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Bed mites are dust mites that make their homes in your mattress and bedding. You may not even realize that they exist until you develop an allergy or have an asthma attack, which is made worse by these mites. They are microscopic bugs that feed on the dead skin cells shed by humans and house pets. Since most of these dead skin cells come off as you move about in bed, this is where you will find most of them. They are not dangerous, as such, in that they do not cause diseases. They cause allergic reactions because of the feces droppings that they leave behind.

The mattress in your bed could contain tens of thousands or even millions of mites. Mites prefer the warm, moist environment that a bed provides for them. Some of the symptoms you may have that can be attributed to dust mites include:

- hay fever

- watery eyes

- runny nose

- itchy skin

- sneezing

- asthma or difficulty in breathing

- eczema in infants

These symptoms can be present at any time of the year since dust mites will live in the bedding all year long. They continue to breed, so the population of mites continues to grow. There are some times of the year when this problem is worse than others, such as during the winter months when you have the heat turned on and all the windows closed. During the summer months when there is more sunshine and you have the windows open, you may not encounter the symptoms to the same extent.

Some of the conditions inside the home and the bedroom that will provide the optimum environment for these mites include:

- poor air circulation and ventilation

- high temperatures

- high levels of humidity

- indoor air pollution

Dust mites are too small to be seen with the naked eye. You have no way of actually seeing them unless you use a very strong magnifying glass or microscope on your bedding or mattress. Adult females can lay up to 40 to 80 eggs in groups of four or five. The life cycle from egg to adult is about one month and the adult lives for about another three months. Thus you have the eggs, the feces and the dead insects inside your bed.

The most effective ways of controlling this mite population include covering your mattress with plastic coverings. This also includes covering the pillows, but you can choose to use pillows that have synthetic filling instead of feathers and down. You should change you bedding at least once every two weeks and wash it in hot water. The high temperature of the water will kill any dust mites that are present. Freezing the bedding that cannot withstand high water temperatures is also effective.

Vacuuming the carpet and rugs in the bedroom every few days is also important. If you do not have carpeting, when you sweep the floor with a regular broom you could be putting more dust mites into the air that will land on the bed. For this reason it is better to wash the floor with a damp mop that will take up all the mites.

Resources: For more information on bed mites, dust mite spray and how to kill dust mites, visit http://www.Dust-Mites.org

The New England Journal of Medicine recently reported in its October issue that if an infant is given an aggressive jaundice treatment early on, that infant will be less likely to suffer from a brain injury or neuro-developmental issues in the future, according to a study conducted by the University of Texas Medical School.

The study used information for approximately 1,974 infants who were put into one of two groups of either infants who received an early, aggressive treatment of phototherapy when their bilirubin levels reached 5 milligrams (mg)/dL and infants who received a conservative treatment of phototherapy for bilirubin levels reaching 8 mg/dL.

Throughout the study as well as at the beginning, the infants were tested on the following:

* blindness

* hearing loss

* moderate or severe cerebral palsy

* cognitive development

* neurodevelopmental impairment

The study then compared the proportion of infants who had neuro-developmental impairment and found that those infants with the “aggressive treatment group were less likely to have neuro-developmental impairment than were infants in the conservative treatment group,” according to the study.

The results of this study may have led to potential development of a new preventive brain injury treatments and the authors of the research explained that while, “bilirubin can be toxic, it is also an antioxidant, and possibly could protect against the oxygen damage from chemical reactions occurring in the body or after an injury.” However, further research is needed to better understand the results and potential for this treatment among TBI victims.

What is TBI?

Millions of Americans suffer from a traumatic brain injury (TBI) annually - approximately 1.5 million Americans each year, which averages to one brain injury every 21 seconds in America, according to the National Brain Injury Research Treatment and Training Foundation (NBIRTT). Additionally, the NBIRTT estimates that approximately $56.3 billion dollars are spent annually on costs associated with treating and diagnosing traumatic brain injury.

According to the NBIRTT, the following are some of the top reasons brain injuries occur and these are listed with percentages of most to least occurring incidents:

* falls - 28 percent

* motor vehicle traffic accidents - 20 percent

* struck by or against something - 19 percent

* assault - 11 percent

* unknown reasons - 9 percent

* other reasons - 7 percent

* non-motor vehicle accident (including riding bicycle) - 3 percent

* other transportation methods - 2 percent

* suicide - 1 percent

TBI Signs, Symptoms

There are a vast array of brain injury signs and symptoms, but the most common include the following, according to the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (CDC):

* continued headaches or neck pain

* difficulties in remembering, making decisions or concentrating

* becoming confused or lost easily

* lethargic feelings, unmotivated

* slowness in thinking, acting, reading and speaking

* mood changes

* sleep pattern changes

* lightheadedness, dizziness, loss of balance

* nausea

* ringing in the ears

* increased sensitivity to light, sound, distractions

* loss of sense of smell or taste

* blurred vision, loss of vision

Treating A Brain Injury

It is important that victims of TBI speak to an experienced brain injury physician, such as a neurologist or neuropsychologist, to ensure top quality care for their injury. It is also important that an individual who has suffered from a TBI injury contact an experienced personal injury attorney who may be able to provide a free legal consultation as to the development of a brain injury lawsuit in which a victim has the potential to earn monetary compensation to pay for medical expenses incurred.

Resources: For more information on traumatic brain injury, visit http://www.tbi-brain-injury-law.com, also visit http://www.LegalView.com for the latest mesothelioma treatments or to find information on obtaining a Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis law firm.

Everyone has dust mites in their beds, which can trigger allergic reactions because of the droppings these tiny insects leave behind. These insects are so tiny that you cannot see them with the naked eye. They do not bite and do not cause any diseases on their own. They thrive in the warm humid environment that a bed mattress provides as well as in carpeting, stuffed toys and in the cushions of the sofa. You can control the dust mite population in your home with regular cleaning and by using dust mite spray.

This product contains boron, which has proven effective in the control of insects in the home. It is a powder that you mix with water in a spray bottle. You spray your home and then repeat the task every four months. It will not harm fabrics and is clear and odourless so it won’t cause any allergic reactions to the residents of the home. You can spray the carpeting, the upholstery, stuffed toys as well as the mattresses and bedding.

If you feel that you really want to make sure you do have dust mites present in your home, you can use a kit that will detect the presence of these insects within ten minutes. These kits are sold individually and one kit will test one surface only. Just testing one mattress in your home may be more than you need to realize that this could be a thriving environment for millions of mites. Although you should wash your bedding in hot water at least once every two weeks and regularly clean and vacuum the floors, you can make this task easier when you use a spray for dust mites.

You can also use the solution of the spray in a carpet cleaner so that you not only kill the mites with the cleaning. The moisture you put into the carpets can lead to dust mites making their home there before it even dries, so you do give yourself additional protection by using the spray solution along with the cleaning.

The way in which this product works is that it coats the source of food for the mites. Mites feed on the dead skin cells of humans and the dander left behind by pets. When you eliminate the food source, then you eliminate the mites. If you perform a test on one surface and use this spray solution, you will see a dramatic decrease in the dust mite population if you retest the same surface after two weeks. After eight weeks, there will be no dust mites remaining.

One 8-ounce bag of the powder for the spray is sufficient for 200 square feet of carpeting. A two ound bag is enough to spray 800 square feet, but this will be reduced if you do use the solution in a carpet cleaner. You should use this product twice a year and when you start to spray your home with it, always start with the bedroom because this is where you will find the most dust mites.

Resources: For more information on dust mite spray, bed mites and how to kill dust mites, visit http://www.Dust-Mites.org

Electrolyte imbalances within the body can occur in response to many factors. When a person is dehydrated either from sickness or starvation, their electrolytes can become depleted. Certain medications can cause electrolyte imbalances as well as chronic diseases such as diabetes and renal failure. Electrolytes have a large role in balancing all metabolic reactions related to the delicate pH balance of the body, which is 7.35-7.45.

Within this limited pH range all metabolic reactions can go to completion. For instance, ATP can be released and produced, muscle contractions occur in simple or complex body movements, our thinking processes and those muscle contractions not in conscious control such as our beating heart and peristalsis of the bowel.

When a particular electrolyte is either in toO great or too small a concentration the pH of the body responds in kind to correct the imbalance by pulling from other sources in the body. When this happens the person begins to have symptoms that something is wrong. Sometimes the symptoms are barely noticeable, while other times the person must be immediately hospitalized in intensive care.

Hyperkalemia deals with an electrolyte imbalance in which there is too much potassium or (K+) in the body. When the serum potassium levels rise above 5.3 mEq/L or the blood pH drops below 7.35 the person is considered to be in a state of hyperkalemia. Hyperkalemia is diagnosed in up to 8% of hospitalized patients. Death can be as high as 67% if severe hyperkalemia is not treated quickly. Drugs are an underlying cause in 75% of inpatient cases. Some of the causes of hypekalemia can be seen in the table below:

DECREASED EXCRETION:

Renal Failure (creatinine 10mL/min)

Use of potassium sparing diuretics

Decreased aldosterone secretion

EXCESSIVE INDEGESTION:

Rapid IV infusion

Potassium supplements

Metabolic acidosis

INTERSTITIAL FLUID SHIFT:

Metabolic acidosis

Diabetic Ketoacidosis, K+ moves out into blood stream

Anti hypertensives such as Beta Blocker and ACE Inhibitors

Signs and symptoms of hyperkalemia include muscle cramps, weakness in the lower extremities, nausea, diarrhea, low blood pressure, bradycardia, and an abnormal electrocardiogram.

It is important to carefully monitor the elderly and small children for hyperkalemia. Normal occurrences like diarrhea and vomiting can be life threatening to infants and the elderly. This is due to the lack of fluids within them prior to the occurrence. Therefore careful observation for the above signs and symptoms can save a life.

The first step in treatment is to determine whether life threatening cardiac toxicity is present and treat if required. Treatment is based on eliminating or decreasing potassium intake, shifting potassium form the ECF to the ICF, and improving renal and gastrointestinal potassium excretion.

With cardiac arrhythmias or changes in the ECG, IV calcium gluconate is given first, then insulin or sodium bicarbonate is administered. If output does not exceed greater than 30 mL per hour then dialysis is usually started.

ECG abnormalities from hyperkalemia related to the P wave include either a low amplitude or wide and flattened to non discernible in severe states. The PR interval may be normal or prolonged, or not measurable if there is no P wave. The QRS complex is widened, and the T wave is tall and peaked. The QT interval is shortened and the ST segment may be elevated.

References

Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, ECG Interpretation an Incredibly Easy Pocket Guide., copyright 2006

Macklin, Murphy-Ende., Saunders Nursing Survival Guide Fluids and Electrolytes, Copyright 2006, Saunders Elsevier, St. Louis Missouri

Resources: Pass the Nursing Entrance Test the first time with our guide at Nurses Learning Center. Written by a Professor of Education for nurses, the guide has over 600 pages with details answers to every question.

You have probably heard all the good, bad and ugly about the flu vaccine and maybe you just don’t know what to do. Let me give you some facts so you can make up your mind.

Getting the flu vaccine is a matter of choice but with all the marketing and propaganda many people are confused, especially the elderly.

Over the last 20+ years the flu vaccination rate among the elderly has increased from 15% to a current rate of 65%. Has there been a corresponding decrease in hospital admissions or mortality due to the increased rate of vaccination - NO!

Let’s go one step further. A recent Canadian study had 704 individuals of which 85% were 64 years of age or older. One-half (352) were the control group and did not get a shot; the other half (352) got a flu vaccination.

The results: Sadly 29% came down with serious pneumonia and 12% died. Now if you compare this with the national averages it would appear at first glance that the flu vaccination reduced the mortality rate by 50%. Let’s look a little deeper into the underlying factors.

A certain percentage of the individuals were classified by doctors as “good” patients. What this means is that these individuals exercised regularly, did not smoke, only drank in moderation and took a variety of supplements or necessary medications. If you include this factor into the evaluation, accepting the flu vaccine did not have any significant effect on mortality.

In other words, is someone is otherwise healthy they probably have a better chance of surviving a serious flu infection that someone who is already frail and in ill health. The flu vaccine would not make a difference in either groups mortality rate.

Even the evidence is overwhelming that the flu vaccine program offers no benefits, remember it is a government program and with most government programs the public and the health professionals have been brainwashed into believing that the program is saving lives.

It would be wise to spend the money that would have been spent on flu vaccine on increasing your intake levels of vitamin D, especially in winter when many do not have the advantage of natural sun exposure and those that do have a reduced rate of sun exposure due to a weaker sun in the winter months.

Now lets look at vitamin D and see how it might take the place of the flu vaccine.

It appears that people get far to little of vitamin D and therefore they fall into a group of generally un-healthy people that could be candidates for the flu vaccine. But this can be avoided by starting supplementation with 200IOU of vitamin D if you are under the age of 50; 400IU from 50 to 70 and 600IU for those over the age of 70.

Just to show you how aggressive the U.S.Government and the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) are about the flu vaccine, they lowered the age for universal vaccination from 65 to 50 years of age in 2001. This added 41 million people to the list.

Furthermore in 2003 they added children from 6 months to 23 months old; in 2005 they added children up to 5 years old. At the present time 84% of the population qualifies for a flu vaccination.

Only healthy people from 19 to 49 years of age are exempt.

Almost all of the CDC’s 15-member Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)who make these recommendations have financial ties to the vaccine industry. The CDC therefore must grant each member a conflict-of-interest waiver. The government promotes National Vaccination Week, which this year is December 8-14.

The New York Times published an article in the September 2, 2008 edition titled “Doubts Grow Over Flu Vaccine in Elderly,” which says, “The influenza vaccine, which has been strongly recommended for people over 65 for more than four decades, is losing its reputation as an effective way to ward off the virus in the elderly.

A growing number of immunologists and epidemiologists say the vaccine probably does not work very well for people over 70, the group that accounts for three-fourths of all flu deaths.” The article refers to a study done by the Group Health Center for Health Studies in Seattle on 3,500 people, age 65 thru 94, to determine if flu vaccines are effective in protecting older people against developing pneumonia. (Lancet 2008;372:398:405).

If the millions of individuals that are at health risk would start a vitamin D supplement there may not be a need for a flu vaccine.

Beware of the non-shot option which is a nasal mist vaccine. Because it contains a weakened live flu virus it is not for people with a weak immune system or certain health conditions. This nasal mist is ONLY for healthy, non-pregnant women between the ages of 2 to 49 years old.

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Autism was first described in the early 1940s by two doctors who were working independently of each other. Autism Spectrum Disorder is a neurological condition that causes developmental disability.

Autism is a spectrum disorder, defined by certain behaviours which come in combinations and in degrees of intensity that vary in each child and adult affected.

Facts and studies show that signs of autism are usually present by three years of age and it is four times more prevalent in boys than in girls. This is a life-long brain disorder that is normally diagnosed in early childhood.

A professional screening enables a physician to target the three core areas of the disorder through a combination of observation and interaction. Autism is not an illness or a disease. Many children have below-normal intelligence.

Autism affects people of all racial, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds. It is considered to be at epidemic proportions internationally, occurring at 1:110-150 people, with rates increasing. Children with autism are less able to interact with the world as other children do.

Children with autism appear to have a higher than normal risk for certain co-existing conditions, including fragile X syndrome (which causes mental retardation), tuberous sclerosis (in which tumors grow on the brain), epileptic seizures, Tourette syndrome, learning disabilities, and attention deficit disorder.

Children with an autistic disorder usually have elevated blood lead levels. Children and adults with autism typically have difficulties in verbal and non-verbal communication, social interactions, and leisure or play activities.

Children sometimes have impaired hearing in addition to autism. Children with autism might have problems talking with you, or they might not look you in the eye when you talk to them.

This is treatable and recovery possible (at least in some children). More and more parents are wondering whether they’re likely to have a child with autism.

There are separate labels given to children with this for different points on the Autism spectrum. At the other end of the spectrum you may find labels such as “Autism”, “Classic Autism” and “Kanner Autism”.

When your child has been evaluated and diagnosed with a spectrum disorder, you may feel inadequate to help your child develop to the fullest extent of his or her ability.Parents are urged to seek professional advice and not to self-diagnose the disorder in their children. Hans Asperger, described a milder form of the disorder that became known as Asperger syndrome.

The pervasive developmental disorders, or autism spectrum disorders, range from a severe form, called autistic disorder, to a milder form called Asperger syndrome. No guarantees can be made regarding the accuracy of information and it should not be used as a basis for any medical, behavioral or cognitive interventions.

Autistic children have difficulties with social interaction, problems with verbal and nonverbal communication, and repetitive behaviors or narrow, obsessive interests.

Each child will display communication, social, and behavioral patterns that are individual but fit into the overall diagnosis of ASD. For some, the sadness that comes with such realization motivates them to learn new behavior and acquire better social skills.

Nevertheless, communication and social problems often cause difficulties in many areas of life. The warning emphasizes that children, adolescents and young adults taking antidepressants should be closely monitored especially during the initial weeks of treatment, for any worsening depression, suicidal thinking or behavior, or any unusual changes in behavior such as sleeplessness, agitation, or withdrawal from normal social situations.

Research has shown that parents are usually correct about noticing developmental problems, although they may not realize the specific nature or degree of the problem. Research into the causes of autism spectrum disorders is being fueled by other recent developments.

Autism is characterized by impaired social interaction, problems with verbal and nonverbal communication, and unusual, repetitive, or severely limited activities and interests.

This is one of five disorders coming under the umbrella of Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD), a category of neurological disorders characterized by “severe and pervasive impairment in several areas of development,” including social interaction and communications skills (DSM-IV-TR).

Autism is no longer considered a heritable, genetic disorder. However, given the relationship between speech development and prognosis, aggressively pursuing verbal communication skills is highly recommended for young children with Autism/PDD-NOS.

In the past, the majority of individuals with Autism lived in institutional care as adults. However, because communication skills are an integral part of what most people consider intelligence, the problems people with autism show in this area may affect their ability to perform on standardized intelligence tests.

Some of the key differences between Autism and Asperger syndrome are that the individual could not have had a clinically significant language delay.

(although unusual patterns of communication and impaired nonverbal communication is generally present), and the individual must function within average to above average intellectual (cognitive) levels.

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