Northwestern Medicine - Empower Wellness

IT'S TIME TO SCHEDULE A LESSON IN THE HEALTH ABC'S FOR YOUR GROWING CHILD. PARENTS SHOULD HELP prepare their teenaged children to begin managing their own healthcare. MANAGING ALLERGIES ON THE ROAD If your child has severe food allergies, school trips and dining out with friends can be dangerous. Make sure your teen feels confident enough to ask questions about food preparation. Adolescents need to know how to use rescue medications and carry them at all times. GET PHYSICAL! Just like adults, adolescents need annual wellness exams. "During an annual check, we look for health concerns and make sure teens' vaccination records are up to date," says Pediatrician Syed Jafri, MD, at KishHealth System Physician Group, DeKalb, now part of Northwestern Medicine. "There's a misconception that most immunizations are completed during early childhood. But vaccines that protect against dangerous health threats—including certain types of cancer, meningitis, and whooping cough—are given during the teen years." In addition to annual checkups, children on athletic teams need to have a sports physical before the beginning of a new season. "Sports physicals allow physicians to check children's blood pressure, listen to their hearts, and perform a quick exam of their muscles and bones," says Mayuri Morker, MD, pediatrician at KishHealth System Physician Group, DeKalb. "These exams help us look for injuries and other concerns that can affect a young athlete's safety on the field." To find a pediatrician on staff at KishHealth System Physician Group, DeKalb, call 815.758.8671 or visit kishpediatrics.org. BACK-TO-SCHOOL Healthy Rites of Passage Most teens transition from seeing a pediatrician to a family medicine or internal medicine provider between the ages of 18 and 21. In addition, young women should have their first visit with a gynecologist between the ages of 13 and 15, according to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. These visits give teens an opportunity to ask questions and discuss health concerns, such as irregular periods, acne, and cramping. To schedule an appointment with an OB/GYN at KishHealth System Physican Group, DeKalb, call 815.758.8671. CANCER CENTER OUR MISSION WELLNESS CLASSES AND PROGRAMS Our Cancer Center provides patients and families with education, support, and resources to deal with the many challenges presented by cancer. Generous donor support helps underwrite the cost of these programs. If you are interested in making a donation to improve the quality of life for those dealing with cancer, please contact the KishHealth System Foundation at 815.748.9954 or visit kishhealthfoundation.org. We are the cornerstone of healthcare for the communities we serve—the first choice for service, comfort, and safety. Look for a list of featured classes and programs in the Wellness Programs section toward the back of this issue. Most are free and require registration. Classes with low enrollment are generally canceled three days prior to the start date. Please register early. Register online at kishprograms.org. 2

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