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  • Birth Order

    There has been much discussion on birth order. Many people believe that where a child places in the family directly effects how the child will view himself. For instance, the research that has been completed on birth order show that the child that is born first is more likely to feel that he is “right” and superior to others. The middle child is said to have more negative impressions about who himself. The youngest child in the family is said to be more dependent upon others to help him out.

    Birth order is very interesting. Here are some typical characteristics that have been reported by people who have studied birth order:

    First Child: These children are very comfortable being the center of attention. They also tend to believe that they are better or superior to their siblings. The oldest child in the family may be controlling, yet he strives to please. First children tend to go to college more than other children in the family.

    Second Child: These children may feel that they never have their parent’s undivided attention. Second children may be competitive and feel that they are always racing with the older sibling. Many second children may try to be the opposite of their older sibling.

    Youngest Child: These children tend to act like they are the only child in the family. These children may expect others to take responsibility for them. These children may sometimes feel that they are not taken seriously. The youngest child may become bossy and dictate the entire household around.

    These are just general characterizations that have been made about birth order. Of course, every individual and family is unique. However, learning about birth order can give you an inside peek as to why the people in your family act the way they do.

  • Birth Photos

    The day a woman gives birth to a child is one of the most important days in her life. Most mothers even want to remember the birth with birth photos. Birth photos are very important because they are the first ones taken of your new child as he or she enters the world.

    There are many different types of birth photos you can take. You will need to decide if you want birth photos of the baby actually coming out of the birth canal. Many people like to take videos of the actual birth and save birth photos for shots of the mom and dad with the new baby. Another good birth photo to take is as soon as the physician lifts the baby up. Be warned that this shot may be a bit gruesome, as the baby has not been cleaned, but the mother will love having that moment preserved on film. Most people like to take shots of the happy family after the baby has been checked out by the physician and nurses, cleaned, and wrapped in a blanket. One of the cutest poses for birth photos is to have the dad holding the baby next to the mother while she is still on the delivery table. You can also ask your physician to appear in the photo with the baby and mother.

    Although most will allow it, check to see if the hospital allows cameras in the birthing rooms before you take one in. Make sure your camera is working well before the birth – there are no chances for retakes with this event! Make sure the film is loaded or if you are using a digital camera, make sure your battery is charged and all old photos are removed from memory. Make sure the flash works. It is even a good idea to have a backup camera or even an extra set of hands to help you take photos from different angles.

  • Birth Pics

    Births are a great and exciting occasion. Unfortunately, so many families live in different cities and even different countries today that is makes it almost impossible for everyone who is important in your life to be there for the birth of your child. This means great looking birth pics are very important! If your loved ones cannot be there for the birth, at least they can help share the experience with you later by looking at incredible birth pics.

    Before you enter the hospital, talk to your doctor about birth pics. Make sure it is okay for you to take a camera or video recorder into the birthing room. You may even ask if the hospital has professional photographers on staff to take photos immediately after the birth. After all, birth fathers are often overwhelmed after the birth of a child and may completely forget about taking photos. If there isn’t a professional photographer on staff, consider having a family member or friend in the birthing room with you to take photos. This way, not only can you get photos of the new baby with mom, but also family photos. If you have an older child that is old enough to work a camera and they plan to be in the room when the baby is delivered, as them to take photos as well. Not only does this give you additional photos, but it also allows the older child to have an important role in the birthing process.

    Make sure you take more than one camera, just in case there is any faulty equipment. There is just no way to stop the birth while you run out and get another camera, so be prepared! Be sure to take photos of the baby as he or she is born, is being cleaned by the nurses, and after he or she is wrapped up and given to the mother. Birth pics are a great way to share the experience with those who cannot be there. You can never take too many birth pics!

  • Birth Pictures

    The first pictures of a newborn infant are meant to be treasured forever and are always a sight to behold. Birth pictures can be clicked right from the moment of birth and even earlier when labor is in progress. It is, of course, a matter for you and your partner to decide when to start recording the arrival of your baby. Most hospitals allow documentation of a baby’s birth from any time the parents wish to do so. This applies to both Caesarean and vaginal births. Birth pictures are particularly useful when compiling a birth diary that you can pass on to your child when he or she is of a suitable age.

    Birth pictures are also the ideal way of sharing with your near and dear ones this joyous event irrespective of where in the world they happen to be. It is also a good idea to collect pictures of your little one beginning from birth because it helps you see the changes he or she undergoes in a matter of weeks, even days during the first few months. You can choose some of the good birth pictures and have them enlarged and use them as part of your nursery décor.

    You can also use some of the birth pictures to make birth announcements to send to friends and relatives to inform them of the joyful event. The photos do not have to be clicked professionally or on a sophisticated camera. Even a disposable camera would do the job just as well. Make sure you click a lot of photographs though, since you won’t know which ones would be technically good since you won’t be able to pay any attention to things like focus, flash, and background. Once you have a lot of pictures to choose from, you can pick only the ones you like and turn them into keepsakes of your choice.

  • Birth Records

    When you have a baby and he is delivered in a hospital you will be provided with forms which will be your child’s birth records. A birth certificate in most countries will contain information such as the date your baby was born, along with the time of day, your baby’s sex, length, weight and your baby’s blood type.

    A birth certificate will also contain the signature(s) of the nurse, doctor or midwife who helped to deliver your baby. In addition, the legal parent’s names will be listed and some countries even list the occupation of the parents. This vital birth record is issued for the new baby shortly after the baby’s birth. A physician will generally file the birth records with the government agency in their area.

    Birth records are usually stored in a government office and copies of the certificate are issued upon request. Many people have the option of requesting how many copies of their child’s birth certificate they would like while they are still in the hospital. It is a good idea to get a few copies and to have them on hand. One should be kept in a safe place such as a fire box or a safety deposit box. You will need a copy of your child’s birth certificate during important milestones in your child’s life such as starting school, obtaining a passport or getting a driver’s license.

    Many people find that they are interested in searching their family history once they have started their own family. If the arrival of your baby has made you curious about your lineage you should begin your search with birth records. Birth records are being searched more and more as people have started using the Internet to search for their genealogy. Birth records are generally available to anyone for a small nominal fee.

  • Atrial Septal Defect

    Atrial Septal Defect:  (ASD)  this
    congenital defect, an opening between the left and right atria allows shunting
    of blood between the chambers.  The left atrial pressure normally
    is slightly higher than right atrial pressure, blood shunts from left to
    right.  The pressure difference forces large amounts of blood through
    the defect and leads to right heart volume overload, therefore, affecting
    the right atrium, right ventricle, and pulmonary arteries.  Eventually,
    the right atrium enlarges, and the right ventricle dilates to accommodate
    the increased blood volume.

    ASD is usually a benign defect during infancy and childhood, delayed
    development of symptoms and complications makes it one of the most common
    congenital heart defects diagnosed in adults.  Asymptomatic patients
    have an excellent chance of recovery; the outlook is less hopeful for individuals
    with cyanosis caused by large, untreated defects.

    Cause: Unknown

    Symptoms:

    May often be asymptomatic, especially if the patient are young preschooler. 
    He may only complain of feeling tired after extreme exertion.  If
    large amounts of shunting occur, his growth may become retarded.

    Upon auscultation at the second or third left intercostal space may
    reveal a superfical early to midsytolic murmur.  The doctor may hear
    a fixed, widely split S2 and a systolic click or late systolic murmur at
    the apex.  In patients with large shunts, auscultation at the lower
    left sternal border may reveal a low pitched diastolic murmur that becomes
    more pronounced on inspiration.

    Older Patients with ASD may develop pronounced fatigability clubbing,
    and cyanosis. Dyspnea on exertion may severely limit the patient’s activity,
    especially after age 40.  Syncope (faint, temporary loss of consciousness)
    or hemoptysis (spitting up blood) may occur in adults with severe pulmonary
    vascular disease.

    Treatment:

    ASD seldom  produces complications in infants and toddlers, the
    doctor may delay surgery until the patient reaches preschool or early school
    age.  For large defect:  the patient may require immediate surgical
    closure with sutures or a patch graft.

  • Birth Signs

    Around the ninth month, a pregnant woman is waiting for birth signs that will signal the arrival of the new addition to her family. While a very anxious mother-to-be might be likely to be alert for every slight twinge of discomfort as birth signs, others might not realize they are actually in labor until it is time to get in the car and go to the hospital or to call the midwife. Birth signs can be clear or obscure can occur quickly or slowly.

    Some symptoms of the ninth months, such as Braxton-Hicks contractions, may be interpreted as birth signs, but are actually a part of the pregnancy. Many women at this time wonder whether what they are experiencing are cramp like Braxton-Hicks contractions or actual labor. Among many birth signs is that real contractions become more intense and occur closer together. Braxton-Hicks contractions do not become more painful and closer together. Once a woman has contractions 5 minutes apart, lasting one minute and has experienced this for about an hour, she can be considered to be in labor.

    There are many other birth signs, but their appearance does not indicate that labor is happening at that moment. There may be a delay of a few weeks or a few days, and even some of these birth signs can occur a few hours before labor or during labor itself. In addition to more rapid Braxton-Hicks contractions, a woman may feel the baby “drop” lower down. This is usually experienced as increased pressure on the pelvis. A woman might notice a mucus plug or a “bloody show.” This plug has been in the cervix since the beginning of the pregnancy and is released before labor. Other birth signs include breaking water, which occurs when water in the amniotic sac leaks. However, this rarely occurs before labor has begun, and is one of the later birth signs.

  • Athlete’s Foot

    Get Rid of Toenail Fungus
    Treat and Cure Toenail Fungus

    Athlete’s Foot:  is caused by an organism that lives on the
    skin and breeds best under warm, moist conditions.  If left untreated
    it can lead to cracks in the skin and invite a bacterial infection. Mildly
    contagious.

    Cause:  Caused by a fungal infection same as jock itch –
    called dermatophytes.  This type of organism thrives and feeds on
    keratin a protein found in hair, nails and skin.

    Risk factors:  walking barefooted in public bathrooms, showers,
    gym. Not changing your socks often, letting your feet stay sweaty.

    Symptoms:

    Itchy, scaly, rash (red) around toes and may be all over foot

    Dry, flaking skin

    Food odor

    May have blister

    Treatment:

    Antifungal medication ( containing either miconazole nitrate & tolnaftrate
    ) such as Micatin products, or fatty acids such as Desenex.

    Keep feet dry  (change your socks often)

    For diabetic patients:  IMPORTANT see your doctor or podiatrist
    promptly. Do not attempt to treat any foot problem by yourself.

    Home Remedies:

    Rest your feet, and keep uncovered

    Use Domeboro powder or 2 tablespoons Burrow’s solution in 1 pint of
    cold water.  Soak an untreated, white cotton cloth in the liquid and
    apply 3 or 4 times daily for 15 to 20 minutes.

    Soak foot in a mixture of 2 teaspoon salt per pint of warm water, 5
    to 10 minutes before putting antifungal medication.

    Try baking soda paste between affect toes.  Take 1 table of baking
    soda and add warm water to make a paste.  Rinse and dry and apply
    a dusting of cornstarch or powder.

    Air your shoes, try not to use the same shoe the next day. Changing
    allows time for the shoe to dry.

  • Atelectasis

    Atelectasis:  Is an incomplete expansion
    of lobules (clusters of alveoli) or lung segments may result in partial
    or complete lung collapse.  The collapsed tissue, unable to perform
    gas exchange, allows unoxygenated blood to pass through it unchanged, producing
    hypoxemia (deficient oxygenation of the blood).  Atelectasis can be
    present at birth (incomplete expansion of the lungs), or during adulthood
    (from a  collapsed lung).  It may be chronic or acute. 
    It occurs to some degree in many patients undergoing upper abdominal or
    thoracic surgery.  Prognosis depends on prompt removal of any airway
    obstruction, relief of hypoxia, and reexpansion of the collapsed lobule(s)
    or lung(s).

    Cause:  Atelectasis may be the result from:

    Bronchial occlusion by mucus plugs (common problem  with 
    -Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patient)

    Bronchiectasis

    Cystic fibrosis

    Heavy smoking

    Occlusion by foreign bodies 

    Bronchogenic carcinoma

    Inflammatory lung disease

    Idiopathic respiratory distress syndrome of the newborn (hyaline membrane
    disease)

    Oxygen toxicity

    Pulmonary edema

    Prolong immobility

    CNS depression such as ; drug overdose

    Any condition that inhibits full lung expansion or makes deep breathing
    painful, such as; rib fractures, obesity, an abdominal surgical incisions

    Symptoms:

    Symptoms varies with the degree of hypoxia

    Dyspnea (labored or difficulty breathing), may be mild and subside without
    treatment if atelectasis involves only a small area of the lung. Severe if massive collapse occurs

    Anxiety

    Cyanosis

    Diaphoresis

    Decreased breath sounds

    Dull sound on percussion if a large portion of the lung is collapsed

    Peripheral circulatory collapse

    Tachycardia

    Substernal or intercostal retraction

    Compensatory hyperinflation of unaffected areas of the lung

    Mediastinal shift to the affected side

    Treatment:

    Incentive spirometry

    Chest percussion

    Postural drainage

    Frequent coughing and deep-breathing exercise

    If these measures fail, bronchoscopy may help remove secretions

    Humidity and bronchodilators can improve mucociliary clearance and dilate
    airways and are sometimes used with a nebulizer

    Atelectasis secondary to an obstructing neoplasm may require surgery
    or radiation therapy.

    Postoperative thoracic or abdominal surgery patients require analgesics
    to facilitate deep breathing, which minimizes the risk of atelectasis

  • Asthma

    Asthma:  a condition marked by recurrent attacks of paroxysmal
    dyspnea, with wheezing due to spasmodic contraction of the bronchi. 
    In some cases, it is an allergic manifestation in sensitized persons.

    Asthma produces episodic, reversible airway obstruction by way of bronchospasms,
    increased mucus secretion, and mucosal edema.  Although this common
    condition can strike at any age, children under age 10 account for half
    the cases.  Underlining the significance of hereditary predisposition,
    approximately 1/3 of all asthmatics share the condition with at least one
    member of their immediate family.

    Cause:  Intrinsic asthma can result from irritants,
    emotional stress, fatigue, temperature and humidity changes, endocrine
    changes, or exposure to noxious fumes.

    Extrinsic asthma follows exposure to pollen, animal dander,
    house dust or mold, food additives containing sulfites, or other sensitizing
    substances.

    Other asthma causes can include aspirin, various nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory
    drugs, exercise, or occupational exposure to various allergenic factors.

    Symptoms:

    Sudden dyspnea (labored or difficulty breathing)

    Wheezing

    Tightness in the chest

    Coughing (with clear or yellow sputum)

    Tachypnea (very rapid breathing) may occur along with use of accessory
    respiratory muscles

    Rapid pulse

    May experience profuse perspiration

    An acute asthma attack begins dramatically, with simultaneous onset
    of severe multiple symptoms, or insidiously, with gradually increasing
    respiratory distress

    Asthma that occurs with cyanosis, confusion, and lethargy indicates
    the onset of life-threatening status asthmaticus and respiratory failure.

    Treatment:

    Identifying and avoiding precipitating factors, such as allergens or
    irritants, represents treatment’s goal.  Usually, such stimuli cannot
    be removed entirely.  Desensitization to specific antigens may be
    helpful but is rarely totally effective or persistent.

    Bronchodilators – oral inhalers/oral pills

    Corticosteroids

    Patient teaching:  Adequate hydration and diet is important
    in treating asthma

    Peek flow helps to determine breathing level (not a full proof reliable
    system)

    Be aware and prompt treatment for respiratory infection

    Keep inhalers with you at all times (use it as prescribed by your doctor)

    Also keep nebulizer readily available at all times

    Call or seek medical treatment immediately when medication does not
    work and when patient has difficulty breathing.