Amid the bumps, bruises and sprains of childhood, it can be confusing when to use ice or heat for an injury. Applying ice is a safe and effective way to help with swelling and pain. It can be go-to first aid for a variety of minor injuries, according to Jennifer Brey, M.D., pediatric orthopedic surgeon and…
When kids get brain freeze, that ice cream-induced headache can quickly bring an otherwise happy child to tears and take the fun out of enjoying a cold treat on a hot day. What causes brain freeze? “A brain freeze is a short-term headache caused when ingesting cold substances,” said Brian Plato, D.O., neurologist and headache…
Here’s a staggering fact: One-third of all teenagers drink. Teen drinking is an issue — and if you think your teen is not doing it, the statistics hint otherwise. According to a recent survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in six teens drank alcohol before age 13, and about the…
Anna-Maria Beck, a 17-year-old Sacred Heart Academy student with an inoperable brain tumor, led a delegation to Washington, D.C. Beck, along with a team from Norton Children’s Hospital, met with lawmakers to push new legislation, including the Advancing Care for Exceptional Kids Act of 2015 (ACE Kids Act), which would make it easier for children…
Fireworks or sleep, fireworks or sleep … that is the question many of us will be asking ourselves as Monday night’s Fourth of July festivities get started. Don’t get me wrong — I love a beautiful fireworks display and am spoiled by our city’s Thunder Over Louisville extravaganza each April. But come 8:30 or 9…
You don’t normally see soccer players wearing head protection. But for 15-year-old Ruby Fitzer, it’s a requirement. “I don’t like wearing it — it leaves a mark on my forehead,” said Ruby, a goalie for Dupont Manual High School in Louisville. “But the reality is I need it in order to keep playing.” Unfortunately, between…
I’ve thought about writing this letter about a million times since March. Now that things have settled down and Miles is thriving, I feel like I can finally gather my thoughts and attempt to put into words just how much two physicians have impacted mine and my family’s life. A week before Miles’ open heart…
Former NFL quarterback Peyton Manning sat down with Jason Frakes, Courier-Journal high school sports writer, to discuss his career, retirement, thoughts on children playing football and advice for high school athletes. At the Kentuckiana Sports Awards Banquet on June 14, guest speaker Manning shared intimate details about his 22-year career as a football player. His…
It’s no secret that our region has a child obesity problem. But it appears we are doing something about it. GoNoodle is out with its first Kids Movement Index, which ranked the top states and cities where elementary school-age children participated in physical activity during the 2015-16 school year. The report ranked Kentucky youth as…
Driving my children to camp the other morning, we listened to the radio DJs talking about the mass shooting in Orlando. Since the normal light and airy tone was replaced by something much more somber, my 6- and 8-year-olds instantly knew that something was wrong. When they asked me, I answered very matter-of-factly, just giving…
***This article includes graphic details*** As a medical resident, I saw a 4-year-old girl with a large tear in her vagina that required surgery to put it back together. I couldn’t image what had happened. The family said she fell on the top of a plunger. The examination (and common sense) said otherwise. The mother’s…
Shearice Harrison cheered just like any other mom as her son, Jerren, walked across the New Albany High School stage to get his diploma. But she wasn’t just celebrating his academic achievements; she reveled in the fact that her son was alive to see this day. “I held my baby, who was just a few…