KCKidsFun

As you may know, one of our advertising partners is Kansas City Allergy & Asthma Associates.  I asked the physicians to guest-author several posts that would be of particular interest to our readers with young families. Asthma (and allergies) happens to be something I think about daily at my house.  My son is a severe asthmatic, and I am constantly aware of the weather, the health of other kids at school and his activities (amongst other things!)  This post addresses seasonal allergies. The beautiful weather we’ve been experiencing served as a reminder for me to stock up on allergy meds…it’s coming!  Be well!

———————————————

A stuffy nose, watery and itchy eyes and even a runny nose can be very uncomfortable for anyone; especially a student trying to focus on their schoolwork. Sometimes medications and the discomfort of allergies can cause trouble sleeping and also contribute to difficulty in the classroom. Here are some tips for students during allergy season:

• Make sure school classroom area is well ventilated and has proper humidity to minimize molds.
• Teach your child early on that hand washing is important.
• If young children take naps, avoid napping or reading on carpeted surfaces. Instead sit at a desk or use a personal mat for nap taking.
• If chalk boards are still in use, be sure your child isn’t too close to it, as they can inhale the chalk dust.
• Ask the teacher and student if their work area is dusted regularly.
• See your allergist and ask about medications that can help reduce symptoms and ask about medications to reduce drowsiness.
• Encourage teamwork and ask your local parent, teacher and student organization to help educate staff and teachers about allergies.

As spring is upon us, parents need to make sure that their children are prepared to confront the challenges that their allergies and asthma will likely present to them. Here are some helpful hints and important issues prepared by Dr. Neustrom and Dr. Ward that need to be addressed at the start of and during every school year:

• Make sure there are antihistamines and bronchodilators (albuterol/Xopenex) available at school with an instruction letter for teachers and nurses.  For asthma inhalers, make sure there is a spacer or holding chamber available for home and school. Contact KCAA for information available to school nurses and preparation kit info. available from the  American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, or visit www.aaaai.org.
• Make sure you have an updated Asthma Action Plan and Food Allergy Action Plan for home and school, and that teachers and school nurses are aware of your child’s medical problems. Visit www.foodallergy.org or visit www.kcallergy.com for access to many educational website links.
• Make sure to speak with physical education teachers and coaches to make sure that they are aware your child has asthma and allergies.  If needed, be sure to make sure your child, teachers, and coaches know to pre-medicate with the appropriate allergy and asthma medications prior to activities.

————-compiled from KCAA articles, web content and press releases; 9/2010

It’s that time of year when thoughts naturally turn to helping others.  Sometimes, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by requests for donations. I think that teaching our kids the importance of giving back to the community and helping the less fortunate should be an ongoing process–not just one reserved for November and December.

That being said, we thought we’d offer some suggestions for kid-friendly volunteering opportunities. Remember–it doesn’t have to be about money–it’s giving your TIME and ENERGY that matters! These are life lessons that your children will never forget, and volunteering can become something the whole family looks forward to doing together–all through the year!

• The Salvation Army Bell Ringing is underway! The best part about this is that the money collected in the kettles stays right HERE in the KC metro. My 8-year-old son and I have manned the kettle for several 2-hour shifts at our neighborhood Hy-Vee for the past 5 years–and kids have a way of turning EVERY passer-by into a donor! Bundle up the whole family and enjoy a great time together.  The 2 hours fly by and it’s such a great experience.

• Check out the Youth Volunteer Corps of Greater KC. YVC organizes youth and family helpers at Harvesters, the city’s largest food bank. Your help is needed sorting and boxing donated food! It’s no news that food banks are running dangerously low now…some are even forced to close their doors. You might consider a small neighborhood or classroom food drive…and then deliver the food to Harvesters on the day you choose to volunteer. Location: 3801 Topping Ave., KCMO 816.929.3000

• Adopt a family through Don Bosco Centers’ Holiday Friends! This is such a great project for a family or neighborhood to take on. Holiday Friends is a fundraising program which benefits the clients of the Don Bosco Centers.  You can get specific names, ages and sizes for a family in need and can even personally deliver your gifts. This really shows us the true meaning of the holiday season! Your kids will never forget it. For more information, call the Holiday Friends Hotline at 816-691-2906 or visit www.donbosco.org.

• Check out www.VolunteerMatch.org. The site features loads of volunteer opportunities, and you can organize your results by Distance, Event Date and even Date Posted. While not all are kid-specific opportunities, you might find something suitable for the whole family or just for you!

• Operation Breakthrough. Operation Breakthrough- St. Vincent’s Family Service Center is located at 30th and Troost in KCMO. According to their website, volunteers range from ages 8-80 and do everything from “rocking babies to tutoring parents for the GED exam.” They also have an adopt-a-family Christmas program, similar to Don Bosco Center’s. The children who receive Christmas aid all come from low-income families. Some are homeless, many reside in foster care and most attend Operation Breakthrough’s day care program or are alumni.  Please help!

• Brighten someone’s day with a little artistic cheer… you can do something as simple as having your child(ren) draw some holiday-themed pictures; use glue, markers, construction paper, glitter, etc. Take your creations to a nearby nursing home or to Children’s Mercy Hospital near Crown Center or Children’s Mercy South at I-435 and Nall. You’ll be glad you did!

• City Union Mission– You can go in with family, friends or coworkers to adopt a family for the holidays through City Union Mission, too. Please remember that families need our help year-round…not just at the holidays. Click here for a list of inexpensive, everyday items which you could collect and deliver to the Mission any day of the year.

• Is there an agency that is near and dear to your heart?  Why not carve out a few extra hours from your weekly schedule and help out? Schools, nursing homes, not-for-profits, food banks, thrift stores, community centers…all are feeling the effects of the economy and would gladly accept your gift of time!

Please feel free to submit any additional kid and family-friendly volunteer opportunities. We would be happy to post them!

*image courtesy of ron sombilon / creative commons

As you may know, one of our advertising partners is Kansas City Allergy & Asthma Associates.  I asked the physicians to guest-author several posts that would be of particular interest to our readers with young families.  Asthma (and allergies) happens to be something I think about daily at my house.  My son is a severe asthmatic, and I am constantly aware of the weather, the health of other kids at school and his activities (amongst other things!)  This first post addresses seasonal flu.  Flu shots are widely available now, and 2010’s dose has combined the seasonal vaccine with the H1N1 vaccine.  Only one shot this year!  Be well!

PREVENTING THE FLU: Good Health Habits Can Help Stop Germs

The single best way to prevent seasonal flu is to get vaccinated each year, but good health habits like covering your cough and washing your hands often can help stop the spread of germs and prevent res-piratory illnesses like the flu. There also are flu antiviral drugs that can be used to treat and prevent the flu.

Here are some helpful tips from the CDC:

1.  Avoid close contact. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.

2.  Stay home when you are sick. If possible, stay home from work, school and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness.

3.  Cover your mouth and nose. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing and sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.

4.  Clean your hands. Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs.

5.  Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose or mouth.

6.  Practice other good health habits. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.

Content source: From the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, www.cdc.gov.

—————————————————————————————————————–

KCAA now has regular seasonal flu vaccines available as of Oct. 1, 2010.

Current patients who have seen their physician in the last year may get their regular seasonal Flu Vaccine on a walk-in basis at any of our allergy injection clinics (except Saturdays), or at their next scheduled fall visit.

Other Helpful websites: (Links also at: www.kcallergy.com)

www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu –  www.kdheks.gov/H1N1 –  www.kcmo.org/health

KCAA Physicians: Gerald L. Goldstein, M.D.; Scott J. Frankel, M.D.; Jeffrey A. Wald, M.D.; Mark R. Neustrom, D.O.; and Derrick R. Ward, M.D.

KCAA Physician Assistants and Nurse Practioner: Monica Apollo, P.A.-C; Loretta Heinen, M.S., P.A.-C; Kristy Mohn, M.S., ARNP