A cantaloupe recall 2011 update, revealed by US news sites, September 16 reported that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had narrowed down the source of the contaminated cantaloupes to Jensen Farms.
These were labelled Frontera Produce, and Rocky Ford Cantaloupes.
A new Tylenol recall has been issued by McNeil Consumer Healthcare on March 29, 2011, as disclosed by the company’s web site. The “over-the counter” (OTC) Tylenol 8-hour extended release caplets 150 count were recalled because of a “musty or moldy odor” coming from the Tylenol bottles.
According to the company, the odor is caused by 2, 4, 6-tribromoanisole (TBA) and 2, 4, 6-tricholoranisole (TCA) chemicals which are found in the caplets. McNeil however assured consumers that:
“the risk of adverse medical events is remote.”
The lot number recalled is ADMO74 with UPC Code 300450297181. Consumers who have bought the product are advised to contact the company through its website Tylenol.com or call McNeil through these numbers 1-888-222-6036 for further details.
Image credit: Joe Casey/Panorama
Joe Casey and Paul Kenyon of BBC Panorama were the undercover reporters who have documented the abused patients at the Winterbourne View residential hospital, where people with autism and learning disabilities are treated. This was disclosed by various UK news sites, June 1, 2011.
Due to the expose’, four people were arrested and 13 were suspended because of the physical and verbal abuse they have inflicted on patients who were supposed to be there for treatment.
Joe Casey who filmed the abusive behavior of the support workers said that it was the “hardest thing” he has done. Casey further stated that:
“It was absolutely distressing, more so for in patients…”
Castlebeck, owners of the home care facility, reportedly send a statement to Panorama expressing their regret at the “horrific event.” Lee Reed the chief executive officer stated that:
“Patient safety will always be Castlebeck’s priority and we shall continue to have a zero tolerance policy towards inappropriate behavior directed against those who use our services.”
Measles is a contagious viral condition which spread by droplets or through the respiratory route. Also called Rubeola, measles is characterized by runny nose watery eyes, cough, fever, Koplik’s Spots (small, white specks found in the mouth) and skin rashes. This occurs mostly in children, especially in infants, where it can cause fatal conditions.
Here are complications which can result from measles infections.
Pneumonia
This respiratory condition forms, which is secondary to bacterial infection. This could result to mortality, if left untreated.
Encephalitis
This is a condition which involves the brain. It could lead to death or brain damage. This is as a result of secondary infection caused by the viral infection.
Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis
This is a condition involving serious neurological symptoms which would eventually result to death.
These are the serious complications of measles which could be prevented through immunization of persons, especially the young.
References: “Microbiology: An Introduction” by Tortora, Funke and Case 8th ed.
Being in the medical profession, you should present yourself in as an organized, competent and at the same time fashionable dresser. This is because first impressions last. If you are a nurse, then you don’t have to dress shabbily or drably. You can exude competence while being elegant and fashionable in your nursing uniforms.
Introduce pizzazz; an impeccable sense of fashion and a whole new look with your custom made scrubs. These scrubs can even enhance your professional appearance because they would look elegant on you. Performing your duties well and reliably will turn you into a highly-skilled and competent nurse. This means too that you should be conscious of how you appear to other people.
You can appear confident, competent and reliable even with beautifully styled and designed nurses scrub uniforms that you wear. In fact, if you can combine style, competence and an impeccable sense of fashion, then you are one amazing nurse. Don’t be afraid to bring in your chic style while staying competent and highly-skilled.
Pepsi bottles will use environmental friendly materials starting next year 2012 according to international news sites. PepsiCo Inc. announced the news Tuesday, March 15, 2011. The 100% non-plastic and plant-based Pepsi bottles come from biodegradable switch grass, pine bark and corn husks.
Pepsi bottles will use environmental friendly materials starting next year 2012 according to international news sites. PepsiCo Inc. announced the news Tuesday, March 15, 2011. The 100% non-plastic and plant-based Pepsi bottles come from biodegradable switch grass, pine bark and corn husks.
According to Allen Hershkowitz, a well known expert in the Waste Management, the efforts of PepsiCo Inc. “is the beginning of the end of petroleum-based plastics”. The introduction of the new Pepsi bottles will definitely reduce the carbon footprint. Currently, most bottles are made using fossil fuels. Coca-Cola uses bottles made only from 30% plant-based material.
Eventually, Pepsi will also use orange peels, potato scraps and other common leftovers from food business.
“It’s distinguishable”, said Rocco Papalia, Senior Vice President of PepsiCo Research. The new bottle will look and feel the same as the current bottles. It will not alter the taste of the beverage with which the company is known for.
Hospital scrubs look anything but great. Enterprising manufacturers however have created new medical scrubs that are fashionable and attractive. Yes, you can have both from these cool looking scrubs for men.
If you’re planning of buying scrubs online, then you should look for a scrub suit that does not look drab and unattractive. Here are additional things you should look for when choosing scrubs.
These are some of the things you may want to consider. Your work clothes should be as comfortable as it can be because you’ll be in them for the large part of the day. What is important is that you get your money’s worth.
If you are a fashionable person, you may not enjoy wearing your scrub suits. You look at them as something which is only a necessity that you have to wear at work. You do not have to worry about this problem with the new nurse uniform though, they are chic and fabulous, you’ll feel as if you are not in a scrub suit but in your best clothing, modeling your favorite outfit. There are three major advantages of these necessary paraphernalia:
Protection
You need scrub clothing to protect you and your patients from any infection. It minimizes infection because you just wear them inside the hospital. You will get the full benefits of a Personal Protective Equipment or PPE.
Comfortable and Fabulous
These new scrubs clothing come in various colors and designs that you can choose from. The clothing material is soft and comfortable as well, and you’ll look fabulous in them. The soft pastel colors of the suit and colorful designs of the caps make them perfect clothing materials for the hospital, laboratory or clinic.
Affordable
These cheap scrubs are so affordable you can purchase more colors and accessories. Purchase at least $155 and you’ll get free shipping.
Take advantage of these scrub suits and enjoy your hospital duty.
At least 20% of the world’s population today experience nocturnal panic attacks once in their lives. If you belong to this 20%, you should read on and learn about nocturnal panic attacks. This condition is usually common in young children and young adults, and most senior adults. This could be due to a stressful activity or coping problems due to separation from parents or loved ones. These panic or stress attacks usually occur at nighttime. Panic attacks usually occur more frequently during daytime and only occasionally at nighttime.
Nocturnal panic attacks are harder to diagnose. Because of its occurrence at nighttime, it is always misdiagnosed as a nightmare or a bad dream. Recurrent nocturnal panic attack can be associated with sleep disorder. Nocturnal panic attacks are sometimes very intense that if you frequently suffer from it you would be afraid to go to sleep. This can drain your strength and lower your immunity.
What you can do about nocturnal panic attacks.
As with other panic attacks, the best way to treat nocturnal panic attacks is understanding it. Education, medication and psychotherapy are three of the best ways to treat nocturnal panic attacks. “Know your enemy” is not just an idiom, it applies in treating all ailments, and conditions, knowing what you are combating will prepare you to strategise on how you could defeat it and how you could prevent it from defeating you.
Psychotherapy will teach you how to deal with nocturnal panic attacks. You will have to learn relaxation skills as well as learn coping abilities. A person with a positive and cheerful disposition will be likely to overcome nocturnal panic attacks than those who have a sour disposition or who are pessimistic. Your loved ones can also act as your support group, discuss with them possible psychotherapy activities that they can help you with.
You should only take in medication if other remedies have failed or if the condition is disabling and there is a need to give medication simultaneous with other treatments.
You should also stop smoking, stop excessive drinking of alcoholic drinks, and reduce your caffeine intake all of these things trigger nocturnal panic attacks. You should also refrain from stressful situations and activities.
If it is your child who is experiencing nocturnal panic attacks sleep in his room and reassure him that you are just nearby if he needed you. Your reassurance will make him relaxed and safe. Be sure to make him comfortable when he sleeps; elevate some parts of his body by putting pillows under an arm or a leg. This will encourage better blood circulation and a more relaxed sleep.
Do not let a child who is suffering from nocturnal panic attacks watch horror movies before bedtime this can trigger scary thoughts, which may trigger panic attacks. Young adults who are suffering from nocturnal panic attacks because of separation from parents (coping with growing up) should be reassured of parental love and concern.
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Who are prone to cardiovascular diseases? What tests are performed to determine this? How could one prevent this? Vital questions about the heart that we should answer.
People who are overweight or obese , who are hypertensive, have sedentary lifestyles, smoke and drink alcohol and who have a family history of heart attacks and strokes, are usually prone to cardiac ailments. If you have ticked two or more of these, then you must have an ECG stress test, thallium stress test, ECG, CT scan, and echocardiogram, and of course, the LIPID panel test. In the laboratory, the cardiac panel test commonly consists of :
1. CHOLESTEROL
2. TRIGLYCERIDE
3. HDL
4. LDL
The accepted values for each are:
* Cholesterol <200> 40 mg/dL (1.04 mmol/L)
* LDL-cholesterol <100 style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; COLOR: rgb(51,51,255)">Eat lots of vegetables and fruits; e.g. apple, banana, oranges, grapefruit, garlic, watergourd, cucumber, and oatmeal. Fruits and vegetables are antioxidants (have carotenoids and flavonoids) and have lots of fibers to increase metabolism and reduce lipid build up. Oatmeal fibers help carry the bad cholesterol out from the body instead of allowing it to be absorbed by the blood.
2. Exercise 30 minutes everyday : 10 minutes of stretching and 20 minutes of brisk walking. The exercise will increase your blood flow, thereby avoiding the formation of lipid plaques or emboli in your blood vessels.
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3. Lessen fat and dairy intake. This includes meat fat , ice cream, butter , etc. These are sources of LDL (bad cholesterol) which increases the blood levels of the lipids. When lipids are in excess in the blood, they tend to amass in the inner linings of the vessel and form “plaques”. The plaques prevent the normal flow of blood and may plug blood vessels when they rupture. Plaques may also block the vein in the heart and cause a heart attack.
4. Lower salt and sodium intake – this is to prevent the risk of hypertension. High sodium in blood increases the risk of stroke because of hypertension and renal dysfunction. Avoid canned vegetables, luncheon meat, pickles, bacon, cheese, canned soups because they are rich in sodium. Cereals can also be a rich source, so read food labels carefully.
5. Stop smoking – carbon monoxide facilitates the elevation of cholesterol and impedes the transport of oxygen; thereby increasing the risk of cardiac disease. Smoking lowers HDL (good cholesterol) too.
6. Maintain a healthy weight – Obesity is one factor that leads to hypertension and to cardiac disease. e.g. for a 50 yr old female of 5 feet the ideal weight is 128 lbs. There is no consensus however as to what exactly is an ideal weight. This will depend on the body fat , musculature, metabolism and health of the patient. Almost all clinics have a BMI chart to which you can refer to.
7. Be sure you do not have diabetes – having diabetes is one predisposing factor to cardiac ailment. Diabetic patients have greater chances of acquiring heart disease because of insulin resistance that may lead to hyperlipidemia (increased blood concentration of lipids). The formation of plaque or emboli in the veins (atherosclerosis) is also enhanced in a person with diabetes.
8. Daily intake of aspirin has been proven in studies to have reduced by 25 % the risk of vascular attacks according to the British Journal of Medicine dated January 2002. The risk of internal bleeding however, should be considered in patients who may adversely respond to it. Aspirin has an anti-platelet activity which prevents emboli formation inside the blood vessels. A dosage of 80- 160 mg is usually the standard dose. Your attending physician should decide whether it is beneficial to you or not.
9. Stop alcohol consumption –Alcohol elevates triglycerides which can lead to stroke and heart attack. It also increases blood pressure and leads to obesity; all factors that contribute to the increase of heart attack. Researches claiming that red wine reduces HDL are still not approved by the AHA (American Heart Association) because there is no scientific proof to the claims. Locally, the old folk in the barrio drinking “tuba” (sugar cane wine) or “tapey” ( rice wine) are observed to have long lives. This can be explained by the sources of the “wine” – natural food, which have been fermented naturally. Wheat and sugar cane have lots of fiber and antioxidants which can increase HDL (good cholesterol), which is not true with commercially prepared alcoholic beverages.
If, however; after following these preventive measures and you still experience the following:
1. Chest discomfort
2. Discomfort or numbness in the arms, neck, jaw , back or stomach
3. Shortness of breath
4. Nausea
5. Lightheadedness
6. Cold sweat
You are having a heart attack. Rush to the nearest hospital. It will save your life.
If , on the other hand, you feel one or more of the following:
1. Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
2. Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
3. Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
4. Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
5. Sudden, severe headache with no known cause
Then it is a stroke. Do not wait for other symptoms to become apparent . Consult your doctor immediately. One heart is all you’ve got!
References:
cnetwork.org
nhlbi.nih.gov
quitsmokingsupport.com
americanheart.org
americanheart.org
Calbreath, Donald F: Fundamentals of Clinical Chemistry
