Advice from the experts
Lamelle Research Laboratories

Dry, sensitive skin? Lamelle can keep you glowing over winter! 


If you’ve got dry, sensitive skin, you’ll know that the winter months can be tough. Aside from becoming even drier, your complexion can end up looking dull and ashy. Fortunately, with a cutting-edge hydrator and a super star anti-ager, specially formulated for sensitive skin, there’s nothing stopping you from enjoying plump, radiant-looking skin, regardless of the season. First things first To beat the winter “blahs”, your first step is to bump up your skin’s hydration levels. Many make the mistake of assuming they should swap out their lighter-textured moisturisers for those with a heavier, thicker formulation. However, instead of getting something gloopier, rather choose smarter – opting for the world’s most sophisticated hydrator, Lamelle Correctives HA+ Serum. Our groundbreaking serum contains several different types of hyaluronic acid (HA) to help hydrate your skin on multiple levels – from the surface all the way down to the deeper layers. One of these HA types is something we call HAFi fragments, hydrating micro particles that also stimulate your skin to make even more of your own natural HA while boosting your skin’s ability to rejuvenate and regulate inflammation. You can use this serum on its own or add it to your daily moisturiser to enjoy deeply moisturised, plumper-looking skin. Bye bye fine lines, hello lush hydration! Get your glow back! Right! That’s moisture sorted – how are we going to beat the winter “blahs” and get your glow back? When you have dry, sensitive skin, creating an anti-aging skincare routine can be tricky. Many of the golden standard anti-aging actives such as retinol, can irritate sensitive skin. The same can be true for vitamin C, one of the best collagen-encouraging ingredients on the block. (It stimulates your skin’s fibroblasts – essentially your skin’s “collagen factories”, to produce fresh, new collagen – the protein that gives your skin it’s youthful-looking firmness.) However, just because you have sensitive skin doesn’t mean you have to feel left out. Again, it just comes down to choosing smarter and a great pick is Lamelle Vita-C Lipid Serum. A high potency vitamin C serum, our lovely lightweight, oil-based elixir is suitable for all skin types including the sensitive sort as it contains a form of vitamin C that’s well tolerated by dry or sensitive skin. Better yet, because it’s lipid-soluble, it can penetrate much deeper into your dermis where it can get to work, delivering results that are comparable to ascorbic acid, one of the most potent forms of vitamin C. In short, you get all the benefits, but without stinging, redness or irritation!  A bit more about vitamin C As we said, vitamin C is one of the most hard-working skincare ingredients around. Sure, it’s an excellent collagen stimulator, but that’s hardly all it can do! It’s also a powerful antioxidant that can protect your skin from the scourge of cell damaging free radicals. Last, but not least, there’s another reason why you really want to include vitamin C in your anti-ageing skincare routine – it’s a wonderful brightener! As it helps regulate your skin’s tyrosinase production (a chemical involved in melanin production), it can put the brakes on hyperpigmentation and help you create a more evenly-toned, radiant-looking complexion. Ready to glow?   Ultimately, if you’ve got dry, sensitive skin, there’s no reason why you can’t hydrate, plump, protect, rejuvenate and even create a more luminous-looking complexion. When you choose and use cutting-edge skincare, Lamelle Research Laboratories believes everyone can look and feel their very best, regardless of the season. To find a stockist near you – visit: www.lamelle.co.za , and follow us @lamellersa

May 26, 2022
Bonitas – innovation, life stages and quality care

Morning sickness – what to expect and how to deal

Being pregnant is an exciting time of your life, but it can be a little daunting.  Morning sickness is one of the aspects of pregnancy that can be difficult to deal with. It is estimated that over 70% of women deal with nausea and vomiting to some degree. The name morning sickness is also misleading, as unfortunately you can feel sick anytime of day. Morning sickness is often one of the first signs of pregnancy, beginning in the first trimester. Unless vomiting is so frequent that it leads to weight loss and dehydration (this is known as  hyperemesis gravidarum), morning sickness is considered a normal (albeit unpleasant) part of pregnancy. What causes morning sickness?  There is no one cause of morning sickness, and severity varies amongst women, and between pregnancies. Some women deal with feeling nauseous the entire pregnancy, whereas others will find that symptoms abate within the second trimester. Luckily, even though you may be feeling miserable, morning sickness is often seen as a sign of a healthy pregnancy and doesn’t harm your baby. Morning sickness is thought to be caused by hormonal changes during pregnancy, specifically the pregnancy hormone, known as human chorionic gonadotropin. How to deal with morning sickness? Unfortunately there isn’t anything you can do to fully alleviate the nausea and vomiting, however, there are things you can do to help fight feeling sick. Making sure you stay hydrated, eating a bland diet, such as rice, bananas and crackers, as well as eating small amounts frequently are all things that can help quell the queasiness. Try staying away from strong smells and spicy foods, as these can trigger nausea. If your morning sickness is bad, speak to your doctor, and be sure to consult with them before trying any medication or alternative remedies.

May 26, 2022
Disney +

DISNEY+ TO DEBUT WALT DISNEY ANIMATION STUDIOS’ NEW SERIES “BAYMAX!” ON JUNE 29

Disney+ has released a new trailer and key art for Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Baymax!” Streaming exclusively on Disney+ on June 29, the all-new series of healthcare capers returns to the fantastical city of San Fransokyo where the affable, inflatable, inimitable healthcare companion robot, Baymax, sets out to do what he was programmed to do: help others. “I thought it would be fun to do a Disney+ series with Baymax interacting with normal folks,” said series creator Don Hall, who helmed 2014’s Oscar®-winning film “Big Hero 6.” “In each of our six episodes, Baymax just wants to help someone—and a lot of times they don’t want to be helped. He sets out to fix a physical issue that he’s identified, and in the process, gets to a deeper, more emotional place and can be almost transformative in that role.” “Baymax!” is produced by Roy Conli and Bradford Simonsen. The series’ episodes are directed by Dean Wellins (Eps 1, 2, 6), Lissa Treiman (Ep 3), Dan Abraham (Ep 4) and Mark Kennedy (Ep 5). Screenwriter is Cirocco Dunlap. Scott Adsit returns as the voice of Baymax. Voice talent featured in episodes include Ryan Potter, Maya Rudolph, Emily Kuroda, Lilimar, Zeno Robinson and Jaboukie Young-White.

May 23, 2022
Squish

Quick and easy toddler meals and snacks you can freeze

As every busy parent knows, there often simply aren’t enough hours in the day to get everything done. But one thing you don’t want to compromise on is being able to give your child nutritious meals and snacks. These quick and easy freezer-friendly recipes will help make your life easier – and keep your toddler happy and well fed too! SNEAKY VEGGIE-LOADED MAC AND CHEESE The great thing about Squish 100% Veg Purees is that they allow you to add veggie goodness to your child’s favourite meals, like bolognaise, scrambled eggs, and mac and cheese, without them noticing – a great solve for picky toddlers. Squish 100% Fruit and Veg Purees contain no nasties, which means they’re free from preservatives, colourants and flavourants and have no added sugar or starch. Double this recipe so that you can freeze the extra portions and have a whole batch of quick and easy suppers ready to simply heat and serve when you’re pressed for time. Ingredients 1 x 110 ml Squish 100% Butternut + Carrot Puree 250 ml (1 cup) milk Salt and freshly cracked black pepper 250 ml (1 cup) cooked macaroni pasta, drained 125 ml (½ cup) cheddar cheese 65 ml (¼ cup) cream cheese 1 ml (¼ tsp) ground nutmeg 65 ml (¼ cup) breadcrumbs 15 ml (1 Tbsp) butter Method Cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Mix the Squish Puree and milk together, then add the drained pasta.  Add the cheddar and cream cheeses and stir well to combine. Season to taste with salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Spoon into ramekins, top with breadcrumbs and a dot of butter. Bake in an oven pre-heated to 180°C for 20 minutes or until lightly golden and crisp. Allow to cool slightly before serving. MINI FRUITY MUFFINS These mini muffins are perfect grab-and-go snacks and are great to add to your little one’s lunch box. Bake a batch (or two!) and freeze so you always have on hand when you need. These muffins are made using Squish 100% Fruit Puree, which adds natural sweetness meaning you can use less cane sugar. You can switch up the flavours by choosing different purees each time you bake a batch – try Summer Berries, Banana + Strawberry, or Pear. To make a variety in one go, divide the batter, and add the leftovers from your Squish pouches (even the Squish 100% Veggie Purees work well). Squish pouches come with a resealable lid, meaning you never need to waste a drop. Just use what you need then put them back in the fridge for later.  Ingredients 375 ml (1½ cups) cake flour 7.5 ml (1½ tsp) baking powder 5 ml (1 tsp) bicarbonate of soda 5 ml (1 tsp) ground cinnamon 125 ml (½ cup) brown sugar 1 egg 65 ml (¼ cup) sunflower oil 1 x 110 ml Squish 100% Banana + Apple Puree 1 x 110 ml Squish 100% Apple Puree Method Sift flour, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda and cinnamon into a large mixing bowl.  Stir in the brown sugar. Mix the egg and the oil together and stir in the puree. Add the puree mixture to the dry ingredients and fold gently until just mixed. Spoon the muffin batter into a muffin tray that has been lined with paper muffin cups. Bake the muffins in an oven that has been preheated to 180˚C for 15 minutes or until the muffins are golden and firm to the touch. CHEESY VEG BALLS These Cheesy Veg Balls are delicious and packed with natural goodness too. They are great as a meal on their own, a lunchbox filler, or as an on-the-go snack when you’re enjoying a day out with your toddler. This recipe uses a whole sachet of Squish 100% Mixed Veg Puree, but you can switch it up and use any of your child’s favourite Squish flavours, including Butternut + Carrot and Apple, Sweet Potato + Sweet Corn. Squish Purees are made using 100% fruit and vegetables with no dilution, which means they provide parents with convenience, without compromising on quality.   Ingredients 1 cup cheese  1 x 110ml Squish 100% Mixed Veg Puree  ¼ small onion, finely grated 2 cups breadcrumbs (simply put several slices of bread into your processor and blitz) ½ cup wholewheat flour 2-3 large courgettes, finely grated 2 large carrots, finely grated ½ clove garlic grated, finely grated 2 Tbsp olive oil/coconut oil 1 tsp dried herbs Method Combine all the ingredients then leave to rest for 20 minutes. Roll into small balls. Place on a baking tray lined with baking paper and bake in a preheated oven at 180 °C for 20-25 minutes. (If you have an air-fryer, 10 minutes tops.) For a dipping sauce, simply mix some full-cream plain yoghurt with Squish 100% Veg Puree. FREEZER HACK: Keep a stash of Squish Yogi pouches in your freezer. Pop into your toddler’s lunchbox and by snack time it will have gently melted creating a refreshing slushie (and keeping their lunchbox contents cool!).  Looking for more toddler-friendly recipe inspiration? Click here.

May 20, 2022
Lamelle Research Laboratories

Why winter is a great time to peel with Lamelle

They say summer bodies are made in winter and the same can be said about great-looking skin. After all, the chilly months are the ideal ones to invest in a course of peels with Lamelle Research Laboratories. Peel and reveal   We all know unprotected sun exposure is bad news for our skin. After all, dermatologists will be quick to tell you that more than 80% of premature ageing is caused by ultraviolet (UV) radiation. However, when you’ve had a peel or any other kind of treatment that removes the uppermost layers of your skin it will always become more sensitive to the sun. Not forever – but certainly while your skin is healing. So, ironically, you can undo months’ worth of improvements made via peeling with just a few minutes of unprotected time in the sun. Clearly, the winter months are ideal as a ‘peel season’. While you won’t be hiding away like a hibernating bear, it’s only natural that you’ll spend more time indoors. You also don’t have to worry about having to turn down invitations to sunny events like pool parties or tennis matches during those critical post-peel days when your skin is healing.  Do post-care like a pro  Not everyone’s post-peel journey will be alike and that means the type of products you’ll require to heal will vary. Happily, a highly-skilled Lamelle skincare professional can prescribe the best post-care regime. As an example, if your main concern was to soften fine lines, shift dull skin and improve mild pigmentation, you’d benefit from a series of our Alpha Peels. You might be a little red and sensitive after each treatment, but you wouldn’t experience any downtime. You could gently cleanse your skin using Lamelle Serra Cleansing Gel (our extra gentle soap-free cleanser) then hydrate and soothe using our Barrier Repair Cream. It speeds up recovery time thanks to medical-grade lanolin that mimics your skin’s natural lipids and creates a moist wound-healing environment. You can then protect your skin from the sun using our most innovative sunscreen to date, Lamelle Helase 50+.  Want to address deeper wrinkles or more severe sun damage lines? In this case, you’d have to improve the structure of your dermis and our retinol-based Retistore Plus Peel can deliver great results in exchange for a little downtime. While your skin might flake for a couple of days, you can apply our ‘bandage in a bottle’, Restorative Balm. It’s ideal to help your skin recover from ‘injuries’ that affect your skin and won’t sting when it’s applied. It’s also semi-occlusive so it can trap moisture within your skin but still allows it to breathe. During the peak ‘healing days’ when you’re using Restorative Balm you won’t want to go anywhere near the sun. But the day you do step aside, again, we recommend investing in Helase 50+. This way, you’ll get full-spectrum protection and can maintain your results and reveal a fresher, more radiant and evenly-toned skin – just in time for the party season! 

May 19, 2022
Bonitas – innovation, life stages and quality care

The Killer Quintet

Two years ago, the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) and the Medical Council described the increase in Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) as an ‘emerging epidemic’ and the ‘biggest threat to South Africa’s health’.   NCDs are associated with the way a person or group of people live, which is why they are called lifestyle diseases. They include atherosclerosis, heart disease and stroke, obesity and type 2 diabetes as well as diseases associated with smoking, alcohol and drug abuse. These diseases used to be prevalent mostly in higher income brackets but not anymore, they are wreaking havoc amongst all South Africans. The good news is that the damage resulting from unhealthy lifestyles can be stemmed. Dr Morgan Mkhatshwa, Head of Operations at Bonitas Medical Fund talks about the top five lifestyle diseases and the effect they have on our bodies.  1. Lack of exercise  Not having enough exercise is a major cause of NCDs and chronic disease. Exercise can help reduce or prevent certain NCDs and chronic diseases.   Regular aerobic exercise may delay or prevent type 2 diabetes and has benefits for type 1 diabetes as well. Resistance training for type 2 diabetes results in a leaner body mass, blood sugar and blood pressure control Heart disease – reduces cardiovascular risk factors including increasing HDL (good cholesterol) while offsetting LDL (bad) cholesterol and reducing blood pressure Cancer – can reduce the risk of several cancers including breast, colorectal, endometrial, kidney, liver, ovarian, pancreatic, prostate, gastric and oesophageal cancer 2. Stress Your stress response is controlled by your hypothalamus, a tiny control tower in your brain. Stress hormones are sent out which trigger your body’s fight or flight response. Your heart may start beating faster, you breathe more quickly and your muscles tense ready for action. All good in an emergency but if it keeps firing all day it could put your health at serious risk.  Stress that’s left unchecked can contribute to many health problems, including high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity and diabetes.  3. Smoking Thousands of people die every year from cancer, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), heart attacks and strokes because of cigarette smoking. That’s the bad news. The good news is that it’s never too late to quit. Within 12 hours after your last cigarette your body will begin to heal itself. The levels of carbon monoxide and nicotine in your system will decline rapidly and your heart and lungs will begin repairing the damage caused by cigarette smoke. Your risk of lung cancer starts to decline a year after you quit and, by the time you’ve been a non-smoker for 10 or 15 years, your risk of cancer is about the same as for people who have never smoked. 4. Alcohol  Over time, excessive alcohol consumption can lead to the development of chronic diseases and other serious problems including high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, liver disease, digestive problems, cancer of the breast, mouth, throat, oesophagus, voice box, liver, colon and rectum. Alcohol affects the body is a multitude of ways including: The pancreas causing pancreatitis – alcohol-related liver disease and chronic liver inflammation which result in either low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia) too much sugar in the blood (hyperglycaemia) and may end up with complications related to diabetes Your central nervous system – over time it affects your memory, ability to make rational choices and think clearly. Chronic heavy drinking can cause permanent brain damage  Your digestive system  –  over time, the tissues in your digestive tract get damaged and you can’t absorb nutrients properly, this results in malnutrition  Circulatory system – chronic drinking can affect your heart and lungs, giving rise to complications like high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat leading to heart attack and stroke and heart failure  Skeletal and muscle systems –can affect bone density and increase your risk of fractures as well as muscle weakness and atrophy Immune system – drinking heavily reduces your body’s natural immune system which makes you more likely to develop pneumonia and tuberculosis 5. Poor nutrition Poor eating habits include under or over-eating, not having enough of the healthy foods we need each day or consuming too many types of food and drink. Unhealthy eating habits can affect our nutrient intake, including energy (kilojoules) protein, carbohydrates, essential fatty acids, vitamins and minerals as well as fibre and fluid. This can cause obesity, which the World Health Organization (WHO), says has reached epidemic proportions globally; diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, osteoporosis and cancer. All forms of malnutrition have become one of the biggest health problems globally. By modifying your behaviour and adopting a healthier lifestyle damage can be curbed, you can improve both the quality of your life and your longevity.

May 17, 2022
Lamelle Research Laboratories

Beat dry skin this winter with Serra by Lamelle Research Laboratories

If there’s one thing Lamelle knows all about it’s how to beat dry skin. After decades of research, we’ve created some of the world’s most innovative moisturisers and no you’re not imagining it – your skin really is drier and “thirstier” in winter. As the cold kicks in, the humidity levels drop and the air attempts to equalize by drawing moisture from whatever it can – including your skin. Indoor heating doesn’t help much either as that also reduces humidity and the result is often skin that doesn’t have enough of the moisture essential to a healthy barrier function. Worse yet, everyone’s favourite winter treat – a long, hot bath or shower with harsh, “strippy” soaps – can cause the type of inflammation that also messes with your skin’s barrier function. The result? Dry skin that, thanks to a damaged barrier, is vulnerable to becoming itchy and inflamed because its damaged “seal” lets irritants in and moisture out. This is why, if you’re prone to inflammatory skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis, winter is a prime time for flare-ups. Get your moisture back If you’d like to beat winter dryness and soothe irritated, inflamed skin, you’ll be glad to know you can do it with just a few clever skincare swaps. The first is to toss any highly fragranced soaps or cleansers that contain a high concentration of sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), a foaming agent that can irritate dry, sensitive skin. Rather opt for our bestselling Serra Cleansing Gel. Specially created for dry, sensitive skin, it’s a soap- and fragrance-free formula that gently cleanses without drying out your skin. Next, you want to ensure you’re using a cutting-edge moisturiser. Many think beating winter dryness is as simple as switching from a light lotion to a thicker, creamier one is all it takes but they’d be wrong. Heavier doesn’t mean more hydrating. What you really need is the right ingredients – those that mimic the lipids in your skin’s bilayer – and you’ll find them in our skin hydrating hero, Serra Restore Cream. It hydrates and soothes like a boss because it doesn’t just add moisture but helps you lock it thanks to skin barrier-repairing lipids like our patented Ceramide-P. However, if you’ve got exceptionally dry and sensitive skin, we suggest you try Serra Soothing Cream. Some of its ingredients are encapsulated in extra lipids and it contains our unique anti-redness and anti-itch therapy. Ultimately, whichever you choose, to beat winter dryness as they hydrate, soothe and repair a weakened or damaged skin barrier – ensuring your newfound moisture is for keeps. A bit about your body Lastly, let’s not forget about the skin on your body. Just like the skin on your face, it can also become dry and irritated by winter weather. Happily, you’ve got a great weapon of choice in Serra Soothing Body Lotion. It also contains Ceramide-P along with a double whammy of mega hydrators – hyaluronic acid and urea. The latter provides relief from inflammatory skin conditions like eczema because it also gently exfoliates by softening the hard, dry cells on the surface of your skin. This makes it easier for them to naturally shed and reveal fresh, healthy, skin. Ultimately, if you’re wanting to beat winter dryness, switching to Serra by Lamelle is definitely the smartest way to do it. Visit: www.lamelle.co.za for more information Follow us @lamellersa 

May 13, 2022
Parenting Hub

HOW TO MANAGE YOUR BABY’S PORTION CONTROL

Managing a baby’s portion control can be tricky, especially if you are a new parent. However, this can be made easy if you have the right equipment in your feeding arsenal! Take a look at why portion control is important for your child, and how to get it right with the perfect plate. Developing Healthy Habits Through Baby Portion Control From an early age, your child is picking up on how to interact with the world. Therefore, instilling a healthy relationship with food is vital for your baby. Portion control can help your child avoid: Diabetes Obesity Anorexia Bulimia  All of the above mentioned health problems can be linked to the practice of overeating – which is scary.  The Do’s And Don’ts Of Baby Portion Control Below are a number of suggested habits to get yourself into to strengthen your baby’s portion control: Do Allow Self Feeding: This will help your baby develop not only a good relationship with food, but also the ability to determine when he or she is satisfied. Do Try Various Flavours: This will allow you to suss out which are your little one’s favourites, and will allow your baby to widen their pallet. Do Make Use Of A Divide Plate: If you don’t know the first thing about baby portion size, get something to guide you along the way. Don’t Encourage Plate Completion: This is a grave mistake made by many parents. Encouraging your child to finish a whole plate of food may give them a poor relationship with food, as they are being forced to continue eating even once they are full. Rather ask them if they are satisfied and have had enough. If they say yes, trust them on this.  Don’t Use Food As A Rewards System: This will also deepen an unhealthy relationship with food. Rather than coaxing them into doing something with the promise of a sweetie, reward them in other ways.

May 12, 2022
Bonitas – innovation, life stages and quality care

NEW PARENTS AND YOUR BABY’S HEALTH

Becoming a parent is a joy but it can also be overwhelming and just a little daunting. There is no degree or diploma, you are simply propelled into it. It’s a steep learning curve. You instantly have a new life depending on you and, combined with sleep deprivation, the challenges of adjusting to being a parent and wanting to do the best for your child, you need all the help you can get.Becoming a parent is a joy but it can also be overwhelming and just a little daunting. There is no degree or diploma, you are simply propelled into it. It’s a steep learning curve. You instantly have a new life depending on you and, combined with sleep deprivation, the challenges of adjusting to being a parent and wanting to do the best for your child, you need all the help you can get.

May 11, 2022
Parenting Hub

Crèche Syndrome, Breaking the Cycle Naturally

You won’t find it in the medical textbooks, but if you’re a parent boomeranging in and out of your paediatrician’s rooms with an endlessly sniffling baby or toddler, chances are you’ve heard of ‘crèche syndrome’.  It’s a colloquial term referring to a cycle of infections, usually upper respiratory, that unfortunately, commonly afflict little ones regularly attending playschool or pre-school.   It’s not hard to guess why.  Babies and toddlers have developing immune systems, and frequent exposure and close contact with a range of other children results in the quick and easy spread of pathogens, no matter how much cleaning happens in the environment.  Infections often get worse in the winter when the children spend more time indoors and the bugs proliferate in the closed environment. Snotty and a bit of a wet cough may not sound like the worst, but the reality is that these ongoing infections take a big toll on parents.  There’s the naturally high levels of stress that parents experience when their children are unwell; there’s lost sleep and more often than not, lost working hours too.  Most parents can take this in their stride when it happens once or twice, but ‘crèche syndrome’ refers to a spate of rolling infections over an extended time, and it can easily become desperately exhausting and costly.  In addition, the symptoms are not always mild, and one seemingly slight sickness can lead to other issues including ear infections, serious chest infections and gastric infections.  With rosy health as an important marker of our parental responsibilities, continuous sickness in our child can make us doubt our abilities. The good news is that you’re not alone; you’re not a bad parent and, according to Michele Carelse, Founder and CEO of online natural health and wellness retailer, Feelgood Health, there are ways to break the debilitating cycle of crèche syndrome.  She says, “Parents can consider the natural treatment route and they will find that there are various easy strategies to help support their little one’s developing immune systems.  Also, for those parents concerned about the efficacy of antibiotics and the impacts of frequent antibiotic use, a holistic approach can be the way to go.” How to prevent and treat creche syndrome naturally  There are many things a parent can do to protect and strengthen their kids’ immune systems. With a strong immune system, infections can be fought better and faster, and the risk of secondary infections developing is much lower. Here are some of the best proven ways to build your child’s immune system:  1) Good nutrition Many kids are fussy eaters, so parents often end up feeding them ‘easy’ meals, which are often highly-processed and nutrient-poor. Nutrition directly impacts health and immunity – a lack of daily nutrient-rich foods can result in susceptibility to a host of infections and increase your child’s risk of nutrient deficiencies and related health conditions. It’s important to know and understand children’s dietary requirements and discover some of the many, easy ways to serve up nutrient-dense foods that your child will happily eat.  If you find that you are still struggling to turn them on to regular healthy meals, then consider a kid-friendly nutritional supplement such as Solgar’s Kangavites Multivitamins, which contains all the vitamins and minerals a child needs for growth, strong immunity and healthy brain functioning in a yummy chewable form.  2) Probiotics There’s a well-researched link between the healthy gut biome and immune functioning.  An increasing number of parents are becoming educated about probiotics and have started giving their kids probiotics on a daily basis, especially before and during flu season.  3) Diffusers and essential oils Essential oils are commonly used for their antiviral and antibacterial properties. Take note that babies and toddlers are especially sensitive to essential oils being applied directly onto their skin, so a diffuser is the best way to get the therapeutic properties of the oils into your little one’s respiratory system.  Some of the best essential oils for respiratory infections are eucalyptus, tea tree oil, peppermint oil and rosemary.  4) Don’t dry out phlegm Contrary to popular belief, drying out a runny nose or a phlegmy respiratory tract may not be a good thing. Mucous and phlegm are appropriate bodily responses in the efforts to rid the respiratory tract of germs. Rather than drying out the respiratory tract, use a Colloidal Silver Nasal Spray which will help loosen mucous without drying anything out. The added benefit of doing this is that colloidal silver contains powerful antimicrobial, anti-fungal, anti-viral and antibiotic properties. 5) Immune-boosting supplements Natural herbal and homeopathic remedies made from plants have been proven effective in boosting immune systems and fighting infection.  Here is Michele’s top selection of immune-boosting natural remedies for children: BaniFlu: This homeopathic ‘flu remedy can be used by the whole family, including children and babies. KiddieBoost: Naturally strengthens immune functioning in children and promotes your child’s natural resistance to illness. This antiviral and antibiotic alternative speeds up recovery from illness and is suitable for little ones over the age of 12 months. Sniffly Sprinkles: Sniffly Sprinkles contains a selection of 100% homeopathic ingredients to relieve sneezing quickly, safely and effectively, as well as runny and blocked noses in babies and children. It can be used for new-borns and children up to the age of 12 years.

May 11, 2022
Parenting Hub

How to help your adult kids to become financially independent

Many adult children in South Africa live with their parents, for both cultural and financial reasons. This can suit both parties for a time – but how do you encourage your grown-up kids to become self-sufficient when this is clearly needed? Are there ways to nudge them towards financial independence, both for their sake, and for yours? These are undoubtedly challenging times for young people. Many South Africans lack education, skills and basic means of support. Nearly two-thirds of young adults aged 15-24 years are unemployed, along with close to 43% of those aged 25-34 years. The pandemic and state of disaster have also affected those who were on the first rung of independence. Traditional students’ jobs such as waitering, bar-keeping and babysitting fell away, while young people already in the job market faced retrenchment. Home became a welcoming haven and helped many to cope. While keeping these difficulties in mind, how do you encourage your adult children to leave the family nest when the time comes? JustMoney.co.za gives some advice on how to put adult children on the path to financial independence. 1. Explain your motivation: Clarify that you are encouraging your kids to become self-sufficient because this will ultimately help them in life. You are doing so because you love and care for them. 2. Set a deadline: If your adult child has recently qualified, it helps to set a date for when you will no longer pay for their phone bill or provide a monthly allowance. This gives them time to prepare emotionally and practically and is preferable compared to abruptly cutting off their money supply. 3. Put their skills to work: If your child already has a skill, such as coding, they need to make an active effort to land a job, such as web development. They can build confidence and networks by contributing to open-source projects and joining hackathons, usually hosted by tech companies, to collaborate with other programmers over a short period on a project. 4. Teach budgeting: Involve your adult child in the household planning so that they are fully aware of what it costs to run a home. Young adults are often more technically adept than their parents. There are plenty of free budget calculators and other financial tools online. 5. Pass on basic savings and investment rules: Teach children about key concepts such as compounding, so that they understand how investment earnings are reinvested over time to generate more money. They can also create a mock investment account on an app. Read a JustMoney article about investing in unit trusts. 6. Cultivate positive values: Research shows that fostering an attitude of gratitude helps one to feel more positive and upbeat. Volunteering their time teaches children the benefits of helping other people, and reminds them of the many advantages they enjoy compared to those who are less fortunate. 7. Set goals: Encourage your children to think about their goals and what is important to them. What lifestyle do they aspire to and what practical steps do they need to take to get there? Discuss good role models and how these people have achieved their dreams.  Find out more about saving for a deposit on a car. 8. Prepare for your own retirement: Actions speak louder than words. Discuss your own hopes for the future and how you are preparing for when you are no longer working. Ensure that you have an up-to-date will. Learn how inflation impacts retirement savings. “A parent’s duty to support a child does not stop when they reach a particular age. They may be older than 18 years but still studying and gaining a qualification. A parent is obliged, for example, to pay maintenance until a child is self-sufficient, and we are all aware of the rising cost of living.” says Shafeeka Anthony, Marketing Manager of JustMoney. “Nonetheless, becoming financially independent brings greater confidence and autonomy for the adult child. It also enables the parents to prepare for when they can no longer work. It is never too early to start educating a child about money matters and, in due course, setting boundaries. While it’s acceptable to help adult children occasionally or on a short-term basis, the bank of mom and dad cannot remain open forever.”

May 9, 2022
RediscoverDairy

Have milk, maas or yoghurt every day

There are excellent reasons why the whole family should add milk and other dairy products such as milk, amasi, yoghurt or cheese to their daily diet. They taste great and are packed with a unique combination of many important nutrients, which work together as a team to give you GO throughout the day and help keep your body healthy.  Dairy – a nutrient power pack All dairy products are nutrient rich, giving you many of the important nutrients your body needs.  The good-quality protein in dairy helps children grow and supports bones and muscle building throughout life to keep you strong.  The natural sugar in milk (lactose) is a valuable source of energy, which helps to get you through the day. It can also aid recovery after exercise, to enable you to work just as hard next time.    A single cup of milk gives you a third of your daily calcium needs for strong bones and teeth; almost half your vitamin B12 needs to keep your brain alert; and a quarter of your potassium needs so that your heart stays healthy and your blood pressure in check.  Full-cream milk also delivers vitamin A, which is essential for good eyesight and to help protect you against disease.  Whether you choose milk, amasi or yoghurt, you will get all these nutrients in a single serving – and some vitamin B2, magnesium, phosphorus and zinc – to keep your body healthy.  Get the power of milk on your side The South African food-based dietary guidelines recommend that a healthy diet should include milk and dairy every day. Health authorities all over the world say the same. So, be sure to include MILK and dairy foods such as AMASI, YOGHURT and CHEESE in your daily diet. These foods are tasty, convenient and affordable, and can be used in many different ways so that you can get all the goodness of dairy.    Smart ideas to ‘just add dairy’  Cook oats with milk instead of water or mix milk into instant oats. Whip up a no-fuss breakfast by adding raw oats to yoghurt the night before and then mixing in some fruit, nuts or even a pinch of cinnamon in the morning. Make a fruit smoothie by blending milk, yoghurt or amasi and your favourite fruit together.  Melt a few blocks of chocolate into a cup of hot milk for a special treat or make a milky coffee to keep you warm on a cold winters evening. Bake scones with milk and cheese, using this easy three-ingredient recipe:  Mix 1 cup of milk, 1 cup of grated cheese and 1 cup of self-raising flour together. Spoon the batter into a muffin tin and bake for 15 minutes at 180 °C.  Use milk to make a hearty macaroni and cheese, a rich white sauce or a smooth custard. Prepare melkkos, with cinnamon and sugar, as a comfort food on a cold day. Spoon a dollop of plain cottage cheese or sour cream onto a baked potato. Sprinkle grated cheese over vegetables, omelettes, tacos or pasta. Mix cheese into mashed potatoes or meatballs for a creamy richness.

May 6, 2022
Parenting Hub

HAPPY TRAVELLING HACKS WITH PANADO® PAEDIATRIC SYRUP, PEPPERMINT 5 ML SACHETS

Even seasoned travellers may find car and plane trips with infants or toddlers daunting. How will you entertain your child while on the road? What if your child experiences earache or a fever during the plane flight? How can you ensure that your entire family arrives safely and in good spirits? Do not fear, fellow parents!  These suggestions for travelling with a baby or toddler will ensure that everyone has a pleasant experience. Headaches Regrettably, airplane travel may be a headache generator, especially for pint-sized passengers.  Airplane Headache (AH) is exclusively related to airplane travels, and although may occur at any time during a flight; there is a higher incidence during the take-off and landing phase.1  Motion Sickness Headaches arising due to motion sickness from riding in cars can also make your child miserable. Symptoms such as nausea, dizziness and headache are common to motion sickness.2 Encourage your child to look outside the window of the car rather than putting their head down and focusing on books, games or screens.  If your child is prone to motion sickness, don’t forget to pack recently launched and conveniently packaged, Panado® Paediatric Syrup, Peppermint 5 ml Sachets, for the symptomatic treatment of pain and fever for kids on the move.  Panado® Paediatric Syrup, Peppermint 5 ml Sachets contain paracetamol, which is included in the List of Essential Medicines for Children of the World Health Organization.3 Avoid Overdoing It Bear in mind that babies and toddlers lack the tolerance that you do for lengthy road trips. If your car trip will take several hours or days, break it up with pauses for playing, eating, and sleeping.  Plan Trips Around Your Child’s Sleep Time Your infant or toddler may slumber during your road trip if you’re fortunate! Some experts encourage driving at night when travelling with toddlers or infants. However, arriving in the middle of the night may rouse your children and disrupt their circadian patterns as well. Provide Lots (and Lots) Of Snacks Pack some nutritious travel snacks for children. Consider whole-grain cereals, fruit chunks, and cheese cubes. To ensure food safety, keep refrigerated items in a cooler bag. If your child is prone to choking, serve snacks and meals at a rest stop, park, or restaurant. Ensure That Your Child Is Properly Secured Make sure children are properly buckled in a car seat, booster seat, or seat belt – whichever is appropriate for their age, height, and weight.4a The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention says that data shows the correct use of a car seat reduces the risk for injuries in crashes by 71% – 82% for children, when compared with seat belt use alone, while booster seats reduce the risk for serious injury by 45% for children aged 4-8, when compared to seat belt use alone.4b  Other Panado® Products Suitable for Your Child  In addition to Panado® Paediatric Syrup, Peppermint 5 ml Sachet, Panado’s range for children include Panado® Paediatric Syrup, Strawberry (50 ml | 100 ml),5 Panado® Paediatric Syrup, Peppermint Alcohol and Sugar-Free (50 ml | 100 ml),6 and Panado® Infant Drops 20 ml.7 Make pain and fever care easy by shopping for Panado products from independent pharmacies and selected Clicks, Dis-Chem, and Pick ‘n Pay stores. For more information, visit https://panado.co.za/and join the conversations on Facebook. #Panado #ADoseOfCare 2022040110194118 References: 1. Headache Classification Committee of the International Headache Society (IHS) (2013) The International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition (beta version). Cephalalgia 33:629–808. [Cited 2022 March 29]; Available from https://thejournalofheadacheandpain.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s10194-016-0628-7 2. Cuomo-Granston A, Drummond PD. Migraine and motion sickness: what is the link? Prog Neurobiol. 2010 Aug;91(4):300-12. doi: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2010.04.001. Epub 2010 Apr 21. PMID: 20416353. [Cited 2022 March 29]; Available from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20416353/ 3. de Martino M, Chiarugi A. Recent Advances in Pediatric Use of Oral Paracetamol in Fever and Pain Management. Pain Ther. 2015;4(2):149-168. doi:10.1007/s40122-015-0040-z. [Cited 2022 March 29]; Available from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4676765/ 4a,b. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control.  [Cited 2022 March 29]; Available from https://www.cdc.gov/injury/features/child-passenger-safety/index.html 5. Panado® Paediatric Strawberry Approved package insert March 2002. 6. Panado® Paediatric Syrup Alcohol and Sugar-Free & Panado® Paediatric Syrup package insert. April 2010. 7. Panado® Infant Drops (Drops) approved professional information, August 1990.

May 5, 2022
Parenting Hub

Winter-must haves you’ll need for your baby when the temperature drops

Ask any mom, and she’ll tell you that young children and babies have a list of non-negotiable, crucial must-haves all year round. But winter has a way of turning things up a notch. And we’re not just talking about an increase in clothing and warm layers; like adults, a baby’s skin needs may also change during the colder months, as may their nutritional needs. You’ll probably find that your list of must-haves grows a little longer, as baby needs a few more products to stay healthy and happy.  Here are our winter must-have recommendations for babies and toddlers: Safety first You have a first aid kit in your car, and in your medicine cabinet, so why wouldn’t you have an equivalent kit for baby? We all know that there is nothing predictable about babies, and they can often start to feel unwell at a difficult time, like late at night or over the weekend, which is why it’s essential to have some basic healthcare products available for use at home. And while babies can get sick any time of the year, we all know that winter is notorious for bringing on the sniffles.  Keeping a healthcare kit on-hand means you’ll be able to access a thermometer, nasal aspirator, and other essential items easily and conveniently – no more searching through drawers and cabinets!  Try: Safety 1st Healthcare Kit (R269.95) The Safety 1st Healthcare Kit 11 Pieces comes with all the tools you’ll need to properly see to your newborn’s health needs. It includes a digital thermometer, nasal aspirator, soft toothbrush, medicine dropper, 5 alcohol wipes, an emergency contact card, and a travel case. Immune support As the saying goes, prevention is better than cure. While it’s impossible to prevent babies and children from ever getting sick, it is possible to boost their immune systems by ensuring that they get all the vitamins and minerals their bodies need to function optimally. A healthy and balanced diet goes a long way, but we all know that young children can be picky eaters, which means that they are likely not consuming all the nutrients they need from their food. This is where good quality supplements like NutriPure, which is free from sugar, artificial flavours, colours, and sweeteners make all the difference.  Try: NutriPure Kids Multivitamin Gummies (R109.95). Made with real fruit juice, these delicious gummies help to maintain your child’s immune system and promote overall well-being. It contains vitamins D, B6, B12, & C, as well as Biotin, Pantothenic Acid, and Niacin. NutriPure Kids Probiotics (R164.95) At any age, a balanced intestinal micro-flora is highly important in keeping the body in healthy working order. The healthy bacterial microflora in the gut is a key element for overall well-being.  Each Nutripure Probiotics bear contains 1 billion live cultures to help your child boost his daily culture intake. Nutripure Kids Immune Support Gummies (R109.95) These delicious gummies contain a unique blend of 6 essential vitamins and minerals that all contribute to the normal function of the immune system. Vitamin C, B6, and B12 help to metabolise carbohydrates, fats and proteins and are factors in the maintenance of good health. Preventing and treating dry skin Babies and young children, like adults, are prone to getting dry skin when the temperature drops. Humidity levels are lower in winter, and the water content of the epidermis (the top layer of skin) typically reflects the humidity around it. If left untreated, dry skin may become itchy and uncomfortable, and may flake or even peel. Make sure that babies and children are bathed in warm (not hot) water, as hot water strips the skin of its natural oils and may lead to dryness. We recommend applying a nourishing oil to the skin after every bath, and throughout the day as needed, to lock in moisture. Multipurpose oils, such as those from Jamaican Mango & Lime, are great for softening and moisturizing dry skin. Try: Jamaican Mango & Lime Black Castor Oil Tea Tree (R152.00) has anti-inflammation properties and is made with a blend of pure Jamaican black castor oil and tea tree oil, which softens and moisturizes dry, damaged skin.  Jamaican Mango & Lime Black Castor Oil Vitamins A-D-E (R152.00) promotes hair growth, moisturizes and softens dry skin and treats dry nails and cuticles. Soothe dry lips Dry and chapped lips are common during winter, and you may find that your (and your little ones’) lips need a little extra TLC when the temperature drops. Did you know that nipple cream is a common remedy for dry lips? Multi-purpose, moms can use it, not only to soothe their nipples when breastfeeding but also to protect and treat the whole family’s lips. Try: Medela Purelan™ – Lanolin Cream (R119.95) helps to restore the skin’s natural moisture balance and keeps the skin supple. Purelan is so safe for your baby that it doesn’t need to be removed before breastfeeding. It is dermatologically tested, hypoallergenic and free from artificial additives and preservatives and also gives you fast relief for sore nipples and dry skin. Nappy cream to the rescue Nappy rash can occur any time of the year, but winter poses some extra challenges as baby’s skin is covered in extra layers of clothing and gets less opportunity to breathe. Apply a soothing nappy rash cream after every nappy change to ensure that baby’s skin is soothed and comfortable.  Try: Sudocrem skin and baby care cream, available in 4 tub sizes (400g, 250g, 60g, 125g). The 60g tub (R57.99) is travel-friendly and fits into a handbag with ease. Sudocrem skin and baby care cream heals irritated and sensitive skin so your baby can feel comfortable in their nappy. It is made with a special formulation that contains zinc oxide, is hypo-allergenic, and expertly soothes and restores affected areas. What are some of your baby’s winter essentials?

May 5, 2022
Lamelle Research Laboratories

Winter sun safety: Why sunscreen is essential during the colder months

As South Africans we are accustomed to the harsh summer sun, and are used to applying SPF before heading down to the beach, or going for a run. But did you know that the sun’s UV rays are equally dangerous during the colder months? While you’re unlikely to experience a sunburn from UVB rays during winter, UVA rays (the ones that accelerate ageing) have the ability to wreak havoc on our skin, particularly on overcast days. “Even when it’s cold or overcast, UV rays that cause skin ageing and skin cancer are reaching your skin,” says Deborah S. Sarnoff, MD, president of The Skin Cancer Foundation. “In the right winter weather conditions, you can sustain sun damage just as easily as during the summer.” UVA rays have the ability to penetrate through clouds and fog, meaning your skin is vulnerable even on days when the sun isn’t shining. Did you know that UVA rays can also penetrate glass? That means it’s possible for the sun’s rays to harm your skin on a bright winters’ day, while you’re indoors!  UVA rays can accelerate ageing, meaning more fine lines and wrinkles, but they also make the skin vulnerable to skin cancer. Enter Lamelle Helase 50 – a broad spectrum sunscreen that offers full protection from UVA, UVB, blue light and infrared light. More than just a sunscreen, this DNA-correcting photo-protection product is in a class of its own.  Most people don’t realise that what we think of as the symptoms of ageing, are actually due to deep-seated damage inside our skin cells caused by years of sun exposure. Sunlight physically damages (breaks apart) or mutates skin DNA over time. To a large degree, preventing this damage is the reason we wear sunscreen.   Conventional sunscreens fall short The problem with currently available sunscreens is they have been developed to protect human skin from the most obvious of solar insults: ultraviolet A and B radiation. But our skin is susceptible to all five radiation subtypes, including visible light (radiation) and Infrared-A, B and C. If the only way to slow down the ageing process is to protect our skin against all these solar onslaughts, and conventional sunscreen is capable of protecting us from only two of the five, the case for more effective protection has never been stronger. That and the fact that the incidence of skin cancer still continues to climb! Recognising this unmet need, Lamelle Research Laboratories developed Helase 50. Unlike so many other cosmetic products available, this truly is a first to market one of a kind cosmetic; a breakthrough in ageing treatment and it’s being heralded as potentially the best photo-protection product available.  Until now, sunscreen and antioxidants have been our only defence against DNA damage; there’s been no means of reversing already existing damage. But now, with Helase 50, it’s possible to not only prevent, but also physically correct damaged DNA (dangerous DNA breaks and “kinks” such as dimers which left untreated, can produce more ‘abnormal’ cells. Correction is therefore essential to return cell function to normal).  Helase 50 – More than just a sunscreen Classified as a photo-protection product, Helase 50 is the only available product that can minimize the harmful effects of the full solar radiation spectrum. It includes several trailblazing technologies that set it apart from conventional sunscreens. The secret weapon in its formulation – that which is responsible for the correction process – is photolyase, a powerful DNA-repairing enzyme that’s missing in humans, but occurs naturally in most animals and plants. While we can’t produce our own photolyase, our body knows what to do with it when it’s introduced topically to the skin and the results are astounding. Another core ingredient often used in Lamelle products is Pycnogenol® (one of the most potent antioxidants available). Very simply, the inclusion of a Pycnogenol blend is what controls the inflammation typical from exposure and sunburn and it plays an important role in protecting the skin from damage.  There are several other enzymes, receptor inhibitors and filters that have been researched, tested, formulated and proven to deliver unprecedented protection.  Helase 50 – How to use it Helase 50 has sunscreen filters and an SPF of 50+.It’s not waterproof and should be applied 10 – 15 minutes before exposure and re-applied 3 – 4 hourly if possible. There is no need to use a “regular” sunscreen if you use Helase 50. It is fragrance free, and anyone over the age of six months is a candidate for Helase 50, but particularly those with fair skin, multiple sun-spots, or a history of skin cancer. It’s the ideal product to use after you have had a moderate peel (once re-epithelialised), and post-laser therapy and IPL.  Quite simply – a revolution in skincare has begun with the introduction of Helase 50! Learn more at www.lamelle.co.za 

May 4, 2022
Wingu Academy

Cyber Wellness – how to protect children in a cyber world

The internet is a vast and expansive space. It allows us to connect, create and become whoever we want to be. It provides unlimited opportunities and freedom one can only imagine. However, within all the space and freedom, there is also danger. This danger could include people with malicious intentions, scams and even bullies.  For this reason, the concept of Cyber Wellness has become an imperative part of our Wingu vocabulary. Cyber Wellness refers to an individual’s feelings of safety and positivity regarding online spaces. It also refers to one’s capacity to be able to protect themselves and others, from internet dangers.  While there is a wide range of tips, tricks and rules that Wingu learners and internet users everywhere should follow; the way individuals engage with others on the internet is constantly changing! “Think about it; one of the main rules of using the internet when I was a child was don’t talk to strangers! However, young people these days, meet most of their friends through social media or gaming platforms. Therefore, just providing learners with a standard, one-size fits all set of rules, is ineffective. We need to teach learners more than how to follow rules. We need to teach them to think on their feet in order to protect and promote their Cyber Wellness,” says Jenna Chetty from the Wingu Wellness Hub. One of the ways we can do this is by helping learners strengthen and enforce their boundaries. A boundary is basically the rule that you set, about how others are allowed to treat you. A learner with strong boundaries can easily identify when behaviour is inappropriate and put a stop to it immediately. Another way to teach learners how to protect themselves, is by helping them foster resilience. Resilience is simply the ability to bounce back, after experiencing something unfavourable or unkind. Due to the freedom the internet allows, it is almost inevitable that children will be exposed to harmful images, language, opinions and people who want to break their confidence. Resilience will allow them to stand up again, after being knocked down by other people’s irresponsible use of online spaces. Lastly, we can promote Cyber Wellness by teaching learners how to be responsible online. If we want to experience positive internet spaces, we need to be an injection of positivity every time we enter an online space. This means that we are always respectful, do not judge and always treat others the way we want to be treated. Of course, the general tips and tricks such as don’t talk to strangers, don’t share your password, don’t engage with bullies etc, are still important! We just want to offer learners more than the standard procedure for Cyber Wellness. Therefore, Wingu Wellness has developed a three-session Cyber Wellness Course for our Wingulians. The sessions focus on the three topics mentioned above. Namely, boundaries, resilience and promoting cyber wellness. It also includes the tips and tricks, as well as an in-depth look into what learners can do if they are being cyber-bullied. If you have any questions about cyber wellness or the course, please don’t hesitate to contact wellness@wingu-academy.com The concepts of Cyber Wellness and Cyber Safety are evolving and ever-changing. So, don’t feel discouraged if you don’t have all the answers.  The most important thing is to be there for your child and keep the communication channels open.

April 22, 2022
The Headache Clinic

Children’s Nightmares and Snoring Can Lead to Headaches

You may want to pay closer attention the next time your child wakes you up after he or she has experienced a nightmare. New research shows children can grind their teeth during a nightmare, or if they snore, and this can lead to them developing headaches. A study published in the Journal of Craniomandibular Practice, aimed to investigate the routine, sleep history and orofacial disorders associated with children aged 3-7 years with nocturnal bruxism (grinding their teeth at night). Data about the child’s routine during the day, during sleep and awakening, headache frequency, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and hearing impairments was obtained through interviews with the parents and caregivers. An electromyography examination was used to assess the activity of facial muscles. Multiple logistic regression (MLR), chi-square test and t-test analyses were also performed. The results showed an association of nightmares and snoring with bruxism, says Dr Elliot Shevel, South Africa’s pioneer in the field of migraine surgery and the medical director of The Headache Clinic. According to Shevel, it is well documented that bruxism can lead to headaches. The causes of bruxism are largely unknown, but risk factors are anxiety, stress, caffeine, sleep apnoea, snoring and fatigue. “At The Headache Clinic we have found that muscle tension in the jaws, face head and neck are some of the major underlying causes of migraine. This knowledge has resulted in our unique muscle treatment methods that restore and maintain the correct, relaxed posture of the jaws, head and neck. Clenching the jaws and grinding the teeth at night is common in many of our patients, not only children, and the headaches that result are treatable – without the use of medication.” “This study now confirms that nightmares and snoring may also lead to children grinding their teeth. Variables related to awakening revealed an association with bruxism. Parents of the main group (children with nocturnal bruxism) reported more complaints of orofacial pain, facial appearance and headache occurrence amongst their children. Auditory and muscle disorders however, were not significant variables,” explains Shevel. Dr Shevel advises that parents should consider treating the muscle tension to prevent migraine pain and teeth grinding, while addressing the underlying fear and insecurities causing their child’s nightmares.

April 14, 2022
The Bridge Assisted Learning School

Dissecting Dyspraxia

Dyspraxia is a disability that is believed to affect 2 – 10% of the population.  This disability can be defined as “a development disability of organisation of movement.  It is caused by an immaturity of the brain resulting in messages not being properly transmitted to the body.” [1] In laymen’s terms, dyspraxia affects motor planning.  Before looking further at how this happens, let’s first look at what motor planning is. ‘Motor planning is the ability to conceive, plan and carry out a skilled, non-habitual motor act in the correct sequence from beginning to end…. The child with motor planning difficulties may be slow in carrying out verbal instructions and often appears clumsy in new tasks.” [2]   For motor planning to be effective, all sensory systems of the body need to be working correctly.  With dyspraxia, the messages that are being sent from the brain are not being reliably transmitted to the rest of the body.  Dyspraxia does not change intelligence, but it does change how the child learns. Children with dyspraxia are seen to be clumsy, accident prone and extremely messy.  They will take time and repetition to master a new skill.  Dyspraxia can hinder thought processes and these children will often experience difficulty with planning and personal organisation.  Time management concerns arise, as well as difficulties in memory, perception and processing. Some other issues that arise are poor co-ordination, immature speech, poor attention and social and emotional difficulties.  Self-belief and confidence are affected, and the child often experiences anxiety and stress.   In order to help a child with dyspraxia, it is imperative that the teacher, school and parents work together in order to best facilitate the child to reach his or her full potential.  Regular meetings must be held between teacher and parents in order to ensure that the child is receiving all the support needed and achieving the goals that he / she is capable of. As a teacher and in order to obtain optimal performance, it is imperative that the child’s confidence is developed.  Always motivate the child and focus on what they can do.  Goals must be within the child’s reach.   The following steps can be taken in order to further benefit the child: Verbal instructions are to be given slowly and are to be kept short and simple.  Ideally, only one instruction should be given at a time. Minimalise distractions for the child. The child should be placed close to the front of the class. When setting work, this child requires work of a shorter length, that he / she will be able to complete in the allocated time, thus feeling the success of completing a task.  This can be done by creating worksheets for the child which require minimal handwriting (e.g. fill in the missing word) Work that needs to be written can be printed out for the learner beforehand, giving the child time to focus on the actual work, rather than the pressure of copying it down. In order to help with handwriting, it is suggested that the child is given books with larger lines to accommodate for writing, as well as larger quad paper, to facilitate in mathematics. During examinations, this child will require certain concessions, such as additional time, rest periods, a reader and perhaps amanuensis. Homework can be scribed by parents in order to take pressure off of the child. The optimal learning environment for a child with dyspraxia would be a one on one learning environment, but with the correct support and intervention, will thrive in a small, nurturing environment where he / she can reach his / her potential, as well as helping him / her with social skills and development. By Linda Langefeld, Grade 4 Teacher at The Bridge Assisted Learning School 

April 12, 2022
Parenting Hub

A Practical Way of Teaching Children about Money

Here is an easy-to-manage tool to help your children learn about money?  Each time they receive money from chores, holidays or gifts, they should break up the money by percentage and place the amounts into envelops.  Here’s how to do it: Purchase 6” x 9” yellow mailing envelopes and place them in a 2 or 3-ring binder.  Soft plastic zip-up pencil cases that are made to go into a binder also work well. The exact size doesn’t really matter, as long as they are big and strong enough to contain notes and coins. The first envelope should be titled TITHING or DONATIONS and should have 10% written on it.  Making this the first envelope will teach your child that giving money away to others in need comes before satisfying personal desires.  Any nonprofit organisation could qualify to be the recipient of this money and it works best if your child can make that choice (with your guidance of course).  Allow them to decorate this envelope with images that represent the organisation that will receive the money. The second envelope should be titled SPENDING or MAD MONEY and should be marked with 20%.  Money in this envelope could be designated to be used anytime that the child wants to spend money, for example, when going on shopping trips with an adult or when the ice cream truck is in the neighbourhood. The third envelope should be titled SHORT TERM SAVINGS and should be marked with 40%.  Money placed into this envelope can be designated for more expensive items the child would like to purchase within a year or two.  Examples might be: a new toy, a game cartridge, a bicycle or even set aside as money to be spent on a school trip.  Allow your child to draw or cut out a picture of the item he or she is saving for and put the price of this item on the envelope to act as the target amount. The fourth and final envelope should be titled LONG TERM SAVINGS and have 30% written on it.  Money saved in this envelope should be removed and banked on a monthly or quarterly basis.  I suggest there be no target for this except to save and record the deposits as they are made.  You may even want to make a rule that this money can only be withdrawn with the parent’s permission.  It also works best to allow your child to physically make the deposits at the bank with your help. Implementing and maintaining the process needed to manage this new savings book can be a fun and rewarding experience for both the parent and the child.  Every time the child receives money, it should be broken down by the percentages and deposited into the four envelopes.  At the very start, you’ll want to build a cash box and store it away, ready for making change for the child each time he or she receives money.  The parent should be responsible for keeping the book at all times.

April 8, 2022
Bonitas – innovation, life stages and quality care

Talking about TB

Ten people die in South Africa every hour from Tuberculosis (TB).  It is and has always been, a serious public health issue that needs to be brought under control. Even though effective treatments are available and there has been considerable progress in fighting the disease – about 450 000 people develop TB every year.  Dr Morgan Mkhatshwa, Head of Operations at Bonitas Medical Fund, talks about the state of our nation in terms of TB, the leading cause of death in our country. Of the 450 000 people who develop TB every year, just over half are living with HIV. Although most cases are drug-sensitive and respond well to standard treatment, failure to complete the full course encourages the development of multi-drug resistant TB (MDR TB), which is difficult to treat and has poor outcomes. Is TB a pandemic like Covid-19? TB is considered an endemic but arguably has the criteria to be given pandemic status.  According to the World Health Organization (WHO) a pandemic is when: The disease causes death There is persistent transmission between people It spreads in multiple countries An endemic is when the disease is still circulating but at a lower, more predictable rate. The only plausible reason is that the levels of TB are consistent and predictable, rather than the ‘boom and bust’ waves of Covid-19.  That said, just because it’s endemic doesn’t mean to say it’s not serious. Smallpox, for example, was endemic for thousands of years and a third of the people who were infected, died. Malaria is also endemic and causes around 600 000 deaths a year. Dr Thandi Dlamini-Miti, senior technical advisor: TB at health NGO Right to Care says, ‘Undiagnosed TB is driving transmission of the disease. Many people with TB don’t know they have it because they don’t have symptoms but they are infecting those around them with this potentially deadly disease.’  Is there enough research and development for TB drugs? The short answer is no. Countries with resources, funds and technical capacity (developed countries) have not invested in the field of TB because the disease has not affected them. It is a disease that flourishes in developing countries, where living conditions are often poorly ventilated and over-crowded. Over 95% of cases and deaths are in developing countries. Another factor to consider is that, although the poor bear the brunt of the burden of ill-health (up to 13X greater incidence of TB), they also have access to far fewer services compared to the rich.   Some good news recently came from Right to Care though.  Dlamini-Miti says, ‘Since July 2020, a TB prevention treatment called 3HP has been piloted. It is considered a game changer because treatment is shorter, less toxic, promotes better adherence, has a higher barrier to resistance and is safe with first-line antiretroviral therapy.’  Latent TB, HIV/AIDS and immunity TB can be ‘latent’, in other words you have TB in your body but it is not active. You aren’t ill and  you can’t spread it. However, if your immune system becomes weak for some reason, the TB becomes active and will make you ill. Having HIV/AIDS is a key factor in the TB epidemic which is why it’s imperative that the almost six million people living with HIV are screened and treated.   Latent TB treatment is fairly low cost and can be taken together with anti-retroviral drugs. Despite this, the number of people on medication is only a fraction of those who are eligible.  Diagnosing TB Diagnosis is quite complex (particularly for those living with HIV) since many symptoms are similar to those for other common diseases. South Africa has moved towards more intensive and active methods of identifying cases, for example by screening all those attending primary health clinics. The aim is to move from identifying fewer than 70% to 90% of all cases.  Currently the process of testing most of the population is a protracted one. The TST (skin test) and blood tests do not differentiate between latent and active TB which means a sputum sample needs to be taken or a chest X-ray. This is both costly and time consuming. A quicker, cheaper method of testing would certainly assist to diagnose TB.  Treating TB Current treatment for TB still includes many of the original antibiotics that were developed in the 1950s and 1960s. While newer antibiotics have been introduced, they are still used in combination with the originals whose side effects cannot be ignored. Similarly, BCG is still the only known TB vaccine administered to children in developing countries. Is there a vaccine that can protect adults?   Unfortunately not, there is only the BCG for babies, which has become the most widely used vaccine and provides protection to children against miliary and meningeal TB. It provides limited protection against pulmonary TB, which is the most common form of TB.  Has TB been affected by the Covid-19 lockdown? Yes, it has reversed years of global progress in tackling TB and, for the first time in over a decade, TB deaths have increased, according to the WHOs 2021 Global TB Report.  How is TB contracted? It is transmitted through the air, not by surface contact. Transmission occurs when a person inhales droplets with TB nuclei and it travels though the mouth or nasal passages via the respiratory tract into the lungs to reach the alveoli of the lungs. Each person with TB can spread the disease to another 15 individuals over a year.  Who is most at risk of contracting TB? People living with HIV (especially those newly diagnosed or not virally suppressed), living in the same house as someone who has had or has TB, anyone who has had active TB in the last two years, those with diabetes, residents of informal settlements, children under five, the undernourished, alcoholics, smokers, mineworkers, prisoners and pregnant women. How prevalent is TB amongst medical aid members? Protocols required by the National Department of Health dictate that all TB positive patients must be referred to the state for treatment. This means

April 8, 2022
Lamelle Pharmaceuticals

Win the war against acne with NEW ACleo

Are you battling with breakouts? Many things contribute to the formation of acne but, for the most part, we can thank our fluctuating hormones. These can cause our skin to become oily and shed in clumps as opposed to cell by cell, forming bumps and pimples. Fortunately, this type of inflammatory acne can be dramatically improved with Acleo. The hormone connection  When we’re in our teens our body is challenged with having to adjust to changing hormone levels. While these should eventually stabilise in time, in both males and females, the fluctuation can result in oily skin. In many, this might lead to skin that’s congested by blackheads and whiteheads. However, around 30% of teenagers, due to their genetics, will experience inflamed, painful red bumps called papules or those with yellow heads called pustules (pimples). While you’d think we’d leave acne behind by the time we reach adulthood, this isn’t always the case. For example, there are many times when a female will experience a hormonal flux that can trigger the increase of the male hormones that cause acne. Men will have the same trigger – an increase in their male hormones. ACleo to the rescue! Struggling with acne, be it in your teens or as an adult, will always be distressing. Fortunately, the new ACleo kit can help you win the war against breakouts and put you on the path to clear and radiant skin.  Each kit contains an oral supplement and a topical spot treatment. The supplement’s ingredients – zinc and vitamin B – will help calm the inflammation in your skin; allow existing pimples to heal faster and prevent the formation of further breakouts. This winning combination also helps regulate your body’s oil production. As far as the topical spot treatment goes, this calms inflammation, kills the bacteria that causes acne and prevents your skin from becoming congested.  When used in conjunction, the oral supplement and spot treatment will result in: Quicker healing of acne  A lessening in the formation of scars and dark marks  Prevention of more acne forming  Clearer skin with constant use  How do I use ACleo? Acleo supplement  Take two capsules each morning after breakfast. ACleo Spot Treatment  Twice a day: Cleanse and dry your skin. Apply a drop of the ACleo gel to every pimple or to the area of skin that has pimples. Massage lightly to assist in absorption then apply your moisturiser and a sunscreen during the day. Do I need to use a specific skincare range to use ACleo? No. Acleo can be used in combination with any skincare range.  It is important to cleans and moisturise your skin twice a day every day. Don’t forget your sunscreen. This can also help to prevent the formation of dark marks as well as the worsening of those that exist. Will ACleo affect my hormones? Not at all. It’s important to note that ACleo won’t affect your body’s hormone levels. For this, you’d need to visit a doctor and get a script. What ACleo will do, however, is change how your skin reacts to the fluctuating hormones in your blood and the result will be an improvement in acne. 

April 7, 2022
Parenting Hub

Four Tips to Support Kids Hygiene in Post-Covid School Life

With the country finally opening up, businesses, entertainment venues and schools will see more people than ever coming into contact with each other since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.  While grown-ups should have the presence of mind to adhere to healthy hygiene protocols, children may need a bit of extra help in staying safe from viruses and bacteria at school, especially when using high-traffic areas like toilets. Nobuhle Ngubane, Senior Brand Manager at Domestos South Africa, offers parents the four following tips on protecting their children from germs during this crucial time of transition. 1.      Educate Them  Knowledge is power, and you might be surprised at how much informationchildren, even those as young as two years old, can retain. Make sure to talk to them, repeating terms like germs, cleanliness, washing hands, water, soap, sanitising and so on. Make it fun – use songs and pictures – to each them about social distancing and how to clean up thoroughly. 2.      Ask Teachers  Do not be shy about engaging with teachers on the hygiene protocolsinside the school, particularly where toilets are concerned. It’s important to be aware of how frequently cleaning takes place – especially considering that the facilities are used by hundreds of learners throughout the day. Aim to be helpful rather than confrontational – share information and resources and express understanding for the load educators have to bear.  3.      Equip Them  While your child’s school may already have thorough cleaning protocols you can always help your child further by packing a safe and mild sanitiser spray bottle and a small pack of wipes that they can use to wipe their hands after coming into contact with surfaces that may have germs.  4.      Keep them Healthy  As much as you can keep external surfaces clean, your child’s bestdefence is a healthy diet and even supplements, where necessary. As always, reinforce the need to wash hands before and after eating, using soap or sanitiser, and wiping with clean paper towels.  The reality is that millions of learners around the country attend schools without adequate ablution facilities. This not only affects their health but their ability to learn due to the proven negative psychological impact of poor sanitation. Over the past 10 years, Domestos has led the charge on addressing unsafe sanitation and poor hygiene in schools, impacting over 5 million children through school refurbishments, school toilet maintenance programs, as well as participating in an educational program that educates learners on good hygiene and sanitation habits in over 15 000 public schools around the country. You can also get involved in this fight against the sanitation crisis.Purchase a 750ml Domestos bleach bottle, and R1 will be donated towards helping over 1 million learners gain access to clean and safe toilets.

April 4, 2022
Bonitas – innovation, life stages and quality care

Ten tips for flu and Covid-19 vaccines

The seasons are changing and with winter on its way, which heralds the start of the ‘flu season’. We chat to Dr Morgan Mkhatshwa, Head of Operations at Bonitas Medical Fund on why a flu vaccine is recommended, not just by the Scheme but also the World Health Organization (WHO). 1.Why should I get a flu vaccine? Although the flu vaccine will not eliminate your risk of developing flu, it helps reduce your chances of severe infection. Annually, seasonal influenza (flu) kills around 11 500 people in South Africa which is why it is a good precautionary measure to take.  2.How are Covid-19 and flu viruses similar?  WHO says that Covid-19 and influenza viruses are similar in disease presentation. ‘Firstly, they both cause respiratory disease, which presents a wide range of illness from asymptomatic or mild through to severe disease and death.  ‘Secondly, both viruses are transmitted by contact, droplets and any material that can carry infection. As a result, the same public health measures such as hand hygiene and social distancing is recommended.’  3.What are the essential differences between Covid-19 and flu?  Flu is an acute viral respiratory infection, transmitted by the influenza virus.  There are three types of influenza, namely Influenza A, B and C. Covid-19 and influenza are essentially different viruses with SARS-CoV-2 being a newly discovered coronavirus that causes Covid-19.  4.Why do I need a flu shot every year? The flu virus changes every year, this means last year’s vaccine will not keep you safe this year. The vaccine helps your immune system fight off the virus by producing antibodies – the soldiers in your body that battle the flu virus. 5.What vaccines have been developed for 2022? The flu vaccines available for this year are: The Vaxigrip Tetra, Influvac and Influvac Tetra. 6.Can I get the flu vaccine and a Covid-19 vaccine together? As per the National Covid-19 Vaccination Programme Circular 3 of 2022, the answer is yes. However, it is recommended that if you decide to have both vaccines at the same time, then one should be on the left arm and one on the right. 7.Who should get a flu vaccine? It is recommended that anyone in the High-risk groups including: Healthcare workers  Individuals over 65 years of age  Individuals with chronic diseases – or comorbidities – for example: Cardiac disease, hypertension, stroke, diabetes, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, kidney diseases, etc.  Pregnant women  People living with HIV/AIDS  8.Who should NOT have the flu vaccine? Individuals who are allergic to eggs or egg proteins as the manufacturing process for the vaccine involves the use of chicken eggs  Infants under 6 months of age – the vaccines are not licensed for use in such young children  Individuals who may have had a severe reaction to a flu vaccine in the past – if you are unsure discuss with your healthcare provider  Individuals who may be suffering from flu symptoms already  9.Will the flu shot give me a mild flu? According to the Centre for Disease Control (CDC), ‘A flu shot cannot cause flu. Flu vaccines are currently made either with flu vaccine viruses that have been ‘inactivated’ and are not infectious or with no flu vaccine viruses at all. The most common side-effects from the vaccine are soreness, redness, tenderness or swelling where the shot was given. Serious allergic reactions to flu vaccines are very rare.’  10.Still not convinced?  Flu viruses spread very quickly from person to person.  Even if the flu vaccine is not 100% effective against the current flu strain, it will reduce your risk of getting flu and, if you do get it, it will be a great deal milder.  More importantly, by having the flu vaccine you protect others, who may be vulnerable family members, small babies, the elderly or those who are immune compromised.  As with Covid-19, the more people vaccinated the closer we can get to ’herd immunity’. 

March 25, 2022
Bonitas – innovation, life stages and quality care

SYMPHYSIS PUBIS DYSFUNCTION (SPD) AND HOW TO DEAL WITH IT

Symphysis pubis dysfunction or SPD is pain in your pelvis, which is caused by the relaxing of ligaments in the pelvic bones too early before birth. Many aspects of pregnancy can cause discomfort, and SPD is one of them. Here are the signs of SPD and what you can do if you think you to alleviate your discomfort if you are suffering from it.  What is SPD and what causes it? Not all moms-to-be will experience SPD but it is thought to be fairly common in pregnancy. SPD is a pain in the symphysis pubis (which can range from moderate to serve) caused by the relaxing and stretching of the ligaments around the pelvic bone. Pain can be brought on by opening your legs, walking up stairs or even turning over in bed, and this may be accompanied by a clicking/grinding sensation in the pubic area.  The cause of SPD in pregnancy is the hormone relaxin, aptly named as it relaxes your joints and ligaments to make it easier for your baby to come out at birth. SPD happens when these hormones come into play too early. Not only that but you’re shifting centre of as your baby grows, which can cause main in your lower back and pelvis as your body shifts to accommodate your little one.  What can I do to relieve SPD  Living with SPD can be uncomfortable at best, so you may be wondering what you can do to help alleviate some pain. Being fit before pregnancy can help, as stronger glute and abdominal muscles can help support your pelvis. Physiotherapy can help manage SPD pain, as a physio will be able to work with you as your pregnancy and pain levels change. Speak to your doctor first, as they may have recommendations for you. Your pelvis should return to normal between 4 and 12 weeks after birth

March 23, 2022
Halo Dish Covers

The Basic Guide to Meal Prep for Busy Moms

Every busy mom has had this moment at some point in their lives – the fantasy that plays out in their head where the picture perfect world exists and all they have to do on a busy weekday night is to open the freezer, pull out a pre-packed meal, heat and eat.  This isn’t the perfect world, though and reality tends to be a LOT different. For the majority of us, the real world looks like unwashed dishes, hangry kids and half the ingredients for tonight’s dinner still sitting on shelves at the nearest supermarket. The stress truly is enough to warrant popping open a bottle before Wine O’Clock (which according to a recent survey is 6:59pm, by the way).  But there are options! You could: Hire a full-time live-in chef Order takeout every night. Learn how to Meal Prep.  Now before you throw in the proverbial towel and start looking through your options on UberEats, take a minute to read through this guide to make dinner time a whole lot easier for next time.  Let’s start with the basics… What is meal prep? Meal prep is the process of preparing food ahead of time so that it’s readily available at mealtime and can be easily assembled to create full meals.  Meal prep differs from meal planning in that one requires making a decision about what meals will be served versus the other, that requires the actual preparation of ingredients for the meal. Either way, both processes are required steps in this guide.  What are the benefits? For busy moms, it can be a real juggling act to get good, healthy food on the table. By planning your meals out and prepping them beforehand, you can help ease your ‘mental load’ while preparing more nourishing meals, freeing up more time and saving money in the process.  How to begin meal prepping Let’s face it – efficient meal prepping can be overwhelming and won’t happen overnight. It’s a process that takes a lot of work but this is what I’ve found works for me: 1.Meal Plan Use an app, a piece of paper or a printable template to outline what meals you want to prepare for the week.  Top tip: Don’t feel the need to have a different meal at every interval. Oats three times a week for breakfast is perfectly okay. In fact, it’s encouraged, seeing as oatmeal can be prepared and covered with a dish cover overnight until it is ready for serving the next day.  2.Go through your pantry / cupboards  Once you’ve laid out your meals, you may be tempted to hit the grocery store right away. PAUSE. First take a look at what you have in your kitchen. You might find that you already have all the items needed for a full meal. In that case, simply adjust your meal plan accordingly.  This also presents a perfect time to clean out your fridge 😉 3.Head to the grocery store I highly recommend making use of a list here!  Ensure that you’ve listed down everything needed to create the meals on your meal plan and get to shopping. Top tip: If possible, try to shop during off-peak hours to avoid long lines and hoards of humans.  4.Prep your storage containers  If you plan on meal prepping consistently, you’ll want to invest in reliable containers that are durable and easy to clean. I prefer glass to plastic.  You’ll also want to invest in some reusable homeware, such as cotton dish covers, in order to keep food protected as it cools and also keep condensation at bay. These dish covers come highly recommended.  Top tip: Pull these out shortly after grocery shopping to remind you to begin your meal prep as soon as possible.  Chop veggies, prepare grains and prep your food for the week Now it’s time to get into the real work! This can look different each week but the basic premise is to make sure that all the chopping, dicing and boiling is done.  Top tip: Don’t be reluctant to use frozen fruits and veggies as these can go a long way.  Soak grains overnight and cover with a dish cover to allow for easy cooking the following day. Avoid preparing grains more than four days from the time you plan on serving them as they tend to degrade pretty quickly.  If you are preparing potatoes ahead of time, plan to eat them within the first few days of cooking.  5.Bake, cool, store If you are baking and roasting food, make sure that these items have cooled completely before putting them in the fridge. This is where dish covers really come in handy, as they allow food to cool without condensation and eliminate harmful toxins that may be absorbed into your food from plastic wrap. 6.Place your meal plan on the fridge and enjoy your week Having a meal plan and food prepped can truly be life changing. And guess what? You won’t have to answer the question of what’s for dinner? anytime soon, because it’s posted on the fridge! Everyone wins! Being a mom can mean a lot of things but being a magician when it comes to food doesn’t have to be one of them. By putting in the necessary effort and planning ahead, you can save time, money and be a lot less overwhelmed. 

March 18, 2022
SOiL

Discover a Natural Boost from Nature’s Pharmacy to Bring Your New Year into Focus

Each start of a new year is a chance to reset our health, stay balanced and reach for new goals. It is also a busy time as we return to work, school, and our daily commitments for the months ahead. If you are reaching for clarity, calm, focus and motivation to get you tuned up for the year, consider a natural boost from Nature’s own pharmacy. The simple, yet effective, power of aromatherapy’s concentrated oils and fragrances will guide and support you through cranky mornings, midday stress , afternoon fatigue and late night lags without the need for caffeine or chemicals. The efficacy of natural aromatherapies to soothe our senses, calm our minds and refresh our outlook with renewed focus, among their many other natural health remedies, has been clinically proven by trusted scientific sources in studies dating back to 2013, but their effects as a natural everyday remedy have been celebrated by human beings since 3 500 BC. The beauty of aromatherapy is that just as each person is unique in mind, spirit, and physiology, so too is each scent from nature’s cornucopia of essences, herbs, flowers and plant extracts which make up the medicine cabinet of these aromatic medicines and treatments. SOiL Essential Oils provides a complete organic apothecary of fragrances and remedies to choose from which have been homegrown on the SOiL farm in South Africa and sourced from the best organic growers from around the world, for you to discover, enjoy and blend for your own personal remedy range in easy reach and which is guaranteed to be easier on your pocket. As we move into a greener and more sustainable world, discover natural health with the affordable benefits of SOIL Essential Oils which can be used as a scent on your skin, to fragrance a room using an ultrasonic diffuser or as a pure aromatherapy oil or roller which you can carry with you in a small bottle wherever you go. Since SOil Essential Oils are concentrated, you only need a few drops to receive their healing benefit, making them go a long way on your journey through school studies, work goals and family and home harmony throughout the year 2022. Brain Fog… or FOCUS? Organic Peppermint Oil (10ML – R60.00)refreshes and stimulates, to reduce stress and headaches. This essential oil is stem-distilled from a partially dried plant, with menthol as its primary constituent, for a powerful cooling and calming effect, whether inhaled or applied to your skin.  ORGANIC ROSEMARY OIL(10ML – R60.00)A well-known aromatic herb; Rosemary has been used medicinally for centuries. Considered a tonic for the central nervous system, Rosemary stimulates the brain, relieves headaches, and helps improve memory. FOCUS  (10ML – R60.00)Expertly formulated by SOiL’s certified aromatherapist, this certified organic blend of 100% PURE essential oils contains Lemongrass, Rosemary and Black Pepper essential oil to help invigorate and stimulate your mind. Fatigue… or ENERGY? ORGANIC REVIVE REMEDY ROLLER(11ML – R40.00) Geranium and Grapefruit balance and lifts the spirits while Rosemary and Basil refresh the mind, helping to boost your energy levels. Apply this revive remedy to your pulse points. ENERGY (10ML – R120.00) This organic blend of SOiL Clary Sage, Lime, Cypress and Black Pepper essential oil will support you to stimulate mental faculties and energise your body. Stress… or CENTERED CALM? ORGANIC RELAX REMEDY ROLLER (11ML – R40.00) Clary Sage, warming Marjoram, Lavender and Chamomile calm the nervous system, promote tranquility, and help relieve tension headaches. This remedy roller is ready to pop in your bag or briefcase for instant relief when you need to stay in your center. ORGANIC FRANKINCENSE OIL (10ML – R100.00) Obtained from steam distillation of the gum resin, Frankincense has been used for 1000’s of years as incense where its centering aroma slows the nervous system and promotes a feeling of calm and introspection. A few drops in an essential oil burner can aid concentration and meditation. Frankincense is also excellent for dry and mature skin and is said to preserve a youthful complexion and prevent wrinkles. From the SOiL farm to your family, experience natural and certified aromatherapy oils and skincare which is organically grown and bottled to be safe for the whole family.  ENDS/ SOiL is available at Dis-Chem, Wellness Warehouse and online at www.faithful-to-nature.co.za, www.takealot.com and www.soil.co.za. 

March 17, 2022
Bonitas – innovation, life stages and quality care

DEALING WITH POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION – PLUS WAYS TO DEAL WITH MENTAL HEALTH AFTER PREGNANCY

As a new mom, the birth of your baby is a beautiful and exciting time, but there is a darker side to childbirth. Postpartum depression affects about 15% of moms after delivery, and while it is a serious disorder it can be overcome through treatment. What is Postpartum depression? Feelings of anxiety, sadness and fatigue are common after birth and are often referred to as the ‘baby blues’ and should subside within the first two weeks. However, if these feelings stick around for longer, you could be experiencing postpartum depression. Restlessness, mood swings, insomnia, irritability, disconnection from your baby and feeling of worthlessness are all red flags for postpartum depression. Some moms feel guilty or ashamed to be feeling this way, however PPD can affect any woman. Don’t be afraid to reach out for help, as PDD is treatable through both medicated and unmedicated options. What should I do if I have the symptoms of Postpartum Depression? The good news is that PPD is treatable. There are a variety of common types of treatment, which depend on the type and severity of symptoms. Treatment can include counselling, therapy groups, antidepressants and hormone therapy. Self-help groups can be helpful, as it allows you to connect with others who have experienced similar problems and stop feelings of isolation. Recovery time will also vary from mother to mother, but untreated the disorder will last much longer and can interrupt mother-child bonding. Getting help does not mean you are a bad mother, it is important to reach out if you are feeling depressed. Postpartum Psychosis In rare cases moms can develop postpartum psychosis. This should be treated as a medical emergency, and it is essential that you receive help right away.  Symptoms include paranoia, delusion and erratic/disorganised behaviour.        How to deal with mental health after pregnancy  Your mental health is critical to you and your child’s well-being. If you are worried about PPD it is important to get professional help. However, you can help your mood by slowly getting back into exercise, setting aside time for yourself and leaning on those around you for support. It is important to stay connected to family and friends so that you don’t feel alone.

March 15, 2022
Parenting Hub

Summer skincare de-coded

A solid skincare routine will work for you all year round, but keeping your skin healthy during summer may require some small changes. Warmer weather means different skincare challenges, like avoiding sunburn, managing excess sebum and keeping sun spots at bay. But what should you be doing and which products do you really need? Here are the answers to some of the most commonly-asked summer skincare questions.  Does my skincare routine need to change in summer? Not necessarily. If you have a skincare regime that works for you, stick to it. Some people prefer switching out heavier moisturisers for lighter lotions, or rich milky cleansers for foaming gel cleansers, but this is entirely up to you. Try a refreshing facial cleanser like Creightons Pink Grapefruit Face Wash (R69.95) which effectively removes dirt and impurities while invigorating the skin. You might also want to introduce some vitamin C skincare products to your regime, as they help brighten the complexion (sloughing away post-winter dullness) and protect against (and treat) sun-induced pigmentation. Try NIP+FAB Vitamin C Serum Fix (R295.00) which uses a powerhouse of antioxidants to leave skin brightened, refreshed and protected against environmental aggressors. Creightons Vitamin C Superfruits Skin Radiance Moisturiser (R89.95) works to enhance skin’s natural radiance, promoting a brighter, healthier-looking complexion.  While it’s important to wear a broad spectrum SPF all year, it’s absolutely essential that you include one in your skincare and body care regimes during summer. Not only will you likely spend more time outdoors, but your body will also be more exposed in summer clothing, increasing your risk of sunburn and skin damage. Piz Buin Allergy Face Cream SPF50 (R190.00) offers very high protection and contains a unique anti-irritant shield complex proven to help strengthen the skin’s resilience to the sun.  What does SPF number stand for and how many times a day should you reapply SPF? What Does the SPF Number Mean? The SPF number tells you how long the sun’s UV radiation would take to redden your skin when using the product exactly as directed versus the amount of time without any sunscreen.  So ideally, with SPF 30 it would take you 30 times longer to burn than if you weren’t wearing sunscreen. We’d recommend rather being too cautious than too carefree. If you’re bad at reapplying SPF, opt for a higher SPF to protect you for longer. We love Piz Buin Ultra Light Hydrating Sun Spray SPF30 (R279.95) which has a light and non-sticky formula that is easily absorbed. Is it ever okay to sun tan without SPF? No, this is never ok, not ever. Even the slightest darkening of the skin indicates damage. When you tan, your body produces melanin, the pigment responsible for the colour of your skin. When your skin is exposed to the sun’s UV rays, it triggers the production of melanin in an attempt to protect the skin. This results in the darkening of the skin, and serves as evidence of UV damage. Over time, sun tanning may lead to premature ageing of the skin and even skin cancer. Rather opt for a self-tan product that gives your skin a sun-kissed glow without any harm.  Australian Gold Instant Sunless Lotion (R380.00) helps your skin develop a rich, sun-kissed bronze colour in no time. It offers the perfect balance of caring and bronzing ingredients for summer-ready skin that’s healthy and nourished. If you want SPF protection while giving your skin a bronze shimmer, try Australian Gold SPF Lotion with Instant Bronzer (R280.00). It’s formulated with kona coffee-infused bronzers to leave your skin with an immediate sun-kissed glow while protecting it from the sun’s harmful UVA and UVB rays. For a soft and natural glow, try St Moriz Golden Glow Moisturiser (R150.00), which allows you to gradually build your glow by means of daily application.  Is it okay to self-tan your face? Yes, provided you use a self-tan product that is suitable for facial skin. Using self-tan on your face is a much better option than sun tanning, as it won’t put you at risk of sun burn or premature ageing. We recommend St Moriz Fast Tan Mousse (R150.00), because it allows you to control your shade. It can be washed off after an hour for a natural glow, after two hours for a medium tan and after three hours for a deeper tan. If it’s your first time using it, leave it on for an hour – you can always go darker next time round, and you won’t run the risk of going too dark the first time. Apply it using the St Moriz Tan Applicator Mitt (R99.99) to ensure your hands don’t get stained.   Can I wash my face more than twice a day in hot weather? Washing your face more than twice a day is not recommended, even in hot weather. Each time you cleanse, you remove some of the natural oils produced by your skin and cleansing too often can result in the skin being stripped of oil, leaving it dehydrated and irritable. Instead of cleansing, try spritzing your skin with some chilled water (you can keep a spritz bottle in the fridge and use it whenever necessary!).  Do I have to apply moisturiser twice a day even though my skin feels oilier? Here’s a little science lesson that might save your skin this summer: Oils moisturise, while water hydrates. Dry skin needs more oil, while dehydrated skin needs more water. If your skin does not get enough hydration, it will produce more sebum in an attempt to boost your moisture levels. The result? Oily skin with blackheads and breakouts due to an overproduction of oil. To avoid this, it’s essential to moisturise your skin twice a day, even if it feels like you don’t need it. If richer creams don’t work for you, apply a lightweight hydrating lotion instead. Try Creightons H2O Boost Hyaluronic Day Gel (R169.95), a refreshing light lotion that contains hyaluronic acid for intense hydration, and Creightons H2O Boost Overnight Mask (R169.95), a nourishing cream with hyaluronic acid which works overnight to improve the skin’s elasticity and intensely hydrate.  My skin gets oilier during summer, how

March 11, 2022
Bonitas – innovation, life stages and quality care

Medical aid contribution increases: The deferred increase debate

Traditionally, medical aid schemes implement fee increases from 1 January every year. However, the last two years have seen new trends emerge because of the Covid-19 pandemic. These include deferral of increases, dipping into reserves to reduce increases and announcing delayed increases above CPI. What does this mean for consumers? Globally people are feeling the financial pinch and South Africa is no different. High inflation has increased the cost of food, fuel and utilities.   Salary increases, if any, are below CPI and many South Africans have lost their jobs.  More so than ever, everyone is looking for value for money and better benefits, especially when it comes to healthcare.   The balancing act Lee Callakoppen, Principal Officer of Bonitas Medical Fund says, ‘the delicate balancing act between maintaining the sustainability of the Scheme, while ensuring our members have access to affordable, quality healthcare is a core focus. Last year, we were the only Scheme to announce a 0% increase on one of our plans – the BonFit option.   This was followed by the industry’s first ever reduction in a premium of 7,9% on our BonStart Plan in 2022.’  What using reserves meant for members ‘We opted to utilise around 3.2% – or R600 million – of the Scheme’s reserves to help limit contribution increases to below CPI for around 82% of our members for 2022. Contribution increases would have been closer to pre-pandemic levels of CPI + 4% if we had opted not to use some of our reserves.  Deferred increases vs using reserves This move was in line with the Council of Medical Schemes (CMS) Circular 42 of 2021 which suggested the utilisation of reserves to cushion members against increasing costs. However, despite the guidelines, several schemes opted to defer increases from January to later in the year. These deferred increases range from 5.5 to 7.9%. In general, medical schemes need to keep their contribution increases as close to the rate at which the cost of providing healthcare escalates. The challenge is that most healthcare costs in South Africa are not regulated, which means providers are free to charge as they see fit. And the consumer bears the brunt. An example is the cost of Covid-19 PCR tests, which was finally standardised earlier this year.  Consumers in for a rough ride Statistics SA cited CPI at 5,9% in December 2021, 0,4% higher than the month before. This trend is expected to continue with National Treasury projecting headline inflation (the change in CPI) at 4.8% in 2022 and 4.4% in 2023. So, consumers are in for tougher times. Is there freedom to change schemes with deferment? Callakoppen explains that the deferment of increases creates an anomaly for companies, medical scheme members and consumers. ‘Traditionally, members are free to change their options once a year during an open period. However, when a deferred increase arises, this open period does not always come with it.  This complicates matters for companies which allow their staff to choose between various medical schemes. If an employee chooses to stay with a scheme offering a deferred increase, it is difficult and sometimes impossible, to switch to another plan. This is compounded by the fact that when these deferred increases take place – they are often above CPI and do not always include an increase in benefits – so members effectively pay more for less.  Know what you are getting ‘By announcing our contribution increases in January, our members know what they will be paying for their medical aid from the outset of the year. This means they can plan and, if necessary, adjust their options accordingly to suit both their healthcare needs and their budgets. With the scenario of deferred increases, our advice is for companies to consider a mid-year open period to allow employees to change schemes or options to benefit already cash-strapped employees,” he added.  The downside of deferred increases The past year has shown that the actual contribution increases experienced by members, after the deferment period, is typically higher than the industry average. An example is a Scheme that offered a contribution deferment for the first 6 months of 2021 but then applied a 5.9% contribution increase, when the industry average was 4.6%. Contribution increase percentages cannot be looked at in isolation without looking at the Rand value of the contribution.  “Based on our analysis, we feel that a deferment strategy is not ideal. It merely utilises scheme reserves to provide a short-term contribution relief to members who subsequently experience an above market related contribution increase. This results in members being worse off compared to the scheme that applied a lower, market related contribution increase from the beginning of the year. Schemes implementing a contribution deferment are already applying above market average contribution increases. Callakoppen says that no matter whether a scheme has chosen to increase contributions or defer them, South Africans need to make sure they get the healthcare cover they need. “No two people or families are alike, medical needs differ, as do finances which is why you need to get cover that suits your health needs and budget. It’s important to interrogate what is being offered, to understand what is covered and any added benefits being offered which won’t impact your savings, before finalising your decision.”

March 10, 2022
Load More

Sidebar Image

Scroll to Top