Dr. Lisa Thornton, a mother of three, writes the Health Matters monthly column for Chicago Parent as is the voice behind "The Doctor is In," a Chicago Parent podcast. She is director of pediatric rehabilitation at Schwab Rehabilitation Hospital and LaRabida Children's Hospital, and is an assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of Chicago.

Past articles

Showing 21 - 30 of 35

 

Choking risk of hot dogs, candies is high for young children
December 13, 2010
I often see toddlers eating popcorn, taking a bite of a hot dog or sucking on a gel candy and I’m sure their parents aren’t aware of the danger those foods can present. 

Urinary tract infections are good reason not to 'hold it'
December 9, 2010
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is pretty unusual in a child, but they occur about four times as often in girls as in boys.  

Avoid the flu this winter in Chicago
November 24, 2010
Some people may think of the flu as a remote risk, but more than 20 million kids got the flu during the 2009-2010 season. Here's how to protect the ones in your family. 

Pinkeye, its causes and how not to catch it from your child
October 25, 2010
What to do when your child is viewing the world through not-so-rosy-colored glasses.  

The healing power of infant and child massage
September 15, 2010 - Comments (1)
Touch is as important to infants and children as eating and sleeping. Babies need touch to survive and thrive and those who don’t get it are often left with significant, lifelong emotional and psychological problems. 

Health Matters | Is it broken? How to know when a fall is something worse
August 25, 2010
There are 206 bones in the human body and chances are, your child is going to break one at some point. Here's how to know if it's broken -- and what happens next.  

The questions every parent should ask their pediatrician
June 22, 2010
Asking serious questions of your child's potential doctor isn't being a stickler. It's being a good parent. Here are a few to get you started. 

Health Matters | What you should know about ADHD
May 24, 2010 - Comments (3)
How to know when those wild spells could be an attention deficit disorder.  

Health Matters | Summer dangers lurk in pools, cars
April 27, 2010
It's inching toward summer in Chicago, a season with its own unique set of risks, including sun, pools and hot cars. 

Health Matters | The facts behind skin infections
March 23, 2010
Is your child a nail-biter? Here's the one health risk you should know.