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Test Clear Reviews – Clear Drug Tests for Employers Safety

Test Clear Reviews – Clear Drug Tests for Employers Safety
By | On January 03,19 | 0 Comment

Drug Tests for Employers Safety

Due to the numerous competitors in the labor market, employers are forced to “sharpen” their methods of employee selection. This way, they can reach the best solution for an open job position. It is noticeable that an increasing number of companies are introducing additional testing to check which candidate fits best in the potential job profile.

Also, it became a standard practice to check employees from time to time, to see if they bring results and how they fit into new business trends. In addition to a well-known intelligence or personality test, and various case studies, employers have introduced another way of examining their workforce, which threatens to become mandatory – drug testing.

What kinds of drug tests exist, as well as how reliable these are, read on this page: https://www.livestrong.com/article/146391-what-are-the-different-types-of-drug-tests/.

The topic of drug use and abuse is something we hear of every day, but drug testing became a current theme lately. It’s a public secret that the number of light drug users is on the rise. While many think that only immature kids do drugs, they would be surprised to find out how many mature people and professionals use some of the opiates.

Pre-Employment Drug Tests

The right of every employer is to know what kind of worker they are hiring. Besides great job-related recommendations, they may also be interested in your private life and have you ever had problems with the law. All this is in the domain of the law, and employers maximally use this right. Especially for highly responsible job positions that carry a certain risk for the worker, the company, and other participants (for example, pilots, bus and truck drivers have drug controls several times a year).

Today’s methods of testing are quite advanced; anyone who consumed any kind of narcotic, at least once in a lifetime, will be frightened of the drug control. And you’ll never know when your employer can announce the testing. You can expect a pre-employment drug examination in every serious business offer.

“Surprises” for Employees

The use of narcotics in private life is a matter of free choice. The right of every employer is to provide safety and security in the workplace, and consuming opiates is something that can jeopardize it. Employers do not want to take risks, and they will try to ensure their business through regular drug testing.

Every company has a legal right to engage a health service to conduct employee drug checks at any time. Often, tests are announced several days in advance, except in the event of an accident at work. The results and information about employees are confidential, and the further procedure depends exclusively on the results of the test.

Drug Testing after Accident on Workplace

In the case of regular testing, the most commonly performed drug tests are urine or saliva method; when some work accident happens, every company will require more reliable sample and testing. These two tests are not considered completely reliable (according to TestClear, you can easily “fool” them).

In specific situations, where the interests of the company are endangered, employers usually insist on a blood test. This is the most expensive, but also the most reliable variant for checking the presence of opiates, therefore this method is only used in serious and risky situations.

Some employees want to “profit” after getting an injury in the workplace. Usually, employers have to pay costs of treatment and compensation for any damages suffered. Denying can seriously affect their business reputation. So they want to protect themselves in such situations, especially if there are reasonable doubts about the abuse.

Can Employee Refuse Drug Test

The right of every man is to reject the test, but the employer usually knows what to do in that situation. In that case, every corporation can prescribe certain sanctions, to protect their interests. If you are applying for the first job in some reputable company, it may be wise to accept testing. There are various methods that can help you pass it if you have any doubts. If you refuse it from the first, you probably closed the door of this company.

Depending on the business area, job positions or situation at work employers opt for routine or targeted testing. Each drug test brings costs for the company, so they don’t want to waste their money. If you deny it at the very beginning, they probably won’t force you. But expect the unexpected then.

Employers sometimes can use methods of announcing “false” drug testing; based on the reaction of employees, company’s psychologists can judge whether or not someone use opiates. You’ll never know what the truth is, so our advice is to always accept the testing, and to use those few days before examination to stay clean and eliminate opiate trails.

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Health Habits the Entire Family Should Be Following

By | On October 25,18 | 0 Comment

8 Health Habits to follow

When you’re thinking of ways to keep your family healthy, there are a few different things you can do. Doing these things together as a family gives you more opportunity to build up momentum, and therefore, more chance of success. Take a look below for 8 health habits that the entire family should be using and you’ll see what you can change:

  1. Keeping A Regular Bedtime/Get Up Time

The whole family should have a regular bedtime/get up time. This doesn’t mean that the parents have to go to bed at the same time as the kids; it just means that every night, you should make sure you’re all getting a good night’s sleep by going to bed at the same time, for example, 8pm for the kids and 10pm for the adults. Then, ensure that you get up at the same time each morning. Do this even on weekends, and you’ll ensure your circadian rhythms are healthy and that you don’t feel the need to sleep in! If you do feel like sleeping in on weekends, chances are, you’re not getting enough sleep in the week. Try to get around 8 hours a night. Just bear in mind that you might need a little more or a little less depending on your age and activity levels. Kids tend to need more than adults!

  1. Eating One Meal Together Daily

Eating just one meal together daily can help your family to feel closer together, and science says your kids will benefit greatly too. Studies have shown that kids who eat at least one meal a day with their families do better in school, avoid peer pressure, and have higher self-esteem, amongst other things.

8 Health Habits the Entire Family Should Be Following

  1. Keeping Up Regular Health Appointments

Make sure your family doesn’t skip health appointments. You can save time by getting your NHS repeat prescription online, but that doesn’t mean you should miss doctor’s check ups. If you have symptoms or you sense something is wrong, getting it seen to early could help you to avoid big issues later on down the line.

  1. Daily Activity/Movement

Getting active as a family should be fun, so find something that you all like to do together and stick to it! You could go swimming, walk, clean the house or even just play in the garden together for 20 minutes. A little exercise is better than no exercise at all, so get into the habit of doing this and then build yourself up little by little if you want to. You could even go on hikes together, take picnics, and explore new places. Things like this are great bonding activities and you’ll stay healthy.

  1. Limit Screen Time

Don’t be the family that sits together but doesn’t pay attention to one another because you all have your face in a screen. Do your best to limit screen time. Whether it’s your mobile phones, a computer game, or something else, aim to spend real, quality time together.

  1. Fill Up On Real Food

Plan your meals for the week ahead and make a shopping list so you can ensure your family is always full of real food! Buy plenty of fruit and vegetables, and get to know how much you use each week so that you don’t buy food that goes to waste. Avoid having junk food in the house, as if it’s there you’ll likely just reach for it and eat it. Have healthy food to snack on, and get used to reading nutritional labels so you know exactly what you’re putting into your body.

As well as buying the right kind of food, make sure you all drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and avoid carbonated drinks and too much juice!

  1. Find Hobbies And Passions

Set an example to your family by finding hobbies and passions – things that you love to do that light you up! Everybody should have things that they love to do, and if you make an effort to find things you love, you’ll be setting an example to your kids. This could even help to introduce them to something they want to do in college, or even as a career.

  1. Develop A Healthy Body Image

You will usually pass your body image on to your kids. If you talk negatively about your body, your kids will learn to do the same with theirs. Developing your own healthy body image is so important, as so much pressure is put on young people to look ‘perfect’! Make sure you don’t talk about your weight in front of your child, or even mention their weight to them. Put a focus on being healthy, over everything else, but don’t give them a complex.

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3 Health Warning Signs You Should Never Ignore

By | On September 12,18 | 0 Comment

Health warnings NOT to Ignore!

There are a lot of health issues that will, believe it or not, resolve themselves. An example of this would be a cyst. Cysts are common and can occur anywhere in the body. These small lumps can even appear on the nether regions which lead to cancer scares for numerous people. In reality, cysts are harmless and will disappear by themselves within two weeks. However, this isn’t the case for all health symptoms. Some are signs of a far more serious problem. So, let’s look at a few of the health issues that you should never ignore.

Hallucinations

This is far rarer than most people realise, but it can happen. A hallucination will typically be caused by a lack of sleep. If you are suffering from insomnia, this could be the cause of you seeing things that aren’t actually there. Even going two days with low levels of sleep can cause your brain to start to hallucinate. However, if you’re sleeping regularly and you are still seeing or hearing things that aren’t there, you should consult a doctor.

This could be a sign of a psychological issue such as schizophrenia. Or, it could be the sign of a physical issue in the brain such as a tumour. Tumours can cause a range of sensory issues and severe migraines can also be a sign of this rare occurrence.

3 Health Warning Signs You Should Never Ignore

Painful Teeth

There are a number of causes for painful teeth. It’s possible that they are moving and this will be the case if you have or used to use braces. You might also find that your wisdom teeth are coming through, pushing on different teeth in the mouth. This can feel like the adult equivalent of teething can it can get very painful for the individual. Alternatively, it’s possible that you notice a sharp pain in the upper section of your teeth after you have eaten. Be careful of this one because it can be a sign of tooth decay. It’s worth getting a dentist to check your teeth out anytime you notice pain in your teeth that lasts longer than a day or is recurring. Often there will be a simple explanation.

You also need to watch out for ulcers in the mouth that won’t go away or white marks on your inner cheek. Both can be a sign of a serious health condition that should be looked at.

3 Health Warning Signs You Should Never Ignore

Weight Loss

We often think of losing weight as a positive occurrence. It’s always good to drop those pounds, right? Don’t be so sure because losing weight can be the sign of something serious going wrong in the body. Particularly if the weight loss occurs suddenly and it’s accompanied by a loss of appetite. While a range of different conditions and factors can cause this issue, it’s worth being aware of the problem and addressing it by speaking to a doctor. They will be able to check if the issue is serious of if it’s just a case of taking the right medicine.

3 Health Warning Signs You Should Never Ignore

Take this advice, and you won’t ignore some of the most serious health warning signs.

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Tired and Pale? You might be low on Iron. Do this first!

Tired and Pale? You might be low on Iron. Do this first!
By | On August 22,18 | 0 Comment

Way’s to help if you you have low Iron

Iron is a vital element in your body and without it, normal body functions would fail.

One of the primary roles of iron is to carry oxygen in the body. It is an important component of haemoglobin which transports oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. If your body does not have enough iron, it cannot produce enough red blood cells which contain haemoglobin. You will have too little haemoglobin in the blood i.e. anaemia.

Women are prone to anaemia because they lose blood every month through menstruation. In fact, women are advised to eat foods that contains a lot of iron to avoid deficiency. Pregnant women are recommended to consume 27 mg of iron per day while men require only 8 mg of iron in a day!

The Stages of Low Iron

Deficiency of iron has different stages and it can be diagnosed by the following blood tests:

  • Testing the level of serum ferritin – a protein that stores iron in the body
  • Haemoglobin test – a protein that carries oxygen in the body

Stage 1 of iron depletion is evident when serum ferritin falls below 30 micrograms per litre.

Stage 2 (also referred to as latent iron deficiency) is when ferritin levels fall below 20 micrograms per litre. This means that the cells and tissues in the body are not receiving iron needed to function properly.

The final stage is known as anaemia and it is characterized by weakness and fatigue because the red blood cells cannot distribute oxygen around the body.

Symptoms of iron deficiency

Although you only know for sure you have low iron by being diagnosed by a doctor, there are symptoms associated with iron deficiency. Some of these symptoms are:

  • Hair loss
  • Headache
  • Fatigue/ lethargy
  • Shortness of breath
  • Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
  • Pale skin or face
  • Feeling cold or low skin temperatures

What are you supposed to do?

Tired and Pale? You might be low on Iron. Do this first!

First make sure you get the right diagnose, by asking for the right blood test. Some of these have been mentioned above, but there are more options. These are tests to measure the level of iron in the blood, the capacity of the body to absorb iron and the amount stored in the body.

  1. Ferritin – is used to measure the amount of iron stored in the body because it is the major iron storage protein in the body
  2. Transferrin – To determine the level of iron in the body, the iron bound to protein transferrin is measured. Transferrin is formed in the liver and it is the major carrier of iron in the blood.
  3. Total iron binding capacity measures all the proteins in the body that are responsible for transporting iron.
  4. Transferrin saturation is the percentage of transferrin that is saturated with iron. If the percentage is less than 20, delivery of iron is impaired. On the other hand, if the percentage is higher than 60, iron might be deposited in organs other than the bone marrow and this can lead to organ damage.

Purpose of iron tests

  • To detect iron overload and also monitor the removal of iron in people who have hemochromatosis
  • To detect/evaluate abnormalities in iron metabolism
  • To determine what causes anaemia and monitor patients who have chronic anaemia

After getting your test results, you will receive professional advice from medical practitioners advising you on the way forward. In fact, you may get some prescriptions or need to change your diet depending on your specific results.

Sources of iron to prevent deficiency

Normally, your body absorbs iron two to three times more from animal sources when compared to plant sources. Some sources of iron from animals include:

  • Chicken
  • Turkey
  • Lean beef
  • Oysters

However, even if your body absorbs iron from plant sources at a slower rate, there are numerous sources of iron from plants. In addition, you will benefit from vitamin C which is vital in preventing scurvy. Some plant sources include:

  • Tofu
  • Cashews
  • Baked potatoes
  • Beans and lentils
  • Fortified breakfast cereals
  • Whole grain and enriched bread
  • Dark green leafy vegetables e.g. spinach

Avoid the following:

  • Added sugars or sweeteners
  • Processed grains
  • Dark chocolate – because it contains tannins which inhibit absorption of iron. You should moderate your intake
  • Bran – it is an insoluble fibre that traps and removes iron during absorption
  • Soda – besides having high sugars or sweeteners, soda blocks absorption of iron
  • Coffee and black tea – if you take excess coffee it might block absorption of iron
  • Conventional dairy – calcium usually binds with iron in foods thus inhibiting absorption

Tired and Pale? You might be low on Iron. Do this first!

Other ways to boost iron in your body

  1. Use probiotics for a healthy gut

A healthy gut facilitates absorption of iron in the body. So you should be concerned with the health of your gut. It is recommended to add probiotic-rich foods to your diet to improve your gut health. You can try homemade yoghurt, sauerkraut and goat milk kefir.

  1. Reduce stress

If you are stressed out, your spleen and liver fail to function normally and this can result in iron deficiencies. Avoid stressing yourself by taking exercises, using essential oils, having enough sleep, seeking professional help, talking with people, doing what makes you happy among other positive things. You will improve your health and reduce stress thus avoiding anaemia.

  1. Take supplements

You can consider taking a B vitamin complex that has folate and iron supplements. These supplements will also help in reducing stress and spleen health which is vital in body health. But before you stock up on these, you should seek help from a practitioner instead of doing it yourself.

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Way’s of coping with a chronic illness

Way's of coping with a chronic illness
By | On June 24,18 | 0 Comment

Way’s of coping with a chronic illness

Living with a chronic illness can make life very difficult indeed, as those living with one will understand. Yes I have a chronic illness but I am also a mum and wife still wishing to live my life and not let my health get the better of me.

I suffer with Endometriosis and have been living with the condition now for 16 years, resulting in surgeries. I also suffer with Fibromyalgia and depression – both of which recently diagnosed. A cocktail of medication is taken daily for various of reasons. I don’t like taking them but know they are for my own good.

Due to my health deteriorating I am having to sadly reduce my working hours and step down in my position at work. This is reluctantly being done as I love my job and I wish to continue working for as long as I can. I work as a support worker out in the community – currently on light duties and only working three day’s a week.

Daily chores are apart of everyday life and if not managed they soon begin to pile up…..If only the cleaning fairy was real.

The chronic pain really does make my life difficult, but things are still needing to be done at some point. At the moment I am currently under the care of consultants and attending pain management in London. I am trying to live life as comfortable and to the full the best I can, following specialist advice.

Hopefully soon I am due to start a specialist treatment plan but this sadly doesn’t start until October as these plans only run a few times a year and I have been booked on the next plan. In the meantime I am going to do all I can to manage my chronic pain better and make life easier for myself and my family.

Way's of coping with a chronic illness

Below is a list of my way’s of coping to still feel like a mum and wife whilst suffering a chronic condition. I may suffer a chronic condition but I am still a mum and wife with bills to pay and a house that needs cleaning.

Here are a few of my self-help tips

  • Make a list of jobs – Making a list of jobs that I know I can do and making up a weekly jobs planner to help me keep on top of things so they don’t pile up.
  • Post-it-notes – It is probably medication related (well I hope it is) but my memory is awful at the moment and I am easily forgetting things. Leaving myself little notes/reminders are currently helping massively.
  • A little bit each day – I have made a point to try and do a small amount each day. Long gone are the days of rushing around and trying to blitz the house in a day or two. I now have to go day-by-day doing what I can depending on how I am feeling.
  • Make chores more manageable – By using light-weight cleaning tools/aids it helps a great deal. No more big heavy hoovers, mops and buckets. My stomach muscles are not what they used to be due to my Endometriosis and surgeries.
  • Medication reminders – I am always asking myself “have I had my medication” – I purchased a dosset box. This gets filled up on a weekly basis and all I have to do is check the box. If my medication is still there for that day and times of day then it helps to remind myself.
  • Online shop – Online shopping is a godsend. No more having to struggle with heavy bags/trolleys. Ordering online makes my life so much more easier. I order our weekly shop online and pretty much everything else needed to be honest. I am even going to try online healthcare at some point.
  • Ask for help – I have always been a very independent person and to be honest asking for help is something I struggle with and absolutely HATE doing – but is something I have to start learning to now do. Ian is always telling me off where I overdo things and end up in pain.

Working from home will make life so much easier for me

Way's of coping with a chronic illness

  • Work from home – It goes without saying, reducing my working hours with my employer is having a knock-on-effect with our monthly income. I am currently trying to work more from home so I can be resting but also be working and helping pay the bills.
  • Plan ahead – On what I call “a good day” I like to plan ahead, by organising myself more. This can be anything from preparing for any upcoming family events, paying bills, meal prep/batch cook and reply to missed emails from a “bad day” as when I am in pain I tend to let things slip. Things are then easily missed or forgotten so I try my best to catch up with things and try and plan ahead the best I can.
  • Talk – I can sit and talk for hours about a load of gibberish but I must also learn to talk about my feelings more. Recently at one of my hospital appointments I was asked “how I was feeling” – this was done over a few questions in different ways. I ended up breaking down because to be honest I just feel useless now. A few years back I used to be able to do so much, be so organised and I look at myself now and how little I manage to do, I just feel like a complete failure. I have recently joined support groups to try and help me open up about how I am feeling and not hold it all in.
  • Rest/relaxation – Learn to rest would be a huge help to myself. I am always looking round and seeing things that are needing to be done, I just need to learn that it will still be there later/tomorrow and not everything can be done in a day. Or learn to ask for help and see if someone wouldn’t mind helping me. We are currently trying to form a family daily cleaning jobs list. If it works the way we hope then we will all have 1-2 jobs a day each and things shouldn’t get that bad.

Way's of coping with a chronic illness

  • Not stay indoors – Getting out for some fresh air is important. Staying shut away indoors isn’t good and it is good to get out even if just for a little while. I do enjoy walks with Coco, someone always comes with me just in case It gets a bit much. I do have to rest along the way but I do enjoy the fresh air and the walk. It helps to clear my head.
  • Weight loss – Trying to shift some weight is something I would love to do. I managed 3 stone loss a few years back and I would love to do it again plus more. Weight loss will also help my health. I am currently trying to do light exercise at home alongside trying to eat more healthy.
  • Sleep – I seem to have forgotten what sleep is lately. It has been ages since I have had a good full nights sleep. Some day’s I wake feeling more tired than when I had gotten into bed. I am constantly exhausted from the pain but just can’t sleep. I must look into way’s of helping to get a good nights sleep. A good nights sleep makes a huge difference when suffering chronic pain.

Do you suffer with a horrid chronic condition?

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5 Ways to Help Out Your Grandparents In Their Old Age

5 Ways to Help Out Your Grandparents In Their Old Age
By | On May 31,18 | 0 Comment

5 Ways to Help Out Your Grandparents In Their Old Age

I’m sure I speak for most of us when I say that our grandparents are some of the most treasured people in our lives. It’s always difficult seeing them get older because it’s a constant reminder that they’re not going to be around forever, but they are indeed getting older and as a result of that we should really do our best to help them out when they need it!

If you’re interested in ways you can help your grandparents then read on – after all, they’d do it for you!

Ask your parents how you can help

If your grandparents aren’t as spry as they used to be, there’s a good chance your parents will already be caring for them in some way – so they’ll have a better handle on the situation than you. It’s best you ask them how you can help before you just blinding go do chores around their house – otherwise the same job will be getting done twice!

Pitch in with the cleaning

As people get older their joints start to ache and they become a lot less mobile than before – so therefore their house may fall into disrepair. It’s always a good idea to offer to do their cleaning once a week. It doesn’t have to be anything drastic, give the place a quick dust, hoover up any debris and maybe even mow their grass – nobody wants to live in a dump!

Help them get around

As I mentioned previously, their mobility can become a real issue when they reach a certain age. Offering to give them lifts in your car (or even just accompanying them on the bus) can be a huge support to them when they need to get out the house.

If they value their independence (and don’t we all) it might be a good idea to get them a mobility aid. A mobility scooter is the perfect gift for anyone who suffers with getting from A to B but absolutely refuses to let anything stop them from doing just that!

Cook up a storm

It’s probably a safe bet that they’ve cooked you plenty of lovely meals of the years. So don’t you think that it’s about time you repaid the favour? Don’t go serving them up any old rubbish though, give them some proper nourishment. Oily fish and green vegetables are a tasty and healthy way to keep your body in tip-top shape – they also do a great job in improving your mental functions!

Engage in a good old chin wag

They say the youth have lost the art of conversation, well, prove ‘them’ wrong! The elderly absolutely love it when you dedicate time to listen to their stories, after all, it can get really lonely sometimes when nobody wants to devote attention to you. Who knows, you might even learn a thing or two from all that sagely wisdom!

So there we have it, 5 things you can do to brighten up your grandparents day just that little bit more. Feel free to comment below if you come with any more!

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Time to admit age is catching up with us

Time to admit age is catching up with us
By | On May 10,18 | 0 Comment

Time to admit age is catching up with us

Our kid’s are no longer babies and are in fact growing into handsome young men. We are often being told how polite and helpful they are. They are growing up too quickly for our liking. Two out of our three boy’s now have girlfriends and are in full-time jobs making plans for their futures. Lee has only just left college and within days has got himself a job where his brother is currently working. Bradley our youngest is just about to sit his GCSE exams and is due to leave school in the next few weeks…..Yikes, how do we stop time?

Recently we dusted off our old photo albums from the loft and we all sat and had a lovely evening reminiscing, it was lovely. We was laughing at funny moments we had captured of our boys with dinner on their head from when they was learning to feed themselves, also funny potty training moments. The boys were laughing at each others outfits before they then started laughing at photos of us. Yes the comments was coming at us of “crikey dad you had hair”, and “mum look this was before you started going grey”. It was funny and sadly yes the comments were true. Age really is starting to catch up with us.

Time to admit age is catching up with us
Ian in 2001 (as the boy’s say “with hair”)

As working parents we spend our time worrying about our kids that we hardly take time-out for ourselves do we?

Well after seeing those photographs I fastly contacted my hairdresser and booked her to come and hide my grey, but poor Ian he really is going thin on top. Everyone tends to laugh at him for it and I do feel sorry for him, but he takes it in his stride and laughs it off but I know it does bother him. We have in the past bought him shampoos that have been recommended but sadly they didn’t work. I have taken to looking online and reading up on men who have suffered the same problem, most are saying that the they opted for hair treatments. I had been browsing the internet looking up on the treatments as I was curious and asked myself “how does a hair transplant work“? I came across Wayne Rooney’s hair transplant results, wow what a difference.

Time to admit age is catching up with us
Ian now 2018

When chatting with Ian about going thin on top he seems to think it is a receding hair-line problem. He is fully aware that there is help out there for him should he wish to get help, but for now he said he enjoys winding the boys up and blaming them for him going bald, as he say’s he had hair before they was born and they made him pull it out. Cheeky bugger, he is a wind-up merchant.

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Quit smoking – self-help tips

Quit smoking - self-help tips
By | On May 09,18 | 0 Comment

quit smoking – self-help tips

Quitting smoking is something we always nag Ian about. He say’s he will give up smoking when we give up chocolate – yeah that’s no time soon then!

I will give it to Ian he has tried on many of occasions to give up but then he slowly starts up again. He says “there are too many things that make him start again”, like:

  • His social circle
  • Habit
  • Routine
  • Lack of will power
  • Work stress
  • It’s his way of chilling out and relaxing

I must admit that smoking has never really bothered me. I never have smoked and probably never will. I’d sooner a nice glass of wine.

Here are a few tips that may help with giving up smoking

  • Think positive – Having the right frame of mind will go a long way when wanting to quit. You have got to want to give up yourself to have the best chances of quitting. If you’re wanting to quit then tell yourself “you can do this” and get the right support in place.
  • Make a plan of action – Get a date set that you’re wanting to start a new non-smoking you. Get that date set and make yourself a promise and give it all you’ve got and go kick that butt!
  • Make a list of your reasons to quit – Make yourself a list of reasons that you want to quit smoking. Keep it close by and keep reminding yourself of your reason to quit. You made find it a huge support if/when you’re struggling.
  • Identify when you smoke – Take note before you gave up on when your cravings are. This will help to put things in place to help work around them, such as avoiding going outside with the smokers in the smokers area, not allowing smoking in your house, pre-warn friends and ask for support so they are aware not to offer you a fag etc.
  • Get support in place – Make friends and family aware of your decision to quit. Chat with your GP to see what support is out there in your local area. See if anyone would like to join you by quitting too and support each other.
  • Take up a hobby – Finding something else to occupy your mind may help you to stop thinking about having a cigarette.

A lot of people say the thing they found the hardest about giving up smoking was not having a cigarette to hold. Some people like a cigarette with their coffee, watching TV, or even whilst having a soak in the bath. For that reason a lot of people make a switch from cigarettes to Vape kits just for that cigarette feel of keeping their hands busy still. Whilst some are happy to switch to nicotine patches or gum.

Do you have any tips to help quit smoking?

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Endometriosis and me

Endometriosis and me
By | On April 23,18 | 0 Comment

Endometriosis and me

I first noticed my Endometriosis symptoms after I had Bradley my youngest son. I suffered real bad pains and periods to the point one day I took myself off to hospital in bad pain, I was seen by a Dr and sent for numerous tests, fastly beginning to feel like a pin cushion to then be told they wanted to admit me to hospital. Being on my own at the hospital and having my baby with me I was scared and felt alone as Ian was at work at the time, I didn’t feel the need to worry him as at the time he didn’t work local to home.

To cut a long story shorter I was told it was just a bad period and period pain and all should start to calm down given time. Did it? like heck did it!

I then went on to suffer every month from there. I went to see my GP several times who just repeated what I was told at the hospital….Just a bad period and it should calm back down….Grrrr

I then started to question myself and think is it normal, Is it just me being silly?

But NO, I knew my body wasn’t right and I knew my periods wasn’t normal but the Dr wasn’t really listening to me. I then began to start getting myself in a state and just didn’t know what way to turn.

One day I felt so down, I was in pain, I was tearful, I had three boys to look after so I contacted my GP surgery who gave me an appointment for later that day. I went along to my appointment explained my situation about whats been happening to just be sent away with anti-depressants. I really did feel like I was going mad at this point where I felt like no one was listening to me!

At this point I just felt like I had no option but to just get on with things the best I could. I knew things wasn’t right inside my body, but what could I do. Time passed and I did continue to suffer heavy painful periods to the point I was slowly becoming bed-bound for. I continued to see my GP, I was eventually offered an ultrasound scan at the hospital to see if it would show anything up, but nothing come of it to explain the pain or heavy bleeding.

I was watching morning TV one day and there was a lady on there talking about her suffering and long battle to be diagnosed with what was called “Endometriosis”. She was talking about her symptoms to help raise awareness to others who may be suffering the same or similar symptoms. My chin must have hit the floor as I had every symptom she had.

Some symptoms being:

  • Heavy periods
  • Painful periods
  • Chronic pelvic pain
  • Fatigue
  • Low mood
  • Bloating
  • Pain during sex
  • Some bleeding between periods
  • Painful bowel movements

I could not believe what I was watching and listening to. For the first time in ages I did not feel like I was going crazy. I went and spoke with my GP about what I had seen on the TV and explained my symptoms was the same as the lady had explained in her awareness to Endometriosis. I did not want to be ignored this time and pushed for further tests to be done. I had been bed-bound on too many occasions and my life was really being effected to the point I felt like my kid’s was missing out on a proper mum, a mum who wasn’t in pain so much.

I chatted with my GP about Endometriosis, we discussed my symptoms and then my GP went on to explain what Endometriosis is in more detail.

Endometriosis is:

Endometriosis is a very painful disorder in which tissue that would normally line the inside of the uterus – the endometrium – grows outside the uterus. Endometriosis can be known to affect the ovaries, bowel, Fallopian tubes and the tissue lining the pelvis. Endometriosis can even spread beyond the pelvic organs and stick to each other. Endometriosis is even know to sometimes cause fertility problems.

What happens is, each month cells like the ones in the lining of the womb can be found elsewhere in the body. Each month these cells act in the same way as those in the womb, building up and then breaking down, then bleeding, BUT….unlike those within the womb that have a way to leave the body as a period, THIS blood has nowhere to go.

A shocking 1.5 million women in the UK are suffering with Endometriosis. Endometriosis can affect women and even girls of childbearing age regardless of race or ethnicity.

This short video may help you understand in a better way.

Finally…

I was then referred to a gynecologist at the hospital as an out-patient. I had an appointment through within a few weeks and things finally started moving…..5 years after my first symptoms!

After a five-year battle and being misdiagnosed on many occasions I was finally under the hospital with a possible self diagnosis. An ultrasound scan was ordered but again didn’t show anything but with self research I had read that Endometriosis rarely shows up on an ultrasound scan and is mainly diagnosed via a laparoscopy procedure so this is what I pushed for.

Another referral was pushed for, I did not give up….I knew something was wrong with my body.  A few months later and I got my appointment through. It was then confirmed I HAVE ENDOMETRIOSIS.

The tears started to pour down my face and I was a bag of mixed emotions. I was scared, relieved and angry all at the same time. I also wanted answers.

Questions I wanted answering…

How could this diagnosis take so long?

why was I just left to suffer?

Why did I have to self-diagnose myself?

Why the big fight all the time to get anywhere/get things moving?

Sadly it just boiled down to lack of awareness. Endometriosis needs so much more awareness.

Once I had my diagnosis I was then given the right treatment to help me cope better. This only lasted for a while sadly and before I knew it was going back downhill again. The heavy painful periods started again and I felt like I was back to square one again. My GP referred me back to the hospital again for further discussions and to get an action plan put in place. After long discussions and many appointments and counselling the next step was arranged.

A hysterectomy was booked.

I was booked in to have a hysterectomy at the age of 27. My periods got so bad and I could no longer live with the pain as it was affecting my ability to be a proper mum to my boys. I was forever having to phone in sick at work, debts started to pile up and loans was having to be taken out just to help keep the bills paid. We did look at Lendgreen on a few occasions. Enough was enough at this point. The day fastly arrived and before I knew it I was heading to the operation, nervous but I knew it had to be done.

A hysterectomy IS NOT a cure.

A hysterectomy is not a cure for Endometriosis as I am still suffering today, 8 years after my operation, 16 years after my first symptoms. I am still finding myself phoning in work unable to go in as I am in so much pain. OK the heavy periods are no longer an issue but the pain is still there. I am currently under the UCLH in London receiving treatment. I am currently receiving injections, a three-month trial of Zoladex. I am on this treatment which is an injection in my stomach once a month for three months to freeze my ovaries as my consultant has advised me that my Endometriosis is hormone fed. I had a hysterectomy but my ovaries was not taken out due to my age at the time. If this three-month trial proves to be effective and help me then it strengthens my case to have my ovaries removed.

I am currently on this Zoladex treatment and just had my second injection. Hopefully this has positive effects for me and helps to ease things for me.

I hope me sharing my Endometriosis story raises some awareness to help someone get the diagnosis they need or even helps to give some form of help or support needed. Just remember you know your body better than anyone else, if you feel something isn’t right then it probably isn’t….Don’t give up seeking for help.

Posted to help raise some much-needed awareness.

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health, Winter

Keep warm: Be prepared

By | On March 02,18 | 11 Comments

Keep warm: Be prepared

Do you hibernate like me when the weather is bad. I hate the cold and I’m always looking for ways to keep warm. Being cold can really takes its toll eventually so its best to protect ourselves the best we can from the dip in temperatures. Being a support worker and looking after the elderly in the community I am always looking for the best ways to help keep them warm. Here are a few tips on how to stay warm during the cold spell.

Ten top tips on keeping warm if going out.

  1. Have something hot to eat and drink before setting out on your journey and also drink plenty whilst out to keep your insides warm.
  2. Layer up. There is nothing worse than not dressing appropriately for the weather.
  3. Wear wool as wool retains the heat.
  4. Carry a hot water bottle with you if you can. Pocket hand warmers are also good.
  5. Wear a hat, gloves and a scarf to help protect you from the cold.
  6. Avoid getting wet the best you can. Wear waterproof clothing. There is nothing worse than having to wear wet clothes all day.
  7. Keep moving and avoid standing around too long. Try and use good grip shoes/boots for safety!
  8. If you can, always try and carry a change of footwear and socks to change in to.
  9. Check travel arrangements before leaving. Check transport times etc so you’re not left hanging around in the cold. Always keep in touch with a friend or relative in extreme conditions and/or travelling a distance. It then saves them from unnecessary worry.
  10. In extreme weather conditions carry any urgent/needed medication with you in case of emergency/road closures etc. it’s always best to be prepared. Always carry any needed chargers to keep gadgets charged so you can keep in contact with friends and family. If travelling via car, blankets and a flask of soup always come in handy in an emergency. Also write down any important numbers and keep them safe, just in case your mobile goes flat and you are unable to charge it.

Ten tips on keeping warm when indoors

  1. Put the heating on. Homes should be at the temperature of at least 18°C. Check if you are eligible for help with heating costs (link below), no one should be scared to have their heating on, especially on cold winter days.
  2. Have extra blankets to hand and hot water bottles.
  3. Block any drafts around doors and windows.
  4. Keep windows and vents closed.
  5. Check radiators are working properly. You may have one or two that may need bleeding. Move away any furniture obstructing the heat from the radiator.
  6. Layer up, several thin layers work better. Wool and/or fleece preferably.
  7. Hot regular drinks to keep your insides warm.
  8. Keep active and this will help you to keep warm. Batch cook some meals, bake a cake or even some biscuits, that way your near the oven for extra warmth too.
  9. Have a hot soak in the bath.
  10. Eat well, this will help keep your body warm. Also helps to fight off any winter germs – homemade soups are a good choice.

Be prepared: 

  1. Have a good stock of flu medications at home.
  2. Check your home is insulated properly before the winter months. This will also help keep the fuel bills down.
  3. Speak with your GP about a flu jab.
  4. Check windows and doors for drafts before winter.
  5. Check if your entitled to a cold weather payment, it doesn’t hurt to check and every penny helps.
  6. Keep an eye on the weather and stock up on your shopping, saves going out if no need in the bad weather.
  7. Check on your smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector.
  8. Prepare/protect your pipes for the winter months.
  9. Be prepared for power cuts caused by storms. Candles, batteries etc. Have them in a place ready to grab that all household members know.
  10. Give your car if you have one a winter check.

What are your favorite items to help keep you warm on a cold winters day? >>here are ours<<

Always check on elderly neighbours and relatives. Make sure they are warm and have all they need, especially during cold spells.

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health, Medical

Top 4 commonly Ignored health problems

Top 4 Commonly Ignored Health Problems
By | On October 04,17 | 0 Comment

Top 4 commonly Ignored health problems

Most of us are guilty of ignoring health problems because it’s difficult to try to fit a doctor’s appointment into an already busy lifestyle. Getting little aches and pains is a normal part of getting older so we often tend to just ignore them and hope they’ll go away. Most of the time they do so you don’t need to rush off to the doctor every time you get a slight twinge. But occasionally, those aches and pains turn into something more serious. Lots of illnesses start off with tiny symptoms that gradually get worse so ignoring the everyday pains you get can be dangerous. These are the top health problems that most of us are ignoring.

Back Pain

Top 4 Commonly Ignored Health Problems

Most ageing people complain about back pain, it’s almost a rite of passage for the older generation these days. It’s just a natural part of getting older, isn’t it? That’s partly true and you aren’t going to avoid it completely but if it starts happening earlier, or gets very severe, you might need to do something about it. Most of the time, back pain is caused or at least made far worse by environmental factors. The most likely is a bad mattress. If you aren’t getting enough support from your mattress then you’ll wake up with a stiff back every day and the pain will only get worse. Luckily, there are plenty of mattresses designed specifically for a bad back. Visit Choose Mattress for some great information on the best ones. They offer much more spinal support which is the key to fighting back pain. You might also be getting worse back pains if you’re working in a job that involves a lot of heavy lifting. Health and safety isn’t exciting but you should listen to advice on proper lifting techniques if you don’t want to have a bad back for the rest of your life.

Grinding Teeth

Top 4 Commonly Ignored Health Problems

Grinding your teeth isn’t something that people really consider a problem. It’s just something that some people do. What they don’t realize is that it can do you a lot of damage. Waking up with a stiff jaw and sore teeth is the last of your worries, the long-term damage that you’re doing to your teeth is a more pressing concern. You risk chipping and cracking them as well as wearing them down in general. You’ll start to find that your teeth are more sensitive to hot and cold and you’ll get more problems with decay if you’ve got small holes in your teeth.

Insomnia

Top 4 Commonly Ignored Health Problems

A recent study found that 27% of people in Britain are experiencing bad sleeping patterns on a regular basis so it’s no wonder that we are starting to accept it as a normal part of modern life. But that’s risky because it’s already doing us a lot of damage and it’s more difficult to notice if you’re slipping slowly towards full-blown insomnia. Not sleeping enough contributes to all sorts of health problems including heart disease, diabetes and obesity. On top of that, it increases stress levels and makes your general brain function a lot slower. Missing out on even a few hours of sleep a night is something that you should be concerned about. See a doctor and ask if there is any medical reason you’re not sleeping, but it’s more likely to be environmental factors that are causing it. Drinking too much caffeine late in the day might be making it harder to sleep at night, and so could using your phone or laptop in bed. The light from the screen tricks your brain into thinking it’s still daytime and stops it from releasing hormones that encourage you to go to sleep. Why not consider reading a book instead? It’ll make it far easier to nod off later on.

Headaches

Top 4 Commonly Ignored Health Problems

Chances are, when you get a headache you reach straight for the paracetamol and get on with your day. They’re so common and most of the time they’re probably just caused by stress, but if you keep getting them regularly, it could be more serious. It could be caused by any other medication that you’re taking if it doesn’t agree with you, or it could be a symptom of a larger health problem. Lots of small things like your posture or the amount of red meat that you eat can even bring on headaches. Even if they are stress headaches, you shouldn’t be getting them all of the time so instead of just putting it off with painkillers, do something about it.

It’s always a pain to take time out of your already busy day to get to the doctors but it could be dangerous not to.

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health, Smoking

How much nicotine is in a cigarette?

How much nicotine is in a cigarette?
By | On June 15,17 | 2 Comments

How much nicotine is in a cigarette?

Aside from being well-established harbingers of death and disease, there remains an abundance of misconceptions when it comes to cigarettes. The most prominent of which, of course, is people’s perceptions about nicotine. Synonymous with the cigarette, nicotine is the substance that gives them their addictive quality. But what actually is nicotine? Is it bad for you? And how much of it does a cigarette contain, and how about e-cigarettes for that matter?

Nicotine itself constitutes anywhere from 0.6% to 3% of the dry weight of tobacco. Generally speaking, a single cigarette contains around 9.5 milligrams of nicotine, around 2 milligrams of which are actually absorbed into the body. Of course, the levels of nicotine vary from brand-to-brand and which size of cigarette you opt for.

Without going into too much detail, nicotine is a naturally occurring, addictive component of tobacco. It acts as both a stimulant and a relaxant, causing the heart to beat faster and stronger, as well as increasing blood pressure temporarily. As you may have guessed, it is also responsible for all of the psychological draws and drawbacks of smoking. It reels you back in for the reward that comes with another cigarette, and then punishes you with withdrawal when you give up – anxiety, irritably, craving and even mild tremors are all to be expected.

In spite of these effects and its inextricable association with the heart and respiratory maladies of smoking, there are relatively few health effects associated with nicotine use. Its infliction of suffering is largely limited to withdrawal symptoms. The administration of nicotine via nicotine replacement therapy has been studied in great detail and numerous studies have declared it a safe undertaking. That is not to say that nicotine is without its problems though. It definitively has dangerous effects on foetal development. It has also been posited that nicotine may play a role in promoting tumours and aggravating cardiovascular conditions – but research on this is far from conclusive.

The extent to which you will struggle with quitting cigarettes, is directly related to the amount of nicotine your body is used to consuming. Methods range from going cold turkey to undergoing nicotine replacement therapy (which is nowhere near as scary as it sounds by the way) but one of the most effective routes is to adopt vaping as an alternative.

The real advantage of using an e-cigarette is that, regardless of your previous nicotine intake, you can tailor the nicotine content to appease your own needs. When kicking a heavy smoking habit, it is best to start on a higher or equivalent dose of nicotine. This will prevent the overcompensation that commonly occurs when vapors elect for too low of a dose, which invariably leads them to decide that vaping doesn’t work for them, when, in fact, it was the nicotine content that didn’t work for them.

By starting at a satisfactory dose, the nicotine content can be gradually reduced over time, which leads many ex-smokers to eventually adopt a zero-nicotine e-cigarette – how’s that for progress?! With an extensive range of e-liquids, Vapourmate is the perfect place to get started – you are sure to find a flavour you’ll love.

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health, Lifestyle, Safety, Safety tips, Top tips

Making your home safer and healthier

Making your home safer and healthier
By | On June 04,17 | 0 Comment

Making your home safer and healthier

Your family home should be a safe space. It should be a place where you can bring up your kids to be healthy happy adults. Unfortunately, for too many of us, our homes are far from being the safe havens we would imagine. They’re filled with potential dangers like boiling water, toxic substances and dodgy wiring that could potentially make us sick or cause an accident. So, even if you think your home is a pretty safe, healthy place to be, it’s worth doing what you can to make it even healthier. Here are some tips to help you do just that:

Check Your Hot Water Heater

We all know that leaving young children alone in the bath is a bad idea because they could drown, but few of us think too much about the possibility of scalding, Unfortunately, many kids are burned by too hot bath water each year, and although most of them are not too badly affected, some will experience significant injuries. That’s why, if you have a baby or toddler in the house, it’s a good idea to check the temperature of your water heater. 120 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal because temperatures above that could scald a child in as little as 5 seconds!

Secure Your Windows

It’s shocking, but thousands of children each year are injured falling out of windows. That’s why it’s never a bad idea to install window guards on any windows that could be accessed by small children. Of course, you want to be able to open your windows quickly in the case of fire, so you should look for guards that are quick-release, just in case.

Remove Asbestos

It’s unbelievable how many homes and sheds in this country still contain asbestos. Once a popular building material due to its fire-resistant properties, asbestos is known to cause a range of devastating illnesses, including lung cancer and asbestosis. If you suspect you may have asbestos on your property, it’s important that you call in the professionals to remove it safely from your home.

Look Out for Faulty Wiring

Making your home safer and healthier

Faulty wiring is a disaster waiting to happen. It can cause fires and electric shocks if left unattended to. Tell-tale signs of faulty wiring include flickering lights, circuit breakers, and fuses that go out on a regular basis, switches that give off shocks and burning smells. If you notice any of these things, call in a local electrician to take a look. Better safe than sorry when it comes to your family’s safety, after all.

Decorate with Chemical Free Paint

There’s nothing more satisfying that freshly painted walls that are all clean and new. Of course, the average can of paint contains all manner of toxins, which h won’t exactly do you or your family much good when breathed in. If you want your home to be as toxin free as possible, it is, therefore, a good idea to use eco-friendly chemical-free paint. Sure, they’re a little more expensive, but they’re so worth it, if only because you don’t have to put up with that horrible paint smell for days after decorating.

Install and Test Smoke Alarms

If you don’t already have smoke alarms installed in your home, please, please go out and buy some right now. A functioning smoke alarm really could save yours and your family’s lives at some point. You might think that a fire could never break out at your home, but most people who’ve had house fires think that too. It can and does happen to anyone so take precautions by installing and regularly testing an alarm today.

Install a Carbon Monoxide Detector

Making your home safer and healthier

While you’re buying that smoke alarm, pick up a carbon monoxide detector too. Carbon monoxide is so dangerous because it’s odourless and it can creep up on you without noticing. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include a headache, dizziness, and nausea and if you are exposed to it for long enough, you could die. Protect your family by installing a detector as soon as possible.

Keep the Place Clean

I know most of us hate doing household chores, but keeping your home clean and tidy is one of the best ways to prevent sickness bugs, food poisoning, allergies and the worsening of conditions like asthma. You don’t need to keep your house spotlessly clean, but don’t neglect it either or it could become a breeding ground for all kinds of nasties.

It might seem like a lot of work, but periodically checking up on your property and making any relevant changes will help you to maintain a safe, comfortable and very healthy home.

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health

Epilepsy – Taking Charge

Epilepsy - taking charge
By | On July 19,16 | 39 Comments

Epilepsy – Taking charge

Life as a teenage boy can be hard, your noticing hormone changes and your also making important choices. You’ve life choices to make at school and you’re preparing and taking charge of your life with GCSE also taking place.

Lee was busy with all of this going on, he was happy and taking each day as it came, getting up and going to school meeting with friends along the way – after school doing any homework he had and then going out to play football with friends just like many other teenage boy’s.

This was soon to change….

One Sunday morning I had noticed Lee to be having a seizure, luckily with my job I’d had training in epilepsy awareness and noticed the signs. I took Lee straight to the hospital where they run some tests and it was confirmed Lee has had his first witnessed seizure.

Lee was referred to the epilepsy specialist where more test was run over a course of time, MRI, ECG, EEG, sleep deprived test and light tests. Lee was so brave especially with the MRI test as this really scared him, he hated the loud sounds and small space but with us in the room with him 2nd time round (we wasn’t allowed in first time) he was brave and braved it out, we couldn’t have been more prouder.

We awaited Lee’s results which was given at a follow-up consultants appointment where it was confirmed and Lee was diagnosed with Tonic-Clonic and Absence seizures.

Our poor boy…

When Lee was diagnosed he went withdrawn, we noticed a loss in his appetite and he hardly went out with friends anymore. He was put on medication (Lamotrigine) but he’d refuse to take them, he didn’t want anybody knowing about his diagnosis, he would close any conversation down quickly if we was to try and talk to him about his diagnosis, and we also noticed a change in his behavior at home and at school.

It was so upsetting to see our poor boy change before our eyes, we knew this was not Lee.

We set out to get him the help needed..

Lee found it really hard to open up so with specialist help from his epilepsy nurse we sat down with Lee and explained that he IS NOT the only teenager to be diagnosed with epilepsy and he IS NOT this alien he had pictured himself to be in his head.

Lee felt different, he felt embarrassed, he just wanted to hide away but at the same time not be on his own because he was scared. He wanted to talk about it but at the same time didn’t because he was scared and didn’t want to hear or accept the answers. He would look so drained and tired, it was so upsetting.

Lee finds it hard to accept…

Lee’s Tonic-Clonic Seizures would mainly happen at night while he was sleeping so in his eye’s he’s not seeing or witnessing anything because he’s not aware that they have happened, he just notices the side effects the next day – side effects being, loss of appetite, headache, feeling sick, aches and pains along with extreme tiredness and on some occasions unexplained bruising.

When Lee has had a seizure we would keep a close eye on him for a good few hours after, meaning we keep him home from school if it’s a school day (school being fully aware) as he needs to rest and sleep it off as it wears him out – plus for his own safety.

Putting a care plan in place…

We have had a care plan in place at his school informing his teacher’s of what to do if he was to have a seizure whilst at school. When Lee was at school it was noticed he was having absences on many occasions, this is where he blanks out for anything from a few seconds to a few minutes – side effects, headache, sudden tiredness, confusion, confusion to loss of time and to why people are asking him why is he not listening to them.

Lee has just finished his GCSES but whilst he was taking them his seizures got more frequent resulting in a visit to the hospital where we was informed stress can bring the seizures on more frequently. This put us in a very tricky situation as you can imagine. Lee was needing to take his exams but at the same time he was suffering, he did take his GCSES but we kept a very close eye on him and he would rest and unwind that bit more.

During his exams he was given extra time, this was to help with the pressure a bit, this really helped him, we worked very closely with the school and I must say the school have been fantastic with helping support Lee during his time with them.

Lee is still coming to terms with his diagnosis, he still finds some things hard to accept as changes have had to be made but he is more open and willing to talk about it now which is a huge help. He now takes his medication 150 mg twice daily with reminding but he does take them. It has been a very tough time for us all and still is but we are working through it together as a family. Lee is on the right path now to taking charge and not letting it beat him, we couldn’t be any more prouder of him.

epilepsy - taking charge

***Posted to help raise awareness***

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Exams, health

Preparing For Exams

Preparing for exams
By | On January 08,16 | 10 Comments

Preparing For Exams

We remember only to well our school days and the dreaded exams we had to face along with the horrid pressure that came with them. Do you remember being told as a child “preparing for exams should be your top priority” ? We do and we also find ourselves saying it to our children now.

I guess it is said because it is true.

Exam pressure is awful and if not careful can cause:

Worry

Sleepless nights

Stress

Loss of appetite

Frustration

Anger

And many more symptoms.

preparing for exams

All of which can be avoided by:

Being prepared

Staying focused

Taking the time to forward plan

Being organised

And always asking for help if needed

Taking notes

Checking exam times and being prepared

Preparing for exams

Our top tips to anyone preparing for exams would be:

To eat well

Get plenty of sleep – lack of sleep means lack of concentration

Drink plenty of water

Revise

Test yourself or get someone to test you

Take breaks – clear your head and then re-approach with a clearer head

Get plenty of exercise – it’s a great stress buster

Switch off all distractions – TV, phone etc

Seek help from home tutors, one being an English tutor

Making sure you take plenty of time out of revising is just as important because:

preparing for exams

 Exams can seem pointless and boring at the time but:

preparing for exams

For anyone preparing for their GCSE and would like to seek further help and advice there is a free downloadable revision guide to help with healthy study techniques. The guide has expert tips on how to enhance your brain power through exam periods and also advice on sleep patterns and a healthy diet whilst studying.

You can download the Healthy Revision Guide here – Click to download for FREE!

For anyone who is home schooling you can find great support online with Oxford Home Schooling. 

Wishing anyone taking exams the best of luck, hope you get the results you wish for.

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