It’s common for children to be afraid of certain things or anxious about a big exam or presentation coming up, but there are times when this worry and fear could be related to something else. Caring for your child’s mental health is just as important as caring for their physical health and you should be aware of any signs leading to mental health issues. Your pediatricians at Southwest Children’s Clinic in West Jordan, UT, can explain some common signs of anxiety in children and when you should seek out help for your child.

Common Signs of Anxiety in Children

Everyone deals with worries and fears, but it’s important to recognize when your child is dealing with an anxiety disorder. It’s important that you’re able to recognize the signs because your child may not be able to express their feelings and ask for the help that they need. Depending on how young they are, they may not be able to even understand their feelings and it’s your job to talk to their pediatrician in West Jordan, UT, about possible anxiety.

There are different types of anxiety disorders that your child might deal with and you should be aware of the different tropes of each kind. Your child may have issues being separated from their parents, have specific phobias, be nervous about being in crowds, or have sudden and unexplained fear that leads to a panic attack.

Some common signs to look for include:

• Having trouble sleeping
• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Stomachaches
• Isolation
• Unexplained sadness
• Irritability
• Anger

Contact Your Pediatrician Today

Don’t wait for your child to come to you. Contact your pediatricians at Southwest Children’s Clinic in West Jordan, UT, to make sure you can recognize signs of anxiety and get your child the help that they may need. Call for more information and to schedule an appointment today at (801) 563-1975.

Anxiety and depression appear to be similar but have distinct characteristics. Anxiety is the body's fight or flight response before a noteworthy life event, trying a new adventure, or making an important decision. Depression involves feelings of remorse, helplessness, intrusive thoughts, a lack of energy or motivation, and persistent pessimism combined with a loss of interest in activities and hobbies once appreciated. Many children have fears and anxieties and may occasionally feel sad and hopeless at various stages of maturation. Toddlers frequently stress about parental separation, even if their safe and healthy. While some fears and worries are typical in children, persistent or intense forms of fear and sadness may indicate depression or anxiety in West Jordan, UT, which our Southwest Children's Clinic staff can assist you in identifying and avoiding.

Recognizing Anxiety And Depression in Children

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports in 2016-2019, 9.4% of children aged 3-17 years (approximately 5.8 million) were diagnosed with anxiety. During 2016-2019, 4.4% of children aged 3-17 years (about 2.7 million) were diagnosed with depression. It can manifest as fear or worry, but it can cause children to become moody and enraged. Anxiety symptoms include trouble sleeping and physical symptoms such as exhaustion, headaches, or bellyaches. Because some anxious children keep their worries to themselves, it's easy to overlook the signs. Depression symptoms include changes in eating patterns, avoiding social situations, difficulty paying attention, and reporting feelings of uselessness or guilt. In more severe cases, children may exhibit signs of self-harm. Contact us as soon as you notice indications of depression and anxiety.

Our pediatrician at Southwest Children's Clinic prioritizes your family's needs Your children are our staff's commitment, and we look forward to helping them reach their highest potential. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff is available to support and assist you with any questions or concerns about your child's health, particularly depression and anxiety. Please explore our website to learn more about the conditions we treat and the services provided. For more information about diagnosis and treatment for depression and anxiety in West Jordan, UT, or to schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Southwest Children's Clinic, call (801) 563-1975.

Regular well-child visits can help protect your child from serious illnesses, diseases, and injuries by identifying potential problems early. The early identification of medical issues allows you and your child to take precautions.

So, when should you bring your child in for well-child visits? The first well-child visit happens when your baby is 2 to 5 days old. Subsequent well-child visits happen at 1,2,4,6,9,15, and 18 months, and then again at 2 years old.

Regular well-child visits allow your pediatrician to monitor and record your child’s:

• Breathing
• Height and weight
• Heart sounds and pulse
• Musculoskeletal structure

These factors and more provide your pediatrician with the information to track your child’s growth and development. Your pediatrician can help ensure your child is on a healthy track for normal growth and development.

Regular well-child visits are important to your child’s physical health, and behavioral health too. Regular well-child visits are an opportunity for your pediatrician to assess and monitor your child’s behavioral health. During a behavioral health assessment, your pediatrician can identify and manage conditions including:

• ADD and ADHD
• Learning disabilities
• Anxiety and depression

One of the most important functions of a well-child visit is to provide immunizations to prevent contagious, infectious illnesses and diseases. Immunizations are required for your child to attend daycare and school. They also protect your child, your household, and you from acquiring an infectious disease or illness. The flu, hepatitis, meningitis, and polio are just a few of the conditions immunizations can help prevent.

You can benefit from well-child visits too because they give you a wonderful opportunity to ask any questions you have about your child’s health. Your pediatrician is an expert at medical care for children and is a great resource for you and your child. To learn more about the benefits of well-child visits and how they can help protect your child’s health, talk with an expert. Call your pediatrician today.

Asthma is a common problem in children, and its effects can be serious. When your child has difficulty breathing, it’s scary for your child and for you. Your pediatrician can help treat and manage your child’s asthma, so you can both breathe easier.

It's easy for you to feel powerless when your child has an asthma attack, but there are tips and techniques you can try to manage your child’s asthma. The first step in managing your child’s asthma is to have your child tested for allergies. An allergic response to a substance can often bring on an asthmatic episode.

When you know what your child is allergic to, your child can try to avoid exposure to the substance. After allergy testing, your pediatrician may recommend allergy shots or sublingual immunotherapy drops to limit your child’s allergy symptoms.

Along with allergy treatment, your pediatrician will also treat your child’s asthma with:

• Short-term rescue inhalers
• Long-term asthma medications

Other important tips to modify your child’s environment to prevent asthma include:

• Using hypoallergenic sheets and pillowcases
• Vacuuming frequently or consider switching to hardwood floors
• Dusting furniture and other areas frequently
• Installing an air purifier in your house
• Keeping pets off of furniture and out of your child’s bedroom
• Keeping doors and windows closed in spring and summer

Even with the best precautions, asthma flare-ups happen. An asthma attack can become a life-threatening emergency, so be sure to contact emergency services if your child is:

• Unable to speak due to breathing difficulties
• Severely gasping and wheezing, even with medications
• Breathing so deeply that their chest gets sucked underneath their ribcage

Your child doesn’t have to be controlled by asthma, and it helps to have an action plan in place in the event of an asthma attack. Your pediatrician can help you be prepared. To find out more about managing your child’s asthma and how your pediatrician can help, talk with your pediatrician today.

West Jordon, Utah's Leading Child Well-Care Experts

West Jordon, UT, is home to a licensed, established, seasoned, and highly skilled group of pediatric physicians known throughout the communities they serve at Southwest Children's Clinic.

Our pediatricians stress the importance of well-child care exams. Read on to understand why these exams are so vital.

Essential Factors for Well-Child Exams

The pediatric physician team that makes up the Southwest Children's Clinic in West Jordan, UT, firmly believes that well-child care exams are important. 

You must ensure that your child receives excellent healthcare. Never wait until your child is ill to take them to the doctor. Southwest Children's Clinic believes in preventing illness before it gains a foothold in your child. The following are a few important reasons. 

• We track your child's growth and stages of development to see if your child remains within the national averages for growth and development. A well-child care visit helps to uncover any underlying medical issues that require our attention.
• We can assess and treat any physical, behavioral, or emotional issues.
• Your child receives vital immunizations.
• Your child must have a vision and hearing screening at least yearly.
• Exams help to uncover any potential health issues.
• We assess their skeletal system.
• Wellness exams set the foundation for a lifetime of excellent health.

Never Neglect Yearly Child Well-Care Visits

Every question you have is vital to us. Additionally, we plan to discuss the following issues with you so we can keep your child on the right wellness path.

• Expected developmental milestones
• Safety
• Sleep patterns
• Family relationships
• School
• Socialization

In addition, we have a list of helpful community services should you need referrals for anything related to your child. Excellent child wellness starts with yearly well-care visits. And, of course, we are always here for you and your child should you need to schedule a visit between well-care appointments.

Give our esteemed doctors a call today to schedule well-child care exams. Our pediatricians at Southwest Children's Clinic in West Jordan, UT, at (801) 563-1975 say it is never too late in your child's life to set a standard of care for a lifetime of excellent health and wellness.