Summer and Children

Lowering cholesterol levels requires a comprehensive approach that includes both lifestyle changes and, in some cases, medication.Lifestyle Changes1.Heart-Healthy Diet. Diet plays a key role in cholesterol control. Doctors recommend eliminating trans fats and limiting saturated fat intake. It is also important to monitor calorie intake to avoid weight gain. The emphasis is on a varied and nutritious diet—fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.2.Maintaining a Healthy Weight. Excess weight is one factor that increases LDL (bad cholesterol) and lowers HDL (good cholesterol). This is especially relevant for people with metabolic syndrome—a set of conditions that increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.3.Physical Activity. Regular exercise helps lower triglycerides and LDL, while simultaneously raising HDL. The appropriate level of activity should be discussed with your doctor, especially if you have not exercised before.4.Stress Reduction. Constant psycho-emotional stress can negatively affect cholesterol balance, increasing LDL and lowering HDL. Stress management methods—from meditation to walks—can be helpful.5.Quitting Smoking. By quitting smoking, you can increase your HDL levels, which helps remove LDL from the body. This is one of the most effective steps toward improving cardiovascular health.6.Quality Sleep. 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night also affects cholesterol levels. Lack of sleep can contribute to its increase.Medication TherapyWhen lifestyle changes are not enough, doctors may prescribe cholesterol-lowering medications. There are different types of such medications, each with its own mechanism of action and possible side effects. It is important to choose the right medication in consultation with your doctor. However, even when taking medication, it is important to continue to follow a healthy lifestyle—diet, physical activity, and avoiding bad habits remain important.Additional Treatments1.Lipoprotein Apheresis. Some patients with hereditary hypercholesterolemia (FH) may require an apheresis procedure. Using special equipment, LDL is removed from the blood, after which the rest of the blood is returned to the body.2.Dietary Supplements. Many supplements are available on the market that promise to lower cholesterol. However, not all of them have proven their effectiveness. Here's what the research base shows:•Plant stanols and sterols, especially when taken with food, can lower cholesterol levels.•Soy products may have a slight positive effect. However, soy products are more effective than supplements.•Whole flaxseed and flax lignans help lower cholesterol, but flaxseed oil does not.•Garlic supplements may slightly lower cholesterol, but their effect is significantly weaker than that of medications.Always consult your doctor before taking any supplements. Some of them may cause side effects or interact with medications.

It’s one of the first things new parents might notice after birth — a yellowish tint to their baby’s skin or eyes. This condition, known as jaundice, is extremely common in newborns. In fact, it affects up to 60% of full-term babies and as many as 80% of preterm infants in the first week of life.While it’s usually harmless and temporary, understanding why jaundice happens — and when it might signal a more serious issue — is important for every parent.What Is Jaundice and Why Does It Happen?Jaundice in newborns occurs when there’s too much bilirubin in the baby’s blood — a condition called hyperbilirubinemia. Bilirubin is a yellow pigment produced during the normal breakdown of red blood cells.Before birth, the mother's liver does all the work of removing bilirubin for the baby. But after birth, that job shifts to the baby’s own liver — which may not be fully developed yet. If the liver can’t filter out bilirubin quickly enough, the substance starts to build up in the baby’s body, giving their skin and eyes a yellow hue.This yellowing typically starts on the face and can spread to the chest, abdomen, arms, and legs as bilirubin levels rise. It’s easiest to spot in natural light, and in babies with darker skin, it may be more noticeable in the whites of the eyes or under the tongue.Types of Newborn JaundiceNot all jaundice is the same. There are several types, each with different causes and timeframes:1.Physiological Jaundice. This is the most common type and occurs in nearly all newborns to some extent. It usually appears within 2 to 3 days after birth and disappears on its own within one to two weeks. It’s a natural part of the baby’s adjustment to life outside the womb as their liver matures.2.Breastfeeding Jaundice. This can develop in the first week of life when a baby isn’t getting enough breast milk. It may be due to difficulties with latching, a delay in milk coming in, or infrequent feedings. Less feeding means fewer bowel movements — and that leads to slower elimination of bilirubin from the body.3.Breast Milk Jaundice. This is different from breastfeeding jaundice. It typically appears after the first week and can last for a month or longer. In this case, certain substances in the mother's milk may interfere with how the baby’s liver processes bilirubin. Although it sounds concerning, breast milk jaundice is usually harmless and doesn’t require stopping breastfeeding.4.Jaundice from Medical Conditions. In some rare cases, jaundice can be caused by underlying health problems, such as:•Blood type incompatibility between mother and baby•Bruising during birth (which increases red blood cell breakdown)•Infections like sepsis•Liver conditions, including biliary atresia•Low oxygen levels at birth•An excess of red blood cellsThese forms of jaundice are less common but more serious and require immediate medical attention.Symptoms to Watch ForThe most obvious sign is yellowing of the skin and eyes. But parents should also monitor for other warning signs that may indicate severe jaundice or related complications:•Bright yellow or orange-tinted skin•Excessive sleepiness or trouble waking for feeds•Baby is very fussy or difficult to calm•Poor feeding, whether at the breast or with a bottle•Not enough wet or dirty diapersIf jaundice seems to be getting worse after the first few days — or lasts longer than two weeks — it’s time to call your pediatrician.How Is Jaundice Treated?In most cases, no treatment is needed. As your baby’s liver matures and they begin feeding regularly, bilirubin levels naturally decrease. Frequent feedings — around 10 to 12 times a day — help stimulate more bowel movements, which remove bilirubin through the stool.However, if bilirubin levels are too high or rising quickly, your baby’s doctor may recommend phototherapy — a safe and effective treatment that uses special blue lights to help break down bilirubin in the skin.In rare, severe cases, where phototherapy isn’t enough, a treatment called an exchange transfusion may be necessary. This involves replacing a portion of the baby’s blood with donor blood to quickly reduce bilirubin levels. Fortunately, this is rarely needed with early monitoring and intervention.While jaundice in newborns can be unsettling for new parents, it’s important to know that it’s usually a normal part of development. Most cases resolve without complications, especially when babies are well-fed and monitored closely.Still, severe jaundice can pose serious risks, including brain damage if left untreated — so staying informed and knowing when to call your healthcare provider is essential.If you’re ever unsure, don’t hesitate to reach out to your pediatrician. When caught early, jaundice is almost always treatable and temporary.

Vitamin A deficiency occurs when the body lacks this substance for normal functioning. This can lead to impaired vision and even blindness, as well as problems with the skin, heart, lungs, immune system, and body tissues. Vitamin A is important for vision, metabolism, and cell development. It is necessary for maintaining the health of the immune and reproductive systems. The body does not produce vitamin A on its own, so it must be obtained through food.How does vitamin A deficiency affect vision?Eyes need vitamin A to form the pigments necessary for proper retinal function. A deficiency leads to impaired night vision and dry cornea. This can cause corneal damage and ultimately lead to vision loss.What body systems suffer from a lack of vitamin A?•Vision: impaired pigment formation and eye lubrication.•Skin: dryness, itching, peeling.•Reproductive system: difficulties with conception, infertility.•Immunity: increased risk of respiratory infections.•Development in children: slowed growth and development.What signs can indicate vitamin A deficiency?One of the first symptoms is night blindness (nyctalopia): vision worsens in low light conditions, although it remains normal in good light.Why does vitamin A deficiency occur?Main reasons:1.Lack of vitamin in food (especially in developing countries).2.Liver dysfunctions – the main storage organ for vitamin A.3.Diseases that interfere with fat absorption, for example:•Chronic diarrhea.•Celiac disease.•Cystic fibrosis.•Pancreatic disorders.•Gallbladder diseases.•Zinc or iron deficiency.•Intestinal or stomach surgeries.•Alcohol abuse.How to diagnose vitamin A deficiency?A doctor will diagnose based on symptoms and a blood test for vitamin A levels.How to prevent vitamin A deficiency?The best way is a balanced diet that includes foods rich in vitamin A:•Green vegetables (spinach, broccoli).•Orange and yellow vegetables (carrots, pumpkin, sweet potatoes).•Fruits (mango, papaya, melon, oranges).•Liver, beef, chicken.•Fish (salmon).•Dairy products and eggs.•Fortified cereals and soy products with vitamin A.If necessary, vitamin A supplements can be taken.Timely checking of vitamin A levels through a blood test can prevent serious complications. We recommend undergoing an examination at one of the best medical centers – Dalimed, where you will be provided with accurate diagnostics and a professional approach.

Have you ever wondered why children receive so many vaccinations, and why the timing seems so precise? It's not random; it's a carefully crafted plan designed to give our little ones the best possible start in life. In Armenia, this crucial timeline is developed by our own National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and the Ministry of Health, closely following the expert guidance of the World Health Organization. Vaccinations aren't just a suggestion; they are a fundamental pillar of public health, essential for ensuring optimal immune response and timely protection for every child.How the Schedule is Determined?The specific ages at which vaccines are administered are far from arbitrary; they are determined by science and smart planning. Think of it as a strategic defense against diseases. Two primary factors guide this vital timeline:•Immune System Readiness: Imagine giving a tiny shield to a developing knight. Vaccines work most effectively when a child's immune system is ready to build strong, lasting defenses against specific threats. Administering a vaccine at just the right moment ensures maximum benefit.•Risk of Exposure: It's also about anticipating danger. Vaccine timing perfectly aligns with periods when children are most vulnerable to certain diseases, offering protection precisely when they need it most.How and Where Your Child Gets Vaccinated?Access to these life-saving immunizations is straightforward in Armenia. Vaccines are provided completely free of charge through local antenatal clinics and polyclinics, all conveniently based on residence registration.Routine visits, which combine check-ups and vaccinations, typically follow a clear pattern:•0–1 year: Expect to visit every two months for comprehensive check-ups and vital vaccinations.•1–6 years: Annual or semi-annual visits are common, especially as school entry vaccinations become due.Beyond the Basics: Optional and Seasonal VaccinesWhile the standard schedule covers critical protection, Armenian children may also benefit from additional vaccines:•Influenza vaccine: Recommended annually during flu season to bolster defenses against seasonal outbreaks.•HPV vaccine: Often available around age 13–14, with catch-up programs designed for older teens and young adults. This is a powerful tool in preventing certain cancers.•Travel or risk-based vaccines: Depending on family travel plans or specific risk factors, vaccines like hepatitis A or rabies might be recommended.Why Every Dose Counts?Let's recap why the vaccine schedule is so incredibly important for our children and our community:•Timing is critical: Every single vaccine is strategically scheduled to maximize immune protection, giving your child the best defense possible.•High coverage works: Armenia has done a remarkable job! Thanks to sustained efforts and widespread vaccination, serious childhood diseases are kept under control across the nation. This collective effort protects everyone.•The public is in the loop: With new electronic systems, parents can accurately follow the schedule, ensuring their children remain fully protected.If you ever find that your child has fallen behind on vaccinations, or if you're simply unsure about the timing, please don't hesitate! Consult your pediatrician or local clinic immediately. Catch-up doses are always a possibility —because protecting your child and the entire community truly starts with staying up to date.