Hip Replacement Recalls: Is Yours on the List?

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Breaking a hip is one of the most common injuries among elderly people and one of the most serious ones. Depending on the injury’s seriousness, the hip might need to be replaced with a medical device to help the patient regain mobility. Unfortunately, several hip replacement devices have been recalled in recent years, leaving many people struggling to find out their next step. 

If you have had a hip replacement and wonder if yours made the list, here is a list of recalls and what you should know. 

Types of Hip Replacement Devices 

While artificial hip replacement devices have been made from a number of materials such as plastic, ceramic, and metal, the recall was spurred by metal devices’ complications. The most recent models of metal-on-metal hip replacement devices are constructed with a cup and stalk, both made out of metal, which give the device outstanding durability. 

However, there have been some side effects linked to this device that have been serious enough to cause its recall:

  • Cobalt toxicity where patients can develop fever, inflammation, organ damage, heart failure, and more
  • Implant failure from the metal parts rubbing together frequently, causing enough friction that they eventual break
  • Metallosis where bits of metal flakes form as a result of the grinding and eventually make their way into the patient’s bloodstream. 

Manufacturers That Have Issued a Recall 

While some companies issued voluntary recalls as a result of their in-house studies, others caught the issue a little too late, costing them millions of dollars more. One company, Stryker, had to recall more than 200 models of their product as people reported bone fractures and metal poisoning after using the faulty medical devices.

While the following is merely a brief list of defective medical devices, you can call your doctor to see if your device has been recalled.  

DePuy 

After reports of metal debris and high toxicity in the body, DePuy had to recall their ASR XL Acetabular System. While the product was no longer on the market, DePuy had to shell out millions of dollars in damages instead.  

Stryker 

Stryker, the maker of the Rejuvenate Modular and ABG II Modular-Neck Hip Stems, recalled both products just after releasing them three years prior. This came after many reports of injuries from disgruntled patients. The company removed the models from the market and notified both hospitals and doctors of the products’ risks. One of the issues was that the devices shed particles that caused a reaction to the recipient’s tissue.  

Zimmer 

Zimmer’s hip replacement device, Durom Acetabular Component, was recalled by the FDA in the wake of complaints about device failure. After almost 20,000 patients were affected by the failure of the Durom Acetabular Component, the FDA went ahead and recalled Zimmer’s Zimmer M/L Taper with Kinectiv Technology and it was found to have extremely high levels of manufacturing residue in it. 

Wright/MicroPort Orthopedics 

After their devices were found to cause corrosion, fretting, hip defects, and neck fractures, the Profemur Z Hip Stem, Profemur Neck Varus, and the Valgus CoCR were recalled by the FDA. Those devices were cited as having been a probable cause for serious “adverse health consequences.” 

Smith & Nephew 

The maker of the R3 Acetabular System Smith & Nephew released the R3 Metal Liners as an add-on to the system. However, the liner didn’t perform quite up to par; therefore, the company initiated a recall of the device amid implant dislocating complaints.  

Conclusion 

While you can never know all the problems that might occur from having an artificial device implanted in your body, you must pay attention to any discomfort that you might experience after the procedure. Reporting issues, especially early on, is the only way that these companies will know if their devices are defective, so people like yourself are not injured. 

 

5 Cleaning Tools Every Homeowner Should Invest In

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Getting the house of your dreams is a life goal. All the new decor and things we lovingly pick to decorate your house is an experience in itself. However, most of the time while purchasing the best of things for the home, we tend to cut back on the cleaning supplies. That’s right. We get basic cleaner or a mere dusting cloth and expect our houses to remain squeaky clean. 

If you have invested tons for the interiors, why to compromise on its cleaning and maintenance?

We have put together a checklist of all the cleaning solutions/products you will need for your house to keep it spick and span all the time. Let’s begin the cleaning:

  1. A nice sponge:

When you go out to buy the right sponge, you will end up getting more and more confused. There are a variety of sponges available in the market. But we suggest that you go for the old classic — a sponge with an abrasive side that helps remove and dirt from the surfaces.

There are sponge clothes available as well. They work as both as a sponge and a towel. Get the sponge with more absorbent powers and the one which could last longer.

  1. Carpet cleaning solution:

If you think vacuuming your carpet every once in a while is good enough to clean them, think again. The vacuum might pull out all the dust particles from the rug, but other bacteria will still remain on the carpet. These bacteria can be really dangerous, especially if you have kids or pets at home. Make sure other than vacuuming you also browse through carpet cleaning solutions and pick the one with more antibacterial properties. Use these to clean your carpets. These cleaners will not just leave your carpet clean and tidy, but also emanate any bacteria present on its surface. Try cleaning your carpet with the solution once in a week.

  1. A scrubbing brush:

It’s good to have the sponges and clothes, but you need one more tool in your home. Buy an all-purpose scrub brush that helps clean the tiles and fixtures and removes all the tough stains. Buy a brush with firm bristles so that it removes the most challenging dirt present on any surface.

  1. Basic Combo: Mop, Dustpan and a Broom:

The basics of it are to get a mop, dustpan and a strong broom. These tools help to clean surfaces like wood or tiles. If you have kids and pets at home, the house tends to become dirtier after short intervals of time, and you can’t take out the vacuum cleaner all the time. A broom and dustpan will come in handy to clean the floors and collect the dry dirt, while a good mop will help clean the surface if there has been any liquid spill.

  1. A sturdy vacuum cleaner:

Last but not least, the goto cleaner is a vacuum cleaner. Not only is it easy to use, but it also makes the cleaning job less time-consuming. From carpets to floors, from curtains to rugs, cleaning all these things becomes more comfortable with a good quality vacuum cleaner. So, make sure to have one by your side always, to make the home cleaning job easier and fun. 

The things mentioned above are must-buy items to keep your household clean and welcoming. If you are a neat freak, you definitely can’t do without these things. 

The cleanliness of your house reflects your personality and is a testament to your class; now, choice is yours!

 

 

 

Chef Alyssa’s Kitchen Meals is a New Easy Dinner Option For Hungry Charlotteans

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Chef Alyssa’s Kitchen of Charlotte, NC has a created a ghost kitchen of menu items specifically made to travel in a box right to your kitchen.

“We launched this menu last year on the day our daughter was born, “ said chef Alyssa Wilen owner and executive chef of Chef Alyssa’s Kitchen. “We knew our lives were getting busier so we designed and tested a menu that would make it much easier to get a delicious, already made local dinner on the table at an affordable price!” said Wilen

The menu known as Family Table Meals is available on the Chef Alyssa’s Kitchen website. All items can be ordered individually or in family style offerings for extra savings. With a delivery radius to nearly all of Charlotte, Fort Mill, Gastonia and the surrounding areas, most of that fee goes directly to the driver as well. Items can be ordered Monday – Friday, with same day ordering until 11 am. 

All items arrive in eco-friendly boxes that are oven and/or microwave safe and fully cooked to make dinner very easy. Whether it’s part of a weekly or monthly rotation, Chef Alyssa’s Family Table Meals make for an easy, already cooked to-go dinner option. With two options for ordering (hot or cold) depending on when you’re planning to enjoy. Most cold items will stay fresh for up to a week.

“Utilizing some of the great local vendors for the menu include Shipley Farms Beef, Freshlist and Coto Family Farms. I order dinner for myself all the time! We have rotating seasonal specials. It’s comfort food that you feel better eating,” added Wilen.

You can find out more on Chef Alyssa’s website here.

Pictures from The Charlotte Region’s First Snowfall of 2021

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Yesterday, the Charlotte region saw its first official snowfall of 2021.

It may not have been much, but southerners know how to make the most of even a light dusting.

Here are some pictures taken around our region this morning:

 

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A post shared by Nick Van Winkle (@nickvdub)

 

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A post shared by Marcus Dolphens (@marcusdolphens)

 

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A post shared by Kyleigh 🐱 (@darlingkatt)

Did you end up getting any snow this morning?

How to Deal With Stress & Anxiety in 2021

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2020 has left us and we are currently in 2021. But as we all know 2020 is not exactly a great year for everyone, some also develops excessive stress and anxiety during the year. Many people who suffer from stress and psychological distress often also suffer from panic attacks. Panic attacks feel slightly different for everyone, but the symptoms are often the same: a sudden racing heart, sweat breaking out, and chest constricting. You may experience dizziness or nausea. These physical symptoms are accompanied by fearful, almost catastrophic thoughts, such as the fear of losing control or even dying.

While it can stick to a single panic attack, panic attacks will in many cases develop into a panic disorder or an anxiety disorder. Affected people begin to fear the next attack: the fear of fear keeps the panic disorder going. Breaking out of this vicious circle requires professional treatment, for example with the help of cognitive-behavioral therapy.

The earlier psychotherapy to treat anxiety attacks begins, the higher the chances that the anxiety cycle will not become too entrenched and quickly overcome. Our online course for panic, for example, offers emergency aid accompanied by psychologists. In the meantime, it is important to know how to act during an acute panic attack. In this first aid kit, we have summarized the 6 most common tips to deal with stress and anxiety.

  1. Breathing Techniques

Using the right breathing technique while in the middle of an attack is essential. When people are prone to panic attacks, they tend to forget to exhale because they are too busy getting air into their lungs, and it is easy to hyperventilate.

It often helps sufferers to breathe in slowly and deeply through their nose until the habit is filled with air and then exhale through their mouth. You can try to feel the incoming air in your nose and feel how the abdominal wall rises and falls again. You can put one hand on your stomach to focus on raising and lowering your stomach. The focus should be on the breath, and it is better to breathe deeply into the diaphragm or stomach instead of into the chest. This focus on breathing should be maintained until the fear has subsided and the heartbeat slows down.

Against hyperventilation, it helps to hold your breath for 10-15 seconds or to breathe “back” into a paper bag.

  1. Get Hydrated

Another simple but very effective trick is drinking cold water. It’s best to always have a water bottle with you. Drinking a few sips of water will distract the body, and drinking will automatically slow your breathing. Many sufferers also find it pleasant to splash water on their faces or let it flow over the palms of their hands during a panic attack.

  1. Relaxing

When a panic attack approaches, those affected should first try to relax. For example, by applying progressive muscle relaxation, which helps relax the body and soul. The method is easy to learn and very effective. Alternatively, it can help to gently stretch individual body parts or to massage the neck yourself.

Perhaps doing yoga or some other gentle sport can bring some improvement. Gentle exercise keeps the body busy and brings breath and heart rate back to normal levels.

  1. Acceptance

Nobody needs to be ashamed of having a panic attack. Fighting them can even be a hindrance. Affected people should allow the feelings – physically and emotionally – without fixating on them. You should be aware of what happens during a panic attack, but not get into it.

It can help to remember that an attack will go away after 10, 15, or 30 minutes at the latest. A mantra or an affirmation such as “I am strong and can survive this” or “I am in control” can help.

  1. Emergency Kit

An emergency kit can be helpful in the event of a panic attack. This can be a note in the cell phone or the wallet. Here you can write down five things that can help when you have a panic attack. Breathing, relaxation, meditation, or other coping methods that are personally helpful for one. Other distractions can also help. This directs the focus away from the physical warning signals and hectic breathing and can prevent or alleviate a panic attack.

Emergency kit can also include pills or medications. But make sure you consult everything with your doctor before taking any medications. Preferably you should look for a doctor specializing in opioid medical education.

  1. Meditations 

Meditating regularly helps many people deal with their fears better. Many apps offer meditations and breathing exercises for free. For example, apps like 7Mind, Zenify, or Headspace offer many different meditations and breathing exercises.Pick one of them and try it out

 

 

Period of effectiveness of CBD oil (Wirkungsdauer von CBD Öl)

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If you have decided that you want to start using Cannabidiol, there are a couple of things that you will want to know and steps you will need to take before you actually start with the consumption. For starters, you will need to find the right CBD Öl shop to buy your Cannabidiol in Austria and then you will need to think about how to properly consume it. Among other things, you will need to think about the actually period of effectiveness of CBD oil.

When you want to find out how long this product will stay in your system and how effective it will be, you will need to do some proper research. The “Wirkungsdauer von CBD Öl”, as it is usually said, can very much differ from product to product, meaning that you won’t know the exact period unless you take the time necessary to research the specific supplements that you are buying. Of course, you will need to learn about what it is that plays a role in this effectiveness period.

How Long Does It Stay In Your System?

Let us first take a look at what it is that you can expect from CBD oil in general, when it comes to the period of effectiveness. Basically, it can stick around in your system anywhere between two and five days. Yet, this isn’t set in stone, as it can differ from person to person and the actual period depends on several factors.

What Does It Depend On?

As I have mentioned above, there are a few significant factors that play the role in how long CBD oil will stay in your system. In order to help you understand this better and determine this period of effectiveness, you’ll need to get acquainted with those factors. Go here if you want to learn how long it takes before you start feeling the effects of this product.

Now that you know that the question of how long CBD oil will stay in your system is not an easy one to answer, let us check out those factors that I have mentioned. That way, you will get to learn exactly what it is that plays a role here. Consequently, you’ll gain much more confidence when it comes to dosing this supplement the right way.

  • The Quantity

You shouldn’t exactly be surprised with this particular factor, am I right? It’s perfectly logical that the quantity you take will play a role in the effectiveness period. Basically, the higher the dosage you consume, the longer the product will be active in your system.

  • The Frequency

When you use CBD oil regularly, it will build up in your body. This means that the frequency of usage also plays a part in the effectiveness period. Plus, this is also why it is recommended for everyone to take the product at least for a week before deciding whether it works or not.

If you are just getting started with CBD, this might help you determine how much you should take as a beginner: https://www.healthline.com/health/how-much-cbd-should-i-take-the-first-time

  • Your Own Body

While it’s true that CBD can be beneficial for everyone, you certainly cannot expect to get the same effects and in the same time frame as everybody else. Why is this, though? Why does the time frame differ when the products you are using are the same?

Well, the answer to this question is rather simple and it should be perfectly obvious. We are all different, aren’t we? And, I’m not talking about our personalities, although we to differ in that regard as well and nobody can deny that.

Yet, that’s not what matters here. What matters is that our bodies differ, even though we all have the same organs. Your body mass index, the amount of water you consume, as well as your general metabolism all affect the period of effectiveness of CBD oil. This is why the product affects everyone differently.

What does this mean for you exactly? Does it mean that using CBD oil for pain management, for example, might work for someone and not work for you? No, the product will definitely work for you as well and this simply means that you will have to observe its effectiveness in order to ultimately determine the perfect dosage.

The bottom line is that your own body plays a huge role in how long Cannabidiol will stay in your system. Due to that, you should be very observant towards your body in addition to considering all the other factors that I have mentioned in this article. There are, however, a few more factors to keep in mind.

  • Food

The food you are consuming also plays a crucial role here, as well as the frequency of your meals. Basically, if you take CBD oil on an empty stomach, it will metabolize much faster. Consequently, it will get eliminated from your organism quicker. On the other hand, if you take it on a full stomach, you will slow down its digestion.

  • Method Of Consumption

There is one last thing that you certainly need to keep in mind when it comes to the period of effectiveness of CBD oil. I’m talking about the actual method of consuming this product. Now, I’m not going to talk about all the other ways of consuming Cannabidiol in general and about the period of effectiveness of all those methods (additional info). Instead, I’ll stick with the oil and the ways you can consume this specific product.

Simply said, you can put this supplement directly in your mouth and swallow it, you can take it through food or you can take it sublingually. The sublingual method is certainly the fastest one to reach your bloodstream and kick in, but it is also the fastest way towards CBD oil leaving your organism. Simply swallowing the drops will make the product stay in your organism longer. Finally, if you take it by putting a few drops in your food, it will stay in your organism for an even longer period.

NC Just Recorded Over 10,000 New COVID Cases – Highest Number Since Pandemic Began

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North Carolina has just recorded its highest number of new Covid-19 cases in 1 day, and the first time our state saw over 10,000 cases recorded in a 24-hour period.

NC Department of Health and Human Services officials have just announced that there were a total of 10,398 new cases recorded today – the highest number our state has seen since the pandemic started (beating the previous highs of 9,527 on 1/1 and 8,551 on 12/30).

Our state also saw its highest number of COVID-related hospitalizations today at 3,960.

One day after Gov. Roy Cooper extended his modified stay-at-home order to help slow the spread of COVID-19, North Carolina health officials reported a single-day record for new infections.

The Department of Health and Human Services reported 10,398 new cases, marking the first time North Carolina had over 10,000 cases in a single day. Hospitalizations due to the virus are also set a new record, with 3,960 people being treated for COVID-19 statewide.

Today’s record numbers comes just a day after NC Governor Roy Cooper announced that his modified stay at home order will stay in place for at least 3 more weeks.

What do you think about the recent spike in numbers?

What else do you think should be done to curb the spread?

Last Remaining Video Rental Chain Closing All Locations – Including 9 In The Carolinas

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The last remaining video rental chain in America has just announced it will be closing all 250 locations, including 9 here in the Carolinas.

Family Video first launched 42 years ago and transitioned from renting Beta movies, VHS movies, and lastly DVD and Blu-Ray movies.

In a statement, the company noted that “the impact of Covid-19, not only in foot traffic but also in the lack of movie releases, pushed us to the end of an era.”

On the company’s website, they note that everything in their stores is now for sale, including “DVDs, Blu-rays, Popcorn, The Sour Patch Guy, Gumball Machine, Shelves and everything else.”

The stores closing in North Carolina include:

Forest City, NC (189 West Main Street)
Hickory, NC (1511 29Th Avenue Dr Ne)
Lexington, NC (980 S Main St)
Rockingham, NC (1326 Fayetteville Rd)
Statesville, NC (204 East Front St)
Winston-Salem, NC (2235 Old Salisbury Road)

The stores closing in South Carolina include:

Anderson, SC (302 Pearman Dairy Rd)
Mauldin, SC (203 E Butler Road)
Newberry, SC (1930 Main St)

Closing stores will continue operating 7 Days a week from 12:00pm – 8:00pm until everything is sold.

Growing relief: Why Kentucky hemp makes the best CBD products

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The roots of Kentucky’s hemp farming go deep into the soil and climate that helps produce some of the best hemp crops and CBD products anywhere. These roots stretch back 250 years into Kentucky history, since before Kentucky was a state and before America was a nation.

Kentucky farmers have been growing hemp since at least 1775, back when the plant’s fibers were used in rope, paper, ship rigging, twine, and bagging for the cotton industry. When hemp became illegal after World War 2, rebellious outlaws in Kentucky still grew the strongest varieties available. The 2018 Farm Bill finally brought hemp farming into full legality, as long as the THC level remains below 0.3 percent. 

Cornbread Hemp makes its products in small batches. And each batch is subject to third-party lab tests. Those test results, or COA’s, can be accessed on the company website and by scanning the product packaging QR code, so consumers know what’s in the product before they order.

Why is Cornbread Hemp so Kentucky proud? Because the geographical and geological conditions of the state make it uniquely well suited for producing the best hemp in America. The limestone bedrock beneath Kentucky’s soil gives the water a “sweet” taste. It’s the same water that produces the world’s best bourbon and fastest racehorses. 

Kentucky is also located on the 37th-parallel, the same latitude as the famous Hindu Kush mountain range, where all indica strains of cannabis originated. That means Kentucky and the Hindu Kush share the same light cycles, which cannabis plants use to determine when to begin flowering and when to produce the resin that contains CBD, THC, and other cannabinoids. 

The Hindu Kush is rugged and rocky, but Kentucky’s family-owned hemp farms are located on the beautiful rolling hills of bluegrass and in one of the country’s most welcoming agricultural microclimates.

“Kentucky is to hemp what Napa Valley is to wine,” says Jim Higdon, Cornbread Hemp co-founder and chief communication officer. 

Cornbread Hemp produces the #1-rated USDA organic CBD products with over 650 five-star reviews from verified customers. A cannabis reviewer from LA Weekly said that Cornbread Hemp’s products had “a level of quality that I haven’t found anywhere else.”

Cornbread Hemp makes its products in small batches. And each batch is subject to third-party lab tests. Those test results, or COA’s, can be accessed on the company website and by scanning the QR code on their packaging, so consumers know what’s in the product before they order.

If Kentucky grows the best hemp, then which company from Kentucky makes the best CBD products? One factor to consider is whether a company uses the whole plant in their extraction, or if they are more selective. Reviewing the labels of prominent CBD brands will show they use “aerial parts” of the hemp plant in their extract. This means all the parts of the hemp plant that touch the air — everything but the roots. 

A premium brand like Cornbread Hemp does it differently by removing the flowers of the hemp plants from the rest of the “aerial parts,” because flowers are only part of the hemp plant that matter. Using this flower-only method, Cornbread Hemp is able to achieve a more robust full spectrum of cannabinoids than those companies that use “whole plant’ or “aerial parts” formulations. 

Cornbread Hemp’s Whole Flower formula also just tastes better, with a smooth natural flavor that doesn’t need a cover flavoring like peppermint that other brands use. All Cornbread Hemp products are available online. All orders placed before 2:00 PM EST always ship the same day via UPS. 

From the water, to the climate, to the outlaws who nurtured this crop when it was illegal, to the farmers who tend the legal hemp fields of today, Kentucky grows the best organic hemp in the world. And Cornbread Hemp is its signature brand.

North Carolina Man Arrested In Washington DC Ahead of Violent Protests

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via Facebook

A North Carolina man was arrested in Washington DC a day before thousands gathered to protest and riot against the certification of electoral college votes.

According to DC’s Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), 46-year-old Thomas Gronek, from Asheville, NC, was arrested on Constitution Avenue on a slew of weapons charges. Police found 2 firearms, a firework, and hundreds of rounds of ammunition in his multicolored school bus. The bus driver, also from North Carolina, was arrested for not having a license.

Gronek made a video of his bus, in which he said, “Stop the steal USA, Liberty, Freedom…I’m telling you man, deadheads like him too ya’ll, hippies for Trump man…”

 

In June of last year, Gronek changed his cover image to include a collage of images, including the bus from the above video, a gun with the phrase “not be infringed -2nd Am.”, and a Grateful Dead logo.