This is what love feels like with the right person. According to people who have been in love with one person for over 30 years...

In the early stages of a relationship, everything will feel so sweet and so romantic… like a page pulled out of a splendid fairy tale.

Sadly this giddy feeling often fades off at some point, leaving the partners stripped and wondering if they are still in love at all. This is usually the stage where many relationships crash.

But according to couples who have been together for 30 years and more, this is what love feels like with the right person… the one with whom you can spend forever.

1. You’ll feel like you’ve known each other forever

Mrs. Nnena says when she started dating her husband in 1984, it felt like they had known each other forever and even when they got married in 1985 it only felt natural. 32 years later, their three daughters are now happily married and they are still very happy together.

playYou will love each other like you have known each for all your lives (Pinterest)

2. Accept each other

Partners that will last together accept each other the way they are from the onset. They take themselves as they are – no attempt to change or turn the other person around to suit their ‘taste’

“He always accepted me with the baggage I came with. When I look at my husband today, I see the same guy I fell in love with 53 years ago." Says Elizabeth

3. You don't just love each other

If a relationship is going to last long, you’ll discover from an early stage that you and that partner will love each other, and also like each other.

Mrs. Suliat [not her real identity] says “after 39 years, my husband and I still like each other a lot. We're together almost every moment of every day and still find laughter.”

4. They do little things to make you happy

Love remains to be found in the little things and one way to identify a partner who’ll be with you for a long, long time is their ability and willingness to so little things to make you happy.

"After almost half a century together, I would marry my husband all over again. He knows how much pleasure I [find in little things]. After all these years, he still adores me and I adore him." Says Naomi, married for 43 years.

5. Similar values

When you find someone with whom you have similar goals, similar ideas and a significant merge of values and things that mean a lot to you, then you can be sure that you will be with such person for long.

“Too many people expect perfection from their spouse, but people aren't perfect. The fact that we wanted the same things out of life was the sign to me that we were meant to be." Says Nana, a grandma married for 41 years

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5 important rules for couples in long-distance relationships

Being in a long-distance relationship could indeed be trying and difficult.

There will be days when you’ll long to just be with your significant other, and nights when Skype calls will not be enough to fill the void their absence created.

Regardless of this though, you can still make the best of your relationship or marriage in your partner’s absence.

1. Extra effort

While couple who see each other every day need to put in effort, be trusting, considerate and patient with their partner, being in a long-distance relationship requires you to put in extra effort, be extra-trusting and a lot more patient with your partner.

playNights when Skype calls will not be enough to fill the void their absence created. (Psychology Today)

2. Fixed meeting time

Couples in this kind of relationship need to have a meeting time that nothing should change. A weekend, a month, or any agreed time that both partners need to religiously follow.

Making a promise to be around and failing to fulfil such promise will add extra tension on a relationship that is being stretched already, and you don’t need that.

3. Communication

This is important for all couples, but more important for you. Couples who have been denied a lot of things because of distance cannot afford to lose communication, too. It’s an absolute NO.

playMake sure to keep promises of arrival dates (Bored Panda)

It is not even enough to communicate daily; you need to find a way to keep your daily conversations interesting, open, honest and even sexy.

That way, the spark will remain alive till you eventually close that distance.

4. The big picture

Instead of letting yourself worry that your partner might be cheating on you where he or she is, instead of letting paranoia get to you, focus on the big picture -  concentrate on the moments shared together, on the things you will do together on his or her next scheduled visit and other positive thoughts.

playConcentrate on the sweet memories created and more of it to be created again (Natural Beauty)

5. Make every moment count

Because you won’t be having the same time that other couples have with their significant others, you have to always look for ways to enjoy every second spent together… every meeting, every moment… you have to make it count.

The more happy memories you have, the easier it’ll be to get by.

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How and when to take a pregnancy test

Pregnancy tests help women to determine if they are pregnant. These tests work by picking up on markers in urine or blood that indicate pregnancy.

Knowing which type of pregnancy test is most suitable, and understanding how to use them, helps ensure results are accurate.

Whether taken at home or in a doctor's office, being informed about the pregnancy test process makes it easier to understand what the results mean, and what to do next.

Contents of this article:

1. Types of pregnancy test
2. Who should use a pregnancy test?
3. How to use pregnancy tests
4. Accuracy
5. What do the results mean?

Types of pregnancy test

Pregnancy tests can be used at home to detect a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG).

There are two main types of pregnancy test available: urine tests and blood tests.

Urine tests

Urine tests can be taken at home or at the doctor's office. They detect the presence of the pregnancy hormone, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG).

The hCG hormone circulates in a woman's blood once a fertilized egg has attached to the uterus wall. This usually happens 6 days after fertilization.

According to the American Pregnancy Association, levels of hCG double every 2 to 3 days, peak by 8 to 11 weeks of pregnancy, and then begin to level off. HCG can usually be detected by a urine test 12 to 14 days after conception.

Home pregnancy test

Home pregnancy tests can be purchased in a pharmacy or drugstore. They normally cost less than $20 and are easy to use. If used correctly, they give excellent results.

Results are usually visible within 3 to 10 minutes or sometimes sooner.

Several different brands and types of pregnancy tests are available. Most can be classed as standard tests or digital tests:

• Standard tests have a strip that changes color if pregnancy is confirmed, or display a symbol such as a plus or minus.
• Digital tests display text such as "pregnant" or "not pregnant," or use a symbol. Some indicate how far along the pregnancy is.

Clinical urine test

Clinical urine tests are performed at a doctor's office. Like home tests, they also look for the presence of the hCG hormone in urine.

Although they produce the same level of accuracy, tests performed n a clinical setting usually avoid some of the errors that can happen with home tests.

Waiting times for clinical results vary. Some facilities can provide results immediately, while others may take up to a week.

Blood tests

Although less common than urine tests, blood tests to detect hCG levels are available. These are always carried out at the doctor's office, and results take longer than urine test results.

Blood tests are usually more expensive but some can be taken earlier than urine tests to determine results. The two types of blood tests are:

• Qualitative hCG blood test: This checks hCG levels, giving a "yes" (pregnant) or "no" (not pregnant) result. They can detect hCG levels around 11 days after conception.
• Quantitative hCG blood test: This is able to measure specific levels of hCG, even if levels are low.

Further tests may be needed if results aren't as expected. For example, if the hCG level is higher or lower than it should be for the estimated pregnancy stage.

This process can help indicate ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, or a more accurate due date.

Online tests

Several websites and phone applications have tests that claim to calculate the likelihood of being pregnant. These can be used as a source of information, but should not replace real pregnancy tests.

Who should use a pregnancy test?

Common early indicators of a possible pregnancy include nausea, vomiting, and excessive fatigue.

Any woman of childbearing age, who suspects she may be pregnant, should use a pregnancy test. In particular, women who recently had unprotected sex should consider using a pregnancy test.

Some signs of early pregnancy that should be followed up with a pregnancy test include:

• a missed period
• enlarged, tender, or swollen breasts
• fatigue
• increased urination
• nausea
• vomiting

How to use pregnancy tests

For a clinical urine test, the doctor will ask for a sample of urine. This can be tested immediately, or sent to a laboratory for testing at a later stage.

Blood tests require a sample of blood to be drawn and sent for testing.

Home pregnancy tests are simple to use. It is important to follow the instructions closely to get the most accurate result.

Most brands can be used on the first day of a missed period, but some more sensitive tests can be used sooner. Some clinical tests can also be taken earlier than this.

In general, home pregnancy urine tests involve one of the following methods:

• urinating directly onto the test stick
• urinating into a cup and dipping the test stick in
• urinating into a cup and using a dropper to drop urine onto the test window

Many manufacturers recommend taking two home tests to confirm results. This is because hCG levels may be too low to be detected at first. To ensure the most accurate results, it is best to wait a few days to 1 week between the two tests.

Accuracy

Many home pregnancy tests claim to be accurate up to 99 percent of the time. Clinical tests can be even more accurate.

However, using them correctly is vital. Several studies suggest incorrect use of tests has led to many women reporting false results.

Most tests can be used on the first day of a missed period but it's advisable to wait 1 week after a missed period for accuracy.

This is because 10 to 20 percent of pregnant women won't detect their pregnancy on the first day of their missed period. This can be due to many women having irregular periods, or miscalculating when their period is due.

In addition, a number of other factors play a role in the accuracy of results, including:

• time of day the test is taken
• length of time after conception
• when ovulation occurs
• how quickly the fertilized egg implants
• how well instructions are followed
• how sensitive the test is

What do the results mean?

If a home pregnancy test reads positive, it is important for a doctor to confirm the results with a clinical test.

Results of a pregnancy test are either positive or negative. If taking a clinical test, the doctor will explain what the results mean. If using a home test, it's important that women refer to the test instructions to ensure they understand what the colors, symbols, or words indicate.

Positive result

A positive result indicates pregnancy, even if the color, symbol, or words on the test window are faint. It's a good idea to confirm this result by taking a clinical test.

Very rarely, a false-positive result occurs. This means the woman taking the test is not pregnant, despite the test indicating she is. False-positives can occur due to:

• early miscarriage
• certain medications
• ovarian tumors
• liver disease
• kidney failure
• expired test kits

Negative result

A negative result means pregnancy is unlikely. However, false-negative results are common.

These are where pregnancy may still occur but is not yet showing up on the test. They can occur for a number of reasons, including:

• incorrectly taking the test
• testing too soon
• testing with urine that is too diluted
• not waiting long enough for results
• expired or faulty test

Retesting within a week is advisable for all test results. This is particularly important if a woman is experiencing some of the symptoms of early pregnancy or if the test result is negative.

When to see a doctor

A woman should always consult her doctor if she has any queries about the pregnancy or test results. If the home pregnancy test is positive, a doctor can confirm this with a clinical test and begin to arrange prenatal care.

If a home pregnancy test is negative but a woman's periods don't resume, she should consult a doctor to determine the cause of the missed periods.

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Even Small Pot Belly Linked To Increased Heart Disease Risk, New Study

A new US study suggests that waist to hip ratio (WHR) is more closely linked to early signs of heart disease than body mass index (BMI) or waist circumference alone. Even a small pot belly is linked to a higher risk of developing plaque in the arteries compared to having a flat tummy, said the researchers.

The study is published in the August 21st issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC)and was conducted at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, US.

Adding inches to the waist significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, said the researchers, even if BMI is in the normal range.

Lead author of the study and Professor of medicine and director of the Coronary Care Unit at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dr James A. de Lemos said:

"In our thirties and forties, we often gain three to four inches in the midsection."

"It's a day-to-day, meal-to-meal battle, but it's worth fighting. Even a small pot belly puts us at higher risk when compared to a flat tummy," he added.

De Lemos and colleagues used records from the Dallas Heart Study, an ongoing research project that is evaluating risk factors for heart disease in a large multiethnic urban population of people whose median age is 45.

The part of the Dallas Heart Study the researchers focused on was a group of 2,744 people who were scanned for signs of plaque in the arteries and in the artery near the heart (aorta), both well known early signs of cardiovascular disease.

The participants were scanned using electron-beam computed tomography (EBCT) which shows up any calcium deposits in the arteries of the body. Calcium deposits in arteries are an early indicator of atherosclerosis, where the arteries become hardened and years later may lead to heart attack. The participants also had magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans to look for atherosclerosis in the walls of the aorta, the major artery of the heart.

The scientists used three gender-specific measures of obesity: BMI, waist circumference (WC) and waist to hip ratio (WHR) and assessed their association with coronary artery calcium (CAC), which is derived from the EBCT scan. They also assessed the level of aortic plaque from the MRI scan.

When they looked at the association between the various obesity measures and the signs of arterial disease, the scientists found that WHR was independently linked to increased arterial plaque whereas no independent positive association was found for BMI or WC.
More specifically, using univariate and multivariate analysis the results showed that:

• CAC prevalence was significantly greater only in the top fifth of BMI compared with the bottom fifth (fifth versus first quintile).
• Whereas CAC prevalence increased stepwise with each fifth of WHR and WC from the bottom to the top (level of significance, p was less than 0.001 in each case).
• People in the top fifth of WHR (the largest) were nearly twice as likely to have calcium deposits compared with those in the bottom fifth (the smallest) WHR.
• After adjusting for standard risk factors such as blood pressure, diabetes, age, smoking and high cholesterol, only WHR was independently correlated with CAC prevalence (odds ratio 1.91 comparing top quintile with bottom), whereas no such association was present for BMI or WC.
• Similar results were found for aortic plaque, with people in the top fifth of WHR (the largest) being three times more likely to have it compared to those in the bottom fifth (the smallest).
• Using a statistical test called the c-statistic the results showed that WHR was more strongly linked to CAC prevalence than BMI and WC in men and women (p for WHR was less than 0.001 versus BMI and less than 0.01 versus WC).

The researchers concluded that:

"We discovered that WHR was independently associated with prevalent atherosclerosis and provided better discrimination than either BMI or WC."

"The associations between obesity measurements and atherosclerosis mirror those observed between obesity and cardiovascular mortality, suggesting that obesity contributes to cardiovascular mortality via increased atherosclerotic burden."

Commenting on their findings, de Lemos said:

"Middle-aged spread is not healthy, we don't have to clean our plates. It's better to throw food out than add it to our waists."

In a press release from the American College of Cardiology, Dr Raimund Erbel, from the West German Heart Center in Essen said that:

"Using the waist-to-hip measurement to gauge cardiovascular risk has certain clinical advantages."

"The WHR can be easily measured, taking only a few moments and giving more precise information on the presence of coronary artery calcium than BMI or waist circumference," added Erbel.

"In addition, although BMI is used more often, it does not identify patients with central obesity, which seems to be related to the metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance and abnormal cholesterol levels. However, most important is that other measures of obesity did not discriminate beyond traditional risk factors, whereas WHR did," he explained.

Essen said he found the findings "astonishing" and perhaps they were reflected the age distribution of the participants. He suggested that:

"During life, the likelihood of coronary artery calcium increases more in men than in women. It may be that in an older population, in which the duration of risk factor exposure is longer and the likelihood of coronary artery calcium is higher, the association between obesity, as measured by BMI and waist circumference, and signs of early atherosclerosis is stronger."

"The Association of Differing Measures of Overweight and Obesity With Prevalent Atherosclerosis: The Dallas Heart Study."

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High BMI linked to severe liver disease in later life

A recent study provides more evidence of a link between high body mass index as a young man and severe liver disease in later life. The authors call for earlier interventions and additional screening for those at risk.

The relationship between obesity and liver disease is investigated in a recent large-scale study.

Obesity rates are increasing on a global basis. A predicted 1 billion people will be classed as obese by 2030 (defined as a body mass index (BMI) higher than 30 kilograms per square meter).

Already, in some American states, more than 35 percent of the population are obese.

As is well documented, obesity comes with a range of negative health consequences, including heart disease, diabetes, cancer, gallbladder disease, and osteoarthritis.

Over recent years, links between obesity in youth and liver disease later in life have also become clear. These liver diseases include chronic viral hepatitis B and C, as well as non-alcoholic liver disease.

Links between liver disease and BMI

Earlier studies have demonstrated that a high BMI in adolescent men is associated with an increased risk of death from, or hospitalization for, end-stage liver disease later in life. Even when variables such as alcohol consumption, smoking, and the use of narcotics were taken into account, the relationship was still significant. However, to date, this link between BMI and liver disease has not been examined in sufficient depth.

A group of Swedish researchers set out to plug this gap. Led by Dr. Hannes Hagström, of the Centre for Digestive Diseases at the Karolinska University Hospital in Sweden, they delved into data from 1.2 million Swedish men who were conscripted into the army from 1969 to 1996.

They also used information from population-based registers charting liver cancer, severe liver disease, and type 2 diabetes. The participants were followed from 1 year after conscription, up until the end of 2012. Their findings are published this week in the journal Gut.

In all, the researchers collated and analyzed an impressive 34 million person-years. Across these huge swathes of data, there were 5,281 cases of severe liver disease, which included 251 cases of liver cancer.

50 percent increase in risk of liver disease

The investigators accounted for factors such as smoking and alcohol intake, but men who received a diagnosis of alcoholic liver disease during follow-up were removed from the data. Once these controls were in place, the findings were still significant.

The analysis showed that overweight men were almost 50 percent more likely to develop liver disease in later life than men of a normal weight. Similarly, obese men were more than twice as likely to develop liver disease further down the line.

This effect was even more pronounced for men who also developed type 2 diabetes. Participants with both obesity and type 2 diabetes were more than three times more likely to develop liver problems as they aged, compared with normal-weight men without type 2 diabetes.

The authors say of the results:

"This could have implications for public health decision-making, strengthening the need of targeted intervention against overweight and obesity at an early age and specifically highlights the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus as a risk factor for liver disease."

Because this study was observational, conclusions regarding cause and effect can not be drawn. However, because the study was conducted on such a large scale, the findings should be taken very seriously. The authors conclude with a call to improve earlier interventions in people most at risk of liver conditions:

"Screening of men with type 2 diabetes mellitus for presence of manifest liver disease using noninvasive, inexpensive scoring systems could be a way forward."

Similarly, they call for weight issues to be tackled from an early age to prevent these types of problems from arising. They write: "Interventions to reduce the increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity should be implemented from an early age to reduce the future burden of severe liver disease on individuals and society."

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Happiness declining in U.S. due to 'social crisis'

Levels of happiness in the United States are falling, according to results from the World Happiness Report 2017, and it appears to be down to a "social crisis."

A new report reveals that happiness levels in the U.S. are falling.

The report - released to coincide with the International Day of Happiness - has ranked the U.S. as number 14 out of 155 countries for happiness levels, dropping one place from last year.

According to Jeffrey D. Sachs, director of the Sustainable Development Solutions Network and co-author of the report, a decline in social support, a loss in the sense of personal freedom, and an increase in distrust of the government, are all key players in America's dwindling happiness.

"America's crisis is, in short, a social crisis, not an economic crisis," says Sachs.

The World Happiness Report is an annual report provided by the United Nations (UN) that ranks the levels of happiness across 155 countries.

The results are based on data from surveys that use six criteria to assess the happiness levels in each country: healthy life expectancy, GDP per capita, social support, perceptions of freedom to make life choices, generosity of donations, and perceptions of corruption.

Each country is allocated an average score between zero and 10, with 10 representing the highest levels of happiness.

Norway is the world's happiest country

In this year's report, based on survey data gathered between 2014 and 2016, Norway took the top spot for the world's happiest country, with a score of 7.53.

Report co-author Prof. John Helliwell, of the University of British Columbia in Canada, says that given the recent fall in oil prices, it is "remarkable" that Norway - a major oil supplier to the European economy - ranked first for happiness levels.

He speculates that this is down to factors independent of Norway's economic outlook.

"By choosing to produce oil deliberately and investing the proceeds for the benefit of future generations, Norway has protected itself from the volatile ups and downs of many other oil-rich economies," notes Prof. Helliwell.

"This emphasis on the future over the present is made easier by high levels of mutual trust, shared purpose, generosity, and good governance. All of these are found in Norway, as well as in the other top countries," he adds.

Denmark came a close second for happiness, followed by Iceland, Switzerland, and Finland.

The U.S., however, missed out on a spot in the top 10. An average score of 6.99 for happiness put the country in 14th place, ranking one place lower than in last year's report. Why are Americans becoming less happy?

America 'looking for happiness in all the wrong places'

In a section of the report titled "Restoring America's Happiness," Sachs looks back at the state of happiness in the U.S. over the past 10 years.

He notes that while per capita GDP in the country is rising, happiness levels have mostly declined since 2007, suggesting that other factors are at play.

Looking at the individual happiness criteria for the U.S., Sachs identified a decline in four areas: social support, personal freedom, generosity, and perceived corruption - areas in which Nordic countries are thriving.

"In sum, the United States offers a vivid portrait of a country that is looking for happiness 'in all the wrong places.' The country is mired in a roiling social crisis that is getting worse. Yet the dominant political discourse is all about raising the rate of economic growth.

And the prescriptions for faster growth - mainly deregulation and tax cuts - are likely to exacerbate, not reduce social tensions."

Jeffrey D. Sachs

Sachs points to a number of factors that may be to blame for such declines in the U.S. One he cites is the aftermath of 9/11.

"America's reaction to these unprecedented terrorist attacks was to stoke fear rather than appeal to social solidarity," Sachs writes. "The U.S. government launched an open-ended global war on terror, appealing to the darkest side of human nature by invoking a stark 'us versus them' dualism, and terrifying American citizens through the government's projections of fear."

Additionally, Sachs believes the "severe deterioration" of the educational system in the U.S. has played a role in the country's declining happiness, noting that the percentage of students in America achieving at least a university degree has become motionless.

"This matters because the failure of America to educate its young people is a major force behind the rise in income inequality (condemning those with less than a bachelors degree to stagnant or falling incomes) and, it appears, to the fall of social capital as well," writes Sachs. "The U.S. political divide is increasingly a divide between those with a college degree and those without."

How can America's happiness be improved?

Sachs suggests that in order for America's happiness to be restored, the country must place more focus on improving the social capital, rather than the economy.

He adds that this should involve addressing the fear created by the aftermath of 9/11, noting that President Trump's travel ban to stop individuals from Muslim countries entering the U.S. is a "continuing manifestation" of such fear.

An improvement in educational quality and attainment should also be a key focus in the U.S., says Sachs.

"America has lost the edge in educating its citizens for the 21st century; that fact alone ensures a social crisis that will continue to threaten well-being until the commitment to quality education for all is once again a central tenet of American society."

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