Diseases and disorders are common to every living being. We all get ill and suffer from several health problems throughout our life. But when these conditions occur in childhood extra care is required. In this article you will find some common childhood illnesses and disorders like chest infections, cough, asthma and influenza. Chest infections, such as bronchitis and pneumonia, usually follow a common cold or sore throat. Coughing and wheezing may occur, and some children develop asthma. Children can also get influenza.

In asthma, there is a difficulty in breathing caused by narrowing of the air passage to the lungs. It is common in childhood. It may be triggered off by bronchitis or be caused by an allergy to pollen or dust. In some children, emotional stress plays a part. Skin conditions, such as eczema in children, may be due to irritation from a detergent or an allergic reaction to a food or a particular fabric.

Abdominal pains are also commonly seen in childhood. Sudden pain in a child’s abdomen is nearly always caused by overeating food that is too rich, or eating when excited. But if the pain lasts for more than an hour, if it is accompanied by vomiting, or if the child also passes blood-stained urine of faeces, a doctor should be consulted. Possible causes are appendicitis and a rare blockage of intestines.

Most infectious diseases are caused by a micro-organism that is bacterium or a virus. The infection can be air-borne or spread via food and water. Many serious infectious diseases, like smallpox have been virtually eliminated in developed countries by immunization. The symptoms of many childhood infectious diseases are similar – a rash on the body, a fever, general malaise and common cold. A rash on the body accompanied by fever needs to be seen by doctor.

The dangers of such illnesses could be dehydration due to vomiting and refusal to eat drink, difficulty in breathing due to vomiting, refusal to eat and drink, difficulty in breathing due to clogged airways, or febrile convulsion. These diseases, if untreated, can lead to complications. Cold and coughs are very common in childhood. Children develop immunity to specific viruses, as they grow older. So in the earlier years they are susceptible to infections with cold or flu viruses.

Senses defects are also seen in childhood. Unless senses or nervous system disorders are recognized and treated early, a child’s development can be seriously impaired. Among the most common senses defects are poor eyesight, and deafness or partial deafness, which account for many cases of so called backwardness in children. More obvious is a squint, which must receive treatment if the child’s eyesight is not to be permanently damaged.

Growth disorders like difficulty in gaining weight or height is another common disorder seen in children. Retarded growth is generally caused by a disorder of the pituitary gland. A disorder of the same gland causes excessive growth, and both need specialist treatment. Poor nutrition, such as deficiency of essential vitamins, may cause conditions such as deficiency of essential vitamins, may cause conditions such as rickets. Behavioral disorders, such as bed-wetting, stealing and truancy can often be traced to emotional insecurely or stress.

I hope, this article will help you find information on common childhood diseases and disorders. Proper knowledge help prevent complicated conditions from arrival.

Disclaimer: This article is not meant to provide health advice and is for general information only. Always seek the insights of a qualified health professional before embarking on any health program.

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