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Collaborative Post | Your tyres are the only point of your vehicle in direct contact with the road, and they can affect so much about your drive that it is vital to keep your tyres in excellent condition. If you are someone living near or in Buckinghamshire like me, and you love taking your family on longer drives around the area, this is a sign that you should start prioritising your tyre health along with other important car care checks too! Here are some of the top reasons you should never neglect your tyre's health.  Never neglect your tyre health (Photo by Magda Vrabetz on Unsplash) It won't get better if you leave it!Unlike the human body, which is great at self-repair, machines do not get better if you wait and see. Any issues will almost certainly worsen over time, and the longer you leave it, the worse – and more expensive – the repairs and replacement are likely to be! If your tyres are new and there seems to be something concerning going on with them: excessive noise, an unusual response to the steering wheel or anything vague but noticeable, then that might mean that you just need to wait for the tyres to settle and be 'run in' – but even new tyres should not cause you any concern. Think of the difference between a new pair of shoes that needs to be softened and moulded to your foot versus a faulty pair of shoes which actively rubs and skews your foot as you walk: you will be able to tell if your tyres have a severe problem. Smoother drive, greater comfortHealthy tyres offer a smoother drive, which means that you are more comfortable while on the road. You may not notice a bumpy ride if your commute is short, but drivers who are in their car for an hour or more every day will certainly notice it – and arrive home exhausted and irritable if the tyres are very bad. If this is the case for you, and if you are looking for a tyre replacement in Buckinghamshire - you can check with Broadway Autocentre or call 01494 680914. Reduce vibration and noiseAlong with a smoother ride for you, healthy tyres offer reduced vibration and noise, which, yes, adds to your comfort while on the road, but it also has an impact on the vehicle itself. Vibration is often thought to be something insignificant and not of particular concern. However, as people who regularly use heavy machinery such as jack-hammers and power drills know only too well, there is a risk of 'hand arm vibration syndrome' which is something that happens when repeated exposure to high levels of vibration cause nerve damage, resulting in numbness, tingling, loss of strength and more in hands and arms – sometimes so debilitatingly that those workers have to take medical retirement from their work. Tyre vibration is perhaps not quite so serious, but over hours of driving the minute shaking can have a markedly damaging effect on your vehicle's smaller moving parts, causing damage, misalignment and breakage. Less wear and tearHealthy tyres that are properly aligned and balanced (processes which can take mere minutes to perform with today's modern technology) are easy on the axle, spinning with little friction and causing minimal wear and tear. Like vibration, there is always going to be some wear and tear, but keeping it to a minimum is an excellent idea if you want to keep your tyres in tip-top condition. Efficient workingTyres should be kept at the recommended level of inflation for the most efficient working. This is to be found on the tyres themselves, online, or in the car owner's manual, and it is so vital to keep the tyre pressure at the right levels that it has been enshrined in law via the annual MOT test. Tyres that are properly inflated roll smoothly, work efficiently, allow the brakes to bite correctly, and generally aid in the correct running of the car – it can even save on your fuel consumption – and who doesn't appreciate that with the current cost of living crisis!
Disclaimer: this is a collaborative post. Collaborative Post | Struggling with the scary and painful symptoms of vaginal atrophy? As a midlife woman, you know it's essential to maintain your health and keep up to date with treatments for common challenges that may arise. Vaginal atrophy can be a dreaded condition, but don't worry! Many different treatments available could make all the difference in getting relief from your symptoms. In this article, we'll explain precisely what vaginal atrophy is and provide information on different treatments, including self-treatment options, topical oestrogen treatment, and vaginal dilators. After reading this article, you will better understand how to get relief from the challenges associated with vaginal atrophy. Read on now to learn more about treatments for vaginal atrophy What is Vaginal Atrophy?Vaginal atrophy is a common yet uncomfortable condition that affects up to one in three women. It occurs when oestrogen production decreases which causes the thinning, drying and inflammation of the vaginal walls – otherwise known as Vulvo-Vaginal Atrophy (VVA). Symptoms include itching, burning and pain during sex or urination due to dryness, leaving post-menopausal women in significant discomfort and distress. Although anyone can experience this, it’s most seen in those over forty who are going through - or have gone through - menopause. Unfortunately, it can impact women’s confidence and self-esteem so it’s important that help is sought for symptoms early on to avoid further issues down the line Self-Treatment for Labial AtrophySelf-treatment for labial atrophy is an excellent remedy if symptoms are mild. Your GP might suggest using over-the-counter options, such as vaginal moisturisers or lubricants. This should be applied several times a day to get some much-needed relief from discomfort. When it comes to sexual intercourse, it’s best to use a water-based lubricant to reduce irritation and the inflammation found in this condition. It’s worth making sure that products with glycerine are avoided, as this ingredient could worsen your burning sensations and increase the chances of infection. An alternative option is petroleum jelly which may be helpful, but consult your doctor before opting for either. All these topical measures can make life much easier if you suffer from labial atrophy Topical Oestrogen TreatmentTopical Oestrogen Treatment for Vaginal Atrophy is a convenient and effective way to alleviate symptoms of menopause. It helps increase oestrogen levels and, with regular use, can ease uncomfortable dryness often associated with this stage of life. With options including oral oestrogen placed inside the vaginal wallers (pessaries), vaginal oestrogen rings, or vagina oestrogen cream, there's something to suit everyone's individual lifestyle needs. Plus, unlike other treatments, vaginal oestrogen generally yields results quickly - some people notice a difference after only a few weeks. So if you're experiencing discomfort due to vaginal atrophy, talk to your GP today about topical oestrogen treatment as an option – it could provide the relief you need in no time at all. Vaginal DilatorsVaginal dilators are an option for treating vaginal atrophy that does not involve hormones. This device stimulates and stretches the muscles of the vagina, allowing it to relax and reverse any narrowing of the walls.
Not only can this provide relief from painful sex, but it is a non-invasive solution, available without a prescription. However, your healthcare provider may suggest both physical therapy and the use of vaginal dilators if symptoms are more severe. A professional will be able to show you how to properly use them for best results. Disclaimer: this is a collaborative post. Collaborative Post | When considering having a new deck added to your home, it’s important to spend adequate time planning. In today’s guide, we’ll look at how to choose the best decking material for a new project you have in mind. Narrowing down your optionsThere are many decking materials on the market, so it’s understandable if you don’t quite know where to start. However, you’ll be able to quickly narrow down your options by taking factors into account, such as your budget and the type of look you’re going for. Without further ado, let’s explore ways to narrow down your options and decking materials you might want to consider. We’ve included the various options in bold to help simplify things. Choosing the ideal decking material for your projectIf money is no object and you simply want to go with the overall best decking material, we’d suggest looking at PVC and composite decking.
Both PVC decking and composite decking are forms of engineered decking choices. These modern low-maintenance options offer good value for money, particularly if you are not after a specific or old-fashioned aesthetic. However, even with that being said, composite decking, through mixing natural wood fibres and long-lasting synthetics, can largely maintain the organic appearance of natural wood decking while adding plenty of durability. If you are seeking a decking material that will work best in all sorts of weather, you should probably go with a mineral-based composite, as this type of material is less likely to warp or move over time. PVC, however, is an entirely synthetic option. All in all, PVC and composite decks are the best overall options on the market, with PVC providing the added bonus of being 100% mould-, mildew-, and insect-resistant. PVC is also a great option if you want to prevent your decking from developing a particularly hot underfoot on warm summer days. If you are keen on ensuring you go with an old-timey aesthetic, then we suggest either hardwood or pressure-treated wood decking. While traditional natural wood decks are harder to maintain and less durable, they will provide you with a highly organic appearance. While hardwood is fairly popular, pressure-treated wood decking is more commonly used. This type of decking material is injected with preservatives to increase its longevity. While this makes pressure-treated wood decking longer lasting than hardwood, it does not take away from its natural appearance, as would be the case with a composite wood deck. One notable limitation of pressure-treated wood is that there aren’t many visually diverse options to go with, which is in contrast to hardwoods. For instance, there are an array of exotic hardwood decking materials on the market, including tropical hardwoods. Tropical hardwoods are a form of rich-grained wood known for being naturally rot-free and insect-resistant, hardened and highly durable. Naturally, exotic hardwoods tend to be on the more expensive side. Alternative options worth considering include fibreglass and aluminium. Fibreglass is a good all-weather, durable material; however, it is more on the expensive side ,and its appearance would not be everyone’s cup of tea. As for aluminium, this metal can make for a durable, low-maintenance decking with a low risk of slips and falls. On the other hand, aluminium decks do not come cheap either, and they also lack that natural aesthetic of traditional timber. Ultimately, the cost of installing a timber decking will be largely determined by what material you go for. If you are looking to keep costs to a minimum, then you should look into the relatively cheap options of plywood, pressure-treated lumber, composite decking and cedar. Depending on the type of material you opt for, the size of the decking in question and the cost of labour in your area, you may end up paying somewhere in the region of £900 to £4,400. Of course, with such a wide price range, this keeps plenty of options available if you are keen on keeping your bill under, say £1,500 to £2,000. Disclaimer: this is a collaborative post |
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