Modern Illnesses Moms Need To Be Careful About

Like me, you too, may have got your children vaccinated for all major diseases like Hepatitis B, Polio, Tetanus etc., and for all the other diseases immunizations are available for.  However, we all know that’s far from reassuring any mother completely, and moms are aware that her children could fall prey to a whole new gamut of new-age diseases. Today, every mother is constantly wary of her children contracting infections, fearing that they may snowball into chronic illnesses. Here are a list of some of the common infections and illnesses us moms need to be aware of:

1. Stomach Infections: As if common infections like diarrhea, gastroenteritis and dysentery weren’t enough, children are now more likely to fall sick due to other stomach infections as well! When I asked a doctor about it, he said that it could often be due to the fact that even though our children may be eating home-cooked food most of the time, they often succumb to the temptation of junk food outside the home. Such food, of course, may not always be up-to-the-mark in terms of hygiene. As a result, not only do children become more prone to infections, but also develop a weaker immunity. This is besides the fact that illnesses like diarrhea are often the result of not washing hands often enough, owing to carelessness or lack of washrooms in the vicinity.
   
   
2. Respiratory Infections: Today, the environment is so polluted that I have no option but to be over-cautious about my children’s health. Lung infections are another major trouble for children, caused by the high levels of pollution and air-borne microbes. The list of viral and bacterial infections as well, is endless. According to doctors, a slew of lung infections seem to be affecting our children from upper respiratory infections like acute pharyngitis to lower respiratory tract infections like bronchiolitis.
    
3. Weight Issues: I know that my children hate my strictness as far as food is concerned but I also know that a nutritious diet is now more important than ever for them to build a strong immunity in today’s times. Easy access to fast food outside, ready-to-eat foods at home, irregular eating habits etc. have become major causes leading to an increase in parents dealing with their children’ weight issues. From being saddled with obesity or being under-weight despite a balanced and nutritious diet, children also have to deal with the after-effects of the same.
    
4. Skin & Other Infections: Unfortunately, today’s environment poses more threats to our children than ever before. Skin, ear, nose and throat infections have become increasingly common in school children. Besides  skin infections have only been on the rise, a lot of which are allergies prompted by pollutants, exposure to hazardous chemicals and toxic-laced food intake.

With the turn of the 21st century, our children have access to the widest-ever spectrum of food choices. At the same time, pollution levels have spiked beyond permissible limits. To make matters worse, children these days are likely to be leading an inactive lifestyle, in comparison to, say, those growing up in the 80s or 90s, thanks to the ever-evolving advent of technology. Children in metropolitan cities are hence at a greater risk than those living in smaller, less polluted towns & cities.

Peer pressure too has a role to play in influencing the mindset of your child and the choices he/she makes with respect to food, lifestyle or even hygiene. Hence, as parents, it is important for us to keep an eye out, while raising our children to be healthy individuals.