Health Advice

First aid kits should be clearly marked - the most common identification is a green box with a white cross. Any box should be waterproof and easy to open. Those people responsible for the kit are generally first Aiders, they should ensure that the box is well stocked and that stock is replenished after use. As other people too can access the box, things can be added or used as well as things like Sterile dressing which can go out of date.

Suggested items to include in a First Aid kit are:

• Assorted sterile adhesive dressings (plasters)
• Medium sterile dressings
• Large sterile dressings
• Sterile eye pads
• Triangular bandages
• Safety pins
• Disposable gloves
• Advice leaflets

The above are just examples of what to include - there is no definitive list and each kit should reflect what it will be used for. For example - ensure that you have some small dressings and plasters if there is the possibility of using it for children.

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BMI tells you if you are a healthy weight for your height. It is calculated by taking your weight in kilograms and dividing it by your height in meters and dividing the result by your height in meters again. It is a useful guideline for most of us - but can be confusing for people with a lot of muscle such as weightlifters. Normally a high BMI will almost certainly mean you are overweight for your height. To maintain good health your BMI should be between 19 and 25. if you are in the 25-30 bracket you are classed as overweight and above 30 is obese. In the higher ranges you are at risk of high bloody pressure, diabetes and other health problems. At this point you should seriously think about reducing your BMI through exercise and a healthy diet.

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For healthy strong bones, children need to keep physically active and follow a varied and balanced diet that contains plenty of calcium foods.  As our bodies cannot make calcium we have to get it through our diet every day.  Many foods contain calcium, including dairy, whit and brown bread and oily fist with soft bones such as sardines. Milk and milk products are the main sources of calcium in the UK diet and the body finds it easy to absorb calcium from these foods.  Three portions of dairy every day as part of a varied and balanced diet is an easy way to help ensure children meet their calcium needs.

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An estimated 90% of bone strength is achieved around the age of 18 year for girls and 20 for boys.  Parents need to ensure that their children get enough calcium as they grow up.  Making sure your child has strong bones during childhood and adolescence is essential for future bone health.  To achieve this you don’t have to do anything complicated or expensive! Calcium, vitamin D and exercise are the three main ‘ingredients’ every child needs for strong bones and are all easy to incorporate into your childs life.  3 servings of dairy a day will meet UK recommendations for daily calcium needs. Exercise is also really important for strengthening bones – especially running, jumping and skipping.

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According to a recent EU report Britain has been named as the fattest nation in Europe. To check if your overweight you need to use your waist measurement as a guideline. For men, if your 37in or above then their may be a health risk. For women it’s 32in – or a dress size bigger than 14 then they need to start taking some action.

To control your weight breakfast has been classed as one of the most important meals of the day – especially for dieters. Scientists at Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge have found that adults who eat a big breakfast gain less weight in the middle age. This works if the calorie intake needed for the day is used at the start of the day and remaining meals are modest.

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Angina Attacks give similar recognition features to a heart attack. However an angina attack often starts as a result of exercise or exertion and will normally away with rest. Individuals will often be aware of their condition and have their own medication such as a spray or tablet to put under their tongue. However if the condition persists then it should be treated as a heart attack and ambulance called for.

Heart attacks are generally caused by the blood supply of the heart being suddenly blocked usually by a clot. The main risk to the individual is that their heart might stop. The signs to look out for are:

Persistent crushing, vice like pain in the center of the chest The pain may spread down into the left arm and up into the neck and jaw There may be pain in the abdomen Breathlessness may be experienced The skin tone will look ashen with a blueness to the lips The pulse will be rapid becoming weaker and may be irregular in its rhythm.

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Stress has a debilitating effect on the nerves in general and certain premenstrual symptoms may be aggravated by stress. Many suffers of PMS have abnormal levels of the adrenal hormone ‘aldosterone’ which may account for some of the problems of excessive fluid retention, weight gain, breast tenderness and abdominal bloating. These start several days before the start of tf menstruation . Menopause is the time when the woman’s ovaries no long release an egg cell every month and child bearing is no long possible. This usually occurs between the ages of 45 and 55. it is may be preceded with a gradual decline in the frequency of menstruation or there may be an abrupt cessation. There is an imbalance in the hormones which can cause hot flushes, sweats, palpitations, depression. Over a longer period there may be a gradual loss of bone(osteoporosis) leading to a greater risk of bone fracture.

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