Are you struggling to find solutions for your child’s ADHD other than medication?? 

By: the Italian voice

Many parents feel the same way, but medication is NOT the only answer. According to the Center for Disease Control, 9.4% of Americans are currently diagnosed with ADHD. This number is staggering and only continues to grow. With pharmaceutical companies on the rise, the push for medication vs. holistic approaches in all health care areas of life has increased dramatically. Most parents have attempted to research methods to help treat their child’s ADHD symptoms but there is so much information out there it is hard to tell what is FACT or FICTION?

Dr. Bhargava from Medscape Education about Treating ADHD Without Medication

Dr. Bhargava’s Suggestions

The following are holistic suggestions provided by Dr. Bhargava regarding daily changes to help treat the symptoms of ADHD.

• Get more sleep
• Stay Hydrated
• Increase the amount of daily exercise

Fact or Fiction? 

Although Dr. Bhargava’s suggestions seem to be helpful, FACT or FICTION? Multiple studies have been conducted over the years to support these claims. One study completed by pediatric doctor Theresa Lavoie, provided evidence to support that these changes can make a difference. Years of experience and studies completed in the field support that healthy sleeping habits in combination with the right amount of routine exercise can help to decrease the symptoms of ADHD in children without the use of medication (Lavoie, 2009).

Does the food your child eats have an effect on their ADHD?

This video produced by ADDitude reports on foods a child diagnosed with ADHD/ADD should avoid or add into their diet. According to this video the top 5 things children diagnosed with ADHD should avoid eating:

• Trigger foods
• artificial flavoring and preservatives
• High sugar foods
• Non-Natural food dyes
• Pesticides

Fact or Fiction? 

This article was very short and straight to the point. This raised questions if the information was factual. Diet is a common topic across the entire ADHD community, and there is a lot of research out there that supports these claims. An article written by doctors Jerome Sarris and James Lake titled Complementary and Alternative Treatments for ADHD: What the Evidence Suggests shows there is some truth in this video. After completing a lot of research, Sarris and Lake concluded Dietary changes will benefit a lot of individuals but not all, as Lake and Sarris report, “roughly one-third of hyperactive children may benefit from some form of an elimination diet” (Lake & Sarris, 2019).  They did report that children who followed a specific diet eliminating foods provided a reduction in their hyperactivity (Lake & Sarris, 2019).

Now that we know some strategies to implement, How Can You Help as A Parent or Caretaker?

In this video, pediatrician Dr. Bradshaw and psychiatrist Dr. Schumann share their professional, holistic parenting suggestions to parents of children who are diagnosed with ADHD/ADD.

References 

ADDitude, M. ( (2017). 5 Foods Kids With ADHD Should NOT Eat [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIKcXWgA70&list=PLKgdzdf9DL6H68RNSNkYIEWvfdL1KXQIS

Bhargava, H., MD (Director). (2016, December). Medscape Treating ADHD Without Medication [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QB9gTtGa_I

Bradshaw, P., & Schumann, J. (Directors). (2017). Parenting a child with adhd – how the view the world and behave [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrlpIXs8N_E&feature=youtu.be

Lake, J., & Sarris, J. (2019). Complementary and Alternative Treatments for ADHD: What the Evidence Suggests. Psychiatric Times, 36(10), 39–41.

Lavoie, T. (2009). Holistic Treatment Approaches to ADHD: Nutrition, Sleep,and Exercise, Part 7. Exceptional Parent, 39(4), 46–47.

Background

Dementia is an umbrella term that covers multiple conditions. According to the Alzheimer’s Association (2021), 50 million people globally are living with some form of dementia. Damage to brain cells affects cell to cell communication causing a decline in cognitive function (Alzheimer’s Association, 2021). This decline can manifest as changes in behavior, mood, thinking, and/or emotional expression. Common forms include Alzheimer’s, which accounts for 60-80% of dementia diagnoses, Lewy body dementia, vascular dementia, and many more (Alzheimer’s Association, 2021).

Damage to brain cells affects cell to cell communication causing a decline in cognitive function (Alzheimer’s Association, 2021). This decline can manifest as changes in behavior, mood, thinking, and/or emotional expression. While each type inflicts different damage in different areas of the brain (Alzheimer’s Association, 2021) and presents with its own unique characteristics, they all incite cognitive impairment, memory loss, and eventually significant interference with activities of daily living, including cooking, and paying bills. Due to the nature of the disease, changes due to brain cell damage are generally permanent and with time become progressively worse.

Prevention?

While there is no cure, there is a growing amount of evidence suggesting it can be prevented. In light of recent studies, the focus is shifting to factors that affect brain health and modifiable risk factors. Felix Hussendor and Steffi Reidel-Heller conducted systematic review on dementia risk factors as well as protective factors and found that modification of risk factors, cognitive preservation, and living a healthy lifestyle all have protective effects against dementia.

Modification of Risk Factors

Hussendor and Reidel-Heller (2018) point out that smoking and excessive alcohol consumption increase the risk of developing dementia. Smoking cessation and limiting excessive consumption will decrease the risk of dementia. Chronic conditions including depression, hypertension, diabetes, and obesity also increase risk of developing dementia (Hussendor & Reidel-Heller, 2018). Through prevention or management of these conditions, the risk of developing dementia later in life decreases.

Cognitive Preservation

Social activities are also found to protect cognitive function, reducing the risk. Cognitive activity from an early age along with cognitive reserve associated with education are protective factors (Hussendor & Reidel-Heller, 2018). Things such as puzzles, word crosses, or sudoku’s are just a few of many simple activities that can be done to exercise the brain.

The video below from National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine gives 3 interventions, backed by encouraging evidence, for the preservation of cognitive function: cognitive training, management of high blood pressure, and remaining physically active.

Healthy Living

In their study, Hussendor & Reidel (2018) found that regular physical activity throughout the lifespan was found to protect individuals from developing dementia. In addition to staying active, they also stress the importance of nutrition. The Mediterranean diet, which is a diet rich in fiber, fresh vegetables, and unsaturated fats, is gaining popularity for protective effect against cognitive decline.

In the video below, Dr. Emilio Ros talks about the study he and his co-authors conducted. The clinical trial took place over 4 years and participants were assigned at random different diets to follow, one of which was the Mediterranean diet. This diet had been found to not only to help maintain, but also improve cognitive functioning (Valls-Pedret et al., 2015).

Conclusion

Dementia is a condition that is devastating for its victims and their loved ones. Although there is no cure for dementia, it is clear that there are many actions which can be taken to lower the risk of developing it. With the proactive modification of risk factors, efforts for cognitive preservation, and healthy living, research suggests it is possible to reduce the risk of developing this condition.

References

Alzheimer’s Association. (2021). What is dementia? Alzheimer’s and Dementia. Retrieved February 22, 2021, from https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/what-is-dementia

Hussenoeder, F. S., & Riedel-Heller, S. G. (2018). Primary prevention of dementia: From modifiable risk factors to a public brain health agenda? Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 53(2), 1289–1301.

Valls-Pedret, C., Sala-Vila, A., Serra-Mir, M., Corella, D., Torre, R., Martinez-Gonzalez, M. A., Martinez-Lapiscina, E. H., Fito, M., Heres, A. P., Salas-Salvado, J., Estruch, R., and Ros, E. (2015). Mediterranean diet and age-related cognitive decline. JAMA Internal Medicine, 175(7), 1094–1103.

Untitled image of dementia retrieved February 22, 2021, from https://online.alvernia.edu/articles/dementia-stages-signs-symptoms/

You want to do what is best for your children. You know about the importance of car seats, baby gates and other ways to keep them safe. But, did you know that one of the best ways to protect your children is to make sure they have all of their vaccinations?

Immunizations can save your child’s life. Because of advances in medical science, your child can be protected against more diseases than ever before. Some diseases that once injured or killed thousands of children, have been eliminated completely and others are close to extinction– primarily due to safe and effective vaccines. Polio is one example of the great impact that vaccines have had in the United States. Polio was once America’s most-feared disease, causing death and paralysis across the country, but today, thanks to vaccination, there are no reports of polio in the United States(Luthy et al., 2016).

Vaccination is very safe and effective. Vaccines are only given to children after a long and careful review by scientists, doctors, and healthcare professionals. Vaccines will involve some discomfort and may cause pain, redness, or tenderness at the site of injection but this is minimal compared to the pain, discomfort, and trauma of the diseases these vaccines prevent. Serious side effects following vaccination, such as severe allergic reaction, are very rare. The disease-prevention benefits of getting vaccines are much greater than the possible side effects for almost all children.

Immunization protects others you care about. Children in the U.S. still get vaccine-preventable diseases. In fact, we have seen resurgences of measles and whooping cough (pertussis) over the past few years. Since 2010, there have been between 10,000 and 50,000 cases of whooping cough each year in the United States and about 10 to 20 babies, many of which were too young to be fully vaccinated, died each year(Dowden, 2019). While some babies are too young to be protected by vaccination, others may not be able to receive certain vaccinations due to severe allergies, weakened immune systems from conditions like leukemia, or other reasons. To help keep them safe, it is important that you and your children who are able to get vaccinated are fully immunized. This not only protects your family, but also helps prevent the spread of these diseases to your friends and loved ones.

Immunizations can save your family time and money. A child with a vaccine-preventable disease can be denied attendance at schools or child care facilities. Some vaccine-preventable diseases can result in prolonged disabilities and can take a financial toll because of lost time at work, medical bills or long-term disability care. In contrast, getting vaccinated against these diseases is a good investment and usually covered by insurance. The Vaccines for Children program is a federally funded program that provides vaccines at no cost to children from low-income families. To find out more about the VFC program, visit https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/programs/vfc/parents

Immunization protects future generations.
Vaccines have reduced and, in some cases, eliminated many diseases that killed or severely disabled people just a few generations ago. For example, smallpox vaccination eradicated that disease worldwide. Your children don’t have to get smallpox shots any more because the disease no longer exists. By vaccinating children against rubella (German measles), the risk that pregnant women will pass this virus on to their fetus or newborn has been dramatically decreased, and birth defects associated with that virus no longer are seen in the United States(Leidner,2020). If we continue vaccinating now, and vaccinating completely, parents in the future may be able to trust that some diseases of today will no longer be around to harm their children in the future.

References
Dowden, A. (2019). Tackling the Declining Uptake of Childhood Vaccinations. Prescriber 30(5):34-37 https://doi.org10.1002/psb.1763

Leidner, A.J., Maughan, E.D., Bjork, A., Black, C., Mazyck, D., & Underwood, J.M.(2020)Vaccination Related Activities at School with Kindergartners: Evidence from a School Nurse Survey. Journal of School Nursing, 36(6), 464-471.
https://doi.org10.1177/1059847730

Luthy, K.E., Burningham, J., Eden, L.M., Macintosh, J.B., & Beckstrand, R.L.(2016). Addressing Parental Vaccination Questions in a School Setting. Journal of School Nursing, 32(1), 47-57. https://doi.org/10.1177/1059840515606501

By: Ashley Gugal

In today’s current society, it seems like every week there is a new diet trend. From gluten free to vegan, there seems to be an overwhelming amount of information out there on what we should and should not be eating. Currently, there are many debates over if we should be including meat in our diets or if we should eliminate meat all together. Although all processed foods are not good for you, meat, in particular, has been studied for decades. One particular study by the Harvard School of Public Health determined that “each additional daily serving of red meat increased risk of death by 13%. The impact rose to 20% if the serving was processed, as in food items like hot dogs, bacon, and cold cuts.” (2012). Research studies have shown people with higher meat consumption died at a younger age due to cardiovascular disease or cancer (APA 2012).

In this video clip above, we see Dr. Heather Fields discuss the clinical review on the dangers of eating red meat. The research found consuming red and processed meat can raise the risk of developing cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Processed meats which include bacon, sausage, deli meats, ham, etc show a particular strong correlation with mortality. Another study also indicated that processed meats increase the risk of heart failure due to the high levels of sodium and additives that are also related to blood pressure levels (Cui et al., 2019).

SHOW ME THE BENEFITS!

The above clip describes 7 benefits to eliminating meat from your diet. These include:

• Increasing good bacteria
• Reducing inflammation
• Changing your DNA for the better
• Healthier skin
• Decreasing bad cholesterol levels
• Consuming the right type of protein
• Loosing weight!

SO, WHAT CAN WE EAT?

A study by Ibsen et al., (2019) concluded that substituting red and processed meat with fish and poultry would lower the risk of type 2 diabetes. Dr. Fields also discusses incorporating fish and poultry into your diet because studies have shown specifically that salmon and white meat will not increase your risk of cancer. Fish contains omega-3 fatty acids which protect you from cardiovascular disease and is rich in vitamin D and protein. For people who regularly consume meat and may find it difficult to cut it out completely, there are options of replacing meat with plant-based meals. There are many different brands out there such as Beyond Burger, which is made completely from plants. Eliminating meat from your diet can also be done gradually. For example, starting off with having one plant-based meal a week and over time increasing it to two or three meals. Also, by adding just a third of a cup of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains a day, can benefit your diet and can decrease your rate of mortality and other diseases (Zanteson, 2021).

ULTIMATELY, IT’S UP TO YOU!

Research and multiple clinical studies have proven that eating meat comes with a lot of risk factors such as cancer, heart problems, and diabetes. Furthermore, not eating meat comes with many benefits, such as better cholesterol and weight loss. In the same respect, there are studies that argue that meat coming from different farming practices in the U.S also come with different risks and benefits. Red meats can be good sources for iron and vitamins such as zinc and protein (Birch, 2019). Still, based on research, there is a general agreement that decreasing your meat consumption by substituting it with poultry and fish is better for your overall health. Whether it’s eliminating processed meat and red meat all together or eating it once in a while as a special treat, it is ultimately up to you to weigh the risk factors vs the benefits, collaborate with your doctor, and make the best healthy choices for you!

References:

Birch, Jenna, The Waahington Post. (2019, July 15). From fish to bacon. Hamilton Spectator, The (ON).

Cui, K., Liu, Y., Zhu, L., Mei, X., Jin, P., &  Luo, Y. (2019). Association between intake of red and processed meat and the risk of heart failure: a meta-analysis. BMC Public Health, 19(1), 354. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-019-6653-0

Cutting red meat-for a longer life. New data shows substantial benefit in eliminating or reducing consumption of red meat and substituting healthier proteins. (2012). Harvard Men’s Health Watch, 16(11), 6-7. http://library.neit.edu:2048/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=cmedm&AN=22768404&site=ehost-live

Ibsen, D. B., Warberg, C.K., Wurtz, A.M.L., Overvad, K., & Dahm, C. C. (2019). Substitution of red meat with poultry or fish and risk of type 2 diabetes: a Danish cohort study. European Journal of Nutrition, 58(7), 2705-2712. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-018-1820-0

Images retrieved from:

–https://1m8t7f33dnra3sfk6v2rjurs-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Popular-Diets-Defined_BlogBanner-1300×569.png

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By Christine Morin, COTA/L

By: Carissa Rogers

The rise of technology has led to an increase in the amount of time children spend accessing social media. Social media is an online interactive space where users can create and share content. Commonly used social media include video games, text messaging, and social networks such as Facebook or Twitter. This might sound like a great tool for many, however there has been discussion in the media that has claimed social media is risky for adolescents. Children in the adolescent stage, between ages 10-19, are growing up spending hours a day accessing social media sites. Adolescence is a vulnerable stage for many and with the added social pressures of the Internet, children have the potential to experience low self-esteem and depressive symptoms from use. 

In Netflix’s popular documentary, The Social Dilemma, NYU Professor Jonathan Haidt discusses the negative effects of social media on today’s teenagers:

Are These Claims Accurate?

As Haidt states, there is a growing risk for anxiety and depression in teenagers that use social media platforms, especially teenage girls. There has been research done that shows there is a difference in the effects of social media on each gender. Boys on social media were more likely to experience an increase in self-esteem whereas girls on social media were more likely to experience lower self-esteem and higher levels of depression (Blomfield-Neira and Barber, 2013). Although research shows girls are primarily at risk for the negative effects of social media, it is important to note that any individual can share a similar, negative experience.

Signs of Depression in Children

• Behavioral issues in school
• Low energy levels
• Lack of interest in previously enjoyed activities
• Change in eating or sleeping habits

Signs of Anxiety in Children

• Refusal to engage in activities
• Fear of the future
• Avoidance of social situations
• Constant worry

Is This a Sign of the Times?

Tufts University released this informational video addressing the concern over what can be called the ‘Digital Depression’:

In this clip, Dr. Nassir Ghaemi suggests that the reason why adolescents have been experiencing higher depression and suicide rates is because of the increase in social media use in today’s society. Consider this, approximately 86% of adolescents have devices with Internet access directly in their room (Woods & Scott, 2016). This is a major difference from generations in the past. This direct access to social media not only is likely to result in poor sleep habits but also encourages an emotional attachment with feeling connected to others. This emotional attachment has been linked to lower levels of self-esteem and higher levels of depression and anxiety (Woods & Scott, 2016). Today’s adolescents are growing up with an unhealthy dependance on technology. 

What About Social Media Can Create a Negative Experience?

In the video above, student Katanu Mbevi states in a TED talk that social media exposure at a young age has the potential to cause insecurity due to constant comparison, the fear of missing out, and the currency of likes. Previous studies have found that increasing levels of social media correlated to an increase in personal body concerns (Tiggemann & Slater, 2013). This is because, as Mbevi stated, it is easy to get trapped into comparing yourself to another individual’s best moments. Individuals are more likely to share favorable posts to the Internet which can mislead young viewers into an unrealistic comparison. 

Healthy Social Media Habits for Families

Since today’s generation is growing up with increased access to social media, it is worth staying up to date with the evolving recommendations from healthcare professionals. Nurse practitioner Maggie R. Guinta and Columbia University Associate Professor Rita M. John have published these following recommendations in the Pediatric Nursing Journal for parents, teachers, healthcare providers, and other supportive individuals:

Create a family media plan- When social media is overused, it can take away from beneficial daily activities such as face-to-face interaction with others, outdoor play, physical activity, and sleep. Using the American Academy of Pediatrics Family Media Plan, you can create a healthy balance between online time and offline time. Click here for more information.

Model appropriate social media use- Because many adults are connected to social media just as much as the adolescent population, it is important to model appropriate usage. Challenge yourself to limit your own time online. This is likely to increase household interaction among each other. 

Encourage healthy sleep habits- Previous studies have shown that social media use before bed results in poorer sleep habits such as going to bed later, having a hard time falling asleep, and waking up earlier (Woods & Scott, 2016). To prevent this, consider limiting screen time at least 30 minutes before bedtime.

Have conversations about content- Many adolescents face the negative effects of social media because of improper use. Individuals can experience issues about privacy concerns, sexting, and cyberbullying. For example, Adolescents might not understand the severity of telling strangers where they live or the name of the school they go to. Furthermore, there are also dangers within the interactions made with familiar classmates. Approximately 18%-28% of adolescents have engaged in sending sexual content to other peers (Guinta & John, 2018). This information is likely to become distributed rapidly without the original sender’s permission. The speed of information and opportunity to remain anonymous provides children with the opportunity to partake in and be a victim of cyberbullying. It is valuable to discuss social boundaries regarding Internet use. If these boundaries are crossed, it is recommended that the adolescent is stripped of that particular social media. 

References

Blomfield-Neira, C. J., & Barber, B. L. (2013). Social networking site use: Linked to adolescents’ social self-concept, self-esteem, and depressed mood. Australian Journal of Psychology, 66(1), 56-64. doi:10.1111/ajpy.12034

Guinta, M. R., & John, R. M. (2018). Social media and adolescent health. Pediatric Nursing Journal, 44(4), 196-201.

Ross, P. (Producer). (2020). The social dilemma – Influence of social media on teen depression and behavior [Video file]. United States: Netflix. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ui0UNXsEGJ8

TEDx Talks (Director). (2020, January 14). Impact of Social Media on Youth | Katanu Mbevi TEDxYouth@BrookhouseSchool [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=soHn6t_jjIw

Tiggemann, M., & Slater, A. (2013). NetGirls: The Internet, Facebook, and body image concern in adolescent girls. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 46(6), 630-633. doi:10.1002/eat.22141

Tufts University (Producer). (2020, February 25). Social Media Depression [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffbur3in1Jc&feature=youtu.be

Woods, H. C., & Scott, H. (2016). #Sleepyteens: Social media use in adolescence is associated with poor sleep quality, anxiety, depression and low self-esteem. Journal of Adolescence, 51, 41-49. doi:10.1016/j.adolescence.2016.05.008

What is Aromatherapy?

References

Dilek, B. (2020). Usage of Aromatherapy in Symptom Management in Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review. International Journal of Caring Sciences, 13(1).

Shady, K., Nair, J., & Crannell, C. (2019). Lavender aromatherapy: Examining the effects of lavender oil patches on patients in the hematology-oncology setting. Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing, 23(5), 502-508. doi:10.1188/19.cjon.502-508

Williams, L. (2020). Is aromatherapy a critical care intervention? AACN Advanced Critical Care, 31(2), 198-202. doi:10.4037/aacnacc2020931

Got knee pain? Surgery is not the only option!

Anyone suffering with knee pain or arthritis are usually met with limited treatment options for their condition. For example, a typical treatment at the doctor’s office or physical therapy clinic will include the use of steroids, cold and hot packs, topical pain creams and pain medications, advice on nutritional changes or surgery as a last resort. However, stem cell therapy, also known as regenerative medicine, has proven to be an effective non invasive treatment for knee pain and inflammation. 

What knee conditions can stem cell therapy treat?

• Knee pain due to aging 
• Arthritis in the knee
• Injuries in the knee joint 

What type of stem cells are used for treatment?

The type of stem cells used to specifically treat knee conditions come from adult stem cells  which are taken from the adults own body or stem cells from an umbilical cord. They both have been clinically studied to be the best suited stem cells to reduce pain and inflammation in the knee. 

Sourced From: www.mstrust.org

• Bone Marrow– The substance found in your bones called bone marrow is removed and reduced to separate any stem cells made available from the bone marrow. The stem cells are then injected at the affected site on your knee. 

• Fat– A small amount of fat is taken from your waistline then is engaged in a procedure to separate the stem cells from the fat. Once the stem cells have been separated they are placed in a culture to cure for several days before being replaced back inside you as now activated stem cells. Although the practice is common, there are issues surrounding how to standardize this procedure in order to produce quality stem cells. 

• Umbilical Stem Cells– The blood from a new born baby’s umbilical cord is taken and placed into a cord blood bag. The cord blood bag is taken to a laboratory to be analyzed and to separate the stem cells from the blood. The cord blood stem cells are then kept sealed in a liquid nitrogen storage tank at -190 degrees Celsius. Although umbilical stem cells have more stem cells than from a bone marrow it is a very slow process to transplant into an adult since the cells are not from the donors’ own body.

How Long Will Stem Cell Therapy Last?

Bone Marrow stem cell therapy treatment is mainly studied for its beneficial long term effects on many knee conditions. Several studies have shown bone marrow stem cell therapy lasting anywhere from six months to two years with pain relief on patients with both severe to non severe knee conditions. However, not many studies have been conducted to assess its long lasting effects past two years. Pain relief and the reversal of arthritis in the knees has been studied to occur as early as 24 weeks and even sooner for patients who have less severe knee conditions.

Who’s Regenexx?

Let’s look at one of the leading companies in regenerative medicine, Regenexx, to further analyze just how long stem cell therapy will last. Regenexx has over 15 years providing alternative treatments for joint pain and bone diseases. You can visit their website here Regenexx.com. 

The following graph looks at a study of 2 groups of patients with knee arthritis. One group only had physical therapy for 3 months while the other group received bone marrow stem cell therapy; a one day procedure. Over two years, the study shows that the patients who received stem cell therapy had a higher score of beneficial long term effects due to their treatment. They were asked to fill a questionnaire called the Knee Score Scale (KSS) to find out how well they could walk and bend their knee during daily tasks. The stem cell therapy group reported higher KSS scores than the physical therapy group.  Other studies have reported similar findings when looking at the patients expectation after one year. 

The yellow line represents the stem cell therapy group and the blue line represents the physical therapy group.

Sourced From: Regenixx.com The graph depicts the benefits of stem cell therapy over physical therapy for patients with knee arthritis or knee pain.

The following graph covers the results from Regenexx patients who received stem cell treatments for knee arthritis. The graph highlights their responses to a questionnaire asked of them over the course of four years to describe the effects of their stem cell treatment. This shows that patients can get pain relief from just one injection for up to four years and beyond as indicated by the graph continuously rising over time. 

Sourced From: Regenexx.com Depicts increase in graph to indicate the benefits of a one time dose of stem cell therapy over the course of four years. 

Meet Laura Milano: Her Story Living With Knee Pain For 30 Years & How She Started Living Again

Sourced From: Youtube.com Laura lived with painful knees for 30 years until she received stem cell therapy and finally got the relief she needed. Click on image to watch her story,                               

Laura, 57, was told in her 20’s that she was a good candidate for knee replacement surgery due to the pain she continuously felt because of a surgery she had in her knees as a child. Currently, living in a home with stairs means she is always taking inflammatory drugs and icing her knees to reduce the swelling on a regular basis. After searching online for an alternative treatment for her knees she discovered stem cell therapy and made an appointment immediately. 

Sourced from: Flikr by Wafi Choudhury

After 4 months she felt a big difference more especially when she went on vacation and walked everywhere without her knees swelling. She now walks frequently with her husband in the evenings and goes bike riding without fearing her knees will give her pain the next day. She now does not live her life revolving around her knee pain.

Is Stem Cell Right For You?

• Due to the nature of stem cell therapy, people who are living with cancer or any blood related disease are not a suitable candidate for stem cell therapy. 
• Treatments may take up to 90 minutes. The treatment is painless and does not require physical therapy or any downtime after the injection.
• If you are looking for an alternative for knee replacement therapy, are tired of the sleepless nights, and want an effective long term solution try talking to your doctor about stem cell therapy.

Final Thoughts…

After reading this blog I hoped you learned that knee replacement surgery is not the only option you have available for your specific knee condition and stem cell therapy can be a long term solution than the traditional forms of medical treatments. Search through the links highlighted in blue to learn more about stem cell therapy and if its right for you. 

References:

Kenihan, Lucinda., McTier, Lauren., Phillips,Nicole M. (2020). Patients’ expectations and experiences of stem cell therapy for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. Health Expectations. 23(5):1300-1309. doi: 10.1111/hex.13113 

Regen Orthopedics. (2021). Knee Pain Keeping You Up At Night?. https://www.regenorthopedics.com/knee-pain-keeping-you-up-at-night/ 

Regenexx.com. (2019, Aug. 18). How Long Does Stem Cell Therapy Last For Knees. https://regenexx.com/blog/how-long-does-stem-cell-therapy-last-for-knees/#gref

The Boston Stem Cell Center. (2021). How Long Do Stem Cell Injections Last? https://www.bostonstemcell.com/how-long-do-stem-cell-injections-last/

Ullah, I., Subbarao, R. B., & Rho, G. J. (2015). Human mesenchymal stem cells – current trends and future prospective. Bioscience reports, 35(2), e00191. https://doi.org/10.1042/BSR20150025

Youtube.com. (2019, May. 22). Knee Pain Keeping You Up At Night?. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wAf2quf5-E

What is Screen Time?

Screen time includes the use of  Smart phones, tablets, television, computer and video games. Children are using screen devices, such as tablets and Smart phones, at an alarming rate. Studies have shown, that up to 75% of children have their own tablet device and 68% of children under 2 years old use a screen device for an average of 2 hours each day.

Is Screen Time Really that Bad for Children?

Studies are showing that if children get too much screen time, it may impact their physical and emotional development. When children are using screen devices for hours on end, this can lead to delayed language development and motor skills, poor academic performance, obesity, and bad sleep habits.

Screen Time Guidelines by the American Academy of Pediatrics:

• NO screen time for children under the age of 18 months.
• 18-24 months old: Only educational and age-appropriate content.
• 2- 5 years old: One hour each day. 
• Above 5 years old: Two hours each day. 

What Does Research Say?

According to Webster et al. (2019), developing gross motor and fine motor skills are important developmental movement patterns gained in early childhood. Having gross motor and fine motor skills has a direct relationship with physical activity in childhood (Webster et al., 2019). Recent studies have revealed that preschoolers are demonstrating low levels of physical activity and are engaging in about 120 minutes of physical activity per day (Webster et al., 2019). Young children are frequently engaging in more sedentary behaviors, including activities involving screen-time. Using screen devices for a prolonged period of time may contribute to decreased participation in physical activity and motor skills development in later childhood (Webster et al., 2019).

A study by Rocha and Nunes (2020), revealed whether there are positive or negative effects may depend on the type of activities children are engaging in when using the electronic device (Rocha & Nunes, 2020). When children are using educative software that is age-appropriate in their daily routine, this can further promote their learning. Some studies revealed that children who engaged in non-educational content for longer periods of time demonstrated increased negative behavior and temperament (Rocha & Nunes, 2020).

A clip from Good Morning America features a married couple with three young children who want to experiment with allowing their children to have unlimited screen time access for 1 week. When each child had unlimited access to their screen devices, they experienced disrupted sleeping and eating habits, and behavioral changes including fighting with one another and having tantrums. Each child spent an average of 5 hours of screen time each day, despite eventually choosing other activities to engage in throughout the week. 

Breaking the Screen Habit

Now, if you are a parent or a caregiver of children, you are probably thinking: “Well, I have SO much to get done at home today! I have to cook dinner, clean the dishes, wash and fold piles of laundry, and vacuum! I need to keep the kids entertained and out of my hair somehow!” And those are completely valid thoughts. The purpose of this blog post is to raise awareness of the potential developmental effects of screen time on children and how to incorporate ways to break that habit and get children back to engaging in purposeful play. 

Helpful Tips:

• Keep any screen devices (TVs, computers, tablets, etc.) out of your child’s bedroom
• Turn off devices (including the TV!) during meal times. 
• Set a good example by limiting your own screen time. 
• Set a time limit for screen time use.
• Promote active play, such as engaging in sports, exploring outside, reading, or playing games. 

It is important to be aware of the potential effects that screen devices have on the physical and emotional development of children. I hope this blog post is a useful tool in forming a better understanding on the importance of unplugging the technology, and engaging in play!

References:

Good Morning America. (2018, July 17). What happens when you give your kids unlimited screen time? [Video] Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkiWS0fmnt0. 

[Click on the links throughout for direct access to sources and more information.]

By: NIAID

COVID-19, or the corona virus, and it’s newly distributed vaccine have taken over news media outlets everywhere. The public has voiced its concerns on many news platforms regarding the vaccine’s safety. These concerns have included the new technology that was used to create it and the speed in which it was produced. Much of the public is turning to the media to state that they will not be getting the vaccine for those reasons.

Are the public’s concerns valid?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in collaboration with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) say otherwise. Measures to ensure the safety in the production of the vaccine were not compromised. If anything, they were more strict with their regulations and standards. These are some ways the CDC and FDA are ensuring safety:

• Results from clinical trials were reviewed by a third-party committee
• Existing safety monitoring systems throughout the process were expanded upon
• Real-time monitoring systems were put into place to quickly catch any negative effects, which so far, after millions have been vaccinated — none have been reported.

“But don’t vaccines take years to develop?”

It is true that vaccines can typically take up to 6 years to research and manufacture from start to finish. However, this pandemic did not allow for a typical timeline. The collaboration with the U.S. government allowed for the acceleration of the vaccine process (Operation Warp Speed) in several key ways. 

• The government took all the financial risk, paying to manufacture the most promising vaccines while clinical trials were still in process. 
• Given the number of those effected by corona virus, there was a large pool of candidates readily available for trials. 
• With assistance from the Department of Defense, planning for large scale distribution had begun long before the vaccine was approved, which does not normally happen. 
• Manufacturers used vaccine technology that has already been researched for decades. It is only considered “new” to the general public.

By: Department of Defense

Messenger RNA Vaccines  

By: NIAID This is a model of the corona virus cell. The orange triangle shaped pieces sticking out are called “spike proteins.”

Rumors have also surfaced across social media platforms that the vaccine will alter DNA. This is due to the new vaccine technology that utilizes Messenger RNA, or mRNA, to introduce the human body’s immune cells to the spike protein of the virus (see picture, right). This allows for recognition of the virus by the body’s immune system in order to better fight against it.

“What is mRNA anyway?“

Messenger RNA (mRNA) is a type of genetic material. The public has assumed this means that it can alter genes, or DNA. However, DNA is found in the nucleus of cells (the middle purple portion). mRNA never enters the nucleus. It gets read by the part of a cell called a ribosome, which is located outside of the nucleus (little red dots on the outer edges). 

What to Expect After Vaccination

The public has been advised that the vaccine can trigger certain symptoms, which has also sparked some skepticism and hesitation toward receiving the vaccine. Symptoms include:

• mild fever
• chills
• sweating
• fatigue
• body aches

These symptoms are normal immune system responses and shows that the vaccine is doing its job. The CDC recommends talking to your doctor about taking over-the-counter medication to lessen symptoms such as ibuprofen or Tylenol. They also recommend drinking plenty of fluids.

Rarely, people have experienced severe allergic reactions to the vaccine. Luckily, we have medicine that can treat an allergic reaction, which is readily available on site. Once the vaccine is administered, you are monitored for 15 minutes if you have no known allergies or 30 minutes with known allergies, to ensure your safety. Follow this link for CDC recommendations on COVID-19 vaccination if you have concerns regarding allergic reactions.

So . . . should you get it?

Ultimately, it is up to you to decide if getting the vaccine is right for you. This information has been provided to debunk the common myths surrounding the corona virus vaccine that is circulating media platforms.

Despite general public opinion:

1. Extensive safety measures were put into place throughout development and distribution.
2. Messenger RNA technology for vaccines has been around for some time. It is not a new under-researched method.
3. The vaccine was developed quicker than normal due to backing by the government and availability of large clinical trials that normally take years to gather. The speed of development and distribution was not by taking short-cuts that compromised safety.

Follow up with your doctor if you would like to get the vaccine and still have concerns.

References

ABC7 News Bay Area. (2020, Aug. 12). Californians explain why they won’t be taking a COVID-19 vaccine when it comes out.  [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsGKPRxzBy8

Al Jazeera English. (2020, Aug. 14). COVID-19 vaccine: Safety concerns as countries rush for a cure. [Video]. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pgu-v2WTHh4

CBS This Morning. (2020, Oct. 26). Americans share concerns over safety and side effects of COVID-19 vaccine.  [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J986xOdL0Hs

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020, Dec. 18). Understanding mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC 24/7: Saves Lives, Protecting People. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/different-vaccines/mrna.html.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021, Jan. 28). Ensuring the safety of COVID-19 vaccines in the United States. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC 24/7: Savings Lives, Protecting People. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/safety.html.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021, Feb. 3). Myths and facts about COVID-19 vaccines. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC 24/7: Saves Lives, Protecting People. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/facts.html

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021, Feb. 17). What to expect after getting a COVID-19 vaccine. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC 24/7: Saves Lives, Protecting People. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019ncov/vaccines/expect/ after.html

U.S. Department of Defense (2021). Operation warp speed: Accelerated vaccine process. Coronavirus: Operation Warp Speed. https://media.defense.gov/2020/Aug/13/2002476369/-1/-1/0/200813-D-ZZ999-100.JPG.