Fireworks Safety
June 30, 2008 by Kenneth Carlson, MD
It is that time of year again. Following are some tips on how to have a safe 4th of July courtesy of Doernbecher Children’s Safety Center
More than 10,000 fireworks related injuries occur each year in the United States, most of them around the 4th of July. Read more
HFA Asthma inhalers
June 18, 2008 by Kenneth Carlson, MD
Metered dose inhalers (MDI’s) are being changed from a CFC propellant (old ones) to the newer HFA propellant. HFA inhalers are different from CFC inhalers:
HFA inhalers have a finer mist (smaller particles). You will probably feel and taste less of the medicine. The smaller particles are easier to inhale and can move better and deeper into your airways, (compared to CFC).
Cleaning the inhaler: (to be done once a week)
The medication is more sticky - and can clog the exit hole. Read and follow cleaning instructions on the insert with your HFA inhaler.
Take the metal canister out of the plastic case
# Wash the plastic case, running warm water through the case (top to bottom)
# Shake off excess water.
# Air dry.
# Put the plastic case and metal canister back together after completely dry.
NEVER IMMERSE THE METAL CANISTER IN WATER!
Priming the inhaler: (spraying into room- away from your face)
Priming is important to ensure accurate dosing: should be done before using a new inhaler. This varies with the different brands of albuterol. Also, if Ventolin© brand is dropped, it will need priming again.
ProAir HFA© (albuterol)
- Before first dose: 3 sprays to clear opening
- After 2 weeks of no use: repeat 3 sprays
Proventil HFA© (albuterol)
- Before first dose: 4 sprays to clear opening
- After 2 weeks of no use: 4 sprays
Ventolin HFA© (albuterol)
- Before first dose: 4 sprays to clear opening
- After 2 weeks of no use: 4 sprays
- When dropped: 4 sprays again to clear
- After washing: 1 spray
Further Information
What does science say about parenting?
June 16, 2008 by Kenneth Carlson, MD
Turns out there has been a lot of research on effective parenting. Many tips in the following linked article I have heard before but there is a lot of new information here. All of us parents want to do the right thing but most often we parent in the style we ourselves were raised with. Often it works, but just as often it does not.
Check out this excellent article from U.S. News - Good Parents, Bad Results
Ouch, that sunburn hurts
May 20, 2008 by Kenneth Carlson, MD
With the sudden arrival of summer sun we are seeing a parade of red shoulders from patients and staff. Many are quite uncomfortable. Even though we live in Oregon, sunscreen is very important for all age groups. We are having some visits asking us for relief of the sunscreen after the damage is done. Unfortunately there isn’t much to do after the sun damage besides moisturizer lotions and pain relievers.The best treatment is prevention.The best sunscreen is shade. Hat, T-shirt and tree shade goes a long way to protecting skin. Avoiding the time of day with the most direct rays (your shadow is very short) is very helpful. For chemical sunscreens apply at least SPF 25 to all exposed skin 20 minutes before going outside. Reapply every 1-2 hours, especially if swimming or at the beach. What to do once sunburn has happened:
- Use ibuprofen to decrease pain and skin inflammation
- Hydrocortisone 1% cream can be used on intact skin to decrease skin inflammation
- For any popped blisters use topical antibiotic creams to decrease chance for infection
- Increase fluid intake
- Call office for lots of blistering on face
- Call office for blistering covering >10% of body surface
Why you don’t want a TV in your kid’s bedroom
April 10, 2008 by Kenneth Carlson, MD
TV Turn of Week is coming April 21-27
If your child is making the classic pitch for a TV in his or her bedroom, here are the arguments you can use to bolster your case. Read more
Vaccine information on YouTube
April 7, 2008 by Kenneth Carlson, MD
Quickly becoming a source for vaccine information for many parents it is unfortunately a source of much misinformation. Be sure to get the facts and collect your information from multiple sources. Visit our immunization information page for an updated schedule and descriptions of diseases currently reduced by recommended vaccines. Scroll to the bottom for multiple other sources of reliable vaccine information.
Autism and vaccines
March 14, 2008 by Kenneth Carlson, MD
There has been increasing press about a possible link between autism and vaccines due to a family recently being awarded monetary damages from a vaccine court. At this time there is no medical evidence of any link between autism and vaccines. The details of the recent case, including the reason for the payment has not yet been made public. What makes the case unique is the patient had a rare mitochondrial disorder that was causing autistic features. At this time the cause of autism is not known for most kids but there are many known underlying disorders that have autistic features, including some mitochondrial disorders and congenital rubella (to name a few). Childhood Health Associates of Salem strongly supports the use of vaccines in all kids as the best method of prevention for many serious infectious diseases. Please check out the links below for people from various sources who are more eloquent than I on this very important topic.
Polls
Loading ...
