Big Kids

Heel pain in youth athletes a warning sign

Youth athletes stay active year-round in competitive sports and, for many of them, heel pain has become just another part of the game. The American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons advises that when a child complains of heel pain, it should be diagnosed promptly because it may be a warning sign of a serious foot problem.

Karl Collins, a St. Louis-area foot and ankle surgeon, says heel pain occurs frequently in children ages 6 to 14 as their feet grow and the heel bone develops. "As children become more active in sports, they increase their risk for growth-plate injuries and subsequent heel pain."

This is especially true each fall, when surgeons see an increase in middle- and high-school athletes experiencing heel pain with football and soccer seasons simultaneously underway.

"New bone forms in an area behind the heel, known as the growth plate, and cartilage is vulnerable to severe inflammation from strain or stress," Collins explains. "With repeated stresses and strains from over-activity, the heel becomes very painful."

Even though growth-plate trauma is the leading cause of heel pain in young people, Collins says the condition can be difficult to diagnose. He advises parents to be concerned if a child has pain in the back or bottom of the heel, limps, walks on the toes, or seems to have difficulty participating in normal recreational activities.

To diagnose the condition, foot and ankle surgeons examine the child's foot and leg and often take imaging tests to rule out other serious causes of heel pain, such as bursitis, tendonitis and fractures.

In most cases, mild or moderate heel pain can be successfully treated with shoe inserts to soften the impact on the heel, anti-inflammatory medications, stretching and physical therapy. In severe cases, the foot and ankle will be immobilized in a cast and, in some instances, surgery may be necessary.

Heel pain in young people often returns after treatment because the growth plate is still forming until the age of 14 or 15. However, choosing well-constructed shoes with good support and restricting use of spiked athletic shoes, especially on hard fields, can lower the risk for recurrence. It also is advised that young athletes avoid competition that exceeds their physical abilities.

Youth

Kids with Diabetes can enjoy Holiday foods, too!

By Christine Hanson, RN, BSN

Children with diabetes want to be like other kids and look forward to all the treats during the holiday season. It is not impossible to help your child manage his/her diabetes during this time of year.  One of the most important things to consider during the holidays is planning for the different situations that the holidays bring - parties, get-togethers and activities which are likely to include food. Planning and discussing their options with your child will help him or her make the healthiest choices and help them feel like they aren't being left out or deprived. There is also no reason to leave out traditional dishes or treats that your family loves. Most traditional dishes may only need to be fine-tuned to make them healthier. There are several websites focused on diabetes and diet that have recipes and tips for substituting ingredients to keep it delicious and healthy.

If you do not have a child or family member associated with this disease, you may also want to keep in mind diabetics when preparing treats for fund-raisers, potlucks or school functions and provide diabetes-friendly choices by substituting ingredients.

Although most families who have a child diagnosed with this disease work closely with their child's pediatrician and endocrinologist, there are many other resources available for suggestions, ideas, and recipes to enjoy special occasions that include all the fun and delicious meals and treats that are part of the holidays.  Altus Air Force Base 97th MDG also conducts a monthly Diabetes Support Group with taste testing, guest speakers, and information. The Diabetes Support Group is conducted by Andrea Santee, RN, CDE. Information about this support group may be obtained by calling the 97th MDG at 580-481-5235.

"No Egg" Nog
Ingredients

1   package (4 serving size) sugar-free instant vanilla pudding mix

4   packets artificial sweetener (Equal)

7   cups skim milk

½ teaspoon nutmeg

1   12 ounce can evaporated skim milk

2   teaspoon imitation rum flavor extract

Preparation

1.  In a half gallon pitcher or large deep bowl, combine pudding mix, artificial sweetener, and 2 cups skim milk.

2.  With wire wisk or electric mixer, mix completely for approximately 1 minute.

3.  Add 3 more cups skim milk and continue to mix.

4.  Add nutmeg, evaporated skim milk, rum flavor extract and remaining skim milk.

5.  Mix again and chill for several hours.

Recipe obtained from the Children's Diabetes Foundation at Denver, www.childrensdiabetesfdn.org

Good Night, sleep  tight

By Christine Hanson, RN, BSN

Most adults complain of not getting enough sleep and how it feels, but what about our children? Today's children are busier than ever and need a good night's sleep more than ever! Getting up early, a full day of school work, after-school activities, church and social functions-- it's easy for children to lose sleep time because of a busy schedule - and it can take a toll on their health. Sleep is the body's way of recouping its energy and preparing for the new day. Sleep also provides the brain with the ability to concentrate, focus and pay attention and it helps with memory. It also enables the body to stay healthy and work at its best when energy is needed to fight illness.

Without enough sleep, fatigue sets in. Children may demonstrate lack of sleep by being irritable, cranky or not eating well. Another sign of sleep deprivation that parents may notice is their child performing poorly at school. Grades can suffer when a child has difficulty with memory and concentration. Teachers may report that the child is forgetful and not turning in assignments or completing work.

Tips to Help Your Child Get a Good Night's Sleep

• Time Have a bedtime routine and try to go to bed at the same time each night (this helps the body know when it's time to wind down)
• Environment Make the child's bedroom an environment for sleep - dark, cool, and quiet
• Diet Avoid big meals before bedtime and soda or drinks containing caffeine
• Exercise Hooray for exercise! Not only is exercise good during the day to stay fit and healthy (and it's fun), exercising like running and playing 3 hours before bedtime helps your body get ready for sleep (www.sleepforkids.org).

Tweens & Teens

Twilight's Magic Bridges the Generation Gap

Teen novel offers a unique way for moms and daughters to bond

by Jacqueline Rupp

Curfews, fashion, cell phone minutes: there are few things that moms and teen daughters agree on.  But as if by magic, an unlikely hero has come to the rescue and ignited some mother/daughter bonding in an unlikely place-- between the pages of a book. Sure, the debate over dating and grades probably won't change, but because of Stephanie Meyer's Twilight series, moms and daughters all over the country are taking time out of their equally busy if not completely divergent lives to talk over the suspense, chivalry and romance of this unlikely love story.

This epic vampire tale is famous for its legions of tween and teen fans, but a growing number of adults are falling under the spell and jumping on the vampire bandwagon as well. With the first three Twilight books spending a combined 143 weeks on the New York Times Best Seller list, and millions of copies of the literary quartet being sold, it's quite obvious that the buyers are more than just high schoolers.

Why does this novel appeal to so many generations? Of course there is undeniable appeal for teens. Protagonist Bella is an easy character to identify with. She struggles with awkwardness and attempts to find an identity in a new town all while being sucked into an all-consuming relationship with the vampire, Edward. It's a true coming-of-age tale, but with an exciting twist.

But why would a mom want to read about adolescent crushes and high school angst? Well, perhaps we all could use a trip back to our youth, when being crazy for a boy seemed like a life or death struggle. With a full-serving of suspense and supernatural elements, even those who aren't smitten by the love story can have plenty to take a bite out of.

It's obvious women of all ages can find common ground swooning over Robert Pattinson's cinematic portrayal of Edward, but the Twilight books might also help make parents seem, well, less old to teens. After all, Edward, the gorgeous and angst-ridden vampire is over one hundred years old (but looks 17!) and he's the youngest of the Cullen vampire family!  If Bella and readers can fall in love with a century old heartthrob, then maybe a teen reader can see that her mom, who is only a few decades older, might not be so out of touch. Simply put, Twilight makes aging look good.

An opportunity to bond

If you're struggling with an especially tight-lipped teen, Twilight might be the catalyst for a conversation beyond "no" and "uh-huh." If you're the parent of a teen who loves Twilight, have you read the book yourself? If not, you're missing a great opportunity. There's something about the novel's distinct characters and climatic twists and turns that make readers want to discuss it. And you will too!  You might even find yourself saying to your daughter, "I can't believe Edward did that!" Even if you don't generally like vampires or stories of the supernatural, with Meyer's down-to-earth writing style, you're sure to want to take a bite out of all the novels.

Twilight can also inspire conversations with your teen about love, life, and repercussions of behavior. Here are a few tips to keep the discussion flowing:

Ask your teen about her favorite character and what she admires about this person.

• Share your experience of first love, and ask your teen about Bella's behavior (you might even learn about a real-life crush in the process).
• Offer some perspective about how it feels to be a teen and how feelings and priorities change as you grow up.
• Discuss your favorite scenes.
• Ask your daughter a question about an event in the story that confused you. She is sure to give you an earful.
• Try to keep the discussions going by starting a reading club with other teens and their moms, or make special time together for seeing the movies or listening to the film's sound track.