Healthy Kids Zone The Scope

Asthma can be a daunting diagnosis for parents, but it can be managed effectively with the right knowledge and tools. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD, discusses how asthma affects the airways and makes it difficult to breathe while outlining the medications used to treat and manage the condition. Learn how to recognize asthma symptoms, the importance of treatment adherence, and strategies to prevent exacerbations.

Diagnoses of Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) among teenagers is on the rise. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD, explains the symptoms of POTS, how it differs from other conditions like anxiety or dehydration, and the role of the autonomic nervous system in regulating blood pressure and heart rate. Learn about the diagnostic process involving neurologists and the supportive treatments available.

As a parent, you have seen commercials saying you need to give your kid chewable vitamins or special, expensive supplement drinks for them to grow and develop properly. Do children really need supplements? Probably not. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD, explains why even the pickiest eater is probably getting enough of their daily vitamins and minerals without the need for additional supplements.

In the United States, 18 percent of children under the age of 18—13 million children—live in a home struggling to put healthy food on the table. Food insecurity can have long-lasting effects on young children, impacting their memory, social, and learning skills. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD, talks about the steps you can take to help children in food-insecure homes, as well as what resources are available if you find yourself having difficulty providing food for your child.

It might seem like your child does not eat enough, is never hungry, or will not eat at all, and you worry they will starve unless you spoon-feed them yourself. Do not worry. It is normal for a child's appetite to slow down between the ages of 1 and 5. Normal does not mean it is pleasant, however. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD, gives tips on what parents can—and should not—do to help their child through this period of eating struggles.

Asthma causes shortness of breath, wheezing, or repeated coughing episodes, and it is commonly diagnosed at a young age. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD, discusses the signs and symptoms of asthma in children and what can trigger an asthma attack. Dr. Gellner also addresses the popular questions of whether asthma is related to allergies and if it can be cured.