5.21.2018

Tackle These Common Kids’ Health Problems Like a Pro


Any parent knows: there’s nothing quite so scary and stressful as a sick child. Luckily, a lot of health issues that commonly occur during childhood can be treated successfully. It’s often very important to tackle issues as soon as possible, to minimize their long-term impact. Here are some of the most common health problems that occur in children, and what you can do about them.

Stomach bugs
Many viruses can cause gastroenteritis – or what we commonly refer to as a stomach bug. The symptoms include stomach ache, diarrhea, vomiting, sometimes followed by a fever and a general feeling of weakness and even dizziness. Gastroenteritis should never be underestimated, especially with younger children, as it can lead to serious dehydration relatively quickly. If your child comes down with a stomach bug, the most important thing is to keep them hydrated. Give them water or electrolyte solution by the spoonful, because they might not be able to hold down too much liquid at once. If the vomiting or diarrhea is so severe that your little one has trouble keeping anything down, see a doctor immediately.

Eye and sight problems

 
Children are most commonly diagnosed with sight issues from the age six. Although some of these issues can be congenital, or appear at an earlier age, they are usually noticed when children start school or begin to watch TV more often. Some issues, like astigmatism, sometimes get resolved on their own as the child grows, but in the meantime wearing prescription glasses can help them see better. Another common issue in children is eye teaming or convergence dysfunction. Vision therapy can treat eye teaming for children to improve their vision system. Shortsightedness, which is one of the most common eye problems in children, can actually be treated very successfully using overnight contact lenses. This gentle solution causes no discomfort which makes it appropriate even for younger children. The overnight lenses work by reshaping the cornea over a period of time, ultimately resulting in maximum light refraction absorption.

The common cold

Anything from 5 to 8 colds per year is perfectly normal for a child. Your number one treatment options are plenty of fluids and rest. Mild aches and high temperature can be treated with children’s pain medication such as paracetamol or ibuprofen (consult your doctor or pharmacist about the appropriate dosage for your child’s weight and age). Saline solution is the best way to get rid of congestion. If your child is too young to blow their nose, use an aspirator to remove excessive mucus. This will facilitate breathing. If your child’s cold seems severe, starts getting worse, or doesn’t clear within a few days, consult a doctor.

Ear pain

Unfortunately, ear infections are as common as they are painful. They can be extremely stressful for parents of young children who can’t verbalize what hurts. There are many common causes of ear pain, such as swimmer’s ear, toothache, ear infections, and pressure due to a cold. Very often ear pain first occurs at night, which just adds to the stress of the situation. In case of strong, acute pain, it’s best to give your child a dose of over-the-counter pain relief medication for children, and then take your little one to see a doctor immediately. Ear infections are commonly followed by a fever as well, but the pain medication should be able to lower it temporarily. A doctor will examine your child’s ears and determine whether antibiotics or ear drops are needed to treat the condition. However if its tinnitus, it may also be caused by prolonged exposure to loud noise, medication side-effects or an underlying medical condition. So parents must bring their child for early diagnosis and treatment if they suspect tinnitus as early detection and management can help avoid long-term hearing loss. There are hearing aids or sound masking devices available which may help relieve symptoms; for best treatment and tinnitus management, consult with an audiology professional for advice and management strategies.

One of the most important things you can do for your children is to monitor their health, take them for regular checkups, and keep informed about the most effective treatment options. By doing this, you will not only be nipping any health issues in the bud, but you will also teach your children to have a responsible attitude when it comes to their health. As we all know, children learn best from experience and positive role models, so by being mature and vigilant both in the face of problems and with preventative measures, you will be teaching them an invaluable lesson.

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