Kids Make Mucus for a Living
06/05/10 21:17
Excerpted from Perfect Health for Kids: Ten Ayurvedic Health Secrets Every Parent Should Know by Dr. John Douillard

Mucus is something we don’t usually discuss in polite conversation. But as a parent, it is part of your daily life, because kids make a lot of mucus. It seems like kids always need to wipe or blow their noses. Though it can seem like a nuisance, especially since kids frequently have runny noses and coughs, mucus production is an extremely important part of being a kid. In fact, it’s an important part of being a person.
Mucus production is an important part of the body’s lubrication and immunity. For kids, this lubrication is extremely significant because is supports their elastic growth – up to a foot each year. The amount of lubrication in a kid’s body is one reason why a 7-year-old child can slide down a set of stairs laughing with each bump whereas an 80-year-old would simply break.
Sometimes the body produces excessive amounts of mucus as a result of drying out. When our sinuses get dry, they get irritated, and we react by making more mucus in an attempt to increase lubrication. This reactive mucus can overshoot the body’s requirements and become too much of a good thing as it clogs up sinuses and mucous membranes, leading to congestion and providing a breeding ground for infectious bacteria and other microorganisms.

Tags: congestion, mucuos membranes, runny noses, infectious bacteria, infant congestion
Children’s Medications Recalled
03/05/10 15:40
Another reason to use natural congestion relief rather than pharmaceuticals

WASHINGTON — The Food and Drug Administration said Saturday it was investigating a health-care company for possible other problems following its recall of more than 40 over-the-counter infant’s and children’s liquid medications.
McNeil Consumer Healthcare, based in Fort Washington, Pa., issued the voluntary recall late Friday in the United States and 11 other countries after consulting with the FDA. The recall involves children’s versions of Tylenol, Tylenol Plus, Motrin, Zyrtec and Benadryl, because they don’t meet quality standards.
The FDA said it was reviewing procedures at McNeil, which appears to be the sole source of the problems. “We are following through with the facility to make certain that everything has been checked,” said FDA spokeswoman Elaine Gansz Bobo.
According to McNeil and the FDA, some of the products recalled may have a higher concentration of active ingredient than is specified on the bottle. Others may contain particles, while still others may contain inactive ingredients that do not meet internal testing requirements.
The FDA called the potential for serious medical problems “remote,” but it advised consumers to stop using the medicine as a precaution. It said a health care professional should be consulted if a child has recently taken any of the recalled products and is exhibiting unexpected symptoms.
The FDA also says parents in the interim should consider substitute child medications, such as generic versions. It does not recommend that children be given adult-strength Tylenol or Motrin because they are not intended for younger age groups.
The medicines were made and distributed in the United States, and exported to Canada, the Dominican Republic, Dubai, Fiji, Guam, Guatemala, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Panama, Trinidad and Tobago and Kuwait.
Details are available by telephone at 1-888-222-6036 or on the Web at . http://www.mcneilproductrecall.com

Tags: nasal aspirator, stuffy nose, runny nose, baby medicine
Three Reasons That We Don’t Recommend Bulb Syringes
25/04/10 10:53

bulb-syringe

Aside from the fact that we are the inventors and purveyors of the BabyComfyNose nasal aspirator, there are some very practical reasons that we don’t recommend bulb syringes. Indeed, the reason that I set out to create a better nasal aspirator is because, from personal experience, I found that they don’t work….and worse.

1) The little blue bulb syringe they send you home from the hospital with is actually designed as an ear irrigation bulb, so the tip is too small for noses – even for new born noses – and can accidentally be inserted too deeply and harm your baby.

2) A bulb syringe only has as much suction as the volume of the bulb. In other words, not very much. The result is that you have to squeeze and insert the bulb several times to successfully remove any mucus. With a squirming child, this is very difficult and inefficient. And a source of misery for parents and children.

3) Bulb syringe aspirators that do not open for easy cleaning are ideal breeding grounds for bacteria and virus. The little blue bulbs given out in hospitals are meant to be DISPOSABLE (as is everything in hospitals) – but let’s be honest, you still have that bulb in your kitchen or bathroom drawer, don’t you? Think about it. You have just sucked snot out of your child’s nose with the blue bulb and then kind of rinsed it out under water – maybe you actually try to wash it out with soap. Still when you are done, you have a soup of water and virus laden mucus in a nice dark, moist warm place – the inside of the aspirator. And then you squirt this effluent back into your child’s nose later, or worse, an unsuspecting sibling.

It is amazing to us that the hospitals are still sending us home with these unfortunate devices. Bulb aspirators available in drugstores, while slightly better are still generally unsatisfactory.

Tags: bulb syringe, nasal aspirator, baby aspirator, nasal suction
Stuffy Nose Treatment
03/04/10 15:49
STUFFY NOSE IN INFANTS AND YOUNGER CHILDREN
For babies or infants who are too young to blow their nose:

* Buy saltwater (saline) nose drops or make your own by stirring 1/4 teaspoon of salt into 1/2 cup lukewarm water (make this fresh every day).
* Lay your child on his or her back, placing a rolled towel underneath the shoulders. Put 2 or 3 saline nose drops into each nostril. Wait 30 – 60 seconds.
* Turn the child on the stomach to help the mucus drain. Try to catch the discharge outside the nostril on a tissue or swab. Roll the tissue or swab around, and pull the discharge out of the nose. Do not insert a cotton swab into the child’s nostrils.
* Self- suctioning nasal aspirators such as the BabyComfyNose are recommended.

Other tips to help infants and younger children include:

* Raise the head of your child’s bed. Put a pillow underneath the head of the mattress. Or, place books or boards under the legs at the head of the bed.
* Encourage your child to drink plenty of fluids. Breast-feed or formula-feed young infants often. Older children may drink extra fluids, but those fluids should be sugar-free.
* You can try a cool-mist vaporizer, but avoid putting too much moisture in the room. Clean the vaporizer every day with bleach or Lysol®.
* You can also steam up the bathroom shower and bring your child in there before bed.
* Nasal sprays and cough and cold medicines are not recommended for children under age 2. They also do not seem to be effective in older children.

Tags: stuffy nose, nasal aspirator, runny nose
Benjamin’s Croup
06/03/10 15:52
Our 2 year old son Benjamin is susceptible to respiratory infections such as a croup and RSV. In case you are not familiar with these terms, Croup is a condition that causes an inflammation of the upper airways — the voice box (larynx) and windpipe (trachea). It often leads to a barking cough or hoarseness, especially when a child cries. Most cases of croup are caused by viruses. Those involved are usually parainfluenza virus (which accounts for most cases), adenovirus, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Croup is most common — and symptoms are most severe — in children 6 months to 3 years old, but can affect older kids, too. Most cases of viral croup are mild and can be treated at home, though rarely it can be severe and even life-threatening. Some children are more prone to developing croup when they get a viral upper respiratory infection.

Signs and Symptoms
At first, a child may have cold symptoms, like a stuffy or runny nose and a fever. As the upper airway (the lining of the windpipe and the voice box) becomes progressively inflamed and swollen, the child may become hoarse, with a harsh, barking cough. This loud cough, which is characteristic of croup, often sounds like the barking of a seal.
If the upper airway becomes increasingly swollen, it becomes even more difficult for a child to breathe, and you may hear a high-pitched or squeaking noise when a child inhales (this is called stridor). A child also may tend to breathe very fast and might have retractions (when the skin between the ribs pulls in during breathing). In the most serious cases, a child may appear pale or have a bluish tinge around the mouth due to a lack of oxygen.
Symptoms of croup are often worse at night and when children are upset or crying. Besides the effects on the upper airway, the viruses that cause croup can cause inflammation farther down the airway and affect the bronchi (large breathing tubes that connect to the windpipe).
We have found that it is helpful to take Benjamin out into the cool night air, and this seems to be effective in relaxing the airways. We tried the steam shower, but that just seems to scare him and he cries.

Tags: runny nose, croup, respiratory infection, RSV
Infant Congestion
12/02/10 15:46
Runny nose We all know what it’s like to have the sniffles. Most of us have had a runny nose a lot of times. You may have had one every time you’ve had a cold or flu. Since sinus irritation is a common allergic reaction, if you have an allergy, you’re even more familiar with the constant drip, drip, drip of excess nasal secretions. In some cases, a dripping nose is due to a more serious underlying condition, but this is rare. Although a runny nose can be bothersome, it is rarely more than a sign of a viral infection or an allergy. Once the underlying infection or irritation goes away, the runny nose disappears. In any case, if you develop a runny nose and are tired of reaching for the tissues, rest assured that you don’t have to just suffer through the discomfort. Excess nasal drainage can be eased with over-the-counter antihistamines and decongestants. Certain simple home remedies can also help. Synonyms
Nasal discharge
Rhinorrhea
Detailed Description Mucus is usually a thin secretion composed of water, antibodies, and proteins. Nasal secretions are your body’s way of trying to clear out the nasal passages. Even when you are healthy, the body produces a quart of mucus every day to help keep the respiratory tract clean and moist. As you inhale air, the glands lining your nasal passages and sinus cavities release mucus. It then helps to humidify the inhaled air flowing over the delicate tissues of the airways and lungs. Mucus also helps trap dust, pollen, viruses or other impurities in the air. As it does its job, mucus is moved down to the back of the throat by tiny fingerlike projections called cilia: once it reaches the back of the throat, it is swallowed unconsciously. The amount increases when you’re exposed to an irritant, causing some to run out your nose. When you catch a cold, your nose may run until your body fights off the infection, for a few days to a few weeks. When you are sick, mucus may become thicker and may change color, often taking on a yellow or greenish shade. If your runny nose persists for more than a few weeks, you likely have an allergy. Sinus infections can be another common culprit. In general, however, a runny nose is not something to worry about.
Possible Underlying Causes When viruses (like the common cold) or allergens irritate the nose, mucus production increases to help wash out offending particles. Instead of swallowing all the mucus, some of it is released by running out of the nose. Excess mucus can also drip into your throat (postnasal drip), causing coughing and a sore throat. In some cases, the secretions can plug up the sinus cavities or the ear’s eustachian tubes, causing infection and pain.

Tags: runny nose, stuffy nose, infant congestion
Baby Nasal Aspirator
27/01/10 14:23
Physicians generally recommend that nasal mucus be removed when possible in order to avoid infection that can spread to the ears – as well as to reduce your child’s discomfort. Infant and newborn nasal congestion is due to the blockage of the nasal passages usually due build-up of mucus or the membranes lining the nose becoming swollen from inflamed blood vessels. It is also known as nasal blockage, nasal obstruction, blocked nose, runny nose, stuffy nose, or stuffed up nose. Nasal congestion can range from a mild annoyance to a life-threatening condition. Newborns can only breathe through the nose (newborns are “obligate nose breathers”). Baby congestion can interfere with breastfeeding and cause life-threatening respiratory distress. Mucus that remains in the nose for long periods of time can cause sinus infections that can spread to the ears.

The question then is, what is the best method and tool to accomplish this?

Nasal aspirators to remove nasal mucus are generally of three types: 1) Bulb syringe 2) Battery-powered and 3) Self-suctioning. The last type is generally regarded as the most effective because, by using your own suction, the operator can effectively generate greater and more consistent suction. Self-suctioning type aspirators are designed so that mucus is captured in a receptacle or a filter so that the operator (most often a parent) is not exposed to mucus and germs.

Hospitals send new parents home with traditional bulb-type nasal aspirators, however, they are not necessarily the best tool for the job. The main drawback of the bulb syringe aspirator is that because the bulb is of limited size, it can only generate limited suction. This requires that the bulb be inserted into the nostril of the child repeatedly in order to remove mucus. This is difficult with a child that will inevitably be squirming and can cause damage to the delicate nasal membranes.

We have tested all available battery-operated nasal aspirators on the market today and generally find them to be ineffective for the reason that they do not generate sufficient suction. A battery-powered vacuum pump is not generally strong enough to remove mucus that is deeper inside the sinus cavity, and this is the mucus that is most important to remove.

A nasal aspirator that employs self-suctioning have the advantage that the amount of suction that can be generated is limited only by the lung capacity of the operator. Here we would like to address some of the typical concerns that parents have regarding self-suctioning baby nasal aspirators:

Concern: I will catch my child’s cold using a self-suctioning aspirator.
Response: Virus and bacteria are water-borne, they can only be spread if they are contained in droplets of water or mucus. Properly designed self-suctioning aspirators are designed expressly to prevent the passage of droplets through the suction tube. In addition, self-suctioning aspirators generally employ filters to catch liquid droplets.

Concern: I will generate too much suction and injure my child
Response: We only need consider the relatively large pressures generated by sneezing, which can exceed velocities of 100 miles per hour. Compared to this the pressure generated by a parent suction is relatively low, on the order of 1/10th the velocity and therefore pressure. In other words, the body is designed to withstand and indeed generate significantly more sinus pressure than is created in the nasal suctioning process.

Tags: baby nasal aspirator, nose congestion, baby aspirator, baby nasal, nasal aspirator, nasal aspirators
Snoover: short for snot-hoover
21/01/10 11:16
A friend of ours has recently dubbed the BabyComfyNose nasal aspirator, the Snoover, (short for Snot-Hoover), because it sucks up snot so well. After discouragement with the bulb syringe to deal with baby congestion they turned to the organic method – Parent-Powered suction.

Tags: baby congestion, snoover, nasal aspirator, baby congestion, bulb syringe
Dr. Moz
30/12/09 13:11
Check out the Dear Dr. Moz Baby Blog. Great information and recommendations – plus they just posted the BabyComfyNose. We really love this recommendation:

Erika Samuelson Writes:
Amazing coincidence! We just purchased a babycomfynose online a couple of days ago when Zachary (2) had a nasty, snotty cold (our pediatrician suggested it). I had no hesitation going right in there and sucking out the snot – and OMG what satisfaction! In about a second, a tablespoon of snot (that’s a lot) filled up the nozzle and the bottom of the unit. I didn’t even use the tissue like they suggest and the snot got nowhere near the suction tube – quite hygienic actually. Zach is still under the weather, but at least not completely miserable and plugged up. good-bye useless bulb aspirator.

and another one:

James Campion Writes:
I had a similar experience to Erika. We had actually been using a similar swedish device – nose frida for a couple of years, It uses the same principle and we absolutely love it! But we got tired of having to buy the little foam rubber ‘filters’ all the time and besides, I wondered just how effective the large pore size of foam rubber is anyway. So we bought the BabyComfyNose before thanksgiving and find that it has few advantages over the swedish one. First of all, it’s easier to hold because it’s not a long tube, its easier to clean because it comes apart and most importantly, it uses regular kleenex tissue which is a great filter (large surface area, small pore size – my background is in biomedical). In short, two thumbs up for the babycomfynose, which we affectionately call the snot sucker. By the way – I contributed a testimonial and the nice people at BCN gave me a 15% discount code to share with my friends – 8463 – I don’t think they’ll mind.

Pasted Graphic

Tags: babycomfynose, dr moz, snot sucking
The Nasalists
15/12/09 14:33
When I was a freshman in college in my first art history survey class, I was struck by the absurdity of the manifestos of the early 20th century artistic movements such as the futurists, the vorticists, the surrealists, the dadaists. They were so earnest, so self-involved.

As a lark, I wrote my own manifesto. Realizing that, whether we realize it or not, we are always seeing our noses, I contended that no art was truthful unless it somehow depicted the nose. I proposed that all painting should have a little blob of flesh-tone, out of focus, at the bottom of the painting. The artist could decide whether to place the nose referrant in the middle, left or right of the painting. It occurred to me that for even more honest expression of reality, artists could fashion optical devices, specially designed glasses, which would allow them to see their own noses in focus. Entire landscapes of texture could arise out of the fine observation of the nasal flesh. This development, would of course be called post-nasalism.

Tags: post nasal , nasalist, nose
Stuffy Nose
10/10/09 22:24
From Wikipedia

Nasal congestion is the blockage of the nasal passages usually due to membranes lining the nose becoming swollen from inflamed blood vessels. It is also known as nasal blockage, nasal obstruction, blocked nose, runny nose, stuffy nose, or stuffed up nose.

Nasal congestion can range from a mild annoyance to a life-threatening condition. The newborn infant can only breathe through the nose (newborns are “obligate nose breathers”). Nasal congestion in an infant in the first few months of life can interfere with breastfeeding and cause life-threatening respiratory distress. Nasal congestion in older children and adolescents is often just an annoyance but can cause other difficulties.
Nasal congestion can interfere with the ears, hearing, and speech development. Significant congestion may interfere with sleep, cause snoring, and can be associated with sleep apnea.

Please Note that the BabyComfyNose, nor any other baby nasal aspirator, will address congestion due to inflamed blood vessels of the nasal membranes. However, the BabyComfyNose nasal aspirator effectively and quickly removes loose mucus, which contributes to baby congestion and which causes general misery for your child.

Tags: vacuum nasal aspirator, baby cold, newborn congestion, stuffy nose, obligate nose breather, nasal obstruction
Father of Invention
10/09/09 22:21
I started this blog out of a real need in our own family: to somehow address the misery of colds and runny noses. When my son Benjamin was about a year old, he had a terrible cold and we were all miserable. Hearing the mucus rattle around in his nose, I felt helpless. The little squeeze bulb aspirators are basically useless because they just don’t generate much suction and the same is true of the battery-operated ones. I heard once of how the Inuit people would suck the snot directly out of their children’s noses – and while I was not that adventurous, I felt that I would do pretty much anything to relieve the misery of his snotty nose. My solution was to create a nasal aspirator that really works, the BabyComfyNose baby nasal aspirator.

But this blog is not just an advertisement for the aspirator. I find that over the years I have become somewhat of an expert in the problems of children’s congestion, and I have found that this is the best way to share my knowledge, advice and tips with other parents. It can be a distasteful subject, but it presents a real problem for a lot of families.

Tags: vacuum nasal aspirator, newborn congestion, nasal obstruction, obligate nose breather, baby cold