Underachievers perform below their potential at school. They don’t finish their school work and homework. If you help them with homework, they lose it or don’t it in. The main cause is your child’s reaction to pressure and interference around school work. Poor grades become a way of proving his independence. The harder you try, […]
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In the United States, at least six health conditions have been linked to diet. • First, iron deficiency anemia usually occurs during infancy, but one serving of red meat, fish, or poultry per day prevents it. • Second, obesity is one of our most common nutritional problems. Keep in mind that fat contains twice as
A sinus infection is the second most common complication of a cold. Sinus congestion occurs when one of the sinus openings become blocked. If bacteria multiply within the sinuses, pain and pressure occur, usually around the eye or cheek bone. Other symptoms include a yellow nasal discharge, a postnasal drip, bad breath, and, occasionally, a
Fever blisters are painful blisters that occur on one side of the lip. They’re also called cold sores. Fever blisters are a nuisance, because it takes ten days to go through the process of rupturing, scabbing over, and drying up. Fever blisters are caused by the Herpes Simplex virus. Flare-ups occur following sun burn, fever,
Pierced ears have become very popular in our country. The most common complication is a bacterial infection of the channel through the ear lobe. These can usually be cleared up if the earring is removed, and the area is cleaned with rubbing alcohol three times a day. Also apply an antibiotic ointment to the post
Menstrual cramps, or dysmenorrhea, are experienced by more than 50% of teenage and adult women. These women usually have cramps with each period. Cramps are caused by strong but normal contractions of the uterus. Ibuprofen is a special drug for menstrual cramps. It’s available without a prescription under such brand names as Advil, Nuprin, and
Almost everyone has had muscle cramps when a calf muscle goes into spasm and forms a hard painful lump. The other common muscle cramp involves the foot being pulled downward into spasm. These usually happen during sleep. They can also occur during swimming or other sports. The cause is overuse of that muscle. There is
Fatigue is a common symptom in teenagers. These youngsters also complain of being tired, exhausted, or sleepy all the time. Fatigue caused by disease usually gets worse as the day wears on. Fatigue from stress is not relieved by sleep and, in fact, is often described as worse in the morning. Although fatigue rarely has
Dandruff is the normal shedding of the scalp. Skin is constantly regenerating. On most of the body’s surface, the flakes of dead skin fall to the ground without fanfare, but in the hair, they may accumulate. Some children shed faster than others, and that makes it more noticeable. • The key to fighting dandruff is
By age 12, 3% of youngsters still wet the bed. Most of them have a small bladder, one that can’t hold all the urine produced at night. By this age, I have my patients go directly to a bed wetting alarm. Modern alarms are portable, lightweight and respond to a few drops of urine. If
By age 12, 3% of youngsters still wet the bed. Most of them have a small bladder, one that can’t hold all the urine produced at night. By this age, I have my patients go directly to a bed wetting alarm. Modern alarms are portable, lightweight and respond to a few drops of urine. If
Outside the home, you must count on consequences for doing the teaching. As your teenager experiments, she’ll learn to take responsibility for her decisions and actions. Speak up only if your adolescent is going to do something dangerous or illegal. Otherwise, let the school of hard knocks take over. If your teen has bad work
Teenagers need house rules; written ones will cut down on misunderstandings. Since you own the house and run the house, you make the rules. • First, you have to decide whether or not to loan out your car, bicycle, camera, radio, TV, clothes, and so on. If your teenager breaks something, she should repair it
Dressing, talking, and acting differently than adults helps your teenager feel independent. Most of these objectionable habits and preferences merely reflect conformity with your teen’s peer group. Try not to criticize him about these “no win” topics. Too much criticism can destroy your relationship. So “back off” as they say. • Don’t try to change
Some talking back is normal. We want our teenagers to express their anger through talking, and when a teen challenges our decisions and opinions in a logical way, we need to listen. Expect your teenager to present his case passionately, even unreasonably, but let the small stuff go; it’s only words. On the other hand,
The main work of adolescents in our culture is to become psychologically emancipated from the parents. The teenager must cast aside the dependent relationship of childhood and gain control of his life. This process is characterized by a certain amount of normal defiance and rudeness. Emotions run high and mood swings are common. The following
Many fat teenagers have high blood pressure and high cholesterol, in addition to emotional problems. Being a fat adolescent can have a devastating effect on self-esteem and self-confidence. If your teenager is on her way towards being fat, or is already fat, she needs help. She doesn’t need your criticism or ridicule, but rather your
Heart attacks are rare among teenagers, but it may surprise you to know that for some adolescents the stage is already set for future trouble. Many of our teenagers already have the beginnings of hardening of their arteries. The problem is their diets – much too high in saturated fats and cholesterol. Hamburgers, french fries,
You shouldn’t try to force your teenager to exercise, even if he is already overweight and sedentary, but you should encourage him every chance you get. Set the proper example yourself and let it go at that. The best exercises for a teenager in terms of achieving true physical fitness are aerobic or endurance exercises.
Many teen girls worry about and sometimes suffer from vaginal infections. How can you reassure your daughter and help her to maintain good health and hygiene? • Reassure her that a clear to whitish, non-irritating vaginal discharge is normal. A discharge is abnormal only if it causes irritation, itching, is mixed with blood, has a
