Added sugar

The average American eats about 22 teaspoons of added sugar every day. This adds up to over 70 pounds of sugar a year. Even worse, American teens are eating closer to 34 teaspoons a day-thats 29 teaspoons more than recommended.  This is chronic disease in the making. -Leigh Gistinger, CPNP    

Conger’s Corner: Sleep Schedule

“The AAP recently endorsed the consensus statement on the recommended amount of sleep for pediatric populations in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine. The consensus recommends that children between 1 and 2 years of age should sleep 11 to 14 hours per 24 hour period (including naps) on a regular basis to promote optimal health. […]

Sports Drinks

Sports drink ads make it look like athletes should drink them by the gallon.  The reality is sports drinks are high in calories and sugar. Water, and not sports drinks, should be the main source of hydration for children after sports, unless the exercise is strenuous or particularly long in duration. -Leigh Gistinger, CPNP

Get outside for your eyes.

  Get outside for your eyes.  And for the rest of your brain as well.  Studies are showing significant decrease in the need for eye correction in children who have increased outdoor time.  Sunlight increases the hormone dopamine in the brain.  This helps prevent the eye from distorting out of proportion!  AND it helps the mind […]

Russian Roulette

Dr Robert Glatter, an emergency physician in New York City says that when a teenager uses a synthetic cannabinoid (marijuana) they are playing Russian roulette. Their reaction is unpredictable and can range from sedation to violent and aggressive behavior. Some teens will have seizures or flail around putting themselves at risk for bodily injuries. So […]

Do You want to Reconsider your decision not to accept the HPV vaccine?

When the HPV (Human Papillomavirus Vaccine) first came out, we did not offer it. We talked about it, researched it and decided to hold on recommending the vaccine until more studies were out. Later, we offered it to our older patients, the ones headed for college. Now…we want everyone to get the vaccine series. Why? […]

Sugar limits

The American Heart Association has made the following recommendations about sugar limits: Children = Limit to 3-4 teaspoons per day (max 16 grams a day) Adult women/teens= Limit to 5 teaspoons per day (max 20 grams a day) Adult men/teens= Limit to 8-9 teaspoons per day (max 36 grams a day) COKE: 12-ounce can = […]