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Autumn is bad for eczema
Over 60% of people who suffer from eczema find that symptoms get
worse in the autumn. At this time, the condition becomes more inflamed, itchy and
irritated than usual. In the UK more women are affected than men.
Dermatologists recommend a regular
routine of twice-a-day moisturising followed by an approved emollient to help improve the
condition. But research shows that many sufferers
don’t follow the advice. In fact, 25% of women
choose non-specialist skincare products for ‘sensitive skin’ and find it makes
things worse.
Results of a new NOP survey by skincare
specialist, Eucerin, revealed that one of the biggest triggers for eczema is stress –
45% of sufferers said that stress had caused their condition to flare-up or become worse. Many people are unsure
of where to get help or information.
The
National Eczema Society
in association with Eucerin, have produced a leaflet entitled ‘Eczema on Your
Mind’, which provides information on the physical and psychological impact of the
condition, available free to anyone whose life is affected by eczema.
To obtain a copy of the leaflet,
go to the National Eczema Society website:
www.eczema.org or telephone the Eczema Information Line:
0870 241 3604.
If you would like to receive a free sample
of Eucerin emollient, go to website: www.eucerin.co.uk
or telephone: 0870 732 2222.
Or write to:
Freepost: Beiersdorf UK Ltd, Freepost
MID23201, Alum Rock Road, Birmingham, B8 3BR.
Don’t suffer in silence
Pain
is one of the most frequent reasons why people visit their doctors. The most common symptoms are back pain or joint
pains due to arthritis. Around 22 million episodes of back pain occur every year in the
UK, but it is estimated that only one in ten of sufferers seek medical help - mainly
because they think there is little to be done.
Yet
modern pain management is effective and offers several choices. Drugs include a range of analgesics, low
doses of antidepressants and anticonvulsants. A new non-steroid anti-inflammatory, rofecoxib,
for instance, offers relief from acute pain for 24 hours on a single dose. Chronic pain can also be controlled by blocking
nerve transmission. TENS (transcutaneous
electrical nerve stimulation) and acupuncture are classed as alternative therapies. Pain
Clinics provide combined approaches as well as advice on fitness training and relaxation.
Unfortunately, not all hospitals run Pain
Clinics, and the quality of care and advice varies greatly throughout the country, so if
you suffer acute or chronic pain and can’t find a solution locally, contact the Pain
Society at their website:
www.britishpainsociety.org
to find the best help available.
Time for the big sneeze again
It
happens, predictably, with the decrease in air temperature. As we get towards winter, the cases of colds,
flu, and bacterial respiratory infections go up.
No one knows why. But there are several ways in which we can protect ourselves.
The
flu vaccine is available free for anyone vulnerable to chest infections and to all people
over age 65 in the UK. Usually it is offered
in October, but there’s still time to get the protection. Don’t have the vaccine if you are suffering
from an infection or fever, and tell your doctor if you have any allergies or are taking
medicines such as steroids that can affect the immune system.
Vitamin C has long been considered to
offer some protection from colds, and the best way to take it is in those five pieces of
fresh fruit you are having every day, though a multivitamin that includes vitamin C
provides a useful back-up. Garlic is
thought to be another preventative, and there’s some new evidence to confirm this.
When
146 volunteers were given either a daily garlic capsule or a placebo (dummy pill) over a
12 week period last November to February, the garlic-takers suffered 24 colds and the
placebo group clocked up 65 colds. Symptoms
were less severe and of shorter duration in the 24 garlic-takers.
Garlic is known to have antibacterial properties as well as providing a
defence against viral infections. The brand of capsules used in the trial was Allimax,
sold at all leading chemists and health stores, price £6.99 for 30 capsules. Allimax also
comes in the form of a cream, and there is evidence that it can be effective against
Herpes simplex, acne and other skin diseases.
If you prefer garlic au naturel, you have to chew the stuff raw to
activate the vital ingredient, known as allicin.
 365 ways to energize mind, body and soul
Before readers
reach for that next cup of coffee, they should reach for this fun and useful book by
natural health and beauty guru Stephanie Tourles
 Age-proof your body
Accurate,
understandable information on aging and nutrition
 Is
it me or is it hot in here? should be compulsory reading. Not just for women
needing help and advice on the complexities of the menopause, but also for men trying to
understand why women are so complex at this time
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Smoking
makes wrinkles
It’s
not exactly new information. For many
years skin specialists have noted that the skin of smokers is more likely to wrinkle
early. One report in 1995 noted that the
faces of 20-a-day smokers aged by 14 years for every ten years of smoking.
New
research is telling us why this happens. It’s
all to do with a protein imbalance, with a higher concentration detectable in the skins of
smokers. Sadly, the effect is thought to be
irreversible.
The skin deterioration starts from the
early thirties, with wrinkles beginning around mouth and eyes. The problem is loss if
collagen, and anti-ageing face creams, healthy diet and supplementary vitamins don’t
help.
Gut reactions
The
world’s first artificial intestine has been created by Dutch scientists. Every function of the human digestive system is
replicated, through the stomach and intestine and the colon.
This
invention could be very good news for the millions of people who suffer from constipation,
irritable bowel syndrome and general windy symptoms.
Scientists are using it to investigate good and bad bacteria in the gut and this
will help in diagnosis and treatment.
If you want to get hold of leaflets and
factsheets on gut problems, there are plenty to download from the website
www.digestivedisorders.org.uk
Need for choice in managing
menopause symptoms
Delegates
at a recent seminar held at the Royal Society of Medicine in London were enlightened about
the need for choice when considering the options for easing the symptoms of the menopause.
Professor
John Studd, one of the UK’s leading gynaecologists and an expert on the menopause,
set up the first menopause clinic in Birmingham in 1969 but it was shut down for 3 months
by the BMA, their objection at the time being that ‘hormone therapy is
unethical’.
Professor Studd is a proponent, and indeed a pioneer of HRT but recognises
the need to offer women a choice, and in his own clinics is being increasingly asked about
the ‘alternative’ options. He first heard of
phyto-oestrogens (naturally occurring oestrogen found in plants) and their potential role
in managing the menopause 5 years ago when ‘a few eccentric people’ were
carrying out studies. Much to his surprise the results were rather good and he has taken
an interest in them ever since.
Latest scientific trials on
phyto-oestrogens reported by Professor Johannes Huber, Chairman of the Dept for
Gynaecology at the University of Vienna, were carried out on a new product, menoflavon, which is based on red clover,
known to be one of the best sources of phyto-oestrogens.
Professor Huber said: “The natural
active substance of Red Clover exhibits the effects usually achieved by the conventional
hormone replacement therapy. The advantage of the new dietary supplement is that the
intake of Red Clover had no undesirable side effects.”
Menoflavon is available in health stores and pharmacies.
If
in any doubt about any of the information covered in healthwise articles and it's
relevance for you, consult your GP.
In edition
19:-
Feet in laterlife
Collagen implants for tired feet
Fishy verdict
New doubts arising about the frequency of eating oily fish
Incontinence
offer - the pelvic toner
Just 10 minutes a day for twelve weeks will make your pelvic floor muscles
noticeably firmer with this exerciser
Managing migraine
A rapid-dissolve tablet that doesn`t need water has just been introduced to
help sufferers of migraine
Gelatin-free
capsules
Most capsules containing nutritional supplements are made from animal-
derived gelatin, which does not go down well with vegetarians and, increasingly, others
wishing to control their source of meat products.
Index to all previous
Healthwise editions
For books on Health visit the Amazon
Family and Health Section.
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Jenergy
Jenni Rivett's guide to fitness, aimed solely at women, is a winner.
 The Complete Book of Men`s Health
This
constructive guide provides information on health-related topics, exercise, diet, and
personal grooming.
 A Woman`s
"Diagnose it Yourself" Guide to Health
Think there's more to life than hanging around in waiting rooms reading
old copies of Hello? Then try this book |
