Totally debilitated by his condition, Ryan was not showing response to multiple drug treatments and had lost hope, states Mother Judy Mendoza. Recalling one heart-shattering incident, when on pulling into the house drive-way, her son sprinted out of the home, throwing himself on the vehicle hood and begging her to run him down and take his life as he no more wished to be alive with OCD any further.

Resolute on leaving no leaf unturned to allay her child’s torment, Judy spoke about eventually resorting to a drastic choice – medical marijuana.

Judy was able to mull over this highly debatable path of therapy since she’s Californian. Medical use of marijuana is legalized in fourteen states (California included) when prescribed by physicians.

Although her initial gut response was utter disbelief and shock still Mendoza sensed she had exhumed all the feasible alternatives obtainable to assist her child. Even neuroleptic drugs failed to help in her son’s case. Finally she decided after deeply pondering over the query on what did she truly have to lose in such a bleak scenario.

Sans the Smoke

Instead of smoking marijuana, kids who are offered medical marijuana prescription consume it in an herb type which barely bears a resemblance to the mix of arid leaf, stem and seed types classically employing during smoking marijuana.

In its place, infusion of marijuana into butter, bread or concentrate fluid version known as ‘tincture’ is done and then administered in sub-lingual manner for swifter action.

Information a Mother Could Employ – Could Marijuana also be helpful to her son?

When Ryan had been initially identified with an atypical autoimmune condition PANDAS (or paediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorder with streptococcal infections) which is causal to acute OCD, his mom had never thought she would depend on medical marijuana for improving her child’s condition.

Judy initial mulled over it after initially seeing a live coverage on television about another mom who had opted for medical marijuana for saving her autistic young child’s life.

Eleven-year-old Joey Hester-Perez suffered from autism and was a near skeletal self weighing a pitiable forty-six pounds following repeated refusals to eat. His mom, Mieko recollects her child becoming violent and engaging in self-hurt practices. After seeing her child’s health worsen, Mieko offered him marijuana laced brownie.

A year later and regular intake of medical marijuana, his mother is pleased with his improving health condition. Joey has become calmer, makes sounds and has put on thirty-eight pounds. His drugs dose has reduced from thirteen taken earlier to just three a day.

Mieko truly believes that medical marijuana has been a life-saver for her child who was close to death.

Categorized as an illicit medication, marijuana has not be passed through any double blinded scientific trials – deemed the medical gold-standard for evaluating drugs to corroborate its efficacy in treatment of OCD, autism.

The outcomes marijuana could have on a growing brain are still not totally comprehended. But, those favouring its administration for treating the ill, irrespective of age, the dearth of research hold no significance. Several parents even administer medical marijuana to their cancer-ridden children for alleviating pains and queasiness resulting due to chemo sessions and even make the final stages of their lives more bearable.

But, several experts beg to differ stating that it could be causing more damage than being of help. Their viewpoint is that medical marijuana could in fact aggravate symptoms and could be proffering a numbing effect rather than truly address the fundamental problems. Experts warn patients that depression and nervousness are supplementary issues that could crop up a result of using medical marijuana with their kids. Several specialists caveat that extra caution be taken when administering kids any form of medication and only those drugs be offered which have undergone rigorous testing and garnered FDA approval.

Also the role of omega-3s like DHA have been emphasized as food types which encourage brain functioning and there is sizeable proof backing the part of EFAs (essential fatty acids) in preliminary eye and brain growth.

Though presently the United States has not furnished certified parameters for DHA consumption in kids or grown-ups, yet it is known that established highest DHA sources include seed, nut types, mackarels, herrings, salmons, tunas, sardine and lake trout – not precisely child-affable food types. Hence for parents, DHA-enriched product types are the sole means to assure that their children are acquiring requisite omega-3 fatty acid levels from their dietetic intake, particularly in case they are apprehensive regarding mercury levels or chlorinated biphenyls  present in fishes or in case their kid is a picky eater.

For instance, mostly DHA addition to fruit juices is quite popular with kids. However fruit juices have unnecessary calorific value and lack fiber and several phytonutrient types present in whole fruits. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, fruit juice intake must be limited to four to six ounces daily for kids in the age from one to six years.

DHA enriched milk is a superior choice in comparison to juices that offers DHA while not conciliating the total nutrient advantages of milk like enzymes, vitamin D, calcium, ribonucleosides, potassium among several others.

Additionally, innate DHA sources with minimal processing could be integrated into a kid’s dietetic intake. Furthermore, alongside fishes and nut forms, DHA presence is also noted in dark green, leafy veggies like kale, spinach that are additionally loaded with varied mineral, fiber and essential vitamin types. Egg is high in protein and an innate source of omega-3 fatty acids and additionally having memory developing choline.

Generally, brands having DHA fortification are an ideal means of boosting a kid’s omega-3 fatty acids consumption and obtaining the health advantages that such fatty acids could offer. However one must ensure that they are being moderately consumed.

A vital tip for all new moms – In case they are presently nursing, their infant would not require supplementary DHA-enriched formulas since breast milk is high in DHA, pertinent in scenarios where the mother is able to get the requisite DHA from her dietetic intake. In case a woman decides not to breastfeed then a physician’s advice could be sought regarding baby DHA-enriched formulations that are plentifully available.

HPV referring to a set of viruses known as human papillomavirus is contracted due to genital skin sexual intercourse inclusive of vaginal, anal and probably oral sex. CDC has approximated that HPV has been the most prevalent form of STD and amongst teenage girls having an STD, about fifteen percent of them had one or more STD types.

There are several HPV strains though majority of them are not contributory to cervical cancer and certain HPV types have greater likelihood of leading to the disease.

Pros of HPV Vaccine

The key advantages of the duo HPV vaccines obtainable – Gardasil and Cervarix – is protecting against cervical cancer, though unable to safeguard against all forms of cancer-causative HPV. HPV vaccines shield against four HPV forms, namely HPV 6, HPV 11, HPV 16 and HPV 18 that are accountable for seventy percent of cervical cancer cases and ninety percent of genital warts.

In case one’s daughter has by now already contracted the infection with one of the above mentioned HPV types then offering the vaccine would not thwart infection from that particular strain. Nevertheless, the HPV vaccination would help in protecting against infection due to other HPV types incorporated in the jab.

Why is it necessary for girls to be given the HPV vaccine?

Complete benefits from the HPV vaccine could be garnered solely when a person receives it prior to contracting infection with any of the HPV types incorporated in the vaccine. Due to this reason, the CDC advises girls in the age groups of 11-12 years be vaccinated, preferably this prior to them turning sexually active. The HPV vaccine could additionally be offered to girls from age of nine years and also to girls in the age band 13-26 years old that have not previously been given the vaccine.

Evidently questionable is the reasoning as to why eleven or twelve years is quite early an age to get inoculated. It could possibly be many more years anon that one’s daughter could grow to be sexually active. The vaccine has additionally been proven to have great efficacy in immunization from HPV when administered to younger-aged girls that have not yet contracted infection with the perilous HPV types.

What is the manner of administration of the HPV vaccine?

The HPV vaccination is offered in 3 shots spanning over a 6-month time phase. Till now, researchers have known that the HPV vaccine is effectual for a minimum of 5 years and does not exhibit lowered immunity during that time phase and safeguard could prolong even more than the stipulated time frame indicated. Scientists are still examining long-standing efficacy and if booster doses of the vaccine would be required.

All those not favouring circumcision strongly maintain their stance that it is similar to genitalia mutilation performed on females and other forms of infancy abuse which are presently unlawful in U.S and Britain. A viewpoint held by many is that this method is damaging to young males as it lowers sensitivity in the penis, a matter which has been debated in latest scientific reports. Extensive scientific facts do tend to lean towards the medical benefits gained from this procedure. A set of people are supportive of all those parents that delay circumcision till the infant or young male is capable of deciding on his own.

Undoubtedly circumcision that initially surfaced as a culture and religion-based procedure that dates back to time immemorial has undergone medicalisation. Circumcisions started becoming routine procedures suggested many years on the basis of the hypothesis that they facilitated improved sanitation and on proofs that cervical cancer had lesser prevalence amongst women having sexual contact with circumcised males. Ever since scientific researches have queried a number of affirmations supporting circumcision like lowered chances of developing penile cancer. Other investigations nevertheless have emphasized its significant advantages, especially lowering chances of being carriers and transmitters of STDs or sexually transmitted diseases. Several Africa-based clinical studies have revealed that circumcision reduces the risk of males getting HIV by nearly fifty percent.

By any means circumcision must not be thought to be a replacement for condom usage. However the outcomes of several clinical studies are weighty enough to place the CDC and several other public health adjudicators onto the circumcision movement.

However, prior to overturning that handcart, it could be better to self-probe the query of whether male circumcision offers ample medical advantages for justifying the risks involved. An approximate 230 infants face fatality annually either due to direct or indirect circumcision-related reasons. Several of those circumcised face complications like iatrogenic Phimosis, scar tissues, ulcer formations, infection, Meatal Strictures and blood loss.

When performed in the proper manner, medically and personally the risks though present could be reduced. The advantages do appear biologically credible and are backed by the bearing of existing proofs. But the identified advantages are not that grand enough to the extent of authorizing the method as is done with infancy inoculations. Hence, circumcision basically stays a parental choice.

All those parents opting to get their baby sons circumcised must ideally get the procedure done by experts after administering the child local anaesthesia to avoid any pain. Those parents holding-up the choice of circumcision till the boy is older could often get a negative response from their grown-up boy as not many would like the notion or the act of being de-sheathed. Teen boys are in an age wherein many have not yet developed the perception for weighing the scientific advantages and downsides of circumcision.

Dyslexia is an unambiguous neurological condition and is not the consequence of reduced audibility or ocular skills or low I.Q. Nearly 1 among twenty kids has dyslexia.

Ways to spot Dyslexia

Several bright kids have dyslexia and this disorder is mostly identified earlier amongst such kids as parents become sentient of the immense disparity in between their kid’s apparent I.Q. and the level of accomplishment in particular arenas. The chief sign of dyslexia is having problems when the child tries to read and write. The child could find it problematic to perceive letters in the right order or could muddle up similar shaped lettering like ‘b’ and‘d’, and ‘p’ and ‘q’. A child wrongly being labelled as having dyslexia is just as detrimental as being unsuccessful in recognizing it in case he has it. An accurate identification could only be done by a specialist. However the following signs could be helpful in spotting dyslexia.

• The child is weak in spelling and has dearth of coordination.
• Problems when trying to recollect listing of words, letters or numerals.
• Finds it hard to remember sequence for instance days in a week.
• The child is often unable to tell apart left from the right.
• Cluttered phrases and problems trying to learn nursery rhymes.

Dyscalculia and Dyspraxia

Both Dyscalculia and Dyspraxia are correlated disorders. However, dyscalculia is more atypically found as compared to Dyspraxia, however sharing several of the analogous traits. The child faces key issues using numerals and maths-related theory.

Prevalent Dyspraxia signs are ungainliness, pitiable carriage, discomfited way of walking and being confused regarding what hand has to be used to do tasks. The child could also find it difficult to catch a ball, pitiable consciousness about his/her body, difficulty in hopping, skipping or riding a bicycle. Both of these disorders have analogous treatments to that used in case of dyslexia.

Occupational therapy and physical therapy are additionally used for the treatment of Dyspraxia that have proven beneficial in treating learning difficulty problems at the root.

Though the signs pointed above could also occur in normal children, it is observed in greater intensity amongst dyslexic kids.

Latest studies indicate that along with literacy issues dyslexic kids additionally find it difficult to distinguish varying sounds and those related to recollection. In case of related dyspraxia, these kids would have balancing problems. Skills linked to the left part of the brain like ability to deal with noises, answering to instruction, and placing items orderly are all poorly developed in dyslexic kids. However dyslexic kids are often sensitive, intuitive, impulsive and artistic.

Colic is a condition that is not totally comprehended though it generally makes its presence felt in nearly fourteen days subsequent to the child’s birth or even afterwards among babies born prematurely. Most often it subsides when the child is three to four months old.

Below mentioned are some of the prudent tips that one could employ to soothe your irate, colicky baby:

• Using pacifiers or baby’s dummy or comforter.
• Doing gentle rocking motions to the baby placed on one’s lap or seated in a chair which rocks back and forth.
• Soft hand movements replicating a mild massage on the abdominal area or the child’s back.
• Playing soothing or unwinding music that would do wonders to both the parents and the baby.

Medical Cure

Medical cure mostly demands assurance from the paediatrician who would suggest any of the following cures:

• Medicines like Simethicone drops also commonly available as Maalox, Gas-X, Mylanta and Phazyme that work by relieving gaseous feeling in the abdomen.
• Ensuring a silent, non-arousing setting when the child starts showing signs of colic.
• Bringing about a variation in the baby’s dietetic intake and feeding methods. Those infants that are breastfeeding could find relief when the mom steers clear from dairy produce, particularly when there is a tendency of becoming allergic or resorting to regulated assortment of foods for averting allergies.Other recommendations comprise of cutting out spiced food items, veggies in raw form and caffeine-based items.
• One could even attempt to substitute milk-derived formulations. Current research has revealed that changing milk-derived formulations could assuage the occurrence of colic.
• Whey-derived formulations (Carnation Good Start) that have previously assimilated protein which the child would find easier to digest.
• Soy-derived formulations (Isomil, Enfamil ProSobee) could lower the time periods when the colic signs are apparent.
• Allergy warding formulations (Enfamil Nutramigen, Alimentum) are believed to lower the intensity of the colic signs among bottle-feeding infants. Though they are costlier in comparison to the other available formulations.

With 7 identified botulism toxins, however merely toxin forms A, B, E and F are detrimental to human beings. Botulism is of 3 kinds typified variedly depending on the way of their exposure:

• Food Derived Botulism
  This form of botulism is the consequence of consuming foods that have faced contamination due to the botulism toxin.
• Wound Botulism
  This form of botulism is due to the botulism toxin which grows from contamination due to Clostridium botulinum arising from injuries or wounds.
• Infancy Botulism
  This form of botulism arises when children ingest Clostridium botulinum spores that emit toxins into the intestines.

Prevalence

By and large, there are merely 110 reported Botulism cases in the U.S. annually out of which seventy-two percent are infancy botulism, twenty-five percent are food derived and only three percent are wound derived.

Botulism Symptoms

The signs of food borne botulism generally arise in eighteen to thirty-six hours subsequent to consumption of foods that have faced contamination. The signs could arise as soon as 6 hours to as tardy as ten days after being exposed to the bacterial form with botulism symptoms varying from person to person. The prevalent Botulism Symptoms comprise of:

• Dual or blurry eyesight.
• Drooped eyelids.
• Slurry speech.
• Problems during ingestion.
• Dryness in the mouth.
• Muscular weakness.

Children having botulism could show the following botulism symptoms:

• Lethargy.
• Poor feeding.
• Constipated.
• Mild crying.
• Floppiness in stance.

In case not treated, these signs could aggravate leading to paralysed arms, legs, torso and breathing muscles. The botulism signs could bear a resemblance to other kinds of ailments or issues.

Diagnosis &Tests

Taking into consideration the history and physical exam, the below mentioned diagnostic tests would be suggested for corroboration purposes due to the resemblance of botulism to other conditions.

• CT or Computed tomography Scan
  This analytic method employs a blend of x-ray and computer expertise for rendering cross-section images of the body that offers comprehensive imagery of the required body part.
• Spinal Tap
  Also known as lumbar puncture is a procedure that involves the removal of miniscule quantities of fluid for ascertaining the presence of infection or other issues.
• EMG or electromyogram
  This testing procedure is the measurement of the electrical activity of a muscles or set of muscles for the purposes of diagnosing electrical muscle activity.
• Serum or Faecal analysis Tests
  For examining the botulism toxin poisons.

Botulism Treatment

The doctor would take into account the kid’s age, general health condition and medical past, how grave the condition is and kid’s tolerance for particular medicines, treatments or methods.

Treatment comprises of:

• Antitoxin treatment is generally employed for curing early detected wound botulism.
• Removing of the fetid food from the gut via vomit induction or enemas.
• Operative cure of injuries that have faced contamination for removal of the origin of the toxin in case of wound botulism.
• Exhaustive medical and palliative tending inclusive of antibiotic course.

Recovering from botulism could prolong for several weeks on end with exhaustion and succinctness in breathing persisting for quite a few years.

Botulism Prevention

Majority of the food borne botulism are due to canning or preservation of foods done at home that have lesser amounts of acid like asparagus, beet, corn, green beans. Often some people can or preserve fruits or veggies that they prefer consuming in the later months. Such foods require cooking at intense heat for obliterating the germs.

Uncommon origins of food borne botulism comprise of minced garlic infused in oil, chilli peppers, tomatoes, improper handling of potatoes in aluminium foil via process of baking, canning and preservation done at home or fermentation of fish.

Ideally, garlic or other kinds of herbs preserved in oil need refrigeration. Kids below one year old must not be given honey as it could be the source of botulism.

The detection of the West Nile Virus could be traced to 1937 in the African subcontinent, though it managed to trace its course to the U.S. in the subsequent two decades. However, ever since, it has evolved into a niggling problem especially in the summer season. Several areas of the U.S. have to face the brunt of these mosquito infestations in the months ranging from July onwards till the initial part of September. Though few areas of the country, the menace of imminent possibility of being bitten by mosquitoes ridden with such infection is all year through.

Not every bite of this infection-ridden mosquito would guarantee contracting the virus. Despite the fact that children could contract the West Nile Virus, it is atypical for them to take ill due to it.

Elderly individuals past fifty years of age and those having depleted immunity levels because of the presence of HIV or AIDS, cancer-ridden or have undergone some form of organ transplantation are at the maximum likelihood of developing the infection.

Children having normal immunity levels (the immune system being strong enough to ward off infections), generally feel milder versions of the flu-similar signs and could not be feeling awful due to the infection.

Symptoms of West Nile Virus:

The symptoms that occur due to contracting the West Nile virus could vary in each case.

• Majority of the occasions signs of West Nile Virus are alike flu and comprise of:
  • Feeling feverish.
  • Headaches.
  • Rigidity and inflexibility felt in the areas of the neck and back.
  • Aching muscles.
  • Feeling exhaustion.
  • Pain experienced in the joints.
  • Swelling in the glands.
  • Skin rashes.

In atypical circumstances, West Nile virus could lead to a condition known as encephalitis that causes inflammation in the brain.

West Nile Virus does not get transmitted via one individual to the other. In spite of the fact that pets could contract the viral form, they are incapable of transmitting it to other individuals. The sole means of getting this infection is being bitten by a mosquito who is the carrier of the virus.

Several health care officials are pondering ways of halting the multiplication of the West Nile Virus. One could individually undertake the below mentioned steps to curb this infection.

• Parents must remember to slather on insect repugnant lotions on the child’s skin prior to going outside in the near-dusk hours or later, particularly those that have any of the constituents such as DEET, lemon extract, eucalyptus or picaridin.
• Children must preferably play outdoors in the mid-day hours as mosquitoes are most often found in early dawn or dusk hours.
• Whenever doable always making the children to wear full-sleeve tops, full-length trousers, socks or stockings.
• Children must avoid playing close to still water sources such as inlets or paddling pools as mosquitoes breed in such areas.

But, not all are observed to respond to a correction of their nutritional deficiency, that could be the result of pica instead of due to the cause, and some individuals with pica do not have a known nutritional dearth.

Geophagia is a type of pica that occurs due to iron dearth wherein there is the craving for consuming earth based items like clay or dirt. One premise for elucidating pica is that in few customs, consuming clay or dirt might aid in relieving nauseous sensation (and morning sickness), curbing diarrhoea, increasing salivation, for detoxification and altering whiffs or taste sensitivity.

Few individuals have claimed that they get pleasure from the taste and feel of dirt and clay, and consume it as part of their regular routine (analogous to those who take to cigarette smoke as their daily habit). Few psychological presumptions expound that pica as a behavioural retort to stress or a hint that the person is having an oral fascination (gains comfort by putting such items in their mouth).

Another elucidation is that pica is a cultural aspect of some religious customs, folk medicine and supernatural convictions. For instance, few individuals in diverse cultures consider that ingesting dirt could aid in incorporating paranormal spirits into their bodies.

As neither of these theories elucidates every type of pica, doctors need to treat every individual by delving into the reasons that cause the condition.

When to seek medical assistance

In case one’s kid is at risk for pica, it is imperative to speak to one’s doctor regarding this. In case the child has ingested a dangerous substance, one must promptly seek medical assistance. One could call the Poison Control Center at (800)-222-1222 in case one doubts that the child has consumed something toxic.

A kid who continually ingests non-food substances could be at increased risk of developing grave health conditions like:

• Lead poisoning due to ingesting chips in older constructions having lead-derived paints.
• Bowel issues due to consumption of stodgy substances such as hair, cloth or other items.
• Intestinal hindrance or damage due to items eaten that might lodge themselves in the intestines.
• Dental damage due to consuming firm items that could be harmful to the teeth.
• Parasitic infections due to consuming dirt or faecal matter.

Pica Treatment

• Few children would need behavioural intercession and kin would require working in unison with the psychologist or other mental health care specialists.
• Based on the kids’ age and developmental phase, the doctor would be working with the kid for teaching them the apt ways to eat. Medications could be prescribed in case pica is linked to considerable behavioural issues that fail to respond to behavioural therapy.
• Screening for metal toxicity would be carried out and stool analysis to check for parasites would be done.
• X-rays or other kinds of imaging methods could be performed for identifying what has been consumed or for observing bowel issues like any form of barrier.
• For most situations, pica is a transitory condition that resolves as children grow old or after pregnancy. But in case of those with developmental or mental health issues it could be a long-standing issue.

Osgood Schlatters Symptoms

• There could be a slight swelling, warmness and sore bony lump appearing at the top of the lower leg nearly two inches in measurement beneath the kneecap.
• The bump would be painful when one presses on it. It could additionally hurt while the child attempts to kneel, while jumping, running, squatting or doing any form of activity that involves bending or total extension of the leg.

Osgood Schlatter Causes

• The muscles and tendons function in unison while one is moving the legs. Among those that are involved in playing sports, the knees and the legs get excessively used. Due to excessive physical activity, the patellar tendon tends to tug a lot at the connection to the shin bone leading to the pain experienced during Osgood-Schlatter disease.
• Though boys are more prone to developing this condition, often girls that engage in sports such as gymnastics or soccer are also observed to develop this condition.

Diagnosis &Tests

• In case the doctor doubts the presence of Osgood-Schlatter disease, he/she would recommend undergoing an X-ray of the knee joint for ensuring that there is no other problem involved.
• The doctor could additionally refer the child to an orthopaedist – a specialist who has training in the understanding of the muscular-skeletal system.

Osgood-Schlatter treatment

• In case the doctor confirms the presence of Osgood-Schlatter, then giving the knee some rest would be beneficial in allaying the pain.
• Cold compresses or ice packs could be applied directly to the discomforting area subsequent to engaging in physically strenuous activities would be helpful.
• Pain-allaying medicines like ibuprofen or acetaminophen could also be given to the child to provide relief.
• Gaining knowledge on the proper ways of stretching the hamstring and quadriceps is also an essential part of the treatment course.
• Taking ample rest and doing stretches would in eventual course of time generally help to subside the pain.
• Children having Osgood-Schlatter need not have to abandon participating in sports activities, however they would definitely have to curb their activities for a period of some weeks or even stretching to months till the pain allays.

Trivia

Robert Bayley Osgood, an orthopaedist from United States and Carl Schlatter, a Swiss surgeon were the two doctors that were the pioneers in describing this knee problem in the year 1903. For commending them on their able efforts and accomplishments, the condition got its name after them – after which this petite knee condition got christened in a big way.