What is Depression? Everyone occasionally feels blue or sad, but these feelings are usually fleeting and pass within a couple of days. When a person has a depressive disorder, it interferes with daily life, normal functioning, and causes distress for both the person with the disorder and those who care about him or her. Depression is a common but serious illness, and most who experience it need treatment to get better. Many people with a depression never seek treatment.

CROUP by Dr. Jim J. Gould, MD Sometimes the Bark is Worse than the Bite A roup is a common pediatric respiratory condition characterized by a barky cough, hoarseness, and occasionally stridor. Croup is most commonly seen between six months and six years of age, but can at times be seen outside of these age groups.

Boys are more frequently diagnosed than girls, but the condition is seen in both sexes. It accounts for 15% of ER and clinic visits for pediatric respiratory tract infections. Croup can be seen at any time of year, but is most common in late fall and early winter. We will discuss the underlying causes, general signs and symptoms, typical course, diagnosis, and treatment options for croup.

A concussion is a traumatic brain injury that alters the way your brain functions. Effects are usually temporary, but can include problems with headache, concentration, memory, judgment, balance, and coordination.
Although concussions usually are caused by a blow to the head, they can also occur when the head and upper body are violently shaken. These injuries can cause a loss of consciousness, but most concussions do not. Because of this, some people have concussions and don’t realize it.