Young children are more likely to be awakened by a smoke alarm that uses their mother’s voice than one with a typical high-pitched alarm, a new study finds. The mother’s voice alarm also resulted in much quicker escape times. “Children are remarkably resistant to awakening by sound when asleep,” explained study co-author Dr. Mark Splaingard,… read on >
All Mommy:
Health Tip: Discussing Divorce With Kids
Almost half of all marriages end in divorce, the American Academy of Family Physicians notes. If you have children, it’s important for you as a parent to stress that the divorce is not their fault. You also should do your best to keep lines of communication open, the group says. The academy recommends: Be open… read on >
Health Tip: Safety Basics for New Teen Drivers
Teen drivers are more likely to be involved in a car crash that results in injury or death than any other age group in the United States, the American Academy of Pediatrics says. Teens with less than 18 months of driving experience are much more at risk of a crash or near-crash because of factors… read on >
Disabling Hip Ailment Is Another Health Risk for Obese Kids
Childhood obesity has been linked to a higher risk of type 2 diabetes and early heart disease, but new research now ties it to a sometimes crippling hip condition. It’s called slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE), and it causes the hip to become deformed, occasionally so much so that the hip collapses. SCFE causes pain… read on >
Pregnancy Complications Down for Women With Lupus
Deaths and complications among pregnant women with lupus have declined in the United States over the past two decades, a new study finds. Lupus, also called systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in many parts of the body, including the kidneys, skin and joints, as well as the tissue… read on >
Carve the Pumpkin, Not Your Hand
Jack-o’-lanterns can be scary, but they shouldn’t be dangerous. Last year, pumpkin carving accounted for nearly 3,200 of the 16,706 Halloween-related injuries treated in U.S. emergency departments, doctors’ offices and clinics, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. “Pumpkin carving is a fun activity, but it can result in serious cuts on the hand and… read on >
Making Halloween Less Scary for Teens With Allergies, Asthma
Teens with allergies and asthma can enjoy Halloween as long as they take precautions, an allergist says. “There’s no reason a teen with allergies should have to miss anything,” said Dr. Bradley Chipps, president of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. Teens usually know the drill when it comes to handling their food… read on >
Could Herpes Virus Help Cause Alzheimer’s?
There’s growing evidence that the herpes virus responsible for cold sores also may cause Alzheimer’s disease, a new research paper contends. It’s been long known that herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV1) can been found in the brains of elderly people with Alzheimer’s disease, and research has shown that herpes increases Alzheimer’s risk in people genetically… read on >
Hormonal Changes Might Lead to Hernias in Aging Men, Mouse Study Suggests
Age-related increases in estrogen may be the reason why inguinal hernias are common among older men, new research with rodents suggests. Inguinal hernias occur when soft tissue — often part of the intestines — protrudes through a weak spot in the abdominal wall near the groin. These hernias are the most common reason men undergo… read on >
Juul Drawing Lots of Teen Followers on Twitter
Though the maker of Juul e-cigarettes has claimed its product is aimed at adult smokers trying to quit, almost a quarter of the company’s Twitter followers are under 18, a new study finds. And many of these young fans are retweeting the company’s messages, investigators added. The findings are cause for worry, the University of… read on >