« Older Entries

How to make a Decision between Building up and Building out?

Lack of adequate space can make coming back to your home a dreadful task. No one likes a crammed space. When you feel that your home is bursting at the seams, a home addition project can come to your rescue.

Building Up or Out: Find an Answer to the Home Addition Dilemma

Before beginning with the project, there is one important thing that deserves your attention. Do you want to increase the size of your home vertically or horizontally? Would you like a second story addition or is a simple bump out sufficient for you? Here’s how you can make a choice between building up and building out.

Does it solve the Space Problem?

If you have additional space around your home and there are no zoning restrictions, homeowners consider building out to be the best solution. But, remember that the right decision comes with the right understanding of your requirements. Think about the current floor plan of your home. Do you think that a simple room addition will solve your space problems? Will a rear addition make the home spacious? Or is a garage conversion the best solution for you? Home addition will make everlasting changes to your home. So, don’t forget to consider your future needs as well.

Does it require more Efforts?

Building out or ground floor additions are easier than adding a second story to your home. It is because they cause less disruption. And, you may not need to alter the entire floor plan of your home. You can use an existing doorway or window to add a new room, saving you the efforts of tearing down the walls. On the other hand, if you are adding a whole new floor with bathrooms, you will need to extend the power lines as well as the drainage lines.

Time is the Key

If you want to add space to a kitchen, it will not be a time-consuming task. It is because a small bump out doesn’t involve putting additional weight on the existing foundation. The home additions contractor will dig out the required area in the yard and lay a foundation to build the walls. It is as simple as that. But, a building up project will require him to make the foundation capable of bearing extra weight.

The Burden of Money

When the home addition is complicated and time-consuming, your expenses will be high. But, it doesn’t mean that building out will be less expensive than a second-story home addition. If the access to the construction area is constrained or you need to install HVAC for the new room, the cost can increase. Even specific plumbing requirements can add to the cost. So, it is essential that you discuss the different cost centers before making the decision.

The Final Decision

When it comes to choosing between building out and building up, it all comes down to making optimum use of available sources. Consider your preferences, the zoning laws of your area and choose the option that is the simplest, in terms of efforts, time and money.

Remember that making the right decision is essential because it has the potential to put a permanent end to your space constraints. So, take your time and decide whether building up or building out is the right choice for your home.

Whether it is building up or building out, having a reliable Toronto-based home additions contractor at your beck and call can make things simpler for you. An experienced contractor can undertake complicated second-story additions as well as quick kitchen additions to give you the home you desire.

—

Tags:

How to reduce the risk for Esophageal Cancer?

When talking about any GI cancer, we must understand that gastrointestinal cancer is not just one type of cancer. It is a group of different cancers that occur in the digestive tract.

Esophageal cancer is one such type of GI cancer. As per WHO, Globocan 2018 data, it is the sixth most common cancer in India, with an incidence rate of 5.04%. It is also the reason for the sixth-most cancer-related deaths in India. It is the 5th most prevalent cancer in Indian males and the 6th most common cancer in females. Often, Indian males are more affected by the disease than women.

The numbers tell us that it is essential to raise awareness in the country when the main factors for causing the disease include tobacco and alcohol consumption – which are both rampant in India.

What are the Most Common Causes of Esophageal Cancer?

Esophageal cancer occurs when the cells in the esophagus mutate and grow unnaturally. Often doctors attribute chronic irritation to result in changes that increase the chances of cancer of the esophagus. A few factors that cause chronic irritation in the organ are listed below:

1. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

Our stomach contains acids to digest the food that we consume. When people suffer from gastroesophageal reflux disease, they must seek treatment for GERD immediately. The acids can escape into the esophagus and cause heartburn or acid reflux in the mouth. It also affects the esophagus lining and causes Barrette’s Esophagus, which increases the risk of developing adenocarcinoma.

If your surgical gastroenterologist has diagnosed you with Barrette’s Esophagus, it affects the squamous cells of the esophagus to change their structure to become more resistant to stomach acids. The condition can increase your chances of getting adenocarcinoma of the esophagus.

2. Consumption of Tobacco in any form

Whether you consume tobacco in any form, including smoking cigarettes, smoking hookah, or chewing betel nut mixed with tobacco, you have five times the risk of developing esophageal cancer.

If you are currently smoking or consuming tobacco, talk to your trusted doctor and learn to quit your habit. From nicotine patches, physical relaxation techniques, and avoiding tobacco triggers, your doctor will guide you in the right way.

3. Consumption of Alcohol

People who regularly consume alcohol have a higher risk of developing esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Whether your intake is one glass of alcohol daily or every couple of days, you can benefit by letting go of your habit. Also, when you combine alcohol with smoking, it increases the risk of esophageal cancer phenomenally.

4. Obesity

An obese patient with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of more than 30 has shown a higher risk of esophageal cancer. One reason obesity is closely associated with esophageal cancer is obese and overweight individuals often suffer from GERD, which increases the risk of cancer of the esophagus.

If you want to lead a healthy and cancer-free life, focus on maintaining healthy body weight. Include physical activity, exercise, and meditation in your lifestyle to reduce stress and improve health.

5. Reduced Intake of Fiber (Fruits/Vegetables)

Your diet affects the health of your body. Although more research is required for the effects of diet on the risks of esophageal cancer, doctors often recommend limiting the consumption of processed meat. Additionally, if you regularly consume hot beverages or avoid an intake of vegetables and fruits, they can increase your risk.

To ensure a healthy digestive system, focus on consuming more fruits and vegetables. Eat fresh produce and limit processed, fermented and spicy foods that cause acid reflux.

6. Gender and Previous History of Cancer

One must note that incidences of esophageal cancer are higher in men than in women. So, if your lifestyle makes you susceptible to the disease, ensure regular medical screening from the beginning.

Additionally, if you have a previous history of lung cancer, mouth cancer, throat cancer, and other types of GI cancer, your risks increase multiple times. In such situations, you must consult a GI surgeon and learn ways to reduce the risk of esophageal cancer.

Take care of your Health!

Not all risk factors associated with esophageal cancer are modifiable, but many are. If you want to reduce the risk of cancer of the esophagus, take precautions, adopt a healthy lifestyle and learn more about diseases of the esophagus. Reduce your alcohol intake, limit your tobacco consumption, and maintain a healthy weight.

One more crucial aspect is regular medical screening. Several types of GI cancer, including esophageal cancer, can be treated successfully if your surgical gastroenterologist can detect the problem early. So, you must visit your doctor for routine medical checkups and look for any obstruction that you might feel in the esophagus while swallowing. If you are experiencing pain in the esophagus or notice some blood, do not wait. Consult your GI surgeon immediately for esophageal cancer treatment.

Tags:

Assam Long Leaf Tea Is Popular Worldwide Due To Its Unique Taste And Aroma

Assam long leaf tea is the black tea that gets its name from the region where it is cultivated; this black tea is manufactured from the tea bush Camellia sinensis var. assamica in Assam. Assam tea that is cultivated at or near the sea level is well known for its briskness, body, malty flavor and bright color. Assam breakfast tea is sold with various names like English breakfast tea and the Scottish breakfast tea.

It is significant to note that this tea is cultivated in low lying areas as against Darjeeling tea and Nilgiri teas that are cultivated in higher altitudes. It is also found that Assam is that part of India that experiences high precipitation as during the monsoon season it has about 10 to 12 cm of rainfall. This is combined with a daytime temperature rise of up to 40 degree C that creates a green house effect of extreme humidity and heat. It is this climate condition that contributes to this tea having a malty taste. It is significant to note here that the tea estates of Assam each year gives a yield of about 1.5 million pounds or 6, 80,400 kg.

It would be right to note here that Assam long leaf tea has a long growing season; this tea is harvested twice in a year. The first flush is picked in late March, while the second flush is harvested later. The second flush is more prized for tippy tea that gets its name from the gold tips that appear in the leaves. Also it is significant to note that the second flush or tippy tea is sweeter or full bodied, so it is considered to be more superior to the first flush. It is also important to note that the leaves of the Assam tea bush is dark green and glossy and also fairly wide.

Assam long leaf tea that is cultivated on either side of the river Brahmaputra has a unique aroma and taste and is also well known for its health benefits. Your cup of Assam long leaf tea has rich source of antioxidants; these antioxidants help fight free radicals that move about freely in the blood and cause weakness in the organs of the body, slow down cell production and bring about infection and lower the power of immunity. Also rich sources of antioxidants help to slow down the process of aging. So they are a boon to good health; it is best to take advantage of the rich source of polyphenols, a rich source of antioxidants of high quality that is present in Assam long leaf tea.

It is again significant to know that Assam long leaf tea with its unique aroma and taste is best for improved circulatory system; the compounds found in this long leaf tea helps to keep the arteries and veins free of blockages to facilitate smooth flow of blood. Improved blood circulation facilitates the functioning and response of the immunity system, nourishes and provides energy to cells and helps all the systems of the body to function well. Also good blood circulation makes the skin tight and clear of blemishes.

To conclude drinking Assam long leaf tea with its unique taste and aroma benefits all; so drink this tea for good health and vitality.

—

Tags: