Good Health Matters, March 2013

8/12/2019 Good Health Matters, March 2013

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Early childhood mattersYes, early childhood matters. There is everyreason to monitor your childs health.Research has shown that a babysearly careand education play a critical role in a childsbrain development.

This newsletter helps you to understandcommon baby problems and suggest theirremedies.

Holi is coming soon. We wish you a veryhappy and colourful Holi. Please read someimportant Holi safety tips in this newsletter.

Happy Reading !

Wishing you a healthy month ahead.

h ts in this Issue

2013 Aon Global Insurance Brokers Pvt. Ltd. All Rights Reserved.1

Health Newsletter

School absence for children withinfective diseases

Tips to make your Holi safe

problemsin babiest is not uncommon for babies to experience irregular breathing. This is

when newborns stop breathing for 5 to 10 seconds and thenmmediately begin breathing again on their own. This is normal.

However, you should call your doctor or take your baby to theemergency room if he or she stops breathing for longer than 10seconds. If your baby begins to turn blue rush him to the emergencydepartment of your closest hospital.

Good Health MattersVolume 2, Issue 11

This article is for new and expectant parents, newborn babycare and baby development stages.

March, 2013

t RashEar infections are a common complication after a bout of cold in children. There are a fewthings than you need to understand about ear infections in children and why you need to beextra careful.

ings to oteCool your baby down. Take off his clothes and let him stay nude for some time in

a cool area.It is not usually painful but can be extremely itchy.A child can also get heat rash if he is running a high temperature which makes him

sweat excessively. If he has a temperature, contact your doctor immediately.Be careful as your baby could suffer from heat exhaustion due to excess sweating.Dress your baby in loose fitting cotton garments during hot weather.Avoid using creams and lotions as they can increase skin irritation.

Consult a pediatrician if your baby has a fever or if the rashes do not resolve/ getworse.

t During Brest Feedingt is important for all lactating mothers to remember that you require additional nutrition in

this period as well. It is very important to have a health nutritious, well balanced diet withplenty of fruits, veggies and water. Do not go on crash diets or try to lose weight as this cannterfere with how much milk you can produce for your baby. You will gradually lose theexcess weight you have gained during pregnancy. Do not take notice of any comments aboutyour weight. Remember your baby is much more important that what a few silly people say.The only exception to make is- avoid any food that you feel may be causing irritation to yourbaby. If you eat a particular food and your baby seems to cry/ feel uncomfortable when youfeed him afterwards, avoid those particular foods e.g. oily foods/ certain veggies like

cauliflower.MassageOil massaging is a common practice in our country. During massaging you have to be verycareful about the amount of force you use. Too much force can injure your baby. Make surethat you wash off all the oil as residual oil can cause a lot of skin irritation for the baby. Do notput water/oil into the ears or nose of the baby at any cost. It can lead to bad infections. Theears and the nose have self cleaning mechanisms that work well enough.tinued on the next page

General health tips

Common baby problems


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Good Health Matters

1. We should not keep the cooked rice in thefridge no longer thana. 1 weekb. Five daysc. 3 days

2. Frozen food should be kept ata) Up to 15 degreesb) Up to 25 degreesc) Up to 18 degreesd) 0 degree

3. You should warmup before exercisea) Trueb) False

4. Most important goal of exercise is weight lossa) Trueb) False

HealthQuiz

About 1 in 5 of all babies will develop colic, a phrase for uncontrollable crying in

an otherwise healthy baby. A baby with colic cries persistently for far more thannormal- which is more than 2 hours per day for more than 3 days in a row.. Inaddition to this a colicky baby looks truly uncomfortable. He may also pass windwhen he is crying. He may refuse to feed and sleep.

ings to oteThe most probable cause for colic is the baby's immature GIT

(digestive system).It usually resolves itself as the baby grows.Some mothers find that something in their diet e.g. oily

foods/certain veggies like cauliflower cause colic in their babies. If youdo find anything similar it is best to avoid it.

Always check with your doctor if your baby is crying more thanusual. Let your doctor make the diagnosis of colic after ruling out any

medical problems.

py RashNappy rash is a rash occurring in babies in the area covered by their diapers. Theskin covered by the nappy -the genital area, the folds of the thighs and thebuttocks are affected. The rash will appear red and inflamed. The affected areascan be dry or moist. There are a few reasons for nappy rash and treatment mustbe prompt.

ings to oteThe main cause for this rash is excessive moisture in the covered

areas.A baby who stays in a dirty nappy for a long time is more likely to

get nappy rash

Nappies should be checked and changed frequentlyBabies have sensitive skin so do not use harsh detergents/soap to

wash cloth nappies. Use mild soaps and make sure they are washedoff thoroughly.

A baby having loose motions can easily catch a nappy rash as well.An untreated nappy rash can result in a more serious infectionKeeping your baby clean and dry is the best prevention.Consult your doctor for proper treatment.

Sightt is important that you keep a close eye on your baby's eyes. It is easier to

correct many eye problems when they are detected early. If detected later theproblems are more difficult to treat. So you should keep a close watch for any

signs that your baby may be having an eye problem. The best way to do this is toobserve your baby's regular activity.

ings to oteIf the baby has difficulty following objects with her eyes [when you

move objects in front of her face] by the time she is 3-4 months old.If the baby has trouble moving one/ both of her eyes in any

particular direction.If the baby's eyes are crossed most of the timeOne or both of your baby's eyes tend to turn outwards.Premature babies have a higher risk of eye problems, so they need

more care.Inform your Pediatrician of any problems you may notice/suspect

promptly.



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Good Health Matters

Common problems6 to 12 months)Information about only the most common problems that you mayface is given in this section. If you do not find the information yourequire or need additional information please chat with our doctoror consult your pediatrician.

ugh & Cold...Coughs and colds are a frequent worry for the parents of children in this group. A few key points to remember are given below.

Colds are Acute URTI [upper respiratory tract infections] caused by a group of viruses. . They are transmitted by air when an infectedperson coughs/sneezes or by hand contact.

Anyone who is ill in the family should avoid contact with the baby. Always wash your hands before handling the baby.Signs are cough, running nose, red eyes, discomfort [baby is irritable] and decreased appetite.Babies less than 3 months old should be taken to the pediatrician if they have a cold.In the case of older babies make sure you keep feeding the baby and ensure you give plenty of fluids.They are most often self limiting- that is they are cured with no need for major medications.Babies who are breast fed are less likely to get colds, and if they do they usually recover faster.Babies who are exposed to cigarette smoke catch colds more easily and take longer to recover.It usually takes 5-10 days for a baby to recover from a cold.

Your baby may catch a lot of colds in his first year- up to ten times or more.Keep wiping your baby's nose to clear mucus.If your baby has high fever /bad cough /greenish mucus /wheeze /breathing difficulty /feeding poorly see your pediatrician

immediately.

Infectionar infections are a common complication after a bout of cold in children. There are a few things than you need to understand about ear

nfections in children and why you need to be extra careful.

at is to be done...?If your child has had a cold a few days [3-5] before, and then develops a fever it could be an ear infection.The Eustachian tube in infants [a tube connecting the middle ear to the back of throat/nose] is shorter and more horizontal. This

predisposes to ear infections.As your baby grows the Eustachian tube will grow to about 3 times in present size and become more vertical. This will reduce

chances of ear infections.If your child cries in pain/ appears uncomfortable during feeds it could be an ear infection. Always consult your pediatrician.Ear infections can lead to complications. If you suspect that your baby could be having an ear infection, do not hesitate to consult

your pediatrician.

troenteritis (Loose motions & vomiting)Many babies in India contract infections via contaminated water/ food. Extra precautions are always needed with a baby in the house. Thenfection can be from an external source or from someone in the house who has an infection. Babies are susceptible to infection because theirmmune systems are not yet fully developed.

at is to be done...?The cause can be bacterial or viral.Avoid giving the baby any food items bought from outside.

Anyone at home who has an upset stomach should avoid handling the baby or the baby's items and food.Keeping your child adequately hydrated is the most important thing to do. Keep giving the child ORS [Oral Rehydration Solution] to

ensure he does not get dehydrated.If you feel your baby has not passed urine as often as he normally does, he could be getting dehydrated. If you have any doubts

about this always consult your pediatrician immediately.Your baby will require frequent nappy changes. Keep him clean and dry; otherwise he could contract a nappy rash.There may be associated vomiting. If the vomiting is bad and your baby is unable to keep feeds down, you should consult your

pediatrician immediatelyIf your baby has a fever as well it is always safer to consult your pediatrician.



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Good Health MattersSchool absence for childrenwith infective diseases

Children with certaininfectious diseases areusually advised to stayaway from school bothfor the benefit of thechild as well as to ensure that the

infection is not transmitted from onechild to the other.

Here is a list of most common infections with their duration of infectivity during which child should stayaway from school.

Chicken pox: 5 days from the first appearance of rash.Herpes simplex(cold sores):Children with cold sores need not be excluded from school.Hand, foot and mouth disease: There is no need for any child to stay away from school unless they do notfeel well enough to go.

Measles/Rubella: 5 days after the beginning of the rash.Scabies: Till the day after treatment has started.Common cold: Children with a cold should stay away from school only if feverish and/or feeling miserable.Contacts of such children should go to school as normal.

Influenza: Children should not return to school until they have had at least 48 hours without a fever,headache, muscle aches, severe tiredness, sore throat and cough, as they are still infectious. Any contacts ofchildren with flu should go to school as normal. It is also advisable for them to stay away from people whoare likely to suffer more serious illness, should as the very young, the elderly and those with chronic healthproblems.

Tuberculosis: Usually will not be allowed to attend or work in school until the doctor is sure that they arenot infectious. Once they are no longer infectious they may safely attend school, even if they are still takingtreatment.

Whooping cough: 21 days after the onset of the severe episodes of coughing if they have not been treatedwith antibiotics. If treatment has been started, children should stay away from school for 5 days fromstarting antibiotics. The contacts of children with whooping cough do not need to stay away from school.

Conjunctivitis: Children whose eyes are sticky or producing pus should stay away from school or nurseryuntil the infection has cleared. Children who havepink eye,but whose eyes are not producing pus do notneed to stay away from school or nursery. Contacts of children with the illness should go to school asnormal.

Head lice: Children with lice infestation do not need to be excluded from school but they should be treatedas soon as possible to minimise transmission to others.

Hepatitis A: 7 days after onset of jaundice or until they are well. Contacts of cases should also stay awayfrom school, and should see the GP if they have symptoms suggestive of the illness.

Meningitis: Children with meningitis will be too ill to go to school. Contacts of cases should go to school asnormal. It is very rare for other children in a school to develop the infection, so there is no need to keepchildren at home if there has been a case reported in the school.

Mumps: 5days after the onset of swollen glands.Scarlet fever: 2 days after the start of antibiotic treatment.Tonsillitis: Can resume to school once they feel better.Diarrhoea/Vomiting: 48 hours after the diarrhoea and/or vomiting has stopped.



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Good Health Matters

Play with natural home made colours. If you do not findnatural colours, buy a better quality of colours.

Apply a cream on your face before and after playing Holi.

Apply baby oil on your skin before playing Holi. It is easy toremove the colour.

Use clothes that cover your maximum body. It will protectyour skin.

Keeps your eyes protected at all times. Use sunglasses.

Use a hat or cap to protect your hair.

If your skin is sensitive or you are prone to skin allergies, avoidexposure to colours.

Tips to make your Holisafe

Dontdrink and drive.

To avoid injuries,dontrun or jump of wet floors.

Dontwash your face again and again during the Holicelebration. Take a bath when the celebration is over.

Use cleansing milk for removal of permanent dyes. It isbetter than soap.

Close your eyes and lips tightly shut if someone attackson your face.

While travelling, keep your car windows shut.

After playing Holi, massage your scalp with lukewarm oil

and rinse off with a good shampoo.

If you feel pain or burning sensation after playing Holi,splashcold water on your eyes.



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Good Health Matters

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completeness of any information contained in this document. No statement in this document is intended as advice to anyperson. This document is for information purpose only. The information given in this document is general in nature. Beforeacting on any advice, news or statement contained in this document you should obtain appropriate medical advice.This newsletter is a free email service and does not contain any advertisement, promotional material or content having anyspecific commercial value.

Healthy Oil- Olive oil and Mustard oil are the better ones, when it comes to cooking oil.

QuizAnswers1. C - 3 days2. C - up to 18 degrees

3. A - True4. B - False

Get Moving - Planning to extend your family? Check your weight. Overweight can decrease fertility.Blink Blink - Put a blink reminder on your screen. That would go a long way in preventing dry eye.

Veggie proteins: A healthier choice. - Proteins from plant based sources can help you control your cholesterol.Get a cup of tea - Black and green tea can help reduce your cholesterol levels.Dairy and Diabetes - Gulp and Go. Latest reports say that, consumption of low-fat dairy products was associated with

a lower risk of diabetes.

How can you prevent Alzheimer's? - Keep your brains sharp. A life-time of mentally stimulating games can cut yourrisk of Alzheimers by nearly a third.

Brown rice- the better choice. - People who consume white rice have a 27% increased risk of type 2 diabetes thanthose who consume brown rice.

General Health Tips

Be a runner. - Runners live happier and longer. Get running. A slow to average pace, two to three times a week fortotal of 60-150 minutes would suffice.

Don't scrub your face excessively - Overzealous scrubbing of face can make you look older. Make sure you are gentleenough.

We would love to receive your feedback on our issues and the kind of articles you would like to see in future ones. So do write in to us [email protected].

2013 Aon Global Insurance Brokers Pvt Ltd All Rights Reserved6

Good Health Matters, March 2013

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