Friday, August 14, 2009
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Thursday, June 28, 2007
How to Choose a Baby Swing
by: Jackie G. Maxwell
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, 1,000 American infants are taken to emergency rooms every year for injuries sustained while using swings. This is generally a result of the infant's head or neck becoming trapped between the back rest and the bars the swing is suspended from. If figures like this concern you as a parent, then knowing how to choose a baby swing that is safe and durable, will be one of your first priorities. Even with an infant of six weeks, you'll want a wide, solid base to make sure there is no tipping. An adjustable seat is necessary, particularly for the infant who can't sit by themselves yet. But do make sure that it can't be accidentally released so that the seat lays down flat while the baby is in motion, allowing them to slide or fall out, backwards.
Every seat should have a combination waist and crotch safety belt. Older models had only the waist belt, which allowed babies to slide down, and out the bottom of the chair/seat. While there are many “bells and whistles” to entertain babies, the main concern when you choose a baby swing, should be their comfort level. Providing extra safety features such as rolled towels to either side of an infant's head for stability, will avoid the type of accidents mentioned above.
Battery operated or crank models should have quiet operation, so a baby is not frightened or startled awake as they begin to doze. Swings that have variable speeds are the wisest choice, to provide gentle motion for infants, and higher speeds for larger, more active babies. As always, a baby should never be left alone in a swing, nor should the swing be placed near any hot object, or in a position where the baby could grab something that could be pulled over onto the swing and child. About the author:Jackie G. Maxwell is the resident baby & toddler expert at Malcolm's Web. Visit http://www.MalcolmsWeb.comand sign up for free weekly tips that will take the mystery and fear out of parenting your precious little baby.
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According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, 1,000 American infants are taken to emergency rooms every year for injuries sustained while using swings. This is generally a result of the infant's head or neck becoming trapped between the back rest and the bars the swing is suspended from. If figures like this concern you as a parent, then knowing how to choose a baby swing that is safe and durable, will be one of your first priorities. Even with an infant of six weeks, you'll want a wide, solid base to make sure there is no tipping. An adjustable seat is necessary, particularly for the infant who can't sit by themselves yet. But do make sure that it can't be accidentally released so that the seat lays down flat while the baby is in motion, allowing them to slide or fall out, backwards.
Every seat should have a combination waist and crotch safety belt. Older models had only the waist belt, which allowed babies to slide down, and out the bottom of the chair/seat. While there are many “bells and whistles” to entertain babies, the main concern when you choose a baby swing, should be their comfort level. Providing extra safety features such as rolled towels to either side of an infant's head for stability, will avoid the type of accidents mentioned above.
Battery operated or crank models should have quiet operation, so a baby is not frightened or startled awake as they begin to doze. Swings that have variable speeds are the wisest choice, to provide gentle motion for infants, and higher speeds for larger, more active babies. As always, a baby should never be left alone in a swing, nor should the swing be placed near any hot object, or in a position where the baby could grab something that could be pulled over onto the swing and child. About the author:Jackie G. Maxwell is the resident baby & toddler expert at Malcolm's Web. Visit http://www.MalcolmsWeb.comand sign up for free weekly tips that will take the mystery and fear out of parenting your precious little baby.
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Sent by : Satellite | Swine Flu
TEACHING A CHILD TO WALK
Exercise is essentially important to the health of the infant. Its first exercise, of course, will be in the nurse's arms. After a month or two, when it begins to sleep less during the day, it will delight to roll and kick about on the sofa: it will thus use its limbs freely; and this, with carrying out into the open air, is all the exercise it requires at this period. By and by, however, the child will make its first attempts to walk.
Now it is important that none of the many plans which have been devised to teach a child to walk, should be adopted the go-cart, leading-strings, etc.; their tendency is mischievous; and flatness of the chest, confined lungs, distorted spine, and deformed legs, are so many evils which often originate in such practices. This is explained by the fact of the bones in infancy being comparatively soft and pliable, and if prematurely subjected by these contrivances to carry the weight of the body, they yield just like an elastic stick bending under a weight, and as a natural consequence become curved and distorted.
It is highly necessary that the young and experienced mother should recollect this fact, for the early efforts of the little one to walk are naturally viewed by her with so much delight, that she will be apt to encourage and prolong its attempts, without any thought of the mischief which they may occasion; thus many a parent has had to mourn over the deformity which she has herself created.
It may be as well here to remark, that if such distortion is timely noticed, it is capable of correction, even after evident curvature has taken place. It is to be remedied by using those means that shall invigorate the frame, and promote the child's general health (a daily plunge into the cold bath, or sponging with cold salt water, will be found signally efficacious), and by avoiding the original cause of the distortion never allowing the child to get upon his feet. The only way to accomplish the latter intention, is to put both the legs into a large stocking; this will effectually answer this purpose, while, at the same time, it does not prevent the free and full exercise of the muscles of the legs.
After some months pursuing this plan, the limbs will be found no longer deformed, the bones to have acquired firmness and the muscles strength; and the child may be permitted to get upon his feet again without any hazard of perpetuating or renewing the evil.
The best mode of teaching a child to walk, is to let it teach itself, and this it will do readily enough. It will first crawl about: this exercises every muscle in the body, does not fatigue the child, throws no weight upon the bones, but imparts vigour and strength, and is thus highly useful. After a while, having the power, it will wish to do more: it will endeavour to lift itself upon its feet by the aid of a chair, and though it fail again and again in its attempts, it will still persevere until it accomplish it. By this it learns, first, to raise itself from the floor; and secondly, to stand, but not without keeping hold of the object on which it has seized.
Next it will balance itself without holding, and will proudly and laughingly show that it can stand alone. Fearful, however, as yet of moving its limbs without support, it will seize a chair or anything else near it, when it will dare to advance as far as the limits of its support will permit. This little adventure will be repeated day after day with increased exultation; when, after numerous trials, he will feel confident of his power to balance himself, and he will run alone. Now time is required for this gradual self-teaching, during which the muscles and bones become strengthened; and when at last called upon to sustain the weight of the body, are fully capable of doing so.
Exercise during childhood.
When the child has acquired sufficient strength to take active exercise, he can scarcely be too much in the open air; the more he is habituated to this, the more capable will he be of bearing the vicissitudes of the climate. Children, too, should always be allowed to amuse themselves at pleasure, for they will generally take that kind and degree of exercise which is best calculated to promote the growth and development of the body. In the unrestrained indulgence of their youthful sports, every muscle of the body comes in for its share of active exercise; and free growth, vigour, and health are the result.
If, however, a child is delicate and strumous, and too feeble to take sufficient exercise on foot, and to such a constitution the respiration of a pure air and exercise are indispensable for the improvement of health, and without them all other efforts will fail, riding on a donkey or pony forms the best substitute. This kind of exercise will always be found of infinite service to delicate children; it amuses the mind, and exercises the muscles of the whole body, and yet in so gentle a manner as to induce little fatigue.
The exercises of horseback, however, are most particularly useful where there is a tendency in the constitution to pulmonary consumption, either from hereditary or accidental causes. It is here beneficial, as well through its influence on the general health, as more directly on the lungs themselves. There can be no doubt that the lungs, like the muscles of the body, acquire power and health of function by exercise. Now during a ride this is obtained, and without much fatigue to the body.
The free and equable expansion of the lungs by full inspiration, necessarily takes place; this maintains their healthy structure, by keeping all the air-passages open and pervious; it prevents congestion in the pulmonary circulation, and at the same time provides more completely for the necessary chemical action on the blood, by changing, at each act of respiration, a sufficient proportion of the whole air contained in the lungs, all objects of great importance, and all capable of being promoted, more or less, by the means in question.
Now it is important that none of the many plans which have been devised to teach a child to walk, should be adopted the go-cart, leading-strings, etc.; their tendency is mischievous; and flatness of the chest, confined lungs, distorted spine, and deformed legs, are so many evils which often originate in such practices. This is explained by the fact of the bones in infancy being comparatively soft and pliable, and if prematurely subjected by these contrivances to carry the weight of the body, they yield just like an elastic stick bending under a weight, and as a natural consequence become curved and distorted.
It is highly necessary that the young and experienced mother should recollect this fact, for the early efforts of the little one to walk are naturally viewed by her with so much delight, that she will be apt to encourage and prolong its attempts, without any thought of the mischief which they may occasion; thus many a parent has had to mourn over the deformity which she has herself created.
It may be as well here to remark, that if such distortion is timely noticed, it is capable of correction, even after evident curvature has taken place. It is to be remedied by using those means that shall invigorate the frame, and promote the child's general health (a daily plunge into the cold bath, or sponging with cold salt water, will be found signally efficacious), and by avoiding the original cause of the distortion never allowing the child to get upon his feet. The only way to accomplish the latter intention, is to put both the legs into a large stocking; this will effectually answer this purpose, while, at the same time, it does not prevent the free and full exercise of the muscles of the legs.
After some months pursuing this plan, the limbs will be found no longer deformed, the bones to have acquired firmness and the muscles strength; and the child may be permitted to get upon his feet again without any hazard of perpetuating or renewing the evil.
The best mode of teaching a child to walk, is to let it teach itself, and this it will do readily enough. It will first crawl about: this exercises every muscle in the body, does not fatigue the child, throws no weight upon the bones, but imparts vigour and strength, and is thus highly useful. After a while, having the power, it will wish to do more: it will endeavour to lift itself upon its feet by the aid of a chair, and though it fail again and again in its attempts, it will still persevere until it accomplish it. By this it learns, first, to raise itself from the floor; and secondly, to stand, but not without keeping hold of the object on which it has seized.
Next it will balance itself without holding, and will proudly and laughingly show that it can stand alone. Fearful, however, as yet of moving its limbs without support, it will seize a chair or anything else near it, when it will dare to advance as far as the limits of its support will permit. This little adventure will be repeated day after day with increased exultation; when, after numerous trials, he will feel confident of his power to balance himself, and he will run alone. Now time is required for this gradual self-teaching, during which the muscles and bones become strengthened; and when at last called upon to sustain the weight of the body, are fully capable of doing so.
Exercise during childhood.
When the child has acquired sufficient strength to take active exercise, he can scarcely be too much in the open air; the more he is habituated to this, the more capable will he be of bearing the vicissitudes of the climate. Children, too, should always be allowed to amuse themselves at pleasure, for they will generally take that kind and degree of exercise which is best calculated to promote the growth and development of the body. In the unrestrained indulgence of their youthful sports, every muscle of the body comes in for its share of active exercise; and free growth, vigour, and health are the result.
If, however, a child is delicate and strumous, and too feeble to take sufficient exercise on foot, and to such a constitution the respiration of a pure air and exercise are indispensable for the improvement of health, and without them all other efforts will fail, riding on a donkey or pony forms the best substitute. This kind of exercise will always be found of infinite service to delicate children; it amuses the mind, and exercises the muscles of the whole body, and yet in so gentle a manner as to induce little fatigue.
The exercises of horseback, however, are most particularly useful where there is a tendency in the constitution to pulmonary consumption, either from hereditary or accidental causes. It is here beneficial, as well through its influence on the general health, as more directly on the lungs themselves. There can be no doubt that the lungs, like the muscles of the body, acquire power and health of function by exercise. Now during a ride this is obtained, and without much fatigue to the body.
The free and equable expansion of the lungs by full inspiration, necessarily takes place; this maintains their healthy structure, by keeping all the air-passages open and pervious; it prevents congestion in the pulmonary circulation, and at the same time provides more completely for the necessary chemical action on the blood, by changing, at each act of respiration, a sufficient proportion of the whole air contained in the lungs, all objects of great importance, and all capable of being promoted, more or less, by the means in question.
CRYING BABY - REASONS.
Introduction:
Crying is a normal event in the lives of all babies.When a baby comes out of the woomb the first thing to do is crying.By the first cry he will take some air in to the lungs for the first time in their life.After delivery if the baby doesnot cry then it should be initiated by slightly pinching or gently strocking the feet.From this it is clear that the healthy baby should cry and it is a normal physiological event ,still some times it can upset the mother or family members.
We all know that a baby can't tell his needs or troubles in words. The only way for him to communicate with others is by crying.Babies show some other signs like feet kicking,hand waving and head turning ect.But the best way to take the attention of others is by crying.
Excessive crying may not have a firm definition because the crying habit changes from baby to baby and some babies can be calmed easily but some are difficult to sooth.If crying is distressing for the mother and home nurse it can be called excessive.Many a times baby become quiet by giving breast milk or by carrying with a gentle rocking.Sudden onset of excessive crying means baby is distressed and needs attention.The causes of crying extends from simple reasons to life threatening conditions.Hence crying of a baby should not be ignored.
Most of the time it is difficult to find the cause of the cry .Common causes are discussed here for awareness.
Common reasons for crying:
,Hunger:--
A hungry baby will cry till he gets the milk. Here the old saying comes true'crying baby gets the milk'.
2,Wetting:--
Urination and defecation causes some discomfort and results in crying till his parts are cleaned and made dry .
3,Company:--
Majority of the kids need somebody near. If they feel lonely they cry.When their favourite doll slips away from the grip they cry for help.
4,Tired:--
When the baby is tired after a journey and unable to sleep just cry simply.They feel tired in uncomfortable sourroundings and due to unhealthy climate.
5,Heat & cold:--
If they feel too hot or too cold they become restless and cry. Child is comfortable in a room with good ventilation.
6,Tight cloathing:--
Tight cloaths especially during warm climate is intolerable for kids.Tight elastic of the the dress can also produce soreness in the hip region.
7,Dark room:--
When the baby wakes up from sleep he needs some dim light.If there is darkness he will disturb the sleep of parents by crying.Ofcourse he will be irritated by strong light resulting in cry.
8,Mosquito:--
Yes,these creatures disturb the sleep by their blood sucking and make the baby to cry.
9,Nasal blocking:--
Child may not be able to sleep when there is a cold and go on crying till the passage is open.
10, Phlegm in throat:--
This also causes difficult breathing resulting in cry.Often a typical sound can be heard with each breath.
11,General aching:--
Generalised body ache with restlessness is seen in flu and prodromal stages of some infectious diseases can result in continuous cry.
12,Habitual cry:---Some babies cry without any real cause ending the parents in agony.Many a times doctor is called for help.
13,Nappy rash:-- If a tight and wet nappy is kept for a long time results in this conditon. Rash can also be due to some allergic reaction to the elastic material of the nappy. When the rash appears it causes soreness and baby become sleepless and cry. All other skin lesions like eczema,ecthyma ,candidiasis ect also causes same problems.
14,Earache:--
Ear infection is common in wet climate.The infection may spread from the throat.Ear infection can result in rupture of ear drum causing discharge of pus.Eareache usually becomes worse at night when lying down.Child will become restless with cry and may not allow you to touch the ear.Some children with earache rub the affected ear frequently.
15,Colic:--
When the baby cry continuously most of us diagnose it as colic.This roblem is still a topic for debate because exact cause for colic is not known and diagnosis is also difficult to confirm.Colic may be associated with rumbling and distention of abdomen.Child often feels better when lying on abdomen.Some children may not allow you to touch the abdomen.If the child cries continuously doctors help is needed.
16,Infections:--
All infections causes some kind of pain or irritation resulting in cry.Infection may be anywhere in the body.Usually it is associated with fever, redness and swelling.
17,Reactions to certain food:--
It is said that one man's food is another man's poison. Some food articles can produce some allergic reactions.Allergy is manifested in the form of redness, breathlessness,gastric symptons and continuous cry.
18,Hard stools:--
Constipated babies with hard stools may cry when they get the urge for stool.Some children hesitate to pass stool because of pain .
19,Gastro esophagial reflex:--
Here baby cries with spilling of food after feeding.If this continues it may be due to gastroesophageal reflex.This is due to failure of the lower part of esophagus to close after food causing regurgitation from the stomach.It is difficult to diagnose this condition and can be confirmed by giving antireflex medicines. 20, Dentition:--
During dentition child becomes restless with crying.Often associated with gastric troubles and diarrhoea.
Some rare reasons-----------------
1,Bowel obstruction:--
Bowel obstruction is associated with severe pain and vomiting.Abdomen is distended with rumbling sound.Baby is constipated with absence of flatus.
2,Septicemia:--
Invasion of pathogenic micro organisms in to the blood is called septicemia.Fever is associated with this condition.
3,Torsion of testes in male kids:--
When a male baby cries continuously his scrotum should be examined.Torsion of the testes produce severe pain which will be worse by touching the affected testes.When the testes is pressed upwards pain is releived.If this is not treated properly it can damage the affected testes due to lack of blood supply.
4,Meningitis:--
Initially there may not be fever,hence crying baby with alternate vacant stare and irritability should not be ignored.Fontanel is bulging. Neck rigidity and seizures may appear later.
5,Retention of urine:--
Children with retention of urine will have agonising pain making them restless.
7,Major injuries:--
Major injury to any parts of the body causes pain.Occasionally children will fall while arrying and results in head injury.Head injury is associated with reflex vomiting and convulsions.
Crying is a normal event in the lives of all babies.When a baby comes out of the woomb the first thing to do is crying.By the first cry he will take some air in to the lungs for the first time in their life.After delivery if the baby doesnot cry then it should be initiated by slightly pinching or gently strocking the feet.From this it is clear that the healthy baby should cry and it is a normal physiological event ,still some times it can upset the mother or family members.
We all know that a baby can't tell his needs or troubles in words. The only way for him to communicate with others is by crying.Babies show some other signs like feet kicking,hand waving and head turning ect.But the best way to take the attention of others is by crying.
Excessive crying may not have a firm definition because the crying habit changes from baby to baby and some babies can be calmed easily but some are difficult to sooth.If crying is distressing for the mother and home nurse it can be called excessive.Many a times baby become quiet by giving breast milk or by carrying with a gentle rocking.Sudden onset of excessive crying means baby is distressed and needs attention.The causes of crying extends from simple reasons to life threatening conditions.Hence crying of a baby should not be ignored.
Most of the time it is difficult to find the cause of the cry .Common causes are discussed here for awareness.
Common reasons for crying:
,Hunger:--
A hungry baby will cry till he gets the milk. Here the old saying comes true'crying baby gets the milk'.
2,Wetting:--
Urination and defecation causes some discomfort and results in crying till his parts are cleaned and made dry .
3,Company:--
Majority of the kids need somebody near. If they feel lonely they cry.When their favourite doll slips away from the grip they cry for help.
4,Tired:--
When the baby is tired after a journey and unable to sleep just cry simply.They feel tired in uncomfortable sourroundings and due to unhealthy climate.
5,Heat & cold:--
If they feel too hot or too cold they become restless and cry. Child is comfortable in a room with good ventilation.
6,Tight cloathing:--
Tight cloaths especially during warm climate is intolerable for kids.Tight elastic of the the dress can also produce soreness in the hip region.
7,Dark room:--
When the baby wakes up from sleep he needs some dim light.If there is darkness he will disturb the sleep of parents by crying.Ofcourse he will be irritated by strong light resulting in cry.
8,Mosquito:--
Yes,these creatures disturb the sleep by their blood sucking and make the baby to cry.
9,Nasal blocking:--
Child may not be able to sleep when there is a cold and go on crying till the passage is open.
10, Phlegm in throat:--
This also causes difficult breathing resulting in cry.Often a typical sound can be heard with each breath.
11,General aching:--
Generalised body ache with restlessness is seen in flu and prodromal stages of some infectious diseases can result in continuous cry.
12,Habitual cry:---Some babies cry without any real cause ending the parents in agony.Many a times doctor is called for help.
13,Nappy rash:-- If a tight and wet nappy is kept for a long time results in this conditon. Rash can also be due to some allergic reaction to the elastic material of the nappy. When the rash appears it causes soreness and baby become sleepless and cry. All other skin lesions like eczema,ecthyma ,candidiasis ect also causes same problems.
14,Earache:--
Ear infection is common in wet climate.The infection may spread from the throat.Ear infection can result in rupture of ear drum causing discharge of pus.Eareache usually becomes worse at night when lying down.Child will become restless with cry and may not allow you to touch the ear.Some children with earache rub the affected ear frequently.
15,Colic:--
When the baby cry continuously most of us diagnose it as colic.This roblem is still a topic for debate because exact cause for colic is not known and diagnosis is also difficult to confirm.Colic may be associated with rumbling and distention of abdomen.Child often feels better when lying on abdomen.Some children may not allow you to touch the abdomen.If the child cries continuously doctors help is needed.
16,Infections:--
All infections causes some kind of pain or irritation resulting in cry.Infection may be anywhere in the body.Usually it is associated with fever, redness and swelling.
17,Reactions to certain food:--
It is said that one man's food is another man's poison. Some food articles can produce some allergic reactions.Allergy is manifested in the form of redness, breathlessness,gastric symptons and continuous cry.
18,Hard stools:--
Constipated babies with hard stools may cry when they get the urge for stool.Some children hesitate to pass stool because of pain .
19,Gastro esophagial reflex:--
Here baby cries with spilling of food after feeding.If this continues it may be due to gastroesophageal reflex.This is due to failure of the lower part of esophagus to close after food causing regurgitation from the stomach.It is difficult to diagnose this condition and can be confirmed by giving antireflex medicines. 20, Dentition:--
During dentition child becomes restless with crying.Often associated with gastric troubles and diarrhoea.
Some rare reasons-----------------
1,Bowel obstruction:--
Bowel obstruction is associated with severe pain and vomiting.Abdomen is distended with rumbling sound.Baby is constipated with absence of flatus.
2,Septicemia:--
Invasion of pathogenic micro organisms in to the blood is called septicemia.Fever is associated with this condition.
3,Torsion of testes in male kids:--
When a male baby cries continuously his scrotum should be examined.Torsion of the testes produce severe pain which will be worse by touching the affected testes.When the testes is pressed upwards pain is releived.If this is not treated properly it can damage the affected testes due to lack of blood supply.
4,Meningitis:--
Initially there may not be fever,hence crying baby with alternate vacant stare and irritability should not be ignored.Fontanel is bulging. Neck rigidity and seizures may appear later.
5,Retention of urine:--
Children with retention of urine will have agonising pain making them restless.
7,Major injuries:--
Major injury to any parts of the body causes pain.Occasionally children will fall while arrying and results in head injury.Head injury is associated with reflex vomiting and convulsions.
Monday, May 7, 2007
Celiac Disease
Have you ever eaten gluten? No, not glue - gluten! If you've ever eaten a piece of bread, a slice of pizza, or a bowl of cereal, chances are you have. Gluten (say: gloo-tin) is a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley - grains that are in many everyday foods.
Most people can eat food containing gluten with no trouble. But for some people, eating gluten can cause a reaction in their bodies. Someone who has this problem has celiac (say: see-lee-ak) disease.
After you eat food, it goes to your stomach, which is part of a group of organs that make up your digestive system. An important part of the digestive system is the small intestine, which is lined with villi (say: vih-lie). Villi are usually described as microscopic, finger-like projections. Weird, huh? Fingers in your intestines! But don't forget that they're microscopic, meaning they are extremely small - so small you can't see them without a microscope. The villi are important because they absorb nutrients into the body.
For someone with celiac disease, eating gluten - in a piece of bread, for instance - causes an immune system reaction. Your immune system ordinarily keeps you from getting sick, but in someone with celiac disease, the body starts damaging and destroying the villi. Without villi, a person's body can't absorb vitamins and nutrients from food. Without enough nutrients, a kid's body has a tough time staying healthy and growing properly. Even if the person is eating a lot, he or she might still lose weight and might develop anemia (say: uh-nee-me-uh) from not absorbing enough iron.
Why Do Kids Get Celiac Disease?
No one is sure why celiac disease happens, but it appears to run in families. You have a 5-10% chance of getting celiac disease if someone in your family has it. It's common in people from the northern European countries and the United States. How common? We think that about one in every 133 people has celiac disease in the United States. Obviously, many people who have celiac disease do not know it. If all these people were diagnosed, celiac disease would be more common than Type 1 diabetes. Fortunately, awareness is growing about the problem, and there are better ways of testing people for it.
Signs and Symptoms
Some common symptoms of celiac disease are diarrhea, decreased appetite, stomachache and bloating, poor growth, and weight loss. Many kids are diagnosed with the problem between 6 months and 2 years of age. It makes sense because, at this time, kids are getting their first taste of gluten in foods. For some people, the problems occur gradually and the symptoms may be terrible one week and not as bad the next. Because of this, some people aren't diagnosed with the celiac disease until they are older. The problem is chronic, which means that the symptoms may go away and come back over and over again.
A person with celiac disease may feel tired, and he or she could be irritable. Some people with the disease also have skin rashes and mouth sores. The problem is sometimes mistaken for other digestive problems called inflammatory bowel disease or lactose intolerance. And in some cases, a kid won't have any symptoms and then will all of a sudden start having problems during a time of stress, such as after an injury.
How Do People Know If They Have It?
Someone who has a lot of stomachaches, diarrhea, weight loss, or any of the other symptoms mentioned above should talk to the doctor. It may or may not be celiac disease, but a doctor can help sort this out. The doctor will usually order a screening blood test.
If the screening tests show a person might have celiac disease, the next stop is usually a gastroenterologist, a doctor who specializes in digestive problems. This specialist may decide to take a sample of the person's small intestine to look at under the microscope. This small sample is called a biopsy. If a biopsy is done, the doctor will give the person some special medicine to keep him or her comfortable during the procedure.
How Is It Treated?
Celiac disease is treated by not eating gluten. This can be difficult because gluten is in many foods, but a dietitian can help adjust a person's diet to cut out gluten. It is important not to start a gluten-free diet unless you are truly diagnosed with celiac disease. Following a gluten-free diet allows the small intestine to heal. But that doesn't mean the person can start eating gluten again. For someone with celiac disease, gluten will always irritate their intestines and, if this happens, the diarrhea, stomachaches, and other problems will return.
If you're diagnosed with celiac disease, it can be a challenge to learn which foods contain gluten. You may not be able to remember them all, but you can keep a list with you, and ask about menu items at restaurants before digging in. Before you know it, you'll be a pro at knowing which foods are safe and which are not. Here's a quick quiz:
Which of these foods contain gluten?
pizza
fried chicken
pasta
If you said all three, you're right! Pizza was the easiest choice because you know the crust is bread. But did you know that battered foods like fried chicken and even some French fries contain gluten? Pasta also contains gluten because it is made from wheat. Luckily, you can make or buy gluten-free pizza crust, make fried chicken with a gluten-free batter, and find gluten-free pasta and French fries. In fact, nearly all of the foods we eat can be made gluten-free.
In addition to foods that contain gluten, you'll need to watch out for foods that may have been contaminated with gluten. That means a food that doesn't contain gluten as an ingredient, but came into contact with gluten-containing foods. This is most likely to occur at home in your own kitchen. For instance, wheat bread crumbs in the toaster, the butter, or peanut butter.
If you have celiac disease you will need your own toaster and you should also have separate spreads and condiments to avoid this cross-contamination. Some foods are contaminated during processing, so your mom or dad can help you by finding foods that are certified as gluten-free. For instance, gluten-free oats are now available for people with celiac disease.
The best approach is to read labels, but here are a few foods to steer clear of until you can verify that they are gluten-free:
packaged rice mixes
lunch meats
sausages
instant cocoa
canned soups
A diagnosis of celiac disease does not mean giving up all your favorite foods. It just means adapting them to be gluten-free. There are many different gluten-free products, baking mixes and recipes available to help. A support group is a great resource for finding out which recipes and products are best.
A support group can help keep you up to date as well. For instance, a few years ago it was recommended that distilled vinegar be completely avoided on a gluten-free diet. Now we know that the gluten molecules do not appear in the distillate. Huh? What it means is that distilled vinegar is now an OK ingredient. That made a big change in the allowed foods someone with celiac disease could eat.
If you're part of a support group, you hear of these kinds of changes right away. A support group is also a great place to get to know other kids who have celiac disease and to learn that you're not alone.
Reviewed by: Margaret Braae, MHSc, RD, CD
Source: http://www.kidshealth.org/kid/health_problems/allergiesimmune/celiac.html
Most people can eat food containing gluten with no trouble. But for some people, eating gluten can cause a reaction in their bodies. Someone who has this problem has celiac (say: see-lee-ak) disease.
After you eat food, it goes to your stomach, which is part of a group of organs that make up your digestive system. An important part of the digestive system is the small intestine, which is lined with villi (say: vih-lie). Villi are usually described as microscopic, finger-like projections. Weird, huh? Fingers in your intestines! But don't forget that they're microscopic, meaning they are extremely small - so small you can't see them without a microscope. The villi are important because they absorb nutrients into the body.
For someone with celiac disease, eating gluten - in a piece of bread, for instance - causes an immune system reaction. Your immune system ordinarily keeps you from getting sick, but in someone with celiac disease, the body starts damaging and destroying the villi. Without villi, a person's body can't absorb vitamins and nutrients from food. Without enough nutrients, a kid's body has a tough time staying healthy and growing properly. Even if the person is eating a lot, he or she might still lose weight and might develop anemia (say: uh-nee-me-uh) from not absorbing enough iron.
Why Do Kids Get Celiac Disease?
No one is sure why celiac disease happens, but it appears to run in families. You have a 5-10% chance of getting celiac disease if someone in your family has it. It's common in people from the northern European countries and the United States. How common? We think that about one in every 133 people has celiac disease in the United States. Obviously, many people who have celiac disease do not know it. If all these people were diagnosed, celiac disease would be more common than Type 1 diabetes. Fortunately, awareness is growing about the problem, and there are better ways of testing people for it.
Signs and Symptoms
Some common symptoms of celiac disease are diarrhea, decreased appetite, stomachache and bloating, poor growth, and weight loss. Many kids are diagnosed with the problem between 6 months and 2 years of age. It makes sense because, at this time, kids are getting their first taste of gluten in foods. For some people, the problems occur gradually and the symptoms may be terrible one week and not as bad the next. Because of this, some people aren't diagnosed with the celiac disease until they are older. The problem is chronic, which means that the symptoms may go away and come back over and over again.
A person with celiac disease may feel tired, and he or she could be irritable. Some people with the disease also have skin rashes and mouth sores. The problem is sometimes mistaken for other digestive problems called inflammatory bowel disease or lactose intolerance. And in some cases, a kid won't have any symptoms and then will all of a sudden start having problems during a time of stress, such as after an injury.
How Do People Know If They Have It?
Someone who has a lot of stomachaches, diarrhea, weight loss, or any of the other symptoms mentioned above should talk to the doctor. It may or may not be celiac disease, but a doctor can help sort this out. The doctor will usually order a screening blood test.
If the screening tests show a person might have celiac disease, the next stop is usually a gastroenterologist, a doctor who specializes in digestive problems. This specialist may decide to take a sample of the person's small intestine to look at under the microscope. This small sample is called a biopsy. If a biopsy is done, the doctor will give the person some special medicine to keep him or her comfortable during the procedure.
How Is It Treated?
Celiac disease is treated by not eating gluten. This can be difficult because gluten is in many foods, but a dietitian can help adjust a person's diet to cut out gluten. It is important not to start a gluten-free diet unless you are truly diagnosed with celiac disease. Following a gluten-free diet allows the small intestine to heal. But that doesn't mean the person can start eating gluten again. For someone with celiac disease, gluten will always irritate their intestines and, if this happens, the diarrhea, stomachaches, and other problems will return.
If you're diagnosed with celiac disease, it can be a challenge to learn which foods contain gluten. You may not be able to remember them all, but you can keep a list with you, and ask about menu items at restaurants before digging in. Before you know it, you'll be a pro at knowing which foods are safe and which are not. Here's a quick quiz:
Which of these foods contain gluten?
pizza
fried chicken
pasta
If you said all three, you're right! Pizza was the easiest choice because you know the crust is bread. But did you know that battered foods like fried chicken and even some French fries contain gluten? Pasta also contains gluten because it is made from wheat. Luckily, you can make or buy gluten-free pizza crust, make fried chicken with a gluten-free batter, and find gluten-free pasta and French fries. In fact, nearly all of the foods we eat can be made gluten-free.
In addition to foods that contain gluten, you'll need to watch out for foods that may have been contaminated with gluten. That means a food that doesn't contain gluten as an ingredient, but came into contact with gluten-containing foods. This is most likely to occur at home in your own kitchen. For instance, wheat bread crumbs in the toaster, the butter, or peanut butter.
If you have celiac disease you will need your own toaster and you should also have separate spreads and condiments to avoid this cross-contamination. Some foods are contaminated during processing, so your mom or dad can help you by finding foods that are certified as gluten-free. For instance, gluten-free oats are now available for people with celiac disease.
The best approach is to read labels, but here are a few foods to steer clear of until you can verify that they are gluten-free:
packaged rice mixes
lunch meats
sausages
instant cocoa
canned soups
A diagnosis of celiac disease does not mean giving up all your favorite foods. It just means adapting them to be gluten-free. There are many different gluten-free products, baking mixes and recipes available to help. A support group is a great resource for finding out which recipes and products are best.
A support group can help keep you up to date as well. For instance, a few years ago it was recommended that distilled vinegar be completely avoided on a gluten-free diet. Now we know that the gluten molecules do not appear in the distillate. Huh? What it means is that distilled vinegar is now an OK ingredient. That made a big change in the allowed foods someone with celiac disease could eat.
If you're part of a support group, you hear of these kinds of changes right away. A support group is also a great place to get to know other kids who have celiac disease and to learn that you're not alone.
Reviewed by: Margaret Braae, MHSc, RD, CD
Source: http://www.kidshealth.org/kid/health_problems/allergiesimmune/celiac.html
Do Allergies Cause Asthma?
People who have certain kinds of allergies are more likely to have asthma. Do you have allergies that affect your nose and eyes, causing stuff like a runny nose or red, itchy eyes? If so, you're more likely to have asthma, too. Whatever causes the allergic reaction, such as pollen or dust, can also trigger asthma symptoms.
But not everyone who has this kind of allergy gets asthma, and not all asthma happens because of allergies. Huh? Allergies and asthma can be a little confusing, so let's find out more.
About 6 million kids in the United States have asthma. Of these, about three out of four have asthma symptoms that are triggered by an allergy to something (called an allergen). In these people, the symptoms of asthma like wheezing, coughing, or trouble breathing are often brought on by being around allergens.
Allergies have a lot to do with your immune (say: ih-myoon) system. Most of the time your immune system fights germs and bacteria to help you stay healthy. But in a kid with allergies, the immune system treats allergens (like pollen) as if they're invading the body, like a bad germ.
When the immune system reacts to an invading allergen, the body releases substances that cause allergy symptoms, such as a runny nose or red, itchy eyes. Other kids can get asthma symptoms, like coughing, wheezing, or a tight feeling in the chest.
If you have asthma, it is a good idea to find out whether allergies may be causing your asthma symptoms. To figure out what they're allergic to, sometimes kids will visit a special doctor called an allergist (say: ah-lur-jist).
If the allergist finds out that you are allergic to certain things, the best way to prevent allergic reactions (and to help stop asthma symptoms from bugging you) is to avoid being around the allergens. The doctor may also prescribe medicine for your allergies, if you can't completely avoid what's causing them.
Reviewed by: Stephen J. McGeady, MD
Source : http://www.kidshealth.org/kid/health_problems/
But not everyone who has this kind of allergy gets asthma, and not all asthma happens because of allergies. Huh? Allergies and asthma can be a little confusing, so let's find out more.
About 6 million kids in the United States have asthma. Of these, about three out of four have asthma symptoms that are triggered by an allergy to something (called an allergen). In these people, the symptoms of asthma like wheezing, coughing, or trouble breathing are often brought on by being around allergens.
Allergies have a lot to do with your immune (say: ih-myoon) system. Most of the time your immune system fights germs and bacteria to help you stay healthy. But in a kid with allergies, the immune system treats allergens (like pollen) as if they're invading the body, like a bad germ.
When the immune system reacts to an invading allergen, the body releases substances that cause allergy symptoms, such as a runny nose or red, itchy eyes. Other kids can get asthma symptoms, like coughing, wheezing, or a tight feeling in the chest.
If you have asthma, it is a good idea to find out whether allergies may be causing your asthma symptoms. To figure out what they're allergic to, sometimes kids will visit a special doctor called an allergist (say: ah-lur-jist).
If the allergist finds out that you are allergic to certain things, the best way to prevent allergic reactions (and to help stop asthma symptoms from bugging you) is to avoid being around the allergens. The doctor may also prescribe medicine for your allergies, if you can't completely avoid what's causing them.
Reviewed by: Stephen J. McGeady, MD
Source : http://www.kidshealth.org/kid/health_problems/
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