World of Health

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.

The Health Select Committee chairman has called the governments health premium policy half baked after a report has been made into the public health reforms, and he has called for the new scheme to be scrapped. The new health service is known as Public Health England and will see grants awarded to local authorities as per their needs. More funding will be provided to local authorities who have been able to improve the health of the population.

The committee however has raised many concerns that this will move resources away from areas with the most problems. A member of the group is Stephen Dorrell and he has said, “The government have incorrectly analysed our public bodies behaviour and the new policy just shows how deep the lack of understanding is.”

The chief executive of the Royal College of Nursing is Dr Peter Carter and he has said, “This new policy is going to increase the level of health inequality throughout the country, it is untried and untested and is not ready to be a part of our health system.”

The government also say that public health services are currently costing £4 billion and this is certainly something that has made people question the report. Mr Dorrell has commented that the only way this figure would be reached is if dentistry was included. He commented, “The figure seems to be entirely mythical and nothing more than the result of a mistake by Whitehall.”

Many members of the committee also suggested that the money could be used to achieve more useful goals, saying that there are plenty of other legitimate causes that need the money more. Many others have become concerned that ring fencing the money will mean that it is raided by local authorities for spending in other areas.

The British Medical Association has backed the committee saying that, for the protection of public health it is essential that Public Health England has real independence and that it is free from being constrained by the central government and is able to make decisions on its own.

Currently the NHS is facing its greatest financial challenge ever and there must be funding so the doctors can work to reduce health inequality and improving the health of all people in the UK.

The Labour MP in Easington is Graham Morris and he is a member of the health select committee and has said, “There are too many organisations that are able to directly influence and change governmental policy. This is not a position that the government should be in and it should not be manipulated by companies. It can stop this and it should make greater efforts to do so.”

The director of professional activities for the BMA has said the responsibility deals are giving too much power to the alcohol and food industries. She commented, “They are being allowed to dictate policy on public health and this is not something that is going to help the alcohol and obesity problems in the UK.”

An Advertorial Feature

To truly heal depression, your whole lifestyle needs to get in on the act. You may’ve been prescribed medication – SSRIs are the most common – but it’s worth acknowledging that while this can significantly improve your mood, it doesn’t automatically cause you to adjust your own habits.

And if you seek lasting freedom from depression, anxiety, or the wrong sort of stress, you will need to examine your habits – honestly & without judgement – & perhaps make some changes.

From unhelpful thought patterns to burning yourself out at the gym, there are dozens of things you can tweak & adjust in order to create a lifestyle that supports your recovery. Here, we will focus on food.

Don’t worry – I’m not about to suggest a sudden, drastic change of diet. This can be so daunting that it doesn’t work at all. Instead, simply commit to making small, permanent changes over the next few months. Keep practising each one until it becomes a habit. It may seem insignificant at the time, but – when you look back in a year – you’ll recognise what substantial progress you’ve made.

Some unambiguously good foods

Researching healthy food can leave you in a headspin – there’s so much conflicting advice. But some foods are definitely better to eat than avoid:

Oily fish. Scientific studies agree that communities whose diet includes lots of oily fish (herring, mackerel, pilchards, salmon, sardines, trout, fresh tuna) tend to experience less depression. As far as we know, this is because these fish contain Omega 3, which is a natural anti-depressant.

Vitamin B foods (meat, turkey, tuna, brewer’s yeast, bananas, whole grains, lentils, tempeh, beans). Tests show a significant reduction in depressive symptoms when patients eat the vitamin B complex, which includes several different B vitamins that often work together.

Treat yourself, nicely

You may not even notice it, but if you regularly mistreat yourself, you may often be angry at yourself – at least on a sub-conscious level – for doing so. If you have internet access, or even just a TV, it’s pretty hard not to notice that sugar doesn’t help people.

Consumed regularly, it causes diabetes, painful teeth & gums, wrecked complexions, obesity, & sends your emotions spiking from high to low, as your body constantly scrabbles to balance your blood sugar level. As a method of subduing psychological pain, sugar does a very short-term patch-up job, & does nothing to permanently improve your life.

Getting “off” sugar is surprisingly easy. As soon as you start eating lots of protein & vegetables, the sugar cravings dwindle away. You’ll feel happier about eating proper meals because your body won’t be saying “enough calories already!”.

It’s also helpful to replace sugar with something helpful. By helpful, I mean that you can afford it, it’s not going to damage you in the long run, & it gives you a genuine sense that you’re treating yourself with respect. These days, I buy myself flowers instead of the 500g of milk chocolate that used to be my habit. The gratitude I feel towards myself each time is twofold: I get some nice flowers; I didn’t hurt myself.

It might seem small & maybe even silly to you now, but it really does feel different.

Suzie Saw* has experienced episodes of depression since her early teens, & now manages it using a carefully honed blend of cognitive behavioural therapy, meditation, excellent friends, plants & flowers, lots of vegetables, & Star Trek.

* A writer, not a psychiatric professional. Please seek medical advice if you suspect you or a loved one is suffering from depression.

The male cancer charity  Orchid are trying to raise awareness of the symptoms and signs of the 3 male specific cancers – penile, prostrate and testicular,  in order that they seek advice as soon as possible.

Orchid have revealed in their latest research that almost half of all men would prefer to be checked by their partners for the signs of testicular cancer than their GP.

Testicular cancer most commonly occurs in young men aged 15-45 and affects almost 2000 men a year. If it caught early enough however, the common male cancer has a 95% cure rate, but will have spread in over 1/3 cases before its been diagnosed.
With this in mind, Orchid are keen to encourage women to get more involved in their loved ones health, especially as almost three quarters (62%) of the men questioned revealed that although they would prefer their partner to carry out these vital checks, they never do.

The new survey also found that ‘embarrassment’ is a key barrier that stops men from making potentially lifesaving appointments with their GP for a testicle check-up.
Testicular cancer sufferer William Gingell was diagnosed at 17, he says:

‘I really owe my life to my girlfriend, it was her who found the lump in my testicle and without her encouragement and support I know I would have been far too embarrassed to make an appointment with my GP to get it checked out. I think this campaign is a great idea and wholeheartedly encourage women to check their partners or at least encourage their partners to check themselves; they may just save a life.’

HIS HEALTH IN YOUR HANDS

In light of this new research, Orchid will be continuing ‘His Health In Your Hands’ campaign throughout 2012, which calls on women to be proactive in encouraging their man to be aware of the signs and symptoms of the three male specific cancers – testicular, penile and prostate – so they can seek advice as early as possible.

If you would like more information about Orchid, symptom advice and details on how you can help fight male cancer visit their website www.orchid-cancer.org.uk.

Recent results of a phase III clinical trial have shown that a new drug for the treatment of multiple sclerosis is likely to become one step closer to being approved for treatment. The new medication is the first type of drug that will hopefully not just prevents the nerve damage that multiple sclerosis causes but will also reverse some of the damage.

The results were presented this October at a multiple sclerosis research conference which took place in Amsterdam. Nearly 80% of those who are treated with the new drug did not have a relapse for two years. This is half the rate that is seen with other therapies.

The only disappointing part of the new trial was that the drug seemed to be less effective than it had been in previous trials. This trial showed that the reversal of nerve damage was less significant than in previous studies. In fact, the level of significant reversal of damage had dropped to a level that was statistically insignificant.

Alasdair Coles is a researcher at the University of Cambridge and he showed at the conference that those who are taking the new drug which is called alemtuzumab lost much less brain volume than those patients who were treated with another type of medication. Less than 10% of patients in the trial had their condition worsen while they were on the drug, compared with 11% of those who taking the leading alternative therapy, Rebif.

Ludwig Kappos is head of neurology at the University Hospital of Basel and he has commented, “It is unfortunate to see that the results of this latest trial are less promising than that of the phase II study. However I do expect that further phase III studies will show the drug to be as effective as it was in the phase II groups.”

Unfortunately, multiple sclerosis is a disease that currently has no cure. Drugs such as interferon are prescribed to help slow the condition but it will progress and nerves that speed the brain signals will be damaged eventually. This new drug essentially works by resetting the body’s immune system meaning that the damage will no longer be caused and this can in fact cause the condition to be reversed.

Some healthcare professionals have said that the effectiveness of the new drug is impressive but that is not the reason why it is not on the market, the drug is yet to be proved to be safe. Taking the drug gives patients an increased risk of suffering from an autoimmune disease. Nearly 1% of people involved in the trial suffered from the potentially life-threatening condition called thrombocytopenia. Avoiding this risk is possible however by screening patients before they take the drug, there are certain bio markers which indicate people who are at a higher risk of developing the condition.

Instilling a good dental hygiene routine in our children from the earliest possible age is of vital importance. Many parents still have a flippant attitude towards milk teeth, and think because they are going to fall out anyway why make a fuss over making their kids clean there teeth.

What these parents aren’t taking into consideration is that it is during these formative years we learn most of our life skills, and a good dental routine is essential as you can’t suddenly thrust a toothbrush at an older child and tell them to do something at least twice daily that they have never done before. By getting children into the routine of cleaning and flossing they will be well prepared for the arrival of their adult teeth.

Toothcare giant Colgate are dedicated to the healthcare of children. The Brits are known throughout the world for their bad teeth, and this is due mainly to bad habits being passed on from parents to children. To highlight this latest campaign about the importance of dental hygiene amongst youngsters, Colgate have produced a video along the lines of kids say the funniest things to see what they really know about teeth.

Schoolchildren are asked such questions as what is the tooth fairy? How do you brush your teeth? What happens when you don’t clean your teeth? And what does a dentist do? While the answers are invariably hysterical, it does show that while kids do know about teeth, they are still lacking in some important knowledge.

As they are giving their answers to some of the questions, the correct ones flash up on the screen. Such as making sure they clean their teeth at night and one other time through the day, using a pea sized amount of fluoride toothpaste, clean for at least 2 minutes and to avoid fizzy drinks where possible.