Health and Wellness Corner
Mrs. Beverly Ann Shipe, SNT/P 250-1269
District Nurse Practitioner and Health Teacher
Give Kids A Smile Day: Friday, February 3rd, 2012, 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM
Sponsored by University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine – Squire Hall-Give Kids a Smile is a ONE DAY national event where children ages 1 – 18 without dental insurance are able to receive FREE dental services. Offered: Dental Exams, Cleanings, Fluoride treatment, Fillings, XRays (if needed), Sealants, Extractions, and Orthodontic Consultation. For more information and to schedule an appointment for your child please contact: (716) 861-3593 or (716) 829-3717.
Caffeine Content for Coffee, Tea, Soda and More… Do You Know the Caffeine Content of Your Favorite Drink?
‘If you’re like most adults, caffeine is a part of your daily routine. You may want to take a look at just how much caffeine you get in a typical day, especially if you’re bothered by headaches, restlessness or anxiety. If your caffeine habit totals more than 500 milligrams (mg) a day, you may want to consider cutting back.
With the growing popularity of energy drinks, many parents have become concerned about how much caffeine their kids are getting. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that adolescents get no more than 100 mg of caffeine a day. Younger children shouldn’t drink
caffeinated beverages on a regular basis.’
[Click on tabs to see the caffeine content in popular drinks, sweets and medications.] ‘One note about the numbers: Use them as a guide. The actual caffeine content of the same coffee drink can vary from day to day — even at the same coffee shop — because of various factors, such as roasting and grinding, as well as brewing time. The caffeine content of tea also is affected by how long it’s brewed.‘
Caffeine Consumption Common in Kids, But Not Recommended
‘Even young children appear to be consuming more caffeine, so much so that caffeine could be contributing to sleep problems in primary school children, researchers found.’ ‘The more caffeine children consumed, the fewer hours they slept on average (P=0.02), the researchers reported online in the Journal of Pediatrics, although not drawing a causal link. ‘The average intake was two or three times higher than the 22- to 23-mg daily average reported nearly a
decade ago, they noted.’ “There’s really no role for caffeine in kids,” Marcie Schneider, MD, of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in
New York City, emphasized in commenting on the study. “We know that caffeine raises your blood pressure, raises your heart rate, and can be addictive.”
Energy Drinks and Caffeine
A new report from the US government released on November 22, 2011 warns that energy drinks are sending an alarming number of people to emergency rooms.
In 2009, US emergency rooms treated almost 10 times more cases of reactions to beverages such as Monster, Red Bull, and Rockstar than they did in 2005, according to a report from the US Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). More than 13,000 people visited hospital emergency rooms in 2009 due to highly caffeinated beverages, and nearly half the emergencies resulted from mixing energy drinks with alcohol or other drugs.
Meanwhile, experts urge fans of energy beverages to be aware of the caffeine content in the products to avoid overdoing it: for example, an 8.4 ounce (250 mL) can of Red Bull contains 76-80 milligrams of caffeine, according to the Mayo Clinic. An 8 ounce (240 mL) cup of brewed coffee can contain between 95 to 200 milligrams of caffeine. To find out the caffeine content in a variety of beverages and brands, visit:
UNYTS Blood Drive
UNYTS serves the eight counties throughout WNY. Since beginning collections in June 2007, UNYTS has already become the primary supplier of blood products for the six hospitals in Niagara and Wyoming Counties, ECMC and the entire Kaleida Health System. With the addition of ECMC, UNYTS provides the Western New York region with over 60% of its blood supply and 8-9,000 more additional units of blood and 500 more platelet products.
In April 2011, UNYTS’ debuted their brand new 40-foot “Donate Life” Express Bus that has the ability to collect whole blood, double-red cells and platelets and can accommodate up to 50 donors per blood drive. With this Bus, UNYTS collects an estimated 4,000 additional units of blood per year for Western New York residents.
When you donate through UNYTS, you are ensuring that your friends, family and neighbors have blood available when they need it. Just one pint can help save up to three local lives right here in Western New York. Please call 716-512-7940 to make an appointment. Walk-ins always welcome! To view upcoming blood drives throughout the area go to www.unyts.org.
What Is Meningitis?
Meningococcal meningitis is a form of meningococcal disease and is a serious bacterial infection. Meningococcal disease can be difficult to recognize, especially in its early stages because meningitis symptoms are similar to those of more common viral illnesses. But unlike more common illnesses, meningococcal disease can cause death or disability within just one day.
Many of the people who survive meningococcal meningitis can be left with serious medical problems that may include amputation of limbs, fingers, or toes, severe scarring, brain damage, hearing loss, kidney damage, and psychological problems.
Who’s at Risk for Meningitis?
‘Even people who are usually healthy can get meningitis. However, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have shown that the risk of getting meningitis increases in teens and young adults.
How Meningococcal Disease Spreads
Common everyday activities can spread meningococcal disease. This includes kissing, sharing utensils and drinking glasses, living in close quarters such as a dormitory or summer camp, and smoking or being exposed to smoke. Activities that can make teens feel run down may also put them at greater risk for meningitis by weakening their immune system. These include staying out late and having irregular sleeping patterns.
What To Do
You can’t watch your teen every minute of every day. But you can help protect your children from meningococcal disease (which includes meningitis) by getting them vaccinated. Simply talk to your child’s school nurse or other health-care provider about the importance of vaccination. If you ever suspect that your
child has meningitis, go to the emergency room right away, where he or she can be evaluated and receive prompt medical care.
Who Should Get Vaccinated?
Getting your child vaccinated is the best way to help protect them from meningococcal meningitis. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other leading medical groups recommend meningococcal vaccines for preteens and teens beginning at age 11, with a booster dose by 18 years of age.’
Fun and Educational Websites for Kids
Nutrition Website
Your Personal Nutrition Guide- Website is written by a Registered Dietician and includes guidance on meal planning, healthy eating, and offers a kids nutrition activities.
Community Service: Project Linus Blanket Drive
Planning has begun for the Saturday, January 28, 2012 WNY National Association of Nurse Practitioners Project Linus Blanket Drive held at Sweet Home Central School District Norman C. Vergils Community Center. Community persons are welcome to be a blanketeer and help make blankets for children in shelters, clinics, hospitals and safe homes. Contact Bev Shipe [250-1269] to register and for further information. Seating is limited.
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District Information
