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Archive for June, 2009

Monitored Alarms With Carbon Monoxide Detection

11 Jun

The National Safety Council reports that 300 people die every year and thousands are hospitalized as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon Monoxide in the home is a concern if you have natural gas sources or an attached garage. Protecting your family from this odorless, colorless gas is a very simple task when you add a Carbon Monoxide Monitor to your home security system such as the monitor available as an add-on to ADT home security systems.

The symptoms of Carbon monoxide poisoning are often confused with the flu or food poisoning. Victims will show signs of fatigue, nausea, dizziness, disorientation, headaches, or even weakness. Adding a monitor to your home security system can alert you to carbon monoxide in the home before you realize there is a leak.

If you suspect Carbon Monoxide poisoning in your home get any family members experiencing symptoms out of the home immediately. If you are unable to get them out use your security system’s one-touch Medical button to call for emergency assistance. Open all windows and doors to let fresh air in your home and turn off all possible sources of carbon monoxide such as appliances or vehicles.

There are some things that you can do to prevent CO poisoning in your home. Make sure that appliances are working according to their manufacturers’ instructions and building codes. Getting an annual inspection of your chimney, flues, and heating system can be a preventive measure. Do not allow a vehicle in your garage to run for more than a few minutes to prevent carbon monoxide from leaking into your home.

If you do not have a home security system with carbon monoxide monitoring consider purchasing one. This is the best defense against this invisible intruder. You may want to consider looking for additional monitoring services to protect your family such as fire monitoring that can notify the home security monitoring center to call the fire department. ADT Monitored Home Security can be upgraded to include critical monitoring of carbon monoxide, fire, low-temperature monitoring and flood detection.

When selecting a home security system with critical monitoring services here are a few important things to look for:
o What critical monitoring service(s) does the home security service offer?
o Does the home security monitoring service provide cellular monitoring in case of a telephone line outage, such as ADT SafeWatch Cellguard?
o How many monitoring centers does the service have to watch over your home? The more monitoring centers the better. This will protect your home when a center suffers from a power outage. Another center can immediately take over the monitoring of your home and family. ADT 24 Hour Monitoring is the most Customer Monitoring Centers of all home security monitoring providers.
o Does the security system have one touch buttons for Medical, Fire and Police in the event of an emergency?
o Consider a wireless home security system which has a less invasive installation.
o Look for a home security system that has voice communication directly to the monitoring center via the installed equipment. This will allow you to communication with dispatchers even when you cannot get to the phone if the monitoring center is alerted to a problem in your home.

Our families are precious as are our homes. It only takes a few minutes to lose a loved one to carbon monoxide poisoning and to contact a home security consultant to learn about how to monitor carbon monoxide in your home.

 
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Posted in flu

 

8 Honey Beauty Tips

11 Jun



According to the dictionary, honey is a sweet yellowish or brownish fluid produced by various bees from the nectar of flowers. Besides using honey as food, did you know that honey is one of the oldest and most effective beauty aids?

Honey contains waxes, sugars, and traces of minerals. It is a natural moisturizer, as well as an anti-irritant making it suitable for sensitive skin types. Honey can be found in many of the beauty products you find in your local drug store or favorite beauty supply store. Some of these products can be very expensive to purchase and many of these products can be made at home.

Try some of the following honey beauty tips below. Please be sure not to use honey on your skin if you are allergic to it!

1. Honey mask: Apply pure honey to your face and allow it to set until dry. This will take about 15 minutes. Once dry, rinse your face with warm water.

2. Body glow bath: To moisturize, smooth, and get an all over body glow, keep a jar of honey next to your bath. Apply honey on your skin and pat dry using both hands. While patting your skin, the honey will get sticky and gently pull up your skin. Rinse away the honey when you are done. The results will be great circulation and beautiful, glowing skin!

3. Honey bath: For sweet smelling and soft skin, add

 
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Is the Flu Shot Right For You?

10 Jun



For several years now it has been encouraged that seniors receive a flu shot to help protect them from Influenza. Others may wonder how safe the flu shot really is and if it worth the risk to get the shot. You should always talk over your concerns with your doctor and they will let you know if the flu shot is right for you but it doesn’t hurt to do your own research online to discover the risks and benefits of the flu shot. First of all you should know what Influenza is. Influenza is a viral infection that starts in the air passage ways; lungs, nose, and throat.

Symptoms of the Flu

The severity of symptoms depends on each individual but sure signs of the flu include

• Sore throat
• Stuffy nose
• Cough
• Tiredness/Exhaustion
• Headaches and muscle aches

These symptoms can last for up to two weeks. If you begin to feel any of these symptoms you may want to call your doctor so they can monitor your progression. If the flu is left untreated it can turn into pneumonia and that is why it is important to get your flu shot if your doctor recommends it.

The only time you should not get the flu shot is if you have had a negative reaction from the flu shot before, If you have ever developed Guillain-Barre Syndrome right after taking the flu shot, or if you are allergic to eggs. Your doctor may still recommend that you receive the flu shot but they will monitor your condition more closely.

Alternatives

Besides the flu shot you can also receive a flu nasal spray vaccine. This is not for everyone but you may be a perfect candidate for it. There are situations that you should not receive the spray including

• If you are over 50
• If you have certain health conditions
• If you have certain immune deficiencies
• If you have asthma or other breathing conditions
• If you have diseases such as lung, heart, or kidney disease
• If you have a history of Guillain-Barre Syndrome
• If you have ever had a reaction to the flu vaccine in the past

You can still end up with the flu even after taking the vaccination. The older you are the less likely the flu shot is to prevent your from getting the flu. Keep in mind that there are several factors that play a role in increasing your chances of developing the flu. These include:

• If you frequently visit or reside in a nursing home or facility
• If you are over the age of 65
• If you suffer from health problems and conditions that require long term treatment
• If you are under the care of someone who is frequently exposed to other patients who have the flu

The flu vaccination is your best defense from the flu but there are other ways that you can protect yourself. These include taking care of your self by eating the right foods in a well balanced diet, making sure you have enough sleep every night, and washing your hands often. When you go out of the home make sure that you wash thoroughly when you return in case you have come into contact with germs and bacteria while you were out.

 
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What You Must Know About Allergy Treatment

10 Jun



Lots of people are afflicted with allergy to different types of objects. Some people are allergic to odors, fumes and smoke, but many others are allergic to foods like shellfish and nuts. Environmental allergens are the former while the latter are known as food allergens. The victims always become uncomfortable whenever they come in contact with any of these objects. Sneezing, vomiting and abdominal pain are some of the discomfort the victim often experience. Some of these reactions do happen suddenly and death may be the result in some instances if no immediate treatment is found quickly. How best can you treat environmental and food allergens?

The best way to solve the problem of food allergens is to know the food that is responsible for the allergic reaction. Do not be afraid yet. This may mean that you will have to take a look at the food you’ve consumed of late. Did you alter your food? You should immediately remove the food from your list once you’ve discovered that it is the one causing the problem. You must not treat this with levity.

Whenever possible, it is advisable to stay away from the food as much as possible. Unlike their food counterpart, environmental allergens are not easy to deal with. This is because of the tricky nature of environmental allergens. Skin allergy testing is the best solution for environmental allergens.Allergy treatment is then prescribed based on the level of reaction at hand.

Furthermore, many people are not aware that it is not everyone experiencing allergic reaction that needs to visit a medical professional. Since allergic reaction is not the same in everyone; its treatment also differs from one person to another. What is ideal for one person may not work effectively in another individual. In summary, it is advisable to try out over-the-counter medication if you or a loved in battling with allergic reaction.If there is no respite yet, then you may have to consult with a medical professional for assistance.

 
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Posted in Allergy And Sinus

 

Parkinson’s Disease – The Cause And Symptoms

09 Jun



Parkinson’s Disease, or PD, is most common amongst the elderly. In most cases, Parkinson’s cannot be predicted or prevented. The disease is a movement disorder characterised by the loss of or slow physical movement, trembling of the arms, hands, legs, jaw or head, stiffness of the limbs and impaired balance.

The non-motor aspect of PD

Apart from the physical symptoms, patients suffering from PD also show signs of mood disturbances. As much as 90% of PD patients suffer from anxiety that consequently leads to depression, abulia or apathy. Parkinson’s sufferers have noted experiencing sleep disturbances causing excessive daytime drowsiness or insomnia.

Cognitive disturbances include dementia in almost 40% of Parkinson’s sufferers. They suffer from short term memory loss, lack of impulse control, prioritising and evaluating the clarity of surrounding situations, varying time awareness and lack of social consciousness. These symptoms of the physical and emotional seem to worsen over time.

In some cases, as the condition worsens, symptoms such as lack of facial expression, speech impediments, difficulty in swallowing, constipation, bladder problems, sweating, sexual difficulties and alterations in their sense of smell.

Disease vs. Syndrome

Although Parkinson’s is referred to as a disease, its definite cause has not been specified. Common causes that have been indicated as being responsible for causing Parkinson’s Disease include genetics, toxins, cerebral anoxia, head trauma and drug related issues. Despite these causes, an ailment qualifies as a disease because of a collection of signs and symptoms which emerge together. In order to qualify as a disease, the problem would have to have a root cause incorporating that a single cure should work in every Parkinson’s case.

Treatment

As such drugs have only been able to improve the symptoms, but have not been able to cure the disease. Some even suggest delaying treatments as the effectiveness of the drug has a restricted lifetime. The main treatment for Parkinson’s Disease has been drugs that include: Propranolol, Primidone, Anticholinergics, Selegiline, Amantadine, Levodopa, COMT inhibitors and Dopamine agonists. Levodopa is the main agent used to treat Parkinson’s and is combined with carbidopa when given in a pill form.

Surgery has also been used in cases where the medication is no longer having any effect in controlling the symptoms. Alternatively, deep brain stimulation is applied. It works similarly to a pacemaker and is implanted in the chest with wires that penetrate deep into the part of the brain that controls motor function, where electrical impulses are sent. So far this has been the dominant treatment with severe cases where medication is no longer effective.

Alternative medicine and Parkinson’s Disease

Alternative medicine and treatments have been incorporated into treatment of the symptoms of Parkinson’s. Exercises such as Pilates, tai chi and yoga help increase body flexibility, enhancing balance and coordination. The muscles of the spine are elongated, strengthened and stabilised through the stretching movements specific to Pilates. This increases blood circulation and balance and improves posture.

Nutrients and herbs are also prescribed in a patient’s diet, but this is to be used solely in conjunction with other treatments. Homeopathy is used for symptoms and can alleviate the trembling, painless paralysis, restless legs, anxiety, depression, arteriosclerosis and general restlessness. Massages help with circulation and to decrease muscle spasms, while acupuncture helps with tremors.

Manual Nerve Release technique, or MNR, has been showing great benefits for Parkinson’s sufferers. Although still categorized as an alternative healing technique, Parkinson’s Disease patients have experienced many benefits due to the treatment. Because MNR is also a somatic healing technique, both the physical and mental aspect of Parkinson’s is treated.

With all this considered, it does show that there is hope for those suffering with Parkinson’s, whether a disease or syndrome. You no longer have to suffer the symptoms and agony of this disease like before.

 
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Top Four Arthritis Myths Debunked

06 Jun



If you are already suffering from arthritis, your first goal should be to acquire as much knowledge as possible about your condition. Much information about arthritis can be considered as myths, and if you are among the unfortunate ones to believe in such arthritic stories, then you may be denying yourself the right medication or the proper way of caring for your joints. Worse, you can be limiting the fun and enjoyment that you should be experiencing.

Arthritis can be very painful, no one can deny that. But before you take in everything that your family, friends, and even some doctors throw at you with regard to this disease, you better take note of the following myths about arthritis. Sorting the facts from the myths of arthritis can bring you comfort and may even save your life, so read on and pay attention.

Myth 1) Age Brings About Arthritis

If you are reading this, there is a good chance that you are in your mid-forties or fifties. And with all the pain that you are going thru, you put the blame on your age. But the truth is that arthritis is not brought about by age. Sure, most sufferers are in their forties and beyond, but even children and young adults can suffer from this condition. Experts have always pointed out that arthritis can affect anyone no matter what age bracket he or she is in.

Myth 2) Cold Climate Triggers Arthritis Attacks

Many sufferers of arthritis have the idea that a drop in climatic temperatures or living in very cold places can trigger bouts with arthritis. But scientific investigations say nothing can be farther from the truth. Weather really has nothing to do with this disease. If you want to see the veracity of this report, just think about other people in tropical or Middle Eastern places. Do you think they do not experience arthritis in those areas? Well, they do, even if their weather is not that cold.

Myth 3) There’s A Cure For Arthritis Somewhere

Cancer and AIDS patients are hoping that someday doctors will be able to find ways to defeat their disease. Well, they have reason to hope because recent studies are all pointing out to the possibility of developing cures for such diseases. But as for an arthritis sufferer like you, there can be no such hope.

Once this disease hits you, there is nothing you can do to reverse it. Scary as it may sound, arthritis cannot be cured. The only solution right now is to delay the worsening of your condition and to manage the pain that comes with every arthritis attack.

Myth 4) Shifting To A Healthy Diet Will Stop Arthritis

Well, having the right diet is very important for the overall development or maintenance of your health. But if you are already suffering from arthritis and you get the novel idea of shifting to a healthier diet plan, you should not expect miracles to happen. In other words, even if you adopt the right eating habits, your arthritis will not just go away.

Heredity and the overall condition of your joints are the main factors to be considered when you talk about arthritis and other joint problems. And while some forms of arthritic diseases like gout can be brought about by eating the wrong food, arthritis in general can not be stopped by merely eating right.

With all these myths debunked, you may think that everything looks gloomy for arthritis sufferers like you. Well, all is not lost. The good news is that there are ways to manage the pain and you can also prevent your condition from getting to advanced stages. Always consult with your doctor to attain better understanding on how to properly care for your joints and cartilages.

And don’t forget, there are bone and joint formulations available in the market that can help alleviate your pain. Flexcerin is one of those specially-formulated joint supplements.

 
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Bone Cancer – Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment and Prognosis

05 Jun



Bone cancer is rare and accounts for less than 1% of all new tumors. Not all bone tumors are fatal in fact benign (non cancerous) abnormalities are more common than malignant ones. Most are secondary and have been spread from another site. Primary bone cancer which starts in the bone is quite rare constituting less than one per cent of all malignant tumors. They are more common in males, especially in children and adolescents. The most common type of primary cancer is osteosarcoma. This type of carcinoma usually affects young adults. It can affect any bone, but the arms, legs and pelvis are more commonly affected. Other less common forms of primary bone cancer include Ewing sarcoma, malignant fibrous histiocytoma and chondrosarcoma.

Primary Bone Cancer
The causes of primary bone tumours are not known; however, adults who have Pagets disease (a bone disease) may have an increased risk.

Secondary bone cancer
Secondary bone cancer is the most common bone cancer. It is a carcinoma that starts somewhere else in the body and spreads (metastasises) to the bone. The most common cancers that spread to the bone originate in the breast, prostate, lung, kidney and thyroid.

Reticulum cell sarcoma of the bone
A cancerous tumor of the bone marrow presenting in more males than females.

Leukaemia
Cancer of the blood, which starts in the bone marrow

Symptoms of bore cancer
Symptoms tend to develop slowly and depend on the type, location, and size of the tumor. The signs and symptoms of bone carcinoma include: painful bones and joints, swelling of bones and joints, problems with movement, susceptibility to fractures. Less common symptoms include: unexplained weight loss, tiredness, fever and sweating.

Remember this conditionr is very rare so if you have any of these symptoms it is likely to be caused by another condition. Always see your doctor if you have for a diagnosis.

Causes
Although bone cancer does not have a clearly defined cause, researchers have identified several factors that increase the likelihood of developing these tumors. A small number of bone cancers are due to heredity.

Diagnosis
Bone cancer can present itself in any of the bones of the body, but it is diagnosed most often in the long bones of the arms and legs.

Diagnosing bone cancer involves a number of tests, including: X-rays and bone scans to show the exact location and size of the cancer (these are always done prior to biopsy), bone biopsy where a small sample of the cancer is removed from the bone and examined in the laboratory for the presence of malignant cells, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan similar to a CT scan but uses magnetism instead of x-rays to build three-dimensional pictures of your body.

Treatment
The treatment and prognosis depends upon multiple factors including the type and extent of the cancer, the patient’s age and overall health status. Tumors may be treated with surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or a combination of these.

Primary bone cancers:
The tumor, surrounding bone tissue and nearby lymph nodes are surgically removed. In severe cases, the affected limb may need to be amputated, but this is rare. Treatment may also include radiotherapy (x-rays to target and kill the cancer cells) and chemotherapy (anti-cancer drugs). These may be given before surgery, to shrink the cancer and/or afterward to destroy any remaining cancer cells.

Secondary bone cancer:
Treatment depends on the treatment for the original tumor, but usually includes chemotherapy, radiotherapy or hormone therapy. Surgery may be needed to strengthen the affected bone.

Prognosis
Overall, the chance of recovery (prognosis) for bone cancers has improved significantly since the development of modern chemotherapy. The chance of recovery will depend on a variety of influences; if the cancer has spread, the type of cancer, the size of the tumour, location, the person’s general health and other individual factors.

If the tumor is very small and localized, the five-year survival rate is close to 90 percent. If the cancer has begun to spread, however, survival becomes more difficult. The five-year survival rate is only about 60 percent, and the prognosis is poor once the cancer spreads.

Bone cancer in cats and dogs
Bone carcinoma in dogs and cats can be a challenging disorder. Osteosarcoma is by far the most common bone tumour if dogs, usually striking the leg bones of larger breeds. Chemotherapy significantly prolongs the survival of animals with osteosarcoma when used in conjunction with surgery. For dogs Cisplatin alone or in combination with doxorubicin markedly improves survival time to a median of 8-10 months with the percentage of dogs alive after11 months at 50%.

Feline Osteosarcoma unlike its canine counterpart it has a much lower rate of metastasis and longer term survival can be expected with complete excision. Median survival for cats with osteosarcoma is approximately 2 years with many cats outreaching that.

 
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Elderly Healthcare – How Does it Affect You?

04 Jun



As people age, healthcare concerns start to rise quickly. High blood pressure sits amongst the many ailments that could affect the elderly. Most doctors will suggest that you change your diet, lose weight, and implement exercise into the lifestyle. However, for the elderly this could be difficult. Therefore, the physician will likely prescribe some form of medicine to ease the issue. You are probably thinking that is just one pill, that isn’t too awful.

Arthritis is another ailment that is very common in the elderly, which leads to chronic pain. For a lot of elderly people, just waking up each morning and getting out of bed is a real chore and extremely painful. They visit their physician yet again for this pain and the doctor will likely prescribe yet another form of medication such as a painkiller. If the painkiller isn’t working, then you may see some depression, which means yet another pill.

If you look at this so far, this is three different forms of medication that a person may have to take. Then if because of the side effects they have any sleeping troubles, well there is another pill, if there is anemia, there is another. This could really start to add up, if they are seeing several different doctors and the elderly person is not bringing their list of medication with them, the other doctors may not know the treatment plan thus far.

This results in the elderly taking a great deal of medication, of which puts a big dent into their savings and then on top of all of that, they are often not eating the right way or getting any type of companionship. This is a dire state for our elderly to be in, it leads to a great deal of suffering and surmounting healthcare bills.

However, the good news is that several areas within the United States are trying to take steps to make some changes. Florida for example have begun to pair healthcare professions and coordinators with their elderly citizens to help keep track of the healthcare they are receiving. These coordinators perform many different tasks, such as ensuring that all of the patients doctors are up-to-date on every element of their healthcare.

They also visit the elderly within their own homes and suggest any elements or changes that could be made to ensure they are living healthier. They will ensure that they are eating healthy and properly, if not making adjustments as needed. If aids are needed within the home due to frequent falls, the coordinator will make these arrangements as well.

The coordinator may also analyze if the elderly person is in need of further care, such as perhaps they do not have the ability to properly care for their own well being any longer. If this is the case, they will suggest different alternatives with the family, which may include elderly day care or nursing homes for complete care.

Taking care of our elderly is our job. These are our parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, or simply the people who have shaped our world today. They need a great deal of compassion and care to be sure that they are living healthy and happy.

 
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How Your Diet Can Affect Arthritis

04 Jun



Arthritis is a condition with over 100 different types that affects your joints and muscles. Many people are surprised to learn that changing the way you eat can sometimes help with arthritis symptoms. There’s no “miracle” food that is going to get rid of your arthritis, but avoiding certain foods and adding others has been known to help.

First of all, it’s best to avoid any type of “fad” diet. These types of diets are often lacking in essential nutrients that are important for joint and muscle health.

It’s also important to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water and other non-alcoholic drinks. A diet that is rich in plant-based foods is another important component of a healthy diet.

Maintaining a healthy body weight will also often help relieve some symptoms of arthritis. Excessive weight can lead to additional stress on the body’s joints and muscles, aggravating the condition.

Your doctor may suggest a weight loss plan if you are overweight. They will be able to suggest physical activities that will be low impact and have little or no effect on your arthritis symptoms.

Many people who suffer from arthritis prefer water-based exercise because they offer a thorough workout without the impact of many land-based alternatives.

Yoga has also proven to be popular, as has walking. A regular walking routine can have a great deal of impact on your overall health.

As far as supplements that have been known to help arthritis sufferers, fish oils are one of the most beneficial. Several studies have shown they can help to reduce the inflammation associated with arthritis.

Fish oils rich in Omega-3 fatty acids seem to be some of the most helpful, particularly with inflammation-based arthritis symptoms. Two types of arthritis where this is the case are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Plus, these studies have also shown fish oils to be beneficial in other ways, not just helping reduce arthritis symptoms. They are believed to help the heart, asthma, prostate cancer and a number of other conditions.

 
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