Evian Roller Babies Interview US Version

July 31, 2009 by Dan
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Ready for Visit to the ER?

July 31, 2009 by Dan
Filed under One Person's View

By Winnie YC
July 31, 2009

When emergency strikes, will you know what to do?

Your grandchildren are visiting for a few days and you’re having a delightful time, until one of them crashes into a bookcase and bangs his head. His unceasing screams — and the gash on his head — convince you to get him to the emergency room. The parents aren’t around. You’re on your own. Are you ready?

The Papers You’ll Need

You probably don’t think about visits to the ER when you agree to watch kids. You may focus more on choosing great books, shopping for dinner, or planning a park outing. But when you assume responsibility for another person’s children — even your grandchildren — you must have the information and documents to get them the medical care they need, says Jay Berkelhamer, M.D., past president of the American Academy of Pediatrics and chief academic officer of Children’s Healthcare in Atlanta.

Doctors always do whatever they must to care for sick or injured children, especially when the kids face life-threatening injuries. But having the right documents, information, and attitude can make things go more smoothly.

A signed permission letter. Hospital officials will want to know whether you’re authorized to seek care for your grandchildren. “It would be a good idea to carry a letter authorizing [you] to seek care and make decisions on the child’s behalf,” Berkelhammer says. The letter should include your name, the child’s name and a parent’s signature. If possible, it should be notarized.

Without this authorization, care might be delayed while the hospital tries to contact a parent. The call will probably have to be recorded and witnessed by an employee of the hospital.

A health insurance card. Having the children’s insurance cards — or at least a photocopy of them — helps ensure that all or part of the cost of your visit is covered and spares parents the challenge of a billing problem later on.

Medical history. Whether it’s a peanut allergy or a recent bout of the flu, it’s important to know your grandchild’s medical history when you see a doctor. A good history includes allergies, prescriptions for existing conditions, and details of significant recent illnesses. “An informed caretaker is going to get the child help more effectively,” Berkelhamer says. “The more you know, the better you’ll be able to care for your grandchild.”

If you don’t have a child’s medical history — parents could leave you a copy of the forms they send to the children’s schools or day-care centers — make sure you have contact information for the children’s pediatricians so you or the hospital can call for the records. Click here for more emergency information parents should always leave for you when you sit or when kids stay over.

What to Do at the Hospital

Be reassuring. Rushing off to the hospital is upsetting for children, especially young kids. It’s your job to soothe their anxiety. If the visit involves a ride in an ambulance, ask to go along. If that’s not possible, find out exactly where the ambulance is going and follow in your car. Once you’re at the hospital, stay at your grandchildren’s side, holding their hand, as long as possible. Tell them what will happen: A doctor and nurse will examine them to see what can be done to make them feel better. Some of these things might hurt, but reassure kids that it will be okay in the end.

Be an advocate. You need to act as your grandchild’s advocate at the hospital. “Be assertive, so your grandchild gets what he needs,” Berkelhamer says. On the other hand, making comments like, “Did that mean doctor poke you?” can make things worse, especially if unpleasant procedures or treatments are involved, in part by lessening your grandchild’s confidence in the doctors. “It may actually frighten the child more or set up the next visit to the doctor as a very negative experience,” Berkelhamer says. “The doctor should always be cast as the nice person trying to help.”

Know when to step away. Anxious grandparents can make it difficult for doctors to care for children. Some might ask too many questions; others might simply talk too much. “You want to be a calming influence, not a disruptive one,” Berkelhamer says. If you’re too nervous to help keep your grandchildren calm (or if a doctor asks you to), step out of the room and take a moment to collect yourself.

Get help. If you think you’ll have a hard time keeping your cool, or dealing with the doctors and nurses at the ER, ask someone you trust to drive you and the child to the hospital and stay by your side.

Source: Grandparents

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Jackson Tribute Helps LAPD project

July 31, 2009 by Dan
Filed under Encouragement

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police By AP
July 31, 2009

The people who staged Michael Jackson’s memorial service have donated $90,000 to build a tribute to fallen Los Angeles police officers.

Anschutz Entertainment Group, which owns Staples Center in Los Angeles, donated money received from the sale of 18 luxury suites to guests at the July 7 Jackson memorial.

The company says the decision to donate the money was made before a dispute developed over city funds spent to provide security and other services during the memorial.

Karen Wagener, president of the Los Angeles Police Foundation, says AEG hand-delivered a check for $90,000 to the nonprofit group on Thursday.

Wagener says it will be used to help fund a $620,000 memorial – a brass wall expected to be unveiled in September at the site of a new downtown police headquarters.

Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed

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Help Prevent Child Sexual Abuse

July 31, 2009 by Dan
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By Jim Burns, Ph.D.
July 30, 2009

Every day in this country, children are being tricked, seduced, intimidated and forced into sexual activity with another person. Whatever state you live in, I guarantee there are thousands of children in the social services system. They’re not the criminals, mind you–they are the victims–kids who have been abused.

I believe that like many other things, when it comes to sexual abuse, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. So, what can parents do to prevent child sexual abuse? Allow me to share with you five tips I believe can help you address the issue–and with God’s help–keep your kids from becoming another statistic.

Learn as much information as you can about physical and sexual abuse. Learn who is most likely to commit crimes of abuse, why adults abuse kids, etc. There are lots of Internet websites that have preventative information about child sexual abuse. A simple search will turn up many of these resources.

Listen and talk with your children. Good communication is the most important principle in keeping your kids safe from sexual abuse. Work to create a climate in your home where kids aren’t afraid to share information about things they may be embarrassed or afraid about. Be willing to share with your kids about what you know about sexual abuse and how to prevent it. For instance, be sure to share with your kids basic information like, “no one has the right to touch your body without your permission.”

Teach your kids personal safety rules. Start early with your children (in an age appropriate way) and set clear safety rules for your kids. Here is a list of safety rules to help you get started:
• The proper names for all their private parts; many children are not able to tell about the abuse because they don’t know the words to use.
• Safety rules apply to all adults; not just strangers.
• Their bodies belong to them and it is not okay for another person to touch their private parts.
• It is okay to say no if someone tries to touch their body or do things that make them feel uncomfortable; no matter who the person is.
• They should not keep secrets about touching, no matter what he person says; if someone touches them, tell and keep telling until someone listens!

Know the adults and teens in your children’s lives. From getting to know school teachers, coaches and youth workers to interviewing potential baby sitters, you should know as much as you can about the adults and teens your kids spend time with. Any adult that seems more interested in your children than you do, should raise a cautionary flag in your mind.

Keep tabs on your kids. As much as possible, know where your kids are at and whom they are with. Make it a family rule that if your children’s plans change, they must notify you before they do something or go somewhere that you don’t know about.

Source: Home Word

Editor’s Note: We would like to know what you think? dan@youngchronicle.com

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Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis

July 31, 2009 by Dan
Filed under Parent's Advice

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By Michael K. Davis, MD
July 31, 2009

Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) is a disorder that causes chronic inflammation of the joints in children less than 16 years of age. The cause of JRA is unknown, however it seems to be related to certain genes that disrupt the immune system, leading to inflammation (especially arthritis).

Arthritis is defined as swelling or limitation of motion of the joint accompanied by heat, pain, and/or tenderness. JRA is classified into 7 basic types depending on the number and location of joints involed and the involvement of other body parts. The treatment of JRA in children involves limiting pain and the development of long-term damage.

The first treatment for most children with JRA includes non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAID’s) such as ibuprofen. Some children require treatment with corticosteroids or other medications that regulate or suppress the immune system. Most children with JRA have symptems that are well-controlled with medications and have limited disability.

What is JRA?

Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) is a disorder that causes inflammation of the joints that lasts more than 6 weeks. While children and adults of all ages can develop arthritis, the term “JRA” is reserved for children that develop symptoms before 16 years of age. Some children may have involvement of one joint (i.e., the knee) while others may have inflammation in several joints. In some cases, JRA may lead to poor growth, eye inflammation and bone mineral loss.

What causes JRA?

The exact cause of JRA is unknown. There seem to be several genes that make a child more likely to get JRA. It is possible that a child with abnormal “JRA genes” may develop JRA after an infection or other environmental trigger.

Who gets JRA?

Up to 100,000 children in the United States have JRA. Symptoms must begin before 16 years of age to be considered JRA.

What are the symptoms of JRA?

Arthritis (swelling, redness, pain, and warmth in a joint). May affect a single joint or several joints. The knee is the most common joint affected. There may be mild or no pain. Use of the joint may be avoided (i.e., limping) or the range of motion may be decreased. Arthritis must last more than 6 weeks or more to be considered JRA. Many viral infections may cause arthritis that looks like JRA, although arthritis due to viruses (i.e., toxic synovitis) lasts less than 6 weeks.
Morning stiffness
Limping

Sometimes present…

Enthesitis (inflammation at the sites of attachment of ligament, tendon, or fascia to bone)
Dactylitis (swelling of the fingers or toes)
Lower back pain
Nail pitting (small indentations in the finger or toe nails
Psoriasis (large areas of skin scaling)
Fever
Rash
Fatigue
Malaise (a general sick feeling)
Inflammation in or around other organs

How is JRA diagnosed?

There is no specific JRA test. Your history and physical exam are key for the diagnosis.

Blood tests

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) – A general marker for inflammation. Elevated in JRA.
Hematocrit – Anemia may be present due to the effects of chronic inflammation.
White blood count, platelets, ferritin – Other blood tests that may indirectly indicate inflammation.
Anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) – A marker of an auto-immune process. Often present in JRA. Also present in some normal people.
Rheumatoid factor – A marker for JRA. May indicate a more aggrssive form of JRA.
X-rays are often normal initially but may show bone damage in chronic or severe arthritis.

Imaging

How is JRA treated?

Different patients respond differently to different medications. Some options include…

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAID’s) such as ibuprofen or naproxen.
Corticosteroids taken as an oral medicine or injected into affected joints.
Methotrexate is an immunomodulating medication. Lab values must be monitored closely.
Anti-TNF therapy is given intraveneously or intramuscularly.
Other medications are used to reduce inflammation, modulate or suppress the immune system.

A healthy diet with adequate calcium and vitamin D to minimize bone mineral loss.

Folate is given when methotrexate is used.

Physical therapy is often required to maintain good joint function and range of motion.

What happens with JRA long-term?

The future course of JRA depends on the type of JRA. Many children with JRA will outgrow the disease. Some forms of JRA persist into adulthood and some forms of JRA will be life-long.

What are the possible complications of JRA?

Joint and cartilage damage
Joint stiffness
Poor growth
Limb length differences
Uveitis (a type of eye inflammation that can cause loss of vision if not detected early)
Pericarditis (inflammation around the heart) in the systemic form of JRA
Pleuritis (inflammation around the lungs) in the systemic form of JRA

Source: Dr. Tummy

Editor’s Note: We would like to know what you think? dan@youngchronicle.com

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