{ BPA-FREE BOTTLES FOR BABIES & KIDS }

What is BPA?

Bisphenol-A (BPA) is a hormone-disrupting chemical considered to be potentially harmful to human health and the environment. It has been known that scratched and worn polycarbonate feeding bottles will leach this chemical into liquids.

(NaturalNews) Drinking water from plastic bottles made with the toxic chemical bisphenol A (BPA) increases urinary levels of the chemical by nearly 70 percent, according to a study conducted by researchers from Harvard University and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

BPA, an industrial chemical that makes plastics hard and transparent, is widely used in plastic drinking bottles, infant bottles and other consumer products, and also in resins that line cans of food and infant formula. The chemical has been shown to disrupt the hormonal system, potentially leading to reproductive defects as well as brain damage, cardiovascular disease, cancer, obesity and diabetes.

"These astonishing results should be a clarion call to lawmakers and public health officials that babies are being exposed to BPA, and at levels that could likely have an impact on their development," said Renee Sharp, of the Environmental Working Group. "The adults in this study were willing participants who understood the risk of exposure, but babies are unwitting victims of the silent but serious threat this hormone-disrupting chemical poses to their health."

The study, conducted on 77 student volunteers, was published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives.

A number of major retailers, including Toys R' Us, Wal-Mart, Nalgene, Gerber, Playtex and others, have agreed to phase out the chemical in some countries. The Environmental Working Group has published a guide to BPA-free baby bottles and formulas, which can be found at www.ewg.org/babysafe.

The state of Minnesota has banned the use of BPA in food containers intended for children three and younger, as have Chicago and New York's Suffolk County. California and Connecticut are also considering banning the substance.

"If the legislation to protect California's youngest from further exposure to BPA is defeated, those elected officials responsible for its demise should be held to account for protecting the profits of the chemical industry instead of children's health," Sharp said.

Sources for this story include: www.ewg.org.

{ CARE FOR CHILDREN WITH DIABETES }

By PHIL Riley, KERRITA McClaughlyn in Ailments

The discovery of insulin 87 years ago was hailed as a miracle. It was arguably the first example of a medicine that was both life-saving and life-sustaining. Overnight lives were transformed and a new era of optimism was hailed for all people living with diabetes. The impact of the discovery was electric and in less than two years the 1923 Nobel Prize in Medicine and Physiology was awarded to Researcher Frederick Banting and his supervisor Professor John MacLeod.

The legacy of the former continues to this day. World Diabetes Day is celebrated every year on 14 November to mark the birthday of Banting who, along with his research assistant Charles Best, is widely credited with the discovery of insulin.

Over the years, this miracle drug has saved countless lives. Today, the added benefits brought by modern types of insulin, delivery systems, glucose monitoring and diabetes education, mean that the prospects for children with Type-1 diabetes in the developed world have never been brighter. Regretfully for many, this is where the good news ends. The outlook for children with Type-1 diabetes in the developing world remains poor. Many die without being diagnosed or suffer severe complications leading to an early but avoidable death.

What is diabetes?

• Type-1 diabetes occurs when the body produces no or insufficient insulin. This form of diabetes cannot be prevented and daily insulin shots are required to survive. Worldwide over 500,000 children under age 15 live with Type-1 diabetes. India alone has over 92,000 of these children.
  
• Type-2 diabetes occurs when the body is unable to use the insulin it produces effectively. In many cases [not all], it is possible to prevent Type-2 diabetes through diet and exercise. Type-2 diabetes is increasing among children because of sedentary lifestyles.

The most common long-term complications of diabetes are:

• Diabetic nephropathy [kidney disease], which may result in total kidney failure and in the need for dialysis or kidney transplant.
• Diabetic eye disease [retinopathy and macular oedema], damage to the retina of the eye which can lead to vision loss.
• Diabetic neuropathy [nerve disease], which can ultimately lead to ulceration and amputation of the feet and lower limbs.
• Cardiovascular disease, which affects the heart and blood vessels and may cause fatal complications such as coronary heart disease [leading to a heart attack] and stroke.

Diabetes is the fourth leading cause of death by disease globally. Every year, more than three million people die from diabetes-related causes.

A time for change
Almost a century has passed since the discovery of insulin and almost 80 years have passed since Banting, serving as wartime liaison officer between the British and North American medical services, was killed in an air disaster. With so much time having passed, it seems unthinkable that such an essential medicine is unavailable or unaffordable for our most vulnerable citizens. It is not that solutions don't exist, they do. Answers are now available to address the issues of affordability and accessibility. The means exist to strengthen healthcare systems and provide the necessary diabetes education of both the healthcare professionals and the families of those affected by diabetes.

It is time for the organisations that can provide the interim humanitarian solutions to get on board and for key diabetes stakeholders to lay the groundwork for sustainable solutions that will benefit people with diabetes. The solutions, of course, will be more complex than simply ensuring accessibility to affordable diabetes medicines, syringes and monitoring. Country-specific solutions will be needed to address supply-chain systems, the coordination of corporate social responsibility programmes, the training of local healthcare professionals and the integration of diabetes support programmes into existing healthcare systems.

The International Diabetes Federation [IDF] is leading the way by highlighting the plight of children with diabetes in the developing world, driving awareness campaigns to educate public and bringing together those in a position to make a difference.

According to IDF figures, there are about 75,000 children worldwide living with Type-1 diabetes in desperate circumstances. The IDF supports a tiny number - 1000 children and young adults in 17 countries - through its "Life for a Child Program". The Federation is hoping to increase this number to 10,000 in a relatively short time frame.

Become an agent of change
Every parent, school teacher, school nurse, doctor and anyone involved in the care of children should be familiar with the warning signs and alert to the diabetes threat. Children who are not diagnosed or misdiagnosed can die from DKA [diabetic coma].

Access to medicine is particularly critical to children already living with diabetes in countries like India. You can help by supporting charities like the "Life for a Child Program" that support children with diabetes. While donations to charity are well needed, an even greater need is for governments to take responsibility in providing sustainable care for children with diabetes.

The United Nations Resolution on diabetes asks all governments to "develop national policies for the prevention, treatment and care of diabetes in line with the sustainable development of their health-care systems, taking into account the internationally agreed development goals, including the Millennium Development Goals."

We need to make sure that governments take action. You can lobby your government by writing letters and contacting politicians and government officials to find out how they are implementing the Resolution and developing programmes to care for people with diabetes. You can participate in activities to raise awareness of diabetes-issues and become an agent of change. With the help of committed organisations and individuals worldwide, the IDF wants to make access to appropriate medication and care the right of every child with diabetes and a privilege resulting from the geographic accident of birth.

History owes a debt to the pioneers of diabetes research. Surely it is time for the results of their ground-breaking research, carried out so long ago, to benefit every child with diabetes.

Warning signs

Know the diabetes warning signs*:

• Frequent urination
• Excessive thirst
• Increased hunger
• Weight loss
• Tiredness
• Lack of interest and concentration
• Blurred vision
• Vomiting and stomach pain [often mistaken as flu]
  *In Type-2 diabetes these symptoms may be mild or absent.

{ CAT ALLERGIES }

Life with cat allergies -- whether they're yours or a family member's -- can raise a lot of questions. Could a cat allergy explain your son's never-ending cold symptoms? Will you regret giving in to your daughter's demands for a kitten, despite your allergies? Will a so-called hypoallergenic cat allow you to have the pet you've always wanted without making you a sneezing, sniffling mess?

Here are some answers -- what you need to know about cat allergies, from causes to treatments.
What causes cat allergies?
About 10% of the U.S. population has pet allergies, and cats are among the most common culprits. Cat allergies are twice as common as dog allergies. But contrary to what you might think, it's not the fur or hair that's the real problem. People with cat allergies are really allergic to proteins in the cat's saliva, urine, and dander (dried flakes of skin).

How do these tiny proteins cause such a big allergic reaction in your body? People with allergies have oversensitive immune systems. Their bodies mistake harmless things -- like cat dander -- for dangerous invaders, and attack them as they would bacteria or viruses. The symptoms of the allergy are the side effects of your body's assault on the allergen, or trigger.

Keep in mind that even if you don't have an actual cat allergy, your cat can still indirectly cause your allergies to flare up. Outside cats can bring in pollen, mold, and other allergens on their fur.

And what about so-called "hypoallergenic" cats? While some breeds -- like the "hairless" sphinx -- are said to be less likely to trigger symptoms of cat allergies than others, any cat has the potential to cause problems. This is true regardless of its breed, hair length, or how much it sheds. So if you know that you or another family member is allergic to cats, getting one -- no matter what the breed -- is not a good idea.

What are the symptoms of cat allergies?
Symptoms of cat allergies can include:

coughing and wheezing
hives or a rash on the chest and face
red, itchy eyes
redness of the skin where a cat has scratched, bitten, or licked you
runny, itchy, stuffy nose
sneezing
Symptoms of a cat allergy might develop in just a few minutes or take hours to appear. About 20% to 30% of people with allergic asthma have severe flare-ups after coming in contact with a cat.

How would I know if I have a cat allergy?
Although the symptoms of a cat allergy may seem fairly obvious, it's not always the cat that causes them. So it's a good idea to get confirmation from your doctor. After all, you wouldn't want to blame Mr. Whiskers unjustly.

Your doctor can do a skin or blood test to see if you're allergic. However, allergy tests aren't always correct. So the doctor may also want you to try living without a cat for a few months to see how it affects your allergy symptoms

How are cat allergies treated?
Cat allergies can usually be controlled with standard allergy drugs. Your doctor might recommend:

Antihistamines, which are available over-the-counter -- like Claritin or Benadryl -- or by prescription -- like Allegra or Zyrtec. Some antihistamines come as nasal sprays -- for instance, Astelin.
Decongestants, like over-the-counter Sudafed or prescription Allegra-D.
Other medicines, which affect allergy or asthma symptoms in various ways. Prescription steroids -- like Flonase or Nasonex sprays -- are a common treatment for allergies.

Allergy shots are another option. Allergy shots are not always effective, and completing treatment can take years. They're also not safe for children under 5. But they can be a huge help to some people. Ask your doctor if they make sense for you.

Unfortunately, there's no way to prevent an allergy. Some studies have shown that exposure to pets as a young child seems to reduce the risk of developing pet allergies later. On the other hand, a child who already has allergic tendencies may get worse with exposure to a pet.

Reducing your exposure to cats
While medical treatment can help control cat allergies, the best approach to is simple: avoid cats and their dander. Here are some tips.

*Don't touch, hug, or kiss cats. It should be obvious, but some people think a little cat contact is OK. It isn't.
*Beware of visitors who own cats. Even if your house guests leave their cats at home, they can bring the dander with them on their clothing and luggage. This indirect exposure can cause serious cat allergy symptoms in some people.
*Plan. If you have to stay in a house with cats, ask that the cat be kept out of the room in which you will sleep for a few weeks before you arrive. Also, start taking your medicine a few weeks beforehand. Once an allergic reaction gets started, it can be tough to control. But taking medicine can prevent it from happening in the first place.

But what if you already own a cat? Here's the most sensible advice: if you or a family member has cat allergies, you shouldn't have a cat in your home.

Of course, such harsh advice may not be easy to follow. What if your kids have already fallen in love with a kitten? What if your fiancee will never, ever part with her cat? If the cat has to stay, there are other things you can try.

Keep your distance. Limit your exposure to the cat. Certainly, another family member should take responsibility for the cat's care and do things like cleaning the litter box.
Restrict the cat to certain sections of the house. Don't allow your cat to roam free. Keep the cat out of your bedroom at all times.

Keep the cat outdoors as much as possible. That's how some people get around their cat allergies.

Clean rigorously and often. Cat dander gets everywhere. So you need to sweep and mop the floors, vacuum the rugs, and clean furniture regularly. Make sure to get a vacuum with a HEPA filter, because regular filters may not be fine enough to catch allergens. Get rid of carpets and drapes that can trap dander.

Clear the air. A central air cleaner -- as well as filters on the vents themselves -- can help prevent cat dander from circulating through the house.
Consider bathing your cat on a regular basis. Experts aren't certain if bathing really helps reduce the amount of allergen. But if it doesn't traumatize the cat too badly, you could try it and see if it reduces yours or someone else's symptoms.

While these techniques might help, they may not be enough. As hard as it might be, if keeping your cat is putting your health -- or a family member's health -- at risk, you have to consider giving it up.

Whatever you do, don't assume that you can just wait it out, that cat allergies will naturally get better over time. They might very well get worse. Out-of-control allergies can do more than make life miserable -- they can increase the risk of asthma, which is a serious disease.

So don't ignore the signs of cat allergies. Instead, see a doctor. Together, you can figure out the best way to tackle the problem.