HEALTH & WELLNESS SPECIAL SECTION
Kids ’ Wintertime Health
• Stop the spread of germs – Sanitizing frequently touched surfaces ( door handles , sinks , countertops ) and handwashing can help combat the spread of germs to other family members . Providing sick children with a comfy space to recover , away from other children , can help prevent contamination of highly trafficked areas of the home .
• Stay moisturized in dry weather – Try limiting bath time and make sure the water isn ’ t too hot . Follow your bathtime routine with an ointment or cream , instead of lotion . Most lotions have added ingredients , including fragrances and alcohols , which can cause skin irritation . Opt for something as simple as petroleum jelly or a mineral oil to lock in moisture throughout the day .
• Keep up with vitamin D – Vitamin D helps the body take in calcium and build strong bones as well as fight infection , and plays a role in heart health . But , according to the American Academy of Pediatrics , a majority of the population is vitamin D deficient . Wintertime can bring on less outdoor play ( meaning less exposure to sunlight ) and most don ’ t receive enough vitamin D through diet alone . Talk to your child ’ s health care provider for proper supplement dosage amounts .
• Keep moving – Bundle up to go outside and sled ride or go for a walk . Blowing bubbles isn ’ t just for the summertime , and if it ’ s cold enough , they will freeze ! You can also set up activities inside the house to keep kids occupied , or look to your local community center for fun indoor activities .
• Stay hydrated – According to a study published by Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise , exposure to cold temperatures can lessen your body ’ s response to thirst . Dehydration can lead to fatigue , headaches , and make children more susceptible to illness . Serve warm drinks such as soup broths or warm cider after being in the cold , and always have water available .
• Dress in layers – Babies and children should be dressed in one more layer of clothing than an adult . Packing on too many additional layers can cause sweating , making your child colder ! Start with a moisture-wicking base layer , followed by wool , down , or fleece and a water / wind-resistant outer layer for optimal warmth .
• Get some Zzs – An adequate amount of sleep is important for everyone , especially when you ’ re sick . Offer quiet activities such as books , puzzles , coloring , or a movie to allow for some much-needed downtime . Encourage naps when possible to increase resting time .
• Skip sharing ( food and drinks ) – Encourage your kids to wash their hands before lunch to limit germs spreading to food . Also , remind your children to keep their hands from touching their face and the faces of others .
• Elbow trick – Teach kids to turn their heads to sneeze or cough into a tissue or into their elbow to limit the spread of germs .
• Know when outdoor play is safe . Green Zone : 30 degrees or higher – Safe to play outside with layers , but go inside to warm up every 40 minutes . Yellow Zone : 20-30 degrees – Take caution to monitor children for signs of shivering and go inside every 20- 30 minutes . Red Zone : Below 20 degrees – Stay inside ! eye care professional is not visited yearly . As the condition progresses , symptoms may include blurred vision , impaired color vision , floaters , and / or dark areas in your vision . Symptoms may occur if there is too much sugar in your blood , which can cause a blockage in the blood vessels that lead to the retina . Proper management of diabetes is the best way to prevent vision loss .
• Glaucoma : The second leading cause of blindness , glaucoma is a group of diseases that damage the eye ’ s optic nerve . The risk of developing glaucoma increases with age and if parents or siblings have the disease . During an eye exam , glaucoma can be detected by measuring eye pressure , inspecting the drainage angle of the eye , evaluating the health of the optic nerve and testing the visual field of each eye . Depending on the type and severity of the disease , glaucoma can be treated through eye drops , medication or surgery .
• Cataracts : A cataract affects vision by clouding the lens of the eye . Chances of cataracts increase greatly with age , with more than half of all Americans either having a cataract or having had cataract surgery by the age of 80 . People in their 40s and 50s can have cataracts , but they are typically small and do not affect vision . Cataracts are detected by blurred vision , faded colors , glare from headlights or lamps , poor night vision , double vision , or frequent prescription changes in eyeglasses or contact lenses . Early detection can improve cataracts through new eyeglasses , anti-glare sunglasses or brighter lighting . Surgery can also be done to remove the cloudy lens and replace it with an artificial lens .
• Age-Related Macular Degeneration ( AMD ): One of the common but lesser known eye conditions is AMD . A leading cause of vision loss among people 50 years of age and older , AMD affects the macula , the millions of light-sensing cells that provide your eye with sharp , central vision . Age is a major risk factor for developing AMD , with most cases occurring after the age of 60 . Genetics , race , and smoking can also affect risk for AMD . A comprehensive eye exam can detect it through dilation and testing . Your
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