St. Cornelius School at 201 28th Street, Richmond, CA 94804 US - Principal's Message

Greetings!
This is the time of the year we receive notes and messages from school on the health of our children. This is also the time when we hear our students complain of different ailments. Here are a few things that were mentioned in the Parenting Magazine.
Vision Problems: If your child complains of headaches, or often squints or tears up, especially with reading, watching TV, or at the end the school day, it is worth having his/her vision checked. Regular eye exams with a pediatric optometrist or ophthalmologist is the best way to stay on top of vision problems, because early detection and correction can help a child feel and function at his/her best.
Migraines: Symptoms often include some combination of throbbing pain (usually in the front or sides of the head), nausea or vomiting, and sensitivity to light or sound. If you suspect migraines, do your best to identify your child's particular triggers (it can help to keep a log of what he/she was doing and eating, as well as how he/she was generally feeling, around the time the pain began). Common ones in kids include fatigue, overexertion, changes in routine, certain foods (aged cheese and processed foods like hot dogs and lunch meats are the big ones), and caffeine.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome: The classic symptoms are frequent abdominal pain and cramps or alternating bouts of constipation and diarrhea. Flare-ups are common during challenging transitions in a child's life, such as going to school or even just attending a party he/she does not want to go to. IBS can usually be managed with lifestyle changes. That may mean avoiding certain foods that might be triggers, adding pro-biotic (the healthy bacteria found in yogurt), and or teaching kids some stress-management techniques, such as relaxation exercises or yoga.
Allergies: Frequent colds, sinus or ear infections, or a constantly runny, stuffy, or itchy nose can point to allergies. Same goes for itchy eyes, rashes, or hives. Wheezing or a chronic cough-telltale signs of asthma-may be the biggest tip-off that your child is destined to develop allergies because the two conditions so often go hand in hand. For mild cases, your pediatrician may suggest medications and/or prescription nose drops, which may provide ample relief.  

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