Ten Familiar Family Health Problems

in on Sunday, September 2, 2012

Family health problems can cover a multitude of common complaints and ailments. This article is not meant to replace medical advice, and you should always seek medical advice if you are concerned about the health of your child or another family member.
Here are 10 common family health problems and ways they can be resolved.
  1. Colds, coughs and runny noses will often get better by themselves in a matter of days. Some people prefer to treat colds with painkillers and cough medicine, whilst others don't. Some people will prefer to take time off work, or school, whereas others will soldier on. There isn't really a right way to fight colds.
  2. Headaches can be caused by a number of things, such as stress, hunger, a bang on the head, or even needing to wear glasses. By finding out why your child has a headache, you can help to get rid of the headache. Perhaps a dose of painkillers is all that's needed, or maybe your child will need a trip to the opticians if the headaches occur regularly, or whilst reading or watching TV.
  3. Tummy aches can be caused by hunger or too much food, as well as for other reasons. You will want to find out what your child has eaten to establish the cause of the tummy ache.
  4. Sometimes children will feign an illness or condition in order to try and get a day off school. After a while you will be able to tell when your child is genuinely ill, and when they haven't revised for a maths test.
  5. Cuts and scrapes will need to be cleaned and dressed, but unless they are serious, they probably won't require medial attention at a hospital. By keeping a well stocked first aid kit, you will be prepared for most eventualities.

Four of Health Problems That Get Bad During the Winter

in on Saturday, September 1, 2012

Winter brings joy to many and pain to others. There are several health conditions that are aggravated during this season. Dry weather coupled with a chilled breeze aggravates health problems like asthma, arthritis, osteoporosis, lung disease, skin dryness and breathing difficulties.
1. Asthma is a chronic lung disease that causes chest tightness, wheezing and trouble breathing. For some, the disease may be exacerbated during the winter. Cold air is often the sole culprit for triggering symptoms of the disease. The mucus blanket of the respiratory system gets thicker in the winter, thus causing problems for the affected person. When cold air enters the lungs of an asthmatic, the lungs react by releasing histamines that cause wheezing. Windows and doors that are closed in the winter prevent air circulation and lead to an increased concentration of allergens inside a room, which may trigger asthma.
2. People suffering from arthritis find it difficult to loosen up their joints and get going. Arthritis is not caused by the cold but it is affected by the cold. In winter the air pressure falls. This results in the expansion of tissues that surround the affected joints, hence putting undue pressure on the joints. Contraction of muscles due to expansion of tissue results in pain and swelling. Light exercise may provide some relief but a regular exercise program is necessary in order to prevent weight gain and maintain flexibility of joints.
3. Raynaud's disease is a condition whereby the extreme cold causes blood vessels to get narrow and blood flow to decrease. As a result, skin on the nose, toes and fingers may temporarily turn pale and bluish. Skin becomes soaring red when blood flow becomes normal. In extreme cases, Raynaud's disease may cause gangrene at the tip of the toes and fingers.

Travel Insurance and Health Issues

in , on Thursday, August 30, 2012

A diagnosis of a serious medical condition is likely to cause anxiety and confusion, especially in those used to travelling while enjoying good health.
The good news is that having a medical condition does not necessarily mean your travelling days are over. However, it is important to have some basic understanding of travel insurance and health issues. Many insurance policies automatically cover hundreds of medical conditions. The bad news is that for more serious conditions or combinations of conditions you may have to pay an extra fee. In some circumstances you may need to seek out a specialist insurer.
It is essential that you are totally honest and declare any pre-existing health condition(s) when purchasing travel insurance. Believing that you can hide your condition and no one will find out is a very bad idea. If you are lucky your trip will go smoothly without any problems, unplanned medical expenses, or need to contact the insurance claims or emergency assistance department; but what if you are not so lucky?
If an undeclared medical condition should flare up or cause you to become ill (or, worse yet, not survive) while overseas, someone has to pay the costs for hospital care and repatriation. Many travellers mistakenly believe that if they are injured or become ill abroad their consulate or embassy will take care of things for them and pay the hospital bills. If you do not have insurance you or your family have to pay the bills for your medical and hospital treatment. Medical bills are often astronomically high, depending on the condition and the country.