Tips Menghias Dapur Agar Nampak Luas

Hari ini saya sibuk mengemas ruang dapur dan tempat saya mencuci pakaian. Inilah ruang kecil untuk mesin basuh saya tu. Saya kongsikan tips menyusun dan menghias dapur agar kelihatan kemas dan luas.

• Memandangkan dapur kerap menjadi tempat tumpuan anak-anak, pilihlah konsep yang lebih ringkas dan hiasan yang minima.

• Seimbangkan kecerahan warna dinding dan perabot agar tidak terlalu kontra.

• Ruang akan nampak lebih luas dengan penggunaan warna cerah.

• Elak menggunakan wallpaper secara menyeluruh, dan yang bercorak padat. Jika perlu, hanya gunakan sebagai garis sempadan.

• Pastikan saiz meja makan sesuai dengan ruang yang ada. Meja bulat kecil adalah yang paling praktikal bagi memberi sedikit kelegaan untuk bergerak, tetapi meja bersegi adakalanya membantu kerana boleh dirapatkan ke dinding.

• Pemilihan langsir ringkas tanpa corak dan ukuran yang sesuai juga berguna untuk menampakkan keluasan ruang dapur. Seeloknya anda menggunakan blind curtain yang mana selalunya mempunyai susunan melintang untuk menambah ciri kelebaran ruang.

• Rancang pemasangan kabinet lekap (fixed cabinet) dengan teliti mengikut kesesuaian ruang. Gunakan kabinet di bahagian atas dinding untuk menyimpan segala peralatan dapur dan bina sekali ruang untuk menempatkan alatan elektrik seperti ketuhar. Jangan lupa peti sejuk satu kemestian bagi sebuah dapur.

• Sedia/tinggalkan ruang untuk alatan tersebut semasa memasang kabinet. Lebih bagus jika mempunyai ruang khusus untuk meletakkan tong sampah.

• Gunakan dapur yang berciri pelbagai guna untuk mengurangkan jumlah alatan elektrik di dapur.

•Akhir sekali, amalkan mengelap hingga kering dan menyimpan terus pinggan mangkuk, periuk belanga, dan lain-lain di tempatnya sejurus selepas dibasuh.

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Recognising severe allergic reactions

In Greek, the word “anaphylaxis” means “without guarding.” In simple terms, it is an allergic reaction that happens suddenly, affects various systems in the body, and may be fatal. It doesn’t take much to trigger anaphylaxis. A peanut or a hornet sting can cause it.

Dr Amir H.A. Latiff, a consultant paediatrician, clinical immunologist and allergist, and president of the Malaysian Society of Allergy & Immunology (MSAI) explains further.

What is anaphylaxis?

It is a severe, life-threatening hypersensitivity reaction that may involve an allergy mechanism or a non-allergy cause. Traditionally, anaphylaxis refers to an immediate type of hypersensitivity reaction known as IgE-mediated anaphylaxis. But now it also includes nonallergic anaphylaxis.

How common is it among young Malaysian children?

The actual rate among young children in Malaysia and the world is not known, but it is suggested to be around 0.05-2% overall, and the rate has been increasing over the last two decades. Apparently, this increasing trend is occurring more in the younger population than in adults.

What are some of the things that can cause anaphylaxis?

Food, drugs, insect stings, latex and biologics (medications produced through biological processes involving DNA technology) can cause anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis can also be exercise-induced (especially when associated with food). At times, the cause is unknown. But the majority of anaphylaxis in children is caused by food, including cow’s milk, egg white, soya, and wheat, while in adolescents, peanut, tree nuts and seafood (both fish and shellfish).

What happens inside the body during an anaphylactic attack?

Chemicals are released from mast cells (a type of cell found in connective tissues) and basophils (a type of white blood cell), leading to symptoms and signs of an anaphylactic attack. These chemicals which include histamines, leukotrienes, interleukins, chemo-attractants, proteoglycans, and neutral

proteases, not only directly affect organs such as the skin, respiratory, gastrointestinal and cardiovascular systems, but also cause other reactions, thus worsening the condition.

Are there any early warning signs of an impending anaphylactic attack?

The majority of anaphylaxis involves the skin, which is presented as redness, itchiness and hives (with or without swelling of the deep, soft tissues such as those found in the eyes, mouth or throat). These may be early warning signs. And when another system, typically the respiratory system, or at times the

gastrointestinal or cardiovascular system is involved, then anaphylaxis is diagnosed. But in some cases, the skin is not affected. For example, nausea and itchiness in the oral cavity, which then rapidly progress to potentially fatal conditions where the respiratory system is involved.

What does a child feel during an anaphylactic attack?

Signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis involve various body systems:

Skin: Hives and angioedema (e.g. swollen face), flushing, itchiness.

Respiratory system: Wheezing, shortness of breath, upper airway/ throat obstruction (choking), rhinitis, stridor (noisy breathing).

Gastrointestinal system: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, cramping (abdominal pain).

Cardiovascular system: Dizziness, fainting spells/collapse, low blood pressure, loss of consciousness, chest pain (may manifest as a heart attack).

What must parents do when the child gets anaphylaxis?

Parents must follow the written anaphylaxis action plan which includes immediate self-treatment and quickly calling for emergency medical assistance. The child must be placed in a lying position with his legs raised, and never be made to sit or stand up during the attack and throughout the treatment.

Medication would include immediate injection of adrenaline, followed quickly by treatment in a hospital’s emergency department.

Can anaphylaxis be prevented? If yes, what are the measures that parents can take?

An accurate diagnosis which includes the child’s clinical history, and supporting allergy diagnostic tests (blood, skin, and challenge tests) to find the cause of the anaphylaxis, need to be done. Identifying the cause will enable avoidance and prevent further anaphylactic attacks. This is followed by a written anaphylaxis action plan with medications for self-treatment, such as the use of self-injectable adrenaline in the event of an accidental exposure leading to anaphylaxis.

Anaphylaxis is a serious medical problem that can be life-threatening. Thus, one should remember the 3Rs of anaphylaxis:

- Recognise the symptoms.

- React quickly with intramuscular adrenaline injection.

- Review by an allergy specialist after an anaphylactic attack to identify the cause and to prevent future recurrence. – Article courtesy of the Malaysian Society of Allergy & Immunology

Sleep time training won't damage your baby emotionally

Parents feeling conflicted about how to get their babies to sleep may find some peace of mind in a new Australian study. Researchers found that letting tots cry it out won't harm them emotionally or damage their relationship with their parents.

In a study published online in Pediatrics this month, scientists followed up previous work that found babies and their parents benefited when children were taught to calm themselves through various behavioural techniques.

In the followup study, the scientists tracked 225 babies to see if sleep training had any long-lasting effects, damaging or otherwise. In the original study, the researchers found that two popular techniques - “controlled comforting” and “camping out” - worked well in helping babies who struggled with sleep while also reducing depression in mums.

Controlled comforting is a technique that involves parents periodically responding to their baby's cries, while camping out is when parents sit with their child as he or she learns to fall asleep, while slowly inching toward the door as baby drifts off.

According to the researchers, the findings didn't yield any differences when it came to the children's emotions, behaviour, or stress when they were six years old. Plus researchers didn't notice a difference in the parent-child relationship in terms of depression, anxiety, or stress among children who were sleep-trained and those who weren't.

“It doesn't say that just because your child doesn't sleep as well as somebody else's then you need to do these things,” Simon Newell, vice-president of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, told WebMD Britain. “It says, if you have a problem, and you react by bringing in one of these sleep programmes and it works, then jolly good - you're not doing any harm in the long term.” - AFP-Relaxnews

Guidelines for women bosses spark outcry

PETALING JAYA: The dust on the gay guidelines has barely settled before a new one has surfaced this time, directed at female bosses.

The guidelines (pic) are listed in the Health Ministry's MedikTV Facebook page and feature eight “tips” on how to be a “good female boss”.

It was uploaded as a photo link but has been taken down at press time.

The tips, written in Bahasa Malaysia, advised women to “banyak berbincang dengan orang bawahan, khususnya pekerja lelaki” (have many discussions with your subordinates, especially male workers).

It also advocated they “pandai mengambil hati orang bawahan” (be smart in winning your subordinates' hearts) and “jangan menunjuk ego kuasa di depan orang bawahan terutama semasa memberi arahan” (don't flaunt your ego and power in front of your subordinates, especially when giving orders).

However, the ministry has been quick to express its strong disapproval of the photo, with Deputy Health Minister Datuk Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin saying MedikTV had apologised for the post.


“It has also given a guarantee that all posts after this will not be prejudicial in nature or side any party,” she said in an SMS.

Rosnah also stressed that the guidelines had not been published by the ministry and had nothing to do with “any of the concepts or campaigns introduced by MOH”.

MedikTV also posted an apology on its Facebook page, stressing that the posts were not ministry policy.

“This is our responsibility. All feedback should be channelled to us without involving other parties,” it said.

An online news portal reported that the Information Department had also shared the photo on its Facebook page on Tuesday.

However, both links on the MedikTV and Info Department's Facebook pages had been removed at press time.

Facebook users had described the guidelines as sexist and discriminatory.

Factors to consider when looking for the ideal paediatrician

CHOOSING the right paediatrician is sometimes a hit-and-miss affair. Some parents and kids get on with their paediatrician from day one. Others seem to keep hopping from one doctor to the next, unable to find one that they’re happy with.

What should you look for in a paediatrician?

Some parents prefer an older doctor whom they feel is more knowledgeable and experienced. Others would like a younger doctor who will discuss the treatment with them and whom they feel is less dictatorial.

Some may opt for a male doctor and others, a female one. Some want to see how the child reacts to the doctor before deciding.

Paediatrician Dr Yong Junina Fadzil advises parents to find a paediatrician they can interact with.

“It would help if the child doesn’t scream every time he or she sees the paediatrician. Make sure that you’ve got a qualified paediatrician. I think you can go online to check and when you visit the doctor, don’t be embarrassed to ask if he or she is the doctor whose name is displayed in the clinic.

“If you think the doctor looks a bit too young, just enquire about their credentials. I don’t think it’s offensive for parents to ask, if for some peace of mind,” she says.

Whether parents choose a paediatrician in a private clinic or one in a hospital is entirely up to them. Dr Yong notes that while it depends on the patient’s comfort level, the child’s medical problems are also a factor.

“If the parents are comfortable with the doctor in a particular hospital then they should return to that doctor. However, if a child has a heart or lung disease or if the child was born prematurely, then the child may need regular follow-up visits at a particular hospital. Basically, it depends on why the parent needs to bring the child to the hospital and what the child needs follow-up visits for.

“On the other hand, even if the child has a heart problem and they can find a good specialist outside who has ties with a hospital should the child require admission, then it is okay to follow up at that particular clinic. But, the parents should be aware of whether or not the doctor they are seeing is able to cater to the child’s needs and what they should do in case of an emergency or if the child requires admission,” she says.