Teen Who Cries Blood Gets Help From Experts

Hello guys its been a month since i have not updated my blog as you know am schooling now and quite busy between my school and family. But i was so touched when i opened up my dashboard and found out that i have 24 comments to be moderated. Wow! you really amazed me guys and thank you very much for constantly reading my blog.

So today, i would like to share this rare story of a young boy who cries blood.

(CNN) -- Calvino Inman had just stepped out of the shower one evening in May when a glimpse of his reflection in the mirror caused him to panic. "I looked up and saw myself, and I thought I was going to die," says the 15-year-old from Rockwood, Tennessee. His eyes were streaming tears of blood.

Inman's mother, Tammy Mynatt, says she immediately rushed him to the emergency room, but by the time they arrived, the bleeding had stopped. Doctors couldn't see what the family was trying to explain. They returned home completely perplexed. When the bloody tears returned a few days later while Inman was on a camping trip, he was rushed back to the hospital.

Mynatt hoped that once doctors finally witnessed the phenomenon, there would be answers. But that wasn't the case. "The people at the hospital said they had never seen anything like it," Mynatt recalls. She says her son underwent an MRI, a CT scan and an ultrasound, but none of the tests had abnormal results. "'We don't know how to stop it,'" Mynatt remembers being told by doctors. "It just has to run its course."

Dr. Barrett G. Haik, director of the University of Tennessee's Hamilton Eye Institute, says there is an answer, sort of. He says "crying blood," a condition called haemolacria, is common in people who have experienced extreme trauma or who have recently had a serious head injury. But a case such as Inman's is still a medical mystery. "What's really rare is to have a child like this," Haik says. "Only once every several years do you see someone with no obvious cause."

Haik and a team of researchers published a 2004 study in the Journal of the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery looking specifically at children who developed unexplained, spontaneous episodes of bloody tears between February 1992 and January 2003. Only four cases were recorded.

Because of the rarity of the condition, experts anticipate Inman will have multiple tests from a variety of specialists, including hematologists (blood specialists), ophthalmologists (eye specialists) and otolaryngologists (ear, nose and throat specialists).

Dr. James C. Flemming, also an ophthalmologist at the Hamilton Eye Institute, has been in touch with Mynatt and her son. He is reviewing Inman's medical records for possible treatment.

Flemming says complications to look for include blood clots, a growth or tumor near the eye, or even a simple infection. He also says the culprit could be something so tiny that none of the standard tests would pick it up. "It's a very hard thing to estimate," Flemming says. "You may have to watch expectedly for other symptoms to show up."

Inman's analysis would also include a psychological evaluation to rule out the possibility that the bloody tears were faked. "When you can't find an origin, you can't eliminate any of the possibilities" Haik explains. He says there have been cases where children seeking attention have found creative ways to simulate haemolacriatic symptoms.

Still, Mynatt and her son are relieved to at least have more guidance. In an interview with CNN affiliate WATE, Mynatt was near tears herself explaining her frustration: "I just truly want somebody to say they've seen this and they can help us."

And that's at least one reassurance Flemming and his team of experts at the Hamilton Eye Institute can offer. "We get more positive talk now than negative. It really feels like there's hope," Mynatt says, relieved.

But still, the possibility remains that after endless tests, the underlying cause may never be found. In all four cases Haik examined previously, the bleeding stopped on its own.

"As physicians, that's disconcerting, because we like to have the answers," Haik admits. Moreover, he says he knows from previous experience that the toll of not knowing is much worse for patients. "I could always see the fear in their faces because no matter what we studied, we couldn't find an answer."

Read more >>

Is Anesthesia Related To Learning Disabilities?

According to Robert Preidt exposure to anesthesia during a Cesarean delivery doesn't increase the risk of learning disabilities in children, says a new study.

"We found that the incidence of learning disabilities was equal between children who were delivered vaginally and those who were delivered via C-section but with general anesthesia," study leader Dr. Juraj Sprung, an anesthesiologist at the Mayo Clinic, said in a news release from Mayo.

Sprung and his colleagues analyzed the medical and school IQ records of 5,320 children born between 1976 and 1982 to mothers in Olmsted County, Minn. Not only did they find that anesthesia use during delivery posed no threat to the babies, but the researchers also determined that babies whose mothers had received an epidural anesthetic (which numbs the lower part of the body) were much less likely to have learning disabilities later in life.

The risk was reduced by about 40 percent compared to children delivered vaginally and those delivered via cesarean section but without general anesthesia," Sprung said.

The findings from the study are preliminary and shouldn't prompt any changes to medical practice, said co-author and Mayo anesthesiologist Dr. Randall Flick.

"What we've found is an association between two things," he said. "One is the way a child was delivered, either vaginally or under regional or general anesthesia. The other is a difference in the incidence of learning disabilities as the child attended school. It's important to recognize there may be other factors that impact learning disabilities."

A report on the study is in the August issue of Anesthesiology.

SOURCE: Mayo Clinic, news release, July 2009

Read more >>

Beauty Tips For Eyeliners : How To Get An Easy, Everyday Defining Look

Eyeliner is the bane of existence for many a beauty conscious woman. There is a distinct trick to the art of applying eyeliners in such a manner as to not end up with that permanently surprised look which may be somewhat disconcerting to those with whom you converse. Some have taken to the application of liquid eyeliner only to find that they end up with black smudges in the creases underneath their eyes.

Fortunately, tips and techniques for the successful application of eye liner abound, and if you follow just a few of them, you will give your eyes that beautiful appearance which can set the tone for the mood you are seeking to evoke.

Fun Looks and Styles
The how to of eyeliner application begins with a consideration of the look for which you are aiming. There are several fun ways of defining your appearance before you put on that first stroke of the eyeliner. Will you be going for the gothic look? Are you hoping to achieve that glamorous movie star look? Perhaps you are simply aiming for an enhanced natural look to showcase the beauty that is yours.

Liquid, Gel, or Loose Powder Application
After the definition of the look, the choice of eyeliner pencil is the next consideration. To apply eyeliner, a thin and sometimes hard pencil it utilized, but this does not permit for easy application once the skin underneath your eyes has lost some of its teenage firmness. Waterproof gel or loose powder eye makeup is another option, but they require a steady hand. A happy medium is a soft consistency eyeliner pen from Cake, Estee Lauder, Christian Dior, Bobby Brown or Mac.

Color Choices: Black, White, Glitter…..
Next, chose your colors wisely, white might be great to make a dramatic contrast to dark skin or add little designs to your eyelids, but if you are going for an organic, natural look, you may opt for something that is just a shade darker than your eyelashes. Enhancements, such as glitter and eye shadow matching styles are also available, yet they will draw a lot of attention to your eyes and detract from other parts of your appearance, such as a great haircut or lip liner. Make sure you do not overdo the drama of your eyes and then have it compete with the dramatic shape enhancement of your lip liner!

Eyeliner Designs & Techniques
The best eyeliner technique for lasting effect is to complement your eye’s shape but slightly enhance it. For example, make a fine line that just slightly extends beyond the corner of your lower lid to get the coveted cat’s eye appearance. Use white eyeliner on the inner rim of your lashes for a more open and alert look. Remove eyeliner that spread beyond its intended locale with a q-tip dipped in a bit of eye makeup remover. Do not cover it up with powder since the color will come to the forefront in a short period of time.

Read more >>

Beauty Tips : Treatments For Preventing And Healing Dry, Cracked Feet And Heels

It’s the end of your day and as you remove your shoes you are once again met with dry cracked feet. They not only feel scaly and painful, but they also look like you’ve been walking on razor blades! No matter how rough and callous your feet currently are, this does not have to be the fate of your feet forever. There are five steps you can follow to learn how to heal your dry cracked feet and prevent them from drying out in the future.

Treatment for Dry Cracked Feet
The first step for at-home treatment is to wash or soak your feet everyday in lukewarm water and a mild soap. You can add a soothing foot product to help condition your feet if you choose. Dr. Scholl’s and Burt’s Bees offer great medicated moisturizing products. However, if you’d rather use items from the kitchen, mixing one cup of honey with a gallon of water and soaking ten to fifteen minutes can drastically improve the moisture in the skin. Honey is also a natural antiseptic and is a safe cure for cracked or bleeding skin. Be careful not to use the pumice stone too vigorously on your cracked feet as it may make them worse.

Second, you’ll need to dry your feet well. Pay close attention to the skin in between the toes. If this area is not dried properly it can create a breeding ground for bacteria and lead to infection. Pat the feet and do not rub harshly or you can cause more damage!

Next, apply a foot cream, lotion or foot ointment. There are many lotions available offering moisturizers such as Vitamin E, shea butter, aloe and more. These are often helpful for dry, but not severely dry skin. Podiatrists and diabetic specialists often recommend a foot cream such as O’Keeffe’s working feet cream. This cream is not greasy, hypoallergenic, has no odor and contains no oil or alcohol. It helps replenish the skin with glycerin and protect the skin with paraffin. These ingredients help to sooth, hydrate and repair the skin tissue of the feet.

Try a Home Remedy
There are also home remedies available which are said to soothe. For instance, mixing baby lotion with spearmint and eucalyptus oil is a known remedy. It is said to create a “super lotion” which sooths, heals and smells fresh. Other natural remedy moisturizers include almond oil, avocado oil, jojoba oil and coconut milk. You can try the moisturizer of your choice to see which works best for you.

The fourth step requires you to put on clean, white cotton socks. The cotton helps to whisk away moisture while the colorless material prevents any dyes from irritating the skin. Many people choose to put their socks on at bedtime and wear them overnight for enhanced moisturizing. When you wake up your feet will feel as if you got a spa pedicure overnight!

Finally, be sure to check your feet everyday. Look for cuts or blisters and treat them promptly. Keeping your feet clean and applying moisturizer is an excellent way to care for your feet. You can also insure foot health by eating a diet rich in Vitamin A, which promotes skin health. Foods such as carrots, sweet potatoes, kale, spinach and pumpkin are all excellent sources.

In addition to the foods you eat, the amount of water you drink is important as well. Drinking six to eight glasses of water can help to keep your skin, soft and subtle naturally. The main causes for severe dry skin or xerosis (as it is known medically) is often dehydration, Vitamin A deficiency or diabetes. You do not have to suffer from dry cracked feet or feet fissures! Simply follow the steps above and you’ll be kicking up your heels with happiness.

Read more >>

Depo-Provera And Breastfeeding

Hi guys i may not be active in the blogging world starting this 27th of July because classes will start this week. Yes, am back to school! This is my second course and i am taking Diploma in Nursing. Why? Because nursing has more potential for job opportunities for me here in Malaysia. Unfortunately, my previous profession has a very minimal chance to get a job here especially i am a foreigner.

Anyway, back to the topic, i would like to share this information on Depo-Provera an injectable contraceptive for women especially those mothers who are breastfeeding like me and is planning to take this contraceptive but is worried of the side effects of the drug on breast milk.

What is Depo-Provera?
Depo-Provera (medroxyprogesterone acetate) is a drug very similar to progesterone, a hormone normally produced by the ovaries every month as part of the menstrual cycle. Depo-Provera is an injectable medicine that prevents pregnancy for up to 3 months with each injection ("shot").

How does it work?
Depo-Provera prevents pregnancy by preventing ovulation (the release of an egg from the ovary). If an egg is not released, pregnancy is unlikely. Depo-Provera is given as 1 shot in the buttock or upper arm. The first shot should be given within 5 days after the beginning of a normal menstrual period, and shots should be repeated every 3 months.

Is it effective?
Depo-Provera is as effective as tubal ligation (having your tubes tied) and more effective at preventing pregnancy than several other methods, including birth control pills, condoms and diaphragms. It does not, however, protect against AIDS or any other sexually transmitted diseases.

Is the effect permanent?

No. Depo-Provera only works for about 3 months. The shot must be repeated every 3 months to prevent pregnancy. After a woman stops using Depo-Provera, her normal ovarian function returns after a short time. However, it takes an average of 9 to 10 months to get pregnant after getting the last shot.

How long can I take it?
You should not use Depo-Provera for more than 2 years unless no other form of birth control is right for you. Using Depo-Provera can cause you to lose some of the calcium that is stored in your bones. The longer you use Depo-Provera, the more calcium you may lose. The calcium may not return completely once you stop using it. This can lead to osteoporosis.

Are there side effects?
Most women have some changes in their menstrual periods while using Depo-Provera, including irregular and unpredictable bleeding or spotting, an increase or decrease in menstrual bleeding, or no bleeding at all. After 1 year of use, about 50% of women have no bleeding at all. The absence of periods is not harmful, and periods usually return to normal after Depo-Provera is stopped. If unusually heavy or continuous bleeding occurs, you should see your doctor. Other possible side effects include weight gain, headaches, nervousness, abdominal discomfort, dizziness and weakness or fatigue.

Can I use it if I am breastfeeding?

Depo-Provera can be used safely in women who are breastfeeding. Long-term studies of babies whose mothers used Depo-Provera while breastfeeding found no bad effects.

Who should not use Depo-Provera?

Women who have any of the following should not use Depo-Provera: liver disease, a history of blood clots (phlebitis) or stroke, vaginal bleeding without a known reason, cancer of the breast or reproductive organs, known or suspected pregnancy, or allergy to the medication in Depo-Provera.

For more information on birth control please visit here

Note: Always consult your doctor or Health Care Provider what is best precaution for you.

Read more >>

Ways How To Manage Tantrums In Toddlers

I am worried about my daughter since 3 days now she is showing her temper tantrums. Yesterday was the worst day, when we went to clinic to get her flu and cough medicines. She was so angry that we always stopped her from sitting on the floor where her feet was so dirty. She was screaming like nobody's business, kicking and jumping and insisted on bare foot. Was so ashamed with other patients looking only at me and my daughter. So this morning i browsed on the net and found these article by Cecilia Stewart on ways how to manage toddlers tantrums.

Temper tantrums in toddlers can range in severity from mild crying and rolling around on the floor, to severe screaming, kicking, vomiting, jumping up and down, and sometimes aggressive behavior.

"Researchers think that these emotional explosions are part of children’s normal efforts to establish a sense of autonomy - a sort of declaration of independence from mom and dad," says the PBS parent article "Early Learning: Focus on Birth to Five, Tips for Raising Your Baby and Preschooler."

What Are Some Common Reasons for Temper Tantrums in Toddlers?

• Toddlers may be tired from lack of sleep.
• Children may be hungry.
• There could be too many changes in your surrounding environment, such as a divorce or the addition of a new baby in the household.
• Toddlers don’t know how to verbally communicate the fact that they are angry or disappointed and may resort to temper tantrums as a way of expressing their emotions.
• Some children may use temper tantrums as a means of getting attention from you.
• Children may want to become more independent and have more opportunities to make decisions.
• Toddlers may be frustrated because they can’t accomplish a task that may be too difficult for them.
• Temper tantrums in children can be a result of discomfort.
• Children might throw temper tantrums because you won’t give them something that they want, such as a ball or a piece of candy.
  

How Should Parents Handle Temper Tantrums in Toddlers?

Whether your children experience frequent or sporadic outbursts, there are things that you can do to effectively manage emotional outbursts in children.

• In the article "Temper Tantrums and Childhood" the American Academy of Pediatrics says, "You should never punish your child for temper tantrums. He may start to keep his anger or frustration inside, which can be unhealthy." You should always remain calm and find ways to soothe your child while acknowledging the fact that you understand his feelings.
• If your child has a temper tantrum because he is upset that you denied him something, you can simply ignore it.
• No matter how frustrated you become, avoid losing control. You should never resort to physical punishment or yelling as a means to control a temper tantrum. Even in the midst of your child’s temper tantrum, he is learning how to manage his emotions from you.
• Don’t bribe your child to get him to stop throwing the tantrum. This will only encourage him to throw temper tantrums more often.
  

How Can Parents Prevent Temper Tantrums in Toddlers?

There is no foolproof method for avoiding temper tantrums in toddlers but there are ways that you can prevent a few.

• Avoid placing your child in stressful situations.
• Remove them from any stimulants that may trigger emotional outbursts.
• Distract your child if you see the onset of a temper tantrum.
• Make sure that your child gets the proper amount of sleep.
• Make sure that you have nutritious foods readily available for them to eat when they get hungry.
• Try to avoid huge disruptions in your toddler’s daily routine.
• Give your child the opportunity to make simple choices. You can let him decide whether he wants bologna or ham on his sandwich. Both choices are acceptable to you and your child gets to opportunity to feel independent.
  

Most temper tantrums will dissipate by the time children reach the age of four. If you feel that your child's temper tantrums are a result of underlying emotional issues, you should contact his doctor immediately.

Here are 2 books that you might be interested also:

The One-Minute Temper Tantrum Solution: Strategies for Responding to Children's Challenging Behaviors

Temper Tantrum Common Sense Handbook (Common Sense Handbooks)

Read more >>