LilSugar

Kiddie Wellness: Seizures

LilSugar — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 13:00:00 -0800

Jett Travolta, the beloved teenage son of actors, John Travolta and Kelly Preston, died of a seizure. While it is impossible to be with your offspring at all times, you may want to take precaution in the wake of this tragedy if your child suffers from seizures. Dr. Marie Savard explained that though it's unlikely, there are two reasons the episodes can prove fatal.

Jenny McCarthy Talks Autism, Instincts, and Jim Carrey

LilSugar — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 15:00:00 -0700

Jenny McCarthy is one candid cover girl. We'd expect nothing less from the passionate mother and autism advocate who posed with her son Evan, 7, for the September cover of Cookie. Check out a few of the highlights from the interview.

On how she felt when Evan had a seven-hour seizure and went into cardiac arrest in 2004: I ran out of my house and into my driveway and screamed at the top of my lungs to God to just take him away, because I loved him so much and he was in so much pain.

On Amanda Peet calling parents who don't vaccinate their children "parasites": I think vaccines are one of the greatest things ever invented. I used to be [Peet] before I had a kid with autism.

On the position of Generation Rescue: "Vaccinations are safe - dot, dot, dot - for some kids. Vaccinations are not safe - dot, dot, dot - for other kids. Let’s protect the ones who are weak. We are pro–safe vaccine. Vaccines are just not one size fits all. If you gave everyone in the world penicillin, there would be some adverse effects for some people, and possibly deaths."

On parental instincts: "We’re the generation of parents who are saying, ‘Listen to us. We are the bosses of our children.’ I want parents to realize that, and not get pushed around by doctors who say, ‘Oh, that’s 100 percent safe.’"

On her most humbling mom moment: "Watching Evan pee on a fake tree in a waiting room."

On her relationship with Jim Carrey: "It’s wacky-weird that not only does [Carrey] not want to get married, which I love, but he also doesn’t want to have more kids, which I love."

How to Spot Signs of Postpartum Preeclampsia

LilSugar — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 14:00:40 -0700

Following the birth of a child, the body goes through some more miraculous changes. From the shrinking of the uterus to the production of milk, our bodies are truly amazing. Each woman's body reacts differently to birth and it is to these differences that we must pay attention. While some women experience the signs of preeclampsia during pregnancy – swelling, high blood pressure, and protein in urine - others do not until after the birth.

Postpartum preeclampsia is a serious but controllable condition that can occur in women who did not experience any of the signs while pregnant. The condition usually comes in the 48 hours after birth but can take up to six weeks to appear.

According to the Mayo Clinic:

Signs and symptoms of postpartum preeclampsia include severe, persistent headaches and blurry vision. The cause isn't well understood. Although postpartum preeclampsia is a serious condition that requires prompt medical attention, it is usually short-lived. With proper treatment, blood pressure usually returns to normal within a few days or weeks with no long-term adverse effects.

Women who notice postpartum swelling of their feet, as well as high blood pressure and headaches should contact their doctors immediately. If the condition is not treated quickly, it can lead to seizures and hypertension. While treatment is usually simple, it needs to be started as soon as possible.

Did you experience postpartum preeclampsia, and what did you do to resolve the issue?

Source

Wonder Woman: Jenny McCarthy

LilSugar — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 09:00:42 -0700

Think what you will of the stance former Playboy playmate cum advocate Jenny McCarthy has taken on autism, but there's no denying that this impassioned mother has helped bring the battle to cure the developmental disorder to the forefront of our attention. While her first three books made us laugh our way through pregnancy and our first years as parents – who can forget her description of what really happens on the delivery table – she has come to symbolize one side of the autism debate in America.

In May 2007, McCarthy announced that her son, Evan, was diagnosed with autism after suffering from a series of seizures following his measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine. Since then, she has been very vocal against the use of mercury in childhood vaccines and for the use of Chelation therapy to treat affected tots. Much to the dismay of many scientists, doctors and her fellow Hollywood mamas, McCarthy has co-authored a book detailing how she and Evan's pediatrician helped her child recover. While the debate wages on, McCarthy has made it her mission to help fellow mothers and find a cure.

View 5 Photos ›

Source

Kiddie Wellness: Fevers

LilSugar — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 10:00:56 -0700

Earlier in the week, my active son was lying on the couch and being quiet so I knew something was up. It took just a quick look at his redder than rosy cheeks and tired eyes to know it was his temperature. My son and daughter have had just a few fevers, but the heat of their flushed faces and lil furnace bodies always causes me to worry. On one occasion, our pediatrician recommended acetaminophen to bring the temperature down, but normally we wait it out with plenty of fluids. To see why, read more.

According to A.D.A.M.:

Fever is not an illness. Far from being an enemy, it is an important part of the body's defense against infection. Many infants and children develop high fevers with minor viral illnesses. While a fever signals to us that a battle might be going on in the body, the fever is fighting for the person, not against.

Most bacteria and viruses that cause infections in people thrive best at 98.6°F. Raising the temperature a few degrees can give your body the winning edge. In addition, a fever activates the body's immune system to make more white blood cells, antibodies, and other infection-fighting agents.

Many parents fear that fevers will cause brain damage. Brain damage from a fever generally will not occur unless the fever is over 107.6°F (42°C). Many parents also fear that untreated fevers will keep going higher and higher. Untreated fevers caused by infection will seldom go over 105°F unless the child is overdressed or trapped in a hot place.

Some parents fear that fevers will cause seizures. For the great majority of children, this is not the case. However, febrile seizures do occur in some children. Once a child is already known to have a high fever, a febrile seizure is unlikely with the current illness. In any event, simple febrile seizures are over in moments with no lasting consequences.

Although infections are the most common causes of higher-than-normal body temperature, fevers have a long list of other causes, including toxins, cancers, and autoimmune diseases.

Source

Boy With Cerebral Palsy May Be Forced to Give Up His Pony

LilSugar — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 09:00:04 -0800

A three-year-old born with cerebral palsy was gifted a miniature pony from his grandfather. A form of equestrian therapy, Sam Spliteri's daily rides help him with simple tasks like feeding himself and improving his speech. Though he has ridden his pet that lives at his home since he was a baby, the town of Caledon recently received a complaint from a neighbor.

Since the property is not zoned for livestock, the family may be forced to give up the pony and the child would have to say good-bye to his best friend. Sam has seizures so it is almost impossible for him to commute to other horseback riding facilities.

Mommy Alert! Hold the Water

babysugar — Fri, 23 May 2008 06:00:59 -0700

Our girl geeksugar told us how one woman died from water intoxication after trying to win a radio contest for a Wii, but who knew babies were also at risk? Interestingly enough, if an infant consumes too much water in a small period of time, they can release too much sodium, which can affect their brain activity.

Dr. Jennifer Anders at Johns Hopkins Children's Center in Baltimore advises parents:

Water as a beverage should be completely off limits to babies six months old and younger. Even when they're very tiny, they have an intact thirst reflex or a drive to drink. When they have that thirst and they want to drink, the fluid they need to drink more of is their breast milk or formula.

To see the signs of water intoxication, read more.

If you are concerned your child may have water intoxication, look for these signs:

Seizures
Low body temperature (generally 97 degrees or less)
Puffiness or swelling in the face
Drowsiness
Irritability
Mental changes

Dr. Anders cautions parents to avoid using over–diluted formula or pediatric drinks containing electrolytes. In certain cases, she believes children can safely consume water but it should be done with the doctor's permission and in small doses.

Sugardaddy: Colin Farrell

babysugar — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 14:01:13 -0800

Many a lady has crushed on the Irish actor Colin Farrell at one time or another. His bad boy image, sailor mouth, smoking ways are not what many women would call "father material." But since the birth of his son James, which is Colin's middle name, Hollywood's devilish leading man has revealed a softer, caring side.

To learn more about this smokin' hot Sugardaddy, read more.

In September 2004, Colin Farrell and his ex–girlfriend Kim Bordenave welcomed their darling son into their lives. While the parents union was not set to last, that of father and son has endured and continues to grow stronger.

The famous Dubliner's son James was diagnosed with a neuro–genetic disorder called Angelman's Syndrome, which is often characterized with developmental delays, stiff, jerky gait, absent speech, excessive laughter and seizures. Previously afraid to discuss his son too much in public, Farrell has taken advantage of his time in the spotlight to discuss the chromosomal defect. As reported in People, he said:

I didn't talk about my son [but] I felt like I was betraying him, like it could be misconstrued as shame, which would be terrible, because he's such a celebration.

It's just different. It's not different to me. He has his own path. He's just brilliant. He's nothing but a gift. As far as I'm concerned he's exactly the way he should be."

Clearly the rugged foreigner is delectable eye candy, but his efforts to raise awareness of Angelman's Syndrome have earned him Sugardaddy status.

Bauer–Griffin