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Suffering From An Uncomfortable Pregnancy? How Water Can...
Just imagine. Waking up in the morning without being greeted by the dreaded morning sickness. And all of its other friends too: Tiredness, bloatedness, swollen ankles, fogginess, constipation and indigestion. While it isn’t a cure in itself, water can help relieve you from these unwanted symptoms. You’d be surprised at the impact it can have on your health, as well as your baby’s. Check out our water solutions now! How Hydration Helps During Your Pregnancy Feeling sceptical? What does water have to do with a healthy pregnancy? Quite a lot actually. It can make being pregnant a little more comfortable. And you deserve a bit more comfort – you’re growing a new life inside you! Water supports your body during all of its physiological changes and can help alleviate side effects from the pregnancy. It can ease morning sickness along with feelings of nausea. If that isn't enough to make you start drinking more water right away, it can also help with nasty urinary tract infections, dizziness, swollen ankles, constipation and cramps. Not only that, it reduces feelings of tiredness – giving you a much-needed boost in energy. If you suffer from a lot of bloating – contrary to what you might think – drinking enough water can help relieve it, as well as improve your overall digestion. During pregnancy, your body drains a lot more of your own resources. For example, your body replenishes the amniotic fluid your little one is swimming in every hour. To keep this supply going, you've got to keep properly hydrated. Because of frequent trips to the bathroom during pregnancy, it’s vital to keep drinking water and replace what you lose. It helps to drink water in sips throughout the day rather than in one go. This means less trips to the bathroom while still keeping hydrated. The important thing to keep in mind is that severe dehydration can have quite a serious impact on a pregnancy. It can lead to lower levels of amniotic fluid which can affect the baby or lead to more contractions. Your blood gets thicker during pregnancy, so if you don't keep properly hydrated you could end up getting cardiovascular issues or hypertension. Giving Your Baby a Good Start Hydration creates a healthy environment which supports the baby during pregnancy. Water transports vital nutrients to the unborn baby through the umbilical cord and helps to keep it hydrated. It’s important to drink more water when breastfeeding too, as you’ll feel thirstier. If you're using formula instead of breastfeeding, it’s better to mix the formula with high-quality water. Tap water may contain contaminants, high levels of metals and small doses of bacteria which may be okay for adults, but aren’t the best for babies. Newborns have developing immune systems – so they're more vulnerable. In fact, it's recommended to boil tap water for babies under 6 months old. Otherwise it could be unsafe. Even bottled water contains high levels of sodium or sulphate which aren’t beneficial for the baby. To ensure your child has water that is higher quality, it’s a good idea to use filtered water in their formula. Also, when bathing your little one, use filtered water since it hydrates the skin better. This is because it’s free of chemicals that remove the skin’s oils. If your baby has eczema, using tap water might not help because it tends to dry out the skin. It’s incredible what water can do for you and your baby’s health. It's essential to ensure the water is of the highest quality. To get the best water, it’s worth investing in a water filter. Find out more. Check out our water solutions now!
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Is Filtered Water Better For Your Baby?
There is a huge amount of information out there for new parents and it can sometimes be difficult to separate fact from fiction. One thing all experts can agree on is just how important clean, fresh water is on the health of you and your new family. Staying hydrated will protect you and your baby from a variety of health complications, but what is the best way to achieve this? Will ordinary tap water do? Check out our water solutions now! What's Good For You Is Good For Your Baby Most tap water, although completely safe to drink, will contain varying levels of bacteria and viruses, as well as mineral deposits and added chemicals. If you drink unfiltered water, these additional nasties can be passed on to your baby; firstly, via the placenta during pregnancy, and then via breastmilk once your baby has arrived. Studies have shown that the placenta, while passing vital nutrients and oxygen through to your baby, can often contain a number of harmful toxins, including mercury, lead, bacteria, and viruses. Breast milk carries all the nutrients a baby needs in their first 6 months of life, including fat, carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, minerals, and water, as well as the crucial antibodies needed to protect your baby against disease. But that’s not all. Anything you put into your own system can be passed through to your baby via breastmilk. It is therefore important to avoid mercury-rich fish, some vitamin supplements, alcohol and drugs while breastfeeding and stick to a healthy diet – which includes clean, filtered water! It’s also well-known that having a new-born baby can seriously impact the amount of quality sleep you are getting. It can, therefore, be tempting to rely on food and drinks with elevated levels of caffeine to keep you awake. Unfortunately, this caffeine is also then passed through to your baby through breast milk and this can cause distress and even heart and other health problems, so it is important to avoid it as much as possible. Caffeine naturally occurs in many food and drink items, such as chocolate, tea, coffee, and energy drinks, as well as some painkillers and cold & flu remedies. Ensuring you drink plenty of fresh water will help clear that brain fog and keep you alert, while protecting your baby from harmful additives. Say No To Unfiltered Water! If you drink filtered water, you are ensuring you and your baby only drink the cleanest and safest water possible; giving them the healthiest start in life. Our range of prestige, ceramic water filters can provide you with great-tasting, safe water in your own home and will ensure that you are giving your baby the best possible start in life! Doulton has been the home of fresh, great-tasting water for nearly 180 years. Our filters are tested and certified by independent laboratories to reduce bacteria, particulates, turbidity, cysts, chlorine, limescale and heavy metals including lead. All of our water filter systems remove up to 99.9% of contaminants – a perfect solution for great tasting water for you and your family. Check out our water solutions now!
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Should You Be Drinking More Water When You're...
In the last blog, we talked about how important it is to stay hydrated during pregnancy and the impacts dehydration can have on your baby. Insufficient water intake during pregnancy can result in serious complications, such as low amniotic fluid levels, premature labour & birth, and neural tube defects; but it can also affect the levels of breast milk production, resulting in insufficient milk for your baby. Check out our water solutions now! Breast milk is made up of around 90% water, so it makes sense that there would be a link between your fluid intake and production levels. Breastfeeding has long-term health benefits for both you and your baby and is recommended by health professionals because: It is perfectly designed for your baby It protects your baby from infections and diseases It provides health benefits to you It can help reduce your baby’s risk of diarrhoea and vomiting It can help prevent sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) It can help prevent obesity It can help prevent cardiovascular disease in adulthood Breastfeeding can also lower your risk of: Breast cancer Ovarian cancer Osteoporosis Cardiovascular disease Obesity How to tell if you are dehydrated Maintaining optimum hydration levels are vital for breastfeeding. Not drinking enough water can directly affect the levels of breast milk production. The signs of dehydration to look out for are: Dark-coloured urine Urinating less frequently Extreme thirst Dizziness Fatigue Confusion Mild dehydration can affect mood and memory; it can also affect how well you process information. Many women notice that, soon after they start breastfeeding, they feel much more thirsty than usual. This heightened thirst is triggered by the hormone Oxytocin, which naturally affects your thirst mechanism, encouraging you to drink more water in order to keep yourself hydrated. Experts recommend drinking 2.5 - 3.5 litres of water a day while breastfeeding, to maintain healthy levels of hydration and ensuring there is no drop in milk production. However, the reality of doing this is not always straightforward; life with a new baby means it is not easy to remember things and sometimes looking after yourself can take a back seat! A simple solution to this could be drinking a glass of water before and after each time you feed your baby. Newborn babies need to be fed little and often throughout the day; by drinking a glass of fresh water each time, you’ll be making an unbreakable habit to stay hydrated, which is one less thing to worry about. Drinking high-quality, fresh water, that is free from chemicals, bacteria, plastics and other nasty particles, is the best way to maintain the health and hydration of you and your baby. Our range of prestige, ceramic water filters can provide you with great-tasting, safe water in your own home and will ensure that you are giving your baby the best possible start in life! Doulton has been the home of fresh, great-tasting water for nearly 180 years. Our filters are tested and certified by independent laboratories to reduce bacteria, particulates, turbidity, cysts, chlorine, limescale and heavy metals including lead. All of our water filter systems remove up to 99.9% of contaminants – a perfect solution for great tasting water for you and your family. Check out our water solutions now!
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How Important Is Water For Your Baby?
It is well documented that water plays a critical role in the development and function of the human brain and body. We are made up of 60% water and fresh water is vital for helping us to: Regulate body temperature Build cells Transport proteins and carbohydrates via the bloodstream Lubricate joints Flush waste from your system Form saliva Act as a shock absorber for the spinal cord and brain Check out our water solutions now! Staying hydrated is so important to maintain a healthy mind and body for yourself, but what about during pregnancy? Growing a new person is a wonder of nature, but it can be extremely hard on the body! This means it is even more important to look after your physical health during this time, to guarantee the wellbeing of you and your baby. Making sure you drink enough water is paramount to this. Many women will often experience heightened levels of thirst during pregnancy, which is your body's way of telling you more fluids are needed to support your baby's development. Water and Your Baby During pregnancy, your body needs more water to: Produce more blood Promote your baby's circulation Create amniotic fluid Keeping yourself properly hydrated can also help to prevent other common side-effects of pregnancy, such as: Reduce pregnancy-related swelling Softening the skin Increasing your energy levels Keeping you cooler Decreasing the risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs) Decreasing the risk of pre-term labour and premature birth Decreasing the risk of constipation and haemarrhoids Some pregnant women have also found that, regularly sipping water throughout the day, can play a huge role in helping to alleviate the symptoms of morning sickness (as well as replenishing the fluids lost through sickness) and the heartburn and indigestion often associated with the early stages of pregnancy. Can Water Protect Your Baby? Water can absolutely protect your baby! Dehydration during pregnancy can result in a number of complications and even, in extreme cases, cause birth defects due to the lack of water and nutritional support for your baby, but dehydration has also been known to affect the levels of amniotic fluid produced. This fluid is vital for: Protecting your baby from infection Protecting your baby's movements in the womb Preventing your baby's body from compressing the umbilical cord Helping to regulate your baby's temperature Helping to develop your baby's respiratory and digestive systems Drinking high-quality, fresh water, that is free from chemicals, bacteria, plastics, and other nasty particles, is the best way to maintain the health and hydration of you and your baby. Our range of prestige, ceramic water filters can provide you with great-tasting, safe water in your own home and will ensure that you are giving your baby the best possible start in life – before they even arrive! Doulton has been the home of fresh, great-tasting water for nearly 180 years. Our filters are tested and certified by independent laboratories to reduce bacteria, particulates, turbidity, cysts, chlorine, limescale and heavy metals including lead. All our water filter systems remove up to 99.9% of contaminants – a perfect solution for great tasting water for you and your family. Check out our water solutions now!
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Alleviate ADHD And Seasonal Allergy Symptoms
You'd be surprised at what water can do for you. It really is the elixir of life. In fact, life as we know it wouldn't exist at all without water. From the smallest bacteria, to the largest whales (and us in the middle somewhere), we all need water to not only survive – but thrive. Yes, it really can improve our quality of life. Drinking enough pristine, high-quality water ensures that our bodies function at their best. It can even help with seasonal allergies and chronic conditions such as ADHD. Do you suffer from allergies or ADHD? Read on to find out how drinking water can help. Check out our water solutions now! How Does Water Help With ADHD? Your mind feels foggy. The noises and distractions around you are difficult to block out. It can be so overwhelming that it’s tricky to get anything done. Focusing takes a herculean effort and remembering things is, frankly, just difficult. It can feel like a constant battle with your brain. Frustration is a familiar presence as you carry out your day-to-day tasks. Sound familiar? ADHD can be tough to manage. But the good news is that something as simple as drinking water can help alleviate symptoms. But how? Well, drinking water can relieve the feeling of brain fog as well as improve cognitive function, memory and the ability to focus, multitask and think clearly. One study on school children showed that proper hydration improved cognitive abilities and memory recall. That’s because water helps create neurotransmitters that facilitate these abilities. But it's important to stay hydrated with the highest-quality water. Snuff Out The Seasonal Sniffles With Water While the thought of blooming flowers and the coming of Spring brings many people joy, it might give you a feeling of dread if you suffer from seasonal allergies. The famous Game of Thrones quote “Winter is coming” might not sound as ominous to you as “Spring is coming”. A constantly runny nose; headaches; dry, itchy skin; watery eyes and incessant sneezing are just some of the “joys” that the season might bring you. But, luckily for you, water can help. Do you usually get blocked sinuses with your seasonal allergies? Drinking enough water thins the mucus in your sinuses which will give you relief. Water can also flush allergens out of your body. Your body creates histamines to fight off irritants in your body. Itchy eyes, a runny nose and the like, are just signs that your body is fighting off these nasty irritants. Histamine is linked to the water in your body. If your body is dehydrated, then it will create more histamine which will continue (or worsen) your allergic reactions to the season. Keeping properly hydrated ensures your body works at its best – and that includes an appropriate histamine response. Health-giving Water Alleviating these conditions isn’t the only health benefit that water can bring. Glowing skin, a healthy heart, and even a bit more happiness are just some of what’s in store for you when you drink more water. You know how precious your health is and you want to look after it, which is why you're here! Drinking enough crystal-clear water that’s filtered and free of contaminants is a great addition to your self-care routine. Want to find out more? Check out our website Check out our water solutions now!
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Do You Want Better Grades for Your Child?
The secret to better grades for your child is right under your nose. That’s right! We all know studying’s a struggle. It can be hard for your kids to focus and get motivated. They can feel exhausted just trying to read through one page of a cryptic text book. And that’s not the worst of it. The worst part is that we can beat ourselves up at the end of the day for not being able to help them as much as we’d hope to. What if it were possible to leave that all behind? Imagine being able to help your kids study with greater focus, clarity of thinking, more energy, improved memory, and better creativity. Wouldn’t that be nice? The solution lies in a fresh, pristine glass of water. Check out our water solutions now! The Dark Side of Tap Water We rely on tap water thinking that it’s perfectly safe to use. But that’s not necessarily the case. Some scientists are concerned about toxic chemicals in tap water. In some areas, it’s been discovered to have high levels of PFAS (Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) which are linked to a variety of health issues. Tap water from old pipes can contain bits of rust and metals. Doesn’t the thought of your child consuming that make you shudder? Not to mention the bitter taste of some tap water. That’ll put your kids off drinking enough. But not staying hydrated is bad for their health and studies. Not drinking enough water can: Make their brain feel “foggy”. Make them feel tired and unmotivated. Negatively affect their memory. Make them stressed and less emotionally resilient. Make it hard for them to sleep. Weaken their immune system. Water and Better Grades Our brains are made up of 75% - 80% water. Water’s the essential fuel it needs for thinking and memory functions. Brain cells actually need twice as much energy than other cells in the body. When properly hydrated, our brain simply functions better. According to one study, students who drank water scored 5% higher in their exams. Keeping hydrated can lead to less anxiety and improves concentration, creativity and thinking ability – which equals better performance. It also enhances your child’s memory so they can recall all the information they need during an exam. Good-quality water gives them a boost in energy which is sorely needed for studying. But how can you ensure that your child stays properly hydrated? Having to drink poor-quality tap water doesn’t make it easy. Filtered water, on the other hand, is free of that nasty chemical taste and odour. Which means they’ll want to drink more of it. In order to get all the benefits of water, it needs to be properly filtered. Get in touch with us and we’ll make it easy for you with the highest quality, hand-made ceramic water filters. So your child can be their best self! Check out our water solutions now!
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Go Off-Grid with Doulton
The Covid pandemic has, over the last 2 years, changed the way we do so many things; not least of which is its impact on the UK holiday industry. Insecurity around different countries’ travel requirements; mammoth airport queues and flight cancellations, as well as sky-rocketing costs are all putting paid to people’s holiday arrangements and more and more of us in the UK are looking closer to home to unwind on our Summer holidays. Check out our Gravity Filters now! It’s this change in our holiday habits, coupled with greater flexibility around our working locations and the rise of the “digital nomad”, that’s driving the recent trends towards camping or caravan trips. The UK Caravan and Motorhome Club has seen its membership numbers soaring over the last 2 years, and the National Caravan Council has stated that, by the end of 2021, sales of new touring caravans had grown by 23.5%, motorhomes and campervans had grown by 12% and holiday (static) caravans had grown by 38%, and, as more people search for cost-effective solutions to their vacation needs, there’s no sign of this slowing down. Our increased connectivity (as well as the fact that our own caravan or motorhome means our four-legged family members can join the adventure), means visiting the beautiful areas the UK has to offer is easily achieved, but the real draw to a home-grown motorhome or caravan trip is the ability to go off-grid; exploring the wilderness without the constraints of modern technology – no work, no phones, no Netflix! If the off-grid lifestyle is your goal (whether for a few days on holiday or longer), having access to safe, fresh filtered water is vital. A gravity fed water filter system is a reliable and portable solution providing clean, filtered drinking water on tap - wherever you are - with no need for a plumber or electricity and it can even be used in areas where there is no pressurised water supply. Our British Berkefeld Gravity System is available in 6L, 8.5L and 12L sizes and features our ceramic filter candles for the reduction of common contaminants and chlorine. The gravity fed water system is comprised of two stainless steel containers. The upper chamber is filled with the untreated water, which is then filtered down by gravity, through a number of ceramic water filters, into the lower chamber. The British Berkefeld Gravity Water Filter System is our best-selling solution for delivering delicious, filtered drinking water whilst travelling. They are relied upon all over the world to provide clean, fresh water in locations with unreliable supplies of safe drinking water. They will provide you with the peace of mind that you can access safe, filtered drinking water wherever you go. Wherever you find yourself this summer, whether it’s the wilds of the Highlands; the hills and valleys of the Brecon Beacons or the beautiful beaches and coastline of Cornwall, then take the British Berkefeld Gravity Water Filter System with you for great-tasting filtered water for you and your family. Check out our Gravity Filters now!
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Stay Hydrated This Summer
As the temperature goes up this summer, ensuring you stay hydrated is as important as ever. We’re facing a recording-breaking heatwave, with weather warnings being issued by the Met Office. But what are the effects of an increase in temperature on the body? Check out our water solutions now! The importance of hydration Many of the everyday functions and processes of our bodies rely on water. From active brain function to the transportation of blood and nutrients around the body (BDA) – water is paramount to them all. On average, we should be drinking between 6 – 8 glasses of water per day, to maintain optimal hydration levels. When the temperature outside goes up, the body has to work that much harder in order to maintain its core temperature of around 37.5 degrees Celsius. In an effort to stop the core temperature going up, the body produces sweat which, as it evaporates, increases the heat lost from the body. In order to produce the sweat required, moisture levels in the body are depleted. Excessive sweating can lead to a critical loss of fluids and salt. This imbalance of the body’s fluid and salt levels can cause dehydration and even, in extreme circumstances, heat exhaustion. The common symptoms of dehydration to look out for are: Headaches Dizziness Fatigue or sleepiness Dry mouth Little to no urine, or urine that is darker than usual More serious symptoms of dehydration can include: A weak or rapid pulse Confusion Lasting dizziness It’s important to remember that anyone can be affected by dehydration and heat exhaustion, but some people are even more susceptible to dehydration that can lead to serious harm, such as the elderly, very young children and people with certain illnesses and disabilities. How to stay hydrated Plain water is the best way to maintain your body’s levels of hydration. If caught early enough, dehydration can be treated by drinking adequate levels of water. If you struggle with drinking water or drinking enough water, the following tips can help (Family Doctor): Carry a reusable water bottle with you throughout the day that can be refilled wherever you go Drink water before, during and after any workout Setting a schedule throughout the day can help if you struggle to remember to drink water. Set an alarm for when you wake up, all mealtimes and when you go to bed, or even a once hourly reminder when it is hot outside Add a slice of lemon or lime, or other fresh fruit, to your water for a refreshing flavour Some ways you can avoid dehydration are: Avoid exercising during the warmest part of the day Stay out of the sun between 11am – 3pm, when the sun is at its peak Keep to the shade where possible, wear a wide-brimmed hat and use plenty of high-factor sun block Avoid drinking too much alcohol Check up on those who may be more susceptible to dehydration, such as the elderly and disabled and keep small children and pets out of the sun as well Enjoy the warm weather and ensure you and your family stay hydrated with Doulton this summer. Hydrate This Summer With Great Tasting Water with Doulton. Whilst hydration is very important, so is great tasting water. Doulton Water Filters is the home of healthy, great-tasting water for almost 200 years. Tested and certified by independent laboratories to reduce bacteria, particulates, turbidity, cysts, chlorine, limescale and heavy metals including lead. Benefits of filtered water: Reduce plastic waste Great taste Removes contaminants and microplastics Keeps healthy minerals If you drink a lot of bottled water, having a water filter system can also be very cost effective. Doulton offer a number of solutions for in your home or on the go. Our countertop systems fit onto your existing kitchen tap and sit next to your sink, ideal for if you live a rented property or do not want help from a professional. The under the sink systems are also easily fitted, they are fitted under your sink out of sight, they are easily, may require a plumber or a handyman and more of a permanent solution. On the go a lot? Our Gravity systems are perfect for in your kitchen or take with you on your travels camping or at the caravan. Made out of stylish stainless steel these can sit on the counter-top at home, or be packed up to take with you on your travels. All of our water filter systems remove 99.9% of contaminants – a perfect solution for great tasting water. Check out our water solutions now!
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Cryptosporidium, the parasite in armour
We are very lucky in the UK to have the positive legacy of our Victorian forebears in many ways, from architecture to our rail network and of course our water treatment and sanitation. It was our Victorian ancestors who, after realising the number of diseases (including several serious and life-threatening diseases) that are spread through drinking dirty water, undertook the monumental challenge of building our current sewerage and sanitation systems. Check out our water solutions now! As part of our sanitation processes, chlorine is added to tap water. The chlorine has some unpleasant effects when we drink it but is still added to water as it also has several benefits. Chlorine is added to water because it kills germs. There is chlorine added to almost all the water we interact with outside of the natural world. Swimming pools and hot tubs have so much chlorine added to stop germs multiplying, the smell of the chemical is quite strong and might irritate sensitive skin and eyes, which is why some people must wear goggles to swim and why we usually wash swimming pool water off in a shower straight after bathing. The chlorine in our tap water is the same stuff as added to swimming pools, but in a lower concentration; and it has a couple of key benefits related to its bacterial-killing abilities. The benefits of chlorine in tap water are that it kills any stray germs remaining after the water is treated, and it also stops bacterial contamination from pipework as treated water travels from the treatment centre to our homes. However, there are many water contaminants that chlorine has no effect upon. Chlorine won’t remove rust or sediment from water that travels through old or leaking pipes (when pipes leak, there is not only the worry that water will escape, but also that pathogens and pollution can enter the pipe). It also has zero effect on any heavy metals present (again this could be as a result of water travelling through older lead pipes, a not-so-great Victorian legacy); no impact on nitrate levels from farming pollution or asbestos levels (believe it or not, some older water pipes have in the past been made from asbestos). No impact on forever chemicals like Ibuprofen or the hormones increasingly found in our water from use of the birth control pill or hormone replacement therapy. And although chlorine usually does a fantastic job at killing bacteria in water, there is even a strange sounding bacterium that it struggles to control. THE ARMOURED GERM Cryptosporidium, a tiny parasite with a big name, is frighteningly good at defending itself from the germ-killing effects of tap water treated with chlorine. To avoid being zapped by the chlorine in tap water, the larval spore of Crypto encases itself in a hard shell that protects it. Chlorine can’t breach the shell to get to the living parasite within, so it remains alive and well through the water treatment process. Here’s how the CDC (the American Center for Disease Control) describes it: “There are many species of Cryptosporidium which infect humans. The parasite is protected by an outer shell that allows it to survive outside the body for long periods of time and makes it very tolerant to chlorine disinfection”. Here’s the CDC again on some of the ways Crypto is spread: “While this parasite can be spread in several different ways, water (drinking water and recreational water) is the most common way to spread the parasite. Cryptosporidium is a leading cause of waterborne disease among humans in the developed world”. An article from the Journal of Biomedical Research states that most infection from Crypto has been attributed to contamination of drinking water. THE INFECTION PROCESS The tiny, invisible Crypto spore floats in the chlorinated water, protected in its armoured ‘shell’ and waits until it is swallowed by an unsuspecting human or animal. Then, once swallowed, digestive enzymes in the human or animal’s stomach dissolve the shell around the parasite – unwittingly releasing it to become free to infect its new host. The parasite burrows into the wall of a small intestine and between two and ten days later, the infected person starts to get sick with a disease called Cryptosporidiosis. Around 750,000 people get infected with Crypto spores every year. Fortunately, in healthy adults the disease is usually harmless in the long term, after some shorter-term unpleasant side effects. Here’s how Healthline describes the symptoms of Cryptosporidiosis, the tell-tale symptoms of Crypto include: - Frequent and watery diarrhoea - Nausea - Vomiting - Stomach cramps - Weight loss - Fever - A persistent cough Symptoms generally begin within a week of exposure and can last up to a month. However, in one study published in BMC Public Health, some people had symptoms that persisted up to 36 months. Once the parasite has infected a host, very few treatments are available, aside from relacing lost fluids, alleviating pain and just allowing the disease to run its course, which may be the reason some of the infections seem to drag on for such a long time. However, in those with underlying health conditions or the very young, Cryptosporidiosis can be a much more dangerous disease. Healthline goes on to describe the potential for a more worrying level of disease in immunocompromised patients: “With long-term symptoms, a person is at increased risk of weight loss, dehydration, and malnutrition. This can be particularly life-threatening in young babies and people with weakened immune systems, such as those who have HIV or who are undergoing chemotherapy”. In 2018 the Lancet named Cryptosporidium as a leading cause of death in children under five, after collecting data that showed it killed more than 48,000 young children around the world in 2016. PROTECTION FROM THE ARMOURED PARASITE We know that the chlorine added to tap water doesn’t protect us from the Crypto parasite, so how can we ensure we are doing everything we can, to keep ourselves and our family safe from this infection? Here again is the CDC on two reliable ways to kill cryptosporidium in drinking water. The first option requires boiling tap water, and there is often a boil water notice applied when water companies find Crypto in water: “To kill or inactivate Crypto, bring your drinking water to a rolling boil for one minute (at elevations above 6,500 feet, boil for three minutes). Water should then be allowed to cool, stored in a clean sanitized container with a tight cover, and refrigerated”. Or a second option that allows you to continue to drink water straight from a kitchen tap without the need to boil it: “An alternative to boiling water is using a point-of-use filter. Not all home water filters remove Crypto. Filters that are designed to remove Crypto should have one of the following labels: Tested and certified by NSF Standard 53 for cyst removal, or Tested and certified by NSF Standard 53 for cyst reduction”. We at Doulton are proud to manufacture ceramic water filters accredited by the NSF to filter cysts including the pesky Cryptosporidium, safely from domestic drinking water. Fitting a Doulton water filter will allow free use of a kitchen tap without the need to boil water. Check out our water solutions now!
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