Sleep apnea - dealing with this common sleep disorder

One of the most well-known sleep disorders, sleep apnea is a fairly common condition. Marked by interruptions in breathing during sleep, sleep apnea causes the person suffering from this condition to wake up, or partially wake, several times during the night. Because of the frequency of these interruptions in breathing, a person with sleep apnea will have trouble getting a restful night’s sleep, causing them to feel the effects of sleep deprivation during their waking hours.

Two types of sleep apnea have been diagnosed: obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and central sleep apnea. OSA is caused by the soft palate becoming so relaxed that it actually blocks off the breathing passageway, while central sleep apnea is caused by the brain relaxing to the point that it does not remind the body to breathe. While both types can cause interruptions to breathing on their own, most people with sleep apnea actually have mixed apnea, which is a combination of both forms.

Sleep apnea is sometimes difficult to diagnose, simply because it only strikes while the person is asleep and won’t notice that it is happening. Because most people with sleep apnea awake only partially – not fully – so they do not actually notice that they have had their sleep cycle interrupted. Thus, if someone wants to determine if they have sleep apnea, they will have to look for the symptoms.

The most common symptom of sleep apnea is excessive sleepiness upon waking. Because the sleep cycle is being interrupted, the person is not refreshed during the night and will wake up feeling lethargic, fatigued, or even feel like they need to go back to bed for another round of sleep. Also, people with sleep apnea almost always snore; often very loudly. However, a person does not necessarily have to show these symptoms to have sleep apnea. In fact, a bed partner may be the only person to notice the interruptions in breathing during the night.

Additionally, people with sleep apnea are often overweight to obese, so treatment usually involves helping people to lose weight. Treatment can also include eliminating alcohol or other substances that help people relax, quitting smoking, using special pillows or other appliances that help keep the airways open, or even special apparatus that uses air pressure to keep the airways open. This last form of treatment, continuous pressure airway pressure (CPAP), uses a breathing mask to pressurize the airways and inflate them, almost like a balloon. Though this form of treatment is more than a little disconcerting at first, they quickly get used to the mask and find that they feel much more alert in the morning.

Sleep apnea is very difficult for a person to self-diagnose but, once the problem is found, there are treatments available. But for people who are overweight and have large necks, smoke, use sedatives or muscle relaxers, or just drink too much alcohol, lifestyle changes would be the best place to start either keeping sleep apnea away or treating it before it becomes a major health concern. After all, not breathing is a problem whenever it happens. So by treating sleep apnea now, sufferers can keep performing the one act they need to perform every day and every night.

Thailand tailors

I see this question on many forums. Guys want to know if they should buy some tailor-made clothes in Thailand. My answer is yes, if you do it right.

First off, it really doesn’t matter which tailor shop you go to. They are all basically the same and all they do is measure you and send the order to a sweat shop. I consider them measurers and not tailors.

The ones that I avoid are the ones on the street with their little book of samples wanting to meet and greet me. I avoid them like the plague and consider them total nuisances.

I will find one on my own and look at the quality of the material on display. Then I get a rough idea of the prices. Of course, for better material you can expect to pay more.

Here is how I do my tailor-made clothes shopping;

- I only buy when I am going to get a small quantity – like 6 pair of slacks and a dozen shirts. I don’t buy suits because I live in Hawaii and slacks and dress shirts are acceptable.

- I visit the "tailor" at the beginning of my vacation. I want to make sure that neither of us is rushed.

- I tell the guy that I plan to buy 6 pair of slacks and 12 shirts, but he has to make one set for inspection first. Then if acceptable, he can do the rest.

- I also tell him that I am a lazy, single man and want everything to be wash and wear. I refuse to iron clothes.

- I insist on three fittings. And I am specific on the cut, cuffs or not, a longer zipper than the Thai's normally put on slacks, and an inner liner to the knees.

- For the shirts, I have the female in the store pick out colors and patterns that match. I have a hard time visualizing when the material is still just material. I have her pick material for two shirts for every pair of slacks.

- I also select which shirts I want a longer tail on. These are the ones that will get tucked in. I want some of the shirts to have a flat cut on the bottom to wear outside of the slacks.

- I tell them not to put any stiff inserts into the collars. They will say that it will soften after a few washings. Don’t believe it. I tell them that if there is anything in the collar, I will cancel the order.

- Since I am older and getting fatter, I also have them toss in a bit of elastic in the waistband in case I gain a pound or three.

- I pay a minimum deposit once I have seen the first set completed and will pay in full when all is done. I give them a drop-dead date about 3 days before I depart to allow time for any mistakes.

- Once the "tailor' has my order complete, I take the time to over every piece of clothing with a fine tooth comb. I check every stitch and ensure that there are no mistakes. I try on every piece of clothing to make sure they fit.

- On occasion, I have even brought in a pair of slacks that I already own that fit me like a glove, and tell them to just make 6 more exactly the same.

You can get some good deals on tailor-made clothes in Thailand if you plan it out and do it properly. Don’t rush and don’t get talked into more expensive material than you really need.

How to get rid of ants using a least toxic approach part one

Ant season is on the horizon.

As the ground warms up in the spring, ants who have been dormant in the earth during the colder weather warm up and come to the surface. Queen ants fly off to find new nesting areas…and before you know it, ants are back in our world.

While ants play an important roll in the ecosystem, it is no picnic when they become pests in our world.

But all too often, when people have a pest problem they run to the store and buy a can of toxic pesticide, come home and spray the pest.

Whoa! Let’s step back and take a look at handling ant problems using a least toxic approach.

Perhaps I should first define “least toxic approach.” This term means you try to solve the insect problem with the least toxic material. If that doesn’t work, then you try something a little toxic but not as toxic as poison. You keep trying to solve the insect problem using progressively more toxic substances until you find something that works. Using this approach, the solution to your insect problem can range from doing nothing to spraying toxic insect killer, if that is the only thing that works.

Why should you bother with a least toxic approach? For one thing, studies are beginning to reveal the serious side effects of the overuse of toxic pesticides in our environment.

Did you know that evidence suggests a risk for some types of cancer and even genetic damage from exposure to pesticides?

And perhaps worst of all, children are especially at risk.

Why wait until science finally makes a direct link to damaged genes and pesticides? By that time, the damage could already be done to your genes and those of your children.

You can help protect yourself, your children and our planet by doing your part to be a good steward of our environment right now. One way to do that is to adapt a least toxic approach to pest problems…and that’s what our article series on getting rid of ants is all about.

Facts of life insurance

Purchasing life insurance is an important decision and a major commitment. Before you sign the dotted light and buy your policy, get the facts and find answers to any and all questions. To get the best coverage for your hard-earned dollar, here are ten important things that you need to know about life insurance:

* Don’t put it off. You know that you will need life insurance sooner or later, and now is the best time to buy. Purchasing early in life lets you choose from the best policies possible, and allows you to save money on premiums.

* Shop around. Before signing the dotted line, take the time to browse the market. Learn about the various insurance companies, review the different policies available and compare rates. The Internet is an excellent source of up to date information. Do a little homework today; you’ll save money and be confident in making a wise decision when it’s time to buy.

* Stay strong. People with healthy bodies and smart lifestyles pay the lowest premiums. People who smoke, drink, take drugs, suffer obesity or even have poor driving records will pay a great deal more for life insurance.

* Find the right amount. Some people make the mistake of buying more insurance than they need, and ultimately paying a higher premium. On the other hand, others may underinsure by choosing a policy that is too small. Try to find the happy medium and find the insurance plan that best suits your individual needs.

* Save money with more coverage. If you can afford to, consider increasing your coverage, as premiums tend to get cheaper as coverage amounts increase.

* Review your plan. It’s important to review your policies whenever you undergo a life changing experience. If you have a child, or if your children are entering college, take a look at how your policy may be affected. Periodic reviews help you ensure that you continue to have the coverage that you need, and that you are paying the right premium.

* Don’t pay unnecessary commissions. Many insurance companies charge high premiums that include the commission of the agent and/or broker. Seek out a ‘No Load’ policy that contains none of those hidden costs. You pay only for the policy that you’ve purchased.

* Don’t count solely on your employer. Group life insurance is a nice benefit, but it may not be enough to meet your needs. Additionally, most group life insurance policies are terminated should the employee choose to leave the company. The most reliable long-term coverage you can have is an insurance policy that you’ve purchased yourself.

* Choose annual payments. If you pay your life insurance monthly, you will pay a higher premium. In order to save money, change your plan to half-yearly or annual payments.

* Tell the truth. Never lie or hide information when applying for life insurance. If you are found guilty of hiding the facts, such as trying to cover up a smoking habit, the company has the right to terminate your policy at any time.

Choosing a life insurance company and buying a policy are important decisions, and there’s no such thing as too much information. Find out all you can and make sure you’re receiving the best coverage available before you commit to your new life insurance purchase.

Confronting emergency financial crisis

In today’s society, there really isn’t much a person can do that does not involve the spending of money. Money is needed for food, for travel, for communication, for house rents or mortgages, and even for meeting new friends. Many people live on tight budgets. This is why in times of an emergency, accident, or problem, a person is always faced with a financial crisis.

Such financial crisis may lead to more complicated problems such as depression and rocky relationships with loved ones. This crisis may also drive anyone to escape to drinking, drugs, and gambling. But a person need not resort to these self-destructive means when a viable option is available. This option is called the payday loan.

Payday loans are cash advances or short-term loans specifically created to confront such emergency financial crisis. Since the crisis is often urgent, payday lenders, especially the online ones, offer speed and convenience.

Most payday lenders grant the loan during the next business day after the application or loan request has been approved. Applications are often approved during the same day and the loaned amount is deposited overnight into the borrower’s bank account. This fast processing is due to the Internet technology and the fact that lenders demand very little requirements. A potential borrower or client needs only to have a job which provides him a minimum monthly wage of about $1000 and to have a checking account which is at least three months old.

Interests for payday loans vary from one lender to another. Such interest is usually stated for every $100 loaned. For example, a $20 interest means that for every $100 borrowed, the client will need to pay $20. Thus, for a $400 loan, the client needs to pay $480 on his due date. The due date is usually the date of the payday. This assures that the client has funds to meet his financial obligation with the lender. The lender usually debits the amount loaned plus the service fees from the client’s checking account.

In cases when the full amount cannot be paid, the client has the option to renew or extend his loan by informing the customer service representative by phone or email. Or the client may access his personal online account in the lender’s website and click on the link for a loan extension. Of course, the client still needs to pay a certain amount on the original due date, the service fee.

When a person meets his financial obligation and pays the loaned amount in full, he becomes entitled to borrow a higher amount from the lender whenever he needs a payday loan again.

Hong kong boy gives peace a chance

"Misunderstanding and contradictions can build walls around people, shrouding all of us in darkness," said Cheuk Tat Li, a 12-year-old student from Hong Kong. "People will then live in a place without peace, warmth and happiness."

With a vivid imagination and dreams of a harmonious world, Li created the grand prize-winning poster in the 2004-2005 Lions International Peace Poster Contest.

"Trying its best and overcoming all difficulties, the dove breaks the solid walls into pieces with its tiny beak to save the world which is trapped in the dark maze," Li said when describing his winning poster.

The contest provides children ages 11, 12 and 13 with a means to share their views on peace. An estimated 350,000 children participated in this year's program, "Give Peace a Chance."

Since its beginning in 1988, more than 3 million children in nearly 100 countries have participated in the contest. Lions Clubs International, the world's largest service club organization, sponsors the contest in local schools and organized youth groups.

At this year's final judging, members of the art, education, media, peace and youth communities gathered at The Peace Museum in Chicago to evaluate the 114 posters on creativity, artistic merit and expression of theme. The posters were previously narrowed down at several levels of judging before being sent to Lions Clubs International Headquarters in Oak Brook, Ill.

As this year's grand-prize winner, Li was presented with an award and $2,500 during a special ceremony at "Lions Day with the United Nations" in New York City. Li was a merit award winner in last year's contest.

Twenty-three merit award winners were each awarded $500 and a certificate of merit. This year's merit award winners are from Australia, Brazil, China, Germany, Guam, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Taiwan, Peru, Poland, Thailand and the United States.

All 24 posters will appear in an exhibit that will travel to children's museums and various events throughout the United States.

Refinancing your home - for people with bad credit - how to get a low rate better terms

No matter what kind of credit problems you might have in your past, there are things you can do to get a lower rate and better terms on a refinance mortgage. Here are three ways to increase your chance of a lower rate.

1. Strengthen Your Employment Factor - Stay at your job. See if you can get an increase in salary. With past credit problems, lenders will be looking more closely at the time you have spent at your job and at your salary. They will calculate your debt to income ratio. With bad credit, your debt-to-income ratio will need to be well in the clear.

2. Apply With at Least 2-3 Different Companies - If you have any equity in your home at all, you have something to work with. Yet, mortgage brokers have a tendency to make subprime borrowers feel like they have very few options. Most lenders nowadays have programs for borrowers with all types of credit. Subprime mortgage loans should be only 1-2 points above prime interest rate, depending on the borrowers credit.

3. Refinancing From a Variable Rate or ARM to a Fixed Mortgage - A variable rate mortgage is sometimes good when you start out in a home, to take advantage of low rates, but once you find a period where interest rates might start climbing and your "rate lock" period is almost over, you might want to consider moving to a fixed rate mortgage loan for long term security.

4. Work on Increasing Your Credit Score - There are many things you can do to improve your credit score and every few points you increase your score will help you get a lower interest rate and better loan terms. Paying your bills on time and reducing the debt amount on your revolving credit accounts are two sure ways to improve your credit score. Search online for more ways to improve your FICO credit score.