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Increase of Kidney Stones Found in Teens

According  to an article on Fox News more teens are being diagnosed with kidney stones.  A study that followed teens or children form 12-17 years of age from 1984 to 2008 found a large increase in reported cases of kidney stones.

Whether the results are due to any particular change in diet or activity or the fact that highly sensitive CT scans are able to pick up very small stones is yet to be determined.   Still the news is alarming.

Kidney stones develop when the urine contains more crystal-forming substances — like calcium, uric acid and a compound called oxalate — than can be diluted by the available fluid.

Smaller kidney stones are not usually a problem as they are able to pass through urine without treatment.  Pain can be associated with the passing and pain medication may be prescribed.  Drinking plenty of fluids help move the stones on through.

When children have larger stones, they may need to be admitted to a hospital for treatment.

Children Absorb More Cellphone Radiation Than Adults

A study on cellphone radiation was published recently in the journal of Electromagnetic Biology and Medicine and found that children who use cell phones absorb twice as much of the microwave radiation waves as adults do. In this same study, claims were made that when cell phones are in one’s pocket most of the day, radiation exposure will exceed the amount of radiation exposure set forth by the Federal Communications Commission.

This study used an industry-designed method of measuring the amount of microwave radiation absorbed by children. It was determined that children who talk on the phone will absorb up to three times as much radiation. This was especially noted in the brain’s hippocampus and hypothalamus. Increased numbers were also noted in the eyes and bone marrow at a shocking ten-fold increase.

These figures are all in comparison to a tall 200 pound man who the FCC used in the study. Several people from the non-profit organization Environmental Health Trust, as well as scientists from several universities throughout North and South America, claim that the model used by the FCC is inaccurate. They go on to state that in order for this study to be accurate, several different anatomical models should be used, including pregnant women. This would provide better information related to the amount of cell phone radiation that is absorbed by adults and children.

The model used by the FCC allows children and teens to be registered cell phone owners and users because it meets the “as low as reasonably achievable” standard. The fact remains that children are the most vulnerable to the microwave radiation and many parents and guardians are not aware of it.

Older Siblings of Autistic Children Have Higher Risk of Asperger’s

In a study of 600 three year old children who had an autistic older brother or sister, one out of five were diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome or another disorder. The results of the study was shocking to experts who thought the odds were much lower. At around age 3, participants in this study were tested for autism. Boys are three times more likely to have autism as girls.

Asperger’s syndrome is what some might describe as a less severe form of autism. Many children with Asperger’s syndrome, although not necessary for a diagnosis, present as physically clumsy and atypical use of language. They have difficulty in social situations as well as restricted or repetitive behavior. The exact cause is unknown.

The study suggests that pediatricians need to be aware of this report and bring older siblings in to have genetic testing. Awareness is the key.

“We know that the brain at young ages is more amenable to change,” said study author Wendy Stone, of the University of Washington Autism Center in Seattle.”

“When children are showing signs (of autism) even before the diagnosis is official, we need to start thinking about, how can we help parents within the course of their everyday activities to promote their child’s social and emotional development?” she told Reuters Health.

NFL Play 60, Promotes Exercise & Healthy Eating in Children

The NFL Play 60 campaign is a program created to promote exercise and healthy eating in children of all ages. It is sponsored primarily by the National Football Association & the National Dairy Association, but collaborates with many different associations around the nation, such as schools and foundations of all kinds. They seek to tackle and eliminate obesity by encouraging children to exercise 60 minutes a day at least no matter what.

The NFL Play 60 released a statement recently, saying, “Whether you’re a parent, educator, coach or friend, you can help make kids’ lives healthier by just getting them to go outside and play. This holiday season, have fun as a family and let your kids know that getting healthy starts with getting exercise. You can take your kids out for a game of good old touch football. All they need is 60 minutes of active play each day!”

It is incredibly encouraging and exciting to see an organization as powerful as the NFL putting their powers to good use by encouraging enthusiasm in child health and motivating children to be proactive in their own health. Recently, they are sponsoring contests for schools to earn grant money through participating in the program.

Check out more information at nflrush.com/play60 and encourage the children in your life that are interested in sports to check it out.

Can a Kiss from a Mother Give Her Child Cavities?

Can a kiss from a mother give her child cavities? According to several studies, they can. Before you kiss your babies and children on the mouth, ask yourself this question. “When was the last time I went to the dentist?” Because that innocent kiss just might spread cavities to your child.

Cavities are formed from Streptococcus mutans bacteria, which are found in saliva. If you have tooth decay, your saliva contains these bacteria. And as you know, bacteria can be passed from parent to child easily. All it takes is a blow on hot food, a kiss on the lips or sharing a bite of food to transfer your saliva to your little one. A young child’s tooth has soft enamel. This is especially true when the vulnerable tooth is first emerging. If the bacteria transfer from you to your baby, he or she can develop tooth decay. This is why you should bring your child to a dentist just as the first teeth are in sight.

If you currently clean your child’s pacifier with your mouth, you should stop this practice immediately. But day to day contact with the baby you love makes it difficult to avoid a transfer of saliva.Fortunately, there is a gum caretakers can chew that will decrease the risk of transferring dental bacterial to your child. Any gum containing Xylitol has been proven to reduce cavities in the children of those chewing this type of gum. As a matter of fact, if you chew Xylitol gum, you can reduce your young child’s cavities by up to 70%.

Are Germs Actually Good for Your Child?

Dirt & Germs are bad and clean is good, correct? A major aisle in your local supermarket confirms that with its variety of disinfectants & cleaners. We are a society obsessed with cleanliness and so it may surprise you that evidence to the contrary has shown up recently.

Researchers are starting to find that certain germs may actually protect us from future illnesses. A study put together last fall extracted data that showed that kids who grew up in households with more sickness and/or exposure to animal feces, actually tended to have lower levels of illness later on.

In another study done on preschoolers recently, data identified that of the children that tested positive for Helicobacter pylori, bacteria that lives in most people’s stomach lining, most of the cases were less often found to have eczema in the long run.

Now with children, there is no way to predict what immunity might present itself in each case or what each child might be sensitive to, and who wants to take the risk? But, it is always nice to be well-informed and this just reaffirms the fact that sometimes letting your children enjoy the natural world may actually benefit them in the long run, rather than hurt them.