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…
Eating yogurt and other cultured dairy products (fermented with “good” bacteria) regularly may decrease the risk for urinary tract infections by up to 80 percent. When selecting yogurt for your child, it is important to look for a statement on the packaging that says “contains live and active cultures.” Yogurt contains good bacteria, active cultures…
Gary and Rita Muratalla have a standing date every Friday. The Elizabethtown, Kentucky, couple doesn’t go dancing or out to dinner; they spend hours at Norton Children’s Hospital holding and calming newborns going through the agonizing and painful process of drug withdrawal. The pain-pill and heroin epidemics have spiked a 50-fold increase in hospitalizations of…
Cranberries, blueberries, raspberries, oh my! Berries promote urinary tract health and provide protection against infection with an important compound that helps fight bacteria and keeps it from sticking to the lining of the urinary tract. Recipe:• 1 Cup low-fat vanilla yogurt• 1/2 cup strawberries• 1/2 cup raspberries• 1/3 cup skim milk• 1 cup ice (if…
Rolando Puno, M.D., orthopaedic spine surgeon with Norton Leatherman Spine Center, created the world’s first polyaxial pedicle screw in the early 1980s — an important invention for spine surgeries that require the placement of rods and screws. His invention was first used in a human in 1988 at Norton Hospital. The polyaxial pedicle screw allows…
The word “fiber” may make you think of prunes and senior citizens, but the truth is most kids don’t get enough of this important nutrient that helps keep their plumbing moving. I’ve known many kids, including my own, who have had issues with constipation. My kids are somewhat light and picky eaters. Add to that…
Fact or myth? Drink milk if you swallow poison. If you get acid on your skin, you should neutralize it. Child resistant is the same thing as childproof. These are just some of the top five poison-related myths released from the Kentucky Regional Poison Control Center of Norton Children’s Hospital. “Our No. 1 goal is…
Talk to a teenager about sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and if they don’t immediately shy away, they will likely offer a variety of answers. It turns out that many teens, and even adults, don’t know much about STDs until they get one. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are 19…
Lack of regular bowel movements can cause pressure in the urinary tract and block urine flow, allowing bacteria to grow. A diet high in fiber paired with drinking enough water promotes healthy digestion and regular bowel movements. Fiber won’t work without enough water in the diet. Some of the best sources of fiber for children…
Your child’s nagging, hacking cough that likes to pop up in the spring can play a trick on you. There’s no fever, the cough comes and goes, and it seems to be triggered by the getting-ready-for-bed routine. Don’t be fooled into thinking it’s nothing serious, health officials warn. Frequent intermittent coughing — particularly at bedtime…
Oranges, lemons, strawberries and green leafy vegetables packed with vitamin C makes urine more acidic, which helps prevent bacteria from growing in the system. In addition, vitamin C helps cuts and wounds heal, boosts the immune system, helps your child’s gums stay healthy, keeps infections at bay and helps the body absorb iron from food…
Drinking plenty of water is one of the best things for your child’s urinary and digestive systems. Drinking enough water — about 40 to 60 ounces per day for children ages 4 to 12 — helps flush bacteria from the urinary tract, which prevents infection and helps the digestive tract function regularly. Sprucing up your…