Mother Nature provides us with an infinite array of wonders. But it seems that she also possesses a mischievous streak, perhaps to remind us that “natural” is not synonymous with “beneficial,” as many people like to think. Poison ivy is a case in point. It affects countless millions of Americans each year. Here […]
Children/Well Water/Illnesses
June 15, 2009 by
Make sure that your kids drink safe water when attending camp, traveling, hiking, camping and picnicking, says the American Academy of Pediatrics. Such summer activities often expose kids (and you) to facilities where well water is used. Here is what you should know: 1. Many rural wells are private (as opposed to municipal) […]
Summer/Children/Outdoor Health and Safety
May 20, 2009 by
Here are ten of the most healthful tips from the forty topics posted in the past year: 1. June is the month for maximum sun exposure. In June, in the Northern Hemisphere, the sun is closest to Earth, straight above you, and there are more hours of sunshine, all increasing exposure. Weather is generally cooler […]
Special Report No. 2: Swine flu influenza/Infants and children/Prevention
May 3, 2009 by
This is our second report on the current swine flu outbreak. Here are the latest recommendations for protecting your children from becoming ill. · Keep events in perspective. In the U.S., in “mild” flu seasons, about 20,000 children under the age of five years are hospitalized with proven flu. Most of these children are under […]
Special Report: Swine Flu/Children
April 26, 2009 by
Note: This article was written on Sunday, April 26, 2009. It summarizes information available to date. However, today’s information may be obsolete tomorrow if more cases surface and as ongoing laboratory results are evaluated. Check dates of any material you read. The largest confirmed outbreak, eight cases, has occurred among students in one high school […]
Children/Animal-Related Illnesses
April 8, 2009 by
1. No animal is totally predictable – and neither are children. Two-thirds of dogs that bite children had no history of aggressive behavior. Even breeds that make “excellent pets” may bite. Toddlers may innocently incite dogs by suddenly running towards them, arms flailing and making happy noises – behavior that animals may interpret as threatening. […]
Natasha Richardson/Head Trauma/Wearing Helmets/Children
March 21, 2009 by
Ms. Richardson apparently had no symptoms immediately after the fall. She got up, smiled, and said she felt fine. She started to complain of a headache about an hour later and her condition deteriorated very rapidly thereafter. Likely, the fall ruptured a blood vessel in her brain, with the rupture gradually becoming larger and culminating […]
