In theory, the holidays are a time to relax and celebrate. 

In reality, the holidays can be a busy time of planning, budgeting and managing complicated family dynamics — factor in the unique challenges that come with being the parent of a special needs child and you might have a recipe for even more seasonal stress. 

I’ve been there and this doesn’t need to happen. A little prep work ahead of time with your special needs child can help reduce frustration, tantrums and emotional overdrive, as well as manage expectations of well-meaning family members.

Preterm labor has remained one of the most enigmatic challenges in the field of perinatal medicine. 

Globally, preterm birth impacts approximately 1.3 million people. Within the United States, it complicates roughly nine percent of all births; in some urban demographics, this figure approaches 18 percent. 

While technological advances have improved outcomes in preterm infants, prematurity is still the most common underlying cause of perinatal and infant morbidity and mortality. Surviving neonates potentially experience lifelong consequences involving gastrointestinal, respiratory, neurodevelopmental and other co-morbidities. 

The preterm birth of an infant brings considerable emotional and economic issues for families; additionally there exists marked implications for public sector services, such as health insurance, educational and other social support systems. The annual societal economic burden associated with preterm birth in the United States runs in the billions of dollars.

For many people, the holidays are a time of anticipation – anticipation of the joy of family gatherings, sharing gifts with our loved ones and celebrating. 

For our family, the holidays serve as a bittersweet reminder of how much our lives differ from those around us. 

The holidays bring extra stress and excitement that serves as yet another trigger for kids like our son. Imagine having to calm your child down on Christmas morning because the excitement of opening presents is causing their brain to be overloaded. You see them zoning out and you know a seizure is eminent. You try to intervene before the seizure strikes, fearing that this one could land them in the hospital again, or worse… 

This is Dravet syndrome.

What can be worse than the onset of an unsightly skincare emergency the day of a big event such as a wedding, reunion, business interview, or first date? 

Have you ever cancelled a first date because a cold sore erupted? How about an acne breakout the morning of your sister’s wedding or worse… your own? 

With tips and insights is board certified dermatologist, Dr. Margarita Lolis to help us handle these common emergencies within 24 hours.

Everyone knows that water is one of the most important elements in the human body… or at least they should. It makes up about 60 percent of the your body. Unfortunately, most people are not drinking enough water daily. 

Did you know about all the health benefits of drinking H2O, from helping to speed up weight loss to younger looking skin?

Every single cell in your body needs water to function properly. If you're going to shed extra pounds -- no matter what weight loss plan you are on -- you'll never escape the recommendation to drink more water. 

How can drinking water help you lose weight? 

Let's look at it from a research point of view. 

Here are five science-based benefits of drinking water for weight loss.

With the holidays upon us it’s easy for us to get caught up in the rush of it all. 

While we may be cooking, shopping, enjoying holiday events, there are others, many of whom are in our very own circles, having a tougher time. 

Dr. Sanam Hafeez, a NYC based licensed clinical psychologist, teaching faculty member at the prestigious Columbia University Teacher’s College and the founder and Clinical Director of Comprehensive Consultation Psychological Services, reveals who are most likely to have the holiday blues and how we can help them make it through.

There are so many acne and breakout busting treatments on the market. It’s common to get a feeling of product overload. 

Dr. Magarita Lolis -- Board-Certified Dermatologist in northern New Jersey who takes a holistic approach to treating skincare issues -- breaks down the list of common products to consider using with the benefits of each. Hopefully this menu of options will clear some confusion.

It’s normal for kids to get stomach aches, but some kids have bad stomach pain all the time. 

If your child has abdominal pain, cramping, gas, bloating, diarrhea or constipation, you may be wondering if your child has inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), but do you know the difference?

While many of the symptoms are similar, IBD and IBS are very different. IBS can cause pain, but there is no inflammation of the intestine and it doesn’t lead to serious disease, as with IBD. 

It’s important to not diagnose either of these conditions yourself. If your child has these symptoms, you should take your child to a pediatrician, who can then refer your child to a pediatric gastroenterologist, if necessary.

When you hear the word “endure,” what do you think? 

Undergoing hardships and persevering may come to mind. Or to some, it could be a cross-country trip, especially if by train, bus or car, and for a fun added challenge, add kids and remove WiFi. 

Now, how about a cross-country trip by bike? Two wheels under human power exposed to all the elements and conditions. 

For six people on the Road to Victories cycling team –- Marty Perlmutter, Darrell Rose, Michael Morales, Mike Grant, Robert Goodheart, and Chuck Wakefield –- this adventure is real.

The busy holiday travel season is upon us, bringing millions of Americans to the roads and skies, along with delays, flat tires and other travel snags.

Indeed, traveling can be stressful -- and particularly so for children with a complex medical condition like epilepsy. 

But, the good news is that taking a few precautions beforehand can help smooth the process for these young jet-setters.

Here are five must do’s when traveling with a child who has epilepsy.