All Search Results
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Kids should sleep in. Schools should start later, say pediatricians
If you have a middle or high school student in your home, you may have noticed that their sleep habits have changed as they’ve entered adolescence. They stay up late, find it hard to get up early in the morning and struggle with sleepiness throughout the day. Take heart. It’s not that your kid is being lazy or rebellious. There are real, biological changes happening in their bodies as they mature that make getting enough quality sleep a real challenge.
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How to raise emotionally healthy children
As a parent of a two-year-old and an almost four-year-old and a stepparent to a 9-year-old and an 11-year-old, the difficulties and pressures of raising healthy kids are monumental. From societal pressures to familial expectations, the constant question of “Am I doing this right?” never quite goes away.
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How I’m teaching my child to treat others with special needs
I was with my two kids recently at an indoor play place when a teaching moment happened upon us. We saw a little boy there with his mom, and he was sitting in a wheelchair. My 4-year-old looked at him curiously and then asked (in a rather loud voice), “Mom, why is he sitting in that chair instead of walking?”
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Why codeine isn’t a good medicine for your child
We never really plan a trip to the emergency room. We don’t anticipate our children falling off their bicycles and breaking their arms or our babies waking up screaming in pain in the middle of the night. But, it happens sometimes. And when it happens to you (like it does to every parent at some point or another), here’s something important you should know.
Medicines containing codeine aren’t the best option for your child.
Codeine is an opioid medication that has been used in children and adults to relieve mild to moderate pain and also to help relieve coughing. You may have seen it in the form of Tylenol with codeine, Tylenol #3, Robitussin AC, Guiatuss AC and many other combinations. For a more complete list of brand-name products, check here. -
Get to know Dr. Robyn Cohen, pediatric neuropsychologist at Arnold Palmer Hospital
A lot of times, people assume that psychologists only work with mental health patients and are constantly assessing their patients’ state of mind. However, as a pediatric neuropsychologist, Dr. Cohen’s role at Arnold Palmer Hospital is quite different than you might expect. Learn more about Dr. Cohen, PhD, Director of Pediatric Neuropsychology at Arnold Palmer Hospital, and the role her team plays in the treatment of our patients at the hospital.
Where did you grow up?
I grew up on Long Island, New York.Where did you go to undergraduate school?
Rollins College in Winter Park, FloridaWhat is the process like to get a neuropsychology degree?
It’s a long process. I actually started off at Rollins with an education major. During my program, I took some psychology courses and decided they were a lot more interesting, so I switched to a psychology major. -
Is your child lactose intolerant?
Lactose intolerance is a common problem that affects millions of people worldwide. It tends to affect certain ethnic groups more than others, and occurs more frequently in black, Hispanic, Asian, American Indian and Ashkenazi Jewish people.
What is lactose intolerance?
Lactose intolerance is when your body can’t digest lactose, a sugar found in milk and milk products. In order to properly digest lactose, the enzyme lactase must be present within the small intestine. Those who don’t have enough of the enzyme lactase have trouble digesting lactose, which leads to a variety of symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, cramping or diarrhea.Know the difference between lactose intolerance and milk allergy
Lactose intolerance is not an allergy. Some children do have an allergy to the protein found in cow’s milk, but this is entirely different than lactose intolerance. Allergies involve an overactive immune system, and a milk allergy can result in damage to the digestive tract over time. Lactose intolerance is a deficiency in lactase and doesn’t involve the immune system. While lactose intolerance can be very uncomfortable, it doesn’t usually cause damage to the digestive tract.Symptoms to look for in your child
The symptoms of lactose intolerance can occur suddenly, but more often develop over time. If a child experiences abdominal pain, gas, nausea, bloating or diarrhea after consuming milk or dairy products, lactose intolerance could be to blame. -
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. -
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.
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Frustrated by your child’s eczema? Here are some things you should know
If your child suffers from eczema, you know that it can be a challenge to manage the condition. It can often feel like no matter what you do, you can’t seem to get it under control. Despite your best efforts, you’re unable to rescue your child from the itching, the scratching, the rashes and the sleepless nights that ensue. Your child is very literally wearing the evidence of this struggle for the world to see. It’s a terrible feeling, really- that you’re powerless to help your child- but that’s how eczema often makes us feel because it just keeps coming back.
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Blankets can kill your baby
Putting your baby to sleep in unsafe bedding could cost your child his life, but according to a study from the American Academy of Pediatrics, half of parents are doing just that.