Various commercial lightings are used by business owners for a variety of purposes. For one, it can be used to portray the positive image of a business venture. However, it can also become a major contributor to overhead expenses.

But, don't worry because a new technology can be your savior – LED.

Why Choose LED Commercial Lightings?

It's impossible to talk about energy-efficient, low-cost, and high-performing commercial lightings without mentioning the advantages of light emitting diode (LED).

Perhaps, your business has tried LED's competitors-fluorescent, incandescent, halogen, and the like. Now, let's see what LED has to offer:

Newer technology. The LED technology is generally considered new. Although it was discovered in 1906, it was only in 1960s that it got a practical purpose and only recently that it became so popular. Today, it is used for a variety of purposes-from mobile phone lights to heavy-duty commercial lightings. Incidentally, this technology will never be a hit without its proven benefits.

Reduces energy bills. Replacing your business's old lighting with LED will dramatically cut your energy consumption by up to 90 percent.

Cooler . LED requires lesser electricity, thus emitting lesser heat. This is not only more comfortable to the touch, but also helps keep the indoor temperature more stableized.

Cheaper maintenance. Since LED commercial lightings are more durable, annual maintenance costs will also be lowered down from at least 70 percent up to 90 percent.

Longer lifespan. LED have about 50,000 hours of life, which is 30 times longer as compared to halogen bulbs, and five times better than the top notch fluorescent bulbs.

Non-toxic. Fluorescent is known to have some mercury that can be very toxic if left exposed. LED commercial lightings don't have that. In fact, they don't have anything that can put anyone's health at risk, making LED the completely safe choice. Also, UV and infrared are not a problem with LED fixtures.

Performance is never compromised with LED commercial lightings. They are designed to be as bright as they should be. Manufacturers simply have to use more tiny LED bulbs in the fixture to increase brightness.

But, too much brightness can be counter-productive for some. The good thing is that there are LED lights with dimmer control.

Installing the Correct Type of Commercial Lighting

The needs of commercial establishments differ from residential properties. They require reliable and durable lighting fixtures. The use of appropriate lightings is also needed not just to increase productivity and savings, but for convenience as well.

Different commercial areas such as warehouses, offices or lounges demand specific lighting fixture. Lighting fixtures like down lights, strip lights, and high bay lights must be installed in their proper areas to maximize their functions.

Aside from the correct type of lighting, using eco-friendly and efficient LED lightings will certainly help commercial business owners. Since every traditional light has now a LED counterpart, it is better to buy the latter in your new commercial lighting installation or lighting repairs.

For example, the common recessed lights can be replaced with just a 15w LED. What makes this the better choice over other recessed lights is that it has a very low working temperature, making it safer, cooler, and longer lasting.

This is also true to other type of commercial lighting like directional spotlights and high bay lights. The usual 400w metal halide for high bay lights can now be replaced with 120w LED lights but still provide the same illumination that you need.

Milton's Paradise Lost is one of my all time favorite books. It is actually a poem that is split into twelve books or parts. The book maps the journey of the Fall of Man, first mentioned in the Book of Genesis, from the stature of a hero to that of a heinous villain. The book not only sheds light on the events that lead to the fall of Lucifer (later Satan) but also gives a unique side to his personality, that is, all evil starts off as good. Paradise Lost begins with a description of Satan and his team recuperating in hell after losing a war they fought against God. They have to choose either returning to war or explore a newly created world and find a way in that world to avenge their defeat. Satan chooses the latter. While traveling, he spots a new universe situated near heaven. God spots Satan and predicts the Fall of Man. His Son offers to save man even if it entails self-sacrifice. Satan reaches the new universe and enters the Garden of Eden. He feels jealous of Adam and Eve. Satan also overhears them discussing God's order not to eat the forbidden fruit.

Meanwhile, angel Gabriel and his followers banish Satan from Eden. God sends angel Raphael to warn Adam and Eve about Satan's machinations. Satan returns and enters the body of a snake. When he spots Eve alone, he convinces her to eat the apple from the forbidden tree. Adam also eats the fruit. As a result, Adam and Eve lose their innocence. The Son of God judges the sinners but delays their death sentence. Satan's children, Sin and Death, build a road to their new home, the earth. But Satan and his team are punished and transformed into snakes. The angel Michael expels Adam and Eve from Paradise but first tells Adam of events that will happen due to his eating the forbidden fruit. Although saddened by this narration, Adam rejoices at the thought of the coming of mankind's savior.

This book is an eye-opener. It educates us about the existence of good and evil inherent in all of us. Man in his life's journey often forgets that good and evil co-exist in each of us. Our misfortunes lead us to make a choice which marks us as either good or evil in the eyes of others. Many people see Satan as the hero as he was God's archangel and he had been wronged when God chose his Son over Satan to sit on his right. It was this gross injustice that led Satan on an evil pursuit. The strength and charisma of a fallen angel is evident in the latter part of the book where Satan manifests himself as the serpent and lures Adam and Eve to eat the forbidden fruit. It also reflects upon God's non-redeeming quality which makes him to cast his wrath on Adam to endure hardship of labor and Eve to endure the pain of child labor.

The trend of websites and web applications is getting more prominent in businesses with every passing day and so is the demand for web app frameworks. It is mainly because web applications are using device-independent architecture that makes them operable on many devices. When web apps are easily made to run on the browser, it means businesses are able to market their products or services, provide flash sales, send out notifications, offer customer support and everything else. This is how web apps are making services or products of a business more easily accessible, helping them to acquire more customers than ever. However, the real confusion starts in choosing a fitting web development framework that can build a savior application.

Over the time, Zend has proved its worth as a PHP framework capable of creating apps that are simple, interactive and tempting enough. Here we take a chance to point out the special reasons that make it an unmatched framework in the realm of web development.

# 1 Preferred for enterprises applications

Not only for simple and informative websites, Zend framework is also favored by both big and small enterprises for their business-oriented web applications. It's great agility, custom and controlled development along with large community support are responsible for making it the most reliable and convenient framework for business.

# 2 Extended and predefined classes

There are well-stocked object-oriented libraries and predefined classes that are extendable in the Zend framework. This encourages the developers to create robust web apps using different components of those distinct classes. Further, it empowers them to deploy some variations of the components for greater customization with no need for hacking into the framework's code base. By enabling developers to customize in this manner, Zend allows creating functionalities that are unique to a web app.

# 3 Multi-linguistic Web applications

Zend's specific translate components enable developers to create multiple-language web apps so that businesses can target well the worldwide audiences. Thus, no doubt, it is one of those few PHP frameworks that is helping to break all the language-bound barriers for the enterprises and opening up doors of opportunities to make their business a globally recognized one.

# 4 Loosely combined framework

Design-wise Zend is a loosely combined framework with a simple collection of classes. While developers can usually deploy any MVC components for creating a fully functional web project, they can also load other components that they want to use. Thus, Zend is a sort of decoupled framework in which one can just use some of its components as libraries instead of using the entire framework.

# 5 MVC architecture

Zend applies MVC architectural pattern which splits the database and business logic from the layer of presentation. This means backend and front-end code will remain separated, enabling the developers to work with great flexibility. Further, there is one more reason for developers to favor Zend. Despite MVC model, it does not have a model implementation. Thus, developers are free to use whatever they have at their convenience to implement it or can just use any existing implementations.

While these explain why Zend is trending on the top of the charts in the field of web development worldwide, things can go out of control if there are no expert hands for developing the application. Zend is a complex and customisable framework consisting of feature-rich components and so there is a need for experts who can get the best web solution out of it.

Air conditioners are indeed our saviour in the months where there is absolutely no respite from the heat. Now, air conditioners aren’t the innocent lambs you think they are! There are many side effects of air conditioners on health as well as on the environment. Most of the side effects are because people don’t know how to use or maintain them in the first place. So what are the side effects? Let’s discuss them.

Five Side Effects of Air Conditioners on Health:

According to Global News, these are the top five side effects of air conditioners on the human body:

• Constant Fatigue
  Research shows that people who work in air-conditioned environments may experience chronic headaches and fatigue which leaves them vulnerable to contracting cold, flu and other illnesses.
• Dry Skin
  Air conditioner sucks out moisture from the surrounding including the skin if you are spending long hours in an air-conditioned environment. If you are not pampering your skin with the right moisturisers, your skin will soon start feeling dry.
• Exacerbates Effects of Chronic Illness
  ACs are known for increasing the symptoms of low blood pressure, arthritis, and neuritis. So if you are already suffering from illness, an air-conditioned environment will only enhance it making you more vulnerable.
• Inability to Deal With Heat
  Going suddenly from a cool environment to outdoor hot environment can actually induce stress. This will make you intolerant to heat or hot temperatures during summer.
• Breathing Problems
  This is one of the common side effects of cold air conditioning. Effects of air conditioning on lungs are fatal. Air conditioners are also known to circulate air-borne diseases such as Legionnaires’ disease, a potentially fatal infectious disease that produces high fever and pneumonia.

There are many ways to which one can avoid side effects of air conditioners. Even though we may not fully avoid it, but we can definitely reduce these side-effects by taking necessary precautions. Some of the measures are mentioned below:

How to Avoid Side Effects of Air Conditioners

• Restraint – ACs are not meant to run for hours and hours. It is like having a hole in your wallet. As mentioned earlier, the temperature of the AC should be a degree or two below the room temperature. So keep your AC at 22-21 degrees max, let it run for two hours and then switch it off. The use of air conditioners has increased HCFC (Hydrochlorofluorocarbons) release by 20-30 percent which has set back ozone layer recovery by a whopping 25 years.
• Clean the AC Filter Regularly – Dirty filters can allow allergens, pesticides and other particulate matter to enter your home, posing threats to the indoor air quality. Exposure to those pollutants can trigger a host of health problems, including allergies, asthma, and eye, nose and, throat irritation.
• Yearly Maintenance Check – Most of the time, dust from the room and use of powders etc., can jam up the AC. This obviously poses respiratory concerns. Personally, I have woken up in the middle of the night sneezing like a maniac! Therefore having allergies during summer can be worsened if your AC is not maintained properly.
• Adequate Ventilation – Allowing fresh air to come in can help reduce indoor contaminants. Cold air is heavy and dense and can make breathing difficult. Having ventilated spaces allows normal and better breathing. An AC can be kept on for 2-3 hours and when not in use, make sure to open your windows to let the fresh air come in. The body is more suited to fresh air outside than the air in a heavy air-conditioned room.
• Air Cleanser – Having air cleaning units can drastically reduce the germs and pollutants that come from outside.
• Water Power – Drinking adequate amount of water can help reduce the symptoms of flaky dry skin. I personally wake up in the morning with itchy eyes. Even the sides of the nostrils and nose bridge are prone to drying out. This is because the AC sucks out moisture from your skin. applying olive oil or a moisturiser is recommended. Also, having a humidifier installed professionally can help solve this problem.
• Go Out, Inhale Fresh Air – Getting accustomed to air conditioners makes the outside temperatures seem even hotter. We tend to eat calorie dense food when it is cold. The summer months are meant for a leaner diet. The AC can lull you into a beautiful sleep but it just makes you lethargic. Nowadays, even gyms are installed with 5-6 ACs which completely defeat the purpose of sweating it out! Remember No Sweat, No Pain, No Gain. Spending some time out allows the body to adjust to the temperatures and remain active.
• Get Your Car AC Checked – Process of cooling hot air requires a lot of condensation and this can create a breeding ground for bacteria and mould. Researchers at the Louisiana State Medical Center found eight types of mould living inside 22 out of 25 cars tested. Air fresheners can mask the bad odour but the mould still persists.
• Reduce Over Dependence on ACs – The only way to deal with rising temperatures is to adapt to it. Summer months are meant to be hot. But our bodies have the power of adaptability. Think about this, if farmers in the dry drought-ridden deserts of Rajasthan can live without fans, is it really difficult to stay without an air conditioner just for a few hours?
• Move to a Cold Country – I’m joking, but you could surely go for a long vacation in a comparatively cooler place which will not only give you a break from your hectic, boring daily life but will also do wonders to your body and mind. Temperatures are just going to rise and we can’t keep hiding in AC rooms all our life.

The side effects of air conditioners can be controlled by using it smartly. It’s sort of crazy how far people go to not feel hot. Being overly dependent on anything is never good for health. I would suggest, embrace the heat and all the sweat that comes with it. Stay hydrated; include a lot of yoghurt, fruit juices, and vegetables in your diet. There are easier ways to cool down honestly.

Another cliché to tear apart … or put back together.

A great truth it is … give with the right hand, wholeheartedly without reservation, leaving the left hand in the dark. But oh, so rare it is that we give with that kind of altruistic heart. Let's be honest.

Christians are called to this charity, but Christians are not impelled unless their hearts are transformed, and many an untransformed Christian calls Christ, Savior. For them, he just isn't Lord, let alone King. The transformed Christian peers into their own heart and they see just how many times and in how many ways they deny Christ.

~

There's a Christian who exists to be blessed in being a blessing.

They do their works of righteousness for the glory they may get, and their hearts are patently unaware of their crime against deity. In their conditional brand of love, they spurn precious opportunities to instil life in those they touch. This Christian exists to be blessed by the reciprocation of other human beings in being a blessing to them. If this is the extent of blessedness, there's no love in it.

~

There's a Christian who exists to be blessed in being a blessing.

They do their works of righteousness for the Audience of One. Their heart is set on the God of their momentary account. They live wakefully under the constant eye of their Lord. Their love is a sparkling diamond, shimmering from every angle of view, and their personal inspiration is what God does within them as they keep their kindnesses secret. They see life replete with pleasures of giving; opportunities to instil life in those they touch. This Christian exists to be blessed by God in being a blessing.

~

We are blessed to be a blessing, but the moment we seek an external blessing for the love we give we miss the point. The blessedness coming our way evaporates as if it never existed.

But the practice of blessing sees right hand doing secret kindnesses to the ignorance of left hand. This is the great principle of Matthew 6: 2-4. [1] An inward blessing is had. But it's not done for that reason. It's done because Jesus alone is worthy; every little thing we do in secret we do for Jesus.

Here is the way to engage with Christ to the point of transformation – it most certainly will happen.

Consistently give your life away!

If we exist to be blessed in being a blessing and are sullen for the lack of recognition and reward, we're far from the transformed life. Our motives are rotten to the core.

If we exist to be blessed to be a blessing and keep blessing people in secret at every opportunity, we're evidencing Christ's transforming of us, especially even to the smallest act.

[1] Jesus said, "So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be done in secret; and your father who sees in secret will reward you. "

It is a known fact that a flawless look is achieved in an artificial nail style that is totally hassle free of nail paint and nail polish. Same goes for glue nails if you want that perfect and admirable nail lacquer. The glue style is also extremely useful for those people who find it difficult to grow their nails or it is a saviour for those looking for a quick fix before a party. After all, having an attractive and full of life appearance is important to us. It’s proved that nails have been the most expressive factor in a woman; also the men are attracted to women who maintain manicured hands. Nail glue is here to make you more confident and attractive.

Types of Amazing Nail Glues

The usual scenario goes like; you probably cover your long beautiful nails with elegant shades of nail color and you are all set for the party. But it can be a trouble for those who have either given up amplifying their nails or if they do not have enough time for the salon. Getting fake fingernails can then turn out to be the best option for you. Having said that, it involves deciding on the right product for your nails and that certainly includes the kind of glue you will use for false fingernails.

There are several amazing and quiet popular names; like 5 second brush, royal pink gel, OPI bond aid, Big Bondini brush, KDS, star nail and more to choose from. However specialists recommend selecting a glue of a smaller size from four to six gm at max. That is because they tend to have a smaller shelf life.

• 5 second Nail glue

This one is said to be at the top of the market as it is the most famous choice for both professional and retail market for beautifying and fixing the nails. They have varieties that range from.

1. Salon nail glue – it comes in a cool shade of pink and is the most popular one for artificial nails which happens to be a source of instant nail repair.

2. Brush on nail glue- this one is perfect for easy application which has been made particularly moisture resistant and fast drying among others.

3. No clog nail glue- this wonderful bottle is the most convenient one for many and comes with a resealable cap which is suitable for travelling. Moreover, besides strengthening and repairing the nails it is unique because of its clogging prevention which has been enhanced by jojoba oil.

• OPI nail adhesive

Quiet an affordable one. Usually used for professional and retail use. Great choice to prevent clogging and resist spills!

• Big Bondini Hypo- Allergenic Nail Glue

This one is made for awfully sensitive skin tone which easily reacts adversely to glue type that is regular. It is specially designed for broken fingernails, wraps and bond tips. So if your skin screams sensitive you can opt for this one.

However one must take proper protection and avoid over using the nail glue especially if your nail is inflamed or infected in any manner. Nevertheless, one cannot ignore its favourability and its convenience since it takes down all your real worries by giving you an instant boost and fix your nails for the most important occasions in your life.

A charitable disposition is a virtue, to assist those in need. Charitable disposition is possible only when one is benevolent and has the quality of compassion.

A charitable person engages himself in good deeds by helping poor and helpless person, service to society, constructing religious places, hospital, public places, make facility of well / ponds / drinking water, give food and shelter to needy person, constructing spiritual dwelling / sanctuary / loges etc.
Factors responsible for a charitable disposition:

Ascendant: stands for personality.

2nd house: indicates wealth, depth of knowledge

4th house: property and happiness

9th house: provides clue of charitable deeds

10th house: fame / prestige and deeds of a person

Different combination for a charitable person:

The charitable and compassionate disposition of a native will be predicted only when there will be a relation between 2nd, 4th, 9th, 10th houses / lords, Mercury, Jupiter and Venus.

2nd house / lord:
Lords of ascendant and 2nd house are in exaltation and aspected by benefice, indicates a charitable disposition.

Jupiter is posited or exalted in 2nd, or being the lord of 2nd house or the lord of 2nd is Mercury / Venus and posited in 4th, in its own / exalted / friend sign, the person will serve / save the entire community by his charitable attitude.

Lord of 2nd is placed in 3rd and aspected by Jupiter, and exalted Sun is posited in 4th; the native will become safer of the community.

Lord of ascendant is strong, lord of 2nd is in exaltation or placed in 5th / 9th / 11th house and the lord of that house in which 2nd lord is being placed is in quadrant, the native will help numerous people in his life.

Lord of 2nd is in exaltation and being associated / aspected by Jupiter, indicates charitable disposition of the native.

Any exalted planet posited in 2nd and associated / aspected by Jupiter, the native will be a savior and preserver of thousands of person.

9th house lord:
All the major charitable deeds come under the 9th house of a horoscope.

Lord of 9th is in exaltation and aspected by benefice indicate kind nature.

Ascendant and strong lord of 9th house are aspected by Jupiter, indicates charitable and compassionate disposition.

Lord of 9th is posited in quadrant / trine and aspects ascendant / lord of ascendant, the native will be extraordinary kind hearted and will help needy persons.

Lord of 9th is strong and placed in quadrant / trine, and the lord of ascendant aspects the ascendant, the native will renounce all worldly pleasures and dedicate his entire life for charitable works.

10th house / lord:
· Mercury being lord of 10th is aspected by benefice planets; the native will gain respect of many people because of his good virtues and deeds.

Lord of 10th house is placed in 2nd; the native will earn fame by his charitable deeds.

Lord of 10th is in exaltation / own sign is being placed in 2nd; the native will earn fame and respect due to his compassionate attitude.

BY GEETA JHA [SPIRITUAL HEALER]
INDIA

Sometimes with human beings you hear of a contingency plan or plan B as some call it. What this means is that they have an alternative plan in place just in case the first one fails.

That is the imperfection of the human race in this world.

However, with God, there is no contingency plan because God does not need one. God knows what will happen one trillion years from today and everything that will happen is laid out according to God's plan for the entire period.

Nothing takes God by surprise and nothing is an emergency for God. That is the perfection of God Almighty and Father of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Dear friend, having this knowledge in mind, who would you rather follow, God or a human? Who would you rather trust, a human or the Almighty God and Creator of the entire universe?

For me I would follow God always because God can never disappoint anyone who trusts in Him. Now, someone may argue and say does it mean God has deliberately planned and allowed all this evil in the world to happen just to punish mankind?

Far from it, dear friend. God is not responsible for the evil in the world. It is satan or the devil that is responsible for the troubles of this world. Whether it is sickness, disease, quarrels, adultery, fornication, malice, anger, unforgiveness, immorality, resentment, murder, abortion, indecent dressing, immoral music, immoral literature, and what have you, satan and his agents are the ones behind these .

The troubles of the world are a direct consequence of humans' refusal to follow God and to obey the simple commandments God has laid down for us.

The Lord Jesus Christ makes it clear in John 16:33, "I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.] "

This means if you are in Christ Jesus, you will always be an overcomer. This does not mean troubles would not come, but I said in Christ, you will always come out victorious because of what His Word says in John 16:33 above.

Another person may argue and say but I know so many Christians who are still struggling with the issues of life!

That may sound correct but I will tell you today that a Christian and I mean a genuine one in the real sense of the word that is still struggling with the issues of life is missing out on something very important.

You see, the Holy Bible, the Word of God contains God's promises and covenants of blessings for His children, the Christians. However, there are some Christians who do not study the Bible to know what belongs to them, what God has already given them as their right in Christ Jesus.

As a result, they do not exercise or claim these rights and consequently, they struggle financially, medically, maritally, emotionally, etc.

Once they are able from God's Word in the Holy Bible to discover and exercise their rights having fulfilled the conditions contained therein, their situation will definitely change for best and become exactly as God has decreed for them.

Dear friend, again, you can see that God has no contingency plans. Everything is laid out exactly as God has designed and once you fulfill the conditions, you will receive the rewards.

On the other hand, if you disobey God, there are also consequences. So nobody has any excuse to blame God but rather should do exactly what God has said to receive the covenants and promises of God to His children, the Christians – John 1:12.

Does it mean God hates others who are not Christians? No, what God hates is sin, which is any wrongdoing that goes contrary to God's commandments in the Holy Bible.

And so you know, you cannot just study the Bible and refuse to become a Christian and then claim that you are a child of God. No, John 1:12 tells us how anyone can become a Christian and a child of God.

It is not difficult to become a Christian. All it takes is a sincere realization of the need for God in your life, then you repent of sin, believe that the Lord Jesus Christ died for your sins on the Cross of Calvary, then confess your sins to God in prayer, forsake sin, accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and never go back to sin but live a sincere, decent life in obedience to His commandments in the Holy Bible.

I know for certain as God has planned out, your life will turn out best.

May the good Lord bless you as you heed His Word today, act on it and share with others in Jesus' Mighty Name, Amen.

The Principality of Wales is part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and, like its Scottish and Northern Irish counterparts, has people who are fiercely nationalistic in outlook.

Since the 1700s when the Welsh Calvinistic Methodist Fathers were at their spiritual height, this western region of the United Kingdom has been visited in revival by the Lord. These visitations dispelled the spiritual darkness that then existed. The ministries of men like Daniel Rowland, Howell Harris, William Williams, Evan Roberts, and not least John Jones of Talsarn, were notable in this great work. By the turn of the twentieth century, Wales was plunged again into spiritual darkness and religious formality, despite the many churches and chapels that lay scattered around the country.

The early 1900s saw the land blessed again by God, but, as with all revivals of vital religion, this one, too, cooled down resulting in the take-over of the churches by what has been described as a 'left-over pseudo evangelicalism . ' All the outward trappings of evangelicalism were there, but not the life. Like the church at Sardis in the 90s AD, the church in this land had a name for being alive but was dead.

The Lloyd-Jones family belonged to the Welsh Calvinistic Methodist Church in Llangeitho. The Connexion can trace its beginnings to the mid-1700s, when the Christian churches in Britain were divided into two main groupings – the Arminians under John Wesley (1703-1791) were the Methodists, and the Calvinists under George Whitefield (1714-1770) were the Presbyterians, Congregationalists and Baptists. Both these groups faced their own particular problems. The Methodists emphasizing the free will of men and ignored the need for depraved men to be sovereignly regenerated by the effectual call of God. The Calvinists were also facing challenges; While they emphasized the sovereignty of God in salvation, they degenerated into hyper-Calvinism in which there was no longer any Gospel for a lost mankind. They denied the free offer of salvation to all men through Christ the Savior of the world, and with that they sidelined the need for evangelism and missions.

The minister of the church at Llangeitho encouraged the three Lloyd-Jones' boys to join the church as members in 1914. This denomination had grown cold spiritually, and during Martyn's boyhood and adolescence, much of the life of the revivals of 1904/5 had become but a faint memory. The religion in which they were nurtured was rather lifeless spiritually, and this had its negative effect on the three boys.

Pregnancy and hemorrhoids are a common combination. If you have suffered from hemorrhoids before pregnancy, what you probably won’t want to hear is that the likelihood of you having them during or after the birth, is increased.

But the good news is that the risk of hemorrhoids in pregnancy can be greatly minimized, if not completely prevented. Some women only experience hemorrhoids after birth, brought about the pressure from pushing during the second stage of labour, but hemorrhoids in pregnancy occur for many reasons:

1. An expanding uterus puts pressure on the pelvic veins – in particular, the inferior vena cava. This large vein on the right side of the body receives its blood flow from the lower limbs.

The pressure on this vein often means that the return of blood from the lower part of the body is weakened.

In turn, this increases the pressure in the veins below the uterus and results in them becoming more distended. This produces hemorrhoids.

2. During pregnancy, there is an increase in the hormone progesterone. Progesterone slows down the intestinal tract – food is not digested as quickly, resulting in constipation. In its turn, constipation tends to cause straining – and straining puts pressure on the rectal veins, producing hemorrhoids.

In addition, this increased level of progesterone in the body causes a relaxation of the walls of the veins, allowing them to swell more easily. The combination of these two factors, means hemorrhoids in pregnancy can easily occur if preventative measures are not taken.

3. Some women find they are less active during pregnancy, and their food intake increases more than necessary. The combination of these two factors, along with the above-mentioned effects of increased progesterone, create an unbalanced digestive system.

However, from personal experience and that of consulting thousands of others, I know hemorrhoids in pregnancy are almost always preventable. Ideally, it’s best to start an anti-hemorrhoid regime before becoming pregnant. Your body will actually benefit from this in many more ways, other than just preventing hemorrhoids.

Of course, you should always consult your doctor before undertaking any form of treatment or exercise.

These are my top 6 tips for preventing and treating hemorrhoids in pregnancy.

1. The use of natural supplements to strengthen the veins has proven extremely effective in clinical trials – they’ve worked better than placebos and drugs. If you are already pregnant and experiencing hemorrhoids, these same supplements can be taken to relieve pain, swelling and bleeding. They have shown no side effects in studies. There are also natural supplements which possess astringent qualities – these have been found to be highly effective in tightening the tissues of the swollen veins.

2. The use of natural supplements to aid the digestive process will help improve a sluggish metabolism. In turn, this will help reduce, if not completely prevent, constipation. Hemorrhoids in pregnancy will be much less likely to bother you if you have a happy stomach.

3. Exercises to strengthen the pelvic area also aids in reducing hemorrhoids in pregnancy. This will help increase blood flow in this region and keep veins more elastic. Also, these exercises will help during the birth process, and minimize excess pressure.

4. Sleep or rest on your left side – this will help alleviate pressure on the inferior vena cava, and increase blood circulation from the lower body. This small adjustment can make a big difference for those suffering hemorrhoids in pregnancy.

5. Avoid constipation and straining – get plenty of fluids and fiber and some suitable exercise – walking is great. Straining on the toilet needs to be avoided as much as possible. Sitting on the toilet for longer than necessary can also cause extra pressure on the rectal veins, so avoid this if you want to help reduce the risk of hemorrhoids in pregnancy.

6. Avoid sitting for long periods of time – this can cause congestion in the rectal veins. Try to walk if only for a few minutes every hour or so.

One of the questions I am most commonly asked by women suffering from hemorrhoids in pregnancy is: Will my hemorrhoids go away after the birth?

My answer is always the same: Of course, it depends on the individual, but the more you do before, during and then after your pregnancy to minimize weakening of the veins, the better your chance of those veins returning to their normal size.

Hemorrhoids in pregnancy are not inevitable – it is not necessary to suffer with them as though they are just a normal part of having a baby.

Neither is it necessary to suffer with hemorrhoids in pregnancy because you are concerned about the side-effects of drugs. The many natural treatments that are available have been the subject of many well-conducted clinical trials, producing highly effective results.

Pregnancy and the birth of your new child should be an enjoyable time of your life. Hemorrhoids can be particularly painful – don’t allow them to intrude on your happiness when there are effective options easily available.