6 Diseases Back from the Past

As noted in today's article by Dr. Mercola 6 Diseases Back from the Past, contrary to popular belief...the world has NOT eradicated age old diseases such as Polio and Bubonic Plague. See the article below:

6 Diseases Back From the Past
Posted by: Dr. Mercola
September 10 2009

Many think of bubonic plague, leprosy and polio as diseases of the past -- things that might have had a part in history, but aren't around any longer. But these diseases are still very much with us.


Pneumonic/Bubonic Plague

The pneumonic and bubonic plagues are caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, the difference being that pneumonic plague can spread from person to person -- without infected fleas.

The pneumonic form struck China earlier this year, and bubonic plague still persists in the United States, in the Southwest. Wild rats and fleas carry the disease, and when in proximity to humans, fleas will spread it to them rather than simply among rats.

Polio

Polio is still a problem in many countries. It can cause paralysis, in the legs and even the lungs.

But more often it has only subtle signs, so it is difficult to determine who has the virus, making it tricky to eradicate. Complicating matters is that symptoms of polio can often mimic those of other viruses.

Chagas Disease

The disease is spread by the bug known as the kissing bug and the assassin bug. It bites its human victim, defecating and causing an itch, which becomes Chagas disease when the victim scratches the area, allowing the infection to enter the body.

About 8 to 9 million people in Latin America are infected, and 400,000 people in the United States have the disease. The infection attacks the heart, but over the course of many years. Five percent of people will develop symptoms early on, such as liver or spleen enlargement. But the other 95 percent will show no signs for 20 or 30 years.

Leprosy

Leprosy is among the oldest of human diseases. The disease attacks skin and ultimately nerve cells. It is caused by a bacterium similar to the one responsible for tuberculosis.

The most common cause within the United States is exposure to armadillos, whether through eating them, having a farm of them or hunting them.

Hookworm

Hookworm still plagues many living in rural poverty throughout the world. The hookworm parasite, which lives in soil, causes severe anemia in its victim and the infection can prove difficult to get rid of.

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis is still around, even if it isn't as deadly as it once was. But TB still poses a major problem for doctors. It's an insidious, slow-onset disease. Ultimately, patients can develop a persistent fever and lose energy and weight. Patients may not know they have the disease, and they can spread it to other people during that time.

Tuberculosis has become more of a threat than it once was with the development of forms that are resistant to the drugs typically used to treat the disease. Because of this, tuberculosis is still fatal to 40 to 50 percent of people who catch it.


Sources:

ABC News August 14, 2009

Hylands continues to impress

I know I recently raved about Hyland's teething tablets weeks ago but after my son started a bad cold on Sunday, Hyland's products continue to impress. I took a trip to Whole Food's Natural Living Dept. and asked for a recommendation for a child with a low grade fever, a cough, and a severe runny nose and she recommended Hyland's C-Plus Cold Tablets.

I followed the instructions given with the product and bam! In 36 hours his symptoms are minimal and he's back to his energetic self.

http://www.hylands.com/products/cplus.php

Happy Baby Park
Happy Mommy Bridget

No white after Labor Day?

I was informed yesterday that it is "custom" to stow away any white summer clothes after Labor day. If this is the case, I'm screwed! The only warm weather clothes I own are white linens and it's still in the 80's and 90's here in Utah. Oh, and no...I don't feel like purchasing any other summer clothes since my summer is almost over. Since it's going to be 85 degrees today, and I have to dress cute for I have an appointment at my modeling agency...I will dare to continue wearing white.

According to ask.yahoo.com,

The only logical reasoning we could find cited temperature. Image consultant Nancy Penn suggests that because white reflects light and heat, wearing white would make you cooler in winter, and thus should be avoided. But others suggest the rule stems from a class issue. Acting Director of the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology Valerie Steele notes that in the late 19th century and the 1950s, more people were entering the middle classes. These nouveau-riche folks were often unaware of the standards of high society, so they were given specific codified rules to follow in order to fit in.


Will they look at me and think I know nothing of fashion? Well...honestly, I don't!

Mommy Bridget

Baby Slings

I had the pleasure over the weekend to help some friends sell their very modern and attractive baby slings. Using a sling since my son was first born, I took for granted the ease in my daily dependence upon them. When Park was first born, I would put him in my wrap and go about with cleaning the house, going for a walk, doing the grocery shopping...you name it! And he was so content in it. Now he is almost 16 mo. and I still use it when we go shopping, when we are going to the farmer's market, or in the airport when I'm bustling to the next terminal. I couldn't live without my sling. And neither should any mommies!

I watched attentively as mother after mother came into the booth asking about slings. After my friends fit them and their babies into a sling for the first time, it was amazing to see their faces! Both Mommy and baby were content to be together, to feel secure, and for the mommies to feel a little bit of their freedom return.

For thousands of years, mothers have "worn" their babies. This was essential in going about with daily activities. This closeness and attachment between momma and child have been ongoing for so long that it is unnatural for our newborns to be pushed around 5 feet in front of all they know and have known to depend on for life.

I personally recommend any of you who do not currently have a baby sling and are with baby to give it a try. You will be delighted in the outcome!

www.modmum.com
Mommy Bridget

H1N1 Vaccine safety

More on vaccine safety...specific discussion on CBS about the H1N1 vaccine
This is only 12 min. long and very valuable. Again, thanks Jess!

Click on my title "H1N1 Vaccine safety" to view this.

Mommy Bridget

Web site for the vaccine safety skeptic

A mommy friend of mine posted a link to the President of the National Vaccine Information Center's personal blog. I read her postings and wanted to find out who she was and her credentials (very important when you are reading articles). I found the web site to the NVIC and thought it valuable to pass along.

www.nvic.org
Thank you Jess!

As Pres. Obama declared everyone should vaccinate for the swine flu this fall, I highly recommend learning more about it before rushing out to vaccinate for it.

Let me know your thoughts...

Mommy Bridget

Yaz or Yasmin causing heart attacks?

I don't know about any of you, but I spent 2 years religiously taking the birth control pill Yasmin and swearing by it being the best birth control out there with the least side affects. However, I recently began seeing ads on the television for any individual who experienced major side affects such as blood clots, strokes, and heart attacks to contact lawyers for significant payouts.

Wtf

Just another example of how people need to realize the little amount of testing really goes in to Rx meds through the pharmaceutical companies and the FDA (who by the way are supposed to protect us)!

Angry,

Mommy Bridget