Hernia Awareness

By Nurse Diane

Not long after my son was born he developed an umbilical hernia.  This occurred nearly 25 years after my brother developed the same thing.  When my brother had his hernia, the treatment was to tape a quarter over the area until it healed itself.  By the time my son was born, the treatment was different.  In fact there was no treatment at all.   The hernia developed due to a split in the intestinal wall, which allowed his intestines to poke through.  It protruded more when he was crying, than when he was calm.  The doctor suggested that I keep him from crying as much as possible, and in a few years it would heal on its own.  I followed his advice and sure enough it healed all by itself and no surgery was necessary.

According to customblogging.com some hernias are different, they require surgery to repair, or major complications, even death can occur.   A hernia occurs when parts of an organ (usually the intestines) protrudes through a weak point or tear in the thin muscular wall that holds the abdominal organs in place. People at risk of developing a hernia are typically those performing chronic lifting or activities that require straining, which increases intra-abdominal pressure. However, the various types and causes of hernias may occur in both males and females of literally any age. In infants and children, hernias occur when the lining around the abdominal organs does not close properly before birth.

Often there is no obvious cause as to why someone develops a hernia, but awareness of the common symptoms can help in diagnosing their occurrence. Identifying hernias in a timely manner is crucial. Left unchecked, hernias can possibly lead to a strangulated intestine, gangrene, and even death. Common hernia symptoms include:

Groin discomfort aggravated by bending

A tender groin lump

A non-tender bulge or lump in children

June is Hernia Awareness Month.  If you or someone you know has a hernia, please seek medical attention as soon as possible to prevent any major complications, and avoid making matters worse by using proper techniques when doing any heavy lifting.

(Images from Google) 

Birth Defects Awareness Week

By Nurse Diane

I love to bake.  Most weekends you can find me in my kitchen baking up something sweet to share with friends and neighbors.  I like trying out new recipes, but I have found, that if you don't follow them correctly, the treat I am baking just doesn't turn out right.   The same can be said when you are "baking a bun in the oven".  If you put the wrong ingredients in, the end results may not turn out just right.

I was recently talking to a friend of mine - many years ago, his sister was taking some medication prescribed from her doctor.  At that time, it was not known about the possible birth defects caused by this drug.  When the baby was born, there were several defects; one of them was hair covering the baby's face.  Unfortunately, the baby only lived a few days.

This is National Alcohol and Other Drug-Related birth Defects Awareness Week.  According to www.ncadd.org there are some startling facts

• Fetal alcohol syndrome disorders (FASD) – is the leading known cause of developmental disabilities in newborns (historically known as mental retardation) stems from maternal alcoholism or heavy drinking during pregnancy.  Features of FASD include growth deficiency before and after birth, developmental delays, intellectual challenges, behavioral problems, changes in facial features such as a flattened mid-face, small jaw and/or a thin upper lip.
• Perinatal cocaine exposure - can result in obstetrical complications such as low birth weight, smaller head circumference, abnormal neonatal behavior and cerebral infarction at birth.  Children with this exposure are easily distracted, passive and face a variety of visual and perceptual problems and difficulties with fine motor skills.
• Alcohol and Drug use During Pregnancy - in the US, 20% (about 1 million) of pregnant women smoke cigarettes; another 18% (about 750,000) women drink alcohol during pregnancy; another 6% (225,000) women use an illicit drug at least once while carrying a child to term.

Each May, NCADD and our National Network of Affiliates play a major and vital role across the US in educate people, especially women, about the dangers of consuming alcohol and using drugs during pregnancy.  For More information on how you can help, visit their site by clicking here  http://www.ncadd.org/index.php/programs-a-services/alcoholdrugs-related-birth-defects-awareness/191-ncadd-alcohol-a-other-drug-related-birth-defects-awareness-week

(All images from Google) 

National Birth Defects Prevention Month

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By Nurse Diane

There is nothing more thrilling for a couple trying to increase their family to learn that they are expecting.  The first thought that comes to mind is the desire for their baby to be healthy, 10 fingers, and 10 toes.  To most, the sex of the baby takes a back seat.  Many newly expectant mothers visit their doctors; take prenatal vitamins, and research all the proper care necessary to produce a healthy child. More do not.  According to the CDC, about one in every 33 babies is born with a birth defect. Not all birth defects can be prevented. But a woman can take steps to increase her own chance of having a baby with the best health possible.

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Some causes of birth defects include:

Women who take certain drugs, smoke, or drink alcohol during pregnancy.
Women with certain medical conditions, such as uncontrolled diabetes or obesity before and during pregnancy.
Women who take certain medications that are known to cause birth defects, such as isotretinoin (a drug used to treat severe acne).
Women who have someone in their family with a birth defect. To learn more about your risk of having a baby with a birth defect, you can talk with a clinical geneticist or a genetic counselor.
Women over the age of 35 years.

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Some ways to help prevent birth defects include:

Take 400 mcg of folic acid every day, starting at least one month before getting pregnant.
Don’t drink alcohol, smoke, or use “street” drugs.
Talk to a health care provider about taking any medications, including prescription and over-the-counter medications and dietary or herbal supplements. Also talk to a doctor before stopping any medications that are needed to treat health conditions.
Learn how to prevent infections during pregnancy.
If possible, be sure any medical conditions are under control, before becoming pregnant. Some conditions that increase the risk for birth defects include diabetes and obesity.

This month is National Birth Defects Prevention Month.  If you, or know someone who is pregnant, please encourage them to follow their Doctor's orders, have regular checkups, and do all they can to prevent any possible defect.  Not all birth defects are preventable, but there are simple measures one can take to prevent many of them.  For more information, visit Marchofdimes.com.