School Age Health
Health concerns today are so vastly different from what they were 50 years ago. Childhood obesity and overweight is on the rise, as is the incidence of type 2 diabetes in children. This is why it is so important to make sure your children get enough exercise. Another increasingly common but preventable problem in children is hearing loss; pneumonia is another common condition in schoolage children that can have serious consequences.
You may think that, since your child is just, well, a child, they have no reason to be concerned about dieting or their body image. Yet, an increasing number of school age children already understand the difference of what it means to be "thin" and "fat" in our society. Girls as young as 9 are going on diets and children even younger have begun to worry about their weight. Learn how to talk to your child about their body image as well as what signs to watch out for when it comes to eating disorders in Anorexia, Bulimia and Your Child.
Noticed that your kids are busy scratching their heads - and it's not because they can't figure out their homework! They could have head lice. Don't panic. This is very common with school age children and we have some quick and easy suggestions for head lice treatment. Kids can pick up all sorts of other things at school and from their siblings including strep throat, scabies, ringworm, pinworms and fifth disease. Here's something else that can be picked up outside the home, especially at pools and public showers: toenail fungus.
In addition, diabetes, and in particular Type I Diabetes and Type II Diabetes, is commonly diagnosed in children and teens. Learn about the symptoms of diabetes in children as well as different treatment options for kids with type I and type II diabetes.
Our changing environment also offers more dangers such as stronger sun and sunburn. Learn some sun safety tips to protect your child.
A recent disease that has caused much concern among parents is bird (avian) flu. Learn about how much of a risk bird flu is to your children, what you can do to minimize exposure, as well as the symptoms of bird flu.
Children are also especially at risk for getting mononucleosis, an illness that causes severe fatigue and sore throat. If you notice you child is very tired, you might want to check out some methods for treating mononucleosis. A more serious infection that kids are also at high risk for is bronchitis.
When your child gets sick, many parents instinctively want to go for the asprin, but you shouldn't! Administering aspirin to a child under 19 years of age can lead to Reye's Syndrome, a serious and potentially fatal illness.
Unlike night terrors, nightmares can seem all too real to your child. Not to mention those things that go bump in the night. Find out what you can do help your little one get a good night's sleep.
While bringing your child to the emergency room can be a scary time, being prepared for emergency room visits and knowing what to expect can help minimize worry for both you and your child. Learn about what situations require emergency care and how to reduce distress related to visiting the emergency room with your child.
