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The Backwaters Kerala Travel Series of Unforgettable Memories

When you travel in South India, the one experience no one wants to miss is the backwaters in Kerala. The beauty and simplicity truly delight the travellers. Alappuzha is a gorgeous country side, which is lovingly called as “Venice of the east” due to the houseboats in backwaters. But, the secret of Kerala holiday packages is that it is so much more for the travellers who take the time to explore it.

The picturesque lagoons and backwater canals of Alleppey have ethereal purity and tranquillity. You cannot, simply cannot help but forget all your past worries and office hassles to immerse yourself in the quiet, beauty and spirituality of the experience. The silence of night is much more appealing as backwater, land and distant palm trees blend into darkness and sky is filled with glitterati.

The Ayurvedic massages enhance the soothing feeling and innate connection with nature man has always felt. It’s like this Alappuzha backwater trip was added to Kerala holiday packages to remind us who we are and where we truly belong. The nature and quiet has a subtle way of reminding our true roots in this maze.

For most people, it can be all about loosening up the over-stressed knots of life. Yes, it can be. But, these massages evoke much more than stress points. Their inner understanding of human body and soul creates sensations that reconnect us to the nature.

If you haven’t had Keralaite food before, it is the best surprise of your entire trip. Apart from being super-spicy, it has a wonderful blend of strong flavours that you would never forget. It is more than a delicious cuisine, you know. It is one wholesome experience that is beyond your sphere of imagination. It has unbeatable mix of wild, raw and elegant moments.

Alappuzha beach is the perfect climax for the Kerala backwater trip. It has scenic ambiance and humongous waves that would hold you enthralled and delighted. It is an unforgettable sight to see the sunset on this beach. Most travellers are tired of cliché sun set points and all. It is understandable. But, this beach is ideal for couples and cynics alike as it would change what you know about the splashing colours, melting sun and dynamic waves.

Fact is, everyone can travel to South India. But, you need right mix of people, travel itinerary and experiences to come out rejuvenated and refreshed. Every holiday destination website and every travel brochure wants you to believe that this is the one destination that can deliver it. But, Alappuzha can. It has. So, don’t wait for that perfect holiday moment. Rush in to revive your life today.

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3 Questions to Keep In Mind When Purchasing Family Holiday Insurance

In this day and age, purchasing family holiday insurance has become one of the staples of travel – much like having GPS-enabled cameras, phones with 3G capability, or luggage with RFID trackers. While once these items seemed frivolous and unnecessary expenses, over time they have proven that the benefits greatly outweigh the costs. Ever more importantly, they greatly enhance the experience of travel, making it safer, simpler, and more enjoyable – from the moment you leave on your trip to long after you have returned home.

Like the above-mentioned gadgets, family holiday insurance has evolved from being a luxury to an indispensable travel standard. The benefits of having it are multiple and incontrovertible – however, like these gadgets, the benefits are best enjoyed by those who know what they need before they make their purchases (do research) and those who take the time to get to know the capacities of their gadgets (read the manual).

Buying family holiday insurance, like all group-based purchases, can be simpler and cheaper than purchasing a policy for a single person. Listed below are a few questions you need to keep in mind when negotiating an appropriate policy.

Just Who Are Your Family Members?

The definition of ‘family’ has evolved in the modern age. Gone are the days when the unit was automatically Mum, Dad and the kids. Today the term can mean everything from step-parents and step-siblings, to adopted family, extended family, found families, and even family pets! Unfortunately, however, the law’s definition is not as all encompassing as that of society at large. For example, in some standard contracts, ‘family members’ are limited to legally wed parents and children residing at the same address, which can present some problems for children of divorced parents or for grandparents who live elsewhere. The good news is, a reputable company will help customise a policy specific to the needs of your unique situation.

What Are the Ages of Your Family Members?

Just as with most group services, family holiday insurance can mean savings in the form of discounts. However, one of the bases of these discounts is the ages of the group members. For examples, airlines often have promotions where children under a certain age travel with their parents for free or at a huge discount. In the same vein, senior citizens are also subject to special rates. Make sure you discuss the ages of your group members and how they affect your rates when buying a policy.

What Are Your Health Status and Existing Medical Conditions?

Because medical and emergency coverage is one of the cornerstones of insurance, making sure you have clearly and accurately declared the existing health conditions of your family members is imperative. Having your family checked and given a health clearance by your physician for your trip will not only give you greater peace of mind (especially if you are travelling with children or seniors), but it can also greatly simplify the process of seeking reimbursements or claims, should it be necessary.

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Swollen Lymph Nodes of Neck

Swollen Lymph NodesLymph nodes are part of the lymphatic system, a component of immune system. Lymph nodes are small cluster of lymphocytic cells which produce antibodies and macrophages which digest the debris and infectious agents in the body. These are major sites where foreign substances and infectious agents interact with cells of the immune system. Swollen lymph nodes indicate signs of infection in the body.

Causes of Swollen Lymph NodesThere are a large number of causes due to which lymph nodes of neck may enlarge. These include:

InfectionAn infection in the body can lead to an increase in white blood cells concentration and cause swelling in lymph nodes of the neck. This infection can be due any bacterial, fungal or viral species.

InflammationInflammation in a given region of lymph node may occur due to an infection or due to an immune disorder such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis. This causes lymph nodes to swell throughout the body.

CancerInfiltration with malignant cells brought along with the flowing lymph to the lymph node causes a swollen lump node. It can also lead to a lump on back of neck. It majorly occurs due to uncontrolled multiplication of malignant lymphocytic cells.

Other common causes of swollen lymph nodes include:

Allergic reactions due to medication
Cat scratch fever
Gingivitis
Hodgkin’s disease
Non-Hodgkin’s disease
Mouth sores
Measles
Tonsillitis
Tuberculosis
Symptoms of Swollen Lymph NodesThe most common symptoms experienced during swollen lymph nodes involve:

Sore throat
They can be painful while touching or moving the neck or head
Pain can be experienced during chewing and swallowing of food
Fever
Redness or streaking of skin
A lump on back of neck can also be seen
Internal inflammation and edema
Painful and tender nodes under skin of neck
Also read about lump around anus.

Diagnosis of Swollen Lymph NodesThe lymph nodes which are rapidly growing over the past 2 or 3 days may have different causes and require different treatment than those which have a generalized swelling over a past few months. When you visit a doctor with associated symptoms, the doctor may carry out the following steps:

Your doctor will ask about the associated symptoms and carry out a physical examination of your neck
Depending upon your condition, the doctor may perform certain blood tests
The doctor may carry out imagining tests such as X-ray or MRI scan
A biopsy of the lymph node may be carried out or a portion of the lymph node may be removed for examination. This involves examination of the tissue under a microscope to identify the cause of swelling. It is carried out by a pathologist.
Treatment of Swollen Lymph NodesIn some cases, lymph nodes may reduce on their own and may not require any medical treatment. They can be treated by any of these ways:

The doctor may recommend certain pain killers and analgesic such as ibuprofen, aspirin and acetaminophen. This will help reduce pain and inflammation in the neck.
Doctor may prescribe certain antibiotics or antiviral medication to reduce the infection in lymph nodes
Home remedies such as compresses and elevation may help reduce and resolve swelling.
If there is a localized sack of infection on the neck, it should be drained by cutting open the skin. It involves draining of the infected fluids and then filling the opening with packing.
If the swelling occurred due to malignancy, the treatment may involve surgery, radiation or chemotherapy.
If swelling in lymph node occurred due to an immune disorder, then the doctor may prescribe medication to help cure the disease.

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