January | 2012 | Are You Kidding Me?

January 2012 Are You Kidding Me?

Brominated Flame Retardents: the Silent KillerResearch has been conducted into Brominated flame retardants, and it is now believed that the cons of this chemical far outweigh its benefits as a “fire prevention method”. There are so many flame retardants that could be used in its place, but this chemical happens to be the cheapest and effective enough for manufacturers to look past its “cancer causing cons”. This type of chemical is usually transported from your carpets, furniture, bedding and clothing via dust, and so to get rid of it, you need to make sure that you dust and clean your home on a fairly regular basis. It might also be a good idea to ask about the flame retardant chemicals that were used whenever you purchase new items of furniture so that you can pass up the offer on the Brominated items.

How to Separate Science from Folklore

How to Separate Science from Folklore

There is a whole host of information available online and in books about the effects that toxic chemicals in cleaning products can have on us, our families, our pets, and the environment around us. The questions that remain are how can we differentiate between what is fact and what is simple folklore, and how do we know who we can really trust? Added to this mix is the fact that some less scrupulous companies are using scare tactics to try and convince customers to use their products, which are often no less dangerous than the others available on the shelf at your local supermarket.

Let us begin by stating the facts. In the last sixty years, companies have begun using over seventy thousand different chemicals in home cleaning products. By a simple process of elimination, it is obvious that not every one of these chemicals has been tested for toxicity to humans. We are, in effect, one giant test group, but how many people have to suffer complications before these chemicals are removed? Too many to even consider it a viable option. The only way we can truly begin to know the effects of these products is to remove them from the marketplace until such time that adequate research has been conducted.

While this may seem easier said than done, there are literally hundreds of alternatives in the shape of completely natural or home made products that can be just as effective in cleaning your home as the chemical based alternatives. The key to knowing the difference between good and bad chemicals for use around the home is the ingredients they list. Sadly it is not a requirement for cleaning products to list all of their ingredients but some companies still make an effort to keep us informed. The simple answer here is to just not use products that fail to list their ingredients; rather be safe than sorry.

For those products that do list their ingredients, be sure to pick ones that are natural, or made from plants rather than those that are petroleum based. Even organic products are not always completely safe. Remember that in certain instances, a product only has to be made up of a small percentage of organic products to be able to carry the classification. The percentage that is not made of organic products could be just as harmful as fully chemical based products.

So, the overall view when it comes to separating fact from folklore is to use your common sense. If a product is not willing to show you what it is made of, then why would you trust it to be safe for you to use? On the other hand, there are instances where you may choose to use smaller amounts of harmful products rather than cut them out completely. This is understandable, as making a complete overhaul of your lifestyle is hard; rather, make smaller steps while always remaining aware of your end goal. All the effort of going natural is worth it when it comes to maintaining your health and well-being.

How Nature Provides Safe, Natural Ingredients

How Nature Provides Safe, Natural Ingredients

The majority of cleaning products on the market today are made of petroleum based ingredients, many of which have been proven to cause both long and short term complications to your health. The driving force behind these products is often the convenience of the entire process, but there are some all natural ingredients that can be used as a substitute that not only clean just as well as these chemical based cleaners, but are also completely safe for you, your family, your pets, and the environment that you live in. The end result will be a much happier and healthier home for all.

Aside from the actual act of cleaning for home, the most appealing factor with many products is that overall ‘clean smell’ that they emit, or the fact that they mask bad odors. This same effect is easily achieved at home with all natural ingredients. To remove smells from a small, enclosed area, try using a small container with some baking soda inside to absorb the offensive odor. For that fresh air smell that so many air fresheners offer, you can simply take a pot of boiling water on the stove and add some spices like cinnamon to freshen up a room. The main factor in a fresh feeling to your home is the air you breathe. Be sure to open some windows and get the air flowing so it never becomes stale.

You may be surprised as to just how many products can actually be removed from your cleaning regimen just by using the correct cloths. Microfiber cloths are designed to be tough on dirt and dust, and can be reused by simply rinsing them in clean water. While not made of natural ingredients themselves, the reduced amount of chemicals you will have to use around the home are more than worth any price you may incur. A good cloth could end up lasting your years and save you huge sums of money on chemicals that you no longer need around the home.

When it comes to laundry, there is always the need to get your whites as bright as possible. This will often result in the use of bleach and other harmful products, but did you know that there is an all-natural ingredient that is free and gets your clothes whiter than white? Sunshine is actually one of the best bleaching agents available on the market, and drying your clothes in the fresh air will also help with that freshly washed smell. Should you still need a little extra white from your laundry, you can use some borax in your washer, just be sure to not spill the powder on your skin.Personally I use Melabrite.

All in all, there are several ways to get your home feeling cleaner than ever with all natural products. While some are more complicated like making your own dishwashing detergent, others are quite simple like deodorizing a carpet with baking soda. Any effort that is required will be well worth it when you know your home is safe for everyone that lives there.

Cheap Synthetics Are Harmful

When we buy cleaning products for our houses, we really only expect them to do one thing : clean. The reality behind the matter is that many of the general cleaning products you find in most households are noxious, if not most likely lethal. The hardest problem with these ingredients is that they are mostly synthetic and therefore not inherently safe to humans. While the list of common ingredients that can cause you harm is frightfully long, some cause only temporary or short term damage , such as skin complaints or breathing issues, while others have been linked to long term and fatal health issues , such as lingering lung problems and cancer. These products will all quite likely contain chlorine bleach or ammonia, each of which produce harmful fumes on their lonesome, but become even more deadly when combined. The damage done to lungs if breathed can be irrevocable, but short term damage can also lead directly to more acute abnormalities. Whether or not you manage to bypass the toxic fumes, there's always the potential threat of spilling these products onto your skin, which can cause burns and irritated skin. 

Even products that are seemingly innocuous ,eg clothing detergent or fabric softener, can have enduring effects on your folks and you. This is on top of the undeniable fact that the main reason we now have to use fabric softener is actually because the washing detergents cause our garments to become so uncomfortable. This is even truer if you or an affiliate of your family already suffers some type of breathing disorder like asthma or allergy issues. Therefore in effect by employing one poisonous product we are now compelled to use another to negate one of its side-effects. Girls are not safe from harm either ; current research has shown that specific ingredients can cause an increase in breast cancer cells when it was tested in a laboratory. 

General household bleach is also a real issue when it comes to long-term health effects. 

While all of this information is pretty frightful for anyone with a conscience, there are steps that may be taken to ensure that you are causing as little a result on the health of your family, yourself, and even the environment around you. While most cleaners do not list their ingredients directly, those that do are simple to make a choice between. Look for those that are made of natural plant based ingredients instead of the petrol based ingredients that cause us so much harm. 

Learn what you can do to protect yourself from these harmful toxins.http://charlestate.toxinchecklist.com/

Secretary Health & Human Services

http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/mon-january-23-2012/kathleen-sebelius

Everything You Need to Know about Bed Sores and How to treat them

Everything You Need to Know about Bed Sores and How to treat them

Bed sores are a result of pressure that is applied to the skin for prolonged periods of time. The pressure that is applied to the skin eventually begins to cut off the blood supply to the area, and when this happens, sores appear on the skin. Bedridden patients are more likely to get bed sores because they spend so much time lying in the same position, and this only adds to their discomfort, so it is important that the sores be treated immediately and constantly inspected for any signs of infection.

The Areas Most at Risk for Bed Sores

The areas of the body that are more at risk for bed sores are those where the skin covers bony areas, such as the, buttocks, heels and hips. In order to take prevention measures to stop these sores from appearing, caregivers need to be aware of the areas where bed sores are most common so that they can inspect them on a regular basis. Searching for the first signs of bed sores can assist the caregiver in taking steps to treat the problem because the sores become more severe.

Preventing Bed Sores

Inspecting there areas where bed sores are most commonly found is one of the most important steps in preventing them from occurring or treating the first signs of bed sores before they get worse. The first signs of this problem usually include swollen, torn or discolored skin. Areas that are already beginning to form sores should be inspected regularly for any sign of infection.

A healthy diet is necessary in the prevention of these bed sores, but there are also products that can be purchased to ensure that pressure is taken off the area most likely to be affected. The products that you can purchase to prevent this problem include padded protectors, pillows, specialized mattresses and air cushions. By supporting vulnerable areas with these products, the area most likely to be affected by the problem will not be placed under undo pressure for long periods of time.

Measures for Cleaning and Treating the Bed Sores

If bed sores have begun to appear, it is essential that you clean and dress them properly to prevent infections from occurring. Firstly, you will need to clean the area with a prescribed solution or a saline solution. Once the area is clean, scabs and torn skin must be removed before it is patted dry and dressed. When dressing the wound, you must remember to keep the wound moist, but make sure that the surrounding areas are kept dry.

Inspecting and Cleaning Bed Sores Regularly

Bed sores are painful and they can make patients very uncomfortable. Cleaning and treating bed sores is a constant process, and the patient should be inspected and treated on a regular basis. These sores can be very difficult to treat, and so it is always better to take preventative measures to lower the chances that patients will develop bed sores in the first place.

Ear Aches VS Ear Infections

Ear Aches VS Ear Infections

Ear aches and ear infections present themselves with many of the same symptoms, and this can make it difficult to figure out whether you have one or the other. In order to determine whether you or your child is suffering from an ache or an infection, you will need to be aware of the symptoms of each problem. It is important to remember, however, that a doctor will need to be consulted in either case so that a proper diagnosis can be made.

Ear Ache as a Result of a Cold

The cold virus can often cause ear ache, and when this happens, the pain can range from a mild throbbing, burning or stinging pain, to a more severe one. In these cases, you will often find mucus of a yellow or green color in the nose and possibly mild fevers.

Fluid in the Ear

Ear ache is usually caused by excess fluid that presses against the ear drum and puts pressure on it. Over time, the ear drum begins to stretch, and this is when the pain begins to subside. Although the individual will experience pain, the ear drum itself will remain a healthy color; a pinkish grey.

When the patient is only dealing with an ear ache and not an ear infection, he or she will usually find that the pain subsides within a few hours. Excess fluid in the ear will naturally drain away, and it is quite common for the patient not to experience further problems once this liquid has been drained.

Diagnosing an Ear Infection

Ear infections are result of the virus called Otitis Media. Infections can also be a result of a cold, as there is a chance that the fluid in the ear becomes infected. When a patient suffers from an ear infection, they will usually experience severe amounts of pain, high fevers and a range of other symptoms, including sleeplessness, loss of appetite, vertigo and drainage from the ear that takes on a white, yellow or brown color. Irritability is also another sign of an ear infection, and this is especially common in children, since the pain and the lack of sleep begin to take a toll on them after some time.

To properly diagnose an ear infection, a doctor will need to look into the ear using an Otoscope. When an infection is present, the ear drum will lose its pinkish gray color and take on a swollen, red and inflamed appearance.

Obtaining the Appropriate Treatment

When an ear infection occurs, treatment needs to be administered quickly and efficiently. Treatments will range from antibiotics to treat infection, and ear drops that will need to be administered according to the doctors orders. Ear infections can be severe enough to damage the ear drum and the hearing capabilities of the patient, and so they should be treated with caution. In the event that an ear ache is present for more than 24 hours, the patient should visit their doctor to obtain the appropriate treatment.