All Sauce from Weekly Gravy:

After the death of a parent, boys may have a tougher time than girls, a new study suggests. Young people who lose a parent before age 21 are at risk for poor mental health, lower income and unemployment in adulthood. Researchers say boys seem to be harder hit. The study was published July 25 in the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health. “Early parental death is strongly associated with a higher risk of children’s poor mental health in adulthood for both males and females, but the estimated odds ratios are usually quantitatively larger for males,” the authors, led by Petri Böckerman of the University of Jyväskylä in Finland, said in a journal news release. Böckerman and his colleagues collected data on nearly 1 million Finns born between 1971 and 1986. By age 31, about 15% had lost a parent. Nearly 12% lost their father; fewer than 5% lost their mother. Nearly 65,800 people lost a parent before age 21. They had higher odds of a hospital admission for mental health issues than those who lost a parent after age 30, the researchers found. Males appeared to be more vulnerable than females. Men were 70% more likely to be hospitalized as were 52% of women. Substance use disorders and intentional self-harm were the most common reasons for admission. Boys and young men who lost their moms…  read on >  read on >

When parents meet U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy, one concern comes up time after time. “The most common question parents ask me is: ‘Is social media safe for my kids,’ ” Murthy said. “The answer is that we don’t have enough evidence to say it’s safe, and in fact, there is growing evidence that social media use is associated with harm to young people’s mental health.” Cyberbullying, cyberstalking, anxiety, inappropriate content, other social pressures, a distraction from school, and body image issues are but a few of the potential pitfalls. “We can’t just take away our kids’ phones or computers,” said Mari Radzik, a clinical psychologist in the Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA). “It’s about figuring out how we can guide them in using and navigating these tools.” Here are tips parents can use to help teens ease the negative effects of social media: 1) Set rules: A federal law makes it illegal for children under 13 to have social media accounts, and legislation is being considered to protect kids’ information until they are 16. It’s best to put off social media for as long as possible, experts say. Parents should talk with their kids, reviewing rules and privacy settings, said pediatrician Dr. Jennifer Hartstein, who is part of the CHLA Care Network. If you’re unfamiliar…  read on >  read on >

Some medications may not treat inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) as effectively if patients carry a lot of excess belly fat, , new research shows. IBD includes illnesses such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Researchers say using the wrong anti-inflammatory drug for these patients could mean lower rates of remission. “Even though biologic medications have significantly improved outcomes for our patients with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, some people do not respond well to these therapies,” said Dr. Andres Yarur, a gastroenterologist at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles. “In our study, we found that the patients with higher amounts of internal abdominal fat were less likely to improve and experience remission from their disease.” Unlike some anti-inflammatory drugs, biologics work by blocking targets that cause inflammation in the body. Researchers found that patients with higher levels of visceral fat had lower levels of the biologic medications in their blood after treatment and lower rates of steroid-free remission and bowel healing. Visceral fat is found deep within the abdomen, surrounding important organs, including the stomach, liver and bowels. “It seems the fat tissue on the inner side of the abdomen, in particular, impacts treatment, so we may need to use higher doses of the drugs to help these patients,” said researcher Dr. Gil Melmed, director of Inflammatory Bowel Disease Clinical Research at Cedars-Sinai. For the study, the…  read on >  read on >

If you’ve ever slammed a door on your finger, you know how badly an injured nail feels, but do you know how to treat one? First, do what you can to prevent one. “To prevent a nail injury, I tell my patients to keep their nails short, so they do not bend or catch on objects,” said Dr. Shari Lipner, an associate professor of clinical dermatology at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York City. “Not only do short nails stay cleaner and break less often, they’re also good for your overall health because they are less likely to harbor dirt and bacteria, which can lead to an infection,” she said in an American Academy of Dermatology news release. “It’s also important to make sure your shoes fit well and have a wide toe box to prevent rubbing. If you play sports, make sure to wear the proper gear to protect your nails,” Lipner advised. But if you do smash your nail, Lipner has some suggestions on how to treat it: Treat your wound. If any part of your nail is hanging off, gently trim away the part not connected to your skin. Clean the wound using soap and water. If the wound is bleeding, apply petroleum jelly to keep the wound moist, then cover with gauze or a bandage. Repeat these steps every day while…  read on >  read on >

Summer jobs can give teens valuable life experience that help them transition to adulthood — not just a paycheck, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Benefits of summer jobs include: Career exploration: Summer jobs and internships help high school students explore different careers that might interest them. They also provide opportunities to network and find future mentors. Financial independence: Teens learn financial skills such as budgeting and money management. Time management: Teens learn to manage their time, set deadlines and be accountable. Communication skills: Teens learn how to interact with their supervisors, customers and colleagues. Work ethic: Teens learn values such as teamwork, respect and responsibility. Self-confidence: Working in the real-world boosts self-esteem and self-confidence. When looking for a summer job, suggest that your teen consider these factors: Is it a good fit? Look for jobs that align with your interests and skills. Is it flexible? Summer jobs should be flexible to accommodate a teen’s schedule. Is there time for family fun? Teens will need to take family vacation plans into account. Teens should consider their priorities and achieve a balance between work and other commitments. More information For more about the benefits of a summer job, visit Kids Health. SOURCE: American Academy of Pediatrics, news release, July 27, 2023  read on >

When it comes to falling down stairs, young women are more prone to take a tumble than their male counterparts. According to a new study, this is because they are more likely to be distracted or to wear impractical footwear. Going down a staircase while talking or texting on the phone or engaging in other distractions is an invitation to take a header, researchers report. Women were more likely to be talking to another person than men while on stairs in the study. “When we found that women were talking to a friend more than men, it was like a groan because we’re confirming the stereotype, which you never want to do,” researcher Shirley Rietdyk, a professor of kinesiology at Purdue University, told NBC News. “But when we only looked at people who were walking with someone else, there was no difference in the rate of talking, so it’s not that women talk more than men — it’s that they’re more likely to be with a friend than a man is.” Falling on the stairs is more likely to result in injuries than other falls. In the United States, children under the age of 3, young adults in their 20s and adults over 85 are those most at risk for falling down stairs, the researchers said. For the study, published online July 26 in the…  read on >  read on >

Bronny James, son of basketball superstar LeBron James, was released from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center on Thursday, just three days after the 18-year-old suffered cardiac arrest during a college basketball practice. Consulting cardiologist Dr. Merije Chukumerije said in a statement that James was “successfully treated for a sudden cardiac arrest.” Chukumerije credited “the swift and effective response by the USC athletics’ medical staff” after the incident Monday at the University of Southern California’s Galen Center, where the incoming freshman guard was participating in basketball practice.” Bronny James arrived at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center conscious, neurologically intact and stable, Chukumerije said. “Mr. James was cared for promptly by highly trained staff and has been discharged home, where he is resting. Although his workup will be ongoing, we are hopeful for his continued progress and are encouraged by his response, resilience, and his family and community support,” Chukumerije said. Meanwhile, in a message posted on social media, LeBron James said his family is “safe and healthy.” “I want to thank the countless people sending my family love and prayers,” LeBron James wrote. “We feel you and I’m so grateful. Everyone doing great. We have our family together, safe and healthy, and we feel your love. Will have more to say when we’re ready but I wanted to tell everyone how much your support has meant to all of us!”…  read on >  read on >

Too little fiber in Mom’s diet during pregnancy may slow a baby’s mental development, Japanese research suggests. Animal studies have found that a low-fiber diet during pregnancy slows brain nerve function in offspring. The new study, published July 27 in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition, shows the same effect in humans. “Most pregnant women in Japan consume far less dietary fiber than what is the recommended intake,” said study leader Kunio Miyake, an assistant professor of environmental genetics at the University of Yamanashi. “Our results provided reinforcing evidence that undernutrition during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of neurodevelopmental delay in children,” Miyake said in a journal news release. For the study, the researchers compared the development of children whose mothers ate the most fiber to those of mothers who consumed less fiber. The study included 76,000 mother-infant pairs who were part of the Japan Environment and Children’s Study. Compared with children whose mothers ate the most fiber during pregnancy, those whose moms ate the least were more likely to show neurodevelopmental delays. The delays affected communication, problem-solving and personal-social skills. Researchers also saw delayed development of movement and coordination. In Japan, the recommended daily dietary fiber intake is 18 grams; in the United States and Canada, it is 28 grams. “Our results show that nutritional guidance for pregnant mothers is crucial to reduce…  read on >  read on >

As kids prepare to return to school, a new poll warns that the many children who found the last school year challenging are likely to be apprehensive this time around. The online survey, conducted by the Harris Poll on behalf of the nonprofit On Our Sleeves Movement for Children’s Mental Health, found that 71% of American parents say their children experienced challenges last school year. These included safety concerns (37%), academic challenges (26%), bullying (24%), ongoing social challenges related to the pandemic (24%) and mental health challenges (22%). “Between academic struggles, behavioral challenges, increased depression and anxiety and challenges making social connections, we’ve been hearing firsthand from families about how tough last school year was for many kids,” said Whitney Raglin Bignall, associate clinical director of On Our Sleeves and a pediatric psychologist at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. “As we head into the new school year, it’s crucial to understand how kids are thinking and feeling about returning to the classroom,” she added in a hospital news release. “Checking in and having conversations with them is a simple, yet critical, way to help minimize any lingering issues before they turn into even bigger challenges this upcoming school year. “Talking about mental health can be difficult but it’s recommended that parents and caregivers initiate daily conversations. This helps children feel comfortable and supported enough…  read on >  read on >

Tick bites can cause crippling infections like Lyme disease in humans, but new research suggests they can also trigger a serious meat allergy in far more Americans than thought. Called alpha-gal syndrome, the condition may affect hundreds of thousands of Americans, U.S. health officials announced Thursday, but many doctors are not familiar with the condition, or how to diagnose or treat it. According to one of two studies from researchers at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there were more than 110,000 suspected cases of alpha-gal syndrome reported between 2010 and 2022. But because diagnosis requires a diagnostic test and a clinical exam, many people may not get tested. On that basis, the CDC researchers estimated that as many as 450,000 Americans might be affected. In that study, researchers looked at lab results from 2017 to 2022 from a laboratory that, until August 2021, was the primary commercial lab offering such testing in the United States. More than 300,000 samples were tested, and more than 30% showed AGS infection. “Alpha-gal syndrome is an important emerging public health problem, with potentially severe health impacts that can last a lifetime for some patients,” CDC researcher Dr. Ann Carpenter said in an agency news release. “It’s critical for clinicians to be aware of AGS so they can properly evaluate, diagnose and manage their patients, and also…  read on >  read on >