Companies such as Vonage and Magicjack use the internet to mimic a phone line without decoding packets of information, which can create echo, frequency shifts or timing errors. While this may be okay during a phone call, alarm systems require a much more accurate signal to be sent to a central station. Alarm signals are very precise signals with specific timing between pulses and frequencies. A land line can deliver these signals to a central station without any interruption. However, central stations are not able to interpret the alarm signal sent over a cheaper VoIP phone system if packets get sent over different routes and arrive out of order. Unlike their dirt-cheap competitors, Comcast, Charter, and Verizon VoIP systems usually send information packets through their own facilities. This allows them to keep the timing and frequency of signals intact. These packets are then sent out looking the same way they were sent, allowing the central station to understand the signal. However, in late March many security system customers were sent a letter or email from their central station including a statement such as this one from the Rapid Response central station in Syracuse, NY: On or about late Thursday, March 26th / early Friday, March 27th dial up systems routing through Comcast across the United States began having extreme difficulty communicating correctly to central stations.
Pseudoephedrine is an over-the-counter (OTC) medication typically used to treat nasal congestion, sinus congestion, and a runny nose. These symptoms may be caused by multiple conditions such as the common cold, sinusitis or allergies. Pseudoephedrine only treats symptoms; it is not a cure for viral or bacterial illness. E+ / Getty Images Some doctors have prescribed pseudoephedrine to treat fluid in the ear, but the effectiveness of this application is generally poor. Common Brand Names Biofed Cenafed Contac 12-Hour Decofed Dimetapp Decongestant Drixoral Efidac 24 Sudafed Suphedrin You should note that Sudafed PE is actually made with phenylephrine, which is similar to, but not the same as pseudoephedrine. Uses The most common indication for pseudoephedrine is as a decongestant, for conditions such as nasal congestion, sinus congestion, and eustachian tube congestion. It works by shrinking swollen nasal membranes, reducing edema (tissue swelling) and hyperemia (increased blood flow to nasal tissues).