What Causes High & Low Blood Glucose Levels in Kids?

Kids have a lot of energy. That’s no big secret to parents. And glucose, or sugar, is the body’s primary source of energy. Kids need glucose for their bodies and brains to function correctly. But too much, or not enough, can lead to health problems. So, it’s essential to know the causes of high and low blood glucose.

Insulin is a hormone that regulates glucose levels. It allows the body to use sugar from carbohydrates for energy or store it for later. When the body has too much glucose in the blood, it’s known as hyperglycemia. When it has too little, it’s called hypoglycemia. Read More

How a Pediatrician in Littleton Helps Fight Food Allergies in Schools

As the country’s most widely-consumed grain, wheat is also present in a lot of things the average American child may consume within a single day. An allergic reaction to wheat usually comes within a few minutes to an hour after exposure. Symptoms may manifest in the skin (i.e. hives, itching), digestive (i.e. nausea, diarrhea), respiratory (i.e. wheezing, shortness of breath), or cardiovascular (i.e. dizziness) system.

Considering that these symptoms resemble other ailments like gluten intolerance, a pediatrician would have to be consulted for confirmation. Wheat allergies stem from an overreaction of the immune system, while gluten intolerance or celiac disease is gastroenterological in nature. As such, the two conditions need to be identified as accurately as possible.

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How a Pediatrician in Littleton Helps Fight Food Allergies in Schools

A new set of guidelines recently released by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now specifically outlines the roles pediatricians play in managing food allergies in schools. Dr. Scott H. Sicherer, a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Allergy and Immunology Executive Committee, says the guidelines necessitate close cooperation among pediatricians, school officials, and parents. Considering the current statistics on food allergies among children in the U.S., the CDC certainly has a lot of reason to take action:

"Food allergy is estimated to affect up to 8% of U.S. children and appears to be increasing in prevalence. Studies show that almost 20% of children with food allergies have a reaction while at school, and 25% of anaphylactic reactions in schools occur in children with no prior diagnosis."

For kids and their parents, the CDC guidelines also provide more reasons to visit a friendly pediatricianin Littleton, like someone from Focus on Kids Pediatrics. After all, the things that trigger allergic reactions among kids—like milk, peanuts, and eggs—often find their way into cafeteria food. Yet while children can bring their own packed lunches to school, they may also unknowingly be exposed to a common allergen: wheat.

As the country’s most widely-consumed grain, wheat is also present in a lot of things the average American child may consume within a single day. An allergic reaction to wheat usually comes within a few minutes to an hour after exposure. Symptoms may manifest in the skin (i.e. hives, itching), digestive (i.e. nausea, diarrhea), respiratory (i.e. wheezing, shortness of breath), or cardiovascular (i.e. dizziness) system.

Considering that these symptoms resemble other ailments like gluten intolerance, a pediatrician would have to be consulted for confirmation. Wheat allergies stem from an overreaction of the immune system, while gluten intolerance or celiac disease is gastroenterological in nature. As such, the two conditions need to be identified as accurately as possible.

That said, food allergies aren’t the only thing a respected Littleton pediatrician should worry about. Spring in Colorado also coincides with an increase in airborne pollen, specifically from St. John’s Worts and sugarberries, which can cause allergies of a different kind. Consequently, pediatricians throughout the country are quick to urge kids and their parents to take heed of air quality alerts.

(Source: New guidelines outline pediatrician’s role in managing food allergies in schools, AAP News, May 27, 2014)

Does Your Child have Allergies? Read to be Sure

Humans are most vulnerable to diseases during their childhood years because their immune systems have not yet developed well at this point in their lives. As such, it should be no surprise for you to know that the many allergies that currently affect 50 million Americans are usually contracted before puberty. According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, allergic rhinitis is the most common allergy among children.

“Hay fever”, as the allergy is popularly known, is characterized by itchiness, watery eyes, and ear problems. The name is also a misnomer because it doesn’t really cause a fever. Allergic rhinitis can be acquired by coming into contact with furry animals, inhaling dust or spores, or taking part in strenuous physical activities. Children with asthma are more likely to develop this allergy than others.

However, it’s not just hay fever you should worry about. Food allergies are also quite common among children, particularly among infants, since their bodies are still accustomed to their mothers’ milk. This is why cow’s milk is a well-known allergen, despite its large protein and calcium content. Other common food allergens are eggs, peanuts, soy, and certain varieties of fish, although the allergies that they cause typically go away once your child reaches five years of age. 

Important Childhood Vaccinations Your Child Needs

Vaccinations are important in preventing the spread of deadly diseases. In fact, they are the reason why the world no longer has to worry about smallpox.

Seeing as the immune systems of young children are still developing, it is important to have them vaccinated for certain diseases that tend to affect children. Here is a short list of the most important childhood vaccinations:

MMR

The MMR vaccine protects children from three different diseases: measles, mumps, and rubella (German measles). All three are highly dangerous and highly infectious, but can easily be prevented. Recently, cases of measles have been increasing in the United States due to a low vaccination rate, making it even more important for children to get vaccinated.

Varicella

The varicella vaccine protects a child from contracting chickenpox. It is advised that a child be vaccinated for chickenpox before he or she reaches 13 years of age. Many schools require parents to show proof that their child has been vaccinated for chickenpox before admitting the child to the school.

Flu

The flu can cause dangerous complications such as pneumonia and bronchitis. Although the flu vaccine does not guarantee a child will not contract the flu, studies have shown that the vaccine significantly reduces the chances of a child developing flu complications. According to officials from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, everyone six months of age and older should be vaccinated for the flu every year.

Important Childhood Vaccinations Your Child Needs

When Chickenpox Needs Medical Attention

Chickenpox is one of the most infamous childhood viral infections. Caused by the varicella-zoster virus, chickenpox causes red, itchy blisters to develop on the skin. For the most part, chickenpox is not a serious disease, with many cases lasting for 10 to 12 days only. In fact, pediatricians recommend letting the disease run its course.

When your child develops the trademark blisters of the disease, bring him to a pediatrician immediately to confirm the presence of chickenpox. If chickenpox has been confirmed, you can prepare home remedies like oat baths and bergamot oil to relieve your child’s itching throughout the duration of the disease.

However, if your child experiences severe headaches, an oversensitivity to light, breathing difficulties, or the development of rashes on the eyeball, call a pediatrician immediately. These are not typical chickenpox symptoms and may indicate the presence of a more serious disease.

After fully recovering from chickenpox, the chances of contracting the disease a second time is quite rare. However, a dormant version of the varicella-zoster virus can hide within the body and reappear years later as shingles, an infection similar to chickenpox that affects the nerve area. As such, people who have had chickenpox should closely monitor themselves for symptoms of shingles: severe pain and rashes on one side of the body, high fever, and tender lymph nodes.

Choosing the Right Pediatrician for Your Children

Since there are several significant differences between the body of a child and that of an adult, the medical needs of a child correspondingly vary from those of an adult. As such, children are brought to pediatricians for their medical concerns until their late teens, after which time, they would need to see general practitioners or specialists. Pediatricians, however, are truly specialized in the unique needs of children, which is why it is important for parents to choose their children’s doctor judiciously.

Some doctors recommend looking for a pediatrician as early as 28 weeks into the pregnancy. Deciding on a pediatrician early allows parents to establish a connection and comfort level with the doctor; choosing early also allows the pediatrician to be on hand during the childbirth to conduct any necessary examination on your baby, especially if there is a complication during birth.

Take the time to thoroughly research on the qualifications of pediatricians to ascertain that they meet your particular needs. Although friends will suggest a good pediatrician, their needs may be different from yours; and good pediatricians are not a one-size-fits-all investment. Take the time to know where a pediatrician studied and his or her philosophies on child rearing. Set appointments with the pediatricians that you feel meet your needs in order to get a feel of how they interact with you and your future family member.

Pedia Power: Child Rearing with a Pediatrician

Kids are a lot more fragile than adults in more ways than one. Since their developing bodies have yet to reach their full strength and capacity, children are at the mercy of numerous diseases and illnesses. Even something as simple as a cold, which is nothing more than a nuisance for adults, can be completely devastating for a young one. Parents need to look after their children carefully and closely, and they may want to enlist the help of a pediatrician.

A pediatrician is a physician who specializes in the care and treatment of child patients. They're responsible for helping kids get through life by overseeing aspects of their well-being, like their diet, vaccination, vitamin and mineral intake, and so on. They're also around to help parents better raise their kids by giving medical advice or prescription.

Parents will find a pediatrician very useful; from the moment the mother gives birth, the parents can already approach a pediatrician for guidance on how to rear the baby. Sticking to the child’s pediatrician throughout his or her growing years has the advantage of familiarity; there's no better doctor than the one who's been attending to your kid for years. A child’s health is a delicate thing, and pediatricians can help moms and dads preserve it.

Pediatricians Versus Family Doctors

Why is there a need for pediatricians when regular family doctors can do their jobs just fine? Apart from the age of the patients they treat, very little can be said to distinguish pediatricians from family doctors. However, without pediatricians and their expertise in treating children, children may not grow into healthy adults. Children need specialized care and treatments, and pediatricians have been trained to provide these services.

While pediatrics is a specialty in its own right, some pediatricians choose sub-specialties within pediatrics. Neonatologists, for example, care for premature and critically ill full-term infants, while other pediatricians might specialize in infectious diseases.

Pediatricians understand that kids require different treatments and need to be approached differently from adults. Just as most kids cannot stand the taste of bitter medicines, and prefer cough syrups and other medicines with a fruity flavor, children and adolescents require physicians who understand their needs. From a medical perspective, the bodies of children and adolescents differ from those of adults. Hence, children and adolescents may not be able to handle treatments designed for adults.

Sooner or later, they'll have to get used to the bitter taste of medicine; but it doesn't have to be now. It's also the job of a pediatrician to teach children and adolescents about the importance of making healthy lifestyle choices. Aside from diagnosing diseases and illnesses, pediatricians are also tasked to provide immunizations and preventive care

The Indispensable Role of A Pediatrician

Children are a true gift to parents, and so deserve only the proper care and upbringing. How the parents raise their children will define the kind of life they'll have in the future. Therefore, it is very important that parents seek the assistance of pediatricians to secure a good future for their children. Below are the basic tasks of a pediatrician.

Although pediatrics is a highly flexible specialty, the role of a pediatrician is centered on the physical, emotional, and social well-being of people in between the stages of infancy and young adulthood. They detect, prevent, and manage possible ailments and conditions that can affect children before they mature. These tasks are crucial in the formation of the children's health.

Unlike psychologists who focus on the behavioral aspect of people's lives, pediatricians are directly involved in the treatment of different types of disease and dysfunction in children. They are also skilled in providing solutions that help reduce infant and child mortality. They are trained to develop ways that can help ease the daily living condition of patients with chronic ailments.

While parents do most of the work in raising their children, pediatricians serve as a backup when certain conditions develop. They should work hand-in-hand to make healthy citizens out of the children, who will later become the leaders of society. That's why parents should trust the skills and dedication of pediatricians. 

Finding a Qualified Pediatrician for your Baby

Finding a good pediatrician for your child should be one of your biggest priorities. While many parents choose to send their children to the family doctor for checkups, pediatricians are able to provide more specialized care. Aside from regular checkups throughout all stages of infancy, pediatricians will monitor the growth and development of your child, and will administer immunizations.

Looking for a good pediatrician should start as early as conception because you won't have time to consider your options once you've given birth. It is not good to look for a suitable pediatrician when your child is sick either. Your baby's sickness might put you in panic mode, which could lead to poor decision-making. This, of course, leads to the question: How does one find a good pediatrician?

You can ask your friends and relatives (especially mothers) to recommend reputable pediatricians. You can also ask your gynecologist for recommendations, or go to local hospitals and request for referrals. Finally, you can browse the referral database of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Once you've found some prospects, check the pediatricians' credentials. He or she should be board certified, and should have completed at least three years of residency in either pediatrics or family medicine. Finding a reliable pediatrician for your baby can be challenging, but you must exert the necessary effort to ensure the best medical care for your baby.