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The human brain weighs about 2% of the total body weight, but it consumes about 20% of the oxygen entering the blood. This fact makes the human brain extremely susceptible to damage caused by a lack of oxygen.
The highest body temperature was recorded in Willie Jones (USA), who was admitted to the hospital with a temperature of 46.5°C.
A person taking antidepressants will, in most cases, become depressed again. If a person has coped with depression on his own, he has every chance to forget about this condition forever.
Dentists appeared relatively recently. Back in the 19th century, pulling out diseased teeth was the responsibility of an ordinary hairdresser.
The well-known drug Viagra was originally developed for the treatment of arterial hypertension.
According to many scientists, vitamin complexes are practically useless for humans.
In the UK there is a law according to which a surgeon can refuse to perform an operation on a patient if he smokes or is overweight. A person must give up bad habits, and then, perhaps, he will not need surgical intervention.
There are very interesting medical syndromes, for example, compulsive swallowing of objects. One patient suffering from this mania had 2,500 foreign objects in her stomach.
Regular use of a solarium increases your chance of developing skin cancer by 60%.
The liver is the heaviest organ in our body. Its average weight is 1.5 kg.
It was previously believed that yawning enriches the body with oxygen. However, this opinion has been refuted. Scientists have proven that yawning cools the brain and improves its performance.
Besides people, only one living creature on planet Earth suffers from prostatitis - dogs. These are truly our most faithful friends.
The first vibrator was invented in the 19th century. It was powered by a steam engine and was intended to treat female hysteria.
During operation, our brain expends an amount of energy equal to a 10-watt light bulb. So the image of a light bulb above your head at the moment an interesting thought arises is not so far from the truth.
A job that a person doesn’t like is much more harmful to his psyche than no job at all.
It would seem, well, what could be new in such a hackneyed topic as the treatment and prevention of influenza and ARVI? Everyone has long known as the old “grandmother’s” methods, that.
Children's flat feet are a very common phenomenon. Babies are born with weak muscles of the arch of the foot, so the rounded notch of the bone base is filled by wise Mother Nature with a fatty pad. Visually, the soles of newborns appear flat. Until the age of two, until the babies begin to learn to walk and maintain balance, orthopedic doctors consider this relief normal, without pathologies, since the shock-absorbing functions of the foot are carried out using the soft fat pad of the feet in the heel and toe area. Therefore, children do not experience pain.
In the process of development, the foot acquires an arched semicircular shape with a springy base, which, when walking with a straight posture, allows you to evenly distribute the load on various parts of the spine, making it easy to support body weight. Flat feet, by changing the shape of the foot, disrupt its main function - shock absorption.
By the age of three or four, the bones, becoming stronger, form the correct arch of the foot, finally securing it by the age of five. Orthopedic specialists can only give a child the sad diagnosis of flat feet when he or she reaches five years of age. Until this moment, we can only talk about the threat and prevention of this “terrible animal.”
What is the threat of this disease, and how to deal with flat feet in children? Foot deformity that has become established by the time of school age leads to:
Early prevention of flat feet is the key to a successful fight against this disease. When to start and how to deal with flat feet in children?
Preventive examinations at 3 months, six months, a year and three years should not only exclude rickets in a child, but also promptly detect flattening of the bases of the feet. From the age of three, an annual visit to an orthopedist will prevent the development of pathology in the formation of posture and the appearance of problems with the relief of the feet. If a child attends a preschool institution, then such regular examinations are carried out centrally. Parents need to take a child raised at home to an orthopedist annually.
When the initial signs of flat feet appear, the baby is registered at the dispensary and is prescribed appropriate courses of treatment developed by a specialist. Of great importance in this matter is the identification of the type of foot deformity and the degree of neglect of the disease.
There are 2 forms of flat feet: longitudinal and transverse. Longitudinal, the most common form of the problem, involves flattening of the arch along the axis of the feet. Transverse, which is much less common - rests on all the pads of the outstretched toes and expands this zone. The norm is to rely on the first and fifth fingers, and between them the bones should form an arc.
This position disrupts normal walking and support; the child’s legs become X-shaped, hurt, and problems appear in the functioning of the spine. Even after a short walk, the baby quickly gets tired, becomes capricious when sitting in the stroller, and the sole of his shoes or heel is worn out along the inner contour.
At three years of age, doctors recommend that your child undergo plantography on his own. This simple study consists of a simple diagnosis of flat feet in children at home. Apply a rich cream to the baby's soles or moisten them. We place the child exactly on a blank sheet of paper (it is better to take A3 format). Having received clear prints of the baby’s soles, you can show this plantogram to the doctor. Crescent-shaped cuts along the inner edge indicate a healthy foot, without pathology, and their absence indicates the need for an urgent visit to the doctor.
Treatment of flat feet is a complex process and may not always provide a favorable outcome, especially if the second or more advanced stage of the disease is diagnosed.
Do you want to know the secret of how to deal with flat feet in children? Persistent and consistent treatment will help to effectively correct your child’s foot.
Dear readers! We are glad to welcome you to the pages of our website!
Today we will talk about such a disorder in the functioning of the musculoskeletal system as flat feet. There are many stereotypes associated with this pathology.
Most people associate it with exemption from military service. Others believe that this disease occurs only in people who are overweight. Still others believe that this is a congenital defect, and massage for flat feet in children is ineffective and a waste of time. Which of these beliefs is true and which is false? Let's figure it out.
Parents should closely monitor the health of their children in order to notice the slightest deviations in development in time and take measures to correct the violations. Flat feet in children is not as harmless a phenomenon as many people think. Some careless parents think: well, the child has a flat foot, so what? And the fact that this disease can worsen the quality of life for a person in adulthood.
Flatfoot is a foot deformity in which the longitudinal or transverse arch of the foot is displaced. This violation is fraught with serious complications:
If you want your child in adolescence to turn into an old man who finds it difficult to walk, stand, or squat for a long time, do not engage in treatment, but leave everything to chance.
Don’t want such “happiness” for your son or daughter? Then take care of his health as soon as possible.
The basis for a visit to a specialist will be:
Do you see these signs in your child? Take him to an orthopedist immediately.
If, after reading this, you are worried and cannot wait until the morning? Determine if your child has foot deformities using a simple method. Lubricate his feet with rich cream and place them flat on a clean sheet of paper. There should be two footprints on it.
With proper development of the feet, there should be a groove on the inside of each, slightly longer than the total length of the foot, extending towards the center. The forefoot - where the metatarsal joints are - should have a longitudinal curve downwards from the big toe to the little toe. If the foot print looks flat or the indentation is faint, there is a problem.
Important! You should not do this test if your child is under 5 years old. During this time, the foot continues to develop and may appear flat due to the layer of subcutaneous fat.
Flat feet in children can be congenital due to heredity/abnormalities during intrauterine development, as well as acquired. In the second case, the disease develops for the following reasons:
Signs of flat feet in a child can be detected after 7-8 years. At this age, the disease makes itself felt in the form of pain in the legs during prolonged standing, walking and other activities. A boy or girl may lag behind peers in sports training due to high fatigue.
But you should not rely entirely on parental instincts and treat flat feet in a child without visiting a doctor. Only a specialist can make an accurate diagnosis based on examination - podometry, plantography, radiography.
Attention! Does flat feet really help you get out of the army? According to the Regulations on Military Medical Examination, the basis for exemption from military service is longitudinal flatfoot of the III degree and transverse flatfoot of the III-IV degree.
But is this a gift from nature? Hardly. At these stages, the disease is accompanied by severe pain in the legs, arthrosis of the joints and other unpleasant symptoms. So a young man who was not accepted into the army for this reason cannot be called lucky.
Flat feet in children are treated conservatively. In childhood, the muscle and cartilage tissues of the feet are still elastic and respond well to manual therapy. The key goal in treatment is to reduce leg fatigue and pain under normal loads, as well as restore the spring (shock-absorbing) function of the feet.
Main treatment methods include:
Massage plays a major role in restoring the normal structure and function of a child’s feet. Using this method of influence, you can completely get rid of the disease, giving the child a chance for a normal childhood, youth and adulthood without pain in the legs and back.
At first, massage for flat feet in children should be done by a specialist. Using various techniques, the master works the muscles and joints of the lower extremities, stimulating blood circulation. A complete blood supply to the feet will allow deformed muscles and joints to return to their anatomically correct position. You can monitor the work of a specialist so that after a while you can massage your child yourself.
Massage should be done every other day so that the muscle tissues of the feet rest and recover. In parallel with the massage, it is recommended to pay attention to special exercises. They are very simple: walking on your toes, then on your heels, the outer part of your foot. Rolling a special rubber ball with spikes with your feet, as well as walking on a round roller, helps a lot.
Some orthopedists recommend doing a back massage in parallel with a leg massage, paying attention to the lumbar region. This is where the zone responsible for the innervation of the lower extremities is located. Lower back work performed by a specialist will enhance the effect of therapy.
Proper massage for flat feet affects not only the feet. It is important to carefully work the back and inside of the foot, as well as the lower leg, thigh and gluteal muscles. This is necessary to improve blood circulation in the legs, which improves the general condition of the muscles of the lower extremities.
The sequence of effects for foot massage for flat feet is as follows:
You need to start with light stroking and rubbing movements, moving in the direction from the ankle joint to the knee joint and higher to the gluteal muscle. When moving directly to the foot, we move from the toes to the heel. The massage technique can be varied. Typically, massage parlor specialists use a combination of manual influences: stroking, kneading, rubbing, squeezing, etc. It is important to pay attention to the inside of the foot.
Important! When independently conducting a course of foot massage for a child with flat feet, there is no need to switch to various devices - rollers, balls. They can be used as massage aids, but the key role should be given to the hands.
The average duration of the procedure is 10-15 minutes. Massage should be done regularly - this is the only way to achieve the desired result. The minimum course duration is 2 months based on 12 sessions. You should not think that by massaging your child’s feet a couple of times, you will relieve him of flat feet. It is important to act systematically and methodically.
The development of flat feet in children, as in adults, can be prevented by following simple recommendations. A key role in the health of a child’s feet is proper nutrition. The child's diet should contain enough protein and calcium to form a healthy muscle and skeletal frame.
Walking barefoot has a very beneficial effect on the health of your feet, especially on clean soil and fresh grass. All orthopedists talk about the benefits of swimming, because... Various rowing techniques using the legs help the child's feet form correctly.
If a child has a hereditary predisposition to flat feet, you need to pay attention to the following exercises:
Exercises for grabbing various objects from the floor with your toes without using your hands - pencils, pens, balls - are very useful.
That's all the measures for the treatment and prevention of flat feet in children. If you liked the material we prepared, share it with your friends on social networks. See you later!
What mother is not pleased to see her child happy and smiling? Almost first and foremost, a smile depends on the health of a child’s teeth. What should every mother know about children's teeth in order to maintain a healthy smile for her baby?
The growth and development of a child’s body depends, first of all, on good, nutritious nutrition. But the absorption of nutrients comes from the work of the chewing apparatus. With the help of teeth, food undergoes primary mechanical processing. The masticatory apparatus includes both jaws (lower and upper), teeth, tongue, lips, cheeks and masticatory muscles. Those “places” of the oral cavity where the teeth are located are called the alveolar processes of the jaws. Communication directly depends on the condition of the teeth: with their help, sounds are formed and the loss of individual, especially front teeth, noticeably affects pronunciation. It is worth considering the aesthetic function of teeth - if they are missing or the bite is broken, facial features are noticeably distorted.
A child’s first teeth begin to erupt at 6-8 months, and this process ends by 2 – 2.5 years. As soon as a child develops a “milky smile,” he or she must be shown to a pediatric dentist. The doctor will be able to determine the condition of the enamel and the nature of the bite, and give parents valuable advice on caring for children's teeth.
For example, this one. The enamel of a child’s first teeth is very “delicate”, and it is difficult to brush such teeth. It is wise to protect them from harmful influences with the help of a special sealant, which is applied to the baby tooth immediately after eruption. The microelements contained in the sealant nourish the enamel, the surface becomes smoother and easier to clean.
There should be 20 first, baby or temporary teeth, and contrary to popular belief, baby teeth affected by caries must be treated, since an untreated baby tooth can affect the permanent one that follows it.
By the age of 5.5 years, baby teeth gradually become loose and fall out, and by the age of 6 years, replacement with permanent teeth begins. This process lasts up to 14 years inclusive, until the number of teeth reaches the norm - 32: first, large molars, incisors, appear, then small molars, canines and second molars. Later, “wisdom teeth” or third molars appear.
The timing of the eruption of permanent teeth must be carefully monitored, because they will serve the child “for the rest of his life.” As a rule, permanent teeth begin to appear one to two weeks after parting with milk teeth. If this process is delayed for up to a month or more, it is necessary to find out the reasons. Perhaps the permanent teeth are “slow” due to lack of space. And the teeth remain “inside”, occupy the area of the neighboring tooth, or become curved. The curvature, if not corrected in time, can cause a lot of trouble with your bite in the future.
The exact diagnosis and path of correction will be determined by a pediatric orthodontist. By the way, if a permanent tooth “doesn’t want” to appear, but it’s already “high time”, doctors take an x-ray and, based on the results, “help” it erupt using special procedures.
Very often, after teething, a black, gray or transparent film remains on children's teeth. This is not a lack of vitamins or bad heredity. This is the compacted layer that often characterizes food coloring. This film cannot be removed at home, but the doctor will use a special brush to do this quickly and painlessly.
Is frequent bowel movements in a child a disease or a normal condition? Depending on many factors, frequent bowel movements can be either normal or pathological.
How often should a child have bowel movements? It is noteworthy that the opinions of experts on this issue differ, and this is not surprising, since the frequency of bowel movements depends on many factors, including the individual characteristics of the child’s body.
In newborns, the norm is 6-7 bowel movements per day. It is worth noting that if the child is breastfed, the frequency of stools usually coincides with the number of meals. In babies who are bottle-fed, stool occurs less frequently (1-3 times a day). In addition, artificial feeding in some cases contributes to the development of constipation.
In children over 1 year of age, the normal stool frequency is considered to be 1-4 bowel movements per day. In children over 3 years of age, as well as in adults, this indicator can vary widely. So, depending on the nature of nutrition and the individual characteristics of the body, the frequency of bowel movements can range from 3-4 times a week to 3-4 times a day. In this case, the ideal frequency is 1-2 bowel movements per day.
Stool 3-4 times a day in children can be considered normal if this is not associated with pathological changes in the color and consistency of stool. It is important that the child does not experience any pain or discomfort during bowel movements. Stool 3-4 times a week is also not a pathology if the child has no diseases. Usually, in this case, doctors recommend reviewing the diet and increasing the consumption of plant foods.
Watch the consistency
If a high frequency of stool is only an indirect confirmation of a disturbance in the functioning of the body, then a change in the consistency of stool, as a rule, indicates negative changes in the functioning of the child’s gastrointestinal tract.
In most cases, frequent loose stools (diarrhea) occur due to intestinal infections. Often the cause of the infectious process is infection with certain strains of Escherichia coli that cause escherichiosis. Most often, these pathologies are observed in infants in the first year of life. The leading symptom is dehydration, which is extremely dangerous especially for children. Stool with Escherichiosis is usually bright yellow.
Diarrhea can also be caused by other pathogens: salmonella, viruses, Giardia, protozoa and others.
In children of the first year of life, the infectious process can lead to a serious complication in the form of a generalized process (blood poisoning).
You should consult a doctor if your child experiences the following symptoms:
Loose, watery stools with a frequency of more than 12 bowel movements per day. Sometimes the stool has a distinct foul odor.
Frequent vomiting and regurgitation.
High body temperature. Keep in mind that body temperature can also increase due to the abundance of warm clothing. Try not to overwrap your baby.
Insufficient weight gain (less than 125 g per week) in the first 3 months of life.
Symptoms of dehydration (loose skin, sunken fontanel, skin fold on the thigh straightens out very slowly).
Reduced external reactions.
Decreased frequency of urination (less than 6 times a day). In this case, the urine has a dark color and a pungent odor.
Many mothers mistakenly believe that if they have an intestinal infection, they should stop breastfeeding. In fact, breast milk contains a large number of protective factors that will help the baby cope with the disease faster. In addition, breast milk helps normalize the intestinal microflora, which is especially important if dysbiosis is suspected.
You should not self-medicate, especially take certain medications without the knowledge of your doctor. Keep in mind that a number of medications are contraindicated for children. Also, you should not “spontaneously” take tests. The examination of your child should be supervised by an experienced doctor, preferably one who is familiar with the child and knows about all his diseases and characteristics. After consulting a doctor, it is possible to prescribe laxatives such as microlax, etc.
One of the responsibilities of parents is to create favorable conditions for the harmonious development of their child. Here, of course, we mean not only the material side of existence. An abundance of educational toys and activities cannot replace a child’s parental tenderness, affection, care, attention and love.
Here are some tips for loving parents who want to raise a harmonious, talented personality.
Tip No. 1. Be attentive to your child, watch his actions more. What is he drawn to, what causes him the greatest interest and joy, what can he do for a long time without getting tired? Encourage in every possible way the independent, creative aspirations of the little person, consolidate positive life scenarios in his mind.
Tip No. 2. Tell your child more often that you love him simply because you have him, that you really value the time spent with him. Remember that children grow up quickly and these joyful moments will never be repeated. Live in the present, appreciate what you have here and now. Be happy yourself!
Tip No. 3. Praise your child for his successes and provide positive feedback. Remember that it is important for a child how his parents feel about what happens to him in life. He desperately needs your participation, approval and support.
Tip No. 4. Always consider your child’s opinion, remember that he is an individual. And teach him to make independent, informed choices.
Tip No. 5. Make your child’s life rich and varied, give him the opportunity to experience different situations and try himself in many different things. In the future, this will form a well-rounded personality with good adaptive abilities.
And finally, everything that you invest in a child in childhood will be returned a hundredfold in the future. Investing in your own children, both material and spiritual, is a very profitable investment that contributes not only to the development of their individuality, but also to the well-being of the family as a whole.
We determine the disease by symptoms
Most often, children under 10 years old suffer from this disease. This usually happens like this: a child, being in a closed group (kindergarten or school), becomes infected from a sick “colleague”, since mononucleosis is transmitted through saliva. Although it is not very contagious and can only be transmitted through close contact, since the virus dies very quickly when released into the environment.
It is noteworthy that boys are more susceptible to this disease (almost twice as much) than girls. Moreover, many people may not experience any symptoms, but at the same time they are carriers of the virus. The incubation period ranges from 5 to 15 days, but in some cases it can be about 45 days.
In order to start proper treatment on time, you need to learn to identify the main symptoms of the disease. You can try to prevent the disease, but this is only possible if you are sure that someone from his class or group in the garden has become infected. In this case, you should carefully monitor the baby’s condition in order to begin treatment in time if necessary. The most common signs are fever, chills, malaise, and sometimes catarrhal symptoms appear. The temperature rises very quickly, there is a sore throat, nasal congestion, and difficulty breathing. A characteristic symptom of this disease is hyperemia of the pharyngeal mucosa and proliferation of the tonsils.
FeverIn some situations, a child falls asleep healthy and wakes up sick with mononucleosis, this manifests itself in the following:
fever, in which the temperature can reach +39 degrees;
symptoms of poisoning are headaches, aching bones.
The disease then enters a climax phase when the main symptoms appear, including:
sore throat, when granularity forms on the pharyngeal mucosa;
enlarged spleen and liver;
the appearance of a rash (on the stomach, legs, back).
But the most famous and common symptom of this disease is polyadenitis, which occurs as a result of hyperplasia of lymphoid tissue, resulting in white or gray deposits appearing on the palate and tonsils. The lymph nodes also become enlarged because this is where the virus lingers.
It is important to note that with mononucleosis, the spleen can become very enlarged, and in some cases it grows so much that it ultimately leads to rupture of the organ.
To confirm the diagnosis, the doctor first prescribes the following tests:
General and extended blood tests.
Blood test for the presence of antibodies to the virus.
Ultrasound of internal organs.
Donating blood It should be noted that a doctor will not be able to determine the presence of a virus in the body by eye, since many symptoms of this disease are similar to a sore throat, therefore serological tests should be carried out. In addition, if characteristic symptoms appear, you should visit an otolaryngologist.
Today in medicine there is no general treatment regimen for this disease, and there is also no specific drug that helps fight the virus. Most often, it is treated at home and only when severe symptoms occur, the child is admitted to hospital for treatment. There are the following indications that require immediate hospitalization:
Elevated temperature up to +39.5 degrees.
Severe symptoms of severe poisoning.
Therapy for mononucleosis is aimed at relieving all symptoms. The following medications may be prescribed:
antipyretics, such as Ibuprofen;
antiseptic drugs that will help cope with sore throat;
drugs to enhance immunity (Imudon).
You also need to carry out general strengthening therapy - take vitamins, especially groups B and C. If the size of the liver increases, a special diet is prescribed, and choleretic drugs are prescribed
What can mononucleosis lead to?
It should be noted that infectious mononucleosis usually ends quite well. But to avoid serious consequences, it is very important to identify the disease in time and begin its treatment. The most important point in this is determining the level of leukocytes and regularly monitoring this indicator. In addition, it is important to monitor the child’s condition after his recovery.
Thus, according to clinical studies in which 150 people participated, the following picture was observed after recovery:
It is normal if the temperature remains at +37.5 degrees 2-3 weeks after the illness. Sore throat and sore throat may last for the next few weeks.
The lymph nodes will return to normal over the next 3-4 weeks.
Drowsiness and general weakening of the body may continue for another six months.
That is why children who have had mononucleosis need examination over the next year to monitor residual effects in the blood.
But complications occur very rarely, but the most common problems are:
liver rupture (occurs in one in 1000 cases);
development of secondary streptococcal infection;
the occurrence of meningoencephalitis, which is manifested by enlarged tonsils and hepatitis.
Pregnancy is a difficult period for a woman, including emotionally. But for women suffering from depressive or anxiety disorders, these nine months are especially difficult. Can antidepressants help pregnant women? Absolutely, but many experts agree that these drugs can also put the health of both the woman and the child at risk.
Statistics of depression in pregnant women
Research data published in the New England Journal of Medicine shows that approximately 10-20 pregnant women out of a hundred suffer from depressive disorders. Up to 13% of women take antidepressants during pregnancy.
Women whose condition is stable believe that they are sufficiently protected from depression. But in fact, 52% of those surveyed by the Anxiety and Depression Association of America say their symptoms worsen during pregnancy. Often their presence is diagnosed for the first time during pregnancy.
Depression not only affects women, but also has a huge impact on the development of the fetus in the womb. According to the results of a study published in the journal Infant Behavior and Development, children born to depressed mothers are more irritable, less active and attentive, and their facial expressions are less developed in comparison with other newborns.
The risk of miscarriage in the first trimester of any pregnancy is quite high and amounts to 15-20%. According to one study, this risk increases to 68% if a woman takes antidepressants. Therefore, they should be prescribed very carefully, says obstetrician-gynecologist Sheryl Ross of Providence Saint John Health Care Center in Santa Monica, California.
Antidepressants have also been linked to congenital heart defects. Moreover, the British Medical Journal published a report from which it follows that taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants in pregnant women is associated with a risk of childhood pulmonary hypertension.
Another problem is neonatal behavioral disorder syndrome, which affects up to 30% of infants. According to a review in the journal Human Reproduction, the risk of developing the syndrome increases if the fetus is exposed to SSRIs during the latter stages of the mother's pregnancy. In severe cases, the syndrome may be accompanied by seizures and breathing problems.
The journal Molecular Psychiatry published a study that found that taking antidepressants does not increase the risk of developing autism in a child, but the risk of childhood attention deficit hyperactivity disorder remains high.
In addition, antidepressants increase the chances of preeclampsia, high blood pressure, premature birth, and low birth weight babies during pregnancy.
Should pregnant women take or not take antidepressants?
Experts are unanimous in their opinion that stress is harmful to the fetus, but they do not recommend taking antidepressants in all cases without exception of characteristic symptoms of the disorder.
Pregnant women with mild forms of depression usually benefit from regular visits to a psychotherapist to cope with their condition. At the same time, the advisability of taking antidepressants for severe disorders is not questioned.
According to Ross: “Often the benefits outweigh the risks. It is important to preserve the health of the mother, who will be able to care for her growing child.” Dr. Ross suggests that if a woman cannot calm down on her own, it is better to take medication.
In practice, a pregnant woman should make a decision by listening to the advice of her doctor. Depending on their health, some avoid taking antidepressants completely, others limit their use to certain stages of pregnancy or reduce the dose. In any case, visits to a psychotherapist during pregnancy should be regular, because the woman’s condition is constantly changing.
Published: 17:25:41 04-03-2018
Flat feet are one of the most common diseases of the musculoskeletal system in children. Flat feet is a deformation of the foot with a flattening of its arch.
It is possible to accurately determine whether a child has flat feet or not only when the child turns five years old. Why? Firstly, in children under a certain age, the bone structure of the foot is not yet strong; it is partly a cartilaginous structure; the ligaments and muscles are weak and susceptible to stretching. Secondly, the soles appear flat because the arch of the foot is filled with a fatty soft “pad” that masks the bony base. With normal development of the musculoskeletal system, by the age of five to six years, the arch of the foot acquires the shape necessary for proper functioning. However, in some cases, a developmental deviation occurs, which causes flat feet.
Flat feet occur in children of all ages - from newborns to older schoolchildren. This disease is often accompanied by unpleasant and even painful sensations, especially when walking and running. And since children have increased mobility, flat feet can cause them a lot of inconvenience.
The diagnosis of “flat feet” is confirmed by plantography - a foot print using dye solutions. In some cases, radiography is necessary.
You can determine the shape of the foot at home like this: lubricate the child’s feet with sunflower oil and place it on a sheet of white paper that absorbs the oil well. At the same time, it is necessary to divert the baby’s attention. After 1 - 1.5 minutes, remove it from the paper and carefully examine the foot prints. Its footprints are bean-shaped, which indicates normal feet: the arches of the feet are raised and perform a spring function during movements. If the entire foot is imprinted, one should suspect existing or beginning flat feet, and if a preschooler complains of pain in the legs when walking for a long time, then consultation and help from an orthopedist are needed.
A problem such as flat feet is very common among children in the modern world. Many parents believe that this is not a serious deviation from the norm and do not pay attention to this aspect. But it is because of flat feet that various problems with the spine can begin to develop. In adult life, this is fraught with back and neck pain, joint diseases, and poor posture. It is better to monitor changes in the baby’s posture from an early age, do special exercises and massage, so that later you do not waste effort and time, or carry out complex treatment.
Children who have the opportunity not to wear shoes all the time receive a kind of natural foot massage, which helps to avoid flat feet. This action embodies the prevention that nature itself gives to babies. Unfortunately, in urban conditions such things are not available to us, but you can buy or make a massage mat yourself together with your child.
Well-chosen shoes are the key to proper foot development
A child gets used to walking upright at about six months of age. Now stores offer a lot of beautiful shoes that do not develop flat feet, and a young mother really wants her baby to be the best and most fashionable. In pursuit of beauty, parents do not always choose comfortable shoes for their children, and it often turns out that the foot becomes deformed when wearing shoes or sneakers that look almost like those of adults. To prevent flat feet in children, it is better to choose the right orthopedic shoes.
Before buying, look inside the shoes; there should be no sloppy protruding seams.
The size of the shoes should be selected in such a way that there is a small margin and the shoes do not squeeze the child’s foot. At the same time, make sure that it does not dangle on your leg.
Up to 2 years old, a child can buy shoes without arch support. When your baby is already 2 years old, choose boots with arch support and they will provide the foot with the necessary massage.
Prevention of flat feet must be done from an early age. Various means are used for this: general strengthening of the body, provided by a balanced diet, long stays in the fresh air, various movements, outdoor games, as well as special activities to strengthen the foot.
Flat feet can also be prevented by selecting special exercises that help develop and strengthen the muscles of the lower leg, foot and fingers. To strengthen the arches of your feet, you need to use walking and running. These types of movements not only have a beneficial effect on the entire body, but also serve as an effective means of preventing flat feet. Particularly useful is varied walking on the toes and on the outer edges of the feet. It is also recommended to climb gymnastic ladders and ropes barefoot. Exercises have the greatest effect if they are performed barefoot and, if possible, several times a day.
Despite its prevalence, flat feet in children respond well to treatment. A timely diagnosis and quickly taken measures will help to cope with this trouble without any special consequences.
Doctors recommend soaking your feet in water at room temperature for 5 minutes every day before going to bed. In the summer, whenever possible, use barefoot walking on the ground, sand, small non-sharp pebbles, and water.
The exercises are performed in starting positions lying, sitting, standing and while walking, which makes it possible to regulate the load on certain muscles of the lower leg and foot. First, you need to limit yourself to performing exercises in the starting positions lying and sitting. Exercises should be performed with alternating muscle contraction and relaxation. In the future, it is recommended to include exercises with static load.
Perform all exercises barefoot. An active adult participant performs it together with the child and monitors the correctness of the exercise.
The most accessible method of treating flat feet in children is special physical exercises, as well as cycling and swimming.
One of the main exercises against flat feet is rotating the feet of both legs in different directions. This workout is best done in a sitting position.
In the same position, you can also connect the soles of your feet together. The child’s body is quite flexible and he will be able to do such exercises without much effort.
In a vertical position, standing on a flat surface, it is recommended to do calf raises with the heels spread and brought together. Then you can just walk on your toes for a while.
Many children really like the swing exercise. To do this, you need to change the order of your legs and raise your heel without lifting your toes from the floor.
There are a number of exercises against flat feet in children using a ball. The funniest of them is lifting a ball between the feet of two legs. This exercise can be performed either sitting or lying down.
You can roll a small ball by pressing it to the floor with the arch of your foot, but a gymnastic stick or an ordinary rolling pin is also suitable for this.
The exercise of grasping and lifting various objects with your toes can be turned into a fun game. Sponges, small toys or paper napkins work well for these purposes.
In addition to walking “on your toes,” walking “on your heels,” as well as on the outside and inside of the foot, helps in treating flat feet.
Exercises for flat feet must be carried out regularly, otherwise the positive effect may not occur. Of course, it is difficult to force a small child to do such a set of exercises constantly by force of will. To help him with this, parents can turn such activities into a small competition and involve all family members in this game.
A set of exercises recommended for flat feet, in the starting positions sitting on a chair (1-8) and standing (9-18):
1 - spreading and bringing the heels together without lifting the toes off the floor;
2 - grabbing the ball with your feet and lifting it;
3 - maximum flexion and extension of the feet;
4—grasping and lifting various objects (pebbles, pencils, etc.) with the toes;
5 - sliding your feet forward and backward using your fingers;
6 - squeezing a rubber ball with your feet;
7 - gathering the fabric rug into folds with your toes;
8 - rolling a stick with your feet;
9 — body rotations without displacement;
10 - roll from heel to toe and back;
11 - half squat and squat on toes, arms to the sides, up, forward; 12 - climbing the gymnastic wall (stand on the slats with the middle of the foot);
13 - walking on a gymnastic stick;
14 - walking on a beam with inclined surfaces;
15 - walking on a ribbed board;
16 - walking on toes up and down an inclined plane;
17 - walking on a foam mattress;
18 - walking in place on a massage mat.
Prevention of flat feet in preschool children
Flatfoot is a foot deformity characterized by a decrease or absence of the internal longitudinal arch of the foot and an inward tilt of the heel and, as a result, is a disorder of the musculoskeletal system.
The foot is the foundation, the support of our body, and any developmental disorder can affect the child’s posture. With flat feet, the spring, shock-absorbing role of the foot decreases or disappears, as a result of which the internal organs become poorly protected from shocks.
Children often suffer from flat feet due to the fault of their parents. One of the reasons is improperly selected shoes. For example, tight shoes can lead to changes in the shape of the foot, promote ingrown nails, and the formation of calluses. By squeezing blood vessels and impairing blood circulation, tight shoes help cool your feet in the cold season. Shoes that are too loose are also undesirable, as they impede movement and cause abrasions on the feet. In shoes designed for growth, a child falls more often and his posture is impaired. Shoes must fit properly and the foot and toes must not be compressed. When buying shoes, you should pay attention to a fairly flexible sole, a small (2-4 cm) and wide heel, a wide toe, as well as the presence of an instep support. The instep support supports the arches of the feet and helps distribute the load evenly when walking.
It is strictly forbidden to wear warm shoes indoors, wear shoes with worn heels, or shoes without heels.
Every parent should know:
Incorrectly chosen shoes lead to:
Increased sweating of the feet and, as a result, frequent colds.
Preventing flat feet is easier than treating them. Swimming, walking, and cycling are useful. It is very useful for your child to run around barefoot or in socks at home. In summer, it is recommended to walk and run more often on uneven surfaces barefoot (sand, gravel, mown grass) - this is good exercise for the feet. Cool baths and massage mats have a good effect. Foot exercises are also helpful.
Exercises for feet at home:
- In the starting position - legs apart, toes turned inward - perform alternating turns of the body to the right and left with the corresponding foot turning to the outer edge.
- Walk on your toes for a few minutes.
- The same amount of walking on your heels.
- Walk around a little with your toes tucked.
- Walk with your toes raised.
— Walk on the outer edge of the foot several times a day for 10-15 minutes.
- Try to lift any small object from the floor several times with your toes.
- Lie on the floor and move your feet left and right, forward and backward, bend and straighten your toes.