Why are regular pediatric checkups important?

There are people in this day and age who still go to a general practitioner for any ailment that they or their family may have. If it’s a mild case of a running nose or a slight fever, that may be a good idea. But it is important to go to specialists for more specific ailments. The same way it is important to take your child to a pediatrician and not to a general practitioner for their checkups, even if they are routine. This is because pediatricians have more experience working with children and will notice certain symptoms and can diagnose illnesses more effectively than a general practitioner.

In a nutshell, pediatricians will take care of the physical, emotional, and social health of infants, pre adolescents, pre teens, and young adults. Many people stop seeing pediatricians once they’re around 16 but according to health definitions pediatricians can look after the welfare of children from birth to 21 years. They have been trained in the assessment, prevention, management and detection of the mental, physical, developmental, and social problems that children may face.

What are the dangers that face children? 

The whole world is a dangerous place to an infant. From the safety of their mother’s womb, they have been thrown into a world of germs and viruses. They need good care. Infants are susceptible to a variety of illnesses. There are many immunizations that protect children from these illnesses. The pediatrician will administer these immunizations and keep a record of them, and make sure the correct prevention is given at the correct time.

As infants grow into toddlers, they start playing with other children. The spectrum of illnesses that they can be exposed to is much more. There may also be cuts and bruises, falls and breaks that need tending to.

Up to the age of nine or ten, children will still be susceptible to infections more easily than adults. Some children might show signs of developmental problems which may be recognized in school. A pediatrician will be able to help the child and the families cope with dealing with these problems. There may be children who still cling on to child like behavior, are still bed wetting etc. These may be related to some kind of mental or social problems that the child may be facing at home or school. Obesity is rising in the country and it is important that your child is eating healthy food and leading a healthy lifestyle.

The teenage years can be very trying for many children. Their immunity levels may have gone up as they grow older and therefore their susceptibility to infections may have gone down. But there are whole host of new problems that face teenagers. Problems in school, sex education, bullying in schools etc are among the many issues that children need help dealing with. Their pediatrician will be someone they are familiar with and someone they trust. What they do not want to tell their families, they may find easier to tell an outsider they trust.

As you can see, a pediatrician’s role in a child’s life doesn’t stop at infancy. They need to be a part of the child’s life for a long time. The pediatrician will know the history of your child, from all the illnesses they have had, to all the issues they have had to deal with. It is important therefore to make a pediatric check up a regular routine in your child’s life. If you do that, illnesses and other problems can be detected early on and help given.

Make time for the pediatrician!

Reference: 

http://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/prenatal/decisions-to-make/pages/Finding-a-Pediatrician.aspx

Control your Type 2 Diabetes

What is Type 2 Diabetes? 

Most of us know what diabetes is. But did you know that there were different types of diabetes? Type 2 diabetes is a kind of diabetes that strikes a person after a certain age. It is also called non insulin dependent diabetes, as usually it can be controlled by a healthy lifestyle. But with childhood obesity on the increase, there have been an increasing occurrence of this kind of diabetes in people who are younger. Type 2 diabetes has been found to be linked to obesity.

What causes Type 2 diabetes? 

When a person gets affected by Type 2 diabetes, the pancreas starts producing insufficient amounts of insulin. Insulin is the hormone that controls the blood glucose levels in an individual. The body also builds up something called insulin resistance. It is a Catch 22 situation as insulin resistance increases obesity as the body does not use its sugar sufficiently to produce energy. On the other hand, the body becomes sluggish and it is difficult for a person to lose weight.

What are symptoms of Type 2 diabetes? 

This kind of diabetes causes a number of symptoms that can include some or all of the following.

·         The person is excessively thirsty

·         Urine output becomes more

·         Fatigue

·         Skin ailments

·         Scratchiness

·         Allergies

Preventing Type 2 diabetes 

As ever, prevention is better than cure. You can prevent the onset of Type 2 diabetes by following a few simple tips.

·         Make sure that you exercise regularly

·         Make sure that you eat healthy food

·         Eat at regular times

·         Prevent substance abuse

·         Lead a healthy lifestyle

Sometimes Type 2 diabetes is hereditary, and even with following a healthy lifestyle a person can succumb to this illness.

Controlling your diabetes 

The most important part of diabetes control is controlling your sugar levels. This may mean dietary and lifestyle changes. Your doctor and nutritionist will be able to help you figure this out. They may also ask you to have some kind of exercise plan to help.  

For some sufferers of Type 2 diabetes, treatment with dietary changes and tablets is not entirely effective for diabetes management, and they may then need insulin injections.

Help for people who suffer from diabetes 

In earlier days, people had to visit the doctor often to keep track of their diabetes. But these days there are a number of ways in which you can check your own diabetes. There are devices available that allow a person to check their own sugar levels every day. There are applications that will help you keep track of the food that you are eating, and the exercise that you are doing.

But of course no app can take the place of a regular visit to the doctor. These apps are to help you manage your everyday lifestyle. You should record your routine carefully and take it along with you when you see a doctor. The doctor will be able to tell you what you are doing right and what you are doing wrong. A regular visit to a nutritionist is also important as they will make sure that you are having a balanced diet, and not missing out on important nutrients while trying to manage your weight and your diabetes. Counseling is also a good idea when dealing with diabetes, as this can be a frustrating journey. Dealing with diabetes on an everyday basis is not easy and getting counseled will help. Your family should also accompany you for the counseling as they will be part of your support group.

With a little care and effort, you should be able to cope with diabetes effectively.

Reference:

http://www.diabeticcareservices.com/diabetes-education/symptoms-of-diabetes

Ways to Stay Motivated

1. Surround yourself with positive people that support the healthy lifestyle changes that you are making.

2. Write down what you eat in your Keeping Track Book, in a notepad, or in a phone application that helps you keep track. Examples of popular ones are: “MyFitnessPal,” “Lose It!,” and “FatSecret.” Research shows that people who track what they eat are more successful at losing weight.

3. Cook twice as much for dinner so you have lunch for tomorrow or dinner for another day.

4. Cut fruits and vegetables the night before to have them ready for you to enjoy when you are looking for a snack.

5. It’s okay to have a slip up.  It’s best to learn from it, talk back to negative thoughts and to try again.  Don’t let a slip up make you say “I messed up so the whole day is ruined; I can eat whatever I want now.”  Keep trying and be patient because  Lifestyle changes take time.

6. If you’re going Out for Dinner Check the menu ahead of time and go in with a plan – or – share an entrée with someone and order an individual garden salad on the side.

7. When serving yourself at home, a work potluck or family party - Start by serving half of your plate with a garden salad or green non-starchy vegetables.  Secondly, serve your plate with lean protein.  Lastly, fill in the rest of your plate with small portions of other sides.  Do not deprive yourself; just have less/smaller portions of high fat, high sugary, high processed foods.

8. Practice mindful eating.  Eat slowly, chew slowly, put your fork down once and awhile, enjoy every bite.  People are used to eating so fast.  When people gulp down their food they can eat very fast and not feel full.  As you practice mindful eating regularly, you realize that you don’t need as much food. 

9. Learn to manage stress.  Stress is the perception that we do not have power.  In fact, you do have power.  The power is in how your respond to stress.  Step back, take a deep breath, ask yourself, “Am I really in danger?”  Then, evaluate ways to problem solve and ways to relax (ie. Going for a walk, going to the gym, reading a novel).

10. Always stay active!  This is 1 of the keys to weight loss, maintaining weight loss and in living a healthy, long life.  Park far at the grocery store, walk on your lunch breaks, watch less TV or be active while you watch TV, take your family on a walk after dinner, set-up a regular gym time with a friend, and most importantly have fun! Every step counts.  Every step you take is a step towards bettering your health, wellness and in disease prevention.

By Monica Mireles, Diabetes Prevention Program Supervisor, IHC CWO Department 

Harmful effects of obesity

Who is obese? 

A person’s weight can be calculated using many types of tests. According to studies the recommended weight of a person will depend on their height and age. A person’s weight is considered normal when their BMI is ideal i.e., their weight to their height and age correlates. A person is considered overweight if their BMI is 10%-20% higher than normal. A person is deemed to be obese if their BMI is more than 20% above normal.

Tests to check obesity 

There are several tests by which obesity can be diagnosed.

1.    Hydrostatic body fat test.

2.    Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA).

3.    Calipers test

4.    Bioelectrical Impedance, or BIA.

5.    Height/weight charts.

6.      Body mass index.

What Causes Obesity? 

People look at a person who is obese and wonder why they don’t do anything about it. They assume that an obese person eats too much and doesn’t exercise. That may be true in some cases, but quite often there are other reasons that could lead to a person being obese. Some of the reasons for obesity are:

Hereditary 

Some people are unfortunate, because obesity runs in their family and they are already prone to it. They will have to work twice as hard as other people to keep the weight off. Sometimes they succeed and sometimes they don’t.

Medical reasons 

There is some medical reason why a person is obese. Some of them area:

·         Thyroid problems

·         Insulin resistance

·         Water retention

·         Gastric problems

Most of these can be helped with the right medication. But this doesn’t mean that the medication will make the problem go away. Along with the medication a good exercise and diet program is essential

Depression 

It is a well known fact that people who are depressed have eating disorders. Some may not eat at all, giving rise to other problems. Some binge and become obese. The only way to treat obesity in this case is to fix the underlying cause which is depression.

Risks of obesity 

People who are obese face a lot of health problem. Some of them are:

·         High blood pressure

·         Diabetes

·         Heart disease

·         Joint problems

·         Sleep apnea

·         Osteoarthritis

·         Respiratory problems

·         Cancer

·         Metabolic syndrome

·         Psychosocial problems

Some of these are physical problems and some are mental problems but they all stem from being obese. People who are obese are prone to health problems as it takes extra effort for the heart to pump blood. The joints of an obese person has to take many times the weight that it is constructed to take. This leads to pain and sometimes in severe cases, can even lead to fractures.

The sad part is that after a point, an obese person finds it difficult to exercise as their body is too big to handle. A person who has reached that point of obesity needs a full crew of experts to help them lose weight. This would include a trainer to make an exercise program that the obese person can handle, a dietician to make sure that they eat right, a doctor to monitor the health of the person, a counselor or psychiatrist to motivate the person and advice them. The family of the obese person should also be a part of this program as the support and encouragement of family is necessary. There are many medicines and supplements that help, but they should be taken with supervision.

It is important to recognize that obesity is an illness and should be treated as such. With the right help, it can be reversed.

Reference: 

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Obesity/Pages/Causes.aspx

http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/obesity/bmi_tbl.pdf

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/obesitys-surprising-effects/story?id=19376609

What are Lamaze classes?

The Lamaze method was created by Ferdinand Lamaze, a French obstetrician. It was introduced to our country in the late 40s, early 50s and has become a must do for parents who are about to have a baby. It was originally developed to help women get through the pain of labor easily, but now it has branched out into other areas like helping parents understand the change a baby will bring in their lives, to good parenting techniques.

According to Lamaze International, the goal of Lamaze classes is to "increase women's confidence in their ability to give birth."

Benefits of attending a Lamaze class 

There are several benefits to attending a Lamaze class.

1. You learn to cope with the rigors of giving birth by learning to control your breathing and learning to manage the pain 

2. Your partner could attend the class with you or a parent or friend and they can be there to help you through your delivery. If they have attended the classes with you, they will be well versed in what needs to be done and their encouragement will be helpful. 

3. Meeting other parents to be helps in relieving the stress of pregnancy. Talking about what each one is going through helps you understand the next stage in your pregnancy and what to expect. Giving advice to those who have not yet reached your stage in pregnancy also helps. 

4. These classes prepare you for the initial days, soon after childbirth, which can get quite stressful for some. They give you tips on how to cope with the various problems that you may face like evening blues, inverted nipples, sore nipples etc. 

5. Quite a few women go through post partum depression. The faster this is recognized and help given, the better for the mother and baby. It not only helps women understand and recognize their own symptoms of post partum depression but it also enlightens the partner on what signs to look for. This is very helpful and can go a long way in helping the mother and baby. 

Tips to finding a good Lamaze class 

It is important to find a good instructor. The instructor should be well informed in the different areas of pregnancy, birthing and post delivery.

They should be a friend, confidante counselor and pregnancy expert rolled into one.

If your instructor is certified by Lamaze International, then you know they have passed a rigorous examination and have met the standards of the NCCA (National Commission for Certifying Agencies). Lamaze International is the only certification program offered for childbirth educators.

Ask friends or family who have taken Lamaze classes to recommend someone. There is nothing like the recommendation of someone who has attended a class and has found the instructor good and the classes beneficial.

The instructor should be up to date with the latest information on pregnancy, birthing techniques and parenting tips.

Other factors to consider 

Pick a place close to home for your classes. As you near your due date, you will find it difficult to travel long distances.

The size of the class is important. There should not be too many people. You should find a class where there are enough people to form a group, but where you also get individual attention.

Make sure that you join a program that works for your schedule. If you have a job, you may want to find a class that suits you and your partners’ working hours.

This is a beautiful time in your life. Enjoy it and make it a wonderful experience.

Reference: 

http://pregnancy.about.com/library/cbequiz/bl_cbetype_quiz.htm

Steps for Creating a Healthy Food Environment

by Gina Schlocker, RD, IHC Staff Wellness Coordinator 1/6/2014

One of the most important ways to achieve a healthy lifestyle is to create an environment that supports healthy living.  This is true for our physical, mental and social well being.

Although some aspects of our environment can feel at times out of our control, one aspect, our food choices, is within our power. This includes at home, work, school and with our family, friends, and co-workers.

The following steps will help you get started on the road to a healthier lifestyle by surrounding yourself with a healthy food environment.

Toss the Junk

                Go through your refrigerator, freezer, and cabinets and throw out the junk foods. Chips, cookies, ice cream, regular sodas, candies and any other processed foods you know aren’t good for you and your family.  Throwing away these foods is not wasting since these are harming your health and are not real food anyway. 

Take Time to Meal Plan

                When you plan ahead, you are in control, you are more likely to stick to your healthy eating and avoid instant gratification junk foods.  Use whole foods as ingredients in your meals and snacks and make extra so you can take homemade foods for lunch during workdays. Limit eating restaurant foods to once a month.

Make a List

 Make a list of foods you need for your meals before going to the grocery store.  If you are mindful of the barrage of marketing tactics you face during your trip through the market aisles, you can outsmart the temptations and stick to purchasing the foods only on your healthy food list. And make sure not to shop when you are hungry.

Turn it Off

Turn off the TV, smart phone notifications, silence your phones, and turn off work computers.  Eat at the table with your family. At work, avoid eating at your desk.  If it’s a nice day, go outside to the park with friends.

Keep it Simply

                The more simple and basic your food choices, the easier it will be to control.  Choose with your family basic meals that incorporate healthy whole foods that everyone can enjoy and are easy to prepare.

Social Events

                Pressure from family, friends and co-workers can sabotage your efforts to follow a healthy lifestyle.  Be aware if your social events are always surrounding by unhealthy foods or always going out to eat. Plan events that do not center around unhealthy foods.  Real support comes from people who will always respect you and will not constantly tempt you to eat out or eat junk foods.

Get Support

                If you need a jump start on healthy food planning, healthy food choices or ways to purge your home of processed foods, contact an IHC Registered Dietitian to help start your new healthy life!

INDIAN HEALTH CENTER OF SANTA CLARA VALLEY

Medical  •  Dental  •  WIC/Nutrition  •  Counseling  ·  Community Wellness & Outreach

Phone (408) 445-3400     Fax (408) 448-1041

www.indianhealthcenter.org

The importance of flossing and the right way to do it

Do you visit the dentist regularly? Most people go to the dentist only when they have a problem with their teeth. Like any other check up, dental checks are important. The mouth can be a harbinger for things to come. Every dentist will stress the need for flossing, but few patients actually follow it. There is also a right way to floss. Flossing is not just about removing debris from the mouth. It is also to prevent the buildup of bacteria.

Why floss? 

People do not understand the importance of flossing. They brush their teeth twice a day, and feel that they are doing everything right to make sure that their teeth is clean. But what they don’t realize is that brushing the teeth with a toothbrush, cleans only the outer exposed surfaces of the teeth. The teeth are individual pieces with gaps between them. This space between the teeth needs to be cleaned too. You will find ads that say, a toothbrush or toothpaste is designed in such a way that it takes care of the space between the teeth. Maybe, some do to an extent, but nothing can take the place of flossing. Flossing takes care of interdental space.

How the different procedures for your tooth work 

The toothbrush removes plaque which is a bacterial film that covers the open surfaces of the teeth. Toothpaste adds and enhances that, because it contains fluoride that helps decrease the amount of bacteria in your mouth. A mouthwash also helps avoid bacteria, and like the toothbrush can partially remove the bacteria from the interdental cavity. To round it off, flossing must be done to ensure that your teeth are white and shiny and free from bacteria.

Gum protection 

The tartar and plaque buildup not only looks ugly, gives off a bad odor but also creates a buildup of bacteria. When you floss as often as you brush, this build up is prevented. If you let the bacteria build up, it could lead to inflammation and swelling off the gums and in the worst case scenario, you may end up with cavities, and the tooth may have to be extracted.

What is the Right Way to Floss? 

To floss the right way, here are some tips

1. Take out 18 inches of floss, wind one end of the floss around the middle fingers of both hands, leaving a stretch of floss between them to use. 

2. Stretch the piece of floss string between your two fingers tightly. 

3. Now slide it into the interdental area and move it up and down. 

4. Curve the floss under the base of each tooth, making sure that it reaches below the gum line. 

5. Now move it between the teeth around the gum line 

6. This must be done gently as the gums are sensitive and could get cut or bruised if flossed forcefully. 

7. As you finish each area, wind the used floss around one middle finger while unwinding a bit of clean floss from the other middle finger. 

8. What kind of floss should you use? 

There are nylon and PTFE floss. Nylon is available in a waxed form or unwaxed and comes in different flavors. The one drawback is that the nylon is made of thinner, smaller stands that may tear or break when you are flossing. PTFE floss is more expensive, but is made of a single filament that is easier to use.

If you are still unsure about how exactly to use the floss, consult your dentist. He will show you how to use the floss correctly. Floss everyday and keep the dentist away!!

Reference: 

http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/2379.aspx?CategoryID=74