Many camps and sporting activities require a physical before you can participate. Although physicals done by someone other than your pediatrician can be convenient, we strongly recommend that you see your pediatrician for a complete physical. They provide an excellent opportunity to screen for problems that affect adolescents. The physical with your pediatrician also gives … Continue reading “Sign Up Early for Sports and Camp Physicals”
Playing outside can be a lot of fun, but being out in the heat too long can cause serious heat-related illnesses like heat syncope (fainting from heat), heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. Watch children carefully to make sure they don’t get too hot and that they get plenty of water. If your child starts to … Continue reading “How to Beat the Heat”
As many as 50 million Americans have some kind of allergy and about 8% of children have a food allergy. An allergy is when the immune system overreacts to a normally harmless substance. The immune system tries to “protect” the body by releasing chemicals to fight against the invading allergen. These chemicals are what cause … Continue reading “Does My Child Have an Allergy?”
You want your child to be as healthy as possible. You make sure your child gets enough rest, has a proper diet, and, of course, takes that vitamin every morning with breakfast. But does your child really need a vitamin? According to a new study probably not. If your children are already eating a healthy … Continue reading “Does Your Child Really Need Vitamins?”
You make sure your child sees the doctor and the dentist on a regular basis, but what about the eye doctor? Eye health is also a vital part of your child’s well being. Here’s some information that will help you keep your child’s eyes healthy. Children should have their eyes tested periodically before the age … Continue reading “Your Child’s Vision”
A new study has found teenagers who watch more TV also tend to eat more junk food—and these poor diet choices follow them into adulthood. Researchers tracked 2,000 high school students over a period of at least five years. The researchers found that those who watched more than five hours of TV every day were … Continue reading “Couch Potatoes Have Trouble Eating Healthy Later”
Spring is just about here, and with spring comes a lot of playing around in the great outdoors. Whether your child plays team sports or just enjoys the spring weather on a bike, skateboard or skates, you can help your child avoid injury from physical activity by following a few safety tips. Encourage use of … Continue reading “Playing it Safe: How to Avoid Injuries”
When you eat at a restaurant, you want to know that the restaurant kitchen has an “A” rating from the health inspector. But what about your kitchen? If the health inspector came for a visit, what would you get? Food safety is just as important at home. Luckily, it’s not too difficult. Just follow a … Continue reading “Food Safety at Home”
Vaccinations are useful preventative measures against deadly childhood illnesses. However, some groups have claimed that vaccinations cause autism. Parents may feel caught between doctors’ recommendations to vaccinate and these claims. In February of this year, a special federal court sided with the doctors. The court heard three suits for compensation filed by parents who claimed … Continue reading “Federal Court Finds That Vaccines Did Not Cause Autism”
Your children already have a closet full of toys that they ignore. How can you find the toys that they will actually play with? A good general rule is to take into account their temperament and their current favorites. These will give you good guidelines to go by when shopping. Some toys are also better … Continue reading “Finding Just the Right Toy”