Free CPR and Free First Aid Certification Classes Training Courses Online

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Learn cpr and first aid today for free (or low cost)! Online Free CPR and Free first aid training certification classes are not only fast and convenient, it may be also offered for free or for a very low cost. Online courses, or the virtual class, is designed for those people who want to learn CPR and BFA but may not wish to spend a lot of time or money to do so, and cover the same fundamentals and teach cognitive skills as the more expensive and lengthy classes offered by American Red Cross® and The American Heart Association® as well as numerous private schools. Quick and convenient online CPR (CardioPulmonary Resuscitation) Recertification can now be easily obtained online on your own time. Learn how to do cpr, aed, first aid, bls and acls training courses. Classes include Hearstaver, ACLS and Healthcare Provider BLS Courses. Save a life today. Use our site to know where to sign up online or at an official center for your 2 year certification card.

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Always make sure your AHA testing center is accredited and will give you cards the same day or within one week. Do not take and do not be fooled by other sites that offer only "online" cards that you can print or get in the mail. For allied health professionals, nannies, nurses, doctors, therapists and others, you must take both a written test and a practical skills test. Do you need Healthcare Provider Basic Life Support (BLS), Heartsaver CPR with AED and First Aid or Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)?

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Can you save a life? In an emergency, when every second is critical, would you know what to do?

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According to recent statistics sudden cardiac arrest is rapidly becoming the leading cause of death in America. Once the heart ceases to function, a healthy human brain may survive without oxygen for up to 4 minutes without suffering any permanent damage. It is during those critical minutes that CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation) can provide oxygenated blood to the victim's brain and the heart, dramatically increasing his chance of survival. And if properly instructed, almost anyone can learn and perform CPR. Use our site to also learn about basic first aid skills such as burns, cuts, respiratory problems, choking, splinting fractures, sprains, strains, when to use heat or ice & what to do in case of allergies or shock.

Typical things covered in a CPR and First Aid course are:
Adult cpr
Child cpr
Infant / Pediatric cpr
Choking
Drowning
Heat Illnesses
Sprains and Strains
Shock
Burns
Sprains and Strains
How to manage the situation
Who to call for help
Repiratory problems and using an epi pen
Spinal injuries and bracing

Anyone can sign up for CPR and First Aid certification at the nearest local Red Cross, American Heart Association -approved center, Fire Department or Private company in your own area. But there are also many programs available online for cheap or for free! If you do an online certification training course, be sure you employer does not need you to have a "practical skills" portion of the exam. If you do need a practical skills portion (needed for many agencies, nurses, bls healthcare providers, etc) you should take a traditional classroom course.

Free CPR and Free First Aid Certification Classes Training Courses Online

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Sneezing Cat - What Does it Mean?

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A sneezing cat may have a cold or other respiratory illness. He may have something stuck in his nose. These are just two of the possible causes for sneezing in cats.

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A cold in a cat may be viral, bacterial, or fungal in nature. Each will require a different treatment, best done by your vet. Since sneezing can be caused by many different things, and because you may not know exactly how sick your cat is, you should seek the advice of your vet.

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Cats may also sneeze in response to strong chemicals or cigarette smoke. Different cats show different sensitivities to chemicals. Many flat-faced cats are more sensitive to chemicals and may sneeze in response to exposure. Suspect your perfume, cleaners, or insecticide sprays if you cat suddenly starts sneezing.

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Allergies may cause your cat to sneeze. Cats are susceptible to the same allergies as humans, such as trees, grasses, pollens, and other airborne allergens. Allergy testing may be required if your cat is bothered by excessive sneezing.

Other uncommon causes of sneezing in cats may be nose polyps, cancer, and ear infections. If you suspect any of these, or if you just cannot determine the cause of your cat's sneezing, take him to the vet for diagnosis.

If your cat sneezes blood, it may or may not be serious, but should be checked immediately. It may be as serious as nose cancer, or as simple as a mild cold.

An uncommon cause for a cat sneezing is dental problems. Tooth abscesses or infections in the upper teeth can travel to the nasal cavity and cause sneezing. Only a vet can determine the exact cause and possible treatment.

Sneezing becomes a problem when it causes the cat to become cranky. Additionally, a sneezing cat makes it almost impossible for the cat, or the owner, to get adequate sleep. This can lead to irritability for both.

A veterinarian is the only one who can decisively determine what is causing the cat to sneeze. Methods of determining the cause may include physical exam, an MRI, blood tests, nasal swabs, polyp biopsy, skull x-ray, and endoscope of the nasal passage, biopsy of the nasal lining.

Treatment for the bleeding depends, of course on the cause. Treatment may include surgical intervention, medicine to treat viral or bacterial infections, and treatment for allergies or asthma, as indicated.

Though a sneezing cat is no joke, there have been some superstitions surrounding cats over the years. Some of these include: cat sneezing once -rain is predicted; cat sneezing three times--the family will catch a cold; and good luck will come to all who hear a cat sneezing.

Sneezing Cat - What Does it Mean?

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Help, My Dog is Vomiting

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Vomiting in dogs is a very common occurrence and can arise from a wide variety of causes, from simple gastritis to complex diseases of other body systems. Not only is it very distressing for both the dog and owner, it also provides a challenge for the veterinarian. This article explains the multiple causes of vomiting in dogs, including adverse food reactions, and the range of treatment options available.

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What is vomiting?

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Vomiting is the expulsion of food, fluid or debris from the stomach or small intestine due to coordinated movements of the gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal and nervous systems. It is important to differentiate this from regurgitation, which is a passive process rather than a coordinated effort like vomiting.

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Regurgitation is a sign of disease in the esophagus, such as obstructions (foreign bodies such as a stick, bone or toy, or a stricture), esophagitis (inflammation of the esophagus) or megaesophagus (dilatation of the esophagus due to weakening of the smooth muscle). The main difference between regurgitation and vomiting is that regurgitation is effortless, while vomiting is accompanied by strong abdominal contractions.

How can I tell vomiting and regurgitation apart?

Sometimes this is not easy to do. Generally speaking, if it happens immediately after eating it is more likely to be regurgitation (though vomiting can still occur then). If the content of the material expelled appears to be completely undigested food, this also supports regurgitation. If the presence of bile can be confirmed though, it is more likely to be vomiting.

Causes of vomiting

The most common causes of vomiting are dietary related, either through dietary indiscretion (e.g. overeating, eating overly rich or spoiled food) which causes acute (sudden) vomiting, or adverse food reactions (food allergies) which can cause chronic (long term and intermittent) vomiting.

However, there are a huge number of other causes arising from either the gastrointestinal system itself (stomach and small intestine) or secondary to disease elsewhere in the body (e.g. liver or kidney disease). Within the stomach, possible causes include:

1. Gastritis (inflammatory disease)

2. Stomach ulceration

3. Stomach cancer

4. Obstruction (foreign bodies, telescoping of intestine)

5. Hiatal hernia (part stomach herniating through the diaphragm)

Possible causes within the intestine include:

1. Infectious diseases (e.g. parvovirus)

2. Worms

3. Inflammatory bowel disease

4. Intestinal cancer

Secondary causes of vomiting that are due to disease elsewhere in the body include:

1. Pancreatitis (infection or inflammation of the pancreas)

2. Peritonitis (infection in the abdominal cavity)

3. Hepatitis (liver inflammation)

4. Kidney failure

5. Pyometra (infection of the uterus)

6. Hormonal deficiencies or excesses (e.g. Addisons disease, Diabetes Mellitus, Septicemia, Calcium imbalance)

Other potential causes that do not fit into the above categories are drug reactions (e.g. digoxin, chemotherapy drugs, NSAIDs) and neurological disorders.

Treatment of vomiting

Vomiting is a symptom, not a disease in itself. Whether or not treatment is appropriate depends upon the individual circumstances. If the dog is only vomiting occasionally, is bright and otherwise normal on examination, treatment is probably not necessary. Some dogs with sensitive digestive systems will vomit once or twice a month regardless of any treatment, and if they are otherwise well this should be ignored.

For acute vomiting cases, the first step should always be to starve the dog for 24 hours (while keeping plenty of water available ad lib). After the period of starvation, the dog should be offered small portions of a very bland food, such as chicken and boiled rice, for a few days. Meals should be fed as smaller portions several times a day, rather than one larger meal.

Though treating the symptom itself will often improve patient demeanor and comfort, it is no replacement for making a correct diagnosis of the underlying cause, and certain drugs can be harmful if given blindly (for example, giving metoclopromide to a dog with a gastric or intestinal obstruction). Certainly cases of acute and severe vomiting require immediate treatment, as dogs can become rapidly dehydrated, develop electrolyte imbalances and aspiration pneumonia otherwise.

Managing the vomiting dog

There are 2 goals when dealing with a vomiting dog:

1. Identify the underlying cause

2. Stop the vomiting in a safe and effective manner

In many cases, anti emetic therapy (the technical term for vomiting is emesis, and therefore drugs used to treat it are called anti emetics) is instigated immediately while the cause is being established.

A veterinarian will start by taking a full history, focusing especially on normal diet, recent medication, vaccination status and the description of the symptoms. He or she must first make sure that the dog is genuinely vomiting and not regurgitating, which has a completely different set of underlying causes. It is also important to get a graphic description of the material expelled, and whether it contained bile, fresh blood or what appears to be coffee granules (partly digested blood).

The next step is a full clinical examination, including carefully feeling the abdomen, taking the dogs rectal temperature and assessing the hydration status. Once this is completed, a veterinarian will have a slightly narrowed down list of differential diagnoses in mind. If the dog is not dehydrated, bright in demeanor, and both vital parameters and feeling the abdomen were normal, the veterinarian will often (and rightly so) make a presumptive diagnosis of gastritis, or gastroenteritis if diarrhea is present too, and prescribe antibiotics to combat the likely bacterial infection. The owner is then likely to be sent home with instructions to starve the dog for 24hrs and give bland food for a few days, alongside the antibiotics. The owner is instructed to monitor the dog closely, and return immediately if there are any signs of deterioration, or 2 to 3 days later for a routine check up.

If there are any findings in the clinical history or the physical examination that trigger concern, then further tests are necessary. The first of these is usually blood tests for hematology and biochemistry profiles. Urine and feces may also be analysed, the latter for either nasty bacteria or parasites. Additional laboratory tests may be required in certain circumstances, such as bile acid stimulation testing if liver dysfunction is suspected, or an ACTH stimulation test to look for adrenal disease.

The next stage of the work up involves imaging. The most useful is abdominal radiography (xrays), but ultrasonography and endoscopy can also be very important. Radiography and endoscopy both have to be carried out under general anesthesia, while ultrasonography can be performed conscious. If the imaging does not reveal the underlying cause then biopsies may be taken, either endoscopically guided or via exploratory surgery. Histopathology of these samples (studying the tissue microscopically) can give vital clues as to the cause, particularly by differentiating between inflammation and cancer.

The final diagnostic option is the therapeutic trial. If the dog gets better on the medication prescribed, then it must have been a certain type of disease that responds to that drug. By this rationale, wormers, antibiotics or an exclusion diet trial may be chosen.

Drugs used in the treatment of vomiting

1. Stomach protectants and antacids

These medications are useful when stomach ulceration is suspected. Examples include sucralfate (acts like a band aid over the ulcer), H2 antagonists (reduce acid production) and omeprazole (also reduces acidity).

2. Metoclopromide

This drug blocks a neurotransmitter in the brain called dopamine, which prevents activation of the vomiting centre in the brain (known as the Chemoreceptor Trigger Zone). It is only partially effective in doing this though, and has the additional effect of increasing forward motility of the gut. This means it must never be given to dogs that might have a stomach or intestinal obstruction. It can also cause mental changes such as hyperactivity and disorientation.

3. Phenothiazines (e.g. Acepromazine, ACP)

These are effective at blocking the dopamine receptors mentioned above, in addition to other receptors involved in the vomiting reflex. They are usually used when metoclopromide has failed, but also have undesirable side effects such as low blood pressure and sedation.

4. Antihistamines

Histamine receptors are also present in the Chemoreceptor Trigger Zone, the part of the brain that controls the vomiting reflex. Antihistamines are effective in blocking vomiting that is due to motion sickness, but are little use against other causes.

5. Domperidone

Domperidone has a similar action to metoclopromide in that it blocks dopamine receptors and secondarily blocks serotonin receptors, but it does not have the promotility effects of metoclopromide. However, side effects include vulval enlargement and possible effects on fertility.

6. Maropitant

This is a new drug that is a Neurokinin 1 (NK1) receptor antagonist. It can be given orally or by injection, and is extremely effective at stopping vomiting by working both on the vomiting centre in the brain and on the stomach itself. It is deemed so effective at stopping vomiting that veterinarians must be careful to properly investigate potentially dangerous underlying causes, that could be masked fatally by this drug.

Help, My Dog is Vomiting

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Dangers of Gardasil Starting to Emerge

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On May 22, 2007, five schoolgirls at Sacred Heart Girls College in suburban Melbourne, Australia, were taken to the hospital after receiving an injection of Gardasil, the newest vaccine to be mandated for cervical cancer. Soon after the vaccination, twenty-six girls were seen at the campus medical clinic. Five were admitted to the hospital: Two were kept overnight for dizziness; one had temporary paralysis and loss of speech. The condition of the remaining two was not known. (1)

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In the U.S., symptoms similar to those experienced by the Australian girls have been reported to the Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS). Since the approval of the vaccine in June, 2006, there have been at least 1,600 adverse events reported. Here are a few examples directly from the VAERS reporting pages:

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“Immediately after injection patient complained of severe pain at site. Fell off table and fainted for approximately 10 - 15 seconds. Hyperventilating. Complained of headache, blurry vision; vision test was normal. Vomiting x 1 in parking lot and speech was momentarily inarticulate. Sent to ER where her neurological exam was normal except for word recall "coffee instead of coughing" and said "Sired instead of tired."

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“A female patient was vaccinated with a first dose of HPV Vaccine. Subsequently as the patient was leaving the examination room, the patient fainted. The patient recovered shortly after fainting.”

“A 14 year old female was vaccinated with Gardasil. It was reported that the patient was sitting on a bench. When the nurse left the room, the patient apparently fainted and ended up falling off bench. It was reported that it was unsure if the patient had broken her nose but there was blood. At the time of this report, the outcome of the events were unknown.”

VAERS is a passive surveillance system and depends upon voluntary reporting by clinicians and parents of serious health problems following vaccination. Although VAERS reports do not prove causation, they can provide a warning system that a vaccine may be causing health problems.

It has been estimated that fewer than 10 percent, even as low as 1 to 4 percent, of adverse events from a prescription drug or a vaccine are ever reported.(2) If only 1 percent of all adverse events associated with Gardasil are being reported to VAERS, there could have been as many as 160,000 acute health problems from the vaccine in less than one year. The long term neurological or immune system complications are completely unknown. It is uncertain if any of these vaccinated children will go on to develop fertility problems, cancer or damage to their genes, all of which Merck admits in its product insert have not been studied.

John Iskander, from the Center for Disease Control’s immunization safety office has said, "There is absolutely no reason to think that there is anything in this vaccine that's going to make people more likely to faint". (3) Despite his assurances, there are ingredients in the vaccine that can cause recipients to become dizzy and faint.

Histidine, an amino acid, readily converts into another amino acid, histamine, when it enters the body. When released, histamine causes redness, swelling, itching and allergic reactions leading to widening of capillaries, decreased blood pressure… people can faint. The vaccine also contains Polysorbate 80, an agent used in creams, ointments, lotions, and multiple medical preparations including vitamin oils, and anticancer agents. Polysorbate 80 can cause potentially fatal reactions in including anaphylaxis, characterized by a sharp drop in blood pressure, hives, and breathing difficulties… people can faint. (4)

Fainting spells after vaccination can have serious consequences. An article published in the Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine (1997), reviewed the 697 reports of syncope (fainting) that occurred after vaccination and had been reported to VAERS between 1990 and 1995. More than 97 percent of the events have occurred within 30 minutes of a vaccine, establishing a causal relationship. Of these, six patients sustained a serious head injury, including skull fracture, cerebral bleeding and cerebral contusion. Three of these patients required brain surgery and two were left with substantial residual neurological deficits at six months to two years after follow-up. (5) Dizziness and fainting after vaccination is not something to be taken lightly.

As for the children in Australia, the vaccination program is scheduled to continue in June. “The college is confident that this program of vaccination is safe to offer to students," says Christopher Dalton, the school principal. "We will be working with the Department of Human Services Victoria and the City of Monash Immunization Services in the planning vaccination program."

The assumption is that illness and dizziness are “normal reactions” to a vaccine. The overriding theme for the Australians is that “We have a vaccine, and we will use it.” For little girls in the U.S., watchful waiting is advised.

________________________________________

REFERENCES

(1) “Vaccine linked to sickness.” [http://www.news.com.au/story/0],23599,21774793-2,00.html

(2) Braun M. Vaccine adverse event reporting system (VAERS): usefulness and limitations. John’s Hopkins Bloomburg School of Public Health. http://www.vaccinesafety.edu/VAERS.htm

(3) CDC Says Gardasil's Side Effects Minor, Additional Warning Labels Unnecessary. Feb. 26, 2007 http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=63651

(4) Coors, EA. Polysorbate 80 in medical products and nonimmunologic anaphylactoid reactions. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2005 Dec;95(6):593-9. PMID: 16400901

(5) Braun MM, et al. Syncope after immunization. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 1997;151:255-9.

Dangers of Gardasil Starting to Emerge

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Six Common Causes of Lip Sores

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Comment from my mailbox: Hi Dr. Moffat --I just wanted to let you know that my lips cracking in the corners are all healed up today! Looks like the call on the lip balm was perfect -- I started using mint lip balm from Trader Joe's after I got your message on Monday. The little bumps on the upper edge of my lip is also gone and the corners aren't all puffy anymore either. Thanks again for testing that for me. The fact that it wasn't healing was driving me nuts. Sheila.

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Sheila was having a couple different challenges with her lips. Because they were not responding, she kept trying new things. We found several things she was using occasionally and a couple of things she was using more consistently that she was allergic to.

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This is a common thing that people do for both themselves and their pets (trying lots of products when something isn't working then not knowing which products are causing the problem.) Unfortunately sometimes this only makes the problem worse and difficult to decipher--unless you use muscle testing which is what we did.

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In general though:

1) People are often allergic to products containing petroleum and even some products labeled "hypoallergenic". Occasionally people are allergic to their toothpaste and more often to their lipstick/lip balm. Many people are allergic to Neosporin and Chap Stick. I recommend Mentholatum Lip Balm often. It comes in tube, like Chap Stick. There are also homeopathic remedies to detox the body of what it is allergically responding to.

2) Sores on the outside corners of the mouth are usually vitamin deficiencies--especially vitamin B6.

3) Sores on the top and bottom lip edge are often allergies to something being put on the lips and often this can be aggravated by sunshine.

4) Canker sores, herpes sores and cold sores are often related to what it is in the person's life that they are "biting their tongue" about or not saying out loud and is also accentuated by stress, poor diet, not enough raw foods, and sleep issues (in combination of course).

5) Sores inside the lip and under the tongue can sometimes be viral in origin or an allergy to something. I know a few people who are allergic to nutmeg which causes a little vesicle to form under the tongue on the frenulum.

6) White sores on the mouth are usually caused from yeast (Candida). Try getting a lip product that contains Myrrh essential oil. You will also have incorporate lifestyle changes to overcome the yeast inside your system.

I hope those clues can empower you to figure out the cause of the most common lip challenges. Sometimes they make your lips itch, they can make you feel ugly, and you certainly don't want to kiss anybody! We don't want that for you as loving yourself is the most important thing you can do for your family and your planet!

Six Common Causes of Lip Sores

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Gluten Causes Bi-Polar, Rage, ADD

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Gluten Intolerance Causes Behavior Problems?-- No Way!

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Little did I know how much food itself (and gluten intolerance) would become a major turning point in our lives. I had heard about gluten sensitivity, or gluten intolerance which causes symptoms of upset stomach, IBS, etc... but psychological issues and bad behavior? Now that was a new concept!

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Introducing my 3 year old, Emily. She was always a challenge. My first daughter, now 6, was the perfect baby. Always smiling and always a pleasure to be around. She ate well and slept through the night early on without any problems. So, when Emily arrived, I assumed it was the classic case of one good/easy child and one more demanding one. I definitely didn't think she would be gluten sensitive.

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Emily still got up at least one time a night until she was around 1-1/2 years old. Sometimes she couldn't settle down to get to sleep and other times she would just wake up in the middle of the night in the absolute worst possible mood for no apparent reason. She couldn't be calmed down either. She could not/ would not calm down until the "fit" subsided. She screamed (literally) until the fit was over.

Many, many a night my husband and I tried to figure out what was wrong with our discipline plan- it had worked for our older daughter. Was Emily not getting enough one on one attention? Well, that couldn't be it, I was a stay-at-home Mom. Did she have too much sugar? We always limited the girls' sugar- especially before bedtime. We were even careful with giving our girls artificial colors and sweeteners as they had shown themselves to be culprits in other family members' behaviors such as causing hyperactivity. She didn't show celiac syptoms so we ruled that out early on.

So what was going on? Guess she was just "blessed" with my strong personality genes. During the day she was in my hip carrier most of the day because otherwise she was unbelievably cranky. We just couldn't wait until Emily could talk. We figured once she could verbalize her irritation she would say it and then just get over it.

Wrong.

As she got older, Emily's tantrums became literally too much to handle. We heard all the typical responses from well-meaning people such as - we need to discipline better, teach her who's boss, spare the rod and spoil the child, etc... Unfortunately NO discipline worked. My husband and I even decided to try a parenting seminar for extra ideas.Here again, gluten sensitivity was something we didn't even think to look for.

As time went on, I was starting to see that we were dealing with a very different child. I started asking my Mother and other relatives, "Was I this difficult when I was younger?". I was a challenge, no doubt, but definitely not to the extent of our little Emily. I had just decided that she is the way she is and there's no changing her. We just hoped that one day the pent up aggressive tantrums she now had would somehow be re-focused toward something more productive as she got older.

As Emily approached her 2nd Birthday I was becoming overwhelmed with her behavior. Nothing I did made her happy and the mornings were horrible. Would she wake up happy or mad? What can I do to make and keep her happy? The stress was unbearable. My life revolved around avoiding the next tantrum. I decided that for the benefit of both Emily and myself, a change needed to come.

Two weeks after Emily's 2nd Birthday, I went back to work. For the first time ever, my girls- 4 and 2 entered daycare. It absolutely broke my heart but I reasoned that Emily would do well associating with peers her own age and our 4 year old could start to get prepared for Kindergarten. Emily had some separation issues as expected but nothing major at that point. It was a small church daycare so they were really good at loving on the kids and not being very strict. As time moved on, however, we started to see major behavior issues starting to brew. Long story short, she became very demanding and would hit and / or throw a tantrum lasting sometimes an hour over something so insignificant as not receiving a baby wipe when she thought she deserved to have one. She didn't want to play with others her age. She preferred playing by herself.

After 8 months we decided to change daycare centers - assuming Emily wasn't being challenged enough and perhaps would do better at a large daycare center.

At the new center, there were new activities, new toys, a new environment and a teacher that absolutely let Emily get her own way with everything (we didn't know that at the time). In the 2 year old classroom life seemed to be good. We thought our prayers had been answered.

Then Emily turned 3 and entered a new room with centers and more rules. The first two weeks were fine- a "honeymoon period" if you will. Following those two weeks, however, our nightmare was just to start. Emily refused to work with her teachers. She would do the absolute opposite of everything she was asked to do. She refused to stay in a center and her temper tantrums got WAY out of control. She spent more time at their office (which she probably enjoyed better) than in class. She was totally disruptive. She would throw chairs, hit, spit - anything to NOT do what she was supposed to. Children in her class would GO OUT OF THEIR WAY to not get near her. They were actually afraid of her! The teacher, after one particular day,refused to come back to work if Emily was in her class again.

Ok, so something was seriously wrong. She seemed to be worse at school (daycare) than home. Maybe there was too much MSG or artificial sweeteners or colors in her snacks? Well that HAD to be it... What else was left? So.... I started bringing ALL of her snacks. Lunch was ok because it was all homemade so that couldn't be the culprit! All of her new snacks had natural colors (from vegetables) and no artificial ingredients. They had LOTS of whole grains because they are healthy, right? Whole grain bars, color-free wheat crackers- she was at least getting healthy grains. Emily, during this time, moved to the 4s and 5s room. Maybe she just preferred a different teacher? Again things improved for about two weeks. Was it the room, change in kids, new atmosphere, or the new snacks?

All was good except that darn rash. Now it was getting warm again and she was getting the same rash she's had previous years. It resembled Poison Ivy. There were bubbles that would itch and hurt her at the same time. Last year we had taken Emily to the doctor for it and he wasn't sure what it was. He gave us a cream to use that didn't help.... and here we go again with it. It would make her grumpy because they would itch while she tried to sleep. She wouldn't keep her shoes on at daycare because her feet itched so bad!

Well, the behavior came back full force this time. She was EXTREMELY aggressive and it was even mentioned that she could have "Oppositional Defiance Disorder". Her tantrums couldn't be controlled, she couldn't focus and she had Dr. Jekyl / Mr. Hyde type of aggression. Emily would rage, even to the point of really hurting teachers - and remember - she was 3!

I was told that she needed to be evaluated for her behavior in order to remain at that daycare. The "specialists" aka Psychologists saw a definite problem, possibly ADHD or other behavior but they couldn't tell the daycare of any particular "trigger" that was causing it. I was then expected to seek help from more knowledgeable child Psychologists. Everything was pointing toward Bi-Polar Disorder.

After a couple more weeks with more aggressive, rage behavior Emily was removed from that daycare. Honestly, they had done all they knew to do. They couldn't continue to disrupt and stress out all the other children because of her behavior.

The day she was removed was horrible. I felt it was my fault. I wasn't a good enough Mother- either not strict enough or maybe not loving enough. She has my genes- it's my fault. Bottom line, I didn't know what to do. Keeping her out of daycare and staying home again (just to keep her shielded) didn't seem like the right thing to do. I prayed that day for an answer. I was absolutely at the end of my resources. I wasn't willing to put my child on medication for the rest of her life but it looked like that's where we were headed.

My Mom had picked Emily up from daycare so that I could have a meeting with them. After the meeting, after praying in the car, I ran an errand. I went to the Natural Food Store in the area that I so frequently visited to pick up a supplement. The girls who work there came over, as always, to chat. They immediately saw the despair in my face, then the tears rolled.

I recapped the last few weeks, explained that I had eliminated the normal reactive foods from Emily's diet and to no avail. Now what- I didn't know what to do. That's when gluten intolerance was suggested to me. The easiest way to see if gluten is a problem for someone is to COMPLETELY eliminate it from the diet. What?? Gluten?? I thought that just causes stomach problems! I was enlightened that day. Symptoms can show themselves as the following:

Fatigue,
Food Cravings,
Eczema,
Unexplained Rashes,
Allergic shiners (dark circles under the eyes),
Red Face/ Ears, Stomachaches,
Loose Stools or Diarrhea,
Constipation,
Alternating Diarrhea and Constipation,
Mucus Production,
Congestion,
Immune, Inflammatory and Autoimmune Reactions,
Abnormal Pulse,
Elevated Blood Pressure,
Headaches,
Migraines,
Ringing in the Ears,
Tingling,
Dizziness,
Tics,
Depression,
Mood Disorders,
Anxiety,
Panic Attacks,
Aggression,
Sleep Disorder,
ADHD Symptoms (decreased attention, hyperactivity, impulsivity),
Mood Swings,
Irritability,
Autism Symptoms (poor eye contact, social withdrawal, decreased language, obsessions, repetitive behaviors)

In all of my well-meaning, healthful snacks, I had replaced all of the so-called "bad" foods with something that Emily was sensitive to. I was OVERLOADING HER with gluten!

Wow! So, does that mean I can have hope again? Oh, well, wait a minute. Isn't gluten in EVERYTHING? I thought people who were "gluten free" were more along the health-food nut spectrum! Ok, easy enough.... I'll just buy EVERYTHING in the store that says gluten free. Problem solved. Yeah right, not so. Little did I know just how much gluten-free foods could taste like straight up cardboard or worse yet, HARD cardboard. I thought the days of good, moist, tasty foods were gone. They can be but if you follow my advice, you'll be safe. I found gluten-free food and recipes that actually taste good!!

So where are we now? We have come a long way in just a few months. We started using THE supplement for behavior issues, toxicity and sickness/ viruses- Our systems are clean so they can function better. Our whole family is gluten free mainly for the ease of it. It's easier to cook one kind of meal than two. Emily is back at the original, church run daycare and doing VERY WELL!

Gone are the tantrums lasting hours, terrible mornings (Emily wakes up happy most days now). The rages are gone, the aggression is gone too. Granted, she does have her moments as she IS 3 but nothing like before. She speaks so well! It's almost as if she can think better these days. She's not violent anymore and the bi-polar symptoms are gone. She actually gets upset if someone hurts her feelings or hurts her. She doesn't seem to have much of a recollection of how she used to be.

Yes, the results are THAT dramatic! Emily sleeps all night without the horrible screaming fits in the middle of the night. She's actually a pleasure to be around. Oh! And that rash that used to keep her miserable is also gone. One might say "That's just a coincidence, maybe she grew out of her symptoms" but that's not the case. We had Emily tested for allergies. She had no known allergies to any other food product and we also resumed gluten containing foods for about four days. During that four day period, Emily started getting very irritable again AND on the fourth day her rash started coming back- how's that for proof!? We are convinced that gluten is a problem for Emily.

I have noticed changes in myself as well. I'm not as anxious and stressed. My heart doesn't race like it used to, I sleep more soundly, and my stomach isn't bloated after eating like it used to be. I don't even crave bread anymore. Gluten sensitivity seems to be an issue for me as well. I still eat gluten-free bread but don't crave foods like I used to.

My goal with this information is to educate individuals in ALL aspects of gluten sensitivity. Celiac symptoms can show but there are other symptoms to look for as well. It's not just about stomach issues and IBS. Gluten sensitivity can show itself at ANY age.

Children can display the behavior and psychological symptoms early on and the stomach issues can then surface later in life. Or, babies could have the stomach issues early on. Colic could actually be caused from gluten sensitivity from the formula he/she consumes.

By the way, if you are thinking of going gluten-free, you should make sure your system is clean so that it is able to function better. Really, you should do this anyway. See what I mean at the website listed at the bottom of the article. At the website homepage click under "Cleanse".

Gluten Causes Bi-Polar, Rage, ADD

Baby Allergies

How To Detect Autism In Your Child

Baby Allergies

Parents obviously want the best for their children and always want to make sure that they are as happy as possible, as well as being as healthy as possible. One of the things that parents should watch for, however, is signs that their child might be suffering from autism or autistic spectrum disorder. The signs of this disease are not immediately obvious compared to a cut finger or bruised knee.

Baby Allergies

The signs of autism, if you are watching for them, are best to be discovered before the child reaches 1 year old. When caught early, the chances of minimizing the effects of autism are dramatically reduced. Even at very young ages such as a few weeks to a few months, you may be concerned if the child has little or no responsiveness to external stimuli, perhaps seems oblivious to parents or caretakers in the same room or holding them. As they get a bit older, another sign is a failure to anticipate movement, such as when you walk by or wave your hand in front of them.

Baby Allergies

As parents wanting the best for their children to be able to grow up and mature in a normal manner, it is important to watch for signs of this disorder, also known as Autistic Spectrum Disorder, as quickly as possible. The effects of this disorder can do serious harm to the child's social development, social interactions, communication skills with others, and their ability to adapt to new situations, which can even extend to staying with you in a hotel on vacation instead of being in their own bed.

Baby Allergies

There is also a health risk that is enhanced for children with autism, since studies have shown that the autistic child will develop more slowly than other children of the same age and will also typically be more susceptible to diseases and illnesses such as allergies, some mild digestive disorders, and even respiratory problems.

Some of the signs of possible autism in your child that you should watch for and be aware of would include:

* Responsiveness abnormalities. Children with autism do not respond in the same way as children without autism, and frequently do not even respond to hearing their own name. Children with autism are known to virtually ignore certain sounds.

* Attention span. Children with autism are frequently unable to concentrate or focus on objects that are shown to them, and also have problems following movement, such as when a parent walks past them.

* Lack of imitational skills. Autistic children frequently do not imitate their parents with facial expressions or gestures such as waving, smiling, or making faces.

* Poor social skills. People afflicted with this disorder often have difficulty in understanding other people's feelings, relating to others around them, or even to be able to illustrate compassion for someone else in distress.

* Lack of imagination. Autistic children frequently have problems in playing "pretend games" or using their imagination. Children with autism frequently are unable to see things in a way other than the way things actually are.

A great reference for parents concerned about autism in their children, and no parenting library should be without can be found at our web site.

It is important to watch for these signs at very early ages during a child's development, since if autism is successfully diagnosed at an early age, chances are much better that measures can be taken at that very young age to minimize the effects of the disorder.

How To Detect Autism In Your Child

Baby Allergies