Author: Med-Tech Writer

When to Take Fiber Supplements

Med-Tech Writer Nutrition
When to Take Fiber Supplements

You’ve probably heard that it’s a good idea to take fiber supplements, but you might be wondering when the best time to take them is. In this article we will cover if fiber supplements are right for you and if so, when you should take them during the day. We also have our best money-saving tips for purchasing supplements, so you don’t have to spend more than you need to. As always, this article is for informational purposes only and can not replace the advice of a doctor or other medical professional. 

Who should take fiber supplements? 

First of all, you can’t harm yourself by taking a daily fiber supplement if it turns out that you didn’t really need it – but you probably do. Most studies estimate that only 5% of adults in the United States meet their daily fiber intake requirements. Even if your BMs are pretty regular, having a diet high in fiber helps lower your risk of heart disease and diabetes. So, it’s not a bad idea for most people to include a fiber supplement like psyllium or methylcellulose with their other daily supplements. The only people who should avoid them are those who have a history of intestinal blockages.

Initially you may notice some bloating and gas when starting a fiber supplement, however that should subside within a few days and drinking plenty of water will help prevent symptoms. It should also be noted that fiber supplements can reduce the absorption of certain medications like aspirin and carbamazepine so you may need to adjust dosage to compensate, and the decreased blood sugar levels that come with an increased fiber intake can affect how much insulin diabetics need to take. 

What is the best time of day to take a fiber supplement? 

It is usually recommended to take fiber supplements right before meals two times a day with a glass of water. This is particularly effective if you are taking the fiber supplement to assist with weight management, as the fiber and water will help you feel full more quickly and for longer which will prevent overeating. Functionally, taking the fiber supplement before you eat means that your body will absorb it in the most optimal way, plus it makes it easy for you to remember. 

If you are taking the supplement more generally for improved health rather than weight management then it doesn’t really matter when you take it. Just make sure that if you are taking multiple doses a day that you space them out and drink plenty of water with them. 

When to take different kinds of fiber supplements

There are two kinds of fiber: soluble and insoluble. The former is absorbed by the body and  the latter is not but is still beneficial. Some supplements only contain one or the other, or they may have both – called ‘total fiber’ usually. Which one is right for you? Well that depends. 

If you are having trouble with constipation you will want the insoluble fiber supplements, remember to take it with lots of water and get some exercise too if you can to help get things moving again. 

If you are using fiber to help improve digestion or lower your blood sugar, then you will want the soluble fiber. It can also help to relieve diarrhea.

Be sure to carefully read the label of any fiber supplement before you buy it to make sure it’s appropriate for you, and when in doubt always consult a healthcare professional. 

Using CBD Oil for Pain Management & Bonus cbdMD Discount Code

Med-Tech Writer Natural Health
discount codes for cbdMD and treating pain with CBD oil

A new type of product for pain relief has come on the market in the last few years: CBD oil. What is it, and how does it work? Is it really effective for treating chronic pain? Is it legal? Today we’ll answer those and other questions.

cbdMD Coupon Codes

Before we start on the science, I wanted to provide our readers with a discount code for a very high quality CBD oil provider that I recommend: cbdMD. Because the industry is still new, there isn’t a standard set of regulations for CBD oil in terms of purity, quality of the plants used, and other factors, however cbdMD is a very reputable company that makes an excellent product. Technically, there are no CBD products that are approved by the FDA for pain management (although one has been approved for treating epilepsy), however that is only because there have not been enough studies completed yet. The ones that have concluded have shown very promising results. It is very likely that we will see several CBD products get approved in the coming years, and I would not be surprised if cbdMD was among them.

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CBD vs THC

So what is CBD? It stands for Cannabidiol, and it is derived from the hemp plant. It’s often confused with THC or tetrahydrocannabinol, which is derived from the marijuana plant and provides the feeling of being ‘high’ to the user. By contrast CBD does not give any sort of high, although many people find it has a calming effect and they use it to help manage anxiety or stress. Your body has a series of receptors including the brain and immune system, they are proteins attached to your cells. It is believed that CBD interacts with these receptors.

CBD for pain management

One of the results of CBD oil interacting with the receptors in your bodies ECS (endocannabinoid system) is reduced inflammation, which in turn means reduced pain. Many people are looking to CBD as a way to manage chronic pain, such as back or neck pain, because it can be used long term without the negative side effects and addiction issues that come with opioids. Opioid abuse has reached a crisis level in North America and it is clear that an alternative is needed. CBD might be that alternative. Recent research also showed that CBD was effective in treating pain and discomfort from fibromyalgia, cancer, and neuropathic (nerve) pain. It may even be effective in treating arthritis, and has been shown to reduce symptoms in menopausal women.

Where to buy CBD Products?

As I mentioned earlier in this article there are not any industry-standard regulations when it comes to CBD products so you must be very careful where you purchase from. Again my top choice is cbdMD because of the quality of their product as well as the fact that they offer coupons for new and existing customers. If you are researching other brands, make sure to look at where they get their hemp plants from and if they are GMP certified. GMP = Good Manufacturing Processes, it’s administered by the National Sanitation Foundation. In my opinion price is not the most important factor when shopping around for CBD products, if you are talking about your health then you really need to get the best quality products.

Which CBD product is right for me?

There are oils, tinctures, topical gels, lotions, pills, gummies, and even dog treats. While I don’t recommend taking the dog treats for yourself, it mainly comes down to how you prefer to take your CBD. For localized pain such as arthritis, using a topical gel or lotion might work faster than a tincture or oil. If you don’t like swallowing pills or oil drops, then gummies might be a good option for you. It’s always a good idea to consult with your doctor first about dosage, and they may have a recommendation on what format would be best for your condition as well.

Is CBD legal?

Yes, but it’s a little complicated. CBD that is made from hemp and does not contain more than 0.3% THC is legal at the federal level, however some states may have restrictions around it. Conversely, CBD products with higher concentrations of THC are illegal at the federal level, but legal in some states. Needless to say, you need to carefully check your state laws before purchasing any products.

CBD for Pain Management: Well worth a try

Provided it’s permitted where you live, CBD oil is at least worth a try for pain management. Especially if it’s chronic pain you are dealing with, I would exhaust other options first before using opioids. And use that coupon code for cbdMD, you’ll get at least 15% off your first order.

Increase Your Mental Well-Being with Coupon Hunting and Exercising.

Med-Tech Writer Cognitive Health, Uncategorized , , , , , ,
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We’re all looking for ways to fight cognitive decline….especially as we age. But what’s the best strategy for improving mental and physical health when you’re older, and which findings are just hot air? Do mental-health apps like Brainage actually work out your mind in a way that slows cognitive decline? We’ve found some true strategies that work:

Coupon Hunting and Blogging Help You Live Longer

These are two activities that keep you concentrating and working on goal directed behavior. As a result? They keep you sharp! Blogging helps you in that it gives you a voice, a way to express yourself that you might not normally have. Coupon-hunting, or ‘Couponing’, as it’s called sometimes, helps in that it keeps you focused on a singular goal. The hunt and subsequent reward for achievements release positive chemicals in the brain that not only help keep your brain fit and healthy, but they also feel amazing!

godaddy renewal coupon codesHere’s how to combine them: Create a website for under $20! You can search for coupon codes for setting up your blog here.

There are deals for hosting and domain names that you can use to start your own blog for as little as $12 if you search for them properly. You may not want to use GoDaddy, which is perfectly fine and you can find plenty of web hosting deals for other companies on the same website: Couponcodehoster.org. You can also set up a quick free blog on WordPress. But you don’t get the fun of hunting for coupons!

The strategy for preventing mental decline that has the most evidence behind it is exercise. Here are three strategies you can employ with exercise to improve your mental health as well:

Three Ways That Physical Exercise Increases Mental Well-Being

Exercises triggers a chemical explosion in the brain. Well, not literally, otherwise janitors in the gym would get paid a lot more than they presently do. But exercise triggers the release of proteins and neurotransmitters in the brain that ultimately lead to improved emotional well-being and cognitive performance. Here are three key ways that exercise improves your mental well-being, and how you can get these benefits.

Exercise reduces age-related cognitive decline

Everyone knows that certain cognitive abilities deteriorate in our later years. Actually, mental performance peaks in our early 20s and slowly declines from there, but the process definitely speeds up in our twilight years. This might be because people tend to be less active when they are older. A study of over 6,000 people in 2001 found that people who were very active were 50% less likely to suffer from Alzheimer’s disease and are 63% less likely to experience dementia in their older years.

Exercise improves your ability to learn

Exercise increases levels of a protein called BDNF in the brain. BDNF, or Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor, facilitates the growth of brain cells and helps neurons form connections. Studies show that people’s performance in learning tasks is significantly enhanced when they are done directly after exercise, specifically high-intensity exercise.

Exercise boosts your emotional state

Exercise boosts mood in three ways. First, it provides an immediate boost by increasing levels of dopamine, endorphins, and other chemicals in the brain. Second, over time, regular exercise lifts your average mood level, even when you’re not exercising. Thirdly, it reduces the amount of stress hormones that are released in response to difficult situations, making you more resilient to stressful situations.

What type of exercise should you do?

Moderate exercise 2-3 times a week is enough for you to see benefits, but your general activity level is important too — don’t be sedentary the rest of the time, try to walk more and choose the stairs over the elevator. To improve learning, 5 10-20 second bursts of high-intensity exercise, like sprints, will trigger a big BDNF release. So do your learning straight after this.

Generally, the type of exercise isn’t important, as long as it gets your heart-rate up. Whatever you choose to do, the research in this area is clear — if you want to be mentally sharp, emotionally stable, and retain your faculties in your old age, train your body.

Biggest Medical Trade Shows in the US & Avis UK Discount Codes

Med-Tech Writer Technology , , , , ,
medical trade shows us & avis UK discount codes

There are many benefits of attending medical trade shows. If you are a healthcare professional, attending medical trade shows can take your career to the next level. Healthcare trade shows are an opportunity to network with like-minded people, gain new knowledge, collaborate and enhance your skills. If you are in charge of purchasing medical equipment at your company, trade shows can help you meet business partners or suppliers that you can purchase latest medical equipment from. Trade shows is an opportunity to collaborate with industry experts, which can help you learn new information about medical equipment and tools. In addition, you will be able to learn about the latest and upcoming technologies, including industry changes.

Avis Discount Codes For the U.S. and U.K.

If you are visiting from across the pond and want to brave driving on our side of the road, then you will need to rent a car. Depending on where the trade show is held there may be plentiful public transit options to reach the venue where it’s being held, but there may not. If you’re from the U.S., we found some Avis.com promotions here. We found some good deals on car hires at DiscountGo.co.uk. A car may also be useful if you want to do some sight seeing in the local area, you’ve flown all this way so you might as well!

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Top Medical Trade Shows in the United Sates

The information you gain at trade shows can be vital in growing your company and improving its services and products. To gain the most out of healthcare trade shows, you should be actively involved in them and don’t just be a passive observer. Make sure you promote your company at trade shows so that they know its name, as you actively engage with your network to build relations. If you are looking for trade shows to attend this year, below is a list of some of the biggest medical trade shows in the United States.

FIME Orlando

FIME or Florida International Medical Expo is the biggest medical trade fair in America. The trade fair will welcome more than 22,000 health care professionals from Central, South and North America and all over the world. This year’s FIME trade exhibition will be held at Miami Beach Convention Center starting from 17 to 19 July 2018. It will showcase everything from medical disposable products to hospital equipment, including diagnostic tools, surgery instruments, laboratory and emergency room equipment, nursing care, dental equipment, orthopaedics products and so much more. Every year, Florida International Medical Expo attracts manufacturers, suppliers, dealers and buyers looking to meet suppliers for business relations.

Abilities Expo Schaumburg

Looking for a trade fair that caters to the needs of people with disabilities? Then go to Abilities Expo Schaumburg. For almost 4 decades, Abilities Expo has been the go-to trade show for disabled persons, their families, caregivers, veterans, seniors and healthcare professionals. Every trade fair you attend helps you discover new technologies, new opportunities, and new solutions that can transform your life. This medical trade show provides access to latest technologies and products for all disabilities. It also plays host to educative workshops that cover topics related to adaptive sports, dance, therapies with pets among others. This year’s Abilities Expo will be held in Chicago at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center starting from June 29 to July 1, 2018.

(MD&M) East New York

The Medical Design and Manufacturing East is one of the biggest medical technology events in the US. This annual trade show attracts executives, R&D managers, and medical device engineers from the East coast and beyond. MD&M East trade fair is an opportunity for healthcare industry players to stay on par with the latest industry advancement and innovations yet to reach the market. This trade fair offers an opportunity to source medical materials from a wide variety of top-notch suppliers. It is also an opportunity to network with other healthcare professionals as you further your knowledge with free conference-like education. MD&M East will be held at Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York starting from June 12 to June 14, 2018.

The Most Important Supplements for Athletes & Bodybuilding.com Coupons

Med-Tech Writer Nutrition , , , , , , ,
supplements for athletes

Whether you train regularly, play in local sports leagues or consider yourself a weekend athlete, you may have wondered if supplements could help improve your performance and your overall health. Dietary supplements are used by athletes of all levels and ages worldwide. In the United States, supplements typically contain vitamins, minerals, amino acids, herbs, and metabolites (extracts).

Bodybuilding.com Coupons for all your Supplement Needs!

If you are an active person then it’s really important to take supplements, but even if you only take a few it can add up and get pretty expensive. Coupons from BodyBuilding.com to the rescue! We found a great list of featured coupons at CouponFly.org, definitely check it out! In our experience it’s typically less expensive to purchase your supplements online, and you still get good quality. Yes, there are some very inexpensive ones at places like Wal-Mart, but we have not found the quality to be very good.

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How do dietary supplements work?

Vitamins act as metabolism regulators and influence several physical processes that are important for athletic performance. B vitamins, for example, are involved in the processing of fats and carbohydrates for energy, so that the optimal amount of these vitamins for the athlete is beneficial. Vitamins C and E are antioxidants that help prevent oxidation damage to individual cells and even to sub-cellular components.

Vitamin deficiency can affect athletic performance. Low intake of B and C vitamins may affect performance over time. Fortunately, such serious defects are rare. However, many athletes take vitamin and mineral supplements along with a balanced diet to make sure they get all the nutrients they need.

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Whey protein

Whey protein is an extremely efficient way to supplement an athlete’s protein intake. Compared to the general population, athletes (or those who work physically) cause more muscle breakdown and require more protein intake. For these groups, 1 gram of protein per kilogram of body weight is needed, for 155 kilos athletes this corresponds to 155 grams of protein. Without adequate supplementation of this nutrient, loss of muscle mass will occur and recovery as well as growth will be significantly delayed. Protein can be consumed from animal sources such as beef and chicken, but the body uses more energy to digest animal protein. The advantage of whey is its higher biological value (amount of protein used) and fast absorption rate.

Omega-3 fatty acids

Good fats or omega-3 fatty acids are of particular importance to all athletes, not just mixed martial artists. Constant punching, kicking and joint manipulation put a considerable burden on the body. Omega-3 fatty acids are ideal for athletes as they have strong anti-inflammatory properties that are ideal for relieving sore muscles and joint pain. Apart from its role as an anti-inflammatory, it is great for improving cognitive and brain function and is therefore a must for all athletes. Omega 3 can be consumed in capsule form or by liquids such as fish oil or flaxseed oil.

Creatine

This naturally occurring compound is an effective supplement for the MMA athlete. Creatine is great for energy production throughout the muscle. When muscles are used for any explosive movement, a form of energy known as ATP (adenosine triphosphate) is consumed. This is reflected in the shape of the money and is quickly exhausted in explosive movements, such as for a take-down or a power punch. The more exhausted this ATP becomes; the more lactic acid builds up and causes a burning sensation in the muscle. Creatine is great as a buffer to slow down the build-up of lactic acid and increase energy production for the muscle.

Glutamine

This non-essential amino is widely known for its role in accelerating regeneration and muscle repair. It is comparatively the most abundant amino acid and accounts for 66% of the body’s total amino acid pool. The body has the ability to produce this amino acid to maintain normal body function, but it is greatly decimated in medium to high intensity exercise. Under this condition, the glutamine levels in the body are exhausted and thus lead to sore muscles. Proper supplementation of this amino acid will greatly accelerate muscle repair and regeneration while providing secondary benefits – regulation of immune function, building stronger bones, and supporting digestion.

Multi-vitamin

For athletes to achieve peak performance and performance, it is important to provide the body with the right vitamins. There is a wide range of vitamins, such as calcium and magnesium, that creates bone formation. With proper supplementation, vitamins play an important role in other nutrients as they help the body maximize the formation of cellular energy.

Conclusions

Athletes benefit most from a healthy diet, but many take standard multivitamins to make sure they get the micronutrients they need. At these levels, supplements are safe and athletes should avoid taking megadoses of nutrients, as some surpluses can be harmful.

When taking high quality dietary supplements for athletes, whether gardeners or athletes, our bodies are much better, we need our extra food, apart from our daily meals.

Better Living Through Wearable Medical Devices & Gadgets

Med-Tech Writer Technology , , , , ,
wearable devices and gadgets for better health

Wearable technology is one industry that has continued to grow and benefit a lot of people. At the moment, many health conditions are easily preventable with personal medical gadgets. Happily, most of these personal medical gadgets are easy to use, quiet and provide accurate results.

You can have a heart rate monitor, a sleep monitor, a blood pressure monitor, a body fat analyzer or a mobile app to help you count the calories you eat. These gadgets will remind you to workout, take your medication and provide a platform to share the data with your doctor.

Where to Buy Medical Devices & Gadgets

Some devices you may be able to find in a local store, others you may need to purchase online. Whether you get them online or in person, it’s a good idea to do some research first and find out which one is right for you. Quite often there will be many similar models available so it’s nice to visit a comparison website and find out the differences in features, price, etc. We recommend taking a look at http://bestgear.org/, they are a great product comparison website and have tons of different review pages. Heck, even if you’re just looking for a new dishwasher they are definitely worth a visit.

bestgear.org product comparison and reviews

What are the benefits of having personal-medical devices and gadgets?

Today, there are several personal medical devices that have emerged with an aim of transforming the healthcare industry. Below are some of the benefit of having some of these personal medical gadgets.

1. Empower and educate

A personal medical device or gadget puts personal-health data in your hands. Some years ago, we all relied on the doctor’s opinion for any feedback on our treatment. But today, you can monitor your own health from your home or on the move. You can educate yourself and make decisions on any issue affecting your body.

2. Monitor and diagnose disease

There are many medical devices and gadgets that can send data about an organ function. This helps you monitor a chronic disease or even make a diagnosis. For example, diabetes patients can benefit from devices that monitor glucose level, track food-intake, activity levels and can also transmit data to the doctor.

For another example, there is a chip that can be swallowed with medication. The chip can send biometric readings to the patient or doctor via Wi-Fi. This helps them monitor or diagnose illnesses based on the information obtained.

3. Help in medical procedures

The benefits for personal medical devices & gadgets seem endless. For instance, surgeons wearing a medical gadget can provide other doctors or medical students a good view during a surgical procedure. There are some devices that have already been used for such cases.

4. Allow a patient to control and manage pain

Today, there are personal medical devices that allow patients to manage and control their pain. Also, there are some portable devices that are being developed to help eliminate everyday pain medications for chronic pain victims. There are also various smartphone apps to help patients track and manage pain.

5. Make exercise fun and enjoyable

At the moment, the most popular personal medical gadgets and devices are the fitness bands and apps. A good number of people are using mobile apps and gadgets to track their fitness programs. You can also use them to monitor and track your fitness levels, sleep patterns, calorie intake and other bodily functions. The gadgets also help to encourage users to be involved in physical activities by providing targets, challenges, and goals. The users can also interact with other people to make the exercise more fun and enjoyable.

Personal medical devices have transformed how patients and doctors interact, share information and make decisions. Today, everyone can have access to data about their bodies. The devices have brought positive changes to both patients and doctors.

Lucid Dreaming: Hallucinating Without Drugs

Med-Tech Writer Editorial

The art of “waking up” in your dreams is known as lucid dreaming. To achieve lucidity, you must realize that you are dreaming yet continue to dream. The experience will be every bit as vivid and clear as waking life, except that impossible things can happen. But is it safe? Here we’ll explore lucid dreaming in more detail, as well provide some lucid dreaming tips to make sure you stay safe.

Lucid dreaming is a skill that can be learned with a moderate amount of consistent effort. The first phase of learning lucid dreaming is keeping a “dream log.” Keep a pen and paper by your bed, write down your most recent dreams every time you wake up at night, and review this log regularly. The purpose of this exercise is to increase your dream recall. After several weeks of this it will be time to move on to the second phase.

The second phase of learning lucid dreaming is to perform state tests. State tests are based on the fact that you probably cannot read anything while you are dreaming – if you try to focus on written material you will find it too blurry to read. To perform a state test, ask yourself the question “Am I dreaming?” Ask this question not as a formality but in the spirit of true inquiry. Next, attempt to focus on the nearest written material. If you can read it, you’re awake. If you can’t, you’re probably dreaming. Perform dozens of state tests every day for several weeks until it becomes a habit. One of these days your new habit will spill over into your dream life – you will perform a state test while you’re dreaming and fail it. This failure tells you that you are dreaming and should trigger lucidity.

Learning to become lucid in your dreams is just the beginning. Over time you can even learn to control your dreams, a skill than can offer some very practical uses. You might use lucid dreaming, for example, to practice anything from giving a business presentation to shooting free throws. Practicing these skills in the privacy of your own dreams can lead to measurable improvement in your performance of these skills when you’re awake.

Are Phlebotomists Soon To Be Extinct?

Med-Tech Writer EMS, Primary Care , , , , , , ,

If you are a Phlebotomy technician, you know that your job can be a thankless one. You draw blood from people under Doctor’s orders for lab tests, which usually means you have to deal with a lot of people with needle phobias and other neuroses surrounding blood.

Now it looks like there may be a technology that will make having a Phlebotomist on staff unnecessary. It’s called “TAP” (short for Touch-Activated Phlebotomy) and it worked by sending several micro-needles under the skin at once to collect your blood. The needles are so small that you wouldn’t feel it, and there would be no trace of the venipuncture on your skin.
automated phlebotomy seventh sense biosystems
It would be bloodless.

If a Doctor or Nurse can extract samples so quickly and easily, there may not be much need for a dedicated Phlebotomist on staff.

How Faraway Is This Technology?

Seventh Sense Biosystems will need FDA approval for the technology first. The company has just been acquired by a giant medical company called Sartorius so we imagine that they believe in the feasibility (and profitability) of this technology.

Of course part of a Phlebotomist’s job description is to relax patient’s fears and anxiety about blood. Well, TAP actually extracts the patient’s blood in a way that is invisible to the patient. To top it off, the needles are also capable of releasing anti-coagulants as needed into the patient’s bloodstream.

This is just the first step in creating a blood-less medical tests that are so safe and un-intrusive that you could start seeing them installed automatically in homes to take care of all the family members inside.

Satellite Technology May Be Used To Detect Cancers

Med-Tech Writer Primary Care , , , , , ,

Some of the amazing creature comforts that we now take for granted came from NASA and the great race into space: memory foam mattresses, copy machines, radial tires, and of course “space pens” are just some of the technologies we now enjoy (click here for a complete list: it’s a fascinating read!).

In the realm of medical technology, the technology used to create ultra-sensitive sensors for mapping the surface of the Earth may soon be used to detect skin cancers on the body. Xenics, an infrared sensor tech company, developed a super-powerful sensor for the Proba-V Satellite, which is used to monitor and detect changes in vegetation…from space.

The sensor on the Proba-V is a super-powerful 3072-pixel line sensor. This sensor, if directed towards a patient’s skin, may help dermatologists scan your skin for cancerous cells before you even notice a weird-looking mole.

The sensor is vastly more powerful than your average smartphone’s sensor, but with a little consumer demand for medical iDevices, Moore’s Law could definitely see these types of sensors coming to the consumer market sooner rather than later. Researchers have already configured Samsung smartphone sensors to detect gamma radiation with surprising accuracy.

By contrast today’s early detection technologies seem borne right out of the mid-20th century. The Dermascope involves a magnifying scope (typically about 10X magnification), and staining the skin with India ink to prevent natural reflections from the skin. Imagine what a satellite sensor that detects minute changes in vegetation FROM OUTER SPACE could do if placed right next to your skin!