Visit Banff National Park

One of the top tourist destinations to Canada is the Banff National Park that is nestled within the magnificent Canadian Rockies. It is always a good idea to start planning trip to Banff Canada in advance since the region has a variety of things to do. This article will give you an overview of the best time to visit along with key places of attraction and useful tips to help you plan the perfect vacation.

Best Time to visit based on Month

Skier’s Paradise: December-March

This is the time of peak snowfall with temperatures rarely crossing 32 degrees during day time and falling well below zero degrees at night. Despite the cold temperature, it is considered one of the best times to visit Banff as you get to see the frozen lakes and the snowcapped mountains. The weather is perfect for skiers and Banff national park has everything to cater to the needs of both novice and expert skiers.

Tip: Because of the significant swing in temperature, it is important to pack layered clothing so you can remove or add layers depending on the temperature.

Nature Lover’s Delight: April-May

This is an unpredictable time during which visitors at Banff may be caught by surprise at the weather. However, this is the peak of the hibernation season and bears are slowly stocking up on food to prepare for the cold months ahead. So, it is the perfect time to catch a glimpse of some wildlife. Within the Banff National Park, rangers will guide you through early morning or late night bear watching trips.

Tip: Unlike popular fiction bears do not leave you alone if you pretend to be dead. If you see a bear, back up slowly (in the opposite direction) until you reach a safe place to run.

A Fun Filled Family Vacation: June-August

By far, these months are the most pleasant months in the Banff national park as they are characterized by relatively warm climate. Unfortunately, however, this time of the year is usually packed with tourists who want to take advantage of the brief respite from cold weather to get a good hike to the top of the peaks.

Tip: Summer in the Canadian rockies is not the same as summer elsewhere. The lakes are likely to be still frozen and you should expect an occasional snowstorm or blizzard.

Budget Travel: September-November

If you choose to time your vacation rights to get the best deals and bargain prices, then choose to travel during this time. Since the weather swings from fall to blizzard-y cold in a span of a month, several hoteliers and travel agencies will offer you discounts that no one else will

Tip: Because you are travelling during unpredictable conditions, it is best to obtain travel protection in case your flight or stays are canceled due to inclement weather.

Top Places to Visit

The Canadian Rockies is a behemoth that stretches across over 600 acres in Canada’s Alberta province. So admittedly there are numerous places of interest along the way. But the following places are not to be missed.

Vermilion Lake

This is technically not one lake but rather a system of lakes that became a single entity due to the low-lying marshland that separated them.  Reflecting the beautiful Mt. Rundle and Sulphur Mountain from the frozen waters, this is a good place for wildlife watching, hiking and canoeing (weather permitting).

Tip: Visit during the sunset to catch a glimpse of the beautiful rays of sun bouncing off the waters.

Johnston Canyon

Most tourists who visit Banff take this hike which traverses along a limestone canyon. And if you visit it during the snowy season, you may be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the frozen waterfall. The canyon was formed by a small creek that empties into the Bow River, a little way from Banff. While the hike is not arduous, it is also not for the faint of heart and needs a little advance preparation. 

Tip: While it is usually very crowded with tourists during the day, early morning and late afternoons might be good times to visit.

Moraine Lake

Seen from the vantage point of the Valley of Ten Peaks, this glacially-fed lake is every Zen lover’s paradise. This lake is so crystal clear that there is visibility for up to 20 feet into its depths. It has immense cultural significance for Canadians and is on the reverse of their 20-dollar bill. It also features as one of the background screensavers of Windows 7 computers.

Tip: Check before you plan a visit as the lake is only open during certain times and days of the year.

Lake Louise

Called as the lake of the little fishes, this is undoubtedly another stunning lake within Banff National Park. There are several hiking trails that are also open to biking and horseback riding during the summer and open to snowmobiles and sledding during the winter.

Tip: Arrive early and rent a canoe to go out into the water and enjoy its serenity as you waddle to its center.

Peyto Lake

You will be mesmerized by this lake with a water that is so deeply turquoise that you’ll wonder if it is for real. The lake gets its color from the glacial rock flour that flow from the melting glaciers.

Tip: Come with a picnic basket, some light snacks and a spread so you can watch this mesmerizing lake from the vantage points along the Rockies. 

Whether you are planning on a relaxed holiday or an exciting hiking adventure, there is something for everyone at the Banff National Park. Banff National Park is truly one of Canada’s hidden treasures! 

What is polyneuropathy?

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A person develops polyneuropathy when his peripheral nerves are damaged.  Peripheral nerves run throughout your body. This disease, polyneuropathy effect nerves, organs and muscles. The damage of nerves causes them to become unable to send signals to your brain. However, the good news is that the nerves in your brain and spinal cord are not damaged.

Types:

Polyneuropathy is classified into two major categories:

Acute polyneuropathy

 Acute polyneuropathy happens when the symptoms are severe and you get the disease suddenly. When the infection damages the nerve or when the auto-immune reaction takes place then this type of polyneuropathy occurs. Any specific kind of disorder such as Guillain-Barré syndrome can also contribute as the cause of this disease. The acute cases of polyneuropathy can usually be treated in short time span.

Chronic polyneuropathy

When the symptoms last for a long time and cannot be treated quickly then this form of neuropathy is known as chronic polyneuropathy. Diabetes or kidney failure may lead to the development of this condition. However, the causes of chronic polyneuropathy can be numerous. The cause is not always manifest and its sometimes difficult to figure out the cause. Often it happens without any cause at all.

Symptoms of polyneuropathy

Symptoms of polyneuropathy can differ according to the cause. The most common symptoms include:

·         Paresthesia: that is the condition in which random and bizarre sensations are experienced.

·         Sharp and sudden pain in any part of the body

·         Distal polyneuropathy characterized by burning or tingling sensations in your feet and your hands

·         Allodynia a condition in which a person feels extremely sensitive to the touch

·         Numbness of any part of the body

·         Atrophied muscles causing your legs and arms to feel weak

·         Being unable to walk straight which can cause you to stumble and fall

·         Trouble swallowing the food.

What causes polyneuropathy?

It can be caused by genetic, acquired and Idiopathic factors.

Idiopathic is a term used in medical when the causes of development of certain disease are unknown and the health practitioners are unable to pinpoint the causes.

Acquired polyneuropathy refers to the causes of development of the disease due to the factors outside the body, simply put external factors, such as the traumatic injury caused by an accident or falling down etc or an infection of grave nature. The underlying condition that was left untreated can also cause polyneuropathy such as vitamin deficiency, cancer, diabetes and other illnesses that may cause complications.

The genetic or hereditary polyneuropathy as the name suggests is passed on to the patient by their parents. This type of condition usually leads to slow and gradual nerve damage such as Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.

In addition, there can be several different factors that cause acute forms to develop.

These factors include certain insecticides, autoimmune disorders in which your body cells attack the myelin sheath on your nerve cells, antibiotics, sedatives and anticonvulsants. The cancers such as multiple myloma that affect multiple parts of the body also cause this condition.

Chronic forms usually do not have any specific causes but certain factors can contribute to the development of chronic polyneuropathy.

Drinking a lot of alcohol if one of the causes, fluctuation in blood sugar levels and diabetes, exposure to heavy metals, nutritional and vitamin deficiencies, failure of kidneys, condition of hypothyroidism, and some cancers such as lung cancer.

How to get rid of it?

To get rid of this disease you must first determine the cause of this condition. Then, you need to identify the parts of your body where it is taking place. In some or most of the cases, pain killers are given to the patient to provide relief from the excruciating pain that is caused due to the nerve damage. The drugs that are given may include non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs.

Changes in lifestyle

Changing habits and modifying your lifestyle may help you to treat polyneuropathy. Avoiding alcohol or joining a rehab for getting rid of alcohol addiction and avoiding the specific repetitive task may provide you some relief from this disease.

If a certain toxic or chemical such as metal, pesticides etc is the cause of your condition then the health care practitioner may suggest ways to limit your exposure to it.

For severe injuries

If you have developed polyneuropathy as a result of an injury then your doctor may suggest physical therapy and refer you to a physiotherapist for a physiotherapy session. He will help you regain the full control over your body and be able to move your body parts freely once again. You may also learn that how to manage the body pains and sensations that are being caused by the nerve damage.

Disorder caused due to autoimmune conditions

If an autoimmune condition is the cause of polyneuropathy, then your physical health practitioner may suggest alternative therapies and treatments. These may include the use of corticosteroids, direct injection of immune globulin into your veins, exchange of plasma that may remove the toxins from your blood.

What to watch out for

The overall health of an individual determines his risk factors for developing a certain disease. If a person has Diabetes, kidney or liver disorders, alcohol addiction, autoimmune disorder, severe infections such as HIV, lyme and shingles and moving certain parts of your body repetitively such as in industrial jobs.

Viewpoint

One can prevent nerve damage from happening by checking for the early signs and symptoms of the disease. Watch out for your symptoms before they start messing up with your life. This is one of the sure fire ways to stay away from this debilitating disease.

8 Exotic Beach Destinations for Summer 2017

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You and your family can finally take that well deserved break because summer is here again! So, take out your bathing suit and get ready to have the fun of your life at the best and exotic beach destination for summer 2017. Wow, how amazing is that! Holiday season is here and in full swing; seaside buzzing restaurants, beach clubs, and the weather is simply amazing – steamily sizzling. July is just an amazing month in some very exotic places in the world. In this article you will discover some of the world’s beaches that you can visit and have a swell time this summer.

Florida:

This is a city in the United States of America and may perhaps be the best exotic beach spot there is. The beach in Florida is absolutely exotic and it is found in America. The island in Florida is quite unique as the beaches are separated from one another by little pieces of the sea. Also, it has a lot of other amazing attractions. So, would you like to fulfill the fantasies you had during your early days?  Come to Florida!

Spain:

Another destination where you are sure to enjoy very exotic beaches is Spain. If you wish to take a trip while minding your spending, beaches destination in Spain is your best bet. There are clear and inviting sandy beaches and the sea that appears to stretch to no end. Apart from the unending beaches, there are other attractions you may really enjoy.

Australia:

The beaches in Australia are very famous and the reason is that they provide an opportunity to view coral reefs growing around the location. If you have basic scuba diving skill you will be able to reach your destination and see the coral reefs live and in action.

Cornwall:

The Cornish cost is quite an exotic place most glorious during the summer season when the sun is glowing. The cost grabs the excellence of UK’s climate in July. The unique, sandy, long, beach collides with lively waves – magnificent surfing and low down floods that exposes natural rock pond for swimming. Seafood lover comes here for great seafood. Also, lovers of culture come to St Ives to see the Tate, while the real charm of the place is found visiting studios owned by artists down the paved street while consuming newly caught crabs from the beach.

Another place of attraction at Cornwall is the Mousehole, a village known for fishing and until this day it still maintains its craggy genuineness.

Iceland:

Iceland is very pleasant in July and the reason has nothing to do with the weather. During this time tourist have a wonderful time to explore because of their long day climate. The natural landscape is there for you to see and experience during these long days. You also have the opportunity to swim in the hot springs or visit their National Park. Thingsvellir showcases the ION Hotel where hiking is available for all as well as fishing and diving excursions. There is also the Reykjavik, an excellent place for the foodies; you will find the folk-diet movement of the Nordic with a local lamb and fresh fish accent. Additionally, you don’t want to miss a visit to Harpa, a concert hall located in Reykjavik with many glass front walls with multiple planes.

Indian Ocean – Seychelles:

The Seychelles has a transparent blue water, white beaches and varieties of wildlife. These features makes it one of the most exotic beach and hence very popular in the world for excellent holiday opportunity. The North Island is a VIP destination, sensational with most people from all works of life and status vacationing in accommodations that are thatched and balanced on a hillside in-between ocean and forest.

Freegate Island:  Still in Seychelles, at Fregate Island Private, visitors make use of the space together with an uncommon magpie robins and gigantic tortoises.

Kenya:

In July another beach destination spot you don’t want to miss is in Kenya. This spot has the most significant show in the world. Its stretching plains, raw magnificence, the Big Five, and the Great Migration is indeed a site to behold. At this July season when the rainy days has just ended, you will rise in the morning to behold gazelles grazing, flocks of birds near enough that you might just be tempted to feel them. The month of July is the time the wild animals undertake the renowned migration to Massai Mara from Serengeti. There are magnificent sceneries from the safari camp Mahali Mzuri, Angama Mara, and a portion of the Virgin Collection by a portion of Sir Richard Branson.

Mozambique:

The very exotic beach spot in Mozambique is a wonder to behold. The country just recovering from about 10 years of war is back among the exotic beach destinations for 2017, what an excellent comeback! The country continues to look good, especially during July when it relaxes in peaceful tropical climate. Get ready to travel around the place popularly regarded as “Africa’s lost Eden,” Gorongosa National Park. This is where the camp provides regular safari experience.

Medical Illustrations for Better Visual Communications

Medical Illustrations are a part of biological illustrations that are used for the documentation and dissemination of the knowledge related to medical and related fields like Anatomy.

Background

The roots of the medical illustrations and medical drawings can be traced back to as early as thousands of years during the medieval times. Several ancient manuscripts including the historic Arabic dissertation papers comprise medical drawings of human anatomical organs. Although the drawings of circulatory, digestive and central nervous systems etc are all somewhat defective and not exactly like the actual organs. These medical illustrations are based on guess work rather than the direct observation.

Professionally, medical drawings were introduced for the first time in 1980s, by Max Brodel, an amazing artist from Leipzig Germany. He was called for the first time to the John Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore for the medical illustrations to Harvey Cushing and various other clinicians. He then proceeded on to create a first department for medical illustrations in 1911, which is functional to this day.

Medical illustrator

Medical illustrators are the artists by profession with the deep knowledge and understanding of visual arts and life sciences. This profession combines the knowledge of medical with arts to create an optimal combination for individuals with artistic and scientific mind. A medical illustrator is required to convert the complex scientific information into the visual information that can explain the written theory in the form of pictures. It is used to communicate with the large number of audience to make them understand complex concepts without getting bored. Max Brodel was the first Medical illustrator who used the drawings for this purpose but now the technology has advanced and sophisticated 3D tools and methods are used for illustrations.

Techniques used in medical illustration

There are various techniques used for medical illustrations based on the requirements. Traditionally, the first technique was making the illustrations through carbon dust that was introduced by Max Brodel. Carbon Dust creates realistic looking images like the real black and white pictures. This is the reason that carbon dust technique was greatly used for the illustration purposes in the initial years. Other traditional techniques include making the medical drawings with the color pencils, stipple pens and ink, water colors, gouache and lithography.  For the illustrations a fountain pen with a flexed nib is used to create clear, clean, well-defined and inexpensive illustrations. Heavy paper or board is preferred for ink drawings. Mostly, the traditional techniques are used at lower grade levels where the audience is less such as the students in a classroom and advanced explanations are not required like for pre-medical students.

However, digital Illustrations are becoming popular day by day as it is not only possible to explain a picture but also show it moving and functioning inside the body. Digital illustrations are made using a monitor or drawing tablet, and the softwares that are used for digital drawing purposes. A heavy machinery or advanced equipment is not required. Illustrations can be used in post productions as well when they have been drawn by hand.

Benefits of using Digital medical illustrations

By showing a human anatomy as a 3D object, the audience can get fully immersed in the illustration as it appears very realistic with the movement of organs like the heart pumping blood, blood running in veins, the diaphragm expanding and contracting. These illustrations make explaining the medical concepts very easy and make it simple to understand them. These illustrations are perfect educational tools for students, employers and professionals alike. Mostly these are used in medical conferences and seminars to engage the audience and convey information to them in an effective manner. Often, services of a medical illustration company are utilized that prepare illustrations on demand.

These illustrations also allow the users to view an object from several different angles and provide a detailed anatomical dissection of the organs as well.

The individuals who do not have a medical background cannot understand the complex medical Jargons so it is always a good idea to convey the information by displaying lot of pictures and digital animations to make them understand the functionality of human body.

Where are the medical illustrations used?

From the latest surgical techniques to human genes, the need for effective and accurate medical illustration is continuously increasing. Medical animations and illustrations are required in almost all the markets and media that circulate the information of biology and related subjects. Usually, a medical illustration company provides the services for the bulk orders and large audience.

The institutions that require these services most are:

·         The consumer and trading publishers

·         In medical E-books, journals and textbooks

·         Medicine related websites

·         The workshops for medical students and graduates

·         For educating the patients about a certain disease or medical issue

·         For the interactive learning through presentations

·         For advertising the medicines for various ailments

·         In the Health and wellness apps

·         In medical games and quizzes

·         In the museums

·         In the dental and vet markets

These are just the major areas where medical illustrations are used. There are various other industries that need the services of a medical illustration company from time to time.

Conclusion

The need for biological illustrations is embedded in every industry. Whether it’s a medical service, social work campaign for spreading awareness, need to educate tourists in museum, for students, in movies, in textbooks and journals or in the courtrooms; the need for these illustrations and animations is everywhere. So, if you have a knack for drawing and life sciences and you are detail oriented; do not miss the opportunity to consider this profession.

The Best Beaches in Australia

The land down under is a surfer’s delight and a beach lover’s heaven. Take a look at the top 10 beaches in Australia.

1.      Whitehaven Beach, Whitsundays

This beach is located along side Whitsunday Island in Australia. One can use the mode of access like boats, helicopter or seaplane to acknowledge the beauty of this place. This beach is popular for its BBQ lunch and dinner which is most enjoyed by tourists visiting Australia. One can also organize a camping night on this beach by available booking facilities under national parks in the region. This is among those beaches where people love to swim in the crystal-clear water and enjoy sun bathing on white sands.

2.      Turquoise Bay, Exmouth

This beach is nothing less than heaven on earth. This beach offers a spectacular view of nature here one can witness crystal clear water under the sheet of clear sky. One of the most popular activities on this beach is scuba diving. One can experience the hidden magic of marine life in the waters of this bay. Visiting this beach will make you feel like home as there are various numbers of resorts who offers friendly services to their guests.

3.      Cable Beach, Broome

This is known as a flat white beach located on the west of Australia. But be aware of the stingers in the water which are generally found on the grounds in wet seasons. Camel rides are one of the attractions on this beach for tourists which make the sunset and sun rise experience more beautiful. Tourists are allowed four0wheel drive experience on this beach which is permitted on the north shore of the rocks. One can witness the imprints of dinosaurs on the rocks at the time of low tides in the water.

4.      Bells Beach, Victoria

This beach is popular for surfing activity. In fact, this beach witness million of visitors every year including locals and other nationals who love to surf. Every year, there various surfing competitions held on this beach including Bells Easter classic which is the world’s longest surfing competition in the globe. The first surfboard rally was organized on Bells beach in the year 1962. This beach is formerly dedicated to surfing lovers as there is no other beach that offers high tides of water as compared to bells.

5.      Burleigh Heads Beach, Gold Coast 

Another beach which is popular for surfing activity is Burleigh Heads. The high tides of the water push the saw towards the bay and exemplar an amazing surfing experience on windy days. The cliff of Burleigh heads national park offers an amazing view of this beach. If you enjoy sun bathing on the beach, this beach is an excellent choice for the same. And if not, one can enjoy the delicious lunch on this beach on a windy weather when no one has to worry about sun tan.

6.      Four Mile Beach, Port Douglas

This beach is loved by kids as they can play with small crabs on the beach and spend hours having fun. This beach is surrounding palm trees overshadowing the houses behind them. Though, the stingers are found in the season on this beach and thus, people are advised to swin in the protective area. If you see the stinger net, you might just avoid swimming in the water. This beach is a special attraction to tourists as they can enjoy some delicious food on the shore while they watch sun set and sun rise which is a spectacular beauty on its own. This beach is known as one of the premier beaches of Port Douglas.

7.      Coral Bay Beach, Coral Bay

This is one of the crowded beaches in coral bay as people gather around to enjoy sun bathing in this region. Kids can enjoy their sand games while youngsters enjoy a game of volley ball on the shore. Because of the soft white sands on the beach, this place is popular for spending weekends with family. This beach in fact carried EU blue flag European Union which means that it adheres to all the regulations and standards of Europe. Swimming in the water of coral bay is a fun activity which is enjoyed by every age group of people visiting this beach.

8.      Wineglass Bay, Tasmania

This beach is secluded because of the rare endemic flora and fauna species found on this beach. Thought the beauty of this view is spectacular, it is advices not to walk barefoot on the beach. Visitors can enjoy various recreational activities offered by Freycinet National park while they enjoy the mesmerizing view of nature. Universe can be so magnificent, well this line does justice to the bay as this beach is voted by one of the top ten beaches in the world.

9.      Noosa Main Beach, Noosa

This beach is popular among families who like to spend quality time with their family and learn some surfing lessons as well. For beginners, this beach is advised in order to take surfing lessons as water tides are moderate. This beach is close to hasting street which is popular for bars and delicious food options if you get tired after swimming. One can enjoy shopping on this street as well as it is close to the beach and offers some extraordinary collection on beach wear and other apparels.

10.  Mooloolaba Beach, Mooloolaba

A perfect combination of golden sands and crystal blue water can only be admired on this beach. This beach offers a variety of outdoor restaurants and boutiques on the shore which helps the visitors to engage in fun activities while enjoying their time on the beach. From options of alfresco restaurants and fresh juice stalls, visitors can experience the best day spent on this beach.