Do You Really Need A Pulse Oximeter During The Covid-19 Pandemic

Posted on July 10, 2021 by admin

As Covid-19 continues to spread and mutate in most parts of the world, a small medical device called a pulse oximeter has started to fly off the shelves, making it an essential medical device in a Covid-era home.

With our country’s hospitals on the verge of paralysis caused by a surge of Covid cases and patients requiring ICU care, the practice of regularly checking on one’s health at home becomes essential to prevent potential medical emergencies.

What is a pulse oximeter?

A pulse oximeter is a small device that looks like a big clothes peg. This tiny fingertip device can give you valuable information about your health during a bout of Covid-19 or any respiratory illness.

You place your finger snugly inside (most require nail side up), and within seconds it lights up with numbers indicating your blood oxygen level and heart rate. Most healthy people will get an oxygen reading around 95 to 98 percent. Some people with existing health conditions may have a lower normal reading. You should check in with your doctor if the number falls to around 93 or 92 or lower.

If the level of oxygen became this low all of sudden, these patients would be unconscious, having seizures, or otherwise affected. This means that there were a period of days where they were going silently down and they were not aware of it.

The device will also show your heart rate. A normal resting heart rate for adults ranges from about 60 to 100 beats per minute, although athletes with a higher cardiovascular fitness will have a lower pulse.

Why is a Pulse Oximeter an Essential Gadget at Home

Patients with Covid-19 can experience a potentially dangerous drop in oxygen saturation without having obvious breathing problems. This condition is called “Happy Hypoxia” and is usually common among younger patients. Without a pulse oximeter, they might never know it or get very used to how they feel, despite very low oxygen levels. One of the factors contributing to the increased number of severe Covid-19 cases is “Happy Hypoxia”. By the time they go to the hospital feeling shortness of breath, their oxygen levels would have dropped significantly, and they could have very advanced Covid pneumonia. Too many patients were showing up at the hospital with perilously low oxygen levels, putting them at risk for severe complications and death. Many doctors are advising patients to get a pulse oximeter, making it the go-to gadget of the pandemic.

Is there a risk to monitoring oxygen levels at home?

It’s possible that a home monitor could give a faulty reading or be used incorrectly, prompting a patient to seek care unnecessarily. If you or someone in your home shows a very low reading, you may want to test your device on a healthy person to confirm that it is working correctly and discuss it with your doctor. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that you get a good quality pulse oximeter. It is your own health that you are monitoring with the device, so spending a little more on a good pulse oximeter is a well spent investment.

Why You Should Buy An MDA Approved Pulse Oximeter

Malaysians seeking to buy pulse oximeters for Covid-19 home monitoring measures should only get those certified by the Medical Device Authority (MDA). When you shop for one at the pharmacy, do ask the pharmacist if the pulse oximeter is MDA approved. Many people are buying this device online and if you’re planning on getting one from online stores, be sure to ask the seller if their device is MDA approved.

Medisana PM100 Pulse Oximeter

One of the top 9 best pulse oximeters in Malaysia is the Medisana PM100 Pulse Oximeter. This pulse oximeter can give you an accurate reading of your heart rate regardless of a bar graph or waveform. It uses a simple and convenient one-touch operation, complete with a bright OLED display that can be viewed in six different directions. You can even adjust the brightness accordingly using its 10-level setting. It also comes with an automatic switch-off feature, which would shut down within 8 seconds if no measurement is taken. This helps to save the battery efficiently. Other highlights include a battery level indicator and a bundled carrying strap to hang it on.

In conclusion

When it comes to health and wellness, many people generally focus on eating a well-balanced diet, getting regular exercise and sufficient sleep. However, health monitoring seems to be a neglected area when in fact, it is equally important in order to prevent diseases. Regular health monitoring and disease prevention can reduce suffering, medical costs and even prevent death.

How to Choose the Best-Assisted Living Services for Your Loved One

Posted on July 9, 2021 by admin

Convincing your loved ones that you are taking them to assisted living homes for their benefit can be a bit challenging. This is because it makes them feel distanced from family members and introduces them to a new life. Settling in an assisted living home requires proper assessment to ensure your loved ones feel appreciated and still find the institution as their home.

Several institutions offer assisted living services; choosing one can be challenging, especially when doing it for the first time; more details are provided on how to go about it.

Facilities

It is considered relevant to check out how the institution is well prepared to handle your loved one. They should have fully furnished rooms that offer proper accommodation and make your loved one feel appreciated. It is advisable to go to centers that offer more personalization to their clients. This is to make sure that everyone is best attended to and in the right way. An example is Cypress Cove.

Professionals

Your loved one requires the right professionals to live with at this critical period in their life. The professionals attending to them must be medically skilled and hospitable to ensure that you feel accommodated. It is always important to check on the reviews of the professionals to ensure that they have the best relationship skills with their clients. They should too be certified to convince you of the lot of professionalism they have towards the task.

Types of services

You need to understand how best your loved one will be attended to. This includes medical help, assisted living services as well as other social interaction activities. It is important that you understand your needs as well as examine what the institution can offer. This is to be guaranteed of the best service.

Choosing an assisted living center for your senior loved one requires proper assessment. The best thing that you can do is settle in a place that makes them feel appreciated and well attended to.

Asian elderly couple drinking warm coffee and talking together in kitchen at home. Free Photo

How To Prepare Your Children for a Visit To The Dentist

Posted on July 7, 2021 by admin

Dentists specializing in pediatric dental care St Johns county recommend the following tips to prepare and calm children for dental appointments.

Schedule the First Visit By Age One

A child’s first tooth will usually emerge around age one. It is never too early to begin dental care, and familiarizing your child with a dental office from an early age will reduce anxiety during future visits.

Avoid Details

When you inform your child about an upcoming appointment, it is best to avoid offering too many details about what will occur. Suggesting that the visit will be pain-free or not involve any procedures will imply that some visits could be uncomfortable. Your child will also negatively associate with the dental office if your predictions are false and the dentist detects a problem.

Boy gives five to the dentist Premium Photo

Use Relatable Concepts

Avoid using dental terminology to describe dental procedures. Words, including “scrape,” “drill,” “cavity,” “shot,” or “hurt,” can frighten children, even when you use them to describe a positive outcome or benefit. Instead, focus on how your child and the dentist will team up to chase away “mouth monsters.”

Create Excitement

When your child is old enough to realize a trip to see a dentist is imminent, you can point out that sitting in the dental chair to show emerging teeth to the dentist is a right of passage that a “big kid” gets to experience. Your child can take pride in assuming this seat of honor.

Try Role Play

Fear of the unknown contributes to children’s anxiety about the dentist or any new experience. Try preparing your child with role play that uses a favorite stuffed toy to demonstrate what will happen during a dental appointment. Give your child an opportunity to assume the role of the dentist by exploring your mouth. Try reversing roles to familiarize your child with the touch of the dentist’s hands.

Preparing your child for a dental office visit can promote habits leading to a healthy mouth over a lifetime.

Best Dental Products To Keep Your Teeth Healthy

Posted on July 2, 2021 by admin

If your area is still under a lockdown, you probably had to cancel quite a number of appointments and if your visit to the dentist was one of them, your oral health could be at risk. Lack of regular cleanings and preventative care could lead to oral diseases and periodontal (gum) disease. With different states facing different restrictions, it might take a while before you get an appointment with your dentist. If you do get appointment, you may feel uncomfortable to make a visit to the dentist’s office with the pandemic situation still not under control yet.

Oral hygiene can be well managed at home if you get the right essential dental products to take care of your teeth and gums while you wait to get back to your favorite dentist. Besides the twice or thrice a day brushing, the following products are essentials in your oral care:

1. Waxed Dental Floss
Flossing is an important step in your daily dental hygiene that you must not overlook for healthy gums, tartar reduction, and removing plaque and food remnants in between teeth, which toothbrush cannot.

2. Water Flosser
A water flosser is recommended for people who wear braces as well as those who have gum disease, gum recession, or bridge work. A water flosser works using a combo of water pressure and pulsations. When you direct the water from the flosser tip at your gum line and between your teeth, the pressure and pulsations clean away harmful plaque and food debris.

The water flosser from Meyarn is pocket-size and can be stashed in your bag or pocket.

3. Interdental Brush
Interdental brushes help to prevent gum disease by getting rid of pieces of food and plaque from between your teeth. They have small bristled heads designed to clean between your teeth, and they come in different widths to suit the sizes of the gaps.

4. Teeth Whitening Pen
A teeth whitening pen can remove years of stains from your teeth in just minutes. It is pen-sized and you can conveniently bring it everywhere with you. They are thin, plastic tubes that house a whitening gel.

The teeth whitening pens from Meyarn are sleek and can be easily kept in your pocket or bag for use any time.

5. Mouth Wash
Mouthwash or oral rinse, is a liquid product used to rinse your teeth, gums, and mouth. It usually contains an antiseptic agent or essential oil to kill harmful bacteria that can live between your teeth and on your tongue. They are used to prevent bad breath and tooth decay.

6. Tongue Scraper
Tongue scrapers, or tongue brushes, are designed specifically to clean the surface of your tongue by scraping off the layer of debris and bacteria on the tongue. This will reduce the risk of gum disease, bad breath, cavities and other oral health.

Proper oral care can help ensure a lifetime of good oral health. All it takes is several minutes at least twice a day and this can save you a lot of money on major dental restorative works. Meyarn has a complete range of oral health tools that you can get online at the comfort of your home while you stay sheltered at home.

3 Family Fun Ideas After Dark

Posted on July 2, 2021 by admin

Just because the sun goes down, it doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy spending time with your family outside. It might even be the ideal time because you don’t have to worry about heat exhaustion, dehydration or sunburns. If you can’t think of any ideas, here are a few to get started.

1. Stargaze

Almost nothing will make you feel as small as looking at the stars. You can take in around 2,000 on an evening where there are no clouds or moon. For the best results, get as far out of town as you can. Light pollution can really interfere with the experience, so it is a good idea to locate the darkest areas possible on a specialized map.

Scenic Photo Of Starry Night Sky

Take a telescope if you have access to one, but don’t feel compelled to buy one if you aren’t going to do this hobby frequently. There are apps on your smartphone that can actually tell you what constellations you are looking at. The most common ones include both Dippers, Gemini and Orion.

You can go the extra mile by turning the event into a picnic. Be sure to bring drinks and snacks such as cookies Schaumburg so you won’t go hungry or thirsty.

2. Play Games

Adults often think they are too old to play games, but that is not true. Here are some games to consider:

Hide and Seek
Flashlight Tag
Scavenger Hunt
Ghost in the Graveyard
Simon Says

Check your batteries in your handheld devices so everyone can see.

3. Have a Bonfire

If you have a fire pit or other place you can safely hold flames, you should consider lighting it up sometimes. Feel free to break out the acoustic guitar if you have the skills. If your kids are old enough, you can tell spooky stories. The best way to do this is to make sure everyone feels as if they are immersed in the experience. Also, keep a fire extinguisher on hand for emergencies.

Bonding with your kinfolk is one of life’s greatest pleasures, especially when it is combined with the fresh air of the great outdoors. Cherish every moment you can.

Postpartum Shapewear

Posted on June 11, 2021 by admin

Motherhood is a bitter sweet journey. It changes you inside and out. After giving birth, your body goes through massive changes from the shape of your breasts and body to your clothing size, your skin texture (you’ll notice unsightly stretch marks on your midsection, hips and butt), hip width and for some women, even their fingers expand to the extent that they can no longer wear their wedding ring.

As you adapt your new life with a baby, it may feel overwhelming with the lack of time you have for yourself, your spouse and other kids and the lack of sleep. Some women even battle with postpartum blues. To top it all, you may have postpartum pain and backache.

To help manage pain, many new mothers wear a postpartum wrap or postpartum abdominal band waist trimmer.

Postpartum wraps have been worn by women all over the world for ages after child birth. Benefits of wearing postpartum wraps are:

1. As light body support after child birth. When tissues and organs start to go back into place, a belly wrap can help you feel better.

2. Light compression from postpartum wraps can support your natural transverse abdominal muscle when you can’t contract yet.

3. Provide support for your core and pelvic floor. While postpartum wraps compress, it’s gentle and targeted to hold your ligaments and muscles in place and speed recovery after childbirth.

4. Some women experience back pain after childbirth. Wearing a postpartum wrap help with abdominal support and alleviate back pain.

5. They assist with spinal alignment encouraging the organs, uterus and muscles to get back into normalcy after childbirth.

6. They help to improve body image and posture.

A medical study from 2012 showed that wearing postpartum girdles can help women safely strengthen their core over time, especially when used in combination with physical therapy.

Postpartum wraps and other shapewear that help to enhance bodily feature can be easily sourced from online apparel stores or specialized waist trainer wholesale shops.

If you decide to try wearing a postpartum wrap, make sure it’s not too tight. This is because extra compression puts more pressure on your pelvic floor, which is especially weak after childbirth and also holds a lot of weight during pregnancy. If you have incontinence, leaking or vaginal prolapse, be cautious about using these belly wraps.

Remember that the best way to help your body recover after birth is to rest as much as you can, eat only wholesome and nourishing food, drink enough clear fluids and have a positive mindset.

Fibroids Diet

Posted on May 10, 2021 by admin

I had a fibroid removed from my uterus four years ago via a laparoscopic myomectomy surgery. During a routine yearly ultrasound scan of my uterus recently, my gynae detected a small fibroid in my uterus, measuring about 1.2 cm. I couldn’t believe my luck! I admit that I haven’t been eating as healthily as I should have been throughout the time we were quarantined at home when the movement control order was imposed in March last year. The stress of being cooped up at home and other life’s stressors must have contributed to the growth of another fibroid. It could also be caused by the overproduction of estrogen. One of the ways to prevent the growth of fibroid is to reduce estrogen in the body but we may be unknowingly receiving estrogen from the foods we eat. Fruits and vegetables sprayed with pesticides and animals fed with antibiotics and growth hormones have been known to be hormone-disrupting in humans.

Foods that have zero or low in estrogen as well as those that support the liver should be consumed to prevent further growth of the fibroid. If you could afford it, organic fruits, vegetables and meat are a better option.

While you cannot totally prevent fibroids, your doctor may suggest modifying your diet, which might help slow fibroid growth or ease fibroid symptoms. Foods to eat if you’ve been diagnosed with fibroids include:

1. Cruciferous vegetables help the liver detox. Broccoli, cabbage, bok choy, kale, turnips, watercress, radish and arugula are all great choices. Avoid overcooking these vegetables so that they retain most of their nutrients.
2. Foods to help detoxify your body are also recommended. Garlic, carrots, beets and drinking plenty of water will help with detoxification.
3. Potassium-rich foods such as avocado, tomatoes and bananas
4. Foods that contain carotenes should be added to your diet for fibroids. Apricots, sweet potato, cantaloupe, carrots, pumpkin and spinach are all sufficient sources.
5. Eat foods containing vitamin E, like almonds, wheat germ, hazelnuts and cod liver oil.
6. Natural anti-inflammatory foods can help as well. Pineapple and fresh rosemary have been shown to help decrease inflammation.
7. An antioxidant called polyphenol, which is found in green tea, can help to counteract the effects of estrogen.
8. Consider taking a multivitamin every day. Look for one that has 100% daily value for vitamins: B1 (thiamin), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B12 and B6. Vitamins C, D, E and folic acid should also be included, as well as a max of 15,000 IUs of beta-carotene (vitamin A).

Avoid these foods, which may lead to weight gain and fibroid growth:
1. Soy products have been shown to increase estrogen levels, so cut these out from your diet.
2. High-sugar foods like fruit juice, soda, candies.
3. Highly processed foods like white bread or energy bars
4. Phytoestrogens that mimic estrogen in the body, such as alcohol, red meat and chocolate
5. Avoid storing food in plastic containers. Studies have shown that plastic can leech into the food from the containers, which will influence estrogen levels in your body when consumed.

Living with fibroids can be uncomfortable and painful. You may even be anaemic as a result of heavy menstruation. While you are advised to go easy on red meat, you however need the iron to treat anaemia. I am anaemic and I take Sangobion to replenish iron stores and increase red blood cell levels in my body.

Doing everything you can at home to benefit your body in the fight against fibroids can help improve your biological system and decrease the symptoms of fibroids that you experience. Make sure to speak with you doctor about managing your fibroids and about any drastic dietary changes. Adding and eliminating certain foods to help regulate levels of estrogen in your body may assist in managing fibroids until you are able to undergo a permanent solution.

3 Reasons Why You Should Treat Yourself To Laser Hair Removal

Posted on May 4, 2021 by admin

Do you hate putting on a bathing suit because facing those red bumps and awkward razer rash is too much to bear? Do you prefer the winter when donning a pair of pants hides your weeklong hair growth? Keeping leg and bikini hair at bay is a frustrating and tedious process, with waxing and razers consuming much of your shower time. If you’re ready to say farewell to undesirable prickles, start looking into laser hair removal Baltimore. The procedure offers the following three benefits.

1. Reduce Time

Typical efforts to keep up with hairless legs are a feat, consuming perhaps 10 to 15 minutes each week. Your nightly endeavor could be foiled by hairs that haven’t sprouted or by weak cuts that don’t cut deep enough. Within a few days, you are likely completing touch-ups.

With laser treatment, a specialized technician applies a light laser over your skin, essentially killing off the hair cells. This process drastically diminishes the chances of regrowth. Eventually, though, your evening shower time could be cut down dramatically.

2. Eliminate Monthly Costs

Do you shave on a raw skin? Nope. That sounds extremely painful. Most people stock up on products that alleviate the pain and irritation of the chore. That means splurging on creams and gels that assist in getting a close cut and reducing bumps and redness. Without fuzz and prickles, these items are no longer needed, saving you from adding them to a monthly budget.

3. Boost Your Self-Esteem

Looking good may impact what you choose to do. Avoid swimsuit anxiety. You may turn down pool time or avoid shorts, selecting yoga pants or jeans even in the hottest weather. Laser removal avoids the last-minute shave, so your personal zones might look their best, and you can get out and play. Laser hair removal gets to the root of the issue. With hair gone, you cut down on your prep time and can feel good walking out in your swimwear.

Ring Worm On Waist and Tiny Red Sun Spots On Skin

Posted on April 8, 2021 by admin

I discovered a very tiny dark red mole on my left upper thigh circa 23 March 2021. It was about 2-3mm in diameter. I didn’t give it much thought initially but several days later, it bothered me. My first thought was whether it’s a sign of skin cancer or melanoma. I’ve been exposed to the hot morning sun between the time of 10 – 11 a.m. on most days for the past one year. This was when our country was in a lockdown and I spent most of my mornings brisk walking and jogging within the compound of our apartment.

Around the same time, there were itchy ring-worm like and inflamed rashes on both sides of my waist. I was certain that the ring worm was caused by tight and sweaty pants. I knew that it was caused by not removing my tight and sweaty pants immediately after a workout. Instead, I went about with my chores and only showered a couple of hours later.

Whenever I’m faced with any kind of skin issues, my first go-to product is tea tree oil from Melaleuca. I dutifully applied tea tree oil neat on the red mole and ring-worm rash on my waist at least thrice a day.

The red mole was first discovered circa 23 March 2021 (bottom photos).
After application of tea tree oil, the red mole started to fade. The top two photos were taken on 30 March 2021 and 1 April 2021 respectively.
The mole was almost completely faded circa 1 April 2021. It was completely gone on 5 April 2021.

Ring worm on my waist:

Itchy and inflamed ring worm rash on 21 March 2021. It got so itchy that I scratched the skin till it broke and got inflamed.

After application of tree tree oil (neat) and organic arrowroot powder three times a day, the itch from the rash mellowed down significantly (bottom photo).

About a week later, the ring worm rash wasn’t red nor cause itchiness anymore.

Method for treating ring worm at home:

1. Clean skin and dab it dry.

2. Apply tree tea oil (or Melaleuca oil) neat on the skin, followed by a generous layer of organic arrowroot powder,

3. Repeat 3 times a day or more until itch and inflammation subside.

It has been scientifically proven that tea tree oil and arrowroot powder can inhibit the growth of yeast-fungi and aerobic bacteria.

Tea tree essential oil is a well-researched essential oil best known for its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Some people claim that applying tea tree oil several times a day for a period will cause the mole to disappear. It worked on me and if you have a mole that just popped out all of a sudden, you may want to try applying tea tree oil on the mole to fade it.

Take care when using tea tree oil as it is potent and toxic if swallowed. Always consult a doctor or skin specialist if you are worried of the sudden appearance of a mole or rash on your skin.

Benefits of Having Pets

Posted on March 19, 2021 by admin

I’ve always known that having a pet at home brings joy and laughter. Pets cheer you up when you’re down. They welcome you with wagging tails and a welcome purr when you come home after a long and stressful day. After my pet dog died 23 years ago, I haven’t had the time to have another pet, although in recent years I’ve toyed with the idea of keeping a pet dog in our condo home as I love dogs. However, I know that it’s not going to be easy as it’s against our condo house rules to have large and noisy pets, our space is extremely limited and I do not have the time to add another ‘baby’ to my already stressful and hectic life.

During the past one year of MCO (Movement Control Order) due to the Covid-19 pandemic, life for me has been nothing short of depressing and at times feeling helpless contributed by a myriad of factors. I’ve prayed for some joy and laughter back into our lives. One day, a mother cat gave birth to a litter of 6 kittens at the doorstep of my husband’s office. When I saw the kittens for the first time, my heart melted, especially at the sight of a tri-colored coat kitten. I’ve never been a cat lover, yet I don’t despise them. When my husband (who’s also not a cat lover) suggested adopting one of the stray kittens, I was strongly against his idea. I told him that it would never work due to the reasons stated above. However, as fate would have it, Haru (the tri-colored coat kitten) ended up in our homes when she was 6 weeks old. None of us in the family had any experience in handling cats or was prepared to care for one. My two younger daughters were delighted as it has always been their wishes to have a pet at home. We googled for help on how to care for a baby kitten and asked friends for advice. Haru is now almost 3 months and she has brought a lot of joy and laughter into our homes.

I think God answered my prayers of wanting joy and laughter and He sent a kitten into our lives ?.

There are many health benefits of owning a pet. Studies have shown that the bond between people and their pets can increase fitness, lower stress, and bring happiness to their owners. Some of the health benefits of having a pet include:

Decreased blood pressure
Decreased cholesterol levels
Decreased triglyceride levels
Decreased feelings of loneliness
Reduced stress levels and depression
Increased opportunities for exercise and outdoor activities
Increased opportunities for socialization
Better bonding within siblings and between parents and children
Improved behavior in children
Increased responsibility in children
Help children with their emotional and social skills.
Source of comfort and support (in the case of therapy dogs and guide dogs)
and much more.

Nothing compares to the joy of coming home to a loyal companion. The unconditional love of a pet can do more than keep you company. The advantages that pets bring to your life are just another reason to love them as much as you already do!

Health is Wealth

A health freak mom's thoughts on health and all things healthy

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