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Issue 7 • Summer 2009 Age: 13+

LIVING WITH HAYFEVER Inside this Issue:

NO SUCH THING AS A HEALTHY TAN SWIMMING POOL OPENING TIMES

Welcome to Inside this Issue:

Message from the Editorial Team Living with Hayfever Recipe: Fruit Muffin Dear Sam No such thing as a ‘safe’ tan

Page

2 3-4 5 6-8 9-11

Your Feedback about Health Warning

12

Swimming Pool Opening Times

13

Where Can I Get Help?

14

Quiz

15

Health Warning Feedback

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If you have any questions or comments about ‘Health Warning’, please email [email protected]

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Health Warning!

h t l a e H arning! W

MESSAGE FROM THE EDITORIAL TEAM Welcome to Health Warning! The Editorial Team is made up of young people in Blaenau Gwent. We have been working with Blaenau Gwent Healthier Future Partnership, which includes Blaenau Gwent Local Health Board, Blaenau Gwent Local Authority, Blaenau Gwent Public Health Team and GAVO. We take our health and wellbeing very seriously and so we want to produce a magazine each school term, which is produced by young people, for young people, to express the ideas of the Blaenau Gwent ‘Healthier Future’ Strategy and Health Challenge Wales. Health Warning is a FREE magazine packed full of articles and tips, as well as lots of information about the health and wellbeing services in your area. Health Warning is produced by young people for young people. If you have any comments on the magazine, please email [email protected]

Living with

Hayfever runny nose, watery eyes and the smell of herbal allergy medicines. It can mean only one thing … hayfever. I usually get hayfever a few weeks into the Summer. I usually have mild symptoms, such as an itching nose and occasional watery eyes, though in worse cases I may go through two boxes of tissues in one evening.

A

If you have asthma, you may find that your symptoms, such as wheezing and breathlessness, get worse when you have hayfever as well. Sometimes, asthma symptoms only occur during the hayfever season.

For me, hayfever is a nuisance and can make me feel lethargic on nice sunny days, but I know people who suffer much worse than me. They experience puffy and sore eyes and often look like they are crying. There is no actual cure for hayfever, so the best thing in my opinion is to keep yourself busy because the less you think about it the less you will be affected. Symptoms In general hayfever symptoms are: ■ ■ ■ ■

frequent sneezing runny or blocked nose itchy or watery eyes an itchy throat, mouth, nose and ears

Health Warning! 3

Tips to avoid Making Your Hayfever Worse Here are some ways to avoid your hayfever symptoms being too bad: ■ Reduce your contact with pollen – try to stay indoors when pollen counts are high (you can check on the BBC or Met Office websites, or look at TV or newspaper weather forecasts). ■ Avoid going outside in the early evening, when the pollen count is highest. ■ Keep windows and doors shut in the house; try drawing the curtains to keep out the sun and keep the temperature down. ■ Keep car windows closed. ■ Avoid walking or playing outside after the grass has just been cut. ■ Change your clothes and take a shower after being outdoors to remove the pollen from your body. ■ Wear wrap-around sunglasses to stop pollen getting in your eyes when you are outdoors.

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Health Warning!

■ Keep fresh flowers out of the house, and vacuum and damp dust regularly. ■ Don’t let anyone smoke in your house breathing in other people’s smoke irritates the lining of your nose, eyes, throat and airways, which can make your symptoms worse. ■ Keep pets out of the house during the hayfever season; if your pet does come indoors, wash it regularly to remove any pollen from its fur. ■ Apply Vaseline around the edge of the nostrils to stop pollen from entering the nasal passages. If you think you have hayfever, you should see your GP, who will be able to make a diagnosis from a description of your symptoms, especially if you can tell the GP what times of the day or year your symptoms occur.

Muffin Recipe Serves 4-8 Muffin recipe preparation time: about 10 Minutes Muffin recipe cooking time: 20 Minutes A fun and simple muffin recipe. If you don’t have a muffin tray, throw away paper cake cases will work just as well. Once you become familiar with the recipe try experimenting with blueberries (which is a superfruit*), lemon or an alternative filling of your choice, instead of raisins. Muffin recipe ingredients: ■ 380 grams self-raising flour ■ 100 grams butter (cut into small cubes) ■ 200 grams caster sugar ■ 300 mls milk ■ 1 beaten egg ■ 100 grams raisins ■ large pinch of cinnamon Muffin recipe cooking Instructions: 1. Pre-heat oven to 180 degrees C 2. Blend the sifted flour and butter in a large bowl. 3. Fold in the sugar, milk, raisins, cinnamon and egg don’t worry if the mix is not smooth 4. Spoon the mixture into the well greased muffin tray (or paper cases). 5. Bake on the middle shelf for 20 minutes. *

Superfruits refers to a fruit which combines exceptional nutrient richness and antioxidant quality.

Enjoy!!!!!

Health Warning! 5

ed by will be answer Your questions are working with or s m who we any proble ear experts printed on Email us with ld like to ask D lection will be ou se w a u d yo an ns ition. ed concer xt ne ge in the on at: pa ce is vi th ad r fo .uk m hs s.n Sa enaugwentlhb.wale gemma.wasley@bla

[email protected]

. . m a S r Dea Dear Sam, I’m 17 and have always taken care of my mum, who drinks too much. It got really bad when I was 10 and dad left us. She used to go to the pub – now she drinks cheap booze at home. I begged her to see our doctor but she won’t. Three months ago I moved out, but I feel guilty. Did I do the right thing? Jack

Dear Jack, It’s normal to feel upset and guilty, because you love your mum. You have tried to help your mum by asking her to see her GP, but realise that you can’t talk her into changing her behaviour. Many alcoholics can’t just quit because other problems make them drink, and often they don’t

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Health Warning!

accept that they have a problem. It may be helpful for you to contact Adfam, which is the leading national organisation working with and for families affected by drugs and alcohol. They provide direct support to families through publications, training, outreach work and signposting to local support services. Details are on the Adfam website: www.adfam.org.uk You could also contact Alcoholics Anonymous and talk with people who have been in your position and they’ll share methods of coping with you. Have a look at their website: www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk, or call them on the national helpline: 0845 769 7555 or the local helpline for Wales & Borders on 01792 301907 (lines are open 24 hours).

Dear Sam, I’m 15 and look after my mother, who is disabled with ME. I find it more and more difficult to go on as I have no life of my own. I have school work to do, shopping, cooking and cleaning. Sometimes, I can’t even get to school if she’s having a bad day because I can’t leave her. Dad doesn’t live with us and they don’t get on. I feel jealous of my friends who can go out when they want to and have a mum doing things for them. Mum doesn’t want anyone in to help. What can I do? Lauren

Dear Lauren, It can feel good to look after someone we care about, but it can also be very stressful. It’s okay to want things for yourself as well as looking after your mum. Don’t ignore feeling stressed, worried or angry. Stress is your brain’s way of telling you that you need a break. Put aside some time each day just for doing something you enjoy, like playing computer games, phoning friends, playing a sport, listening to music or watching TV.

Stress is your brain’s way of telling you that you need a break

Contact the ME Association, telephone: 0870 44 1836 (lines are open 10am – 12 noon, 2pm – 4pm, 7pm – 9pm) or visit www.meassociation.org.uk for advice on how to cope and details of local support groups. You may also like to contact the Young Carers’ Project, a local project for young people who are in a similar position to you: Telephone: 01495 306602 or email: [email protected]

Health Warning! 7

Dear Sam, I am writing to you because I am confused and need some advice. All my friends smoke and they say that it’s cool to smoke because celebrities and models do. They also believe that it helps them to look more grown up and that it helps them to stay thin.

4. Quitting helps save the planet. Deforestation due to tobacco production accounts for nearly 5% of overall deforestation in the developing world, according to research published in medical journal, The BMJ.

I’m getting a lot of peer pressure put on me to smoke but I don’t know what to do. I want to look cool and more grown up and stay thin but I want to know what can happen if I start smoking and why all my friends think it helps.

5. Someone who starts smoking at 15 is three times more likely to die from cancer than someone who starts smoking in their mid 20s.

Kelly

6. Not smoking will make you instantly more attractive. Most people prefer kissing nonsmokers.

Dear Kelly, Smoking is known to stop you feeling hungry and studies show lots of young girls use cigarettes as a way to control their weight. However, this certainly is not a good reason to start smoking, as there are many health risks involved. The younger you start smoking, the more damage there will be to your body when you get older. Here’s some reasons not to smoke: 1. You’ll be healthier and less out of breath because smoking decreases your lung capacity. 2. You’ll save yourself a packet. Smoking 20 a day for a year costs £1,825. 3. You’ll look better. Chemicals in cigarettes restrict blood flow to your skin. Smokers have more wrinkled and saggy faces by

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the time they’re in their mid 20s.

Health Warning!

If your friends need help quitting, tell them to go and see their doctor or contact Stop Smoking Wales – Freephone 0800 085 2219 for advice about stopping smoking to get free support www.stopsmokingwales.com.

The younger you start smoking, the more damage there will be to your body when you get older

No Such Thing as a

‘Safe’ Tan here has been a lot in the news lately about young people going along to tanning salons and unmanned tanning booths to get a tan, despite the fact that there is no such thing as a safe tan.

T

Most Common Dangers Tanning of the skin causes permanent damage due to the exposure to UV (ultraviolet) radiation. UV radiation comes in two forms, UVA and UVB. UVB radiation is commonly known as the type that is most responsible for sunburns. Although tanning salons, which offer beds that only emit UVA rays, claim that this type of exposure is safer than natural sun exposure, both of these forms can cause cellular and molecular damage deep within the skin tissue.

This damage will eventually result in premature skin ageing, occurrence of wrinkles, and a repression of the body’s immune system which can result in the development of skin cancer. But My Skin Looks Fine Although the dangers of tanning indoors and out are widely known, most people continue the practice simply because they cannot see the effects directly. In fact, the damage that occurs to your skin after tanning can take years to show up. Since the damage occurs so deeply within the skin cells the symptoms, such as wrinkles, dark spots, and cancer, are a delayed effect that become visible only after years of damage has already been done.

Health Warning! 9

Things To Look Out For

Asymmetry: The two halves don’t look the same

Colour: The colour is more than one shade

Border: The edges are blurred or jagged

■ you should not use sunbeds for more than a maximum of 20 sessions a year, and that each session should not last more than 10 minutes, ■ teenagers should never use sunbeds because their skin is more vulnerable to damage, ■ people with very fair skin, freckles, or moles, should not use sunbeds,

Diameter: The mole is wider than 6mm

Sunbeds and sunlamps Due to the risk of skin cancer, the UK’s leading professional body on skincare, the British Association of Dermatologists, recommends that people should not use sunbeds or sunlamps. However, if you insist on using sunbeds, or sunlamps, the Health and Safety Executive recommends that:

■ people who have had skin cancer, or have a family history of the disease, should not use sunbeds, and ■ people who are using medication which could make their skin more sensitive to UV should not use sunbeds. Are fake tans a safer option? If you really want a tan, using fake tan is a much safer option than using a sunbed or sunlamp. Fake tans come in many forms, including creams, sprays and lotions. Spray-on tans are also available from tanning salons. However, if you are considering using a fake tan, you should always try it on a small patch of skin before applying it to your whole body, as they can sometimes cause an allergic reaction. For this reason, it’s advisable not to use fake tan during pregnancy, as changes in hormone levels can make the skin more sensitive than normal. Although some fake tans contain sun protection, the SPF (sun protection factor) is usually very low. Increased skin sensitivity when pregnant can

mean you’re more likely to burn, so use a high protection cream and stay out of the sun as much as possible. Tanning pills are banned in the UK and should not be used by anyone, including pregnant women. They contain large quantities of betacarotene or canthaxanthin, which are commonly used as food colourings and can be toxic to an unborn baby. Other side effects may include hepatitis and damage to the retina, the light sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. Sun sense The SunSmart campaign suggests these simple steps:

S Spend time in the shade between 11am and 3pm

M Make sure you never burn. Aim to cover up with a T-shirt, hat and

A sunglasses Remember to take extra care with

R children

Then use factor 15+ sunscreen

T (at least)

Report mole changes or unusual skin growths to your doctor as these can be a sign of cancer. For further information, have a look at the Sun Smart sections of the Cancer Research UK website: http://info.cancerresearchuk.org/healthy living/sunsmart/

Health Warning! 11

Your Feedback about Health Warning

Young people in Blaenau Gwent schools were recently asked their opinion about the future of Health Warning and to give their suggestions for further articles. Feedback has included: ■ We want more quizzes and puzzles or True/False questions (with the answers being contained in the magazine articles) In this issue, you will find the answers to the quiz in the magazine ■ An information page about different activities for young people in Blaenau Gwent In this issue, you will find information about Swimming in Blaenau Gwent ■ Suggested topics for future issues of Health Warning included: ◆ Bullying ◆ Exercise options ◆ Healthy eating options ◆ Bereavement ◆ Divorce ◆ Contraception ◆ Internet safety and internet bullying ◆ Drugs and alcohol ◆ Smoking and how to quit advice

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In this issue, one of the Dear Sam questions focuses on smoking ◆ Sun beds See article in this issue – ‘No such thing as a safe tan’ ◆ Sexual health, unprotected sex, teenage pregnancy ◆ Self harming ◆ Family Affairs ◆ Anorexia (eating disorders, size zero) and the consequences ◆ Depression ◆ Exams ◆ Advice and info about periods (PMT) and puberty ◆ How to operate a cooker safely ◆ Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual advice ◆ Interviews with young people and their experiences, e.g. Empathy Bellies - get those who took part to talk about their experience ◆ How to maintain a healthy lifestyle There were also suggestions about the design of the magazine, so if you want to involved in the design, contact: [email protected] On the whole, young people felt that the advice contained in Health Warning was useful and helped to build their confidence.

Make a splash and go for a swim Abertillery Swimming Pool Public Opening Hours

Nantyglo Swimming Pool Public Opening Hours

Monday: 4.00pm-7.30pm. Friday: 3.00pm-7.00pm Saturday: 10.00am-12.30pm. Fun Session: 1.30pm-3.45pm Sunday: 9.00am-12.30pm, 1.30pm-3.45pm

Monday/Thursday: 5.00pm-8.30pm. Tuesday: 5.30pm-8.30pm Saturday: 10.30am-12.00pm, Sunday: 10.30am-2.45pm

Ebbw Vale Swimming Pool Public Opening Hours Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday/Friday 6.30am-8.45am, 12.15pm-1.15pm (except Tues & Thurs), 5.00pm- 8.30pm (except Weds & Thurs) Saturday & Sunday: 10.00am-5.00pm

Tredegar Swimming Pool Public Opening Hours Tuesday: Fun Session (open to all ages) 6.45pm-7.45pm Wednesday/Thursday/Friday: 4.30pm-8.00pm Saturday: 2.00pm-4.30pm. Sunday: 10.00am-3.00pm

For further information please visit: www.blaenau-gwent.gov.uk/leisure Times may vary during School holidays

Health Warning! 13

Where can I get help? Gwent Alcohol project (GAP) - Fusion Worker

The Samaritans:

Contact: Angie Carmichael Tel: 07904 857724 Web: www.fusion-online.org.uk

Tel: 08457 909090

Childline:

NSPCC: Tel: 0808 800 5000 Web: www.nspcc.org.uk

0800 1111

Children’s Commissioner For Wales: Chyps (Gwent Cancer Support): Tel: 01495 760 066 Web: www.gwentcs.org.uk/chyps.htm Email: [email protected]

Action for Children NCH Winchestown Family Learning Centre: 37/39 Waunheulog Winchestown Nantyglo NP23 4BE Telephone: 01495 315318

NHS Direct

Oystermouth House, Charter Court, Phoenix Way, Llansamlet, Swansea SA7 9F3 Tel: 01792 765 600. Email: [email protected]

Blaenau Gwent Children’s Complaints Service Freephone: 08000 121 123 Text: 07786 202 915. Email: [email protected]

Get Connected: Tel: 0808 808 4994

Tel: 0845 46 47 Web: www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS)

Family Planning Association

Tel: 01873 735567

Tel: 0845 310 1334 Web: www.fpa.org.uk

Blaenau Gwent Local Safeguarding Children’s Board Gwent education site: www.bg.digitalbrain.com

Eating Disorders Association Tel: 0845 634 7650 (Weekdays 4:00pm-6:30pm, Saturdays 1:00-4:30pm)

Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP)

Careers Wales Gwent

Gay, Lesbian and Bi-Sexual Advice

Tel: 0800 028 9212 Web: www.careerswales.com

Rainbow Club. Tel: 01495 752333 Web: www.Rainbow-club-org.uk

www.ceop.gov.uk

Young Carers Project

The Anaphylaxis Campaign

Tel: 01495 306602 Email: [email protected]

PO Box 275, Farnborough, Hampshire GU14 6SX www.anaphylaxis.org.uk

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Health Warning Quiz What is the e-mail address for Childline? ..............................................................................................

What is the legal age to use a sun bed? ..............................................................................................

? Please fill in these details: Name

What can happen if you use a sun bed too long or too often? ..............................................................................................

............................................ Address ............................................

Name two symptoms of hayfever?

............................................ ............................................

..............................................................................................

Post code .............................. School

Give one way to avoid your hayfever symptoms getting worse? ..............................................................................................

............................................ Class ............................................

What recipe is in this magazine? ..............................................................................................

In the recipe, how many eggs are used? ..............................................................................................

Send your entries to Gemma Wasley, Healthier Future Partnership Officer, Anvil Court, Abertillery, Blaenau Gwent, NP13 1DB

Health Warning! 15

Health Warning Feedback We are trying to gain valuable information in order to improve the next edition of ‘Health Warning’ magazine and to help express young people’s opinions on health issues more effectively. Therefore, please fill in the questionnaire below and send them (along with your competition entry) to the address given on page 15. We appreciate your feedback! QUESTIONNAIRE Gender (please tick): Male ■

Age: 1

Female ■

What did you think about the format of this magazine e.g. colour, layout etc (Please tick)? Excellent ■ Good ■ Average ■ Poor ■ Very Poor ■ Comments:

2

What did you think about the content of this magazine e.g. style of writing, articles etc (Please tick)? Excellent ■ Good ■ Average ■ Poor ■ Very Poor ■ Comments:

3

What did you think about the issues addressed in the magazine (Please tick)? Excellent ■ Good ■ Average ■ Poor ■ Very Poor ■ Comments:

4

Is there anything you would like to see featured in future issues of ‘Health Warning’ Magazine (e.g. issues addressed, competitions etc)?

If you have any questions or comments about ‘Health Warning’, please email [email protected]

16 Health Warning! David Ganderton Graphic Design: 01443 819148