Childcare

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The impact varicose veins can have on our little ones

Varicose veins are generally not seen among children. However, in some rare cases varicosities is found in the legs of children and adolescents. The condition causes tenderness and aching on the affected area. As per common belief varicose veins develop due to standing or sitting at the same position for years without being able to elevate the legs or relax them, due to ones occupation. Some of the professions that are known to cause varicose veins are cooks, nurses, cashiers, factory workers and teachers.

We know that children don’t really need to stand or sit at the same position for long hours every day, therefore the idea that varicose veins happen only due to pressure on the veins is not always applicable. The major cause for varicose veins in children is hereditary. If the mother or the father has been suffering from varicose veins, then children will most likely get it as well. Even though this condition normally affects adults, cases where children develop this condition can be considered purely due to hereditary influence.

Understandably parents are greatly concerned when they see their child undergoing the same problems as they have had and may even have got treatment at The Private Clinic. A feeling of self guilt could also seep in. This could cause frustration and depression for them. It is important for the parents to understand that the condition is not under their control and they can do nothing knowingly to facilitate or avoid the condition from happening. Instead of getting depressed, it is important to act and find the best suitable treatment, under medical guidance. There are many different effective and safe therapies available that can completely eliminate the condition. Medical treatments are effective for adults and children alike; in fact, in case of children the veins will recede faster due to the well preserved muscular wall.

Apart from medical varicose vein treatment, there are many alternate ways of treatment that are known to ease this condition. Products made up of horse chestnut extract are known to alleviate this condition. Grape seed and pine bark extracts can also be used to ease varicose veins.

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Ageing skin

As we get older our skin changes; it starts to wrinkle, loses its natural plumpness and looks less radiant. Signs of ageing start to appear at different times and at different rates; some people do not develop signs of ageing until they are in their 40’s or even their 50’s, while others will start to experience changes in their skin during their late twenties and thirties.

What happens when the skin ages?

When we get older, our skin starts to lose its elasticity and as a result of this fine lines and wrinkles start to appear and the skin starts to sag; these signs of ageing result from a loss of collagen. As the skin gets older, the networks of fibres, elastin and collagen, become disconnected and the speed of new cell production is slower; this means that the old cells stay around for longer and this creates a dull, grey appearance to the skin.

What causes skin ageing?

Skin ageing is part and parcel of getting older, but there are additional factors that can influence the rate and extent of skin ageing. These factors include:

• sun exposure
• smoking
• environmental factors
• diet

Tips for keeping skin looking youthful

The skin lasts forever but there are steps you can take to protect your skin and keep it looking healthy, glowing and youthful for as long as possible; these include:

• Drink plenty of water: water helps to keep your skin hydrated, which will make it look clear, healthy and radiant.
• Get plenty of sleep: we all know the effects of having no sleep on our skin, just from looking at the skin after a night out.
• Eat a healthy, balanced diet: eating plenty of fruit and vegetables provides the skin with important nutrients, vitamins and minerals and will help to keep it looking and feeling smooth and bright.
• Adopt a good daily cleansing routine; use a cleanser that suits your skin type; wash your face daily and use an exfoliator once a week to remove dead skin cells.
• Moisturise: it is important to keep your skin hydrated and moist; use a cream that suits that your skin type; if you have sensitive skin, avoid using creams that are perfumed.
• Protect your skin from the sun: a bit of sunlight is beneficial for the skin but make sure you wear sun cream when you go out in the sun. Experts recommend wearing a minimum sun screen of factor 15; if you have fair skin, use a higher factor.
• Avoid smoking: smoking ages the skin and makes it look dull and saggy.
• Cut down on drinking: drinking often leads to dehydration, which makes the skin look dull and can make it feel dry and rough.

Anti-ageing treatments

There are myriad anti-ageing treatments available now, from inexpensive lotions and potions and boutique creams to cosmetic treatments and surgical procedures. There is some scepticism amongst experts and on website forums and medical blogs surrounding many of the cheaper products but they may be worth trying if you are on a tight budget. Cosmetic anti-ageing treatments, such as fillers and Botox have been proven to reduce the visibility of fine lines and wrinkles and surgery has more dramatic effects; however, some people are uncomfortable with the idea of having more invasive, drastic treatments.

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Unhealthy habits

Most people have bad habits which can be annoying for other people, but some habits can potentially be very bad for your health. Here are some of the unhealthiest habits mentioned on health websites and medical blogs:

Smoking

Smoking is possibly the unhealthiest habit; smoking adversely affects almost every organ and system in the body and contributes to thousands of deaths in the UK every year. Cigarettes contain thousands of harmful substances and smoking contributes to a range of serious illnesses, including an increased risk of many different forms of cancer, heart disease, strokes, osteoporosis and respiratory illnesses, including emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Smoking also costs a lot, especially if you have a daily habit and it can have negative effects on your appearance; smoking stains the teeth and nails and ages the skin, leaving it looking dull and saggy.

Laziness

Being a couch potato could have serious implications for your health; people who live a sedentary lifestyle and prone to many illnesses, including back pain, stiff muscles and joints, an increased risk of high blood pressure, an increased risk of obesity, which leads to an array of different complications and an increased risk of mental health conditions, including depression. Exercise has a host of health benefits, as well as social benefits; you should aim to do at least half an hour of moderate exercise at least 5 times per week. Benefits of exercise include improved circulation, increased muscle strength and tone, increased flexibility, decreased risk of obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure, strokes and diabetes; exercise has also been proven to reduce the risk of depression and can be a very effective way of dealing with stress.

Eating fast food

Eating a poor diet has very serious consequences for your health; you need a balanced diet to provide you with all the nutrients and vitamins your body requires to work effectively and if you don’t get these from your diet, your body will not function as it should do. If you eat a diet that is high in fat, sugar and salt, you are prone to developing health conditions including heart disease, strokes, diabetes and high blood pressure. A poor diet has also been linked to an increased risk of cancer and can contribute to problems with concentration and energy levels. Eating a healthy, balanced diet will improve your overall health, increase your energy levels and enhance your appearance; a balanced diet should include foods that represent all of the major food groups, including carbohydrates, protein, fat and fruit and vegetables.

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Is tooth whitening a safe solution?

Tooth whitening has become incredibly popular; many people now buy whitening products, use whitening kits or visit their dentist to get a professional whitening treatment.

Why are whitening treatments so popular?

White teeth have always been viewed as an attractive feature but in recent years, a bright white smile has become something of a must-have amongst celebrities and this trend has worn off on members of the public. The bright white smile was championed by Hollywood stars, but a host of other actors, models, singers and TV personalities soon followed suit and the newspapers and magazines are full of images of stars flashing their perfect white smiles.

Whitening treatments have also become more popular because they are more affordable and accessible than ever before; you can choose from a range of different treatments to suit all budgets and there is a huge number of clinics and practices offering whitening services.

Which treatment should I go for?

With so many treatments on the market it can be difficult to choose which one to go for; your choice may depend on a number of factors, including your budget, the kind of results you expect to achieve and the current health and appearance of your teeth. If you have heavily stained teeth, only an intensive, professional treatment will make a difference, but if you have very slight discolouration, a cheaper alternative may be effective.

Most dentists offer different types of whitening treatment, including in-chair treatments and home whitening kits. Home whitening kits tend to be cheaper but in-chair treatments produce results quicker and the results are usually more impressive.

Are whitening treatments safe?

Professional whitening treatments are very simple and safe when they are carried out by trained professionals; recently, there has been a great deal of concern about home kits and DIY whitening, as research showed that an increasing number of people are using household products to try and whiten their teeth. Experts are keen to highlight the potential dangers of using household products; many of these chemicals and substances wear away the protective enamel surfaces of the teeth, which makes the teeth susceptible to damage and decay. If you are thinking of having whitening treatment, discuss your options with your dentist and do some research, using medical blogs and approved websites.

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