How to Deal with Sleepwalking Disease?

Sleepwalking is a common disease but can not determine the exact cause disease. Up to 40% of children are sleepwalking into a certain time. In families with young sleepwalker, and other vulnerable children and most children are developing rapidly.

Sleepwalking is a state away in his sleep. This is a type of sleep disorder, who carried away in his sleep while some activities are likely to remain asleep. Sleepwalking may occur in any age, is common in children, even toddlers children, the most common age is between 3-7 years old.

The patient is sleeping, sitting, eyes open, go around the room or going toward the light, young parents’ bedroom, or go to the window and climbed up the window, opened the door to go outside .. .

Even some patients conduct complicated operations such as moving furniture, going to the bathroom, or take off clothing and many other similar activities. Some people in the car, drive a car to go a long way while actually asleep. Some sexual behaviors may appear.

Adults may or hallucinations or eat while walking. Can be very difficult to wake a sleepwalker who is so, they can attack their wake. Patients often look awkward, clumsy, bizarre behavior such as urinating in the trash. Sometimes it appears the excitement, man or more acts of violence.

Sleepwalking can suddenly end, patients can return to bed and continue sleeping. Sleepwalking usually occurs after 1-2 hours of sleep in stages 3 and 4 of NREM sleep (deep sleep) and last from several seconds to 30 minutes. Waking, the patient does not remember anything about what happened. Sleepwalking may occur every night, often can not.

Smoking Parents can Poison their Babies

If you are an active smoker, then you should think twice before you sleep in the same room with you baby. A research in California found that babies who sleeps with their parents (who are smokers) had 3 times higher levels of nicotine than those who sleeps separately.

Babies who have parents who are active smokers  is said third hand. Although they are never exposed to cigarette smoke directly, babies can still be exposed to toxic from smoke that sticks to clothing and skin of their parents, and even on the furniture.

The study also showed that bedroom ventilation is not effective enough to reduce levels of toxins on passive smokers, particularly babies. “Passive smoking is the leading cause of child mortality in developed countries,” said Guadalupe Ortega, author of the study.

Known as the Brief Intervention in Babies Effectiveness (BIBE), the study is related to the impact of tobacco smoke at a very young age group in private spaces. The study involved the participation of 96 primary health centers in Catalonia. Experts interviewed parents of 1,123 babies under 18 months of age, who have at least one parent who is an active smoker.

They analyzed hair samples from 252 infants to determine the levels of nicotine. The research was done again in the following 3 and 6 months . As a result, 83% of the hair samples contained high levels of nicotine.

(Source: medicmagic.net)

10 Most Dangerous Household Products contain Chemicals

#1  Non-Stick Cookware

In the 1960s non-stick pans were introduced to the American household.  Many people loved how easy they were to cook with and clean, but they held a sinister cost for this ease of use.  The coating of Teflon pans non-stick is Polytetrafluoroethylene or PTFE for short.  When PTFE heats up it releases toxic gases which cause cancer, organ failure, reproductive damage, and other harmful health effects.

#2  Plastic Bottles

BPA was the most recent big scare in plastic bottles, it mimics the effects of hormones that harm your endocrine system.  While BPA is now banned, there are still other types of plastic to watch out for in addition to those old BPA plastics floating around 2nd hand.  Single use plastic bottles leech chemicals into water, especially when left in the sun.

#3  Convential Cleaning Supplies

These contain toxic chemicals that negatively affect every system in your body.  All purpose cleaners contain ammonia, a strong irritant linked to liver and kidney damage.  Bleach is extremely toxic and can burn the skin and eyes.  Oven cleaners can cause chemical burns, emit toxic fumes, and is one of the biggest threats to children.

10 WHO Facts on Food Safety

1.  More than 200 diseases are spread through food - Millions of people fall ill every year and many die as a result of eating unsafe food. Diarrhoeal diseases alone kill an estimated 1.5 million children annually, and most of these illnesses are attributed to contaminated food or water. Proper food preparation can prevent most foodborne diseases.

2.  Foodborne diseases are increasing worldwide - Disease-causing organisms in food are transmitted far and wide by today's interconnected global food-chains - escalating how often and where foodborne illnesses occur. Rapid urbanization worldwide is adding to risks, as urban dwellers eat more food prepared outside the home that may not be handled or prepared safely - including fresh foods and fish, meat and poultry.

4 Simple Steps to Quit Smoking

Step 1.

Pick a quit day. You will have lots of support if you choose the special day such as World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) or Great American Smokeout day as your quit day. For this year, WNTD will be held on May 31, 2011. If that does not work for you, pick another day. Do not wait for the perfect day because that will never come. Just get a date in your head and circle it on the calendar!

Step 2.

Tell you friends, family and coworkers that you are planning to stop smoking. Tell them the quit day you have chosen and ask for their support and understanding while you wage your battle against nicotine. Sharing the fact that you are going to quit makes it more of a reality.

Step 3.

Find and join a support group for people trying to quit. It has been proven that joining one of these groups can raise the success rate of quitting for good. Nothing beats knowing you can turn to people who understand exactly what you are going through. In addition to the live group, enroll in an online stop smoking forum. The internet is a great place to escape to when cravings to light up hit!

Step 4.

Select a nicotine replacement aid. This is also another proven safe and effective way to quit. The aids can lessen your withdrawal symptoms making it easier to fight them. Remember, the withdrawal phase is a short one but it can be tough. A great aid on the market today is Miracet. Check it out and have it handy to support you during your first smokeless weeks.

As conclusion, support is the key factor. You may have been smoking alone for years but in order to quit successfully you will need help. Battling an addiction is not something you should attempt alone. Join a support group, let your friends and family do what they can to help and find a nicotine replacement aid that will work for you.

Understand the Plastic Recycling Codes

--(Please click on image to view large size)--

Know the Plastic Water Bottle Safety

Although the FDA has approved all plastics currently being used to package food, they might not all be safe. An estrogen-like compound in plastic could be posing risks to the brain development of infants and children. BPA, a component of polycarbonate plastic, can leach from baby bottles, water bottles and other hard plastic containers.

The biggest risk seems to be for fetuses, pregnant women, infants, and children. Low doses of BPA cause structural changes in the brain that trigger learning deficits and hyperactivity. There is also some concern that it harms the prostate gland and causes premature puberty. 

Not all plastics have been identified as unsafe. Out of the 7 types of plastics used in packaging, 4 are still considered safe. You can use the recycling number on the bottom of containers to identify the type of plastic being used.

Plastics To AVOID:

● #3 PVC or vinyl: Used in plastic wraps, food containers, soft bottles, wrappings for meat and cheese. It is made with chlorine and releases dioxins which have been linked to cancer (including breast and prostate), hormonal imbalances, high blood pressure, heart disease, autoimmune disease, weight problems, and chronic fatigue. 

Phthalates, which make the plastic flexible and used in products ranging from shampoo to floor coverings, have recently been cited in a study that linked their exposure to smaller genitals in infant boys and an increase in testicular cancer about adults.

● #6 Polystyrene or styrofoam: Used as takeout containers, plastics cups, and cutlery. Its components leach into fatty foods and are believed to interfere with hormones.

● #7 Misc/Other: category that includes polycarbonate (PC): Used for most clear-plastic bottles, including 5-gallon water bottles and baby bottles. When heated, they release BPA, a hormone disrupter that imitates the female hormone estradiol which may be linked to breast and ovarian cancer. The US Centers for Disesase Control and Prevention found BPA in the urine of 95% of Americans tested. 

Plastics Considered SAFE:

● #1 Polyethylene terephthalatePolyethylene terephthalate (PET or PETE)

● #2 High-density polyethyleneHigh-density polyethylene (HDPE)

● #4 Low-density polyethyleneLow-density polyethylene (LDPE)

● #5 Polypropylene (PP)

As conclusion, try avoiding plastic food containers as much as possible. Never put hot food in plastic or use plastic dishes in the microwave, as heat increases the leaching of BPA. It is also not recommended to reuse plastic water bottles because as they become worn or scratched, they leach more toxins. 

What's the Risks of Drinking from Plastic Bottles?

For record US has high-quality tap water, but American consumers spend a lot of money on bottled water every year due to the belief that it's safer than tap water. But is it? The perceived benefits may not outweigh the dangers of drinking water from plastic bottles.

Leaking/Leaching - Some plastic bottles leak chemicals into the water, particularly when the water gets hot and causes the plastic to give off gases which dissolve in the liquid. Watch out for hard, colored bottles made from lexan or polycarbonate, plastic baby bottles and drinking cups, which contain and can leak bisphenol-A.

Chemicals - Plastic bottles have a number of chemicals, but bisphenol-A (BPA) is a particular concern. Bisphenol-A has been linked to breast and uterine cancer, decreased levels of testosterone, and even type 2 diabetes. Hard plastic colored bottles made from lexan or polycarbonate, and most plastic baby bottles and drinking cups contain and can leak this chemical.

Bacteria - Bacteria thrives in moisture; therefore, the more you reuse a plastic bottle, the higher the chances that bacteria will grow inside it and make you ill. Any scratches in the bottle can also becoming a breeding place for bacteria.

Safe Bottles - Most plastic water bottles are made from #1 polyethylene terephthalate (PET/PETE), which has been thoroughly tested and deemed safe by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. It's recommended for one-time use only.

● Note: Check for the following codes or numbers within the recycling sign on side or bottom of plastic bottles to ensure safety: #2 or HDPE, #4 or LDPE, and #5 or PP. You can also reuse these safely, as long as you thoroughly re-wash them with hot water and soap.

Potentially Hazardous Bottles - If you see recycling codes #3 or PV/Vinyl, #6 or PS/Styrofoam, or #7 or PC on the bottom or side of drinking bottles, stay away from them.

Environmental Dangers - It takes a lot of energy to make and distribute plastic, which leads to pollution during manufacturing and contributes to global warming. In addition, plastic doesn't easily break down in landfills.

6 Steps to Avoid BPA in Your Daily Life

BPA (Bisphenol-A) is a potentially toxic estrogen-mimicking compound used in plastic production that has been linked to breast cancer, early puberty, infertility, and other maladies. It's dangerous enough that it has been banned in baby bottles in Europe, Canada, and even China. And it turns out that it's almost entirely unavoidable. 

It exist in water bottles, store receipts, soup cans, and plastic-packaged foods, and many more products we encounter on a daily basis, according to a study from the Breast Cancer Fund and the Silent Spring Institute. The study, then suggests that the best solution is subsisting on a fresh-food diet, which could cut down on BPA exposure by at least 60%. 

Here's what you need to do in your daily life to mimic the study's results and how much of a hassle it may be:-

●  Drink tap water or rely on BPA-free stainless steel water bottles instead of slugging down bottled water.

●  Instead of eating microwavable meals that come out of plastic containers, eat only freshly-prepared or organic foods.

●  Instead of using plastic utensils, rely on the longer-lasting variety. 

●  Avoid all canned foods and replace with non-canned variations (replace canned soup with soup in a carton, for example) unless cans denote that they have a BPA-free lining. 

*Note:  If that's not possible, avoid these specific canned foods, which are known to be high in BPA: coconut milk, soup, meat, vegetables, meals, juice, fish, beans, meal-replacement drinks, and fruit. Take special care to avoid foods that are acidic, salty, or fatty. 

●  Avoid plastic storage containers for leftover food. Instead, use glass containers along with BPA-free plastic lids. The food should not touch the lids. 

●  Instead of using a plastic coffee-maker or going out for coffee, use a French press or ceramic drip. 

Even if you follow all of these steps, BPA will inevitably linger in your body; traces of it are found in extremely unlikely places, such as whole eggs and milk (due to pre-market processing). But many of these suggestions will lead to a healthier lifestyle -- eating fresh food, avoiding bottled water, and cutting back on impulse coffee purchases. There's no harm in trying, and certainly no harm in reducing the poisonous toxins in your body. 

Know about BISPHENOL-A (BPA) Chemical

Bisphenol A is a chemical used primarily as a monomer in the production of polycarbonate plastic (PC), and epoxy resins. It also has uses in polyester, polysulfone and polyacrylate resins, and flame retardants. Polycarbonate (PC) is widely used in food contact materials such as infant feeding bottles, tableware, microwave ovenware, food containers, water bottles, milk and beverage bottles, processing equipment and water pipes. 

Epoxy resins are used as protective linings for a variety of canned foods and beverages and as a coating on metal lids for glass jars and bottles, including containers used for infant formula. These uses result in consumer exposure to BPA via the diet. 

Bisphenol A is an endocrine disruptor, which can mimic the body's own hormones and may lead to negative health effects. A panel convened by the U.S. National Institutes of Health and U.S. National Toxicology Program (NTP) agreed that there was "some concern for effects" on the brain, behavior, and prostate gland in fetuses, infants, and children at current human exposures to bisphenol A.

For baby milk bottles produce with BPA, European Union (EU) - recommended by WHO, has announce recently to make the ban effective in June 2011 for EU-member countries. Other countries that have banned the chemical in milk bottles include Germany, France, Denmark, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the state of New York in the United States.

BPA is used in polycarbonate to make baby milk bottles because it made the plastic hard and transparent while those without BPA had a less clear and dirtier look.

[source: WHO & Food and Agriculture Organization of United Nations (FAO)]

How to Pigtail Wires

●  Cut a 6" length from a piece of insulated wire the same gauge and color as the wires it will be joining.
●  Strip 3⁄4" of insulation from each end of the insulated wire.
*Note: Pigtailing is done mainly to avoid connecting multiple wires to one terminal, which is a code violation.

●  Join one end of the pigtail to the wires that will share the connection using a wire nut.

*Alternative: 
●  If you are pigtailing to a grounding screw or grounding clip in a metal box, you may find it easier to attach one end of the wire to the grounding screw before you attach the other end to the other wires.

●  Connect the pigtail to the appropriate terminal on the receptacle or switch.
●  Fold the wires neatly and press the fitting into the box.

How to Join Wires with a Wire Connector

●  Ensure power is off and test for power. 

●  Grasp the wires to be joined in the jaws of a pair of linesman’s pliers. 

●  The ends of the wires should be flush and they should be parallel and touching. 

●  Rotate the pliers clockwise two or three turns to twist the wire ends together.

●  Twist a wire connector over the ends of the wires. 

●  Make sure the connector is the right size. 

●  Hand-twist the connector as far onto the wires as you can. 

●  There should be no bare wire exposed beneath the collar of the connector.

●  Do not overtighten the connector.

*Option: 

●  Reinforce the joint by wrapping it with electrician’s tape. 

●  By code, you cannot bind the wire joint with tape only, but it can be used as insurance. 

●  Few professional electricians use tape for purposes other than tagging wires for identification.

*Option: 

●  Strip 3⁄4" of insulation off the ends of the wires to be joined, and insert each wire into a push-in connector. 

●  Gently tug on each wire to make sure it is secure.

How to Identify Fake Chicken Eggs?

Around 2009, people discovered fake chicken eggs being produced and sold in China. So, be very careful buying eggs, don’t buy the fake ones! This post will give you some tips how to identify fake chicken eggs from the real ones.

How Fake Eggs were Made?

Fake egg’s shell is made of calcium carbonate. Egg yolk and egg white are made of sodium alginate, alum, gelatin, eatable calcium chloride and then add water and food coloring. First pour a set amount of sodium alginate into warm water and mix it into egg white like shape, then mix it with gelatin together with benzoic acid, alum and other chemicals to make the egg white. Egg yolk is just adding lemon yellow food coloring. Together with calcium chloride to form egg mixture into the mold to produce the egg membrane. 

Egg shell is made of paraffin wax, gypsum powder, calcium carbonate and other materials. Fake egg is full of chemicals, the main ingredient calcium alginate, at most is a gel. Alum, gelatin etc are only as additives, auxiliary agents. There are national standards on the use of additives; the amount of them is clearly defined. In the fake eggs they have become the major components; they are not beneficial to the human body. Fake egg has little or no nutrition value compare with the real egg.

How to Identify Fake Eggs?

1. After opening the egg, egg white and egg yolk will soon mix together.

2. Fake egg’s shell is a little shinier than the real egg, but it is not very noticeable.

3. When touch the fake egg by hand, it feels a little rougher than the real egg.

4. Shake the fake egg will make some noises, because water overflows from the solid agent.

5. Real egg smells a little like raw meat.

6. Tap the egg lightly. Real egg makes a more crisp sound than the fake egg.

7. Shortly after opening the fake egg, egg yolk and egg white will melt together. This is because the egg yolk and egg white are made of the same raw materials.

8. When frying a fake egg, the yolk will spread without being touched.

No matter how good the fake egg tastes, are the egg makers afraid one day they will eat one of their own fake eggs? Hope this simple tips will benefits you.

How to Connect Wires with Push-ins

●  Mark the amount of insulation to be stripped from each wire using the strip gauge on the back of the switch or receptacle.

●  Strip the wires using a combination tool.

●  Never use push-in fittings with aluminum wiring.

●  Insert the bare copper wires firmly into the push-in fittings on the back of the switch or receptacle.

●  When inserted, wires should have no bare copper exposed.

*Note:  Although push-in fittings are convenient, most experts believe screw terminal connections are more dependable.

●  Remove a wire from a push-in fitting by inserting a small nail or screwdriver in the release opening next to the wire.

●  Wire will pull out easily.

How to Connect Wires to Screw Terminals

●  Strip about 3⁄4" of insulation from each wire using a combination tool.
●  Choose the stripper opening that matches the gauge of the wire, then clamp the wire in the tool.
●  Pull the wire firmly to remove plastic insulation.

●  Form a C-shaped loop in the end of each wire using a needlenose (or longnose) pliers.
●  The wire should have no scratches or nicks.

●  Hook each wire around the screw terminal so it forms a clockwise loop.
●  Tighten screw firmly. Insulation should just touch head of screw.
●  Never place the ends of two wires under a single screw terminal. Instead, use a pigtail wire.

Electrical Wiring Safety

Safety should be the primary concern of anyone working with electricity. Although most household electrical repairs are simple and straightforward, always use caution and good judgment when working with electrical wiring or devices. Common sense can prevent accidents. The basic rule of electrical safety is: Always TURN OFF power to the area or device you are working on. 

At the main service panel, remove the fuse or shut off the circuit breaker that controls the circuit you are servicing. Then check to make sure the power is off by testing forbpower with a current tester. Restore power only when the repair or replacement project is complete.

Follow the safety tips shown on these pages. Never attempt an electrical project beyond your skill or confidence level. Never attempt to repair or replace your main service panel or service entrance head.

These are jobs for a qualified electrician and require that the power company shuts off power to your house.

Know The Proper Hand Washing Steps!

Hand washing is the best way to prevent transmission of infectious diseases. 

Practice good hand washing:-

•  After sneezing / coughing / blowing nose.

• After touching surfaces that are in public places such as ticket counters, counter inquiries, the door (door knob), ladder rail, in the hands of public transport (bus / train etc.).

• After shaking hands with people with flu symptoms.

• Whenever your hands dirty.

7 Steps Hand Washing with Soap and Water:

1. Wet your hands thoroughly and apply soap.

2. Rub both palms.

3. Rub each fingers and between fingers.

4. Scrub the nails in the palms of the hands.

5. Rub the back of the hands and between fingers.

6. Wash hands with sufficient clean water.

7. Dry your hands with a clean cloth or tissue.

4 Steps Hand Washing with Alcohol-Based Hand Detergent (Hand Sanitizer/Hand Rub):

1. Remove jewelry / wrap the wound.

2. Dry hands with a tissue / towels.

3. Put detergent into the hands.

4. Rub hands with detergent for 1 minute.

Be particularly careful when rubbing the back of the hands, fingers, fingernails, fingertips and toes.

How to Survive Natural Disasters, Hurricanes, Earthquakes, Floods and etc.

1. Well the first thing in our prepared list is emergency provisions. Think of weathering a disaster as a little like camping out in your own home, where electricity and water have been cut off. Store in a closet or other convenient location.

- Food that can be eaten with little or no preparation such as peanut butter, whole grain crackers, baby food, powdered milk and cold cereals.

- Several gallons of water, which you can buy in bottles at a supermarket.
- Food and water for your pets if you have one.

- A first aid kit that contains not just the standard items such as bandages and iodine, but also scissors, needles and thread and several days’ supply of whatever medication you’re currently taking. You can buy kits in any drugs store.

- Flashlights with batteries stored separately so they’ll stay fresh.

- Have extra cash I a safe place if electricity goes out, banks and Automatic Tellers Machines will not be working.

- Have an extra pair of eyeglasses or contact lenses. 

- Have a ladder and basic tools, including a crowbar, screwdriver, saw and hammer. 

- Keep a full or nearly a full tank of gas in your car. The last thing you want see is an empty gas gauge when in an emergency.

How To Protect Yourself from Nuclear Radiation

It’s been reported that Fukushima Daiichi nuclear reactor (福島第一原発) in Fukushima Prefecture has seriously malfunctioned. There are credible Japanese government agency sources saying that there are measurable levels of radioactive particles showing up in Tokyo. Whether that’s within a safe range or not still don’t know. It may simply be a very small increase in the risk of cancer, as one person asserts, like smoking a cigarette.

Japanese television is reporting that at least three residents among 90 tested showed excess exposure to radiation. If you are in Japan, and the situation worsens, there are some things you can do protect yourself from nuclear radiation. The Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a a useful posting via http://www.bt.cdc.gov/radiation/emergencyfaq.asp

TIPs to Facing Radiation Emergencies

NOTE: The following tips and related information on radiological emergencies are taken from PNRI’s primer entitled Preparedness for Radiation-Related Emergencies Thru RADPLAN. RADPLAN was approved and signed on November 24, 2000 by former Secretary of National Defense Orlando S. Mercado. In addition, PNRI or Philippine Nuclear Research Institute is part of Department of Science and Technology which is the lead agency in developing and preparing an emergency plan for radiation-related accidents that may affect the Philippines. So, this article focusing more in Philippine context, but can be applied anywhere.

What is a radiation-related emergency or radiological emergency?
A radiation-related emergency or radiological emergency is an event that poses an actual, potential, or perceived danger to public health and safety from radioactive materials or radiation equipment.

What are the different types of radiological emergencies?
The different types of radiological emergencies are the following:-

• Emergency from fixed nuclear or radiation facilities
• Emergencies occurring in the transport or loss radioactive materials
• Emergencies from foreign sources having environmental or health impact on Philippines territories, including the possible entry of contaminated food, scrap metals and other materials
• Emergencies from nuclear-powered ships
• Emergencies from re-entry of satellites with nuclear materials as components