HQ March 2012 - Children's Health

Piedmont

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Special Special children’s children’s health health issue issue

Piedmont Healthcare Quarterly A Kings Mountain Herald, Banner News, Cherryville Eagle publication

Exercise is Critical ..............page 2 Can you say ‘Susie sells seashells?’

Speech Therapy .................page 4 Use discretion with kids and electronics ..................page 6 Healthy or Overweight? ........page 7 No need to fear the dentist! ...page 8 Do food & drink choices REALLY matter? ...............page 14 Is your teen depressed? ......page 18

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March 21, 2012

EXERCISE is critical for children

By THOMAS LARK

Did you know that 20 percent of American 4-year-olds are obese?

Childhood obesity is becoming an epidemic problem, according to spokeswoman Amy Wadsworth of the Partnership for Children of Lincoln and Gaston Counties.

Wadsworth said recently that regular active play during childhood is one of the best ways to combat this epidemic.

“One way to encourage this is nature play,” she said, “allowing children time to play outdoors. An outdoor play environment should promote development of the child, physically and intellectually. It should also offer experiences that will provide an environment for active learning. An outdoor environment is important for children so they can play with such elements as plants, sand and water.”

There are many ways to make your yard child-friendly. Children love water, so try to offer it from such multiple sources as hoses, faucets, sprinklers, rotating sprayers, rain barrels and/or hand pumps, says Wadsworth. Water transport, using watering cans or buckets, is also a fun activity children can enjoy.

“A vegetable garden is also popular,” she said. “Pick items that are easy to grow, such as sugar snap peas, radishes, corn, carrots and potatoes.”

Butterfly gardens are also gaining nationwide popularity.

“Plant such flowers as milkweeds and coneflowers,” said Wadsworth.

“Throw in parsley and dill for caterpillars to eat!”

And of course, kids are very tactile, so keep those nature play tools handy.

“Children love binoculars, magnifiers, bug cages and nets,” Wadsworth noted. “Don’t forget the camera either!”

Many childcare centers in the local area, such as the Precious Moments Childcare Center in Gastonia, are picking up on this trend of nature play. Crystal Davis, director of Precious Moments, said starting

Photograph courtesy of Amy Wadsworth

At left: Children at the Grace School in Stanley enjoy exercising outside. The childcare center is among the many associated with the Gaston-Lincoln Partnership for Children. From the left are Sierra Russell, Bailey Loftin, Noah Simmons and Lauren Jones. Madisyn Watson is kicking the ball.

a garden was one of the best things that could have happened to the children—and the staffers, too.

“Our hard work really paid off by learning the steps it took to take care of something we love doing,” Davis said. “We really enjoyed watching the food grow and eating the fresh food that came out of the garden. Our goal is to continue to do a year-round garden for the family and staff.”

Want to learn more about the Partnership for Children of Lincoln and Gaston Counties? Wadsworth explained that the organization is funded through Smart Start, North Carolina’s award-winning early childhood initiative designed to ensure that children enter school healthy.

“Smart Start funding allows us to offer programs which benefit children from infancy to 5 years of age,” she said. “Our mission is to serve as a leading advocate and collaborative resource to provide access to high-quality services for young children. We offer a variety of programs that help children with ‘school readiness,’ including the parent resource and referral pro-

gram, which provides childcare availability referrals and information on community resources to

parents of young children. We also have family support services, which include the Very Important Parenting Program, that support positive parent/child interactions.

Under our healthy programs, we have childcare health consultants who work to improve the health, safety and nutrition of children at licensed childcare centers and family childcare homes.”

Wadsworth encourages parents to check out the Website at www.pfclg.com; see the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pfclg.

The partnership is also on Flickr at www.flickr.com/pfclg and on Twitter at Ready4School.

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But aren’t they just baby teeth?

At Young & Associates Family Dentist, we agree that the eyes may be the windows to the soul, but the mouth is an indicator of overall health. Poor oral health has been linked to serious problems like cardiovascular disease, worsening diabetes, osteoporosis and premature birth. Therefore, regular dental care is a key component in reducing costs associated with the care of those chronic diseases, and an important investment in your health.

The mouth is the gateway to body and health. Two of the most common chronic diseases in the world Why Should Baby Teeth Be Filled Or Repaired?

Although baby teeth (deciduous or primary teeth) are eventually replaced with permanent teeth, healthy baby teeth are fundamental to a child’s overall health and development. Baby teeth should be kept in place until they are replaced by permanent teeth because they reserve the space that the permanent teeth will grow into. If baby teeth are lost too early, the adjoining teeth can drift into the spaces that are needed for the permanent teeth. This can then cause crowding problems, because there will be insufficient space for the permanent teeth.

Like permanent teeth, baby teeth are essential for chewing and overall social develop-

Offering dental care to all ages for routine and emergency needs.

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ment and acceptance.

Diet And Home Care What your children eat and drink affects their teeth. Sugars (cookies, candy, soda, milk and juice) and starches (pretzels and potato chips) can cause tooth decay and premature tooth loss.

Begin cleaning baby teeth as soon as they erupt with a soft washcloth. Toddlers should use an age-appropriate toothbrush with a peasized amount of toothpaste, and when they are able to spit a fluoride mouthwash can be used. Fluoride is a protective measure against decay, however you should supervise the amount of fluoridated toothpaste your child uses. If too much toothpaste is swallowed, excessive fluoride can damage developing permanent teeth. Encourage your children to brush their own teeth but always offer assistance to ensure efficiency.

Q: When should a child have his/her first dental appointment?

A: The ADA recommends children have there first Dental visit by age 1. Most parents bring there children between age 1 and 3. If you suspect dental problems you should make an appointment right away no matter how young they are.

Ad Executives Rick Hord & Pat Rooney Graphics/Composition Lisa Zyble For more information call our office at 704.739.7496

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March 21, 2012

Time to Play-Safely Can you say ‘Susie sells seashells by the seashore’?

Spring is just around the corner, and you know what that means – spring sports are about to begin. It’s that time of year when you’re trying to figure out how to be two places at once. Susie has a baseball game and Tommy has a soccer match across town at the same time. “Parents are so busy, just trying to get kids where they need to be.” said Joan Mabry, RN, Safe Kids Coordinator for Cleveland County HealthCare System, “But we need to be vigilant, too, and make sure our kids are safe while they play.”

More than 30 million children participate in sports each year, according to Safe Kids USA. Of those, about 3.5 million children ages 14 and younger receive medical treatment for a sports injury, and one in 10 ends up in an emergency department. Common children’s sports injuries include sprains, muscle strains and broken bones.

A more serious injury is concussion, a brain injury that can occur when a child suffers a bump or blow to the head, even one that seems minor. “This is the injury that is getting more and more attention,” Mabry said. “It can be dangerous because symptoms may not show up right away.”

When a child suffers a concussion, they may or may not lose consciousness, and symptoms can appear hours or even days after the injury occurs.

Symptoms can include dizziness, nausea or vomiting, problems concentrating or memory problems. If you suspect your child has a concussion, they should see a physician right away.

They should also see a physician before the season starts. Children participating in sports should have a preseason physical every year. This is important to discover any unknown conditions that might put a child at risk for injury. During the season, coaches and parents need to make sure athletes wear the appropriate protective gear, warm up and stretch before games, and drink plenty of water before, during and after games.

It takes a little extra effort from coaches and parents, but protecting our children while they enjoy their favorite sport means they can have years of fun, safely. Don’t let your child be taken out of the game by a preventable sports injury.

Paula Vess Cleveland County HealthCare System

By KYRA TURNER Imagine you are a elementary student and can’t understand anything the teacher is trying to tell you or ask you. All the kids look at you and tease you for not being able to communicate like they can. Why do you feel all alone?

Nearly six million children, under the age of 18, in the United States have a speech or language disorder. A speech disorder is a problem with fluency, voice, and/or how a person says speech sounds. A language disorder is a problem with understanding and/or using spoken, written and/or other symbol systems.

Rita Duncan is one of 126,219 certified American Speech-Language Pathologist (ASHA) and one of 20 speech pathologists in Cleveland County, each carrying a full case load.

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“Most people think all speech pathologist do is teach kids to speak but it is so much more than that,” Duncan said.

She earned her bachelor’s degree in music education and worked as a band director for years, before going back to get her masters in speech and language pathology at the University of South Carolina. After nine months of supervision she obtained her Certificate of Clinical Competence.

“My mother worked with children with special needs and I was attracted by the needs. I started at the end of 1993, so I’ve worked in speech pathology for about 20 years, seven of which was in the education system,” Duncan said. “I love kids and wanted to get into the education system (ages three to twenty-one).”

Speech pathologists often work as part of a team, which may include teachers, physi-

cians, audiologists, psychologists, social workers, rehabilitation counselors and others.

Parents or teachers can make referrals to a speech therapist and then the therapists may observe the child or student in the classroom. Sometimes they directly talk to the teacher and sometimes they just pull the student out of class to talk to them directly. Then they perform a screening process to access the child’s hearing, speech and language skills.

“We use screening processes like oral motor screening (lips and tongue movements), speech and the sounds of words, a hearing screening, a look at the structure of the mouth and how the jaw moves, how they are understanding the language and use of language,”Duncan said. “I listen as they are talking and how they are expressing themselves See SPEECH, page 13

Your children may have subluxations in their spines and not know it.

That’s why they need periodic spinal checkups. It is possible to have subluxations yet be symptomfree. There are, however, certain warning signs indicating that the spinal column may be out of alignment including:

• Fatigue • Shoulder Blades Flared Out • Hyperactivity • Frequent Falling • “Noisy Bones” • Joint Aches • Neck Tilt • One Arm or One Leg Looks Shorter • A Foot Turned In or Out • One Hip or Shoulder Higher Than the Other

In addition to improved physical health, chiropractic care is known to improve a child’s behavior and emotional health.

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March 21, 2012

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It’s a Boy... x 2!

For 8 years, I have been a pediatrician.

For 11 weeks, I have been a mom of amazing twin boys. Although being a pediatrician has been a wonderful and extremely rewarding experience, it cannot compare to the joy I feel being a mom. There are some things that I know as a pediatrician, that I have applied to my experience being a mother. I have given advice to parents over the years that I will probably stress even more, after having gone through my first two months.

First, rest when your newborn (or in my case newborns) rests. As I sit here and write this at 3:30 a.m, I have always been a firm believer in this. I know it is easier said than done, but it is important for new moms to be well rested to take optimal care of their infants. Also, if you are breastfeeding, your milk supply can be decreased if you are not getting enough rest. We know laundry needs to be done and houses need to be cleaned, but that can wait. Visitors aren’t coming to see your home-or at least they shouldn’t be. They are coming to visit you and your baby.

Second, you will get lots of advice and some of it may be contradictory. Remember, advisors mean well, but realize that you have to do what works best for you and your family. Advice that works for one

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Introducing veggies to your child

baby may not work for another, even among siblings. Having a newborn is a learning experience for the whole family, whether it is your first child or your sixth.

Third, the only thing that is predictable is that it is all unpredictable!! I have had so many unpredictable moments so far, starting during my pregnancy. One example is actually delivering earlier than I thought I would, which really threw me for a loop.

Trying to plan every moment of every day can lead to a mountain of stress if things don’t go as you plan. Your newborn is not the boss, but do listen to them. Infants can feel when mom is stressed and can react accordingly. Try to go with the flow.

Fourth, don’t forget about dad. Parents need to be on the same page, when it comes to raising children, from birth- well actually even before the baby is born. There will be bumps in the road, but the transition can be much easier if the parents work together.

And lastly, enjoy every moment of every day. These moments are priceless and time really flies. I can’t believe that my guys are already 11 weeks! Take pictures to preserve the memories.

Dr. Monica Powell Cupid Pediatrics

“I love the smell of napalm in the morning…”

We have all been there…sitting in front of the pediatrician when she asks the dreaded question: “Has Susie been eating her vegetables? Especially the dark, leafy green ones?”. “Oh yes! Absolutely!

She loves vegetables, never gives me a problem!” and then we make every attempt to avoid eye contact. The war to get kids to eat healthy and the intensity of a toe-to-toe showdown with a 4-year-old is enough to bring even the strongest parent to her knees. If you find yourself with a picky eater that refuses to eat any part of the chicken except the nugget, (and we are all still awaiting the news of exactly where the nugget is located on the chicken), here are some helpful and effective tools to arm yourself with when going in to battle.

Camouflage: Sneak pureed vegetables and fruits in to everyday dishes. You can puree a mixture of vegetables to bake in a meatloaf. The meatloaf will turn out more flavorful, the kids get a large serving of vegetables, and Mom feels triumphant.

Know Your Enemy: No one knows your child like you do, and as moms we know our child’s eating schedule. Kids will be more open to trying a new vegetable when they are hungry. A great time for this would be the after-school blitz when kids literally try to eat the entire kitchen in under two minutes.

The Upper Hand: Kids love to make choices for themselves. In the same way that my daughter insisted on wearing a tutu to school for three weeks straight, most kids enjoy feeling like they have a

certain amount of control. As moms we can allow the kids to pick out and help prepare the food. I personally have seen my kids make and then taste concoctions that would make the bravest eater squirm.

The Ambush: In an ambush, you attack by surprise. What kid does not like Ranch dressing and cheese? Each of these can be used, with the addition of more healthy dips such as hummus and peanut butter, to make the taste of the fruit or vegetable more appealing.

Weaponry: Forks and spoons are for babies…. big boys and girls need UTENSILS. It is truly amazing what my kids will eat once they are given chopsticks. Each child is different, but given some cool utensils such as chopsticks, toothpicks, and small tongs can make dinner fun and take the focus off of the new vegetable. Also, announcing “tonight we are eating dinner with our fingers!” will elicit an immediate response from most kids.

Know Your Mission: The mission here is not to get your kids to become culinary connoisseurs. The mission is to get the kids to at least TRY a new vegetable. They may love it, they may hate it; either way the victory is in the attempt. It is important to always encourage kids to try new foods, as their tastes will change continuously. If you must declare defeat, introducing an age appropriate multi-vitamin will ensure your child is getting their recommended daily dosage of vitamins.

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March 21, 2012

Gehle cautions: use parental discretion with kids, electronics

By THOMAS LARK

endlessly with handheld electronic text machines. “Kids are tied to these electronic There’s an unprecedented number of devices. That also creates a social isolamedical conditions affecting today’s chil- tion.” dren and teens.

Gehle cited his own niece in WilmingDr. Randall Gehle of Belmont, a physi- ton as an example. The girl, he said, was cian at CaroMont Family Medicine in glued to her I-Pad, neglecting her family McAdenville, said recently that the mod- members. ern young face several significant chal“I told her once, ‘Hey, Uncle Randy lenges. drove for T h e hours just enormous to see you. increase in Get your pediatric face out of and adolest h a t cent obething!’” sity is one he rething “havcalled. ing a But the major, story had deleterious a happy effect,” ending. said Gehle.

T h e T h i s y o u n g ties in with lady evenan increase tually forPhotograph by Thomas Lark sook her of Type II Dr. Randall Gehle uses an otoscope on one his adolescent electronic diabetes in patients.

Today’s children and teens face unique medical gewgaws pre-teens, challenges, says Gehle. he added. and grew “I’ve to apprediagnosed several cases myself,” Gehle re- ciate the beauty of Wilmington. vealed. “All of the adult diseases have “You need to experience where you dropped down to the children’s level in re- are,” said Gehle, adding that the girl is now cent years.” happily married.

Obesity and a poor diet are also factors.

Still, this uniquely modern problem is Eczema and asthma affect kids, too, much all but ubiquitous among today’s kids, he more so than in the days of their parents observed. and grandparents.

“I sometimes have trouble making eye “I’m seeing a lot of increased allergic contact with kids as young as 6 or 7, beconditions,” said Gehle. “Our environment cause of this,” Gehle revealed. is a lot dirtier—much more so than it has The addiction to electronic over-stimubeen. That’s one reason.” lation can actually cause serious side efAir filters in the home are one recom- fects, the doctor said, and may even mended aid for this problem, he noted. promote autism-like conditions, such as “Then there’s the electronic environ- Asperger’s syndrome. ment we’ve created,” he said, citing chil“A lot of ongoing studies suggest that,” dren as young as 3 years old that fiddle he said.

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Gehle also treats young people for arthritis of the metacarpal phalangeal joint—a direct result of the overuse of text devices.

“There’s a real medical risk to this,” he cautioned. “Parents need to think about what they’re doing when they immerse their kids in electronics.”

But like Gehle’s niece, there are positive outcomes. He cited an 18-year-old patient

Improving your Game Today in the U.S. kids involved in sports are pushed to be better and play more than ever before.

Take baseball for example. In high school the top players play for their school in the spring, move into playing for the local legion team in the summer, transition to fall baseball and if lucky enough, end up playing into the early winter on showcase teams. That is a lot of baseball. By the end of these seasons, many kids are playing with a sore or painful arm on a regular basis.

Over the years, I have worked with athletes (and their parents) of all levels. I educate them on the importance of proper conditioning, recognizing potential injuries and what to do when an injury occurs. Even though today we are more aware of healthy lifestyles, I am constantly surprised by how little kids and parents are doing to protect themselves from injury.

I am not picking on the parents. I have seen many high school and even collegiate programs dropping the ball in terms of injury prevention and athletic performance. Every athlete regardless of age or skill level can benefit from a strength and conditioning program.

A lot is being made these days about “Sports Performance” and that’s great in one respect, because it makes people more aware of the need and benefits.

See SPORTS, page 16

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formerly on diabetes and cholesterol medication.

“He got the message,” said the doctor.

“He changed his lifestyle completely.”

The six-foot-two lad has now got his weight down to 180 pounds and made a complete reversal for the better.

“These things,” said Gehle, “are what we hope to achieve for our community.”

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Is my child healthy or overweight?

National Statistics: Approximately 1 in 3 children are overweight or obese.

Obesity rates have tripled since 1980.

It is the number one health concern topping drug use and smoking in adolescents If a child is overweight between ages 10-15, there is a 70% chance they will be overweight as an adult.

Approximately 33% of adults are overweight and 34% are obese.

In the U.S. health care costs due to obesity is $150 billion!

Q: How does my doctor determine if my child is healthy or overweight?

A: Your doctor will probably use a Body Mass Index (BMI) calculator to determine your child’s weight status.

BMI = Body Mass Index calculated using weight and height then plotted on male or female chart to determine “percentile” for age BMI >85th-94th percentile indicates overweight BMI >95th percentile indicates obesity Q: What are some of the consequences of obesity among children?

A: Below are some of the risks of childhood obesity: Increased risk for cardiovascular disease due to high blood pressure and high cholesterol Risk of diabetes Breathing problems such as sleep apnea and asthma Joint problems (knee, hip), body aches Fatty liver disease, gallstones, GE reflux Social problems, poor self-esteem, discrimination which

can continue into adulthood Decreased life expectancy Q: How can I help prevent obesity in my child?

A: Here are some ways to ward off the risk of obesity in your child.

Reduce caloric intake especially by restricting sugarsweetened beverages (SSBs) including fruit juice, juice drinks, Kool-Aids, sweet tea and especially sodas. They provide NO nutritional benefit and are “empty calories.”

SSBs should be reserved for special events or weekends only.

SSBs account for 35% of all added-sugar intake in the U.S. and displaces drinking of healthy beverages such as water or milk in children.

Studies show that sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) have a major role in obesity (especially central or “fat around the middle”), insulin resistance and elevated blood sugar (diabetes), hypertension, elevated lipids, fatty liver disease and polycystic ovary syndrome.

The odds of a child becoming obese increases 60% for each SSB serving (8 oz) per day. By simply decreasing SSBs, both body fat and BMI decreases.

Q: What should my child be drinking every day?

A: Water and milk.

Water. On average, the human body is 60% water and must be replenished everyday to keep organs healthy. 6-8 cups per day (24-32 ounces).

Milk. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends 16 oz of 1-2% milk per day.

Q: What other tips can you offer?

A: Avoid eating meals in front of the television which can cause overeating without paying attention to portion size or satiety (feeling full) and are more likely to consume unhealthy, salty snack foods. Also at risk for boredom eating.

For mealtime, be aware of portion sizes. Second helpings should be fruits and vegetables first, then protein. Discourage second helpings of carbohydrates such as pasta, potatoes and breads.

Help children have healthy relationship with food (desserts and sweets should not be used as rewards nor should they be used to console).

Parent involvement is crucial. Caregivers that model healthy eating and physical activity positively influence their children’s health. Make a family commitment to healthy eating, snacking and healthy beverages.

Ellen S. Davis, MD, FAAP Pediatrician, CaroMont Pediatric Partners —Gastonia

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Be not afraid!

by MICHAEL E. POWELL Their first dental visit can be tough on kids. It can be tough on the parents too.

Imagine though you’re the parent AND the dentist!

Dr. Anika Howell, a Cherryville native, practices general dentistry in Shelby. She says she’s faced just that predicament with daughter Sophie since her first dental appointment.

Howell began practicing in 1996, shortly after graduating from the University of Pennsylvania. She says parents should take their children to the dentist when children begin to get teeth.

“Although there may not be a problem then, it doesn’t hurt to get your child familiar with the dental setting,” she says.

Another thing Dr. Howell says allays fear is to allow young toddlers to brush their teeth by themselves, then watch mom and dad brush their teeth.

“The parent can ask the child to let mommy or daddy brush their teeth,” she says. “It’s likely the child will allow that and begin to be responsive to someone else looking in their mouths.”

Bringing the child early to the dentist’s

Dr Monica Powell, Board Certified in Pediatrics

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Allaying kids’ fears key to positive dental appointments

office to have a look around and play with the instruments before the child has a problem also helps a great deal. It’s called a “children’s tour.”

“We allow that in our office, and all it requires is a phone call. It’s not really an appointment time.”

Dr. Howell says it’s also a good idea to have “positive”, not “negative”, discussions about your dental visits with your child.

“Telling a child that something is going to hurt may or may not be exactly true for their visit,” she notes. “Their perception of a dental visit will become their behavior for a visit.”

Howell says if children are brought to the dentist before they have problems then severe problems can be prevented and their experiences are positive. This means they will want to come see their dentist and not avoid him or her.

“Avoiding the dentist always means that you will have to see them when there is a later problem.”

Most dental problems children have involve improper brushing techniques, infrequent brushing, and flossing leading to decay between the teeth, she says.

Parents can really help their

Cupid Pediatrics at Cramerton Clinic

March 21, 2012

children (and their pocketbooks) by paying attention to brushing and flossing techniques and doing it for children when they need help.

Howell says any dental office should be able to show every parent and child proper ways to clean their teeth.

“We also have many different types of toothbrushes and flosses to help with specific needs. It helps everyone to brush and floss when they get up in the mornings and especially before bedtime,” Dr. Howell says. “Tooth paste, tooth brush, and floss should be the last things to go into anyone’s mouth before bed.” Howell says infants should never be put to bed with anything in their bottles but water.

“Baby Bottle Syndrome” is rampant decay that results from putting a baby down for bed with their bottles full of milk or soda. Howell says milk is a thick sugar that coats the teeth, damaging them if not brushed away immediately.

“Only water goes into a bottle or ‘sippy’ cup,” she says.

To visit or not to visit!

Anxiety over dental visits is common See DENTIST, page 17

Dental Tips Good habits start at a healthy age, according to Amy Wadsworth, spokesperson for Partnership for Children of Lincoln and Gaston Counties.

Going to dentist regularly helps kids get a good start on healthy teeth/gums.

• Tooth decay is the most common untreated chronic childhood illness (most easily prevented too!) Common culprit is juice and sodas (or pops).

• First dental visit by at least age one.

• About sodas: phosphoric acid and sugars content high. Soda: 17 tsps. of sugar in them, as a rule. 100 percent juice has lots of sugars.

Healthy tips for healthy teeth: • Drink water instead of sodas and juices • If you have sodas, limit them to once a week.

Drink quickly with a snack or food.

• Use a straw as it keeps drink away from teeth.

• Rinse mouth after drinking sodas.

• See dentist every six months for cleanings, etc.

• Brush at least twice a day (parents help smaller children).

• Floss once a day (parents teach how).

• Babies: never put to bed with “sippy” cup unless it’s water.

March 21, 2012

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Baby, Can You Hear Me? Nurses at CRMC recognized for follow-up infant hearing testing Babies begin learning speech and language tools in the first days of their life, long before they are able to speak. Hearing the sounds around them is critical to their learning process.

Every nurse working at Cleveland Regional Medical Center’s (CRMC) nursery is trained to perform hearing screening tests on newborns.

If the baby does not pass the test, the Women’s and Children’s Services department at CRMC goes one step beyond by asking parents to return for a follow-up test within a few weeks. Nurses come in on their days off to perform these re-tests.

The North Carolina Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) program has recognized CRMC’s Women’s and Children’s Services Department for making the extra effort to re-test babies. “Data has shown that hospitals providing their own re-screens have far fewer babies lost to follow-up,” Kathleen Watts, Program Manager for the EHDI program, said in a letter to CRMC. North Carolina requires that all newborns have a hearing screening before discharge from the hospital to identify infants with hearing loss as early as possible. However, many times babies who fail the first screening are not retested early enough, which delays treatment and intervention.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, about 33 babies are born every day with some degree of hearing loss. The goal of the EHDI program is to ensure every baby who needs a thorough hearing evaluation has it by three months of age, and intervention is accomplished by six months of age.

“With early identification and intervention by specialists with skills specific to children who are deaf or hard of hearing,” stated Watts in the letter, “there can be a significant reduction in the negative effects of hearing loss on communication, social, emotional and academic skills.”

That process starts with the screening test performed in the birth hospital. It is hoped that other hospitals will follow CRMC’s example by completing follow-up tests.

The nurses feel so strongly about re-testing

a baby’s hearing that they want to make it a priority. It can get very busy on the floor and nurses founding they didn’t always have time to do a re-screen. So, they came up with a solution. The nurses started scheduling the appointments on their days off, and they come in to perform the re-screens.

A baby may fail the first hearing screen for several reasons. Amniotic fluid may be in the ear canal, or the baby may have been moving too much. If an infant fails the follow-up screening test, parents receive information and a report is sent to the infant’s pediatrician. The pediatrician works with the parents to schedule a thorough hearing exam with a specialist.

“Early detection means early treatment,” said Brenda Black, RN, one of the nurses who does follow-up testing. “It is another opportunity to see the baby and let the parents ask us questions. It’s another way to let them know we care.”

Factors that could cause infant hearing loss include a family history of hearing loss; in utero infections; lack of inner ear development; low birth weight.

Typical signs of a hearing loss in children include inconsistently responding to sound; delayed language and speech development; unclear speech; sound is turned up on radio, CD player, etc.; does not follow directions; often says “Huh?”; does not respond when called; frequently misunderstands what is said and wants things repeated.

By PAULA VESS Cleveland County HealthCare System

Help prevent the spread of germs – Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.

– Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.

– Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.

– Try to avoid close contact with sick people.

– If you are sick with flu-like illness, stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.)

– While sick, limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them.

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Whether you’re a daughter, a mother, a sister, an aunt, a grandmother, a wife or all of the above, your family needs you. And staying healthy is the single best thing you can do for WKHP :LWK SUH DQG SRVW GHOLYHU\ HGXFDWLRQ FODVVHV D FHUWL¿HG ODFWDWLRQ FRQVXOWDQW RQ VWDII and skilled and caring nurses, Cleveland Regional Medical Center’s Women’s and Children’s Services Department offers mothers excellent care in a warm and comfortable environment.

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Guide your child to a healthy smile March is children’s health month. Make an appointment with a dentist to ensure that your child has a healthy smile. Children should be seen by a dentist as soon as their first tooth appears or by age one year. Dentists and their staff play a key role in dental education and awareness. Most early childhood tooth decay can be prevented by seeing a dentist every six months and by following recommendations.

Infants gums need to be cleaned with a damp cloth daily. This can be a part of their bathtime routine. As the baby teeth erupt, brush them with a soft, age appropriate toothbrush. If toothpaste is used it should not contain fluoride. After one year of age, it is recommended that a toothpaste containing fluoride be used. Place no more than the amount equal to the size of a single grain of rice on the bristles of the toothbrush.

When your child is able to spit out the toothpaste following brushing, the size equal to a single pea is recommended.

Brush your child’s teeth every morning and every night before they go to bed.

Flossing is very important to prevent leaving food between their teeth and causing tooth decay. The use of an over the counter children’s rinse containing fluoride is recommended when your child can rinse and spit.

Supervise your child while they are brushing, flossing and using a fluoride rinse.

Help your child with brushing until they can properly do it on their own. There is no set age that a child can do this.

Children should be weaned off the bottle by age one year. Putting your child to bed with a bottle or sippy cup containing anything other than water can cause rampant tooth decay.

Nutrition is very important. Encourage your child to eat dental healthy snacks such as, fresh fruits and vegetables, cheeses and popcorn. Juice consumption needs to be limited to 4-6 ounces daily for children ages

one to six years. Avoid giving your child sodas and other highly acidic and sweetened drinks.

The application of fluoride every six months and the placement of sealants on the baby and permanent molars soon after eruption can help prevent tooth decay. Detection of tooth decay in the early stages can be easily treated and prevent your child from experiencing tooth pain. Fluoride levels in well water can be tested and the results reviewed by a dentist to see if a supplement is needed.

It is recommended that thumb sucking and pacifier habits be stopped soon after age one year to prevent the development of malocclusions. Dentists can provide suggestions for positive reinforcement to help stop your child’s habit and in some cases use an appliance. As your child grows, the dentist can detect early orthodontic concerns as they develop. A very common concern is the crowding of newly erupting permanent teeth. This can be corrected or the severity lessened if diagnosed early enough.

Falls and accidents involving children’s teeth are very common. It is important to take your child to a dentist soon after the injury occurs for evaluation. If your child knocks out a permanent tooth, have them bite firmly on a clean cloth or gauze to control the bleeding. Place the tooth in a container with milk and seek immediate dental attention. To help avoid injury to the teeth, make sure that your child wears a mouth guard while participating in sports. Check the mouth guard each season to ensure that your child hasn’t outgrown it. Healthy nutrition, good home oral healthcare and routine dental exams help keep your child’s teeth healthy. Teaching your child these habits now will help them stick with them throughout their lives. A healthy smile is a sign of a happy child!

Tonya Davidson, DMD

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Turning a College Fund into an Emergency Health Care Fund Kevin was a typical active, mischievous twelve year old. He was average in academics but excelled in athletics - baseball, soccer, football, tennis. He kept his parents busy driving him to games and tournaments. He had been healthy from birth – rarely a sore throat and only one broken arm in his short life. His dad owned a successful contracting company and took out a participating whole life policy on Kevin when he was a year old.

Each year he added cash to the policy and, with dividends, the value was growing nicely toward a projected $100,000 cash by Kevin’s eighteenth birthday. If full athletic scholarships didn’t happen, the policy was Kevin’s college fund.

When I received the call, Kevin’s dad asked “do you want the bad news or the bad news?” I immediately thought someone had died but that wasn’t the case. The contracting business that had been struggling in a down economy had been forced to shut down.

Kevin’s dad had dropped his family’s health insurance to save on expense. The problem was that Kevin had been recently diagnosed with a serious illness and without insurance the family could not afford treatment for him.

We discussed the North Carolina Children’s Health Insurance Program known as Health Choice for Children. The program provides health insurance for children whose families do not qualify for Medicaid but who cannot afford private health insurance. Un-

fortunately, Kevin’s Mom had taken a job to help make ends meet and her income put the family over the threshold for eligibility. The State Inclusive Health High Risk insurance pool was our next option. The monthly premium for a high deductible plan was only $85. The problem was where to find the initial $5000 deductible that had to be paid before the plan covered 100%. The family had depleted all savings and still had to cover a mortgage, loans, vehicle and equipment payments and household expenses.

Time was critical. Kevin needed surgery and treatment within a week or two. Travel and housing for the family plus loss of income while Kevin’s Mom left her job were also concerns. Kevin’s dad was crying over the telephone. “I can’t lose my boy,” he sobbed. “Would $67,000 in your bank account five days from now help until we could get Kevin on Inclusive Health” I asked. He almost shouted “oh my goodness –the life insurance!” Yes, the life insurance cash value could be loaned quickly to pay expenses and deductibles for Kevin and the dividends could be used to help pay back the loan if needed.

Kevin’s college fund became a life saver!

For more information on Juvenile Life or Health plans contact The Amos Agency, LLC; 704-739-3300/864-710-8575.

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Speech: Can you say ‘Susie sells seashells...’

FROM Page 4 and their voice quality, how they are playing with the other kids and how they are communicating socially and even how they express themselves in writing. We also provide consultation for teachers and how to help the students in class with their communication needs.”

Duncan even explained what children should know at what ages.

“Babies should be responding to sound and localizing with their eyes,” Duncan explained. “By age one they should be imitating sounds. Closer to two years old they should be making two word phrases. By three they should be making lip sounds made by letters like M, P, B, and W, and using N’s and H’s. Parents should start understanding 80% of what their kids are saying by the age of three. By six or the end of six they should be using their R’s and L’s and by seven or eight years old, S’s should develop.”

“I had a six year old who had a case of poor tongue movement,” Duncan said. “We worked 10 minutes individually and then saw her in a group each week to help her master that sound.

I typically see the students in a group but sometimes I may need to see them one-on-one depending on the child’s situation.”

One thing high school and middle school students have a problem with is self-esteem issues. Communication problems can play a big role in that.

“Kids are hard on other kids if they think they are different,” Duncan said. “In some of our sessions we practice what to say to others and write it down and practice it with a teacher or another adult or another child.”

Speech therapy at it’s best can help communication barriers but it can also be an important tool for building confidence.

“I have a high school student who says whatever comes to mind, whether appropriate or not appropriate,” Duncan said. “I help him look for the right answers to the questions and to ask for more information instead of closing down when he doesn’t un-

derstand. During games I encourage him to ask many different types of questions and that helps him with questions in class.”

Duncan explained some types of remediation she uses.

“To help them learn L sounds, I show them where the tongue is in a mirror and may have them bite on candy or a bite stick to stabilize their jaw,” Duncan explained. “We work on where to make your sounds, for example the letters K and G which are made in the throat. We use pictures, games, reception and understanding. The biggest thing is drilling it over and over.”

“You have to get creative and be flexible,” Duncan said. “You have to use activities they know and are interested in. I remember I watched Power Rangers when it was on so I could tell what they were talking about.”

Some new remediation deals with use of new technology in IPads.

“There is a lot more information because of new studies,” Duncan said. “We use the IPads for the new apps they have come up with for speech pathology for pictures and drill sounds.”

Duncan gave the parents some signs to look for.

“If your pre-school child is talking with no consonants sounds, not imitating, not making eye contact, not talking at all, having muscle weaknesses, leaving out the beginning of sounds or you can’t understand them, talk to someone,” Duncan explained.

“Also, never compare children,” she added. “I have many different cases.”

A 20-year-old in her care had to stop and listen by using sign language or pictures. A four-year-old, who kept asking for truck but replaced the “tr” sound with an “f”, had to learn to say “tuck” until his mouth could form the correct pronunciation. A child in middle school, who has a history of a cleft-lip, still needs help moving his lips and tongue. Each case, like each child, is special.

Here are some tips for helping your child according to ASHA: - Communicate more with your child. Talk, sing and encourage repetition.

- Read daily to your child.

Rita Duncan in her classroom at Kings Mountain Middle School getting ready for her next student.

- Reinforce speech and language throughout the day.

- Get treatment for middle ear infections.

The need of speech language pathology is expected to grow through the year 2014, according to ASHA’s website. With members of the Baby Boom generation aging into a higher risk for strokes, which can affect speech, and medical advances improving the survival rate of premature infants and trauma victims, the need for speech services grows.

As King George VI (Colin Firth) said in “The King’s Speech”, “People should listen to me because I have a voice.”

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March 21, 2012

Do food and drink choices REALLY matter?

Children love sugary foods and drinks.

But their effects on the health of our children are staggering. According to the Centers for Disease Control, 17%, or about 12.5 million children aged 2 to 19 in the U.S. are obese. That is triple the number of obese children documented in 1980.

Obesity increases morbidity rates during childhood.

Obese children have increased risks of developing diabetes, heart disease, high cholesterol, and metabolic syndrome. They have higher rates of psychological issues as well, and are more likely than normal weight children to become obese adults.

Changes in the drinking and eating habits of children, along with physical activity, do affect the obesity rate in children.

We have all heard it said that we are what we eat. Maybe we need to take that a step further and say we are what we drink and what we eat.

To be healthy a personʼs body should be about 70% to 75% water. Therefore, what we drink is certainly as important as what we eat, if not more.

Healthy Tips: Avoid Sodas- The caffeine, high fructose corn syrup, caramel colorings, and carbonation in sodas can all contribute to health issues. There is no redeeming health value in these drinks. Furthermore, diet sodas cause more weight gain than regular sodas according to a University of Texas study.

Drink More Water- Replacing sodas with water will cut down on calories and chemicals. Water is essential for health.

Water can increase energy and aid in detoxifying our bodies. Kangen water is the healthiest water to drink. Through a special electrolysis process, the chemicals are removed from the water, but the minerals, which are essential to health, are left.

Limit French Fries- The affects of fried foods on our bodies is well known and well documented. But fries are harmful to our bodies beyond that. In most cases, other unhealthy ingredients are in the french fries

we consume. For example, McDonald’s French fries include the following ingredients: potatoes, vegetable oil (in the fries... in addition to what they are cooked in), citric acid, dextrose, sodium acid pyrophosphate, sugar, and salt. And don’t forget the dimethylpolysiloxane, which is added as an anti-foaming agent. Yum! Yum! French fries raise blood sugar, contributing to weight gain as well as other health issues.

They also contain chemicals that have no nutritional value and can often times be harmful. As a general rule, if you can’t spell or pronounce the ingredients in the food you eat, you should avoid it.

Substitute Homemade French FriesSlice a baked potato or sweet potato, add Celtic sea salt, and broil in the oven. This is a yummy and nutritious alternative to French fries.

Avoid Potato Chips- Chips are really a packaged version of french fries. Most are fried and have a high glycemic index which can lead to increases in weight.

Substitute Baked Blue Corn ChipsThese are a better choice than french fries or potato chips. Look for brands that do not use genetically modified corn or ones that use organic stone ground corn.

Limit or Avoid Donuts, Cakes, Cookies, and Candy Bars- Donuts are sugary fried bread. Cakes, cookies, and candy bars are generally full of sugar, artificial flavors, dyes, and chemicals. These offer little or no nutritional value.

Eat more Vegetables and Fruits- Fruits and veggies have high water content, low caloric content, lots of vitamins, nutrients and key antioxidants, in addition to quality fiber. Substituting fruits and vegetables for higher calorie foods can be an important part of the goal to maintain healthy weight.

Decrease TV and Video Game timeSpending time watching TV or playing video games decreases time for physical activity and increases children’s exposure to advertising for junk foods.

Increase Physical Activity- Regular

physical activity in childhood and adolescence improves strength and endurance, helps build healthy bones and muscles, helps control weight, reduces anxiety and stress, increases self-esteem, and may improve blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

Nutritional Supplements- Quality supplements provide vitamins and minerals that can increase metabolism and minimize nutritional deficiencies. Increasing metabolism helps burn more calories and can increase energy for physical activity. In addition, multivitamin and mineral supplements can improve children’s brain health and their ability to perform in school.

Parents know that children love fast foods and sugary snacks. Parents also are in a position to help children with issues concerning their health. By educating ourselves, we can help children make better choices. Teaching children to choose heathy snacks, providing nutritious meals, and encouraging physical activity are things parents and grandparents can begin doing today to improve the health of the children they love.

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Pediatric Hands on Therapy, PC is made up of a dedicated and enthusiastic team of physical, occupational and speech therapists. The company was founded in 2004 and its primary focus is to improve the overall function of children in all age groups. The highly trained professionals at Pediatric Hands on Therapy, PC work with children with a variety of diagnoses that include sensory processing disorder, Down’s Syndrome, autism, neurological disorders, speech and language disorders, as well as developmental delays. In addition, the company also offers a wide variety of therapeutic services that include early intervention, sensory integration therapy, feeding therapy, gait/ambulation training, and therapeutic listening.

Every summer, Pediatric Hands on Therapy, PC puts on a very beneficial CAMP for children in the autism spectrum. And new and very exciting for this summer, they are happy to announce the addition of a feeding group. The company is now accepting applications for the camp; if you are interested please act now so you don’t miss out on this valuable experience.

Because of the diverse range of services that the company offers, Pediatric Hands on Therapy, PC continues to grow at a record pace. They are currently looking at add therapists to their team.

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The one ingredient label you’ve never read, but should!

Parents, you probably know what’s in your kids’ peanut butter, but do you know what’s in their toothpaste?

Most moms and dads are careful to learning what’s in the stuff their kids eat and drink.

They avoid artificial dyes, preservatives, chemicals, and sweeteners. Yet, ask just any of those same folks if they’ve ever looked at what’s is in their toothpaste and you’ll likely get blank stares.

Considering the fact that children – and adults — ingest toothpaste twice a day every day, it’s probably the most frequent thing we put in our mouths other than water or other beverages. Still, most people have never looked at what’s in their toothpaste.

Dentist and national oral health care expert Harold Katz, suggests that needs to change.

Many ingredients in some commercial toothpastes are of questionable benefit and some are just plain bad for you.

Consumers have become increasingly aware of the hidden toxins in foods, beverages, and eating and drinking utensils, he says. They avoid high fat and high sodium foods, sulfates in their personal care products, aerosol sprays, and toxic chemicals in their household cleaners. “They’re taking no chances, and rightfully so. Remember the rush to replace plastic baby bottles with glass ones after the BPA scare in 2008?� he asks.

However, there has been a surprising lack of attention to toothpaste, Katz says. The dentist suggests that all consumers – but especially parents – take the time to read their toothpaste tubes today. Effects of potentially unhealthy toothpaste ingredients are multiplied in the smaller bodies of children. Here are a few ingredients to stay away from: • FD&C blue dye No. 2: This commonly used toothpaste dye is one of several on the list of additives to avoid, maintains the Center for Science in the Public Interest. It’s said to be linked to learning, behavioral and health problems, severe allergic reactions, and headaches, among other problems. • Sodium lauryl sulfate: The American College of Toxicology reports this ingredient in cosmetics and industrial cleaning agents can cause skin corrosion and irritation. Doses of .8 to 110 grams/kilogram in lab rats caused

depression, labored breathing, diarrhea and death in 4 out of 20 animals. • Triclosan: An anti-microbial ingredient, the federal Environmental Protection Agency lists triclosan as a pesticide and regulates its use in over-the-counter toothpastes and hand soaps. According to the agency’s fact sheet, “Studies on the thyroid and estrogen effects led EPA to determine that more research on the potential health consequences of endocrine effects of triclosan is warranted. Because of the amount of research being planned and currently in progress, it will undertake another comprehensive review of triclosan beginning in 2013.â€? • Saccharin and aspartame: Both of these artificial sweeteners are on the Center for Science in the Public Interest’s list of additives to avoid.

Toothpaste buyers should look for natural ingredients, such as aloe vera juice, which cleans and soothes teeth and gums and helps fight cavities, according to the May/June 2009 issue of General Dentistry, the Academy of General Dentistry’s clinical, peer-reviewed journal. Aloe vera tooth gel is said to kill disease-causing bacteria in the mouth, Katz says.

Also, avoid all toothpastes that contain sodium lauryl sulfate, a harsh detergent that has been linked to canker sores. Toothpastes that are free of sulfates include Weleda’s Salt Toothpaste, TheraBreath, and Tom’s of Maine.

Brush your teeth at least twice a day and get children into the habit from a young age, Katz says. You’ll have fresh breath, avoid painful dental problems, and be far more likely to have your teeth in your mouth when you go to sleep at night as you age.

Just be sure to check what’s in your family’s toothpaste and avoid buying anything with problematic ingredients. And when it comes to brushing kids’ teeth use a pea-sized drop of paste on the brush – no more – and oversee brushing to ensure young children don’t swallow their toothpaste, Dr. Katz says.

About Dr. Harold Katz Dr. Harold Katz received his degree in bacteriology from UCLA and is the founder of The California Breath Clinics and author of The Bad Breath Bible.

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704.827.2211 â&#x20AC;˘ 125 W. Central Ave., Mt. Holly

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Sports: improving your game FROM Page 6 Truth is, “Sports Performance” is a catch phrase that can mean a lot of different things. In general, Sports Performance Training is an athletic enhancement program designed (sometimes scientifically and sometimes not) to identify and improve deficiencies, prevent injury and elevate your athletic performance by increasing speed, agility, strength, power, flexibility and balance. We will come back to this, but first I want talk about the overhead athlete and more specifically the thrower i.e. baseball player.

Despite efforts to reduce pitching injuries in young athletes they continue to rise. According to experts, approximately one third of youth baseball pitchers will experience shoulder or elbow pain during a season. In the early 2000’s, renowned orthopaedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews observed a 600% increase in throwing injuries in young ballplayers.

There is only one factor that continuously correlates to these pitching injuries. It isn’t throwing a curveball (correctly), it isn’t pitching at an early age, and it isn’t long tossing. Most youth arm injuries are due to overuse.

A recent study showed that, among the youth baseball coaches surveyed regarding their knowledge of the safety guidelines established by the USA Baseball Medical and Safety Advisory Committee, only 43% answered the questions correctly. In addition, 19% of coaches reported having pitched a player with a sore or fatigued shoulder or elbow.

Many coaches and parents are under the misconception that throwing curveballs is one of the major factors in youth arm injuries. Without going into too much detail, I will summarize my thoughts and tie it back into Sport Performance Training later.

Two recent studies published in the American Journal of Sports Medicine, showed that the curveball does not increase force on the throwing arm in comparison to a fastball. Technique, however, does play a significant role. More specifically, if the forearm position is different between the curveball and fastball (as it often times is), there could be consequences.

Young pitchers often drop the arm while throwing a curveball. This may increase the incidence of injury. In this case, the static stabilizers (the bones, joint, and ligaments) are the same, but the altered forearm position alters the position of the forearm muscles and potentially decreases the mechanical advantage of the dynamic stabilizers (the muscles) to protect the elbow.

So although the curveball will have the same force, the muscles may be less able

to stabilize and protect the arm if thrown incorrectly.

This is where a well-designed strengthtraining program is beneficial. These programs are frequently planned and implemented by personal trainers, physical therapists, athletic trainers, strength and conditioning specialists and even by people who think they have knowledge of sports. These programs may be helpful in terms of improving fitness, but they may also teach and employ movements that cause injuries.

As a rule the general public is not aware of the education, certifications and experience required to make a professional qualified to enhance athletic performance. It is not difficult to appear impressive on paper, which makes researching the qualifications of the person you are asking to train you or your child extremely important.

Generally speaking, a good Orthopedic Physical Therapist is an expert in human movement. We watch it, critique it, change and modify it. As orthopedic specialists, we have the ability to perform specific evaluations, assess biomechanics, carry out functional movement screenings, and recognize correct body positions and movements against those that could potentially cause injury.

As clinical experts, we also have the knowledge to transition an injured athlete back onto the field and into playing condition while minimizing the threat of re-injury. While it is not our job to change a throwers mechanics, we can help to condition an athlete, improving performance, enabling them to better handle the rigors of a season(s).

March 21, 2012

Get Up, Get Out, Make the most and Grow of summer To kick-start physical activity and learning throughout the summer – a critical out-ofschool time for kids – the Kings Mountain Family YMCA is celebrating Healthy Kids Day® with a free community event on April 28 for kids and families, in partnership with the Kings Mountain Gateway 5K, 10K, Run, Walk and Fun Run. Summer is the ideal time for kids to get up, get out and grow, but for some kids, exposure to activities that stimulate the body and mind ends with the school year. In fact, research shows that kids are more prone to gain weight and fall behind academically over the summer months.

“At Healthy Kids Day, we’re helping parents take on summer by taking steps to ensure that their kids stay physically and intellectually active,” said Taffy Allen, Wellness Director, Kings Mountain Family YMCA. “With summer just around the corner, there is no better time than now to begin developing a healthy routine that helps kids be healthier and sharper for when the next school year begins.”

A leading nonprofit committed to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, the Y holds Healthy Kids Day to improve the health and well-being of kids. As part of this initiative, the Y – along with hundreds of thousands of parents and kids nationwide – is taking on summer by addressing critical gaps in health and education that cause kids to be at increased risk for childhood obesity and suffer summer learning loss.

The Kings Mountain Family YMCA’s free event will take place at the Gateway Trailhead on April 28 from 8:00 am until the completion of the races and will feature a variety of games, inflatable activities and ZumbAtomic, an awesome Zumba class designed especially for kids!

For more information about Healthy Kids Day® contact the Kings Mountain Family YMCA at 704/669-3680 or visit www.clevecoymca.org. For more information about the Kings Mountain Gateway 5K/10K visit www.kmgatewaytrails.org.

Springtime is calling Fresh air. Fresh opportunities. Fresh, beautiful

Summit Place of Kings Mountain.

Spring is the perfect time to start enjoying more of life! With the excitement of a full calendar of activities and events, we know you’ll love the Spring here at your new home.

WE OFFER: • Assistance with activities of daily living

• Veterans Aid & Attendance Benefits accepted for qualified veterans and spouses

• Three delicious and nutritious meals served restaurant-style daily

• Respite stays available

• Housekeeping, laundry and linen services

• Award-winning memory care program, Bridge to Rediscovery™

• Scheduled local transportation available

1001 Phifer Road Kings Mountain, NC 28086

704-739-6772

Cleveland Physical Therapy

www.SummitPlaceOfKingsMountain.com References: Sport Health, American Sports Medicine institute, American Journal of Sports Medicine, MikeReinhold.com

©2012 Five Star Quality Care, Inc.

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Dentist: Allaying kids’ fear is key

tist for patients in these situations.

“Occasionally, our office can fabricate an orthodontic appliance to correct minor crowding and spacing problems.”

FROM Page 8

Right/wrong foods “As far as particular foods to stay away from, I never say to any patient they can’t have anything they want to eat. As long as anyone can brush off what they put in their mouths then they can eat it,” she says.

Unfortunately, the longer food and drinks stay on teeth, the longer they have to erode the enamel and cause decay.

“Everyone’s mouth has a different level of certain bacteria and some of those cause decay easier than others,” Dr. Howell says. “If you are more prone to decay then you may need to improve your frequency and technique of brushing and flossing and also adjust your diet accordingly.”

Regular dental check-ups can help stop the progression of decay before too much tooth structure is lost, costing more money to correct.

with children and adults. Howell says it all starts with the position the patient is in...literally.

“The patient is lying down and the dentist is working in one of the most sensitive areas of the body,” she says. “Patients must really have complete trust in someone and their abilities to put themselves in that position.”

Add to that the fact children are always fearful of the unknown. To allay that, Dr. Howell says she sometimes allows parents into the room while treating their children.

However, sometimes she doesn’t.

“If the child is more at ease and cooperative while their parent is there, then I have no problem,” Howell says.

Occasionally children are given sedative medication pre-operatively, allowing them to relax. If a child isn’t fully cooperative, a pedodontist, who specifically treat children, may be recommended.

“In general practice,” Howell says, “we will treat any person that is cooperative and comfortable.”

There is no “magic” formula for treating everyone.

Howell says she’s found it’s usually best to look at the individual and assess the personality, medical history and fears and try to listen to the patient and tune in to what makes them relaxed and comfortable.

Other toothy issues!

Minor dentition crowding or spacing is not a real cause for concern unless the parent and child are unhappy with the aesthetics of their smile. Any crowding that causes difficulty in cleaning during brushing and flossing should be

photograph by Michael Powell

Dr. Anika Howell cleans 11 & 1/2-year-old daughter Sophia Hastings’ teeth. Sophia is a sixth grader at John Chavis Middle School. corrected. “Crowded teeth collect more food deposits and can be contacting each other so tightly that flossing certain areas becomes impossible,” Dr. Howell says. “If a patient can’t clean their teeth the teeth will decay.”

Howell recommends a consultation with the orthodon-

Voice of experience “As a mother of an 11-year-old daughter I struggle like every parent to make sure she cleans her teeth well and often.” Howell says. “I’m sure there are times when that doesn’t happen.”

She knows dentist’s children are not immune to decay.

“We do try to practice what we preach. However, there are occasions when a tooth brush is forgotten or a late night from a trip causes you to go straight from the car to the bed.

The best you can do is rinse with water and wait until the next morning to really get in there and get those teeth cleaned properly. We don’t allow too much lost ground!”

Pediatric Hands On Therapy, PC Occupational, Physical, & Speech Therapy Services

3302 S. New Hope Road, Ste. 100 A Gastonia, NC 28056 704-747-3788

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March 21, 2012

Styers: imaging helps many children be the picture of health

By THOMAS LARK For Kathryn Styers, caring about kids and their well-being is why she went into health care.

Today the director of marketing for CaroMont Imaging Services (formerly Gaston Radiology), Styers cut her teeth years ago as a technologist.

“Though my days as a technologist have come and gone, I am reminded of all the joy patient care has brought into my lifetime,” she recently said. “How many times a week do I refer back to some piece of knowledge that I obtained from performing X-rays on pediatric patients?

It was nothing to see three infant chest X-rays, four sets of sinus X-rays, a CT head (scan) for a child that had been hurt on the playground and a fractured clavicle from the local high school football practice. Working with pediatric patients was one of my favorite jobs!”

Abdominal pain, chronic sinus problems and, of course, sports-related injuries are some of the commonest cases Styers’ colleagues see, she said.

She continued that while many cases of acute abdominal pain are benign, some require fast diagnoses and treatment at once. Many maladies can cause pain in a child’s abdomen. But the commonest causes are gastroenteritis—inflammation of the stomach and intestines, usually due to a bacterial infection—and

appendicitis, an inflammation of the appendix that causes severe pain.

Diarrhea is quite often associated with food poisoning or gastroenteritis, while appendicitis should be suspected in any child with pain in his or her right lower quadrant. Parents who suspect such problems in their children should look for pronounced abdominal distention and tenderness. And selected imaging studies are helpful in such cases.

One malady commonly associated with adults but now cropping up also in adolescents (perhaps due to the poor diets too many teens have, as Styers noted) is gastro-esophageal reflux disease or GERD. This unpleasant condition, which can actually mimic the sensation of a heart attack, irritates the lining of the throat, mouth, voice box and upper trachea (or windpipe), as well as the back of the nose, the adjacent sinus cavity and the openings of the ears’ Eustachian tubes. Reflux often occurs at night when sufferers are lying flat in their beds. But it can also occur during the day, and certain foods (ones that are too spicy, for example) can trigger it.

Styers noted that control of GERD is very important, and imaging can help patients. For example, imaging can determine that the cause of a patient’s pain is indeed reflux, not in fact a hernia, an ulcer or a tumor.

“Whether we’re caring for the 9-year-old with severe, right-sided abdominal pain that turns out to be appendicitis or a child that has a

Spot early signs your teen is struggling – before it gets bad Adolescence is difficult in the best of times.

It’s doubly stressful for kids today; they’re experiencing the same worries and insecurities as adults in this troubled economy, and with far fewer coping skills. From families struggling with joblessness and foreclosure to increasing competition for college admissions to the normal fears associated with impending adulthood, they’re particularly vulnerable. “Teens who are overwhelmed by stress often are unable or unwilling to ask for help,” says noted psychologist Dr. Gregory L. Jantz, author of When Your Teenager Becomes The Stranger in Your House. Dr. Jantz believes the longer they continue to flail and struggle emotionally, the greater the chance they’ll develop more serious problems like clinical depression, generalized anxiety disorder, dependence on alcohol or drugs and, sadly, suicidal tendencies.

“It’s up to parents and other adults to recognize when a teen is struggling and intervene.” Jantz offers the following tips to know when typical teen characteristics, such as moodiness, have moved beyond “normal.”

• Arguing is normal; constant anger is not.

Sometimes teens argue just to argue. It allows them to let off steam, express their displeasure about life in general and test boundaries.

• Withdrawal from parents is normal; pulling away from family and friends is not. Expect your teen to start pulling away from you – unless she wants something – and occasionally from their friends, as well. But when they appear to isolate themselves for weeks, spending weekend after weekend alone in their room, they may be struggling with depression. Socializing with friends is one of the first things to go as depression sucks the joy out of life.

• Anxiety is normal; feeling constantly overwhelmed is not. Teens have a lot to be anxious about – the prospect of independence is both exhilarating and terrifying, so some worrying is to be expected. But a teen who seems to be (or says he is) struggling daily with stress needs help.

• Being upset for days after a bad experience is normal; more than two weeks is not.

It’s normal for them to be in a bad mood about things for a few days, but to dwell on the problem for more than two weeks indicates they’re struggling.

The most recent data available, which is about three years old, puts suicide as the thirdleading cause of death for teens after unintentional injuries (such as car accidents) and homicide, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. More than 2 million teens attempt suicide each year.

Photographs courtesy of Kathryn Styers

CT scans may look frightening to a child. But they’re actually painless and provide much valuable information, according to CaroMont Imaging Services spokeswoman Kathryn Styers. chronic sinus issue, our staffers are ready to treat these patients with compassion in their situations,” said Styers. “Maybe it’s the small things that make for a good imaging experience, such as a spacious, open MRI area, where the parent can hold a little one’s hand. Or maybe it’s the beach scenes, hanging on the walls to help ‘take us somewhere else’ or just a friendly smile saying, ‘I understand your worry.’ We treat patients as if they were our own children and respect them as we expect to be treated.”

She also talked about the American College of Radiology’s “image gently” campaign, which aims to protect the littlest patients from too many harmful X-rays.

“With this,” she said, “pediatric patients are

imaged with as little radiation as possible to get quality images. These patients are always shielded with lead to protect any area not being X-rayed. I know from experience: when a patient walks through our exam room doors, my hand, as the technologist, would be already grabbing for the appropriate-sized lead apron to minimize the exposure to the patient. Radiation is cumulative for each patient. So for children, we use as little radiation as possible to get the quality of image to make a diagnosis.”

So, said Styers, whether you’re concerned about your children’s broken arms from skating falls, their nagging coughs, unexplained headaches or faster-than-normal growth rates, imaging can provide answers that are just what the doctor ordered.

Get Your Fill We are known for our knowledgeable staff and excellent customer service. It is important to fully understand each drug before taking it, and our pharmacist Harold Bolick is willing to answer any and all of your questions in a simple and easy-to-understand way. We are family owned and operated. Come in and experience the difference.

Serving Kings Mountain since 1919

Griffin Drug Center 704-739-4721

Friendly, hometown service!

129 Mountain St., Kings Mountain

Remember to visit our Snack Bar for fresh sandwiches, burgers, hotdogs, ice cream, orangeade & more!

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the REAL winner is our COMMUNITY THE JOINT COMMISSION Top Performer in Key Quality Measures for heart attack, heart failure, pneumonia and surgical care in 2010. 1

At CaroMont Health, we are proud of the awards we receive. After all, The Joint Commission, CareChex, and HealthGrades ratings have each set us apart from any other area hospital in these quality distinctions.

Recognition like this lets us know that we are making a difference and truly following our mission to provide exceptional health care to the communities we serve. And because we are a community health system, it means everyone in this area can benefit from the outstanding care we provide. And thats the biggest award of all.

CARECHEX Number 1 in the Nation in Medical Excellence for Overall Medical Care for 2012. 2

HEALTHGRADES Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical Excellenceâ&#x201E;˘ for 3 years in a row, 2010, 2011 and 2012. 3

704.834.2000 | caromonthealth.org 1

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March 21, 2012

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Dover Foundation YMCA 704.484.9622

Kings Mountain FamilyYMCA 704.739.9631

Ruby C. Hunt YMCA 704.434.0441

For more information contact your local Y branch