Latest news with #PANDAS
Global News
a day ago
- Health
- Global News
Black mould forces Alberta family out of their home
Since May, the Garber family has been living in a fifth wheel, even though their house appears fine. Kelsey said their whole world fell apart after their house tested positive for black mould. 'We had four types of toxic mould. Our worse numbers were in our dirt basement, which is where our furnace is and so then it is circulating through out the house,' Kelsey said. 'We knew we would find something. Our house is 103 years old; it has a dirt basement.' Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "We knew we would find something. Our house is 103 years old; it has a dirt basement." The family is the fourth generation to be living in the house near Foremost, Alta. Kelsey could not have predicted the devastating effects of black mould. Throughout the years, the family had symptoms but none of them seemed to line up. They all experienced fatigue and red eyes. Story continues below advertisement Kelsey said she would get vertigo every spring, while her husband had a cough since the day she's met him. Her kids are also greatly affected. Thirteen year-old Payten has had neurological problems, and was diagnosed with PANDAS, an autoimmune disorder. Ten-year-old Dylan was constantly having stomach pains and bladder issues that appeared to be a urinary tract infection, but tests always came back negative. The list goes on for all of them. Now they are out of house, they are noticing some of the symptoms are lifting but it's unclear if all of them will go away. Get weekly health news Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday. Sign up for weekly health newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'There are so many symptoms and they didn't make sense and we all had different ones.' Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "There are so many symptoms and they didn't make sense and we all had different ones." Kelsey said they thought about testing for mould but it can cost more than $1500, and they kept putting it off. 'The guilt is unreal, because it is some we had thought about and talked about for years,' Kelsey said. She said some of the symptoms would go away during the warmer months, but it makes sense now because the furnace would be off. Insurance won't cover the house or the contents because it's considered an ongoing issue. The Insurance Bureau of Canada said mould growth happens over time caused by a damp environment. Story continues below advertisement 'Insurance covers specific perils, fire, wind, hail, etc. and does not cover a damp or moist environment that has likely been that way for some time,' IBC media relations manager Brett Weltman said in an email. Rainbow Restoration's Adam Scranton specializes in removing black mould. He said they get about three calls daily about these concerns. He said he hasn't seen many cases as bad as the Garbers'. 'A lot of our experience is not what you're seeing, it's what you're not seeing,' Scranton said. Scranton said if you see even a little bit of mould in an area like a baseboard, if you pull it away there is likely a lot of mould hidden. 'It can form anywhere but the major areas are bathrooms, furnace rooms, anywhere there's lot of development of water and also not a lot of air movement.' He said keeping humidity levels between 30 and 50 helps, as well as keeping blinds open so windows don't trap moisture and even keeping furniture away from the walls can prevent it. He said it's usually isolated to individual rooms. Scranton also said symptoms will appear like heavy coughing and flareups of asthma. What's next The Garbers aren't sure when they will be able to have a new home, but they are getting some help. Kelsey said it's overwhelming to see the support they've had from strangers, community members, friends and family. People coming to drop off meals and offer messages of support have gone a long way. Story continues below advertisement An online fundraiser was set up and it raised nearly $20,000 to help them start over. 'Our miracle goal is to have (a home) by winter, everything takes time,' Kelsey said. Kelsey said they will likely have to sell some farm equipment and other items to have enough for a down payment, but they plan to stay on their farm for years to come. The Garbers want to pay it forward and are donating their house to the fire department. 'They are going to come train with it for a month and hopefully that helps some else if there's a house fire,' Kelsey said. She noted that because Foremost is a small community there aren't fires daily, and this training could go a long way. 'A house is just a house, home is where your heart is and our home is with our family, our friends, our neighbours,' Kelsey said.
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
17 Health "Lies" Parents Still Believe (But Really Shouldn't), According To Pediatricians
We recently asked pediatricians and other medical professionals of the BuzzFeed Community to tell us the health "lies" and mistakes more parents should know for their kids. Here are their eye-opening responses: 1."My cousin is a pediatrician. This is her list: You don't need antibiotics for every sneeze, sniffle, and cough. Most upper respiratory infections are viral, not bacterial, and handing out antibiotics for such is how we ended up with MRSA and other resistant bugs." "Let it run its course by resting and staying hydrated and fed." —superwittyusername 2."Formula is safe and healthy for babies, and it is the mother's choice if she wants to formula feed. She needs no reason other than preference." —superwittyusername 3."Yes — let them get dirty, play in the mud and the rain, make sand castles out of dirt, etc. Kids living in sterile bubbles may not develop a strong immune system as adolescents and adults compared to those who 'make messes.'" —superwittyusername 4."Watch how much milk your kids are drinking, especially as a toddler. Excess milk intake inhibits your gut from absorbing iron and can make kiddos anemic. I've seen 3-year-olds drinking 2 to 3 gallons of milk a week come in with a hemoglobin of 2 and have to get blood transfusions." "And along those lines, if a toddler has a bottle/cup in their crib at night, only put water in it. The milk sits on their teeth and has sugars, which can lead to cavities." —Anonymous, 33, West Virginia 5."It's common for parents to believe that you can tell that a child has strep just by looking in their throats. Strep throat (caused by group A Streptococcus bacteria) can sometimes cause obvious signs like really red tonsils, white patches (exudate), or tiny red spots on the roof of the mouth (petechiae). BUT many other viruses can cause similar symptoms — like red throat, swollen tonsils, even white patches — and aren't strep. Some kids with confirmed strep infections can even have very mild-looking throats without much redness." "On the flip side, a throat that looks really bad could still be from a mono, COVID-19, or adenovirus, not strep. The only way to know for sure is with a strep test, and if your child has strep, they need to be on antibiotics. Strep is far more dangerous than people realize (look up the PANDAS diagnosis)." —Anonymous, 41, Massachusetts 6."Anything below 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit is not a fever. It doesn't matter what you 'usually run' or if you have a low normal body temperature — 100.4 is the number." —Anonymous, 33, USA Related: 20 People Opened Up About The Self-Care Tips They Wish They Knew Sooner And It's All The Advice You've Been Looking For 7."Use proper terminology for body parts, always. It's a vagina, not a cookie or a peekaboo. It's a penis, testicles, breasts, etc. These aren't bad words and could save your child the fear associated with their body as they grow up, not to mention the horror of trying to explain SA to someone who doesn't know their terminology for the body parts affected." "(Ex: 'He touched my cookie' vs. "He touched my vagina.' Yeah, I know it's technically vulva, but to a 6-year-old, in that moment, it doesn't matter.)" —superwittyusername 8."STOP with the delayed and/or scientifically incorrect sex education. Parents need to take responsibility for making sure their kids learn about puberty, bodily autonomy, and consent (in sexual and non-sexual situations) BEFORE they encounter that information in the real world. Be non-judgmental (and get over your own icks first)." "Teach it early and with scientific accuracy (don't be afraid to use the anatomically correct words for things, like penis and vagina). If this is done right, it will lay the groundwork for kids to have a healthy relationship with their bodies, empower them with knowledge about a basic human function, remove some of the shame/embarrassment surrounding these topics, give them the terminology to express themselves, AND create long-term trusting communication between them and the parents who educated them." —Anonymous, 38, New York 9."There is little to no nutritional benefit to juice; it increases the risk of obesity and cavities, and when introduced under the age of 5 years old, it leads to picky eating." —Anonymous Related: 20 Women Are Sharing The Actual Symptoms Of Menopause, And I Can't Believe It But I Actually Haven't Heard Of Most Of These Before 10."Myth: That we are giving out antibiotics just because! I work in a NICU; if your baby is on antibiotics, it's because they have an infection." —Anonymous 11."Myth: Educational apps and videos are important to early development. Spending focused time with your child, even a little at a time, is so important to early development. Please don't just hand them a phone or iPad!" —Anonymous, 59, New York "Screen time is associated with developmental delay and behavioral issues. Please don't give a screen before bed. Stationary bodies don't mend calm brains!" —Anonymous 12."Sugar doesn't cause hyperactivity." —superwittyusername 13."Honestly, it's a lie that there is a 'right way' to do many things. Parents get a lot of friends, family, and influencers who tell them that a certain method is the best way to feed, sleep train, potty train, etc., and it causes parents to feel guilt and shame if it doesn't work for their family. A lot of parenting is figuring out the mix of strategies that work best for each child. Even siblings can respond differently to different parenting techniques." "It's okay if you're figuring it out as you go instead of following a popular trend — most parents are, just not the loudest ones." —Anonymous, 34, Michigan 14."Your child does not need vitamins so long as they have a healthy, varied diet." "Also, your child getting sick constantly may likely be a normal variant and not an immune problem. Kids get 8–12 infections a year." —Anonymous 15."Vaccines save lives!!!! They are one of the most significant things that have helped reduce death, disease, and health care costs! As well as increase the average life span." —Anonymous "Vaccines don't cause autism. However, vaccine-preventable diseases can cause death and permanent disability." —Anonymous 16."Establishing mealtime routines is essential to raising a non-picky eater. Sit at the table as a family, cook together, and eat a rainbow of colors. Do not make your kitchen a restaurant; cook one thing for the whole unit, and have a consistent time for dinner. When kids get to eat whenever they feel like it, they never end up feeling quite hungry or full. Understanding your body's signals and sensations is essential for appetite and toileting." —Anonymous, 44, Arizona And finally... 17."I'm a peds nurse. Other than not vaccinating your children, another huge mistake is not treating asthma more seriously. We have children come to the ER/hospital almost monthly with asthma exacerbation. Parents reek of cigarette/weed smoke, prescriptions don't get filled (we know), and more importantly, their medications are not given. The most important thing is a controller, which they take every single day, even when feeling fine. It prevents hospital visits." "Asthma can kill your kid, and I wish they took it much more seriously." —Anonymous, 38, Canada Fellow pediatricians and medical professionals, what are other health "lies" and mistakes more parents should know? Tell us in the comments, or use this anonymous form below. Also in Goodful: 19 Wholesome Posts I Saw This Week That Were So Cute, They Legitimately Put Me In A Happier Mood Also in Goodful: Doctors Are Sharing The "I Can't Believe I Need To Explain This To You" Convos They've Had With Adults, And I Can't Believe These Are Actually Real Also in Goodful: "I Didn't Discover It Until My 40s": Adults Over 40 Are Sharing The Life-Altering Habits They Wish They'd Formed When They Were Way Younger
Buzz Feed
03-05-2025
- Health
- Buzz Feed
17 Health "Lies" Parents Still Believe (But Really Shouldn't), According To Pediatricians
We recently asked pediatricians and other medical professionals of the BuzzFeed Community to tell us the health "lies" and mistakes more parents should know for their kids. Here are their eye-opening responses: 1. "My cousin is a pediatrician. This is her list: You don't need antibiotics for every sneeze, sniffle, and cough. Most upper respiratory infections are viral, not bacterial, and handing out antibiotics for such is how we ended up with MRSA and other resistant bugs." "Let it run its course by resting and staying hydrated and fed." — superwittyusername 2. "Formula is safe and healthy for babies, and it is the mother's choice if she wants to formula feed. She needs no reason other than preference." — superwittyusername 3. "Yes — let them get dirty, play in the mud and the rain, make sand castles out of dirt, etc. Kids living in sterile bubbles may not develop a strong immune system as adolescents and adults compared to those who 'make messes.'" — superwittyusername 4. "Watch how much milk your kids are drinking, especially as a toddler. Excess milk intake inhibits your gut from absorbing iron and can make kiddos anemic. I've seen 3-year-olds drinking 2 to 3 gallons of milk a week come in with a hemoglobin of 2 and have to get blood transfusions." "And along those lines, if a toddler has a bottle/cup in their crib at night, only put water in it. The milk sits on their teeth and has sugars, which can lead to cavities." —Anonymous, 33, West Virginia 5. "It's common for parents to believe that you can tell that a child has strep just by looking in their throats. Strep throat (caused by group A Streptococcus bacteria) can sometimes cause obvious signs like really red tonsils, white patches (exudate), or tiny red spots on the roof of the mouth (petechiae). BUT many other viruses can cause similar symptoms — like red throat, swollen tonsils, even white patches — and aren't strep. Some kids with confirmed strep infections can even have very mild-looking throats without much redness." "On the flip side, a throat that looks really bad could still be from a mono, COVID-19, or adenovirus, not strep. The only way to know for sure is with a strep test, and if your child has strep, they need to be on antibiotics. Strep is far more dangerous than people realize (look up the PANDAS diagnosis)." —Anonymous, 41, Massachusetts 6. "Anything below 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit is not a fever. It doesn't matter what you 'usually run' or if you have a low normal body temperature — 100.4 is the number." —Anonymous, 33, USA 7. "Use proper terminology for body parts, always. It's a vagina, not a cookie or a peekaboo. It's a penis, testicles, breasts, etc. These aren't bad words and could save your child the fear associated with their body as they grow up, not to mention the horror of trying to explain SA to someone who doesn't know their terminology for the body parts affected." "(Ex: 'He touched my cookie' vs. "He touched my vagina.' Yeah, I know it's technically vulva, but to a 6-year-old, in that moment, it doesn't matter.)" — superwittyusername 8. "STOP with the delayed and/or scientifically incorrect sex education. Parents need to take responsibility for making sure their kids learn about puberty, bodily autonomy, and consent (in sexual and non-sexual situations) BEFORE they encounter that information in the real world. Be non-judgmental (and get over your own icks first)." "Teach it early and with scientific accuracy (don't be afraid to use the anatomically correct words for things, like penis and vagina). If this is done right, it will lay the groundwork for kids to have a healthy relationship with their bodies, empower them with knowledge about a basic human function, remove some of the shame/embarrassment surrounding these topics, give them the terminology to express themselves, AND create long-term trusting communication between them and the parents who educated them." —Anonymous, 38, New York 9. "There is little to no nutritional benefit to juice; it increases the risk of obesity and cavities, and when introduced under the age of 5 years old, it leads to picky eating." —Anonymous 10. "Myth: That we are giving out antibiotics just because! I work in a NICU; if your baby is on antibiotics, it's because they have an infection." —Anonymous 11. "Myth: Educational apps and videos are important to early development. Spending focused time with your child, even a little at a time, is so important to early development. Please don't just hand them a phone or iPad!" —Anonymous, 59, New York " Screen time is associated with developmental delay and behavioral issues. Please don't give a screen before bed. Stationary bodies don't mend calm brains!" —Anonymous 13. "Honestly, it's a lie that there is a 'right way' to do many things. Parents get a lot of friends, family, and influencers who tell them that a certain method is the best way to feed, sleep train, potty train, etc., and it causes parents to feel guilt and shame if it doesn't work for their family. A lot of parenting is figuring out the mix of strategies that work best for each child. Even siblings can respond differently to different parenting techniques." " It's okay if you're figuring it out as you go instead of following a popular trend — most parents are, just not the loudest ones." —Anonymous, 34, Michigan 14. "Your child does not need vitamins so long as they have a healthy, varied diet." "Also, your child getting sick constantly may likely be a normal variant and not an immune problem. Kids get 8–12 infections a year." —Anonymous 15. "Vaccines save lives!!!! They are one of the most significant things that have helped reduce death, disease, and health care costs! As well as increase the average life span." —Anonymous " Vaccines don't cause autism. However, vaccine-preventable diseases can cause death and permanent disability." —Anonymous 16. "Establishing mealtime routines is essential to raising a non-picky eater. Sit at the table as a family, cook together, and eat a rainbow of colors. Do not make your kitchen a restaurant; cook one thing for the whole unit, and have a consistent time for dinner. When kids get to eat whenever they feel like it, they never end up feeling quite hungry or full. Understanding your body's signals and sensations is essential for appetite and toileting." —Anonymous, 44, Arizona And finally... 17. "I'm a peds nurse. Other than not vaccinating your children, another huge mistake is not treating asthma more seriously. We have children come to the ER/hospital almost monthly with asthma exacerbation. Parents reek of cigarette/weed smoke, prescriptions don't get filled (we know), and more importantly, their medications are not given. The most important thing is a controller, which they take every single day, even when feeling fine. It prevents hospital visits." "Asthma can kill your kid, and I wish they took it much more seriously." —Anonymous, 38, Canada Fellow pediatricians and medical professionals, what are other health "lies" and mistakes more parents should know? Tell us in the comments, or use this anonymous form below.
Associated Press
03-04-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
PANDAS Physicians Network Awards Funding to the Agalliu Lab for Immune Mediated OCD, PANDAS/PANS Research
This research will provide important insights into how the immune system and inflammation affect brain function, particularly in children with PANDAS/PANS. MOORESVILLE, NC, UNITED STATES, April 3, 2025 / / -- The PANDAS Physicians Network is pleased to award funding to the Agalliu Lab in the Department of Neurology at Columbia University Irving Medical Center. This award will enhance our understanding of how the adaptive and innate immune systems contribute to post-infectious sequelae in the brain. Through whole exome sequencing of children with PANDAS, researchers in the lab of Dr. Dritan Agalliu identified RXRA as a potential genetic risk factor for the disease. This award will support an ongoing study conducted by Dr. Uğur Akcan which will provide insight into the mechanisms by which the RXRA genetic risk factor identified in children with PANDAS affects the immune responses that triggers immune-mediated neuropsychological changes, including obsessive-compulsive behaviors. According to Dr. Akcan, 'Our research will provide important insights into how the immune system and inflammation affect brain function, particularly in children with PANDAS/PANS. It underscores the importance of studying the neuroimmune axis, which connects the immune system and the brain, as a vital area of biomedical research. The findings challenge the traditional focus on neurons alone in psychiatric disorders. Instead, they emphasize the role of other central nervous system (CNS) cells, particularly those governing immune functions, in the development of neuropsychiatric symptoms after infections. Moreover, the study highlights that microglia, the brain's immune protectors, are crucial players in the development of behavioral abnormalities seen in post-infectious obsessive-compulsive disorders. This research also points to genetic risk factors like RXRA mutations as potential contributors to psychiatric disorders, including obsessive-compulsive disorders.' We celebrate the continued excellence from the Agalliu Lab and congratulate Dr. Agalliu and Dr. Akcan on their accomplishments. CLICK HERE to learn more about this work and contribute to the Agalliu Lab. PANDAS Physicians Network (PPN) is a non-profit organization that provides PANS/PANDAS resources to clinicians while supporting research. Our vision is that PANS/PANDAS will become easily diagnosed and treated with accessible therapies that dramatically reduce suffering and lead to a cure. Learn more at X Instagram YouTube Legal Disclaimer:
