Pediatric ND in Kingston WA

Children have to face multiple health concerns in our world today. Here is some information on a few of the conditions that pediatric naturopathic medicine in Kingston WA can treat:

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Ear Infections (Otitis) in Kingston WA

Every year, millions of children visit the doctor as a result of ear infections. Ear infections are extremely common in young children-with 90% of all children experiencing one or multiple infections prior to school age. Acute otitis media (AOM) is a condition which involves inflammation in the middle ear. Dulled hearing, fever, earaches, and diarrhea are symptoms that can occur during an ear infection.

Herbs and nutritional supplements can be used to treat your child's ear infections and to support long-term immune health. If your child needs antibiotic medication to treat his/her ear infection, then probiotic nutritional supplements can be used adjunctively to maintain a healthy digestive gut flora. Dietary changes can also play a significant role in supporting your child's immune health.

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Cold & Flu

When cold and flu season hits, your child may be affected. Colds and flu are generally caused by viruses. Cold symptoms are normally mild and can include fever, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, and cough. Flu symptoms are similar to cold symptoms but include a remittent cycle of chills, heat, and perspiration. Flu symptoms include headache, muscle aches, runny nose, nasal congestion, cough, sore throat, vomiting, nausea, and fatigue.

Herbs and nutritional supplements are effective at reducing the severity and duration of your child's cold and flu symptoms.

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Eczema

Eczema is a term used for a group of medical conditions that cause the skin to become inflamed or irritated. The most common form of eczema is atopic dermatitis (atopic eczema). Eczema affects approximately 10 to 20 percent of infants in the United States. Most children grow out of it by the age of 10, while some children continue to have symptoms that come and go throughout life. Some eczema can be dry and scaly and other eczemas discharge fluid. Some eczema can be itchy and some are not itchy. Treatment should be individualized to the unique presentation of eczema that your child has. Herbs and nutritional supplements can be used to treat a variety of your child's skin conditions including eczema. Dietary changes can also play a significant role in the treatment of your child's skin conditions.

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Asthma

Asthma is one of the most common chronic childhood conditions. In fact, 5 million children living in the United States are affected by asthma, which leads them to miss out on sports, school, and other daily activities. It is important to know what triggers asthma symptoms in children (airborne pollen, colds and other respiratory infections) to prevent a future attack.

Symptoms include frequent coughing, whistling or wheezing sound when exhaling, shortness of breath, chest congestion or tightness, chest pain, trouble sleeping, and fatigue. Signs and symptoms of asthma or an acute asthma attack varies from child to child.

Herbs and nutritional supplements can be part of an asthma action plan along with medication to support and maintain healthy respiratory function for your child.

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Allergies

Seasonal allergies are one the most common chronic childhood conditions. Allergies can disrupt your child's quality of life and can be aggravating factors for other conditions, such as asthma. Common symptoms of seasonal allergies include runny nose, nasal congestion, itchy watery eyes, and sneezing. Herbs and nutritional supplements can greatly minimize the severity and duration of seasonal allergy symptoms. Treatment should always be individualized so that the best combination of herbs and nutritional supplements can be found to help a child with his or her particular allergy symptoms.

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Digestive Issues

Digestion is foundational to health. Proper breakdown of food and absorption of macronutrients and micronutrients is essential to health. Common digestive conditions that children encounter include constipation, diarrhea, and colic. Infant colic often occurs around teething time. Herbs can help ease your child's teething symptoms and colic. Herbs and nutritional supplements can also help correct your child's chronic constipation or diarrhea. Dietary changes can also play a significant role in supporting your child's digestive health. Stomach flu involves diarrhea, sometimes with vomiting, and often affects children since it is associated with a viral infection that is easily transmitted at daycare or school environments. Herbs and nutritional supplements can reduce the severity and duration of your child's stomach flu.

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Behavioral Issues

All kids misbehave sometimes; it's normal. Adjusting to new situations due to stress from the birth of a sibling or from a move to a new house or school are common times when behavioral issues occur. Some children deal with anxiety associated with starting school, public speaking, or test taking. Other children deal with social anxieties. Treatment must be individualized to each child to help them overcome their own unique challenges. Herbs and nutritional supplements can support your child's emotional and behavioral well-being. Dietary changes can also play a significant role in supporting your child's behavioral health.