How your pediatrician in Granger, IN, can help when your child has a chronic illness or condition
According to healthychildren.org, ten to twenty million children and adolescents in the United States have some form of chronic illness or disability. Fortunately, your pediatrician is an expert at diagnosing and treating chronic conditions in early childhood.
Dr. Charisse Johnson at Premier Pediatrics of Indiana in Granger, IN, offers comprehensive medical services for children, including treatment of chronic illnesses and conditions.
Early childhood chronic conditions may include:
- Anemia
- Asthma
- Allergies
- Diabetes
- Lupus
- Heart problems
The signs and symptoms of chronic conditions are as varied as the conditions themselves. The signs and symptoms of chronic conditions can last anywhere from 3 months to a lifetime, and may include:
- Fatigue and irritability
- Breathing difficulties
- Trouble concentrating
- Sleep disturbance
- Lack of appetite
- Nausea and vomiting
- Constipation and diarrhea
- Delayed healing from an injury
- Sudden weight gain or weight loss
- Joint swelling and pain
If you notice any signs or symptoms which continue or get worse, it’s time to seek out the help of your pediatrician. Your pediatrician may need to:
- Perform a complete physical examination
- Record a comprehensive list of symptoms
- Record vital signs including blood pressure, pulse, and respirations
- Order laboratory testing including blood count, blood glucose, and others
- Perform allergy and lung function testing
- Order x-rays, CT, MRI, and other imaging
- Refer your child to a specialist
Chronic conditions and illnesses can also weaken your child’s immune system, making your child more susceptible to other chronic diseases. Making sure your child is current on all immunizations can protect your child from becoming sicker. According to the Centers for Disease Control or CDC, the immunizations your child needs from birth through age 18 include:
- Hepatitis B
- Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis
- Influenza type B
- Polio
- Pneumococcal conjugate
- Rotavirus
- Measles, mumps, rubella
- Chickenpox
- Hepatitis A
- Human papillomavirus
- Meningococcal conjugate
- Flu
Your pediatrician can help your child stay healthy, even if your child has a chronic condition. To learn more about chronic childhood conditions and how your pediatrician can help, call Dr. Charisse Johnson at Premier Pediatrics of Indiana in Granger, IN. You can reach her in the office by calling (574) 855-4575, so call today.