Constipation

Welcome back, today we are going to discuss something really poopy, well maybe not so much. Constipation is something that nearly everyone encounters at least some time in their life. For kids it can be harder to diagnose because children are not too concerned about regular bowel movements.

What Is Constipation?

Constipation, as defined by WebMD, occurs when bowel movements become difficult or less frequent. Common causes of constipation include a low fiber diet, repeatedly ignoring the urge to go, not drinking enough water, and lack of exercise. Another cause of this is a side effect from certain medication.

How Do I Know If My Child Is Constipated?

If your little one is complaining of pain when they are pooping it is more than likely constipation. If you're still changing diapers you know when your baby typically takes care of their business and you will notice a change in that habit. Other symptoms will include stomach pain, bloating, and bleeding with bowel movements. It's possible that your child can appear to have diarrhea while being constipated. This is due to softer more fluid like stool will pass around the hardened stool that is stuck inside.

What Can I Do?

There a few things you can do to help your child out with this condition. Under direction from your child's doctor you can use a stool softener. Many parents really don't use this method effectively. Either they give too small a dose or don't use the softener long enough. They will stop after the first normal bowel but the softenr needs to continue for up to a couple of weeks as directed by the doctor. Not continuing the softener will just set your child up for more constipation. Another thing you can do is to start incorporating diets high in fiber and fluid. Foods with high contents of fiber aid in the digestion process. The fluid while aiding in digestion will also help lubricate the entire dgestive systyem allowing for a more easily passed bowel. The third thing you can do to help is to set up a regular toilet time. Encourage your child to go first thing in the morning and have them try near meals. Setting up regular times for them to go will encourage them to go instead of resisting the urge to go and causing the constipation. The best way to get rid of and prevent constipation is by using a combination of the three methods listed above.

Whooping Cough

This week I've noticed many people at work, school, and around the community coughing. This is a good time to speak about another common condition that can be dangerous to children. Whooping cough. Although it is more common in adults and in teens, babies are the ones that whooping cough is most dangerous to.

What Is Whooping Cough?

Whooping cough, or Pertussis, is named for the sound that the person makes when they are trying to breathe in between coughing, not the sound of the cough itself. It is an infection of the lungs and the tubes used for breathing. This is spread through the air through coughing, sneezing, etc.

How Do I Know If My Child Has Whooping Cough?

The first symptoms are usually similar to a common cold; runny nose, sneezing, mild cough, and a low grade fever. After a week or so the cough can turn into coughing spells, or a series of coughing,  that can last up to a minute. After the spell is over the child will then make the "whooping" sound the cough is named for. No all children will have the whooping sound with the cough. Infnats may look like they are gasping for air with a reddened face and may actually stop breathing for a few seconds. The sound associated with whooping cough  may be found at the following web address: http://www.whoopingcough.net/sound%20of%20whooping%20cough%20with%20much%20whooping.htm

What Can I Do?

Whooping cough is a bacterial infection so treatment with antibiotics is necessary. If you suspect your child may have whooping cough taking them to the doctor to be properly diagnosed and implementing a treatment plan as early as possible is the best thing to do. There is also a vaccination for whooping cough, called the DTAP vaccination. Although the vaccination is not "fool proof" it is usually given between 11 months and six years.

Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease!

Ok, so it wasn't as easy to come up with a clever title for this one as it was for measles, but it is the second most worried about thing amongst the parents that have taken part in my survey. As with the previous post on measles, I will go over what you need to know about Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease.

What Is Hand, Foot,  And Mouth Disease?

Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease, (HFMD), causes painful sores on the mouth, hands, feet, and sometimes the but or legs. Usually lasting about a week, HFMD can also occur in adults, although it is more common in children. It is caused by a virus called the enterovirus, and is spread in the air by coughing and sneezing or through infected stool (poop). When you change diapers you can spread the virus if you do not wash your hands afterward or if the child touches the stool and then touches other objects that children play with or put in their mouths.

How Do I Know If My Child Has Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease?

Tiredness, sore throat, or a low fever often appear before any of the sores that are associated with the disease. A skin rash may also occur before the blisters or sores do. the blisters may burst and crust over. 

 

wikipedia.com

Center for Disease Control

 

 

 

 

What Can I Do?

 

As with all viruses, there is no cure, these sores will go away on their own. You can give Tylenol or Motrin to help with pain or swelling. Also, keep the blisters clean and be sure to wash your hands to prevent it from spreading!

 

 

 

Pop Goes the Measles

Today, I will be discussing measles. It has shown up in my survey a few times and is popular amongst the media right now due to the outbreaks in Canada and California. I'll be explaining what it is, what to look for, and what to do if you suspect your child may have measles.

What Is Measles?

Measles, or Rubeola, as defined by WebMD, is a very contagious infection, that causes a rash all over your body. Measles is caused by a virus that is spread through the air by coughing, sneezing, etc. Measles, like the chicken pox, is something that once you have you cannot get it again. There is a vaccination available after your child is six months old. The mother, if fully vaccinated, will protect the baby from getting measles until then.

How Do I Know If My Child Has It?

http://www.skinsight.com/child/rubeolaMeasles.htm

Measles, at first, can seem like a bad cold. Symptoms can include high fever, runny nose, coughing, sneezing, and a sore throat. Tiredness and diarrhea may also occur. After these symptoms start to disappear, you may find red spots in the childs mouth and all over the body.

What Can I Do?

If you suspect that your child may have measles, call your child's doctor and describe the problem. The doctor will tell you what steps are necessary to take from that point. There is no medicinal cure for measles, but the doctor will tell you what you can do to treat symptoms.

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