Beat the Hangover With the ZBiotics Probiotic Drink

Nobody likes the hangover or the groggy feeling after a night or so of hard alcohol drinking. Practice, science, and tradition can dictate how you can combat these aftereffects. But what you really need is to calm the acetaldehyde, the toxic byproduct of alcohol. You can do so with a special probiotic drink called the ZBiotics. 

After three years of scientific research, you get the first product in the world that can successfully break down acetaldehyde. It is a genetically engineered probiotic that helps you feel and do your best after drinking beer, wine, whiskey, and other alcoholic drinks. It works best taken before consuming any alcohol to prepare your gut from producing the same enzymes that break down acetaldehyde. Simply put, this drink replicates your liver’s natural process where it matters most: your gut.

Fair warning though, the ZBiotics Probiotics is not a miracle drink that gets rid of or reduces intoxication. You should still be a responsible drinker and consume only want you can. The tendency is, you will still feel the hangover if you have too much to drink. Take it from the Spice Girls who said that “too much of something is bad enough.” if

It is still advisable to drink lots of H20 as alcohol can dehydrate you. Then, of course, get plenty of sleep and fill up your stomach before and after drinking. These help you replenish those good bacteria in the gut that were otherwise lost to the alcohol.

The ZBiotics Probiotics comes in 3, 6, and 12 packs in a special box perfect for on-the-go carry so you’re prep for a night of drinking with friends or colleagues. 

Get It Here

Images courtesy of ZBiotics

The DrySee Waterproof Bandage Has A Wetness Indicator

When it comes to wound care, bandages help prevent re-infection and helps speed up the healing process. But it can be a hassle to change them often in a day especially when it gets splashed or even slightly wet with sweat. The tendency is, they start to slip off, at times without you knowing. This then leaves your wound vulnerable to dirt, germs, and other contaminants.  But with DrySee Waterproof Bandage, worrying about wet plasters becomes an afterthought.

This ingenious first aid kit uses patented Liquid Intrusion technology to prevent any form of liquid or moisture from entering your wound. It provides a secure, waterproof covering, especially for low exudate wounds. This is then ideal for post-surgery in which doctors often tell their patients to avoid bathing to keep the operated area dry. 

But with the DrySee Waterproof Bandage, said patients can take a shower without worrying about the wound. It seals off the water using a clear, flexible, non-latex adhesive and non-stick absorbent pad. The pad is made with nonwoven gauze with 100 percent USP cotton cleaned sans the use of chlorine. 

However, if ever moisture or water does seep in, then you would know when this happens. That’s because the gauze comes equipped with a light indicator that alerts of you this situation. The barrier around the perimeter turns from light blue to dark blue if wet. It also changes color when water passes through the second adhesive ring and reaches the site of the wound. 

The internal gauze pad also changes color when the wound seeps fluid. Then you would know it’s time for a bandage change. But all in all, the DrySee Waterproof Bandage lessens the number of times you change plasters in a day as it can last up to three days. Simply stash it in your bag as part of your survival kit.   

Get It Here

Images courtesy of DrySee

Athletic Shoulder Replacement Surgery and Return to Sport

The first thing an athlete with a serious shoulder injury wants to know is “how long is recovery from shoulder replacement surgery going to take?” In the past, doctors often relied on generalized timelines to determine when to give an athlete the green light to return to sport. But today’s technological tools have changed all that. We now have the methods and the means to precisely measure the degree of healing, to ensure that individual athletes are not sent back to play before they’re ready.

Sports with High Incidence of Shoulder Injuries

Premature return to sport after shoulder surgery often leads to re-injury that can be career-ending for a competitive athlete. Athletes who are the most prone to shoulder injuries include:

• Swimmers
• Baseball players
• Volleyball players
• Golfers
• Tennis players
• Soccer players
• American football players

Because athletes, in general, have a relatively small window of time to reach their competitive peak and play at the top of their game, post-surgery rehabilitation is crucial, and time is of the essence.

Factors Affecting Successful Return to Sport after Shoulder Surgery

Every athlete is unique, and a successful shoulder rehab program must be personalized and sport-specific. In addition, rehabilitation after injury and surgery requires neuromotor training that restores optimal communication between the brain and muscles.

Factors that influence the speed and success of return to sport include:

• The athlete’s adherence to rehab training protocols
• The skill and experience of the sports rehab team
• Access to technological tools for measuring progress
• Availability of advanced equipment for training and feedback
• Personalized one-on-one training designed specifically for the athlete
• The athlete’s level of motivation

It is critical to find a sports medicine physical therapist with experience in athletic shoulder injuries. Generalized cookie-cutter training protocols based on timelines that are not tailored to the individual athlete are insufficient to prepare an athlete to return to sport.

Common Types of Athletic Shoulder Surgery

Shoulder surgery can range from minimally invasive arthroscopic procedures to full-blown total shoulder replacement. The most common types of shoulder surgery include:

• Bankart lesion repair. This procedure is done to mend a tear in the anterior glenoid labrum that rims the shoulder socket. Bankart lesions are often the cause of shoulder instability and frequent dislocations.
• Superior labrum anterior and posterior (SLAP) repair. SLAP surgery is done to reattach torn labral tissues at the top of the shoulder socket. Symptoms of SLAP tears are popping sounds or sensations, shoulder pain and reduced arm mobility.
• Rotator cuff repair. Minor rotator cuff tears will self-repair over time, but major ruptures can require surgery to reattach torn tendons to the bone of the upper arm. Rotator cuff ruptures are a common type of overuse injury.
• Complete Shoulder Replacement. Shoulder replacement surgery is sometimes necessary after a serious fracture or in cases of advanced arthritis. In this lengthy procedure, the shoulder ball and socket are replaced with artificial parts.

What Research Says About Shoulder Surgery Recovery Time and Return to Sport

According to recent research, the majority of athletes who play sports on a regular basis were able to return to play after shoulder surgery.

One meta analysis reported the following data for return to various sports after shoulder arthroplasty surgery:

• The mean rate of return to play for all sports studied was 80.7%
• The return rate for golfers was 79.2%
• Swimmers returned at a rate of 75.6%
• Tennis players returned at a rate of 63.5%
• Athletes who underwent reverse shoulder arthroplasty had the lowest overall rate of return to sport at 76.5%
• Other types of arthroplasty had a collective rate of 80.7%

Another systematic review zeroed in on recreational athletes who had reverse shoulder arthroplasty, and reported the following rates of return-to-play:

• The overall rate for all sports was 79.1%
• The rate for golfers was 66.7%
• Swimmers returned at a rate of 74.3%
• Tennis players had a return rate of only 50%
• Of all subjects studied, 71.4% returned to their pre-surgery level of play
• The average time to return to play was 3.4 months

A third review and analysis that also focused on reverse shoulder arthroplasty reported that the mean rate of return to sport ranged between 60% to 93%, with a mean time frame of 5.3 months to return to play.

What to Expect During Shoulder Surgery Recovery

Depending on the severity of your injury and the type of surgery performed, the earliest you can expect to return to play is 4-6 months. Rehabilitation after shoulder surgery requires a combination of rest, sport-specific physical therapy, and a progressive protocol that gradually moves you toward optimal performance.

The rehab process can be broken down into 6 phases:

1. Early recovery. In the initial stage of recovery after shoulder surgery, your shoulder will be immobilized with a sling for about a week to give it time to begin the healing process before you begin physical therapy.
2. Begin physical therapy. Once your stitches and bandages are removed, you will report to your physical therapist to begin gentle range of motion and low-key strengthening exercises. You may need to continue to wear a sling as a protective measure against unintended movement.
3. Resume activities of daily living. About 6-7 weeks in, you may be able to do basic non-sports activities, but your muscles will still be weak and your shoulder will still be vulnerable, so don’t overdo it.
4. Build strength, stability and mobility. After about 12 weeks, your therapist will progressively increase your training load to restore muscle strength and optimal joint function. They may introduce some basic sports movements, but you won’t be ready to resume your regular training regimen. This is likely to be the lengthiest phase of shoulder surgery recovery.
5. Prepare to return to play. Your therapist will continually test and document your progress, and decide when you’re ready to resume regular training. One commonly used marker is when your repaired shoulder regains about 90% of the strength of your uninjured joint. However, if your sport places greater demands on your dominant arm, attaining 90% strength of your non-dominant arm has less significance. Skills retraining and restoring optimal neuromuscular pathways is a critical component of this phase, prior to returning to play.
6. Return-to-sport. Your therapist will work closely with your coach and trainer to determine when you’re fully ready to return to the playing field with minimal risk of re-injury.

Getting the Best Shoulder Surgery Rehab

Thorough and effective rehabilitation is key if you want to return to competition after a total shoulder replacement. There is no set timeline for shoulder replacement recovery for sports — it all depends on the condition and compliance of the individual athlete, the knowledge and expertise of the rehab team, and the attention paid to restoring neuromotor pathways, to optimize performance and prevent re-injury.

Look for a sports physical therapist who has experience working with shoulder injuries and post-surgical rehab. In addition, ask about which advanced treatment methods they use, and which markers they rely on to determine when you are ready to return to play.

You want to find a PT who offers one-on-one personalized rehab and uses quantitative data derived from advanced technologies to measure your progress. If the therapist bases your release solely on old-school timelines, look elsewhere.

This information is provided by New York Dynamic Neuromuscular Rehabilitation, the premier clinic for sports injury rehab in NYC. Follow this link to learn more about athletic rehabilitation and return to sport after a shoulder injury in NYC.

Why Men Should Consider Growing a Beard

It wouldn’t be wrong to suggest that beards are like beasts – they seem to have a mind of their own. You will have to learn to tame the beast, but it is going to take some effort. They all grow differently – they grow with luster during the peak of summer in response to seasonal hormonal changes to be at their most gloriously hairy. And, if you have ever stood in front of the mirror and wondered where that decided ginger streak comes from when you are not red-headed, scientists have discovered a partially mutated gene you can inherit to account for those stray red hairs guys find in their beard.

You can carry your beard in more ways you may know. It goes well with most of your outfits, and you can opt for a right type of hat to add charisma to your personality. You can follow the footsteps of different celebrities – you too can be a scruffy Brad Pitt, who rocked the bucket hat trend.

While your beard does make you look he-man hipster, it offers so many health benefits as well. If you’re not already thinking of going that route, the following benefits may help you make a better decision.

Benefits of beard

Protection against Environmental Effects

A beard protects your face from the harsh effects of the environment and climate and serves as a natural shield. The hair on the lower part of your face is proven to block up to 95 percent of hazardous ultraviolet rays from entering your body. A heavy beard works as the natural protector against harsh beams of sun saving your body from its intense effects. Besides blocking UV rays, a healthy beard also seriously inhibits the reach of bugs and insects on your face protecting your chin and neck from mosquito bites.

Helps in Skin Care

Beards seem to play an amazing role in protecting and caring for your facial skin. Due to the regular use of razors, your facial skin is more likely to develop issues ranging from mild to the intense. Using razors regularly damages the epidermis leaving it hard and dark in color. Razor burn encourages the growth of acne and folliculitis. Infection and ingrown hair in the small cuts due to blunt razors are quite normal and painful too. Growing a beard gives your skin relief from constant micro scratches and saves you from facial issues.

Builds an Aura of Confidence and Supremacy

Beard man carries an aura of confidence and supremacy around him. He seems to be wiser and influential and people often assume he’s more powerful and confident. This aura makes him stand out in the crowd and earn respect from the people around them. A beard marks maturity and higher standards than that of the masses. It can transform your personality and make you look extremely stylish, especially when you also opt for those expensive aviator sunglasses.

Keeps your Skin Youthful and Fresh

A beard protects your facial skin from discoloration and from getting hard and thus keeps it young and fresh for a longer time. The beauty and softness of youthful skin do not diminish with growing age if you protect your skin from the harsh impacts of razors. As growing a beard keeps your skin free from cuts and infections, hinders bacterial growth and blocks ultraviolet rays, your skin remains youthful and fresh.

Keeps Your Body Warm

Beards are a natural thermal for your body in cold weather. It keeps your body warm and resists a cold wind. As a natural barrier, a beard maintains skin moisture to prevent facial skin from getting dried and chapped in winter due to direct exposure to cold in harsh climatic conditions. Just don’t forget your windproof jacket, as your beard is only going to offer a small help when the weather outside is freezing cold.

Protection against Allergies and Bacteria

Your beard and mustache work as a natural filter for your body. The air we breathe in is full of hazardous elements and most of them are not visible to the naked eye. A beard blocks the way for many microscopic bacteria and other allergens present in the air and stops them getting inside your nose and mouth. It also protects your body from many viruses and saves it from developing various allergies.  But, this calls for regular cleansing and caring of facial hair. You should follow strict hygiene routine regarding your beard and mustache to inhibit the growth of these captured antigens.

Protection and Cure against Throat and Lung Diseases

As a natural filter, your beard gives maximum protection against the development of throat infections. It helps keep the nasal path clean with filtered air, which does not foster the development of infections and diseases.

If worn permanently, mustaches and beards filtered air to keep the upper respiratory tract clean and free from blockages and particulates to protect against some lung diseases. A full beard is a blessing for guys living or working in dusty places or in harsh climatic conditions.

Protects Against Gum Diseases

Gum diseases are caused by a number of factors including a poor hygiene routine and external attacking elements. Beard and mustaches provide protection against the external factors protecting your gums in much the same way as it protects your upper respiratory tract. So, you can easily save your gums from almost all common gum diseases by maintaining an oral hygiene regime and growing a beard.

Saves Time and Money

Growing a beard saves you lots of time and money. An average man spends almost 3350 hours of his life on daily shaving. Imagine what you could do with the time saved just by getting rid of your shaving regime. Your beard also saves you from spending your precious money on buying shaving creams and other shaving accessories.

Maintaining Your Beard the Right Way

You might have gathered that a beard is much more than a cool facial accessory, but to enjoy the amazing benefits, you need to pay attention to maintaining it properly. Here are some tips to consider:

• Find the right style and ensure your beard matches the shape of your face. You will have to grow your beard for a month before you can try some variations and choose your final style that complements your face.
• Ensure you wash your beard regularly. While it is important at every stage of growing a beard, you should never ignore it during the early stages of growth, as this is the time trapped skin cells and even food particles can exacerbate itchiness. Use a specialized cleanser to scrub your beard at least once a week.  A tip to remember is to gently pat your beard dry after each wash to avoid ending up with split ends because of an overzealous toweling.
• Be sure to invest in a beard balm. It is basically a shaping and styling aid, but it also serves as a leave-in beard conditioner. It means that a good beard balm not only keeps your facial hair moisturized but also makes your beard look thicker. Put your money on a beard balm that contains natural sealants, such as beeswax, shea butter, and lanolin.
• Trim your beard every few weeks. Your aim should be to snip off any uneven patches as well as loose hair and split ends. While trimming, pay special attention to the natural contour of your face. Use a small beard comb while trimming to know the right hairs to trim.
• Buy a trimmer. You may be thinking you can ditch a trimmer because you’re actually growing a beard, but you will need it to trim your neckline. Trimming bi-weekly is a good idea, but try not to follow your natural jawline when trimming or you might end up making your beard look weird.

Conclusion

The fact of the matter is that growing a beard does more than just making you look masculine and attracting testosterone chasers. Not only does it help protect you from skin-related diseases, but it also improves confidence, increases body temperature, and does so many other wonderful things. But, if you’re considering the idea of dropping the razor, be sure to maintain your beard properly. Investing in the right type of beard balm is certainly a big step in the right direction. Keep it clean and take the right care of it to make yourself a proud owner of a gloriously hairy beard.