Anything that reflects the slightest thing wrong for a child will cause concern in a parent. A fever, for example, is one of the primary reasons that parents will call their child’s pediatrician. Yet, the truth is, what many of us have been told is a low grade fever is a natural body temperature for some children.
Simply put, our body?s first line of defense when invaded by any microbe, virus or bacteria is going to be cells called microphages; a strong, healthy immune system may be able to eliminate the problem with this first step alone. If these fail to contain the ?bug? then the body creates other pyrogens and proteins to try to assist. Once these have been created the hypothalamus in the brain recognizes that there is an invader and raises the body temperature to assist in killing it off. This raised temperature will generally be just a couple of degrees, but the hypothalamus determines, based on the number of pyrogens and proteins, what will be necessary to eliminate the bug. If the hypothalamus creates additional biochemicals to try to protect the body then the temperature raises accordingly.
The best response to a fever below 104.5°F for children over the age of 3 years is lots of rest and clear fluids. Since the fever will cause your child to sweat they will lose sodium and water which must be replaced with proper fluids. This does not include Gatorade or other sugary sports drinks.
DeMoss Chiropractic recognizes and supports the body?s natural ability to fight off infection. The immune system, like all other bodily systems, is controlled by the central nervous system via the spinal cord, which is housed in the spine. Your chiropractor helps keep the spine aligned allowing messages to travel without interruption from the brain to the rest of the body. A fever is, quite simply, a natural part of your child?s immune system. When it is functioning at it?s absolute best, your child?s body will fight off most foreign invaders so swiftly that they will have no outward effect at all. However, when necessary your child?s immune system will raise their temperature to create a hostile environment for that invader. It?s how a properly functioning body functions.

Teething Symptoms and Home Remedies
Many pediatricians, scientists, researchers and parents have disagreed about the concept of teething, but any parent of a little one will tell you that whether or not it?s just a coincidence their babies are miserable when their teeth start coming in.
Teething 101
When newborns are born they have ?teeth buds? just under the gums, and while there is no set time that those teeth will begin to appear, typically their first tooth will begin to break through between five and seven months. Some infants can begin teething as early as 3 months and some as late as 9 months to even a year.?
Typically the incisors (top and bottom middle teeth) appear between the ages of six to seven months. Between the ages of 7 to 9 months the incisors will come in on each side of those first teeth that appeared. Around the age of 8 months, a baby may have 8 teeth. The first molars begin to break through at 10 to 14 months and the canines at 15 to 18 months. Finally, the second molars will come in typically between the ages of 2 to 3 years.
Teething Symptoms
Many experts actually disagree about whether or not teething even has symptoms, but most parents report unique
changes prior to the appearance of their infant?s teeth. For instance, when a baby is teething their saliva production increases. This has caused many symptoms including drooling, which can sometimes cause a rash on their chin, coughing or gagging on the excess saliva and loose bowels due to swallowing that excess saliva.
Additional teething symptoms can be irritability or a desire to gnaw on anything within grasp. The pressure of the tooth trying to break through the gums can cause discomfort leading to irritability. Many babies instinctively reach for something to gnaw on as pressure on the gums will sometimes counteract the pressure caused by the teeth.
Over-the-Counter?
?Recognizing that there really isn?t anything that can be done medically is little comfort to a parent who is dealing with a fussy, cranky, miserable little baby. The first thing to understand is that there are natural, holistic choices, and it is never going to be necessary to resort to pain relievers or gum-numbing agents. These items can actually do more harm than good, and aspirin should never be given to a baby even to rub on their gums, as it has been linked with the potentially deadly disease, Reye?s Syndrome.
??Acetaminophen should also never be used, as the long-term effects of the chemicals in pain relievers on infants have not been recorded. With regards to gum-numbing agents, while they have been found to be effective, it may be potentially dangerous. Popular pediatrician, Dr. Sears says on his website, ?We do not recommend commercial gum-numbing substances because it is difficult to learn their exact contents and find research that validates their safety.? ??
Alternative Relief
?The only over-the-counter teething treatment approved by homeopathic and holistic professionals are teething tablets. Designed specifically to help babies with their teething symptoms, these tables dissolve immediately in the mouth and naturally relieve swelling and pain. Additionally, there are many home remedies that can help to relieve pressure, pain and discomfort. The first thing to understand is that the baby?s gums are sore and aching. A sharp tooth is trying to push through the gums and this is what is causing the discomfort and resultant fussiness. Anything that will counter-balance that pressure is going to bring relief. Many parents have reported that a clean wet washcloth put in the freezer for a short time, then given to the baby to gnaw on brings welcome relief. The cloth can be dipped in water or strong chamomile tea. The choice of tea adds a calming agent and is soothing to an infant?s tummy. Similarly, a frozen banana given to the baby will give them something natural to gnaw on. Any item that might be used by the parent should be monitored to not be so small that the child could choke on. Ice in a sandwich bag, then wrapped in a cloth works well, and for the older child already eating solid foods, cold soft foods such as applesauce or diced papaya can bring relief.??
Other Home Remedies
?Although in Europe the use of an Amber necklace has been used, it has recently become more popular in North America. This fossilization of resin of ancient trees is touted to have natural calming, relaxing and analgesic properties. Dr. Feder, a holistic medical doctor, recommends several homeopathic remedies; belladonna for teething accompanied by sudden fever, calcarea carbonica for chubby and sweaty babies especially while nursing or during sleep, calcarea phosphorica for delayed teething and chamomilla for swollen, inflamed and tender gums. ??
The Chiropractic Factor
It?s important to not interfere with the natural routine of teething. Every child is different, but teething has been proven to be hereditary. If an infant?s parents? first tooth appeared when they were three months, then it?s safe to assume this will be generational. It?s not even unusual for a baby to be born with a tooth already in place. Recognizing the body?s innate ability to work as it was designed, DeMoss Chiropractic.

Dr. Bill often informs his patients that sitting is the new smoking.

Studies show that our constant habit of sitting during long hours at works aren?t the way our bodies are made to function. Our ancient ancestors were always on the move! There are apps available to remind constant sitters to take a five minute walking break, but there is a blossoming trend which is a fantastic alternative to prolonged sitting – standing desks.

Standing desks aren?t new, many notable minds have used standing desks for centuries – including Leonardo Da Vinci, Benjamin Franklin, Winston Churchill, and Ernst Hemingway.

Standing desks are correlated with raised productivity, weight loss, the ease of back pain, and increased energy. Though standing desks can be more costly than a standard desk, buying one for an office space or home can be a great investment in your health.

Flexispot was kind enough to send us a standing desk to review for this blog post. What makes Felxispot unique is how their model can be placed atop a standard desk and adjusted based on the user?s height. Not to mention, the user has the option to shift the desk to a low setting, allowing a chair to be used as needed.

After two weeks, I?ve found the Flexispot to be a great addition to my office space. The size of the desk allows me to comfortably use my desktop screen and laptop simultaneously while having my planner sprawled for easy reference.

If I ever feel the need to sit, which is surprisingly less than I expected, I can simply adjust the desk to its lowest setting with ease. The hydraulics make the downward movement slow and quiet. As the only office staffer without a standing desk until now, I can see what I?ve been missing and encourage others to consider a standing desk for themselves and their employees.