13Oct2017
Kids Health, Kids Health Guide
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October 13, 2017

Via Parents: 7 Ways to Boost Your Child’s Immunity

Colds and flu are a fact of life for kids, but there are smart steps you can take to help reduce their number of sick days.

What can you do to protect your child from the endless array of germs and viruses he’s exposed to every day? Unfortunately, in some ways, getting sick when you’re a kid is simply part of the job description. “We all enter this world with an inexperienced immune system,” says Charles Shubin, M.D., an associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Maryland, in Baltimore. Slowly, children prime their immunity by battling an ongoing series of germs, viruses, and other organisms — which is why many pediatricians consider six to eight colds, bouts of flu, or ear infections per year normal. But there are healthy habits you can adopt that will give your child’s immune system a boost.

1. Serve more fruits and vegetables.

Carrots, green beans, oranges, strawberries: They all contain such immunity-boosting phytonutrients as vitamin C and carotenoids, says William Sears, M.D., author of The Family Nutrition Book (Little Brown, 1999). Phytonutrients may increase the body’s production of infection-fighting white blood cells and interferon, an antibody that coats cell surfaces, blocking out viruses. Studies show that a diet rich in phytonutrients can also protect against such chronic diseases as cancer and heart disease in adulthood. Try to get your child to eat five servings of fruits and veggies a day. (A serving is about two tablespoons for toddlers, 1? cup for older kids.)

2. Boost sleep time.

Studies of adults show that sleep deprivation can make you more susceptible to illness by reducing natural killer cells, immune-system weapons that attack microbes and cancer cells. The same holds true for children, says Kathi Kemper, M.D., director of the Center for Holistic Pediatric Education and Research at Children’s Hospital, in Boston. Children in day care are particularly at risk for sleep deprivation because all the activity can make it difficult for them to nap. How much sleep do kids need? A newborn may need up to 18 hours of cribtime a day, toddlers require 12 to 13 hours, and preschoolers need about 10 hours. “If your child can’t or won’t take naps during the day, try to put her to bed earlier,” says Dr. Kemper.

3. Breast-feed your baby.

Breast milk contains turbo-charged immunity-enhancing antibodies and white blood cells. Nursing guards against ear infections, allergies, diarrhea, pneumonia, meningitis, urinary-tract infections, and sudden infant death syndrome. Studies show that it may also enhance your baby’s brain power and help protect her against insulin-dependent diabetes, Crohn’s disease, colitis, and certain forms of cancer later in life. Colostrum, the thin yellow “premilk” that flows from the breasts during the first few days after birth, is especially rich in disease-fighting antibodies, says Dr. Shubin. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that moms breast-feed for a year. If this commitment isn’t realistic, aim to breast-feed for at least the first two to three months in order to supplement the immunity your baby received in utero.

4. Exercise as a family.

Research shows that exercise increases the number of natural killer cells in adults — and regular activity can benefit kids in the same way, says Ranjit Chandra, M.D., a pediatric immunologist at the Memorial University of Newfoundland. To get your children into a lifelong fitness habit, be a good role model. “Exercise with them rather than just urge them to go outside and play,” says Renee Stucky, Ph.D., a clinical assistant professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation at the University of Missouri Medical School. Fun family activities include bike riding, hiking, in-line skating, basketball, and tennis.

5. Guard against germ spread.

Fighting germs doesn’t technically boost immunity, but it’s a great way to reduce stress on your child’s immune system. Make sure your kids wash their hands often — and with soap. You should pay particular attention to their hygiene before and after each meal and after playing outside, handling pets, blowing their nose, using the bathroom, and arriving home from day care. When you’re out, carry disposable wipes with you for quick cleanups. To help kids get into the hand-washing habit at home, let them pick out their own brightly colored hand towels and soap in fun shapes, colors, and scents.

Another key germ-busting strategy: “If your child does get sick, throw out her toothbrush right away,” says Barbara Rich, D.D.S., a spokesperson for the Academy of General Dentistry. A child can’t catch the same cold or flu virus twice, but the virus can hop from toothbrush to toothbrush, infecting other family members. If it’s a bacterial infection, such as strep throat, however, your child can reinfect herself with the same germs that got her sick in the first place. In that case, tossing the toothbrush protects both your child and the rest of your family.

6. Banish secondhand smoke.

If you or your spouse smokes, quit. Cigarette smoke contains more than 4,000 toxins, most of which can irritate or kill cells in the body, says Beverly Kingsley, Ph.D., an epidemiologist with the Office on Smoking and Health at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in Atlanta. Kids are more susceptible than adults to the harmful effects of secondhand smoke because they breathe at a faster rate; a child’s natural detoxification system is also less developed. Secondhand smoke increases a child’s risk of SIDS, bronchitis, ear infections, and asthma. It may also affect intelligence and neurological development. If you absolutely can’t quit smoking, you can reduce your child’s health risks considerably by smoking only outside the house, Dr. Kingsley says.

7. Don’t pressure your pediatrician.

Urging your pediatrician to write a prescription for an antibiotic whenever your child has a cold, flu, or sore throat is a bad idea. Antibiotics treat only illnesses caused by bacteria, “but the majority of childhood illnesses are caused by viruses,” says Howard Bauchner, M.D., a professor of pediatrics and public health at the Boston University School of Medicine.

Studies show, however, that many pediatricians prescribe antibiotics somewhat reluctantly at the urging of parents who mistakenly think it can’t hurt. In fact, it can. Strains of antibiotic-resistant bacteria have flourished as a result, and a simple ear infection is more difficult to cure if it’s caused by stubborn bacteria that don’t respond to standard treatment. Whenever your child’s pediatrician wants to prescribe an antibiotic, make sure she isn’t prescribing it solely because she thinks you want it. “I strongly encourage parents to say, ‘Do you think it’s really necessary?’ ” Dr. Bauchner says.

All content here, including advice from doctors and other health professionals, should be considered as opinion only. Always seek the direct advice of your own doctor in connection with any questions or issues you may have regarding your own health or the health of others.

12Oct2017
Kids Health, Kids Health Guide
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October 12, 2017

Via CBCNews: Sports and energy drinks can be serious trouble for kids, Miramichi doctor says

A Miramichi pediatrician says sports and energy drinks have helped make some of his young patients obese and anxious, and there’s no reason to drink them at that age.

Dr. Mike Dickinson is also president of the Canadian Paediatric Society, which released a position statement Tuesday recommending kids avoid sports and energy drinks altogether.

The group says sports drinks contribute to childhood obesity and dental cavities because of their high sugar content, and the amount of caffeine in energy drinks typically exceeds Health Canada’s maximum daily intake for children.

Energy drinks, such as Red Bull, typically claim to reduce fatigue and improve concentration. Sports drinks, such as Gatorade, contain a mixture of sugar and electrolytes and are often marketed as fluid replacements for athletes and others engaged in vigorous physical activity.

Dickinson said he’s not opposed to youth having the drinks as an occasional treat, but he thinks they offer virtually no nutritional value and shouldn’t be consumed regularly because of their high sugar and caffeine content.

“In young children and most teens, there’s really nothing that offers any kind of health benefit whatsoever,” he said.

While sports drinks are often marketed as performance-enhancing and necessary for replacing lost electrolytes, most children and teens are not engaging in enough physical activity to warrant the drinks, he said.

Problems for kids’ health

At his Miramichi practice, some children have come in complaining of a fast heart rate, Dickinson said. Often, the symptoms are the result of consuming energy drinks, he said.

Energy drinks have also been a factor at times when his patients have complained of feeling anxious or unsettled.

“When we got those energy drinks out of the diet, those symptoms improved,” he said.

When seeing children who have gained weight or are obese, he’s found sports drinks are frequently a factor, he said.

High rate of use in province

The New Brunswick government has looked at the issue as well.

In the 2012 New Brunswick Student Drug Use Survey, 57 per cent of students reported using energy drinks, 12 per cent said they drank them more than once a month and eight per cent said they used them more than twice a month.

In 2013, then-chief medical officer of health Dr. Eilish Cleary was also asked to study the effects of energy drink consumption, particularly in children.

At the time, Cleary said it was a public health concern, given the risk of adverse behaviour and health effects, such as increased heart rate and higher blood pressure.

Sarah Williams, a spokeswoman for the Department of Health, said that since then, the province has worked to develop “key public health messages” on energy drink use that have been distributed to health professionals, educators and public health staff.

She also said Education and Early Childhood Development has a provincial school nutrition policy that restricts the sale of energy drinks and sports drinks in a school setting.

5Oct2017
Kids Health, Kids Health Guide
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October 5, 2017

Notes from MOMmy:

I’ve been reading a lot of articles of this. I believe too much disinfectant and hand sanitizer is not good to your health because most of these products are made from chemicals. Let your kids play with dirt can boost up their immune system.

Via KQED: ‘Dirt Is Good’: Why Kids Need Exposure To Germs

As a new parent, Jack Gilbert got a lot of different advice on how to properly look after his child: when to give him antibiotics or how often he should sterilize his pacifier, for example.

After the birth of his second child, Gilbert, a scientist who studies microbial ecosystems at the University of Chicago, decided to find out what’s actually known about the risks involved when modern-day children come in contact with germs.

“It turned out that most of the exposures were actually beneficial,” Gilbert says. “So that dirty pacifier that fell on the floor — if you just stick it in your mouth and lick it, and then pop it back in little Tommy’s mouth, it’s actually going to stimulate their immune system. Their immune system’s going to become stronger because of it.”

Gilbert is now the co-author of a new book called Dirt is Good: The Advantage of Germs for Your Child’s Developing Immune System. Presented in a Q&A format, the book seeks to answer many of the questions Gilbert has fielded from parents over the year

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Interview Highlights

What are some things that parents get wrong?

Some of the main things are over-sterilizing their environment, keeping their children from ever getting dirty. So going out into the backyard and playing in the mud, and then as soon as they’re filthy, bringing them in and sterilizing their hands with antiseptic wipes, and then making sure that none of the dirt gets near their faces. Also, keeping them away from animals. The dogs and cats, sure, but also, other animals. It’s fine to wash their hands if there’s a cold or a flu virus around, but if they’re interacting with a dog, and the dog licks their face, that’s not a bad thing. In fact that could be extremely beneficial for the child’s health.

What about hand sanitizer? Good or bad?

Usually bad. Hot, soapy water is fine. Even mildly warm, soapy water is fine, and it’s probably less damaging to the child’s overall health.

How about the five-second rule? The idea that if something falls on the ground and is there for under five seconds, it’s clean.

The five-second rule doesn’t exist. It takes milliseconds for microbes to attach themselves to a sticky piece of jammy toast, for example. But it makes no difference. Unless you dropped it in an area where you think they could be a high risk of extremely dangerous pathogens, which in every modern American home is virtually impossible, then there’s no risk to your child.

Wash a pacifier or lick it if it falls on the ground?

Lick it. A study of over 300,000 children showed that parents who licked the pacifier and put it back in — their kids developed less allergies, less asthma, less eczema. Overall, their health was stronger and more robust.

Are things like allergies an unintended consequence of trying to protect our kids too much?

Absolutely. In the past, we would have eaten a lot more fermented foods, which contain bacteria. We would have allowed our children to be exposed to animals and plants and soil on a much more regular basis. Now we live indoors. We sterilize our surfaces. Their immune systems then become hyper-sensitized. You have these little soldier cells in your body called neutrophils, and when they spend too long going around looking for something to do, they become grumpy and pro-inflammatory. And so when they finally see something that’s foreign, like a piece of pollen, they become explosively inflammatory. They go crazy. That’s what triggers asthma and eczema and often times, food allergies.

Give us some advice. What should I allow my child to do?

Oftentimes, it’s hard to get your kid to eat a healthy diet. I would strongly try to encourage the consumption of more colorful vegetables, more leafy vegetables, a diet more rich in fiber as well as reducing the sugar intake. But just generally, allow your kid to experience the world. As long as they’re properly vaccinated, there’s no threat, and they will actually get a stronger, more beneficial exposure.

27Sep2017
Kids Health, Kids Health Guide
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September 27, 2017

Notes from MAma:

Applicable both adult and kids!

Via Hindustantimes: Are your kids glued to the iPad or smartphone? Here’s how you can protect their eyes

There is no escaping smart devices even for children. Not just school-going kids, but much younger ones too. Play educational videos or cartoons on YouTube and you can feed the pickiest of eaters with ease. Ask any mother, it works like hypnosis. As with all other things in life, with technology too balance is key. Here’s how you can protect the eyes of children from continuous strain that comes from engaging with smart devices.

Blue light is tiring for eyes, causing eye strain, and also drying eyes out. In the long term, it increases the risks of age-related macular degeneration (ARMD).

Besides affecting eye health, blue light also suppresses the secretion of melatonin — a hormone associated with sleep onset — levels of which usually rise in the body from around 9pm. It may, therefore, disrupt sleep.

Lack of sleep could, in turn, potentially contribute to a drop in performances at school.

Cut out blue light

To protect children from blue light, look for applications or device settings that cut out blue light, such as a “Blue Light Reduction” mode in smartphones and computers. Also, try increasing the size of text onscreen. Don’t hesitate to ask your optician for advice. Some can now provide lenses with built-in blue light filtering in glasses for children under 16.

Give eyes a break

To reduce eye fatigue and dryness, it’s recommended to look away from the screen regularly for a few seconds at something far away that doesn’t emit blue light.

One technique to try: For every 20 minutes in front of a screen, give eyes a 20-second break by fixing the gaze on an object situated around six metres away. Keep blinking often to rehydrate eyes.

Spend more time outside

To make up for time spent in front of screens, outdoor activities should be stepped up to ensure exposure to natural light.

25Sep2017
Kids Health, Kids Health Guide
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September 25, 2017

Notes from MAma:

Sounds familiar? Yes! Knowing the types of hunger is key to curb emotional eating. Best to develop this awareness from young.

Via Today’s Parent: Teaching kids the 3 kinds of hunger could curb emotional eating

You’ve been there: Your six-year-old enjoyed a satisfying dinner, but half an hour later, he’s hungry for a cupcake. What gives? Is he really physically hungry or is it just a craving?

You probably know that we eat for reasons beyond rumbling tummies. Sometimes we crave foods that look or smell good, and other times we eat because we’re bored or sad. These different kinds of hunger are experienced by children and adults alike, and are all normal.

Being aware of why we eat can help us build a better relationship with food. And it turns out, the best time to start developing this awareness is in childhood.

Teaching your kids the three types of hunger

There are three kinds of hunger, and anytime your family is eating, you can take advantage of the opportunity to teach the different types to your kids. You don’t need to use the terms at every meal—just occasionally so kids get a sense of why they eat and learn to use these labels themselves.

The three types of hunger are:

  • Stomach hunger: When hunger peaks—maybe at breakfast or after school—explain to your child that their rumbling tummy is a sign of stomach hunger, which is when their body tells them they need to eat food for energy and nutrients.
  • Mouth hunger: If a TV commercial, billboard or wafting scent makes your kid crave food, use it as an opportunity to explain that it’s their taste buds asking for something delicious, even if their body doesn’t need the food for energy.
  • Heart hunger: When your child is crying and wants something sweet to feel better, or asks for a treat because he’s bored, explain that it’s more about the way he’s feeling and not about stomach hunger.

Need some help getting the conversation started? Dietitian Wendy Shah’s children’s book “Is This Stomach, Mouth or Heart Hunger?” is a helpful teaching tool.

Is there a right kind of hunger?

So what if your child labels that post-dinner cupcake as stomach hunger when you know it’s mouth hunger? “You could offer the child a different food, such as a piece of fruit,” says Shah. “If they really have stomach hunger, they may accept the alternative to the cupcake. If they say that they only want the cupcake, suggest that it may be their mouth that’s hungry for the sweet taste of the cake.”

It’s not about judgment, though. Mouth hunger is OK too, and it’s fine to enjoy an occasional cupcake. “It’s important to avoid labelling a kind of hunger as bad or undesirable. This is about self-awareness, not judgment or right versus wrong,” says Shah. “When kids learn to identify the different kinds of hunger, they are practicing self-awareness, which is a helpful life skill.”

Avoiding a life of emotional eating

If a child grows up being mindful of their eating habits, they’ll be better equipped to avoid a vicious cycle of emotional eating later in life.

There’s nothing wrong with providing food for emotional hunger or heart hunger once in a while, but it’s important that’s not the only response in a child’s toolkit. “Parents are in an ideal position to model a different way to respond when their children are seeking comfort,” explains Vancouver-based psychologist Colleen Cannon, who specializes in cognitive behaviour intervention for problematic eating.

Sure, sometimes only ice cream will do. But hugging, sharing a warm blanket, or going for a walk together can also help your kid deal with what they’re feeling and help them avoid emotional eating. Having these alternatives will help build healthy coping skills and a better relationship with food.

11Sep2017
Kids Health Guide
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September 11, 2017

Note From MOMmy:

This article is a reminder for myself not to self-imposed my own personality on my daughters. It can be a challenged for a me because I can be a tad of OCD 😊. Anyone else experiencing the same problem?

Via Fox News: How to squelch the pressure and raise happy kids

A young mother of two daughters was sharing some of her parenting struggles with me. She spoke of how overwhelmed she felt in the early days of parenting when she was discovering how differently each of her children were wired, how foreign their personalities were from hers, and how ill equipped she felt to parent them. At her wits’ end, she asked for advice from a mentor whom she admired, whose own children were adults. But rather than being quick to offer advice, her mentor replied with a question. “What if you just let them be who they are?”

Letting our children “be who they are” is probably one of the biggest challenges we face. Not piling our expectations onto them. Not living our lives through them. Not expecting them to do things the way we would do them. Not passing on to them the pressure we feel. Finding the right balance between affirming who they are while still encouraging them to grow. Teaching them to give their best without making them feel like they must be the best at everything.

There is so much that we want for these kids that we love so much, and there is very little that will stop us from ensuring they achieve their full potential and purpose. Sometimes that’s a good thing. Sometimes it is not.

Heeding the advice of the well-known proverb, “Prepare the child for the path, not the path for the child,” is a good thing. But, living vicariously through our kids and shackling our identities to their success or failure—not so much.

Sadly, we have never seen a generation of kids who are more miserable than this one. Researchers have a slew of theories for why we are seeing so much misery among kids, but if you guessed that how we parent is one of them, you’re correct.

Of course it is good and right to be proud of the good choices our kids make and to be on our knees in prayer over the not-so-good choices our kids make. But if our worth is anchored in our child’s choices, their good choices will inflate our heads and their bad choices will deflate our hearts. And that is just no way to live.

More importantly, if our worth is anchored to our child’s choices, we better believe they feel the weight of it. It’s a pressure, a burden that they are not designed to carry. It’s too heavy. It will crush them. It is crushing them. Sadly, we have never seen a generation of kids who are more miserable than this one. Researchers have a slew of theories for why we are seeing so much misery among kids, but if you guessed that how we parent is one of them, you’re correct.

And it starts early. Take, for example, the grocery store scenario. We are mortified when our kids throw a temper tantrum in the checkout lane. Why? Because that must mean we’re a bad mom. It must mean we haven’t done everything we know to do to raise children who are well behaved and self-controlled. Right? It’s a silly example but worth noting how we, from very early on, need our kids to look awesome because we think that makes us look awesome.

Or how about the athletic field? There are few places we see parents piling the pressure onto their kids more than they do there.

Coaches and parents alike question the refs and umps, scream at the players, and throw profanity around like confetti. We’ve kinda lost our minds, and our kids crack under the pressure.

Could it be that we need our kids to succeed because that means we’re succeeding? Do we need our kids to be “good enough” because it means that we parents are “good enough?” Do we need our child to get “student of the month” because that must mean we are “parent of the month”?

Of course, some kids are just more prone to perfection-seeking than others. Such kids tend to create their own pressure, even if their parents are actively trying to relieve it. But often, we parents play a role in the pressure our kids feel, so we have to be willing to take an honest look at how we pile our own pressure onto our kids.

We parents aren’t the only ones linking accomplishment to acceptance and success to significance. Our kids are attempting to answer the question, Is who I am enough? by:

  • How well they perform on the field
  • How much they excel in school
  • How many likes they get on their Instagram feed
  • How well they behave for us

The primary message our children receive is that they’d better be the best at everything, and this leaves them afraid to reveal their inadequacies and insecurities—and hiding behind the best version of themselves. This leaves them longing for what all our hearts most crave:

  • to be known—truly and deeply known
  • to be accepted—for who they are, not who they wish they were
  • to be loved—with no strings attached

What we want is for our kids to feel what we ourselves long to feel. Safe. Safe to take off their masks and let down their guards. Safe to be as fragile as they feel, trusting they will remain loved just as they are, for exactly who they are.

So when the internal and external voices whisper lies to our children like, “You’re insignificant. You’re not enough. You’re not measuring up. You are a disappointment,” we want them to know, deep in their souls: The only One who gets to define you is the One who created you and He calls you a one-of-a-kind-masterpiece who is deeply known and completely loved, even on your worst day and even in your greatest failure.

But here’s the thing. To help our kids live in this freedom, we have to know this freedom for ourselves.

We have to go first. We have to get our own identities anchored in being fully known and accepted and loved by God first. And as we do, we will become emboldened and empowered to lead our under-pressure kids in doing the same.

Learning how to live in real freedom from the pressure you face, and leading your children in doing the same, is the message packed into my new book, “Mom Set Free”.

7Sep2017
Kids Health, Kids Health Guide
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September 7, 2017

Via OnHealth: Pinworms Symptoms, Treatments, and Medication

What Are Pinworms?


Pinworms are small, threadlike parasites that live in the colon and rectum of infected individuals. Pinworms are a species of roundworm (nematode) called Enterobius vermicularis. The worms are just a few millimeters long. Pinworm infections are the most common worm infection in the U.S.

Pinworms Symptoms

Pinworm infection symptoms usually range from mild to nonexistent. Adult female pinworms travel outside the body at night and lay eggs around the anus which may cause itching and discomfort. Nighttime symptoms can lead to irritability and sleep problems.

Pinworms in Children

Anyone can get pinworms, but the infection is most common in school-aged children. The infection often spreads to others in daycare, school, home, and other similar settings. Pinworm infection can be distressing but it is very common. It is estimated that more than 30% of children worldwide harbor pinworms.

Pinworms in Adults

Pinworms are frequently associated with children, but adults can get them, too. Parents may get pinworms from their infected children. Adults who work at daycare centers, schools, or with institutionalized people may become infected.

How Do Pinworms Spread?

Pinworms spread through a fecal-oral route of transmission. This refers to infectious agents in the GI tract passing from one person to another via contaminated objects and lack of proper hygiene (hand washing after using the restroom). People are newly infected by ingesting pinworm eggs that may be on countertops, shared food, bedding, clothing, and other objects. Children may ingest pinworm eggs by sucking on their fingers or thumbs. Pinworm eggs may also become airborne, inhaled, and swallowed, resulting in infection.

It is a common misconception that people can get pinworms from the family dog. While pet dogs and cats can harbor many types of parasites that can infect people, humans are the only host for pinworms.

Pinworms Life Cycle

Pinworm eggs hatch to release larvae which then grow into adult `worms. Adult female pinworms lay eggs on the skin around the anus. After a host ingests the eggs, larvae hatch when they reach the small intestine. The larvae mature into adult pinworms which then travel to the colon. Adult pinworms live about 2 months.

Pinworms Tape Test

Pinworms can be diagnosed based on symptoms and sometimes by seeing them with the naked eye. In other cases, a tape test may be done to collect and identify pinworm eggs under a microscope. The test involves wrapping a piece of cellophane tape, sticky side up, around a clean tongue depressor. The tape is then pressed on the skin around the anus as soon as the person with suspected worms wakes up. Do not bathe, use the restroom, or change clothing before doing the tape test so as to not disturb potential pinworm eggs. If possible, it is a good idea to obtain samples 3 days in a row to maximize the chance of identifying any eggs that are present.

Pinworms Treatment

Prescription and over-the-counter medications are available to treat pinworms. Mebendazole and albendazole are prescription medications for the treatment of pinworms, and pyrantel pamoate is available over- the- counter. The medications only kill adult pinworms so they must be given in two doses. The first dose kills existing adult pinworms, and the subsequent dose given 2 weeks later kills any new adults that have hatched from any remaining eggs. If multiple family members or children in a daycare or school setting are infected, it is best to treat everyone at the same time to minimize the chance of reinfection.

Pinworms Prevention

The best way to avoid getting pinworms is to practice rigorous good hygiene. Wash hands well using soap and warm water after using the restroom. Wash bedding, towels, and undergarments in hot water. Always wash hands before eating. Sanitize hard surfaces. Teach children about the importance of hand washing and dissuade them from biting their nails. Pinworm eggs may survive on surfaces for up to 2 to 3 weeks.

1Sep2017
Kids Health, Kids Health Guide
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September 1, 2017

Via Chinese Foot Reflexology: 6 Tips to Reduce Myopia (Nearsightedness) in Children

Does your child wear glasses? Are you concerned that their prescription keeps increasing every time they visit the eye doctor? You may have heard this is normal and there’s nothing that can be done, but that’s not true at all.

It IS possible to slow down the advancement of nearsightedness and even reverse it. Read on to learn 6 tips for reducing myopia (nearsightedness) in children. P.S. It works for grown-ups too!

Does your child wear glasses? Are you concerned that their prescription keeps increasing every time they visit the eye doctor? You may have heard this is normal and there’s nothing that can be done, but that’s not true at all.

It IS possible to slow down the advancement of nearsightedness and even reverse it. Read on to learn 6 tips for reducing myopia (nearsightedness) in children. P.S. It works for grown-ups too!

At my husband’s workplace, they have a newsgroup for parents. Recently, my husband forwarded me a post from a father who was concerned that his 10-year old son’s prescription kept increasing by 1.00 diopter every year. The father was worried about how high the prescription would be when his son grew up. The eye doctor told him to EXPECT it to continue getting stronger each year until his son stopped growing.

When my husband forwarded me the replies to this father’s message, my normally calm and cheery disposition was seriously ruffled. I was upset because every diopter of vision a child loses is a literal and metaphorical closing in of that child’s world. And it’s completely unnecessary.

Most of the parents told the father not to worry and that it was normal for his son’s prescription to continue increasing. I’m here to tell you that worsening vision is not normal. Healthy eyes are normal.

Many other parents suggested that once the son was a teenager, he could get contact lenses. Some parents suggested that he could also get laser surgery when he was 25.

To me, that is akin to telling someone whose child has early signs of type 2 diabetes to continue with his current diet and lifestyle, but then get insulin shots when necessary and eventually resort to dialysis when his kidneys fail.

That’s why when my husband sent me the newsgroup thread, I had to respond because I knew there was no reason why these children had to get stronger glasses. It is possible to stop and even reverse the progression of nearsightedness.

I know this because I started wearing glasses when I was 11. Those were the days when even a mild prescription would result in coke bottle lens glasses because ultra-thin lenses and contact lenses weren’t readily available. My vision got worse with each visit to the eye doctor and it progressed to the point where I was extremely nearsighted with severe astigmatism.

Three years ago, I ditched my contact lenses and made the decision to try naturally restoring my vision. It’s working!

I’ve reduced my prescription by 80% and soon I will no longer need glasses for computer work. I expect to be able to focus in the range of 20/20 in ideal lighting conditions within a year. Considering I wore glasses for over 30 years, I’d have to say that I’m definitely pleased with my progress.

It’s such a joy to see my world come into focus—to see my vision literally and metaphorically expand. That’s why I wanted to share my newsgroup response on this blog. If it helps just one child, one parent or one person to be inspired to make changes, then it will have been worth my time and effort.

I gave the newsgroup parents FIVE suggestions, but for you, my dear reader :), I’m including a bonus 6th item. It was too complicated to write instructions on practicing Chinese Reflexology in a newsgroup email, but it fits in perfectly with my blog :).

Here’s what I wrote…

How to Reduce Nearsightedness in Children

My prescription was as high as -6.75 with severe astigmatism, but I have reduced it by 40% and it continues to go down by approximately 0.25 diopters every 4 to 6 weeks. [Note: This number was based on a prescription that was measured 9 months prior to replying to the newsgroup. Since then, I’ve had my annual eye exam and my new prescription is an 80% reduction.] 

Eye doctors have told me this is impossible. People tell me it must be psychological or that it’s because of presbyopia (when people get older and need bifocals: for nearsighted people, this causes them to not need glasses for close work). However, this is not the case for me. I have physical evidence that my eyesight is improving

I kept all of my eye prescriptions for the past 20 years, but I started wearing glasses when I was 11, so I’m missing the prescriptions from my teenage years. However, I remember them because my parents made a big deal about my nearsightedness.

I started at -2.00, hit -3.50 at 13, then -4.50 at 16 and -5.25 in my late teens. Sometime in my early 20s was when I reached -6.25/-6.75. That was a momentous day because I had surpassed my father’s prescription which was -6.00 and that had been my greatest fear.

My optometrist confirms that my vision improvement is not due to presbyopia. My eyesight is improving because I actively do things to heal my vision. I have not had surgery nor have I worn Ortho K lenses. I’ve tried vision therapy, but only went for two sessions.

I do more than simply practice eye exercises. I take a holistic and natural approach to improving my eyesight. I don’t have to set aside any extra time for this because I’ve made vision improvement a way of living.

Here is the best advice I can offer you and your children:

  1. Get your kids to spend more time playing outside without wearing their glasses (at least half hour a day), preferably somewhere where they can see far away like a park vs. the backyard. This applies to adults too. You should be MOVING when you’re outside. Walking is good. Sitting on a camp chair is not as good, but it’s much better than sitting inside.
  2. Wear the minimum prescription that will enable you to meet legal requirements (e.g. driving is 20/40 in California – check for your state). For your kids, ask for the lowest prescription that the eye doctor is willing to prescribe (they tend to over-prescribe). Look for an optometrist who practices “natural vision therapy”. They are more likely to give a lower prescription.
  3. Stop saying things like “Your/my eyes are bad.” “You/I will need really strong glasses.” “Your/my eyes are getting worse.” Replace it with words such as, “Maybe your/my vision is stabilizing.” “Maybe it is possible for my eyes to improve.”
  4. Take off your glasses as much as possible (e.g. when eating, sitting with friends). Do not wear them unless you absolutely need to see something clearly that you can’t see without them.
  5. When working on the computer or doing close work, take breaks and look out a window or as far away in the distance as you can.

Seeing my vision improve dramatically over the past 3 years is an amazing gift. Every reduction of 0.75 diopters is like a new world opening up to me, one where I see my son’s face from across the kitchen table, where I don’t have to shell out $600 for high index lenses anymore because the regular ones are no longer too thick or too heavy, where I can see that I am only months away from using the computer without glasses, where I can read street signs that before were only a smear, and where 20/20 vision is not just a mirage but a real possibility.

It is freaking fantastic and I would love if everyone who wears glasses could experience what I am. However, the sad thing is that most people will never even TRY to improve their eyesight.

At the very least, please take some of this advice for your children so that they do not have to be cursed with severe nearsightedness like I was for over 30 years. While they may feel like they can’t see much, each diopter increase that you can avoid is a huge difference in terms of quality of life.

Tip #6 for My Blog Readers: Massage the Chinese Reflexology Point for the Eyes

There are a number of Chinese Reflexology and acupressure points that are beneficial for the eyes, but I’d have to write a small book here to describe them all. For the most bang for your buck, you can’t beat the Chinese Reflexology point for the eyes. Of all the points, it’s the easiest to locate and massage and it’s the one that offers the most benefit.

Nearsightedness occurs when the muscles in and around the eyes are tense and strained. Over time, this stretches the eyeball into an elongated shape which causes light rays entering the eye to focus in front of the retina instead of on the retina. This results in blurry vision, aka nearsightedness.

At the energy level, the muscle tension disrupts the smooth flow of Qi (energy) through the eyes. Over time, this results in a decrease of blood flowing to the area. The muscles and tendons become tight and “dry” when they are not nourished with an adequate supply of blood. This then perpetuates the worsening of vision. As well, the eyes and surrounding nerves do not get enough nourishment which also causes vision to deteriorate.

When you massage the Chinese Reflexology point for the eyes, you increase the flow of Qi and blood to the eyes. This helps the eyes receive adequate nourishment and the muscles and tendons to become “softer” and more flexible. As a result, it becomes easier for them to relax and over time, the eyeballs can return to their normal shape.

Locating the Eye Points

There are eye reflexology points located on both of your feet. They’re on the undersides of the feet, beneath the second and third toes. Think of it as a U-shaped area below your toe pads.

Interestingly (and confusingly) the energy meridians in your body cross over each other at your neck. Thus, the reflexology point for your LEFT eye is on your RIGHT foot. And conversely, the point for your right eye is on your left foot.

Massaging the Eye Points

BEFORE BEGINNING, IF YOU ARE NOT SURE WHETHER IT IS SAFE TO MASSAGE YOUR FEET, PLEASE ASK YOUR DOCTOR.

A reflexology stick enabled me to feel microscopic points of sensitivity on my toes and it also let me strongly massage areas that felt like peppercorn-sized rocks along the edges of my toes. It was excruciating, but very efficient in terms of clearing decades of blocked energy.

I generally advocate that people NOT use reflexology sticks unless they’ve been trained in how to use them properly because they very powerfully shift Qi and you don’t want to be massaging the wrong way as you can adversely affect the flow of Qi.

For kids, a reflexology stick is overkill. Instead, you can press and massage the eye reflexology points with your thumbs to clear stuck Qi.

Press and rub the U-shaped area on both feet in an up and down motion. Go slowly and press lightly. If a child wears glasses, the points may feel hard to the touch and/or feel sensitive.

I’d recommend starting out with 5 to 15 seconds at a time (per foot) and gradually increasing the pressure over the course of a few weeks. For children, always ask for permission to massage their feet and explain why you’re rubbing their feet. I recommend that you practice on yourself first so that you experience what it feels like and you gain confidence in locating and massaging these points.

Gradually build up the massage time until your kid will let you rub their feet for a minute and you want to massage for 60 seconds at least twice a week. Don’t try to rush things thinking that the more time you put in, the better the results. What’s more important is that your child look forward to having their feet rubbed.

That’s because Chinese Reflexology works best when it is practiced consistently over time. Change can be gradual and the longer a condition has been present, the longer it takes for the body to return to balance.

Sometimes you don’t even notice the improvement until months later because that’s when you finally realize an absence of the symptoms. Kids however tend to respond to energy healing really fast. So be persistent, practice Chinese Reflexology regularly and incorporate the other 5 tips to help halt the progression of your child’s myopia.

30Aug2017
Kids Health, Kids Health Guide
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August 30, 2017

Via Parenting Healthy Babies: Top 7 Causes for Child Vomiting

Your child throwing up suddenly can be alarming to you as a parent, particularly if you don’t understand what’s happening and why? You naturally want your child to be well always, so how can you help him? Well, by first understanding why he vomits and under what circumstances.

Causes of Child Vomiting

Children vomit due to many reasons, and in response to a wide range of situations. These range from milk allergies, to overeating or drinking fast, bad cough and cold, migraine, bladder infection, or eating rotten food. Let’s take a close look at the top causes for children vomiting:

1. Food poisoning

The symptoms of food poisoning are just like those of viral gastroenteritis. They could start within a few hours of eating spoiled food to a few days after. Sometimes, long-term medical conditions like digestive problems, celiac disease or lactose intolerance can cause chronic vomiting, randomly for months.

children vomiting, causes children vomiting, food poisoning, food allergies

2. Gastroenteritis

Gastroenteritis in kids is generally described as “stomach flu,” usually caused by a virus but sometimes by parasites and bacteria too. This stomach flu can lead to diarrhea which goes away in a maximum period of 48 hours. To avoid children getting stomach flu, they should wash their hands as often as possible.

3. Food allergies

When children react to certain foods, their immediate reaction is to vomit. Other reactions to food allergies are red and inflamed skin rash or urticaria, swollen faces, particularly near the lips, mouth and eyes.

4. Motion sickness

Children experience motion sickness when their inner ears sense motion but their eyes and joints don’t. This could cause children to vomit, lose their appetite, fatigue, cold sweat and an upset stomach.

5. Ear infections

When fluid builds up in the ear, it can cause vomiting and nausea, something akin to motion sickness. Usually, such ear infections heal by themselves, but if your child doesn’t improve after 48 hours, take your kid to the pediatrician.

6. Stress

Perhaps, your child has an important test or exam coming up that’s making him nervous? Children do express stress and tension by vomiting. Though it isn’t really serious, it’s worth mentioning to your doctor. Perhaps, he could suggest some coping strategies like meditation, guided imagery or breathing exercises.

7. Poison

If your child accidentally swallows something poisonous, it could make him vomit. If this happens with your child, don’t lose time. Contact your family doctor immediately and take your kid to the nearest Accident and Emergency department.

How to cope with child vomiting

For babies and toddlers:

  • If you’re a nursing mother, you should nurse your baby often. You should allow your baby to suckle you for a few minutes every 10 minutes.
  • If you breastfeed your baby, give him more feeds to re-hydrate him. How much extra fluid your baby needs depends on his age and size.
  • If your baby doesn’t get sufficient fluids from breast milk, perhaps your doctor can advise you to use an oral re-hydration liquid.

Children aged 1-11 years:

For children aged one and older, there are some time-tested ways of coping with vomiting:

  • Ensure your child drinks liquids often. If he sips liquids in small amounts but often, it will help him.
  • Let your child drink as much liquid as he wishes to have. Avoid giving him soda pop or child fruit juice as this contains a lot of sugar and insufficient amounts of electrolytes that are lost.
  • A mix of cereal and milk can help replace any lost essential fluids.
  • If your child still lacks sufficient fluids, you will need to try giving him an oral re-hydration solution (ORS).
  • In some time, begin giving your child regular and nutritious foods after six hours marked by no vomits.
  • If your child is old enough to eat solids and has been eating them till this incident, let him resume eating solid foods like toast, soup, mashed potatoes, bread and rice.
  • Avoid giving him high-fiber foods like beans, oats, fruits and sugary foods like ice cream or candy.

Conclusion

Treating your child who vomits for various reasons can be treated effectively by your family doctor or pediatrician. Now that you know the reasons for child vomiting, you will be better prepared to deal with his problem.

28Aug2017
Kids Health, Kids Health Guide
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August 28, 2017

Via Child and Youth Health: Bronchitis (‘chest infection’)

Many children, when they get a cold, also develop a cough. The most common cause of coughing is asthma, but the cough may be due to bronchitis.

This can be due to bronchitis, which is when the lining of the trachea and bronchi, (the tubes leading from the throat to the lungs), become reddened and swollen, and there is more mucus. Bronchitis is usually a mild illness in children. It is not possible to prevent bronchitis.

Alert!
Any child who is having difficulty breathing needs medical help as soon as possible.

What is bronchitis?

  • Bronchitis is usually caused by a viral infection of the bronchi, causing swelling and more mucus than usual. This causes a cough, and sometimes pain which is felt in the throat or upper chest when the child coughs.
  • It can occur as part of many infections such as a cold, flu, whooping cough or measles.
  • Children who are exposed to tobacco smoke are more at risk of catching colds and developing bronchitis. The chemicals in tobacco smoke irritate the eyes, nose and air passages.

Photo Credit: flickr/ anjanettew

Signs and symptoms of bronchitis

  • A child with bronchitis may have the usual signs of a cold including a runny nose, sore throat and mild fever, and then develop a cough.
  • The cough is often dry at first, then moist after a couple of days. A child with a ‘barking cough’ may have croup.
  • There may be a slight wheeze and a feeling of shortness of breath. However if a child is very wheezy and short of breath, the problem may be asthma or bronchiolitis in a young child, not bronchitis.
  • Children usually recover from bronchitis in 5 to 10 days.
  • Some children keep getting attacks of bronchitis or can get chronic (long lasting) bronchitis. This can be due to allergies, someone smoking around them or to other problems in the lungs.

What you can do

  • If the child seems unwell, check with a doctor to find out what the problem is. This is urgent if there are breathing problems.
  • Bronchitis in children is nearly always due to a virus and antibiotics don’t help.
  • Cough and cold medicines should not be given to children under 6 years of age.
  • Cough and cold medicines should only be given to children aged 6 to 11 years on the advice of a doctor, pharmacist or nurse practitioner.
  • A recent research study showed that for children over 2 years old a single dose of honey in the evening was more effective that a common cough medicine, and more effective than no treatment. Honey should not be given to babies under 1 year old as it may lead to a rare but very serious illness.
  • Steam (eg from the bathroom shower or a humidifier) can help the child feel more comfortable, but does not shorten the illness. Be aware of the risk of burns and scalds.
  • A child who has bronchitis may not eat as well as normal, but it is important to offer extra drinks. (See the topic ‘Feeling sick’ for more ideas). Older children may like a hot lemon and honey drink.
  • Keep your home and car smoke-free.
  • If the child does not start to get better within a couple of days, or starts to become sicker, see a doctor.
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