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Acute and Chronic Illnesses
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Acute and Chronic Illnesses
No parent wants their child to be sick with any illness, but there is a big difference between acute illnesses and chronic illnesses. At Wellness Pediatrics in Birmingham, MI, Dr. Suhad Yaldo builds each child’s level of care on a foundation of functional medicine. She treats the problem they are having in that moment, but she wants to figure out how their illness might affect the rest of their well-being, and what its true source is.
Treating an Acute Illness in Kids
Acute illnesses in kids are problems that come on quickly and last only briefly, maybe a few days at most, though some issues can last a week or longer. These conditions are usually caused by bacterial or viral infections. Some of the most common acute illnesses include:
- Bronchitis
- Cold
- Ear infection
- Flu
- Sinus infection
- Skin infection
- Stomach bugs
- Strep throat
- Urinary tract infection
Symptoms for these problems are clear and range from fever and sore throat to nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. If you have concerns about your child’s acute illness, always call your pediatrician for advice and to find out if your child needs to be seen. If they have been unwell for two or three days without any improvement, it is important to call your pediatrician. They may need medicine to help treat their discomfort.
Chronic Illnesses for Kids
Kids who suffer with a chronic illness do not suddenly come down with symptoms. They develop a condition over time and learn to live with it for months, years, and sometimes even a lifetime. A chronic disease may get worse rather than better over time.
Chronic illnesses in kids include:
- ADHD
- Allergies
- Anemia
- Asthma
- Autism spectrum disorders
- Cerebral palsy
- Cystic fibrosis
- Diabetes
- Epilepsy
In kids, chronic illnesses are typically linked to genetic, environmental, and social factors. It’s important to get an accurate diagnosis and learn how to live with this condition so the child’s life is full and not interrupted by chronic unwellness.
A doctor who practices functional medicine is an ideal resource for parents who have kids with a chronic illness. This practitioner sees your child as a unique whole and not just a diagnosis, but as a person with individual symptoms, characteristics, and needs.
When you have a child with a chronic illness, it helps to know you have a doctor on your side who is looking at your kid with fresh eyes, seeing them from the inside out, and not just putting a bandage on a chronic problem.
Treating Acute and Chronic Illnesses
Sick rooms and healthy rooms are clearly designated at your pediatrician’s office so kids with an acute illness will not overlap with other patients. No matter the circumstances, your pediatrician always looks forward to seeing your child and helping them feel and be their best, even given temporary or permanent limitations.
Kids with an acute illness are easily treated at your pediatrician’s office. Kids with a chronic illness are treated too, but your doctor may also recommend specialists to help with various elements of health and wellness, from nutrition to therapies, medication to surgeries. Chronic conditions are not usually curable, but they can be managed and controlled with a consistent, understanding care team – and that all starts with a dedicated pediatrician.
See a Pediatrician Near Me in Birmingham, MI
Dr. Yaldo’s pediatric medicine office is open six days a week to make medical care convenient for you and your family. Whether you need a sick visit or well-child visit, whether you think your child has caught a bug or you suspect something bigger is going on, it is our honor to welcome your family to our practice and give you the support system you need.
Contact Wellness Pediatrics in Birmingham, MI, to make an appointment with Dr. Yaldo and get your child the care they need right away.
