All Search Results
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How I Finally Figured Out My Son Had Autism
While a formal diagnosis of autism can only be made by medical professionals, parents are often the first ones to spot symptoms of neurological conditions. That’s what happened with Shirliene Navarro. Just before her son’s first birthday, Shirliene started noticing behaviors that were different from other children his age. Marcello would flap his hands vigorously as if he might fly away or spin in circles but never get dizzy.
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5 Steps for Managing the Risks of Your Child’s Epilepsy
If you have a child with epilepsy, worrying about the risk of seizures can add stress to any day. Whether they’re at school, the playground or accompanying you to the grocery store, you may be searching for signs of an oncoming issue. But there are steps you can take to prevent epilepsy’s most serious risks.
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6 Tips for Staying Safe (and Sane!) While Traveling with Kids
Traveling with children can make any trip memorable. But packing up the little ones and whisking them off to new places also can feel extremely daunting. The right preparation and adjustments, though, can help parents stay calm and in control during travel. Whether you’re taking a short road trip, flying across the country or hopping on board a cruise ship, just remember to have fun and be safe.
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The Flu Shot: Your Best Chance Against Influenza, Despite Skepticism
When a child gets the flu, they’re not only sick in bed for a week or more, but the illness also can have serious or life-threatening consequences. During the 2018-2019 season, 138 children died after contracting the flu. Despite the consensus of the medical community, a national survey by Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children found that a shocking number of parents still are skeptical about the safety and effectiveness of the flu shot.
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A Mother's Story: The Blessings That Come With Having a Child With Spina Bifida
Just over nine years ago, I had never heard of a neural tube defect or spina bifida. In fact, nine years ago I would have told you spina bifida was one of the most horrible things to learn your baby would be born with. Spina bifida is a birth defect that makes you feel as though something so terrible is wrong with your baby.
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How to Prevent Concussions in School Sports
While teamwork, hard work and fun are all important aspects of school sports, the focus also should be on safety. It’s up to coaches, families and medical practitioners to work together to ensure that athletic programs are committed to injury prevention and protocol — especially when it comes to concussions and other brain injuries.
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Ruby Makes a Difference with the Teen Leadership Council
Having a chronic disease, with frequent hospital visits, is always challenging. Particularly for teenagers who can feel isolated from their peers during their illness. For Ruby, it was no different. At the age of 16, she came to Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children with a diagnosis of gastroparesis and severe dysmotility of the GI tract. In other words, her digestive system didn’t properly move food from the stomach to the small intestine.
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How My Son’s Cancer Battle Has Shaped Our Family
A couple months after Nathan’s second birthday, we noticed he was limping. At first, we thought he’d maybe hurt his leg while playing with his older brother. Still, he didn’t really complain of pain, so we didn’t think much of it. But one night while he was lying on my lap, I noticed a trail of lumps behind both his ears. The combination of symptoms led us to visit his pediatrician. Nathan’s X-rays came back normal, but later that afternoon, we returned to discuss his bloodwork results.
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How to Avoid Common — and Painful — Ear Infections
Ear infections are one of the most common medical conditions among young children. But that doesn’t mean they should be ignored. Whether your child is experiencing their first ear infection or has been suffering from chronic ear infections for years, it’s vital to understand their causes and symptoms. Why? Untreated ear infections not only can lead to greater and prolonged pain, but also potential hearing loss.
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They Look Alike, So How Can I Tell if It’s Asthma or Allergies?
Asthma and allergies are two of the leading causes of chronic illness in children, and the number children experiencing those conditions is increasing due to a range of potential factors. Although asthma and allergies can interact, as well as share common symptoms—including coughing and shortness of breath—it’s important to understand the difference between them. Still, asthma and allergies present in different ways in different age groups. So it’s best to consult with your pediatrician or an allergist if symptoms do arise.
