Friday, February 27, 2009

Preventing and treating diaper rash


Ask the pharmacist

Everybody knew about diaper rash, it is one of the most common skin problems for baby. Usually it occurs anytime or most common between 9-12 months becoz of wearing diaper.

How do we treat diaper rashes?
Remember ABCDE
A = air out the skin by allowing the child to go diaper-free to reduce skin contact with feces and urine
B = barrier; use a paste or ointment to protect the skin, apply thickly dont save, choose those without preservative, do not use powder becoz of inhalation risk

These two are my favourites

C = clean; keep the skin clean
D = disposable diapers; during an episode of diaper rash, consider using disposable rather than cloth diapers, why? becoz disposable have a better absorption
E = educate; educate yourself about how to prevent a recurrence of diaper rash

If your baby develops fever > 38ÂșC or has bloody stool, constipation, diarrhea, frequent urination, or any other worrisome signs or symptoms, u should see your doctor especially if the baby develop blisters or sores.

So, far my baby have 0% rashes becoz we practice above methods. Hope this article can help for new father and new mother. Congratulations on your new born baby.

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

When should a mother get pregnant again after delivery?


When should i get pregnant again?

It is common questions among new mother, including us, after we had our first child.

Ask the pharmacist

1)If a person get pregnant again in less than 6 months, the risk of preterm birth is the highest. They will face the risk of uterine rupture in women attempting vaginal birth after previous cesarean delivery. Short interval does not allow sufficient time for the mother to recover from nutritional burden and the stress. In young women which is still in adolescent age, they maybe competing nutrients with the baby.

2)If the interval exceed 60 months, then the risk of preeclampsia, labor dystocia, preterm birth, low birth weight and small for gestational age infant. They may also face the risk of still birth. Pregnancy improves the uterine capacity for promoting optimal fetal growth and support by increasing uterine blood flow. According to physiological regression hypothesis, these effects might loss as the time goes.

3)In conclusion, the optimal interpregnancy interval should be around 18-59 months. So i guess my baby wont have a brother or sister until she is 2 years old.

Bzzzzz...Bzzzz..... I am a BEE!!

Jaundice in baby

Jaundice is a yellow discoloration of the skin and eye's white caused by bilirubin. Bilirubin is formed when red blood cells are broken down and cleared through liver and then goes out from the butt. When the rate of productions is higher than the rate of excretions, bilirubin will be deposited on the skin causing yellow discoloration. Jaundice is common in premature infants, especially those born before 37 weeks. There are two types of jaundice.

Physiologic jaundice-
affect all newborns, between 72-96 hours after birth and goes away by one to 2 week after birth

Hyperbilirubinemia
-more serious, developed within 24 hours of life

The baby does not feel discomfort or pain, but elevation of the bilirubin level may cross to the brain and cause reversible acute bilirubin encephalopathy or permenant damage named kernicterus.

Baby with mild jaundice may not required treatment. Only those with level >12mg/dL required treatment. Main treatment is phototherapy which the baby's skin is exposed to bright lights. Side effect of phototherapy are rashes, loose stools, overheating or dehydration. Monitoring the number of wet diapers and checking the body temperature is important. Some baby may develop into grayish brown discoloration called bronze baby syndrome but it is not harmful and they will recover after several weeks.

Mr Kok Can goats milk help for my baby's jaundice?
1) Goat milk contains primarily medium and short chain fatty acids so it is digested more eaily compared with cow milk. But it is usually deficient in iron and vitamin D. Therefore make sure your goat milk is fortified with iron and vitamin D before u purchase.
2) No harm to try goats milk, but still breast milk is the best.

Monday, February 23, 2009

Diabetic case discussion

Recently i had a discussion in MCPA forum regarding a diabetes case study. Since i dont have anything to post in my blog, i decided to paste the discussion here. If u r taking a lot of medicines and u think u want a medications counselling, pls email me your details.

Case study in MCPA

A 61 years old female with Type II diabetes. Most importantly is that she is obese with BMI of 34.5.
She has been taking:
Metformin 500mg, 1BD for 2-3 years
Simvastatin 40mg, 1ON for 2-3 years (It is for prevention of heart disease, as it is stated that diabetic patient with the age of over 40 years is at high risk of getting cardiovascular disease)
However, 3 months ago her blood glucose was measured high, which in this case, Gliclazide 80mg, 2OD was added on for her, so she's now under gliclazide ,metformin and simvastatin for three months so far.
She has the side-effect of diarrhoea from the medication she's on all this while though we don't know which medication is it.

Sulphonylureas are not recommended or suggested for overweight patient, therefore, what should we do about that?
How do we get rid of her diarrhoea problem with proper medication to control or maintain her blood glucose?
What are the alternatives for simvastatin or metformin if diarrhoea is coming from either of them?

Ask the pharmacist
My answer:

The most important thing is to reduce the microvascular complications.

Always check for HbA1C and target it to be less than 7%, go for lab
test.
Metformin is the main treatment in this case, esp becoz it doesn't
cause weight gain and with it alone can reduce up to 1.5% HbA1C.
She have not maximized her metformin dosage yet, ie 2tds. Can try
before using gliclazide. As for sulphonylureas, i will prefer minidiab
than gliclazide as it is shorter acting.

As for avandia, i will prefer Actos becoz i am concern for her lipid
profile and the risk of cardiovascular effect. But it is associated
with weight gain and also some fluid retention as well. Bear in mind
Avandia also cause osteoporosis since she is a lady.

I wont recommend acarbose as she already having diarrhea. Try to
identify the which medication cause the diarrhea by stopping it and
monitor. In between, i would advise her to take some probiotics and
also psyllium husk. Most probably is her metformin which causes the
diarrhea.

It is still the best if she can inject basal insulin at night. Start
with 10 units around 10pm and check her fasting glucose at 8am for 3
days. Increase 2-4 units if mean FBG is >7.2mmol/L

Lastly, as always, pls consult your doctor. .

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Astro Hp Notebook Promotion 2009

My second HP and AMD

As a subscriber for Astro, i get to purchase hp notebook for a discounted price of RM 1850. Its market price said to be RM 2199.

AMD Athlon Mobile Processor Tur64 RM-72 Processor (2.0 GHz)
• 2GB Memory for my photoshop
• 250GB HDD
• DVD +/- RW Double Layer Drive
• 14.1” TFT WXGA High definition Widescreen LCD panel with brightview Technology
• Integrated Webcam with microphone
• 5 in 1 integrated Digital Media Reader
• 3USB ports
• Built in Altec Lansing Speaker
• WIFI
• ATI Radeon 3200 Graphics
• Windows Vista Basic

Am i getting a good deal? I think so.
Why i choose AMD? Not that i like AMD, but becoz i dont like Intel Media Accelerator.

Thursday, February 12, 2009

DIY LightBox

Since i got my flash, i always want to make my own lightbox. I have been procrastinating this project until now, and without reason, somehow i suddenly want to make one.

The box sponsored by Pill Chi Kit Teck Aun


Finished project


The results


So, ok or not?

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

It that a news? Denial or Truth?


Angin Perubahan Rakyat Perak Beri Kelebihan Kepada BN Di Bukit Gantang
Posted on Tuesday, February 10 @ 09:30:07 MYT

Oleh Kefli Zaini

Kota Belud -- Pengerusi Pemuda Barisan Nasional (BN), Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein percaya angin perubahan berikutan penolakan rakyat terhadap Pakatan Rakyat di Perak memberi peluang kepada BN untuk merampas kerusi Parlimen Bukit Gantang.

Jelasnya jika pilihan raya kecil diadakan berikutan kematian penyandangnya, Roslan Shaharum, BN mempunyai peluang cerah berdasarkan keadaan politik semasa membabitkan Pakatan Rakyat di negeri itu.

"Politik di Perak mula menampakkan angin perubahan berikutan penolakan rakyat terhadap Pakatan Rakyat yang gagal membela nasib mereka.

"Berdasarkan kematangan penduduk Perak berpolitik dengan menolak kerajaan Pakatan Rakyat, kita yakin BN mempunyai peluang cerah mendapatkan semula kerusi Parlimen Bukit Gantang", katanya.

Beliau berkata demikian semasa perjumpaan dengan UMNO bahagian Kota Belud di sini, Isnin.

Pada pilihan raya umum 8 Mac tahun lalu, Roslan memenangi kerusi Parlimen Bukit Gantang dengan menewaskan calon BN yang juga Bendahari UMNO, Datuk Abdul Azim Zabidi dan calon Bebas, Mohganan P Manikam dengan majoriti 1,566 undi.

Allahyarham meraih 20,015 undi berbanding Azim (18,449) manakala Mohganan hilang wang pertaruhan apabila cuma mendapat 872 undi.

Roslan meninggal dunia di Changkat Lallang, Batu Gajah, tengah hari tadi, dipercayai akibat serangan jantung.

Hishammuddin yang juga Ketua Pergerakan Pemuda UMNO Malaysia berkata sungguhpun situasi di Perak tidak memihak kepada Pakatan Rakyat namun BN dan UMNO tidak boleh memandang mudah tugas itu kerana ia memerlukan kerja keras semua pihak terutama komponen BN.

Perubahan corak pemikiran rakyat Perak ketika ini tegas beliau memberi gambaran awal terhadap keupayaan BN merampas kerusi berkenaan.

"Justeru Pemuda UMNO dan BN akan menggerakkan seluruh jentera bagi membantu kempen ke arah memastikan BN berjaya menawan kerusi berkenaan", ujarnya.
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I got above news from www.pemudaumno.org.my. So u think it is true or false?
As a Perakian, lets the result speak for itself. 60 days to go only mar...b4 by-election

My beloved S3 IS

I got my S3 IS back. Yup, after a year of holidaying in china, finally she is back. She is my first digital camera way back in 2006 after i was poisoned to buy her home. I tested her today for my father's newly bought second hand phone from lelong.

Do u know what is this model?
Now i can shoot macro.
B4 this, i always had problems with my DSLR becoz i dont have macro lens.

Thursday, February 05, 2009

Our national Car review by Top Gear

I got this link from PM bkhong in PM forum.


What a joke

Wednesday, February 04, 2009

PTPTN SSPN Skim Simpanan Pendidikan Nasional


The best thing which i can afford right now is to deposit into SSPN for my baby. SSPN is a scheme offered by PTPTN to save money for children education.

Let me highlight some of the benefits by opening a SSPN account,
  • Tax relief on savings up until RM3,000 per year;
  • Free insurance coverage up until RM50,000 for depositors who have an accumulated deposit of a minimum of RM1,000 ;
  • Matching grant with a maximum endowment of RM10,000 per family ;
That means if i am in the 7% bracket income tax and deposited max of RM 3000 for her, i can claim back RM 210.

Savings in SSPN will give 4% pa. So, 7%+4% is 12% pa on the RM 3000. Which insurance company can give that performance? And the risk is almost 0 since it is gov backed scheme. Even if the gov collapse, it wont be affected.

So, what if if i am in a higher income tax bracket? Let say 13%? Then the total would be 17% return!!. Wah Lau eh!! Where to get? Not only it is good for baby, it also good for me. If i have another baby, my wife can be the other depositor, then both of us also can claim. WIN-WIN.

Yeah Baby!

Pai Ti Kong- Hokkien New Year

This is what we do on the 9th day of Chinese Lunar New Year. It is suppose to be Chinese New Year for the Hokkiens. Every year we will prepare a lot of foods, yes FOODS. Then we burn some joss sticks and money paper for the Jade Emperor, and after that we have a FOOD party. Nice right? Haha






First time baby pai ti kong


Baby also want to take part in the ceremony


Who need flash if u have 50mm f1.8?

Tuesday, February 03, 2009

I can't believe it

The first thing i did on my last CNY was to look at the newspaper and check for Big Sweep Jackpot result. Who knows i may get lucky on first day on CNY, since they were saying Year of Bull will bring luck to Monkey Zodiac. And then i saw this

The jackpot RM 9 Millions went to 8 1148 118.
8 in chinese is fatt means wealthy
1 is daily
4 is die

8 1148 118 translated into wealthy, everyday die wealthy, everyday wealthy

If i see that ticket, sure i would buy it.
Oogway says, "There are no accidents."Haha..i just love Kung Fu Panda.