Cascia Talbert's Blog, page 71

How Do You Know If Your Child Has Pneumonia?

by Cascia Talbert

Pneumonia is a common infection that affects more than three million people in the US each year. It’s a scary disease that mothers commonly worry about when their little ones get a fever or start wheezing. Luckily, it’s a treatable infection.

If you know what to look for and how to detect the signs of pneumonia, you can ensure that your child gets fast treatment.

What Is Pneumonia?

Pneumonia is a lung infection that may affect one or both lungs. It’s spread through bacteria, fungi, parasites, or viruses. Viruses act as the leading cause of pneumonia for children.

After some research, I was surprised to find that pneumonia often starts after an infection in the nose or throat. The lungs collect the infected fluids, leading to a lung infection. That is why kids are more prone to pneumonia when they’re already sick.

Pneumonia often starts two or three days after the start of an upper respiratory tract infection. It then progresses to the lungs, resulting in pneumonia.

Bacterial pneumonia typically spreads quickly. You may notice that your child suddenly has a fever and begins to breathe fast. Viral pneumonia spreads slowly and it may take a little while before you notice some of the symptoms.

There are also several things that can increase your child’s risk for pneumonia. A weakened immune system, premature birth, asthma, heart defects, poor nutrition, and even secondhand smoke all increase the risk factors for pneumonia.

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Most Common Symptoms of Pneumonia in Children

One of the most obvious signs of pneumonia is difficulty breathing. As pneumonia is a lung infection, it affects the lungs. Your child may have shortness of breath or chest pain when he or she breathes deeply.

It’s not always easy to determine if a child is having trouble breathing. Sometimes he or she may simply be about to spit up or start coughing. However, there are a few signs that you can look for:

● The nostrils tend to open wider when inhaling.

● He or she may start to wheeze when he or she breathes.

● He or she takes short, fast breaths.

Along with difficulty breathing, there are other symptoms of pneumonia. However, the severity and occurrence of these symptoms may depend on the age of your child and the type of pneumonia.

If you suspect that pneumonia is the cause of your child’s suffering, pay attention to the following potential signs:

● Coughing

● Wheezing

● Shortness of breath

● Fever and chills

● Chest pain

● Abdominal pain

● Lack of appetite

● Bluish extremities

Your child may also cry more than usual or become irritable easily. Unfortunately, it’s not always easy to separate some of these symptoms from normal fluctuations in your child’s mood.

Any kid can be extra fussy or irritable without explanation. He or she may simply be tired, confused, or hungry. However, when you notice a combination of these symptoms, you should schedule a trip to the doctor immediately.

When Should You Seek Treatment for Pneumonia?

Child health specialists recommend that take your child to the doctor as soon as you can if you suspect that he or she is ill. Difficulty breathing, wheezing, and coughing are a few of the most common signs of pneumonia. However, the common cold may also produce similar symptoms.

You should never attempt to diagnose your own child. As mothers, we always suspect the worst. It’s better to reserve your personal diagnosis. Call your pediatrician immediately and schedule an appointment. In most cases, your pediatrician should be able to squeeze you in within the next 24 hours.

If the symptoms are severe and your child cannot rest at all, a trip to the emergency room may be necessary. Do not ignore a high fever or bluish skin. When in doubt, emergency services are the best option.

Other reasons to seek immediate treatment include severe dehydration and wheezing or if your child is less than three months old and experiencing some of the symptoms described.

You can also take your child’s temperature using a home thermometer. For children over the age of six months, a temperature of 102 degrees Fahrenheit or higher is a fever. For children younger than six months, 100.4 degrees is the cutoff.

With fast treatment, pneumonia may not pose a major health risk. However, children have little bodies and tiny lungs. These infections are serious matters. Do not hesitate to contact your family physician or child’s pediatrician.

How Do Doctors Diagnose Pneumonia in Children?

When you take your child to the doctor, he or she may need to perform a series of tests to diagnose pneumonia. The exam typically starts with a check of your child’s lungs. The doctor will use a stethoscope to listen to his or her breathing.

Sometimes this quick exam may verify the presence of pneumonia. However, the pediatrician may perform a few additional tests to confirm the diagnosis, such as:

● Blood tests

● Chest x-rays

● Mucus sample

A blood test can help uncover the presence of bacteria or an infection, confirming or denying pneumonia. Chest x-rays also help look for signs of potential infection in the lungs. The mucus sample may help determine which medicine is best suited for treating the specific infection.

Typical Treatments for Pneumonia in Children

If your doctor diagnoses your child with pneumonia, your child may need to stay at the hospital. The treatment depends on the age of the child and the severity of the illness.

When your child experiences severe symptoms, such as difficulty breathing and a high fever, doctors often recommend inpatient treatment. Pneumonia can result in a depletion of oxygen in the blood. If your child’s blood oxygen levels are low, he or she may need extra oxygen. In these cases, doctors almost always recommend inpatient treatment.

With bacterial pneumonia, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to kill the bacterial infection.

Your doctor may prescribe additional medication to deal with the fever, pain, and swelling. For example, he or she may recommend NSAIDs for children over six months of age. He or she may also prescribe acetaminophen for the fever and pain. However, you should always review these medications, especially if your child already takes medications.

Make sure that you tell your doctor about any existing health conditions or medications that your child takes. It’s essential that you avoid negative interactions between medications.

With proper treatment, doctors may cure your child’s bacterial pneumonia within one to two weeks. Viral pneumonia sometimes takes longer. You may wait four to six weeks before the symptoms completely clear.

Treating Your Child’s Pneumonia at Home

If your pediatrician doesn’t recommend inpatient treatment, he or she will send you home with a series of instructions. Along with medications, the pediatrician may suggest plenty of liquids and rest.

Ask about the types of liquids and how much liquid your child should drink. Typically, doctors recommend plenty of water. However, they may also recommend popsicles, broth, or apple juice.

Liquids are necessary for helping to loosen mucus, which aids the process of clearing the lungs of infected mucus. Using a cool mist humidifier may also help with this process.

Your child also needs plenty of rest for a speedy recovery. Allow your child to get all the rest that he or she needs for the next few weeks.

How to Reduce the Risk of Pneumonia

You may also want to know how to keep your little one from catching pneumonia in the first place. The first tip is to make sure that you keep your child away from secondhand smoke. Do not let anyone smoke around your child.

Washing hands is also important, not only for preventing pneumonia but for keeping other diseases at bay as well. You should wash both your hands and your child’s hands frequently. Hand washing is especially important when you get home from running errands, play dates, or trips to the park.

In fact, I take sanitizing wipes and sanitizer everywhere I go. It’s easy to pack these items in your purse or baby bag. They’re also handy when you need to quickly wipe off your child’s favorite toy after it falls on the ground.

If other children are sick, it’s best to keep your kid away. This also applies to your own child. If one child in the family is sick, try to let the other children know that they should avoid physical contact. While this is easier said than done, it may help prevent having to deal with a sick household.

Conclusion: Dealing with Pneumonia in Children

Any time that a child is sick, it’s common for mothers to worry. It’s our job. While any sickness can be scary, mothers often fear pneumonia more than most other illnesses.

If you notice any of the signs of pneumonia, do not hesitate to call your pediatrician or family physician. Even if you don’t think that it’s an emergency, most offices can fit you in within the next day or two.

If the symptoms are severe, you may not want to wait for a scheduled appointment. When your child’s hands, lips, or nails turn blue or he or she has trouble breathing, visit the emergency room as soon as you can.

As a final tip for dealing with pneumonia and family health, keep your sick child away from others. While pneumonia itself is rarely contagious, the infection that led to pneumonia may spread. Follow the same precautions as you would for any illness, such as a cold. Everyone needs to wash his or her hands frequently and avoid sharing utensils and drinking glasses.

With the right precautions, you can reduce the risk of your child catching pneumonia. However, if your child does come down with one of these infections, fast treatment is the best option.

The article How Do You Know If Your Child Has Pneumonia? by Cascia Talbert appeared first on Healthy Moms Magazine.

3 Tips to Enjoy the Holidays AND Maintain Healthy Food Habits

by LouAnn Moss

[image error]Staying healthy and caring for your body is a year-long endeavor. However, some parts of the year make maintaining healthy habits much more challenging. As the year draws to a close and the holiday season approaches, many health-conscious individuals find it harder and harder to keep on track.

Not only are holiday foods tempting, but social expectations also pose unique challenges for during this time of year. We all have family members who might say “oh, have a cookie, it’s the holidays!” or “why are you even bothering to diet in December?”. Facing these attitudes is frustrating and sometimes downright embarrassing.

Luckily, there are ways to manage temptations, deal with naysayers, and protect your health goals even through wintertime celebrations. Stay on track and feeling good with these three healthy holiday tips:

Celebrate the Holiday, Not the Season

While stores may put out holiday decorations as early as October, the holiday itself only occupies a handful of days. Don’t fall into the trap of eating holiday foods from November through January. Instead, let yourself indulge on the specific occasion alone. Astonishingly, of U.S. households indulge in sweet treats like ice cream regularly. Remember that a treat should be a treat, and not a habit, even during this season. When temptation knocks, remind yourself how good your body feels when you eat well and exercise. If anyone asks why you aren’t prematurely indulging in eggnog or mashed potatoes, simply tell them you’re saving room for the actual holiday.

Skip the Lame Party

Part of the difficulty of holiday health comes from the huge number of events you’re expected to attend. Between gatherings with friends, immediate family, extended family, co-workers, and in-laws, one rarely gets time to sleep, let alone eat well!

Even though holiday parties are fun, skipping one or two likely won’t ruin the season. Protect your time and health by learning which events to politely decline. For example, a recent survey from OfficeTeam found that only 36% of professionals enjoy company holiday parties; 35% actually gave them a negative “thumbs-down” response. If you know an event won’t be a great time, skip it! You’ll be able to avoid the temptation of unhealthy food and drink, and you’ll be able to spend that time doing something more enjoyable. If you do attend the party, try to snack before the event with healthy nuts or veggies, so you don’t overeat junk food.

Treat Yourself in Other Ways

During the holidays, it’s normal to want to unwind and let loose. You want to celebrate another successful year, and show your favorite people how much you appreciate them. Instead of celebrating with unhealthy foods or pastimes, try finding more constructive ways to enjoy the season. The typical American household spends $1,800 on clothing every year, so why not use some of that budget for your healthy wish list by asking for workout clothes? Health-conscious gifts make staying in shape feel more like a fun lifestyle and less like a chore.

Healthy choices can extend to pastimes as well. Instead of having the family over for dinner, spend an evening ice skating or walking the neighborhood to view decorations together. When it comes to gifting, skip sending cookies and try sharing gift cards or homemade crafts. Though you may be used to celebrating with calories, these healthier alternatives can make your holiday even more memorable!

The holidays are fun, but they don’t last. Remember to balance short-term enjoyment with long-term health benefits. Use the tips above to protect your time, prioritize your health, and to still enjoy the season. Happy holidays!

The article 3 Tips to Enjoy the Holidays AND Maintain Healthy Food Habits by LouAnn Moss appeared first on Healthy Moms Magazine.

God Blesses You When You Serve Him

by Cascia Talbert

Now that Advent has begun I have been praying more and asking the Lord what he wants me to do to prepare for His birth.  When I pray I usually talk to Jesus like I would talk to a friend.  Jesus is your best friend and you can tell him anything.  After having a conversation with Him it is important to listen.  I have been working harder on the listening part.

I recently quit my part time job and am planning on focusing more on my two businesses and my children.  I now believe that the Lord wants me to use some of my new free time to serve Him.  Every day when I pray I ask Him, “How do you want me to serve you?”

People in our lives can teach us how to better serve the Lord.

I have always looked up to my parents, especially my mom.   She worked hard as a Catholic school teacher while raising five children in the faith.  Both of my parents are generous with their time and gifts from God. My father is a talented house painter and he helped paint and fix up a youth center for his community. My mother volunteers at the local food pantry.  They also donate to pro-life and Catholic organizations that do good works throughout the world.  Growing up I remember my mother saying her daily prayers and reading the Bible.  Her father died tragically when she was only eight.  This tragic event shaped who she is today. God gave my mother a gift to help others grieve during times of loss.

My parents have been blessed throughout the years. I believe it is because they have chosen to dedicate their lives to our Lord.  When I was growing up we didn’t have much money but, every year we had enough to go on a family vacation.  My parents had and still have many friends.  Four out of their five children have college degrees and are happily married with families of their own.  My parents are healthy and active.  They are both over 70-years-old and have traveled all over the world.  They live in a nice home in a nice community and never have to worry about money again.  They are truly blessed.

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Examine your spiritual life to find out what you can improve on.

Every year when it gets closer to the new year I take a look at my spiritual life and relationship with Jesus.  What can I do better? I always promise to pray the rosary every single day and start reading my bible more often.  But, life happens.  One year we moved.  Then my children were in and out of therapy or hospitalized due to mental health.  Last year I was busy publishing my first book.  Then my husband was out of work and I had to go back to work.  I used all of these life events as excuses to spend less time with the Lord.  Today my youngest is having major behavior difficulties in school. My oldest lost her job and at age 21 she still lives at home.  Maybe the Lord is trying to tell me that it is time to change my life and spend more time with Him.

What have I been doing differently? Change is hard for me.  Once I get into a routine I feel comfortable. I get anxious if my routine is interrupted. I am taking baby steps to change my life.  When my daughter lost her job suddenly I had an extra 45 minutes in the morning.  I no longer have to take her to work in the morning.  I am using this time to attend daily mass.

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The mass is the greatest prayer.  An article in the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis‘ website states that,

“The Mass is the only place on earth that represents, in a way that we can participate, the crucifixion and resurrection of God. This event is the focal point of all history, the most important event in eternity, and we are invited to sit in the front row and participate. With a greater understanding we realize that we are not spectators. We are invited by the main character of this drama, Jesus Christ, to participate in this supreme act of love, this heavenly liturgy.”

When I attend mass by myself I am able to concentrate more on prayer.  At Sunday mass I pray through music by playing my flute.  I also get distracted by my children if they are misbehaving.  Attending daily mass during the week is so uplifting and the best way to start my day.  Yesterday I was praying so hard after communion that I started to cry.

Spend more time in prayer.

On Tuesday mornings I join this small prayer group at church and we pray the rosary.  This prayer group is called the Marian Movement of Priests and was started by Father Stefano Gobbi in 1973 after he received messages from our Lady.

“In a message to him on August 29, 1973, Our Lady told Fr. Gobbi:

“Whatever I communicate to you, my son, does not belong to you alone, but it is for all my priest-sons, whom I love with predilection.

Above all it is for the priests of the Marian Movement of Priests whom I love most tenderly and whom I want to form and lead by the hand to prepare them for their great mission.

Therefore gather together in a booklet whatever I have told you…”

And thus, by means of these messages, Mary began to make use of Fr. Gobbi as a humble instrument to gather all priests who would accept her invitation to consecrate themselves to her Immaculate Heart, to be strongly united to the Pope and to the Church in union with him, and to bring the faithful into the secure refuge of her motherly Heart. ” mmp-usa.net.

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We read Mary’s messages from Fr. Gobi’s book and pray a rosary. I always feel good after praying the rosary. My next step will be to set aside time every single day to pray the rosary.  My life is difficult right now.  I am raising four children with special needs along with a live-in adult child that also has special needs.  My youngest has been suspended from school several times this year due to violent behavior and vulgar language.  My marriage is challenging.  I live in a state with very high taxes and we struggle to provide for our family of seven. I need Mary’s help.

“The Most Holy Virgin in these last times in which we live has given a new efficacy to the recitation of the Rosary to such an extent that there is no problem, no matter how difficult it is, whether temporal or above all spiritual, in the personal life of each one of us, of our families…that cannot be solved by the Rosary. There is no problem, I tell you, no matter how difficult it is, that we cannot resolve by the prayer of the Holy Rosary.” -Sister Lucia dos Santos of Fatima

Listen to the Lord and you will be blessed.

I believe the above statement with all my heart.  He wants me to have a closer relationship with Him.  We must trust the Lord that he will help us during times of need.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, on your own intelligence rely not; In all your ways be mindful of him, and he will make straight your paths.” Proverbs, 3:5-6.

God will bless me. Right now my life is troubled.  I need to be patient with Him and do more to serve the Lord.  If you are struggling with life’s challenges you too can turn to the Lord for help.  Pray more, do more good works, serve others, share your treasure and talent and God will bless you too.

The article God Blesses You When You Serve Him by Cascia Talbert appeared first on Healthy Moms Magazine.

Tips To Keep Your Children Healthy After Winter Break

by LouAnn Moss

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The holiday season is here, which means kids are home from school and enjoying this fun, exciting time of year. However, that also means in just a few weeks, they’ll have to go back to school, which almost inevitably means they’ll catch yet another cold from one of their classmates.

Kids get sick all the time, as just about any parent knows, but it can be surprising just how often they get sick. In fact, the average child catches between six and ten colds every year. If you want to reduce the amount of time your kids spend sick at home once they go back to school, use these tips to keep them happy and healthy for the remainder of the winter.

Make sure they get sleep: If your child is showing signs of coming down with a cold or other illness, make sure they’re getting enough sleep. School stress and pressure to succeed can cause kids to stay up for longer than they should to begin with, and this only is made worse when illness is involved. Young children should be getting as much as 10 to 13 hours of sleep per night, with teenagers needing between 8.5 and 9.5 hours.
Practice good hygiene: This next tip is crucial for both you and your child. Washing your hands properly and frequently can prevent the spread of illnesses from you to your child, and vice versa. Additionally, if you wash your hands well, it models healthy behaviors for your child to replicate, which can help keep them healthy.
Focus on nutrition: Picky eaters might be even fussier after the tons of tasty food and sweets from the holiday season, but keeping your child eating healthy meals is important. Again, modeling good behavior here can help keep your child healthy. Additionally, be sure to keep introducing new foods to your child’s diet, and avoid using sweets with empty, nutritionless calories as a reward.
Schedule regular check-ups: Regular visits to the doctor might seem like a hassle, but it’s well worth it to keep your child healthy. Don’t forget to visit the dentist as well; the Center for Health and Health Care in Schools warns that 51 million school hours are lost each year due to a dental-related illness. Doctors and dentists will be able to spot symptoms of illness you might overlook.

As the new semester and year picks up again, make sure you’re doing everything you can to keep your child as healthy as possible. Your child is sure to thank you, and these tips will keep them in school and learning as much as they can.

The article Tips To Keep Your Children Healthy After Winter Break by LouAnn Moss appeared first on Healthy Moms Magazine.

New Discovery Reveals Why Babies Kick In The Womb

by LouAnn Moss

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Have you ever wondered why babies kick? It turns out it isn’t just for the excitement of the mother feeling their child for the first time. In fact, a new study has revealed that a baby’s fetal movements are performed in order to map their environment and their own bodies.

This is the first way that babies begin to construct a brain network, making connections and building a sense of spatial awareness. It reportedly determines what part of their little bodies are moving and being touched, in turn.

The study analyzed the brain activity of 19 newborns in the UK via noninvasive electroencephalography (EEG). The researchers realized that the brainwaves of these two-day-old newborns corresponded to their limb movements as they slept.

Neuroscientist, Lorenzo Fabrizi of the University College London, attempts to shed some light on the findings.

“Spontaneous movement and consequent feedback from the environment during the early developmental period are known to be necessary for proper brain mapping in animals such as rats,” he explains. “Here we showed that this may be true in humans too.”

In these animal studies, previous research had shown that the development and processing of sensory stimuli in newborn mammals was a direct result of isolated limb movements. The resulting neuro patterns, known as alpha-beta oscillations, work in the somatic nervous system to form a map of their body.

Researchers discovered this brainwave process was also prevalent in newborns. This is supported by the lack of these patterns as the newborn acclimates to the new world around them outside of the womb.

The study found that these spatial mappings as a result of fetal movement stop quickly after birth. After a few days outside the womb, these knee-jerk movements do not show the same correspondence to these initial brain waves. Scientists have thusly inferred that these fetal movements are beneficial inside the womb and seek to prepare the baby for the outside world upon birth.

Pretty amazing for a human who can’t even cry liquid tears until they reach the end of their first month outside of the womb.

These fundamental aspects of touch are useful immediately from birth for skills like breastfeeding,” claims doctoral student, Kimberley Whitehead, of the University College London.

With over 2.4 million weddings occurring each year in the United States, countless babies will be born as a result. Now that we know more about how babies grow and develop both in and outside of the womb, we’re able to better care for these little bundles of joy.

The article New Discovery Reveals Why Babies Kick In The Womb by LouAnn Moss appeared first on Healthy Moms Magazine.

Wedded Bliss Or Miss? Why All Couples Should Consider Premarital Counseling

by LouAnn Moss

[image error]Marriage is a big step, and yet not one Americans seem to take seriously: around 50% of all U.S. marriages end in divorce. While your relationship may look and feel perfect as it exists right now, a commitment to marriage is a commitment to the future; it simply cannot be made without considering the problems you may come across, or the changes you may go through, or the decisions you may have to make. Premarital counseling is the easiest and most effective way to take a look at your lives together and where they may lead.

“Marriage and family therapists (MFTs) know to look into each person’s beliefs and values concerning money, child-raising, spirituality, individuality, partnership, marriage in general, and more,” says Becky Whetstone, Ph.D., LMFT. “If we see an emotionally immature or incompatible couple heading for a marital train wreck, we’ll tell them.”

There are four main areas to focus on when it comes to considering a lifelong relationship: money, religion, kids, and communication. Financial distress is one of the biggest causes of divorce, so it’s important that both parties display their debt and credit score with nothing withheld. Marriage counselors can help ensure that there is no blame or judgment involved in the process, allowing the focus to be on learning and understanding each other’s current financial status to decide if a joint venture would be wise.

When it comes to faith, the more similar your views are, the more likely you’ll be to stay together. Commonalities often draw people together in the first place, so the more you agree on hard topics, the less arguing will occur. However, this doesn’t mean that those of opposing religions or beliefs can’t experience long and happy marriages; you’ll just need to be prepared for any major differences that may arise along the way (yet another thing your counselor can assist with).

The age-old question: do you want kids? Too often, people don’t discuss the details of this major aspect until after the knot has been tied. Though many more people are opting out of raising children these days, the options are exponential if the answer is “yes” — how many, when will we try, and the considerations of how you’d like to raise them are crucial.

Communication is absolutely necessary if a marriage is going to make it through the good times and the bad; it can help you manage your fear over money problems, your anger over disagreements, and your concern over children, all at once. Marriage therapists — in fact, all therapists — truly excel when it comes to teaching communication skills.

Unsurprisingly, over 98% of surveyed couples who experienced couple’s therapy reported that they received good or excellent help, and over 97% of those surveyed said they got the help they needed. Though exploring your options and searching for therapists may seem daunting or make you feel like your relationship is weak, it is one of the best decisions you and your future spouse can make, and together.

The article Wedded Bliss Or Miss? Why All Couples Should Consider Premarital Counseling by LouAnn Moss appeared first on Healthy Moms Magazine.

Keeping the Home Toxin-Free

by Guest Author

As parents, we always want the best for our kids. The best food. The best clothes. The best education. You name it! But when it comes to their health, we should always go two steps further in making sure our decisions are well-founded.

Given the fact that there are numerous health threats even at home, it’s our job to make sure that our kids are able to lead healthier lives free from accidents and disease. It all starts at home, where your children are exposed to things that may contain hazardous materials.

A toxic-free home is a healthy home, so it’s important to be extra cautious of the things we bring to the house and make sure that they don’t expose our kids to danger. Here are a few things to remember in securing a home that’s free from pollutants and potentially dangerous substances.

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Encourage a less plastic-centric lifestyle

Plastics are all around us. They are in the toys our children are playing with and they are also in the utensils and baby bottles we store on the kitchen shelf. One thing’s for sure, though, plastics are a major health concern as much as they are an environmental one. These materials contain substances that, under humid and warm temperatures, can actually seep into food or diffuse in the air.

It’s important to use less plastic. If you normally use plastic containers to microwave your food, you may as well use glass. On the other hand, when you’re going out to buy groceries, opt to use a paper bag instead of a plastic one. Finally, you can replace your child’s utensils with wooden ones so you won’t have to worry about them chewing bits of plastic that could be poisonous.

Check the labels of food

When you’re out shopping for groceries, it’s always important to keep your family’s safety in mind, especially that of the kids. Your shopping list should be based on the recommended food items that are safe for the kids.

It’s a simple matter of checking the back or under side of the products you’re buying. What are the main ingredients? You should know so you can avoid buying food that contains known pollutants and toxins. Normally, these products undergo material analysis before they are sold for consumption. To be sure, you can have the products undergo lab testing or avoid them altogether if you have a negative hunch.

Use alternative pest control methods

It’s a no-brainer that cockroaches and rats can bring various diseases to the household. The only way to deal with pest problems such as these is to eliminate them entirely. Normally, using chemical-based pest control methods isn’t exactly a great way to achieve a healthier home, any more a less toxic one.

Make sure you use biological or organic means to reduce pest populations. There are many natural methods you can use to kill off pests. Ants, for example, are best dealt with using lemon juice. Roach populations, on the other hand, are best controlled by simply maintaining a clean home and covering possible entry points.

 

The article Keeping the Home Toxin-Free by Guest Author appeared first on Healthy Moms Magazine.

Addiction and Protecting Your Children

by Guest Author

Being addicted (to illegal drugs, alcohol, and any other substance) is generally defined as a brain disease that is characterized by intense cravings, lapse and relapse, and marked dysfunction in key life areas. Young people, including your child or children, are under the threat of this disorder.

Luckily for you, there are now a lot of studies that help identify the factors that put a person at risk of doing behaviors that might lead to addiction. We discuss some of the factors here. We also include in the discussion the steps that you can take as a parent to somehow minimize the influence of such factors on your child.

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Before we proceed with the discussions, it is important to reiterate that the factors that we talk about are not factors that necessarily lead to addiction. They are, however, factors that lead to behaviors that might result in addiction. Addiction, therefore, is the indirect consequence of these factors. With this, it can be said that if you are able to control these factors, you are like nipping the problem in the bud.

Attitudes toward behaviors that lead to addiction.

For ease in discussion, we will use alcohol dependence as our running example. Being addicted to alcohol most likely just started from the habit of consuming alcohol with friends or even family members. Now, a person’s attitude toward drinking is going to be a very significant factor in determining whether or not they will engage in drinking behavior.

What makes drinking such an interesting case is the fact that attitudes toward it are generally positive. It’s culturally accepted especially for men to drink and be merry, especially during celebrations.

Going against the norm is not going to be an easy feat, but as a mother you can very well try to make your children see the harmful effects of alcohol abuse. You may also instill in them the importance of knowing their limits when it comes to alcohol consumption and saying no when they’ve reached them.

Belief that others expect or want them to engage in risky behaviors.

Just to be clear, people do not really consume alcohol drinks with the intention of getting addicted to them. Addiction is oftentimes an unintended consequence that requires a lengthy intervention so that it can be effectively controlled. Alliant Recovery is a good example of an institution that has had significant successes in addiction treatment.

Now, another factor that pushes a person to engage in behaviors that might put them at risk of getting addicted is their idea of what significant others expect of them. A son, for example, might believe that his macho father would want him to drink. A teenage girl might believe that her girlfriends would love her to be a cool social drinker.

In order to combat this, you as a parent should exert efforts to know what types of people your child identifies with. No, this is not so that you can control them. Knowing the people that your child considers important will help you come up with a strategy that you can use to talk to your kid about the drinking problem without offending them.

The article Addiction and Protecting Your Children by Guest Author appeared first on Healthy Moms Magazine.

Parents’ Guide to Wisdom Teeth Removal: What You Need to Know

by LouAnn Moss

[image error]Wisdom teeth removal is an outpatient procedure performed on 5 million Americans each year, but many people still have reservations when it’s their turn. This is especially the case for some younger patients — and their parents. Wisdom teeth can come in as early as age 17, and if your teenager needs to undergo the procedure, then you should understand the best ways to provide support before, during, and after the surgery. With that in mind, here’s a quick guide to help parents know what to expect during their teenager’s wisdom tooth removal procedure.

Anesthetic

Before the procedure is scheduled, you and your teen’s dentist will discuss the type of sedation to be administered. Patients typically receive an injection of localized anesthetic in addition to nitrous oxide; however, there are a variety of sedation options. For more complicated procedures, IV sedation or generalized anesthesia may be the best choice. The global specialty gases market is forecast to surpass $14 billion by 2026, and while some forms of sedation don’t involve specialty gases, so-called “laughing gas” is usually administered before widsom tooth extraction.

Unfortunately, everyone reacts differently to anesthetic. A few hours after the procedure, most people will feel lingering drowsiness and hazy memories. However, some young people respond very negatively to anesthetic. Your son or daughter may feel intense nasuea, headaches, confusion, and other troubling side effects. Talking to your teen and their dentist is the best way to form the right sedation plan.

After the Procedure

Once the procedure is over with (the average surgery usually takes approximately 45 minutes), you’ll have to drive your teen home and let them rest for several days. During this period of time, they should only consume foods and beverages approved by their dentist. There are also several activities that should be avoided during the recovery period because they can irritate the surgery site. Even something as simple as using a drinking straw can cause the blood clots in the removal site to loosen, which is a painful condition called a dry socket.

When it comes to pain management, many dentists provide opiates like Vicodin or Oxycodone. While these drugs are effective, they can also come with their own set of side effects, like nausea. Make sure to monitor your child’s intake of any prescription drugs to ensure they’re taken properly.

Risks of Non-Treatment

Even though dentistry is considered one of the 10 most trusted and ethical professions in the United States, you may be surprised to hear that there is some conflict surrounding the necessity of the procedure as a whole. Not everybody needs to have their wisdom teeth removed, but for those who do, failing to get the procedure performed in time can have seriously negative effects on dental health:

“Instead of growing in like a normal tooth, wisdom teeth get trapped or impacted in your jaw, which often makes them grow in at odd angles and press against your back molars, causing pain and swelling. It also forms a narrow crevice between the teeth, creating the perfect food trap. This makes the tooth difficult to clean, which attracts more bacteria and can cause infection and tooth decay, eventually leading to gum disease, if left untreated,” write Gene Kim and Shira Polan on Business Insider.

According to the Center for Health and Health Care in Schools, 51 million school hours are lost each year due to a dental-related illness, and even though wisdom teeth removal isn’t a 100% risk free procedure, experts agree that it’s better, in most cases, to undergo it in order to prevent these potential future repercussions.

Ultimately, communicating with your teen and their dental professional is the best way to form the right treatment plan when it comes to wisdom teeth removal.

The article Parents’ Guide to Wisdom Teeth Removal: What You Need to Know by LouAnn Moss appeared first on Healthy Moms Magazine.

Teaching Children About Friendship

by Louie Lawent

Making new friends can be stressful for everyone, let alone children who through no fault of their own have to follow their parents to a new city due to circumstances such as a parent finding a new job. Fortunately, I was a very outgoing active kid who enjoyed sports and made people laugh. Making friends wasn’t a problem for me. However, that’s not the case for the shy one, the slow reader or the one who feels a sense of shame for one reason or another. These are the kids who need encouragement to bolster their self-esteem. Their fellow classmates can be part of the solution by going the extra mile to include them in get-togethers and treating them with respect. Making them part of the “group.”

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When I was in elementary school, my parents hosted a party for their friends. While the party was in full swing,

one of the ladies came to see me before I went to sleep. She gave me a heartfelt thanks for inviting her son to my birthday party which took place a short while before then. Her son did not have many friends so she was thrilled that I included him. This episode stuck with me as to the importance of inclusion for those children who don’t seem to fit in. My hope is that my children’s picture book “Haley’s Friendship Challenge” will inspire children who

are popular to make an extra effort to become friends with kids who are having a hard time fitting in. A “new” friend for the new kid in town will not only make the new kid’s transition joyful but will also prove beneficial for the popular one who will gain a new perspective.

Many children who move from one city to another or to one school to another are distressed because

they miss their friends that they are leaving behind and believe that the new kids they meet will not

take the place of their “old” ones. Also new surroundings can be very intimidating. Familiarity is a huge comfort to children. Think of how many times kids want to have their parents read the same story over and over again or watch the same cartoon multiple times. Even though a story may be scary, the children know all will turn out well in the end so they are reassured. Also with so many uncertainties in their life, these stories and cartoons provide them with a sense of control. The loss of control is multiplied when a new city, new school and new children are thrown into the mix.
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“Haley’s Friendship Challenge[image error]” is a beautifully illustrated story about a girl who moves to a new town. Unfortunately, she isn’t fitting in and she misses her old friends. For her birthday, Haley receives a much-coveted surprise that she shares with no one. However, her feelings change when she feels empathy for a neighborhood dog that has also lost her pals. After weeks of loneliness, Haley realizes that things are not getting better for either of them; it’s time to make new friends.

The article Teaching Children About Friendship by Louie Lawent appeared first on Healthy Moms Magazine.