Vim & Vigor - Winter 2012 - Parrish Medical Center - (Page 12)

As much as moms everywhere would like to be able to threaten their kids with this one, it’s 100 percent false. Sitting too close to the television—even watching hours upon hours of the small screen—may lead to eye fatigue, but it won’t damage the eyes. Then again, “sitting too close to the TV may be indicative of having a hard time seeing,” says Anita Chandra-Puri, M.D., spokeswoman for the American Academy of Pediatrics. So if you notice your little one inching closer or squinting at the screen, have his or her eyes checked. Of course, there are plenty of other reasons to limit screen time. Studies have shown that children who spend more than 10 hours a week in front of the television or computer have a higher chance of being overweight, aggressive and slower in school, according to the Nemours Foundation. Mom says: Sitting too close to the TV will make you go cross-eyed. Verdict: Sorry, Mom. Not true. With lattes and frosty coffee drinks available on every corner, it’s no wonder we’re becoming more dependent on java to get us through the day. Fortunately, nothing in a regular cup of coffee is harmful to the body. In fact, “it has a lot of healthy characteristics,” says Joy Dubost, Ph.D., R.D., a spokeswoman for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Coffee recently was found to be possibly beneﬁcial against Parkinson’s disease, type 2 diabetes and liver cancer. But limit intake to two to three cups a day; more than that can negatively affect some people. And, of course, that cup can quickly turn into a calorie pit when you dress it up with syrup and cream. A 16-ounce cup of Starbucks coffee of the day contains just 5 calories, whereas a skinny ﬂavored latte has 180—and that’s a skinny! Mom says: Drinking co ee will stunt your growth. Verdict: Nope. This one’s true all around. Listening to loud music or other loud noises for as little as 15 minutes can lead to ringing in the ears called tinnitus and even temporary hearing loss. These usually clear up in a day or two. But prolonged exposure to loud noises can lead to a permanent loss of hearing. One rule of thumb is, if you can hear the music from your headphones when they’re not in or on your ears, it’s too loud. You can also download a decibel meter app to your smartphone, such as deciBel for Android or Decibel Meter for iPhone. Mom says: If you don’t turn down that music, you’ll lose your hearing. Verdict: Right on, Mom! “It’s true, you do lose a lot of heat through the top of your head,” Chandra-Puri says, so wearing a hat will help you stay warm. But it won’t protect you from catching a cold. “Colds are caused by viruses,” she says. “We probably see more in winter because they spread easier in cold weather and because people are in closer proximity.” Mom was right about one thing, though. The key to warding off viruses is hand washing, hand washing, hand washing. Use soap and warm water, and wash for at least 20 seconds. No access to a sink? Choose a hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol. Mom says: Going outside in the cold with a wet head will make you sick. Verdict: Wrong again, Mom. Opinions are mixed on this one. “Prolonged thumb-sucking isn’t good for your palate or teeth,” Chandra-Puri says. “But in newborns, it’s perfectly ﬁne.” She recommends discouraging the practice after 6 months of age. But the Nemours Foundation says thumb-sucking won’t affect teeth, gums and the jaw until later, recommending parents discourage it at age 4. Talk to your child’s dentist about his or her recommendation. Mom says: Thumb-sucking is bad for your teeth. Verdict: True … and false.

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Vim & Vigor - Winter 2012 - Parrish Medical Center

Vim & Vigor - Winter 2012 - Parrish Medical Center
Contents
Tasty Tips
Opening Thoughts
Community Calendar
Cook Like a Pro
Living Well with Lymphedema
Because I Said So!
What’s Wrong with This Picture?
The Future Is Now
Everyday Hero
What Does 200 Calories Look Like?
Johnny Be Good
What Does 200 Calories Look Like?
We’ve Got Your Back
Bank on Your Health
Virtual Health
Community Health
Healthy Journey
Fit to Fight Fires
Foundation Focus
Ask the Expert

Vim & Vigor - Winter 2012 - Parrish Medical Center