Hypothermia May Serve as Therapy to Prevent Brain Injury

The Mininno Law Office blog posted before about groundbreaking new treatment that can help prevent brain injuryand damage from occurring in newborns who have endured traumatic births. Now, that same treatment is being applied to adults who suffer cardiac arrest, reducing their risk of dying or suffering severe and permanent brain injuries.

Therapeutic Hypothermia

Brain Injury Lawyers in NJ and PA The treatment is called therapeutic hypothermia, and it is relatively new in the medical field. Therapeutic hypothermia involves lowering an unconscious patient’s temperature to between 32 and 34 degrees celsius using a “cooling blanket,” a special cap, or a mattress filled with either air or liquid. The aim of the treatment is to cool the patient’s brain and slow the rate of cell damage, therefore preventing irreversible brain injury or damage.

Because of the uncertainty that has surrounded the therapy for so long, not all practitioners provide it. So, while some hospitals do utilize therapeutic hypothermia to help thwart brain damage, other hospitals have yet to see it’s value. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has advised that health care professionals may consider therapeutic hypothermia for patients at risk of brain injury after cardiac arrest, under the hospital’s usual guidelines for experimental medicine.

Professor Bruce Campbell, Chair of the Interventional Procedures Advisory Committee which produced the guidance for NICE, commented on the potential of the new therapy, saying:

“The evidence shows that controlled cooling of selected patients who have suffered cardiac arrest can increase their chances of survival. The therapy can also reduce the risk of severe brain damage, which can occur when blood flow to the brain is disturbed. While the outcomes of therapeutic hypothermia seem to look promising, we still need to find out more about precisely which patients are most likely to benefit from its use. This is why we are encouraging further research in this area.”

Brain Injury Lawyers in New Jersey and Philadelphia

Traumatic brain injuries and brain damage can change the course of many lives. And when these injuries occur due to the negligence of another, it is normal to feel cheated and owed. Brain injuries can cause the need for expensive and life long treatments and care, things that very few people are prepared to pay for.

If your loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury, and you believe it was caused by the negligence of another, you probably have many questions your regarding your legal rights. Contact the Mininno Law Office for a free case evaluation, or call for a free consultation at 856-833-0600 in New Jersey, or 215-567-2380 in Philadelphia.

Birth Defects: Benefits of Bottle Feeding

Because of the tediousness and patience required for breastfeeding for all mothers, not just those whose baby has a cleft lip, many mothers choose alternative means of feeding, such as bottle feeding. If your baby has a birth defects, such as cleft lip or cleft palate, he or she has structural abnormalities that may inhibit his or her feeding abilities. For instance, your child may have difficulty sucking on the bottle, and therefore trouble receiving the milk from the bottle. There are several bottles on the market that are aimed specifically towards children with a cleft lip. These bottles have a soft top, making it more accessible to your baby: your speech language pathologist can recommend the best brands and bottles for your individual baby.

Babies with Birth Defects may Have Trouble

new jersey philadelphia Birth Defects attorneys benefits bottle feedingSuckles is a part of the pediatric swallowing process. It is different from swallowing in that it occurs from 8 months of gestation up until 6 months after birth. Suckling also differs from sucking in the tongue and jaw movement. The jaw is stable and the tongue moves back and forth. This works in young babies because of the developmental stage of their laryngeal structures. With a cleft lip, your baby may have difficulty with tongue movement and minor problems with suckling. If suckling is a problem for your baby it is wise to develop a pattern of squeezing the bottle to help the baby adapt for a pattern of suckling. This pattern will help your baby adjust to the proper movements to help obtain the milk.

It is extremely important to maintain your baby’s weight and nutrition. Despite the structural differences, your baby should still develop eating habits (such as receiving solids at 6 months) and should retain a healthy wait. If at any point you have difficulty with feeding you should contact your physician for alternative methods.
Topamax, the popular pharmaceutical drug used to treat epilepsy and migraines, has been shown to cause cleft lip and cleft palate in children when taken by women during pregnancy.

Birth Defects Attorneys in New Jersey & Philadelphia

If your child was born with cleft lip it is likely that you have some questions regarding your use of Topamax. Please contact the Mininno Law Office for a free case evaluation, or call for a free consultation at (856) 0833-0600 in New Jersey, or (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia.

Cleft Lip: The Importance of Feeding Habits

As with any newborn, feeding habits are extremely important to keep your baby healthy. Diets must contain nutritional value and more importantly, feeding routines need to be safe and dependable. Depending on the feeding style you select, your newborn baby with a cleft lip may have significant challenges. For instance, mothers who choose to breastfeed will have considerable difficulty for a newborn with a cleft lip. The structure of the lip alters the baby’s ability to partake in suckling and sucking, both of which occur in early stages (from 6 months of gestation until 8 months after birth). These difficulties must be noted in order to prevent your baby from choking or aspiration.

Feeding Styles May Differ from Mother to Mother

new jersey philadelphia birth defects attorneys topamax Cleft Lip feeding habitsYoung babies with a cleft lip are often able to receive nutrition through bottle feeding. It is important to keep an eye on your individual child’s particular eating capabilities. For instance, newborn babies with a cleft lip may need more time to eat because of sucking difficulty due to the lack of closure between the lips and nasal cavity. Babies also may need to be bottle fed rather than breastfed because of these closure issues. Liquids, like milk from a bottle, may leak through the nasal cavity. The specific method chosen for your baby depends on your own child’s cleft lip condition. It is important to contact your physician regarding precise techniques that are most beneficial to your baby.

Topamax, the popular pharmaceutical drug used to treat epilepsy and migraines, has been shown to cause cleft lip and cleft palate in children when taken by women during pregnancy.

Birth Defects Attorneys in New Jersey & Philadelphia

If your child was born with cleft lip it is likely that you have some questions regarding your use of Topamax. Please contact the Mininno Law Office for a free case evaluation, or call for a free consultation at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey, or (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia.

Get Legal Representation: Nursing Home Abuse Still Widespread

Despite continued efforts by nursing home abuse lawyers and various governmental agencies, recent studies have shown that in some northeastern states, as many as one in seven people above the age of sixty have been subject to some form of elder abuse. In some states, as many as over 250,000 senior citizens suffer from incidents of elder abuse in any given year. These statistics are a sobering reminder for anybody who has a loved one currently receiving care in a nursing home facility.

How Do I Know if My Loved One Has Suffered From Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect?

new jersey philadelphia nursing home abuse lawyers neglect still widespreadFirst of, if you have any concerns, consult with an experienced attorney as well as appropriate state agencies. Telltale signs of nursing home abuse are the presence of bed sores, also known as pressure ulcers. Bed sores occur when a nursing home patient is left immobile in one position for too long, causing skin in sensitive areas to loose circulation. This causes tissue damage and eventually kills the skin cells. If caught early and treated properly, bed sores can be easily remedied. However, if neglected, a bed sore can progress past stage two, causing serious health problems for affected nursing home residents.

Another indicator of nursing home abuse is septic shock. Nursing home residents who require regular cleanings but fail to receive them are often susceptible to septic shock. This is a serious infection that is almost always preventable with proper daily cleaning. If you have a loved one who has suffered from septic shock more than once or who has been hospitalized for septic shock, there is a good chance they are not being cared for properly. Take action for those who cannot take action for themselves: Contact an attorney and appropriate state agencies to investigate. Often times abuse is not discovered until it has progressed for some time, but it is never to late to take action.

Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in New Jersey and Philadelphia

The qualified nursing home abuse and neglect lawyers at The Mininno Law Office know how to get results and make a difference in your case. They can get the results your loved one deserves. Contact the Mininno Law Office if you have any questions regarding the health and safety of your loved ones. You may also call for a free consultation at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey, or (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia.

Cleft Lip Possible side-Effect of Common Migraine Treatment

Each person may have a different reaction to certain migraine triggers , leading them to seek relief. There are many common factors that could lead to severe migraines. Many people turn to Topamax, a popular prescription drug, because of its effectiveness in fighting off the worst of migraine symptoms. Pregnant women, however, may need to seek an alternative means to fight the pain. Topamax has been shown to cause birth injuries like cleft lip and cleft palate in new born babies when taken during pregnancy.

What Causes Migraines?

new jersey philadelphia birth injury atorneys Cleft Lip side effect migrainesThere is a wide spectrum of migraines causes. Irregular eating patterns, skipping out on meals, eating too many sweets or starchy foods, caffeine in excess, and other dietary factors could lead to these debilitating headaches. Sleeping patterns also play a role in the onset of migraines. Too much or too little sleep could lead to migraines, as well as other varying sleep disturbances. Extreme emotional highs and lows are also dangerous. Excitement, anxiety, fear, anger, and stress all could lead to problems. Food additives and alcohol, such as wine, liquor, and beer could affect the body adversely leading to potential migraine threats.

Strong environmental changes or issues may also be detrimental to people’s health. Sudden weather changes, bright or glaring lights, loud and obnoxious noises, and strong smells could aggravate the human body, inducing a headache. Finally, changes in hormones are a final cause of migraines. Oral contraceptives, estrogen replacements, and menstruation could have adverse affects on the body leading to migraine pain. Although many of these causes will lead to migraines, it is important for women to find a safe medication for relief. Topamax may lead to cleft lip in babies when taken during pregnancy; therefore, women should be extremely cautious when finding a suitable drug.

Birth Injuries Attorneys in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If your child was born with a birth defect, such as cleft lip or cleft palate, it is likely that you will have some questions regarding your use of Topamax during pregnancy. Please contact the Mininno Law Office with any questions or for a free case evaluation or call for a free consultation at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey, or (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia.

Septic Shock is Number One Indicator of Nursing Home Negligence

new jersey philadelphia nursing home abuse lawyers septic shock indicator negligenceAccording to the Nursing Home Complaint Center, a website sponsored by the consumer advocacy group America’s Watchdog to provide people with a place to report the varying nursing home abuse events they have encountered, sepsis, also know as septic shock, is the number one indicator of intense nursing home abuse or neglect.

These infections are usually preventable with normal and regular cleaning, but when they do develop, they often require trips to the hospital emergency room or even admittance to an intensive care unit. There is no excuse for this level of abuse.
If you know somebody in a nursing home who has been diagnosed with septic shock and has been hospitalized as a result, that person may be a victim of nursing home negligence. If that is the case, you should seriously consider contacting authorities, as well as an attorney.

How Do I Know if Septic Shock is a Result of Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect?

If someone you know has been diagnosed with septic shock infection while residing at a nursing home or long term care facility, that person could very well be the victim of nursing home negligence. Septic shock is most often caused by improper and infrequent cleaning of residents that require regular cleanings as part of their normal care. If a resident of a nursing home or long term care facility is diagnosed with septic shock more than once, or requires a trip to the emergency room or admittance to an intensive care unit, this is a major indicator that the resident is not being properly cared for. This is a clear sign of nursing home abuse and neglect. If this is taking place, the nursing home or long term care facility is simply not doing their job.

Nursing Home Negligence Lawyers in New Jersey and Philadelphia

The skilled Pennsylvania and New Jersey nursing home negligence attorneys at The Mininno Law Office have years of experience and are committed to exposing and stopping the unfortunately widespread problem of nursing home abuse and neglect. Contact the Mininno Law Office for a free case evaluation, or call for a free consultation at (856) 833-0060 in New Jersey or (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia, if you would like to discuss a nursing home abuse case.

Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect at Burlington County Nursing Home

new jersey philadelphia nursing home abuse lawyers brandywine senior care moorestownAs NJ and PA nursing home abuse attorneys who are continually trying to expose long term care facilities showing signs of nursing home abuse and neglect, we focus today on a Burlington County nursing home with a well below average rating according to Medicare’s Nursing Home Compare System. Brandywine Senior Care At Moorestown, located in Burlington County, NJ, is a corporately owned, for profit long term care facility with a well below average Medicare rating. Brandywine Senior Care At Moorestown was routinely inspected twice between December 2008 and November 2010. During these two inspections, this long term care facility was cited for 15 separated violations. Among those violations were the failure to prevent the spread of infection, failure to properly store and serve food in a sanitary manner, and the failure to provide snacks for patients.

Although the facility received no specific citations regarding bed sores and/or pressure ulcers, the types of deficiencies cited can lead to the development of these bed sores. As we have mentioned many times, proper nutrition and maintaining general, overall good health is important in the prevention and care of bed sores. Brandywine was also cited for failing to keep a hazardous/accident free environment. This was rated as a widespread issue according to the NJ Division of Health Facilities Evaluation and Licensing. All of these citations are signs of nursing home abuse and neglect, and must be taken very seriously!

Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in New Jersey and Philadelphia

Nursing Home abuse attorneys are available to assist you if your loved one has become a victim of nursing home abuse. NJ and PA nursing home abuse attorneys and the Mininno Law Office are dedicated to eradicating the disturbing trends of abuse and neglect in our nation’s nursing homes and long term care facilities.
Contact the Mininno Law Office for a free case evaluation. You may also call for a free consultation at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey, and (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia.

Attorneys Report on Awful Abuse of Dementia Patient

As New Jersey and Philadelphia attorneys who have become experts on nursing home abuse and neglect cases, we continue to highlight nursing homes in which acts of elder abuse occur. The Delaware County, Pennsylvania nursing home that we will focus on today seems to be an example of horrible abuse by staff at a nursing facility.

Quadrangle Nursing Home Residents Caught on Tape Abusing Dementia Patient

new jersey philadelphia nursing home abuse lawyers report abuse dementia patientThe family of a 78 year old Lois McCallister, a patient at the Quadrangle nursing home in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, placed a “nanny cam” in view of their relative after she complained of being punched, slapped, and otherwise abused by the staff members. McCallister, who suffers from dementia, also showed signs of bruising on her left hand and wrist. The “nanny cam” caught a nursing home employee striking McCallister in the face and head. The hidden camera also caught nursing home employees laughing at and mocking the mental condition of McCallister for over 12 minutes, while she stood naked trying to cover her breasts. This is an especially egregious example of how cruel some staff members at nursing homes treat their residents. As a result of these incidents, several members of the staff at the Quadrangle nursing home have been placed under arrest.

If you suspect similar abuse in any instance, report the activity to authorities and contact an attorney.

Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If your loved one is a resident in a nursing home or other long-term care facility and you feel the care they are receiving may be abusive or negligent, contact the Mininno Law Office for a free case evaluation. You may also call for a free consultation at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey, or (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia.
Act as an advocate for the safety of your elderly loved ones.

Cleft Lip: Speech and Hearing Problems are Possible

Topamax is a highly effective consumer medication used for the treatment of migraines and seizures. Although it is necessary for people to seek relief, it is crucial that all potential side effects are known before taking certain pharmaceutical drugs. Topamax has recently been linked to certain birth defects when taken by women during their pregnancy. Cleft lip and cleft palate are potential birth defects associated with Topamax use, and can be very harmful to newborn babies.

Children may Need Medical Treatment for Speech and Hearing Issues

new jersey philadelphia birth injury attorneys Cleft Lip Speech Hearing ProblemsCleft lips and palates have the potential to harmfully affect the ability of children to hear. A tympanostomy tube is usually inserted into a young child’s eardrum in order to aerate the middle ear. This tube often allows for children to have improved hearing and provides other significant benefits. Babies who suffer from cleft palate may have a number of speech problems. Some speech problems develop directly as a result of anatomical differences due to the birth defect. An example of an anatomical difference that could cause trouble is velopharyngeal inadequacy, which is the inability of the soft palate to shut the opening from the throat to the nasal cavity. Velopharyngeal inadequacy makes it difficult for children to make many speech sounds as the soft palate is integral to this function. These types of errors are somewhat common and can be corrected after palate repair.

In other cases, children with cleft lip and cleft palate may have speech errors which result from an attempt to over compensate for the inability to produce the target phoneme. Known as compensatory articulations, these sounds are usually non-existent in normal English phonology. Palate repair is usually not the answer to solving these sorts of issues and it may worsen the speech, making it even harder to understand. Speech pathology can be very helpful in resolving some problems with speech, and parents should seek medical advice as soon as possible.

Cleft Lip Attorneys in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If your child was born with a birth defect, such as cleft lip or cleft palate, it is possible that you have some questions regarding your use of Topamax during pregnancy. Please contact the Mininno Law Office for a free case evaluation, or call for a free consultation at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey, or (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia.

Birth Injury Lawyers – Cleft Lip: Dealing with Defects

Many people turn to the popular pharmaceutical drug Topamax to deal with severe migraine headaches. Although the drug has performed prominently in the industry, it may not be the proper choice for pregnant mothers. Recent reports have shown that Topamax may cause birth defects, such as cleft lip and cleft palate, when it is taken by women during pregnancy. Women should thoroughly investigate all medications, as well as warning labels, before determining the proper migraine relief that suits their needs.

Cleft Lip: Concerns are Normal

new jersey philadelphia birth injuries lawyers cleft lip dealing defectsThe birth of a child is one of the most exciting and proud moments of a mother’s life. Birth defects, such as cleft lip or cleft palate, should not spoil the moment, as these issues can be easily corrected with surgery. It is completely normal for mothers with babies born with a cleft lip to experience concerns and feelings of denial, guilt, anger, and depression.

Mothers should not become over consumed with some of these normal feelings and should seek helpful advice from their child’s physician or counselors. Support groups may also be helpful for new mothers because they allow for interaction with similarly situated women who have babies with similar birth defects. Dealing with cleft lip in young babies may require extra patience, time, and energy, but mothers should not overextend themselves because these defects can be treated. It is normal to wonder how family, friends, and other children will react to the appearance of your child, but the central focus for all women should be simply to build the strongest possible bond with their young child. In time, everything else will work itself out.

Cleft Lip Lawyers in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If your child was recently born with cleft lip or cleft palate and you believe this birth defect may be attributable to your use of Topamax, it is likely that you have some questions. Please contact the Mininno Law Office for a free case evaluation, or call for a free consultation at 856-833-0600 in New Jersey, or 215-567-2380 in Philadelphia.