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avecinia wellness center is Fresno's premier integrative medicine and wellness center. Our mission is to partner with our patients and help them attain their optimal well-being by integrating diverse, proven healing modalities with primary care/internal medicine and with a commitment to the highest standards of care, compassion and service. We provide health management, weight management, acupuncture, massage therapy, and aesthetic (Botox, Juvederm/Radiesse, Obagi, eMatrix Skin Rejuvination and more) services to empower our patients to live happy, healthier lives!

We want this blog to be an interactive and safe place for the exchange of health and wellness related knowledge. However, we are unable to provide specific health or medical consultation on this blog. We look forward to having you participate in our blog. For more information about avecinia wellness center or any of our services, please visit www.avecinia.com or call us at 559-450-7299.

Showing posts with label vaccinations. Show all posts
Showing posts with label vaccinations. Show all posts

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Fall Allergies


Fall in Fresno!
Fall is a beautiful time of the year in Fresno- the temperatures cool down, fruit is abundant and it’s time for a new year at school!  We hope these tips will help you and your family enjoy Fall in Fresno to the fullest!

Fall is Back to School time!
Fresno, Clovis and Central Unified school districts started school in August. This year the state of California required 7th-12th graders to have proof of TDAP vaccination.  The TDAP vaccine lasts about 10 years.  Another important vaccine to consider is the Flu vaccine. The flu vaccine changes every year and it’s a good idea to check with your primary care physician about getting this year’s flu shot.
 When kids go back to school, they are bombarded with a variety of germs.  Sometimes a sniffle or stuffy nose, itchy or watery eyes and nose can be an allergic reaction to dust, pollen, mold or some other allergen.  Other times it can be the first sign of a cold.  If the child has a fever, they may also be getting  a flu.  The best protection against either allergies or the cold is to remind your kids to wash their hands often (they don’t always have to use anti-bacterial soap though), avoid touching/rubbing their eyes and cough in their sleeves!  If your child shows signs of trouble breathing, wheezing, coughing, you may want to make an appointment with your primary care physician to screen for asthma.  Increased pollen counts, chalk dust, mold in schools may be potential allergens that can lead to asthma as well.
If your child has food allergies, going back to school is an important time to remind your child to be extra careful about sharing food that may contain items they are allergic too. It’s a good idea to update the school with a list of food allergies your child may have or provide them with such list if you haven’t already.

Air Quality in Fresno and the Central Valley
In general, the air quality around Fresno and the Central Valley does tend to improve in the Fall.  However, if you live near a farm, remember the fall is when many crops are dusted with pesticide (such as cotton crops).

Tips on easing Fall Allergies
  • Pollen is at its peak between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.  Visit the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology website at www.aaaai.org to see what the pollen count is in your area;
  • Avoid food allergies by packing your child’s lunch (it’s a healthier option too); inform the school about potential food allergies and check to see if they have Epi-Pens available;
  • Before you turn on the heater (if you need to this Fall/Winter)- get your heat ducks cleaned of trapped mold and other allergens;
  • Use a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter if you aren’t already with your heating system. 
With a little precautions, you and your family can have a fun, fulfilling Fall in Fresno!



For daily updates on news, information and more on health care and wellness, join avecinia wellness center's facebook page (facebook.com/avecinia) and follow avecinia on twitter (twitter.com/avecinia4health). avecinia wellness center is Fresno's premier integrative medicine and wellness center. We combine internal medicine and primary care with health management, weight management, acupuncture, aesthetics (Botox, Juvederm, Radiesse, Obagi and more) and massage therapy for a holistic approach to health. We use a robust electronic health record program and patient web portal to enhance our delivery of services and to help our patients reach their optimal well-being. To learn more, visit www.avecinia.com. If you are looking for a primary care doctor in Fresno or the Central Valley and would like to become a part of the avecinia family, visit our website and click on new patient registration. Let Dr. Unaiza Hayat and/or Ali Kunkel, MPA, PA-C, become your trusted guides. Our Aesthetic, Weight Management, Acupuncture, Health Management and Massage Therapy services do not require us to be your primary care physician. Learn more at www.avecinia.com We look forward to meeting you!

Sunday, August 1, 2010

Back To School


As summer is coming to an end, many parents may dread what’s coming next: Back to School! More than wondering what back to school sale to go to first, most parents are concerned how to prepare their child emotionally and mentally for school and how stay healthy during the school year. By following the tips below, we hope to make back to school a happier, healthier transition for both parent and child!
Tips:

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Establish sleep and nutrition routines before school starts! Avoid difficult mornings the first week of school by setting bed and wake-up times a few weeks before school starts and gradually adjusting them to be earlier as the first day approaches. And make sure they start every day with a healthy breakfast such as whole grain, low-sugar cereals!

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Keep them going throughout the day with the right foods! Pack their lunch with colorful mix of fruits and vegetables. Apples, baby carrots, berries, grapes, pears are easy to pack and easy to eat and provide essential nutrients to keep them energized and ready to learn. Avoid sodas and sports drinks! One can of soda per day can add 30 pounds in a year.

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Help your kids know their school like the back of their hand! Visit the school in advance so children know where their classroom is. Give them a chance to meet their teacher, the school nurse, and other staff, if possible.

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Encourage communication! Encourage your child to talk to you about how they feel about going back to school. Practice listening to them (hint, pay attention to them when they speak the same way you would want someone to pay attention to you). When kids feel they are being heard, they are less likely to hide something from you, such as whether they are being bullied at school.
  • Dealing with Bullies! Going back to school is never easy and having a bully to deal with can make it ten times worse! But you can help your child stand up to bullying by instilling them with confidence, help them make friends, encouraging them to communicate if they are being bullied and working with their teachers and school administrators to make the school a bully safe environment.
• A stitch in time saves nine! If your child has a chronic health condition requiring medication, such as asthma, diabetes, a food allergy, or any type of health care concern requiring special attention, contact the school nurse early to put a plan in place well in advance of the first day of school.

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August is National Vaccination Month! Immunizations, which are a very necessary part of the back-to-school routine, can be a little scary for kids, but you don't need to drag them kicking and screaming to the doctor's office. Ease kids' worries by talking with them about the health benefits of vaccines so they understand why the shots are important and are less anxious about getting them.
Here is a summary of vaccinations recommended by the CDC for school aged children: (www.cdc.gov/vaccines/events/niam/default.htm)

Children 4-6  (Click on the bold items to learn more about them)
  • DTap (Diptheria, Tetanus, Pertussis)
  • PPSV (Pneumococcal) - for pneumonia
  • IPV (Inactivated Poliovirus)
  • Influenza - for the flu
  • MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)
  • Varicella for chickenpox
  • Hepatitis A
  • MCV (Meningococcal)
Children 7-18
  • TdAP (for children 11-18) - for whooping cough
  • HPV (for children 9-18) - HPV vaccine is also known as Gardasil
  • MCV (Meningococcal) - for meningitis
  • PPSV (Pneumococcal) - for pneumonia
  • IPV (Inactivated Poliovirus)
  • Influenza - for the flu
  • MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)
  • Varicella - for chickenpox
  • Hepatitis A
  • Hepatitis B
Many of the vaccines listed above are available at avecinia wellness center. Call us at 559-450-7299 and speak with Jennie if you have any questions about immunization and vaccinations or would like to make an appointment.  As Fresno's premier integrated medical practice, we aim to provide our patients with total wellness.  If you have questions about stress management or how to help your kids cope with starting school, we are proud to refer our patients to Corinne Soares, LCSW.  You can learn more about Corinne on her blog here: http://therapistsdesk.blogspot.com/


We hope you and your family have a wonderful August and an exciting beginning to the new school year!
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