T.J. Samson | Destination Health | June 2018

Need an OB-GYN? To schedule an appointment, call 270-651-1111 . Baby on the way? THE BEST START Prenatal checkups are essential for both you and your baby. Getting regular prenatal care can: ●  ● Help you have a healthy baby. ●  ● Decrease your risk of having your baby too early. ●  ● Help your doctor find and treat potential problems early. In general, you’ll have about one prenatal checkup per month for the first several months of pregnancy. As you get closer to your due date—or if you have any health conditions that need to be monitored more closely—you’ll need more frequent checkups. WHAT TO EXPECT During prenatal visits, your doctor may: ●  ● Determine your baby’s due date. ●  ● Check your baby’s heartbeat and growth. ●  ● Check your weight and blood pressure. ●  ● Check you for problems, such as anemia, infections and gestational diabetes. ●  ● Talk to you about some healthy habits, such as eating well, getting enough folic acid, and not smoking or drinking during your pregnancy. ●  ● Answer your questions and concerns. Prenatal care is best started right away. Call your doctor for an appointment as soon as you can. Sources: March of Dimes; National Institutes of Health; Office on Women’s Health 6 DESTINATION HEALTH Ear infections in kids Why you should hold of f on the ant ibiot i cs Ear infections are one of the most common childhood illnesses, affecting 5 out of 6 kids by the time they’re 3 years old. That’s the bad news. Now here’s the good news: In most cases, they clear up on their own. Often, treating the pain and giving the body a chance to heal itself turns out to be the best medicine of all. That’s why if your child has an ear infection, your primary care pro- vider may wait a day or two before prescribing antibiotics to see if the infection goes away. You can help your child feel comfortable by: ●  ● Applying a warm cloth to the affected ear. ●  ● Giving your child over-the- counter eardrops or acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain relief. But don’t give your child aspirin. It can trigger Reye’s syndrome, a rare but serious illness in kids. If your child isn’t better in 48 to 72 hours, tell your provider, who can then start antibiotics. Using antibiotics cautiously is crucial because it helps prevent the development of superbugs that are resistant to antibiotics. Even so, this wait-and-see approach to starting antibiotics isn’t appropriate for every child. For instance, children six months and younger still need to be treated with antibiotics right away if they have an ear infection. So do kids who’ve had an ear infection within the past 30 days and those with certain medical problems. Sources: American Academy of Pediatrics: National Institutes of Health Looking for a primary care provider for your child? Ours are accepting new patients. Call 270-651-1111 . Keep kids safe from poisoning Poison is a real danger for American kids. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 300 children go to an emergency department each day due to poisoning. And every day, two kids die. It’s heartbreaking, but there are ways you can help keep your child safe from potentially poisonous products. Store it up, up and away. Keep medicines and household products out of sight and out of reach. Under-sink cabinets might feel out of the way, but that’s eye level for young children. Move bleach, detergents and dishwashing liquids to a new spot. Install child safety locks on cabinets where you keep poisonous items. Use it carefully. When you’re giving or taking medication or using household products, think through your routine. Don’t put the next dose on the counter where a child could reach it. Secure child safety caps completely. Put medications and household prod- ucts away as soon as you’re done with them. Think outside the cabinet. Medications and cleaning sup- plies aren’t the only dangerous items in a home. Keep these poten- tial poisons safely out of a little one’s reach: ●  ● Tobacco and e-cigarettes, especially liquid nicotine. ●  ● Alcohol. ●  ● Pesticides and insect repellents. ●  ● Button batteries, like those found in musical greeting cards or key fobs. ●  ● Oils and lubricants, including fragrance oils, tiki torch oil and engine oil. ●  ● Personal care products, especially contact lens solution and hand sanitizers. Know the number. Free poison help is available at 800-222-1222 . Put this number into your cellphone and post it near any home phones. The line is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and offers help in both English and Spanish. Call 911 instead if a child has collapsed or is not breathing. Kids can get into trouble when adults turn away for just a moment.The right precautions can help keep your family safe. Additional sources: American Association of Poison Control Centers; Safe Kids Worldwide