A blood test can be stressful for both you and your child. You can take steps to make the process easier. Tell your child that you will do what you can to make it go smoothly. Read on for tips that may help.

In children, it is not always easy to address sleep problems, and sleep disorders often go undiagnosed. How can you know when sleep is a problem for your child? This sheet explains general guidelines for how much sleep children need. It also describes signs of a problem with sleep and tips for improving it.

Help your child know what to expect if he or she needs a sleep study.

Read on for details about common lab tests used to diagnose problems with the digestive system in children.

An upper endoscopy is a test that shows the inside of the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract. This includes the esophagus, stomach, and the first part of the small intestine (duodenum). The healthcare provider can do a biopsy, check for problems, or remove objects. The test normally takes about 15 to 20 minutes.

A colonoscopy is a test that lets a healthcare provider look inside the colon and rectum. A sigmoidoscopy is a shorter form of this test. It looks at only the lower part of the colon (the sigmoid colon) and the rectum. Read on for details.

A modified barium swallow is used to test your child's ability to swallow. It uses barium, a substance that makes organs show more clearly on X-rays. This test may be suggested if your child has problems swallowing food. Read on to learn more.

An upper GI series is an X-ray exam of the upper digestive tract. Here's what you should know when your child needs this exam.

A barium enema is an X-ray exam of the lower digestive tract (colon and rectum). This exam is used to find problems such as narrowing), blockages, or tissue growths. Here's what you and your child can expect.

During an X-ray exam, a small amount of radiation is used to make pictures of bones and some internal organs. Read on to learn what to expect when your child needs an X-ray.