Daily Health Bits

by Derek Burreson

The following article in Natural Products Insider as published in the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine brings up the question about children and supplementation and the benefits of taking a daily multivitamin. There are many discussions about children and supplements but the fact remains that vitamins, minerals, nutrients and essential fatty acids are important building blocks to a child’s development. This of course goes hand-in-hand with a balanced diet and adequate physical activity. Kids can be picky eaters so how can a parent help to ensure your kids are getting enough nutrients? A good multi may help fill the bill but remember they are called “supplements” and not “replacements”. This goes for adults as well. You cannot achieve optimal health while consuming an unhealthy diet. Balance is the key but it also helps to set a good example for your kids. As we advance in age our nutritional needs become greater especially since we may not be absorbing many of the nutrients we are ingesting. Our bodies will start to send us warning signs that we may be deficient in certain nutrients so it’s important to heed these signals and not just mask symptoms. A balanced diet, physical activity and proper supplementation to cover nutritional shortfalls is not only good for kids but adults as well. 

http://www.naturalproductsinsider.com/hotnews/children---supplements---too-much-of-a-good-t.html 

Posted by Derek Burreson at 10:38 AM | Permalink

The new school year is just around the corner, and with it comes an array of germs and "cooties" from other kids and the "kid lifestyle".  Here are the top five illnesses that keep kids home from school, and ways that you can protect your kid from being a victim.  The top five illnesses are the common cold, stomach flu, ear infection, conjunctivitis, and sore throat.  The best way to keep your kids healthy is to encourage them to practice things such as washing hands regularly, keeping their hands away from the face, covering their mouth when they cough or sneeze and staying away from anyone who is sick.  If your child is sick, there is often a question of when they are "too sick" to go to school.  Here is a basic guideline for your consideration:

Although the specific school or facility guidelines may vary, your child will probably need to stay home if he or she:

• Has a fever higher than 100.4 F (38 C)
• Is vomiting
• Has diarrhea
• Is in the first 24 hours of antibiotic treatment for pink eye or strep throat

Generally, a child can return to school or child care when he or she:

• Has no fever
• Can eat and drink normally
• Is rested and alert enough to pay attention in class
• Has completed any period of doctor-recommended isolation

Source:

Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research

Posted by Cindy Burreson at 08:19 AM | Permalink

Our kids live in a world surrounded by technology and gadgets.   Between video games, Utube, MySpace, and cell phones, kids are inundated with non-physical forms of entertainment.  Obviously this is a big contributor to the increasing population of obese children and young adults.  I remember when I was little, my mom was constantly saying, “Go outside and play!”.  We roller skated, played tetherball, danced, did the pogo stick, played Three Flies Up, Pickle, and otherwise entertained ourselves with physical fun.  We had a blast and were always skinny little kids, not to mention tuckered out at the end of the day.  I think it is the parents’ responsibility to encourage such activity, and get your kids out of the house. 

Nickelodeon cable network is participating in an event that I think is a wonderful and sort of sad reminder of our dependence on television.  On Saturday, they are blacking out the channel and it will be just dead air for three hours to encourage kids to go outside and play.  It will begin at noon (EDT/PDT) on Saturday as part of its fourth annual worldwide day of play, and encouragement to kids to get outside and work on getting in shape.

Posted by Cindy Burreson at 10:29 AM | Permalink

With the school year about to start, one area of concern for some kids may be the school bully.  Though many people may think the idea absurd, having been the victim of bullying in high school, I can relate to what your child is feeling.  In high school, there was a girl who tormented me and I HATED going to school.  Looking back, I still remember the fear that I had and I truly thought she might hurt me.  I pleaded with my mom to let me stay home, which may seem silly, but as a child, trying to fit in, and trying to be "popular", getting beaten up didn't quite help my efforts.  I was a cheerleader and she would even go so far as to attend football games with handmade signs that she would hold up letting me know what she planned to do to me after the game.  One time, in the counselor's office (yes, I tattled on her) she threatened to "stab me with the flagpole".  Hello?  This is not normal behavior and very hard to decipher as a teenager.  She chased me down the street one day and I ran into my friend's car, crying, and locked the door.  It was pathetic!  Did she ever do anything to me?  No.  However, even 10 years later, at my high school reunion, I was sure she was going to come with a gun or something and take care of business.  I am not kidding!  I even told my husband, who, without my knowing, found her and brought her over to me!!!  Imagine how petrified I was!  Well, she apologized and admitted that she had a rough time growing up, and for no real reason, targetted me as her outlet for her emotions.  Of course, I felt relieved, but I still look back and can't believe the deep-rooted affects it had on me as a kid.

I was prompted to write about this topic after recieving an article from The Mayo Clinic and I will provide a link at the bottom of this post because I think it is important to understand.  Many adults downplay the seriousness of bullying to both the child's tender psyche and the bully's possible cries for help, but up to half of all school-aged kids are bullied at some point according to the federal government's Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. If your child is being bullied, the article provides some insight as to their feelings and possible solutions for putting an end to it.  Take it seriously, because trust me, it is a scary place to be.

MayoClinic.com Bullying Information

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/bullying/MH00126

Posted by Cindy Burreson at 08:34 AM | Permalink