Friday, August 24, 2012

Heart Attack Know the Facts and Act Fast!


What Is a Heart Attack?


A heart attack occurs if the flow of oxygen-rich blood to a section of heart muscle suddenly becomes blocked. If blood flow isn't restored quickly, the section of heart muscle begins to die.

Heart attacks are a leading killer of both men and women in the United States. The good news is that excellent treatments are available for heart attacks. These treatments can save lives and prevent disabilities.

Heart attack treatment works best when it's given right after symptoms occur. If you think you or someone else is having a heart attack, call 9–1–1 right away.

 

Heart attacks most often occur as a result of coronary heart disease (CHD), also called coronary artery disease. CHD is a condition in which a waxy substance called plaque (plak) builds up inside the coronary arteries. These arteries supply oxygen-rich blood to your heart.
When plaque builds up in the arteries, the condition is called atherosclerosis(ath-er-o-skler-O-sis). The buildup of plaque occurs over many years.
Eventually, an area of plaque can rupture (break open) inside of an artery. This causes a blood clot to form on the plaque's surface. If the clot becomes large enough, it can mostly or completely block blood flow through a coronary artery.
If the blockage isn't treated quickly, the portion of heart muscle fed by the artery begins to die. Healthy heart tissue is replaced with scar tissue. This heart damage may not be obvious, or it may cause severe or long-lasting problems.


Heart With Muscle Damage and a Blocked Artery

Figure A shows a heart with dead heart muscle caused by a heart attack. Figure B is a cross-section of a coronary artery with plaque buildup and a blood clot.  
Figure A shows a heart with dead heart muscle caused by a heart attack. Figure B is a cross-section of a coronary artery with plaque buildup and a blood clot.


A less common cause of heart attack is a severe spasm (tightening) of a coronary artery. The spasm cuts off blood flow through the artery. Spasms can occur in coronary arteries that aren't affected by atherosclerosis.
Heart attacks can be associated with or lead to severe health problems, such as heart failure and life-threatening arrhythmias (ah-RITH-me-ahs).
Heart failure is a condition in which the heart can't pump enough blood to meet the body's needs. Arrhythmias are irregular heartbeats. Ventricular fibrillation is a life-threatening arrhythmia that can cause death if not treated right away.


Get Help Quickly

Acting fast at the first sign of heart attack symptoms can save your life and limit damage to your heart. Treatment works best when it's given right after symptoms occur.
Heart attack symptoms include:
  • Chest pain or discomfort. This involves uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain in the center or left side of the chest that can be mild or strong. This discomfort or pain often lasts more than a few minutes or goes away and comes back.
  • Upper body discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, or upper part of the stomach.
  • Shortness of breath, which may occur with or before chest discomfort.
  • Nausea (feeling sick to your stomach), vomiting, light-headedness or sudden dizziness, or breaking out in a cold sweat.
Symptoms also may include sleep problems, fatigue (tiredness), and lack of energy.
If you think you or someone else may be having a heart attack, call 9–1–1 right away. Quick treatment can save your life.
Do not drive to the hospital or let someone else drive you. Call an ambulance so that medical personnel can begin life-saving treatment on the way to the emergency room. Take a nitroglycerin pill if your doctor has prescribed this type of treatment.


 

Each year, about 1.2 million people in the United States have heart attacks, and many of them die. CHD, which often results in heart attacks, is the leading killer of both men and women in the United States.
Many more people could survive or recover better from heart attacks if they got help faster. Of the people who die from heart attacks, about half die within an hour of the first symptoms and before they reach the hospital.


Other Names for a Heart Attack

  • Myocardial infarction (MI)
  • Acute myocardial infarction (AMI)
  • Acute coronary syndrome
  • Coronary thrombosis
  • Coronary occlusion




Monday, August 13, 2012

The Dangers of Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs


Understanding The Dangers 

of Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs









Are you aware of the dangers of cfl light bulbs?
  

I wasn't, until yesterday.

A lamp fell out and the three cfl light bulbs were broken.

My son asked me to look for a safety way to clean all the mess 
and I found this article.



 You see them in every grocery store and home center – 
those funny-looking curly compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) 
that are rapidly replacing the old round bulbs. 

The energy efficiency of CFLs may be significant, but unlike traditional light bulbs, 
there is a hidden danger sealed inside each little bulb that requires special handling and disposal.

Mercury – 
a potent, developmental neurotoxin that can damage the brain, liver, 
kidneys and central nervous system. 
Infants and young children are particularly vulnerable to mercury’s toxic effects. 
Even at low levels, mercury is capable of causing a number of health problems 
including impair motor functioning, cognitive ability and emotional problems. 
Higher or prolonged exposure can result in much more serious health problems.


CFLs are marketed as “safe” and don’t pose any health risks as long as the glass remains intact. 
The danger comes if the bulbs are cracked, broken or not disposed of properly. 
Although it sounds like a miniscule amount – 4 to 5 milligrams –
 there is enough mercury in just one fluorescent light bulb to contaminate 
6,000 gallons of water.

So what does that mean if a CFL is cracked or breaks in our homes, 
releasing mercury vapors in an enclosed area?


Consumers – especially those with young children –need to know what to do 
when a CFL breaks and the proper way to dispose of used bulbs.
 It’s no longer as easy as changing a light bulb.

Mercury Warning:
Compact fluorescent light-bulbs contain very small amounts of mercury 
and care must be taken in disposing of them or when they break.

The EPA suggests the following:
o People and pets should immediately leave the room.

o Open a window and/or door and Air out the room for 5 to 10 minutes.

o Turn off the central forced air heating/air-conditioning system.

o Thoroughly collect broken glass and visible powder using wet cloths. Never use vacuum cleaners or brooms.

o Put all debris and cleanup materials in a sealable container and put outdoors in a trash container or protected area until materials can be disposed of properly. Do not leaving bulb fragments or cleanup materials indoors.

o If practical, continue to air out the room where the bulb was broken and leave the heating/air conditioning system shut off for several hours.

All of this needs to be done to protect people from the tiny amount of mercury 
in one fluorescent light bulb. 


Which begs the question, 
are these lights really safe and are the risks worth it?

Another equally important concern is what happens to the environment
 – the air, soil and water – when tons of discarded bulbs, 
along with the mercury, are dumped into local landfills?

The threat posed by billions of broken CFLs lying in landfills 
has resulted in some communities requiring their citizens to discard 
used and broken CFLs in designated recycling centers 
or in a hazardous-waste collection facility.

Given the known deleterious effects caused by mercury, it would seem logical to assume there will be some unintended consequences resulting from the switch to compact fluorescent lights.

Only time will tell how significant those consequences will be.

If you are concerned about the possible health risks associated with CFLs, 
LED or halogen lights are good alternatives.
 Both cost a little more but are as efficient as CFLs and can be recycled easily.

Although CFLs are considered extremely energy efficient, each bulb contains about 5mg “elemental mercury,” says U.S. Army-Ft. Wood. General Electric, a manufacturer of CFL bulbs, notes the amount equivalent to the tip of a ballpoint pen. GE further claims the mercury is an “essential, irreplaceable element” that allows the bulb to perform as an efficient light source, posing no danger during regular use. Elemental mercury is a bioaccumulative neurotoxin that effects multiple neurological responses. High exposures may affect the kidneys, lead to respiratory failure and death. In addition, mercury accumulates in the environment, vaporizing into the air and leaching into water supplies.


For more information about mercury and compact fluorescent light bulbs go to  http://www.epa.gov/cfl/   
 For information about how to clean go to  http://www.epa.gov/cfl/cflcleanup.html
Also check out these frequently asked questions about CFLs below

For information about your communities recycling program go to   http://epa.gov/cfl/cflrecycling.html


If you want to read the complete article, go to 


Friday, August 10, 2012

Is time to get ready to Fall

'Getting ready for Fall' by BarnshopAntiques


Crocheted Cowl  with great patterning effects - toppytoppy
Crocheted Cowl with gr...
$22.00
Hand Knitted Baby Booties - Brown and White - SasasHandcrafts
Hand Knitted Baby Booti...
$16.00
A delicate necklace. Coiled braid. Edelweiss. Hippie, Boho - recyclingroom
A delicate necklace. Co...
$14.00
SALE CIJ - 30% OFF - Muted green placemat - Hemp series Woodland green and cream white color - eco friendly - theYarnKitchen
SALE CIJ - 30% OFF - Mu...
$39.00
Brown Bracelet, Spice Pearls Nutmeg Bronze Metallic Pearls Chunky Bracelet Woodland Fashion- Early Harvest - CCARIA
Brown Bracelet, Spice P...
$19.00
Bunny Wallpaper Necklace - decohearts
Bunny Wallpaper Necklac...
$8.00
Nepalese Brown Agate Mandala Pendant, Goldstone Beads Necklace, Statement Jewelry, Ethnic Pendants, Handmade Nepal Jewelry - Annaart72
Nepalese Brown Agate Ma...
$35.00
Crochet Dishcloths Cotton in Autumn Fall Brown, Ecru, Tangerine - CandacesCloset
Crochet Dishcloths Cott...
$12.00
Greeting Card from Traveling Series, "Sunrise in Nebraska" - GlitterBombArt
Greeting Card from Trav...
$5.00
Acorn Necklace - An Acorn with a Secret  Fall Fashion - Capsule Container  Pendant Necklace - by Gwen DELICIOUS Jewelry Design - GwenDelicious
Acorn Necklace - An Aco...
$39.00
Burnt Orange Silk Bow Tie Mens, Fall Autumn Fashion - 'Burnt Garden' - VaVaSilkBowTies
Burnt Orange Silk Bow T...
$65.00
Thanksgiving Decorations GIVE THANKS Fall Banner hostess gift - bekahjennings
Thanksgiving Decoration...
$20.00
Fall in Eastern Washington - PurplePastel
Fall in Eastern Washing...
$40.00
7 felted acorn fall colors - ronc3m
7 felted acorn fall col...
$14.00
Embroidery Pattern PDF Owl Autumn and Fall Ohli the Owl - sewjenaissance
Embroidery Pattern PDF ...
$5.00
Fall Wreath - Unique Fall Wreath with Fresh Green Accents -  Fall Leaves -  Beautiful Plaid Bow - HornsHandmade
Fall Wreath - Unique Fa...
$52.00

Summer Vacation

'Summer Vacation was on the Beach' by toppytoppy

Handmade Circle

Chicago Skyline - 30x24in Original Oil Painting - ArtdeJoie
Chicago Skyline - 3...
$2249.95
A soft blue and yellow hand crochet dress - kovale
A soft blue and yel...
$128.00
Light Blue Hammock, Handwoven Nicaraguan Hammock - veronicacolindres
Light Blue Hammock,...
$75.00
Keep Calm and BEACH ON (Seashell) 8x10 Print (Featured in Oceanic Waves) Buy 3 and get 1 FREE - KeepCalmShop
Keep Calm and BEACH...
$10.95
Hand Painted Wooden Blue Funny Beach Sign, "If Life's a Beach...  Where the Heck are the Cabana Boys." - kimgilbert3
Hand Painted Wooden...
$10.00
SKYDANCE original abstract modern painting - gallery fine art - contemporary interior design - ooak home wall decor - blue green - linneaheideart
SKYDANCE original a...
$300.00
Charleston Gull - yellowdoorart
Charleston Gull
$150.00
RARE Discontinued Glass Slippers "Rocks" Light Azore Ice Blue CRYSTAL Havaianas Flip Flops - GlassSlippersCC
RARE Discontinued G...
$134.95
Larimar Wholesale pendants - 6 beautiful mixed blue Larimar summer daisies - W - LarimarAndSilver
Larimar Wholesale p...
$399.00
Crochet Aqua Scarf, Caribbean Mermaid, Shimmery like the Waves, lightweight - GypsythatIwas
Crochet Aqua Scarf,...
$36.00
Go Natural Seashell Bouquet with Raw Silk and Lots of Sea Life - iDoArtsyWeddings
Go Natural Seashell...
$365.00
Beach Cruiser Bicycle, Vintage 1968 Schwinn Collegiate BIke, VIntage Women's Bike, Schwinn Bike, Midcentury Bike, Movie Prop 1960's - TheNewtonLabel
Beach Cruiser Bicyc...
$95.00
Wine Charms - Wine Charm Wedding Favors - CereusArt
Wine Charms - Wine ...
$10.00
Vintage Turquoise Glass  Dome Adjustable Ring Bronze Filigree - TheCraftyPandaGirl
Vintage Turquoise G...
$10.00
WATER PROOF- Cross body bag / Diaper bag STOCKHOLM Pale Turquoise and Ecru Striped/ Summer bag - ikabags
WATER PROOF- Cross ...
$79.00
Crochet Hat             Blue Multicolor Stripe Wool                  Peacock Pendant                   ooak - SophiesHatsandMore
Crochet Hat ...
$35.00

Treasury tool by StylishHome.