AKAGallery
Angela Kelley Abner's
Gallery of Creative Work
This is a collection of some of my creative works and articles, I am a born and raised Texan. Texas is more than just one of the 50 states of the USA, it's a way of life. When you tell someone you are a Texas, you are letting them know that you connect that pride and tradition to who you are. Whether you are in the Capital of Austin or and other corner of the state, all Texans carry a great pride with them. You can follow and learn from my writtings here on this webpage. Check back often to discover new things.
The Causes of Inflammation in the Body
The body has several ways it responds to injury, and one of the ways is through inflammation. Inflammation is necessary for wound healing and also helps to ameliorate and defend against some protracted diseases. Wounds and infections will spread faster and could be deadly if no inflammation serves as a physiological response.
However, inflammation can be a cause of concern if it’s or occurs in unwanted spots. Some diseases have been linked with chronic inflammation like heart disease, stroke, autoimmune disorders, and rheumatoid arthritis. But inflammation can be kept in check with a healthy diet and lifestyle.
Types of inflammation
There are two major types of inflammation namely acute and chronic inflammation.
Acute Inflammation
A typical example of this type of inflammation is a cut around the knee, twisted ankle or sore throat. The response is often short-term, and the pain is felt around the area of the wound. The common symptoms of acute inflammation include redness, heat, swelling, and pains.
For acute inflammation, there occurs the dilation of blood vessels, increase in the flow of blood, and there is an influx of white blood cells to the area of injury to encourage healing. The characteristic reddish and swelling of the injured area is caused by this response.
There is a release of chemicals known as cytokines by the injured tissue. Cytokines functions as "emergency signals" which causes hormones, immune cells, and body nutrients to fix the issue.
Additionally, there is another substance called prostaglandins whose function is to cause the blood to clot for tissue healing. The prostaglandin also helps to trigger fever and pain as a requirement for the healing process. As the body undergoes healing, acute inflammation reduces gradually.
Chronic Inflammation
In contrast to the acute inflammation, there is a long-term effect for chronic inflammation and it affects the whole body. This type of inflammation persists for a long time and starts with a form of low-grade which spreads around the body. With this form of inflammation, a disease easily sets in.
The chronic inflammation which is characterized by low inflammation levels can be caused by a supposed internal threat, even without necessarily fighting disease or healing any injury. Since the healing process has been triggered, the white blood cell is released to the supposed affected area and with nothing to heal it may start to attack internal organs or other healthy tissues.
Even though the effect of chronic inflammation has not been fully known, it believed that it plays a vital role in disease development.
Some of the diseases linked with chronic inflammation include heart disease, stroke, cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, etc.
Anti-inflammatory Diet
There has been an increased use of anti-inflammatory diet in recent years. Most of the foods recommended as anti-inflammation can be found in that of a typical Mediterranean diet. These food sources include fish, fruits, and vegetables; others include healthy fats; nuts in moderate quantity; eating red meat and drinking red wine in meager quantity.
Basically, an anti-inflammatory diet means avoiding foods that may trigger inflammation. It's a wise decision to reduce the consumption of food higher in saturated and Tran’s fats like dairy products, red meats, and other foods substances that have hydrogenated oils as its constituents.
Additionally, one could reduce sugar intake as well as refined carbs, such as bread and rice. One should also pay close attention to the use of cooking oils and margarine abundant in omega-6 fatty acids, like sunflower oils, safflower, and corn.
Anti-inflammatory drugs and supplements
Presently, chronic inflammation doesn’t have any specific prescription drugs to use. However, several over-the-counter and a few prescription medications exist for handling acute, and short-term inflammation. The commonly used ones include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
NSAIDs function by preventing the enzyme cyclooxygenase from causing inflammation. Another drug prescribed is corticosteroids (cortisone and prednisone); it’s mainly prescribed for people with asthma and arthritis. One needs to be careful with corticosteroids use because they often come along with side effects like weight gain and retention of fluid.
A supplement that has great anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties is know as c60. There are several very effective products on the market utilizing this supplement.
Quick Information about Inflammation
Inflammation is a way at which the body protects itself against harmful stimuli and commences healing process.
Inflammation has to do with the body's immune response.
There won’t be wound healing and repair of damaged tissue without an inflammatory response.
Chronic inflammation can lead to various diseases and conditions like cancers and rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
5 LOW-MAINTENANCE LANDSCAPING IDEAS
Tailoring the view of your outdoor is a way to tell your neighborshow innovative you are. There are various low maintenance landscaping ideas which you can handle on your own. Do you have a perception that landscaping cost you several bucks? If yes then these fivelandscapingideas will blow your mind as it does not cost you much.
SELECT THE RIGHT STONE FOR OUTDOOR LANDSCAPING
Using the stones is one of the good ideas to maintain your yard. We know for most of you it might be the expensive option. Without any doubt,it is bit pricey, but the natural stones are incredibly reliable. For keeping you in your budget, we recommend you to go with the crushed stones. It includes white stone, pea stones and so forth. In this way,you can fill crushed stones in the beds without investing more money.
PLANT LAVENDER
Carry lavender means to have first aid kit with you.Therefore,to make your lawn aromatic, plant lavender.The benefits of planting lavender are uncountable which has a realimpact on your health too. There is no wrong in saying that it is an affordablemethod of landscaping your patio. Growing lavender is easy because of the fact it does not ask to you to water it every day. In addition to it, lavendercomes after each year, regardless of your location. It means it will grow in any climate either tropical or arid.
ADD STURDY FOUNDATION
Adding substantialstone foundation is a cheap landscaping idea that creates extraordinaryvisual impact. To avoid fix-ups later,you can establish a solid stone base in the yard of your home. In this regard, you have to lay around six to eight inches of pea stone at first. It will not just keep weeds away but also maintain the patio level. Therefore, if there is the smoothbase of the yard,then it will below maintenance for decades.
PLANT THE YARD WITH PERRINEALS
To make the lawn of your home attractive then go for the vibrant colors. Usually,for low-maintenance plants,perennialsare recommended. Do you wantto know why? Becauseto the fact perennialswill cost you few bucks and it comes year after year. Moreover, remember to select plants that flower throughout the season.
UTILIZE POTTED PLANTS
Adjusting potted plants in your patio does not only indicate the low-maintenance but also show versatility. Most of you will love the idea of putting them to coloryour yard. Furthermore, the potted plants can move from one area to another. So if you are hosting a barbeque party,then you can shift these pots wherever you think is suitable. Most importantly, this can help in saving more money.
CONCLUSION
All in all, in this write we have presented you five low-maintenance landscaping ideas to make your lawn look beautiful. Moreover, all the material required for changing the look of your personal property that are durable and reasonable to achieve. It is the right time to convert your old lawn into an astonishingwork of art. If you would like additional landscaping and lawn care advice, our friends in central Texas have been tree trimming San Marcos TX for over 20 years.
Landscaping and Yard Maintenance Tips for Homeowners
Any homeowner will agree that the beauty of a home reflects first on the outside. An attractive landscape and yard mirror the beauty and comfort of the inside. In consequence, any proprietor will readily invest time and resources to landscaping and yard maintenance.
Even if you hire someone to take care of your yard, you still need to follow up on the progress of the work and make sure that the person you have entrusted with the beauty around your home is meeting your expectation. What I am implying is that the work may cost you time and energy, even as you invest financial resources. Nonetheless, if this means happy colors and sweet fragrances to counter the gloom of winter, then everything is worth the trouble.
I have just alluded to the fact that landscaping and yard maintenance is seasonal. To keep a lush landscape and a colorful lawn, it is imperative to implement appropriate maintenance tasks for each of the four seasons. Many experts in tree and yard maintenance like Landscaping Bastrop have taught homeowners to utilize these techniques.
Task #1: Control the Harshness of Winter and Anticipate the Splendor of Spring
Winter may be considered the hibernating period for both hardscape and softscape. However, this should not mean that landscaping and yard maintenance should be ignored. On the contrary, they should be planned to resist the harsh cold climate of the season and to anticipate the abundance growth of spring. The tips below will come in handy when you prepare for winter landscaping and lawn maintenance.
Trim trees, hedges, and shrubsby removing failing and decayed branches. If any of these are dead, eliminate them to make room for new ones. You may want to keep in mind that weak or dead branches and plants may not withstand the heavy snow and winter storms. They are, therefore, better removed in advance.
Rake to remove leaves and other forms of debriswhich keep the limited but essential winter sunlight from your lawn. Dead leaves can compromise the aesthetic aspect of the lawn by creating the impression that it has patches of dead grass. You will agree with me that these are not a pleasant sight.
Renew the mulchto a density that keeps the roots of the grass and plants warm. Be careful, though, that the thickness of the mulch does not expose the roots and the trunks of the foliage to the risk of rot. A 2 inch mulch would be ideal. Do not forget to compact the mulch for an aesthetic effect.
Prepare planting beds and plant the bulbsin preparation for spring sprouting. You may want to slightly elevate your planting beds to ensure the excess moisture is shed off the aerated soil.
Do hardscape maintenanceby clearing patios and walkways, making any needed repairs to walls, irrigation systems, and gazebos.
Task #2: Take Advantage of the Abundance of Spring to Nourish the Yard Foliage for Summer
The warmth of spring has brought new life, and it’s time to enjoy the grandeur of your yard. Your landscape and yard maintenance tasks are meant to help you delight in the abundance of spring to the full. Consider these essential tips.
Refresh your hardscapeby waxing wooden arbors, repairing wall cracks, ridding ponds of leaves and debris, and clearing patios and walkways of grass and weeds.
Rake leaves and rubble remnant from winter to reveal the beauty of new plant life. Doing so, also ensures that the spring sunlight supports plant growth.
If not already done at the end of winter, plant grass and seeds.The sunshine and warmth of spring favors growth and will renew any section of your yard that did not withstand the harsh winter temperatures.
It’s time to dust the mower. Mow your lawn regularlyas required by the rate of grass-growth.
Fertilize your plantsto nourish them for the dry summer.
Renew any consumed mulch. Doing this not only retains moisture but also destabilizes the conditions that favor weed growth.
Water your lawn and plants to sustain their splendor.
Task #3: Keep the Grass and Plants Well Hydrated for the Dry Summer
The heat is here again! Your plants would probably say it with you if they could. Protect them from the severe effects of the summer temperatures by following these tips.
Water the grass and plants regularlyto ensure consistent moisture. Ensure that the watering system reaches every inch of the lawn to avoid drought patches.
Mow your lawn as frequently as required. If you are watering the lawn daily, the summer heat will speed up growth to undesired levels. You do not want to ruin your afternoon relaxation at the arbor because the lawn is unkempt.
Remove or kill weeds with herbicides.If you don’t trust your expertise in weed-control, seek the services of a professional gardener.
Replace dead grass or plants with new onesand control any pests that may be responsible for the damage.
The winter heat is favorable for mosquito breeding.Be sure to rid flower-pot saucers of stagnant water.
Task #4: Take Advantage of the Blossoming Power of Fall
Fall reconciles the extremes of summer and winter. The variation in fall weather makes it the best time to plant perennials. Noticeable characteristics of the season such as the shedding of leaves and the barren trees and plants define the landscaping and yard maintenance tips for this season.
Fertilize and water grass and plants to nourish them.Most plants and trees do not make food in winter and therefore need to be nourished with fertilizers. Besides, fall precedes the dormant winter. Both plants and the grass need to be strong to counter the extremes of the cold season.
Aerate your lawnto ensure that water does not just run on top of compacted soil but is instead absorbed to reach the roots.
Replace damaged grass and plantswith new seed or transplant from a seedbed. Planting flower bulbs in fall allows for strong rooting before winter sets in. Additionally, fall planting prepares for the magnificent blossoming during spring.
Some rain is bound to come in Fall. Be sure, though, to water your lawnwhen fall rain is not regular. Fall rain and watering sustain any unattended weeds. Use herbicides or uproot weeds by hand.
Renew the mulchin preparation for winter.
Closing Word
Whether you decide to take care of your landscaping and yard management or hire a professional gardener, the knowledge of what is required in each season of the year will ensure your hardscape and softscape are given proper handling. In the end, the hard work will be rewarded with the satisfaction of an elegant home.