Bulldog Wellness

May is the peak season for those with asthma and allergies, therefore it is the perfect month to educate patients, families, friends, and co-workers. This year's theme is debunking myths and misinformation about asthma and allergies. These 2 conditions affect more than 100 million people in the US and there is no cure for either one, only management. Asthma is one of the most common and costly diseases in the US.

Asthma is a disease causing inflammation and swelling of the airway, resulting in a narrowing of the airway. This results in difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, tightness and/or chest pain. There are different triggers for different people, some have reactions to dust or pet dander, others may be triggered by certain foods, fragrances, or even exercise. Asthma accounts for about 10 deaths in the US every day, however almost all of these are avoidable with correct treatment and care. The best way to prevent an asthma attack is following your treatment plan and avoiding triggers.

An allergy is caused by the body's immune system identifying a substance as harmful and overreacts to it producing an antibody called immunoglobulin E (IgE). Allergens can include medications, foods, insects, latex, mold, pet, and pollen. Many people have mild symptoms including watery eyes, runny nose, sneezing, a rash or hives; but others may have more serious reactions including difficulty breathing and/or swelling in the mouth/ throat. Life threatening reactions are called anaphylaxis and may require the use of an epi-pen. While avoiding allergens is the best treatment approach, sometimes that is easier said then done, so there are over the counter medications called antihistamines that can help manage your symptoms.

May is National Physical Fitness Month! There are many physical and mental health benefits to physical activity, making it one of the best ways to get or stay healthy. A couple examples of what physical activity can do include improving blood pressure and reducing anxiety. Adults need at least 150 minutes a week of moderate intensity activity and 2 days of muscle strengthening activity. Suggestions to increase physical activity include taking the stairs instead of the elevator or park further from the door at work or the store. Working around the house counts too - yard work is great activity that can be used as a family activity too by including kids to help with the chores. The key is to be consistent and make exercising fun.

This May take time to show your appreciation to the nurse(s) in your building. National Nurses Week is May 6-12, and Wednesday May 8th is National School Nurse Day. This day has been set aside to recognize school nurses since 1972, as a day to increase understanding of the role of school nurses.

School nurses have long been seen as band-aids and ice packs, but they do so much more! Students today are facing more complex and life-threating health problems requiring more care in schools. RPS is blessed to have a great group of very educated and experienced nurses. They are responsible for juggling the complex medical and social needs of hundreds of students - from immunizations, health screenings, emergency first aid, monitoring health trends, and caring for the daily needs of those with chronic health conditions (diabetics, asthmatics, etc.) which includes administering high risk medications daily. School nurses also assist with disaster planning for the district, serve as resources for 504/IEP planning, and communicate daily with several parents to provide the best care for their children.

The goal of every RPS nurse is to help students be healthy, safe, and ready to learn. We all know that school attendance is essential for academic success; but did you know that the school nurses can help improve chronic absenteeism? Nurses are trained and educated on how to assess and plan for the needs of our patients (in this case students). There are several studies showing improved attendance rates in schools with nurses because they can help manage the acute and chronic illness that can prevent student's from attending. Linked below is a good article if you are interested in reading more.

https://www.attendanceworks.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Chronic-Student-Absenteeism-The-Critical-Role-of-School-Nurses.pdf

In May we also recognize teachers for all they do; May 7th is National Teacher's Day. Although Eleanor Roosevelt approached Congress trying to convince them that teachers needed a day of recognition in 1953, it was not officially recognized until 1980 and was moved to May in 1985. Teaching today poses many challenges, balancing not only academics, but also supporting the social/ emotional wellbeing of their students. Teachers put lots of time in planning and preparing to help their students succeed both in the classroom, and in life. Thanks for all that you do!

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
• 1/4 cup frozen 100% orange juice concentrate
• 1 chipotle chile in adobo plus 1 Tbsp adobo sauce
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 orange
• 1/4 cup finely chopped white onion
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 Tbsp fresh lime juice
• 1 avocado, chopped
• 12 (6 inch) corn tortillas, warmed
• 3 cups thinly sliced cabbage

Directions:

1. Place broth, orange juice concentrate, chipotle, adobo, and garlic in a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth.
2. Place chicken in a 4-qt. or larger slow cooker and season with salt. Pour the sauce over the chicken. Cover and cook on low until the chicken is tender and can easily be pulled apart with a fork, 4-5 hours.
3. Transfer the chicken to a cutting board. Let cool slightly.
4. Carefully transfer the cooking liquid to a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Cook until reduced to 3/4 cup, about 15 minutes. Return the sauce to the slow cooker.
5. Meanwhile, prepare salsa: Zest orange, then peel; chop the segments. Mix onion, cilantro, lime juice, the orange zest, and the chopped orange in a medium bowl. Add avocado and toss gently until just combined.
6. Using 2 forks, shred the chicken. Return it to the slow cooker and stir to combine with the sauce. To serve, divide the chicken among tortillas and top with cabbage and the salsa.

https://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/269116/slow-cooker-chile-orange-chicken-tacos/