Sports drinks. Energy drinks. Electrolyte solutions. Carbonated drinks. Milk. What is healthy, what is not? Young children and adolescents participating in non-competitive play do not benefit from the wide variety of beverages that are heavily marketed as means to prevent dehydration and improve performance. In fact, some of these beverages are counterproductive at times. Yes, […]
Infants/Young children/Vomiting/Diarrhea/Treatment
June 3, 2012 by
Our previous posting was about preventing vomiting/diarrhea in infants and young children (click to review). Today the subject is treatment. Having a child with vomiting/diarrhea in your household means your defensive strategies have failed, the causative organisms (pathogens) have invaded your household, and you must tackle containment and treatment. 1. Prevent other household members […]
Children/Travel/Medication interactions/Adverse effects Part 1 of 2
December 11, 2011 by
Are you familiar with the harmful effects that may result from medications you give your children? That when you give more than one medication, the two may interact and cause adverse reactions not caused by one alone? That travel-related factors can cause additional interactions? (This is Part 1, one of a two-part series. Watch for […]
Children/Hot Weather/Keeping Children Cool and Healthy
August 7, 2011 by
Common sense, air conditioning and readily available drinking water have greatly reduced the incidence of heat-related illness in infants and children. But don’t let your vigil down. Cases do still occur, generally due to lack of forethought, and sometimes with horrific results. Here is what you must know: 1. The younger the child, the more […]
Infants/air travel/feedings/dehydration
October 15, 2008 by
My posting that has received the most comments — comments often laced with skepticism — are my statements that: In-flight dehydration is a myth; and Feeding infants frequently during air travel is counterproductive and may make them uncomfortable. Please see my answers to the skeptics. In-flight dehydration is a myth!! It doesn’t exist. Yes, it […]
Families at Altitude: How Not to Feel Low When You Are Up High
June 11, 2008 by
Visiting Mexico City: 7,550 feet. Viewing the Grand Canyon: 8,000 feet. Skiing in Colorado: 8,000 feet (with some slopes going higher.) Driving up Pike’s Peak: 14,000 feet. At these elevations most children run circles around their huffing and puffing parents. But some children will show symptoms of acute mountain sickness (AMS), and a rare child […]
Obtaining Safe Water and Other Beverages When You Travel
May 1, 2008 by
When you travel, drinking lots of water helps you stay fit – as long as the water is fit to drink. Being well hydrated helps counteract some of the vagaries of travel: fatigue and jet lag, altitude, and hot and cold environments, to mention a few. Minimal dehydration occurs even before you feel thirsty, subtly […]
Healthy Air Travel for Infants
April 24, 2008 by
There is nothing novel about infants traveling by air. They have been doing so since time immemorial, long before adults. Legend has it that they were “delivered” by storks, and were never the worse for their trips. Of course, stork flights skimmed rooftops, eliminating concerns of high altitude and accompanying ear issues, dehydration, and excessive […]
Treating Travelers’ Diarrhea in Children
April 24, 2008 by
Savvy parents can manage most cases of intestinal diseases that occur away from home and recognize the rare case needing immediate medical attention. Here’s how to be a savvy parent: 1. Do not treat intestinal illnesses with only clear or sugary liquids. Vomiting and diarrhea eliminates vital nutrients from the body, mainly sodium and chloride […]
