Be Active Together
Learn ways you and your kids can have fun with sports and exercise while building healthy habits.
Take a Bite Out of Teething
Master the signs and symptoms of teething, how to soothe the pain and how to keep new baby teeth healthy.
Growing Pains Are Real
About 10 to 20 percent of kids get harmless aches related to growing. Here’s how to relieve the pain.
Six Tips to Keep Kids Safe Online
With children using tech earlier than ever before, you need to be proactive about security. Learn how here.
Head Injuries in Kids
Learn the difference between a mild bump on the head and something more serious that requires seeing a doctor.
Children's Health Topics
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Ask an Expert
Deborah Kurzrock, R.D.
Mills-Peninsula Medical Center
I'm a very active pre-menopausal 50-year-old who eats right and works out four to six times a week. Why in the world can I not lose my belly cellulite and build more muscle? I'm ready to quit everything and just get fat and eat junk food!
Don't give up! As many women approach menopause they find themselves experiencing unexplained weight gain, especially around the waist and hip areas, despite their best efforts to watch what they eat and to inc... continue reading about I'm a very active pre-menopausal 50-year-old who eats right and works out four to six times a week. Why in the world can I not lose my belly cellulite and build more muscle? I'm ready to quit everything and just get fat and eat junk food!
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
What is "swimmer's ear" and what is the best way to deal with it?
Swimmer's ear is a term commonly used to describe an infection of the ear canal. People who repeatedly wet the ear canal (swimming, surfing, scuba diving) can develop persistent dampness that allows either bact... continue reading about What is "swimmer's ear" and what is the best way to deal with it?
Steven Machtinger, M.D.
Mills-Peninsula Medical Group
My child was diagnosed with lactose intolerance. Dairy makes her sick but she can eat lactose-free dairy products without issue. Is there something else that should be explored, or is my child a rare one year old with true lactose intolerance?
It may be that your child had a viral intestinal infection that has left her temporarily lactose intolerant. If she is otherwise growing well and has no abdominal pain, flatulence, or diarrhea when on a diet ex... continue reading about My child was diagnosed with lactose intolerance. Dairy makes her sick but she can eat lactose-free dairy products without issue. Is there something else that should be explored, or is my child a rare one year old with true lactose intolerance?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
My 7-year-old son gets nosebleeds often. What causes them and can they be prevented?
Generally nose bleeds occur because the small blood vessels are shallow within the tissues of the nose. This is normal, but the constantly wetting then drying of the nose can cause the nasal tissue to crack (si... continue reading about My 7-year-old son gets nosebleeds often. What causes them and can they be prevented?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
Are there certain foods which can help my hypothyroid condition?
Hypothyroidism is a medical condition in which the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormones in the body. It is estimated that up to five percent of the population has hypothyroidism, women more th... continue reading about Are there certain foods which can help my hypothyroid condition?
Sue Hazeghazam, R.D.
Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento
My kids drink those energy drinks every day. Is this bad for their health? How would I convince them of that?
Energy drinks are advertised to give a person a boost of energy. A lot of that claim comes from the effect of the caffeine and sugar content of the drink. Sugar content in energy drinks vary by brand, but somet... continue reading about My kids drink those energy drinks every day. Is this bad for their health? How would I convince them of that?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
My 6-year-old daughter has recently been sneezing, coughing and is tired. How can I tell if this is caused by allergies or if it's a common cold?
A cold will typically start with a sore throat, then lead to thick yellow or green mucus and possibly a cough. The symptoms last about seven to 10 days. Allergy symptoms include itchy eyes and throat, and clear... continue reading about My 6-year-old daughter has recently been sneezing, coughing and is tired. How can I tell if this is caused by allergies or if it's a common cold?
Toni J. Brayer, M.D.
Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation
Does a girl have to reach a certain weight before her periods begin?
Menarche (the start of a girl's menstrual period) is not dependent upon weight alone but the amount of body fat, height and weight all play a role in determining the start of puberty. A woman's genes and the ag... continue reading about Does a girl have to reach a certain weight before her periods begin?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
My 17-year-old son got a tattoo about two weeks ago. The skin is now looking red and bumpy. Could this be an infection ot just a skin irritation? Should he see a doctor?
It is normal for the site of the tattoo to have a little swelling, due to skin irritation, immediately after the procedure. This may last up to 48 hours. However, anytime the skin is broken - whether due to a p... continue reading about My 17-year-old son got a tattoo about two weeks ago. The skin is now looking red and bumpy. Could this be an infection ot just a skin irritation? Should he see a doctor?
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