The dawn of a new year brings with it a canvas of possibilities—a chance to reimagine our lifestyles, prioritize our health, and strike a harmonious balance between our professional and personal lives.

As we step into this new year, let’s explore some effective strategies to cultivate healthier habits and foster a consistent work-life balance routine that nourishes both the body and mind.

1. Physical activity: Movement is the cornerstone of a healthy lifestyle. Embrace physical activity as a daily ritual; it doesn’t have to be strenuous—anything from a morning walk to a dance session in your living room counts.
2. Healthy nutrition: Nourishing your body with the right foods is a form of self-care. Aim for a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. Explore new recipes this new year as well.
3. Nurturing mental wellness: In our fast-paced lives, mental health often takes a backseat. Incorporating mindfulness practices like meditation, breathing exercises, or moments of quiet reflection can work wonders for reducing stress and enhancing mental clarity.
4. Crafting a balanced work-life routine: Setting realistic goals and priorities is fundamental. It’s about quality, not quantity. Define achievable goals for work and personal life and structure your day accordingly. Delegate tasks when possible and learn to say no when necessary.

Consistency is key. Create a routine that suits your lifestyle—one that accommodates work, relaxation, exercise, and social activities. A well-designed routine fosters discipline and reduces stress.

As you embark on this journey of adopting healthier habits and refining your work-life balance, remember, it’s about progress, not perfection. Small, consistent steps lead to lasting changes.

Strive for progress, not perfection this new year………

 

                                                                                                                 Happy New Year!!

Managing blood glucose levels is key to maintaining overall health, especially for individuals dealing with diabetes. Self-monitoring plays a crucial role in this journey, empowering patients to take charge of their well-being.

Let’s delve into the importance of self-monitoring and how it can positively impact your health. Self-testing is important for the following reasons:

• Early detection: catch health changes early, preventing complications
• Evaluate treatment: see what works best for you and adjust accordingly
• Self-empowerment: this will help the patient take an active role in their health decisions
• Improved Life: manage health better for a balanced, fulfilling life

Blood sugar level targets are individualized in order to prevent the risk of hypoglycemia (too low levels of blood sugar) or other adverse effects associated with blood sugar control that is too tight.

Your blood sugar range depends on age, lifestyle, and overall health. Self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) involves regularly testing your blood sugar levels using a glucometer. It provides real-time information about how your body responds to food, physical activity, medications, and overall lifestyle choices.

When to check blood sugar levels:

• Before meals
• Two hours after meals
• Before bedtime
• Before and after exercise
• When feeling unwell

How do you use a blood sugar meter?

1. Make sure the meter is clean and ready to use
2. After removing a test strip, immediately close the test strip container tightly. Test strips can be damaged if they are exposed to moisture

1. Wash your hands with soap and warm water. Dry well. Massage your hand to get blood into your finger. Don’t use alcohol because it dries the skin too much
2. Use a lancet to prick your finger. Squeezing from the base of the finger, gently place a small amount of blood onto the test strip. Place the strip in the meter
3. After a few seconds, the reading will appear. Track and record your results. Add notes about anything that might have made the reading out of your target range, such as food, activity, etc.
4. Properly dispose of the lancet and strip it in a trash container
5. Do not share blood sugar monitoring equipment, such as lancets, with anyone, even other family members
6. Store test strips in the container provided. Do not expose them to moisture, extreme heat, or cold temperatures

 

Self-monitoring blood glucose levels is a powerful tool in diabetes management. It’s more than just a test; it’s your window to understanding your body. By embracing self-monitoring, you’re taking proactive steps toward a healthier, more empowered lifestyle.

Remember, Goodlife, your healthcare provider is your best ally in this journey. Together, we create a monitoring routine that suits your needs and helps you lead a fulfilling, balanced life.

For details on how to get self-test kits and a FREE test at any of our stores contact us on 0715 703 000.

 

 

 

Citations:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2769614/

https://diabetesjournals.org/clinical/article/20/1/45/746/Self-Monitoring-of-Blood-Glucose-The-Basics

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0002934305006649

 

We talk in general terms about headaches, what they are, and how to deal with them here, but headaches in small babies and small children deserve special attention. In this article, we will look at the symptoms and causes of headaches in children before the hormonal changes that come with puberty – from birth to about 10 or 11 years old.

What is a headache?

People – adults, children, and babies – have a headache when we feel pain or discomfort in our heads and/or around our faces. Because there are no pain nerves in the brain, it is not the brain that hurts, but rather we experience pain in the nerves and blood vessels in the jaw, neck, or head muscles. Babies and children can experience headache pain on one part of the head, they can be once off or more frequent.¹ About 20% of school-age children and teens get frequent headaches. Mostly, these are tension headaches, but some children do struggle with migraines which can get worse when they become teenagers² and which we will discuss in more detail in another article.

Doctors don’t entirely understand what causes headache pain, but they do recognize a range of different types of headache pain – up to 150.³

That sounds more terrifying than it is because, in most cases, what the doctors call primary headaches, are often nothing to worry about. Children, like adults, develop these headaches if they’re stressed, tired, or hungry. Usually, they go away – without medication. Headaches that are associated with an illness and/or conditions like influenza, hay fever, or injuries are known as secondary headaches and may require treatment (see below, when should I take my child to the doctor for a headache?).

There are four types of primary headache: tension headache, which we’ve already mentioned, migraines, chronic headaches, and cluster headaches. The latter two are not common in small children, and cluster headaches hardly ever occur in children under 10 years old.

How do I know if my little one has a headache?

Small children who can already speak will say something like, “Mamma, my head hurts!” or hold their heads and say, “Sore!” However, before they talk, babies use other signs to tell you their heads hurt. For example, they may cover their eyes or put their hands up, over their ears. Similarly, and like when they have a temperature, they may be sleepy and less active than usual and/or not interested in feeding.

Older children with headaches may not say they have a sore head, but be quieter than usual. So when you notice that your child is out of sorts, perhaps checking whether his/her head hurts is an excellent place to start.

Paediatric Migraines

Children can get migraines: in boys, they can start as early as 7 years old, and at around 10 for girls. Usually, there’s a family history of migraines, often with similar triggers. Children who have the gene for migraines may develop migraines when they get older.⁴ The typical symptoms of migraine in children, similar to adults, include:⁵

• Throbbing pain in the head
• Nausea and vomiting
• Sensitivity to bright light and noise
• Aura, or seeing bright or flashing lights⁶
• Paler skin than usual

How to help your child when she has a migraine

In addition to any prescribed migraine medication, encourage your child to quietly relax and rest in her room with the curtains closed and with a cold or warm cloth on her forehead. You could also help her to focus on her breathing with deep, calm breaths.

Children, stress, and tension headaches

We often forget that children, as we do, get stressed. Emotional conflict, as well as lack of sleep, hunger, and thirst, can all cause headaches. Again, some of the symptoms are the same as tension headaches in adults.

Stress and mental or emotional conflict can cause tension headaches that creep up on anyone – including children. Bullying at school or fighting with friends or even brothers and sisters could easily cause a tension headache. While every child may experience symptoms differently, here are some questions based on the most typical symptoms of a tension headache, and which you can ask your child:

• Is your head sore on one side or both?
• Are you uptight and clenching your jaw a lot?
• Does it feel like you have something tight wrapped around your head?
• Where else does it hurt? The back of your head, the neck?
• How bad is the pain?

The pain with tension headaches is usually mild rather than severe.

In addition to these questions, you might also think about the following possible changes or events that be one of the causes of your child’s headache:

• How has s/he been sleeping? Not getting enough, having bad dreams?
• Is s/he drinking enough liquids? Could s/he be dehydrated?
• Is s/he eating properly and not skipping meals?

Symptoms, like nausea and vomiting that are typical of migraine headaches, are not associated with tension headaches.

How to relieve your child’s tension headache

In addition to medication, or before resorting to medication, which we discuss below, help your child to relax by getting him/her to lie down with the head on a pillow (slightly raised). Sometimes a cold or warm cloth on the forehead helps as does a warm bath or shower.⁷

When should I take my child to the doctor for a headache?

Mothers have good instincts about their children and will know when to consult a medical practitioner about their child’s headaches. The most obvious is if the child often has headaches – for no reasons that you or she can identify. Also, if the headache doesn’t go away, comes back, and/or gets worse, take your child to the doctor.

Also, take your child to the hospital, if your child has a headache and if she:

• Has a temperature/fever
• Has a stiff neck
• Has pain in the back of the head
• Has difficulty seeing, or cannot see
• Is vomiting
• Has any weakness in her muscles
• Has any symptoms that wake them up in the middle of the night

In the case of secondary headaches, that comes with a cold or flu, mum tends to know best. However, if your child has any head or neck trauma, whether it’s a nasty scratch, cut, bump or bruise, it’s a good idea to take your child to the emergency room. This way if there is brain damage or some other problem, it is quickly dealt with.⁸

 

What medicines are used for children’s headaches?

As we have already noted, children’s headaches don’t always need to be treated. However, if your child is very uncomfortable, there are over-the-counter pain killers like Cipladon 500mg (paracetamol) and ibuprofen that you can use. Before you give your child medicine, do remember that the dosages for children are based on their age and weight, so it’s best to do so under medical supervision.

If your child has been diagnosed with migraine, it’s possible that your pediatrician will prescribe one of the following medications:⁹

• Rizatriptan (Maxalt), for children between 6 and 17
• Propranolol – unless your child has asthma, diabetes, or depression.
• Topiramate, which is an anti-seizure drug that is as effective as propranolol
• Amitriptyline, which is an antidepressant often taken at bedtime, can help to prevent migraine and tension headaches

Disclaimer: For the above-listed non-over-the-counter medications require diagnosis and a prescription from your medical practitioner.

 

Disclaimer: The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health.

Sources:

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1. Seladi-Schulman, J. 2021 Having Constant Headaches? What You Need to Know. Healthline. [Online] Available from <https://www.healthline.com/health/constant-headache#causes> 21/07/2022
2. Cleveland Clinic medical professionals. Headaches in Children [Online] Available from <https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4225-headaches-in-children> 22/07/2022
3. Headache Basics. WebMD [Online] Available from  <https://www.webmd.com/migraines-headaches/migraines-headaches-basics> 21/07/2022
4. Headaches in Children. Johns Hopkins Medicine [Online] Available from <https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/headache/headaches-in-children#> 21/07/2022
5. Chee, P 2021. Headache.  Child Neurology Foundation [Online] Available from <https://www.childneurologyfoundation.org/disorder/headache/> 21/07/2022
6. Davis, P D. 2021 Definition of Aura RxList  [Online] Available from <https://www.rxlist.com/aura/definition.htm> 21/07/2022
7. Khatri, M (reviewer) 2021.  What Should I Do for My Child’s Headaches? Home Treatments. WebMD [Online] Available from <https://www.webmd.com/migraines-headaches/guide/your-childs-headache> 21/07/2022
8. Saling, J., 2020. Head Injury. WebMD [Online] Available from <https://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/guide/head-injuries-causes-and-treatments>
9. Marchin, A., 2022 Pediatric Headaches: Know Which Symptoms Are Red Flags Healthline [Online] Available from <https://www.healthline.com/health/pediatric-headache-red-flags> 21/07/2022

In today’s fast-paced world, maintaining our health is paramount. One health condition that is becoming increasingly prevalent is diabetes. This chronic disease affects millions of people worldwide and can have a significant impact on their quality of life.

In this comprehensive article, we will delve into the various facets of diabetes, from its causes and symptoms to the most effective treatment options available. We will also explore practical lifestyle changes that can help you better manage your diabetes and enhance your overall well-being.

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar levels. When we consume food, it is broken down into glucose, which is used by our cells as a source of energy. Insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas, helps transport glucose from the bloodstream into the cells. In people with diabetes, the body either does not produce enough insulin or cannot effectively use the insulin it produces.

There are three main types of diabetes:

• Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.
• Type 2 diabetes is the most common type and occurs when the body becomes resistant to insulin or does not produce enough insulin.
• Gestational diabetes develops during pregnancy and usually resolves after childbirth.

Causes and risk factors of diabetes

The exact causes of diabetes are not fully understood, but several factors can increase the risk of developing the condition.

• Type 1 diabetes: genetics and certain environmental triggers, such as viral infections, may play a role.
• Type 2 diabetes: is strongly associated with lifestyle factors, including obesity, physical inactivity, and an unhealthy diet.

Other risk factors include family history, age, ethnicity, and certain medical conditions, such as high blood pressure.

Diagnosing diabetes

Diagnosing diabetes involves various tests to measure blood sugar levels. The most common diagnostic test is the fasting plasma glucose (FPG) test, which measures blood sugar levels after fasting for at least eight hours.

Another test is the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), which measures blood sugar levels before and two hours after consuming a glucose-rich drink.

Haemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) test is also used to determine long-term blood sugar control. If the results of these tests indicate high blood sugar levels, further testing may be done to confirm the diagnosis.

Managing diabetes through lifestyle changes

Managing diabetes effectively often requires making significant lifestyle changes. These changes may include:

• Adopting a healthy diet
• Engaging in regular physical activity
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Managing stress

A well-balanced diet for diabetes should consist of whole grains, lean proteins, fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats. Portion control and carbohydrate counting can also help regulate blood sugar levels. Regular exercise can help improve insulin sensitivity, lower blood sugar levels, and promote overall well-being.

It is important to consult with a healthcare professional or a registered dietitian to create an individualized plan that suits your needs.

Medications and treatments for diabetes

In addition to lifestyle changes, medications are often prescribed to manage diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes, insulin therapy is essential, as the body does not produce any insulin. Insulin can be administered through injections or an insulin pump.

Type 2 diabetes, oral medications, injectable medications, or a combination of both may be prescribed to help control blood sugar levels.

These medications work by increasing insulin production, improving insulin sensitivity, or reducing glucose production in the liver. It is crucial to follow the prescribed medication regimen and regularly monitor blood sugar levels to ensure optimal control of diabetes.

Prevention and complications of diabetes

While some risk factors for diabetes, such as family history and age, cannot be changed, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes.

• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Engaging in regular physical activity
• Adopting a balanced diet,
• Limiting alcohol consumption
• Avoiding smoking

It is also essential to regularly monitor blood sugar levels, undergo regular check-ups, and manage other medical conditions to prevent or minimize complications associated with diabetes.

In conclusion, diabetes is a chronic condition that requires lifelong management. By understanding the various aspects of diabetes, adopting healthy lifestyle changes, following prescribed medication regimens, and seeking regular medical care, individuals with diabetes can effectively manage their condition and lead fulfilling lives. Remember, you are not alone in this journey. Goodlife is here to provide you with the resources, support, and expert advice you need to manage your diabetes and live your best life.

Nuru comes home from school, running a bit of temperature. “Ma, my head is sore,” she whines.

“Oh, dear,” you think to yourself,” she’s probably caught a cold that’s going around.” On top of that, she’s making everybody miserable with her whining. Especially you because at 8 years old, she claims to be too big to take the usual paracetamol syrup that you have on stand-by for the children. On the other hand, she has difficulty swallowing the 1000mg tablet you keep in the medicine cabinet for yourself. She’s refusing to take either and you know that paracetamol will make her (and you) feel better. You have a battle on your hands.

You’re not alone.

Nurses also have difficulty administering pre-teens medicines

Even trained nurses experience challenges when it comes to preparing and administering medicines to their patients. You won’t be surprised to learn that their most common challenges are the same as parents’: their patients complain that the medicine tastes bad and they spit out tablets. An additional challenge, probably also familiar to you, is how difficult it is to break pills into pieces to make the appropriate dosage for children at particular ages (we look at this a bit later).¹

“So, what?” you’re thinking. That doesn’t help me, now. The obvious solution is paracetamol which is neither a syrup, nor a traditional tablet, like Cipladon 500, but what if you don’t have any?

An emergency solution: “disguising” the medicine

While one doesn’t want to “con” our kids, desperate times sometimes call for desperate measures.

However, before you take any of the tips below, please check with the pharmacist to be sure that following any of the suggestions has no impact on the way the medication works – its efficacy.

• If your child likes iced drinks, keep liquid medicines and syrups in the fridge.
• Mix the medicine with another liquid or crush the tablet into a little bit of food. Often sick children have no appetite, so make sure that the quantity is small enough so that they finish it and take the right dose.²

A longer-term solution: strategy and practice

Realistically, our children have to learn how to take medicines, whether or not they like the taste, or can swallow a tablet. Taking pills is a fact of life, so if your child refuses to take them, why not develop some strategies for helping them to cope?

The “con” is not the answer

As with all things in life, honesty is the best policy, and as most parents know, “tweens” will uncover what their parents try to hide from them – sometimes with disastrous results. So, if it’s a case of making the medication palatable, or getting it swallowed, pre-teens are probably old enough to “disguise it” themselves – under supervision. They could even begin enjoying the “medicated” drink as John did:

As a baby, John was diagnosed with abdominal migraine and the doctor prescribed daily medication. His mother’s strategy: she gave him and his brother a drink each morning. John knew his drink was special: it had his medicine in it. Occasionally, he’d open the bottle and smell it when he got older. It was awful. He also knew that he didn’t have a sore tummy or vomit when he took it. Over time, he came to look forward to that morning drink – even when it no longer had his medicine “hiding” in it. 

What else do we learn from John’s mom?

In addition to John’s understanding of the reason for the medicine, taking it was part of the family’s daily routine. Consequently, he took it every day, no fuss, no muss. Getting into a routine is an essential strategy if children are on medication for chronic conditions. This also sets the tone for when the doctor prescribes a course of antibiotics that must be finished.

John knew where his medicine was, and his mom didn’t stop him from opening the bottle to smell it. Continuing to have it mixed with his morning drink was his choice.

While taking medicine may not be a choice, involving your child in when and how to take it, will help them feel more in control.

Practise makes perfect

The stumbling blocks to tablet swallowing are not just swallowing something whole, but the sensation of something on the tongue. Then, there’s a child’s anxiety when she cannot swallow it, or if he/she chokes.

Successfully taking pills only comes with practise. Why not make it fun? While we don’t advocate children eating large quantities of sugary foods, it could be helpful to practise using something like Smarties, the candy-coated chocolate sweeties which are about the same size as a 500g to 1000g tablet. In addition to this, using a straw to suck the water (or other appropriate drink) into the mouth and then swallowing has the advantage of distracting them from the anxiety associated with swallowing the tablet. Sucking into a straw has the added advantage of forcing the liquid down the throat, taking the pill with it.

Gamify

You could turn this into a game, with a (non-sugary) reward for successful swallows. Similarly, this might help your child finish a course of medicine, and she gets a star or other symbol on a chart for each tablet in the course, and then a tangible reward like a book or voucher when she’s finished the course of pills.³

Paracetamol and “tweens”

Acetaminophen is the generic name for paracetamol, an over-the-counter medicine taken to relieve pain and fever for people of all ages, and is very safe, but with all medicines overdosing can lead to liver damage and, in rare cases, even death. Carefully read the medicine prescription information.

Paracetamol is available in syrup, tablets, and effervescent tablets like Cipladon 500. The following table is a useful guide for parents as their children grow up, especially when they’re moving through the phase of being too old for syrup and too young for tablets.

If you’re giving your child paracetamol syrup, ensure you have a proper medicine measure. Do not use a spoon from your kitchen drawer. Syrup is recommended for children from eight years old and up.

The table below is a guide to how often you can dose your sick child with paracetamol depending on their age.⁴

Paracetamol Syrup
Age	How much?	How often?
6 to 8 years	5ml	Maximum 4 times in 24 hours
8 to 10 years	7.5ml	Maximum 4 times in 24 hours
10 to 12 years	10ml	Maximum 4 times in 24 hours
Paracetamol Tablets
Age	How much?	How often?
6 to 8 years	250mg	Maximum 4 times in 24 hours
8 to 10 years	375mg	Maximum 4 times in 24 hours
10 to 12 years	500mg	Maximum 4 times in 24 hours
12 to 16 years	750mg	Maximum 4 times in 24 hours

Cipladon 500 Effervescent Paracetamol Tablets: dosing is dependent on the child’s weight

Children who are 8 and older, and children who meet the weight requirements can take Cipladon 500.⁵

Weight guidelines for Cipladon 500 dosages
Weight	Dose limit	Timing
15 mg per 1kg per dose	to a maximum of 1000 mg	every four hours
Maximum 75 mg per 1kg per day	not exceeding 4000 mg	for 48 hours
Maximum of 60 mg per 1kg per day	not exceeding 4000 mg	after 48 hours

 

More about Cipladon 500 for easy-peasy dosage and f-f-faster pain relief

Cipladon 500 is not a pill: it’s an effervescent tablet that dissolves in water. This leaves much less room for mistakes and makes for easy peasy dosing of children who don’t like medicine, especially swallowing pills.

Children like Cipladon 500 because it is not a sugary syrup that often has a nasty, sickly bitter-sweet aftertaste. Instead, Cipladon 500 tastes more like a cold drink because it is sweetened with aspartame (a low-calorie sweetener) that tastes just like sugar.

Remember: If your child is small or big for their age, always ask your pharmacist to guide you on how much paracetamol to dose your child.

Other Advantages of Cipladon 500

• Cipladon 500 is safe for children from 8 years old, and up.
• Cipladon 500 is the perfect solution for children who are too old for syrups and too young for tablets: no more fighting, and no more spitting pills out!
• Cipladon 500 means that children who are anxious about swallowing big pills are more likely to take their medicine when it is a sugar-free, fizzy, sweetened flavored drink.

In short: Cipladon 500 is easy to give, tastes great, and relieves pain and fever f-f-faster!

The fizz works!

Disclaimer: The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a healthcare provider if you have questions about your health.

Sources:

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1. Boztepe H, Özdemir H, Karababa Ç, Yıldız Ö. 2014 . Difficulties experienced during preparation and administration of oral drugs. Turk Pediatri Ars. Sep 1;49(3):231-7. doi: 10.5152/tpa.2014.1795. PMID: 26078668; PMCID: PMC4462300. [Online] Available from <https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4462300/> 08/08/2022
2. Hilmas, E (Reviewer) Medicines: Using Them Safely (for Parents). Nemours KidsHealth [Online] Available from <https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/medication-safety.html> 10/08/2022
3. Weinstock, J, 2022 6 Tips That Will Take the Strain Out of Giving Your Child Medication. Children’s Hospital Los Angeles [Online] Available from<https://www.chla.org/blog/health-and-safety-tips/6-tips-will-take-the-strain-out-giving-your-child-medication> 10/08/2022
4. Hilmas, E (Reviewer) How to Safely Give Acetaminophen (for Parents). Nemours KidsHealth [Online] Available from <https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/acetaminophen.html> 10/08/2022
5. How much paracetamol should I give my child? Health Navigator New Zealand [online] Available from <https://www.healthnavigator.org.nz/tools/p/paracetamol-dose-calculator/> 26/04/2022