On Nov. 6, 2008, Norton Healthcare employee Casey Phillips got the call no parent ever wants to receive. It was his father-in-law telling him he needed to get to the Shelbyville emergency room as fast as he could. His 14-year-old had tried to hang himself. “My heart stopped,” Phillips said. “As I was walking out…
It’s not uncommon for a wild child to turn into a couch potato teen, but a new study finds the slowdown in activity happens long before the onset of puberty. The British Journal of Sports Medicine reports that sedentary behaviors start to develop at the ripe old age of 7. The researchers studied 400 kids…
Your toddler is cranky and not her usual sweet self. She’s had her nap, so she can’t be tired. Suddenly she tugs at her ear and you think, “Oh, no, not another ear infection. Why is this happening again?” Ear infections are caused by bacteria or viruses entering the middle ear through the eustachian tube….
January and February are typically times when pediatrician offices are swamped with calls: Children have caught some kind of bug or the flu that is causing vomiting. As a parent, what do you do? Most of the time, vomiting just needs to run its course. During that time, you can help your child stay hydrated…
More children will now know the joys of a PB&J, a Reese’s cup and hundreds of other treats otherwise off-limits. That’s because new research shows that introducing babies to peanut-containing foods can protect their immune system from developing a peanut allergy — one of the most serious, and potentially fatal, food allergies. Several large studies,…
A new study published in JAMA Pediatrics has shown that kids using electronic devices such as smart phones and tablets at bedtime are more than twice as likely to not get the sleep they need. And keeping the devices in the bedroom can also affect sleep, as children in the study were 50 percent more…
Amid the bumps, bruises and sprains of childhood, it can be confusing when to use ice or heat for an injury. Applying ice is a safe and effective way to help with swelling and pain. It can be go-to first aid for a variety of minor injuries, according to Jennifer Brey, M.D., pediatric orthopedic surgeon and…
When kids get brain freeze, that ice cream-induced headache can quickly bring an otherwise happy child to tears and take the fun out of enjoying a cold treat on a hot day. What causes brain freeze? “A brain freeze is a short-term headache caused when ingesting cold substances,” said Brian Plato, D.O., neurologist and headache…
Gary and Rita Muratalla have a standing date every Friday. The Elizabethtown, Kentucky, couple doesn’t go dancing or out to dinner; they spend hours at Norton Children’s Hospital holding and calming newborns going through the agonizing and painful process of drug withdrawal. The pain-pill and heroin epidemics have spiked a 50-fold increase in hospitalizations of…
Cranberries, blueberries, raspberries, oh my! Berries promote urinary tract health and provide protection against infection with an important compound that helps fight bacteria and keeps it from sticking to the lining of the urinary tract. Recipe:• 1 Cup low-fat vanilla yogurt• 1/2 cup strawberries• 1/2 cup raspberries• 1/3 cup skim milk• 1 cup ice (if…
The word “fiber” may make you think of prunes and senior citizens, but the truth is most kids don’t get enough of this important nutrient that helps keep their plumbing moving. I’ve known many kids, including my own, who have had issues with constipation. My kids are somewhat light and picky eaters. Add to that…
Drinking plenty of water is one of the best things for your child’s urinary and digestive systems. Drinking enough water — about 40 to 60 ounces per day for children ages 4 to 12 — helps flush bacteria from the urinary tract, which prevents infection and helps the digestive tract function regularly. Sprucing up your…