fbpx

Category: Patients Health Information

alcohol-affects-pancreas

Alcohol – How it affects your pancreas

30/11/2017

The pancreas is a vital organ in charge of producing and secreting enzymes which break down food and digests it in the stomach. The pancreas also secrets insulin which controls and breaks down the blood sugar. Regular consumption of alcohol may lead to pancreatitis among other pancreas affections.

 

Up to 70% of pancreatitis cases usually involve regular heavy consumption of alcohol, the causes for the rest 30% being cases of viral or medication induced autoimmune related affections, or the causes are unknown.

 

Acute and chronic pancreatitis

 

There are two types of pancreatitis: acute and chronic, and both are related to alcohol consumption.

 

Acute pancreatitis is when the pancreas becomes inflamed but it does not last more than a few days and there isn’t usually any permanent damage. But one in 5 cases of acute pancreatitis is severe as enzymes from the pancreas can get in the blood stream and cause more serious problems like kidney failure.

Acute pancreatitis symptoms include: fever, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain behind the ribs that spreads to the back.

 

Chronic pancreatitis is when their is an inflammation of the pancreas which usually occurs in acute pancreatitis, does not go away, thus causing the pancreas to not work properly.

Symptoms will include: weight loss, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), recurring severe pain in the abdominal and back region, producing greasy and foul smelling feces.

 

Alcohol and pancreatitis

 

In acute pancreatitis cases, specialists are not exactly sure how alcohol causes this condition and have come up with some theories, but whatever the cause, there is a clear link between drinking alcohol and acute pancreatitis. One theory is that the molecules in alcohol interfere with the cells in the pancreas, stopping them from working properly. They have also discovered that rare consumption rarely leads to acute pancreatitis but it’s best not to take risks.

For chronic pancreatitis, specialists have discovered that getting acute pancreatitis due to regular and heavy alcohol consumption will cause permanent damage to the pancreas. This gets worse if there is smoking involved.

 

Prevention and treatment

 

The best way to avoid pancreatitis is to control the amount of alcohol you ingest. If you drink occasionally small amount of alcohol, the chances of getting alcohol induced pancreatitis are very slim.

 

If diagnosed with chronic pancreatitis the first and most important thing that can be done is to stop drinking alcohol. This will reduce the symptoms and pain that comes with them. Stopping drinking will also reduce and stop any further pancreas damage. If you continue drinking, the pain will increase both in length and intensity and worse still, there’s a high chance to develop a more severe pancreas affection such as pancreatic cancer.

 

In acute pancreatitis, even though it might not be caused necessarily by alcohol, avoiding drinking completely for at least 6 months will give your pancreas time to recover.

 

Medicated treatment is usually prescribed by a medical specialist and involves pain medication, IV fluids accompanied by a strict diet.

breast-cancer-awareness

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

22/10/2017

This October we focus on breast cancer awareness as part of a national campaign to empower women to take control of their health, know the available resources they have and acknowledge how breast cancer impacts not only the patients, but people in their lives as well.

After non melanoma skin cancer, breast cancer is still one of the most common types of cancer for women in Australia.

Around 48 people are diagnosed with breast cancer in Australia daily, according to Breast Cancer Network Australia. Surprisingly for some people, but breast cancer can also develop for men as well, however reported cases are less than 1% of all cancers in men.
Awareness is important because, if diagnosed in the early stages, the chances of survival are considerably high as treatments evolve and so much research is dedicated to continuously fight this type of cancer.

Self examination should be a routine for every woman. This involves feeling the breast for any lumps, checking any changes in skin color or size, if the nipples have any unusual discharge or develop a crust or redness. Even if breast pain commonly appears for women related to their period, abnormal breast pain shouldn’t be ignored either as a possible sign.

This self check can be done early morning in the mirror or during the shower, regularly. Doing it repeatedly makes a woman more aware of her natural breast size, shape and look so that if any changes occur they are easier to spot. Most changes aren’t necessarily a sign of breast cancer, but they sure indicate the need to visit the doctor for a safety check.

Women between 50 and 74 are invited to have a free mammogram every two years as part of the national breast cancer screening program. Women aged 40–49 and those aged over 74 can also be screened free of charge, however they are not sent invitation letters. Statistics show that more than 78% of breast cancer develops for women over the age of 50, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2017. Considering changes of the body when women approach menopause, breast cancer symptoms can sometimes be overlooked, even more reasons to spread awareness especially in this age range.

Regular health checks with your GP are a good opportunity to talk to your doctor about breast health and monitor any changes. Awareness helps not only women diagnosed with breast cancer to understand their condition and available resources and support for treatment, but also plays a huge role in teaching women from a young age about self check and the increasing chances of getting cured when breast cancer is diagnosed early on.

vaccination and pregnancy

Vaccination and pregnancy

08/10/2017

Why is vaccination before and during pregnancy important?

 

Whether we talk about immunisation before or during pregnancy, women should be advised about the benefits and the risks of vaccines. Many women consider getting vaccinated after a recommendation from their healthcare provider, studies have shown.

Before planning a child, every woman should be up to date with their vaccination scheme in order to prevent her from taking a virus. Meanwhile, vaccination during the pregnancy should be taken into consideration for the well-being of the child and the mother in the same time. Immunisation during pregnancy protects them from infectious diseases.

Women are advised to immunise themselves again influenza during every pregnancy.

Who should receive immunisation?

 

  1. * Women who are planning to have a baby and haven’t been immunised against: chickenpox, measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, tetanus;
  2. * People living in the same house with the pregnant woman;
  3. * Pregnant women in the first trimester of their pregnancy.

What vaccines are recommended?

 

If you are planning a child in the near future, you have to check if the following vaccines have been given to you: hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella and varicella. A simple blood test is the easiest way to find if one of these hasn’t been made.

If you haven’t received one of these immunisation medicines, you should go to your healthcare provider and ask for it.

However, you have to pay attention because it is required to wait for at least a month until you get pregnant.

Vaccines recommended before pregnancy: chickenpox, influenza, measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough.

Vaccines recommended during pregnancy: seasonal influenza vaccine, adult pertussis dTpa vaccine (whooping cough), tetanus and diphtheria.

Vaccines recommended after pregnancy (for the child): diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), hepatitis B, rotavirus and pneumococcal disease.

 

How do these vaccines help the mother and the child?

 

Both the mother and her child will be protected against heaps of infectious diseases if the vaccination status is up to date.
For example, the seasonal influenza vaccine reduces the child’s post-natal risks of developing this illness in the first few months. The immunisation can be made during any trimester of the pregnancy, though it is recommended to receive it in the last one for its effectiveness.

Pertussis is mostly lethal through children aged less than 3 months. Considering the fact that the first dose of the vaccine can only be received then, the mother should have antibodies for this illness in her body during pregnancy. This is achievable only through immunisation. Then, the baby receives the mother’s antibodies via placenta, studies showing that their effectiveness is more than 90% in the first months of life.

Which are the risks if you don’t receive immunisation?

 

Infectious diseases can harm both the mother and the baby. Rubella and chickenpox can damage the child’s brain, heart and sight, while measles and mumps can lead to a higher risk of miscarriage or premature birth. Influenza, if contracted, can be lethal for the child and the mother, too. Pertussis (whooping cough) leads to developing higher risks of pneumonia, seizures, encephalopathy.

What should you avoid?

 

The following vaccines have a speculative risk if administrated during pregnancy: tuberculosis, oral typhoid, Japanese encephalitis, MMR (measles-mumps-rubella), MMRV (measles-mumps-rubella-varicella), rotavirus, varicella against chickenpox, zoster against shingles.

During pregnancy, you have to avoid crowded places and, if anyone contaminated or not immunised is in the house, you should keep the distance and advice him/her to have the vaccine.

See more specific details on vaccination for pregnant women :

 

Influenza vaccination for pregnant women

Whooping cough vaccination for pregnant women

Or read about Immunisation in general on our Immunisation page.

job-stress-mental-health-doctors

What’s the stress level of your job?

24/09/2017

How many of us can say truthfully that we love our jobs? And for those of us who do, how many can state it out loud?
You wake up and go to work. And work means running your own business or being an employee or even being a stay at home mum.

Whatever you decide to do, as long as you do it consistently, it’s a job. It’s never as simple as love it or hate it. There are good days and bad days, achievements or mistakes. You’re satisfied with this month’s paycheck or strive to do more next month if you can. You get along with your coworkers or struggle in keeping fruitful relationships with your clients.

There’s always a struggle or two along the way. And if you’re having difficulties separating your personal life from your work, it’s even harder.
But try one day to put all the stress of the job in a glass jar, place a lid on it and give it a nice red bow. Than look at it, accept it’s there, and accept that the lid comes off from time to time. But try to keep it closed.

 

So many health issues are related to stress, and most people associate stress with work.

 

And not only is it more difficult when your personal issues are on top. But when work stress goes back home with you, there’s a never ending cycle right there. Depression, anxiety, intimacy issues, general health concerns even up to and including cancer. All these are risks we are taking when we do not deal with the stress at work and we let it take over our lives.

So think about it. Do you love your job? And what loving your job actually means?

In my opinion, it means giving you just the right amount of stress to push you forward without clouding your day. It means having satisfaction in what you do and looking forward to doing it again tomorrow. Or at least not dreading it.

It all comes down to being content with your days. Loving your job doesn’t have to bring you the greatest success and make you number one, it just shouldn’t make you hate it.

 

Mental health issues are strongly connected with how satisfied you are with your work.

 

And people often ignore considering the health aspects until obvious signs of trouble appear. It can start with being tired all the time, not feeling like taking time for your friends or family anymore, looking to spend over time at work rather than finding something to do.

Examine your job and think about it. Do you love it? Are you happy with it? If not, what would make you happy? Or would it be possible to love it if you had a different perspective on things?

After reading this article, 10 out of 10 people won’t be quitting their jobs. Which is absolutely normal, even if they love their jobs or not. But hopefully you will wonder, if not loving your job, what could you do to change that. And if you do appreciate your job, you will realize that loving it is a big part of you being happy on a personal level as well. Never forget you can talk to your GP about your stress level and any mental health issues that bother you because of your job.

alzheimer-queensland-dementia-general-practice

Alzheimer : every second matters!

24/09/2017

Alzheimer is a tragic occurrence and it’s becoming more frequent every day. There is no known cure and the alarming fact is that there are more than 413,106 Australians affected.

The financial implications Alzheimer has are significant in Australia, expected to grow up to  $18.7 billion by 2025. This is mostly due to the fact that people with this illness, need medical care for extended periods of time, from the moment this disease first begins to manifest until the death of the patient.

 

Mother and child: the roles reverse

 

The struggles are real and they vary, from financial difficulties to emotional and psychological torment for both the ailing person and their families. A simple thing as a walk can be fatal to a person suffering from Alzheimer. Because this illness usually sets in after the age of 65, and less frequent before that, the children become the care takes. Sons and daughters go through the painful experience of witnessing their parents which were once strong, the care givers, lose themselves, their memories and succumb to this horrible affliction.

Remembering the loved ones

Being forgotten by you mother or father is always very difficult on top of the other problem this disease causes for both the patient and their family. A lot of people that suffer from Alzheimer end up being dropped off to asylums for the sole reason that it is unbearable to see your loved one not being able to recognize their family and friends.

 

What causes Alzheimer’s disease?

 

There is no official cause but there are some theories. One of them is that Alzheimer is caused by an infectious protein called TDP-43. Other infectious components have been linked to this disease, such as: viruses, fungus and bacteria.

Another theory is that Alzheimer’s is connected to insulin resistance; high blood sugar is associates with a higher risk of getting dementia.

Diabetes and heart disease also increase the chance to get this disease; both of these affections are rooted in insulin resistance.

Atherosclerosis or arterial stiffness is a buildup of beta-amyloid plaque in your brain and is also thought to somehow influence the development of Alzheimer.

Doctors have overall concluded that lifestyle choices and insulin resistance will increase one’s chances of getting Alzheimer’s disease.

 

Preventing Alzheimer

 

At the moment there are no known prevention methods but doctors say that you can control the risk factors to minimize your chances of getting this disease.

Vitamin D insufficiency will increase the chance of getting dementia by 125%. Dementia is thought to be an Alzheimer trigger. Keeping vitamin D levels normal will not only keep your body healthy but also prevent brain disease.

Exercising can also help prevent this disease as well as make treatment more efficient for patients who suffer from Alzheimer. A study shows that patients with moderate to mild Alzheimer had fewer neuropsychiatric symptoms, after participating in a four month supervised exercise program compared to the patients that did not exercise.

 

Risk lowering lifestyle strategies

 

Until a cure is discovered, preventing this disease stays crucial. Staying away as much as possible from carbs and sugars is a very good start. add to that a good intake of healthy fat will not only help in preventing Alzheimer’s but will also help with heart disease.

Below are 14 suggestions that can help in minimizing your chances of getting Alzheimer’s:

1. Eat real natural foods instead of processed foods. Most processed foods contain genetically enhanced grains which in turn contain glyphosate, an herbicide said to be worse than DDT.

2. Stay away from refined fructose and sugar. As mentioned before, Alzheimer’s is somehow connected to insulin resistance. So staying away from sugar excess will help. Make sure daily sugar and fructose intake does not exceed 25 grams, and in case of insulin or leptin resistance, it should not be over 15 grams per day.

3. Healthy fats ratio optimization. Your brain needs healthy fats to function properly, so make sure you eat plenty of foods that contain those fats. Omega 3 fats are known to prevent cell damage caused by Alzheimer’s slowing down the progress of this illness. Other healthy fats can be found in: egg yolks, meat, coconut oil, olives and olive oil, avocado, nuts and butter. Make sure all these foods are natural and organic. You should stay away from industrial omega 6 oils such as sunflower and safflower oils as well as soy and corn oils.

4. Keep away from gluten and casein. Gluten makes your gut more permeable and allows proteins to get into your blood stream. That will sensitize your immune system and lead to inflammation and autoimmunity which are known to play a role in developing Alzheimer’s. Casein is found in pasteurized dairy so consume full fat, raw dairy products. The cream is the most important component of raw milk because it contains all the energy needed to digest casein and it is also responsible for regulating sugar absorption in your blood minimizing the likelihood of insulin spikes.

5. Eat organic grass-fed meats. Most of the meat served in restaurants or sold in storesare not. Look for the products that are labeled organic or grass fed.

6. Optimize your gastrointestinal flora. Eat fermented foods such as yogurt or take pro-biotic supplements.

7. Reduce the number of calories you consume and fast intermittently. Replacing carbs with healthy fats and fasting intermittently (avoiding foods at certain times during the day) will help burn fat and repair insulin/leptin resistance.

8. Optimize your magnesium levels. Magnesium is known to decrease Alzheimer’s symptoms.

9. Increase folate intake. Folate is found in fresh vegetables, making it very accessible. Avoid folic acid supplements which is the synthetic version of folate.

10. Exercise regularly. As mentioned in this article, people with Alzheimer’s that exercise feel and are much better than those who don’t. Exercising also increases the levels of a protein called PGC-1alpha which is found smaller quantity in Alzheimer patients.

11. Eliminate aluminum and mercury from your body. Dental amalgam fillings have mercury in them and are one for the major sources of heavy metal toxicity. Following a mercury detox protocol before removing your amalgams is essential. Aluminum can be found in antiperspirants, non-stick cooking pots and aluminum beverage cans. Avoiding all of these is not only simple but good for your health.

12. Avoid statin drugs and anticholinergics. The chance of getting dementia increases if you take drugs that block acetylcholine. Anticholinergics can be found in pain relievers, sleep aids and antidepressants. Statin drugs deplete your brain of coenzyme Q10 as well as the well needed fats that make your brain function well.

13. Mental stimulation. Make sure you challenge your brain daily. Try to learn something new. Constant building up your brain makes it less susceptible to lesions which are suspected to be linked with Alzheimer’s disease.

obesity-weight-loss-doctor-wamuran

What’s the best way to handle obesity?

24/09/2017

The way general practitioners address obesity in patients has been heavily discussed at the last National Obesity Forum in Sydney this year. Although the Department of Health doesn’t directly classify it as a chronic disease, obesity ticks all the boxes to be treated under a GP management plan for a chronic disease : it affects most patients for more than six months, it can lead to disabilities and even death, it impacts the patient’s life and the community.
While obesity is diagnosed for a BMI of 30 or more, not all patients with high BMIs are unhealthy, but we can easily appreciate these are rare cases. Obesity can be one of the causes or can be directly associated with risks of type 2 diabetes, sleep apnoea, cardiac problems, osteoarthritis and other major health concerns.

 

Obesity management plan under medical supervision

 

WHEN STRUGGLING WITH BEING OVERWEIGHT, A GP WILL FIRST ADDRESS YOUR LIFESTYLE, ESPECIALLY DIET AND EXERCISE.

 

This is the first line where changes can be made, even though it can be difficult to change habits or develop new ones. Balanced and healthy meals and an exercise routine will be most effective long term if you enjoy them. Those are the weight management plans that work best, so consider being honest and communicating with your GP what you like, don’t like or aren’t comfortable with. This way, the GP’s approach will be tailored keeping both medical recommendations and personal preferences in mind.

 

MEDICATION IS AN OPTION YOUR GP WILL DISCUSS IF A LIFESTYLE CHANGE ON ITS OWN ISN’T ENOUGH.

 

The TGA approved medication for weight loss will be prescribed by your GP after discussing you medical history and other medication to avoid contraindications or side effects. What is most important to understand is that weight loss expectations should be realistic and achievable, as many people think weight loss pills should make them slim and fit overnight. The danger with medication is that, after you end taking it, you can gain weight again if the lifestyle isn’t adjusted to the healthy diet and exercise routines we were mentioning.

 

BARIATRIC SURGERY

 

Although bariatric surgery is recommended in people with a BMI of 40 or over, the high costs (even with medical insurance coverage) and going through surgery stop many people from taking this route. The surgery is very effective, but a healthy lifestyle and special care are still required to keep obesity in check.

prostate-cancer-risks

Prostate cancer – who is at risk?

31/08/2017

Prostate cancer

 

Prostate cancer claims the lives of about 3300 Australian men every year* (*Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia)

Recent studies have shown that cancer has a fractal developing pattern. Like many other forms of cancer, it can easily spread to other organs. However, its spreading is slower than in other organs and, if it’s found in the early stages, it has a slower growth.

Prostate cancer develops when abnormal cells start to grow in the gland’s tissues. Their Brownian movement and multiplication usually lead to affectation of other organs.

Anatomically, the prostate is a tiny gland found below the urinary bladder, in front of the rectum, in the male organism. This gland surrounds the urethra, where the seminal liquid and urine flow and its size is the equivalent of a walnut.

Being a component of the masculine reproductive system, its function is to produce a liquid that enriches the sperm.

Because of prostate’s continuous growth, older men can find a difficulty in urinating, a problem that is not always associated with cancer.

 

Who is at risk of developing prostate cancer?

 

Many factors, external and internal, can lead to a higher risk of developing prostate cancer. In the early stages, symptoms might be absent. In the more advanced stages, men start having difficulties urinating, pain issues and discovering blood in semen or urine. The following factors that influence the development of prostate cancer are the most crucial:

 

Age

Being an age-dependent illness, the prostate cancer tends to appear with the years.

Studies have shown that 1 in 7 men over 75 suffers from this, while 1 in 5 men over 85 does.

Genetics

Recent studies have shown that cancer is a matter of genetic bad luck.

Prostate cancer is not written in the DNA, but one can inherit the genes that have a higher developing risk.

Family history

Genetically speaking, again, prostate cancer risk can be inherited either if one of your first degree relatives has the disease or one of your relatives discovered it at a young age.

Nutrition

High-fat food, like processed meat, can increase the risk.

Environment

A stressful environment and lifestyle can also increase risks.

Hormonal imbalance

A higher level of testosterone can have an important influence in many medical conditions for men.

Obesity

The negative impact of being over-weight reflects poorly in many health issues.

How can it be detected?

 

There is a specific blood test that indicates if a specific protein has a higher level. This test is called PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen). However, an increase in that protein’s level does not necessarily mean cancer, because other diseases can indicate the same increase.

Another way to determine if something abnormal develops is DRE (Digital Rectal Examination). To examine the prostate’s dimensions and shape, the doctor uses a lubricated glove, inserts his finger into the patient’s rectum and checks for abnormalities. However, even if everything seems normal, there are still other examinations to be done.

A biopsy is the clearest way to determine whether you have prostate cancer or not. Through this procedure, a tiny piece of glandular tissue is being cut and sent to further investigations.

 

Reducing the risks

 
Even though there are not enough studies that show the effectiveness of prevention methods, they shouldn’t be disregarded. A healthy diet improve the functions of the organism, while physical activities done for at least 30 minutes per day can be a protective factor against cancer.

Men over 50 and men over 40 with a family history should ask their doctor to have the PSA test as part of their regular health check-up.

The actions taken to manage prostate cancer when already diagnosed can be guided by a GP through a GP Management Plan for Chronic Diseases.

diabetes-type-2-risk-factors

Top 5 causes for developing Type 2 Diabetes

13/08/2017

Types of Diabetes

Diabetes is an illness that appears when the body is not able anymore to keep the levels of glucose in the blood. This level is kept under control due to insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreatic islets.
If the pancreas cannot produce this hormone, Type 1 Diabetes occurs.
Type 2 Diabetes materializes in two different situations: if the human organism has a lack of insulin or if the hormone is not properly used.

What is the pancreas?

A glandular organ situated in the left side of the abdominal cavity, behind the stomach. Besides of the digestive function, it has an endocrine role. It produces hormones, including insulin, which transfer glucose into the cells, which use it for energy.

What is Type 2 Diabetes?

Type 2 Diabetes is a progressive condition, whose causes are still unknown, which is the case of Type 1 Diabetes, too. The cells’ improper response to insulin causes glucose to remain in the blood, resulting in a higher level of glucose in the organism.

How do I know I have Type 2 Diabetes?

If you are more lethargic than usually, extremely thirsty or hungry and eliminate a large amount of urine, you might want to have a blood test to determine the sanguine glucose level. If the diabetes has already developed, you can also acknowledge the fact that your vision is getting blurred, wounds don’t heal fast enough or your skin becomes itchy and infected.

Diabetes risk factors

Even though Type 2 Diabetes doesn’t have a determined cause and it isn’t linked to our eating habits, some people have a predisposition to develop this illness. The most important risk factors are:

Ageing

Ageing is probably one of the major risk factors. Most of our bodies’ functions slow down as we get older, including the insulin’s production.

Genes

Scientists determined the fact that if one person has had cases of Type 2 Diabetes in his/her family, there is a bigger chance for that person to develop the illness.

Weight

Overweight people tend to develop a large series of illnesses, including heart diseases, kidney failures and, nevertheless, diabetes.

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

This disease is a hormonal one, which makes it harder for women to get pregnant. One of the complications that appear if PCOS is not treated is diabetes.

Low level of physical exercise

Exercising speed-up processes in our bodies. Not paying enough attention to physical activities can lead to slowing functions, including the insulin production.

Prevention

If you have some of the risks listed above, you can do a few things to minimize their effects:

Z

Keep a healthy weight

Z

Exercise on a daily basis, at least 30 minutes

Z

Keep a healthy diet, based on fruits and vegetables

Z

Reduce the alcohol consumption

 

Managing Type 2 Diabetes

By following a strict schedule for physical activity and eating healthy, you can manage to keep the blood sugar level at control. However, if that doesn’t work, you can be prescribed medicines. The actions taken to manage diabetes when already diagnosed can be guided by a GP through a GP Management Plan for Chronic Diseases.

healthy-sleep-children

How much sleep is healthy for our children?

07/07/2017
Healthy Sleep Children

Healthy sleep is essential for child development. Sleep disorders can affect our children as well as it can affect adults, even though you might think at a younger age there aren’t reasons for it to happen. Our kids’ sleeping patterns change constantly over the years.

Just think about how newborns don’t sleep through the whole night because they wake up to be fed, but they still get around 16 hours per day! In preschool years the number falls to 11-13 hours a night. For children aged 5 to 12, they need between 10-11 hours of sleep a night. In adolescence, 8 to 10 hours of sleep are recommended. Even if most teenagers would argue that they don’t need it.

 

A healthy sleep is not only about the number of hours

 

The quality of sleep is as important, if not more, as the quality of it. Some studies suggest that poor sleeping patterns can have significant issues on our children’s health. From delaying their physical and mental growth, to putting them at risk for infections and even leading to childhood obesity.

And with new born babies, keep in mind that not only the baby needs a healthy sleep. The break in sleeping patterns affect the parents and even siblings considerably.

Many teenagers are easily labeled as having mood swings, when in fact a poor sleep routine could be underlying their performance in school, their ability to focus, remember, get excited about new things or feel good.

As part of a global study, sleep research shows that Australian teens are actually the third most sleep deprived in the world. Depression, mood swings, risks of having car accidents and underperforming in school are strong enough reasons for parents to pay more attention to the causes and to ways of improving their teenagers sleep habits. It’s good to set an objective of at least 9 hours of sleep, even if they give you a hard time for it.

 

Recommended actions for any age for a good night sleep

 

 

I

Avoid using electronic devices just before bedtime (phones, tablets, video games)

I

Don’t keep a bright light in the bedroom overnight

I

Don’t drink caffeinated or fizzy drinks before sleep

I

Go to bed same hour every day – keep a regular sleep pattern

 

If you want to make sure your children get a healthy sleep, you could set up a sleep schedule you can explain to them and make a poster of it they can have in their room. And if your kids are, like most kids, difficult to put to bed, think of creating a reward system if they stick to the schedule. But the ideal would be to explain to them the real benefits and make them understand why it’s good for them to have a healthy sleep.

Even though we all know it’s much more difficult with teenagers, reasoning with them and even setting your own personal example should help. There are many great resources online with advice, you can start reading more through the Sleep Health Foundation website, here www.sleephealthfoundation.org.au

12