The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) is issuing a warning for everyone planning to purchase costume contact lenses without a prescription. Halloween is the biggest occasion for people to buy yellow cat eye lenses, colored contacts, blacked-out lenses and even all white lenses to complete their costumes. While they may add more “scare” – the overall results could turn into a nightmare.

Novelty and theatrical contact lenses are safe, but only when they are properly prescribed and cared for.  Problems arise when these lenses are not sterile. The results lead to a host of serious eye problems starting with infection. Don’t go blind trying to impress others. If you want to add more drama to your costume, be sure to obtain a valid prescription from an eye doctor that includes a brand name, lens measurements…and are used within the expiration date.

Be safe and enjoy your Halloween!

Too often, adults are the “unwitting suppliers” of prescription medications for their children. The problem lies in how prescription meds kept in medicine chests and purses that are too easy to reach. Kids are naturally curious and ignorant of the consequences of trying something that doesn’t appear to be dangerous.

The National Family Partnership’s (NFP) campaign uses high-quality advertisements, posters and educational materials to make adults aware of how kids can access their meds without their knowledge.  Lock Your Meds Day is designated as the time for parents to make a pledge to talk to their children about the dangers of taking medicines not specifically prescribed for them.

It’s crucial to let them know about the harm to their immediate health and how experimentation can lead to addiction. www.lockyourmeds.org is a site where visitors can learn more about how to approach their kids plus get answers to any questions they may have.

Car crashes are a leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 13. That’s why it’s so important to choose and use the right car seat correctly every time your child is in the car. Click here to visit the National Highway Traffic Safey Administration site: Find the right seat; Install the seat correctly; Register the seat for recalls/updates; Location for a professional to check the seat; Other resources.

 

Here’s a funny look at a serious subject! Please watch and see if you can change your habits!

Did you know nearly 5,000 emergency room visits each year are the result of injuries related to backpack usage.  The most common injuries being sprain/strains and subluxations potentially resulting in significant back pain. Some, if not most, of these injuries are preventable with proper usage/wearing.  Here are a few things to consider.

Backpacks are designed to be wore as high up on the back as possible with little to no slack between the surface of the backpack and the back.  This allows for proper weight distribution which is key.

As a general rule of thumb, the entire weight of the pack should not exceed 20% of the persons body weight.  This is vital especially with younger individuals.

Features of the backpack can enhance the ergonomics as well: Padded shoulder straps, lumbar pad, larger pockets closest to the individuals back, roller packs, etc. can make the stress of the pack less on the back.

In general, a good, quality pack along with proper usage can make a big difference on the individual wearing it. Should you have any questions regarding wearing/using a backpack please don’t hesitate to ask a health care professional you trust.

Article written by Dr. Eric Garst, owner of The Well Chiropractic Clinic. Dr Eric has been a chiropractor for 5 years. He’s accepting new patients. Go check out their website today!