HealthStatus - How is your health? » Volume 61

Understanding Different Humidifiers, Their Benefits And Disadvantages

HealthStatus — Tue, 05 May 2009 12:39:22 +0000

Room humidifiers are basically portable units intended to provide a room with more moisture. If a person experiences sinus infections, allergies from dust, excessively dry skin or consistent symptoms of cold due to lack of moisture in the air, using a humidifier could be a good solution. Humidifiers ensure clean and healthy air quality by regulating moisture levels in the room, thus minimizing the concentration of dust, bacteria and other irritants.

Different Varieties Of Humidifiers

Today, there are countless models of humidifiers to choose from. Humidifiers are mainly classified into two types – warm mist and cool mist. In homes with children, it is better to avoid warm mist humidifiers since a child may get burnt from the hot steam emitted. Also, warm mist humidifiers consume more electricity as they have to heat the water to produce steam.

Cool mist humidifiers are considerable safer, but require more maintenance. These units require cleaning with soap and water everyday and changing the filter annually.

After deciding to purchase either of these, the next thing to consider is whether the humidifier should be ultrasonic, evaporative or steam-based. Here are the differences, benefits and disadvantages of each -

Ultrasonic humidifiers: These are among the cheapest yet most energy-efficient of all humidifiers. These units feature storage for water and oscillating plates. The vibrations of these plates transform water into a fine mist that is then blown out with a fan. The major problem of an ultrasonic humidifier is that it produces white dust as a by-product which can pose a serious threat for people with breathing problems. However, the newer and costlier versions of ultrasonic humidifiers feature advanced technology that eliminates the problem of white dust.
Evaporative humidifiers: These units work by releasing moisture into the air by blowing water with a fan. This is quite a hygienic choice since it does not pose the problem of dust being released into the room. In addition to being very energy-efficient, this system is noiseless so it can be comfortably used in bedrooms.

Asthma And Allergy Awareness Month

HealthStatus — Tue, 05 May 2009 12:31:57 +0000

Every year, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) observes the month of May as the national Asthma and Allergy Awareness month.

May is a peak time for summer and spring allergies that arise due to the abundance of different allergens at that particular time of the year. These allergens trigger attacks of asthma or seasonal allergies that plague sufferers with the problems of itching, sneezing, watery eyes and breathing difficulties. That makes the month of May a perfect time to raise public awareness about such conditions and educate people on how to manage these issues, which medications to take and what not to do.

The Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month is usually observed in conjunction with the World Asthma Day (1st Tuesday in May) and the Food Allergy Awareness Week (beginning from the 2nd Monday in May).

Hope For Those Affected

During the month of May, activists and doctors play a crucial role in spreading more information about allergy and asthma and in urging people to come forward so as to receive medical attention and treatment.

The latest statistics state that about 17 million Americans suffer from asthma. According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, individuals belonging to minority or low-income groups face a higher risk of death in case of an asthma attack due to limited access to the right medications. However, the important fact is that although asthma cannot be completely cured, the related symptoms can be effectively controlled.

How To Keep Your Finger Nails Healthy

HealthStatus — Tue, 05 May 2009 12:21:54 +0000

Our nails are one of those parts of our body that we often tend to neglect. Unhealthy and poorly maintained nails reflect badly on our personal hygiene. On the other hand, nails which are well kept and cared for enhance the beauty of our hands.

Moisturize Your Nails Regularly

Nails are made of a protein rich substance called keratin which is also found in our hair and skin. A basic knowledge of our nails can help us to take better care of our cuticles. The surface of the nail is called the nail plate which is surrounded by skin on three sides. The nail bed is the skin which lies underneath the nail and the cuticle is the skin which overlaps the nail at its base. Simple but daily care of our nails and the surrounding skin can help to give them a healthy and attractive look.

Healthy nails have a uniform, pinkish color. They also have slight, uniform vertical ridges and are not brittle. If the nails are whitish, thick and discolored it means that they have some specific problem which needs the advice of a doctor. Often contact of harsh chemicals in soaps and washing detergents spoil nails. If your nails are brittle and discolored, try changing your dish washing liquid or detergent.

Natural Insect Repellents

HealthStatus — Tue, 05 May 2009 12:19:49 +0000

Insect repellents are substances applied on to the surfaces, skin or clothes to prevent insects from landing or climbing on them. Synthetic repellents are more effective and long lasting than natural repellents. These repellents help to prevent and control the outbreak of insect-borne diseases like malaria, dengue fever, bubonic plague etc. Insects such as flea, fly, mosquito and tick are the common vectors for carrying these diseases. Some commonly used insect repellents are DEET, catnip oil, neem oil, essential oil of lemon eucalyptus, citronella oil, bog myrtle and permethrin.

In recent years, the use of natural insect repellents has become popular. Herbs and other plants are used as great natural remedies to keep away insects. Here are a few cheap and natural solutions to keep insects away from your home and garden.

Ant Repellents
- Vinegar: Wipe the place where you have spotted ants with a 50-50 mixture of vinegar and water. The smell of vinegar removes their scent trails and thus keeps them away.
- Chalk/baby powder: Both chalk and baby powder contains talcum powder, which is a natural repellent. It is advised to draw a line of chalk or sprinkle some baby powder across the area where ants are entering your home.
- Borax powder: Place a mixture of borax and sugar syrup where the ants will find it. Borax damages the digestive system of ants resulting in immediate death.
- Coffee grounds: Sprinkle some coffee grounds in your garden around the house. This keeps ants away because of the smell.
- Citrus Peels: Put citrus peels in hot water overnight. Then pour it around the plants where the ants are found.
- Herbs or Spices: Using bay leaves, cayenne pepper, chilli pepper, black pepper, cinnamon, mint leaves, turmeric powder, cloves and garlic helps to repel ants from your home due to the smell.
- Pine Oil: A mixture of pine oil and water can be used as a repellent against fire ants.
- Sweet Fern: Scattering sweet fern repels the red ants.
- Tansy: Planting a tansy plant outside helps to keep ants away from garbage cans.
Cockroach Repellents
- Borax powder: Mix borax and sugar in equal quantities and apply it where cockroaches are found. By consuming this mixture, the borax destroys the digestive system of the roaches resulting in death.
- Garlic, Cayenne powder and White Onion: Add equal quantities of garlic clove, cayenne powder and white onion to a quarter of water in a pan and boil. Pour the cooled mixture into a sprayer and spray in the areas where the cockroaches are found.
- Hedgeapple: Keeping a hedgeapple in the room repels the cockroaches.
- Catnip: This is a natural repellent containing nepetalactone which is non-toxic. Small sachets can be left in places where roaches are found. Also a mixture of catnip and water known as catnip tea can be sprayed to keep cockroaches away from baseboards and behind counters.
- Spray soapy water directly on cockroaches to kill them.
- Placing non-toxic traps also repels them away.
- Diatomaceous earth can be sprinkled in hidden areas and it is a safe alternative.
Termite Repellents
- Aloe Vera: A solution of aloe and water repels termites, when sprayed in their area of activity.
- Castor Oil: Mix castor oil seeds, leaves and roots with water and soak it for 24 hours. Then strain the solution and spray on the affected area to repel the termites.
- Mexican Poppy: Spraying a mixture of Mexican poppy oil and water around the infested area keeps away termites.
Spider Repellents
- Spraying a mixture of citronella oil, lavender oil, cinnamon oil, peppermint oil, citrus oil, tea tree oil and water keeps spiders away.
- Spaying a mixture of white vinegar and coconut oil over the cobwebs repels spiders away from your home.
Plant Bug Repellents
- Cayenne Pepper and Garlic: Spraying a solution cayenne powder, garlic and water helps to keep away plant bugs from your garden.
- Garlic: Placing a piece of garlic under the soil of indoors plants repels bugs away.
- Lemon or Lime: Spraying lemon or lime solution over the leaves of the plant acts a good repellent.
- Marigold: Soak chopped marigold plants in boiled water. Once it is cooled, add some liquid soap drops and spray on the aphids.
- Plant some nasturtiums, garlic and onions around the plants, which are more, attacked by the aphids.
- Spraying the water from boiled sweet potatoes act as a natural repellent to keep away plant bugs.
Mosquito Repellents
- Natural repellents like oil of eucalyptus concentration, soybean oil, citronella and rosemary help ward off the mosquitoes.
- A mixture of garlic juice and water is an effective repellent as it keeps away the mosquitoes for 5-6 hours.
- Neem oil extracted from neem tree is a natural and safe to use product.
- Planting marigolds in your garden repels mosquitoes because of their fragrance.
- Safe and non-toxic pheromone based mosquito traps are available now.
- Planting Thai Lemon grass is considered to be a natural and effective mosquito repellent.

Thus, there are a large number of natural remedies available and learning these will provide freedom and relief from the adverse effects of chemical solutions.

Some Things You Need To Know About The Third Trimester Of Pregnancy

HealthStatus — Tue, 05 May 2009 12:12:46 +0000

After passing through the first and second trimester stages, you would now like to know what to expect in the third trimester.

The third trimester, which runs through weeks 28 -42, marks the last stage of your pregnancy. Now you are in a stage filled with expectation and anticipation. In a few weeks time a little infant is about to be born.

How do you prepare yourself? What are the common tests in the third trimester? Here are some answers.

How Do You Prepare For The Third Trimester?

This is a time full of fun and excitement. You are filled with thoughts of labor and childbirth. You look for information on breastfeeding, normal births, epidurals, and baby care basics.

At the same time, the last few months of pregnancy can be physically and emotionally challenging. Your baby is now growing and his or her movements inside you become more obvious. Along with these exciting sensations, you may also experience certain discomforts. Backaches, shortness of breath and heartburn are common. So also are varicose veins, swelling of ankles, stretch marks, and frequent urination.

You just need to remember that nothing is alarming about these symptoms. Moreover, it should be comforting for you to feel that there will be more frequent check ups with your health care provider. In all probability, the doctor will make a schedule of weekly check ups during the third semester. This will provide you an opportunity to interact with your doctor more and get his advice on how to cope with your specific symptoms.