Health Help | - Part 2

Shocking Statistics That Will Make You Think Twice About Grabbing Your Phone

February 2, 2018 By: admin

Well, here we are. February. How are those New Year resolutions coming along, mommas?

While I have made improvements on nixing my bad habit, I haven’t completely ended it, just yet. What is the bad habit I am referring to? Texting and driving.

Eeeek. I know. It is not just a bad habit, it can be deadly and I have no room for that in my life. Especially with three little sets of eyeballs watching me from the back seat.

We recently teamed up with our sponsors at Les Jacobs Ford and they quickly reminded me how dangerous this habit is. They really care for us and want to keep us safe as we are out and about. Whether you are running to soccer practice or driving across the country, there is no room for texting and driving.

The numbers illustrating the dangers of cell phone use while driving are downright startling. In fact, at any given time throughout the day, approximately 660,000 drivers are attempting to use their phones while behind the wheel of an automobile. And I am guilty as charged.

Smartphones have made it easy for us to stay connected at all times. But that can pose serious safety risks if someone decides to check his or her text messages, emails, phone calls, or any other mobile applications while driving. Did you know?

The National Safety Council reports that cell phone use while driving leads to 1.6 million crashes each year.
Nearly 330,000 injuries occur each year from accidents caused by texting while driving.
1 out of every 4 car accidents in the United States is caused by texting and driving.
Texting while driving is 6x more likely to cause an accident than driving drunk.
Answering a text takes away your attention for about five seconds. Traveling at 55 mph, that’s enough time to travel the length of a football field.
Texting while driving causes a 400% increase in time spent with eyes off the road.
Of all cell phone related tasks, texting is by far the most dangerous activity.
94% of drivers support a ban on texting while driving.
74% of drivers support a ban on hand-held cell phone use.

Remember those three little sets of eyeballs I referred to earlier that are always watching me? Well, in the blink of an eye, they will be teen drivers and the last thing I want them to do is text and drive!

A teen driver with only one additional passenger doubles the risk of getting into a fatal car accident. With two or more passengers, they are 5x as likely. Taking your eyes or mind off the road even for a moment can have disastrous consequences. Don’t risk it. Practice safe driving whenever you’re behind the wheel.

11 teens die every day as a result of texting while driving.
According to a AAA poll, 94% of teen drivers acknowledge the dangers of texting and driving, but 35% admitted to doing it anyway.
21% of teen drivers involved in fatal accidents were distracted by their cell phones.
Teen drivers are 4x more likely than adults to get into car crashes or near-crashes when talking or texting on a cell phone.

Individuals (including teens and you and I!) who drive while sending or reading text messages are 23 times more likely to be involved in a car crash than other drivers. A crash typically happens within an average of three seconds after a driver is distracted.

This month, we will have a weekly reminder about the dangers of texting and driving. We hope that you will join us as we strive to kick this bad habit to the curb in our own lives.

Cell phone distraction rates are alarmingly high. We hope with a little information, you’ll make the right decision when you’re on the road.

Health Help: Fighting the Flu

January 24, 2018 By: admin

Has the flu bug hit your house this season? If your answer is no, count yourself as one of the lucky ones in Southwest Missouri (then go wash your hands. Again.)! The flu has hit SWMO and it has many of us wondering, what to do?

Thankfully, we are not fighting alone. Our sponsors at Mercy have several great tips when it comes to getting rid of this nasty bug.

Dr. Middleton

Thank you to Dr. Rachelene Middleton, Mercy Clinic Family Medicine, for helping us out on this one. For many of us, besides snuggles, Sprite, and saltines, we are not really sure what to do with ourselves or our loved when we become sick with the flu. Dr. Middleton took the time to answer a few basic questions for us and we hope they help you as much as they did us!

Her number one tip? Get the flu shot! And no, it is not too late! Dr. Middleton says it is best to get the vaccination before the end of October, however, it is still available now and may be helpful for everyone ages 6 months and older.

What are the symptoms of the flu and when should I go to the doctor?

Not everybody that has flu symptoms need to come in to see their doctor right away. Depending on the patient, their medical history and severity of the symptoms, you may be able to treat with cold medicines, Tylenol and ibuprofen. If the symptoms are long-lasting or the patient is running a high fever, it is best to come into the office and have a physician take a look to make sure there is nothing else going on.

Symptoms include:

runny nose
sore throat
cough/congestion
headache
fatigue
fever/chills/body aches

How long does the flu last?

A patient with the flu could have symptoms anywhere from 5-7 days, however, you are contagious a day before you show signs of symptoms.

If I have one child or family member in the house that has the flu, what is the best way to keep others in my house from getting the flu as well?

This can be tricky because as mentioned, you are contagious a day before you show signs or symptoms of the flu. Besides receiving your annual flu shot, one of the best ways to prevent the flu is hand-washing with soap and water. Other ways to help prevent the flu from spreading include using alcohol-based hand sanitizer, sneeze or cough into your elbow and make sure others are getting plenty of rest and eating a nutritious diet.

I also encourage my patients to stay home and rest if they are sick. Don’t go out and expose other people to what you have.

Think you may have the flu? Dr. Middleton can help! If you would like to make an appointment to be seen by a Mercy physician, you can contact the Mercy Clinic Family Medicine-Smith Glynn Callaway office at 417.888.6709. The clinic is located at 3231 S. National Avenue, Springfield.

SouthwestMissouriMoms.com does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This content is for informational purposes only and isn’t a substitute for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor if you have questions about a medical condition. Don’t delay getting professional medical advice because of something you read online. This website doesn’t necessarily recommend or endorse or any specific tests, doctors, products, procedures or options discussed on the site.

Health Help: 5 Things You Should Know Before Getting a Mammogram

October 6, 2017 By: admin

Ok girls, we know, getting a mammogram is not exactly something we look forward to doing every year, but it is a MUST! I know you are busy, but you have to take care of yourself! You know when you are riding in an airplane and they tell you to put your own oxygen mask on before helping others–same thing here. Take care of yourself first, so you can be there for your family!

October is breast cancer awareness month, which is an annual campaign to increase awareness about this awful disease that affects so many in our area and across the world. Talking about breast health can be confusing, thankfully, our sponsors at Mercy are here to help us through the entire process. First thing first, start by getting your annual mammogram.

Why is an annual mammogram imperative? What can you expect? Dr. John Bumberry, general surgeon, focusing on breast surgery and Dr. Jack Gregston, radiologist, have compiled a list of 5 things you should know before getting a mammogram.

Screening mammograms have been proven to be the most effective exam for identifying breast cancer at its earliest, most treatable stage.

Mercy Breast Center follows the guidelines from The American College of Radiology, the Society of Breast Imaging and other national organizations that recommend women age 40 and over get an annual screening mammogram. Women younger than 40 who have a significant family history of breast cancer should discuss starting screenings at an earlier age with their physician.

The radiation from mammograms is very minimal and should not deter a woman from getting routine mammograms. Women receive more radiation from walking around on our planet than they get from their mammograms. The chance of getting cancer from the radiation emitted from a mammogram is less than the chance of getting struck by lightning. The benefit of diagnosing breast cancer early outweighs the risk of the minimum amount of radiation necessary for the exam.

Getting a screening mammogram is one of the first steps in identifying breast cancer. Women whose results are abnormal will be called back for a different kind of mammogram called a diagnostic mammogram. The exam may appear to be the same as a screening but a diagnostic exam, directed by a radiologist on site, includes different views and techniques.

Mammography technologists are special people called to a special ministry at Mercy Breast Center. They make this most private exam as comfortable an experience as possible. The Breast Center radiologists are dedicated mammographers who dedicate their practice to breast imaging which includes reading screening mammograms, diagnostic mammograms,breast ultrasound and breast MRIs. They perform minimally invasive biopsy exams and diagnose over 300 breast cancers annually.

Note from Kelli and Mindi: Thank you to Drs. Bumberry and Gregston for taking the time to visit with us about what to expect when getting a mammogram. Also, thank you to the Mercy Breast Care Team, including radiologists, surgeons and oncologists, who are dedicated to providing compassionate care and exceptional service! The team is accredited by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers.

If you have questions or concerns, don’t wait. Call the experts at Mercy Breast Center today at 417.820.2500.

SouthwestMissouriMoms.com does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This content is for informational purposes only and isn’t a substitute for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor if you have questions about a medical condition. Don’t delay getting professional medical advice because of something you read online. This website doesn’t necessarily recommend or endorse any specific tests, doctors, products, procedures or opinions discussed on the site.

10 things you need to know about lice

August 24, 2017 By: admin

Yikes. It’s lice season again, mamas. And yes, we know your skin is already crawling because ours is, too. We don’t want to even think about it but most of us have either been through it or know a fellow mama who has had to do battle with these nasty little buggers.

When it comes to lice, knowledge is power. So here’s a list of 10 facts you may not know about lice. We gathered the info from a recent New York Times article that discusses the most effective ways to combat the problem.

1. There is no guaranteed way to prevent a case of lice (although some school teachers we know swear by regular use of tea tree oil used in your shampoo or conditioner.)

2. Daily bathing/showering doesn’t prevent lice because they can survive submerged in water for 20 minutes.

3. The length of a child’s hair or how often it is washed or brushed has little effect on the risk of getting lice.

4. Itching from lice may not begin until four to six weeks AFTER the initial infestation begins, which is why experts recommend that parents do weekly head checks.

5. Lice can ONLY crawl, not jump or hop. Pets do NOT play a role in the spread of lice.

6. Adult lice die within one day of being off of a human’s head. This suggests that, after you treat a case of lice and wash all bedding, you could leave home for a day or two if you want to be extra sure that all lice are dead. They can’t survive more than a day without contact with the human head.

7. The American Academy of Pediatrics said you should NOT treat lice unless there is a clear diagnosis of living lice. (That means you shouldn’t douse your kid’s hair with a pesticide just because you heard that a kid in her class has lice.)

8. Over-the-counter treatment options include products like Nix. There are now prescription lice medications which you can ask your doctor about. Those prescription options include Sklice and Natroba.

9. Some mothers prefer a non-chemical way of treating lice by having all the nits and eggs thoroughly combed out of the hair with a fine-toothed comb.

10. The time and money spent on finding and getting rid of lice costs consumers and schools about $1 billion a year.

For the full New York Times article, click HERE. To read the American Academy of Pediatrics most recent recommendations, click HERE.

Healthy Quick Tip: Firework Safety

June 30, 2017 By: admin

Like it or not–firework season is here! Whether you are planning a small gathering or attending a professional show, we will all be watching wide eyed making sure our kiddos are safe!

Thank goodness for our sponsors at Mercy Kids! They have a few quick tips to keep in mind when it comes to firework safety.

Dr. Kody Finstad

Note from Kelli and Mindi: Thank you Dr. Kody for talking to us honestly about firework safety! It can be a scary time of year for moms! We appreciate you looking out for what is best for our babies–no matter how old our “babies” may be! =)

What is the Number One tip for Firework Safety?

Let me begin with full disclosure by admitting that I love fireworks. And I don’t think it is just because of my Y-chromosome that these seemingly controlled fires and explosions give me a thrill every summer. Thanks to the Chinese who invented them, fireworks have become as American as apple pie, helping us celebrate our nation’s independence or even the joyous end of a baseball game or a long day at an amusement park. But even though fireworks are common in our society, we can’t forget they demand a healthy degree of respect.

Every year thousands of people (both adults and children) wind up in the emergency department with firework-related injuries, ranging from minor burns to serious eye injuries – the majority of these coming from sparklers. Most of us get nervous about our children getting too close to the oven when we are baking a cake at 350°F, but many people don’t think twice about handing their child a sparkler that burns at 1200°F and spits flaming embers at their face, hands, arms and clothes.

If we are being completely honest with ourselves, there is a big difference between the million-dollar pyrotechnics display arranged by experts and the “buy one get 10 free” fireworks that litter every street corner and grocery store parking lot. This is why the American Academy of Pediatrics helped found the Alliance to Stop Consumer Fireworks, encouraging all families to skip the at-home fireworks and instead celebrate with glow sticks or attend a professional firework display. So, sorry to be the killjoy of the party, but the number one way to be safe with fireworks is to not do them yourself.

If my child suffers from a mild burn, what is the best home remedy?

Cool water is the only home remedy you need to remember.

Let’s say the unthinkable does happen, and the neighbor’s firework goes rogue and burns your child. The first step is to cool the skin to stop the burning. Hold the burn under cool (NOT cold) running water for no more than five minutes (or cover with a cool wet rag for no more than 30 minutes). If the skin gets too wet (like when a kid looks like a prune in the bathtub) then it becomes fragile and can be damaged more. Once the skin is cooled, cover the burn with a dry, non-stick gauze. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and Ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil) are best to help with pain.

Do NOT apply anything else. Don’t listen to friends who claim to have a magic cure for burns using butter, powders or some mixture of an essential oil as all of these things can cause further tissue damage and irritation making the burn worse. Over-the-counter burn sprays can provide relief, but there are some people who can have serious life-threatening reactions to the sprays that contain a numbing medicine called benzocaine, so it is best to be safe and keep it simple.

The next question is whether your child then needs to see a doctor. A good rule of thumb is this: if the burn blisters, or if the burn is on the face, hands, feet or genitals it is NOT a minor burn and needs to be evaluated by a doctor.

Stay safe this season, and for more information check out the AAPs parent education website www.healthychildren.org

Dr. Kody is part of the Mercy Clinic Pediatrics–Nixa team located at 940 W. Mt. Vernon Street, Suite 220, Nixa. To schedule an appointment, call the clinic at 417.724.5437 or click here to visit their website.

Looking for other summer Healthy Quick Tips? Click here to read Sunscreen 101 or here for info on what to do when your child is stung.

SouthwestMissouriMoms.com does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This content is for informational purposes only and isn’t a substitute for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor if you have questions about a medical condition. Don’t delay getting professional medical advice because of something you read online. This website doesn’t necessarily recommend or endorse any specific tests, doctors, products, procedures or opinions discussed on the site.