Are you worried that your child may be suffering from ADD or ADHD? Dr. S. Daman Paul and Dr. Gretchen Gainor at Children's Clinic La Jolla in La Jolla, CA, can help you.

What is ADD/ADHD?

ADD/ADHD has recently received more attention. The neurobehavioral disorder debilitates a child's ability to focus on a single task. Unfortunately, there are many people that misdiagnose children with ADD/ADHD, which is why you need to go to a professional; not every child that displays symptoms actually has this behavioral disorder. Sometimes, children are just being children and acting out in a very normal way.

What are Some Symptoms a Child may be Suffering From?

Children who suffer from ADD/ADHD can't concentrate because their brain tells them to do multiple things at once. Children display the symptoms listed in all circumstances, and they're not limited to home, school, or with a babysitter:

• Children display disruptive and impulsive behaviors.
• They tend to forget or misplace homework and other items.
• They are constantly fidgeting and don't have the inability to follow directions.
• They also have difficulty listening, or focusing on conversations.

Do you need an Evaluation at your La Jolla, CA, Doctor's Office?

Dr. Paul and Dr. Gainor at Children's Clinic La Jolla are trained to detect the symptoms mentioned above and consider other factors parents and school faculty don't. Doctors monitor and evaluate developmental disorders or disabilities that may manifest similar symptoms to confirm whether, or not, your child is actually suffering from ADD/ADHD.

What is Post-Evaluation Care?

After your physician has confirmed that your child has ADD/ADHD, the following steps will help in managing ADD/ADHD since there is no cure. Your doctor may prescribe medicine. There is a medication, like Ritalin, that will help manage behavioral symptoms by slowing down impulsivity and increase their focus. Other non-medicated approaches involve behavioral therapies that can lessen symptoms and improve school and home life.

Do you need a consultation?

If you think your child is displaying symptoms of ADD/ADHD, then it’s time to schedule an evaluation with Children’s Clinic La Jolla in La Jolla, CA. Call (858) 459-5437 to schedule today!

your pediatrician in shares important information to help you understand if your child has a broken bone. 

• You or your child hears a snap or grinding noise as the injury occurs
• Your child experiences swelling, bruising or tenderness to the injured area
• It is painful for your child to move it, touch it or press on it
• The injured part looks deformed

What Happens Next?

• Call 911 - If your child has an 'open break' where the bone has punctured the skin, if they are unresponsive, if there is bleeding or if there have been any injuries to the spine, neck or head, call 911. Remember, better safe than sorry! If you do call 911, do not let the child eat or drink anything, as surgery may be required.
• Stop the Bleeding - Use a sterile bandage or cloth and compression to stop or slow any bleeding.
• Apply Ice - Particularly if the broken bone has remained under the skin, treat the swelling and pain with ice wrapped in a towel. As usual, remember to never place ice directly on the skin.
• Don't Move the Bone - It may be tempting to try to set the bone yourself to put your child out of pain, particularly if the bone has broken through the skin, do not do this! You risk injuring your child further. Leave the bone in the position it is in.

At some point in our childhood, we might have experienced chicken pox. While chicken pox most often occurs in children under the age of 12, it can also occur in adults who never had it as children.

Chickenpox is an itchy rash of spots that look like blisters and can appear all over the body while accompanied by flu-like symptoms. Chickenpox is very contagious, which is why your pediatrician in places a strong emphasis on keeping infected children out of school and at home until the rash is gone. 

What are the Symptoms of Chickenpox?

When a child first develops chickenpox, they might experience a fever, headache, sore throat or stomachache. These symptoms may last for a few days, with a fever in the 101-102 F range. The onset of chicken pox causes a red, itchy skin rash that typically appears on the abdomen or back and face first, then spreads to almost any part of the body, including the scalp, mouth, arms, legs and genitals. 

The rash begins as multiple small red bumps that look like pimples or insect bites, which are usually less than a quarter of an inch wide. These bumps appear in over two to four days and develop into thin-walled blisters filled with fluid. When the blister walls break, the sores are left open, which then dries into brown scabs. This rash is extremely itchy and cool baths or calamine lotion may help to manage the itching. 

What are the Treatment Options?

A virus causes chickenpox, which is why your pediatrician in will not prescribe an antibiotic to treat it. However, your child might need an antibiotic if bacteria infects the sores, which is very common among children because they will often scratch and pick at the blisters—it is important to discourage this. Your child’s pediatrician in will be able to tell you if a medication is right for your child.

If you suspect your child has chickenpox, contact your pediatrician right away!