Software Vault: The Gold Collection/Software Vault - The Gold Collection (American Databankers) (1993).ISO/cdr13/bbag011.zip/BLACKBAG.011

Text File | 1993-06-26 | 13KB | 285 lines

                          Weekly Health Bulletin
             Courtesy of Black Bag Medical Information Services
             America's Online Health Information Connection(tm)
                               302-994-3772

       This document is provided for educational purposes only. The
information provided is NOT to be considered as diagnostic or
individual advice. No specific medical quidance or treatment can be
recommended without consultation with a physician. You  should consult
your personal physician prior to utilizing any medical information
discussed in this document. Those contributing to this informational
bulletin, disclaim all responsibility for any actions taken by persons
in reliance upon information stated in this program. Should you choose to
disregard this warning, you assume the risk and responsibility for your
actions.

IF YOU DON'T TALK TO YOUR CHILD ABOUT ABDUCTIONS, SOMEONE ELSE WILL.

   This year thousands of children will learn the reality of stranger
abduction first hand.  The fortunate ones will just be molested and
later released.  Many others will be kept.

   The reality is, there are tens of thousands of known abductors and
molesters out there.

   The only chance a child has against them is your willingness as a
parent to sit down and talk about it.  Obviously, this isn't an easy
subject.  But if you approach it as safety rules, like a fire drill, it
doesn't have to be frightening.

   Please don't leave your children out there unprotected. Talk to them.

               WHAT EVERY CHILD SHOULD KNOW

   First, its important to reassure you child that child abduction is rare.
Most people are good and care for children.

   However, there are certain situations they should be prepared to
deal with if an when they arise.

   What if an adult wants you to do something you don't want to do?

   First, every child should know that he or she has a right to say
"No!".  We have a tendency to tell children to obey adults.  This makes
them vulnerable to every adult.  There are only certain adults they
should obey.  And you should tell them who they are.

   What if an adult asks you to keep a secret from your Mother and your
Father?

   No adult should ask a child to keep a secret from their parents.  If
an adult, even someone they trust like a babysitter or a relative, ever
tells them to keep a secret, they should tell you immediately.

   Molesters depend on the fact that a child will keep their secret.

   What is a stranger?

   Children should know that a stranger is any adult they don't know
well.  That doesn't mean they're bad.  It just means they haven't
earned your trust yet.

   Even someone they see every day, like a neighbor, is a stranger if
they don't know them well.

   What if a stranger wants you to come to his car or house?

   If a stranger pulls over and asks for help or wants to show you
something in his car, don't go to the car.  Stand back and be ready to
run.  You should explain that while its OK for a child to ask a grownup
for help, grownups shouldn't ask children for help.  They should be
asking other grownups.

   Abductors will use many lures to draw children to them.

   They ask for help, like directions of finding a pet.

   They seduce children with gifts, candy, money or jobs.

   They make threats.

   They pretend to be authority figures, like police and clergy.

   They say its an emergency.  "Your parents are hurt.  I'll take you
   to the hospital."

   What do you do if a stranger says he's come to pick you up?

   For the safety of your child, you should have a secret code word
   that just the family members know. If you ever send someone to pick up
   your child, give them the code word.  Your child should not go near the
   car unless the stranger knows the secret word.

   What do you do if you think that someone is following you?

   Don't be alone.  Immediately run to a friend's house or the nearest
   store and tell them.  Have them call the police.

   What if a stranger ever threatens you or tries to grab you?

   Shout "HELP" and "I don't know you".  And get away fast.  Make a big
   scene so people will come.  Most abductors and molesters will run away
   if their victim fights and screams.

   Can you dial your full phone number?  What's your full name and address?

   Make sure your child knows their full name, phone number and address.
   Including state.  Make a game of teaching them to call home long distance.
   Or if they're too young, teach them to dial 911 for help.
   Tell them if they are abducted, a phone call home or to 911 can
   bring them home.

   What if you're home alone and someone calls for your Mother or Father?

   A child should never tell anyone they're home alone.  Just tell them
   "My parents can't come to the phone right now.  I'll take a message."

   And never open the door to any stranger.

   What if you get separated while you are shopping?

   Whenever you go shopping, set up a meeting place.  If you get
   separated, don't search for each other.  Immediately go to the meeting
   place.  Or ask a police officer of store employee for assistance.

   A lot of children are grabbed on their way to and from school or the
   park.  Encourage children to walk and play together.  To watch out for
   each other.  Young children should not be out alone, especially in the
   evening.

   Explain that if they're ever lost or abducted that you will look for
   them until you find them.  No matter what.  This is critical.  Most
   abducted children are told by the abductors that their parents don't
   want them anymore.  If they believe it, they have no place else to go.


                    WHAT EVERY PARENT SHOULD KNOW

   Never leave your child alone in public.  Especially in a car or near
a public rest room.

   Thoroughly check out any babysitter or daycare facilities before you
entrust your child to them.

   Encourage your children to talk about their concerns.  And pay
attention.  If something or someone is upsetting them, there's usually
a reason.  So never belittle your child's fears, real or imaginary.

   The more attention a child gets at home, the less susceptible he or
she will be to the lures of a pedophile or abductor.

   Be involved with your child's activities.  Know who your child's
friends are and what adults he or she spends time with.  If there seems
to be a change in the way your child reacts to a particular adult, find
out why.

   Avoid dressing your child in clothes that display his or her name.
A stranger who knows your child's name can quickly seem like a friend.

   Always keep a good up-to-date photo of your child.  It could bring
them home.

   Explain to your children that if any stranger tries to get them
alone or into their car, you want to know.  If it seems suspicious,
report it to the police.  The next child may not be as well prepared.


                         WHAT WE ALL MUST DO

   There is nothing in the world more important than the safety of our
children.  Nothing.

   But it's impossible for the local police to watch over every child.
We ask you to make a personal commitment to help watch out for all the
children.  If there's a suspicious person hanging around places
children frequent, get a description of him, his car, and license
plate.  Then call the police.  Molesters and abductors are out there,
and they usually study their victims before they strike.

   If you think you know someone involved in molesting or abducting
children, call the police.  Now.  Molesters graduate to abduction.

   If you see anything suspicious report it.  Don't wait.  Don't talk
yourself out of it.  Your instincts could save a child's life.

Part II

SLIPPED DISK - HERNIATED DISK:

GENERAL INFORMATION SYMPTOMS

   Intervetebral disks are located between the bones (vertebrae) of the spine.
The disks are composed of solid, elastic tissue, held in place by fibrous
rings, and serve to absorb shocks upon the spine. Weakening of a ring may
permit the disk to move out of position (usually backward). The resulting
condition is called a slipped, ruptured or herniated disk.

   Herniated disks occur most frequently among active adults between the ages
of thirty and sixty, and are most often located in the lumbar region between
the fifth lumbar vertebra and sacrum, and between the fourth and fifth or the
third and fourth vertebrae. The resulting pain in the leg, caused by pressure
upon the sciatic nerve, is called sciatica. Among the symptoms of herniation:

   1.  Pain in the lower back. Pain along the sciatic nerve (buttock, thigh
   and leg). The pain is generally unilateral, along one side of the hip and
   leg. There may be similar pain (crossover pain) upon bending or raising the
   opposite leg.

   2.  Increasing pain upon lifting, bending forward with the knees straight,
   or lifting the straight leg on the injured side.

   3.  In cases of severe herniation, possibly numbness and impaired
   sensation, loss of reflexes, or slight weakness of the foot and leg.

   4.  In cases of herniated disks of the neck: Severe neck pain, pain in the
   shoulder and arm, and numbness and weakness of one or both hands. This
   condition must be distinguished from spur formation on the cervical
   vertebrae (cervical spondylosis) and from so-called bursitis and arthritis
   of the shoulder joint.

CAUSES

   Natural erosion of supporting tissues with the passage of years,
complicated by injury or strain, may cause a disk to rupture its encircling
ring, usually protruding in a backward direction since this is the direction
in which the fibrous rim is at its weakest.

SPECIAL DANGERS AND PRECAUTIONS

   Back pain together with radiation of pain down the leg may be caused by
conditions other than herniation of an intravertebral disk. It should be
brought to the attention of a physician.

TREATMENT

   The majority of patients with a protruding disk recover without treatment.
Many recover after a prolonged period of bed rest. Acute pain ma y be treated
with: 1.  Aspirin, codeine or other analgesic drug. 2.  Muscle relaxants. 3.
Bed rest on a firm mattress.

   After the pain has lessened or disappeared, the wearing of a back brace may
also be helpful. Traction may be used, but probably does no more than to
restrict the patient's activity. If it is successful, the patient remains in
traction for approximately 8-10 days.

   Full recovery may take as long as several weeks to several months. And in
approximately 10-20 percent of severe cases, the conservative treatment will
prove unsuccessful. Repeated acute attacks of pain, unrelieved by measures
such as bed rest, stretch exercises or muscle relaxant medication may then be
treated by surgical removal of the herniated disk.

   There is generally little risk in delaying surgery. Prompt surgery becomes
mandatory, however, in cases of progressive weakness of the muscles of the
foot or ankle (dropped foot), as well as in the extremely rare cases in which
signs appear of impairment of bladder or sphincter control. At its best,
surgery will relieve the sciatica. Such relief will occur in 80-90 percent of
cases. In many cases with predominantly lower back, buttock and thigh pain,
however, surgery is not always successful.

          This news file is compiled weekly from the archives of the
                      BLACK BAG MEDICAL INFORMATION SERVICES
                                  302-994-3772
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