The Ultimate Healthy Living, Herbs and Essential Oils Bundles...2 days only!

Just imagine enjoying radiant good health… waking up with high energy every single day… feeling your body grow stronger… being able to offer your family alternative ways to heal when they get everyday ailments, and supporting better wellness overall so you get sick less often.

And imagine having a resource you can turn to, like a wise mentor, as new situations arise. You won’t have to spend hours crawling around the internet to get answers. You can be confident that you understand what you’re using, and aren’t taking risks with your family’s health.
One of my favorite online companies loves to put together what they call “bundles” which is their way of saying “a crazy amount of value in one really affordable package”.
Well, they’ve brought back two of their most popular bundles, just in time to get ready for a healthy new year! The first one’s called The Herbs and Essential Oils Super Bundle and The Ultimate Healthy Living Bundle.
Let’s talk about The Herbs and Essential Oils Super Bundle first. This bundle has 21 eBooks, eCourses, and printable cheat sheets, many of which are written by certified herbalists, aromatherapists, health researchers, educators and more, and are extremely practical and user-friendly.
Normally you’d buy these resources for more than $400.
But with their bundle model, you pay just $29.97 – less than 10% of the retail value – and less than your copay for many routine doctor visits.
With your bundle, you’ll have access to resources that teach you:

• a 6-point checklist to choose only the highest quality, most effective essential oils
• the 5 essential oils you’ll want to keep on hand
• how to give yourself an emotional lift with a special mixture of two herbs, and how you can relax and fall asleep naturally
• how to make an immune boost tincture formula
• a lavender scalp treatment that leaves your hair soft and shiny (and a foot scrub that leaves your skin soft and soothes jangled nerves at the same time)

Learn more or get your Herbs & Essential Oils Super Bundle here.

And if that sounds good, let me tell you about The Ultimate Healthy Living Bundle.
You sort of need to see it to believe it, but the package includes 83 digital products and it’s worth over $2,400!
For the cost of a small bag of groceries, you’ll get a complete healthy living library to help you:

• prepare whole & delicious real food
• get the toxins out of your house for good
• understand and use natural remedies
• breathe new life into your exercise habits
• learn about important women’s health issues
• raise exceptionally healthy kids in an unhealthy world
• plus learn about gardening & homesteading, meal planning, weight loss and so much more!

Learn more or get your Ultimate Healthy Living Bundle here.

The only catch? These bundles are available for just 2 short days, so you need to grab yours quick! Last day to get yours is Thursday, December 29th.
P.S. A little birdie told me that after you buy one of these bundles, you’ll get a special offer on the second bundle, so be sure to watch for that after checkout!

2 days only to order these awesome Bundles!

Fever, Your Guide To Taking Care Of It At Home #parenting101

Fever, seems to be the most common complaint of parents in the middle of the night as I work my weekender shifts. The children can range from very ill to very playful. Parents can be very well educated and some not so much at all (sad but true). Lots of education needs to be done about fever, parents for some reason just freak out if their child is running a fever......ekkkkkkk.

By all means if your child is not breathing, in distress, having a seizure, blue in color or unconscious --Please call 911!!! Do not try and drive to the ER!

Most often if a child is brought to the Emergency Department for a fever, the parent has really not tried to do anything at home to first bring the fever down. They just drop everything and rush to the ER...OMG!!

Caution: Now if your infant child is less than 90 days old and is running a temperature greater than say 100.5 rectally (yes in the bum bum- rectal is most accurate) or your Peds doctor will tell you a specific temperature to call for. Please attempt to call your doctor first! They want to be called before you rush to the ER!

Infants less than 90 days old with a high fever is a medical emergency, these little ones still have mommas antibodies floating around from birth. They should not have fevers that high. Be prepared if you take an infant that small to the ER with a high fever that he/she will get a full septic work up which may include blood work , catherized urine specimen's(most sterile collection), xray's, lumbar puncture(spinal tap looking for ?meningitis) , IV with antibiotics amoung the most common things ordered by an ED physician.

Even in older children a call to the Peds doctor first can save you stress, time and the very expensive cost of an ER visit. Not to mention the germ exposure to your other family members.

Many cooling methods can be performed before you visit your local ED or even your doctors office.
First of all, give your kids some medication for fever. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or Ibuprofen (Motrin: if they are over 6 months of age) is made for just that reason, they are fever reducers and pain relievers. You are not going to overdose or kill your child by giving these medications. You can even given them together in appropriate situations, they are metabolized in different areas of the body (kidneys and liver) so it is perfectly ok if your pediatric doctor or the ED doctor tells you to give the medications together for one dose to reduce a high fever, then alternate the medications from then on.

A Fever is the body's defense mechanism for fighting off some kind of process going on, such as viral or bacterial infection. It is ok for your child to have a fever (don't flip out on me now). Fever in the body's natural reaction to a stress reaction going on inside the body. It is trying to fix the problem in its own natural response.

Febrile seizures most often will occur in children that might be prone to these (due to a problem with the temperature thermoregulation). A febrile seizure occur due to a sudden rapid rise in the temperature.

These types of seizures like any seizure activity is scary for us as parents. Keeping your child safe from harming themselves during the event is imperative. Keep the child on their side, away from objects they might hit and do not try and put anything into a seizing child's mouth. Most children outgrow febrile type seizures.

Children can burn up a lot of fluids when they run fever, hydration is important. Don't worry so much about trying to feed them, just make sure they are drinking fluids such as water, electrolyte solutions (Pedialyte/ Ricelyte), coconut water, juices, clear sodas( if that's all they will drink- especially older kids) Popsicles etc.

Avoid dairy products please,unless you want to see the clabbered milk again.....yuck, dairy tends to just make them vomit. I will never forget the time my husband gave my feverish 1yr old daughter a whole bottle of milk just before I got home from working a 12 hour night shift. She proceeded to cover me in hot milk vomit as soon as I tried to pick her up.......lovely it was.

The info-graphic below has some great info about fever, please educate yourself.

Emergency Room or Urgent Care, Where Do I Go? #supportthescrubs #nurseup

Just when do you come to the Emergency Department(Room) to be seen and worked up for a problem? Of course Ebola is first on the list these days of problems people are scared to death of, but things like chest pain, shortness of breath, stroke like symptoms, severe abdominal pain, bleeding uncontrollably, sudden thunderclap type headaches (totally different from your regular headache), your newborn infant has a high fever etc. (see the infographic below for a good list of things to go to the ED or Urgent Care for) Are complaints that you seek emergency care for...

There are many people that seriously just don't understand the process of who needs to be in the Emergency Department and who does not! ER nurses and providers are totally frustrated with the minor complaints that show up on our door steps that could have easily waited until their primary care doctor, clinic or the urgent care was open. Even trying some home care measures before you run to the ER is OK, giving your child some Tylenol or children's Motrin and actually waiting to see if it works is A OK you know (or do you know?). Have you called your own doctor, pediatrician or dentist? most of them have an on call service? Or did you just panic and freak out?
Coming to the ER for something stupid and uncalled for just exposes you to more germs, adds to the wait times in all the ER's, takes a bed away from someone that actually may need it (yes really) and adds to the stress of the already overburdened system. (Yes I am on my soapbox today)

Coming to the ER with complaints like these drive me nuts: (yes these are actual complaints that I have heard as an ER nurse over the last 25+ years) --no names of course to protect privacy, some things have been changed. Picture the look on my face when I heard these complaints.....lol

• A cough for 3 years  ( today was the day to get checked out)
• My toothpaste made my gums hurt (she really wanted a work note and narcotics)
• My big toe is sore (pt had new shoes and wanted a work note)
• My toe nail polish made my toes red (rash) - noted pt had on red nail polish
• My partner cheated on me and I want to be "checked" (she actually cheated and had 3 std's)
• I have something stuck in my teeth ( omg you don't want to know what it was)
• I have had a condom stuck in my vagina for 3 months (it was a French tickler- smelled so good)
• My period is way to heavy... ( she was crazy actually )
• I have had chest pain for 3 years (and I needed a ride in the ambulance closer to my house)
• My vibrator is stuck and I need the batteries changed soon ( you can only imagine)
• I have money stuck up in my vagina and I need change for the laundry mat (a frequent flyer)
• I need you to give my child Tylenol here in the ER so I will have money for the laundry mat.
• I have a rash on my hand (no rash to be seen anywhere)
• My child has a fever of 99.1 (child running all over the room eating chips and drinking Pepsi)
• I flushed my pain medication down the toilet by accident and need refills (oh by the way I am from out of state) -- wanted drugs, was lying of course
• I fell off the roof in 1986 and my back still hurts, I want my back surgery now!! (it is 2006 now)
• My baby needs to be checked (had not been to well child checkups since mom had been busy she said)  (I want a check mark stamp)
• My child needs his football physical (mom was told that the ER does not do physicals, she wanted to check in and wait anyhow) (the doctor told her no after she waited 3 hours)

I could go on and on with these ridiculous type of complaints that are all actually real, these patients also think they should be seen first, even before your chest pain or stroke symptoms, they can make the most noise in the lobby. One lady told me once "I don't care if that baby is not breathing, I am going to be late getting home and my probation officer will find out I am not at home, so I need you to write me a note NOW!!!" I just smiled at her and walked away..................

Next time you are in the ER or even a Urgent Care facility, tell the nurses and providers thank you for all the hard work they do, putting up with bull-crap and just smiling-- then saving your loved one's life.

#supportthescrubs 

On a serious note, if you are truly sick or just don't know, then by all means come in to the ED. I would much rather help you make that decision than you stay home having chest pain, shortness of breath, an allergic reaction to something or stroke like symptoms. Trust your gut, especially if you are a parent, you know your child, if they are just not acting right.... seek treatment... call your peds doctor first and then come to the ER. Most pediatricians want to talk to you first before you head to the ER. Unless your child is an infant under 90 days old with a fever over 100.5 rectally, that is a real emergency and needs to be seen, unless you have made other arrangements with your pediatrician already. 

Call 911 if you need to, they can treat most emergent problems in the field before you even get to the ED. They are highly trained in their profession and can make the choices you might not be able to in an emergency. 

It is really easy to send you home, when we have ruled out all the bad things that can "kill you dead today" . It is much harder to tell your family that you are gone :( 

Weeeeeeeeeee! little piggie

Croupy cough- Barking noises, nighttime surprises

Croup seems to be on the rise early this season. I have seen many children brought into the Emergency Department with this scary ailment. Most commonly seems to awaken kids at night with this horrible sounding seal like barking noise. If you have ever heard a croupy cough or stridor coming out of a small child's mouth you will remember it well.
If your child wakes up barking loudly do you need to bring them to the Emergency Room? Well, that's a very good question. Not all children need to be rushed to the ER for a croupy cough. You can try a couple of things at home first.
Ask yourself these things first 

• Does my child have a high fever? ( check it rectally if they can not hold the thermometer in their mouth well, of course you are the parent and you know when your child has a temp. Go ahead and medicate them for fever, it will help with discomfort also. 
• Does my child have any breathing trouble, like retractions (look at them with no shirt on, does it seem like they are sucking in hard to breath?
• Does my child have stridor-- a high pitched noise when they breath, not just the barky cough?
• Are you freaking out and just don't know what to do (its ok if you are, better to bring them in to be checked out than not)

OK-- If your child is limp, lethargic and turning blue around the lips, call 911!! 

IF your child is happy, playful, and looks normal, but still has that terrible sounding cough- take a deep breath and calm down, its gonna be just fine.

Try these methods at home if your child seems ok at home first:

• Turn on the shower water to hot--get the bathroom nice and steamy (of course don't put your child in the hot water) take your child in the bathroom and stay with them, help them to breath in the nice steamy air in the bathroom for around 5-10 min or so.
• Take them immediately outside into the cool nighttime air (its ok, you are not gonna make them sicker doing this--no matter what your grandma told you) 
• The alternating of the steam and the cool air will most of the time help stop the bronchospasm-like coughing  and help them calm down and settle back to sleep.
• Don't medicate your child with any sedating cough syrups, alcohols or home remedies. Cool mist vaporizers or humidifiers in their room is fine. I use the old Vicks vapor rub on their chest and feet remedy myself (unless they are infants)
• Call your peds doctor or advice line if you want more advice before traveling to the ER, they are a wealth of good information.

So What is Croup?? 

Croup is a condition that causes an inflammation of the upper airways — the voice box (larynx) and windpipe (trachea). It often leads to a barking cough or hoarseness, especially when a child cries.

Most cases of croup are caused by viruses, usually parainfluenza virus and sometimes adenovirus or respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).Viral croup is most common — and symptoms are most severe — in children 6 months to 3 years old, but can affect older kids too. Some children are more prone to developing croup when they get a viral upper respiratory infection.

Most cases of viral croup are mild and can be treated at home. Rarely, croup can be severe and even life threatening.

The term spasmodic croup refers to a type of croup that develops quickly and may happen in a child with a mild cold. The barking cough usually begins at night and is not accompanied by fever. Spasmodic croup has a tendency to come back again (recur).

Treatment of symptoms is the same for either form of croup.

Signs and Symptoms

At first, a child may have cold symptoms, like a stuffy or runny nose and a fever. As the upper airway (the lining of the windpipe and the voice box) becomes more inflamed and swollen, the child may become hoarse, with a harsh, barking cough. This loud cough, which is characteristic of croup, often sounds like the barking of a seal.

If the upper airway continues to swell, it becomes even more difficult for a child to breathe, and you may hear a high-pitched or squeaking noise during inhalation (called stridor). A child also might breathe very fast or have retractions (when the skin between the ribs pulls in during breathing). In the most serious cases, a child may appear pale or have a bluish color around the mouth due to a lack of oxygen.

Symptoms of croup are often worse at night and when children are upset or crying. Besides the effects on the upper airway, the viruses that cause croup can cause inflammation farther down the airway and affect the bronchi (large breathing tubes that connect to the windpipe).

Hope this helps you understand Croup a little better, have questions? Feel free to post in the comments.

SAFE HALLOWEEN : make it great!

 

Halloween is an exciting time of year for kids, and to help ensure they have a safe holiday, here are some tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Feel free to excerpt these tips or use them in their entirety for any print or broadcast story, with acknowledgment of source.

ALL DRESSED UP:

• Plan costumes that are bright and reflective. Make sure that shoes fit well and that costumes are short enough to prevent tripping, entanglement or contact with flame.
• Consider adding reflective tape or striping to costumes and trick-or-treat bags for greater visibility.
• Because masks can limit or block eyesight, consider non-toxic makeup and decorative hats as safer alternatives. Hats should fit properly to prevent them from sliding over eyes.
• When shopping for costumes, wigs and accessories look for and purchase those with a label clearly indicating they are flame resistant.
• If a sword, cane, or stick is a part of your child's costume, make sure it is not sharp or too long. A child may be easily hurt by these accessories if he stumbles or trips.
• Obtain flashlights with fresh batteries for all children and their escorts.
• Do not use decorative contact lenses without an eye examination and a prescription from an eye care professional. While the packaging on decorative lenses will often make claims such as “one size fits all,” or “no need to see an eye specialist,” obtaining decorative contact lenses without a prescription is both dangerous and illegal. This can cause pain, inflammation, and serious eye disorders and infections, which may lead to permanent vision loss.
• Teach children how to call 9-1-1 (or their local emergency number) if they have an emergency or become lost.

CARVING A NICHE:

• Small children should never carve pumpkins. Children can draw a face with markers. Then parents can do the cutting.

• Consider using a flashlight or glow stick instead of a candle to light your pumpkin. If you do use a candle, a votive candle is safest.
• Candlelit pumpkins should be placed on a sturdy table, away from curtains and other flammable objects, and should never be left unattended.

HOME SAFE HOME:

• To keep homes safe for visiting trick-or-treaters, parents should remove from the porch and front yard anything a child could trip over such as garden hoses, toys, bikes and lawn decorations.
• Parents should check outdoor lights and replace burned-out bulbs.
• Wet leaves or snow should be swept from sidewalks and steps.
• Restrain pets so they do not inadvertently jump on or bite a trick-or-treater.

ON THE TRICK-OR-TREAT TRAIL:

• A parent or responsible adult should always accompany young children on their neighborhood rounds.

• If your older children are going alone, plan and review the route that is acceptable to you. Agree on a specific time when they should return home.

• Only go to homes with a porch light on and never enter a home or car for a treat.

• Because pedestrian injuries are the most common injuries to children on Halloween, remind Trick-or-Treaters.
• Stay in a group and communicate where they will be going.

• Remember reflective tape for costumes and trick-or-treat bags.

• Carry a cellphone for quick communication.

• Remain on well-lit streets and always use the sidewalk.

• If no sidewalk is available, walk at the far edge of the roadway facing traffic.

• Never cut across yards or use alleys.

• Only cross the street as a group in established crosswalks (as recognized by local custom). Never cross between parked cars or out driveways.

• Don’t assume the right of way. Motorists may have trouble seeing Trick-or-Treaters. Just because one car stops, doesn't mean others will!

• Law enforcement authorities should be notified immediately of any suspicious or unlawful activity.

HEALTHY HALLOWEEN:

• A good meal prior to parties and trick-or-treating will discourage youngsters from filling up on Halloween treats.
• Consider purchasing non-food treats for those who visit your home, such as coloring books or pens and pencils.
• Wait until children are home to sort and check treats. Though tampering is rare, a responsible adult should closely examine all treats and throw away any spoiled, unwrapped or suspicious items.
• Try to ration treats for the days following Halloween.

©2013 American Academy of Pediatrics

- See more at: http://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/news-features-and-safety-tips/pages/Halloween-Safety-Tips.aspx#sthash.Fdb2FMGW.dpuf

Be safe and have fun! Return home alive.

 

 

 

Condom Snorting Challenge ..yep the latest craze

YouTube is the place to learn the latest challenges for your kids. Believe it or not your kids are learning some down right dangerous crap on YouTube.
Like the "Cinnamon Challenge" " Chubby Bunny or Marshmallow Challenge" or the "Salt and Ice Challenge" all of these are dumb and stupid and can be found on YouTube with other such risky behaviors like "The Choking Game" that has claimed thousands of pre-teen and teen lives in the US and UK. 

This latest craze amongst teens on YouTube is putting them in real danger of choking and suffocating. As seen in the video below, 3 girls snort (yes, SNORT) condoms through their noses and attempt to pull them out of their mouths. After much gagging and choking they accomplish the disgusting feat. 

Not without a bit of vomit though. Yuck!

These videos are getting huge amounts of views on a daily basis and it can only be fueling the condom-snorting fire.

The Condom Challenge sounds simple, really, and it is -- simple and possibly fatal: To complete the challenge, a teen has to snort a condom up his or her nose and expel it through his or her mouth WITHOUT choking to death in the process. (If you choke to death, you lose! Ha, ha!) Not so funny huh?
Come on people, this is not only disgusting, it is just irresponsible and gross! If you think that snorting a condom up your nose makes you look cool, it does not!
As a nurse I can tell you that if you choke on this condom it is very hard to "fish" it out of your trachea or lungs, look at the diagram below and see how easy it is for that condom to go the wrong way and end up blocking your airway.

Please be responsible and be safe! 

Slavery today? Sex Trafficking, your child is at risk!

                       Source: mackenziechild.org via Sarah on Pinterest

RSV : What is it? Is my child going to be ok?

credit to KidsHealth.org 

About RSV

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which causes infection of the lungs and breathing passages, is a major cause of respiratory illness in young children.

In adults, it may only produce symptoms of a common cold, such as a stuffy or runny nose, sore throat, mild headache, cough, fever, and a general feeling of being ill. But in premature babies and kids with diseases that affect the lungs, heart, or immune system, RSV infections can lead to other more serious illnesses.

RSV is highly contagious and can be spread through droplets containing the virus when someone coughs or sneezes. It also can live on surfaces (such as countertops or doorknobs) and on hands and clothing, so it can be easily spread when a person touches something contaminated.

RSV can spread rapidly through schools and childcare centers. Babies often get it when older kids carry the virus home from school and pass it to them. Almost all kids are infected with RSV at least once by the time they're 2 years old.

RSV infections often occur in epidemics that last from late fall through early spring. Respiratory illness caused by RSV — such as bronchiolitis or pneumonia — usually lasts about a week, but some cases may last several weeks.

Doctors typically diagnose RSV by taking a medical history and doing a physical exam. Generally, in healthy kids it's not necessary to distinguish RSV from a common cold. But if a child has other health conditions, a doctor might want to make a specific diagnosis; in that case, RSV is identified in nasal secretions collected either with a cotton swab or by suction through a bulb syringe.

Preventing RSV

Because RSV can be easily spread by touching infected people or surfaces, frequent hand washing is key in preventing its transmission. Try to wash your hands after having any contact with someone who has cold symptoms. And keep your school-age child with a cold away from younger siblings — particularly infants — until the symptoms pass.

To prevent serious RSV-related respiratory disease, at-risk infants can be given a monthly injection of a medication consisting of RSV antibodies during peak RSV season (roughly November to April). Because its protection is short-lived, it has to be given in subsequent years until the child is no longer at high risk for severe RSV infection. Ask the doctor if your child is considered high risk.

Treating RSV

Fortunately, most cases of RSV are mild and require no specific treatment from doctors. Antibiotics aren't used because RSV is a virus and antibiotics are only effective against bacteria. Medication may sometimes be given to help open airways.

In an infant, however, an RSV infection can be more serious and may require hospitalization so that the baby can be watched closely. He or she may require fluids and possibly treatment for breathing problems.

At home, make a child with an RSV infection as comfortable as possible, allow time for recovery, and provide plenty of fluids. The last part can be tricky, however, because babies may not feel like drinking. In that case, offer fluids in small amounts at more frequent intervals than usual.

To help your child breathe easier, use a cool-mist vaporizer during the winter months to keep the air moist — winter air can dry out airways and make the mucus stickier. Avoid hot-water and steam humidifiers, which can be hazardous and can cause scalding. If you use a cool-mist humidifier, clean it daily with household bleach to discourage mold.

If your child is uncomfortable and too young to blow his or her own nose, use a nasal aspirator (or bulb syringe) to remove sticky nasal fluids.

Treat fever using a nonaspirin fever medicine like acetaminophen. Aspirin should not be used in children with viral illnesses, as such use has been associated with Reye syndrome, a life-threatening illness.

When to Call the Doctor

Call the doctor if your child has any of these symptoms:

• high fever with ill appearance
• thick nasal discharge
• worsening cough or cough that produces yellow, green, or gray mucus
• signs of dehydration
• trouble breathing

In infants, besides the symptoms already mentioned, call the doctor if your baby is unusually irritable or inactive, or refuses to breastfeed or bottle-feed.

Seek immediate medical help if you feel your child is having difficulty breathing or is breathing very rapidly, is lethargic, or if his or her lips or fingernails appear blue.

Reviewed by: Catherine L. Lamprecht, MD
Date reviewed: September 2012

Yes most often with early recognition of symptoms and visit to your doctor, your child will probably be just fine. Keeping them comfortable and hydrated will be your challenge. Try your best to keep them at home so not to spread the virus to others or have them pick up other infections while they are already sick and their little immune systems and down. 

The ER is not the place for them unless you have a true emergency, trouble breathing, fever that will not come down with Tylenol/Motrin, lethargic or listless, not peeing or wetting diapers for 8 hrs or more, blue lips or nailbeds. Attempt to call or consult your peds doctor via the phone first before you come to the ER, they might have suggestions for you instead.

Is it Squishy Candy? or a Real Dangerous Mess?

Tide’s reinventing the way you do laundry!
1 pac = 1 laundry load
Works in all machine types
Dissolves quickly in hot & cold
Like any household detergent, keep away from children. There ya go, it says on the Tide website, Keep away from Children! That means yours!
I actually have seen and take care of a couple cases in the ER already of kids that
got a hold of one of these pods, put it in their mouth and tried to eat it. You have to admit, they are pretty, colorful and candy looking, even the plastic container they come packaged in looks like a "candy" container.
As a parent, you will have to be more diligent with these and lock them up, put them up higher since they are highly concentrated and cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea,even hospitalizations in children.

AAPCC Laundry Detergent News Release
On May 18, 2012, the AAPCC sent out a news release warning parents about highly concentrated laundry detergent packs and urging them to keep their detergents up and away and out of reach of children. Read the news release here. Click here for an AAPCC factsheet about the issue. Click here to access safe laundry information from the American Cleaning Institute.

The experts at your local poison center urge parents
and caregivers to:
 Always keep detergents locked up, high, and out of the reach of children.
 Follow the instructions on the product label.
Call your local poison center at 1-800-222-1222 immediately if you think a child has been exposed to a
packet of highly concentrated liquid laundry detergent
                       

 

Be a smart cleaning parent and keep those products put up!
Leslie