In a recent study, 77% of parents said they would likely wake their child up throughout the night to check on them if they had concussion symptoms for more than a week--something doctors say could prolong concussion symptoms and slow the healing process since children need their sleep in order for their brains to heal. Parents were also found to make their kids refrain from any physical activity and prohibit their kids from using their phones although non-contact aerobic exercise can actually speed up the healing process and keeping kids isolated and out of their social circles can lead to other problems, like anxiety and depression.
Close to 2 million U.S. children and teens suffer concussions each year. Concussions can damage brain cells and create chemical changes in the brain that elevate the risk of impaired functioning. For information on preventing, recognizing, and responding to concussions in children for physicians as well as parents, please visit the CDC webpage Heads Up to Brain Injury Awareness.
EpiPen Price Hike
In response to the EpiPen price increase of 400% since 2009, patients with severe allergic reactions are turning to less conventional methods for obtaining their medicine. A recent article describes a doctor in Mexico practicing medicine near the border who claims that 4 out of 10 of his most recent patients are Americans seeking an alternative to the costly EpiPen.
Another article describes the efforts of Dr. Douglas McMahon of the Allergy and Asthma Center in Eagan, Minnesota who has invented an alternative device, much smaller than the Epipen, which would sell for $50.00, once he is able to raise the $2 million necessary to put his invention through the tests required by the FDA before it can be legally marketed to the public.
According to a recent article, several medical organizations have condemned the cost increase for placing a large burden on families and keeping them from accessing lifesaving care, which can put children in danger and are calling for drug pricing transparency following Mylan's actions. In the meantime, they suggest that physicans support patients by helping advocate to the government and insurance entities to get the medication placed on preventative drug lists so they are not susceptible to high deductibles.
Sensitive Parenting
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It's not uncommon for parents to compare their kids to one another. But research shows that children can internalize these comparisons and suffer developmentally when their personal strengths go unrecognized.
Click here for the research and helpful advice for parents and please, leave a comment!
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