Health

[SteveH]

Heatwave: How hot is too hot for the human body?

Sometimes it can feel like the world is on fire.

Europe has been baking in a heatwave nicknamed the settimana infernale - "week of hell" - in Italy. Temperatures above 50C have been recorded in China and the US, where body bags filled with ice are being used to cool hospital patients. The UK has just had its hottest ever June.

And in 2022, the UK recorded a temperature above 40C for the first time. Last year's heatwave has been blamed for 60,000 deaths across Europe.

It's no wonder the United Nations has warned we now live in the era of "global boiling".

"I think it's really important to realise it's no longer just something that's distant or far away from us or something in the future. We are really seeing it now," says Prof Lizzie Kendon from the Met Office.

So what does the changing climate mean for our bodies and our health?

cont https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-66249805

[SteveH]

Wales faces a "tidal wave of blindness" unless urgent improvements are made to the way specialist eye care is delivered, a leading doctor has said.

Latest figures show 75,000 people at greatest risk of losing their sight are waiting too long for treatment.

This number has almost doubled in just four years.

The Welsh government said it was improving access to eye care services, including opening new mobile theatres and community clinics.

RNIB Cymru said a shortage of specialists was making the "crisis" worse.

Jennifer Huggett from Pembrokeshire has had to give up many things she held dear because of her deteriorating eyesight.

"I was working in a charity shop and enjoying it and in the end I had to give it up because I couldn't read the labels," she said.

cont/stats  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-66360224

[SteveH]

Health guru Dr Michael Mosley says eating one food every day, and trying one two-minute exercise, can help strengthen your bones. Dr Mosley, says he himself found his bones were not as strong as they could be while filming a series about healthy ageing last year.

The Fast800 diet creator said the best way to avoid osteoporosis - a medical condition characterized by weak and brittle bones, leading to an increased risk of fractures - is to get plenty of calcium in your diet and vitamin D from sun exposure or pills.

cont https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/uk-news/dr-michael-mosley-says-one-27463113?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

Fitness: Fewer than 5,000 steps a day enough to boost health - study

t has long been touted that 10,000 steps a day is the magic number you need to stay fit and healthy - but a new study shows fewer than 5,000 may be enough to see a benefit.

The analysis of more than 226,000 people around the world showed 4,000 was enough to start reducing the risk of dying prematurely of any cause.

Just over 2,300 is enough to benefit the heart and blood vessels.

The more you do, the more health benefits are seen, researchers said.

Every extra 1,000 steps beyond the 4,000 reduced the risk of dying early by 15% up to 20,000 steps.

cont https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-66440424

[SteveH]

Messages encouraging UK smokers to quit could be placed inside packets of cigarettes under draft proposals being considered by the government.

The inserts would list the health and financial benefits of trying to stop and highlight support available, the Department of Health said.

They are already used in other countries including Canada and Israel,

According to the NHS, about 76,000 people in the UK die from smoking every year.

The numbers of smokers in the UK is at its lowest on record but about six million people, or 13% of the population, are still thought to have the habit, according to a survey carried out for the Office for National Statistics in 2021.

The government has pledged to end smoking in England by 2030, equating to reducing smoking rates to 5% or less of the population. Earlier this year experts predicted that target would be missed without further action.

Warnings have been printed on the outside of boxes for more than 50 years.

cont https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-66494336

[SteveH]

Vapers warned they could develop a serious lung condition from their habit
Bronchitic symptoms were twice as likely among those who used the synthetic devices in the past 30 days

Vapers have been warned they could develop a serious lung condition. A study has warned vaping could spark bronchitis.

A study found participants were 81% more likely to wheeze if they had puffed e-cigarettes in the past 30 days, versus those who had never used the nicotine products. Bronchitic symptoms were twice as likely among those who used the synthetic devices in the past 30 days.

For the study, scientists analysed respiratory health in study participants between 2014 and 2018. 2,000 respondents completed a survey on tobacco products and respiratory symptoms in 2014 in 'wave one', when in in 11th and 12th grades.

Data was then taken from 1,609 participants the following year in wave 2, 1,502 in 2017 (wave 3) and 1,637 in 2018 (the final wave) through online surveys. Bronchitic symptoms were most commonly reported through each questionnaire - with 19.5%, 22.5%, 23.5% and 26% reporting these respectively.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/vapers-warned-could-develop-serious-27553076

[SteveH]

Nine foods people might not have realised could be ultra-processed
Growing evidence suggests chronic illnesses could be linked to what we eat, with ultra-processed foods under the spotlight

According to recent research, there's growing evidence suggesting chronic illnesses could be linked with the food we eat. And the focus has recently been on ultra-processed foods - products that typically have five or more ingredients.

They tend to include many additives and ingredients that are not typically used in home cooking, such as preservatives, emulsifiers, sweeteners, and artificial colours and flavours, reports WalesOnline. These foods generally have a long shelf life.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/nine-foods-you-might-not-27619088

[SteveH]

Stress isn't just in your mind - here's how it affects different parts of the body
Doctors explain some of the physical symptoms to be aware of.

As the spotlight on mental health intensifies, more individuals are turning to mindfulness, meditation and talking therapies to combat stress. While these strategies can be effective, it's crucial to understand that stress isn't just 'all in your head' and that it can also have a significant physical impact.

cont https://www.inyourarea.co.uk/news/this-is-how-stress-affects-different-parts-of-the-body/

[SteveH]

Meditate to beat stress blood pressure, say guidelines

People should try to meditate for around 45 minutes every day to cut stress-related high blood pressure, say new guidelines.

Other tips from the International Society of Hypertension include taking time out to listen to music, doing yoga and practicing mindfulness.

Established medical advice - quit smoking and cut down on salt - still stands.

But experts say newer "body and mind" lifestyle goals can be recommended.

According to the position paper which is published in the Journal of Hypertension, there is enough scientific evidence for some less conventional approaches.

cont https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-66807432

[SteveH]

The common Victorian era disease that is making a comeback - what to look out for
Gout, a type of arthritis, is caused by a chemical called uric acid forming small crystals, known as tophi, in and around the joints

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/common-victorian-era-disease-making-27730391

[SteveH]

Scarlet fever warning issued to parents as 28,500 cases recorded this year
The condition can be treated but can also lead to complications if not dealt with properly

By this time last year, 16,000 cases had been confirmed, before there was a sudden surge towards the end of the year, reports WalesOnline. The NHS said the first signs of scarlet fever can be flu-like symptoms, including a high temperature, a sore throat and swollen neck glands (a large lump on the side of your neck).

https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/scarlet-fever-warning-issued-parents-27784559

[SteveH]

Did you know that to improve your health, you don't need to massively shift what you eat? By making small swaps, you can create new habits that add up to big changes to your health.

?Smart swaps? are when you replace less healthy things you regularly eat with equally delicious, healthier items.

It?s not necessary (or possible) to have a ?perfect? diet. But making small adjustments to the foods you already love can make them healthier and, often, more delicious.

We recently asked the ZOE community which swaps they?ve added to their routine. And Dr. Sarah Berry ? our chief scientist ? explains why these smart swaps are healthy choices.

cont https://zoe.com/learn/10-healthy-food-swaps-from-the-zoe-community?utm_source=uk_newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter_biweekly+2_zsn&utm_content=2-2-2

[SteveH]

11 questions you should ask your doctor to get a proper diagnosis
New research has shown that 84 per cent of people ignore medical problems

What questions should I ask to understand my condition and get a diagnosis?

What could be causing my symptoms?
Is my condition acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term)?
What tests or assessments will be needed to diagnose my condition?
What are the potential complications or risks associated with my condition?
Are there any lifestyle adjustments or self-care options that may help manage my condition?
Are there any medications or dietary changes I should consider?
How will this condition affect my daily life, including work and social activities?
Are there any support groups or resources available for people with my condition?
What should I do if my symptoms worsen or change over time?
Is there anything else I should know or consider about my condition?
Do I need to see a specialist?

cont https://www.inyourarea.co.uk/news/11-questions-you-should-ask-your-doctor-to-get-a-proper-diagnosis/

[SteveH]

8 lesser-known signs of a heart attack you need to know
Swift medical attention can help prevent serious heart muscle damage and save lives

A recent survey has revealed alarming gaps in knowledge about heart attack symptoms among the British public. Almost half of the respondents admitted they wouldn't recognise the symptoms of a heart attack, with a startling 51 per cent of those over 55 stating they wouldn't be able to identify the signs.

Furthermore, 36 per cent of people indicated they wouldn't dial 999 if they or a loved one were experiencing chest pain, a common symptom of a heart attack. In response to these findings, NHS England has launched the 'Help Us, Help You' campaign.

While the most common symptom is chest pain, symptoms can vary from person to person. Other symptoms of a heart attack can include:.....https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/heart-attack/

A feeling of pain, pressure, heaviness, tightness or squeezing across your chest
pain in other parts of the body - such as in the arms (usually the left arm, but it can affect both arms), jaw, neck, back and tummy
feeling lightheaded or dizzy
sweating
shortness of breath
feeling sick (nausea) or being sick (vomiting)
an overwhelming feeling of anxiety (similar to a panic attack)
coughing or wheezing

Full article https://www.inyourarea.co.uk/news/eight-red-flag-signs-of-heart-attack-half-of-us-wouldnt-recognise/

[SteveH]

I am one of those affected by the darker winter months, it feels like I go into hibernation, I have even considered Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/seasonal-affective-disorder-sad/overview/  so the other day I bought a daylight LED lamp, I will pass on my findings to those interested later.

Sleep expert explains why you feel so tired in the autumn
If you're struggling to get out of bed lately, it may be due to our biology 'working against us

A sleep expert has explained why many of us could be struggling to get out of bed in the autumn and outlined some tips to help us wake up feeling refreshed. With the nights drawing in and increasingly darker mornings, it's clear that winter is fast approaching, and you may have noticed you're feeling more tired.

It may seem that it's simply due to it being dark, as we sometimes feel like jumping out of bed on a sunny morning ? yet sleep experts have revealed a reason why we're having difficulties in the autumn ? because our biology is 'working against us'. Lisa Artis, a sleep expert and the deputy CEO of The Sleep Charity, told the Metro that melatonin (the sleep hormone) is 'produced earlier' and 'makes us feel sleepy' due to darker autumn evenings

cont https://www.inyourarea.co.uk/news/sleep-expert-explains-why-you-feel-so-tired-in-the-autumn/