Belfast Area High School - BCOPE

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April 3, 2018 What You Should Know About Scabies from Focus on Adult-Health Medical-Surgical Nursing Textbook by UMaine Nursing Student Carrie Milner

Scabies

-infestation of the skin by the itch mite Sarcoptes scabies

-Skin to skin contact

-mites frequently involve the fingers and hand contact may produce infection

-in children, overnight stays with friends or the exchange of clothes may be a source of infection

-health care personnel who have prolonged hands on physical contact with an infected individual may become infected

Clinical Manifestations

-takes approximately 4 weeks from the time of contact for symptoms to appear

-severe itching caused by delayed type of immunologic reaction to the mite or its fecal pellets

-magnifying glass and penlight held at oblique angle to skin while search is made for small, raised burrows created by mites

-burrows may be multiple, straight or wavy, brown or black, thread-like lesions, most commonly observed between the fingers and on the wrists

-other sites include surfaces such as the elbows, knees, edge of feet, around the nipples, axillary folds, under breasts, in or near the groin, penis, scrotum

-burrow may not always be visible

-classic sign is increased itching overnight due to increased warmth of skin having stimulating effect on parasite

-hypersensitivity to organism and products creates itching

-bacterial superinfection may occur from constant itching of the burrows and papule

Diagnosis

-confirmed by recovering S. scabei or the mite’s by products from the skin placed on microscope and low power to demonstrate evidence of mite

Management

-take a warm, soapy bath or shower to remove scaling debris from the crusts and then dry thoroughly and allow skin to cool

-prescription scabicide such as lindane (Kwell), crotamiton (Eurex) or 5% permethrin (Elimite) is applied thinly to the entire skin from the neck down, sparing only the face and scalp (which are not affected in scabies)

-medication is left on for 12-24 hours, then must be washed thoroughly

-one application may be curative, but it is advised to repeat the treatment in 1 week

March 27, 2018 The Importance of Sunshine and Vitamin D by UMaine Nursing Student Carrie Milner

Did you know that the majority of Maine residents are deficient in Vitamin D? Vitamin D is associated with sunshine exposure. During the winter months, many individuals go without adequate sun exposure for months which can result in deficiencies in Vitamin D.

Benefits of Vitamin D:

-Helps absorption of calcium and phosphorus

-Strengthens bones

-Improves brain development and function

-Can reduce inflammation

Vitamin D supplementation can also help with depression. You can help prevent deficiencies in vitamin D by supplementing with vitamins you can buy at the store or eating foods rich in vitamin D such as egg yolks, fatty fish like tuna, cheese and foods fortified with vitamin D like some dairy products, orange juice and cereals.

When the sun returns, (it's coming soon, I promise!) even 10 minutes during the midday sun will provide enough vitamin D for the day. In the meantime, take your vitamins and get outside to enjoy some fresh air when you can!

March 23, 2018 Choosing "Whole" Foods by UMaine Nursing Student Carrie Milner

Eating More Whole Foods

1. Choose products with 100% whole grains whenever possible.

2. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables.

3. Eat fewer convenience and processed snacks.

4. Eat foods with fewer ingredients.

Try to Make These Simple Changes:

-Instead of white bread, always choose 100% whole wheat.

-Instead of sour cream and onion potato chips, try a baked potato with chopped green onions and light sour cream.

-Instead of chicken nuggets processed with added fats, flavorings and preservatives, try baked chicken breast cooked with herbs, spices and olive oil.

-Instead of eating sugary treats, try fresh fruit such as strawberries and maybe a piece of dark chocolate. (Dark chocolate with 70-85% cocoa contains generous amounts of fiber, Magnesium, Iron and Copper and is a powerful source of antioxidants. Although dark chocolate IS healthier than milk chocolate, it should be consumed in moderation since it still has a large amount of sugar)

By choosing more whole foods, your body will receive the nutrients and fiber it needs to promote digestion, improve health and prevent disease. Try to consume 3-5 servings of fruits and veggies daily. Your body will thank you!

March 6, 2018 Diet Tips from Carrie Milner UMaine Nursing Student

Did you know that drinking just one sugary-beverage per day for a whole year could result in an increase in 25 pounds? According to the CDC, limiting the amount of sugar-sweetened beverages can help individuals maintain a healthy weight, decrease your risk of heart disease, and help maintain a healthy diet. It can also help to cut your risk of type 2 diabetes by 25 percent.

Examples of sugar-sweetened beverages includes fruit drinks, sport drinks, energy drinks, regular soda and coffee and tea that have added sugar. Instead of having soda or another sugar-sweetened beverage, try infusing your water with lemon, orange, lime or even cucumber to create a naturally flavorful drink. If you like carbonated beverages, try seltzer water which comes in various flavors. Try gradually decreasing the amount of sugar you put in your coffee and tea and explore other ways to make your beverages taste good, with less sugar. Don't forget to drink 8 glasses of water a day and stay hydrated! And no... sugar-sweetened beverages do not count. :)

Feb 27, 2018

Exercise Information from Carrie Milner UMaine Nursing Student

When you exercise, your body releases a substance called endorphins which are known as the "feel good chemical." These endorphins interact with receptors in your brain to reduce your perception of pain and trigger a positive feeling in the body, similar to that of Morphine. Regular exercise can reduce stress, ward off anxiety and feelings of depression, boost self-esteem and improve sleep.

Exercise can also:

-Lower blood pressure

-Increase energy levels

-Improve muscle tone and strength

-Strengthen and build bones

-Help reduce body fat

According to the CDC, individuals should strive for 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes of moderate-vigorous intensity aerobic activity.

Examples of Moderate-Intensity Exercise Include:

-Brisk Walking

-Dancing

-Gardening

-Housework especially sweeping, mopping or vacuuming

-Walking your pets

-Yoga

Examples of Vigorous Exercise:

-Running

-Walking/climbing briskly up a hill

-Fast cycling

-Aerobics

-Fast swimming

-Sports (football, volleyball, hockey, basketball, etc)

-Heavy shoveling

Feb16, 2028

It's not too late to get a flu shot! Walgreens still has a supply. Hope everyone gets good exercise and plenty of fresh, home cooked meals during February vacation!! Have a good break!

February 9, 2018

Hi, my name's Carrie Milner and I am a senior nursing student at the University of Maine. I am from Lincolnville, ME and will be completing 80 hours of my community clinical rotation here at BAHS. I am looking forward to meeting everyone and the learning experience to come!

February 5, 2018

February is Dental Awareness Month.... Belfast's Public Health Nurse, Susan Dupler is visiting the HS at lunch on Feb 8th. She will have toothbrushes , tooth paste , and lots of information for our students. Brushing, flossing, checkups...are all necessary for good oral health. The gallons of soda that are a big part of some students' diet is a big problem for teeth as well as general health. We nurses urge folks to eliminate sugary drinks entirely.

When I worked in rural Africa , the country of Zimbabwe, I saw amazing teeth of those who were still eating a traditional diet. ! Absolutely gorgeous! But soda is sneaking into all societies, with the ensuing dental and health problems.

I look forward to having our Public Health Nurse here at the HS on Thursday. Parents, pop in at lunch if you are in the neighborhood.