When to be concerned about bedwetting

Bedwetting (the medical term is enuresis) is considered a natural part of child development, and children usually grow out of it by the time they are seven years of age. It’s very common (about 13 per cent of six-year-olds wet the bed, while about five per cent of 10-year-olds do) and often runs in families.

“While it can be embarrassing for the child, it’s important to remember that bedwetting is usually not a sign of any deeper medical or emotional issues,” explains Dr. Nick Logarakis, a urologist at The Scarborough Hospital who specializes in children and young adults. “It usually goes away on its own, but it’s important for parents to provide support and positive reinforcement, reassuring your child that it’s a normal part of growing up.”

Dr. Logarakis advises parents to remind their child to go to the bathroom one final time before bedtime, and to restrict fluid intake in the evenings. However, bedwetting that begins abruptly or is accompanied by other symptoms may be a sign of an underlying medical condition, such as a urinary tract infection, constipation, bladder problems, diabetes or severe stress.

Call the doctor if your child:

1.    suddenly starts wetting the bed after being consistently dry for at least 6 months
2.    begins to wet his or her pants during the day
3.    starts misbehaving at school or at home
4.    complains of a burning sensation or pain when urinating
5.    has to urinate frequently
6.    is drinking or eating much more than usual
7.    has swelling of the feet or ankles
8.    is still wetting the bed at seven years of age

Give the gift of life

Talking about organ donation can be a difficult but necessary discussion to have with your loved ones. If one person consents to organ and tissue donation, their donation can save up to eight lives and enhance 75 additional lives. Speaking to your loved ones about organ donation can positively impact the lives of others in the future.

At this time, there are around 1,500 people on the wait list for a vital organ. If you are 16 years of age or older and living in Ontario, you can register to donate your organs and/or tissues upon your death. The oldest tissue donor was 102 years old and the oldest organ donor was 90 years old.

Making the choice to donate your organs can shock or frighten your family members, but it can also provide relief and comfort during a tragic situation. Half of Canadians are unaware whether or not their loved ones wanted their tissues and organs donated.

This week (April 17 to 24) is Organ Donor Awareness Week, and Shahista Walli, Trillium Gift of Life Coordinator at The Scarborough Hospital, explains what you should discuss with your family:

1. Research organ donation and see if it’s right for you. If you do have any questions about the organ donation process, speak to your family doctor.
2. Find a comfortable location where you and your family can discuss sensitive issues. Make the conversation as natural as possible and be open to the initial emotions your family members may feel.
3. Explain the organ donation process to your family. Organ donation does not interfere with your funeral arrangements—it’s a completely confidential act that no one will know about.
4. Think about which person in your life would be called to make the final decision to donate your organs. Discuss your wishes with them and help them to understand why you have made this decision.
5. Your choice to donate your organs may have inspired others to do the same. Provide your family members with the information you have learned on your journey to this decision.

Find out more about organ and tissue donation, and download a Gift of Life consent form, from the Trillium Gift of Life website.

Protect your eyes from UV damage

Dr. Ying Lu inspects a pair of sunglasses

The snowy days may be behind us, but we still need to cover up to protect against ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun. Before heading out into the sunshine, consider the harmful effects of UV rays on our sight.

When the sky is overcast, you still need sun protection. Overexposure to the sun can cause cataracts, a form of eye damage in which a loss of transparency in the lens of the eye clouds vision.

Other types of eye damage include photokeratitis (reversible sunburn of the cornea), pterygium (tissue growth that blocks vision), skin cancer on the eye lids and around the eyes, and macular degeneration.

Dr. Ying Lu, an ophthalmologist with the Eye Centre at The Scarborough Hospital, offers the following ways to help you protect your eyes from sun damage this summer:

1. Sunglasses provide the best sources of UV protection. Choose sunglasses that are at least 95 per cent UV protection. Dr. Lu says you don’t have to spend a lot of money on expensive sunglasses; just be aware of the UV protection rating.
2. Choose a lens tint that blocks at least 80 per cent of transmissible light, but no more than 90 to 92 per cent. Lens tint does not protect you from UV rays, and can affect your ability to see correctly.
3. The sun can damage the skin around your eyes in as little as 15 minutes. Wearing sunscreen or cosmetics with a sun protection factor (SPF) can help to protect you from sun damage. Sunscreen has absorbing and reflective chemicals that react to sunlight. Use sunscreen with minimum SPF 15 and reapply every two hours. If your sunscreen does not have an expiry date, do not use it after three years from the purchase date.
4. Wear a wide-brimmed hat, which can block half the UV rays that hit the eyes from above.
5. Pay attention to weather forecasts. If a heat warning is in effect, try to stay in the shade, carry an umbrella or avoid exposure to the sun.

Lose weight without dieting

Spring is here —and so is the time to lose those winter pounds. However, busy schedules and celebrity trends may prompt us to resort to unhealthy diets when trying to lose weight.

Diets are often temporary—they promise a quick fix and cause weight gain the moment you stop dieting. About 85 per cent of people lose weight on diets, but only 15 per cent will keep the weight off in the next two years.

The real key to losing weight is to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Lori Irvine, Organization and Employee Development Coordinator at The Scarborough Hospital and a Fitness Instructor Specialist, shares some tips to increase our overall well-being and shed excess pounds.

1. Know yourself, know your battle. Before you decide to lose weight, consult your doctor to determine your healthy body weight.
2. Understand your perception of yourself. Appreciate your body so that you can set a realistic goal for your weight loss.
3. Drink plenty of water every day. Drinking several glasses of water a day maintains a healthy metabolism and proper kidney function.
4. Pay attention to the size of your portions at every meal.
5. Have a big breakfast instead of a big dinner. A large breakfast gives you the calories (or energy) you need to get through the day.
6. Create a realistic fitness routine. The newly revised Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines state children need at least 60 minutes of physical activity per day and adults, 150 minutes per week.
7. Reduce your stress level. Go to the gym, take deep breaths, try yoga, visit a spa, treat yourself to a massage, go for a walk, or talk about stressful issues with loved ones or a therapist.