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This week in health – 29/06/2018

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With so much going on in the world of health it can be difficult to keep up to date with all the latest news and breakthroughs. Luckily, talkhealth’s weekly round-up should help you keep on top of all the latest developments in health. This week, we’re looking at exercise and obesity, mental health in the youth and the benefits of seeing the same doctor. So, without further ado, let’s begin.

Exercise and Obesity

A new study has found that one in four British people will avoid exercise at all costs. The study, which was run by the British Lung Foundation, has revealed that of the 2,000 people questioned 23% admitted that they do their best to avoid physical exercise. It also found that only 16% of people work out more than once a week. Physical exercise is integral to a healthy body and mind, so these new findings are cause for concern. If you are struggling to get active, why not take a look at talkmenshealth and talkwomenshealth where you can find some ideas to help get you active.

Alongside this, a new report has found that deprived areas in the UK could have up to five times more fast food outlets than more affluent areas. The abundance of these cheap and unhealthy meals in lower socio-economic areas is likely to be contributing to the nation’s growing struggle with obesity. The government aims to tackle this problem with it’s recently updated Childhood Obesity Plan, which aims to cut childhood obesity in half by 2030. Part of the strategy put forward in this plan includes a restriction on how and where supermarkets can display offers, such as “two for the price of one”, on foods that are high in salt, sugar or fat. With the UK being the most overweight nation in Western Europe, it is hoped that these plans and initiatives can help combat the problem of obesity.

If you are worried about your weight, or the weight of someone close to you, take a look at talkweight for support and information on the subject.

Mental health in youth and students

Looking after your mental health is just as important as your physical health. With this in mind, universities are being challenged to dramatically improve their mental health support for students by the government. Recently, the Office for National Statistics published data which suggested that over the last year 95 university students took their own lives in England and Wales. Universities are being told to work tighter and closer with the NHS to identify potential mental health problems in students earlier to avoid these kinds of situations.

Mental health problems aren’t just present in university students though. The boss of the NHS, Simon Stevens, has called for a “major ramp-up” in mental health services for children and all young people. Stevens has claimed that factors such as social media may be having a negative impact on the youth in the UK and could be contributing to mental health problems. Plans are being put in place to help combat this problem and, if you are struggling with your mental health, take a look at our talkmenshealth and talkwomenshealth sections of the website for further support.

The benefits of seeing the same doctor

Finally, a new study from the University of Exeter has found that seeing the same doctor again and again resulted in lower death rates among patients.

The benefits applied to visits to GPs and specialists and were seen across different cultures and health systems. The study highlighted that continuity of care is known to be particularly beneficial for patients with chronic conditions, long-term mental health issues and complex needs. By seeing the same doctor, patients were able to build better relationships, communication and understanding between themselves and their doctor, allowing for better treatment for the patient.

That rounds up the top news stories in the world of health this week. If you want to continue the conversation, head over to the talkhealth forums!

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What Effect Would A Wet Wipes Ban Have On Ostomates?

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You may have seen the news recently and the talk of the Government banning wet wipes.  With the current focus on the environment, recyclable products are much more in favour at the moment.  Wet wipes contain non-biodegradable plastics, are single use and cannot be recycled.  Despite warnings on the packet, they are still flushed down the toilet and account for over 90% of material sewage blockages according to Water UK*.  

Much of the focus in the media has been on parents – one of the biggest uses of wet wipes tend to be when changing a child’s nappy and cleaning mucky hands and faces.  But as an ostomate it made me wonder what we would do, should this ban come into fruition.  

Stoma Bag Changing Routine

I generally change my bag every evening when I have my shower.  Not all ostomates change this often but I get sore skin if I leave my bag on for too long.  My general routine involves:

  1. Cut my new bag to size and get out all the things I need
  2. Remove stoma bag using adhesive remover spray
  3. Clean the area with a wet wipe
  4. Use an adhesive remover wipe to remove any bits of the adhesive from the bag stuck on skin
  5. Clean the area again with a wet wipe to remove any fonal traces of output and adhesive remover
  6. Dry well with a dry wipe
  7. Spray ostomy barrier spray
  8. When dry, place clean bag over stoma and press down firmly
  9. Attach baseplate extenders if required

Check out mine and Ste’s STOMA BAG CHANGE RACE on YouTube

Using Wet Wipes During A Bag Change

The wet wipes I use during a bag change are provided by my delivery company, Bullens.  I have also used baby wipes before, although some people don’t suggest this.  My wipes are not flushed down the toilet, I dispose of them in the rubbish bag with the rest of my waste. 

I recently ran a poll on Twitter to see what other people used to clean their stoma during a bag change.

Just over half of all the ostomates who responded to my poll use some form of wet wipe – either a baby wipe or one of the complimentary wet wipes provided by their stoma su[pplies delivery company.

   

There were some great points made relating to the poll including:

  • Baby wipes aren’t always ideal for use around the stoma site as they can leave residue
  • Different things affect people’s skin differently and what wiorks for one may not work for another
  • Check the wipes you are using are meant for the skin and not bathroom surfaces – many of these contain bleach
  • Trio Heathcare recommended using their adhesive remover wipes over baby wipes.  Order your sample here

So What Can We Use Instead?

Luckily there are lots of different things we can use to clean our stoma area.

Dry Wipes

I use dry wipes to dry the area around my stoma after cleaning.  These can also be used damp to clean the area.  As there are no chemicals used, this can help prevent sore skin and residue that means your bag will not stick properly

Adhesive Remover Wipes

Use these to help remove any sticky residue from the bag baseplate without having to scrub which can irritate the skin.  You could also use the adhesive remover spray with a dry wipe if preferred

Reusable Soft Cloths

I found these cloths in Primark and they were really inexpensive.  I use them to wash my face and to remove my makeup.  They are super soft though and could be used damp to clean your stoma area, before being placed in the wash to reduce waste.

Shower

I like to remove my bag before I shower so I can give my skin some bag free time.  Rather than cleaning the area before you get ihn, you can use the shower to clean the area around your stoma.  Warm water is recommended as it does not contain anything which could irritate your skin.  Do not use any shower gels too close to your stoma, as this may cause irritation or prevent the bag from sticking due to the residue they leaves behind.

No Need To Panic!

The media are very accomplished at causing panic but I really don’t think there needs to be one about this!  For both ostomates and parents there are many alternatives, and it would be great for companies to start coming up with more environmentally friendly options for us all, this may give them the push they need.  

I hope you enjoyed reading my post and the alternatives to wet wipes will be useful to you.  I would love to hear what you use in the comments and if there is anything I should add to my list

You can see more of my posts over on my blog – The Spoonie Mummy

*Reference – https://inews.co.uk/news/environment/wet-wipe-ban-uk-opportunity-end-flushaway-culture/

 

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Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the sports hall (GCSEs are here again, along with depression, stress and anxiety).

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Doesn’t time fly? I can hardly believe that once more a querulous cohort of GCSE students are being ushered begrudgingly into sports halls up and down the country with the weight and expectations of their parents resting heavy upon their slender adolescent shoulders.

I remember only vaguely at this vantage point my own GCSE experiences, perhaps it was the heady self assurance of youth, or the lack of expectation from my parents but I don’t remember it being a particularly big deal – but perhaps that is only with the benefit of hindsight. What I do know now is that in the interceding years there has fomented an atmosphere of rank terror and ever mounting pressure. Yes it is true, the students of today stand poised to enter and inherit a very different world and job market than the carefree days of yesteryear but even still the lunacy that accompanies the rhetoric around the importance of exams does perhaps pinpoint quite why we’ve seen the largest surge in diagnoses of anxiety, stress and depression amongst our youth ever.

So this is my antidote to that. All of this, all of the pressure, the expectation, the terror, is white noise, a buzzing fly for the thousands of you for whom these exams represent either the crowning glory of your academic life or a nasty gut punch after toiling for the last two years for what will feel like no good reason.

It may feel like the fate of the universe depends on your GCSE performance, but it really doesn’t. It’s all going to be okay. It’s important to remember that no matter what happens with your GCSEs, it remains a stepping stone and nothing more. A sort of gateway exam as it were. Obviously some of the recent and ongoing changes from alphabetical to numerical have thrown up confused and mixed messages and for many who are possibly university bound, the boundaries that were once so simple differ magnificently from one university to another. Hopefully though this will force schools to look at university entry and offer advice earlier than usual. With certain institutions and courses stipulating what now constitutes a grade C when in old money it was pretty obvious, it may be you’ll need to revise your plans and either do a resit or re-examine where you want to study post A levels. The same is true for certain HNDs, BTECs, Internships etc. who may have minimum requirements in English and Maths but what that shakes out in new money is somewhat subjective.

Your results when they filter through, squatting at the end of the summer holidays like a spectre at a banquet will necessarily impact the choices you make next, but, and it’s an important but – good or bad, nothing is permanent. As much as it feels like the most important thing in the world right now, as long as you’ve done well enough to keep your options open you’ll be just fine. My business partner is one of the smartest people I know, BA from Durham, MA from Warwick, PhD from Columbia, he had lousy GCSE results comparative to his ability and pretty unremarkable A levels if we’re getting into finger pointing. Equally, people I went to school with who performed astonishingly at GCSE level were middle of the pack come A level. As worried as you might be you are only ever really judged on your highest level of accomplishment, so as long as you do well enough to not close down avenues, things will work out just fine if you apply yourself and move forward in a positive fashion.

So no matter whether you’re the big winner or the wooden spooner come results day, try to hold on to the fact that it is, comprehensively, not the end of the road, just a bump in it. You can do resits alongside A levels or BTECs etc, you may need to slightly adjust certain plans to accommodate your new circumstances but you should never submit to feeling like a failure, nor should you be too smug. It all shakes out in the wash and if you know where you want to be, I guarantee if you apply yourself then your GCSEs are just business as usual.

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This week in health – 15/06/2018

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As another week comes to a close, here at talkhealth we’ve rounded up all of the top news stories from the week in the world of health. From Professor Green talking about depression and the impact of loneliness through to the food poisoning dangers of tea towels, there’s a wide range of topics on offer this week. So, lets just into the top health headlines from the week.

Medication and depression

Famous British rapper and presenter Professor Green has opened up about his battles with depression and his apprehension of taking antidepressants. In a revealing interview, Professor Green has spoken about his time dealing with anxiety and depression and has claimed he feels “like an idiot” for not trying antidepressants sooner. Well-known for his active role with the charity Calm, Professor Green has long been an advocate for raising awareness of male suicide, and this latest insight into his battles with depression should help raise this cause into the spotlight again.

Alongside this, new research from US based researchers has found that many commonly prescribed drugs may increase the chances of developing depression. The research found that, among the study participants, rates of depression were 7% higher for those taking medication where depression may be a side effect.

Lead author Dima Qato, an assistant professor at the University of Illinois, said: “Many may be surprised to learn that their medications, despite having nothing to do with mood or anxiety or any other condition normally associated with depression, can increase their risk of experiencing depressive symptoms and may lead to a depression diagnosis.”

If you are at all concerned that your medication may be having an adverse effect on you, either mentally or physically, you should contact your GP immediately.

To find out more about mental health, please head to our men’s health and women’s health sections of the website.

The importance of exercise in middle age

Exercise is important regardless of age. However, new research has found that middle aged people who are not exercising are putting themselves at heightened risk of increased blood pressure, frailty, dementia and an early death.

The independent reports found that a lack of exercise in middle age could contribute to several issues, with dementia and an early death being the most severe. One report found that those who were aged 50 with a systolic blood pressure of 130mmHg or above were nearly one-and-a-half times more likely to develop dementia than those with ideal blood pressure.

In addition, a separate report noted that men categorised as frail between the ages of 37 and 45 were over two-and-a-half times more likely to die than non-frail people of the same age, with similar findings in women of the same age range.

If you are struggling to keep fit, look at our men’s health and women’s health sections of the website for advice on keeping fit.

Loneliness and its effects

Loneliness can have a huge impact on an individual, both mentally and physically. A new study has highlighted this and has found loneliness may double a person’s risk of dying from cardiovascular disease.

The study also revealed that people who felt lonely were three times as likely to report symptoms of anxiety and depression – this was true for both men and women. These people also reported a much lower quality of life in general.

If you are struggling with loneliness or mental health issues, reach out to friends and family, your GP, or take a look at our forums and connect with like-minded people.

Tea towels and food poisoning

Finally, Scientists from the University of Mauritius have found that multi-use tea towels could be putting your household at risk of food poisoning.

The research examined 100 multi-use towels that had been used for a month and concluded that bacteria such as e-coli was more likely to be found on towels that have been used for multiple functions. Multiple use increases the chance of cross-contamination of potential pathogens that can spread bacteria and lead to food poisoning.

The government recommends washing or changing dish cloths, tea towels, sponges and oven gloves regularly and letting them dry before re-use.

That rounds up this week’s top stories from the world of health. If you want to continue the conversation, head over to the talkhealth forums!

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What a Good Relationship With Your Doctor Looks Like

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Cup of tea, glasses and an x-ray form, to illustrate getting good medical help © livingpositivelywithdisability.com

Have you ever walked out of an appointment with your GP and wondered what you paid all that money for? Have you ever felt like they didn’t really listen, palmed you off, even scoffed at your symptoms?

Getting good medical help is so important, not just to make it a more pleasant experience for you, but to ensure that you are getting the right preventative checks, early intervention and an informed, thorough management of illnesses.

What I have covered below is by no means an exhaustive list and I am sure there are plenty of people who know a lot more about it than me, but here is what I have learnt so far in my life (and medical) journeys:

I’ve said before that there are doctors and then there are doctors. Due to knowledge base, preference and/or personality, every doctor is different and not all of them can give you the help you need…

The Right Doctor

I remember the first time I met my current GP.

My husband had bundled me into the doctors office. I was in tears. I was distraught. I had been trying to be strong for so long, bottling things up inside, that I had become a tight wire of anxiety and I was about to snap (or maybe I already had).

My GP took the time to really listen to me and go over all the aspects of my situation and all the ways I could seek help. He set up a management plan and he referred me to the people who would make that management plan happen. He took extra time to make sure everything was in place for me before he let me leave his office.

He rang me to make sure I was OK in the following days and he booked me for another appointment two weeks after the first.

Unfortunately, it takes a very special doctor to handle the above situation in the right way. I say “unfortunately” only by virtue of it being so rare. Unfortunately, low level negligence is normal, but it is not right.

Scott has been my GP for about 7 yrs now. I had a few before him but he is the right mix of dedication, genuine care for patients, holistic overview and ongoing learning that I need from my GP. If you, like me, are a (let’s be honest) high maintenance patient, it is doubly important that you too have a doctor who is open minded, continually learning from the current medical literature, genuinely cares about their patients and is willing to go the extra distance, every time.

Everybody needs something different. Some of my previous GPs were nice people, fine doctors, but just not the right fit for me. You need to find the right fit for you and to not be afraid to keep looking if the fit isn’t right. Your health is far too important to put it in the hands of someone who perhaps doesn’t care for you in the way that you need, or even someone who doesn’t have the same outlook as you. GP-patient relationships are intimate, sensitive things and good communication and trust is so important.

A good doctor is a consistent doctor. The worst thing you can do is just see anyone who’s available (unless you can’t help it, which happens). You need (using that word very purposefully) a doctor who knows you, your medical background, your family and personal situation. All these factor are incredibly important when making decisions about the medical management of a patient. And with that knowledge base, trust grows. You learn to trust your doctor and put faith in their decisions and they learn to trust you and do things for you that they wouldn’t necessarily do for a stranger walking in their door (like not charge you because they know you came in last week with the same complaint, charge the whole family as one person or order additional tests a new doctor wouldn’t consider because they don’t know the whole picture). Building that relationship over time with a good GP is important and beneficial in so many ways.

A good doctor should…

  1. in all dealings with you, show you respect as a fellow human being – you may not have their degrees, but that does not make you lesser.
  2. not be rude, or even impersonal.
  3. not talk at you, but with you.
  4. make you feel at ease.
  5. listen to you and express empathy.
  6. not hurry you through the appointment because they’re running behind schedule (that’s their issue, not yours).
  7. not discount what you say out of hand but instead discuss all aspects of what you are experiencing, what their take on it is, and why.
  8. explain things thoroughly but clearly (after all, you probably don’t have a medical degree and, if you’re anything like me, you may have barely passed science in high school, too).
  9. order appropriate follow up tests and investigations.
  10. contact you about important test results, even if by text and even if the results are clear. In this way, a good doctor acknowledges the stress and worry of waiting for test results and seeks to reassure their patients.
  11. ring you in the days after the appointment to check in if you have presented with mental health issues for the first time, or presented with borderline hospitalisation symptoms. A good doctor’s care of their patients goes beyond their door. A good doctor doesn’t just want your money; they have your back.

The best advice I could give you for finding long term high quality medical care is to create a social web of good information and good services. If you’re happy with one service provider, ask them to recommend others. If your doctor leaves the practice, ask the receptionist (who you’ve developed a really good relationship with, of course!) to recommend another. (Gently) grill everyone you meet, from social workers to pharmacists. Make the most of your existing relationships and contacts to make the next connection you need.

A lot of the time you have to be super assertive and ask the right questions, as I have learnt from dealing with medical professionals for my disabled child over the last 14 yrs, but there are definitely people out there who are more than worth their weight in gold when it comes to giving you help. 

When it’s time to move on

Not happy with your doctor but not sure whether you should look for someone else?

I encourage people to take part in their diagnosis, listen to their inner compass when it tells them something doesn’t sound right and seek second, third (or even more) opinions when those doubts arise.

Discuss your situation with friends and family if you feel like you need a sounding board for your concerns. Maybe go online and chat with support groups (using your judgement to make certain they are informed and actually supportive) to get the ‘inside story’ and possibly even recommendations for other specialists (or at least how to access that information).

Making decisions: parenting exercises

Something that I’ve found that works for me when making tough decisions that you could try if you like the sound of it, is what I call a parenting exercise: I pretend that I (Lowen) am the parent of me (Lowen) – what would I tell myself? “Stop being silly”? (no, that would be that pesky, negative inner voice in your head, not your parenting self). You may find your parenting self might say, “Hmmm, maybe you should get a recommendation and go and see someone else for a second look,” or, “Try this medication for a few weeks and see if it helps, like the Specialist said it would”, or “I think you’re over thinking it, love,” or, “Maybe sleep on it and see if you still have reservations in the morning”. Our parenting selves tend to be more logical and also more loving than the rest of the jumble of thoughts in our head. It can be an effective way of stepping back and looking at the situation in a clearer light.

Being part of the process

These are all ways of making a measured decision about how you want to progress in managing your illness. And that bit I just highlighted is so important – we shouldn’t just be treated by a doctor – we should always be part of the decision-making process.

If you are coming away from your appointment feeling like you weren’t part of the process, it probably is time to move on.

You don’t have to put up with substandard services just because they are all that’s been offered to you.

Get a second opinion. Ask friends and trusted professionals for recommendations.

Keep looking until it feels right.

 

Best of luck, hope you hit gold with your doctor and they are caring and informative.

 

For related articles, click on the titles below:

How to Survive a Day Stay in Hospital

How to Be a Good Support Person at a Medical Appointment

And click here to get a ray of sunshine in your inbox, by signing up for the monthly newsletter with new, free tips for living positively made just for subscribers.

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P.S Did you know that you have legal rights regarding the medical help you recieve? Come this way for more information.

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1 in 8 people will have type 2 diabetes by 2045

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Concerning new research just presented at this year’s European Congress on Obesity in Vienna indicates that almost one in eight people will have type 2 diabetes and that almost a quarter of people worldwide will be obese by 2045.

The study was presented by Dr Alan Moses of Novo Nordisk Research and contributors from University College London. You can read the full study here.

They predict a highly significant rise from 14% in 2017 to 22% in 2045 for obesity and a rise in diabetes from 9% to 12% in the same period.

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a condition that causes a person’s blood sugar to become too high.

Type 2 diabetes (which is the most common type of diabetes) is where the body does not produce enough insulin or is no longer able to react to insulin.

Insulin is a hormone produced by your pancreas that controls the amount of sugar in your blood.

What is obesity?

Obesity is a definition of how overweight a person is. A person who is obese is someone who measures 30 – 39.9 on the BMI scale. Someone who is obese has a lot of excess fat.

An image of the BMI calculator which you can click on to take you to an external link for type 2 diabetes by 2045

How does this relate to pancreatic cancer?

Obesity and diabetes are well documented risk factors for pancreatic cancer. This means that if there is a significant rise in either of these two diseases we will likely see a rise in pancreatic cancer.

Recent studies have shown that risk is higher in people who are obese (have a Body Mass Index of more than 30). Some studies show that obese women who carry their weight on their stomach area are at an increased risk of developing pancreatic cancer.

There have been a number of reports which suggest that diabetics have an increased risk of developing pancreatic cancer.

What can be done?

Dr Moses believes that is possible to turn this trend around “despite the challenge all countries are facing with obesity and diabetes, the tide can be turned – but it will take aggressive and coordinated action to reduce obesity and individual cities should play a key role in confronting the issues around obesity, some of which are common to them all and others that are unique to each of them.”

We all have our part to play by trying to live a healthy lifestyle. For help on losing weight, the NHS offer a free plan to help you lose weight please click here to see it.

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This week in health – 01/06/2018

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Welcome to another week of talkhealth’s round up on the biggest news in the world of health. This week, we will be looking at subjects including new cancer research, new reports about obesity as well as the rising popularity of vaping. So, let’s get started on the top health news stories this week.

New cancer research

Cancer

We’re starting off this week’s run down with some promising news around a new vaccine that could significantly extend the lives of people diagnosed with one of the most aggressive forms of brain cancer, glioblastoma.

The research found that those who took part in the study lived almost twice as long as standard treatments for the condition. The immunotherapy vaccine DCVax was given to participants alongside traditional forms of treatment and saw very positive results. As it stands the longest survivors have lived for over seven years after surgery.

Whilst the study has not yet concluded, and full results are not yet available, researchers are cautiously optimistic about the study and feel they may be close to making a major breakthrough in treatment for those affected by glioblastoma.

Obesity news

Obesity

In other news, recent research has thrown doubt over the term “healthy obesity”.

The study examined a large sample of women who were classed as overweight or obese but otherwise healthy. The research found that many of the 90,257 women taking part still had a heightened risk of cardiovascular disease.

Those behind the study were quick to highlight that the study showed an association between obesity and cardiovascular disease, rather than a cause and effect. Prof Schulze, one of the researchers behind the study added that the study suggests “that even individuals in good metabolic health may benefit from early behavioural management to improve their diet and increased physical activity in order to guard against progression to poor metabolic health.”

If you are concerned about your weight or are looking for any tips to help you keep on top of it, take a look at some further information we have.

The rising number of readmissions in hospitals

According to new data, there is an increasing number of readmissions in to hospitals with preventable conditions, such as pneumonia and pressure sores.

This comes from Nuffield Trust research who found that a small and growing proportion of emergency readmissions – around 1% – were preventable, affecting 185,000 people last year. These were conditions that were either or diagnosed or treated during the first admission to the hospital, leading to repeat visits. These unnecessary trips put many patients at risk and add additional pressure to the already stretched NHS and identifying these conditions on the first visit has been made a high priority to help alleviate issues for both individuals and hospitals.

Smoking and vaping

Vaping

Finally, the rise in popularity of vaping continues to grow.

New figures and stats on the BBC have found that the number of vapers globally has risen exponentially over the last 7 years, from 7 million in 2011 to around 41 million in 2018. It is estimated that this number will reach 55 million by 2021. You can explore all the results and stats here.

Alongside this, if you are looking to kick the habit completely, why not take a look at how physical exercise can help you stop smoking for good. Yesterday was World No Tobacco Day, but if you’re still smoking don’t forget there’s never a better time to quit than right now.

And that’s our round up for the week. If you want to continue the conversation, head over to our forums and get involved.

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Why You Might Need Hip Surgery

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The hip is a crucially important joint in the body. Problems with it create severe difficulties with walking and can subsequently affect the back, knees, ankles, and feet. Issues with the hips are often addressed with surgical intervention, even though they can stem from a variety of conditions and injuries.

For all its vital functions in the body, the hip is a reasonably simple structure; a basic ball-and-socket joint that many people study in elementary school science. That’s why it’s so common for surgery to be used for hip repairs.

The surgery itself involves several variables, primarily focused on just how much of the ball, socket, or cartilage is damaged, and how much must be replaced. A surgical team that devises the ideal plan for repairs will help the patient’s hip surgery recovery to be shorter and less painful.

At the root of the severity of the hip’s condition is the origin of its problems. Each patient has different circumstances for the decline of his or her hip, so it’s important that the patient provides good feedback to the surgeon about the history and decline of the hip.

Most hip problems are associated with old age, specifically with osteoarthritis. The impact of years of activity, such as at manual labor, can be a sharp decline in the condition of joints, particularly the hips. Inflammation and damage to soft tissue in the joint can make movement painful, often leading to reduced physical activity that exacerbates the condition by causing weight gain.

Other problems with the hip can stem from osteoporosis. This is a condition is caused when the body consumes calcium from the bones to compensate for a lack of calcium in the diet. While we often think of the spine as the primary center of this condition, it damages bone throughout the body and can increase the chance of a fracture that either causes or results from a fall.

Younger patients can have hip problems as well. Many athletes experience hip deterioration that can require surgery at a younger age than might be expected. Almost every sport can contribute to hip damage. The rapid stops and starts of tennis can be tough on joints. Contact sports like rugby can damage cartilage. Weightlifting can force the hip to bear more weight than it was designed for. The list goes on and on, but the result is the same: a marked decline in the condition of the patient’s hips. And the treatment is often surgical.

The final factor that can contribute to hip problems is trauma. We know that we can experience an acute hip injury in a car accident or other event, but sometimes the damage is not immediately visible. Symptoms may be difficult to notice due to other, more painful injuries, or they may even be painless until years later. In time, the hip can deteriorate to a point that requires surgical intervention.

The causes of hip problems are numerous, and issues can develop at any age. Today, the surgical repairs made to our hips have almost as much variety as the underlying problems themselves. These innovative techniques are helping us have shorter recoveries, less pain, and a better chance at a life free from hip pain.

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Twitter chat for World IBD Day

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To mark World IBD Day, talkhealth will be teaming up with @JanssenEMEA to host our latest Tweet Chat, on Friday May 18th between 1PM and 2PM. We’ll be putting questions out to the Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) community to raise awareness and help others to understand what it’s like to live with the condition.

Be sure to use the hashtag #TalkIBD to follow the conversation on the day. If you’d like to find out more about IBD, Janssen has created a series of animated videos in collaboration with the European Federation of Crohn’s and Ulcerative Colitis Associations (EFCCA). These videos follow three characters living with IBD and their journey through life, take a look at the videos below:

We hope you get involved in the Tweet Chat; make sure to follow @talkhealth and @JanssenEMEA to get the full conversation as it happens! If you want to get involved with the Tweet Chat, drop us an email: info@talkhealthpartnership.com.

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Asthma and the allergy link

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Recently I was invited to speak on BBC West Midlands radio about a recent report detailing the number of deaths caused by asthma in the UK.

It makes for pretty shocking reading…

UK asthma death rates among the worst in Europe

And it has always baffled me why there is a huge disconnect between asthma funding and allergy funding. The two are so intricately linked that it just seems crazy not to share resources, not least to prevent so many people suffering needlessly and being prescribed endless and increasing doses of steroids for what could be an allergy in the first place.

What causes asthma? It’s never a simple answer but I wonder how many of these asthma deaths could have been avoided had those patients been tested for allergies; thus understanding better what those triggers might be.

About four years ago I finally had a soya allergy diagnosed after worsening asthma. I didn’t think for a moment that I could be allergic to one of the very plant milks suggested in replacement of the cow’s milk that I was already allergic to, but cutting out soya led to a dramatic reduction in my asthma symptoms.

It’s not rocket science.

Many of my allergies cause asthma as a direct symptom including; hayfever, dust allergy, latex, soya, milk and nuts.

Asthma gets lots of funding and I am regularly seen by an asthma nurse to keep my asthma under control but this is not the case for allergy treatment. I am very lucky to see a dermatologist who also treats me for my allergies but not everyone is so lucky, and getting to even have allergy testing can be impossible in certain areas of the country.

Why are we so behind our neighbours in Europe?

Will this report to lead to changes? Or will we still be talking about this in ten years time?

I suspect the latter… I find myself blogging over and over again about the same things year in year out because nothing does seem to change much. Apologies for the pessimistic comment there but it’s true.

And this is why I blog, because by doing this I can maybe help a few people not to feel so alone in the struggle for answers and normal life. Strive not to be normal people!

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