Diaper rash is a common event in infants and toddlers still in diapers. An infection that causes the skin to become sore, tender, red, and scaly it can usually be cleared up within a few days. Diaper rash can occur because diapers are too tight; diapers are left on too long, or because of an allergic reaction to the diapers, wipes, or the detergent you are using.
Many different types of rashes that fall into the category “diaper rash.” The most common of them is the friction rash. Almost all babies fall victim to this rash at one time or another. It’s found in areas where friction is such as the inner thighs or under the elastic of diapers that are too tight. These rashes will usually respond more frequent diaper changes, diapers that fit correctly, airing out, and medicated ointments.
Irritant rash are usually found on the most obvious parts of the exposed areas. It generally doesn’t get into skin folds or creases, it usually appears on the cheeks of the buttocks. It’s usually associated with enzymes in the stool, or by soaps, baby wipes, topical medicines, or even the detergent you use to wash what is exposed to your baby.
An allergic rash is usually something that goes with the irritant rash and looks like poison oak. It’s more common on exposed areas. This rash isn’t restricted to the diaper area. Some babies have developed this rash by being against another person who has on a fragrance or lotion on. If your baby is susceptible to allergic rashes, it might help to have a baby blanket washed in your own detergent to use as a barrier between your baby and the other person. The detergent they wash their clothes in could also be an irritant.
Other rashes that are less common are Intertrigo that is caused by moist heat and occurs in the skin folds. Seborrhea rash that is greasy with yellowish scales. Psoriasis is a stubborn rash that shows up on other parts of the body other than the diaper area.
Wet skin is the most common cause of the various causes of diaper rash. Urinary wetness raises the skin pH, causes extra friction, and it intensifies the action of stool enzymes that irritate and inflame the skin. Urinary wetness damages the outer layer of skin and allows microorganisms to enter the skin layer easier.
You can prevent your baby from getting diaper rash by keeping the skin in the diaper area as dry as possible. By changing their diaper often, it doesn’t allow urine or stool movements to irritate the skin. Also, the same plastic that keeps a diaper from leaking also keeps the air out. That results in a warm moist environment where diaper rash can thrive.
Taking a few simple steps can prevent diaper rash. Change their diaper as soon as possible. Allow your baby to dry before putting on another diaper. Using a diaper wipe is preferred, but still allow the skin to dry before putting on a clean diaper.
Occasionally you can soak your baby’s bottom in warm water between diaper changes. Remember to allow the skin to dry thoroughly before putting on a clean diaper.
Some pediatricians also recommend leaving a diaper off your baby for several hours a day. This allows their skin to completely dry and breathe. If you choose to do this, it’s easiest to put your baby in their crib and change their sheets if they become soiled.
Using an ointment or cream with zinc oxide can soothe the irritated skin and protect it from further damage by moisture. If it last longer than three days, a yeast-like fungus called candida could cause it. This form of diaper rash is slightly raised and has small red dots that go beyond the original site of the rash. An antifungal cream prescribed by your child’s doctor can take care of this form of diaper rash.
New parents sometimes are upset when their baby gets a diaper rash, although it’s a common experience and can be treated easily. It will usually go away with care in two or three days. If sores start erupting on your baby’s skin in other places, or the rash doesn’t get better, you should talk to your baby’s doctor.
July 29, 2007
Diaper Rash and Your Baby
July 28, 2007
Depression and Its Affect on the Elderly
Depression is not normal for any age. Growing older creates problems and stress that can lead to depression. The change in lifestyle from working full-time to retirement may cause problems with those adults that have worked hard all their life. Serious medical issues and mounting bill also can lead to depression. Many seniors face the loss of their spouse now of life, they are losing mobility, and some even lose their drivers license. All of these can lead to increased isolation, loneliness, and depression.
Many of us get the ‘blues” or down moods but if these feelings continue for more than several weeks you should consult a doctor or professional to see if you have a clinical depression. Depression affects all areas of our lives, our thinking, sleep, thinking, and even our physical health. Older adults often face joint and muscle pains that make many of your leisure activities difficult to do. You lose interest in them because of the pain and depression sets in.
You may experience a depressed mood after a loss, or a dramatic change in your life. If you have lost someone you love, grief is a normal process the body needs to go through. Depression often goes with grief but if it lasts longer than a few months, you may have a clinical depression.
Clinical depression is a whole body disorder. It affects the way you think, your response to situations, and even the way you feel physically. This depression will strike at least three people out of every one hundred people 65 or older. It’s serious and can lead to suicide.
The good news is that 80 percent of those diagnosed with clinical depression can be treated successfully with medications or therapy. Sometimes it takes both to bring relief from clinical depression.
There are several types of clinical depression. Major depression makes it nearly impossible to lead a normal life. Many times, someone with major depression cannot bring himself or herself to crawl out of bed. They don’t enjoy life, sleep well, and are unable to carry on their normal life. This can happen to a person once in their life, or be something that happens more than once over their lifetime. Therapy is considered important in finding the underlying cause of the problem. A traumatic event that happened years ago may be what is causing the problem. A trained therapist can help you face those fears or traumas and help you on the road to recovery.
Bipolar disease is another form of depression. It is characterized by extreme highs, and extreme lows. This disease is often referred to as manic-depressive illness. This disease normally starts in the early to mid 20’s, but occasionally, it can occur when they are teenagers. Many are not properly diagnosed until they reach middle age. Sometimes a misdiagnosis of depression, and consequent treatment can cause major problems in family relationships. This form of depression needs immediate treatment. If a person has been diagnosed with bipolar depression early, they may still experience recurring bouts for the rest of their lives. If you think you or a loved one is experiencing any of the signs of bipolar disease, they need to seek treatment. This is something that just doesn’t go away. It probably will need medication as well as therapy. Don’t wait until it destroys your family or causes a suicide.
Symptoms of a Mania are:
Extreme and unreasonable irritability.
High moods that is excessive in quantity.
Decreased need for sleep.
Grandiose notions.
Easily distracted.
Increased energy.
Inability to make good decisions.
Excess energy, constantly on the move or talking.
Because bipolar is so often misdiagnosed, treatment that is suitable for that disorder is not prescribed. The result can be many years of depression, problems, and a host of other problems.
Depression can also share symptoms with other physical problems. That is why it is so important to have a doctor thoroughly go over your symptoms to be sure of the correct diagnosis. A serious physical illness must be ruled out before a diagnosis of bipolar or clinical depression can be given.
Depression occurs in heart attack and cancer patients at a much higher percent, so close watch should be given to a loved one experiencing one of these problems.
Controlling Type II Diabetes
Type II diabetes is not as severe as Type I but should still be closely watched. Your pancreas produces insulin continuously and blood sugar levels increase after eating. Insulin production also increases; it unlocks your cells to absorb more sugar. This provides your body with the added energy and keeps a normal blood sugar level.
Your liver plays a role in keeping your blood sugar level as well. It stores any excess glucose and stores it in your liver until it is needed. In Type II diabetes, your pancreas makes the insulin but your muscles and body tissue becomes resistant to the insulin, or your pancreas doesn’t create enough insulin.
If your cells become resistant to insulin, they refuse the command to open the door for sugar. Why they become resistant is still uncertain. Researchers do know that excess weight, inactivity, and plenty of fat cells are important factors.
Treatment for Type II diabetes varies and some are able to control their diabetes with diet and exercise. Others may need to take medications, but in both cases, changes in your lifestyle and watching your blood sugar is important in treatment. Most Type II diabetics should consider recording their blood sugar level for a set amount of time to find out when your blood sugar levels rise and fall. Then you can decide how many times you will need to test your levels, Some may need testing once a day, or as little as only one time a week.
Several items can affect your blood sugar level. Food will always raise your levels for one to two hours after eating. Exercise and physical activity will lower your blood sugar levels. Aerobic exercise is good, but even simple tasks as cleaning house, gardening, or being on your feet all day will also lower your blood sugar levels.
Medications you take for other medical conditions can have an effect on blood glucose levels as well. Medicines to control high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and steroids may also raise blood sugar levels. Some high blood pressure medications can change your blood glucose and changes may need to be made to keep your levels evened out.
Illnesses also affect your blood sugar levels. A cold or other illness can raise hormone levels in your body and raise your blood sugar levels. While this does promote healing it can be a problem with someone who has diabetes. A fever can also speed up the metabolism and uses even more glucose and change the amount of insulin your body needs. If you are sick, you should check your levels more frequently.
Small amounts of alcohol can cause your blood sugar levels to fall. However, alcohol can also increase blood sugar levels. If you do drink, then drink in moderation and monitor blood sugar levels both before and after your consumption of any alcohol.
There is no specific diet for diabetes. It also doesn’t mean you have to eat only bland foods. You will need to eat more fruits, vegetables and whole grains, foods low in fat and calories, fewer sweets, and fewer animal proteins.
Consistency is important in diet and keeping your blood sugar level at a constant level. The same amount of carbohydrates and the same portion sizes should be eaten at nearly the same time of each day. It is hard to keep motivated to stay on a specific diet to keep your diabetes under control. Enlist help from family and friends and realize you and your health are worth the effort it takes to stay motivated.
Exercise is important in controlling Type II diabetes. Everyone needs exercise, that is part of a healthy lifestyle. People with diabetes are no exception. The same exercise program that is good for your heart health and keeping your cholesterol low is good for diabetes control. Walking, jogging, hiking, cross-country skiing, and swimming are all great choices of exercise. Start out with a minimum of 30 minutes a day. If you have not been exercising, start out gradually and build up slowly. Listen to your body, start out with stretching, and warm up exercises.
Keep your weight normal; if you are overweight, it’s time to lose weight. Sometimes weight loss is all that is needed to control Type II diabetes.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
The cause of chronic fatigue syndrome has not yet been determined. Research has been looking into it for a longtime. Some think that an infection can cause it, but there is no definite medical proof. The two main groups of people at risk for having chronic fatigue syndrome is those between 15 and 20 years old, and between 33 and 45. Two thirds of the sufferers of chronic fatigue syndrome are women. Those are typical years for CFS but it can occur within any group and in any society. Some people have CFS and are not diagnosed.
This illness causes disabling tiredness that is severe and happens after any physical or mental activity. Sometimes rest will ease feeling tiredness, but even if they get a full night of sound sleep, they may still feel tired and exhausted. A teenager who suffers from CFS will have muscle aches, pains, and difficulties with memory and concentration. Some will have pains in their stomach as well.
Chronic fatigue syndrome can last anywhere from three to five years, but some experience a much longer lasting illness.
Teenagers with chronic fatigue syndrome can have the feeling of tiredness after even low levels of physical or mental activity. They may also experience sore throat, tender lymph glands, headaches, and just a general feeling of being unwell. They may become dizzy when they stand and experience some sensitivity to some foods that never bothered them before. They may also become more sensitive to smells, bright lights, alcohol, and cigarette smoke.
There isn’t one specific sign that will a doctor the teenager they are examining are suffering from CFS. Many have been misdiagnosed or thought to have other problems such as thyroid problems, eating disorders, drug or alcohol use, cancer, depression and kidney disease. These other ailments will need to be ruled out before a diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome is handed down. Blood tests, and other concentration tests should also be done. MRI’s are rarely needed for the diagnosis. These are expensive and probably won’t tell the doctor anything new.
What is the difference between depression and CFS? Teens who have CFS still want to take part in activities with their friends and still can enjoy them. Depressed teens don’t get pleasure from activities they use to enjoy and stay away from people. They have to push themselves to do things. Teens suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome want to do their normal activities but are usually exhausted afterwards.
It’s difficult for teens with CFS to attend school and many schools are trying to be as helpful as possible with these teens as well as other teens with disabilities. They may have fewer classes each day, work more at home, or are given extra time to get their assignments in. Some also are tutored to help them keep up with their classmates.
Counseling and support groups can help teenagers who are going through this difficult period of their life. A counselor can provide both information and support not only for the teen but also for the entire family.
Here are some ideas that you and your teenager can do to ease symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome.
Try to get them involved in some activity every day. Spending time in bed will not help!
Keeping a regular sleep routine can also help. Avoid staying up excessively late and sleeping in the next morning.
Keeping a normal daytime routine is also important. It’s important teenagers paces themselves and avoids extra physical or emotional stress.
Help them keep in contact with their friends. It’s important for them to feel involved and not become loners and withdraw from the world around them.
Teens with CFS should avoid being around smokers and second hand smoke.
As a parent you can make sure, your teenager is getting a nourishing and balanced diet.
Some of your family and friends will not understand a sufferer of chronic fatigue syndrome. It would be helpful to find some literature so they can learn about the disease and help them to give the support the sufferer needs. They won’t look sick, so sometimes it’s hard for others to know how bad they feel.
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