Healthwise 77          August 2006

Healthwise is a regular column written especially for laterlife.com members and visitors by Helen Franks, journalist and author. Welcome to healthwise 77.  

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

 
Women are neglecting their health

A survey conducted by the NHAS (Natural Health Advisory Service) has found that women in the UK are not taking simple lifestyle steps to improve their health and ensure they live a longer and happier life. The survey of 1,200 women aged between 35 to 65 years reveals how those looking after themselves are happier, have more energy, less pain and a higher libido!

Despite the barrage of good health messages from the media, middle age women are not acting on the advice. Women in the UK now live to an average age of 81 but the NHAS survey shows that unless they take steps to look after themselves they could spend their last few years overweight, in pain and depressed.

Statistics from the survey:-

• Only 25% of women said they ate at least 5 portions of fruit and vegetables a day

• Women are more likely to have poor energy levels if they do not eat enough oily fish

• Over 70% of women who exercised less than once a week suffered migraines, bowel problems, anxiety and depression

• Women who eat oily fish, do regular exercise and eat plenty of fruit and vegetables have a higher libido than those who don’t.

The survey was sponsored by cardiozen™ makers of fish oils. For further information visit www.equazen.com .



Things you might not know about high blood pressure

High blood pressure is a permanent condition. It's not. Your blood pressure reading fluctuates dramatically throughout the day – especially if you are about to see your doctor for a blood pressure reading! Indeed, it's not uncommon for blood pressure to change by as much as 30 mmHg in a typical day, especially if you're under stress or if you’ve been exercising.

Any blood pressure that is 'high' is a danger. That's not so. Mildly high blood pressure is not dangerous if you are over 55 years of age. It's a natural process, and the drugs are far more dangerous than the condition at that stage. A reasonable blood pressure reading for an older person is 140/90.

Blood pressure diagnosis is accurate. Actually, it's quite inaccurate. Professor William White at Connecticut University has described it as "medicine’s crudest investigation".



Jumping for joints

Many people are unaware of just how vulnerable their joints are. Inevitably, they don’t worry about the health of their joints until problems occur. These could be anything from the complaining elbow of an amateur tennis player to the more extreme pain caused by repetitive use of certain joints over time, and the onset of osteoarthritis.

According to the Arthritis Research Campaign, more than 7 million adults in the UK have long-term health problems due to arthritis and related conditions. The cost to the nation is estimated in the region of £6.5 billion when absence due to illness, consultations, prescription drugs and secondary care rheumatology costs, disability allowances and community and social services are taken into account.

Health Perception, makers of glucosamine, is offering a free 24-page booklet that is packed with expert advice and valuable information on nutrition and exercise, as well as interesting facts on joints and how they work.

Whether suffering discomfort now, or seeking to avoid it in the future, Jump 4 Joints! could help. One of the contributors, GP Dr Rob Hicks, lists various ways to improve joint health and recommends keeping active. “It saddens me when I hear people say that having osteoarthritis means they “can’t do” the things they want to do anymore, or that they “just have to live with it” because this doesn’t have to be the case.”

A special four-page easy-to-follow Jump 4 Joints workout has been devised by pilates consultant and chartered physiotherapist, Beverley Skull, to help improve overall joint mobility.

The Jump 4 Joints! booklet is available free by calling 0845 330 5518 or by visiting the dedicated website www.jump4joints.co.uk

 

Laughter: the best medicine?

A project from Austria’s University of Graz suggests that the answer is yes. The scheme involved four local hostels for the homeless, sponsored by the equivalent of the UK’s Big Issue.

Homeless students were given lectures to learn the importance of humour, and despite their plight, their sense of well-being improved enormously.

Up to 80 muscles are used when you have a really good laugh. The heart beats faster, oxygen levels in the blood increase and endorphins (naturally occurring pain-relieving chemicals in the brain) are stimulated.

And then there is music

When radio programme Classic FM talks about soothing music, there’s more to the subject than meets the ear. Music can lower blood pressure, speed up healing and soothe the troubled mind.

Now some hospitals are taking up the idea by providing live music in wards. But there is a snag: imposing musical taste on patients could lead to complaints and grumbles, which would negate the exercise.


Useful websites

Sun and skin: new website www.sundamagedskin.co.uk  for long-term effects of the sun on skin and to identify signs of damage.
General health advice: www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
Hair loss: http://www.hairgrowthuk.net
Food allergies: www.foodsmatter.com
Eyesight: www.maculardisease.org
Men’s health: www.malehealth.co.uk
Prostate cancer: www.prostate-cancer.org.uk
Heart disease: www.bhf.org.uk
Bowel cancer: http://www.pelicancancer.org/

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

In edition 76:-   

In edition 76 of healthwise Helen covers 6 new topics: 

Relief from Psoriasis and arthritis

The first World Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Conference in Stockholm revealed in a new study that there was a significant reduction in symptoms among psoriatic arthritis patient treated with Enbrel (etanercept), over a period of 24 weeks.

Osteoporosis: Don't stop taking the treatment

Almost half of patients stop taking their weekly treatment within a year for osteoporosis, leaving them open to a greater risk of broken bones, says a new report from the International Osteoporosis Foundation

Vitamin D and calcium reduce falls

Researchers at Harvard School of Public Health in Zurich say that long-term vitamin D plus calcium supplementation reduces the odds of falling in active older women by 46% and in less active older women by 65%.

First signs of dementia

The first signs of dementia—including Alzheimer’s disease—may be physical, rather than mental........

The heatwave plan

Although severe heatwaves are uncommon in England, the experience across Northwest Europe in 2003 is a reminder that heat can be fatal.

Plaster casting

Contrary to popular belief, wounds don’t need air to heal as there is enough oxygen in the blood to aid wound healing, so by using plasters no scabs are able to form, meaning you don’t have the uncomfortable itch and there is no chance of scarring.

High doses of painkillers and risk of heart attack

Painkillers such as ibuprofen and diclofenac can double risk of heart attack, says a study from Oxford University epidemiologist Colin Baignet

The complete family health guide

Essential medical reference that's a must for every home. Published in association with the BMA, it includes comprehensive coverage of every important aspect of health and medicine, as well as user-friendly charts for at-a-glance information and easy reference. Also lists the best medical websites...

Maximise your memory

This work provides detailed instructions, illustrations and sample exercises that show the reader how to build a system of personalized frameworks for storing and recalling information on demand.