More about Children's Illness

Everybody’s going to get sick. If it isn't the flu or a cold, it's bronchitis, sinus infection, elephantiasis, beriberi, and pox are some of the delights of living too close in over heated rooms wearing skimpy clothes and eating a host of nutrition-less food while being sleep deprived.

Let’s track illness. In an adult, there is a sudden sluggishness. We just don’t feel quite right. We’re more than tired; we’re pooped! Then there’s that little nagging cough, or headache, or that peripheral nausea or scratchiness in the throat. We consume a couple of analgesics.

By the next day, two things have happened. Either we are confoundedly ill, or we’ve beaten the bug, and it takes a day or so of care to get back to a normal high.

The truth is, we have either accommodated the impending infection by refusing to care for ourselves, or we’ve bombarded it with sleep and hydration and our immune system has over ridden it.

It’s the same with children. The difference is most likely in the fact that children will wake up with the sudden sluggishness. It’s at this point the choice of sending them to school, to day care or to babysitting with other children and keeping them at home will make the difference between encouraging the illness to blossom and wellness.

It’s at this point, many parents think, “Well, he’s not too sick, and if I give him a couple of pain relievers, nobody will notice.” And the parent sends the child to a crowded room of children whose parents had the same idea.

If five children in fifty are incubating the flu, colds, bronchitis, and a sinus infection, how many children will be targets for the same illnesses? Probably thirty more. The other fifteen kids have parents who care, and when their child wakes up with a headache, stomach ache, a sore throat or a cough, they keep them home and these children fight it off.

Ever wonder why some children are rarely absent because of illness? First, look at their eyes, watch them eat, and look at their clothes. These things are signs of wellness.

The eyes will tell you just how much sleep a child has had. Children need twelve hours in twenty-four. Sleep is real rest. If it’s regular, and consistent, and in the same bed seven nights a week, a child will have bright interested eyes. He feels good. He has energy. Energy is the body’s green light for growth and development – development of an immune system that can fight off illness easily.

Diet and sleep are strongly interlocked. Tired children can’t eat. They pick at everything and can’t seem to get the fork into the mouth; it’s too much effort – except for sweets. If a child picks through nutritious foods and seems to survive on junk, his diet is catch up. He’s surviving on empty calories. His body is moving, but his development is nominal.

Another signal for well children is their clothes. Short sleeves and shorts in winter means houses are too hot. Hot dry houses are breeding grounds for infection. Well children play well without the furnace cranked up to 70 degrees.

Try turning the heat down one degree a week for six weeks. Most children will adapt to longer clothes and be more comfortable. They will sleep better and therefore eat better. Then, when they wake up feeling ill, they will have an easier time fighting off a virus or infection.

Take care of the child from the inside out.