The Midlife Woman » Blood Pressure

Assessing Asthma in children

Kathleen — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 04:00:30 +0000

To many it comes as a surprise that asthma is the leading cause of chronic illness in children in the United States. Statistics articulate that it affects as many as 10%-12% of children and this amount is ever increasing. Even though asthma can begin at any age, children have a propensity to demonstrate initial symptoms by the age of five. A particularly frustrating circumstance for parents is the child’s inability to express the symptoms such shortness of breath or labored breathing. WebMd lists common asthma symptoms as coughing especially at night, wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness, pain, or pressure.

A finger oximeter is the most up-to-date addition to medical equipment developed for measuring blood oxygen levels. Quite portable, this device is powered via small electrical batteries. It is a perfect solution for relief from traditional methods of blood testing where samples are frequently necessary. Additionally, an oximeter measures changes in the blood volume of the epidermis thus helping medics track patient’s conditions regardless of the distance between the two.

According to the Medical Journal of General Practice, “pulse oximetry is frequently used in the assessment of children with asthma and wheezing due to the difficulty in subjecting children to repeated blood gas analysis.”

A portable pulse oximeter may serve as one of the most reassuring medical tools parents can possess.

Kathleen

Hey, there I'm Kathleen. My friends call me Kathy; to my kids I'm Momia. Life has afforded me many hats: Mom, wife, sister, friend, business owner... and most recently a midlife blogger. From college to marriage and babies, in the midst of business and wealthy boomers, midlife retrospection validates this extraordinary journey called life.

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Pre Holiday Fitness Deals

Kathleen — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 04:00:23 +0000

Here’s three sweet fitness deals, perfect for the fitness concious. And for all purchases over 69 bucks, free shipping Yippee! Plus many of the items are guaranteed for Christmas delivery and clearly marked as such.

11/16/2009 – 12/01/2009 Automatic $30 off on an InMontion E-1000 Elliptical Trainer

Features:

Adjustable tension to control workout intensity level
The foot pedals can be worked in a forward or reverse direction to target your lower body in different ways
Electronic fitness monitor displays number of strides per minute
Sturdy steel construction, non-slip pedals
Footprint: 20″ L x 12″ W
Weight: 24 lbs

11/16/2009 – 12/01/2009 $50 off of the Denise Austin Manual Treadmill

Denise Austin Indoor Walking video included
Fold it up, lock it in place and roll it away for storage. Keep the unit out of your way when not in use
Achieve the maximum walking / jogging workout because you power the belt, not a motor
Heavy duty weighted flywheel insures smooth quiet operation
Spring loaded pull pin securely locks the unit in the upright (storage) position and makes it easy to release for operation
Single button electronics displays speed, distance, time, calories and scan. 2AA batteries included
Water bottle included and video
Manual treadmill with heavy-duty weighted flywheel and 41-by-13-inch belt
Maximum tested weight limit is 250 pounds. Product is not recommended or guaranteed for use by users that surpass this limit
Walking surface: 41″” L x 13″” W
Shipping weight: 49 lbs
Capacity: 5 Cubic feet
Set up dimensions: 46.5″” L x 21.1″” W x 50″” H (open)
Set up dimensions: 21.7″” L x 21.1″” W x 50.2″” H (folded)

11/16/2009 – 12/01/2009 Save $94 on the Weslo Pursuit E25 Exercise Bike

Features:

Adjustable air resistance system that creates a cooling breeze as you work out
Self generating motor – efficient and energy saving
Crisp and clear LCD display that is easy-to-read
Displays the amount of time that you have been riding, speed, distance and approximate calories burned
Manual dial resistance
Upper and lower body workout

Specifications:

Maximum user weight: 275 lbs

Kathleen

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Matters of the Heart

Kathleen — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 21:48:36 +0000

Matters of the Heart
Managing heart health online

The Internet, a vital source for health information, is now an avenue to interactively manage your heart health.At www.heart360.org – the American Heart Association’s free heart health wellness center – you can set up a private, personal account to list cardiovascular wellness goals; track your blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose numbers; log physical activities; record your weight; and keep a diary of current and past medication use.

Heart360.org is part of Microsoft’s HealthVault site, a treasure trove of health resources in one place. Heart 360 replaces and expands on an earlier resource from the American Heart Association called the Blood Pressure Management Center. If you used the Blood Pressure Management Center, log in normally and your data will transfer to Heart360.

“With Heart360, patients and their families can easily track their risk factors and get quick access to the most credible source of online heart and stroke information,” said Timothy Gardner, M.D., president of the American Heart Association.

You can set up separate accounts for family members and print progress reports for visits to your health care provider, too.

When you visit Heart360.org, you’ll also find credible, easy-to-understand information and features, including:
* Goals: Set personal goals for readings, such as blood pressure or weight.
* Guidance: Get the recommended ranges for blood pressure, cholesterol and other types of data. In some cases you’ll receive links and additional information to share with your doctor.
* Multiple user accounts: Manage your family’s health with several user accounts. This is ideal for parents and/or caregivers.
* Connect devices: Heart360 is compatible with some home blood pressure monitors. Look for the “Works with HealthVault” logo. You can upload readings and incorporate them into your Heart360 account. You can also enter information manually.
* Notices: Receive a message when health inputs are in a range that signals you should consult with a doctor.
* Progress reports: Easily prepare reports on your data that can be printed and e-mailed.
* Resources: Receive timely links to useful information tailored to meet your needs.

“In the future, Heart360 will expand so healthcare providers can access patients’ information and communicate with patients about their progress,” Gardner said.

For more information about Heart360 or the American Heart Association, go to www.heart360.org.

Kathleen

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