Vomiting and Diarrhea in Children

When a child passes watery stool for 3 or more number of times in one given day and is accompanied by vomiting, then it becomes a matter of concern for the parents. Vomiting and diarrhea is not a serious issue if it lasts for one or two days. However, if it continues beyond that, then there is a chance of dehydration which can be life-threatening. Basically, vomiting or diarrhea is not a disease in itself. Both of them are symptoms of a number of illnesses that can affect small children. It occurs when the body tries to eliminate some unwanted stuff.

Causes

The most commonly found causes behind vomiting and diarrhea in children is an infection in gastrointestinal tract which triggered by virus. This is also known as gastroenteritis or stomach flu. This virus is highly infectious in nature and it spreads easily from an infected person to others through direct or indirect contact. Other symptoms of this viral infection are abdominal cramps, swollen abdomen, fever, headache and loss of appetite. When bacteria enters the gastrointestinal tract due to consumption of contaminated food or water and causes food poisoning, then also similar kind of symptoms are observed. Eating of wrong kind of foods like uncooked fish or meat or overconsumption of foods can be responsible for such type of stomach problems. Food allergies and food intolerance often causes child vomiting and diarrhea without fever.

Treatment

When your child is suffering from vomiting and diarrhea, you must take some quick simple measures at home. Firstly, do not give the child any solid food to eat for 3-4 hours. This will give the much-needed rest to the stomach. Confine the child in one room and ask them to take rest. Use a disinfectant in the bathroom after the child uses the toilet. Thus you can prevent spread of harmful germs to other members of the family.

The most vital step is to replenish the lost fluids and keep the body hydrated. Oral rehydration solution or ORS is highly beneficial for treating stomach problems in children. It can be safely given to babies and even breastfeeding infants. You can get it from local drug stores and grocery stores. Mix the powder in some water and let your child take it in small sips after frequent interval of time. It contains right amount of sugar, salt, potassium and other valuable nutrient which are essential to keep the child nourished and hydrated. In absence of ORS, you can 8 teaspoon of sugar and one teaspoon of salt in 4 cups of water and give it to the child as an alternative.

When there is excessive diarrhea, then you must be extra careful and check out for signs of dehydration. Excessive thirst, dry mouth, low or no urine output, no tears while crying are some of the key symptoms of dehydration in children. In such cases, the child should be hospitalized and intravenous fluids are administered for rehydration. Usually, small children do not require any medicines to stop diarrhea. However, chronic vomiting and diarrhea need some medicinal treatment.

As the vomiting and diarrhea subsides, you can increase the quantity of fluid. Now, you can give other clear fluids like plain water, clear soup, apple juice, etc. For the next few days, bland foods are recommended. It includes banana, rice, applesauce and toast. No fatty foods or dairy products for now as they tend to irritate the stomach and induce diarrhea and vomiting all over again.

Vomiting and diarrhea in children tend to make them extremely weak. So, their body must get sufficient rest in order to recover from it. It should be followed by a nutrient rich diet that can improve their digestive health and prevent recurrence of diarrhea and vomiting.

ADHD Symptoms in Toddlers

Recognizing the symptoms for ADHD in children is necessary for all parents, as this can prepare them for the hardships that lie ahead. Though ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), also known as ADD, occurs in varying levels amongst children and adults, it can still have a crippling effect on families. By recognizing its signs and symptoms at an early stage, the parents of the child can start providing the child with some special attention, and nurture the best out of them.

When ADHD is discovered at a later stage, things get very difficult for everyone involved. The parents are left perplexed at the complexity of the condition, and the child's mind is thrown into a lot of turmoil. As a result, there is a lot of unpleasantness generated, and this is something that ruins the family life and the peace of mind of the child and everyone else involved.

Symptoms of ADHD in Toddlers

Once you understand the importance of noting ADHD symptoms in children at a young age, you should start looking out for potential signs. You must read up on the subject extensively, and get all the possible information that you can. If you suspect that your child may be suffering from this condition, then you must visit a specialist and plan your next step. You must also remember that children have tendencies that adults cannot understand sometimes, so you must not over react to certain situations, and must treat the condition with no small amount of sensitivity. Here are some common signs and symptoms of ADHD that you must be on the lookout for.

• The biggest sign of ADHD is when the child faces great difficulty in concentrating on something. Whether he/she is 1 year old, or 5 years old, this factor remains constant. A short attention span is normal in children, but it is also one of the prominent and widespread symptoms.
• Another obvious sign is constant fidgeting in children. This is something that accompanies the lack of concentration. No matter what the child is doing at any time, he/she is always fidgeting with something in his/her hand, and this contributes to the lack of attention.
• Hypersensitivity is another thing you should be on the lookout for. This can be noticed if the child displays intense dislike and aversion to being touched, or when a certain texture or material touches his/her body. The child will suddenly start screaming and panicking, and this is one of the well-known ADHD symptoms. This also happens to be one of the ADHD symptoms in adults.
• When children suffer from this condition, they move around very quickly and impulsively, without thinking about the consequences of what they are doing. As a result, they will be very accident prone, and will keep bumping into things and falling all over the place, and thus hurting themselves.
• Another common sign of this disorder is when the child has immense trouble falling asleep at night. This will happen because the mind of the child will keep wandering from one object to another, and this will prevent him/her from falling asleep in peace.
• Children who suffer from ADD cry excessively, and are very difficult to soothe. This is a symptom that is hard to recognize because all children cry from time to time, but ADHD afflicted children are excessively hard to placate. There are many forms of ADHD treatment that can cure this.
• The last of the ADHD symptoms that you should be on the lookout for is the ease with which the child lets you feed him/her. Children suffering from this condition will be very hard to feed, as their attention will keep loitering around very rapidly.

One of the biggest causes of ADHD is the genetic makeup of the child, and it occurs in different degrees in different children. Each child is unique, and you will require a distinct way to deal with their issues. Visit a psychologist and enquire about treatment for ADHD in toddlers. Recognizing the symptoms early is beneficial, and you must learn to deal with the situation sensitively.

Bleeding Ulcers

An ulcer in the upper gastrointestinal tract is a discontinuity, hole or sore in the surface lining of the stomach, duodenum or esophagus. When the acidic digestive juices in the stomach, come in contact with these ulcers, they aggravate further. Ulcers can erode the blood vessels, thereby causing bleeding which in turn leads to progressive weakening of the body. A bleeding ulcer goes unnoticed till it assumes a severe and dangerous form. That's why, it's essential that one is aware of its subtly developing symptoms. Statistics reveal that 1 in every 10 US citizens suffer from peptic ulcers.

Symptoms of Digestive Tract Ulcers

The fact that the loss of blood is internal, makes it difficult to identify and subsequently the ailment remains undiagnosed for a long time, in many cases. Here are some of the common symptoms of ulcers.

• Mild to severe abdominal pain
• Burning sensation in abdomen
• Heartburn
• Frequent hunger pangs after a meal
• Lightheadedness when standing up quickly
• Inexplicable fatigue
• Weakness
• Anemia
• Shortness of breath
• Blood in vomit
• Blood in stool
• Difficulty in swallowing
• Weight loss

What Causes Such Ulcers?

Earlier, it was believed that excessive secretion of digestive acids and intake of beverages like tea and coffee, along with stress leads to ulcers in the gastrointestinal tract. However, actual research revealed something quite different. Ulcers in the stomach, duodenum and esophagus are caused by a bacterium called Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori). Other contributory factors include:

• Overdosing on non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin
• Excessive consumption of alcohol
• Chewing tobacco
• Smoking
• A rare disorder called Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, which causes tumor formation in pancreas could also lead to the formation of peptic ulcers.

Treatment Options

While the treatment involves drug therapy, the affected individual should also follow certain precautionary measures. It would be best to avoid all the causative agents of peptic ulcers like smoking, excessive usage of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen, aspirin and naproxen to prevent a relapse of the condition.

Depending on the severity of the ulcer, a combined dose of antibiotics like amoxicillin, tetracycline or clarithromycin will be prescribed for a fortnight, to treat the bacterial infection. Pepto-Bismol may also be recommended for strengthening the antibacterial attack.

In case, the ulcers are the result of a NSAIDs overdose, proton pump inhibitors like esomeprazole, lansoprazole and omeprazole will be used along with the antibiotic medications. Surgery may be needed, if the ulcer has caused a tear in the gastrointestinal tissue. In most cases, administration of antibiotics, along with protein pump inhibitors cure patients completely.

On a concluding note, respect your body and appreciate the marvel of evolutionary ingenuity that it is. If you perceive your body that way, you will think twice before abusing it. Health is the greatest gift and a healthy lifestyle is the only way of appreciating this gift!

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is solely for educating the reader. It is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a medical expert.

Jittery Feeling

A jittery feeling may refer to feeling giddy, or dizzy. Some people define it as a feeling of having butterflies in stomach. This feeling is generally related to our emotional and psychological aspects. But sometimes there may be biological or medical reasons too that can cause a person to experience such a feeling.

What May Make you Feel Jittery?
Panic Disorders
When the body sees anything as a threat to the mental and physical well-being, it naturally gets over alert. This phenomenon is known as anxiety. But panic disorders are a form of mental problem wherein people get anxious without any apparent reason. In normal people, the feeling of anxiety withers as the cause of worry is eliminated. But in people with anxiety disorders, panic attacks strike unexpectedly and irrationally. Even if the patient is logically convinced that the cause is eliminated, he/she still carries the same worrisome feeling. Such panic disorder patients often feel the jitters and are always tense and over alert. This jittery feeling inside can have physical symptoms, such as high blood pressure, increased heartbeat , palpitations, excessive sweating, chest pain, and shortness of breath and anxiety.

Phobia
Phobia is defined as an irrational fear of any object, person, phenomenon, or situation. There are people with various phobias such as, hydrophobia, acrophobia, brontophobia, technophobia, agoraphobia, etc. It implies the undue and illogical fear of water, heights, thunder and lightning, technology, and sexual abuse respectively. In such cases, the patient gets over hyper and reacts weirdly, though the cause of phobia is eliminated. Such phobia are rooted in the subconscious mind in the early days of childhood and persist in adulthood if left untreated. Severe panic attacks in phobia also are generally accompanied with a jittery feeling, increased heartbeat, and breathing problems.

Diabetes
Diabetes patients, blood pressure patients, and people with low blood sugar problems too often feel jittery when their blood glucose level is too low or too high. It is important for such patients to maintain their weight and blood glucose at prescribed levels. When these levels go haywire, they tend to feel hypertensive with increased heartbeat, palpitation, sweating, and chest pain. This also causes a jittery sensation in the arms and legs. Thyroid patients also suffer from similar symptoms when the thyroid level strays away from the prescribed norms.

Temporary Causes
Jittery feeling can also occur during exercising or strenuous physical activities due to dehydration. This causes a person to feel shaky and dizzy.

Jittery feeling during pregnancy can be the result of hormonal changes in the body. During pregnancy, many women suffer from morning sickness, that causes nausea as well as a jittery sensation in the stomach and chest.

In some cases, steroids and certain drugs or medicines, such as antidepressants, can cause a jittery feeling in the body. Excessive intake of caffeine and aerated drinks too can induce jittery feeling.

If the cause of the jittery sensation is biological or medical, it can be cured only with proper medication. In case of psychological and behavioral problems, the patients need to learn to control their mind and body, which is common among all anxiety cures. They must learn to relax, and control their thought process as well as physical reactions. This can help them cope with panic attacks easily and make the experience less traumatic, reducing the jittery feeling. Regular exercising, healthy diet and peaceful mind are the important factors of ideal lifestyle, that keep you fit physically and mentally as well, keeping undue anxiety symptoms at bay.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is solely for educating the reader. It is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a medical expert.

Low Residue Diet Menu

A low residue diet is defined as the type of diet which limits foods rich in residue or fiber, and helps in slowing down bowel movements. Residue or fiber is that part of the food which is not digested by the digestive system and remains in the intestinal tract to form stools. If your daily diet comprises a high fiber diet, the amount of residue in the intestinal tract is more and you experience the need to pass stool more often. However, if you follow a low residue diet, which is not the same as low fiber diet (low residue is more restricted), there is less amount of residue formed in your intestines leading to limited passing of stools. Since our food is the most important factor to stay healthy, there is a low residue diet plan that is designed for this reason. This diet menu is mentioned below for your convenience, so take a look.

Menu Ideas

Not everyone suffering from digestive problems are advised to follow the low residue diet menu. This diet is only prescribed for patients who have gone through abdominal surgeries or those who are suffering from issues like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or diverticulitis. As mentioned above, the low residue diet is more strict than the low fiber diet and limits consumption of fiber and other foods which can't be digested by the digestive system.

The result of this diet is reduction in your bowel movements and the abdominal pain which are caused because of diarrhea and diverticulitis. But there is one drawback related to this diet, which is limitation of nutrients due to the strict consumption of low fiber foods. Thus, this diet is suggested for a very short time and includes foods without skin, seeds and baked foods made with refined white flour. With a few ideas for low residue diet recipes, there are menu ideas for this diet mentioned in the coming up paragraphs, just for you. Take a look!

Breakfast Menu Ideas
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and thus needs to be healthy. If you are consuming any dairy products, it is advised to have only 2 cups daily and not more. Therefore the low residue diet food items for breakfast can be;

• Muffins
• Cheerios
• Cornflakes
• Cream of Wheat
• Croissant
• Eggs (all types)
• English muffin
• French toast
• Milkshake
• Oatmeal
• Pancakes
• Puffs
• Rice Krispies
• Special K
• Toasted bread or bagel

Main Meal Menu Ideas
Your lunch and dinner can include almost all regular foods, but make sure there are no nuts, seeds or whole grains consumed. Dried fruits are also foods you should avoid in this diet. Thus this diverticulitis diet menu ideas for lunch and dinner can be;

• Beef
• Chicken burger
• Chicken wings or chicken balls
• Egg and cheese quiche
• Fish
• Fish burger
• Ham
• Hamburger
• Meatloaf or meatballs
• Pasta (fresh or canned)
• Perogies
• Pork
• Potatoes - baked, mashed, scalloped or salad
• Poultry
• Sandwiches
• Shepherd's pie
• Stews or soups
• Tacos, crepes, or tortillas
• Tofu

Snacks Menu Ideas
The snacks that can be included should be very light, and they have to be cooked. Avoid raw fruits and vegetables as they are high fiber foods. Some more options to be included can be:

• Digestive cookies
• Biscuit and cheese slices
• Canned fruit
• Fruit juice
• Garlic bread with cheese
• Hard candies or caramels
• Licorice or gum drops
• Melba toast and applesauce
• Muffin and banana
• Plain bagel and cream cheese
• Plain donut or cake
• Pretzels
• Scone
• Sherbet, ice cream, or pudding
• Soda crackers and smooth peanut butter
• Yogurt - (vanilla, peach, plain, lemon, coffee, caramel)

With these great ideas for low residue diet menu suggested in the above article, you can have a healthy and delicious diet, and stay healthy and fit. But before you decide to go for this diet, make sure to consult your doctor.

Nervous Stomach Anxiety

Anxiety is a physiological and psychological state, that is governed by the body systems' response to mostly external stimuli. A combination of all the components results into what we call an 'unusual feeling' or an 'unpleasant feeling'. This feeling of uneasiness, results in fear, sadness, worry and more stress. Though, anxiety does not necessarily require any external stimulus. Another American psychologist defines anxiety as 'a future-oriented mood state in which one is ready or prepared to attempt to cope with upcoming negative events.'

Anxiety is referred to as a person's normal reaction towards extreme levels of stress. There are several physical symptoms of anxiety and stress like sweating, trembling, chest pain, headache, difficulty in breathing, insomnia and many more. Anxiety and a nervous stomach are also closely related as anxiety can cause several upset stomach symptoms like nausea, vomiting, stomach ache, stomach cramps, diarrhea, etc.

Nervous Stomach Anxiety and its Symptoms
Anxiety can lead to several severe physical symptoms where the most prominent one could be stomach anxiety characterized by nervousness. Actually, symptoms of anxiety are a result of a chemical reaction that happens as a response to extreme stress. In case of nervous stomach and anxiety, the blood flow is diverted away from the stomach, towards the muscle tissues. This process takes place in order to supply the oxygen required to either fight or flight the response. Such muscle tissues are mainly scattered around the digestive tract.

This whole process of fighting a response, actually absorbs all the beneficial nutrients from our eaten food and as a result, the process of digestion gets badly affected. This is the main reason behind nervous stomach and anxiety. Stomach anxiety symptoms are seen in various forms and can be different according to the responses toward anxiety and stress of each individual, like:

• Fluttery feeling (the one that we call butterflies)
• Churning stomach
• Increased pulse rate
• Feeling jumpy and scared
• Stomach cramps
• Nasty taste in mouth
• Sickness and nausea
• Vomiting and diarrhea

To accompany all or some of these symptoms, there is a constant feeling of uneasiness in the stomach that makes a person unable to perform his daily work. Many people argue that nervous stomach is actually a myth and an imaginary concept that can go away when neglected. Well, without getting into such arguments, let's concentrate on the treatment for this condition.

Treatment for Anxiety
The best treatment is finding the best available anxiety cures. There are many anxiety cures available that can be beneficial to treat anxiety and its symptoms like a nervous stomach.

Along with these natural anxiety cures, finding a good pastime and keeping oneself constantly engaged in pleasing work can prove to be a great way to deal with this condition. Whatever the arguments, there is a connection between anxiety and a nervous stomach. Hence, when a person suffers from a nervous stomach ache, there are several stomach ache home remedies that one can try to obtain relief. If your nervous stomach anxiety symptoms keep on appearing for a long period of time, then it is high time you go and see a health care provider.

Always remember that anxiety is nothing but a message that your body is sending you to toughen you up in response to a threat that the mind senses. In almost all cases, such threats are imaginary, hence, when you feel nervous, just try to think of something else, and your mind will slowly start letting you off the hook. Anxiety and a nervous stomach are very closely related and the best way to stay away from a nervous stomach is to take proper care of your mental health and maintain your peace of mind in any situation, so that one can stay away from anxiety and its aftermath.

Group Activities for Kids with ADHD

Figuring out the right group activities for kids with ADHD can be a tedious task because not all kids like the same games. Then there is the issue of choosing appropriate games, since many of these children find it hard to follow certain activities. They should not feel like they are being ridiculed or unnecessarily pitted against other children. Give them enough space to maneuver so that they can take their own time to play the games and do the activities that they prefer.

Fun Activities for Kids with ADHD
Children who suffer from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) just need a push in the right direction. These kids are as bright as the kids next to them, all that is different is that they are excessively active and low on their ability to focus on one task for too long. Therefore try group activities that keep them hooked to the games they are being made to play.

Play Sports
Kids with ADHD need to exhaust their excess energy, so letting them play sports will help them actively participate with the other kids. Team sports such as football, soccer, relay races, athletics, gymnastics, badminton, baseball, and basketball are good games to involve them into. All these games require physical exertion and stamina, which will help develop a purpose, goal and focus towards participating and perhaps develop a desire to win as a team. Sports also is a great teacher, it makes you humble and patient. Kids with ADHD will learn to cooperate with other team members, follow orders from seniors and the team captain.

Camping and Scouting
Let these kids go out for camping or join up as a scout. There they will get to learn several useful lessons about coexisting with nature, how to adapt to difficult situations. These camps will obviously be exerting which means that kids with ADHD will have ample opportunity to indulge in competitive activities such as

Martial Arts
Make these special kids join martial arts classes such as Karate, self-defense techniques or Taekwondo. All types of martial arts teach their students to concentrate and focus through meditation, deep breathing and intense physical training and workout. These kids will learn to channel all their energy towards a single direction, thereby using their time to do something practical and beneficial for themselves.

Dramatics
Let these kids join dramatics classes, but make sure if they are really keen on joining. That is because ADHD is form of learning disability and they might find learning the dialogs very difficult in some cases. If they are forced into doing something they really do not like, they will back out as soon as they can or worse make it difficult for others to even participate. Though if the child does show a keen interest, let him/her feel free to try any roles that may appeal to them.

Music Lessons
These children can be excellent at playing the musical instrument of their choice. However, they must show the inclination to learn music or parents must try to suggest such an option to their child. Even though they lack focus in a variety of areas, they can however, be perfectionists in skills that interest them and entertain them. Music is one of those domains that children with ADHD enjoy immensely and can excel at.

Board Games
Make your child play board games that require planning, and concentration. Games such as chess, Jenga, checkers, monopoly etc, are some games that can help your child learn to focus with greater precision.

WARNING
Do not let kids with ADHD play violent or non-educative video games as it reduces the brain's baseline activity in these children, causing them to get addicted to them. They do not learn anything beneficial from these games. ADHD individuals suffer from the low production of neurotransmitter dopamine. Since the basic function of dopamine is to make people feel safe and rewarded, in order to compensate for this loss of feeling, it's important that these kids are given some form of rewards, such as a hug and a lot of encouragement.

Now that you know which group activities to initiate, it would be easier for both parents as well as teachers to manage the children under their care, while ensuring that they learn something productive. Games and creative activities help boost their self-esteem and help them interact with people in a healthier manner.