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  • What every parent needs to know about concussions

    We often think of concussions in terms of sports, most commonly football and other collision sports. Concussions also commonly occur in contact sports where helmets aren’t worn like soccer, basketball, wrestling or lacrosse. However, every parent needs to know about this injury, even if your kids aren’t involved in sports. Concussions can occur from a fall from a bicycle or skateboard, running into a goalpost, or getting hit in the head by a ball or other moving object.

    What is a concussion?

    A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury caused by a blow to the head or a blow to the body that makes the head move back and forth rapidly. The sudden force causes the brain to bounce around or twist within the skull, causing damage to the brain cells and chemical changes within the brain. These chemical changes may make the brain more sensitive to stress or other injury until it recovers. While doctors may describe this as a “mild” brain injury since it is not life-threatening, the effects of a concussion can be serious.

    What are the signs and symptoms of concussion?

    Signs and symptoms of a concussion usually appear soon after the injury occurs, but some symptoms may not show up for hours or days. If your child has sustained a bump or blow to the head and experiences any of the following, it might be a sign of a concussion: Headache Nausea or vomiting Appears dazed or stunned Feels “pressure” in head Loses consciousness Answers questions slowly Confusion Dizziness or balance problems Sensitivity to light or noise Difficulty concentrating Memory problems Double or blurry vision Feeling “foggy” or sluggish Changes in mood or behavior Trouble falling asleep Sleeping more or less than usualYou should continue to monitor your child for these signs and symptoms for a few days after the injury occurs.

    What should I do if I think my child might have a concussion?

    If you think your child may have a concussion, contact your child’s health care provider. If your child is playing sports, remove him or her from the game and don’t resume playing until evaluated by a healthcare professional who is experienced at diagnosing concussions. If your child returns to play too quickly, before the brain is fully healed, they are at risk for a repeat concussion which can be much more serious.

    How is a concussion treated?

    The best treatment for a concussion is complete rest from all physical and mental activity. Television, loud music, and use of computers should be very limited or stopped. Even a child’s school participation may need to be altered according to the child’s symptoms.

  • How technology helped Katie overcome her fear of needles

    Written by a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner at Arnold Palmer Hospital

  • Teaching your children to let go of others' expectations

    This morning I experienced a small miracle. I emerged from my bedroom at seven o’clock after waking up (all on my own!) without children crying or yelling from their bedrooms to wake me. It felt like a little slice of heaven.

  • Help! My child can’t swallow pills (but needs to)

    It seems like a no-brainer; just pop the pill in your mouth and swallow. It’s easy to forget, though, that swallowing a pill is something that has to be learned. It may feel normal and natural to us grown-ups, but it’s not normal or natural for kids. For children that need to take medications, either for an unexpected illness or a long-term problem, this seemingly small issue can produce a lot of anxiety, making it a really big issue. If you’ve ever sat on your kitchen floor with a screaming kid saying, “I cant, I can’t. I can’t do it!” you know what I mean.

  • When should a child return to school after a concussion?

    Written by Steven Schulenborg, Resident of the Sports Medicine Program at Arnold Palmer Hospital

  • Webinar with Dr. Mehta and Nneka Ricketts-Cameron from the Center for Digestive Health & Nutrition

    Do you have Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis?

  • Are highchairs really safe?

    A highchair is one of the most common (and practical) items on any new parent’s baby registry, and is known for making feeding time a whole lot easier. Many parents naturally assume the highchair is safe for their child, but did you know there has been an increase of highchair-related injuries among infants over the past ten years? A recent study took a closer look at the reasons behind the rise of bumps, bruises and head injuries caused by highchairs. Here’s what they found.

    The Study

    Researchers at Nationwide Children’s Hospital examined data of children, ages 3 years and younger, who were treated in U.S. emergency departments from 2003 through 2010 for highchair-related injuries. The findings were staggering. On average, more than 9,400 children were treated for an injury relating to a highchair or booster seat each year. To put this in perspective, that’s one child every hour!

  • Meet Dr. DeCampli and Dr. Nykanen, Co-Directors of The Heart Center at Arnold Palmer Hospital

    Dr. DeCampli, pediatric cardiac surgeon, and Dr. Nykanen, pediatric cardiologist at The Heart Center at Arnold Palmer Hospital, are best known for their skill and precision in the operating room, as well as their dedication to the care of kids battling congenital heart disease during outpatient visits and procedures.

  • Shawna Jenkins, MS, RD, LDN

    Shawna Jenkins is a registered dietitian (RD) and licensed dietitian/nutritionist (LDN) with the Center for Digestive Health and Nutrition at Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children. She provides medical nutrition therapy to pediatric patients with gastroenterological diseases and conditions and also has experience with:

  • Meet Our Patient Events Coordinator and Co-host of Seacrest Studios, Jay Brock

    Jay Brock has always been passionate about working with kids. As the patient events coordinator at Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and co-host of the Seacrest Studios, Jay is responsible for developing fun and engaging activities to help kids in our hospital be kids. Learn more about Jay, including his background, hobbies and favorite things.