Healthy Children

When choosing a summer camp, you need to know which one is right for your child.You've decided to send your child to summer camp. But, choosing a camp that fits your child’s personality (sports vs. nature camp, for example) can be a real challenge. Plus, you might have to decide between day camp vs. overnight camp. Corinn Cross, MD, is here to help you and your child with advice on easing the transition to camp, tips for success, dealing with homesickness and how kids benefit from camp.

It's summertime, and you want to make the most of your children's time off.Making the best of summer vacation can be quite a challenge. Organized activities vs. free play time might be hard to balance. How can you mix educational activities into your child's summer without them rebelling? There are summer reading programs, but how can you get kids to engage in them? Look for educational, yet fun, opportunities such as museums, nature programs, or learning a new sport. Basically, the goal is to keep kids mentally engaged while still enjoying summer. Corinn Cross, MD, discusses summer vacations and how to keep your children mentally sharp with some great educational ideas.

Asthma treatments should always be kept on hand, but are you keeping and storing them properly?If your child has asthma, treatment may involve a number of medications and devices made to transfer that medication into the airways. At some point, your child will need to learn how to properly use and care for his device. Dr. Jen Kim, a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics, has great advice for parents of children with asthma. Inhalers tend to be the treatment of choice for asthma, and there are a wide variety of brand names available. The first thing you should introduce into children’s treatment when they are on their own is the rescue inhaler. Its main purpose is to relax the muscles around airways temporarily in case they are tightened due to allergies, exposure to smoke, a cold, or physical exertion. If your child’s symptoms tend to me more chronic or persistent, which Dr. Kim defines as more than twice a week on a regular basis, or waking up at least twice a week in the middle of the night due to symptoms, you may need more than a rescue inhaler. There are long-term, controlled medication options available, but asthma should be revisited every now and then since the degree of symptoms can fluctuate. When Should Children Be Responsible for Inhaler Use? Perhaps one of the biggest questions parents ask their pediatrician is “When do you turn treatment over from parent to child?” When your child has asthma, you become accustomed to monitoring treatments and storing the devices wherever needed throughout the house. But, what if they need to start using a device themselves? Storage is one main concern. Dr. Kim suggests keeping the devices in a cool, dark place at room temperature. Options can vary greatly, and you may choose to store the inhaler in a backpack, your child’s pockets, or even give it to the teacher for safeguarding. It really can depend on your child’s age. Preschoolers and younger children need to be constantly assessed, and adult supervision should always be present to ensure kids are using their inhaler correctly and at the right times. As a child grows older, maybe into the second decade of life, he or she may be able to discern when and where to use the inhaler. Every child is different, so it’s up to you to individually assess whether or not your child is ready to make those decisions. By the time they reach high school, most kids should know when to use their rescue inhaler. If your child suffers from exercise-induced asthma, do not alter exercise, prohibit rigorous physical activity, or sit that activity out. It’s not acceptable in Dr. Kim’s opinion, since it could lead to an unhealthy, sedentary lifestyle and weight gain. Instead, have them exercise or play however they want, to the extent that they want, but have the rescue inhaler ready in case you need it. Detection and Prevention There is no surefire way to prevent asthma, and triggers can be different for everyone. Seasonal allergies may be a major trigger for some, while others have stable responses to allergies but smoke may be the trigger. If you’re unsure of whether or not your child has asthma, look for the warning signs: wheezing is almost always associated with asthma, but, while it’s a major symptom, may not always be present. Coughing without a wheeze can also point to asthma, especially if kids are coughing every day or every night, or after exercise. Dr. Kim recommends that children with asthma use their medications on a regular basis and that parents keep close contact with their child’s asthma specialist or pediatrician. In the accompanying audio segment, Jen Kim, MD, discusses the proper use of an inhaler, proper storage of inhalers (not gym bags in the heat/sun or car glove compartments), when to consider changes to your child’s asthma treatment plan, and staying in touch with your pediatrician.

The spring season is here, and with it comes those pesky allergies.Allergies are caused by the body’s reaction to substances called “allergens,” which trigger the immune system to react to normally-harmless substances as though they were attacking the body. Some allergies are easy to identify by the pattern of symptoms that follows exposure to a particular substance. But, others are subtler and may masquerade as other conditions. Some common clues that could lead you to suspect your child may have an allergy are runny nose, nasal stuffiness, sneezing, throat clearing and nose rubbing. Jen Kim, MD, discusses spring allergies and how to diagnose and treat these dreaded allergy symptoms.

Living in a media-driven world, is your child prepared to understand all of the information available?Media Literacy is the ability to access, analyze, evaluate and create media in a variety of forms. As a parent of children and teens, you need to analyze media messages and “scientific studies” and not be swayed by biased research, opinions, or anecdotes trumpeted as “facts.” Children introduced to reading early on tend to read earlier and excel in school compared to children who are not exposed to language and books at a young age. Listen in as Linda Reid, MD, discusses our media-driven society and how to get your child on track to take it all in.

After a long winter, do you know if the playground equipment at your kid's park is safe?After a long cold winter, some playground equipment can become unsafe. As the weather warms up, be sure to check over backyard and public equipment after a long winter to be sure everything is still in good working order. Keeping your child safe on the playground can be as easy as checking equipment and ground padding at your favorite park. Listen in as Dr. Corinn Cross discusses playground safety so you can keep your child healthy and safe.

Your child is starting to have romantic feelings. As a parent, you have to keep your child safe while they explore the dating world.Romantic and sexual feelings develop during the teen years. And, it seems that teenagers are starting to date and experiment with different types of relationships earlier than in the past. As a parent, you can help your teenager make good decisions about dating. According to some recent statistics, one in seven girls aged 14-17 said that a date had tried to force them to have sex. Two in five reported knowing at least one girl who’d been hit or beaten by her boyfriend. Rape is an act of violence, not sexual desire. With guidance and support, teens can learn about healthy relationships and get the strength and courage needed to leave those that are not healthy. Dr. Corinn Cross is here to help parents recognize dating problems, identify warning signs and know where to turn for help.

With prompt diagnosis and treatment, seven out of 10 children who get bacterial meningitis recover without any complications.Thanks to vaccines that protect against serious forms of bacterial meningitis, a virus causes most of today’s meningitis cases. Linda Reid, MD, believes that we are on the “cutting edge” of vaccinations right now. How effective are these bacterial meningitis vaccines, and at what age should they be administered? What is Meningitis? Meningitis is an inflammation of the areas surrounding your brain and spinal cord. Due to swelling, trademark symptoms include a stiff neck, high fever, and headaches. Treatment and outcome vary depending on the type of meningitis, as well as the severity. The most common type of meningitis, viral meningitis, is usually mild and can clear on its own. The second, less-common type is bacterial meningitis. Because of its unyielding nature, bacterial meningitis is much more dangerous and can even be life-threatening. However, with early detection, diagnosis, and proper treatment, an estimated seven out of 10 children will be able to recover without any complications. The Proper Vaccinations The last several years have seen a few outbreaks of meningitis at universities, with some causing student deaths. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends children between the ages of seven and 10 receive vaccinations for meningitis strains A, C, W, and Y. A second vaccination is recommended as kids are entering college. A fifth strain of meningitis, type B, has not been covered by previous vaccinations. Just recently, an experimental vaccine made specifically for type B was approved for use. There are two forms of the new vaccine; one is given in three doses, while the other is given in only two. Both have shown to be effective vaccines and have been approved by the FDA. If your child is attending college this fall, “keep a close eye on the news and stay in touch with your doctor,” says Dr. Reid. Watch for any signs of bacterial meningitis outbreaks happening at schools. Meningitis can evolve very quickly, but paying attention to potential symptoms, like a stiff neck paired with headaches, rashes, nausea or vomiting, will help identify a problem. If you have any doubt about your child’s condition, speak to your physician immediately. In the accompanying audio segment, Linda Reid, MD, discusses meningitis (and HPV) vaccines, when your child should get these vaccines, and other things you and your physician should consider.

Learn some simple precautions to keep your child safe while driving.Using a car seat correctly makes a big difference. Even the right seat for your child’s size may not properly protect your child in a crash unless it is used properly. It's not enough to just put your child in a car safety seat. A child's weight, age and even knowing what safety features your car has are very important toward keeping your child as safe as possible while driving. Dr. Joseph O’Neil discusses the best ways to keep your child safe while driving.

Children act fast; so do poisons. Is your home poison proof?Each year, approximately 2.4 million people – more than half under age six – swallow or have contact with a poisonous substance. Most poisonings occur when parents or caregivers are home but not paying attention. The most dangerous potential poisons are medicines, cleaning products, liquid nicotine, antifreeze, windshield wiper fluid, pesticides, furniture polish, gasoline, kerosene and lamp oil. What should you do if you suspect your child has been poisoned? The first thing always is to call (800) 222-1222 which is The American Association of Poison Control Centers. They are available 24 hours, seven days a week to help you with any issues regarding poisoning. Even if you think your child may have ingested something, you should call this number. They will direct you to a local control center and advise you of the proper steps to take. Dr. Joseph O’Neil discusses poison prevention week with great tips to keep your children safe.