Healthwise 91    October 2007

Healthwise is a regular column written especially for laterlife.com members and visitors by Helen Franks, journalist and author. Welcome to healthwise 91.  

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

MRSA infections continue to fall

Health Minister, Ann Keen, praised the hard work of NHS staff as the number of MRSA bloodstream infections showed a 6.4 % fall on the previous quarter – the third time the figure has fallen.

Ann Keen also pledged to continue measures to drive down numbers of infection, warning Trusts that patients must be treated in a safe, clean environment.

The assurance came as the Health Protection Agency (HPA) published statistics showing an increase of 22 % in C.difficile reports, an increase on the previous quarter, but in line with seasonal rises in infection and results for the same period last year.
The NPS evaluation of the cleanyourhands campaign can be found at www.npsa.nhs.uk/cleanyourhands 

The Healthcare Commission Report ‘What else can the boards and senior managers of acute NHS trusts do to improve the prevention and control of infection?’ can be found at www.healthcarecommission.org.uk  

Failing Eyesight? Eat more fish

If your eyesight is failing, eat more oily fish, and take omega-3 supplements every day. This combined strategy can help re-grow blood vessels in the eyes and combat retinopathy, the eye disease that can lead to blindness according to Researchers from Harvard Medical School.

It’s also vital to reduce – or eliminate – the amount of omega-6 fatty acids, which are derived from corn oil and which form the backbone of the standard American diet. The omega-6 acids aid the growth of abnormal blood vessels in the retina.

By comparison, the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, mainly derived from fatty fish and vegetables, encourage the growth of healthy blood vessels in the eyes. They also protect against the growth of abnormal blood vessels, a characteristic of retinopathy.

Researchers from Harvard Medical School found that even a slight increase in omega-3 had a profound effect on eye problems, halving the severity of retinopathy. and combat retinopathy, the eye disease that can lead to blindness

Optometrists to get independent prescribing powers

Health Minister Dawn Primarolo announces that optometrists will
be able to train to prescribe medicines . Patients will soon be
examined, diagnosed, and get a prescription during one trip to the
opticians.

Optometrists, also known as ophthalmic opticians, are
health specialists trained in all aspects of eye health.
As well as testing sight and prescribing glasses or contact lenses, they are
also trained to recognise potentially blinding eye conditions such as
macular degeneration and glaucoma and refer them on for medical care.

Optometrists can also spot signs of conditions such as diabetes.
Independent prescribing will mean that specially trained optometrists
will be able to write a prescription if they diagnose a problem
needing treatment, saving the patient from having to make a separate
appointment with their GP.

Those under 16 and those over 60 are entitled to a free eye test in  England and Wales and in Northern Ireland. The test takes an average of 30 minutes.  

If you are making a complaint visit www.opticalcomplaints.co.uk

Dawn Primarolo said, a simple eye test is crucial to keep eyes healthy and in the most serious cases, can save your sight. Optometrists are trained eye health professionals. Enabling independent prescribing will not only allow them to make better use of their skills, but will also mean greater convenience for patients.

 

Seven million suffer from noises in the head, new research reveals

One in seven people have experienced the symptoms of tinnitus - noises inside the ears or head - but 70 % of GPs surveyed have never had any training on the condition, new research from national charity RNID reveals today.

The charity found that 15 % of those surveyed - which equates to more than seven million people across the UK - had experienced tinnitus, often described as ringing, whistling, humming or buzzing in the ears or head, for more than a day.

Yet although RNID research has found that tinnitus can cause severe distress and suffering - disrupting people's work, relationships and sex lives - less than a third of doctors surveyed say they have had any training on the condition.

RNID is revealing the shocking extent of this hidden health problem on the same day it launches a new web service - www.tuneouttinnitus.org.uk with information to help those with tinnitus understand the condition and advice on simple techniques and equipment to manage it.

RNID is calling for GPs to take a more understanding and holistic approach to patients with tinnitus, directing those with mild tinnitus to RNID for help and referring those whose condition has a severe impact on their lives to an ear, nose and throat specialist:
 

The RNID found that:

• Of 890 people with tinnitus who were surveyed, 41% said the condition had a negative effect on their personal relationships, with 27 blaming the damage to their relationship on a reduced sex drive, and 36% on a lack of understanding from their partner. 42 per cent of respondents said their tinnitus had a negative effect on their work life.
• Research on tinnitus conducted by www.doctors.net.uk, February 2007, amongst 506 GPs.
• RNID funds ?50,000 of research each year to find a cure for tinnitus. At the moment, there are no drugs available to specifically treat tinnitus alone.
• RNID is the national charity working to change the world for the UK's 9 million deaf and hard of hearing people. We do this with the help of our members, by campaigning and lobbying, raising awareness of deafness, hearing loss and tinnitus, providing services and through social, medical and technical research.

For further information about RNID or to become a member, visit www.rnid.org.uk, contact RNID's Information Line on 0808 808 0123 (freephone) or 0808 808 9000 (textphone) or email informationline@rnid.org.uk .
For tinnitus enquiries, visit www.tuneouttinnitus.org.uk , contact RNID's Tinnitus Helpline on 0808 808 6666 (freephone) or 0808 808 9000 (textphone) or email tinnitushelpline@rnid.org.uk .
 

Top tips for tuning out tinnitus include:

• Sound therapy - A wide range of 'relaxer' products, which play soothin g sounds to distract people from the noise of tinnitus, are available from RNID's products range. Visit www.rnid.org.uk/shop to find out more.
• Relaxation - Meditation, yoga or just time out for a warm bath and soothing music can all help - many people notice their tinnitus more if they are worried or tired. Relaxation CDs are available from RNID's products range at www.rnid.org.uk/shop
• Hearing aids - If someone with tinnitus also has a hearing loss, hearing aids can help by stopping the ears straining to hear, and picking up other sounds that may distract from the tinnitus. To take RNID's telephone hearing check, call 0845 600 5555.
• Get advice - visit RNID's dedicated website at www.tuneouttinnitus.org.uk  or call the charity's Tinnitus Helpline on (telephone) 0808 808 6666 or (textphone) 0808 808 0007.
  Visit the RNID website
  www.singingforsnorers.com
  
   

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

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