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Wednesday, August 22, 2012 – Daily News FEATURES Boxing a dangerous sport for kids, teens TOR K: My teenage son wants to box. Should I let him? DEAR DOC- DEAR READ- ER: As much as I believe sports are great for kids, par- ticularly teenagers, I think boxing is a bad idea. The American Acade- my of Pediatrics agrees. Last year the AAP released a statement strongly oppos- ing boxing as a sport for children and teens. Your son may argue that other sports, like football or ice hockey, can also cause injury. But boxing is a sport in which participants actual- ly get points for hitting opponents in the head. That's dangerous. Blows to the head can cause head injuries, including concus- sions, which are the most common injury in boxing. Because people typically recover full neurological function after a concussion, although it may take weeks or months, many doctors have long assumed that con- cussions don't cause perma- nent brain injury. However, over the past several decades we've learned oth- erwise. Being struck again in the head while recovering from a concussion can cause brain injury, even if the second blow doesn't cause an apparent change in brain function. So can repeated concussions, even if a person has recovered fully between concussions. In fact, concussions can cause more damage to kids and teens than to adults. That's because their brains are still developing and are more vulnerable to injury. A young brain also takes longer to heal. Perhaps even more alarming, multi- ple concussions can lead to permanent brain injury. Another concern about boxing is that athletes com- pete in "weight classes." This means that boxers are encouraged to lose weight before a match. Diuretics, Dr. K by Anthony L. Komaroff, M.D. Exercise should prevent health problems, not cause them. Playing sports is something we cer- tainly want kids to do. But we want kids to be safe when they exercise. ties allow children and teens to be active without encour- aging blows to the head. Swimming, tennis, track, basketball and volleyball are all good options. Although baseball can cause head injury, particu- larly if a wild pitch hits the batter's head, the routine use of helmets offers con- siderable protection. Soccer and football are more likely than these sports to cause head injury, but not as likely as boxing. Many sports and activi- laxatives and vari- ous ways to increase sweating are all common practices. This can be dangerous for a young athlete. affair, the other woman had him served with paternity papers. Harry pays child support, but he has never met the child and says he doesn't plan to. He doesn't feel he can give that child the kind of relationship he has with his other children. He also doesn't want his kids to find out that he cheated on their mother. Harry has asked that I keep this Dear Annie: Years ago, my brother, ''Harry,'' cheated on his wife. She forgave him, and they got back together. They seem very happy. A few years after his Annie's Mailbox by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar daughter-in-law whom we love very much. Our prob- lem is, when we are out in public, she wears blouses that are so low I am afraid her breasts will fall out. It is tremendously embarrassing for my husband and me. news private, but I feel he needs to play some part in this child's life. I've tried talking to him, but he says it's not my business. I also feel his children have the right to know, and that as the aunt to all of these chil- dren, I should tell them they have a sibling. Harry told me this is not my place, and if I continue to press the matter, he will not allow me to be alone with his children for fear that I will not respect his wishes. What should I do? — Stuck in a Family Dilemma If your son really wants a sport that involves hand-to- hand competition, other martial arts are a better alternative. If carefully supervised, many martial arts are safer than boxing. If you do decide to let your son box, try to find a boxing group that provides medical care on site and at events. Your son should get a medical exam before he starts, and regular eye exams and tests of nerve and brain function as long as he continues. Make sure he always wears protective gear. Make certain he is carefully evaluated after any head injury, and enforce any restrictions the doctor places on his activity after such an injury. Dr. Komaroff is a physician and professor at Harvard Medical School.To send questions, go to AskDoctorK.com, or write: Ask Doctor K, 10 Shattuck St., Second Floor, Boston, MA 02115. Golf tournament Saturday Alternatives to Violence's annual Golf Tournament is scheduled for 9 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 25 at Sevillano Links at Rolling Hills in Corning. Proceeds will benefit survivors of domestic violence and their children and 100 percent of funds will stay in Tehama County. The tournament is a shotgun scramble with four persons per team; cost is $100 per golfer. Registration includes one round of golf, golf cart, lunch and prizes. Raffle tickets will be available for great gifts donated by local businesses and individuals. Should I ask her not to wear those blouses when we are out with her? Or do I just look the other way? — Nancy in Nantucket Dear Nancy: Criticizing your will find out, and it would be best if it came directly from him, with Mom by his side, and not from, say, the Other Woman or her child. Urge him to consult a counselor who can help him find the best way to do this. Dear Annie: We have a 3B Woman wants to blab about affair, child are complex, and there is no ''one size fits all''' approach to transition- ing into young adulthood. I would like to suggest two resources that may help: College Autism Spectrum (col- legeautismspectrum.com/students.h tml) is an organization of profes- sionals that provides support and training for students with autism spectrum disorders and their fami- lies. Harry's choices, even though you disagree. Depending on the ages of these children, telling them could be complicated and confusing. Yes, we agree that they should know they have a sibling, but how and when to tell them is not your decision. Inform Harry that you will keep quiet, but that eventually, his kids Dear Stuck: Please respect The Fort Complex was at 5,983 acres as of Tues- day morning, according to a press release from the Klamath National Forest. Overall containment has decreased to 37 per- cent due to a finger of fire spread from the Goff Fire up to the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) Monday night. The Goff Fire increased by 351 acres but this spread was away from the main portion of the fire perimeter on the north side and above Upper Devils Peak. The PCT has been impacted by the fire and remains closed to trail users. daughter-in-law's clothing is never a good idea. If you can tolerate her decolletage, please do so. Other- wise, ask your son how he feels about this, and let him handle it. You also could buy her a lovely, demure new top for her birthday and hope that she will wear it the next time she sees you. Dear Annie: I'd like to respond to the letter from ''Aspie in Pitts- burgh,'' the 17-year-old who has Asperger syndrome. As a mother of a 17-year-old son with an autism spectrum disorder, I have spent years researching and networking, hoping to learn whatever I can to help him achieve success in a world that is less than accepting of people with neurological differences. What I've learned is that ASDs The other is Shut Up About Your Perfect Kid (shutupabout.com). This website is an offshoot of a book written by two sisters about their daughters, one with Asperger syndrome and the other with bipolar disorder. They also have a Facebook page that provides an exchange of ideas and information, as well as support. ''Aspie'' congratulations on your college acceptance, and best wishes for success in all of your future endeavors. — ASD Mom in Massa- chusetts I also would like to say to Dear Massachusetts: Thank you for your excellent resources. We hope they will be of assistance to all of our readers whose children need some extra help. Annie's Mailbox is written by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar, longtime editors of the Ann Landers column. Please email your questions to anniesmailboxcomcast.net, or write to: Annie's Mailbox, c/o Creators Syndicate, 737 3rd Street, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254. Fire updates from across the North State crews. The Hello Fire was 83 percent contained. The Lick and Hello fires are being managed by the Rogue River – Siskiyou National Forest as of 7 a.m. Tuesday. Firefighters can expect a maximum temperature of 82 degrees and with a minimum humidity of 23 percent Wednesday. Winds will be light at 2 to 3 mph out of the west. The Goff Fire will be managed by the Klamath National Forest and a National Incident Man- agement Organization team beginning today at 6:00pm. Businesses can sponsor a team for $400 or advertise as a Hole Sponsor for $200. ATV is accepting donations from businesses and indi- viduals for the raffle and tournament prizes. To donate, call 528-0300 or send an email to events@atvrb.org. To register for the tournament, call 528-0300 or email events@atvrb.org. For more information, call 528-0300. The Lick Fire was 97 percent contained. Fire suppression repair should be completed and approved Tuesday by resource advisors. Repair of fire suppres- sion activities continue on the Hello Fire in the Red Buttes Wilderness. A small spike camp on the western side of the fire perimeter is being maintained for incoming