Filed under Pediatrics –
September 15, 2011 – 7:42 pm
Does your child have severe mood swings? Is he or she overly silly, then very sad? Does your child’s mood or behavior disrupt his/her life at home or school?
Chronic changes in mood and behavior could be a sign of bipolar disorder. Affecting about 4 percent of the population, bipolar disorder or manic-depression is a brain disorder that causes wide fluctuations in mood. A person with bipolar disorder may have sudden mood swings that vary from excessively happy (manic) to excessively sad (depressed). Thoughts of suicide and attempts at suicide may develop. During manic episodes, patients may become euphoric (intensely [...] Continue Reading…
Filed under Pediatrics –
August 11, 2011 – 2:36 pm
It may be nearing the end of summer in Michigan, but there’s still a great deal of discussion out there regarding sunscreen and its labeling.
In June of this year, the FDA modified its sunscreen labeling regulations. Unless they meet the FDA testing standards for protection against ultraviolet A (UVA) sunlight, sunscreens can no longer be labeled “broad spectrum.”
Protection against UVA is not included in the sun protection factor (SPF) number. While SPF has been the gold standard for conveying the strength of sunscreens, this number only looks at the sunscreen’s protection from UVB rays. However, overwhelming evidence shows that [...] Continue Reading…
New parents know the immediate feeling of joy when they hear their baby cry for the first time. First cries are so important. They reassure parents of the baby’s health. They tell parents the baby’s lungs are working well.
Within the first few days of life, many infants tend to be sleepy, and only cry if they need to be fed. As time goes on, a baby’s crying pattern may change or increase. Remember, some amount of crying in babies is normal. Babies may cry if they’re hungry, have a wet or dirty diaper, have a gas bubble, are over-stimulated [...] Continue Reading…
Common in children and infants, eczema (atopic dermatitis) is a chronic and recurrent condition of the skin caused by hyper-sensitivity (immunoglobulin E-mediated response). Children with eczema typically have family members who have a history of allergies, asthma or eczema. Those with eczema are more prone to skin irritation, dryness, barrier abnormalities and infections. While some little ones will only have eczema during their childhood years, others will continue to have symptoms into adulthood.
Key triggers for eczema include fabrics (especially wool), foods, alcohol, exposure to dry, cold weather, or very hot, humid conditions that cause sweating. Children with eczema have [...] Continue Reading…
If you are one of millions of Americans who should be checked for colorectal cancer, this is a special time of year.
March has been designated National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, for some very good reasons. Based on statistics from previous years, colon and rectal cancer may cause more than 50,000 deaths in 2011. Unfortunately, some of these deaths are likely to occur in the Kalamazoo area.
The good news is that the colorectal cancer death rate has been declining for the past 15 years. This is due to many factors, including increased colorectal screening. Screening and colonoscopy help identify polyps [...] Continue Reading…
March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Awareness is necessary to dealing with the challenge of colorectal cancer, and the first thing we should be aware of is our individual risk.
Risk factors for colorectal cancer include: increasing age (older than age 50); a personal history of colorectal cancer; chronic inflammatory bowel disease; a family history of colorectal cancer, adenomatous polyposis or nonpolyposis colon cancer; a diet mostly from animal sources; a physically inactive lifestyle; obesity; smoking; and heavy use of alcohol. Descendents of Jews from Eastern Europe may also be at greater risk of developing colorectal cancer.
These are risks [...] Continue Reading…
It has been said that we spend our first few years learning to read and the rest of our lives reading to learn. The earlier this learning starts, the better the outcome. Kindergartners who have been read to as young children are more likely to be rated by their teachers at the top of their class in learning and communication skills.
A study in the year 2000 showed that fourth-grade students who read for fun at least once a month had higher reading scores than kids who hardly ever read for fun. Children who are read to and exposed to [...] Continue Reading…
Filed under Pediatrics –
February 15, 2011 – 8:39 pm
Primary Characteristics
Autism results from a type of abnormal brain development. The main features of autism include poorly developed social interactions, difficulties with speech and communication, and repetitive and restrictive behaviors. Generally, these features are present before a child is 3-years-old.
Parents of autistic children often notice normal development at first, but then sudden regression. The regression in the development of autism is an expected aspect of the disorder.
Other Characteristics
While it isn’t always the case, autistic children usually have mild to severe cognitive impairments (developmental delays and mental retardation). They might also exhibit significant sensory symptoms, including eating disorders. Many children [...] Continue Reading…
Filed under Pediatrics –
January 18, 2011 – 8:30 pm
Before your child hits the slopes or the ice rink, or braves that big hill with his/her sled, it’s important to take certain precautions. Here are some tips for keeping your kids safe and warm throughout the winter season:
How to Dress Your Child
Infants and young children should always be dressed warm for outdoor activities. Wrap your kids in several layers, and remember warm boots, gloves/mittens and a hat.
Older babies and young children should generally wear one more layer of clothing than an adult in the same conditions.
Keep in mind that blankets, quilts, pillows, sheepskins and other loose bedding my [...] Continue Reading…
Filed under Pediatrics –
November 9, 2010 – 4:26 am
Motor vehicle crashes remain the leading cause of accidental injury-related death among children ages 14 and under. While this is a scary statistic, there’s good news. When used the right way, child restraints and safety belts are 50 to 75 percent effective in preventing fatalities, as well as reducing serious injuries.
Proper Installation
First and foremost, never place a child in the front seat due to the possibility of airbag deployment. Michigan law states that children under age 8 must ride in the back seat in a properly installed car safety or booster seat, unless 4’9” tall. In general, the safest [...] Continue Reading…
