In October 1985, the first national organized campaign took place to increase public awareness of breast cancer. The U.S. Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day is observed annually on October 13, and the entire month of October is dedicated to breast cancer awareness. Get involved and take control of your health by learning how to properly perform a breast self-exam. Breast Cancer Self-exams Help Detect Breast Cancer Early Women of all ages need to do consistent monthly self-check exams. Learning these three following techniques and practicing them faithfully can make all the difference in early prognosis and success of treatment if breast cancer is present. 1. Shower Breast Exam With one arm lifted and your hand behind yo…

We know that maintaining personal hygiene is important to stop the spread of disease and minimize health problems such as cavities, but what does it mean to have good cyber hygiene? The term "cyber hygiene" refers to regularly maintaining the health and security of users, devices, networks, and data in order to protect them from theft or attacks. Chris Cummings, CEO of Petra Technologies, further explains how organizations can follow good cyber hygiene habits to help prevent data breaches and minimize the risk of compromises. Ready to tackle your cyber hygiene habits? Contact Petra Technologies today! This blog post was first published on PetraTechIT.com. …

Mastitis is an infection that causes painful inflammation of one or both of the breasts. Untreated mastitis can potentially lead to an abscess that may require a procedure to drain pus from the breasts. By recognizing the symptoms, you’ll know when to go to your doctor for simple treatment. What Causes Mastitis? Mastitis most often occurs in women who are breastfeeding. This is called lactation mastitis. Milk can become trapped in the ducts, causing it not to drain properly. This can potentially lead to infection. Bacteria from lingering milk or from external sources such as your baby’s mouth or your hands can also cause mastitis. Periductal mastitis refers to mastitis in smokers that is not linked to lactation. It also re…

When you enable location services on your devices, do you know what information is being tracked and shared by your applications? It might be time to take a closer look.  In fact, you may be allowing sensitive location data to be sold to third parties without your knowledge. Chris Cummings, CEO of Petra Technologies, encourages users to be aware of applications’ privacy policies and to be vigilant about those they grant access to their smartphone data.  If you’re unsure what information you’re sharing or how to stop sharing it, we can help. Contact Petra Technologies today! This blog post was first published on PetraTechIT.com. …

Sure, that last beer or glass of wine before bedtime may help you fall asleep. However, it can deprive you of a decent night's sleep, or worse, trigger some difficult sleep disorders. What Effect Does Alcohol Have on Sleep? According to research, alcohol can help you sleep faster as it's a depressant. The benefits fade rapidly, though, as your body works to rid the alcohol from the system. One explanation for insomnia after consuming alcohol is that the generation of adenosine (a hormone in the brain that works as a sleep inducer) surges while drinking, helping you to fall asleep quicker. This chemical soon diminishes, increasing your chances of waking up during the night. Drinking before bedtime is also associated with slo…

When it comes to IT equipment in your business, you're going to want what is called a UPS—uninterrupted power supply—to protect from power disturbances. The two most common types of UPSes are "on-line" and "line-interactive," and they have a few significant differences.  Chris Cummings, CEO of Petra Technologies, explains the process and purpose of each UPS type, as well as the potential trade-offs when it comes to choosing which is best for your company.  Petra Technologies can help you get the right type of UPS for your business. Call today! …

Speech delay in children is a developmental disorder that hampers oral communication. It delays a child's ability to acquire the skills necessary to speak, such as syntax and grammar, unlike their peers. It can be due to various reasons. Signs of speech delay in children include delayed ability to pronounce words, ease while articulating, and non-verbal communication. Read on to understand what a speech delay is and its various causes. Causes of Speech Delay A speech delay means your child isn't speaking as well as other children of the same age. The major causes of a speech delay include the following. Genetic Factors Some children may have inherited certain conditions that cause them trouble communicating with ot…

As more and more businesses switch to cloud-based servers, it can be easy to feel like you're being left behind. But are cloud servers really the right move for YOUR business? The answer can depend on many factors within your work environment, such as company size, in-office vs. remote employees, and budget. With so many factors to consider, it's important to work with a trusted professional who can help you navigate the transition. Chris Cummings, CEO of Petra Technologies, offers a brief rundown of what you can expect when switching to cloud servers. Wondering if the time is right for you to switch? Give us a call and let Petra Technologies evaluate your environment. …

Would you rather attempt a vaginal birth after a cesarean (VBAC) or schedule another cesarean section if you've already had a C-section done previously? Don't come to a decision until after you've assessed the dangers and benefits of each. Of course, you should also consult with your healthcare provider to get a deeper understanding of what both procedures entail. Here are some factors you need to consider before making your decision. Why Consider VBAC? The safest delivery method for both mother and child is vaginal birth. According to the American Pregnancy Association, there is a 60% success rate for safe vaginal births after cesarean. VBAC is a good option as it involves no surgery. There are no surgical-related complications …

Changes in ransomware tactics, supply chain disruptions, regulatory changes, and more—these are all current trends that are affecting cybersecurity insurance premiums. Chris Cummings, CEO of Petra Technologies, gives an update on these trends as they relate to your business and discusses a few more changes regarding cybersecurity insurance. Need help with your cybersecurity or confusing insurance documents? Reach out to Petra Technologies today. This blog post was originally published on PetraTechIT.com. …

Ovulation is an important process for women’s reproductive organs. When ovulation doesn’t occur, pregnancy becomes impossible to achieve. But how does ovulation work? What are the stages of ovulation? The Menstrual Phase The menstrual phase is the time of your cycle when you’ll experience a period, otherwise known as menses. This phase marks both the end and the start of your ovulation cycle. This phase usually lasts between four to seven days and occurs because your body is shedding the nutrient-rich lining of the uterus since pregnancy hasn’t occurred. For many, this phase may be rather painful and challenging. Medical intervention may be required if this phase is exceptionally heavy, painful, or otherwise unusual for y…

Wi-Fi has become an essential part of our daily lives, and when it doesn’t work, it can be a big inconvenience. Wi-Fi issues can be caused by a number of different things, from interference from other devices to poor signal strength. Sometimes the problem can be easily fixed by simply moving closer to the router. However, other times the cause of the problem can be more elusive. Running a Wi-Fi Analyzer application can help to identify potential problems and suggest solutions. Chris Cummings, CEO of Petra Technologies, describes a real-life Wi-Fi situation he experienced recently and how he solved the problem with the help of a Wi-Fi Analyzer. Need help getting on top of your Wi-Fi problems? Contact Petra Technolo…

There are many parallels between parenting a pet and raising a kid, but they both provide their special brand of delight to a household. Use these tips for prepping your pet for your new baby to enjoy the experience thoroughly. 1. Go to the Vet Ensure your pet is healthy and has had all its shots and vaccinations before bringing baby home. Consider spaying or neutering your pet if you haven’t already. 2. Train Your Pets Before the baby comes, practice basic manners with your dog so that they are familiar with them and can readily do them when instructed. Teaching basic commands such as “stay” and “sit” is vital for controlling your dog while holding the newborn and keeping the baby safe. You’ll have your arms fu…

Back when many parts of the country locked down due to Covid, many businesses sent their employees home to work remotely. With most homes having high-speed internet these days, this was a viable option. However, businesses soon discovered that certain solutions were too cheap or unreliable and that there were some things we take for granted in the office that needed to be reevaluated. Businesses will need to invest in more reliable and secure solutions if they want to make remote work a viable long-term option. Chris Cummings, CEO of Petra Technologies, discusses a few best practices when it comes to the technologies you're using to work from home. Want more information about how to securely set up a remote workspace? Contact�…

As a parent, one of the most terrifying things that can happen is realizing you can’t find your child in your own home. When your child goes missing in your home and won’t respond to your voice, you wonder whether they’ve gotten into something they shouldn’t have or gotten stuck in a dangerous position or situation. If you find yourself in this scenario, it’s important to stay calm and follow some basic steps to ensure you find your child as quickly and safely as possible. 1. Check Dangerous Spots First The first thing you should do if you realize you can’t find your child is to check the most dangerous places first. This means checking areas like the medicine cabinet, near windows with shade drawstrings, anywhere wit…

Pelvic pain is a common complaint during pregnancy. While some women experience only mild discomfort, others may have more severe pain that can interfere with their daily activities. To help you better understand what may be causing your pelvic pain, here are five possible causes. 1. Weight Gain and Increased Pressure on the Joints Pregnancy is usually accompanied by weight gain, which can put additional pressure on the joints and ligaments in your pelvis. This increased pressure can cause pain in the hips, lower back, and groin. Additionally, as the fetus grows, it may put pressure on the nerves in your pelvis, which can lead to pain. This pain may be more pronounced during certain activities, such as walking or climbing stai…

File sharing and management is a critical part of any business operation—especially when client information is involved. Unfortunately, many businesses opt for "free" consumer-grade products like OneDrive and Dropbox, which lack true ransomware protection, have costly storage upgrades, and have limited data retention and rollback capabilities. A better option for businesses is a hybrid on-premise and cloud file server solution. Petra Technologies offers such a solution with our SkyFolder product, which is included with our Petra Care Connect service. In today's video, Chris Cummings explains the main benefits of SkyFolder and how the product can provide you with more control, protection, and peace of mind. Curious how SkyFol…

Problems of the hand, wrist, and arm affect many adults and are often due to repetitive work tasks, athletic activities, or simple actions in their daily lives. Pain and nerve impairment of the arm, wrist, or elbow can become intense and can make doing ordinary tasks more difficult or even impossible. Tendonitis Tendonitis is caused by inflammation of a tendon. It is a very common condition that can be caused by overuse of an area of the body, repetitive movements, or an injury to the area. Physical examination, patient reporting of symptoms, and X-rays to rule out other problems are generally used to diagnose tendonitis. The first line of treatment for tendonitis usually includes the RICE technique: rest, icing, compression, and …

Spam or junk filters for your email are great tools, but only if they are working correctly. If you've ever waited for an important email to arrive only to find out it went into your spam folder, you know how frustrating this can be. Outlook can help you take control of your inbox with junk mail options that allow you to block unwanted senders or never block senders you know, along with other advanced settings. Chris Cummings, CEO of Petra Technologies, explains how the Outlook junk mail options work and how they can be used to your advantage. Want to get better control of your business inbox and security settings? Contact Petra Technologies today! …

Tweens and Menstruation: Conversations Without the AwkwardnessA gentle and honest approach can help you navigate conversations about menstruation with your tween daughter. Read More

Wearing a helmet is important. In fact, wearing a helmet is so essential for your safety that wearing one reduces your risk of injury by more than 50%. This is especially true for children, who tend to be less coordinated, and are more likely to sustain serious damage. However, getting your child to wear a helmet isn't always easy to do. Thankfully, there are a few tips that you can follow to help encourage your child to wear a helmet. Decorate It Children are excitable, and they love to express themselves. If your child is struggling with helmet-wearing, it may be a good idea to let them decorate it. When you make your child feel like they're having some sort of choice in the matter, they're more likely to embrace it. You can mak…