Author Archive
Jan 17, 12 | Posted by: Kristin Bencik Boudreau, D.O.
My kid is sick- and we are on vacation!
It never fails- every time you go on vacation it always seems that one of the kids are sick. We were in Hawaii when my two year old developed a hoarse barky cough and trouble breathing. We were embarking upon the road to Hana- a crazy drive through the mountains with over 600 cliffs and patchy cell service. I knew she had croup, but knowing what it is and being able to treat it are two separate issues! Obviously it is a little easier for me because I am a doctor; however, I didn’t have a stethoscope, ear looker, or meds. Luckily, we were able to get her through it with steaming, a call to one of my partners, and lots of mommy time. She of course got better after we got home! More »
Nov 9, 11 | Posted by: Kristin Bencik Boudreau, D.O.
Mommy, How Do People Get Fat?
Wow! Now there is a loaded question. My five year old son asked me that as we were driving in the car the other day. I told him there were lots of ways that people can get heavy, but the most common was that they don’t eat healthy and they don’t exercise. I didn’t want it to be that concrete (5 year olds are very black and white and I could totally see him going up to an overweight person and saying “you eat too much junk”) so I also went on to talk about how every person burns calories differently, and we get that from our families. For example, Daddy can eat ice cream everyday and won’t gain weight, but mommy can’t.
How to talk to kids about healthy eating habits is something I deal with every day- ask any of my patients how I drone on and on about fruits and vegetables. I try and focus on “healthy lifestyle” as opposed to weight. I never talk about a diet, instead I focus on how to make a diet healthier. I ride a fine line between needing to educate kids on how to make their diet and lifestyle healthier, yet not cause an eating disorder or poor self esteem.
I do not always eat healthy, and neither do my kids. However, we eat fruits and vegetables every day, try and get enough calcium, and promote activity. When they want a sweet at night, I quiz them on what they have eaten over the day. If no veggies are in there, there is definitely no dessert. My oldest loves video games and TV, but after his two hour limit- he has to go on the treadmill or walk the dog to earn more time.
I think the key to education about healthly living is like other things- you have to set the example for your kids and follow through. If you don’t eat vegetables, why would your kids?If you don’t exercise, they probably won’t either. Talk to your kids about being healthy, and give them the tools to do it.
Sep 8, 11 | Posted by: Kristin Bencik Boudreau, D.O.
Measles in Milwaukee
There has been a confirmed case of measles in a Milwaukee resident today. The patient is a child with a history of international travel. So what is measles and what does it mean for us? Measles is a highly contagious virus that is spread by respiratory droplets. The only host of the virus are humans. The disease presents with a fever, cough, runny nose, conjunctivitis, and three to four days later, a rash. The rash is a very red, small raised bumps that spreads from the face down to the rest of the body. There can be characteristic lesions in the mouth of 1 to 3 mm diameter blueish white bumps surrounded by a red halo. Measles can have serious complications including encephalitis, or brain infection causing permanent brain damage in 1 out of every 1000 cases. It can also cause death in 1 to 3 out of every 1000 cases.
Patients are contagious for 1 to 2 days before symptoms occur until 4 days after the rash appears (around ten days). The incubation period is around 8 to 12 days. Measles is diagnosed by a blood test, as well as nose and throat swabs. Treatment is supportive, and tailored to the age of the patient and severity of the illness.
The best protection against measles in VACCINATION!!! Children are vaccinated between 12-15 months and again at 4 years. If you have opted not to vaccinated your child, we would strongly recommend that they come in and receive their MMR vaccine. Measles has clearly been shown to be very dangerous for children, the vaccine has not. Numerous reputable medical studies have shown that there is NO LINK between the MMR vaccine and autism. Please call your physicians if you have further questions regarding the vaccinations.
If you have any concerns that your child may have measles or been exposed, please call immediately.
Jul 28, 11 | Posted by: Kristin Bencik Boudreau, D.O.
A Summer of Fun!
I recently was in a physical exam and when I asked the child what he had been doing all summer, the mom said he was having a “summer of fun.” Of course, I then had to ask what a summer of fun was. The mom said the kids were allowed to do whatever they wanted (within safety reasons). They could play video games for hours, watch TV, etc. She said they decided to do it this year because their life during the school year was so stressful with homework, activities, and sports that she really wanted to let them have a vacation. She said at first they watched screen time for hours, but now they are reading for fun, going outside more, and the struggle over forced activities has really lessoned. She stated they were having one of their best summers ever.
The summer of fun idea really stirred some personal reflection. My oldest loves video games, and I know if he had a carte blanche to play nonstop I probably wouldn’t see him for weeks. Recent studies have also shown that American kids are actually getting fatter in the summer, because they are even less active than they were in the school year watching TV and playing video games. On the other hand, I think its a wonderful idea to let the kids really be in control for some of their vacation. As this mom found, she got the results she wanted without the struggle.
Food for thought as we enter the last month of summer before the school year winds up again. While I can’t see myself ever doing a summer of fun, I think a “day of fun” might be in my kids future! Happy Summer!
Jun 16, 11 | Posted by: Kristin Bencik Boudreau, D.O.
Trees, grass, and all the other green things that make me sneeze!
Spring, summer for three days, and now spring has finally come to Wisconsin. Unfortunately, for my family that means horrible allergies. Non-stop runny nose, sneezing, and itchy eyes are the most common complaint in my house and for many other people. This allergy season is particularly bad because of all the rain we had so the pollen count is very high. So what can you do when you or your children have similar complaints? More »
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