When parents have a baby, they begin to worry with every alarming symptom. Often, these concerns are completely unfounded. For example, children can get ARVI and other colds with a certain frequency. This is an absolutely normal phenomenon, which does not speak of deviations.
However, if the child does not crawl out of the disease and "flu" many times a month, then in this case it can be assumed that his immunity is weakened. This is a problem that millions of parents face, so don't worry too soon. The immune system can be improved with traditional medicine, complex vitamin supplements and more. But first of all, it’s worthwhile to understand why some children never complain of a cold, and another child gets sick every month. Consider the main factors and general information.
Why do some children get sick more often
Today, experts do not take an exact answer to this question, since there are a large number of phenomena that can lead to a weakening of immunity. First of all, it is worth paying attention that there are two types of immunodeficiencies. This concept means that the protective systems of the body do not work in full measure. The first type of immunodeficiency is congenital. In this case, we are talking about the fact that a child from the very first days of life suffers not just from frequent colds, but from the most difficult conditions that are almost impossible to completely cure. Such situations are extremely rare, and in this case, even inpatient treatment may not produce any results.
If the snot is constant in a child aged 3-4 weeks or older, then this is not a signal that he has congenital immunodeficiency and he will fight diseases all his life. If such a problem really exists, then in this case we are usually talking about the complications that he could have received after a previous infection.
Most often in medical practice, the so-called secondary immunodeficiency occurs. In this case, we are talking about the fact that the protective functions of the body ceased to work in full measure against the background of certain unfavorable external factors. If they impede the full development of the immune system or even to some extent inhibit its functionality, then in this case the child is sick every month, much more often than his peers. However, in this case, all problems are quite easily eliminated with the help of standard recommendations of doctors. There are many methods that help to increase the body's defense and get rid of this type of immunodeficiency.
If we talk about the factors that lead to the fact that the child is sick every month, then there are a lot of them. For example, a weakened immune system can occur if a woman has had complications during pregnancy. For example, purulent-septic processes.
It is possible that the climate is not suitable for the child. If the air is too humid and the heat is constantly on the street, then it will often suffer from various ailments. Allergic reactions should not be ruled out. For example, if a child has persistent snot and there are no other signs of infection, then it is possible that he developed such a reaction.
Poor ecology and non-observance of the simplest sanitary and hygienic norms both in the home environment and in preschool institutions negatively affect the protective functions of the body. The body can work weaker if the child is constantly in stress. Basically, all of these causes are fairly easy to rule out using standard medical or folk remedies. But it is better not to prescribe the treatment yourself. If the child is sick every month, then you need to contact a pediatrician.
Diagnostics
If we talk about a full medical examination of the child, then first of all it is necessary to understand that the common cold, which is observed once a month and passes literally in a few days, cannot be the basis for suggesting serious pathologies.
As a rule, a standard diagnostic examination includes several types of studies. A comprehensive medical examination of the child begins with a mandatory general blood test, as well as urine. In addition, an expanded immunogram will be required. Thanks to this study, a specialist can easily determine in which link of the immune system problems have arisen that lead to permanent diseases.
If you start to stimulate precisely this link, then in this case the child will quickly return to normal. If the baby is constantly suffering from a runny nose, then in this case, an additional bacteriological study is carried out. For this, it is necessary to take sputum samples from the nasopharynx. This is also necessary in order to clarify whether the child has intolerance to certain antibiotics.
Other diagnostic methods are not used at the initial stages of a comprehensive examination. This is only necessary if, for example, a child is ill with bronchitis every month. In this case, additional studies may be required. It is necessary to take a snapshot of his lungs and establish that he has no birth defects. Sometimes, in order to get a complete picture of the baby’s health status, they send him in addition to allergists, infectiologists, gastroenterologists, otolaryngologists and other specialists with a narrow focus.
When not to worry
If we are talking about such a common phenomenon today as often ill children, then in this case you need to understand that it all depends on the frequency of occurrence of infectious diseases. Specialists have long been studying the situation, which is associated with the incidence in certain areas of the country. They are trying to understand why some children get sick more than others. According to their observations, they noticed that often parents prematurely classify their child as often sick, because they simply do not know about the norms that are acceptable.
You can talk about persistent problems if at the age of one year for 12 months the child has suffered a viral infection 4 times or more. If the baby's age is from 1 year to 3 years, then the only reason for concern may be that he is sick more than six times a year. Thus, if a two-year-old child has had an infectious disease only once in 12 months, then this is the norm.
It is also quite normal that in the period from 3 to 5 years the child was sick less than five times.
You also need to consider the fact that today very often in the country there are epidemics of influenza. Accordingly, at these moments, the baby will be sick. If it was possible to find out that the child has reduced immunity, then in this case, you can go in several ways. Consider what parents should do to raise the child’s immunity. These events are accessible to everyone and are considered standard.
Healthy eating
If a child at 2 years old is sick every month, then his immune system is probably weakened. In this situation, you need to carefully draw up his daily diet. Food should contain the necessary vitamins and minerals. First of all, this category includes food, which contains a large number of vegetables, fruits and berries. Most preferably, if they are served raw, without any heat treatment. Also, a young growing body needs proteins, fats and carbohydrates. Their daily dose depends on the age of the baby.
Many parents, choosing healthy products for children, come to the conclusion that meat for children is very harmful, and try to completely eliminate it from the diet. However, you need to understand that it contains unique microelements, as well as proteins of animal origin, which are necessary for a growing body. This is especially true for children and adolescents. Instead, it is worth protecting the child not from natural meat dishes, but from that food, which includes chemical additives, various dyes, preservatives, and much more. It is all of these unnatural components that can adversely affect the general state of health and inhibit the functioning of the immune system. Especially when it comes to a very small crumb.
If you want to pamper your often ill child and treat him with something sweet, then it is best to please the child with honey with nuts, dried apricots, raisins or other natural goodies. If we are talking about babies, then in this case, the best method of improving the functioning of his immune system is breastfeeding. When this is not possible, you can use specialized infant formulas, the composition of which fully meets all the needs of a growing organism.
Physical development
To increase immunity, a child needs to start accustoming him to physical education. Of course, at an early age you should not force a child to resort to serious loads. To do this, it is enough to spend time with him playing active games in the fresh air. When a child grows up a bit, you can enroll him in additional courses in athletics, gymnastics or any other sport. Aerobic exercises are very effective. But as a rule, it is not recommended to deal with them until 6-7 years.
Hygiene rules
In order to protect the child from private colds and other infections, it is worth starting from an early age to accustom him to hygiene. It is necessary to explain to the baby that most often he is ill precisely because he refuses to wash his hands or picks up dirty objects on the street, and even worse pulls them into his mouth.
All toys and personal belongings of the child must be clean. It is necessary to divide them into those that the child plays on the street, and objects that can only be used at home. Every day, standard hygiene measures should be performed (for example, brushing your teeth, taking a shower, etc.).
How to temper a child with a weak immune system
Of course, in this case we are not talking about pouring well water on a child or forcing him to swim in an ice hole in the winter. However, a lower water temperature will be beneficial and will help strengthen immunity, preserving it for many years.
Some parents immediately resort to drastic measures. They open all the windows in the apartment and begin to pour cold water on the child immediately. However, hardening must be carried out correctly. Gradually, you need to briefly lower the temperature of the water while the baby is taking a shower. At the same time, its minimum temperature should not reach a mark of less than 20 ° C. Lowering the temperature is very smooth. Each time, you can make the water colder by no more than 1-2 degrees.
If, for some reason, the hardening procedure was interrupted, for example, for a week or several months, then in this case you need to start again from a higher temperature. However, you need to understand that hardening is not recommended for all children.
If we are talking about congenital immunodeficiency, then such measures can be harmful. Also, these procedures are prohibited for those children in whom pathological problems in the work of the heart or low blood pressure were found. Of course, in no case should you start hardening at the moment when the child is already sick, for example, flu.
It is necessary to monitor the behavior of the baby, if this causes him excessive stress, it is better to abandon the procedures. If the child is constantly crying, it is best not to force him. If he is in a stressful state, then this will only aggravate the situation with his immune system.
General strengthening
Herbal medicine, massage and inhalation with the use of various essential oils are very good methods that can not only improve the state of the immune system of the child, but also soothe its nervous system. For example, if you give preference to phytotherapeutic measures, then you can add herbal infusions, medicinal teas and essential oils to the baby’s bath.
It will be useful to go on a vacation to the wellness center with a child. As a rule, such institutions offer a whole list of pleasant procedures that can enhance health. The best motels for children are located on the Black Sea coast. In this case, you can combine the useful with the pleasant. The child will be able to play enough on the beach, attend recreational activities, and then do procedures that will help strengthen his immunity.
It is also worth paying attention to the methods of traditional medicine.
Rosehip berries broth
Find this plant is not difficult. In almost every suburban area, a large number of rose hips always grow. The berries of this plant have an excellent restorative effect. Therefore, decoctions based on them will be useful to a frequently ill child.
To prepare such a decoction is very easy. At the same time, it can be given to the child in unlimited quantities. But only if he is not allergic to this particular plant. Rosehip berries contain a large amount of ascorbic acid, essential oils and other components that strengthen the immune system.
In addition, such decoctions are an excellent anti-inflammatory agent. At the same time, they are able to improve the digestive tract. A rosehip broth can be prepared in any available way, but the easiest way is to brew berries, like regular tea, and give to the baby. The only contraindication can only be if the child is diagnosed with kidney disease. Since the dog rose has a diuretic effect, in such situations it will have to be excluded so as not to harm the child.
Tea with chamomile linden
These herbs and berries have a similar effect, like the rosehip described earlier. They help increase immunity, positively affect the work of the gastrointestinal tract. Tea needs to be brewed from a natural product. Chamomile and linden can be purchased at the pharmacy or collected on a suburban area. However, when it comes to nature-collected components, they must be thoroughly rinsed before use.
Garlic and honey
Both of these components are one of the most powerful means to combat infectious diseases and, if necessary, increase the efficiency of the immune system. And garlic is generally called a natural antibiotic, because it has a very effective effect. To prepare a useful medicine, you need to chop the head of garlic and mix it with a small amount of honey. A similar infusion should be kept for about a week at room temperature.
After that, it is enough to give the mixture to the child. However, you need to be prepared for the fact that because of the characteristic unpleasant aftertaste of garlic, the child will refuse such nutrition. In this case, you can simply confine yourself to honey and wait until the child grows up to explain to him that the unpleasant taste component is also extremely useful.
You can still use garlic. For example, if in the room where the baby sleeps, constantly put his wedges, then the baby will inhale the vapors of this useful plant. It will also help him protect himself from infections. Additionally, some parents during the period of infections that are observed in the city, make the children the so-called garlic beads.