Health Injuries to Your Child

Health injuries to your child is one the most frightening things that can happen. Especially if your child happens to be a baby who can't talk and explain what they are feeling.

All you have to go on is their constant crying to let you know that something is not quite right. If you are aware of your child's illness, then you can do something about it, but on the most part, parents are left feeling in dark where their children's health is concerned.

You know your child better than anyone else, so you know when something is wrong or when your child is not feeling well. Health injuries to your child can be so minute - that you don't even know they are there until the condition has advanced.

So raise them to the best of your ability, and always be on the look out for any health issues, or situations that could be potentially dangerous to them.

Listed below are some simple health issues and situations that your child may experience, what you need to look out for, and what can be done about them.

Frequent Nose Bleeds:

The cause of this could be as simple as a dry climate, and your child scratching the inside of their nose with fingernails that are too long.

The solution is to put a humidifier in the house, especially their bedroom, lubricate the inside of their nose, and clip their fingernails.

Eating Snow:

Eating snow can be just as deadly as drinking polluted water. They see snow as this clean, pretty, white stuff on the ground, but snow can have just as contaminated, polluted and filled with bacteria as
un-treated water.

The solution is to explain to them that snow is not good for them, and that it can make them sick. Be as graphic as you can, until they understand the seriousness of the situation.

Possible Hearing Loss:

Babies suffering from a lot of allergies, colds and ear infections could possibly suffer hearing loss that will interfere with their ability to speak properly. This in turn may cause problems in their social development and the ability to interact with other children.

The solution is to start having your baby tested for hearing loss at 4 months old, and getting fast treatment for their allergies and ear infections.

Ear Infections From Smokers:

If your child is constantly suffering from ear infections, the cause could come from being constantly exposed to people who smoke.
So if your child is always suffering from allergies, congestion, fluid build up in their ears, coughing, wheezing and maybe even pneumonia - then culprit could possibly be cigarette smoke.

The solution is to remove your child from the source of the problems. This may mean getting another baby sitter, limiting your visits to people who smoke, or you as parents, going outside, away
from your child when you smoke.

Bloody Stools:

This can be very frightening, and I experienced this with my god-daughter. Bloody stools don't necessarily mean that something is drastically wrong with your child.

Bloody stools can come from a lot of simple reasons. Like temporary stomach irritation from aspirin, straining during a bowel movement, or as in my case, red juice, jello, water melon or tomatoes.
The solution is to remember what you fed your child or if you think it's really serious, then consult your child's doctor.

Check For Scoliosis:

There are a lot of children prone to scoliosis. This condition is marked by side to side movement of the spin, which causes an abnormal curvature that can interfere with your child's growth, and the function of their heart and lungs.

The solution is to periodically check your child by having them stand up straight with their backs to you, so can observe any curvature.

Then have them bend over with their arms hanging loosely in front of them. Feel their spin for curvatures or anything out of the ordinary. The condition can be corrected with surgery.

Honey And Babies Don't Mix:

Honey is delicious and has many health benefits, but it can still contain bacteria that won't hurt adults or young children. But babies are another matter. The bacteria it contains, can cause botulism.

The solution is simple - don't give your baby honey.

Babies And Salt:

Did you know that almost anything and everything we eat is an acquired taste that starts when we are babies? Well, this acquired taste also goes for salt.

The more you feed your baby salty food during their first 18 months of life, the more they will seek it out. So that by the time they are 4 years old, their salt intake is very high. If this continues, it can very seriously lead to hypertension by the time they are adults, if not sooner.

The solution is to limit your baby's salt intake, read the labels on their food, or even make your own baby food.

Breakfast And High Blood Pressure:

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day for anybody, and it's very important that your child start their day this way. Eating breakfast eliminates eating salty and sweet junk food during the day. Thus creating eating habits that will follow them through life. This type of eating habit may well lead to them gaining weight or developing hypertension.

The solution is to make sure they eat a proper, filling breakfast before they leave the house. I know children develop their own eating habits, but do the best you can.

Sweet - Sugary Medicines:

Sure these medicines taste good, but if your child has to take it for any length of time, the sugar in it can cause cavities.

The solution is to have your child brush their teeth and rinse out their mouths really well after taking the medicine.

Chunky Peanut Butter:

Don't ever feed your young one chunky peanut butter. Children's airways varies in sizes, and your child's airway may be too small to allow the thickness of the peanut butter and the peanuts it
contains, to safely pass through. Thus causing them to choke.

The solution is to feed them creamy peanut butter if they must have it.

Your Baby's Bottle Nipple:

New baby bottle nipples may have what is called nitrisamines on them. This substance is believed to be a carcinogen.

The solution is to use fresh water each time you boil the nipples, and it is suggested the nipples be boiled a total of 5 times before using.

Playing Can Hurt Your Child:

Parents love to play with their babies by tossing them into the air and swinging them around, but young, fragile bones are not meant to handle this.

If your child is 2 years old or younger, doing this can lead to serious injuries like, whiplash, brain damage, brain hemorrhages and even death.

The solution is to never toss, twirl, swing or shake your child regardless of their age.

The Deadly Hot dog:

Hot dogs are convenient to feed your little ones, but they can also be deadly. Toddlers are not known for chewing their food, and eating a piece of hot dog that is too big to go through their airway could
cause gagging and choking.

The solution is to cut the hot dog into very tiny pieces that little mouths and throats can handle.

This is just a few of the health injuries to your child that you need to be aware of. There are a lot more. You as the parent are aware of most of them, and the majority of them are more common sense than anything.

Raising your child in a safe environment is your top priority, and being aware of the injuries that can happen is just part of the job. If at anytime you feel your child's health is seriously at risk, then you need to seek help from your doctor or the emergency room.