Nurse Terri's Tidbits
*Information provided by Brain Injury Association of Colorado*
*Help Line- 1-800-955-2443*
What is Brain Injury?
*No two brain’s are alike, so therefore, no two brain injuries are alike. Every brain injury is unique and can range from a traumatic injury to an injury sustained at birth or even a moderate to severe concussion*
Physical changes that can occur after brain injury
lack of endurance
fatigue
sleep disorders
vision problems
sensory changes with smell and taste
decreased coordination
balance/motor difficulties
speech/swallowing difficulties
seizures
Cognitive changes that can occur after brain injury
attention
short term memory problems
inability to understand others
academic difficulties
reasoning difficulties
slower processing
time management issues
organization issues
Emotional and behavior changes that can occur after brain injury
irritability
anxiety
withdrawal
depression
fear
inability to control anger/temper
inappropriate social interactions
Compensatory Techniques for student’s who have sustained a brain injury
energy conservation
write appts./assignments in daily planner
use checklists/timers and alarms
allow for additional time to complete activities
consistent daily routine at home and school
use gestures to enhance speech
minimize distractions
encourage participation in activities that nurture the soul
pace self
double-check work
Growing up is hard to do!!
No matter how much we as parents would rather NOT have our kids grow up...they do anyway. Here at Craig Intermediate School we begin discussing some changes with our 5th grade students as they begin to go through puberty. We will be showing the students a video that teaches them what physical and emotional changes they may go through over the next few years and will have some written material to do, for a fun review. This session will occur in April during their physical education block with the boys and girls in separate classrooms. I would like to invite parents to come in and preview the videos and voice any questions or concerns you may have, on April 6th from 5pm-6pm in the school cafeteria. I would like to assure you that we review this information in a very educational and sensitive manner.
Thank you,
Terri A. Jourgensen, RN, BSN
School Nurse
Get Smart - Know WHEN to Use Antibiotics
Information provided by the CDC
Antibiotics are also known as “antimicrobial drugs” which
are drugs that fight infections caused by BACTERIA, not Viral infections.
Unfortunately, over the decades, the bacteria that antibiotics control
have developed resistance and the Centers for Disease Control is calling
this one of the world’s most pressing public health problems.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Bacteria- Bacteria are single-celled organisms
found all over the inside and the outside of the body.
What is a Virus- Virus is smaller than bacteria and cannot
survive outside of the body’s cells. If you have a viral infection,
antibiotics will not cure it, make you feel better, or prevent someone
else from getting your virus.
What kinds of infections should NOT be treated with antibiotics-
Colds, Flu, Coughs, Bronchitis and Sore throats. (except for
Strep Throat)
How do I tell if the illness is bacterial or viral? Consult
your physician because at times it is very difficult to tell.
When should I take antibiotics? When used to treat bacterial
infections and when prescribed by a physician.
Do I need antibiotics when mucus from the nose changes to yellow
or green? Yellow or green mucus does not necessarily indicate
a bacterial infection.
Why should I be concerned about antibiotic resistance?
This occurs when bacteria changes in a way that reduces or eliminates
the effectiveness of antibiotics. The resistant bacteria survive and multiply--causing
more harm, longer illness, more doctor visits and even death.
About Antibiotic Resistance
Nearly all significant bacterial infections are becoming resistant to
the most common antibiotics.
Repeated and improper uses of antibiotics are primary causes of drug-resistant
bacteria.
Misuse of antibiotics can jeopardize the usefulness of essential medications--decreasing
the inappropriate use of antibiotics is the best way to control resistance.
A recent study showed that physicians prescribed antibiotics 65% of the
time if a parent expected it and only 12% of the time if they felt parents
didn’t expect it.
What can I do?
Do not take antibiotics for a viral infection such as a cold, cough or
flu.
Take an antibiotic exactly as prescribed- don’t save any for later.
Do not take antibiotics prescribed for someone else.
Parents should not demand antibiotics when a health care provider determines
they are not needed..
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Why Staying Active Is So Important for Girls
Year by year, American girls become less and less active.
This slowdown often begins at an early age, and by age 18, many aren’t
getting any exercise at all! (New England Journal of Medicine) Inactive
girls are more likely to be overweight and to develop heart disease and
diabetes. (Journal of School Health)
From about age 11 to 19, girls reach their peak bone mass. It’s
exercise that helps them build strong bones during those years. (Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention) If they miss out, they greatly increase
their risk of osteoporosis later in life. (Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention)
How can you help the girl in your life stay active? Here
are some tips that will get her going no matter what her age is:
* Help her find the activity that is right for her. The best exercise
is the one she’ll actually do. Let her explore different options
- a soccer team, swimming lessons, or just brisk walks with friends -
until she decides what she likes and dislikes.
* Encourage activities that offer both aerobic and weight-bearing benefits,
such as tennis, hiking or dancing. That means she’ll work her heart,
muscles and bones.
* Support her choices in active ways. Make sure she always has a ride
to sports practices. Volunteer to train with her. And be there to root
for her whenever you can.
(This article is from “Healthbeat” published by PacifiCare
Health Plan Administrators as a service to members of health plans offered
by the PacifiCare family of companies.)
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Let the children laugh and be glad.
O my dear, they haven’t long before the world assaults them. Allow
them genuine laughter now. Laugh with them, till tears run down your faces-till
a memory of pure delight and precious relationship is established within
them, indestructible, personal, and forever.
Soon enough they’ll meet faces unreasonably enraged. Soon enough
they’ll be accused of things they did not do. Soon enough they will
suffer guilt at the hands of powerful people who can’t accept their
own guilt and who must dump it, therefore, on the weak. In that day the
children must be strengthened by self-confidence so they can resist the
criticism of fools. But self-confidence begins in the experience of childhood.
So give your children (grandchildren, nieces, nephews, dear ones, children
of your neighbors and community)- give them golden days, their own pure
days, in which they are so clearly and dearly beloved that they believe
in love and in their own particular worth when love shall seem in short
supply. Give them laughter.
Observe each child with individual attention to learn what triggers the
guileless laugh in each. Is it a story? A game? Certain family traditions?
Excursions? Simple winks? What?
Do that thing. Because laughter that is so easy in childhood must echo
its encouragement a long, long, time. A LIFETIME. Walter Wangerin, Jr.
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“Staying Healthy during the Winter Months”
Flu Shot,Plenty of Rest, Fruits/Veggies, Good Hand washing, Lots of Water
*Walk, Walk, Walk, It is free and great exercise
*Hit the stairs, Spike the Ball, Shoot some Hoops, Go ice-skating & Dance
*Prevention is the key to staying healthy: *Keep the sunscreen handy-
the snow amplifies the burning potential of the sun by reflecting the
ultra-violet rays that cause sunburn.
*Sunscreen with a protection of at least 15 should be used and don’t
forget your ears, neck and hands.
*Use lip balm with sunscreen in it as well.
*Keep your hands away from your eyes, nose and mouth.
*Cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing.
*Use disposable tissue.
*Don’t count on Echinacea or Vitamin C but Do…count on the
chicken soup- it will re-hydrate your body of fluid, minerals and salts
that are lost during illness.
*SLOW DOWN- usually people who get sick are run down and never give their
bodies the rest they need to eliminate the infection.
*Antibiotics are NOT effective against the flu or colds.
*Is it a Cold or the Flu? Colds usually infect on the upper respiratory
tract such as the nose, throat, sinuses and ears. Colds do not cause diarrhea
or achiness. Colds generally do not cause a fever greater than 102 degrees.
The Flu is a systemic infection that affects the entire body and generally
causes a sore throat, headache and stuffy nose. You will generally feel
AWFUL and have a fever of greater than 102. The most common complication
of the flu is pneumonia.
Flu Facts…
*Influenza “Flu” is a serious disease, which is caused by
a virus that spreads from infected people to the nose or throat of others.
*Some symptoms are fever, sore throat, headache, and chills, cough and
muscle aches.
*Anyone can get the flu, however, the most susceptible are children and
the elderly.
*There are two types of vaccine- injection and nasal spray.
*Protection from the flu develops approximately 2 weeks after getting
the vaccine and “may” last for up to one year.
*Some people who get the flu vaccine may still get the flu, however, the
case is usually milder.
*The best time to get the flu shot is in October and November- The flu
season most often peaks in February.