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Kidney Stones During Pregnancy
Kidney stones can be very painful to bear, especially when you are pregnant. While being pregnant does not increase your chances of getting kidney stones, it makes it complicated to diagnose and administer the usual methods of treatment due to the risks of harming the foetus. While most kidney stones may pass without the need for any treatment, some of them may cause intense pain. In such cases, medical treatment is recommended.
Causes of Kidney Stone During Pregnancy
Although being pregnant does not mean that you are at a higher risk of getting kidney stones, there are certain causes that can connect kidney stones and pregnancy. Some of the common causes of kidney stones during pregnancy are:
1. Lack of fluids: A common reason for kidney stones is the inadequate consumption of water. The lack of fluids in your body causes an increase in the concentration of minerals like phosphorous and calcium in the urine, which leads to the formation of kidney stones. During pregnancy, your body requires more water than usual. Drinking less than the required amount of water may thus lead to kidney stones.
2. Genetic predisposition: The genetic makeup of your body may also increase your chances of kidney stones. If you are from a family with a high incidence of hypercalciuria - a condition where there is an excess quantity of calcium in the urine - you may be more prone to kidney stones during pregnancy.
3. Bowel irritation: If you have gastrointestinal sensitivity, you may be prone to hypercalciuria or be at a higher risk of kidney stones. This is because chronic inflammation in the bowels may increase the number of calcium ions that are deposited on the kidneys, which then turn into crystals.
4. High calcium intake: Pregnant women are encouraged to consume more calcium - this may put extra pressure on the kidneys and cause crystal formation on the kidneys. Also, as your body absorbs a lot of calcium to aid the development of the baby, you may have a higher chance of getting kidney stones.
5. Increased filtration: Due to an increase in the filtration activity of the kidney, the amount of uric acid that you excrete may also increase, which may lead to uric acid stones.
6. Dilation of the uterus: The upper urinary tract may become large during pregnancy, which can cause an incomplete clearing of the urine and increase the risk of kidney stone formation.
7. UTIs: Constant urinary tract infections during pregnancy may be indicative of kidney stones.
Signs and Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of kidney stones during pregnancy aren’t unlike the usual ones. However, there are no specific symptoms that indicate kidney stones and any pregnancy complications caused due to it. Some of the common symptoms of kidney stones during pregnancy include:
1. Pain: Intense pain is one the first and the most common signs of kidney stones. The area of the pain is based on where the stone is, internally. If the stone is in your kidney, you will experience pain in the back, below the rib cage area. Once the stone moves down to the ureter, you will experience pain on the side of your body. As the stone moves further down the ureter, you may even feel pain near your genitals or in the thigh. Apart from this, you may also feel pain in your lower abdomen.
2. Pain during urination: If the stone has travelled down and is stuck at the lower end of the ureter, you are likely to have intense pain while urinating.
3. Blood in the urine: As the stones in the kidney move spontaneously, they may damage the tissues and the cells in the kidney. This may lead to blood in the urine.
Apart from these symptoms, you may also have vomiting, nausea, fever with chills (indicates infection), or may even feel some distension in the abdomen.
How Is Kidney Stone Diagnosed During Pregnancy?
A blood and urine analysis is performed to diagnose kidney stones during pregnancy. A urine test can identify blood, crystals of calcium or uric acid in the urine. A urine culture test can also recognise infection-causing organisms and determine what antibodies they are sensitive to.
A renal ultrasound may be conducted as it is a painless procedure that does not expose the foetus to radiation. However, the drawback of undergoing a renal ultrasound is that it cannot identify certain types of kidney stones and may not be able to identify the cause of an enlarged kidney (whether it is due to pregnancy or due to the obstruction caused by a kidney stone).
X-rays and CT scans are avoided to prevent any damage to the foetus. While an MRI is considered safe as it does not use radiation or contrast materials, it is still not advisable to use it to detect kidney stones during pregnancy.
Indications When Surgical Intervention Is Advised
If natural and conservative remedies do not work, you may have to opt for surgical intervention to get rid of kidney stones under these circumstances:
The stones that have obstructed the urinary tract have caused pyelonephritis or inflammation due to bacterial infection
If you have only one kidney
Acute kidney failure
Intense pain
Risk of premature labour due to kidney pain
How to Get Rid of Kidney Stones While Pregnant
If you notice any symptoms of kidney stones, it is advisable to consult a urologist for treatment options. Here are some of the methods used to get rid of kidney stones during pregnancy. Treatment methods are also dependent on the nature of your kidney stones and the trimester that you are in.
1. Medical Treatment
Paracetamols are prescribed to relieve pain caused due to kidney stones. However, in the event that medication fails to reduce your pain, or if there is any indication of preterm labour, you may need surgical intervention.
2. Surgical Treatment
Ureteroscopy – this procedure is used for diagnosis as well as for breaking down the stones. A small tube called a ureteroscope is inserted into the kidney, which passes through the ureter, the urethra, and the urinary bladder. The process uses a laser to break the stones. This procedure is only ideal for stones smaller than 1 cm.
Tube or stent placement – this procedure uses a hollow tube passed through the ureters to drain the urine and the stones. It is minimally invasive and needs local anaesthesia at most.
Shockwave therapy and open surgery - these are not prescribed to pregnant women due to risks to the foetus.
3. Natural/Home Remedies
Conservative methods and natural remedies are the most preferred treatment for kidney stones. Some of these include,
Intake of water: Drinking at least 8 glasses of water every day can help dilute the minerals and organic salts in the urine. It also helps clear small stones from the kidneys.
Fruits: Consuming fruits like watermelon, blueberries, peaches, and other fruits that have high water content is also beneficial.
Avoid commercial juices: Packaged juices have a high mineral (and possibly added sugar) and salt content which may make your condition worse.
Lemon: Lemon is known to break down medium-sized stones and also open up the ureters, helping the stones pass without much pain.
Apple Cider Vinegar: ACV contains acetic acid which dissolved kidney stones. Just adding a tablespoon or two to 1 litre of water and drinking it through the day can be helpful. However, make sure to check with your doctor as the consumption of ACV should be limited during pregnancy.
Basil Juice: Like ACV, basil contains acetic acid which can be helpful in breaking down kidney stones. Basil generally helps with inflammation as well. Simply take some fresh or dried basil leaves, boil them in water, and consume the tea. Avoid the prolonged consumption of this tea as it may cause problems like low blood pressure and blood sugar. Always consult with your doctor before trying any home remedy, especially during pregnancy.
Prevention
Some of the best ways to prevent kidney stones are:
Drink a lot of water. A minimum of two litres or eight glasses per day is essential.
Reduce your salt intake. Avoid junk food especially, as it may contain unhealthy amounts of monosodium chloride.
Avoid excess calcium. Keep your calcium intake under 1000 to 1200 mg per day.
Talk to your doctor about your medication. Certain medications can make a person susceptible to kidney stones. If you are on medication – any medication, regardless of whether you have been prescribed them during pregnancy – mention them to your doctor. In any case, however, do not stop consuming those medicines without your doctor’s approval.
Reduce your consumption of certain foods. Green leafy vegetables, chicken, fish, nuts, beetroot, chocolate, peanuts, beef, red meat, tea, and coffee can make a person more vulnerable to kidney stones.
Kidney stones can occur during pregnancy, and in most cases can be treated using natural treatment methods. However, in case the pain is severe, you will need to opt for medical or surgical treatments to alleviate it. Always remember to reach out to a doctor immediately after you notice symptoms of kidney stones to get the appropriate treatment method and avoid complications.
Also read: Hydronephrosis In Pregnancy Read more
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Hormonal Changes after Pregnancy
Childbirth brings in a lot of new changes. It completely alters the life of the parents, as their life will now revolve around their new baby. Childbirth also changes the hormonal balance in the mother’s body. This causes several issues in the new mom, such as mood swings, hair loss, insomnia, and more. The body takes a few months to recuperate from childbirth and get back to normal. During this time, hormonal imbalances can cause a variety of symptoms in the mother, ranging from inconvenient to very serious.
Causes of Hormonal Imbalance Post Pregnancy
Hormonal imbalance is caused by the sudden change in levels of the hormones progesterone and oestrogen in the new mother’s body. During pregnancy, the progesterone is at a high level in the body. After childbirth, the progesterone level drops suddenly, causing several unpleasant symptoms such as menstrual issues, recurring infections, and tiredness. A woman’s body takes six to eight weeks to recover from childbirth and restore hormonal balance. For women who are breastfeeding, it takes longer for the hormonal balance to be restored. This hormonal imbalance also affects the normal functioning of the thyroid gland and can cause hypothyroidism and inflammation of the thyroid gland (thyroiditis).
Causes of Oestrogen Dominance After Delivery
Oestrogen and progesterone are important hormones that play an important role in pregnancy and childbirth. After childbirth, the placenta is removed. The placenta is a major contributor to producing progesterone. As a result, progesterone levels in the body drop drastically. This causes oestrogen dominance, meaning a high level of the hormone oestrogen in the body. Oestrogen dominance can affect the normal functioning of the thyroid and adrenal glands. This can cause thyroiditis or inflammation of the thyroid glands, and hypothyroidism or underactive thyroid production.
Symptoms of Hormonal Imbalance After Giving Birth
If you have several of these symptoms after childbirth, it could be an indication of hormonal imbalance in your body:
1. Loss of Sleep
Mothers who have hormonal imbalance could suffer from insomnia, which is the inability to sleep through the night.
2. Anxiety and Mood Swings
Hormonal imbalance can affect your emotional state and cause erratic mood swings and anxiety. This could be because of thyroid problems caused by the hormonal imbalance.
3. Fatigue
If you feel extremely tired all the time post-delivery, it could be a sign of hormonal imbalance. It is normal to feel tired during recovery from childbirth, and the attention required by your new baby can also be overwhelming. However, if you feel constantly exhausted, you should tell your doctor about it so that he can determine if the exhaustion is being caused by hormonal imbalance.
4. Unable to Lose Weight, Baby Blues, and Postpartum Depression
The hormonal imbalance in the body makes it very challenging to lose weight post-delivery. Aside from this, new mothers often feel a case of ‘baby-blues’ which are feelings of sadness for several days after the baby is born. Mothers may be emotional and cry suddenly. They can be irritable and have trouble making decisions or sleeping. They may also feel overwhelmed by changes in their lives or that they are not caring well for their babies. Another symptom of hormonal imbalance is postpartum depression, which is much more serious than ‘baby-blues’ and is characterised by feelings of intense sadness or depression that last longer than a few weeks and do not go away.
5. Hair Loss
After the childbirth, you could experience hair loss due to the hormonal imbalance and thyroid problems. If you feel that the hair loss is unusually excessive, talk to your doctor about hormonal imbalance and remedies for it.
6. Recurring Infections
If you suffer from recurring infections like bladder or urinary tract infection, uterine or kidney infections, it is an indication of hormonal imbalance in the body. Hormonal problems can compromise your immunity and make you vulnerable to disease-causing bacteria, resulting in repeated infections.
7. Menstrual Problems
Menstrual problems such as heavy bleeding or painful cramps could also be due to hormonal imbalance and oestrogen dominance. Some women may also have very light bleeding during their periods after childbirth.
Ways to Restore Hormonal Balance After Pregnancy
Here is a list to help your body restore its hormonal balance after delivery:
1. Stay Away from Harmful Substances
Nicotine, alcohol and caffeine are three substances that can worsen the symptoms caused by hormonal imbalance after childbirth. Therefore, it is important to avoid drinking alcohol and smoking. Also, avoid caffeinated beverages like coffee and cola.
2. Remember to Take Your Supplements
The body’s vitamin and mineral balance will also help to restore the hormonal balance. Hence, it is vital to take vitamin and mineral supplements daily after the birth of your child.
3. Avoid Soya Products
Postpartum hormones wreak havoc on your emotional state, causing mood swings. Soybeans and soy products contain phytoestrogen, which is a kind of plant oestrogen. This can mimic the effects of human oestrogen in the body and aggravate the problems caused by oestrogen dominance. Hence, avoid consuming soy products after delivery.
4. Eat Egg Yolk
Egg yolk is a great source of B-complex vitamins such as B12 and B6. It is also rich in selenium, which is crucial for converting inactive thyroid hormone to active thyroid hormone. Thus, consuming egg yolk can help in restoring hormonal balance in the body.
5. Make Sure You Are Getting Some Sunshine
Vitamin D is essential for the body to maintain hormonal balance. Deficiency of Vitamin D causes an increase in the level of parathyroid hormone, which will worsen the symptoms of hormonal imbalance. So, make sure you get some sunshine every day, as your body requires sunlight to synthesise Vitamin D.
6. Exercise Regularly
Regular exercise helps combat hormonal imbalance. It also causes the release of endorphins in your body that improve your mood and reduce stress. Walking in a park or in a natural area is a great way to exercise and feel relaxed.
7. Take Magnesium Supplements and Use Clary Sage Oil
The mineral magnesium plays an important role in balancing hormones in the body. Magnesium is better absorbed by the skin. So, using magnesium oil is better than taking magnesium pills. Make sure you get enough magnesium to restore hormonal balance in your body. Clary sage essential oil helps in controlling the body’s oestrogen level. It also lowers cortisol, the stress hormone, in your body. Dilute this oil with a carrier oil and apply it on the skin or use a diffuser to spread it in your room.
8. Increase Your Fibre Intake
Dietary fibre helps in eliminating oestrogen in the body. Including food that contains dietary fibre such as greens, lentils, peas, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts can help restore your body’s hormonal balance by getting rid of excessive oestrogen.
9. Avoid Simple Carbohydrates
Simple carbs such as maida, white bread, pasta, rice, sugary sweets etc. can be digested easily by your body and contribute to weight gain and high blood sugar. This worsens the hormonal imbalance in your body. Stick to whole grains or unrefined complex carbohydrates like brown rice, brown bread, sweet potatoes, etc. to help your body restore hormonal balance.
10. Do Not Consume Foods High in Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFAs)
PUFAs can affect your endocrine glands, causing the symptoms of hormonal imbalance to worsen. Hence, avoid foods containing PUFAs such as margarine, safflower oil, peanut oil etc. after delivery.
11. Do Not Use Hormonal Birth Control After Delivery
Using hormonal birth control soon after delivery will aggravate the problems caused by postpartum hormonal imbalance. This is because hormonal birth control pills change the levels of natural hormones that your body produces. This results in a further hormonal imbalance in your body.
12. Try Yoga
Yoga has been found to relieve stress and relax both your mind and body. It also helps in relieving anxiety and insomnia. Yoga will help in restoring your body’s hormonal balance. If you are not familiar with yoga, learn from a trained yoga expert. Do not attempt to do yoga on your own, as you may end up injuring yourself.
13. Raspberry Leaf Tea
Red Raspberry leaf is known for its antioxidant and restorative properties. It contains many vitamins and minerals that help in regulating hormones. Drinking red raspberry leaf tea can help resolve problems of the reproductive system.
14. Acupuncture
Acupuncture is another popular alternative medicinal therapy that originated in China. It involves inserting fine needles at specific energy points on the skin to treat the hormonal imbalance.
15. Get Plenty Of Sleep
Sleep deprivation increases the problems caused by hormonal imbalance after childbirth. Lack of sleep also negatively affects the mother-baby bonding. So, it is necessary to get as much sleep as you can. Get help from family members or a nanny for baby care and catch up on your sleep.
If you have just had a baby and are suffering from symptoms like hair loss, recurring infections, mood swings, anxiety, insomnia, sadness or depression, you should consult your doctor immediately to determine whether these symptoms are being caused by a postpartum hormonal imbalance or oestrogen dominance. Do not include new foods or alternative medicines in your diet without consulting your doctor first. This is needed if you are breastfeeding your baby. Whatever you consume can be passed on to the baby through breast milk. It is, therefore, important to make sure you are eating only healthy and nutritious food. Try the tips suggested in this article to restore hormonal balance in your body.
Also Read: Body Changes after Pregnancy Read more
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A Story to Her Learning Fobia & My Postpartum Depression
& Personal Solution to Make my Girl Happy.
I am a mother of 2 . A 4 year old girl child and a 5 months old boy baby.
A 4 year old who excelled in her studies till the date when her mother went into labor. Her mother helped her through out the pandemic online classes ,post class learning and homeworks with the baby bump.She was up to date and very active to the learnings from the school. She also excelled in the co-curricular activities too..
Even if she doesnt know how to perform or how to sing ,she used to try.
Days passed by where she was left along with her aunt ,when her mom went into labor. She was alone for the first time since birth from her mom. She was extremely happy for the news that she got a baby brother.
She eagerly waited to welcome the little boy home.She was all happy to the tiny little world she has been seeing since the pandemic. But situations started to change gradually. She was not allowed to touch the baby more often. She felt like an icecream in front of her. She dint get the attention from her mom since then. A daughter who had been pampered the whole 4 years was left alone to sleep, eat. She started to think ,the whole love and care was given to the little boy. She started to irritate the mom to seek her attension in all the possible ways. She became frustrated day by day. The 4 walls and 4 faces never was enough for her tantrums.
Mom who went through post delivery issues couldnt handle the girl. She had to shout at her at times, she had to beat her at times..Estrogen and progestrone levels kept the mood swings and anger to the peak.
Not knowing what to do , mom thought of a change of place could make a difference in the girl's attitude.
She never sang again ...She never learnt a song again ... she never danced.. she showed no interest in writing alphabets or numbers.
Depression ate up head. Anger , saddness and change of mood happens like the traffic signal. A small tiny problem seemed to be a tsunamic one for the mom. She kept beating the girl and she herself started to hate her. Nobody understands what she goes through... a psychic storm that run in her mind and head. At times she cant hold herself and she wants someone to listen to her..
Finally had to settle down with my girl.
Slowly she tried to adjust.. she understood that her brother is her baby.. she understood my hardtimes the way she could.. the lonely times we could spent together.. i made her understand both of them are equal and important to me. I made the younger one to sleep with her, touch her, i let her to make the baby sleep...
What i did was, i calmed down from being irritated. She was happy.. Only thing she wanted from me was to sleep with her. Read more
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5 Ways to Measure your Bra Size at Home
Learning how to measure your bra size at home correctly is surprisingly simple and is something that will stand you in good stead the next time you're facing a dilemma about choosing the right bra. Master the basics in a few simple ways.
Finding a bra that fits perfectly is something that has haunted every woman at one time or the other. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need anything other than yourself to get your size right. And even though sizing varies slightly between brands, you can have an idea of what yours is to help you choose the right bra.
How is Bra Size Measured?
The first thing you need to do is to pick out a bra and wear it. Choose an unpadded one that isn't underwired for accurate results. Make sure that it’s in a style you’re comfortable wearing.
1. Figuring Out Your Band Size
A vital step in the ways to measure your bust is calculating the band size. Take a soft measuring tape and wrap it just beneath your breasts where the bra band goes around. Ensure it’s wrapped properly and isn’t twisted or loose. If you get an odd number, round it off to the nearest even number. For best results, try on a bra with a band size that’s both above and below your measurement. For e.g. if it’s 31, try on both size 30 and 32.
2. Cup Size Basics
Do remember that cup size is in proportion to band size. Very rarely will it be an absolute figure. Wrap the measuring tape around the fullest part of your breasts. Make sure it’s neither too tight nor too loose. It should feel snug. You also want to be careful that the tape doesn’t slope down or ride up your back. Write down your measurement.
3. The Calculations
When learning how to measure your bra size correctly at home, calculate the difference between your cup size and band size. If your bust size is 34 and band size is 33, that’s a one-inch difference. The basic rule is 1 inch = A cup, 2 inches = B cup, 3 inches = C cup, 4 inches = D cup and so on.
4. Understand How a Bra Should Fit
The basic rule of the bra size measurement guide is understanding what a well-fitting bra feels like. The band should be snug on the first hook. You can use the remaining hooks to adjust the snugness, when its elasticity wears out. There should also be sufficient side coverage with minimal spillage. The part of the bra band between the breasts, and the straps shouldn’t dig into your skin either.
5. Final Check
Try your bra on under a top. Your bust should be approximately halfway between your elbow and shoulder. Your bust line should also be well-supported and shouldn’t hang. Check to see how the bra looks under a fitted top as a loose bra will show up as much as a too-tight one.
Follow these measurements of bra cup size and bra band size to choose one that fits you perfectly. After all, if you don’t feel comfortable in your underwear, you won’t look or feel confident! Read more
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Lyme Disease in Children - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
The bites from black-legged or deer ticks are known to lead to Lyme disease. These are not visible to the naked eye, and immature ticks are often the size of poppy seeds. Adult ticks look like the size of sesame seeds.
What Is Lyme Disease and How Common Is It?
Lyme disease is very common in the United States, being one of the leading tick diseases there. It's an infectious illness caused by black-legged or deer ticks. Typically, people who are bitten by these ticks don't feel the bite and have no memory of it. The infection gets passed on when the tick sits on you for 24 to 48 hours and bites. Those who live in woody areas are more prone to tick bites, and thus, this disease.
Causes of Lyme Disease
Lyme disease in toddlers, infants, and adults are caused by various factors. Here are the common ones below:
1. Borrelia Burgdorferi
The strains of the bacteria Borrelia Burgodorferi are known to lead to Lyme disease in humans. These are transmitted through tick bites and are spread by nymphs.
2. Through a Host
The development of a tick happens in three stages - larval, nymph, and adult. When a tick is in its nymph or larval stages, it feeds off the bacteria from livestock and birds. It then transfers these bacteria to humans during upcoming feeding cycles. Small animals can transmit the bacteria responsible for causing Lyme disease on to the ticks and some examples include the grey squirrel in California and Western Fence Lizards.
3. Ixodes Pacificus
The Ixodes Pacificus or the Western Blacklegged Tick is found in woody areas and is known very well for spreading Lyme Disease.
4. Borrelia Afezilii And Borrelia Garinii
These are cork-screw-like bacteria that are known to spread Lyme disease in Europe and Asia. These transmit spirochaete infections.
5. Parks, Grassy, and Woody Areas
Any ticks located in regions like parks, grassy areas, and woody regions are famous for causing Lyme disease. They secrete an anaesthetic by sitting on you, causing you not to feel any pain during bites.
6. Other Carriers
If the eggs of a tick hatch onto the fur of your pet or the bacteria infects other animals, you may acquire Lyme disease from them as they become disease carriers essentially.
Lyme Disease Symptoms in Children
Lyme disease symptoms are tricky because they are often misinterpreted for something else. Signs such as behavioural changes, lack of appetite, or decreasing attention span are sometimes thought of by parents as a temporary phase, when in reality, it's Lyme disease behind them. In general, the disease goes through three stages and these have their characteristic symptoms which are listed below.
1. Stage 1 Symptoms
Stage 1 is the early localized stage. Its symptoms are
"Bull's-eye" rash which is marked by a dominant central spot
Rashes that look like bruises
Any rashes which are solid-red or have redness around the edges
2. Stage 2 Symptoms
Stage 2 is the early disseminated stage and occurs many weeks after the day of the tick bite. It is characterized by symptoms which are flu-like such as:
Blurry vision
Chills
Fever
Swelling of the lymph nodes
Tiredness
Aching muscles
Headaches
Rashes may also appear in different areas besides the site of the tick bite
3. Stage 3 Symptoms
Stage 3 is known as the late disseminated stage and occurs months and years after the tick bite. Symptoms of this stage are:
Changes in the rhythm of the heartbeat
Difficulty focusing mentally
Brain fog
Brain disorders like encephalopathy which lead to changes in mood and memory
Sleep pattern disturbances
Difficulty talking to people or listening to conversations
Numb feeling in the arms, legs, and feet
Headaches which increase in severity
Also, make sure to watch out other symptoms of Lyme disease in babies and kids by taking note of behavioural changes, poor cognition, sensitivity to light, and night sweats. Achy, stiff and swollen joints are another symptom which makes parents often mistake Lyme disease for arthritis and other conditions, so beware of that.
Diagnosis of Lyme Disease
There two ways Lyme disease in infants and children are diagnosed which are listed below.
Visual Inspection by a Medical Professional - This involves looking for the bulls-eye rash and any spots other than the area where the tick has bitten
Blood Tests - In 20-25% cases, the rashes may not be visible. This is where the doctor may do a blood test and analyze the sample for the presence of Borrelia bacteria and antibodies in the body.
How Lyme Disease Is Treated in Children?
Lyme disease in toddlers treatment is done usually with a course of antibiotics. However, treatment will depend on the following factors:
Whether the child plays outdoors in any tick-infected areas or woody regions
Blood test results
Any other tests that say positive for spirochetes
Any symptoms that exhibit ones of tick bites
Ways to Prevent Lyme Disease in Kids
Here are some different ways to prevent Lyme disease and safeguard your kids from it.
1. Change the Clothing
Don't let your child wear sleeves or short trousers and shirts. Wear full-sleeved and long clothing when going out to woody areas.
2. Apply Repellents With DEET
Use children's insect repellents which are known to have 10 to 30% DEET.
3. Shower After Coming Home
When your child comes back home from outdoors, tell her to shower immediately and not delay.
4.Do Not Visit Tick-prone Areas
This is a no-brainer, but don't let your child play in areas crawling with ticks.
5.Tuck the Hair Into a Cap
This is to protect the scalp and prevent ticks from crawling up your child's hair. Ticks can't jump from above though.
6. Avoid Contact With Anyone Having Lyme Disease
This also includes non-humans like pets and other animals.
7. Get a Medical Diagnosis
If you notice any behavioural, emotional, or physical changes without any rashes developing, get a blood test or medical diagnosis done for early care and prevention.
How to Remove Tick From Your Child's Body?
Here's how you remove the tick from your child's body.
Use a pair of tweezers to remove the tick from your child's body.
Don't twist or jerk when pulling since this won't remove the tick well.
Pluck near the tick's head or mouth when pulling until it lets go of your child's skin.
Soak a cotton ball for 30 seconds and warm water and apply to your child's skin, letting it sit. Remove that and the tick will come off.
When to Visit the Doctor?
You should take your child to the doctor or call one in if you notice any flu-like symptoms, facial paralysis or swollen joints alongside any of the symptoms listed above.
FAQs
Here's a key question we've answered about Lyme disease that strikes the minds of many readers.
1. Is Lyme Disease Contagious?
No, Lyme disease is not contagious and cannot be transmitted from person to person through oral or sexual contact or blood transfusions.
Lyme disease can become dangerous if the symptoms become long-lasting, which is why it's imperative that you spot and get them treated early. We hope the information above helped but always consult a medical professional just to be sure.
Also Read:
Tips to Deal with Bed Bug Bites on Babies & Kids
Papular Urticaria in Children
Home Remedies for Insect Bites in Children Read more
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Your Child Faces This Danger When He Goes To Play In The Park
Playing in the park, meeting other children, learning team spirit, and occasionally getting hurt are all important aspects of growing up. We loved our time in the playground when we were children, and learnt many life lessons there. In today’s modern world, where children are over-exposed to screens and video games and spend an unhealthy amount of time cooped up indoors, outdoor play is more important than ever. But how can you guarantee that your children will be safe in the park?
The polluted air is not the only risk that children face during outdoor play. There are a number of outdoor safety hazards that parents need to be cautious against. To put your mind at ease, we have prepared for you a quick guide on outside safety for kids. Let’s make park-time more fun for both the kiddies and the parents!
Outdoor Hazards for Children in the Playground
Find out about the main dangers kids are exposed to in playgrounds and how you can protect your little ones from these risks.
1. Overheating & Heat Stroke
In India, summers and even autumn can see very high temperatures. However, these are also the times (May-June, Oct-Nov) when children have vacations in school and spend a lot of time playing outdoors. Getting exposed to the heat for long durations of time can trigger overheating. Prolonged exposure to the winter sun can also prove to be harmful! It is not something many parents see as a serious threat to safety at play. But if overheating leads to a heatstroke, it can quickly become very serious and even require hospitalisation.
Watch Out For:
Flushed skin
Dehydration
Fever
Clammy skin
What To Do: Make sure your child is well hydrated during outdoor play. Do this by building a habit of drinking water at regular intervals. Also dress the child in cool, loose and comfortable (preferably cotton) clothing. If possible, it is best to avoid going to the park at peak heat times – 11 AM to 4 PM.
2. Getting Bitten by Mosquitoes & Other Insects
Bites and stings may be an inevitable part of childhood but that doesn’t mean we don’t need to look out for them. While some bites may be painless and harmless, there are some that warrant immediate attention. If your child gets bitten by the Anopheles mosquito (transmitter of malaria) or the Aedes mosquito (transmitter of dengue), the symptoms are likely to start showing up in a few days. Unfortunately, it is not possible to recognise or distinguish these bites from regular mosquito bites. Watch Out For:
High fever
Sudden chills (in case of malaria)
Rash
Joint and muscle pain (in case of dengue)
Headache
Nausea
Stiff neck
What To Do: The best protection against this risk and challenge in children's play is simple – prevention! While controlling the surroundings of the park is not in your hands, you can easily shield your child from mosquitoes by using an effective mosquito repellent. Goodknight Fabric Roll-On is a handy and safe option for kids that effectively repels mosquitoes that cause malaria, dengue and chikungunya. Simply dab 4 dots on their clothes and they will remain protected for 8 hours. This Roll-On uses only natural ingredients – eucalyptus oil and citronella – so it’s safe even for young toddlers. Also dress the child in loose but covered clothing to prevent him from being bitten by bees and wasps.
If your child does get bitten, you can administer simple home remedies for insect bites, such as turmeric paste and aloe vera gel. However, if the area appears swollen or the child experiences discomfort, breathing issues, etc., it is best to consult the paediatrician.
3. Sunburn & Skin Rashes
You must have noticed how your little one’s skin looks flushed and red when he comes home from the park. Sometimes, this is not just a sign of active play but actually a sign of sunburn. If your child has been playing in the sun without sunscreen to protect his skin, he might have caught sunburn. This can lead to pain, headache, and even fever. Please note that contrary to popular belief, this can happen even in the winters. If the weather is particularly humid, playing in the park can also trigger skin rashes and prickly heat in kids. This is because the sweat glands might get blocked. The resulting rash can be very distressing and uncomfortable.
Watch Out For:
Red bumps on the skin
Skin that is painful to touch
Fever
General feeling of illness
What To Do: Protect your child from this danger by limiting his exposure to direct sunlight. Never forget to use a child-safe sunscreen (at least SPF 15) when he steps out of the house - all through the year. To ensure playground safety for children, dress your child in covered clothing and use sunhats, umbrellas, etc., on particularly sunny days. For dealing with skin rashes, the best solution is to keep the skin cool and dry, especially in the folds. If the rash is painful, ask your doctor to prescribe a soothing gel.
4. Fear of Strangers & Accidents
Sadly, this is a very relevant fear in our life that didn’t exist with this ferocity when we were children. The rate of crimes against children, rash driving and kidnapping is increasing every day, and this fear is a major driver in parents choosing to keep their kids safely tucked up indoors.
Watch Out For:
Suspicious strangers or ‘friends’ around your child
Playgrounds that are too far from home or involve long stretches of walking through deserted areas
What To Do: It is best to escort little children to the park, or send them with a caregiver or family member. For older kids, prefer sending them to a playground in your society or neighbourhood, where there is no need to cross roads or walk through deserted stretches. Teach your kids basic safety rules such as not to accept treats from strangers, look both sides while crossing the road, etc. Also, abstain from sharing private information about your kids on social media, and this includes details of the playground they go to every evening. You never know when a stalker can ferret this information and use it to arrive at a time/place when your child will be alone.
5. Water-Based Dangers
Many playgrounds these days have pools and splashing areas for little ones. While these can be fun and useful for motor and sensory development, they also pose the risk of drowning and other water-based injuries. This is true even if the pool is shallow since little ones face a drowning risk even in less than an inch of water! Stagnant water in such parks can also be rampant breeding grounds for mosquitoes and other disease-causing insects.Watch Out For:
Vomiting, drowsiness or chest pain after coming back from the park (these are symptoms of dry drowning which can occur if a child accidentally breathes in water and it ends up closing his airways)
Signs of mosquito or insect bites such as swollen skin, redness, etc.
What To Do: If the playground your little one goes to has a pool, make sure it is always supervised. Do not allow children to play around an unfenced pool. It can pose a danger of injury. Any stagnant water can also be infested with mosquitoes and your child might get bitten. If your child is going to be playing in a park that has water-based play areas, it is recommended to use Goodknight Fabric Roll-On to keep mosquitoes away. The Roll-On has been tested in multiple scenarios and is effective even in the water.
It is almost time for winter break in India and children everywhere are gearing up to play to their heart’s content during vacation time. Just keep these safety pointers in mind and your little one will be able to step out to play without any fear.
Is there another safety precaution you follow while sending your children to the playground? Tell us in the comments. Read more
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Q. This is my cbc report
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 7 m old girl
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A. No there is nothing visible on my wall so I can really really cannot help you can you please repose the question once again providing all the necessary details as once I’m certain what are you talking about what’s mentioned in the report according to that I can provide you proper help on your question
Dr Sameer awadhiya has added a new answer
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now I'm 24 weeks. Sometimes I'm feeling pain in my thigh.
Dr Sameer awadhiya
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11 hours ago
A. For thegh query asked needs consultation with doctor for proper guidance so it is better that the doctor will guide you the correct way .
Onlfine consultation can also be taken and the expert will give you the proper answer .
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