Saturday, September 24, 2011

Health Tips for September 24

Health Tip: Keep a Diabetes Notebook

A notebook of instructions and helpful information will make it easier to stay organized when your diabetic child gets sick.

The American Diabetes Association offers these suggestions for what to include in the notebook:

  • A list of your doctor's guidelines, including recommendations for when to call.
  • Daytime and after-hours phone numbers for your child's diabetes care team.
  • Copies of important documents, such as your child's insurance card.
  • A meal plan that will provide your child with 50 grams of carbohydrates every three or four hours.
  • Over-the-counter medications that won't interfere with other meds or affect blood glucose.
  • A list of what your child has eaten, including blood glucose readings, insulin administered and carbohydrate counts.

Health Tip: Protect Kids and Pets From Rabies

Rabies is a potentially fatal virus that can be transmitted from an infected animal to people. But parents can take steps to help keep kids and pets safe.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers these suggestions:

  • Schedule regular veterinarian checkups and rabies vaccination for your pets.
  • If you spot a stray animal in your neighborhood, call animal control.
  • Teach children not to approach any stray or animal they don't know.
  • Make sure pets stay indoors until you can supervise them outdoors.
  • Avoid attracting stray or wild animals by covering garbage and keeping all pet food and water indoors.

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