Children's Health and Parenting + Original Articles

4 Tips for Hiking and Camping Safety

Expert advice on insect repellants, sun protection, and water. Summer. Even the word conjures up images of happy times—vacation, the beach, hiking and camping. Unfortunately, summer can also bring with it sunburns, bug bites, the threat of ticks, and several other unpleasant possibilities. Successful summer outings require preparation.

Is Your Water Supply Safe?

Contaminated water can turn staying hydrated into a serious health risk. Drinking water is good for you, but if your water isn't clean, you could be risking your health, as we've seen in Flint, Michigan, where lead in the municipal water supply has caused a deadly health crisis. The Flint Water Crisis Most media reports trace the origins of the Flint emergency back to a 2014 decision to switch the water supply for this impoverished industrial town from Lake Huron (which had been the water source until that point) to the Flint River.

The 4 Most Common Youth Sports Injuries

A guide for parents, coaches, and kids. While youth sports can improve a child’s cardiovascular health, strength, and speed, it also can put them at greater risk of certain types of injuries. Here are a few common injuries that kids, parents, and coaches need to watch out for: 1. Concussions If a young athlete suffers a blow to the head, either during a collision or while falling, he or she may sustain a concussion.

Candy Games Linked to Unhealthy Food Choices

A study shows that kids consume more candy when they play food-themed video games. Want your kids to eat healthy? Think twice before letting them play junk food-themed candy games. When kids played games embedded with ads for candy and other junk foods, they ate 55% more of the candy offered to them than kids who played a game with an embedded toy ad, according to research by Frans Folkvord, a behavioral scientist at Radboud University in Nijmegen, the Netherlands.

The Health Risks of Vaping

It may seem like a healthier alternative to cigarettes, but experts remain unconvinced. Puffing on electronic cigarettes, or vaping, is a relatively new practice that’s gaining in popularity, especially among young people. And while some claim it’s a safer and healthier alternative to smoking traditional cigarettes, experts remain unconvinced.

What You Should Know About Enterovirus D68

You ve probably heard about the recent enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) outbreak. Should you be concerned? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently reported an outbreak of enterovirus D68 (EV-D68), confirming a total of 1,121 cases in 47 states and the District of Columbia between mid-August and November 20, 2014. Although the most common symptoms of this viral infection are mild and mimic those of the common cold, in children with asthma, the EV-D68 can be life-threatening.

PANDAS: A Puzzling Illness in Children

Parents should be aware of this unusual but serious condition. Most people take their child’s health for granted. But one mother recently learned the hard way that things can suddenly and dramatically change. It all began about a year and a half ago, when her previously healthy and energetic son Andrew suddenly came down with a severe sinus infection and flu-like symptoms right before his sixth birthday.

Preventing Substance Abuse in Children with ADHD

What parents need to know. Approximately 8% of children have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Symptoms of the condition include “difficulty staying focused and paying attention, difficulty controlling behavior, and hyperactivity (over-activity),” according to the National Institute of Mental Health.

7 Habits That Can Harm Your Kids' Health

From too much tech time to too little sleep, here s a look at some habits that are having an adverse affect on your child s health and how to nix these tendencies. Above all, you want your kids to be healthy. You serve balanced meals, schedule regular pediatrician and dentist appointments, and adhere to regular bedtimes. But sometimes, kids develop unhealthy habits that sabotage your good intentions. We talked to Doug Haddad (a.

Head Alert: Recognizing Concussions in Children and Young Adults

Concussions in children and teens are not uncommon, especially among student athletes. Learn how to recognize signs of a concussion, and what to do in case one occurs. Kids don’t always play it safe: Whether they’re on the field or horsing around, adolescents and teens are more likely than adults to suffer head injuries. And the damage is often more severe, with long-term effects. But if you can recognize the signs of concussion, you’ll be able to help minimize the damage.
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