"Money is a terrible master but an excellent servant." - P.T. Barnum

SavingAdvice.com Blog

Bridging the gap between saving money and investing

Health

Can Your Acne Be a Sign Of Underlying Health Condition

By Leave a Comment

acne and health

Editors note: Savingadvice.com generally covers personal finance related topics.  However, due to reader demand, we are writing on this topic here. 

Acne is a pimple outbreak on your skin that is caused by oil glands plugging hair follicle openings. When the openings are large, blackheads in small, flat spots with dark centers appear. If the openings are small, tiny whiteheads form in a flesh-colored bumps state.

Acne may be a sign of different underlying health conditions. If you’re having a problem with this, it’s essential to consult a doctor as you treat acne. A doctor may pinpoint its root cause and provide the proper intervention. This is especially important as optimum health is generally beneficial for your wallet.

Let’s take a look at some of the possible health conditions that may be indicated by acne.

  1. Hormonal Imbalance

Hormonal imbalances occur when the body produces excess or insufficient testosterone or estrogen. The increase or decrease in hormone production prompts the body to produce more oil than it does when a person’s hormones are balanced. The result of excess oil is the possible clogging of pores, which result in blackheads or whiteheads.

It’s essential to try medication that clears the skin while attending to hormonal imbalance treatment if diagnosed. You can save on acne meds if you research platforms that supply products that may help with the skin condition. You may need to pay for treatment regarding the root cause of the problem, meaning you need to be financially savvy.

For more on saving

  1. Bacterial Infection

Bacterial infection may be the reason why one experiences acne. In this instance, bacteria were grown in clogged follicles. The clogged state means that the follicle wall can break down due to the build-up pressure. The result of this is inflammation and pain from the acne breakout. If a bacterial infection is the cause of acne, you will need to get antibiotic treatment. Taking the antibiotic together with an acne medication may be the solution to clearing your skin.

  1. Stress

Chronic stress is a health condition that can cause acne. The body contains cells that are receptors for the stress hormone. Constant pressure makes the oil mix with dead skin cells and the bacteria to clog hair follicles. While acne is treated by various recommended medications, chronic stress needs to be attended to. Some ways of handling stress are seeking professional mental services, taking a break, journaling, and breathing work, among others.

Woman looking at acne

  1. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

The polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is characterized by the excessive growth of the ovarian cyst, which can become quite large and painful over time. PCOS has many underlying risk factors: infertility, hormonal imbalance, insulin resistance, obesity or being overweight, diabetes, and family history.

The symptoms of PCOS include excessive hair growth on the face and scalp, irregular menstrual periods, tenderness of the breasts, irregular heartbeat, high cholesterol, diabetes, and acne.

A thorough physical exam and pelvic examination are required to assess the severity of the condition. Blood tests are also necessary to measure serum hormone levels and liver enzymes. A thorough abdominal examination will also help in determining the diagnosis. As these processes are done, you can consult your doctor on whether you can use acne medication to help with clearing your skin as you treat the root cause.

Conclusion

Acne can be a sign of underlying health problems, which is why you should consult your doctor for the most appropriate treatment. Some of the health problems that can be flagged by acne include hormonal imbalance, bacterial infection, stress, and polycystic ovary syndrome. Refrain from experimenting with skincare products or random meds to get over acne—it’s best to research and check with your dermatologist.

For more great savingadvice articles, read these:

Healthy Grocery Shopping Tips To Keep Your Wallet Lean

Yes, Intermittent Fasting Can Help Your Health

Mindfulness At Work Can Help Your Bank Account

The Lifetime Benefits of Quitting Smoking for One’s Personal Finance

By Leave a Comment

cost of smoking

If you’re a smoker, and thinking about quitting, do it.  Your pocketbook will thank you.

For decades, research has proven time and again all the negative impacts of smoking. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it is the leading cause of preventable death and disease in America. However, there are also many lifetime benefits of quitting smoking for one’s personal finance. Here are just a few ways giving up cigarettes can save you money.

The Daily Savings of Quitting Smoking

The most obvious financial benefit and incentive to quit smoking is how much you will save in the weekly costs. The actual amount depends on how frequently you smoke, but the average smoker goes through about a pack a day. Although the cost of cigarettes is relatively low where I live, the national average is around $7 a pack. When you quit smoking, you will save approximately $49 a week in cigarettes alone. After a year, this adds up to roughly $2,555. In the current economic climate, that money could be better spent on other aspects of personal finance.

There are also other associated costs that contribute to your daily savings once you quit. For example, you will no longer need to invest in lighters which always seem to go missing. Don’t forget to include all the cigarettes you share with fellow smokers. Once you join the ranks of non-smokers these savings go directly back into your wallet.

The Lifetime Benefits and Health Care Costs

There is no doubt that giving up the habit is good for your health. However, health care costs also reflect the lifetime benefits of quitting smoking for one’s personal finance. Studies show that smoking reduces your life expectancy by about 10 years (CDC). Based on this fact, non-smokers pose less risk and receive lower life insurance premiums and health insurance rates. On average, smokers pay 10-15% more than nonsmokers for term life insurance coverage. This totals between $1,000 and $1,500 per year.

When you quit smoking, you also reduce the risk of preventable diseases that require long-term medical attention. Conditions such as asthma, emphysema, and cancer are all costly and painful to treat. The cost for cancer treatments and emergency care in the United States is among the highest in the world. It is sadly common to hear of people losing their savings due to medical bills. Saving hundreds of thousands of dollars is reason enough to quit smoking. The sooner you shake the bad habit, the better.

Not only does smoking cost you, if you are pregnant it can impact the health of your unborn child.  Babies born to women who smoke are more likely to have birth defects, low birth weight and a high risk of death due to SIDS (Sudden infant death syndrome (CDC).

Quitting Smoking to Cut Cleaning Costs

Another major lifetime benefit of quitting smoking for one’s personal finance is the amount you save in cleaning costs. If you want to resell your home, there are substantial costs to clean walls, carpets, and fabrics. When there is extension damage, you may end up replacing them entirely. Angie’s List estimates the average cost around $4,100. However, home renovations can range from $2,000 to $20,000 depending on how much needs to be done to deodorize your home and remove staining.

If you smoke at home, you also probably smoke in your car. Once you stop, you no longer need to shell out $100-$150 to detail your vehicle. Also, consider the price of every garment you have to dry-clean because the smell clings to your clothes. Add up all these cleaning costs, and you’ll see some of the additional costs of smoking.

Increased Insurance Costs

The Affordable Care Act contains provisions that allow insurance companies to charge tobacco users up to 40% more than non-users.  This is because smokers are more likely than non-smokers to have health problems and therefore constitute a greater risk.

Reduced Asset Values

In addition to increased insurance costs, the value of a smoker’s home and car are often less than those of non-smokers. This is because of the negative cosmetic effects and odor of smoke in smoker’s homes and cars.

If you are a smoker and you are looking to find out how much money smoking will save you, here is a great calculator.

The Cost of Quitting Smoking

Even if people want to quit, some may be dissuaded by the amount of time or the cost of various cessation methods. However, these aids are very affordable and becoming more convenient to use. Whether you choose patches, gum, or nicotine pouches, the long-term savings on healthcare costs far surpass the upfront expense. Check with your provider to see if non-nicotine medications or cessation methods are covered under your plan. Whatever method you choose, quitting smoking is a wise investment for both your health and personal finance.

For more on this, read:

The True Cost Of Smoking On Your Health And Wealth

The Massive Cost Of Smoking And Vaping

The Myth That Quitting Smoking Will Save You Money

Do E-Cigs Save Money Over Cigarettes?

Are Democracies Better At Fighting Outbreaks Like Coronavirus?

By Leave a Comment

Democracies better at fighting outbreaks

In short, yes. Democracies are better at fighting outbreaks, such as the coronavirus. As soon as the first cases of the virus were made known in America, health officials were immediately working to provide them with treatment. In China, many people are being quarantined with no treatment at all, leading to the deaths of hundreds of people. But why are democracies better at fighting outbreaks?

How China Handled the Outbreak

While it does seem democracies, like the United States, are better at fighting large-scale outbreaks, Chinese officials did everything they knew how to contain the virus. They quarantined entire cities, suspended travel, and closed schools and businesses. Officials also placed restrictions on citizens, making many of them stay indoors at all times.

Within 10 days of the outbreak being known to health officials, specialized hospitals were erected. They have also been able to keep close surveillance on the citizens to scale up any contact tracing. However, it just hasn’t been enough to fight the coronavirus off.

Are Democracies Better At Fighting Outbreaks?

As of now, there are 34 known cases of coronavirus in the U.S. Health officials in the states have been upfront with the citizens of the country to be sure they know potential warning signs of the virus. Anyone with the virus has also been quarantined.

This is the biggest advantage the U.S. and other democracies have compared to authoritarian governments, like China. When something like this happens, officials are able to provide full transparency. In China, on the other hand, officials tried to cover up how many cases of coronavirus there were. They also tried to hide how serious the epidemic was.

In addition to having transparency and the trust of the people, health officials in the U.S. also have the resources available to them to work on a vaccine or treatment. Because China underreported the number of cases, many health officials are tied up with treating current patients and disposing of those who have perished from the virus. The resources for developing vaccines or treatments just aren’t there.

Democracies also typically lead the world’s efforts in fighting such outbreaks. In 2014, the U.S. led other countries to stop the Ebola outbreak plaguing many African countries. President Barack Obama had 44 other countries join him in Washington, D.C. to establish the Global Health Security Agenda, which now consists of 67 nations.

They Don’t Do Everything Right Though

Although democracies typically handle outbreaks better than developing countries, they aren’t perfect. During the 2014 Ebola outbreak, a nurse was forced into quarantine in the Newark airport with no medical cause. She was only quarantined because she’d been to a country where the outbreak was occurring. However, when this happened, U.S. citizens stood up for their rights and developing new quarantine procedures only instilled even more trust in the public healthcare system.

In short, democracies are better at fighting outbreaks simply because they are able to be transparent and typically have more resources for developing treatments.

Do you agree? Are democracies better at fighting outbreaks? 

Read More

A Cup of Green Tea a Day Can Help You Live a Longer Life

By Leave a Comment

green tea

The average life expectancy in the United States is 78.69 years old. That number has risen drastically over the years, but people are constantly looking for ways to extend their lifespan. Now, a new study has found that drinking green tea on a regular basis can help you live longer.

How Green Tea Can Help Extend Your Lifespan

Although many people start their day with a cup of coffee, researchers found that swapping that out for green tea can help lower the risk of heart problems. To come to this conclusion, scientists examined health and behavioral information of 100,000 Chinese adults.

Each study participant self-reported the amount of tea they drank. Those who drank less than three cups of tea per week were found to have a higher risk of cardiovascular problems. Individuals who drank more had a 20% lower risk of cardiovascular issues, a 22% reduced risk of death associated with cardiovascular problems and a 15% lower risk for premature death. It has even been shown to help prevent some types of cancer.

Individuals who drank green tea on a regular basis also lived a year longer than those who do not, on average. This is because green tea is jam-packed full of flavonoids that help improve the function of blood vessels, relieve inflammation, lower oxidative stress, and increase the efficiency of heart muscle cells.

Cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of premature death worldwide. For this reason, it is important to look into things, like drinking green tea, to help people prevent it. At the very least, adding more green tea into your diet promotes healthy teeth and hydration, so why not give it a try?

Read More

Health Professionals Say There Could Be an HIV Vaccine By 2021

By Leave a Comment

HIV vaccine

HIV isn’t something that is talked about as often as it used to be. In the 1980s, HIV and AIDS plagued the thoughts of most Americans. Despite the fact that it hasn’t drawn as much attention as it used to, HIV is still a huge problem. Thankfully, scientists are just another step closer to developing a successful HIV vaccine.

How Much Does HIV Treatment Cost

The average treatment for HIV costs between $14,000 and $20,000 per year. That is just to keep the virus from progressing to AIDS and keep the infected person alive. Some treatments can cost as little as $1,000 per month, but those paying that price can consider themselves lucky. All of this can add up to $400,000 or more in lifetime treatment expenses.

Not to mention, many individuals with HIV may also have other incurable diseases, such as Hepatitis. Combining HIV treatment costs with the costs of maintaining another disease can run upwards of $28,900 or more per year.

Many people managing their HIV diagnosis live paycheck to paycheck and struggle financially. Some even try to ration out their medications, which can be dangerous. With around 38 million people infected worldwide and healthcare costs continuing to rise, it has become a priority for officials to develop a vaccine to help prevent HIV.

The Development of an HIV Vaccine

Thankfully, scientists are coming closer to developing an HIV vaccine. Three experimental vaccines are entering their final stages of testing. While any of these three trials may fail, scientists are more hopeful than they’ve ever been in the past. Margaret Heckler, Secretary of Health and Human Services, has predicted there would be a vaccine available for wide-scale testing within the next two years.

This is “perhaps one of the most optimistic moments we have been in,” said director of the Bridge HIV research program at the San Francisco Department of Public Health, Dr. Susan Buchbinder. “We have three vaccines currently being tested in efficacy trials, and it takes quite a bit to actually be promising enough in the earlier stages of trials to move you forward into an efficacy study.”

Dr. Anthony Fauci, who helped draft President Trump’s Ending the HIV Epidemic plan, said that if one of the current three vaccines being developed works, “that would be the endgame.” The HIV Epidemic plan aims to help lower new infections by 75 percent in the next five years and 90 percent in 10 years’ time. That could save countless peoples’ lives, not to mention millions of dollars. However, only time will tell whether scientists will be able to craft a vaccine that really works.

Read More

Someone Dies Every 15 Minutes From a Drug-Resistant Superbug

By Leave a Comment

Drug-resistant superbug

According to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, someone dies every 15 minutes from a drug-resistant superbug. This equates to about 35,000 deaths per year. What causes these superbugs?

What is a Drug-Resistant Superbug?

In the middle of the flu season, it is overwhelming to even consider the possibility of developing another type of bug. Some germs have evolved to resist antibiotics. The report stated, “some miracle drugs no longer perform miracles.”

There are currently five drug-resistant superbugs on the CDC’s list (two more than the agency reported in 2013). What’s more, is there are fewer superbug infections happening in hospitals but more people are coming down with them within the community. While elderly people are more likely to fall ill with antibiotic-resistant bugs, these illnesses can impact anyone.

Of the five superbugs included in the CDC report, three are germs: C. diff, carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE), and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (an STD). The two new superbugs added to the list are carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter (a bacteria) and Candida auris (a fungus). The agency also identified 11 other bacteria and fungi as serious threats of becoming drug-resistant. They also mentioned two more as concerning and four other potential superbugs were added to the CDC watch list.

The total number of deaths from drug-resistant superbugs has gone down by 18 percent since 2013. C. diff is the deadliest of the drug-resistant superbugs and causes about 12,800 deaths per year in the United States. About 85 percent of deaths from these superbugs are caused by germs found in health care facilities.

Is There Anything Doctors Can Do?

Many healthcare professionals believe these superbugs are caused because of the over-prescription of antibiotics. In the report, CDC officials noted that more powerful antibiotics are not the answer to these drug-resistant superbugs. These germs will eventually make them useless as they evolve anyway. The key to reducing the occurrence of superbugs is developing strategies to avoid infection in the first place and use antibiotics less.

It is estimated that approximately there are 47 million unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions per year. That is one-third of all of the prescriptions for antibiotics. Right now, it can be hard for doctors to figure out whether a patient needs an antibiotic or not. Because of this, officials have called for better tests and tools to be developed to assist in diagnosis.

Another reason drug-resistant superbugs are on the rise is antibiotics being used in animals that we eat. Around 20 percent of all superbugs come from the foods we eat.

To decrease the likelihood of people falling ill and dying from drug-resistant bugs it will be up to doctors and public health officials. Together, they can help drive the number of people dying from superbugs down by prescribing fewer antibiotics and developing tools to help identify infections.

Read More