Adolescent Medicine

Adolescent medicine specialist Jessica Castonguay, MD, and dietitian Madeline Brown discuss orthorexia, a condition in which the sufferer eliminates potentially healthy foods from their diet because they believe them to be harmful. Originally aired on WVIZ on February 12, 2018.

Stephen Sondike, MD, FAAP, medical director, division of Adolescent Medicine at Akron Children's Hospital, discusses the impact alcohol can have on the still-developing teenager's brain. Originally aired on WKYC as part of the hospital's Tips to Grow By series.

Stephen Sondike, MD, FAAP, medical director, division of Adolescent Medicine at Akron Children's Hospital, notes the brain isn't fully developed until the age of 25, requiring a little patience and understanding in the meantime. Originally aired on WKYC as part of the hospital's Tips to Grow By series.

For teenagers, the scars left by acne may sometimes be more than skin deep. In this Children's Channel video, Stephen Sondike, MD, medical director of adolescent medicine at Akron Children's Hospital, discusses the physical and emotional treatments for this teenage malady.

Sweaty palms and an upset stomach often proceed a classroom presentation or appearance in the school play, but if your child can't bring himself to leave the house that morning there may be cause for concern. In this Children's Channel video, Laura Rocker, MD, medical director for the Partial Hospitalization Program at Akron Children's Hospital, discusses the signs of anxiety in children and what parents can do to help.

Although it's the physical toll that is most apparent, eating disorders are often the result of a person's self image. In this Children's Channel video, Jessica Castonguay, DO, MPH, an adolescent medicine physician at Akron Children's Hospital, discusses the diagnosis and treatment of these potential dangerous conditions.

Developed to help adults quit smoking, electronic cigarettes may be finding an audience in who are teens experimenting with nicotine for the first time. In this Children's Channel video, James Fitzgibbon, MD, director of adolescent medicine at Akron Children's Hospital, discusses how e-cigarettes work, as well as some of the potential hazards of their use.

Preparing a child for college can present challenges for both parent and student. In this Children's Channel video, Julie Wyatt, CNP, an adolescent medicine nurse practitioner at Akron Children's Hospital, offers some practical tips to help ensure your college-bound child leaves the nest with more than a wing and a prayer.

Known commonly as LARCs, long acting reversible contraceptive devices can provide greater than 99 percent effective birth control for up to 10 years. In this Children's Channel video, Jessica Castonguay, DO, an adolescent medicine physician at Akron Children's Hospital, discusses the different options and encourages women to work with their health care provider to determine what is right for them.

What may start as a question from your 9-year-old about body odor could quickly evolve into "the talk" if your answers spark her curiosity. In this Children's Channel video, Jessica Castonguay, DO, MPH, an adolescent medicine physician at Akron Children's Hospital, recommends letting your child provide the cues they are ready, and responding in an age-appropriate, compassionate manner.

Although tattoos have become much more accepted in recent years, adding ink to skin is still a lifetime commitment. In this Children's Channel video, Jessica Castonguay, DO, MPH, an adolescent medicine physician at Akron Children's Hospital, encourages teens to weigh the health and lifestyle considerations before they go under the needle.

The privacy of health information is an important consideration for teens who may need to discuss some of their riskier behaviors with a medical professional. In this Children's Channel video, James Fitzgibbon, MD, director of adolescent medicine at Akron Children's Hospital, discusses how his interactions with patients are protected and the continuing role parents play in the health of their teenage children.