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Omron M2

Earlier this year I had been feeling unwell for a few days, I was due routine visit to the Asthma clinic, the nurse remarked that I looked very unwell – although my Asthma was fine – and she insisted I see a doctor. The doctor examined me consulted with a senior colleague and although both had no idea what was wrong insisted I went to hospital as I had extremely low blood pressure. The A&E doctor also was puzzled - although by then I could not bear any light – and admitted me; he said I was two hours away from going blind. It transpired I had a blood infection and while treating this with huge amounts of anti biotic and steroids I devolved a high pulse rate so I do know a bit about blood pressure monitors and now use one regularly.

This unit is almost triangular in shape, 10cm along the base, 8cm tall at the back 3cm tall at the front and 10.5cm wide.

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It could not be simpler to use just place the supplied 4x‘AAA’ in the base and attach the lead (60cm) from the cuff into the side of the unit and you are ready to go. There are only two buttons towards the base of the front of the unit on/blood pressure/off from a button marked O/I and a second smaller button marked M that stores the results in memory.

There is a small Instruction Manual that has the first 36 pages in English for any questions that you may have.

However it works in the same way as most doctors surgery’s units do today, roll up your sleeve so that the cuff can be attached above the elbow line up as illustrated and just press the button twice the first turns the unit on the second takes the reading.

The display window on the ‘M2’ is 5x3.5cm and shows three lines of information once the reading has been taken the top line marked ‘Sys’ the second line ‘Dia’ and the third line ‘Pulse’. So if you are textbook normal the Sys will be 120 and the Dia 80, pulse varies a lot but maybe something like 65 or 70 would be the desired number.

Recently some research has proved that reading taken at the Doctors Surgery may not be that representative as people tend to stress about visiting their doctor so home readings may be a far better guide to knowing if there is a problem.

Available from the link below for £44.70

www.homecare-products.co.uk/Personal_Care/Health_Aids/Omron_M2_Blood_Pressure_Monitor.aspx

Zap-It!

This is a tiny device designed for relief from mosquito bites but it can also provide relief from a number of other insect bits.

It is in the shape of a lower case ‘r’ at 4x4x2cm. The secret is static electricity which you develop by pressing the button on top of unit several times. You feel as though someone has pinched you, sounds simple it is.

Mosquito bites work by each time you scratch the itch more histamine is released making it even worse and then you scratch more.

It is possible that Zap It! Can even be used through light clothing so Zap It and do not scratch it to beat that bite.

www.ecobrands.com for more details, it is available for £4.95 from a range of supermarkets details on the link.