Influenza (“flu”) is a contagious disease that spreads around the U.S. every winter, usu- ally between October and May. Flu is caused by the influenza virus and can be spread by coughing, sneezing and close contact. Anyone can get flu, but the risk of getting flu is highest among children. Symptoms come on suddenly and may last several days. They can include: ■ Fever/chills ■ Sore throat ■ Muscle aches ■ Fatigue ■ Cough ■ Headache ■ Runny or stuffy nose Flu can make some people much sicker than others. These people include young children, people 65 and older, pregnant women, and people with certain health conditions such as heart, lung or kidney disease, or a weak- ened immune system. Flu vaccine is especially important for these people and anyone in close contact with them. Flu can also lead to pneumonia and make existing medical condi- tions worse. It can cause diarrhea and seizures in children. Each year thousands of people in the U.S. die from flu, and many more are hospitalized. Flu vaccine is the best protection we have from flu and its complications. It also helps prevent spreading flu from person to person. — Source: Centers for Disease Contro l and Prevention Arm Yourself with the Flu Vaccine BE A FLU FIGHTER Flu Immunization Awareness Month Fall Allergies: What Gets Us Sneezing This Time of Year? Which Foods (Really) Cause Gas? Senior Health: Help Prevent Falls at Home WHA T’S INSIDE FREE • Take One September 2014 H E A L T H
Digestive HealthWhich Foods (Really) Cause Gas? Most foods that contain carbohydrates cancause gas. In contrast, fats and proteins causelittle gas. Foods that produce gas in oneperson may not cause gas in someone else,
depending on how well individuals digest car-
bohydrates and the type of bacteria presentin the intestines. Some foods that may cause
gas include:
■ Beans
■ Vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower,cabbage, Brussels sprouts, onions, mush-rooms, artichokes and asparagus
■ Fruits such as pears, apples and peaches
■ Whole grains such as whole wheat andbran
■ Sodas; fruit drinks, especially apple juic
and pear juice; and other drinks that contain high-fructose corn syrup, a sweetenemade from corn
■ Milk and milk products such as cheese, ic
cream and yogurt
■ Packaged foods — such as bread, cereand salad dressing — that contain smaamounts of lactose, a sugar found in miand foods made with milk
■ Sugar-free candies and gums that contasugar alcohols such as sorbitol, mannit
and xylitol
— Source: National Institutes of Health
Most toddlers sleep about 12 hours by age three.
At this age, they can have difficulty falling or stayingsleep. They can fight sleep because they don’t like
he separation from their parents. They often have
favorite toy to help them sleep, while a night light
elps those who are afraid of the dark.
hildren ages 4 to 6 tend to sleep between 10½
nd 11½ hours per night, and almost all children of
his age have some difficulty in sleeping. They may
esist going to bed and may wake up in the night.
hey are sometimes afraid of the dark, and may wet
he bed or sleepwalk now and then. Again, a rou-
ne helps, together with reassurance and support
— without over-dramatizing the issue.
— Source: The Sleep Council UK
Fall AllergiesWhat Gets Us Sneezing This Time of Year?
Kids and ZZZsHow Much Sleep Does MyToddler or Young Child Need?
Why do so many of us suffer from
allergies in the fall? Ragweed is oftenthe culprit, according to Warner Carr,
M.D., an allergist and fellow of the
American College of Allergy, Asthma
& Immunology. “Seasonal allergies are
mostly due to pollen, and what pollinates
in the fall is ragweed.”
Fall pollen counts are getting higher each
year, Carr notes. But there are differ-
ent theories as to why. “The prevailing
theory has to do with our seasons,” he
explains. “There’s a warming trend in
our environment, so we’re seeing a muchmore favorable growing environment for
weeds.”
If you’re experiencing seasonal all
symptoms, it’s not the ragweed in yard or your neighbor’s yard that’
blame, Carr notes. “Pollen blanket
entire area like smoke from a fire,”
says. “Your first line of defense is o
the-counter nasal antihistamines
other medications that treat sympto
But the best way to fight seasonal a
gies over the long term is to see an a
gist for an accurate diagnosis, and
haps immunotherapy or allergy sho
he says.
— Sources: Weather.com; American Coof Allergy, Asthma & Immunology
■ What it feels like (sharp, dull, throbbing,constant, burning or shooting)
■ How strong your pain is
■ How long it lasts
■ What lessens your pain or makes it worse
■ When it happens (what time of day, what
you’re doing and what’s going on)
■ If it gets in the way of daily activities
You may be asked to describe and rate your
pain. This provides a way to assess your pain
threshold and measure how well your pain-
control plan is working. Your doctor may
ask you to describe your pain in a number of
ways. A pain scale is the most common way.
The scale uses the numbers 0 to 10, where 0
is no pain, and 10 is the worst. You can also
use words to describe pain, such as pinching,
stinging or aching. The most important thing
is to not suffer with pain silently. Talk with
your doctor.
— Source: National Cancer Institute
HEALTH smart September 2014 4
Treating Coughs andColds in Young ChildrenHome Remedies Oftenthe Best, Says AAP
Over-the-counter (OTC) cough and cold cations can cause serious side effects in ychildren. The Food and Drug Administratiorecommended that OTC cough and cold cines never be used in children under age 4.ages 4 to 6, they should be used “only if remended by your child’s doctor.” After age 6medicines are safe to use, but it’s importafollow dosage instructions. Check all ingredand make sure you don’t give different prothat may contain some of the same ingredThis can lead to overdose.
Fortunately, you can treat coughs and coyoung children without these medicines. are a few tips from the American AcademPediatrics: Encourage your child to drink plefluids. Use saline spray or drops to loosen mucous in the nose, followed by gentle bloor suctioning. For coughs, give warm, clear fExposure to the warm mist from a showehelp with coughing spasms. A humidifier ibedroom can help. Talk with your doctor if stoms continue or worsen.
— Source: American Academy of Pediatrics
Health Mart’sHealth Smart newsletter is not intended as medic
or regulatory advice. The information provided is intended to
and inform. Please consult with your physician or other
professional for advice. Health Mart and its affiliates and m
pharmacies disclaim all liability arising from or related to
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