Pediatrics

December 13 2017

Symptoms in Your Child that You Can’t Ignore

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Runny noses, stomachaches, rashes and minor cuts are only few of the ailments that occur in all children from time to time. Just as the times have changed, so have health issues. Parents need to understand what signs and symptoms should be taken seriously, and when they can be handled at home. Here are a few symptoms that you shouldn’t ignore in your child:

High Fever

Is your child’s skin flushed and hot? If the answer is yes, your usual reaction will be to grab a thermometer. Grabbing a thermometer is appropriate but it is not the only thing to do in this situation. It is always recommended that you look at the child’s condition instead of relying on the readings of the thermometer. If your child looks weak and sick – regardless of the temperature – you should consult your doctor immediately or visit an ER in case your doctor isn’t available.

Severe Headache

Just before going to school, your child complains of a bad headache. How do you decide if you should let her skip school or not? Minor headaches do not require skipping school and can be treated with over the counter medicines. However, if the headache is severe and the child complains frequently of it, there is good reason to visit your doctor. If your child’s appetite exhibits sudden changes or he/she does not show interest in playing because of the headache, visit your doctor.

Abdominal pain

Sometimes abdominal pain can be taken very casually and parents do not pay much attention to it when their child complains of it. However, abdominal pain can be serious and should be given medical attention as soon as it occurs. If your child develops associated fever, vomiting or decrease in appetite, make sure that you consult your doctor right away.

Stiff Neck

If your child wakes up in the morning and is unable to turn his head without feeling pain, then it might be because he/she slept wrong. But if the same symptoms occur with a fever – then his or her condition might be serious. Even if the pain is due to an injury, see your doctor or the nearest emergency care service. If your child is suffering from any of these symptoms and you aren’t sure of its severity, don’t take a chance. Visit an emergency center immediately. If you’re looking for the best option in Victoria,TX, contact Victoria ER! The center offers quality emergency service along with excellent patient care.

Nutex Health, Inc supports you and your family’s health. You can depend on Victoria ER or any one of our concierge-level, freestanding emergency facilities to deliver the emergency care you deserve, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

December 13 2017

How to Protect Your Children from Accidental Overdoes

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Your child needs medicine when sick. But these medicines can sometimes be too dangerous for children if an accidental medication overdose occurs! When your doctor prescribes medicines for your children, be very careful and keep them out of reach of your children. Here are few ways how you can avoid accidental medication overdose and make sure that your child only consumes the exact amount prescribed by the doctor:

Read the Label

Over the counter as well as prescription drugs come with safety information. These labels provide information on how the drug should be administered and what its side effects are, if any. Make sure that you read this information carefully and most importantly, follow it. Pay attention to the amount that is mentioned on the label and give the same amount to your child. The label also mentions information regarding when it should be given and what should be done if the condition persists. Follow those instructions.

Two Prescriptions for Two Kids

Take note of this – never give your child medicine which has been prescribed for another child as it may harm your kid. Medicines differ on the basis of body conditions, age and other factors. In order for your child to be effectively treated, the doctor needs to examine him thoroughly before prescribing a medicine. Also, make sure that you not only contact your doctor by phone, but also visit his office. Take your child to the doctor so that he can examine him properly and then prescribe a medicine.

Be Careful with Infants

Many emergency care centers record huge occurrences of overdose cases in infants. One mistake that parents make is that they do not consult their doctor before giving their infants medicines for flu or cold. Children under four should not be given any medicine without the doctor’s approval. Also, no child should be given any medicine packaged for adults.

Appropriate Dosing Device

If the medicine prescribed by the doctor comes with a measuring cup, use it every time you provide your child with medication. Also make sure that the cup contains clear indications so that you can follow them accurately. If you lose this cup, you can always purchase a new one from the pharmacy. If your child suffers from medication overdose, you should rush to the nearest emergency room! We, at Victoria ER provide emergency services for children too. Our qualified professionals make sure that patients are provided with the highest care standards! Click here for more information about our services.

December 13 2017

How To Prepare Your Children for an Emergency

skilgore Helpful Health Tips and Wellness Advice, News, Pediatrics accident prevention, child health, home health 0

Have you ever thought of facing a situation where your child is alone and in need of immediate medical help? Wouldn’t you blame yourself if your child’s condition worsens because he is not aware of the steps he should take in an emergency situation? You surely will! So avoid all blames and regrets and get your child prepared for emergency medical care when alone. Here are a few ways you can teach your child to act in medical emergency conditions:

Teach your Children to Use 911

Ensure that your child is aware of the 911 service. Create a very comfortable environment when teaching your child about 911. Always refer to the number as nine-one-one and not nine-eleven, or else during an emergency; your child will look for number eleven on the dial pad. Inform your child what 911 is, why it exists and what its purpose is. Your child will retain this information, if provided correctly. Teach him how to dial 911 and most importantly, emphasize that this number should only be dialed during emergencies and not otherwise.

What Information to Give

Teach your children to memorize your address. . Inform him what information the 911 personnel may require and will inquire when he calls them. Make sure you make a note of this information and keep it in a diary so that your child has easy access to it. Questions such as where are you calling from, what is your address, and contact number are asked by the 911 personnel. Confirm your child has answers to all these important questions by practicing these with them.

Listing Emergency Phone Numbers

Prepare a list of emergency phone numbers and give it your child or to the baby sitter so that they can call you or any other person whenever a medical emergency situation arises. Placing the same list in a usual and common place at home will also help in times of emergencies. This will help in reducing chaos as an important person will have information of what is going on at home. Looking for the best Emergency Care Center in Victoria? We, at Victoria ER provide unmatched emergency medical care services and make sure that you get the right care at the right time. Click here to find out more about us.

December 13 2017

What to do if Your Child Swallows Medication

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Medications are meant to treat illnesses, but they can cause a lot of harm in some unfortunate cases, especially in households with children. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 60,000 young children go to the emergency room each year as a result of swallowing medications. In fact, several cases have been reported where toddlers have died as a result of swallowing their parents’ pills. It is a commonly known fact that all types of medications should be kept out of children’s reach to ensure their safety. But in many instances, parents who keep medications out of their children’s reach are at a risk of such an emergency. All types of medications are dangerous to children, especially the ones mentioned below:

Antidepressants

Antidepressants have accounted for almost 17 percent of child poisonings in recent years. All types of allergy pills and antidepressants must be kept away from children. After taking these pills, a child may experience seizures or even go into a state of coma.

Heart medications

Swallowing a heart medication can cause a child’s heart rate and blood pressure to drop and result in cardiac arrest.

Pain relievers

Aspirin poses significant risks to children as it can lead to a fatal illness known as Reye’s syndrome. As little as 4 adult extra-strength acetaminophen tablets can be toxic to an average 2 year old.

Over-the-counter medicines

Every household has over-the-counter medicines. These medicines have led to a majority of child poisonings. Products, including nasal sprays and eye drops can result in seizures among toddlers.

What should be done if a child swallows your medication?

As a rule of thumb, always store your medications out of your kids’ reach. Never ever leave your medicines out in the open. And if you have young children, make it a point to tell them about the dangers of your medicines so that they do not go near them. In addition, keep all your medicines in bottles with child-resistant caps. Furthermore, do not take your medicine in front of your children as they might imitate you in your absence. However, if your child has swallowed any of your medicines, they might feel nauseous or lethargic, and vomit. These are the most common symptoms of medicine poisoning in children. Sometimes, your child might have a seizure or a coma. If this happens, you need to take immediate action. Take your child to the nearest emergency room without any delay. Your child’s life is in danger, so you must seek immediate medical help. If possible, try to establish the type of medicine and the amount your child has swallowed to inform the emergency room specialists so that they are able to carry out the appropriate treatment. Looking for an emergency care center in Victoria? Look no further than Victoria ER. We are a 24 hour emergency care center that provides compassionate and quick medical treatment. Click here to contact us.

December 13 2017

Top 5 Serious Symptoms in Children

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Children get injured or sick all the time. It is a part of growing up, and in most cases, parents have nothing to worry about. However, in some cases, a child’s injury or illness might need the services of an emergency room. For parents, it can be hard to tell when a fever or cold that has persisted for a few days needs the attention of the ER. Even though not all physical conditions warrant a visit to the nearest emergency room, some symptoms are quite worrisome, and call for emergency care services. Read on to learn about the 5 most common symptoms that require timely emergency services for children:

High fever

If your child has a persistent high fever, combined with vomiting and restlessness, you should immediately visit the nearest emergency room. In some instances, high fever, vomiting and a stiff neck could indicate a serious illness, such as meningitis. Another important thing to keep in mind is that if your child experiences frequent headaches, you need to get them medically evaluated to determine its underlying cause and seek proper treatment.

Coughing

Excessive coughing is a serious symptom that needs medical attention. It is possible that your child has an underlying issue in their digestive tract or lungs that is causing uncontrollable coughing and making it difficult for them to breathe.

Rash

Children, especially toddlers, are prone to rashes, which can usually be harmless. However, if your child’s rash is all over their body, it is advisable to get it checked as soon as possible. The type of rashes to be concerned about include red or purple spots that do not change color when pressed and hives. In addition, hives accompanied with facial swelling are serious and require medical evaluation.

Lethargy

An unusually lethargic child or newborn, who has a difficult time staying active, should be taken to the emergency room for assessment. It is perfectly normal for a child to sleep and get some rest. But, if they fail to stay alert even when you wake them up, you should take them to a doctor as this may indicate a serious illness.

Abdominal pain

Abdominal pain is common in children. However, make sure to take your child to the emergency room if their abdomen feels hard and they have not had a bowel movement for more than two days. Constipation could be a likely cause for this issue, but it could also mean an intestinal problem. It really does not matter whether a symptom is life threatening or not. To be on the safe side, seek medical help if your child complains of pain in their body or is not acting their usual self. Considering emergency care services for your child? Get in touch with the experts at Victoria ER. As one of the leading emergency care providers in Texas, we provide the highest quality emergency care services for children. Click here for more details.