Every year, 13 million Americans — including teenagers — contract HPV. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly every sexually active person will get an HPV infection at some point in their life. Most infections clear up, but some persist and develop into cancer. The HPV vaccine can prevent this, yet many parents remain uncertain about whether or not to vaccinate their children. For some, it’s fear of side effects. For others, it’s concerns about why it needs to be given so young, and even the implication of saying yes. If you’re a parent trying to make the best decision for your child, here are answers to the most common questions and concerns about the HPV vaccine. What is HPV? HPV (human papillomavirus) is a group of viruses transmitted through skin-to-skin contact, such as vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Some strains of HPV cause warts, and […]

Prenatal genetic counseling and preconception (the time period and care that happens prior to pregnancy) genetic counseling and testing offer ways to gain further information and education that can help patients and families make informed decisions about their pregnancy and for preconception planning. There are many testing options available nowadays with different benefits, risks, and limitations. This article lays the foundation for essential questions you may have, such as: However, it’s important to keep in mind that genetic counseling and genetic testing are voluntary — it’s your choice. In fact, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) reaffirmed in January 2026 that, “After pretest counseling, every patient has the right to pursue or decline prenatal genetic screening and diagnostic testing.” So, keep the communication open with your OB/GYN, or maternal-fetal medicine doctors, about the types of testing you’re comfortable with and what the information means (and what it doesn’t). […]

Supporting a growing athlete starts with understanding one key principle: performance nutrition isn’t about exotic supplements or complicated meal plans. The good news for parents of young athletes is that fueling your competitor is simply about eating the right balance of quality foods for the right activity — from training to post workout recovery to the big game. While athletes do need strategic nutrition to support their performance, the foundation is the same balanced, wholesome eating that benefits everyone in your family. Sports nutrition is really just smart, consistent healthy eating — with a few key timing adjustments. Building Blocks of Sports Nutrition Carbohydrates: The Primary Energy Source for Young Athletes Carbohydrates are found in foods like pasta, rice, bread, cereal, fruits, vegetables, and dairy. They are the body’s preferred source of energy during a workout. During digestion, carbohydrates are broken down into sugar and used immediately for energy, while […]

As the world changes and technology develops, kids have more and more access to the internet and social media. In fact, 50% of 11-year-olds have a cell phone and upwards of 90% of 14-year-olds have one. It can be incredibly challenging to figure out how to navigate tech, especially when many parents of teens didn’t even have social media to use at that age. But there’s no opting out of dealing with social media for teens. As a parent, you may have read some of the recent books and articles about the dangers of creating anxiety or affecting teen mental health by allowing kids to have phones. The data is pretty clear that kids who have increasing use of social media, especially Snapchat, tend to have higher levels of depression and anxiety. Parents are looking for answers to understand, and somehow remedy: How does social media affect mental health? Still, […]

There is so much information constantly flowing into families’ lives about the state of the world, with daily news headlines that have the potential to create distress. Children hear about what’s going on in the world through social media, friends, or adult conversations. But news headlines aren’t always about news; they’re often about what will get the most attention, ranging from uplifting stories to scary events. It’s important that you leave the door open to have conversations with your child about trending news and social media — and other things they may hear about the news. Starting a Discussion About a Current Event It’s often best to start with finding out what your child already knows. You can ask your kids questions to see if they know about a current event. For school-age kids and teens, you can also ask what they have heard at school or on social media. Try […]

Pregnancy nausea is a common symptom and it’s usually called morning sickness. But when is it something more serious? An “hg pregnancy” refers to hyperemesis gravidarum, a pregnancy complication characterized by severe nausea, vomiting, and dehydration. This condition is more intense than typical morning sickness. The difference between morning sickness and hyperemesis gravidarum (often just called “hyperemesis”) mainly comes down to severity and impact, but it can have an impact — on both mother and baby. It’s rare, but your doctor can help. What is morning sickness? Morning sickness is extremely common in that it affects up to 70–80% of pregnancies. It usually starts at around 4–6 weeks and eases by about 12–14 weeks. The symptoms are mild to moderate nausea, sometimes with occasional vomiting. It may be uncomfortable, but most people can still eat, drink, and maintain hydration. Most expectant parents treat it at home with diet adjustments (small […]