Category: Abdomen pain

Abdomen pain children Coryza Cough Fever By Dr. Rajeshwari Yadav 0 Comments

Fever in Children: When to Watch, When to Worry

“Doctor, my child has a fever again. Should I be worried?”

This is perhaps one of the most frequent concerns I hear in my clinic — and I understand why. As a parent, it’s never easy to see your child feeling unwell, especially with a rising temperature. You may feel anxious, confused, and even helpless at times.

Let me assure you: fever is not your enemy. It’s often your child’s body doing exactly what it’s meant to — fighting off an infection.

Still, it’s important to know when a fever is harmless and when it’s signaling something that needs medical attention. So let’s talk about it, parent to parent, doctor to caregiver — in a way that makes sense and eases your worries.

What Exactly is a Fever?

A fever is when your body temperature rises above the normal range, generally above 100.4°F (38°C). For children, this usually means their immune system has detected a threat (a virus or bacteria), and is turning up the heat to make the body less friendly to that invader.

It’s a smart biological response.

But the part that scares most parents isn’t the number on the thermometer — it’s what it might mean or what it could turn into. So let’s break it down.

When Is Fever in Children Not a Major Concern?

Most fevers in children are due to viral infections — the common cold, flu, or seasonal viruses — and resolve within 2–3 days with rest, hydration, and some patience. If your child is still playing, eating (even a little), and behaving more or less normally, that’s a reassuring sign.

Fever itself is not an illness — it’s a symptom. Our job is to understand what’s behind the fever.

When Should You Call the Doctor?

You should consult your doctor if you notice any of the following:

  1. Infants under 3 months with fever More than 100.4°F (38°C)
  2. Fever lasting more than 3 days
  3. Very high fever (above 104°F/40°C)
  4. Breathing difficulties
  5. Stiff neck or severe headache
  6. Persistent vomiting or diarrhea
  7. Fever with rash
  8. Extreme sleepiness or confusion
  9. Pre-existing health conditions
  10. Fever after recent vaccination (if severe or prolonged)

How Can You Manage Fever at Home?

While waiting for a doctor’s advice or when the fever is manageable:

  • Hydrate well: water, soups, ORS
  • Keep the child cool and comfortable
  • Use fever-reducing medication only when necessary (as advised)
  • Avoid cold sponging or overdressing

 What About Homeopathy in Fever Management?

Now, this is a question many parents ask me:
 “Can homeopathy help with fever?”

The answer is: yes, especially when it’s used with understanding, care, and evidence.

 What the Research Says:

  1. Pediatric Viral Fevers and URTIs:
     A well-designed randomized controlled trial published in an international medical journal showed that a specific homeopathic medicine (Influcid®) significantly reduced the duration and intensity of fever in children with upper respiratory infections, compared to a placebo. It also reduced the need for antipyretics, with no reported adverse effects.
  2. Dengue Fever Case Study:
     In an Indian case report (Paripex Journal), a patient with dengue fever recovered without hospitalization using individualized homeopathic treatment. The patient’s platelet count improved, and symptom relief was complete in 7 days. This showed the potential of homeopathy to support recovery without complications.
  3. Public Health Application in Dengue:
     A broader 2024 public health review (Int J Community Med Public Health) emphasized how homeopathic protocols helped prevent platelet drop and shock in dengue cases. When prescribed properly, the authors recommended its use during outbreaks due to low cost, zero side effects, and clinical effectiveness.

 What This Means for You as a Parent:

  • Homeopathy doesn’t fight the germ — it supports your child’s body to do it better.
  • When selected accurately (based on the child’s symptoms, nature, and illness pattern), it can:
    • Reduce fever duration and discomfort
    • Prevent complications like weakness or recurring infections
    • Avoid unnecessary medications or interventions
  • It’s safe, gentle, and well-tolerated, even in young children.

In fevers caused by viral infections (like the flu, dengue, or post-viral fatigue), homeopathy has been shown to:

  • Boost immune recovery
  • Regulate temperature response naturally
  • Support overall healing without suppressing symptoms unnaturally

Final Thoughts

Fever is a signal, not a sentence. As a parent, your awareness and calm response make all the difference.

Remember:

  • Not every fever needs a panic call.
  • Not every high temperature is dangerous.
  • But some situations do need urgent attention 

And if you’re ever unsure, it’s always okay to ask. You’re not alone in this.

Stay informed, stay calm, and keep loving your child with confidence.

Track Fever at Home — Download Your Printable

To make things easier for you during fever episodes, I’ve created a simple Fever Monitoring Sheet.

You can use it to:

Keep it handy — it helps you stay organized and gives your doctor a clear picture if needed.

 

Abdomen pain Acute Allergy Autism children Children Therapy Constipation Hormonal Hormone Stress Teenage By Dr. Rajeshwari Yadav 0 Comments

The Hidden Danger in Your Child’s Breakfast

If you’re a parent, your morning probably feels like a race — packing tiffins, managing work calls, and getting your little one dressed and fed before 9 a.m., in my case, it’s 6.30 am. In all that chaos, convenience often becomes a lifeline.

So we reach for what looks easy and promising — that colourful cereal box, a biscuit packet, a “health drink” that claims to make kids stronger and taller, or a fruit juice that says “no added sugar.”

But as a doctor and a fellow parent, I want to pause with you today and ask: Are these ready-made options nourishing your child, or are we just falling for smart packaging?

What Recent Research Tells Us

Let’s start with cereals, which are a popular choice for children. A study from the United States reviewed 1,200 new children’s cereals launched between 2010 and 2023. What they found was concerning:

  • Fat content increased by over 30 percent
  • Salt (sodium) increased by over 30 percent.
  • Sugar levels went up.
  • Meanwhile, fiber and protein, two nutrients children truly need, decreased

While this study was conducted in the U.S., the patterns hold in India too. Many Indian cereal brands follow the same formulation or are direct imports.

But It’s Not Just Cereals

In my clinic, I see that the average Indian child’s breakfast or snack routine often includes  a combination of:

  • Ready-to-eat cereals
  • Health drinks (like those added to milk)
  • Biscuits or cookies (often labelled “whole wheat” or “high fiber”)
  • Flavoured yoghurts
  • Packaged juices or milkshakes

Parents choose these because they feel safer, more nutritious, and easier to prepare. But when we look at the labels, here’s what we find:

What I See on Indian Food Labels

Let me share some real figures I’ve gathered from reading labels of popular products:

  • Cereals: 8 to 12 grams of sugar per serving, barely 1–2 grams of protein or fiber
  • Health drinks: Often 15 to 20 grams of sugar per serving (that’s about 4 to 5 teaspoons)
  • Biscuits: Marketed as “healthy,” but still packed with refined flour, palm oil, and added sugar
  • Juices or milkshakes: Even the “no added sugar” varieties may have natural sugar content equivalent to soft drinks

These numbers matter because, according to the Indian Academy of Pediatrics and ICMR, a child’s daily added sugar should not exceed 5 to 6 teaspoons (20 to 25 grams). A breakfast of cereal, a biscuit, and a health drink can easily cross this limit before your child even leaves for school.

Why This Is a Bigger Concern Than It Seems

I don’t want to scare you, but I do want to show you what I see:

  • Children are coming in with complaints of fatigue, mood swings, and poor concentration
  • Unexplained weight gain or digestive issues in children as young as 5
  • Blood tests showing borderline cholesterol or early insulin resistance
  • And worst of all, a generation growing up on sugar without even realising it

The food industry is clever — they use words like “fortified,” “energy,” “growth,” and “natural” to win your trust. But as a doctor, I always say: flip the pack and read the back. The truth is in the label.

So What Can We Do?

Here’s what I tell young parents in my clinic:

  1. Stop trusting front-label claims. “No maida,” “Made with milk,” “High protein” — these are often marketing tricks. Check the actual nutritional chart.
  2. Limit added sugar, especially in breakfast and snacks. Avoid cereals and drinks with more than 6 grams of sugar per serving.
  3. Rethink ‘health drinks’. If your child eats a balanced diet, they don’t need chocolate-flavoured powders. Simple milk, nuts, fruit, and home-cooked meals do a better job.
  4. Use biscuits as a rare treat, not a daily snack.
  5. Return to our roots. Our traditional Indian breakfasts are full of fiber, complex carbs, and natural protein, and cost a fraction of these packaged foods.

Here’s what I recommend to working parents who ask for something quick and realistic:

  • Poha with vegetables
  • Moong dal or besan chilla
  • Dalia with jaggery and dry fruits
  • Idlis with sambar
  • Roti roll with paneer or aloo sabzi
  • Whole wheat toast with nut butter and banana slices

These may not come in glossy boxes, but they build real health, not just hype.

My Final Thought

I know we all want the best for our children. And I know that sometimes, it feels like you don’t have time to cook or plan every meal perfectly. But let me remind you — you don’t have to be perfect. Just be aware.
 Start small. Maybe swap the cereal three days a week. Or keep biscuits out of the snack box and replace them with fruit or nuts.

A few mindful steps today can protect your child from years of health struggles later.

Want a Ready-to-Use Weekly Breakfast Plan?
If you found this helpful and would like a simple, quick, and nutritious 7-day breakfast chart for your child, designed by me to fit into real Indian mornings, you can download it here. It’s packed with tasty ideas your child will love and your routine will welcome.

Click here to download Dr. Rajeshwari’s 7-Day Healthy Breakfast Plan

With warmth and care,
 Dr. Rajeshwari Yadav

 

Abdomen pain Acute Allergy children Coryza Cough Fever Pain By Dr. Rajeshwari Yadav 0 Comments

80% of Kids Fall Sick During Monsoon – Here’s What’s Really Happening

I often see a surge of anxious parents walking into my clinic the moment monsoon begins — and rightly so. This season, while beautiful, brings a predictable rise in infections among children, especially when school has just reopened. The body is already coping with heat, humidity, and fatigue, and this becomes an open invitation for microbes.

What’s most important in this season is early recognition of signs and symptoms, because timely support can prevent minor illnesses from becoming complicated.

Let’s understand this together, not with fear, but with clarity.

Why Children Fall Sick More During Monsoon

The monsoon environment — fluctuating temperatures, dampness, waterlogging, and contaminated food or water — creates an ideal setting for bacteria, viruses, and parasites to thrive. Children, due to their developing immune systems and close contact in schools, become more vulnerable.

Most Common Monsoon Illnesses in Children & Their Early Warning Signs

  1. Viral Fever & Flu-like Illnesses
    • Sudden onset of high-grade fever
    • Sore throat, runny nose, fatigue, body aches
    • Watery eyes, mild cough
    • Often confused with “normal” fever and missed early
  2. Gastroenteritis & Food/Water-borne Infections
    • Repeated vomiting, diarrhea (loose or mucousy stools)
    • Mild to severe dehydration
    • Loss of appetite, abdominal pain
    • Usually due to spoiled tiffin food, unclean hands, or unfiltered water
  3. Dengue & Malaria (Mosquito-borne)
    • High fever that doesn’t respond well to paracetamol
    • Rash, low platelet count (in dengue)
    • Chills, sweating cycles (in malaria)
    • Watch for excessive tiredness, bleeding gums, and red eyes
  4. Typhoid Fever
    • Persistent fever lasting more than 4-5 days
    • Weakness, loss of appetite, abdominal discomfort
    • Often mistaken for viral fever and mistreated
    • Common in children who consume unsafe food/water
  5. Skin Infections & Fungal Rashes
    • Itchy, red patches behind knees, in folds, groin
    • Fungal infections in damp socks, innerwear
    • Children may not report it until discomfort becomes unbearable
  6. Ear Infections
    • Complaints of ear pain or pulling the ear repeatedly
    • Fever, discharge, irritability in infants
    • It can worsen if water remains trapped after bathing or playing in the rain

What Parents Should NOT Ignore

  • Fever that lasts more than 2 days or comes with a rash
  • Reduced urine output or excessive sleepiness
  • Refusal to eat or sudden weight loss
  • Excessive crying in infants, especially with ear pain
  • Loose motions with signs of dehydration
  • Unexplained bruises, gum bleeding, or red patches (dengue alert)

These are not ‘just seasonal issues’ — they are your child’s body signaling that it needs help.

Myth Buster Section

  • It’s just a viral. Let’s wait it out.
     Not all fevers are benign. Early treatment reduces complications and prevents the spread in school settings.
  • Antibiotics are always needed.
     No. In most monsoon illnesses, viruses are the cause. Antibiotics do more harm when used without clinical need.
  • Street food is okay if hot.
     Not necessarily. Monsoon humidity encourages contamination even in cooked food, especially chutneys, curd, and pani-based items.

When Should You Seek Medical Advice?

If your child’s symptoms are not settling within 48 hours, or if they seem unusually tired, irritable, or off-balance, don’t wait. Medical evaluation at the right time can make all the difference, especially when it comes to dehydration, dengue, or typhoid-like illnesses.

What Can You Do Beyond Emergency Treatment? A Gentle, Evidence-Based Approach

It’s not just about managing acute symptoms. Monsoon illnesses in children, especially when they become frequent, are a clear sign that the immune system needs support.

This is where homeopathy offers parents a well-researched, safe, and natural treatment choice that goes beyond just “relief.”

Unlike chemical-based medicines, homeopathy works with the body’s own defense mechanisms. It has shown clinical effectiveness in bringing most acute ailments under control quickly and naturally, without adverse effects or risk of overmedication.

How Homeopathy Helps in Acute and Recurrent Illnesses

  • Speeds up recovery during fevers, colds, cough, stomach infections, or skin issues
  • Reduces recurrence, especially in children with frequent illness cycles
  • Boosts the immune system, helping your child stay stronger over time
  • Prevents antibiotic overuse, protecting the gut and long-term health
  • Is gentle, non-toxic, and safe for all age groups, even infants

If your child experiences recurrent cold, cough, fever, tonsillitis, diarrhea, or allergic flare-ups, homeopathy not only decreases the intensity and frequency of these illnesses, but also helps in building long-term immunity and vitality.

Final thought to Leave You With…

Monsoon doesn’t have to be a season of illness. It can be a time for joyful school returns, paper boats, hot soups, and family warmth — if we listen to our children’s bodies and act early.

At our clinic, we offer a specialised, child-focused, evidence-based homeopathic approach that helps manage acute diseases effectively, prevent relapses, and increase the body’s natural healing potential — without suppressing symptoms or burdening the body.

Whether you’re looking to manage an acute illness or want to help your child break the cycle of falling sick again and again, we invite you to explore a system of care that is gentle, scientific, and deeply effective.

Reach out to us to schedule a consultation — and take the first step toward restoring your child’s health the natural way.

 

Abdomen pain Constipation Losse Motion Uncategorized By Dr. Shailesh Yadav 0 Comments

Understanding Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Imagine waking up every day unsure of how your stomach will behave. Will you enjoy a meal without discomfort, or will you be stuck near a bathroom all day? This is the reality for many living with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), a condition that turns daily activities into sources of anxiety.

Take Riya, for instance. A vibrant 30-year-old who used to love trying new foods and socializing with friends. But recently, she’s been avoiding dinner parties and spontaneous outings. The unpredictability of her symptoms—bloating, cramping, and alternating bouts of diarrhea and constipation—has made her once-joyful routine a challenge.

If you can relate to Riya’s story, you’re not alone. IBS affects millions of people, yet each person’s experience is unique. While some days might be manageable, others can feel overwhelming. The key to managing IBS lies in understanding your body, identifying your triggers, and finding a treatment that works for you.

What is IBS, and What Causes It?

IBS, or Irritable Bowel Syndrome, is a functional gastrointestinal disorder, meaning that while it causes significant symptoms, it doesn’t lead to visible damage in the digestive tract. The exact cause of IBS isn’t entirely understood, but it’s believed to be related to a combination of factors:

  • Gut-Brain Interaction: There’s a miscommunication between your brain and gut, leading to abnormal muscle contractions in your intestines.
  • Gut Motility Issues: These abnormal contractions can cause food to move too quickly (leading to diarrhea) or too slowly (leading to constipation) through your digestive tract.
  • Sensitivity: People with IBS often have a heightened sensitivity to intestinal pain and discomfort.
  • Gut Microbiome: An imbalance in the bacteria in your gut may contribute to IBS symptoms.
  • Genetics and Environment: A family history of IBS and stressful life events can increase your risk.

How is IBS Different from Other Gastrointestinal Illnesses?

One of the most common questions I hear is, “How is IBS different from other digestive disorders?” Unlike conditions such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, IBS does not cause inflammation or permanent damage to the digestive tract. This means that while IBS can cause chronic discomfort, it doesn’t increase the risk of colon cancer or other serious gastrointestinal diseases.

Pathophysiology of IBS

The pathophysiology of IBS is complex and involves multiple factors:

  • Altered Bowel Motility: In IBS, the muscles in the walls of the intestines contract more strongly or weakly than normal, affecting how food moves through the digestive system.
  • Visceral Hypersensitivity: Patients with IBS may have an increased sensitivity to pain caused by gas or bowel movements.
  • Gut-Brain Axis Dysregulation: The communication between the central nervous system and the enteric nervous system (the gut’s nervous system) is often disrupted, leading to IBS symptoms.

How to Recognize If You Have IBS

You might wonder, “How do I know if I’m suffering from IBS?” The diagnosis of IBS is typically made based on symptoms, as there are no specific tests for it. Common symptoms include:

  • Abdominal Pain or Cramping: Often relieved by bowel movements.
  • Bloating and Gas: Persistent feelings of fullness or swelling in the abdomen.
  • Irregular Bowel Movements: Ranging from diarrhea to constipation, sometimes both in alternating patterns.

Common Questions About IBS

As someone living with IBS, you might have several questions. Here are some of the most common ones I hear:

  1. What foods should I avoid?
    • Foods like garlic, onions, wheat, and dairy, often trigger symptoms.
  2. Can stress make IBS worse?
    • Yes, stress can exacerbate IBS symptoms, as it affects the gut-brain connection.
  3. Is IBS the same as IBD?
    • No, IBS is a functional disorder without inflammation, while IBD (like Crohn’s disease) involves inflammation and can cause damage to the digestive tract.
  4. How is IBS treated?
    • Treatment typically involves dietary changes, stress management, and sometimes medication. Homeopathy can also be a valuable tool.
  5. Will IBS ever go away?
    • IBS is a chronic condition, but symptoms can be effectively managed with the right approach.

Managing IBS with Diet

One of the biggest challenges with IBS is figuring out which foods trigger your symptoms. Foods high in —certain types of carbohydrates—are common culprits. These include:

  • Fruits: Apples, pears, watermelon.
  • Vegetables: Garlic, onions, cauliflower.
  • Grains: Wheat, rye, barley.
  • Dairy: Milk, soft cheeses.
  • Legumes: Lentils, chickpeas.
  • Sweeteners: Honey, high fructose corn syrup.

Avoiding or reducing these foods can significantly improve your symptoms. But diet is just one piece of the puzzle.

Finding Balance with Homeopathy

So, how can homeopathy help? Homeopathy offers a holistic, individualized approach to treating IBS. Instead of just addressing symptoms, homeopathy aims to treat the root cause, helping restore balance in your digestive system and overall health.

For example, Riya found relief through a personalized homeopathic treatment plan. By focusing on her specific symptoms, lifestyle, and triggers, we were able to reduce her flare-ups, improve her digestion, and give her the confidence to enjoy life again without the constant worry of IBS symptoms.

Conclusion: Your Journey to Relief

Living with IBS doesn’t have to mean living in discomfort or fear. With the right approach, including dietary adjustments, stress management, and holistic treatments like homeopathy, you can regain control over your digestive health.

Remember, every person’s IBS journey is different. Together, we can explore the best path for you, leading to lasting relief and a healthier, happier life.