Archive | October 2019

National Family Partnership

 

The National Family Partnership (NFP), formerly the National Federation of Parents for Drug Free Youth, and its affiliates across America are deeply saddened by the loss of our former honorary chair, Nancy Reagan. The former First Lady was an inspiration and a catalyst for preventing generations of children from experiencing the devastating consequences of addiction.

Abuse and what it does to the child:

Most kids grow dramatically during the adolescent and teen years. Their young brains, particularly the prefrontal cortex that is used to make decisions, are growing and developing, until their mid-20’s.

Long-term drug use causes brain changes that can set people up for addiction and other problems. Once a young person is addicted, his or her brain changes so that drugs are now the top priority. He or she will compulsively seek and use drugs even though doing so brings devastating consequences to his or her life, and for those who care about him.

Alcohol can interfere with developmental processes occurring in the brain. For weeks or months after a teen stops drinking heavily, parts of the brain still struggle to work correctly. Drinking at a young age is also associated with the development of alcohol dependence later in life.

What is Addiction?

No one plans to become addicted to a drug. Instead, it begins with a single use, which can lead to abuse, which can lead to addiction.

The National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) defines addiction as:

A chronic, relapsing brain disease that is characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use, despite harmful consequences. Addiction is a brain disease because drugs change the brain’s structure and how it works. These brain changes can be long lasting, and lead to harmful behaviors seen in people who abuse drugs.

The good news is that addiction is treatable. The treatment approach to substance abuse depends on several factors, including a child’s temperament and willingness to change. It may take several attempts at treatment before a child remains drug-free.

NFP Partners: A Strong Network

National Family Partnership’s work is recognized through its growing network of nearly 100 Partners, consisting on local coalitions, PTO groups, and parent committees. NFP State and Community Partners are organizations in which parents, youth, and other volunteers share and maximize resources, information and ideas. As our network of parents strives to work in local communities, NFP will strive to support and continue to build groups at the grassroots level, serving as a resource and a national voice.

NFP Drug Prevention: What They Do

  • AWARENESS – NFP provides drug awareness by sponsoring the annual National Red Ribbon Celebration. Since its beginning in 1980s, the Red Ribbon has touched the lives of millions of people around the world. In response to the murder of DEA Agent Enrique Camarena, angered parents and youth in communities across the country began wearing Red Ribbons as a symbol of their commitment to raise awareness of the killing and destruction cause by drugs in America. In 1988, NFP sponsored the first National Red Ribbon Celebration. Today, the Red Ribbon serves as a catalyst to mobilize communities to educate youth and encourage participation in drug prevention activities.
  • ADVOCACY – NFP is active in bringing the concerns and agenda of America’s parents and families to policy makers on a local, state, and national level. Joining NFP enables parents and coalitions to have direct access to our nation’s leaders and decision makers.
  • RESOURCES – Our organization acts as a national clearinghouse of prevention literature. NFP has developed a series of prevention brochures to help educate our Partners with all the latest information on our National Campaigns such as: Lock Your Meds, Safe Homes / Safe Parties, and the Red Ribbon.

The DEA Red Ribbon Patch Program:

It is designed to provide Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts the opportunity to earn a patch from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) by engaging in anti-drug activities in celebration of Red Ribbon Week. The purpose of the Patch Program is to empower young people to engage with their community through drug-free activities and strengthen their anti-drug beliefs.

DEA will award a Red Ribbon Patch and Certificate of Participation to qualifying Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts (while supplies last)! Check out the Scout Leader Toolkit for items you’ll need to complete the program.

Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts can earn a patch.   

Celebrate Red Ribbon Week in your community or your child’s school, and raise awareness of living a drug free life. Take the opportunity to talk to your kids about drugs.

 

 

QUOTE FOR THURSDAY:

“Guillain-Barré syndrome is potentially life-threatening. People with Guillain-Barré syndrome should be treated and monitored; some may need intensive care. Treatment includes supportive care and some immunological therapies.”

World Health Organization

QUOTE FOR WEDNESDAY

“Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a rare neurological disorder in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks part of its peripheral nervous system—the network of nerves located outside of the brain and spinal cord.”

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

QUOTE FOR MONDAY:

“As incredible as it may seem in pure numbers,Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) affects up to 25% of people in the United States.  Who is likely to have NAFLD? It tends to develop in people who are overweight or obese, or have diabetes, high cholesterol or high triglycerides. Rapid weight loss and poor eating habits also may lead to NAFLD. ”

American Liver Assosiation

QUOTE FOR THE WEEKEND:

“October is SIDS Awareness Month. Many parents may have heard about sudden infant death syndrome, or SIDS, and want more information about how to reduce the risk. About 3,500 infants died of SIDS or other sleep-related deaths in the US in 2016.”

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

QUOTE FOR THURSDAY:

For  infection prevention and process improvement experts weigh-in on the 10 best strategies for prevention of infections.  3 of 10 strategies are       1 Good Hand Hygiene, 2 Good Environmental Hygiene 3 Vaccinations.

Becker’s Hospital Clinical Leadership and Infection Control

 

QUOTE FOR WEDNESDAY:

“The risk of acquiring a infection is related to the mode of transmission of the infectious agent, the type of  infection prevention control, treatment when feeling an infection or common cold coming on and the underlying patient’s host defenses (Ex. white blood cell count to fight off infection, your immunity strength…).”

The department of health

 

 

Rhinovirus

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), millions of people develop the common cold each year in the United States alone. On average, adults get two or three colds a year, and children have even more.

Many viruses can cause the common cold. Rhinoviruses are the most common cause and are responsible for more than half of all colds and cold-like illnesses.

Rhinovirus infections typically result in mild cold-like symptoms. However, rhinoviruses can also cause more severe illnesses, such as bronchitis and pneumonia, in people with weakened immune systems.

Common colds are the main reason that children miss school and adults miss work. Each year in the United States, there are millions of cases of the common cold.

How it gets in the body:

The rhinovirus enters into a humans body through the mouth, nose
or eyes.  This often occurs when someone ingests particles of
the virus that are floating in the air or touches a surface with the
virus on it and then touches his/her face. Particles enter the air through a sick person’s sneeze or cough which is why people are encouraged to
cover their mouths when carrying out these bodily functions.

Most people get colds in the winter and spring, but it is possible to get a cold any time of the year.

Symptoms usually include:

  • sore throat
  • runny nose
  • coughing
  • sneezing
  • headaches
  • body aches

When to See a Doctor:

You should call your doctor if you or your child has one or more of these conditions:

  • symptoms that last more than 10 days
  • symptoms that are severe or unusual
  • if your child is younger than 3 months of age and has a fever or is lethargic

You should also call your doctor right away if you are at high risk for serious flu complications and get flu symptoms such as fever, chills, and muscle or body aches. People at high risk for flu complications include young children (younger than 5 years old), adults 65 years and older, pregnant women, and people with certain medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, and heart disease.

Your doctor can determine if you or your child has a cold or the flu and can recommend treatment to help with symptoms.

Causes of the Common Cold:

Many different respiratory viruses can cause the common cold, but rhinoviruses are the most common. Rhinoviruses can also trigger asthma attacks and have been linked to sinus and ear infections. Other viruses that can cause colds include respiratory syncytial virus, human parainfluenza viruses, adenovirus, human coronaviruses, and human metapneumovirus.

Treatment:

Most people recover within about 7-10 days. However, people with weakened immune systems, asthma, or respiratory conditions may develop serious illness, such as bronchitis or pneumonia.

There is no cure for a cold. To feel better, you should get lots of rest and drink plenty of fluids. Over-the-counter medicines may help ease symptoms but will not make your cold go away any faster. Always read the label and use medications as directed. Talk to your doctor before giving your child nonprescription cold medicines, since some medicines contain ingredients that are not recommended for children. Learn more about symptom relief of upper respiratory infections, including colds.

Antibiotics will not help you recover from a cold caused by a respiratory virus. They do not work against viruses, and they may make it harder for your body to fight future bacterial infections if you take them unnecessarily.

QUOTE FOR MONDAY:

“Metastasis is the spread of cancer cells to new areas of the body, often by way of the lymph system or bloodstream. A metastatic cancer, or metastatic tumor, is one that has spread from the primary site of origin, or where it started, into different areas of the body.  The liver, lungs, lymph nodes and bones are common areas of metastasis.”

Cancer Treatments of America