you will learn more about the nutrients in wheat grass, the health benefits of the juice, growing your own wheat grass, and much more.

Whichever wheat grass juicer you choose, remember that man wasn't made to live on greens alone! Your wheat grass consumption has to form part of a healthy, balanced eating plan.

For more information visit Best-Juicing.com

Rika Susan of http://www.Article-Alert.com researches, writes, and publishes full-time on the Web. Copyright of this article: 2006 Rika Susan. This article may be reprinted if the resource box and hyperlinks are left intact.



 

Garage Storage - Give Your Over-Packed Garage a Make-Over

We hold high expectations for our garage one that will be a workroom, closet, toy box, tool shed and gardening center all in one. Oh, we also might want to park a car or two in the garage as well. This makes your garage the most multi-purpose room in your home.

Use the following storage and organizational tips to transform your garage into an efficient storage area capable of accommodating lawn equipment, sporting gear, pet supplies, holiday decorations and, of course, a car or two.

Garage Storage

Utilize every square inch of wall and ceiling in your garage to create more storage space. Following are some options:

  • Cabinets. Install cabinets in your garage to handle overflow from inside your home. Cabinets range from freestanding armoire-style pieces to those stored above tables that hang on the wall (similar to kitchen cabinets). To change the configuration of your garage storage, purchase cabinets on wheels for easy moving.

  • Lofts. Check the ceiling in your garage for unused space. Create a storage system above your cars for seasonal items such as holiday decorations.

  • Hooks, hangers and shelves. For easy access to tools, use hooks and hangers. Hang everything from trowels to wheelbarrows. For larger, oddly-shaped items (such as skis or kayaks), install custom shelving built to the specific length and width of whatever you need to store.

Garage Organization

Garages are great for storing things away but the key is being able to find them again when you need them. Following are organizational tips to get the most out of your garage storage:


  • Pet supplies. Stock up on pet food at your local wholesale store and store the food in sealable bins.

  • Holiday decorations. Store seasonal items, such as Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc. decorations, in a loft above your cars or in a cabinet.

  • Recycling. Create your own recycling center in your garage for paper, plastic, cans and glass. Locate your recycling center close to an entrance for ease of wheeling it out on recycling day.

  • Camping gear. Organize all your camping gear, such as tents, boating supplies, etc. This will insure you wont leave home without the bug spray on your next camping trip.

  • Chemicals. Install a heavy-duty cabinet with a lock and key for storing chemicals. Keep all chemicals high and away from kids and pets.

Use these tips to add storage space and organization to your garage.

Hilary Basile is a writer for MyGuidesUSA.com. At MyGuidesUSA.com (http://www.myguidesusa.com), you will find valuable tips and resources for handling lifes major events. Whether youre planning a wedding, buying your first home, anxiously awaiting the birth of a child, contending with a divorce, searching for a new job, or planning for your retirement, youll find answers to your questions at MyGuidesUSA.com. Find home improvement tips and resources at http://www.myguidesusa.com/homeimprovement



 

Experts For Life - Physicians Of Mesothelioma

A physician who specializes in mesothelioma are called oncologists. Oncology is a field in medicine that involves cancer or it is the study of cancer. Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that involves the mesothelium. The mesothelium is the tissue that is made up of mesothelial cells. These mesothelial cells are the ones damaged in cancer of the mesothelium or mesothelioma. The mesothelium is can be found as the covering of the internal organs such as the pleura, which is the covering of the lungs and the peritoneum, which is the covering of the internal organs of the abdominal cavity.

Oncologists can be found in treatment centers or hospital that has an oncology department. In treating mesothelioma there is a team of doctors and specialists that one will encounter through the course of diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of mesothelioma.

KNOWING THE DISEASE

During the initial phase of the diagnosis, the first doctor that a client encounters or has contact with is the General Practitioner. This doctor may not be in the specific field of oncology or does not specialize in mesothelioma but this doctor takes the medical history of the patient. He is the one responsible to refer the patient to the specialists or consultants, give them the history and the details of his initial examination of the patient.

The pulmonologist is a physician who specializes in the field that involves the lung. The pleural mesothelioma is the more common form of mesothelioma and this type involves the covering of the lungs. The lung specialist physician has the extensive knowledge and skills and is specifically trained to diagnose and treat diseases that affect the lung such as mesothelioma. This physician may order tests to be performed to diagnose mesothelioma.

The pathologist is a physician who specializes in analyzing cells. This doctor has the extensive skill and knowledge and is highly trained to monitor and evaluate the significant cell changes that may point to mesothelioma. They analyze the cells through the specimiens that are brought to them such as the blood, fluid obtained from the abdomen or lung, or tissues from the mesothelium. They interpret the changes and they are the ones responsible to spot damged mesothelial cells by cancer or the mesothelioma.

The radiologist is a physician who specializes in using instruments that can help confirm the diagnosis of the mesothelioma through the imaging that are generated by these instruments. This doctor particularly analyzes the images taken from the x-ray, CT scan, MRI, PET scan and confirms if there is really presence of mesothelioma.

REALIZATION

After the diagnosis and determining the gravity of the mesothelioma, treatment is done and there are different doctors that facilitate the treatment of the mesothelioma. If the mesothelioma is treatable via surgery, the services of a thoracic surgeon may be needed. The thoracic surgeon is trained and is specialized to do surgeries of the lung, heart, chest and esophagus. If a patient has been diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma and it has been decided that the best treatment is surgery, then this physician is the one qualified to do the job.

The Medical Oncologist is a physician specialized to render chemotherapy if it has been determined that the best treatment for the mesothelioma is through chemotherapy. This physician has the extensive knowledge and skills of the treatment modalities of cancer specifically chemotherapy.

The Radiation Oncologist is a physician specialized to render radiation therapy if it has been determined that the best treatment for the mesothelioma is through radiation therapy. This physician has the extensive knowledge and skills and is highly trained to administer radiation therapy to treat the mesothelioma.

These types of physicians are all specialized and work together to help treat mesothelioma. They are all part of the cancer team that helps take care of the mesothelioma patients along with the nurses, therapists and social workers. Each doctor offers specific services that cater to the mesothelioma patient's needs.

Each of the services of these doctors has fees that can amount to a huge amount of money. This is where insurance comes in as part of the team in treating mesothelioma. It is truly a big help if the diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of mesothelioma is covered by insurance. Every worker especially those who are considered high risk should take this seriously before it is too late.

For more information on mesothelioma and lung cancer, please go to:
http://mymesotheliomacancer.com/?page_id=622
http://mymesotheliomacancer.com
http://www.drnathaliefiset.com



 

Fixed Rate Second Mortgage or Variable Home Equity Line of Credit? Home Equity Report 2006

More and more Americans are cashing in on their homes equity by taking out a second mortgage. Home equity financing has evolved to meet the growing consumer demands for borrowing, spending, and building. One of the most powerful cash vehicles driving our economy is the new and improved home equity loan. Consumer debt is at an all time high, and home equity values are also peaking at all-time levels. Lets examine the primary reasons for the increasing popularity of home equity loan products.

Home equity lines of credit are revolving accounts that are considered to be second mortgages secured by real estate. These 2nd mortgage credit lines have become very accessible online. Equity lines of credit can be beneficial tools for homeowners if used properly. Helocs offer flexibility because you can borrow and re-borrow without having to start the loan process over again like you would with a traditional home equity loan. Another great home equity line benefit remains that you only pay interest on the money you access.

A few years ago, second mortgage rates hit all time lows. Over the last year and a half, the Federal Reserve has increased the WSJ prime rates almost 3% points. Unfortunately this has had the biggest impact with variable lines of credit rates. During this record period for rates, home credit lines were over 1% lower than the traditional fixed rate home equity loan. There are many reasons people continue to take out home equity lines of credit. Some of the most common purposes for an equity line are bill consolidation, home improvements and buying a second home. What people love most about the equity credit line is the affordability feature that comes standard with low minimum payments.

On the flip-side, many homeowners like the responsible amortization that comes with fixed rate home equity loans. With these fixed rate second mortgages, each monthly payment allocates a portion to pay down both interest and principal of the loan. In 2006, fixed rate home equity loan rates are actually lower than equity lines of credit. The fixed rate mortgage is becoming increasingly attractive to consumers. Fixed rate loans offer "peace of mind" because people can go to sleep at night, knowing that their payment will not go up.

Both types of home equity financing offer lower interest rates than credit cards. Increased cash flow and lower monthly payments are great benefits of home equity. Many lenders have expanded their second mortgage guidelines for people with bad credit. Stop playing the balance transfer game with your credit cards and lock into a low rate second mortgage. In most cases, consolidating credit cards with a home equity loan will save you thousands of dollars a year.

Barry Donavan is a business writer who focuses on home finance and consumer credit. In addition to writing, Barry is a finacial consultant and loan officer at BD Nationwide Mortgage. You can read more of his home equity articles and get more information about fixed rate second mortgages and variable home equity lines of credit.

Copyright BD Nationwide Mortgage Company 2006



 

Owning A Blood Pressure Monitor - Get Readings Whenever You Want

Many doctors, upon diagnosing high blood pressure in a patient, will recommend dietary changes and a moderate exercise program to help remove excess pounds, prescribe a high blood pressure medication, and advise that the patient buy a home blood pressure monitor. Having daily access to a blood pressure monitor will enable the patient to know immediately if his or her blood pressure is climbing to dangerous levels, and call the doctor immediately.

Another Asvantage
Using a home blood pressure monitor has another benefit. Many people find that visiting the doctor is a high-stress experience, causing their in-office blood pressure readings might be abnormally high. If you are one of them, and are actually suffering from hypertension, it could be a much milder case than your doctors readings suggest. By getting consistent records of your own with a home blood pressure monitor, you will have much clearer idea of the seriousness of your condition.

You can get a home blood pressure monitor without having a doctors prescription; and you can either rent one or buy it outright. Home blood pressure monitors are widely available through medical supplies vendors, large pharmacies, and even some of the mega retail chains.

Blood Pressure Monitor Designs
Home blood pressure monitors are produced in two basic designs. The first has an arm cuff similar to that on your doctors blood pressure machine. Slide your arm into the cuff and use your free hand on the monitors pump to tighten the cuff. You will use a stethoscope to listen to the sounds which result from the pressure on your arm, so unless you have previous health training, your ability to accurately gauge what you are hearing may be limited.

The second type of home blood pressure monitor, based on digital technology, is much simpler to operate. It has a self-inflating arm cuff senses the blood pressure sounds as well. It will then put a clearly readable number on its readout screen so that you can see what your blood pressure is.

Many pharmacies have blood pressure monitors available for public use; but if you are suffering from hypertension you would be better off taking daily readings at the same time each day, which may not be possible if you are depending on the monitor at your local drug store. You want your readings to present a fairly accurate picture of you blood pressure over time, and the best way to do it is to test yourself as close to the same time as you can each day.

You can also find more information at Blood Pressure Natural Cure and Blood Pressure Reading.

Lower-highbloodpressure.com is a comprehensive resource to known more about low and hgh blood pressure.



 

Addicted to Adsense?

Is this habit really exists? When you become an adsense publisher, and waiting for your ad revenue result to become reality, some people tend to check their revenue stats every few times for the whole day. Is this really happen? How about you?

Regarding to a recent online study conducted by a small group of Google Publishers found that 54% of all Adsense Publishers were addicted to the income potential of Google Pay per Click system. The worst scenario was found that some publishers were so addicted where they checking their adsense statistics up to 50 times per day!

As were famously known, Google Adsense is a system where individuals who own a content rich websites and high traffic can earn money by placing small targeted ads within the content of their website. The ads can be customized and certain kinds of ads can be projected, when the visitors of the website clicked it, then the publisher can earn revenue through it. Some successful publishers can earn in excess of $200,000 per month.

The recent study stated that, one publisher stated that her addiction started the day she placed the adsense code into her html code. She was intoduce to google adsense by her boyfriend who makes around $1000 a month. She said that the fever in which forums and blogs promote the fact that anyone can become rich with this scheme inspired her to keep adding pages and checking her stats many times. She did state that she was earning a reasonable amount of money from Google adsense, but also spent several amount of money on ebooks, scripts and all you would ever wanted to know about tips, guides and even special review and advice from the real gurus who made good fortunes on the arena.

One publisher said that his addiction made him a rich man in 51 days. His is known as David had been dabbling in money making schemes for about 6 years and had not been successful. But he did have 3 websites which had thousands of visitors to them. His story started when he was browsing the net and accidentally came across a website that had a photo of a guy holding a Google cheque for nearly $200,000 dollars for a particular month. Man this is what I have been looking for. Then he placed 2 small adsense ads on each page of his 1000 page website.

I did not sleep last night. I checked my stats every 10 minutes all night waiting for the statshe said. Just when he was about to give up for the night, David did his final stats check. It was about 5.50am and I nearly fell off my chair. He had 98 clicks, 1000 impressions and a total of $18 income. He couldnt sleep that day and checked his stats every 15 minutes. He got $58 throughout the day and got in his account to over $6700 in just 51 days! He spent average 60 times per day checking his stats and on the same time optimising his sites and adding content to get more revenue.

I am addicted to Google Adsense one told me, but what better addiction could you have than earning money, while doing something you love.

I.D Safairis is a newcomer in blogging, copy-writing, webmaster and seo internet marketing. His site on http://www.whuzzah.com is growing rapidly among bloggers and web-surfers featuring tech reviews, hardware and software includes internet marketing. Do visit his site regularly for updates!