Nashville Doctor

Family gatherings, special traditions, delicious treats - it just may be the most wonderful time of the year, especially for children. Unfortunately, for emergency room doctors it’s also one of the busiest. Take time out to learn how to protect your little ones from some common holiday dangers, and you and your family can enjoy a season that is not only happy but healthy.

Poisoning

• Mistletoe, holly, poinsettias, Jerusalem cherry plants, and other plants are commonly used as decorations during the holidays. Like many plants, these are considered potentially poisonous and should be kept out of the reach of children. Symptoms of plant poisoning can include rashes, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. If you suspect that your child has eaten any part of a plant, immediately call your child’s doctor or the national poison control number: (800) 222-1222.
• “Bubble lights” containing methylene chloride can be poisonous if a child drinks the fluid from the light (even if labeled nontoxic). Snow sprays may be harmful if the aerosol propellants are used improperly.
• Alcohol poisoning is a common risk for children during the holiday season. Many parents host holiday parties where alcohol is served. Most parties will include seasonal alcoholic beverages like Eggnog and Boiled Custard. Parents must take care to remove all empty and partially empty cups as soon as possible. Because children imitate adults, many may drink the beverages they see adults drinking. Children become “drunk” much more quickly than adults; so even small amounts of alcohol can be dangerous to children.
• Food poisoning is another potential holiday hazard. Practice food safety by washing hands, utensils, dishes, and anything else that comes in contact with raw meat, including poultry and fish, and raw eggs before and after use. Don’t contaminate a serving dish with raw meat.

Choking and Swallowing

• Tree ornaments, light bulbs, icicles, tinsel, and small toys are potential choking hazards for small children because they may block the airway. The general rule of thumb is that if it’s small enough to fit in the mouths of babies and toddlers, it’s too small to play with.
• Common holiday foods such as peanuts or popcorn are potential choking hazards and should not be given to children under age 4.
• The needles of holiday trees can cause painful cuts in the mouth and throat of a child who swallows them.
• Angel hair (made from finely spun glass) and ornament hangers may cause cuts, skin irritation, or eye damage if touched or swallowed by children.

Fire and accidents are also common safety hazards around the holidays. Click here for more information about keeping the holidays safe. We care about the safety of you and your family!

Fighting Depression

The holidays can be tough for people with depression. Feelings of sadness and hopelessness may make it hard to enjoy the season and the time with family and friends. It’s a good time to start becoming educated about depression. There are plenty of resources on-line to help you study up and reassure you that you aren’t alone. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) approximately 1 in 10 people are affected by depression each year.

Familydoctor.org offers an on-line pamphlet, “Depression: What It Is and How to Get Help”. During this time of year, a special type of depression, called seasonal affective disorder (SAD), or winter depression, affects many people. In this season of giving, give yourself a gift — learn about depression and talk with your family provider about getting help.

drsam Newsletter Choking, Depression, Health Tips, Holidays, Nashville Doctor, Poisoning, Safety, Swallowing

The body is made up of many types of cells. Normally, cells grow, divide and die. Sometimes, cells mutate (change) and begin to grow and divide more quickly than normal cells. Rather than dying, these abnormal cells clump together to form tumors. If these tumors are cancerous (also called “malignant”), they can invade and kill your body’s healthy tissues. From these tumors, cancer cells can metastasize (spread) and form new tumors in other parts of the body. By contrast, noncancerous tumors (also called “benign”) do not spread to other parts of the body.

Melanoma is a type of skin cancer. It begins in skin cells called melanocytes (say: “mel-an-oh-sites”). Melanocytes produce the substance that gives your skin its color.

Most other skin cancers don’t spread, but melanoma can spread through the whole body. If it is found early, it can be cured. If it is found late, it may cause death.

Who gets melanoma?

Anyone can get melanoma, but some people are more likely to get it. If you answer “yes” to any of the questions below, you may be more at risk. Talk with your doctor about your risk factors.

• Has anyone in your family had cancerous moles or a melanoma?
• Do you have many moles larger than a pencil eraser?
• Do you have more than 50 moles of any size?
• Did you ever get a bad sunburn that caused blisters when you were a child?
• Does your skin usually burn but not tan?

Where do melanomas occur?

Melanomas can be anywhere on your body. In men, they are most often on the chest, stomach or back. In women, they are most often on the lower legs.

What does a melanoma look like?

A melanoma might look like a mole or a bump or growth on your skin. Melanomas often do not look bad at first.

The ABCDE rule can help you remember what to look for when you’re checking any moles on your skin:A for asymmetry:

A mole that, when divided in half, doesn’t look the same on both sides

B for border: A mole with edges that are blurry or jagged

C for color: Changes in the color of a mole, including darkening, spread of color, loss of color, or the appearance of multiple colors such as blue, red, white, pink, purple or gray

D for diameter: A mole larger than 1/4 inch in diameter (about the size of a pencil eraser)

E for elevation: A mole that is raised above the skin and has a rough surface

You should also watch for the following skin changes:

• A mole that bleeds
• A fast-growing mole
• A scaly or crusted growth on the skin
• A sore that won’t heal
• A mole that itches
• A place on your skin that feels rough, like sandpaper

If you notice a mole that has changed, or if you have a new mole that doesn’t look like your other moles, visit your doctor right away.

How can I keep from getting melanoma?

The most important way to prevent melanoma is to limit your sun exposure. The following are some ways to do this:

• Avoid the strong midday sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
• When you are outside, try to spend your time in shaded areas as much as possible.
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat (to shade your face and protect your ears).
• Wear a long-sleeved shirt and long pants while you are out in the sun.
• Use a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15. Put the sunscreen on 30 minutes before you go outside. Put it on again every 2 to 3 hours after sweating and swimming.
• Do not use sunbeds or tanning salons.
• If you are worried about a spot on your skin, tell your doctor about it.

Sunburns in childhood are the most damaging. Children younger than 6 months of age should never be outside in direct sunshine. Children 6 months of age or older should wear sunscreen every day.

Information is sited from http://www.familydoctor.org/

drsam Newsletter Cancer, Melanoma, Nashville Doctor, Nashville Walk In Clinic, Skin Cancer

drsam Newsletter AFD, Dr. Sam, Heat, Heat Stroke, Nashville Clinic, Nashville Doctor, Nashville Walk In Clinic, Stay Cool, Steve Samudrala