Snoring in children might seem like an innocent quirk, but a California dentist warns it could signal a hidden health issue that if addressed early, could transform their well-being.
“Your child’s snoring isn’t just noise—it’s a signal. Snoring, bedwetting, mouth breathing, daytime sleepiness, and difficulty focusing aren’t just ‘childhood quirks’ or laziness. They’re signs of a bigger issue that could impact your child for life: sleep-disordered breathing,” Dr. Mark Burhenne a dentist in Sunnyvale, California cautions in a video on Instagram.
Dr. Burhenne is talking about a common sleep disorder called sleep apnea when breathing repeatedly stops and starts. It could be linked to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a common condition where relaxed throat muscles block airflow to the lungs, or central sleep apnea (CSA), which occurs when the brain fails to send proper signals to control breathing.
An estimated 1 billion people worldwide have sleep apnea, with obstructive sleep apnea affecting up to 1% to 5% of children across all age groups, from babies and toddlers to adolescents and teenagers.
Warning signs of sleep apnea in children include mouth breathing, loud snoring, pauses in breathing, coughing or choking during sleep, restless tossing and turning, night sweats, sleepwalking, and bedwetting.
If you notice any of these signs, it is important to get checked with a healthcare provider who might conduct a sleep study to understand the sleep pattern. Untreated sleep apnea in children can lead to learning difficulties, behavioral problems, chronic fatigue, and even serious health issues like heart disease and high blood pressure, Dr. Burhenne warns.
However, the good news is that early intervention can make a world of difference. “This isn’t just about sleep—it’s about giving your child the best chance for a healthy, vibrant life. Parents, if your child snores, mouth-breathes, or struggles with fatigue, don’t ignore it,” he said.
Treatments like palate expansion can widen airways to improve breathing while encouraging nasal breathing helping children sleep better and feel more rested. Myofunctional therapy strengthens airway muscles for lasting health, and addressing enlarged tonsils or adenoids removes barriers to proper airflow, transforming a child’s quality of life, Dr. Burhenne explained.
“Every child deserves the gift of great sleep. As a dentist and a father and now grandfather, I have seen firsthand the life-changing difference these things make,” he added.
An alarmingly fewer number of children in the U.S. have received flu vaccinations in 2024, compared to last year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Among those aged six months to 17 years, just 36% received a flu vaccine in 2024, down from 43% last year, The Hill reported.
This decline comes in the wake of a particularly deadly 2023-24 flu season, during which 205 pediatric flu deaths were officially reported.
“Not all children whose death was related to an influenza virus infection may have been tested for influenza,” the CDC wrote in a Nov. 22 memo. The organization estimates the true number of deaths was closer to 724.
While roughly 14% of parents said they still plan to “probably” obtain a flu vaccine for their children, CDC officials are concerned about the low vaccination rates heading into the winter months.
This year’s flu vaccines are designed to protect against three common virus strains: A(H1N1), A(H3N2), and B/Victoria.
The CDC emphasized the importance of flu shots in reducing severe illness and death, noting vaccine effectiveness has ranged from 19% to 60% over the past 15 years.
A Texas doctor was forced to delete their TikTok about helping undocumented immigrants get healthcare after the state’s governor threatened to defund a children’s hospital.
In the now-deleted video, Dr. Tony Pastor told viewers that they did not have to disclose their citizenship status to medical professionals when receiving care, as reported by Chron.
The viral TikTok came following Gov. Greg Abbott’s executive order which requires public Texas hospitals receiving funding for Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program to report on health care for undocumented patients, as reported by the Austin-American Statesman.
In the deleted TikTok, Pastor, who works as a cardiologist at Texas Children’s Hospital, said, “It has made all of us physicians and providers super uncomfortable.” He added, “No one has told us what people are going to do with this information,” as reported by HuffPost.
It is unclear whether Pastor took the video down by his own choice or if the hospital or Baylor College of Medicine, where he also works as an assistant professor, required him to. Texas Children’s Hospital declined to give a statement to Chron.
After the November TikTok went viral, Abbott made a post to X appearing to threaten funding for the hospital Pastor works at.
Hey Texas Children’s Hospital & Baylor College of Medicine this doctor is putting your Medicaid & Medicare funding at risk. ou better think twice & have crystal clear records. There will be consequences for failing to follow the law in the Order. https://t.co/g11ot8genv
“Hey, Texas Children’s Hospital & Baylor College of Medicine this doctor is putting your Medicaid & Medicare funding at risk. You better think twice & have crystal clear records. There will be consequences for failing to follow the law in the order,” Abbott tweeted.
Texas Children’s Hospital said in a statement obtained by MedPage Today that it “fully supports Governor Abbott’s new executive order and is in full compliance.”
“While we recognize that individuals working at Texas Children’s hold their own personal views on many topics, those opinions do not necessarily reflect the official position of Texas Children’s Hospital,” the statement continued.
Following the governor’s tweet, Pastor made another TikTok. Text reading, “When the gov of Texas threatens you on X because he is mad you exercised freedom of speech,” plays over the video of Pastor while the song “Popular” from the movie “Wicked” plays in the background.
Pastor has not made any additional posts or comments surrounding the executive order.
Regular exercise is a well-known technique to boost memory, but can the benefits of working out today can last into the next day? Researchers suggest that taking a brisk walk today could enhance your memory by tomorrow.
Studies have shown that exercise can offer cognitive benefits shortly after a workout, but until recently, it was not clear how long these effects last. A new study published in the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity reveals that moderate to vigorous physical activity on one day can improve your performance on memory tests the following day.
Another interesting finding was that limiting sitting time and getting at least six hours of sleep may be key factors for maximizing these cognitive benefits. More time spent being sedentary than usual was associated with poorer working memory the following day.
“Our findings suggest that the short-term memory benefits of physical activity may last longer than previously thought, possibly to the next day instead of just a few hours after exercise. Getting more sleep, particularly deep sleep, seems to add to this memory improvement,” said lead author Dr Mikaela Bloomberg in a news release.
“Moderate or vigorous activity means anything that gets your heart rate up – this could be brisk walking, dancing or walking up a few flights of stairs. It doesn’t have to be structured exercise,” Dr. Bloomberg said.
So how does exercise help with memory? When you exercise, it increases blood flow to your brain and triggers the release of brain chemicals like norepinephrine and dopamine which improves functions, such as focus and memory. These changes usually last for a few hours after you work out.
Studies have shown that some benefits of exercise, like mood improvement, can last up to 24 hours. In a previous study, researchers found that after intense exercise like high-intensity interval training cycling, brain activity in the hippocampus (a part of the brain important for memory) stayed more coordinated for up to 48 hours.
This prompted the researchers of the latest study to look at how long will memory boost from exercise lasts in a group of 76 men and women. The participants were aged 50 to 83. They wore activity trackers for eight days and took cognitive tests each day.
“This study provides evidence that the immediate cognitive benefits of exercise may last longer than we thought. It also suggests good sleep quality separately contributes to cognitive performance,” said co-author Professor Andrew Steptoe.
“This was a small study and so it needs to be replicated with a larger sample of participants before we can be certain about the results,” Dr Bloomberg added.
As the winter season sets in, coughs become more common. While some people may experience a persistent cough due to allergies, others might develop a cough from infections. It’s important to know when to manage a cough at home and when to seek professional care, as coughs linked to seasonal changes or irritants like dust and cold air may require different treatment than those caused by a viral or bacterial infection.
Causes of cough:
Coughing is the body’s natural defense mechanism, clearing irritants like mucus, smoke, and allergens such as dust, mold, and pollen from the airways. It can be triggered by infections like the flu, COVID-19, or the common cold or due to lung health conditions such as asthma or COPD.
Severe coughs lasting for longer periods can sometimes be a sign of more severe conditions such as lung cancer, tuberculosis, and cystic fibrosis.
A short-term cough from choking occurs when food or other obstructions block the airway, affecting breathing. In such cases, immediate medical attention is necessary.
Types of cough:
Dry cough– A dry cough feels like a tickling sensation in the throat but doesn’t bring up any mucus. It occurs due to inflammation in the lungs. A dry cough that occurs at night may be caused by mucus dripping from the nose or sinuses, which can irritate the throat. These coughs can last for several weeks or until a cold or flu runs its course. Many people experience dry coughs for weeks after recovering from COVID-19. Acid refluxes can also trigger a dry cough.
To get relief from a dry cough, using lozenges or cough suppressants can help soothe the throat. Staying hydrated and using a humidifier may also provide some comfort. If the dry cough is due to asthma, or acid reflux issues, you might need to consult a doctor and get the appropriate medications. However, if coughing is accompanied by symptoms such as difficulty breathing, chest tightness, bluish lips, or confusion, it’s important to seek immediate medical attention.
Wet cough- A wet cough, also known as a productive cough, occurs when mucus builds up in the airways. It can be caused by lung conditions like COPD or bacterial and viral infections. Wet coughs accompanied by wheezing may also signal a more serious health issue, such as congestive heart failure, where the heart struggles to pump blood throughout the body.
The use of over-the-counter cough and cold medications may help clear the phlegm from the airways. For children, the use of saline nasal drops and honey may help relieve the symptoms. However, if a wet cough persists for more than three weeks, it’s best to consult a doctor.
Paroxysmal cough- It is characterized by intermittent attacks of violent, uncontrollable coughing leading to pain and difficulty in breathing. Such bouts of severe cough can occur with pertussis or whooping cough. Other common causes are asthma, COPD, pneumonia, and tuberculosis.
Reducing exposure to possible triggers of asthma and COPD can help relieve symptoms. If the cough is caused by pertussis, treatment with antibiotics is necessary. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment lead to better outcomes.
Croup cough- Croup occurs when the upper airway becomes inflamed in young children due to a viral infection. This type of cough is characterized by a distinctive barking sound. Other signs of croup in children include difficulty breathing, making high-pitched noises during inhalation, and rapid breathing. In severe cases, the child’s skin may become pale or even bluish, indicating a more serious condition.
Taking medications for fever, using a humidifier, and staying hydrated can help relieve mild symptoms. However, if symptoms are severe or last longer than 3 to 5 days, seek immediate medical attention. Warning signs include noisy, high-pitched breathing sounds, trouble swallowing or drooling, unusual tiredness or restlessness, rapid breathing, difficulty breathing, or a blue or gray tint around the nose, mouth, or fingernails.
Fat deposition around the waistline is often considered a risk factor for those with diabetes. But does a smaller waistline always indicate better health? Researchers have found that, in some cases, a larger waist circumference might actually help reduce mortality risk for people with diabetes.
After examining survival data of around 6,600 U.S. adults from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) with diabetes, researchers of a recent study found that the relationship between waist circumference and the risk of death is not linear. This means the risk changes in a more complex pattern, depending on factors like gender.
For women with diabetes, the link between waist size and risk of death follows a U-shape, with the lowest risk at about 42 inches (107 cm), much higher than what is usually considered healthy. However, for each extra centimeter above this, the risk of death increased by 4%, and for each centimeter below, the risk increased by 3%.
In men, the curve is J-shaped, with the lowest risk of death at about 35 inches (89cm). The risk increases by 6% for each centimeter below this threshold and 3% for each centimeter above it. The findings were published in Chronic Metabolic Disease.
However, according to current clinical guidelines, a waist circumference of 35 inches (88 cm) is considered central obesity for women, while for men, it’s 40 inches (102 cm).
The researchers hence believe that their findings suggest a phenomenon called the “obesity paradox.” The concept refers to the idea that, in some cases, being overweight or having a higher body fat percentage than normal might offer some protective benefits.
However, the findings do not mean that having a larger waistline is always better, and the researchers do not suggest all diabetic patients gain weight around the waistline. It is important to note that the study only focused on how the waistline affects mortality risk in diabetes patients without considering other health outcomes. Also, since the study is observational it has not established a cause-and-effect relationship between waist circumference and risk of death.
“Further research is needed to explore the underlying mechanisms rather than promoting preconceived notions about an optimal waist circumference,” the researchers wrote.
Users have taken to social media platforms such as Reddit and X to share horror stories relating to UnitedHealthcare, including situations in which people were left with massive bills or even denied care.
One user took to Reddit to share how one of their patients was denied neurosurgery for chronic migraines.
“Just had a letter sent denying my patient who has chronic migraines from an enlarging meningioma + neuritis. They asked me to monitor for expansion. It’s literally expanding you f—ing piece of dog sh-t… it has nothing to do with the fact that they are 64 and will be Medicare’s problem next year, right?” wrote the user.
The user continued to talk about how they agreed to perform the surgery on their patient for free, and got a free anesthesia service for them as well.
Another user on Reddit shared a story of how they were charged $275,000 for the death of their mother after her insurance was denied for no coverage posthumously.
“I got an early Christmas gift from the hospital where my mom passed 10 months ago. She aspirated while in the hospital for cancer treatment, they did CPR – no pulse and called to tell me she passed, she came back for a few hours but was unconscious of course, then passed again. (Fun fact – she had a DNR. They missed it.)” wrote the user.
“Since they sat on submitting it to her insurance, it was denied for no coverage…. because she was now deceased. Makes sense,” they continued. “So I got this nice little bill. Called the billing department to tell them to shove it. They ask if I want to pay the balance today. Then they tell me ‘we’ll’ go to collections if not.”
Many of these instances and stories have resulted in users ridiculing the late CEO and celebrating his death after they or a close loved one was negatively impacted by their UHC insurance.
Such ridicule made its way to the replies of a post made by Thompson on LinkedIn.
“We work every day to find ways to make #healthcare more affordable, including reducing the cost of life-saving prescription drugs,” Thompson wrote.
One user responded to Thompson’s post with a personal experience of his own relating to UHC.
“Hey Brian. I just spent an hour on the phone battling to get information for my wife with stage 4 cancer. She’s a 45-year-old mother of 4 with an abnormal EGFR gene. I’d love to share my experience with you,” he wrote.
“This message is an example of hypocrisy at its finest. You are denying claims for people who need it,” wrote another user.
Another user chimed in to share how they were charged $20,000 for care as their wife’s pregnancy progressed. They talked about how their employer switched them over to UHC when their wife was already eight months pregnant.
“Just after our baby was born (mid Jan), we filed for reimbursement. To our shock, UHC denied our claim, initially alleging we had failed to notify them. Determined to resolve the issue, we provided evidence of our communication with their representatives, and stating the fact that we got the form posted from UHC to our address. After much back and forth, UHC admitted they were notified but then claimed they never received the form(We posted it back via USPS),” they wrote.
“We turned to the Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) for help, hoping for a fair resolution. Sadly, they sided with UHC, stating there was no ‘proof’ of their agreement. Left without options, we faced a $20,000 bill, which went to collections,” they continued.
One X user shared how UHC denied hip replacement procedures as “pre-existing conditions’, pointing out how this was in violation of the law.
“So now, @UHC is just blatantly breaking the law by denying a hip replacement as a ‘pre-existing condition.’ He was never seen for his hip prior to seeing me and never diagnosed with arthritis so they just lied. Appeal filed and also denied. This has to stop,” they wrote.
So now, @UHC is just blatantly breaking the law by denying a hip replacement as a “pre-existing condition.”
He was never seen for his hip prior to seeing me and never diagnosed with arthritis so they just lied.
— Very General Orthopaedist (@generalorthomd) June 26, 2024
One woman shared the outrageous cost of her son’s life saving medication even with insurance.
“My 9 year old son needs a medication that even when approved will cost us $9800 a month. I don’t know whether it’s the insurance company’s or the pharma company’s fault, but either way what am I supposed to do as a parent for a medically necessary medication?” she wrote.
My 9 year old son needs a medication that even when approved will cost us $9800 a month. I don’t know whether it’s the insurance company’s or the pharma company’s fault, but either way what am I supposed to do as a parent for a medically necessary medication?
Another X user shared the story of how his son with cerebral palsy was denied a wheelchair to assist with mobility as UHC determined that the additional features that the user requested for the wheelchair were unnecessary.
“TBT to when@UHC#UnitedHealthcare repeatedly denied my son’s wheelchair,” they wrote.
Many users shared stories where medical supplies or procedures were denied for patients undergoing palliative care. One such story includes a patient with ALS who was denied a saline nebulizer solution.
“Had UHC refuse the saline nebulizer solution I ordered for an ALS patient on palliative care. Had to waste 45 minutes both with an online form then a call to get it approved so the poor patient could thin their secretions enough to help them suction… it would have cost under twenty dollars for the thirty saline neb vials I ordered,” shared a Reddit user.
Horror stories of unaffordable and poor healthcare continue to flood social media in the wake of the UnitedHealthcare CEO’s death.
The holiday season is all about festive cheer, family gatherings, and kids enjoying extra time with grandparents and extended family. But amidst the laughter and celebrations, there should be extra caution to avoid unexpected hazards.
Dr. Meghan Martin, a Florida-based pediatric emergency physician known on TikTok as Beachgem10, is raising the alarm about an unexpected holiday hazard she calls “Granny’s purse syndrome.” This happens when curious young children get into their grandparents’ unsecured medications, often left on low shelves, in handbags, or non-child-resistant containers.
“Around 20 percent of poisonings that happen in young kids are related to accidentally swallowing their grandparent’s medications,” Dr. Martin said in her video.
“Grandparents are not used to having kids around, often their medications are on low shelves or in their purses or in medication containers that are not child resistant,” Dr. Martin said.
“Some of these medications can be really dangerous, they can be pain pills, antidepressants, heart medications, blood pressure medications, or diabetes medications,” she added. The effects of these medications on children can be so severe that even a single pill might lead to toxic ingestion, posing serious health risks.
To keep kids safe, Dr. Martin recommends storing medications in locked cabinets and avoiding leaving them in easily accessible places like backpacks or purses, which curious little hands can easily open. It is also important to avoid taking medication in front of kids who might imitate the act. “Never refer to medication as candy, medication is not okay to eat, candy is okay to eat,” she said.
Every year around 49 kids below the age of 10 lose their lives to accidental poisoning, according to the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates.
“While the holiday season is a time of celebration, it is also a time of increased poisonings risks and hazards in the home,” a CDC newsletter cautioned. “Be sure to have guests keep all their personal items, such as purses and travel bags, out of reach of children and pets. Depending on the medication ingested, there can be a vast variety of symptoms and severity,” the CDC stated.
Accidental poisoning can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention, so it’s important not to wait for symptoms to appear before seeking help. If you suspect poisoning, call 911 or Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 right away for help.
A strange condition known as “Werewolf Syndrome” has left nearly a dozen babies in Spain covered in hair, with extreme cases even resembling the iconic Wookiees from Star Wars. The rare disorder, officially called Hypertrichosis, is believed to be triggered by the parents’ use of a hair loss remedy, according to a recent report.
Hypertrichosis occurs when individuals have excessive hair growth anywhere on the body. While some people are born with it due to genetic mutations (congenital hypertrichosis), others can develop it later in life (acquired hypertrichosis). The condition can be triggered by factors like certain medications, autoimmune disorders, or even malnutrition. Antibiotics such as streptomycin, anti-inflammatory drugs like benoxaprofen and corticosteroids, or the use of antiseptics with hexachlorobenzene are also known triggers.
According to the report from El Economista, a Spanish news outlet, Navarra Pharmacovigilance Centre, detected 11 babies with Hypertrichosis or “Werewolf Syndrome,” after being exposed to minoxidil, a hair loss medication used by their parents. The drug is believed to have transferred from adults to infants through direct skin contact or by the babies sucking on contaminated surfaces, which may have affected their systems.
“The skin of young children is more permeable due to the thinner layer of their stratum corneum, as they have a greater surface area/body weight ratio. For this reason, they are more easily able to absorb drugs administered topically systemically,” Navarra Pharmacovigilance Centre explained in the El Economista report as translated by Google.
The patients were tested for exposure to other medications and investigated for other possible triggers. The symptoms reportedly subsided after stopping contact with the medication.
Minoxidil, available in both solution and foam forms, is commonly used to promote hair growth, especially in the treatment of male pattern baldness. It belongs to a class of drugs called vasodilators, which work by improving blood flow to hair follicles and stimulating hair growth.
Although generally safe, minoxidil can cause some side effects, including burning, stinging, or redness at the application site. In rare cases, the medication could be absorbed through the skin and may cause more serious effects such as unwanted facial or body hair, dizziness, fast or irregular heartbeat, fainting, chest pain, swelling in the hands or feet, unusual weight gain, fatigue, or difficulty breathing.
A quick swipe of sunscreen, a spritz of hairspray, and a splash of perfume, your morning makeup routine may seem minimal and harmless. But did you know that you could have already come in contact with potentially harmful chemicals? Phthalates, commonly found in several everyday makeup products, could be gradually entering your body.
Phthalates are colorless, odorless chemicals often called plasticizers used in cosmetics and personal care products. The most common types of phthalates include dibutylphthalate (DBP), used in nail polishes to reduce cracking, dimethylphthalate (DMP), found in hair sprays to create a flexible film, and diethylphthalate (DEP), used as a solvent and fixative in fragrances.
Although DBP and DMP are rarely used, DEP is still commonly found in cosmetics, according to FDA estimates.
Potential Effects Of Phthalates:
Phthalates are endocrine-disrupting chemicals that can affect hormones, which impacts development and fertility. Higher phthalate levels are linked to lower sperm concentration and motility in men, while girls exposed to higher levels of phthalates may experience early puberty.
Studies have shown that pregnant women with higher phthalate levels in their urine are more likely to have a preterm birth. Researchers also noted that offspring who had prenatal phthalate exposure may be at risk of lower scores on mental and psychomotor development indices at 6 months old.
Apart from reproductive health and development, regular exposure to phthalates can harm various organ systems and affect longevity. Research has shown links between high levels of phthalate exposure to early death in older adults.
Studies have shown that not all forms of phthalates are carcinogenic, however, exposure to certain types can elevate the risk of estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer.
How to reduce your daily exposure:
Under FDA regulations, companies must list on the label if their products contain them, so checking labels and avoiding personal care products with phthalates can help reduce exposure. However, cosmetics and personal care products are not the only sources. Phthalates can also enter your body through food packaged in plastic that contains these chemicals. Using microwave-safe, phthalate-free containers can reduce this risk.
Other potential sources include carpets, upholstery, wall coverings, and wood finishes. You may be more likely to be exposed if you work in painting, printing, or plastics processing. Also, individuals with medical conditions like kidney disease or hemophilia may face higher exposure, as kidney dialysis and blood transfusions often use IV tubing and other supplies made with phthalates. Patients with these conditions should request phthalate-free medical devices.
