| In this issue... | |
News
Testimonials
Secondhand Smoke Health Effects
When A Friend Has Cancer
Childhood Cancer
Cancers Caused By Smoking
Common Causes of Depression Depression: Recognizing the Physical Symptoms Is It The Cold Or The Flu?
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Secondhand Smoke Health Effects in Children
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What are the health effects of secondhand smoke in children?
Health effects of secondhand smoke in children...
- Because their bodies are developing, infants and young children are especially vulnerable to the poisons in secondhand smoke.
- Both babies whose mothers smoke while pregnant and babies who are exposed to secondhand smoke after birth are more likely to die from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) than babies who are not exposed to cigarette smoke.
- Mothers who are exposed to secondhand smoke while pregnant are more likely to have lower birth weight babies, which makes babies weaker and increases the risk for many health problems.
- Babies whose mothers smoke while pregnant or who are exposed to secondhand smoke after birth have weaker lungs than other babies, which increases the risk for many health problems.
- Secondhand smoke exposure causes acute lower respiratory infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia in infants and young children.
- Secondhand smoke exposure causes children who already have asthma to experience more frequent and severe attacks.
- Secondhand smoke exposure causes respiratory symptoms, including cough, phlegm, wheeze, and breathlessness, among school-aged children.
- Children exposed to secondhand smoke are at increased risk for ear infections and are more likely to need an operation to insert ear tubes for drainage.
Exposure to secondhand smoke among children...
- The Surgeon General has concluded that there is no risk-free level of secondhand smoke exposure. Even brief exposures can be harmful.
- On average, children are exposed to more secondhand smoke than nonsmoking adults.
- Based on levels of cotinine (a biological marker of secondhand smoke exposure), an estimated 22 million children aged 3-11 years and 18 million youth aged 12-19 years, were exposed to secondhand smoke in the United States in 2000.
- Children aged 3-11 years and youth aged 12-19 years are significantly more likely than adults to live in a household with at least one smoker.
- Children aged 3-11 years have cotinine levels more than twice as high as nonsmoking adults.
- Children who live in homes where smoking is allowed have higher cotinine levels than children who live in homes where smoking is not allowed.
For more info click here, KidsHealth. 
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When A Friend Has Cancer
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Everyone knows that doctors are really important when a kid has cancer. But did you know that friends are really important, too?
If your friend has cancer, there's a lot you can do to help. Being sick can make a person feel alone, especially if he or she is in the hospital or missing a lot of school. Your friend needs you. The most important thing you can do is visit and stay in touch.
Here are some other things you can do to help your friend:
Be yourself. It's normal to be scared when someone you care about has cancer - you may not know what to do or how to act. You may wonder, does my friend want to see me? Will my friend be different?
You may feel guilty for being healthy or feel angry at your friend's cancer. You may also want to pretend it's not happening. That's normal too. Your friend probably feels the same way.
The more time you spend with your friend, the more you'll relax. He or she may look different or get tired more often but is still the same person you know and care about. Try to have fun and act the way you usually do when you're together.
Learn the basics. It helps to understand a little about cancer and what your friend is going through. In medical terms, cancer is the abnormal growth of cells that causes illness in the body. It is not contagious and no one caused your friend to get cancer.
It's OK to talk about it. You probably have a lot of questions about what is happening. It's OK to be curious and want to learn more - you can ask your parents, the doctors in the hospital, your friend's parents, or other adults you trust. Your friend and your friend's family may want to talk about the illness and the treatment.
...but listen to your friend. There will times that your friend won't want to talk about cancer. He or she may just want to play and hang out with you the way you used to. Sometimes, a joke or a funny story about school is just what the doctor ordered! Try to listen and sense what your friend needs. (And remember what we said above: It's OK to be yourself.)
Offer to help. Don't wait until your friend asks for help. Offer something specific to help your friend. For instance, "I'll bring home your assignments from school." Or make a plan to hang out and do homework together.
For more information, click here, KidsHealth
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Common Causes of Depression
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If you're depressed, it might not be easy to figure out why. In most cases, depression doesn't have a single cause. Instead, it results from a mix of things -- your genes, events in your past, your current circumstances, and other risk factors. Here are a few of the things that can play a role in depression.
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- Biology. We still don't know exactly what happens in the brain when people become depressed. But studies show that certain parts of the brain don't seem to be working normally. Depression might also be affected by changes in the levels of certain chemicals in the brain, called neurotransmitters.
- Genetics. Researchers know that if depression runs in your family, you have a higher chance of becoming depressed.
- Gender. Studies show that women are about twice as likely as men to become depressed. No one's sure why. The hormonal changes that women go through at different times of their lives may be a factor.
- Age. People who are elderly are at higher risk of depression. That can be compounded by other factors -- living alone and having a lack of social support.
- Health conditions. Conditions such as cancer, heart disease, thyroid problems, chronic pain, and many others increase your risk of becoming depressed.
- Trauma and grief. Trauma, such as violence or physical or emotional abuse -- whether it's early in life or more recent -- can trigger depression. So can grief after the death of a friend or loved one.
- Changes and stressful events. It's not surprising that people might become depressed during stressful times -- such as during a divorce or while caring for a sick relative. Yet even positive changes -- like getting married or starting a new job -- can sometimes trigger depression.
- Medications and substances. Many prescription drugs can cause symptoms of depression. Alcohol or substance abuse is common in depressed people. It often makes their condition worse.
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Secondhand Smoke May Put Kids At Risk For Diseases
Exposure to secondhand smoke greatly increases a child's chances of developing several invasive bacterial diseases, according to a new review of published studies. The risk was found to be especially strong for children 6 years old and younger...to read more click here, Medline Plus.
Teens In Smoking Homes May Get More Ear Infections
The American Academy of Pediatrics has issued a report that outlines new guidelines concerning the iron needs of infants and children...to read more click here, Medline Plus. 
1 in 4 U.S. Teens and Young Adults Binge Drink: CDC More than one in four U.S. teens and young adults admit they are binge drinkers, health officials said Tuesday...to read more click here, Medline Plus. 
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Childhood Cancer | |
What Is Childhood Cancer?
Every bodily cell is tightly regulated with respect to growth, interaction with other cells, and even its life span. Cancer occurs when a type of cell has lost these normal control mechanisms and grows in a way that the body can no longer regulate. Different kinds of cancer have different signs, symptoms, treatments, and outcomes, depending on the type of cell involved and the degree of uncontrolled cell growth. About CancerAll kinds of cancer, including childhood cancer, have a common disease process - cells grow out of control, develop abnormal sizes and shapes, ignore their typical boundaries inside the body, destroy their neighbor cells, and ultimately can spread (or metastasize) to other organs and tissues. As cancer cells grow, they demand more and more of the body's nutrition. Cancer takes a child's strength, destroys organs and bones, and weakens the body's defenses against other illnesses. Cancer affects only about 14 of every 100,000 children in the United States each year. Among all age groups, the most common childhood cancers are leukemia, lymphoma, and brain cancer. As kids enter the teen years, there is an increase in the incidence of osteosarcoma (bone cancer). The sites of cancer are different for each type, as are treatment and cure rates. Typically, factors that trigger cancer in kids usually differ from those that cause cancer in adults, such as smoking or exposure to environmental toxins. Rarely, there may be an increased risk of childhood cancer in kids who have a genetic condition, such as Down syndrome. Those who have had chemotherapy or radiation treatment for a prior cancer episode may also have an increased risk of cancer. In most cases, however, childhood cancers arise from noninherited mutations (or changes) in the genes of growing cells. Because these errors occur randomly and unpredictably, there's no effective way to prevent them. Sometimes, a doctor might spot early symptoms of cancer at regular checkups. However, some of these symptoms (such as fever, swollen glands, frequent infections, anemia, or bruises) are also associated with other infections or conditions that are much more common than cancer. Because of this, both doctors and parents might suspect other childhood illnesses when cancer symptoms first appear. Once cancer has been diagnosed, it's important for parents to seek help from a medical center that specializes in pediatric oncology (treatment of childhood cancer).
For more information,visit Kidshealth.org
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Testimonials
My daughter Krystell is 8yrs old. She was diagnosed with osteosarcoma tumor on her left humorous arm in August 2009. It was an awful thing starting with an arm ache and by the time they saw the x-ray, the doctor told me I was being referred. Since then it has been a rough road. I am a single mother with 3 kids. Krystell, 9, Sherlyn, 5, Cesar, 3, and with chemo and all the appointments my 2 small children left to Texas with my mom until this calms down a little. All our family lives in Texas and Mexico. She had her bone removed and replaced in November 2009 and has chemo and physical therapy now. She is a very active little girl. She loves to read and is a girlie girl. God bless all you do. Cancer is not easy to handle, but we will fight and have faith to go on!
Sincerely,
Wendy
Hello, This is Kimberly Lowe's mom writing to you to share a little about our journey to health. Kimmie has acute lymphoblastic leukemia and was diagnosed the middle of May of this year.
She is 7 years old and is the youngest of 7 siblings. She loves to sing and has a beautiful voice. Prior to her diagnosis, she especially enjoyed having dance off contests with her 2 sisters, Emma(9) and Lindsey(19). She also enjoyed tap dancing and we thought she might like taking a clogging class. I'm sure as she progresses on the road to recovery, she will enjoy these same types of activities. She loves to play dress up and Barbie dolls and play with her littlest pet shop toys. She says her prayers every night and prays for other children with cancer as well. All of her siblings live at home except her 19 year old sister who moved to California to be a makeup artist. Her oldest brother graduated last month with a mechanical engineering degree and is looking for a job. Her next brother is 17 and will be a senior in high school. He plays card games and dice games with Kimmie a lot. Brent (13) and Zach(12) are usually playing video games or on the computer. They enjoy going to the zoo or Art Sports with Kimmie. Emma (9) and Kimmie are very close and play together all the time. Dad works as a chiropractor at the Air Force Academy in a civilian position. I am a dental hygienist working full time, but I have put in for a leave of absence from Sept. - Dec. 15. I will try to work Thurs. - Sat. as long as I can still take care of Kimmie. I am having a hard time leaving her each day even now, but I have a babysitter and my children helping. When school starts, she will have a tutor come into the home. Personally, I have always enjoyed my work as a hygienist, but all I can think of when I'm at work now is getting home to see how Kimmie is doing. She really wants me to organize a "pie fight" because all of her siblings have had them except her. We used to make budding and shipped cream pies in a Styrofoam bowl and but on our old clothes and let the fun begin. I hope this letter has helped you get to know Kimmie a little better. We are grateful for our blessings and look for the joy in each day. Sincerely, Mrs. Lowe  |
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Cigarette smoking accounts for at least 30% of all cancer deaths. It is linked with an increased risk of the following cancers:
- Lung
- Larynx (voice box)
- Oral cavity (mouth, tongue, and lips)
- Pharynx (throat)
- Esophagus (tube connecting the throat to the stomach)
- Stomach
- Pancreas
- Cervix
- Kidney
- Bladder
- Acute myeloid leukemia
Smoking is responsible for almost 9 out of 10 lung cancer deaths. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in both men and women, and is one of the hardest cancers to treat. Lung cancer is a disease that can often be prevented. Some religious groups that promote non-smoking as part of their religion, such as Mormons and Seventh-day Adventists, have much lower rates of lung cancer and other smoking-related cancers.
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Is It A Cold Or The Flu?
Your child is sent home from school with a sore throat, cough, and high fever - could it be the flu that's been going around? Or just a common cold?
Although the flu (or influenza) usually causes symptoms that make someone feel worse than symptoms associated with a common cold, it's not always easy to tell the difference between the two.
Symptoms Guide
The answers to these questions can help determine whether a child is fighting the flu or combating a cold:
Flu vs. Colds: A Guide to Symptoms
Questions Flu Cold
| Was the onset of illness ... | sudden? | slow? | | Does your child have a ... | high fever? | no (or mild) fever? | | Is your child's exhaustion level ... | severe? | mild? | | Is your child's head ... | achy? | headache-free? | | Is your child's appetite ... | decreased? | normal? | | Are your child's muscles ... | achy? | fine? | | Does your child have ... | chills? | no chills? |
If most of your answers fell into the first category, chances are that your child has the flu. If your answers were usually in the second category, it's most likely a cold.
But don't be too quick to brush off your child's illness as just another cold. The important thing to remember is that flu symptoms can vary from child to child (and they can change as the illness progresses), so if you suspect the flu, call the doctor. Even doctors often need a test to tell them for sure if a person has the flu or not since the symptoms can be so similar!
Some bacterial diseases, like strep throat or pneumonia, also can look like the flu or a cold. It's important to get medical attention immediately if your child seems to be getting worse, is having any trouble breathing, has a high fever, has a bad headache, has a sore throat, or seems confused.
While even healthy kids can have complications of the flu, kids with certain medical conditions are at more of a risk. If you think your child might have the flu, contact your doctor.
Treatment
Some kids with chronic medical conditions may become sicker with the flu and need to be hospitalized, and flu in an infant also can be dangerous. For severely ill kids or those with other special circumstances, doctors may prescribe an antiviral medicine that can ease flu symptoms, but only if it's given within 48 hours of the onset of the flu.
Most of the time, you can care for your child by offering plenty of fluids, rest, and extra comfort.
And if the doctor says it's not the flu? Ask whether your child should get a flu shot.
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Depression: Recognizing the Physical Symptoms
Most of us know about the emotional symptopms of depression. But you may not know that depression can be associated with many physical conditions too. In fact, many people with depression suffer from chronic pain or other physical symptoms. These include:
- Headaches
- Back pain
- Muscle aches and joint pain
- Chest pain
- Digestive problems
- Exhaustion and fatigue
- Sleeping problems
- Change in appetite or weight
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
For more info, click here, WebMD
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The Children's Cancer Fund of America, Inc. is a national 501 c(3) organization dedicated to helping children with cancer and their families by providing financial assistance.
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