Category Archives: Kids health questions

NEW TEEN CRAZE: Cinnamon Challenge Poses Bodily Harm

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This is NOT a joke.

This is NOT a joke.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the teens are doing stupid stuff again. And I am compelled once again to bring it to your attention. I know, I know, when AREN’T adolescents doing moronic things with their BFFs, but that is beside the point. We all did our share – it’s part of our development and our right as citizens of this planet. But information/education can save lives and that is my job as a computerized nurse.

“Cinnamon challenges” have been on the news recently (and all over YouTube) warning parents about the dangers this youthful game can present on their health. You might have laughed it off or thought, “Boy, glad my kid isn’t that stupid!”

But I’m here to tell you, the Governor of Illinois was caught on YouTube choking down cinnamon because he thought this “game” wasn’t that dangerous. People are not aware of the severe lasting effects of this challenge.

This popular challenge is when persons eat a large spoonful of ground cinnamon. The spice itself is not toxic, but the problem arises when the person ingesting the powdered spice starts to laugh, choke or cough and the particles go down their airways instead of their esophagus to their stomach. Cinnamon dust particles in the lungs are dangerous.

According to the New York Times, “A report published in the journal Pediatrics on Monday found that the stunt has led to a growing number of calls to poison control centers and visits to emergency rooms. Some teenagers have suffered collapsed lungs and ended up on ventilators.” Large quantities adhered to the lungs when inhaled, causes inflammation and scarring of the lungs resembling emphysema.

For the full New York Times report by Anahad O’Connor, click here: Consequences of the ‘Cinnamon Challenge’

Even if you think your child wouldn’t do something this ridiculous, just trust me and bring it up casually at dinner. See if they have heard of someone doing this challenge and check if they think it’s funny. NOW you will have your educating moment.

Good luck and let me know how your talk went. I’d love to hear back from you all, to hear how kids are responding to this around the country. ~ Stacey

This one is really extreme and she is choking. Her “friend” the cameraman laughs through the entire thing. Don’t let this be your child. THIS MIGHT BE DISTURBING FOR SOME VIEWERS

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Nickelodeon PARENTS CONNECT and Nurse Mommy Activate

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For those of you who know me or have been reading my schtuff for any amount of time, know I’m quite a shy and passive kind of gal. So when Nickelodeon (yes, I’m talking about the TV, peoples!!) asked me to join a wackadoodle panel of experts (a handful of co-authors from the book, I Just Want to Pee Alone) to answer some parenting questions and they WANTED sarcasm from me…I yelled from my back deck, “You bet your sweet tookey-tookey I’m on board with that!!” This was also followed by some crazy gyrations that my neighbors may have been blinded from – I owe them.

Nothing but demure.

Nothing but demure.

But what’s REALLY fun is you can join in on the crazy too. “YOU TOO, CAN JOIN THIS PARTY!”

On PARENTS CONNECT website, they have a thing called “message boards.” This is a place that younger readers already know what I’m talking about, but so as not to leave my mother out to dry on the lingo, I will explain…

Message Boards: a location on a website, where readers can ask their darkest, funniest secret mom questions.
For example, “Why do some ladies get three nipples and I’m stuck with only two the size of dinner plates?” eat a beef steak
Then the panel of broads can give their opinions, or answers or just make the crap up. Whatever you get, it will be hilarious!!

So head to this site, and ask your wildest question and hope it gets picked for the PANEL OF EXPERTS!!! (That really doesn’t get old. I’m going to insist my husband start calling me that.)

CLICK HERE TO ASK YOUR QUESTION:
http://www.parentsconnect.com/parents/entertainment/online-parties/secret-questions-answered-message-board/?navid=a-init3

Hope to see you on the message boards around Mother’s Day when we get to come out of our shells and chat it up!

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Fluoride Facts for Your Kids (KC Parent: Healthy Kids, Feb 2013)

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KC Parent magazine: Healthy Kids section, Feb 2013

by Stacey Hatton

If my girls EVER looked this happy brushing their teeth...

If my girls EVER looked this happy brushing their teeth…

Truffle for your thoughts? Bon-bon for…being you! Because February is National Children’s Dental Health Month, KC Parent wants to share some truths about fluoride to protect and strengthen your children’s enamel during this sticky, gooey season.

What is it?
Plaque, a bacterium that breaks down sugars in food, erodes the enamel on the surface of the teeth when not brushed away. It causes tooth decay and, in time, cavities. Fluoride can prevent plaque from deteriorating tooth enamel.

The American Dental Association (ADA) says, “Research has shown that fluoride not only reduces but also helps repair the early stages of tooth decay even before the decay is visible.”

What’s too much?
Just like with vitamins or medications, there is a toxic level of fluoride. This does not occur from brushing your teeth too much or excessive drinking of fluoridated tap water, but keep in mind that more isn’t always better.

“Too much fluoride before 8 years of age, a time when teeth are developing,” reports www.KidsHealth.org, “can cause enamel fluorosis, a discoloration or mottling of the permanent teeth.” This is why parents should supervise their children’s brushing habits to ensure toothpaste and fluoride mouth rinses aren’t being ingested.

When to fluoride?
If you have a family that drinks only bottled water (which contains no fluoride), you might consider additional fluoride supplementation. This is something a parent should discuss with the family dentist or medical provider before you make any changes.

Additional facts:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has proclaimed community water fluoridation (along with vaccinations and infectious disease control) as one of 10 great public health achievements of the 20th century.

Studies prove water fluoridation continues to be effective in reducing dental decay by 20 to 40 percent, even in an era with widespread availability of fluoride from other sources, such as fluoride toothpaste.(Source: ADA, 2005)

Symptoms of fluoride toxicity may include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, increased salivation or increased thirst. Symptoms begin 30 minutes after ingestion and can last up to 24 hours. If you suspect your child may have eaten a substantial amount of a fluoridated product or supplement, call the poison control center or 911 (Nemours Foundation).

Are you kids doing a good job of brushing? I still have one kid who only brushes the bottom teeth. What’s with that? Any tips on how to get your kids to brush like a pro? ~ Nurse Mommy

©2013 Stacey Hatton, all rights reserved.

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