SouthCoast Health Pediatrician Dr. Amanda Hendricks and Dietitian Meredith Bird (pictured) are answering some of the most common and pressing questions about the childhood obesity epidemic.
Nearly one in three children ages two through 12 in the United States are overweight or obese, putting them at risk for serious health problems.
Questions answered include: how does obesity negatively affect children?; What are the most important things kids need to be eating? What are the worst things?; What are tips for packing healthy school lunches for kids?; What are your top tips for parents to prevent childhood obesity?
Read the SouthCoast experts’ answers to those questions and more here.
If you have any more questions or would like advice from a SouthCoast Health dietitian or pediatrician to make sure your child is living the healthiest lifestyle possible, schedule an appointment today.
How we age is often a result of the choices we make earlier in life.
Health experts weigh in here what you can start doing now to support your long-term health.
“Most diseases are believed to be caused by a combination of genetic, lifestyle, and environmental factors,” says SouthCoast Health Family Medicine Physician, Dr. William B. Knight.
If you’re seeking a partner to help you maintain total wellness for life, turn to SouthCoast Health. SouthCoast Health providers offer personalized care for your entire family through a highly integrated system that supports all of your wellness needs.
Breast milk is up to 90 percent water, so getting enough fluids will keep both you and your baby well-hydrated.
When you’re lactating, you may need up to 16 cups of water per day. Try to drink a cup of water every time you breastfeed.
As for coffee, tea, and other caffeinated beverages, keep in mind that small amounts of the stimulant can pass through your milk to your baby. Limiting your intake to 300 milligrams per day may help to avoid fussiness.
Find more tips from SouthCoast Health on what to eat and drink while breastfeeding here.
Your diet is an important component of overall wellness at every stage of life. For questions, concerns, and personalized recommendations, schedule an appointment to talk to one of SouthCoast Health primary care physicians about healthy eating by calling 912.691.3600, or find a provider online.
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Children who do not drink enough water, especially when engaging in physical activities, could experience dehydration, heat exhaustion, or heatstroke. I
“The name of the game is hydration,” says Dr. Jenna Sirmans, a pediatrician with SouthCoast Health. “Youth athletes should begin hydrating at least an hour or two before practices or games. If you start hydrating while you’re at your practice or game, you’re already playing catch up in terms of maintaining your hydration. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends school-aged children drink four to eight ounces of water every 20 minutes, and for adolescents about nine to 10 ounces of water every 20 minutes while participating in athletics.”
Learn more about dehydration & youth sports including early signs of dehydration here.
More people to encounter stinging insects such as bees, wasps, yellow jackets, hornets, and fire ants during warm weather months.
For people who have an allergy to insect venom, stings can cause life-threatening allergic reactions.
SouthCoast Health Allergist Dr. Wasil Khan shares signs that indicate the presence of a dangerous insect sting allergy & sting avoidance measures here.
If you suspect you may have a dangerous sting allergy, contact SouthCoast Allergy / Immunology for an appointment to see Dr. Wasil Khan.
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From birth, people in the United States are fortunate to have vaccines against more than 20 other life-threatening illnesses available, which allow them to build immunity.
SouthCoast Health provides a closer look here into the CDC’s recommended vaccine schedule for every age.
See the guide to recommended vaccines for children here.
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Find SouthCoast Health safety tips for all things summer & July 4th related: fireworks, grilling, swimming & more here.
“We want all community members to have fun and make the most out of this holiday,” said SouthCoast Health Internal Medicine Physician Dr. Michelle Wilson. “But we also want to stress the importance of keeping in mind safety and health precautions as well. On any big holiday with parties and events, there are always elevated risks to be aware of.”
If you have questions about keeping you and your family safe this summer, or if you would like to talk to a medical expert about anything health and safety related, make an appointment with SouthCoast Health here.
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Annual wellness exams are critical in maintaining the health and happiness of your child, and knocking these out at the beginning of the summer versus at the end avoids many potential problems.
“Our offices become so hectic at the end of the summer when school is about to begin again. Because of this we always encourage parents to bring their kids in at the beginning of the summer to avoid the back-to-school rush,” SouthCoast Health pediatrician Dr. David Mozer said. “This also ensures the child and parent have more quality time with their pediatrician and gives parents peace of mind through summer months usually filled with lots of travel.”
“About 27 percent of visits to the emergency are in the summer months, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,” SouthCoast Health Nurse Practitioner Karen Reed said.
Top summer emergencies include: heat stroke, dehydration, bug and snake bites, serious falls.
SouthCoast Health provides an Urgent Care clinic to the Lowcountry and Coastal Empire area of Georgia.
Find more information about summertime emergencies or SouthCoast Health’s urgent care here.
SouthCoast Health Pediatric Urgent Care Walk-In Clinics
NEW PEDIATRIC URGENT CARE HOURS
Effective June 1 – August 30, 2024, SouthCoast Health new pediatric urgent care hours are:
Protect yourself from the heat while still enjoying the perks of life in Savannah.
“When it comes to extreme summer weather, it’s important to know how and why you are vulnerable,” said SouthCoast Health primary care physician Dr. Adam Novack. “If you are aware of those vulnerabilities, like dehydration, sun burn, and fatigue, you can take steps to prevent them while still being able to spend time outdoors.”
Four tips from SouthCoast Health to help you and your family to beat the heat:
If you have any questions about health-related issues this summer, call SouthCoast Health at 912-691-3600 for help. Make an appointment with SouthCoast Health throug primary care services and ensure you and your family have a happy, healthy summer.
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SouthCoast Health experts share here four tips to help your graduate navigate the unavoidable stress that commences with commencement — and keep it from impacting your health.
“It’s understandably tempting to let busy schedules and demands get in the way of healthy sleep and eating, especially when you know the season of stressors may be temporary,” said SouthCoast Nurse Practioner Amanda Jones, FNP-BC. “But that’s often when you need them most.”
SouthCoast Health team includes more than 120 healthcare professionals encompassing more than 20 specialties and services. Find one that meets your needs online here, or call 912-691-3600 to schedule an appointment.
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Just as their name suggests, primary care providers (PCPs) are often your first point of contact when seeking professional care for any ailment you’re facing— mental health challenges are no exception!
This #MentalHealthMonth, learn how your SouthCoast Health PCP can help.
Nurses Week is this week May 6 – May 12. In celebration of Nurses Week, SouthCoast Health is sponsoring a Thank A Nurse giveaway on the radio station 98.7 the River, giving listeners a chance to Thank A Nurse!
Share your story here about a medical professional that changed your life for a chance to win them a $500 gift card.
Everyone who consumes alcohol regularly should be on the lookout for signs of misuse. Your risk is indeed higher if you have a parent or grandparent who has or used to have Alcohol Use Disorder, but AUD can affect anyone who drinks, according to SouthCoast Health medical experts.
Like certain cancers, certain genes increase your risk of developing AUD.
Whether you have several of these risk factors or none at all, there are things you can do to maintain a healthy relationship with alcohol. There’s always the option to abstain altogether. But if you choose to continue drinking, find some tips here.
Knowing your family medical history is important for helping doctors establish a clear and comprehensive snapshot of your whole health. Whether you have a family history of AUD, are concerned about your consumption, or just need a check-up, SouthCoast Health providers are here to help you take care of yourself at every age.
To commemorate World Autism month, SouthCoast Health pediatrician, L. Nelson Elam, M.D., FAAP shares an essay written a couple years ago by his eldest son, Simon, that captures his family’s unique journey with an autistic family member.
“The essay describes my son’s experience as an older brother and our family’s journey,” explains Dr. Elam, whose younger son has autism. “Although our experience may be different than most, it is still important to tell. The saying ‘If you have met one person with autism, you have met one person with autism’ is certainly true. Every autistic individual you meet is unique.”
Read the full essay, Life with Lucas, here. Some names have been changed to protect privacy.
If you suspect or are concerned your child may have autism, SouthCoast Health pediatricians are here to assist you and your family. A specialist at SouthCoast Health can provide you with the guidance and support you need. To make an appointment click here, or call 912-691-3600 to learn more.
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One in 59 American children have autism, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“Unfortunately, many still view autism negatively and those with autism suffer from the biased opinions of others,” said SouthCoast Health Pediatrician Dr. Nelson Elam. “This is largely in part of lack of knowledge. Believe it or not, there’s a lot to learn about autism and from those who may be on the spectrum. The biggest thing to understand is that autism is just another way of living and another perspective in this diverse world.”
To help spur positive conversation about autism, SouthCoast Health shares the basics of autism including the definition of autism; signs of autism; and the autism diagnosis process.
One tip: identify harmful products with “Mr. Yuk” stickers, (see above) created in 1971 by the Pittsburgh Poison Center at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.
For immediate assistance and information regarding poisonous substances, contact the Poison Health Line at 1-888-222-1222. For non-emergency concerns, you can also connect online or call (912) 691-3600 for further guidance, or to set up an appointment.
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“Just like with many other medical conditions, there are things you can do to prevent issues and complications from season allergies,” SouthCoast Health Allergist Dr. Wasil Khan said. “Many patients think they should wait until their symptoms start to come see me, but it’s actually best to come in before the allergy season starts if you know you typically experience them during the spring months.”
More than 110,000 men, women, and children are on the national transplant waiting list. Even worse, every ten minutes someone new is added.
Each year, the difference between the number of people waiting for organs versus the number of people willing to donate grows wider year after year. While 95% of US adults support organ donation, only about 54% are actually signed up to be donors. That means about 20 people die each day waiting for a transplant.
SouthCoast Health professionals in Savannah can answer all of your medical questions, and, since SouthCoast has a wide range of medical professionals and departments, they can handle most discussions about organ donation, no matter what body part your questions cover.
Learn more about organ donation and why you should become an organ donor here.
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Effects of dry, cold winter weather are even more pronounced in children, who have thinner, more sensitive skin than adults.
Find tips from SouthCoast Health here on how to keep your kids from having Itchy and irritated skin during winter.
Skin care is an important aspect of children’s wellness, but it’s only one part of comprehensive pediatric care.
For a provider who cares for your child in a welcoming environment, turn to SouthCoast Health. SouthCoast Health’s pediatric walk-in clinics conveniently offer urgent care for your little one when they need it most. Review SouthCoast Health’s full list of pediatric services, or call 912-691-3600 for appointments.
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Flu season, also known as influenza season, starts in the fall and continues into spring every year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends everyone over the age of 6 months to get a yearly flu shot to prevent influenza or experience less severe flu symptoms.
It’s important to get a flu vaccination for protection while COVID-19 continues to spread. Less people with the flu will help reduce the burden on our local health care providers during the coronavirus pandemic and influenza season.
Many SouthCoast Health locations are offering flu shots. To schedule at your provider’s office, call the office to make an appointment for the flu vaccination. Patients can also save time by clicking on the link below to schedule a flu shot online at our main Savannah campus. (Walk-ins and new patients are accepted.)
