One of the worst things that we encountered in AJ’s adoption was his H Pylori infection. Why? Because it physically damaged his digestive tract, probably for life. If you have ever had a parasitic infection or food poisoning I am sure it is not fun (I have, luckily, not had either before and actually tested negative for H Pylori as well…knock on all the wood in my home).
However, AJ apparently had H Pylori since near birth and the bacteria have caused him chronic Gastritis, an inflammatory response to the infection that actually damages the lining in the stomach. In his …read more

A new report released November 24 states that children from Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita have serious physical and mental health ailments. The study, conducted by the New York based Children’s Health Fund reviewed the medical records of 261 children from a trailer park in Baton Rouge (children who were displaced from the hurricanes).
What is most alarming is that 41% of the children under four had iron-deficiency anemia, 55% of elementary aged students had behavior or learning problems, 42% had allergic rhinitis,, and 24% had upper respiratory and allergic skin ailments.
The question is; is this a problem with natural …read more

This is your friendly reminder to schedule your family’s flu shots, now.
The cold and flu season are about to begin, and I’m all about protecting your family against influenza and its complication.
Should your family member get vaccinated? 
Yes, if he is high risk for complications of the flu. No, if he falls under this category of people.

Children up to 9 years old who are getting the shots for the first time should receive two shots, and one shot every year thereafter.
Household contacts and out-of-home caregivers of children need to be vaccinated as well. Yes, that means up …read more

When my son broke out in hives on Thursday, I thought he was allergic to soy which I had given him earlier that day. But then he registered a 100.8 deg F temperature.
The pediatrician said the rashes and fever might be caused by a virus, so we’re sort of quarantined for the next few days. And then today, my sister asked me if my son has a simple viral fever, or a roseola.
A what? ROSEOLA is an extremely common but mild infection that affects children under 2. Symptoms include a rash that develops after fever has subsided. Well, …read more

In Utah, 25 babies are born each year with a type of hernia called gastroschisis. Gastroschisis is a birth defect in which an infant’s intestines stick out of the body through a defect on one side of the umbilical cord. The defect is clearly seen during routine ultrasound of the mother, but surgery to repair this type of hernia can only be done after the baby is born.
Researchers interviewed mothers from 10 states, including Utah, where it is more prevalent than the rest of the nation. The study showed that women who had UTI and STD infections one …read more

The flu attacks anyone, even famous people and their families.
Cameron Diaz’s dad Emilio died suddenly on April 15 from when a recent flu turned into pneumonia.

Let’s not take this infection lightly. Complications from influenza can kill. It’s really important that we protect ourselves from being infected. And the single best way to prevent the flu is getting vaccinated. Flu season for 2008 may be soon over, but this tragedy in the Diaz’s lives is a stark reminder for us.
 
Technorati Tags: influenza,flu,seasonal flu,health,infection,infectious disease,complications,cameron diaz,actress

In more ways than one, city life and health don’t seem compatible. In particular, living and (or) working in the city can actually make you sick.
DNAIndia (for Daily News and Analysis – India) lists several factors that cause Indians (and maybe other city-dwellers the world over) to be more susceptible to colds:

Weather change. Weather changes always affect health as it takes time for the body to acclimatize itself with the changing environment
Pollution. Research has proved that pollution is definitely one of the risk factors for common cold and fever.
Work environment. The main culprit in offices is the air conditioning system. …read more

Whooping cough, or pertussis, is a highly contagious disease caused by a bacteria that gets spread when an infected person sneezes or coughs.
In the early stages, whooping cough (pertussis) symptoms are similar to a common cold. Your child can have runny nose, sneezing, fever and maybe a low-grade fever. After 2-3 days it turns into a dry “ordinary” cough that persists for a week or two. And then it turns into the major symptoms of major attacks of coughing without breathing in, until the lungs are empty. During a coughing spell, your child’s face or nailbeds may turn red, blue, …read more

When your children are suffering from the flu or severe colds, the last thing they want to do is eat. Food tastes like ‘bleh’. They have no appetite…. and they just want mommy and a homemade chicken soup . Or whatever it was you make when your child is sick.
Certain foods make us feel better. Why is that? Why do we crave for comfort foods when we’re sick, feeling low and depressed, or highly stressed?
UCSF researchers reported that our cravings for comfort food may be our body’s attempt to put a brake on chronic stress. Comfort foods are …read more

What is Influenza (also called Flu)?
The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. The best way to prevent this illness is by getting a flu vaccination each fall.
Every year in the United States, on average:

5% to 20% of the population gets the flu;
more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications, and;
about 36,000 people die from flu.

Some people, such as older people, young children, and people with certain health conditions, are at high risk for serious flu complications.
Symptoms of Flu
Symptoms of flu include:

fever …read more