Hyperactivity
Skin
Diaper Rash
Cradle Cap (Seborrheic Dermatitis)
Impetigo
Mumps
Otitis Media (Middle Ear Infection)
Urinary System
Bedwetting (enuresis)
Night dryness should occur between the ages of 3 and 7 years with slightly
older norms for males. Bedwetting affects about 5 million Americans including
between 2 and 4 percent of adults. Bedwetters share specific characteristics
the most prominent being unusually deep sleep patterns with decreased amounts
of REM sleep. Other tendencies include lowered threshold for stress, and
need for affection, and reassurance. Most `experts' feel that no organic
disease or defect is present in 98% of bedwetters.
Children who wet the bed may do so for emotional reasons. They may feel
insecure due to the arrival of a new baby, a change of school or because
of the parents' marital problems. In these cases, the child needs love and
reassurance.
Sometimes bedwetting occurs because of lack of nervous control of the bladder.
In this case, give an infusion of 1 part each of horsetail, St. John's
wort, Cornsilk, wild oat, and lemon balm. Give half a cup three times
a day, and try to give the last dose well over an hour before bedtime.
Traditional approaches to bedwetting include (excluding the more barbaric
ones):
- Lifting and waking the child to toilet at night, but this further
deprives the child of needed REM sleep and may aggravate the problem.
- Waiting for the child to outgrow the problem. As the child grows older
the statistical chances of outgrowing the syndrome decrease. Also other
stress patterns may arise, such as adult bruxism.
- Decreasing fluid intake at night. Some statistics show that this will
aggravate the problem in a true bedwetter.
- Holding back bladder exercises. This has little affect
on enuresis but can increase daytime control.
- Pad and buzzer, a moisture sensing pad buzzes and awakens
the child. 90% of older children or adults who seriously undertake this
technique on their own will have success with it.
- Regular bedtime routine. These children need regularity and more
sleep. They do better if put down at the same time each night leaving time
for at least 8 hours of sleep.
- Outdoor exercise. This fatigues the child in a healthy natural way and
helps regulate sleep.
- Decrease stress, easier said than done! Use encouragement rather
than punishment. Make sure the emotional environment in home and school
is supportive.
Fever
Normal body temperature ranges between 96.5 and 99.0 degrees F. (35.8-37.2
degrees C.), depending on the individual and the ambient conditions. At
night the temperature is about one-half a degree higher than in the morning.
Rectal measurements are almost one degree higher than those taken by mouth
(orally).
Fever, the elevation of body temperature above normal, is a valuable sign
to follow through the course of an illness. Its onset may be the first indication
that something is wrong, its disappearance a sign that things are improving.
Consequently, fever should not be treated before its cause is known unless
the patient is uncomfortable or the temperature is greater than 102 degrees
F. Although brain damage may occur with extremely high temperatures, it
is rare at temperatures below 105 degrees.
- Document the temperature by measuring it every four hours while awake.
Be sure to shake down the thermometer before using, and remember to keep
it under the tongue with the mouth closed for three minutes. Use a rectal
thermometer for infants. You may want to keep a record of the temperatures
for your doctor.
- Encourage intake of liquids. Higher temperatures account for greater
body fluid losses through sweating and evaporation.
- Cool compresses across the forehead and under the arms are soothing
when the temperature is high. Hourly sponge baths can be given to infants
and small children to keep the temperature below 104 degrees. Fill the tub
with an inch or two of water at around body temperature. Rinse the child
for ten to fifteen minutes, allowing the water to run off.
- Dress warmly, but don't overdo it.