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Kawasaki Disease

FAM, health By December 14, 2010 Tags: , , , No Comments

Kawasaki’s is an auto-immune disease that affects blood vessels, mucous membranes, skin and lymph nodes. It also normally exhibits its serious effects on the heart leading to severe coronary artery aneurysm in untreated cases. The disease normally affects children who are under 5 years of age. The condition is usually accompanied by a fever during the onset period or acute phase of the disease. The fever is normally high with temperatures of about 400c (1040F) or higher and it does not yield to treatment with paracetamol or acetaminophen.

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hair lice

Treating Head Lice

FAM, kids By December 14, 2010 Tags: , , , 1 Comment

Lice are a parasitic infestation of the hair and skin. The most common site of the parasite is the scalp of the head and hair of the host. The insect feeds on the blood of the host and bites from the parasites often cause itching. Yeah, yuck. Cases of this parasitic infestation are widely common in children but the good thing about it is that it is not known to be a vector of any disease.  As parents, we must pay attention not only to the infection, but to the emotional ramifications of acquiring and treating head lice.

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What is Attention Deficit Disorder and ADHD

FAM, health By December 14, 2010 Tags: , , , , No Comments

Attention Deficit Disorder is a biological and neurological condition that is characterized by either poor attention or hyperactive and impulsive behaviours. It is very common in children and when nothing is done about it, a child will grow with such behaviours. This normally has an adverse effect on academic performance and social relationships of the child. The exact cause of attention deficit disorder is yet to be ascertained but there are various proponents to what may be the cause. There are reports that the disorder may be genetic and neurologically related. Some of the risk factors also identified include genetic and hereditary factors as well as brain disorders and injuries or trauma to the brain.

Children with this disorder manifest it in several ways. It is difficult for a child with this disorder to follow through on a task and complete it without being distracted. They may be so forgetful and often look like they are not listening to instructions especially in a class. It is also common to see these type children lose their belongings easily, and they find it difficult to arrange or organize their stuff orderly. It is difficult for such children to sit down in one place to wait for someone or get involved in an activity that entails concentration and efforts for a long time.

Parents are advised to seek medical help if they are concerned that their child may have attention deficit disorder. However, you must know that most of these signs are what most children exhibit when growing up.  Before you run to a specialist, always familiarize yourself with the stages of development for your child’s gender.

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treating diaper rash

Treating Diaper Rash

baby, FAM By December 14, 2010 Tags: , , , 1 Comment

Diaper rash is also known as irritant diaper dermatitis or napkin dermatitis. This is a skin rash that occurs as a result of various skin disorders or irritants in the area covered by diaper in a baby. The rashes are normally characterized by redness of skin and scaling of skin. This usually occurs on the convex or exposed surfaces while areas within the skin folds are spared. Treating diaper rash can be fairly straightforward unless the condition is complicated with bacterial or fungal involvement, and it makes the rash spread even to skin fold areas.
The condition is not caused by the diaper itself but by the materials trapped or contained in the diaper i.e. feces and urine.

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Jaundice in Newborns

baby, FAM By December 14, 2010 Tags: , , , No Comments

Jaundice is the yellow coloration or pigmentation of the skin, conjuctival membranes and mucous membranes. It occurs as a result of high levels of a substance known as bilirubin in the blood and extracellular fluids. This condition is known as hyperbilirubinemia. It occurs when the levels of bilirubin exceed the usual concentration of 1.5mg/dl in the blood and extracellular fluids. Bilirubin is a bye product of destroyed red blood cells that is normally broken down by the biliary system. When it is not broken down for various reasons, its levels rise in the blood and body fluids which leads to jaundice.

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Holiday Safety Tips

FAM, health By December 10, 2010 Tags: , , , , No Comments

The holiday season is an exciting time for children, full of glittering decorations and new things to explore. Unfortunately, all those unfamiliar items and the distractions of the season can lead to injuries. Here are some common seasonal hazards and the simple steps you can take to keep kids safe:

Safe decorating:
-Keep Christmas trees well watered at all times. Dry trees are a fire hazard.
-Check all lights, bulbs, sockets, and extension cords to make sure nothing is frayed, cracked or broken.

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Tips for Parents with Newborn Twins

baby, FAM By November 18, 2010 Tags: , No Comments

Having just one newborn is enough to set off every aspect of a normal lifestyle, so if you’re having twins – or are already experiencing the tornado of “needs” that comes along with two newborns at the same time – you will have to get used to maximizing your time and resources. Once you have lined up your available resources, figure out a schedule that works for you. We know that you’re thinking: “Easier said than done”, and you’re right, but you would be surprised how much less stressful your life can be, even with newborn twins!

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Reasons for Tooth Sensitivity

FAM, health By October 12, 2010 Tags: , , , No Comments

What’s the most common dental complaint I hear these days?  In my Kitsilano practice, where most of our patients are between their twenties and forties, the most frequently mentioned ailment during the initial appointment with new patients is teeth sensitivity. I’ll briefly discuss the top three causes of teeth feeling sensitive with cold, acids, or sweets.

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The 5-Minute Face for Busy Moms

The 5-Minute Face for Busy Moms

FAM, self By October 7, 2010 Tags: , , 2 Comments

We’ve all been there – about to rush out the door, and we happen to catch a glimpse of ourselves in the mirror.  Wow.  No Makeup.  Wouldn’t it be nice to feel vibrant and productive all day while we were getting groceries and schlepping kids?  How much earlier would we have to wake up to make ourselves look presentable in  5 MINUTES.  FLAT.  (Honestly).  Many busy moms don’t even attempt lipgloss half the time even though our appearance affects self esteem and confidence.  So we asked the lovely Sarah Norris-Jones from Kiss and Makeup for a 5-minute face for busy moms . 

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