World of Health

Recent research has suggested that babies who are born later are more likely to develop health problems. The recent study suggested that babies who are born after 42 weeks of pregnancy are more likely to suffer problems such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) earlier in life. Generally medical practitioners tend to induce a birth if the mother has been pregnant for 42 weeks, however some pregnancies do continue to 43 weeks in rare cases.

It is important the women understand the risks of having a pregnancy of this length and recent scientific studies which have been done in Holland have suggested that too many women are choosing not to induce birth when it is really something that is necessary to preserve the health of their child.

A strong correlation was seen in a study of 5000 babies who were born late between their late birth and the development of behavioural problems. The study suggests the babies which are born after 42 weeks are twice as likely to develop ADHD.

The lead researcher on the study has suggested that more information is provided to women so they are aware of the risks to their child of not inducing birth. Health guidelines in the UK state that it is normal for women to be induced into giving birth around the 41st week of pregnancy. They have a choice about whether they want to do this, but health guidelines state that they must be informed of the various risks about not inducing.

Some women do not like the idea of induced birth and believe that the baby should be born naturally when it is ready. There are occasional cases where mothers remain pregnant for 10 months. This is definitely unusual and there is a clear correlation between birth complications and waiting this long.

Scientists have recently announced in the Cancer Research journal that it is possible a genetic test is going to be available in the future which will help indicate how likely people are to get cancer. By seeing which patients are high risk, doctors will be able to test them more often and hopefully catch the disease earlier, when it is more treatable.

The research that has just been published shows how it might be possible to look at how our genes are being altered by hormones, as well as environmental factors like alcohol. Breast cancer is a type of the disease which is thought to have something which scientist refer to as a genetic switch. This is something that can either be in the on or off position, and for women unfortunate enough to have it in the on position, it can double their chance of getting breast cancer.

Scientists are looking at how this process takes place and they believe that by understanding it better they are going to have a better chance of preventing cancer from developing in the first place. This sort of prevention will give people a greatly increased chance of survival in the long-term.

The scientists working on the study have been based at Imperial College London and they were analysing blood samples that were collected from nearly 1400 women. They found that in the blood samples which had molecular modification on a certain gene that the women were much more likely to develop breast cancer.

It is possible to test for this molecular modification and so it will be easier to identify women who are more prone to get breast cancer. The scientists are not yet sure why there is a cancer risk associated with this gene, but they are certain about its correlation with the disease.

We are constantly hearing reports in the media about the state of the NHS, and it is now a reality that treatment can very much be a postcode lottery. The NHS does its best with the resources available to it, but for those who want the best care possible, and not have to wait several months for treatment, it is very much the poor relation to private health care.

This, at one time, considered only to be for the well off in society, thankfully, thanks to the like of Medical Sure UK, this is no longer the case. It is no big secret that the best doctors practice within the private sector, and this is particularly prevalent in surgery. Your health is something that you should never leave to chance, and there has never been a better time for the ordinary man on the street to consider taking out private medical insurance.

When you are covered by a private medical insurance policy, you can relax in the knowledge that should the worst scenario become a reality and you, or one of your loved ones, needs medical  care, you will be seen in a peaceful and tranquil environment and treated by the best medical staff there is available. Those who think this kind of care is way out of their budget clearly hasn’t checked out the Medical Sure UK website.

You will be very pleasantly surprised if you go here and get a quote, and the fact that they are one of the top providers of private medical insurance in the country makes their quotes even more appealing. Whether you are looking for a sole policy, or as a couple, a family, and even for the employees of your business, there will be a plan to suit your needs at a price that certainly won’t break the bank.

Medical Sure is effectively a price comparison site, so it saves you the time of trawling through the numerous medical insurance websites and filling in endless online forms to get quotes. One quick form is all it takes to get quotes for the policy you need, meaning you have all the results within a couple of minutes that it would otherwise have taken you hours to obtain.

All of the top companies in the field of medical insurance are included in the searches on the Medical Sure UK website; Direct Line, Sun Life Direct, Aviva, More Than are just a few that will offer you competitive quotes. As they are all in front of you on one page you can make an informed decision quickly then simply follow the link to the appropriate website to purchase your policy.

There is nothing more valuable than your health, and gambling on the fact that you live in the right area to get a decent level of care is a fool’s game. You owe it to yourself to make sure in advance that if needed you will have access to the best treatment option, the latest procedures and be seen that much quicker. If you value your health, head to the Medical Sure UK website, it could well be the best few minutes you have ever spent online.

Article for Medical Sure UK

Over recent years, we have witnessed many discoveries and breakthroughs in the world of medical science. One of the areas that has made the greatest strides forward has been in corrective eye surgery, often referred to as laser eye surgery. The whole concept of correcting our vision with the zap of a laser would at one time have seemed like science fiction, but millions of people a year are now undergoing this procedure.

Losing our sight is just about the most debilitating thing we can suffer from, as apart from not being able to see, there is the psychological effects to consider too. The utter frustration of not being able to find your way around your own home, or pop down to the shops for example, have huge consequences on the way that we live our every day lives, and the chance to have short sightedness repaired and/or improved is life changing.

The procedures are becoming quicker, cheaper and more accessible to the masses all the time and due to the technological enhancements is viewed as the most risk free of surgical procedures. These latest techniques can not only improve the vision of those who are long or short sighted, or suffer from astigmatism, but can now also restore the vision of those who have suffered trauma and injury to their eyes.

In the days prior to corrective eye surgery, ophthalmologists altered the focus of an image before it could enter the complex mechanisms that make up the eye by prescribing glasses and contact lenses. With the modern surgery of today, it is the eye itself that is altered, thus eliminating the need for visual aids. Sportsmen in particular have benefited from this as many sports are impossible to play with either glasses or contact lenses.

Until only a few years ago, this kind of corrective surgery was really only available to those who had a hefty bank balance to cover the cost. As, inevitably, technology gets cheaper the more it is implemented, the price of this surgery is much more affordable, and with many speciality clinics offering tempting finance packages, more than ever are having this surgery done on their eyes and throwing away their glasses.

You no longer have to travel hundreds of miles to have these procedures done either, as clinics have sprung up across the nation offering this service. All of these clinics are staffed by fully trained professionals who have been trained in this speciality niche of eye care. This ready availability has changed many peoples perceptions of corrective eye surgery, and has opened up a whole new world of ophthalmic medicine.

The ability of these doctors to improve, renew and restore the sight of so many is improving their quality of life beyond measure. Driving, cooking, taking the dog for walks, playing with kids, these are the kind of everyday tasks that having good eyesight make so much easier. No more glasses steaming up when out in the rain or opening the cooker door, who knows where this fascinating field will take us next.

 Article for Ultralase

Innovations are always being created in order to help people who are suffering from dementia. Some of the latest innovations include wrist alarms and special scented sprays which can trigger appetite.

The scent innovation is a device that can be plugged into a wall and it will trigger hunger in the person with dementia. This will encourage them to eat three times a day and not forget to consume food. The second innovation is a wristband that will alert an emergency centre if the person falls down.

There has also been talk about training special dogs which could help people suffering from dementia. It is thought that these dogs might be able to help people remember to keep hydrated and takes their medication.

These different prototype designs were recently revealed to the Department of Health after they ran a competition to develop such innovations. The government has stated that they want to focus on creating innovations that are going to make life easier for people suffering from dementia.

The Minister for care services is Paul Burstow and he has commented, “Dementia is something that leaves people trapped and they can feel unsupported and isolated. Therefore we have been working with people in order to develop these innovations which are going to make their lives more comfortable and easier to manage. We have selected five winning designs and we think that they have extraordinary potential to bring a great deal of comfort to people with dementia, as well as their families.”

It is estimated that just under 700,000 people in the UK suffer from dementia and this figure is something that is growing annually. The Alzheimer’s Society has commented, “It is great to see that new innovation is being focused towards helping people with this terrible disease.

A recent study that has been conducted in Denmark has shown that vitamin supplements could be as effective at reducing high blood pressure as some medicines currently being prescribed by doctors. The vitamin that study suggests could lower blood pressure is vitamin D. The study has shown that over 100 patients in the study had significant decreases in their high blood pressure when they were taking the vitamin.

The study is going to be presented to a conference about hypertension that is being held in London. High blood pressure is a serious condition that affects over 15 million people in the UK. It leads to over 60,000 deaths every year, mostly through heart attacks and strokes, related to the condition.

Vitamin D is a vitamin that is primarily created by the skin when it is exposed to sunshine. It is also something that can be consumed through food, but this is a minority contribution. However, for the most part in the UK, people are only generating much vitamin D in the summer months.

The study found that around 90 percent of participants had low levels of the vitamin when the study began and it was shown that when they started taking the supplement their systolic blood pressure reduced. Another group of patients, who were given a placebo drug instead of vitamin D, showed no improvement after the study.

Dr Thomas Larsen was the lead scientist on the study and he commented, “The study shows that many Europeans do have a deficiency of vitamin D, and it is possible that this is related to high blood pressure. We have found that by giving these patients supplements of vitamin D, especially during the winter, this can help treat their blood pressure conditions. Before we can reach a conclusion however, more studies do need to be conducted.”

The UK is now harbouring more obese people than ever before.  Childhood obesity can indicate weight-related problems later in life and adult obesity costing the NHS billions, putting pressure on resources more difficult to secure than in any period in its history.

Avoiding piling in the pounds in the first place is the healthiest way to live.  Piling on the pounds then dieting puts great strain on the heart and other vital organs.  A balanced diet along with plenty of exercise should be encouraged from an early age – which can be difficult as, these days, children are less likely to play out with their friends in favour of more sedentary and solitary activity with game consoles, virtual interaction through social networks and excessive time spent in front of the television.

Commit and start immediately. Talking about it is not the same as doing it. Give away anything from your fridge or store cupboard which is unhealthy and fattening – cheese, cream, chocolate, empty the bread bin of processed white bread and include the bag of sugar in the clear out – just by giving up those few spoons full a day in tea or coffee will make a significant difference, particularly noticeable in the first few weeks weight loss, as sugar offers no nutritional benefit and is just empty calories.

Seek support. Make sure that people close to you know that you are trying to get healthy and that you will want to avoid situations that will expose you to the temptation to indulge in rich, fatty foods or excessive alcohol consumption.  Find some exercise partners amongst your friendship groups – take up walking, start doing some team sports or maybe attend some classes.  As well as your friends and family supporting your new lifestyle, weight loss hypnotherapy can help you identify particular food associations. People have an emotional attachment to food, stemming from our early experiences with eating and we all react differently to food – for example, some people go off food when stressed, some comfort eat and turn to food at the worst times – late at night or even getting up to raid the fridge in the middle of the night.  The Therapy Lounge hypnotherapy clinics in London could be a source of support in changing the way that you think about food and change your approach to healthy eating to start enjoying food in the right quantities and at the right times, and make your diet more of a sustainable lifestyle choice than the binge and diet habits that result in unhealthily, and occasionally dangerously, fluctuating weight.

Plan ahead and have a target that is achievable without crash dieting.  Look to lose something like a pound per week and don’t worry if your weight loss starts out with a dramatic loss, and then slows down – this is normal.  The important thing is to make sure that all food groups are included, that the food you eat is fresh, unprocessed and try to enjoy the planning of meals, the preparation and the taste of healthy, simple food.

Courtesy thetherapylounge.com

A new study suggests that there is a possible treatment for prostate cancer that will cure nine out of ten men without causing any debilitating side effects in those suffering from the disease. The treatment involves heating tumours that have formed in the prostrate with a very targeted ultrasound light allowing men to be treated as outpatients.

This would also avoid an overnight stay for men that need prostate cancer treatment and possibly many of the side effects such as impotence that are common results of current prostate cancer treatment.

The high intensity focused ultrasound, referred to as HIFU for short, and has been found to offer almost a perfect outcome in the patients that it has been tested on with nine out of ten cases still cancer free after 12 months. The same amount of patients felt no side effects as a result of the laser treatment.

Radiotherapy or other traditional surgical methods have only been found to be effective in about half of the cases that they are used on. Experts state that the positive results of the HIFU studies is encouraging and that they may lead to an eventual shift in the way that prostate cancer is treated.

HIFU proponents hope that large scale trials can now begin on the new cancer treatment so that within five years the HIFU alternative could be offered by the NHS. Next week the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence are expected to issue a statement that will reinforce the treatment is effective and safe for patients allowing the larger scale trials to begin.

Recruiting is already underway for the first large scale trial and any patients that are interested in being part of the trial should contact their GP or cancer doctor according to HIFU experts.

Mice which were previously blind have had their sight restored by British scientists working on a technology which puts photo receptors in the eyes of the mice. This is a big step forward in developing a new treatment that is going to be able to allow patients with degenerative eye diseases to recover their sight.

The research is being done by scientists at University College London where cells have been injected into the retinas of mice who are suffering from night-time blindness. The cells were harvested from younger mice that had healthy eyes and the cells worked very well at restoring the site of the older mice.

It took around six weeks before results were seen in the mice and after this time it became clear that around 20 percent of the cells injected into the eyes had created the connections necessary for sight.

The scientists tested the visual ability of the mice by putting them in a water maze. The mice who had had the treatment were capable of seeing visual markers which allowed them to find the exit to the maze, where as those who had not received the treatment were unable to see these markers and took a lot longer time exiting the labyrinth.

Obviously, in humans, it is not going to be practical to take the cells from the eyes of younger people but instead it is hoped that equivalent cells will be able to be developed from embryonic stem cells.

Scientists have highlighted that these cells can already be created, it is just an issue about how they are going to be efficiently transplanted into a human eye for the procedure to be worthwhile. There is also going to have to be a significant amount more animal testing before human trials can commence.

Vitamin D has a lot of health benefits to offer, but recent research indicates that improving the cognitive abilities of teenagers is not one of them. A study published online in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health proposes that higher levels of vitamins D2 and D3 in students aged 13 to 16 do not promote higher academic achievement.

The study was part of ALSPAC, or Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children, which monitors the long term health of children born in the 1990′s. This study was conducted amongst a group of over 3,000 children whose vitamin D2 and D3 levels were measured at the average age of nine, again at the age of 13 to 14 and once more at 15 to 16 years of age.

The subjects were also tested for academic performance in English, maths and science, based on their GCSE exam grades. The results indicated no academic superiority in those with higher levels of D3, and higher levels of D2 were linked to poorer academic performance in both 13-14 and 15-16 age levels.

The explanation may relate to the difference between D2 and D3. Vitamin D3 is synthesized by the human body from sunlight on the skin. D2 is synthesised by plants and fungi (mushrooms are an example) so we get it from foods ingested.

The researchers surmised that children with poorer ‘brainpower’ spend less time outdoors, thus reducing the amount of D3 in their systems. There is also the possibility that the D vitamins have a more cumulative effect over the years, or that they have more effect on the brain as it ages.

A massive amount of research has demonstrated other health benefits including improved bone density, and much of the research supports the assumption that optimal levels of vitamin D are associated with a lower risk of many types of cancer, heart disease and immune deficiencies.