11 Pediatric Specialties and How Each Can Help Your Child
Did you know that your pediatrician can help with more than just minor childhood health concerns? In fact, there are specialists in a variety of fields that can help identify and treat your child’s developmental and even psychological issues. If you are looking for a pediatrician in Jacksonville, FL, Pediatric Care Centers provides after hour pediatrics services so you know your child is taken care of whenever they need help. We also provide referrals if your child needs to see a specialist for all types of conditions. If you have a child in need of Jax pediatrics, check out these 11 Jacksonville pediatricians’ specialties and how each one can help your child. Neonatology A Neonatology specialist is a pediatrician that works with infants that are born prematurely, with birth defects, infections, or other medical concerns. They work exclusively in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, or the NICU, with quarantined infants. They may also be present during the delivery when a pregnancy is high risk or has revealed abnormalities. By having a trusted pediatrician like the ones at Pediatric Care Centers you can get referrals to top specialists if your child needs something further than general care. Pediatric Cardiology A pediatric cardiologist focuses on treating conditions of the heart in infants and children. This includes birth defects and heart disease. It is also common for them to work with obese patients to prevent cardiac disease. These specialists examine, diagnose, treat, and perform surgery on patients with heart conditions from babies to young adults. Pediatric Hematology/Oncology A pediatric Oncologist works with children who are unfortunately diagnosed with cancer. Over 80% of child cancer patients have an expected survival time of more than five years according to the American Cancer Society. These doctors work daily to improve this number even more by providing early diagnosis and treating young cancer patients. Pediatric Surgery As the name suggests, a pediatric surgeon is a surgical doctor that performs operations on children rather than adults. Because pediatric surgery is a specialty in and of itself, these doctors often perform a number of procedures in a range of body systems. This specialty requires extensive training and a strong comprehension of both the biological body systems and the surgical techniques required to treat concerns. It is common for these surgeons to perform procedures to treat birth defects, injuries, transplants, and other common medical procedures. Pediatric Emergency Medicine and Critical Care As a parent, there is nothing more terrifying than having to take your child to the hospital in the middle of the night with a potentially life-threatening condition. Pediatric emergency medicine specialists are available to provide after-hours care and are knowledgeable about a range of conditions such as seizures, trauma, poisonings, respiratory concerns, and other common childhood urgent care concerns. Pediatric emergency medicine specialists are responsible for the initial care of children with a variety of conditions from mild to severe according to the Council of Pediatric Subspecialties. Pediatric Pulmonology The pulmonology specialty focuses on the respiratory systems and all the conditions that are associated with it. This includes children that suffer from asthma, cystic fibrosis, apnea, pneumonia, and even lung disease. It is not uncommon for children to experience breathing problems at some point throughout their development. A specialist comes into play when they need direct, customized treatment for recurring issues such as chronic asthma or a moderate to severe illness that impacts the lungs. ENT One of the most common specialists for children to visit is an ear, nose, and throat specialist, or an ENT. In fact, approximately 83% of children experience at least one ear infection before they reach the age of three. This may require a specialist if the ear infections continue or become chronic. In some cases, an ENT may develop a specialized treatment plan specifically for your child. Endocrinology A pediatric endocrinologist treats conditions that are brought on by an imbalance in the endocrine system. This can include conditions such as type 1 diabetes, hormone imbalances, and other conditions that originate in the pancreas, thyroid, or adrenals. In most cases, these conditions are too complex to be managed by a primary care physician or general pediatrician, but your pediatrician will be able to refer you to the best specialists in the area. It is common for treatment for these conditions to be an ongoing process throughout a child’s early development. Allergy and Immunology Allergies can range from being a minor annoyance to producing life-threatening reactions in the immune system. If your child does develop food allergies, your everyday Jacksonville pediatricians may be able to provide some treatment options, however, if the allergies continue to develop or become too severe, they may refer you to an allergy specialist. An allergist or immunologist can provide care for a range of allergy-related conditions such as asthma, skiing and eye allergies, and autoimmune disorders. Dermatology Skin conditions aren’t limited to hormonal teenagers and pregnant women, babies can experience a wide variety of their own skin conditions that can cause discomfort, scarring, or pain. Common conditions include cradle cap, blemishes, eczema, hemangiomas, dermatitis, dandruff, and skin allergies. A dermatologist can help put your little one at ease by analyzing your child’s skin condition, identifying the underlying cause, and treating persistent or chronic skin conditions. Gastroenterology Digestion can be a complicated issue, especially in young, developing bodies. Gastroenterologists in the pediatric field specialize in treating digestive health concerns in babies and children. This includes a range of conditions that may impact a child’s eating habits or bathroom habits. It is common for a specialist to perform minor medical procedures using scopes and imaging. Treatment often consists of a combined effort by a variety of specialties such as endocrinologists or pulmonologists depending on the complexity of your child’s condition. If you have a child who is suffering from any condition from mild to severe, don’t wait to be seen. Check out Pediatric Care Centers, one of the best 24 hour pediatricians in Jacksonville, FL. Our dedicated
4 Childhood Concerns You May Not Realize Your Pediatrician Can Help With
Pediatricians in Jacksonville are dedicated to improving the health and wellness of the children that visit them. As such, Jacksonville pediatrics like the medical team at Pediatric Care Centers strive to treat any childhood concerns that may be impacting their patients. In this article, we will discuss four childhood concerns you may not realize pediatricians in Jacksonville can help with. Learning Disabilities If your child is struggling in school, you may be interested to know that your Jacksonville pediatrician can help your child with learning disabilities. Learning disabilities can include dyslexia, hearing and vision impairments, emotional stress, autism spectrum disorder, bullying, physical concerns, or attention problems. It is common for children to experience more than one learning disability at a time. This can make it hard to determine the actual problem. By working closely with your pediatrician, you can work to track down the root cause of your child’s issue and get them the help and treatment they need to overcome them. Mental Health Issues Pediatricians specialize in early childhood development and health including mental, emotional, and behavioral concerns. There are several conditions that a pediatrician can help identify and manage that impact your child’s mental health and behavior. This might include ADHD, anxiety, depression, or even PTSD. According to Mayo Clinic, common signs of mental or emotional concerns include: ● Persistent sadness that lasts two weeks or more ● Withdrawing from or avoiding social interactions ● Hurting oneself or talking about hurting oneself ● Talking about death or suicide ● Outbursts of extreme irritability ● Out-of-control behavior that can be harmful ● Drastic changes in mood, behavior, or personality ● Changes in eating habits ● Loss of weight ● Difficulty sleeping ● Frequent headaches or stomach aches ● Difficulty concentrating ● Changes in academic performance ● Avoiding or missing school Family Issues Sometimes, children experience things early on in their lives that they don’t know how to process or express emotion appropriately. Pediatricians can provide parents with resources and treatment plans to help children cope with a variety of family issues such as deaths, divorce, or separation. Serious Physical Conditions You probably already know that your pediatrician is able to help you take care of childhood health concerns. However, did you know that they can also help with serious conditions as well? The pediatricians at Pediatric Care Centers can get you a referral to a pediatric specialist that is uniquely qualified to address your children’s health concerns. Conditions that pediatricians treat in conjunction with the specialist include the following: ● genetic disorders such as cystic fibrosis and Down syndrome ● disabilities such as cerebral palsy ● developmental delays ● chronic diseases such as diabetes ● infectious diseases such as meningitis ● asthma and allergies ● autism spectrum disorder Looking for a Jacksonville children’s clinic? Pediatric Care Centers provide friendly care 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Dr. Benitez and his team of Jacksonville pediatricians work around the clock to provide exceptional pediatric care for non-life-threatening illnesses.
5 Things to Know About Food Allergies in Children
Food allergies can cause serious and sometimes even fatal reactions in any individual. In adults, most people are aware of their allergies and know how to avoid certain foods to prevent reactions, however, children can’t know about food allergies if they have never tried certain foods before. Luckily, there are Jax pediatricians at Pediatric Care Centers that can help parents and guardians learn about food allergies in children and how to deal with them. What Are Food Allergies Food allergies are the body’s adverse reaction to certain foods. This occurs when the body’s defense system activates antibodies in response to certain foods and releases histamines. This reaction is a response that impacts the immune system, unlike food intolerances. These histamines lead to reactions such as hives, trouble breathing, stomach pain, asthma, itching, vomiting, and/or diarrhea. The severity of symptoms can vary from mild discomfort to severe reactions that can become life-threatening when left untreated. Common Food Allergies There are several forms of food allergies that can cause a variety of reactions from mild to severe. A child can react to any food, however, most allergic reactions come from the following foods: ● milk ● eggs ● peanuts ● soy ● wheat ● tree nuts ● fish ● shellfish ● sesame How To Spot Food Allergies In children, food allergies do not always appear when the child first tries a food. They can develop on the second or third try – sometimes even later, as the child grows and develops. When a child does experience an allergic reaction, they can experience a variety of symptoms such as the following: ● wheezing ● trouble breathing ● congestion and sneezing ● strange taste ● coughing ● hoarseness ● throat tightness ● stomach pain ● vomiting ● diarrhea ● itchy, watery, or swollen eyes ● itching around the mouth or ears ● hives ● red spots ● swelling ● a drop in blood pressure, causing lightheadedness or passing out What To Do If Your Child Has An Allergic Reaction If your child is having what appears to be a severe allergic reaction, call 911 and you should get to the nearest hospital as soon as possible. Some allergic reactions can be life-threatening when left untreated. There is no medical treatment available that can prevent food allergies. However, there are things that you can do to avoid them. You can avoid the foods that cause the reaction and antihistamines can reduce symptoms and in some cases, a doctor may recommend carrying an EpiPen for emergencies. Food Allergy Testing If you are concerned that your child has allergies, you can look for a “pediatrician near to me” to find the best pediatrician in Jacksonville FL to test your child for food allergies. There are a few different types of tests that can be conducted to determine if your child has a sensitivity or allergy to certain foods. These tests include skin prick tests, blood tests, or food challenge tests. Visit Pediatric Care Centers The Jax Pediatricians at Pediatric Care Centers are some of the best pediatricians in Jacksonville FL and they are open 24 hours a day to help treat your child’s every need. Our goal is to help children avoid going to the emergency room by providing round-the-clock care.
How to Teach Your Child to Be Thankful Every Day. Not Just the Fourth Thursday in November.
With all that is happening in our world, it is important to take the time to practice gratitude for all we have. Results of many studies show the habit of gratitude has many health benefits both physical and mental. Simple ways to help teach your child gratitude: Make it routine to ask your children what their “high” was for the day. Either at bedtime or during dinner everyone has to say one thing that went well that day. Remind them in the morning to look for their “high” that they are going to report that evening. Be a good role model of gratitude. Show your children how much you appreciate the positive things in your life. Loved ones, good food, good friends and beautiful weather. Your children are always watching you as a model for their behavior. Volunteer to help others. Look for ways in your community to volunteer, especially during the holidays. Donating gently used clothes, books and toys, delivering holiday meals, giving to the Salvation Army bell ringers. Encourage acts of gratitude. Saying thank you, writing thank you notes and recognizing kindness go a long way in making children aware of all the things they have to be thankful for. Discuss with your children that having a home, food, family, health, clothes, shoes, electricity, clean water, school and transportation are all things to be thankful for! Things that we take for granted are things that many in the world wish for!
Maintaining Healthy Diets for Kids During COVID-19
The pandemic has changed our daily lives and the way we do things. While kids are safe at home with virtual learning, they are spending more screen time for school and less time outside burning off energy. Without school sports or recess it means less exercise. It’s no wonder we are seeing more issues with kids gaining weight. Making healthy choices when it comes to snacking has never been more important for our kids since they’re missing out on their normal school routine. Obesity in children greatly raises the odds that those children will experience more negative symptoms of COVID-19. COVID-19 can affect children’s breathing, immune system, metabolism and cause inflammation. It’s important to make sure that children are eating healthy foods, staying active and maintaining a regular bedtime to avoid unnecessary health risks. The best way to ensure that your kids stay healthy is leading by example. Expose kids to a variety of healthy foods and some foods they may not have seen before and make sure that the whole family is eating nutritiously so they see it modeled for them. Parents can also support healthy eating habits by creating a schedule for meals and snacks, and keeping healthy food in your home. How your pediatrician can help. If you are worried about your child’s weight gain, schedule an appointment to see one of our providers. We can provide: Screening for obesity-related health issues Help managing stress A personalized plan to manage obesity.
Introducing Dr. Maria Martinez
We’re excited to introduce our newest doctor at the Point Meadows office, Dr. Maria Martinez. Born in Havana, she grew up in Central Florida where her family was sponsored by a local United Methodist Church. She earned her medical degree from the University of South Florida and practiced general pediatrics in her private practice in Miami. She returned to central Florida to work as an outpatient pediatrician for four years before joining pediatrics on December 8. Dr. Martinez has two children; one daughter and one toy poodle. In her free time, she enjoys reading mystery novels and exploring new places, cultures, and cuisines. Learn more about Dr. Martinez’ background on her Bio page.
How to Celebrate Halloween Safely During COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic is still a widespread concern throughout the nation. As we come closer to the end of the year, families all over are wondering how to celebrate the upcoming holidays safely. For many families, this will be the first time where trick-or-treating can be a cause for concern. Here are some of the ways we can keep ourselves and our children safe during this year’s Halloween festivities: Wear face coverings If you plan on going out this Halloween, please remember to wear a mask! The CDC provides helpful recommendations on how to wear masks while out in public. Wearing masks while also taking everyday preventive actions can help prevent or limit the spread of COVID-19. Please note, that costume masks are generally not effective at preventing the spread of the virus. Why not make mask-wearing fun? You can create a DIY facemask to incorporate with your child’s costume this Halloween. Use social distancing Whether you’re celebrating Halloween at an event or going door-to-door for trick-or-treating, you’ll want to make sure that you’re only traveling with the members of your household. The CDC also recommends maintaining at least six-feet of social distancing from others and keeping interactions brief. Don’t forget to wear your mask! Maintain hand hygiene Prevent the spread of the virus by maintaining hand hygiene. Wash your hands often, avoid touching your face, and have a travel-sized bottle of hand sanitizer ready when going out. After your children are done trick-or-treating, make sure everyone washes their hands before unwrapping and eating the candy. Don’t share costume props or food. Lastly, if anyone feels sick, make sure to stay home! Prepare for “one-way” trick-or-treating If you’re planning to give out candy this Halloween, you can make it a safe “one-way” interaction outdoors by: Making treat bags and hanging them from streamers for kids to grab Placing a bowl of candy and a bottle of hand sanitizer at the end of the driveway or walkway Setting up a table to stand behind while handing out candy using tongs Always wearing a mask around others and maintain good hand hygiene while handling candy Not allowing children to grab candy on their own This year, trick-or-treating is considered a higher-risk activity. You may want to consider hosting an alternative event to celebrate Halloween to help limit exposure to COVID-19. Hosting another creative Halloween event Here are some safer alternatives to trick-or-treating that you can try with the family: Host a Halloween movie night or costume party over online chat applications, like Zoom Have a Halloween karaoke party and sing your favorite spooky tunes with the family Spend the night at home making your favorite Halloween treats Coordinate a contact-free neighborhood scavenger hunt Organize a neighborhood car parade or socially distanced costume parade and toss out treat bags with candy You and your family can still have fun participating in the spooky festivities this year. Just remember to stay safe during this time and stay at home if you’re feeling sick. We hope everyone has a fun and safe Halloween!
Going Back to School Safely During COVID-19
It’s almost time to go back to school! As a parent, you may be concerned about how to send your children back to school safely during the COVID-19 pandemic. Public health experts, like the CDC, encouraged the reopening of schools due to the critical role they play in the well-being of local communities and providing academic instruction and support. Additionally, the CDC provided schools with guidance on how to reopen schools during this unprecedented time. There are a few more things you can do to help prepare your children to go back to school safely. How to prepare your children for school during the pandemic Reinforce social distancing Students should practice social distancing and stay at least 6 feet apart, which is about 2 arms’ lengths, from others in both indoor and outdoor spaces. Have your children practice social distancing along with other preventive measures, like wearing masks and washing their hands, to help keep them safe and prevent the spread of COVID-19. Your child should stay home if they’re feeling sick, have tested positive for COVID-19, or have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. Provide a cloth face covering and teach hand hygiene Make sure to give your child a cloth face covering before returning to school. A cloth mask is a breathable face covering that helps filter out respiratory droplets and prevents the spread of viruses like COVID-19. Please note, students shouldn’t wear cloth masks with exhalation vents or valves as they do not prevent the spread of the virus from person to person. The CDC provides a more comprehensive guide on wearing cloth face coverings. Also, make sure that your kids know proper hand hygiene, like thoroughly washing their hands and using hand sanitizer, before returning to school. This guide helps explain the steps for proper hand hygiene. If soap and water aren’t readily available, we recommend purchasing an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that is at least 60% alcohol. Stay flexible on virtual schooling Schools are diligently working with local leaders and public health experts to make sure students stay safe. But if COVID-19 cases around the community increase, it’s important to be open-minded and have a plan in place for your children to attend virtual school. The CDC provides resources on how to plan your child’s virtual school schedule when learning from home. Are you still weighing the pros and cons of in-person schooling versus virtual school for your children? You can review these decision-making checklists for back-to-school planning and decide what options are best for your family. Keep in mind This upcoming school year will be a completely new endeavor not only for our children, but also for all parents, school administration, and our communities. Let’s do our part by planning ahead of time to make sure everyone stays safe when the school year starts.
Keeping Your Children Safe in Summer Camp During COVID-19
Youth and summer camp season is here, and this is the time to be especially cautious when sending your children off amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Camp administrators, in collaboration with state and local health officials, are hard at work setting precautions to keep your children, staff, and community safe. You and your family can also follow a few guidelines to help keep your children safe while attending summer camp. Here are just some measures you can take to reinforce safety and healthy habits with your children while attending summer camp this year: Contact your camp on COVID-19 safety measures The safety measure for your child’s summer camp program depends on the guidelines from local and state officials, as well as safety considerations unique to your community. Before sending your child to a summer camp program, check with camp administrators to make sure the program is following all of the necessary safety guidelines for COVID-19 for your community. Youth & summer camp safety measures to check for include: Visible signage: Are there signs posted in highly visible locations around the facility promoting protective measures for campers like social distancing, maintaining hand hygiene, and wearing face coverings? Physical Barriers and guides: Are physical barriers provided to help stop the spread of germs? (For example, a sneeze guard or partition at a reception desk.) Are there tape and markings at the facility to help campers and staff maintain 6-foot distancing? Adequate supplies: Does your summer camp program have the necessary supplies to support health hygiene for both campers and staff? Supplies include soap, hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol, paper towels, and tissues. Routine cleaning and disinfection: Do camp staff have a schedule for cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces? (e.g., playground equipment, door handles, sink handles, drinking fountains, shared vehicles) The CDC recommends routine cleaning at least daily or between each use. The American Camp Association has additional resources for you to stay informed on recommended COVID-19 safety measures for day and overnight camps. Maintain social distancing Since people may be sick without showing any signs or symptoms, your child needs to follow social distancing guidelines when attending summer camp. Encourage your child to maintain at least 6 feet of social distance from other campers and staff at all times, limit close contact with others, and avoid big groups and crowded areas. Wear face coverings Give your child a proper cloth face covering to wear to prevent the spread of germs and infection, especially in certain areas where it’s difficult to maintain social distancing. Double-check that your child’s summer camp program is reinforcing the use of face coverings for their staff and administrators, as well. Hygiene & etiquette Teach your child proper hand-washing hygiene like washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially before eating, after using the bathroom, or when dirty. If soap and water are not readily available, hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol can be used. Encourage your child to follow the proper etiquette when needing to cough or sneeze. Cover your mouth using a tissue when coughing or sneezing, or use your elbow instead of using hands. Used tissues should be thrown in the trash and hands washed immediately with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Pack your child’s lunch You can pack your child’s lunch to bring to camp and encourage them to eat in separate areas when sharing a communal area like a dining hall or cafeteria. If food is offered or provided, make sure it is in pre-packaged boxes or bags instead of an open-faced buffet or family-style meals. Stay home if necessary If your child is sick or recently exposed to someone with COVID-19, they should stay home and quarantine until it is safe to return to camp. If they have been exposed to or test positive for COVID-19, they should contact the camp and advise them so they can take proper precautions and measures. Having your child attend summer camp during the COVID-19 pandemic can be especially worrisome to parents. You can make sure your child has a safe and fun camp experience by working with camp staff and administrators on taking the right safety measures. Happy camping!
ATTN: Notice on the Coronavirus
Just a note about the Coronavirus … don’t panic! As of Feb. 24 there have been 14 confirmed cases in the U.S. with another 39 cases among citizens who became sick outside of the U.S. and were sent home to be quarantined. Compare that to 29 million flu cases this year and 16,000 of those resulting in deaths. Additionally, according to the Journal of the American Medical Association, “relatively few children appear to have developed severe symptoms so far, with the median age of patients being between 49-56 years old.” Although they don’t know yet the preferred way that the virus transmits it is believed to be primarily respiratory with symptoms including fever, cough and shortness of breath, which means either through airborne droplets or through surfaces that those droplets have landed on. So the CDC suggests following the guidelines for preventing all infectious diseases which include washing your hands with regular soap, using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer after touching any public surface and being aware of not touching your face with your hands before doing one of the two. According to the University of Chicago Medicine, the guidelines for influenza define exposure as being within six feet of an infected person for 10 minutes or longer because “time and distance matters.” As always, we are here 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to see you if you have any questions or concerns over symptoms.