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July is Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month

Arthritis can test the patience and limits of even the best of adults, but when children are stricken with this autoimmune disease, it feels as if nature has played a cruel joke on the  youngest among us. Over 300,000 children have some form of Juvenile Arthritis (JA), often cited as an “invisible illness.” A large percentage of these children live with the silent pain of JA for years until they are finally diagnosed. With July being Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month, steps are being taken to heighten the attention given to this otherwise quiet disease.

Arthritis—an all-inclusive term meaning joint inflammation—is a nagging disease that affects millions of Americans each year. An ongoing, painful disease, chronic arthritis seems to be low on the radar of important diseases. With almost 300,000 children and teens under the age of 18 (not to mention the millions of adults) silently suffering from this condition currently, arthritis should not be a low-priority disease. That’s what the Juvenile Arthritis Alliance (JAA) as part of The Arthritis Foundation is trying to change—especially during the month of July—in order to help fund the research in order to find a cure or preventative measure.

Read more here ... from the Health News website.

Have you met ...

Dr. Frank Schmalstieg serves as director of the Pediatric Immunology Diagnostic Laboratory. He is a Professor of Pediatrics. He received his undergraduate degree from Texas A & M University, where he also received his Ph.D. He completed a fellowship at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta and another at Ohio State University in Columbus. He received his M.D. from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, where he also completed his residency, as well as two fellowships in pediatric immunology and allergy. Dr. Schmalstieg’s research interests include the consequences of mutation in the cytoplasmic portion of the common gamma chain of the IL-2 receptor. Dr. Schmalstieg sees patients in Galveston and Texas City. For an appointment, please call (409) 772-3695.

Arthritis Foundation

Ophthalmology- National UV Safety Month for Children and Adults

It's summertime; the sun is bright and there is a great danger the sun can harm the eyes. Everyone is at risk for eye damage that can lead to vision loss from exposure to the ultraviolet rays of the sun. To protect your eyes, wear a brimmed hat and the right kind of sunglasses when you are going to be exposed to UV light.

• The same UV-A and UV-B rays that can damage your skin can harm your eyes as well. When you protect yourself from the sun, don't just think sunscreen – think sunglasses and a wide brimmed hat.
• Wear sunglasses that block 99 to 100 percent of UV-A and UV-B rays.
• Excessive, prolonged UV exposure may be linked to the development of eye conditions such as cataracts and age-related macular degeneration.
• Extensive or intense exposure to UV rays can cause "sunburn" on the surface of your eye. Similar to a skin sunburn, eye surface burns usually disappear within a couple of days, but may lead to further complications later in life so protect your eyes. 
• If you spend time on the water or in the snow, consider purchasing goggles or sunglasses that wrap around your temples because they block the sun’s rays from entering on the sides, offering better protection.
• Remember sunglasses don't have to be expensive to offer the right kind of UV protection. Even inexpensive glasses can protect your eyes if they offer 99 to 100 percent UV-A and UV-B protection.
• Don't forget the kids. Protect their eyes with hats and sunglasses. In addition, try to keep children out of the sun between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. when the sun's ultraviolet rays are the strongest.
• Reflected sunlight off water, snow and pavement can be the most dangerous type of UV light because it is intensified.
• Your eyes can be harmed by UV light sources other than the sun, such as welding lamps or tanning lights. So remember to wear eye protection when using these sources of invisible, high energy UV rays.

Snake Bites

If you’re heading outdoors, be careful where you step, not only at the beach and in the sand dunes, but in yards. Teach your child to be aware of his or her surroundings and to know the common places snakes tend to be: in landscaped grasses or flower beds, under decks, among stacked firewood and under rocks.

Snake bites can be serious and require immediate attention. Thanks to modern medicine, deaths from snakebites are increasingly rare. Still, if the bite is from a venomous snake, it is important to seek medical care promptly.

Most snakes will not intentionally attack people. Bites tend to happen when a person accidentally steps on or tries to get a closer look at a snake. If your child spots a snake, the best thing to do is tell him or her to leave it alone.

Prevention Tips

The best way to treat a snake bite is to prevent it. Help your child avoid bites by teaching him these do’s and don’ts:

• Become familiar with the types of snakes in the area, and be able to identify poisonous and non-poisonous species.
• Don’t stick your hands or feet into places you can't see, such as holes, crevices or deserted buildings.
• Wear long pants and boots when walking in areas where snakes may be.
• If you see a snake, leave it alone.

If your child is bitten, take these steps:

• Always seek immediate medical attention.
• Move your child safely away from the snake.
• Try to keep your child and yourself calm.
• Identify the type of snake that bit the victim. If possible, take a digital photo of the snake. An effective antivenom is available for rattlesnake, cottonmouth and copperhead bites; however, it is not needed in all cases. Discuss the risks and benefits with the treating physician.
• Do not try to capture the snake. If the snake is dead, take it with you to the hospital so doctors can identify the species and use the proper antivenom. Be careful when transporting a dead snake because its reflexes can cause it to bite for several minutes after it has died.
• Remove any jewelry or constricting clothing before swelling begins.
• Keep the bitten limb level with the heart.