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Notes from the Nurse What is causing all the referrals by the school nurse to the eye doctor these days? That was my question when I saw my eye doctor over the summer. In the last few years, I seem to be sending more children to the eye doctor than ever before, and I wanted to know why this was happening. The eye doctor said probably we are all doing too much work or play that causes our eyes to be close to something for long periods of time. Many children have hand-held video games or play and work on the computer for hours at a time. Other children just love to read, and they can’t put a good book down until they finish it. The eye doctor said our eye muscles can get used to seeing only a few inches away. It can be very difficult for our eyes to adjust and see across the room or across the playground. So what is the solution? Everything in moderation is the key. If we work or play on the computer or watch TV or read for hours, we need frequent breaks so our eye muscles can work to see objects that are far away. Going outside to play with family and friends is an excellent way to get all our muscles in shape, even the tiny eye muscles. I’ll bet you didn’t think you were exercising your eye muscles when you play soccer, did you? |
| Texas Elks Camp | |||
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Parents interested in a free, recreational and therapeutic camp that offers fun-filled experiences for special needs children may look up the Texas Elks Camp website for applications and information. The camp is usually filled to capacity by mid-April, so complete an application early. Texas Elks Camp bring out the best in special needs children. |
Isn’t
there anything good about having asthma?
Maybe!
If your child has moderate or severe asthma, there is a summer
camp just for them.
Camp Broncho is a six day medically supervised camp that has been
serving children with asthma ages 8 to 12 for 17 years.
Scholarships are available.
All meals, activities, and 24-hour medical supervision are
provided. You
may request a registration form which has more information from the
school nurse.
Just stop by or call 481-4030 extension 228.
You may also e-mail the American Lung Association at alasoutx@texaslung.org. |
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From
the school nurse….
Nearly
20 years ago, I began participating in a study about how habits can affect our
health. All of the people in the
study are nurses. Each year, I
learn some new facts about health that I can pass along to others. A study conducted on children of nurses found that physical
activity, not diet, has the most positive affect on a child’s weight.
No matter how carefully we choose what we eat, getting the right amount
of physical activity seems to be the key to controlling obesity.
In 2005, Wetmore began the Coordinated Approach To Child Health program. The CATCH curriculum includes opportunities for children to learn how to choose “go” foods as well as learning why we should limit “slow” and “whoa” foods. CATCH encourages strenuous and prolonged physical activity. Thirty to sixty minutes a day and most days of the week, we need physical activity that makes our hearts beat fast and causes us to sweat Learning about healthy habits takes place in the classroom, the gym, the cafeteria, and at home. I have not conducted a scientific study, but I do feel the program is having positive effects on our children. They are learning about good health by actually choosing and trying “go” foods for breakfast and lunch. Children report enjoying the increase in physical activity during PE classes and recess. Children who learn good habits early in life tend to keep those habits as teenagers and adults. Keep up the good habits, Rangers!
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What if you were trying to breathe, but you felt like a fish out of water? That is the way some people describe how they feel when they are having an asthma attack. Asthma is a condition that can be managed, but it takes careful planning. Many days at school are missed because of uncontrolled asthma. Even when children attend school while they are fighting asthma signs, they are not able to learn as well as when their asthma is in control and they are symptom-free. Make sure you visit your doctor as often as he or she recommends. Your doctor should write an asthma action or medication plan for you, and the school nurse should have a copy of that in the clinic. We have a new form for doctors to complete an asthma action plan that is written specifically for each child. School nurses can help children if we know what steps to take to prevent or treat an asthma attack. What if you know your child has asthma, but you are unable to get to the doctor for routine preventive visits and medication refills? Just call the school nurse. Our school district has a respiratory therapist on staff that can help families with asthma management. Don’t be a fish out of water! Let the school nurse know if you need help managing your child’s asthma. That’s what we are here for! You may call 481-4030 extension 228, stop by the school clinic, or e-mail slee1@neisd.net.
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