Mercy Health doctor addresses back-to-school health concerns

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) – Kids are heading back to school in the coming weeks, and Mercy Health has some medical advice when it comes to illnesses and backpacks.

Dr. Benjamin Brocker said students can develop just about anything from colds to stomach bugs and even strep throat in the first weeks and months after classes begin, and there are some common sense ways to keep illnesses away.

“The thing that really helps is the hands. You’ve got to wash your hands. If you sneeze or do anything like that, do the vampire cough-sneeze thing. And then on top of that, the little-known things are making sure you’re getting enough rest, make sure you are exercising, and make sure you have a good diet,” Brocker said.

Brocker said parents should watch for their kids complaining of nausea, diarrhea, vomiting or sore throats as potential signs of illness.

Another health concern as kids head back to school is connected to backpacks.

Brocker said that while backpacks can help students express their own sense of style, the wrong bag can lead to health issues such as poor posture and chronic pain.

“It does strain your back a lot. I would say no more than 10 pounds in the bookbag, depending on your age. The littier, the younger you are, the more you want to go down on the weight,” Brocker said.

You should look for backpacks made of lightweight material with plenty of padding for the shoulders and back which allows weight to be evenly distributed.

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