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Medical Tests and Your Child

We're all familiar with routine blood tests and other diagnostic testing a pediatrician may order for your child. But sometimes, more may be necessary. This directory and explanation of some procedures may better prepare you (and help you prepare your child) for a range of common medical tests.

We're all familiar with routine blood tests and other diagnostic testing a pediatrician may order for your child. But sometimes, more may be necessary. This directory and explanation of some procedures may better prepare you (and help you prepare your child) for a range of common medical tests.

Taking a medical history and performing a physical examination usually provide the information a doctor needs to evaluate a child's health or to understand what's causing an illness. But sometimes, doctors need t ... Continue reading Medical Tests and Your Child.

Your Children's Health: Diabetes Center

Diabetes is a disease that affects how the body uses glucose, the main type of sugar in the blood. Glucose, which comes from the foods we eat, is the major source of energy needed to fuel the body's functions. To use glucose, the body needs the hormone insulin. But if someone has diabetes, the body either can't make insulin or the insulin doesn't work in the body like it should.

Diabetes is a disease that affects how the body uses glucose, the main type of sugar in the blood. Glucose, which comes from the foods we eat, is the major source of energy needed to fuel the body's functions. To use glucose, the body needs the hormone insulin. But if someone has diabetes, the body either can't make insulin or the insulin doesn't work in the body like it should.

When your child has diabetes, it's important to learn as much as possible about it so you can help your child manage the disease. But this means arming yourself with the right information. Be sure to ask your diabetes team if you ever come across informatio ... Continue reading Your Children's Health: Diabetes Center.

For Seasonal Allergy Relief, Take Steps to Ensure Clean Air

This time of year, the flowers and trees are in bloom and a sweet fragrance wafts through the windows. But there's more than fragrance in the air -- the average home has 72 trillion allergens floating around inside. Every day, you may be breathing air laden with pollen, mold spores, bacteria, dust mites, smoke and pet dander, triggering allergies and other respiratory ailments.

(ARA) - This time of year, the flowers and trees are in bloom and a sweet fragrance wafts through the windows. But there's more than fragrance in the air -- the average home has 72 trillion allergens floating around inside. Every day, you may be breathing air laden with pollen, mold spores, bacteria, dust mites, smoke and pet dander, triggering allergies and other respiratory ailments. Your children also may be affected. Because  they breathe faster than adults, children inhale 50 percent more air per poun ... Continue reading For Seasonal Allergy Relief, Take Steps to Ensure Clean Air.

Use Your Head, Wear Your Helmet

He was a healthy teenager in for a school physical. It was time to update his diphtheria tetanus vaccination.

"Like I'm really going to get diphtheria if I don't get this shot," he scoffed. "What can you do to really help me?"

He had a point. His chance of contracting diphtheria was slim; even without his own vaccination, he'd be protected by the thousands of vaccinated people around him, a sort of "herd immunity."
So we talked.

Kristine Matson, M.D., Pediatric and Young Adult Medicine

He was a healthy teenager in for a school physical. It was time to update his diphtheria tetanus vaccination.
"Like I'm really going to get diphtheria if I don't get this shot," he scoffed. "What can you do to really help me?"
He had a point. His chance of contracting diphtheria was slim; even without his own vaccination, he'd be protected by the thousands of vaccinated people around him, a sort of "herd immunity."
So we talked.
"Do you drive a car?"
"Not yet."
"Do you drink alcohol?"
"Nope."
"Do you wear a seatbelt?" Ye ... Continue reading Use Your Head, Wear Your Helmet.