Customer loyalty schemes are designed to encourage repeat business and enhance customer retention. Here are some effective tips for creating and maintaining successful customer loyalty schemes.

 

1. Understand Your Customers
– Customer Segmentation: Identify different segments of your customer base and tailor rewards to suit their preferences and behaviors.
– Feedback and Surveys: Regularly gather feedback to understand what customers value the most.

### 2.Offer Valuable Rewards
– Tangible Benefits: Provide rewards that customers find valuable, such as discounts, free products, or exclusive access to new products.
– Experiential Rewards:  Consider offering unique experiences, such as special events or VIP treatment.

### 3. Make It Easy to Participate
– Simple Enrollment: Ensure the enrollment process is quick and easy.
– Clear Program Structure: Make the rules and benefits of the loyalty program straightforward and transparent.

### 4. Personalize the Experience
– Tailored Offers:  Use customer data to personalize offers and communications.
– Relevant Rewards:  Provide rewards that are relevant to the customer’s past purchases and preferences.

### 5. Engage Regularly
– Consistent Communication: Keep customers informed about their rewards status and new opportunities to earn points.
– Omni-Channel Engagement: Use multiple channels (email, SMS, social media) to keep in touch.

### 6. Gamify the Experience
– Point Systems:  Implement a point system where customers earn points for purchases, referrals, or social media engagement.
– Tiered Programs: Create tiers (e.g., bronze, silver, gold) to motivate customers to reach higher levels for better rewards.

### 7. Incentivize Referrals
– Referral Bonuses: Offer rewards for referring new customers.
– Social Sharing:  Encourage customers to share their experiences on social media.

8. Monitor and Adjust
– Data Analytics:  Use data analytics to track the program’s effectiveness and identify areas for improvement.
– Adjust Accordingly:  Be willing to adjust the program based on customer feedback and performance metrics.

 

9. Promote Your Loyalty Program
– Visibility:  Ensure the loyalty program is prominently featured on your website, in your store, and in your marketing materials.
– Employee Training: Train employees to promote and explain the benefits of the loyalty program to customers.

10. Stay Compliant-

Privacy Laws: Ensure the program complies with data protection regulations and respects customer privacy.
– Transparency: Be transparent about how customer data will be used and protected.

Implementing these tips can help you create a customer loyalty scheme that not only retains customers but also turns them into advocates for your brand.

During your period, certain foods can exacerbate symptoms like bloating, cramps, and mood swings. Here are some foods you might want to avoid:

1. Caffeine: Can increase anxiety, irritability, and breast tenderness. It may also contribute to dehydration and worsen cramps.

2. Salty Foods: Can cause water retention and bloating. Try to reduce your intake of processed and packaged foods, which often contain high levels of sodium.

3. Sugary Foods: Can cause a spike in blood sugar levels, leading to mood swings and energy crashes. This includes candies, sugary drinks, and baked goods.

4. Fatty Foods: Can increase estrogen levels, which can lead to more severe cramps. Avoid fatty cuts of meat, full-fat dairy products, and fried foods.

5. Alcohol: Can dehydrate you, which might worsen headaches and bloating. It can also interfere with sleep and mood.

6. Spicy Foods: Can irritate your stomach and cause digestive issues, which might be uncomfortable during your period.

7. Refined Grains: White bread, pasta, and other refined grains can cause inflammation and may lead to blood sugar spikes.

Instead, consider eating foods rich in complex carbohydrates, fiber, lean protein, and healthy fats. Drinking plenty of water and staying hydrated can also help manage symptoms.

Taking medication with cold water can have several potential downsides, although it’s generally safe for most people. Here are some potential concerns:

1. Reduced Dissolution Rate: Cold water can slow down the dissolution of certain medications, making them less effective. Medications need to dissolve in the stomach before they can be absorbed into the bloodstream, and cold water can delay this process.

2. Digestive Discomfort: Cold water might cause discomfort or even shock to the digestive system, especially in people with sensitive stomachs. This can potentially lead to nausea or stomach cramps.

3. Interaction with Specific Medications: Some medications have specific instructions about the temperature of the water to be used for ingestion. For example, certain antibiotics and pain relievers might be better absorbed at higher temperatures.

4. Constriction of Blood Vessels: Drinking very cold water can cause blood vessels in the stomach to constrict, which might reduce the absorption rate of the medication.

5. Throat Irritation: For people with throat irritation or conditions like esophagitis, cold water can exacerbate discomfort and make swallowing medication more difficult.

While these issues might not affect everyone, it’s generally recommended to follow the specific instructions provided with your medication or consult a healthcare provider for advice on the best way to take your medicine. Typically, room temperature water is considered the safest option for taking medications unless otherwise directed.

1. Rinse with warm salt water to reduce swelling and ease pain.

2. Use a cold compress or ice pack to numb the pain.

3. Take over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen.

4. Try a topical pain reliever like Orajel or Anbesol.

5. Avoid eating or drinking things that can exacerbate the pain.

6. Practice good oral hygiene, like brushing and flossing.

7. Try a desensitizing toothpaste if the ache is caused by sensitivity.

8. See a dentist as soon as possible to treat the underlying cause.

Remember, these tips are only temporary solutions to manage the pain. A toothache is a sign of a larger issue, so it’s essential to consult a dentist for proper diagnosis and treatment.

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Below are seven skin care tips that dermatologists recommend to all  patients—and actually use themselves.

However first, take some time to identify and understand your skin type:

• Sensitive skin may sting or burn after product use
• Normal skin is clear and not sensitive
• Dry skin is flaky, itchy or rough
• Oily skin is shiny and greasy
• Combination skin is dry in some areas and oily in others

Understanding your skin type will help you learn how to take care of your skin and select skin care products that are right for you.

To maintain healthy skin, dermatologists recommend the following tips:

1. Wear sunscreen daily. Sunscreen is one of the single most important things you can do for your skin. When applied correctly, sunscreen protects your skin against the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays, which cause sunburn, skin cancer, and premature skin aging, like wrinkles and age spots. For the best protection, apply a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher to all skin not covered by clothing, and reapply every two hours or after swimming or sweating. To save time in your skin care routine, you can consider using a moisturizer that also contains sunscreen. However, while cosmetics that contain sunscreen are convenient, remember to reapply them in order to achieve the best sun protection. Keep in mind that since no sunscreen can block 100% of the sun’s UV rays, it’s also important to seek shade and wear sun-protective clothing when outdoors, including a ligthweight long-sleeved shirt, pants, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses with UV protection, when possible. For more effective sun protection select clothing with an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) label.
2. Stay out of tanning beds. Just like the sun, tanning beds emit harmful UV radiation that causes skin cancer. In fact, even one indoor tanning session can increase your risk of developing melanoma by 20%, squamous cell carcinoma by 67% and basal cell carcinoma by 29%. If you want that golden glow, achieve it with self-tanning products instead. When applied correctly, self-tanners look natural and won’t give you orange skin, streaks or splotches.
3. Simplify your skin care routine. Less is more when it comes to skin care. Using too many products, especially multiple anti-aging products, can irritate your skin. Instead, focus on the basics, such as a gentle cleanser, sunscreen, and moisturizer. Establish morning and nighttime skin care routines that work well for your skin, and stick with them.
4. Choose skin care products formulated for your skin type. Understanding your skin type will help you learn how to take care of your skin and select skin care products that are right for you. As mentioned above, here’s how to identify and understand your skin type:
   • • Sensitive skin: May sting or burn after product use
   • • Normal skin: Clear and not sensitive
   • • Dry skin: Flaky, itchy or rough
   • • Combination skin: Dry in some areas and oily in others
   • Oily: Shiny and greasy

    

5. Treat your lips. Since skin cancer can form on the lips, apply a lip balm or lipstick that contains sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher before going outdoors. If your lips feel chapped or dry, apply petroleum jelly for added moisture.
6. Keep your hands off your face. Whenever you touch your face, you transfer dirt, germs, and oil from your hands to your face. Do your best to leave your skin alone throughout the day. Avoid picking, popping or squeezing pimples, as this can cause scarring.
7. Check your skin regularly. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the U.S., affecting one in five Americans in their lifetime. Further, nearly 20 Americans die from melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, every day. However, when detected early, skin cancer—including melanoma—is highly treatable. In fact, the five-year survival rate for people whose melanoma is detected and treated before it spreads to the lymph nodes is 98%. It is important to check your skin regularly for new spots, spots that are different from other spots on your body, or moles that itch, bleed or change color, as these are often early warning signs of skin cancer. If you notice any suspicious spots, make an appointment to see a board-certified dermatologist.

The skin is your body’s largest organ, so it’s important to take good care of it. If you have questions about your skin type or how to take care of your skin, talk to a dermatologist.

Reference: https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-basics/care/skin-care-tips-dermatologists-use

We talk in general terms about headaches, what they are, and how to deal with them here, but headaches in small babies and small children deserve special attention. In this article, we will look at the symptoms and causes of headaches in children before the hormonal changes that come with puberty – from birth to about 10 or 11 years old.

What is a headache?

People – adults, children, and babies – have a headache when we feel pain or discomfort in our heads and/or around our faces. Because there are no pain nerves in the brain, it is not the brain that hurts, but rather we experience pain in the nerves and blood vessels in the jaw, neck, or head muscles. Babies and children can experience headache pain on one part of the head, they can be once off or more frequent.¹ About 20% of school-age children and teens get frequent headaches. Mostly, these are tension headaches, but some children do struggle with migraines which can get worse when they become teenagers² and which we will discuss in more detail in another article.

Doctors don’t entirely understand what causes headache pain, but they do recognize a range of different types of headache pain – up to 150.³

That sounds more terrifying than it is because, in most cases, what the doctors call primary headaches, are often nothing to worry about. Children, like adults, develop these headaches if they’re stressed, tired, or hungry. Usually, they go away – without medication. Headaches that are associated with an illness and/or conditions like influenza, hay fever, or injuries are known as secondary headaches and may require treatment (see below, when should I take my child to the doctor for a headache?).

There are four types of primary headache: tension headache, which we’ve already mentioned, migraines, chronic headaches, and cluster headaches. The latter two are not common in small children, and cluster headaches hardly ever occur in children under 10 years old.

How do I know if my little one has a headache?

Small children who can already speak will say something like, “Mamma, my head hurts!” or hold their heads and say, “Sore!” However, before they talk, babies use other signs to tell you their heads hurt. For example, they may cover their eyes or put their hands up, over their ears. Similarly, and like when they have a temperature, they may be sleepy and less active than usual and/or not interested in feeding.

Older children with headaches may not say they have a sore head, but be quieter than usual. So when you notice that your child is out of sorts, perhaps checking whether his/her head hurts is an excellent place to start.

Paediatric Migraines

Children can get migraines: in boys, they can start as early as 7 years old, and at around 10 for girls. Usually, there’s a family history of migraines, often with similar triggers. Children who have the gene for migraines may develop migraines when they get older.⁴ The typical symptoms of migraine in children, similar to adults, include:⁵

• Throbbing pain in the head
• Nausea and vomiting
• Sensitivity to bright light and noise
• Aura, or seeing bright or flashing lights⁶
• Paler skin than usual

How to help your child when she has a migraine

In addition to any prescribed migraine medication, encourage your child to quietly relax and rest in her room with the curtains closed and with a cold or warm cloth on her forehead. You could also help her to focus on her breathing with deep, calm breaths.

Children, stress, and tension headaches

We often forget that children, as we do, get stressed. Emotional conflict, as well as lack of sleep, hunger, and thirst, can all cause headaches. Again, some of the symptoms are the same as tension headaches in adults.

Stress and mental or emotional conflict can cause tension headaches that creep up on anyone – including children. Bullying at school or fighting with friends or even brothers and sisters could easily cause a tension headache. While every child may experience symptoms differently, here are some questions based on the most typical symptoms of a tension headache, and which you can ask your child:

• Is your head sore on one side or both?
• Are you uptight and clenching your jaw a lot?
• Does it feel like you have something tight wrapped around your head?
• Where else does it hurt? The back of your head, the neck?
• How bad is the pain?

The pain with tension headaches is usually mild rather than severe.

In addition to these questions, you might also think about the following possible changes or events that be one of the causes of your child’s headache:

• How has s/he been sleeping? Not getting enough, having bad dreams?
• Is s/he drinking enough liquids? Could s/he be dehydrated?
• Is s/he eating properly and not skipping meals?

Symptoms, like nausea and vomiting that are typical of migraine headaches, are not associated with tension headaches.

How to relieve your child’s tension headache

In addition to medication, or before resorting to medication, which we discuss below, help your child to relax by getting him/her to lie down with the head on a pillow (slightly raised). Sometimes a cold or warm cloth on the forehead helps as does a warm bath or shower.⁷

When should I take my child to the doctor for a headache?

Mothers have good instincts about their children and will know when to consult a medical practitioner about their child’s headaches. The most obvious is if the child often has headaches – for no reasons that you or she can identify. Also, if the headache doesn’t go away, comes back, and/or gets worse, take your child to the doctor.

Also, take your child to the hospital, if your child has a headache and if she:

• Has a temperature/fever
• Has a stiff neck
• Has pain in the back of the head
• Has difficulty seeing, or cannot see
• Is vomiting
• Has any weakness in her muscles
• Has any symptoms that wake them up in the middle of the night

In the case of secondary headaches, that comes with a cold or flu, mum tends to know best. However, if your child has any head or neck trauma, whether it’s a nasty scratch, cut, bump or bruise, it’s a good idea to take your child to the emergency room. This way if there is brain damage or some other problem, it is quickly dealt with.⁸

 

What medicines are used for children’s headaches?

As we have already noted, children’s headaches don’t always need to be treated. However, if your child is very uncomfortable, there are over-the-counter pain killers like Emzor 500mg (paracetamol) and ibuprofen that you can use. Before you give your child medicine, do remember that the dosages for children are based on their age and weight, so it’s best to do so under medical supervision.

If your child has been diagnosed with migraine, it’s possible that your pediatrician will prescribe one of the following medications:⁹

• Rizatriptan (Maxalt), for children between 6 and 17
• Propranolol – unless your child has asthma, diabetes, or depression.
• Topiramate, which is an anti-seizure drug that is as effective as propranolol
• Amitriptyline, which is an antidepressant often taken at bedtime, can help to prevent migraine and tension headaches

Disclaimer: For the above-listed non-over-the-counter medications require diagnosis and a prescription from your medical practitioner.

 

Disclaimer: The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health.

Sources:

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1. Seladi-Schulman, J. 2021 Having Constant Headaches? What You Need to Know. Healthline. [Online] Available from <https://www.healthline.com/health/constant-headache#causes> 21/07/2022
2. Cleveland Clinic medical professionals. Headaches in Children [Online] Available from <https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4225-headaches-in-children> 22/07/2022
3. Headache Basics. WebMD [Online] Available from  <https://www.webmd.com/migraines-headaches/migraines-headaches-basics> 21/07/2022
4. Headaches in Children. Johns Hopkins Medicine [Online] Available from <https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/headache/headaches-in-children#> 21/07/2022
5. Chee, P 2021. Headache.  Child Neurology Foundation [Online] Available from <https://www.childneurologyfoundation.org/disorder/headache/> 21/07/2022
6. Davis, P D. 2021 Definition of Aura RxList  [Online] Available from <https://www.rxlist.com/aura/definition.htm> 21/07/2022
7. Khatri, M (reviewer) 2021.  What Should I Do for My Child’s Headaches? Home Treatments. WebMD [Online] Available from <https://www.webmd.com/migraines-headaches/guide/your-childs-headache> 21/07/2022
8. Saling, J., 2020. Head Injury. WebMD [Online] Available from <https://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/guide/head-injuries-causes-and-treatments>
9. Marchin, A., 2022 Pediatric Headaches: Know Which Symptoms Are Red Flags Healthline [Online] Available from <https://www.healthline.com/health/pediatric-headache-red-flags> 21/07/2022

The world looks sunny after a great night’s rest. But it’s a different story when sleep is frequently interrupted. A lack of Zs makes it harder to think and easier to become irritated and anxious. In the long term, inadequate sleep increases your risk for obesity, high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and even premature death. That makes it important to figure out what’s interrupting your sleep.

Read more “Top 4 reasons why you’re not sleeping through the night”

Condom size matters—maybe more than you realize.

A poorly fitted condom can cause performance issues, such as condom-associated erectile problems and an inability to ejaculate, which might lead to condom anxiety. It can also raise your risk for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unplanned pregnancy (Beksinska, 2020; Wainipitapong, 2021).

Given these risks, it may surprise you to learn that nearly half of men aged 18 to 67 say they had used a badly fitting condom during the previous three months (Crosby, 2010).

If you fall into that group, or if you just want to learn a bit more about condom sizing, here’s how to measure yourself for a perfect condom fit, how to know what size condom to buy, and other details on how condom sizes work and how to have safer sex.

As with clothing, condom sizes can vary from one manufacturer to the next. One maker’s “standard condom”, “snug fit” or “extra-large size” may not be the same as another’s. The days of condoms coming in just two sizes—regular condoms and XXL or “magnums”—are long gone.

However, most of the big condom brands now provide condom length and condom width information for their products. If you know your own measurements, you should be able to shop confidently for the best condoms for you despite all the different sizes now available (Cecil, 2017).

To identify what size condom you need, you’ll need to measure the length and the width of your penis with a tape measure or ruler and a piece of string. Once you know these two measurements, you can check different brands in the store or online and choose a condom that most closely matches your erect penis size.

You should have a full erection while measuring. Also, be honest with yourself when it comes to your measurements. Some research has found that when men self-measure their erections, they may exaggerate their figures (King, 2019).

Measure penis length

While fully erect, measure how long your penis is from its base to its tip. Do this with the ruler or measuring tape running along the top of your penis, not on the side or underneath.

You’ll want to gently push the ruler or tape measure into your lower abdomen so that it touches your pubic bone. That’s the bone you can feel with your fingers if you press in at the base of your penis (Veale, 2014).

Measure penis width

Using a piece of string, wrap it around the thickest part of your erect penis. This could be the base or the middle. Be sure you’re not squeezing your penis with the string, which could lead to a bad measurement. Mark down the size. This is the girth of your penis, also known as its circumference (Veale, 2014).

To get your width—aka, the diameter of your penis—divide your girth measurement by 3.14. This is sometimes noted on the condom’s packaging as the “nominal width,” which means the width of the condom when it is rolled.

There is no true average or “standard size” when it comes to today’s condom sizes, but you (as well as condom manufacturers) may still be wondering about average penis sizes.

Different studies have come up with slightly different figures. But a 2015 research review found that the average erect penis size is 5.17 inches long (13.12 cm). And the average erect penis circumference (aka “girth”) is 4.59 inches (9.31 cm) (Veale, 2014). (if you’re wondering what qualifies as a “micropenis,” some researchers have defined it as anything less than 3.3 inches—and, yes, there are condoms on the market available if these are your measurements)

Of course, condom manufacturers are well aware of these statistics and design most standard condoms to fit these averages. Looking at size recs from one popular condom manufacturer, the “standard” condom size will be right for you if your penis is between 5 and 7 inches long, with a girth of 4-5 inches. If you’re bigger than 7 inches, this condom manufacturer recommends their “large/XL” product (Trojan, n.d.).

The bottom line here is that it’s important to find condoms that fit you properly—particularly if you’ve had condoms break, or if what you’re using seems too small. Fortunately, these days you have options. But remember, every brand is different, and your condom size may be different when using different brands. If you want the right fit, you really need to measure yourself and check it against the manufacturer’s specs. You may even want to buy several types of condoms to compare how well they fit.

A condom’s size can affect how well it works. You want a snug fit, like a “second skin”. But if the condom is too small, it may be more likely to break. If it’s too large, this can lead to slippage. Both condom breaks and slippage can raise your risk for a sexually transmitted infection and unwanted pregnancy (Cecil, 2010).

Other research has found that roughly 1 in 5 men has experienced erection issues while trying to have sex using a condom. If they’re too small, condoms can mess with your ability to get or keep an erection because they can cut off circulation and make it difficult for blood to enter the penis. When a condom is too large, it can interfere with stimulation, making it more difficult to get and stay hard (Sanders, 2015).

In summary: once you’ve measured the length and width of your penis, you can select a properly sized condom. Condom size descriptions can vary from brand to brand, so you may want to buy several types to compare how well they fit and find one that is comfortable and offers full protection. You can make it fun! Practice putting the condom on by yourself without a partner. Masturbating with a condom on and exploring ways you can feel pleasure while wearing it not only helps you find the best fitting condom—it can also help get rid of any negative associations with condoms.