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The Lasik Procedure and What it Comprises

  • Posted on July 2, 2009 at 7:15 am

While many people have heard the term Lasik, not very many people truly understand what it comprises. Lasik stands for Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis, which is obviously a very large mouthful. To most people, this means very little to you. In more simple terms, LASIK eye surgery is when the surgeon uses a laser to change the shape of your cornea, which results in improved vision.

The cornea focuses light that enters your eye and then bends and focuses that light to produce an image on your retina. Unfortunately, sometimes a person’s ability to focus light is diminished (usually due to a mismatch between the cornea’s ability to focus light and the length of the eye). As a result, a person’s vision may be blurred or distorted.

During the actual LASIK procedure, a tiny cut in made in the cornea, which results in a small flap. This flap is then folded back. Once this has been accomplished, a surgeon will use a laser to vaporize a small portion of the cornea (called a stroma). After enough of the stroma has been removed, the surgeon then folds the flap back up. As a result, the cornea is now reshaped resulting in an improved ability to focus and bend light, which results in an improved image on the retina.

When this occurs, a doctor will diagnose a patient with refractive errors. In order to remedy this situation, other than LASIK eye surgery, there are two other primary refractive procedures that one can undergo. The first is RK, which is Radial keratotomy. During this procedure, tiny incisions are made in the cornea to flatten it slightly. The second procedure is called PRK, which is Photorefractive keratotomy. This procedure is very similar to LASIK. The main difference is that in PRK, the laser is used on the outside of the cornea.

Tom Jenkins owns the Michigan LASIK Guide. This website provides information on the various facets of having LASIK in Michigan, such as properly defining What is LASIK to how to find a good LASIK surgeon.

Article Source: The Lasik Procedure and What it Comprises

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Does Your Child Snore?

  • Posted on July 2, 2009 at 7:15 am

Occasional snoring may be normal to children. Recent studies show that 3 to 12 percent of children between the age of 1 and 9 snore. But frequency doesn’t mean normality. Habitual snoring can be a cause of a more serious medical condition called obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) or simply, sleep apnea.

Sleep apnea is a condition characterized by loud snoring with periods of breathing interruptions. Interruptions may be short or prolonged, usually between 5 to 30 seconds. During this period, the child’s could not get straight sleep. He rouses and moves to another sleeping position, then resumes sleep. After a while he will once again begin snoring. This activity often happens several times during the night, each night. Although this condition rarely appears on children, it is very important that parents should watch out for symptoms that come along with it.

Symptoms of sleep apnea include

• Poor speech habits – talking that sounds like words over a mouthful of hot potato.

• Reduced growth rate. Children suffering from sleep apnea use more energy in breathing during the night. During meals, they tend to eat slowly since it is hard for them to breathe and chew at the same time. The result is, they have insufficient nutrients to support their growth.

• Hyperactivity. Lack of sleep can cause drowsiness on children during the day. To stay awake, children act frantically.

• Poor performance in school. Since children do not get the right sleep during the night, they tend to appear tired and lack the concentration to focus at school, thus, having a poor performance.

When these symptoms are visible, it is imperative for parents to bring their child to a pediatrician and have him examined. A child can be happy and smiling when he is brought to the doctor and therefore, it is difficult to diagnose if he really has sleep apnea. Parents are advised to record their child’s snoring so that the doctor can analyze the situation in actually.

Meanwhile, sleep apnea is not the sole reason why children snore. Other reasons include allergy attack, obesity, asthma, and enlargement of adenoids and/or tonsils caused by cold or tonsillitis.

Some allergy attacks can cause swelling on the linings of the nose that can direct to the enlargement of adenoids. This keeps the child from breathing normally. This causes the child to snore. After the allergy attack, the snoring stops.

Obesity can also lead to snoring. In fact, 20% and 40% of the obese children snore. This is because fats can form around the throat that can cause constriction and makes the limited airways. Also, fats in the stomach can cause the diaphragm to function irregularly

Asthma is said to be another cause why children snore. A study revealed that 40% of the children diagnosed with asthma snore.

Enlargement of adenoids and/or tonsils caused by cold or tonsillitis also results to snoring. While cold or tonsillitis can be cured by decongestant and antibiotics, adenoid enlargement is treated by surgical procedure to remove adenoids and tonsils.

Underdevelopment of the jaw inside the womb can cause snoring as well. There is also the possibility that the nerves and the muscles cannot control the airway properly and cause that child to snore.

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Article Source: Does Your Child Snore?

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5 Relaxation Tips for Parents

  • Posted on July 1, 2009 at 10:12 pm

Letting Go
In our stressful world, it is important to develop an ability to let things go easily. This is vital for our mental and spiritual health. Try to find moment in the day or at the end of the day, where you can let go and release everything that has happened. This is especially important to do before bedtime. You may like to fill an imaginary balloon with any stresses and anxieties and let it go, or try throwing unwanted thoughts and feelings and watch them disappear or float away. Use your imagination, be creative and make this an enjoyable experience for yourself.

Eat Slowly
When we are rushing from one activity to another, it is easy to forget to look after ourselves and just eat on the go. If you can, try to sit down to eat and eat as slowly as possible – enjoying every mouthful. Your body will thank you for this and you will feel the benefits of deep relaxation. If you can, bless your food or say a short prayer for a few moments. This may sound strange, but there have been studies that our thoughts and intentions can have a profound effect on our food.

Smile
Even if you don’t feel like it – smile. Watch as this little facial expression can make a difference to your mood. For a deep relaxation, try this Buddist exercise of tummy smiling. Imagine you are smiling from the depths of your stomach. As you practise this, you will find that you instantly feel more relaxed and content.

Take a Break
If you are able to stop during the day, schedule a short 5-10 minutes break for yourself. This will help you feel more calm and in control. Use these few minutes to experience deep inner calm and silence. Just allow your thoughts to slow down, let go of the tension in your neck and shoulders and imagine you are being showered by drops of peace and a bubble. If you have time, kick off your shoes and socks and walk on the grass outside. As you build up a practise of this, you will notice how you can be refreshed and rejuvenated in just a short time.

Stop and Breathe
Stop for a few moments and let your mind become still. Take in a deep breath and breathe in a feeling of peace. As you breathe out, breathe out peace into the room. Close your eyes and give yourself a 30 second face massage. End with a brisk rub of the ears for a fantastic rejuvenator.

Practice Meditation
Sit or lie down and let your mind drift away with this meditation.

Close your eyes, be very still and imagine you are lying down on the beach. Feel the warm sand underneath your body. You can hear the waves of the sea.
Now, very gently you are going to relax each part of your body. Start with your feet, let your toes completely relax and become soft. Now release all the tension in your ankles and let your legs become soft and heavy. Relax the muscles in your tummy and back, feel your back sinking into the soft golden sand. Let your shoulders and neck become soft and heavy as all the tension melts away. Your arms feel heavy as they sink deeply into the warm sand. And now let your head completely relax. Relax your eyes, your ears, your cheeks, your jaw, your forehead. Become completely still and relaxed. Feel the warm sun on your face and body as you sink further into the lovely soft sand.
Enjoy this wonderful feeling of being calm and peaceful. Stay there for a few more moments, enjoying the feeling of being completely relaxed. Extract from The Wishing Star and Nature CD

http://www.relaxkids.com/library/article.aspx?number=40

Article Source: 5 Relaxation Tips for Parents

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