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Living with Gastroparesis: Step into one patient's shoes as she lives with a chronic illness

I’m 18 years old, and I have a disease known as Gastroparesis, which means that my digestive tract is paralyzed and unable to digest food. I have been managing this disease for about 3 years and while I do sometimes have to stay in the hospital, I have learned how to take care of many of my medical needs at home. Stay tuned throughout the day for more pictures of me as I manage my daily routine.

One easy thing you can do to help prevent ear infections

Ear infections are one of the most common medical problems children experience within the first three years of life. They are upsetting and painful for the child, and they often result in frustration and sleepless nights for the whole family. In other words, parents would prefer to avoid ear infections if at all possible.

5 Important Reasons to Vaccinate Your Child

August is National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM). As pediatricians, we would like parents and caregivers to understand all of the health benefits vaccines offer for their children. As parents and caregivers, we want the best possible healthy start in life for our babies. We buckle our babies into car seats, make sure they are eating healthy diets appropriate for their age, and baby-proof their surroundings from any potential dangers. We all want to keep our children safe and healthy. An important way to give your children the healthiest start in life is to make sure they receive all of their vaccinations as recommended by your pediatrician or family physician. 

Is your child over-caffeinated?

Caffeine is the world’s most commonly used nervous system stimulant. It can occur naturally in products such as coffee, chocolate, and tea, or it can be artificially added to beverages such as sodas and energy drinks. Caffeine has been known to energize the body and improve concentration, but it should only be consumed in small doses. Even though caffeine is considered a “safe” substance by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), in larger doses, it could possibly be dangerous to your child’s health.

What new moms should know about breastfeeding

For first time mothers, learning the “art” of breastfeeding can be difficult. However, like with any other important skill, breastfeeding takes practice. While all Moms and babies are unique, the following tips will help make learning how to breastfeed as easy as possible.

Inhaled flu vaccine isn’t recommended this year: Find out why

During each year, there are consistently two types of drama that you can count on: middle school girl drama and flu shot drama. 

Why (and how) you should get your child involved in music

As a music therapist, I am a fierce advocate for using music to enact positive change in peoples’ lives. Music can do amazing things, and being exposed to music at an early age can have significant advantages. I believe my parents’ decision to enroll me in piano lessons as a kid was something that helped enrich my life and guide me to my current career. Music is something many of us are exposed to daily, but we don’t always engage in music with the purpose of fully understanding it. Of course, it is important to be well informed about how you are exposing your child to music throughout their development in order to ensure the most benefit.

Are you cleaning your child’s ear with cotton swabs?

Earwax. It’s sticky, gooey and a terrible shade of yellow, certainly not something you want to see on your baby or young child. And when we do see that yellow goo, many of us manage it by what seems to be a very logical course of action- we take a cotton swab (often referred to by the brand name Q-tip) and clean out our kids’ ears. It seems as much a common sense act of caring for our child as brushing their teeth or washing their hair.

Getting to Know Dr. Celine Cattier, Pediatric Palliative Care Specialist

Today we’ll get to know Dr. Celine Cattier, a pediatric palliative care specialist, who has recently joined the Pediatric Palliative Care Team alongside Dr. Blaine Pitts to offer services to patients from newborn to young adult at Arnold Palmer Hospital and Winnie Palmer Hospital.

Sending a child with epilepsy to school: what every parent should know