This article was submitted by Juliann R. Villanueva, LMFT, of Mental Health Resources, Inc. of New Mexico

Let’s be honest with each other.  More often then not, mental health counseling is viewed negatively by society which could prevent someone from making that initial call to seek therapeutic services.  It is not uncommon for someone to believe, “There is something wrong with me if I’m seeing a counselor” or worse, “I must be crazy!”.  A little bit more honesty, counseling does not mean laying on a couch facing away from your therapist as he/she lazily doodles on a notepad asking you to talk about your mother.  Although, we may ask you to discuss family relationships from time to time, we are not here to place blame on your mom.  I am sure she did the best she could with what she had available to her at the time she was raising you.   These harmful stigmas could prevent you from recognizing the benefits of mental health counseling.  People tend to seek counseling during a challenging period in their life.  They could be seeking immediate relief from painful life changes such as the death of a loved one, a relationship loss, employment stressors or addictive behaviors.

Counseling also provides a safe environment to enhance self assertiveness skills as well as improve self worth and self confidence.  These important components of a person’s well being could be affected by the unraveling of those life changes, which could in turn affect relationships and interpersonal skills.  Counseling then assists in the development of improved communication skills and healthy boundary setting and ultimately leads to more satisfying relationships with family, spouse and coworkers.

A counselor assists in identifying symptoms caused by a mental illness such as depression, anxiety, bipolar, Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder or Posttraumatic Stress Disorder to name a few.  Together, we establish goals to alleviate those symptoms and identifying coping skills to better manage the mental illness so as to empower you and provide you with that control over those initial life changes.  Mental Health Resources offers a gamut of services to assist you in your quest for self awareness other than individual outpatient counseling, psychiatric services or drug addiction counseling.  Don’t be fooled by the “self” in self awareness, as it may not simply imply individual needs, but also on how you interact and communicate with those near and dear to you, which could be obtained through marital/couples counseling and family counseling.   One last bit of honesty, there is no shame in needing help or asking for it.

[by Capt Mike Hoge, D.M.D.]

February is Children’s Dental Health Month, and the Cannon AFB Dental Clinic would like to help you to ensure excellent oral health for your children.

Did you know that tooth decay is the single most common chronic childhood disease?  According to the National Institute of Health, cavities are 5 times more common than asthma and 7 times more common than hay fever. Over half of children between the ages of 5 and 9 have cavities or fillings and by age 17, that increases to four out of every five.  (source:  NIH).

So, you didn’t think of cavities as a disease?  The truth is, cavities are the result of an infection of the mouth by acid-producing bacteria that dissolve away your child’s teeth.  Left untreated, they can cause severe pain and problems in eating, speaking, and learning.  It is estimated that 51 million school hours are lost each year to dental-related illness.

Here are some simple recommendations to help protect your children from dental related illness:

Regular Check-ups:
Get your child established with a local dentist and bring him or her in for regular check-ups.  Seek dental insurance for your child.  Studies have shown that uninsured children are 2.5 times less likely than insured children to receive dental care (source:  NIH).  Active duty dependents are eligible for the Tricare Family Plan.  For information regarding enrollment, call 1-888-734-1944 or go online towww.tricaredentalprogram.com.

Brushing and Flossing:
Help your child to properly brush and floss his or her teeth.  Even with the best of intentions, kids still need help brushing until they are at least six years of age.  Brushing should be accomplished for two minutes twice a day.  Monitor the amount of toothpaste they use; any more than a pea size amount can result in the ingestion of excess fluoride.

Sugar Intake:
Watch the intake of sugary beverages and snacks.   The average American teenage boy consumes 81 gallons of soft drinks each year!  (Source:  American Dental Association)  This frequent exposure to sugar provides food for oral bacteria, which in turn produce the acid that “eats away” at the enamel, the protective outer layer of teeth.  Try substituting water for juice or soft drinks and providing healthy snacks if your children are hungry between meals.

Gum Chewing:
If your child chews gum, consider sugarless gum.  The act of chewing can remove plaque from teeth and stimulate the production of saliva, which helps to counteract the effects of acid.  Chewing gum with Xylitol, a type of sugar substitute, has the additional benefit of inhibiting bacteria in the mouth.

Water Fluoridation:
Fluoridated drinking water, when set to the correct levels, can be highly effective in preventing tooth decay.  However, when developing teeth are exposed to excessive fluoride, spotting of the teeth can result.   The tap water here in Eastern New Mexico has naturally occurring fluoride at approximately double the level recommended by the ADA and should not be consumed in large amounts by pregnant women, nursing mothers, and children under the age of 12.   The low fluoride tap at the water plant on base is a reliable source of ideally-fluoridated water.

Mouth Guards:
Mouth guards are a great way to protect your child’s teeth when participating in sports.  Experts now recommend that mouth guards be worn not only for contact sports, but also for non-contact sports such as gymnastics and rollerblading.  There are three different types of mouth guards: Ready-made or stock, boil-and-bite, and custom made.  While all three provide protection, they vary in comfort, durability and cost.

We hope that these recommendations will help you to keep your children healthy and free of the oral health issues that impact the lives of so many children.  Questions can be directed to Dr. Hoge at the Cannon Air Force Base dental clinic by calling 575-784-4041.

H1N1 flu vaccine will be given free of charge on Thursday, December 3rd from 9 am to 1pm at the Clovis Civic Center, 801 Schepps Blvd. The vaccine is for the following groups only:

• Any child who is 6 months of age to age 5
• Anyone ages 6-64 with a chronic disease such as asthma, diabetes, lupus, cancer, etc.
• Pregnant women
• Parents of infants less than 6 months of age

If you have any questions, please contact Gayla Jaquess, Nurse Manager at the Clovis Health Office, 575-763-5583 ext. 6316. Thank you.

Vaccines interact with our immune system and help produce an immune response that is similar to that produced by a natural infection. The good news, is we do not have to have the disease or the complications from the disease.

Some diseases have been eradicated by years of successful immunization practices. Vaccine-preventable disease rates are at their lowest level ever. We have guidelines from CDC and the ACIP to direct which vaccines are needed through case reports of numbers of specific diseases. That being said, childhood immunization rates are still suboptimal.

Many states have programs such as “Done by One” to focus on getting children immunized by the time they are one through specific schedules. Each country also has specific requirements.

It is important to see your Physician or local Public Health Office for the most current requirements, and administration. Always take your child’s immunization record to any Doctor appointments.

New for the 2009-2010 school year is as follows:

Tdap is required for entry in grades 7-9, if at least 5 years since the last tetanus-containing vaccine. It is encouraged for grades 10-12, if at least 5 years since the last tetanus-containing vaccine.

First graders need 2 Varicella (chicken pox) immunizations  to enter first grade.

Our theme is

1,2  Are their shots due?
3,4  How many more?
5,6  Diseases erased!
7,8   VACCINATE!!!

Submitted by Gayla Jaquess RN

More than a million cases of skin cancer are diagnosed in the United States every year. Everyone’s skin and eyes can be affected by the sun and other forms of UV rays such as tanning beds or sunlamps. Darker-skinned people may not burn, but tanning is still a form of skin damage. People with light skin are more likely to burn. Sunburns are thought to increase the risk of skin cancer, especially melanoma. Here are some signs and tips to prevent serious damage from the sun.

Risk factors for skin cancer are:

• Unprotected and/or excessive exposure to UV radiation (sunlight, tanning  beds)
• Fair complexion
• Family history of skin cancer
• Multiple or atypical moles
• Severe sunburns as a child

Other factors that increase your risk of sun damage include:

• You have lots of freckles and burn easily
• Live or vacation at high altitudes (UV radiation increases at higher altitudes)
• Work outdoors
• Have an auto-immune disease such as lupus
• Take medications such as birth control pills, certain antibiotics, antidepressants, anti-diabetic meds.

Check out information that comes with your prescription to see if you should avoid exposure to the sun while on your particular medication or ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider.

Signs and symptoms of skin cancer include:

• Any change on the skin, especially in the size or color of moles or other darkly pigmented spots, or a new growth
• Small, raised areas, can range in color from pink to brown or bluish/black, shiny or discolored areas
• Scaliness, oozing, bleeding, or change in the appearance of a bump or nodule
• Dark coloring that spreads past the border of a mole or mark
• A change in sensation, itchiness, tenderness or pain
• Skin cancers are common on ears, face, neck but can be located anywhere on the body and can affect any age group
• Melanomas: one half of a mole might not look like the other half, borders are irregular or ragged, color changes include pink, red, white, blue, brown, or black, usually larger than 6 milliliters across (the size of a pencil eraser).

How can I prevent skin cancer?

• Avoid the sun between 10 am and 4 pm
• Seek out the shade when possible
• Wear sunglasses with 99-100% UV protection
• Protect your skin even on cloudy or overcast days
• Slip on a Shirt! Cover up with protective clothing made of tightly woven fabrics.
• Slop on the Sunscreen! Use sunscreen and lip balm with a sun protection of15 or higher. Apply at least a palmful and reapply after swimming, toweling off, or perspiring. Make sure you don’t forget ears, backs of necks. For best results, sunscreen needs to be applied to dry skin 20 to 30 minutes before going out in the sun so the skin has time to absorb the chemicals. Reapply every hour or two. (Caution: Check the expiration date of your sunscreen! If it’s expired, it has lost its effectiveness and needs to be replaced)
• Slap on a Hat! Cover your head with a wide-brimmed hat that shades your face, ears, and neck. Visors do not protect exposed areas of the head. Baseball caps do not protect ears and neck. Remember to cover exposed areas with sunscreen.

Children require special attention. They often spend more time outdoors and tend to burn more easily. Protect your children by teaching them sun safety practices and using the prevention measures listed above. Babies younger than 6 months should be kept out of direct sunlight and protected with clothing and hats. There are some lines of swimwear and clothing made with built in UV protection that helps block out sun exposure through clothing. You should check your own skin once a month for changes. Use a mirror or have someone else look where you cannot see. Don’t forget to check your scalp. See your doctor yearly for a thorough skin exam and immediately if you have any of the symptoms of skin cancer. Skin cancer has over 90% survival rate when caught early and treated.

For additional information, check out the American Cancer Society website at www.cancer.org

Submitted by Sheryll Plyler RN, MSN, OCN

The Curry County Wellness Council’s 12 Months of Wellness Campaign names February as Healthy Heart Month. In conjunction with the Curry County Wellness council, Plains Regional Medical Group embraces the opportunity to raise awareness of heart disease to Clovis and the surrounding communities.

According to the American Heart Association (AHA), coronary heart disease (CHD) is the leading cause of death in the United States (US). Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the U.S.  The AHA says that Americans’ best defense against CHD is a heart healthy lifestyle. Dr. Pawan Kumar M.D., an endocrinologist at Plains Regional Medical Group in Clovis, agrees lifestyle choices are essential to decreasing the risk for coronary heart disease. Although there is no such thing as a zero risk, adopting heart healthy choices in daily lifestyle can reduce Americans’ risk for heart disease.

Dr. Kumar recognizes the need for a lifelong commitment to a heart healthy lifestyle should begin with an appointment with your doctor to assess your risk for heart disease. Starting as early as your 30s, it is important to have an assessment of your risk factors. Importance of assessment and evaluation of risk factors continue across an individual’s life span. Make heart health a regular topic with your doctor.   Risk factors for coronary heart disease include a family history of disease, unhealthy cholesterol levels, uncontrolled blood pressure, overweight and obesity, elevated blood sugars, uncontrolled diabetes, smoking and lack of exercise. Dr. Kumar reports uncontrolled diabetes significantly increases a persons risk for heart disease and stroke. AHA reports “people with diabetes are two to four more times likely to develop cardiovascular disease due to a variety of risk factors.”

Plan your day to include heart healthy choices. “Exercise is vital in preventing heart disease” says Dr. Kumar. Make a weekly goal to exercise for at least 30 minutes a day for 5 days. Adding two sessions of strength training a week will further increase your fitness level. A healthy diet will assist with weight loss and help decrease other risks. Eat plenty of vegetables and whole grains, and eat plenty of fruits (if you are not diabetic). Discuss appropriate tailoring of diet with your physician. Dairy choices include nonfat or low-fat dairy products, and meat choices are lean cuts. Limiting and choosing fats wisely is also important. Exchange saturated fat and trans fat for monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. “Choosing olive oil and canola oil is best, peanut oil is next and avoid use of corn, palm and hard (lard) oil” suggests Dr. Kumar.  AHA reports exercising and losing weight can prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes, reduce blood pressure and help reduce the risk for heart attack and stroke.  Share your heart healthy lifestyle with your friends and family to assist with the fight against heart disease and improve the health and lives of Americans.

A recent article on USA Today shows that since 2004, sales of soft drinks and diet soft drinks have been declining while sales of bottled water have risen. Check out the full article and note the interactive graphic on the left-side showing how childhood obesity can affect the entire body.

How do schools in Curry County stack up? Have you noticed a difference in your childrens’ preferences? Let us know in the comments!

[Via USAToday.com]