APPsolutely helpful...

Is your child sick? And is it a tough time to go to the doctor, or you think it might be a minor issue but you want to check just in case? 

At www.healthykids.org, a parenting website backed up by 60,000 pediatricians from the American Academy of Pediatrics, you can find information on a new application they have developed.  The app promises to help in situations when you are questioning what to do when your child develops a fever, cough, vomiting, rash, sore throat or head injury.  It answer a questions like: when can my child return to school/child care after an illness? 

KidsDoc is designed especially for times when you cannot find an appointment with your pediatrician, or when it is late at night. The care guides help you make smart decisions on what level of care (if any) is needed and how to provide speedy symptom relief for minor illnesses or injuries you can manage on your own.

KidsDoc is derived from the clinical protocols used by pediatricians and nurses in 10,000 practices and 400 nurse advice call centers in the US and Canada. They have been tested for 15 years on more than 150 million symptom calls.

Features

Easy 3-step navigation:

1. Choose the most appropriate symptom care guide
2. Use the symptom decision chart to find the recommended action
3. Follow the self care advice to make your child more comfortable

The care guide that best matches your child’s symptom can be located quickly by using alphabetical index, body area index, or keyword search.

Content

Each symptom care guide contains:

• Definition which describes the focus of the care guide so you can decide if it’s a good fit for your problem. If not, there are quick links to related guidelines.
• Decision Chart which helps determine what action is suggested based on the severity and description of your symptom. Once you have a match, simply follow the corresponding action, such as Call 911 (for us locals in Kuwait, Call 112), Call Your Child’s Doctor Now, Call Your Child’s Doctor within 24 hours or Manage at Home. 

Two areas that are not appropriate for our local readers are :

• Immediate Connections to medical help, such as 911, your child’s doctor or nearby Emergency Department (ER) are available if you have phone service.
• Home Care Advice is available for any illnesses and injuries that can be treated at home. The instructions provide clear, up-to-date steps for relieving symptoms.

Plus

• Pediatric dosage tables by weight for common over-the-counter medications.
• Visual images to help you identify symptoms (e.g. rashes), injuries and common causes of bites & stings.
• First Aid illustrations to support immediate action, if needed.

I have NOT used it personally, but I would be very interested in knowing what you think about this app.  You can download it on iTunes for $1.99, and it is available for iPhone and Android users only.

To fight or not to fight?

                                          

One of my favorite health blogs, is National Public Radio's (NPR) blog,  SHOTS.  An article entitled "Pediatricians Put The Kibosh On Boxing", caught my attention.  It explained the dangers of boxing as a sport for kids.  The writer noted:

Citing the risk of injuries, including concussions, the American Academy of Pediatrics and its Canadian counterpart, the Canadian Paedeatric Society, have come out in opposition to boxing as a sport for children and adolescents.  Pediatricians should strongly discourage parents from letting their kids box and suggest sports "that do not encourage intentional head injuries," says a new policy statement from the two national groups for pediatricians. (link)

One might wonder, does that mean all combat sports are bad?  

There is never a right or wrong answer because these things are relative; it depends on how the sport is taught, which combat sport it is, what the child is like (aggressive vs. calm), the child's age, the guidelines established at home, the instructor's methods, etc.  I would argue, however, that the critical point here is intent.  Sports like taekwondo and Karate are fighting/combat sports, but many instructors focus on the self-discipline aspect, and do not encourage fighting aimlessly.  Boxing and wrestling, at least in my eyes, seem to carry the intent to harm, and children watching and practicing these sports, tend to act-out the sport more often. 

There is merit to some of these combat sports.  Children can build strong self-esteem and courage based on the experience.  With martial arts, many instructors focus on discipline, and an understanding of the body and mind.  They teach children to think before they act.  But the fact remains that it is a form of fighting, and some children are encouraged to rough play at home with their siblings and sometimes fathers.  Without proper guidelines, these children may transfer these lessons to the schoolyard and classroom. 

                                                    

What are your experiences?