Dr. Richa Kaushal

02/07/2024

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month. Cavities, also known as caries or tooth decay, are the most common chronic disease of childhood, yet cavities are preventable. Children who have poor oral health often miss more school and receive lower grades than children who don’t.

11/29/2023

Va**ng and E-cigarette use by youth today - Most e-ci******es (v**es) contain ni****ne—the addictive drug in regular ci******es, ci**rs, and other to***co products.
- Many v**e products do not disclose or wrongly market their products as containing 0 percent ni****ne.
- The brain keeps developing until 25 years of age. Exposure of the developing brain to ni****ne can harm parts of the brain that control attention , learning , mood and impulse control.
- The ingredients in an E-cigarette can harm the lungs in the long run and increase the risk of developing mental health issues like anxiety and depression.

What starts out as a social experiment , can lead to long term mental and physical health issues. Talk to your teen about the risks of va**ng and ni****ne use. **ng ******es Image courtesy- Getty Images

11/16/2023

Is your child riding in the right car seat ? Here is a quick reference guide .

05/31/2023

01/07/2023

“My child has a fever but I cannot find Tylenol /Motrin anywhere. What should I do ?”

The surge in pediatric illness is causing shortage of over the counter fever reducing medications . If you find yourself in this situation, do not panic. It is important to understand that having a fever is a sign of the immune system doing it’s job to fight off the infection . While fever reducing medications can make your child feel comfortable , they do not cure an illness or shorten its severity . So if you cannot find these medications , there are other ways that can make your child feel comfortable :

1. Make sure that your child is well hydrated. Ensure that the child takes small sips of water periodically.
2. Dress your child in breathable and comfortable clothes.
3. You can give the child a bath in lukewarm water but avoid ice /cold baths as they might make the child shiver .

Most viral illnesses causing a fever usually resolve in about a week. However , seek medical advice / call your pediatrician if :

- The child is not peeing like usual /making less number of wet diapers than usual.
- The child is appearing excessively sleepy/lethargic .
- The child is having difficulty breathing .
- The child is under 2 years old and has had a fever for over 24 hours.
- The child is over 2 years old and has a fever lasting more than 3 days .

01/05/2023

Winter sports safety tips

Whether your kids are skiing, sledding or playing hockey, make sure they have the proper gear so everyone has fun and stays safe. Here are three quick tips to ensure that the children stay safe while having fun :

1. Use appropriate and properly-fitted sports gear to prevent or reduce the severity of injuries. For winter sports, this gear may include shin guards, mouth guards and especially helmets when they’re skiing, snowboarding or playing ice hockey. Ideally use a skate style or ski/snowboard helmet but using even a bicycle helmet maybe safer than no helmet at all .

2. Encourage kids to drink plenty of water before, during and after play. Compared to adults, children are at increased risk of dehydration—and yes, it can happen even in cold temperatures.

3. Wear warm clothing and use sunscreen. It’s also a good idea to have kids come indoors periodically to prevent hypothermia or frostbite –hot chocolate and marshmallows is a great way to lure them in.

Via: safe kids worldwide

01/05/2023

Happy New Year to all! May this year bring you all wonderful health and lots of joy and blessings ! ✨🌟🎆🎊

12/02/2022

Influenza A and B are at their peak in the United States right now. The symptoms of influenza are fever, aching muscles, chills and sweats , headache , dry persistent cough, shortness of breath , tiredness and weakness, runny or stuffy nose. If you have any of these symptoms, get tested immediately and if positive, check with your doctor regarding starting Tamiflu ( the medication that reduces the symptom severity ). And, If you have not already gotten your flu shot, now would be the time to get it.

10/31/2022

Tips for parents and children to safely trick or treat on Halloween:
1. Carry glow sticks or flashlights, use reflective tape or stickers on costumes and bags, and wear light colors to help kids see and be seen by drivers.
2. Join kids under age 12 for trick-or-treating.
3. Slow down and be alert! Kids are excited on Halloween and may dart into the street. 4. Turn on headlights early in the day to spot kids from further away.
5. Remind kids to cross the street at corners or crosswalks.
6. When selecting a costume, make sure it is the right size to prevent trips and falls. Choose face paint over masks when possible. Masks can limit children’s vision. Have a safe and happy Halloween! 🎃 👻

10/22/2022

Respiratory viruses are on the rise across the United States. Take preventive actions to stop the spread of viruses like flu, RSV, and :
🩹Get an updated COVID-19 vaccine & get your annual flu vaccine
🏠Stay home if you are sick
🧼Practice good hand hygiene

10/22/2022

Respiratory viruses are on the rise across the United States. Take preventive actions to stop the spread of viruses like flu, RSV, and :
🩹Get an updated COVID-19 vaccine & get your annual flu vaccine
🏠Stay home if you are sick
🧼Practice good hand hygiene