October is breast cancer awareness month, and this makes it a good time to remind everyone that teen girls should begin making monthly breast self-exams a habit now.

“We think it’s important to educate young ladies early and for them to get to know their bodies early,” says Melanie Barr Fitzpatrick, community education program manager for the Houston affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Foundation. “Getting into the habit of a monthly self-exam can in fact keep them alive later. Breast cancer does impact women in their 20s and 30s.”

If you’re shy talking about the human body, Fitzpatrick recommends you and your daughter watch the videos on the national Susan G. Komen Web site. (One word of warning: The video shows a real woman conducting her self-exam so she’s nude from the waist up.) You can also get free printed educational materials in English and Spanish on the same site.

Fitzpatrick also recommends:

• Young women should have a clinical breast exam every one to three years beginning at age 20. This usually takes place as part of a well-woman exam.
• Remind your daughter that breast tissue starts at the collarbone and continues under the arms to the bottom of the bra line. She should pay attention to changes in the whole area.
• Some of the symptoms of breast cancer (skin puckering, rashes, swelling, bruises, lumps) are easy to write off as something else, but it’s important not to ignore persistent symptoms.
• Leading a healthy lifestyle now can help your daughter maintain her health later. Encourage her to limit her alcohol intake (preferably zero as a teen!), exercise and maintain a healthy weight.

“It’s important for young ladies to think about how they’re taking care of their bodies, know what’s normal for them, and to remember that there’s more to breasts than how they’re worn,” says Fitzpatrick.

Introduce your kids to a good cause

One of the biggest breast cancer fundraisers in the country, the Houston affiliate of the Susan. G. Komen Foundation, will host its annual Race for the Cure® beginning at 7:45 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 3, at Sam Houston Park downtown. Last year, 30,000 Houstonians participated just two weeks after Hurricane Ike.

The race includes a half-mile family walk, a 5K non-competitive run, a 5K competitive run and a 5K walk. Registration ranges from $15 to $55.

Learn more about the race or make a pledge at the Komen Houston Web site and click on Race for the Cure.

Baylor College of Medicine in Houston has released a study showing that a high-fat diet during pregnancy changes small molecules that control metabolism and puts babies at higher risk of fatty liver disease.

The animal study was published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Inflammation can be dangerous

Non-alcohol related fatty liver disease is common in obese people. It often causes no symptoms, but it may cause inflammation and scarring of the liver. In severe cases, it may progress to liver failure.

Baylor scientists and colleagues from two other facilities analyzed the blood of mothers and their offspring with a test called gas chromatography-mass spectrometry-based metabolomics. Researchers studied mothers who were fed both regular diets and high-fat diets.

More research to follow

Researchers identified changes in the small molecules such as fatty acids and amino acids that are most likely to affect energy use and fat storage.

Some of the findings were unexpected, so researchers plan more study.

Local researchers at the USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center at Baylor College of Medicine are redefining what it means to take the bus to school in Houston.

Instead of climbing on the traditional yellow bus, fourth-graders at Sylvan Rodriguez Elementary in southwest Houston put on their walking shoes and brightly colored vests and board a “walking school bus.”

Lessons include activity, safety

The program – in which students are led to and from school on foot by responsible adults – is designed to make youngsters more physically active while teaching them about pedestrian safety, says Dr. Jason A Mendoza, M.P.H., assistant professor of pediatrics at BCM and a CNRC researcher.

About 30 students at Rodriguez Elementary have joined the walking school bus, which started last March and continues this school year.

Does walking to school promote health?

The students at Rodriguez Elementary and at three other schools are part of a study that will measure whether walking to school helps children maintain a healthier weight.

“Walking to school is not a magic pill, but we think it can be a component of a healthier lifestyle,” Mendoza says.

Students measure their physical activity by wearing a device called an accelerometer. They wore the device at the beginning of the study for seven days and again at the end. Their height, weight and body mass index (BMI) were also recorded at the start and end of the study. Activity level and BMI will be compared with the students in a control group to determine the effectiveness of the walking school bus.

Study targets kids at risk for obesity

Funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the National Cancer Institute, the study targets ethnic minority children at high risk for obesity. It will continue through December, but Mendoza hopes the walking school buses continue after that.

“We hope that we provide the schools, students and their parents the motivation to keep the walking school buses going long-term,” Mendoza says.

Additional support for the walking school bus is provided by the Texas Children's Center for Childhood Injury Prevention and Trauma Outreach/Injury Prevention at Ben Taub General Hospital.

Learn more about walking school bus programs across the country and how you can start your own.

Source: Nutrition & Your Child, Summer 2009

This time of year, as fall storms and hurricanes threaten, standing water and muggy temperatures converge to form an ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes.

“A week after storms come through and there is flooding, mosquitoes are typically worse,” says Kristy Murray, D.V.M., Ph.D., assistant professor of epidemiology at The University of Texas School of Public Health. “When we are left without electricity, we are more exposed to mosquitoes because we tend to leave our windows and doors open for air flow.”

Bites can be fatal

The bite of this pesky insect can do a lot of damage, infecting susceptible people with debilitating and potentially fatal diseases such as West Nile virus and eastern equine encephalitis.

West Nile virus

• Can lead to inflammation of the brain and spinal tissue
• Symptoms occur three to 14 days after bite
• Symptoms include bumps on the skin, itching, fever, headache, muscle pain, and weakness in the arms and legs

Eastern equine encephalitis

• Causes swelling of brain tissue
• Symptoms occur three to 10 days after bite
• Symptoms range from mild to severe and include headache, fever, and joint pain
• As the name suggests, horses are also susceptible

Take precautions

To protect your family against mosquitos, Murray suggests these tips:

• Wear clothing that covers your arms
• Use mosquito repellent
• Drain standing water
• Avoid handling dead birds, which might be infected with West Nile. Instead, call Harris County Veterinary Public Health at 281-999-3191.

These guidelines are especially important if your family spends time outdoors after dark, Murray notes. “The mosquitoes carrying the West Nile Virus are more active at night.”
Resist scratching

To treat mosquito bites, wash them with soap and water, and dry with a clean towel or antiseptic wipe. Apply hydrocortisone cream or, if there are several severe bites, calamine lotion. The skin will heal more quickly if bites are left uncovered.

This may lead to the temptation to scratch. Don’t! Even if the bites are otherwise harmless, breaking the skin increases risk of secondary infections, such as staph. If the itching is severe, give the recommended dose of diphenhydramine (Benadryl).

Remember the repellent

Stock your hurricane supply kit with enough camping-strength mosquito repellent to keep your family bite-free for 30 days. Choose one that contains DEET, which the EPA has determined to be safe for all ages. Add a few citronella candles to light while your family spends time in the backyard.

And don’t forget to invest in an old-fashioned flyswatter. Eliminating the object of your scorn can keep your kids entertained!

Resources: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), DEET, Flyswatter (HighbrowFurniture.com), John Prine Flyswatter, Texas Prepares

By Brenda K. Gunter, guest contributor

Texas Children’s Hospital experts will present a free program on newborn baby feeding and digestive health from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Oct. 1, in The Woodlands.

Pediatric gastroenterologist Bryan Vartabedian, M.D. and lactation expert Nancy Hurst, Ph.D., will address topics including:

• Breastfeeding your baby
• Burping and spitting up
• Soothing the irritable baby
• Common myths about feeding and elimination

Titled “Babies, Burps and Breastfeeding: Expert Advice on Newborn Feeding and Digestive Health,” the program is perfect for expecting and new parents, grandparents, caregivers and medical professionals. A question-and-answer session will follow the discussion.

The event will be held at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel, 1601 Lake Robbins Dr. Free parking is available in the Town Center Garage.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Light refreshments and a stroller parking area will be provided, and parents are invited to bring their babies.

RSVP to 832-824-2627.

It's been a great couple of weeks for those of us who want to keep current on children's health issues. That's because the Houston Chronicle and Houston Family Magazine have featured numerous articles on important news relating to children and their health.

Consolidated here for you are highlights and links to these publications.

Houston Family Magazine, September issue, includes (no link means you'll have to pick up the print version!):

• How to talk to your daughter about the HPV vaccine
• Why everyone should care about CHIP (Children's Health Insurance Program
• Information about food allergies in kids
• Signs of male puberty
• And, for fun and education, a coupon to the Health Museum

Houston Chronicle, Sept. 11 through Sept. 21, included:

• Hand washing: Don't just talk about it
• Students must get their shots by Oct. 1
• Finding the healthiest drive-thru chicken options
• About a local boy with Duchenne muscular dystrophy

Tell us: What are your favorite places to find good info about your kid's health?

School district posts info

Houston Independent School District (HISD) has set up a Web guide to H1N1 (swine flu). Information includes:

• How to prevent the flu
• What to do if your child gets sick at school
• How to tell if your child has a cold or the flu

The district also has started a Flu Hotline for parents to call and get the most up-to-date info: 713-556-6005,

Nasal sprays will come first

The first nasal sprays for H1N1 will begin delivery the first week of October, eventually ramping up to 20 million doses each week, Reuters reports.

Vaccines will be provided free to about 90,000 distributors including doctor’s offices, retail chains and state health departments. The U.S. has ordered 195 million doses of the vaccine.

The government has recommended that about 160 million people, roughly half the population, get vaccinated first:

• Pregnant women
• Health care workers
• Children
• People with chronic conditions such as diabetes or asthma

CDC posts weekly report

The national Centers for Disease Control reported that visits to doctors around the country for flu are increasing and are much higher than normal for this time of year.

However, flu hospitalization rates are close to or lower than with the usual seasonal flu, and the percentage of death is low.

Twenty-one states are reporting widespread flu activity, but Texas is not one of them.

Next week is national Take a Child Outside Week. The extra events going on around Houston are a great way to get some much-needed exercise into your family's life. Here are a few of the events:

• Houston Arboretum & Nature Center hosts outdoor activities for children and parents to do together from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. on Sept. 24, 25, 28, 29, 30. On Sept. 26 and 27, the center has outdoor adventures for the whole family from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free. Learn more.
• Black bears are making a comeback in parts of east Texas and Louisiana. If you like to camp in those places, you can learn to share the outdoors with bears at the Houston Zoo, Sept. 26, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Activities include presentations, crafts and a bear maze. Cost: Zoo admission, free for children 1 and younger, $6 for children 6 to 11, and $10 for 12 to 64. Learn more.

You might also try these other activities to get your children outside and close to nature:

• Mercer Arboretum & Botanic Gardens hosts its annual Garden Faire, Sept. 26, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sept. 27, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Plans include children's activities, artists displays, pet adoption groups, plant displays and music. Free. Learn more.
• Take the kids stargazing at George Observatory, Sept. 26, 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. The Observatory's 14-inch, 18-inch and 36-inch telescopes let visitors view the stars, planets and more. Cost: Park entrance, $5 for ages 13-64. Children 12 and younger, and senior 65 and older are free. Call ahead or check the website for cloud forecast at 979.553.340 or 281.242.3055.

Recognizing that many parents face challenges in guiding their preschoolers to healthy eating habits, the federal government recently launched a Food Pyramid for Preschoolers.

“The site contains wonderful information targeted to this specific age group,” says Dr. Karen Cullen, associate professor of pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine and a researcher at the USDA/ARS Children’s Nutrition Research Center in Houston.

Early habits last longer

Preschool is an important age for establishing good habits because the eating habits developed at this age often last a lifetime, Cullen says.

The site recognizes that preschool-aged children can be picky eaters and offers tips to help deal with this additional challenge.

“Preschool children really just are starting to learn about food and eating,” Cullen says. “The site is useful because it helps parents realize they play a significant part in their children’s nutrition and gives them tools to help.”

Site offers nutrition tips, more

Useful sections of the site include:

• Tips for raising a healthy eater
• Ways to win over the picky eater
• Physical activity recommendations and guidelines
• Kitchen activities for kids
  
• Sample meals and snacks
• A growth chart to enter your child’s details
• Information about normal growth and development

The science-based Food Pyramid for Preschoolers is a tool developed by the Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, in collaboration with Team Nutrition of the USDA Food and Nutrition Service.

Source: Nutrition & Your Child, Summer 2009

Researchers at Texas Children's Hospital recently received a large grant to study the connection between microbes in the intestines and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in children. They are enrolling children in the study now.

The $750,000 grant was awarded by the National Institutes of Health to Dr. James Versalovic, chief of pathology at Texas Children's and director of the newly created Texas Children's Microbiome Center. Versalovic is collaborating with Dr. Robert Shulman, pediatric gastroenterologist at Texas Children's.

Microbes are tiny organisms, often bacteria, that live in the human body. Some cause disease. Texas Children's hopes to find out whether probiotics and beneficial microbes can successfully treat children with IBS.

"We are optimistic that probiotics and beneficial microbes can lead to new therapeutic strategies," Versalovic says. "They may help stimulate antibodies to fight infection in the intestinal tract, prevent or treat diarrhea, shorten the duration of intestinal infections and reduce intestinal inflammation, and even possibly reduce the allergy burden in children."

To learn more about this study or find out if your children is eligible to join the study, call Versalovic at 832-824-2213 or Shulman at 832-822-3131.

Moms who had good relationships with their parents as children may develop stronger attachments to their own babies, according to a new study at Baylor College of Medicine.

The report, published in the journal Neuropsychopharmacology, measured reward signals in the brains of mothers when their infants smiled or cried.

These signals, which were measured by functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), were stronger in mothers with positive perceptions of their childhoods. These mothers have a more secure attachment to their babies, researchers say.

Chemical released

The chemical oxytocin – so important in childbirth and nursing – is at play here too. When secure mothers hold their babies or play with them, they release more oxytocin than those who are less securely attached.

"Understanding the neurobiological processes underlying these differences in maternal behavior may help us to identify more effective treatment and preventive strategies for neglect or abuse," says Dr. P. Read Montague, professor of neuroscience and psychiatry and behavioral sciences and director of the Human Neuroimaging Lab at BCM and senior author of the report.

Tests monitor attachment

In the study, researchers recruited first-time mothers in the third trimesters of their pregnancies. Before their babies were born, the women were interviewed about their childhood relationships with their parents or guardians. They monitored the women for 14 months after their babies were born.

Several times during the study, researchers compared MRIs and oxytocin levels of women whose tests showed they had secure attachments with women who were found to be insecure or dismissing.

The scans showed that seeing photos of their infants caused the brains of securely attached mothers to light up more (indicating greater activity) in the brain's reward centers than the brains of the less securely attached mothers.

If your child is hospitalized or has outpatient surgery, you need to be your child’s spokesperson and protector.

Each year, more than 100,000 people in this country die because of medical errors. Hospitals are working hard to improve these figures, but as a parent you also should be an advocate for your child.

Drs. Sally Robinson and Keith Bly, University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) pediatricians, recently offered tips to help keep your child safe in a medical setting.

1. Remember, you have the right to ask questions and question the decisions of health care workers. If you are shy or intimidated, take a friend with you who will not be afraid to speak up. If English is a problem for you, try to get interpreter. Many hospitals have interpreters on staff.
2. If you have the option, choose a hospital where doctors have performed the procedure your child needs many times. Ask the doctor how many times he has performed the procedure.
3. Bring a written history of your child’s health, immunizations and allergies. If your child takes medicine, bring the actual bottles to be sure the correct dosages are recorded.
4. Be sure your child wears his hospital bracelet at all times. Read it carefully to be sure information is correct.
5. Ask any health care worker who will touch your child if he has washed his hands in soap and water.
6. Before your child has a test, be sure you know why the test is being done and when the results will be available.
7. When you leave the hospital, a doctor or nurse should explain exactly how to care for your child at home. Be sure to get written instructions and a number to contact if there are problems.

Source: Galveston Daily News

Tell us: What could hospitals do to be safer?

A program at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center helps children learn to cope when a parent or other relative has cancer.

CLIMB (Children’s Lives Include Moments of Bravery), for children 6 through 12 years old, meets once a week for six consecutive weeks.

Communication is key

The program, which is led by a social worker, helps kids handle feelings of sadness and deal with their new, often unsettling, environments.

During the sessions, children:

• Bond through guided conversation and art
• Learn cancer is not their fault
• Find ways to cope with sadness and anger
• Learn to express feelings and communicate

Parents need support too

A parent support group, also led by a social worker, takes place at the same time. In these meetings, parents learn how to help children communicate and cope. They also get support from other parents and family members going through similar experiences.

Groups leaders have been trained by The Children’s Treehouse Foundation, a national nonprofit group dedicated to the emotional support of children whose parents have cancer.

Sessions are free

The next session of CLIMB begins Oct. 1. Meetings are from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. each Thursday for six weeks.

The program is free, and dinner is provided. The parent does not have to be a patient at M. D. Anderson.

To register or get more information, contact Marisa Minor at 713-792-6826 or visit the CLIMB Web site.

Young women and anyone interested in reducing infant mortality are invited to attend the 4^th Annual Infant Mortality Summit.

Held Sept. 22 at Texas Southern University, the conference will offer interactive workshops and a diverse range of speakers, including:

• Charleta Guillory, M.D., associate professor of pediatric neonatology at Baylor College of Medicine and associate director of Level II nurseries at Texas Children’s Hospital
• Jessica Lundgren, M.S.W., director of program services with March of Dimes
• Jaime Freeny, Harris County Hospital District
• Uchenna Conley, M.B.A., co-founder of U’jana Conley Foundation for SIDS

Other groups providing speakers include:

• The City of Houston Women, Infant and Children’s Program
• The Council on Alcohol & Drugs Houston
• Baylor Teen Clinic Fatherhood Initiative
• Planned Parenthood of Houston & Southeast Texas

Healthcare professional who attend can receive 4.5 continuing education credits from Planned Parenthood of Houston and Southeast Texas.

Register by Sept. 17 at https://www.neighborhood-centers.org/forms/summit.aspx

The first 50 to register receive free parking. Contact Ashley Garrett at 713-640-7114 with questions.

Sponsored by Neighborhood Centers, Inc. and Texas Southern University.

While the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) expects a "near normal Atlantic hurricane season" this year, we can still expect seven to 11 tropical storms and three to six hurricanes -- one or two categorized as “major.”

That’s a lot to weather in the next couple of months, especially for young children. So while you trim trees, stock up on batteries and water, and plan evacuation routes, you should also prepare your child for a possible hurricane.

Have a plan in place

Michael Assel, Ph.D., associate professor of pediatrics at The University of Texas Medical School at Houston, has advice for parents on how to talk with their children about an approaching storm. Assel is a child psychologist at the Children's Learning Institute.

1. Use common sense and put things in perspective. Remember that severe hurricanes are not common along the Houston/Galveston coastline, and the science of hurricane prediction and tracking is advanced. While Rita and Ike were powerful storms, there was relatively little loss of life.
2. Provide developmentally appropriate and accurate information. Don’t let your child sit glued to a television watching storm damage that might have occurred in the past, but if a hurricane is approaching let her see you prepare.
3. Kids should play age-appropriate roles in storm preparations. For example, they can pick up toys in the back yard and pack travel bags. Older children and teens can be more active in preparations, maybe helping pack the car and moving items to higher ground.
4. If kids have been through past storm trauma, be more conservative or safety conscious when evacuations begin. Recognize the individual needs of a child and respond appropriately. If you didn’t evacuate during a past storm and should have, evacuate sooner when a hurricane approaches. If a tree crashed through the roof before, clear out trees close to the house. Show kids you can learn from past experiences and make adjustments for the future.
5. Most importantly, let children know they are safe. No matter what happens, you can and will deal with it as a family.

By Jennifer Patrick, guest contributor

Tell us: Do your kids freak out when they see a storm in the Gulf? How do you handle it?

For nursing moms and babies, preparing for hurricane season goes beyond the batteries and flashlights, bottled water and non-perishable foods. Proper nutrition is crucial for both of you, regardless of the weather.

The good news is that nursing moms have readily available food for their babies. And, human milk straight from the breast is always sterile. It’s nature’s perfect recipe for a baby’s growth and development.

The bad news is if a storm knocks out power, it can be difficult to maintain proper refrigeration of stored breast milk, formula, baby food or finger foods. Also, clean water may be unavailable, the environment may not be sterile, and it may be impossible to clean utensils.

Tips for hurricane prep

Donna Logan, a registered dietitian and nutrition education and training coordinator at The University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston, gives these tips to help nursing women prepare for an unwelcome storm.

• Stock up on bottled water and other liquids. Nursing moms need plenty of liquid to produce milk, so you'll need to store more than average. Water, milk or fruit juices are great choices. Prepare for one gallon of water per person, per day for at least three days, preferably seven to 10 days.
• Eat healthy snacks and maintain a healthy and balanced diet, even when the power is out. Before the storm, load up on:
  
  • Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits and vegetables
  • Fresh fruits and vegetables
  • Protein or fruit/cereal bars, dry cereal or granola
    
  • Peanut butter
  • Dried fruit, nuts, crackers
  • Canned juices and non-perishable pasteurized milk

Prepare for the worst

Even if you’re not nursing, prepare so your baby will have a healthy diet after a storm. Logan recommends the following tips.

• Include ready-to-feed formula nursettes in your emergency kit. Powdered and concentrated formulas and bottles depend upon a clean, safe water supply for safety. For this reason, only breastfeeding and ready-to-use formula nursettes should be considered safe during emergencies.
• If there is no electricity, opened prepared formula or opened baby food cannot be preserved in the refrigerator. Be sure you have a large supply of both.
• Baby food, fruits, vegetables and meats are more nutritious than mixed dinners and desserts.
• Keep a manual can opener and disposable utensils available.

Time for a vacation?

If you have young children, consider evacuating well before a hurricane threatens. Look at it as an opportunity to visit family or friends who live outside the projected path of the storm.

By Melissa Fouts, guest contributor

Sometimes parents, especially new parents, aren't sure if the emergency room is necessary when their child is sick or hurt.

Dr. Joan Shook, chief of Emergency Medicine at Texas Children’s Hospital says a true emergency exists if a severe injury or illness is threatening your child's health or may cause permanent harm.

Such health emergencies include:

• Seizure
• Difficulty breathing
• Skin or lips that look blue, purple or gray
• Neck stiffness or rash with fever
• Fever over 106° in an infant under 3 months of age
• Increasing or severe constant pain
• A cut that is large, deep or involves the head, neck or abdomen
• Bleeding that does not stop after you have applied pressure for 5 minutes
• A burn that is large and/or involves the hands, feet, groin, chest or face
• A head injury that is followed by loss of consciousness, confusion, headache or vomiting
• Choking
• Near drowning
• Firearm wound
• Electric shock
• Poisoning

Source: Parent's Connection

Houston emergency rooms – and those all over the country – are crowded, and staffs are stretched. The fall flu season promises to make it even worse.

Unfortunately, a lot of people in emergency rooms shouldn’t be there. Colds, flu, minor cuts and scrapes can often be handled at home. But do your homework just in case a crisis occurs.

ER may be avoidable

By all means, if your child has a real crisis – go to the emergency room.

Dr. Joan Shook, chief of Emergency Medicine at Texas Children’s Hospital says, “If you are so worried about your child that you can’t sleep, then you need to take action.”

But, if the injury or condition is not serious, that action may be at home.

• Talk to your doctor about what to do if child gets sick after hours. Many have phone support that can help you decide what to do.
• Learn first aid.
• Keep your child as healthy as possible and see the doctor regularly.

Do your homework

It’s good to prepare for an emergency even though you hope one never happens. You can:

• Learn CPR
• Keep a written emergency plan including emergency contact info, medicines, allergies and vaccination record
• Before you travel, research hospitals near your destination
• Learn about resources before you need them, including the closest pediatric emergency room and EMS capabilities
  

Keep in mind that most 24-hour clinics are not set up to care for children or handle a life-threatening situation. Call your pediatrician before using one.

Tomorrow, learn what is considered an emergency.

Source: Parent's Connection

CPR is a necessary skill for the well-trained parent’s emergency kit. Luckily for us, CPR classes are offered by many Houston-area organizations.

According to the American Heart Association, almost 80 percent of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur at home and are witnessed by a family member. Only 6 percent of sudden cardiac arrest victims survive because the vast majority of people do not know how to perform CPR.

What’s more, with all the swimming pools in Houston backyards, knowledge of CPR could save your child or your child’s friend.

Here are just a few places in Houston that offer CPR training:

• CPRanytime.org Learn CPR without leaving the house. The American Heart Association offers video kits that promise to teach the process in 22 minutes.
• CPR-to-YOU This group offers several CPR classes, including online certification. Cost begins at $35 per session.
• Cypress Creek EMS Offers a variety of safety classes in the FM 1960 area.
• Houston Northwest Medical Center Three hour classes are scheduled once a month and cost $35.
• Junior League of Houston The only free CPR classes in Houston (that we know of), these sessions are scheduled throughout the year in several locations.
• The Motherhood Center Infant and child CPR classes are offered twice a week in two-hour sessions. Cost is $75 per person or $120 for a couple.
• Red Cross of Greater Houston Online and in-person sessions are offered throughout the year. For in-class training, you must be at least 16 years old. Cost is $98 for classroom training. Online courses cost $55.
• West Houston Medical Center Infant and child CPR classes on Saturdays throughout the year. Sessions last two hours and cost $15.

You can also contact your local hospital or fire department for additional resources.

Come back tomorrow to get more tips on planning for a health emergency.

Tell us: Do you know of other places offering CPR classes to adults and teens?

It may not feel like it here in Houston, but fall is just around the corner. Sure, it brings cooler weather, but it also brings some new challenges – and opportunities – for managing your kid’s allergies.

One important tip: Try to keep your house temperature below 70 degrees. Mites, mold and roaches love high temps and humidity and A/C helps reduce both. This may require the air conditioner on many Houston fall days.

1. Ditch the clutter. It’s fertile breeding grounds for bugs, mold and mice. Take out all trash and recycling at least once a week and store the bins outside.

2. Vacuum weekly. One with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter helps the most. Consider going with hardwood floors; they harbor fewer allergens.

3. Wash sheets and other bedding in 130-degree (hot) water every week.

4. Pay special attention to the bathroom. Mold and fungus love the moisture. Wipe down surfaces with a mixture of 1 quart water and 1 ounce bleach.

5. Mold and dust come in on wet leaves and dirt stuck to shoes or firewood. Try to keep the yard leaf free. Make a “shoes off at the door” rule and store firewood outside.

6. Be a clean freak. Sweep or wipe up crumbs and don’t let garbage overflow.

7. Air out the house – unless ragweed pollen is a problem. If it is, close windows between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Change the AC and heater filters monthly.

8. If areas of your house are damp, get a humidity gauge and see just how bad it is. If needed, buy a dehumidiifer to keep the humidity between 35 and 45 percent.

9. Remove any moldy leaves on houseplants immediately. Don’t let water stay in the tray.

10. Wash or brush your pet(s) weekly – outside. Keep dogs and cats out of bedrooms. Cover air vents with cheesecloth to keep pet dander from spreading through the house.

11. Wash blankets and rugs in hot water regularly or have them dry-cleaned.

Source: Health magazine

Tell us: Do you have any tips for managing your child's allergies? Please share!

Houston Health Dept. talks H1N1 on Web, Twitter

Check out the Houston Department of Health and Human Services Web site for some great local information about H1N1 (swine flu), including resources and the number of confirmed cases in the Houston area.

They’ve also started a Twitter presence, @HoustonHealth, which hopefully will be updated in a timely manner. Follow HoustonHealth for breaking news.

Kids 14 times more likely to get flu than elderly

The Chicago Department of Public Health reported last week that children between 5 and 14 were 14 times more likely to come down with swine flu than people over 60. These figures, published last week in the Wall Street Journal, are based on confirmed cases between April 24 and July 25.

The incidence in children was still low – 147 per 100,000 – but officials think many cases were never reported or tested.

Hospitals may be stretched by flu

Depending on what you’re reading at the moment, this fall swine flu is going to be either a minor blip or a huge disaster. Count the White House among the disaster camp.

Bloomberg News reported that the President’s Council of Advisers on Science and Technology issued a planning scenario last week to help hospitals prepare for H1N1. It said swine flu may send almost 2 million people to the hospital, taxing already overcrowded facilities, particularly intensive care units, in many areas.

In addition, it predicted that H1N1 may infect as many as half of the country's population and kill 30,000 to 90,000 people, double the figure for the average seasonal flu.

Don’t let your teen's angelic face fool you into thinking she and her friends don’t use drugs.

The cold, hard facts

According to a recent study from the University of Michigan, almost 11 percent percent of eighth graders, 24 percent percent of 10th graders and 32 percent of 12th graders used marijuana in the previous 12 months, while nearly 10 percent of 12th graders reported taking Vicodin, a powerful pain reliever, without a prescription.

It doesn’t help that drugs are easy to get. Columbia University’s Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse found that 10 million 12 to 17 year olds say they can buy marijuana within a day. More than 4 million can buy it in an hour or less.

Of teens who abuse pain relievers, 64 percent say they get them from family or friends, often without their knowledge.

Where to turn

Resources for Houston teens addicted to drugs or alcohol are scarce. Resources for parents of teenagers struggling with addiction are even rarer. If your child needs help with addiction, try these Houston resources:

• Palmer Drug Abuse Program: 12-step program is the only free substance-abuse recovery program in the Houston area.
• Council on Alcohol and Drugs Houston: Range of services, including The High Road program for teens.
• Mental Health America of Greater Houston: Links to mental health services, including drug and alcohol abuse.
• Memorial Hermann Prevention and Recovery Center: Inpatient alcohol and drug abuse program for teens and adults.
• The Right Step: Alcohol and drug addiction treatment programs

National resources on teen addiction include:

• National Institute on Drug Abuse
• Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration
• National Clearinghouse for Alcohol & Drug Information

You can also learn more about common drug slang.

By Anne Lupton, guest contributor

Tell us: Do you think teen drug use is more or less common than it used to be?

Bridging the communication gap between adults and teens is always a challenge. Many parents feel like they need to learn a whole new language between all the slang and texting abbreviations.

However, there’s plenty of evidence to make even the most reserved parents want to learn how to talk with their teens, especially when it comes to drugs.

Addiction starts early

“Ninety percent of adults with a substance or dependency disorder started using at under the age of 18, and 50% started under the age of 15,” says Rick Capriola, LCDC, a chemical dependency counselor in the Adolescent Treatment Program at The Menninger Clinic in Houston.

“It’s important to know your teen’s friends and keep up with his activities,” he says. “When parents are involved, it helps protect against teen drug abuse.”

Being involved gives you the chance to help steer your teenager down the right path. Learning what they already know about drugs is a great start.

Names to know

Here are 10 common drugs and some of their slang words to help you speak the right language:

• Marijuana: blunt, skunk, sinsemilla, Mary Jane
• Hashish: boom, chronic, gangster
• Barbiturates: barbs, reds, red birds, yellow jackets
• Codeine: Captain Cody, schoolboy, pancakes and syrup
• Amphetamine: black beauties, crosses, hearts, LA turnaround
• Cocaine: bump, C, candy, Charlie, flake
• Fentanyl: Apache, murder 8, China girl
• Methamphetamine (meth): chalk, fire, glass, go fast
• Ritalin: MPH, R-ball, Skippy, the smart drug, vitamin R
• Inhalants: snappers, poppers, whippets

Tomorrow: Learn more about the prevalence of teen drug use and where to get help for teen addiction in Houston.

By: Anne Lupton, guest contributor

Tell us: What other slang drug terms have you heard?