Sometimes, kids who take high doses of medicines for cancer, infections, or other illnesses develop hearing or balance problems (or both) as a result of taking the drugs. This is called ototoxicity or “ear poisoning.” Ototoxicity damages the inner ear — the part of the ear responsible for receiving/sending sounds …
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Peritonsillar Abscess
The Basics Lots of kids get tonsillitis (an infection of the tonsils), especially younger kids. As kids get older, however, this throat infection can be accompanied by an unpleasant condition called a peritonsillar abscess. A peritonsillar abscess is an area of pus-filled tissue at the back of the mouth, next …
Speech-Language Therapy
In a recent parent-teacher conference, maybe the teacher expressed concern that your child could have a problem with certain speech or language skills. Or perhaps while talking to your child, you noticed an occasional stutter. Could your child have a problem? And if so, what should you do? It’s wise …
Stuttering
Many young kids go through a stage between the ages of 2 and 5 when they stutter, repeating certain syllables, words or phrases, prolonging them, or stopping, making no sound for certain sounds and syllables. Stuttering is a form of dysfluency — an interruption in the flow of speech. In …
Tonsils and Tonsillectomies
Everybody’s heard of tonsils. But not everyone knows what tonsils do or why they may need to be removed. Knowing the facts can help alleviate the fears of both parents and kids facing a tonsillectomy. Tonsils and Tonsillitis Tonsils are clumps of tissue on both sides of the throat that …
Celiac Disease
About Celiac Disease Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder caused by an intolerance to gluten. Gluten is the general name of the proteins found in wheat, rye, and barley and other grains derived from them. In kids with celiac disease, gluten damages villi, the finger-like projections in the small intestine …
Constipation
Constipation is a very common problem in kids. A child is considered constipated when he or she has fewer than three bowel movements in a week; has trouble having a bowel movement; or when the stool (poop) is hard, dry, and unusually large. Constipation usually isn’t a cause for concern, …
Cystic Fibrosis
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disorder that particularly affects the lungs and digestive system. Kids who have it are more vulnerable to repeated lung infections. Recent high-tech medical advances in drug therapy and genetics are helping children born with CF lead longer and more comfortable lives. In the last 10 …
Cystic Fibrosis and Nutrition
About Cystic Fibrosis Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an inherited disease that affects the respiratory and digestive systems. CF makes children sick by disrupting the normal function of epithelial cells — cells that make up the sweat glands in the skin and that also line passageways in the lungs, liver, pancreas, …
Diarrhea
Most kids battle diarrhea — frequent, runny bowel movements (poop) — from time to time. The good news is that it usually doesn’t last long and is more annoying than dangerous. Still, it’s important to know how to relieve and even prevent diarrhea. What Causes Diarrhea? Diarrhea is usually brought …