2013-14 Family Health Guide

family

HEALTH GUIDE Flu vaccines: right for your family?

Understanding

juvenile diabetes

Be a savvy healthcare shopper

Protecting

from poisoning

2013-2014 • rmparent.com

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FAMILY HEALTH GUIDE

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2013-2014

contents Family Health Guide 2013-2014, is a special publication of Rocky Mountain Publishing, Inc. PUBLISHER: Scott Titterington EDITOR: Kristin Titterington CALENDAR EDITOR: Aly Titterington CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Emily Zaynard ADVERTISING SALES DIRECTOR: Greg Hoffman; CONTRIBUTORS: Katie Harris, Kim Sharpe, Lynn Utzman-Nichols, Janet Werst, Copyright 2013 Rocky Mountain Publishing, 825 Laporte Ave., Fort Collins, CO 80521, 970-2219210. All rights reserved.

Reproduction without express written permission is prohibited.

family

HEALTHguide 6 Protecting from poisoning

Keep the ones you love safe from common hazards

8 What to do about the flu Is the vaccine the right choice for your family?

10 T1D Juvenile diabetes A family’s journey to a diagnosis

12 Get moving and be happy!

Aerobic exercise has tons of health benefits

14 Little pearly whites Caring for your infant’s teeth

16

It’s stomach flu season!

Know symptoms and keep sick children hydrated

18 Be a savvy shopper

A primer for Colorado’s healthcare marketplace

20 FAMILY HEALTH DIRECTORY

Your northern Colorado directory to health and wellness

32 Health calendar

Check out this extensive calendar of health-related programs and events in northern Colorado that you and your family can take advantage of.

LIST OF ADVERTISERS 31 Adventure Dental, Vision & Orthodontics 3 Banner Health Center 24 Braindrops Play Therapy & Wellness 30 Colorado Allergy & Asthma Centers 36 Colorado Health Medical Group 7 Columbine Health Systems 26 Connections 22 Dental Connections 31 Eye Center of Northern Colorado 13 Fort Collins Club 13 Health District of Northern Colorado

2 Heritage Family Medicine 2 IBMC 11 Independent Physicians 25 Inner Strength Rock Gym 31 Inspiration Riding Academy 30 Kindergrins General Denistry 30 Larimer County Landfill 28 Mark Crane Orthodontics 25 Milnor Orthodontic 21 Mountain Kids 13 North Beach Dental 7 Orthopaedic & Spine Center of the Rockies 33 Paul Sherick, DDS, MS, Orthodontics

30 Pediatric Dentistry of the Rockies 24 Positive Dental & Vision 26 Promises for Children 2 Rocky Mountain Center for Reproductive Medicine 23 Rocky Mountain Family Physicians 9 Rocky Mountain Perinatology 27 Smoke-Free Zone 22 Screaming Peach 28 Snap Fitness 2 W Orthodontics 4 Women’s Clinic of Northern Colorado 35 Youth Clinic

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Protecting from poisoning

Keep the ones you love safe from common household hazards JANET WERST

L

et’s face it, kids get into things that they shouldn’t and some of the things they find could be hazardous to their health. You need to think like your child when it comes to poison prevention. Get on their level and see what they see. Colored liquids (Windex, PineSol, etc.) are too pretty to resist. Dirt and plants are meant to be tasted in the eyes of a toddler, yet there are a number of household plants that are poisonous. We don’t want you living in fear and over-doing the childproofing in your house. Safe Kids offers a number of simple things you can do to keep your kids safe.

Post the poison control number by your phone. 1-800-222-1222. A majority of calls can be handled over the phone without a trip to the emergency room. When in doubt, call. They’re the experts!

Check your purse for potential hazards. Medication, make-up, and loose change are enticing for your small child. Don’t leave it sitting on the floor.

Store cleaning supplies out of reach. Check under your sink and by your toilet. If it’s a liquid, most children think it is safe to drink. Put cleaning supplies up high.

Keep products in their original containers. Children cannot distinguish between candy and medicine and little ones explore with their mouths.

Throw away old medicines and old cleaning supplies. The more we collect, the easier it is for children to access it.

Check with your local law enforcement for drug take-back days where you can safely dispose of medications.

Supervise, supervise, and supervise.

If your children will be in the kitchen with you or in the bathroom, don’t leave them unattended. It only takes a second for them to get into trouble.

Be aware of poisons in the garage.

Gasoline, fertilizer, oil, etc. need to be stored safely so they can’t be ingested and so they don’t mix, causing harmful

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fumes or fires. Read the labels to know how to store them properly.

Install a Carbon Monoxide Alarm.

Carbon Monoxide, a colorless, odorless gas, is more common in the winter months when people start using alternative heating sources. Place them on every level of your home and especially near sleeping areas. Keep at least 15 feet away from fuel-burning appliances.

frigerate leftovers promptly.

• SEPARATE—Keep raw foods separate from cooked foods. Wash hands, cutting boards, utensils, etc. if it comes in contact with raw meat, poultry, or sea food.

• COOK—A thermometer is the best way to cook and reheat foods safely to ensure you don’t undercook them.

Remember that alcohol can be

As the holidays approach, families need to take special care to prevent poisoning in the kitchen. Food poisoning happens frequently when food is not handled properly. Illnesses related to food-borne bacteria have been described as the second-leading cause of sickness in the U.S. behind the common cold. Remember these four simple steps: • CLEAN—don’t bypass washing hands frequently and washing countertops before preparing food.

Always use clean utensils for food prep and serving.

• CHILL—Store food at proper temperatures. Poultry, meat, dairy products, eggs, etc. cannot be left out above 40 degrees F for more than 2 hours. Bacteria grows quickly. Re-

poisonous, even to adults. Know your own limits and alternate alcoholic beverages with water. Be a responsible host and offer non-alcoholic alternatives and don’t let guests drive home after drinking.

The Poison Control Center has a wealth of information on common household plants that are poisonous as well as tips on how to educate your children to stay safe. Check out their web site at http://www.poison.org/prevent/ generalTips.asp.

For more information on preventing childhood poisonings, visit www. safekids.org or call Safe Kids Larimer County at 970-495-7504.

Janet Werst is the Injury Prevention Coordinator at UCHealth.

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What to do about the flu Is the vaccine the right choice for your family?

K ATIE HARRIS

F

lu season typically peaks beginning this month, and lasts through spring. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (www.cdc.gov/ flu/) recommends that everyone over the age of 6 months receive a flu vaccine by the end of October, but many parents choose not to vaccinate their children or question whether the vaccine is the right choice for their family.

According to John Guenther, MD at the Youth Clinic in Fort Collins and Loveland, influenza infects millions of people each year and kills 100-150 children per year in the United States, most of them healthy with no risk factors.

Guenther says that while children who receive the vaccine can still become infected with the flu, the infection is typically milder and not fatal. The vaccine is formulated each year to protect against influenza viruses that researchers determine likely to be prevalent in the upcoming flu season.

Despite recommendations from the CDC, a vast percentage of parents choose not to immunize their children.

Gina Book, a Loveland mother of two, says that after researching the influenza vaccine she and her husband chose to opt out. Book cites previous adverse reactions, a concern of mercury content, and a low level of effectiveness as reasons her family chooses not to be vaccinated.

Berthoud mom, Amber Zack also chooses not to vaccinate her 7-year-old son. “I do want to prevent my child from getting sick,” says Zack. “I just do it a different way than most folks.”

Zack and Book advocate staying healthy by living a healthy lifestyle.

Book increases vitamin intake and hand washing, while Zack takes a page from Eastern medicine, using herbs and teas to promote a healthy immune system.

“My child missed school one day in first grade because he was sick, and this is not because I send him anyway with a stuffy nose barking like a sea lion, he was healthy all those days,” says Zack. She says her son’s health record indicates to her that she’s following the right path for her family.

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Zack and Book are not alone. Websites like www.thepeopleschemist.com and www.vaccineriskawareness.com claim that the use of formaldehyde and unapproved antibiotics, as well as frightening possibilities of side effects have scared them away from ever using the vaccine on their families.

Yet, for every parent who chooses not to vaccinate their children, another waits in line to do just that. According to the CDC, last year 57 percent of children were vaccinated. The CDC states that small amounts of chemical additives found in vaccines are necessary to ensure the vaccine’s potency and safety. It also says that it is impossible to catch the flu from the vaccine, and that almost all people who receive the vaccine have no serious problems from it. Medical professionals across the board follow the CDC’s guidelines and recommend the flu vaccine as the best line of defense against a sometimes fatal illness.

According to the CDC, recent research shows a 60 percent reduction in the risk of flu illness in those who receive the vaccination. Guenther stresses a much higher percentage of cases where the severity of the illness was decreased due to immunization.

When it comes to the flu vaccine, it all boils down to whether or not the benefits are worth the risk. The CDC’s

website has this to say, “The large numbers of flu-associated illnesses and deaths in the United States, combined with the evidence from many studies showing that flu vaccines help to provide protection, support the current U.S. flu vaccination recommendations.”

The CDC also recognizes a variation in effectiveness from one year to the next depending on the accuracy of the match between the vaccine and the viruses that are prominent each season.

If you would like to have your child vaccinated there’s still time. According to the CDC, anytime the flu virus is going around, it is still effective to get the vaccine. The vaccine is available as a shot, or as a nasal spray for anyone ages 2 to 49 who is not pregnant and who meets certain health requirements. If you still have questions or would like to have your children vaccinated, visit www.cdc.gov/flu/ or call or visit your pediatrician or a local pharmacy to find out where the vaccine is currently available.

Whether or not you choose to have your family vaccinated, the CDC recommends frequent hand washing and covering your mouth when coughing, as well as taking antiviral drugs (prescribed by a doctor) if you become ill-- all backup measures to promote good health.

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T1D Juvenile Diabetes A family’s journey to a diagnosis

KIM SHARPE

I

t is the phone call no parent ever wants to receive. The one informing you that your child is critically sick or injured. My husband and I received that call one morning about four years ago.

Our oldest son was attending college and music school in a city 1,200 miles away when he was admitted to the intensive care unit in a hospital near his campus. He was very sick and tests were necessary to confirm the suspected culprit—juvenile, insulin-dependent or Type 1 diabetes (T1D).

To say we were shocked is an understatement. I also didn’t believe the diagnosis as no one in either side of his genetic lines has Type 1 diabetes that I knew of. We flew emergent to be with our son where I just wanted to hug him and get some answers from the doctors treating him.

Among my questions were: Could this be a pancreatic infection masking itself like diabetes? It’s hereditary, right?

Since there’s no history of it in our family, how could it just come out of nowhere?

Our son is lean, young and healthy. He doesn’t fit the image one has of a typical diabetes patient. And he wasn’t a child any longer. How could he have “Juvenile” diabetes? How could this diagnosis possibly be accurate? Then we received an education in Type 1 versus Type 2 diabetes.

First, Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that’s easily diagnosed.

“T1D occurs when the body’s own defense system (the immune system) attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas,” according to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation ( JDRF), an excellent source of information about the disease. “In this type of diabetes, a person’s pancreas produces little or no insulin.

People with T1D must inject insulin several times every day or continually infuse insulin through a pump.”

Unlike Type 2 diabetes, T1D has nothing to do with diet or lifestyle, nor is it necessarily hereditary. It is a disease that you’re either genetically predisposed to have or not. “It wasn’t a matter of ‘if ’ your son would get diabetes. It was ‘when,’”

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explained the doctor. In other words, if a genetic study had been performed on our son, there would have been a marker showing he’d have T1D. According to JDRF, “[40] percent of everyone in the United States carries one or more of the HLA genes (human leukocyte antigen) which lead to increased risk of T1D. To be at increased risk, however, an individual needs two copies of these genes, one from each parent. One in 400-500 people in the general population develops T1D, but one in 20 (5 percent) of people are at risk if a parent, sibling, or child has the disease…[yet] only 15 percent of people with type 1 diabetes (T1D) have an affected first-degree relative – a sibling, parent, or offspring.”

Addressing my question as to how a 20-year-old young adult could be diagnosed with juvenile diabetes, the doctor replied that “juvenile” is somewhat of a misnomer. People can be diagnosed with Type 1 up until about the age of 40, but it often shows itself in young adulthood.

Environmental factors, such as the stress of doing life on one’s own, can serve as triggers to awaken T1D and other autoimmune diseases that lie dormant throughout childhood.

Another question I had: “Why didn’t there seem to be any signs or symptoms our son was so sick?” Actually, there were.

Before his holiday break, he complained of feeling really tired and lacking energy, even though he said he was sleeping a lot between classes and playing in a band. When we saw a promotional photograph of him and his band mates, our son looked very pale. Gaunt even. We brushed off those signs as part of being a college student who was burning the candle at both ends.

When he arrived home for break, he was startlingly thin and said he’d been losing weight despite eating a lot. I assumed he really had been playing his guitar for hours on end rather than eating as much as he said and I was determined to put pounds on him by making all of his favorite meals while he was home. Even

though he ate lots of homemade food with gusto, the calories he consumed did little to restore any weight.

During his drive back to school, our son said he drank bottle after bottle of water and therefore had to stop very frequently, adding time to his trip. I applauded him for staying hydrated and taking breaks to get out of the car.

Once back on campus, he told us that in addition to having to get up several times each night to use the bathroom, he was experiencing leg cramps. I asked if he was exercising in a new way or taking more stairs, and suggested he get more potassium in his diet by eating peas and bananas. My husband, who’s a paramedic, had heard enough. He told our son to go straight to the health clinic the next morning to have his urine checked for sugar. Results showed his urine contained extremely high levels of sugar (there should be none) and he immediately was sent to a nearby emergency room and then admitted to ICU where the staff worked to bring his electrolytes back into balance and start him on his lifelong journey of managing diabetes.

Our son’s diagnosis was and still is heart breaking for us, but he was already suspecting the news because he’d been researching his symptoms online. Parents of younger children should know Type 1 diabetes might occur suddenly, and include one or more of the following: • Extreme thirst • Frequent urination • Drowsiness, lethargy • Sugar in urine • Sudden vision changes • Increased appetite • Sudden weight loss • Fruity, sweet, or wine-like odor on breath • Heavy, labored breathing • Stupor, unconsciousness If you think you or your child has diabetes, call a doctor immediately, and drink fluids without sugar, if able to swallow, to prevent dehydration. (Taken from the JDRF website—www.jdrf.org).

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Get moving and be happy!

Aerobic exercise has tons of health benefits L y nn U t z man - N i c h o ls

W

ant to know the secret to happiness? It’s in those running shoes shoved in the back of your closet and that yoga mat rolled up in the trunk of your car. Well, maybe not the entire secret to happiness, but one that will certainly do when you need a mood adjustment. Have you ever felt worse after getting exercise than you did before you started? Especially when it brings you out into the world with other people or on a nature trail where light glints off water or wildflowers shout their colors? Doubtful. More likely, you feel lighter and more able to tackle the rest of your day, regardless of what’s going wrong at the moment.

There’s a real, physiological reason for this. According to the Mayo Clinic, when you get your blood pumping your brain releases neurotransmitters and endorphins which are “feel-good” chemicals—they improve your immunity and reduce your perception of pain. Mayo also claims that harmful immune system chemicals that play a role in depression are reduced with exercise, and that increasing your body temperature may calm you.

There are several research studies that show exercise decreases depression and anxiety. As reported by the Harvard Medical School, a study that divided people with depression in three groups showed exercise worked as well as antidepressants. One group received Zoloft.

The next participated in an aerobic exercise program. The third did both. At the end of 16 weeks, the results were dead equal—60 percent to 70 percent of all participants were no longer classified as majorly depressed. Keep in mind that the drug group responded quickest. Yet, a follow-up study of the same folks found that that the effects of exercise lasted longer than that of anti-depressants. In other words, six months later those that kept on exercising were less depressed than their drug-only counterparts.

In addition, exercise helps regulate every system in your body. When blood is pumping and pushing oxygen into

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your cells, you improve the health of your entire body, including lessening fatigue, improving mood and reducing cravings. Of course, exercise also has tons of health benefits such as lowering blood pressure, strengthening your heart, increasing energy, improving muscle and

‘What sport or activity that I’ve never tried looks fun?’ How about road biking or mountain biking? Or, bring back the 90s and get some rollerblades for the bike trails. There’s always hiking, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. If jogging intimidates, tell yourself it is okay

bone strength and reducing body fat which helps ward off diabetes and other chronic diseases.

So how much do you have to exercise to get mood-altering benefits?

According to a recent study, the more the better. Researchers found that walking fast 35 minutes a day, five days a week, or working out aerobically for 60 minutes three days a week, did the trick.

When it dropped to 15 minutes for five days a week results weren’t as great. The key seems to be aerobic exercise.

Aerobic exercise is defined as “achieving a moderate level of intensity over a relatively long period of time.” In other words, your breathing is elevated, but you can still talk. There are several ways you can get aerobic exercise beyond the treadmill at the gym. Ask yourself,

to go on a run-walk where you alternate bursts of running with walking.

Have you tried kettle bells yet?

They’re the new rave to get the most workout in the shortest amount of time.

Buy a DVD and dedicate a half hour, 5 days a week and you’ll not only feel happier but look better, too. Joining an exercise class or a team sport is extra motivating and its regular schedule will keep you on track.

Anything helps. Half of it is simply getting out there and working up a sweat. Regardless of how long you last, you will most likely have a new, better perspective when you’re done—especially if you get outside and feel the sun on your face or enjoy a cup of coffee with a friend after a class. Find something you enjoy doing, and do it. Today.

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Little pearly whites Caring for your infant’s teeth

L y nn U t z man - N i c h o ls

Y

ou love your baby’s smile, so here’s how to take care of it.

Follow these tips on teething, thumb-sucking, pacifiers and brushing your young child’s teeth.

Soothing a teething baby

children usually stop sucking their thumb or using a pacifier between ages 2 and 4. Others don’t stop until they enter kindergarten, when peer pressure and teasing makes them quit in a jiffy.

While sucking isn’t usually a serious

problems. If you’ve noticed changes in your child’s teeth from sucking, see a pediatric dentist. If changes are taking place, a dentist might suggest using a mouth appliance or reminder bar that interferes with sucking.

problem, it can be. Especially for those intense little ones who suck with great oomph and passion. The harder a child sucks, the more chance she could damage her primary or permanent teeth. If your child is 4 or under, you can relax a bit. The ADA says that your child can safely suck her thumb or pacifier through age 4 or 5 without causing damage to her teeth or jaw.

Dentists get especially nervous when permanent teeth start coming in—around age 6 or 7. Kids can then end up with an overbite, crooked teeth or even changes to the roof of the mouth. Yet some dentists worry earlier—figuring if primary teeth are pushed and forced to protrude, permanent teeth will follow suit. Thankfully, kids who seem to lightly suck or rest their thumb or pacifier in their mouth often don’t experience dental

Brushing your young child’s teeth

Is your baby drooling a lot and seem to be in a perpetual bad mood? She’s probably teething. A baby’s bottom, front teeth usually come in first, around four to eight months of age. Besides being fussy, having swollen or bloody gums and not being able to sleep, babies can get low-grade fevers with teething, even up to 101 degrees. If your baby is experiencing these symptoms you need solutions fast. Otherwise you may not get any sleep tonight. Here are some ideas to try:

• Rub your baby’s gums. Use your fingers or a damp washcloth to massage her gums.

• Let her chew. Teething babies like to chew on hard objects. Try a chilled (not frozen) teething ring or a bottle filled with cold water. But don’t let her suck on a bottle of formula, milk or juice for hours or at bedtime as this can cause tooth decay. You can also give her chilled applesauce, slushy juice, a cold spoon to suck on, or even a popsicle.

• Wipe his chin. Drool can cause skin irritation so keep a towel handy.

• Give a pain killer when he’s especially cranky. Try baby acetaminophen or ibuprofen but never aspirin. Avoid numbing medication for your baby’s gums. Often saliva washes it away quickly and it may numb your baby’s throat, affecting his natural gag reflex.

Pacifiers and thumb sucking—are they bad for teeth?

Having a little thumb sucker or pacifier muncher has stressed parents out for generations. Dentists don’t love thumb sucking or pacifier use because doing so can sometimes damage your child’s teeth. The American Dental Association (www.ada.org ) says that

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When you spot the first tooth or even before, get in the habit of wiping your baby’s gums with a damp washcloth.

When teeth emerge, use a small, soft toothbrush twice a day. Until age 2, use a very tiny amount of toothpaste, about the size of a grain of rice. After that, use a pea size amount until the age of 5. This helps avoid your toddler getting too much fluoride. Don’t forget to brush both the inside and outside of the teeth, plus the tongue.

If your child shows interest, let her take a turn brushing but she probably won’t be good enough to do it alone until close to age 7. As she grows older, tell her you’ll simply get the spots she misses. Do you have a child who resists brushing? Let him pick out his own toothbrush. Cartoon characters can work wonders.

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Arm yourselves!

Lynn Utzman-Nichols

It’s stomach

flu season!

Know symptoms and keep sick children hydrated

A

s an elementary-aged kid, I caught the stomach flu every year like clockwork. I was already skinny, so adding in a week of vomiting and diarrhea made me downright twiggy, rendering calls of “Skinny Lynny” as I ran by on the playground. During that dreaded week, I’d sprawl out on the couch and count the minutes between allotted sips of ginger ale. Graduating to eating bananas and toast amounted to a pleasure greater than a last meal could bring.

If your family hasn’t experienced the stomach flu—scientifically called gastroenteritis—count yourselves lucky. It’s the second most common illness after the common cold. It affects, or should I say tortures, upwards of 20 million people in the U.S. each year. If you are unfortunate enough to get it before the flu season is over--which runs typically from November through April, here are tips on how to best survive it.

The scoop on gastroenteritis Gastroenteritis is caused by viruses that attack your stomach and intestines.

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“There are hundreds of different strains of stomach viruses. It’s true that you can’t get sick with the same virus twice that season, but there are many of its cousins lurking out there for you to catch,” states Dr. Peyton Taliaferro, a Family Medicine Physician with Colorado Health Medical Group—Primary Care South in Loveland.

Calling it the flu is a misnomer. “It is commonly called the stomach flu but it has nothing to do with flu, and a flu shot won’t protect you,” adds Taliaferro.

Generally, there are three varieties of the stomach flu. “Consider the phrase, ‘The candle that burns bright, burns half as long.’ In other words, the more aggressive the vomiting, the faster it will be over,” says Taliaferro. The bright-candle version usually only lasts 24 to 48 hours.

The next variety runs about three to four days with less vomiting. “Finally, the really scary one lasts 7 to 10 days with ongoing diarrhea, as with the rotavirus.

Fortunately, it’s not as common,” he says.

Rotavirus is more commonly seen in children than adults. It is especially dangerous for infants and young chil-

dren as it can result in dehydration—a main worry with the stomach flu. A rotavirus vaccine is standard for babies, and has proven to be effective.

Symptoms of the stomach flu “Usually, the stomach flu starts with stomach cramps followed by a lack of appetite, then nausea, vomiting and lastly, diarrhea. In my experience, children tend to vomit more, and adults tend to have diarrhea more,” states Taliaferro.

According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms include: • Watery diarrhea • Abdominal cramps and pain • Nausea, vomiting or both • Occasional muscle aches or headache • Low-grade fever

Treating the stomach flu If the stomach bug bites you, there’s not much you can do except rest and rehydrate while it runs its course. “As far as over-the-counter medicine goes, I don’t recommend anything other than a fever reducer,” says Taliaferro. He views over the counter anti-diarrhea

and stomach soothing medicines as having “dubious benefits for children under the age of 10.”

“The main treatment is simply keeping your child hydrated. Infants and small children can become dehydrated much faster than adults. Dehydration is the real threat of the stomach flu,” adds Taliaferro. Dehydration is the loss of fluids and salts (electrolytes) from the body. The body needs fluids to function, and without them systems start shutting down. According to rehydrate.com, dehydration caused by diarrhea is one of the major causes of death in children.

Signs of dehydration “The most important sign of dehydration is dark urine and infrequent urinating. For example, healthy babies urinate 8 to 10 times a day. Peeing just 5 to 6 times is a sign of impending dehydration,” states Taliaferro. Other signs don’t come until dehydration has already set in—such as listlessness, sunken eyes and fontanels in babies, crying without tears, dry mucus membranes (mouth, nose), cramping, and irritability. “If your baby is lethargic and not eating or drinking and it is 2am, don’t wait. Take them in immediately,” advises Taliaferro.

How to rehydrate your sick child There’s more to rehydration than simply getting your child to sip water. They also need to replace salts, or electrolytes, that have become unbalanced with vomiting and diarrhea. “My main advice is to drink a little, and drink often. It’s tempting when we feel thirsty to guzzle down a glass of water, but it fills the stomach and stimulates more vomiting.

You have to go slow,” suggests Taliaferro.

He recommends waiting 15 to 30 minutes after vomiting to let the stomach settle before introducing fluids. Then, offer Pedialyte or another sports-type drink with salt in it by the tablespoonful.

“With babies, I set a five-minute timer and give them a tablespoon every five minutes. Older children and adults can have an ounce or two every five minutes,” he adds.

The salt offered in sports drinks is not special. “Salt is salt, whether it is called an electrolyte-replacer or not.

Sports drinks tend to have plain table salt or potassium chloride, another

common form of salt,” says Taliaferro. That’s why he recommends a light chicken soup as an alternative: “A salty chicken soup is a great way to rehydrate, especially for older children and adults.”

Pedialyte is ideal for young children and infants, as it has more salt that a drink such as Gatorade.

While it isn’t Taliaferro’s first choice, he will say yes to a parent who says her child only wants water, juice or soda: “At that point, rehydration is the most important goal. It’s okay to be off with electrolytes for a little while, but a sick child needs to get hydrated as quickly as possible. So if it’s the only thing he will accept, I say great.” The only drink he doesn’t recommend is milk as lactose is digested in the intestines and will cause more diarrhea. On the other hand, moms who are breastfeeding can still do so—just keep it frequent and short, so your baby is mostly getting the watery foremilk. Also, know that if you have the stomach flu, you can’t pass it to your baby through your milk.

While hydrating, if your child throws up again, you need to start over with the smallest sips before building up, over time, to larger sips.

“It’s very difficult to tell a thirsty child that she can’t drink,” says Taliaferro who offers another great tip: Give your child a Popsicle. “They’re cold so she can’t eat it very fast. Plus, the cold is soothing to the stomach.” If you didn’t already know, Pedialyte has popsicles.

otics or yogurt with active cultures like acidophilus or bifidus: “There is a lot of new, good data about the benefits of probiotics, particularly after diarrhea and bacterial and viral stomach infections. Just wait a day after the diarrhea has resolved,” states Taliaferro.

Stop its insidious spread Now that you’ve got your child on the mend, take precautions to keep it from spreading around your household or her classroom. “Of course, the most important way to prevent spreading is simply washing your hands and the hands of your child, often,” says Taliaferro. Particularly, wash after changing diapers— as rotavirus is spread through poop— after tending to your sick child, and before preparing meals. But you don’t have to go overboard. “You don’t have to take it to illogical extremes like washing doorknobs or wiping everything down every 20 minutes,” he adds.

The good news is that even though the stomach flu is highly contagious, your child isn’t contagious for long: “Once he is well for 24 hours, his contagiousness is minimal. If he got over diarrhea today, he’ll probably be just a little contagious tomorrow. Mostly it’s during the acute stage of the illness,” concludes Taliaferro.

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When can he eat again?

It’s simple: “Once your child says he’s hungry, let him eat because kids usually are not hungry during the stomach flu, even in the diarrhea phase,” says Taliaferro. Generally, wait until the vomiting has stopped for at least a few hours.

Start slow and think simple. Have you heard of the BRAT diet? It stands for Bananas, Rice, Applesauce and Toast.

These foods are easy to digest. Other people swear by a clear liquid diet of Jell-O and ginger ale. And there’s always saltine crackers and chicken soup. Just avoid hard-to-digest foods like cheesy fries, milkshakes and burgers for a day or two. When the diarrhea has completely stopped, you can get back to a normal diet.

Lastly, consider restoring your child’s gut flora with a round of probiFAMILY HEALTH GUIDE

| RMPARENT | 17

Be a savvy shopper A primer for Colorado’s healthcare marketplace KIM SHARPE

“H

ealth care reform” conjures up a spectrum of opinions and feelings. What individuals think about health care reform and the Affordable Care Act (ACA) probably is influenced by their personal health, that of their family members and perhaps their political leanings. Despite one’s opinions and feelings, however, health care reform is a reality. A reality unlikely to change for Coloradans regardless of the decisions made by Washington D.C. politicos.

Prior to passage of the federal ACA, Colorado’s leaders began to put in place policies designed to improve the health and health care of all Coloradans.

While the Colorado Health Care Affordability Act of 2009 helped the state be well positioned to enact federal ACA requirements, it will continue to guide statewide reform into the future.

“Colorado was working on a proac-

18 | RMPARENT

| FAMILY HEALTH GUIDE

tive solution even before Obama’s first election and the ACA,” explains Brenda Cordle, the managed care director for University of Colorado Health.

“Under Governor Ritter, the Blue Ribbon Commission for Health Care Reform was created in 2007 to explore different models for expanding health care coverage in our state, especially for the underinsured and uninsured. The end result was the beginning of Medicaid Reform and expansion in our state, and the Accountable Care Collaborative. Colorado Health Medical Group’s primary care clinics are participating in this program, where we work with the State, insurance companies and other providers in our community to develop ways to improve health outcomes.

We are also participating in similar programs with Medicare and commercial insurance companies, working on what has been coined ‘the triple aim of

health reform’: improved patient experience, improved health and reduction in cost. Regardless of what happens on a federal level, I believe the horse is clearly out of the gate in Colorado.”

Both the ACA and Colorado’s health care act emphasize affordability, accessibility and prevention. Changes began taking effect in 2010. Those changes include:

• Coverage for children with pre-existing conditions • Coverage for young adults under the age of 26 • No more lifetime limits on coverage • Prescription drug discounts for seniors • Free Medicare preventive services for seniors over the age of 65, like bone mass measurement; cholesterol and cardiovascular screenings; diabetes screenings; flu, pneumonia and Hepatitis B shots; mammograms; and prostate cancer screenings. Nutrition education

and management for diabetes or kidney disease also will be included.

• New preventive services for women, such as mammograms; breastfeeding support and counseling; cervical cancer and human papillomavirus (HPV) screenings; gestational diabetes screenings; and screenings/ counseling for domestic violence.

More changes take effect beginning January 1, 2014. Perhaps the change receiving the most attention is the requirement that all U.S. citizens have health insurance.

To help people purchase insurance, the new statewide, online Marketplace, Connect for Health Colorado, opened on October 1, 2013. Certified assistance sites, locations where people can receive in-person guidance on shopping for and enrolling in health insurance plans offered through the online Marketplace, also opened on October 1. People can purchase insurance online through the open-enrollment period, which ends on March 31, 2014. Assistance sites are staffed by “Certified Health Coverage Guides” who also can help people determine if they qualify for a stipend to help pay for their health insurance, and whether they are eligible for Medicaid and CHP+.

The Marketplace allows individuals and families to compare, choose and purchase health insurance if they don’t already have it or if they buy their own. Even people who have access to health insurance through their employer may choose to purchase a different plan through the Marketplace that better suits their needs. It’s also where small business owners and nonprofit organizations with two to 50 employees can go to provide their employees with health insurance.

Cordle says, “Although we have many resources through Connect for Health Colorado, and local assistance sites, choosing health insurance is still a complicated decision. Most people concentrate on the cost of monthly premium payments and deductible amounts, but they shouldn’t forget to make sure that their physician or hospital of choice are included in the health plan network they ultimately select. Some health care providers may not be participating in every health plan offered in the Health Exchange. You can search for a provider on the Exchange’s website or ask for assistance from an insurance broker or

certified health coverage guide.”

If someone wants to have their new Marketplace-purchased coverage take effect on January 1, he must purchase it

by December 15 of this year. To avoid paying a $95 penalty (or 1% of his taxable income, whichever is higher) for not having health insurance, an individual must buy a plan by February 15, 2014, even though the open-enrollment period runs through the end of March. Penalties will become larger in future years.

Once an individual’s plan takes effect, it cannot be changed until the next open enrollment period unless he experiences a significant life-changing circumstance, like marriage, divorce, loss of job or permanent relocation. The 2014 open enrollment period will be October 15 through December 7.

Assistance sites are listed at connect forhealthCO.com. Appointments are recommended, but people can walk in, too. The average time it takes to shop and purchase a plan on the Marketplace is about 90 minutes. That time can be reduced if individuals arrive prepared with the following information: • Name, address, contact information • S ocial Security numbers of each member of your household to be covered by your plan (or document numbers for lawfully present individuals) if you are applying for financial assistance • B irth dates of family members who will be on the plan • E mployer information for each member of your household • I ncome information for each member of your household (for example, wage and tax statements such as pay stubs or W2 forms), but only if applying for financial assistance to purchase a plan • I nformation about any other income you receive • I nformation and policy numbers for health insurance plans currently covering members of your household • A completed Employer Coverage Tool for each job that offers coverage to you or someone in your household, even if you/ they are not enrolled in it •N ames of preferred health care providers.

In addition to the health insurance Marketplace, there are many other changes set to take effect in January. For example, adults with pre-existing con-

ditions can no longer be denied health insurance coverage. The only exception is for grandfathered health insurance plans purchased by individuals. They do not have to cover pre-existing conditions. People with one of these plans can purchase and switch to a plan provided through the health insurance marketplace; their pre-existing conditions will be covered immediately.

Medicaid eligibility requirements will be expanded to allow more than 160,000 Coloradans access to its benefits. Beginning in the New Year, individuals who earn up to 133% of the Federal Poverty Level may be eligible for Medicaid coverage. In 2013, this equates to about $15,000 per year for an individual or $30,000 per year for a family of four. The new Medicaid application process began in last month, October 2013. Coloradans can apply online, in-person or over the phone, and there is no application deadline.

Insurance companies will not be allowed to set yearly limits for coverage of essential health benefits. Companies are already prohibited from setting lifetime limits. These new rules will not apply to grandfathered plans purchased individually.

The minimum “essential health benefits” that all marketplace plans must offer include: • Ambulatory (outpatient) services • Emergency services • Hospitalization • Maternity and newborn care •M ental health and substance use disorder services, including behavioral health treatment • Prescription drugs • R ehabilitative and habilitative services and devices • Laboratory services • P reventive and wellness services, and chronic disease management • Pediatric services, including dental and vision care

Some Marketplace plans may offer additional coverage that can be seen by conducting a side-by-side comparison in the Marketplace.

Like it or not, health care reform is here for the foreseeable future. It’s also turning patients into consumers and it will pay to be a savvy shopper.

FAMILY HEALTH GUIDE

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Family Health Directory 2013-2014 Allergy Aspen Medical Center – Allergy 702-A W. Drake Rd., FC, 229-4600 2923 Ginnala Dr., LV, 669-6660 www.bannerhealth.com.

Colorado Allergy and Asthma Centers 1136 E. Stuart St., Bldg. 3, Ste. 3200, FC, 221-1681 7251 W. 20th St., Bldg. N, GR 356-3907 www.coloradoallergy.com Specializing in allergies, asthma and eczema treatment for children and families.

See ad page 30.

Chiropractic Services Family & Sport Chiropractic 1035 Robertson St., FC, 224-2282 www.drmontywilburndc.com Impact Chiropractic Family Health Center 1027 W. Horsetooth Rd., Ste. 101, FC, 223-5501 www.impact-chiropractic.com

Counseling and Therapy Beyond the Mirror 1031 Robertson St., FC, 402-8543 www.beyondthemirror.org Braindrops, Play Therapy and Wellness 1304 S. College Ave., FC, 720-240-6330 www.braindropsplaytherapy.com Benefits children and families living with autism, anxiety, ADHD, challenging behaviors, more.

See ad page 24.

Dental

Aronson Family Dental 1217 E. Elizabeth St., Unit 10, FC, 472-0488 www.aronsonfamilydentistry.com Big Grins 3221 Eastbrook Dr., FC, 407-1020 www.biggrinswithdrgreg.com Infant and pediatric dental care in a fun and comfortable environment.

Bright Now! Dental 3531 S. College Ave., FC, 498-8706 www.brightnow.com Center for Endodontic Care 1331 E. Prospect Rd., FC, 232-3750 4669 W. 20th St., LV, 232-3755 516 W. Eisenhower Blvd., LV, 232-3757 www.centerforendocare.com Centre Family Dentistry 1001 Centre Ave., FC, 407-1001 www.fortcollinsdentist.com Choice Dental Care, LLC Thomas Harvey, DDS 1040 E. Elizabeth St., Ste. 202, FC, 224-4093 www.choicedentalcarellc.com Coombs Orthodontics 730 Whalers Way, Ste. 200, FC, 226-5505, www.coombsbraces.com Specialist in orthodontics for children and adults; complimentary consultation; financing options.

Dental Connections www.LCDentalConnections.org Affordable dental care for adults with low incomes and no dental insurance.

See ad page 22.

Distinctive Dental Care, PLLC 1221 E. Elizabeth St., FC, 223-8555 www.mydistinctivedental.com

Adventure Dental & Vision 3485C W. 10th St., GR, 353-4746 www.adventuregreeley.com General dentistry, orthodontics, and vision care for children and young adults. See ad page 31.

20 | RMPARENT

Goings Orthodontics 4733 S. Timberline Rd., #101, FC, 377-1888 www.goingsorthodontics.com Complimentary initial consultation; fast, gentle treatment; friendly comfortable atmosphere.

| FAMILY HEALTH GUIDE

Greeley Modern Dentistry and Orthodontics 6632 10th St., Ste. 101, GR, 353-4848 www.GreeleyModernDentistry.com Johnston Dentistry 2001 S. Shields St., Bldg. E, Ste. 200, FC, 493-5120 Jonathan L. Nelson, D.D.S. 1297 Main St., Ste. 3, WS, 686-7775 Kindergrins 126 E 29th St., LV, 635-4353 www.kindergrins.com Kindergrins Dental is a General Dentistry office for Infants, Children, & Young Adults.

Mark D. Crane, DDS, MS 4144 Timberline Rd., FC, 226-6443, 3520 E. 15th St., Ste. 101, LV, 663-4871 www.drcraneorthodontics.com Specializing in helping kids, teens and adults achieve a straight, beautiful smile. See ad page 28.

Milnor Orthodontics 1103 S. Shields St., FC, 484-3214 www.milnororthodontics.com Free examination, evaluation and explanation of your child’s needs.See ad page 25.

North Beach Dental 1102 E. Lincoln Ave., FC, 224-2688 www.northbeach dental.com Child-friendly, slowpaced, quality dentistry for infants, children, teens and pregnant moms.

See ad page 13.

Northern Colorado Orthodontics 1295 Main St. Ste. 4, WS, 674-0717 www.nocoortho.com

Paul Sherick, Orthodontic Specialist 1136 E. Stuart St., Ste. 2-160, FC, 221-2616, 2984 Ginnala Dr., LV, 6634356, 600 S. St. Vrain Ave., Ste. 3., EP, 221-2616, www.psherickdds.com Helping children and adults achieve a beautiful, healthy smile. See ad page 33.

Pediatric Dentistry of Loveland 2800 Madison Square Dr., Ste. 1, LV, 669-7711 www.tropicalteeth.com Pediatric Dentistry of the Rockies 4609 S. Timberline Rd,. Ste. 103B, FC, 484-4104 www.Rockies KidsDDS.com Specializing in dentistry for toddlers, children and special needs patients.

See ad page 30.

Perfect Teeth 1355 Riverside Ave., Unit D, FC, 493-0999 www.perfectteeth.com Positive Dental

1015 S. Taft Hill Rd., FC, 482-6034 www.positivedentalvision.com Provides complete comprehensive dentistry care for every member of your family. See ad page 24.

Richard M. Gray, DDS, PC 1337 Riverside Ave., Ste. 2, FC, 221-3020 www.richardmgraydds.com Richard S. Boyes, DMD, PC 1813 61st Ave., Ste. 210, GR, 352-4242 www.DrBoyesDentalCare.com

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FAMILY HEALTH GUIDE

| RMPARENT | 21

ToothZone 1220 Oak Park Dr., FC, 383 W. Drake Rd., FC, 223-8687, www.toothzone.com Where fun and dentistry collide; dentist & staff love kids; Comfortable waiting zone.

Vinna C. Norris, DDS 1025 Robertson St., FC, 221-1400

Banner Health Clinics 3880 N. Grant St., Ste. 140, 203-0047 www.bannerhealth.com Specializing in family medicine emphasizing preventive health and wellness. See ad page 3.

Daniel B. Jinich, MD, PC 2001 S. Shields St., FC, 221-9991 www.docdan.net

W Orthodontics, David Way, DDS 1424 E. Horsetooth Rd., FC, 223-8080 www.orthoway.com Offering comprehensive rewarding orthodontic treatments to achieve long-term health and beautiful smiles.

See ad page 2.

Ward Orthodontics 2720 Council Tree Ave., #266, FC, 672-8218, www.wardortho.com Braces and Invisalign for children, teens & adults

First-Care Family Physicians 2160 A-3 W. Drake Rd., FC, 221-5595 295 E. 29th, LV, 669-6000, www. firstcaremed.net Certified family physicians & associates with extended hours for all your healthcare needs.

Foothills Family Care, LLC 1101 E. Elizabeth St., FC, 221-5858 Healing Gardens Health Center 315 Canyon Ave., Ste. 1, FC, 472-6789

Wells & Abrames Family Dentistry 702 W. Drake, Bldg. G, FC, 493-9299 Wild for a Smile Childrens Dentistry 1819 61st Ave., GR, 506-1339 www.wildforasmile.com Caring for babies and children of all ages Windsor Pediatric Dentistry 1299 W. Main St., Unit C, WS, 674-3247 www.windsorpediatricdentistry.com Specialized dentistry for infants, children, teens and children with special health care needs.

Windsor Smiles Orthodontics 1218 W. Ash St., Ste. D, WS460-0791 www.WindsorSmilesOrtho.com Zimmer Family Dentistry 1343 E. Prospect Rd., Ste. 1, FC, 221-4500

Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention TEAM Fort Collins, 201 S. College Ave., FC, 224-9931, www.teamfortcollins.org Promotes healthy lifestyles for all ages to prevent drug and alcohol abuse.

Family Physicians Associates in Family Medicine Eight clinics in Fort Collins, Loveland and Windsor, www.afmfc.com Urgent care, family, sports and internal medicine, pediatrics, prenatal and obstetrical care.

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Heritage Family Medicine 811 E. Elizabeth St., FC, 224-1596 www.heritagemedicine.com Your family’s health deserves a doctor who knows you. See ad page 2.

Mallory Family Wellness 1548 N. Boise Ave., LV, 669-9245 x223, www.docmallory.com Mountain View Family Medicine, PC 2121 E. Harmony Rd., Ste. 310, FC, 221-3855

Rocky Mountain Family Physicians 1124 E. Elizabeth, Bldg. C, FC, 484-0798 www.RMFamilyPhys.com Same-day appointments, new patients welcome, sports and back-toschool well checks. See ad page 23.

FAMILY HEALTH GUIDE

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Medical Centers

University of Colorado Health Medical Group Clinics Across northern Colorado, www.pvhs.org Family medical practice providing quality healthcare services. See ad page 36.

FREE PARENTING WORKSHOPS “The Neurobiology of Parenting” -see website for details-

BRAINDROPS PLAY THERAPY CAN BENEFIT CHILDREN AND FAMILIES LIVING WITH: autism • anxiety • depression • sensory issues • ADHD trauma • dys-regulation • challenging behaviors life and family transitions • anger • grief and much more

Windsor Family Clinic 4630 Royal Vista Cir., Ste. 7, WS, 530-0575 www.windsorfamilyclinic.com Family medical practice providing quality healthcare services in northern Colorado.

Health information healthinfosource.com www.healthinfosource.com A comprehensive guide to local healthcare providers, topics and events.

McKee Medical Center 2000 Boise Ave., LV, 669-4640 www.bannerhealth.com Services for prevention, diagnosis and treatment of illnesses, and resources for well-being.

Medical Center of the Rockies 2500 Rocky Mountain Way, LV, 6242500, www.pvhs.org/mcr Offering a full spectrum of services, specialties in cardiac and trauma care.

Health Insurance CHP+ or Family Medicaid United Way of Weld County 814 9 th St., GR, 353-4300 www.unitedway-weld.org Low-cost health insurance application assistance available. Dial 2-1-1 or 800-559-5590. See ad Page 26.

Larimer County Healthy Communities program 1525 Blue Spruce Dr., FC, 498-6755 www.larimer.org/health/chs/epsdt.asp Connecting families to healthcare. We make it easy to apply!

Health Promotion Services

North Colorado Medical Center 1801 16th St., GR, 352-4121 www.bannerhealth.com State-of-the-art facility offering a full range of advanced clinical services.

Poudre Valley Hospital 1024 S. Lemay Ave., FC, 495-7000 www.pvhs.org/pvh Array of treatments, surgeries, diagnostic tests in more than 3 dozen specialties.

Mental health Health District of Northern Larimer County 120 Bristlecone Dr., FC, 224-5209 www.healthdistrict.org Provides prescription assistance, mental health, dental, preventive and health planning services.

Internal Medicine Aspen Medical Center —Internal Medicine 2923 Ginnala Dr., LV, 669-6660 www.bannerhealth.com Sands and Associates 1021 Robertson St., FC, 482-0666

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Mental Health Connections 525 W. Oak St., FC, 221-5551 www.mentalhealthconnections.com Mental health & substance abuse resources—information, referrals, low-cost counseling.

See ad page 26.

Mountain Crest Behavioral Health 4601 Corbett Dr., FC, 207-4800 www.pvhs.org/mountain-crestbehavioral-healthcare-center Helps adults and adolescents with mental health challenges and substance abuse issues

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FAMILY HEALTH GUIDE

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OB/GYN OB/GYN Associates 1900 N. Boise Ave., Suites 300, 410, LV, 667-2009 www.bannerhealth.com Specializing in OB-GYN, promotes healthy living through every phase of women’s lives.

Rehabilitation & Physical Therapy Berkana Rehabilitation Institute 1024 Centre Ave., Bldg. E, Ste. 100, FC, 797-2431 www.berkanarehab.com

Reproductive health

Orthopaedics

Front Range Center for Brain & Spine Surgery 1313 Riverside Ave., FC, 493-1292 www.brain-spine.com Full-service practice dedicated to spine and brain surgery offering comprehensive clinical expertise.

Orthopaedic & Spine Center of the Rockies 2500 E. Prospect Rd., FC, 493-0112 3470 E. 15th St., LV, 663-3975 www.orthohealth.com Complete orthopaedics and sports medicine, for all ages. Fort Collins, Loveland offices. See ad page 7.

Rocky Mountain Center for Reproductive Medicine 1080 E. Elizabeth St., FC, 493-6353 www.drbachus.com.

Compassionate, individualized infertility diagnostic and fertility treatment options. See ad page 2.

Senior health

Columbine Health Systems 947 Worthington Cir., FC, 482-0198 www.columbine health.com Nursing facilities, independent and assisted living, rehabilitation, therapy, home care, and more. See ad page 7.

Smoking prevention

Pediatricians The Children’s Health Place 1601 25th Ave., GR, 356-2600 www.thechildrenshealthplace.com Habla Espanol Loveland Pediatrics 2555 E. 13th St., Ste., 130, LV, 6635437, www.bannerhealth.com Pediatricians partner with parents to ensure optimal health for each child

Youth Clinic 1200 E. Elizabeth St., FC 1214 Oak Park Dr., FC 2695 Rocky Mountain Ave., LV 267-9510, www.youthclinic.com Family healthcare for infants through early adults. Sports physicals and onsite psychologist. See ad page 35.

Prenatal 4-D SonoImage 295 E. 29th St., LV, 460-1596 www.4DSonoImage.com Sonograms for expecting mothers performed on site for your conve­ nience.

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Health District of Northern Larimer County 120 Bristlecone Dr., FC, 224-5209 www.healthdistrict.org Shows you proven techniques to help you step free from cigarettes or chew tobacco. See ad page 13.

Weld County Tobacco Education Program 1555 N. 17th Ave., GR, 304-6470 x2385, www.tobaccofreeweld.com Provides tobacco-cessation opportunities, resources for businesses, and information on secondhand smoke.

Urgent care CHMG Urgent Care, Loveland 3850 N. Grant Ave., Ste. 140, LV, 624-5150 www.pvhs.org/loveland-urgent-care Services for minor injuries and illnesses, such as flu, strep throat, sprains, fractures.

Concentra Urgent Care 620 S. Lemay Ave., FC, 221-5811 www.concentra.com

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Harmony Urgent Care Center 2127 E. Harmony Rd., Ste. 140, FC, 297-6250 www.pvhs.org/harmony-urgent-care Services for minor injuries and illnesses, such as flu, strep throat, sprains, fractures.

Skyline Urgent Care 2555 E. 13th St., Ste. 110, LV, 461-6140, www.bannerhealth.com Provides walk-in visits and after-hours care minor injuries and illnesses

Vision 2020 Vision Center 3501 S. Shields St., FC, 490-2020 www.2020visioncenter.com

Adventure Dental & Vision 3485C W. 10th St., GR, 353-4746 www.adventuregreeley.com General dentistry, orthodontics, and vision care for children and young adults. See ad page 31.

Drs. Cecil & Morrow 2902 Ginnala Dr., LV, 669-8998 www.cecil.yourmd.com

Eye Center of Northern Colorado 1725 E. Prospect Rd., FC, 221-2222 6125 Skypond Dr., LV, 663-3262 2555 13th St., LV, 679-0000 www.eyecenternoco.com Offering compassionate and comprehensive medical, surgical and optical care. See ad page 31.

Kirk Eye Center 3650 E. 15th St., LV, 669-1107 www.kirkeyecenter.com A full-service eye clinic & optical department serving Loveland, and northern Colorado.

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Positive Vision 1015 S. Taft Hill Rd., FC, 482-6034 www.positivedentalvision.com Provides comprehensive vision care for every member of your family.

See Life Family Vision Source 2867 35th Ave., GR, 346-1411 www.seelifevision.com Windsor Eye Care & Vision Center 515 Main St., WS, 460-0154 www.windsoreye.com

Women’s Health A Woman’s Healing Center, LLC 1006 Luke St., FC, 419-1111 www.AWomansHealingCenter.com A Woman’s Place of Fort Collins 1224 E. Elizabeth St., FC, 221-4977 Stronger Together 2114 Midpoint Dr., FC, 225-0019 curves.com/strongertogether

Women’s Clinic of Northern Colorado 1107 S. Lemay Ave., Ste. 300, FC, 493-7442 2500 Rocky Mountain Ave., Ste. 150, LV, 493-7442, www.fcwc.com Caring for all women always.

See ad page 4.

For the inclusion of your business or service in the RMParent 2014-2015 Family Health Directory please contact: editor@rockymountainpub.com

FAMILY HEALTH GUIDE

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calendar

Friday, November 1 Community Health Talk Nutrition response testing and how it works. Loveland Public Library, 300 N. Adams Ave., LV. 10-11:30am. 970-9622665 or www.lovelandpubliclibrary.org.

Tuesday, November 5 Medicaid Eligibility and Long Term Care Insurance This seminar will discuss who is eligible for Medicaid and will explore the options for long-term care insurance. Farr Regional Library, High Plains Library District, 1939 61st Ave., GR. 6:30pm.

970-506-8500 or www.mylibrary.us.

Mommy and Me Yoga Cool Beans Playhouse, 4019 S. Mason St., #5, FC. 9-10am. 970-266-1135 or www. coolbeansplayhouse.com.

Wednesday, November 6 Nature Notes Club Interact with nature while expressing your artistic side with journaling, photography, painting, and any other creative means you’d like to explore.

Time and Location TBA. 970-619-4489 or www.larimer.org/naturalresources.

Friday, November 8 Warren Miller’s Ticket to Ride Check out this 64th Annual ski and snowboard film! The Lincoln Center, 417 W. Magnolia St, FC. 6:30pm & 9:30pm. 970-221-6730 or www.LCTIX. com.

Saturday, November 9 Joel Salatin Presented by The Sustainable Living Association. Salatin is a famous American farmer, lecturer and author.

The Lincoln Center, 417 W. Magnolia St, FC. 4pm. 970-221-6730 or www.

LCTIX.com.

Tuesday, November 12 Mommy and Me Yoga Cool Beans Playhouse, 4019 S. Mason St., #5, FC. 9-10am. 970-266-1135 or www. coolbeansplayhouse.com.

Kevin Cook: Colorado Birds Great stories of life and living. Old Town Public Library, 201 Peterson St., FC. Noon-1pm. 970-221-6740 or www.

PoudreLibraries.org.

Wednesday, November 13 Breastfeeding Basics Topics include process of breastfeeding and ways to prevent and care for problems. Westbridge Medical Suites, 1107 S. Lemay Ave., FC. 7-9pm. 970-4957500 or www.pvhs.org.

Affordable Care Act with Nancy Hazelrigg How will it affect you, your family, and your business? Loveland Public Library, 300 N. Adams Ave., LV. 6:30pm. 970-9622665 or www.lovelandpubliclibrary.org.

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| FAMILY HEALTH GUIDE

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1136 East Stuart. #2-160 Fort Collins, Colorado 80525

(970) 221-2616

2984 Ginnala Drive Loveland, Colorado 80538

(970) 663-4356

600 S. St. Vrain, Suite 3 Estes Park, Colorado 80517

(970)221-2616

www.psherickdds.com • www.facebook.com/dr.sherick FAMILY HEALTH GUIDE

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Money Matters: Scrooge, Grinch or Magi Learn tips and tools you can use this holiday season to avoid financial and emotional hangovers. Old Town Public Library, 201 Peterson St., FC. 7-8:30pm. 970-221-6740 or www.PoudreLibraries.org.

Pet Seniorhood Class: Understanding Your Aging Pet Learn how to help your pet age gracefully and empower your family to provide much of the care in your own home. Loveland Public Library, 300 N. Adams Ave., LV. 6:30-6:30pm.

970-962-2665 or www.lovelandpubliclibrary.org.

Monday, November 25 School Out Science Loveland Public Library, 300 N. Adams Ave., LV. 3pm. 970-962-2665 or www. lovelandpubliclibrary.org.

Friday, November 15 Foodie Walk Enjoy a self-guided tour of fantastic spice, specialty & culinaryoriented shops. Old Town, FC. 5-8pm. 970-484-6500 or www.

DowntownFortCollins.com.

Biker Night Dress like a biker-motorcycle or pedal.

Don’t forget your helmet! Greeley Ice Haus, 900 8th Ave., GR. 7:15-8:45pm. www.greeleyicehaus.com.

Saturday, November 16 Moon Over My Open Space Look out for nighttime critters and learn about owls. Devil’s Backbone Open Space, W. of Loveland off Hwy 34, LV. 5pm.

970-679-4489 or www.larimer.org/ naturalresources.

Monday, November 18 Money Matters: Scrooge, Grinch or Magi Learn tips and tools you can use this holiday season to avoid financial and emotional hangovers. Harmony Library, 4616 S. Shields St., FC. 7-8pm. 970-221-6740 or www.

PoudreLibraries.org.

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Tuesday, November 19 Mommy and Me Yoga Cool Beans Playhouse, 4019 S. Mason St., #5, FC. 9-10am. 970-266-1135 or www. coolbeansplayhouse.com.

Breast-Feeding Classes Mothers will receive information on positioning and latch-on, pumping, storage and more. McKee Medical Center, 2000 Boise Ave., LV. 6:30-9pm. 970669-4640 or www.BannerHealth.com.

12 Money Mistakes You Can’t Afford to Make Presented by Sara Gilbert and GreenPath Debt Solutions. Loveland Public Library, 300 N. Adams Ave., LV. 6:30am. 970-962-2665 or www. lovelandpubliclibrary.org.

Wednesday, November 20 Nature Notes Club Interact with nature while expressing your artistic side with journaling, photography, painting, and any other creative means you’d like to explore. Time and Location TBA. 970-619-4489 or www.larimer.org/ naturalresources.

Tuesday, November 26 Mommy and Me Yoga Cool Beans Playhouse, 4019 S. Mason St., #5, FC. 9-10am. 970-266-1135 or www.coolbeansplayhouse.com.

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