The hot days of summer can mean getting caught off guard by heat-related illnesses, such as dehydration, heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heatstroke. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that in the United States, over 9,000 high school athletes are treated for heat illnesses each year.Many medications and underlying medical conditions, such as…
Australia just experienced one of its worst flu seasons on record, and experts are warning this could mean an early and rough flu season for the United States. Flu season in Australia usually spans from June to September and peaks in August. Officials say it started early this year, however, and the number of confirmed…
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced it is investigating 805 possible cases of electronic cigarette-related lung disease across 46 states, and one U.S. territory, including Kentucky and Indiana. The CDC confirmed 12 deaths, including one in Indiana. The CDC is cautioning consumers not to use e-cigarettes. If your kids are vaping, what…
If you or your child needs help If you suspect a child might need help dealing with stress, depression or other mental health issues, contact your child’s physician. If you need a physician, call (502) 629-KIDS (5437) or find one today. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration offers a list of mental health professionals and resources…
The Rev. Rick Forest, chaplain and bereavement care coordinator at Norton Children’s Hospital, and Bryan D. Carter, Ph.D., clinical pediatric psychologist at Norton Children’s Hospital and University of Louisville Physicians offer thoughts on how to talk to kids about mass shootings. For younger children especially, find out what they already know. That way you know where they’re…
It’s finally summer. With the warm temperatures here to stay, many families are heading to swimming pools. Before you jump in, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a warning: Pools can carry many waterborne diseases, including cryptosporidiosis, an illness caused by ingesting cryptosporidium, a fecal parasite. In fact, the CDC reports that during…
For the first time in eight years, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has updated its recommendations for children recovering from concussions, easing restrictions on electronics and physical activity. The AAP is no longer recommending complete removal of electronic devices, such as television, computers and smartphones, following a concussion. In addition, the guidelines support children…
The American Academy of Pediatrics has a new recommendation that young children need to face the rear of the car for as long as they’re under the seat’s weight limit. Some rear-facing seats can accommodate a child up to 40 pounds. Previous recommendations were based on age. Why does it matter? It’s about prevention of head…
More than 41,000 children and adults in Europe have been infected with measles so far in 2018, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). This year, the U.S. has seen 107 cases, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The WHO reports that measles was at an all-time low in 2016. In…
A recent debate about feeding infants solid food before 6 months of age has become a point of conversation among new mothers. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, mothers should exclusively breastfeed for the first four to six months, however a recent study has questioned whether starting solid food earlier leads to better sleep….
The recall Mondelez International Inc., the parent company of brands Ritz Cracker Sandwiches and Ritz Bits, has issued a voluntary recall for both of these products. Likewise, Pepperidge Farm, the parent company of Goldfish crackers, has issued a voluntary recall for a variety of their crackers. Both companies say that the whey powder they use…
A recent study published by the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health revealed five key guidelines families should follow to keep their kids at a healthy weight. Researchers found that when mothers stuck to these healthy habits, their children were 75 percent less likely to become obese compared with children of mothers who did…