Healthy Kids Zone

Looking for ways to get your kids off the couch? Dr. Cindy Gellner shares some tips for getting your family up and moving. You'll all have so much fun, it won't even seem like exercise.

What if your child's back pain is not about posture, but something more? Scoliosis, a condition that causes the spine to curve sideways, often appears during a child’s growth spurt and affects more kids than you might think. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD, goes over the signs to watch for, and the steps to take if scoliosis is detected. Learn how to spot early symptoms, understand potential causes, and explore the range of treatment options available to help your child maintain a healthy spine.

Fever, sore throat, and a painful, spotty rash can look a lot like strep—but often the culprit is hand, foot, and mouth disease. This common childhood virus spreads easily and can affect kids of any age, even adults. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD, talks about how the disease is transmitted, the key symptoms that distinguish it from strep, and the simple comfort measures that help your child stay hydrated and manage pain while the virus runs its course.

Many parents of vomiting children get concerned if it doesn’t stop after a day. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD, says that doesn’t necessarily mean your child needs to see the doctor. She goes over the signs and symptoms of the stomach bug versus the flu, food poisoning and other illnesses. She also discusses what to feed a puking child and how you can treat the bug from your home.

Too much caffeine can do more than have your kids bouncing off the walls. Pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner provides some insight into how much caffeine children should be allowed to consume, the downsides of too much caffeine, and how to help your kids and teens to cut back.

Recent outbreaks around the country of the enterovirus EV-D68 have sent hundreds of children to the hospital. The disease especially affects children with asthma. Pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner talks signs, symptoms and what to do if you suspect your child might have caught the virus. Protect your family and other children by following these simple procedures.

With the advent of tablets, smart phones, computers and the ever-present TV, children are inundated with electronic messages. Dr. Cindy Gellner spells out the alarming statistics and lists recommendations set down by the American Academy of Pediatrics for children and electronic devices. She also notes how parents can get their kids away from the screen to do other activities.

If you’re not friends with your child on Facebook, you need to be. Dr. Cindy Gellner runs down the rapidly expanding environment of social media and potential perils for teens. Along with the miracle of instant social interaction come the hazards associated with exposure and vulnerability on the Internet. It may be time to re-examine your responsibilities and options as a parent.

Acne is an embarrassing topic for them, but 90% of teenagers may benefit from acne treatment. Dr. Cindy Gellner goes in depth on modern acne therapy and discusses the dos and don’ts of treating the three common types of pimples. From mild through severe, acne is not just a rite of passage, but also a treatable condition.

Potty training is a milestone that can feel overwhelming—but when done patiently and positively, it becomes a manageable and rewarding phase. With support and consistency, most kids transition out of daytime diapers by the time they start school. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD, offers clear, evidence-based strategies parents can use to guide their child toward bathroom independence.