World of Health

Tis the season to be jolly! The season of overindulgence is here so it’s worthwhile knowing that there are herbal medicines out there to help you in moments of discomfort. For example did you know that milk thistle can provide a natural way to help cure an upset stomach. Based on traditional use only, it’s been proven to relieve the symptoms associated with the occasional overindulgence of food and drink. Simply take one tablet up to twice daily with water and you could soon be feeling as good as new!

This infographic looks a few of the herbal medicines you can buy and how they can help with overindulgence but also with cold and flu illnesses flying around in the winter months.

By Healthspan – UK’s largest direct supplier of Vitamins and Supplements

Many people across the globe lose weight every year for one reason or another. We hear on an almost daily basis about the escalating obesity levels in the United Kingdom, and how this can lead to people suffering from heart disease, diabetes, joint problems and an array of other issues.

Once someone decides that it is time to lose weight then they need to consider whether doing it naturally is more effective than using cosmetic procedures. The truth of the matter is that losing weight naturally through a healthier diet and exercise routine is something that can have long-term benefits for a person.

That said, if you have lost a considerable amount of weight then the end result can lead to a lot of excess skin – and, from here, it might be time to consider cosmetic surgery. The reason it happens is because of the elasticity and condition of your skin. This changes during weight loss, and your skin is known to be in a better condition through a healthier diet and increased exercise.

If you are considering natural weight loss, don’t worry because not everyone has a problem with excess skin after. In fact, by just losing a pound or two each week usually results in no problems at all. That said, it does happen to some – and when it does, what do you do?

If this has happened then you need to decide whether you are happy to keep the excess skin or would like it removing for the sake of your appearance. On occasions, it can lead to chafing which might be something that needs medical attention anyway.
What’s the procedure?

The procedure that tightens and lifts skin around the body is known as the body lift. Relating to just the stomach area is surgery known as abdominoplasty. The Hospital Group offers both operations, although it is always recommended that you allow your skin to recover following weight loss.

Losing weight is something that can help most people across the world, benefiting them in small and big ways alike. Excess skin isn’t always a result of weight loss, but when it is then surgery can be a great way of increasing the appearance of your body.
Are there ways of stopping excess skin?

As with many things in life, success in weight loss can be based on many factors. It’s always advised to lose weight naturally if possible, and then use cosmetic surgery afterwards to tighten up any areas of excess skin. Unfortunately, for many, excess skin can’t be avoided – but, it needn’t be a reason to worry as there are many things that can be done to keep it under wraps.

There are some things that people can do to help this, including: remembering that skin is elastic and will be more forgiving the younger someone loses weight, the years that someone has carried extra weight tends to correlate with how good/bad skin is following weight loss, the quicker you lose weight then the more you are likely to have an excess, there are some creams that are on offer – not usually noticeable, give your skin time to sort itself out.

This article has been brought to you by The Hospital Group, The UK’s only ‘full’ service provider of Cosmetic Surgery Procedures

In 1989 the fitness VHS reined supreme with health enthusiasts – commonly featuring Madonna or Cher tracks and a big haired instructor wearing luminous spandex.  Still, one gym in Santa Monica was trying something new, something fun and something guaranteed to shed over 500 calories in just one hour – Spinning.

The now acclaimed ‘fitness phenomenon’ was birthed in the late 80s and fathered by Johnny Goldberg – a personal trainer specialising in endurance racing.  His idea for indoor gym cycling was inspired by a near accident he had while training outside.  Little did he know the idea would grow into one of the most popular exercises ever invented.

Once the ‘motionless’ bike was created and perfected to represent actual road conditions, Goldberg began hosting classes for locals.  The profits soon carried him to LA and by 1994 he formed the official Spinning brand.

Since then, adaptations of the classes have formed all over the world, some focused on enjoyment, some focused on intensity but the majority focused on a combination of the two.  It is a group exercise and the camaraderie involved can act as extra motivation while excessively burning calories.

What does Spinning involve exactly?

Each member of the group has their own stationary bike.  By adjusting components like seats, handlebars and pedals for optimum comfort, everyone prepares for when the music starts.  Using music to maintain pedalling rhythm is a well-practiced technique and is why you will sometimes see professional cyclists racing with headphones.

The classes are much more exciting than pedalling at a monotonous tempo.  Instructors will begin to incorporate a variety of exercises such as handlebar press-ups, single calf isolation, seat hovering and many more challenging work outs – all while pedalling at various speeds designated by instructions or the beat of the music.

Each bike is fitted with an intensity dial which can be adjusted accordingly to the pattern of the class.  For example, some instructors will vocally describe an imaginary outdoor race and encourage participants to tighten the dial when ‘climbing a hill’ and loosen it again once over the envisaged apex.

What fitness level is required for Spinning?

Anybody can join a Spinning class and enjoy exercising at their own pace.  More advanced athletes can simply tighten their individual intensity dial, to a level which challenges their muscles.  Equally, newcomers can take it easy and gradually build their fitness over a series of sessions.

What does the future hold for Spinning?

Johnny Goldberg himself has recently developed the Krankcycle, which takes main element of Spinning and incorporates the arms too.  Appraised by specialist publications like Shape and Men’s Health, Kranking is set to become an equally popular cousin of Spinning, offering a workout of higher intensity.

Spinning itself still has plenty of life to grow into and with extreme classes sprouting up in gyms all over the world, such as Korean Jackie Spinning, the notion of blending cardio with strength training is guaranteed to be forever popular amongst the body conscious.

Jackie Spinning is not for the feint-hearted.  The Korean show team Apollo, have imposed elements of dancing and gymnastics into their Spinning routine.  Jackie Spinning classes are unlikely to become as popular with the average gym goer but they are extremely impressive to watch.

Looking back with hindsight and analysing how celebs now thrive on effective exercise with the public following suit, it is easy to understand how Spinning was destined for such popularity.  Johnny G could never have anticipated that when he spun that first stationary bike in 1989, the cog would still be ferociously turning come 22 years later.

Article published on behalf of Fitness First.

Guest Post

In Britain, obesity has become a growing health problem for many people. With so many people suffering from with obesity problems, many opt for different kinds of weight loss procedures. Many obese people will be advised by medical professionals to consider a gastric band procedure to reduce their body weight.

Nevertheless, a gastric band procedure is just the beginning on a path to a healthy and happy life. The weight loss results will have to be maintained and in order to do this an individual will have to eat a healthy balanced diet and make sure they participate an active lifestyle with plenty of exercise.

As the stomach is reduced dramatically, the individual will no longer be able to eat the same sized portions they did before the operation. Every meal counts and should contain nutrients and vitamins the body needs to fight disease, repair muscle and grow.

Five Healthy Tips You Should Consider After A Gastric Band Operation…

Move those feet

Walking is a perfect exercise for someone recovering from a weight loss operation. It is not too strenuous and you can walk for a long period of time without really noticing the distance you have covered. This is great for burning calories and can be done when going to the local shops or walking the dog.

Food

The types of foods you eat are so important for you to maintain the weight loss results after surgery. Liquids with a high nutritional value are recommended during the primary stages after surgery. Try eating foods that have a low calories count and are packed with a healthy abundant of vitamins and nutrients.

Chew more

This may sound a little odd, but research has found that the longer you chew your food, the brain thinks that you are eating more than you actually are and feel full up quicker. This trick is an old one and will stop those unwanted cravings from returning.

Drink Plenty of Water

Make sure you hydrate your body with liquid. A recommended amount would be around 2.5 pints a day. This is advised throughout the day and alongside meals.

Part of Your 5 a Day

Make sure you eat a balanced diet that includes fruit and vegetables. Did you know that all fruit and vegetables can be included in your five a day portion? During the early stages after surgery you could liquidise your fruit in the form of smoothies to make sure you get your daily recommended amount.

Emotional Eating

Many people eat for many different reasons. Some people eat because they feel sad or find that it provides a comfort to fill out the void in their life.

Recognising why we eat is half the battle and by getting to the emotional side of eating we can then defeat the physical side of eating.

If you know you will overeat during certain periods of time, like in the evenings or after work when you are too tired to prepare a meal, make a note and make sure you have healthier alternatives close at hand. Remember, you should start these healthy recovery steps after 2 weeks.

Closing Words….

A gastric band provides an individual with quick weight loss results. But this is only a small part of your weight loss journey. Diet, exercise and aftercare are just as important as the surgery and many people need to realise this if they are to maintain their new figure. If you feel that you are interested in having cosmetic surgery then you must realise that surgery is only the beginning.

For those going for cervical screening 80% of units doing it across the UK have been sending out the test results within two weeks. This is a great increase in the speed at which the results came out in previous years. Only last year, only 40% of units were doing it in time.

Primary care organisations are responsible for sending out the results and the speed at which they have been sent out has been increasing significantly over the past few years. The improvement in speed of the results being released is because a new requirement has come into force stating that they must be released with this time.

Today’s NHS Information Centre report; Cervical Screening Programme, England, 2010-11, is used to inform policy and to monitor the quality, effectiveness and safety of screening services. It also shows that among women aged 25 to 64:

• 4.3 million women were invited for a screening test in 2010-11, compared to 4.1 million in the previous year.
• 3.4 million women were tested in 2010-11, compared to 3.3 million in the previous year.
• At 31 March 2011; coverage – the percentage of eligible women screened at least once in the last five years fell to 78.6 per cent from 78.9 per cent in the previous year and from 79.5 per cent five years ago (in 2006).
• Coverage varied between England’s 10 Strategic Health Authorities, with four achieving 80 per cent or higher, compared to six in the previous year. The highest reported coverage was in the East Midlands at 81.4 per cent, while the lowest was London at 74.0 per cent.

NHS Information Centre Chief Executive Tim Straughan said: “The statistics in our report, which shows 3.4 million women aged 25 to 64 were tested in 2010-11, are important to monitor the quality and effectiveness of cervical screening services in this country.

“It shows women in England are being sent their cervical screening results faster than before; with the percentage of results sent out within two weeks rising sharply in a year.”

The report can be accessed at: www.ic.nhs.uk/pubs/cervscreen1011

Giving up smoking, like any addictive substance, will probably be one of the hardest things you will ever do and that is why we are here to help. Below we will list some of the best aids you can use to combat your addiction and quit smoking forever, looking at the specifics of how they help you stop. But before we begin it should be stated that the most important aid you need to quit is will power and stubbornness – if you have neither of these and aren’t motivated to quit then nothing will help you. With that in mind here are some of the best nicotine replacement therapies on the market:

Nicotine gum

Nicotine gum from brands such as Niquitin is easily available at chemists and it comes in two strengths – 2mg for people who smoke less than 25 cigarettes a day and 4mg for those who smoke over that amount. It is important not to eat or drink for 15 minutes before chewing the gum due to the method of absorption and should be chewed slowly until a tingling sensation is felt on your gums. When this happens you should stop chewing until it stops then begin again, the whole process should last about thirty minutes. You should chew one piece of gum every two hours for the first six weeks of quitting in order to reduce nicotine cravings. It is also a good psychological trick to swap one or two pieces of gum per day with regular chewing gum. Side effects of this type of therapy can include mouth ulcers and dizziness.

Nicotine patch

These are one of the most popular ways of weaning yourself off nicotine addiction and work by providing a steady, controlled dose of nicotine into your system throughout the day, reducing any withdrawal symptoms. They typically come in three dosage strengths (21mg, 14, 7) and patch strength is reduced over time. The nicotine patch needs to be applied once or twice a day for between 16-24 hours. Side effects of the nicotine patch may include dizziness, a headache and upset stomach and if you try to sneak in a crafty cigarette be warned that you could overdose on the stuff.

Nicotine inhaler

A nicotine inhaler is a plastic cigarette-esque tube that has a nicotine cartridge inside and contains 10mg of nicotine. These are proving increasingly popular among people who want to quit smoking, as psychologically you are going through the same motions as if you are actually smoking a cigarette. One cartridge delivers the equivalent of one cigarette’s worth of nicotine and it is recommended that ex-smokers use six cartridges per day for three to six weeks. Side effects of nicotine inhalers can include throat or mouth irritation, change in taste buds and headaches. As the inhaler is used on an ‘as and when’ basis it takes a lot of willpower from the user not to abuse it.

Nicotine nasal spray

Nicotine nasal spray is a popular choice of replacement therapy as the nicotine is quickly and easily absorbed through the blood vessels in the nose. Each dose consists of two sprays (one for each nostril) and you should probably want to start with one dose per hour. The spray can be quite an uncomfortable experience to begin with as it requires you to not inhale or sniff when sprayed and gives the user a spicy feeling at the back of the throat. Again, it can also be habit forming due to using it on an as and when basis.

In the past 40 years the contraception pill has seen a significant increase in use. This has lead to claims that a great deal more oestrogen has come into the water supply. Canadian researchers have recently speculated that this could be a reason why prostate cancer around the world is increasing.

The research has suggested that levels of the hormone in the environment have gone up and it is well known that excessive oestrogen amounts can cause different types of cancer. Dr David Margel was the lead researcher on the study and he said, “The amount of oestrogen that women excrete is tiny but if you consider how long the hormone has had a chance to build up it could be considered a significant addition to the environment.”

The report has recently been published in BMJ Open. With his colleagues Dr Margel looked at data from The International Agency for Research on Cancer. They compare data looking at the number of people with prostate cancer and that the rates at which the oral contraceptive was being used.

Dr Margel continued, “It seems that the highest levels of association were seen in European countries and there appears to be a link between the use of contraceptives and prostate cancer. I want to clearly state that this is nothing more than a hypothesis generating study. We have done nothing to prove cause and effect.”

It is expected researchers will be shortly conducting tests on water as well as people suffering from prostate cancer. They will look for the amount of oestrogen that is in the system as well as in the water supply. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men in the developed world, and the developed world is a place where the use of the contraception pill is most widespread.

Anthony D’Amico is a prostate cancer expert and has commented about the study, “This is just a study of association and there is no proof of cause-and-effect, therefore there is no proof right now as to whether it’s true and it needs to be investigated further. The hypothesis they have generated is itself questionable. The levels of oestrogen in the water are incredibly low and then, once they’ve been consumed by a person, most of oestrogen would be absorbed by the body. Therefore exposure will actually be incredibly low.

“For there to be any link between prostate cancer and oestrogen levels in the water, the oestrogen levels would have to be incredibly high. There are also many other problems associated with high oestrogen levels, and prostate cancer is just one of these, heart attack is another possibility. For me to accept the study is rather challenging because prostate cancer is a very small part of it all and I don’t see any link between oestrogen in the water and heart attacks.”

A recent survey suggested that over 10 million people in the UK could be allergic to the home they live in. The survey has been conducted by Allergy UK and it involved over 1500 people. It found that nearly 60% of people had an allergic reaction to dust mites and a third were allergic to mould. Nearly half of all respondents said that they had an allergy to household pets.

Other figures that have been released by the NHS suggest that over 12 million people each year are receiving treatment for allergies. Of these, around half are expected to need specialist treatments because their allergies are so severe. It is estimated that around one third of the UK population have some form of allergy and these are caused by many factors in the home.

Many of these allergies occur in the bedroom and it is estimated there are 2 million dust mites in the average home. Allergy UK recommends that people take basic steps to reduce the number of allergens found in the house. Washing your bedding at a temperature of 60°C every week is an important step, as is steam cleaning carpets occasionally, as well as replacing pillows yearly and the mattress on a ten-year basis.

Some people with impaired eyesight avoid wearing contact lenses because they don’t want the hassle of looking after them. It is true that some types of contact lenses require quite a lot of attention to make sure that you get the most out of them “ long duration lenses such as monthlies and fortnightlies have to be put away in a sealed container when not in use to make sure that they don’t dry out and can continue to be worn for the entire time period advertised. This can be problematic, especially if you happen to lose one of the lenses and therefore break sync with the intended schedule, breaking into a new pair before you originally planned. It can also mean you’re spending more money than is necessary, which is the last thing anyone wants in today’s economic climate. If you are wanting to compare the cost visit getlenses.co.uk as they have multiple types of lenses.

Daily lenses, however, are entirely disposable and considered cost effective for those who only wear lenses on an occasional basis. Daily lenses can be thrown away after one use so there is no need to worry about where you keep them overnight “ simply take them out and put them in the bin. This also means that losing one lens or accidentally tearing it is no big deal, and you are losing a smaller amount of money rather than the larger sum you would have spent on long duration lenses. Many people also find daily lenses easier to use as they are thinner and easier to manoeuvre in and out of the eye. This thinner width also means that daily lenses will cause less damage if accidentally left in overnight, or if they break in your eye “ whilst thicker lenses could scratch the surface of your eye and cause serious damage, daily lenses will cause slight discomfort and are easy to remove.

Although these benefits of daily lenses all put them in a favourable light, be sure to fully research the other types of lenses before making your choice. Each type of lens has its own advantages and disadvantages, and you want to choose a type that is perfectly suited to you.

Gradually growing a bit forgetful is a common part of the aging process. Many of us have times when we forget a small detail such as where we left the keys or a phone number that was at the forefront of our mind just a moment ago. While slight forgetfulness is to be expected in older adults, dementia occurs due to problems in the brain that goes on to cause abnormal memory loss.

Basic Statistics

There are several types of dementia or dementia-like diseases and disorders, although the most common form is Alzheimer’s. While the exact figures of dementia diagnosis for any given year might differ slightly, an average one in twenty adults over the age of 65 will develop some form of cognitive disorder.

For those over the age of 85, roughly one in five will develop some form of dementia. Generally, dementia is not common in younger individuals, although in some instances individuals might develop symptoms earlier in life – possibly due to other problems that result in similar symptoms.

Signs of Dementia

The indicators of dementia can vary slightly between specific disorders and their causes, but in a majority of cases the initial signs are the same. Commonly, individuals who develop dementia begin by experiencing a more dramatic loss of memory. In many cases, this memory loss could lead to mood swings, gradual inability to perform normal routine tasks and changes to personality.

As dementia worsens over time, sufferers may no longer be able to provide basic care of their needs. In these situations, a care home may be necessary in order to keep your loved ones healthy.

The Types of Dementia

Several types of dementia can occur in individuals. While numerous types can affect an individual, there are types that are more common than others. The most prevalent form of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease, which forms due to damaged tissues in the brain caused by plaque build-up that slowly kills off brain cells.

Vascular dementia is another common form of this condition. This disorder occurs when the arteries to the brain are blocked and oxygen is cut off, which can result in the death of some brain cells. It is most common in individuals who have high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes.

Lewy body dementia occurs when the patient’s symptoms take on aspects of both Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.

Other forms of dementia can occur, but not as common in most individuals.

Treatment

Treatment can vary depending on the patient’s needs. In a lot of cases, when family members are no longer able to care for their afflicted loved ones, they may need to admit them to a care home for the best available care.

Dementia is unfortunately not curable at present and is a progressive disease that slowly gets worse as time progresses, although treatment can slow the progression if the disease is caught early.

Dementia is a scary disease as it affects the mind before it affects the body, but thankfully families can have hope as many care homes can provide the appropriate care for loved ones to ensure that old age is as comfortable as possible.