Integrative Health Blog

Pediatrician Addresses Prevention and Wellness During COVID-19

Posted by on Wed, Mar 18, 2020

I have spent the last week and a half feeling overwhelmed at the unfolding of events concerning COVID-19.  There are no words to describe my full range of emotion- shock, denial, anger, sadness, helplessness.  This framework of emotion, I realize, is quite similar to the 5 stages of grief we experience when learning to cope with the loss of a loved one.  Do any of you feel the same? 

Amid the scramble I’m experiencing in my own home (as a pediatrician and a mom of 3) to figure out a new normal, I’ve been thinking of what more we can do to strengthen our personal and community response to COVID-19.

I firmly believe we all have the capability of being our most healthy selves.  And I think there is no better time than now to make that our collective goal.

How do we stay healthy?

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Tags: children's health, pediatrics

7 Ways to Help Your Child Sleep Better

Posted by on Mon, Mar 02, 2020

As a holistic pediatrician, one of the most common questions I’m asked during an office visit is “How do I help my child sleep better?” 

I’m not sure now is the time to delve into the complexities of sleep patterns, but I assure you, sleep is complex and key to good health.  Sleep patterns and requirements are also made more challenging to understand in children because they change based on age.  Newborn sleep habits are certainly different compared to a baby who is 6 months and older.

The interesting thing is that I don’t think many of us appreciate sleep until it’s gone.  While pregnant, many women (I was one of them) start to wake up more frequently at night.  I once heard this was because our bodies were slowly conditioning to becoming sleep deprived.  I’m smiling as I write this, because I see the truth in that.  And of course, after baby arrives, there’s nothing better than the first 3-4 hours stretch of uninterrupted sleep.    

Sleep Issues Can Persist 

In any case, we all know about the lack of sleep in early babyhood. However, what I’ve found is that these issues with sleep can extend past the baby and even toddler stage. Hence the reason this is a topic of concern for most parents.

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Tags: pediatrics, holistic pediatrician

A Child's First Dental Visit to Holistic Family Dentistry

Posted by on Mon, Feb 03, 2020

February is Children's Dental Health Month!

Starting your child out with good habits and dental care will help to ensure that they have the best chance for a healthy mouth that will last a lifetime. 

When Should My Child First See the Dentist?

Baby teeth have an important role and beginning to care for your child’s teeth before they erupt should not be overlooked.  The first tooth may appear at around 6 months and as soon as it starts to erupt it is at risk for decay.  This is why the American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that your child have their first visit to the dentist within 6 months of the first tooth coming in (erupting), or by about 12 months of age. By the time your child reaches his third birthday they will have all 20 of their primary teeth.

The First Dental Happy Visit

At Holistic Family Dentistry we recommend you schedule a pediatric dentistry  “Happy Visit” to acquaint your child with our staff.  They will meet our dentist,  take a ride in the chair, meet "Mr. Thirsty,"  get their teeth checked and begin to establish a level of comfort with the dentist's office. 

The first dental visit  is for young children and is a brief visit. Some children may be anxious, and it may take more than one “Happy Visit” before they are comfortable. In order to prepare for this visit there are a few things to consider:

 

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Tags: holistic dentistry, children's health, pediatrics

Rachel Cohen, D.O., Holistic Pediatrician, Joins National Integrated Health Associates

Posted by on Wed, Jan 08, 2020

National Integrated Health Associates, NIHA, is pleased to announce that Rachel Cohen, D.O., holistic pediatrician, has joined the integrative medical team.

Dr. Rachel Cohen is Board Certified in Pediatrics and a Doctor of Osteopathy, dedicated to helping children reach their fullest potential by focusing on holistic care and disease prevention.  

Her journey to becoming a medical doctor started with a desire to be a healer- focusing on the interconnectedness of body and mind.  Dr. Cohen places particular importance on understanding a child’s medical history, development, emotional wellbeing, environment, stressors and nutrition.  She takes great pride in being an advocate for all families that come to her for medical care. 

Background

Dr. Rachel Cohen completed her undergraduate and graduate work at Tulane University in New Orleans, obtaining a Master’s Degree in Neuroscience.  From there, she moved to New York City to attend medical school at Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine.  As a fully licensed physician, her additional training in osteopathy emphasizes a whole-person approach to treatment and care. Dr. Cohen completed 3 years of pediatric residency training at Harlem Hospital Center in New York City, an affiliate of Columbia University Medical Center.   Her time there was focused on delivering medical care to underserved populations.  Upon completion of residency, her family moved to the local area, where she has spent the last 2 years as a general pediatrician in Washington, D.C. 

Caring for the Whole Child

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Tags: children's health, pediatrics, holistic pediatrician

Gearing Up for School Days with a Natural Option

Posted by on Thu, Aug 30, 2018

How do you plan to keep your children healthy this year?

School is starting back up, and our children are in close quarters, touching every surface, wiping their noses on their hands and sneezing everywhere. It seems regardless of how many times you show them how to properly sneeze into their elbow so as not to spread the storm of bacteria here-there-and-everywhere- they are children, and learning takes time! No matter how hard we try, we know that this daily contact with other children increases the chance that they will contract colds or flu and may lower their immunity to fight illness. 

How can we keep them healthy? A great home remedy that you can make for yourself and loved ones that may help keep illnesses at bay is Four Thieves’ Vinegar.

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Tags: natural options, recipe, pediatrics

Symptoms of PANDAS or PANS in Children

Posted by on Wed, Jul 25, 2018

As a holistic & integrative pediatrician, I see many children  with behavioral and psychological issues.  A significant part of my evaluation for these patients includes a work up to see if there is the presence of PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections) or PANS (Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome).

PANDAS is a complex disorder that can occur suddenly and appears to be more common in boys. The symptoms can be behavioral and physical, and can be debilitating.

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Tags: pediatrics, PANDAS

NIHA Welcomes Lorelle Bradley, M.D., F.A.A.P., Holistic Pediatrician

Posted by on Mon, Aug 22, 2016

National Integrated Health Associates, NIHA, is pleased to announce that Lorelle Bradley, M.D., F.A.A.P., holistic pediatrician, has joined the integrative medical team.

Dr. Bradley is Board Certified in Pediatrics and Holistic and Integrative Medicine, and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. She has over seventeen years experience as a pediatrician, and has made an ongoing commitment to lifelong learning and advocacy for children.

Dr. Bradley believes in the power of the body to heal itself, which led to her journey of becoming a Holistic and Integrative Medicine Provider. She has a cheerful heart and genuinely loves taking care of children and their families. She believes that children are barometers of family dynamics and sees the vital role of genetics, environment, nutrition, and toxic exposures as contributing factors to the overall health of a child.

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Tags: pediatrics, holistic pediatrician, chlldren's health

Let's Talk About Vaccines: An Evening of Discussion on August 25, 2016

Posted by on Sat, Aug 13, 2016

Special Event


Let's Talk About Vaccines 

When: Aug. 25, 2016
Time: 5:00 - 8:00 pm
Where: NIHA
5225 Wisconsin Ave. NW #402
Washington, D.C. 20015

 

Please join us on Thursday evening, Aug. 25, 2016,  for lectures,  information and education about vaccine safety.

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Tags: vaccinations, children's health, pediatrics

What is Your Baby Sleeping On?

Posted by on Mon, Mar 23, 2015

A question about baby mattresses was submitted recently to our  Wholesome Mama's Facebook group, and the answer is important to share with new and expectant parents. Babies spend a lot of time sleeping, an estimated 16 to 18 hours per day.  For decades, the AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) has promoted the “Back to Sleep” campaign, encouraging babies to sleep on their backs, which has been successful in reducing the incidence of SIDS. However, there is evidence that the mattress that your baby sleeps on may also increase a baby’s risk of SIDS. 

Studies show infants exposed to chemical emissions from mattresses

In 2014, a study by the University of Texas was released which found that “infants are exposed to high levels of chemical emissions from crib mattresses.” The researchers examined 20 new mattresses and found that they contained over 30 volatile organic compounds (VOCs).  Moreover, new crib mattresses release about 4 times the amount of VOCs as old mattresses. And even more alarming is that the VOC level is significantly higher in the infant’s breathing space than in the general air.  The researchers estimated that the infant laying in the crib is exposed to twice the VOC levels as someone standing in the room. Therefore, the researchers concluded that a good strategy to reduce this VOC exposure would be to let a new mattress air out for an extended period of time, perhaps in a garage or outdoors.

This research seems to suggest that an old mattress would be protective; however, a used mattress comes with risks as well. Dr. Jim Sprott, a New Zealand scientist, is convinced that a number of chemicals, which includes phosphorous, arsenic and antimony used in fire retardants, are directly responsible for SIDS.

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Tags: sleep, children's health, pediatrics

25% of Teenagers are Doing What?!

Posted by on Mon, Mar 09, 2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It’s common knowledge that adolescence is characterized by risk-taking behaviors and experimentation. 

As a parent, you try your best to warn your adolescent children about the dangers they may face, especially regarding drug and alcohol abuse.  One type of drug use that is less commonly recognized is prescription drug abuse. In fact, after marijuana, prescription drugs are the most commonly abused drug by teenagers.

A very disturbing trend

Nearly 50% of Americans take at least one prescription medication, and the sale of prescription painkillers quadrupled from 1999 to 2010.  Therefore, prescription medications are readily accessible by children and teens.  It’s estimated that 25% of teenagers has misused or abused a prescription drug at least once in their lifetime.

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Tags: children's health, pediatrics, prescription drugs