Archive for January, 2010

Nutrition for Older Adults

January 30th, 2010 admin

We know that protein is one of three vital nutrients that are needed for optimal health, regardless of the life stage. Our body uses protein to build, repair and maintain our lean muscle mass. Without muscles, we simply cannot move, but that is not all. Beyond just the obvious muscles that we use to lift, push, pull or even just walk around, there are other muscles that we need to even be able to live. Our heart is a muscle, as is the diaphragm, a necessary component of our respiratory system.

But protein does not only play a role in lean muscle mass, it is necessary for other purposes as well. Protein is a vital component for every cell in the body. Protein is transformed into enzymes which then push biochemical reactions forward. These compounds are propelled across the various membranes and through the blood.

There are a number of reasons that older adults may not get enough calories, let alone enough of the vital nutrients, protein, fat and carbohydrates. These reasons can include:

- Lack of funds for adequate foods

- The inability to shop for themselves

- Improperly fitting dentures

- Loneliness, depression and other factors that can limit appetite

- Dementia or senility which may also interfere with appetite and eating skills

- Physical conditions which may block absorption of a number of nutrients

One of the first things that older adults stop eating is typically meat, which is usually one of the biggest sources for protein in many diets. They may stop eating meat for the reasons listed above. They also may stop eating it because our tastes change as we get older. Foods that were once favorites may no longer be enjoyed by the older adult.

Adults with dementia or senility may not eat because they simply do not remember to eat, or they may start a meal and walk away, never going back. They may eat food that is no longer safe for them, putting them at huge risk for illnesses such as food poisoning. It may be hard to keep the adult with dementia healthy, especially since they will no longer sit down and sit still for a full meal. It is possible to give these patients liquid protein supplements to maintain a minimum of health.

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Where to Get Help for ADHD

January 26th, 2010 admin

There are lots of ADHD resources out there for parents of ADHD kids. You just need to know where to look. In this article I want to outline where and how you can find these ADHD resources and how they can help you to raise a happy well adjusted child which is probably the aim of all parents worldwide!

Educational resources
Any child who may have a learning disability because of ADHD or any other reason may be entitled to accommodations or special education services to help him or her so that the differences are compensated for. The laws covering this in the USA are the IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

These laws are in place to guarantee that every child, regardless of ability, gets a free and appropriate education. The US Department of Education has published a resource guide for home and school to guide you through all this. This is probably the most comprehensive of all the ADHD resources although I noticed that it has not been updated in the last few years. In some states, ADHD does not automatically entitle the child to special education services.

Web resources
There are a host of resources on the Internet and one great idea is to join a forum where you can get lots of support, advice and ask questions. All you have to do is Google ‘ADHD forums’ and choose which one is suitable for you. Some are for adults with ADHD only while others tend to be for parents with ADHD kids.

Apart from the forums, there are many sites specializing in ADHD and offering advice and support. Some are sponsored by drug companies who produce psychostimulant drugs for ADHD. Then there is CHADD and also the National Resource Center on AD/HD (NRC) which all offer sound advice. There is also a lot of information on the CDC and the FDA sites.

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Classification of Adverse Reactions

January 22nd, 2010 admin

Adverse Event Reporting is a very important part of the entire pharmacovigilance exercise. Adverse events are unwanted effects caused by drugs. Each drug may have many adverse effects and these may be heterogeneous. Adverse reactions may vary from a simple headache to even death, in some extreme cases.

Clinical trials management system and other observational procedures work to track adverse reactions during drug development. But that’s just not enough. Often adverse reactions can be identified even after successful marketing of drugs. In some cases, adverse event patterns may be identified years after the drug was launched, and products have been withdrawn from market.

Monitoring and assessing adverse reactions goes a long way in improving drug safety. Adverse Event Reporting System helps monitor adverse drug reactions and bring it to the notice of regulatory authorities and pharmaceutical companies. These are classified under different categories to make assessment of effects easier. Adverse effects are classified based on causal factors and severity.

Classification based on causal factors:

Type A: Overdose reactions that are related to the exaggeration of the therapeutic effects of the drug. These are predictable but are often unavoidable.

Type B: Allergic or idiosyncratic reactions, usually occurs in a minority of patients and usually unrelated to dosage. These effects are serious, unexpected and unpredictable.

Type C: Chronic effects related to an increased frequency of ‘spontaneous’ disease

Type D: Adverse reactions that are a delayed response to the drug

Type E: The adverse effects at the end of the treatment using the particular drug

Type F: Failed therapy

Classification based on severity:

Permanent, persistent or significant disability

Life-threatening condition

Need for hospitalization

Congenital Anomaly

Intervention needed to prevent permanent damage

Death

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Dyspraxia Influence on Child's Education

January 15th, 2010 admin

Millions worldwide are falling prey to the deadly disease called Dyspraxia. As much as two percent of the entire world population is under the threat of this neurological disorder. But what makes things even worse is most of them suffering from Dyspraxia are not even in their teens. Children are the prime subjects of this disease.

Dyspraxia is primarily forces an individual to lose control over his motor organs. This makes it extremely hard for the affected person to articulate words while indulging in a conversation with somebody. Most children from this kind of oral dyspraxia end up being neglected at schools and sometimes at their homes also.

Dyspraxia is not only limited to the motor organs only. Very often they create quite a negative impact on the sensory organs of your kid. Most kids suffering from this kind of syndrome find it hard to pick up new lessons irrespective of how simple they are. In most cases they feel challenged to distinguish between letters and numbers to begin with. Reduced analytical powers handicap them from comprehending whatever is taught in their school. Moreover some of them even show signs of clumsiness and poor handwriting. This is the reason most teachers have adopted a particular method of teaching for these individuals. Repetitive teaching has been quite helpful for these ailing students. In fact such teaching tricks have helped in unearthing some really bright students who suffer from this neurological disorder.

Special Need Schools have been set up in most parts of the world to help these children live a normal childhood along with getting all the education they need to become independent in the society. You should also chip in with contributions n order to help all these ailing children live the life of peace and prosperity.

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Some Tips on Safely Whitening Your Teeth

January 10th, 2010 admin

The best way to safely have your teeth whiter and brighter is consult a professional dentist or teeth whitening specialist. This may be costly but it may be worth the time and effort and be the most safe and effective way to have whiter teeth. If this is not an option, you can use an at home whitening kit where the main ingredient is peroxide which is safe for the mouth in small amounts. This works by creating bubbles on the teeth and enamel and getting rid of the stains. However, this at home whitening tip should only be used by people who have a healthy mouth and have been to the dentist within a year. It should be avoided by people that have sensitive teeth because it can cause temporary sensitivity. It is also not recommended for people who have crowns or fillings on or near their front teeth.

When using any teeth whitening or teeth bleaching product at home it is very important to follow the directions closely. If you leave a strip or product on too long it can irritate the gums and mouth and lead to other problems. It is also recommended to avoid drinking or eating acidic foods after using a whitening product to help protect your teeth. It is a good idea to be realistic about your results and not to expect them to be absolutely perfect if whitening your teeth yourself. Finally, do not over whiten or use whitening products too often, it may only cause more harm to your teeth.

Teeth whitening and teeth bleaching are very popular these days. Everyone wants the best and brightest smile possible. It is important though to follow all safety advice and procedures so you do not damage your teeth. If you have concerns, it is recommended to contact a doctor or dentist right away. Following these safety tips can help you to achieve the bright smile you have always wanted.

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