Healthwise    March 2009     

Healthwise is a regular column written especially for laterlife.com members and visitors. Welcome to healthwise 108.

For previous articles in the healthwise series visit 'more healthwise'    

Health News

Social networking is good for you

Age Concern say that recent claims about the potential risks of social networking have ignored evidence that getting online has positive benefits for older people.

Their research shows that over two thirds of “silver surfers” say using the internet has improved their lives. They say they have personal stories to confirm this, such as Doreen of Leeds, 70, who began to experience loneliness and feelings of social isolation. Doreen found that getting on line helped her overcome her loneliness and opened up a new world of opportunity.

Age Concern also point to confirmation from Leonie Vlachos, manager of Digital Inclusion, who says: “Whether it’s using Facebook to stay in contact with friends, Skype for international calls to family abroad or using blogs to just have their say, social networking empowers previously isolated older people to stay connected and engaged.”

Cups of tea can reduce stroke (see stroke story in main features)

New research from the University of California says that drinking three or more cups of tea a day can reduce the chances of having a stroke by a fifth.

There are two main varieties of the tea plant. The small leaf variety, known as the camellia sinensis is the small leaf variety which thrives in the cool, high mountain regions of central China and Japan. The broad leaf variety, known as Camellia assamica, grows best in the moist, tropical climates found in Northeast India and the Szechuan and Yunnan provinces of China.

To gain the beneficial effects, the tea needs to come from the camellia sinensis variety.

Complementary medicine research

A year-long pilot scheme in Northern Ireland has found that complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) can offer significant health improvements to NHS patients.

After receiving CAM treatments on referral from their GP, around a quarter of patients reported an improvement in their physical and mental health. The majority of patients directly linked improvements in their health and wellbeing to the CAM treatment they had received and said they would recommend it to others with a similar condition.

The 713 patients, with a range of ages and backgrounds, were referred by their GPs to local CAM practitioners for treatments including acupuncture, chiropractic, osteopathy, homeopathy, reflexology and aromatherapy. The scheme was implemented by social enterprise Get Well UK, which aims to improve access to complementary therapy on the public health service. 

Free online checks with BUPA

In response to the credit crunch Bupa, the private health and care company, has launched a free online healthcheck to help people keep well with health tips and advice that won’t break the bank.

Anyone with web access can take Bupa’s free online healthcheck, giving them a quick, simple and personalised picture of their health based on their medical and lifestyle risks. By using the new site over time, people can track their health, fitness and overall wellbeing without parting with a penny.

The online assessment takes between 15 and 20 minutes. Once completed, people receive instant feedback on a red, amber and green scale about their diet, stress, fitness, prevention, screening and overall wellbeing. The healthcheck also highlights an individual’s average risk of breast cancer, bowel cancer, diabetes, heart disease, lung cancer and stroke based on their age and an extra assessment showing the additional risk that their current lifestyle contributes.

The free healthcheck is available on www.bupa.co.uk/healthcheck

If in any doubt about any of the information covered in healthwise articles and it's relevance for you, consult your GP.

IN THE PREVIOUS EDITION

Pill to cut heart deaths

A pill developed by British doctors may be able to prevent 100,000 premature deaths from heart conditions every year.

Alexander Technique to ease back pain

A scientific trial of an alternative therapy to ease back pain has shown it to be very effective.

Problems with fruit juices

Canadian studies show that drinking fruit juices can prevent vital medicines from working properly

We know that really!

American researchers have announced that jogging through your 50s and into old age appears to reduce the chances of disability and death.

The complete family health guide

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