Can you help? I do not enjoy PE at school but am being made to do it which I hate. I know I am a bit overweight and I’m unfit and I always try to get out of PE whenever I can. I always feel tired and can’t be bothered to do anything when I get home from school. I would like to be more active but it’s really hard to know what to do and to find something where I won’t be laughed at because I am not very good.
It’s not very nice feeling on the outside of things because you don’t have the confidence to join in – for whatever reason. But I may have just the solution for you. Have you ever heard of the MEND project? MEND stands for Mind, Nutrition, Exercise, Do It! It is a ten week programme that will give you the chance to try lots of different ways to keep fit including dance, swimming, and group classes even ten pin bowling. There will be lots of advice on eating the right sorts of food. But most of all you will be having fun with other young people your age who are feeling the same way that you are. Talk to your Mum or Dad and then get in touch, telephone 01323 444513 to find out more.
I have smoked for nearly four years and want to quit, but I don’t feel I can without nicotine patches. They are too expensive, I don’t have that kind of money. What should I do?
(Male: 13 – 15 years)
Good for you! Quitting is a very cool idea and will be fab news for your health in the long term. The tobacco companies make billions every year out of smokers – don’t give them any more of your cash. Also if you quit, you won’t have to deal with the smell, the bad breath, the nicotine-stained fingers – and your sex appeal will go up instantly!
So, what about these patches. If you go to your GP (Doctor) they will give them to you on prescription. Prescriptions are free for under 16 year olds and this offer continues until you are 19 if you are in full time education. They should give you at least two week supply. Anyone who is over 12 years old can use patches, or gum or lozenges – they all work in the same way and give you a safe, steady amount of nicotine while you are quitting. If you have any problems, call your local stop smoking service free on 0800 917 8896 or speak to your school nurse. Good luck!
My head went really red and itchy when I last dyed my hair. Can you suggest what's wrong?
(Female: 15)
It is possible that you are developing an allergy or reaction to the hair dye. This can be dangerous as repeated exposure to an allergen (in this case something in the dye), could result in a very dangerous reaction - termed an anaphylactic shock - which can be fatal. So it is very important that you perform a skin test before you use the dye again. This can be done by mixing a small amount of the dye and placing it on your skin, leaving it there and seeing what happens. The manufacturer will explain this in detail in the instructions, and these may vary from product to product, so it is very important to read the instructions carefully everytime.
It is also a good idea to visit your family doctor who can look at your head and advise you.
I have just got back from the Doctors and he said he is going to send me to see a Hospital Doctor because I may have to have my tonsils out. I’ve never been to hospital before and I am really scared. What will happen?
(Female: 13)
W4Y went straight to the Eastbourne District General Hospital on your behalf and this is what they said…
Try not to be frightened, we will look after you when you come to the hospital.
Your doctor would have referred you to see a doctor at the hospital probably because you have been suffering with sore throats that keep coming back or tonsillitis. The doctor at the hospital will have a look at you and your throat and have a chat with you and decide if your tonsils need to be removed to stop the sore throats. Tonsils are generally removed as they do not always shrink back down to their normal size after infections. This can then cause attacks of sore throats which last longer, can be worse and will be more painful.
Leading up to the operation date (which may be a few weeks wait); you will be seen in a clinic called a Pre Assessment clinic. Here you will see a nurse who will ask you and the adult with you a number of questions about your general health and wellbeing. The nurse can then decide if you can have your operation as a day case, in other words you can go home the same day as your operation or whether you have to stay in hospital for a little longer. The nurse will also explain what will happen on the day of you operation. You will also receive a booklet to take home and read telling you all about your operation. Every 2nd Saturday of the month, Friston Ward hold a Saturday club for children of all ages. Here the nurses will tell you what to expect about going to theatre and your stay in Friston Ward.
After your operation you will be given regular painkillers to help with the pain. The best thing to aid a quick recovery is to start eating and drinking as normal as soon as you can and carry on doing so while you recover.
Once you go home from hospital you will have to have 2 weeks off school and avoid going to crowded places where there may be people with coughs and colds. You will need to take the painkillers given to you regularly during the 2 weeks. After all of this you won’t have tonsillitis again!
Good luck and don’ forget to ask any questions if you are unsure of anything. The staff here at the hospital understand how nervous you will be feeling – we will look after you.
I have started to notice that my friend is losing weight and is getting very picky with her food. I am really worried about her and when I ask about her lack of eating she just says she's not hungry and changes the subject. Do I need to worry and is there anything I can do to help
her.
(Female: 16)
I can understand that you are worried about your friend not eating and her change in behaviour. When people we care about act differently it can be very confusing, but she is lucky to have a friend like you who wants to help her.
You may want to share this worry by talking to someone that you feel comfortable with in telling. You could go and see your school nurse at her lunchtime drop in session at school. She can listen to you in confidence and suggest ways of helping. If you could tell your friend that you are worried about her then you could suggest that you go and see the school nurse together. The possible reason for her not eating could be complicated and she may need the help of an expert.
My parents are always nagging at me to go to bed when I am not tired. Then they want me to get up when I am sleeping. I need lots of sleep, why can’t my parents just leave me under my duvet? (Female 15)
You are quite right that teenagers need a lot of sleep – research shows you need at least nine hours per night. Parents are on a different biological clock to their children. Adult bodies wind down and are ready for sleep at about 10.30, while teenage bodies are often alert until 1am (Circadian rhythm). Getting into good habits now will last a life-time. As you are becoming adults, this is a good opportunity to sit down and discuss the issue with your parents to prove you can have a mature attitude.
You need regular exercise and to eat at least 2 hours before bed-time to allow your body to digest the food properly. You should refrain from drinks with caffeine after 8pm. You can’t catch up on missed sleep – you need to have good habits 7 days a week. If you follow a relaxing routine before bedtime it will help you sleep. Check your bed is right for you – you are growing rapidly and might need a new mattress or pillows. You might need soothing music and to feel cool and safe. Leave a small window open for fresh air and play music softly.
If your school or work commitments mean you have to be up at 8, you need to be in bed by 11. If at first you can’t sleep, you are relaxing and training your body, and the routine will soon start to give you more energy and brain power.
Lack of sleep can lead to moodiness, impulsivity and depression. Your parents want you to be healthy and happy, they can spot when you are needing an early night – and once in a while doesn’t help you catch up – and sleeping till 2pm gives you no quality sleep.
If you are trying to go to bed and feeling like an insomniac, sleeping late and getting up feeling rough – you need to take better care of yourself – and reset your biological clock.
More information is available through the Sleep Council website.
I am feeling mega stressed right now. I’ve got my exams at the moment and I am worrying so much I can’t sleep. Then in the morning I am really tired and don’t want to get up. What can I do? (Male: 16)
It’s a horrible feeling isn’t it? Believe it or not stress is a useful emotion that helps us prepare for difficult times and perform better. However it is not useful when it’s in overload. Not sleeping is classic sign of stress overload.
Try these tips to see if they help you:
- Plan your study time well and try to not do too much at once (have a timetable). Have lots of breaks whilst studying.
- Have regular meals and drink well.
- Excercise regularly as this will help with stress and will increase your oxygen intake, which is good for your brain.
- Find ways to relax each day before bed – such as listening to music or have a bath.
- Try a warm milky drink before bed it really does work!!!Go to bed at a sensible time and set your alarm for the morning.
- Once you are in bed with lights off (and tv, radio etc), concentrate on slowing your breathing down, tensing your muscles then relaxing each one will help calm the body and mind.
- Let your parents know you are having difficulty sleeping- this will mean they can be understanding if you are not your usual cheerful self!!!
I’ve got a really embarrassing problem – I wet the bed every night and I wish it would stop, my mum says that I will grow out of it, but when? (Male: 11)
Please don’t be embarrassed about the problem, because you are not alone. Bedwetting affects about half a million young people, that’s a very large number, in fact it affects so many people it’s got its own, rather complicated medical name (Nocturnal Enuresis). The good news is that 1 in 6 children and young people stop wetting the bed every year.
Here are some tips you can try:
- Try and drink regularly throughout the day, about 2 litres is ideal, but avoid fizzy drinks and too much tea and coffee as these can cause more urine to be produced.
- Don’t drink too much before you go to bed.
- Go to the toilet just before you go to bed.
- If you wet the bed, wash yourself well and change the sheets.
If the problem continues pluck up the courage and go and see your school nurse for confidential advice and support. You can also ask your parents to make an appointment for you to see the doctor. Try not to be embarrassed because both the school nurse and your doctor will have dealt with this problem many times before from other patients.
