Month: July 2014

Travel Preparations and Travel Medicine

When preparing for vacation most people choose to focus on what to pack, their itinerary and what attractions they want to visit. But what about required and recommended vaccinations? Most people are aware of the need for Yellow Fever vaccines if you’re heading to Africa or South America, but do you know what you might need if you’re headed to Boreno or Mexico?

Travel medicine is a growing niche within healthcare. Meeting with a travel medicine provider allows you and your family to receive tailored immunizations and prescriptions based on current health, medical history, travel plans and past immunizations.

We understand the need for personalized consultations prior to your trip. At IHA Midwest Travel Care we have over 20 years of experience preparing people for their travels. During your appointment you can expect:

  • Counseling and written information about the effectiveness and possible side effect of vaccines received
  • Advice about consumption of water and food, and ways to avoid traveler’s diarrhea
  • Recommended preventative medications and packing a medical kit
  • Latest US government health advisories for your travel destination and current listings of US embassies and consulates
  • Tips for air travel and jet lag, and how to handle altitude related illnesses
  • Assessments for travelers with specific needs (pregnant women, young child, elderly, chronically ill)
  • How to locate English speaking physicians

IHA Midwest Travel Care is located in the new IHA Domino’s Farms Medical Center, 4200 Whitehall Drive, Suite 150, Ann Arbor.

 

Why Choose Breastfeeding?

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Breastfeeding, or giving your infant expressed breast milk, is the most natural source of nourishment for your infant. When you choose to breastfeed your baby, you are providing him/her with the best possible infant food, and no product has ever been as time-tested as human milk.

Mother’s milk contains all the nutrients your baby needs and is more easily digested than any other baby food. Breastfeeding provides extra protection to infants against many common childhood infections such as: gastrointestinal, respiratory, ear, urinary tract, and dental caries. Breast milk has also proven to protect against more serious illness such as meningitis, juvenile diabetes, celiac disease, childhood cancer, acute appendicitis, and liver disease. There has even been research to support that breast milk helps to reduce the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome).

Not only does breastfeeding provide so many priceless benefits to your infant, but it also turns out to the best for a mother’s body as well. The lactation process causes changes in the mother’s body that benefit her directly. Some of these benefits include: helping the uterus get back in shape faster after delivery, changing metabolic rates thereby enabling most mothers to lose pregnancy weight gradually without dieting, protection against breast and ovarian cancer, urinary tract infections, and osteoporosis.

How Do I Prepare to Breastfeed My Infant?

Reading and taking a prenatal/breastfeeding class can be helpful. Many mothers find it most helpful to talk to experienced professionals such as a lactation consultant, nurse practitioner, pediatrician, nurse midwife, or obstetrician. There is no replacement for advice from your family members or friends who have breastfed; they often have many useful tips.

However, because every mother and baby is different, the real experience will come after the baby is born. It will be a learning process for both of you, and patience is key. A supportive team of family, friends, and professionals will be valuable to you. Also, it would be helpful to check with your insurance policy before your baby is born to see if they will help cover the price of a breast pump. Most nursing moms find it beneficial for many reasons to have their own pump. Optimally, you might want a support pillow such as a Boppy, a nursing bra, breastpads, Soothies gel pads, and PureLan cream.

Who Will Help Me With Breastfeeding/Pumping After Delivery?

Your labor and delivery nurse or midwife will likely be the first person to help with breastfeeding and/or pumping after the delivery of your infant. Next, the nursing staff and lactation consultants at the mother-baby unit will be happy to assist you with breastfeeding. Once discharged home, you will have access to help through your pediatric office. IHA has many experienced pediatricians, nurse practitioners, PAs, and lactation consultants who would love to help with this life changing experience. If you have questions or concerns, or would like to schedule an appointment, please call 734.995.2950.

Back to School Physicals and Immunizations

With the kids going back to school soon, now is a great time to get their annual checkup by their physician or health care provider. This visit is also the best time to make sure their immunizations are up-to-date with the current recommendations and school requirements.

Most school-aged children receive several vaccines at their 4, 5, or 6-year-old checkup, and then the next set of vaccination occurs at 11 or 12 years of age. However, each year the physician will assess the child’s status of vaccines to make sure he or she is up-to-date.

Some important vaccine highlights this year include:

The meningitis vaccine: One of the newest recommendations is a second dose of the meningitis vaccine for high school students, usually at the age of 16; the first dose has been routinely given at 11 or 12 years of age. Meningitis is an infection of the lining of the brain and spinal cord that can be more easily transmitted when students are in close contact with each other. The HPV vaccine: This vaccine—which prevents genital warts in boys and girls and cervical cancer in girls—is now approved for boys ages 9 to 26 and has been approved for girls of the same age since 2006. It is a series of three vaccines, and the first dose is usually given at 11 or 12 years of age. Because the vaccine is to prevent a sexually transmitted infection from occurring, it is important that children get this vaccine before they become sexually active.

The tetanus-diptheria booster: Your child’s tetanus boosters should be up to date, especially because the booster contains the vaccine for pertussis, also known as whooping cough. Pertussis has been on the rise in Michigan recently, but the risk of this respiratory illness can be greatly reduced with the vaccine. Although immunizations are an important part of the annual checkup, the visit to the office is also an opportunity for the physician to review the child’s growth, eating habits, school performance, social interactions, and safety. The health care provider will do a complete physical exam and assess the child’s need for any testing. Additionally, he or she will be able to provide recommendations to the parent and child about topics such as healthy eating, exercise, risk reduction, and any other areas of concern that have come up during the visit.