For most parents and kids, spring means sunny warm weather, outdoor sports and more outside playtime. For many others, spring also means more asthma flare-ups – more time outside means more exposure to asthma triggers, and more sports means more exercise-induced asthma. Although childhood asthma is common, many people really don’t know much about it. So we thought we’d answer some common questions about what asthma is and how it’s treated. 1. What is asthma, exactly? Asthma is a chronic disease that affects the airways in the lungs, called “breathing tubes” (or “bronchial tubes”). It’s actually the most common long-term childhood disease – the No. 1 reason kids chronically miss school. And flare-ups are the most common cause of pediatric emergency department visits due to a chronic illness. Those affected by asthma typically have swollen airways (which means that they swell and produce lots of thick mucus) most of the […]

When you hear statistics like “1 in 3,000” or “only 104,000 in the U.S.,” it’s hard to feel like others understand what you’re going through with a rare condition such as arthrogryposis. So, imagine how wonderful it must have felt for the nearly 130 people who gathered for the Arthrogryposis Mini Meet-Up recently held at Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, Del. A condition of the joints and muscles, arthrogryposis impairs children’s abilities to use their shoulders, wrists, fingers and lower extremities. There are many variations — some mild, some severe. There is no cure for arthrogryposis, but there are treatments that can help to maintain and maximize a child’s range of motion and function. The goal of the Mini Meet-Up was to bring together kids and adults with arthrogryposis so they could share their stories, their experiences and their support with each other. And, perhaps most important, […]

Spring and summer have always been my favorite times of year. The temperatures start to warm up, and I can pack away my winter jackets for the season. The sun stays out later each day, so I have more time in the evenings to enjoy walks outside. And the fresh fruits and vegetables become more abundant than ever. During the spring and summer, trips to the farmers market are a favorite activity of mine. Nothing beats the taste of locally grown produce, freshly picked and sold to you right from the growers. I share this tip with many families and children that I see here at Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children. I asked other registered dietitians here at Nemours what tips they share with families looking to eat healthy during the warmer months. Here’s what they said. Snack Hacks Jaclyn Costantino: “Try homemade frozen fruit pops for a yummy, […]

The golf world witnessed a show of grace and sportsmanship amid crushing disappointment this past weekend at the storied Masters Tournament in Augusta, Ga. Just when he seemed to have back-to-back wins locked down, reigning champion Jordan Spieth, 22, watched his lead slip away in the second half of the final round. In keeping with Masters’ tradition, Spieth had to congratulate the 2016 winner, Danny Willet, and help him on with the customary green jacket just moments after the loss. Though visibly upset, Spieth managed to compose himself long enough to carry out his duties and answer the obligatory post-event interview questions about where it all went wrong. Although Spieth showed his emotions briefly before composing himself, not all public athletes are able to do this. The NFL fined the Pittsburgh Steelers nearly $12,000 for Antonio Brown’s excessive touchdown celebrations. “Dance Moms” television personality Abby Lee Miller screams at her […]

You hear the word “cholesterol” and a child doesn’t exactly come to mind – more like one of us grown-ups fighting the urge to scarf down that double cheeseburger. But, in the wake of the ongoing childhood obesity epidemic, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says tracking youngsters’ cholesterol levels at an early age may help fend off future heart disease, the No. 1 killer of both men and women. So many adults suffer from heart disease in this country. It can be a scary disease to have and it can cause further health problems too, such as heart attacks and even erectile dysfunction. For men, erectile dysfunction can be worrying, however, there are treatments available at online pharmacies, like Blink Health. Those treatments can help men to experience better blood flow in that area, allowing them to achieve an erection. That’s just one health risk associated with heart disease, […]

At Nemours and elsewhere around the globe, April is the month to shine a light on the autism community. As parents, learning the signs of autism spectrum disorder, observing your child’s development, getting a timely and accurate diagnosis, and beginning treatment as early as possible can make a critical difference in your child’s future. Here are the basics: What is autism spectrum disorder (ASD)? ASD is a lifelong, neurologically-based developmental disorder that’s described as a ”spectrum” because symptoms can vary in type and severity. No two cases are exactly alike. The core features of ASD are a) social and communication deficits and b) repetitive or restricted behavior, interests or activities. What causes ASD and how common is it? While a precise cause is unknown, a variety of factors, including environmental, biologic and genetic factors, are thought to increase the likelihood that a child will have ASD. The prevalence of autism […]