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This week in health – 20/07/2018

As another week comes to a close, talkhealth have brought together some of the biggest news stories in the world of health. This week, we will be looking at a new fund to help combat the disability employment gap, how the latest generation is steering clear of unhealthy lifestyles and how to tell if your dehydrated in this summer heat. So, let’s get started.

New fund to tackle the disability employment gap

The government have put together a new £4.2 million challenge fund to help combat the disability employment gap.

The new fund has been designed to test new approaches to help people experiencing mental ill health or musculoskeletal issues remain in employment.

Minister for Mental Health and Inequalities Jackie Doyle-Price, said:

“For too long if you had a disability or serious mental health issue the world of work was off limits, potentially affecting the lives of millions of people across the country. This fund will help people overcome the barriers that so many still face when trying to get into and progress in the workplace.”

The fund itself is part of the government’s 10-year strategy which aims to see an additional 1 million disabled people in work by 2027.

The new generation shunning unhealthy lifestyles

The latest stats from the Office for National Statistics, the Home Office and the Ministry of Justice have found that the newest generation of young adults are much less likely to partake in drinking, smoking and drugs than their previous counterparts. The reports also found that the number of teenage pregnancies was also drastically reduced compared to previous generations.

The statistics show a new breed of teenager in this generation that are much more concerned with their health and lifestyle. You can view the full statistics and figures here.

If you are looking to improve your health and lifestyle, take a look at our talkmenshealth and talkwomenshealth sections of the website.

Are you dehydrated?

With the summer weather still here, it’s easy to get caught up in the beautiful sunshine and scorching heat. However, it brings with it the risk of dehydration. It is of extreme importance to keep on top of your hydration levels to avoid serious problems of issues, especially during prolonged heatwaves.

One way you can keep an eye on your hydration levels is by paying extra attention to the colour of your urine. This helpful chart can allow you to quickly see if you are at risk of dehydration. Some people are more at risk of dehydration, including those with diabetes, people who have been vomiting or suffering diarrhoea, and people who have been in the sun for a long time.

The NHS says people in the UK should drink at least 1.2 litres of water a day – 2.4 pints – and more when the weather is hot.

And that’s it for this week. Make sure to keep an eye on the talkhealth blog for all the latest news in the world of health. If you want to continue the conversation, head over to the talkhealth forums.

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This week in health – 13/07/2018

Welcome to another rendition of talkhealth’s weekly round-up of the biggest news stories of the week. This week, we’ll be looking at topics including vitamin pills, diabetes and sexual health. So, let’s get started!

Diabetes Type 1

Experts believe they may have found the key to eliminating the chances of developing Type 1 Diabetes in high-risk babies.

The researchers, based at Oxford University, think that by training infants immune systems from a young age, they are able to prevent the risk of Type 1 Diabetes in later life. The training consists of providing these high-risk children with powered insulin from a young age in order to provide life-long protection from the condition. This in turn should help the baby’s own immune system tolerate their body’s own insulin and prevent the onset of the condition.

Pregnant women from a number of counties are being asked if they would like to participate in the proposed trial to see if this methodology is successful. It is thought that around 1 in every 100 babies has genes which could potentially signal developing the condition in later life and researchers are aiming to screen 30,000 new-borns with the method to judge its success rate.

If you have any concerns about Diabetes, take a look at our talkmenshealth and talkwomenshealth sections of the website which can provide further information.

Vitamin pills and heart attacks

New research has found that vitamin pills that promote healthy cardiovascular health do not prevent heart attacks and strokes.

The scientists behind the latest research, which combined the results of studies involving more than two million people, said that vitamin pills, including those that claimed to combat poor heart health, were at best a distraction for people looking to prevent cardiovascular disease. People should instead concentrate on interventions that are known to work, such as exercise, a healthy diet and giving up smoking, the researchers said.

The Health and Food Supplements Information Service, which is part-funded by supplement manufacturers, said the latest research missed the point of the products. Emma Derbyshire, a public health nutritionist with the service, said: “Vitamins and minerals are not intended for the prevention of chronic conditions like heart disease.”

New sex disease likened to next “superbug”

A relatively unknown sexually transmitted disease could become the next “superbug” according to researchers.

The disease, called Mycoplasma genitalium (MG), in many cases exhibits no symptoms but can cause pelvic inflammatory disease, which could leave some women infected by the condition infertile. Mycoplasma genitalium is a bacterium that can cause inflammation of the urethra in men, causing discharge from the penis and making it painful to urinate.

In women, it can cause inflammation of the reproductive organs (womb and fallopian tubes) too, causing pain and possibly a fever and some bleeding.

As with most sexually transmitted diseases, the use of a condom can greatly help prevent the spread of the disease. If you are concerned that you may have contracted the condition, Public Health England says testing is available to diagnose MG and any signs of drug resistance, if necessary.

Alongside this, there is also a useful guide to help prevent urinary tract infections to help promote a healthy pelvic lifestyle. talkhealth will have our own report of pelvic health published on our website in the upcoming weeks, so make sure you keep your eyes out for that.

And that’s it for the week. If you would like to continue to conversation, head over to our forums.

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32 Million Americans Suffer From This Skin Condition—Is Your Baby One of Them? – Vogue.com


Vogue.com
32 Million Americans Suffer From This Skin Condition—Is Your Baby One of Them?
Vogue.com
Before this spring, I'd only heard about eczema (the most common type of which is known as atopic dermatitis) in lotion commercials I'd seen on TV, and to be completely honest, I didn't really know what it was. So, when my 3-year-old daughter

eczema – Google News

This week in health – 22/06/2018

Welcome to talkhealth’s weekly round-up of all the top news stories in the world of health. This week we’ll be covering a wide range of topics, including the current debate around medicinal cannabis, the expected rise in the number of cancer cases and the effects of poor mental health. So, let’s get right in to it.

Cannabis oil for medicinal purposes

Probably the biggest news story in the world of health this week is the rising campaign for the use of medicinal cannabis oil. According to The Independent, three-quarters of the British public believe that doctors should be able to prescribe cannabis for medicinal purposes, and this has led to a wider review to come from the government.

The long-standing debate stems from the fact that medical cannabis challenges scientific norms and the regulation of medicines. While cannabis has been proven to show general success with conditions such as seizures, wider proof of the drugs benefits for a range of conditions is still unverified.

Some success stories of cannabis with conditions such as anxiety have been touted, and some campaigners have set up companies that are already providing cannabis oil. However, there is clear proof of some of the risks associated to the use of the drug. With further reviews and research due to be conducted by the government, the campaign to use of cannabis oil for medicinal purposes is clearly gaining steam, and we are sure we’ll be hearing more about this over the coming months and years.

Rising cancer cases in older generation

A recent report has estimated that the number of cancer cases diagnosed each year in elderly people is set to rise by 80% over the next 20 years.

Leading cancer charity, Cancer Research UK, claims that by 2035 around 234,000 people over the age of 75 will be diagnosed with cancer each year. This is a sharp increase compared to the 130,000 yearly diagnoses now. This is largely led by the UK’s growing elderly population and the government has labelled cancer as a priority in light of these new statistics.

Developing cancer in older years is more common as the cells in our body often become damaged in older age. In addition to this, older people with cancer are more likely to have complex medical and social needs, which makes it harder to provide adequate support and treatment.

Earlier this week, the government announced a budget increase of £20bn by 2023 to help combat issues such as rising cancer numbers in the elderly, and it is hoped that this additional funding will help support an aging population and the issues that come alongside this.

Mental health and its impacts

A recent study has found that those suffering with mental health problems are more likely to find themselves in difficult struggles with debt.

The Institute of Fiscal Studies which conducted the report found that four out of ten people aged between 25 and 54 with a mental health problem were operating on an income with is less than 60% of the UK average. In many ways, these two issues end up circling one another, with lower incomes resulting in more day-to-day struggles which can contribute to poor mental health in individuals. Shockingly, 40% of people with mental health problems found themselves below the poverty line, and this issue needs to be tackled.

If you are struggling with your mental health, head over to our Men’s Health and Women’s Health sections of the website, where we provide further support and information.

Useful guides

Finally, rounding up this week’s rundown we have two useful guides to share with you.

The first guide comes from The Telegraph, which explores hair loss treatments. With many people living with hair loss, this condition can have a huge impact on an individual’s wellbeing and emotional health. The guide explores a range of different hair loss treatments and can advise which ones are likely to help combat the problems of hair loss.

Secondly, we have a guide from i news, which aims to help those of you struggling with sleep problems. The guide explores different ways to help bring your stress levels down and get your prepared for the perfect night’s sleep.

And that’s it for this week, be sure to join us next week for our round up of the biggest news stories in the world of health!

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This week in health – 29/06/2018

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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This week in health – 15/06/2018


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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This week in health – 01/06/2018

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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This week in health – 11/05/2018

Hair Loss

Welcome to another week of talkhealth’s news round-up. This week, we will be looking at news around a new drug that could help cure male baldness, how delays in cancer treatment are having a huge impact on patients, and new movements in the world of diet and exercise. Take a look at each of these topics in more detail below.

Male baldness

Going bald can have a huge emotional and mental impact on an individual. For many men across the country baldness is a concern and worry, so recent research around a potential new cure is very promising.

Researchers have found that a drug originally intended to treat osteoporosis could unlock the cure to baldness. The drug contains a compound which targets a key protein responsible for slowing down hair growth and plays a role in baldness.

While more research needs to be done, this is a step in the right direction for the very real issue of male baldness. In addition to this, there is also a recent article which delves into why there is a stigma around male baldness in the first place, citing societal pressures as one of the main causes.

If you are affected by hair loss we want to hear your experiences. Take part in our latest survey and you could be in with the chance of winning a bundle of hair goodies.

Delays in cancer treatment

New official figures have found that many cancer patients are being put at risk due to delays in starting cancer treatment. Any patient suspected of having cancer should begin treatment within 62 days, however the report shows that nowhere has achieved this target for more than two years.

As a result of this 1 in 6 patients is now waiting much longer than they should to begin treatment. Identifying and beginning cancer procedures as early as possible has been proven to increase chances of successful treatment.

Alongside this, new research has found that rather than growing aggressively, cancer can slow down and speed up its growth. This often means that cancer can lay dormant before accelerating its development. It’s clear that more work needs to be done to help identify and treat cancer at the earliest possible stage to avoid a dormant stage before it grows aggressively.

If you want to find out more about cancer, take a look at our blog section around the subject.

Diet and exercise

Weight and diet

Amongst the diet news this week, Sadiq Khan, the Major of London, has outlined proposals to ban all junk food adverts present on the London underground. Khan has stated that this is in an effort to tackle “ticking time bomb” of childhood obesity in the city. With childhood obesity in the city, and the UK in general, on the rise this forms part of a massive reform on junk food. Only last month, new sugar taxation on fizzy drinks was introduced in an effort to curb the problem of obesity in the country.

Another scheme which is well underway is the Daily Mile project. This school-based initiative aims to get younger children active during their school day. Adopted by over 3,600 schools worldwide, researchers have found that the scheme has been extremely beneficial to students taking part – highlighting the key role exercise plays in a healthy lifestyle.

If you want to find out more about diet and exercise, take a look at our talkweight section of the website, which includes further advice and articles.

There we have it for this week’s news round-up. If you want to continue the conversation on any of the topics covered here, head to our forums.

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Eczema: Avoid this daily activity to slash flare-up risk – Express.co.uk


Express.co.uk
Eczema: Avoid this daily activity to slash flare-up risk
Express.co.uk
The charity advises taking action to minimise contact with things that cause your eczema to flare-up. It recommends keeping a diary recording what your skin reacts to, so you know what to avoid. “Working out your triggers can be a difficult process as

eczema – Google News

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!

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