Apr 28
Aspirin is probably the most commonly used home remedy of all and the one parents think of at once in the face of any crisis. Paracetamol is a non-aspirin alternative with similar properties. Both are available as flavored, chewable tablets, and in liquid form, and aspirin is available in the form of rectal suppositories. Both [...] [...more]
Posted: under General health.
Tags: General health
Aspirin is probably the most commonly used home remedy of all and the one parents think of at once in the face of any crisis. Paracetamol is a non-aspirin alternative with similar properties. Both are available as flavored, chewable tablets, and in liquid form, and aspirin is available in the form of rectal suppositories. Both come in different strengths, and when you buy you should check the label to make sure that the strength is appropriate to the age of your child. Aspirin or paracetamol tablets can be crushed and mixed with a little stewed apple, jelly, or ice cream to make them more acceptable to the child. Whenever you disguise a medicine this way, however, you must be careful to watch that the child takes the whole dose. Aspirin suppositories should not be used. Their rate of absorption is uneven, and they present a greater risk of aspirin poisoning than other forms of this drug.
Until recently, aspirin substitutes such as paracetamol were used primarily when a child couldn’t take aspirin for one reason or another. It has now been suggested, however, that the use of aspirin, especially when given to a child with chicken pox or the flu, may be associated with a condition known as Reye’s syndrome. This is a relatively rare form of encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) that also involves the liver.
Although it has not been proven that aspirin causes or promotes Reye’s syndrome, it is recommended that aspirin not be given to children with chicken pox or influenza. Paracetamol, however, has not been linked to Reye’s syndrome and is an acceptable substitute. If you are in any doubt about the use of aspirin or paracetamol for your child, consult your doctor.
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Apr 28
There are about 20 varieties of poisonous snakes in Australia. Parents should discover if they occur in the area in which they live and learn how to identify them. If a child is bitten, try to kill the snake and take it to the hospital with the child, for correct identification of the snake will [...] [...more]
Posted: under General health.
Tags: General health
There are about 20 varieties of poisonous snakes in Australia. Parents should discover if they occur in the area in which they live and learn how to identify them. If a child is bitten, try to kill the snake and take it to the hospital with the child, for correct identification of the snake will permit the appropriate anti-venom to be given, which may be life-saving.
Treatment
Immediately apply a firm, constricting bandage over the snake bite and along the whole length of the limb. This should be as firm as bandaging a sprained ankle. This reduces both the production of lymph and its absorption and flow back towards the heart. The bandage should be kept in place until medical help is available, and may be tolerated for several hours without distress or damage to the limb. (There is no need for the use of a tourniquet in any case of envenomation in Australia.) Immobilize the whole limb by applying a splint, using a stick, a piece of wood or even rolled cardboard. Reassure and rest the victim, elevate the limb and transport to the nearest hospital or medical centre. Do not wash the wound, cut it, attempt to suck out the poison or allow the victim to use any physical effort.
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Apr 28
If you are a girl, and a boy takes you out and wants to buy a box of chocolates or candies or a soft drink, how can you refuse without seeming rude, when you do not want to tell him you have diabetes? This is not too difficult if you make it clear that you [...] [...more]
Posted: under Diabetes.
Tags: Diabetes
If you are a girl, and a boy takes you out and wants to buy a box of chocolates or candies or a soft drink, how can you refuse without seeming rude, when you do not want to tell him you have diabetes?
This is not too difficult if you make it clear that you do not want chocolates or sweets before they have been bought. Many girls get round this by saying they are on a diet, implying that they are concerned about their figure. This is a truthful way of handling the situation without actually revealing that you have diabetes. Otherwise just have one or two and let him eat most of them!
What do you do if you find out that some children at school are spreading the story that you have diabetes and making out that you are odd or different in some way?
If the story is out that you have diabetes and other children are stupid about it, then you can do one of two things.
First, you can pay no attention. Particularly if you do not act upset by the stories, you will find that people will soon get tired of the affair. They will find out they were wrong and that diabetes has not made any difference to you and you are not odd. Of course, if you show them you are upset, some children may go on teasing you just to provoke you.
On the other hand, you may want to clear the matter up quickly. In this case you should get some of your real friends on your side and explain to them the true facts of diabetes. Discuss what diabetes really is and let them know that you are not sick or different and that it is not really a disease. Tell them that diabetes is in fact a very common disorder in the community and that anybody could get it.
When you have some friends on your side in this way the comments of others will not seem important and will not continue long. Your friends will then stick up for you if other children try to tease you. Having explained what diabetes is, you can then shrug off the whole affair, as not very important. Now we know about it, forget it.
How many children are there with diabetes in the community?
About 1 child in every 1000 children under the age of 15 has got diabetes. This does not sound very many, and of course diabetes is not common amongst children, but obviously there are hundreds of children with diabetes in the state where you live. Children grow up into adults, so that between 5% and 10% of all people with diabetes have developed their diabetes when they were growing. Between 2% and 4% of the whole community have diabetes.
I want to do an early morning paper round. Can I?
Diabetes should not stop you, and many boys and girls with diabetes do paper rounds. The important thing is to avoid hypos while on the round before breakfast. I suggest you have one or two carbohydrate exchanges when you get up, carry sugar with you, and then have your insulin and breakfast at the usual time when you get home.
When you first start to do the round it would be a good idea to do blood glucose tests before and after the round to check that the system is working out. If it is a long, hilly paper round you may need more than just two exchanges.
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