RespiteMatch.com Health Blog

Osteosarcoma is the most common type of bone cancer, and the sixth most common type of cancer in children. Although many different types of cancers, or malignancies, eventually spread to other parts of the skeleton, osteosarcoma is one of the few cancers that actually begins in bones and sometimes spreads elsewhere. Because osteosarcoma usually develop from osteoblasts (the cells that manufacture growing bone), it most commonly develops in teenagers who are experiencing their adolescent growth spurt. Boys are twice as likely to have osteosarcoma as girls, and most cases of osteosarcoma involve the bones around the knee. Read the rest of this entry »

The term leukemia refers to cancers of the white blood cells, which are also referred to as leukocytes or WBCs. When a child has leukemia, large numbers of abnormal white blood cells are produced in the bone marrow. These abnormal white cells crowd the bone marrow and flood the bloodstream, but they cannot perform their proper role of protecting the body against disease because they are defective. Read the rest of this entry »

Every cell in our bodies is tightly regulated with respect to growth, interaction with other cells, and even its life span. Cancer occurs when a type of cell has lost these normal control mechanisms and grows in a way that the body can no longer regulate. Different kinds of cancer have different signs, symptoms, treatments, and outcomes, depending on the type of cell involved and the degree of uncontrolled cell growth. Read the rest of this entry »

If you’ve found out that your child needs chemotherapy, you may be filled with questions and concerns about this cancer treatment. Take reassurance in this fact: Survival rates for childhood cancer have increased significantly over the past few decades because of medical and technological advancements in the field of cancer treatment. And improved drugs have become available to manage, lessen, or even prevent certain side effects of cancer treatment. Read the rest of this entry »

FRIDAY, Jan. 20 (HealthDay News) — Deleting a single gene in the brains of mice caused their memories to be affected in way that resembled schizophrenia in humans, U.S. scientists report.

Before the gene was removed, the mice were trained to use external clues to look for chocolate treats buried in sand. But after being injected with a genetically engineered virus that deleted the NR1 gene, the mice were unable to learn a similar task. Read the rest of this entry »

Fri Jan 20, 2006 9:19 AM ET

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Survivors of early-stage breast cancer generally receive good health care in the first year after they finish treatment, but not all of them get the recommended check-up mammogram, according to a new report.
Read the rest of this entry »

By LEE BOWMAN
Scripps Howard News Service
January 19, 2006

- Heard the latest dirt?

A new study suggests that the average shovel full of soil has bacteria with the potential to make the most potent antibiotic drugs worthless. But the microbes also may be key to finding new ways to avoid the growing problem of antibiotic-resistant germs. Read the rest of this entry »

To view this message as a self-running slide show with pictures, click on the link below http://greatday.com/v.html?1249h05HY6qb

THE DAILY MOTIVATOR
Friday, January 20, 2006

A bright and clear direction
+++++++++++++++++++

Are you confused about what direction to go? Then try a little gratitude.

If you’re having trouble developing a strong sense of direction, consider those things in your life for which you are most thankful. By focusing on what you truly value and appreciate about where you’ve been, you’ll be much better able to see where you want to go.
Read the rest of this entry »

To view this message as a self-running slide show with pictures, click on the link below http://greatday.com/v.html?1249h05HY6qb

THE DAILY MOTIVATOR
Friday, January 20, 2006

A bright and clear direction
+++++++++++++++++++

Are you confused about what direction to go? Then try a little gratitude.

If you’re having trouble developing a strong sense of direction, consider those things in your life for which you are most thankful. By focusing on what you truly value and appreciate about where you’ve been, you’ll be much better able to see where you want to go.
Read the rest of this entry »

Cerebral palsy (CP) is one of the most common congenital (existing before birth or at birth) disorders of childhood. About 500,000 children and adults of all ages in this country have cerebral palsy, and the overall incidence is rising because premature babies who once would have died are surviving. A preemie’s risk of cerebral palsy is much higher than that of a full-term baby. Premature babies who weigh less than 3.3 pounds (1510 grams) are up to 30 times more likely to develop cerebral palsy than full-term babies.
Read the rest of this entry »

Autism is a disorder that can affect the way a child behaves, thinks, communicates, and interacts with others. Kids with autism are affected in different ways. Some have only mild symptoms and grow up to live independently, while others have more severe symptoms and need supported living and working environments throughout their lives. Read the rest of this entry »

Spina bifida is a birth defect that involves the incomplete development of the spinal cord or its coverings. The term spina bifida comes from Latin and literally means “split” or “open” spine.

Spina bifida occurs when, at the end of the first month of pregnancy, the two sides of the embryo’s spine fail to join together, leaving an open area. In some cases, the spinal cord or other membranes may push through this opening in the embryo’s back. The condition can typically be detected before a baby is born and treated right away. Read the rest of this entry »

When a young au pair from Great Britain was charged in 1997 in the death of Matthew Eappen, an 8-month-old Massachusetts boy in her care, the case received phenomenal media coverage both in the United States and abroad. Lawyers for the prosecution and the defense waged a charged battle throughout the trial, trying to assign the blame for the baby’s death. But when it was all over, the only thing that was clear was that Matthew’s case had become one of the most publicized cases of shaken baby/shaken impact syndrome (SBS).
Read the rest of this entry »

Neurofibromatosis (NF) is a condition that causes tumors to grow on nerve tissue, producing skin and bone abnormalities. NF is often diagnosed in childhood, occasionally in infancy but usually around 3-16 years of age. The effects of the disease vary widely. Some children might live almost unaffected by the condition. Although rare, others might be severely disabled.
\\ Read the rest of this entry »

Neurocutaneous syndromes are genetic disorders that lead to abnormal growth of tumors in various parts of the body. These disorders usually first appear as skin lesions like birthmarks, but can eventually lead to tumors that affect the central nervous system and other parts of the body. While some conditions can be diagnosed at birth, others don’t produce symptoms until later in life.
Read the rest of this entry »