There is no effective treatment for nail-biting in children. The use of gloves or mittens, threats or punishment, or bitter nail polishes or solutions to paint onto the fingers have not been shown to work, and may cause considerable embarrassment and distress to child and parents alike.

Some advocate the use of chewing gum, arguing that it is difficult to bite one’s nails when one has a mouthful of gum. However, leaving aside concerns about teeth, it is clearly not practical to have gum in the mouth for 24 hours every day. In older children, especially girls, teaching them to take pride in the appearance of their nails is often effective. This can be reinforced by the purchase of a nail file or manicure set.

Where children are visibly anxious or stressed, you should look for contributing factors, and try to deal with them. Sometimes relaxation techniques and similar strategies may be helpful, as may referral to a counsellor if you are deeply concerned about the possibility of underlying psychological problems, but this applies only to a small minority of these children. In older children who are embarrassed by the habit and are clearly motivated to give it up, behaviour modification techniques may be helpful. This should be organised with the help of a psychologist or other professional with experience in the area.

There is usually little reason to seek medical advice for nail-biting in children. If the nailbed or surrounding skin becomes infected, the doctor will treat it appropriately, although it may recur as long as the child continues to be a nail-biter. Sometimes the family doctor may uncover underlying stresses or emotional issues, especially in adolescents, that may contribute to the nail-biting. Issues of confidentiality then need to be taken into account, and this needs to be carefully negotiated between the doctor and family members.

Prevention

No strategies to prevent nail-biting are known. Theoretically, it might be considered that minimisation or reduction in stress levels may lessen the chances of nail-biting beginning or continuing, but this has not been demonstrated to be the case. It goes without saying that good and open communication with children is desirable and can serve to minimise stress.

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As with ordinary X-rays, CT scanning does expose your child to small amounts of radiation, but this is well within all safety limits.

The machinery itself can look quite frightening to children, as they have to lie still within a large cylindrical tube. It always helps if you stay close to your child during the procedure, and remain calm and reassuring. It may be necessary to give a younger child a light general anaesthetic to ensure that he lies perfectly still for the test.

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The muscle layers of the abdominal wall are then repaired and tightened so as to prevent recurrence. The muscles are pulled tightly together with stitches. Sometimes a layer of stitches or wire is placed between the muscle layers so as to add strength.

The usual stay in hospital is about five days. Most workers are given six weeks off work to recover but the self-employed and those who can be found suitable alternative work involving minimal lifting of restricted weights can return to work within four weeks.

Unfortunately, despite the skill of the surgeon, the hernia may recur and require another operation. This second attempt is always more difficult than the first repair because of the scarring and the difficulty in separating the various muscle layers.

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An Rh negative woman can be sensitised and develop antibodies if she receives a blood transfusion of Rh positive blood.

In the past, Rhesus iso-immunisation was a great worry to every doctor who delivered babies. With modern treatment, it should no longer be seen. Unfortunately, that is not yet the case.

Where an Rh negative woman becomes pregnant to an Rh positive man, in most, but not all, cases the child will be Rhesus positive.

It is rare for the woman to be sensitised in her first pregnancy but one in 10 are sensitised by the second and the percentage becomes higher with each pregnancy. Previously, in six out of every 1000 deliveries, the child would be affected by Rhesus iso-immunisation.

Once the mother has formed these antibodies, they readily cross the placenta to enter the baby’s circulation and can destroy the baby’s red cells.

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It is particularly effective for pain relief and its advocates claim that by making the flow of energy through the meridians more efficient, Shiatsu is a highly effective preventive therapy which strengthens the nervous, circulatory and immune systems and invigorates the body.

In a variation sometimes known as barefoot Shiatsu, the therapist often uses the feet to apply pressure, sometimes standing on the patient. Even so, thumbs, elbows and hands are still employed.

The great advantage of Shiatsu over similar therapies such as acupuncture is that it can be practised in the home for the relief of simple ailments such as headache, insomnia, cold symptoms, constipation and nausea. Some formal instruction is recommended and professionally qualified practitioners should be used for diagnostic purposes and in cases of chronic or prolonged illness.

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Fainting is common in pre-adolescent and adolescent children. It often occurs after the child has gone without eating for an extended period of time. A partial faint (light-headedness and dizziness) or a complete faint is also common when a teenager abruptly changes position (for example, after jumping up from a reclining or sitting position). It also can occur in a dentist’s chair caused by a combination of pain, anxiety, and turning the head sharply to one side (which places pressure on the carotid artery in the neck).

Just before unconsciousness, the child experiences light-headedness, blurred vision, cold and moist skin (clamminess), and sometimes mild nausea. An observer may notice a paleness or greenish color of the skin and a glazed look in the eyes before the child loses consciousness. Rarely will the child lose control of the urine or stools. Consciousness will be recovered within a few minutes and the child will probably not remember fainting.

The pulse at the wrist may be characteristically feeble and slow or not present at all. The heart beat (place your ear against child’s chest) is slow, usually 50 beats per minute or slower.

Consider the circumstances under which the child fainted. If they were circumstances that typically can cause fainting, and if the child rapidly and completely recovers, this suggests nothing more serious than an isolated spell.

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Though the Daily Value for vitamin Ñ is only 60 milligrams, esteemed researcher Linus

Pauling took thousands of milligrams of this powerful antioxidant every day, convinced it would fend off everything from the common cold to cancer. Though Pauling himself lived to be 93, clinical evidence is still inconclusive about what vitamin Ñ can and can’t do.

“We have found that high levels of vitamin Ñ seem to protect against cataracts as well,” says epidemiologist Paul F. Jacques, D.Sc, associate professor of nutrition at Tufts University. “But we still need more research to understand what levels are beneficial for most people. So far, it looks like more than two times the Daily Value.”

Until we know more, a study at the National Institutes of Health indicates that we need 200 to 500 milligrams of vitamin Ñ a day to keep our systems vitamin C-saturated (we lose vitamin Ñ when we urinate). But since it’s easy to get vitamin Ñ from food, experts recommend looking for a supplement with about 200 milligrams.

Folic Acid Frenzy

A once-overlooked  vitamin, folic acid has been shoving its way into the spotlight during the past several years-first as a protective agent against life-threatening birth defects of the brain and spine, then as a potential defender against heart attack and stroke.

The U.S. Public Health Service recommends getting the Daily Value of 400 micrograms of folic acid every day, which can be tough unless you eat a lot of greens, drink fortified orange juice, or eat fortified foods. “Food manufacturers are soon going to be fortifying flour and flour products with folic acid much in the way they add thiamin, niacin, and riboflavin today, which should lead to improvements in heart disease rates,” Dr. Tucker says. But until you see folic acid appear on food labels, a multivitamin/mineral supplement containing 400 micrograms of folic acid may help keep your heart healthy.

While you’re supplementing folic acid, you may also want to add vitamin B6 and vitamin B12 into the mix, Dr. Tucker says. “There’s a concern that by taking a lot of folic acid, you can mask a vitamin B12 deficiency, a potentially debilitating condition that becomes more common as we age and our bodies stop absorbing vitamin B12 as well as they should,” she says. In addition, people who have diets low in folic acid also tend to run low in vitamin B6, another  vitamin that lowers homocysteine levels. So if you’re going to supplement one, you might as well supplement all three. Dr. Tucker recommends looking for a multi with up to 10 milligrams of vitamin B6 and with 6 to 25 micrograms of vitamin B12.

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This is the first time that researchers have been able to establish that women add bone mass until near age 30 and that even modest lifestyle changes can increase their gains.

Researchers measured periodically the bone mineral content and density of 156 women. Activity levels were also monitored by instruments which were strapped to the women’s waists. The women kept written records of everything they ate. The researchers also updated the subjects’ height, weight, family history, and contraceptive use, every six months.

The results of the study show that the women who participated experienced a 12 percent gain in bone mass in their 20’s. Regular calcium consumption had the most significant effect on bone growth. Women who consumed 900 milligrams more per day than the RDA of 1,200 milligrams gained an average of 16.4 percent in bone density. Women whose total calcium intake averaged only 700 milligrams per day gained just 3.4 percent in bone density.

Researchers say that exercise was almost as important as calcium intake. Those women in the study who engaged in moderate exercise—walking, jogging or playing tennis—tended to add more bone mass than those who were basically inactive. Oral contraceptives, which contain estrogen, also appeared to help some of these women build bone mass, according to the study.

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1) Avoid sex that may damage a condom or tear the sensitive and delicate tissue which lines the vagina.

2) Use spermicidal jellies which contain nonoxynol 9.

3) Use water-based lubricants— oil-based lubricants can damage condoms.

4) Abstain from sexual activity if your partner has symptoms of a sexually transmitted disease, or is being treated for such a disease.

5) Avoid having multiple sexual partners. Maintain a monogamous sexual relationship.

How To Avoid Getting AIDS. The Five Key Things To Do

(1) Abstain from sexual activities.

(2) Maintain a monogamous relationship with an uninfected person.

(3) Avoid drug use and possible infected needles.

(4) Do not share razors or any other skin-piercing instruments which could be contaminated with blood.

(5) Avoid hair salon treatments when worner’s are cut – the blood can give you AIDS.

Using protective measures — such as condoms can lessen, but not eliminate the chance of HIV infection.

Doctors are searching for a cure to AIDS. A new drug called AZT can help (but not cure) AIDS sufferers. While several drug companies are working on an AIDS vaccine — most experts feel that they are many years away from success.

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1) Nutrition is one of the most important factors contributing to the health of a mother and her baby. Even before pregnancy you should maintain a healthy, balanced diet with lots of fresh fruit, vegetables and fiber. You should also get plenty of fluids and adequate amounts of protein. This type of balanced diet should be maintained throughout your entire pregnancy to provide proper nutrition for you and your unborn child.

2) Weight control is also an important factor for expectant mothers. A woman who is underweight or overweight during pregnancy risks possible harm to herself and her baby. It is important that you exercise and practice proper weight maintenance with a well-balanced diet.

3) If you smoke, quit. If you don’t smoke, don’t start. You should also avoid second-hand smoke as much as possible. Smoking can cause serious problems for you and your unborn child. Second-hand smoke can also be harmful.

4) Most doctors recommend that you eliminate smoking and alcohol during pregnancy. Alcohol consumption during pregnancy can have an adverse effect on you and the fetus. Avoid drugs as well.

5) Make sure you have been immunized against rubella (German measles). Contracting rubella during pregnancy could harm your unborn child.

6) If you are taking any medications, check with your doctor to make sure they are safe to take during pregnancy.

7) Get plenty of sleep.

Choose an obstetrician you can trust. You can get recommendations from friends, relatives and associates. It is important that you have a good relationship with your doctor, and that he or she has your complete confidence.

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