Telemedicine allows us to deliver a unique consultation experience to you remotely using HIPAA compliant video conferencing tools. This service allows you to connect to your provider with ease in a timely manner, and is designed with the patient in mind to be very user-friendly. Virtual consultations can be done using devices that most patients have easy access to such as a smartphone or a computer with a built-in video camera, so you won’t need to worry about having any specialized equipment.

Using our telemedicine service is simple, and our friendly staff would be happy to answer any questions you may have about utilizing this service prior to your appointment.

How to prepare for your Telehealth visit:

• Have your child with you and be prepared to undress them
• Know your child’s temperature and most recent weight
• Find a quiet, well-lit space for your visit
• Close all windows, tabs, apps, or programs on your device
• Turn your phone completely off and on just prior to connecting for your visit
• Use strong wifi or, preferably, an ethernet cable
• Make sure your device is charged
• Turn off other devices on the same wifi connection using high bandwidth activities (e.g., Netflix / YouTube / Skype / Hulu)
• Understand the limitations of telemedicine
• Understand that you may be charged for a telemedicine visit

Some of the symptoms of ADHD can include:

• Difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or play
• Failure to follow through on instructions, projects, or tasks
• Easily sidetracked
• Trouble getting and staying organized
• Frequently losing items necessary for school, work, or other essential tasks
• Becoming distracted easily by unrelated thoughts or stimuli
• Forgetful in daily activities
• Seems not to listen well when spoken to directly
• Fidgeting, squirming, and not being able to sit still
• Restlessness
• Inability to quietly engage in play or hobbies
• Being constantly in motion
• Talking nonstop

Interrupting others when they’re speaking, blurting out answers, finishing other people’s sentences, and not being able to wait for one’s turn to speak

Having any or some of these symptoms does not always mean a person has ADHD. Children are especially prone to some of these behaviors naturally and ultimately learn to harness their energy and focus as they grow. An active child doesn’t necessarily equate to one with ADHD, and we are very careful to assess each patient’s full medical and personal history before making a diagnosis.

It is our highest priority to provide thorough and effective care to all our patients, and that starts with treating the person as a whole, not just the symptoms. Treatment options for ADHD may include medication such as stimulants, non-stimulants, and antidepressants, therapy, and stress-management techniques, to name a few.

If you have questions about ADHD and how we can help you with your symptoms, please call our office at (516) 944-6015 today!

Common asthmatic triggers
There are several triggers that can lead to an asthma attack. Some of the most common asthmatic triggers for children include:

• Allergens like pollen, mold, or pet dander
• Environmental irritants like smog and smoke
• Extreme excitement or anxiety
• Prolonged exercises
• Rapid weather changes or cold weather
• Respiratory illnesses

By paying attention to potential triggers during attacks, you can help manage your child’s condition by minimizing exposure to potential triggers in the future.

Treatment
Asthma treatment varies depending on the severity of symptoms, how frequently your child experiences attacks, and your child’s age.

If your child is very young, they may require a nebulizer to help them breathe in their medication through a face mask.

For older children who have mild and infrequent asthma attacks, rescue inhalers or bronchodilators may be enough to manage their symptoms should they occur.

For more moderate to severe cases, our doctors may prescribe long-term preventative medication that your child will need to take daily in addition to rescue inhalers to keep their asthma under control.

For more information on asthma and our treatment options, contact our office at Healthy Kids Pediatrics.

Symptoms of Allergies

Possible signs of an allergic reaction include, but are not limited to:

• Difficulty breathing
• Red eyes
• Runny nose
• Skin rashes or hives
• Sneezing
• Swollen face, lips, or tongue
• Upset stomach
• Watery eyes

In severe cases, anaphylactic shock may occur where the swelling of the throat blocks proper airflow. If this occurs, seek immediate medical attention and administer an Epi-Pen if available.

Diagnosing Allergies
Some allergy symptoms may appear to be signs of an upset stomach, cold, or flu, making it difficult to diagnose at home. If you suspect your child has an allergy, schedule an appointment with our office to confirm a diagnosis.

We will conduct a thorough allergy test, including blood work and additional skin testing if necessary. In cases where further evaluation may be needed, we can refer your child to an allergist.

Treatment
For some, careful management of allergen exposure can be enough to keep your child symptom-free. In other cases, medication may be prescribed to keep allergy symptoms under control.

For more information on our allergy treatment options, contact our office at (516) 944-6015.

Symptoms
If your child is old enough to verbalize feelings clearly, he or she may complain of ear pain, itching, burning, or that the ear feels hot to the touch.

If your child is too young, then you may be able to recognize signs of infections by the following symptoms:

• Balance problems
• Fluid or discharge from ears
• Poor appetite
• Pulling on ears
• Restlessness
• Rubbing ears constantly
• Unusual fussiness

Another symptom associated with ear infections can be a fever. Most children with an ear infection will display several symptoms listed above. If your child is displaying some of these symptoms, schedule an appointment to get your child fast relief.

Causes
Ear infections typically occur from bacteria or viruses that have entered your child’s body. This often occurs when your child is unwell from a cold or respiratory infection.

Treatment
Treatment will vary depending on your child’s symptoms.

If your child is not feeling better with over-the-counter medication or warm compresses, antibiotics may be prescribed. These antibiotics can usually be taken with over-the-counter medication as needed. Before prescribing any medication, your doctor will go over any potential side effects with you.

Most children begin to feel better after a few days of treatment. If your child experiences ear infections often, they may need to undergo a simple procedure to drain their ears of fluid to prevent future infections.

For more information on ear infections and our treatment options available, please contact our office at (516) 944-6015.

Our goal is to find fun and easy ways to incorporate a healthy mind-set for our patients.

Nutrition is a building block towards a healthier you. It is necessary to support proper growth and repair as well as helping sustain your metabolism. If you do not give your body the proper nutrients, your body function cannot be maintained and your genetic potential will not be fully expressed.

Dietary recommendations are the foundation of clinical nutrition, but you may need some supplementation as well.

Supplementation is needed to combat health variables such as stress, the consumption of processed foods, food additives, and foods that are grown on depleted soils. Clinical nutrition recommendations are determined by integrating information from your health history, exam, and lab results.

Here at Healthy Kids Pediatrics, we offer nutritional counseling to help optimize your health goals and weight management. We want to break down the myths surrounding common diets and simply your nutrition by focusing on an anti-inflammatory lifestyle.

Please contact our office at (516) 944-6015 today for questions on how to start your own journey.

What does a sports physical include?
Generally, all physicals begin with a discussion of medical and family history to establish your child’s health background. Common tests conducted during the physical include:

• Checking heart and lung function
• Evaluating reflexes and flexibility
• Examining the ears, nose, and throat
• Vision screening

We will also check other aspects of your health as needed and remind you and your child of sport safety practices to prevent injury.

Does a physical replace a well-child exam?
No, a sports physical does not replace a well-child exam. The goal of sports physicals is to make sure your child is healthy enough to participate in a sports program safely. A well-child exam is more comprehensive and includes an extensive examination of your child’s health.

Do I need to bring anything to the physical?
We recommend that parents bring any assistive devices such as corrective lenses, contacts, or oral appliances to your child’s physical.

Any forms your school requires us to complete including pre-participation forms should also be brought to the physical.

A sports physical is good for exactly one year. It is important to schedule your child’s physical before the old one expires to ensure that your child’s sports participation is not interrupted. For more information on sports physicals, please contact our office today at (516) 944-6015.