Healthy Living

Brought to you by: Community Partner COMPACT, compact2020.com

Parents, if you found marijuana in your child’s room, would you be able to identify it? Let’s discuss its characteristics. Marijuana refers to the dried leaves, flowers, stems, or seeds of a cannabis sativa plant. The words marijuana and cannabis are often used interchangeably. Throughout the years, the level of THC in marijuana has continually gone up. The levels of THC in the marijuana throughout the 1970s-1990s was about 13%. However, the THC levels of today’s marijuana can be as high as 99%.

How is marijuana ingested into the body? People who use marijuana may roll loose marijuana leaves into a cigarette- called a joint. Others may smoke it in a pipe or water pipe. It’s often mixed into foods called edibles. Another popular method on the rise is vaping THC. Researchers have found that the use of marijuana and other drugs usually peaks in the late teens and early twenties. Therefore, marijuana use among our teens remains a natural concern for parents and is the focus of research- specifically on its impact on brain development which continues through a person’s early twenties.

What are the effects marijuana has on the body? THC is structurally similar to chemicals produced naturally by the body called endocannabinoids which play a role in normal brain development function. Because of the endocannabinoid system, marijuana can have multiple effects not just on the brain but on the entire body. Some of these effects are short-term and last only as long as marijuana is in the body. Some of these effects are attention and memory problems that can hinder the learning process, poor coordination and motor skills, anxiety, paranoia and even psychosis. However, if there is continued use over a longer period of time, it can cause long-term problems that can last a lifetime. Examples include risk of chronic cough or bronchitis, recurring episodes of severe nausea and vomiting, and risk of addiction. Marijuana is harmful to the brain and the body. The best way to know how marijuana will affect your body is to not use it at all because it only takes one time to become addicted. Visit us on Facebook @Compact2020 and on our website www.compact2020.com for more strategies aimed at reducing substance misuse and promoting mental wellness. You can also call us on our parent talk line, 205-605-1827. To read other articles like this one, visit www.BirminghamChristian.com/COMPACT. †

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Did you know COMPACT offers free prevention, intervention, and education for Shelby County students and parents on difficult topics and issues like substance misuse, truancy, behavioral issues, and more? Click to fill out a referral form.

Healthy Living

Brought to you by: Community Partner Compact, www.compact2020.com

What is vaping? Also referred to as e-cigs, e-hookahs, ends, or juulings, vapes or e-cigarettes are devices that operate by heating a liquid solution to a high enough temperature so that it produces an aerosol that is inhaled. When e-cigarettes first began entering the market around 2007, some devices were designed to resemble regular cigarettes while others looked like cigars, pipes, pens, and even USB flash drives. More recently, e-cigarettes with sleek and high-tech designs with easy rechargeable batteries have entered the market. The most popular- the JUUL- emerged in 2015 and quickly established itself as a leading e-cigarette product comprising nearly three-quarters of the e-cigarette marketplace by 2019. 

Now, let’s look at what’s in a vape. E-cigarettes contain nicotine, which is a highly addictive chemical that is particularly risky to teens and young adults. According to the FDA and the 2019 National Youth Tobacco survey results, more than five million United States middle school and high school students are current e-cigarette users. The U.S. Surgeon General classified nicotine as addictive as cocaine or heroin. Teenagers whose brains are still developing have a heightened risk of getting hooked on nicotine. Early research has shown that nicotine addiction may result in lifelong problems with concentrating. There are other chemicals in e-cigarettes that you may not realize including glycol, formaldehyde, acetone, lead, and nickel. 

Should I be concerned for my teen? Vaping related injuries started to rise in the summer of 2019. In September of 2019, the CDC reported six deaths and 380 cases of lung- related issues from vaping. By February of 2020, there had been 68 deaths. That is a 1,000% increase since 2019. According to a new study led by researchers at Stanford University, vaping is linked to a substantially increased risk of COVID-19 among teenagers and young adults. Among the participants who were tested for COVID-19, those who used e-cigarettes were five times more likely to be diagnosed with COVID-19 than non-users. 

How can I get help for my loved one? Kids today are exposed to so much more than they were 10, 20, or 30 years ago. Our kids are stressed and anxious and some turn to nicotine and alcohol to help them cope with those stressors. If you’ve discovered that your child is addicted to vaping or nicotine, remember you are not alone. Compact is here for you. Visit our Facebook page for video resources, visit our website www.compact2020.com or call our parent talk line, 205-605-1827. To read other articles like this one, visit www.BirminghamChristian.com/COMPACT. †

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Did you know COMPACT offers free prevention, intervention, and education for Shelby County students and parents on difficult topics and issues like substance misuse, truancy, behavioral issues, and more? Click to fill out a referral form.

Special Feature

As disabilities gain more awareness and recognition, inclusivity and acceptance of diversity have become more commonly practiced. However, Special Connections not only strives to continue to practice inclusivity but also to implement a Biblical perspective and understanding of disabilities. “We want to meet the needs of the families that have children with special needs and show them Christ’s love,” says Special Connections Director Michael Johnson. Special Connections ministers to those with special needs by sharing the Gospel and guiding them to discover the blessing of their limitations and how they can be used to glorify the Lord. Johnson explains that the ministry provides participants’ families with encouragement and counseling on sup- porting their loved ones in developing a Biblical view of themselves beyond their disabilities. He emphasizes the importance of “person-first language” (e.g., a person with Autism) but says, “The only label we should be using [for everyone] is believer or non-believer.”

The Special Connections ministry will host a 100% free Special Needs Re- source Fair where families can connect with over 63 confirmed agencies to date that provide services to those touched by special needs on August 22, 2024 from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. Over the past few years, Special Connections served 150 family groups in approximately two hours through outreach programs, evan- gelism, and bringing unbelievers to Christ. “We host this fair under the Bibli- cal model of ‘making disciples of all nations,’” says Johnson. Resource guides will be translated into various languages including English, Spanish, Japanese, and Korean. In addition, an ASL interpreter will be on site. Space is limited for in-person attendance, but all the fair resources will be available digitally to registered families. Visit www.briarwood.org/ministries/special-connections to learn more and register.

-Madi Mansour

Healthy Living 

Birmingham native Mary Morgan Brown, MD is returning to the Magic City to join the St. Vincent’s based Henderson & Walton Women’s Center (HWWC) team beginning July 1. “I was actually born at St. Vincent’s and my mom was a patient at HWWC, so this feels full circle for me,” Dr. Brown says. 

Dr. Brown attended The University of Alabama for her undergraduate degree and then headed to the University of South Alabama for medical school. She then journeyed to the University of Oklahoma to complete her residency and that is where she met her husband, Jake. “We then moved to Phoenix, Ariz. for two years where I was in private practice,” she explains. When Dr. Brown began searching for jobs in Birmingham, she shared that HWWC was high on her list. “When I interviewed, I was very impressed by all the support from the other physicians. Even though it is a large group, I could feel that everyone truly cared for each other and was there to support each other,” Dr. Brown says. 

Dr. Brown’s favorite part of being an OB/GYN is “helping people improve their lives. Whether it is having a baby, starting treatment to improve their quality of life, having a hysterectomy, or just becoming more educated about their body, I love being a part of it,” she says adding that she loves to build relationships with her patients. “Especially being a gynecologist, a lot of women share personal things with us that they don’t with other people, and that’s special.” 

Dr. Brown’s faith impacts her career as a physician and how she interacts with patients. “My faith reminds me that my patients and I are only human. There are many things that are out of our control. Some days are hard as a physician, and I have to remember that I can only do my best, and God will do the rest,” Dr. Brown says. She will be serving patients at both the St. Vincent’s Birmingham and Cullman HWWC offices. 

To learn more about HWWC and to schedule your appointment, visit www.hwwc.net. 

-Melissa Armstrong

 

Healthy Living

Brought to you by: Community Partner Compact, compact2020.com

Summer is here and that means fun in the sun! Whether your favorite summer activity is swimming, hiking, playing in the sand at the beach, or more, staying healthy and safe in the Alabama summer heat is the goal. While you and your family are enjoying increased time outdoors, there are some safety tips you should implement to keep everyone safe, healthy and enjoying the summer days. Here are four safety tips: 

1. When outside, make sure to stay hydrated.

2. Use sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun.

3. When swimming, make sure to never swim alone and take proper breaks to avoid fatigue.

4. When traveling the roads this summer, be mindful of increased traffic.

Let’s take a closer look at the importance of safety tips one and two. Whether you are vacationing or enjoying outside activities, focus on staying hydrated in the summer heat. Dehydration and heat stroke can happen quickly and without warning. Left untreated, these can lead to major health problems. 

Sunburns can quickly put a damper on summer fun. Did you know repeated sunburns can increase the risk of skin cancer? Make sure to apply sunscreen before any outdoor activities you have planned. If you will be outside for an extended period of time, be sure to reapply often. Remember, you should always take breaks from the sun and find a nice cool shade to enjoy. 

To read other articles like this one, visit www.BirminghamChristian.com/COMPACT. †

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Did you know COMPACT offers free prevention, intervention, and education for Shelby County students and parents on difficult topics and issues like substance misuse, truancy, behavioral issues, and more? Click to fill out a referral form.

Healthy Living

Brought to you by: Community Partner Compact, compact2020.com

Did you know? Approximately 20% of teens will experience depression before they become adults. 14% of teens have experienced depression in the last 12 months and of those affected by depression, 80% have never received help. 

Causes of Teen Depression. Depression is defined as a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think, and how you act. Teenage depression can be caused by several things including bullying, relationship problems, academic problems, and poor self-esteem. Signs of depression include a change in appetite, prolonged anger or frustration, withdrawal from activities, and increased thoughts or reference to death or suicide. 

Risks & Signs of Teen Suicide. The risk for teen suicide varies with age, gender, and cultural and social influences. Some factors include one or more mental or substance abuse problems, impulsive behaviors, undesirable life events such as being bullied, or a recent loss such as the death of a parent. Another risk is a family history of mental or substance abuse problems or suicide. Many of the warning signs of suicide are the same for depression. Warning signs include stating “I want to kill myself,” or “I won’t be a problem much longer” as well as giving away important belongings or expressing strange thoughts. 

Ways to Alleviate Teen Depression & Prevent Suicide. Take time to listen to your teenager’s concerns. Remember that just because it’s not a big deal to you doesn’t mean it’s not a concern to them. When disciplining your teen, replace shame and punishment with positive reinforcement for good behavior. By listening to your teen instead of telling them what to do; you may discover the root of the problem. Make sure your child knows you care and will always be there to discuss their problems. Teen depression tends to come and go in episodes. Once a teenager has a bout of depression, they are likely to get depressed again at some point. The consequence of letting teen depression go untreated can lead to extreme and serious consequences that could be deadly. 

Together, we can make sure our teens have the proper tools and ability to beat depression. If your teen is exhibiting signs of depression, call our Parent Talk line at 205-605-1827. If your teen is exhibiting signs of self-harm, call the Crisis Call Center at 1-800-273-8255. Learn more at www.compact2020.com. To read other articles like this one, click here. †

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Did you know COMPACT offers free prevention, intervention, and education for Shelby County students and parents on difficult topics and issues like substance misuse, truancy, behavioral issues, and more? Click to fill out a referral form.

Healthy Living

John M. Morgan, MD recently celebrated delivering more than 10,000 babies over his 38 years of practicing medicine here in Birmingham. Reflecting on his career, he shared how blessed he feels to have such a unique perspective on how God is at work in the miracle of birth. Morgan says he will miss this aspect of his work going forward, but also looks forward to continuing to practice medicine at Brookwood Women’s Health, P.C. by helping women in the many other interesting areas of their health, including hormone replacement therapy.

Dr. Morgan shares that he has seen how hormone replacement therapy has helped his older patients going through menopause but also many younger women. “Classically we would treat menopausal ladies. They hit 51 years older and start missing their periods, have hot flashes, night sweats, can’t’ sleep, anxious, depressed. However, we then found out that some women in their thirties, they will have a testosterone deficiency and they have benefited very well from treatment.”  Dr. Morgan adds that today his patients have multiple options when it comes to the form of hormone replacement therapy treatment including oral medication, creams, patches and bioidentical pellets. The pellet is put underneath the skin, about the size of a piece of rice, and it lasts for three or four months, and I have seen patients do very well with that.”

Dr. Morgan is also considered a pioneer in robotic surgery and is one of the busiest robotic surgeons at Brookwood Medical Center, one of the top five percent of robotic centers in the U.S..  He is also a diplomate of the American Society of Bariatric Physicians and is published in The American Journal of Bariatric Medicine. †

Click below to watch an in-depth interview with Dr. Morgan.