According to Lea Ann Brandon, director of Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services (MDCPS), there are currently 4,200 children in the foster care system of our state. 4,200! This number includes all ages, from newborn on up to age 18.
Eating disorders are a global issue, affecting about 9% of people worldwide. But this may be an underestimate of how widespread these mental health conditions are. That’s because these disorders can go many years before diagnosis.
Anorexia is a type of eating disorder in which someone has an intense fear of weight gain. As a result, they may do certain activities to avoid gaining weight, even when underweight. This is because the person may have an altered view of their body size and shape.
Excessive dieting, fasting, exercise, and significant weight loss are common. Sometimes there may be binging and purging behaviors, such as vomiting and overuse of laxatives, diuretics, or enemas. Over time, anorexia can have significant effects on the body. In severe cases, it can even be life-threatening.
Absence seizures can be tough to identify. That’s because they don’t look like what most people think of as seizures. They don’t involve convulsions or shaking and can be subtle. But they are very common — especially in childhood. Up to 17% of seizure disorders in children are absence seizures.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus — or as most people refer to it, RSV — is not a new virus; it was discovered in 1956. Most children will have been infected with it by the age of two years old. It typically arises on the radar of physicians during the cool weather months of mid- to late-fall and then lingers into spring. This year, however, RSV made an appearance unseasonably early, with an increase in its activity starting in May.
March, 2020 shifted the school year in ways we never anticipated. The uncertainty of the school season for 2019-2020 was soon clarified with an April, 2020 order to keep schools closed for the remainder of the school year.
It is estimated that up to 20-percent of children will go through what is commonly referred to as “colic.” This exaggerated version of the normal crying pattern can feel anything but normal to weary parents. These nonstop, inconsolable fits of crying will begin around six weeks of age and will generally resolve by around six months old.
“Peanuts” creator Charles Schultz said: “Happiness is a warm puppy.” The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) agrees. The AACAP found that pets help children with their self-esteem, social and emotional development, and life lessons in developing respect for nature and direct experiences with life cycles.
According to the American Heart Association (AHA), one out of every three women will die of heart disease. Wow! This is ten times the number of women who die from breast cancer every year. Here’s another piece of eye-opening information: heart disease begins to develop as early as 20 years old! That’s right, 20 years old!
Sunny warmth beaming through windows and the fluttering of butterflies beckon us to venture outdoors. In this time of social distancing, activities to enjoy the company of others are still somewhat limited, so camping can be a perfect option.
According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), an estimated 6.5 million pets enter animal shelters annually. The ASPCA further estimates that about 1.5 million pets are euthanized each year.
As the days get longer with the sun shining brighter, consider these ways to be successful in keeping a fit lifestyle for yourself and your children. It’s the perfect time of year to get outside and get moving!
Dr. Earl Nelson, superintendent of Clarksdale Municipal Schools, is a native of Cleveland, Miss., and has served our state’s education system for 28 years. With high hopes for 2020, we’ll get to know him better and see what his goals are for the district.
“No more pencils, no more books, no more teachers’ dirty looks!”
This cheerful, yet partly-callous taunt reverberated through the halls on the last day of school. We headed to the exits to fling backpacks into corners at home, not be seen again for at least two months.
Eighty-five million families in the US own a pet, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). Whether it crawls, hops, swims or walks…whether it is hairy, furry, slimy or prickly…whether it barks, meows, quacks, chirps or hisses…either your home, or a home near you, contains a family pet or two or three!
Delta Soul was born out of a desire to share the Delta region’s rich music history while enjoying the superb southern hospitality and delicious food that makes the south unique.