HEALTH
NHS Choices
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Common complaints
Acne
One of the real miseries of adolescence is acne, a product of the unavoidable changes that take place in a young person’s body as they reach puberty. BEST Advice offers some insight into this condition and ways of dealing with it.
Headlice
BEST Advice addresses this unpleasant issue, suggesting some widely accepted treatments and dispelling one or two myths about headlice.
Athlete's Foot
Another annoying but not serious complaint common in young people is athlete’s foot. Easily treated, there are some simple ways to help stop it spreading.
Verrucas
Few children make it through school without getting a verruca, especially if they are keen on sports. As with athlete's foot, they can spread but fortunately they are fairly easy to eradicate.
Worms
An unpleasant topic, and while no longer as common a problem as it was many years ago still one which still effects children, and sometimes adults. BEST Advice addresses this unpleasant issue, suggesting some widely accepted treatments.
Teeth
Some important guidance on dental hygiene to protect your child's teeth as they grow and develop.
Serious Teenage Issues
Low Self Esteem
But what if a normally outgoing and sociable child starts to become quiet and withdrawn? Take a look at this issue of Low Self Esteem.
Body Image
If we are totally honest, very few of us, are 100% happy with our bodies. Most of us, if we could, would change something. However, this can be a bigger issue with young people, especially young girls.
Anorexia
We mentioned earlier that some self image problems will require professional help and anorexia is one of them. Many young people have self image issues surrounding their weight and believe they are overweight when the reality is they are not. We look at Anorexia Nervosa and ways you and your family can deal with it.
Bulimia
More common in women in their mid to late teens, Bulimia was only officially recognised as an eating disorder in 1979, although it had undoubtedly been around for many years before that. BEST Advice looks at this eating disorder.
Self Harm
One of the most distressing things a parent can face is to find out their child is self harming. The very person you are committed to protecting and keeping safe is injuring themselves, and doing so quite deliberately. How can you deal with this distressing subject?
Smoking
The government has made us well aware of the devastating effects smoking has on our health and of those around us. However, despite all the negative publicity children still start smoking at increasingly younger ages. As parents what can you do? How can you make them see sense?
Kick the Habit!
As a parent you may need some help yourself to stop smoking.
STIs
STI's or Sexually Transmitted Infections are a significant issue, especially amongst young people, and for that reason, we have included some information about them in this section of BEST Advice.
Reducing Cholestorol
High cholestorol levels can have a devastating effect on your health. Some ideas on how to monitor and control your cholestorol levels.
Healthy School Lunchboxes
Many parents now send their children off to school with a lunchbox and forego the option of a cooked school dinner. The choice is always there for parents to provide their child's midday meal. But how do you ensure it's healthy and, equally important, that your choice of content doesn't get boring and, as a result, doesn't get eaten?
Healthy Eating
Eating a healthy diet can prevent the onset of many medical conditions, such as heart disease, and help you recover from many more, like high blood pressure or raised cholesterol. A detailed look by BEST Advice at healthy eating.
Sleep
Every parent at some point tells their child how important sleep is. We try here to explain why good sleep patterns are important and how children and parents can achieve them.