A-Z Of Child Health child allergies, kids health
(Abdominal Pain, Allergies,Anaemia)

Symptoms

The tummy ache will differ in location, timing, type and severity, from mild discomfort to severe colic, depending on what is wrong. Check for any  related symptoms such as unusual bowel motions, problems with urination, vomiting, rashes or signs of infection.

 Causes

A number of illnesses can cause abdominal pain - measles and mumps for example, but it can also be caused by food allergies, a swallowed object, asthma, worms, reaction to medication and indigestion among others, In children especially, seemingly unrelated infections and complaints such as tonsillitis or middle-ear infection, can also be the cause of great pain in the abdomen. If the pain is accompanied by vomiting or diarrhoea it may be caused by an infection of the bowel or , if severe, by appendicitis.

 Treatment

Tummy pain often go away by not eating, because food is hard to digest when the abdomen is tight. A hot drink may give comfort and relief. Don't assume, however, that the strength of the pain matches it seriousness. A severe pain could be nothing more than wind, while a mild pain with no obvious cause might be something more serious. If the pain seems serious, is recurrent, continues for a long period or simply worries you, you must consult your doctor.

Symptoms

As a rule, the symptoms of an allergy tend to show up in those parts of the body  which are exposed to the allergy-causing substance, or allergen.

For example, an airborne allergen such as pollen has its severest impact on the eyes, nose and air passages, causing a runny nose, sneezing and breathing difficulties.

Food allergies can reveal themselves through swollen lips, stomach upsets or diarrhoea.

An allergy to metal will usually affect the skin and an allergy to rubber could result in a rash where, for example, elastic in underwear came into contact with a child's skin.

If allergen gets into the blood stream, however, it can cause reactions almost everywhere. This is particularly true of food allergens, which can cause rashes, eczema, asthma or hyperactivity.

 Causes

There are many things that may cause allergic reactions. These are known as allergens and include certain foods and food additives, dust, pollen, feathers, fur and insect bites.

Allergies do tend to run in families so , if you are a sufferer, it is possible your child may inherit the condition.child allergies, anaemia, abdominal pain,kids health

 Treatment

Allergies cannot be cured, yet they can appear and disappear without warning .

It is often difficult to identify the exact cause of an allergic reaction. If it is very obvious what is causing the problem, your child is lucky: you can just try to eliminate the allergen, For example, strawberries can be avoided, cat hairs cleaned up, a washing powder changed.

Your doctor will advise you on the best way to find out which allergen is affecting your child, and may recommend medication to soothe the symptoms. There are many brands of antihistamines, whether given as cream, drops, drugs or lotions, which may be prescribed for the child.

Symptoms

The classic symptoms of anaemia are lack of energy, fainting fits and skin pallor. Children may also show signs of irritability, become breathless after exertion and may be very easily tired.

In sever cases, a child may suffer jaundice, or stunted growth or recurrent pain in his joints.

 Causes

Anaemia can be caused by blood loss or by certain rare diseases affecting the bone marrow, but it is most commonly caused by lack of iron in the diet. Children who are fussy about their food, pregnant women and the elderly are particularly prone to anaemia.

child allergies, anaemia, abdominal pain,kids health

 Treatment

Simple iron deficiency anaemia can be diagnosed  by a blood test and is normally treated with a course of iron tablets or injections.