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6 Health Problems You Should Not Overlook in Children

Children are exceptionally good at getting hurt and bouncing back very quickly. Additionally, they can experience many symptoms of illness that are entirely normal and are rarely cause for concern. However, some symptoms shouldn’t be overlooked, as they may point to a more severe underlying problem. Here are some health problems in children that you shouldn’t ignore. 

1. Not Responding to Loud Noises

It can be challenging to tell if newborns or young babies have correctly developed their sense of hearing. They cannot let you know if they don’t hear you or other sounds, and they might not respond to stimuli in the way you would expect an adult to. 

One sign that your child’s hearing could be a problem is if they do not respond to loud noises. If you notice that they have no reaction to crashes or bangs, you should contact a pediatrician to diagnose the problem. Newborn hearing screenings are a legal requirement in many states, but not all of them, so if your child hasn’t had their hearing checked, you should take them to the doctor. 

2. Hearing Loss

Another hearing-related issue that you shouldn’t ignore is if you notice any deterioration in your child’s perception of sound. 

As children get older, they will get exposed to loud noises, like stereos, earphones, video games, and television. These will not be especially problematic for the most part, but continued exposure to loud noises could put their hearing at risk. 

It is estimated that around 12.5% of children aged 6-19 have some degree of permanent hearing loss due to exposure to loud noise. 

There are steps you can take to reduce the likelihood of hearing loss. For example, if your child is listening to music via earphones, take care that the volume isn’t ever increased past halfway, and the same goes for televisions and video games. 

If, however, you have already noticed some deterioration, you should book an appointment with your child’s doctor to assess the problem and determine the best way to look after their hearing in the future. 

3. Foot Pain

If your child is complaining of foot pain, you must take them to a pediatric foot care specialist. There is no such thing as normal foot pain in children and adolescents, and overlooking the issue can lead to problems later in their lives. 

Whether the problem is caused by growing pains or a genuine medical problem, you should still take steps to resolve the issue. If your child is complaining of pain in their feet, whether caused by trauma or general wear and tear, for expert pediatric care, check hlesfootcare.com. Harford Lower Extremity Specialists and other experts can contribute to minimizing pain and discomfort that your child is experiencing. 

4. Fatigue

As a general rule, children are bundles of untameable energy that keep going until they drop. Therefore, if your kid is showing signs of significant fatigue, you shouldn’t ignore it. 

Suppose you notice that your child isn’t as energetic as they usually are or that they have seemed tired for an extended period. In that case, it could indicate deeper-lying problems, and you should talk to a pediatrician. 

There are various reasons why your child might be running low on energy, but these are often discounted as general symptoms of adolescence or growing up. When your pediatrician runs tests, they will look at a range of possibilities, such as anemia, malabsorption syndrome, or depression. 

When you take your child to a doctor, you must give them the option of talking without you present, especially if they are a teen. Kids can often find it uncomfortable to talk about specific issues with their parent or guardian in the room, so give them space to voice their problems. 

 5. Substantial Thirst

Your kid will probably get thirsty when they run around outside for hours on end, but there could be a deeper issue if they are exhibiting signs of extreme thirst. 

You should pay attention if you notice that your kid is drinking unusual amounts of water or if they seem to be unable to quench their thirst, no matter how much they drink. If you notice this, you should take them to a doctor so they can run some tests.

Extreme thirst can indicate health problems like diabetes in children. In America, it is estimated that 1.6 million kids and adults are living with type 1 diabetes. This condition is much more commonly diagnosed in children, and it is crucial for their wellbeing that it is quickly diagnosed if they have it. 

While thirst can indicate diabetes, there are other signs you should look out for if you are concerned. Increased urination, extreme appetites, weight loss, or tiredness are warning signs you should keep an eye out for.  

6. Difficulty Focusing

Eyesight problems can be challenging to pick up in babies, as they cannot let you know if they are having problems focusing their eyes. There are some signs that you should look for, however. 

If your kid never seems to register objects or seems to have difficulties finding things like your face or hands, you should consult with a pediatrician. There are telltale signs like squinting, reading issues, or moving close to objects to focus on them you can look for in older children. 

Diagnosing sight problems can have an immediate impact on children’s lives, but it can also play a significant role in their development. It is often the case that children labeled as “disruptive” in the classroom have undiagnosed vision problems, so ensuring that they can see adequately can have a knock-on effect on their education. 

Conclusion

In summary, it is vital to look for symptoms in children that could point to underlying health issues. While it isn’t necessary to panic every time your kid complains about pain or feeling unwell, many of the problems mentioned above can be overlooked by parents. As a general rule, schedule regular checkups with your pediatrician and pay attention to any behavioral changes that seem unusual. 

Often, deeper problems can manifest as seemingly normal behavior, like higher thirst or excessive tiredness in adolescents. Therefore, it is vital to remain attentive to changes to pick up any potential problems early.