Growing up has always had its challenges, but today’s teens face a digital world that can make things even more complicated. Social media likes, comments and shares can feel just as important as real-life conversations. At INTEGRIS Health, we know that helping your teen find a healthy balance with technology is a top concern for many families. While smartphones help us stay connected, they can also impact your child’s self-esteem, sleep and overall well-being.
When most people think of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), they picture major catastrophic events like military combat or violent assaults. While these experiences certainly can lead to trauma, it’s important to recognize that PTSD in children can also stem from less extreme sources. The constant drip of smaller repeated stressors can be just as damaging as a single overwhelming event.
Parenting is often described as the most difficult job in the world. That description actually undersells the emotional weight of the task. You are the safety net, the cheerleader and the disciplinarian all rolled into one. You spend years learning the unique language of your child. Then one day, the signals change, and you begin to wonder if this is just a phase or if your child needs a psychologist.
Over the past few decades, ADHD diagnoses have been on the rise in the U.S. and around the world. It’s a trend that sparks a lot of questions and sometimes confusion. For families in Oklahoma, understanding attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder is an important step in supporting your family’s mental health and well-being.
Vaping has become a major temptation for teens, with sleek-looking devices and candy-like flavors. Many people, especially teens, believe it’s a harmless alternative to smoking. The truth is much more complicated.
As the back-to-school season comes around, it's time to bid farewell to lazy summer mornings and embrace the rhythm of the school day. Creating a healthy morning routine not only sets the tone for a productive day ahead but also contributes to your overall well-being.
Ear infections are a common health problem for young children. They happen when the middle ear gets swollen, often because of bacteria or viruses. The eustachian tubes, which connect the middle ear to the back of the nose, can get blocked. When that happens, fluid can build up and cause an infection.
The habits children develop at a young age often stay with them for life. From healthy eating and regular physical activity to limiting screen time and prioritizing mental well-being, parents play a key role in shaping their child’s lifestyle.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental condition that affects communication, social interactions and interpersonal relationships. Identifying early signs, such as delayed speech, limited eye contact or repetitive behaviors, is crucial for accessing effective interventions that support a child’s growth.
As parents of young children, it can seem like second nature to grab a wipe or tissue to remove mucus from your child’s nose. While serving as an annoyance to both you and your child, a runny nose is usually tied to an acute illness and will resolve in a week or two.
Stepping into the hospital or a doctor’s office can be a new experience for children, filled with unknowns and apprehensions. The unfamiliar sights and sounds of a hospital, the separation from loved ones for surgery and the potential challenges of navigating medical procedures can create a whirlwind of emotions for young patients. Add to that the disruption of familiar routines and the potential for ongoing treatments, and the road to recovery can seem overwhelming.
The older you get, the more eating seems second nature by putting food in your mouth and chewing. As a child, though, trying and experiencing new foods isn’t that simple. Food aversion describes food refusal by a toddler or young child despite having the fine motor skills to do so. Children with food aversion typically have a limited diet and are highly selective in what they eat. They may have a particularly strong dislike for a food while also enjoying other foods.
Asthma is a chronic lung disease where the airways swell and constrict, making it hard for air to reach the lungs. It is the most common chronic illness among children, affecting 7.5 million kids. In this blog, we talk with Seana Dean, M.D., a board-certified pediatrician with INTEGRIS Health Medical Group Del City, on how parents can manage their children’s asthma.
As students return to school and dive into sports, the summer heat poses significant health risks. In this blog, we talked to David Hopkins, D.O., a board-certified family medicine physician at INTEGRIS Health Medical Group Guthrie about the health risks of rising temperatures and the dangers posed to young athletes.
RSV is a common viral infection that affects the respiratory system, including the nose, throat, lungs and breathing passages. RSV comes from the Paramyxoviridae family, a group that also includes the mumps and measles. The virus can replicate anywhere in the respiratory tract, mainly the breathing tubes and lungs. This replication then causes swelling and inflammation that makes you sneeze, cough or have trouble breathing.
We provide a guide to help determine if your child is speaking enough for their age and when you should become concerned about a possible delay. Knowing what’s normal and what isn’t can help put your mind at ease.
By the time your infant celebrates their first birthday, they will have had the opportunity to receive 10 vaccinations to prevent them from various diseases and illnesses. For specific shots, such as the flu, it can be difficult to remember when your baby should become vaccinated. This blog will explain the best time for your baby to receive the flu vaccine.
Instead of turning to eggs and other processed meats for protein sources at breakfast, some consumers have ventured into the world of high-protein cereals as an alternative. This blog will explore this growing market and expand on the possible health benefits.
As the cooler months are approaching, your chances of getting sick increase. Luckily, there are several different ways you can support your immune system to get ahead of fall and winter time sicknesses. We share 5 ways you can boost your immune system.
There is a real stigma with discussing weight, whether it’s with friends or family. It’s even harder when you attempt to discuss this with your own children.
Being obese comes with a long list of health risk factors that include diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, lung disease and 13 types of cancer. For decades, these effects have been well known. Researchers have discovered a new link between obesity and brain function.
Technology has improved our lives in many ways. But like anything in life, too much can sometimes lead to harm. Have you ever thought about trying a digital detox to give your mind and body a rest? It can be just as beneficial as eating your daily vegetables.
Childhood obesity is a disturbing epidemic in the U.S. The number of children who suffer from it has more than tripled since 1980. This means the future health of our children is dire as they suffer from diseases that were traditionally reserved for adults - diseases like type 2 diabetes and fatty liver disease. The good news is that childhood obesity is reversible.
For people who have food allergies or are simply trying to eat healthier, it can be difficult to come up with a grocery list that is affordable and fulfilling. Instead of overspending on a pint of non-dairy ice cream, we rounded up several recipes to try at home that take just a few minutes to prepare.
It’s long been known that exercise is good for both body and mind, and that certain types of exercise are extra good for calming the mind. There’s a growing body of evidence suggesting kayaking is a double-paddled superstar when it comes to de-stressing. We share what you need to know.
When your baby transitions from milk or formula to solids, baby food purees are typically the first item to grab off the shelves at your local grocery store. However, many parents use baby-led weaning, a process that involves infants learning to feed themselves, as a way to introduce solids. We provide information on when and how to start baby-led weaning and which foods to feed your infant.
Parenting, especially for first timers, can be overwhelming from the start. To help with some of your newborn questions, we compiled some of the most commonly searched topics new parents have to provide you with a comprehensive guide on how to survive the newborn phase and raise a healthy child.
Swimming is an amazing cardio workout, it’s known for its calming, meditative effects and it’s a remarkably efficient way to burn calories. Since water supports about 90 percent of your body weight when you’re swimming, it’s often possible to continue to exercise while recovering from an ankle sprain or other injury. Did you know, though, that there are lots of other ways to exercise in water?
Play, a natural part of childhood, is just as important for adults as it is for kids. But you know as well as we do, in the hurly-burly swirl of everyday life it can be all too easy to become so focused on getting things done that we forget to lighten up, loosen up and play.
