Feeding problems

What causes them?

The kind of feeding problem may depend on the age of the child.
Some new mothers take a while to get the hang of breastfeeding and may worry they're not producing sufficient milk or their baby isn't satisfied. But as long as the baby is gaining weight at the normal rate, there's no need for concern.
Occasionally, early feeding problems are due to anatomical difficulties (for example, a severe cleft palate or oesophageal atresia) or more general illness, but these are usually quickly identified.
Minor infections, such as a cold, can interrupt established feeding patterns, but rarely for long.
Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) can also make feeding difficult, affect weight gain and cause great stress for parents.
More serious conditions can interfere with the absorption of food and weight gain, including coeliac disease, cystic fibrosis, inflammatory bowel disease and food intolerance.
In toddlers and older children, emotional and social factors can cause feeding problems. Older children, especially girls, are more likely to develop eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia.

Who's affected?

Feeding problems are common throughout childhood and affect both boys and girls.

What are the symptoms?

The symptoms of feeding disorders can vary, but common symptoms include:

• Refusing food
• Lack of appetite
• Colic
• Crying before or after food
• Failing to gain weight normally
• Regurgitating or vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Abdominal pain
• Constipation
• Behavioural problems

What's the treatment?

Many feeding problems, especially in small babies, sort themselves out without the cause ever being established, but do get medical advice if you're at all concerned or if your baby is failing to gain weight.
In older children, try not to make food an issue but be as flexible as you can in adapting to the eating habits that suit them. For fussy eaters, try a wide range of foods, perhaps in more frequent, small meals.
Emphasise health rather than weight gain.
Midwives, health visitors or local National Childbirth Trust groups can be a great source of advice for parents worried about feeding problems.
If you think there may be a serious underlying problem, especially in older children, talk to your doctor.
READMORE:http://www.bbc.co.uk/health

Fainting

What causes it?

A faint occurs when insufficient amounts of oxygen are reaching the brain. There may be many reasons for this.
The most common is a vasovagal attack, where overstimulation of a major nerve (called the vagus) slows the heart rate and lowers blood pressure. This overstimulation may be caused by intense stress, fear, pain or anything that suddenly increases pressure inside the body, such as blowing a trumpet.
Fainting may also result from low blood pressure (hypotension), often when someone stands up suddenly or is dehydrated and low in body fluids.
More rarely, fainting is due to abnormalities of the heartbeat.

Who's affected?

Anyone may be affected by fainting, but people who are unwell or dehydrated are at greater risk. Fainting - or feeling faint - is also common in pregnancy.

What are the symptoms?

The person may start to feel light-headed, dizzy, nauseous and sweaty. They may have ringing in their ears and feel weak. Some people, however, have little or no warning symptoms.
They then collapse to the ground and are unconscious for a few moments before coming round. They may feel woozy or nauseous for a little while afterwards and may vomit.

What's the treatment?

After fainting, a person should return to normal fairly quickly. If they don't, or have problems such as weakness or inability to speak, it may be more than a simple faint.
The aim of treatment is to get more blood and oxygen to the brain. Falling to the floor usually achieves this because the head is then at the same level as the heart. Once on the floor they should be put in the recovery position.
If a person is feeling faint but isn't yet unconscious, they should lean forwards with their head between their knees or lie down with their feet raised above the level of their head.
In most cases the person soon feels better, especially if given a drink and allowed to rest. If they don't regain consciousness within a minute or two, or if they have symptoms afterwards, urgent medical help should be sought.
Repeated episodes of fainting should also be investigated further.
READMORE:http://www.bbc.co.uk/health

Mother-to-baby infections and GBS

What is a mother-to-baby infection?

In the uterus (womb), a baby grows in a sterile environment, but as soon as the mother's amniotic membranes rupture - her waters break - microbes enter this environment and the baby is exposed to bacteria and viruses for the first time.
Some infections can be passed onto the baby while they are still inside the uterus, even before the waters have broken.
As the baby's squeezed out of the uterus through the cervix and into the birth canal, he or she gets covered in the organisms that normally live in the mother's vagina or on her skin.
These may be 'friendly' bacteria that grow in or on the woman (such harmless growth is called 'colonisation'), but may also include harmful microbes, such as the bacteria that cause gonorrhoea or the virus that causes genital herpes.
Bodily fluids, including blood, may cover a baby, exposing them to infections such as HIV or hepatitis B and hepatitis C.

Group B streptococcus (GBS)

One woman in four carries this bacteria in her vagina, although she may have no symptoms and be unaware it's there. Babies can come into contact with it while still in the uterus or during birth. If the mother has had a previous baby with a GBS infection, precautions should be taken.
Some women may go into premature labour (before 37 weeks) because of the infection. Or she may have a premature rupture of amniotic membranes (more than 18 hours before delivery), or a high fever (over 38°C). Premature and low-birth weight babies are more at risk of developing GBS.
GBS is the most common cause of life-threatening infection in newborn babies in the UK. GBS can either present early, within the first 6 days of life, or late onset, occurring after day 6. Early onset is much more common than late onset.
Although most babies who are exposed to it don't develop problems, every year it is estimated that 700 babies develop pneumonia, meningitis or septicaemia as a result of infection. About one in ten of these die.
It isn't known why some babies are vulnerable and others aren't. Babies are given antibiotics in hospital if they show any signs of being unwell. They are also given antibiotics if they are well, but have certain risk factors. Babies have to be given antibiotics through a drip and not orally which means they have to stay in hospital (even if they seem very well).
GBS is difficult to eradicate, but if a woman is known to be at high risk of passing on the infection, she can be given powerful intravenous antibiotics as soon as labour starts. This is usually enough to prevent mother-to-baby infection.
The bacteria may be detected on a vaginal or rectal swab during pregnancy, or in the mother’s urine. In theory this means that screening could be done on all pregnant women to see if they carry the bacteria.
However, at the moment, the evidence is uncertain whether a screening program would be beneficial overall. Different people have different views about a national screening program. In the meantime, research continues to look for an answer.
READMORE:http://www.bbc.co.uk/health

Mouth ulcers

What are they?

A mouth ulcer is an exposed nerve. The lining of your mouth is incredibly sensitive and any break in its surface exposes the nerves that lie in and beneath it. Anything that touches them, whether it's food, liquid or a toothbrush, causes pain that means it can be difficult to eat, drink and even talk.

What causes them?

Accidental damage is responsible for many - brushing your teeth too hard, minor burns from hot food and drinks, biting the inside of the mouth accidentally, a tooth that's become rough, or orthodontic braces that rub against the gums.
These last for a week or more unless the damage continues happening, in which case they will not disappear until the cause - for example, a rough tooth - is treated.
The other common type is an aphthous ulcer, which occurs when someone's feeling stressed or under the weather. They often appear for the first time during puberty and they can run in families.
These can take a couple of weeks to heal and are likely to keep appearing until someone's feeling relaxed and well again.
Other more serious causes of mouth ulcers include herpes infection, inflammatory bowel disease and immune disorders, but these are usually accompanied by other symptoms around the body.
Sometimes a deficiency in iron, vitamin B12 or folate is the underlying cause, which is why anyone who keeps getting ulcers or who has ulcers that are not healing should consult their doctor.

Can I prevent them?

Practise good dental hygiene, taking care not to damage your teeth and gums, and visit the dentist as often as advised.
Eating a healthy, varied diet, which includes fruits, vegetables, wholegrains, milk, fish and lean red meat, will supply your body with the necessary vitamins, zinc and iron to maintain a strong immune system that can resist infections.
Avoiding food and drinks that are too hot is sensible, and try to relax and keep stress under control.

What's the treatment?

Gargling and swallowing soluble paracetamol relieves the pain, and rinsing the mouth with iced water before a meal makes eating possible.
Pastilles and gels that contain anaesthetic have been the mainstay of treatment for years.
Those looking for a more natural treatment use camomile tea. Allow it to cool, then swill it around the mouth before swallowing it.
Other popular remedies include echinacea, myrrh, licorice with the glycyrrhizic acid removed (called deglycyrrhizinated licorice or DGL) and products containing hyaluronan.
READMORE:http://www.bbc.co.uk/health