Yakult : A Bottle of Friendly Bacteria

Yakult is a Japanese probiotic milk-like product made by fermenting a mixture of skimmed milk with a special strain of the bacterium Lactobacillus casei Shirota.

It was created by Minoru Shirota who graduated from the Medical School of Kyoto University in 1930. In 1935, he started manufacturing and selling Yakult. Official claims state that the name is derived from jahurto, an older form of jogurto, the Esperanto word for "yogurt".

Since then, Yakult has also introduced a line of beverages for the Japanese market that contain Bifidobacterium breve bacteria, and has also used its lactobacilli research to develop cosmetics. More recently, the Yakult Honsha played a major role in developing the chemotherapy drug irinotecan (Camptosar, CPT-11).

After its introduction in Japan and Taiwan, Yakult was first sold in Brazil in 1966, due to the large number of Japanese immigrants in the country, before it was marketed elsewhere.Today, Yakult is sold in 31 countries, although its bacteria cultures are provided from a mother strain from Japan regardless of production location.[citation needed] Yakult is marketed in different sizes.

In Australia, Europe, India, and Indonesia, Yakult comes in 65mL bottles. In the Americas, Japan, Philippines and South Korea, 80 ml bottles are available, the same applies in Mexico, one of Yakult's largest selling markets. In Thailand, Singapore, Taiwan and mainland China, and the United States.

Ingredients:


  • Sugar (sucrose, dextrose) to balance sourness with sweetness.
  • Skimmed milk powder
  • Natural flavours
  • Live Lactobacillus casei shirota strain, 6.5 billions per 65 mL bottle (concentration of 108 CFU/mL)Water

Scientific basis:

The claimed benefits are supported by an array of scientific studies according to the manufacturer website. Those could range from maintenance of gut flora, modulation of the immune system, regulation of bowel habits and constipation and finally effects on some gastrointestinal infections.

Although the number of scientific papers is certainly large, most of them are related to in vitro and in vivo experiments, with some human clinical trials done on cohorts and with daily consumption of 40-100 billions of probiotic L. casei shirota, far above the single bottle concentration of approximately 6.5 billion.

Nutrition facts:

Standard Yakult contains 18g of sugar for every 100g, but comes in 65 mL bottles. This concentration is higher than the level defined as “HIGH” by the UK Food Standards Agency (described for concentrations of sugar above 15g per 100g).

As a comparison Coca-Cola and orange juice are in the range of 10g of sugar per 100g, but with a serving size usually greater than 250 ml, while Yakult is served in much smaller doses. Based on the content of milk protein (1.4 g per 100 mL ), it is not classified as a flavoured fermented milk of the Codex Standard for Fermented Milks.

However, based on the existence of many products like Yakult in the world market, a new category is going to be established into the current Codex Standard for Fermented Milks.

Through Nutrient profiling guidelines, current health claim regulation in European Union may forbid the use of health claim on food products that are nutritionally unbalanced, but dairy products and probiotic drinks are likely to be considered as favorable carrier because their health benefits outweigh the fact they might be high in one of the designated 'unhealthy' ingredients

Why don't you try one today!


Yakult is a fermented milk drink with billions of Lactobacillus casei Shirota bacteria in each little bottle. These bacteria can survive the acid in the stomach and reach the intestines alive. For over 70 years people have been drinking Yakult around the world and experiencing the benefits. Our founder, the scientist Dr. Shirota had a vision to 'contirbute to the health and happiness of poeple around the world' and today that vision continues to be at the heart of our business and all that we do.






Amazing Microscope Photos

Amazing Scanning Electron Microscope Photos... Awesome!

All these pictures are from the book ' Microcosms,' created by Brandon Brill from London.

This book includes many scanning electron microscope (SEM) images of insects,

human body parts and household items.

These are the most amazing images of what is too small to see with the naked eye.

An ant, Formica fusca, holding a microchip

Surface of an Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory silicon microchip
Eyelash hairs growing from the surface of human skinThe surface of a strawberry
Bacteria on the surface of a human tongueHuman sperm (spermatozoa)
Nylon hooks and loops of Velcro
Household dust: includes long hairs of cat fur, twisted synthetic and woollen fibres,
serrated insect scales, a pollen grain, and plant and insect remains
The weave of nylon stocking fibres
The head of a mosquito
Head louse clinging to a human hair
Eight eyes (two groups of four) on the head of a tarantula
Cut human hairs and shaving foam between two razor blades
Cigarette paper the tobacco is rolled in
Corroded surface of a rusty nail
Mushrooms spores
Clutch of butterfly eggs on a raspberry plant
Calcium phosphate crystal

No wonder modern forensics
Solves so many crimes.

Original photograph of Rani Laxmibai of Jhansi

A freedom fighter from Belgaum claims that he is in possession of the Original photograph of Rani Laxmibai of Jhansi. “The photograph was taken by Halfman, a British photographer, when the Rani was 15yrs old….”..says Vithal Rao Yalgi, an 86 yr old freedom fighter from Belgaum, Karnataka.

Laxmibai was born in the year 1835 and the photo was taken at the Jhansi palace in 1850. The photograph shows Laxmibai, with her traditional ornaments, which were given to her by Nanasaheb Peshwa of Pune, who also joined her in the freedom struggle against the British.The Rani’s photo was exhibited in Bhopal on August 19th and the Academicians of the History department of Bhopal University, also agreed that the photo was indeed of Rani Laxmibai of Jhansi.

Some of the original documents and records preserved by the Madhya Pradesh govt also support that the picture taken by Halfman is original.Vithalrao Yalgi told Indian Express that he received the photograph from a person called Thakur, whose father and grandfather took part in the freedom struggle. Yalgi said that the photograph would be unveiled at the Swatantrya Yodha Bhavan in Belgaum on November 19th as that was the Birthday of Rani Laxmibai.

This is the original photograph of Jhansi Ki Rani took by an English photographer from Kolkata . This is the one more and only rare photograph of Jhansi Ki Rani Laxmibai.

Beautiful Friendship Thought


"Sometimes in life, you find a special friend. Someone who changes your life just by being a part of it. Someone who makes you laugh until you can't stop. Someone who makes you believe that there really is good in the world. Someone who convinces you that there really is an unlocked door just waiting for you to open it. This is forever friendship. When you're down and the world seems dark and empty, your forever friend lifts you up in spirit and makes that dark and empty world suddenly seem bright and full. Your forever friend gets you through the hard times, the sad times and the confused times. If you turn and walk away, your forever friend follows. If you lose your way, your forever friend guides you and cheers you on. Your forever friend holds your hand and tells you that everything is going to be okay. And if you find such a friend, you feel happy and complete because you need not worry. You have a forever friend, and forever has no end."

Types of Cancer in Women...

Cancer has been the leading cause of death in all nations. The disease has evolved over the decade. The disease is a deadly which is a great threat to the ones who have it. Cancer has been a major problem of women. 46,000 women die of breast cancer each year. Cancer on the breast, cervix and uterus are common among women. Women of age 50 are most susceptible to this disease. This disease is also hereditary that may come from family history. With the advanced technology that we now have, almost 30% of death has been prevented with an early detection and treatment. Some of the common cancer types in women are discussed here.

Breast cancer

This is the number one death reason for women age 40-55 years old. Symptoms of this disease include inverted nipples, swollen or itchy nipples, and nipples with spots and dimpled breast skin. Breast cancer attach anytime even without the symptoms thus difficult to detect and treat early. Early detection is the key to treat it.

Cervical Cancer

This is one of the deadly cancer types in women. Just like any other cancer, it may come out without any signs o symptoms. The cancer infects tissues nearby and causes bleeding in the vagina. Symptoms include excessive bleeding after menopause and between periods, bleeding after intercourse or a pelvic exam, and periods that last longer that it should. Vaginal discharge that has a bad odor, pain in the pelvis and urination, and fatigue are other signs o this disease. Having a pelvic test of Pap smear is the only way to diagnose this early.

Cancer in the uterus

This cancer hits the endometrium or the lining of the uterus. This usually occurs after or at the same time menopause occurs. Unusual vaginal bleeding is the first symptom of this cancer. Women who suffer from high blood pressure and obesity are most likely to have this disease. Females who had an early menstruation period have greater risk of this cancer. This cancer can be treated with surgery or radiation therapy and chemotherapy.

Gestational Trophoblastic Tumor

This occurs after pregnancy which is characterized by an unusual growth in the placenta of the uterus. This can be treated even if this is a rare cancer type in women. Symptoms include vaginal bleeding after a normal delivery, enlargement of the uterus and high blood pressure. This can be detected through ultrasound, CT scan or a Beta human chorionic gonadotropin blood test.

Ovarian Cancer

Another deadly cancer type in women is the ovarian cancer. The signs for this cancer never really show. Symptoms include abdominal discomfort, bloating, cramps, diarrhea, frequent urination and weight loss. It can be treated by surgery, chemotherapy and radiation.

Vaginal Cancer

This is formed on the vaginal tissue and is common among women of age 60. This is caused by sexually transmitted virus.

Vulvar Cancer

The cancer is on the vulva, an external genital of women. Women of age 50 have higher risk. A lump on thee vulva is the sign of this.

What physiotherapy is used for


Physiotherapists use their knowledge and skills to help people overcome a wide range of physical health problems, including:
  • bone and joint conditions
  • heart and lung conditions
  • neurological conditions (those affecting the brain and nervous system)
  • childhood conditions
  • conditions that occur in old age

These are discussed in more detail below.

Bone and joint conditions

One of the main areas that physiotherapy focuses on is the treatment of conditions and injuries that affect the bones and joints. In particular, physiotherapists often help patients who are recovering from orthopaedic surgery (surgery to correct damage to or deformities of the bones or joints).

The physiotherapist may devise a programme that includes the use of strength training and exercises to help improve co-ordination and balance. They may also use electrical stimulation (using small electrical impulses to stimulate the nerves and muscles). See How physiotherapy works for more information about electrotherapy.

Heart and lung conditions

Physiotherapists may treat people who have:
  • had a heart attack
  • chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a collection of lung conditions including chronic bronchitis, emphysema and chronic obstructive airways disease
  • cystic fibrosis (see below)
Cystic fibrosis is a genetic (inherited) disorder where mucus inside the body becomes thick and sticky, clogging the lungs and other important organs. ‘Clapping’ on a patient’s back while they are lying down can help loosen the build-up of mucus in the lungs so it can be coughed up.
Physiotherapists also teach people with cystic fibrosis to help clear the mucus themselves and may work with a child’s parents to teach these methods to them.

Neurological conditions

Physiotherapists can help people with conditions that affect the brain and nervous system, such as:
  • stroke: a serious condition where the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off
  • multiple sclerosis: a condition that affects the central nervous system, which controls functions of the body such as movement and balance
  • Parkinson’s disease: a chronic (long-term) condition that affects the way the brain co-ordinates the body’s movements
  • cerebral palsy: a condition where brain damage affects a child’s movement and co-ordination
  • spina bifida: a brain condition that causes a deformity of the spine

As well as affecting a person’s co-ordination, neurological conditions can sometimes cause paralysis (an inability to move) and muscle pain, which can make it difficult to get around independently.

Childhood conditions



Physiotherapists treat children with musculoskeletal conditions (which affect the bones and muscles).For example, muscular dystrophy is a congenital condition (present from birth) where a person’s muscles gradually become weaker over time, leading to a loss of strength and mobility.In such cases, a physiotherapist may be able to use a treatment programme that will help the person maintain muscle strength, increase flexibility and prevent stiffening of the joints.

Conditions that occur in old age

Physiotherapists often treat conditions that are common in old age, such as:
arthritis, which causes pain and swelling (inflammation) of the joints.
osteoporosis, where the bones become thin and brittle
Physiotherapists may help patients who are recovering from hip replacement surgery.

Physiotherapists also play an important role in the general care and wellbeing of elderly people by improving their overall health and fitness to help them stay active and independent.

5 Tips on Dry Skin Care


1. Moisturize the right way …

Dry skin is usually sensitive and, since winter tends to worsen the condition, it requires thorough care. The best approach to managing dry skin is to avoid using commercial creams and lotions that contain mineral oils and other petroleum products.Creams and other skin-care products that are based on natural hypoallergenic ingredients are the best.Every morning after showering, pat your entire body with virgin coconut oil, cocoa butter, or shea butter. They contain naturally occurring nourishing ingredients, such as essential oils, skin-friendly Vitamins A, C, D and E, and protein.

2. Avoid tap water …

If your face skin is dry, try not to wash it with tap water since it often contains chlorine, fluoride, and other undesirable chemicals. Instead, use cold mineral water or ice made with it, or, better, clean your face with an alcohol-free cleaning lotion, toner, or cosmetic milk, made of natural ingredients.They gently refresh dry skin without causing irritation, while respecting its balance of moisture. Toners and milks effectively remove daily impurities and makeup, purify and refine pores, and leave dry skin feeling clean, soft, and hydrated.

3. Use oatmeal soap …

If your skin is dry and irritates easily, try to cut back on the amount of time you bathe or shower – some dermatologists even suggest spending no more than three minutes a day in water! Use the mildest soap available and do not overdo it – use soap every other day only. Scrubbing is usually not recommended for dry skin. Instead, once a week use a mild oatmeal soap, which will gently exfoliate your skin without causing irritation.
After bathing or showering, do not rub your skin with a towel, instead, softly pat it dry. Apply a natural oil or butter when the skin is still moist, and pay the most attention to your lower legs where skin tends to be the driest.

4. Include good oils into your diet …

If your skin or scalp develop dry, irritated, itchy spots, do your best to avoid scratching. Apply shea butter or coconut oil several times a day and try to prevent water from splashing on irritated areas. Dry skin is also prone to eczema and other uncomfortable skin conditions. A good preventive measure is to augment your diet with essential oils contained in raw organic butter, cod liver oil, Omega-3 eggs, coconut oil, and fresh cold-water fish.

5. Use a humidifier …

In cold and dry winter months, consider investing in a humidifier and placing it in your bedroom or other apartment area where you spend a significant amount of time. The additional moisture in the air will help your skin condition improve almost immediately.

24 Tips For Premature Baby Parents



Having a premature baby is by no-one’s standards a “normal” thing to do and once you start on this journey you will find it can be extremely emotional. As parents of premature babies ourselves, we felt that there was a lack of support and information available. We decided to do something about it, and hence 24 Weeks Plus was born.

Our aim is to support anyone affected by a premature birth. Although our name suggest we only offer support to parents of babies born at 24 weeks plus, this couldn’t be further from the truth. We offer support to anyone who has experienced a premature birth regardless of gestation. This is in the form of email communications. If you need to type all your fears and feelings out- there will always be someone available to read your emails and write back to you- if indeed that is what you want.

We understand that Doctors and Nurses can sometimes be intimidating because we’ve all “ been there and done that”. We understand that sometimes you just want to let off steam, and that’s what we’re here for.

A Neonatal Unit is such an alien world. Days merge into weeks, and it is something that we are all totally unprepared for. We understand that and that’s why we would like to help to make that world a little less frightening and a little more welcoming.

Here follows our top 24 tips, that we as parents of premature babies ourselves, thought you might find helpful.

1. Wash your hands.

This is the first thing everyone should do on entering any Special Care Baby Unit.

This will stop the spread of germs to all the babies on the Neonatal Unit.

2. Breast feeding/Expressing your milk.

We know that when your premature baby is born the last thing on your mind is expressing your breast milk. However giving your baby expressed milk is essential even if you don’t intend to breast feed. Breast milk is so precious to your baby we would advise you to start expressing your breast milk as soon as possible, even if your baby is extremely premature and is unable to tolerate feeds. When it is decided to start your baby on feeds, breast milk is the best thing in the world for him or her, as a mothers milk will help to protect the baby from infections.

Most Special Care Baby Units have breast pumps on the unit or know of somewhere you can hire one. You can buy electric or hand pumps (which take a little longer but do the job just as well) from shops such as Boots or Mothercare. A company called Medela who make all types of breast pumps will do a next day delivery service.

The milk that you have expressed will be frozen on the unit ready for when your baby needs it. If you do not label your milk with your baby’s name, the time and date it was expressed it will not be used. Your breast milk is so valuable to your baby, so try not to waste any.

Some Neonatal Units will have facilities available for you to remain at your babies incubator while you express your milk. If this is not possible you may find it easier to express by having a photo of your baby with you (the milk may flow through quicker or more easily). Or alternatively you could try holding something that belongs to your baby, which has your baby’s scent on it. This could be something as simple as a toy which has been in your baby’s incubator.

3. The scent of a Mother

A lot of research has been done by various premature baby charities which suggest that a premature baby knows when its Mother is around and can recognise her voice. In the same way they can also recognise the Mothers scent. Some women have found it helps to keep their baby stable if they put something inside the incubator which has their scent on. Ideally you should boil wash something, say a handkerchief and then carry it around maybe tucked into the strap of your bra, for the day. Then place the handkerchief in the incubator where your baby is able to smell it. Obviously you will have to check with your baby’s nurse to see if this is ok, as sometimes there can be a risk of infection.

But if it is allowed it is yet another way of helping a Mother and Baby bond.

Another cautionary note. It is best for the Parents to avoid wearing strong perfumes or aftershaves.

4. Firm touch not feather.

When your baby is born, your first instinct will probably be that you want to touch him or her. This is completely natural. Your instinct may be to gently stroke the baby. Please fight this urge. An extremely premature baby can be sensitive to touch. Well, when you think that they should still be in the womb for another four months it’s hardly surprising. If your baby is laying prone (on their front) then gently and making sure your hands are not cold, place your hand on the baby’s back. As we said before it should be quite a firm touch. If this is not always something that you feel comfortable doing you could always put your finger in your baby’s hand.

5. Cares

Once your baby has stabilized a nurse will ask you if you would like to do “cares” for your baby. Cares is the term used for nappy changing and washing your baby. When a baby is extremely premature this can look like a daunting task but please try to get involved, as it will make you feel happier to know that you are caring for your baby and any contact for the baby with its Mother or Father is always a bonus.

6. “Kangaroo” Care

“Kangaroo” Care has many benefits and it is difficult to do it justice in so few words.

The sort of babies and at what stage a baby is considered suitable varies greatly from one unit to another. So please talk to your baby’s nurse about the benefits you and your baby can get from “Kangaroo” care.

“Kangaroo” care is skin to skin contact with your baby. Your baby is snuggled down on your chest. This is particularly helpful as your own body heat will warm the baby, and it also creates an atmosphere where the baby can hear the heart beat of its Mother or Father, and therefore the baby can be comforted by this.

7. Dry skin

Again this should only be carried out on a baby once he or she is stabilized and you have the permission of a nurse. Premature babies are extremely sensitive to touch and they can suffer from dry skin. The best thing to use on them is oil. You should put a little oil ( check with your unit which oil they recommend) in a container and stand this in warm water, put the oil on to some cotton wool and apply on to your baby, making sure your touch is firm not feathery.

8. Positioning your baby

You will need to be guided by a nurse. They will not mind talking this through with you. Positioning your baby looks a scary thing to learn but it will help you to get close to your baby which in turn can only be a benefit to both of you. With an extremely premature baby this is invaluable. The correct positioning will help your baby to develop good posture and improve muscle control.

9. Nest

Some hospitals actually have a little “Nest” which is a toweling nest with cotton straps. The baby lies in the nest and the cotton straps are pulled across the baby so that they feel safe and secure. If you are in a hospital that doesn’t use toweling nests or do not have them, you can make your own by using sheets- preferably soft ones. If you take these and roll them length ways so that they are tubes, this is ideal. These are then placed round the baby so that he or she has got something secure around them on both sides and under his/her feet. This will not only help them to feel safe but it will also encourage good posture and muscle development.

10. Talk to your baby

Once again research has been carried out by premature baby charities and it has been proven that babies not only recognize their Mothers/Fathers voice but that they also respond to it. This can help to make the baby to feel safe and secure. However if the baby shows signs that all this attention is too much for him/her then you should leave him or her alone for a while and let your baby rest.

11. Your Feelings

During the early days of your baby being on a Special Care Baby Unit. Some Mothers may feel guilty for not having carried their baby to Full Term (for whatever the reason may have been). Feeling extremely stressed out, tired, upset or irritable, are all very normal emotions to be feeling.

12. Too much light

A premature baby really shouldn’t be in the “real world” yet. Try to keep light and sound to a minimum. This in turn will help your baby to feel more secure and settled. If you think there is too much light getting in to your baby’s incubator tell a nurse and they maybe able to adjust the lighting or position your baby away from light.

13. Reducing noise

Try to reducing the number of visitors who visit your baby at any one time. There is evidence that if one person starts talking quietly other people around them will follow and the general noise level will drop.

There are other ways to help reduce the noise level. Like wearing quiet shoes, and having “silencers” on all the metal bins in your Neonatal Unit.

14. Do not use mirrors or visual aids

If a baby is born extremely premature (23 weeks onwards) the chances are that the baby will spend the months until their due date on a Neonatal Unit. Never leave anything in their eye line as this can over stimulate the baby.

15. Do not over stimulate your baby.

Sometimes it’s easy to forget that premature babies shouldn’t actually be around, they should be tucked up snugly in their Mum’s tummy. You have to understand that they are intolerant of being over stimulated. Let your baby have “time out” where you leave them alone so that they can rest and sleep. This may sound like common sense but never wake a sleeping baby. Rest and sleep are the most important things a premature baby needs. So if they are sleeping leave them be.

16. Babies Privacy

Please do not allow any of your visitors to “visit” any other babies on the unit. It is very important to respect the babies and their families’ right to privacy on a Neonatal Unit.

17. Cameras

It is a good idea to keep a camera on the unit so that you can take photos of your baby. You may not want to do this at first and you always think you will never forget how small and vulnerable they are but you do and you will. Having photos is a lovely way of keeping those precious memories. It’s also a good idea to take a photo of your baby with one particular toy every week so that you can see for yourself just how much he/she has grown. Parents who use video cameras, please do not video any other babies on your unit.

18. Familiarise yourself with the machines.

There are plenty of books available which will tell you in detail about the machines but if you don’t want to leave the hospital you can always ask a nurse to tell you what the machines do. On entering a Neonatal Unit the beep and buzzes of the machines are quite unnerving but once you get to know what they mean you will find that you feel calmer and more in control.

19. If you don’t understand.

Please don’t feel silly for asking questions. Doctors and Nurses understand the pressure parents of premature babies are under and have no problem in repeating themselves ten or even twenty times as long as they know you are happy with the knowledge they have just told you.

20. 10 Minute recap

If you are around just before hand-over to the next shift, ask your baby’s nurse for a quick recap. This is where you can be updated about your baby’s progress and where you can feel free to ask about anything that maybe bothering you.

21. You can leave the room

When the Doctors and Nurses are working on your baby you can leave the room. This does not mean you are a bad parent. Nobody wants to see their child suffer and unfortunately on a Neonatal Unit there are certain procedures which are unpleasant but necessary. If you feel you can’t handle it or don’t want to, that’s fine. You have to think of your baby and if you not being there means that your baby doesn’t become more stressed out then that’s a good thing.

22. Communication

It is quite reasonable to expect a Doctor or Nurse to teach you how to interpret your baby’s cues/behavior. This is one of the ways your baby can communicate with us all.

23. Developmental Therapists in NICU

Availability of therapists working in NICU and their role varies greatly from one unit to another. It is worth asking if your unit has an Occupational Therapist or Physiotherapist. If so they can often advise on positioning, developmental care, appropriate levels of stimulation and help monitor your baby’s development. They are also often involved in follow up programmes after discharge. The great benefits of seeing an OT or Physio is that as well as having your baby’s development assessed, they are usually also in a position to offer therapy if it is needed.

Some OT’s are also specialists in irritable babies and “difficult to settle” babies. These babies may have sensory or self-regulation difficulties and sometimes if the causes are identified early on it can have a huge impact on helping the baby to become more settled.

24. Maternity and Paternity Leave

Most women will be entitled to some sort of Maternity pay. If you had your baby at 26 weeks or more you should have already been given a MAT B1 form. If your baby was born before you were 26 weeks. You should go to your midwife or GP and ask for a MAT B1 form. In most cases you will not get any maternity pay without a MAT B1 form.

If you receive benefits you should telephone your local benefits office and ask for a Maternity Allowance Benefit form.

Tips on Caring for a Premature Baby


Babies born before their complete term in their mother's womb are termed premature, and these babies have special requirements in the first two years of their life. Special care for premature babies is all the more essential if their weight at birth was less than three pounds.

Special care has to be put in their food basics, their immunization charts and their overall growth and development.

Growth in a Premature Baby

The foremost important thing is keeping in regular contact with the doctor about the baby's growth. Growth in a premature baby may not take place at the same rate as a normal one in the first two years; premature babies are usually smaller and their growth occurs in bursts. A doctor can use special growth charts to track the baby's growth, along with other details like their state of activeness, their first crawl and situp.

Doctors also help plan a premature baby's feeding chart which would include vitamins, iron and special feeding formula for those being bottle-fed. These babies need extra vitamins for growth and iron as their bodies do not store much iron as the full-term baby.

Feeding Schedule

Feeding requirements for premature babies are different, and most babies require 8-10 feedings in a day, and a gap of no more than 4 hours in between two feeds. This is important as a gap between feeds increases the risk of dehydration. A rough indicator of sufficient fluid intake is a change of six to eight wet diapers in a day. Also, parents would want to make sure their baby is gaining weight over time.

Solid and Liquid Food Diet

It would take longer for premature babies to develop swallowing ability and for this reason doctors advise giving a premature baby solid food only after 4 to 6 months after the baby's original birth date.

Vaccination Schedule

the vaccination schedule for premature babies is same as that fo full term babies; a flu shot will be highy beneficial as premature babies fall victim to flu more often.

Your Baby's Sleep

Premature babies sleep for shorter spans of time, though overall they tend to sleep for longer periods. Also, babies must sleep on their backs, and on a firm pillow. This is the best way prevention technique against sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

Travelling with a Premature Baby

An infant car seat is to be used when travelling with a baby in car. Rolled-up towels and blankets keep a baby's head and body from slumping. Never leave a baby unattended in the car, and it is always a good idea to have a friend or family member riding in the backseat with the baby.

A premature baby's needs are quite simple; all they need is some warmth and nutrition to develop into healthy toddlers. Their nutritional needs are special as they need to grow at a fsater rate to catch up, while at the same time their digestive tracts are not fully developed. With special care and attention a premature baby will grow to become healthy and active kids

What is Epilepsy?


What is Epilepsy?
Epilepsy is a disorder of the brain. Epilepsy can affect anyone regardless of ethnicity and age. Children make up 30% of all new epileptic diagnoses each year, but people over age 65 also are commonly diagnosed. But what happens during an epileptic attack?

During an epileptic attack, the normal transmission of electrical signals sent out from nerve cells (neurons) is disrupted. Disruptions may occur in one part of the brain, or in the entire brain. Disruption of nerve cell transmission in only one part of the brain is called a partial, or focal, seizure. A seizure that occurs in the entire brain is called a generalized seizure.

Partial or focal seizures include:

● Complex partial seizures

● Simple partial seizures

Generalized seizures include:

● Absence seizures (petit mal)

● Atonic seizures

● Myoclonic seizures.

● Tonic-clonic seizures (grand mal)

For most people diagnosed with epilepsy, the exact cause remains unknown. However, scientists have linked epilepsy with injury to the brain (for example, brain trauma from a sport-related accident), illness (brain tumors, lead poisoning, meningitis and encephalitis), abnormal brain development, and family history.

Physical changes may occur during a seizure, or a disruption of neuron transmission in the brain. Some physical symptoms of a seizure include convulsions (an involuntary repetitive contraction of a muscle that lasts for a very short time and results in visible shaking of the body), changes in behaviour, emotions, or sensations. Different seizure occurrences can result in different symptoms, because many symptoms accompany each category of seizure.

Earlier, we discussed different types epileptic seizures. These different types of seizures result in different physical changes in the brain.

Let's take a look at these different types of seizures to understand common symptoms.

Partial or focal seizures

1. Complex partial seizures exhibit the following symptoms:

    • Different facial expressions of emotions that are not triggered by a present or recent event
    • Difference in awareness
    • Moving the arms or rubbing hands without intending to
    • Swallowing without intending to
    • Staring
    • Wandering

2. Simple partial seizures exhibit the following symptoms:

    • Altered emotions
    • Changes in the way things look, smell, feel, taste or sound
    • Dreamy state
    • Involuntary muscle contraction that might imitate normal muscle movement
    • Unprovoked emotion

Focal or partial seizures generally do not result in a loss of consciousness. However, it is important to note that during partial or focal seizures, any specific change in perception greatly differs from one person to the next. That said, specific types of symptoms remain similar from one seizure to the next. For example, a person who experiences arm twitches during one episode is likely to experience twitching during a subsequent episode. It's also important to understand that these types of seizures generally do not result in a loss of consciousness.

Generalized seizures
Each type of generalized seizure is accompanied by a group of symptoms. We'll discuss about each type of generalized seizure, in turn.

1. Absence seizures (petit mal): Children are mostly affected by this type of generalized epilepsy, and often stare while making movements different than what they would normally do. This can include changing the positions of their hands, smacking their lips, and other types of behaviour. Awareness is affected.

2. Atonic seizures: A atonic seizure results in a loss of muscle control, causing the person to fall to the ground which may result in injuring his/her body. No loss of consciousness occurs, bit an atonic seizure generally occurs without notice.

3. Myoclonic seizures: These seizures are characterized a sudden, incontrollable jerking of limbs, the mouth, and other parts of the body. They happen only for a short period of time, but many cause a person to drop something, or to have their arms or legs to move up or down suddenly.

4. Tonic-clonic seizures (grand mal): This type of seizure often comes to mind when people think of seizures. People experiencing grand mal seizures will exhibit sudden, violent movement of the body and limbs, unconsciousness, headaches after the seizure, and loss of bladder control (involuntary urination) and bowel control (involuntary defecation) during or after the seizure.

Epilepsy Treatment

Epilepsy treatment
There a variety of techniques that can be used to control epileptic seizures, but it is important to remember that there is no cure for epilepsy. However, effective treatment can decrease seizure frequency and strength, or may leave you free of seizures. As with any medical decision, your doctor's advice, medical history, and tests are important to determine the best course of treatment.

Avoid triggers
It is very important that epileptic triggers be avoided. Aside from lack of sleep, stress and alcohol consumption, unexpected or repetitive or uncomfortable stimuli might trigger seizures. Repetitive flashing light (stroboscope) or inadequate screen frequency, sudden auditive stimulus (siren, or sudden yelling after silence), inadequate environmental temperature for longer period might trigger seizures are all environmental factors that should be avoided.

Diet
Approximately 66% of children are responsive to a ketogenic diet, which is a high fat and low carbohydrate diet, which may even go as far as preventing seizures. However, because the diet requires strict adherence, it does require a high amount of discipline to maintain.

Lifestyle
Excessive alcohol consumption, stress, and lack of sleep have all been linked to an increase in seizures. Talk with your doctor to determine your susceptibility.

Medications
Pharmaceutical drugs are widely prescribed for epilepsy, and have shown results for most people. In fact, many children and adults can eventually stop taking medications and live a life without seizures. One or more types of drugs may be prescribed, depending on the types of epilepsy diagnosed.

Currently, more than 20 different drugs for epilepsy are now available and prescribed by doctors. Your doctor may prescribe one or several of the drugs listed below, which are grouped together according to need. Newer drugs for epilepsy include:

  • Diazepam (used for severe seizures that occur repeatedly)
  • Ethosuximide (used for absence seizures)
  • Felbamate
  • Fosphenytoi (used only in a hospital setting)
  • Gabapentin
  • Levetiracetam
  • Tiagabine
  • Topiramate

Unless the type of epilepsy is known and requiring a different type of medication, patients who have recently been diagnosed with epilepsy may take:

  • Carbamazepine
  • Lamotrigine
  • Oxcarbazepine
  • Phenytoin
  • Valproate

Do not alter your medication without consulting your doctor. Your doctor may start with a low dosage, which is increased until symptoms decrease. Some drugs may have serious side affects for the developing child during pregnancy, so work closely with your doctor if you are pregnant or are intending to become pregnant. If medicines do not work effectively, your doctor may recommend surgery (including implanted devices).

Surgery
If doctors determine that seizures are triggered by a specific part of the brain (diagnosed via SPECT test), surgery is performed to possibly remove that part of the brain. However, this is less likely if doctors cannot determine a specific part of the brain that causes the seizures or if the part of the brain is essential for normal life functions. Even with surgery, medication may be prescribed, though in a lower dosage.

Vagus nerve stimulation
This procedure involves a device, implanted into the chest, with wires that attach to the vagus nerve in the neck. The vagus nerve stimulator sends electrical impulses to the vagus nerve every several minutes, leading to an average reduction in seizures of 20-40%. Medication may still be prescribed, although it may be in lower dosage.





2leep.com