My Computer.

This computer is a Packard Bell XP. I have had it for a while now and I love it. Ok, it's a big one, not flat screen or anything but I don't care.
I remember the first one I had. To this one, it had very little memory and stuff. I still thought it was the bees knees though.

Maybe if I bought another one tomorrow, it would be bigger and faster. Computers are like cars aren't they? Lose value very quickly. No, now I think of it, I suppose they get cheaper.
I got a printer too. I go through printers pretty quick. It's my fault, not the printer's.

It's my second scanner, the first one, well I just couldn't suss it out. This one is so much easier.

Digital camera? I am on my second, but if I remember rightly, I got one free with computer. Had about 50 pixels, took two photos, lol.
I lie! I just can't remember.
So I will say two and forget the first one.

Every gadget I get, takes me ages and ages to suss out. Keeps me from being bored tho

War Child. Part one..

I will call them Bessie and Rob. It would have been in June 1943 when they were together. She was a WAAF and he was a Canadian Airman. Both young and sadly, now both dead. Bessie's mother had died just over a year ago, 1942, March. So she will have been vulnerable, lonely and away from home. That is, what ever home was then.
So, she met this blond, good looking Canadian, bliss. But like many a young woman then, she got pregnant! March 1944, she had her baby.
Yes, it was me.

In those days, it was shocking for someone to have a baby out of wedlock. Some mothers' kept them though. Very brave and you found out very quickly, who your friends were! The mothers' that put their babies up for adoption must have missed them every day of their lives. There will be 60+ people all over the world that either, don't know their biological parents, might not have know they had been adopted.
The young ladies of those days could be in their 80's now. Some a little bit younger.

Bessie married an English man in 1946. They had to adopt me. I have the papers yet.

My sister was born in 1948 and our family settled down.
When Bessie died in the 70’s, dad asked me if I knew that Bessie was my real mum. I said yes. But it made me think. So I asked sister if she knew what he meant.

You see, when I was about fourteen, my mum had to tell me that she had given birth to me before she was married. I thought that dad had come home from the war and made an honest woman out of her. I never asked questions, none at all. If mum hadn’t told me, my Godmother would have had told me as Godmother felt I had a right to know.
I know, when mum told me this, she was really embarrassed. She maybe didn’t want me to know really or just didn’t know HOW to tell me.

As sister and I grew up, met boys etc, mum used to tell us about the handsome Canadian she used to go out with. Told us his name too. Funny how I remembered it. So after she died, I decided to try and find Rob. Oh yes, I had asked dad and he said he didn’t know who my biological father was.

When dad died, I tried even harder. No success though, none at all.

Many years later, my boys were all grown up and I was a granny I got a computer and also the Internet. Doors opened.

To this day I don’t know how I did it but wrote to some place and received some papers about Rob. Where he used to live, and the names of his parents also. Photos show we had a look of each other. My friends say, he HAS to be my father as we looked alike. More so when I was a child.

Through a friend of mine, I got the unusual name of a woman I thought was his daughter. She was easy to trace, not many with a name like hers I can tell you.

This woman turned out to be Rob’s step-daughter. He was single when he was over here. He went back home and married a woman with two children, a girl and a boy. Then they had a baby boy from that marriage. He will be my half brother, Ric.

I talked to Ric, nice chap he sounded on the phone. He said he would write back to me if I wrote to him. I was so happy, I found out how Rob had died and a few other things too. That was about three years or so now, if not more. Since then, nothing, not a thing.

You see I made the mistake of telling Ric’s half sister that I thought Rob knew my mum was having a baby. Oh dear, cat among pigeons or what? No way would he not have told his new family. Actually, I disagree but that’s not the point. He may well have told his wife I suppose, that’s if he DID know. But the rest of the family???

Dunno.

San Francisco.

As sister and I were driving past Danielle Steele's house one day in June, (yes, you read that right.) I would love to say that we had been invited in for a cuppa. But I can't lie.
Actually, we were on top of an open top bus after going over The Golden Gate Bridge. We also passed the home or maybe now, ex home of Clint Eastwood too. Not often I can name drop. Unfortunately, neither of them were spotted. Even if they had been pottering about in their front gardens, they would have been very well "hidden."
This happened in June. Happy days.
Photo of bridge, foggy!

Morecambe, today!

Alzheimer's Disease.

Alzheimers disease is a horrible thing to happen to a person!

It is like death before you die.

For the sufferer, it is bad and for the family, it is bad.

You lose the person you know and love, long before they die.

I personally think, this is the case with a lot of illnesses. One day, you are with someone, they are as you have always known them. It can creep up or come as a bang, They suddenly are not the person you knew. It is a shock.

I honestly don't know who I feel more sorry for. Just imagine, your mum, dad, wife, husband or sibling not knowing who the hell you are! Then the poor sufferer, trying like heck to remember things, people and places. Must be terrible, especially at the onset of the disease.

Imagine too, having to repeat things, over and over again. As a nurse, you can walk away after your shift is over. If the person lives at home, it is a 24 hour job. Night can turn into day for the sufferers. So the poor carer is up at all hours.

This disease can appear quietly. The odd things seem strange.

As a self confessed hypochondriac, I worry if I start forgetting things, simple things. Today, I sent an e-mail to my friend, or did I? Have had to write to ask her if I did send it.

I know we all forget things at times, so I won't start worrying yet.

Today I was browsing through a leaflet at work. It was telling people about dementia. One part said that we shouldn't correct the patient if they think they are, say, in a shop or maybe waiting for their mother or have to get home to make the children their tea. Even if they are very old and the children, even older than me. It said you can cause distress to the person.
I agree, if you were told your mother wasn't alive any more, it would be distressing. But we were told to try and put it in a different way, like ask the patient how old THEY were. Then take it from there. That's ok but a lady tonight said she was 34.

I always thought it best to tell the patient the truth, in fact, that is what we were taught to do. It is distressing for the person to be "kept back" from their loved ones too.
How do the nurses from the Mental Health team deal with this? I would love to know.

Eczema.

Eczema is a skin disease that affects millions of people. It can present early in life, most usually as a contact dermatitis. This is a skin condition caused by coming into contact with substances that act as skin irritants. People suffering form eczema often have reactions to substances that are considered normal to other people. The most common substances include soaps and detergents.

The skin lesions take different forms. They can be small fluid filled pimples, red scaly patches of dry skin that crack and bleed, a rash or bumps. Almost all of the lesions are accompanied by intense itching.

Scratching often occurring in the sleep can break down healing skin, causing the cycle to begin again.

Treatment varies widely and you should see a doctor for the best advice. Some people get relief from herbal remedies, while others need prescribed medications including steroid creams.

It is important to keep the skin moisturized to prevent cracking, and to avoid the allergens where possible. Use perfume free detergents and soaps and avoid corn and soy. Many baby cleansing products are highly perfumed and best avoided. Use a neutral ph product that contains no colour or perfume or a hypoallergenic product.

Also Known As: contact dermatitis

Asthma.

I have mild asthma. Most of the things I read on here, I didn't know until I was diagnosed.
I didn't know I had it for years despite the symptoms.
Asthma.
What is asthma and who does it affect?
Asthma is a condition that affects the airways (bronchi) of the lungs. From time to time the airways constrict (become narrow) in people who have asthma. This causes the typical symptoms. The extent of the narrowing, and how long each episode lasts, can vary greatly.
Asthma can start at any age, but it most commonly starts in childhood. At least 1 in 10 children, and 1 in 20 adults, have asthma. Asthma runs in some families, but many people with asthma have no other family members affected.
What are the symptoms of untreated asthma?
The common symptoms are cough and wheeze. You may also become breathless, and develop a feeling of chest tightness. Symptoms can range from mild to severe between different people, and at different times in the same person. Each episode of symptoms may last just an hour or so, or persist for days or weeks unless treated.
Typical symptoms if you have mild (untreated) asthma
You tend to develop mild symptoms from time to time. For example, you may develop a mild wheeze and a cough if you have: a cold, a chest infection, in the hay fever season, or when you exercise. For most of the time you have no symptoms. A child with mild asthma may have an irritating cough each night, but is often fine during the day.
Typical symptoms if you have moderate (untreated) asthma
Without treatment: you typically have episodes of wheezing and coughing from time to time. Sometimes you become breathless. You may have spells, sometimes long spells, without symptoms. However, you tend to be wheezy for some of the time on most days. Symptoms are typically worse at night, or first thing in the morning. You may wake up some nights coughing or with a tight chest. Young children may not have typical symptoms. It may be difficult to tell the difference between asthma and recurring viral chest infections in young children.
What causes asthma?
Asthma is caused by inflammation in the airways. It is not known why the inflammation occurs. The inflammation irritates the muscles around the airways, and causes them to squeeze (constrict). This causes narrowing of the airways. It is then more difficult for air to get in and out of the lungs. This leads to wheezing and breathlessness. The inflammation also causes the lining of the airways to make extra mucus which causes cough and further obstruction to airflow.
The following diagram aims to illustrate how an episode of asthma develops.

What can make asthma symptoms worse?
Asthma symptoms may flare up from time to time. There is often no apparent reason why symptoms flare up. However, some people find that symptoms are triggered, or made worse, in certain situations. It may be possible to avoid certain triggers which may help to reduce symptoms. Things that may trigger asthma symptoms include the following.

• Infections. Particularly colds, coughs, and chest infections.
  
• Pollens and moulds. The hay fever season is a common time for asthma to get worse.
  
• Exercise. However, sport and exercise are good for you if you have asthma. If necessary, you can use an inhaler before exercise to prevent symptoms from developing.
  
• Certain medicines. For example, about 1 in 50 people with asthma are allergic to aspirin which can trigger symptoms. Other medicines that may cause asthma symptoms include: anti-inflammatory painkillers, and beta-blockers such as propranolol, atenolol, or timolol. This includes beta-blocker eye-drops used to treat glaucoma.
  
• Smoking and cigarette fumes. If you smoke and have asthma, you should make every effort to stop. See a practice nurse for help if you find it difficult. 'Passive' smoking can make asthma worse too. All children deserve to live in a smoke-free home, in particular children with asthma.
  
• Other fumes and chemicals. For example, fumes from paints, solvents and pollution. The increase in air pollution may be a reason why asthma is becoming more common.
  
• Emotion. Asthma is not due to 'nerves', but such things as stress, emotional upset, or laughing may trigger symptoms.
  
• Allergies to animals. Such as pet cats, dogs, and horses. Animals do not trigger symptoms in most cases, but some people notice that their symptoms become worse when close to certain animals.
  
• House dust mite. This is a tiny creature that lives in mattresses and other fabrics around the home. If you are allergic to it, it may make symptoms worse. It is impossible to get rid of house dust mite completely. To greatly reduce their number takes a lot of time and effort and involves: using special mattress covers, removing carpets, removing or treating soft toys, etc. However, if symptoms are difficult to control with treatment, and you are confirmed to be allergic to house dust mite, then it may be worth considering trying to reduce their number. See separate leaflet called 'Allergy to House Dust Mite and Pets'.
  
• Certain foods. This is uncommon, and food is not thought to be a trigger in most cases.
  Some people only develop symptoms when exposed to a certain 'trigger'. Two examples are:
  
• Occupational asthma. Some people only develop symptoms when exposed to specific substances at work. They have no symptoms at other times.
  
• Exercise-induced asthma. As mentioned above, exercise can make symptoms worse for many people with asthma. But, some people only develop symptoms when they exercise, and are fine the rest of the time.
• Been reading about Asthma in the paper today.
  I never knew until my asthma nurse told me, that where you worked and such could help cause asthma. Some of the jobs I had when I was younger could have contributed to it.
  I once worked in a fibre glass place also a bakery. Other jobs I have had too have not helped.
  Funny though, I don't remember anyone at school suffering from asthma. I am sure there must have been. I am talking about the 50's here.
  It seems to have become more "popular" in recent years.
  Pollution?
  

THE MAIN SYMPTOMS OF DIABETES

The most consistent symptom of diabetes mellitus (Type I and II) is elevated blood sugar levels. In Type I (insulin dependent / early onset) diabetes, this is caused by the body not producing enough insulin to properly regulate blood sugar. In Type II (non insulin dependent/adult onset) diabetes, it is caused by the body developing resistance to insulin, so it cannot properly use what it produces.

However, high blood sugar is not something you can see in the mirror at home, so it is useful to know the side-effects of high blood sugar, which are commonly recognized as the noticeable symptoms of diabetes.

If you find yourself experiencing many of these diabetes symptoms on a consistent, long term basis, you should visit a doctor to be tested for diabetes. Ignoring (or not recognizing) the symptoms of diabetes can lead to long-term serious health risks and complications from untreated diabetes. Some of the common 'early warning' signs of diabetes are:

• The first symptom of diabetes is often excessive thirst (unrelated to exercise, hot weather, or short-term illness)
• Excessive hunger (you know you've eaten "enough" but are still hungry all the time)
• Frequent urination (often noticed because you must wake up repeatedly during the night)
• Tiredness and fatigue (possibly severe enough to make you fall asleep unexpectedly after meals), one of the most common symptoms of diabetes.
• Rapid and/or sudden weight loss (any dramatic change in weight is a sign to visit a doctor)

While many of the signs and symptoms of diabetes can also be related to other causes, testing for diabetes is very easy, and the constant/regular presence of one or more of these symptoms over an extended period of time should be cause for a visit to the doctor.

If diabetes is suspected, tested for, and diagnosed when those symptoms first start appearing, other more serious symptoms of advanced diabetes can often be prevented or have their onset significantly delayed through diet, exercise and proper blood sugar management.

However, often the 'minor' symptoms of diabetes go unrecognized, and physical and neurological problems may arise, resulting in some
of the following symptoms:

• Blurred vision (diabetes can lead to macular degeneration and eventual blindness)
• Numbness and/or tingling in the hands and feet (peripheral neuropathy, a symptom of diabetes, causes nerve damage in the extremities)
• Slow healing of minor scratches and wounds (diabetes often leads to impaired immune system function)
• Recurrent or hard-to-treat yeast infections in women (another sign of impaired immune function)
• Dry or itchy skin (peripheral neuropathy also affects circulation and proper sweat gland function)

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms on a regular basis, or you recognize these symptoms in a child or relative, they may be signs of untreated diabetes. A doctor's appointment should be made as soon as possible, so the individual experiencing the symptoms can -- if diabetes is diagnosed -- take the steps needed to prevent more serious health problems.

Some Advice!! (and maybe save a life.)

Is it a stroke? Is it a heart attack?
This might be a lifesaver if we can remember these three questions!

IS IT A STROKE?
Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster
for the stroke victim. A stroke victim may suffer brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms
of a stroke. Now doctors say any bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:
* Ask the individual to smile.
* Ask him or her to raise both arms.
* Ask the person to speak a simple sentence.
If he or she has trouble with any of these tasks, call 999 immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.

After discovering that a group of non-medical volunteers could identify facial weakness, arm weakness and speech problems,
researchers urged the general public to learn the three questions. They presented their conclusions at the American Stroke Association's annual meeting last February. Widespread use of this test could result in prompt diagnosis and treatment of
the stroke and prevent brain damage.

IS IT A HEART ATTACK?
A cardiologist says if everyone who gets this e-mail sends it to 10 people, you can bet that at least one life will be saved.
Read this... It could save your life!!

Let's say it's 6.15 P.M. and you're driving home (alone of course), after an unusually hard day on the job. You're really tired,
upset, and frustrated. Suddenly you start experiencing severe pain in your chest that starts to radiate out into your arm and
up into your jaw. You are only about five miles from the hospital nearest your home. Unfortunately you don't know if you'll be
able to make it that far. You have been trained in CPR, but the guy that taught the course did not tell you how to perform
it on yourself.

HOW TO SURVIVE A HEART ATTACK WHEN ALONE
Since many people are alone when they suffer a heart attack, without help, the person whose heart is beating improperly and
who begins to feel faint, has only about 10 seconds left before losing consciousness. However, these victims can help themselves
by coughing repeatedly and very vigorously. A deep breath should be taken before each cough, and the cough must be deep and prolonged, as when producing sputum from deep inside the chest. A breath and a cough must be repeated about every two seconds without let-up until help arrives, or until the heart is felt to be beating normally again. Deep breaths get oxygen into the lungs
and coughing movements squeeze the heart and keep the blood circulating. The squeezing pressure on the heart also helps it regain
normal rhythm. In this way, heart attack victims can get to a hospital.

Tell as many people as possible about this. It could save their lives!!

Hypothermia. Elderly.

It's a lovely September, nearly October so, sorry, winter is on it's way.
Now is the time, (and it will get colder,) to watch out for elderly neighbours. If you noticed uncollected milk bottles on the step and miss the "old lady or gentleman" who pops down to the shops at a certain time. Please keep an eye out for them. Especially if they live alone. They may not thank you if everything is well but you may save a life.
Hypothermia.....(Hypo means low.) can creep up on people. A person could sit in a chair, get cold, then colder, then cannot move. Then it just gets worse. Leads to unconsciousness, then death.
Not great is it? So dear reader. please keep a lookout! Thank you.

Pressure Sores. Bed Sores.

If you are reading this, please sit perfectly still. No moving at all. Try to stay sitting in the one position for a little while. Hard to do isn't it?

We are not immobile, we wiggle, move, we change our positions very regularly.

More times than we realise.

Then, cross your legs. Keep them there for a few minutes. Then look, there will be a red area on the part you had crossed. Leave it longer and that red bit will turn white. The blood supply has been “cut off.” So imagine if you will what it would be like after an hour or so.

So, say that you are really ill and bed bound for ages, not eating much, if anything. You can’t move yourself; you have to rely on help. You maybe old and can’t get about much. So you sit in a chair for hours on end. What could it maybe result in?

Pressure sores!

The best way of preventing pressure sores is regular pressure relief. Either by changing position if in bed or standing a person up if they have been sitting in a chair, unmoving for a while.

People that are prone to pressure sores sometimes known as bed sores, are, the elderly, people who have had a CVA/stroke. People who may have a broken leg and cannot move very well. They may be able to shuffle about though. So really, anyone who is immobile could be in danger!

The very poorly person who is unconscious needs their position changing.

There is no better treatment for the prevention of pressure sores than regular movement.

Pressure sores, for the person in bed, crumbs in the bed, yes, crumbs! Wrinkled sheets and/or night wear. If the person is incontinent of urine or faeces, this could aggravate any potential problems. So the person needs to be kept dry and clean. Don't overdo the talcum powder!

In the hospital environment it is sometimes know as pressure area care. We used to call it the back round once upon a time; also it could have been called two hourly turns. It was also a time to talk to the patient, responsive or not. Do their mouth care, comb their hair and make them as comfortable as possible.

I have been known to start at one end of the ward, then when the whole ward had been done, begin again as the two hours had passed. If there was enough staff, two would start at one end of the ward and the other two at the other end.

We felt it was a job well done. And it was! We called it the Back Round, now it is called I.P.C. Individual Patient Care.

Mental Health and Depression.

I know very little about mental health. I DO know, if you have a broken arm or have a heart attack, people can feel sorry for you. They can see you are or have been ill.

I read on a blog the other day, a nurse saying he couldn't do general nursing, well, I don't think I could do his job. It does interest me though.

Depression is an illness that involves the body, mood, and thoughts, that affects the way a person eats and sleeps, the way one feels about oneself, and the way one thinks about things. A depressive disorder is not the same as a passing blue mood. It is not a sign of personal weakness or a condition that can be wished away. People with a depressive disease cannot merely "pull themselves together" and get better. Without treatment, symptoms can last for weeks, months, or years. Appropriate treatment, however, can help most people with depression.

Depressive disorders have been with man since the beginning of recorded history. In the Bible, King David, as well as Job, suffered from this affliction. Hippocrates referred to depression as melancholia, which literally means black bile. Black bile, along with blood, phlegm, and yellow bile were the four humors (fluids) that accounted for the basic medical physiology of that time. Depression has been portrayed in literature and the arts for hundreds of years, but what do we mean today when we refer to a depressive disorder? In the nineteenth century, depression was seen as an inherited weakness of temperament. In the first half of the twentieth century, Freud linked the development (pathogenesis) of depression to guilt and conflict. John Cheever, the author and a modern sufferer of depressive disorder, wrote of conflict and experiences with his parents as influencing his development of depression.
In the 1950's and 60's, depression was divided into two types, endogenous and neurotic. Endogenous means that the depression comes from within the body, perhaps of genetic origin, or comes out of nowhere. Neurotic or reactive depression has a clear environmental precipitating factor, such as the death of a spouse, or other significant loss, such as the loss of a job. In the 1970's and 80's, the focus of attention shifted from the cause of depression to its effects on the afflicted people. That is to say, whatever the cause in a particular case, what are the symptoms and impaired functions that experts can agree make up a depressive disorder? Although there is some argument even today (as in all branches of medicines), most experts agree that:

1. A depressive disorder is a syndrome (group of symptoms) that reflects a sad mood exceeding normal sadness or grief. More specifically, the sadness of depression is characterized by a greater intensity and duration and by more severe symptoms and functional disabilities than is normal.
   
2. Depression symptoms are characterized not only by negative thoughts, moods, and behaviours, but also by specific changes in bodily functions (e.g., eating, sleeping, and sexual activity). The functional changes are often called neurovegetative signs.
   
3. Certain people with depressive disorder, especially bipolar depression (manic depression), seem to have an inherited vulnerability to this condition.
   
4. Depressive disorders are a huge public health problem.
   

• In 1990, depression cost the United States 43 billion dollars in both direct costs, which are the treatment costs, and indirect costs, such as lost productivity and absenteeism.
  

• In a major medical study, depression caused significant problems in the functioning of those affected more often than did arthritis, hypertension, chronic lung disease, and diabetes, and in two categories of problems, as often as coronary artery disease.
  

• Depression can increase the risks for developing coronary artery disease, HIV, asthma, and some other medical illnesses. Furthermore, it can increase the morbidity (illness) and mortality (death) from these conditions.
  

5. Depression is usually first identified in a primary care setting, not in a mental health practitioner's office. Moreover, it often assumes various disguises, which causes depression to be frequently under-diagnosed.
   
6. In spite of clear research evidence and clinical guidelines regarding therapy, depression is often under-treated. Hopefully, this situation can change for the better.
   
7. For full recovery from a mood disorder, regardless of whether there is a precipitating factor or it seems to come out of the blue, treatments with medications and/or electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) (see discussion below) and psychotherapy are necessary.
   

What are the types of depression?

Depressive disorders come in different forms, just as do other illnesses, such as heart disease and diabetes. Three of the most common types of depressive disorders are discussed below. However, remember that within each of these types, there are variations in the number, severity, and persistence of symptoms.
Major Depression

Major depression is characterized by a combination of symptoms, including sad mood (see symptom list), that interfere with the ability to work, sleep, eat, and enjoy once-pleasurable activities. Disabling episodes of depression can occur once, twice, or several times in a lifetime.
Dysthymia

Dysthymia is a less severe type of depression. It involves long-term (chronic) symptoms that do not disable, but yet prevent the affected person from functioning at "full steam" or from feeling good. Sometimes, people with dysthymia also experience episodes of major depression. This combination of the two types of depression is referred to as double-depression.
Bipolar Disorder (Manic Depression)

Another type of depression is bipolar disorder, which was formerly called manic-depressive illness or manic depression. This condition shows a particular pattern of inheritance. Not nearly as common as the other types of depressive disorders, bipolar disorder involves cycles of depression and mania, or elation. Bipolar disorder is often a chronic, recurring condition. Sometimes, the mood switches are dramatic and rapid, but most often they are gradual.
When in the depressed cycle, the person can experience any or all of the symptoms of a depressive disorder. When in the manic cycle, any or all of the symptoms listed under mania may be experienced. Mania often affects thinking, judgment, and social behavior in ways that cause serious problems and embarrassment. For example, unwise business or financial decisions may be made when an individual is in a manic phase.
A significant variant of bipolar disorder is designated as bipolar II. (The usual form of bipolar disorder is referred to as bipolar I.) Bipolar II is a syndrome in which the affected person has repeated depressive episodes punctuated by what is called hypomania (mini-highs). These euphoric states in bipolar II do not fully meet the criteria for the complete manic episodes that occur in bipolar I.

For more information about this condition, please read the Bipolar Disorderartcile.
Symptoms of depression and mania

Not everyone who is depressed or manic experiences every symptom. Some people experience a few symptoms and some many symptoms. The severity of symptoms also varies with individuals.
Depression Symptoms of Manic Depression

• Persistently sad, anxious, or "empty" mood.
  
• Feelings of hopelessness, pessimism.
  
• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness.
  
• Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities that were once enjoyed, including sex.
  
• Insomnia, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping.
  
• Decreased appetite and/or weight loss, or overeating and weight gain.
  
• Fatigue, decreased energy, being "slowed down."
  
• Thoughts of death or suicide, suicide attempts.
  
• Restlessness, irritability.
  
• Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions.
  
• Persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment, such as headaches, digestive disorders, and chronic pain.
  

Mania Symptoms of Manic Depression

• Inappropriate elation.
  
• Inappropriate irritability.
  
• Severe insomnia.
  
• Grandiose notions.
  
• Increased talking speed and/or volume.
  
• Disconnected and racing thoughts.
  
• Increased sexual desire.
  
• Markedly increased energy.
  
• Poor judgment.
  
• Inappropriate social behavior.
  

Depression.

If you have some of these symptoms, it doesn't necessarily mean you are depressed! We all get fed up at times.
Constant feelings of sadness, irritability, or tension
Decreased interest or pleasure in usual activities or hobbies
Loss of energy, feeling tired despite lack of activity
Change in appetite, with significant weight loss or weight gain
Change in sleeping patterns, such as difficulty sleeping, early morning awakening, or sleeping too much
Restlessness or feeling slowed down
Decreased ability to make decisions or concentrate
Feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, or guilt
Thoughts of suicide or death
If you are experiencing any or several of these symptoms, you should talk to your doctor about whether you are suffering from depression.
If you are in an immediate serious crisis please contact your doctor or go to your local hospital or A & E.
Dysthymia is another mood disorder. People who have it may feel mildly depressed on most days over a period of at least two years. They have many symptoms resembling major depression, but with less severity.
Symptoms of depression may surface with other mood disorders. They include seasonal major depression (also known as seasonal affective disorder), postpartum depression and bipolar disorder.
Seasonal Affective Disorder has symptoms that are seen with any major depressive episode. It is the recurrence of the symptoms during certain seasons that is the hallmark of this type of depression.
Postpartum Depression is a type of depression that can occur in women who have recently given birth. It typically occurs in the first few months after delivery, but can happen within the first year after giving birth. The symptoms are those seen with any major depressive episode. Often, postpartum depression interferes with the mother's ability to bond with her newborn. It is very important to seek help if you are experiencing postpartum depression. Postpartum depression is different from the "Baby Blues", which tend to occur the first few days after delivery and resolve spontaneously.
Bipolar disorder, another mood disorder, is different than major depressive disorder and has different treatments. For more information go to bipolar.com.

Whatever its cause, depression is not just a state of mind. It is related to physical changes in the brain, and connected to an imbalance of a type of chemical that carries signals in your brain and nerves. These chemicals are called neurotransmitters.Some of the more common factors involved in depression are:
Family history.
Genetics play an important part in depression. It can run in families for generations.
Trauma and stress.
Things like financial problems, the breakup of a relationship, or the death of a loved one can bring on depression. You can become depressed after changes in your life, like starting a new job, graduating from school, or getting married.
Pessimistic personality.
People who have low self-esteem and a negative outlook are at higher risk of becoming depressed. These traits may actually be caused by low-level depression (called dysthymia).
Physical conditions.
Serious medical conditions like heart disease, cancer, and HIV can contribute to depression, partly because of the physical weakness and stress they bring on. Depression can make medical conditions worse, since it weakens the immune system and can make pain harder to bear. In some cases, depression can be caused by medications used to treat medical conditions.

Other psychological disorders. Anxiety disorders, eating disorders, schizophrenia, and (especially) substance abuse often appear along with depression.

Stress Incontinence.

Oh, how we ladies suffer! We bear children, ok, we wanted to in most cases. But it can weaken the bladder. Not always of course. As we get older, the bladder may not function as it did when we were younger. I don't blame babies for this, it can happen to anyone. Then comes the dreaded time, laugh, cough or sneeze, and there you go, damp.
I think maybe Pelvic Floor exercises will help. I know we did them after we had given birth. Such a long time ago now, I forget most of it. But they do help if done regularly. They can mostly, be done anywhere. One Physotherapist told me that you should leave little notes, by the sink, by the ironing board and cooker. Help to remind you to do them. Hopefully it will stop the distressing feeling of being damp.
You maybe have a water infection. If so, see your GP. That will cause pain and or stinging as well as frequency. Drink plenty of water, drink anything to ease the pains and dilute your urine. I know you can buy tablets for cystitis. They do say Lemon Barley drinks are good too!
Just don't suffer too long, it will hurt and maybe you will need help.

Look on www.Netdoctor.co.uk That has an excellent page on Pelvic Floor stuff!

Doctor, it's my bowels.

Bowels and the Patient.

A few years ago, I went to my GP with a problem that had annoyed, worried and upset me for ages'. I found it an embarrassing subject to bring up. But as my Mother had had bowel cancer in her middle forties I felt I had to go and have my problem sorted out.

After working with elderly patients for quite a few years now, I am used to the often-used saying" obsessed with his/her bowels!" Imagine how I felt telling my GP that I was not obsessed with mine, I felt they must know where I worked. If I can get embarrassed that easily at my tender age how awful it must be for older people. Never had problems before, fall ill, have an operation, C.V.A or anything else, slow down, peristalsis also slows down, not feeling up to scratch, appetite not good, drugs to make you feel better, painkillers, diuretics, the list is endless. All these can lead to constipation and/or diarrhoea.

A patient's view.

"My diuretics make me want to wee a lot. No thanks, I won't have another drink nurse or I'll be up all night. A few days of that combined with the 100 mgs of paracetamol or other painkillers I take four times a day and I'm in trouble. The pears and apples are too hard to eat with my dentures and the grape seeds get under my plate.

Right, so now I can't go, this worries me a lot. I ask for something to help! Does it? No, I either overdose on the bowel softener and get the runs, and then I have an accident. How awful, everyone seems to have noticed.

I also take senna tablets, they do seem to help but are they making my bowels "lazy? So then I end up with even more problems. Before I fell ill and was up and about I had no problems; I went to the toilet about the same time every day. In hospital with the routine and things it can be hard to keep to the same routine I have at home. I certainly cannot reach the toilet before her/him in the end bed. I actually hate going in just before or after someone else anyway, there's no toilet like your own is there?"

As for me, I was diagnosed with diverticular disease. It isn't bad enough (thank goodness,) to operate on. I just have to live with it with Colafac tablets and a high fibre diet and pray it doesn't get infected.

Pin Up. My Nephew.

This picture was taken a couple of years ago, maybe more. Since then, my nephew has got engaged! So, sorry girls, he is spoken for so no fan mail please, really not worth the effort.

I must admit, if he did get any, he would be as pleased as punch.

A Myocardial Infarction, also known as a heart attack or an M.I. is death of the muscle in A heart attack is the result of a blockage in one of the coronary arteries carrying oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle. When the blood supply is cut off, a part of the heart muscle dies - or infarcts. A heart attack is also known as a myocardial infarction (MI), coronary thrombosis or, simply "a coronary".

Causes of a heart attack

The underlying cause of most heart attacks is atherosclerosis, a disease of the coronary arteries that usually develops over many years.

Atherosclerosis involves the formation of fatty deposits (plaques) on the walls of the coronary arteries. These plaques can rupture, releasing substances that cause blood flowing in the coronary artery to clot. Combined, the plaque and blood clot (thrombus) can block the coronary artery altogether, resulting in the symptoms of heart attack.

Lesser degrees of narrowing, without complete blockage, of a coronary artery may cause angina

Who is affected?

Heart attacks are more common in elderly people and, up to the age of 50, are more common in men than women. After that age, the difference between men and women narrows.

In addition to age and sex, doctors have identified a number of factors that may occur together to make atherosclerosis, and so a heart attack, more likely. These include

A family history of heart disease, an inactive lifestyle (less than 30 minutes per day, on most days, of physical activity), diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol. Smoking.

Symptoms

Most heart attacks cause severe pain in the centre of the chest. However, sometimes there may be no symptoms at all (silent MI), especially in the elderly and people with diabetes.

The central chest pain is often described as heaviness, squeezing or crushing, and may come on suddenly causing the person to collapse. It may spread to the arms, neck, jaw, face, back or stomach. A person having a heart attack may appear pale, sweaty and breathless. They may feel or be sick. The symptoms can come on suddenly, but sometimes the pain comes on more slowly. Heart attack pain is more persistent than angina and can last for hours. A person who is used to angina will find that the pain of a heart attack will not respond to their usual medicine (eg glyceryl trinitrate). Treating a heart attack

If a heart attack is suspected, emergency treatment is vital - getting to hospital quickly and receiving specialist care greatly improves the chances of survival. If you suspect someone is having a heart attack call 999 immediately. If the person can swallow, give them a single aspirin tablet to chew. This thins the blood and can help to prevent the clot that is blocking the coronary artery from spreading.

Before hospital

In response to an emergency call for a suspected heart attack, the ambulance service will send a paramedic as quickly as possible. Their job is to stabilise the person and transport them to hospital quickly and safely for further treatment. A paramedic may have to resuscitate a very ill person, give oxygen and pain-relieving drugs. In a suitably equipped ambulance, they may take an electrocardiogram (ECG), which is a trace of the electrical activity of the heart. A heart attack can be diagnosed with this test.

At hospital

An ECG will be taken and blood tests done to confirm the diagnosis. Oxygen and pain relief is given - usually by giving an intravenous injection of diamorphine (heroin), which is combined with an anti-sickness medicine. This will make the patient comfortable and calmer and in this situation has no danger of causing addiction.

Low dose aspirin, if not already given, is used to thin the blood. Ideally, the person should be transferred to a coronary care unit for specialist medical and nursing care. At the coronary care unit, or sometimes in the accident and emergency department, a slow intravenous injection of a drug called a thrombolytic (clot buster) is given. This dissolves the clot in the coronary artery. The drug is not without risks and a heart attack must be confirmed before giving it. But if the clot dissolves, the chances of a full recovery are much better. Other drugs may be given if pain persists, if there is fluid on the lungs or a fast heartbeat.

Complications

In the first few days of surviving a heart attack, there may be irregular, or abnormally fast or slow heart rhythms, which are known as arrhythmias. As a result of the attack, the heart may not be able to pump around the body as efficiently as before the heart attack. This is called heart failure. The larger the area of the heart muscle affected by the heart attack, the more likely heart failure is to occur.

Other rarer complications can include blood clots on the lung, stroke, inflammation of the membrane covering the heart (pericarditis), a bulging weakness in the heart muscle (aneurysm). There is also an increased risk of further heart attacks.

Long-term treatments

A small daily dose of aspirin is usually recommended for all heart attack survivors. Then, a range of other medicines may be required to promote blood flow, widen narrowed arteries, to give the heart less work to do or to make it pump more effectively. Other drugs reduce levels of blood cholesterol or control blood pressure. People who have had a heart attack may have to take a number of medicines daily, and long term.

What is MRSA?

What is MRSA?

The organism Staphylococcus aureus is found on many individuals skin and seems to cause no major problems. However if it gets inside the body, for instance under the skin or into the lungs, it can cause important infections such as boils or pneumonia. Individuals who carry this organism are usually totally healthy, have no problems whatever and are considered simply to be carriers of the organism.

The term MRSA or methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus is used to describe those examples of this organism that are resistant to commonly used antibiotics. Methicillin was an antibiotic used many years ago to treat patients with Staphylococcus aureus infections. It is now no longer used except as a means of identifying this particular type of antibiotic resistance.

Individuals can become carriers of MRSA in the same way that they can become a carrier of ordinary Staphylococcus aureus which is by physical contact with the organism. If the organism is on the skin then it can be passed around by physical contact. If the organism is in the nose or is associated with the lungs rather than the skin then it may be passed around by droplet spread from the mouth and nose. We can find out if and where Staphylococcus aureus is located on a patient by taking various samples, sending them to the laboratory and growing the organism. Tests done on any Staphylococcus aureus grown from such specimens can then decide how sensitive the organisms is to antibiotics and if it is a methicillin resistant (MRSA) organism. These test usually take 2-3 days.

Why bother with MRSA?

MRSA organisms are often associated with patients in hospitals but can also be found on patients not in a hospital. Usually it is not necessary to do anything about MRSA organisms. However if MRSA organisms are passed on to someone who is already ill, then a more serious infection may occur in that individual. When patients with MRSA are discovered in a hospital, the hospital will usually try to prevent it from passing around to other patients. This is known as infection control.

HOWDO WE PREVENT THE SPREAD OF MRSA?

Measures to prevent the spread of organisms from one person to another are called isolation or infection control. The type of infection control or isolation required for any patient depends on the organism, where the organisms is found on an individual and the patient.

The most important type of isolation required for MRSA is what is called Contact Isolation. This type of isolation requires everyone in contact with the patient to be very careful about hand washing after touching either the patient or anything in contact with the patient. If the organism is in the nose or lungs it may also be necessary to have the patient in a room to prevent spread to others by droplet spread. Because dust and surfaces can become contaminated with the organism, cleaning of surfaces are also important. This usually occurs after the patient leaves the hospital.

If a number of patients are infected with the same organism it is possible to nurse them in the same area. On occasions for the sake of other patients it may be necessary to move carriers of MRSA to an isolation unit such as ours which specializes in isolating all types of infections to protect other persons. The medical care of such patients will continue in an isolation unit which are well used to caring for all types of medical and surgical problems associated with infections.

MRSA
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. I have helped nurse a few people with this condition. None to my knowledge have died from it.
But it happens, we have all read about it and seen it on the TV news!
Wounds take a lot longer to heal, this of course is upsetting for the patient. As you all know, the elderly and young are in the most danger, the very ill, surgical patients too.
Handwashing is essential, not just by nurses and doctors but patients, visitors and anyone entering a ward. Not just when arriving to visit but also on leaving the ward.
There are alcoholic sprays, we use PURELL Hygienic Hand Rub. Supplied by the hospital. Washing hands well with soap and water too. Basic hygiene!
Why not go back to the good old days and try the rules they had then? Common sense is what is needed.
So, Ladies and gentlemen, please wash hands, you can't do it too often!

COPD-Chronic Obstructive Airways Disease.

What is COPD?
The doctor may have told you that you have a condition where your airways are slightly blocked, which is why you are having difficulties in breathing. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the name that the chest people use for your condition. But in the past many names have been used for your condition; for example, chronic obstructive lung disease (COLD). Others simply call it smokers chest because a lot of people with COPD are or have been smokers. COPD is a very common condition that affects three million people in the UK, so you are not alone

Migraine.

What is Migraine?
The pain of a migraine headache is often described as an intense pulsing or throbbing pain in one area of the head. It is often accompanied by extreme sensitivity to light and sound, nausea, and vomiting. Migraine is three times more common in women than in men. Some individuals can predict the onset of a migraine because it is preceded by an "aura," visual disturbances that appear as flashing lights, zig-zag lines or a temporary loss of vision. People with migraine tend to have recurring attacks triggered by a lack of food or sleep, exposure to light, or hormonal irregularities (only in women). Anxiety, stress, or relaxation after stress can also be triggers. For many years, scientists believed that migraines were linked to the dilation and constriction of blood vessels in the head. Investigators now believe that migraine is caused by inherited abnormalities in genes that control the activities of certain cell populations in the brain.

Is there any treatment?

There are two ways to approach the treatment of migraine headache with drugs: prevent the attacks, or relieve the symptoms during the attacks. Many people with migraine use both approaches by taking medications originally developed for epilepsy and depression to prevent future attacks, and treating attacks when they happen with drugs called triptans that relieve pain and restore function. Hormone therapy may help some women whose migraines seem to be linked to their menstrual cycle. Stress management strategies, such as exercise, relaxation, biofeedback, and other therapies designed to help limit discomfort, may also reduce the occurrence and severity of migraine attacks.

What is the prognosis?

Taking a combination of drugs to prevent and treat migraine attacks when they happen helps most people with migraine to limit the disabling effects of these headaches. Women whose migraine attacks occur in association with their menstrual cycle are likely to have fewer attacks and milder symptoms after menopause.

What research is being done?

Researchers believe that migraine is the result of fundamental neurological abnormalities caused by genetic mutations at work in the brain. Investigations of the more rare, familial subtypes of migraine are yielding information about specific genes and what they do, or don't do, to cause the pain of migraine headache. Understanding the cascade of biological events that happen in the brain to cause a migraine, and the mechanisms that underlie these events, will give researchers opportunities to develop and test drugs that could prevent or interrupt a migraine attack.

www.Good health sites.

Just a few Websites to try now and then. NOT INSTEAD of your GP of course!

www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk

www.besttreatments.org Common health probs.

www.netdoctor.co.uk General Health.

www.food.gov.uk Food.

www.cancerhelp.org.uk

www.quackwatch.org Worth a peek.

www.mht.org.uk Mental Health.

www.bhf.org.uk Heart Issues.

www.strokeassociation.org.uk CVA, Stroke.

My Nokia and o2 Pay as you Go.

I have purchased a new mobile phone. It's the Nokia 6230i. I am on pay as you go with O2.
It's a little smasher. It takes pics, has radio with a really good reception. Has a bigger memory than me. lol Also does video.
Now, as you may know, I am not good with gadgets. So, I am finding it impossible to send pics to another phone. I can do it ok with Bluetooth. Got that sussed. But I want to send granddaughter pics and some music.
I HAVE looked at the destruction book. Makes no sense to me though. I find these books only make sense when I know what I am doing.
I was getting on quite well and then granddaughter went home....................
Any plain talking, idiot type instructions welcome. Granddaughter has the same phone as me. Well, you have to spoil them now and then don't you?

Mobile Phone.o2

Thank you o2 for your help in setting up my mobile phone.
I can now send photos to people. In fact, I have sucessfully sent a photo of a skeleton, I took it at work the other day. It posed nicely for me. It had a big smile too. Shame it was behind horizontal blinds, made it look as if was in prison.
It is made of plastic......I think.
He/she has been standing there for years.
Also included a pic of the emergency helicopter that was taking off from the hospital. Honest, I hadn't started work when I took these!

Printers.

My younger son has gone to buy a new printer. He's going to get a Epson one, maybe a bit like mine.
I like Epson, it does good photo printing. I don't use it that much really. I store most of my photos on a CD. I have loads of them. Beats going to the shop for film. Just take pics with digital camera, then, bung them on CD. Easy enough to print out the ones you REALLY want.
I love this one of a ladybird on one of our roses!

Hello.

Ok, I hope I get this Blog right this time. Dunno where I am going wrong. Only time will tell eh?
Let's go. lol
Welcome to my site and thanks for looking. I hope you find some good stuff.