BabySense Sleep Apnea Monitor

Does Your Baby Have Sleep Apnea?  Its Not Just for Adults

Sleep apnea is often associated with overweight adults, particularly men, but babies can have it too.  In fact, parents spend so much time researching devastating tragedies like SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), but no one ever talks about sleep apnea when an infant stops breathing.  For the parent who has a baby with sleep apnea, it can be a horribly exhausting experience losing sleep every night as you check on your baby.

Sleep apnea in babies most often occurs in premature babies,  – but it can happen to anyone.  There are three types of sleep apnea, of which obstructive apnea is the most common.  There is also mixed/complex and central apnea, but the obstructive apnea most often occurs in babies.

With obstructive apnea, your baby may experience gasping, snoring, restlessness and discoloration.  While most people have episodes of apnea, those who suffer from it recurrently know that controlling it can be complicated.  Luckily, obstructive apnea in babies may be as simple as getting their tonsils or adenoids checked for inflammation – but if its not, you may want to check out some other options to make sure your baby is safely breathing.

If your baby seems to wake frequently, has brief pauses in breathing or snores, you may want to consider that it might be sleep apnea. Your physician can give you more information, including suggesting a baby sleep apnea monitor.

Until your baby gets a little older, a monitor designed for sleep apnea may help because, unlike regular baby monitors, baby sleep apnea monitors are specifically designed to monitor breathing.  There are several different kinds on the market, with some even having a heartbeat monitor as a back-up in case the monitor misses any change in breathing patterns.  Nearly all activate an alarm when the baby stops breathing and, just like standard baby monitors, there those that come either wireless or not wireless, and with the option for rechargeable batteries.

When baby suffers from lack of sleep, parents do too – and that’s not healthy for anyone.  So check with your doctor and ask if the symptoms your baby has could be related to a case of baby sleep apnea, and find out what can be done to help.

Do you know what ‘bath salts’ are? Popular with teens, it nearly kills New Orleans woman

Last October the Drug Enforcement Administration issued a temporary ban on a new popular drug, bath salts.  Like most other illegal drugs, however, that didn’t stop one woman from recently injecting them into her arm, causing infection and cellular death so severe that they amputated her entire arm and did a mastectomy.

This extreme action was necessary to save the life of this 34-year-old New Orleans woman who was at least smart enough to seek help in an emergency room when her arm became infected.  Flesh-eating bacteria that had taken over the injection site and spread rapidly through her arm, killing all kinds of tissue, including her muscle.  Doctors not only amputated her arm and did an emergency mastectomy, but they also removed her shoulder and additional damaged skin.

All this came to light after a publication by Dr. Russell Russo, lead author and third-year orthopedic resident at the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, appeared in the January 2012 edition of the journal, Orthopedics.

In this case, the rapid flesh-eating problem known as Necrotizing Fasciitis was caught within 48 hours of the injection.  But the problem is that teens are more likely to hide a problem if it happens to them.  If it’s your child, they could easily die.

I don’t know about you, but I had never even heard of bath salts until recently, and I certainly would not have thought of talking to my child about them.

Bath salts became popular in late 2010 after making a splash across Europe in 2009.   Comprised of mephedrone, methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) and methylone, the bath salts are particularly popular among teens because they are easy to get and are often sold as plant food in packaging marked “not for human consumption.”

The highs from baths salts are said to mimic that of LSD and cocaine, with the users of baths salts reporting effects such as extreme paranoia, episodes of violence, reduced motor skills, impaired perception and disorientation.  They are consumed in many ways, including snorting, smoking, taking them orally and injecting.

Despite the fact that the DEA banned three chemicals used to make these bath salts, it’s obviously a new problem.  Flesh-eating bacteria and losing an entire quarter  of your body within two days of taking the drug would be enough to keep a lot of teens away from drugs, but parents should never assume that their kids “know better” than to try it.  After all, how serious does “bath salts” sound?

Flesh-eating bacteria and psychosis are some serious conditions to consider.  Maybe this story is just what some parents need to start a discussion about the dangers of drugs and whatever the “drug du jour” is.

The migration of workspace means that even more than ever, keeping on top of old and new technologies when it comes to software is paramount to ensuring their business’ customer satisfaction, growth and profit.

Utilizing companies like Alliance Global Services or other software and product development services can help with staying on track of up-to-date technologies.  When deciding whether or not its time to upgrade your software, you have to analyze multiple factors – and having a test data strategy is part of it.

For instance, does you current software work with cloud operating systems and mobile technology?  What about performance and content testing? Does your software provider assess risks or take steps to provide the best software at a low cost?

Working at home can be great, but you can’t let the business get left behind by technological advances.  Getting custom software for your business can not only improve customer satisfaction and profit, but can continue to build on your business for the future.

New hormone revealed to fight fat effortlessly

There are many perks to having a child, but the weight accompanying most women’s pregnancies isn’t one of them.  It’s a problem we have all dealt with at one time or another, and the struggle to lose weight is an ongoing process – especially those with multiple children and multiple pregnancies.  But now there is a solution coming that is reportedly really safe.  It’s just too bad most people aren’t going to be able to afford it.

It turns out that researchers have discovered that a naturally occurring hormone in the body helps to fight obesity.  This hormone, which normally increases in the body on its own when people exercise regularly is now being duplicated.  Named irisin, after the Greek messenger goddess Iris, this new hormone can help fight obesity without exercise – mimicking the benefits of exercise without actually doing it.  The only problem is that since only one company has the rights to it, when it does become available it’s going to be really expensive.

This new hormone that’s coming was presented in the journal Nature this past Thursday, but considering the prospect of actually obtaining it, I guess we’re all doomed to do things the old fashioned way for now: make time for ourselves and eat right. Easier said than done.

But the next time someone who has successfully lost weight tells you how easy it is to find 30 minutes a day for yourself, just keep your head up and tell them you’re glad it worked out for them, and then find what works best for you.

Weight loss tip for the new year: Making a schedule can help you.  Make a fitness schedule – even if it’s only 3 days a week – and then make a back-up schedule for when the first plan fails you.   Kids are unpredictable, and time for ourselves can’t always be an exact science.

Immediate recall of Excedrin, NoDoz, Bufferin and Gas-X Prevention has been announced

A voluntary recall of some over-the-counter products by Novartis Consumer Health, Inc. (NCH) was issued today.  The recall was issued due to the possibility of  chipped or broken tablets, as well as the presence of foreign tablets, capsules, or caplets from other Novartis products.

This means you don’t know what’s in the bottle, so don’t use it!

Products in the recall include:

1. Excedrin® and NoDoz® products with expiry dates of December 20, 2014 or earlier
2. Bufferin® and Gas-X Prevention® products with expiry dates of December 20, 2013

Consumers that have the products should stop using them immediately and contact the Novartis Consumer Relationship Center at 1-888-477-2403 (available Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Time) for information on how to return the affected products and receive a full refund.

Further information can be viewed at the Novartis website at www.novartisOTC.com as of January 9, 2012.

Novartis has also advised that anyone who has experienced problems that could possibly be related to taking or using any of the listed products should consult a doctor or physician immediately for care.

The original press release from Novartis regarding the recall is on the FDA website, where you can see more details about the Excedrin recall.

Cheers to Tamra Barney of RHOC who decided to remove her fake breasts

I am impressed by the Real Housewives of Orange County’s Tamra Barney and her  decision to remove her large breast implants in favor of going au naturel.  Yes, she still had a breast lift, but the fact remains that the woman – now in her early forties – has had an epiphany of which many other women should take heed.  Breast implants – especially large ones – can have a variety of health and comfort complications that aren’t worth the benefit, and many women are having them removed, too.

Fake boobs can leave you needed medical attention, and your child motherless

I have never really understood why women, especially those with children, would voluntarily go under the knife when there is the possibility that complications could effect whether or not their child could end up motherless.  Yes, it’s a small chance, but when you look at it from that perspective, would you ever do anything that could possibly leave your child without a mother?

Even those who manage to make it until their children are old enough to take care of themselves seem to be attracted to breast implants in some sort of mid-life crisis.  If the truth be told, many of their friends would tell them it just made them look older, heavier, desperate and a little ridiculous – and this is just without any medical complications.

Still, I know that breast augmentation has its place.  It can really be a godsend when women have to go through mastectomies.  But anything other than a medical necessity, just seems like it takes away more than it gives to the recipient.  Buying bigger boobs really takes away from the beauty of the person that already existed on its own.

Breast Implants are a personal choice I don’t understand

I know many won’t agree with me and I really don’t judge those who really feel like they need them.  It’s a personal choice.   But I don’t understand it.  I personally believe, that on the sexiness scale,  inner beauty and confidence trumps fake breasts any day – and this opinion comes from men too.  While men may like to ogle breasts occasionally, what attracts men to women isn’t just a nice rack.  It’s a combination what makes the entire woman.

I truly hate seeing people get lost behind their new-found breasts.  A woman and mother is like a great painting.  The original is always the most mesmerizing to view.

The prints, copies, and attempts to ‘clone’ a characteristic or feature only produce a product – not a work of art.

Super foods are becoming as common as a ‘soup du jour’ – there’s a new one every time you turn around

Ok, the 2012 New Year has found us, and among the most popular resolutions is that of losing weight and getting healthy.  The problem?  So many fad diets and ‘Super Foods’ claim to speed metabolisms and shrink belly fat, yet they don’t mention the actual rate at which they increase one’s metabolism, or how a single food can target a specific area of the body.  More often than not, the change is minuscule at best, and the dieter is left disappointed.

Avocado doesn’t burn belly fat on its own

For example, my daughter came home the other day after a Christmas visit to relatives, telling me how family members have added avocado to almost every meal because it helps to burn belly fat.  While I will agree with the purity of that thought and that avocados are a wonderfully nutritious food, the problem lies in the basics of weight loss:  calories in, calories out.  The whole family added avocado to their diet without changing any of their other eating habits.  This means by adding a single regular sized avocado per day, they effectively increased their calorie intake by about 300 calories a day!

Three hundred calories a day means they will actually gain about 3 pounds per month, instead of losing weight.

Does cinnamon really increase your metabolism?

Another myth is that adding cinnamon will boost your metabolism significantly enough to lose a bunch of weight.  Yes, there are studies that say it’s true, however simply adding cinnamon without changing any other habits will leave you about the same as when you started.

The bottom line is that if you eat small portions, watch your calorie intake and exercise moderately, anyone can lose weight.  But just getting caught up in the latest fads for a quick fix will likely only leave you frustrated.

The best tips for weight loss tell you to monitor your calorie intake AND add the favorite fad food to the mix, like adding cinnamon to your green tea or substituting avocado for another food.  It may not take off the pounds on its own, but in combination with other things, it may be a winner for you.

Old Navy discount coupon codes

For the December 8 and 9 only, Old Navy is offering 15% off everything you purchase online (except everyday steals).  The coupon code is ONHOLIDAY and must be used at checkout.  It’s on their website too, but you’d be surprised how many people overlook it!

December Kohls coupon  codes and printable coupons

Now about Kohls coupons…  there is a printable Kohls coupon for 20% off good until December 11.  But even better is the fact that the $10 Kohls cash for every $50 spent is still on right now too (ends 12/8).  Just follow the link in this paragraph and you’ll findall the December Kohls coupons.  It’s updated regularly.

Hey everyone!  I just found an awesome printable Target coupon to get a free $10 Target Gift Card.  Its from the Facebook and Friends link.  All you have to do is spend $50 or more and present the coupon, and they will issue you a free $10 Target gift card.

The coupon is good until December 3, 2011, so if you can’t do it today, be sure and take advantage of it before it expires.  Ten dollars off fifty is like getting an extra 20% off anything you buy.

You will also want to make sure that your default printer is online and ready to print, because if you try to print it and it fails, you may not be able to print it again.  They’ve set limits so scammers don’t take advantage.

Happy shopping Every Kind of Mom readers!

Shopping Kohl’s on Black Friday?  Don’t forget your printable coupon!

I love Kohl’s for my kids clothes and some Thanksgiving holiday “Black Friday” gifts.  The reason I like to pop into the store on Thanksgiving weekend is not just for gifts though, its for a few reasonably priced extras for myself too.

In case you all were wondering, I don’t get paid to pump Kohl’s on my site (maybe someday… but not now) – I just love the store.

Here is a 15% off Kohl’s printable coupon if you’re heading in…  it’s good on everything in the store, including all sale and clearance items.  So maybe you can really score if you get there early.

See this post for other Kohl’s online coupons and discount codes: Kohl’s Printable Coupons and Kohl’s Online Discount Codes

Happy Shopping…