Carve With Care

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Pumpkin carving is a favorite fall tradition for many families. Whether you are preparing for trick-or-treaters or just decorating your front porch, it can be a fun way to spend time together. However, pumpkin carving can lead to injuries. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, about 3,200 Halloween-related injuries are treated in U.S. hospitals each year with more than half of those injuries resulting from pumpkin carving. Follow our tips to ensure a safe experience and happy memories.

Keep Kids Safe While Carving

If your child wants to help decorate a pumpkin, always supervise closely. Children under 10 should not use carving tools. Instead, give them markers, paint, or stickers so they can join in the fun without using anything sharp. This is a safe and creative way for them to take part.

Older children who are ready to help carve should use tools made just for pumpkin carving. These tools are usually safer than regular kitchen knives and are less likely to slip. Make sure to carve in a clean, dry, and well-lit area. Always cut away from your body and remind kids to take their time.

Another safe and fun task for kids is scooping out the pumpkin. They can use their hands or a spoon to remove the seeds and pulp. It is a little messy, but that is part of the fun.

Save the Seeds

  • Separate the pumpkin seeds and use our recipe to roast them for a healthy and tasty snack.
  • Try planting a few seeds in the yard, it takes a green thumb but it is possible to grow pumpkins in Arizona!
  • Dried pumpkin seeds are also great for crafting. Save a few handfuls to string for festive Thanksgiving garland or mixed-media turkey.

Be Ready for Minor Injuries

Sometimes accidents can still happen. If you or someone else is cut, apply pressure with a clean cloth and keep the injured area raised. If the bleeding does not stop after 10 to 15 minutes or the cut is deep, you may need to see a medical professional. Make sure the wound is cleaned and covered with a clean bandage throughout the healing process.

Light It Safely

If you want your carved pumpkin to glow, use a battery-powered candle, glow stick, or LED light. These are much safer than real flames and still give your pumpkin a festive look.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, about 3,200 Halloween-related injuries are treated in U.S. hospitals each year with more than half of those injuries resulting from pumpkin carving.

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With just a few simple steps, your family can enjoy this fall tradition safely. Have fun and happy carving!

Exploring the Pros and Cons of Flu Shots

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It’s time for the flu to begin making its rounds again with many people scrambling to get their updated dose of the flu vaccine. If you ask around, you’ll find that individual opinions vary on when and if to get the flu shot, however medical professionals advise everyone six months and older, with rare exceptions, should get the seasonal flu vaccine each year.

Pros of Getting a Flu Shot

1. Reduces Your Risk of Getting Sick

The flu shot helps prevent you from getting the flu. It’s updated every year to match the latest and most common flu strains. When it’s a good match, it can lower your risk of getting sick by 40% to 60%.

2. Makes the Flu Less Severe

Even if you get the flu after your shot, your symptoms are usually much milder. The vaccine can help keep you out of the hospital and lower your chance of serious problems.

3. Protects the People Around You

Getting vaccinated protects people who can’t get the shot themselves, like babies under 6 months or people with weak immune systems. When you’re protected, you’re less likely to pass the flu to them.

4. Helps People with Health Conditions

People with chronic illnesses like heart disease, diabetes, or asthma are at higher risk for flu complications. The flu shot can help prevent a small illness from becoming a major health problem.

5. Protects Pregnant Women and Their Babies

Pregnant women who get a flu shot pass some of that protection to their baby, keeping them safe for several months after birth.

6. Eases the Load on Our Healthcare System

Each flu shot helps lower the number of people going to urgent care or the hospital. This frees up space and resources for other patients.

7. Flu Shots are Made for All Ages

  • Kids six months and older should get a flu shot.
  • Children under eight getting the flu shot for the first time need two doses, four weeks apart.
  • Adults 65 and older can get a high-dose flu shot designed to give extra protection.

Cons of Getting a Flu Shot

While the flu shot is safe for most people, there are a few things to consider:

1. Mild Side Effects

Many people feel tired and/or sore afyer receiceing their flu vaccination but symptoms usually go away in a day or two. Other side effects may include:

  • Redness or swelling at the shot site
  • Headache
  • Muscle aches
  • Low-grade fever
  • Nausea

2. It’s Not Always a Perfect Match

Flu viruses change every year. Sometimes, the shot doesn’t match the main flu strains very well. Even then, it can still make your illness less serious if you get sick.

3. Protection Fades Over Time

The flu vaccine only lasts for one season. That’s why you need a new shot every year.

4. Very Rare Serious Reactions

Serious reactions like an allergic response or Guillain-Barré Syndrome are extremely rare. In fact, your risk of these issues is higher from becoming infected by the flu itself than from the vaccine.

5. Feeling “Off” for a Day

Some people feel tired or a little sick after the shot. This is your immune system doing its job. You can’t catch the flu from the vaccine.

Final Thoughts

Almost everyone over six months old should get a flu shot every year. If you have egg allergies, talk to your doctor—there are egg-free options. The only people who should not get the vaccine are infants under six months or those who have had a severe allergic reaction to the flu shot or its ingredients.

The flu shot is safe, fast, and a smart way to protect yourself and others. With flu cases rising, getting vaccinated helps you stay healthy and avoid serious problems.

Ready to Schedule Your Flu Shot?

To schedule your flu shot, simply request an appointment with your NOAH provider or call 480-882-4545. Let’s fight the flu together—one shot at a time.

When in Doubt, Sit Them Out

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A Guide to Concussions in Kids and Teens

Concussions are very common injuries, especially in young athletes. In fact, the CDC reports 7 out of 10 visits to the emergency department for sports and recreation-related brain injuries are among children ages 17 and under. It’s important for parents, coaches, and players to know the signs of a concussion and how to respond.

What Is a Concussion?

A concussion is a brain injury caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head; or a hit to the body that makes the head move quickly. This sudden movement can hurt the brain. Usually, concussions aren’t life-threatening but repeated injuries or lack of healing can lead to severe complications and increase the risk of developing serious health conditions.

Signs of a Concussion

Even a light hit to the head can be serious so it’s important to remove the athlete from play immediately after any type of blunt contact. Since symptoms can take a few days to appear, experts advise athletes sit out for at least 72 hours. Symptoms of a concussion can include:

Physical

  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Blurry vision
  • Balance problems
  • Sensitivity to light or noise

Thinking

  • Trouble concentrating or remembering
  • Feeling slow or confused

Emotional

  • Irritability
  • Sadness
  • Anxiety or nervousness

Sleep

  • Sleeping more or less than usual
  • Trouble falling asleep
  • Daytime drowsiness

If there are no symptoms within the first 72 hours of the incident, it’s generally safe to resume normal activity. If you’re unsure, schedule an appointment with your NOAH provider.

How to Treat a Concussion

If you suspect a concussion, especially when severe symptoms are present, seek emergency care immediately. A doctor will do a physical exam, ask questions, and check symptoms. Imaging is usually not needed, but your provider may recommend a CT scan or MRI to rule out serious complications like bleeding in or around the brain. The doctor will give a recovery plan and let you know when your child can return to activity.

Step 1: Brain Rest

The first part of the plan is to rest the brain from activities that require concentration and focus. This includes limiting schoolwork and testing, restricting the use of electronics including video games, TV, cell phone use, and computers. Brain cells need to time repair themselves. Time helps the healing process, and the effects of the concussion should lessen as symptoms decrease and become more tolerable.

Step 2: Physical Rest

The second part of the plan is physical rest. Once an athlete can tolerate school and is without symptoms at rest, they can slowly return to physical activity. Initially start with some light activity, progressing to sport-specific exercises without head impact or contact, non-contact training drills with some light resistance training, and finally after medical clearance full contact practice. Each step should take at least 24 hours and if at any time symptoms worsen or return, they must return to the previous step.

Injury Prevention

To minimize the risk of concussions or other sports-related injuries, athletes should always use recommended helmets and safety gear. Check with your school or sports organization to verify equipment fits properly, is appropriate for the sport, and certified in good condition. For more information about concussions, talk with your NOAH provider or visit the CDC’s Heads Up resources page on their website. By recognizing the signs, responding quickly, and prioritizing recovery, we can help protect young athletes—because when it comes to concussions, playing it safe is always the smartest move.

Your Guide to a Great School Year

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The beginning of the school year is often a fresh start for kids. Here are a few tips for success as you approach the first few weeks of the new school year.

Well-child Appointments

Well-child checks are crucial for healthy development among children. Make sure your child has their well-child appointment before school starts or at least within the first 30 days. The beginning of the school year is a good time to bench mark your child’s development both physically and mentally. It’s also a great opportunity to discuss any concerns about the new school year with your provider.

Schedule a Sports Physical

If your child is playing sports at all this school year, they will likely need a sports physical. Most school districts provide a specific form that needs to be completed and signed off on by your child’s medical provider. Save time and check off two things on your list by scheduling your child’s sports physical and well-child check together. NOAH’s scheduling team is also happy to assist with booking a block of time for multiple children if schedules allow.

Make Sure Immunizations Are Up to Date

Schools require immunizations and they keep your child and their classmates protected from unnecessary, dangerous, and sometimes fatal diseases. Your child’s medical provider will address any needed vaccines during their well-child check. Preview recommended vaccines here in advance.

Start a Good Sleep Routine

Kids need enough sleep to develop, do well in school, and keep up with home life too. Most children need between 9-12 hours of sleep each night. It’s easy to get off schedule during summer so try to start your back to school routine at least a couple of days early to establish good sleep habits early on in the school year.

Be Physically Fit

Kids need at least one hour of exercise every day. Make sure they get enough activity whether it is walking, swimming, or playing school sports.

Get School Supplies Ready

Start the school year with a sturdy backpack loaded with plenty of supplies like notebooks, folders, pens, and pencils, etc. Opt for a backpack with a water bottle pocket to ensure your child stays hydrated throughout the day.

Talk About Bullying

Make sure your child knows about the seriousness of bullying. It can hurt people emotionally and mentally and can harm their learning. If your child is being bullied or sees another student bullied, make sure they know to tell a bully to “Stop!” and to talk to a trusted adult (teacher, counselor, nurse) at school. For bullying, depression, or other behavioral health concerns for ages 6 and up, consider meeting with a NOAH counselor.

NOAH is here to help you with every stage of the school year and beyond. For a complete list of services, visit our website or call 480-882-4545.

What is a Well-Child Check?

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Well-child checks or visits are important for healthy development. These specific health exams are designed to monitor growth, development, and overall well-being and recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics at 1, 2, 4, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 24, and 30 months followed by yearly visits through age 21. Even if your child has seen the doctor for an illness or follow-up during the recommended timeframe, they need to be seen for a well-child check too. These preventive visits are usually not combined with another type of visit to allow plenty of time for reviewing topics including:

Growth and Development

Your healthcare provider will asses your child’s physical growth, motor skills, cognitive development, and language abilities. By tracking these milestones, doctors can identify any issues early on.

Vaccinations and Immunizations

Vaccines and immunizations are often administered during these appointments, to ensure your child is up-to-date and protected from preventable diseases.

Nutritional Guidance

Your provider may also offer guidance on nutrition practices, such as the introduction of solid foods and maintaining a balanced diet.

Behavioral and Emotional Well-Being

Your healthcare provider will inquire about your child’s behavior, emotions, and social interactions.

Parental Guidance and Education

Well-child checks provide an opportunity for parents to ask questions, seek guidance, and receive education on how to best support the growth of their child.

Why Well-Child Checks Matter

Well-child visits ensure everything is on track and help discover any potential health or developmental concerns early on, allowing for intervention and treatment. Additionally, these routine examinations build a relationship between the child, parents, and healthcare provider, establishing a medical home that provides consistent care.

Keeping vaccinations current and addressing health and developmental issues help to diminish the risk of specific diseases and illness. Lastly, parents benefit from valuable support and education, empowering them to make well-informed decisions regarding their child’s health and well-being.

Any of our NOAH pediatric and most family medicine providers can see your child for a well-child check. Call our scheduling team at 480-882-4545 to find a provider that fits your needs or request an appointment online.

Smart Tips to Enjoy Sweets Without Harming Your Teeth!

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Don’t let the sugar in those treats trick you and harm those precious pearly whites! Our dental experts have a few tips to help you sort through all that yummy candy on halloween night so that you reduce your risk of getting cavities.
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Spooky Smiles: Tips for a Healthy Mouth This Halloween & Dental Hygiene Month!

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What could be more spine-chilling than Halloween? Neglecting National Dental Hygiene Month! There exists a connection between oral health and broader health issues like heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and more. In honor of National Dental Hygiene Month, here are four straightforward tips to safeguard your well-being.

Brush

Brushing your teeth is a fundamental aspect of good oral health. By scrubbing tooth surfaces daily, you can help prevent cavities. Stimulating your gums and removing plaque along the gum line can also help prevent gum disease.

Floss

Even the most thorough brushing leaves bacteria in the tight spaces between each tooth and under the gum line. To remove plaque, food particles, and bacteria from these areas, be sure to floss once a day.

Use Mouth Rinse for Extra Protection

Your teeth account for less than half of the surfaces in your mouth, so rinsing is important to remove biofilm and bacteria that brushing and flossing leave behind. Mouth rinse isn’t a substitute for either, but it can supplement your other dental hygiene efforts to reduce the chance of tooth decay and infection.

See Your Dentist

At-home oral care is vital for good overall dental hygiene, but you also need regular trips to the dentist. Professional cleanings, exams, and X-rays keep your teeth and gums healthy and help you catch problems when they’re still easy to treat.

While the idea of dental issues might seem scarier than any haunted house, the good news is that with simple yet consistent practices, we can protect our oral health. For more dental tips, schedule an appointment with your NOAH dental provider today.

Skin Care Tips for Teens

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“Adolescence can be a tough time – especially on your teen’s skin! Almost 8 out of 10 teenagers will have acne at some point,” says NOAH pediatrician Dr. Deborah Bauer. This is because the changing hormones cause an increase in oil production and can lead to clogged pores. This can happen all over your child’s body, not just their face. And while acne isn’t dangerous for their health, it can cause scars and decrease their self-esteem.

Here are a few pointers for home care of your teen’s skin:

  • Keep it clean: They should wash their face with warm water and a gentle cleanser twice per day. CeraVe, Cetaphil and Dove make reasonably-priced and effective cleansers.
  • Be gentle: Harsh scrubbing or rough washcloths are not recommended. Your teen should be using just their hands to gently rub in the cleanser and rinse off.  Very hot water or very cold water should not be used.
  • Stick to the routine: Oily skin and acne can last for months or years, so it’s important to have a good skin routine to minimize the effects. Remind your teen to always remove make-up before sleeping.  And change sheets and pillowcases frequently.
  • Don’t pop pimples: Although it’s tempting, squeezing pimples will only make things worse. Not only will they introduce more oil onto their skin from their hands, but this will probably push the oil deeper into the skin and cause inflammation and swelling.
  • Keep moisturizing: Drying out their face can actually lead to more acne because their body will try to produce even more oils to keep their face from being so dry. Make sure the moisturizer bottle says “oil free” or “noncomedogenic” on it so it doesn’t clog their pores more.
  • Use sun block: This is important for every child, but especially for those with acne. The sun’s rays can irritate skin and make acne and scars much, much worse. Make sure the sunscreen is at least SPF 15.

Some kids even need prescription medication to help manage acne, and our NOAH Pediatricians are here to help with that too!

For more information about taking care of your skin, visit the American Academy of Dermatology.

Time to get Ready for School!

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The 2024-2025 school year is just around the corner and the back-to-school feeling is nice to have back. As kids everywhere begin to get ready for the year, here are ways to make sure the start of the school year is a healthy and safe one.

Well-child Appointments
Well-child checks or well-child visits are crucial for healthy development among children. Make sure your child has their well-child appointment before school starts!

Schedule a Sports Physical
If your child is playing any sport this fall or spring, it’s a good time to get them a physical before the season gets into full swing.

Make Sure Immunizations Are Up to Date
Schools require immunizations and they keep your child and their classmates protected from unnecessary, dangerous, and sometimes fatal diseases. Take a look at the CDC list of childhood vaccines.

Start a Good Sleep Routine
Kids need enough sleep to develop and do well in school and everything else. Most children need between 9-12 hours of sleep each night, so start a routine now and keep it up!

Be Physically Fit
Kids need at least one hour of exercise every day. Make sure they get enough activity whether it is walking, swimming, playing soccer or basketball, dancing, or something else.

Get School Supplies Ready
Start the school year with a sturdy backpack. Make sure your student has whatever supplies, like notebooks, folders, pens, and pencils, etc. to start the year successfully.

Talk About Bullying
Make sure your child knows about the seriousness of bullying. It can hurt people emotionally and mentally and can harm their learning. If your child is being bullied or sees another student bullied, make sure they know to tell a bully to “Stop!” and to talk to a trusted adult (teacher, counselor, nurse) at school.

Ready to start this school year and get your student in for their back-to-school medical appointments? NOAH pediatricians, counselors, nutritionists, and community resource specialists can help your student and family head into the year with everything you need for success. Make an appointment today!

Tips to Manage Your Child’s Phone Time Over the Summer

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With summer in full swing, it’s important to balance allowing your child to enjoy their time off and ensuring they don’t spend too much time on their phone. Managing screen time can be challenging with the allure of social media, games, and endless online content. By setting clear boundaries, offering engaging alternatives, and promoting various activities, you can help your child make the most of their summer while developing healthy phone habits. Here are some practical tips to guide you in managing your child’s phone time effectively.

  • Set Clear Boundaries
    Establish specific times when phone use is allowed, such as after chores or outdoor playtime. Clear rules help set expectations and reduce conflicts.
  • Create a Schedule
    Develop a daily schedule that includes time for reading, outdoor activities, family time, and phone use. Balance is key to keeping your child engaged in various activities.
  • Encourage Outdoor Activities
    Promote outdoor play and sports. Organize family outings, nature walks, or visits to parks to keep them active and away from screens.
  • Use Parental Controls
    Utilize parental control apps to set limits on screen time, block inappropriate content, and monitor phone usage. This helps ensure your child’s online safety.
  • Offer Alternatives
    Provide a variety of non-screen activities such as board games, puzzles, arts and crafts, and books. Keeping them occupied with fun alternatives can reduce their reliance on phones.
  • Lead by Example
    Be a role model by limiting your own phone use. Show your child that engaging in offline activities can be enjoyable and rewarding.
  • Establish Tech-Free Zones
    Designate certain areas of the house, such as the dining room and bedrooms, as tech-free zones to encourage family interaction and better sleep hygiene.
  • Set Goals and Rewards
    Create a reward system for adhering to phone rules. For example, extra screen time can be earned through completing chores or participating in educational activities.
  • Communicate the Reasons
    Explain to your child why it’s important to limit phone use. Discuss the benefits of balancing screen time with other activities for their overall well-being.
  • Plan Tech-Free Activities
    Schedule regular family activities that do not involve screens, such as cooking together, playing sports, or having a movie night with no phones allowed.

By implementing these tips, you can help your child develop healthy phone habits and enjoy a well-rounded, active summer. For questions related to your child’s overall health, call 480-882-4545 and schedule an appointment with your child’s NOAH provider.