TRANSMEGA HEALTH

Your Fear of the Dentist

Dental phobia is estimated to affect about 30% of all adults, with many unable to entertain the idea of dental work being done under anesthetic.

As with most forms of phobic behaviour, the origins of dental fear tend to be found in childhood or adolescence - a traumatic dental experience, possibly with a critical or inconsiderate dentist, maybe backed up by unfavourable experiences related to friends or family members. Such experience can influence adult behaviour despite any amount of education and media coverage to the contrary.

The consequences of dental phobia can be traumatic in themselves. Over many years, a condition which is treatable can turn into one which is not. Phobic patients are highly likely to suffer from dental disease and end up slowly losing their teeth or in emergency services.

Dental phobics can get special help by specialists in psychotherapy services. There is a ‘talking’ cure, a very effective and friendly form of treatment, which often produces dramatic results. The guiding principle behind treatment is a graduated controlled exposure of patients to the feared stimulus.

The patients first have a session, in a room near the surgery, with a psychotherapist who will work with them to help them leave their fear in the past. They will then have a consultation with the dentist. Psychotherapy is more effective if the patients go immediately into the surgery, even if only for a consultation, rather than waiting several weeks.

A demystification of the dentist and his equipment is intended. Not all dentists cause pain. Besides, if one goes to the dentist regularly and damage to the teeth is treated immediately, there is little chance for the patient to feel any pain, whereas when fear of the dentist keeps you away from the surgery and your teeth develop large cavities, the intervention will always be painful.

How Preschool can Affect your Child's Health

Doc Health Plan -Many parents fail to recognize the role that the right preschool plays in their child health. They tend to categorize things into set boxes, such as emotional intelligence being limited to those that the child learns in the home, the school being the place for a child’s mental, social, and intellectual development, while the paediatrician’s clinic is the only place wherein his physical health will be in check.

The truth is, a child’s health is affected by all the factors in his daily life. From infancy on, his immediate environment would be the home, along with whoever are his main caregivers; some babies are exposed to day care and babysitters from a very early age when their mothers happened to be working, either as part of a dual income household or as a single mom. When a child reaches the age of readiness for school, though, some parents simply send their child to the school most convenient for them, the parents. While it is an important consideration that the parents find the school “convenient,” there are also other factors to consider in picking the best preschool:

1. What are your child’s sleeping habits? Does the time for the preschool match those sleeping habits, or if there were to be some adjustments made, do you foresee him having an easy time with the adjustment? Of course, children are naturally very flexible, but you will need to make sure that the time when he is expected to be at the school will not result in his lacking sleep on a daily basis.
2. Does the school respect the individual child and his learning style? Early childhood education experts have discovered a greater retention and lesser stress levels for children who are nurtured in a play-based environment compared to strictly academic ones. If the preschool you are considering adheres to these principles, you will likely find your preschooler enjoying school and having an easier time adjusting to the new environment.
3. Is the school kept clean and hygienic, with high regard for possible allergies or accidents? When you check out the school, check the safety precautions that the owners have set in place. Although the government typically requires preschools to have child proofing facilities, use your keen sense of parenthood to check if anything seems amiss about the place. If your child happens to have allergies, you will need to check what the school has set in motion regarding keeping him from allergens like pollen or other allergens found in most grassy areas.
4. Does the school promote healthy eating habits? Although eating habits are developed from the home, your child will be spending considerable time in school, and if the adults at the school do not make healthy eating a priority, chances are, your child will also absorb their beliefs.

5. Does the school foster an atmosphere of friendly camaraderie and cooperation instead of competition? Young children may enjoy some friendly competition, but when used as a daily way of life, it can be highly stressful, especially if your child happens to be slower than other children. You will know whether those running the preschool understand individual difference from this one point. If you want to keep your child from unnecessary pressure, it might be wise to steer clear of schools that put too much emphasis on performance, especially in comparison to other children.

6. Does the school give its students a sense of accomplishment minus rewards and punishments? Although rewards are generally harmless, it can go to extremes, too, that a child’s self esteem becomes determined by the rewards he gets: whether he gets a star that day or not. On the other extreme, punishments are even more crucial in shaping a child’s heart: if the school resorts to threats or punishments that hinge on physical or even verbal abuse, you would be wise to get your child out of there immediately.

As a parent, there are no hoops that you would not go to in ensuring your child grows up to be healthy in all aspects that truly count. In your preparation for getting your preschooler ready for school, may you find the wisdom needed in picking the school that will definitely benefit your child, not just intellectually and mentally, but also socially, emotionally, and in terms of his physical upbringing.

Breastfeeding Made Easier

Doc Health Plan -Breastfeeding is easy—or so it seems. After all, every mother from the Stone Age, from the Biblical Eve, down to the modern busy yuppy mom can do it with her eyes closed. But when you really get down to it, the late-night feedings, the offering of the breast every half hour, can actually wear down a new mom. Unfortunately, many moms feel that they are being unloving to their babies when they admit that breastfeeding is actually exhausting and that they would rather just stick a bottle in their babies’ mouths instead of having to go through the entire thing again on the next day, and the next, and the next.

What is it about breastfeeding that makes it so difficult? If mothers from several generations ago, prior to the invention of formula milk and milk bottles, only had breastfeeding to rely on to keep their babies alive, how come they managed to do that—and still maintain their homes and help in the farm and all that stuff? How do you, as a modern-day mom, find a way to breastfeed without dying from exhaustion?

The following important principles about breastfeeding will likely change the way you do it, and make it much easier for you:

1. You breastfeed to “feed” your baby. This means that you will want to make sure your baby gets the meal he needs to see him throughout his nap. Babies, especially newborns, sleep most of the day. However, when they are not satisfied with their milk, they tend to wake up in shorter intervals, bawling for milk. What could be the cause? Is it possible that they did not take in as much milk as they needed? Is it possible the baby fell asleep at the breast too soon? This is a common mistake among mothers, wherein they nurse the baby to sleep. Can you imagine falling asleep in the middle of your lunch, without having eaten enough to give you energy for the rest of the day? This is also the case with infants who are nursed at a time when they are already sleepy. This is why experts recommend switching the baby’s feeding-sleeping-wake patterns. Instead of allowing the baby to wake up and feed only when he is about to sleep, they recommend feeding the baby as soon as he wakes up, so that he gets a full feeding. When he finally falls asleep, he falls asleep full and satisfied. This results in longer naps, and longer rest periods for mom before she needs to nurse again.2. Breast milk comes out in batches. The first batch is the thinner milk. With enough stimulation, the hind milk is released. This is much more laden with nutrients. As such, it is the longer feeding time, that is, with baby fully awake, that allows the baby to get the benefits of this hind milk. When you know about this, you will find it much easier to aim to get that hind milk out and into your baby’s mouth. Also, this hind milk results in a fuller, more satisfied infant who sleeps more soundly.

3. The more stimulation that a mother’s breast gets, the more milk is produced. This principle will give hope to any mom who gives up breastfeeding due to poor milk supply, especially during the first month after birth. Misconceptions abound about how only those moms whose breasts overflow with milk from the first day of birth can successfully breastfeed. Of course, there will be some moms who indeed cannot produce enough milk, but more possibly, the breasts have not gotten enough stimulation because the baby falls asleep too soon. This is where a breast pump might help, in giving added stimulation just to ready the milk production for the baby’s benefit.

These basic principles should equip you with what you need for making sure your baby gets all that he needs from breastfeeding without wearing you out to nothingness. When you apply these principles, you will find the task to be manageable enough that you can even do other chores in between, giving you a glimpse of what it meant when mothers of old had only their breasts to give their babies suck.

Reasons Why Kids Lose Their Appetite

Doc Health Plan -One of the most common problems with kids is loss of appetite and this worries a lot of parents from all over the world. There are kids who simply resent eating at any time of the day or insist on eating only his favorite. Usually, these favorites are not so healthy and a lot of children usually lose their desire to eat specifically when it comes to nutritious foods. Loss of appetite in children can be quite alarming especially if the child is starting to lose weight, seem small for his age or is always lacking energy. It may be an indication that a child is sick or it may lead to eating disorders.

There are several reasons for a child to not want to eat. The most common causes will be discussed in the following paragraphs.

1. Junk Food between Meals

There are kids who can be very picky. If they do not see anything interesting to eat on the dinner table, especially if it’s green and leafy, then they’d rather starve themselves. Appetite, gone with the wind! But when you present them with oh-so-colorfully packed and prepared junk foods, notice how they are more excited to eat this kind of stuff. Another thing, notice how they tell you that they’re hungry and request “snacks” (which are more junk food rather than healthy snacks) when it’s near dinner time. It will definitely ruin their appetite especially if they consume these foods right before the proper meal. If you know that your child gets hungry on a specific time before lunch or dinner, you can adjust his meal time or give him nutritious snacks that can increase the appetite. Avoid stuffing him with chips, juice, soda, sweets or chocolate drinks an hour before meal time. These foods will definitely drive his appetite away.

2. Flu

Influenza or flu is one of the most common reasons why kids lose their appetite. This is an obvious reason because aside from not feeling well and lacking energy to do other stuff, a person loses his or her ability to taste food. Children won’t eat what they can’t taste and especially if their little tummies don’t feel so well either. If your son or daughter usually likes eating and suddenly loses his or her appetite, then start checking the temperature. The child could be suffering from flu. Do not force the child to eat full solid meals, instead, treat him with soups and natural fruit juices. An occasional treat of his favorite food won’t hurt. Letting a child eat what he wants once or twice when he’s not feeling well will help him forget that he’s sick just for a little while.

3. Too Much Pressure

Pressure results to stress. Just like adults, stress can make desire for foods disappear. Look for signs of aloofness, sadness or irritability in your child. If he is going through some extreme pressure in school or having problems with his siblings or his best friend, this could be the cause of his lack of appetite. You may also want to assess yourself if you are giving too much pressure on your child when it comes to eating habits or other issues. Force feeding is never the answer. It can even lead to severe eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia. If you don’t want your children to love eating junk or detest anything green, yellow or red in their meals, then start with feeding them what’s right and healthy. Once you let them get used to not eating veggies or eating fries and ice cream an hour before lunch which clearly causes them to not want to eat lunch anymore, then they will grow up with that eating habit.

4. Distractions

Television and computer games are two of the most distracting creations ever made. If these can distract adults from work or from doing other important things, then it could even more distract a playful child from mealtime. But sometimes, kids just follow what adults do. So, be a good example. If it’s time to eat, then encourage everyone in the family to sit down on the table and eat together as a family. You can let them get away with eating in front of the television sometimes, say, once every weekend. Don’t let these gadgets take away your child’s needed nutrition.

These are just some of the reasons why kids sometimes don’t want to eat. Be observant and be a responsible parent as well when it comes to feeding your child the right foods and in developing a healthy eating habit.

Caring for a Child’s Emotional Needs

Doc Health Plan -Many parents, especially first-time ones, run to parenting books for guidance on how to care for their newborn babies. Of course, authors of parenting books are eager to lay out the physical as well as social needs of babies and children. However, one aspect that is, up to this day, largely overlooked in parenting books are a child’s emotional needs. Sure, they tackle emotional quotient as being more important than a child’s IQ, but do you know that parents play the largest role in shaping their child’s EQ?

How do parents meet a child’s emotional needs? After all, aren’t they so young that they need to be guided to behave properly and not throw temper tantrums?

Herein lies the very subtle deception. Young children typically do not have the capacity to tell right and wrong, and expecting them to behave based on standards that adults have set over the generations in their specific culture is not only unrealistic, it also sets an unnecessary pressure on the child. Have you seen parents who scold their young kids for spilling a cup of juice on the carpet? Parents can rave and rave about how stupid the child was for spilling, or sometimes, for not obeying the rule of no drinks in the living room, when in fact the child is obviously immature, not rebellious. This has a scathing effect on a child, especially when done often. And indeed, parents who have the weakness of yelling at their child for every little misdeed, intentional or not, tend to succumb to that weakness more and more.

So how can one care for a child’s emotional needs? The following are only examples, as each child is unique and you are especially gifted with wisdom how to deal with the child entrusted to you:

1. Enjoy them. This is one of the most difficult things to do, as parents, who see their child in every state, including the difficult tantrums and hard headedness, tend to skip over the enjoying part and go right on to the scolding and making them “behave.” Sure, once in a while, a dad may have fun with his son, and a mom may laugh at a crazy antic, but why not make this the norm instead of the exception? A child needs to know that he is enjoyed and loved, and from there he will grow up to be confident and a pleasing addition to society.2. Don’t set unrealistic expectations on your child. This has actually become so much more commonplace this generation, with preschools that admit younger and younger children. Whereas, a few generations ago, children only went to school at first grade, now we have preschools that admit even two-year-olds. How can adults expect a two-year-old to behave like his more mature seven-year-old brother, who can sit quietly coloring or playing with his robots? This unreasonable expectation contributes to stress not just to kids, but to parents as well—and in the end it will backfire on the way they treat their kids.3. A little touch goes a long way. Science has undergone many a research study on the effects of touch on a baby’s life. One of these studies have tested two groups of babies, all of which were fed properly and had their physical needs met. However, one group received lots of hugs and kisses, while the other didn’t. The study showed that the group that got the affectionate touches fared much better than the other group. As parents, hugging and kissing are our privilege, and being free to express our affection actually also frees our children to be who they are, and still be accepted for who they are.

4. Respect their interests and nourish them in that area. In the same vein that children need to know they are enjoyed and accepted for who they are, they also need to know that their parents approve of their interests. Interests are a strange thing that naturally manifests as part of a child’s design. Having the parents encourage them in their interests actually serves to skyrocket their potential, giving them a good self-esteem to succeed later on in life.

The difficult thing about a child’s emotional needs is that they are largely intangible. But it is no surprise that families are the basic unit of society, before any child goes on into the tough world out there, as the daily hugs and kisses from mom and dad will more than equip him to be emotionally stable and socially acceptable in the long run.

Hyperacidity in Kids

Doc Health Plan -Hyperacidity is usually detected in children when they have problems with the natural process of bowel movement: for example, diarrhea and constipation are taken as natural symptoms of a problem in the digestive system. So is vomiting. However, these are usually attributed to other causes, such as parasites, indigestion, or any other sickness, with hyperacidity being the last that parents think about. This may perhaps be due to the seeming simplicity of hyperacidity, or perhaps more likely, to its intangibility.

What causes hyperacidity? Whether in adults or children, studies have shown that stress and pressure contribute to the release of acids in the stomach. Even worse, having this causes extreme discomfort, which adds to the agitation and stress levels that the child faces, resulting in an endless cycle. Is there a way to cut this cycle? In adults, it is possible to train them to relieve their stress. Also, adults have antacids that can help alleviate the problem. On the other hand, to date, there has not yet been a strong availability of antacids designed for children. So how do you, as a parent, help your child if you suspect he is suffering from hyperacidity?

1. The first thing you can do is try to adjust his diet. There are certain foods that inarguably trigger acid in the digestive system. Top on this list would be acidic fruits and juices, such as lemon, lime, and other citric fruits like orange and pomelo. Too much sweets is also known to cause hyperacidity, especially when taken on an empty stomach. You can also try to reduce his intake of heavy meats and switch it with easier to digest vegetables and starches like potatoes.2. The next thing you need to consider is the level of stress he faces daily, and then you need to try to make adjustments as necessary. If your child is young and goes to school, the rushed preparation for the school day may be part of the irritants. In this example, you can make things more relaxed perhaps by waking up half an hour earlier. This will translate into a less pressured preparation time both for him and you. If you find him stressed over school work, perhaps finding a tutor to help him get back on track temporarily might help.3. Is he getting enough rest? A child who is sleepy tends to be cranky and therefore much more stressed than one who is well rested. For this, you will need to check his bedtime routine. If he seems to get enough hours of sleep but wakes up cranky, check if he’s waking up during the night disturbed by nightmares or unnecessary noises. You can reduce the disturbance by toning down your own night time activities, or perhaps by playing music in his room to act as white noise. If nightmares are a disturbance, check his intake of media: studies have shown that excessive TV watching, especially of material that is not wholesome or beneficial, can cause nightmares and night terrors in children.

4. Take the time to laugh! The person who coined the phrase “Laughter is the best medicine” is right on par. Not only should you try to avoid stress for your child, you can actually combat the effects of stress by having laughing sprees. Adults nowadays, especially with busy work schedules and family commitments, sometimes overlook the beauty of laughter, especially in terms of sharing it with their little ones. But this can do wonders to your child’s health, when he gets a healthy dose of good, clean fun with his parents. Whatever stress he may be facing throughout the day will likely disappear after just a few minutes of laughing, either through a funny movie or a tickle fest with his parents.

These practical tips might not seem like much, but you will see the effects when you find your child having a more relaxed and happy demeanor. And sooner or later, you can be sure you will be able to kiss his hyperacidity and the uncomfortable symptoms goodbye forever. So go ahead, you have permission to make life more fun for you and your child!

Is it Possible for Children to Get Heat Stroke?

Doc Health Plan -Anybody can get heatstroke, especially a child. Since little ones do not have fully developed central nervous systems, they do not have the capability to handle shifts in body temperature. They also find it hard to stay hydrated all the time and these facts increase their risk of getting heat stroke.

What is heat stroke? Heat stroke is a type of hypothermia which is an unusually increased body temperature accompanied by physical signs and changes in the function of the nervous system. Also known as sun stroke, this medical situation is considered an emergency and could be fatal if not treated promptly and correctly. When a child gets over exposed to heat, the temperature of the body goes up and its capacity to cool down is broken.

Kids are particularly susceptible to heat stroke. Allowing them to play outside during a very hot day or dressing them with clothes that are too warm for the hot weather, or leaving them in a parked vehicle which is just plain reckless – this can leave them dehydrated and end up with heat stroke. Bad sunburn also increases the risk of this deadly condition.

What are the symptoms of child heat stroke? The first sign of possible heat stroke in a child is heat exhaustion. Heat exhaustion includes moist and cool skin, fatigue, thirst and cramped stomach or legs. If these symptoms progress to heat stroke, then the parent should observe the skin if it is red, dry and hot. Get the child’s temperature and if it measures 39.4 degree Celsius and above but the patient is not sweating, then he or she might be suffering from sunstroke. Other signs are quick pulse, confusion, dizziness, vomiting, restlessness, headache, fast but low breathing, unconsciousness, and unusual activities like a weak response when the baby is tickled or called. Common signs of dehydration should also be observed like tearless cries, sunken eyes, sticky or dry mucous membranes, less urination and irritability.

If you think that your child has sun-caused stroke, don’t panic. Have someone call for an ambulance. What you must do is to bring down the child’s temperature as fast as you can. Remember that as soon as you do something, there is a greater chance for the child to survive. One must also take note that severe heat stroke can leave the child unconscious really fast and this should be avoided.

To cool the patient down, take all the child’s clothes off and put him or her in a cool place. If you’re still outside and exposed in the sun, you must find a shade or cover. But, it is more advisable if you bring the patient inside an air-conditioned building. Elevate his head with a pillow or a towel or blanket that you have folded. Wash the child’s body using a towel or washcloth that you have soaked in cold water. Continue doing this while you’re waiting for medical help to arrive. It will also help if there is an electric fan that you can use to fan the child, if not, and then find any material like a magazine or newspaper that you can use. Speak to the child, comfort him, and tell him that he has to stay awake and that the ambulance is on its way. Do not give him something to drink and don’t attempt to let him take acetaminophen because it won’t do anything to bring down the temperature.

However, if the baby or toddler is displaying symptoms of heat exhaustion that has not developed into heat stroke yet, then bring him or her inside as fast as possible. It would be better if it is in an air-conditioned area. Let the child drink lots of water that is not too cold to avoid stomach cramps. A cool bath will be good and playing inside for the meantime is important for the child to heed. If you don’t see improvements, rush him to the hospital.

It is very easy for a child’s body to overheat, so as a parent, one must be very cautious about letting their kids go out and play active games during a hot day. Help them get used to the super hot weather by allowing them to play outside a tad at a time and lengthening this time as the week progress. Light and breezy clothes should be worn and increased intake of liquids and playtime breaks should be imposed especially during summer months. Know when to keep the kids inside when the temperature is too hot to bear.