Category: Children's Health

Healthy Aging Tips for All Generations

8/28/2024

September is Healthy Aging Month. What comes to mind when we say, "healthy aging"? Do you assume we are referring to elderly people? The truth is that we are ALL aging - and at the exact same rate! We each have the same 365 days in a year and 24 hours in a day. However, what we do with that time will affect how long we remain healthy. So, let's look at some helpful guidance for each stage of aging.

Infants and Toddlers

Healthy aging includes more than just wellness - it includes safety and environment. Your infant and toddler are susceptible to home hazards and health risks that older children are not necessarily exposed to. Some strategies for keeping your baby healthy include frequent hand washing, monitoring hydration, dressing them appropriately for the weather, and avoiding household toxins. One way to manage exposure is to remove footwear in the house to avoid tracking dirt, toxins, and pollution in from outside. And using non-toxic cleansers on the floor and dishwasher to avoid ingesting toxic fumes.

Young Children

Independent and active! Young children get into everything their curious hands can reach. Home safety is as important as hygiene. Check your home for hazards like stairs, water zones like pet bowls, and small toy choking risks. Let's listen to the advice of medical and dental professionals for preventative measures and childhood wellness recommendations. Steps like brushing their teeth, not overusing humidifiers, frequent hand-washing, and covering coughs are daily essentials in the well-being of your young child.

Teenagers

Essentials for the healthy teenager include eating right, staying active, and getting enough sleep. Easier to say than to do.... or enforce. But planning ahead and being consistent might guide your teen toward making healthy choices naturally. Offering healthy food options at home, taking family hikes, spending time unplugged in nature, and enjoying family meals together will help to create a lifestyle of wellness. Mental and emotional health play an important role in the aging process for tweens and teens. Keeping their emotional needs on your radar and being aware of drastic changes in mood is essential. Reach out to a medical professional as a resource. Supporting and encouraging your teen to become involved in sports and physical activity and visiting your dentist and doctor regularly are two great steps toward healthy aging, too.

20-Somethings

Oh so wise and yet, so young - twenty-year olds feel free and youthful. But, now is the ideal time to adopt good habits that will lead to healthy aging. Establish healthy sleep
habits now for physical and mental well-being. Learn to cook healthy meals at home, maintain an active lifestyle, and protect your skin with SPF every day! These habits are a great way to set the wellness course. In your twenties, you should get a physical exam every year and make your health a priority. Knowing your limitations on social activities and reducing stressful situations are needed for all age groups, but at 20-something your energy seems boundless, so you may need a reminder to practice moderation.

Mid 30s-40s

Your mid-thirties can be a milestone for many reasons. You might be enjoying career advancement and a larger social circle. Perhaps you've established an active lifestyle and are making better eating choices. While these things are essential for healthy living, your body is going to age at a different rate and make some major shifts in the coming years. Awareness and strategy will help you stay the course.

Your diet should include more high-fiber foods as they will give you fewer years of biologic aging. And bone density is formed in our younger years, so by age 30 new bone formation is completed. We recommend annual wellness visits and labs to check your vitamin D level. Vitamin D turns into calcium in the body. The exercise routine you currently enjoy may need to change. Muscle mass decreases 3-8% per decade after age 30, so you should be adding strength training to your routine three times per week to boost your metabolism, burn fat, and remain lean. Male and female hormonal changes can begin as early as age 25, but now is when you need to pay extra attention. Many symptoms and discomforts could be a sign of increased risk for disease. Schedule a consultation with us and learn more about recommended hormone treatments and live the healthy full life God intended for you.

50+

Degenerative conditions can start earlier in life, but typically 50 is the age when we see and feel dramatic changes in our body. It serves as a reminder of the importance of wellness exams for early detection and symptom diagnosis; and reinforces the value of maintaining an active lifestyle. This generation (Baby Boomers) has more 55+ active living communities available to them than any elderly generation in the past. Great resources are available to them, and the options are vast. We invite you to learn more about osteoporosis and its effects on aging.

Two Important Factors on Aging

(1) Prevention
There is a reason why many health and medical insurance plans include free annual screenings and wellness exams. It's because they work. Early detection and diagnosis significantly improves your health and quality of life.

(2) Toxin Exposure
At any age, we should be concerned about our exposure to toxins. We share some frightening insights in this blog post. You may want to review it! We list specific information on the environment we are exposed to. Did you know toxins are fat soluble? It means they are stored in our fat and can remain in our bodies for years, or even decades. This causes changes in our bodies and greatly affects our aging process. Our body cannot keep up the fight without our help. Therefore, we need to avoid new exposure and actively work to remove the old toxins.

Not Just Great Advice: These 10 Tips will help maintain a healthy lifestyle, but they focus on the "staying" healthy concept. We want to help you "start" a healthy lifestyle. The post is very inspiring and nicely outlines each area of our life as a specific focus. Actively making healthy choices in the exercise, diet, social, and mental areas of our life will support wellness. At Flourish, we'd add a spiritual focus to bring wellness into the fullness of life as God intends it: wholeness. Learn more about our team approach to your health and wholeness. And contact us with questions today.

Flourishing Kids: Back-to-School Checklist

8/1/2024

As the back-to-school season approaches, it's essential to ensure that your children are set up for success both academically and health-wise. At Flourish Medical + Wellness, we understand that a healthy child is a happy, thriving child. Here’s a comprehensive health checklist to help you prepare your kids for a successful and healthy school year.

1. Schedule a Wellness Check-Up

Before the school year kicks off, book a wellness check-up with your pediatrician or Jackie Tewes at our clinic. Regular check-ups are crucial for monitoring growth, development, and overall health. We understand the topic of vaccines can be overwhelming and confusing. At Flourish, we do not see vaccines as a one-size-fits-all protocol. If you are not sure what is right for your children, we are happy to discuss this further with you.

2. Daily Supplementation

Ensuring that children receive adequate nutrition is essential for their growth, development, and overall health. While a balanced diet should ideally provide all the necessary nutrients, daily supplementation can sometimes be beneficial. It is important to be armed and ready for the unexpected. Fill your first aid kit now to prepare for sore throat, ear infections, coughs, constipation, toxin exposure, etc. We offer professional grade supplement recommendations at Flourish.

3. Vision and Hearing Screenings

Clear vision and good hearing are vital for learning. Schedule eye and hearing exams to detect any issues that could interfere with your child’s ability to succeed in school. Early detection can lead to prompt treatment and support.

4. Establish a Sleep Routine

Adequate sleep is essential for concentration, memory, and overall health. Help your child transition back to a school-year sleep schedule a couple of weeks before school starts. Aim for consistent bedtimes and wake-up times to ensure they get the recommended amount of sleep for their age group.

5. Balanced Nutrition

A nutritious diet fuels your child’s body and brain. Plan balanced meals that include a variety of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. Don’t forget healthy snacks to keep their energy levels steady throughout the day. Involve your kids in meal planning and preparation to encourage healthy eating habits.

Download these 10 Tips for Packing a Healthy Lunchbox>>

6. Stay Hydrated

Hydration is often overlooked but is crucial for maintaining energy and focus. Ensure your child drinks plenty of water throughout the day. Send them to school with a refillable water bottle to encourage regular water intake.

7. Physical Activity

Regular physical activity is key to maintaining physical and mental health. Encourage your child to participate in sports or other active hobbies. Aim for at least 60 minutes of physical activity daily, whether it’s through organized sports, playground time, or family activities.

8. Hygiene Habits

Teach your children the importance of good hygiene to prevent the spread of germs. Emphasize regular handwashing, especially before meals and after using the restroom. Provide hand sanitizer for times when washing hands isn’t possible.

9. Backpack Safety

A heavy backpack can lead to back and shoulder pain. Choose a backpack with padded straps and ensure it’s worn correctly. Teach your child to pack only what’s necessary and use both shoulder straps to distribute weight evenly.

10. Mental Health

Starting a new school year can be stressful. Talk to your children about their feelings and anxieties regarding school. Encourage open communication and be supportive. Teach them mindfulness techniques or stress-relief practices, such as deep breathing or journaling.

11. Set Goals and Create a Routine

Help your child set realistic academic and personal goals for the school year. Establish a daily routine that includes time for homework, chores, and relaxation. A structured routine can reduce stress and improve time management. Make a fun chart or schedule to give them a visual picture.

12. Limit Screen Time

Excessive screen time can impact sleep, behavior, and overall health. Set limits on screen time, especially before bed. Encourage other activities such as reading, outdoor play, and family games. Add their reading time to the goal chart or allow them to “earn” screen time by reading for a certain amount of time first. The recommendation is 0-30 minutes per day of non-school screen time.

13. Emergency Contacts and Health Information

Ensure that the school has updated emergency contact information and any necessary health information, such as allergies or medical conditions. Keep a list of important contacts and health details handy for yourself as well.

By following this comprehensive checklist, you can help ensure your child is healthy, prepared, and ready to flourish in the new school year. At Flourish Medical + Wellness, we’re here to support you and your family every step of the way. Here’s to a fantastic, healthy school year ahead. For more tips and personalized advice, feel free to contact us or schedule a consultation. Let’s work together to keep our kids flourishing!

Healthy Kids, Brighter Futures: Tackling Childhood Obesity

9/1/2023

September is not just a month for the changing of seasons; it’s also a time to focus our attention on an alarming issue that affects the future health of our nation – childhood obesity. As National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month unfolds, let’s delve into the epidemic that has far-reaching consequences on the physical and mental well-being of our youngest generation. We want to shed light on the critical aspects of childhood obesity in America and the steps we can take to combat it.

Let’s look at factors that contribute to childhood obesity.

A big factor is unhealthy diets. The prevalence of processed foods high in sugars, unhealthy fats, and empty calories has skyrocketed. These foods are not only readily available but are often marketed aggressively to children. Processed foods also contain high amounts of chemicals that should not be consumed. Over time, these chemicals compound and create high toxin levels that disrupt endocrine function, nervous system function, and gastrointestinal health. Here are four more factors:

Lack of Physical Activity: With the advent of technology, children are spending more time indoors glued to screens rather than engaging in physical activities. This sedentary lifestyle directly contributes to weight gain.
Socioeconomic Disparities: Access to healthy foods and safe spaces for physical activities can be limited in lower-income neighborhoods, leading to higher rates of obesity among disadvantaged children.
Parental Influence: Parents play a crucial role in shaping their children’s eating habits and activity levels. Busy lifestyles, lack of nutritional education, and limited cooking skills can all impact the choices parents make for their children.
Advertising and Marketing: Food companies often market sugary and unhealthy foods to children, influencing their preferences from a young age.

How do we combat childhood obesity? National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month provides an opportunity for us to collectively address this issue.

Education: Raising awareness about the consequences of childhood obesity is paramount. Schools, communities, health care providers, and parents must all work together to ensure that children understand the importance of making healthy choices. While grocery shopping, parents can read nutrition labels to be sure they are choosing items without artificial sweeteners, such as fructose corn syrup.
Promoting Healthy Diets: Schools can implement healthier meal options, and parents can model balanced eating habits at home. The food industry can also play a role by reformulating products to reduce their sugar and calorie content, and most importantly their use of inflammatory oils and addicting chemicals.
Encouraging Physical Activity & Limiting Screen Time: Schools should prioritize physical education, recess, and after-school sports programs. Communities can create safe spaces for outdoor activities, and parents can lead by example by being active themselves. Limiting screen time to 30 minutes or less per day can positively impact the physical and mental health of our children.
Family Involvement: Parents and guardians can actively participate by engaging in meal planning, cooking nutritious meals, and spending quality time being active with their children, while avoiding processed foods and snacks.

The growing concern is that childhood obesity is no longer an isolated issue; it’s a full-fledged public health crisis. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), childhood obesity affects about 1 in 5 children and adolescents in the United States. The implications of this statistic are far more profound than mere numbers – it’s about the children who grapple with health complications, social stigma, and diminished quality of life.

National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month serves as a wake-up call, urging us to recognize the urgency of addressing childhood obesity in America. By understanding the contributing factors and taking proactive steps to promote healthier lifestyles, we can pave the way for a brighter, healthier future for the younger generation. This month is not just about awareness; it’s a reminder for each family to access lifestyle and food choices. Let’s each make a commitment to foster an environment where children can grow up healthy and flourish.

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