Health Tips | Disabilities and Disorders

Easing the Worry of Having a Child With Disabilities

One of the biggest worries that a parent with a child with disabilities has is how they are going to pay for the ever growing medical costs that come with a disability. Studies have shown that medical costs are increasing at rapid rates and the cost of the medical care that is needed for a child with disabilities is already four to five times greater than that of a normal child. While it might seem impossible, there is a simple way that you can get help with all the health care costs that come with having a disabled child.

The most common way to cover the health care costs of a child with disabilities is to get health insurance for that child. Many employers have health insurance policies that will cover this expense, however, not everyone has an employer that covers health insurance. If you are one of those people that does not have employee covered health insurance there is a simple solution out there: personal health insurance.

Personal health insurance can be purchased for you and your child, or just your child separately. It will cover a large portion of the expenses that will come with having a child with a disability. All the medications, medical supplies and doctors visits will be covered under a personal health insurance plan for your child. That is a lot of stress that can be taken off the parent’s shoulders.

There are dozens of health insurance companies that offer health insurance policies for children with disabilities. The key to finding the right insurance policy for yourself and your child is to compare online insurance quote prices. This will allow you to compare the prices and coverage options of all the health insurance policies that are available and pick the best one for yourself and your child.

Filed Under: Health Tips, Prevention Tagged With: Cover version, Disability, Health, Health care, Health insurance, Insurance, Insurance policy, United States

The Spectrum of Autism

Autism is a frequent diagnosis. Kids have probably encountered someone who has been diagnosed with the condition at school, or maybe a friend has a sibling who has it.

What is this disability that you hear so much about? What it is not is something you can catch like the flu or a cold. Some babies are born with autism, a disorder that disturbs the development of the brain. Most people with autism have difficulty communicating with others and find social interaction a difficult task.

Many autistic individuals have language problems. They do not develop the language skills of other children their age. Some autistic people suffer from heightened sensitivity to sounds, lights and smells. Their senses get easily overwhelmed. .

As with any other disorder, people will exhibit varying symptoms, and the condition does not manifest the same in everyone. Some individuals may be severely autistic, while others may have a mild condition.

Asperger syndrome is a mild form of autism. Individuals with the syndrome have social difficulties, but do not have impaired intellectual development.

Up to one in 110 children are diagnosed with the autism. While there are no clinical tests for the condition, doctors usually determine if children have the condition when they are two to four years of age.

Behavior and ability to communicate are key to diagnosing autism, so parents need to be aware of language and social milestones. A physician will compare a child’s development with other children of the same age to come to a diagnosis.

Autism cannot be cured, but children can learn how to have a fulfilling life. They must be taught life skills, such as how to cross the street and how to interact with others.

The earlier treatment begins the better. Treatment plans differ depending on the type and severity of autism.

Filed Under: Health Tips, Other Tagged With: Asperger syndrome, Autism, Autism spectrum

Learning Disabilities

Today’s children have an advantage over children in past decades when it comes to academic challenges. Educators and parents are much more savvy about detecting learning disabilities at a young age, and resources are available to help children diagnosed with a condition that makes learning a challenge.

Many different types of learning disorders exist, and sometimes it can be difficult to get to the right diagnosis because some symptoms are indicative of different disorders. First off, parents need to be aware of what are called in common parlance, developmental milestones. These are the important steps reached by toddlers and children at certain ages, such as crawling, walking and talking. If a child is delayed in reaching any of these milestones, it could be indicative of a learning disorder. The earlier the child is diagnosed correctly, the better. Treatment for the disorder can begin at a young age, and studies have found that the younger a child starts therapy, the more likely the disorder can be corrected.
Early intervention can be key!

Some learning disabilities hinge on difficulties with motor skills, both small motor skills, such as the physical act of writing or drawing, and larger motor skills, such as riding a bike or running.

Other disabilities are math-based. If a child has difficult organizing numbers and number facts, such as the order and sequencing of equations, the child may have a learning math disorder.

Other learning disabilities center around language and understanding speech. These children may have difficulties speaking in general, or may not be able to tell a story. Some children also have trouble with reading comprehension — they can’t comprehend vocabulary or the sequence of events in a story.

Some common learning disorders include dyslexia and dysgraphia. Dyslexia is a disorder with language, and the person may have difficulty reading and writing. Dysgraphia is a disorder with writing, and the person may have difficulty with spelling and writing.

Filed Under: Disabilities, Health Tips Tagged With: Child, Disability, Learning disability

Spotting Bi-Polar

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Perhaps you have been on TheCyn.com lately, looking up treatment centers for someone you think is suffering from bipolar disorder. You are probably concerned for their well being and want them to have the best care humanly possible. However, just because you are interested in making sure they are well taken care of doesn’t mean that you are in a position to judge if they have such a disease.

Bipolar disorder is a disease that affects millions of people every day. Those afflicted have the potential to really put a strain on the rest of the family and themselves. Figuring out if someone has bipolar disorder is not an easy thing to do. You must be very sure that they have the disease before you can even approach them about getting the help they need.

There are two very distinct and damaging sides to the disease. There is the side that is depression. This side of bipolar disorder can keep a person in bed for days or put someone in a mood that makes them even consider suicide. Then there is the manic side. This is the side that initially gets confused with the individual being in a good mood but it is quickly realized that it is a serious mental shift. These two sides are in complete opposite of each other.

Knowing whether these two sides exist in your loved one will be paramount in determining if they need serious professional help. What you are looking for is repetition in these behaviors. It is also helpful if you have someone close in your life that can see these shifts from an outside point of view. Usually those suffering from the disease can’t hide it from those around them. It’s best to catch the disorder early so treatment can begin immediately.

Filed Under: Health Tips, Medication Tagged With: Bipolar disorder, Mental disorder, Mental Health

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

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Even kids in school today have heard the term ADD or ADHD. If a child can’t focus or follow directions, kids may say that the classmate has ADD. Many professionals have lamented the fact that the learning disability has been overdiagnosed, and kids are put on medications they shouldn’t be taking.

So what exactly is ADD or ADHD? ADD stand for attention deficit disorder, and ADHD stands for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Both conditions are usually diagnosed in childhood, with symptoms that are noticeable before seven years of age.

There are many common misconceptions about the disorder. For instance, not all kids are hyperactive who have the condition, especially girls. Children who do not have the overactive component have ADD and often act dreamy and seem to not be paying attention.

Another common misconception is that the children cannot focus. However, kids — and adults — with the condition can often be hyperfocused on something they are interested in and enjoy. But if they are bored with the task at hand, it won’t get done.

ADD and ADHD are lifelong disabilities that don’t disappear with age. There are various options for treatment. While many parents believe medication is the best option, other therapies to try might be behavior modification, consistent exercise and good nutrition. Sometimes a child can have a strong adverse reaction to medication, or it may help them focus in school, but cause them to be depressed, lose their appetite and have trouble sleeping.

ADD and ADHD surface in varying degrees, from children who are very disruptive because they can’t sit still or focus to those who are dreamy and inattentive or must have trouble switching from task to task.

Three major symptoms of the learning disorders are being impulsive, inability to focus and hyperactivity. If a child exhibits all three symptoms, there is a high probability that the child suffers from the learning disorder.

Filed Under: Body Fitness, Health Tips Tagged With: Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Child

Causes of Autism

Theories abound as to what exactly causes the developmental disorder, autism. The disability usually is seen in children before they reach 3 years of age. Autism can range from mild to severe, although in all diagnosed cases the brain has not developed normally in several areas, including interacting with others socially. Studies indicate that during the past 10 to 15 years, cases of autism have significantly increased.

No one really knows what causes autism, although great strides have been made in the recognition, diagnosis and even treatment of the condition. At least, moms are not being blamed as they were when the disability first surfaced and was recognized as a condition. Back in the middle of the 20th century, physicians declared that children became autistic because of the lack of parenting skills by their mothers! The theory went that neglectful, unloving moms were causing their kids to live in a world of their own making — a make-believe, fantasy world that was much better than their reality! Not a good scenario and not one that promoted healing.

Research is ongoing as to the causes of autism, so be sure to keep up-to-date on current research. Possible causes being investigated include genetics and vaccines. The prevailing theory maintains that autism likely is caused by a combination of genetic variables and the environment. Since the condition is not believed to be inherited, prevention and treatment should be easier.

Is there an autism gene — like there is one for Huntington’s Disease? So far, scientists haven’t uncovered one. Many researchers are theorizing that rather than a gene causing autism, there is a substance or action/reaction that is basically turning a gene on to cause autism. Again, this “trigger” has not been found.

As for vaccines, the jury is still out on whether the MMR vaccine, the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine causes autism.

Filed Under: Health Tips, Medication Tagged With: Autism, AutismCauses, Gene

What is Multiple Sclerosis?

Individuals diagnosed with the autoimmune disease, multiple sclerosis, can lead satisfying lives with their families.

Symtpoms of the condition are wide-ranging and include loss of balance, constipation, difficulty moving limbs, inability to chew properly and eye pain. These are just a very few of the symptoms of multiple sclerosis, which attacks the central nervous system.

Symptoms are chronic, and they vary distinctly from person to person. While one individual may have trouble walking for a week or so, and then resume normal function for years, another may have debilitating symptoms that never go into remission.

To minimize attacks, physicians advise staying out of the sun and reducing stress. In addition, stay away from children, other family members or friends who have a contagious virus or flu. Fevers can cause attacks.

While there is no way to cure the disease, there are certainly ways to slow down its progress and keep a patient in remission for a period of time. Basically, current treatments aim to help those with the condition have a better quality of life by controlling the symptoms associated with multiple sclerosis.

Various medications, such as interferons and antidepressants are often prescribed. Physical therapy can be important. Learning proper nutrition, and getting regular exercise and rest also contributes to overall health. Sometimes, changes will need to be made in the house so that the individual can move around safely.

More women than men are diagnosed with the disease, which gets worse as time goes on. The rate at which the disorder progresses is not the same for each patient, and physicians do not know why some people go into remission for long periods of time. Some individuals have two attacks and then go into remission for such a long time, they may think the condition has disappeared.

Research is ongoing into causes and cures for the disease, which occurs most often in the Northern United States and Europe.

Filed Under: Disabilities, Health Tips, Medication Tagged With: Disease, Multiple sclerosis, Northern United States

Living with Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy usually surfaces in babies before or during birth and affects up to 500,000 individuals in the United States. Individuals with the disorder have brain damage that leads to poor motor skills and impaired movement and other problems, such as learning disabilities, poor vision and hearing.

The three types of the condition are spastic, athetoid and ataxic. The spastic condition is characterized by problems with movement, while athetoid is characterized by an inability to control movements, and ataxic individuals have issues with balance and perceiving depth. The disorder does not worsen over time, but individuals with the condition have a challenging time with basic living skills.

Cerebral palsy has no cure, and the causes are also not known. One theory maintains that cerebral palsy occurs when the pregnancy is difficult, and the baby’s brain is unable to develop properly. Troubling problems during pregnancy include infections or impairment of the mother’s health.

Premature infants have a greater chance of having cerebral palsy, as do multiple births. A healthy infant is not out of the woods though, since brain damage experienced when they are babies, or even toddlers, can lead to cerebral palsy. Car accidents, lead poisoning and not eating a healthy diet are some causes of early infant and childhood brain damage.

While there is no sure-proof way to prevent cerebral palsy when you are pregnant, make sure you get proper nutrition and stay healthy!

Researchers are searching for a cure for the condition. Meanwhile, there are treatments and therapies that can help. There is also equipment and even surgery that may help you care for a child with cerebral palsy and brighten the child’s chances for a better quality of life. Check with your physician for resources. Finding a nurturing support group is another way to ensure you and your family can cope with cerebral palsy.

Filed Under: Health Tips, Medication Tagged With: Cerebral palsy, Multiple birth, United States

Addressing Physical and Phsycological Addictions to Cigarettes

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If you are a smoker, then it is time to stop kidding yourself. You have a drug addiction that is very difficult to kick. Quitting cold turkey, which means immediate smoking cessation without any help, often leads to failure. Many people simply cannot handle the increased stress and withdrawal symptoms associated with giving up tobacco products. For those who cannot seem to quit on their own, there are nicotine replacement therapies that can prevent withdrawal symptoms.

Nicotine Replacement Prevents Physical Withdrawal

Most nicotine replacement therapies focus on symptoms of physical withdrawal. Nicotine patches and gums, for instance, contain nicotine that satisfies the body’s craving for the drug. Since you don’t have to smoke a cigarette to ingest the drug, you don’t have to inhale the harmful chemicals produced by burning tobacco. When you use a nicotine replacement product, you experience fewer withdrawal symptoms such as headaches, nervousness and sweating.

Nicotine Replacements That Prevent Psychological Withdrawal Symptoms

Not all withdrawal symptoms, however, come from physical withdrawal. There are actually two types of addictions, physical and psychological. Most smokers develop both types of dependencies over years of tobacco use, so they need a replacement product that addresses both types of addiction.

The problem with most nicotine replacement therapies is that they do not address the psychological craving associated with smoking cigarettes. A smoker’s brain has learned to associate the physical act of smoking a cigarette with pleasure. When this activity is taken away, the brain feels a great loss. Electronic cigarettes are the only nicotine replacement therapy that adequately addresses this psychological need. Unfortunately, many states make it difficult for individuals to purchase these products, so you might find that it is easier to buy electronic cigarettes online. Despite their usefulness, they simply are not as easy to buy over the counter as nicotine gum and patches.

Filed Under: Addiction, General, Health Tips Tagged With: Cigarette, Nicotine, Nicotine gum, Nicotine patch, Nicotine replacement therapy, Smoking cessation, Substance dependence, Tobacco smoking

Diagnosing Cerebral Palsy

A diagnosis of cerebral palsy in infants and children is usually made over a period of time. During this time, the development of the infant and child is closely observed so a definitive diagnosis can be made. Cerebral palsy is a medical condition caused by brain damage.

Usually, parents will notice that their infant is not reaching certain milestones in their development. Often, the baby will not suck properly and is not alert. Their little arms and legs may tremble, and sometimes, the whole body may seize up. The infant may seem highly irritable and abnormally fussy compared to others the same age.

As the baby develops, other indications may surface, usually in the muscles and posture. The child may hold his or her hand in tight fists, for example. The child may crawl and walk later than other children, as well as talk.

If a baby is slow to develop, physicians will make sure first that the child does not suffer from some other condition, such as muscular dystrophy or a tumor. Since cerebral palsy does not worsen, physicians will use that to make a determination.

Tests for the condition include computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging – tests that show images of the brain so that the doctor can view damaged areas. Blood tests and an ultrasound of the brain may also be ordered. The child might also take intelligence tests depending on the age. Usually, a definitive diagnosis will not be made until the child is 4 or 5 years old.

If you suspect your child may have cerebral palsy, discuss the issue with the pediatrician. The pediatrician can discuss the diagnostic process and will ask the appropriate questions. The mother will probably need to think carefully about her pregnancy because cerebral palsy usually occurs while the baby is in the womb.

Filed Under: Body Fitness, Health Tips Tagged With: Cerebral palsy, Child, Infant