How Serious is Shaken Baby Syndrome Problem?
The approximate number of SBS is still unknown. Cases of SBS often go unnoticed, however it accounts for approximately 10% of early child death cases. Children with an age as less as 3 months have been victims of this problem. In some rare cases, the problem may persist till early adolescence. There are some cases of SBS reported in newborn babies as well. As stated earlier, SBS involves violent shaking of the child. Some common effects of this could be spinal cord injuries, retinal hemorrhages, permanent brain injury and early death. ApproximatelAy 25% of SBS cases end up in child death, due to lack of proper medication.
Understanding and Preventing Shaken Baby Syndrome
It is important to first understand what triggers shaken baby syndrome to help prevent it. Shaken baby syndrome is commonly seen in children who have physical deformities, learning disabilities, in adopted or foster care children, etc. If the parental frustration is not on account of any of these problems, then the problem might be triggered on account of factors such as insufficient parental education, parents with psychic problems, single parenting, early pregnancy or parents with substance abuse problems. It is often seen that, parents have themselves been abused in some way in their early childhood. If not intentionally, then the problem can be out of accidental brain injury on account of neglecting the child. Some other known factors include incorrect way of carrying babies viz. in back packs or kangaroo bags.
As alert citizens, it is our moral duty to inform a child abuse hot-line service immediately if we happen to know about a case of shaken baby syndrome and child abuse in our neighborhood. The abusive parents are likely to face legal action as it has been quoted as a criminal offense under Shaken Baby Syndrome Prevention Act.
If you as a parent are prone to lose control on your anger, then follow the following steps:
* It is best to avoid disciplining your child whenever you are angry. Similarly, avoid being close to your child when you are angry or when you are arguing with an adult.
* Never shake your child violently.
* If you happen to experience bouts of anger and frustration, then take help in child caring from a responsible caregiver from your family till you control your anger.
* Visit a counselor and opt to join an anger management program.
What Happens When a Child is Shaken?
It is fact that an infant’s brain is much smaller than the actual size of the skull. This is because the brain is still developing in the infancy age and grows larger as time moves on. A sudden and violent shaking can often result in shifting of the brain within the skull compartment causing tearing of blood vessels and severe damage to nervous tissues. This may cause internal bleeding in the brain and the eyes. As the problem advances, more complicated problems on account of damaged nervous system crop up. Often the damage to the brain becomes permanent viz cerebral palsy or blindness. At the same time, an infant’s muscle and bone tissues require time to develop. If the child is neglected or physically abused, there are cases of weakening of muscles, rib fractures and greenstick fractures. At times, there may be some bruising on skin surface. Some of the telltale signs and symptoms to identify an SBS case may include, breathing problems, general lethargy, vomiting and nausea, irritability, brain selling, seizures, poor appetite, pale skin, unconsciousness, unpredictable behavior patterns, gloomy mood of the child, cerebral contusions, shearing of blood vessels, subdural and subarachnoid hemorrhages, neck and spinal injury, rib fractures and greenstick fractures, non accidental bruises and injuries, retinal hemorrhages, blood shot eyes and swelling under eyes.
One of the first aids to treat shaken baby syndrome include surgery and giving respiratory support. Surgery might include drainage of blood from brain to reduce internal swelling. An expert neurologist and ophthalmologist may have to be consulted for the matter. All necessary precautions to handle seizures should be followed. The child may need to be admitted in a hospital for treatment before he is fit enough to be sent back home. Remember, children look up to adults for support and protection. It is our moral duty to provide it to them.
E. coli Outbreak Linked to Fresh Bagged Spinach
The Associated Press is reporting a confirmed E. coli outbreak that has spread to at least eight states, leaving one person dead and fifty others sick. At this point, federal health officials believe that the source is bagged fresh spinach, but are unsure of any specific brands or regions that are most vulnerable. The lone death thus far occurred in Wisconsin, while people in Connecticut, Idaho, Indiana, Michigan, New Mexico, Oregon, and Utah have been sickened.
Health officials in California have already issued an official warning for consumers not to eat fresh bagged spinach. Dr. David Acheson of the Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition told the AP that at least 20 people have been made ill around the country and that the link to bagged fresh spinach appears to be strong. “We’re advising people not to eat it,” Acheson said.
Acheson went on to explain that the majority of those sick have been women and had no further information on the person who died. Dr. Bill Keene, an epidemiologist with the Oregon Department of Human Services, told the AP that “People have either varying or no recollection of the brand [of spinach] they purchased.
T.J. Bucholz of the Michigan Department of Community Health told the AP, “We’re telling people if they have bagged produce and they feel like it’s a risk, throw it out. If they feel like they have to eat it, wash it first in warm water.”
Preliminary analysis by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggest that the same bug is responsible for all the illnesses around the country.
The CDC web site notes the following information regarding E. coli: “An estimated 73,000 cases of infection and 61 deaths occur in the United States each year. Infection often leads to bloody diarrhea, and occasionally to kidney failure. Most illness has been associated with eating undercooked, contaminated ground beef. Person-to-person contact in families and child care centers is also an important mode of transmission. Infection can also occur after drinking raw milk and after swimming in or drinking sewage-contaminated water.”
Red meats contain some amount of cholesterol and fat, but they also contain other essential nutrients like iron, zinc and protein. Small amount of red meat can be included in the diet to fulfill those needs. Myth: A vegetarian diet helps in weight loss. Fact: It is often seen that people following a vegetarian diet are less in weight as compared to non-vegetarians. However, this does not ensure weight reduction. If a person’s choice includes foods with high fat and calorific content, following a vegetarian diet will not help. Many people tend to register for weight loss programs which claim to help lose weight in very less time. A person interested in such a program should first learn the myths about weight loss programs so that he can take a right decision. Hope this article has been an eye opener and helped you to differentiate between the myths and facts about weight loss. Learn from this true life story How God can give you new hope www.LifesGreatestQuestion.com When a person makes up his mind to lose weight, he starts doing all sorts of activities in order to fetch immediate results. This hurry makes him try anything and everything for weight loss. There are many thoughts pertaining to losing weight, but how many of them actually work out. Not all, obviously. A person following a wrong advice for weight loss is highly susceptible to a harmful outcome. It is, therefore, essential to know what is right and what is wrong before indulging in something you are unsure of. Following are some myths and facts that I am sure, will help you in understanding the difference. Myths and Facts About Weight Loss Myth: Consistent eating and exercising will never let you gain weight. Fact: Consistency is not the key to weight loss. As a person grows older, the metabolic capacity of the person reduces. Changes in metabolism are evident after the age of 40 years, after which the metabolic capacity keeps on reducing gradually. Therefore, a person may need to increase exercising or reduce eating to match to changes in the body. Consistent exercising may not help in weight loss in the long run. Myth: Fast food should be completely avoided. Fact: Obviously, cheeseburgers, fries, potato wedges, etc., will have to be avoided, but one does not need to completely put a full stop to fast food. What is required to be done, is to make careful choices in fast foods so as to control the intake of calories in the diet. Myth: Snacking is bad for weight loss. Fact: Snacks are considered bad because people tend to have wafers, candies and cookies during snacks, rather than fresh fruits and vegetables. Snacking actually helps you to eat less by preventing overeating during proper meals. Dietitians also suggest that five small meals per day are better than two heavy meals. Avoiding snacks can lead to excessive intake of calories during meals and disturb your weight loss routine. Myth: Carbohydrates should be avoided. Fact: Foods with carbohydrates should not be avoided completely. Processed carbohydrates usually have a high content of white flour and sugar which should be avoided. However, other foods like whole grain breads, brown rice, beans, etc., can be included in the diet. Myth: Skipping meals help you lose weight. Fact: The body needs certain nutrients everyday for proper functioning. Skipping meals will create a deficiency in the body, which will have a negative effect on the body instead of helping you lose weight. Apart from that, it makes you eat more and you end up adding extra calories in your body which are in no way beneficial. Myth: You tend to gain weight if you eat after 8 PM. Fact: Eating time does not cause weight gain. What affects, is the amount of calories you have had throughout the day and the amount of exercising you have done to burn those calories. Myth: Certain foods help in weight loss. Fact: It is often misunderstood that foods like celery and grapefruit help in losing weight. It is true that some foods enhance metabolism in the body, but they are not completely responsible for weight loss. Myth: Nuts should be avoided if you want to lose weight. Fact: It is true that nuts have a high calorific content, but they are low in saturated fat. As they contain a high amount of fiber and protein, they can actually benefit a person if, incorporated in small amounts in the diet. Myth: Red meat makes it difficult to lose weight.