Sure start children’s centre Health Dictionary

A centre that may carry out promotive, protective, preventive, diagnostic, curative and rehabilitative health care activities for ambulant people.... health centre

The description ‘vasomotor’ refers to control of the muscular walls of blood vessels, particularly ARTERIES, dilating or constricting their diameters. The vasomotor centre is a group of neurons (see NEURON(E)) in the MEDULLA OBLONGATA of the BRAIN; they receive messages from sensory receptors in the circulatory system, and engineer re?ex alterations in the heart rate and blood-vessel diameters in order to adjust the blood pressure. The centre also receives transmission from other parts of the brain enabling emotions – fear or anger – to in?uence blood pressure. The vasomotor centre operates through the vasomotor nerves of the SYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM and the PARASYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM.... vasomotor centre

The Children Act 1989 (Children Act) introduced major reforms of child-care law. It encourages negotiation and cooperation between parents, children and professionals to resolve problems affecting children. The aim is to enable children to stay within their own families with appropriate back-up from local-authority and professional resources. The emphasis is on empowering families rather than paternalistic control. The Act set up a court made up of three tiers – the High Court, county court and magistrates’ court – each with concurrent jurisdiction. The Act has been broadened, clari?ed and interpreted by subsidiary legislation, rules, case law and o?cial guidance. An equivalent act is in force in Scotland.... children act

An ambulatory health care programme, usually serving a catchment area which has scarce or non-existent health services or a population with special health needs. These centres attempt to coordinate federal, state and local resources in a single organization capable of delivering both health and related social services to a defined population.... community health centre

An entity which provides comprehensive mental health services (principally ambulatory), primarily to individuals residing or employed in a defined catchment area.... community mental health centre

An accounting device whereby all related costs attributable to some “financial centre” within an organization, such as a department, centre or programme, are segregated for accounting or reimbursement purposes.... cost centre

A facility, operated by a local authority, voluntary organization, geriatric centre or acute hospital, providing activities for older people. These activities, usually during the day for a determined period, are intended to promote independence and enhance living skills, and can include the provision of personal care and preparation of meals.... day care centre

A free-standing ambulatory surgery centre, independent of a hospital.... day surgical centre / clinic

See “day care centre”.... day therapy centre

A facility specializing in services for older persons which include acute care, geriatric assessment, rehabilitation, medical and nursing services, therapy services and residential care.... geriatric centre

Emotional and behavioural problems are common in children and adolescents, affecting up to one-?fth at any one time. But these problems are often not clear-cut, and they may come and go as the child develops and meets new challenges in life. If a child or teenager has an emotional problem that persists for weeks rather than days and is associated with disturbed behaviour, he or she may have a recognisable mental health disorder.

Anxiety, phobias and depression are fairly common. For instance, surveys show that up to

2.5 per cent of children and 8 per cent of adolescents are depressed at any one time, and by the age of 18 a quarter will have been depressed at least once. Problems such as OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER, ATTENTION DEFICIT DISORDER (HYPERACTIVITY SYNDROME), AUTISM, ASPERGER’S SYNDROME and SCHIZOPHRENIA are rare.

Mental-health problems may not be obvious at ?rst, because children often express distress through irritability, poor concentration, dif?cult behaviour, or physical symptoms. Physical symptoms of distress, such as unexplained headache and stomach ache, may persuade parents to keep children at home on school days. This may be appropriate occasionally, but regularly avoiding school can lead to a persistent phobia called school refusal.

If a parent, teacher or other person is worried that a child or teenager may have a mental-health problem, the ?rst thing to do is to ask the child gently if he or she is worried about anything. Listening, reassuring and helping the child to solve any speci?c problems may well be enough to help the child feel settled again. Serious problems such as bullying and child abuse need urgent professional involvement.

Children with emotional problems will usually feel most comfortable talking to their parents, while adolescents may prefer to talk to friends, counsellors, or other mentors. If this doesn’t work, and if the symptoms persist for weeks rather than days, it may be necessary to seek additional help through school or the family’s general practitioner. This may lead to the child and family being assessed and helped by a psychologist, or, less commonly, by a child psychiatrist. Again, listening and counselling will be the main forms of help o?ered. For outright depression, COGNITIVE BEHAVIOUR THERAPY and, rarely, antidepressant drugs may be used.... mental health problems in children

See “community health centre”.... neighbourhood health centre

An approach to care that consciously adopts a patient’s perspective. This perspective can be characterized around dimensions such as respect for patients’ values, preferences and expressed needs; coordination and integration of care; information, communication and education; physical comfort, emotional support and alleviation of fear and anxiety; involvement of family and friends; or transition and continuity.... patient-centred care

A centre that provides a variety of onsite programmes (and sometimes outreach services) for older adults, including recreation, socialization, congregate meals, and some health services. Usually a good source of information about area programmes and services.... senior centre

Groups of neurons (see NEURON(E)), usually sited in the HYPOTHALAMUS and the BRAIN stem, that are the control centres for various essential body functions. Examples are: blood pressure, breathing, heart rate and temperature control. The centres are part of the body’s re?ex adjustments to the outside world and its internal environment and are essential in maintaining HOMEOSTASIS.... vital centres

Drinking tea is considered to be good for every adult, thanks to the many health benefits various types of tea have. However, this isn’t the case when it comes to children, babies included. Find out more about the types of tea for children, as well as the ones they shouldn’t drink. Be careful with teas for children Teas have plenty of health benefits when it comes to children, as well. You just have to be careful with the type of tea you give your child to drink. Some can help a lot, especially when it comes to colds or stomach problems, but other types of tea might lead to unpleasant side effects. The biggest problem revolves around the caffeine content found in teas; these include the teas made from the Camellia sinensis plant: green tea, black tea, white tea, and oolong tea. If your child drinks one of these teas that contain caffeine, it might give him an upset stomach, sleeping problems, or it might make him easily irritable. Teas for children Considering the fact that children like sweet things, fruit-flavored teas should tempt them. Not only is the aromatic taste pleasant, but drinking fruit-flavored teas should definitely be healthier for children than drinking soda. The fruit-flavored teas for children include apple, banana, raspberry, strawberry, cherry, passion fruit, or mango. The children are bound to enjoy it both hot during winter, and cold during summer (either prepared as iced tea, or simply left to cool at room temperature). Herbal teas are also recommended, especially thanks to the health benefits they have. Benefits of teas for children You can prepare tea for your child if he has small health problems, such as coughing, nausea, colic, or even anxiety. Generally, it is recommended to prepare only half a cup of tea for children, not a full cup. Also, steeping time shouldn’t be as long as usual, as the tea shouldn’t be too strong; steeping time can be half the usual time. Use honey, stevia or fruit juice to sweeten it. With this, the result will be a pleasant-tasting tea for children. For colic, you can prepare a cup of chamomile tea or peppermint tea for your child. To treat nausea, as well as motion sickness, prepare ginger tea. Also, if your child is constipated, prepare oatmeal with flaxseed tea instead of water. The tea you should use for coughs depends on the type of cough. If your child has a mild cough, you can give him peppermint tea. If the child’s coughing is caused by a sore throat, prepare marshmallow root tea or slippery elm tea . Meanwhile, for coughs with congestion, licorice or coltsfoot tea is better. If your child has a fever, you can give him half a cup of the following types of tea: lemon balm, chamomile, peppermint, licorice or elder flower. Also, if your child has anxiety problems, try chamomile or oat straw tea; you can also prepare passionflower tea for children aged over 4, or skullcap tea for children aged over 6. Herbal tea can be good for children. You just have to pick the right one, in order to make sure it won’t end up harming your children.... teas for children

Behavioural problems range from mild, short-lived periods of unacceptable behaviour, which are common in most children, to more severe problems such as conduct disorders and refusal to go to school. Behavioural problems may occasionally occur in any child; specialist management is called for when the problems become frequent and disrupt school and/or family life. Some behavioural problems can occur whatever the family or home situation. In some cases, however, stressful external events, such as moving home or divorce, may produce periods of problem behaviour.

Behavioural problems that are common in babies and young children include feeding difficulties (see feeding, infant) and sleeping problems, such as waking repeatedly in the night. In toddlers, breath-holding attacks, tantrums, separation anxiety, and head-banging are problems best dealt with by a consistent and appropriate approach. Problems with toilet-training are usually avoided if the training is delayed until the child is physically and emotionally ready.

Between the ages of 4 and 8, behavioural problems such as nail-biting and thumb-sucking, clinginess, nightmares, and bed-wetting (see enuresis) are so common as to be almost normal.

They are best dealt with by a positive approach that concentrates on rewarding good behaviour.

In most cases, the child grows out of the problem, but sometimes medical help may be needed.... behavioural problems in children

n. (in neurology) a collection of neurons (nerve cells) whose activities control a particular function. The respiratory and cardiovascular centres, for example, are regions in the lower brainstem that control the movements of respiration and the functioning of the circulatory system, respectively.... centre

adj. (in electroencephalography) describing discharges that can be recorded synchronously from all parts of the brain. The source of this activity is in the *reticular formation of the midbrain. Centrencephalic epilepsy is associated with a congenital predisposition to seizures.... centrencephalic

(CHAPS) a questionnaire designed to assess children’s hearing abilities in certain situations. It is used in the diagnosis of *auditory processing disorder.... children’s auditory performance scale

(Sure Start Children’s Centre) a building housing a range of services to support children up to five years of age and their families, including childcare, early education, parenting advice, and access to health advice. Over 3 000 ‘Sure Start’-branded Children’s Centres were established under Labour governments from 1997 to 2010. Many centres have subsequently closed, with the result that provision is no longer universal across the UK. See also health inequalities.... children’s centre

Massive and long continued medication should be avoided, parents acquiring some ability to distinguish between the purely miserable and the critically ill. It is easy to become alarmed at the sight of a child in the throes of a convulsion or feverishness when there may be a tendency to over-prescribe. German Chamomile tea is a splendid children’s remedy. Liquid Extract and Tincture doses for children are 1 drop and 2 drops, respectively, for each year of age.

Anti-depressants should not be given for bed-wetting, drugs for sleep problems or strong laxatives for the chronically constipated. Mild herbal alternatives exist. Fresh carrot juice daily helps a child to avoid some complaints. Some herbs are not advised for children under 12, except under the care of a qualified practitioner.

Parental smoking habits are known to be responsible for crying and digestive symptoms in infants. Sleeplessness. German Chamomile or Balm tea: children 2-10 years quarter to half a cup; over 10 years: 1 cup. Babies: 3-6 teaspoons in feeding bottle – sweeten with honey if necessary.

Night seizures, with screaming: Passion Flower tea. 1 heaped teaspoon to cup boiling water; infuse 5-15 minutes. Strain. A few teaspoons at bedtime. When a brain storm starts place pinch of salt on the tongue. Calcium deficiency. Nettle tea. Carrot juice. Cod Liver oil with fresh orange juice.

Colic. Any tea: Dill, Catnep, Spearmint or Fennel. Few teaspoons frequently. Abdominal massage: 3 drops Chamomile oil in teaspoon olive oil.

Constipation. Prune or carrot juice. Dandelion coffee.

Cough. Oil of Thyme – few drops in water.

Crusta Lacta (milk rash). Weak teas: Plantain, Heartsease, Red Clover. Anoint with St John’s Wort oil. Buttermilk, Wheatgerm.

Diarrhoea. Teas: Yarrow, Tormentil. Breast feeding during the first 4-6 months of life reduces the risk of children’s diarrhoea.

Digestion, weak. Teas: Fennel, Caraway, Dill. 1 teaspoon crushed seeds to cup boiling water. Infuse 15 minutes in a covered vessel. Teaspoon doses for under 2s; half-1 cup thereafter. Also for flatulence. Feverishness. Alarm at a baby’s fever and fractiousness may attract complete medical treatment including nose drops, cough linctus, antipyretics and antibiotics, together with something to let the parents get some sleep. Avoid where possible. Mild fevers: teas – Yarrow, Marigold, Thyme, Elderflowers and Peppermint, Catmint, Carragheen Moss. Sweeten with honey. Topical: Flannels wrung out in these hot teas. Zinc can cut short the common cold. Echinacea tablets/capsules offer antiviral protection.

It is common for a child to convulse with fever. A feverish child, kept cool, is less likely to have convulsions. Remove most of child’s clothes so he can lose heat through the skin. Fruit juices (Vitamin C) in abundance. Do not feed solid foods. Wash in lukewarm (not cold) water.

Eyes. Deep hollows under the eyes reveal exhaustion, for which blood and nerve tonics and iron supplements are indicated.

Growth problems. Under-developed children respond well to herbal aids: Gentian, Ginseng, Horsetail, Marigold, Oats, German Chamomile, Wood Betony, Kelp, Alfalfa. Supplementation with brewer’s yeast, Calcium, Pollen and Zinc yield convincing results.

Hyperactivity. Nerve restoratives for highly-strung children: Teas: Lime flowers, Chamomile, Lemon Balm, B-vitamins. Porridge. Tablets: Passion flower, Valerian, Skullcap. Vitamins B6 and C. Powders: formula. Passion flower 2; Valerian 1; Liquorice 1. Dose: 250mg (one 00 capsule or one-sixth teaspoon) thrice daily.

Irritability and impaired school performance may be due to Tartrazine and other additives, sugar, and anticonvulsant drugs. See previous paragraph.

Infection. Infection of the upper respiratory tract may manifest as inflammation of the middle ear, nasal discharge or tonsillitis. Echinacea tablets, powder or liquid extract indicated. For specific infection such as measles, see under MEASLES, or other appropriate entry.

Skin. Reject cow’s in favour of goat’s milk. See appropriate entry for each skin disease (ECZEMA, etc). Care of skin after bathing: St John’s Wort oil, Evening Primrose oil. ... children

(Rogerian therapy) a method of psychotherapy in which the therapist refrains from directing clients in what they should do and instead concentrates on communicating understanding and acceptance. Frequently the therapist reflects the clients’ own words or feelings back to them. The aim is to enable clients to solve their own problems.... client-centred therapy

(HSCIC) formerly, an executive nondepartmental public body set up in April 2013 to collect, analyse, and publish UK national health data and supply IT systems and services to health-care providers nationwide. It was rebranded as *NHS Digital in August 2016.... health and social care information centre

a medical centre offering free and fast access to health-care advice and treatment. The first centres were opened in 2000. They provide advice and treatment for minor injuries and illnesses as well as guidance on how to use NHS services. Currently, the NHS offers a mix of walk-in centres, urgent care centres, minor injury units, and urgent treatment centres, all with different levels of service. By the end of 2019, these will all be called urgent treatment centres.... nhs walk-in centre

an approach to health care that focuses on the needs of the individual care user, rather than providing a standardized response to their condition. The patient is encouraged to take an active role in discussing a health-care plan that reflects their own needs, circumstances, and values.... person-centred care

see NHS walk-in centre.... urgent treatment centre

any of the collections of nerve cells in the brain that act as governing centres for different vital body functions – such as breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, temperature control etc. – making reflex adjustments according to the body’s needs. Most lie in the hypothalamus and brainstem.... vital centre