Q. I had a speech disorder as a child and want to make sure I know what signs to look for in my children. What are common signs of speech disorders?
A. It’s important to understand the difference between a language disorder and a speech disorder. Language refers to the words we put together into sentences and how we comprehend words and sentences. Speech refers to the specific movements we make with our mouth to make sounds. A child can have one or the other, and sometimes both. A speech sound disorder is when a child/person has a harder time making those movements to produce sounds. Common signs include delayed babbling or delayed noise production (e.g., child saying “uh oh, oops, wow, yay”), vehicle sounds (e.g., “vroom, choo choo”), or animal sounds (e.g., “moo, woof”), difficulty saying simple syllable words like in greetings (e.g., “hi, bye”), having difficulty imitating your sounds or words, and getting frustrated when others can’t understand them. Early intervention is key. If you have any questions, or are worried about communication milestones, talk to your pediatrician about a speech/language evaluation.
Q. My brother is a security guard at a concert venue five nights a week. I worry about his exposure to really loud noises so consistently – should he take any steps to protect his hearing while working?
A. We live in a noisy world and are exposed to occasional loud sounds. Some are exposed to harmful noise levels on a routine basis at their places of employment. It is very important for one who is consistently exposed to high levels of sound to protect and conserve their hearing. Sound is measured in units called decibels (dB). Sounds below or around 70 decibels are generally safe. Exposure to sounds 85 decibels or above for prolonged durations of time can cause damage to sensitive tissues in one’s ears, or even permanent hearing loss. Decibel levels at a rock concert range between 90-120 dB, therefore it is of utmost importance to take precautions to protect hearing while attending or working in this environment. There are many choices available to protect one’s hearing. Contact a hearing professional for more information on the best hearing protection options available.
Q. Sometimes while my daughter is playing, it sounds like she is wheezing. She also occasionally complains of being short of breath. How do I know if I should have her tested for asthma?
A. If your daughter frequently experiences wheezing or complains about difficulty breathing, it’s wise to consider an evaluation for asthma. Important indicators may include symptoms triggered by exercise, exposure to cold air, and allergens, particularly occurring at night or in the early morning. Additionally, a family history of asthma or allergies is significant. Other signs to watch for include nighttime coughing and disruptions to her daily activities or sleep. If she relies on bronchodilators such as albuterol for relief, this can further suggest asthma. As allergists, we can conduct a comprehensive medical history review, physical examination, and lung function tests to accurately diagnose asthma. Early diagnosis and an appropriate management plan can greatly enhance her quality of life.
Q. I want to talk to my children about sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention and treatment and make sure I’m giving them accurate information. What are some key things I should share?
A. The biggest error in sex education is not talking about sex. The best way to protect yourself from contracting an STI is by using a condom during oral, anal, or vaginal sex. Bodily secretions such as sexual fluids can harbor infective pathogens, and even genital skin-to-skin contact can lead to the transmission of STIs. In addition, reducing your number of sexual partners and regular testing will decrease your risk for STI exposure. Many STIs do not cause symptoms, so regular testing after new sexual encounters is recommended. If you are positive for an STI, your provider will prescribe either an antibiotic, antiviral, or antifungal for your infection. To prevent human papillomavirus, the cause of genital warts, patients between the ages of 9 to 45 should consider getting the Gardasil vaccine. This will reduce the risk of contracting HPV, which can increase some patients’ risk for certain types of cancers.
Q. A close friend is recovering from an eating disorder. I want to support her, but I’m not sure what to do or say. How can I support my friend during this time?
A. Be patient and gently offer support by asking how you can help them. This could include eating with them, listening to them when they need to talk, going on walks with them, or sharing in any of their other interests. Approach food-related conversations or activities with neutrality. Do not criticize, push, or react to what your friend eats. Learning what not to say or do is just as or more important than saying or doing the “right thing.” It is important to focus on and talk about anything other than the eating disorder. It has been the main focus for so long and they may have lost themselves. Remind yourself, and them, that they have so many special qualities not related to an eating disorder.
