N-Trivia

Difference between Caput Succedaneum and Cephalhematoma
Reality Therapy
Causes of Hair Loss
Common Concerns during the Toddler Period

Difference between Caput Succedaneum and Cephalhematoma

Posted: 08 Feb 2011 07:16 PM PST

CAPUT SUCCEDANEUM

Definition

A caput succedaneum is an edema of the scalp at the neonate's presenting part of the head. It often appears over the vertex of the newborn's head as a result of pressure against the mother's cervix during labor. The edema in caput succedaneum crosses the suture lines. It may involve wide areas of the head or it may just be a size of a large egg.

Causes

Mechanical trauma of the initial portion of scalp pushing through a narrowed cervix
Prolonged or difficult delivery
Vacuum extraction

The pressure (at birth) interferes with blood flow from the area causing a localized edema. The edematous area crosses the suture lines and is soft. Caput Succedaneum also occurs when a vacuum extractor is used. In this case, the caput corresponds to the area where the extractor is used to hasten the second stage of labor.

Signs and Symptoms

Scalp swelling that extends across the midline and over suture lines
Soft and puffy swelling of part of a scalp in a newborn's head
May be associated with increased molding of the head
The swelling may or may not have some degree of discoloration or bruising

Management

Needs no treatment. The edema is gradually absorbed and disappears about the third day of life.

Complication

Jaundice – results as the bruise breaks down into bilirubin.

CEPHALHEMATOMA

Definition

Cephalhematoma is a collection of blood between the periosteum of a skull bone and the bone itself. It occurs in one or both sides of the head. It occasionally forms over the occipital bone. The swelling with cephalhematoma is not present at birth rather it develops within the first 24 to 48 hours after birth.

Causes

Rupture of a periostal capillary due to the pressure of birth
Instrumental delivery

Signs and Symptoms

Swelling of the infant's head 24-48 hours after birth
Discoloration of the swollen site due to presence of coagulated blood
Has clear edges that end at the suture lines

Management

Observation and support of the affected part.
Transfusion and phototherapy may be necessary if blood accumulation is significant

Complication

Jaundice

Difference between a Caput Succedaneum and Cephalhematoma
INDICATORS	CAPUT SUCCEDANEUM	CEPHALHEMATOMA
Location	Presenting part of the head	Periosteum of skull bone and bone
Extent of Involvement	Both hemispheres; CROSSES the suture lines	Individual bone; DOES NOT CROSS the suture lines
Period of Absorption	3 to 4 days	Few weeks to months
Treatment	None	Support

image from emedicine.medscape.com

Reality Therapy

Posted: 08 Feb 2011 07:15 PM PST

Definition

Reality therapy is devised by William Glaser in 1965 which focuses on the person's behavior and how that behavior keeps him or her from achieving life goals. The approach was developed while Glaser is working with persons with delinquent behavior, unsuccessful school performance and emotional problems. This therapy is considered a cognitive-behavioral approach to treatment.

Approach of Reality Therapy

William Glaser believed that people who are unsuccessful often blame their problems on other people, the system or the society. It is Glaser's belief that these types of people can only find their own identities through a responsible behavior. The focus of approach of counseling and problem solving in reality therapy focuses on the here-and-now of the client and how to create a better future.

In this therapy, the individual is challenged to examine himself for ways in which his own behavior obstructs his attempts of achieving his life goal. The focus of Reality Therapy is to help counselees take ownership of their behavior and responsibility for the direction their lives take.

With reality therapy, whatever happened in our lives or what has been done in the past, the person can still choose behavior that will help him meet his needs more effectively in the future. It is believed that these needs that a person has to effectively meet are the following:

Power – this includes a person's achievement and feeling worthwhile. Winning is also included here.
Love and belonging – this includes families, loved ones, relatives and groups.
Freedom – independence, autonomy, personal "space"
Fun – pleasure and enjoyment
Survival – nourishment, shelter

Process Involved in Reality Therapy

In practicing reality therapy, two major components should be considered:

A trusting environment should be created.
Therapeutic techniques should be utilized to help a person discover what they really WANT, reflect on their current activities and behavior and devise a new plan to fulfill that WANT effectively in the future.

The processes taking place in reality therapy are:

Developing a good RAPPORT with the client. To make the entire process effective, trust and rapport should be built at the beginning.
The current behavior (not the previous one) should be examined and evaluated by the client with the help of a psychotherapist. The therapist will ask the client to make a value judgment about his current behavior.
Help the client plan a new behavior that can be possibly done that works better than the current one.
The participant must make a commitment to carry out the plan.
There should be no punishment to be implemented. The therapist however, should stress to the client that there are no excuses and to never give up.

Summary of Facts about Reality Therapy

Focus of Reality Therapy: Help counselees take ownership of their behavior and responsibility for the direction their lives take.

Basic Premise of Reality Therapy: Regardless of what has happened to us in our lives, or what we have done in the past, we are living and making choices here and now.

image courtesy of bobhoglund.com

Causes of Hair Loss

Posted: 07 Feb 2011 05:34 PM PST

Hair is one of the essential things a person wants to have. It is important for temperature regulation, physical protection, sensory activity, seasonal camouflage, and social interactions. Many people are spending a lot of money just to make their hair look great, as a gorgeous hair enhances ones beauty.

Men and women as they age verbalize problems on hair fall or worst hair loss. Sometimes even young adults complain about hair loss too. Nowadays, companies manufacturing shampoos that prevents hair fall are actually gaining much because of this rampant problem among the population. Whilst hair loss has loads of reasons why it occured, let us first understand the normal hair growth cycle.

Normal hair growth cycle

The hair is formed in hair follicles, which are complex mini-organs in the skin that are specialized for this purpose. All hair follicles are formed during fetal development. Then new hair is generated in the hair follicle by continually undergoing phases of recession, rest, and growth throughout life.

Shedding some hair each day is normal for this cycle. I've read in an article that some experts estimate that we may shed up to 100 or more hairs daily. This measure of hair fall should not cause panic to the individual because approximately 90% of the 100,000 hair follicles present are growing any time soon. The other 10% are in a resting phase, known as the telogen, and the hair then falls out after 2-3 months. It is replaced by a new hair and the growth cycle starts again.

Causes of Hair Loss

Illness or surgery. Hair loss is related to the stress of the illness and is temporary.
Hormonal problems. Hair loss may occur if male or female hormone levels are imbalance.
After delivery of a baby (about 3 months). Hair loss in this case is related to hormonal changes. During pregnancy, high levels of certain hormones prevent the hair from falling. After delivery of the baby, the hormones return to their pre-pregnancy levels. As a result, the hair falls out.
Medicine use. Some medications can cause hair loss as a side effect. These drugs are the following: Coumadin (warfarin), Lopid (gemfibrozil), antidepressants, beta-blockers, NSAIDs, drugs for gout, arthritis, birth control and hypertension. In most cases, hair grows back when the medication is stopped. However some drugs can cause permanent hair loss or trigger male and female hair loss pattern.
Crash diets and severe stress. These conditions can push hair into its resting, or telogen, state that results to hair falling out at about 2 months.
Certain infections (fungal infections of the scalp)
Underlying disease condition

image courtesy of lipglossandleopardprint.blogspot.com

Common Concerns during the Toddler Period

Posted: 07 Feb 2011 04:30 PM PST

Promoting Toddler Safety

The major cause of accidents of children in all ages is accidents. In toddlers, accidental ingestion or poisoning occur most frequently. In most cases, poisoning occurs from the ingestion of cleaning products. Aside from that accidents can also occur during this age as a result of aspiration or ingestion of small objects such as watch batteries, pencil erasers and crayons. These cases pose a major danger to toddlers.

Safety Measure Number 1: Childproof the house and place all poisonous products, drugs, cleaning chemicals and small objects out of child's reach when crawling and the time when the toddler is walking. Examine toys for small parts that could be aspirated and remove toys that appear dangerous.

Safety Measure Number 2: Toddlers should not be fed with peanuts and pop corns. Children should NEVER eat while running. The parents should never leave the toddlers alone with balloons.

Aside from the accidents from poisonous products and small objects, toddlers frequently experience vehicular accidents, burns, falls and playground injuries. These accidents occur as the toddler's motor ability jumps ahead his or her judgment. They have no judgment concerning the moving cars, thus, toddlers walk across the streets with no concern for incoming cars.

Safety Measure Number 3: Direct and constant parental supervision. Educate the parents to know what their toddler is doing at ALL TIMES. Do not allow the child to operate electronic garage doors.

Safety Measure Number 4: A toddler-size car seat should be present in automobiles for toddlers until the children weigh 40 to 60 lb.

Safety Measure Number 5: Place the child at the back seat of the automobile if airbag is present at the passenger seat. Do not be distracted from safe driving by a child in a car.

Safety Measure Number 6: A helmet should be worn by the toddler as soon as they begin riding a tricycle. Supervise a toddler who is too young to be left alone on a tricycle. Teach safety with pedaling toys such as looking before crossing driveways and crossing streets. However, do not expect that the toddler will obey these rules at all times. Hence, the parents should stay close by.

Safety Measure Number 7: A safety gate on the door of the room should be built to keep a toddler contained and safe. Keep the house windows closed and keep secure screens in place. Gates should also be placed at the top and bottom of the stairs.