Search Results

Source: Mayo Clinic Health System JAN 5, 2024   Social media is a fun, easy way for adolescents to connect with friends. While most platforms require users to be 13 or older to create an account, it's common for kids to want to access social media at an earlier age. It's important to teach children that even though social media can be enjoyable, there are risks, including: Social media use makes kids and teens vulnerable to  cyberbullying  and provides the opportunity to cyberbully others.  Limited face-to-face interaction decreases filters when making comments about other people. Smartphones have geolocation, so unless the privacy settings are correctly set up, other users can see your child's location when they are using social media apps.  It's easy for kids to access inappropriate content and follow or be followed by users they do not know.  There may be the temptation to send explicit texts, photos or videos.  In recent years, research has shown that constant social media use can negatively affect a  young person's mental health . Remember, what happens on the internet stays on the internet. How can you help your children be safe on social media? The first step is to start a conversation about internet safety and your child's online interactions. It helps to be familiar with the specific platforms your child is using and to create your own account. Have your child show you their profile and review their friend list on each platform. Talk about the importance of carefully considering who to friend or follow online. Next, establish rules. Make it a rule to have no secret passwords. Have your child write their usernames and passwords in an envelope that you will only access in a scenario when you fear for your child's safety. Place the envelope in a public place in the home and update when the passwords are changed. Similarly, you should always have the unlock codes for your children's devices. A number of templates for a  family social media plan  or cellphone contract are available online. Consider using a parental control app. Smartphones come with safety features, and several parental control apps are available for download. If you decide to monitor your child's social media use this way, you need to be open and honest with them about your use of parental controls. Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, lead by example. Consider what information you are posting about yourself and your family online. Never bully, harass or embarrass another person online.  Encourage face-to-face communication as much as possible. Social media allows children to be passive engagers. If they can watch what others post but do not engage, they lose important aspects of  social connection .  Be aware of how much time you spend on a device. Consider following similar rules for yourself that you set for your children.    Tips for screen time Smartphones, computers and laptops are a part of children's daily lives at home and school. Consider these tips for allowing your children to have connection and collaboration on screened devices in a safe way: Limit screen time  for recreational purposes to two hours a day.  Shut off or stop using screened devices at least one hour before bedtime. Consider implementing a rule of no screens in the bedroom to encourage  good sleep habits .  Knowing the risks and following these tips will help your children still have fun and be safe while using social media. ________ Karen Hall  is a child and adolescent clinical therapist in  Psychiatry & Psychology  in  La Crosse , Wisconsin.

The idea for Recovery Roots Supportive Services & Treatment Center came to fruition over 2 years ago and has continued to grow as we meet the community's needs of mental health and substance use treatment. We began by offering interim supportive services till we completed the State of Minnesota licensing process in June 2024. At that time, we were a 245G licensed treatment program for substance use disorder treatment. As of January 2025, we have extended our practice to also include mental health and co-occurring disorders as we want to encompass all areas of need to the individuals we see. Treatment Programs We offer all levels of support in our treatment program including; group therapy, individual sessions, medication assisted treatment, co-occurring disorders, mental health diagnosis and screening, treatment coordination, comprehensive substance use assessments, grief counseling, housing supportive services, employment support, high education, insurance and assistance program support, and AA/NA community meetings. We offer in person or telehealth options for morning or evening programing allowing clients to decide what works best for their lifestyle and family. Teams & Partnerships Our team and partnerships have grown to now include; Mental Health Partitioner, Therapist, Medical Doctor, Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors, Certified Peer Recovery Specialist, Social Workers, Housing Consultant, and Recovery Case Managers. Our well-rounded team allows us to offer our clients superior individualized treatment to include all aspects of clients' lives. We don’t just treat one area of life without making sure all other areas are healthy, stable and balanced to strive for long term healthy living. Insurance We accept major insurances like Blue Cross Blue Shield, Health Partners, UCARE, and Medicare. For individuals that are not uninsured we offer treatment coordination appointments with a Social Worker or Case Manager that will assist the person in applying for insurance/funding that fits their needs and much more. This is a helpful service that allows people to get one-on-one assistance with applying for many needed services not just insurance but; SNAPS, GA, housing, employment, local food shelf, DWI, DMV, interlock programs, and education resources. We meet the individual where they are and together create a plan that encompasses all aspects of their life needed for success. The Road to Recovery We are proud to share that two of our graduates are now pursuing career paths as Certified Peer Recovery Specialist. They are truly the strength and success to our program by supporting others on their journey and giving back to the community. We believe in guiding our clients towards discovering their own inner strength, resilience and wisdom throughout all stages of their healing journey. Recovery Roots is a community of recovering people and helpers supporting each other. Our focus is to assist on building a healthy sustainable future for generations to come here in our rural community. We are currently located at 114 Minnesota Street Sandstone, MN. www.recoveryroots.net Team@recoveryroots.net (218)380-2551

Strokes are the fifth leading cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the U.S. The following tips could save a life: KNOW THE SIGNS & SYMPTOMS Don’t ignore warning signs, even if they go away. Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding Slurring of speech Problems with vision in one or both eyes Dizziness, loss of coordination or trouble with balance and walking A sudden, severe headache CALL 9-1-1 IMMEDIATELY If someone shows any of the above symptoms, call 911 immediately. Don’t wait! Stroke is a brain attack, cutting off vital blood flow and oxygen to the brain. About two million brain cells are lost for every minute strokes go untreated, so acting fast to get medical attention is critical. BE FAST Know the signs: The abbreviation B.E. F.A.S.T. is a useful tool to recognize the warning signs of stroke and when to call for help: B : Balance loss E : Eyesight change F : Facial drooping A : Arm weakness S : Slurred speech T : Time to call 9-1-1

The Drive for Five Workforce Initiative is a major new effort to prepare more Minnesotans for high-demand jobs in five occupational categories: technology, labor, caring professions, manufacturing, and education. Drive for Five prioritizes training for populations that face the largest disparities in employment: people of color, people with disabilities, people who lack table housing, and other people who face barriers to family-sustaining employment. Areas of Study Practical Nursing Diploma Emergency Medical Services Certificate MN State Medication Aide Course Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) Phlebotomy Manufacturing & Production Technology Students must meet Eligibility criteria to attend thee courses. A Customized Training Solutions Representative will contact you regarding eligibility. More Information 320-629-4543 diana.abrahamsen@pine.edu https://pine.edu/cts/drive-for-five/

By Stacey Colino and Claire McCarthy, M.D.; Parents First Aid Tips for Burns Burns occur in different severities: First degree (skin reddens but doesn't blister), second-degree (skin reddens and blisters), and third-degree (skin is charred and irreversibly damaged). To treat a minor burn, follow these steps: Hold the area under a cool tap for five minutes to cool the skin, ease pain, and halt inflammation. Cover the burn with a clean bandage. Protect the burn by washing with soap and water, but no ointments. If you think your child is in pain, you can give them acetaminophen or ibuprofen. If a blister forms, let it be: That bubble is a barrier that helps prevent infection. When treating burns at home, avoid the following: Using butter, grease, or other "home remedies" Using ice on a burn Rubbing a burn Doing any of these things could cause more pain, delay healing, or damage the skin further Get medical help in the following situations: Your child's skin looks very angry, splotchy, wet, or waxy, or if they can't move it Your child has a chemical burn (for example, from getting bleach or drain cleaner on their skin) If a burn is the size of their palm or larger If it's on their face, ears, hands, genitals, or feet If it extends around their wrist or the circumference of another extremity These symptoms indicate severe burns that require prompt medical attention. What Are the Different Burn Degrees? Burn Degree Where it Affects What it Looks Like First Degree Damages the superficial (outer) layer of skin Swollen, red Second Degree Damages the outer and underlayer of the skin Blisters, swollen, red Third Degree Destroys the outer and underlayer of the skin, and may damage bones and muscle tissue White, charred Any burn that covers 10% or more of a child's body is considered a major injury and requires emergency medical help. First Aid Tips for Poisoning If you suspect your child has ingested something poisonous, call 911 if your child loses consciousness, has trouble breathing, or convulses. The AAP recommends the following immediate steps for poisoning: If your child swallowed something, take the remaining item(s) away and have them spit out what's in their mouth. If they swallowed a battery, call 911 or go to the ER. If the poison is on their skin, remove their clothes and rinse their skin with lukewarm water for at least 15 minutes. If it's in their eyes, flush their eyes with water for 15 minutes, aiming for the inner corner. If they inhale poisonous fumes, get to fresh air immediately and start CPR if they stop breathing. What to avoid Do not induce vomiting or give syrup of ipecac. That's because, in some cases, certain substances can cause more gastrointestinal or airway injury when you vomit. When to get help Poisoning is complicated, with different treatments depending on the substance. So, whenever your child ingests or is exposed to poison, always contact a health care provider for guidance. Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 First Aid Tips for Choking Choking is scary …but try your hardest to stay calm. First, keep talking. If your child can answer you with simple sounds, their airway is clear. If they can’t respond, get someone to call 911 or dial it yourself and put the phone on speaker. The following are the steps for the Heimlich maneuver in kids ages 1-8: Stand behind your child. Wrap your arms around their waist. Make a fist and place the thumb side of your fist against their upper abdomen (just below their rib cage and above their belly button). Now, grasp your fist with your other hand. Perform quick, upward thrusts until the item is expelled. If your child is a baby under 1, pick them up and place them face down on your forearm. Then, use the heel of your hand to deliver five firm back blows between their shoulder blades. What to avoid Don’t respond aggressively. Dr. Carius says if your child is coughing but can talk, let them cough up the item. Resist the urge to put your fingers in their mouth or throat. When to get help If their breathing seems strange, or they can’t speak normally after the episode, you should take them to the ER. Always call 911 if your child becomes unresponsive or you need to perform the Heimlich maneuver. Get CPR Training Consider taking a CPR course if you don’t know what to do when your child is choking or stops breathing. You can sign up for in-person or online classes and get the skills to help you prepare for an emergency. First Aid Tips for Allergic Reactions Allergic reactions could be from something your child ate, being stung by a bee, coming in contact with a plant, or petting a dog or cat. Common allergy symptoms in kids are usually more of a nuisance than an emergency. If your child has a benign allergic reaction, they may sneeze, have a runny nose, or have a rash. You can treat mild allergies at home with over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamines or creams. However, some allergic reactions are severe—this is called anaphylaxis. Symptoms of anaphylaxis include: Wheezing Coughing Difficulty breathing or swallowing Hives Skin that turns pale or blue Lip or tongue swelling Nasal symptoms, like sneezing and runny nose Hoarseness Weak pulse Vomiting Diarrhea Dizziness or fainting A feeling of impending doom Confusion or agitation. In infants, these symptoms may appear as excessive sleepiness, fussiness, and drooling. If you have epinephrine (commonly called an "epi-pen"), use it. If you do not have one, call 911 immediately. What to avoid If your child has a severe allergic reaction, don't treat it alone at home. Anaphylaxis is life-threatening. Even if you used an epi-pen successfully, still take your child in to be seen. When to get help Even with mild allergic reactions, seeing a health care provider is a good idea. They can help diagnose precisely what is causing the allergy so you can help your child avoid the allergens. They will also help you develop a plan for managing their allergies. Severe allergic reactions require prompt medical attention. If your child has anaphylaxis symptoms, call 911 right away.

If you live alone or care for someone who has a medical condition, you may be interested in learning about what medical alert systems have to offer. Medical alert systems, also called life alert systems, provide added peace of mind for older adults who are aging in place, as well as their loved ones and caregivers. When you activate your medical alert system (whether it is an at-home or on-the-go device), it connects to the company 24/7 monitoring center, from where a monitoring center professional will respond when you push the help button on the device. They will then alert emergency services, your emergency contacts, or both, depending on the situation. The best medical alert systems can provide vital support for older adults but features and prices vary. It is important to find a system that meets your unique needs and budget. Our Reviews Team researched and tested the top medical alert systems on the market to help you make an informed decision for yourself or your loved one. Take a look at our picks for the best medical alert systems in 2023. A quick look at the best medical alert systems in 2023 Best Premium Features: Medical Guardian Editor’s Choice: MobileHelp Best for the Price: Bay Alarm Medical Best for No Extra Fees: ADT Health Best Customer-Friendly Policies: LifeFone Best At-Home Medical Alert System: GetSafe Best All-in-One Device: Medical Alert Best Health Services: Lively Best for Caregivers: Aloe Care Health Best Monitoring Center: Medical Care Alert Best Technologically Advanced System: HandsFree Health Best Two-for-One Deal: On Source: Medical Alert System Overview – National Council on Aging , July 2023

(Source: Excerpts from AARP, June 17, 2024) Roughly 100,640 Americans will be diagnosed with melanoma this year, according to the American Cancer Society, making it one of the most common types of cancer in the U.S., especially among older adults who have endured decades of sun exposure and whose immune systems aren’t as robust as they once were. In women ages 50 and older, rates of new cases continue to increase by almost 3 percent each year. The good news: Melanoma is highly curable if it’s caught early. Do you know what to look for? The hallmarks of melanoma are asymmetrical or rough-looking moles without clearly defined borders. A spot on the skin that continues to grow in size or change is another indication, and a once-monthly body scan is an easy way to keep tabs on any of these concerning characteristics. Here are four warning signs of melanoma you need to know about so that no spot goes unnoticed. 1. The ‘ugly duckling’: People who have lots of moles are at increased risk for melanoma. That doesn’t mean, however, that you need to panic over every mark on your body. Pay attention to the moles that stand out — those that are darker than the rest, have changed recently or are more oddly shaped. With women, melanomas most commonly appear on the arms and legs. Men need to pay special attention to their head, neck, back and trunk. Still, those aren’t the only places this type of skin cancer can pop up. 2. ‘Where the sun doesn’t shine’: The majority of melanomas are thought to be caused by ultraviolet (UV) light, but not all of them come from sun exposure. Melanoma can develop anywhere on the body, including “in places the sun doesn’t shine,” like the soles of the feet or the palms of the hand, says Elizabeth Quigley, M.D., a dermatologist and associate physician at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York. And while it’s rarer, melanoma also can develop on the eye, inside the mouth or on the scalp. Melanoma is 20 times more common in white individuals than in Black individuals, according to the American Cancer Society. Hispanics are also less likely than their white peers to get the skin cancer. 3. Red, white and blue hues: Melanomas are often depicted as dark-brown moles, but they can actually present in a variety of colors. The cancer may have a blue tint to it, from deeper pigmentation, says Robert Brodell, M.D., chair of the Department of Dermatology at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. Or it can appear red, the result of an immune response. “The body is attacking it. It knows it’s abnormal and it’s trying to defend itself, and you get inflammation,” Brodell explains. It’s also possible for a melanoma to “look like a rash,” Quigley says, and to take on a pink hue. But when the spot doesn’t get better with creams and other treatments that normally nix a rash, “you need to check and make sure that that’s not a skin cancer,” she adds. Another sign of a melanoma can be lack of color. Some of these cancerous spots lose their pigmentation completely or partially, leaving a halo of white around a darker spot. 4. Spots on the skin that bleed or itch: If a mole on your body starts to itch or becomes more painful or tender, you need to get it checked out. The same goes if the surface of a mole changes — maybe it starts to ooze or bleed or take on a scalier appearance and doesn’t heal on its own. Another thing to keep in mind: People on certain blood pressure medications — including diuretics such as hydrochlorothiazide and calcium channel blockers such as nifedipine — need to be extra cautious when spending time outside. “Many of those [blood pressure] medicines make us more sensitive to the sun and more likely to get a sunburn,” Quigley says, which amplifies the risk of skin cancer. Not all skin cancers are caused by sun exposure, so frequent skin checks are an important part of prevention, too. Catching a melanoma before it has time to grow in thickness and spread to other areas of the body greatly improves recovery.

Source: Excerpts from the American Cancer Society Most skin cancers are caused by too much exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays. Most of this exposure comes from the sun, but some can come from man-made sources, such as indoor tanning beds and sun lamps. People who get a lot of exposure to UV rays are at greater risk for skin cancer. The main types of UV rays that can affect your skin include UVA rays and UVB rays. UVB rays have more energy and are a more potent cause of at least some skin cancers, but both UVA and UVB rays can damage skin and cause skin cancer. There are no safe UV rays. The UV Index The US National Weather Service and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have developed the UV Index, which gives you an idea of how strong the UV light is in your area on any given day, on a scale from 1 to 11+. A higher number means greater risk of exposure to UV rays and a higher chance of sunburn and skin damage that could ultimately lead to skin cancer. Use sunscreen Sunscreen is a product that you put on your skin to protect it from the sun’s UV rays. But it’s important to know that sunscreen is just a filter – it does not block all UV rays. Sunscreen should not be used as a way to prolong your time in the sun. Sun protection factor (SPF) The SPF number is the level of protection the sunscreen provides against UVB rays, which are the main cause of sunburn. A higher SPF number means more UVB protection (although it says nothing about UVA protection). For example, when applying an SPF 30 sunscreen correctly, you get the equivalent of 1 minute of UVB rays for each 30 minutes you spend in the sun. So, 1 hour in the sun wearing SPF 30 sunscreen is the same as spending 2 minutes totally unprotected. People often do not apply enough sunscreen, so they get less actual protection. SPF 15 sunscreens filter out about 93% of UVB rays, while SPF 30 sunscreens filter out about 97%, SPF 50 sunscreens about 98%, and SPF 100 about 99%. The higher you go, the smaller the difference becomes. No sunscreen protects you completely. Expiration dates Check the expiration date on the sunscreen to be sure it’s still effective. Most sunscreen products are good for at least 2 to 3 years, but you may need to shake the bottle to remix the sunscreen ingredients. Sunscreens that have been exposed to heat for long periods, such as if they were kept in a glove box or car trunk through the summer, may be less effective. Wear sunglasses that block UV rays UV-blocking sunglasses are important for protecting the delicate skin around the eyes, as well as the eyes themselves. Research has shown that long hours in the sun without protecting your eyes increase your chances of developing certain eye diseases. The ideal sunglasses should block 99% to 100% of UVA and UVB rays. Before you buy, check the label to make sure they do. Labels that say “UV absorption up to 400 nm” or “Meets ANSI UV Requirements” mean the glasses block at least 99% of UV rays. Those labeled “cosmetic” block about 70% of UV rays. If there is no label, don’t assume the sunglasses provide any UV protection. Darker glasses are not necessarily better because UV protection comes from an invisible chemical in or applied to the lenses, not from the color or darkness of the lenses. Look for an ANSI label. Large-framed and wraparound sunglasses are more likely to protect your eyes from light coming in from different angles. Children need smaller versions of real, protective adult sunglasses - not toy sunglasses.

In Minnesota, there are about a dozen different types of ticks. Not all of them spread disease. Three types that people may come across in Minnesota are the blacklegged tick (aka deer tick), the American dog tick (aka wood tick), and the lone star tick. The blacklegged tick causes by far the most tickborne disease in Minnesota. People in Minnesota are often bitten by American dog ticks but they rarely spread diseases. American dog ticks may spread Rocky Mountain spotted fever and tularemia. Lone star ticks are rarely found in Minnesota but can spread diseases such as ehrlichiosis and tularemia. Blacklegged Tick Life Cycle Blacklegged ticks live for about two to three years. Most of their life is spent out in the environment rather than on a host or in a host’s nest. During their entire lifetime, they will only have up to three blood meals. The picture to the left shows that the life cycle begins when the female lays eggs. As the egg matures, it develops into a larva (right-middle), then a nymph (top-middle) and finally, an adult male or female (bottom-right). The blacklegged tick, shown in the lower right, is much smaller than the American dog tick, shown in the upper right. The lone star tick is shown in the upper left of this photo and is a little smaller than the American dog tick but larger than the blacklegged tick. In Minnesota, adult ticks will usually emerge right after the snow melts and reach peak spring-time activity during the month of May. The adult ticks will typically stay active throughout June. Adults will also become active again in the fall, usually by the end of September and through October, until temperatures drop below freezing or snow covers the ground. Blacklegged tick nymphs start to become active in mid-May and reach peak activity at the end of May through the month of June. Nymph activity tapers off slowly, and they are much less active by the end of July. Larvae are typically most active in June. This map, from the Minnesota Department of Health, depicts the risk of contracting Lyme disease or anaplasmosis (another tick-borne illness) by county, the darker the color, the higher the risk. In the spring of their first year, eggs hatch into larvae. Larvae prefer to feed on blood from small mammals, like mice and birds. Larvae have one feeding then molt into nymphs and rest until the next spring. During this first meal, the larva may pick up a disease agent (like the bacteria that causes Lyme disease) while feeding on a small mammal, such as a white-footed mouse. Late in the spring of their second year, nymphs take their second feeding. Nymphs aren’t as picky with their choice of host and will feed on blood from small or large mammals, such as white-tailed deer or humans. At this time, if the nymph is infected with a disease agent, then it could spread the disease agent to a human or animal that it feeds on. In the fall of their second year, nymphs that have had a blood meal will molt into an adult male or female tick. Adults prefer to feed on large mammals, such as white-tailed deer or humans. The females find a host to feed, mate with an adult male tick, lay hundreds to thousands of eggs, and then die. The males attach to a host to find a female mate and then die. Some adults who do not feed or mate in the fall will survive through the winter and then come out to feed and/or mate the following spring. If there is little to no snow cover and temperatures rise above freezing, it is possible to find an active adult tick searching for a host on a warm winter day. Lyme Disease Statistics In 2021, 1,033 confirmed Lyme disease cases (18 cases per 100,000 population) were reported in Minnesota. In addition, 869 probable cases (physician-diagnosed cases that did not meet clinical evidence criteria for a confirmed case but that had laboratory evidence of infection) were reported. 642 (62%) confirmed cases were male Median case age was 45 years (range, 2 to 94 years) 697 (67%) cases had a physician-diagnosed erythema migrans rash (e.g., Bull’s eye rash) 371 (36%) cases had one or more late manifestations of Lyme disease (e.g., arthritis or Bell’s Palsy) with confirmation by Western immunoblot laboratory testing (positive IgM ≤ 30 days post-onset or positive IgG). Of the 934 cases with known illness onset dates, illness onsets peaked from June through August with 68% of erythema migrans rashes occurring in June or July. Despite some yearly fluctuations, the number of reported cases of Lyme disease has been increasing over the years. Median number of cases reported from 2000 to 2009 was 915 cases (range, 463 to 1,239). Median number of cases reported from 2010 through 2019 was 1,190 cases (range, 896 to 1,431). Source: MN Department of Health