Nurse Notes
2018
November Is Diabetes Awareness Month
Diabetes is one of the leading causes of disability and death in the United States. It can cause blindness, nerve damage, kidney disease, and other health problems if it’s not controlled.
One in 10 Americans have diabetes — that’s more than 30 million people, and another 84 million adults in the United States are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
The good news? People who are at high risk for type 2 diabetes can lower their risk by more than half if they make healthy changes. These changes include: eating healthy, getting more physical activity, and losing weight.
Talk to your healthcare provider about the risk factors in your family and support the people you know with diabetes!
AFM or Acute Flaccid Myelitis In North Texas
Acute flaccid myelitis is a rare but serious neurologic illness of sudden onset, usually in children. It starts with localized limb weakness that mimics polio and has visible changes on an MRI. Although the illness is not new, there has been a marked increase in cases since 2014 with several cases here in the North Texas area.
Most children will have a sudden onset of arm or leg weakness and loss of muscle tone and reflexes. Some children, in addition to arm or leg weakness, will have:
facial droop/weakness,
difficulty moving the eyes,
drooping eyelids, or
difficulty with swallowing or slurred speech.
AFM can have a variety of possible causes and certain viruses that can cause AFM or similar neurologic conditions are
- poliovirus and non-polio enteroviruses,
- West Nile virus (WNV) and viruses in the same family as WNV, specifically Japanese encephalitis virus and Saint Louis encephalitis virus, and
- adenoviruses.
If you, or your child, develop any of these sudden symptoms, seek medical attention right away.
For additional important information, please click on the following links:
Continue To Get Your Flu Shots
It's not too late! Flu season hasn't peaked, so you've still got time! November is officially the start of flu season, so get a flu vaccination, and practice regular hand washing.
Portion Distortion
We all know the holidays are coming and with that, mounds of food, parties, family get togethers and more food.
But, did you know that portion sizes on everyday foods have continued to increase in the last 20 years? Check out this Portion Distortion information from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute and see how much things have changed.
https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/educational/wecan/portion/documents/PD1.pdf
https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/educational/wecan/portion/documents/PD2.pdf
100%
Thank You!
As of this writing, Liberty Elementary School is now 100% compliant on immunizations.
Click on this link for more immunization requirements for the state of Texas.
There Is Always Something To Be Thankful For
It is said that the first 17 seconds of any thought are the most powerful and that being thankful can actually boost your immune system and reduce stress.
Have you made your "Thankful" list?
In addition to health, my family, a satisfying career, food on my table and a roof over my head, here's a 17 second read of a few of mine:
GPS
Air fresheners and Lysol wipes
Saturdays and snow days
Friends that care enough to tell me I'm being stupid
Dishwashers, washing machines and garbage disposals
Bad times. I learned a lesson, got a tougher skin and made better choices later on.
Cheese. Cheese plates. Mac and cheese. Grilled cheese. And bread.
Spell check (but not auto correct)
Really great co-workers and school families
Elastic pants
Happy Thanksgiving, Everyone!
How To Contact Me
I am always available to answer any questions you may have about your child.
Click on my page link below for important information and forms you might find useful.
Email: MillerRG@lisd.net
Website: https://www.lisd.net/domain/4380
Location: 4600 Quail Run, Flower Mound, TX, USA
Phone: 972.350.5915