The Importance of Backpack Safety for Kids

Kids have been wearing backpacks to school for a long time.  These days, there are no shortage of styles, colors and fabrics available.

Compared to other types of bags, backpacks are a good choice because their weight is supported by the abdominal and back muscles, which are some of the strongest in the body.  A backpack's weight is evenly distributed across the body if the backpack is worn correctly.

However, if they are not worn correctly or are too heavy, they can cause back pain or strain the joints or muscles.  When a heavy backpack is incorrectly placed on the shoulders, the weight can cause a child to pull their body back.  In order to compensate, a child may bend forward which can end up causing the spine to become compressed.

Here are some safety tips to make sure your child doesn't run into trouble due to their backpack.

Doctors and physical therapists actually recommend that kids carry no more than 10% to 15% of their body weight in their backpacks. Additionally, when buying a new backpack it's a good idea to go for more lightweight packs, such as ones made of canvas instead of leather.

The shoulder straps are also important, and should be padded and wide as thinner straps tend to dig into the shoulders.  Kids should be encouraged to wear both straps on the shoulders instead of just one.

Packs with multiple compartments also help to distribute weight evenly, as do packs that come with a waist belt.  Kids can also avoid backpack injuries by picking up the pack the right way---by bending at the knees and grabbing the pack with both hands when putting it on their shoulders.

Finally, encourage kids to use their desk or locker throughout the day instead of carrying a full day's worth of books in their backpack, and to bring home only the books needed for homework at night.

Backpack safety is one of the topics covered in Allegheny Medical's WellnessCare lecture series. For more information, please contact us at (412) 494-4554.

February is American Heart Month

Since 1963, February has been recognized by the American Heart Association as American Heart Month.  It was designated as such because cardiovascular diseases are the number one killer of people in the United States.  Coronary heart disease, which often appears as a heart attack, is the most common heart disease.

American Heart Month is observed in order to increase increase awareness of cardiovascular diseases and raise funds for research. Throughout the month, healthy habits are encouraged and emphasized as a means of prevention.

According to the CDC, being heart healthy means choosing healthy foods. Some of their recommendations include selecting low-fat dairy products, drinking alcohol in moderation, cutting back on sugar, eating less than 300 mg of cholesterol per day, choosing foods with very little or no salt and eating lean poultry and meats without the skin.

Additionally, it is also recommended that individuals exercise regularly, control their weight, avoid tobacco and maintain healthy blood pressure, blood glucose and cholesterol levels.

The importance of knowing the symptoms of a heart attack are also stressed by the CDC. Usually heart attacks begin slowly, with mild discomfort. However, some are intense and sudden. Here are some of the specific signs that may signal that a heart attack is occurring:

• Shortness of breath
• Chest discomfort
• Arm, stomach, neck, back or jaw discomfort
• Nausea, lightheadedness or cold sweat

Women account for nearly 50% of heart disease deaths in the United States.  Several  lifestyle choices and medical conditions put women at a greater risk for heart disease, including cigarette smoking, poor diet, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and physical inactivity.

Exercise, eating right and knowing more about heart diseases are great places to start.  Take some time this month to think about your own heart, and what you can do to ensure it stays healthy and strong for a lifetime.

Are There Alternatives For Treating ADHD?

ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and it is one of the most common childhood disorders.  ADHD can last well into adulthood.  Some of the symptoms associated with this disorder include difficulty paying attention and staying focused, becoming bored easily and hyperactivity.

Scientists do not yet know exactly what causes ADHD; however, some studies suggest that genes play a role. Most likely, ADHD is caused by a combination of factors including genetics and possible environmental factors. Nutrition, social environment and brain injuries are also being studied as potential contributing factors.

Currently, one of the most common treatments for reducing the symptoms of ADHD is to give medication, such as Adderall or Ritalin.  These are stimulants which actually appear to have a calming effect on children who have been diagnosed with ADHD.  Unfortunately, these drugs often tend to cause several side effects, such as sleep problems, irritability, decreased appetite, headaches, stomachaches and anxiety.

The good news is, while prescription medications are sometimes necessary, there are other ways that this condition can be treated.  One method is behavioral therapy, which aims to help a child change their behavior.  This type of therapy involves such tasks as finishing schoolwork or organizing. Behavioral therapy also teaches a child how handle their own behavior--for example, thinking before acting or controlling anger.  Parents and teachers are encouraged to help reinforce this.

Other alternatives also exist in the treatment of ADHD, such as other types of therapy which can be delivered via support groups, or non-stimulant medications.

Fortunately, great strides are being made in ADHD research, leading to a better understanding of not only the causes of the disorder, but also how to prevent it and develop more effective treatments for people of all ages.  Alternatives to medication such as Ritalin for ADHD is just one topic that Allegheny Medical's WellnessCare's Lecture series covers.  For more information or for a complimentary consultation with us, please call (412) 494-4554 today.

Body Mass Index: A Tool to Identify Possible Weight Problems

You may have heard of the term "BMI" which stands for Body Mass Index.  This is a number that is calculated from a person's weight and height. A person's BMI can be a reliable indicator of body fat and is often used as a screening tool for weight categories that may lead to health problems.

Measuring a person's BMI is easy to do as well as inexpensive.  It is calculated by dividing weight in pounds by height in inches squared and multiplying by a conversion factor.

For adults, BMI is interpreted for both males and females using the same categories. A BMI of under 18.5 is considered underweight.  The normal range is 18.5-24.9, while the overweight range is 25-29.9. Anything 30 and above is considered obese.

It should be noted that while reliable, Body Mass Index is only one factor related to risk for disease. Other predictors include risk factors such as high blood pressure and the amount of abdominal fat one has. However, having one's BMI measured can be an important first step in assessing whether someone is overweight or obese--and therefore at an increased risk for many health conditions and diseases such as Type 2 Diabetes, stroke, coronary heart disease, gallbladder disease, hypertension and more.

BMI is calculated the same way for both children and adults, but the criteria used to interpret the meaning of the BMI number for children and teens are different from those used for adults. For children and teens, BMI sex- and age-specific percentiles are used because the amount of body fat differs between girls and boys, and the amount of body fat changes with age.

For more information, lecture topics, and treatment plans in the areas of weight management, obesity and nutrition, contact Allegheny Medical's WellnessCare for a complimentary consultation today at (412) 494-4554.

Resolving to Lower Your Cholesterol in the New Year

A common New Year's resolution--along with losing weight, reducing stress and quitting smoking--is to lower one's cholesterol.  As another new year begins, many of us are assessing our health and thinking about ways to improve it.

Cholesterol is a waxy substance found among the fats in your blood as well as in the cells of your body. It's important because it's used to form membranes and hormones, but having a lot of cholesterol in your blood puts you at risk for heart disease, which can lead to a heart attack.  You may have heard of there being two types of cholesterol--good and bad.  Low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, carries most of the cholesterol in the blood. If too much builds up in the arteries, plaque can form and clog them, which leads to atherosclerosis.

In order to minimize these risks, it's a good idea to monitor your cholesterol levels and maintain healthy habits even if your numbers are currently low.  If you are unaware of what your cholesterol levels are, you'll want to make it a priority to schedule a screening with a health professional so that you can be assessed.

Cholesterol levels are affected by the food you eat but also by genetics.  Sometimes modifying one's lifestyle is not enough, and your doctor may need to prescribe medicine to get your numbers in check.  If your doctor does recommend lifestyle changes, make sure to follow those recommendations carefully.  These kinds of changes can include:

• A healthy diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, high fiber and lean meats, poultry and fish (and low in saturated and trans fats)
  
• Avoiding smoking
• Engaging in regular exercise

Even if your New Year's resolution didn't include managing your cholesterol specifically, if you are serious about your health in 2010, be sure to have a cholesterol screening so that you know where you stand.  Allegheny Medical can provide you with this screening as well as perform an in-depth evaluation in order to customize a wellness program based on your individual needs.  Please visit the WellnessCare section of our website for more information or call us at (412) 494-4550 today.