Childrens Health
Middle Ear Infections in Children
Middle ear infection is a very common problem faced by children. Even infants below two years could face this problem. Infection in the ear is caused by germs and viruses. They enter the human body and grow to cause infection, affecting the normal functioning of the body. Similarly, germs can enter the ears. Depending on the location of infection, the infections are named. The human ear can be divided into the inner part, middle part and outer part. When the outer ear is infected by germs, the infection is known as swimmer’s ear. When the inner part of the ear gets infected, it is called middle ear infection. The germs infect the middle portion of the ear and fill that area with pus or a yellow gooey liquid. This liquid has cells which fight germs. The middle part of the ear is shaped in the form of a tiny air pocket. It is located at the back of the eardrum. And when the pus begins to fill in this area, the ear feels like a filled balloon which is on the verge of popping. This feeling is really painful.
Kids’ health: Getting the right nutrition at the right age
(ARA) – From the time you first bring your baby home, ensuring your little one is getting the nutrition he needs is critical. As your baby grows, those nutritional needs change, requiring different types of diets.
The first six months, it’s important to provide your baby with a strong nutritional foundation. During this time, be sure to:
* Eat a healthy, 2,500- to 2,800-calorie diet of fruits, vegetables and plenty of protein, if you’re breastfeeding.
* Ensure your baby is getting enough DHA and ARA, two fatty acids that are important for brain and eye development. They occur naturally in breast milk. If you’re using a formula, look for those that contain these two ingredients.
Prevent asthma attacks from spoiling your child’s fun
(ARA) – Fall means back-to-school, cooler weather – and an increase in asthma attacks. In fact, childhood asthma statistics show that children with asthma are nearly twice as likely to visit the emergency department when school starts as at other times of the year. That’s largely because autumn allergens and viral infections can unleash childhood asthma symptoms.
A chronic inflammation of the lung airways that causes difficulty in breathing, asthma affects more than 23 million Americans, including 7 million children. It is the most common chronic illness in childhood, leading to 12.8 million missed school days each year. And most people don’t outgrow asthma – it accounts for 10.1 million lost work days.
How to treat your children’s aches, pains and fever
(ARA) – When your child gets sick, you want to do everything you can to make them feel better. Sometimes it’s difficult to know exactly what you should do, especially now that some over-the-counter children’s analgesic products aren’t available.
“Given the lack of availability of some over-the-counter children’s analgesic products, parents and caregivers have been confused and concerned about what to give their children to temporarily reduce a fever or relieve minor aches and pains,” says Jennifer Trachtenberg, MD, practicing pediatrician and chief pediatric officer of www.RealAge.com. “I always tell parents to pay attention to their children’s symptoms, and follow their gut instincts, which are two key factors that can help them treat their children, not just their symptoms.”