When parents think of drug overdoses in kids, many think of street drugs such as bath salts, marijuana or ecstasy. However, parents need to keep in mind the dangers associated with drugs right in their own medicine cabinet. Child and teen overdoses associated with prescription drugs found in the home are on the rise. According…
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ranks dental decay as the most common chronic disease in youth ages 5 and 17 Teaching dental hygiene starts early — as soon as the first tooth comes in. Just because older kids are able to brush by themselves does not mean they don’t need a reminder about…
Laundry pods, makeup, ibuprofen. If your child has ever gotten into one of these items, you’re not alone. The Kentucky Poison Control Center of Norton Children’s Hospital recently released a list of products that generated the most calls involving children last year. Leading the way were cleaning products — laundry pods, bleach and dishwasher packets….
School is a place for learning, creating and socializing. However, it also can be a place where illnesses spread and injuries happen. Libby Mims, M.D., pediatrician with Norton Children’s Medical Group – Shepherdsville, highlighted several common reasons for school-related doctor’s visits. Sore/strep throat Strep throat, which is very common among young children and teens, is…
Intimate partner violence and sexual violence are both serious and significant public health problems, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Nearly 10 percent of high school students report having experienced either physical dating violence or sexual dating violence. Many victims first encounter sexual violence before their 18th birthday. Findings from the National…
Teen depression is a big issue many of us often overlook. According to the National Institutes of Health, only half of teen depression cases get diagnosed before adulthood, and two in three adolescents don’t get the treatment they need. “Teens who are depressed are at high risk to develop many serious problems that can lead to harming…
Living with cancer at any age is difficult, but experiencing cancer as a teen is especially difficult when you’re trying to be “normal.” T.J. Branham’s sister, Kayla, opens up about her teen brother’s diagnosis and his incredible strength throughout his cancer journey. I remember so clearly getting the call from him almost in tears saying…
Every girl goes through puberty at her own pace, but it usually happens slowly over several years. It’s often hard to tell exactly when it begins or when to expect changes to happen. However, there are some outward signs you can watch for. You’ll see many average age ranges for when puberty begins. It’s important…
You’ve been seeing the same gynecologist for years; you feel comfortable with her and trust her. Is she right for your 13-year-old daughter’s first gynecologic visit? Whether your daughter lets on or not, you can be sure she is nervous about her first visit. You may feel clueless about what’s going on with her. She…
A new social media trend is causing alarm: Teens are scarfing down laundry detergent pods and posting videos and memes. The “pod challenge” usually involves a teen preparing to eat a pod, then sticking it in their mouth and reacting to it. The laundry detergent packets are shaken, stirred, even cooked. The challenge is designed to…
Many Kentucky kids will need additional vaccines before the 2018-2019 school year begins. Before the first day of classes, all students must have two doses of the hepatitis A vaccine. Although that may seem like plenty of time, parents should start scheduling appointments with their pediatricians now. “The two vaccines need to be given at…
Puberty is a process that happens slowly over several years. It can be hard to tell when it’s beginning or when to expect changes. The outward signs are the easiest to recognize and provide a guide to where a girl is in the process. The age ranges in this graphic are average and every girl…