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MUHC in the News | January 2 - 6, 2017

AnhedoniaAnhedonia, or when music conveys no emotions

For roughly 2% of the population, listening to music doesn’t give rise to any emotion, explained Dr. Robert J. Zatorre, researcher at the Montréal Neurological Institute and Hospital of the McGill University Health Centre, who has been studying musical enjoyment and its associated brain functions for over ten years. He added that these people don’t have hearing problems, do understand musical conventions and don’t have other neurological or psychological problems. For more information, read Métro Montréal  or Radio-Canada.  

Disciplining your childDisciplining your child

The timeout is a much-used disciplinary tool, designed to take the tempest out of a temper tantrum. But most moms and dads seem to be getting it wrong, psychologists and pediatricians say. Researchers in Oregon who surveyed 401 parents of children 15 months to 10 years about their use of time outs to correct misbehaviour, they found 85 per cent of parents who used the technique did so in a way that runs contrary to the evidence on what works. To find out what Dr. Richard Haber, associate director of pediatrics at Montreal Children's Hospital, has to say on the matter, visit CBC News.

Montreal Canadiens bring their smiles to the Montreal Children’s Hospital

Montreal Canadiens bring their smiles to the Montreal Children’s Hospital

Once again, the Montreal Canadiens did their part to bring a little seasonal cheer to a few lucky kids who will be spending their holidays in the hospital. Check out Journal de MontréalTVA Sports and the Montreal Gazette  for some heart-warming photos and videos of the visit.

 

 

Food allergies

Food allergies: New rules sow anger and confusion

The new rules - published yesterday in the United States - say that babies should absorb peanuts as early and as often as possible, from the age of 4 to 6 months, because this reduces the risk of developing a fatal allergy by 80% among the most at risk. At Sainte-Justine and the Montreal Children's Hospital, specialists did not wait for these official guidelines to advocate the early introduction of peanuts - or even other allergens - as these guidelines are based on the results of a very large and convincing study published in 2015. “It takes time to change behavior and a way thinking. It is simpler to advise parents to avoid a food completely, thinking that they avoid the problem, but you have to know that you create another problem. It is much more difficult to treat a food allergy than to prevent it,” warns Dr. Moshe Ben-Shoshan, an allergist at the Montreal Children's Hospital. For more information, check out La Presse and Radio-Canada.

ERs expect throng of alcohol, drug-related visitors for NYE

ERs expect throng of alcohol, drug-related visitors for NYE

According to MUHC emergency physician Sophie Gosselin, about ten per cent of New Year's patients come in to the ER with an issue linked to alcohol - including partiers with alcohol poisoning, or injuries they sustained while drunk. Gosselin is working overnight on New Year's Eve, and has done it in the past. To find out more about what Dr. Gosselin expects to see on her shift, visit the Montreal Gazette.

 

ER visits for freezing rain related injuriesER visits for freezing rain related injuries

Slippery sidewalks have sent an influx of Montrealers to the city’s ERs after Monday’s freezing rain. The MUHC has reported at least 35 ER visits to their emergency rooms for fall-related injuries including sprained ankles, concussions and broken wrists. On a normal winter’s day, officials said they can expect roughly eight patients for similar injuries. For more information, check out CTV News.

 

Montreal hospitals over capacity as flu season begins in earnest

Montreal hospitals over capacity as flu season begins in earnest

Doctors anticipate overcrowding at several Montreal-area hospitals as a flu bug spreads, at a time of year when many facilities are at or over capacity. Tamara Gafoor, a doctor at the Montreal Children’s Hospital, advised parents to take advantage of other resources before bringing their children to hospital. “They can go to their family doctor or pediatrician,” she said. “811 is a great resource with nurses who can give advice to the families as well as to tell them who they can consult and (whether they should) go to the emergency room.” For guidelines for parents trying to determine if an ER visit is needed, visit CTV, La Presse, Radio-Canada and Journal Métro.

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