Sakra World Hospital
Kawasaki Disease is a condition that can affect children – it may prove difficult to identify this in the initial stages. It is crucial to diagnose and treat this in a timely fashion, writes Dr.
Did you know that Michael Fred Phelps, former American competitive swimmer and one of the most decorated Olympian of all time was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) at the age of 9 years?
Can Oral Health Have an Effect on Pregnancy? Recent research indicates a link between gum disease and childbirth complications. Pregnant women who have gum disease may be more likely to have a baby that is born
A newborn baby is a bundle of joy and brings a lot of excitement to his/her parents. Along with the excitement and joy he/she presents a lot of challenges, more so for a couple who
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Kawasaki Disease is a condition that can affect children – it may prove difficult to identify this in the initial stages. It is crucial to diagnose and treat this in a timely fashion, writes Dr. Rajath Athreya, one of the best paediatricians in Bangalore. He is a senior consultant and HOD of Paediatrics at Sakra World Hospital and has a wide area of expertise in the field of paediatrics.
Kawasaki Disease (KD) is a unique inflammatory condition in childhood. There is no one test to confirm the diagnosis but pediatricians have to put together the symptoms, and lab results and come to a conclusion. This becomes critical as the implications of missing the diagnosis, and not starting specific treatment early have significant consequences when the heart of the child is affected in the short and long term.
Did you know that Michael Fred Phelps, former American competitive swimmer and one of the most decorated Olympian of all time was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) at the age of 9 years? While the condition had made it difficult for Michael to deal with school, with appropriate therapy, he was able to manage the symptoms better and swam through his way to success.
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder, usually diagnosed in school-going children and less frequently in pre-schoolers. It affects their ability to pay attention and control impulsive behaviour. A child with ADHD is restless and remains constantly active. They face difficulty in learning, are argumentative and get angry easily. Taking care of a child with ADHD can be difficult, frustrating and often overwhelming.
ADHD is identifiable
Parents often tend to neglect the symptoms as it may be difficult to differentiate between a child with ADHD and a normal but “naughty” kid. Children with ADHD struggle to pay close attention, are unable to follow simple instructions and often do not complete a given task. They also show sudden emotional outbursts, lose their temper easily, lack self-control and stay disorganized. These features are persistent and are seen in more than one setting – for example at school, home and play area and can cause significant disruption in their daily life. If left untreated, this can lead to the development of anxiety and low self-esteem in later life.
It is not all bad news though! With early diagnosis and the right support, children with ADHD can get back to their full potential. If your child struggles with symptoms that look like ADHD, don’t wait to seek professional help. Special attention and guidance from parents and caregivers can help a child to manage themselves, overcoming daily challenges.
Golden rules to manage ADHD
Devise a simple routine and a set of rules that can be easily understood and followed by a child. It is important to understand that the behaviour shown by ADHD children are not intentional. Parents can follow the below-mentioned guidelines:
Maintain a schedule and stick to it – This helps a child to stay focused and organised. Follow daily routines, simplify your child’s schedule and keep your child busy with healthy activities.
Set clear expectations - Make the rules of behaviour simple and explain what will happen when they are obeyed or broke and follow through each time with a reward or a consequence.
Good activity and sleep – Physical exercise helps in better sleep and reduces the symptoms of ADHD. Encourage your child in a sport that they enjoy and suits their strength.
Help your child eat right - Schedule regular healthy meals or snacks and cut back on junk and sugary food.
Teach your child how to make friends- Help him or she becomes a better listener, learns to read people’s faces and body language and to interact more smoothly with others.
Believe in your child – Always believe that your child can learn, change, mature, and succeed in life.
Be positive - Having a positive attitude will allow you to connect with your child and show calm focused behaviour.
Be ready to ask for help - Seek support from doctors, therapists and teachers in nurturing a child with ADHD.
Learn about ADHD – Having knowledge about the condition helps in better management of a child with ADHD. Expand your knowledge about this condition and talk to doctors and therapists to understand steps that can be taken in cases of emergency.
Join a support group - This allows to connect with other parents and families with similar problems.
Medical therapy of ADHD
Mild to moderate symptoms can be managed by behaviour therapy alone. An experienced behavioural therapist can help parents understand the illness and form the rules and guidance required to manage their kids better. In more severe cases, certain drugs which are approved by the FDA are used to mitigate and control distressing symptoms.
Raising a child with ADHD can be difficult. They can be reluctant while obeying orders and follow instructions given by their parents. Positive reinforcement such as rewarding and praising for small achievements help motivate them to follow rules. It becomes essential to understand the impact of your child’s symptoms on the family as a whole. The goal is to meet the challenges with compassion and consistency.
Parents and family members play a great role to help a child with ADHD in managing emotions, attention and behaviour. It is advisable to consult a General Physician or a Paediatrician for further assessment and diagnosis. This will help in developing a behaviour management plan that suits well for your child. One should follow the treatment program and recommended therapy appointments thoroughly.
Can Oral Health Have an Effect on Pregnancy?
Recent research indicates a link between gum disease and childbirth complications. Pregnant women who have gum disease may be more likely to have a baby that is born too early and too small.
More studies are needed to confirm the exact correlation between gum disease during pregnancy and labor complications, but it appears that gum disease may trigger increased levels of biological compounds that induce labor. Data also suggests that when periodontal disease worsens during pregnancy, there's a higher risk of having a premature baby.
What Can I Do to Ensure I Have a Healthy Pregnancy?
Pregnancy and dental care are important for a healthy baby. Pregnant women and women who plan on getting pregnant should visit their dentist for a checkup and to treat any dental problems before conceiving.
Regular brushing and flossing, eating a balanced diet and visiting your dentist regularly will help reduce pregnancy dental problems.
What Oral Problems Might Develop During My Pregnancy?
Many pregnant women experience pregnancy gingivitis — when dental plaque builds up on the teeth and irritates the gums. Symptoms include red, inflamed and bleeding gums.
Pregnancy gingivitis occurs due to increased levels of hormones that influence the way gums to react to the irritants in plaque.
Keeping your teeth clean, especially near the gum line, will help dramatically reduce or even prevent gingivitis during pregnancy.
What Can I Expect When I Visit My Dentist During My Pregnancy?
First, be sure to let your dentist know you're pregnant when you schedule your appointment. It's best to schedule your dental visit during the fourth to sixth month of your pregnancy. Avoid seeing a dentist during the first three months of pregnancy, are thought to be of greatest importance in your child's development and the stress of a dental visit may be detrimental to the foetus.
Typically, X-rays, dental anesthetics, pain medications and antibiotics (especially tetracycline) are not prescribed during the first trimester, unless necessary.
During the last trimester, prolonged sitting in a dental chair can become uncomfortable and a dental examination may be infeasible.
If you need to schedule an emergency visit, let the dentist know about your pregnancy before you arrive. Discuss any relevant medical history, stress factors, past miscarriages and medications you are taking as these can influence your dental care plan and outcomes.
Avoiding A Toothache During Pregnancy
It is recommended by dental specialists that women see a dentist before they plan a pregnancy. This way, the office can do a thorough checkup and cleaning, as well as treat any existing dental problems. Of course, you can also consult a dentist while pregnant.
When you experience a toothache or gum problems during pregnancy, see a dentist as soon as possible for treatment. Dental health issues can adversely affect your pregnancy and early intervention is important for both mother and child.
Avoiding Tooth Decay
Cavities are formed when the bacteria in your mouth use the sugars and carbohydrates present in food to produce acid, which dissolves the enamel on your teeth.
Pregnant women are at increased risk for developing tooth decay due to a number of reasons: unhealthy food cravings, decrease in brushing and flossing and vomiting as a result of morning sickness can intensify the amount of acid in the oral cavity.
To prevent tooth decay, brush your teeth twice a day, using a soft brush and appropriate toothpaste. Keep sugary snacks to a minimum. Rinse your mouth with water when you aren't able to brush, and floss once a day.
It's fairly common for an expecting mother to complain about bleeding gums when brushing or flossing. Hormonal changes that come along with pregnancy can cause inflammation, sometimes called pregnancy gingivitis. To keep this condition from developing into more serious gum disease, intensify your dental care routine by using an antibacterial mouthwash and seeing your dentist for more frequent cleanings.
Look Out for Gum Disease
Some pregnant women experience a raw-looking swelling of gum tissue called a "pregnancy tumor" grows between the teeth. These growths bleed easily and may be caused by excessive plaque. Consult a dentist if you suspect you have a pregnancy tumor, even though they are usually benign.
Another uncommon complication of pregnancy is loose teeth. This can develop due to hormones affecting the ligaments that hold the teeth in place.
Pregnancy dental care is an important part of your general health and the health of your baby. This is why, for a safe and healthy pregnancy, dentists and obstetricians encourage women to make their oral health a priority.
Oral hygiene maintenance during pregnancy
Unless it's a dental emergency, plan your dental visits throughout the entire pregnancy. Start by scheduling an appointment prior to becoming pregnant. That way, any necessary procedures can occur before you become pregnant.
The first trimester isn't ideal for dental treatments as the fetus is in the initial stages of development. Instead, schedule non-emergency visits for the second trimester or early in the third trimester.
There a few experiences in a woman's life as special as being pregnant. Seeing a dentist while pregnant is often overlooked but it is important that you don't forget to maintain good oral health. That includes teeth cleaning while pregnant.
Brush at least twice each day with good toothpaste and don't forget to floss, as it complements brushing by removing food particles that stick in places a brush can't reach. Taking care of your mouth ahead of time will allow you to focus on the joyful arrival of your child.
A newborn baby is a bundle of joy and brings a lot of excitement to his/her parents. Along with the excitement and joy he/she presents a lot of challenges, more so for a couple who become parents for the first time. The newborn period provides opportunities for the parents to establish a lifetime bond with the little one and also learn about the entrant into their family. Every parent will realize that no amount of preparedness during pregnancy and before the baby’s birth would be sufficient to handle their baby in the initial days. Understanding and preempting the baby’s needs will always remain a work in progress. As if these are not enough, every parent needs to redesign his/her life to accommodate the newborn baby, the tiring baby care schedule and get adequate rest.
Every mother needs to learn to feed her baby, comfort him/her apart from enjoying the moment. Similarly, every newborn baby has his/her own set of goals and challenges – learning to feed, getting adjusted to a different environment, adapt to excessive stimulation and disturbances. To achieve all of these, it is important the baby gets a physical touch of the mother as much as possible in the form of holding, breastfeeding and spend as much as time with the newborn baby.
Crying is the only form communication a little baby does. In the first few weeks of life, crying has to be treated as sign of hunger and the baby has to be breast feed. Every feeding attempt may not translate into satiety, but it is necessary to attempt breast feeding in order to enable the baby learn feeding and improve lactation of the mother. More often than not, a successful feed is followed by a calm sleep for a period of 2-3 hours. It is mandatory to burp the baby immediately after feeding, to get rid of the air swallowed during feeding. Burping may be done either by gentle patting on the baby’s back while holding him/her on mother’s chest with chin resting on shoulder or by gentle pat on the baby’s back in sitting position with chest as well as chin supported by the mother. Spitting a little part of feed is not uncommon in newborns. Hiccups, sneezing, nasal discharge, occasional fast breathing may be noticed in babies.
The adequacy of the feed is often ascertained by the weight gain of the baby every day, less crying post feeding and frequency of urine output (atleast 6-8 times a day after the first two days). Formula feeds despite shortcomings may be substituted in cases of inadequacy of breast milk. A newborn baby may pass stools with every feed or even once in 4-5 days. Often babies pass 6 -10 times a day. Stool colour may vary from greenish black (in the first two days) to green (2-4 days) to yellow. Frequent changes of diaper may cause rashes which need to be addressed.
Newborn babies cannot regulate their body temperatures like grown-up adults and hence require to be kept warm by wrapping with an extra layer of clothing. Babies tend to sleep for the most part of the day initially and have to learn to sleep in nights. In the initial few weeks, babies often stay active in the night and sleep in the daytime. It may usually take few weeks for the babies to adjust to the concept of sleeping in nights.
The umbilical cord stump typically falls off within one to two weeks after birth. Till it naturally falls, it is preferable to keep the area dry. Bathing of the baby may be done once the chord stump falls. Newborn babies tend to have dry skin as well as skin peeling. Oil massage and skin moisturizers can be used on a daily basis.
Apart from hunger, baby’s cry is usually associated with wet diaper due to stool or urine. An inconsolable cry has to be associated to illness of the baby such as colic, constipation. Other warning signs that are associated with the illness of the baby are poor activity, refusal to feed or poor feeding, poor weight gain and decreased frequency of urine. Fever in newborns is associated with dehydration.
As a young parent, it is not uncommon to get panicked at various normal events like a baby spitting the feed, vomiting, frequent passage of stools or passing stools once in few days. The fact is that these are nothing abnormal. Since crying is the only form of communication the baby does, it is alright to let the baby cry. It is worthwhile having more members in form of family, friends for emotional and psychological support. Physical and emotional stress have bearing on lactation and hence it is imperative that the mother finds adequate sleep – more often when the baby sleeps. A healthy diet comprising of nutrients is a must for lactating mothers. At times it is wiser not to take too many advices which is usually plenty.
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