Sports Safety – Concussion
October 13, 2024Part of keeping kids safe while they play sports is the prevention and treatment of injuries. Today we will discuss concussion, including symptoms, prevention measures, activities most at-risk for concussion, treatment, and return-to-play protocols. What is a concussion? A concussion is an injury involving the brain that temporarily disrupts normal functioning. Concussion usually occurs from a blow or sudden jolt to the head, but it can also be caused from impact to the body that causes a whiplash effect of the head. Symptoms of a concussion are varied and may depend on the severity of the injury. They can be…
Influenza – Winter’s Recurring Threat
The Influenza virus, usually referred to as “the flu,” causes an illness that affects the respiratory system, particularly the trachea (windpipe) and the lungs. In the United States, Influenza infection occurs from the Fall to the early Spring. There are…
Infection Control in Schools and Childcare Settings
Pediatrics is an area of medicine that is very cyclical – in the summer we see a lot of kids for well child checkups and sports physicals, while in the winter we see lots of respiratory infections like pneumonia, RSV,…
The First Day of School – Help Your Child Be Ready
The first day of school carries many emotions along with it – excitement for a new school year, happiness of seeing friends again, anxiety about new environments and social situations, disappointment that summer is over, dread for the workload that…
Summer Safety – Drowning Prevention
This article was originally posted on June 13, 2020. It has been modified slightly for this publication. In summertime the temperatures climb high and we are all looking for ways to cool off. Swimming and water activities are common ways…
Keeping Cool When It’s Hot Outside
It’s definitely the middle summer when Heat Advisory warnings are popping up on weather apps and media outlets. High temperatures put kids at risk for heat-related illnesses, which can range from mild to life-threatening. Athletes who participate in outdoor sports…
Cuts, Bites, Bruises and More – First Aid Tips for Parents
Children are busy, curious, and adventure-seeking. A large part of child development is trying new things as well as improving older skills. Unfortunately both new and old experiences are not always injury-free. While sometimes children need to visit the doctor…
Summer Screen Time
Unless your child is on a year-round school schedule, you are probably nearing the end of the school year. Summer vacation can be a time of complete freedom from structured activities, a time to go outside more, play with friends,…
Seasonal Allergies – When It’s “That Time of Year”
The first winter we lived in Austin, Texas, I became well-acquainted with what is locally known as “Cedar fever.” Upon walking outside one morning my eyes immediately swelled up and watered profusely, my nose ran like a faucet, and I…
