Older Than Their Years: Three Health Issues Adults Never Expect In Kids

By
Christy Birmingham-Reyes
-
21
436
Eating, kids, and illness
Children can have eating disorders too. Flickr, CC BY 2.0.

New parents often rush out and buy family health bibles. Then, a lot of parents read them cover to cover, so they’re prepared to recognize health problems in their kids. But, many of them fail to realize that there are issues their children may face during their development which would never cross our minds.

For the most part, we relate such conditions to teens or adults. As such, we don’t even consider looking out for them in our youngsters. And, of course, you can’t become a wealth of knowledge about every condition under the sun. That’s why I’ve put together a list of three health issues you would never consider your kids could suffer from. Best to be prepared, after all!

Hip Problems

Let’s be honest; most of us relate hip problems to elderly grandparents with tired bones. While this is often the case, the elderly aren’t the only ones who might develop such issues. Though rare, children are susceptible to hip problems, too. Children’s bones are malleable as they grow. So, an injury could lead to their hips growing wrong. Or, it may be that an underlying condition causes problems. Just remember, if your child often complains of hip pain, it’s a sure sign that something’s wrong. Little bones don’t ache for
the fun of it!

Sometimes, physiotherapy will be enough to correct the problem. In other cases, you may need to take more extreme action and seek something like a hip replacement. It’s a horrible thought, but it’s better than the suffering your child will endure otherwise. If you want to know a bit more about kids hip replacements, you can find details from DrAllison.org/pediatric-hip-replacement and other such companies. There’s no denying that this is a massive operation for a child to go through, but, in some cases, it’s the best way forward.

Eating Disorders

Most parents know to look out for eating disorders once their kids reach the teen years. But, few realize that this is a problem increasingly seen in children as young as seven. It seems horrific to consider, but it’s a reality that more and more kids now face.

For the most part, this is because the pressure to be slim is a much larger part of the media culture now. Kids pick up on that kind of thing. You can find out more about pre-adolescent eating disorders on sites like http://www.mirror-mirror.org. Alarm bells should start ringing if your little one refuses to eat, or makes derogatory comments about their weight.

Anxiety

Is this kid having a panic attack?
Children can have anxiety and other mental illnesses too. Pixabay image.

Anxiety is a huge issue in the modern world. It affects more than 40 million adults in the USA alone and easily takes the top spot as the most common mental illness. But, did you ever consider that your child could suffer, too? The chances are that you didn’t. After all, worrying seems like such an adult issue.

But, anxiety doesn’t discriminate. If you notice your child worrying excessively, or suffering panic attacks, take them to a doctor.

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21 COMMENTS

  4. Anxiety seems to be increasing, even in children.
    I hate seeing kids hurt, period, especially when they’re still too young to express it. That’s why it’s so important we be on the lookout, even for things that are less common.

  10. You are right on track here, Christy! We really do think of these three topics as mainly teen/adult issues and we think children will have the common cold/flu or minor bumps and scratches. Good post!!

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