Note to media: To reach the media contacts for any of these health news tips, call the Office of News and Publications at 214-648-3404.

AS SCHOOL NEARS, DON’T FORGET TO UPDATE THE KIDS’ SHOTS

With the first day of school just around the corner, it’s the perfect time for parents to make sure their children have been immunized, say pediatricians at UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas.

“Keeping children and teens up to date on their vaccines keeps them healthy by preventing serious diseases not only in themselves but also in those around them who may not be protected,” says Dr. Jane Siegel a pediatric infectious disease expert.

Without vaccines, the incidences of preventable childhood diseases such as polio, measles and mumps could rise. Unvaccinated kids would be susceptible to the diseases, which in severe cases could be life threatening. Parents should consult their children’s doctor for a vaccine schedule.

Media Contact: Staishy Bostick Siem

WHEN TEENS’ BOREDOM AND MOODINESS TURN SERIOUS

Do you have a teen-ager who’s bored and moody this summer?

Dr. Graham Emslie, director of child and adolescent psychiatry at UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, says that some of these teens may be “more than moody.”

The psychiatrist says depression is a problem with more adolescents than most people realize. Studies indicate as many as 3.5 million children and teenagers suffer from depression; some 400,000 of them make serious suicide attempts each year.

Dr. Emslie says parents should be aware of possible warning signs: negative mood changes, sleeping too much or too little, appetite change, or a lack of enjoyment in things he or she usually enjoys, including spending time with friends.

If you think your child may have a problem, get professional help, says Dr. Emslie.

“Remember that depression is a medical condition – and a dangerous one.”

Media Contact: Susan Morrison

DIABETES CONTROL SHOULD INCLUDE A HEALTHY DIET, EXERCISE

Maintaining good blood glucose levels should not be the only concern for people with diabetes, says Dr. Larissa Aviles-Santa, assistant professor of internal medicine at UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas.

“While individuals with diabetes may control blood glucose levels with medication, if they are overweight they will still have chronic health problems that will affect the cardiovascular system,” Dr. Aviles-Santa says. “Obesity is a major health concern and contributes to other debilitating illnesses including high blood pressure and heart disease.”

She suggests diabetes patients be more conscious of food choices and exercise regularly. “Reading labels, selecting healthier foods and walking are a few steps that you can take to maintain a healthy weight.”

Media Contact: Amy Shields

WHY DRIVING, SEATBELTS AND FULL BLADDERS DON’T MIX

It’s not a good idea to put off nature’s call when embarking on a road trip – or even a jaunt to the corner store.

Car wrecks are the most common cause of bladder injury nationwide, according to the American Urological Association. But the vast majority of these injuries are preventable, says Dr. Erwin Thal, professor of surgery at UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. The trauma occurs when a person with a full bladder has a seat belt strapped across the lower abdomen, and is jolted by the force of a crash.

“It’s the same concept as a balloon – if someone has a full bladder and receives a blunt force trauma, it could cause the bladder to rupture,” Dr. Thal says. “If you empty the bladder, it’s like letting the air out of a balloon. It’s a lot harder to break.”

Also, seat belts should be worn across the hips, as lap belts, he says. “The vast majority of people have no idea this could happen, and most people, when they get in the car, don’t plan on getting in a wreck,” Dr. Thal says. “But it’s good to know you can almost eliminate the possibility of an injured bladder if it’s empty.”

Signs of bladder trauma include blood in urine, difficulty urinating, weak urinary stream, painful urination, fever and severe back pain.

Media Contact: Rachel Horton

SOY-BASED SOUP MAY REDUCE RISK FOR BREAST CANCER

For many Japanese, miso soup is a dietary mainstay. Now, a recent study indicates women who drink the soybean-rich broth daily may dramatically reduce their risk for breast cancer.

Researchers at Japan's National Cancer Center tracked the eating habits of more than 21,000 women for 10 years. They found that women who drank three or more bowls of miso soup a day seemed to reduce their risk of breast cancer by about 40 percent, compared with women who drank only one bowl.

Soy products like miso are abundant in isoflavones, naturally occurring chemicals believed to block the growth of certain tumors.

“Other studies have shown that diets containing soy are associated with reduced levels of circulating estrogens in pre- and post-menopausal women,” says Dr. David Euhus of the Center for Breast Care at UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas.

Miso soup is a nourishing broth of fermented soybean paste and seaweed, often with bean curd and vegetables. Miso (the paste) can be found in natural food stores, Asian markets and some grocery stores. It will keep for months in the refrigerator and can be used as a flavoring in soups and sauces or a salt substitute.

“The only caveat is that high levels of isoflavones have been shown to stimulate the growth of cancer cells in culture, had a profound estrogen-like effect in animals and stimulated the breasts of women who consumed them to produce discharge,” says Dr. Euhus. “Therefore, in moderation, miso makes sense, but as with anything else, more is not necessarily better.”

Media Contact: Scott Maier

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