Posts Tagged ‘kids health’
When Too Big To Fail Becomes Too Big For A Lot Of Other Things
By Tom Wald
Anyone who knows me knows I hate the Big Business bailouts. I think the concept of “Too Big To Fail”, or TBTF as its now commonly abbreviated, is perhaps the greatest oxymoron of our times. If Too Big To Fail made any sense Aaron Gibson and Slavko Vranes would be considered the two greatest professional athletes ever. Never heard of those two guys? Well I guess that’s sort of my point.
However, unlike a couple of athletes too large to keep pace with faster and more agile competitors, the TBTF bailouts on Wall Street have been what I call the non-violent crime of the century. You see when you take the taxes paid by millions of hard working Americans and hand that money over to billionaires so they can use it to pay themselves more billions after they’ve sabotaged the economy for everyone else, well I’m afraid at that point you might as well argue to free Bernie Madoff, at least his theft wasn’t government funded.
Yet even after all of this our nation’s new class system took a bizarre and deeply concerning turn last week when reports filtered through the news that Wall Street bailout recipients Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley and Citigroup had received doses of the H1N1 vaccine in quantities greater than and on delivery schedules well before those of public hospitals and doctor’s offices. So in addition to getting their seven and eight figure bonuses financed by our taxes, these bankers and traders who created the economic mess that manifested itself in ten-plus percent unemployment last week are also getting the Swine Flu vaccine before our kids.
So now TBTF has become TBTWILFTV - Too Big To Wait In Line For The Vaccine. What might we see next? Commuter lanes on our highways for Wall Street employees designated TBTHTSIT - Too Big To Have To Sit In Traffic. Or perhaps government classified hot lines into Disney for Wall Street parents deemed TBTWOLFHMT - Too Big To Wait On Line For Hannah Montana Tickets.
Sound crazy? No crazier than a few hundred billion out of our pockets and first dibs on vaccines might have sounded a year ago. I wonder what kind of a response you would have gotten had you floated those ideas at an Obama victory rally.
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Children And Gout
If you suffer from gout you may have heard the comments about it being the disease of kings and how it is caused by to much beer and rich food. This would make you think that your children are at no risk at all from gout, as I am sure you don’t let your kids drink beer.
A build up of uric acid crystals around your joints causes gout and it normally starts in the big toe and can then travel around the body from here. These uric acid crystals don’t consider what your age is, they dont consider that you may be too young to feel the nasty burning pain that comes when gout attacks.
Over the past twenty years, kids have changed in the way they eat, drink and exercise. Computers and fast food have more of an influence which means they spend less time doing outdoor exercise and playing sports. Processed foods and drinks tend to form most of a kid’s diet which is not good for them. Kids do not care to drink much normal water which would be much better for them.
The intake of soda drinks, especially those which contain high levels of fructose can lead to the levels of uric acid in the body being increased. Consequently, gout cases have also increased over recent years. Whereas in previous years, gout has been referred to as a disease for kings. Soda drinks have become very popular, therefore cases of gout have also increased.
Anyone who suffers from gout can reduce the amount of attacks that they suffer relatively easily by changing their diet, the problem is that the older we get the more set we become in our eating habits and the harder it becomes to change our diet.
You need to think about how your child’s diet will affect them not only now, but years down the line when they are older. You could be allowing them to get into bad eating habits which will stick with them for a long time. Because of this you should try to steer them away from foods or beverages which are high in their fructose content.
Because of the effect our work has on our personal lives, it can sometimes be hard to spend enough time shopping and cooking with good quality foods. We tend to go for fast foods because they are more convenient and we just haven’t got the time to ensure that our children are fed properly.
Your weekly trip to the supermarket should be the basis of preventing gout problems in your family. You can cut out foods which are bad for you before they get anywhere near your fridge or kitchen. For a start you can avoid foods and drinks which contain high levels of uric acid causing chemicals. Also try to cut out drinks which are high in fructose. By doing this you can cut down on the chances of your children developing gout problems, as well as leading a more healthy lifestyle in general.
You need to know that gout is a problem which can hurt you whether you are young or old. But the original problems can start from when you are a child. There are however some very effective forms of gout treatment which can help you.
Fighting Constipation With Toddler’s - A Parent’s Guide
Whether you believe it or not, one of the most frustrating yet common problems young parents need to deal with are constipation toddler problems. Typically you have 4 reasons why your child suffers constipation pain:
* Consuming food that don’t contain enough fibers * Drinking more milk than the recommended daily amount (12-16 oz.) * Not drinking enough water * Waiting to long to go to the bathroom, or ignoring it all together
And here’s the kicker. Once you start recognizing the constipation symptoms your child suffers, you’ll also start noticing that they are holding bowel movements. The reason being is that their stools have become hard and painful and they end up holding it in to avoid the pain.
If you want to know which treatment will help your toddler, read this article for more information.
Focusing on a step-by-step approach that emphasizes what your toddler is eating and drinking is the best constipation remedy.
What do I mean:
1. Juice, milk and water - Let your toddler drink enough of those. When they are dehydrated the stools will be harder, this is especially so when it’s hot weather.
The rule of thumb recommended by pediatricians is to take note of how often your child urinates. Urinating at least every three hours when awake generally means he or she is getting enough to drink.
2. Make sure your child eats enough fiber. Two of the things that contain a lot of fiber are fresh fruits and vegetables. Give your child 3 servings of vegetables a day and also 2 servings of fruit.
If your child happens to be a picky eater you can try to give him breakfast bars and cereals that are rich in fibers. Also apples, bananas and peanu butter can help treat constipation toddler issues.
Metamucil, supplemental fiber, can help stools absorb more water which helps fecal matter flow gently through the colon.
3. You could give your child 2 tsps of vegetable oil every day. This will add a coating to the stool which helps it slide through the intestines much easier.
Increase by 1tsp every other day until your childs stool is soft and the rectum has healed. Understand that mineral oil will taste disgusting to your child, so mix it with a shake, juice, ice cream or even Jell-O.
4. Get into the routine of having your child sit on the toilet for 5 to 10 minutes after eating. Its important that your child get out of the habit of resisting the urge to go to the bathroom due to the pain. This only makes stools harder.
When you follow these guidelines you wont have to battle with constipation toddler issues for much longer. More fiber, avoid dehydration, mineral oil and setting a new bathroom routine are all you may need to give your child a sense of relief and comfort.
Overactive Thyroid in Children
Hyperthyroidism also referred to as overactive thyroid in children is characterized by the increased production of hormones from the thyroid.
The effect in adults is virtually the same; however in children it is much more severe. Graves Disease or hyperthyroidism in children is displayed by swollen thyroid glands, goiters and Graves’ ophthalmopathy or a bulging of the eyes.
The bulging of the eyes, also referred to as GO or Graves’ ophthalmopathy affects the muscles of the eye that rotate the eyeball. This result is triggered by an immune reaction and creates problems closing the eye completely. In addition, the inability to completely close the eyelids results in corneal abrasions, vision difficulties and dryness and irritation of the eyes.
Treatment for Graves Disease:
Children with hyperthyroidism are treated with an antithyroid medication, radioactive iodine, or complete thyroid removal. In any event, patients are monitored for the rest of their lives. Antithyroid medication therapy is recommended in looking forward remission of Graves’ disease, and discontinuation of thyroid medication.
Antithyroid medications offer the patient the possibility of permanent remission.
Radioiodine is a permanent cure for hyperthyroidism, which causes hypothyroidism and the need for thyroid replacement.
The last treatment option is surgery to remove the thyroid. This option is probably the most optimal as it alleviates the risk factors from exposure to radiation.
Hyperthyroidism in Infants:
This condition is rare, but life threatening for infants. Women who are currently undergoing treatment, or who have a history of hyperactive thyroid and have elevated titers of thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulins (TSI), risk fetal death or premature birth due to the antibody’s ability to cross the placenta. In children and adolescents, Graves’ disease is the usual cause of hyperthyroidism.
Symptoms:
Irritability Feeding problems High blood pressure Rapid heart rate Exophthalmos (bulging eyes) Goiter frontal bossing (prominent forehead) Microcephaly (an abnormally small head and underdeveloped brain) Failure to thrive - poor weight gain and physical growth failure over an extended period of time in infancy. Vomiting Diarrhea
Generally, infants will recover from hyperthyroidism within six months. If however recovery time is longer, the baby risks having the cranial sutures close prematurely. This can result in impaired intellect, growth failure, short stature, and hyperactivity. If an infant acquires Graves disease, they can suffer such symptoms as goiter, thyrotoxicosis (thyroid storm), and infiltrative ophthalmopathy (resembles exophthalmos). A medical professional can test the infant for Graves Disease with thyroid functionality testing.
Infants are generally able to fight off the antibodies of Graves Disease or hyperthyroidism fairly quickly after they are born. However, Graves Disease is the primary cause of hyperthyroidism in infants and children.
Treatment in adults is very similar to that of children and adolescents. However, the treatment for infants is generally antithyroid medication. During this process the infant is monitored closely and medication is terminated once the disease is resolved.
If you have a child or know of a child exhibiting signs and symptoms of hyperthyroidism, seek the assistance of a medical professional immediately. Any delay in treatment can result in unwanted and unnecessary complications that your child does not need to suffer through.
Barb Hicks is a registered nurse and highly regarded writer who loves to share her knowledge. She is a featured writer on Clivir.com where she contributes more lessons about Low Thyroid Level Causes and Thyroid Cancer Treatment .
What is Thyrotoxicosis?
Thyrotoxicosis, also referred to as Thyroid Storm is a life threatening event that occurs when too much thyroid hormone is dumped into the blood stream. This event can manifest itself in those who have hyperthyroidism that has gone untreated as well as those undergoing surgical procedures on the thyroid, those experiencing trauma and viral and bacterial infections. Thyroid Storm requires immediate medical attention or death will ultimately be the result. Anyone experiencing Thyrotoxicosis is admitted to the hospital critical care unit for medical treatment.
Symptoms and Signs of Thyrotoxicosis
Increased body temperature Tachycardia (rapid heart rate) Nausea/vomiting Diarrhea Heart palpitations Heart failure Pulmonary edema Confusion Seizure Coma Abdominal pain Jaundice
Thyrotoxicosis is caused by an increase of thyroid hormone in the blood stream followed by a fever of up to 106 degrees. Factors that cause this affliction include:
Stopping the required hyperthyroidism medications without consulting with the health care professional Ingesting too much of thyroid hormone causing an overdose Radioactive iodine treatments People with hyperactive thyroid conditions who are suffering from severe infection or illness Myocardial infarction (heart attack) in a person with hyperactive thyroid
Anyone who has an overactive thyroid, or hyperthyroidism can develop thyroid storm. It occurs when the thyroid secretes a large amount of thyroid hormone in a small amount of time.
Anyone with an overactive thyroid who has a fever, rapid heartbeat, with confusion or disorientation, should be hospitalized immediately. A medical history will be taken and diagnostic testing will be performed to analyze:
Blood cell count Electrolytes, such as sodium, potassium, and calcium Blood sugar level Thyroid hormone levels will also be tested. Liver function test
What is the Treatment?
The goal of the medical professional is to decrease the amount of thyroid hormone produced or inhibit its production and release into the blood. This is done by:
The administration of PTU and methimazole in high dosages will inhibit production of thyroid hormone. Sodium iodide, potassium iodide, or Lugol’s solution can be administered to prevent the secretion of thyroxin. Beta blockers such as propranolol (Inderal, Inderal LA) to control heart rate, and IV steroids to enhance circulation.
If thyroid storm is not treated, the following can occur:
Coma Heart failure Liver failure Stroke Death
Treatment also includes:
Administration of IV fluids and electrolytes. Oxygen via nasal cannula or face mask Medication and cooling towels to control fever Vitamins Antibiotics Iodine to block secretion of thyroid hormone Kidney dialysis Sedatives to induce rest Propranolol and dexamethasone to block hormone synthesis Antithyroid drugs and potassium iodine.
All medications should be taken as prescribed by your healthcare provider if you are diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. Furthermore, if you are aware and familiar with the signs and symptoms of thyroid storm, it will allow you the opportunity to seek immediate medical care, thus resulting in saving your life.
Barb Hicks is a Licensed Registered Nurse who loves to writes and shares her knowledge with others. She is a featured writer on Clivir.com where she shared more resources about Thyroid Disease Problems and Natural Thyroid Therapy.
Fighting Constipation With Toddler’s - A Parent’s Guide
Whether you believe it or not, one of the most frustrating yet common problems young parents need to deal with are constipation toddler problems. Typically you have 4 reasons why your child suffers constipation pain:
* Consuming food that don’t contain enough fibers * Drinking more milk than the recommended daily amount (12-16 oz.) * Not drinking enough water * Waiting to long to go to the bathroom, or ignoring it all together
Heres the kicker. After you begin to recognize constipation symptoms in your child, youll also notice that that they are holding bowel movements. The reason being is that their stools have become hard and painful and they end up holding it in to avoid the pain.
If you want to know which treatment will help your toddler, read this article for more information.
Focusing on a step-by-step approach that emphasizes what your toddler is eating and drinking is the best constipation remedy.
What do I mean:
1. Juice, milk and water - These are things your toddler should drink enough off during the day. Being dehydrated will make the stools harder, this is especially the case during hot weather.
The best way to check if your toddler has enough to drink is checking how often it urinates. If your child goes to the toilet at least once every three hours you’re good.
2. Make sure your child eats enough fiber. Two of the things that contain a lot of fiber are fresh fruits and vegetables. Give your child 3 servings of vegetables a day and also 2 servings of fruit.
If your child is a picky eater, try a variety of breakfast bars and cereals rich in fiber. Plus giving him or her apples, bananas and peanut butter can help end constipation toddler issues.
Also, to help stools absorb more water, you can give your child supplemental fiber such as Metamucil that allows fecal matter to flow gently through the colon.
3. Consider giving your toddler 2 tsps of mineral oil twice daily. It will coat the stool making it easy to slide through the intestines.
Increase by 1tsp every other day until your childs stool is soft and the rectum has healed. Understand that mineral oil will taste disgusting to your child, so mix it with a shake, juice, ice cream or even Jell-O.
4. Get into the routine of having your child sit on the toilet for 5 to 10 minutes after eating. Its important that your child get out of the habit of resisting the urge to go to the bathroom due to the pain. This only makes stools harder.
When you follow these guidelines you wont have to battle with constipation toddler issues for much longer. More fiber, avoid dehydration, mineral oil and setting a new bathroom routine are all you may need to give your child a sense of relief and comfort.
Make sure to visit my blog http://www.constipation-remedies.net for helpful tips and advice on Constipation Remedies and much more! Visit the Uber Article Directory to get a totally unique version of this article for reprint.
Cooking Proven To Improve Health Long-Term And Economy
Cooking at home may do more than just save money, experts say. It not only brings families together, but it also can vastly improve your health.
According to USA Today, people consume 50% more fat, sodium and calories when they eat out in restaurants. This is because the more you eat in, the more you have control over what you eat. Eating at home allows you to control your portion size and also lets you choose how much fat or oil you put into your food. If you eat in your own kitchen, you can make appropriately sized dishes with ingredients you actually like. You can cook with more fruits, vegetables and protein and use less heavy, creamy sauces.
Overeating from restaurants also leads to obesity, which can cause certain types of cancers, according to the National Cancer Institute. In fact, experts believe that 1/3 of cancers are related to diet. This is why it is important to follow a diet high in fruits, vegetables and whole grains. These three food groups are often lacking in restaurants. A lack of healthy foods can lead to infectious diseases as well if you do not receive the appropriate vitamins and nutrients. Some even say that cooking for a sick person is an act that makes him or her feel better, while cooking for someone else can soothe your own body or mind.
Cooking itself is a relaxing activity. It can be a great way to wind down from a stressful work day, and an especially effective activity in bringing family together. Kids can help setting the table or preparing the meal. If they feel that they were a part of putting the meal together, they are often more likely to want to eat the healthy meal. Cooking on the grill also brings together friends and family in the summertime. It even gets men involved in cooking. Grilling is an easy and fast way to make a healthy dinner during the week.
Family meal-time is especially important for kids. Statistics show that American kids eat about 1/3 of their meals at fast food restaurants. A 2008 study from the Center for Science in the Public Interest also revealed that out of 13 fast food chains, about 93% have too many calories in their kids meals! It has even been proven that kids who eat with family watch less television, are more active, and are more healthy overall.
Overall, in these economic times it pays to cook at home. You can pay for groceries for a week just by cutting out the cost of a few meals out.
The Diabetic Diet
A diabetic diet is not only for those with diabetes; it can and should be used by anyone as its health benefits are insurmountable. A diabetic diet is geared towards controlling the glucose levels of a diabetic patient; however it also aids in weight loss. With obesity being an out of control disease in today’s world, following this diet of healthy foods can also reduce the risk of diabetes.
How we eat is one of the major reasons that diabetes and heart disease are so prevalent in the US. So, it makes sense that if we all ate healthier foods and increased our physical activity, the prevalence of diabetes could decrease.
What is a diabetic diet?
A diabetic diet is comprised of fresh fruit, colorful and green vegetables, whole grains such as pasta and cereal as well as lean meats such as poultry and fish. In addition, diabetics must monitor their carbohydrate intake. Most foods contain carbohydrates and these are essential for the body as they supply the body with the energy it needs. However, someone with diabetes must monitor their carbohydrate intake as it raises the glucose levels in the body. It is for this reason that patients with diabetes should eat their meals at a consistent time everyday along with coordinating their insulin injections.
Fresh Fruits: All fruits are free of cholesterol. They are low in fat and sodium and calories, and provide fiber, vitamins and nutrients, as well as cancer fighting antioxidants.
Vegetables: Raw and fresh vegetables are another healthy way to give the body certain things it needs such as folate, potassium, fiber and vitamins A and C. If these crunchy colorful delectables are combined with other high fiber foods, they can also assist in warding off other serious and chronic illnesses.
Pasta and cereal: Whole grains provide the body’s digestive system the nutrients it needs to function properly, thus warding off serious illness.
Dairy Products: Drinking 2-3 servings per day of low fat or skim milk lowers fat intake and provides calcium, potassium, and vitamins.
Lean Meats: Lean meats include chicken, turkey, and fish. Some diets, such as the Mediterranean diet, suggest limiting your intake of red meats to once per month. Red meat is harder to digest and remains in the digestive system for far too long.
To get healthy and remain that way starts with a diet that is low in fat and cholesterol, and high in fiber. Seafood is great, but is known to be high in cholesterol, such as lobster and shrimp. Liver also has high cholesterol content and should not be eaten by those who have elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
Following a healthy diet along with regular checks of your blood pressure and glucose levels can assist in fighting off many diseases. Having a harmonious balance among these factors battles against neuropathy, kidney failure, heart failure and cardiovascular disease and ensures a longer, healthier life.