- Men's Health, Women's Health, PediatricsGeneral Page Tier 3BlogIf you’re outdoors a lot during the summer, you probably know to watch out for ticks. These insects, especially deer ticks, can transmit Lyme disease and other viruses. While ticks are most active during warmer months, they remain a concern long after Labor Day. Deer ticks can be active as long as the ground isn’t covered with snow, or frozen. Which means a disease-carrying tick can bite you, and infect you, even after the first frost. According to the University of Rhode Island’s TickEncounter Resource Center, deer ticks, also known as blacklegged ticks, start to become active in their adult stage as summer fades away into fall. In the Northeast, there are more adult stage ticks in early October. But ticks can also be an issue in the winter, according to TickEncounter. Ticks that didn’t find a host to latch onto when it was warmer outside can come out from under the snow when the ground thaws, and look for a host then. Not all deer ticks are infected with the bacteria that cause Lyme disease, but it’s still a concern. Since the late 1990s, the number of reported cases of Lyme disease in the U.S. has tripled, researchers say. Lyme disease is rarely fatal but it can be debilitating. Its early symptoms resemble the flu, and a rash sometimes develops around the bite. Preventing ticks Prevention is key. If you’re out hiking at any time of year, stay in the center of trails and avoid areas with thick vegetation and grass. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also recommends that you use repellent containing 20 percent or more DEET on exposed skin. You should also use products that contain permethrin to treat pants and shoes, or choose outdoor clothing that is pre-treated with permethrin. Know what to look for: Adult deer ticks grow only to about the size of a sesame seed, and have reddish hind bodies with black markings and legs. After you come in from outside, you should take a bath or shower as soon as you can to wash off any ticks before they bite. Wash your clothes in hot water, or dry them on high heat. The CDC also advises people to examine pets after they come inside to make sure they aren’t bringing ticks with them. What to do if You Find a Tick on Your Skin If you do find a tick on your skin, you should take fine-tipped tweezers and grasp onto the insect as close to your skin as possible. Pull the tick upward. Once you remove the body of the tick, it can’t transmit disease. Wash the bite area and your hands. Take special note of whether the tick was engorged, or full of blood. Ticks that look “puffy” are more likely to transmit diseases. You may also want to save the tick in a plastic baggie, in case you need to go to the doctor and identify the type of tick. If you start to notice any of the signs of Lyme disease, including fever, headache, fatigue, or muscle or joint aches, call your doctor. Don’t let a fear of ticks keep you indoors. By taking the proper precautions, you can enjoy being outside all year long. Originally published Sept. 11, 2017. Last updated Sept. 16, 2025.0
- PediatricsGeneral Page Tier 3BlogThere is no shortage of decisions to make when you’re preparing for a new baby. And some of the most confusing can be around the ‘equipment’ you purchase. Which car seat is best? What stroller should you use? What size do you need? And recently, more and more parents consider the purchase of wearable, infant sleep monitors. But are they necessary? At-home cardiorespiratory monitors, also called apnea monitors in some instances, have been on the market for more than 30 years. But they haven’t always been widely available — or as heavily marketed — as they are today. These monitors were first released with the hope to prevent sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). However, studies have not shown these monitors prevent SIDS in infants. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) does not recommend home cardiorespiratory monitoring. According to the AAP, doctors may prescribe home cardiorespiratory monitoring for premature babies who have a high risk of recurring apnea, bradycardia and hypoxemia after they leave the hospital. However, doctors often treat infants diagnosed with apnea in the hospital, and may not discharge them until their condition improves. “When babies are sent home on monitors, parents are often relieved. It makes them feel more secure. After about a week, though, they’re ready to throw the monitor out of the window because false alarms are driving them crazy,” says the AAP in a recent article on apnea monitoring. False alarms are usually set off by abdominal breathing or by a loose belt or incorrectly placed monitor leads. The frequency of false alarms tends to increase as a baby grows older and becomes more active. Ignoring the alarms or assuming they’re false can be potentially dangerous. AAP guidelines released in 2016 say parents and infants should share a room — but not a bed— for the first year of baby’s life. For the safest sleep environment, you should put your baby to sleep on his or her back in a crib or bassinet without any blankets, bumpers, toys or monitors. The best way to track your baby is often with your own eyes. Key Takeaways: There’s no real evidence that over-the-counter breathing monitors keep infants safer. Monitors can cause more worry than good. For the safest sleep, you should follow the ABCs of safe sleep, which are Originally published April 19, 2017. Last updated Sept. 16, 2025.0
- General Page Tier 3BlogMany of us are still working and learning virtually from home. That’s why this is a good time to take a closer look at your child’s (and your own!) relationship with snacking. A good rule of thumb is to keep it simple. To do that, ask the four ‘w’s’ – why, when, where and, most importantly, what. Why is your child looking for a snack? Snacks are important to help your child meet nutritional needs for overall health. But, if they are seeking snacks more frequently, it’s fine to ask them if they might be feeling something other than hunger. For example, feelings of stress or anxiety, boredom or loneliness, thirst or fatigue can bring about food cravings. If one is an issue, be sure to address the underlying problem. When does a snack make sense? Snacks are important to help children meet their nutritional needs. It helps them stay focused and gives them energy to get through a busy day. In general, children and teens need to eat every three to four hours during the day. Younger kids need at least two snacks a day. Older kids/teens need at least one (two or more if they are participating in sports or going through a growth spurt). The timing of snacks is important, too. You want your child to have an appetite for their meals and not get in a habit of grazing throughout the day only to refuse food at mealtime. Consider offering a snack a few hours after one meal ends and an hour or two before the start of the next meal. Offer meals and snacks at predictable times. Where should you eat a snack? Make snacking an eating event. Have specific areas in your home where snacking takes place. For example, the kitchen table, the counter or a table outside during nice weather. Research shows that when kids snack while doing other things, such as watching TV or studying, it can lead to overeating. And when your child eats all over the house, you’re less likely to be aware of what or how much they are eating. What to eat as a snack? The nutritional choices you and your children make are crucial. Good nutrition is essential to good health. Parents need to think about food choices as health decisions for their children. Think of snacks as “mini meals.” Try to make 50% of a snack a fruit or vegetable. Add in a high fiber grain, like whole grain cereal or bread. Or add in lean protein, like sliced turkey or peanut butter. This will keep their tummies happy until the next meal or snack. Additional tips for healthy snacking Involve your children in age-appropriate meal and snack planning and preparation. Keep produce in plain sight. For example, a bowl of fruit on the counter or table. Have cut veggies and fruit in baggies or on a plate in the refrigerator. Purchase frozen fruit for a quick smoothie. Prepare small portioned containers of trail mix or dry cereal. Keep small yogurts and cheese sticks on hand. Try baked chips with homemade salsa or bean dip. Roast some chickpeas or kale chips. Prepare mini bagels with nut butter and a banana. Your turn! Prepare a yogurt parfait with your child Set up a yogurt parfait bar. Place all the ingredients on the table and have your children make their own yogurt parfaits. It can be a fun and nutritious snack activity. You will need: Greek yogurt or non-dairy coconut yogurt Granola or your favorite dry cereals Mixed, cut fresh fruit Pumpkin, sunflower seeds or nuts (for older children) Start with yogurt in the bottom of the glass or bowl and alternate layers of cereals, fruit, seeds and nuts. Enjoy! Authors Ann Caldwell is a nutritionist and registered dietitian at Anne Arundel Medical Center. To reach her, call 443-481-5555.0
- Behavioral Health, Infectious DiseaseGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAs families continue to adjust to the “new normal” of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, both parents and children may feel anxiety and fear. The boundaries between work, school and home have gotten fuzzy, often leading to emotional burnout. It’s important to remember this whole situation is new for everyone. There is no right way to get everything done. With so much change and uncertainty, it’s more important than ever for parents to take care of their mental health so they can continue to laugh, have fun and appreciate every family moment. Here are some tips on how to stay positive while juggling a full schedule. Prioritize self-care: There will be a lot of unknowns this year, so it’s important to remain calm and remember to breathe when dealing with the unexpected. Each day, take time to do at least one thing that’s just for you. That could mean taking a few minutes in the morning before everyone wakes up to enjoy the quiet, mediate, write in a journal, read a book or watch your favorite television show. Be flexible: Keep an open mind, especially when it comes to virtual learning. If you don’t stress over changes, your child will be less likely to stress. Have a daily routine: While flexibility is key, it’s still important for parents to set and maintain a daily routine during the hours that school is not is in session. Even if the plan needs to change, having a road map for your day will make it more manageable. Set boundaries: If possible, have separate spaces for work, school and relaxation. No parent wants to feel like they are living at work, and no child wants to feel like they are living at school. Having designated spaces for each part of your life will make it easier for everyone to stay focused when they need to focus, and relax when it’s time to relax. Stay in the loop: Don’t be afraid to communicate with your child’s teacher about how they are doing in school. Teachers can offer amazing tips on how your child can stay engaged with school virtually. Staying informed will help both you and your child be less anxious. Have a support system: Ask for help. Many parents all over the country are trying to work, take care of their households, and make sure their children are doing well with virtual learning. It’s not easy, and some days, the whole family may need one big cry and one big hug. Everyone is in this together. Parents set the tone for how children will respond to a virtual learning experience. The calmer and more positive you are, the more excited your child will be about jumping into that virtual school day. Author Jennifer Williams, MA, LPC, LCPC, is a mental health professional at Anne Arundel Medical Group (AAMG) Mental Health Specialists, located in Annapolis. To reach her, call 410-573-9000.0
- Behavioral Health, Pediatrics, Infectious DiseaseGeneral Page Tier 3BlogThe coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has been particularly hard for kids. When school turned virtual last spring, students lost daily contact with friends and teachers. Many students may feel disconnected from school since they are at home. Or they feel isolated without their classmates around. Like many of us, they might be feeling like there are no boundaries between home life and school life. Despite these challenges, it is possible to remain confident and positive. Even if the school year looks different. Here are a few tips to help boost your child’s mental health while attending virtual school. Follow a daily routine: Sticking to a schedule for school days is important. Getting a good night’s sleep is necessary for mental health. Make sure your child goes to bed at the same time every night and wake up at the same time every morning, leaving enough time to go through a regular morning routine. That may include taking a shower, brushing teeth, changing out of pajamas and eating breakfast. Talk to friends: Kids should talk with friends during breaks in the day as they normally would. FaceTime or set up a Zoom chat during lunch with friends. Try to avoid mid-day naps during break periods. Make sure your child continues to talk to friends after school and on weekends to avoid feeling disconnected. Go outside: Set aside time to have your child go outside at least once during the school day. If they start to feel sad, anxious, or frustrated, have them step away from the computer and go outside to walk, run or play. Have them try a few slow deep breaths to regulate their body and calm their heart rate so they can go on with the rest of the day. Have a designated classroom space: No one wants to feel like they are at school all the time. If possible, have a designated space that is just for schoolwork. Go to that room once the school day starts, and leave when it’s over. This will help your child draw boundaries between school and relaxation time. Make time for laughter and fun: We’re all going through something new and uncertain. Mistakes will happen, and that’s OK. It’s still important to make time for fun with friends and teachers, and maybe even start a new hobby. More fun means less stress. If your child is feeling overwhelmed, don’t hesitate to reach out for support whenever necessary. Don’t feel like you are expected to do everything alone. With a positive attitude and positive thoughts, you and your child can have a great school year. Author Jennifer Williams, MA, LPC, LCPC, is a mental health professional at Anne Arundel Medical Group (AAMG) Mental Health Specialists, located in Annapolis. To reach her, call 410-573-9000.0
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