If your wellness is affected by asthma, a new anti-viral drug could protect you from life-threatening symptoms. This is according to researchers from the University of Southampton and respiratory drug development company Synairgen, who say that their anti-viral drug – SNG001 – could lead to a cure for asthma. SNG001 works to guard your wellbeing against respiratory virus infections (such as the common cold), as these can spread to your lungs and worsen your asthma symptoms. Viral infection is associated with an estimated 80% of asthma-related emergency department visits. Researchers recently tested the drug on 134 adult asthmatics with mild to severe symptoms, discovering that, compared to a placebo drug; SNG001 prevented two out of three asthma sufferers developing worse symptoms after catching a cold. The scientists also found that, as a result of using the drug, the participants’ asthma symptoms were reduced by a whopping 65%, which allowed the sufferers to reduce the amount of times they inhaled a bronchodilator, which is an inhaler that increases airflow to your lungs. Now, the scientists hope that they will be able to create a commercial version of the drug, and change the lives of the 5.4m asthma sufferers in the UK. In a statement, professor Stephen Holgate, founder of Synairgen, said, ‘This is a really promising breakthrough for the future treatment of asthma and one of the most exciting developments that I have seen in years. This is the first clinical study which appears to demonstrate that, by boosting the antiviral defences of the lungs of asthmatics rather than trying to inhibit rapidly evolving viruses, we can limit the adverse effects of viral infection significantly to prevent worsening of asthma symptoms in a high risk group of patients.’ Leanne Metcalf, assistant director of research at Asthma UK, commented, ‘This has the potential to be one of the biggest breakthroughs in asthma treatments in the past 20 years. We are incredibly excited by the possibilities this research could bring to reduce hospital admissions and deaths as a result of asthma attacks. Over 80% of asthma attacks are triggered by cold and flu viruses, and until now we haven't had any effective treatments that can stop this from happening. This clinical trial demonstrates the potential of this anti-viral drug to prevent asthma attacks for thousands of people with severe asthma. We are incredibly proud to have played a part in the realisation of this research programme which should benefit people with asthma in a really significant way.’

If your wellness is affected by eczema or other allergies, it may be due to a type of immune cell in your skin. This is according to a new study published this week in the journal Nature Immunology, which has come about thanks to a collaboration among researchers from the University of Sydney’s affiliated Centenary Institute and colleagues in New Zealand, the UK, and the US. Years ago, a family of cells, known as group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2), was discovered ago in the laboratory of Professor Wolfgang Weninger, and this new cell type is part of this group. Professor Weninger’s lab has been responsible for developing techniques in marking different cells of your immune system, and tracking them live under the microscope. However, until now the identity of the immune cells has remained a mystery. According to Dr Ben Roediger, first author on the paper and a research officer in the Centenary’s Immune Imaging Laboratory, this is the first time such cells had been found in the skin, and they are relatively more numerous there. He noted, ‘Our data show that these skin ILC2 cells can likely suppress or stimulate inflammation under different conditions. They also suggest a potential link to allergic skin diseases.’ The researchers contacted Professor Graham Le Gros at the Malaghan Institute in New Zealand, one of the world’s foremost researchers into type 2 immunity (the part of your immune system that deals with infection by parasitic organisms), as they suspected that the cells may be associated with this system. The Professor not only confirmed this suspicion, but also provided a new strain of mouse developed in the United States that provided insight into the function of ILC2 cells. Roediger explained, ‘Using these mice, we found that ILC2 cells were the major population in the skin that produced interleukin 13, a molecule that has been linked to a number of allergic diseases, including eczema.’ He added, ‘We now have experiments underway in which we are actively looking for the direct involvement of these cells in the sort of skin diseases you would predict based on these findings.’

Apps are a good way to remind patients to get vaccines, and educate them on ways to self-manage their chronic asthma and allergies. This is according to researchers at the National Association of Paediatric Nurse Practitioners 2013 Annual Meeting, who believe that smartphone apps are becoming an increasingly viable solution to overcome gaps in traditional patient reminder systems, and a useful patient education tool. The problem with traditional vaccine outreach reminder methods, such as telephone calls, mailed paper reminders, and in-person home visits, is that they are dependent on the reliability of your patient contact information. According to Jessica L. Peck, DNP, RN, MSN, CPNP-PC, CNE, CNL, of Capstone College of Nursing at the University of Alabama, ‘Providers have expressed a need for alternative recall methods that are not so time, labour and financially intensive. With 194 US smart phone users projected by the year 2015, the opportunity to harness technology for this purpose is present.’ Kathy Chojnacki RN, MSN, CPNP-AC, and Jodi Shroba RN, MSN, CPNP, both of Children's Mercy Hospitals and Clinics in Kansas City, Missouri, cited another wellness benefit that apps provide; improving health literacy among patients with chronic asthma and allergies. They wrote in a poster session, ‘Mobile devices such as tablets and smartphones are become more cost effective and more readily available forms of electronic communication. The healthcare system is primed and ready to utilize these devices in clinical practice.’ For their poster, Chojnacki and Shroba assessed the overall benefits and limitations of several apps for allergy, asthma and rhinitis, as well as exploring opportunities for integrating mobile technology into clinical practice. The AshtmaMD app revealed several benefits to asthmatic wellness, providing methods that patients can use to reduce symptomatic days, asthma-related ER visits, rescue therapy use and need for inhaler use to provide symptom relief. However, some of the apps used inaccurate or incomplete medical information from online sources, had a lack of wireless internet capabilities, reduced face-to-face interactions between providers and patients and were deemed to be too costly to implement in institution-wide systems. Yet, in spite of these concerns, the authors concluded ‘the increased use of smart phones and mobile devices provide the perfect climate for integration of applications into patient care.’

There are multiple metabolic expression changes associated with cancer. This is according to researchers at Columbia University Medical Centre, whose large study analysing gene expression data from 22 tumour types, published in the online edition of Nature Biotechnology, has also identified hundreds of potential drug targets that could improve your wellness by cutting off your tumour’s fuel supply or interfering with its ability to synthesise essential building blocks. According to Dennis Vitkup, PhD, associate professor of biomedical informatics (in the Initiative in Systems Biology) at CUMC, and the study's lead investigator, ‘The importance of this new study is its scope. So far, people have focused mainly on a few genes involved in major metabolic processes. Our study provides a comprehensive, global view of diverse metabolic alterations at the level of gene expression.’ Studies into drugs that interfere with cancer metabolism is a field that dominated cancer research in the early 20th century, and has recently undergone a renaissance. In 1924, German biochemist Otto Warburg was the first to observe that cancer cells had a peculiar way of utilising glucose to make energy for the cell. Dr Vitkup explained, ‘Although a list of biochemical pathways in normal cells was comprehensively mapped during the last century, we still lack a complete understanding of their usage, regulation, and reprogramming in cancer.’ Jie Hu, PhD, a postdoctoral researcher at Columbia and first author of the study, added, ‘Right now we have something like a static road map. We know where the streets are, but we don't know how traffic flows through the streets and intersections. What researchers need is something similar to Google Traffic, which shows the flow and dynamic changes in car traffic.’ However, the researchers did find that tumour-induced expression changes are significantly different across diverse tumours. Matthew Vander Heiden, MD, PhD, assistant professor at MIT, and a co-author of the paper, commented, ‘Our study clearly demonstrates that there are no single and universal changes in cancer metabolism. That means that to understand transformation in cancer metabolism, researchers will need to consider how different tumour types adapt their metabolism to meet their specific needs.’

Those battling cancer will often need to undergo various treatments which affect your body in different ways, often leaving you feeling quite drained, both physically and mentally. Chemotherapy is the most commonly associate treatment, but radiation therapy and drugs are also used. Some women find that they struggle to cope with the side effects of Tamoxifen pills, which are designed to combat the effects of oestrogen-based breast cancer. Side effects which have been reported include getting lightheaded and hot flushes - some even pass out due to these effects. This can mean added stress, in addition to the emotions you're already feeling through coping with the cancer itself. While not everyone experiences these side effects, many feel more comfortable taking an additional tablet known as Effexor to boost their energy levels. Many find that listening to their body helps determine which treatments are most effective - some, for example, report that following chemotherapy, they feel lightheaded and have been known to pass out. It's important during this time to be diligent with your diet, as a loss of appetite is one known risk of the chemotherapy. With so many chemicals and drugs going into your body, a strict diet is vital in order to ensure you're filling your body with the nutrients it needs to stay as healthy as possible. Protein is important for keeping your energy levels up, so protein bars and shakes are useful to keep around the house, as it eating every two hours to refuel your body. Your immune system will take the brunt of the chemotherapy, so refuelling with healthy vitamins, minerals and protein will keep it fighting any additional illness. Your support network of family and friends will get you through this stage in your life - don't feel worried about leaning on them for emotional support when you need it. Many people feel as though they need to hide their illness and stay strong for others, but your health is what's important here, so if you're struggling you need to let people around you know. Likewise, remain positive - once the chemotherapy is over, your energy levels will start to return to normal and you'll begin to feel like yourself again.

Beating Bowel Cancer , which is a charity which provides support for people suffering with bowel cancer, has written to Jeremy Hunt, the Secretary of State for Health, warning him that patients who have terminal bowel cancer will lose their life-enhancing drugs when the Cancer Drugs Fund comes to an end in 2014. The estimate from the charity points suggests that around 6,500 patients will be affected.

The question on everyone’s lips is: what happens to those who are already on the drug when the Fund comes to an end or indeed any of the other patients currently suffering with cancer on drugs currently being funded in this way? Worrying as it sounds, will there not be a cut-off day and then everyone is left without vital medication?

A combination of the end of the Cancer Drugs Fund and NICE's worrying decisions will be adding to what is already a huge stress of living with cancer. On 21st March 2013, NICE published a draft guidance which stated that it would not be recommending the drug Everolimus for patients who have advanced breast cancer.

Once again it seems that there are drugs which have been trialled and tested by patients but now those same patients will not have access to the medication.

NICE made this decision despite that fact that Professor Stephen Johnson from The Royal Marsden Hospital in London said in September 2012:

"The impact of the drug is so large that it is changing the natural history of the disease. Everolimus is, potentially, the most significant breakthrough for advanced breast cancer since the discovery of drugs that lower oestrogen level and has the potential to redefine the way this common form of advanced breast cancer is treated”

When your wellness is affected by diabetes, you need to take several daily decisions to manage your blood glucose levels the best you can. However, as you can’t have a doctor watching out for your wellbeing every day, you need to learn about the disease and manage it yourself. This is where The illustrated guide to living with diabetes in India comes in; a comprehensive, reliable self-management guide for people with diabetes which will launch in India soon. Authored by The Living with Diabetes in India (LWDI) Community – the world’s largest and most trusted online community of diabetics, caregivers and healthcare professionals supporting diabetics in India – the book serves as a practical guide to help you self-manage diabetes, providing reliable information and useful advice. Based on the most accurate and trustworthy medical information worldwide, the guide is a culmination of a year’s worth of work from by a team of medical writers, artists and diabetologists. According to Praful Akali, the editor of the book, founder-member of the LWDI community, an IIM alumnus and head of one of the leading medical communications agencies in the country, ‘We were surprised to learn that there is no single source of practical yet reliable information for people with diabetes to better manage their condition. Based on the latest peer-reviewed scientific information and with inputs from the country’s leading doctors, nutritionists, counsellors and fellow diabetics, the book promises to marry scientific credibility with practicality.’ Now available for pre-order on www.flipkart.com, the book is co-published in India by leading book publishers, Popular Prakashan, whose CEO, Manish Purohit, commented, ‘As a publisher, we have seen many books that claim to educate people on various health issues. However, this book is unique in its engaging content and in bringing together the reliable information in such simple language. We are happy with our partnered association with a book of this genre and to lend our support to the cause of patient education for diabetes management.’ Dr. Debasis Basu, medical coordinator, LWDI added, ‘As genetics and lifestyle have conspired heavily to inflict an epidemic of diabetes in our subcontinent with approximately 67 million people affected with diabetes in India in 2013, we need to focus our attention on changing our lifestyles to manage the disease. This guide will help you believe that if good and right care is taken, even with diabetes, you are the master of your own life.’

As you grow older, the likelihood of developing Type-Two Diabetes is a discomforting prospect. Often, it is a genetic issue, by which there is very little that can be done to prevent it, but that does not mean that you have to be stuck on medication all the time. Whilst critical, the damage does not have to extend to the rest of your life too. Indeed, the concept that you have to empty your wallet to save your own life is not an end-all scenario. There are ways of saving money, without having to risk more than you have to. If you haven't developed diabetes yet, but suspect that you may be at risk, then getting a blood-screening is not a problem – under the NHS, the checks are sound, discreet and thorough. Even if you come clean, there are ways of staying secure properly; by losing 5-7 percent of your body weight and exercising at least 150 minutes a week, the risks of developing diabetes are over an astounding 60%. Dieting is also an excellent way of balancing out your blood sugar, as well as keeping other toxins out of your body. This can be applicable to those that have already developed diabetes. There are many different types of so-called “new and improved” medication for any ailment, but the majority carry a huge dose of side-effects. Insert the mortifying, long chain of side-effect-culling pills at your leisure. Keep to what you know – the old types are the best, lest they wouldn't still be in production today. Discuss this with your doctor, find what is best for less. You don't always have to nod and agree with everything. It's your body. The less side-effects that you have to worry about, the less you have to spend combating them. Look for support. You're going through a big change in your life – that doesn't mean that you have to do it alone. Support groups are a fantastic way of meeting people that have gone through the motions already. They are the ones that have shrugged off heavy dosages or the ones that hop onto the treadmill. The words of the experienced are the ones that you can carry with you – and more importantly, you can share your own.

If mango is not on your shopping list, your wellbeing may be suffering as a result. This is according to a number of new and previous studies which suggest that including mango in your diet or in supplement form can have a significant beneficial impact on your wellness, including fighting the good fight against type 2 diabetes and cancer. Some of the latest information on the health benefits of mangos was presented at the recent Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB) gathering, with researchers noting one study in which obese animals consumed 10 grams of freeze-dried mango every day for 12 weeks. The results of this experiment revealed that the blood sugar levels in the animals declined, which could make mango a helpful tool in your management of type 2 diabetes. Edralin Lucas, PhD, who led the study, commented, ‘Although the mechanism by which mango exerts its effects warrants further investigation, we do know that mangos contain a complex mixture of polyphenolic compounds.’ Polyphenolic compounds, or polyphenols, are a natural chemical found in plants. There are over 4,000 different polyphenols, which work towards your wellness because they are antioxidants, meaning they fight the disease-causing, cell-damaging free radicals in your body. However, this study is not the first to find that mango can help to fight diabetes. In 2011, researchers conducted a study in which the explored how freeze-dried mango might lower lipids and tackle diabetes in mice that had been fed a high-fat (HF) diet. Compared to drugs, the researchers found that mango ‘improved glucose tolerance and lipid profile and reduced adiposity [fat] associated with a HF diet.’ If you have, or are at risk of, type 2 diabetes, one thing your doctor might advise you to do is to lose weight – but can mango help with this? Based on studies that indicate African mango extract (Irvingia gabonensis) is effective in reducing body weight and improving metabolic factors in people who are overweight, some experts believe it can. A recent study in the Journal of Dietary Supplements reported on the results of three randomized controlled trials, noting that the studies suggested significant reductions in weight and waist circumference when compared with placebo.

Chronic acid reflex, more commonly referred to as heartburn, is a painful condition where the contents of the stomach leak back into the gullet or oesophagus. Now a new device may be set to offer sufferers relief from the digestive disorder. The device is similar in style to a bracelet and is made with magnetic beads. It is inserted into the valve between the gullet and the stomach, helping to keep the stomach stay closed and stopping the leaking of acid and other stomach contents. A five-year study involving the device reported after three years and reveals that the device eased the symptoms of chronic acid reflux in 92 out of 100 patients fitted with the device with 87% of patients able to stop taking the acid-suppressing drugs usually prescribed to deal with the condition. Medics at the Mayo Clinic in Florida have been helping to study the effects of the device and have described it as the first new, safe and effective way of treating chronic acid reflux to be discovered in two decades. Until now the only treatment for the condition has been acid-suppressing medication or surgery to repair the leaking valve, neither of which has proved to be fully effective for patients. The study revealed that some patients did have problems with the device with it having to be removed from four patients. Almost 70% of patients in the study also had difficulty swallowing immediately after the surgery but the effects of this wore off in time. Chronic acid reflux is officially known as gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) and is a common condition. Most people only suffer mild discomfort or heartburn when the acid from the stomach is able to leak through a weakened sphincter into the gullet. However, if severe and left untreated, the condition can lead to more serious health problems. One of those more serious problems is Barrett’s oesophagus, a pre-cancerous condition caused from excessive acidic damage to the oesophagus, which can lead to oesophageal cancer. The new device is inserted into the oesophagus in a surgical procedure that lasts around two hours.

When people get infections they are often prescribed antibiotics to deal with the problem. Unfortunately, in around 30 percent of the cases of antibiotic use, the patient can also develop the side effect of diarrhoea. Sometimes the diarrhoea can be so severe that the patient is forced to stop taking the antibiotics which can prolong their infection and only cause serious health issues in the long term. Now a new study suggests that taking probiotics is a very good way for antibiotics users to avoid developing diarrhoea. The study found that people who took probiotics reduced their risk of developing antibiotic-associated diarrhoea by an impressive 42 percent. That meant that for every 13 people who took the probiotics, one person avoided getting diarrhoea from antibiotics. Probiotics are healthy microorganisms that can be administered to our bodies to improve our health. They are mainly bacteria but also include some fungi. More research now needs to be done to ascertain which probiotics work best, and what antibiotics they work best against. The study’s results have increased the interest in using probiotics to fight diarrhoea related to antibiotic use. It was revealed that there are several ways that probiotics can potentially fix the bacteria problems in the gut. Good bacteria may compete with bad bacteria for nutrients, or increase the acidity of the gut so that the bad bacteria cannot thrive. If you currently take antibiotics and are experiencing problems with diarrhoea it could be worth talking to your doctor about potentially taking probiotics to deal with the problem. While the research is on-going, researchers are still not sure what the best forms of probiotics to take are, as there are a number of products that could help you out.

Many people around the world suffer from mental health problems, with issues ranging from very serious, complex psychological disorders to mild cases of anxiety and depression. There are steps that you can take to improve your wellness and safeguard your wellbeing, in order to enable you to get the most out of life. Scientific evidence points to five steps that we can take to improve our mental wellbeing. If you give them a try, you may feel happier, more positive and able to get the most from your life. Mental wellbeing is about more than simply avoiding mental illness: it is a state of feeling good and positive about the world around us. There are also proven links between physical and mental wellbeing – mind and body are closely related, and finding wellness in both of these areas can lead to increased confidence and self-esteem, as well as a general enjoyment of life. This in turn leads to positive relationships with those around you. It does not mean that you will never feel unhappy or experience a negative emotion, but maintaining good mental wellbeing as a general rule can make you more strong to cope with difficult things that may arise. The evidence to support what causes and affects mental wellbeing is strong and has been studied by scientists for many years. The results have led to these five simple steps that you can take in order to feel better, although the first step (and one you have likely taken if you are reading this article) is to think about your own wellbeing and assess your mental wellness at this time. Step 1: Spend time on your relationships. Connect with your family, friends and acquaintances. Step 2: Exercise releases endorphins – also known as ‘happy hormones’. Try to increase the activity in your lifestyle. Step 3: Learning a new skill can really boost your confidence. You can do this by yourself via a manual or by signing up to a course or class. Step 4: Generosity makes everyone feel better. Giving something – whether it’s a donation, volunteering or merely a simple smile and greeting – can really brighten your day and can also improve your friendships. Step 5: Take time to think about where you are right now. Some people call this ‘mindfulness’ and it involves thinking about the present moment rather than always thinking about the past or worrying about the future.

You may have heard your yoga teacher or complementary therapist talk about the importance of ‘grounding’. It’s an important wellness topic related to the health of your root chakra, situated at the bottom of your spine. This is the chakra responsible for your sense of security, and, as the first chakra, is the foundation of all the others. Being grounded is an essential part of all complementary therapies and should form the foundation of your wellbeing.   The most important source of feeling rounded is to be found in nature. We find a great sense of peace when in a natural environment. Why not take a regular ‘mindful’ walk in the forest, playing close attention to the smell of the earth and plants. This will connect you to the earth and improve your sense of security by giving you the feeling that the earth is your home. Another natural method of grounding is swimming – taking a swim in the sea is like being embraced by earth energy, and will make you feel highly connected.   Walking meditation is an excellent tool for developing a sense of feeling grounded. Start by walking very slowly and paying full attention to the sensation of the soles of your feet hitting the earth. You don’t need much room to do this – simply walking backwards and forwards in your living room, with full mindful attention will provide great benefits. Similarly, you can invest your sitting meditation with a sense of feeling grounded by focussing on the contact between your body and the floor. Complementary therapies like Emotional Freedom Technique and Energy Healing can also do wonders for restoring your sense of feeling grounded and may be useful in carrying you through times of trouble. For general practice though, find your own way to cultivate a sense of feeling grounded. Becoming grounded connects you to the earth and makes you strong and unshakable, able to face the trials of life with ease.

How often do you think about what you’re grateful for in life? Not as often as you think about what you want from life I bet. It’s not a bad thing, it’s pretty normal in the western world which is of course build around the driving force of want, work for, get. We show our worth through displays of wealth, it’s just how we are as people. The one with the biggest whatever wins, it’s all very Neolithic. We’ve evolved emotionally and mentally since those bygone eras and it’s about time we started acted like the beings we profess to be. It’s not enough to want out of life, it’ll leave you feeling empty and unsatisfied. The grass is always greener on the other side but why is greener grass better? The trick to being happy is being satisfied and the trick to being satisfied is really looking at what you have and realising how lucky you are to have it. Yes there will always be people who have more but in the same way there will always be people who have less. Attaining things brings satisfaction of its own but sitting back and smelling the roses has its own draws and far less health concerns to throw along with it. In my opinion all life is, is a learning curve with an aim towards happiness. Some people are never happy and never will be. I tell you, I’d rather be happy than rich and I’d rather be happy than worked into an early grave. Money and fame might not bring happiness but happiness and feeling good about yourself bring their own rewards and the sooner you embrace the spectacular person you are the sooner you can start to reap those rewards!

Garlic is one of nature’s wonders. A delight in cooking, it is packed with health-giving benefits and is especially good for lowering cholesterol. Allied to this is garlic’s ability to keep our blood flowing and reduce fat cells in the cells, making garlic the No.1 natural product for heart health. Introducing garlic into your diet is easy. And if you’re put off by its particularly pungent aroma, fear not – the pong tends to disappear in cooking and, anyway, wouldn’t you rather be healthy than worrying about whiffing a little of garlic? It’s recommended that you eat at least one clove per day to keep your heart healthy. Remember to use fresh garlic because, when crushed, it released hydrogen sulphide which is essential for heart health. Crush a clove of garlic and add it to soups such as tomato and basil, vegetable and lentil. It will add depth and flavour. When used in a spicy soup such as the Indian rasam, garlic also has an antibiotic effect and will keep coughs, colds and fevers at bay. Add freshly crushed garlic to salad oils and vinegar dressings to pep up leaves. Or simply chop a clove and sprinkle it over fresh tomatoes for a zingy taste that packs a powerful health punch – tomatoes are filled with health-giving properties and are part of the renowned Mediterranean diet that is famed for helping heart health. Tomato sauces with garlic are also great with pasta and you can even mop up the sauce with a slice of garlic bread – home-made naturally with freshly crushed cloves and herbs – for a quite delicious meal. Pep up potatoes with a crushed clove or two when you mash them. Garlic and ginger paste is a basic staple of many Indian and Chinese dishes. Make your own paste at home and use liberally when cooking – you get the added benefits of ginger, too. And if you’re worried about garlic breath, chew on some fresh parsley after a meal.

The rate at which your heart beats when it is resting is a determinant of your physical fitness and also indicates how your hormones and nervous system are operating. A normal resting heartbeat is one that beats 60-100 times per minute and it is accepted medical wisdom that those who are most physically active will have a lower resting heart rate. New research in Denmark has now revealed that the risk of death is higher the higher the resting heart rate, no matter how fit an individual is. Researchers examined the data of around 3,000 men who had been participating in the Copenhagen Male Study since 1970, which had been established to monitor the cardiovascular health of middle-aged men. The men’s cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed at their initial participation in the study, while they were quizzed about their health and lifestyle, such as exercise and smoking. A decade and a half later, they were given a further check-up that measured height, weight, blood pressure and blood glucose, and their resting heart rate was also noted. By 2001, 39% of the men had died and the researchers examined their data to explore if heart rate affected the death rate. Their study confirmed the conventional wisdom that the men with a high resting heart rate were less physically fit than others, had higher blood pressure and were heavier, while men who were physically active had lower resting heart rates. What their study did reveal was that regardless of fitness levels, a higher resting heart rate brought a higher risk of death. A resting heart rate of 51-80 bpm (beats per minute) brought a 40-50% increased risk of death. At 81-90 bpm, the risk of death doubled when compared with the men who had the lowest rate of bpm. The researchers concluded that ever 10-22 additional bpm in a resting heart rate will increase the risk of death by an overall 16%. Smokers face a higher risk when compared with non-smokers. The study suggests that a high resting heart rate is not simply an indication of a person’s poor physical fitness but should be considered as an independent risk factor for death.

You know that calcium is important for your bone wellness, but what about other aspects of your wellbeing? If you take calcium supplements, your heart health could suffer. This is according to the results of a new study, published in the journal Heart, which indicate that if you do take calcium supplements, you should take a second look at your regime. Calcium is a popular supplement to take in our pill-popping world, as it helps to prevent fractures and brittle bone diseases like osteoporosis. Those who are particularly at risk to these consequences; namely the elderly and menopausal and post-menopausal women, are pushed into taking calcium supplements, but research indicates that this increased intake can put those individuals at risk of a heart attack. To come to this conclusion, researchers evaluated nearly 24,000 individuals who participated in one arm of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) study. When they enrolled on the study in 1994 to 1998, all the participants were aged between 35 and 64, filling out food frequency questionnaires to detail their dietary and supplementation habits. The researchers documented a total of 354 heart attacks, 260 strokes, and 267 deaths during the study’s 11-year follow-up. The results of the study showed that calcium supplementers were 86% more likely to experience a heart attack than study participants who did not take any supplements. However, those who consumed a moderate 820mg of calcium daily from all food and supplements had a 31% lower risk of having a heart attack than subjects in the bottom 25% of calcium intake. The authors also discovered that there was no evidence to prove calcium was either positively or negatively linked to the risk of stroke. The authors concluded, ‘increasing calcium intake from diet might not confer significant cardiovascular benefits, while calcium supplements, which might raise [heart attack] risk, should be taken with caution.’ Therefore, it seems as though there are clear benefits and risks of taking calcium, and if you want to determine the best course of action for you, you should discuss your calcium requirements with a doctor or knowledgeable professional.

According to a new report, people who suffer with celiac disease are at risk for developing osteoporosis later on in their life. This may be due to the fact that those with the condition do not correctly absorb calcium and vitamin D into their system. These two nutrients are absolutely essential for proper bone function and bone strength. Celiac disease is an inherited autoimmune disorder that can damage and badly affect the small intestine. It does not allow nutrients to absorb properly when foods containing gluten are ingested and this can be very problematic for the body. Gluten is found in a number of foodstuffs such as wheat, rye, barley and triticale so problems can be very common. Individuals with celiac disease must eliminate foods with this protein or risk further problems in their body. If it is left unmanaged, celiac disease can lead to rapid bone destruction and severe osteoporosis. This was certainly true for the Bobel family. This family first learned that they were at risk for this debilitating disease when Rebecca Bobel, 72, fractured her pelvis, hip and tailbone when she was only 50 years old. At this point she was diagnosed with osteoporosis at the time and doctors later learned that she carries the gene for celiac disease. Bobel then went on to develop hypothyroidism and vitamin D deficiencies, which is are known to be very common in people who have autoimmune diseases. Today, she continues to receive treatment for each of these conditions and they have a bad effect on her health and wellbeing. People with a single autoimmune disorder can be at risk for developing other autoimmune disorders too. This was extremely apparent with the Bobel family, where it was seen that there was more than one disorder in each family member who was treated.

As we get older we become increasing at risk of developing stiff, swollen or painful joints. There is no doubt about this and the issue of bad joints is well known as an issue for wellness and wellbeing for the elderly. It is something that many people worry about constantly – will it become too painful to move and do things properly when they get older?

But it is not something that we need to constantly be afraid of. There are many ways to ensure that ensure you keep your joints healthy and (relatively) pain free. Here are three great ways to avoid doing excess damage to your joints as the years go on.

Get plenty of exercise

You might think that exercise is bad idea if you want to keep your joints as pain-free as possible. But the reality is that exercise is good for the joint. Try to avoid impact sports such as running, football and tennis as these can be an unnecessary level of strain on the joints. Instead focus on doing non-impact sports like swimming and yoga.

Take the right supplements

Supplements are a very good idea to keep your joints happy and healthy. One of the most important for continued joint health is glucosamine. It is vital in creating amino acids which are known to be the building blocks for structures like the ligaments and the tendons. Taking these supplements along with a healthy diet will do you the world of good.

Eat right

Being overweight can be a big problem for your joints. So eat plenty of fruits and vegetables and avoid fat and sugar and soon you’ll lose some weight and be on the right track for health joints for life.

Neck and spine pain can be common occurrences for many individuals, and you’ll find a number of factors contributing to the pain and discomfort. Treatment can be as simple as a chiropractic realignment and inflammation medication or as challenging as surgery.   What is Neck Pain?   Pain or discomfort associated with your neck or spine can be serious for some individuals. There are a number of sources at the center of the pain which can include whiplash, herniated disc, degenerative disc disease, and neck strain. It can also come from diseases or illnesses such as meningitis, tuberculosis, and fibromyalgia. A physician can assess the areas for damages and implement the right treatment plan based on your injury.   Sources of Neck and Spine Pain   There are a number of factors that can contribute to your neck and spine pain. Individuals who overuse their muscles by lifting weights, working in the yard, and sitting hunched over in front of the computer can suffer a muscle strain. Your body can also suffer wear and tear as you age and osteoarthritis can develop throughout your neck area. Illnesses and diseases can also cause neck pain and can include rheumatoid arthritis, meningitis, tuberculosis and cancer.   Other things such as whiplash from a vehicle accident can require a significant recovery treatment plan due to the severe pain and discomfort. When the vehicle is hit at a high rate of speed, your neck tissue is stretched beyond its normal limit. Car accident injuries are particularly stressful, and you may be due compensation to help you get well. Whether you need to contact a Florida, Kansas, or New York accident lawyer, there are people whose job is to help you get the funds you need to recover.   Treatment   Depending on the type of injury and pain that you’re going through, you can treat your neck injury in a number of ways. A physician should diagnose your pain first and can offer a number of tips for treatment. Something less severe can be treated through simple at home methods. Applying heat by way of a heating pad, bathing in warm water or a hot shower can soothe the pain and distress. Pain relievers such as acetaminophen or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can reduce inflammation and lessen your discomfort.   Exercise   Exercises to strengthen the spine and neck areas may also be beneficial, but you need to go slow. Keeping the area mobile is your primary goal, and you may have to take gradual steps to achieve that level. Deep tissue massage therapy or a chiropractic alignment can also soothe and strengthen your body. By concentrating on the areas where you’re experiencing the most discomfort, a massage therapist can work out the knots and tension.   Most expect an easy fix in one treatment, but you may need to schedule a number of appointments until you begin to experience relief. Individuals with cancerous tumors or more serious problems associated with the neck area may be required to have surgery. This is typically a last resort and a second opinion should always be discussed before you go under the knife.   Stiffness, soreness and being unable to move the neck is a common problem suffered by many, especially those injured in a car accident. Fortunately, most individuals find relief from the pain within four to six weeks. However, for those whose pain fails to disappear, you may need further consultation to get at the root of the problem.   Savannah Bobo is a blog contributor and freelance writer from northwest Georgia who has experience neck and spine pain and soreness from car accidents and work-induced injury. If experiencing pain and soreness from an accident, New York accident lawyers at the Perecman firm have experience with construction, malpractice, and car accident cases in their state, and can help you by answering your questions with concern and diligence.

If you are still a young woman, the word ‘menopause’ might not feature very often in your thoughts. However, there are many women like you who don’t consider menopause to be a problem yet in their life, but are already experiencing symptoms that could be quite similar to those expected during the menopause. This can include any number of things, but usually involves gaining weight despite not changing your diet. You may also have uncomfortable or lumpy breasts, and this would be especially worse pre-menstrually. Also, your period could be becoming irregular, you could have lost some of your sex drive or becoming more irritable, especially in the morning. The culprit for all of these symptoms could be something that is known as pre-menopause syndrome. Pre-menopause syndrome is not a natural or expected part of a woman’s life and can happen due to a poor lifestyle, bad eating habits or a toxic environment. The pre-menopause syndrome is a condition that most women are aware of but very few have a name for, instead believing that it is a natural progression in their life and typical of ageing. This can lead women to suffer for a long time without realising that there are ways that you can treat pre-menopause syndrome and that you don’t have to suffer in silence. The symptoms often come as a result of hormone imbalances, mainly oestrogen dominance. They are not just about biochemistry; they are about women who struggle to balance work-life and simply forgot to take care of themselves. Don’t suffer by yourself, speak to your doctor about the problem and they will be able to come up with a plan to help. This doesn’t have to involve taking chemicals or synthetic hormones; it can often be resolved simply by living a healthier lifestyle.

Fuzzy thinking during menopause has affected the mental wellbeing of women for years, with almost two-thirds of women reporting forgetfulness and other mental hiccups at this time. However, up until now scientists didn't know if it was all in your head. Now, a new report has confirmed that this annoying symptom of menopause is real, but, thankfully, that doesn’t mean that brain fog has to be a permanent fixture in your life. When people talk about your working memory, they are referring to a section of your brain that stores everything you might need to remember in the next few minutes. When your working memory is weak, it doesn’t store everything that it needs to and so you can have trouble with the simplest of things, such as solving everyday maths problems, food-shopping without a list and paying attention in meetings (although we all struggle with that one sometimes!). Your working memory stops, well, working because in areas of your brain, such as your frontal lobe, that controls working memory, there are loads of oestrogen receptors. The hormonal shifts in menopause, where you’re producing less oestrogen, throws your memory off until the receptors adjust to not being activated as fully. Because menopause makes your hormones fluctuate, your receptors often can’t adjust fast enough, giving you a temporary spell of brain fog. So that’s what it is and why it happens, but how do you stop menopause from messing up your working memory? Wild hormone swings are the main factor behind fuzzy thinking, so you may want to consider hormone therapy. Bioidentical estradiol, with micronised progesterone plus 162 mg of aspirin to decrease blood clots and cancer risks, is supposed to be better than conventional oestrogen medication for clearing up brain fog. However, you should consult your doctor before taking these medications, especially if you’re at high risk for breast cancer. Exercise can also help you sharpen your mind, no matter who you are. Brisk walking is enough to boost volume and activity in your working memory brain areas, as it increases the number of connections between your brain cells, makes those connections stronger and improves blood flow in these brain regions. You need fats to make your cell membranes (the place where signals move from cell to cell) strong, so get your DHA omega-3 fatty acid from fatty fish three times a week, or 900 milligrams of DHA a day from algal oil or fish oil capsules. Finally, sleep deprivation, as many women experience during menopause, can erode your working memory. Again, hormone therapy can help, but you might get the good night’s sleep you need by adopting a bedtime routine, like stretching, shower, story, snuggle, sleep!

Experiencing the onset of the menopause at a younger age than you might expect can be an upsetting experience, especially if you do not feel that the fertile time in your life is complete. There are many psychological and physical wellness implications to this and many people struggle with the associated health concerns. The good news is that a new study does highlight some positive findings for women who begin the menopause before the age of 46. The team of Swedish researchers have found that women who go through an early menopause are much less likely to develop a severe version of rheumatoid arthritis than women who go through the menopause at the normal time. Rheumatoid arthritis is quite common in women, especially older women. It has a detrimental effect on the wellbeing as it causes pain and inflammation in the joints, and can be difficult to manage. The new study indicates that these women who experience early menopause may be as much as 50 percent less likely to experience the debilitating disease. The average age for going through the menopause is 51, with the normal range being between 46 and 63. It is defined as being the time after which a woman’s menstrual periods cease. During this time, the levels of oestrogen in the female body reduce significantly and these hormonal changes can cause unpleasant side effects such as depression, mood swings, hot flashes and headaches. Investigators have announced that women who experience this difficult process earlier in their lives have a 16 percent chance of developing arthritis, which is far less than the normal rate of 35 percent in women who go through the menopause during the normal time frame. The study links hormone changes to the presence of rheumatoid arthritis and indicates that further research into the link is required.

It might be written off as a joke or simply a made-up phenomenon but recent research has shown that it may in fact be a real stage of life that men go through. Researchers have now identified a specific stage in life when testosterone reduces, although unlike female menopause which affects all women, the health concerns associated with the so-called male menopause only affect around two percent of men. This much-debated topic of male menopause (also called hypogonadism) has been researched and the findings published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Researchers enlisted the help of 3,369 men aged between 40 and 79, who were from all over Europe. These men took part in the study by answering questions on their wellbeing in several areas, such as psychological, sexual and physical health. At the same time, blood samples were collected from the men and analysed to determine their testosterone levels. A link was found between reporting of sexual problems and lower levels of testosterone. Sexual problems included erectile dysfunction, decreased sexual thoughts and decreased morning erections. Some other symptoms, such as fatigue, low mood levels and physical difficulties were only found to weakly relate to testosterone levels. The highest levels of ‘male menopause’ symptoms were found in men who had poor overall wellness and health and who were obese. During the study, some symptoms such as anxiety, difficulty sleeping and poor concentration were not found to be linked to testosterone levels. It would appear, then, that these symptoms are related to some other health concern associated with age and is not a sex-specific disorder. It does appear from the research that the male menopause exists in some form, but further research is required to ascertain exactly what symptoms can be attributed to this lowering of testosterone, and what can be done about it.

There is no escaping the fact that if you are an obese man, you are much more likely to be suffering from health concerns such as metabolic syndrome. This can affect your wellness in so many ways, including having an impact on your cardiovascular health. It is less well known, however, that being obese can affect your wellbeing in another important way: it can affect your sexual and urinary health. One of the most common types of urinary difficulties is urinary frequency. This occurs when a man finds that he needs to pass urine more frequently than usual and is often due to an enlarged prostate gland. Recent research has found, however, that there can be other reasons for frequent urination. The cause can be determined with a simple at-home test which men can perform to find out what might be causing problems in the bathroom – and in the bedroom. This method was tested by a team and a study was recently published in the British Journal of Urology International (BJUI). The study was carried out using 409 men aged between 40 and 91, who were suffering from urinary tract problems. These symptoms are common in men as they get older, with the incidence being as much as 90 percent of men aged between 50 and 80 years old. This leads to a condition called ‘nocturia’ where a man feels the need to void his bladder more than once per night. For the test, the waistlines of the men were measured and then they were put into three different groups. As a result of this, it became very clear to the researchers that there was a link between waist size and frequency of urination. There was also a strong link between frequency night urination and problems involving sexual function such as ejaculation. Therefore, if you are suffering from any of the above problems, the simple test is to measure your waistline. You may find that a larger waistline is your answer, and that by losing some weight you can also increase your urinary and sexual health.

One day, drinking a glass of milk and munching on cheese and crackers will be all you need to guard your wellbeing against Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. This is according to Dr. Mahesh Narayan, associate professor of chemistry at The University of Texas at El Paso, whose recent studies have led him to suggest that everyday spices could prevent neurodegenerative diseases from damaging mental health, as well as overall wellness. Dr Narayan has recently undertaken studies, in which he found that everyday spices such as turmeric, most commonly found in Indian food, neem, almond oil and the creosote bush may contain key neurodegenerative disease-preventing ingredients. Narayan, a native of India, explained, ‘The long term prospect for us is to actually lace everyday food, such as potato chips, milk, cheese, etc., with these ethno-pharmaceuticals, and then have them neuro-protect you without you even knowing.’ A brain process called “protein misfolding” is the most commonly known to cause many neurodegenerative diseases, and Dr Narayan’s experiments with curcumin, a polyphenol in turmeric, show the potential of these kitchen table ingredients to intervene in this process. Free radicals help to spread Alzheimer’s [AD] and Parkinson’s [PD], and Narayan explained that polyphenols are good at scavenging free radicals. This helps to prevent the progress of the pathogenesis of AD and PD. Narayan is currently working with Dr Edward Castaneda, chair and professor of psychology, and Dr Manuel-Arrango, assistant professor of biological sciences, at UTEP, with the shared goal of moving on to animal studies. Commenting on his future contributions to Narayan’s research, Castaneda said, ‘If you develop a drug that is useful for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, you don’t know if it will be useful unless you investigate the behavioural effects of that drug.’ The researchers aim is to explore an animal model, and the effects that polyphenols have in diminishing and or preventing the animal’s neurodegenerative diseases. Narayan commented, ‘The more we exploit the more possibilities.’ None of the spices studied are related to one another, but each of them contain polyphenols-rich extracts. Narayan noted, ‘The ingredients are mild. We hope they are incorporated into diets and the general population is neuro-protected without them having to do much about it.’

Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a disorder of the central nervous system that seriously affects your motor movement wellness. After seeing her father battle with the disease for years, 21-year-old Vidhi Bhargav, a final year student of fashion communication at Symbiosis Institute of Design, didn’t think twice when it came to her subject for her final year project; a user-friendly bag for those whose wellbeing is affected by PD. Vidhi deliberated for days and met neurologists and social workers, besides building on her own life’s experiences with her father, before creating a ‘miniature sling bag’ designed specially for Parkinson’s patients. She presented her bag, called the ‘Nazaria’ collection, last week to 80 patients at a special event organised by Parkinson’s Mitra Mandal at Kesari Wada in the city. According to Vidhi, ‘The design, though simple, is very effective for Parkinson’s patients. PD is a problem when a person’s movements get affected. Their movements are slow and gait awkward. They may suddenly become stiff and need medicine to normalise. The bag I designed is a sling bag since PD patients require their hands to be free to hold on for support as they might stumble due to their gait.’ The material of the bag is extremely light and does not add burden or affect posture. Vidhi added, ‘The bag has compartments to hold a mobile, medicine and a bottle of water. In this miniature size, bags with these specially designed compartments are not available. But a patient may suddenly require medicine and water, which is important to have at all times. Also the bag has no buttons, but a velcro as once a patient gets stiff, he may have difficulty in dealing with buttons.’ Neurologist Dr Rajas Deshpande commented, ‘I was initially wondering what kind of ‘fashion’ product could help Parkinson’s patients, but this idea is fantastic and a much-needed product. The attention to details is good.’ Vidhi attributes the bag’s success to her father, whose resilience and grit in fighting PD was an inspiration. ‘I wanted this collection to be a tribute to my father, my hero and inspiration through the lessons I learnt from his life. I hope this small design input can help make lives a little easier for other patients,’ she said.

Foot injuries rank high in the list of accidents that occur in the workplace. According to an OH&S article, foot injuries alone account for 25% of reported non-fatal disabling injuries in 2010. These injuries are often blamed on falling or rolling objects, electrical hazards, objects piercing the sole, and chemical splashes.

OSHA requires employees to wear proper protective footwear when working in areas where foot injuries are likely to happen. There are many safety shoes available, but remember that you have to choose the ones that will give you the protection you need. Here are two guidelines finding the right footwear.

Know which is best for you.

The ANSI Z41-1991 divides protective footwear into six categories corresponding to the most common causes of foot injuries. Know what hazards or injuries you are likely to deal with in your present workplace, and choose the footwear that can best protect you.

1. Impact and Compression Resistance - features a steel toe that protects against falling or rolling objects
2. Metatarsal Footwear – offers protection to the area between the toes and the ankle
3. Electrical Hazard – designed with a sole that works against electric shocks up to 600V under dry conditions
4. Puncture Resistance – with a sole that withstands puncture from sharp objects such as broken glass and nails
5. Conductive Footwear – prevents buildup of static electricity
6. Static Dissipative – decreases static electricity buildup while protecting from electrical hazards

Pick the right fit.

The right fit is the comfortable fit. Jim Falcinelli, director of marketing for Hy-Test Boots and Shoes, observed that even steel-toe shoes are comfortable if properly fitted. There are some things you can do to find the perfect fit:

1. Wear your usual work socks. Wearing thicker or thinner socks when fitting might end you up with a bigger or smaller size.
2. Take the size of both feet. Most people have a slightly bigger right foot. Measure each foot, and always follow the bigger size. It’s easier to make adjustments for the smaller foot with a larger-sized shoe.
3. Shop in the afternoon. Your feet swell and expand at the end of the day, particularly if you’ve been on them all morning. If some areas of your feet hurt, pick a different style.

It is also essential to keep your footwear in good shape. Some slip-resistant shoes fail to work because of the dirt that has accumulated. Make sure to clean your shoes, check for gaping toes or soles, and remove stuck nails or glasses. Doing so does not only ensure that your shoes do protect you; it also makes them last longer.

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Hazel Evangelista is a writer, reader, and part-time sun-worshipper. She’s been writing about safety and security lately, and you can find more of her work at Emedco’s Blog. If not busy at work, she’s busy with life – climbing mountains, surfing waves, or lazing by the beach with a good book in hand.

Sedentary lifestyle with unhealthy habits can cause a host medical conditions. We rely on computers to get our work done, there is hardly any movement as we sit behind our desks. Our activity levels are very low and many of us suffer from back and neck aches. Did you know that nearly 90% of American population suffers from spinal neck pain symptoms? Every progressive episode of neck and back ache can worsen the condition and the pain may even radiate to other parts of the body.  To prevent serious medical conditions, it is advisable to visit a physical therapist who can prescribe certain simple exercises to help relieve neck ache. Furthermore, you will learn how to strengthen the muscles in order to avoid future recurrence and flare-ups. Physical therapy for your neck   Physical therapy for neck pain consists of exercises that help stretch and strengthen the muscles, tendons and ligaments that support the spinal cord. Flexibility of the muscles accelerates healing and reduces neck pain. Your physical therapist will also guide you on the correct posture. Some of the common passive treatments for neck pain suggested by physical therapists include: Hot and Cold Therapy In this treatment, heat is applied at the point of pain to increase the blood flow and bring more oxygen and nutrients to the site of pain. Proper blood flow also helps remove the waste by-products caused by muscle spasms. On the other hand, cold therapy helps to slow down the circulation thus decreasing inflammation and pain. Physical therapists usually alternate between hot and cold therapy to achieve maximum results.   Deep Tissue Massage This technique concentrates on the core of chronic muscle tension.  It is at the core that tension builds up due to daily stress. Direct pressure is used on the soft tissues, muscles, tendons and ligaments. This helps relieve stress and decrease neck pain.   Traction In this method, the therapist will try to stretch your spine either by using their hands or a mechanical traction device. Traction also helps mobilise the spinal muscles and reduce pain.   Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) It is a machine that stimulates the muscles with the help of electric currents. TENS machines are safe to use and can also be used at home. It helps reduce muscle spasms and increase the production of endorphins which are natural painkillers produced by the body.   Neck Therapy: Future Flare-ups   Flare-ups can happen even after getting the neck pain treated. In order to manage the pain and reduce the symptoms, your physical therapist will advise you on the proper posture to sit, stand and move around. The therapist may also design a low impact exercise program to further stretch and strengthen the muscles. Spinal and neck pain can be avoided by maintaining proper at all times. Proper posture along with mild exercises can keep aches and pains at bay.

Pain is an interesting thing, it’s physical but it’s also psychological and it’s been proven time and time again that our minds are more than capable of making us feel pain that simply isn’t there. Most pain does have a physical cause and we generally deal with it through the use of a whole rainbow of different drugs and painkillers. Most of the more potent painkillers are highly addictive and they can lead on to all sorts of other unpleasant actions. Essentially painkillers have the potential to destroy your life if you let them run away with you. It’s not likely but it is possible and just because they’re legal doesn’t make them safe. Most issues with drugs are issues with prescription drugs after all. Obviously at various points in your life you might need potent painkillers to get by. I’m in no way suggesting you grin and bear this, just be aware of the potential damage that can be done by these legal substances and makes sure you only take them for as long as you need to and no longer! The mind is an incredible tool when it comes to conquering pain. Simply by focussing on something else you can counter pain and through the use of mediation and other relaxation therapies you’ll be able to take your mind away from the painful symptoms altogether and you may well end up being a lot better off than you would have been if you’d popped a pill. Just like everything else that goes on in our brain, pain has to be thought about to be sustained. If you can take your mind off it by keeping busy or distracting yourself then you might be able to ignore it for a while. If it’s really bad, don’t hesitate to take a pill. Just try your best to avoid relying on them too much!

There are important things to remember when we consult our doctors’ advice; these mostly revolve around the fact that though doctors are well trained and generally very knowledgeable and good at what they do, they don’t know everything. At the end of the day, they’re people too and the fact is that even with the best intentions and the very best practises adhered to, people make mistakes. This isn’t to say stop trusting them, you should absolutely trust your GP but you should also take some initiative when a condition or a treatment might threaten either the way you live your life or your life itself. Today, unlike times past, we all have a massive wealth of information at the push of a button. Don’t rely on the internet to diagnose your conditions, let your doctor do that, but read up on whatever’s been attributed to your symptoms. If you understand whatever illness you’ve got and you understand the treatments available and how they’re going to benefit you or the chances of them harming you, you’ll be better prepared for every outcome. Your health is as much your own responsibility as it is your doctor’s, you’ve got to take the time to understand it so that, if your doctor does slip up, you can catch it. I don’t mean contradict a medical opinion, unless you yourself are a medical professional you won’t be able to even attempt that, what I mean is you’ll know what to expect. If things don’t go the way your expect them to or you know for a fact your symptoms don’t add up to that condition then seek a second opinion. Patients have the right to know all treatment options open to them and if you’re concerned about your doctor’s opinion on something then there’s no harm in checking it with another doctor. If they agree with each other then at least you’re sure and if they don’t, then you might have saved yourself all manner of bellyache!

As a carer, your job is to make sure your clients’ needs are met and their wellbeing is taken care of, but what about their sexual health? Who do you turn to when you need to help people with disabilities enjoy sexual relationships? In order to influence policies so that more disabled people can explore their sexual wellness and enjoy healthy relationships, therapist, consultant, campaigner and author Tuppy Owens started the Outsiders Trust in the 1980s and Sexual Health and Disability Alliance (Shada) in 2005. Owens says that a man who approached Outsiders for help with his predicament has become a “guinea pig” for Shada’s new sexual advocacy group, ASAP (Ask A Sexual Advocacy Professional). The man’s predicament is that he can't speak or move, whilst his girlfriend is more able physically but has learning difficulties. The couple want to have sex but have no way of getting started, but the group should be qualified to help them, as it comprises of a sex and massage therapist, a counsellor, a Bodywork specialist and a former sex worker-turned carer. Owens said, ‘First of all we need to educate the girl, with her permission, then we need to get them together somehow.’ Healthcare professionals frequently call the Outsiders sex and disability helpline, as they are aware that their clients have needs that they are unable or unwilling to fulfil. The organisation will put them in touch with someone who can, usually a paid sex-worker which, as Owens is tired of explaining, is not illegal in this country. Owens commented that the problem ‘is that there is so much fear. Care homes are always so terrified that it will get into the press and there will be a big scandal.’ Sex is so easy for most of use that it's very easy to underestimate its importance. Sex is incredibly connected to wellbeing, as it is not just about a physical need but also a healthy self-esteem. One Outsiders client has noted, ‘There is this overwhelming sense of achievement that I have somehow fulfilled my calling as a man and my self-esteem is lifted for a few important moments.’

Human papillomavirus is known to cause cervical cancer, but many people forget that it’s a sexually transmitted disease, and so can easily put your wellbeing at risk. According to a hospital release from Dr Katharine O. White, chief of general obstetrics and gynaecology at Baystate Medical Centre, ‘I can’t think of any better way to observe STD Awareness Month than for parents to consider getting their child the Gardasil vaccine to prevent them against the human papillomavirus.’ There is no treatment for human papillomavirus, which, as it is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among women worldwide, is a major wellness concern. More than half of sexually active men and women will become infected at some time in their lives, and White noted, ‘While the vaccine is recommended for both girls and boys ages 9 to 11, studies tell us that women up to age 26 will also benefit from being vaccinated, which is covered by insurance up to that age.’ In March, the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a new analysis of eight common STIs; chlamydia, gonorrhea, hepatitis B virus (HBV), herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), human papillomavirus (HPV), syphilis and trichomoniasis. The CDC report showed that up to half of all new infections each year affect the wellness of young people ages 15 to 24. White commented, ‘While this age group is the most vulnerable, anyone with a new partner or with multiple partners is also vulnerable.’ Dr. Patricia Bailey-Sarnelli, director of paediatric and adolescent gynaecologic services at Baystate, added that the need for prevention is greater than ever, but part of the problem has to do with normal adolescent psychological development. ‘Adolescents go through a phase of magical thinking where, basically, they have a sense of invulnerability, that nothing can hurt them,’ she explained. ‘For that reason, they tend to be less consistent about condom use, so that puts them at greater risk.’ Bailey-Sarnelli noted that ‘the girls I am seeing now are somewhat better informed and most talk about learning about sex in their health class at school.’ However, the CDC statistics show that more needs to be done for teen sexual health. ‘I always like to tell them that we are all sexual beings, and that the most important part of that is being a responsible sexual being – responsible to themselves, to their partners, their family, and community – and part of that includes using protection against sexually transmitted diseases.’

As we all know, sleep if vital for good physical and mental health. However, you may not be aware that not getting enough sleep could increase your risk of developing cancer. Studies have found that women who work night shifts are more likely to develop breast and ovarian cancer. In a study which involved more than 3000 women, half of whom had ovarian cancer and half who didn't, those with cancer were more likely to have worked night shifts for a long period of time. Researchers found that the risk was 24 percent higher for advanced ovarian cancer and there was a 49 percent increased risk of borderline ovarian cancer, compared to regular office hours. Even women who worked night-shifts just a few years before were at a higher risk of developing the disease, but those who worked them for more than seven years didn't appear to have an increased risk. The most common jobs associated with the study were food service industries, office and admin, and healthcare. Scientists have attributed the risk with the fact that the lack of sleep causes the body's circadian rhythms to be disrupted which suppresses the production of melatonin. This hormone helps to regulation other hormones and rids the body of free radicals. Furthermore, those who work night-shifts sleep during the day, which means the exposure to sunlight is far lower. This causes the body to become deficient in vitamin D, which has previously been linked to cancer. Sleep is vital to give your body time to repair itself and to allow the brain to rest and recuperate. By forcing your body to keep working beyond the stage in which it needs to rest, you're damaging yourself physically and mentally, which can cause stress and mood related concerns. You should aim to get around eight hours each night to allow your body to rest.  

As you toss and turn in bed, trying to get to sleep, you may blame stress, health concerns, lack of exercise or any number of other factors, but have you thought about blaming your diet? Research carried out at the University of Pennsylvania has uncovered some interesting facts about a potential link between what we eat and how easy we find it to get to sleep, and how well we sleep. The research has identified key nutrients that may play a vital role in helping humans to develop wellness through healthy sleep patterns. At the same time, there are food types which can have a detrimental effect on sleep. Vitamin C plays an important role in the diet, and a lack of this vitamin can be one of the biggest culprits behind sleep deprivation. Being dehydrated and consuming too much fatty food can also be vital clues as to why your sleep patterns are so out of synch. Scientists found that vitamin C, which can be found in dark leafy greens, oranges, peppers and broccoli amongst other things, can be vital for getting a good night’s sleep, as can selenium, a nutrient which is found in meat, nuts and shellfish and lycopene, which is found in orange and red-coloured foods. Harmful habits include indulging in a diet that is high in saturated fat and also taking in too much choline, which is found in fatty meats and eggs. The usual offenders can also take their fair share of the blame, as chocolate, tea and alcohol can also affect the wellbeing of those who overindulge in them before bedtime. Participants in the study disclosed the full details of their dietary intake, and their sleep habits were then categorised as very short, short, normal or long. The dietary differences were then compared between groups whose sleep habits differed, which highlighted the foods which appeared to be linked to positive sleep habits and those which seemed to contribute to negative ones.

There are tests that can be carried out to find out if ovarian cancer is one of the health concerns that a woman needs to worry about in her lifetime. If a woman is found to carry the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation, her future wellness and wellbeing could be affected as they are at an increased risk of developing ovarian cancer at some stage in their life. In some cases, these women choose to go ahead and have their ovaries and fallopian tubes removed, in order to reduce the risk of developing ovarian cancer. In ordinary women, the risk of developing the cancer is around two percent, but when a woman is found to carry these types of gene mutation, the risk soars. Women who carry BRCA1 have a 40 percent chance of developing the cancer, while BRCA2 carries a slightly lower (but still high) risk of around 20 percent. This procedure is only recommended if the woman in question is around 40 years of age and has had any children that they want to have. Shocking new research, however, shows that some women who do not carry this BRCA mutation are still undergoing ovarian and fallopian removal. This research analysed a group of 1, 447 women who had received a screening for BRCA coupled with genetic counselling. The results of the study seemed to show that 12.3 percent of women who did not appear to carry the genes still went ahead with the ovarian removal. While it was not clearly shown that they did so in order to try to prevent ovarian cancer, the results seem to indicate that this would be the case. It is important to be aware that this type of surgery is not recommended for a woman who does not carry BRCA (and does not have a different gynaecological disorder) and that the benefits of this type of surgery do not outweigh the risks in these cases.

So many of the health concerns that affect women today can be fought against by having a healthy diet. One thing that has particularly come to the notice of nutritionists in the last little while is the beneficial effect of adding a lot of berries to your diet.   New studies have shown that women who eat berries several times each week have significantly better wellness than women who do not. Their risk of a heart attack is significantly lowered, and this is attributed to something called phytonutrients, which are present in berries. These phytonutrients have antioxidant properties which are fantastic for your wellbeing.   The study looked at data from 93, 600 women, looking for possible links between their diet and their health. The results showed that women who had a high level of anthocyanin in their diet were 32 percent less likely to suffer from a heart attack. In particular, women who ate blueberries or strawberries three times a week were 34 percent less likely to suffer from a heart attack. There was also a correlation between women who eat berries, and women who don’t smoke, do take exercise and eat a lower-fat, higher-fibre diet, showing that berries are typically adopted as part of a healthy lifestyle. Other factors, such as intake of fruits and vegetables did not seem to be a contributing factor, leading to the conclusion that the real key to a healthy lifestyle is to increase your intake of berries. There are many other good reasons to eat berries too. Berries can make your brain healthier and help to prevent memory loss, as they have anti-inflammatory properties that may help to prevent degeneration. Blueberries in particular may help to prevent the growth of breast cancer and strawberries have been shown to help activate a protein in the human body that may help to prevent diabetes.

Breast milk is a miraculous substance, which contains exactly the right elements to help nurture an infant child. Just how miraculous it is is a subject which scientists are constantly exploring. The latest research suggests that it may be even more complex a liquid than was ever thought in the past, as Spanish researchers have now found more than 700 species of bacteria in it.   Of course, the word ‘bacteria’ immediately makes you panic, but of course we are talking about the naturally occurring ‘good’ types of bacteria. The exact role that these types of bacteria have in infant nourishment and development is something that has still got to be discovered, but it is widely agreed that breastmilk is the best substance to maintain infant wellness.   These key Spanish scientists have used a new technique, which is based on the sequencing of DNA, to identify the different sets of bacteria that can be found within breastmilk. This groundbreaking technique now opens up the door to further studies on breastmilk, and could include highlighting the ways in which human milk changes in relation to the age of the infant. This could have a great impact on scientific knowledge about the wellbeing of infants around the world, and could help to work towards solutions to any health concerns that people may feel about breastfeeding.   The study also looked at the difference between colostrum (first milk) and subsequent milk, and between milk at one and six months, comparing analysis of the bacteria found in both. Oral bacteria were also found in breastmilk, leading to further discussion about whether these originated in the milk or within the baby’s mouth.   A significant finding was also that the increased weight of a mother decreased the amount of bacteria present in the milk.