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Healthwise is a regular column written
especially for laterlife.com members and
visitors by Helen Franks, journalist and author.
Welcome to healthwise 80.
For previous articles in the
healthwise series visit
'more
healthwise'
Helen Franks
Helen has specialised in writing about health and
ageing and is a member of the Guild of Health Writers. She has
written for a variety of newspapers and magazines including the
Guardian, Times, Observer, Woman, Family Circle, Vogue and
Choice.
Helen has also written several books including
Getting Older Slowly Your Guide to Successful Ageing and
Bone Boosters
co-authored with Diana Moran of TV Green Goddess fame.
Don't forget to take a look at Helen's separate
talkback
page too.
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Is green tea good for lowering
heart disease?
A Japanese study of more than 40,000 adults suggests that green
tea can lower risk of heart disease or stroke. Green tea
contains large quantities of antioxidants. However, many studies
have come up with conflicting results.
The US Food and Drug Association has stated that it has found
no credible evidence to support claims that green tea can reduce
cardiovascular disease risks, and the National Cancer Institute
says studies on tea and cancer prevention have had contradictory
results.
The Japanese study found that those who drank green tea in large
quantities were less likely to die from cardiovascular disease,
but not less likely to die from cancer. Women who drank five or
more cups of green tea daily had a 31 % lower risk of dying from
cardiovascular disease, and men who drank a similar amount had a
22 % lower risk.
New vits and herbs
A new selection of vitamins and herbs is available from Solgar,
makers of high quality supplements. Nutri-Nano CoQ10 is a new
way of delivering CoQ10, the anti-ageing supplement, more
effectively.
L-Theanine, another new product, claims to create deep
relaxation and mental alertness. It is an amino acid and also
may help to control cholesterol levels.
D-Ribose is associated with cardiovascular function to optimize
oxygen levels and help exercise-recovery times, plus muscular
energy. All are available via the
NutriCentre
Premixed, prefilled
syringes for arthritis problems
Enbrel (etanercept) is now available in syringes to treat active
rheumatoid arthritis, plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis and
ankylosing spondylitis in adult patients.
All doses are premixed and prefilled so no reconstitution is
required.
In addition, the new syringe is designed for easier gripping and
handling and fewer, simpler steps are needed to complete drug
administration. Ask your GP for further details.
Homeopathic podiatry
Some chronic foot disorders do not respond to traditional
treatments. Homoeopathic podiatry may be an alternative.
Double-blind placebo-controlled studies to investigate have
shown significant success in treating hyperkeratotic plantar
lesions, hallux valgus and verruca pedis.
Fungal skin and nail infections and diabetic ulcers have
responded well to treatment and are currently under
investigation.
Homeopathic podiatry treatment is a non-invasive method
requiring less frequent follow up patient consultations when
compared with conventional treatment.
Relax your eyes
"Palming" is one of the most relaxing things you can do for your
eyes. We tend to place hands over eyes when we are excited,
frustrated, fatigued or have other strong feelings.
Greg Marsh is a Certified Natural Vision Teacher in Fort
Collins, Colorado has devised this simple version of palming:
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Rest your elbows comfortably on a table or
desk.
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Cover your eyes with your cupped palms. Add
a pillow under your elbows if more height is needed to keep
your back relaxed and straight.
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Breathe deeply while you “palm” for a few
minutes.
The technique is based on the theories of
ophthalmologist William H. Bates, who found ways to use
relaxation, imagination, and other natural means to resolve
nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, and many other
vision problems. He practiced over 80 years ago.
The idea of palming is to rest the eyes from all
light stimulation. Bates concluded from his study and treatment
of thousands of eyes, that tight muscles actually contort the
eyes and restrict circulation. He found that palming helps those
muscles relax and let go.
Link between hot flushes
and insomnia
One of the most uncomfortable symptoms of the
menopause is 'hot flushes'. These sudden rises in body
temperature have been blamed on the menopause - but researchers
reporting in the Archives of Internal Medicine suspect
the problem has a link with insomnia.
They're not sure if the flashes cause the
insomnia, or it's the lack of sleep that causes the flashes, but
either way there seems to be an association between the two.
The researchers interviewed 3,243 women in
California whose ages ranged from 35 to 65 years. The vast
majority - nearly 60 % - hadn't reached menopause, with just 22
% going through the menopause, the rest being postmenopausal.
Chronic insomnia - defined as poor or
non-restorative sleep over a six-month period - was experienced
by 80 % of all women who also suffered hot flashes.
Had your flu jab yet?
Flu vaccine may be rationed this year, as
supplies are delayed due to laboratory “glitches”. Over-65s and
anyone with chronic respiratory diseases, heart or lung disease
or depleted immune system is eligible for the flu jab, so ring
your GP to make an appointment.
The flu virus is most commonly spread in
liquid droplets made airborne by coughing or sneezing. Symptoms
include fever, body ache, extreme fatigue, sore throat, dry
cough, and begin in adults 1 to 4 days after being infected.
An adult can begin spreading the virus 1 day
before and 3-7 days after symptoms emerge, and children can
remain contagious even longer. Some infected individuals show no
symptoms, yet they can still spread the virus to others.
Dr Chris Steele launches
interactive healthcare website
Dr Chris Steele, the resident doctor from ITVs
This Morning, has launched his own health website:
www.thefamilygp.com
. It has been developed by Dr Chris to bring consumers the
latest in health news and medical information, commentary and
products. Dr Chris will also be hosting a weekly online surgery
on the website, where visitors will be able to post questions
that will be answered by the ultimate expert in healthcare
himself!
The site features:
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A growing library of diseases and
conditions, treatments, medicines and products
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Sections dedicated to women's and men's
health, pregnancies, and children's and teenagers health
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Self help sections for weight loss and
quitting smoking
Websites
www.focusclinics.com for vision testing and
getting rid of the glasses.
www.maculardisease.org all about macular
degeneration.
www.discoverkale.co.uk new website on an underused
vegetable.
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 79:-
Prevention of Alzheimer's
And
then there's curry
The
Bristol approach
Prostate cancer
Highly stressed?
Websites of interest
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.
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