Santa Barbara, Goleta, Montecito, Carpinteria
Pediatrics in Paradise
www.SBPediatrics.com
L-I-C-E is a four-letter word. Just thinking about it makes my scalp itch. This year, more than any year that I can remember, our schools seem to be crawling with these little buggers.
What are lice?
Head lice are tiny parasitic, gray bugs (1/16-inch long) that cause an itchy scalp, move quickly and are difficult to see with the naked eye. Adult lice can live for 3 weeks on your scalp and up to 24 hours off of your scalp.
What are nits?
Nits are white colored eggs that are attached to hair shafts close to the scalp and are not easily removed. These eggs may be easier to see than lice because they are larger in size and very abundant.
Nits hatch into creepy-crawly lice after about one week. Off of the scalp, nits can survive for up to 2 weeks, an important fact that can affect cleaning and contagiousness.
Generally, nits found >1cm from the scalp are already hatched and appear very white in color.
Taking the lice out of your life
So what should you do if your child is sent home from school with lice?
After scratching your head, take a trip down to your local drug store to pick up an over the counter permethrin lice shampoo, such as Nix. Follow the instructions carefully and consider repeating the shampoo treatment one week later to kill any nits that were missed.
Eight hours after the treatment, the shampoo has had time to permeate and kill the nits. Now it's time to loosen the nits from the hair shafts by applying a mixture of half vinegar and half warm water, under a towel wrap for 30 minutes.
Finally, it is time to be a nitpicker and carefully remove the nits one-by-one by backcombing the hair with a special nit comb or your fingernails. A lighted magnifying glass may help you find the darker, un-hatched nits close to the scalp.
Resistant lice
If nits or lice persist after two treatments of lice shampoo, you may have resistant lice. In this case, your doctor may need to give you a prescription strength shampoo. An oral medication, ivermectin, may also be used when lice are resistant to the prescription-strength shampoos.
Cleaning the house
To reduce contagiousness, avoid sharing hats and combs. Carefully check other family members for nits. Wash all bedding and clothes in hot water, >140 degrees, to kill nits and lice. Any items that cannot be washed should be sealed in plastic bags for 2 weeks, the length of time that nits can survive off the scalp. Vacuum your floors and soak combs and brushes in lice shampoo for at least one hour.
Do home remedies work?
Instead of using permethrin shampoo treatments, some parents experiment with products that are intended to smother lice and prevent them from breathing. Olive, peppermint and tea tree oils, Vaseline and mayonnaise have uncertain benefit in treating lice and may not kill the nits.
Choosing to use one of these products instead of the recommended shampoos may be a common reason for a prolonged or persistent lice infestation, but at least have the added benefit of lice that smell minty fresh.
The lice po-lice
Every school and day care center will have their own rules about when kids can return. In most cases, children should no longer be contagious after one treatment, but check with your school since many have a "no-nit" return policy.
I'm telling you no "lice"
By being nit-picky with your shampoo treatments, house cleaning and nit monitoring, most cases of head lice should be easy to control. Recurrent cases of lice may indicate ongoing contact with an infected person, improper shampoo or cleaning techniques or possibly having a case of resistant lice.
For more lice advice, please contact your favorite white-coated crusader.
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Dr. Dan Brennan is a board certified pediatrician and proud father of two boys. His column can be found on alternating Fridays in the Daily Sound. To contact Dr. Brennan, please call 563-6211 or visit www.SBPediatrics.com.
Pediatrics in Paradise
www.SBPediatrics.com
Halloween. Thanksgiving. Christmas. New Year's.
It's the gauntlet of food-centric holidays. Watching the waistline, while celebrating the season, is a challenge for even the most conscientious eaters.
Understanding the math behind weight gain and weight loss can help you have your cake and enjoy it too.
How many calories does your body need?
A calorie is a unit of energy. Each one of us needs a different number of daily calories depending on our physical build, metabolic rate and activity level.
Calorie math is simple.
A person who eats more calories than they burn off will gain weight. A person who eats the same number of calories as they burn, will maintain their weight and a person who eats fewer calories than their body uses, will lose weight.
Putting "calorie math" to use
A pound of weight equals 3,500 calories.
Running a mile burns about 100 calories.
Doing the math, a person who eats 500 calories less per day would lose about a pound a week. By eating 250 calories less per day, one would lose a pound about every two weeks.
A person who keeps their calorie intake stable, but wants to "run off" a pound a week would have to run 35 miles per week or about 5 miles every day! This is ambitious for even an avid runner like me.
Using the formulas above, it becomes clear that "not eating it in the first place" is probably easier than trying to "run it off" later. Cutting out calories is a much more direct method than just exercise alone. Combining calorie reduction along with modest exercise is the healthiest approach for most people.
The Dr. Dan plan
Get to know yourself better. Visit a nutritionist or a website such as www.nutritiondata.com to calculate your Body Mass Index (BMI) and your daily nutritional needs.
Start paying better attention to what and how much you are eating on a daily basis.
If you wish to lose weight, make plans to eliminate about 250 calories a day from your diet. Plan on eating three meals and two protein rich snacks throughout the day.
Cutting out 250 calories may be as easy as not drinking a 110-calorie can of soda and leaving a few bites of food on your plate at each meal. (Just don't let your mom see that you aren't finishing everything on your plate.)
Start adding some light exercise into your daily routine for motivation and heart health. (Be sure to discuss the appropriateness of your exercise routine with your health care provider first.)
The key is to make small changes that you can sustain. After six months, it is reasonable to see a 10-15 pound weight loss, which may motivate you to exercise a little more, eat a little healthier and treat yourself to some new clothes.
Summing it up
Healthy weight loss and maintenance can be achieved through a balance of smart eating and regular exercise.
In my experience, the best nutritional plans include using common sense and moderation. Fad diets or dramatic changes are generally not sustainable. Skipping meals often leads to over eating later in the day.
Managing your weight during the holiday season doesn't mean that you have to deprive yourself. Using Dr. Dan's calorie math you can enjoy the trimmings, while trimming your waistline.
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Dr. Dan Brennan is a board certified pediatrician who is proud that his two boys like to eat their fruits and vegetables. His column can be found on alternating Fridays in the Daily Sound. To contact Dr. Brennan, please call 563-6211 or visit www.SBPediatrics.com.
Pediatrics in Paradise
www.SBPediatrics.com
The flu has arrived early this year. Have no fear, your top ten health tips are here.
1) Cover your mouth and nose If you've got it, keep it to yourself. Thousands of hungry viruses come flying out of your nose and mouth every time you cough or sneeze. If you cover, you can stop the spread.
2) Wash your hands After you cover your mouth with your hands, don't forget to wash them. Viruses are spread by touching contaminated surfaces and then touching your mouth, nose or eyes. Regular hand washing and alcohol based hand sanitizers are effective in killing harmful germs.
3) Rest, exercise and eat well If you take good care of your body, your body will take good care of you.
4) Update your vaccines Almost 100% of the flu strains currently in our community are the H1N1 variety. The good news is that H1N1 vaccines are arriving and studies show that they are safe and effective in reducing H1N1 infection. Seasonal flu vaccine along with pneumonia vaccines can prevent serious complications of the flu. Ask your white-coated crusader about what would be best for you and your family.
5) Don't share food and drinks Forget about the backwash. Every time you put your lips on your friend's can of soda or take a bite using his fork, you have invited thousands of germs into your body. Many people are contagious even before they show signs of illness. The next time someone asks you for a sip, tell him to get his own can.
6) Grandma's chicken soup Researchers have taken grandma's chicken soup, liquefied it, given it to sick people and have studied its effectiveness compared to placebo. In the end, sick people who ate grandma's soup had a shorter duration of illness. This naturally leads to the question: whose grandma has the best recipe? Mine, of course.
7) Reduce stress When we are stressed, we are more susceptible to disease and illness. By reducing stress we can live longer, healthier lives. If you or a loved one suffers from stress, I highly recommend reading "Take the Stress out of Your Life" by local physician Jay Winner, M.D. www.stressremedy.com
8) Be cool, stay home from school...when you are sick. This section was originally called "Don't be a jerk, stay home from work," but my wife thought it might offend some readers. In any case, when we go to school or work with an illness, we are likely to infect our friends and co-workers. This leads to more absences from school and sick days from work. If we could all agree to stay home until we are well, that would be swell.
9) Breastfeed your baby Nature's best medicine comes from mom. When mom and baby are exposed to germs, mom's body begins to make specific antibodies that are passed on through her breast milk. Many breastfed babies will either escape infection or have a much milder course. On the whole, the breastfed babies in my practice come to see me a lot less.
10) Hug your mom Hugging your mom or dad may not prevent you from getting a cold, but it would certainly make them feel happy and it is a nice thing to do.
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Dr. Dan Brennan is a board-certified pediatrician who will be giving BOTH types of flu vaccine to his wife and two boys. His column can be found in The Daily Sound on alternating Fridays. Please contact Dr. Dan at 563-6211 or visit www.SBPediatrics.com.
Pediatrics in Paradise
www.SBPediatrics.com
Last weekend, AYSO kicked off the 2009 soccer season with its annual coaches meeting at UCSB's Harder Stadium. Scores of coaches filled the stands to hear AYSO Regional Commissioner, John Maloney, and UCSB men's soccer coach, Tim Vom Steeg, touch on their goals for the upcoming season.
Making soccer history
AYSO (American Youth Soccer Organization) has headlined Santa Barbara's youth soccer scene since 1976 and continues to teach soccer and sportsmanship to 3000 local children on approximately 300 teams and is supported by over 1000 volunteers each season.
The upcoming season is slated be the most striking to date. With registration still going strong for the Fall season, division coordinators are busy recruiting volunteer coaches and referees, while forming balanced teams for children between the ages of 5 and 19.
The UCSB-AYSO Partnership
The UCSB athletic department and Coach Vom Steeg are committed to making soccer fun, family friendly and exciting for the youth in our community. The Gauchos play a fast, aggressive and high scoring brand of soccer that is intended to electrify fans of all ages.
This season, Gaucho players will be volunteering as guest coaches for AYSO team practices. UCSB will also allow kids the opportunity to be Gaucho ball boys and girls and participate in mini-games at half time of both the men's and women's games.
At the meeting, Coach Vom Steeg shared many of his coaching philosophies and his favorite drills with the AYSO attendees. In addition to promoting positive coaching and sportsmanship, Coach stressed the importance of teaching our kids to compete. The ability to compete is a skill that will transfer from the field to the classroom and to the workforce. I must admit that I personally benefited from this philosophy, as Coach Vom Steeg was one of my assistant soccer coaches when I was a senior at San Marcos High School some 20 years ago.
Everyone Plays!
In AYSO, "Everyone Plays" and for our local region this is more than just a slogan. To maximize playing time, no player will play the whole game until all other players have played at least three quarters.
Since soccer should be accessible to all children and registration fees should not be a barrier to participation, our local region supports open registration by offering over 200 full or partial scholarships each season.
Physical challenges should also not exclude a child from playing soccer. The VIP (Very Important Player) division is designed for children with special needs. Last season there were three local teams in this division.
Gooooaaaallll!
Youth athletic programs teach kids to exercise, improve self-esteem, reinforce teamwork, promote sportsmanship, learn to compete and most of all...to have fun.
I had the good fortune to grow up in Santa Barbara and play soccer in Region 122. It is now my pleasure to give back to the same organization by coaching my son and his teammates and being one of 25 hard working, energetic and passionate AYSO Board volunteers. I hope you will join us this season.
If you are interested in learning more about AYSO and UCSB athletics, I would encourage you to visit www.ayso-santabarbara.org and www.ucsbgauchos.com.
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Coach Dan is a board-certified pediatrician and Santa Barbara native who enjoys kicking the soccer ball with his wife and two boys. His column can be found in the Daily Sound on alternating Fridays. Please contact him at 563-6211 or visit www.SBPediatrics.com.
What do books, basketballs and bearded dragons have in common? They happen to be a few of our son's favorite things about preschool.
Today marks a special milestone in the Brennan family. Our oldest son is graduating from Evergreen Learning Center and will be on his way to kindergarten. Josh has grown in so many ways and we feel grateful that he had a chance to cultivate his "Seven C's" of preschool.
Comfort and confidence
Preschool encourages children to develop a comfort level outside of their own homes. Camaraderie with other children and interactions with teachers allows young children to evaluate and express their own feelings. A year or two of preschool will help foster the confidence and self-esteem essential to thriving in kindergarten and beyond.
Creativity
I love coming home from work to be greeted by Josh. He is always eager to show me an art project, sing me a new song or quiz me on a new word that he learned in Spanish.
All preschool programs offer educational opportunities and some may even provide early exposure to extracurricular activities such as art, music, cooking and in some cases a second language.
Critters and creepy crawlies
When we visit the Eeeww exhibit at the Santa Barbara Zoo, Josh is able to tell me interesting facts about tarantulas, Madagascar hissing cockroaches and other interesting insects, because he has been exposed to them at school. Instead of being scared of these creepy crawly creatures, he has developed a respect and eagerness to learn more about them.
Conflict resolution
Kids will be kids. Three and four year olds are generally not so great at sharing. How children approach conflict is shaped from an early age and how their disputes are mediated will have a lasting effect. An experienced preschool teacher can help children recognize when they have a conflict and offer them the tools to reach a peaceful resolution.
Classroom preparedness
Being "prepared" for kindergarten involves more than just learning letters and numbers. It includes listening skills, patience, following directions and showing respect for teachers and fellow students.
While I am doing a kindergarten check-up in the office, my job is to evaluate the social, emotional and cognitive aptitude of my patient. Most kids are ready to start, but at times I have had to recommend that a child wait a year before entering kindergarten. My patients who have attended preschool are generally better prepared to succeed from day one.
Parents often ask me if preschool is important. My answer is always an enthusiastic and emphatic "YES!" Ideally, kindergarten enrollees will have had at least one year of preschool so that they start kindergarten feeling comfortable in a classroom setting and ready to build on their "Seven C's."
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Dr. Dan Brennan is a board-certified pediatrician and Santa Barbara native who enjoys visiting Robbie the bearded dragon and the other cool critters at Evergreen with his wife and two boys. His column can be found in the Daily Sound on alternating Fridays. Please contact him at 563-6211 or visit www.SBPediatrics.com.
Pediatrics in Paradise
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes.
The Beatles once predicted that the sun would come, and I can safely confirm that they were all right. Rumor has it that Paul McCartney may be re-recording this solar classic with a new verse promoting the use of sunscreen. Until that release happens, I'd like to shed some light on summer sun safety.
You are my sunscreen
While we are all vulnerable to sunburn, we must be especially careful about sun exposure for infants. Under the age of six months, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends avoiding sun exposure and dressing infants in lightweight long pants, long-sleeved shirts and brimmed hats to prevent sunburn.
When appropriate clothes and shade are not available and you must be outdoors, the AAP recommends that parents apply a minimal amount of sunscreen to small, exposed areas, such as the face, neck and the back of the hands.
Before you ask, "I thought I couldn't use sunscreen on a baby younger than six months old", it is important to remember that sunscreen should be your last resort. The safest way to protect your infant is to avoid direct sun exposure. Before widespread application, I first recommend trying a small amount of sunscreen on your baby's leg to make sure that it does not cause irritation. Be careful not to get sunscreen too close to your baby's eyes.
Sunshine on my shoulder
Peak sun hours are generally 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Seeking shade and avoiding direct sun during these hours will reduce ultraviolet (UV) ray exposure. Wearing a hat with a 3-inch brim or a baseball cap will help keep sun off of the face and neck regions. This pediatrician believes hats that display the letters U-C-L-A or A-N-G-E-L-S are most effective.
Sunscreen with UVA and UVB protection and SPF (sun protection factor) greater than 15 is recommended. For young children, the AAP recommends applying sunscreen at least 30 minutes before going outside. Older children and young adults should apply about one ounce of sunscreen at least every 2 hours and reapply after swimming, surfing and sweating.
Invisible sun
Don't forget about using sunscreen on a cloudy day. UV rays can penetrate the June gloom and your clothes too. Cotton clothing with a tight weave may keep more UV rays off of your unsuspecting skin. When shopping for sunglasses, look for ones that block 99-100% of the UV rays. Since our eyes dilate behind darkened lenses, sunglasses with poor UV protection will actually invite more ultraviolet rays into your eyes and can be more harmful.
Good vibrations
We are so fortunate to live in paradise. With some stellar planning, sunscreen, sunglasses and shade we can protect our skin and have fun in the sun.
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Dr. Dan Brennan is a board-certified pediatrician and Santa Barbara native who enjoys spending summer days at the beach with his wife and two boys. His column can be found in the Daily Sound on alternating Fridays. Please contact him at 563-6211 or visit www.SBPediatrics.com.
Pediatrics in Paradise
"Oh no, Daddy, ohh noo! Fire engine? Daddy, fire engine for Andy?" are the words that came from my panicked two year old boy's mouth as we evacuated our house in the middle of the night. A boy who normally likes the sounds of sirens was very worried that fire engines were on the way to his house.
Our recent evacuation during the Jesusita fire made me think about the anxiety that children feel when a stressful situation confronts their family. Here are some suggestions to consider if your family is facing a crisis.
What are children afraid of?
When a child confronts a stressful situation, he will be frightened by the chaos and anxiety surrounding him. His imagination will run wild. He will worry that someone close to him will be harmed or that he will be separated from his family.
As parents, it is essential that we take steps to minimize fear and anxiety as quickly as possible.
Be as calm as you can
When I saw Andy panic, I did my best to reassure him and make him laugh. Once I explained that the fire engines were not coming to our house, I asked if he wanted to visit his new cousin, Baby Jakey. This brought a smile to his face, distracted him from his immediate fear and helped him get excited about moving to our evacuation site.
Establish comfort
When a child is evacuated from her home, she may experience a sense of loss and confusion. She may cope by exhibiting some regressive behaviors. Providing familiar comforts such as a favorite toy, blanket, clothes or snacks may help restore order and relieve anxiety.
Included in our evacuation plan, we grabbed Josh's Batman cape, his Angels T-Ball uniform, the boys' Rally Monkeys and a couple of their favorite games.
Encourage communication
Allow your children to talk about the disaster and ask you questions. Encourage them to describe their feelings and listen to what they say. This will be therapeutic for them and will allow you to better understand their needs.
In simple terms, offer an explanation of what is going on and discuss your family plans. Letting our boys know that our family was getting away from the ash and smoke and headed to their cousin's house helped them adjust and cope.
Include your children in activities
Delegate age-appropriate responsibilities and chores. This will help the kids participate in the recovery and healing process and may serve as an important distraction. Having a job, such as carrying their toys or unpacking their clothes, will help them realize that they will be all right.
Keep your family together
Sometimes families need to spend time getting their affairs in order, such as looking for new housing or a shelter. It might seem easier to leave the kids with friends or relatives, but this is a time when kids will want to be with their mom and dad. Keeping the family together as much as possible will offer a much needed layer of comfort and reassurance.
Hug your kids
After a stressful situation, be sure to hug and hold your children. Remind them how much you love them and reassure them that the events are not their fault. Allow children to mourn their own losses and offer them praise as often as you can.
Re-establish a "normal" schedule as soon as possible
Children respond best to a regular routine. When tragedy disrupts their schedules, do your best to quickly establish new routines for school, activities, homework and resume play dates with their friends as soon as you can.
Consider the services of a professional
Don't forget about counselors, clergy and your friendly pediatrician. Sometimes children need someone outside of the family to talk to. Parents may need additional support and ideas to help them comfort their children.
Locally, we are fortunate to have the assistance of the Family Service Agency (www.fsacares.org). FSA offers a free, 24-hour information, referral and crisis counseling telephone hotline: 1-800-400-1572. Also, Jewish Family Service (www.jewishsantabarbara.org) is providing free individual counseling to those impacted, traumatized or upset by our recent fire. Services are open to all and available by calling 957-1116.
A lasting impact
Children are very aware of the way adults handle emergency situations. When we show stress, our children feel stress. Creating an immediate sense of calm and control over a difficult situation will help the whole family feel relaxed and reassured. The way a parent acts during a crisis will leave a lasting impression and set an example for the kids to follow.
My heart goes out to so many families who have suffered devastating losses during our recent fires.
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Dr. Dan Brennan is a board-certified pediatrician and Santa Barbara native who is very appreciative of our firefighters and emergency services. His column can be found in the Daily Sound on the 1st and 3rd Fridays of each month. Please contact him at 563-6211 or visit www.SBPediatrics.com.
Pediatrics in Paradise
We have all learned that the swine flu isn't just for pigs anymore. A new strain of influenza has emerged and is spreading. With no vaccine available to contain this virus, parents are asking what they can do to prevent the spread to family and friends.
What is swine flu?
Also known as Influenza A (H1N1), swine flu is a respiratory ailment that normally causes illness in pigs. This particular strain of virus has mutated and is now capable of infecting humans and spread from human to human through coughing, sneezing or other contact with the virus.
The symptoms are similar to most flu-like illness and can include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue.
An infected person may be contagious and spread the virus one day before he feels sick and at least 7 days after developing symptoms. Young children may be contagious for even longer periods of time.
Why is swine flu worrisome?
When a new strain of influenza emerges, health officials worry about how fast and how far it may spread. During a typical flu season, up to 35,000 Americans will die from flu-related illness.
Since this strain of flu is brand new, it is assumed that no one has prior immunity and many more people may get sick. Until a vaccine is developed, health officials worry about the potential of this flu to cause widespread illness. We must work together and educate ourselves to contain the spread.
How can I prevent the spread of swine flu?
Cover your mouth and nose
If you've got it, keep it to yourself. To prevent the spread of thousands of viral particles, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. When you cover, you can help keep the virus from infecting others. Don't forget to throw away your tissue after you have used it.
Wash your hands
After you cover your mouth, be sure to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. Many viruses spread by contact and can live on door knobs, computer keyboards, ATM touch pads or on your clothes for hours.
Washing your hands often and not touching your eyes, nose or mouth will help prevent you from being infected. Using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer can also help kill viral particles.
Don't share food and drinks
Forget about the backwash, each time you share a drink you have invited thousands of germs into your body. Many people are contagious even before they show signs of illness. The next time someone asks you for a sip, tell him to get his own cup.
What about medications?
Two prescription antiviral medications (Tamiflu and Relenza) appear to be effective in treating this strain of flu. These medications may slow the reproduction of this virus in your body, helping you recover more quickly and reducing your contagiousness to others. They are most effective if started within the first two days of symptoms.
Is there anything else I can do?
Update your other vaccines
Serious complications of the flu can occur if a person develops a secondary bacterial infection, such as pneumonia. Now is a good time to make sure you and your children are up to date on your routine vaccines, such as the pneumonia vaccine.
Breastfeed your baby
Nature's best medicine comes from mom. Every time mom and baby are exposed to germs, a mom's body begins to make specific antibodies to fight off these germs. Protective proteins are passed from mom to baby through breast milk. On the whole, I tend to see less breastfed babies for sick visits.
Rest, exercise and eat well
If you take good care of your body, your body will take good care of you.
Take a sick day
... if you are feeling sick. Attending school or work when you are feeling ill, will likely infect your friends and co-workers and continue the spread of this disease.
What else?
In addition to carrying an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, consider bringing your own pen to sign credit card receipts. Change your child's clothes and wash her face after she gets home from school. Say hello to a friend with a smile, instead of a hug or hand shake. Let each member of your family have their own tube of toothpaste. Instead of sharing hand towels that may harbor viral particles, consider using disposable paper towels. Sponges can hide germs, so try running the dishes through the sanitizing cycle on your dishwasher. These small suggestions may help reduce the spread and keep you better protected from swine flu and other germs.
If you feel flu-like symptoms, please contact your doctor for advice. Not everyone will need to be seen by their doctor, most people will recover with old fashion symptomatic care, rest and fluids.
For the latest updates on swine flu, visit www.cdc.gov/swineflu or call 1-888-865-0564. This is not a time to panic, but an opportunity to plan ahead. With preparation and consideration, we can bid adieu to the swine flu.
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Dr. Dan Brennan is a board-certified pediatrician and Santa Barbara native. His column can be found in the Daily Sound on the 1st and 3rd Fridays of each month. Please contact him at (805) 563-6211 or visit www.SBPediatrics.com.
8Pediatrics in Paradise
I have very fond memories of my student-athlete days at San Marcos High School. I think back to my great teammates, coaches and the thrill of competing for my school. As a former four-year, two sport athlete, I am saddened to see that the Santa Barbara School Board is considering the elimination of freshman athletics at each of our local high schools.
Well aware that our schools are facing steep budget cuts, I would like to use the next 400 words to explain why the elimination of freshman athletics from our schools is wrong for our students and wrong for our community.
Learning to fit in
Reflecting on my freshman year of high school, I vividly remember the social awkwardness. The size of the school, not to mention the size of the seniors, was intimidating. Until trying out and making the freshman soccer squad, I felt little connection to my school.
After joining the team, I had an immediate group of friends and a strong sense of school pride. I suddenly loved my high school and had an identity amongst my peers. It did wonders for my confidence, self-esteem and my school work.
Staying in shape
We are all familiar with the epidemic of childhood obesity. Once a teenage becomes obese, the odds are 30-1 against ever getting back into shape. Freshman athletics provides a way for students to improve their physical fitness, develop athletic skills and learn to lead healthy and active lifestyles.
Our schools have already made significant cuts to physical education programs and I see the effects of this every day in my pediatric practice. Cutting freshman athletics will likely discourage many kids from ever trying out for a sport, further promoting a generation of couch potatoes.
After school structure
When students participate in after school programs, such as athletics, they are being instructed by a coach and learning important life skills such as dedication, teamwork and sportsmanship.
Instead of hanging out after school, roaming through neighborhoods and getting into trouble, high school athletics provides an important supervised structure for teenage students, especially those already at-risk.
Our community has so many destructive temptations, that I fear eliminating high school sports will encourage more students to seek camaraderie from gangs instead of their teammates.
A call for teamwork
After school, extracurricular activities such as athletics, music and the arts are vital to developing well-rounded and healthy children. Discontinuing freshman athletic teams would have many negative consequences for our students and our community.
Let's not allow our high school freshmen, and their athletic programs, to be shoved into a locker and forgotten. I hope that Dons, Chargers and Royals will join this San Marcos alum in advocating for our high school student-athletes.
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Dr. Dan Brennan is a board-certified pediatrician and Santa Barbara native who has high hopes that high school athletics will still exist for his two boys. His column can be found in the Daily Sound on the 1st and 3rd Fridays of each month. Please contact him at 563-6211 or visit www.SBPediatrics.com.
Pediatrics in Paradise
www.SBPediatrics.com
My mom used to tell me, "Danny, you are what you eat." I used to wonder what my friends would think if I turned into a chocolate covered donut? Reflecting on this statement decades later and through the eyes of a pediatrician with two young boys, this statement has never sounded more meaningful.
The eating habits we establish as children really can affect the way we eat as adults and ultimately impact whether we become physically fit or floppy and flabby.
Christina Schmidt, a leading nutrition educator, creator of the acclaimed Baby Bistro Box and fellow San Marcos High alumnus, recently offered me healthy eating tips to share with my patients.
Aim for Organic
Half of our lifetime exposure to pesticides comes in the first five years of life. During this crucial time of development, Ms. Schmidt recommends that parents provide produce that is as pure as possible.
The so-called "dirty dozen" fruits and vegetables most likely to retain pesticides include peaches, apples, sweet bell peppers, celery, nectarines, strawberries, cherries, lettuce, imported grapes, pears, spinach and potatoes.
Start off slowly
When introducing solid foods to your baby, offer one new food at a time. Watch for signs of allergies including dry skin rashes, hives or difficulty breathing. Pay special attention when offering foods that are more likely to cause allergies.
I always recommend that parents avoid introducing allergenic foods such as fish, shellfish, eggs and berries until one year of age and nuts until at least two years of age.
Do it yourself
When parents eat healthy foods, their children are more likely to do the same. Ms. Schmidt recommends taking the whole family to the Farmer's Market to learn about new foods.
One tip that has been successful in my practice, especially for those picky eaters, is to let the kids each pick out one new fruit or vegetable. Allow them to help in the preparation and you'll find that they are much more willing to give it a try.
Become a stocker
By stocking your kitchen with healthy snacks, your family is much more likely to reach for something nutritious. Consider having a regular selection of fresh fruits, veggie slices, whole grain cereals, naturally sweetened cookies, yogurts and string cheese/cheese slices. Limiting juices and encouraging water will allow your kids to fill up on healthy whole foods and will make your dentist happy too.
When I get home, there is always a bowl of cut up bell peppers, carrots, snap peas or apples on the table. The kids are always crunching and since it is already out I am more likely to join in.
I can't say that I have always been a healthy eater. When I was stressed and sleep deprived, especially during my medical school and residency years, I used food as a method of comfort and generally chose to eat things that were quick, cheap and tasty. It is surprising that I did not turn into a pizza.
Now that I have some more control over my life and want to set a good example for my patients and my own children, one might expect me to more closely resemble a container of low fat yogurt with granola.
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Dr. Dan Brennan is a board-certified pediatrician and Santa Barbara native who enjoys crunching fruits and veggies with his wife and two boys. His column can be found in the Daily Sound on the 1st and 3rd Fridays of each month. Please contact him at 563-6211 or visit www.SBPediatrics.com.
For more of Christina Schmidt's healthy and delicious nutritional tips, please visit www.babybistrobrands.com.
Pediatrics in Paradise
www.SBPediatrics.com
I did it! I officially joined the 26.2 club by competing in the Surf City Marathon in Huntington Beach last weekend. Dan Brennan is now on the list of 1/2 of 1% of Americans who have successfully completed a full marathon.
Why did I do it? I had many motivations, but first let me share my 26.2 with you.
The marathon course, formerly known as the Pacific Shoreline Marathon, could not have been more picturesque as it hugged the scenic SoCal shoreline, dashed up and down the Pacific Coast Highway and meandered alongside sandy beaches.
With my iPod dispensing the sweet sounds of Rebelution, I cruised along comfortably until I reached mile 18. It was precisely at this point that the Greek god of marathons laced up his Brooks and jogged down from Mount Olympus to ensure that this first time marathoner had proper respect for the distance of his race. He then proceeded to insert what felt like lightning bolts into my left knee and thigh.
I was apparently in good company, as most of my fellow runners were also hobbling or limping along the rest of the way. One poor guy's chest was so badly chafed that he had two bloody streaks streaming down the front of his white shirt.
Digging down deep and dreaming about high fivin' my boys proved to be enough motivation to overcome the mythical electrical surges of pain and finish strong.
Personal challenge
Since falling in love with running five years ago, I have worked to make each racing season more challenging. Thanks to the encouragement of my cousin Dawn, who also ran the race, now was the time to commit to the physical and mental training necessary to undertake this Herculean feat.
Fitness
Six months ago, my doctor challenged me to lose some weight. I had room to make changes in my diet and I hoped to increase my running mileage without inducing injury and meet my fitness goal. With fewer fast food lunches, less late night snacking and some 500 road miles, I was 25 pounds lighter. You bet that I have thanked my doctor for changing my life.
Role model
One of the biggest responsibilities in my life is to be a positive role model for my kids and my patients. I want Josh and Andy to grow up being active and challenge themselves. I also want to motivate my patients to live active and healthy lives. What better way to accomplish these goals, than to live the lifestyle that I want them to emulate. Besides, what teenager is willing to take nutritional and exercise advice from their ‘out of shape' doctor.
So what challenges are next? Santa Barbara has more fitness events that any other community that I know. Now that I've completed my first 26.2, I have my sights set on the inaugural Santa Barbara International Marathon in December. This time I want to do it in front of my friends, family and practice of patients. See you at the finish line.
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Dr. Dan Brennan is a board certified pediatrician, Santa Barbara native and proud father of two. Contact him at (805) 563-6211 or visit www.SBPediatrics.com
Pediatrics in Paradise
So you woke up with that runny nose, sore throat, achy all over, just wanting to go back to sleep feeling. A couple of days go by and you are still blowing your nose. This time you open the tissue and find a gunky glob of glow-in-the-dark goop. Within seconds, the phone is in hand and you speed-dial your favorite white-coated superhero for some antibiotics. Wait a second. Hold on. Please put down the Kleenex and wash your hands.
At one time, blowing out yellow snot meant it was time to get some antibiotics. Times have changed and so has your doctor's advice. The emergence of antibiotic resistant bacteria has led to more research and a stricter use of antibiotics. You may not need the pink stuff to get rid of those green goobers after all.
How long is too long?
Common viral cold symptoms often include runny nose, cough and watery eyes. Fever may be present during the first couple of days. Nasal discharge may be clear, yellow or green. These symptoms will generally improve on their own over seven to ten days. A runny nose that persists beyond ten days, a worsening cough or a new fever should prompt a call to your doctor since it may indicate the presence of a secondary bacterial infection.
Antibiotics don't kill viruses
Antibiotics are only effective against bacterial infections. Illnesses such as the common cold, the stomach flu and influenza are generally caused by viruses and cannot be cured by antibiotics. Viral infections are often treated symptomatically with rest and fluids to help your body feel better while your immune system fights off the virus.
Sometimes a secondary bacterial infection may develop following an initial viral infection. A classic childhood example would be an ear ache and fever that develops towards the end of a cold. In this case, if the pediatrician diagnoses a secondary ear infection, he or she may prescribe an antibiotic to help fight off bacteria that have infected the middle ear fluid. Secondary bacterial infections can similarly occur in the sinuses or the lungs.
"Doc, I really want to head this one off"
Many people with viral infections look to take antibiotics to ‘prevent an ear infection' or to try to ‘nip it' before it gets worse. Antibiotics should only be prescribed when your doctor feels that he is treating a specific bacterial infection. Taking an antibiotic at the start of a viral cold may kill off many bacteria that normally live in our bodies. When these natural bacteria are killed off, it may allow more resistant bacteria to take over. Now, if you develop fluid in your middle ear, you may develop a secondary ear infection caused by a more resistant bacteria.
What about cough and cold remedies?
Taking a cough and cold medication will not speed up your recovery from an infection, nor will it prevent the progression to an ear, lung or sinus infection. Improper dosing of these over the counter medications can result in serious side-effects in children and most pediatricians no longer recommend using these once popular cold remedies. A humidifier and nasal saline drops can help to thin and clear out mucus, while plenty of fluids and rest will help the body fight off the infection.
To your good health
Proper nutrition, solid sleep, regular exercise and frequent hand-washing will hopefully help you stay healthy during this cold season. If you develop a cold that persists or you have worsening symptoms, please call your doctor for advice. Unless your doctor diagnoses a specific bacterial infection, he may not be doing you a favor by prescribing an antibiotic. So if you think you have a viral infection, try taking a nap and enjoying some of your grandmother's famous chicken soup and save the antibiotics for when you really need them.
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Daniel R. Brennan, MD, CLC, FAAP, is a board-certified pediatrician, certified lactation counselor, Santa Barbara native and proud father of two. Please visit www.SBPediatrics.com.
Pediatrics in Paradise
www.SBPediatrics.com
When Yael and I moved back to Santa Barbara seven years ago, we were excited for the opportunity to give back to the community that gave so much to us growing up. In addition to working with so many wonderful families, I started writing a monthly health column to reach out and advocate for the health and well being of our local children and their families.
I now look forward to bringing my column to you through SBParent.com and sharing important health-related information to help keep you and your family healthier and happier. My goal is to offer timely tips on topics such as illness prevention, nutrition, education and spending quality family time together.
As the New Year quickly arrives, I wanted to suggest a few ideas to help make the holidays just a little more enjoyable for you and the people around you.
During this holiday season, consider clearing time from your busy schedule to spend with the people you love. Don't let these precious moments slip away.
Volunteer some time for a local organization and send a small donation to a cause that is important to you. You will feel good about helping someone in need while setting an excellent example for your children.
Choose to eat well, exercise and get plenty of rest. If you take great care of your body, it will take great care of you.
The holidays can be a joyous, yet stressful time. Treat yourself to a few calm moments each day by closing your eyes, taking a couple of deep breaths and think about one or two great things about your life.
We have so many reasons to be grateful this holiday season! The Brennan family wishes you health and happiness and all the best in the New Year!
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Dr. Brennan is a general pediatrician, certified lactation counselor, Santa Barbara native and proud father of two boys. Contact him at (805) 563-6211 or visit www.SBPediatrics.com.
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