NEWS

5/14/2024

We have been getting a lot of calls regarding seasonal allergy relief. 
It is that time of year where the pollen counts are at their peak, and children over the age of 2 can develop seasonal allergies, causing itchy watery eyes, nasal congestion, and sometimes cough and asthma exacerbations. To help relieve the symptoms we suggest the following. 

First of All:
    Wash face ( and even rinse out nose with saline spray) and change clothes when comes in from outside for the day.

Medicines
    General approach: allergies affect eyes, nose and lungs. For each of these symptoms can be a mild nuisance, or more significant and bothersome.  There are two types of medicines for allergies:

    1) IMMEDIATE RELIEF - There are medicines that give quicker relief and can be used on an "as needed" basis (that is, you don't need to use them every day to be effective and you can take them just when you need them). These are good for more mild-moderate symptoms.

    2) PREVENTATIVE - There are also medicines that only really work if you use them every day, whether there are symptoms or not. These all take a few days to work, yet do a much better job preventing someone from having symptoms. If you start one of these daily, preventative medicines, use them for three weeks, then stop and see if the bad season has ended, then resume if you need it.
  
   If your symptoms are moderate and bothersome, the best approach is to do one of the daily, preventative medicines - EVERY DAY - and use the immediate relief medicines as needed on bad days.  Even if you are most bothered by eye or lung symptoms, you should do the medicines listed below for the nose, since pollen etc comes in through the nose.
    

For eyes (itchy, weepy, red, puffy eyes):
    For immediate, as needed relief: Naphcon A or Opticon A, both use as directed
    For daily prevention: Patanol or Zaditor, as directed on the box

For nose (sneezy, runny, itchy nose)
    For immediate relief: Claritin (10 mg) or Zyrtec (5-10mg) once a day as needed  If you are having a REALLY bad moment or day, you can do one dose of Benadryl in addition (but this can make kids sleepy or loopy)
    For daily, prevention: Flonase or Nasalcort - 1-2 puffs each nostril every day (in children above 7, you can do 1-2 puffs twice a day for the first three days to get things going well)

For lungs (cough, shortness of breath, wheezing); these medicines are  by prescription.
     For immediate relief: albuterol 1-2 puffs with spacer
     For daily prevention: Flovent or QVAR, 2 puffs twice a day with a spacer

5/09/2024

Help us celebrate Mental Health Awareness month this May by checking out the following link from our friends at PBS.

Practicing self care is an essential part of promoting the good health and wellness of your mind. This article shares fantastic (and easy!) tips to teach your children of all ages:

11 Simple Self-Care Habits for Kids

2/27/2024

National Nutrition Month:

Did you know that March is National Nutrition Month?
Please click on the following link that has some simple, nutritious and YUMMY snack ideas for all ages:

Food, Nutrition and Health Tips from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

2/7/2024

Help your family to celebrate Heart Health month this February by implementing one or more of these fabulous ideas from the American Heart Association:

• Schedule family time for physical activity. Weather permitting, go outdoors for a walk, a hike or even just some backyard games. Indoor activities can actually incorporate active screentime, like playing a dance-off or interactive sports video game.
• Plan a weekly menu and prep your meals. Encourage kids to help with meal planning and even grocery shopping. Make sure you have on hand foods they will eat that are also healthy for them. Taking the time to prepare for the week ahead - even cutting up fruits and veggies for healthy snacks - can help improve overall diets.
• Simplify your family's schedule. In today's society we're expected to do it all. But this type of non-stop lifestyle isn't sustainable or healthy. Try prioritizing your activities and see what you can do without so you'll have more time for the things that matter. You can also work on ways to manage stress.
• Set a regular bed time - and wake-up time. Develop bedtime routines to wind down after a busy day. While it may be unrealistic to expect older kids to turn in early, have them to turn off their phones and other devices prior to bedtime. Encourage them to develop their own rituals for a good night's sleep - and trying to catch up on the weekends doesn't count.
• Live by example. Be a role model for healthy behaviors. It doesn't mean you have to change-up everything at once, set goals and take baby steps. Teaching your kids about heart health now will help them live longer, healthier lives for their own future.

www.newsroom.heart.org/news/keep-busy-kids-focused-on-heart-health

Beginning January 1 st 2024, all refills will be processed via Patient Gateway only. For those unable to use Patient Gateway (no computer access, foster parents) or if it's an urgent matter that cannot wait, please just ask to speak with a nurse and we will be happy to assist you.

STEPS to follow for refill for < 13 years of age or 18 +:
Open Gateway --> send a message --> renew a prescription --> request renewal --> select appropriate medication --> check that delivery method and pharmacy are correct --> submit

STEPS to follow for refill for 13-17 years of age:
Open Gateway --> send a message --> medical question ---> complete empty field with*all* of the
following information:
· Name and strength/dose of medication
· How often medication is taken
· Preferred pharmacy
· Contact number if we have questions about your request

This information may also be found on our website at www.paofwellesley.com. Just click on "News" to review the process.

A friendly reminder: routine refills require you have had an annual well visit, but medication check
appointments are required every 6 months if your child is taking medication for ADD/ADHD, Anxiety, and/or Depression.

Regarding ADD/ADHD prescriptions:
· Before requesting a refill please check with your pharmacist to make sure they have the
medication you need in stock.
· New state and federal laws surrounding refills make it very difficult to refill these out of state.
Please check with the pharmacy to make sure they will accept a prescription from MA before
asking us to refill it.

Please allow up to 3 business days for prescriptions to be refilled. We will contact you only if there is a problem with your prescription.