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Newsymail 1999
Date: Sun, 11 Apr 1999 07:02:29 -0500
I am starting a news letter coming out every week or two with a quick
article of interest. Short and interesting. Email me if you want off the list.
Dr. Knapp
Several recent studies have suggested that sunscreens may actually increase
the risk of skin cancer. A new European study suggests how this may happen.
Researchers in 4 cities conducted nevi counts on 631 children in primary
schools. (A high acquired nevi count is a strong predictor of melanoma in
adults.) Parents were interviewed about sun exposure, sunscreen use, and
physical sun protection of their children. After adjustment for eye color, sun
exposure, and other factors, the children with the highest levels of sunscreen
use also had the highest nevi counts. Those with the fewest nevi were those
who most often wore sun-protective clothing. The results suggest that parents
become cavalier about a child's sun exposure when using a high-SPF sunscreen.
Children may be better off wearing sun-protective clothing. Autier P, Dore
J-F, Cattaruzza MS, et al. Sunscreen use, wearing clothes, and number of nevi
in 6- to 7-year-old European children. J Natl Cancer Inst. 1998;90:1873-1880.
Date: Sun, 18 Apr 1999 07:34:48 -0500
Acid heart burn, stomach pain, and ulcers are frequently caused by an
infection by a germ called H. pylori. There is a test for it although not
highly accurate. If the infection is treated, your acid and stomach symptoms
are gone for years and sometimes forever. This happens in children too. One
thinks of this if the usual stomach aches of childhood are more frequent and
more severe.
Dr. Knapp
Date: Sun, 25 Apr 1999 22:21:49 -0500
Did you know the most common way to get rabies is from bats? You cannot
feel the bite!!! If you or anyone you know finds a bat in the house, everyone
in the house should get rabies shots. Rabies shots now are only 4 shots in the
arm... not 21 in the stomach.
Dr. Knapp
Date: Sun, 2 May 1999 00:42:30 -0500
You can lower your cholesterol only small amounts with exercise and diet.
There is a medication Lipitor or similar brand that will lower it to 150s and
you will live longer with less heart attacks and strokes ... with no side
effects. It is also for teens with high cholesterol. We test teen's
cholesterol if the family has high values. Also be sure to take aspirin and
antioxidant vitamins for less cancer and heart attack death.
Dr. Knapp
Date: Sat, 8 May 1999 19:54:09 -0500
Misconceptions to hits on the head. 1. The goose egg is blood. Ice does not
help any more than quick application of pressure with your hand for 2 minutes.
2. One frequently vomits once after a blow to the head, watch for repeated
vomiting. 3. It is OK to go to sleep but wake them up every 1-2 hours to be
sure they are not in a coma. 4. You do not have to watch the pupils, they
change after coma occurs. Watch for a "drunken state". That is more
worrisome and call for help with that.
Dr. Knapp
Date: Sun, 16 May 1999 21:58:53 -0500
Fever is our friend. Fever does not harm children or adults. 105 does not
cause brain damage like they said in the old days. In fact high temp kills the
germs and is God's way of helping us fight off the infection. Give fever
medication to feel better but it is not necessary to prevent it.
Dr. Knapp
Date: Sat, 22 May 1999 11:47:47 -0500
Trampoline injuries are 84,000 a year = fractured arms, legs and necks. One
a year die. Injuries are most common with multiple jumpers. Most do not
recommend them. I still do not recommend them but there is one for sale now at
Sams with a wall around the edge so they can't fall off.
Dr. Knapp
Date: Sun, 30 May 1999 23:15:19 -0500
Did you know patients who were put on Tagamet for ulcers, that 40% of them
lost all their warts?!!! Freezing them half of them recur. Now Tagamet is a
treatment for them and it is over the counter. The treatment for them is a
high but safe dose of 20 mg for each pound of body weight three times a day.
So a 40 lb child would get 800 mg three times a day. That would be the maximum
and not more than 800 three times a day. That is higher than the adult dose on
the bottle but the label dose is too low and most adults should take more. See article at web site for more information:
www.rogerknapp.com
Dr. Knapp
Date: Mon, 7 Jun 1999 21:50:36 -0500
If your feet sweat alot and there is odor and fungus, you can stop your
feet from sweating like you do your underarms. use antiperspirant that you use
on the underarms and use it on the feet after the bath. No sweat and then no
odor or athlete's feet.
Dr. Knapp
Date: Sat, 12 Jun 1999 13:57:56 -0500
What is the number one cause of death in the home? It is not guns or fire.
Not even heart attacks or allergies. It is falls!!!!!. So be careful when
climbing up on anything. Ladders or roofs. Tie a rope around your waist when up on the roof.
Dr. Knapp
Date: Sat, 19 Jun 1999 21:03:18 -0500
Head lice are becoming resistant to the lice shampoos. If your child (or
you) has them, try the shampoo Rid and rinse with Nix. If it does not phase
them, then the cure is to suffocate them with Vasceline in the hair. YUK! But
is works. Apply all over to hair and scalp and put a shower cap on them over
night. Then start trying to wash it all out. Repeat in 1 week. This will work.
You also can try Olive oil. (virgin of course). I do not know if it works on
pubic lice (another yuk.) Ask the adult doctors.
Dr. Knapp
Date: Sun, 4 Jul 1999 06:38:45 -0500
Acne can be caused by makeup in teenagers or adults. Ladies need to use
makeup that is "noncomedogenic". It should not have Isopropyl
isostearate, Isopropyl myristate, or Isopropyl palmitate.
Dr. Knapp
Date: Tue, 13 Jul 1999 06:43:44 -0500
Infant shoes did not prevent flat feet in large studies. So now we
recommend any well fitted shoe. Those tennis shoes are cute. If you are going
to have flat feet, then that is the way they are made. If the feet hurt then
special shoes will help with comfort but not cure it. Kids with flat feet need these in their teens or adult years.
Dr. Knapp
Date: Sun, 18 Jul 1999 21:47:40 -0500
We worry when our children gain too much weight. It is not healthy. Cut
back the TV and video game time to decrease that tendency. But getting them to
lose is dificult. They have to want to lose. We usually do not see an adult
woman lose weight for her husband, she will lose it so she can wear those
clothes and look nice. The child will not lose it for us. They will lose it
when they want to look nice for someone. If the whole family "eats
healthy" it will help. The parent is to encourage and be there with
information when they are ready, but not to be the police and make them not
eat, because they will behind your back anyway. THEY have to want to lose.
Dr. Knapp
Date: Sat, 31 Jul 1999 21:24:42 -0500
Test to see if someone has appendicitis or just stomach pain. Anything that
jiggles the stomach contents will cause pain if there is appendicitis, just as
it does after an operation.
The two best tests are: 1. have the person cough and there will be a
grimace on their face indicating pain. You do not want to ask them if it
hurts, just read the face expresions. Especially if it is a child. 2. have the
person lie flat on the bed and pound solidly on the bottom of one of their
feet. That will jiggle the stomach and cause stomach pain. Watch the face for
the grimace that it hurt and ask the person where it hurt. Again do not lead
them into the answer but let them tell you if it hurt and where. If these
cause abdominal pain, then the doctor needs to see them.
Dr. Knapp
Date: Sat, 7 Aug 1999 21:41:30 -0500
Animal bites are bad in children (or adults) so be careful of your and
other family's pets. Dog bites are more scaring. Cat and Ferret bites get more
infected. Irrigate with a forceful stream of water, use betadine (it does not
sting), don't use hydrogen peroxide, and if if looks infected, see the doctor
for antibiotics like Augmenten.
Dr. Knapp
Date: Sat, 14 Aug 1999 15:17:46 -0500
Ever hear of the Hunta Virus. Very deadly. On the increase this year in
Colorado, New Mexico, Idaho, California, Arizona, Montana, Washington St. and
even New York. It probably is in other states but not recognized or the mice
soon migrating there. The germ is in the droppings of mice (esp. Dear Mice.)
Caution when camping or cleaning out areas where there are droppings or nests.
Date: Sat, 21 Aug 1999 22:24:34 -0500
Ear wax is yucky but not harmful. To clean it out do not use q-tips. Put
wax softener med from store (Debrox, ceruminex, Etc) and after 15 min flush
the ear canal with body temperature water. This will not cause pain but a
roaring sound. Some use a water pic for the teeth to irrigate the ear. It will
not cause infections if clean tap water. Some put hydrogen peroxide in their
ear to clean it out. Then there is a Ear Wax wick candle that has a long tube
and you actually light the end of it. WOW. I have'nt tried it but many think
it works for teens and adults. What ever!!!
Dr. Knapp
Date: Sun, 29 Aug 1999 22:04:50 -0500
Following your children's height and weight is fun but also important.
There are diseases that cause the height to stop going up or the weight to
decrease before other symptoms occur. Thyroid disease, growth hormone, and
Colitis are a few. There is a new drug for ulcerative colitis called Remicade
that is great. So keep those measurements each year.
Dr. Knapp
Date: Mon, 6 Sep 1999 20:29:52 -0500
There were only 100 cases of Measles in 1998 and less this year. Most are
related to imported cases from other countries. Polio has been eliminated from
North and South America. Small Pox has been eliminated from the world ... gone
like the dinosaur. Vaccinations are great and do have extremely rare
complications as you will read in the news and internet. It is still important
to get them. I have not seen Meningitis in 9 years and now so rare you hear
about it in the news ... because it is rare. It went from 10,000 to now less
that 50. Half are brain damaged and 10% die with medical care. we are trying
to make them even more safe. Ignore the fanaticals and continue getting
vaccinated.
Dr. Knapp
Date: Sun, 12 Sep 1999 22:09:54 -0500
Parents and caregivers continue to underestimate the risk of infant
suffocation from beds, bedding, plastic bags or bedsharing, according to
researchers who reviewed 2178 suffocation cases occurring between 1980 and
1997. They found an increase in the most frequent causes of infant
suffocation: wedging between a bed and mattress or wall, and obstruction of
the nose and mouth. Wedging occurred primarily in 3- to 6-month-old infants
who had begun to develop mobility. Of those with nose and mouth obstruction,
80% were less than 7 months old. The researchers concluded that for an infants
best protection, parents should make sure cribs comply with safety standards
and are properly maintained.
Dr. Knapp
Date: Sun, 19 Sep 1999 22:45:39 -0500
Influenza can be serious. 50% of those who have the Flu seek medical care;
1% of these patients are hospitalized, and 8% of those hospitalized die. This
equates to 25,000 deaths each year. Or even worse would be to miss a week of
work/school. Be sure to have the adults and teens get their flu shots.
Children who have lung (asthma) and heart problems should also get them.
Dr. Knapp
Date: Sun, 26 Sep 1999 19:51:17 -0500
Meningococcus is a germ that causes serious blood infections and
meningitis. They have high fever and rash. It literally can kill in hours.
Thank goodness it's rare. Most cases are in 0-4 yr olds. It also hits young
adults 16-24, although any age can get it. There is a 80% effective vaccine
for it and only given to those in an area of outbreak. Recent recommendations
to vaccinate all college students was reported, but the rate of disease was
only 2 times as much as non college students and still quite rare. You may
hear about this on the news. Most authorities still do not recommend
vaccinating all college students. You will hear about it if there is a change.
Beware of fever, extreme weakness, and small cherry red dots all over. (No you
don't get it from eating cherries).
Dr. Knapp
Date: Sun, 3 Oct 1999 22:49:12 -0500
Antioxidants like Vit C, Vit E, and Betacerotene have been proven to
decrease heart disease and cancer. You should take them. Large studies showed
that Vit C does not do anything for Colds, but give it to your children to
decrease cancer. Most kids should take Vitamins and adults too. We just don't
have time to eat like we should and if we eat less meat we do not get enough
Iron and Zinc.
Dr. Knapp
Date: Mon, 11 Oct 1999 21:46:41 -0500
Stereo earphones for music can be dangerous to your hearing. High pitched
sound does far more damage than the deep base, window shaking, tones you hear
from the teenage cars. Monitor the volume of your children's earphones. I feel
that wearing the ear phones during normal times that the family interacts (
such as eating, sitting around the house, driving in the car, shoping in the
stores) causes the child to "divorce" themselves from the family
psychologically. They do not desire to communicate or understand what others
around them are doing, feeling, or thinking. Many adult morals and characters
are transmitted to children by the parents talking about these topics and the
child overhearing them. This is more effective than lecturing to their face.
Earphones should be worn when no one else is with them. For example walking
alone, mowing lawns, or alone in the room. Also watch out, monitor, and
approve what music they are playing. Do not be afraid to tell them they cannot
listen to certain music. If the overall tone and sounds of the music sounds
like "hate" instead of upbeat "happier" music, it will
affect their attitudes just like watching violent movies.
Dr. Knapp
Date: Sun, 17 Oct 1999 20:30:10 -0500
Inhalent abuse is more common that you think. They use gasoline, lighter
fluid, butane, propane, sprays, aerosols, glue, solvents, amyl nitrite, ether,
nitrous oxide, and cleaning fluids. they start as young as 10 years old. Most
deaths occur in when they are alone in the bedroom. Watch for used containers,
chemical oder on their breath, or acting drunk without alcohol breath, nausea
and loss of appetite, anxiety, irritability, red or runny eyes or nose, spots
or sores on mouth or lips, paint or stains on body or clothes. Inhaling fumes
preceeds cigarettes and drugs by 2 years. Always be observant and know what
your kids are doing.
Dr. Knapp
Date: Tue, 26 Oct 1999 07:11:29 -0500
Yes we still take out tonsils but not as much as we used to do. Indications
are: if there are 6 tonsillitis in one year or 3/yr over a 4 year period, if
there is an abscess behind the tonsil, if there is speech difficulties, if
there is poor weight gain, and the most common is: if there is sleep apnea
(stop breathing). There is a mortality to the procedure and there are
complications to the operation. So the tonsils have to give you allot of
trouble to warrant the risk. We don't do it just because it is big. (I'm
talking about tonsils.)
Dr. Knapp
Date: Sun, 31 Oct 1999 19:38:32 -0600
Children are bowlegged the first year or two and knock kneed around 6 years
old and straight by teens. This is a normal transition.
Dr. Knapp
Date: Sun, 7 Nov 1999 15:19:26 -0600
We are always asked to look at Moles to see if they might be Melanoma. Here
are pictures that will demonstrate it. Look for the deep redness around
invading surrounding skin, as well as it becoming more black.
Dr. Knapp
Date: Sun, 21 Nov 1999 23:32:29 -0600
Children below 5 years old can get an infection of the skin around the anus
that causes sorness, itching, and refusal to have BMs. If there are symptoms
and redness of the skin around the anus, you might have your doctor look at
it. (Not our fun thing to do!) It can be cured by antibiotics.
Dr. Knapp
Date: Sun, 28 Nov 1999 17:31:32 -0600
Diarrhea can be caused by several things in children. Teething if past 1
year old and only for 2-3 days. Allergy to food or milk. Something they ate
(grass, dead bug, dog food or worse) and this is only for 2-3 days too.
Infection .... esp. Giardia. It causes diarrhea for weeks without a normal BM.
And it is contageous. If they have diarrhea for more than a week, you need to
see the Pediatrician. It is contageous and can be treated.
Dr. Knapp
Date: Sun, 5 Dec 1999 17:32:33 -0600
Bed wetting is a common problem. 10% in 6yr olds, 35 in jr high, and 15 in
20yr olds. It is a phase of sleep and the person cannot help it. There is a
medication called ADDAP that keeps patients (over 5 yr.) dry that night that
they take the medication. It will not "cure" it. There also is an
alarm bell device that helps for older children over 7 years old. This stops
the bed wetting but does not work in everyone. If you want to look into it:
http://members.aol.com/DryNite/index.html or search for "bedwetting
alarms"
Date: Thu, 16 Dec 1999 06:07:58 -0600
Watch out for the poisonous plants this time of year: Mistle toe and red berries in the bushes outside.
Date: Sun, 19 Dec 1999 19:53:15 -0600
Colic! Baby cries alot for a few hours in the evenings between 6 and
midnight. It is not gas, and the gas medications usually do not help. You can
call for Levsin Drops for cramps and see if it helps, which it sometimes does.
One can try a different formula and rarely it helps. Mostly we just rock them
or put them into the swing. This stops between 2 and 3 months.
Dr. Knapp
Date: Mon, 27 Dec 1999 06:07:33 -0600
I get alot of questions about allowances. I feel children should have a few
responsibilities that are performed no matter what. They also need to learn
money management. So an allowance that is not connected to performance and not
withdrawn for punishment, can be given every week. ( Punishment can be
forfeting some money after you give it to them?) An amount big enough to be
important ($1 is nothing) but not so big they can get anything and have
leftover $. They need to save for the big things. They will find that buying
that cheap flimsy thing breaks ... by example. Not by your fussing at them and
not allowing them to buy it. Let them buy anything that is not immoral, or
illegal. They can earn extra money by doing extra chores around the house that
is not their usual ones. You and I have made mistakes with our money and so
will they. It is a learning thing!!!
Dr. Knapp
