Busting the Most Popular Smartphone Myths
According to research from Zippia, “Roughly 307 million people own smartphones in the United States” — that’s 92% of the country! Because that number is so high, it means many of us will likely encounter the same technical problems and search for easy solutions online. Luckily, there are tons of videos and articles about how to fix your phone issues! But here’s the problem: Many of these “hacks” are complete myths that mislead the general public. We want to set the record straight, so we’re busting four of the most popular technology myths. MYTH NO. 1: MORE SIGNAL BARS EQUALS BETTER SERVICE. We aren’t sure how this myth started, but those little bars on the top left or right of your phone don’t show how
“fast” or “good” your cell service is. It simply indicates how close you are to the nearest available cell tower. So, even if you have full bars, your service may still be slow if the network is busy.
phone will actually make it run slower. This is because current smartphones are designed to run multiple apps in the background, and by closing them out, your phone will need to use more power to load them back up. MYTH NO. 4: PRIVATE BROWSING IS COMPLETELY ANONYMOUS. While it does prevent your logins and history from being recorded, everything you search in a private browser still goes through your internet service provider. They can see it all! So, next time you see an article or a video touting some new smartphone hack you have to try, do your research before giving it a go!
MYTH NO. 2: AIRPLANE MODE ALLOWS YOUR PHONE TO CHARGE QUICKER.
Technically, airplane mode isn’t charging your phone faster; it’s just making it lose battery power slower. What this means is that if your phone is trying to charge while also running, it will seem like it’s charging slowly. But with airplane mode, certain functions are limited, so the battery doesn’t drain as fast and has less working against it while charging. MYTH NO. 3: CLOSING APPS MAKES YOUR PHONE OPERATE FASTER. In most cases, closing the apps on your
SILENT THREATS
The Wide Spectrum of Vascular Disease
The vascular system — consisting of arteries, veins, and capillaries — is the biological super highway that ensures all other parts of the body continue to function. The health consequences can be severe when any portion of this complex system is disrupted. Vascular Disease Awareness Month aims to educate the public about the risks they face and what early interventions are available. Vascular disease refers to any condition that affects our blood vessels. Some of the most well-known types include blood clots, aneurysms, and strokes. These conditions tend to be catastrophic, potentially resulting in hospitalization, permanent disability, or death. But many other vascular diseases are more subtle and cause far-reaching health impacts over time. The most common types of vascular disease
are atherosclerosis, peripheral artery disease, and carotid artery disease.
cause stroke; it’s the root cause of more than half of strokes in the U.S.
Atherosclerosis causes plaque to build up in the arteries, restricting the blood’s flow. It most commonly affects the heart and can cause related conditions throughout the body. Atherosclerosis has no cure, but symptoms can be treated with a healthy diet, exercise, and medication. Peripheral artery disease (PAD) specifically occurs when plaque buildup affects veins in the legs. PAD causes leg pain, numbness, discoloration, and sores. In addition to lifestyle changes, some people with PAD need surgery. Carotid artery disease occurs when plaque buildup blocks blood flow to the brain, and it is one of the many conditions that can progress from atherosclerosis. Left untreated, carotid artery disease can
Anyone can suffer from vascular disease, but some people are particularly susceptible. The risk of vascular disease increases substantially with age and is particularly high for smokers. Researchers have also linked a lack of exercise and obesity to vascular disease. Other health conditions also increase the likelihood of developing a vascular condition, including diabetes, high blood pressure, and hyperlipidemia. Unfortunately, some vascular diseases present without symptoms before a major health event. As a result, you should be mindful of your risk and discuss prevention and screening with your doctor. Treating vascular disease is most effective as an early intervention, and knowing the risks could be a lifesaver.
P2 | PATRIOTWEALTHNC.COM
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator