Activekidmd- Your Partner for Specialty Pediatric and Sports Medicine Care

Activekidmd- Your Partner for Specialty Pediatric and Sports Medicine Care Pediatric and Sports Medicine Specialists focusing on comprehensive medical and musculoskeletal care

Dual board-certified pediatric and sports medicine specialists Dr. Chris Koutures and Dr. Ashika Sharma offer an individualized approach to general pediatric and sports medicine care that enhances the health and knowledge of patients and their families in Orange County, California

A concussion doesn’t always look dramatic—and an athlete does not have to lose consciousness to have one.Common concussi...
08/19/2026

A concussion doesn’t always look dramatic—and an athlete does not have to lose consciousness to have one.

Common concussion symptoms can include:

• Headache
• Dizziness or balance problems
• Difficulty concentrating or remembering
• Vision changes
• Nausea or vomiting
• Fatigue or irritability
• Feeling confused, slowed down, or “foggy”
• Changes in mood or behavior

Some symptoms aren’t obvious from the sidelines, which is why athletes need to speak up when something doesn’t feel right after a hit, fall, or collision. Trying to “tough it out” can put an athlete at risk for another injury before the brain has had time to recover.

If a concussion is suspected, the athlete should be removed from play immediately and should not return to sports until they have been medically evaluated and cleared by a healthcare professional experienced in concussion management.

Learn more about concussion symptoms, evaluation, and recovery from ActiveKidMD:
https://activekidmd.com/advice-by-sports-medicine-topics/concussions/

August practices can still bring intense heat—and young athletes need time to adjust safely. As fall sports get underway...
08/17/2026

August practices can still bring intense heat—and young athletes need time to adjust safely.

As fall sports get underway, parents, coaches, and athletes should keep heat safety at the forefront:

- Hydrate before, during, and after practice. Athletes should arrive well hydrated, drink water regularly throughout activity, and avoid waiting until they feel thirsty.

- Build up gradually. Heat acclimatization typically takes about 10–14 days. Practice duration, intensity, and protective equipment should be increased progressively rather than all at once.

- Know the signs of heat exhaustion. Weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea, excessive fatigue, heavy sweating, fainting, or cool and clammy skin are signals that an athlete needs to stop activity, move to a cooler area, begin cooling, and replace fluids.

- Stop immediately and seek emergency care for confusion, unusual behavior, collapse, seizures, loss of consciousness, difficulty walking, or symptoms that do not improve quickly with rest and cooling. These can be signs of exertional heat stroke, a medical emergency.

Heat illness is largely preventable when athletes, families, and coaches recognize the risks and respond early.

Is your athlete preparing for fall sports? ActiveKidMD can help with sports physicals, injury prevention, and sports medicine care to keep them healthy and ready to play. Contact our office to schedule an appointment.

Read our newest blog for more on preventing heat illness, recognizing warning signs, and safely returning to play after a heat-related illness: https://activekidmd.com/heat-illness-in-youth-sports-signs-prevention-and-return-to-play/

Feeding a newborn isn’t always about watching the clock. Learning your baby’s hunger and fullness cues can help make fee...
08/14/2026

Feeding a newborn isn’t always about watching the clock. Learning your baby’s hunger and fullness cues can help make feeding feel more responsive and less stressful.

Early hunger cues may include:
• Bringing hands toward the mouth
• Rooting or turning toward touch
• Lip smacking or sucking movements
• Becoming more alert or restless

Crying is often a later hunger cue, which can sometimes make it harder for a baby to settle and feed.

Babies also show signs when they’ve had enough. They may slow or stop sucking, turn away from the breast or bottle, relax their hands and body, or lose interest in continuing the feeding.

Feeding patterns can vary from baby to baby and may change during growth spurts or different stages of development. What matters is the overall picture, including feeding effectiveness, weight gain, wet and dirty diapers, and how your baby seems between feeds.

If your baby is consistently difficult to wake for feeds, struggling to latch or suck, frequently coughing or choking during feeds, having fewer wet diapers than expected, or not gaining weight appropriately, talk with your child’s doctor.

Questions about feeding are common in the newborn stage. ActiveKidMD can help you understand what’s normal, what may need closer attention, and how to support your baby’s growth.

Also, check out our Parenting Guide: Newborns and Baby’s First Year (https://activekidmd.com/parent-guide-newborns-and-babys-first-year/)

Back-to-school routines can feel hectic, but a little preparation can make mornings and afternoons much smoother for the...
08/12/2026

Back-to-school routines can feel hectic, but a little preparation can make mornings and afternoons much smoother for the whole family.

Try these simple strategies as everyone settles into the school-year rhythm:

- Pack backpacks, sports gear, and lunches the night before
- Choose clothes ahead of time to reduce morning decisions
- Make time for breakfast to help kids start the day fueled and ready to learn
- Build in time for movement after school, especially after hours of sitting in the classroom
- Establish a consistent time and place for homework
- Protect bedtime, even when afternoons and evenings get busy

Consistency doesn’t mean every day has to go perfectly. Creating predictable routines can help children feel prepared, support healthy habits, and make the transition between home, school, homework, activities, and sleep a little easier.

Need help getting your child ready for a healthy school year? ActiveKidMD is here to support your family from the classroom to the playing field.

Fall sports are right around the corner—and injury prevention starts before the first practice.One of the biggest risks ...
08/10/2026

Fall sports are right around the corner—and injury prevention starts before the first practice.

One of the biggest risks for young athletes is doing too much, too fast, too soon after a less-active summer. Gradually preparing the body for the demands of a new season can help reduce the risk of overuse injuries and missed playing time.

Before practices begin, encourage your athlete to:

- Start with dynamic warm-ups before activity
- Incorporate age-appropriate strength and conditioning
- Wear properly fitting footwear designed for their sport—and use running shoes for conditioning when appropriate
- Increase training intensity and duration gradually
- Build recovery and rest days into the schedule
- Speak up when pain begins instead of trying to “push through it”

Pain that causes a limp, alters an athlete’s technique, or leads them to avoid activity deserves attention. Early evaluation can help prevent a small problem from becoming a bigger one.

At ActiveKidMD, we help young athletes prepare for their season, address injuries early, and stay healthy throughout the year.

Learn more about sports injury prevention:
https://activekidmd.com/advice-by-sports-medicine-topics/injury-prevention/

08/09/2026

Body Boarding & Skim Boarding: Staying Safe at the Beach

by Dr. Chris Koutures, MD & Dr. Phyllis Agran, MD

Body boarding and skim boarding are favorite beach activities for children, teens, and families. While they may appear less intimidating than surfing, both sports carry real risks. Powerful waves, shallow water, hard-packed sand, and attempting maneuvers beyond one’s experience level can all lead to serious injuries.

Fortunately, most of these injuries are preventable. By understanding the common risks, respecting ocean conditions, and practicing a few simple safety habits, families can enjoy these sports while significantly reducing their chance of getting hurt.

Respect the Ocean: Your Best Injury Prevention Tool
Whether you’re body boarding or skim boarding, understanding the ocean is just as important as learning proper technique.

Always:

Check the current surf and weather conditions before entering the water.
Be aware of rip currents. If caught in a rip current, remain calm, swim parallel to the shoreline until you’re free of the current, then angle back toward the shore.
Avoid crowded riding areas.
Never participate while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Know your limits by progressing gradually as your skills improve.

Choose Beaches with Lifeguards
One of the easiest — and most effective — ways to prevent serious injuries is to visit beaches staffed by professional lifeguards. Lifeguards monitor changing surf conditions, identify dangerous currents, respond rapidly to emergencies, and provide lifesaving care when every second counts.

Whether you’re body boarding, skim boarding, surfing, or simply swimming, choosing a guarded beach is one of the smartest safety decisions you can make. Recent hazardous surf conditions along the Southern California coast led to hundreds of rescues by lifeguards in Huntington Beach and Laguna Beach, highlighting the importance of swimming and riding near open lifeguard towers. Always pay attention to posted warnings, follow lifeguard instructions, and make sure children remain under close adult supervision.

Read the full article below.

https://irvinecommunitynewsandviews.org/body-boarding-skim-boarding-injuries-how-to-stay-safe-while-having-fun-at-the-beach/

Activekidmd- Your Partner for Specialty Pediatric and Sports Medicine Care

Is your child’s immunization record ready for the new school year?Before classes begin, take a few minutes to review you...
08/07/2026

Is your child’s immunization record ready for the new school year?

Before classes begin, take a few minutes to review your child’s vaccination history and confirm that they meet current school requirements. California maintains specific immunization requirements for students attending childcare and TK–12 schools, but the records and doses needed may vary based on your child’s age, grade level, and individual circumstances.

Start by:

• Locating your child’s most recent immunization record
• Checking with their school or district for current enrollment requirements
• Asking your pediatrician whether any vaccinations or boosters are due
• Scheduling an appointment early so there is time to update records before school starts

Families can find additional enrollment information through their local school district:

Orange Unified School District
https://www.orangeusd.org/

Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District
https://www.pylusd.org/

Anaheim Elementary School District
https://anaheimelementary.org/

Anaheim Union High School District
https://www.auhsd.us/

Tustin Unified School District
https://www.tustin.k12.ca.us/

Not sure whether your child is up to date? Contact ActiveKidMD to schedule an appointment and make sure they are prepared for a healthy start to the school year.

School and fall sports will be here before you know it. Schedule your child’s school or sports physical now before class...
08/05/2026

School and fall sports will be here before you know it. Schedule your child’s school or sports physical now before classes, practices, and competitions begin.

These visits are about more than completing a required form. A comprehensive physical gives your child’s healthcare provider an opportunity to evaluate growth and development, identify health concerns, review past injuries and medical conditions, and make sure immunizations are up to date. For young athletes, it is also an important step in preparing for safe participation and addressing issues that could affect performance or increase injury risk.

Appointments can fill quickly as the school year approaches, so schedule early to secure a convenient time and meet any registration or participation deadlines.

Learn how to make the most of your child’s annual physical:
https://activekidmd.com/maximizing-the-annual-school-physical/

School mornings are coming, and a smoother transition starts with sleep.Help your child gradually shift out of their sum...
08/03/2026

School mornings are coming, and a smoother transition starts with sleep.

Help your child gradually shift out of their summer schedule by moving bedtime and wake-up time 20–30 minutes earlier each day until they reach their school-year routine. Limiting screens for at least an hour before bed and following the same calming nighttime routine can also make it easier to fall asleep and wake up refreshed.

Consistent, high-quality sleep supports focus, emotional regulation, academic performance, and overall well-being—helping kids return to the classroom ready to learn and thrive.

Learn more about the connection between sleep and school performance:
https://activekidmd.com/what-every-parent-needs-to-know-about-sleep-and-school-performance/

Of course, if you ever have questions or concerns regarding your child's sleep schedule, don't hesitate to contact our office.

At ActiveKidMD, we know that your baby’s first year is filled with incredible milestones—and plenty of questions along t...
07/29/2026

At ActiveKidMD, we know that your baby’s first year is filled with incredible milestones—and plenty of questions along the way.

Our Parent Guide: Newborns and Baby’s First Year gives families clear, pediatrician-approved guidance on many of the common concerns that arise during infancy, including:

- Starting solid foods
- Yellow eyes and newborn jaundice
- First-year developmental milestones
- Spit-up versus vomiting
- Common illnesses and symptoms

With helpful articles and step-by-step videos from a pediatrician, this guide is a trusted resource you can return to throughout your baby’s first year.

Bookmark the guide, share it with caregivers, and explore the available resources here:
https://activekidmd.com/parent-guide-newborns-and-babys-first-year/

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Orange, CA
92865

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