World of Health

A new approach in combining propolis and essential oils with Vitamin C could bring relief from the ‘common cold’, sinusitis, bronchitis, pneumonia and other viral and bacterial infections of the ear, nose and throat.  The basis of the idea is to combine Apitherapy (products from bees) with Aromatherapy resulting in very effective products with a great synergy and enhanced effect.

A couple of examples for clearing the nose and throat are as follows.

Using a combination of concentrated antiviral red propolis, rosemary and eucalyptus essential oils can help free a blocked nose. The ingredients  act together as an antiviral, anti-inflammatory, decongestant and expectorant thus helps to free up the nose, relieve the throat and boost resistance.

A recent clinical study conducted on 430 patients appears to show the effect of concentrated propolis on Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) disorders is increased when accompanied with vitamin C. The authors also suggest that the decrease in viral and bacterial concentrations in the nose and throat may be attributed to the anti-inflammatory and decongestant properties of the product in which concentrated propolis is combined with vitamin C.

A combination of antibacterial brown propolis, rosemary and eucalyptus essential oils can help bring throat relief. The constituents act together as an antibacterial expectorant that helps to ease an infected respiratory tract, help you cope when your cold ‘goes to your chest’ and help prevent more serious complications including bronchitis and pneumonia. The syrup is particularly soothing to sore throats and both capsules and syrup are suitable for children and adults. In one study, a team of researchers highlighted that a preparation based on concentrated brown propolis and vitamin C greatly reduced the number and severity of airway infections in a study conducted on 430 people using placebos.

Propolis is a natural resin collected by bees from plants that has been recognised for decades for its antiviral and antibacterial properties. Due to its biochemical complexity, it has multiple properties and has shown to be antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-viral and anti-bacterial. Its effects appear to be both preventive and therapeutic and particularly well adapted for the treatment of upper respiratory tract infections.

Scientists have proposed that those with a high level of Vitamin D in their blood are less likely to end up with bowel cancer, versus those with lower levels.

The study, which was published in the British medical Journal, found that those with a high level had a 40% less risk of developing the cancer.

The study looked at 1,248 people that were diagnosed with bowel cancer, and a control group of 1,248.

Scientists carried out the research at the International Agency for Research on Cancer in France and at the London Imperial College.

The results of the study were released following increased concern that rickets is occurring more often because of vitamin D deficiency.

Vitamin D is usually found in sunlight but can also be consumed in a small variety of foods such as cod liver oil and oily fish.

The research team stated though that although a lack of Vitamin D may heighten the risk of bowel cancer there is still not any proof that Vitamin D supplements will reduce the risk.  Scientists stated instead that more studies will need to be completed first.

Science programme manager for World Cancer Research Fund, Dr Panagiota Mitrou, stated that the study was the largest of its type concerning bowel cancer and that there is a growing amount of evidence that suggests Vitamin D and bowel cancer are linked.

Mitrou continued to say the next step is to complete further clinical studies to ascertain if Vitamin D supplements can help lower the risk of developing bowel cancer.

Lloydspharmacy has launched The ‘Chances Are… Calculator, a new web tool which allows people to work out how many of their work colleagues is carrying a sexually transmitted disease, drinks too much alcohol or is depressed, and designed to stimulate debate and make health risks more relevant by applying nationally representative data to the workplace.

The calculator asks visitors to provide information about the type of workplace they are employed in, along with the gender split and age profile of their workmates. It then raids its database to calculate how many colleagues have Chlamydia, how many men are likely to develop erectile dysfunction, how many are likely to suffer a stroke, how many have raised cholesterol, how many are hazardous drinkers and much more.

In many cases information is provided about the condition or the issue and guidance is provided about what can be done to reduce risk factors.

The calculator is available here – http://calculators.lloydspharmacy.com/chances/

With Tinnitus Awareness Week approaching on 8 February 2010, the British Tinnitus Association has agreed that the The Sound Asleep Pillow (www.soundasleeppillow.co.uk) can be a  key distraction method for sufferers of tinnitus and that the product can be highly effective in reducing the symptoms of tinnitus.

Tinnitus is a sensation of hearing noise in the absence of an external sound. Sufferers cite ringing, whistling, and buzzing sounds as the most common noises which can cause sleep deprivation, mood swings and affect overall quality of life.  For many, peace and quiet is the perfect antidote to daily stresses – this is not the case for tinnitus sufferers.  Tinnitus is now one of the most common health problems facing the UK with almost five million suffering from the condition at some point in their life. Working in loud environments, such as night-clubs and family history can cause the onset of tinnitus. As there’s currently no cure for the condition and very few treatments on offer which actually work, doctors often advise patients to simply listen to music or the radio whilst falling asleep.

The Sound Asleep Pillow, ensures people who suffer from the condition are distracted from the noise and can peacefully fall asleep. This revolutionary ‘pillow with a speaker’ allows users to comfortably listen to the recordings of their choice without disturbing their partners or having to use headphones.  Made from high quality materials, the Sound Asleep Pillow adapts to the natural body shape by providing superior comfort and support for the perfect night’s sleep. Its soft filling means the speaker is undetectable and unnoticeable to the touch.

As well as a remedy for tinnitus, numerous research studies have shown the effectiveness of background noise for also calming restless sleepers and insomniacs. The Sound Asleep Pillow allows users to listen to whatever they want in the least intrusive, most convenient way possible.

David Baguley, Consultant Audiological Scientist, Head of Audiology at Cambridge University Hospitals and professional advisor to the British Tinnitus Association, commented: “When we go to bed we are surrounded by quiet. But due to the lack of external noise people with tinnitus can find that their ‘tinnitus noise’ becomes much starker. This can lead to sufferers feeling more vigilant and alert which stops them from sleeping.  If a tinnitus sufferer is receiving treatment for their condition then the British Tinnitus Association advises that a device such as a pillow speaker could help to relieve symptoms of tinnitus in the quiet of the night.”

Baguley added however: “It is extremely important that anyone with tinnitus seeks professional advice so that they can access the correct care for their condition. If a sufferer is receiving treatment then they could try using a pillow speaker to help alleviate the noise of tinnitus at night.”

And for those unlucky enough to sleep next to teeth-grinders, serious snorers or sleep talkers, the ‘Sound Asleep’ Pillow can provide welcome respite and distraction. The brand new, Memory Foam Pillow is the newest addition to the Sound Asleep range.

The ‘Sound Asleep’ Memory Foam Pillow costs £30; and the ‘Sound Asleep’ traditional pillow costs £15, but may be cheaper in some stores, e.g. Amazon (see below).

A new study has found that the benefits of moderate exercise are ruined if you regularly sit at your desk during work of spend hours in front of the television.

The study, which was published yesterday in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, found that a sedentary lifestyle increases the risk of developing diabetes and heart disease by about 25%, as it reduces the ability of the body to burn fat and shuts off the bloodstream’s vital enzymes.

Additionally, the study found that for every extra hour a woman sat and watched television their risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes rose by about 26%, despite how much moderate exercise they also undertook throughout the day.

The report has spurred doctors to recognize the need for a campaign against such lifestyles claiming that that ‘muscular inactivity’ has become as large of a problem as lifestyles that do not involve exercise.

Vice-chairwoman of the National Obesity Forum Jane DeVille-Almond stated that employers need to become aware that there are many damaging effects to workers who have sedentary lifestyles.

DeVille-Almond continued to state that employees need to be conscious of this fact and schedule time for small exercises and breaks throughout the day, as part of a regular work programme.

She also stated that taking the time to perform simple exercises throughout the work day can help in ways, such as moving at least once per hour or standing up while on the phone so that the pattern of sitting is broken.

Danish scientists have made a major breakthrough in the battle against Rheumatoid Arthritis. Experts believe that a key ingredient contained in a sub-species of rosehip could help reduce tenderness in joints for thousands of people in the UK who suffer from the debilitating disease .

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease more serious than osteoarthritis, which is caused by wear and tear of the joints. Over nine million people in the UK have arthritis and there are around 12,000 new RA cases a year . This latest study which shows amazing results, is a continuation of extensive research into anti-inflammatory efficacy of GOPO® – the active compound contained in the product known as LitoZin.

There are many factors that can cause low back pain. These include excessive riding of two-wheeled vehicles, jerking movements, bad posture and lifting heavy objects.

Some people have a tendency to slouch since it is a comfortable position for relaxing, but such people are more vulnerable to experiencing back pain as a result. Likewise, people who have desk jobs and do not get a great deal of exercise are also prone to this problem.

Slouching is one of the main things that contribute to such pain and because of this; it is a good idea to keep a healthy posture, most especially when sitting down. Exercises can also help to treat low back pain, specifically exercises that stretch the lower back. They are also easy and can be practiced anywhere.

Low back pain is also a cause of excessive flexion thus it is important to make sure that the back is stretched in the right manner and only the correct exercises are practiced. These exercises can help to treat the pain and getting into a more rigid routine of exercise will make it less likely that the back pains will return once you go back to your desk job.

Another popular remedy for back pain is lying down on the front while pulling the chest arm and arching the back by straightening the elbows. During this exercise, hips should be flat on the floor. This exercise gives the back muscles a good stretch and should be done frequently to keep back pain away.

Placing a hot or cold compress on the area of pain can also be an effective method of treating back pains for those less willing to take up exercises. This method helps to relax the muscles and let loose the tension. Cold packs are not as effective but can also be a good relaxant for the muscles. It largely depends on the person’s individual preference whether they use a cold or hot pack.

Massages are also effective in relaxing and stretching the muscles in the area of pain. Finding a trained masseur is a good start and can make the world of difference.

Over-the-counter medicines are often used to get temporary relief from back pain but they are less effective and offer no permanent benefits. If the pain is particularly intense, going to the doctor and seeking a prescription medicine is strongly advisable

Walking is one of the most popular recreational activities in England. It is also regarded as the nearest activity to perfect exercise and, due to its numerous health benefits, is prescribed by GPs to help with a whole range of health conditions. The other great news for slimmers, is that walking can help you lose weight!

Walking is the easiest, cheapest and lowest impact form of exercise to introduce into everyday life. During these testing times a gym membership is a luxury many cannot afford; walking is a great recession proof solution for losing weight. Walking alters fat metabolism so that fat is burned up, instead of sugars, helping to reduce weight.

Walking for just one mile (1.6km) can burn at least 100 calories and walking two miles (3.2km) a day, three times a week, can help reduce weight by one pound (0.5kg) every three weeks.  To maximise weight loss through walking, step up the pace. If you can walk a mile in under 13 minutes you are using and building more muscle groups increasing the number of calories burned.

Millions of people in the UK are affected by frequent headaches, which in the worst cases can be severe enough to be very debilitating and may require medical attention. Such headaches are usually described as migraines but may be caused by a large number of reasons, most commonly, stress. Other types of headaches can arise due to other medical conditions in the individual.

Many people are tempted just to take aspirin or some other painkiller since they provide quick and effective relief. The problem with this is that the benefits are only temporary and do nothing to address the root cause of the problem. In this respect, preventatives are usually better than temporary cures.

Since many headaches are related to stress, this can be prevented by getting rid of the tension. Breathing exercises can make a world of difference and they are extremely simple.

One traditional method is to get a cold pack and place it over the forehead and eyes, which help to relax the tension and relieve the pressure that is causing the headache.

Stress and allergies, eye strain caused by staring at computer screens, not enough sleep and bad diets are all things that can cause headaches to come about. Sometimes, however, sufferers do not want to take over-the-counter medication and seek easy, natural remedies to solve the problem.

A hot bath or, less effectively, a shower can help a great deal in relaxing the muscles and relieving the tension thus ridding you of the headache. A warm pack placed on the forehead will help to reduce pressure and optimize the blood flow around the head.

Aromatherapy is another popular method to treat headaches. Peppermint or lavender oils placed in the bath or placed in a few drops straight onto the area of pain help some people. Herbal tea, especially chamomile or peppermint, is also effective in relieving headaches and will help you to feel calmer.

With the onset of a headache, there are some things that should be avoided, which can exacerbate the problem. This includes eating ice cream, chewing gum or drinking anything that is very cold.

Getting a decent amount of sleep will also help to alleviate the problem as does avoiding drinking too much caffeine.

It is important if your headaches are more severe and frequent to consult a doctor since it could be a sign of an additional medical problem or an allergy. Luckily, however, most headaches are simple and easily solvable ailments by studying the methods mentioned above.

An abdominal migraine is a very painful condition that involves severe pains in one’s abdomen. This is an especially harmful condition that children suffer from but it can also be experienced by adults. There are many signs of one of these types of migraines. When these indicators are found certain treatments should be applied right away.

With one of these migraines the pains that are present in the abdomen will be located in the central part of the area. The pains will be very dull in intensity and they can last for up to three full days if they are not treated properly.

When the pains are being felt various unpleasant symptoms can occur. Nausea and vomiting are among the most common side effects, as well as a loss of appetite that can occur in some people.

In many cases these episodes will be isolated events. However, if a person has five or more of these episodes over time that person can be diagnosed as someone who has these debilitating migraines.

It should be noted that while adults can suffer from this condition most people who endure it are children. They will become more likely to experience regular migraine headaches in the future if they experience these abdominal migraines as a youngster.

There are many medications that can be used as treatments for this condition. Wellbutrin SR is a common drug that is used for some of the most severe pains. However, for children who are younger and may not be able to handle higher levels of medicine like the 400mg Wellbutrin SR a lower dose medicine such as 75mg Elavil can be used.

While a migraine can be very painful to the abdomen it can be treated through medications. It will be very important to identify the symptoms of this condition so that treatments can begin without delay.