http://www.articletrader.com/ Articles at ArticleTrader en-us http://www.articletrader.com/health/beauty/proper-skin-care-treatment-for-common-conditions.html http://www.articletrader.com/health/beauty/proper-skin-care-treatment-for-common-conditions.html Tue, 17 Oct 2006 00:00:00 -0500
For those who suffer from skin diseases you should do proper skin care treatment. Proper treatment is a must if you have any skin disease. Proper treatment are procedures that target and successfully stop skin disorders.

On the preventive side you should develop a good skin care routine. A good routine will help prevent skin disorders from taking place. However, skin care routines don’t guarantee you won’t get skin disorders but it does mean you will have a decreased chance of having skin disorders develop.

The following are some treatment procedures for common skin disorders.

The most common skin dilemma is acne. Prevention is the best thing in treating acne. Before acne becomes more damaging you should stop it. There are three things you can do to avoid further acne breakouts.

1. Don’t wear tight clothes since they will keep sweat closer to your body. Acne will become worse or hurt more when sweat comes in contact with it.

2. Don’t touch an area infected with acne with your bare hands. Germs will be drawn to your hands and then you will spread the germs which can make the acne infection worse.

3. To prevent permanent scars from occurring your shouldn’t squeeze out your acne.

Weather, harmful skin care substances, exposure to the sun and other environmental factors can cause anybody to have dry skin. Dry skin can be a big problem. To prevent dry skin from happening you can use moisturizers. It is best to apply moisturizers while your skin is still moist after you bath. Only use the recommended amount of the moisturizers. Consult a dermatologist if your skin condition doesn’t improve.

When certain parts of your skin are exposed to harmful rays from the sun or UV radiation then you get dark spots that are known as brown spots. Lotions that contain sun protection factor or SPF are the cure for this skin condition. Whether it is sunny or not when you are going outside you should use SPF lotions. Even when the weather is humid there are UV rays. You can determine the level of SPF lotion you need by finding out how long you will be out under the sun. You will need higher skin protection if you are going to be out under the sun for longer periods of time. If you use a higher level of protection you won’t have to continuously reapply the lotion. Caps, long sleeves and umbrellas are other options you can use to avoid UV rays.

If your skin condition doesn’t improve through the use of over the counter products then you should consult a dermatologist. When you speak with your dermatologist you should tell them about your skin condition as well as what remedies you have already tried. They will then be able to analyze your skin and recommend the appropriate medication for your condition.

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Greg William is the writer of Beauty Tips and Skin Care Advice. He also write for beauty tips, celebrity makeup, hair and skin care and acne a to z.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/parenting/parenting-books-for-the-first-12-months.html http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/parenting/parenting-books-for-the-first-12-months.html Tue, 17 Oct 2006 00:00:00 -0500
Being a parent is considered the hardest job in the world, and everyone needs a little help and advice from time to time. There are many books written by parenting experts and doctors to help guide you through your baby's first 12 months. It's okay to get advice and help from other people when it comes to raising your child. After all, babies don't come with an instruction manual. You'll find many books that can help you with such issues as breastfeeding, teething, nutrition, and parenting.

Parenting Books for the First 12 Months

These books are all great tools for parents who want to do a little research, or get some tips when it comes to raising children:

Mayo Clinic Complete Book of Pregnancy & Baby's First Year

Mayo Clinic

Hardcover, William Morrow & Company, 1994, ISBN # 0688117619

This book delves into the world of motherhood, exploring issues such as breastfeeding and the changes in a woman's body. Family issues and parenting advice are also offered.

The Contented Little Baby Book: The Simple Secrets of Calm, Confident Parenting

Ford, Gina

Paperback, New American Library, 2001, ISBN # 0451202430

This book discusses what's best for the baby, delving into sleeping and nutritional information to help guide you. Many simple strategies are featured in this book that will help parents establish rules and patterns to ensure the continued health and happiness of their child.

The Everything Get Ready for Baby Book: From Buying the Right Gear to Learning the Best Lullabies

Jones, Katina

Paperback, Adams Media Corporation, 1998, ISBN # 1558508449

This book is filled with invaluable advice about selecting a name, a pediatrician, and proper feeding methods. You can start preparing for your baby's arrival in advance with the advice found in the pages of this guide.

The Mother of All Baby Books

Douglas, Ann

Paperback, Hungry Minds, 2002, ISBN # 0764566164

This book explores healthy infant development, feeding, sleeping, and medical advice for the first year of your baby's life.

The Joy of Fatherhood: The First Twelve Months Expanded 2nd Edition (Paperback)

Marcus Jacob Goldman MD

Even fathers need help when it comes to raising a child, and there's no reason that new fathers should be left out. This book offers invaluable advice and tips for fathers who want to have a hands-on role in their child's early development.

Your Baby's First Year Week by Week

Glade B Curtis

ISBN: 1555612326

This book takes you week-by-week through your child's development, offering advice and tips through the earliest stages of your baby's development.

Rookie Dad: Fun and Easy Exercises and Games for Dads and Babies in Their First Year

Susan Fox

For fathers who want to find ways to connect with their child, this book offers great advice and activities. You want your child to get to know you as soon as possible, and some fathers feel a little left out of the special mother-child bond that arises. This book helps fathers get close to their children, beginning at an early age.

Keeping the Baby Alive till Your Wife Gets Home

Walter Roark

This humorous look at fatherhood is one that new fathers will immediately identify with. This book can serve as a guide to fathers who are inexperienced when it comes to babies – as so many of them are.

When it comes to raising your baby, you can never learn too much. Check out some of these parenting books for the first 12 months of your baby's life to get started on the right foot when it comes to parenthood.

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Jacqueline Courtiol, M.A. Ed. is a veteran teacher, mother and business owner. She is the founder/co-developer of Colic Calm Gripe Water a natural homeopathic remedies for relief of infant colic and gas that is recommended by pediatricians, doulas and lactation consultants. More information about colic can be found here: Colic Information.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/kids/how-to-organize-a-baby-shower.html http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/kids/how-to-organize-a-baby-shower.html Tue, 17 Oct 2006 00:00:00 -0500
Baby showers are the perfect example. While they are used to celebrate the arrival of a brand new life into the world, they can also be stressful for the person hosting the occasion. If you are planning to throw a baby shower for a friend or a relative, and you are not sure exactly how to start organizing it, this article provides some tips.

Best time for a baby shower?

The best time to throw a baby shower is on the weekend, preferably mid-morning to late afternoon. Why? Because people work during the week. Also, consider having the baby shower later on in the mother-to-be pregnancy, around 9 weeks before the birth is best.

A baby shower can also be held after the birth of the child. This is the best plan if the mother-to-be is having complications with her pregnancy.

How many people should I invite?

One normally invites anywhere from 10 to 20 people to a baby shower. What one should also take into consideration when inviting people, is whether or not the location of the baby shower can accommodate only a few or a large group of people.

How long should a baby shower last?

A baby shower generally lasts about two to three hours. That should be enough time for everyone to mingle, the presents to be opened, and food eaten. Also, take into consideration the mother-to-be is more easily exhausted.

Who should pay for the baby shower?

The host/hostess should pay for the baby shower. A baby shower is perceived as a gift from the host to the bride. It is not unusual or wrong for the host to ask family or close friends to help out monetarily. So, if you need some financial help, don't be shy in asking family and close friends. What is not acceptable is asking the mother-to-be for monetary help.

Should I throw a surprise shower?

If you are thinking of throwing a surprise shower, you may want to rethink. Surprise showers can cause the host all kinds of problems, namely making sure the mother-to-be arrives at the shower on time. The best plan is to throw a baby shower that the mother-to-be is aware of because she can offer much needed suggestions to the host.

Do you need to send out invitations?

Yes, one needs to send out invitations for a baby shower. It does not have to involve fancy stationery. One can go to any greeting card store and purchase invitations at a reasonable price. It is also important that you send out the invitations a few weeks in advance, preferably three to four weeks.

Can I have games at the baby shower?

Games are indeed very popular at baby showers. However, baby showers are primarily about the food, drink (non-alcoholic), presents and conversations. So while having games at a baby shower is fine, do not feel pressured to have them. If you do opt for games at a baby shower, be creative and make sure the games center on the baby and mother-to-be.

When should the presents be opened?

The presents should be opened after food has been enjoyed and games played, if you decide to have them.

Themes

In this day and age, a lot of baby showers have themes. There are advantages to a theme orientated baby shower. It can certainly make the shower easier to organize. You can make up your own them theme or use some already established popular baby showers themes, which include:

Tea party, which can be fun.

Book party, where everyone brings books as gifts for the baby and mother.

Diaper party, where the baby shower centers on gifts that deal with the bare necessities like diapers or baby bottles.

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Jacqueline Courtiol, M.A. Ed. is a veteran teacher, mother and business owner. She is the founder of http://www.coliccalm.com a provider of natural homeopathic remedies for relief of infant colic and gas that are recommended by pediatricians. More information can be found at http://www.coliccalm.com/baby_infant_newborn_articles/baby_colic_treatment.htm.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/parenting/gastric-reflux-and-how-to-stop-it.html http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/parenting/gastric-reflux-and-how-to-stop-it.html Tue, 17 Oct 2006 00:00:00 -0500
As many people suffer from Gastric Reflux, the cases can range from mild to severe. For those of you who are unfamiliar with Gastric Reflux or are suffering from it, this article will explain what steps you can take to cure or reduce the problem.

Defining Gastric Reflux

Gastric Reflux disease (GERD) is defined as the back flow of stomach acid into the esophagus (the tube that connects the mouth to the stomach). The flow of food from the stomach into the esophagus causes a burning discomfort within the individual.The person can also experience a bitter aftertaste in their mouth and difficulty swallowing. Gastric Reflux disease is often times referred to as heartburn.

Facts

The fact is that many people experience Gastric Reflux at one time or another in their lives.The reason is because a great many people indulge in things that are not good for their health like smoking, greasy and fatty foods. Fatty foods in particular can cause a bout with Gastric Reflux. Why? Fatty foods can remain within a person's stomach for a long time after it has been eaten.

As stated earlier, a person can have an occasional bout with Gastric Reflux or it can become chronic.If a person suffers from chronic Gastric Reflux, other health problems can result ,such as a severe case of inflammation, ulcers, anemia or a low blood count.

Prescribed solutions

There are ways that a person can control Gastric Reflux, if it becomes a chronic problem.

First, if you are suffering from Gastric Reflux and you smoke, stop immediately.Although there is some debate on how much smoking effects gastric reflux, there is enough research to establish that it does have some negative effects. What has been established is that smoking can cause a delayed gastric emptying,which can lead to Gastric Reflux.

Second, if a person is overweight and suffers from chronic Gastric Reflux they should consider losing the excess weight. There is a theory that suggests that when you are overweight and suffering from Gastric Reflux,the weight compresses the stomach and raises the pressure inside.

Third, if a person is suffering from chronic Gastric Reflux they should limit or get rid of alcohol all together.If they continue to drink, then a person should limit himself or herself to one glass of alcohol a day.

Fourth,do not eat two or three hours before going to bed.

Fifth, people who suffer from Gastric Reflux should limited their caffeine. This includes coffee, chocolate and soda.

Sixth, if the Gastric Reflux is severe enough, go see a doctor and they can prescribe medicines to treat the problem. Medications that could be prescribed to you are H2blockers, which lessen gastric acid secretions. There are also Proton-pump inhibitors, which prevent gastric acid secretions as well by stopping the enzyme pump process.

Conclusion

Everyone suffers from Gastric Reflux at one time or another in their lives. When Gastric Reflux becomes chronic, one should see a doctor, and take a close look at their dietary habits. The causes of Gastric Reflux are usually dietary, and can be changed, which is good news. If Gastric Reflux cannot be changed through diet, a doctor can prescribe medication to get it under control.

So, don't wait, take action. What one does not want is to wait for the problem to get worse. Make the necessary changes, and by doing so, you can make the quality of your life so much better.

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Jacqueline Courtiol, M.A. Ed. is a teacher, business owner and mother. She is the inventor of a homeopathic colic relief formula recommended by pediatricians, doulas and mid-wifes. Colic Calm is also highly effective in the treatment of infant gas pain.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/food/understanding-meats-why-red-meat-is-red-and-why-white-meat-is-white.html http://www.articletrader.com/food/understanding-meats-why-red-meat-is-red-and-why-white-meat-is-white.html Mon, 16 Oct 2006 00:00:00 -0500
Meat are mainly referred as red or dark and white meat. Red or dark meat is mainly made up of muscles with fibers that are called slow fibers. These muscles are used for extended periods of activity, such as standing or walking and need a consistent energy source. The protein myoglobin stores oxygen in muscle cells, which use oxygen to extract the energy needed for constant activity. Myoglobin is a richly pigmented protein. The more myoglobin there is in the cells, the redder or darker, the meat is. Red meat is red because the muscle fibers that make up the bulk of the meat contain a high content of myoglobin, which are colored red. Myoglobin, a protein similar to hemoglobin in red blood cells, acts as a store for oxygen within the muscle fibers.

White meat is made up of muscles with fibers that are called fast fibers. Fast fibers muscles are used for quick bursts of activity, such as fleeing from danger. These muscles get energy from glycogen, which is also stored in the muscles. White meat as in fish has a translucent "glassy" quality when it is raw. Animal such as calf and pigs are also categorized as white meat. Veal meat is white because it is slaughtered after the calf been milk fed, approximately up to one year old. Pigs are lazy animal; they are not as active as cows, so their body contains more fat than any other animal. White meat is white because there is less usage in the muscle. Myoglobin content is low in these muscles. This is why chicken breast, pork and veal are slightly pink or white, before or after cooked. Fish is white because it lives in water and does not need to support its own body weight. Basically, there are no myoglobins in these muscles.

The difference between meat and fish muscle tissue is that there is no tough connective tissue between the muscles and bones.

Cows and pigs are both sources of dark meat, though pig is often called "the other white meat." Pigs muscles do contain myoglobin, but the concentration is not as heavy as it is in beef. Chickens have a mixture of both dark and white meat, and fish is mainly white meat. Chicken spend a lot of time walking around and standing. Their thigh and leg muscles are used constantly, so the meat from these parts is slightly darker than its breast. Since they rarely fly, and then only for very short distances, the meat that comes from the breast and wings is white. In contrast, wild birds such as ducks fly a lot; the meat from their breasts and wings is dark. Same goes with their legs, as they use them for swimming.

Cows spend a lot of time standing, walking and so their muscles are constantly being used. Therefore, beef has a fairly high concentration of myoglobin and is dark red. Pigs also can spend quite a bit of time standing and roaming around. The pink color of pork is due to myoglobin, but because the animals used for pork and veal are young and small, their muscles are less developed and do less work. Therefore, pigs and calf have a lower concentration of myoglobin in their muscles than cows. The only similarity between these four animals is that they are mammals on land. Fish float in water and do not need constant muscle energy to support their skeletons. Most fish meat is white, with some red meat around the fins and tail, which is used for swimming. The pink colored of some fish, such as wild salmon and trout, is due to astaxanthin, a naturally occurring pigment in the crustaceans they eat. Fish such as sharks and tuna has a dark or red flesh because it contains more myoglobin as they are fast swimmers and a

migratory fish.

Juiciness and tenderness are two very important factors when it comes to meat quality. Both factors are influenced by the cut of meat and how long the meat is cooked. The more a muscle is used, the stronger and therefore tougher, the cut of meat will be. In contrast, the longer meat is cooked, the more liquid it loses and the tougher it becomes. Factors that also influence tenderness and juiciness are: The animal's age at slaughter, the amount of fat and collagen (connective tissue) contained in particular cuts and to a small degree, brining.

Collagen is a long, stiff protein that is the most prevalent protein in mammals. It's made up of three separate molecules composed of amino acid chains, twisted around each other, something like the way fibers are twisted around each other to form a rope. This structure is what makes the collagen so strong; this strength is also what makes it more difficult to break down. The more collagen there is in a piece of meat, the tougher it is to cut and to chew. Skin is mostly collagen, as are the tendons that connect muscles to bones. For cuts that are high in collagen, cooking with methods that use slow, moist heat, such as stewing or braising, are the best. Collagen is soluble in water and when it is cooked slowly with moist heat, it becomes gelatin.

Collagen can be less tough by slicing up the meat into smaller pieces, which makes the fiber smaller and easier to break apart. Weight-bearing muscles and muscles that are constantly used contain higher amounts of collagen than muscles that aren't used for support or aren't used as frequently. Cows and pigs have higher amounts of collagen in the legs, chest, and rump. Pork is generally more tender than beef, because pigs are usually slaughtered at a younger age than cows and so their muscles are less developed and have less collagen than those of cows.

Fish muscles are quite different from those in mammals. Fish float in water and so don't need muscle to support their weight. Their muscle fiber are very short called myotomes and are held together by connective tissue called myocammata, which is much more delicate than collagen and breaks down much more easily when cooked. The only muscles that most fish use extensively are around the tail and fins (areas that aren't eaten as often by humans), which are used for constant cruising around in the water. Once caught, (dead) fish are stored in an ice room with standing temperature of 1-3°C.

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Faroukis a professional Chef and has worked and travelled all over the world. As well as working full time as a senior Chef, Farouk regularly writes interesting articles such this one on meats .

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/parenting/what-to-bring-to-a-baby-shower.html http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/parenting/what-to-bring-to-a-baby-shower.html Sat, 14 Oct 2006 00:00:00 -0500
Truthfully, there are no hard, fast rules about what to bring to a baby shower. The host/hostess of the baby shower will have everything covered, in terms of food, location and beverages. Your job as a guest will be to provide presents to the mother-to-be. So, what type of presents should you bring to a baby shower? This article will give you some ideas to answer the question "What should I bring to a baby shower?"

Bare necessities

The one thing a mother and father-to-be needs for a newborn are the bare necessities. What are the bare necessities? They include things like diapers, cotton shirts, pants, pajamas, and baby bottles. Anything that a baby might need in the first few months of his/her life would make a good present. Also, remember that newborns grow fairly quickly so when buying clothes for babies, don't be afraid to buy something in a larger size.

Grooming products

Grooming products for the baby and the mother-to-be are a good way to go. For the baby, consider things like brushes, combs, washcloths, blankets, shampoo, towels, and changing sheets.

For the mother, consider things like lotions to help with stretch marks, gift certificates for a spa treatments after the baby has been born, free membership at a gym (make sure the mother will not be insulted by such a present) or a simple gift basket that will include bath salts, fragrances and all types of grooming implements.

Father-to-be

Also, a new trend in baby showers is the co-ed baby shower, so when thinking of things to bring to a baby shower, don't forget about the father. Of course, the mother-to-be will, in all probability, be showered with gifts, but the same can't be said for the father-to-be. So, think about bringing a gift for the father that centers on the baby.

One gift to give the father is an emergency gift basket, which can include things like diapers, bottles, books on parenting, blankets, baby clothes, and throw in a tee-shirt proclaiming, the father-to-be as the best dad in the whole world or something equally endearing.

Gifts for the nursery

Don't forget things for the nursery when thinking about what to bring to a baby shower. A lot of times parents wait until the last minute to finish a nursery, and probably do not have everything they need. So think of things like a crib, changing table, mattress and a diaper receptacle.

Travel items

Another important thing to consider to bring to a baby shower are things that parents can be used when traveling with the baby. For example, a car seat for bringing the baby home from the hospital, diaper bag to hold necessities for the baby, stroller, or a front baby harness or sling to facilitate carrying the baby.

Sentimental gifts

Sentimental gifts are nice as well. You can get the parents frames for baby pictures or cameras with rolls of films. There are kits that let you take a foot or hand imprint of the child. You can make a homemade gift like a knit blanket for the baby or even a small monetary gift like a bond, if you are a close friend or family member, for the baby's college fund.

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Jacqueline Courtiol is a veteran teacher and mother who has lived through the trials and tribulations of a colicky infant. She is the developer of Colic Calm Gripe Water. For more information visit http://www.coliccalm.com.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/health/depression/coping-with-postpartum-depression.html http://www.articletrader.com/health/depression/coping-with-postpartum-depression.html Tue, 19 Sep 2006 00:00:00 -0500
"After giving birth, many women experience a week or two of "baby blues," marked by mood swings, feelings of ambivalence toward motherhood, mild depression, and bouts of unexplainable crying. These blues may be a result of hormonal changes; of the way labor, delivery, and motherhood are treated in today's society; or of the isolation new mothers often feel. Certainly lack of sleep plays a role, too. In some women -- as many as 11 to 15 percent of new mothers -- the baby blues turns into clinical postpartum depression, or PPD” – Source: Coping with Postpartum Depression, Ronnie Lichtman, American Baby, 2006.

Women know that their bodies undergo very dramatic changes during pregnancy. Giving birth doesn’t make those changes disappear, and your body still needs to adjust from the trauma of having a baby. Hormones that affect mood and behavior flood the female body during and after pregnancy. Suddenly having a very demanding newborn to care for can be a huge change, especially to brand-new moms.

In some cases, these blues turn into actual clinical postpartum depression, better know as PPD.

Warning Signs of Postpartum Depression

Mothers who may be suffering with PPD will experience some warning signs. If you or someone you know seems to be suffering from these symptoms, you should consult with your physician. There are many ways that modern science and medicine can alleviate the symptoms associated with PPD. These symptoms include:

Uncontrollable crying

Bouts of crying that begin and end without reason are a common symptom of postpartum depression. Crying because of a sad movie, or even a long-distance telephone commercial, is a normal reaction. Crying for no reason whatsoever, however, may be a sign of PPD.

Lack of Interest in the Baby

Women suffering from PPD find that they lack both energy and interest in their newborn infant. Many women do not like to admit this side effect, even to them, for fear it makes them bad mothers. But lack of interest in the baby is a very common symptom of PPD, and completely normal. Many mothers experience the exact same thing.

Inability to Rest

No matter how tired, mothers suffering from postpartum depression have an increasing inability to rest or sleep. They cannot stay still, cannot seem to turn off their minds, cannot find comfort in slumber. This is a common and disturbing side effect of PPD.

Loss of Appetite

Women suffering from postpartum depression have very little appetite or desire for food.

The side effects and symptoms of PPD combine to make coping with postpartum depression that much harder for women who are already exhausted, malnourished, and fearful of being bad mothers. Remember, if you are suffering from PPD you are not alone. This is very, very common.

Coping With Postpartum Depression

The best way to cope with PPD is to consult with your physician. Research is still being conducted on the various treatment options for PPD. However, most doctors prescribe the following treatments:

· Self care at home

This is not a necessarily a substitute for medication, but it is very helpful. One of the ways women can do this is by surrounding themselves with family members who are extremely supportive. It involves the creation of a positive atmosphere around the patient. Moreover, PPD sufferers must also take rest, socialize and not expect too much from themselves.

· Supplements or Medication

Women are usually asked to take prenatal vitamins and iron, post delivery. At times, prescription antidepressants are given like fluoxetine (Prozac), parxetine (Paxil), amongst others. At times hormone therapy can also help. An intake of estrogen combined with antidepressants can go a long way in curing postpartum depression.

· Therapy

Doctors generally prescribe psychotherapy for mild cases. This has been widely effective in such cases. Some women are asked to undergo a therapy called Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT). IPT enables women to make adjustments at a social level. Typically, this option consists of 12 sessions with a therapist that is one-hour long. At times, in serious cases a doctor might just consider putting the patient in a hospital, if there is a danger that the baby might be hurt in any way.

· Follow-Up

PPD is serious and women suffering from PPD must consult a doctor before following any treatment plan. Furthermore, if the doctor prescribes a medication or any therapy, it must be followed up with due diligence. The medications must not be stopped, unless your doctor tells you to do so.

To conclude, PPD is an ailment that might just go away by itself, but it is best to contact your doctor immediately if you think you are suffering from it.

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Jacqueline Courtiol is the developer of a European Gripe Water used to relieve infant gas, colic and reflux in babies. Jacqueline is a parent and teacher and has authored articles on of parenting, child health and development. Her website is Gripe Water for Colic

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/health/alternative/the-use-of-homeopathy-in-pediatric-medicine.html http://www.articletrader.com/health/alternative/the-use-of-homeopathy-in-pediatric-medicine.html Thu, 31 Aug 2006 00:00:00 -0500
Homeopathy is used to treat diseases in children ranging from semi-serious illnesses to the common cold. Although homeopathy works in a number of ways, its most basic function is to help strengthen and focus a child’s immune system when they are sick based on the symptoms and root cause of the ailment. Once their own immune systems become stronger, they are able to fight off diseases more effectively.

What makes homeopathy particularly suited to pediatrics is that the medicine is often sweet and appealing, and has little to no side effects. The pleasant taste combined with the low incidence of side effects such as nausea or drowsiness, ensures that the child will be more likely to take the medication on a regular basis.

Typical Applications of Homeopathy in Pediatrics

Homeopathic treatment usually falls into two categories; either acute or chronic conditions. Acute conditions refer to a sick child that is suffering from such illnesses as colds, sore throats, or the stomach flu. Chronic conditions refer to ailments such as allergies, asthma or any number of skin diseases.

Whether dealing with acute or chronic conditions in children, homeopathy has proven to be quite effective. In the case of acute conditions, parents often can treat the child at home with homeopathy. However, in the case of chronic conditions, meeting with a well-trained homeopathic professional may be necessary to treat the child.

Over the Counter Products

Parents who choose to treat children with an acute condition at home may consider a home prescription kit with homeopathic remedies in 12c or 30c concentrations. Home prescription kits containing homeopathic remedies can be brought online or at stores and range from $60 to $100 dollars. Many homeopathic products are available as over the counter medicines.

Parents can also purchase manuals and books on homeopathy for under $30.

Homeopathic medicines are free of artificial colors and chemicals and are usually considered safe for infants and children.

Homeopathic medicines come in pills and liquid form. The medicine that is prescribed depends on three things: the type of medicine that is being given, its strength, and the condition of the patient.

Some Other Interesting Facts about Homeopathy

· Homeopathy is based on clinical and experimental data.

· The founding father of homeopathy was Samuel Hahnemann (1755-1843), a German physician, who developed the basic principles of homeopathy in the late 1700s.

· Homeopathy is recognized by medical professionals and government agencies including the U.S. Food and Drug Association (FDA), and is regulated as medicine.

· Sugar pills are commonly used as a binding agent in homeopathic medicine and as carriers for the medicine.

· Homeopathy uses the principles of dilutions to achieve extremely low concentrations of high potency herbal and other remedies.

· Homeopathic medicine can work fairly fast in acute cases. In chronic cases, the medication works at a slower pace.

· When a person is uses homeopathic treatments they should abstain from certain foods like tea, coffee and alcohol.

· Homeopathic medicines are based on naturally occurring remedies, are usually not patented and are therefore cheaper then other types of conventional medicines.

· Homeopathic medicines usually do not have any side effects.

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Jacqueline Courtiol is a teacher, mother and the co-developer of a homeopathic formula for relieving infant gas and colic. Jacqueline has authored numerous articles on various aspects of parenting, baby's health and child development. Her website is Gripe Water for Infant Colic.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]>