At this point the value of physical activity probably doesn’t really need to be justified. We know that kids aren’t moving as much as they should be and that inactivity at any age (especially during those key developmental years in childhood) can lead to a variety of health issues later in life. There are all kinds of factors that may be playing a part in why our kids and teens aren’t being nearly as active as they were in previous generations, but one of the biggest factors that could help turn things around is an increase in physical literacy: providing them with the[Read more...]
There is a wealth of parenting information available online. From mommy blogs to specialty websites, there’s so much to choose from when you’re looking for help and ideas for your kids. And while good solid parenting information is applicable no matter who you are, let’s be honest: a lot of the stuff that’s out there is geared toward moms. But what if you’re a dad? Or an uncle, grandpa, or other male caregiver? Just like mom, the gents have their own unique role to play in a child’s life, and finding resources that speak to that particular perspective can sometime be[Read more...]
Ah, March Break. For students, this full week without school is a much needed mid-semester breather and a perfect way for ushering in Spring. For parents and caregivers however, it can be more like a full week of headaches as you try to keep the kids busy and active, especially when your family opted for a staycation. It’s Thursday, which means March Break is winding down. You’ve been to the library, you checked out a show, and you got moving at the community centre. Awesome! But now you’re starting to run out of ideas to keep the kids from getting restless… Need some[Read more...]
In every conversation about viruses, bacteria and infections, there is one message that remains clear: proper preventive hygiene is the best way to help prevent the virus from spreading. What do we mean when we say preventative hygiene? We’re talking about any personal practice that helps to stop germs from spreading. This goes for your standard cold, flu, or any other viral illness too. Stopping the spread of germs doesn’t have to be difficult, but it does require practice and consistency. Here are the top four things you and your family can do to prevent the transmission of infections: Wash your[Read more...]
Ah, summer. The kids are done with school and the family is spending more quality time together. But if that quality time is already basically just a lot of your kids complaining that they’re bored and have nothing to do, don’t worry because we’re here to help. It’s not unusual for parents to feel overwhelmed during the summer months. Having the kids home for so long after 10 months of school can put strains on your schedule and finances. What’s more, many parents worry about whether or not their kids are making the most of the summer months. Are they being active enough? Are their minds getting enough stimulation?[Read more...]
Rashes in children are very common. Most are not a big deal, but can be concerning to parents who notice a new rash, welt or bump on their child’s skin. But most rashes are harmless and go away on their own. Here is a list of some of the most common rashes pediatricians see. Chickenpox: The dreadful chickenpox! Although this is becoming less frequent since the development of the chickenpox vaccine, this viral illness is something that many kids will still catch. This one is very contagious, and spreads rather quickly. It’s an itchy rash with red spots that turn[Read more...]
We’re coming into the holidays but that doesn’t mean things have slowed down here at Quinte Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine. Every season seems to have its hallmark ailments and winter is no exception. Here’s what we’ve been seeing a lot of over the past couple of months here at the QPAM offices: In babies: Jaundice Jaundice is fairly common in newborns. One of the most noticeable symptoms is a yellow-ish tinge to the skin and areas like the whites of the eyes, which is caused by a build up of something called bilirubin in the blood. A baby with jaundice[Read more...]
Your brain: It’s super sensitive and super important. If you sustain any kind of hit to your head, you could end up with a concussion. Sometimes a concussion and its symptoms can go away in a week or two, and that’s great. But if you have an concussion and you push yourself too hard too fast you could be looking at more serious health issues down the line, and that’s definitely not great. Here at Quinte Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, we take sports injuries like concussions seriously. A concussion can happen easily but, if not treated properly, can have lasting[Read more...]
It’s not quite official yet, but back to school is in sight, and summer vacation is wrapping up for another year. As exciting as it can be to head back to class, this time of year isn’t without its own kinds of health concerns. We’ve been collecting some of the best back-to-school articles from around the Web and we’ve complied them here for easy reference. Here’s to a safe, happy and healthy new school year! General Health “How to get ready for the flood of back-to-school illnesses” (Globe and Mail) “School-Age Years: Developmental milestones” (AboutKidsHealth) “Teens and sleep: Why you[Read more...]
A big story in the news in 2012 was that pertussis, more commonly known as whooping cough, had been making a troublesome return across North America. Whooping cough is an infectious disease that can be especially dangerous for infants and young children. Word of its recent resurgence is certainly worrisome and naturally you, members of the QPAM community, had a number of questions. The most common questions we received had been about the pertussis vaccination schedule. The immunization schedule gives pertussis (the vaccine is grouped with tetanus and diphtheria) at 2, 4, 6, and 15-18 months, as well as 4-5 years of[Read more...]
