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 case, he can no longer tolerate any gluten or casein and high acid foods like tomatoes.

The most unfortunate thing about H Pylori is that it can come back, especially if the bacteria is embedded deep into the stomach lining like AJ’s probably was.

Now, because we have experienced all of this before we made sure that Gus was tested for H Pylori (and all of the other parasites that can come with internationally adopted children). Of course, Gus is positive for it…and so, again, is AJ.

What we found out this time, though is that it is more common in the U.S. than we originally thought.

Additionally, we also found that it is harder to eradicate it than we wanted and we don’t know who gave it to whom. It looks like it is not a case of the “cart before the horse” but rather, a joining of two brothers with the same illness. The bacteria seems to be transmitted by saliva or by fecal matter from poor sanitary conditions. In fact, it can be from flooding, sewage water, (or lack of clean water), or personal hygiene. So, both boys could have come in contact with the bacteria in their first homes. But, realistically, we will never know. All we do know is that we have to get rid of it.

This is cross posted from A Child Chosen.

Post from: Blisstree

H Pylori, Common in U.S.

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 disaster displacement or with income? If guardians are having a difficult time getting back on their feet then how can they sufficiently afford food, vitamins, and health care?

Additionally, the trailers and mobile homes used for the temporary housing have been found to contain high levels of toxins including formaldehyde.

Post from: Blisstree

Hurricane Katrina Children Sick

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 parents, grandparents, teachers and baby sitters in regular contact with children.
• Flu Mists are OK for healthy toddlers.
• Flu vaccine is now recommended for older children and teens too.

Pregnant? Consult your doctor.

Remember, vaccines do not cause autism. Studies have shown no scientific evidence that autism is caused by vaccine or thimerosal itself. But if you’re concered about this, talk to your doctor about getting a “preservative-free” vaccine.

source: Flickr

Post from: Blisstree

Have you scheduled flu shots yet?

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, my son had the rashes before his fever even started, so he may not have roseola.

Still, if you suspect your child has one, click here for more information on symptoms and treatment.

Post from: Blisstree

Just a virus, or roseola?

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 month prior to pregnancy or during pregnancy increases the risk of developing gastroschisis up to 4 times.

What can be done about it? Early intervention to treat these infections can prevent other complications, but there is no way to know if the fetus is or will develop the defect. So the best intervention is before conception – making sure a woman knows that there is a risk for birth defects if she has urinary tract infection and sexually transmitted disease.

source; image:newscom

Post from: Blisstree

In Utah, STD + UTI = birth defect

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.

Post from: Blisstree

Cameron Diaz loses dad to the flu

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. Many offices use old air conditioners, which do not have a filter system. They simply recycle the air as opposed to filtering it
• Self-medication. the biggest grouse of doctors are patients who practice self-medication. Self-medication leads to people experimenting with too many drugs.
• Self-styled experts. The need (care providers need to learn new techniques to tackle ailments) is more acute now because the bugs are getting smarter and drug resistance is on the rise.

So I say, let’s all migrate to the country and breathe in more fresh air!

Tags: colds, city, dwelling, trigger, weather, pollution, lifestyle

Post from: Blisstree

Colds and the City

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, or white from not getting enough oxygen. When the coughing spell ends and the child takes a breath, it may make a “”whooping” noise.

Listen to the sound bite from these links -

A classic pertussis with lots of whooping.

Pertussis without whooping.

Attacks of a choking cough lasts from 1 to 2 minutes, often with vomiting, severe facial congestions and a feeling or appearance of suffocation. Between these attacks of coughing the sufferer appears and usually feels perfectly well.These choking attacks of coughing happen as little as twice a day or as many as fifty. Between attacks (’paroxysms’ is the technical name) the sufferer may not cough at all.’Whooping’ is a noise that comes from the voice box after a paroxysm when the sufferer is suddenly able to take a breath in again.

An affected person can pass pertussis at the early cold-like symptoms up to three weeks after onset.

Pertussis is no longer as common because of vaccinations. But if your child has not had the pertussis vaccine, and has had a cold, then coughing that worsens after a week, it is best to see your health care provider.

[Sources: Whoopingcough.net; Columbian.com]

Tags: whopping cough, common cold, symptoms, pertussis

Post from: Blisstree

Don’t mistake a whooping cough for a cold

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 usually high-energy foods (with sugar and/or fat) like chicken soup, chocolate chip cookies, cheeseburgers or ice cream. Energy-filled foods help us “stay in the game”. In an animal study, the researchers found that “glucocorticoids would both prompt vigilance to threats and send a signal to the brain of a chronically stressed animal to seek high-energy food. If it were successful in finding such food, stress and its attendant feelings would be terminated.”

I turn to chocolate ice cream when I’m stressed or depressed. And a hot soup always comforts me when I’m sick. My daughter asks for warm apple cider and lots of cuddling.

What food do YOU turn to when you’re sick or stressed? What comfort food do you serve your family when they’re down with something?

Tags: comfort food, sickness, stress, flu, chicken soup, remedy, home-made, colds, food

Post from: Blisstree

Chicken soup and other comfort foods

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 (usually high)
• headache
• extreme tiredness
• dry cough
• sore throat
• runny or stuffy nose
• muscle aches
• Stomach symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, also can occur but are more common in children than adults

Complications of Flu

Complications of flu can include bacterial pneumonia, dehydration, and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes. Children may get sinus problems and ear infections.

How Flu Spreads

Flu viruses spread in respiratory droplets caused by coughing and sneezing. They usually spread from person to person, though sometimes people become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose. Most healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 5 days after becoming sick. That means that you can pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick.

Preventing the Flu: Get Vaccinated

The single best way to prevent the flu is to get a flu vaccination each fall. There are two types of vaccines:

• The “flu shot” – an inactivated vaccine (containing killed virus) that is given with a needle. The flu shot is approved for use in people older than 6 months, including healthy people and people with chronic medical conditions.
• The nasal-spray flu vaccine – a vaccine made with live, weakened flu viruses that do not cause the flu (sometimes called LAIV for “Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine”). LAIV is approved for use in healthy people 5 years to 49 years of age who are not pregnant.

About two weeks after vaccination, antibodies develop that protect against influenza virus infection. Flu vaccines will not protect against Influenza-like illnesses caused by other viruses.

When to Get Vaccinated

October or November is the best time to get vaccinated, but getting vaccinated in December or even later can still be beneficial. Flu season can begin as early as October and last as late as May.

Source: CDC

Post from: Blisstree

Fact Sheet: Seasonal Flu