Dr. Dawn Harper2013-06-20T01:08:07-04:00Dr. Dawn Harperhttp://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/author/index.php?author=dr-dawn-harperCopyright 2008, HuffingtonPost.com, Inc.HuffingtonPost Blogger Feed for Dr. Dawn HarperGood old fashioned elbow grease.Healthy Pregnancies Aren't Just Down To Mumstag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2012:/theblog//3.15519862012-05-29T19:00:00-04:002012-07-29T05:12:04-04:00Dr. Dawn Harperhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-dawn-harper/
While everyone does naturally want to do the best for their children both during pregnancy and as a new parent, it would seem that some people still don't know the simple steps they can take to give their baby the healthiest start in life.
Latest figures show that: one in six women are still obese during pregnancy despite potential for a more difficult pregnancy, riskier birth and a less healthy baby; one in 10 continue smoking throughout pregnancy even though it significantly increases the risk of stillbirth, cot death or lung problems; and one in 10 drink more than the recommended lower-risk pregnancy guidelines - increasing the risk of miscarriage or still birth and stunting growth.
As a nation, we're storing up problems if we carry on like this and I whole heartedly support anything which helps people to make healthier choices whilst pregnant and beyond.
That's why I was confused by Sarah O'Meara's blog post earlier this week about the Hollywood film What to Expect When You're Expecting linking with Start4Life to promote the small steps people can take to give babies the best start possible.
It's interesting to see that Sarah thought the campaign was just for mums. I attended the same screening of the Start4Life advert and of the film, and I came out of it glad that there was a campaign targeting the whole family, not just the mum-to-be. Of course Start4Life is targeting mums - they're the ones carrying the baby for nine months, they're the ones who will be giving birth, and they're the ones who have the most impact on an infant's health either through what they eat, how active they are or how they choose to feed their baby. But this campaign is very much targeted at others who have a huge influence on a baby's health - dads who need to think about giving up smoking; family & friends who have to be reminded that pregnant mums shouldn't be eating for two and; the GPs and midwives women will meet during their pregnancy.
The film brings up some interesting topics, the main characters played by Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Lopez and Elizabeth Banks work their way through the challenges and adventures of pregnancy and parenthood. I think it's a great movie for anyone who's ever been through that experience but, I would encourage people not to dismiss the Start4Life just as a "community announcement" as Sarah suggests.
Start4Life is the little sister brand of Change4Life. The campaign's ethos is about giving tips and advice that work, helping people to make small changes to help them live healthier lives. This isn't the government telling people what to do, and it certainly isn't the government telling mums they're on their own in bringing up a baby. This is about supporting them through every step of the way and being the one-stop-shop for useful suggestions on how to give their baby the best start possible.
Search Start4Life for more information.]]>Doctor's Notes: Keeping Kids Healthy in the Suntag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2011:/theblog//3.9116962011-08-01T05:09:25-04:002011-09-30T05:12:01-04:00Dr. Dawn Harperhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-dawn-harper/
The sun's rays contain two types of ultraviolet light - UVA, and UVB. These are the rays that cause sunburn. Just one episode of sunburn as a child doubles their risk of skin cancer later in life - this really is an important issue.
It can be difficult to judge the strength of the sun, but UV index helps and is shown in a triangle on the weather forecast. Between October and March in the UK the index is rarely over 3 but in the height of summer it can reach 7, and your children will certainly need protecting. On hot days in the UK and abroad, you should keep out of the sun when it is at its strongest between 11am and 3pm. If in doubt, look at your shadow - if it's shorter than you, the sun is strong enough to cause damage in a very short space of time so keep your kids in the shade.
When it comes to kids, I believe the stronger the sun protection factor the better, and you certainly shouldn't be using anything less than SPF30. SPF simply gives you an idea of how long you should be able to stay in the sun. So if you would normally burn after 10 minutes in strong sun, an SPF30 should mean you can stay out for 30 times as long (300 minutes) but don't push this to the limit. I reapply sunscreen to my kids every couple of hours in hot weather. There are some excellent sprays available now or you can decant creams into an old deodorant roll on bottle to make application easier. Be careful about sunscreens that claim to be waterproof. Kids will happily spend hours running in and out of the swimming pool or sea in which case they may need topping up every half hour or so.
Left to their own devices, children will spend all day swimming or hunched over sand castles making them particularly prone to sunburn on the back of their necks. Insist that they wear a wide brimmed hat at all times and T-shirts to cover their shoulders. The hat will also reduce the sun exposure to the face by as much as 50%. Wet T-shirts offer less protection than dry ones as they allow more rays through so take a couple of spares with you and change regularly. There are also some excellent UV resistant clothing ranges available now.
When buying sunglasses for your kids, remember that, like many things in life, you get what you pay for. Children have a nasty habit of losing sunglasses but it really is worth investing in good quality glasses with guaranteed 100% UV protection. Just because glasses have dark lenses doesn't mean they will work. In fact, if they don't have proper UV protection, cheap sunglasses could do more harm by allowing the pupil to dilate in bright sunshine and exposing the retina to more rays. Look for the "CE Mark" or a British Standard number or UV 400 label.
Prevention is better than cure and by following the above tips, you will hopefully avoid sunburn in you and your family but if you have been caught unawares, keep your child out of the sun, give them plenty of cold fluids to drink, put them in a tepid bath or shower and remove any excess clothing. Calomine lotion may also help soothe the skin.
]]>Doctor's Notes: Holiday Basicstag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2011:/theblog//3.8897092011-07-04T10:12:04-04:002011-09-03T05:12:02-04:00Dr. Dawn Harperhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-dawn-harper/
Of course a trip to Majorca is not as complicated as a safari in Kenya, but each trip needs a bit of planning, and doing a bit of preparation will help reduce the stress as the departure date draws nearer.
First up are travel vaccinations. For those of you planning a holiday somewhere exotic, thinking well ahead in terms of vaccinations is vital. Most travel vaccines can be given by the nurse at your GP surgery, but some, like Yellow Fever, are only provided by approved centres. Make an appointment to see the practice nurse at least 8 weeks before you travel so that you have time to fit in all the vaccines - they can't all be given together!
If you or a family member take prescription medicines, make sure you have plenty to last the holiday and some extra in case of delays. Make a note of the names too so that if you lose them, you will be able to tell a local doctor what you are on. All drugs have two names so write them both down - some drugs have different names in different countries.
If your treatment means you need to take needles with you, ask your GP for a covering letter. While airlines are understandably strict on what you are allowed in hand luggage more often than not a simple covering letter from your GP will smooth your journey through airport security!
Another thing to be aware of, is that there are some illnesses or medical problems that directly affect your ability to fly. Those flying for medical treatment, shortly after some surgeries and even those that need special facilities such as oxygen onboard, may all face difficulties. If you have a medical condition that my affect your fitness to fly, check with your airline well in advance so they can give you advice.
Travel insurance is also an absolute must. Please, please, please don't leave the country without travel insurance! It may be tempting to try and save the small amount it costs for insurance in the short run, but believe me if you end up needing medical treatment whilst abroad, you'll be glad to be covered. The cost of treating even minor ailments in foreign countries can come as a nasty shock. The UK has a reciprocal arrangement with many European countries, but you will need an European Health Insurance Card (EHIC - available in post offices), to allow you to access free treatment.
Finally, I always recommend that you travel with at least a very basic first aid kit. Again, depending on where you are going, even the most basic and familiar medicines can be extremely hard to come by. It goes without saying that any prescription medicines must be included, and some other basics I always take on my family holidays are: Paracetamol, an anti-inflammatory (ibuprofen), antihistamines, antiseptic cream, insect repellant, travel sickness pills, diarrhoea medicine and some rehydration sachets, probiotic supplements and a selection of plasters or bandages.
Taking the time to think about how you and your family can prepare for a trip abroad as far in advance of your hols will not only ease some of the stress, but also means you'll be able to deal with whatever comes up on your travels.
Bon Voyage! ]]>