It’s common to talk about “the birds and the bees” or puberty with your child. But it’s not as common to talk about sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including STIs like chlamydia. But according to Planned Parenthood of the Southwest, 15- to 24-year-olds account for 75% of chlamydia and gonorrhea diagnoses. This statistic makes it critical to talk about chlamydia with your child or teen – even if you don’t think they’re sexually active. Where Do Stigmas Come From? Negative stere...
Does your child have ADHD? They’re not alone. According to the CDC, 7 million US children between 3 and 17 years old have been diagnosed with ADHD. Boys are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than girls. This is likely due to the way the condition develops in boys vs. girls. ADHD can be harder to identify in girls; they tend to have fewer behavioral problems, and symptoms are less noticeable. While boys’ behavior may seem more disruptive, girls with ADHD may be seen as daydreaming or “off in the...
For most people, technology is an important part of daily life. While it can be helpful in many ways, there are also times when it can be harmful, especially for children and teens. As a parent, you want to make sure your child is staying safe online and making healthy choices about the time they spend on electronic devices. Looking for tips on how to manage technology use? Try the steps below to get started. Define “healthy” technology use for your family. Set limits on how long your child ca...
Cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers diagnosed in women. The symptoms can be mild. Sometimes there are no symptoms at all. The good news is that cervical cancer is easy to prevent—especially if you start early. Girls as young as 11 years old can get a vaccine against human papillomavirus (HPV) , a virus that can lead to cervical cancer. Keep reading to learn more about how girls and women of all ages can prevent cervical cancer. What is the cervix? The cervix connects the lower part of the ...
When a child goes through puberty, they experience many changes until they reach sexual maturity. Parents will notice both physical and emotional changes during this time. For example, on average, girls have their first periods around age 11 or 12. Around the same age, boys may start growing several inches a year and notice their voice cracking and, eventually, deepening. Puberty lasts several years. It can start as early as age eight for girls and age nine for boys. During these stages from elementary ...
Sometimes, staying healthy takes a little extra effort – and it’s nice when you can get rewarded for it! Parkland Community Health Plan’s Member Rewards program gives members the chance to earn reward points for completing health and wellness activities. Once you earn the points, you can use them to get gift cards and other items from a rewards catalog . One way to earn rewards: visiting the doctor! Earn a $20 reward value when you : Visit your primary care provider (PCP) within 90 days of joining Parkl...
When you are sexually active, it’s important to understand your risk of getting a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Chlamydia is the most common STI. It infects almost 3 million Americans every year – and 14- to 24-year-olds are most likely to be affected. How do you get and spread chlamydia? Most people get chlamydia by being sexually active. The infection is found in semen and vaginal fluids that can infect the penis, vagina, cervix, anus, urethra (tube where urine comes out), eyes, and throat. A ...
People of all ages and backgrounds become addicted to drugs and alcohol. This includes illegal drugs, such as cocaine and heroin. It also includes abusing prescription drugs, such as opioid pain medication or stimulants. If you are addicted to drugs or alcohol, you are not alone. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , about one in six Americans reports they had this struggle, also called “substance use disorder.” Some signs of substance use disorder are: Not being able to reduce o...
Children and teenagers have a wide range of experiences—and that leads to a wide range of moods. As they grow, young people must learn to manage changes in their bodies, hormone variations, school and social stress, and many other life events. In response, it is normal for them to feel happy, sad, angry, excited, irritated, inspired, and other emotions. For people with bipolar disorder, shifts in moods, activity levels, energy, and thinking are extreme. Bipolar disorder may also be called “manic depress...
Asthma is a condition that affects the lungs and may impact a person’s ability to breathe. The good news is that it is usually easy to control with medication. Both children and adults can get asthma, but it may affect them in different ways. Asthma is usually more persistent in adults, so they often have it for a longer period of time. Kids may experience asthma symptoms on and off, with symptoms getting better as they grow up. Many signs of asthma are the same in kids and adults – but some symptoms ar...
As children grow into their pre-teen and teenage years, they can become overwhelmed with stress and strong emotions. This includes feelings of anger, anxiety, hopelessness, loneliness, sadness, and more. Some pre-teens and teenagers react to these strong emotions by injuring themselves. Self-injury can mean: Scratching or cutting their skin with sharp objects. Hitting themselves with their fists or hard objects. Pulling out their hair. Burning themselves. What are the warning signs of self-injury? Many ...
It’s always been important to teach children about illegal drugs and drug addiction. When children understand how drugs harm people of all ages, they are more likely to avoid peer pressure and deadly mistakes. Wondering when you should start educating your young children? The best time is now. Every day, about five Texans die from a highly dangerous drug called fentanyl. Many of these victims are teenagers, who accidentally take fentanyl when they swallow pills that secretly contain the drug. According ...
Do you want to get pregnant? Or do you want to avoid getting pregnant? Either way, it’s important to learn as much as you can about how your body works. This is also good information to share with your daughters. Ready to learn? Take a few minutes to read through these quick facts about pregnancy. Remember, these are just guidelines based on what most girls and women experience. Every body is different, so be sure to ask your doctor if you have questions. What happens when a baby is conceived? Fi...
Good nutrition is one of the keys to keeping your family healthy – and as your child continues to grow, their dietary needs will change. North Texas pediatrician Dr. Yohanna Andrade, MD explains what you need to know about calories, portion size, and more. How do portion size and calorie intake change with age? The number of calories a child needs will increase as they get older. For example, a toddler typically needs about 1,000 calories per day, while an older child needs between 1,200 a...
Growing up can be tough. The challenges of school, friends, and family can set the stage for depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues. When mental health struggles are extreme, they can lead to thoughts of suicide. In fact, suicide is the second leading cause of death for children, teens, and young adults ages 15 to 24. The good news is depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts can be treated. Your child, teen, or young adult can feel hopeful and happy again. How can you help? The first step...
A Pediatrician Explains: The Importance of Sleep for Children and Teens A good day begins with a good night’s sleep. It’s true for adults—and especially true for the youngest members of the family. Do you need help getting your baby, toddler, child, or teen on a better sleep schedule? Keep reading for some great advice from North Texas pediatrician Dr. Mary Strength. Why is a good night’s rest so important? Growing brains work hard at school, at home, and even at play. When your child sleeps, they build...
As a parent, you know it’s important to talk to your children about preventing pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). This is especially true when they become teenagers. What about sex education your teens receive in junior high or high school? While some schools offer it, many do not. Either way, you should plan to discuss your values and beliefs about sexual behavior with your children—along with the facts. What topics should you cover? You might be embarrassed to start the conversation a...
If your child or teenager is overweight, they could be at risk for developing Type 2 diabetes. When a person has type 2 diabetes, their body does not use insulin well. That means they cannot keep their blood sugar at normal levels. Over time, too much blood sugar stays in the body. This can cause serious problems such as: heart disease blindness kidney disease Type 2 diabetes used to be called “adult-onset diabetes.” However, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , type 2 diabetes ...
Young love can be exciting and fun. However, teenage relationships can also be heartbreaking—and even violent. The good news is you can help your teenager to protect themselves from unhealthy dating relationships. What is dating violence? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , dating violence can happen in many ways. Just a few examples of teen dating violence are: Physical violence hitting punching shoving using weapons Sexual violence forcing a partner to take part in a sex act ...