Tag Archives: Health

What is RSV and How Do I Protect My Children?

Did you know that RSV affects two-thirds of all infants by age one and almost 100% of babies by age two?

100% of babies by the age two?! to me that number is very scary! When my kids were little I had no idea what RSV was.  It wasn’t until my sister called me and said that my niece was in the hospital with RSV that I started researching RSV to learn more about it and find out how to protect my kids.

What is RSV:

RSV disease, or Respiratory syncytial virus, is the most common cause of bronchiolitis (inflammation of the small airways in the lung) and pneumonia in children under 1 year of age in the United States.  The RSV season typically runs from November through March. RSV typically causes mild to moderate cold-like symptoms, but in some babies it results in a serious respiratory infection. Those most at risk for severe RSV include premature infants, as their lungs aren’t fully developed and they have fewer infection-fighting antibodies than full-term babies.

Below are symptoms of severe RSV infection that require immediate medical care:

  • Coughing or wheezing that does not stop
  • Fast or troubled breathing
  • Spread-out nostrils and/or a caved-in chest when trying to breathe
  • Bluish color around the mouth or fingernails
  • Fever (especially if it is over 100.4°F in infants under 3 months of age)

An estimated that 82% of U.S. children aged six weeks to six years old, spend some amount of time in child care. Whether its one day a week or 5 days a week, the risks of spending time in a daycare or pre-school setting are the same — increased exposure to contagious germs and viruses. Daycare increases this risk of RSV spreading as children are constantly sharing toys, tables and high chairs as well as eating and napping in close quarters.

Parents of preemies should be informed of the dangers of RSV, as well as the risks that certain child care settings can present. If possible, parents of high-risk babies may want to consider alternate options, such as nannies or in-home daycare centers, where exposure to dangerous germs can be minimized. Regardless of child care settings, it’s important for parents who believe their child may be at high-risk for RSV to speak with a doctor about prevention.

Because RSV can live on surfaces (doorknobs, countertops, toys, bedding) for several hours and is often spread through touching, hugging and kissing, all parents should take steps to prevent the spread of the virus.

Here are some ways that you, your child’s caregiver and loved ones can help prevent the spread of RSV:

  • avoid RSV by cleaning baby's pacifierWash your hands and child’s hands
  • Keep toys, clothes, blankets, and sheets clean
  • Clearly mark  bottles/sippy cups by putting labels on them to help caregivers make sure that the babies are drinking out of their own bottles/sippy cups
  • If your baby uses a pacifier make sure it is cleaned regularly
  • Avoid crowds and other sick children during RSV season
  • Avoid exposure to cigarette smoke

For more helpful information about RSV visit www.RSVProtection.com and follow #RSVProtection on Twitter.

“I wrote this review while participating in a campaign for Mom Central Consulting on behalf of MedImmune and I received a promotional item to thank me for my participation.”

An MRI and an Alien Invasion – A Personal Story

 

 

 

MRI Machine
MRI Machine - that's a narrow tube, right?

I was diagnosed with Degenerative Arthritis of the Spine about two years ago.  I have dealt with the pain by doing Yoga, stretching, and laying on a heating pad every night.  I’d like to think that I can tolerate pain pretty well these days.
In April though, I started experiencing more severe pain than usual in my neck and upper back and decided that I needed to see my doctor again.  The doctor checked me out, gave me a shot of something that made it so that I couldn’t drive, and said I needed to get an X-ray and MRI right away.  Party time, right?

The X-ray was no trouble at all.  Quick and easy.

The MRI on the other hand.. quick and easy was not the case.

I am a bit claustrophobic. I don’t like sitting with my back to the crowd because I prefer to always see how I can get out of a room if I need to. I don’t like hanging out in closets, and I prefer not to go through underground tunnels when driving if I can avoid it.

During my MRI this morning I thought I was going to have to push what the nurse called ‘the rescue button‘ for at least the first 5 minutes of being inside the narrow MRI tube.  My heart was pounding what seemed like a thousand beats per minute and I thought I was going to stop breathing because I thought surely I wouldn’t be able to escape from the narrow tube if I needed to or the tube was going to collapse on top of me.   In hindsight I know that if I really needed to get out of the tube I could have scooted out of the tube and that the chances of the tube collapsing on me were very slim.  Those facts were not at all reality while I was inside the MRI machine.

The alien space invasion

alien invasion sounds
This is the alien I was visioning while stuck in the tube.

After I got over the claustrophobia issue, I felt like I was in the center of an alien space invasion.. for 30 minutes.  The noises that came out of that machine were insane!   There were loud booms, ticks, and zappy sounds for the 30 minutes I was inside the machine.

After 30 minutes the nurses voice came through a speaker and he said  “It’s over now.  That wasn’t so bad, was it?”.  It’s like he had no idea that I was just zipped into another dimension for 30 minutes.  Really, how could he not know?

Want to know more about MRI and Degenerative Arthritis of the Spine?

Alicia Hagan, Editor

If “Celebrity Moms” Can Do It, Why Can’t I? Losing Baby Weight After the Baby

Celebrity personal trainerWe’ve all seen it.  Supermodel Gisele was back on the runway and looking like she’d never even remotely had that baby bump she was sporting 9 months earlier.  Actress Milla Jovovich gained 70 lbs with her pregnancy and had about four weeks to lose it for her upcoming role in the movie ‘The Perfect Getaway’ and she did it.  Salma Hayek had a beautiful baby girl and within an amazing amount of time she was walking the red carpet in a skin tight outfit looking like she did in her pre-pregnancy days.  The list goes on and people are amazed every time at gorgeous celebrity moms who have babies and within weeks are back in public looking as tight bodied and beautiful as they were the day they announced they were pregnant or before .  But how can they do it?  Really if we thought about it common sense tells us that we are not celebrities with the amenities they have, the funds they have, nor have we ever truly witnessed how these celebs are doing it.  Not to mention their bodies are what are making them the celebs they are.  They have no choice but to get back to being “them” as the press and the fans know and love them.

Why is it that celebrities can seem to lose weight and get those perfect bodies when we “normal” people struggle for months, even years to lose just a few pounds of weight, let alone the entire amount we’ve gained after our pregnancy? Are we really that uncontrolled?  Are we really so horrible and lame that we can’t do what it seems like every celebrity out there can do?  If they can do it, shouldn’t we be able to?  The answer to those questions is a firm and adamant “NO!”  We are not lame, uncontrolled, horrible, or just not strong enough to get back to that pre-baby weight easily.  Simply said, we are not celebrities and we do not have the time, resources, or money to achieve what they can achieve in the amount of time they achieve it.  We are “real” humans.  Let’s break it down.

They make their money because of their bodies and looks. When they don’t have that perfect pre-baby body they are basically “out of work” for the most part.  You and I can gain 10, 20, 30, even 70 pounds and still show up for our jobs 8 weeks later to our former job and receive our regular, although it be much smaller, paychecks.  Celebs that don’t have their bodies don’t have their job offers waiting, plain and simple.

Many celebs choose to have scheduled c-sections to deliver their baby. They choose this for two main reasons; reason one, convenience and scheduling; reason two as soon as the baby is delivered a tummy tuck is performed.  Many doctors argue that this is an unsafe practice and that any additional surgery before your body has the chance to recover from the first surgery (c-section) can be dangerous; while other doctors, mainly those who cater to celebs say it’s perfectly safe.  Then again, we’ve all seen many celeb doctors prescribe medications that have proven to be lethal too haven’t we?

Celebs spend their 6-8 weeks after having their babies much different than the average woman who has just had a baby. While we typical moms are spending those weeks often preparing to go back to work, lining up daycare, preparing bottles or breastfeeding, changing diapers, cleaning the house, doing extra loads of laundry (how many onesies can a baby dirty up!?), walking the baby, waking up with the baby when they’re crying at 3 am and rocking them at 8 am, and so on; but enjoying most every minute of it.

Celebs on the other hand generally spend their 6-8 weeks post-baby time with a professional trainer, plastic surgeon, nanny, nurses, doctors, cleaning staff, waiting staff, and in many cases medications that help them to lose weight and handle stresses, etc.  They pick the baby up and love it and fuss with it and adore it when they want to, when the have the time to and when they’re not busy doing other things.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying they don’t love their babies just as much as you and I, but they definitely aren’t inconvenienced by them unless they choose to be.  They don’t have to “fit” a scheduled fitness class that only happens at 11am and 2 pm in between feedings and diaper changes, etc. because if they want to “work out” during those times their paid staff makes sure it happens. Their trainers are there, their chefs prepare their healthy meals, and their doctors give them whatever they need in terms of pain relief, appetite suppressants and whatever else is requested.  They’re life simply is not the real life you and I lead and for that reason alone we need to stop comparing their instant pre-baby body look within weeks to ours which seems to stay the same post-baby look forever.

New baby weightThink of it this way, it took 9 months to grow that little miracle.  Take 9 months to appreciate that miracle and slowly, safely, enjoy taking care of yourself and your baby. Find times for walks in the park or meet new moms at gym classes targeted specifically towards “Losing The Baby Weight” or “Baby and Me” style classes.  Local family gyms are not only affordable but often offer discounts to families who are having financial difficulties, especially now that the new mom’s not working or perhaps has decided not to go back to work.  Do you remember how fast that 9 months went before you were actually having that little miracle?  Okay, perhaps those last 4 weeks or so seemed like forever, but the truth is… that’s how fast their life is going to go by right before your eyes.  Enjoy them and enjoy being with them.  Schedule time for you, but don’t fret that you are not perfect or back to your pre-baby weight and body.  The less you stress about it and the more realistic you are about it, the easier it’s going to come off.  If you approach this as the beginning of another adventure of your life, one with a new child, new experiences, and a chance to start the entire family on a healthy eating trend you’re going to enjoy together.  Long walks after supper, baby in the stroller and enjoying the fresh air is a far better way to spend time; as opposed to allowing your nanny to walk the baby while your fitness instructor gives you one on one instruction on how to tone that tummy quicker.  You won’t remember your instructor’s name in 15 years but you’ll fondly recall every minute you spent with your child.

Having a baby is not a free ticket to not take care of yourself; it’s actually just the opposite.  It’s the biggest and best reason to make a change in lifestyle for the best and become as healthy as you possibly can. But it’s also time to be realistic on yourself and in your comparisons to those who have lives that are nothing like yours and mine.  Sometimes it sounds glamorous to be able to have that 24/7 fitness trainer, chef, maid; but remember that with that glamour comes expectations that often leave you feeling unworthy and empty.  That glamour comes at a cost of losing time with those you love and truly want to be with.  The new celeb moms who are coming back with the pre-baby bodies that are knock out to look at have probably lost precious hours with their babies that they can never have back.  If you ask me, I’ll do a few extra crunches or Pilates classes for a few more months and enjoy those special laughs, smiles and kisses.  I’ll enjoy time with my friends, laughter with the ones I love and working a typical 8-hour day if I have to in order to enjoy the miracle of life I was given the chance to embrace.  Go out and get an outfit that truly fits, so what if it’s a size bigger, you’re still looking like a knock out in it and will feel better.  Share your moments with friends, start scrapbooking together and you’ll be reminded why your life might not be like Jay-Lo’s but it sure is happy.  Fit time for you, for you and your partner, for you and your baby into your schedule and you’ll soon realize that placing someone else in that position where you are isn’t really an option.

Every time you look down and notice a little pouch that you never had, glance over and see that smiling, gurgling little one that’s growing before your eyes.  It’s a small price to pay and one that you can pay off in small steps while enjoying the life of a non-celebrity mom.

SALONPAS Pain Relief Patch Review

SALONPAS Pain Relief Patch
SALONPAS Pain Relief Patch

Ever since a car accident I had about 10 years ago, I’ve had back and neck issues.  My back and/or neck hurt substantially hurt 70% of the time.  I don’t want to take perscription pain meds so I rely on my trusty heating pad and my massage chair every day.  I was recently introduced to SALONPAS by Stacie from TheDivineMissMommy.com and it really has changed how I do things.   I used to dread long road trips because it was a sure thing that my neck and back would be hurting after about an hour in the car.  Now, I just put a SALONPAS pain relieving patch on my neck or back and wahlah, it helps so much!

I ‘m getting ready to attend a nice relaxing 😉 Salonpas Twitter party hosted by @theprplace, @StacieinAtlanta, @lisasample, @crissy along with @mrsalonpas. I’m going to learn how to soothe the aches and pains that are sure to follow our Spring Break family vacation with Salonpas. You can join the party & be entered to win prizes here: http://productreviewplace.ning.com/profiles/blogs/salonpas-twitter-party-monday

You can learn more about SALONPAS on their website here.

SALONPAS Twitter

SALONPAS Facebook

Alicia Hagan, Mom Blog editor

GeoPalz Activity Tracker for Kids Review & Giveaway

GeoPalz Activity Tracker
GeoPalz Activity Tracker

Do you wish your kids were more active? Not the on-the-couch active that they think it active because they are moving their eyes or hands, but the get up and move kind of active?  I do and since seriously limited the amount of TV that my kids watch, they’ve been more active and they love it as much as I do!

Something that helped my son get more active is his new GeoPalz activity tracker.

With GeoPalz, the kids in your family will want to join in on the activity and stay active this spring. GeoPalz (www.geopalz.com) activity tracker is the first decorative pedometer and online game that tracks your child’s physical activity throughout the day. The GeoPalz easy-to-use pedometer sits on your child’s waistline and comes in several kid-friendly designs.

GeoPalz Activity Tracker
GeoPalz Activity Tracker - Marcus

And the cool thing about GeoPalz…the kids walk to win! For every mile your child achieves with GeoPalz, it counts as one pedpoint when you register your GeoPalz online. Your child can manually enter his or her steps online and once the points start to add up, he or she can use the points to redeem fun, activity-focused prizes, such as baseballs, Frisbees and gift cards to popular stores, such as Target.

Sebastian is very motivated by prizes no matter how big or small and GeoPalz has got the prize thing mastered.

 

GeoPalz

GeoPalz Website

Follow GeoPalz on Twitter

Follow GeoPalz on Facebook

GIVEAWAY!

We are giving a lucky reader a GeoPalz of their choice.  To enter to win leave a comment below telling me which GeoPalz is your favorite and why you want your child to have a GeoPalz.

Entries accepted through April 10th, 2011.  Open to U.S. residents 18+ only.

Extra entries:

  • Follow @mommyinsider on Twitter
  • Like us on Facebook
  • Like GeoPalz on Facebook
  • Like GeoPalz on Twitter
  • Tweet this: “I entered to win a GeoPalz Activity Tracker on TheMommyInsider.com!  You can entere here: http://wp.me/plszx-275”
  • Be sure to tell us what you’ve done in the comments below!

 

Alicia Hagan, Mom Blog editor