Health & Wellness

Your Health Back-to-School Checklist

Have you made a back-to-school checklist yet to prepare for the upcoming school year? While purchasing new school supplies and clothes may be at the top of the list, scheduling an annual physical and making sure your child’s immunizations are up to date should also be included.

Ruth Christoforetti, MD, of St. Clair Medical Group Family Medicine, knows just how important a physical exam and immunizations are for your child. Whether they are just starting preschool or entering the final year of high school, this medical checkup may be the only time that children and adolescents see their doctor each year if they are in good health.

“An annual physical is an opportunity for the physician and family to review the child’s medical history and to see if they are growing and developing as expected,” says Dr. Christoforetti. “Recommendations will be made about healthy habits and safety. We can also administer any recommended vaccines during the exam.”

After treating countless children and adolescents over the past decade, Dr. Christoforetti shares why making a doctor’s appointment can help your child have a healthy and successful school year.

Schedule a Physical Exam

According to Dr. Christoforetti, children ages three years and older should have a physical once per year. Completing the exam before your child starts the new school year is strongly recommended but not always mandatory.

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania requires all K-12 students to complete a physical exam within the four months before starting kindergarten, grade 6, or grade 11. Additionally, the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) rules state that students must complete a comprehensive pre-participation physical evaluation (CIPPE) prior to the first practice of their sports season.

The physical will include a head-to-toe examination including height, weight, temperature, blood pressure, oxygen levels, heart rate, and more. This part of the annual physical is often performed by a medical assistant or nurse, but the physician will conduct the rest of the exam.

Dr. Christoforetti explains, “The physician will ask about health habits such as diet, sleep, safety, bathroom habits, behavior, environment, and developmental milestones to see if the child is growing and developing within a normal spectrum for their age. We also examine the child’s head, eyes, ears, teeth, throat, neck, heart, lungs, abdomen, skin, extremities, and more.”

Additionally, you will have an opportunity to ask questions about your child’s health and share any school forms with the physician to fill out or sign.

Get Up to Date with Immunizations

Once the physical exam is complete, the physician may administer immunizations to ensure your child is up to date before the new school year. These vaccines will not only keep your child from being infected with contagious illnesses but also help them from spreading illnesses to others. This is especially critical due to the close proximity of students, teachers and other staff in school settings.

Dr. Christoforetti states, “Immunizations are largely given at a young age to prevent illness from the very beginning. A young immune system is not always strong enough to fight off certain bacteria, viruses, or illnesses, which puts children at much higher risk of getting sick if they are exposed.”

Many of the vaccine series administered during childhood and adolescence provide lifelong immunity, keep kids healthy, and lead to healthier futures. In addition to the annual influenza vaccine, recommended vaccines include but are not limited to: • Infancy And Early Childhood: Hepatitis, tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis or whooping cough, measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox, polio, pneumonia, and COVID-19 (six months and older)

• Older Children and Adolescents:

Meningitis, tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis or whopping cough, HPV, and

COVID-19

“Vaccines are very safe, generally have very few side effects and may prevent death in some cases. Plus, they may lead to fewer doctor’s visits, hospitalizations, and school or work absences,” emphasizes Dr. Christoforetti. She suggests you check with your child’s school district to verify immunization requirements and share any questions with your primary care physician or your child’s pediatrician. n

Dr. Ruth Christoforreti

Visit stclair.org or call 412-942-8570 to schedule an appointment for your child with Dr. Christoforetti or another pediatrician at St. Clair Medical Group Family Medicine. You’ll be able to check off both the physical exam and immunizations on your back-to-school list! See ads for St. Clair Health on pages 2, 68, and 83.

Understanding Early Language Development

Is Your Child Meeting Communication Milestones?

Babies communicate long before they begin to talk. Knowing the normal stages of development can help parents know if their child is experiencing any challenges.

“The best way to promote speech and language development for babies is to simply talk to your child,” says Emily Miller, MS, CCC-SLP, Speech Therapy Clinical Coordinator at the Children’s Therapy Center at Washington Health System. “Children’s communication skills grow by leaps and bounds over the first few years of life.”

Language Milestones

Nationally recognized for patient S FETY!

“Babies between zero to three months old express themselves through sounds, facial expressions and gestures or body movements,” says Miller. “These include crying, cooing, making eye contact, and moving their arms and legs when they are excited.”

According to The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, normal language development includes the following milestones: 4–6 months: Babies begin to move their eyes toward the direction of a sound, babble, and laugh, and make sounds when they are upset. 6–12 months: Babies respond to the sound of their name, understand words for common objects, and point to objects. 1–2 years old: Children usually start to say their first words at around 12 months old. By two years old, they will learn many new words and begin to string them together into simple phrases. 2–3 years old: Children understand new words quickly and know a word for everything in their daily environment. They can also make more complex sounds in words.

“Reading to your child is one of the best ways to expose them to language,” says Miller. “Studies show that children exposed to language early in life have social and educational advantages.”

Language Delays

“If you are concerned about your child’s speech/language development, you don’t have to wait and see if they may catch up,” says Miller. “Early diagnosis of a speech/language disorder increases the chances of improvement and can prevent related problems as the child gets older, such as behavior and social issues.”

Discuss any concerns with your pediatrician, who can provide a referral, if needed, for an evaluation by a speech and language pathologist (SLP). The SLP will assess how well your child understands and uses language.

“Young children learn through play,” says Miller. “The SLP will create opportunities for your child to practice the targeted skill while enjoying motivating toys and activities. The caregiver is also encouraged to attend and participate.”

If you have any concerns about your child, do not hesitate to ask your child’s doctor about therapy options. The WHS Children’s Therapy Center makes speech therapy a fun and positive experience for children and their family. To find out more, contact the WHS Children’s Therapy Center. Call 724-942-6100 or visit whs.org/ctc. n

Jennifer Harvey, Southwest Gastroenterology Associates

Gut health is affected by what you eat and the amount of water intake daily. Both are a part of the balance of the gut microbe.

Some of the best ways to improving gut health can include: • Reduction of stress • Limiting sugar intake • Consuming a balanced diet high in fiber where recommendations for women are 21 to 25 grams/day and men 30 to 38 grams/day • Drinking plenty of water • Sufficient sleep • Probiotics • Exercise • Scheduling an appointment with a gastroenterologist for any gut issues to avoid complications and review treatment options if necessary

If you follow these recommendations, there is a chance to lessen negative symptoms and achieve optimal gut health. This can lead to a healthier, happier you! n

See ad for Southwest Gastroenterology Associates on page 5.

MT. LEBANON RECREATION CENTER

ATTENTION UPPER ST. CLAIR RESIDENTS Skate With Us at the MT. LEBANON RECREATION CENTER

Open Year Round with Something for Everyone

Friday Night Teen skate with D.J. (begins Nov. 4) from 7:40 - 10pm. Learn-to-Skate Classes/ Beginner &

Intermediate Hockey Clinics Youth Developmental &

Adult Hockey Leagues Public Skating Figure Skating Sessions Daily Adult Skating & Instructional Programs Broomball Birthday Party Packages

Call the Recreation Center at 412-561-4363 for times and rates Or visit us online at www.mtlebanon.org

Dr. Manjari Kulkarni

Orthodontist

Named Top Dentist consecutively for 4 years in Pittsburgh's Top Dentist Magazine.

Proud member of:

Call today to schedule your complimentary consultation! 1720 Washington Road • Suite 203 • Pittsburgh, PA 15241 (412) 409-4444 | www.ksgortho.com