Relatively high doses of omega 3-rich fish oil supplements during the second half of pregnancy appear safe and beneficial to the baby.
Continue reading Potential benefits of fish oil supplements given to pregnant mums
Category Archives: Children
CAM options for symptom management in children with cancer
Ms. Jennifer Rheingans is a nurse educator for pediatrics at Sarasota Memorial Hospital in Florida. In the Journal of Pediatric Oncology Nursing she reviews nonpharmacological therapies as a potential source of assistance for children with symptoms due to cancer treatment.
Symptoms and CAM options are listed below. Continue reading CAM options for symptom management in children with cancer
Effect of diet during pregnancy on allergenicity of offspring
According to 2 studies summarized earlier, modifying the dietary intake of omega-3 and -6 fatty acids during early childhood does not change the risk of getting asthma later on.
Now, we have a study of fish, butter, and margarine consumption during pregnancy and development of allergy in the offspring.
Continue reading Effect of diet during pregnancy on allergenicity of offspring
Soy formula vs cow’s milk formula to reduce allergies in infants and children
Infant formulas are designed to lower the chances of developing allergy or food intolerance.
But do they?
Continue reading Soy formula vs cow’s milk formula to reduce allergies in infants and children
Homeopathic treatment of diarrhea in children
Dana Ullman (website here) disputes my statement in a recent post that there’s a dearth of evidence-based data in support of homeopathy. He suggested I review 3 articles on the treatment of childhood diarrhea.
Here’s my analysis of the meta-analysis.
Continue reading Homeopathic treatment of diarrhea in children
A review of homeopathy for childhood and adolescence ailments
Researchers from the department of complementary medicine at the University of Exeter in the UK evaluated the results of 91 studies.
Here are the their findings where more than one study was available.
Continue reading A review of homeopathy for childhood and adolescence ailments
Cognitive behavioral therapy for fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a pain syndrome caused by the brain’s inability to accurately interpret pain sensations due to the presence of psychosocial and behavioral factors. About 3.7 million adult Americans are afflicted. It primarily occurs in women of childbearing age, but children, the elderly, and men may also be affected.
Because of these psychosocial and behavioral factors, complementary treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) are recommended here and here to optimize treatment.
Continue reading Cognitive behavioral therapy for fibromyalgia
Capsicum plaster to control pain following inguinal hernia repair in children
Capsicum (Cayenne) is a category of plants used as spices, vegetables, and medicines. Think chili pepper, red or green pepper, bell pepper, and paprika.
In this study, capsicum plaster was applied at a classical Chinese acupoint to lessen pain in infants and children following surgery.
Continue reading Capsicum plaster to control pain following inguinal hernia repair in children
Balance training to prevent falls in the elderly
Fall-related injuries are the leading cause of injury, deaths, and disabilities among adults older than 65 years. Minimizing the fall risk is a practical approach to reducing these serious injuries.
One strategy is balance training.
Continue reading Balance training to prevent falls in the elderly
Homeopathic treatment of acute otitis media in children
There are few studies of homeopathic treatment for pain in children. Here is the best of the lot, according to two pain specialists from UCLA.
Continue reading Homeopathic treatment of acute otitis media in children
Current status of probiotics to treat gastrointestinal infections
There have been lots of posts here on probiotics and their effects in a wide range of infections of the GI tract. Probiotics are an appealing concept given their favorable safety profiles.
Now, a summary of clinical trials has been published.
Here are the findings.
Continue reading Current status of probiotics to treat gastrointestinal infections
Might aromatherapy massage improve sleep in children with autism?
In an earlier post it was concluded that lavender oil treatments might be helpful for treating insomnia in adults. Children with autism often have sleep difficulties. But this latest study suggests it does not appear that their sleep patterns are altered by this treatment.
Here are the details of the study. Do you agree with the conclusions?
Continue reading Might aromatherapy massage improve sleep in children with autism?
Recall of a camphor, eucalyptus oil, and menthol patch product
It’s called WellPatch Cough & Cold Soothing Vapor Pads.
It was intended to be applied to the throat or chest of children two years of age and older so they could inhale the vapors. Unfortunately, it was easy for the munchkins to remove the patch and place it in their mouths.
Continue reading Recall of a camphor, eucalyptus oil, and menthol patch product
Acupuncture to treat ADHD in a secondary school
“I have had acupuncture because I can get angry and I hate that feeling,” says Hannah (age 16 years), “you know, when you get really hot and out of control with your temper. I find it easier now to stay in control. I would tell anyone to have acupuncture if they have the chance.”
Continue reading Acupuncture to treat ADHD in a secondary school
Dust mites, dietary fats, and asthma in children
What is the value in avoiding dust mites and increasing omega-3 fatty acids in a child’s diet — especially in children at high risk of developing asthma because of a family history? Lots of research has gone on down under to answer this question. It’s part of the CAPS trial (Childhood Asthma Prevention Study).
Here’s what we learned
Continue reading Dust mites, dietary fats, and asthma in children