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| Sunday, 19 May 2002 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Common childhood diseases Mumps Mumps is caused by a virus (i.e. it is a viral disease). It affects the glands which make saliva, primarily the parotid glands which are situated just below and in front of the ears covering the angles of the jaw. It is not very infectious and is uncommon in children under five. It is exceedingly rare to catch the disease twice as one attack usually gives life-long immunity. The time between coming in contact with the disease and developing symptoms - the incubation period - is approximately three weeks. Symptoms The main symptom is that of enlarged and tender parotid glands. One side is usually affected first, but in most cases the other side then also becomes involved, after an interval of up to five days. There is frequently a mild fever and a general feeling of tiredness. As the parotid glands are involved in the production of saliva, the child may complain of a dry mouth. The condition will usually resolve itself within six to ten days. Treatment There is no specific treatment against mumps other than the relief of the symptoms. For pain relief, local heat using a warm compress or hot water bottle applied to the affected glands can be soothing. Appropriate analgesics such as Aspirin or Disprin may be required. A child may have some difficulty in moving its jaw and therefore the diet should consist of soft nutritious foods and adequate fluids. If the mouth is dry, special care should be taken to keep the tongue and mouth moist and clean by using appropriate gargles and mouth washes. To avoid unnecessary spread of the disease, the child should have his own eating utensils, toothmug, etc. Isolation from school for one week after the glands have returned to normal is recommended. When to consult the doctor - if the pain is very severe and not adequately controlled with 'household remedies'. - if the child is complaining of headaches or earache (this will usually be due to the inflammation of the parotid glands, but may be also caused by an associated ear infection). - if there is evidence of abdominal pain or discomfort of the testicles. - if the child appears particularly unwell. - if there is any doubt about the diagnosis. Chickenpox Chickenpox is a highly contagious viral disease - the virus, herpes zoster, being the same as that which causes shingles in later life - and, like German measles, is spread by droplet infection. The incubation period is two weeks, and the child is infectious for one day before the sports appear until they are all covered by scabs. Symptoms The characteristic symptom is an irritating itchy rash which starts on the trunk and gradually spreads over the face, where it can involve the scalp, mouth and ears, and also the upper arms and legs. The rash starts as small red spots which soon become blebs (blisters containing a clear fluid). This fluid then changes into pus, and the blebs then burst. These gradually dry, forming scabs which fall off after seven to ten days leaving pinkish scars which soon fade and disappear. The rash, rather than coming out all at once, appears in small clusters of spots over a number of days so that different stages of the rash can be seen at the same time. A child may be quite distressed by the itching and develop a mild fever. Treatment This consists of minimising the irritation of the rash by the use of calamine lotion and mild sedatives. There are no significant complications other than infection of the rash which is usually due to scratching. Efforts should be made to avoid this as it can result in permanent scarring. A vaccine is now available to prevent contracting this disease. Measles Measles is a highly infectious viral disease. It affects children from a young age as the immunity obtained from the mother wears off during the first years of life. The incubation period is about two weeks and the disease is spread by droplet infection. The illness will usually take about a week to resolve but the child should be isolated from school for ten days after the onset of the rash. Symptoms and complications Measles usually starts with a severe cold, nasal catarrh, cough and sore red eyes. The child may be feverish and frequently vomits. On the third to fifth day he will develop a characteristic non-itchy rash which starts behind the ears and gradually spreads over his face and body. It consists of small red spots which gradually come together and give a blotchy appearance. The most common complications are ear infections and bronchitis. These can be quite severe in very young children. Treatment Treatment should be related to the different symptoms. The child frequently loses his appetite when the symptoms are most acute and should not be forced to eat. Adequate fluids should be provided and special attention given to keeping mouth moist and comfortable. It used to be considered advisable to keep the child in a darkened room but this is unnecessary unless the light is found to be irritating. If the eyes are inflamed they should be bathed in warm salt water or Optrex. Watching television should be discouraged as this can often cause discomfort. If there is any evidence of secondary infection such as acute earache or bronchitis, treatment with the appropriate antibiotic may be indicated. Immunity A vaccine is now available and, in view of the possible complications of the disease, it is advisable for all children to be immunized when they are one year old. Whooping cough (Pertussis) This is the most serious of the common childhood infections and can have serious consequences especially in young babies. The incubation period is from seven to ten days, and the child is infectious for 28 days after the onset of symptoms. Symptoms The disease starts with a normal cough, often associated with a rather watery nasal discharge. After a few days, the child will cough several times in one breath, and coughing will start quite spontaneously or may be precipitated just by lifting the child. It will then be continuous with the child having little possibility of getting his breath. The characteristic 'whoop' is due to the child rapidly drawing in breath at the end of coughing. Young babies. however, are unable to achieve this 'trick' and therefore the 'whoop' is not found in this age. Vomiting will usually occur with the coughing. In spite of treatment, the cough frequently persists for many weeks or months. The principal complications of the disease are pneumonia and ear infections. Treatment A specific antibiotic treatment is available and this should be instituted without delay. However, the cough frequently persists and is not much relieved by the normal cough mixtures. A mild sedative is frequently helpful. Persistent vomiting may make feeding difficult, and in such cases small frequent meals should be given.A vaccine is now available and, as no immunity is passed from the mother, immunisation should be undertaken as early as possible. Keep fit exercises for new mothers The following exercises will help a new mother to regain her figure after her baby is born. Ideally she should commence doing them immediately after child birth. First three days after the birth of your baby Exercise 1 Lying on your back with knees bent, feet resting on the bed. Breathe in slowly and deeply, breathe out. (Repeat three times) Do this, every day, between each exercise, and at the end. Exercise 2 Lying with your legs straight and slightly apart. Bend and stretch your ankles (Repeat six times) Bend and stretch your toes (Repeat six times) Roll your feet round in circles in both directions (Repeat six times) Exercise 3 Lying on your back with knees bent, feet resting on the bed. Tighten your buttock muscles and pull in your abdomen so that your back is pressed against the bed. Hold this position while you count six, then relax. (Repeat six times) This movement should also be practised when sitting in a chair Exercise 4 Repeat the previous day's exercises and add Exercise 4 which will strengthen the muscles supporting the womb and help to keep it in its correct position. Lying on your back with knees bent, feet resting on the bed. Pull the sling of muscle through which your baby was born upward and forward as shown by arrow, thus tightening the opening of the birth passage (vigina). Hold the contraction while you count six, then relax. (Repeat six times) This tightening movement also closes the passage from the bladder. When learning to do this very important exercise, you can be sure that you are doing it correctly if you can stop the stream when you are passing water. Medical update:Living a healthier life with aspirin Aspirin is a pain-relieving drug used widely the world over. The medical term for aspirin is Acetyl Salicylic Acid. Professor Peter C. Elwood, MD, FRCP, FFP-HM Honorary of the University of Wales College of Medicine is a recognized authority on Aspirin, says that it can be used for many illnesses. "More and more research is being done around the world to determine the uses of aspirin," he says. "In 1974, it was used for the first time, to reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. Today, its usage for heart disease and stroke is accepted all over the world. It is known that on experiencing sudden and severe chest pain, at least 300 mg of soluble aspirin chewed and swallowed can save a life." The results of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of a single daily dose of aspirin in the prevention of re-infarction in 1239 men who had had a recent MI showed a reduction in total mortality of 12% within 6 months and 12 months after admission to the trial. Results showed that there is a 30%-40% possibility in reducing heart attacks, strokes, and vascular deaths. The benefits of long term, low dose aspirin prophylaxis after a stroke is proven. Professor Elwood also believes that 100,000 premature deaths could be prevented worldwide every year if aspirin is taken by those diagnosed with heart disease or who have had a history of strokes in the family. Studies have also shown that using anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin reduces incidence of dementia, especially with diseases such as Alzheimer's Disease, and suggest aspirin may have a hand in avoiding cancer of the colon and rectum. Garlic keeps the doctor away Garlic is back to keep the doctor away. Garlic, like many other herbs has been cited for its disease prevention benefits. An review of 10 controlled studies found that garlic can help lower cholesterol and keep blood thin if you consume five or more cloves every day. Garlic supplements like garlic tablets do not produce the same results. For centuries garlic has been one of the most important of all medical plants. A Egyptian medical papyrus from the 16th century B.C. lists 22 remedies employing garlic for everything from heart disease and worms to tumours, headaches and bites. Cloves of preserved garlic were found in the tombs of king Tutankhamen. Ancient Olympic athletes chewed garlic to increase the stamina. Aristotle, Hippocrates and Pliny touted garlic for skin ulcers and cleaning wounds. For centuries Chinese have drunk onion tea (onion in a cuisine of garlic) to relieve fevers, cholera and dysentery. Even Louis Pasteur described the antibacterial properties of garlic. Albert Schweirzer deep in the jungle and lacking conventional drugs found that garlic could effectively treat amoebic dysentery. In recent years, conventional science has at last begun to recognizing the extra ordinary healing qualities of this member of the lily family. Garlic has been found to contain at least 400 constituent compounds of which more than 30 are known to influence the body function minerals such as selenium and germanium, amino-acids such as glutathione, methionine and cysteine, amino alkyl sulfoxides, allicin disulphide oxides, deoxidized sulphide and sulphydryl bearing compounds, s-allyl cysteine and the oxide of trithio-doderiens ajoene. Substances like those have been shown to be effecive in a wide variety of therapeutic applications. 1. To reduce the impact of cancer causing substances and to retard or prevent tumour formation. 2. To prevent sticky blood platelets from clumping together and therefore lessen the risk of strokes and heart attacks. 3. To improve the function of body's immune system and help people with AIDS to fight opportunistic infections. 4. To retard the ageing process 5. To help the body to detoxify itself of heavy metals and other harmful chemicals. 6. To lower the cholesterol levels and reduce high blood pressure. 7. To open the airways and alleviate asthma. Garlic is thought to be particularly a valuable tool in bolstering the human immune systems because it is one of the richest sources of organic selenium and germanium. The main active principle in garlic is allicin which has been shown to be effective against 23 kinds of bacteria and sixty types of fungi and yeasts. Some studies suggest that at as little as 1.8gm a day can improve the functioning of the immune system. Garlic's antibacterial and anti-carcinogenic properties are most effective in its raw state. Boiling garlic creates sulphur compounds which can dilate the bronchial passages of asthmatic patients and act as a decongestant, cough medicine and mucus regulater. In selecting garlic very small and very large bulbs (elephant garlic) should be avoided. Garlic heads can last six months if they are kept dry. Garlic can be used in a number of ways to enhance flavouring of may dishes. Garlic can be used to prepare a soup. 10g of garlic has 2.78mg of vitamin C, 0.02gram of polyunsaturated fat, 2.97g of carbohydrate, 0.02mg of thiamine, 0.01mg of riboflavin 0.06mg of nicotinic acid, 0.30mg of folic acid, 15mg of calcium and 0.15mg of iron. Garlic soup, garlic pickle and garlic bread are popular among Sri Lankans especially those who dine in restaurants and hotels. Garlic can be used in a number of ways to enhance the flavouring of many dishes. Simply rubbing half a fresh clove round a salad bowl will provide a hint of pungency without in any way overpowering. Beyond this garlic will find good use for it in most salad dressing, sterfries breads and other baked goods. Consumption of large amounts of garlic (more than 10g per day) can make the blood cells fragile increasing the risk of anaemia. People with stomach ulcers should not consume large amounts of raw garlic. Garlic helps to flavour food and makes eating more enjoyable. Garlic should be used with a low fat diet if you want to bring your blood cholesterol level down. If you cannot take fresh garlic, then take it with food. If you are using garlic for the first time start it with a small amount and slowly increase the amount but don't exceed 20 gm per day. - Dr. P. Atukorale |
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