zoom zoom’s blog

Really.

I don't remember quite how it started--my Rosella, Prince, getting his own
books. I think it was because he used to love to sit with me while I was
reading and try to take a bite out of any page that came within reach. I
decided I would get him his own books. Ones that were sturdy enough to
tolerate some chewing here and there. So, you know those little cardboard
books for babies? I got him several of those. He loved the bright colors
of the illustrations. I would sit with him and read out loud and he would
listen intently. Sometimes he would even help me turn the pages.
(Sometimes backwards, but still.) I could read 3 of those little books to
him in a row and he would not lose interest. He would make little squeaky
sounds and whistles as I read. The more animated my voice became, the
louder his sounds became. It was really quite a funny scene!

Have you ever thought about reading to your birds? Try it and see how much
they love it.

Patty

By the way, none of these photos were posed. Prince just likes hanging out
with his books.

classic_border031.jpg

010105~12.GIF

Prince with his books3.jpg

Prince with books_00024.jpg

Prince with books_00035.jpg

Prince with books_00046.jpg

Summer Skin Care
By: Lauren Haney, Pharm. D.
PGY1 Pharmacy Resident

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. In 2004,
over 50,000 people were diagnosed with skin cancer and about 8,000 people died due to
skin cancer. Risk factors for developing skin cancer include blue or green eyes, blonde or red
hair, family history,sun exposure, and a history of sunburns during childhood. Additional risk
factors include people with light natural skin color and skin that burns, freckles, or reddens
easily.

Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays ages the skin, leads to sunburned skin, and causes precancerous
and cancerous lesions.  Additionally, immunosuppressive effects may be observed, including
suppression of contact hypersensitivity, delayed-type hypersensitivity, and changes in cell
function. Exposure to UVA radiation is associated with skin aging and changes in pigmentation, while
UVB causes sunburns, which alters the genetic makeup possibly leading to skin cancer.
Sunscreens contain filters that block UV rays. The amount of protection from UVB radiation is
measured by the sun protective factor (SPF) of a sunscreen. For example, if a person usually
experiences skin redness after 10 minutes of sun exposure, a SPF 15 sunscreen would provide
protection against sunburn for 150 minutes. In addition, a person who usually experiences redness
after 5 minutes of sun exposure would need a SPF 30 product to be protected from the sun for 150
minutes. These estimations are based on appropriate application of sunscreen and reapplication
after sweating or swimming.

Sunscreens are categorized by the type of UV filter within the formulation.
Metal oxides,such as zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, and iron oxide, are inorganic filters that protect against UVA
and UVB radiation by deflecting light energy. Another category of sunscreens, organic sunscreens, convert UV radiation into heat radiation to protect the skin. Organic sunscreens are characterized by the type of UV filter and coverage provided. However, for maximum UV protection, a sunscreen containing both UVA and UVB filters should be used.

 
Medications may also increase the risk of phototoxicity or sunburn.  Commonly prescribed medications such as furosemide, ciprofloxacin, hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) and sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim can increase the risk of sunburn. Patients taking these medications should be cautious when outdoors. If you are not sure if your medication
requires you to take extra precautions while in the sun, contact your pharmacist.

http://www.dableducational.org/sphygmomanometers/recommended_cat.html

This website  keeps an up to date listing of home blood pressure monitors that have been validated as giving accurate readings. Here is a listing of their current
recommendations for the categories of upper arm devices and wrist devices.
Wrist devices are not preferred except perhaps in the obese where an arm
cuff of a big enough size may not be readily available. The arm must be
kept level with the heart while using these monitors, especially the wrist
monitors, to avoid getting a reading that is too high or too low. All
directions accompanying the monitor must be followed **exactly**. This is
very important.

You can basically ignore the comments to the right of each listing about
Single validation", "Two validations", etc.   If it is on this list it is
considered to be accurate enough to use. Choose between various models
based on ease of use, availability in a size that fits your arm, price and
availability where you are shopping.

Note: just because a particular model is not listed does not mean it is
necessarily a bad monitor to use. There are so many models out there and
they have not all been tested. The device I use (Omron HEM-780N2) is not
listed but it is a good device and blood pressures I obtain from it
correlate well with what I get at the doctor's office.

Upper Arm Devices for Self-measurement of Blood Pressure

 
A&D UA-631 (UA-779 Life Source)Single Validation
A&D UA-705 Single Validation
A&D UA-767Single Validation
A&D UA-774 (UA-767 Plus)Two Validations
A&D UA-787Single Validation
Artsana CSI 610Single Validation
Colson MAM BP3AA1-2Single Validation
Health and Life HL888HA Two Validations
Microlife BP 3AC1-1Single Validation
Microlife BP 3AC1-1 PC Equivalent to BP 3AC1-1
Microlife BP 3AC1-2 Equivalent to BP 3AC1-1
Microlife BP 3AG1 Equivalent to BP 3BT0-A
Microlife BP 3BT0-1 Equivalent to BP 3BT0-A
Microlife BP 3BTO-AGeneral Validation and three pregnancy validations
Microlife BP 3BT0-A(2) Equivalent to BP 3BT0-A
Microlife BP 3BT0-AP Equivalent to BP 3BT0-A
Microlife BP A 100 Equivalent to BP A 100 Plus
Microlife BP A 100 Plus Single Validation
Microlife RM 100 Equivalent to BP 3BT0-A
Microlife WatchBP Single Validation
Omron 705IT (See also Clinical Use)Two validations
Omron M1 Plus Single Validation
Omron M5-ITwo Validations
Omron M6Three Validations, one questionnable
Omron M6 Comfort Single Validation
Omron M7Two Validations
Omron M10-IT Equivalent to M7 (HEM-780-E)
Rossmax ME 701 series Single Validation
Seinex SE-9400Single Validation
Sensacare SAA-102 Single Validation
Spengler KP7500D Single Validation

Wrist Devices for Self-measurement of Blood Pressure

 
Braun BP 3550 Single Validation
Braun PrecisionSensor BP2550 (UG)Single Validation
Omron 637IT **best available wrist monitor for obese individuals**Three
Validations. Fourth ad-hoc validation may be ignored.
Omron R5-I Single Validation
Omron R7Single Validation