Family Health Blog
Recent health news, buzzworthy medical blogs, and personal wellness advice curated by our PinnacleCare team and our CEO, Dr. Miles Varn.
Topic: Children’s Health
What should you do to protect your family from the measles?
Almost 20 years ago, measles was declared to have been eliminated in the U.S., but the disease has returned with a vengeance. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) latest report of confirmed measles cases noted 704 cases in 22 states, an increase of 78 cases since the previous week’s count. Children under 5... Read More
Strategies to help you get the right diagnosis for a rare disease
Getting an accurate diagnosis is the first step towards finding the right treatment. But for people living with a rare or complex disease, getting that diagnosis can be a long, frustrating process that delays treatment. Depending on which disease you face, getting a definitive diagnosis can take from 7 to 10 years. And though approximately... Read More
6 facts you should know about childhood cancer
Unless a family member or friend has been diagnosed with childhood cancer, you may not know much about the topic. These 6 key facts can help you learn more. Childhood cancer is relatively rare: Approximately 10, 270 children under the age of 15 were diagnosed with some form of cancer in 2017 according to statistics... Read More
Six Questions to Ask When Choosing a Therapist for your Child
If you’ve noticed symptoms of depression, anxiety, or other mental health concerns in your child or teen, making an appointment with a therapist can be the first step towards figuring out the underlying cause of these changes in behavior and helping your child manage symptoms that can interfere with his or her life at home... Read More
How Do You Know it’s Time to Look for a New Doctor?
There are many different reasons people decide it’s time to switch to a new doctor, whether it’s your primary care doctor, a specialist, or your child’s pediatrician. And while you might feel hesitant to end your relationship, especially if you’ve been seeing the doctor for a long time, sometimes switching to a new doctor is... Read More
What you and your college student need to know about health insurance
Health insurance may not be at the top of the list of things that you’re thinking about as you send your children off to college, but it should be. Access to care is important whether your child is living with a chronic medical problem like asthma or diabetes, a mental health condition like anxiety, ADHD,... Read More
How you can support your college student’s mental health
The number of college students living with mental health issues has grown substantially in recent years. A report from the Center for Collegiate Mental Health at Penn State found that over a five-year period, data gathered from 139 U.S. colleges and universities showed a 30% increase in the use of on-campus counseling services compared to... Read More
Medication errors: 4 steps to protect your children
As cold and flu season ramps up, parents and caregivers will be measuring out a range of liquid medicines—from pain and fever relievers to antibiotics—to give to their young children. But how sure are you that the dose you’re giving your children is accurate? A recent study published in the journal Pediatrics highlights how often... Read More
Why parents may not have a say in medical decisions for their young adult children
When your young adult children reach the age of 18 or 19, you might be surprised to learn that you no longer have access to their medical information, even if they’re still on your health insurance plan or live with you. Once your child reaches legal adulthood (18 in most states, 19 in two states),... Read More
Healthy sleep: Are your children getting enough?
With the school year underway, making sure your children get enough healthy sleep each night is a priority. Inadequate or poor quality sleep can affect your child’s mood, ability to learn, and overall health and well-being. Building a healthy sleep routine can help make sure your child gets the right amount of good quality rest... Read More