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Sound Medicine -- October 4, 2003

Hosts Barbara Lewis and Dr. Kathy Miller talk to physicians and researchers about:

Botox and Stroke

Teen Pregnancy and Sexual Activity

STD Vaccine Survey

Real Media | Windows Media

Botox and Stroke

Warding off wrinkles isn't the only use for Botox. In fact, the drug is now being used to treat illnesses and conditions more serious than wrinkled skin. In particular, Botox can help stroke patients use their muscles again. Dr. Allison Brashear conducts research on how the sterilized poison botulinum toxin A serves as an antidote for serious ailments. A neurologist, Dr. Brashear is an associate professor at the IU School of Medicine.

Dr. Brashear also discusses stroke prevention. The late Governor Frank O'Bannon suffered a massive stroke -- a burst blood vessel caused bleeding in and around his brain. Through his death and his family's great loss, Hoosiers are listening closer to stroke prevention messages.

Dr. Brashear urges those interested in Botox research and post-stroke spasticity to call (317) 274-2234 for more information.

Resources:

Read news about Dr. Brashear's research into Botox's role in reducing disability caused by spasticity of the wrist and finger muscles in stroke patients.

Learn about the various ways stroke can affect the body and mind, including hearing and speech, emotions, and perception.

There are certain measures people can take to help prevent stroke and heart disease. The American Heart Association delineates some heart attack and stroke prevention guidelines.

Teen Pregnancy and Sexual Activity

A report by the National Campaign to Prevent Teenage Pregnancy recently announced that 20% of American teenagers have sex before the age of 15. Not surprisingly, most parents reported being oblivious to their children's sexual activity. Ironically, although the majority of parents reported having talked to their children about sex, the teens claimed otherwise.

Lack of communication is just one of the factors at play in the resulting 20,000 pregnancies and 8,000 births annually among girls 14 years and younger. Dr. Maggie Blythe, professor of pediatrics at the IU School of Medicine, specializes in adolescent medicine. She lends insight to the communication problems between teenagers and parents. She also discusses what causes young adolescents to engage in sexual activity and what parents can do to discourage such behavior.

Resources:

Peruse a summary (PDF) of the report 14 and Younger: The Sexual Behavior of Young Adolescents; browse some highlights from the report, or purchase the full publication.

The March of Dimes supplies statistics and facts about teenage pregnancy.

KidsHealth.org offers advice for parents of pregnant teenagers, including help on finding good prenatal care, and dealing with negative emotions and stress.

STD Vaccine Survey

Along with vaccines for polio, measles and mumps, parents might soon have the option to vaccinate their children against sexually transmitted diseases. As researchers develop these vaccines, one major question remains: will parents be willing to have their children vaccinated against herpes, gonorrhea and HIV? Or will vaccines stir a debate similar to that surrounding the widespread distribution of condoms among teenagers?

Dr. Gregory Zimet is a professor of pediatrics and clinical psychology at the IU School of Medicine. He hopes to answer those questions, and is close to finalizing a survey of parents and adolescents about their attitudes and anticipated behaviors regarding potential vaccines for sexually transmitted diseases.

Resources:

Read a news release about the vaccine and societal attitudes toward herpes prevention.

Learn about many types of STDs, including prevention and diagnosis, in this summary from the National Institutes of Health.

View additional resources, including those related to diagnosis and treatment, coping with an STD, statistics, and information directed specifically at teenagers.

Interested in participating in clinical trials for research about sexually transmitted diseases? Take a look at this list to view studies that are currently recruiting.