Posted in Category : Child Health | October 27, 2010

Type 1 Diabetes in Children

A condition in which a child’s pancreas cannot produce the insulin required for functioning and survival is known as type 1 diabetes in children. This condition is also known as insulin-dependent diabetes in children, or juvenile diabetes. The diagnosis of type 1 diabetes in children can be quite overwhelming, not just for the child, but also for the parents. This is because the condition requires long term care and many lifestyle changes would also need to be made. This means that for the rest of his or her life, the child will need to take insulin injections, count carbs and monitor the level of sugar in the blood. However, with the recent advances that have been made, delivering insulin and monitoring blood sugar is no longer a painful task. Hence, children who have been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes can also lead long, healthy and active lives.

Type 1 Diabetes Symptoms

The symptoms for type 1 diabetes in children usually develop within a couple of weeks. The signs that could be an indication of type 1 diabetes in children are:

  • Frequent urination and increase in thirst
  • Increase in appetite
  • Weight loss in spite of the appetite increase
  • Fatigue and lethargy
  • Moodiness and irritability
  • Vision problems, especially blurriness
  • Yeast infections (only in girls)

If any of the above type 1 diabetes symptoms are noticed in children, certain screening tests may be conducted, to check for type 1 diabetes.

Type 1 Diabetes Cure

Research to find a type 1 diabetes cure is still on. However, unfortunately there is no way to cure type 1 diabetes in children or adults. Moreover, this condition requires lifelong treatment and commitment. Diabetes treatment plans for maintaining healthy levels of blood sugar keep changing, based on the age of the child. In order to keep this condition in control, the steps that should be followed are:

  • Monitoring blood sugar regularly
  • Continuous glucose monitoring
  • Taking insulin injections (regular insulin, rapid insulin, long acting insulin & intermediate acting insulin)
  • Following a special type 1 diabetes diet that consists of frequent meals, taken at the right time. The foods included in this diet should help reduce blood sugar levels in the body
  • Getting adequate physical exercise

In type 1 diabetes in children, there are times when a child’s blood sugar levels fall below the normal range, because of factors like injecting additional insulin, skipping a meal, and so on. However, this can be quite dangerous too. Hence it is important to consult a doctor immediately, if the child’s blood sugar goes too high or even too low.

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Posted in Category : Natural Cures |

Swimmers Itch Cure

Swimmer’s itch can be described as an itchy rash, which occurs due to contact with certain parasites that generally reside on freshwater snails and waterfowl. These parasites are generally released into freshwater ponds and lakes on warm days. When people go swimming in infested water, the parasites could burrow into their skin and cause a swimmers itch. In spite of the fact that the swimmer’s itch could cause a lot of discomfort, it is hardly ever a serious condition. Moreover, most cases of swimmer’s itch do not last for more than a week, as humans are not the most suitable hosts for these parasites. Hence the parasites generally die within a week, even if no swimmers itch cure or treatment options are used. There are very few instances where the swimmers itch may be severe.

Swimmer’s Itch Symptoms

There are two main symptoms that are associated with a mild case of swimmers itch. The first one is itchiness on the skin and the second is a red rash, which is generally raised. These signs are generally only seen on that portion of skin that was in direct contact with the water. So the part of the skin that was covered with a swimsuit, wet suit or waders should not be affected by the itch. It could take up to 48 hours for the swimmers itch symptoms to appear. Moreover, it is possible to feel the itchiness, without developing the rash. However, if the swimmer is exposed to the same parasites once more, then the rash will probably be more severe. In case the swimmers itch is severe, the person may develop fever, feel nauseous or even suffer from sleepless nights, due to the intense itchiness. It may be best to consult a doctor if the more severe symptoms are evident. Moreover, if the rash and itch do not disappear within a week, or if the rash contains pus, then it is important to visit a doctor immediately, for a proper swimmers itch cure.

A swimmers itch cure usually comprises of over the counter anti-itch creams or antihistamines. Calamine lotion could also be used as an effective form of a swimmers itch cure. Doctors may prescribe certain oral and topical medication, only in severe cases. However, a swimmer’s itch cure is rarely ever required, at least in the milder cases. Most people get relief from the condition, by using a simple swimmers itch remedy.

Swimmer’s Itch Remedy

Covering the area with a clean and wet washcloth can relieve some of the itchiness. Several people also alleviate the itchy feeling by soaking in a bath sprinkled with Epsom salts or oatmeal. Some people claim that baking soda is the most effective swimmers itch treatment and can be applied in the form of a paste to the skin, for instant relief.

Even though this is not a serious problem, swimmers itch prevention is preferable rather than suffering from the discomfort and trying to treat the condition. Therefore, it is advisable to avoid swimming in water that may contain parasites or other harmful germs.

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Posted in Category : Common Ailments |

Home Remedies for Mouth Ulcers

Mouth ulcers, also known as canker sores, are a common problem affecting people of all ages, including children. These sores are usually found on the tongue, gums as well as the inside of the lip and the cheek. Although in most cases, mouth ulcers are not a cause for concern, they can be quite painful and disconcerting, as they cause a burning and tingling sensation in the mouth, before they burst. What makes them even worse, is the fact that they usually appear in clusters. There could be several factors that lead to mouth ulcers such as hereditary, stress, skin diseases, food allergies, bowel problems, hormonal imbalance, excessive consumption of spices, viral infections and nutritional deficiencies, to name a few. The main causes of mouth ulcers in children are lack of dental hygiene, injuries and following an unhealthy diet. Apart from the pain, there are other signs and symptoms of mouth ulcers, such as bad breath, the production of too much saliva, difficulty in eating, drinking and talking, as well as mild fever. Although there are a few mouth ulcers treatment options, it is more common for people to use home remedies for mouth ulcers for relief from the pain and discomfort.

Most people prefer using home remedies for mouth ulcers over commercial mouth ulcers treatment options. This is because the home remedies for mouth ulcers are a lot more economical but are as effective as commercial products and they rarely ever have any side effects. Given below are some of the most effective home remedies for mouth ulcers:

  • Apply some peppermint oil directly on the ulcers to reduce the pain and irritation
  • Rinse the mouth with a cup of lukewarm water, to which half a teaspoon of baking soda has been added. Alternately, a rinse made from 1 teaspoon of baking soda and ¾ cup of water can be equally effective. However, these solutions should only be used as a gargle and should never be swallowed.
  • Rub a few slices of cold apple on the sore and if possible, allow the piece to remain on the sore for a couple of minutes. This practice should be carried out at least 5 times a day.
  • Follow a healthy diet, which is high in nutrition and low in spices, oil, sugar and acidic foods. Drinking a lot of water can help flush the toxins out, thereby reducing canker sores
  • Strict dental hygienic measures should be followed at all times, to prevent the bacteria from spreading.

The home remedies for mouth ulcers are effective in reducing the pain and healing the sores faster. However do not address the underlying cause of the sores, which could cause them to recur. In order to prevent the sores from recurring, it may be advisable to consult a doctor for medical mouth ulcers cures.

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Posted in Category : Common Ailments |

Internal Piles Symptoms

Internal piles, also known as internal hemorrhoids, are a common affliction, affecting thousands of people around the world. They can be very painful and can cause a lot of discomfort to a person. In spite of the discomfort around 30% of the people that suffer from internal piles do not consult a doctor, because of the embarrassment they feel. However, in order to get the proper internal piles treatment in time, it is important to consult a doctor, as soon as the internal piles symptoms become evident.

The symptoms of piles depend on where they are situated, that is, whether they are internal piles or external. Some of the most common internal piles symptoms are:

  • Bleeding: The appearance of bright red blood on the toilet paper, toilet bowl or even on the underwear is the first sign of internal piles.
  • Trouble passing stool: People who suffer from internal piles usually have difficulty in evacuating the rectum completely. Due to an internal hemorrhoid, the bowel movement may take much longer than normal. Because of this symptom, the piles could get aggravated, as they could get scratched or cut. This could also lead to an infection near the piles.
  • Anal itching: There are many factors that could cause the internal piles to get irritated, thereby leading to itchiness and irritation in the anal area.

Internal Piles Treatment

Controlling internal piles symptoms at the right time is very important, in order to prevent prolapsed and strangulated piles. Internal piles treatment options usually include the use of medication, topical ointments, suppositories, injections and operative removal procedures. Although the use of medication, injections and some of the other treatments can cure the internal piles, there is a big risk of a recurrence. Therefore, most people prefer to go in for surgical procedures to get rid of piles.

Internal Piles Home Remedies

There are a lot of internal piles home remedies or cure for internal piles that would help in ease the condition. The best way to reduce the discomfort caused by piles is to keep the stools as soft as possible, by making some dietary changes. Drinking a lot of water and going on a high fiber diet can help soften the stools, allowing them to pass easily, without aggravating the piles too much. Additionally, eating fruits and vegetables can also help reduce the problems of piles. Foods types that should be avoided complete are white flour, oil and spices.

If the internal piles symptoms include excessive bleeding, which leads to weakness or dizziness, it is important to visit a doctor immediately.

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