(HealthDay News) — Job loss, promotion, a transfer and other life changes can force families to move. For children, a move can be stressful and accentuate negative aspects of their personalities, says the American Academy of Pediatrics. To help a child adjust to a move, the academy encourages parents to: Emphasize the positive aspects of what awaits at the new location. Let your child express his or her feelings and acknowledge sadness. Take your child to the community where you will be moving. Give the child the chance to participate in decisions, such as the new room color. Become involved in the new community yourself. Maintain contact with the old community.
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Even Dolphins Are Threatened by Antibiotic-Resistant ‘Superbugs’
Scientists have found one more way Flipper is a lot like people: The sharp rise in antibiotic resistance affecting humans is also happening to dolphins. The discovery stems from a 13-year study of bottlenose dolphins in Florida’s Indian River Lagoon. “We’ve been able to provide a large database of information in order to continue learning from these impressive animals,” said Gregory Bossart, senior vice president and chief veterinary officer at the Georgia Aquarium, one of four partners in the new study. The research, published Sept. 15 in the journal Aquatic Mammals, follows a report last week that bottlenose dolphins in the English Channel harbor “a toxic cocktail” of chemicals, including some that have been banned for decades. For the latest study, the researchers analyzed antibiotic resistance in 733 samples of bacteria collected between 2003 and 2015 from 171 bottlenose dolphins in the lagoon on Florida’s eastern coast. Some of the bacteria are also a threat to humans. In all, over 88% were resistant to at least one antibiotic, the researchers found. Resistance was highest to erythromycin (nearly 92%), followed by ampicillin (77%) and cephalothin (about 62%). Similar to trends in people, resistance to ciprofloxacin among E. coli samples more than doubled during the study. And rates of resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa — a cause of respiratory and urinary infections in people — were the highest… read on >
Kids Often Prescribed Drugs ‘Off-Label,’ Raising Concerns
When a child gets sick, doctors are increasingly relying on what’s known as “off-label” use of medications, a new study says. Off-label use of a drug means that it hasn’t been specifically studied and approved for the condition, age group or weight of the person getting the prescription. For example, kids with asthma may be prescribed antihistamines (approved for allergies, but not specifically for asthma), because they may have allergies that trigger their wheezing, the researchers noted. The study found that doctors prescribed one or more off-label drugs for children in almost 1 out of every 5 office visits. “Off-label doesn’t mean a drug is harmful. There’s often good evidence behind the use of off-label drugs,” said study senior author Dr. Daniel Horton. He’s an assistant professor of pediatrics and epidemiology at the Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Brunswick, N.J. “But sometimes there isn’t good evidence, so it’s important for parents to discuss with the child’s doctor what is known and not known about off-label drugs, so they can try to ensure that the benefits of a drug outweigh the risks,” Horton said. Doctors often turn to off-label drug use because no alternative exists, the authors said. “Historically, children have been excluded from clinical trials of medications. This left a large gap in knowledge. Over time, legislation and policies to require more… read on >
Experts’ Guide to Trampoline Safety
If you own or use trampolines, you need to take steps to prevent injuries, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) says. While trampolines are fun and can help improve coordination and strengthen the musculoskeletal system, serious injuries can occur without proper safety measures. In 2018, nearly 314,000 trampoline-related injuries were treated in U.S. emergency departments, doctors’ offices and clinics, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. A recent article in the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons noted that a higher percentage of fractures have been linked to trampoline and jump parks than home trampolines. “Many injuries come from multiple people jumping at once,” AAOS spokesman and pediatric orthopedic surgeon Dr. L. Reid Nichols said in an academy news release. “To limit injuries, ensure only one participant on a trampoline at a time. … Ensure rules are implemented and followed. Check also with your insurance rider before purchasing a home trampoline.” The AAOS offered the following trampoline safety tips: Don’t let children younger than 6 years old use trampolines and remove trampoline ladders after use to prevent unsupervised jumping. Regularly check equipment and discard worn or damaged equipment if replacement parts aren’t available. Make sure that supporting bars, strings and surrounding landing surfaces have adequate protective padding. See that the padding is in good condition and properly positioned. Don’t depend only on… read on >
How to Keep Your Feet on a Sound, Pain-Free Footing
Don’t let foot problems hobble your autumn activities, a foot surgeon says. “Foot health contributes to your overall health. From beginners to advanced athletes, proper foot care is important to keep your body healthy,” said Dr. John Giurini, chief of podiatric surgery at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, in Boston. One of the most common foot problems among active people is plantar fasciitis, inflammation of the thick band of tissue in the arch of the foot. “Under normal circumstances, your plantar fascia helps absorb the shock of pounding on pavement,” Giurini said in a medical center news release. “But repetitive stretching can lead to inflammation and irritation, and even small tears.” Along with overuse, other risk factors for plantar fasciitis include being flat-footed or having a high arch, being overweight, or doing activities in worn-out or inappropriate footwear. “When caught early, mild cases can be treated conservatively with rest, ice and stretching to give the inflammation time to heal,” Giurini said. “In some cases, physical therapy and orthotic devices can be helpful. In more severe or resistant cases, steroid injections and surgical procedures may be necessary to alleviate this pain.” Blisters are another common foot problem and develop due to constant friction and moisture. Blisters can be painful and, if they break open, can become infected. “This is where proper shoe fit is important —… read on >
What’s the Right Balance of Fats and Carbs?
What is the perfect amount of fats and carbohydrates for a healthy diet? Scientists from McMaster University in Canada analyzed food diaries from more than 135,000 people in 18 countries around the world to find out. The answer supports the old adage that moderation is good for your heart and a longer life, specifically that eating moderate amounts of carbs and fats rather than very high or very low intakes of either is better for you — with a few twists. The carb intake of study participants ranged from 46% to 77% of daily calories. The higher the percentage, the greater the association with an increased risk of death, heart attack and stroke. Yet going low-carb didn’t convey benefits — 50% of daily calories seems to be just right, as long as you focus on fruits, vegetables and whole grains rather than white bread and other refined grains, white rice and foods high in sugar. More surprises came from fat intake. For one, people who got a full 35% of their daily calories from fat actually had a lower risk of dying than those who limited fat to 10%. And it might not be necessary for everyone to keep saturated fat, in particular, under 10% of total calories — in fact, going below 7% might even be harmful. A key takeaway is how to replace… read on >
Stricter Arsenic Standard Made Public Drinking Water Safer: Study
Stricter U.S. government standards for drinking water have reduced arsenic violations by public water systems, proving such safety regulations work, researchers say. Public water systems provide more than 80% of the nation’s drinking water. The new standard was introduced in 2001. Since then, the percentage of public water systems in violation fell from 1.3% in 2008 to 0.55% in 2017, researchers found. A few counties in California and Texas accounted for most of the violations. With fewer violations, the number of people drinking water with higher-than-allowed levels of arsenic fell by more than 1 million, to about 450,000, according to the study published Sept. 10 in the journal Environmental Science and Technology. “This reinforces the point that safety regulations do work, especially when they come with a carrot-and-stick approach, like increasing resources for systems to comply and giving them flexibility to choose what works best for their community,” said corresponding author Molly Kile. She is an associate professor at the College of Public Health and Human Sciences at Oregon State University in Corvallis. Arsenic is categorized by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as a Group 1 human carcinogen. That’s the most dangerous category and also includes asbestos, formaldehyde and mustard gas. In water, arsenic is tasteless, odorless and colorless. Long-term ingestion increases the risk of lung, bladder, liver, kidney and skin cancer. Arsenic… read on >
For This Mom, Rare Bone Disease Is a Family Affair
Most people expect some risk in activities like mountain biking or rollerblading, but few would expect to end up in the emergency room with a broken thigh bone from doing a squat. That’s exactly what happened to Rachel Jones, 39, who was just trying to stay in shape, despite having a lifelong genetic illness. The broken femur wasn’t her first broken bone — and it may not be her last. Jones has a disease called XLH, short for X-linked hypophosphatemia. It causes rickets (a low vitamin D condition) and low phosphorus levels in the body, which affects bone strength and causes a number of other problems, too. Jones, who lives in Colorado Springs, Colo., was diagnosed with XLH when she was 6 months old. Her mother and brother also have the disease, as do her daughter, Brooke and son, Benjamin. “On a day-to-day basis, I deal with chronic pain in some parts of my body — sometimes the pain lasts from the time I wake up until the time I go to bed,” Jones said, adding that it’s not something she thinks about all the time because she’s used to it. “I also have limited mobility and muscle weakness, and there’s always the fear of breaking a bone. It seems like every time I try to get back into shape, something happens. My knees need… read on >
CDC Revises Number of Vaping-Linked Lung Illnesses to 380 in 36 States
U.S. health officials have revised downward the number of cases of a severe lung injury linked to vaping, from more than 450 cases cited last week to the total of 380 cases announced late Thursday. The decrease is due to the exclusion of “possible” cases, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explained. The new case total — which includes cases either confirmed or “probable” — have occurred across 36 states and the Virgin Islands, the CDC said in a statement. Some cases have proven fatal. “Six total deaths have been confirmed in six states: California, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Minnesota, and Oregon,” the CDC noted. The reason behind these illnesses and deaths remains uncertain, but a leading culprit at this point is an oily chemical called vitamin E acetate, according to the CDC. The oil is derived from vitamin E, which is found in vegetable oils, nuts and seeds, and leafy green veggies. Vitamin E acetate is available as a dietary supplement and skin treatment. When vaped and inhaled, this oil can harm lung cells, experts say. Illnesses and investigations “The focus of our investigation is narrowing and that’s great news, but we’re still faced with complex questions in this outbreak that will take time to answer,” Ileana Arias, acting deputy director of non-infectious diseases at the CDC, said during a Sept. 6 media… read on >
Health Tip: Avoiding Cholera
(HealthDay News) — Cholera causes 95,000 deaths around the world each year, says the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. All travelers and residents in areas where cholera is occurring should take precautions to protect themselves and family members. To avoid contracting cholera, the CDC recommends: Drink and use safe water. Wash your hands often with soap and safe water. Use latrines or bury your feces. Never defecate in a body of water. Cook food well, keep it covered and eat it hot. Peel fruits and vegetables. Clean the kitchen and areas where the family bathes or washes clothes.