What's in Elmex children toothpaste?

 

Toothpaste may be one of the more taken-for-granted products that we put in our mouths. If you brush your teeth two or three times a day, that’s 730 to 1,095 times a year. Toothpaste isn’t meant to be swallowed, but with that many brush-and-rinses annually, it’s safe to assume that at least a smidge of toothpaste will go down the hatch. Probably not enough to worry about, but it's interesting to know what's going especially in our children's mouths.

 

Elmex Child Toothpaste  is specially formulated to preserve and protect your child's milk teeth from the very first one and up to the age of 6 years-old. With a adapted rate of fluorine for children and milk teeth.   

 

Aqua = Water
 

Sorbitol (E420) - is a sugar alcohol used in food products and is used in toothpaste for sweetening, but it is also used as a humectant and texturizing agent. Most sorbitol is made from corn syrup, it is also found in apples, pears, peaches, and prunes. Sorbitol is not suitable for small children or in large amounts. It can cause diarrhea, abdominal discomfort, bloating or flatulence.

 

Hydroxyethyl cellulose - Hydroxyethylcellulose is a modified cellulose polymer. It is used as a gelling and thickening agent. Low overall hazard.

 

CI 77891= Titanium Dioxide  (E171)  is an inorganic compound used in a range of body care products such as sunscreens and makeup. . It gives non-gel toothpastes their bright whiteness. It appears to have low skin penetration but inhalation is a concern.

Titanium dioxide has been described as a possible human carcinogen by the Canadian Center for Occupational Health and Safety.
 

Cocamidopropyl Betaine -  is a foaming ingredient derived from coconut oil. It helps to emulsify and maintain consistency in flavors while the product is in the tube. When brushing, the foaming action helps distribute the paste in the mouth and then helps to remove debris from the mouth for better rinsing. It has been associated with irritation and allergic contact dermatitis.
 

Olaflur – is a fluoride-containing substance that is an ingredient of toothpastes and solutions for the prevention of dental caries.  Olafluor amino-fluorine quickly fixes on the enamel to form a protective layer. It makes teeth more resistant to mineral losses related to decays and stimulates the remineralisation of enamel. Overdosage leads to irritation of the oral mucosa. In especially sensitive persons, even standard doses of olaflur can cause irritation.

 

Aroma - a sweet or pleasant smell. Artificial flavors may be synthetic mixtures of various harmful substances irritating the oral cavity and causing health problems.

 

Saccharin – flavoring agent. Low overall hazard.

 

University of Florida Health researchers have recently found that the artificial sweetener can inhibit cancer cell growth. 'It could help make conventional chemotherapy more effective,' McKenna said.

 

Limonene - is a scent ingredient and solvent naturally ocurring in the rind of citrus fruit. Upon storage and exposure to sunlight and air, limonene degrades to various oxidation products which act as skin and respiratory irritants and sensitizers.

Warning: Health information and the names of the drugs mentioned in the article are only for orientation in the field of self-medication and does not replace communication with your doctor. Before taking any medication, read the leaflet or ask your pharmacist or doctor. The author is not responsible for misinterpretation of the information contained on the website and is not responsible for any damages incurred subsequent procedures or conduct that are made based on the content of these pages. By entering this blog you confirm that you have read the aim and the restrictions of the site.



 

Electronic occluding glasses that can treat lazy eye

 

Amblyz™Electronic Occluding Glasses are designed to treat amblyopia, a condition that afflicts three to five percent of children. Amblyopia is the medical term used when the vision in one of the eyes is reduced because the eye and the brain are not working together properly. The eye itself looks normal, but it is not being used normally because the brain is favoring the other eye. This condition is also sometimes called lazy eye.

Amblyopia can result from any condition that prevents the eye from focusing clearly. Amblyopia can be caused by the misalignment of the two eyes—a condition called strabismus. With strabismus, the eyes can cross in (esotropia) or turn out (exotropia). Occasionally, amblyopia is caused by a clouding of the front part of the eye, a condition called cataract. 

 

If not treated successfully as early as possible, amblyopia can continue into adulthood and may cause vision impairment or blindness.

For several years, the only treatment for amblyopia has been to obstruct the stronger eye with an eye patch or with atropine drops to force the weaker eye to function and develop. 

Now, there’s a new solution in the form of electronic eyeglasses called Amblyz™ Glasses.

Amblyz is an electronic medical device with active shutter glasses or lenses. The device is designed to do the same thing as eye patches or eye drops with its active shutter lenses. The glasses have programmable LCD lenses that darken to become a "digital eye patch" over the stronger eye.

The main advantage of the Amblyz glasses is that the device provides none of the social stigma of an eye patch or the discomfort of eye drops. It is also easier for children to comply with wearing the glasses, therefore, ensuring that the treatment for their amblyopia is continuous. Amblyz glasses can also be incorporated with correction lenses that the user may need, so they can be worn like regular correction glasses.

The glasses come in a kid-friendly and unisex design. They are also lightweight and the frame is lined with soft rubber to ensure that they are comfortable when worn all day. They run on rechargeable batteries and would need to be charged when needed.

The Amblyz Glasses were developed by the XPAND group with world-renowned ophthalmologists and optometrists and tested in clinical studies conducted at three leading medical centers in Israel. The successful results from the first U.S. trial of the glasses conducted by researchers from the Glick Eye Institute at Indiana University were also presented at the 119th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Researchers at the Glick Eye Institute at Indiana University tested the effectiveness of occlusion glasses compared to patching in a randomized clinical study. They recruited 33 subjects with lazy eye between age 3 and 8 who wore spectacles to correct their vision. One group wore an adhesive patch for two hours daily. The other wore Amblyz™ occlusion glasses for 4 hours daily. In the study, the lens over the eye with better vision switched from clear to opaque every 30 seconds. After three months, both groups of children showed the same amount of improvement in the lazy eye, gaining two lines on a reading chart.

“When you talk to adults who underwent childhood treatment for amblyopia, they will tell you that wearing a patch was the worst thing ever,” said Daniel Neely, M.D., a pediatric ophthalmology professor at Indiana University who led the study. “With these electronic occlusion glasses, the child learns that the lens will be clear again in just a few seconds so they may be more cooperative with the treatment. For parents who have struggled with drops and patching, this could be a great alternative.”

Glasses must be recommended by a ophthalmologist or a strabologist and possibly a neurologist, because it is not tested on children, who are prone to epilepsy.

Source:
 

http://www.xpand.me/dms/document/dms/text/2015/02/17/16/58/54/xpand-onesheet-pro-US-amblyz-email.pdf

http://www.aao.org/newsroom/news-releases/detail/programmable-electronic-glasses-provide-children-e

Warning: Health information and the names of the drugs mentioned in the article are only for orientation in the field of self-medication and does not replace communication with your doctor. Before taking any medication, read the leaflet or ask your pharmacist or doctor. The author is not responsible for misinterpretation of the information contained on the website and is not responsible for any damages incurred subsequent procedures or conduct that are made based on the content of these pages. By entering this blog you confirm that you have read the aim and the restrictions of the site.

Benefits of music lessons for pre-school aged children

 

Learning to play an instrument can help your child fine-tune her ear and enhance skills needed for education and social interaction.

Your child probably already loves music and has favorite songs. This may have happened with little encouragement from you beyond simply sing lullaby, playing music home or on long car trips.

Kids who grow up hearing music, singing songs, and moving to the beat are exposed to a wide variety of tastes, smells, textures, colors, and sounds. Researchers believe this forges more pathways between the cells in their brains.

Musical experiences are an important way to help create these pathways, also called neural connections. And while listening to music is certainly key to creating them, it's when kids actively participate in music that they make the strongest connections.

Instruments to start with are wooden Maraca rattles, drum (create drums out of empty cans with plastic lids or oatmeal boxes), tamborine, bongo, next stage might be recorder and piano.

First stage is to train the rhythm, toddlers just love it. 

You can start with piano when your child shows a desire and interest in playing the piano and is happy to sit and concentrate for a short time.

 

Benefites of playing a musical instrument

Playing a musical instrument:

·         relieves stress

·         makes you smarter

·         improves your social life

·         helps build confidence

·         teaches patience

·         fosters creativity

·         improves memory

·         develops discipline

·         gives you a sense of achievement

·         is fun

Don´t ever force your kids to do what they aren´t passionate about. Offer options, give them the chance to figure out what´s interesting to them.

 

Nasturtium - a broad spectrum antibiotic and antifungal

Nasturtium (Indian cress, lat. Tropaeolum majus) was first introduced from Peru to Europe in the 1600s. It was used as a medicinal plant for a long time in South America.

Nasturtium is an easy-to-grow annual whose leaves and flowers are edible. It can act both as a disinfectant and a healing agent, and all parts of the plant seem to have strong antibiotic and antimicrobial properties. These orange, yellow, and red flowers are sweet and tangy, yet peppery and spicy flavor.

Nasturtiums are actually fabulous plants. They are ridiculously easy to grow, and you can eat their colourful flowers, leaves and seeds.

In addition to its wonderful flavor, the nasturtium plant is a rich source of immunity-boosting vitamin C and is reputed to contain an herbal equivalent of penicillin, which helps the body fight off infection.

It is excellent for treatment of urinary tract infections, swollen airways, cough, cold, bronchitis, influenza and influenzal pneumonia. It helps in the treatment against 46 strains of Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Streptococcus. It is far safer than orthodox antibiotics as it produces no resistance or allergy.

Nasturtium can be applied directly to the skin for mild muscular pain and to treat minor scrapes and cuts.  It also works against various fungal infections, including yeast infection.

The dried ripe buds have a strong laxative effect and unlike many conventional germicides, nasturtium will not damage the intestinal flora.

Nasturtium has a reputation for promoting the formation of red blood cells, and it’s been used in folk medicine as a remedy against scurvy.

The herb has been used as a remedy for hair loss and to stimulate hair growth.

The main substances found in Nasturtium:

·         Glucosinolates - Plants producing large amounts of glucosinolates are under basic research for potential actions against cancer.

·         Mustard oil - has high levels of both Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) and Erucic acid.

·         Flavonoids - anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-microbial (antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral), anti-cancer, and anti-diarrheal activities

·         Carotenoids

·         Vitamin C

Nasturtium Tincture:

Finely chopped flowers and leaves put into a small bottle and pour with alcohol (60%), close it , store it in a dark place for 3-4 weeks and sometimes shake with it.

Dosage -  3 x day 20 drops for adult, 5-10 drops for children into a hot tea.

Possible Side Effects and Interactions of Nasturtium

Nasturtium contains mustard oil and when used topically can cause skin irritation.

Long term intake of Nasturtium may reduce fertility.

Pregnant or breastfeeding women should not use this herb. People with kidney diseases or ulcers of the stomach or intestinal tract should not use this herb in any form either.

Warning: Health information and the names of the drugs mentioned in the article are only for orientation in the field of self-medication and does not replace communication with your doctor. Before taking any medication, read the leaflet or ask your pharmacist or doctor. The author is not responsible for misinterpretation of the information contained on the website and is not responsible for any damages incurred subsequent procedures or conduct that are made based on the content of these pages. By entering this blog you confirm that you have read the aim and the restrictions of the site.

  

DMG - Improve of immune function, speech, awareness and attention?

Amino acid DMG (synonyms: N,N-dimethylglycine, N,N-dimethylamino acetic acid, N-methylsarcosine) is a dimethylated form of the amino acid, glycine, and is metabolically related to choline.

Small amounts of this substance can be found in the body. During cell production, the derivative acts as an intermediary in the choline-to-glycine metabolism process. The small intestine absorbs dimethylglycine before it transfers to the liver. Dimethylglycine also appears naturally as a derivative in animal and plant cells.

DMG reportedly may:

• boost energy and improve athletic performance
• vastly improve immune system function, whilst inhibiting immune system response
• reduce stress
• help control seizures
• improve cardiovascular health
• lower blood cholesterol, blood sugar, and blood pressure
• improve neurological function and mental clarity (aging and senility)
• treat symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• support balanced behavior
• help those with autism improve in their speech and behavior patterns - there are claims that it can improve eye contact, frustration tolerance, speech and interest in interacting socially, as well as decreasing aggressive behaviour toward self and others in severe cases.
• treat symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome
• improve sexual function
• help by treating problems with alcoholism and drug addiction

Sources of DMG

In addition to plant and animal cells, DMG may be found naturally in vitamin B-rich foods. It is closely linked to B15 and it increases Pangamic Acid production in the body. Some of the most common food sources include liver, beef blood, apricot kernels, brewer´s yeast, beans, cereals, grains, brown rice, pumpkin seeds, and sunflower seeds also contain specified amounts of the amino acid derivative.

Today, you can buy DMG supplements and medicines from many pharmacies and drugstores.

N,N-dimethylglycine is combined hydrochloride to form the stable N,N-dimethylglycine HCl salt.

 

Side effects

DMG reportedly may cause drowsiness in some people, although medical evidence has not as yet presented any serious side effects. Dimethylglycine might be safe to use short-term, up to 28 days. The safety of long-term use is unknown.

In the 1980s, a federal court in Chicago banned the interstate sale of a brand of dimethylglycine, stating that it was an unsafe food additive. In 1994, Congress passed the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act, or DSHEA. This caused vitamin B15 and most other dietary supplements to fall into a sort of "grey area" of regulation. Since dimethylglycine is neither a food nor a drug, it cannot be mandated by the FDA.

Research

Dimethylglycine (DMG) is hypothesized to improve speech and reduce autistic behaviors and is a commonly used supplement. Two double-blind, placebo-controlled studies found no statistically significant effect on autistic behaviors and reported few side effects. [1,2]

Another research report an effectiveness of nutritional supplements for reducing symptoms in autism-spectrum disorder, although the reported findings cannot be generalized. [3]

[1] Bolman WM, Richmond JA. A double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover pilot trial of low dose dimethylglycine in patients with autistic disorder. J Autism Dev Disord. 1999 Jun;29(3):191-4.

[2] Angley M, Semple S, Hewton C, Paterson F, McKinnon R. Children and autism—part 2—management with complementary medicines and dietary interventions . Aust Fam Physician. 2007;36(10):827–30. PMID 17925903.

[3] Xia RR1. Effectiveness of nutritional supplements for reducing symptoms in autism-spectrum disorder: a case report. J Altern Complement Med. 2011 Mar;17(3):271-4. doi: 10.1089/acm.2010.0146. Department of Physical Therapy, Creighton University, Omaha, NE 68178, USA. RuiPingXia@creighton.edu

 

Warning: Health information and the names of the drugs mentioned in the article are only for orientation in the field of self-medication and does not replace communication with your doctor. Before taking any medication, read the leaflet or ask your pharmacist or doctor. The author is not responsible for misinterpretation of the information contained on the website and is not responsible for any damages incurred subsequent procedures or conduct that are made based on the content of these pages. By entering this blog you confirm that you have read the aim and the restrictions of the site.

Knowing how to live well with the unknowns of Warfarin

Warfarin is an anticoagulant drug. It can help prevent blood clots from forming in the blood vessels.

 Warfarin is given to people :

• with deep vein thrombosis (blood clots in the veins of the legs)

• with pulmonary embolism (a blood clot in the lungs)

• with a condition that increases the risk of a blood clot developing, such as atrial fibrillation

• with a prosthetic (replacement or mechanical) heart valve

• who have had a heart attack  

People taking warfarin need blood tests every 4–8 weeks. If the blood tests show that warfarin is not working properly, then a different dose will be needed. If people just starting to take warfarin, blood tests may be needed more frequently until the INR (International Normalised Ratio) becomes stable.

 The blood needs vitamin K to be able to clot. Warfarin slows the production of vitamin K in the body, which increases the time it takes for your blood to clot. Warfarin helps your blood to flow freely around your body and stops any clots forming in the heart or in the blood vessels.

Warfarin reduces the ability of your blood to clot. This means you have to be careful when doing exercise. Even minor injuries or small knocks could result in bleeding or bruising.

Other medicines you may be taking may affect how your warfarin works. This includes alcohol, medicines bought without a prescription and herbal medicines.

Because vitamin K and warfarin tend to work against each other, it is important to be aware that changes in diet can have an impact on warfarin activity within the liver. As vitamin K is essential for a healthy diet you should not try and eliminate vitamin K from your food intake. It has actually been suggested that people with more vitamin K in their diets may find it easier to keep their INR within their ‘target range’ than people with a lower vitamin K intake. Aim to balance your vitamin K intake by being consistent with the foods that you eat.

 

High amounts of Vitamin K are generally found in green leafy vegetables, such as spinach, broccoli, Brussel sprouts, parsley, silverbeet, endive and kale. 

In contrast, all breads, cereal grains and their milled products, nuts, most fruits and their juices, fish, meat, chicken, pork, tofu, eggs, dairy products, fats and oils, roots and tubers contain low quantities of Vitamin K.

Drinking large amounts of cranberry and  grapefruit juice may increase the risk of bleeding in some people taking warfarin. However, drinking 250 ml (1 cup) or less of the juice is unlikely to affect your INR or pose any risk of bleeding.

Smoking, in general, increases the risk of blood clot formation, causes or worsens other health conditions, and should be discouraged.
 

 

Warfarin and painkillers :

• do not take aspirin or drugs that contain aspirin because this could lead to bleeding 

• do not take ibuprofen

• you can take paracetamol but do not take more than the recommended dose 

You might find useful a Medical band, if you are taking Warfarin. It is a simple solution to communicate critical information when you can´t.

Pregnancy and Warfarin

Warfarin passes from mother to baby across the placenta and can interfere with normal blood clotting in the baby. Warfarin can also interfere with the formation of bone and cartilage in the developing embryo. These effects on blood clotting and embryo development can lead to birth defects and other problems. A woman who becomes pregnant or plans to become pregnant while on warfarin therapy should notify her healthcare provider immediately. Heparin, another anticoagulant, does not cross the placenta from mother to baby and is usually used instead of warfarin during pregnancy. Warfarin can be restarted after delivery.

Breastfeeding and Warfarin

Although warfarin does not pass into breast milk, a woman who wishes to breastfeed while taking warfarin should consult her healthcare provider. Warfarin is considered safe for use in women who breastfeed.

Contraception and Warfarin

If you are taking warfarin, you should avoid all estrogen-based forms of contraception, such as oral contraceptive pills and products. Oral contraceptives reduces effect of warfarin and must be avoid in thromboembolic disorders.

 

Warning: Health information and the names of the drugs mentioned in the article are only for orientation in the field of self-medication and does not replace communication with your doctor. Before taking any medication, read the leaflet or ask your pharmacist or doctor. The author is not responsible for misinterpretation of the information contained on the website and is not responsible for any damages incurred subsequent procedures or conduct that are made based on the content of these pages. By entering this blog you confirm that you have read the aim and the restrictions of the site.