Announcements
Misinformation and Disinformation
In 2017, US Surgeon General Dr Vivek Murthy issued a national Health Advisory to the US public about an emerging health threat: the very real danger of health misinformation.
It is a common occurrence that people repost health info without knowing if it is true or if it might be blatant misinformation. Sometimes it looks like it is probably true if we have seen other posts with similar content. But when there is SO MUCH false info on the internet, seeing similar posts is likely to be just a cluster of misinformation that multiple people are reposting. When in doubt, do not repost, but instead use the internet to check reliable sources of health information, such as the CDC (CDC.gov).
Far more dangerous is the rampant use of “disinformation”. This is when false information is spread to purposely mislead the public, often for monetary gain. For example, there are many known “influencers” who make up stories about children being harmed by vaccines. The more they post, the more hits they get and and the more money they reap from their advertisers. Disinformation has also been used to gain political advantage, both inside the USA and against us from outside the USA. Again, check reliable sources such as the CDC.
Unfortunately, this practice is so common that a disturbingly large segment of the public is convinced that the content is actually true, and for example, that the CDC is corrupt and hiding something from the public.
Find out more about misinformation and disinformation at the website of the surgeon general:
Feeding Children Honey After They Swallow A Small Battery Can Prevent Serious Injury, Study Suggests.
The Philadelphia Inquirer (6/11/2018) reports “a team of pediatric ear, nose, and throat specialists from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and Nationwide Children’s Hospital has discovered that giving a child honey to eat after he or she has swallowed a small battery can prevent serious injury and possibly even death.” Study authors explained, “Our recommendation would be for parents and caregivers to give honey at regular intervals before a child is able to reach a hospital, while clinicians in a hospital can use sucralfate before removing the battery.” The findings, which “will be incorporated into the National Capital Poison Center’s guidelines for management of button battery ingestions,” were published in The Laryngoscope.
Your Family History Matters! Know it. Log it. Share it.
Many health problems are hereditary, so it's important to know what health problems your relatives have had. Many families are starting to keep a medical log, with all the medical problems listed, including the medical terms, so that this information will be more useful to your doctors. Make copies to bring to your doctor.
Mended Little Hearts
Support Group for Children with Heart Surgery
A new chapter of MLH has just opened in Bowling Green, headed up by Lara Barnhouse.
In 1951 the non-profit support group, Mended Hearts, formed. Since their formation they have been providing hope and support to heart patients and their families. In 2004 they wanted to do something for the “littlest heart patient of all”, so they formed Mended Little Hearts. There are now approximately 50 Mended Little Hearts chapters nation wide and we are continuously growing.
Mended Little Hearts gives hope and support to children, families, and caregivers impacted by congenital heart defects in order to improve and extend quality of life.We hope to raise awareness and educate about CHD and the great need for research. We also want to be there for other people who are finding out that their child or relative has a heart problem and let them know they aren't alone as they go through this journey.
If you or anyone you know has been affected or touched by someone with a congenital heart defect and you would like to learn more about our group please contact Lara Barnhouse – Group Coordinator at (270)392-4839 or email lara.mlhbgky@att.net or Venica Pollard – Co-Coordinator at (270)303-0377 or email venica.mlhbgky@att.net.
HPV Vaccine Approved for Boys
New recommendations for HPV vaccine (summer 2010) now include the use for boys. This has the benefit of possibly preventing cervical cancer in a future spouse, and also prevents venereal warts which can be painful. The vaccine also greatly reduces the chance of getting cancer of the penis. Both boys and girls can get the vaccine anytime after age 9, but we usually start around the 6th grade check-up.
Center for Courageous Kids
Camp for Children with Chronic Diseases
We are very fortunate to have the Center for Courageous Kids in the neighboring town of Scottsville. They can accommodate 128 children each week for 5-day sessions, all year long. They accept children with many different conditions, including asthma, cancer, sickle cell, arthritis, cystic fibrosis, seizures, Crohn's disease, autism, heart disease, and many others.The best news: It's FREE! Second best news: the whole family gets to go for free, too!
Healthy Babies are Worth the Wait!
New studies show that babies born before 37 weeks gestation are at risk for much more than low birth weight. They also have more risk of SIDS, behavior problems, learning disabilities, and much higher chance of neonatal death! Learn more at: www.prematurityprevention.org.
Food Allergies Present a Special Danger
Certain food allergies, such as peanuts and tree nuts, are far more likely to result in a fatal allergic reaction than other allergies. Special precautions should be taken whenever these children eat away from home, and they should always carry injectable epinephrine with them. We now know that peanut and other food allergies can be prevented by giving babies a taste of peanut butter, eggs and other “allergic” type foods during the first six months of life. This way the body “gets used to” these foods and does not form an allergic response to them later.
