Tag Archives: There are 72 Hours in a Day

Understanding the Horror of Night Terrors

March 12, 2016Pediatrics/Kids Health, Sleep, Health PreventionConditions and Diseases, 844-SMA-TALK, Behind the Curtain, health, Night terror, Sleep, Sleep deprivation, Sleep disorder, Sleepwalking, Sterling Medical Advice, SterlingMedicalAdvice.com, Straight No Chaser, Stress, There are 72 Hours in a DayJeffrey Sterling, MD

Introduction

This Straight, No Chaser post on night terrors is part of a series on sleep and sleep disorders.

I wonder how many of you have been exposed to night terrors. These are different than nightmares, which we all know and experience. In a nightmare, Little Johnny has had a bad dream, maybe thinking there’s a monster under his bed. He wants to be comforted by you, and he is still upset the next morning. That’s not what a night terror looks like.

During a night terror, Little Johnny may be sleep walking, or he seems to wake up in the middle of the night and just starts screaming. He’s really not communicative; he’s just terrified. These episodes generally last about 15 minutes. Then he goes back to sleep. The next morning, the child has no recollection of the event.

Causes and Triggers of Night Terrors

The cause of night terrors is unknown but they seem to be triggered by emotional stress and lack of sleep. Febrile illnesses also seem to correlate with the presence of these episodes.

Who gets these? Children less than age seven, more frequently boys. These episodes usually stop by age 10. There often is a family history.

There’s really no testing or treatment for these until they are frequent and prolonged, or unless a secondary injury occurs from all the trashing about.

I bring this to your attention because many parents are aware of this phenomenon and have no idea what to do when it occurs. My best advice is to ensure that the child is safe during the episode for otherwise stress free children. You may want to consider medical or psychological screening if the problem worsens. Sleep well…

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How Can I Prevent Acne?

October 20, 2013General Health and Wellness, Skin/DermatologySterlingMedicalAdvice.com, Straight No Chaser, Straight No Chaser (composition), There are 72 Hours in a Day, Twitter, WordPress, Sterling Medical Advice, 844-SMA-TALK, Acne vulgaris, Behind the Curtain, Benzoyl peroxide, Facebook, healthJeffrey Sterling, MD

Introduction

This Straight, No Chaser answers the simple question “How can I prevent acne?”

What to Do

You can prevent pimples by keeping your face clean and your hands away from your face. Use any good cleanser or soap to gently wash the affected area two to three times daily. You treat most cases of mild acne with over-the-counter lotions or creams containing salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide. You can also try dietary or herbal products like arnica, zinc, and tea tree oil.

If herbal or over-the-counter products do not work, a doctor may recommend a prescription medicine that can be applied to the skin or taken orally. If you have more than 10 blemishes on one side of your face or they are deep, painful and swollen, you should see a doctor. People over the age of 25 with acne may also need a doctor’s care for acne.

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“What should I look for as an indicator of poor mental health in children?”

October 16, 2013Pediatrics/Kids Health, Health Prevention, Mental HealthStraight No Chaser, 844-SMA-TALK, Behind the Curtain, Disorders, health, Mental health professional, mental-health, SMA, Sterling Medical Advice, SterlingMedicalAdvice.com, Symptom, There are 72 Hours in a DayJeffrey Sterling, MD

Introduction

Today’s questions related to mental health in children.

“What should I look for in my child as an indicator of mental health issues?”

Today’s question is simple. The answer certainly is not. Be aware of changes in your child’s emotional, behavioral, and/or mental functioning. Remember that children often express sadness and feelings of depression in the form of anger, through outbursts, tantrums, etc. If the symptoms persist for more than a month, seek evaluation from your child’s doctor or a mental health professional. Sooner is better than later.