Notepad Corner

Every business owner knows that having smokers on the payroll cuts into company production. Throughout the day, smokers interrupt their work multiple times to go outside for a cigarette. When electronic cigarettes are allowed as a substitute, those same employees never have to leave their desks to step outside. Productivity and workplace morale increases, adding greater value to employee contributions. Lesser Work Interruption Many smoking workers who have to spend eight or more hours each day on the job only have two alternatives during work hours: stop smoking at the workplace or interrupt the workday to light up a cigarette. Because of smoking bans, provisions had to be made to allow employees to leave their desks occasionally to go outside for a smoke. This inevitably reduces productive work hours and affects the performance of employees. However, the use of electronic cigarettes can change this cycle. In the UK, e-cigarettes are allowed in most commercial establishme

A cataract causes the lens of the eye to become opaque which means the lens can no longer allow light to pass through to the retina as it should. It is the clouding of the lens in the eye and it affects the vision of the patient. Although cataracts are usually related to aging, the condition can be triggered by other factors such as the intake of too much caffeinated coffee. They are commonly found in older people, many of whom either get a cataract by age 80 or would have had a cataract surgery by then. Here are some facts about cataracts. Facts About Cataracts * You can develop cataract one or both eyes, but it cannot spread from one eye to the other. * There are different types of cataracts. * Cataracts are clumps of protein. The lens mainly consists of water and protein. The protein is arranged in a manner that allows light to pass through, but when it begins to clump together it starts to cloud out small areas of the lens therefore interfering with the light tha

Sleep is absolutely critical to our physical and mental well-being. Without sufficient sleep, we may find it difficult to concentrate, struggle to perform easy tasks and become bad tempered. Sleeping is good for the immune systems, it provides our bodies with time and energy to heal and recuperate and it balances our hormones and keeps our brains functioning. photo credits:  freedigitalphotos.net Large numbers of people, however, suffer from sleep disorders. There are those who, even though they feel exhausted, find it difficult to fall off to sleep and there are those who wake up too early and are unable to go back to sleep. Due to the number of people suffering from sleep problems, there have been plenty of studies and help is at hand. Sleep problems are often linked to other illnesses and diseases such as depression and chronic fatigue syndrome. What we eat and drink before bed as well as anxiety and worry can also be a factor.  

Family’s health is family’s wealth. Keeping hands clean can save lives, teaching our kids and family members the importance of hand washing is the simplest and most cost effective way to stop and prevent the spread and transmission of infection. Germs accumulate on our hands as we touch surfaces, door knobs, elevator buttons, objects and people throughout the day. Children, most especially can easily be infected with these germs by touching their nose, mouth and eyes. We all know that it is impossible to keep a germs-free hand yet through frequent hand washing, it can limit the transfer of microbes, viruses and bacteria. photo credits: newmsm02.edu.glogster.com

Contact lenses are a godsend for anyone who ever needed their vision correcting but felt that there wasn’t a pair of glasses they wanted to wear – but they need to be looked after correctly, otherwise you’ll wish you’d simply taken the easier option. Cleaning and disinfecting contact lenses is a crucial part of their use – here are some tips on how to do it properly, efficiently and safely. 1. It’s not just about the cleaning and disinfecting of contact lenses when they’re not in use; you need to ensure that your hands, when applying them, have been thoroughly washed using soap or another disinfectant, and then towelled dry. You don’t want bacteria or residues from your cleaning products to linger on your hands and then be transferred, via contact lenses, to your eyes.

Menopause is a period in a woman’s life that comes with its own set of unwritten rules and in order to best adapt to the changes that our bodies are experiencing, it is good to know how to begin with preemptive measures. While menopause will affect everyone differently, one very common side effect associated with the onset of menopause for most women, is weight gain in all the wrong places. It is estimated that the most profound weight gain women will experience will take place during the years leading up to and during menopause. Because menopause is largely based on our hormone levels, usually a decrease in estrogen and progesterone, the weight gained will be distributed differently during menopause than at any other time in our lives.

Rainy season brings cool weather giving us a comfortable sleep yet poses serious health threats for us especially among our children if we will not take the necessary precautions. We must be aware that the most common illnesses during this period are mostly related to respiratory system, so water and food borne diseases should not be overlooked. image credit: mysweetdreamsbaby.com

Most of us are fond of children who are chubby, as they are so adorable and likely huggable, that we often tend to forget that being overweight is not good especially for a growing child. Toddlers usually are picky eaters, so we do everything to encourage them to eat. However, when they start to develop their fondness to consume food, they will have the tendency to take more calories than their little bodies can burn up, so obesity occurs. photo from the web We need to be aware of the risks and complications it may bring to our kid’s health. If they will continue to gain more weight which is higher than what is recommended for their height and body type, they could develop health problems like heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, sleeping troubles, breathing problems and more. Proper planning of the family meals, nourishing them with healthy foods and as much as possible stay away from junk and fast foods will prevent extra pounds. Encourage them also to

Is one of your family members suffering from sleep breathing disorders such as snoring and sleep apnea? These two are the most common problems that can affect slumber, general health and quality life of an individual. Snoring and sleep apnea often occur together and some of us are unaware of this condition. Your airway may n arrow; and as it vibrates it limits airflow as you breathe commonly heard as snoring. The airway might collapse at some point, so you stop breathing. It is very important to get clinically diagnosed and effectively treated to eliminate these risks. Positive airway pressure therapy is the most effective non-invasive treatment for sleep disorders, resmed offers nasal masks for continuous positive airway pressure for home or hospital patients These innovative nasal mask are lightweight and comfortable for daytime or night-time use and a good travel companion too. ResMed is a leading developer and manufacturer of nasal masks solutions which

photo from the net “People will make judgments before you even speak based on the way you look. Most definitely your physical appearance matters. The way you dress, your hygiene - it all matters”. – This is one of the best quotes from Jonathan Adler that I best agree. Being the light of the house, we mothers are the ones responsible in honing our children to good manners and right conduct. Coaching our little ones of the proper behavior is very much important to develop a pleasing personality, likewise training them with the right and proper hygiene counts a lot in their growth.   When is the right time to start teaching our kids their personal hygiene? Well, in my opinion and through experience, the earlier the better.  At age 1, I already began informing my two sons the significance of washing their hands before eating and brushing their teeth. As my children grow older I continuously instill the knowledge and polish them of the effects brought by maintaining cleanl

Perhaps you have enjoyed unwinding in a soothing massage chair while having a pedicure, in an upscale hotel room or even after a long day of shopping at your local mall. You may not have considered purchasing one for your home, though. Many massage chairs are available to the public and are increasingly popular with consumers just like you. Learn about the advantages of these relaxing, attractive furnishings; you might just be tempted to get one yourself.  For people who suffer from chronic or recurring pain, massage chairs can mean the difference between enduring aches or discomfort and finding some much-needed relief. A quality chair can relax tight muscles, increase blood flow to injured or damaged areas and even encourage your body to release more endorphins, which are a natural substance that attach to cell receptors in your brain much the way morphine does, eliminating pain in the process.  image via www.relaxationstation.com.au As mentioned, massage chairs help impro

Notepad Corner  being a proud blog partner of  MomCenter Philippines,  continuously supports their endeavors. "  It's first and only free resource and buying guide for mothers that fuses traditional and new media to provide practical information, useful tools and abundant benefits to expectant Moms, new Moms and Moms with infants and young children. MomCentre also never forgets that Moms are women too, and includes content that covers issues women are interested in." In line with their newest tandem with   Nivea Baby Philippines in  caring for our baby’s sensitive skin, here are tips on How to Prevent Baby Skin Rashes. Source : http://www.momcenter.com.ph/index.php?option=com_classifieds&act=resource&task=details&resourceid=2540

This is a guest post from Heather Von St James, a committed mother and wife, a survivor of the deadly disease Mesothelioma. On August 4, 2005, my husband and I welcomed our daughter into the world. After an uncomplicated pregnancy, she arrived to a village of supporters as our family and friends surrounded us with best wishes. At the time, I co-owned a successful salon with multiple stores and employees. Several weeks after my daughter’s birth, I learned I would be transferred to another location with a lighter workload. I did not want to move salons and did not anticipate being away from my new child. I soon began experiencing physical changes typical to new moms. I felt tired and breathless with no energy most days. I also lost an average of six pounds every week, which is not normal. My doctor analyzed blood work and a chest x-ray before diagnosing fluid on my left lung. After more tests, scans and biopsies, the doctor changed the diagnosis to malignant pleural me

I panicked the first time I experience nose bleeding with my kids.  Thankfully, the doctor assured me that nose bleeds are rarely cause for alarm and common in kids between the ages of 3 to 10 if they do not have any underlying diseases or other health problems that might cause the nose to bleed. Nosebleeds often stop on their own and can be readily attended to safely at home. Yesterday, while my twelve year old son, Yahmir was reviewing for his quarterly exams, he alarmingly told me that his nose is bleeding. I was busy preparing for his snack at that time, I immediately pinched the soft part of his nose firmly and instructed him to lean forward slightly with his head tilted forward. I repeated the procedure until the bleeding stopped. His allergic rhinitis has been the culprit of his bleeding nose, he kept on sneezing and blows hard because he is annoyed of the mucus coming in and out of his nose. After I cleaned his nose, I told him to rest for a while and told him not to blow t

Due to increasing heat this summer season, we must be alert on Heat Illnesses our children may acquire .  Our children’s immune system is weaker compared to an adult immune system, thus they are prone to easily acquire diseases. There are three (3) Heat Illnesses that we must be aware of and the following are: 1.  Muscle Cramps Children are susceptible to heat cramps, particularly when they don’t drink enough fluids.  All that vigorous running and playing cause their bodies to lose salts and body fluids, which causes momentary cramping in their legs, arms and abdominal muscles.  Generally heat cramps don’t require special treatment. Bring your child indoors or into the shade. Loosen or remove your child’s clothing. Gently massage the cramped muscle. Encourage your child to eat and drink. 2.  Heat Exhaustion A more severe form of heat illness.  Heat exhaustion occurs when your child’s body loses too much fluids. Symptoms may include

I’ve been suffering from FlexorTendinitis.  In layman’s word it is called Trigger Finger.  It started two years ago on my right hand thumb and it is recurring again lately.  This time it’s not only my thumb but my right hand’s fore and middle fingers as well.  My fingers bend and lock especially at night and are very painful to straighten in the morning. Trigger finger is a type of tendinitis, develops in the tendons which bend the fingers. There are no muscles in the fingers themselves. Muscles in the forearm are connected to the finger bones by smooth, flexible strings, called tendons. The muscles pull on the tendons, which then bend the finger joints The flexor tendons are smooth, flexible, thick strings - they look a bit like clothesline rope. They work like a bicycle brake cable to bend your fingers, sliding in and out of the finger as it straightens and bends. Cause : Tendon swelling (tendinitis) results from a person's own tendency to collect fluid around their te

The whole family is suffering from Allergic Rhinitis, the reason why we have this air ionizer at home. Air ionizers can remove microbes such as mold spores, viruses and germs from the air.  It acts as air fresheners, neutralizing odors from pets, cigarettes and even cooking smells to create a cleaner home environment. It creates ions which remove microscopic particles from the air.  The air is cleaned, helping us to breathe better.   In our case we only have one air ionizer placed in our bedroom. This small machine is really of great help to us.  It was recommended by our Allergologist years ago. Through proper care it lasted for years too.  It is still in good running condition until now. Air ionizers clean the air by sending molecular particles into the room. Those particles, also known as ions, attach to oxygen in the air to create a negative charge. Once it becomes a negative ion, the molecule attaches itself to pollen, dander, dust and odor to create a cluster. The ionizer then

Liquid soap is in. Different brands of liquid soaps are seen in grocery stores and supermarkets, yet which of it will you buy?  Do you know that Jergens Antibacterial Liquid Soap is an all in one soap not only for you but for your family too?  It kills germs, deodorizes and moisturizes as well.  Years ago, my ob-gyne recommended it as an alternative to my intimate wash.  I gave it a try and satisfied with it.  I’ve been using it for years now.  During the cold weather, we use it for body wash to moisturize our skin and prevent it from drying.  I place bottles of Jergens in the bathroom/comfort room and another one in the kitchen.  It is also very effective as a hand wash.  It gently removes stubborn odors, like garlic for instance. It is very affordable and could last a long time, depending on the usage.  A pea size is enough for hand washing and in intimate washing.   It comes in a big bottle for refill and a small one with an easy dispersal cap.

Have you tried Aromatherapy? I am very interested of trying it in our home but I am skeptic too for it might do harm instead of benefitting from it.   I’ve been inquiring my friends’ responses and experiences who are into it and with the help of reading and researching about its pros and cons, I found out the following facts: Essential oils, the pure essence of a plant, have been found to provide both psychological and physical benefits when used correctly and safely.  There are quite a few products on the market that contain unnatural ingredients including fragrance oils and claim to be aromatherapeutic. It's important to look at the ingredient label when seeking true aromatherapy products.

The healthiest meal to jumpstart a day is also the easiest one to prepare – Breakfast.  I have two kids, and my problem lies in my youngest son Yahmir.  It is a real chore to lure kids to the breakfast table.           His class starts at 7am so I have to wake him up early for his school service fetches him at around 6:15 am.  Usually, he has no appetite to eat in early mornings unlike his big brother.  Before he starts whining, I am already insisting him to eat telling him that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and his tummy will get upset if he will not eat.  If he eats breakfast, his stomach will be very happy about it and his body will be able to use the food to get the energy going, and send him off to school all fuelled up for the day - well at least until morning break!  I make sure that he eats even a little.