Families

U.S. rates of autism, ADHD continue to rise

Submitted by Anonymous on Monday, May 23rd, 3:55 pm

One in six U.S. children now has a developmental disability such as autism, learning disorders or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), according to new research from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

That number appears to be on the rise. In 1997-1999, about 12.8 percent of kids were diagnosed with a developmental disability. That number rose to 15 percent in 2006-2008 -- or an additional 1.8 million U.S. children.

Much of the bump up in cases seems driven by rising rates of autism and ADHD, experts say.

"The most important message here is raising awareness of the importance of this as a health problem and one we need to address," said lead study author Coleen Boyle, director of the U.S. National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities. "Children are our future, and many of these children can grow up to be very productive citizens, so we need to invest in programs to help facilitate their development."

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Keeping cool in the heat

Submitted by Anonymous on Monday, May 23rd, 10:06 am

As summer approaches and temperatures rise, so does the risk of heat-related illnesses, experts say.

"We are not invincible when it comes to exercise in the heat," said Brendon McDermott, an athletic trainer with the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and member of the Korey Stringer Institute (KSI) Medical and Science Advisory Board, in a news release from the National Athletic Trainers Association. "In extreme cases, if medical care is not provided in a timely manner, long-term damage and sometimes death can occur."

Among the most common heat-related illnesses:

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Health tip: Is my memory loss normal?

Submitted by Anonymous on Wednesday, May 18th, 11:24 am

Everyone forgets things now and then, and remembering everything naturally becomes more difficult as you get older.

But certain types of memory loss may indicate something much more serious. The American Academy of Family Physicians says the following warning signs should not be ignored:

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Water safety: be prepared to have fun

Submitted by Anonymous on Tuesday, May 17th, 1:28 pm

As we head into summer, remember the importance of being safe in, on and around the water. Don't be left out of summer fun! Insure your family members are prepared by knowing how to swim and basic water safety rules. Swimmers of all ages and abilities can develop their swimming and water safety skills through American Red Cross learn-to-swim classes available at area pools.

Follow these priceless safety tips for staying safe around the water:

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FDA panel to weigh dosing labels for kids' OTC fever relievers

Submitted by Anonymous on Tuesday, May 17th, 12:49 pm

Two U.S. Food and Drug Administration advisory committees plan to meet Tuesday and Wednesday to decide whether to recommend that the dosing instructions on the labels of medicines containing acetaminophen need to be fine-tuned to protect children under the age of 2 against possible liver failure and even death.

Currently, the labels of such fever-reducing medications, which include Children's Tylenol, have dosing instructions for children aged 2 and up. For kids under 2, the labels simply tell parents to "ask a doctor."

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and drug manufacturers are both strongly in favor of giving parents the additional dosing information.

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Spring cleaning lands many Americans in hot water

Submitted by Anonymous on Monday, May 16th, 1:55 pm

As Americans head toward attics, roofs and yards to freshen things up after the long winter, experts warn that spring cleaning can lead to a spring visit to the hospital.

In 2010, more than 35,500 people injured themselves on a stepladder, and more than 41,000 suffered injuries while gardening or using gardening equipment, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. In addition, over 127,000 were injured while using a lawnmower.

"Spring cleaning can bring on many injuries for a variety of reasons. Specifically, people tend to do too much too soon," orthopedic surgeon Dr. Michael A. Flippin, a spokesperson for the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, said in a news release from the academy.

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