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If your child has a true food allergy, such as to strawberries or peanuts, you will know immediately because he or she might break out in hives or have trouble breathing after eating these foods. But if your child has a food sensitivity—which can result in more vague symptoms such as gas, bloating, rashes, joint pain and fatigue—you can have a hard time pinpointing the sensitivity. Lake Health naturopathic provider Jacob Wolf, ND, LAc, Dipl OM, explains how to uncover the culprit and what to do about it:

Constipation is common throughout childhood. Dr. Simone Majetich, a family physician with Lake Health Physician Group SOM Center Primary Care, explains why it happens and how to solve this common issue: 

We all want to make our kids' wishes come true during the holiday season, but there are gifts that can also promote health and wellness. Here are some ideas for gifts that can promote wellness all year long:

The prescription drugs you have in your medicine cabinet can pose an unintended risk for your family. Lucille Zappitelli-Sason, MSN, CNP, a nurse practitioner with Lake County Family Practice, gives the scoop on the dangers prescription drugs (even expired and unused ones) can pose and shares crucial tips for protecting your family: 

As a parent, you want your child to eat healthy and nutritious foods that give them the energy they need to play and grow. A plant-based diet is one of these options. Spending a week at camp is a tradition that many children love – it provides new adventures, fun friendships and a chance to enjoy activities independently from their parents. If your child follows a vegetarian or vegan eating style, you may worry he or she will go hungry at sleepaway camp. Melinda Wivell, RDN, LD, a registered dietitian with the Lake Health Integrative Medicine team, gives her top tips for sticking to a plant-based eating style away from home:

Childhood obesity is on the rise in the United States. Even the prevalence of pre-diabetes and diabetes is increasing in children. Families are busier than ever, while also more sedentary than previous generations. School lunch choices are mostly processed, fatty, sugary foods.

Melinda Wivell, RDN, LD, a registered dietitian with the Lake Health Integrative Medicine team, discusses how a plant-based diet for elementary aged children can be a healthy alternative to the traditional American diet:

It might be time to upgrade your game-day offerings and go beyond potato chips and fruit chews. So if you're next on snack duty for your child's sports team, don't sweat it!  Melinda Wivell, RDN, LD, a registered dietitian at Lake Health, shares her short list for healthier, shareable snacks that can fuel your young athlete: 

Summer can disrupt your normal routine. Summer break for kids, yard work, fairs and festivals, picnics, reunions, family vacations and a chance to enjoy longer days – summer is chock full of unique activities you don’t want to miss. This can certainly add stress as we try to fit everything in! That’s why it’s important to manage your time well during the summer, so you can focus on enjoying the season. Emma Giardini, a wellness coach with the Lake Health Integrative Medicine team, gives her top tips for getting the most out of the season with less stress:

The risk of concussions worries athletes, coaches and parents. Every time an athlete takes a blow to the head, quick evaluation is vital. Concussions have been on the forefront of medical research and media attention for over a decade, and concussion clinics now provide state-of-the-art care for a variety of patients who may have suffered a concussion. Learn more about the Lake Health Concussion Clinic, which operates full-time at the Brunner Sanden Deitrick Wellness Campus in Mentor: 

Healthy breakfasts and lunches can help kids get the nutrition they need. Our Lake Health Integrative Medicine team shares their favorite ideas for healthy breakfasts and school lunches: