CPR- less is more .. well, at least equal

If you're pressed for time and that's the reason you've forgone a class in CPR .. no more excuses.
A new study finds folks who took a 30 minute, video based c-p-r course were just as successful at the technique as those who took the traditional 3-4 hour class.
The study was done at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas.
The American Heart Association rolled out the video program a couple of months ago in response to our busy lifestyles.


For more info on CPR: http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/293/3/388

Hot weather deaths and kids

The very hot weather we're having is a good time to remind everyone who deals with student athletes to be very careful to protect them. With practice for fall sports about 2 weeks away a report's out on deaths from heat stroke .. 5 student athletes died last year from a completely preventable cause of death. It's the largest number since 1972.
This is what happens in the heat: Physical activity raises players’ temperatures higher than normal. When body temperatures rise to 103 or 104, the brain’s hypothalamus loses its ability to regulate the heat. The heart beats faster to increase blood flow to the skin to aid in evaporation, leaving less blood in the heart and other muscles. Brain death begins around 106 degrees, but death from heat stroke can be gradual, taking three or four days while organs begin to fail.
Not pretty .. and again . preventable. Never ignore a kids complaint that they're too hot or too parched . .give them water and a break .. and let me steal from another report more reminders:
Require each athlete to have a physical and know if an athlete has a history of heat-related illness; these kids are more susceptible to heat stroke. Overweight players are also at higher risk.
· Acclimatize players to the heat slowly; North Carolina mandates that the first three days of practice be done without uniforms.
· Alter practice schedules to avoid long workouts in high-humidity.
· Provide cold water before, during and after practice in unlimited quantities.
· Provide shaded rest areas with circulating air; remove helmets and loosen or remove jerseys; some schools have plastic outdoor pools filled with ice for cool-downs after practice.
· Know the symptoms of heat illness: nausea, incoherence, fatigue, weakness, vomiting, muscle cramps, weak rapid pulse, visual disturbance. Contrary to popular belief, heat stroke victims may sweat profusely.
· Have an emergency plan in place; parents should inquire about emergency plans for their kids’ teams.

this comes from Fred Mueller, professor of exercise and sports science at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill - he compiles the death list every year ..a little common sense and attention will keep your loved one OFF his list ..

Sleeping aids and Kids

One of our producers is a new mom. When her adorable baby hit 3 months he stopped sleeping .. well, in her mind that's what happened. His sleep habits just weren't jiving with her work life. To say she was frustrated is an understatement. But she knows it's part of his development.
Now jump to parents of older children. Seems sleep troubles are a big problem in American homes.
A new study published in the latest issue of "SLEEP" finds some 60 percent of American boys and girls under age 11 experience some kind of sleep troubles a few nights a week. And the treatment - doctors are prescribing sleeping aids - even though they're not approved by the FDA for kids.
But that's not what has some experts really troubled. They say the issue isn't about giving kids pills to sleep . .it's about finding the underlying cause of their trouble getting shut eye.
Dr. Gregg Jacobs, an insomnia specialist with the Sleep Disorders Center at the University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester, Mass., said prescribing drugs often sidesteps the underlying causes of sleep trouble.
"Children are in the golden years of sleep," he observed. "It's not normal for them to have sleep problems. So, if they do, then you know something's wrong. And medicating the child doesn't get to the heart of the problem. It's more important to figure out what's going on. Is it stress, caffeine, a problem in the home environment?"
It's something to think about when you're having trouble drifting off.

Pot and Cancer

There's a type of cancer linked to HIV infection and transplant patients -those with weakened immune systems. It's called Kaposi's Sarcoma. New research finds the active ingredient in pot .. THC .. appears to enhance the ability of the virus causing Kaposi's to infect cells and multiply.

The research, published in the August 1 issue of Cancer Research serves as a warning to those patients who use medical marijuana or the drug, recreationally.

It will be interesting to see how this info may be used by those opposed to medical marijuana.

The study was done by the National Institutes of Health.

Saving Face

Had a talk this morning with Dr. Mark Pinsky - from the American Board of Plastic Surgery. He was talking - one on one - with reporters, nationwide about the latest in cosmetic surgery and all those creams touted as preventing wrinkles and turning back the hands of time.
Interestingly, he's not a proponent of cosmetic surgery - but he is a big supporter of botox and fillers, particularly hyaluronic acid. He also votes for starting early.
But number one on is list .. WEAR SUNSCREEN. Then, the daily use of a good moisturizer. As for the over the counter products he's fond of those containing antioxidents, the glycolic acid products and creams with peptides. While Retin A is still the gold standard, he cautions, it should only be used with a doctor's supervision - moreover, before starting any facial care routine, he suggests, talking with a dermatologist.