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6 back-to-school health tips

Summer has been a well-earned break. Hopefully, your kids are refreshed and excited about a new year of learning. Help ensure they’re ready for school with our six top tips.

1. Pack a nutritious school lunch

Help your kids learn by packing a nutritious, tasty school lunch. Check out our huge list of school lunchbox ideas, a resource available in multiple languages.

2. Check their teeth

A toothache can affect children’s learning, eating, and sleep. Children should see a dentist twice a year to catch any problems early.

At DPV Health, we offer public dental as well as affordable private dental, with no waiting times for children. All our dental services are covered by the Child Dental Benefits Schedule. We also accept all private health insurance providers – ask your insurer to find out what services are covered.

Download printable teeth brushing chart to help make brushing fun and rewarding for your child.

Download Teeth Brushing Chart (English)

Download Teeth Brushing Chart (Arabic)

Download Teeth Brushing Chart (Hindi)

3. Ensure they’re up to date with their vaccinations

Vaccinations protect your child and their friends and family. Many childcare and preschool centres require children to be vaccinated before attending.

The recommended childhood immunisations are free of charge. At DPV Health, these vaccinations can be given during a bulk-billed GP appointment, meaning that you will not have any out-of-pocket costs.

Download National Immunisation Program Schedule here

4. Care for their feelings and behaviour

Change can be difficult, whether that’s starting “big school”, moving to high school, growing up, or facing challenges with family and friends. We have resources, programs, and specialists to help parents support their children’s development and coping skills.

We run regular, free programs called Tuning into Kids and Tuning into Teens. These provide evidence-based techniques for parents and carers to help children learn about emotions, deal with conflict, and develop emotional intelligence.

Meanwhile, check out our multilingual page on building an effective and active daily routine to help kids and teens get enough sleep, manage their emotions, and learn well at school.

If you have specific concerns about your child’s behaviour, thoughts and feelings, help is available. DPV Health offers child and youth psychology, supporting children with issues ranging from anxiety and depression to sleep and behaviour difficulties.

5. Check they’re walking well

Does your child have pain in their feet? Or do they have problems walking? These issues can make it hard for children to get the active play they need to thrive.

If your child walks on their toes or with their feet turned inward (“pigeon toes”), a podiatrist can help. Our podiatrists can give you exercises and prescribe orthotics (shoe innersoles) to help correct gait issues and get kids back on their feet!

We can also help kids and teens with common issues such as ingrown toenails, warts, and callouses.

6. Clear hearing

Good hearing is essential in the classroom and in conversations. If there is a problem with your child’s hearing, early diagnosis will help get the best outcome.

DPV Health offers hearing tests for people from newborns to adults. If you have any concerns about your child’s hearing, ask your GP for a referral or book an appointment directly through the webpage or by calling 1300 234 263 (select option 4).

Signs of hearing loss in a child can be obvious or subtle:

  • Problems developing speech and language
  • Behavioural problems, such as “ignoring” people or apparent difficulty concentrating
  • Asking people to repeat what they say, or saying “huh” or “what?” often
  • Shouting or whispering when talking, as they can’t hear their own voice well
  • Frequent ear infections (now, or when they were younger)

If you have any health concerns with your children please call our GP’s on 1300 234 263 for a health assessment or click here.

Could I have iron deficiency? Causes, symptoms and treatments.

Do you often feel tired, breathless or weak?

These are familiar symptoms for someone with iron deficiency.

What is iron deficiency?

This common condition occurs when the body lacks iron. Iron is an essential mineral that builds red blood cells, which carry oxygen around the body. Iron deficiency can be diagnosed by a doctor using a simple blood test.

What are the symptoms of iron deficiency?

Women and vegetarians are more at risk, but anyone can suffer from iron deficiency.
Symptoms of iron deficiency include:

  • Unusual fatigue (tiredness)
  • Pale skin – if you have dark skin, you may notice that your skin is dull in colour, or that the inside of your bottom eyelids are pale instead of bright red.
  • Shortness of breath – if you easily get out of breath, make an appointment with your doctor. If you are suddenly out of breath, and have chest pain or other symptoms, call 000 now.
  • Headaches
  • Dizziness
  • Heart palpitations (irregular heartbeats)
  • Dry and damaged hair and skin
  • Swollen or sore tongue and mouth – or your tongue may be pale or unusually smooth
  • Mouth ulcers and cracks at the corners of your lips
  • Restless leg syndrome
  • Strange cravings – wanting to eat things such as ice, paper, or dirt

If you have these symptoms, it is very important to see your doctor. Iron deficiency can cause complications. Furthermore, these can also be symptoms of thyroid or heart conditions.

Why does iron deficiency need treatment?

Left untreated, iron deficiency can cause complications such as:

  • Anaemia
  • Heart problems
  • Depression
  • Higher chance of infections
  • Pregnancy issues, such as premature birth and low birth weight
  • Growth issues in children

How much iron do I need?

Your iron needs depend on your age and gender.

Group Daily iron needs

Boys Age: 14 – 18 11mg
Girls Age: 14 – 18 15mg
Males Age: 19+ 8mg
Females Age: 19-50 18mg
Pregnant women 27mg
Females Age: 50+ 8mg

Children under 14 have different iron needs – speak to your GP for more information.

How can I get enough iron?

Examples of foods high in iron include:

  • lamb liver
  • sardines
  • shellfish
  • beef
  • kangaroo
  • chicken eggs
  • salmon

Vegetarian and plant foods high in iron include:

  • wheat bran
  • red lentils, chickpeas, and beans
  • dark leafy vegetables, such as spinach
  • dry green peas
  • oyster mushrooms
  • sundried tomato
  • wholemeal pasta

Some foods, such as cereal, bread, tofu, and plant milks, may be fortified with iron. Check the packet.
Click here to download information on how much iron you need and examples of iron rich diets.

What is the treatment for iron deficiency?

After you are diagnosed with iron deficiency, your doctor may tell you to eat a high-iron diet, and prescribe iron tablets. But perhaps the iron tablets aren’t working, or they cause unwanted effects like constipation or nausea. Or maybe your iron level is very low, and you need to increase it quickly for medical reasons.

In that case, an iron infusion might be right for you. This fast and safe procedure rapidly increases your iron levels, without the side effects of taking iron tablets by mouth. DPV Health is pleased to offer iron infusions thanks to the expertise of Dr Zahid Haider at the skin clinic.

What does the procedure involve?

“An iron infusion is a large dose of iron in a drip,” Dr Haider from DPV Health explains. The new infusion technique takes only 30 minutes, and in total the procedure takes just over an hour. “It’s a very efficient way of increasing your iron quickly,” Dr Haider says. “You feel so much better in a day or two, rather than taking tablets for three or six months.” Speak to your doctor for advice on whether iron infusion is right for you.

Who might need an iron infusion?

People need an iron infusion when they cannot benefit from oral iron tablets or need to increase their iron levels quickly. For example:

  • People who have experienced side effects from iron tablets
  • People with certain conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease
  • People with extremely low iron levels
  • People with ongoing blood loss due to cancers or ulcers
  • People about to have surgery

Iron infusion is available at DPV Health in Broadmeadows Skin Clinic by Dr Haider. For more information click here

Next steps

If you have any symptoms of iron deficiency or to get your iron levels checked, please make an appointment with our friendly GP’s by calling 1300 234 263 or book online.

 

Sources:

Iron Infusions (thewomens.org.au)
Iron deficiency anemia – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic
Fatigue: Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment & More (healthline.com)
Iron-Deficiency Anemia | NHLBI, NIH
Iron | Nutrition Australia
Iron Infusions (thermh.org.au)

 

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