All Search Results
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What Every Parent Should Know About AFM
If you've been paying attention to the national news lately, you may have noticed that there has been a record number of AFM cases across the nation in 2018. AFM, which stands for acute flaccid myelitis, is a polio-like disease that causes sudden weakness in the arms and legs, along with a loss of muscle tone, and typically affects children.
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Does Heart Murmur Mean My Child Has a Heart Problem?
A heart murmur is the sound the blood makes as it moves through the heart or blood vessel. It’s what your pediatrician hears when their stethoscope is on your child’s chest. A heart murmur isn’t necessarily bad. In fact, the majority of heart murmurs are classified as innocent — they are simply the result of blood flowing normally. Think of it like listening to water flowing through a garden hose. When the faucet is turned on, the water makes a sound as it moves through the hose. You can tell by that sound that everything is flowing normally, just like the sound of an innocent murmur. If there is a kink in the hose, however, the sound is different. The change in sound alerts your physician that there may be something wrong.
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Pre-K, Kindergarten Wellness Checks: What To Expect
It’s finally happened. Your kiddo is about to make the leap to preschool.
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Should I Start Giving My Child Vitamins?
If you have a toddler who has a meltdown at the thought of eating more than two bites of something green, you know that getting children to eat a well-balanced diet isn’t easy. Whether to start giving their child vitamins is a question many parents have, as well as at what age they should start. However, for most healthy children, vitamins are unnecessary.
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How to Better Manage Your Child’s Asthma
Watching your child struggle to breathe is a heart-wrenching and frightening situation for any parent. If your child has asthma, you may even live in fear of hearing your child cough or wheeze. But there are steps you can take to prevent frequent asthma attacks, as well as efficiently treat your child’s flare-ups when they do occur. By working with your doctor and taking proactive measures, no one should have to feel isolated. Here are several tips to consider in order to better manage your child’s asthma:
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5 Ways Families Can Kick Couch-Time to the Curb and Get Moving
Like adults, children need regular exercise. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that kids participate in at least one hour of vigorous physical activity a day during most days of the week. Without lots of daily heart-pumping fun, children are at risk of becoming overweight or even obese, which can lead to a host of other health problems.
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Worried About Your Child’s Weight? Here's How to Prevent Obesity
If you’re a parent or caregiver who’s worried about your child’s weight, you’re not alone. The rate of obesity in children has skyrocketed in the United States over the last two decades and is now referred to as an “epidemic.” Today, more than a third of American children fall into the obese category. Due to multiple factors— including poor diets and a lack of exercise—that number is expected to continue increasing.
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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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Tips for Spring Break Safety
After making it through the bleak winter months, spring break is a much-needed time to relax and enjoy the (hopefully) warm and sunny weather. Despite the excitement this vacation brings, traditional spring break trips and activities also can be dangerous or even deadly. Whether your family is going on vacation, headed to the beach or enjoying the great outdoors from your backyard, here are some tips to keep your children safe during spring break.
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Why Children Should Avoid Energy Drinks
Here is a fact all parents should know: Energy drinks have no health benefits for children.
