Almost half of all Americans suffer from allergies. Of those individuals, 30% are children. Unfortunately, allergies tend to be more severe in children and their symptoms may differ than symptoms experienced by adults. Although allergies can be a hurdle for to overcome, most children with mild and moderate allergies are able to live a normal life.
What exactly is an allergy?
An allergy is simply the immune system overreacting to a stimulant that would be harmless to others. When the immune system overacts, causes the body to release chemicals such as histamines to protect the individual from what the immune system has deemed harmful. Allergies are hereditary, but they can also show independently in a person’s immune system.
Children tend to exhibit more allergies than adults. Eggs, milk, and peanuts are the most common food allergies that children suffer with. Dust, pollen, pet dander, smoke, and mold are also common triggers in children....
Understanding the Autism Spectrum
Autism is not just one simple condition. It is referred and diagnosed based on the autism spectrum, meaning there are many different variations of autism. The disorder is classified as the same in most circumstances, but it affects individuals in very different ways. This means that children with autism will have different challenges they must face and different obstacles they must overcome. However, at the same time, this means that they will have different unique abilities that make them special and unique in their own way.
Types of Autism
There are some issues that children face across the spectrum. These include problems to varying degrees concerning communication, social skills, and empathy, along with behavior issues. Even for the different types of disorders, these difficulties vary.
The three main types of the behavioral condition are autism, Asperger’s syndrome, and pervasive development disorder. There are other types of autism spectrum disorders, but they are so...
One Aspect of Prevention: Well-Child Visits
Your child is one of the most important individuals in your life, so of course you wouldn’t do anything to put something so precious at risk. However, many parents don’t realize that neglecting to bring their child to the pediatrician for well visits can be dangerous. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, a child’s first year is especially crucial for overall health. During the first year and beyond, these well-child visits are a way for your child’s doctor to monitor growth and development while watching for potential warning signs.
The typical well visit schedule involves visits when your child is the following ages:
• 3-5 days
• 1 month
• 2 months
• 4 months
• 6 months
• 9 months
• 12 months
• 15 months
• 18 months
• 24 months
• 30 months
• 3 years
• 4 years
• And every year thereafter
You’ll notice that the schedule gradually has your child visiting the doctor less frequently until you reach annual visits only. While it may seem like a lot of visits at first, each...