Westminster Pediatrics: Top Health Concerns Among Kids During Summer

Summer is almost in full-swing, and by now, you’ve probably planned your family’s summer activities, including beach trips, camping, and various other outings. While enjoying the outdoors and the sun, however, make sure to look after your health and those of your kids, especially younger ones like toddlers whose immune defenses have not yet fully developed. Summer would be a good time to bring them to Westminster pediatrics specialists for preventive checkups. Furthermore, watch out for health concerns that many kids are prone to get every summer, including those discussed below. Asthma Flare-Ups The heat, humidity, and possibly high pollen levels can trigger and aggravate asthma attacks in children. Mildew growth in the home is another factor. Make sure you prepare and take all the necessary medications wherever you go, and consult a physician for any concerns, such as possible adjustments in prescriptions and management of symptoms.
http://www.indiancrestpeds.com/news/westminster-pediatrics-top-health-concerns-among-kids-during-summer/

A Pediatrician Guides You on Precautions for Risky Play and Activities

Is your child getting enough exercise? Experts at the Department of Health and Human Services recommend at least an hour of exercise a day for kids aged 6 to 17. This amount of activity will allow them to build and maintain their strength, endurance, and other physical skills and to prevent serious illnesses like heart ailments and cancer from afflicting their body. Likewise, the activity can improve their mood and overall mental health, which are invaluable in learning and development. Unfortunately, only a small percentage of American children are able to log the recommended exercise every day. According to a survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, only about 27.1% of high school students did so. This could be one of the top reasons why childhood obesity is prevalent in the country and why many kids struggle in school.
http://www.indiancrestpeds.com/pediatrics/a-pediatrician-guides-you-on-precautions-for-risky-play-and-activities/

Westminster Pediatrics: Maximize the Benefits of Physical Activity

Did you know that kids in Colorado don’t get as much activity as they ought to? Adults and seniors in the state may lead the country in terms of levels of physical activity, but young Coloradans only rank 24th. So goes the chief finding in the report “Extra Credit: Get Active” by the Colorado Health Foundation and the Colorado Health Institute. Additionally, only a little less than half of high school students get to stretch and move about in once-a-week physical education classes, which are not required. With these findings in mind, local health institutions urge parents to be more creative and persistent in encouraging their kids to exercise. Pediatricians in Westminster, the state’s seventh most populous city, also share this sentiment. Aside from formal physical education programs, kids can also enroll in sports clinics and other activities that they will both enjoy and get health benefits from.
http://www.indiancrestpeds.com/industry-news/westminster-pediatrics-maximize-the-benefits-of-physical-activity/

Westminster Pediatrician: Vaccines Save Lives, Eradicate Epidemics

Amid the loud cries of "anti-vaxxers," more Americans see vaccines as their best shot (literally and figuratively) in thwarting today's deadly diseases, according to a recent poll. HealthDay, with the help of New York-based market research firm Harris Interactive, surveyed over 2,000 adults, and found that 87 percent said vaccines are very safe. This is 10 percentage points up from 77 percent in July 2014. Political affiliation had little bearing on their answers, as most Republicans, Democrats, and independents responded in similar fashion to the question. Vaccine skeptics remain but have dropped to 2 percent from 5 percent in July 2014. Similar to the "very safe" group, political affiliation had little bearing on their answers.
http://www.indiancrestpeds.com/industry-news/westminster-pediatrician-vaccines-save-lives-eradicate-epidemics/

Westminster Pediatrics: Tips to Keep Your Kids Injury-Free this Spring

On this year’s Groundhog Day, Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow, which means people in the country are to expect six more weeks of winter. However, as if casting some doubt on Phil’s weather-forecasting prowess, AccuWeather meteorologists are saying that atmospheric signs are showing quite the opposite. The weather professionals forecast that severe weather season is likely to ‘ramp up’ as warm air becomes more widespread, and a milder start to spring compared to last year is to be expected Regardless of whose prediction you believe, there’s no denying that spring is just around the corner, and with the return of warm weather comes the opportunity for more outdoor activities. For parents, however, it’s time once again to be extra vigilant when it comes to keeping their children safe from springtime injuries. Scrapes, bruises, splinters, and cuts—children can easily sustain these while playing outdoors.
http://www.indiancrestpeds.com/industry-news/westminster-pediatrics-tips-to-keep-your-kids-injury-free-this-spring/

Westminster Pediatrics: What to Do with a Teen Girl’s Period Problems

Is your teenage daughter experiencing problems with her period? Many parents struggle with the same concern. Even if the mom has gone through a similar experience during her adolescent years, she may still worry about her daughter’s health and find it difficult to comfort the teen. As for dads, they may find the issues “uncharted territory,” especially if they didn’t have any sisters or if they’re a single parent. For instance, a teenage girl may experience pain during menstruation (a symptom called dysmenorrhea). Some parents pass it off as normal, since they’ve experienced it, too, while others are distressed and anxious for the child since the symptom could be a sign of endometriosis. Endometriosis is characterized by tissue, similar to uterine fragments, implanted in the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and even the areas close to the bladder or rectum. The abnormal location produces painful sensations during menstruation, as well as excessive bleeding, painful urination, and diarrhea or
http://www.indiancrestpeds.com/info-article/westminster-pediatrics-teen-girls-period-problems/

Pediatrician in Westminster Can Help Protect Your Child from Measles

The measles outbreak in the U.S. served as a rude awakening as it was the worst on record ever since the disease was declared “eradicated” in 2000. A KKCO 11News report says that as many as 288 cases were reported throughout the country at the start of 2014. Newborn children in Colorado are especially vulnerable, not only because babies aren’t allowed to have vaccines until they’re at least a year old but also because “high rates of travel to countries where measles hasn't been eliminated also brings the disease back to the U.S. when people aren't immunized.”

There is also the fact that Colorado has one of the lowest immunization rates in the country, as reported in the same article. Thankfully, federal and state health officials were able to quell the outbreak before it spread any further. However, parents can’t breathe a sigh of relief just yet now that summer has arrived as most children will be spending a lot of time at out-of-town trips, summer camps, and other outdoor activities—thereby resulting in potentially greater exposure to the measles virus. Should children exhibit the early symptoms of the disease, parents shouldn’t hesitate to seek a qualified medical professional, like a pediatrician in Westminster from Indian Crest Pediatrics.

Symptoms include a cough, a runny nose, and high fever, which are then followed by red or brown blotchy rashes on the skin. In addition, measles seems to have a more profound effect on kids compared to adults, owing to children’s relatively weaker immune systems. As such, children may develop other symptoms like light sensitivity and sore throat after contracting the highly contagious disease. Measles technically has no cure, but fortunately it goes away naturally—provided, of course, a child gets ample bed rest and takes the appropriate medications as prescribed.

Although hospitalization is rarely needed, pediatric measles cases should be treated very seriously to prevent a community-wide epidemic. As much as possible, infected children should stay indoors or within a child care center. However, the most preferable course of action is for parents to ensure their children receive the measles-mumps-rubella or MMR vaccine through a trusted Westminster pediatrician. This way, young kids stand a better chance of staying healthy and enjoying their summer vacation to the fullest.

(Source: Measles returning to U.S., KKCO 11News, May 30, 2014)