what is chickenpox?

Chicken pox is viral.  it is caused by the virus called varicella zostervaricella zoster.  People who got it often develop a rash of spots that look like blisters all over their bodies.  The blisters are small and sit on an area of red skin that can be anywhere from the size of a pencil eraser to the size of a dime.

what happens when you have chickenpox?

For some, chickenpox may start out seemingly like a cold. But couple ofdays later, the rash begins, often in bunches of spots on the chest and face (my daughter have her in her back this morning).  Then it can spread out quickly over the entrie body – sometimes the rash is even in a person’s ears and mouth (ive experienced he mouth).    The number of pox may vary from one person to anotehr.  Some people get just a few bumps; others are covered from head to toe.

At first, the rash looks like pinkish dots that quickly develop a small blister on of your skin.  After about 24 to 48 hours, the fluid in blister gets cloudy and then begin to crust.

Chickenpox blisters show up in waves, so after some begin to crust over, a new group of spots may appear.  New chicken pox usually staop appearing by the seventh day, though they may stop as early as the third day.  it usually takes 10-14 days for all the blisters to be scabbed over and then one will no longer be contagious.

Besides the rash, someone with chicken pox might also have stomachache, a fever (experienced this), and may just not feel well.

How do they spread?

Chickenpox is contagious and is most contagious during the first 2 to 5 days that the person is sick.  That is usually about 1 to 2 days before the rash shows up.  so one can spread around the virus wihtout even knowing it.

A person who has chicken pox can pass it to someone else by coughing or sneezing.  When he or she coughs, sneezes, laughs, and even talks, tiny drops will come out of the mouth and nose.   These drops are full of the chickenpox virus. (Yuckssss)  It’s easy for someone else to breathe in these drops or get them on his or her hands (possibly this is how my daughter got the virus. grrr)

It’s Itchy

yeah they are and it would be very uncomfortable.  But Dr. Barbara P. Homeier gave out these tips on how to lessen the feeling of itchiness:

• Keep cool because heat and sweat will make you itch more.  You might want to put a cool, wet washcloth on the really bad areas.
• Trim your fingernails, so if you do scratch, they won’t tear your skin.
• Soak in lukewarm bath.  Adding some oatmeal to your bath water can help relieve the itching.
• Have someone help you apply calamine lotion, which soothes itching.

Scratching the blisters can tear the skin and leave scars.  Scratching cal also let germs in, and the blisers could get infected.  If your fever goes higher and an area of your skin gets really red, warm, and painful, tell an adult right away.  You’ll need to see a doctor because you could have a skin infection.

Avoiding the Dots!

Luckily these days, many people can avoid the pox by taking the chickenpox vaccine.   They are given to babies at 12 months.  If these kids will still get pox later in life, it would not be much anymore as it is when you have not taken the vaccine.

If you are not then maybe it’s your friend.  According to the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders, more than eight million people in the US have eating disorders.  So for sure that number would doble if we have to include the number of people other countries.  Ninety percent of these are women who began to have this abnormality since they were in their teen years.  Some even started as young as 8!  Imagine at eight years old.  So, how will you know the warning signs of someone who has an eating disorder?  Here are some of them:

• They are obessed with calories and food and are concerned about body weight, though they are thin.

• They won’t eat; lie about how much they ate.

• They faint.

• They get angry if you suggest they have a problem.

• They have calluses on their knuckles (from forcing themselves to throw up).

• They exercise strenuously.

• They eat only food with low to no calories.

For more information, check these websites:

National Eating Disorders Associaton
www.nationaleatingdisorders.org

Eating Disorders Recovery Online
www.edrecovery.com
Toll-free call 1-888-520–1700

Anorexia Nervosa and Related Eating Disorders, Inc.
www.anred.com

Here’s another something i grabbed from the mag i was reading yesterday while the doctoral class is having their class.  I hope this can help.

Correct treatment of an eye injury immediately following an accident can prevent loss of sight. Because it is difficult to determine the extent of damage to the eye, medical help should be sought as soon as first aid is completed. Then call an ophthalmologist, your family physician, or go to a nearby hospital emergency room immediately.

Blows to the eye:
Apply an ice-cold compress immediately for about 15 minutes to reduce the pain and swelling. A black eye or blurred vision could signal internal eye damage. See your ophthalmologist immediately.

Eye and Eyelid Cuts:
Bandage the eye lightly and seen medical help immediately. Do not attempt to wash the eye or remove the object struck in it. Never apply pressure to the injured eye or eyelid. Do not rub the eye.

Specks in the Eye:
Never rub any speck or particle in your eye. Lift the upper lid over the lower lid allowing the lashes to brush the speck off the inside of the upper lid. Blink a few times and let the eye move the particle out. If the speck remains, keep your eye closed and seek medical help.

Chemical Burns:
Flood your eyes with water immediately, using your fingers to keep the eye open as wide as possible. Hold your head under a faucet or pour water into the eye from any clean container for a least 15 minutes, continuously and gently. Roll the eyeball as much as possible to wash out the eye. Do not use an eyecup. Do not bandage the eye. Seek medical help immediately after these steps are taken.

It is important to know that first aid is just first aid and is given until experienced medical help is available. When an accident involves the eye, it is always wise to seek medical help immediately if there is pain or any question of damage or impaired vision. Remember, safety is the best way to save sight, and prevention the most effective treatment for eye injuries.

Check out too:
http://www.eyesite.ca
http://www.stlukeseye.com
http://www.michiganeye.com

Source: health and home magazine

Hey cold time is here and there are some food that we can scarcely eat during the cold season but there are also foods that are of good supply.  Fit Sugar featured the 7 winter foods rich in antioxidants.  So Holidays does not only mean feasting on sumptious fatty foods, but you can also have a choice of healthy foods to kip you fit.

Artichokes Hearts - Artichokes are good for the liver.  They are low in calories and high in vitamins and minerals.   Although they are great fresh, you can find canned artichoke hearts packed in water in any season. Add them to your homemade pizza to make it equal parts gourmet and healthy!

Beans – they are high in fiber and protein and also high in antioxidants.   Kidney and pinto beans are higher in antioxidant levels compared to blacks beans.  We cooked at home dried ones but during the winter if supply is low they are available canned but try to pick those are low in sodium.   I love chilli baked beans.

Cranberries - Cranberries are powerhouses of antioxidant.   They are in good supply this cold season so you can eat lots of them.  They can boost your immune system during the change of climate and weather.   These cranberries protect our heart from disease and can also prevent cancer.

Pecans – They are considered on par with antioxidant superstars cherries and cranberries.  They enchance your antioxidant intake along with other berries.  Naturally sweet, eating a moderate amount of nuts weekly lowers the risk of gaining weight.

Prunes – Being dried fruits, prunes are available all year long. They are high in oxidants that fights off fats and cholesterol.  I love prunes in bits with my oats and porridge.

Granny Smith Apples – I call them “green winter apples”  This type of apple is actually high in antioxidants and provides just slightly less than strawberries. Don’t peel off the skin.  Eat the skin!  Antioxidants give color to foods, and the color of the apple is in the skin. Plus, not every apple provides the same amount of antioxidants.

Cloves – Spices add flavor as well as antioxidants to many dishes and cloves are no exception. They are high in antioxidants and you can use them in most of your winter dishes and desserts.  They also have an anti-inflammatory effect and can help relieve dental pain.

source: www.fitsugar.com

1. Reduce blood cholesterol to less than 160 mg percent with a very lowfat, high fiber vegetarian diet and with cholesterol-lowering medication if necessary.

2. Lose weight by eating more foods-as-grown and less refine foods and animal products.

3. Drop your high blood pressure by cutting salt intake to less than five grams (or 5000 milligrams) a day, and by getting into a daily exercise program.

4. Stop smoking and reduce alcohol intake. Alcohol is toxic to a struggling heart.

Our hear is the most important organ in our body system so let’s take care of it.

photo source: http://www.righthealth.com/Health/The_Human_Heart/-od-definition_wiki_Heart-s