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Welcome to the inaugural issue of Parkside News. You can look forward to this e-newsletter being delivered on a monthly basis right to your inbox! Not only will we will be keeping you informed on the latest happenings at Parkside Pediatrics, but we will be touching upon many medical issues facing our patients and their families.
If you find a particular story interesting of informative, feel free to forward the message onto a friend who might be interested in learning more too by using the link at the bottom of the newsletter. If for any reason you decide that Parkside News is not for you, unsubscribing is not only safe but also very easy--just click on the unsubscribe button at the bottom of the newsletter. We thank you for the opportunity to serve as your pediatricians and look forward to seeing you soon. Hope you enjoy!
| Flu Season Is Upon Us |
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The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by the Influenza virus. Every year in the US, 5% to 20% of the population catches the flu and more than 200,000 people are hospitalized. The symptoms can vary from mild to severe and include: high fever, headache, fatigue, dry cough, sore throat, nasal congestion, and muscle aches. Stomach symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, also can occur, and in fact are more common in children than adults.
The best way to prevent the flu is by getting a flu vaccination each year. The "flu shot" is an inactivated vaccine (containing killed virus) that is given with a very small needle. The flu shot is approved and recommended for use in children 6 months to 5 years, siblings of children who are 6 months to 5 years, and children with chronic medical conditions, such as asthma or cystic fibrosis. It is important to remember that a "booster" dose is needed one month after a child is vaccinated for the very first time. When in doubt ask your Parkside physician if a flu vaccine would be recommended for your child.
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| New Office Opens! |
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Parkside Pediatrics is pleased to announce the opening of their new state of the art office at Five Forks in Simpsonville, SC. The design of this particular office building was very well thought out and intentional with a hope and desire to provide the most up to date pediatric care to our patients, while at the same time creating a new standard in efficiency for office- based medicine. What does this mean for you? Top-notch medical care delivered on time without long waiting room stays.
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| Dear Parkside |
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Dear Parkside, I am the mother of a 2 year old who refuses to potty train. We have tried him on the toilet, but he doesn't seem to be interested. He always goes and hides behind the couch when he does a #2. What can we do?
--Frustrated and Stinky in Simpsonville
Dear Frustrated and Stinky in Simpsonville, Potty training is something that we shouldn't rush into. Just because you are ready for your son to be potty trained doesn't mean that he is ready. Around 18 months is a good time to spend some time telling your child how the body works and explaining that everyone goes to the bathroom...it's part of growing up!
Around 20 months of age, we recommend scheduled time where your child can sit on the toilet and get used to the idea of using it. Often scheduled potty time after meals will produce the desired result. By 2 years of age toilet training books and videos may be of assistance. By this age you can present underwear as a privilege for using the potty. It is important to remember to never punish for accidents.
Don't be too worried by your present situation because most children can be toilet trained by 3 years of age. If he is still having these problems a year from now, or showing no signs of progress, schedule an apppointment to come in and get some one on one help.
--Regards, Parkside
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The Truth About Ear Infections--The Causes (1st in a Three Part Series)
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Does this sound like you? You are enjoying an afternoon at Grandma's house with the kids when you notice that little Johnny is pulling on his ear. You remark, "he has been more fussy than usual, and in fact he didn't sleep well during his nap time." Grandma assures you not to worry. She has some "ear oil" in her medicine cabinet that she can warm up and cure his ear ache. Yikes! What's a mom to do? Well, as always, a little information about what causes ear infections may provide some relief for parental anxiety.
So what actually is an ear infection? Well, an ear infection, also called acute otitis media, is a bacterial infection of the middle ear (the space behind the eardrum). It usually is a complication of a cold where the cold blocks off the the tube that connects the middle ear to the back of the throat (the eustachian tube). Your child's ear is painful because trapped, infected fluid puts pressure on the eardrum, causing it to bulge. Symptoms of ear infections include fever, irritability, pulling on the ear, and poor sleep. In 5% to 10% of children, the pressure in the middle ear causes the eardrum to rupture and drain a yellow or cloudy fluid. This small hole usually heals over the next 1-2 weeks.
Most children will have at least one ear infection, and over one fourth of these children will have repeated ear infections. Children are most likely to have ear infections between the ages of 6 months and 2 years, but they continue to be a common childhood illness until the age of 8 years. Most ear infections are caused by the following bacteria: Streptococcus pneumonia (~40%), non-typable Haemophilus influenza (~25-30%), and Moraxella catarrhalis (~10-15%). Respiratory viruses may also be found in the middle ear fluid, either alone, or more commonly in association with the bacteria mentioned above.
Stay tuned for the next installment where we will discuss the medical treatments available for ear infections and the following installment where we will discuss when surgical placement of tubes may be indicated.
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