The Unnecessary Presence of Phthalates in Daily Living Aids

With the daily living aids market hosting a large variety of products from different companies, it is no surprise people are coming up with better ways to make their daily living aids, whether it be to reduce costs, increase product efficiency, or more importantly, their safety.Many daily living aids are used in the kitchen and in clinical areas, were hygiene is paramount, so it comes as a surprise that some products do feature materials which have toxic chemicals in them, albeit, maybe, a small amount, it still doesn't detract from the fact that this shows blatant bad practice and a disregard for human health, even if there is possible doubts in to the validity of the claims, in some circles anyway.With a large portion of the worlds populace being very health conscious, you would think that with such a product as daily living aids, the message would be a clear and positive selling point that the products aren't toxic, but then some companies take advantage of the ignorance, nay, rather the lack of knowledge on the part of the general public.Phthalate plasticisers are a chemical used to soften plastics, and comes in many forms. What once would have been used for PVC windows, can now, with the addition of phthalates, be used as a soft rubber-type product. While this seems like an amazing technological advancement, and in some situations is fine, is in fact potentially harmful to peoples health.Phthalates, if exposed to enough of them, will interfere with the bodies hormone system, disrupting its natural function, which can cause reproductive abnormalities and cause the early onset of puberty, amongst other defects, such as destroying the ability to be reproduced.A bill in the US has banned content of more than 0.1% of plasticisers in childrens toys, with many calling for them to be banned completely, and believe they will once more scientific advancement comes in.The question is, if these chemicals are known to have an adverse effect on human health, why would anyone choose to use them in products that are going to be handled by people on a regular basis?! Especially in food and healthcare areas.Rubber could be a good alternative to using this, apart from the side that it is expensive and inconsistent to manufacture with.Silicone rubber has actually appeared as an excellent substitute for daily living aids, due to it being inexpensive, has no toxic compounds, and is an inert substance, meaning it will not react to many chemicals, and can benefit from the addition of sterile compounds to increase it's hygienic benefits.

Beauty, Health, and Lifestyle Choices

Beauty is something that everyone loves. We all love to look our best when it comes to either going out with your friends, your job, or even just simply because you want to look your best all of the time. Beauty is one of the most common things in the world because it's a language that many people can speak and share with one another. Most of the time we hate to say it, but it's women because they always come up with the latest and greatest styles on the market. There is absolutely nothing guys can do about it except envy them for it because they always look their best even when they aren't trying to. It's just their common nature. Now I'm here to discuss what types of cosmetics and hottest trends will make you the most beautiful in the way you want them to be.One question on everybody's minds is "How do you do this, but stay on an affordable budget and why do people do it?"I can tell you that people do it because they always want to stay hip and young and stay in the game with the younger generations. A huge thing people do is to be something that they're not and then when they try to act like it, they feel insecure and terrible on the inside that they're doing it in the first place. The other question is how do you stay on a affordable budget and still get the accessories, cosmetics, and fashion items that you want?I'll tell you that you should count the amount of money you have and divide it up evenly and make sure your not going over your budget at all. I always found that if I'm going to buy a product I should look how much it is and how much I have in my pocket.Another huge key element is if you feel comfortable with what your doing to yourself and if it makes you feel bad or not? When it comes to beauty, you always want to get what makes you feel comfortable and if you like the way you look then you need to just go with your first instinct. If you ever see celebrities on TV and like the ad and want the product that they are advertising and it is too much for you and out of your budget, than what you could do is find a similar product, but cheaper than the original that was on TV. If you do it that way you could possibly end up saving money and getting more things that you wanted and by following the same process. Well sure they won't be the same exact products as you wanted, but they will be very similar to each other.Another thing that a lot of people worry about is their age. As a matter of fact your age has nothing to do with it and no matter what age you are you can always turn yourself around and find the greatest fashions in your own age group. There are plenty of older people that look great and keep track of themselves very well. It doesn't matter how old or how young you are, but the biggest factor is your health and how well you take care of yourself. A lot of people think though that women are always the more stylish ones, but that's actually true, but believe me there are plenty of stylish guys out there as well, but women we have to hand it over to you because you guys always do look the best whenever we are around you, so are hats are off to you on this. Things though that can make a difference are like some exercise 3-4 times a week or even 60 minutes a day, and the biggest thing to improve your look are cosmetics and those can make you look so much better, but it also depends on the products that your putting on yourself. Basically in so many words what you want to do with the things you get are yours to mess around with. Another important factor is the way you take care of yourself. No matter what age you are, you should always take care of your body and make sure nothing bad happens to it.

An Ounce of Prevention, A Pound of Primary Health Care

Health care. Very few phrases envelope so many different aspects of an area of discipline. It can be confusing to know where to go to and when, and this issue has led to a cascade of health problems for our population and our population's health care system. Emergency room or primary care? And where does preventative care fit in? Here's an overview of a few facets of the system, and how they differ from each other.Why Not Just Visit Emergency?Most emergency departments offer a wide range of services available at all hours, without the requirement of an appointment. However, many ER visits are avoidable as patients are seeking non-urgent care or care that could have been treated and even prevented by primary health care. These avoidable visits result in higher costs, longer emergency department waits, and fewer resources available to the patients who actually require emergency services. Interestingly enough, misuse of the emergency department is equally committed across all ages, regardless of whether or not they are insured. This population-spanning issue has even spurred an "Urgency or Emergency" ad campaign in New Mexico coordinated by the Albuquerque Coalition for Healthcare Quality and funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.It is essential to provide and spread education about appropriate times to facilitate emergency services, walk-in to an urgent care clinic, or wait to make an appointment with your general practitioner.So when do you visit the emergency room?Examples are incidences of:- Difficulty breathing- Uncontrolled bleeding- Loss of consciousness- Severe burns- Chest pains- Broken bonesWhen do you visit urgent care?Any time that you experience a change in your health status which needs attention, but will not be an immediate threat to your health.Examples of these incidents are:- Migraines- Back pain- Earaches- Sprains- Rising fever- Minor lacerationsPrimary Health Care / Primary Care: The Same But Not!Primary health care is an extensive and broad model designed to cater not only to the individual and their family but to their community as well. Primary health care is meant to be an accessible community based system, responding to the to social issues of the population it is serving.Primary health care works to:- Prevent illness and be promotive of health (as opposed to working solely in a curative manner as seen in primary care)- Focus on maximizing individual and community involvement in the planning and operation of services as well as in the integration of health development with social and economic development- Integrate rehabilitative and therapeutic care into patient's daily livesThe presence of primary health care is essential to building healthy public policy and strengthening community action. This also allows for an equal distribution of care available to the local public. Individual and community involvement can also be seen through their participation through building beneficial public policy, creating supportive environments (such as in programs at community centers), and strengthening community action. It is the action of the local individuals as a group, which encourages increased community participation and support for each other, furthering positive health habits at the local level. Not only can primary health care's focus on health promotion be seen on an external level through community action and public policy, this can also be seen on an internal level via the promotion of personal skills through education by medical professionals.Primary care emphasizes the curative focus of medicine and mostly occurs in the clinical setting (i.e. your GP's office, the local walk-in urgent care clinic, or the emergency department).Primary care:- Often is the initial point of contact between individual and medical personnel when the individual experiences a change in health status.- Is not as comprehensive as primary care due to the acute nature of clinical visits- Refers individuals to the services available through primary care as well as to home health careThe Take-Home, Part 1There is a time and a place for preventative care, just as there is a time and a place for emergency medicine. The bottom line is that health statuses will always change. And when they do, stop and think. Is this something which requires long term care in my home? Can I wait until tomorrow to make an appointment at my doctor's office? Can I drive to a walk-in urgent care clinic? Or should I call 911 and go straight to emergency? Your decision impacts not only you, but your community as well.The next article will continue this discussion on the different varieties of health care in a review of preventative and home health care. In the meantime, stay healthy -amp; hearty!

6 Important Points About First Aid Certification Courses

There are a number of institutions and companies offering first aid training today, so you have plenty of options to choose from, but need to choose wisely. If you have never attended this type of training before and you do not know what it really is about and what to expect, read below to gain some insight into first aid certification courses.-bull; When looking for a first aid certification course, make sure you pay attention that the specific course adheres to the Red Cross, American Heart Association, Health and Human Services, and Occupational Safety and Health Administration guidelines. Only these types of classes are recognized nationally and are accepted by healthcare facilities and the credentialing service. Vendors should be especially careful regarding this aspect, as the first aid certification course is part of their required credentialing courses.-bull; Following the successful completion of a first aid certification course, that is passing the final exam, you will receive two certificates: a first aid diploma you can display on your wall and a wallet card which states that the owner is trained in the field of basic life support.-bull; All people interested in attending first aid training courses should be aware of the fact that these types of certificates have an expiration date, usually of 2 years. This happens because first aid protocols are modified quite often and applicants are required to adhere to the new changes. Some companies offer free access to all updates, but in most cases you will still have to take a requalification course in order to meet the new standards and receive a new certificate.-bull; Some healthcare training companies offer special packages that include both the first aid course and the cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification course bundled up together, at a discounted price. If you have a busy schedule, you will be happy to hear that you can even complete both courses in a little over an hour because nowadays, most companies offer these courses online.-bull; Another benefit of online first aid classes is that you can sign up anytime you want, anyplace you are, as long as you have a device with an internet connection. This gives you the freedom to train yourself in the field of basic life support according to your own personal schedule. Additionally, you have the option of instantly printing both certificates the moment you pass the final exam.-bull; First aid training courses are not usually expensive, but you can obtain certain deductions, such as University, non-profit organization, or group discounts. Additionally, if you are not pleased with how the training was conducted, you can even ask for your money back, within a certain time frame.These are some of the most important things one should know about first aid certification courses and what they really entail. Whether you work in the healthcare system or not, obtaining a first aid certificate can only be a good thing that will benefit you in the long run, so why not join a class today?

7 Things to Know About FDA Reporting for Safer Medical Products

The FDA reporting for safer medical products training is a course offered by various healthcare training companies meant to help medical professionals understand more about the new safety standards the Food and Drug Administration has issued. Read on for more information on what you can learn during a FDA reporting for safer medical products training course.1. The course is part of today's credentialing training for healthcare professionals and it is usually presented in a text or flash format, with an audio narration, for those who prefer just listening. The training course can be access via laptop, tablets, or smartphones, for the convenience of the users and is available 24/7.2. The FDA reporting on safer medical products training course usually contains an introduction or background portion where the user can learn more about the FDA and its mission to improve medical products as well as the measures the Administration has taken for this purpose. Some courses will also present some information on the current safety standards the FDA implements for medical devices and human drugs.3. Next, the course will usually present some insight into the Medical Device Reporting (MDR) course which was created as a means to receive information regarding adverse events on medical devices from manufacturers, importers, or users in order to rapidly recognize and correct the issues.4. Healthcare professionals will also get the chance to learn about MedSun, the medical product safety network, which was launched by the FDA with the intention to improve collaboration between the FDA and users of medical devices. The goal of the MedSun course is to identify, understand, and solve any issues that arise with the use of various medical devices.5. The course contains a portion about the Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience (MAUDE) database which is where reports on adverse events regarding medical devices are recorded. The database can be easily researched by an interested party, by simply introducing a few details, such as product problem, product class, brand name, and manufacturer. The data presented in MAUDE consists of voluntary reports since 1993.6. Additionally, users will also get the chance to learn about the Adverse Event Reporting System (AERS), which is another database that contains reports submitted to the FDA regarding adverse events of medical devices and medication errors. The data contained in AERS is also a result of voluntary reports, from either healthcare professionals (doctors, nurses, pharmacists or others) or from consumers (patients or families of patients and even lawyers).7. Following all of the lessons contained within the FDA reporting for safer medical products training course, users will be required to pass a multiple questions test, before they can receive and print their certificate.These are some of the most important things healthcare professionals should know about the FDA reporting for safer medical products training courses. Some courses may differ a bit, from one training company to another, but the information presented above represents the most basic things contained in such a training course.

Rehabilitation for Reconnection With Loved Ones

The process of rehabilitation is seen as the medical and therapeutic management of drug and alcohol (or other) dependency. This process is not limited to young or middle-aged adults dealing with struggling marriages, ill parents, or empty nest syndrome. The individuals range in age from pre-teens to elderly age groups. There are a variety of reasons why they begin consuming drugs and alcohol and it's a significant part of their recovery to know what their triggers are. But equally as important to their recovery is their acknowledgement of their support system.Rehabilitation is for the purpose of ending their carrying out of any form of drug abuse. Treatment facilities want to eliminate the risks to their mental, emotional, physical, financial and legal state that have been compromised over the past several years or decades, due to the drug abuse. And during this process of rehabilitation, the professional staff want to help him or her realize that it is going to be difficult to go through recovery, give up their escapism vices and cleave to their family and friends but it is all for their lifelong well being.An established support system is critical to all addiction cases because intense drug abuse is present. But, where there is extreme drug abuse present, there are families and friendships that have been fractured by lies as well as financial and emotional indiscretions that have caused many bridges to be burned and they must be mended. Those relationships, whether familial, friendly, or professional, can be mended with the genuine rehabilitation of the patient and forgiveness. So, as the patient is able to find the tools and confidence to relinquish drugs and/or alcohol from their lives, they are able to reconnect with the relationships that can keep them on track to lifelong recovery and lifestyle management. But they have to believe that the relationships are worth salvaging because those people wouldn't have gotten upset with them and recommended drug treatment if they didn't care about their well being, in wanting the best for their lives.Upon check in to a treatment facility, he or she will learn the type of treatment model that that facility follows, they will learn about their disease (if it is recognized as such) and they will re-establish a healthy relationship with their own life. These programs utilize behavioral therapies that help with regulation of emotions and refocusing techniques so that they can stabilize their lives with healthy communication, expression and responsibilities that help them to move forward.These responsibilities include their employment and their closest relationships. When recovery is successful, and after some time, the patients' families, friends and co-workers get to recognize the growth and begin to feel comfortable confiding in them and welcoming them back into their lives. It is so they can support each other as they all move forward in life.

Health Risks Associated With Computer Use

Using a computer may not seem like the riskiest of activities, particularly when compared with the hazards faced by workers in other industries such as those operating heavy machinery or handling dangerous chemicals. Yet there are still health risks associated with computer, display screen equipment (DSE) and visual display unit (VDU) usage that need to be taken into consideration by those using the equipment, as well as their managers.The main health issue associated with computers is eye strain through prolonged use, without sufficient breaks away from staring at the screen. Workers may feel reluctant to stop using equipment in case managers think they are not working and are slacking off, so it is important to discuss your concerns and feelings with your line manager or supervisor. Often, issues can be resolved without having to resort to quoting the relevant health and safety legislation for the country you operate in! This can usually take the form of either management agreeing to suitable break periods (ten minutes per hour is an often quoted recommendation), or finding alternative work away from the computer that can be done, such as paperwork or maintenance of something, which gives the person's eyes a break but still means they are working.As well as prolonged or excessive use, eye strain can also be caused by glare from the screen. A monitor that has its brightness setting too high will place more stress on the operator's eyes, whilst a monitor which is situated opposite a window can have sunlight reflecting off the screen. Simple steps such as reducing the brightness setting and closing window blinds can greatly reduce this as a problem.Eyes are not the only part of the body that can be affected by computer use. Incorrect support of the wrists can cause aches and pains over a long period of time. Many companies now provide wrist wrests for keyboards and computer mice. Incorrect posture can also cause problems, with the use of foot rests and adjustable chairs helping to combat this. Again, it will depend greatly upon which country you are in and the applicable health and safety legislation for that country as to what your employer must provide. Even if your employer does not have to provide you with this equipment, most will, as the cost of a wrist rest or foot rest is a small price to pay if it means a healthy and motivated worker.Computer equipment not only generates heat which may make the working environment uncomfortable, but there can also be an electrical fire hazard if plug sockets are overloaded, water is spilled on them or wiring is faulty. Many organisations conduct testing of their equipment for safety, typically once a year. Also, computer equipment can be extremely heavy, so there are manual handling issues to consider when moving equipment to new locations within the building.