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Newsletter
In this issue:
Nice Weather is Here - Go Out and Enjoy
Wear a Helmet!
Is Your Child Getting Enough Milk?
Smart Snack Suggestions
Nutrition Notes - Become a Label Reader!
Antibiotics or not Antiobiotics?
More on Antibiotics
Does Your Child Need a Physical Examination?
Nice Weather is Here - Go Out and Enjoy!
Children and their parents need exercise every day. So turn off the T.V. and go outside, Here are some easy ways to keep your children and yourself active: 
- Make it a family thing. Exercise is more fun when you do it with a friend. Start a tradition of after-dinner walks, visit the YMCA on family swim night or take the gang bowling rather than to the movies. Take a family bike ride.
- Plant a garden. Children like to watch seeds sprout and produce flowers or vegetables. And digging in the dirt is good exercise.
- Let them sample sports. The more you allow your child to try a variety of activities - soccer, baseball, hockey, swimming, tennis - the more likely he/she is to hit on one he/she likes and is good at.
- Think beyond teams. Whether they wear a uniform or not, encourage your kids to be active - shoot hoops with them or have them walk the dog with you each day.
- Recent studies indicate that children with ADD who spend one or more hours outside have less symptoms.
Wear a Helmet!
A bicycle helmet is the most effective safety device available to reduce head injury from bicycle crashes. To be safe:
- Make sure your child is wearing a helmet every time he rides.
- Wear the helmet correctly. It should fit comfortably and snugly. The helmet should not rest on the back of the head, but should protect the forehead.
- Always buckle the helmet straps.
- Wear a helmet that meets safety standards set by U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission.
- Skateboarders need helmets too!
Is Your Child Getting Enough Milk?
According to a new report from the American Academy of Pediatrics, children who don't get as much calcium as they need are at greater risk for bone fractures during childhood and adolescence, as well as into adulthood.
The best source of calcium for children is milk, and babies get enough calium through breast milk and formula. Children ages 1 to 3 need two 8-ounce glasses of milk per day. Kids ages 4 to 8 need three glasses, and up to age 12, four to five glasses.
Here are a few tips for helping your child get the calcium he or she needs:
- Low-fat cheese and yogurt, fortified orange juice (with calcium and vitamin D), broccoli and tofu made with calcium sulfate are good sources of calcium.
- Provide plenty for fruits and vegetables. Potassium in fruits and vegetables helps the body retain calcium.
- Drink milk yourself. Children are more likely to drink milk if they see you do so.
- Go outside! Weight-bearing exercise such as running, jumping, and even walking makes bones stronger for children as well as adults.
Smart Snack Suggestions
Kids love snacks. So shoot for high-energy snacks, rather than high-sugar, high-calorie ones.
Good Snacks for Everyday
Whole-wheat crackers, unsweetened cereal, cut-up vegetables, fresh fruit, dried fruit, string cheese, peanut butter, yogurt, breadsticks.
Good Snacks 3 or 4 Times a Week
Animal crackers, pretzels, popcorn, snack crackers, granola bars, ice pops, pudding, frozen pizza, frozen yogurt, bagels, vanilla wafers.
Snacks Only as a Special Treat
Candy, chocolate, cheese puffs, potato chips, taco chips, cookies, toaster pastries, cupcakes, snack cakes, doughnuts, french fries, soda.
Limit snacking at bedtime for weight control!!
Nutrition Notes - Become a Label Reader!
Understanding the difference between fruit juices and fruit drinks
Beverages labeled as fruit "drinks", "cocktails", "punches", or "-ades" consist of mostly water with added sugar, coloring, artificial flavoring, and very little juice. Look for drinks labeled "100% fruit juice". These contain pure natural nutrients and flavoring from actual fruit. Don't be fooled by vitamin-fortified fruit drinks that manufacturers claim to contain "100% Vitamin C". Check to see if these drinks are 100% fruit juice.
Kids need carbs!
Carbohydrates are essential for brain development in children. Include these healthy carbs in you child's diet:
High-fiber cereal, whole-wheat toast, stoned-wheat crackers with cheese, sliced apples, bananas, carrots, broccoli florets, black beans.
Antibiotics or not Antibiotics?
Antibiotics are among the wonder drugs of our time. But these drugs can cause more harm than good when used incorrectly. Here are some commonly asked questions regarding the use of antibiotics:
- Do antibiotics work against all infections? No; antibiotics work only against bacterial infections, not viral infections.
- What is "bacterial resistance"? Antibiotics usually kill bacteria or stop them from growing, but some bacteria have grown stronger and antibiotics won't work against them. These stronger bacteria are called "resistant". Resistant bacteria develop when antibiotics are used too often, incorrctly. When you take antibiotics when you don't need them, you increase the chance you'll get an illness caused by resistant germs.
- What can I do to help myself and my family? Don't expect antibiotics to cure every illness. Don't take them for colds or flu.
- How should I take an antibiotic my doctor prescribes? Follow your doctor's directions carefully. Don't miss a dose. Don't stop taking it because you feel better. Taking less of an antibiotic when you need it will not help prevent antiobiotic resistance. Do not take any antibiotic that may have been left over from a prior illness.
More on Antibiotics
Guidelines for using antibiotics:
- Colds and flu: Viruses cause these illnesses, which cannot be treated with antibiotics.
- Cough or bronchitis: Viruses almst always cause these. However, if you have a lung condition or the illness lasts a long time, your infection may be caused by a bacteria, and the doctor may decide to try antibiotic treatment.
- Sore throat: Most sore throats are caused by viruses and don't require antioiotics. But strep throat is caused by bacteria, and a throat swab and lab test is required to make that diagnosis.
- Ear infections: Antibiotics are usually used to treat ear infections.
- Sinus infections: Most colds cause inflammation in the nasal sinuses. If you have nasal congestion and face pain lasting longer than 2 weeks or accompanied by persistent fever, your doctor may choose to prescribe an antibiotic.
Does Your Child Need a Physical Examination?
5-Year Pre-Kindergarten Physical Examination:
If you have a child starting school in the fall, please schedule their physical exam as soon as possible. They will complete their immunizations at that time. Appointments can be scheduled from ages 4 1/2 to 5 years of age. They will also need a vision and hearing screening, which is scheduled separately from their 5-year appointment. The cost for the hearing and vision screening is $20 each, unless covered by your insurance.
Sports Physicals:
If your child is going to participate in a fall sport, they will need a physical examination effective April 15 of the current year. As your schedule fills up quickly, please schedule these as soon as possible.
Pre-school and Daycare Physicals:
The State of Michigan is now requiring that children have a physical examination each year if they attend preschool or daycare.
Spring/Summer
2006
Office Hours by Appointment Only:
Monday-Friday
8 A.M. to 5 P.M.
Saturday
8 A.M. to Noon
There is a doctor on call after the office closes. Please call the answering service at
384-7710 to contact a doctor, for emergencies only.