1.Headache is a problem of adults…. Can children get headaches?
By the time children reach high school, most young people have experienced some type of headache. However, once your child’s physician discovers the cause and type of the headache, many safe and effective approaches or medications can prevent a headache from occurring or stop it after it has started.
2.What are the different types of headache?
Headaches are generally classified as primary (ie headache itself is a disease) and secondary to other illness and represent one of the symptom of other illness. The common types of primary headaches are migraine and tension type headache. Secondary headaches are associated with an infectious illness or are related to an injury.
3.What Causes Headaches in Children and Teens?
Most kids get them because of an illness, infection (like a cold), or a fever. For example, sinusitis (inflammation of the sinuses) and infections of the throat or ear can trigger headaches. Refractory errors are another common causes of headache in children. Some children also have headache due to migraine.
4.Is my headache migraine?
Migraine is the most common form of headache, but not all headaches are migraines. The term “migraine” refers to a headache which is usually (but not always) on one side of the head. It is a headache that lasts from two to seventy-two hours, typically, and it is often associated with nausea and/or vomiting, sensitivity to light and/or sound. The character of the pain is typically a throbbing pain. Symptoms of migraine may vary with age. Migraine can also be part of a mixed headache pattern in which the patient has more than one type of headache (e.g. Migraine + Tension-type). It is important to know what type of headache you have because management varies greatly for different headache types.
5.What is the difference between a headache and a migraine?
It is not always easy to distinguish between the two, as there may be an element of both muscle tension and a vascular component in both headaches and migraine. In many cases, migraine headaches are severe and are often accompanied by visual disturbances or nausea. Normal headaches will often respond to over-the-counter medications, whereas migraine is often severe enough to require prescription medication.
6.Are migraines hereditary?
In most cases, the short answer is yes. It is very unusual to find migraine headaches in someone without any family history of migraine. There is a group of people who develop migraine-like headaches after significant head trauma, and they may or may not have a family history.
7.What is a migraine trigger?
A migraine trigger is anything that consistently results in a headache. Common triggers include, alcohol, lack of sleep, and skipped meals. Many people have food triggers and smell triggers. But everyone is different.
8.What is a tension-type headache? What causes it, and how can I treat it?
Tension-type headaches occur randomly and are often the result of temporary stress, anxiety, fatigue, or anger. Symptoms include soreness in your temples, a tightening band-like sensation around your head, a pulling feeling, pressure sensations, and contracting head and neck muscles. The headache begins in your forehead, temples, or the back of your head and neck. Treatment for tension-type headache may include over-the-counter or prescription medications, as well as self-help techniques such as relaxation training and biofeedback.
9.Does a headache mean I have a brain tumour?
People often assume that a recurring headache is an indication of something sinister like a brain tumour or impending stroke but no matter what type of headache you have, it’s usually not caused by any life-threatening condition.
10.Do I need a brain scan for my headache?
Brain scan (CT/MRI) is usually not required in majority of cases unless you have red flag signs. Your doctor will advise you whether you need a brain scan or not after clinical assessment.
11.What are the red flag signs?
Most headaches are harmless. However if a child has one or more of the following, he or she should be evaluated by a health care provider before any treatment is given.
a.If the headache occurs after head injury
b.If the headache awakens the child or occurs upon waking
c.If the pain is severe or there are associated symptoms such as vomiting, blurring of vision, unsteadiness, neck pain, confusion and/or fever
Cerebral palsy, also known as CP in short, is a disorder which affects the body movements and posture of your child. It is a permanent disorder and does not go away although its effect on the child and family can be reduced with proper care. It does not progress and with care, the problems improve.
2.What causes cerebral palsy?
Cerebral palsy results from brain damage occurring in a baby or young child before or during the birth, or after birth till the first 2 years of life. The damage affects the messages being received by and sent from the brain, as well as the way in which the brain interprets the messages it receives.
3.Do they have any other problem also? Children with cerebral palsy are commonly seen to have some other problems also like, problems in seeing, hearing, speech, feeding, constipation and learning. They may also suffer from fits (epilepsy). As they cannot move around as freely as other children, the way they experience people and things around them is different from normal children.
4.Is there a cure for cerebral palsy?
The damage to the brain in cerebral palsy is permanent and so there is no permanent cure. But a child’s brain has capacity to grow and modify itself with training. So, with proper care and training, the other areas of the brain try to adjust for the missing functions and hence, they improve. The damage does not progress but child may appear to become worse if there are other associated problems like repeated fits, infections, poor nutrition etc.
5.Is cerebral palsy genetic?
Cerebral palsy occurs as a result of brain injury. It is not passed on genetically, and it is not contagious. Though genetic factors can play a part in causing cerebral palsy in a child, this does not mean that every child in your family will face similar challenges.
6.Can the mother take a test during pregnancy to determine if their next baby has cerebral palsy?
No, there are no such tests. A pregnant mother should tell her doctor about the previous child, get the cause of cerebral palsy evaluated and carry the pregnancy under proper supervision and care.
7.What is the life expectancy of someone with cerebral palsy?
Cerebral palsy is not a terminal disease. Children often go to schools and colleges. Each child is affected differently and the disability depends on the severity of underlying damage. But the children may be more prone to life threatening complications if there is uncontrolled epilepsy or severe respiratory infections. Will my child be able to live on his or her own one day? Many people with cerebral palsy are able to live independently as adults, though they may require assistance with some tasks and chores. People with cerebral palsy are able to work, have children, travel, and live very full lives. However, the degree of your child’s condition and the amount of assistance he or she requires may limit independence somewhat. Proper therapy can help increase your child’s level of freedom.
8.What are the treatments options for my child with cerebral palsy?
Treatments for cerebral palsy can help manage or improve its symptoms. In some cases, people can make significant improvements with different treatments. Sometimes a combination of several treatments has to be given to get improvement. But it should be started early for best results, especially physical therapy for stiff muscles. The options are: Physical therapy to stretch tight muscles and help prevent deformities. It also helps the child to adapt to his surroundings based on his level of activity. Medicines like muscle relaxants help to loosen up stiff and contracted muscles. Children who experience seizures might need anticonvulsant medications to treat them. Medicines can also be given by the doctor for drooling, constipation, nutritional care etc. Surgery can lengthen tendons of stiff muscles and cut some nerve roots in the spinal cord to reduce spasticity. Surgery is only recommended for severe cases. Others: Training in activities of daily living, braces to support joints, walking aid, botulinum toxin Long-term care at a specialized facility, where a team of doctors, nurses and specialists work together to provide the best care for your child’s condition. Participation in social activities, schooling, playing with other children, spending good time with family members help in overall development of these children.
9.Can stem cell cure the child from cerebral palsy?
No. Till now it is not proven by any scientific study so far. Use of stem cell in cerebral palsy is still under research. International authorities have not approved the use of stem cell in clinical practice.
10.Can we massage the child for improvement in tightness?
Fast and deep massage is not advisable in all cases of cerebral palsy except hypotonic one.
11.Can CP children be admitted to normal schools?
Yes. No school can deny admission of your child provided he/she is ready for that education.
Autistic kids tend to be fussy eaters. They may protest when made to try new foods or insist on eating the same thing over and over again at each meal. They have limited food choices or exhibit strong, even aggressive, dislike of certain foods, or smells or textures of foods. They may be constipated due to narrowed food choices and gastrointestinal issues. Parents should not not give up and remind them that it’s important to keep working with your child on what they are eating and their eating habits.
All children need well-balanced diets with foods full of vitamins, healthy fats (omega-3s), protein, and calcium to help their brains develop and bodies grow strong. Some ways to improve their eating habits are:
Lean into their pickiness- Take your child to the grocery store with you and make it a fun adventure to let them pick out a new fruit or vegetable, and then perhaps even let it sit on the counter for a few days so they can study it–touch it, smell it, etc. Then have your child research popular recipes featuring the new food and have them help you prepare it to their liking.
Make mealtimes routine, and even boring- Eliminate things around the kitchen that could distract them from eating and finishing, such as the television or computers, cell phones, bright lights, pets, or noisy appliances.
Be cautious about restrictive diets and/or seek guidance from a registered nutritionist- Many parents claim that a gluten or casein-free diet can help lessen autism symptoms. Gluten is found in wheat and other grain products, and casein is found in dairy—both are thought to have negative effects on brain function in those with autism. However there are conflicting reports about the diet. This diet mostly helps in kids with gastrointestinal issues. The help of a registered dietician will help you fill in the gaps where they might be missing out on a restrictive diet
As a parent, you must be disheartened about encountering the fact that your child is autistic and must be worried about his/her future. Though you are meeting with doctors and therapists regularly, it is extremely important to closely monitor your child’s growth. Medical care and therapy sessions are lined up for your child but your efforts create a positive impact on the child. To make things easy for you, here we have compiled the list of simple everyday things that make a significant difference in your child’s life:
POSITIVITY Like any other child, children with autism disorder respond well to a positive environment. It implies that you can appreciate them for the behavior they are exhibiting; they will feel better. Be certain about what behavior you want them to exhibit and praise them accordingly. Reward them like extra playtime, give them their favorite toys etc. As a parent, you should reward your child for who they are because love is the key for significant improvement.
CONSISTENCY Make them habitual to stick around the routine. Having a consistent routine would allow them to practice what they learn in therapy sessions. This practice will enable them to learn and apply new skills/behaviors in different situations. Have a brief discussion with their teachers and therapists regarding techniques and methods of interactions so that they can efficiently apply them in their daily life.
PLAY TIME Make them participate in activities like pure fun besides therapy or education. This will help your child to connect with others and open up more.
Derived from the Sanskrit word “Yuji,” Yoga stands for union or yoke which translates to abundance, healing, and peace. Yoga has been a practice since ancient times, and it has worked miracles in a million lives as an ancient practice that brings together the body and the mind at a still stop. Yoga has been a practice of oneness and unity that helps benefit your mental and physical well-being. Originated from the “Rig Veda” which is one of the four ancient sacred texts written in Sanskrit, Yoga can be traced over 5,000 years ago to northern India.
The science of yoga has its origin thousands of years ago but its benefits persist. From improving mental health to helping develop physical strength and harness peaceful energies, Yoga isn’t limited in its healing powers.
