Undeniably, children in today’s era face several health issues stemming from a sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy eating habits, and deteriorating addictive practices. These health issues further lead to more problems, hampering their quality of life in the long run. Nowadays, children are victims of obesity, diabetes, asthma, depression, anxiety, etc. Such health complications prevent children from leading an active and fulfilling life. For instance, children who often face health problems fail to attend school regularly. As per National Health Interview Survey, around 3.3% missed their classes for 11 or more days due to health issues. Therefore, to prevent these health problems from aggravating, parents must take prompt actions in this regard.
To assist you in this matter, we’ll discuss four common health challenges facing children in today’s era. However, before discussing these health issues, let’s first identify why children face these severe health problems.
Reasons Why Children Face Severe Health Issues
There are several reasons why most children throughout the globe face serious health concerns. Poor nutrition is one of the most common reasons children suffer from declining health. Every child requires balanced meals. If they aren’t provided with nutritious, healthy food, they’re bound to have certain deficiencies that lead to severe health complications. For example, undernourishment in a child can cause mineral and vitamin deficiencies – both of which are vital for a healthy, functioning body.
Nonetheless, certain medical issues can arise due to the sheer negligence of healthcare practitioners. For instance, during the pregnancy, the healthcare provider must monitor the unborn child’s health and lookout for signs of concern. Likewise, they must practice utmost caution during the delivery to ensure the baby is healthy and brought safe into this world. Medical malpractice and negligence are significant reasons most children suffer from childbirth injuries. These birth injuries can result in neurodevelopmental disabilities, hampering your child’s growth. If you suspect your little one has been subject to negligent behavior, you can take legal action against the practitioner. To better understand this matter, check the Legal FAQ’s, as this can certainly help you attain compensation.
Moreover, genes also play a major role in a child’s health. If certain health issues are common in your genes, the child can also face similar health issues.
Now, let’s discuss the four common health issues children face today.
Ear Pain
Ear pain is a growing health issue children often face. And since most kids don’t voice their concerns, it aggravates the condition. While there can be several causes of ear pain, some common ones are:
- Infection in ear’s middle area
- Presence of fluid behind the eardrum
- Infection in the ear canal
Most children under the age of 5-7 are more vulnerable to ear pain. Therefore, parents must remain vigilant and ensure utmost care to protect their children’s ears, especially those under 5. Monitoring the following symptoms can help too:
- Problem in hearing
- Ear pain, particularly while chewing something
- Fluid leaking from the ear
- Crackling in ear
If you notice your child constantly complaining about pain in the ear, you can give them medication to relieve the pain. However, it’s viable to get in touch with your doctor and seek their suggestion in this regard.
Bronchiolitis
Bronchiolitis is another health problem facing children these days. It develops when the breathing tubes within the lungs get infected by a virus. This virus often gets transferred from the nose and throat straight into the lungs, causing the child to have a respiratory infection.
Most parents usually confuse bronchiolitis with bronchitis. However, both are particularly different from one another. Bronchiolitis is considered more severe in comparison to bronchitis. Following are a few of the symptoms of this health problem:
- High fever
- Harsh cough
- Lots of mucus in the nose
It is vital to remember that this health issue can last for several weeks. Also, with time, the child’s condition can deteriorate if swift actions are not taken. So, if you identify any of the mentioned symptoms, contact your doctor immediately.
Sore Throat
Sore throat is a physical condition that can prove immensely painful and cause extreme distress. It’s often an indication of an oncoming healthcare problem and should be treated immediately.
It can arise due to:
- Flu
- Common cold
- Glandular fever
- Streptococcal infections
- Mouth ulcers
- Tonsillitis
Remember here that streptococcal infection and glandular fever often happen to children who are older or are at least above the age of 3. Following are a few of the signs that indicate that your child may be experiencing sore throat:
- Sore ears and harsh cough
- High fever
- Pain (this often happens if the cause is flu)
- Stomach pain and vomiting
- Runny nose
All of the signs and symptoms mentioned above can indicate the health issue of sore throat. Therefore, if you identify any of it, contact a medical professional nearby.
Stomach Flu
Stomach flu, also referred to as gastroenteritis, is considered a common health issue most children face. There are multiple reasons for a child getting stomach flu, such as:
- Stomach or intestines getting infected by germs (this causes inflammation)
- Rotavirus
- Food poisoning
The main cause that further leads to other issues is the spread of viruses. Therefore, ensure your children are cautious of their surroundings and teach them to wash their hands properly after touching anything that seems contaminated.
To identify this condition in your children, look for the following symptoms:
- Diarrhea and vomiting
- Dehydration
- Stomach pain
- Poor appetite
Fortunately, one can treat stomach flu or gastroenteritis at home. If your child is well hydrated and nourished, they’ll rarely face such issues. However, if you notice your child’s condition worsening, approaching a healthcare expert is better.
Conclusion
Children nowadays are susceptible to developing various diseases and illnesses early on. While parents can control certain factors, others remain outside their control, such as medical negligence. For such medical mishaps, it becomes indispensable to take legal action and attain the rightful compensation. However, there are several other medical conditions children of all ages can develop from the household and outside environment. Most children these days face ear pain, bronchiolitis, stomach flu, and other health issues throughout the year. So, it’s crucial to watch out for the signs and take action promptly.
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