2007年11月30日星期五

How To Use A Breast Pump To Pump Your Milk

You're probably aware that breast milk is the best food for your newborn child and it is widely known that breastfeeding until a normal weaning age provides significant health benefits to both of you. However, continuing to breastfeed until this time requires some planning and preparation. Also, resuming parts of your lifestyle will be important to regain some balance in your life. There will no doubt be times when either you intend to be away from your child for a period or when breastfeeding would feel uncomfortable.

Expressing milk for later use is a way that you can spend some time away from your child or choose not to breastfeed while still providing your child with breast milk and those significant health benefits.
Using a breast pump is a skill, just like breastfeeding, that needs to be learnt.

It is normal when using a breast pump for the first time for mothers to be only able to express a few drops of breast milk so don't worry if this happens to you. However, with some practice and the right knowledge you can quickly become more efficient at using a breast pump.

The following is the best way to prepare to use your breast pump.

1. Firstly make sure that you read and understand all the instructions carefully.

2. You will need to ensure that every part of the breast pump has been properly sterilized before using it.

3. After using your breast pump you need to ensure that all of the parts have been washed thoroughly. This is best done by washing with warm soapy water and then rinsing completely in hot water before being dried by draining on a clean towel. You must then allow sufficient time for it to drain and dry completely.

4. You can if you wish, or your doctor advises, sterilize the whole thing every day.

5. If you opt to start with an electric breast pump you should start with the lowest available suction level.

How To Get Started

Start with warm compresses and this with gentle massages of the breast and some gentle stimulation of the nipple as this will help you to stimulate a quick let down.

It is important that you always relax when doing breast massages during your pumping. You may find it preferable to close your eyes and think about nursing your baby and actually imagining that you have your baby in your arms. What you're trying to achieve is real relaxation as this will give you a better let down and will enable you to effectively dispense more milk.

You may find it helpful to consider your first attempts at using a breast pump as just practice sessions with the main goal being to learn how to use your breast pump rather than focusing on how much breast milk is actually expressed.

If you are using a hand pump you should try and use quick and short pumps at the beginning for stimulation as this copies more closely the way that your baby feeds. After your let down has happened and your milk begins to flow more freely you should find that longer steadier strokes will be more effective and much less tiring.

When you first learn to use your breast pump you should practice for 5 minutes on each side at least once but preferably twice a day. You should find that pumping in the least stressful part of your day and actually being in your relaxed nursing area will help you tremendously.

No Opel Corsa OPC for the US Market

Europe's much-awaited fuel-efficient small hatch, the Corsa OPC from General Motors' Opel European brand will roll out in markets across the continent anytime this month. The Opel Corsa OPC made its world debut at the 77th annual Geneva International Motor Show early this March and dubbed as the "most powerful Corsa ever". Why? Because it is equipped with a 1.6-liter turbo engine capable of pumping out 192 horsepower (141 kW) and produces 169 pound-feet (230 Nm) amount of peak torque, combine with a six-speed manual gearbox powering its front wheels. Acceleration from zero to 62 mph can be achieved in 7.2 seconds with an electronically controlled top speed of 139 mph. Upgrading with GM power programmer can boost the Corsa OPC's performance.

General Motors Corp. has a very high expectation for this vehicle in terms of sales due to the rapidly growing consumer demands for fuel-efficient small cars in Europe and in the United States. Does it mean that General Motors would also bring the Corsa OPC to U.S. showrooms?

No. According to a report from the San Francisco online (www.sfgate.com), General Motors' Opel division will not bring the Corsa OPC in the U.S. anytime soon. This is because of some economic factors like the different range of gas prices in Europe and United States. In an interview with Robert Lutz, Vice Chairman for Global Product Development of General Motors Corporation, he said: "Europe and the United States are two different worlds. We could sell the OPC here (Europe) and make money because gasoline is near $6 a gallon. If we had $6 gasoline in the United States, we could sell it there at a profit, too."

"But it is unlikely that Americans would buy a little car at $30,000 when they are paying $2.50 for gasoline. We need $6 gasoline in the United States to make sense of the Corsa OPC in that market." he added.

Lutz was also asked if they will bring the other GM branded European fuel efficient models in the US. and said: "We also sell many fuel-efficient models in America. But the mix of smaller, more fuel-efficient models is bigger in Europe than it is in the United States. We need gasoline of 6 bucks a gallon to change that equation in America. If America really wants more fuel-efficient cars, which will mean more smaller models, it's up to the government to establish parameters in which that market will work."

GM's decision is final and Americans will not be able to see the Opel Corsa OPC to arrive in dealer showrooms.

2007年11月29日星期四

5 Tips for Living a Healthy Lifestyle

These days, everyone seems to be becoming more health conscious. We know so much more than we used to about what is good for us and what is bad. It is said that a little of what you fancy does you good and this does tend to be true. Here are five tips for a healthy (yet enjoyable!) lifestyle:

1.Eat a balanced diet

A balanced diet does not have to be a boring diet. As long as you are getting adequate proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and fats, that slice of chocolate cake you're craving shouldn't do you too much harm. Enjoy your meals, chew your food properly and eat a variety of foods, including five portions of fruit or vegetables a day. Too much processed food or sugary food can make you feel sluggish.

2.Drink more water

Water is such a basic requirement and so key to survival, yet ninety percent of us don't drink enough! Six to eight cups a day is the recommended minimum. We can live for several weeks without food but only a few days without water. If you don't like the taste, mix it with juice, sugar-free cordial or make hot fruit tea. Vegetables and fruit contain plenty of water too. If your urine is darker in color than straw, drink more water!

3.Take time out to relax

Relaxation is very important to a healthy mind. However you choose to relax - deep breathing, yoga, fishing, having a bath, reading a book - try to chill out for an hour a day if you can. Mental exhaustion can cause stress, depression and anxiety disorders. Modern lifestyles can be hectic - if you're not working, you're running after the kids or racing around the grocery store or doing something else. Relax! Breathe deeply. Even fifteen minutes of this is better than none, but do try for an hour a day.

4.Get moving!

There is no excuse not to exercise because there literally is something for everyone. Not everybody loves pounding the treadmill or pumping iron in the gym but anything that gets your heart rate up is a good cardiovascular activity. How about playing tennis, meeting a friend for a swimming session or taking up self-defense or a martial art? If you can't think of anything better, run up and down the stairs a few times. Feeling better now? Exercise releases endorphins, which cheer you up.

5.Cut down on smoking and drinking

Have you ever met a smoker who is glad they started smoking? Neither have I. It is the single most destructive thing you can do to your body. Drinking can be harmful if you consume alcohol in excess or binge drink but, like most things, moderation is the key. A glass of red wine has even been proven to be good for the heart. But too much can be devastating to your health.

2007年11月28日星期三

Heart block - Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Definition

Heart block is a condition where the heart beats irregularly or much more slowly than the normal heart beat. Every normal heart has a normal rhythm. That rhythm varies from person to person. In most healthy people, the heart at rest beats about 60 to 100 times per minute. Sometimes the heart may even stop for up to 20 seconds.

Heart block is classified as first-degree when electrical conduction to the ventricles is slightly delayed, second-degree when conduction is intermittently blocked, or third-degree (complete) when conduction is completely blocked. Most types of heart block are more common among older people.

Causes

Heart block has a variety of causes. It can also occur after a heart attack or as a result of inflammation of the heart muscle, cardiomyopathy (a disorder of the heart muscle) and other types of heart disease. Although these conditions are more common in older people, but this is not a matter that we should not afraid with, it can also found in young people? Heart block may also occur after heart surgery and in this case may be either temporary or permanent.

Most heart attacks are caused by a blood clot that blocks one of the coronary arteries (the blood vessels that bring blood and oxygen to the heart muscle). When blood cannot reach part of your heart, that area starves for oxygen. If the blockage continues long enough, cells in the affected area die.

Symptoms

The main symptom associated with heart block is fainting. The extent to which this occurs depends on the type and extent of the conducting disturbance. Its most often experienced during exertion - for example if you run for a bus, play a game such as tennis or football, climb stairs or walk uphill. It may come on in cold weather, after a heavy meal or when you are feeling stressed. It can subside once you stop what you're doing or take medication.
First degree heart block is very common. It can sometimes be found in teenagers, young adults and in well-trained athletes. The condition may be caused by rheumatic fever, some types of heart disease and by some drugs. First-degree heart block causes no symptoms. Second degree heart block may not cause symptoms. Second degree block can sometimes progress to third-degree. Third degree heart block is a serious condition that usually affects the heart's ability to pump blood effectively.

Treatment

Treatment for heart disease is cure by itself. It includes meal planning to ensure a heart-healthy diet and physical activity. In addition, you may need medications to treat heart damage or to lower your blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol.
The long-term treatment for heart block is a 'pacemaker'(a small, battery-driven device that sends out electrical signals to keep the heartbeat regular) which fit in heart.

Penis Pumps: Are They Really Effective for Penis Enlargement?

Men are consulting their problems in the huge penis enlargement market widely known nowadays. With this come a lot of questions like do penis pumps and stretchers work? How? Do they give good results? What are the disadvantages in using it?

For treatment of impotence, vacuum devices are often recommended. They are also advertised for penis enlargement because the penis does increase in size for a time. Vacuum pumps are placed over the penis where air is then drawn from the tube that creates pressure. As a result, blood is forced rapidly into the penis, as happens in an erection. A ring is then applied temporarily to the base of the penis to stop the blood draining away too quickly. Penis enlargement will only work for about 24 hours.

Possible side effects might occur. Blood vessels can break causing swelling and pain. If you do want to try a vacuum device for erectile problems or you feel it might be a pleasant sensation, you do need to be aware of the probable dangers that it can bring and the fact that some devices available are poorly designed.

It does sound scary, so penis pumping should not be your priority in your list. Do penis pumps work? No, they dont work. They can be really dangerous.

What about other male enhancement products, like penis stretchers? What are they? Do they work?
Penis stretcher devices or penis extenders are devices designed to apply continuous stretching force. Penis stretcher devices apply traction via bars between an anatomically curved base that fits at the root of the penis, and a band that slips off the head of the penis. There is absolutely no connection between penis pumps and penis stretchers.

Penis stretchers are safe to use if you buy the quality products and follow the instructions. They dont harm your penis. There is no discomfort and you can achieve lasting results in perfect safety! A penis pump may look like a good and fast solution but it can really be hazardous. I know you dont want to risk yourself and let your penis be damaged permanently.

The best thing with male enhancement products is using a penis stretcher. Choose a good medically-tested product that will help you rather than those cheap ones that will risk your health. Buy a safe device that delivers the results you want to achieve. Penis pumps cant do that.

If you want more length and girth, you have to choose the safest possible way to achieve results. And if you will spend the money, why not spend them on something that will help you achieve long lasting results? Buy a quality penis stretcher that will give you the lifetime benefits you want!

2007年11月26日星期一

Las Vegas Ranked The Hottest Spot In Auto Theft

For three years in a row, Modesto, California ranked as having the most number of auto theft in relation to its population. Recently though, Modesto gladly relinquished its throne to Las Vegas as according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB).

This year, Modesto ranks only fifth in this years top ten hot spots for auto thefts. Of the ten hot spots named by the NICB, five of them are in California. Aside from Modesto, other cities in California included in the list are Stockton which takes in the second place, Visalia/Porterville in third, Sacramento/Arden-Arcade/Roseville in seventh, and Fresno in the eighth place.

In order for consumers to protect their cars wherever they are, the NICB offered some insights on how to properly protect vehicles. Although there are steps that can be taken, the NICB admits that there are car thieves who will not be stopped by these precautions. With regards to that, NICB President and Chief Executive Officer Robert M. Bryant have this to say: People can take any number of precautions to protect themselves from vehicle theft and, in most cases, those are sufficient to prevent a theft. But a determined thief, a serial vehicle thief, is someone for whom there is no absolute deterrent-except prison.

Bryant cited what they have done to catch thieves in the Modesto area which resulted to the reduced number of auto thefts. NICB, through the support of its member companies, has pursued an aggressive Bait Vehicle and License Plate Reader Program around the nation, says Bryant. These cutting-edge enforcement tools offer law enforcement the latest in high- tech crime fighting, and are partly responsible for the absolutely outstanding results achieved in Modesto. When used in conjunction with comprehensive legislation and aggressive prosecution, police on the street can have a tremendous impact on vehicle theft and other crimes, added the NICB CEO.

To help consumers protect their vehicles from theft the NICB offers tips to consumers. These tips are necessary to protect vehicles which are investments on the part of its owners. For thieves determined to steal a car or a vehicle, even if it is upgraded by using Nissan body kits or not, one safety precaution is not enough that is why the NICB suggests a layered approach to protecting ones car.

The first layer is that thing that we call common sense. The NICB maintains that an open vehicle with the key in the ignition is an open invitation to thieves. Consumers are hereby urged to remove their keys from the ignition even if they are leaving their car even for a brief period of time. When parking, consumers should lock the cars windows and doors and check them before leaving the vehicle. They are also advised to park in a visible or a well-lit area if parking at night.

The second layer of protection is consisted of warning devices. These include protection which is visible or audible to thieves to deter them from stealing a vehicle. Warning and protective devices includes: audible alarms; steering column collars; steering wheel/brake pedal lock; brake locks; wheel locks; tire locks/tire deflators; theft deterrent decals; identification markers; VIN etching and micro dot marking.

The third layer of protection suggested to car owners are immobilizing devices. These devices prevent thieves from bypassing the ignition or hot-wiring a car. Some devices that can be used as immobilizing devices are: smart keys; fuse cut-offs; kill switches; starter, ignition, and fuel pump disablers; and wireless ignition authentication. While some of these devices may be costly, it would be a good investment towards protecting a car.

The final layer of protection against auto theft is tracking devices. These devices use different technologies to transmit the location of the vehicle to authorities. These devices are typically installed in an inconspicuous part of the vehicle where thieves cannot find them easily.

With auto theft still increasing, consumers need to protect their investments by any means they deem necessary. The NICB is working to increase awareness among car owners on how to protect their vehicles and only they can do anything to protect their cars from thieves.

Ulcer treatment

Treating an ulcer is usually made combining two different methods. One is a change in the lifestyle of the person suffering from ulcer. The other one is with the help of medication that can fight against ulcer.

The most common medicine for treating gastric ulcer or duodenal ulcer are proton pumps, mucosal protective agents and drugs that block H2. If you also have an H pylori inffection, which is very common in ulcer, doctors will also use antibiotics together with those medications. There are cases when medication do not work for an ulcer. Surgery is the alternative.

The medications that are used in treating ulcer are H2 blockers, proton pump inhibitors and agents that protect the mucus. The first medication in treating an ulcer reduces the amount of your stomach acid. If you take a dose of this medicine before you go to sleep, the gastric ulcer can be cured in about two months and the duodenal ulcer faster, in almost one month. The second drug used to treat an ulcer has the role to stop the production of acid. It is more powerful than H2 blockers. It can cure a duodenal ulcer in almost two weeks. This medicine is also an alternative to ulcer patients whose H2 treatment does not work. The last medicine used to treat ulcer is the for protecting the mucous coat of the stomach from acid. Antibiotics are also used as an ulcer treatment, but only if you have a bacteria infection. The percent of recurrence of an ulcer is very big if antibacterial treatment is not used.

Nowadays, there are two types of therapy against an ulcer: the triple and dual therapy. The first ulcer therapy includes: metronidazole, four times every day, tetracycline, also four time each day and pepto-bysmol. This ulcer treatment lasts for two weeks. It has a rate of almost 90 percent effectiveness in destroying the bacteria that caused the ulcer. This ulcer therapy is also very effective because it reduce the risk of ulcer reoccurrence. The second ulcer therapy means that only two medicines are taken: amoxcillin and prolosec. This ulcer therapy also lasts for two weeks, but it has only an 80 percent effectiveness.

If any of the ulcer treatments do not give good results, doctors can use surgery. For an ulcer, the most common of the surgeries are vagotomy, pyloroplasty and antrectomy. The last two of the ulcer surgeries may be performed together.