Better Health - August 2023

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Better Health

PROFILE: Springfield native’s book shows her love of Africa, D9

EVENTS: Hibernians host summer picnic, D9

LIFESTYLE: It’s really okay to cry, D9

Sports participation should

be about Self-Discovery Building a Healthy Life

Special To The Republican

Kasey Ann Earle, of Hadley, experienced her first anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus tear in the right knee when she was 16; her second ACL tear — in her left knee — was at age 18.

The first injury happened when she was at an AAU basketball tournament in Philadelphia. “During my first tournament game I was going up for a layup in the first half and I was fouled. I landed wrong and tore my ACL in the right knee. I decided to go back into the game at half time and I tore my meniscus in the right knee playing defense,” she recalled. Her second ACL tear, in her left knee, was a soccer injury. “I was playing in a summer soccer game on the turf field at South Hadley High School. I planted my left foot and turned to the right to change direction and I was bodied from behind,” she said.

After both injuries, she was treated by Dr. Jonathan M. Fallon of the Cooley Dickinson Medical Group; he specializes in orthopedic surgery, sports medicine and shoulder surgery.

Cooley Dickinson Medical Group Orthopedics and Sports Medicine has highly trained professionals advancing the health of patients through specialized, expert treatment and prevention of musculoskeletal (bones, ligaments, muscles, tendons) problems. The practice’s holistic approach to orthopedics involves coordination of personalized services within the practice and with other providers to ensure a comprehensive range of care to people of all ages. Within three weeks of her first injury, Fallon reconstructed Earle’s ACL and repaired her meniscus in surgery. He continued to follow up with Earle for nine months, checking on her recovery. “He put me into an ACL return-to-sports program that he developed to help athletes like myself get stronger in order to play again,” she said. “The second time around, the moment he read the

and

MRI he called immediately. After talking with him it was clear to me how concerned he was, knowing how long and difficult the recovery was the first time.”

Earle said Fallon is honest and caring: “I feel like he treats me as if I was one of his daughters.”

At two weeks into her recovery Fallon continued to check on her progress.

dislocations, meniscal tears of the knee and rotator cuff tears in the shoulder.

Each injury is treated based on a combination of evidence-based research and the needs of each patient. “Some patients need to be aggressive with treatment because of their life goals and situation, and others may need a more conservative approach. Each injury and patient

a majority of the time working with the football athletes given that it is the largest team and is a collision sport,” Fallon said. “The high school athletes have a different profile and skew more toward the female athlete for knee injuries and the male athletes for the shoulder injuries.”

To lessen the risk for injuries, Fallon recommends proper conditioning, especially adequate off-season

“I highly recommend Dr. Fallon to anyone who goes through any similar injuries as I did,” she said. “He works hard to find the best method to help you recover faster and come out of this surgery stronger than ever.”

ery and building a healthy life.”

But participation in athletics has value: “It establishes the habits that lead to a healthy lifestyle — exercise, teamwork, competition, goal setting, dealing with adversity,” Fallon said. “There is an inherent risk, but there is a risk in not participating as well, so you have to choose what suits you best.”

Earle advises athletes to take care of their body, watch what they eat, hydrate often, stretch regularly and strength train regularly.

She went back to playing basketball the season after her injury because she loved the sport and competing. She was recruited to play soccer at Westfield State University and plans to rehab and work as hard as she can to come back stronger and get back on the field next season.

“My advice for anyone who has to go through this surgery is that it will be very challenging for a while and to have a good support system,” she said. “ACL recovery is very hard on your mental health, it is a lonely road for anyone who depends on sports as part of their everyday routine.”

After a surgery like ACL reconstruction, “you will not be the same person you were before, but through Dr. Fallon’s processes and procedures he gives you every opportunity to succeed,” she said.

“I highly recommend Dr. Fallon to anyone who goes through any similar injuries as I did,” she said. “He works hard to find the best method to help you recover faster and come out of this surgery stronger than ever.”

According to the doctor, the five most common sports injuries that he treats are ACL tears, shoulder

present a unique set of circumstances and challenges,” he explained.

He treats a large variety of athletes, however most of the athletes needing surgery are teenagers or older.

Fingers, knees and ankles seem to be the most commonly injured areas.

“Treating the University of Massachusetts Amherst athletes, I spend

training, proper rest and nutrition and cross training (participating in different sports to limit the wear and tear).

Parents can encourage their children to participate in sports for the right reason, he continued. “Very few athletes get scholarships or become professionals. Sports participation should be about self-discov-

Advances have been made in the last decade regarding sports injuries and prevention such as the understanding of the nuance of training/ condition and the role that it can play in keeping athletes on the field. “There is still a long way to go in changing the youth sports culture to stress injury prevention, but that momentum is growing,” Fallon said. For more information, go to massgeneralbrigham.org/en /patient-care/services-andspecialties/sports-medicine/ conditions.

Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes coming to Northampton, masslive.com/entertainment
Left: Kasey Ann Earle, of Hadley. Above: Dr. Jonathan M. Fallon of the Cooley Dickinson Medical Group. (PHOTOS COURTESY OF COOLEY DICKINSON MEDICAL GROUP)
D | | SUNDAY, AUGUST 13, 2023
Kasey Ann Earle a patient of Dr. Jonathan M. Fallon

Parents recognize there’s no aspect of kids’ health that can be taken for granted. Common colds can appear overnight, and injuries on the playground can occur in the blink of an eye. Such issues may be hard to see coming, but the risk for colds, playground injuries and other health-related conditions, including childhood vision problems, can be mitigated with various preventive measures. Vision issues that affect children can lead to a host of unwanted outcomes, including physical injuries and decreased academic performance. Though kids may ultimately need vision problems to be corrected with the help of an eye doctor, the following are some steps parents can take to protect their children’s vision over the long haul.

Schedule routine eye exams

The American Academy of Ophthalmology notes that children’s vision can be screened by various medical

Monitor screen time

professionals, including eye doctors but also pediatricians, family physicians or other properly trained health care providers. The AAO recommends children at all age levels receive eye examinations. Newborns will need eye exams so doctors can check for various indicators of eye health, while a second eye exam conducted during a well visit before the child’s first birthday can confirm healthy eye alignment and movement. Exam intervals can be discussed with a physician as children age, but it’s important that kids receive routine eye exams to confirm their vision is healthy and to identify any issues that could be compromising their vision.

Feed children a healthy diet

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, which have the vitamins and minerals necessary for healthy vision.

The CDC notes that excessive screen time can exacerbate uncorrected vision problems. Daily screen time limits can help protect kids’ vision, and parents should ensure kids take frequent breaks when using digital devices. Frequent breaks from additional activities like reading, writing and drawing also can protect kids’ vision.

Squeeze in time outdoors

Access and exposure to nature pays a host of health-related dividends, including some linked to eye health. The CDC notes that going outdoors affords kids’ eyes the opportunity to look at distant objects, which can provide a respite from the eye strain and fatigue that can develop when looking at screens or books.

Provide protective eyewear, including sunglasses

Exposure to UV rays from the sun can harm children’s eyes, so kids should wear sunglasses with 100 percent UV protection when spending time outside. The CDC also urges children to wear protective eyewear when engaging in activities such as sports that can increase their risk for eye injury and vision loss. Taking steps to protect longterm vision is a vital component of childhood preventive health care.

Physical activity benefits people of all ages, including kids. Despite widespread recognition of the positive impact physical activity has on children, many kids are not getting enough exercise. In an analysis of data collected as part of the 2019 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, the Centers for Disease

Control and Prevention found that less than one in four children between the ages of six and 17 participates in 60 minutes of physical activity per day.

When established in childhood and adolescence, good habits like exercising regularly can set young people up for a long, healthy life. Perhaps in recognition of that, parents often look for ways to promote physical activity to their youngsters. Setting fitness goals is one way to help young people exercise more, and the following are a handful of strategies parents can try as they seek to promote a love of physical activity in their children.

Include fun activities in a fitness plan

Adults recognize the importance of planning when aspiring to achieve certain goals, and a plan can be just as integral to getting kids to be more physically active. When devising a fitness plan, parents

should be sure to include activities kids find fun. Just because Dad liked playing baseball doesn’t mean his children will. Identify activities that kids enjoy, whether it’s hiking or cycling or playing an organized sport, and include that in the fitness plan.

Involve the kids’ friends

Parents often make exercising a family affair, but a 2015 study led by a researcher affiliated with Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center found that children who exercised with friends were far less likely to cite barriers such as lack of enjoyment or lack of energy as reasons for not exercising. In essence, kids are more inspired to exercise with friends than they are with family members. When establishing fitness goals for kids, parents can work with other parents so kids can pursue those goals together, increasing the chances that those pursuits will be successful.

Set aside time to exercise each day

Physical activity should be part of everyone’s daily routine, and kids are no exception. Such activity does not need to be a grueling workout, and indeed children’s bodies will need time to recover after especially strenuous exercise. But setting aside time each day to be physically active is a good way to ensure kids’ lifestyles are not predominantly sedentary.

Make the goals attainable

Parents may know before kids begin exercising or notice shortly after they start being more physically active how much kids can reasonably handle. The YMCA notes that’s an important factor to consider, as fitness goals should be attainable so anyone adjusting to a new regimen, even kids, stays motivated. A child’s pediatrician can advise on how much exercise youngsters should get each day, and parents can help kids gradually reach that point by setting challenging but attainable goals. Regular physical activity can benefit kids for the rest of their lives. Parents can pitch in by embracing various strategies to help kids establish attainable goals that make fitness fun.

The following are a handful of strategies parents can try as they seek to promote a love of physical activity in their children.
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strategies
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Simple
to Protect Kids’
Fitness Goals for kids

Staying safe around the

Warm weather often leads to more time spent outdoors.

For homeowners lucky to have a backyard pool, hot tub or community water amenities, these spots can be great for relaxing, cooling off, exercising, or spending enjoyable times with family and friends.

While pools and spas are ideal spots for family fun, they’re not without their dangers. The American Red Cross warns that 69 percent of young children who drown were not expected to be in or near water. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises that drowning is the leading cause of injury-related death among children between the ages of one and four. However, anyone can drown or suffer a water-related injury even people who are strong swimmers. Let’s dive deep into pool-related dangers and how to avoid them.

Pool chemical injuries

Pools and spas need to be sanitized for safe use.

Mishandling pool chemicals can cause serious injuries and leads to roughly 4,500 emergency room visits in the United States each year, says the CDC.

More than one-third of these preventable injuries affect children or teens. All product instructions should be followed carefully. Chemicals should be stored out of reach of children or pets. Ample time should be left between adding chemicals and swimmers returning to the water.

Stay away from drains

Children and adults should not swim or hang around near drains or suction outlets in pools and spas. In addition, drain covers should be installed over all drains and returns. Hair, limbs, jewelery, bathing suits, and more can be sucked into these openings and cause serious injuries, according to PoolSafely. gov.

Supervision is key

Swimmers should not venture into the water without a buddy present and children should never be left unattended around the water. Homeowners can install safety fencing and self-latching gates around pools to prevent youngsters from wandering into the water. All items that can be used to climb fencing should be kept away from the pool. Consider putting locks on gates on fences around the perimeter of the yard. This way no one can

wander into the yard and into the pool when homeowners are not home.

Dive safely

No one should ever dive into shallow water, advises Poolonomics. Water depth should be tested prior to any diving, and generally pools with depths of eight feet and up are considered safe for diving. Do not dive into inner tubes or into shallow ends or spas.

When jumping into the pool, try going feet-first or doing cannonballs. Avoid flips or positions that will result in landing flat on the back, which can injure the spine.

Teach kids to swim

Swimming knowledge can keep children more secure in the water. Basic competence of simple swimming strokes may help to avoid drowning. Relying on water wings or flotation devices that are not U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets can be risky.

Summertime is pool and spa time. Safety is paramount around the water.

Colds might not be as common in summer as they are in winter, but anyone who has ever had a cold when the weather outside is warm and inviting knows just how unpleasant a runny nose, sore throat and lack of energy can be when everyone else seems to be outside soaking up the sun. Indeed, there’s no substitute for feeling fit and healthy in summer.

A healthy summer is one when individuals avoid illness and make the most of a time of year when no one wants to battle colds or other issues that affect their well-being. The following are a handful of strategies that can help people enjoy a healthy summer.

Protect your skin from the sun

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends individuals apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun-protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher before going outside. Sunscreen should then be reapplied as necessary and especially after swimming or excessive sweating. The American Cancer Society notes that sunburn that blisters can increase risk for skin cancer,

but sunburns affect shortterm health as well. Studies have shown that sunburn adversely affects immune system response, which could make people more vulnerable to viruses like COVID-19 or the common cold.

Limit alcohol consumption

Enjoying a Healthy Summer Pool and Spa

Social schedules tend to fill up in summer, as seemingly everyone wants to host a backyard barbecue. The party vibe synonymous with summer leads to increased opportunities to drink alcohol, but excessive amounts of alcohol and summer sun are a bad combination. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, hot summer days increase fluid loss through perspiration, while alcohol contributes to fluid loss through an increased need to urinate. Significant fluid loss can lead to dehydration and heat stroke.

Eat the right foods

Summer is not typically as hectic a time of year as other seasons, particularly for parents accustomed to driving kids from one activity to another during the school year. But come summer, weekends filled with social engage-

ments and a greater desire to be active outdoors can prove exhausting. The CDC notes that a diet filled with colorful fruits and vegetables supports muscles, strengthens bones and boosts immunity. That can make it easier to handle a physically active summer regimen and ensure that the immune system is in better position to fight off anything that may want to get in the way of summer fun.

Get adequate sleep

What’s better than a midday summertime nap?

The answer to that is better sleep overnight. Adults should aspire to get between seven and eight hours of sleep each night, which can fortify their immune system and ensure they don’t miss out on any summertime fun. According to the Mayo Clinic, sleep deprivation can lead to decreased production of proteins known as cytokines, which are vital to fighting infection and inflammation.

A healthy summer makes for a more enjoyable summer. By embracing various immune-boosting strategies, individuals can make this summer even more fun.

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