Chronic Medical Conditions in Children & Adolescents
Living with chronic medical conditions in children & adolescents can be scary at any age. With frequent treatments and hospital visits, many families must alter their lives to care for their children. But, these chronic medical conditions in children & adolescents should not prevent your child from living life to the fullest.
We are here to provide our patients with high quality care and treatment options working with parents and patients to create a care plans that maximizes health.
At Provida, we care for many young patients with chronic medical conditions including:
- Diabetes
- Hypertension
- Asthma
- Allergies
- Anemia
- Anxiety & Depression
- ADHD & Other Mental Health Conditions
- Learning Disabilities
Diabetes
Childhood diabetes is affecting more and more kids and teens nationwide.
Type 1 Diabetes is when your body no longer produces the critically needed hormone insulin.
Type 2 Diabetes affects the way your body processes sugar. Without treatment, the sugar can build up in the blood, which can lead to serious long-term consequences.
Symptoms include fatigue, hunger, increased thirst, blurred vision, and frequent urination. Sometimes there are few symptoms.
At Provida, our on-site dietician and credentialed diabetic educator works with patients to create an individualized treatment plan for patients with childhood diabetes.
Hypertension
High blood pressure in children can be caused by several factors, and may be a symptom of another underlying condition. In most kids and teens, hypertension may result from of poor nutrition, genetic factors, and/or lack of exercise.
There are usually no symptoms of high blood pressure. But if symptoms are present, they may include headaches, vomiting, chest pains, pounding heartbeat, seizures, or shortness of breath.
If your child or teen has prolonged shortness of breath, continuous chest pains, or is experiencing a seizure, please call 9-1-1 immediately. As soon as you or a family member is able, call our office so that we may follow up with the hospital or emergency department.
Asthma
Childhood asthma is a common chronic medical condition but can become serious if not properly cared for. Asthma is the frequent inflammation of the lungs caused by a variety of triggers, including pollen, exercise, cold air, or respiratory infections like a cold or COVID-19.
Symptoms of asthma include frequent wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath which can lead to difficulty doing daily activities like playing, running, and in some cases even while sleeping. If asthma is not treated, it can become life threatening.
If your child has prolonged difficulty breathing, please call 9-1-1 immediately. As soon as you or a family member is able, call our office so that we may follow up with the hospital or emergency department.
If you have noticed these symptoms in your child or teen, please schedule an appointment at Provida so that we can assess your child and advise the needed treatment.
Allergies
There are many common childhood allergies that kids and teen will experience, many of which may fade over time without treatment. Nevertheless, some allergies may be more serious than others and will require treatment.
Allergies develop after a child’s immune system develops and they come into contact with a substance or material that is perceived as a threat by the immune system. Common allergies in children and teenagers include, peanuts, tree nuts, pollen, and shellfish, but other substances have been known to trigger allergic reactions.
Symptoms include skin rashes or hives, itchy eyes, difficulty breathing, coughing, an upset stomach, and sneezing.
If you believe your child or teen is having a severe allergic reaction or difficulty breathing, call 9-1-1 immediately. As soon as you or a family member is able, call our office so that we may follow up with the hospital or emergency department.
Early identification of allergies can improve your child’s quality of life and help to prevent or treat potential life-threatening interactions. At Provida, we can conduct a skin or blood test to determine what allergies the patient has a reaction to and may prescribe epinephrine for emergency use.