New Health Threat For Kids 11-16 Years Old
The CDC is warning parents about a new game that is killing kids. This new danger is called “The Choking Game.” It seems unbelievable but kids, mostly 11-16 years old, are choking themselves to achieve a temporary high. This “game” has killed 82 children since 1995 and is considered to be a public health threat by the CDC.
The Choking Game
The choking game is a dangerous activity that older children and early adolescents sometimes play to get a brief high. They either choke each other or use a noose to choke themselves. After just a short time, children can pass out, which may lead to serious injury or even death from hanging or strangulation.
CDC
Parents need to watch for signs that their children may be playing this deadly game. If these are indications of your child’s behavior, seek professional help immediately!
- Discussion of the game or its aliases
- Bloodshot eyes
- Marks on the neck
- Wearing high-necked shirts, even in warm weather
- Frequent, severe headaches
- Disorientation after spending time alone
- Increased and uncharacteristic irritability or hostility
- Ropes, scarves, and belts tied to bedroom furniture or doorknobs or found knotted on the floor
- The unexplained presence of dog leashes, choke collars, bungee cords, etc.
- Petechiae (pinpoint bleeding spots) under the skin of the face, especially the eyelids, or the conjunctiva (the lining of the eyelids and eyes)
Of course, talking, and more importantly listening, to your children is the first step in preventing so many of the problems teenagers experience. Much of that is knowing the lingo kids use. The Choking Game is also known as:
- Pass-out game
- Space monkey
- Suffocation roulette
- Scarf game
- The American dream
- Fainting game
- Something dreaming game
- Purple hazing
- Blacking out/blackout
- Dream game
- Flat liner
- California choke
- Space cowboy
- Airplaning
- Purple dragon
- Cloud nine
Support and information are also crucial tools in dealing with a situation such as this. G.A.S.P. (Games Adolescents Shouldn’t Play) is a group on the Internet that can help parents. They have downloadable brochures, powerpoint presentations, and other free materials to assist parents and kids.
CNN Report on Missing the Signs of the Choking Game
Printable Fact Sheet on the Choking Game - Good for kids to read (.pdf)
Flu Vaccine for 2008-2009 Flu Season
Have you ever wondered how the flu vaccine comes about? I discussed this once before in an article and now that the 2008-2009 vaccine is in the works, you can see for yourself the beginning of the process.
WHO Consultation on the Composition of Influenza Vaccine for the Northern Hemisphere 2008 - 2009
Recommended Composition Of Influenza Virus Vaccines For Use In The 2008–2009
Influenza Season
Flu Vaccines? Help or Hype?
“Icy Hot Heat Therapy” Recall
A popular product, “Icy Hot Heat Therapy,” manufactured in patches. The recall was initiated due to burns reported by consumers ranging from first to third degree burns.
All “Icy Hot Heat Therapy” patches were recalled regardless of lot number and size. Products include:
- Icy Hot Heat Therapy Air Activated Heat- Back
- Icy Hot Heat Therapy Air Activated Heat- Arm, Neck, and Leg
- Icy Hot Heat Therapy Air Activated Heat- Arm, Neck, and Leg single consumer use “samples” included on a limited promotional basis in cartons of 3 oz. Aspercreme Pain Relieving Crème.*
*Please note that “Aspercreme” is not affected. Samples of “Icy Hot” were included in “Aspercreme” packaging and only those samples are involved in the recall.
Any of the “Icy Hot” product should be discarded or returned to the manufacturer for a full refund. Product may be returned for a refund (average retail price) by calling Chattem’s Consumer Affairs Department at 1-877-742-6275 (M-F from 8am to 4pm EST) or through their website.
This is a voluntary recall by Chattem, Inc., manufacturer of the product.
Flu Update as of February 9th
The peak of the flu season is beginning, so there are no states unaffected. The best advice still remains to get a flu vaccine if they are still available in your area, avoid contact with infected people, be cautious about contact with groups of people and WASH YOUR HANDS frequently and thoroughly!
- Localized Outbreaks (0 states*)
- Florida
- Maine
- Washington DC (District of Columbia)
- Regionalized Outbreaks (17 states)
- California
- Illinois
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- North Dakota
- Oregon
- Rhode Island
- Tennessee
- Utah
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
- Widespread Outbreaks ( states)
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Mississippi
- Nebraska
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Texas
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Sporadic Outbreaks
- None
*Including the District of Columbia
This is a good time to review handwashing techniques and things you can do to avoid catching the flu.
- Avoid close contact with people who have the flu.
- Don’t expose others - if you are sick STAY HOME!! You will get well faster this way too!
- Be polite! Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze! And use disposable tissues!
- Avoid touching your face - flu is spread through direct contact.
- WASH YOUR HANDS PROPERLY!!
Keeping Track of Your Family Medical History
Did you know that the NIH has an online (and secure!) Web site that you can use to track your family’s medical history? Why is this important? Many diseases and tendencies toward diseases are genetic, meaning hereditary, and this site can help you track the information to tell healthcare provider about.
This report is convenient as you can fill it out as you discover information about medical issues in your family’s past that are pertinent to your own health today and tomorrow. It can then be printed and presented to your physician as you discuss ways to lower your risks for the diseases you are most likely to contract over time.
If you are skittish about using a Web site for this purpose, the NIH has provided downloadable software at no charge. Your information will not be on the NIH site but will be on your computer for your convenience. The site and software are provided in both English and Spanish.
Flu Update as of February 1st
The flu is active in all of the 50 U.S. States now and officials continue to urge common sense and proactive prevention. Some school districts have been closed to halt the progression of the illness. Wash your hands and limit your exposure to people who are infected!
- Localized Outbreaks (10 states*)
- Alabama
- Illinois
- New Hampshire
- North Dakota
- Oregon
- South Dakota
- Vermont
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
- District of Columbia
- Regionalized Outbreaks (26 states)
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Connecticut
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Jersey
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Utah
- Washington
- Widespread Outbreaks (11 states)
- Alaska
- Kansas
- Massachusetts
- Mississippi
- New Mexico
- Pennsylvania
- Virginia
- Hawaii
- Colorado
- New York
- Texas
- Sporadic Outbreaks
- All states not listed above
*Including the District of Columbia
This is a good time to review handwashing techniques and things you can do to avoid catching the flu.
- Avoid close contact with people who have the flu.
- Don’t expose others - if you are sick STAY HOME!! You will get well faster this way too!
- Be polite! Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze! And use disposable tissues!
- Avoid touching your face - flu is spread through direct contact.
- WASH YOUR HANDS PROPERLY!!
February is American Heart Disease Month
Do you know what the leading killer of all Americans, male and female, is? It is heart disease. Traditionally thought of as a men’s disease, heart disease attacks and kills more women than any other disease, including breast cancer. It may be symptom-free until a fatal attack or it may be a chronic condition that causes illness for a lifetime. Either way, some factors can be controlled while others cannot.
In 2008, an estimated 770,000 Americans will have a new coronary attack, and about 430,000 will have a recurrent attack. About every 26 seconds, an American will have a coronary event, and about one every minute will die from one.
CDC
It is unfair to think of a disease that often has as its first symptom, death. Death to most of us is not a symptom, it is a result. But heart disease can be insidious and can steal years without a person even being aware the damage is being done. I lost my husband to a sudden heart attack. His first symptom was death.
Learning what you can do to prevent heart disease is vital to the overall picture of good health. You can’t change your genetic history but you can change many of your lifestyle choices: What you eat, drink and smoke can be controlled. And exercising within the healthy boundaries set by your doctor is also a positive proactive step you can take.
Learn about heart disease this month. Talk to family members and friends. Education can make all the difference and hopefully we can see the number of deaths decrease. This disease need not be a “heartless” killer.
February is American Heart Month
Olivier brand Parmesan & Asiago Dip with Garlic & Basil
The dip Olivier Parmesan & Asiago With Garlic & Basil has recalled as of this date, February 5th. it has been recalled due to the possibility of contamination with Clostridium botulinum. This product is made by Olivier Olive Oil Products, Inc. of St. Helena, California and has been voluntarily recalled by the manufacturer.
Clostridium botulinum is potentially life threatening illness and as such should be treated seriously.
Further information can be found at the links below. A photo of the product is included to help consumers identify the product in question.
FDA Recall Alert - Olivier Brand Parmesan & Asiago Dip with Garlic & Basil
An Important Step Towards Better Health
Much of good health begins with how we eat. Let’s face it. Americans are notorious for not eating well. Isn’t it ironic that a nation so rich and so important on the world’s market for exporting food to less fortunate areas of the world, is itself overweight and in many cases suffering from malnutrition?
Good and healthy eating begins with understanding food labels. Over the years, these labels have become more complex and confusing. A few easy steps in deciphering the lingo used on these labels will pay off in less unintentional overeating and less consumption of fats, sugars and unnecessary calories.
Many packages trumpet the benefit of a single attribute, like no trans fats, while ignoring other important information that consumers need to know, like how much saturated fat or added sodium is in that trans fat-free product.
Linda McDonald, RD., “Supermarket Savvy” newsletter
There are some solutions coming. A scoring system, utilized by various food chains, is hoped to clarify the problem of deciphering the labels and products that a supermarket sells. One such system is the Overall Nutritional Quality Index (ONQI), developed by David Katz, MD, who is the chair of the Yale Griffin Prevention Research Center. This system will be online where consumers can reference their favorite foods and see how those products scored.
But concern can be raised at the multitude of scoring systems being developed. Consistency is a problem and instead of one label that the consumer can read quickly during a busy, and sometimes confusing shopping trip, a multitude of icons and rating systems possibly contradicting each other may appear.
Consumers need to be skeptical,” says Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) Executive Director Michael Jacobson. “Some of the information on the fronts of packages or the shelf markers suggests the foods are probably better than other foods, but there are flaws and inconsistencies in how all the different parties are scoring foods — which is why we need the government to take the lead.”
One would think the FDA would already have addressed this issue but apparently they haven’t and considering their past record, it would take years, if not decades, for them to implement a useful system. In the meantime, as always, it is “buyer beware.” Be responsible for understanding what a food label means, the information that is useful and just as important, the information that is not useful. Be especially careful about information that can be misconstrued.
Hopefully someday an easy to understand label will make its way onto supermarket shelves. And one can always resort to the healthiest way of all which requires no label at all: Fresh foods that have never seen the inside of a processing plant.
Reading Food Labels Gets Easier
How to Read a Food Label - FDA
Recalls You Need To Know About
They say what you don’t know, can’t hurt you. That certainly isn’t true with products that have been recalled. There are hundreds of products recalled every month; some are FDA directed and some are voluntarily recalled by the manufacturer. Some are for reasons that hardly seem worth the time to fuss with a formal recall. Others are pulled off the market for deadly reasons. The lists of recalls are long and sometimes complicated.
At this site you can check frequently to reference in one convenient location the recalls that could affect you and your family. 
Most are listed out and won’t be an issue. Of course it is virtually impossible to keep up with all of the recalls that happen in the United States. But the lists are here for you to reference. What is important is that the recalls that are of an urgent nature will be the top headline in this section and available for quick referencing. Stay in “The Know,” because what you don’t know, can hurt you.
ALERT: Potential Botulism in Canned Green Beans
In Other News:
FDA Recalls, Market Withdrawals and Safety Alerts
Food Safety and Inspection Service Recalls
FDA Center For Drug Evaluation and Research
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Recalls and Product Safety News