Antidepressants Blog

Make sure that staff at school understand when and how your child may need his or her inhaler, and that it is available for use whenever necessary.

Remember that children’s muscles tire easily – never take your child’s asthma for granted. If the child does not respond to his or her reliever medicine or inhaler, call your doctor urgently or take the child to the hospital where they will have a nebuliser that delivers the reliever medicine more efficiently.

Xanthine bronchodilators (such as Phyllocontin, Nuelin, Uniphyllin) have a different chemical effect from beta-adrenoceptor agonists, although they too relax the muscles around the airways. At the correct dose for the individual, they cause no side effects; your doctor will need to adjust the dosage should they cause known side effects of stomach upsets, palpitations, sleep disturbance, or epileptic fits. These are not permanent effects. These drugs are given as tablets or suppositories and can be useful for slow release overnight to avoid waking to use an inhaler.

Anti-cholinergics are drugs which control the width of the airways of the lung. They work by blocking the contraction of muscle around the airways. A modem version of the drug called Atrovent can be used as an aerosol and inhaled. Its side effects are rare except at high doses; they include a dry mouth, constipation and finding passing urine difficult.

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Reverse Osmosis (RO) systems produce the purest water practicably available. They are purification systems, not filtering systems.

Independent tests have shown them to remove over 99 per cent of pesticide residues and chlorine, over 99 per cent of metals and 90 per cent of nitrates. They also remove most bacteria, parasites and viruses. Distillation systems are the only other water treatment systems which produce comparably pure water, but they have greater disadvantages.

RO systems work by forcing part of the water flow through a semipermeable membrane, combined usually with a sediment filter and an activated carbon filter (see below), which also absorbs contaminants. The water is stored in a small reservoir tank until needed.

The main benefit of RO systems is the purity of the water resulting. In addition, contaminants are washed away. They are not held in any treatment medium and cannot wash back into the system.

They have drawbacks, however. They have a very low flow-rate and need a high water pressure to work well. They are extremely wasteful of water. More than 75 per cent of the water used goes down the drain and this could be an important cost factor if water metering is introduced. Mineral salts are removed and the water has a bland, insipid taste which some people dislike.

Most of the reverse osmosis systems available are for plumbing in under a sink or basin with one tap outlet. A skilled DIYer could instal them, but many people will need a plumber’s help. These undersink systems are also bulky and need a lot of space. They cost between £300 and £500, excluding any plumbing costs. The membranes need replacing every 18 months to three years and cost between £50 and £90. Carbon filter cartridges need replacing every six to twelve months and cost between £15 and £30.

A portable end-of-tap version is available at £90 (1992 prices), which is very convenient, and has the advantage that you can take it with you outside the home – to work, or on visits.

Firms will quote specially for installing reverse osmosis equipment to cover a whole water system. This will probably cost well over £1000 before plumbing costs, and the low flow-rate and water wastage would be very inconvenient in practice.

It has been known for some people – extremely isolated cases to react to RO water. However, it is the purest available and if you are unlucky enough to be that sensitive, it is probably still the best you can find. Manage your expectations if you are thinking of trying it though. Do not pin your hopes on it, just in case, if you have a history of exceptional sensitivity. Test it systematically before installing an expensive system. System suppliers can provide samples.

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Many chemicals used for car servicing, maintenance and cleaning are very troublesome; and there are virtually no good substitutes to suggest for engine maintenance, rust-proofing or repainting. If you are very chemically sensitive, it is probably wise not to do your own car servicing and maintenance.

If you have repairs, rust-proofing or service work done to your car, involving chemicals which upset you, get the garage to keep the car for a few hours, overnight or a day or two extra to allow the fumes to disperse.

For cleaning, Simoniz have a range of solvent-free car shampoos, available from car accessory shops. To clean the inside of a car thoroughly, vacuum, or steam clean if something drastic is needed. Do not use car fresheners. For windscreen wash, fill bottles just with water. Ask garages not to use any detergents in windscreen wash bottles, and not to use any detergents or polishes if they are servicing or repairing your car.

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If you cannot tolerate incontinence pads, try re-usable towels. The Green Catalogue sell re-usable sanitary towels with a waterproof backing. They are made of unbleached cotton, with an absorbent felt of viscose and polyester. Some people may not tolerate these, but they might be worth trying.

The Green Catalogue also sell disposable sanitary towels in non-chlorine bleached pulp if you are sensitive to chlorine.

If you can tolerate neither of these, try using a pure cotton muslin nappy (usually sold for babies). Fold the nappy and wear it with a pair of plastic waterproof pants over it, if you tolerate the plastic. If you do not tolerate the waterproof pants, try using a pair of thick cotton pants with a thin strip of plastic cut from a plastic bag placed between them and the folded nappy. Pin the nappy to the pants if you wish. Boots and Mothercare sell muslin nappies, usually non-chlorine bleached.

If you want to disinfect them after use and kill smells, make a solution of Borax in a bucket. Put one dessertspoonful of Borax in a bucket of warm water. Soak for up to a day, rinse and launder, preferably on a hot programme. Boots stock, or will order, domestic Borax.

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Fever

Aspirin sensitivity is common, so avoid it. Use paracetamol BP to reduce fever. It is well tolerated by people with allergies and sensitivities, and reduces high fever effectively. Most allergies tolerate ordinary Paracetamol BP tablets well.

If you are very sensitive, you may perhaps react to powders used in tabletting the paracetamol. Your doctor can prescribe for you pure paracetamol powder which has no other constituents. It is bitter and does not dissolve well, so is difficult to take; but it may suit you better.

If your baby or child reacts to the paracetamol liquids made for children, the cause may be colourings or flavourings. High fever in an infant or young child can be dangerous; take your doctor’s advice about alternatives to liquid paracetamol for babies and children.

Head Lice

Most proprietary treatments for head lice use very strong and troublesome chemicals. To prevent head lice infestation, shampoo hair frequently with hot water and brush regularly. This can damage young insects before they become established and prevent them laying eggs.

There is no natural remedy for head lice. Some treatments are made up in a water-based (aqueous) solution. These are better tolerated than those made up with alcohol.

Indigestion Relief

For indigestion, dissolve a teaspoon of sodium bicarbonate in a glass of water and drink. Take not more than three times a day, and not for prolonged periods. Consult your doctor if you are on a low-salt diet.

Persistent indigestion may be a symptom of food intolerance or allergy.

You can also take Boots Cream of Magnesia liquid for indigestion relief.

Inflammation of Joints

For an inflamed joint, you can apply a Kaolin poultice. Ask your pharmacist for instructions. You can also apply an ice pack, or a hot water bottle or hot cloths to ease joint inflammation. Do this gently at first.

Insect Repellent

Unless you are sensitive to plant terpenes, try using lavender oil, dabbed on heels, ankles, throat, and inner elbows to deter insects. Citronella can also be effective, but again take care if you are sensitive to plant oils.

Insect Stings

Bee stings are relieved by alkali solutions; wasp stings by acid solutions. Therefore, apply a solution of sodium bicarbonate to bee stings; apply vinegar or lemon juice to wasp stings, unless you react to these; in which case, you should use a weak solution of boric acid.

If your skin reacts badly to mosquito and other insect bites, dab on Boots Cream of Magnesia Liquid and allow to dry. This will soothe and reduce swelling.

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