Reye syndrome is a very rare, but serious condition that was first discovered by an Australian pathologist named R. Douglas Reye, who came across the illness in 1963. It is characterized by sudden brain and liver damage after the administration of aspirin to children and teenagers who are infected with a viral illness. While it can affect all organs of the body it seems to injury the liver and brain most severely. Reye syndrome is most commonly seen in children and teenagers aged 4 to 14 years old, although it can occur at any age. Cases of Reye syndrome have become[Read more...]
At this point the value of physical activity probably doesn’t really need to be justified. We know that kids aren’t moving as much as they should be and that inactivity at any age (especially during those key developmental years in childhood) can lead to a variety of health issues later in life. There are all kinds of factors that may be playing a part in why our kids and teens aren’t being nearly as active as they were in previous generations, but one of the biggest factors that could help turn things around is an increase in physical literacy: providing them with the[Read more...]
As a parent, you’ve got a lot to look forward to as your kids grow up. Sometimes you’ll be cheering for your child as they reach a new milestone, and sometimes you’ll be celebrating your own successes as a parent; both are great reasons to be excited! But sometimes your children’s milestones come with new challenges for you to maneuver. This week’s guest blogger, Tabatha – a mom and member of the online QPAM community – has written about one such milestone and the awkward but shared experience many parents of young boys can relate to. The day has arrived: my kids[Read more...]
There is a wealth of parenting information available online. From mommy blogs to specialty websites, there’s so much to choose from when you’re looking for help and ideas for your kids. And while good solid parenting information is applicable no matter who you are, let’s be honest: a lot of the stuff that’s out there is geared toward moms. But what if you’re a dad? Or an uncle, grandpa, or other male caregiver? Just like mom, the gents have their own unique role to play in a child’s life, and finding resources that speak to that particular perspective can sometime be[Read more...]
Ah, March Break. For students, this full week without school is a much needed mid-semester breather and a perfect way for ushering in Spring. For parents and caregivers however, it can be more like a full week of headaches as you try to keep the kids busy and active, especially when your family opted for a staycation. It’s Thursday, which means March Break is winding down. You’ve been to the library, you checked out a show, and you got moving at the community centre. Awesome! But now you’re starting to run out of ideas to keep the kids from getting restless… Need some[Read more...]
Fifth disease, or erythema infectiosum, is caused by a virus called the human parvovirus B19. It most often infects school aged children, and appearing most frequently in the winter and spring. It is also possible for adults to get the virus, and for it to occur anytime during the year. The name fifth disease was given to the viral infection because it was one of the five most common illnesses of childhood in the past that the main characteristic was a rash. Fifth disease is also called slapped cheek syndrome or disease because of the characteristic rash that appears of[Read more...]
Frostbite, also known as congelatio, is a cold weather injury caused by freezing of the skin and underlying tissues. During cold, windy, wintery weather, exposed skin is most vulnerable to acquiring frostbite. The most commonly affected areas of frostbite include the fingers, toes, nose, ears, cheeks and chin. Frostbite occurs when extreme cold damages the skin and deeper tissues under the skin, leading to contraction of blood vessels, reduced blood flow and oxygen to the affected area. As the skin becomes damaged, you begin to feel odd sensations like numbness and tingling, and changes in skin colour. Depending on length[Read more...]
The following is a guest post written by mom and QPAM community member, Mandie H. A lot of her experience is with gastrostomy tubes (aka g-tubes) but her tips can be applied to all kinds of feeding tubes. If you’d like to know more about feeding tubes, check out this incredible guide that’s full of useful information for parents and caregivers! I still remember, it was eight years ago… We struggled with feeding by mouth. It seemed the more we tried, the harder it was for my son. We thickened his formula so much that he could no longer tolerate[Read more...]
Chilblains, also known as pernio, are a condition that is most common in the cold winter months. They are a painful reaction to warming the skin too quickly after being exposed to cold temperatures. What causes chilblains? The exact reason why chilblains occur is not known. The common thought is that they occur in response to warming the skin after being exposed to extreme cold. When you are exposed to cold, the tiny blood vessels in your skin narrow. Warming the skin after cold exposure can cause these tiny vessels to expand back to their normal size more quickly than[Read more...]
