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| July 4th is just around the corner. We wish everyone a safe and happy, long 4th of July weekend!
In this month's newsletter, we discuss E-cigarettes (and similar devices) and the dangers they impose. We also include an article on hand-washing guidelines - the easiest way to keep germs and sickness at bay. In addition, we provide a list of 20 healthy snack options for these long summer days.
Our goal is to further develop our relationship with our patients and create an open forum. We welcome your comments and ideas. If you would like to see something included in this newsletter, please email us at
[email protected]
with ideas only, please no medical requests.
As always, we welcome you to share your experience with our practitioners with an online review.
Sincerely,
The Pediatric Center Staff
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E-cigarettes: Dangerous, Available & Addicting
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Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS), also called e-cigarettes, personal vaporizers,
 vape pens, e-cigars, e-hookah, or vaping devices, are products that produce an aerosolized mixture containing flavored liquids and nicotine that is inhaled by the user. ENDS can resemble traditional tobacco products like cigarettes, cigars, pipes, or common gadgets like flashlights, flash drives, or pens. Teens may try them because they think they're safer than regular cigarettes. However, cancer-causing chemicals, including nicotine, have been found in e-cigarettes.
These products are exploding in popularity, and are being used by both adolescents and adults. ENDS are now estimated to be a $1.5 billion market, and are projected to grow 24.2% per year through 20181. In 2015, more teens used e-cigarettes than regular cigarettes- 10% of 8th graders, 14% of 10th graders, and 16% of 12th graders used e-cigarettes, compared to 4%, 6%, and 11% for cigarettes, respectively.
E-cigarettes have been falsely advertised as a way to help smokers quit, but this has not been proven and is not recommended by the nation's leading health organizations. E-cigarettes are sold in many colors, shapes, sizes, and flavors like vanilla, chocolate, and bubble gum. The devices have a battery, vaporizer, and cartridge that make an aerosol mist that is inhaled. Smoking e-cigarettes is known as "vaping."
E-cigarette usage has doubled among middle and high school students. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) survey data from 2014 show that e-cigarettes are the most frequently used tobacco product, more so than combustible cigarettes.
Quick Facts about ENDS
- ENDS contain a liquid solution that is usually flavored. Flavors, which are appealing to children, often are things like peach schnapps, java jolt, piña colada, peppermint, bubble gum, or chocolate
- ENDS solution has chemicals (ie, anti-freeze, diethylene glycol, and carcinogens like nitrosamines)
- ENDS are not yet regulated nor approved for smoking cessation by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the long-term health effects to users and bystanders are still unknown. Due to the lack of regulation, the chemical compounds in an ENDS device can vary between brands
- These devices mimic conventional cigarette use and help re-normalize smoking behaviors
- ENDS are not approved for smoking cessation, and the long-term health effects to users and bystanders are skill unknown. The chemical compounds in an ENDS device can vary between brands.
- Symptoms of nicotine poisoning include vomiting, sweating, dizziness, increased heart rate, lethargy, seizures, and difficulty breathing
- In 2014, poison centers in the US reported 3,783 exposures to e-cigarette devices and nicotine liquid, compared to only 1,543 exposures in 2013. In 2015, 3,073 exposures were reported4
- Some states have enacted legislation to require child-resistant packaging, and a bill to do this at the national level was supported by the AAP before being signed into law by President Obama in early 2016.
- ENDS users should always keep e-cigarettes and liquid nicotine locked up and out of the reach of children and follow the specific disposal instructions on the label
- In 2016, US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, MD MBA released a report, "E-Cigarette Use Among Youth and Young Adults: A Report of the Surgeon General." The report concluded that youth should not use e-cigarettes due to the health effects on users and on others exposed to secondhand e-cigarette aerosol
Other health considerations regarding e-cigarettes include:
- Addiction to nicotine
- Long-term cough
- Faster heart rate
- Lung problems
- Higher blood pressure
- Less stamina and endurance
- Higher risk of lung cancer and other cancers due to additives used in the cartraiges
- More respiratory infections
- Potential for severe burns due to exploding devices
It is also important to point out, teens have experimented with other solutions including marijuana with these devices. Parents should talk to their teens about electronic nicotine delivery systems or e-cigarettes as if they would talk to them about alcohol and drug use and the harm it can produce to their bodies and the developing brain.
Content contributed by Dr. Kathleen Chin
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Keeping hands clean is one of the most important steps we can take to avoid getting  sick and spreading germs to others. Many diseases and conditions are spread by not washing hands with soap and clean, running water. CDC recommends cleaning hands in a specific way to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others. The guidance for effective handwashing and use of hand sanitizer was developed based on data from a number of studies.
Washing your hands is easy, and it's one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of germs. Clean hands can stop germs from spreading from one person to another and throughout an entire community-from your
home
and
workplace
to childcare facilities and
hospitals
.
When should you wash your hands?
You can help yourself and others stay healthy by washing your hands often, especially during these key times when germs are likely to get on your hands and can easily spread to others:
- Before, during, and after preparing food
- Before eating food
- Before and after caring for someone who is sick
- Before and after treating a cut or wound
- After using the toilet
- After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet
- After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
- After touching an animal, animal feed, or animal waste
- After touching garbage
What is the right way to wash your hands?
Follow the five steps below to wash your hands the right way every time.
- Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.
- Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Be sure to lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
- Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the "Happy Birthday" song from beginning to end twice.
- Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
- Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.
What should you do if you don't have soap and clean, running water?
Washing hands with soap and water is the best way to get rid of germs in most situations. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based
hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers can quickly reduce the number of germs on hands in some situations, but sanitizers do
NOT get rid of all types of germs.
Hand sanitizers may not be as effective when hands are visibly dirty or greasy. Furthermore, hand sanitizers might not remove harmful chemicals like pesticides and heavy metals from hands. Be cautious when using hand sanitizers around children; swallowing alcohol-based hand sanitizers can cause alcohol poisoning if a person swallows more than a couple mouthfuls.
How do you use hand sanitizers?
- Apply the gel to the palm of one hand (read the label to learn the correct amount).
- Rub your hands together.
- Rub the gel over all surfaces of your hands and fingers until your hands are dry.
If you have any questions, visit the CDC handwashing website.
Source: Center for Disease Control |
| Snack Attack: Healthy Options |
Finding it challenging to come up with healthy snack options? It is helpful to have  a "go-to list" that you can pick from at any time. Following is a list of 20 great snack options, filled with protein, vitamins and minerals.
- Organic plain yogurt - topped with organic granola, hemp seed, organic oatmeal or fruit & honey
- Mango smoothie: Frozen organic mango with organic coconut milk and a touch of honey
- Healthy snack bars: Kind Bar, Lara Bar, RX Bar
- Banana with organic peanut butter or almond butter
- Organic broccoli dipped in guacamole
- Hummus and organic veggies
- Organic/non-GMO cereal & milk (ie. Uncle Sam's toasted whole wheat berry flakes & flax-seed, original)
- Organic cheese with cut up veggies
- Sunflower butter & apples
- Raw nuts (handful) or nut & fruit packs
- Sunflower seeds
- Cup of organic milk with a fruit
- Hard boiled eggs
- Organic oatmeal
- Protein berry smooth - frozen organic berries, 1 frozen banana, 1/2 cup apple cider, water, protein collagen
- Sliced apples and cinnamon
- Bare Chips
- Whisps - baked Parmesan chips
- Fruit kabobs
- Matt's Munchies organic dried fruit strips
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The Pediatric Center's patient portal provides personal access
to your family's
medical records. You can access information such as immunization records, visit summaries, request appointments, view dates for upcoming appointments and pay your bill.
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| Do You Need A Pediatric Specialist? |
If you are in search of a pediatric specialist, please know we are here to guide you.
We have a wide network of doctors we can refer to ensure you are in good hands.
We specialize in developmental & behavioral health and focus on positive parenting practices. We can offer guidance on depression, eating disorders, developmental concerns and many other issues.
You are not alone.
Please call to make an appointment to meet with one of our physicians:
908-508-0400.
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| The Pediatric Center Online Bill Pay |
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Online Bill Payment
The Pediatric Center offers the ease and convenience of online bill
 payment.
Payments Over The Phone
If you prefer, you can still make a payment over the phone by calling The Pediatric Center's billing department, HealthCare Billing, Inc:
Toll Free: 877-852-9092 or
Local: 908-237-9092
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| On-Site Lactation Support Center |
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Our modern and private on-site lactation suite provides a warm and relaxed environment for the mother and infant to enjoy a positive breastfeeding experience.
To schedule your lactation consultation, attend our free prenatal class or make an appointment please call us at 908-508-0400.
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| Did you know our website includes a Vaccine Education Center where you can find the immunization schedule for your child? Reminder - we are offering the new meningitis vaccine Trumenba in our office. Insurance companies have started to cover this vaccine. It is recommended it be administered to all students starting college as part of their pre-college physical. View all the details here. |
Your feedback is very important to us! We would love to hear about your positive experience with our doctors and nurse practitioners.
Did you know you can write and post a review right on our website? Click here.
You can use this page to provide feedback, kudos, or just share thoughts.
Thank you for your kind words!
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Free Prenatal Class
We offer a free prenatal class on the 3rd Thursday of every month with our own
Dr. McKegney!
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It's A Partnership
Resources for breastfeeding, immunization schedules, what to do if your child is sick, online references & much more!
Click here.
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Read Our Blog!
Check out our blog to read about news and current events. Topics are relevant to our practice and patients.
Click here.
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Keep up to date with pertinent news information and important announcements  on Facebook including time sensitive topics and office closings, etc.
Simply like us by clicking on the icon to the right!
Announcements will also be posted on the home page of our website under "What's New".
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The Pediatric Center
556 Central Avenue, New Providence, NJ 07974
908-508-0400
www.PedCenter.com
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