One of the many problems for children exposed to domestic violence, is that for some, it comes to be included amongst their own interpersonal management strategies.
Children exposed to domestic violence learn the use of violence as a strategy to mediate their needs and wants. They see the violence between their parents and how in many cases the violence advances the preferred outcome of the aggressor.
The violence comes in many forms visible to children. It may be through verbally abusive and demeaning language. It could be verbal threats of violence or physical gestures to intimate violence and thus intimidate. The violence may include throwing of objects and destruction of objects and in more extreme forms, it can include physical assault ranging from pushing, shoving and slapping to punching, kicking and strangulation. In the most physically dangerous of forms the violence can include the use of weapons. In so many cases, the violence is meant to assert one’s will over the will of another.
Although the majority of domestic abuse survivors are women, men often find themselves in abusive relationships as well. Sadly, men are less likely to step forward and get help during and after the relationship; the shame of having allowed oneself to be abused by a woman (or another man) is just too great in our culture. Even though I will be using male pronouns to refer to the abusive partner in this article for clarity’s sake, it is my hope that men in an intolerable situation will see themselves in the following paragraphs and find the strength to walk away.
Let me illustrate this with an example from my own family. My brother-in-law Steve showed up unexpectedly at my husband’s childhood home one summer morning last year with absolutely nothing but the clothes on his back and a junker pick-up truck with a completely empty tank of gas. He and his now ex-wife Gwen had moved away a year or two before, and no one knew where they were (she was isolating him from his family, one sure sign of an abusive relationship). Apparently he’d had a heart attack a few months ago, and, when he couldn’t work any more, Gwen started beating him on a pretty regular basis. The family found out later, after he’d come home and had some medical tests, that she was also overdosing him on his heart medication – overdosing enough to kill him, which was probably her intent (life insurance payments, you know).
How did he get away? He physically up and left. Gwen called every family member she could find (some to the point of harassment) trying to reach him. But my husband’s mother has an unlisted phone number, so Gwen never spoke to Steve. The space away from her gave him time to understand that the marriage wasn’t worth saving and that he had, in fact, been abused.
When you first met he was loving and kind. Now he’s abusive and evil. Too many women, and even men, end up in an abusive relationship with no clue as to how to handle it. You can handle an abusive relationship, with the main goal of getting out of it, with some strategic steps.
Signs That a Friend Is Being Abused
In addition to the signs listed above, here are some signs a friend might be being abused by a partner:
* unexplained bruises, broken bones, sprains, or marks
* excessive guilt or shame for no apparent reason
* secrecy or withdrawal from friends and family
* avoidance of school or social events with excuses that don’t seem to make any sense
A person who is being abused needs someone to hear and believe him or her. Maybe your friend is afraid to tell a parent because that will bring pressure to end the relationship. People who are abused often feel like it’s their fault — that they “asked for it” or that they don’t deserve any better. But abuse is never deserved. Help your friend understand that it is not his or her fault. Your friend is not a bad person. The person who is being abusive has a serious problem and needs professional help.
A friend who is being abused needs your patience, love, and understanding. Your friend also needs your encouragement to get help immediately from an adult, such as a parent, family member, or guidance counselor. Most of all, your friend needs you to listen without judging. It takes a lot of courage to admit being abused; let your friend know that you’re offering your full support.
For both men and women exposed to domestic violence in childhood, there is also a concern of desensitization when it comes to recognizing domestic violence in adulthood. In other words, they may only recognize certain behavior as violent when it reaches a threshold near their childhood experience. This means that while they may resist or object to violent behavior as experienced in childhood, they still may engage in, and/or tolerate violent behavior, not recognizing it as such, because it is less than experienced when young. The problem here is that no amount of violence is acceptable and all violence carries consequences. So even if the adult domestic violence is less than experienced in childhood, intimate relationships will still be problematic and exposure to the children will still be problematic.
If you were exposed to domestic violence in childhood, consider discussing your experience with a counselor knowledgeable in these matters. In discussing your childhood experiences it could be further helpful to explore current relationships and strategies for getting along and resolving differences. Exposure to domestic violence from childhood can have long-reaching consequences to adulthood. Hence we look to protect children in the present from such exposure to limit risks of their direct and immediate harm as well as their future intimate life.
Strep throat is most common in children between the ages of 5 and 15. Children younger than 5 can get strep throat, as can adults, but it is less common. Strep throat is very rare in children under 3, the streptococcus bacteria will usually affect a different part of the body in these children.
causes of throat infection
Viruses are the most common cause of throat infection in children and in adults. Many types of viruses are known to cause throat infection, and their symptoms may be difficult to distinguish from those of a bacterial infection.
Strep throat is diagnosed by a throat culture taken at your doctor’s office. This is called a rapid strep test and can usually give you results in about 5 to 10 minutes.
How is it treated?:
After you are diagnosed with strep throat, you will either be given a prescription for oral antibiotics or your doctor may give you a shot of antibiotics. If you take oral antibiotics, it is important to take all of the prescribed amount. If you do not take all of the antibiotics prescribed to you, the bacteria may become resistant to the antibiotics.
Symptoms of Strep Throat among the Kid populace
Strep throat symptoms in kids don’t quite differ from the ones which grown-ups experience; however there are a number of disparities because of age. In babies, the sign which possibly develops at the onset is yellowish/ greenish nasal emission.
It is noticed alongside lost craving for food & low-grade fever. It is most crucial to be aware of such symptoms as little ones couldn’t possibly be capable of telling what is actually troubling them. Tots experience sore throat firstly & they would notify adults regarding pains felt when they ingest foods. In bigger kids, high-grade fever often arises as compared to that noticed in babies & might even be complaining about discomfort felt in tonsil & throat areas, agonizing ingestion. Other signs & symptoms are analogous to the ones noted in the adult populace.
Rheumatic fever
Acute rheumatic fever is a known and serious complication of strep throat. It is thought that if the strep throat infection is untreated or inadequately treated by antibiotics, the bacteria remain in the tonsils and promote a persistent immune response from the body. Certain strains of the bacteria are more likely to cause this response. At times, this ongoing immune response may trigger the immune system to mistakenly attack other organs in the body including the joints (causing inflammation of the joints or arthritis) and the heart valves. The involvement of heart valves can cause damage of the heart valves and potential heart failure.
Treatment with appropriate antibiotics, even if started several days after the resolution of the infection, may prevent acute rheumatic fever. Fortunately, it is now uncommon in the current antibiotic era. Kidney problems
Theoretically, a similar immune process to acute rheumatic fever may involve the kidneys and result in kidney inflammation called glomerulonephritis (or post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis). There is however, no evidence to support the use of antibiotics to prevent this condition. Children under the age of seven are at the highest risk of developing this condition after an episode of strep throat. This condition is less common and less severe than rheumatic fever. It typically resolves spontaneously after a few weeks and generally does not lead to permanent kidney damage.
Turner syndrome (TS) is a medical disorder that affects about 1 in every 2,500 girls. Although researchers don’t know exactly what causes Turner syndrome, they do know that it’s the result of a problem with a girl’s chromosomes (pronounced: krow-muh-soamz).
Most girls are born with two X chromosomes, but girls with Turner syndrome are born with only one X chromosome or they are missing part of one X chromosome. The effects of the condition vary widely among girls with Turner syndrome. It all depends on how many of the body’s cells are affected by the changes to the X chromosome.
Girls with Turner syndrome are usually short in height. Girls with Turner syndrome who aren’t treated for short stature reach an average height of about 4 feet 7 inches (1.4 meters). The good news is that when Turner syndrome is diagnosed while a girl is still growing, she can be treated with growth hormones to help her grow taller.
In addition to growth problems, Turner syndrome prevents the ovaries from developing properly, which affects a girl’s sexual development and the ability to have children. Because the ovaries are responsible for making the hormones that control breast growth and menstruation, most girls with Turner syndrome will not go through all of the changes associated with puberty unless they get treatment for the condition. Nearly all girls with Turner syndrome will be infertile, or unable to become pregnant on their own.
What causes Turner syndrome?
Normally in reproduction, the egg cell of the mother and the sperm cell of the father start out with the usual number of 46 chromosomes. The egg and sperm cells undergo cell division where the 46 chromosomes are divided in half and the egg and the sperm cells end up with 23 chromosomes each. When a sperm with 23 chromosomes fertilizes an egg with 23 chromosomes, the baby ends up with a complete set of 46 chromosomes, half from the father and half from the mother.
Sometimes, an error occurs when an egg or sperm cell is forming, causing it to have a missing sex chromosome. When this cell fails to contribute a sex chromosome to the embryo, so that there is only one X sex chromosome, Turner syndrome results. Having a single copy of a particular chromosome, rather than the usual pair, is called “monosomy.” Turner syndrome is also known as “monosomy X.” The missing sex chromosome error can occur in either the mother’s egg cell or the father’s sperm cell; however, it is usually an error that occurred when the father’s sperm cell was forming. There is nothing known that a father could have done or not done which would have caused or prevented the sperm from having a missing sex chromosome. (The chance for Turner syndrome to occur is, therefore, not associated with the increasing age of the mother). The features of Turner syndrome result from having a missing X chromosome in each of the body’s cells.
Treatments, usually by a Pediatric Endocrinologist, may include growth hormone replacement, which can increase the final adult height in some children with Turner syndrome and/or treatments with anabolic steroids (oxandrolone). Other treatments include estrogen replacement at the appropriate age, but it is controversial as to when is the best time to start (early at 12-13 years of age vs. later at 14-15 years). Estrogen replacement can help your child to develop secondary sexual characteristics and have periods.
Growth Hormone
When and if to start growth hormone is a decision that is made between the parents and the pediatric endocrinologist. For many parents, it is a difficult decision because the injections are not just for a month, but you are making a commitment for years of injection therapy, as well as the monitoring every 3 – 4 months. For others who don’t have insurance coverage for the growth hormone, striving to find the funds or raise the funds to pay for this expensive drug becomes their goal. Some of the drug companies that make growth hormone will supply some for free, but this decision is made confidentially. Learning Differences
Most girls with Turner syndrome have normal intelligence. However, some have learning problems, and early consultation with a developmental pediatrician may help them.
Girls with TS can be screened to determine whether cognitive problems may affect their education. Also, a special battery of tests called psychoeducational evaluation can be used to identify specific problems. Your daughter’s doctor can help you determine whether this testing is appropriate for her.
The Turner Syndrome Society of the United States stresses the importance of assessing your daughter’s intellectual, learning, motor skills, and social maturity before enrolling her in kindergarten. If learning problems are identified, early preventive and intervention strategies, if needed, can help.
The birth control shot is a long-acting form of progesterone, a hormone that is naturally manufactured in the ovaries. The shot is given as an injection in the upper arm or in the buttocks once every 3 months to protect a female from becoming pregnant.
How Does the Birth Control Shot Work?
The hormone progesterone in the birth control shot primarily works by preventing ovulation (the release of an egg during the monthly cycle). If a female doesn’t ovulate, she cannot get pregnant because there is no egg to be fertilized.
How Well Does the Birth Control Shot Work?
The birth control shot is a very effective method of birth control. Over the course of a year, fewer than 3 out of 100 typical couples who use the birth control shot every 3 months will have an accidental pregnancy. The chance of getting pregnant increases if a girl waits longer than 3 months to receive her next shot.
Possible Side Effects
Many women who receive the birth control shot will notice a change in their periods. The other side effects that some women have include:
* irregular or no menstrual periods
* weight gain, headaches, and breast tenderness
* depression
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a safety warning with regard to the use of the long-acting progesterone shot. Studies link this shot to a loss of bone density in women, although bone density may recover when a woman is no longer getting the shot.
Doctors are not sure how this type of shot may affect the bone density of adolescent girls in the future, though. Young women who are considering the shot as a method of birth control should talk to their doctors about it and make sure that they get enough calcium each day. Women who smoke should be sure to let their doctors know because smoking may be connected to this bone density loss.
How Much Does the Birth Control Shot Cost?
Each injection (3 months’ worth of birth control) costs about $60. Many health insurance plans cover the cost of birth control shots, as well as the cost of the doctor’s visit. Family planning clinics (such as Planned Parenthood) may charge less. Who Uses It?
Every method of birth control should be considered in light of what works for the individual. Young women who have a hard time remembering to take birth control pills and who want extremely good protection against pregnancy use the birth control shot. Also, nursing mothers can use the birth control shot.
Not all women can — or should — use the birth control shot. In some cases, medical or other conditions make the use of the shot less effective or more risky. For example, it is not recommended for women who have had blood clots, certain types of cancers, or certain types of migraine headaches. Girls who have had unexplained vaginal bleeding (bleeding that is not during their periods) or who suspect they may be pregnant should talk to their doctors.
Separation anxiety can hit at any stage of child development. Maybe your 9-month old baby suddenly wails when you leave for work, or your 2-year old child sobs during daycare drop off. Even older children may balk at being left with a babysitter on Saturday night. One thing’s for sure — separation anxiety is emotionally draining for working moms and their children.
It’s natural for your young child to feel anxious when you say goodbye. Although it can be difficult, separation anxiety is a normal stage of development. With understanding, patience, and coping strategies, it can be relieved—and should fade as your child gets older.
In some children, however, fears about separation seem to only intensify as time passes, or to resurface out of the blue. If anxieties are persistent and excessive enough to get in the way of school or other activities, it is possible that your child has separation anxiety disorder. Unlike normal separation anxiety, this condition may require the support of a professional—but there is also a lot that you as a parent can do to help. How Separation Anxiety Develops
Babies adapt pretty well to other caregivers. Parents probably feel more anxiety about being separated than infants do! As long as their needs are being met, most babies younger than 6 months adjust easily to other people.
Sometime between 4-7 months, babies develop a sense of object permanence and begin to learn that things and people exist even when they’re out of sight. This is when babies start playing the “dropsy” game — dropping things over the side of the high chair and expecting an adult to retrieve it (which, once retrieved, get dropped again!).
The same thing occurs with a parent. Babies realize that there’s only mom or dad, and when they can’t see you, that means you’ve gone away. And most don’t yet yet understand the concept of time so do not know if or when you’ll come back.
Whether you’re in the kitchen, in the next bedroom, or at the office, it’s all the same to your baby. You’ve disappeared, and your child will do whatever he or she can to prevent this from happening.
Separation Anxiety Disorder: Getting Help for Your Child
The good news is there are many ways to help a child who has separation anxiety disorder. Consider these options:
* Give them coping skills. Teaching kids skills to handle their anxious thoughts can be helpful. “Even very young kids can learn simple affirmations like ‘I will be okay,’ ‘I am safe,’ and ‘No big deal,’ as well as simple breathing exercises — breathe in slowly through the nose, out through the mouth,” says Pastyrnak.
* Set the right example. Parents may be influencing their child’s anxieties. “Behind most children with a separation anxiety disorder is a parent who cannot allow the child to separate,” says Vivian K. Friedman, PhD, a child-adolescent psychologist and professor at the University of Alabama School of Medicine. “Don’t use your children to meet your own need for companionship, and don’t project your own fears onto your children.”
* Provide reassurance. Let your child realize that there’s nothing to worry about. “It’s important for parents to help their kids continue to experience safe periods of separation rather than always adjusting their lifestyle to avoid it,” says Pastyrnak.
* Consider therapy. If your child’s anxiety is affecting his or her quality of life, then consider visiting a qualified child psychologist or other mental health professional. “Seek therapy for both the parent and child. Each has his own anxiety and possibly depression,” says Friedman. Making Goodbyes Easier
These strategies can help ease kids and parents through this difficult period:
* Timing is everything. Try not to start day care or child care with an unfamiliar person when your little one is between the ages of 8 months and 1 year, when separation anxiety is first likely to appear. Also, try not to leave when your child is likely to be tired, hungry, or restless. If at all possible, schedule your departures for after naps and mealtimes.
* Practice. Practice being apart from each other, and introduce new people and places gradually. If you’re planning to leave your child with a relative or a new babysitter, then invite that person over in advance so they can spend time together while you’re in the room. If your child is starting at a new day care center or preschool, make a few visits there together before a full-time schedule begins. Practice leaving your child with a caregiver for short periods of time so that he or she can get used to being away from you.
* Be calm and consistent. Create a exit ritual during which you say a pleasant, loving, and firm goodbye. Stay calm and show confidence in your child. Reassure him or her that you’ll be back — and explain how long it will be until you return using concepts kids will understand (such as after lunch) because your child can’t yet understand time. Give him or her your full attention when you say goodbye, and when you say you’re leaving, mean it; coming back will only make things worse.
* Follow through on promises. It’s important to make sure that you return when you have promised to. This is critical — this is how your child will develop the confidence that he or she can make it through the time apart.
The endocrine system consists of many small organs responsible for the release of hormones. The endocrine system regulates metabolism, growth and development, tissue function and mood. The Endocrine System Web Guide provides resources for teaching the system and study materials for students.
Although we rarely think about the endocrine system, it influences almost every cell, organ, and function of our bodies. The endocrine system is instrumental in regulating mood, growth and development, tissue function, metabolism, and sexual function and reproductive processes.
In general, the endocrine system is in charge of body processes that happen slowly, such as cell growth. Faster processes like breathing and body movement are controlled by the nervous system. But even though the nervous system and endocrine system are separate systems, they often work together to help the body function properly.
The foundations of the endocrine system are the hormones and glands. As the body’s chemical messengers, hormones (pronounced: hor-moanz) transfer information and instructions from one set of cells to another. Many different hormones move through the bloodstream, but each type of hormone is designed to affect only certain cells.
The foundations of the endocrine system are the hormones and glands. As the body’s chemical messengers, hormones transfer information and instructions from one set of cells to another. Although many different hormones circulate throughout the bloodstream, each one affects only the cells that are genetically programmed to receive and respond to its message. Hormone levels can be influenced by factors such as stress, infection, and changes in the balance of fluid and minerals in blood.
A gland is a group of cells that produces and secretes, or gives off, chemicals. A gland selects and removes materials from the blood, processes them, and secretes the finished chemical product for use somewhere in the body. Some types of glands release their secretions in specific areas. For instance, exocrine glands, such as the sweat and salivary glands, release secretions in the skin or inside of the mouth. Endocrine glands, on the other hand, release more than 20 major hormones directly into the bloodstream where they can be transported to cells in other parts of the body.
Problems With the Endocrine System
Too much or too little of any hormone can be harmful to the body. For example, if the pituitary gland produces too much growth hormone, a child may grow excessively tall. If it produces too little, a child may be abnormally short.
Controlling the production of or replacing specific hormones can treat many endocrine disorders in children and adolescents, some of which include:
Adrenal insufficiency. This condition is characterized by decreased function of the adrenal cortex and the consequent underproduction of adrenal corticosteroid hormones. The symptoms of adrenal insufficiency may include weakness, fatigue, abdominal pain, nausea, dehydration, and skin changes. Doctors treat adrenal insufficiency by giving replacement corticosteroid hormones.
Cushing syndrome. Excessive amounts of glucocorticoid hormones in the body can lead to Cushing syndrome. In children, it most often results when a child takes large doses of synthetic corticosteroid drugs (such as prednisone) to treat autoimmune diseases such as lupus. If the condition is due to a tumor in the pituitary gland that produces excessive amounts of corticotropin and stimulates the adrenals to overproduce corticosteroids, it’s known as Cushing disease. Symptoms may take years to develop and include obesity, growth failure, muscle weakness, easy bruising of the skin, acne, high blood pressure, and psychological changes. Depending on the specific cause, doctors may treat this condition with surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or drugs that block the production of hormones.
Jaundice, or yellowing skin, occurs in almost half of all babies. It is usually treated by frequent feedings and the use of bilirubin lights in severe cases. Your doctor will be able to tell if treatments is necessary by examining your baby or doing a blood test. Infant Jaundice Symptoms
Generally, symptoms of jaundice become visible in the second or fourth day of life of an infant or a kid. It starts with yellow skin coloration of the eyes and face of an infant. As jaundice progresses, yellow discoloration may start affecting the skin of the arms, legs, chest and abdomen. Even the stool of the infant can become yellowish brown or pale and so is his urine, which can turn yellow.
One way to check kid’s jaundice is to press a finger gently on his forehead. After pressing, if the skin looks yellow, he is likely to have jaundice. You may immediately want to contact with a child specialist. On the other hand, if the skin just looks pale, you have nothing to worry.
If your baby is yellow on his face and upper part of his chest, then you may place him in front of a window for ten to fifteen minutes 3-4 times each day. The sunlight (and ultraviolet light if it is cloudy) helps to convert the bilirubin that makes his skin yellow into another substance that can pass in the urine.
A common condition in newborns, jaundice refers to the yellow color of the skin and whites of the eyes caused by excess bilirubin in the blood. Bilirubin is produced by the normal breakdown of red blood cells.
Normally, bilirubin passes through the liver and is excreted as bile through the intestines. Jaundice occurs when bilirubin builds up faster than a newborn’s liver can break it down and pass it from the body. Reasons for this include:
* Newborns make more bilirubin than adults do since they have more turnover of red blood cells.
* A newborn baby’s still-developing liver may not yet be able to remove adequate bilirubin from the blood.
* Too large an amount of bilirubin is reabsorbed from the intestines before the baby gets rid of it in the stool.
What causes jaundice in newborns?
Jaundice occurs because your baby’s body has more bilirubin than it can get rid of. Bilirubin is made when the body breaks down old red blood cells. It leaves the body through urine and stool. During pregnancy, your body removes bilirubin from your baby through the placenta. After birth, your baby’s body must get rid of the bilirubin on its own.
Breast-fed newborns can become dehydrated easily if feedings are spaced too far apart. This lack of enough milk in the body makes it harder for your baby to get rid of wastes such as bilirubin. Also, some of the things that make up breast milk can change the way the body removes bilirubin.
In rare cases, too much bilirubin may be caused by infections, a problem with the baby’s digestive system, or a problem with the mom’s and baby’s blood types (Rh incompatibility). Your baby may have one of these problems if jaundice appears less than a day after birth
* Phototherapy (Light Therapy): It is the most common treatment. Under phototherapy, the baby is worn protective eye patches and diaper and is exposed to intense blue-green light. The light breaks the bilirubin molecules so as to excrete them through urine and stool. Phototherapy is a continuous treatment and the baby is given breaks only for feeding.
* Intravenous Immunoglobulin: Sometimes, incompatibility with mother’s blood can also cause jaundice in newborns. When this happens, blood of the kid carries mother’s antibodies that result in breakdown of red blood cells in infants. In such a case, intravenous transfusion of immunoglobulin can bring the bilirubin level down.
* Exchange Blood Transfusion: In rare cases, small amounts of blood are taken out repeatedly from the baby. This dilutes out the concentration of maternal antibodies and bilirubin. Then transfused blood is supplied into the baby.
Head lice are a common, controversial and frustrating problem for parents. But the controversy isn’t only about how they got infected with head lice, but also revolves around how they are going to get rid of the head lice.
On one side of the debate are the people who believe that head lice have developed resistance to regular lice treatments, so that they no longer work. Other experts believe that lice resistance is not a big problem, and head lice treatment failures are because parents don’t remove the nits or that the child was misdiagnosed in the first place.
Lice eggs (called nits). These look like tiny yellow, tan, or brown dots before they hatch. After hatching, the remaining shell looks white or clear. Lice lay nits on hair shafts close to the skin’s surface, where the temperature is perfect for keeping warm until they hatch. Nits look sort of like dandruff, only they can’t be removed by brushing or shaking them off. Unless the infestation is heavy, it’s more common to see nits in a child’s hair than it is to see live lice crawling on the scalp. Lice eggs hatch within 1 to 2 weeks after they’re laid.
Adult lice and nymphs (baby lice). The adult louse is no bigger than a sesame seed and is grayish-white or tan. Nymphs are smaller and become adult lice about 1 to 2 weeks after they hatch. Most lice feed on blood several times a day, but they can survive up to 2 days off the scalp.
Scratching. With lice bites come itching and scratching. However, the itching may not always start right away — that depends on how sensitive your child’s skin is to the lice. It can sometimes take weeks for kids with lice to start scratching. They may complain, though, of things moving around on or tickling their heads.
Small, red bumps or sores from scratching. For some kids, the irritation is mild; for others, a more bothersome rash may develop. Excessive scratching can lead to a bacterial infection (the skin would become red and tender and may have crusting and oozing along with swollen lymph glands). If your doctor thinks this is the case, he or she may treat the infection with an oral antibiotic.
How to avoid head lice
Simply put, you can do everything right and your family could still end up with lice. And of course, head lice have nothing to do with hygiene or income level; anyone can get them. The most common route of transmission is head to head contact, such as two kids bending over the same coloring book. Because lice can’t live long off the scalp, it’s much harder, but not impossible, for lice to be spread by sharing hats, brushes, hair accessories and combs. Still, it’s a good idea not to share these items.
In your efforts to get rid of the bugs, there are some things you shouldn’t do. Some don’ts of head lice treatment include:
* Don’t use a hair dryer on your child’s hair after applying any of the currently available scalp treatments because some contain flammable ingredients.
* Don’t use a cream rinse or shampoo/conditioner combination before applying lice medication.
* Don’t wash your child’s hair for 1 to 2 days after using a medicated treatment.
* Don’t use sprays or hire a pest control company to try to get rid of the lice, as they can be harmful.
* Don’t use the same medication more than three times on one person. If it doesn’t seem to be working, your doctor may recommend another medication.
* Don’t use more than one head lice medication at a time.
Treatments
* Some people use home remedies such as mayonnaise, petroleum jelly, olive oil, vinegar or margarine. Although these products may make it hard for lice to breathe, they probably won’t kill them.
* There is very little evidence that wet combing works (removing lice by combing wet hair with a fine-tooth comb).
* There is no evidence that products such as tea tree oil or aromatherapy work to treat head lice.
* Never use gasoline or kerosene. These products can be extremely dangerous.
Shampoos and lotions. Medicated shampoos or lotions (known as pediculicides because they contain a pesticide to kill the lice) are the most common treatment. It’s very important to follow the treatment directions exactly. Most will require a follow-up application seven to 10 days later.
The most common over-the-counter products contain permethrin (eg Nix and Kwell), which is the treatment of choice recommended by the AAP; or pyrethrin plus piperonyl butoxide (eg RID, A-200, R&C, Pronto and Clear Lice System) which is similar to permethrin, but should not be used by people with allergies to chrysanthemums. Scalp irritation is a common side effect. Some lice have become resistant to some pesticides. If you’re pregnant or nursing, consult your doctor before using these products, and they can’t be used on kids under age 2. Only treat your kids if they have lice, not as a preventative measure.
Home remedies. Some people have tried home remedies, such as covering the scalp with petroleum jelly, olive oil, mayonnaise or large amounts of conditioner in order to “smother” the lice and nits, or antiseptics like tea tree oil products, but these methods have not been evaluated by medical trials. However, a study published in the journal Pediatrics found that a scalp treatment that involved specific steps with the facial cleanser Cetaphil was effective, find details here. Never use gasoline, kerosene, pet shampoos, WD-40 or other dangerous products.
Speech-language therapy is the treatment for most kids with speech and/or language disorders. A speech disorder refers to a problem with the actual production of sounds, whereas a language disorder refers to a difficulty understanding or putting words together to communicate ideas.
Speech therapists help people of all ages with different speech and language disorders. Here are some of them:
Articulation (say: ar-tih-kyuh-lay-shun) disorders: If a kid has trouble saying certain sounds or saying words correctly, it’s called an articulation disorder. “Run” might come out as “won.” Or “say” may sound like “thay.” Lisps are considered articulation disorders.
Fluency (say: floo-en-see) disorders: If a kid repeats certain sounds and has trouble saying the complete word, he or she may have fluency disorder. For example, a kid trying to say “story” might get stuck on the “st” and say “st-st-st-story.” Or he or she might draw out certain sounds and say “ssssssstory.” A stutter is a fluency disorder.
Resonance (say: reh-zun-unts) or voice disorders: A kid might have a voice disorder if people have trouble understanding him or her. The kids might start a sentence loud and clear, but it’s quiet and mumbling by the end. Sometimes these kids sound like they have a cold or like they’re talking through their noses.
Language disorders: A kid who has trouble understanding people or has trouble putting words together to express thoughts might have a language disorder.
Evaluations
When parents are alerted to a possible problem with their child’s speech development, either by their child’s doctor, teacher, or simply through parental observation, an assessment by a speech-language pathologist is the first step to take. During the evaluation, the speech-language pathologist not only observes the child, but will utilise a series of standardised tests to asses their current level of accomplishment and compare it to the expectations for the child’s age. Additionally, the pathologist will also make observations as to what the child understands (receptive language), what he can say (expressive language), the child’s use of non verbal communications (pointing, nodding, etc.) and his oral-motor status. Oral-motor status involves assessing the mouth not only in its capability for speech, but also in its usage for eating and swallowing.
Causes for Speech and Language Delays
Children’s speech and language development is influenced by many factors. Physical development, auditory (hearing) health, and habits are all involved in a child’s ability to speak, listen, and take direction well. While children may require speech therapy for a number of different speech and language related problems, each with their own causes, some of the most common are:
* Poor Habits: When children begin speaking, it is common for them to make a multitude of errors in pronunciation. If left uncorrected, these tendencies to mispronounce words can become a habit that is hard to break.
* Learning Delays: Some children have difficulty learning the meanings of new words and how to use language appropriately. Speech therapy can help children in this area.
* Hearing Loss: Children learn to talk by listening to and imitating the speech of others. When hearing is limited, delays in speech development are likely. When to Test
If you suspect that your child may have a speech issue, ask your pediatrician for a referral to a speech pathologist. They will do an official evaluation and test the child. Evaluations don’t mean a cold room and an endless battery of difficult questions – speech tests are generally conducted with toys and games, and sometimes the parent can stay in the room or observe through a one-way mirror. Areas of testing range from physical skills to vocabulary and grammar knowledge. Parents are usually told the results quite quickly and a written report typically follows within a week.
A good speech therapist can help your child make large gains. But you can help, too. Your child will probably be given a bit of “homework” – articulation exercises to practice with a parent each day. It takes time, no doubt about it. But in the case of our daughter, the benefits have been loud and clear… her “river of words” just keep on flowing and we are grateful for the help we’ve received along the way.
Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is a pattern of mental and physical defects that can develop in a fetus when a woman drinks alcohol during pregnancy. The timing and frequency of alcohol consumption during pregnancy are major factors in the risk of a child developing fetal alcohol syndrome. While the ingestion of alcohol does not always result in FAS, there are no medically established guidelines for safe levels of alcohol consumption during pregnancy.[citation needed] The current recommendation of both the Surgeon General of the United States and the British Department of Health is to drink no alcohol at all during pregnancy.
Alcohol crosses the placental barrier and can stunt fetal growth or weight, create distinctive facial stigmata, damage neurons and brain structures, which can result in psychological or behavioral problems, and cause other physical damage. Surveys found that in the United States, 10–15% of pregnant women report having recently used alcohol, and up to 30% use alcohol at some point during pregnancy. Cause and Prevention of FASD
FASDs are caused by a woman drinking alcohol during pregnancy. There is no known amount of alcohol that is safe to drink while pregnant. There is also no safe time to drink during pregnancy and no safe kind of alcohol to drink while pregnant.
Signs and Symptoms of FASD
FASDs refer to the whole range of effects that can happen to a person whose mother drank alcohol during pregnancy. These conditions can affect each person in different ways, and can range from mild to severe.
A person with an FASD might have:
* Abnormal facial features, such as a smooth ridge between the nose and upper lip (this ridge is called the philtrum)
* Small head size
* Shorter-than-average height
* Low body weight
* Poor coordination
* Hyperactive behavior
* Difficulty paying attention
* Poor memory
* Difficulty in school (especially with math)
* Learning disabilities
* Speech and language delays
* Intellectual disability or low IQ
* Poor reasoning and judgment skills
* Sleep and sucking problems as a baby
* Vision or hearing problems
* Problems with the heart, kidneys, or bones
Diagnosing Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
Healthcare professionals look for the following signs and symptoms when diagnosing FAS:
* Smooth ridge between the nose and upper lip (smooth philtrum)
* Thin upper lip
* Short distance between the inner and outer corners of the eyes, giving the eyes a wide-spaced appearance.
Growth problems
Children with FAS have height, weight, or both that are lower than normal (at or below the 10th percentile). These growth issues might occur even before birth. For some children with FAS, growth problems resolve themselves early in life.
No evidence exists that can determine exactly how much alcohol ingestion will produce birth defects. Individual women process alcohol differently. Other factors vary the results, too, such as the age of the mother, the timing and regularity of the alcohol ingestion, and whether the mother has eaten any food while drinking.
Although full-blown FAS is the result of chronic alcohol use during pregnancy, FAE and ARND may occur with only occasional or binge drinking.
Because alcohol easily passes the placental barrier and the fetus is less equipped to eliminate alcohol than its mother, the fetus tends to receive a high concentration of alcohol, which lingers longer than it would in the mother’s system.
Mothers who drink during the first trimester of pregnancy have kids with the most severe problems because that is when the brain is developing. The connections in the baby’s brain don’t get made properly when alcohol is present. Of course, in the early months, many women don’t even know they’re pregnant.
