Rebecca Wilson

About Rebecca Wilson

Rebecca Wilson is a Family Nurse Practitioner with a special interest in caring for children. Her approach is one that focuses on providing patients with holistic care with an emphasis on healthy living through a well balanced diet, daily exercise and routine immunization. Rebecca leads an active life and partners with her patients to reach their own optimal level of health and well being.

24 May 2018

Mental Health – We’re Only Human

May is mental health awareness month. Given that spring is upon us which is a season of change, it is a good time for self-evaluation. With the chaotic world we live in it is necessary to take a step back, take a deep breath, and realize that we are all connected by being innately human. Human by Merriam Websters dictionary: of or characteristic of people as opposed to God, animal or machines, especially being susceptible to weakness. We can be flawed and it is okay; no one is perfect. Having a mental illness does not make any individual “less than,” it makes us human!

There are a myriad of mental illnesses (depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, panic disorder, and schizophrenia just to name a few ) that we humans suffer from that go undiagnosed and untreated because of the stigma associated with mental illness, but it does not have to be and should not be this way. More than 43 million adults in the U.S. experiences mental illnesses in a given year according to the National Alliance on Mental Health. There are multiple ways mental illnesses can be managed, no one should suffer in silence alone.

Treatment options include, but are not limited to:

  • Therapy (by psychiatrist, psychologist, or licensed clinical therapist)
  • Medications
  • Bio-feedback training
  • Yoga
  • Accupuncture
  • Meditation
  • Support groups

Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the U.S. with 44,000 Americans dying by suicide each year (AFSP.org).

If you or a loved one are contemplaing hurting yourself or others please contact the suicide prevention hotline 1-800-273-8255.

Please reach out for help, you are worth it!

Head Back to School Healthy

Rebecca Wilson, FNP-BC

Rebecca Wilson, FNP-BC

This time of year we are bombarded by back to school sales and shopping for school supplies. The end of summer signifies that it is time to pack the backpacks and pick out clothes for the first day of school! There are plenty of things to overwhelm a parent’s mind this time of year, but if you keep in mind the following suggestions your children can have a successful transition into the school year.

  • Make sure your child has had their school or sports physical exam. Your healthcare provider will evaluate your child’s general health (readiness for sports if applicable),
    evaluate their vaccination status, and ensure they have any necessary medications.
  • Hand washing is the single most important way to prevent the spread of infection! Make sure your child knows how to wash their hands and why it is important. Frequent hand washing is best, especially prior to eating.Classmates
  • A healthy breakfast with protein will keep your child’s stomach satisfied and their mind ready to learn the morning’s lessons.
  • Dedicate time to help your child with their homework so they don’t fall behind with assignments.
  • Bedtime routines and ensuring your child gets enough sleep at night will help them wake up refreshed and ready for the school day ahead.
  • After a full school week make sure to integrate some fun with the family on Friday evenings or weekends.
  • The flu season is coming. To prevent your child from getting the flu this year, schedule a flu shot. Check with your child’s healthcare provider to see when the flu vaccine will be available.

Enjoy the transition! Back to school can be cool; if you are enthused about it your children will be too!

Fight the Bite – Mosquito Bites

Rebecca Wilson, FNP-BC

Rebecca Wilson, FNP-BC

Summer is here and that means a lot of outdoor fun for everyone. Fight the bite this summer by following these simple steps for to help prevent mosquito bites on your little ones:

  • Avoid using scented soaps, perfumes or hairsprays
  • Avoid areas were insects are (standing water, gardens with blooming flowers)
  • Avoid combination sunscreen/insect repellant because the frequency of application varies. Sunscreen should be reapplied at least every 2 hours, where bug spray should not be reapplied
  • The American Academy of Pediatrics and the CDC recommend using insect repellant for children older than 2 months of age that contains 10 to 30 percent DEET
  • DEET should not be used on children less than 2 months of agemosquito bite
  • Never apply insect repellant directly to your child’s face
  • Avoid breathing it and contact with the eyes
  • Read and always use insect repellants as instructed on the manufacturer’s label
  • Always wash insect repellant off as soon as possible, once the child is indoors
  • When outdoors in the evenings, make sure your child wears long sleeves, pants, and socks to prevent mosquito bites
  • Calamine lotion is good to have in the house to provide comfort and relief of itching from insect bites (safe to use on infants and children)
  • If concerned about any bites that your child may have, contact your healthcare provider for guidance

Find more summer safety tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics here .

Have fun this summer and stay safe!