You may be a new parent or a parent of five kids, but when your baby is crying nonstop you will worry and take him immediately to the doctor many times simply to find out your baby has colic and there is nothing the doctor can do. Most doctors will simply tell you to wait it out and around three months of age your baby’s colic should take care of itself. This can be a long time to wait when your baby is miserable and crying incessantly. So, if you aren’t the sit around and wait type then you might consider some home remedies for your baby. Remember, however, that the following home remedies will not work for all babies and you may need to try several before finding the best one for your baby.

A great and simple home remedy that just might soothe the colic in your baby is a massage. There are many massage techniques that help reduce discomfort and aid in the passing of gas which you can learn online, from books, or even a massage therapist. Most of these techniques are easy and do not require any experience in massage at all. Generally massage is a positive way to treat your child’s colic because it is believe to treat the cause of colic rather than the symptoms resulting in a happier and healthier baby, not to mention parents. Different babies respond to massage in different ways, some very successfully and others not at all. However, it is certainly worth a try because if it works massage is an easy way to help your baby pass gas and avoid the pains of colic. Give massage a try and see if it helps your baby. (more…)

What is ADHD [attention deficit hyperactivity disorder]?

This disorder generally provides the sufferer [child, teen or adult] who has it with a lack of:

* the ability to pay attention
* trouble focusing on any specific task
* difficulty in remaining still

Other symptoms linked with ADHD are impulsiveness, negativity, moodiness, anxiousness, depression and insomnia [having trouble sleeping]. (more…)

Otitis Media, or earaches, are a common occurrence in children. You don’t have to travel far to run into a parent who is contending with a child who is in great pain with this ailment. As a parent, what can you do about it?

Earaches are essentially a blockage in the eustachian tube, which connects the middle ear with the nose. Due to allergens or pathogens of some kind, the eustachian tube becomes blocked and is unable to drain fluids from the ear (a normal process). This blockage creates a lot of pressure and pain for the child, as any parent could attest.

There are many symptoms for earaches. Though, usually the child may have a fever, can be restless and irritable, can cry and scratch at their ears, may have difficulty hearing, may not have an appetite nor be sleepy. Acute earaches can last 1-2 weeks if not treated, and can also become more chronic (long-standing) and create other problems like hearing loss if not dealt with appropriately. (more…)

As a doctor who treats Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, and as the mother of a son with ADHD, one of my research and personal interests is holistic treatment for ADHD. Many ADHD sufferers and parents of children with ADHD are increasingly investigating natural remedies that are effective and do not have the side effects that are associated with commonly prescribed ADHD medications such as Ritalin and its derivatives. These medications are often made from amphetamine salts, and common side effects of these stimulants can include decreased appetite, headaches, upset stomach, the jitters, insomnia, among others.

As a result, many patients are increasingly looking into the supplements and medications listed below which are more mild and do not result in addiction or withdrawal.

Nutritional Supplements

- Vitamin B-6. Vitamin B boosts the central nervous system. Vitamin B6 is known as an anti-stress vitamin because it is believed to enhance the activity of the immune system and improve the body’s ability to manage tension, stress, and anxiety. In general, it is essential for nervous system functioning and brain development which makes it popular among natural remedies for ADD. (more…)

Below are 10 ways you can help your child communicate at home, school, and in the community. Whether your child is verbal or non-verbal, three years old or twelve years old, you have many opportunities throughout your day to promote communication.

1. Use visual strategies and visual tools to help your child understand her environment. Visual strategies and visual tools are anything your child can see that assists her with understanding your requests and making sense of the world around her. Visuals can include symbols, and/or words, schedules that show your child what to expect throughout her day, rules that explain expectations for different situations, and task strips that break down tasks into individual steps using photos. Picture stories can also be used to help your child understand different scenarios in her life and assist in preparing her for new events or activities. (more…)

Unbelievably, there are herbal remedies for cats with kidney disease that are inexpensive, effective, and natural. Cat owners looking to make sure that their pet is in good health often turn to herbal remedies as a way to make sure that their pet will live to see another day, without having to deal with side effects. If your favorite pet is ill, you want to do everything in your power to make sure that your cat gets better. These are some of the herbal remedies for cats with kidney disease.

· Cleavers- Used in cats as blood purifiers, these herbs will help ease the strain on your pet’s overworked kidneys. They are so well-known and effective; they have even found their way in commercial cat remedies and medicines. (more…)

Here are a few guiding principles for safe sex during pregnancy:

1. Sexual Position
Men should highly consider the position of women during the intercourse. A side-lying position is the most comfortable position for women, especially when their bellies have grown to be more pregnant looking. This way, there is not much pressure drawn to the woman’s abdomen. The supine position should be avoided as it can compromise the oxygen supply going to the baby.

2. Penetration
Deep penetration should be avoided. Men have the tendency to be harsh or be overly excited to the point where they forget to consider safe sex during pregnancy. Men need to consider that deep or hard penetration can compromise the safety of the woman and the baby. Vaginal bleeding may arise and when worse comes to worst, miscarriage may take place. Vaginal pain with vaginal bleeding needs to be reported as it may have other lingering complications that need to be attended to.
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Dogs shed. They always have and they always will. It’s not something we can actually get rid of (unless you’re fond of a hairless dog). However, there are quite a few things that you can do to directly impact the frequency and severity of shedding in your beloved pet.

1. Grooming - Simple brushing of your dog on a daily basis can help with malting and shedding significantly. It will keep the coat softer, cleaner, and prevent shedding by reducing overall damage to the hair.

Make sure to get a good brush that works well for your dog’s coat. Shedding blades, love gloves, slicker brushes, and matbreakers are all good tools. The specific type of brush you use will depend largely on the dog’s breed and hair type as well. (more…)