Crying of a Sick Child

Even in spite of best care a child becomes sick from any of the under mentioned conditions during infancy or childhood and is cause of great tension and uncomfortable situation for the anxious parent to know, why the child is crying and they spend many sleepless nights trying to comfort the child. In all situations a consultation with the doctor should be carried out so that any disease present can be treated quickly. 

1. Ear Ache:

Infection of Ear is very common in humid climate. Infection can spread originating from throat. Infection of Ear can cause a rupture of ear drums causing pus oozing out from the ear. Ear ache becomes very unbearable at night while lying down. Child becomes restless and cries disturbing the sleep of the parents. Touching of ear is more painful. Few children themselves rub the affected ear frequently. The condition calls for a consultation of E.N.T. Specialist for treatment.

2. Colic Pain:

The baby crying continuously usually leads to suspected diagnosis of a colic pain. The problem is debatable topic because the possible cause of colic has not been identified the proper diagnosis needs confirmation. Colic can be due to rumbling or abdominal distention. Child usually feels comfort  lying with abdomen towards bed. Many children feel more pain with a touch of the abdomen and do not allow touch of abdomen. If child cries unstopped with possible comforting a doctor consultation is required.

3. General Infections:

All the infections result in some pain, irritation to the child making him cry. Infection can be located anywhere or localized to a particular part of  body. Mild to moderate fever is observed initially with signs of swelling or redness. A doctor should be consulted for a proper treatment.

4. As a Reaction to Certain Foods:

A popular saying is true "One man's food is another man's poison". Food preparations can trigger allergic reactions in the body. Allergy  symptoms are characterized by typical redness, uncomfortable breathing, gastric problems. Which can be probable cause of  continued crying till relief occurs. Usually first classic home remedies are tried and mild symptoms are relieved.

       
5. Hardness of Stools:

Constipation in babies is marked by stools becoming hard causing difficulty in passing out normally. This makes infant cry because the urge to defecate is painful. Because of the pain felt the child hesitates to pass out the stool.

6. Gastro Esophagial Reflex Action:

The baby after finishing the feed spills it out, which is acidic nature due to presence of gastric secretions in it. The baby feels uncomfortable and has a tingy taste in the mouth. The continuation of this is due to a Gastro Esophageal reflex. It is caused by non closure of the valve between esophagus and stomach after ingestion of feed and by regurgitation undigested food is pushed back. The condition is to be diagnosed by the doctor and the necessary medicines administered under medical advice.

7. Dentition Phase:

With the onset of dentition, there is localized pain, inflammation and general restlessness causing the infant to cry without a relief in sight. The child usually also suffers from gastric problems with diarrhoea.
                               
The Rarely occurring conditions:

1. Obstruction of bowel:

Obstruction of Bowel results in a severe painful condition accompanied by vomitings. Abdomen feels very hard, presence of distenton having rumbling sounds. Baby suffers constipation also with absence of flatulance.

2. Condition of Septicemia:

The pathogenic micro organisms reach the blood stream causing a severe fever the condition is called septicemia. The condition calls for hospitalization of the child.

3. Torsion of testes in male Children:

The crying of male child uninterrupted can be due to torsion of the testes.  Touching of his scrotum is very painful. Torsion of testes is an extremely painful condition. A slight touch increases the pain. By pressing of testes slight relief is felt. Meninengitis needs to be properly treated otherwise the condition can damage the affected testes due to poor blood supply.

4. Affliction of Meningitis:

It is a condition of inflammation and infection of the  meninges of the brain and spinal cord. In the beginning there may not be fever later on fever sets in and there is crying and meaningless stare and great irritability. The condition calls for immediate investigation and proper treatment should not to be ignored. TheFontanel is bulged with Neck rigidity and seizures may appear later.

5. Retention of urine:

A child having retention of urine is having unbearable pain causing general restlessness till urine is passed out. It is an emergency situation and needs taking the child to the hospital for draning of urine and finding out the cause and initiation of the treatment.                                               

7. Sustaining Major injuries:

The Children are prone to major injuries the body. causing pain, discomfort, shock which requires immediate taking the child to a hospital for medical help.

Some times children fall while carrying them and can result in head injury. The Child should be examined the doctor and kept under observation. A Head injury is usually accompanied with reflex vomiting and convulsions.