M arch 9, 2011
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Page 17
—— H ealth m atters
Big Drop in Kids’ Ear Infections
Credit goes to
less exposure to
cigarette smoke
(AP) — Ear infections, a scourge
that has left countless tots scream­
ing through the night, have fallen
dramatically, and some researchers
suggest a decline in smoking by
parents might be part of the reason.
Health officials report nearly a 30
percent drop over 15 years in young
children's doctor visits for ear infec­
tions. That's half a million fewer
trips to the doctor on average.
Why the numbers are declining
is a bit of a mystery, but Harvard
researchers think it's partly because
fewer people smoke, meaning less
irritation of children's airways. Many
doctors credit growing use of a vac­
cine against bacteria that cause ear
infections. And some think in­
creased breast-feeding is protect­
ing more children.
"We're sort of guessing here,"
said Dr. Richard Rosenfeld, a New
York-based ear, nose and throat
specialist who speaks about the is­
sue for the American Academy of
Pediatrics.
To be sure, middle ear infections
still plague many U.S. children. For
decades, they were the most com­
mon reason parents brought young
children to a doctor, according to
health officials.
The Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention hadn't issued a re­
port on them in nearly 20 years.
Cases skyrocketed from 1975-1990.
The visit rate for children 5 and
under more than doubled in that
time.
A big reason, Rosenfeld said,
was a steady rise in dual-career fami-
lies. More families put their kids in
day care, and day care is a breeding
ground for the germs that lead to ear
infections.
But the study by Harvard Uni­
versity suggests another contribu­
tor: cigarette smoke.
Most ear infections occur after a
cold. In children, the ear is more
directly connected to the back of
the nose, so infections in a child's
nose and throat can easily trigger
ear inflammation. Such swelling is a
fertile setting for the bacteria that
cause ear infections.
Cigarette smoke, inhaled through
_____
_ _________
Chesnie Shaver, 2, with her mother, Jessica Hyatt, 21, in their
Spokane, Wash, house. Hyatt said Chesnie has had four ear
infections, including a recent one that lasted close to two
months. (AP photo)
a child's nose, can trigger the same
kind of irritation and swelling, said
Dr. Gordon Hughes of the National
Institute on Deafness and Other
Communication Disorders.
CDC figures show that 88 per­
cent of U.S. nonsmokers were ex­
posed to secondhand smoke around
1990, but that fell to about 40 per­
cent in 2007 and 2008.
Harvard research indicates the
decline coincides with a drop in
childhood ear infections.
"When people are smoking less
around their kids, when homes are
smoke-free, the rate of ear infec­
tions can and has decreased," said
Hillel Alpert, lead author of a study
published recently by the journal
Tobacco Control.
Second Wind Food Drive
More than 20,000 students in the
Portland metro are mobilizing to fight
hunger this month - with a little help
from their teachers, neighbors, local
businesses and service organiza­
tions.
Project Second Wind is the oldest
and one of the most successful an­
nual food-and-fund drives in the re­
gion. It was started in 1971 by high
school students who realized that
while food donations drop after the
holidays, the need for food does not.
Last year. Project Second Wind
H ealth W atch
raised 37,254 pounds of food and
$29,752.
Supported by Umpqua Bank, the
event supports the Oregon Food
Bank's mission to eliminate hunger
and its root causes.
"We are proud to support the
efforts of our community's youth to
help alleviate hunger in Oregon,”
said Robyn Shuey of Umpqua Bank.
For m ore inform ation, visit
oregonfoodbank.org.
Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Lead Poisoning Prevention - Learn
T enderfoot C are — Treat your feet how to protect your fami ly from lead
with a soak, nail trim, buffing and poisoning. Ideal for folks in live in
massage from a licensed nurse at older homes with children or preg­
one of six clinics or at your home. nant women. Qualified participants
Call 503-251 -6303 for more informa­ receive a free kit of safety and test­
tion.
ing supplies. Call 503-284-6827.
Cancer Resource Center — Provi­
dence St. Vincent Medical Center
and the American Red Cross have
joined forces to create the first in-
hospital resource center providing
books, printed material, computer
access and more for individuals and
families dealing with cancer. The
center is open Monday through
Parenting Classes - Newborns
don’t come with instruction manu­
als but parents and parents-to-be
can learn about a variety of topics
from pain and c h ild b irth to
breastfeeding to infant CPR and
much more. For a schedule of events,
c all 5 0 3 -5 7 4 -6 5 9 5 or v isit:
providence.org/classes.
Dr. Billy R. Flowers (above center) and his skilled sta ff are ready to help those in need.
THE
SPINACOLUMN
An ongoing senes of questions and answers about Americas natural healing profession
Part 8. CONSTIPATION:
The backing up of body’s sewage system.
0
do?
: Nothing has ever really move our bowels regularly, but never to have two, three or even four
helped my constipation. completely eliminate everything in bowel movements after the first
What can Chiropractic possibly
our colon (large intestine). This adjustments on his or her spine. A
causes the colon to back up and man with FBSS (failed back surgi­
: As a natural form of heal­ spread toxic poisons throughout the cal syndrome) went home and had
ing, there is much a Chiro­ body. This can lead to everything 12 bowel movements that night.
practic and the improved lifestyle
from sinusitis to allergies to arthri­ And he claimed he wasn’t even
we recommend can do to remove tis.
constipated! Whatever questions
the immediate distress and long Chiropractic can help to alleviate you might have about health and
term health hazards of constipa­ this problem by gently turning nerves healing, you’ll find that Chiroprac­
tion. But before we begin, you back on in the colon and small intes­ tic is often the answer. Call us for
should understand that constipa­ tine. It is not uncommon for a patient an appointment today.
tion takes two approaches. The
first is the tight, sometimes painful
feeling in the lower back area. The
2124 NE Hancock, Portland Oregon97212
second and more insidious type is
what we call ‘‘hidden constipa­
tion.” This is when we seemingly
A
Flowers* Chiropractic Office
Phone: (5 0 3 ) 287*5504