Everything You Need to Know About Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)

Lori Phillips Health

Are you a man or woman that is currently dealing with a urinary tract infection? This article will help you understand what it is, what causes it, the dangers it can cause, and also how to treat and prevent them.

 

What Are Urinary Tract Infections? 

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection of your urinary system. This infection can be any part of your urinary system, including the bladder, urethra, ureters, and kidney. The most common form of UTI occurs within the urethra and bladder; this is the lower urinary tract.

Although urinary tract infections can happen for both men and women, they’re more common among women. 

 

What Causes Urinary Tract Infections?

Urinary tract infections are caused by bacteria that enter your urinary tract. The bacteria enter via the urethra and multiply once it reaches the bladder. The urinary system has a defence system to deal with bacteria but sometimes it simply fails and is overwhelmed.

 

What Are Symptoms of Urinary Tract Infections?

So, how do you know if you’ve got a urinary tract infection? What are the symptoms? UTIs don’t always have obvious symptoms or signs to look for. However, there are several issues you should keep an eye out for.

If you need or have the urge to urinate a lot, this can be a sign you’ve got a UTI. If you experience a burning sensation when urinating, this might be a symptom of a urinary tract infection. Frequently urinating in small amounts is another one to watch for.

Urine colour can also be an indicator that you’ve got a urinary tract infection. Look out for urine that’s cloudy, red, pink, or brown; this means there’s blood within your urine. The smell of your urine is also a strong indicator. For women, pelvic pain is also a common symptom.

 

What Are UTI Risk Factors?

So, what are the risk factors involved with a urinary tract infection? There are several, such as kidney stone formation. These can block up your urinary tract, affecting the flow of urine. Because UTIs are more common in women, they have more risk factors.

Females have different anatomy compared to men; this can act as a urinary tract infection risk factor. Women have shorter urethras which makes the trip to the bladder shorter for bacteria. Older women experiencing menopause are also more susceptible to UTIs.

Diaphragms used for birth control can also act as a UTI risk factor. Spermicidal agents can also increase the risk of urinary tract infection. 

 

How to Prevent UTIs

Now that you know what urinary tract infections are, what causes, them, and what the symptoms are, it’s time to talk about how to prevent them. There are several steps you can take to decrease your risk of experiencing a UTI.

Drinking plenty of water or liquids helps to dilute your urine and makes you urinate more often. This is a good way to flush out all the bacteria, putting a stop to infections forming. Cranberry juice is a good option. It’s a good idea to use it with uti tablets.

How to Stop Diarrhoea (4 Strategies)

Lori Phillips Health

Sooner or later everyone will experience the messiness of diarrhoea; when that time comes, you need to be ready. In this article, we’ve outlined 5 strategies that you can implement to remedy your diarrhoea today.

Read on to learn how to stop diarrhoea today.

 

1. Make Sure You Stay Hydrated

The simplest and perhaps the most effective way to combat diarrhoea is to stay hydrated. When one has diarrhoea, they’ll likely be dehydrated, as the condition causes the body to lose water. Make sure to drink lots of water to combat this.

It’s also important to understand that it’s not just about water, but minerals as well. Staying hydrated is all about having the right electrolytes in your system. You need to ensure your ailing body has enough magnesium, calcium, sodium, and other things.

An electrolyte sports drink is a great option; try to avoid drinks that cause dehydration, like caffeine, alcohol, and soda. Also, avoid milk, as it doesn’t digest well for most people, let alone when they’ve got diarrhoea.

 

2. Eat the Right Foods

Your diet impacts your diarrhoea; eating the right foods can help mitigate your illness more than others. Even though it seems like eating more would just make it worse this isn’t the case. You should continue to eat to ensure your body gets the right nutrients.

So, what kinds of foods help with diarrhoea? You’ll want to eat foods that won’t upset your stomach, are easy to digest and will thicken up your stool. 

Some examples of foods that meet these criteria include white rice, toast, bananas, and applesauce. Oatmeal, chicken soup, and baked or boiled potatoes are also good options. All of these foods are low in fibre, so they’ll avoid creating any dramas with your upset stomach.

 

3. Avoid the Wrong Foods

You’ll likely struggle to stick to just the “good” foods mentioned earlier. Given this, it’s important to also know what to avoid eating. In general, you’ll want to avoid foods that are heavily greased; people who have diarrhoea don’t tolerate them well.

Also make sure you avoid foods with high amounts of fibre, such as apples, broccoli, beans, avocados, and berries. Any fruits or vegetables that have lots of fibre in them. The problem with these foods is that they can cause bloating, which makes diarrhoea worse.

Also keep an eye out for dairy products, alcohol products, and caffeine products. 

 

4. Use an Over-The-Counter Drug (OTC)

Have you tried the strategies above but not found any relief from your diarrhoea? At this point, you should consider an over-the-counter drug to remedy your ailment. They won’t address the cause of your diarrhoea, but they’ll certainly address the symptoms.

Popular over-the-counter drugs that address diarrhoea include Pepto-Bismol, Imodium, and Kaopectate. It’s a good idea that you go to your GP and get his take on things before you go down this route. When drugs are introduced, whether OTC or prescriptions, there are concerns. 

 

Conclusion

If none of these 4 strategies has solved your diarrhoea then you should seek immediate medical attention. You may have a more serious issue, one that urgently needs to be addressed.

Hopefully, this isn’t the case for you; we hope the information outlined in this article provided value to you.

Businesses Have Changed Due to COVID-19: Here’s How to Leverage Yours

Lori Phillips Business

Businesses Have Changed Due to COVID-19: Here’s How to Leverage Yours

 

Only a handful of businesses haven’t been scathed by the COVID-19 pandemic. For the rest of the industry, entrepreneurs have been grappling to stay afloat, forcing themselves to cut down on costs and even drop some of their employees just to keep up with the losses. But more than that, customers have also changed the way they look at businesses and buying in general. This is why customer-centricity is now the name of the game, and here’s how you can leverage your business to keep up with the competition:

 

  • Nurture those who are already loyal to you. While it’s very important to acquire new customers, this pandemic has taught us a lesson about taking care of those who are already loyal to you. Since you can’t control a lot of the factors that are involved with this pandemic, you need to focus on what you can control and that is the loyalty of your customers. Plus, nurturing existing customers is a lot cheaper than acquiring new ones, which costs five times more to convert, according to research by Forrester

.

  • Invest in your data. No matter what industry you’re in, it’s crucial to invest in data, especially since digital marketing is now at the forefront of customer-centric business. Having the right tools will not only make you more efficient, but it will also help you offer the best experience to your customers to keep them loyal to you. For instance, if you’re in the building, plumbing or timber industry, it would be smart to invest in building software Australia that will help streamline processes such as inventory, financials, project management, point of sale and workflow.

 

  • Put your customers at the centre of your business. This isn’t anything new in business, but a lot of entrepreneurs have lost track of it because of how focused they were on developing their products. But even if you have the best products out there, none of that would matter if your customers are not happy with you. These days, running a customer-centric business means putting your customers at the centre of your operations. Every decision, change, and upgrade you make should be based on how your customers will have a better experience with your business. If you do that, it would be easier for you to not only keep your loyal customers but also win new ones without even spending a lot on marketing.

 

While we are slowly recovering from the devastation of COVID-19, it’s wise to make smarter decisions that will allow your business to not only survive its effects but also thrive in the coming years. At the end of the day, it’s all about focusing on who matters most to your business, your customers, and how you can keep them loyal to you even if the economy is down. After all, loyalty is very important if you want to last long in a competitive industry like a business.

 

Top Reasons Why Financial Planning Is Crucial

Loren Morrison Financial Planner

You need help with finance and yet you don’t always consider a financial planner Sydney. It’s easy to see why so many don’t think about financial planners or the services they can provide. There is also a misconception about financial planners and how costly their services can be. You could easily be duped into believing these services are only necessary for those sitting on millions. While millionaires do need financial planning services, so does everyone else. You could benefit from these services, and they can do more than you know. So, why is financial planning so important? Check here!

Plan for Retirement

Everyone gets old – you included – and there comes a time when you can’t or just don’t want to work. You don’t still want to be working a 40-hour week when you’re 75. It’s a strain and when you get older, your body becomes slower and may experience more health issues than those in their early stages. While you don’t think a financial planner Sydney can help, they can help you plan for your retirement.

Remember, with no plans in place, you could end up with no income and having to work all hours to get through the next week. It happens and it’s not ideal. With proper planning, you might be able to establish a retirement financial package. With the help of a financial planner Sydney, that is now possible. They can allow you to understand what financial goals need to be met. It’s a great way to have a safety net for your future.

Prepare for Financial Emergencies

Let’s say you have a good monthly income. You own a home and are comfortably paying the mortgage each month. However, how would you deal with a financial emergency? For example, you are seriously hurt in an automobile accident. Your health insurance doesn’t cover most of the costs and your car insurance only pays for the other injured party. You are left with over $40,000 worth of medical bills – and that is before the other injured party sues you for pain and suffering. It’s a major financial crisis. With the help of a financial planner Sydney, you can prepare for this emergency.

Emergencies can come in many forms, and when you aren’t prepared for them, they can bankrupt you. By financial planning for such events, you can put aside a reasonable amount of money. This could be used in many situations, such as losing your job, extensive flooding, medical debts, and more. A financial planner Sydney can help you plan for these emergencies.

Establish and Create Financial Goals

Want to put aside money for a mortgage? Want to go on an extended holiday half-way around the world? No matter what you want to do in life, you need to financially plan for it. For example, you are 30, you rent an apartment, but want to buy a home within the next 5-years. You’d need to save a substantial deposit to keep the mortgage payments low enough for you to afford it. A financial planner Sydney could help you establish these financial goals.

Plan Your Finances Well

Financial planning is not always your most beloved pastime. You don’t always want to face up to finances or want to know how to save. Financial planning, however, is crucial as it impacts every aspect of life. You need to know how and where to save money, along with reducing your monthly outgoings. It looks complicated, but the reality is that it isn’t, and you could use a financial planner Sydney to assist you too. Read our another article: https://www.breadandmoney.com/get-smarter-about-your-finances-heres-how/

4 Smart Investments for Young Adults

Lori Phillips Investing, LifeStyle

When you’re young, the world is your oyster. You have a job, you’re earning well, and you’re just beginning to explore the life that’s ahead of you. 

But if you are to be smart about your future, now is the best time to start building your financial portfolio with these four smart investments:

 

Retirement

Time and compound interest are your biggest financial advantages as a young adult, so you have to maximize it by making sure that you save up early for retirement. Just imagine that if you start building your savings in your 20s, you’ll have enough time to accumulate at least 20 years’ worth of retirement savings. This gives you more financial security and freedom for when you are already in your late adulthood years.

 

Real estate

Most—if not all—seasoned investors have at least one real estate investment in their portfolio, and it’s because a property is one of the easiest to invest in. But it also brings a lot of revenue if managed properly. If you’re not too keen on investing in a house just yet, you can start by looking into a Deanside land for sale in an upcoming community where you can slowly work on building a house or commercial building in the coming years. 

A lot of young investors invest in properties and sell them when the market is good. Managing real estate investments also doesn’t require a lot of expertise and effort, so it’s a good starting point for you as a young investor.

 

Debt elimination

With student loans being a huge issue among young adults, it’s very important to make sure that you pay off any debt you have because it will prove to be a limitation in the long run when you’re already trying to build your portfolio. 

Eliminating debt means being able to start from scratch, so you don’t have to worry about any limitations in your cash flow. Although it’s almost impossible to eliminate debt, paying off what you can will allow you to invest your money in things that will give you more financial leverage in the future.

 

S&P 500 index funds

Since you have the advantage of time, you should focus your portfolio on growth-oriented assets. This will allow you to maximize your compounding interests, which means you get to enjoy a higher return on investments in the years to come. The S&P 500 Index has been one of the strongest forms of investments since 1926 that gives you an annual return rate of at least 10%, making it an excellent source of compound earning for young investors. Take the time to do your research, so you can learn more about these funds and the best options for you.

 

Starting young is the best way to go when it comes to creating a stable financial future for yourself. Whether you’re starting with a piece of property or dabbling with stocks, you have the power to make the most of your investment because you have the advantage of time.

Get Smarter About Your Finances: Here’s How

Lori Phillips Financial Planner, LifeStyle

Being young and earning well, it’s easy to get lost in your freedom and not think about the future when it comes to your finances. But managing your money wisely should be one of your most important responsibilities if you want to live a comfortable life for the long term. Here’s how you can start getting smarter about your finances:

 

  • Define your goals.

Before you could create a budget or work with a financial planner, you need to determine your goals first. Are you saving up for a house? Do you want to buy a new car? Are you keen on investing? Do you want to eliminate your debt? Knowing what you want to achieve will make the rest of this process easier.

 

  • Draft your budget.

A budget is a must if you want to achieve your goals because it allows you to live within your means. While there are no hard-and-fast rules for budgeting, the 50/30/20 method is a great way to start. This means 50% of your income is allocated towards living essentials like groceries, rent and utilities, 30% is for discretionary spending like shopping or eating out, and 20% is allocated for the future like saving for your retirement, paying off your debt, and building an emergency fund.

 

  • Limit your debt.

You will have some debt at some point, especially if you need to make a huge purchase or you need money for emergencies. Debt could be beneficial at some point, especially if it means you get to acquire an asset or invest in a business. But if you want to secure your finances for the long term, you must limit your debt so you don’t spend the years of your life paying it off instead of building wealth. 

If you’re still not financially stable enough to buy a house, go with the more economical option of renting until you can save up enough money to put into a down payment. You also need to use your credit cards wisely because they’re a common debt trap that could easily lure you into buying things that you need and those that you can’t afford. Before you know it, you’re already spending more than what you’re earning and paying off debt for things that aren’t beneficial to your life.

 

  • Work with a professional.

Organizing your finances could easily get overwhelming, especially when you’re young and still figuring out life itself. But you don’t need to go through this journey alone because you can always work with a company that specialises in financial services Sydney. You can seek advice for getting started with managing your wealth, paying off your debt and just building your wealth not only for yourself but for future generations.

Being smart about personal finances is a must, there’s no way around it. If you want to live a comfortable life and build a bright future for your family, you must learn how to manage your money now.

Top 6 Skills Every New Manager Needs

Loren Morrison Business

The training of a new Manager is necessary to the success of any industry. It’s surprising that several institutions spend time, effort, and money in business training their employee, but let their new Managers discover their personal way in the world. It generally makes less sense once you appreciate that employees will just get results whether they are led by a Manager who is very efficient in his role.

Training the New Manager

Each new manager reaches his promotion due to the attributes he has displayed in his previous role. The role of the Team Leader and Manager is a totally different role. This is one of the toughest issues for the new Manager, gaining a perfect appreciation of the Leader role as opposed to the follower. When you explore training for your new Managers, make sure this aspect of the training covers the complete range of titles that will assist the new Manager in truly realize the role.

# The Role of the Manager

What actually is the role and responsibilities of the Manager with respect to his Team, his colleagues, senior management as well as the reaching of results and objectives? It is very essential that this is undoubtedly defined for the new Manager and that he perceives the difference in placing this role versus his prior role as a staff member.

# Success in the Managerial Function

A new Manager must have a clear vision of success. The clearer he is about the end objectives, the better opportunity he has of getting a good start in his role. Any basic training for the Manager must provide him a clear effort towards success. Before becoming a Manager, the staff member can use any of these factors as blocks to reach success. However, removing blocks or coming up with alternative solutions is part of the role of a new manager. Learn more!

# The Manager Is the Owner of the Role

The new Manager should be aware that it is his responsibility to get that final result. Before his Management role, the person may have assumed responsibility for much of his role, yet specific aspects were beyond his control. The role of a Manager is to remove blocks, consume resources, inspire others, repair broken relationships, solve problems, as well as find creative ways to improve. If the new Manager gets a complete appreciation of the role of the above factors, he will be open to working on and developing the necessary skills.

# The Competencies of the Manager

Manager skills include process competencies, people-centered competencies, and personal management. Management training must provide a variety of topics on all sides. The Manager needs an early base in all the aspects, to highlight that he must learn, improve as well as be competent in this aspect of his role. The goal is not for them to be proficient after a training event, this is not possible at all. You always want the Manager to be aware that this is a part in which he must work and improve.

# The Negotiation Skills of the Manager

Negotiation skills are a vital part of the role of the new manager. The new manager must negotiate with his business partners, colleagues, suppliers, and customers. This is not actually something that a new manager can ignore. He must be able to improve win-win strategies using best practices of negotiations. Negotiating is a skill you can learn, but don’t forget to practice practice and practice.

The training of new managers must include the definition of roles, along with the key competencies to be very effective in the management role. To find out more, check out https://www.breadandmoney.com/4-smart-investments-for-young-adults/

Top Four Places for Nature Lovers to Live In

Lori Phillips LifeStyle

One of the best things that Australia has to offer is its pristine nature, easy access to beaches and a great view of the local flora and fauna. But these gorgeous places are rarely in plain sight, and you need to do some digging to find them. To make the process easier for you, we’re listing our top four places for Kiwis to live in.

 

Jannali

It seems that up until recently, Jannali was a ghost town, populated only by amazing nature and wildlife. However, the suburb has long ago become the hub of ongoing development, attracting many new residents. 

Not to mention, the real-estate is pretty reasonably priced, especially when you consider all that Jannali has to offer. In addition to several cute shops, fun cafes and bars, the suburb still has plenty of greenery left. There are plenty of well-kept, clean parks, and all complexes are built in a way that allows for nature to stay part of its fabric. 

 

Wyee

Wyee has, somehow, been able to create the perfect mixture of town and village. Not to mention, the suburb is surrounded with sand, water, as well as local flora and fauna. Just by walking around Wyee, you can easily see why we’ve listed it as one of our top four green suburbs.

Another thing that Wyee has going for it is that it’s in close proximity to shops, nightlife, and great schools. So, you’ll be in no shortage of fun activities, as well as work and schooling options.

All that being said, the best thing about Wyee is that it has somehow managed to stay an undiscovered gem. So, whether you want to rent an apartment or purchase a home, you won’t have to break the bank to do so. Moreover, if you’re looking for a way to move quickly, and at a fraction of the cost, you should definitely check out the house and land packages Wyee.

 

Oatley

Oatley is the perfect place to live if you want to stay connected to the busy city lifestyle while having a green, quiet place to come home. Here, there is no shortage of parks, trees and flowers, making Oatley a wonderful place for nature-lovers.

Additionally, the suburb is in close proximity to great schools, as well as cafes, restaurants and all of the amenities you could ever need. Even if you find yourself going without, or missing some aspects of a bigger city — it will only be a short train or car ride away.

The only slight downside to Oatley is that it isn’t as affordable as Wyee or Jannali. So, you can expect to pay a higher price for both rental and for-sale properties. However, this doesn’t seem to bother the current residents, who are more than happy to call Oatley home.

 

Final Thoughts

If you’re a nature lover and looking for a gorgeous, green new place to call home, you’ll surely love all of these suburbs. No matter which one you choose, we’re sure you’ll be more than thrilled to start breathing in their pleasant, clean air.

Top Three Most Affordable Places for Beach Lovers to Live in the Sunshine Coast

Lori Phillips LifeStyle

Truth be told, most people come to the Sunshine Coast with the goal of living close to the beach. But, these properties can set you back a lot and aren’t realistic for most of us. However, despair not, there are still suburbs that offer affordable real estate. Curious to know where they are, and what they offer? Keep reading to find out!

 

Golden Beach

Golden Beach is a midsize coastal suburb of Caloundra with a population of around 6,000 people. The suburb is located inside of the Caloundra urban centre, giving residents all of the opportunities and amenities they need. However, that’s not what attracts people to the area.

Probably the best part of the Golden Beach is, as one might assume — the beach! The sand is soft and clean, the water pleasant, and there are plenty of cafes, bars, restaurants and resorts along the way.

Thus, this is one of the best places to live if you want to feel like you’re on a vacation every day of your life. Additionally, Golden Beach attracts a lot of families, as well as working professionals looking for a better work-life balance.

The only downside to moving to Golden Beach is that the real estate prices have been on the rise recently. So, if you plan on moving here, we recommend acting quickly.

 

Mooloolaba

Mooloolaba is nestled in between the Coral Sea on the east, and the Mooloolah River on the south. So, there are plenty of fun-in-the-sun activities, a huge fleet of fishing vessels, as well as an all-weather harbour. Not to mention, the suburb is home to both the Sydney-Mooloolaba Yacht Race, and the  Mooloolaba Triathlon.

Technically, since Mooloolaba is far (97 kilometres) away from Brisbane, some see it as being away from the beaten path. However, as it’s a part of the Maroochydore centre, you won’t be in any shortage of activities, job opportunities, cafes, restaurants, etc.

The best part is that you can enjoy all of these amazing activities and amenities, without breaking the bank. Whether you’re looking to come here as a tourist, or purchase a home and become a resident, there’s plenty of available real estate.

 

Caloundra

Caloundra is a suburb that comes with a rich history, clean lakes and beaches, as well as well-kept parks. It’s also home to the Hibiscus Caravan Park, a renowned heritage site. Additionally, there’s a Village Shopping Center, golf park, as well as Ben Bennett Botanical and Bicentennial Parks.

When you think of all of the benefits that living in Caloundra comes with, it’s very surprising that the real estate is still quite affordable. The median weekly rate is on par with the state’s average, and even purchasing a home won’t break the bank.

However, if you want to have the best of both worlds, we recommend checking out the house and land packages in Caloundra. In doing so, you’ll be able to find a home that’s move-in ready, and buy it at a fraction of the price.

 

Final Thoughts

Thanks to these affordable Sunshine Coast suburbs, you don’t have to go broke to go home. Moreover, wherever you decide to go, we’re sure that you’ll enjoy all of the beach lovers paradises.

What Does a Digital Marketing Agency Do?

Lori Phillips Uncategorized

The main purpose of a digital marketing agency is to make sure your business reaches more customers with specialized ads that have a high ROI. For those who aren’t experienced in marketing, this may seem incomprehensible and even impossible.

However, this is where marketing agencies come in to explain and hopefully provide you with the best service. If you’re on the market for an agency that knows what they’re doing — make sure they provide the following services.

 

Market Research

To be able to craft a successful plan, that will generate a high ROI, a digital marketing agency has to do a deep dive into market research. In doing so, they’ll find out who your target market is, how they interact on the web, and what the best ways to reach them are.

Proper market research is the only way to ensure the marketing agency is putting your money to good use and providing you with better results. So, if you run into a marketing agency that offers a one-size-fits-all solution for all clients — steer clear.

 

SEO

Some companies think that it’s all about pumping out content daily, and never consider SEO (Search Engine Optimization) as an important piece of the puzzle. However, without SEO, your website will hit the bottom of the search page, and will rarely be seen by users.

This is where a digital marketing agency can come to save the day. They will use the knowledge they’ve gained from the market research, and work their magic to ensure each page is optimized. In doing so, the agency will ensure your website sits at the top of the search page, capturing the attention of all customers.

 

Google Ads

When it comes to getting your message across, and placing yourself at the top of the search page, Google Ads are a must. Moreover, unlike other types of marketing, Google Ads is the only way to ensure your advertisement reaches a customer that’s looking for your specific services.

However, Google Ads is extremely complex and requires the knowledge and experience only a marketing agency professional can provide. These experts can ensure none of your money goes to waste, by keeping your Cost Per Click (CPC) at a minimum and ensuring a high ROI.

 

Web Design

Web design doesn’t always come to mind when you think of advertising. However, it is very much at the heart of these activities. So it comes as no surprise that a marketing agency can (and should) help you with it. The result of a well-designed website should be more trust on part of the users, and more sales for your business.

If you think about it, you have probably been turned off or become suspect to the quality of services a business provides if their website doesn’t look well-built. Additionally, a marketing agency can ensure elements of the website need to be placed in a way that evokes action on part of the user.

 

Final Thoughts

As you can probably tell by now, digital marketing agencies can play a huge role in the success of your business. So, it’s key that you identify the needs of your business and find an agency that can provide a solution to them. Our guess is, if they offer the services we’ve listed, and can prove their success — you’ll be set.