The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Health

How to raise a healthy, active child

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Many factors impact a child or teen’s wellness, including where you live, genetics and other influences. According to experts though, you can encourage a healthy lifestyle for your child, and help prevent obesity and other illnesses that can extend into adulthood.

“Raising a healthy, active child is about much more than nutrition and physical activity,” says Natalie D. Muth, a pediatrician and registered dietician. “It also entails adequate sleep, a positive approach to screen use and social-emotional wellness, and to the best of your ability, helping ensure your surrounding environment supports healthy routines.”

At a time when few children and adolescents meet the recommendations for nutrition and activity, a new clinical report from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), “The Role of the Pediatrician in the Promotion of Healthy, Active Living,” offers guidance to help optimize a child’s health regardless of their weight, as well as strategies based on the best science that can also help prevent obesity at every stage, from infancy through adolescence.

(c) Sabrina Bracher / iStock via Getty Images Plus

Here are some practical tips from the AAP to use to tackle issues within your control:

  • Learn about good nutrition. Visit MyPlate.gov for great ways to take a team approach to planning and making meals so that kids have an active role in what they eat. The site takes into account cultural traditions, giving examples of healthy meals that include familiar foods.
  • Reach for water. Sugary drinks such as 100% fruit juice, sodas, sports drinks and fruit drinks account for 24% of added sugar intake in the U.S. diet in people 1 year and older. Consumption contributes significantly to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, childhood obesity, type 2 diabetes and other health risks, according to USDA statistics. Ideally, aim for one sugary drink or fewer per week. Bonus: drinking water cleanses teeth and gums, preventing cavities now while setting the stage for lifelong dental health.
  • Limit ultra-processed foods. It may not be realistic to avoid ultra-processed foods altogether, but try to limit their access and help children and adolescents learn the benefits of eating whole foods like fruits and vegetables. You can also talk with them about the health risks of too much “junk food,” which is generally loaded in sugar and salt, doesn’t increase feelings of fullness, and prompts overeating.
  • Adopt a family media plan. Everyone benefits from sensible screen time limits that make room for healthy activities. Engage kids in creating a plan for the whole family.
  • Move more. It can be challenging to get up and move more, but when you make it a priority, kids benefit. Organized sports aren’t the only option. Your family can also enjoy walking, biking, swimming and dancing. Indoors, you can try active gaming or online fitness classes to strengthen muscles, build coordination and release tension.
  • Manage stress. If your schedule is jammed with so many commitments that there’s no room for healthy downtime, consider what you can let go. Rest rebuilds the body’s systems after the challenges of a tough day or week, so reserve time for it.
  • Lean on support. Not all neighborhoods have safe places for children to play and walk to school, or offer nutritious and affordable food nearby. Additionally, factors like racism, toxic stress, housing or food insecurity and safety risks can impact your child’s health. Creating a safe environment at home, and leaning on the support of schools, health care systems and the wider community can create a healthier life for your child. One important resource is your pediatrician. Talk to the doctor about ways to support an active, healthy lifestyle for your child.

For more tips and resources, visit HealthyChildren.org.

“Remember that feeling loved, seen and appreciated are just as central to your child’s health as nutrition and exercise. The brain and the body are one system — so when kids feel safe and secure, their bodies function well,” says Dr. Muth.

-StatePoint

Published March 13, 2024

Looking to feel better? Consider adding an iron supplement

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(Mariana Rascao/Unsplash)

Anyone looking to dramatically and easily improve their overall health and wellness would be wise to consider adding an iron supplement to their diet.

A common problem
Although few people ever think about their iron intake, assuming eating enough leafy greens or taking a multivitamin will suffice, iron deficiency is the most common nutritional shortfall globally, including in the United States, where it is estimated that 1 in 5 people need more iron to function properly. This holds true across all age ranges and physical conditions, from senior citizens to infants to performance athletes, but most notably this is the case for women of childbearing age.

Why your iron levels matter
Without sufficient iron, the body cannot produce enough hemoglobin — the substance in red blood cells that enables them to carry oxygen to tissues and organs, which can impact nearly every system in the body, even leading to death in the cases of extreme anemia. Iron deficiency can also exacerbate many health conditions, especially cardiac, pulmonary and circulatory problems, and it plays a critical role in conditions like restless leg syndrome, ADD/ADHD, celiac disease, and Crohn’s disease.

That said, the symptoms of less severe iron deficiency can be harder to pinpoint. They include:

  • Tiredness or lethargy
  • Weakness
  • Irregular heartbeat or shortness of breath
  • Headache, dizziness, lightheadedness
  • Unusual food cravings and appetite changes
  • Appearance issues like thinning hair, pallor, dark circles, or brittle nails
  • Behavioral issues like excitability, inability to focus, or irritability, especially in children
(Angel Sinigersky/Unsplash)

Choose Wisely
Adding an iron supplement is an easy way to address a host of pressing issues, but buyer beware — not all iron supplements are created equal. Even those who know they need iron may not take supplements because they are notoriously bad-tasting and can cause significant gastrointestinal distress, essentially trading one problem for another. The supplement market is also largely unregulated, resulting in many companies producing inferior products or making unsubstantiated claims about the effectiveness of their products.

So how can you find the best supplement for you and your family? The short answer is to ignore the marketing hype and trust medicine. Follow your doctors’ advice and look for an iron supplement that has been clinically proven to be safe, effective and well-tolerated in all age groups.

From enhancing your appearance and providing an immune system boost to giving you the stamina and focus you need to complete tasks with confidence, adding an iron supplement is one of the best ways to improve your overall health and well-being.

Published March 13, 2024

Health News 03/13/2024

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Nick Burgess (Courtesy of AdventHealth)

Executive director named
AdventHealth Pasco County Foundations has elevated Nick Burgess to the role of executive director, according to a news release.

Burgess continues to report to Kristen McCall, president of AdventHealth Foundation West Florida. He will be responsible for philanthropy for the Dade City, Zephyrhills and, now, Wesley Chapel hospitals, having previously served only in Dade City and Zephyrhills.

Before joining AdventHealth, Burgess served as director of operations for Bahrs Construction, where he managed more than 150 projects a year.

Burgess has a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology from the University of South Florida.

He enjoys spending time with his wife, Kassidy, and their two Australian shepherds. He also loves to cook and even competes in barbecue competitions.

Three-year accreditation
TransCare Medical Transportation, a division of the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay, has received a three-year accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services (CAAS), through 2026, according to a news release.

CAAS is the “gold standard” for medical transportation within the U.S., and TransCare is one of only 23 ambulance services in the state of Florida to hold this accreditation, the release says.

Accreditation validates that an ambulance service is providing the highest quality care to all patients it transports. CAAS evaluates various aspects of a provider’s operations, including financial management, clinical standards, human resources, communications, equipment, and risk management.

TransCare provides Basic Life Support (BLS) transports and Advanced Life Support (ALS) inter-facility transports throughout Hillsborough County; behavioral health transports to and from all area hospitals and psychiatric facilities; behavioral health transports for Pasco County Public Schools students while on campuses; behavioral health transports from Pasco County medical facilities, non-emergency medical transportation between medical facilities; and stand-by services for special events.

(Courtesy of Ashley Pontius/National Strategies PR)

Auction raises money for ‘the love of all children’
The Johns Hopkins All Children’s Foundation Seminole Guild hosted a For the Love of All Children Quarter Auction on Feb. 17 and raised over $11,000 for Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital. More than 200 people attended this year’s event at The Peacock Center in Seminole.

Jazzercise Dade City opens
Jazzercise Inc., announced the opening of its newest fitness center in Dade City, located in the Shepherd of the Hills Church, 37015 Orange Valley Lane. Jazzercise is a dance party workout fitness program. The center offers 16 classes weekly.

To find classes, visit Jazzercise.com, or download the myJazzercise mobile app on iOS or Android.

For more information, visit Jazzercise.com, or call 813-466-9930.

William H. Constantine IV

New assistant chief nursing officer
HCA Florida Bayonet Point Hospital, 14000 Fivay Road in Hudson, has named William H. Constantine IV as its new assistant chief nursing officer, according to a news release.

Constantine will serve as a key member of the hospital’s nursing team responsible for implementing strategic direction for the nursing department, assisting with the management of clinical quality and patient safety, and assisting with the recruitment, training and professional development of the hospital’s growing nursing staff, the release says. The new officer comes on board as the facility continues to add registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and other essential staff. This year, the hospital has hired 111 full-time nurses.

Constantine most recently served as the director of Emergency Services at HCA Florida Pasadena Hospital in St. Petersburg, where he led his department to two consecutive Unit of Distinction awards.

 

New initiative helps make swim safety a priority

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Drowning is a leading cause of death for children, especially for young children between the ages of 1 and 4, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In response to the statistics, AdventHealth Tampa has launched a new swim safety initiative, giving out neon-colored swim safety lanyards and whistles in the pediatric unit and pediatric emergency room, just ahead of Spring Break for most Tampa Bay area kids, according to a news release.

AdventHealth Tampa has begun distributing brightly colored lanyards as part of a new swim safety initiative. (Courtesy of AdventHealth)

Dr. Sara Kirby, medical director of the AdventHealth Tampa Pediatric Emergency Department, has led the initiative with the goal to increase swim safety awareness and designate a responsible adult during pool activities.

“Most of the drowning and near-drowning incidents we see in the emergency room are from pools,” said Dr. Kirby in the release. “We often hear a lot of, ‘I thought he was watching’ or ‘I thought she was watching.’ But it’s important to remember that if it’s everyone’s job, it’s no one’s job.”

The neon-colored safety lanyards serve as a physical, visible reminder of who is in charge at the pool, beach or any body of water.

“They will help you know who’s watching the children at any given moment,” the medical director said. “Then, if that person needs a break, they can hand the lanyard off to another adult.”

Dr. Kirby shares these additional tips for swim safety:

Take swimming lessons. From an early age, kids need to understand how to be safe around water. Pools can pose a powerful temptation for young children and it’s crucial they know what to do. Swim lessons can help. Check with the Red Cross, YMCA and other local organizations that may offer swim lessons for all ages.

Never rely on flotation devices (or even life jackets) to save a child. These aids should be viewed as just that — aids. These tools cannot be relied on to save a child from drowning.

Don’t leave children unattended in a body of water. It doesn’t matter if it’s a bathtub or a pool, never walk away while your little one is playing in the water, even for a few moments.

Know what to do in an emergency. If a child slips underwater and stays there for a while, or another water-related emergency occurs, you should know what to do: Call 911 and perform CPR if needed. Even if the child is awake and appears fine, call 911 so a medical provider can make sure they are OK.

These tips can easily apply to not only pools, but oceans, lakes or ponds.

“There’s water just about everywhere in Florida, so anything we can do to raise awareness and education around swim safety, especially heading into the spring and summer seasons, is the goal,” said Kirby.

Published March 13, 2024

Thrive Over 55 Senior Expo coming April 4

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Area seniors who attended last year’s Thrive Over 55 Expo were able to enjoy a free breakfast and lunch, as well as gather a variety of information geared toward their age group. (Courtesy of Adrian Garson)

Local residents over the age of 55 are invited to the third Thrive Over 55 Senior Expo on April 4 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at B&B Theatres Wesley Chapel – The Grove 16, 6333 Wesley Grove Blvd., in Wesley Chapel.

The Laker/Lutz News will host the free event with more than 40 vendors and hundreds of seniors throughout the morning. Guests will be provided with a free breakfast and lunch, along with an informative morning filled with games and raffles.

Vendors range from medicare providers, home improvement specialists, retirement communities and travel agencies.

The title sponsors are Gulfside Healthcare Services and Vertos Medical, both of which will present a 30-minute breakout session during the expo.

Tickets are free, but are required. To register, visit http://tinyurl.com/thrive55expo.

There also are a few vendor opportunities left. Please email for more information.

Published March 06, 2024

What foot and ankle issues warrant a doctor’s visit?

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Most people have a foot or ankle problem at one time or another. So how do you know when to seek help?

Many symptoms — even those you can tolerate — require the professional attention of a foot and ankle surgeon to keep the underlying condition from worsening. According to Danielle Butto, DPM, FACFAS, a board-certified foot and ankle surgeon and a Fellow Member of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS), “It’s important to remember that foot health is an important part of your overall health. You need to take care of your feet, which includes going to the doctor when you have pain, sustain an injury or develop a condition needing professional evaluation and treatment.”

(c) natalie_board/iStock via Getty Images Plus

Here are five examples of when you should make an appointment with your foot and ankle surgeon:

  • When you have diabetes: Living with diabetes means being more prone to a variety of conditions that affect the feet, including foot sores and ulcers. At the same time, diabetic nerve damage makes it harder to detect when there’s a problem. Regular visits to a foot and ankle surgeon should be part of your holistic diabetes treatment plan. The doctor can screen for the loss of protective sensations in the feet, as well as diagnose and treat any structural issues leading to ulcers and wounds. Swelling, temperature and color changes in the feet, and calluses, are all telltale signs an ulcer may be around the corner and warrant a trip to a foot and ankle surgeon.
  • When children experience pain: When it comes to pediatric foot problems, early intervention is key to long-term successful treatment. As a parent, you may find distinguishing between growing pains and injuries or deformities difficult. But foot and ankle surgeons stress that pain isn’t normal, and if it lasts more than a few days or is severe enough to limit your child’s walking, it should be evaluated. Foot problems commonly experienced by children include flat feet, ingrown toenails, calcaneal apophysitis and plantar warts.
  • When you’re at risk for falling: Falls have become the leading cause of injury deaths among Americans 65 and older, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While the reasons falls occur are numerous, painful foot conditions are a contributing factor, as they make it difficult to maintain balance and coordination. Fortunately, many such conditions are treatable. See a foot and ankle surgeon to alleviate pain and reduce your risk of a life-changing fall.
  • When you can benefit from medical advances: A loss of cartilage once meant a loss of functionality. Today, joint reconstruction surgery with cartilage regeneration offers real hope for long-term functionality, nurturing the body’s own ability to heal itself — with a little boost from technology and a knowledgeable surgeon. Likewise, new surgical techniques for ankle arthritis, including arthroscopic ankle surgery, total ankle joint replacements and bone or cartilage replacement, are helping people stay active. Finally, platelet-rich plasma therapy can promote the healing of bones, cartilage, blood vessels, tendons and tissue for many patients, and is associated with easier recovery than traditional treatments. If you suffer from a foot and ankle ailment, ask your health care provider about game-changing medical advances.
    • When pain is sidelining you: It’s important for athletes and fitness enthusiasts to rest and recover rather than push through foot and ankle pain caused by an overuse injury. If the pain doesn’t improve in three to seven days, however, it’s time to see a foot and ankle surgeon for evaluation and treatment.

With the highest level of education, training and board certification, foot and ankle surgeons are the leaders in surgical and nonsurgical foot and ankle care.

For more information, or to find a foot and ankle surgeon near you, visit FootHealthFacts.org, the patient education website of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons.

-StatePoint

Published March 06, 2024

Health News 03/06/2024

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St. Joseph’s Hospital-North labor and delivery and women’s services nurse manager Kelly Howard (in white lab coat) with MOMS Club of Odessa members and their kids. From left: Grayson Portillo, Kristin Portillo, Hailey Owen holding Addison Owen, Kelly Howard, Elise Owen, Jona McCance and Runy Safcik. (Courtesy of Martin Bahl/St. Joseph’s Hospital-North)

MOMS Club ‘delivers’
The MOMS Club of Odessa, a chapter of the nonprofit International Moms Club, donated gift bags to new moms giving birth at St. Joseph’s Hospital-North.

“MOMS Club is mothers supporting mothers,” said Hailey Owen, member of the Odessa group, who presented the bags to Kelly Howard, nurse manager of labor and delivery and women’s services units at the hospital, in a news release.

“The goody bags include the basics and some items that are nice to have that you might not think about until someone gives them to you,” said Owen.

Items included a journal, lip balm, makeup remover, hair ties, gift cards, facial tissues, ultra-healing lotion, a skin-strengthening mask and a congratulations card.

Event raises over $22,000 for hospice
For more than a decade, motorcycle riders have been coming together to raise funds for Gulfside Hospice and support patients in need and their families. During the 12th annual Hittin’ the Road for Hospice, the crowd raised just over $22,000 for the nonprofit, according to a news release.

Nearly 150 riders attended the motorcycle poker run on Feb. 10, starting at Harley-Davidson New Port Richey and ending with a celebration at Zephyrhills Moose Lodge 2276, with several stops along the way.

Several motorcycle clubs worked to raise money before the event in competition for the “Wings & Wheels Award” given to the top fundraising team. Ultimately, the Golden Eagles Motorcycle Club took home the trophy for the seventh year in a row by raising a record-breaking $4,000.

“We are very grateful for the caring generosity of the biker community and their support of Hittin’ the Road for Hospice these last 12 years,” Carla Armstrong, director of philanthropy, said in the release.

“Because of their incredible support, more than $200,000 has been raised since this event first began, and all of that has helped provide hospice care and bereavement services right here in our local community,” said Armstrong.

All event proceeds benefit Gulfside Hospice and provide hospice care and resources for patients and families in Pasco County, regardless of their ability to pay.

For more information, contact Marissa Hartley, fundraising and event planning manager, at 727-845-5707 or .

 

New garden to help families heal

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Pasco Kids First joined members of the Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce, local community leaders and members of the Professionals of Landscaping to commemorate the completion of a new Resiliency Garden with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Pasco Kids First is a 501(c) charity devoted to child advocacy and protection, to help keep kids safe, strengthen families through empowerment and enhance the community by preventing child abuse and healing children from trauma.

The garden, at 7344 Little Road in New Port Richey, was created and underwritten by 12 professional landscape companies that donated their time and resources to create the area, according to a news release.

Recognizing a need in the community, the group tapped into the talent of its members to transform an area of dirt and old palm trees into a garden outfitted with a rock path, bench seating and a water feature.

“A once vacant side lot of our office is now a beautiful and therapeutic setting for trauma survivors to begin or continue their healing journey. We cannot thank Professionals of Landscaping enough,” said Mike Trepper, president and CEO of Pasco Kids First, in the release.

To learn more about the charity, visit PascoKidsFirst.org, email , or call 727-845-8080.

Published February 28, 2024

Community leaders, members of Professionals of Landscaping and the Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce, and Pasco Kids First commemorate the new Resiliency Garden with a ribbon-cutting. (Courtesy of Leslie Farrell/Farrell Communications)
The Resiliency Garden offers a therapeutic place to help trauma survivors through their healing journey.

Bricks of Hope campaign

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A rendering of the future home for A Safe Haven for Newborns. (Courtesy of A Safe Haven for Newborns)

The Gloria M. Silverio Foundation 501c(3) dba A Safe Haven for Newborns has assisted more than 6,000 young women in their time of crisis; and has saved 391 newborns from the danger of abandonment, according to a news release.

In order to continue expanding the services and reach the women who are facing an unexpected pregnancy, the organization plans to buy an existing structure or plot of land in 2024, in Miami.

The vision for the new home is to have a permanent, functional space where Safe Haven personnel will continue to grow the programs and create new projects, offer more services, grow the outreach program and increase awareness, as well as a dedicated space to house the 24/7 confidential multilingual referral helpline operators.

Plans also call for a thrift store of baby items and a designated rental space with a separate entrance.

The Bricks of Hope Capitol Building Campaign’s goal is to raise $1 million.

For more information or to be part of the mission to end infant abandonment, visit https://asafehavenfornewborns.com/building-fund-campaign/.

Health News 02/21/2024

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This is a rendering of a patient room at the new Hospice Care Center in New Port Richey. (Courtesy of Gulfside Healthcare Services)

Gulfside opens new care center
With 35 years in service in Pasco County, Gulfside Healthcare Services has announced the groundbreaking of its new Hospice Care Center in New Port Richey. The ceremony marked the beginning of construction and the hospice care center is expected to open its doors in January 2025, according to a Gulfside blog.

The new facility will feature 24-hour patient care, unrestricted visitation hours and 24 private home-like rooms. The cost of care is entirely covered by insurance, ensuring no financial burden for patients, the website says.

Types of care provided include:

  • Compassionate health care providers in a calming environment, without the stress-inducing sounds that can be heard in a hospital
  • Clinical care for complex pain control and symptom management
  • Weaning of non-invasive ventilation
  • Short-term ventilation support
  • Completion of antibiotics
  • Respite care when caregivers needs some time to rest while their loved ones receive care
  • Medication management, titration of medication for maximum comfort for the loved one

To learn more, visit tinyurl.com/mrypmxhn.

National Eating Disorders Week
The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) designates Feb. 26 through March 1 as National Eating Disorders Week. NEDA uses this week to promote awareness of eating disorders and spread hope for those in recovery and their families. This year’s theme is “Healing in Community,” according to a news release.

The American Psychiatric Association states there are these types of eating disorders: Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, Binge Eating Disorder, Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder, and other specified feeding or eating disorders, the release says.

These illnesses are significant health conditions that affect both physical and mental health, and if not treated correctly, they can become long-term problems and, in some cases, can cause death.

As many as one-third of people with eating disorders are men and boys. The Child Mind Institute says that girls with the disorders are typically obsessed with being thin. While boys experiencing anorexia have a similar motive, they more often focus on achieving a muscular physique.

These health conditions can commonly occur with other mental health issues like depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder and anxiety. Eating disorders can be a risk factor associated with suicide.

To learn more about eating disorders, and for some of the signs and symptoms to look out for, visit JasonFoundation.com/eating-disorders.

The Jason Foundation is dedicated to the prevention of youth suicide through educational and awareness programs that equip young people, educators/youth workers and parents with the tools and resources to help identify and assist at-risk youth, the release says.

Museum launches dementia initiative
The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art in St. Petersburg has unveiled “Art in Mind,” an innovative initiative developed in collaboration with the University of South Florida’s Judy Genshaft Honors College. The program is aimed at providing an accessible arts experience for adults with dementia, according to a news release.

The collaboration marks a step forward in the museum’s commitment to foster inclusivity and community engagement through the transformative power of art, the release says.
Art in Mind focuses on training museum docents and students to facilitate gallery tours for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, as well as their caregivers. 

Participants engage in non-biased, non-judgmental, discussion-based tours modeled after and based on the research-backed Meet Me at the MoMa, the first program for adults with dementia developed by The Museum of Modern Art in New York City, the release says.
The program’s multigenerational approach also involves USF students who completed the Healing Arts course, fostering a collaborative and supportive environment for both students and participants.

To learn more, visit TheJamesMuseum.org/artinmind/.