Latest news with #teenhealth
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
New state law means some Treasure Coast high schools likely to continue early start times
Indian River and St. Lucie teens hoping for extra morning sleep next school year will have to wait for school holidays. A new state law essentially eliminated a 2023 mandate for later middle and high school start times. The 2023 state law required middle schools to begin no earlier than 8 a.m., and high schools no earlier than 8:30 a.m., citing studies that showed teens perform better with a later start to their school day. On the Treasure Coast, Indian River County high schools begin at 7:05 a.m. and St. Lucie County's start at 7:33 a.m. Only Martin County high schools begin at 8:30 a.m. After school districts complained that changing school start times would cost millions to alter school bus routes, state lawmakers considered alternatives. SB 296, which was signed into law in June by Gov. Ron DeSantis, now allows school districts to be in compliance if they report their school start times and detail steps they've taken to implement later start times at middle and high schools. The report must describe the impact later start times would have on the district and any unintended consequences to the school district, students and the community. That new law, signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis in June, was effective July 1. St. Lucie middle schools already comply with 2023 law With the change in law, no schedule adjustments are planned to school start times in St. Lucie County schools, said spokeswoman Lydia Martin in a statement. St. Lucie County had estimated the change would cost about $30 million because of needed changes to bus routes, Martin said. That included $20 million for additional buses and $24 million in staffing, she said. The district's middle schools already are in compliance, beginning at 9:30 a.m. and 9:40 a.m., Martin said. What to know about Florida's later school start times after SB 296 passed in the House Indian River schools planning no changes Indian River County middle and high school students will see no changes in start times to the 2025-2026 school year, officials said. But the district still might survey parents to gauge interest in changing the start times, said School Board member Peggy Jones. "We will decide as a community if we need to change anything," Jones said. "We are going to have to discuss as a community to see what works." Changing bus routes could be costly, Jones said. In addition, working parents often need older students home for after-school childcare. "That's huge for a lot of parents," Jones said. "We'll see what works, (and) see what doesn't." Martin County schools already later Martin County plans no changes for the 2025-2026 school year. The School Board is scheduled to vote on the new year's start times at its July 15 meeting. In 2024, the district adjusted its start times slightly to be one of the first to comply with the 2023 law. The state provided a monetary incentive to districts that complied early. Colleen Wixon is the education reporter for TCPalm and Treasure Coast Newspapers. She covers school districts in Indian Rier, Martin and St. Lucie counties. This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: New Florida law on school start times could impact the Treasure Coast Solve the daily Crossword
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Daily Mail
Women everywhere are making the switch to leakproof period underwear - now up to 50% OFF undies, activewear and even swimsuits!
Daily Mail journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission - learn more One word: period. It's no secret that girls start getting their periods in their pre-teen/teen years, and with it comes extreme awkwardness — but not anymore. Knix is an intimates brand that is changing the narrative around periods with its innovative Leakproof Underwear. We can finally say bye-bye to monthly anxiety and hello to leak-free days that keep us comfortable, calm, and under control! Kt. by Knix Calling all teens! We know talking about and dealing with periods can be extremely uncomfortable, which is why Kt. by Knix is here to save the day. Explore leak-friendly underwear, activewear, and more right now for up to 50 percent off during their MASSIVE summer sale that runs through July 14th. Up to 50% OFF Shop Kt. by Knix, is the cool younger sister brand of Knix that is bringing the innovation to where it all begins — puberty. The up-and-coming brand is revolutionizing the way young girls identify with their bodies by offering stylish, leakproof solutions to periods. With school, friends, sports, (and boys!) in the mix, there is a lot on teens' minds — but bleeding through shouldn't be one of them. That's why Kt. by Knix is changing the game with undies, activewear, and even swimsuits that put periods in their place for good. Right now, the brand is offering huge summer savings with up to 50 percent off nearly everything, including their famous leakproof panties. UNDIES ACTIVE Leakproof Active Legging Whether you are headed to gym class or soccer practice, you should always feel confidently protected. These best-selling leggings some in so many colors and are insanely soft! But the best part is they have period coverage so that those 'uh-oh' moments can be a thing of the past for good. $54.40 (was $68) Shop Leakproof Active Short Leakproof shorts? For under $30? Say less! That's right, these best-sellers are officially on sale right now for an incredible price. Available in many sizes and colors, these skin-hugging sport shorts are where comfort, athleticism, and peace of mind meet. $26.60 (was $38) Shop First Serve Sport Dress If your teen is all about dressing trendy, trust us, this is for her. This adorable tennis dress style leakproof design, is perfect for summer with built-in underwear and sweat-absorbent fabric. While wearing this (in one of the three colors) we know your teen is going to feel cool, confident, and at ease! $61.60 (was $88) Shop SWIM Period Swim Sport One-Piece Splish, splash! This is the #1 best-selling suit on the Kt. by Knix site and we can see why. With incredible prints and colors, this basic suit provides flexibility and comfort. The full coverage style gives support both for leakproof protection and growing curves too. This option is great for summer camp, sleepovers, lake days, and more! $61.60 (was $88) Shop Period Swim Short We know teens typically want to be 'on trend' and many times that means bikinis! Luckily, Kt. by Knix has the perfect ones. These cute swim shorts come in multiple prints and colors with various matching bikini tops available too. This is the perfect coverage option for teens looking to enjoy pool days without stressing about leaks. $44 (was $55) Shop Period Swim Freestyle One-Piece There is enough to worry about as a teenager, but bleeding shouldn't have to be one of them. This super chic full-piece suit comes with coverage that can have her back the way she needs 24/7. It comes in a few different colors and the white framing makes it feel mature! (Which she'll love). $70.40 (was $88) Shop
News.com.au
09-07-2025
- Health
- News.com.au
Teen told it's ‘all in her head' before receiving devastating diagnoses
At just 19 years old, Sydney's teen Marissa De Santis spends most of her days in and out of the hospital, fainting up to five times a day, frequently seizing and battling chronic pain so intense it's left her bedridden for weeks. But despite her debilitating symptoms, doctors still dismiss her, telling her she 'looks fine' and sending her home. Marissa has Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), a complex and poorly understood condition that disrupts how the brain communicates with the body. FND affects movement, sensation, and even organ function — yet many medical professionals know little about it, and there's no cure. 'I just want to be independent,' Marissa told 'People have no idea what it is. They look at me and think I look fine.' Marissa's symptoms started in high school. She struggled to concentrate, felt constantly sick, and was often sent home vomiting or in pain. In 2022, she managed to graduate, but months later her health took a steep dive. She developed Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) that left her fainting every time she stood, sometimes collapsing on the stairs or in the shower. She's had seizures that left her shaking violently on the floor, with her two most recent ones on Monday. For five weeks earlier this year she was completely bedridden, unable to stand without passing out. She's since been admitted to hospital for a week at a time — but doctors usually just check her vitals, give her some pain medication and send her home. 'No one really knows what to do,' she said. 'I've had so many tests, they all come back fine.' And that's the kicker; People with FND do appear 'fine' on paper, but inside, their body is fighting for its life. After seeing doctor after doctor and being told it was all in her head or it was 'just anxiety', Marissa began to lose hope. 'My body was shutting down, and I was overwhelmed and exhausted beyond words. 'Then one afternoon, everything changed — my body started shaking violently. I lost control. I had a full-body seizure. My eyes locked shut. I couldn't speak, move, or cry for help. 'That was the moment I knew — this wasn't just anxiety. It was real.' Marissa's younger sister Helena, now 17, was diagnosed with FND at just 14. Helena also collapses, suffers seizures and lives with chronic pain, though Marissa's condition is more severe. Their mother Sylvia said that although it hasn't made it any easier, she was able to recognise Marissa's symptoms earlier. 'It's just heartbreaking,' said Sylvia. 'I want them to be better. There's no help, there's no answers, it's so frustrating.' 'Marissa should be worrying about who she's going to party with, not whether she can stand in the shower.' 'I just research and push doctors to listen. But I can no longer work or provide,' she said tearfully. Sylvia has had to quit working for their family's dog grooming business to take on the role of full-time carer in her home. 'We may need to look at selling our house. It's a constant battle,' she says tearfully. The family spends tens of thousands of dollars every year on weekly psychologists, fortnightly psychiatrists, cardiologists, neurologists, pain specialists, rehabilitation programs and even hypnotherapy. Marissa is also taking over 10 medications to help manage her condition, including for her heart and seizures. Earlier this year, Marissa was also diagnosed with autism level 2. Her care team believes autism contributed to her nervous system 'overloading,' triggering the FND. Marissa's autism diagnosis has meant the family now has access to minimal NDIS support but FND and POTS are yet to be recognised on their own. Recently, Marissa's family surprised her with a visit from a service dog named Moose. 'When Moose visited Marissa, her heart rate dropped drastically,' said her mum. Moose carries a hefty fee of $30,000 but will allow Marissa to regain a sense of independence and a better quality of life. He will be able to notify her of oncoming seizures or fainting spells. He will also be able to press a doorbell that sends an alert in case of emergencies and assist Marissa in learning how to walk again using his walking frame. Marissa has bravely spoken out about her condition for the first time, creating a GoFundMe to raise money to have access to Moose, who she says would be a lifeline. 'With a Moose by my side, I could reclaim parts of my life that I've lost — and maybe even feel safe enough to go outside on my own again,' she said. Marissa says all she wants is a bit of awareness about what she's going through. 'People have no idea what it is, but disabilities can be invisible. People often make a quick judgement but you can't tell what's going on inside someone's head.'
Daily Mail
02-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
NHS opens first ever ketamine clinic for CHILDREN - kids as young as 12 left hospitalised by toxic effects of party drug
The NHS has launched the UK's first ever ketamine teen addiction clinic amid a surge in youngsters hooked on the mind-altering drug. Doctors at Alder Hay Children's Hospital in Liverpool opened the service last month after seeing 'increasing numbers' of children attending A&E, including one as young as 12. According to the specialist medics, teens had been left passing blood in their urine and even often wet the bed as a consequence of frequently taking the drug. The service aims to treat the symptoms of the ketamine abuse as well as advise children on how to tackle dependency. Experts today warned the drug, known as 'K' or 'Special K', is increasingly 'available in some schools as well as out in the community'. It comes as the dangers of ketamine have been thrown into the spotlight by the recent deaths of several celebrities. These include RuPaul's Drag Race star The Vivienne, who had a cardiac arrest after taking ketamine, and Friends actor Matthew Perry—whose death at the age of 54 in 2023 was caused by the 'acute effects' of ketamine and the opioid buprenorphine. The drug is also an ingredient in 'pink cocaine', which One Direction star Liam Payne had taken before falling off a balcony in Argentina last year. He suffered 'multiple traumas' and 'internal and external haemorrhaging' from the fall. Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast, Harriet Corbett, a consultant paediatric neurologist at Alder Hay Children's Hospital who helped set up the service, said: 'Sadly our youngest referral was for a patient who was 12, we're seeing a lot of 14 and 15-year-olds. 'There are an increasing number under the age of 16 which is why we've had to set up a clinic. 'No one else as far as we know is seeing quite as many children in that age group. 'We know it is available in some schools and out in the community as well. Parents can be really distressed and distraught.' She added: 'An increasing number of patients are coming into mostly the emergency department with symptoms from their ketamine use and those are increasingly from the bladder. 'They really struggle because their bladder can't hold enough urine and are often passing blood in their urine as well and having to get up at night, sometimes wetting the bed. 'Those are pretty distressing symptoms for the children. 'Ketamine gets concentrated in the urine and then gets absorbed through the bladder wall and cause it to become inflammed. 'That over time makes the bladder wall very stiff and can't stretch in the way it normally would do. 'Ketamine can cause permanent damage, so we want to see the children as early as we can to explain what it can do and what the long term picture of using ketamine looks like.' Latest figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), show one in twenty (4.8 per cent) 20 to 24-year-olds in England and Wales last year admitted to taking the drug. This is despite Gen Z increasingly shunning other types of drugs including cannabis, cocaine and MDMA, also known as ecstasy. Nearly seven per cent of today's 16-24 year olds have experimented with 'Ket'—commonly taken at all-night raves. Government figures also show ketamine usage has risen by 85 per cent in just a year between 2023 and 2024. But deaths related to the drug, too, are up a shocking 650 per cent on 2015 and now average around one per week, according to the ONS. Yet despite these threats, social media users regularly make light of its impacts—with a trend for videos showing users in 'k-holes'—the disassociate state associated with heavy usage. Experts have long warned that rising ketamine use has been driven by both its affordability and availability. It is thought to cost around £20 a gram compared to £40 a gram for MDMA and £100 for cocaine. The drug, which comes as a powder and is usually snorted, can lead to a relaxed and dream-like sensation, but taking too much can cause temporary paralysis. Longer-term use can lead to memory loss, mental health problems and organ damage. Tolerance to the drug is known to build quickly. This leads to users needing more and more to feel the same high, which increases the risk of overdosing or experiencing adverse side effects. It works as an anaesthetic by blocking the neurotransmitter N-methyl-D-aspartate (NDMA), which controls actions in the nervous system.
The Independent
25-06-2025
- Health
- The Independent
New toxic warning issued over disposable e-cigarettes
Researchers at the University of California at Davis found that popular disposable e-cigarettes are more toxic than traditional cigarettes, emitting higher levels of harmful metals. After just a few hundred puffs, some devices released neurotoxic lead and carcinogenic nickel and antimony, with one e-cigarette emitting more lead in a day than nearly 20 packs of traditional cigarettes. The study revealed that these toxins are either present in the e-liquid or leach extensively from components like leaded bronze alloy and heating coils. For daily users, emissions from some devices exceeded cancer risk limits for nickel and antimony, and health-risk thresholds for lead and nickel, posing risks like neurological damage and respiratory diseases. Despite most disposable e-cigarettes being illegal in the U.S., they remain available, with researchers emphasizing the urgent need for regulation enforcement due to the market outpacing scientific understanding and the high rate of use among teens and young adults.
