Lifestyle changes can help kids who are overweight, reducing their risk of developing long-term health conditions later. We believe we can change the future of Louisiana through coordinated care among parents, providers and kids to fight childhood obesity, which is a public health crisis in our state. We’ve gathered some lifestyle changes to make together…
Make sure your child’s car seat is the correct one for their height, weight, and age and that it’s properly installed. Installation Checklist More than 59 percent of car seats are used or installed incorrectly. Is your child’s car seat installed correctly? Your car seat is: Appropriate for your child’s age, weight and height Facing…
Parents often worry if quiet or anxious children and teens will have the social skills they need to become successful adults. It can be challenging to figure out the best way to gently encourage kids to socialize and when it’s appropriate to step back. The key to knowing what to do is to find the…
Whether a breastfeeding mom is returning to work or expressing milk so others can feed baby, knowing how to safely store her milk is important for baby’s health. How the milk is stored will depend on how soon it needs to be used. These general guidelines for storing milk at different temperatures, but other factors…
Breastfeeding is natural, but it can be challenging, especially in the beginning. Being prepared can make all the difference. Gregory J. Gelpi, MD, FAAP, IBCLC, Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Health pediatrician and breastfeeding expert, and Becca Miller, SLP, speech language pathologist and official lactation consultant at Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital,…
Stress doesn’t (totally) deserve its bad reputation. Short-term, or acute, stress can be beneficial. It can boost your productivity on a work project or spur you to seek shelter if caught outside during a summer thunderstorm. Stress shows its harmful side when it sticks around longer than necessary. This is known as long-term, or chronic,…
Without fail, your child will start coughing or spike a fever at the least opportune time, like a Friday evening after a long week at school or bright-and-early on a holiday morning. It can be hard to know the difference between what can wait and what needs emergency care. Ashley Lucas, MD, medical director of pediatrics…
Children and Fear of Doctors: How You Can Help For many children, the prospect of seeing a doctor is a cause for concern. This fear of doctors is common and can stem from a variety of factors, from worries about shots to fear that a medical exam might reveal scary news about a child’s health.…
You want to stay healthy. Maybe you do your best to eat good foods and work out to keep your waistline from expanding. But good health goes deeper than your waist, and good gut health goes even deeper. Why Gut Health Matters Your gut is also known as your gastrointestinal (GI) tract. It helps your…
Checking your weight is the first thing a primary care provider will do when you go in for a checkup. “It’s truly that important,” says Curtis Chastain, MD, of Our Lady of the Lake Physician Group Men’s Health and Executive Wellness Center. Small fluctuations in weight are normal, but your doctor is always on the…
As an active mother and grandmother, Kim Neal never imagined her life’s story would include bringing awareness to organ donation and keeping her son David John Neal’s name alive. In January 2019, Kim’s life changed forever. David was rushed to Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center and placed in the ICU. Within days…
Jim Moncus (1939-2021) was known to be an innovator, a trailblazer and a loyal philanthropist. He was passionate about giving back to the community he called home for over 50 years. According to Jim, if you have been blessed with success, sharing with others is a necessity. The healthcare ministry at Our Lady of Lourdes…
A primary care provider, or PCP, is a doctor you see yearly for your annual checkup and more often if needed. Many people put off finding a primary care doctor because they don’t feel sick. Others aren’t sure how to find a PCP. Whether it’s been years since you’ve had an annual exam or you…
Heartburn and indigestion are extremely common. More than 60 million Americans experience heartburn each year. Indigestion affects nearly 25 percent of Americans. Thankfully, you can prevent many bouts of heartburn and indigestion. You just have to know what causes your symptoms to flare up. Then, avoid those triggers. Understanding Heartburn and Indigestion Many people think…
Discover the basics of breastfeeding and why it can be beneficial to your child.
Ants, Wasps, Mosquitos? It’s time to learn how to handle those pesky bugs. Next time you head out to enjoy a beautiful day of the great outdoors, remember these helpful tips for deterring and treating insect bits and stings. Have a bug bite that’s not healing or causing concerning health issues? Connect with one of…
Part of getting ready for heading back to school is reestablishing a good sleep routine. With the longer days of summer and more flexible schedules it’s very easy to slip into habits that just aren’t sustainable once class is back in session. Check out our tips to get your scholars well rested and ready to…
Learn what you can do to help your young athlete continue to play their sport of choice safely and successfully.