10 Common Illnesses in Children are listed and explained in this article. We hope you find it informative and helpful for your findings.
10 Common Ailments in Children:
- Colic
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Restlessness
- Loss of Appetite
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Coughing
- Convulsion
- Nappy Rash
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Children tend to have common ailments, especially in their early stages of life. Such ailment includes colic, vomiting, fever, restlessness, irritability, persistent crying, loss of appetite, constipation, diarrhea, cough, convulsion, and nappy rash.
1. Colic is caused by cramps in the intestines of the baby, which causes him real discomfort or pain. A baby who has colic cries hard, and his cry is unmistakably one of pain.
He draws his arms and legs up, his face gets red, and his abdomen may feel hard while he is having the contractions of muscles that make him scream.
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These attacks come just after eating, though not always after every feeding. It is common during the first three to four months, but much less usual after that.
2. Vomiting is the throwing up of feeding or a large part of it, or of water. It is different from spitting up, which many babies do when they swallow air with their milk or take too much milk. In a baby, vomiting could be a sign of an infectious disease. It is advisable to consult a doctor.
3. Fever in children is marked by a flushed face and hot and dry skin. There is a rise in the normal body temperature. Fever usually indicates an infection.
4. Restlessness, Irritability and Persistent Crying occur when a child cries especially when he is in need of food and attention or when he is uncomfortable.
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When he cries persistently and is restless and irritable, then there is a need to see a doctor. Restlessness and persistent crying could be a sign of infection.
5. Loss of Appetite is when a child suddenly stops eating though it is obvious that healthy children normally have a good appetite. This is different from a child being slow to try new food. It might be necessary to see a doctor.
6. Constipation involves passing a hard stool at long intervals or not passing it at all. It is important to note that some babies pass stool several times a day while others do so once a day or even every other day.
It is only when there is a change from the normal bowel habit that a mother should start to worry. Constipation can be caused by an unsuitable diet or by fever.
For treatment give the child extra water to drink, add sugar or glucose to the feed, and give more fruit juice example orange juice. Serious cases should be taken to the doctor.
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7. Diarrhea is a sudden increase in the number of bowel movements, especially if they are loose and watery. Causes of diarrhea include an unsuitable diet, overfeeding, and infection or disease. The child should be given oral rehydration therapy made up of a mixture of sugar and salt dissolved in boiled water.
8. Coughing in a baby is more likely to be a sign of sickness than in a grown-up. It is a common symptom of a cold. It may also go with bronchitis or pneumonia. The baby should be taken to the doctor.
9. Convulsion may be a sign of serious disease in a baby. It can be caused by high fever, brain disease, or epilepsy. The child should be taken to the hospital.
Measures that can be taken while waiting for the doctor by simply placing the child on his side in a bed and putting a smooth object like the handle of a spoon between his teeth.
10. Nappy rash occurs when a child has rashes in the nappy area. This can be caused by dirty napkins and improper rinsing of the bay’s napkin after washing with heavy-duty detergents.
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This can be prevented by exposing the nappy area and applying special nappy rash lotions or ointment which can be purchased from chemist shops.
