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Many cosmetics nowadays are advertised as “natural,” but looking at the ingredients can cause you to wonder. To be sure of what you’re getting, read the label carefully. The following explanations of cosmetic ingredients should make things clearer.
Amyl Dimethyl PABA – a sun-screening agent from PABA, a B-complex factor.
Annatto – a vegetable colour obtained from the seeds of a tropical plant.
Avocado oil – a vegetable oil obtained from avocados
Caprylic/Capric triglyceride – an emollient obtained from coconut oil
Carrageenan – a natural thickening agent from dried Irish moss
Castor oil – emollient oil collected from the pressing of castor bean seeds
Cetyl alcohol – a component of vegetable oils
Cetyl palmitate – a component of palm and coconut oils
Citric acid – a natural organic acid found widely in citrus plants
Cocamide DEA – a thickener obtained from coconut oil
Coconut oil – obtained by pressing the kernels of the seeds of the coconut palm
Decyl oleate – obtained from tallow or coconut oil
Disodium monolaneth-5-sulphosuccinate – obtained from lanolin and used to improve the texture of hair
Fragrance – oils obtained from flowers, grasses, roots, and stems that give off a pleasant or agreeable odour
Goat milk whey – protein-rich whey obtained from goat’s milk
Glyceryl stearate – an organic emulsifier obtained from glycerin
Hydrogenated castor oil – a waxy material obtained from castor oil
Imidzaolidinyl urea – a preservative derived naturally as a product of protein metabolism [hydrolysis]
Lanolin alcohol – a constituent of lanolin that performs as an emollient and emulsifier
Laureth-3 – an organic material obtained from coconut and palm oils
Methyl glucoside sesquistearate – an organic emulsifier obtained from a natural simple sugar Mineral oil – an organic emollient and lubricant
Olive oil – a natural oil obtained from olives
Peanut oil – a vegetable oil obtained from peanuts
Pectin – derived from citrus fruits and apple peel PEG lanolin – an emollient and emulsifier obtained from lanolin
Petrolatum – petroleum jelly
P.O.E. [20] methyl glucoside sesquistearate – an organic emulsifier from a simple natural sugar
Potassium sorbate – obtained from sorbic acid found in the berries of mountain ash
Safflower oil-hybrid – a natural emollient obtained from a strain of specially cultivated plants Sesame oil – oil of pressed sesame seeds
Sodium cetyl sulphate – a detergent and emulsifier obtained from coconut oil
Sodium laureth sulphate – a detergent obtained from coconut oil
Sodium lauryl sulphate – a detergent obtained from coconut oil
Sodium PCA – a natural-occurring humectants found in the skin where it acts as the natural moisturizer
Sorbic acid – a natural preservative derived from berries of mountain ash
Tocopherol – a natural vitamin E
Undecylenamide DEA – a natural preservative derived from castor oil
Water – the universal solvent and the major constituent of all living material.
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GENERAL HEALTH
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You are likely to feel awkward, wanting to be helpful but not knowing what will help. It is a rare person who isn’t nervous about expressing condolences, who doesn’t hate confronting a new widow or widower. Most of us recoil at dealing with strong emotions. Even if we feel that speaking about what has happened is best, it is hard to see crying without taking action to gloss over the hurt. Yet words are so inadequate. The knee-jerk response is to resort to platitudes that sound silly even as they tumble from our mouths: ‘ ‘Think how lucky you were to have those wonderful fifty years.” “Time heals everything.” Experts advise that often the best thing to do is say “I’m sorry” and then listen – to give the widowed person a chance to talk. Your goal is not to make things better; nothing you say really can. Respect the person’s need to open up, but do not force the issue. Respect his or her dignity too.
Keeping occupied has saved my life during these six months. My friends and family have rallied around and are careful not to let me spend a long time by myself. By “being kept busy” I do not mean running away from thoughts of Stanley and the beautiful life we had. Almost every day my daughter Jane calls and we cry together: “Poor Daddy. Why did he have to suffer sol” Hike being with friends who knew and loved us as a couple. We can share memories, and I’m not ashamed to cry. On the other hand, I hate being forced to emote when I don’t want to. This happens most often with acquaintances who think they are being helpful by probing my inner state. The other day I was humiliated to find myself breaking down at the dentist’s. He had asked the question I think widows must hate most: “What a terrible tragedy! How are you getting along?”
Widows and widowers are touchy. Even when you try your hardest to be sensitive, you may feel you are putting your foot in your mouth. But it doesn’t matter. Develop a thick skin and hang in there. Even if you are rebuffed at times, what is important is that you continue to be there. We tend to remember the people who stick by us in adversity. Now is your chance to become – or ensure that you stay – treasured in the life of someone you care about.
Although advising the widowed person on practical matters that you have special knowledge about (such as the burial or taxes) may be helpful, avoid advising on matters of opinion: “You should be going out more.” “Why don’t you sell your house?” Try to restrain yourself when the impulse strikes to intervene in this way. Remember, it is understanding – not advice – that people need most. When you feel like making a suggestion, decide to ask this question instead: ‘ ‘What can I do to help?”
You may need to extend your mental timetable for how long things should take. Do not expect ^someone to have “recovered” after a few months. On the other hand, if more than a year has gone by and absolutely nothing has changed, then step in. You have a responsibility, to put it delicately, to tell your relative or friend that something is wrong: “People are usually not this distraught for this long. Perhaps you might want to think about getting professional help.”
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GENERAL HEALTH
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UMBILICAL HERNIA
If you notice that your baby has a little lump which protrudes from his umbilicus when he cries or coughs, it is likely that he has an umbilical hernia. This is very common and is caused by the ring which normally surrounds the umbilical cord failing to close completely after birth. An umbilical hernia generally does not cause problems, and usually does not persist beyond 5 years of age. In rare cases, a small loop of bowel can be trapped in the opening and may require surgical removal. Umbilical hernias which do not disappear or are larger than 2-3 cm can be repaired surgically — this is usually for cosmetic rather than medical reasons. Do not tape the hernia — it does not help and may damage the baby’s tender skin.
WIND (FLATULENCE, EXCESSIVE GAS)
Passing bowel gas is a normal and necessary function in humans. Bowel gas is released by gas-producing foods and by the swallowing of air. Children swallow large amounts of air when sucking on empty bottles, and when crying. Carbonated drinks cause excess wind, as do foods which are difficult to digest, such as beans. Occasionally excess wind is a sign of milk intolerance, and gas is increased during bouts of diarrhoea or with marked constipation. No treatment is necessary for excess wind, except perhaps teaching your child, when he is old enough, to pass wind in a socially acceptable manner!
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When children are sick they tend to vomit more readily than adults. It is often a single event and the child is back to normal again soon afterwards.
Cause
There are numerous causes of vomiting, but the most common is that associated with any infection, either viral or bacterial, even the common cold. Motion sickness is another cause of vomiting. Vomiting can sometimes occur in association with more serious illnesses such as appendicitis or meningitis.
Projectile vomiting, which is a forceful throwing up of the contents of the stomach, is characteristic of pyloric stenosis.
Young babies tend to vomit up small amounts of milk after feeds. This is called posseting, and is normal. It can usually be reduced if you burp your baby a little more during feeds.
Clinical features
Vomiting is often accompanied by abdominal pain and diarrhoea. Dehydration is one of the serious risks of vomiting, especially in young babies .
Treatment
Medications against vomiting should not be used in children due to the risk of serious side effects. The most important part of the treatment of vomiting is adequate fluid replacement to prevent dehydration.
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NAUSEA
Nausea is the feeling that you want to vomit. It is also known as being bilious or nauseated. Young children will not be able to tell you that they feel nauseated, but they may look pale and sweaty, and complain of a stomach ache. Older children will be able to describe additional symptoms such as dizziness.
Cause
There are many causes of nausea in children, but by far the most common are gastroenteritis, ear infections and motion sickness.
Treatment
Medications against nausea should not be given to children, due to the risk of serious side effects. If your child has nausea it is advisable to see your doctor.
SWALLOWED FOREIGN OBJECT
Babies and toddlers tend to explore things by placing them in their mouths and so they may swallow something which is not food. Many objects will be passed in the stools. If your child does not vomit, cough or complain of abdominal pain, simply sift the stools through a fine wire mesh for the next few days until the object appears. The commonest objects swallowed are coins and beads. Sometimes an X-ray may be taken to locate the object inside the gastrointestinal system.
If your child swallows a sharp, or poisonous object such as a battery or nails or pins, you should seek immediate medical attention. These objects can be life threatening. See also Essential first aid in Chapter 1 for Choking and poisoning.
When to see your doctor
Take your child to hospital immediately if he is choking, coughing, vomiting or having difficulty breathing, or if you are not sure what he has swallowed.
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Pyloric stenosis is a condition which can affect young babies during their first few weeks of life. It occurs more commonly in boys than in girls. The outlet of the stomach into the intestine (the pylorus) is normally surrounded by a sphincter of muscle which prevents food from moving backwards. In babies with pyloric stenosis there is a thickening of this muscle and this causes a blockage.
Cause
The exact cause of pyloric stenosis is not known but it is thought to be influenced by genetic factors.
Clinical features
The classic sign of pyloric stenosis is projectile vomiting, which is a very forceful throwing up of the contents of the stomach, and results from a build up of stomach contents which cannot pass on to the intestine. The baby may also fail to gain weight and may be constipated. The baby is usually restless and cries a lot. He may wish to feed immediately after vomiting because he is hungry. If not diagnosed early, the baby is at risk of becoming dehydrated. Occasionally a lump can be felt in the upper abdomen during feeding.
Investigations
A barium meal is usually administered to confirm the diagnosis, although this may be unnecessary if the doctor can feel the lump.
Treatment
If there is a strong suspicion that your baby has pyloric stenosis, he will be admitted to hospital immediately for surgery. An operation will be performed to release the blockage by splitting the overgrown muscle fibres of the pylorus. This operation usually has no complications and the baby can be taken home after a few days.
When to see your doctor
See your doctor immediately if your baby has the symptoms described.
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If the child passes a bowel movement into the potty, praise him profusely. However, it is then important not to give him the idea that he is expected to do this every time. Revert back to the low key suggestion that he sit on the potty, and don’t be distressed if, after initially delivering the goods, he then resists or doesn’t do it again for a long time. This is a crucial stage, for if the child suddenly becomes aware of just how much this miserable bowel action means to his parents, then he just may realise at the same time the sort of power he wields.
Once this process has taken place, at some stage the child will begin to use the potty regularly, initially for faeces and then soon after for urine, at which point the child is essentially toilet trained. However, parents must expect that it may not go so smoothly — there may well be stops and starts, as well as frequent accidents. Again, it is important to be relaxed and low key about these as well.
There are several other points that are worth emphasising:
1. Never punish your child for any ‘mistakes’ in toilet training, or to subsequent accidents, no matter how frustrating they are to you. This will only make matters worse, and will most likely delay the completion of successful toilet training. Praise and encouragement are always a much better strategy, not only for toilet training but in all interactions with children.
2. Let the completion of toilet training be the child’s accomplishment rather than yours. You can share his pride, but it is important to allow your child to determine the timing and the pace of his toilet training.
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This is the symptom that you probably worry about the most, even if you don’t have it! Here are some facts that may surprise you. Cancer is not always painful, not even at the end. Cancer pain reacts to painkillers just like any other pain. When people with cancer do get pain, it is always possible to greatly relieve it, and sometimes even to get rid of it completely.
I know why you are anxious and frightened about the possibility of pain. You have read about, heard of, or known people who did have pain with cancer and whose pain was not controlled. You, yourself, may even have pain which is not being controlled right now. It doesn’t have to be that way for you.
We can do something about it. The most common reason for unrelieved cancer pain is simply ignorance— ignorance on the part of many doctors and nurses, as well as on the part of many people with cancer. Many doctors and nurses simply don’t know enough about the individual painkillers and how to use them most effectively. They don’t know how small the risk of addiction is when painkillers are used simply to control pain. Sometimes they don’t even know that it is realistic to aim for good control of cancer pain with painkillers.
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Vitamins and their place in human nutrition are very poorly understood by most people.
Sold and swallowed in large quantities to give instant energy, restore potency or prevent colds, they represent an expensive, but also a probably useless fad.
The vitamins are organic chemicals present in small quantities in food, and are necessary for the normal nutrition of the body.
Vitamins are divided into two groups — the water-soluble vitamins (the  group and Vitamin C) and the fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E and K).
The body requires a certain minimal amount of these chemicals daily for the proper maintenance of health. If the diet contains less than the required amount for long enough, then signs and symptoms of a deficiency state will occur.
However, taking an excess quantity of vitamins — above that necessary for health — provides no extra benefit. In fact, with some of the vitamins, such as A and D, definite disease states may occur from excessive intake.
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The heart is a pump and regular, sustained exercise makes the heart work harder and so improves its efficiency.
The heart rate slows and the stroke volume — the amount pumped with each beat — increases. The coronary arteries dilate and become permanently wider.
Arteriosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, is associated with a laying down of the atheroma or fatty tissue along the inner walls of the artery. This — like rust in a pipe — narrows the artery and can obstruct the blood flow. Widened arteries can take a great deal more build-up of atheroma before the narrowing obstructs the blood flow.
The lungs become more efficient and develop a greater capacity. But exercise also has other effects on the body.
Those who exercise regularly appear to become addicted to it. Certainly it gives a good reason for stopping smoking. You can’t really become fit while you continue to smoke.
Some experts have come up with a reason why those who push themselves hard with physical exercise seem to enjoy it despite the pain of aching limbs and a panting chest.
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