When Your Child Has Chest Pain

In the world of competitive dance, every movement is crucial. For Kiara “Katie” Rodriguez, her dance journey took an unexpected turn when, at the age of 15, when she began experiencing hip pain. What felt like a pulled muscle led her to Nemours Children’s Health, Celebration, where she met with her pediatrician, Dr. Janette Magarino. “We all agreed it might be a pulled muscle,” says Katie. “So, we were told to rest and ice the area and take an anti-inflammatory. However, being the type to not complain, I would just dance through the pain.” As a dedicated dancer, Katie spends five hours a day, six days a week perfecting her craft. As she continued to dance, the pain got worse. “When I was home, the pain was unbearable and at times would leave me screaming or crying,” says Katie. “I couldn’t deal with the pain so I often would lose […]

As kids head back to school and daily routines, many are also returning to sports. But what happens if your child doesn’t want to try out for the team this year? They’re not alone. According to research from The Aspen Institute, almost 1 in 4 parents say their kids are less interested in organized sports since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The benefits of organized sports are well known. They keep kids active and teach important life skills like teamwork and how to manage conflict. Kids who play on a team can gain self-esteem and confidence from learning new skills. And they are less likely to have anxiety and depression or to use drugs. So how can you help your kids enjoy team sports? And if organized sports aren’t right for them, how can you help them stay active and involved? Ways to Help Your Child Make the Best Choice Start […]

Your family’s fall calendar may be packed with sports activities, pumpkin picking, and school events, but don’t forget to make time for one very important appointment: your child’s flu vaccine. Experts say now is the best time to get the flu vaccine. Getting it at the start of flu season — which runs from October to May — gives the body a chance to make antibodies that protect from the flu. For the last couple of years, flu rates have been lower than usual, in part due to the precautions taken to prevent COVID-19. But now kids are returning to school with fewer precautions and resuming pre-pandemic activities. The flu will start to spread again, which is why families should get their flu shots as soon as possible. Why Is the Flu Vaccine Recommended? While the flu vaccine isn’t 100% effective, it still greatly lowers a person’s chances of catching […]