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Healthwatch
Does Your Child Need To Bathe Every Day?
~1.9 mins read

Two children in a bathtub, only their heads are visible over the side of the tub

The daily bath or shower is a routine for many of us — and for our children, too. But is it really necessary?

The short answer is no.

Obviously, there are days when washing up makes good sense — like if your child is grimy from a day in the dirt; covered in sweat, paint, or other visible dirt; or had an explosive poop. It's also a good idea to wash up if your child has spent the day in a pool (the chlorine may be irritating to the skin), a body of water (there could be things in the water that are irritating or unhealthy), or used bug spray to ward off ticks and mosquitoes. And certainly, it's best for everyone in the vicinity when a stinky teenager takes a soapy shower.

Sometimes a doctor may recommend daily bathing for certain skin conditions. And we all need to wash our hands regularly to prevent infection. But full-body washing just for the sake of washing? Not so much.

Why not bathe a child daily?

Lots of bathing can lead to dry, irritated skin. But also, the skin has natural protective oils, and natural bacteria, that help to keep us healthy and safe — and that can get washed away with daily bathing.

If your baby or preteen looks pretty clean, isn't stinky, isn't covered in bug spray, and hasn't been in a pool or other body of water, it's fine to skip the bath or shower. Really, bathing two or three times a week is fine. In fact, for many kids, even just once or twice a week is fine. You can always do a quick wipe with a wet washcloth to the face, groin area, and any dirty spots.

Stinky teenagers might need more bathing or showering, depending on activity level and deodorant use. But even they may be able to get away with washing their face and using a soapy washcloth on their groin and underarms.

Tips for healthy bathing

When you do bathe children, here are some tips for healthy bathing.

  • Don't use hot water — use warm water instead.
  • Keep it short — preferably just enough time to get the washing done.
  • Avoid antibacterial soaps and bubble baths. Use mild, unscented soap and shampoo.
  • Make sure bathing is supervised for all babies and young children.
  • Pat dry rather than rubbing dry. If your child tends to have dry skin, using a mild, unscented greasy moisturizer after the bath can be helpful.
  • If your child has eczema or any other skin condition, check with your doctor to get tailored advice for bathing your child.

    Source: Harvard Health Publishing

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    Gistlegit
    Trapped In A Toxic Marriage, Tempted By A Lost Love – Ejiro’s Story Will Leave You Speechless!
    ~0.8 mins read


    A Complicated Triangle: Ejiro, Ejike, and Louis – A Tale of Love, Betrayal, and Escape
     
    In a gripping new drama "BYE BABY" on Uche Jombo TV, viewers follow the tumultuous journey of Ejiro, a woman trapped in an abusive marriage with her husband Ejike for five years. Life takes an unexpected twist when her ex-lover, Louis, suddenly moves in next door, stirring up unresolved emotions. As Ejiro struggles to free herself from the grip of her toxic marriage, Louis fights tirelessly to rekindle the flame they once shared.
     
    Caught between the past and the present, Ejiro’s story explores themes of resilience, love, betrayal, and self-liberation. Will she find the courage to break free from Ejike’s control, or will she be drawn back into the familiarity of old love? This suspenseful drama promises emotional highs and lows that will keep audiences on the edge of their seats.
     
    Catch the full drama now on Uche Jombo TV on YouTube and discover how Ejiro’s story unfolds
     
    *Watch the Full Movie here:*
     
     
    *Watch the highlight here:*





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    Healthwatch
    Ready To Give Up The Lead Vest?
    ~3.7 mins read

    Man with black hair seated with x-ray machine pointed toward his jaw wearing lead protective vest; screen with xrays of teeth in backgroundvest

    At a dental appointment last month, I spotted a lead vest hanging unassumingly on the wall of the exam room as soon as I walked in. "Still there, but now obsolete," I thought.

    I'd just learned about new guidelines from the American Dental Association (ADA) saying lead vests and thyroid collars that cover the neck are no longer needed during dental x-rays. But they'd been a fixture of my dental experiences — including many cavities, four root canals, a tooth extraction, and two crowns — for my entire life. What changed, and could I feel safe without the vest?

    Why were lead vests used in past years?

    Lead vests and thyroid collars have been worn by countless Americans during dental x-rays over the years. They've been in use for far longer than my lifetime — about 100 years. The heavy apron-like shields are placed over sensitive areas, including the chest and neck, before the x-rays are taken.

    "I haven't worn a lead apron in the last 10 or 15 years — unless a dentist insists I put it on — because I know it isn't needed," says Dr. Bernard Friedland, an associate professor of oral medicine, infection, and immunity at Harvard School of Dental Medicine.

    What has changed about dental x-rays?

    When lead vests and thyroid collars were first recommended, x-ray technology was much less precise. But the technology has evolved significantly over the last few decades in ways that dramatically improve patient safety:

  • Digital x-rays enable far smaller radiation doses, reducing radiation exposure and the risks associated with higher doses, such as cancer. "The doses used in dental radiology are negligibly small now. If you go to the dentist today for a full series of mouth x-rays that are taken with a digital sensor, the total exposure time is just over five seconds," explains Dr. Friedland, an expert in oral radiology. "A hundred or so years ago, that exposure time would have been many minutes."
  • The small size of today's x-ray beam significantly reduces radiation "scatter" and restricts the beam size to only the area needing to be imaged. This protects patients from radiation exposure to other parts of the body.
  • A less-recognized strike against using lead vests and thyroid collars is their ability to get in the way. They may block the primary x-ray beam, preventing dentists from capturing needed images. This quirk can lead to repeat imaging and unnecessary exposure to additional radiation. This is more likely to occur with panoramic x-rays.

    The gear may also spread germs, Dr. Friedland notes. Although disinfected, it's not sterilized between uses. "There's a risk of spreading bacteria and viruses," he says. "To me, that's also an issue and another reason I don't want to use one on myself."

    Who no longer needs the shields?

    No one does — even children, who presumably have a long life of dental x-rays in front of them. The new recommendations apply to all patients regardless of age, health status, or pregnancy, the ADA says.

    The recommendation to discontinue lead vests has been a long time in the making. In fact, the ADA isn't the first professional organization to propose it. The American Association of Physicists in Medicine did so in 2019, followed by the American College of Radiology in 2021 and the American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology in 2023.

    Are some people confused or concerned about the no-lead-vest policy?

    Yes. The new guidelines are bound to draw confusion and fear, Dr. Friedland says. Some people may even insist on continuing to wear a lead vest during x-rays.

    "A big problem is that people's perception of risk is very skewed," he says. "Some people, you'll never convince."

    People are likely to feel more comfortable if the practice is uniformly adopted by dentists. However, the ability to implement this change may hinge partly on public response. And it could take a while to fully adopt.

    "I think the public is going to have more say on this than dentists," Dr. Friedland says. "It might take a generation to make this change, maybe longer."

    Still concerned about the new recommendations?

    If you have lingering concerns about the new recommendations, talk to your dentist.

    And ask if dental x-rays are necessary to proceed with your diagnosis or treatment plan. Sometimes it's possible to take fewer x-rays — such as bitewing x-rays of the upper and lower back teeth only — or to use certain types of imaging less frequently. Even with far safer x-ray conditions, dentists should be able to justify that the information from images is integral to diagnose problems or improve care, Dr. Friedland says.

    It's worth noting that the dose of radiation, while far lower than in the past, varies with the type of imaging and which parts of the jaw are being imaged. For example, the digital dental x-rays mentioned above involve less radiation than conventional dental x-rays. Either panoramic dental x-rays, or 3-D dental x-rays taken with a CBCT system that rotates around the head, typically involve more radiation than conventional dental x-rays.

    Whenever possible, dentists should use images taken during previous dental exams, according to the ADA. "If I don't need an x-ray, I don't get one," says Dr. Friedland. "I'm not cavalier about it. I also use technical parameters that keep the x-ray dose as low as reasonably possible."

    Source: Harvard Health Publishing

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    Investopedia
    Top Stock Movers Now: Enphase Energy, AT&T, Coca-Cola, And More
    ~1.2 mins read

    U.S. equities fell at midday as several weak corporate earnings reports weighed on stocks. The Dow Jones Industrial Average, S&P 500, and Nasdaq all declined.

    Shares of solar power companies slumped when Enphase Energy (ENPH) missed profit and sales estimates and gave weak guidance on soft European demand.

    Shares of Coca-Cola (KO) dropped after the soft drink maker reported a surprising dip in unit case volumes.

    McDonald's (MCD) shares tumbled as the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said it was investigating a rash of sicknesses caused by E. coli in people who ate the restaurant chain's Quarter Pounder burgers. 

    AT&T (T) shares were higher after the telecom firm posted better-than-expected postpaid phone net adds. 

    Shares of Northern Trust (NTRS) gained after the bank reported strong results as it benefited from higher fees.

    Packaging Corporation of America (PKG) shares rose as price hikes helped the manufacturer of packaging products beat profit and sales estimates. 

    Oil futures slid. Gold prices came down from record highs. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note advanced. The U.S. dollar was up on the euro, pound, and yen. Most major cryptocurrencies traded lower. 

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    Investopedia
    Smurfit WestRock Stock Is One Of The S&P 500's Best Performers Today. Here's Why.
    ~1.3 mins read

    Smurfit WestRock (SW) shares popped on Wednesday, marking one of the S&P 500's top performances, after the packaging manufacturer released the first quarterly result to reflect the July merger of Ireland's Smurfit Kappa and U.S.-based WestRock.

    Given the timing of the transaction, the second-quarter 2024 report covered only the performance of Smurfit Kappa.

    The stock, recently up nearly 13%, is now back in positive territory for the year.

    The cardboard box maker reported a third-quarter 2024 net loss of $150 million on net sales of approximately $7.7 billion. Both figures fell short of analysts' consensus estimates.

    Despite the lower-than-expected headline numbers, the top-line result more than doubled from net sales of roughly $2.9 billion posted in the year-ago period, boosted by contributions from the WestRock acquisition and strong volumes in corrugated packaging. The company attributed around $500 million of the quarterly loss to expenses and accounting adjustments related to the merger.

    Smurfit WestRock reports results in three geographical segments. Although sales remained essentially flat year-over-year for the segment comprising Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia-Pacific region, the WestRock add-on contributed to a surge in sales for the North America segment. The Latin America segment posted sales growth of 48% from a year ago.

    CEO Tony Smurfit stressed the impact of the merger on the company's performance, asserting that "these results are a strong foundation to build upon."

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    Investopedia
    Cadence Design Systems Tops S&P 500 After Strong Third Quarter
    ~1.4 mins read

    Shares of Cadence Design Systems (CDNS) shares climbed more than 12% on Tuesday to notch the top daily performance of any S&P 500 stock after the electronic design automation firm posted strong quarterly results and boosted its full-year guidance.

    The provider of design software, hardware, intellectual property (IP) and other solutions posted revenue of $1.215 billion for the third quarter of 2024, up around 19% year-over-year. Non-GAAP earnings per share (EPS), at $1.64, was up more than 30% from the year-ago period. Both figures came in ahead of consensus forecasts.

    Cadence also lifted its revenue and non-GAAP earnings forecasts for the full year.

    Cadence specializes in integrated circuits and electronic systems to aid in design processes across industries including communications, automotive, defense, and industrial markets.

    Robust demand for artificial intelligence (AI) design products underpinned Cadence's strong quarterly performance. In the earnings report, the company touted the productivity benefits of its Cadence.AI portfolio, which incorporates generative AI technology along with AI-driven big data analytics. Revenue from Cadence.AI nearly tripled year-over-year.

    "Customers are achieving outstanding results with Cadence.AI, and I’m excited by its accelerating proliferation as AI rapidly becomes an integral part of the design workflow," said CEO Anirudh Devgan.

    Following the strong financial results, analysts at Baird lifted their price target on Cadence Design stock to $340 from $332. Needham analysts, meanwhile, trimmed their price target to $315 from $320 but maintained their buy rating.

    Cadence Design shares have been volatile so far in 2024. Tuesday's gains returned the stock to positive territory for the year.

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