Sinus Infection

Ever had a sinus infection??? Do all that you can to avoid it. I had one about a year ago and it was torture and I think i feel another one coming on. Unless you enjoy the wonderful symptoms that the immune system causes as an alert that there is something wrong or infected. These symptoms include headache,cough,inflammation of the sinuses, and nasal congestion.

There are 4 main sinuses within the skull...

1)Frontal sinuses are located in the forehead.
2)Ethmoid sinuses which are located between the eyes.
3)Sphenoid sinuses located behind the eyes.
4)Maxillary sinuses which are located behind the cheek bones

These sinuses are cavities filled with air that aid in the protection against bacteria and viruses.
" If the normal defenses are disrupted, they may allow bacteria normally present in the nasal passages to enter any of the sinuses. Once there, the bacteria may stick to the lining cells and cause a sinus infection."
eMedicineHealth2010,http://www.emedicinehealth.com/sinus_infection/glossary_em.htm#

As you observer the photos below you will be able to see each of the sinuses and through the nose and mouth that they are easily infected with bacteria and how they may cause pain or other symptoms in designated areas.




For more information and to observe a slide show visit this link!
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/slideshow_sinusitis/article_em.htm

Is Breastfeeding Really Important? WHY???

image by Google

Do you ever think about the importance of breastfeeding? It is not a topic that normally crosses the mind on a day to day basis. This past Tuesday,Jan.19,2010, I was at my apartment with my boyfriend watching a TV show by the name of Friends. It was an old episode when Rachael had delivered baby Ema and wanted to try feeding her for the first time via breastfeeding. At first Rachael had trouble getting baby Ema to latch on,this is common. After trying a few more times she was successful.
That same night I spoke with my cousin about her sister who had just had her second child. She was struggling with the decision of breastfeeding because she too had trouble getting the baby to latch on. She didn't see any importance in it despite what the news or TV commercials may say. She figured that her first child came out just fine without being breastfed so what could possibly go wrong with the next?
She had a pretty good point, the first child turned out fine. Even though she had a good point, I refused to believe that breastfeeding wasn't necessary so I decided to research the importance of breastfeeding and what it does for the baby.
From this encounter I learned that not necessarily breastfeeding but breast milk its self is very important for a baby. There are nutrients within the milk that aid in the building of a baby's immune system, nutrients such as antibodies!

Dictionary

Antibodies:Also known as immunoglobulin,are "y" shaped proteins that consist of 2 identical heavy chains and identical light chains. They are produced by B cells to aid as primary defenders to an immune response.

B Lymphocytes:Also known as Bcells, produced and matured in the bone marrow, function to produce antibodies.

Antigen:Substances that are often foreign that have the ability to bind specifically to antibodies or a Tcell receptor.

Epitope:A part of the antigen that is recognized and bounded by an antibody or TCR-MHC combination.


Investigation

While investigating the contents of breast milk you will find that a babies number one source of antibodies is produced in breast milk providing a stronger and more protected immune system from different pathogens that the child faces when exposed to environments with disease and virus.Below is a youtube link that shows the process that an antibody uses to capture foreigner and present them to macrophages where they will not be allowed to cause harm.

Breast milk is the perfect source of nutrition for infants. Breast milk contains appropriate amounts of carbohydrate, protein, and fat. It also provides the digestive proteins, minerals, vitamins, and hormones that infants need. Breast milk contains valuable antibodies from the mother that may help the baby resist infections.

Healthy infants have adequate iron stores to last until 8 months of age. Iron-rich foods can be started at this age. Your pediatrician or dietitian may recommend fluoride supplementation if you live in a community where water is not fluoridated.

Cow's milk by itself is inappropriate for infants less than 1 year old. The infant may develop an allergy to dairy products if given cow's milk too early in life. Although cow's milk contains most of the same components as breast milk, these components are not in the same amounts. Cow's milk also lacks the immune factors (antibodies) that help protect infants until their own immune system fully develops.

Commercially prepared formulas may be based on non-fat cow's milk, whey protein, or soy protein. In order to provide a balanced diet for an infant, formulas must be fortified with carbohydrates, fats, minerals, and vitamins. The antibodies found in breast milk, however, can never be added to formulas.

Medline Plus Encyclopedia,Dec.18,2009
below is a link to show the process co antibody attachment.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=lrYlZJiufl8