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This week in health – 20/04/2018
Hello and welcome to this week’s round-up on the biggest news stories in the world of health. From medical breakthroughs to scorching weather conditions, this week’s round-up certainly has a wide breadth of topics to take on. So, without further ado, let’s begin.
New breakthroughs in research
This week has been great for research breakthroughs. Just today, researchers from Cambridge and Toronto have announced that there has been new progress in understanding the causes motor neuron disease and a rare form of dementia. They have found a protein that cause brain cells to die in both conditions and are cautiously optimistic about how this breakthrough can help further research and improve treatments.
In addition to this, scientists have begun work on a skin implant which could help aid the detection of cancer. The implant reacts when elevated levels of calcium are present in the body, which is linked to some cancers. The research is still in its infancy, however scientists are hopeful that the technology will be successful and help in the fight against cancer.
Finally, a new drug, named Erenumab, has been developed which has been seen to help combat migraines. It has managed to work where other drugs have failed and takes the form of a monthly injection. Early signs of the drugs success are promising and, if the costs a justified, could be offered as a treatment plan for patients on the NHS.
Dealing with the weather
Now, April really is turning the heat up. You’d be forgiven for forgetting that it was snowing only about a month ago. With the new weather comes new problems; for starters, how is anyone expected to get any sleep in this heatwave? Well, if you’re struggling to get some z’s, take a look at these helpful tips and get that well needed sleep!
We all know exercise is good for the mind and body, but in this weather the thought of exercise can definitely be daunting. If you need some tips and tricks for getting the most out of your exercise in this heat, then this guide is exactly what you’re looking for. Let’s not forget that the London Marathon is also taking place this weekend, with many runners taking part to raise money for all manner of charities. With runners and spectators from across the world attending the event, staying safe keeping hydrated should be at the top of your list. If you’re running the marathon, we wish you all the best of luck!
Finally, with the hot weather comes hay fever. As the sunnier weather brings with it the risk of higher pollen counts, hay fever is a real concern for many people across the UK. If you suffer with hay fever, there are things you can do to help minimise the problems you face in this heat and enjoy the sun just like the rest.
Being prepared or pregnancy
Before, during and after pregnancy, how you look after your body is extremely important. The latest research that has found many UK women are not “nutritionally prepared for pregnancy” should be alarming news.
The research found the health of both parents before conception plays a key role in healthy pregnancies as well as the child’s long-term health. However, the research found that many women were not in a healthy place because of their diet. And the problem didn’t just sit with women; it was also found in a related review that linked male obesity with adverse effects to a child’s development.
If you are worried about your diet or have any health tips you would like to share, head to talkweight.
The truth behind being a patient
Being a patient can be tough, but it appears that it’s becoming more difficult. This is down to the fact that there are unprecedented numbers of patients living with multiple conditions at once, leading many to label being a patient as a full-time job, due to the amount of appointments and screenings they have to go through.
The researchers behind the study have stated that the NHS and other health systems are not prepared to take on these new developments – with many doctors and nurses all too often focussed on a single condition. This is turn leads patients to a prolonged time in the system, with multiple appointments with different specialists, adding additional strain not only to the patients but the NHS system as well.
And that’s it for this week’s round-up. If you want to continue to conversation, head over to the talkhealth forums!
The post This week in health – 20/04/2018 appeared first on talkhealth Blog.
Humana Targets Social Determinants of Health, Improves Outcomes in 2 Cities
How Humana is successfully improving care for members in two cities.
Managed Healthcare Executive – Health Management
This Week in Health – 13/04/2018
Every week, talkhealth round up the top news stories on the world of health from across the web and condense them into one bitesize read. This week, we’re looking at some new advancements in the understanding of cancer, diet and alcohol research and we take a look at whether “Night Owls” really are at risk of an early death.
New research about cancer
A recent report from male cancer charity, Orchid, has found that 4 out of 10 prostate cancers in the UK are diagnosed late.
The research found that a worrying 37% of all prostate cancers were identified at stages 3 and 4. As with all cancers, the earlier a diagnosis is made the more treatable it is. These statistics shine an alarming light on the current state of prostate cancer awareness in the UK. In comparison, in the US where prostate cancer has a higher profile, only 8% of diagnoses are made at these later stages. On the day this report was released, the government announced a £75-million five-year funding pack for research into prostate cancer, to help combat the condition. As prostate cancer has now overtaken breast cancer, in terms of death figures, more research into the condition is extremely important.
In further cancer news, there has been ground-breaking news around cancer severity and why some cancers are deadlier than others. The study centred around kidney cancer and tracked the development and mutation of cancers through sophisticated genetic work. As more work is done, it is hoped that eventually it will be possible to predict the development of a cancer and treat it quickly and more effectively by providing personalised treatment.
Health news on alcohol and processed food
In the world of food and drink, a new study has found that excessive drinking is not only harmful to your overall health, it can also take years off your life. The study of over 600,000 drinkers concluded that those who regularly drunk between 10 to 15 alcoholic drinks a week could see their lives cut short by as much as two years.
Alongside this, there was some insight into some of the UK’s most popular processed foods, with some rather shocking findings. Eating well and drinking in moderation are extremely important to an individual’s health, so ensuring that you know what you are putting into your body should always be of the upmost importance.
If you have any hints or tips of healthy eating, and drinking in moderation, head to our forums on men’s health, women’s health or weight.
Are night owls at risk?
Finally, there were worrying reports about the link between being a “night owl” and an earlier death, when compared to “early birds”. However, when the research was examined from Behind the Headlines (NHS Choices), it was found that the study doesn’t show a causation factor between the two. “Night Owls” had a tendency to have a less healthy diet and take more risks, which obviously would have an impact on life expectancy.
As the explanation from Behind the Headlines notes, if you’re a “Night owl” there’s no need to worry. As long as you maintain a healthy diet and get sufficient sleep, you should be fine. And, if you do struggle to get a good night’s sleep, here’s some tips to improve your sleep.
That’s it for this week. If you want to continue the conversation about any of these subjects, head over to our forums and get involved!
The post This Week in Health – 13/04/2018 appeared first on talkhealth Blog.
Eczema and Gut Health: A Connection Between Brain and Body
Are you suffering from eczema and trying to understand eczema and gut health, as well as the connection between the brain and body? This week, Dr. Robin Miller author of HEALED: Health & Wellness for the 21st Century and medical reporter on NBC discusses the impact eczema has on the gut and how that can affect emotional health.
By Dr. Robin Miller (bio below)
What is the gut-brain connection?
The gut is considered by many to be the second brain. When there is distress in the gut, it affects the brain and conversely when someone is distressed it can affect the gut. We have all experienced “butterflies” in our stomach with nervousness and anxiety. In reverse, abdominal discomfort can cause anxiety and upset. Migraine headaches often are accompanied by nausea and vomiting. The connection is close and almost immediate.
One of the main reasons for this is the gut is lined with cells that look identical to brain cells when examined under a microscope and function with hormones that are also seen in the brain namely serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine. This is called the enteric nervous system. It is two thin layers of more than 100 million nerve cells lining the gut from the esophagus to the rectum.
It controls digestion, swallowing, release of enzymes to break down food and helps with absorption of nutrients. Research is finding irritation in this system may actually trigger mood changes when the gut is unbalanced as in irritable bowel syndrome.
How does gut health impact someone with eczema?
The gut bacteria or microbiome is where much of our immune system resides. In fact, it accounts for 80% of our immunity. An unhealthy gut exacerbates eczema, an autoimmune disease. This is the eczema and gut health connection. When the microbiome is healthy, the walls of the gut are strong. When it is unhealthy, the lining thins and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) leaks out and causes inflammation. This can make the symptoms of eczema worse. In addition, overgrowth of unhealthy bacteria can cause worsening of inflammation. In fact, when patients with the autoimmune disease rheumatoid arthritis are newly diagnosed, 75% are found to have the same type of gut bacteria. A similar correlation has been seen in eczema with a bacterium called Faecalibacterium prausnitzii.
How does our emotional and mental state impact eczema?
Stress and anxiety make just about everything worse and eczema is no exception. When we are stressed our body goes into fight or flight mode. This causes a flood of stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol. When we have too much of these hormones, it can suppress our immune system and cause an inflammatory response in the body and skin. People with eczema are particularly susceptible to this type of inflammation. What’s worse is eczema causes stress due to the itch and appearance and stress makes eczema and gut health worse. It becomes a vicious cycle.
The gut-brain communication also plays a role here. Since the brain and the body communicate as a result of the inflammatory response it is no wonder that according to the National Eczema Association, those with eczema are 30% more likely to suffer from depression and/or anxiety than those without eczema.
What steps can someone with eczema do to improve his or her gut and emotional health?
There are many steps that can be taken to improve eczema and gut health. Diet is key. It is essential to improve and heal the gut with a whole food, anti-inflammatory diet. This includes vegetables, fruits, and lean protein and often it is important to avoid gluten and dairy.
For my patients I find it is helpful to check for food sensitivities and allergies.
ILW Recommends: Adverse Food Reactions: Find Out Which Food Test Is Right For You.
It is important to support the health of the microbiome by eating foods that act as prebiotics such as asparagus and leeks. Prebiotics make it to the colon relatively undigested and promote good bacteria. Probiotics are also important to promote healthy bacteria and consist of fermented foods such as sauerkraut and kimchi.
For emotional health as well as healthy gut bacteria, exercise is key. It can help with anxiety and depression and promotes good bacteria. To help with anxiety, cognitive behavioral therapy, psychotherapy and antidepressants can be a lifesaver.
ILW Recommends our series: The Emotional Impact of Eczema
There is another factor, which has come to light as well. This is the gene methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase also known as MTHFR. This is a gene that codes for how we process folate or folic acid in our diet by programming the formation of enzymes needed to convert folate to l-methylfolate in our gut. L-methylfolate is what we need for our body to make dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin. These are the hormones that help us to feel good and give us energy. Many of us have at least one mutation on this gene and many have two. If that is the case, the treatment is a supplement known as L-methylfolate. I have found for people who have the mutation the treatment is helpful for mood as well as irritable bowel symptoms. Less stress, less moodiness, improved eczema. MTHFR can be checked with a simple blood test or cheek swab.
There is still more to learn about the treatment of eczema, but we do have many tools to improve the symptoms mood and outcome of this condition with more to come in the future!
Bio: An established author (The Smart Woman’s Guide to Midlife and Beyond and Kids Ask the Doctor), Dr. Miller has gathered the knowledge, insights and anecdotes offered in this book over the course of 33 years of treating patients using the principles of integrative medicine. Board certified in Internal Medicine, she trained with Andrew Weil as an Integrative Medicine Fellow at University of Arizona. She is currently Medical Director of Triune Integrative Medicine, a highly innovative integrative medicine clinic in Medford, Oregon. She blogs regularly for Sharecare.com, an interactive health and wellness website founded in conjunction with Dr. Mehmet Oz, where she serves as Executive Advisory Board member. Robin is also a medical reporter and a regular correspondent for KOBI-5, the NBC affiliate in Southern Oregon.
The post Eczema and Gut Health: A Connection Between Brain and Body appeared first on itchylittleworld.com.
Four Big Changes Health Plans are Making to Lower Diabetes Costs
Some health insurers have found ways to control costs or improve the quality of diabetes care.
Managed Healthcare Executive – Health Management
Gene Therapy Advances: What Health Execs Should Know
This week in health – 06/04/2018
Keep up to date on all the latest developments in the world of health with talkhealth’s weekly round-up! In this week’s round-up of the top news stories in the world of health, we’ll be discussing the newly introduced sugar taxes on soft drinks in the UK, research that suggest we may not be as fit as we think and plans to open new cancer diagnosis centres in the UK.
New sugar taxes on soft drinks
As of today, there are new sugar taxes coming into effect that will have an impact on fizzy drinks especially. As reported on the BBC, manufacturers of soft drinks will now have to pay a levy on any high-sugar drinks they produce and sell. Following in the footsteps of France, Norway and Mexico, who also enforce similar systems, the new levy aims to force the price of these high-sugar drinks up, making them less appealing.
Alternatively, many manufacturers can opt to reduce the sugar levels found in their drinks to avoid the new taxation. Already, it has been seen that some brands, such as Irn-Bru and Lucozade have cut down the amount of sugar in their drinks, from 10.3g and 13g to 4.7g and 4.5g per 100g, respectively.
However, there is still much debate around the levy. For one, diet drinks will not be affected by the new laws, as they include sweeteners instead of sugar, despite recent research that suggests that diet drinks still have a negative impact on our health.
These new laws are part of a combined effort to help lower obesity in the UK, with further sugar taxation expected for sweets and other food in the future. With obesity-related hospital admissions doubling in over 4 years, it’s clear that the UK government are taking swift action in an attempt to combat the situation.
If you are struggling with your weight or have any hints and tips to help with weight loss, head to our dedicated talkhealth forum for weight.
Low levels of fitness
Alongside the worries about our diet, a recent study shows that fitness levels in the UK are also lacklustre. The study found that three in 10 adults were unable to climb stairs without feeling out of breath.
In addition to this, 75% of respondents stated that they wouldn’t feel comfortable playing a game of football or netball in their current state, and a third claiming that they wouldn’t be able to run a mile if their life depended on it.
With 44% of those surveyed stating that they felt their fitness levels affected their day-to-day life, there’s clearly a strong case for everyone to get out there and start working towards a fitter, better you.
If you are looking for advice on getting fit or have your own pearls of wisdom you’d like to pass on, you can head over to our men’s health and women’s health forums.
Ten cancer diagnosis centres planned for England
Finally, it has been announced this week that there will be ten “one-stop-shop” cancer diagnosis centres coming to the UK.
Designed to help improve rapid diagnosis of multiple cancers, the new centres aim to cut down the wait time for an all-clear or diagnosis. As it stands, many patients find themselves being referred to several specialists before an official diagnosis is made. These new centres aim to cut down wait time for the patient and alleviate the overstretched NHS services.
Furthermore, the UK will also be opening its first photon beam cancer centre in Newport. Developed to help those battling life-threatening cancers, the new procedure will help provide support that patients would previously have had to seek out overseas. It is estimated that treatment will cost around £60,000 per patient.
And that’s it for the biggest health stories in the news this week. Be sure to join talkhealth next week to keep on top of all the latest goings on in health!
The post This week in health – 06/04/2018 appeared first on talkhealth Blog.
Smokers Pay Extra, But Employee Health Plans Aren’t Helping Them Quit
A new study shows that ACA tobacco rating rules aren’t enforced in employer plans.
Managed Healthcare Executive – Health Management
Economic Stress Has Negative Impact on Patients’ Health
A UCLA study shows that the Great Recession intensified patients’ cardiovascular risk factors.
Managed Healthcare Executive – Health Management