Baylor Health Care System

April 2009 News

Facing Autism

Autism has been a popular topic in the news recently, in part because the cause is unknown. However, it’s important to recognize common symptoms and report them to your physician. Our Children’s House at Baylor treats children in an environment which promotes self-help and encouragement for children and families of children with special needs such as autism.

Autism is a disorder of the brain which makes it difficult to communicate with others and hinders social skills. Symptoms usually appear before the child turns three and although they vary from person to person, there are some warning signs.

• Signs of stress when normal routines change
• Soothing or repetitive movements, such as constant rocking back and forth
• Delays in speech development or not speaking at all
• Avoiding eye contact
• The appearance of a hearing problem, even though tests come back normal

Autism affects one in 150 children in the United States, but with early treatment, many children can learn to communicate and develop their social skills. Our Children’s House provides a list of developmental milestones to look for in your little one. To find a pediatrician near you, search online or call 1.800.4BAYLOR.

Sources: BaylorHealth.com; Autism Society of America

Meningitis Awareness Month

Meningitis is a bacterial or viral infection of the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Baylor’s health encyclopedia offers information on the different variations of this condition, recommended vaccinations and illustrations of the disease, warning signs and the tests associated with meningitis.

Viral meningitis is the most common and the less severe form of this infection. Usually symptoms last seven to 10 days and the best treatment is rest, plenty of fluids and pain medicine. Enteroviruses, or viruses of the intestines, are a major culprit in viral meningitis and are common during the spring and early fall. 

Bacterial meningitis is most often caused by meningococcus; however other types of bacterial may also cause the infection. The bacterial variety is extremely serious, and may cause hearing loss, brain damage and sometimes death. Protect yourself and your children by getting the HiB (Haemophilus) vaccine, which prevents one type of meningitis. It’s also important to wash your hands frequently to prevent the spread of germs that could lead to meningitis.

Meningitis mostly affects children under age five, adults over age 50 and others with weakened immune systems. Symptoms of either type of meningitis can be similar to the flu and include:

• Fever with chills
• Severe headache
• Sensitivity to Light
• Nausea and vomiting
• Stiffness in the neck
• Skin rash on babies

It’s important to visit your physician right away if you are experiencing these symptoms. If your doctor suspects meningitis, a spinal tap will be done to test the spinal fluid for a viral or bacterial infection. To find a physician on the medical staff at Baylor, search online or call 1.800.4BAYLOR.

Source: Centers for Disease Control

Tummy Turmoil

The duration and frequency of symptoms aren’t the same for everyone; however one out of five Americans suffers from some degree of discomfort from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Baylor provides comprehensive services for patients with gastrointestinal disorders such as IBS.

The most common symptoms characterized by IBS include bloating, abdominal pain, excessive gas, diarrhea or constipation. Don’t be embarrassed to speak with your doctor about your symptoms; they may be the only indicator of a digestive disorder. Diagnosing IBS and other digestive disorders is difficult because most cannot be detected in the blood or by imaging diagnostics.

The discomfort associated with IBS can often be reduced by lifestyle changes, such as modifying your diet. Everyone’s body is different, but some IBS trigger foods include rich dairy, carbonated drinks or caffeine. Take note of which foods cause your symptoms and let your physician know.

Learn more about IBS and its symptoms and treatments in our online health encyclopedia. If you think you may have IBS, search online for a gastroenterologist on the medical staff at Baylor, or call 1.800.4BAYLOR.

Sources: BaylorHealth.com; National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse

Ready to Recover

Occupational therapy can benefit people with several types of conditions, including stroke, Parkinson’s and Autism, as well as many others who need re-training on day-to-day physiological functions. Baylor’s team of rehabilitation professionals work together to help patients gain independence by teaching, maintaining and improving skills.

Occupational therapists, through the use of a variety of techniques, can help you learn how to manage everyday tasks such as eating, walking, bathing, swallowing, dressing and other activities. You may also learn new ways to perform tasks in order to compensate for any weakness or loss of function in your body.

Relearning skills can sometimes be frustrating and time consuming. Focus, repetition and a positive attitude go a long way towards a successful recovery. To learn more about our physical medicine and rehabilitation programs, call 1.800.4BAYLOR or go online.

Sources: BaylorHealth.com; Bureau of Labor Statistics

Trends in Cancer

Cancer is something that can affect Americans of all ethnic backgrounds; however the prevalence of some types of cancer can be higher in some groups. Screenings are one of the most important tools in the fight against cancer. Baylor offers a chart of recommended screenings, screening events throughout the year and advanced diagnostics and treatments.

According to the American Cancer Society, from 1990 – 1996, the number of cervical cancer cases in Hispanic women increased 1.3 percent; death rates from breast cancer in American Indians and Native Alaskans also rose four percent during the same period of time. Among men, African Americans have the highest incidence of cancer, followed by Caucasians. Higher smoking rates and lack of health education are partially to blame for the difference in cancer occurrences.

Arm yourself with information. Our online health encyclopedia is available 24/7 and provides information on more than 1,600 diseases and conditions, in addition to articles on nutrition, tests, surgeries and special topics. We also offer free risk assessments and other helpful health tools in our health library. If you need to find a physician, call 1.800.4BAYLOR or search online.

Sources: BaylorHealth.com; American Cancer Society