October is Children’s Health Month
10/2016
UIeCare offers 5 tips to keep children healthy this cold and flu season
Kids and germs seem to go together like milk and cookies. But there are ways parents can keep germs from spreading and boost kids' immune systems to help prevent illnesses this cold and flu season, a UIeCare health expert says.
"The gathering of children in schools and daycares is one of the main ways germs spread and get circulated through communities," said Patrick D. Brophy MD, MHCDS, professor of pediatrics at the University of Iowa and medical director for UIeCare. "One of the best defenses against the spread of germs is for kids to wash their hands frequently at school and home."
Since kids often touch their mouths and faces, parents should make sure their hands are washed with soap and water to remove germs before eating, after using the bathroom and when they come inside from playing. Hand sanitizer can be used for times it's not possible to wash.
In conjunction with Children's Health Month, Dr. Brophy from UIeCare offers the following five tips to help protect children from the inevitable germs lurking at school and home.
Get active Kids should get regular, moderate exercise to boost their immune systems. In fact, studies have shown that being active can help reduce cold and flu episodes. Exercising outside can also give kids the health benefits of added Vitamin D from the sun.
Get plenty of sleep Children need between nine and 14 hours of sleep a day depending on their age. Make sure kids go to bed at a reasonable hour and have a consistent bedtime routine. Sleep deprivation can weaken the immune system and increase the risk of getting sick.
Eat a well-balanced diet Provide meals with plenty of colorful fruits and vegetables to help boost children's immune systems. Look for foods rich in vitamin C and vitamin D, and avoid those high in additives, preservatives and sugars.
Decrease stress Going to school or daycare can be stressful for some children. Elevated stress hormones can lead to decreased immunity. Give children plenty of down time for rest and creative play to help lower their stress levels and keep them from getting sick.
Avoid sharing Sharing is good for kids, but many commonly shared items can be breeding grounds for germs. Teach children never to share straws and cups, and send them to school with a personal set of supplies.
"If kids do get sick, it's important for parents to keep them home and take steps to prevent germs from spreading to others," Brophy said.
http://www.tamatoledonews.com/page/content.detail/id/592908/October-is-Children-s-Health-Month.html?nav=5002
Comment:
Vitamin D, vitamin C, sleep More create less stress keeps your children healthy. This might be the only place where the first mention on the list is not vaccine. Vaccines are not even on the list! Dr. Eisenstein would have been impressed.
UIeCare offers 5 tips to keep children healthy this cold and flu season
Kids and germs seem to go together like milk and cookies. But there are ways parents can keep germs from spreading and boost kids' immune systems to help prevent illnesses this cold and flu season, a UIeCare health expert says.
"The gathering of children in schools and daycares is one of the main ways germs spread and get circulated through communities," said Patrick D. Brophy MD, MHCDS, professor of pediatrics at the University of Iowa and medical director for UIeCare. "One of the best defenses against the spread of germs is for kids to wash their hands frequently at school and home."
Since kids often touch their mouths and faces, parents should make sure their hands are washed with soap and water to remove germs before eating, after using the bathroom and when they come inside from playing. Hand sanitizer can be used for times it's not possible to wash.
In conjunction with Children's Health Month, Dr. Brophy from UIeCare offers the following five tips to help protect children from the inevitable germs lurking at school and home.
Get active Kids should get regular, moderate exercise to boost their immune systems. In fact, studies have shown that being active can help reduce cold and flu episodes. Exercising outside can also give kids the health benefits of added Vitamin D from the sun.
Get plenty of sleep Children need between nine and 14 hours of sleep a day depending on their age. Make sure kids go to bed at a reasonable hour and have a consistent bedtime routine. Sleep deprivation can weaken the immune system and increase the risk of getting sick.
Eat a well-balanced diet Provide meals with plenty of colorful fruits and vegetables to help boost children's immune systems. Look for foods rich in vitamin C and vitamin D, and avoid those high in additives, preservatives and sugars.
Decrease stress Going to school or daycare can be stressful for some children. Elevated stress hormones can lead to decreased immunity. Give children plenty of down time for rest and creative play to help lower their stress levels and keep them from getting sick.
Avoid sharing Sharing is good for kids, but many commonly shared items can be breeding grounds for germs. Teach children never to share straws and cups, and send them to school with a personal set of supplies.
"If kids do get sick, it's important for parents to keep them home and take steps to prevent germs from spreading to others," Brophy said.
http://www.tamatoledonews.com/page/content.detail/id/592908/October-is-Children-s-Health-Month.html?nav=5002
Comment:
Vitamin D, vitamin C, sleep More create less stress keeps your children healthy. This might be the only place where the first mention on the list is not vaccine. Vaccines are not even on the list! Dr. Eisenstein would have been impressed.