Child Health Plus

Unless you have been completely out of touch, you have probably heard all the hubbub about the dangers of asbestos. So, what is the big deal?

A Quick Guide to Asbestos and Health Issues

Asbestos is a fibrous material that is highly resistant to burning. It has a long history. While it was first used on a large scale commercial basis at the turn of the twentieth century, it has actually been around much longer. In fact, the ancient Egyptians were known for using it burial clothes.

“Act your Age” some say. Maybe not to my face but I can tell what they are thinking. I guess the gray hair and the beard garners some respect. Or, being just shy of AARP qualifications quiets the audible verbal explicative. I just don’t know.

I was born February 5, 1946 and entered the age of the “Baby Boomer”. No one knew at the time that we would be the largest population group to enter the millennium. We knew that we were now being faced with new policies and procedures because of the size of our group. Our class was the largest to graduate throughout my academic career. The USA has never experienced a population explosion such as this.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, depression is the most common diagnosis among adults in the United States today. It is estimated that one out of three depressed people suffer from some form of addiction or substance abuse problem. In addition to the above, there appears to be a common tendency among those suffering from depression to abuse drugs or alcohol as a means of coping with their symptoms. Many of these people end up with an addiction to those substances.

According to recent studies by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, between 7 and 8 million children under the age of 18 are living without health insurance.

While this staggering figure is down from the reported 10 million uninsured children in 1997, the CDC maintains that this still-present epidemic stifles the health and growth of America’s children. In fact, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation reports that one in three children go for an entire year without seeing a doctor.

Adolescence is the time when girls face many changes as they not only become physically mature, but sexually, too. In order to maintain good health, they need to consult gynecologist, adolescent medicine physician and obstetrician. Adolescents who are sexually active need to get some test done like pelvic examination, Pap test and test for checking sexually transmitted diseases. This helps the early determination of conditions that can affect reproductive, gynecological and sexual health.

Stomach flu or gastroenteritis is a kind of infection in the digestive system, especially the stomach and intestines. Causes for this condition are parasite, bacteria, or virus infection spread through contaminated food and fluids. It can also be caused by certain toxins present in some plants & seafood, usage of powerful laxatives in order to cure constipation or because of intake of poisonous heavy metal or food. The problem starts with stomach upset and cramps. The child shows disinterest in eating and feels week. Symptoms of stomach flu are diarrhea and vomiting, which take nearly five days to go away. Sometimes, even fever can accompany along with dehydration.

Sprains and strains are among the majority of the injuries caused while playing sports. Sports injuries can be caused by small trauma which involves ligaments, muscles and tendons including bruises, sprains and strains. The body part which is most commonly involved in spraining or straining is the ankle. The 3 ligaments that are involved during ankle sprain or strain include anterior talofubular ligament, posterior talofibular ligament and calcaneofibular ligament.