My daughter has recently turned seven - does this mean she needs to eat more than she used to?

Children of this age need lots of energy and nutrients because they're still growing. The amount of energy that food and drink contains is measured in calories.

A report from 1991 estimated the average amounts of energy that young people of different ages need. It found that the average amount of energy that children aged 7-10 need is:

€¢ 1970 calories a day for boys

€¢ 1740 calories a day for girls

However, this is only a guide. Children may need more or less than these estimates depending on a number of things, including how physically active they are.

It's also not just how many calories your child needs that matters. They should also be eating a healthy balanced diet. This should include:

€¢ at least five portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables every day

€¢ meals based on starchy foods, such as potatoes, bread, pasta and rice (choosing wholegrain varieties when possible)

€¢ some milk and dairy products - choose low-fat options where you can

€¢ some foods that are good sources of protein, such as meat, fish, eggs, beans and lentils

Make sure that your child doesn't eat too many sugary or fatty foods, such as sweets, cakes and biscuits. They also shouldn't have too many sugary fizzy drinks. These foods and drinks tend to be high in calories but contain few nutrients.

Every spring I get really bad hayfever. The symptoms seems to have worsened in the last few years and I am dreading the next few weeks when it will return. Are there any long-term treatment options available to me?

Many people find that their symptoms of hayfever improve as they get older. Around half of people report some improvement in symptoms after several years. In around 10%-20% of people symptoms go away completely.

There is currently no cure for hay fever but most people are able to relieve symptoms with treatment, at least to a certain extent.

In an ideal world, the most effective way to control hay fever would be to avoid exposure to pollen. However, it's very difficult to avoid pollen, particularly during the summer months when you want to spend more time outdoors.

Treatment options for hay fever include antihistamines, which can help prevent an allergic reaction from happening and corticosteroids (steroids), which help reduce levels of inflammation and swelling.

Many cases of hay fever can be controlled using over-the-counter medication available from your pharmacist. But if your symptoms are more troublesome it's worth speaking to your GP as you may require prescription medication.

For persistent and severe hay fever there is also a type of treatment called immunotherapy where you are exposed to small amounts of pollen over time to build up a resistance to its allergic effects. However, this can take many months or even years to be effective.

What is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is the name given to a group of eye conditions that affect vision.

Research suggests that a form of glaucoma affects about two out of every 100 people in the UK who are over 40. Because the risk of glaucoma increases as you get older, it's important to have your eyes tested regularly.

Glaucoma often affects both eyes, usually in varying degrees. One eye may develop glaucoma quicker than the other.

If glaucoma is left untreated it can cause blindness. However, if it's diagnosed and treated early enough, further damage to your vision can be prevented.

There are four main types of glaucoma:

€¢ open angle glaucoma (chronic glaucoma),

€¢ acute angle closure glaucoma (acute glaucoma),

€¢ secondary glaucoma, and

€¢ developmental glaucoma (congenital glaucoma).