Is hip dysplasia in my newborn something to worry about?

As many as 10 people in 1,000 are affected by hip dysplasia, a chronic condition that manifests in early childhood.  This condition is characterized by an underdevelopment of the hip bones as well as a looseness in the hip joints. The socket of the hip joint does not hold the hip hone, resulting in a tendency for the hip to dislocate. it can affect walking as well as the blood supply to the hip and can result in permanent disability if not treated early. Causes include being born in the breech position, a genetic predisposition for the condition, as well as anything that prevents movement of the hip joints in utero. 

Babies do not display symptons of this condition until they have learned to crawl, so doctors or midwives conduct screenings both at birth as well as at the six-week check. Additional signs of the condition, such as an asymmetry of the buttock creases or leg lengths may indicate the need for treatment. If a child is diagnosed with hip dysplasia, parents may be instructed to use a removable harness to hold their child's hips in place. While the harness is 95% effective in treating this condition, surgery is recommended for children who do not respond to that particular treatment. 

The Common Cold

What we refer to as “The Common Cold” is actually caused by several different viruses. Most are caused by Rhinovirus.. They usually present as an acute self-limiting infection, which means it comes on quickly and resolves by itself. The upper respiratory tract (nose, throat, and larynx) is usually the most affected by Rhinovirus. The incubation period after picking up the virus is usually about two days before our symptoms start. The illness can then last for 5-7 days. You are likely to be contagious while you have symptoms, but you’re most contagious in the early part of illness (the first few days). As your immune system begins to fight the virus, the concentration of virus in your body will drop off and you will recover. Humans develop immunity to virus by sending white blood cells to kill the virus and making antibodies active against it. 

It is a commonly held belief that rhinovirus symptoms are different than those associated with influenza (the flu). However, all the viruses discussed can cause an influenza-like illness. Most people infected with influenza virus have only mild symptoms or are asymptomatic. Many infected with influenza have exactly the same symptoms as those infected with rhinovirus.

For this reason it is usually not possible for you, or a doctor, to tell whether you are suffering from a cold or flu. Hence, the term “ILI” or “influenza-like illness” is also used for colds, especially where there is also fever.

While influenza might sometimes be associated with more severe respiratory infections, rhinovirus gives it a good run for its money. During most winters, rhinoviruses cause more cases of pneumonia requiring hospitalization than do influenza viruses.  


From: http://theconversation.com/health-check-what-is-the-common-cold-and-how-do-we-get-it-60857

Why is Chronic Pain so common, yet so difficult to treat?

A recent study by the National Institutes of Health in America revealed that one in three individuals in the U.S. have suffered from some form of pain in the last three months. Of this group, it is estimated an upwards of 50 million people suffer from chronic pain. To put the data into perspective, this is comparable to the number suffering from diabetes, heart disease or cancer. So why does it seem that such a common problem so hard to treat? While healthcare has evolved for these other diseases, it may seem that not much has changed in the pain therapy field. For many years, the common treatment of chronic pain has been non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and opioids. 

As it stands now, due to new guidelines, physicians are cautioned to first weigh the potential harm that may come from opioid use before recommending the use of the medication to patients. Sometimes, the problem is misdiagnosed. It is also essential to put the pain in the context of the person's life. This is why an accurate history is important to determine what the cause of your pain is and how best to treat you and your pain. If you are suffering, booking a double appointment helps us to assist you.

SEE ALSO: What is chronic pain and why is it hard to treat?

I'm Burned, Now What?

Burns occur when skin is exposed to extreme heat, flame, electricity, or radiation from a number of sources. Burns are a very common injury that, in many cases, can be avoided with preventative measures. Children are more vulnerable to being burned because they are more curious about the world around them. If they do get burned, they are more likely to get burned more severely because their skin is thinner. Burns are characterized by size and severity of the particular burn. First degree burns are more superficial. There is normally minor blisters, swelling, and redness. Second-degree appears to be very red, with large or broken blisters. Third-degree look dry, white, and charred in appearance

The first step should be to get the victim away from the source of heat. Remove hot or wet clothing, as long as it is not sticking to the skin. Cool the burn under cool running water (not ice) for about 25 minutes to remove the heat and relieve some of the pain. After the burn has been cooled, cover the wound with a sterile, non-adherent dressing or cling film, except for the face. Apply all dressings loosely. Seek medical advice and do your best to use preventative measures to avoid these type of injuries altogether.

Adolescent Weight Lifting Myths

There are many myths that exist concerning the safety of children and adolescents lifting weights. It has long been believed that weight training could lead to an increased risk of injury. But, it has been found that when weights are used with caution and age appropriateness, there are positive benefits to strength training. It actually reduced the possibility or injury while playing organized sports. It is also a misconception to believe that weight training can cause more injury to growth plates than any other physical activity. Growth plate injury actually occurs more during participation in organized sports.

Many organizations agree that physical activities that strengthen the muscles are important for overall health.  It is also important for young people to participate in a wide variety of sports. These types of activity should be supervised, especially for beginners, until individuals learn how to operate equipment properly.  Weight raining can be simple, healthy, and effective.