Child Specialist

 Q. My 1 year old son has developed hacking cough specially at night. A. The change in weather resulting in dryness and cold results in allergic episodic cough. This occurs chiefly in children prone to allergies. This causes a bit of bronchospasm, and secretion of mucus. The obstruction to breathing results in coughing. The cough is episodic and occurs in intervals. This occurs specially at night. Giving steam with salt in the hot water helps in clearing the air passages. IN addition, using a humidifier at night is very beneficial. Use of anti allergics is very important. If need be nebulizers should be used. Consult a doctor on what nebulizing solution to use. Nasal sprays are also helpful. Website - http://www.drmubinaagboatwalla.com/

  Q 1. What are the signs and symptoms of constipation in children ??? Constipation is very common in children. It is more of a dietary and life style issue than a medical problem. Children eating fast food are more prone to it. Less fibre in the diet, less vegetables and fruits and more potatoes, white flour, cakes, pasta, noodles promotes it. Rice also leads to constipation. Children also do not indulge in healthy activities and don’t do exercises. They are either on iPad, phone or watching television. This unhealthy lifestyle promotes constipation. Extreme constipation leads to hard stools which produces fissures in the lower anus. The child gets scared to pass stools and the stools are very hard. Sometimes there   is a streak of blood along the stools. If not treated, the constipation becomes even more severe.