Free Dental Day in Tolono

TOLONO - Tolono Family Dental is hosting a free dental day on December 15. Located at 101 N Watson in Tolono, the practice is offering x-rays, exams, and simple cleaning services for anyone who does not have a dental insurance plan or on limited/fixed budget.

"We are ready to give back to the community," they wrote on Facebook. "If you are on a limited income or don't have insurance please come by our office on December 15th from 2-4 pm!"

Walk-ins are welcomed at the event, but registration in advance is recommended. For more information call (217) 485-5760.

Keep an eye on amount of caffeine you consume, too much can be fatal

Samer Dabou/PEXELS

by Tim Ditman
OSF Healthcare

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URBANA - A new lawsuit claims a caffeinated drink at Panera contributed to a man's death.

Legalities aside, the issue of what people - especially young people - put in their bodies is something to be aware of, says Michael Broman, PhD, MD, an OSF HealthCare cardiologist. In fact, it’s one he thinks about daily.

“My children are 8 and 10. I don’t allow them to have caffeine except under my supervision and only in very small doses,” Dr. Broman says sternly.

Caffeine basics

Dr. Broman says energy drinks, when consumed properly, can provide the desired energy boost. A college student studying for a test, for example.

But it’s caffeine consumption that you must be aware of.

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Caffeine also causes dependence. As a person uses more and more over time, they start to miss it when they don’t have it. They can withdraw from caffeine. That’s one of the most worrisome side effects, especially in kids. If a child is using a lot of caffeine and they stop, they can have attention problems and headaches. It can affect their performance in school and athletics.

Dr. Michael Broman
OSF HealthCare Cardiologist

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“Caffeine has clearly been linked to adverse events and toxicity when given at a high enough dose,” Dr. Broman says.

The effects of caffeine will vary from person to person. Some will be more sensitive to caffeine due to genetics. Others may be able to break down caffeine more quickly, meaning less sensitivity.

Generally though, Dr. Broman says taking in too much caffeine could lead to your heart racing, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, chest pain and high blood pressure. You may also feel hyper and not able to sit still.

“Caffeine also causes dependence,” Dr. Broman adds. “As a person uses more and more over time, they start to miss it when they don’t have it. They can withdraw from caffeine.

“That’s one of the most worrisome side effects, especially in kids. If a child is using a lot of caffeine and they stop, they can have attention problems and headaches. It can affect their performance in school and athletics.”

What to know

Here’s the formula to remember: Dr. Broman says for children and adolescents, limit daily caffeine consumption to 2.5 milligrams per kilogram of body weight. (You can easily find a pounds to kilograms converter online.)

For example, if a high school student weighs 120 pounds (or around 54 kilograms), they would want to stick to 135 milligrams of caffeine per day. One PRIME Energy drink has 200 milligrams of caffeine. A 20-ounce bottle of Coca Cola has 57 milligrams. Caffeine content in coffee can vary. So be vigilant about your health and seek out the numbers. Check the product label or look up the product online before you swing by the drive thru or go to the store.

Photo: Lisa Fotios/PEXELS

The formula, though, doesn’t mean two bottles of Coke or a half swig of PRIME per day will yield no consequences for a 120-pound teenager. Rather, Dr. Broman recommends people under 18 not ingest caffeine regularly at all. Parents, teachers and coaches should watch what young people are drinking. Make the energy drink or soda a once-in-a-while treat. Water flavored with fresh fruit can be an alternative or talk to a dietitian about what’s right for you.

“A lot of these caffeinated beverages are marketed and flavored to taste good for children,” Dr. Broman says. “The drinks may also be in the store displays right next to the non-caffeinated beverages. They can look almost the same. So, it’s often difficult for a young person to figure out, ‘Is this beverage caffeinated? Is this one non-caffeinated?’”

And remember, everyone reacts to caffeine differently. Like any other ailment, know your health history and how your body responds to things. If you have significant symptoms from a caffeine overdose, call 9-1-1 and take an ambulance to the emergency department.

“People with prior cardiac conditions are way more likely to have very dangerous side effects from the use of caffeine,” Dr. Broman says.

Inaugural girls' eight-team SJO Country Financial Shootout next Saturday

Mahomet-Seymour's Reese Gallier and Hannah Creel move into position for a defensive rebound around Urbana's Janae Hall during their game last month. The Bulldogs are one of eight teams to play in the 1st Annual SJO Country Financial Shootout on December 16.

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

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ST. JOSEPH - St. Joseph-Ogden will host an eight-team girls' basketball shootout on Saturday, December 16. The first varsity contest tips off at 1 pm with Breese Central vs Pleasant Plains. Three hours later, the Spartans take the floor against Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond at the four-game event sponsored by Drew Arteaga Country Financial Insurance.

Addison Seggebruch and the Spartans play their Shootout game at 2 pm next Saturday against AL-AH. The upcoming shootout is the first hosted by SJO and Country Financial for girls. The event is a perfect tune-up for St. Joseph-Ogden, who will play at the State Farm Classic later this month.

PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

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All the varsity games will be played in the Main Gym, while JV games will be in the school's practice gym. The junior varsity contests are slated to begin approximately two hours prior to the start of varsity matches.

"The matchups this year are exciting," says Justin Franzen, Activities Director at St. Joseph-Ogden and the event organizer. "We are not just hoping to get fans from all of these schools, but we hope to get overall basketball fans to this event."

Franzen said he hopes the place in hopping next Saturday.

"We hope basketball fans, parents, and students come out and support their teams," he said. "All of the JV games will be played in our practice gym, and all of the varsity games will be played in the main gym. As always, we hope the bleachers will be full and fans enjoy the experience."

All-day admission is $8.00 for adults and $5.00 for students with their student ID. Tickets are good for all eight contests at the shootout.

Breese Central, ranked #2 (MaxPreps) in Class 2A, is currently 8-0. The game between the Lady Cougars and #17-ranked Pleasant Plains (7-5) will be the game basketball fans won't want to miss.

After beating St. Joseph-Ogden last month, the Cardinals have played an early season schedule not for the faint of heart. They have chalked up victories over Moline, Edwardsville, Springfield Southeast, and Quincy Notre Dame.

~ Player Watch List ~

Breese Central:
Cece Toennies and Taylor Trame

Pleasant Plains:
Anna Weber

Richland County:
Kyrstin Weiler

Fieldcrest:
Kaitlin White

AL-AH:
Claire Seal, All-time leading scorer

SJO: Addi Seggebruch, Addison Frick, Addy Martinie

Eureka:
Sophia Musselman

Mahomet-Seymour:
Kylie Waldinger and Reese Gallier

Win or lose, participating players and coaches will leave with some nifty swag.

"From our Country Financial sponsorship, we are providing a free pullover to the head varsity coach and the head JV coach, and each JV and Varsity player will receive a free t-shirt as well," Franzen added. "This is our first 'Annual" girls basketball shootout we have hosted here at St. Joseph-Ogden High School.

"We are glad to get the chance to do this for the players, coaches, and fans. We hope everyone has a great experience."

SJO Country Financial
Shootout Schedule

Adi Fraase grabs a loose ball for Pleasant Plains in November. The Cardinals will be back on the Main Gym floor to face Breese Central next week. The senior finished 3-for-4 from the free-throw line during her last visit to SJO.

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

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Varsity:
1:00 PM:
Breese Central vs. Pleasant Plains

2:30 PM:
Richland County vs. Fieldcrest

4:00 PM:
ALAH vs. St. Joseph-Ogden

5:30 PM:
Eureka vs. Mahomet-Seymour

Junior Varsity
11:00 AM:
Breese Central vs. Pleasant Plains

12:30 PM:
Richland County vs. Fieldcrest

2:00 PM: 
ALAH vs. St. Joseph-Ogden

3:30 PM: 
Eureka vs. Mahomet-Seymour

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Prep Sport Notebook | Catching up on area scores and performances

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Undefeated St. Joseph-0gden basketball top seed at State Farm tournament

BLOOMINGTON - The SJO boys basketball team is seeded #3 in this year's edition of the State Farm Holiday Classic basketball tournament. Last year's small school champs was one of six schools that received #1 seed votes. The Spartans (5-0) open tournament play on December 27 against East Dubuque at Normal West.

The top seed went to Aurora Christian with four first-place votes. Normal University High secured one vote and is the #2 seed. El Paso-Gridley, the #4 seed, received one vote. St. Joseph-Ogden received three first-place votes from a poll of head coaches, the media, and committee members.

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Spartan girls draw tough first round seed

BLOOMINGTON - The St. Joseph-Ogden girls basketball team is back in the field of competition at the State Farm Holiday Classic. Senior Addison Frick and the Spartans (2-3) play their first game 20 days from today against #4 seed Bishop McNamara (7-1) at Normal Community.

This year's top small-school girls seeds are Camp Point Central/Augusta Southeastern in the #1 position and Paris at #2. The Panthers beat the Tigers in last year's championship game, 36-32. Galena earned the #3 spot, and Bishop McNamara was voted #4 in the poll given to coaches, media around the state, and committee members.

SJO is scheduled to play at 10:30 am on the Wednesday after Christmas.

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Cornjerkers post second win of the season

Hoopeston Area 52 - Armstrong Potomac 45
GIBSON CITY - Owen Root scored 14 points in Bismarck-Henning's win over Armstrong-Potomac. Mason Rush and Kendrick Sigerill scored 11 points each. Root and Sigerill led the team on the boards with six rebounds apiece. Wyatt Eisenman chipped in eight points and tallied three of the team seven steals at the GCMS Thanksgiving Tournament.

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Spartan girls suffer home loss

Paris 44 - St. Joseph-Ogden 38
ST. JOSEPH - Three SJO players tallied double figures in the scorebook, but it was enough to surpass their extended meeting with the visiting Tigers on November 11.

Sophomore Katie Ericksen led the Spartan effort with 12 points in the overtime effort. Addison Frick connected drained three treys and a jumper for ll points and Addisyn Martinie contributed ten points in the loss.

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Tigers' season starts with road loss

OLYMPIA FIELDS - The Urbana boys' varsity basketball team lost their road opener to Manley at Rich Central, 76-72.

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Seggebruch leads Spartans in first win of the season

St. Joseph-Ogden 61 - Tuscola 47
ST. JOSEPH - SJO's A-Team came together rolling over the visiting Warriors for their first win of the season. Addison Seggebruch scored a team-high 14 points on her home court on November 11. Addisyn Martinie finished with 12 points, and Addison Frick rounded out the top three scorers with 10 points. The Spartans made nearly half their total points from outside the arc, hitting nine three-pointers in the non-conference game.

Sicily Moss led Tuscola's effort with 16 points across all four frames. The loss broke a four-game win streak for the Warriors and remains their only loss as of today.

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Going to the hospital? Here's what you should consider taking with you

Photo: Stephen Andrews/Unsplash

by Tim Ditman
OSF Healthcare

URBANA - You’re coming to the hospital to give birth. You’ve had a hip replacement and now will have a hospital stay to complete rehabilitation. There are a lot of things swirling through your mind, notably thoughts like “Am I going to be OK?” Questions like “Where is my toothbrush?” are probably on the backburner. That’s why it’s a good idea to make a “hospital essential items” checklist now.

Kurt Bloomstrand, MD, sees these scenarios plenty while providing care in the emergency department at OSF HealthCare. He says a hospital will provide basic toiletries, blankets, food and clothing like a gown and socks. But some people prefer their own toiletries, clothes and snacks.

Other things to do and bring:

• Write down your health information: health insurance, medications, medical history, name of your primary care provider, allergies and legal documents like power of attorney and a do not resuscitate order. Have an identification like a driver's license, too.

“Some people in the emergency department are not able to tell us their health information given what they’re presenting for. So, it’s so valuable to have basic health information written down,” Dr. Bloomstrand says. He adds that knowing your health information allows providers to care for you properly. You can also bring legal forms to your provider anytime to be added to your medical record.

• Bring other items essential to your well-being: eyeglasses, contacts, hearing aids, dentures and a continuous positive airway pressure machine (CPAP) for sleeping. Bring cases and batteries for these items, too.

• When choosing clothes, opt for loose-fitting and short-sleeved garments.

“If you have an IV, a short-sleeved shirt is much better to access it than a long-sleeved shirt,” Dr. Bloomstrand says. “You can bring a robe to cover up.”

• For moms giving birth, bring your birth plan in written form. Pack a few pairs of clothes for you and your baby.

“Babies notoriously spit up on their clothes,” Dr. Bloomstrand said.

• The hospital can provide diapers, wipes and a breast pump. But, you can bring your own if you prefer a certain type.

“Not only can you use your breast pump, the people at the hospital can teach you how to use it.

What babies don’t need at the hospital: rattles, books and toys. Save those memories for home.”

• Don’t overdo it with personal items and food. This can cause your room to get cluttered and create a trip hazard. Have someone who can take unneeded items home.

• Don’t bring valuable items.

Dr. Bloomstrand says a phone is OK to keep in touch with loved ones. But other electronics and jewelry should stay home.

Hospitals have security, but like any other place, there is a chance for theft.

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