World of Health

The UK smoking ban was introduced four years ago, with the aim of making life so difficult for smokers to encourage them to quit. As we approach this year’s “No Smoking Day’, what is evidence to suggest whether this has really worked.

The rate if giving up seems to have fallen. Statistics from the NHS Information Centre show that 19,473 fewer smokers had managed to kick the habit in the latest year compared with 2007/08. The number of pregnant women who successfully stopped smoking also dropped, falling 12% to 8,641. However, compared with the year the smoking ban was introduced in 2006/07, the latest data still shows 71,000 more people tried to quit over the past year and 17,000 more people were successful.

This year’s ‘No Smoking Day’ campaign theme, Break free, helps, acknowledges that No Smoking Day is the time for smokers to break free from their smoking habit and escape their chains of addiction. The following video provides some useful assistance with some top tips on stopping smoking.

A recent study published in the prestigious Journal of Pediatric Dermatology demonstrated that 89 percent of atopic dermatitis sufferers experienced reduced severity and associated itching from this common form of eczema when sleeping on new DermaTherapy bedding.

That’s good news for the UK’s 1 in 5 children (aged 2-15yrs) and 1 in 12 adults who suffer from this irritating skin condition. Available from UK distributor www.anhealth.co.uk, DermaTherapy is the first specialist bed linen to receive clearance from the American Food & Drug Administration (FDA) as a Class I Medical Device for the treatment of atopic dermatitis.

During the eight week trial, patients slept on DermaTherapy bedding instead of their usual cotton bedding. The only medication used by the patients was an emollient applied as needed during the day and evening. Both the doctors conducting the trial and the patients recorded changes in the severity of the eczema and overall quality of life. Using EASI scores (Eczema Area and Severity Index) the doctors found that DermaTherapy users experienced a significant reduction in the severity of eczema and the associated itching during the course of the trial The patients also recorded significant reduction in itch and irritation plus an improvement in sleep , leading to an improved quality of life.

Dr Rupert Mason, GP and dermatology clinician at the Bedford District General Hospital says: “Symptoms of atopic dermatitis can range from just one small patch of dry itchy skin to widespread involvement with acutely infected weeping and cracked areas. For chronic sufferers this can lead to low self-esteem, behavioural problems in the young and a generally impaired quality of life.  The treatment invariably requires a range of therapeutic modalities that may include the liberal use of emollients, minimizing contact with irritants, taking antihistamines to reduce itch, using corticosteroid creams to reduce inflammation and antibiotics to counteract infection.”

“Sleep can often prove difficult and eczema can worsen overnight particularly if the skin becomes too warm and moist, or is irritated by fibres in the night clothes and bedding that are in contact with the skin over the prolonged time spent in bed. The subject of appropriate bed linen for eczema sufferers is one that has been neglected in the past. We just used to presume that cotton was best. So a seriously researched therapeutic innovation such as DermaTherapy supported by evidence of efficacy is particularly welcome. ”

How does DermaTherapy Work?

DermaTherapy is made from uniquely structured, long filament fibres that dissipate heat and moisture away from the skin, resulting in a cleaner, drier and smoother sleeping surface that minimizes friction to the skin.

The linen also has a durable antimicrobial permanently bonded into the fabric to eliminate odours and maintain fabric freshness. In addition, when washed in a normal wash cycle a soil release finish helps remove oils, creams, blood and other stains from the bedding making it especially suitable for those people undergoing medication for dermatological conditions.

Considerably smoother , lighter and thinner than cotton, these special sheets are as soft as the highest percentile Egyptian cotton sheets and feel equally luxurious to touch. Dermatherapy also has an average pore size of just 8.5 microns to help protect against dust mites faeces which is known to be an aggravating factor of eczema. In contrast to cotton, the antimicrobial shield bonded into DermaTherapy protects the fabric from the proliferation of micro-organisms that could adversely affect skin integrity.

DermaTherapy can withstand washing temperatures of up to 90oC but can be laundered just as efficiently at 30oC, helping you to do your bit for the environment and reduce CO2 emissions.

DermaTherapy bedding is available in a wide range of sizes priced from £28.95 for a pair of pillow cases to fitted and flat sheets costing from: single £49.95, double £64.95, king £69.95 and cot £39.95. Buy from www.anhealth.co.uk or call 0844 567 9374.

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).