Is your child falling sick frequently? Do you have to visit your child’s pediatrician frequently? You are right; there can be problem in your child’s immune system. Immune system does a remarkable job of defending you against disease-causing microorganisms. But sometimes it yields to the invader, that is, a germ which when gains entry makes you sick.

We see often that children are the victims of such a weak immune system; it may be partially due to the incomplete development of their immune system. There are so many other factors which contribute to lowering of immune system and that causes your child to fall sick often. Many parents have a misconception that giving healthy food, vaccinating their child, hygienic measures, immediate medical care can keep their child healthy and immune against any diseases.

Why then are children who are always protected against cold, rain, dirt, who are  grown in ultra clean surroundings, in houses with clean floors, where air purified and conditioned (A.C) , kept away from germs as much as possible and are given best possible and immediate medical care, frequently fall sick and need frequent medical care, compared to those children who are devoid of all such facilities, who live in rural areas, who in contrary expose themselves to rain & cold winds, play and roll in mud and hardly use hand wash, thus exposed to lot of germs  still remain healthy ??

Don’t you think we are preventing the child’s body to develop a strong immune system which is only possible by repeated exposures to germs, bad weather etc?

Development of Immune system in child:

1. Mainly two types of immune system, Innate & Adaptive start developing during fetal life itself; the immune components are transmitted through placenta during fetal life and through mother’s milk during infancy. The immune system of the baby keeps maturing at different stages.

2. In childhood, the immune system is not fully developed, so the child is prone to get frequent infections.

Role of Vaccinations:

1. Immunity is also provided through vaccination, the basic vaccines like Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR), Polio vaccine, DPT vaccine etc sensitize baby’s immune system against those infectious diseases for which they are given.

2. Too many vaccines are added these days, and a question arises, by giving so many vaccines are we not weakening body’s own immune system? If you feed everything from outside how does body’s immune system develop?

3. The adverse effects of certain vaccines are still debated in developed countries.

What hampers your child’s immunity?

1. Indiscriminate use of antibiotics and steroids: In countries like India where over the counter (OTC) medicines are easily available and so many quack (unqualified) doctors prescribe antibiotics and steroidal medicines, immunity is at great risk.

2. Ultra clean environments, extreme hygienic measures, over protection of children against germs, cold, sunny, rainy climates, too much hand washing (Bunti Tera hand wash slow hai kya?)  Etc can weaken the immune system of children.

3. There are studies done by American scientists and Harvard medical school researchers which state that ; Asthma, eczema, hay fever and childhood diabetes are all being fuelled at childhood in which youngsters rarely roll in the mud, splash in puddles or play with animals.

4. It is said that without exposure to dirt and germs early in life, the immune system doesn’t learn how to control its reaction to everyday invaders such as dust and pollen.

5. Asthma, eczema, hay fever and diabetes is being fuelled by indoor lifestyles

Role of Homeopathy in building Healthy Immune system:

1. Homeopathy helps in building healthy immune system by augmenting the body’s own defenses. The homeopathic medicines are both considerably smaller and safer in dose and more individualized to the person they are being used to treat.

2. Although homeopathic medicines are thought to stimulate the body’s own defenses, how they do so remains a mystery. One study published in the European Journal of Pharmacology showed that a homeopathic medicine, Silicea, stimulated macrophages (macrophages are a part of the body’s immune system which engulfs bacteria and foreign substances). How or why Silicea was able to have this action or why exceedingly small doses of it are so active is unknown.

3. Homeopathy is a gentle yet effective healing system of medicine which doesn’t interfere with body’s natural immune system but it strengthens it.

4. Thus homeopathy helps in protecting and strengthening the natural immune system of the child, so that the child’s body itself develops the ability to fend off or fight against the infectious germs and diseases.

How to strengthen Immunity?

Parents should understand that, as the child grows its immune system is conditioned (designed) according to the threats (germs, bad weather, infectious diseases) it faces. These threats act as stimulants to the immune system to grow accordingly. It is just like a new car which has to overcome the challenges before it is Okayed, before it is launched in the market. The designing engineer has to modify, redesign the car, trial run has to be conducted many times till the car is able to overcome all the threats or challenges. In a similar way child’s immune system gets modified, redesigned only after repeated attacks of infections in childhood.

1. Avoid keeping children too clean, bringing them up only in ultra clean, indoor based life styles can wreak their immune system.

2. Allow your child to play out door, let them walk bare footed, play in mud.

3. Don’t restrict them indoors, even though there is cold weather, sun or rain, allow them to play at least for some time.

4. Let them get some sun: moderate sun exposure is essential for synthesis of Sunshine vitamin (Vit-D) which is very much essential for growth of bones and also helps in development of immunity.

5. Mother’s milk is the best: The formula foods can’t replace breast milk; mother’s milk is rich in immune components, essential nutrients which are must for the healthy development of child’s immune system.

6. Making child drink ultra filtered and boiled water is not good, such children get frequent stomach upsets, diarrhea.

7. Avoid giving junk foods, over feeding the child etc….

8. Don’t worry if you are child has lost few kilograms and jump into giving all the supplements, tinned foods. Don’t go by the advertisements. Remember nothing can replace naturally available food.

Dr. Tejaswi K.P.
Reader- Dept. of Surgery, Bhagwan Buddha Homeo Medical college, Mallathalli, Bangalore

Surabhi Homeo clinic, No 823, 6th Main 7th Cross, BEL layout, Vidyaranyapura, Bangalore-97
Mob-97311 33819    Email: drtejas2000@rediffmail.com

The post How to build a healthy immune system in your child? appeared first on Health Vision.

Do you know that fingernails can give clues to complete health? Ex: ice pick-like depressions in nails (nail pitting) are usual in people who suffer psoriasis — this state is regarded as scaly patches on the skin. Nail pitting can also be connected to connective tissue illnesses, such as Reiter’s syndrome, and alopecia areata — an autoimmune ailment that leads to hair loss.

Nail is a horn-like envelope made up of keratinized protein, covering the dorsal aspect of the terminal phalanges of fingers and toes. It consists of the nail plate; the nail matrix and the nail bed below it; and the grooves surrounding it. Its chief function is to protect the distal phalanx, the fingertip, and the surrounding soft tissues from injuries. It also helps to enhance precise delicate movements of the fingers.

For humans, nails mature at an average rate of 3 mm (0.12 in) per month. Fingernails need 3 to 6 months to regrow entirely, whereas toenails needs 12 to 18 months. Real growth rate depends on age, exercise level, season, regime, masculinity and genetic factors. Nails grow quicker in summer than other seasons. Healthy nails are usually smooth, consistent in colour and free of spots or discoloration. Nail glitches that sometimes need management includes bacterial and fungal infections, malformed nails, tumors and lumps. Other than these some systemic diseases are also accompanied by nail problems like-Psoriasis, Diabetes, Rheumatoid Arthritis etc. Sometimes it is the other way round when certain nail changes suggest underlying diseases in the form of:

Beau’s lines or grooves

These are 1 mm wide depression in the nail plate that extends horizontally from one lateral nail groove to the other. Commonly develop following dramatic illness such as cardiovascular complaints and periods of high fever or malnutrition. Other causes of transverse ridges include psoriasis, paronychia and eczema.

Clubbing of nails(Drumstick fingers, Hippocratic fingers)
Increased convexity of nail fold, seen with chronic pulmonary or cardiopulmonary disease but also occurs with some tumors, especially those of the lung parenchyma

Longitudinal ridging

Causes include lichen planus, rheumatoid arthritis and peripheral arterial disease.

Pitted nails

Causes include alopecia areata (patchy hair loss), psoriasis and eczema.

White Banding of Nails
Horizontal white banding or opacification, seen in hypoalbuminemia accompanying chronic hepatic or renal disease

Brown banding of nails
Horizontal or vertical brown opacity or strips
Upright – subordinate to nevus or malignance Horizontal – Addison’s disease, cancer chemotherapy

Koilonychia
Spoon shaped nails, which occur due to Iron deficiency

Common Nail Complaints

Ingrowing toenail

• A common problem resulting from various causes – eg, improperly trimmed nails, trauma, poorly fitting shoes, abnormally shaped nails or pressure from other digits.
• It often presents with pain but may progress to infection and difficulty with walking.
• Treatment options include cutting nails square, hot water soaks, cotton wool inserts at the nail edges, antibiotics or excision and wedge excision or total excision of nail. A Cochrane review found that surgical treatments were more effective than non-surgical treatments.

Onycholysis

• The nail becomes detached from its bed at the base and side, creating a space under the nail that accumulates dirt. Air under the nail may cause a grey-white color but can vary from yellow to brown.
• In psoriasis there may be a yellowish-brown margin between the margin between the normal nail (pink) and the detached parts (white).

Psoriasis 

• Virtually all patients with psoriasis have nail involvement at some time and it occurs in 50% of cases at any given time.
• Abnormalities include nail pits, transverse furrows, crumbling nail plate, and roughened nails.

Paronychia

Paronychia (also known as whitlow) describes localized inflammation of the tissue around a nail. There may be formation of pus stuck between skin and nail matrix.  The area may become swollen, red and tender. If it lasts longer than six weeks, it is termed chronic paronychia.

Brittle Nails 

These are characterized by a vertical splitting or separation of the nail plate layers at the distal (free) edge of the nail plate. In most cases, nail splitting and vertical edges are character of the normal aging course. This nail problem is also because of overexposure to water and chemical thinners such as household washing solutions.

Tips to keep Nails Healthy
Most of the above troubles can easily be dealt with or prevented if we pay a little attention to our nails. This would keep them healthy, shiny and disease free; some of the common tips include :

• Don’t abuse your nails. To prevent nail damage, don’t use your fingernails as tools to pick, poke or pry things.
• Don’t bite your nails or pick at your cuticles. These habits can damage the nail bed. Even a minor cut alongside your nail can allow bacteria or fungi to enter and cause an infection (paronychia).
• Keep your nails dry and clean. This prevents bacteria, fungi or other organisms from growing under the nail. Clean under the nails regularly and thoroughly dry your hands and feet after bathing. Wear rubber gloves when using soap and water for prolonged periods.
• Keep your nails short, square shaped and slightly rounded on top. Trim brittle nails after a bath or a 15-minute hand soak in bath oil. Then apply a moisturizer.
• Trim nails and file nails regularly. Trim nails straight across and file down thickened areas. Trimming and filing are easier and safer if done just after bathing or soaking the nails.
• Never pull off hangnails – doing so almost always results in ripping living tissue. Instead clip off hangnails, leaving a slight angle outward.
• Wear shoes that fit properly. Shoes that place excessive pressure on your toes or pinch your toes may cause your nails to grow into surrounding tissue.
• Moisturize your nails frequently. Nails need moisture just like your skin does. Rub lotion into your nails when moisturizing your hands. Be sure to apply a moisturizer after removing fingernail polish.
• Watch for problems. If you have a nail problem that doesn’t seem to go away on its own or is associated with other signs and symptoms, make an appointment with your doctor to get it checked out.

Homeopathic Remedies
Some Homeopathic remedies which help in nailing the Nail troubles include:

• Antim crud:Good for Brittle nails
• Graphitis:For brittle nails with deformity & cracks in skin.
• Fluoric acid:For nails which crumble
• Psorinum:Nail problems with psoriasis.
• Silicea: Ingrowing toe-nails, white spot on nails.

Other medicines: Sabadilla, Magnetis Polus Australis, Nitric acid, Causticum are some other remedies which also have good role in nail complaints.

NB– These medicines have to be consumed as per the advice of a qualified homeopathy doctor.

Dr. Tejasvi K.P
Reader- Dept. of Surgery
Bhagwan Buddha Homeo Medical college
Mallathalli, Bangalore
Consultant- Surabhi Homeo clinic, BEL layout, Vidyaranyapura, Bengaluru -97
Mob:97311 33819
Email:drtejas2000@rediffmail.com

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