TMCnet News
Study: Parents need to pay closer attention to medication safety(Copley News Service Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge)Children come without a manual, which makes it difficult for parents to know the right things to do when their little ones are ill and running a fever. Consequently, more than 50 percent of feverish children are given incorrect doses of medicine by parents, and overdoses have almost tripled in the last 20 years, according to research published in the April edition of Journal of Advanced Nursing. Health professionals are also concerned about the increasing number of parents who give their children alternate doses of the fever-reducing medications paracetamol and ibuprofen without leaving sufficient gaps between doses. "Our review found that overdosing with ibuprofen is now a particular concern, both in terms of dosage and frequency," says nurse researcher Anne Walsh from Queensland University of Technology in Australia. "We also discovered that some parents are giving their children one fever-reducing drug and then trying another type within a few hours if the first one doesn't have the desired result." The Australian research team reviewed more than 70 studies published worldwide since 1980 to see how parental attitudes and practices had changed when it came to treating common childhood fevers. They found that: - Latest figures show that the number of parents providing their children with overdoses has risen from 12 percent in 1987 to 33 percent. Meanwhile, correct doses have risen from a third to between 43 and 49 per cent. - Many parents administer fever-reducing drugs in doses that are too low, too high or too frequent. - Underdosing is more common in younger and low-weight children. - Up to 27 percent of parents alternate fever-reducing drugs. The researchers also discovered that parents consistently treat childhood fevers based on inaccurate temperature readings and suggest that they would be better off focusing on their child's general well-being rather than just how hot they are. HOME COOKING Research by Dr. Amelia Lake at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne in Newcastle, England, seems to explain why married men live longer. The credit goes to their spouses. However, it might also show why women might want to reconsider moving in with a man. A man's diet tends to become healthier when he starts living with a woman - and her influence has a long-term positive impact, Lake found. On the other hand, women eat more unhealthy foods and tend to put on weight when they move in with a man. The report by Newcastle University's Human Nutrition Research Centre is published in the journal Complete Nutrition. It reviews the findings of research projects from the United Kingdom, North America and Australia that looked at the eating and lifestyle habits of cohabiting heterosexual couples, including married couples. The reason for the change in diet, experts say, is that both partners try to please each other during the start of a cohabiting relationship by adjusting their routine during the "honeymoon period" to please their partner by eating the food he or she likes. However, women have the strongest long-term influence over a couple's diet and lifestyle, mainly because the majority of female partners assume the traditional role of food shopper and cook. The research shows that women are more likely to put on weight and eat more foods high in fat and sugar when they move in with a man. Men, on the other hand, report a reduction in "bad foods" when they begin to cohabit, reducing fat and sugar and increasing consumption of vegetables. Women are more likely than men to turn to food to deal with emotional stress in their relationship. Women have been found to gain weight when they quit their relationship, but the same finding has not been observed in men. "Couples who move in together should use the opportunity of the honeymoon period to make positive changes to their diet and lifestyle by working together and supporting each other," Lake said. "But couples who have been in their relationships for longer should remember that it is never too late to make changes and, again, this needs teamwork." Lake, the report's author, a registered dietitian and research fellow with Newcastle University's Human Nutrition Research Centre, said her findings highlight major health issues couples should address together early in their relationship. "You can't just blame an unhealthy lifestyle or diet on your partner, as there are many other things that affect what you eat and do," Lake said. "However, research has shown that your partner is a strong influence on lifestyle and people who are trying to live healthier lives should take this factor into consideration." The research findings confirmed work by Lake that found more men than women found their partner to be a positive influence on their diet in terms of encouraging them to eat more fruits and vegetables, eating regular meals, and taking control of their food shopping and preparation. E-mail Ven Griva at [email protected] or write to P.O. Box 120190, San Diego, CA 92112. Copyright 2006 Copley News Service Visit Copley News Service at www.copleynews.com. |