Alternative Therapies and Health News

Parenting is the most wonderful thing on earth, and of course parenting also gives you jitters when it comes to your child’s well being. The latter part almost becomes the most intriguing part of your life. So let us consider what can make parenting the easiest task for you. Anyhow, ‘Patience’ is the byword for happy parenting.

Let us start with the habits children develop as toddlers

Here is a common instance:

“Ever since she was in her mother’s womb, Taylor began the habit of sucking her thumb. Unlike her twin sister Alexis, who sucked on a pacifier to console herself, Taylor continued to use her thumb as her natural pacifier. Now, at age 4, Taylor still sucks her thumb. Is her Mommy worried? ‘No,’ says the twins’ mother Stephanie. ‘I know she’ll grow out of it.’”

Mother’s reaction in the above incident might surprise you, but it is the right approach. Specialists say habits that toddlers develop are self-soothing habits that fade as time passes. Be it nail biting, hair twirling and blanket toting, all habits are annoying but not necessarily troublesome. Certain habits like staring and rocking back and forth are many times unconsciously done.

Dr. Deborah Pearson, associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at The University of Texas Medical School at Houston, says:

“Young children’s self-soothing habits go away in time. Most children go through these behaviors as part of normal development. Toddlers are developing their personalities, and this is part of that process.”

Why Toddlers develop habits?

The reason why children develop annoying habits is their continuous need to deal with stressful situations - for instance attending school or an unpleasant event in their life.

The habit makes the child feel better for no apparent reason. It calms them when they are panicked. Children also develop these habits to relieve themselves from boredom.

One very important thing one, as a parent, should understand is that these are quite healthy and are the ways for the child to cope independently with life.

How can a parent deal with children’s habits?

Pearson says children usually kick their habit by age 4 when they feel safer in the world. But parents have to help them get over their habits by realizing their need and making them more comfortable.

Follow the tips to communicate your intention to them:

‘Be Patient’ and just ignore it.

Do not shame your child for his/her habit. It might extend the issue to unwanted levels and cause more harm than good.

Punishments, harsh words, teasing and punitive measures upset the child. Stop such measures because the child should feel safe and comfortable to leave the self-soothing habit, and harshness doesn’t communicate comfort.

What will cure the habits?

Peer pressure helps the child get rid of all the self-soothing habits. Pearson says most childhood behaviors, if not gone by age 4, vanish by the time the child leaves elementary school.

“When children are with their peers, they get feedback and eventually get weaned off,” says Pearson, “So don’t expect your teenager to go to the junior prom sucking his thumb. He will stop. However, parents should prefer that the behavior stops before peer pressure becomes another issue.”

If the habits extremely out of control or prolong longer than expected then medical assistance should be taken.

But even then, as the doctor says:

“Give your child loving attention and do whatever else you can to make your child’s life less stressful. That’s a good habit for all of us to have.”

Maintain a pleasant atmosphere for your child and the baby will grow into a wonderful person even before you realize how it happened!

Intestinal worms are caused due to contaminated water and food, raw and uncooked meat, and poor sanitation and personal hygiene.

1. Have a tablespoon of freshly ground coconut along with your breakfast. After 3 hours, consume 60 ml of castor oil with lukewarm water.
2. Garlic is very effective in treating intestinal worms. Chewing 3 cloves of garlic every morning also helps.
3. The juice of unripe papaya contains the digestive enzyme papain. Mix honey with juice of unripe papaya and consume it with warm water. After two hours drink castor oil mixed in lukewarm milk. Powder the seeds of papaya and mix one spoon of this powder in lukewarm milk and have it daily in the morning in empty stomach. Papaya seeds contain caricin which is very effective for treating roundworms.
4. Fry dried neem flowers in ghee and have it with rice.
5. The dry seeds of pumpkin are very effective in destroying intestinal worms. Take one teaspoon of crushed pumpkin seed with warm water and honey. Consume the mixture every two hours.
6. Have one cup of grated carrot in the morning before breakfast.
7. Consume crushed seeds of bitter guard with buttermilk daily.
8. Take 1 teaspoon raw turmeric (haldi) juice, mixed with a pinch of salt in empty stomach in the morning.

Apart from these home remedies, one must also be cautious about the kind of food that one consumes. Avoid consuming too much sugar. Have a well-balanced diet consisting of fresh fruits, vegetables and milk. Avoid butter, cream, oil and meat.

Asthma in children has reached epidemic proportions in the United States. Although pollutants and contaminants are considered to be the key factors in causing this disease related to the respiratory system, there are studies which relate this increased rate in asthma to dismal dietary habits of children and adults. 

Several studies have established link between this disease and diet. Sometimes, it is a combination of dietary factors rather than a single diet that increases the risk.

1. Consume lots of vegetables and fruits (especially apple). Intake of grapes, oranges, apples, and fresh tomatoes defend from wheeze and nasal allergies.
2. Vitamin A, C and E, and plant compounds phytochemicals act as antioxidants and help reduce airway stress and thus prevent asthma.
3. Kids, with more calcium intake (milk, yoghurt, cheese) are shown to have reduced asthma risk.
4. Have food items that are rich in magnesium content. Milk is a great source of calcium and magnesium. Cereal, green vegetables, beans, fish and nuts are also rich in magnesium.
5. Selenium intake helps in the protection of lungs from respiratory diseases.
6. Increase in the consumption of omega-3 fatty acids reduces inflammation and irritation in the air passage. Whereas omega-6 fatty acid is considered to increase the risk of inflammation.  Consume fresh fish rich in omega 3 fatty acid. Fish like salmon, herring, and anchovies pack the most omega-3s.
7. Instead of vegetable oil or margarine, use olive oil as it helps calm your air passage.

Autism is a neurological disorder classified as Pervasive Developmental Disorder. Around 1.5 million Americans including children sand adults are considered to be suffering from autism.

The most common symptom for autism is problem in social interaction. Other symptoms related to this are difficulty in maintaining eye contact, failure to develop peer relationships, problems in verbal and non-verbal communication, epileptic seizures, Tourette syndrome, learning disabilities, repetitive behavior, repetitive use of language, and attention deficit disorders.

Certain herbal remedies are as effective as synthetic drugs in curing autism, and act without causing any side effects.

1. A highly distressed patient can be given tranquilizing drugs.
2. An herbal formula called Pure Calm gives quick relief for children and adults suffering from autism.
3. Focus ADHD Formula is another herbal remedy for treating the symptoms of ADHD in patients suffering from autism.
4. St John’s Wort prevents the over-metabolism of serotonin and improves the brain functioning gradually.
5. Tantrum Tamer is a homeopathic remedy that is helpful in handling tantrums.
6. Autism also occurs due to intolerance of some food items like certain dairy products and certain wheat and grain products. They should not be given food items containing proteins like gluten and casein.
7. Supplements of vitamins and minerals also help improve the functioning in people suffering from autism.

Other alternative remedies for autism include physiotherapy, educational therapies, occupational therapy, music therapy, sensory integration, behavior modification and speech therapy.

Ear infection is a very common occurrence among children. Ear infection is usually referred to as “otitis”. Ortitis are of two types called otitis media and otitis externa. It is the otitis media that is most common among children. It is an infection in the middle part of the ear which is situated behind the ear drum.

Eustachian tube connects the middle ear to the nose and throat. When the Eustachian tube gets blocked due to cold or throat infection, the middle ear gets filled with fluid and causes infection.

The most common symptoms of ear infection in children are fever and pain in the ear. Children usually pull their ear when they have pain or itching sensation in the ear.

To prevent ear infection in your child,

1. Use ear plugs while swimming in pools, lakes or ponds, as the bacteria from these water bodies could infect your child’s ear.
2. Ask your child to use disposable tissues to blow his/her nose and also to cover their mouth while coughing. Dispose off the tissue paper after use; avoid reusing it.
3. Breast feeding reduces the chances of ear infection in children.
4. Do not bottle feed the child by making them lie down. Keep your baby’s head above the stomach level while bottle feeding.
5. Parents should avoid smoking in front of children. Smoke increases the chances of ear infection.

What can you do at home to treat ear infection?

1. Give your child some pain reliever before bed time. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications like Advil, Motrin and Aleve and acetaminophen such as Tylenol and Tempra will give your child instant relief from pain.
2. Do not give aspirin to anyone below the age of 20.
3. With proper rest and care at home, most of the ear infections get cured on its own. This method is called “observation point” where the child is saved from the inconveniences and side effects of antibiotics. He/she is now under the observation of the parents.
4. Use a heating pad or a warm wash cloth to apply heat to your child’s ear. This will give your child relief from pain.

If your child does not find relief or get cured of the infection, then consult a doctor.

Certain breathing exercises can reduce the need to use rescue inhalers in asthma patients. Just 10 minutes before beginning to exercise take few puffs from your rescue inhaler.

• Sit upright and breathe slowly. Take full breaths. Avoid taking short breaths.
• Always breathe through your nose.
• Use your diaphragm muscles instead of your chest muscles to breathe. It will make breathing less tiresome. Breathing using diaphragm muscles is also called belly breathing.  Here is an easy way to practice belly breathing:
  Sit upright and rest the palm of your one hand on the belly and the other on the chest. Take deep breaths. If the hand on your belly is pushed forward, then you are using your diaphragm muscles. And if you are using your chest muscles, then the hand on your chest will move forward. Practice this several times in a day. This type of breathing will improve the strength of your diaphragm muscles.
• Practice few rounds of prolonged breathing. Breathe in for two counts and breathe out for four counts.

Light physical activities along with these breathing exercises will help asthma patients to increase the potential of their respiratory system. But it is advised to consult your doctor before starting an exercise program. 

For those who like to spend time outdoors, beware of poison ivy. It is a three-leafed vine, notch edged, that if found in most parts of US. If it comes in contact to the skin, the plant can cause dermatitis. Children are more prone to this infection as they spend their time outdoors.

If your child develops a red, itchy rash all over his/her body, then it could be a poison ivy rash. Blisters filled with fluid might also appear. If not treated immediately, the symptoms will worsen over weeks. The rash appears when oil from the plant comes in contact with the skin. Though some are immune to poison ivy, for some people it takes multiple exposures for symptoms to appear. A person does not have to come in direct contact with the plant to get infected. You can also get affected by contaminated clothing.

• Learn to recognize poison ivy and also to avoid them.
• To avoid being exposed to the shrub, wear long and full covered pants, boots and long sleeved shirt.
• Quickly clean the exposed area by rubbing alcohol.
• Wash the exposed area with water.
• Covering the rash with a mixture of baking soda and cold water will give relief.
• If it is a slight exposure, applying calamine lotion or steroid cream will give relief.
• Ivy-Block is a lotion which, when applied to skin before going out will prevent the plants oil from penetrating into the skin.
• Avoid burning the plant as the smoke can cause severe reaction to those who are exposed to it.
• Cortisone preparations are helpful in treating poison ivy rash.
• Applying Burows lotion in the blistering area will also give relief.
• If Jewel Weed stems are crushed and applied, it will neutralize the poison ivy’s oily antigen called Urushiol.

Wash away all the clothing, pets and tools that might have been in contact with the plant.

No child likes to visit a doctor. And it is often your care and concern that work miracles than your doctor’s medicines. There are some easy treatments for some common infections like the flu which can be treated at home with the parent’s attention and care.

• Flu can make your child dehydrated. Give your child plenty of water, fruits and other drinks to replace the fluid loss.
• Feed your child food items rich in vitamin C. This will boost his/ her immune system. Zinc also enhances your immunity.
• In a cup of boiling water put few drops of lemon juice and 2 sticks of cinnamon. Add two spoons of honey to the mixture and drink before going to bed.
• Do not give your child milk and other diary products.
• Make a soup with onion, garlic, cinnamon and pepper.
• Make ginger tea by boiling a spoon of ginger in a cup of water. Add tea leaves and sugar.
•  Take one spoon honey with quarter spoon cinnamon powder.
• Gargle with salt water. Add half spoon of salt to one glass of warm water.
• Soaking your feet in hot water will relieve you of headache and nasal congestion.
• Using pillow while sleeping will make breathing easier.
• Give your child some hard candy to suck to moisten the throat. Be careful while giving it to small children as it could result in choking.
• Raising the humidity of your child’s room will give him/her great relief. High humidity will ease sore throat and loosen phlegm.
• Make sure your child’s room has a good supply of fresh air.

Pregnant women who suffer from influenza (flu), pneumonia or a sexually transmitted disease are at an increased risk of having a child who will develop leukemia.

A study found that a maternal history of influenza or pneumonia, that occurs between 3 months before conception through the end of breastfeeding period raises the risk of leukemia in the child by as much as 89 percent.

And a history of sexually transmitted disease, such as herpes or chlamydia, has an even stronger effect on the risk of leukemia, increasing the odds by more than sixfold.

These studies emphasize the importance of maintaining good health to ensure smooth pregnancy and a healthy baby.

Also read: Home Remedies For Morning Sickness During Pregnancy .

Cough and Cold medicines might be lethal for kids. The deaths of 3 infants, aged around 6 months has led to an investigation that these kids were given cough and cold medications.

And there were more than 1,500 toddlers who were rushed to emergency rooms in the last 2 years, for adverse events associated with cough and cold medications.

It was found that the 3 kids were administered high levels of the nasal decongestant pseudoephedrine, which was far above the normal amount recommended for children aged 2 to 12.

The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention has warned parents not to give any over-the-counter cough or cold remedies to children below 3 years of age, without consulting a doctor. And they should follow the health care provider’s instructions carefully. The American College of Chest Physicians has also released guidelines for clinicians to refrain from recommending cough suppressants for this age group.

A recent study on the safety of infant car seats by Consumer Reports showed that most of the car seats failed disastrously in crashes at speeds as low as 35 mph.

It was noted that the seats came off their bases or twisted in place. And in one case, a test dummy was hurled 30 feet away. It is a pity that the infant seats that are designed to protect children are not tested the same way as new cars.

The report said that in the 35 mph test, the seats separated from their bases, rotated too far or would have inflicted grave injuries. And at 38 mph, 4 seats flew out of their bases.

Most seats manufactured by different companies failed these tests. The only seats that passed all the tests were the Baby Trend Flex-Loc and the Graco SnugRide with EPS — expanded polystyrene foam, both sold at a price of $90.

The Consumer Reports advised parents buying infant seats to buy one of these two. It also said that any child car seat is better than no seat at all. The report also said that some seats performed better when attached by vehicle safety belts than when attached with the LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) system. It includes belts that hook the base of a car seat to metal anchors in the vehicle.

If you want to boost your child’s intelligence and mental ability, give him/her some good toys to play. Yes people - a new report suggests that giving pre-school children toys to play with boosts their mental development even if they suffer from malnutrition.

The report found a clear link between intelligence and child’s play. This report is published in the Lancet medical journal. About 89 million of the most neglected children live in south Asia, while 145 million lived in China, India, Nigeria, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Pakistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and Tanzania.

The research team had conducted play programs in Bangladesh where the children are severely malnourished and it was found that there was clear improvement in the IQ of these kids, just with play. The study also found that kids who play in their childhood had better IQs, better reading, better mental health and they are also less likely to drop out of school. They are also less depressed, less anxious and have better self-esteem.

Sally McGregor, Institute of Child Health at University College London, said that “Malnutrition on its own is a problem. Malnutrition without mental stimulation is an even bigger problem”.

The researchers concluded that simple intervention by the governments and aid agencies to encourage pre-school play at home, as well as basic nutrition, could have a major effect on the child’s development.