Looking after a family means having to be a provider, protector, teacher and consoler. It also means having to be a doctor, at least to the point of recognizing problems and knowing when to seek help. These are some of the most common health problems to look out for.
Colds and flu
The common cold isn’t a worry for otherwise healthy people, but how can it be distinguished from flu? Somebody with flu is likely to have a higher fever, and help should always be sought if it goes over 103F or lasts for more than three days. Older people with flu can be vulnerable to pneumonia, so if they start to cough up a lot of fluid, help may be needed. Flu can also cause muscle aches, sweating, dizziness and fatigue.
Asthma
Asthma can develop suddenly in children, and even a first attack can be severe. Prolonged rapid breathing should always be referred to a doctor. Sometimes asthma can first appear as wheezing that may seem like a persistent cold symptom , or as wheezing that occurs in particular circumstances, such as when a pet is molting.
Broken bones
It’s often assumed that broken bones which can easily occur when kids are highly active cause acute pain. Sometimes this is true, but on other occasions, they cause lower level pain. If a child complains of soreness in the same area over several days, or if the swelling from an apparent sprain doesn’t go down within a week, it’s time to get an x-ray.
Sight problems
Farsightedness is a problem for many older people, who may find they have to hold things increasingly far away to read them, while shortsightedness is more likely to affect children, who may try to sit close to the television or struggle to read the chalkboard at school. An optician can answer questions such as Which glasses are right for me? or What is Lasik? to help individuals decide between eyewear and surgical options.
Eating disorders
Eating disorders often occur in the teenage years and can affect boys as well as girls. They are not always about a desire to be thin, but often reflect a fear of loss of control, so it’s important to build confidence in those affected rather than criticize. Sufferers may try to avoid eating, spit food out later, make themselves sick or use laxatives. Early intervention makes it much easier to treat eating disorders effectively.
Depression and anxiety
Mental health problems can occur at any age. Depression isn’t just about feeling sad affected people may be distant and withdrawn, and may suffer from fatigue or sleep problems. Anxiety can cause fearfulness and panic attacks or may show up in the repeated performance of simple actions like hand washing. Again, these problems are easier to treat if caught early.
Knowing what to look out for makes it much easier to keep everyone in good health and to avoid the development of long-term problems. Taking care of the family begins at home.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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