Schools in 12 states close to fight flu outbreak

"This year is really unprecedented. I probably saw about 30 kids here on Monday and sent 10 home before noon," one nurse says

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/schools-in-at-least-12-states-close-to-fight-against-the-flu/

Schools join the fight against the flu

As the deadly flu season slams communities across the country, some schools have been forced to close in order to keep students safe. CBS News correspondent Omar Villafranca reports.

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/video/schools-join-the-fight-against-the-flu/

How do people die from the flu?

While flu is most dangerous for adults over the age of 65 and children under the age of 5, it can turn deadly for anyone

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/how-do-people-die-from-the-flu/

Complications from flu claim mom's unborn baby

A family in San Jose, California, is grieving after a woman, seven months pregnant, caught the flu and ended up losing her baby. Maria Paniagua got so sick that doctors could not do a cesarean section when her unborn baby's heartbeat weakened. Dr. Tara Narula reports.

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/video/complications-from-flu-claim-moms-unborn-baby/

Dental community remembers Navy dentist as 'a shining star'

The untimely Jan. 3 death in this Chicago suburb of a Navy dentist with a passion for public health dentistry and serving others has sparked an outpouring of condolences from many in the dental community.

From: By Michelle Manchir
https://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2018-archive/january/dental-community-remembers-navy-dentist-as-a-shining-star

Laurel Road 2018 rates may offer more student loan refinancing savings

ADA members refinancing their student loans through Laurel Road, the student loan refinancing program endorsed by the ADA, may save more money with new rates that went into effect in the New Year.

From: By Kimber Solana
https://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2018-archive/january/laurel-road-2018-rates-may-offer-more-student-loan-refinancing-savings

New infographic chronicles dental opioid prescription rates

Dentists accounted for 6.4 percent of all U.S. opioids prescriptions in 2012, according to information presented in a new infographic from the ADA Health Policy Institute.

From: https://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2018-archive/january/new-infographic-chronicles-dental-opioid-prescription-rates

ODC comments on proposed changes to Medicare Parts C, D

The Organized Dentistry Coalition has filed comments on the proposed changes to the enrollment requirements for Medicare Part C and Part D following the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' Nov. 16 announcement that it planned to rescind certain Medicare Part D and C requirements for providers.

From: By Jennifer Garvin
https://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2018-archive/january/odc-comments-on-proposed-changes-to-medicare-parts-c-d

Teen with cancer marries high school sweetheart

Florida teens Dustin Snyder and Sierra Siverio tied the knot Sunday in an emotional ceremony after Dustin was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. WTSP's Shannon Valladolid has the story.

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/video/teen-with-cancer-marries-high-school-sweetheart/

Excess Salt May Hurt Your Brain, Too

High-salt diets were linked in studies to several health problems, including memory loss.

From: https://www.webmd.com/brain/news/20180129/excess-salt-may-hurt-your-brain-too?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Teen battling rare cancer weds high school sweetheart

The couple, who dated but lost touch after middle school, reunited as high school seniors and married on Sunday

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/florida-teen-battling-rare-cancer-weds-high-school-sweetheart/

Fainting Rarely Tied to Blood Clot, Study Finds

A study of more than 1.6 million adults treated in the emergency department after fainting -- medically known as a "syncope" -- found less than 1 percent had a blockage in an artery leading to the lungs, or pulmonary embolism.

From: https://www.webmd.com/dvt/news/20180129/fainting-rarely-tied-to-blood-clot-study-finds?src=RSS_PUBLIC

A New Way to Thwart Disease-Spreading Mosquitoes

Found in swamps and bogs along the east coast of North America, they are commonly called pitcher plant mosquitoes, because they live in the water of pitcher plants until adulthood.

From: https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/news/20180129/a-new-way-to-thwart-disease-spreading-mosquitoes?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Who Really Needs to Go Gluten-Free

Consumer Reports also found that some gluten-free foods have more fat, sugar and/or salt than their regular counterparts, and are short on nutrients like iron and folic acid -- found in foods with enriched-wheat flour.

From: https://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/news/20180129/who-really-needs-to-go-gluten-free?src=RSS_PUBLIC

1000 Smiles readies for another year of Caribbean service

Dr. Sherwin R. Shinn is leading the call for much-needed volunteers to continue the mission of Great Shape!'s 1000 Smiles project.

From: By David Burger
https://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2018-archive/january/1000-smiles-readies-for-another-year-of-caribbean-service

ADA resources can help dentists with scaling, root planing claims

This is the sixth in a series featuring answers and solutions for dentists when it comes to the world of dental benefits and plans. The series is intended to help untangle many of the issues that can potentially befuddle dentists and their teams so that they can focus on patient care.

From: By David Burger
https://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2018-archive/january/ada-resources-can-help-dentists-with-scaling-and-root-planing-claims

Photos of raw meat delivery prompt investigation

A woman posted photos on social media showing unwrapped pork brought into a grocery store in shopping carts

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/photos-of-raw-meat-delivery-prompt-investigation/

Phase 2 Clinical Trial Update 2

From: Mayo Clinic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqsd25a-H8Q

Complications from flu claim mom's unborn baby

A family in San Jose, California, is grieving after a woman, seven months pregnant, caught the flu and ended up losing her baby. Maria Paniagua got so sick that doctors could not do a cesarean section when her unborn baby's heartbeat weakened. Dr. Tara Narula reports.

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/video/complications-from-flu-claim-moms-unborn-baby/

Scientists Zero in on Better Saliva-Based HIV Test

The new test may be able to detect early evidence of HIV antibodies in saliva as reliably as a blood test, according to the scientists who developed it.

From: https://www.webmd.com/hiv-aids/news/20180129/scientists-zero-in-on-better-saliva-based-hiv-test?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Report: E-cigarette use among teens may raise risk of smoking

Young people who use e-cigarettes are at an increased risk of using conventional cigarettes, and nicotine intake from e-cigarettes is comparable to conventional cigarettes, according to a report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine released Jan. 23.

From: By Michelle Manchir
https://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2018-archive/january/ecigarette-use-among-teens-may-raise-risk-of-smoking

Mayo Clinic Minute: Why wrists are a common casualty of winter

From: Mayo Clinic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9mxjAFpstM

One Goal - Paige's Story

From: Mayo Clinic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fcqb-2UBwQc

A neurologist talks about kids and headaches

It’s not uncommon for a child to complain of a headache. But what should a parent do? When should you worry? What are features that are cause for concern and should prompt a call to the pediatrician, or even a trip to the emergency room? For kids with headaches, do they necessarily need to take medication, or are there other nondrug treatments that may be just as effective?

When to call your pediatrician

The cardinal rule for thinking about headaches is “first or worst.” In practical terms, if your child has never had a headache before, you need to evaluate carefully.

• Did he have any recent head trauma, such as a fall or a sports injury?
• Was she sick with a bad virus?
• Is he vomiting or or have a fever?
• Is she unable to walk, talk, and eat normally?

If the answer to any of these questions is “yes,” it’s time to call the pediatrician. A concussion, a severe infection, or even a rare but more ominous cause for a headache could be the trigger. Many people worry about a brain tumor, but this is very unlikely. You should never be alone with worry about your child’s headache, and your pediatrician can help to steer you toward the best treatment.

Kids can experience migraine headaches

Children can and do get migraine headaches. The rate is estimated at 5.5%, but underdiagnosis may falsely lower the number. Think about migraine in particular if a parent has migraines, as there is a strong genetic link. Kids’ migraines are different than adults’: the pain can be on both sides of the head and not last as long. But just like in grownups, kids can be totally incapacitated with a migraine, needing to lie in a dark room with profuse nausea and vomiting. It’s not possible to make a diagnosis after just one headache, though. Kids need to have at least two episodes to be diagnosed with migraine. Ibuprofen can be a very effective treatment once a headache hits, but don’t forget about ice, which can also relieve pain and decrease inflammation. A bag of frozen peas is lightweight, and the child can position it comfortably over his or her head.

There is a migraine-specific class of drugs called triptans that is used to stop migraines when they start. One formulation called zolmitriptan is approved for use in children. It comes in a nasal spray so it can be used for kids who can’t swallow pills. For children with frequent migraines, it may be necessary to try to prevent them. Certain medications are used for both children and adults, such as amitriptyline and topiramate. A recent study found that combining amitriptyline with a form of cognitive behavioral therapy (a type of mind-body work that helps to change a person’s response to pain and anxiety) can be more effective than the drug alone. And some children will respond to cognitive behavioral therapies alone as preventives. Health insurance often covers these treatments, so be sure to ask about options.

The more typical kid headache

Tension-type headaches are more common. The old name for these was “hat band headache” and that’s often what the pain is like. Kids describe pressure around their forehead or entire head, not the throbbing of a migraine. Often they can function, eat, go to school, and even play sports although they don’t feel well. Ibuprofen may help, and relaxation and fluids may be adequate to treat a tension-type headache.

Lots of parents are concerned about screen time triggering headache, and it’s a valid concern. Bright lights and screens definitely can trigger migraines in susceptible children and adults, but staring at a computer, phone, or iPad can trigger a headache for anyone if used for too long. Encourage limits on screen time, taking breaks, and getting up to stretch when working or playing games.

It’s important to ask about stress and anxiety when evaluating your child’s headache. School-avoidance headaches can be tough to diagnose. Careful questions and discussion with teachers and guidance counselors may help a parent figure out if a headache is actually a way for a child to avoid bullying or a difficult situation at school. This hopefully leads to intervention and resolution of the triggers.

The bottom line

If your child tells you she has a headache, take her seriously. Ask questions about type of pain, other symptoms, and recent events. Enlist your pediatrician to help make the right diagnosis. It may be useful to see a pediatric neurologist. And if the child has a fever, can’t stop vomiting, or tells you he has double vision or trouble moving his arms or legs, go directly to the emergency room. Chances of this are very rare. Most headaches are very treatable.

References

Pediatric migraine. Medscape Neurology Clinics, 2009.

Trajectory of Improvement in Children and Adolescents With Chronic Migraine: Results From the Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and Amitriptyline Trial. Journal of Pain, June 2017.

The post A neurologist talks about kids and headaches appeared first on Harvard Health Blog.

From: Carolyn A. Bernstein, MD, FAHS https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/a-neurologist-talks-about-kids-and-headaches-2018012913191

Video Q&A about Palliative Care

From: Mayo Clinic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqc_9WBLQWE

Panera Bread recalls cream cheese over listeria fears

Panera Bread Co. is voluntarily recalling some cream cheese sold in its U.S. stores because of possible bacterial contamination

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/panera-bread-cream-cheese-recall-listeria/

CDC: Flu-related pediatric deaths could reach record high

Number of people reporting flu-like illness is highest since swine flu pandemic nearly 10 years ago

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/cdc-flu-related-pediatric-deaths-could-reach-record-high/

Complications from flu claim mom's unborn baby

A family in San Jose, California, is grieving after a woman, seven months pregnant, caught the flu and ended up losing her baby. Maria Paniagua got so sick that doctors could not do a cesarean section when her unborn baby's heartbeat weakened. Dr. Tara Narula reports.

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/video/complications-from-flu-claim-moms-unborn-baby/

High levels of antibiotic resistance found worldwide, new data shows

WHO’s first release of surveillance data on antibiotic resistance reveals high levels of resistance to a number of serious bacterial infections in both high- and low-income countries.

From: http://www.who.int/entity/mediacentre/news/releases/2018/antibiotic-resistance-found/en/index.html