Dog bites a concern for Maine families

Dog bites have become a major concern for Maine residents. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about two percent of the U.S. population are bitten each year by a dog.

Dogs are an important part of many Maine families. They can be loving, fun and considered part of the family. Unfortunately, they do sometimes act unexpectedly and may bite and cause injuries. Even if a dog is not malicious, if you are bitten a serious injury can occur.

Even if a dog doesn’t have a history of biting, you should be aware of agressive behaviour that falls below biting, such as growling, snarling or brislting at people.  If a dog is injured, just like an injured human, it may push a dog over the edge.  The owner of an injured dog has a duty to keep the injured dog away from someone who may inadvertently touch the injured area of the dog during a friendly pat, causing the dog to bite.

In most cases, the dog had never bitten anyone before and the owner did not think it was a hazard to anyone. Statistics for dog bites to people in Maine show that bites have most frequently been caused by dogs considered to be of the “friendliest” breeds. Dog bites, regardless of the extent of injury, are traumatic experiences.

Maine has a leash law, requiring that all dogs be on a leash as all times unless being used for hunting. If you allow your dog to run free, even in places that you may deem safe to do so, you run the risk of your dog biting someone. Do the right thing for your dog, yourself and for others: keep your dog on a leash.

Here are some important things to keep in mind if you are bitten by a dog:

·         Call your local animal control officer and identify the dog.

·         Obtain the name, address, and dog license information of the owner of the dog.

·         Obtain the names, addresses and phone numbers of any possible witnesses.

·         Obtain insurance information from the owner of the dog.

·         Take pictures of the dog bite.

·         Understand that Maine has special laws regarding injuries from dog bites.  You might want to contact a personal injury lawyer, such as Briggs and Counsel for a consultation.

By Eliza Stoll for Briggs & Counsel

Copyright 2008 Briggs & Counsel

Depression and  Maine Heart Patients

Should Maine residents who are also heart patients be screened regularly for depression? According to the American Heart Association, depression is about three times more common in heart attack survivors and those hospitalized with heart problems than the general population.

While there has been no direct evidence that heart patients who are also screened for depression fare better, depression can result in a worse quality of life and worse outcomes for Mainers. Those patients with depression may be more likely to skip their medications, not take part in rehabilitation programs, or not diet and exercise to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

It is vital that heart patients make lifestyle changes  that promote long, healthy lives. If depression is underlying and untreated, this will inhibit the person’s ability to properly care for themselves as they should.

Maine heart patients should be screened regularly by their doctors for depression. If depression is found to be present, here are positive steps Mainers can take:

·         Ask your doctor for a referral to professional qualified in treating depression.

·         Call a support groups that to join.

·         Ask your doctor about an anti-depressant regime to help with extreme or persisting symptoms.

Mainers who suffer from depression shouldn’t lose their physical health while waiting to recover their mental health. 

By Eliza Stoll for Briggs & Counsel

Copyright 2008 Briggs & Counsel

Flu Vaccine: Does it really Maine protect kids?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is recommending this year that all Maine children ages six months through 18 years receive the flu vaccine. Previously, it was advised that only children up to five years old be vaccinated.

Influenza related deaths among children are on the rise according to government data. This makes the vaccine vital, says the government. A recent study in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine suggests otherwise. They say that the flu shot in children doesn’t necessarily protect them from illness.

The results of this study concluded that flu shots seemed not to make much difference. They found that children who got immunized did not get the flu at lower rates than unvaccinated children. The immunized children were as likely to be hospitalized or to see the doctor as children who never got the vaccine.

Don’t skip the vaccine just yet. The study looked at the effectiveness of a vaccine during two seasons in which the flu strain included in the vaccine was not well matched to the circulating strain that people were getting sick from. It is possible that the shot may have been protecting against the wrong flu stains. Researchers make their best prediction as to which flu virus will be affecting people in an upcoming season. Targeting the correct strain is a always somewhat of a guessing game, researchers often have to make these predictions several months ahead of time in order to keep up with the extensive vaccine manufacturing process.

The bottom line? On a population level, odds are that it is better to get a flu shot than not. There is no guarantee that it will work due to the different strands that surround us, but you have a better chance of not catching the flu if you have had a vaccine than if you haven’t.

By Eliza Stoll for Briggs & Counsel

Copyright 2008 Briggs & Counsel

Busy Maine families love the speed and ease of nuking a frozen meal in the microwave from time to time. It can cut down on the stress in an already hectic day to be able to zap a quick meal for yourself and your family. This may not be the best idea after all, as more and more people are getting sick because their foods are not being cooked properly in the microwave.

According to the International Food Safety Network at Kansas State University, microwaves are designed more for reheating foods, not cooking them. The government issued a new warning urging consumers to thoroughly cook frozen chicken dinners after 32 people in 12 states became sick with salmonella poisoning.

Part of the problem is that microwaves heat unevenly and can leave cold spots in the food that harbor dangerous bacteria such as E. coli, salmonella and listeria. The other part of the problem is that many people have misconceptions about frozen meals.

Many people wrongly assume all frozen meals are precooked and only need to be reheated. It is a mistaken belief promoted partially by foods that appear cooked already, such as chicken that has been breaded or pre-browned. Even some of the meals designed to be microwavable can be unsafe if they are not heated thoroughly enough or if they are cooked using directions meant for a microwave with different voltage.

After hundreds of thousands of bouts of food-borne illness that required hospitalization, many major food companies such as ConAgra Foods and Nestle Prepared Foods have revamped cooking instructions on many of their brands which include Stouffer’s, Lean Cuisine, Banquet and Healthy Choice.

The best bet for Maine families? Pay careful attention to cooking instructions and make sure that foods prepared in the microwave are heated through. And when it comes to cooking raw foods? Skip the microwave altogether and rely on the stove, oven or grill.

By Elizabeth Stoll, for Briggs & Counsel

Copyright 2008 Briggs & Counsel

Time Magazine has a recent article of interest to all Maine parents. Time has reported that a government study shows that our Maine children are at greater risk for childhood cancer than children raised in places like California, Florida and the Midwest. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have just issued a study showing that there are 179 cases of cancer per million in children in the New England states, versus 159, 166 and 165 cases per million for children in the South, Midwest and West.

That’s troubling news for Maine parents and their children. If there’s a silver lining to this dark cloud it’s twofold: First, now we know. We can ask our doctors to check more closely for signs and symptoms of childhood cancers. Second, we have access to top-notch pediatric cancer centers here in the northeast.

If you have more questions about this study, log on to the government’s website at: http://www.cdc.gov/

Alison Wholey Mynick, RN, Esq. , June 4, 2008