18 OCTOBER 4, 2018 RIDGEWOOD TIMES WWW.QNS.COM
EDUCATION
How to spot and treat 4 common children's health Issues
From a cough that won't go away
to a sore throat they caught from
the classroom, children and their
vulnerable immune systems can fall
victim to common illnesses quicker
and more oft en than adults. However,
while these health issues are typical, it
is not always easy to identify what they
are when symptoms strike.
According to pediatric doctor Dr. Nina
Shapiro, an important part in understanding
a child's symptoms is also being
prepared to help fi ght back with the
right tools at home and to know when
it's time to bring them to see a doctor.
Alleviating some of the uncomfortable
symptoms at the fi rst signs of sickness
or discomfort will help your child get
back to being a kid faster and can aid
their long-term health. When pain
and discomfort do strike, knowing
the signs and symptoms of some of
these common problems can help
determine the best course of action.
1. EAR PAIN
Ear pain can be caused by myriad issues,
including swimmer's ear, an existing cold,
an ear infection or tooth pain traveling
up the jawline, among other things. An
over-the-counter pain reliever, elevating
the child's head when sleeping and a warm
compress on the ear may help lessen the
discomfort. However, if the pain continues
to worsen, is accompanied by a high fever
and/or swelling and pus exists, the best
option is to visit a pediatrician for an in-office
exam to determine the exact cause.
2. CONSTIPATION
According to a recent survey commissioned
by Pedia-Lax, nearly 45 percent
of parents with children between ages
2 and 11 noted their children experience
constipation at least once a month. Recognizing
the symptoms of constipation
can be tricky depending on the child's
age - especially if they can't voice their
issue. Luckily, there are physical and
emotional symptoms to look out for,
including less than three bowel movements
a week, stomachaches, a decrease
in appetite and increased irritability.
When it comes to treating constipation,
not all options are created equal. Shapiro
suggests opting for a medicine that's
formulated specifi cally for children
versus an adult formula. Pedia-Lax is
the only pediatric brand that off ers a
full line of laxative products that are
fast, safe and specifi cally made for kids
to help support digestive health and
ease constipation. To help prevent constipation,
encourage your child to eat a
well-balanced, fi ber-rich diet, drink lots
of fl uids and speak up whenever they
feel they need to use the restroom.
3. HAND, FOOT AND
MOUTH DISEASE
Hand, foot and mouth disease is a pesky,
highly contagious illness often seen in
young children - especially during the
beginning of the school year when children
are back inside in close quarters. It is
caused by a virus similar to the cold virus
and, as the name suggests, can involve the
hands (primarily the palms), the feet (primarily
the soles) and the mouth. Telltale
signs are sore throat due to sores on the
palate and the lips, sores on the palms
and sores on the feet. In general, the
throat sores tend to give the worst of the
symptoms, leading to inability to swallow,
severe throat pain and fevers. Kids that refuse
to eat or drink due to throat pain can
be at risk for dehydration. The treatment
plan includes pain medications, drinking
cool liquids and rest.
4. PINK EYE
From the bus to the classroom to the
playground, children oft en spend a lot of
time in close quarters with their friends.
While sharing is an important lesson to
learn at a young age, kids will oft en, unfortunately,
share their germs too. Pink
eye is commonly spread through handto
hand contact, which can transport the
highly contagious virus and occasionally
a bacterium to the eyes. While symptoms
like itchy and watery eyes could
be mistaken for allergies, watch out for
increased yellow or green discharge and
a change in color to the whites of the eye,
which may indicate pink eye. Over-thecounter
eye drops and a warm compress
on the eyes can help soothe the irritation
at home but, given how fast the virus can
spread to family and friends, it's always
best to head to a doctor for medication.
Sometimes doctors will prescribe an antibiotic
eyedrop if the infection appears
to be bacterial and not viral.
When sickness strikes, it's important
to be armed and ready with not
only the knowledge of the common
symptoms of these pediatric health
issues, but also the best treatment
options so your child can get back to
the playground in no time. For more
information on children's digestive
health, visit Pedia-lax.com.
Courtesy BPT