Health

[Hugo]

I had my Covid jab at the doctor's surgery yesterday and everything went .   It was busy there and very well organised but I was taken aback when the nurse advised me that about 100 people in the morning failed to turn up for their appointment.
I'm just lost for words as I didn't know that there were so many ignorant people about in just one surhery

[SteveH]

Hugo, a lot of selfish people who do not appreciate what is being done to help the country, check out the Covid news page for better news.


PS
Scientists have uncovered the biological reason why colds are more prevalent in colder temperatures. A study suggests the newly discovered immune response inside the nose is suppressed by colder temperatures, and the illnesses are not more common simply because people are stuck indoors.

Scientists say this finding offers the first biological evidence for why respiratory illnesses like colds, flu and Covid-19 are more likely to spike when the temperature drops. The upper respiratory tract (nose, mouth and throat) is the primary way people get infected through either inhaling the bug or depositing it with their hands.

And researchers at Mass Eye and Ear hospital and Northeastern University in America have discovered a previously unidentified immune response inside the nose that fights off viruses responsible for upper respiratory infections. Further testing revealed this response becomes blocked in the cold.  ........I wonder if mask wearing would help ?

cont https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/uk-news/cold-cure-horizon-scientists-work-25682936?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[mull]

For the past 2 years everywhere we have visited , Ferries Supermarkets, Hotels, Shops etc we have been urged to use the disinfectant sprays provided before entering or touching anything.

Why has this practice been dropped ?

A trip to Oban last week and all the hand cleaning sprays had been withdrawn. Is it the same in North Wales ?
I would have thought it was a good idea to continue this . It cannot do any harm, and might help protect against bugs.

[SteveH]

I believe so in commercial situations, however it has been reinstated in the NHS and the care settings, but we carry our own, so maybe we missed the hygiene stations.

[SteveH]

Measles declared an imminent global threat by World Health Organization
A record number of nearly 40 million children missed at least one measles vaccine dose in 2021

Measles is a viral respiratory illness. Transmission is similar to COVID, with the spread between people being driven by respiratory droplets and aerosols (airborne transmission). The infection produces a rash and fever in mild cases.

The measles vaccine, which can be administered by itself or in combination with other vaccinations such as mumps and rubella to make up the MMR immunisation, is very effective. Most countries have a two-dose schedule, with the first jab usually given at 12 months of age and the second dose when the child is four years old.

The vaccine provides very high and long-lasting protection, and really is a model example of the term ?vaccine-preventable disease?. The two-dose schedule gives about 99% protection against measles infection.

cont https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/uk-news/measles-declared-imminent-global-threat-25700662?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

As the UK continues to get colder and colder, there have been reports of the dreaded lurgy sweeping through the nation - and it's the "worst in years" some say. Temperatures have plunged to -7C in North Wales this week and it's been twice as cold in Scotland with one town in Aberdeenshire recording a low of -15.7C.

It's a cruel irony that when spirits are at their highest - Christmas time - it is also the easiest time to fall ill and have the festive fun extinguished with one swift cough. This year however has seen some off work for weeks, which is uncommon for the common cold.

A cold should only last a few days, which has led some to fear this might be the worst yet. That said, there are some ways in which you can speed up the healing process, and at least make yourself a little more uncomfortable throughout the recovery period.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/itv-presenter-suffers-worst-lurgy-25747447

[Hugo]

Just a thought but when we all had to wear masks during the Covid outbreak there didn't seem to be any outbreaks of cold or flu.

[SteveH]

Just a thought but when we all had to wear masks during the Covid outbreak there didn't seem to be any outbreaks of cold or flu.

 

[SteveH]

New Strep A symptoms checker for parents in Wales as NHS 111 helpline overwhelmed by worried callers
Public Health Wales hopes its guidance will help parents decide the best course of action when they are concerned about their children

Public Health Wales hopes its symptoms checker will help parents decide whether to treat their child at home or to seek medical advice. It uses a traffic light system to show parents at what stage they should consider calling NHS 111 Wales or their GP.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/new-strep-symptoms-checker-parents-25749972?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

Todays ZOE Digest tackles topics that have been doing the rounds on the news, social media and beyond: Strep A and scarlet fever.

Strep A infections are common and have been on the rise for some time, so why are people talking about it now?

As with much of the chatter surrounding infectious diseases these days, its challenging to get a handle on the facts  theres a lot of misinformation circulating on the internet.

In this weeks episode of the ZOE Science & Nutrition podcast, we will help you make sense of it all.

We are joined by a renowned expert on strep A, Prof. Shiranee Sriskandan, from Imperial College London?s Department of Infectious Disease.

We will also hear from ZOEs scientific co-founder, Tim Spector, a professor of genetic epidemiology at King's College London and one of the worlds leading researchers.

Tim also shares his top tips for supporting your immune system.

Today, we ask:
What are the main symptoms to look out for?
What does a scarlet fever rash feel like?
Are we close to a vaccine?
How do you treat strep A?

Read the transcript of the conversation here.............
https://joinzoe.com/learn/podcast-should-we-be-worried-about-strep-a?utm_source=uk_newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter_week32&utm_content=2-32-2

[SteveH]

Foods to lower your cholesterol
More than half of us have high cholesterol ? and new research suggests that having even slightly raised levels in our 30s could significantly increase our chances of developing heart disease.
Medication is a common fix, but it comes with side effects. So, today we?re looking at how much changing our diets can help.
In this short (ish) episode of ZOE Science & Nutrition, Jonathan and Sarah ask: Can we lower our cholesterol by changing our diets?
Follow ZOE on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoe/
If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinzoe.com/podcast and get 10% off your personalized nutrition program.
Studies referenced in the episode:
?Association between Carbohydrate Intake and Serum Lipids? from the Journal of the American Nutrition Association here?The Mediterranean Diet And Cardioprotection: Historical Overview And Current Research from the Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare here?Direct comparison of dietary portfolio vs statin on C-reactive protein? from the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition here

Podcast https://link.chtbl.com/s9cwxMzY

[SteveH]

Full list of flu mass vaccination centres in North Wales where you can get free jabs without booking

The centres, for adults and children, are in addition to GP surgeries and pharmacies

Conwy and Denbighshire flu drop-in clinics
Adult flu clinics (aged 16+)
The Optic Centre, Ffordd William Morgan, St Asaph, LL17 0JD

Start date: Mon, 16 Jan, 2023.

Mondays and Thursdays, 8.30am-7pm.
Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 10am-5pm.
Sector House, 141 Argyll, Road, Llandudno

Start date: Mon, 16 Jan, 2023.

Mondays and Thursdays from 8.30am-7pm.
Tuesdays and Wednesdays, from 10am-5pm.

full list https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/full-list-flu-mass-vaccination-25996671?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

If you think the FLU is a bad cold, read this story............

A "SUPER-FIT" teenager who needed intensive care treatment after contracting flu has thanked the hospital teams who saved his life.

Jack Hollingsworth, 19, was rushed into Ysbyty Gwynedd?s Emergency Department on the afternoon of December 15, 2022 after he became severely unwell at his home in Llangristiolus, Anglesey.

He was assessed by medics who recommended he was placed into a coma and cared for in the Intensive Care Unit as a matter of urgency.

Describing the days leading up to the harrowing moment that led to their arrival at the hospital, his mother, Claire Hollingsworth, said: ?Jack had been unwell for a few days, we all thought it was a bad cold or even Covid.

?Jack is super fit, having just completed an advanced diploma in outdoor activities but he demonstrated how a young person can become suddenly overwhelmed by influenza once they reach a point that their immune system burns out. At this point, he deteriorated from a boy with a flu like illness to severely unwell in the space of a couple of hours.

?It was a reminder of how dangerous flu can be, even for those who are young and fit and we would continue to encourage anyone who is eligible to get their flu jab after seeing what it nearly did to our son,? added Claire.

cont https://www.northwaleschronicle.co.uk/news/23276271.super-fit-anglesey-teenager-nearly-dies-flu/?ref=rss&IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

How many years was it before they told us smoking cigarettes was harmfully dangerous................

Keep vapes out of sight of children in shops

Vapes should be kept out of sight of children in shops and the legal minimum age of 18 should be marked clearly on each product, say councils in England.

Too many children are being illegally sold vapes with fruity flavours and colourful packaging, they say.

Doctors have warned of the potential long-term effects of vaping on the lungs, and are calling for tighter rules on packaging and advertising.

Vapes should only be used by smokers who want to give up tobacco.

cont https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-64597395

[SteveH]

This is something I suffered from in my teenage years, fortunately for me it faded away, but I still recall the bad days, and sympathise with those who suffer today.

Why migraines can get worse in spring - and four foods that could help
Weather changes associated with migraines include bright sunlight, extreme temperatures, storms and changes in pressure

Despite the fact that migraines affect 1 in 5 women and 1 in 15 men, GP, Dr Sameer Sanghvi, says there is a lack of public understanding when it comes to this health condition. Dr Sanghvi has explained seven little-understood facts about migraines from why they may be more prevalent in spring to how they can be prevented.

Although common, Dr Sameer Sanghvi of Lloyds Pharmacy Online Doctor believes there is a lack of public understanding about migraines. To combat this, the GP explains seven little-understood facts about this health condition:

cont https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/uk-news/migraines-can-worse-spring-four-26289023?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589