Ravina Sewani

Few allergic reactions are known to worsen existing conditions like asthma and a few are known to cause asthma problems.Not all children develop asthma due to allergies. Children with a family history of asthma or children with eczema are at a higher risk of developing asthma.Asthma is a chronic inflammatory condition of the smaller air passages in the lungs. The common triggers of asthma:<ul><li>Cold or flu</li><li>Allergens like dust or pollen</li><li>Cigarette smoke or other irritants</li><li>Gastrointestinal reflux</li><li>Stress, continuous crying or laughing, physical activities are also known to trigger an asthma attack.</li></ul> Diagnosis of asthma is based on symptoms, family history and medical history of your child, previously known allergies, etc. followed by medical asthma tests which may include x- ray, blood tests or allergy tests. Please note, it is important to get your child diagnosed of asthma problem only by a healthcare expert. Symptoms of Asthma include:<ul><li>Coughing</li><li>Wheezing</li><li>Shortness of breath</li><li>Uncomfortable tightness in the chest</li></ul> Seek medical attention immediately if you notice these symptoms in your child:<ul><li>Gasping for breath or trouble speaking</li><li>Deep breath/inhalation that shows the abdomen sucked in</li><li>Increased rate of breathing</li><li>Given the close link between allergies and asthma, it is important to identify the source of allergy and manage it effectively.</li><li>Allergy shots (Immunotherapy) may be advised if your child's asthma is due to allergens like pollen or pet dander.</li><li>Asthma treatment is based on the severity and frequency. An inhaler with a holding chamber/spacer may be prescribed by your child’s paediatrician for a quick relief during an asthma attack. Always seek medical help if you think your child might have asthma.</li><li>According to studies, omega 3 fatty acids from fish oil are known to reduce inflammatory conditions like asthma in children. For children with fish allergies, an alternative source for omega 3 fatty acids is algae.</li></ul>

Asthma and allergy are closely related hence it is important to take proper precautions.

Asthma and Allergy

Low blood sugar is medically called hypoglycemia and this can be resolved in most of the cases, with proper care.Sugar or glucose gives energy and most of this energy is used by the brain. When a child suffers from low blood glucose, it may – in some cases – lead to neurological damage, developmental delay, recurrent seizures and even cardiovascular issues. Symptoms that may indicate hypoglycemia in children:<ul><li>Blush or blue coloured or pale skin</li><li>Breathing problems like pauses between breathing, grunting or rapid breathing</li><li>Floppy muscles</li><li>Problems keeping your newborn warm</li><li>In some cases, there may be no symptoms at all.</li></ul> Causes:When your baby is inside your womb the glucose need is fulfilled by the placenta. Glucose level drops within 1-2 hours of birth and starts rising within the next 12 hours. After birth, your baby receives glucose from breastmilk and the baby's liver also starts making it. In some cases, your baby's liver might not be producing sufficient glucose or baby might use up more glucose than the amount received through breastmilk and produced through liver. Another reason could be that if you are a diabetic mother, your baby’s pancreas would release more insulin when inside the womb to maintain normal glucose level and after birth too, the pancreas continue with the insulin secretion at the same rate. Unfortunately, the liver cannot match this with adequate glucose production resulting in low levels in the blood. What can you do?<ul><li>Breastmilk is best way to regulate blood glucose level in your baby. The colostrum has enzymes that help the liver to release the glucose. Doctors will usually give a feeding plan to maintain the levels.</li><li>Keep your baby in skin to skin contact with you as this will keep your baby warm. Cold is known to worsen glucose levels. Generally, with proper care, the glucose levels in blood will stabilise within 3 days of birth. If the problem persists, the doctor will take the next necessary steps.</li></ul>

Low blood sugar is medically called hypoglycemia.

Low sugar in breastfeeding babies

Jaundice is a liver-related condition that causes a yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes. Jaundice is the result of the build-up of a substance called bilirubin in the bloodstream. It’s an orange-yellow substance that usually passes through the liver and is excreted from the body.When there are abnormally high levels of bilirubin in the blood, jaundice develops, and colour of the skin and eye change. Types of jaundice:In newborns, jaundice usually occurs because an infant’s liver isn’t fully developed enough to properly break down and excrete bilirubin.<ul><li>Obstructive jaundice: this results from blockage in the bile duct between the pancreas and the liver.</li><li>Hepatocellular jaundice: this results when there is a liver disease or damage.</li><li>Hemolytic jaundice: this develops when there is an abnormal breakdown of red blood cells, leading to excessive levels of bilirubin in the blood.</li></ul> Symptoms:FeverAbdominal painNauseaFatigue Causes in Newborns:<ul><li>Physiological hyperbilirubinemia</li><li>ABO incompatibility</li><li>Rh incompatibility</li><li>Haemorrhage</li><li>Intrauterine infections</li><li>Metabolic causes</li><li>Breast milk jaundice</li><li>If your baby is born premature, jaundice is common. This is because the liver is still developing and the bilirubin isn’t flushed out of their system. This should correct itself in a few weeks.</li></ul> Causes in Children:<ul><li>Malaria</li><li>Sickle cell crisis</li><li>Thalassemia</li><li>Drugs or other toxins</li><li>Autoimmune disorders</li></ul> Diagnosis:Usually, a doctor can tell whether your baby has jaundice or not just by looking at your child. To further confirm about the jaundice, your child’s doctor may ask for a blood test or a urine sample. Treatment:In many cases, jaundice goes away on its own in 1 to 2 weeks. Your doctor will decide whether your baby should wait it out or start treatments like:<ul><li>Extra feedings: Taking in more breast milk or formula milk will help your baby poop more often, which can help clear out bilirubin from the body.&nbsp;</li><li>Photo-therapy: In this treatment, the baby is put under blue-green lights. This helps in elimination of bilirubin from the body via urine. Your baby will be made to wear eye patches to protect his eyes.</li><li>Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg): If your baby's jaundice happens because he has a different blood type from yours, your doctor may need to give a blood protein through an IV that helps stop the breakdown of red blood cells in your child.</li><li>Exchange transfusion: If your baby has severe jaundice that isn't getting better with other treatments, (s)he may need a blood transfusion called an exchange transfusion. In this process, your doctor draws small amounts of your baby's blood and replaces it with blood from a donor. It's rare for babies to need this level of treatment for jaundice.</li></ul> Prevention:Typical newborn jaundice cannot be prevented usually but you can feed your baby well to make sure your child recovers soon. If you're breastfeeding, aim for 8-12 feedings a day in the first days of your baby's life. For older kids, following tips will help prevent jaundice:<ul><li>Make sure your kids stay hygienic.</li><li>Ensure your kids drink mineral or bottled water or boil the water before drinking it.</li><li>Eat fresh food, and have a balanced diet.</li><li>Ensure your kids get their vaccines on time.</li></ul>

Here are Jaundice Types, Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention.

All about Jaundice

Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs. The air sacs in the lungs (called alveoli) fill up with pus and other fluid. This makes it hard for oxygen to reach the bloodstream. Symptoms:<ul><li>Very fast breathing (in some cases, this is the only symptom)</li><li>Breathing with grunting or wheezing sounds</li><li>Working hard to breathe; this can include flaring of the nostrils, belly breathing, or movement of the muscles between the ribs</li><li>Fever</li><li>Cough</li><li>Stuffy nose</li><li>Shaking chills</li><li>Vomiting</li><li>Chest pain</li><li>Belly pain</li><li>Loss of appetite</li><li>Bluish or grey colour of the lips and fingernails (in extreme cases)</li></ul> Causes:<ul><li>Pneumonia is caused by a variety of germs (viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites). Most cases are caused by viruses. These include adenoviruses, rhinovirus, influenza virus (flu), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and para-influenza virus.</li><li>Pneumonia begins after an upper respiratory tract infection (an infection of the nose and throat). Symptoms begin after 2 or 3 days of a cold or sore throat. It then moves to the lungs. Fluid, white blood cells, and debris start to gather in the air spaces of the lungs and block the smooth passage of air, making it harder for the lungs to work well.</li><li>Kids with pneumonia caused by bacteria usually become sick fairly quickly, starting with a sudden high fever and unusually fast breathing.</li><li>Kids with pneumonia caused by viruses will have symptoms that appear more gradually and are less severe.</li><li>The viruses and bacteria that cause pneumonia are contagious. An infected person can spread the illness when (s)he coughs or sneezes. This is because the germs causing this illness live in the body fluids.</li><li>Sharing drinking glasses and eating utensils, and touching the used tissues or handkerchiefs of an infected person also can spread pneumonia. So it's best to keep kids away from anyone with symptoms of a respiratory infection.</li></ul> Diagnosis:Doctors check a child's appearance, breathing pattern, and vital signs, and listen to the lungs for abnormal sounds. They might order a chest X-ray or blood tests, but neither are necessary to make the diagnosis. Treatment:Pneumonia caused by bacteria is treated with antibiotics taken by mouth at home. If the doctor seems fit, (s)he might prescribe antiviral medicine when the pneumonia is caused by a virus. Children might need treatment in a hospital if the pneumonia causes a lasting high fever, breathing problems, or if they:<ul><li>Need oxygen therapy</li><li>Have a lung infection that may have spread to the bloodstream</li><li>Have a chronic illness that affects the immune system</li><li>Are vomiting so much that they cannot take medicine by mouth</li><li>Keep getting pneumonia</li><li>Hospital treatment can include intravenous (IV) antibiotics (given into a vein) and respiratory therapy (breathing treatments).</li></ul>Check your child's lips and fingernails to make sure they are rosy and pink. Call your doctor if they are bluish or grey, which is a sign that the lungs are not getting enough oxygen. With treatment, most types of bacterial pneumonia are cured in 1–2 weeks. Viral pneumonia may take 4–6 weeks to go away completely. Prevention:Some types of pneumonia can be prevented by vaccine shots of Haemophilus influenza and flu vaccines.

Here are Pneumonia Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention.

All about Pneumonia

In asthma, a person’s airways become inflamed, narrow and swell and produce extra mucus, which makes it difficult to breathe. If your child has asthma, their lungs and airways can easily get inflamed when they have a cold or are around things like pollen. Causes:<ul><li>Allergens: mould, pollen, animals</li><li>Irritants - cigarette smoke, air pollution, chemicals, odours</li><li>Weather: cold air, changes in weather</li><li>Stress: It can make your child short of breath and worsen their symptoms.</li><li>Airway Infections: This includes colds, pneumonia, and sinus infections.</li><li>Exercise</li></ul> Symptoms:<ul><li>A cough that doesn’t go away (this might be the only symptom sometimes)</li><li>Frequent coughing spells, especially during play or exercise, at night, in cold air, or while laughing or crying</li><li>A cough that gets worse after a viral infection</li><li>Less energy</li><li>Avoiding sports or social activities</li><li>Trouble sleeping because of coughing or breathing problems</li><li>Rapid breathing</li><li>Chest tightness or pain</li><li>Wheezing, a whistling sound when breathing in or out</li><li>Shortness of breath</li><li>Trouble eating, or grunting while eating (in infants)</li></ul> A severe asthma attack needs medical care right away. During severe asthma attack, watch for these signs:<ul><li>Stopping in the middle of a sentence to catch a breath</li><li>Using stomach muscles to breathe</li><li>Widened nostrils</li><li>Fast heartbeat</li><li>Sweating more than usual</li><li>Chest pain</li></ul>&nbsp;Risk Factors:<ul><li>Things that can make a child more likely to have asthma include:</li><li>Nasal allergies or eczema</li><li>A family history of asthma or allergies</li><li>Respiratory infections</li><li>Low birth weight</li><li>Exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke before or after birth.</li></ul> Diagnosis:<ul><li>Your child’s doctor will ask you a series of questions about medical history, symptoms, about any breathing problems your child may have had, family history of asthma, allergies, eczema, or other lung disease.</li><li>Physical exam: Your doctor will listen to your child's heart and lungs and look in their nose or eyes for signs of allergies.</li><li>Tests: Chest X-ray, allergy skin testing, blood tests</li></ul> Complications:<ul><li>Asthma can cause problems like:</li><li>Severe attacks, sometimes leading to ER visits or stays in the hospital</li><li>Fatigue</li><li>Stress, anxiety, and depression</li><li>Delays in growth or puberty</li><li>Damaged airways and lung infections</li><li>Death</li></ul> Treatment:<ul><li>There are two main types of asthma medications:</li><li>Quick-relief medication that help with sudden symptoms. Your child’s doctor will prescribe these for fast help during an asthma attack.</li><li>Long-acting medication that prevent airway inflammation and keep asthma under control. Your child’s doctor will probably ask your child to take these every day.</li><li>Children under 4 may be prescribed to take their medications through an asthma nebuliser. This device changes the medicine from a liquid to a mist that your child can breathe into their lungs. The doctor will tell you how often to give these breathing treatments. To use the nebuliser:</li></ul>Wash your hands.Put the medicine in the nebuliser.Connect the tubes from the compressor to the base.Attach the mouthpiece or mask.Turn the compressor on and watch for a light mist to come from the nebuliser.Put the mask on your child’s face, or put the mouthpiece in their mouth and have them close their lips around it.Have them breathe in and out until their treatment time is up.Turn the nebuliser off when the medicine is gone.Have your child cough to clear out any mucus. Prevention:<ul><li>To prevent asthma attacks or to keep them from getting worse, focus on known triggers with steps like these:</li><li>Don’t let anyone smoke near your child.</li><li>Clean bedding and carpets often to fight dust mites.</li><li>Keep pets out of your child’s bedroom.</li><li>Fix leaks and use dehumidifiers to prevent mould.</li><li>Don’t use scented cleaning products or candles.</li><li>Check daily air quality reports in your area.</li><li>Help your child stay at a healthy weight.</li><li>If exercise is a trigger, your child’s doctor might give them medicine to help keep their airways open during activity.</li><li>Make sure they get a flu shot every year.</li></ul>

Here are Asthma Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Risk factors, Treatment, Prevention, and Complications.

All about Asthma

Palak Vyas

Type 1 diabetes in children is a condition where the child’s body is unable to produce an important hormone called insulin. Without this hormone, the sugar in the blood cannot travel to the cells causing high blood sugar levels. This condition is also known as juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes. Insulin deficiency in the body has to be replaced by insulin injections. It is hard on both the parents and the kids when the child is diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. This is because after the diagnosis, the child has to be given regular insulin injections and his/her sugar intake has to be limited as well. Parents and the child have to be extra cautious all the time.&nbsp;Symptoms:<ul><li>Increased thirst</li><li>Frequent urination, bed-wetting even if the child has been potty trained.</li><li>Too much hunger</li><li>Drastic weight loss</li><li>Fatigue</li><li>Irritability and changed behaviour</li><li>Fruity smelling breath</li><li>Girls may also develop a yeast infection.</li></ul>&nbsp;Causes:<ul><li>The first and foremost reason could be a family history of this disease. The child having parents or siblings having the same condition is at a high risk of developing it.</li><li>Genetics play a major role here.</li><li>It is said that exposure to various viruses can trigger the autoimmune destruction of the islets cells (cells that produce insulin).</li></ul>&nbsp; Diagnosis: Blood glucose level is measured before and after food and by observing for symptoms of diabetes. Complications associated with type 1 diabetes in children:<ul><li>This condition affects the major body organs of the child.</li><li>It narrows down a child's blood vessels, causes high blood pressure, heart disease and can cause stroke issues in later stages of life.</li><li>Basically it affects blood vessels which in turn damage the kidneys, eyes, and nerves.</li><li>Type 1 diabetes reduces bone mineral density causing a risk of developing osteoporosis in later stages of life.</li><li>DKA- Diabetic ketoacidosis is a leading cause of mortality in children with type 1 diabetes. When insulin levels are very low, the body cannot use sugar to produce energy. So it starts breaking down fat for energy. This leads to ketones production, which is toxic at high levels. When the levels are high, it results in DKA, where the body becomes acidic.</li></ul> Treatment: The only treatment for type 1 diabetes is the use of insulin tablets or injections. Prevention:<ul><li>This condition cannot be prevented. Research is still going on in this direction. All you can do is control the damage.</li><li>Maintain blood sugar levels.</li><li>Ensure your child has healthy food.</li><li>Regular exercise routine</li><li>Regular examination and monitoring by the doctor.</li></ul>

Here are Diabetes Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, Prevention, Diagnosis, and Complications.

All about Type 1 Diabetes

Chicken pox is a communicable disease but is also self limiting, which means, the virus gradually leaves the body in few days naturally. Chicken pox is caused by Varicella-zoster virus. Most cases occur through contact with an infected person. The virus can spread through:<ul><li>saliva</li><li>coughing</li><li>sneezing</li><li>contact with fluid from the blisters</li></ul> Symptoms:<ul><li>The obvious sign of chickenpox is a super-itchy skin rash with red blisters. Over the course of several days, the blisters pop and start to leak transparent watery fluid. Then they dry out before finally healing. The first sign is usually a general feeling of being unwell.</li><li>Body aches</li><li>Fever</li><li>Feeling extremely tired (fatigue)</li><li>Feeling irritable</li><li>Loss of appetite</li><li>Headache</li></ul> Most cases of chickenpox are mild and go away on their own. But see your doctor right away if your child develops any of the following symptoms:<ul><li>The rash spreads to one or both eyes.</li><li>The rash gets very red, warm, or tender.</li><li>Dizziness</li><li>Shortness of breath</li><li>Vomiting</li><li>Stiff neck</li><li>Fever over 102 F</li></ul> Spreading: You can get the virus by breathing in particles that come from chickenpox blisters or by touching something on which the particles landed. Diagnosis: Your doctor will be able to diagnose chickenpox based on a physical exam of blisters on your child’s body. Treatment:Chickenpox generally resolves within a week or two without treatment. There is no cure, but a vaccine can prevent it. Your child's doctor may prescribe medication or advise on how to reduce the symptoms of itchiness and discomfort.<ol><li>Pain or fever: Your child's doctor will prescribe a medicine that will help with symptoms of high temperature and pain.</li><li>Avoiding dehydration: It is important that your child drinks plenty of fluids, preferably water, to prevent dehydration. Some doctors recommend sugar-free popsicles for children who are not drinking enough.</li><li>Mouth soreness: Sugar-free popsicles help ease symptoms of soreness if there are spots in the mouth. Salty or spicy foods should be avoided. If chewing is painful, soup might be a good option, but it should not be too hot.</li><li>Itchiness: ltchiness can become severe, but it is important to minimize scratching to reduce the risk of scarring. The following may help prevent scratching:</li></ol><ul><li>keeping fingernails clean and as short as possible</li><li>placing mittens or over a child’s hands when they go to sleep</li><li>applying skincare lotion prescribed by the doctor</li><li>wearing loose clothing</li></ul> Precaution:<ul><li>Do not send your child to school so that other children are safe.</li><li>Keep other kids in the house away from the infected child.</li><li>Calamine lotion is usually used to soothe the spots.</li><li>Make children wear light cotton clothes.</li><li>Make them drink plenty of fluids.</li><li>Don’t let your child scratch his/her itchy skin. This could lead to bacterial infection and leave scars.</li></ul> Prevention:Your child should get 2 dose of Chicken pox Vaccine. One at 15th month and second at 18th month to prevent the disease. Vaccine is painless, Very safe and 95% effective if both the doses are given on time.

Here are Chicken pox Symptoms, Causes, Spreading, Prevention, Precaution, Diagnosis, and Treatment.

All about Chicken pox

Dengue fever is a disease caused by a virus. This virus lives in mosquitoes. The virus can cause fever, headaches, rashes, and pain throughout the body. Most cases of dengue fever are mild and go away on their own after about a week. When a mosquito infected by dengue virus bites a person, the person can get affected by dengue fever. The virus can't spread directly from person to person. In rare cases, dengue fever can lead to a more serious form of the disease called dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF). DHF can be life-threatening and needs to be treated right away. It can be fatal sometimes. Common signs and symptoms of dengue fever include:<ul><li>Symptoms of dengue fever are generally mild in younger children and those who have the disease for the first time.</li><li>High fever, possibly as high as 105°F (40°C)</li><li>Pain behind the eyes and in the joints, muscles and/or bones</li><li>Severe headache</li><li>Pink rashes over most of the body</li><li>Mild bleeding from the nose or gums</li></ul>Symptoms can start anywhere from 4 days to 2 weeks after being bitten by an infected mosquito, and typically last for 2 to 7 days. Diagnosis: If you think your child might have dengue fever, call a doctor right away. You should also call a doctor if your child has recently been to a region that has dengue fever and has a fever or severe headache. The doctor will ask about your child's medical history and recent travels, and send a blood sample for testing. Treatment:No specific treatment is available for dengue fever. Mild cases are managed with lots of fluids to prevent dehydration and getting plenty of rest. Pain relieving medicines can ease the headaches and pain associated with dengue fever. Most cases of dengue fever go away within a week or two and won't cause any lasting problems. If someone has severe symptoms of the disease, or if symptoms get worse in the first day or two, seek immediate medical care. Prevention:<ul><li>There's no vaccine to prevent dengue fever. The best protection is to prevent bites by an infected mosquito. Be sure to:</li><li>Use screens (mosquito nets) on doors and windows, and promptly repair broken or damaged screens. Keep doors and windows shut.</li><li>Have kids wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, shoes, and socks when they go outside.</li><li>Use insect repellent as directed on kids.</li><li>Limit the amount of time kids spend outside during the day, especially in the hours around dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active.</li><li>Keep surroundings clean. Mosquitoes breed easily when there is water around. They lay their eggs in water, so get rid of unclean water around you.</li></ul> Natural Remedies for Dengue Fever:<ul><li>Drink sufficient Water</li><li>Juice of Papaya Leaves</li><li>Chew Basil Leaves</li><li>Neem Leaves</li><li>Orange Juice</li></ul>

Here are Dengue Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, Prevention, Diagnosis, and Remedies.

All about dengue

Cholera is an infectious disease that causes severe watery diarrhoea, which can lead to dehydration and even death if untreated. It is caused by eating food or drinking water contaminated with a bacterium called Vibrio cholerae. The disease is most common in places with poor sanitation, crowding, war, and famine. Causes:<ul><li>Common sources of contamination include:</li><li>Municipal water supplies</li><li>Ice made from municipal water</li><li>Foods and drinks sold by street vendors</li><li>Vegetables grown with water containing human wastes</li><li>Raw or under-cooked fish and seafood caught in waters polluted with sewage</li></ul> When a person consumes the contaminated food or water, the bacteria release a toxin in the intestines that produces severe diarrhoea. Symptoms:Symptoms of cholera can begin as soon as a few hours or as long as five days after infection. These include:<ul><li>Rapid heart rate</li><li>Loss of skin elasticity (the ability to return to original position quickly if pinched)</li><li>Dry mucous membranes, including the inside of the mouth, throat, nose, and eyelids</li><li>Low blood pressure</li><li>Vomiting</li><li>Thirst</li><li>Muscle cramps</li><li>If not treated, dehydration can lead to shock and death in a matter of few hours.</li></ul> Diagnosis:Doctors usually take a stool sample or vomit sample to check for signs of the cholera causing bacteria. Treatment:<ul><li>Hydration is the treatment for cholera. Depending on how severe the diarrhoea is, treatment will consist of oral or intravenous solutions to replace lost fluids. Antibiotics, which kill the bacteria, are not used for mild cases. But they can reduce the duration of diarrhoea and also reduce the excretion of the bacteria, thus helping to prevent the spread of the disease.</li><li>Cholera vaccines are also available but whether your child needs one or not will be decided by your child’s doctor.&nbsp;</li></ul> Prevention:Use water that is boiled, chemically disinfected, or bottled water for the following purposes:<ul><li>Drinking</li><li>Preparing food or drinks</li><li>Making ice</li><li>Brushing your teeth</li><li>Washing your face and hands</li><li>Washing dishes and utensils that you use to eat or prepare food</li><li>Washing fruits and vegetables</li></ul> Avoid raw foods like:<ul><li>Unpeeled fruits and vegetables</li><li>Unpasteurised milk and milk products</li><li>Raw or under-cooked meat or shellfish</li><li>Fish caught in tropical reefs, which may be contaminated.</li></ul>

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