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  • My child has a heart murmur; what does that mean?

    As I finished taking care of my patients last week, I smiled at the relief that overcomes a parent when they learn that there is indeed nothing wrong with their child’s heart.

  • Does your child need the Hepatitis B vaccine?

    Written by David Sunnenberg, pediatric hospitalist at Arnold Palmer Hospital

  • How much physical activity does my teen need?

    Physical activity is very important for a growing body. The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends children and teens get at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day. This can be a difficult task for some due to school work, studying for tests, hanging out with friends, and also spending quality time with family. Many teens are happy to know that these 60 minutes can be split up into two, three, or even four segments. A brisk 30 minute walk to school in the morning and a quick 30 minute run in the evening will satisfy these physical activity recommendations.

    Why is physical activity important for my teen?

    Physical activity is important for overall good health. It helps maintain a healthy weight, keeps bones and muscle strong, improves flexibility and also lowers the risk of developing diseases such as high blood pressure and diabetes. Exercise benefits not only the body, but also the mind. Being active often makes us feel happier, which can reduce the symptoms of depression and anxiety, and also improves self-confidence.

    What can parents do to help their teen to become more active?

    As a parent, you play a vital part in shaping your teen’s attitudes and behaviors towards physical activity. When parents have a positive attitude towards a healthy lifestyle, teens are more likely mirror those positive actions. Here are some ways parents can help teens stay or become more active: Get involved. Be physically active alongside your teen. If you are encouraging your child to exercise more, you also have to make an effort to become more active. Set a positive example by leading a healthy active lifestyle. Be positive. Be careful not to pass on your negative sports memories from your childhood. If you twisted your ankle playing soccer or did not get picked to play middle school baseball, don’t discourage your teen from trying out or participating in that particular sport. Show encouragement. Encourage teens to become interested in new activities by exposing them to unfamiliar sports or activities. Select gifts that encourage physical activity (basketballs, skateboards, running shoes, baseball gloves, and jump ropes) instead of promoting sedentary activities (video games and DVD’s) Get the whole family involved by enjoying a family walk after dinner or taking a family trip to locations where teens can let out all their energy (neighborhood pools, basketball courts, baseball field, or outdoor events) Make physical activity fun. Family hula hoop contests, game of Twister, dance competitions, or hop scotch is always a blast. As long as everyone is laughing, it will be a success. Start an exercise club. Instead of teens staying home and watching television, encourage them to start a neighborhood walking, soccer or running club. These clubs can include the whole family or just the teens. Plan weekend events that involve some sort of physical activity (hiking, water sports, visiting the zoo, city walking tours etc.)

    How do I help my teen overcome physical activity barriers?

    Most teenagers have a difficult time meeting the recommendations for physical activity due to multiple reasons. These reasons can range from disliking exercise to the hot and rainy weather outside. Overcoming barriers can be challenging but also very rewarding once succeeded. When able, sit down with your teen and discuss their physical activity barriers. Try to determine at least one or two solutions to help them overcome them.

  • Talking with your teen about obesity: it's a tough job, but somebody's got to do it

    In my years as a mental health counselor for Teen Xpress, I have worked with many teenagers that are battling weight problems. Obesity often leads to low self esteem, anger problems and depression. Often, we see obese teens that also have obese parents and other family members. Obesity can be caused by medical issues, but when it comes to teens, it is frequently due to unhealthy behaviors and coping skills. I have known many teens that report coping with feelings of sadness and loneliness by overeating. The overeating leads to weight gain, which leads to further feelings of isolation and depression. Teens quickly find themselves in a vicious cycle of unhealthy habits and emotional discord.

  • Four-Legged Team Member Joins Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children to Bring Healing and Hope to Patients

    Orlando, FL (March 21, 2022) -- Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children is proud to announce the arrival of its first-ever facility dog, Parks, a 2-year-old male Labrador retriever. Parks joins the hospital’s child life team to help bring healing, comfort and fun to chronic and critically ill patients, their families and team members. Orlando Health Arnold Palmer received Parks at no cost from Canine Companions®, an organization that has trained and provided facility dogs to professionals working in healthcare, criminal justice and educational settings since 1975.

  • Does Your Child Have a Mental Health Disorder? Preventing Parental Burnout

    If your child is suffering with depression, anxiety or another mental health disorder, it affects your life, too. From advocating for your child to managing how it impacts their home and social life, it can be overwhelming and lead to parental burnout.

  • Does Your Son Have Severe Testicle Pain? Go Straight to the ER

    If your son complains of severe pain in one of his testicles or his scrotum, don’t take a wait-and-see approach. You might only have hours to get treatment to save the testicle.

  • Does providing alcohol to our children teach them to drink responsibly?

    It is so hard for parents to know the right ways to help our children stay safe and out of trouble. It seems like everywhere we turn there are more tough influences for us to confront. Electronics invade our children’s sleep time, social time, and study time. Drugs, both illicit and prescription, are readily available. Sexually transmitted diseases are potentially life-changing, if not deadly, and are transmitted at younger ages at increasing rates. The list is long. But one of the big culprits is the same stuff we dealt with as kids- the age-old problem of alcohol. We know the mistakes we made. We know the potential consequences of excessive alcohol intake: automobile accidents, drowning, unintended pregnancies, alcoholism, even death. We want to teach our children to navigate the hazards of this culturally accepted drug so that they end up safe and sound in adulthood.

  • Does consuming your own placenta after childbirth deliver the benefits some celebrities claim?

    Are you aware of the latest trend in childbirth? Several Hollywood celebrities have claimed recently that consuming their own placenta after the birth of their child was wildly beneficial to their health. Just how was it beneficial to their health? The claimed benefits include: improved iron levels, hormone levels, lactation, sleep, energy, reduced postpartum bleeding, and a reduction in the “postpartum blues,” a self-limiting form of depression. This practice has been observed in other mammals and human cultures, giving those who advocate this trend a reason to believe in such benefits.

    What exactly is placentophagy?

    First, let’s discuss the role of the placenta. The placenta is an organ made from the cells of the embryo, which supplies the fetus with all of the necessary elements to grow and develop. It is essentially the fetus’s source of nutrition, respiration, protection, and most function for 280 days during pregnancy, as well as during labor and delivery.

  • What does Florida’s new booster seat law mean for your family?

    On January 1st, 2015 a new law became effective in Florida requiring children under the age of six years old to be restrained either in a child safety seat or booster seat while riding in a vehicle. Previously, Florida law mandated only that children under three years of age be restrained in a car seat, allowing parents to use seat belts for older children. Until this law took effect, Florida was one of only two states that did not require these safety measures for children under five years of age.