Im a pediatrician 5 symptoms I wish parents saw me about sooner

Kids have been known to complain about silly things — which can make it hard to know what to take seriously.But there are a few symptoms that can signal something serious.Dr.Gayathri Kapoor, DO, a pediatrician based at Orlando Health in Florida, spoke to The Post about common issues parents are prone to brush off too quickly.Being thirsty all the time and frequent trips to the bathroom can seem normal, especially in the summer heat.

But Kapoor urges parents to keep watch for these habits, as they could be signs of a number of serious health problems.Thirst that won’t go away and constant peeing are classic warning signs for diabetes, for both kids and adults.In people with diabetes, excess sugar builds up in the blood stream and kidneys are forced to pull fluids from around the body to try to get rid of the sugar through urine.Other signs of diabetes include rapid weight loss, tingling or numbness, and tiredness.Lasting thirst could also point to problems like anemia, or issues with the kidneys, liver or heart.

Frequent peeing could be a cause of an infection like a UTI.Occasional snoring can be normal, often resulting from allergies or a cold.But snoring that won’t let up can be a sign of sleep apnea or enlarged tonsils getting in the way of breathing.

And that snoring can lead to poor quality sleep, which can affect behavior, learning and growth.“Many parents think snoring is normal if their child sleeps deeply,” Kapoor said.“Some parents think it’s normal because they snore.”If snoring is becoming a problem, your child might be overactive during the day — or tired and have trouble concentrating.

They may also put on weight or develop slower than other kids over time.Get in touch with a doctor if your kid is gasping for air or pausing between breaths at night.Stomach pain is invisible, and if your kid exaggerates often, you may be inclined to dismiss it.But they may be having a very real reaction (like a food allergy or intolerance) to a cer...