Indoor air - a hidden danger in baby's bedroom

WECF publishes results of study on indoor air quality in children's rooms in four European countries to be presented at next week’s Ministerial Conference "Environment and Health" in Parma

A-salt on our health

While the message appears to have got through to us Brits that too much salt is bad for us, we still don’t know why, which means we’re not cutting it down fast enough – and this can leave us at risk of serious health problems.

Most parents don’t realise their 4 or 5 year-olds are overweight or obese
 

Half of the mothers who took part in a study thought that their obese four or five year-old was normal weight, as did 39 per cent of the fathers.

Feel the New Year cheer inside and out

New research reveals a third of women could have been putting their happiness and comfort over Christmas and the New Year at risk due to a health complaint.

IBS Treatment Breakthrough

A new diet recently introduced to the UK from Australia looks set to finally offer long-term treatment for the one in five Brits who suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).

How a Mum's idea to help fight epilepsy in children came to life with the NCYPE

When a mum of a young girl with epilepsy, Caroline Muir, attended a families conference run by epilepsy charity, the National Centre for Young People with Epilepsy (NCYPE) in 2008. She spoke to us about her idea for a dedicated children's seizure diary.

Stroke Risk as millions ignore salt intake risk

Millions of Brits are risking their health by ignoring official advice warning about the dangers of salt intake according to research released today.

Natural Antioxidants in your Coffee Cup

Most of us have heard of antioxidants (over nine in 10 if you want to get technical) but far fewer are aware how good they are for us. In fact, around one third of Brits have no idea whether they’re good for them or not.

How to handle child with diabetes

School’s back in full swing, homework is a nightly chore, and best of all, your son or daughter has made new friends. But what would you do if one day they brought home a friend with type-1 diabetes?

Beat the Bugs

Why is it that we can send a rocket into space, talk to someone in New Zealand via mobile phone, find cures for major illnesses and perform ground- breaking surgery but still can't find a cure to eradicate the dreadful mini-pests that target children’s heads?

Sally Gunnell's guide to all-round health

Looking good in the mirror is all very well, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that we’re really fit and healthy. Smoking, drinking, crash diets and a lack of exercise take their toll in the long run – and this will usually affect our health before our looks.

Regulator Squashes Smoothie Doubts

With so many conflicting messages in the press these days about what is and isn’t good for you, it’s no wonder we feel confused about what we can do to keep our bodies healthy.  

Breast Feeding

Breastfeeding is natural and has benefits for both mums and babies. It should be easy and trouble-free, and a good start helps to ensure that is a happy experience. 

Young Arthritis

Arthritis is often thought of as a condition that affects only older people. Yet in fact 27,000 young people under 25 live with the disease in the UK. About three quarters of children who get ongoing arthritis are girls, most often developing their symptoms between the ages of two and six

Make Space for Health pilot programme

The ground breaking report calls on Government to recognise the campaign’s success and invest in a new inspirational programme at a national level based on the Make Space for Health model.

New research into vaccine for Meningitis B

New research funded by Meningitis Research Foundation seeks to use novel technology to develop an effective vaccine for the meningococcal B strain of meningitis. Meningococcal B (MenB) is responsible for the majority of cases in the Ireland and is not currently vaccine preventable.

How Healthy is your House?

The kitchen tap is dirtier than the toilet seat when it comes to bacterial contamination according to a new study.  When it comes to bacteria and viruses, appearances can be deceiving

Is there a dietary 'cure' for arthritis?

Arthritis in its various forms affects 4.3 million women and 2.6 million men in the UK – but more than six in ten of us will suffer from the condition at some point in our lives. Arthritis causes pain, loss of mobility and in chronic cases irreversible destruction of joints throughout the body.

UK Parents’ In The Dark When It Comes To Giving Children First Aid

Over 70% Of Parents Have Sought Emergency First Aid Treatment. Summer holidays are nearly here and while this means more fun for families, inquisitive children are spending more time at home which can often lead to an increase in accidents and sometimes even a visit to A & E.

New Government Care Scheme Launched Today

A Department of Health backed knowledge and skills based learning scheme for England's 4.9m unpaid carers has been launched today. The 'Caring with Confidence' programme aims to help carers make a positive difference to their lives and those of the people they care for.

Warning about risks to children of window-blind cords

The National Consumer Agency urges parents, guardians and carers of young children to take all necessary measures to protect young children from the possibility of being injured or strangled by window-blind cords.

Bring back Fish on a Friday!

How many times a week do you eat fish?  The Food Standards Agency recommends that we should all eat at least two portions every week, one of which should be oily. Not only is fish a rich source of protein, vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids, but it is extensive in variety - so there is a fish out there to suit every taste bud and occasion .

SUGARY TREATS THREATEN ‘BEST KIDS TEETH IN EUROPE’

New research announced today by the Department of Health reveals that whilst our children’s teeth are better than ever, 47% of parents are using high sugar snacks to reward children for good behaviour, which could cause dental decay.

Snack Fantastic

Women are always being told that the key to staying trim is to avoid the snack trap. However, evidence supports the fact that snacking isn't inherently bad for you - the issue is in fact choosing the right snacks that can become part of a balanced diet and help you on your way to longer term weight management.

Top Tips for Teeth

Brushing your teeth twice a day with a family strength fluoride toothpaste helps prevent tooth decay, gum disease and bad breath.  Care must be taken to clean all surfaces of all teeth, including the gum line.

80% Of Allergies Linked To Household Dust Mites

The average UK bed hosts between 10 thousand and 10 million dust mites and their waste. Common household dust mites may be a factor in as many as 80% of asthmas, hay fevers and other allergic ailments, according to Allergy UK.

Are You Covered For Cancer Costs?

One in four cancer patients have difficulty keeping up with everyday payments. Learn how to keep your family financially safe in our video below. We all worry about our health to a certain degree, but when it comes to more serious issues such as cancer it’s still easy to take an ‘out-of-sight, out-of-mind’ approach.

Treat your tootsies during pregnancy!

Your pregnancy is a really special time for you, your mind and body are preparing for motherhood and everything about you is changing. The body undergoes many changes during pregnancy and women often ignore the changes in their feet.

Number of people quitting smoking falls

It’s national No Smoking Day again, a day when a quarter of the UK population – that’s 12 million smokers - are encouraged to kick their habit. In fact, every year more than a million people quit smoking on No Smoking Day. The campaign will also highlight the benefits of stopping smoking and how to get help.

Ulrika Jonsson Speaks Out About The Last Great Medical Taboo

New research reveals that one third of British women over the age of 30 suffer from LAI (light adult incontinence) in the UK. LAI is on the increase, but as women are too embarrassed to seek help it remains one of the last female medical taboos.

Bring learning to life with ‘Facteria’

The subject of bacteria is a fascinating and important one for children - but it can be challenging to teach pupils about something too tiny to be seen with the naked eye.

The Great Grub Club

A website aimed at getting the healthy lifestyle message across to primary school children is celebrating its first birthday. The Great Grub Club website, run by the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF), was launched a year ago to encourage healthier eating and a more active lifestyle in four to seven-year-olds.

Danger House

More than two and a half million people are admitted to accident and emergency departments in the UK every year because of incidents in their own home with four thousand of them actually dying. So while you may feel safe statistically your house is one of the most dangerous places to be. But a new survey shows with a bit more awareness; those risks could be significantly reduced.

Be a fibre subscriber

76% of people lay claim to a healthy diet, but further investigation reveals that despite honourable intentions, Britons literally don’t know what’s good for them and are in a daze over healthy eating guidelines.

Is your car a toxic trap?

Many of us treat our cars like second homes, but with one major difference—we wouldn’t let our homes get that filthy. Decomposing food under seats, dirty pets sharing space with groceries, small children doing ‘what small children do’. Unwittingly, we’re turning the insides of our cars into breeding grounds for all kinds of unsavoury bacteria, and in some cases we’re opening ourselves up to serious risk. 

Simple steps to home safety in student digs could one day save your child’s life

Cheap rents and decent locations are the top priorities for students and their parents when choosing digs, while safety precautions tend to take a back seat. But it’s absolutely vital to check with landlords that student accommodations have valid gas safety certificates. A dodgy boiler can pose a potentially life-threatening hazard, and the simple expedient of fitting a carbon monoxide alarm could one day save your child’s life.

Oz Clarke’s favourite tipple

British wine taster extraordinaire Oz Clarke has admitted that his desert island drink wouldn’t be some grand red wine, an exalted champagne or a venerable vintage port. Instead he would choose the drink of his childhood, pure British organic milk, and in our video Oz is teaching the nation how to become a connoisseur of the white stuff.

Meningitis Awareness

Every day in the UK 9 people will become ill with meningitis and septicaemia – the blood poisoning form of the disease. Each week 6 of these will die. Of those who recover, 15 will suffer after-effects as severe as brain damage, deafness and amputations.

How Do You Explain To Children that You Have Parkinson’s?

Seeing a loved parent or grandparent with Parkinson’s disease can be quite scary and difficult to understand for young children and finding the right words to explain Parkinson’s and why someone in their family may not be able to move as freely as other people, may not have the same facial expressions and why they take tablets to, can be extremely difficult.  

Kids returning to school given head start with fight against diabetes

Following on from new guidance from the National Institute of Health & Clinical Excellence (NICE), the 20,000 children with Type 1 diabetes, who are starting or returning to school this September, could now benefit from a potentially life-changing way to manage their condition

Measles cases rise whilst the MMR debate continues

It appears that Measles is now endemic in certain parts of  South East England.  In the borough of Lewisham alone the Health Protection Agency reports at least 500 confirmed cases already this year.  The suggestion has been made that the increased incidence is due to a low up take of the MMR vaccine within the area. 

Carbon Monoxide alarms prevent holiday tragedy

A third of vacationing Brits ensure that they take a box of teabags with them on holiday, while just a scant 2% pack a potentially life-saving Carbon Monoxide alarm. This lack of foresight regarding holiday safety seems even more sobering when coupled with the fact that 85% of people fail to check on the gas safety of their hotel, apartment or villa prior to departure

Health fears INSPIRE INNOVATIVE PROGRAMME to improve teenage health

In light of escalating concerns over young people's health, national children's charity 4Children and Nestle UK today announce the launch of Make Space for Health, a programme of teenage health advice and activity to be delivered in youth centres

Parents know best…but at the risk of their kids health?

Parents are putting the health of their children at risk by self-diagnosing food allergies. According to an astonishing new report, while a third of parents suspect their children either have had or currently have allergies and intolerances to food.

CHILDREN LEAD THE WAY ON 5 A DAY

A new report released for the Department of Health's 5 A DAY campaign shows that although parents understand the importance of getting their 5 portions of fruit and vegetables every day, many are still confused about what counts towards that target, with one in three admitting that their children know more than they do about 5 A DAY and nutrition.

The Perfect Recipe for a Balanced Diet

Almost half of parents admit to feeling under pressure from a fussy child to put certain things in their lunchboxes. Obliging your child might avoid a temper tantrum but almost two thirds admit to including the same foods in their children’s lunchboxes from day to day, raising more worries about healthy eating, just as ‘black market’ tuck shops are popping up in schools all over the country.

Staying Healthy is Child's Play

Parenthood can be highly demanding on the physical front, making taking care of your body even more important.  It’s often the simple things that make a big difference to how much energy you have, but sadly it seems that it’s the little things we’re most likely to ignore.

Parents' Nutrition Confusion

Being a parent these days isn’t easy.  Not only do you have to be a chauffeur, a counsellor, a cleaner and an expert chef but now you also have to be a nutritionist as well.  Although getting your child to eat 5 portions of fruit and veg every day is important it’s not the only factor to consider when it comes to your child’s diet. 

Household products pose health threat

Cleaning your home and doing your washing using conventional household products can greatly increase your risk of cancer and a host of other serious illnesses, according to newly compiled research.

What is the correct Salt Intake?

Being a parent these days isn’t easy.  Not only do you have to be a chauffeur, a counsellor, a cleaner and an expert chef but now you also have to be a nutritionist as well.  Although getting your child to eat 5 portions of fruit and veg every day is important it’s not the only factor to consider when it comes to your child’s diet.

Have Fun Getting Fit

A day doesn’t go by without some sort of reminder showing us the importance of getting healthy and fit. We see beautifully bronzed, highly toned men and women gracing page upon page of magazines. And this is in stark contrast to how nation appears to be shaping up

NHS Direct Text Number

With mobile phone usage at an all-time high, NHS Direct has launched a text messaging service which allows users to obtain details of local health services at the push of a button!

Hidden Disability Strikes Children

Every year a high number of children sustain injuries that could result in a hidden disability. According to The Children's Trust, the number of children sustaining injuries that will result in an Acquired Brain Injury
(ABI) is approximately 5000 (the equivalent of 157 classes of school children).

Threadworm Awareness

The need for children to wash their hands effectively is underlined by NHS Direct which states that: “Threadworm is most common in small children because they are not fully aware of the importance of hygiene, and they easily forget to wash their hands.

Once a Week, Take a Peek

A new campaign is launching this September which is aimed at parents to limit head lice outbreaks in our schools. Fronted by TV presenter and mother-of-three, Philippa Forrester, and supported by the School and Public Health Nurses Association, the Medical Entomology Centre and leading head lice treatment Hedrin the campaign aims to raise awareness of the importance of being vigilant .

Children & Medicines

Parents will be all too aware of the struggle they can have getting their child to take their medicines. Whether it is a course of antibiotics for an ear infection, Calpol for a headache or eye drops for pink-eye (conjunctivitis), every parent will have their own tips and tricks for making sure the kids take their medicine when they need it.

Calcium helps Mums & Babys

What women eat during their pregnancy not only has a direct effect on their health, but also on the development and wellbeing of their baby. The nine months before the big arrival is a unique time and it’s vital mums use this period to give their unborn child the best possible start in life.

How to deal with Head Lice

No one expects parents to know everything, but a new survey released today shows that whilst almost half of young mums and dad think kids catch nits from swimming pools, some even think children get lice if they play outside or go to dirty schools

Facts about Omega 3 & EPA

Alex Richardson is internationally known for her research in the effects of food and diet on behaviour, learning and mood, and particularly for her work on omega-3 fatty acids in developmental conditions such as Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, ADHD and autism. She is a regular speaker at international research meetings and already has more than 80 research publications in peer-reviewed journals and academic books.

Children's Shoes and how fitting is important

Somehow the shoe was never big enough. And similarly, no matter how much allowance you make for your children's growth spurt, it seems only a matter of days before you're burning your own leather in search of yet another pair of shoes for them. Yes, no sooner than scuffing their new shoes, our children's feet will grow. And yet again we find ourselves searching for well-fitting, comfortable footwear

Keeping Teeth Clean

Chances are your pearly whites are looking pretty good, but last year's National Dental Survey found that half of all people are failing on basic oral health care. So it's no surprise that we're being urged to go back to oral basics in the next few days.

My Child is Overweight!

Between 15-20% of children in the UK are classed as overweight. Maggie Lane, a freelance journalist consults a paediatric dietician, a local doctor and a very switched on school dinner lady.

New Childrens Vaccine

Meningitis Research Foundation welcomes the European Commission’s approval for Wyeth’s new 13-valent pneumococcal vaccine for children from 6 weeks to 5 years of age.

Recurrent Ear Infections and Glue Ear in Children

The ear is made up of three distinct parts; the outer ear, the middle ear and the inner ear which is deep within the temporal bone. Ear infections are the most common illness to affect pre-school children with up to 90% of children experiencing one before their 3rd birthday.

H1N1 VACCINE FOR WOMEN WHO ARE PREGNANT OR ARE BREASTFEEDING

H1N1 is a new type of influenza virus which causes respiratory disease. For most people, H1N1 has caused mild to moderate illness. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding are more susceptible to a more severe illness should they become infected with H1N1.

A new beginning for the delivery of hospital services for the children of Ireland.

The Board and Staff of Children in Hospital Ireland (CHI) warmly welcomes the announcement this afternoon (Thursday 15 October, 2009) of the awarding of the contract for the design of the new Children’s Hospital of Ireland.

Children's Ombudsman calls for consideration of children with special needs in national housing policy

Children’s Ombudsman, Emily Logan, has today (Monday) published a review of complaints submitted to her Office on behalf of children with special needs regarding the provision of housing.  Contained in this report are recommendations for action from Government and local authorities to significantly improve housing provision for children with special needs.

safefood Encourages Consumers to Shake the Salt Habit

safefood today launched a new campaign aimed at encouraging consumers to reduce their salt intake. The campaign entitled “Shake the Salt Habit” is designed to raise awareness among consumers that our diets are still too high in salt and that the majority of dietary salt is from processed foods such as processed meats, sauces and bread.

Weils Disease

Irish Water Safety (IWS) is highlighting the dangers of Weil's disease during this week's National Ploughing Championships. Farmers and others are at risk of contracting Weils disease and Irish Water Safety are distributing an awareness leaflet at the Championships to highlight the dangers so that people can stay safe from this acute, infectious disease

Infant Reflux

One of the most common reasons for babies under six months old requiring Cranial Osteopathy treatment is Reflux. These babies can be very irritable and unsettled for long periods during the day and night

Children and parents should be prepared for hospital!

Children in Hospital Ireland (CHI) is launching a National Awareness Campaign to promote the benefits of preparing children for a hospital visit or stay.

Schools to milk it under EU scheme

Yoghurt and cheese are to be made available to schools under the EU School Milk Scheme. The European Commission today announced that the scheme, which was set up about 30 years ago to subsidise the distribution of milk to schools, will now be updated to include a wider range of dairy products and will also be extended to secondary schools.

ALMOST ONE THIRD OF IRISH ADULTS FAIL TO MEET GOVERNMENT DIETARY RECOMMENDATIONS ON DAIRY

According to TNS mrbi research nearly one third of Irish adults (29%) do not consume the basic “three servings of dairy a day” recommended by the Irish Department of Health & Children. As dairy products provide a high proportion of calcium and essential nutrients, these findings suggest a large number of Irish adults may be at risk of reducing their general well being in the short term - and exposing themselves to serious long term health risks.

HSE, Safefood and the NI Health Promotion Agency call for a reality check on obesity

Health Service Executive and safefood in collaboration with the Health Promotion Agency, Northern Ireland launched a major campaign aimed at tackling the serious problem of obesity across the island of Ireland. The campaign, launched by Minister Mary Wallace, TD, Minister for Health Promotion and Food Safety, has been informed by new research into children's eating habits and physical activity levels. The research also looked at parents' attitudes towards eating and physical activity.

HSE Proposals

Local pharmacists have launched a poster and leaflet campaign to inform patients that pharmacy services are at risk as a result of HSE proposals, which are due to come into effect on March 1st, The HSE is seeking to reduce the payments it makes to pharmacists on the community drugs schemes. Pharmacists fear that these reductions, if implemented, could make it financially unviable for many pharmacists to continue to participate in the Medical Card Scheme.

Phenomenal success of Hypnosis in the South East

Following the phenomenal response to our last article in Primary Times, we realised that parents all over the country are struggling to find help for their children for a variety of different issues, such as bed wetting, stammering, irrational fears, confidence, to name but a few.

Eye q Back to School Survey

The Eye Q ‘Back to School’ Survey has revealed that parents are genuinely concerned about how diet affects their children’s performance at school with 40% of parents now supplementing their children’s diets with omega-3 and omega-6 oils which contain essential fatty acids proven to play an important role in the development of learning ability, memory and concentration

New Book launched for Young Children with Asthma

To coincide with the return to school of thousands of children from all over Ireland, an educational book about asthma entitled 'The Wheezing Wolf and The Three little Pigs' was launched today in Dublin. An adaptation of the original fairytale, it tells the story of a young wolf named Wilbur who has asthma.

New Sea Safety Centre in Waterford

The CEO of IWS John Leech and Mrs. Ann Whelan officially opened the Boatstrand Sea Safety Centre at 1200, Noon on Saturday 11th August. This new facility is situated 11 miles south west of Waterford city. It attracts thousands of people each year and is used mainly as a fishing and marine leisure centre.

Kids Just Want to Have Fun

These words from Safe Harbour's hypnotherapist Richard Burke (MBA, PIIE, MICHP) ring true, but some kids are having no fun at all. He says "Did you know that 20% of 5 year olds wet the bed and 7% of 10 year olds, but no-one talks about it let alone know what to do about it?"

REACH YOUR SPORTING PEAK WITH ASTHMA

"Asthma shouldn't be a hurdle in sport and exercise" was the message to parents and children today (Monday, 30th April) from the Asthma Society of Ireland (ASI), at the launch of the "Reach Your Peak with Asthma" campaign.

NATIONAL ROLL-OUT OF “FOOD DUDES” PROGRAMME TO PRIMARY SCHOOLS

Speaking at the national roll-out of the Food Dudes Programme to primary schools countrywide, Mary Coughlan T.D., Minister for Agriculture and Food said she was delighted that as a result of the success of the pilot project more primary school children and their parents will now benefit from this innovative programme.

Food Poverty amongst Irish Children

A study published recently by The Centre for Health Promotion Studies, NUI Galway has found that one sixth of Irish children report that they go to school or to bed hungry, because there is not enough food at home.