Thursday, July 23, 2009

Baby crib posed a strangulation hazard

Not every type of crib they produce was recalled—just the “Cabana,” “Hudson,” and “Pinehurst” cribs. These cribs were being sold at baby-centered establishments such as Babies R Us, USA Baby, Beautiful Beginnings, and Buy Buy Baby, just to name a few.

The cribs posed a strangulation hazard partially because of the type of wood from which they were manufactured. Apparently, the type of wood being used to build the cribs is genetically notorious for breaking easily. When the slats in the side rails of the cribs broke, it became easy for children to slip their heads between the gaps and become trapped, potentially suffocating. All of the cribs were manufactured in either China or Vietnam and imported into the United States by LaJobi Inc., a company based in New Jersey. LaJobi already has plans in motion to redeem itself from the mistake of importing and selling the faulty cribs. The company will provide free in-home installation for many of these cribs so that a professional might be able to differentiate between those that are sturdy and those that are defective. They are also providing replacement side rails for those that have broken off or dropped down without the assistance of an adult.

Another hazard posed by these defective cribs is the sudden breaking and dropping of the side rails. Because of the breakable wood used and faulty spring coils used, many of the defective cribs had side rails that either broke off of the crib completely or fell suddenly. This could have led to babies and toddlers alike falling from their cribs. Falling accidents, even from as short a distance as the bed of a crib to the floor, can be detrimental for both the long term and the short term when it comes to children. Not only are their brains still developing, but their skulls are also much more soft and fragile than that of adults. If a child were to fall from his or her crib and land on or hit their head, it could potentially lead to brain damage depending on the age of the child and the position in which they landed.

If one of your children has become an injured victim of a defective crib or other defective product made for youngsters, you should speak with a personal injury attorney. Your attorney can help you file suit against those who allowed these defective products to be sold. The safety of your family, particularly your small children, is undoubtedly your most important priority, making it important for you to take a stand against those that would allow harm to come to them.


Wednesday, July 15, 2009

caffeine, stimulant free creatines, creatine, no caffeine, diet, health

Many people who lift weights or body build have at one time or another used a muscle builder that contained certain stimulants, the most popular of which is caffeine. In fact generally speaking more than ninety percent of North Americans consume at least one form or another of caffeine every day. Most people use the standard coffee or soft drink as their choice for consuming caffeine. Workdays are increasingly getting longer and more and more is demanded in the workforce. Caffeine is often the answer to the increasing need to be alert and awake during a stressful workday. But at what cost do most Americans get the added boost of energy and focus?

Similarly many people who participate in bodybuilding and weightlifting also supplement their routine with some form or another of caffeine. This could be in the form of a fat burner, or even a creatine supplement that has caffeine as well as other oftentimes negative side effects regarding the desired goal of building lean muscle.

As far as the bodybuilder goes, caffeine can often has positive, or rather desired effects that will please those who are looking to lose weight quickly. Caffeine raises energy levels and promotes different forms of mental and physical awareness. For many pre-contest athletes, many use what is called an ECA stack which consists of the following, ephedrine, aspirin, and caffeine. This combination is used to shed body fat fast. In fact almost all weight loss supplements employ at least some sort of caffeinated ingredient list.

The aforementioned results regarding weight loss seem very appealing but it is also important to know that there are also many negative side effects that come from both short term as well as long term use of caffeine during your workout routine. One of the side effects can include the feeling of being jittery and a general feeling of anxiety. Because caffeine acts as a stimulant, it has been proven that this stimulant actually constricts muscle growth. It does this by tightening the blood vessels. If something tightens the blood vessels then of course less blood will flow from the heart to the muscles. With less blood flowing from the heart to the muscles your body will not get it's needed amino acids as well as the protein it desperately needs to both during as well as after a tough workout. Another consideration is that if you are trying to gain mass, caffeine will work against you as it also acts as a mild appetite suppressant.


Sunday, July 5, 2009

Take Care of Your Feet if You Have Diabetes

Diabetes is a disease that has serious long term implications. One of these complications is the development of diabetic foot. Diabetic foot results from decreased sensitivity in the foot due to neuropathy and poor circulation. This decreased sensitivity makes it difficult for a diabetic to identify foot pain caused by minor cuts or blisters. Without the proper diagnosis, this seemingly minor ailment can develop into something much more serious. Corns, calluses, hammertoe and foot ulcers are all common complaints. In more serious cases, a runaway infection can lead to amputation.

Proactive foot care is absolutely essential. Be sure to check your feet every day. This should become part of your routine. If you are unable to clearly see your feet, get someone else to help you or use a mirror. You should look for cuts, bruises, ingrown toenails, blisters, or anything else that can lead to an infection. Keep track of these scrapes or sore spots, and if they don’t heal in a timely manner be sure to see your doctor about them.

Wash your feet everyday in order to prevent infection. Make sure you dry your feet thoroughly. Use lotion to keep your skin soft and supple, but make sure to use a small amount and to rub it in thoroughly. You don’t want to stick wet or damp feet into socks and shoes as this will contribute to infection.

Wear socks and shoes at all times. Because your diabetic foot makes you less sensitive to pain and temperature, you might not be aware if you step on something sharp or if your feet are burnt by the pavement. Choose pliable shoes that support your feet. Use orthopedic inserts and wear socks without seams. It is absolutely essential to avoid socks, tights or any other product with elastic that will cut off circulation to your feet.

Wiggle your toes and roll your ankles every couple of hours to make sure the blood is pumping. Don’t cross your legs when you sit down. Intersperse your daily routine with exercise and an active lifestyle. Avoid exercise that puts unnecessary stress on your lower legs or feet. Examples of recommended exercise include: walking, swimming and bicycling.

Last but not least, lead a healthy lifestyle and take care of your diabetes. Do not smoke, as smoking exacerbates poor circulation. Do your best to keep your glucose levels normal. And be in regular contact with your doctor. Remember, any cut or sore spot on your foot that does not go away in a couple of days could require medical attention.