Category: Pediatrician

06
May
2024

Do You Think Your Child Has Strep Throat? – Here’s What to Do

Strep throat is among the childhood illnesses that you dread the most. However, you may suspect your child has strep when they have another condition. That’s why most healthcare experts recommend consulting a healthcare professional. Your child will get an accurate diagnosis and appropriate medical advice. With that in mind, here are some steps you can consider.

Observe Symptoms

Symptoms like a sore throat, difficulty swallowing, swollen tonsils, redness, white patches or streaks of pus, fever, headache, and sometimes stomachache or vomiting usually accompany strep throat. Monitor your child’s symptoms to see if they align with those of strep throat.

Consult a Healthcare Professional

If you suspect your child has strep throat, it’s best to schedule an appointment with their pediatrician or a healthcare provider. They can examine your child, perform necessary tests, and diagnose accurately.

Follow Medical Advice

If your child is diagnosed with strep throat, the healthcare professional will likely prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection. Following the treatment plan and completing the course of antibiotics is essential, even if your child’s symptoms improve before finishing the medication.

Promote Comfort and Rest

While your child is recovering from strep throat, you can help them feel more comfortable by encouraging rest, providing plenty of fluids to stay hydrated, and offering soft, soothing foods such as soup or yogurt. Over-the-counter pain relief medications, including acetaminophen and ibuprofen, can also help alleviate pain and reduce fever, but consult the healthcare professional for appropriate dosages.

Prevent the Spread of Infection

Strep throat is contagious, so it’s crucial to prevent its spread. Please encourage your child to cover the nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing, wash their hands regularly, and avoid sharing utensils, cups, or other personal items with others.

Remember, this information is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It’s always best to consult a healthcare professional for personalized guidance regarding your child’s health.

11
Nov
2023

Why You Should Prepare Your Child Psychologically to Visit a Pediatrician

Many children fear visiting the pediatrician, especially if the previous visit wasn’t comfortable. Preparing your child psychologically to see a pediatrician is essential for several reasons. Here are some key benefits.

Reducing Anxiety and Fear

Many children, especially younger ones, may feel anxious or fearful about visiting a doctor. By preparing them psychologically, you can help alleviate these emotions. And this allows your child to approach the visit with a more positive mindset, making the experience less stressful for both of you.

Building Trust and Rapport

A positive relationship with a pediatrician is crucial for your child’s ongoing healthcare. By preparing your child beforehand, you can emphasize the pediatrician’s role as a trusted caregiver who helps them stay healthy. And this can foster a sense of trust and comfort, making future visits more productive and easier for your child.

Encouraging Open Communication

A prepared child is more likely to engage in open communication with the pediatrician. By discussing the visit in advance, you can help your child understand the importance of sharing any concerns, symptoms, or questions they may have. And this promotes a collaborative relationship between your child, yourself, and the pediatrician, allowing for better diagnosis and treatment.

Empowering Your Child

When prepared for a pediatrician visit, children feel more in control of the situation. Understanding what to expect, such as the routine check-up procedures or the purpose of vaccinations, helps them feel empowered and actively participate in their healthcare. This empowerment can increase compliance with medical recommendations and a more positive attitude toward their health.

Normalizing Healthcare Experiences

Regular pediatrician visits are an essential part of a child’s overall well-being. By preparing your child for these visits, you normalize the experience of seeking medical care. It becomes a regular and expected part of life, reducing unnecessary fear or anxiety associated with medical appointments.

30
Apr
2023

Why Visit a Pediatrician for Your Child’s Mental Health

Most parents visit pediatricians for varied reasons, including diagnosing and treating ear infections, allergies, and broken bones. However, a pediatrician can help with health problems that are not physical. Essentially, a pediatrician can help your child with mental health issues, such as anxiety, trouble concentrating, and difficulties adjusting to home situations. A pediatrician can be a valuable information source and assistance with many mental health problems.

Your Pediatrician is a Specialist

A pediatrician is a primary health care physician for children for most people. However, pediatricians are specialists. Before practicing at healthcare facilities, most pediatricians complete medical school training. They also undergo a long residency while demonstrating competency in different child healthcare aspects, including mental health.

Your child is not merely a miniature adult version, and their bodies and minds have unique needs. A pediatrician is a trained specialist with experience dealing with adolescent and childhood problems. Also, they are good at communicating with kids.

What’s more, a pediatrician is well-versed with various medications for treating psychiatric problems. Therefore, they know what’s appropriate and safe for children. Additionally, if your kid has an issue that needs addressing by a children psychologists, psychiatrist, or therapist, the pediatrician can refer you to the right specialist.

Signs of Mental Health in Children

Several things can signal potential mental health with your kid. For instance, your teacher can report sudden changes in your child’s behavior, such as losing interest in certain activities and personality changes. Such signs should prompt you to visit a pediatrician to help with your kid’s mental health.

Additionally, a child that has gone through a traumatic event can seem sluggish and tired. Other signs may include low self-esteem and worthless feelings. Also, kids can injure themselves or make statements about hurting themselves or those around them.

Final Thoughts

Psychiatric and mental illnesses are common in kids and adults. Seeking help with your child’s mental health doesn’t imply your failure as a parent. Therefore, don’t hesitate to discuss issues that may signal mental health problems with your child during a pediatric visit.

27
Nov
2022

The Importance of Pediatric Visits

 Making frequent trips to your child’s pediatrician can be tiring regardless of the reason. However, it’s good to make routine visits to the pediatrician’s office. These appointments are a great way to rule out any health issues with your child. Also, they enable you to take preventive measures regarding your kid’s health. Here’s why pediatric visits are essential to your child’s health.

 Personalized Care

 Pediatricians interact closely with your child during every visit. And this enables them to understand your kid’s health issues and personalize their care. Regular visits allow you to communicate your child’s health concerns with the pediatrician. That way, you feel more at ease and comfortable as your child grows.

Keeping Tabs On Your Child’s Growth and Progress

Childhood is when there is rapid growth. Checking in with your pediatrician helps determine whether your child has arising developmental problems. If the pediatrician detects such issues, they can help you address them to ensure the proper growth for your kid. 

Team Approach

Regular visits create strong, trustworthy relationships between parents and pediatricians. And this team approach ensures that parents and doctors meet the mental, physical, and social health needs of children.

Preventative Care 

Immunizations are among the reasons most parents visit pediatricians with their kids. When your child gets all the necessary immunizations on time, their immune system fights or prevents illnesses better. Also, the pediatrician can capture any irregularities before they escalate. You also ask the pediatrician about nutritional advice for your child’s wellbeing.

Advice

Pediatricians offer the best advice regarding your child’s growth and development. Therefore, list all questions you may want to ask the pediatrician before the visit. For instance, you can discuss sleep, behavior, feeding, and relations with other kids during the visit.

Take Away

The number one aim of parents is to make sure their kids are healthy and receive high-quality healthcare. And part of this entails finding a pediatrician to trust with your kid’s treatment or disease prevention measures. Therefore, choose a reputable pediatrician and never skip any visit to their office to ensure your child’s health and wellbeing.

18
May
2022

Essential Considerations for Choosing a Pediatrician

 A pediatrician works on your child’s physical, mental, and behavioral care. They also work with adolescents till they turn 18 years. The pediatrician will offer immunizations and perform examinations on your baby. They diagnose and treat illnesses. We advise that you pick the right one because you will work with them in the long haul. Here are essential considerations when choosing a pediatrician for your baby.

 Does Your OB-GYN Recommend Them?

During your pregnancy period, you establish a strong connection and relationship with your OB-GYN. They can recommend a pediatrician that they trust and know. You can rest assured that the one they recommend has an excellent reputation and you can work with them comfortably. Also, ask for recommendations from your family doctor.

 How Was Your First Visit

The first visit determines what type of pediatrician you will be dealing with for the sake of your baby. Find out their communication skills to determine if you can ask them questions comfortably. Observe how they interact with your baby. Are they warm or cold? Are they genuinely interested? If your gut tells you that they are unsuitable for your baby, go with that. But please do it if it means that you can trust them.

Does Your Family Recommend Them?

Your family and friends will recommend a good pediatrician they have worked with before. If they had a great relationship with their kid, that should be the same as yours. You will have similar experiences.

Their Office Location

Perhaps you don’t own a car, choose a pediatrician, and you can access their office by public transport. If your work schedule is correct, find one close to your home or place of work.

 Finding a good pediatrician goes a long way in ensuring your kid’s wellbeing. Those with a good reputation are recommended effortlessly by parents they have worked with before. Therefore, research the available pediatricians to pick the one you can entrust your child’s health.  

11
Dec
2021

How a Pediatrician Can Help Your Child with Stress and Anxiety

Is your child always stressed or battling anxiety? Maybe you’ve noticed that your child experiences meltdowns before and after school. Perhaps, your child is often restless, agitated, and with unexplainable stomachaches and headaches. All these are signs of child anxiety or emotional distress. Luckily, your pediatrician can help your child with stress and anxiety.

How Pediatricians Diagnose Stress and Anxiety in Children

Your pediatrician is a trained doctor with skills in various health fields. Your pediatrician could also be a specialist in mental health. If your pediatrician can’t diagnose stress and anxiety in your child, they can refer you to the most appropriate doctor.

The pediatrician can also identify the causes of stress and anxiety in your child. Also, they can develop a plan for managing the symptoms of these conditions. Thus, your child’s pediatrician can help you address your kid’s stress and anxiety. Working with the pediatrician, you can develop a plan to help your kid improve their mental, spiritual, and mental health. And this plan could include the following:

  • Supportive groups
  • Resources and books to review
  • Techniques and strategies for managing stressful situations
  • Therapy sessions with a qualified mental health specialist

When to See a Pediatrician for Child Anxiety and Stress

Maybe you’re unsure whether your child is battling stress and anxiety. In that case, the following signs should prompt you to visit a pediatrician.

  • Your kid doesn’t want to attend school
  • Your child is stressed, and this interrupts normal activities
  • The kid experiences persistent symptoms like headache and stomachache
  • Your kid doesn’t express their feelings to you
  • The child experiences significant panic and anxiety attacks

Your kid’s pediatrician will ask you questions about the symptoms’ triggers and family history with stress, anxiety, and depression. That’s because such a background could increase the risk of your kid with these conditions. After that, they can develop a plan to enable the kid to deal with the symptoms and improve their lives.

14
Apr
2021

Signs That a Newborn Is Sick and Needs a Pediatrician

Some signs of a sick newborn baby are apparent. For instance, if you notice blood in a newborn’s stool, you should see a pediatrician. Similarly, your baby should see a doctor if you notice blood in their vomit. Also, call your pediatrician if your baby is limp, has a seizure, or difficulty breathing.

Here are other signs that your newborn baby is sick and should see a pediatrician: 

  • Your baby has not been feeding for a while
  • The child vomits or has diarrhea more than is usual.
  • Your child has a cold that is not improving or is getting worse.
  • You’ve noticed a rash on the baby.
  • You’ve noticed dehydration signs like a reduction in wet diapers and crying without shedding tears. Your child could also be sick if they have a soft spot on the head or sunken eyes.
  • The baby can’t stop crying.
  • Ear damage

These signs may not necessitate an immediate visit to a pediatrician’s office. However, there are more serious issues that should prompt you to visit a pediatrician right away.

Signs You Should Visit the Pediatrician Immediately 

Maybe you’ve noticed something unusual with your baby, and you’re not sure whether you should rush to your pediatrician’s office. Here are signs that you need to call or visit your pediatrician with your baby right away.

  • You suspect your baby has food poisoning 
  • Your baby can’t mode
  • Your newborn baby is bleeding nonstop
  • Your newborn has yellow eyes or skin
  • Your baby’s rectal temperature is 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or even higher
  • The baby is sleeping long hours than usual and doesn’t want to wake up

You should not hesitate to call or visit your pediatrician if you notice something that concerns you about a newborn baby. That’s because parental instincts are mostly right. What’s more, it’s better to have your pediatrician tell you not to worry about something rather than assume and regret it later.

30
Jan
2021

Things that Pediatricians Wish New Parents Could Stop Doing

There is no handbook for new parents to follow, so therefore, Jimmy from the Techy Ninjas shared his feelings as a parent that unsuspecting parents have to figure out the things to do and avoid on their own. Unfortunately, some new parents do things that end up hurting their children. These are the things that professional pediatricians wish new parents could stop doing. They include the following.

Getting Medical Advice from the Internet 

When a baby shows symptoms that make a parent freak out, they may turn to the internet to seek medical advice. Although some trusted sites may provide useful information, it’s important to avoid diagnosing a child over the internet. The best approach is to take your child to a reliable pediatrician. That’s because not all the information found on the internet is accurate and reliable. 

Requesting Antibiotics 

Every parent wants their child to get well as quickly as possible. However, antibiotics are not the answer to everything. The only time when antibiotics are the appropriate treatment is when a child has a bacterial infection. On the other hand, viral illnesses can’t be treated with antibiotics. For instance, coughs and colds do not require antibiotics. Additionally, giving antibiotics to a child more often will cause resistance. This will make fighting off bacteria harder in the future. 

Refusing Vaccinations

Some new parents refuse vaccinations and instead, demand alternative schedules for vaccines. Some parents know the importance of vaccines. However, they are concerned about having their children get more vaccines at a go. Immunizations are important for the prevention of debilitating and deadly childhood diseases. Some vaccines should be combined to ensure equal effectiveness. And, research has been done to ensure that the immune system is not overwhelmed by their combination. If vaccines are delayed, a baby can go unprotected longer than necessary. This can increase the risk of developing debilitating and deadly childhood diseases. 

In addition to these things that pediatricians wish new parents could stop doing, doctors are against the idea of skipping well-child visits. That’s because most health problems are diagnosed and treated during these visits. New parents are also advised during these visits.

04
Sep
2020

Signs that It’s Time to Break Up with Your Baby’s Pediatrician

Your baby’s pediatrician is a professional that you trust with the well-being and health of your little one. However, some things can make you consider breaking up with them. Not every pediatrician that every parent will be comfortable with. Therefore, it’s normal to break up with a pediatrician if you feel like you’re not getting the quality services and attention you and the baby deserve. Here are some of the signs that you should break up with the current pediatrician of your baby. 

No Significant Effort

You may have noticed that your current pediatrician is not making an effort to connect with the baby. A good pediatrician should have a good personality. It should be a person that wants to connect with and befriend your child. But, if your baby screams whenever you visit the pediatrician and they don’t make an effort to connect with them, consider breaking up with them. A good pediatrician should try to make the child comfortable around them. 

Your Fears are Not Addressed 

Parenting can be downright frightening. This can be seen from the fears that most mothers show whenever they think that their babies are sick. Therefore, the first thing that a pediatrician should do is address the fears of a mother that thinks their baby is sick. If your current pediatrician doesn’t show concern for your fears, consider breaking up with them. 

You’re Not Told What the Problem Is and How It Will Be Solved 

When you visit a good pediatrician, the first thing they should do is examine your baby and tell you what the problem is. They should also explain the possible remedy and guide you accordingly if you have to choose. But, if your current pediatrician does things without telling you what’s happening, consider getting another one. 

In addition to these signs that it’s time to break up with your current baby’s pediatrician, it’s important to avoid a doctor that keeps you waiting for hours. That’s because you may visit the pediatrician needing emergency attention for your baby. Also, break up with the current pediatrician of your baby if you are not comfortable with them taking care of the wellbeing and health of your little one. 

29
Jan
2020

Interesting Facts You May Not Know About Pediatricians

A pediatrician is different from a general practitioner. This is one fact that many people don’t know. If you’re looking for a pediatrician for your kids, here are interesting facts you might not know about this professional. 

Schooling of Pediatricians Totals More than 11 Years 

You probably know about the training of different categories of doctors. However, you may not know the different schooling levels that pediatricians go through. 

Here is a breakdown of the schooling time of pediatricians: 

  • 4 years of undergraduate training 
  • 4 years of medical school training 
  • 12 months of pediatric internship
  • 2 years of residency in a specialty hospital

Preventative Care is the Overall Goal of Pediatricians 

Pediatricians see patients that need preventative care. These may include infants and newborns. However, some patients visit pediatricians with serious conditions. Nevertheless, the daily routine of a pediatrician is mostly about administering immunizations and vaccines to children. 

Pediatricians have Specialties

There are about 33 types of pediatricians. These include general pediatricians, child neurologists, and specialized specialists. Pediatricians work in clinics, private practices, and hospitals. 

Pediatricians Stop the Spread of Diseases 

Among the primary goals of pediatricians is to provide preventive care. Therefore, they play a role in preventing the spread of diseases or eradicating diseases like tuberculosis and smallpox from the world. They do this by administering vaccines. 

Pediatricians Grow with their Patients 

In most cases, pediatricians start seeing their patients from the moment they are born or since they are infants until they become adults. Thus, they also grow as their patients grow by watching their development. 

The many years during which pediatricians undergo schooling and internship equip them with the skills and experience required to treat young patients. Nevertheless, you should choose a reputable pediatrician to ensure quality service and a good experience for your child. 

May 2025
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