Seasonal changes can profoundly affect children's mental health, especially in winter as days become shorter and it gets too cold to play outside. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD, explains how Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) can impact children, causing significant changes in their mood and behavior. Learn the biological underpinnings of SAD, its effects on serotonin and melatonin levels, and various treatment strategies from natural light exposure to clinical interventions.

Traveling by airplane with children can be a daunting task. But with the right preparation, it does not have to be stressful. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD, shares essential tips for making air travel with your little ones just a little bit easier. From choosing between lap seating and purchasing an extra seat to navigating airport layovers and handling in-flight needs, get expert advice to ensure a smooth and enjoyable travel experience for the whole family.

Tongue-tie (ankyloglossia) can be alarming for new parents—but does your child's tongue actually need to be clipped? Cindy Gellner, MD, addresses the myths and facts about a frenotomy, from the diagnosis of tongue-tie to the actual procedure. Learn how to assess if your baby really needs treatment and the factors that should influence your decision.

Is your child's screen time causing more tantrums? Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD, reveals how excessive digital exposure can lead to emotional challenges in kids. Discover strategies to mitigate anger issues and promote healthier emotional development without resorting to tablets and smartphones.

Teens are spending more time on social media than ever before, and it is taking a toll on their mental and physical health. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD, addresses the urgent concerns surrounding excessive social media use among teenagers, the rising rates of depression, self-harm, and obesity linked to screen time, and how parents can step in to make a difference.

Tonsils are small glands on either side of the throat that stop bacteria from entering the body. They are an important part of your child’s immune system, but sometimes can become ‘ginormous’ and cause problems like difficulty swallowing, heroic snoring, or chronic strep throat. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD, explains the functions of tonsils and when you should consider getting them removed.

Children do not learn very well or get much out of school when they are sick. It is in your child’s and their classmates’ best interest to keep them home from school when they are not feeling well. But what body temperature is a stay-home-from-school temperature? What if your child only has a mild cough? Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD, talks about how to know when to keep your child home from school, and when it is safe for them to return to school after recovering from an illness.

Your child complains of constant dizzy spells or vertigo. Could it be a symptom of something serious? According to Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD, dizziness is a pretty common condition—especially for adolescents. Learn more about the causes of dizziness in children and treatments that can help.

Most teenagers do not get enough sleep as it is, and starting school before 8 a.m. can hurt their natural sleep cycles. Research shows they do better in school if they have later start times. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD, talks about why this is and how you can get involved to delay the start time of your teenager’s school day so she can be more alert in class.

What if your child's back pain is not about posture, but something more? Scoliosis, a condition that causes the spine to curve sideways, often appears during a child’s growth spurt and affects more kids than you might think. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD, goes over the signs to watch for, and the steps to take if scoliosis is detected. Learn how to spot early symptoms, understand potential causes, and explore the range of treatment options available to help your child maintain a healthy spine.

If your child complains of stomach aches, headaches, and other vague symptoms that seem to increase the night before or morning of a school day, your child may be dealing with school phobia. As the condition becomes increasingly prevalent, parents need to be equipped with the right tools to help their kids. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD, shares techniques to help your child overcome their fear of school and shares when a professional may be useful for severe anxiety.

One of the most important parts of school registration is getting your child up-to-date on vaccinations. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD, walks us through the required vaccinations and the ages they should be given. She gives details about vaccine exemptions and the best way to keep track of the boosters your child receives through the years.

Marijuana use among teens is often viewed as a low-risk behavior, but pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD, introduces us to the potential risks associated with its frequent use. Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS), a serious condition characterized by persistent vomiting and severe dehydration, is on the rise among young marijuana users. Learn about the triggers, symptoms, and long-term effects of CHS, and why stopping marijuana use is crucial for recovery.

Bronchiolitis, primarily caused by RSV, is a serious respiratory condition in infants that can lead to severe mucus build-up and breathing difficulties. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD explains how bronchiolitis starts, its peak crisis period, and effective home remedies like humidity therapy and nasal suctioning. Learn when hospital care is necessary and how to prevent virus spread among young children.

Some parents may give their children a bottle of sports or energy drink as a "healthier" alternative to soda. But sports drinks should only be given to children who actually play sports. And energy drinks are almost never okay to give a child. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD, talks about why sports and energy drinks can be bad for children and lists some healthier alternatives.

Does your child have strep throat, or is it just a common cold? It's challenging but important for parents to understand the differences in throat infections in kids. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD, breaks down how to identify strep throat in children, discussing everything from palatal petechiae to the implications of scarlet fever. Learn why accurate diagnosis through strep testing is crucial for effective treatment and prevention of further issues.

Learn how to handle mosquito bites effectively to ensure your child’s comfort during the summer season. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD, discusses typical reactions to mosquito bites and rare allergies like Skeeter syndrome while providing a comprehensive guide to at-home treatments and preventive measures to protect your little ones from pesky mosquito bites.

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.

In adults and young children, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) can look a lot like the common cold. But for little ones under two years old—especially preemie babies—RSV can be severe due to their still-developing respiratory systems. Cindy Gellner, MD, talks about the increase in RSV during the 2022 respiratory season, what parents need to know to keep their child safe, and what to expect if their child gets RSV.