(BPT) - From a cough that won’t go away to a sore throat they caught from the classroom, children and their vulnerable immune systems can fall victim to common illnesses quicker and more often than adults. However, while these health issues are typical, it is not always easy to identify what they are when symptoms strike.

According to pediatric doctor Dr. Nina Shapiro, an important part in understanding a child’s symptoms is also being prepared to help fight back with the right tools at home and to know when it’s time to bring them to see a doctor.

Alleviating some of the uncomfortable symptoms at the first signs of sickness or discomfort will help your child get back to being a kid faster and can aid their long-term health. When pain and discomfort do strike, knowing the signs and symptoms of some of these common problems can help determine the best course of action.

1. Ear pain

Ear pain can be caused by myriad issues, including swimmer’s ear, an existing cold, an ear infection or tooth pain traveling up the jawline, among other things. An over-the-counter pain reliever, elevating the child’s head when sleeping and a warm compress on the ear may help lessen the discomfort. However, if the pain continues to worsen, is accompanied by a high fever and/or swelling and pus exists, the best option is to visit a pediatrician for an in-office exam to determine the exact cause.

2. Constipation

According to a recent survey commissioned by Pedia-Lax, nearly 45 percent of parents with children between ages 2 and 11 noted their children experience constipation at least once a month. Recognizing the symptoms of constipation can be tricky depending on the child’s age — especially if they can’t voice their issue. Luckily, there are physical and emotional symptoms to look out for, including less than three bowel movements a week, stomachaches, a decrease in appetite and increased irritability. When it comes to treating constipation, not all options are created equal. Shapiro suggests opting for a medicine that’s formulated specifically for children versus an adult formula. Pedia-Lax is the only pediatric brand that offers a full line of laxative products that are fast, safe and specifically made for kids to help support digestive health and ease constipation. To help prevent constipation, encourage your child to eat a well-balanced, fiber-rich diet, drink lots of fluids and speak up whenever they feel they need to use the restroom.

3. Hand, foot and mouth disease

Hand, foot and mouth disease is a pesky, highly contagious illness often seen in young children — especially during the beginning of the school year when children are back inside in close quarters. It is caused by a virus similar to the cold virus and, as the name suggests, can involve the hands (primarily the palms), the feet (primarily the soles) and the mouth. Telltale signs are sore throat due to sores on the palate and the lips, sores on the palms and sores on the feet. In general, the throat sores tend to give the worst of the symptoms, leading to inability to swallow, severe throat pain and fevers. Kids that refuse to eat or drink due to throat pain can be at risk for dehydration. The treatment plan includes pain medications, drinking cool liquids and rest.

4. Pink eye

From the bus to the classroom to the playground, children often spend a lot of time in close quarters with their friends. While sharing is an important lesson to learn at a young age, kids will often, unfortunately, share their germs too. Pink eye is commonly spread through hand-to-hand contact, which can transport the highly contagious virus and occasionally a bacterium to the eyes. While symptoms like itchy and watery eyes could be mistaken for allergies, watch out for increased yellow or green discharge and a change in color to the whites of the eye, which may indicate pink eye.

Over-the-counter eye drops and a warm compress on the eyes can help soothe the irritation at home but, given how fast the virus can spread to family and friends, it’s always best to head to a doctor for medication. Sometimes doctors will prescribe an antibiotic eyedrop if the infection appears to be bacterial and not viral.
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When sickness strikes, it’s important to be armed and ready with not only the knowledge of the common symptoms of these pediatric health issues, but also the best treatment options so your child can get back to the playground in no time. For more information on children’s digestive health, visit Pedia-lax.com.

(BPT) - "As a doctor, I want patients to have open conversations with me about any symptoms they may experience without feeling uncomfortable," said Dr. Howard Franklin, MBA, vice president of medical affairs and strategy at Salix Pharmaceuticals. "But, I understand that patients may sometimes choose not to talk about symptoms they find embarrassing."

Such is the case when it comes to discussing bowel movements. For people who experience abdominal pain and diarrhea, it is important to discuss these symptoms with your doctor as they may be signs of irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D).

A report published by the American Journal of Gastroenterology found that up to 75 percent of individuals living with irritable bowel syndrome may be undiagnosed. You are not alone.
For the up to 16 million Americans living with IBS-D, it is often an uncomfortable disorder that can reduce a patient’s quality of life. IBS-D affects twice as many women as men and often occurs in people younger than 45. It can cause interference with daily activities and avoidance of certain foods.

If you’ve experienced these symptoms, Franklin offers two important steps you can take.

Understand the disorder

IBS-D is a disorder of the large intestine and though the precise cause is unknown, it is believed that there are various factors that can play a role in creating symptoms. Stronger, longer muscle contractions in the intestines and poorly coordinated signals between the brain and the intestines are all possible causes for IBS-D. Often, IBS-D is triggered by food, caffeine, stress, carbonated drinks, artificial sugars or infectious diarrhea.

Changes in bacteria in the gut have also been linked to symptoms of IBS-D. In a healthy state, the microbiome and the human host have a mutually beneficial relationship as the host intestine provides the bacteria with an environment to flourish and the bacteria provides physiological stability. A change in the number of bacteria and in their type can disrupt this relationship.

Talk to your doctor

Don’t hesitate to initiate the conversation with your doctor if you experience symptoms of IBS-D.
It’s time to talk to your doctor if:
* Your abdominal pain keeps coming back at least one day per week in the last three months
* The frequency of your bowel movements, and/or the way your stool looks has changed

Here are a few ways you can prepare for a conversation with your doctor:
1. Write down your symptoms and triggers.
2. Make a list of all your medications.
3. Plan questions in advance, such as: What are the likely causes of my symptoms? Should I make any changes to my diet or lifestyle? What treatment options do you recommend for me?

There is no need to suffer with IBS-D in silence. Speak up to your doctor and, together, find ways to manage the disorder. For more information about IBS-D, visit www.LetsTalk-2.com.

(BPT) - You have replaced refined grains with whole grains, increased nuts, fruits and vegetables, are drinking more water and even began taking a probiotic supplement to support your digestive health. Yet, despite these healthy habits, you're still not feeling your best and you don't understand why.

If you often experience digestive discomfort, it may be helpful to learn about FODMAPs, which stands for Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides And Polyols. Researchers at Monash University in Australia coined the FODMAP acronym in 2005 to classify specific types of short-chain carbohydrates that can be poorly absorbed in the small intestine resulting in symptoms including abdominal pain, bloating, gas, constipation and/or diarrhea.

FODMAPs can be found in ordinarily healthy foods, such as wheat bread, beans, yogurt, milk, apples, onions, garlic, cashews, mushrooms, honey and many more. FODMAPs can also be found in less obvious places such as probiotic supplements, which people often take to support digestive health.
Who should be concerned about FODMAPs? FODMAPs can trigger digestive discomfort in people with digestive sensitivities, including those with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). The International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders estimates that 10-15 percent of Americans are affected by IBS, and for many, the cause of their digestive discomfort many go undiagnosed.

What is a low FODMAP Diet? The plan begins with a two to six week trial elimination phase where foods high in FODMAPs are removed from the diet, to reduce effects of FODMAPs on the gut (e.g., stretching caused by water and gas) that can lead to pain, bloating, and cramping, and help establish the least symptoms possible. A registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) trained in the low FODMAP diet provides guidance on the reintroduction of FODMAPs, in a step-wise process, to distinguish individual FODMAP triggers and tolerances. From there, the RDN prepares a customized, well-balanced eating plan to restrict your FODMAP triggers while minimizing food eliminations and maximizing nutritional value.

According to RDN and FODMAP expert Kate Scarlata, "Once I work with a patient with IBS to identify and eliminate their FODMAP triggers, they report feeling like a whole new person. Planning ahead, like keeping low FODMAP grocery lists on hand and identifying favorite low FODMAP recipes and snacks, is the key to living comfortably to keep your symptoms at bay."

Clinical evidence supports a low FODMAP diet approach as first-line therapy for people with IBS. In a 2014 study of people with IBS published in the journal Gastroenterology, 70 percent of participants had a reduction in gastrointestinal symptoms including abdominal pain, bloating, gas, constipation and/or diarrhea, while following a low FODMAP diet compared to those who followed a regular diet.
Nestlé Health Science has developed a unique, comprehensive online resource - www.LowFODMAPcentral.com - for people who would like to learn more about FODMAPs and a low FODMAP diet. It is important to work with your doctor and a FODMAP knowledgeable RDN to determine if a low FODMAP diet is right for you.