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Laterlife Healthwise - 65
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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 65. 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. For previous articles in the healthwise series visit 'more healthwise' Don't forget to take a look at Helen's separate talkback page too.
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A non-hormonal vaginal moisturiser ReplensMD is now available on prescription. In 2004, there were over 514,000 prescriptions written for topical oestrogen to combat vaginal atrophy and dryness, itching, irritation, discomfort or pain during intercourse, all common symptoms at the menopause. ReplensMD is a hormone-free alternative for those who don’t want to use oestrogen. ReplensMD was previously only available over-the-counter, priced at ?9.85, which may have been a little expensive for some women. It is a moisturising gel that contains no drug, the active ingredient being purified water (78.8%) which is slowly released from an inert, acidic, bioadhesive polymer which clings to the vaginal walls for up to three days until cells are shed naturally. During this time, ReplensMD delivers continuous moisturisation to the vaginal walls with just one application. ReplensMD is prescribable as a three dose pack, a six
dose pack and a 35g tube (up to 12 applications), which includes a
re-usable applicator. For further information on ReplensMD visit your
GP or go to
www.replensmd.co.uk Recent research has raised doubts about the safety of long-term use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT), and women who prefer to seek a natural approach to relieve common menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes, may find the answer lies in a new combined herbal supplement, MedicHerb Black Cohosh & St John’s Wort. Long used by North American natives to combat hot flushes and night sweats, Black Cohosh is thought to act on the hypothalamus in the brain where it may help to regulate body temperature, thus relieving uncomfortable hot flushes. Medical herbalists have also used St John’s Wort to relieve psychological symptoms such as mood swings and mild depression. MedicHerb Black Cohosh & St John’s Wort contains dried, concentrated standardised extract of Black Cohosh, equivalent to 42mg of dried herb and standardised dried extract 300mg of St John’s Wort. It is available in Boots, Lloydspharmacy and Holland & Barrett or by mail order on 0845 456 7040 and costs ?14.99 for 30 tablets. If you are taking any antidepressants or other medication, talk to your GP first. Smoking could be responsible for more than 50% of all cases of gum disease, and it is medically acknowledged that smoking damages the body's ability to heal itself and fight off infections, says periodontist, Peter Galgut. Smoking encourages gum disease to develop because it disables the body's natural healing mechanisms, making treatment much less effective. Sufferers of gum disease are also more likely to experience shrinkage of gums, loosening and movement of teeth, abscesses and even tooth loss –recent research has shown that only 20% of people over the age of 65 who had never smoked are toothless, compared to 41% of smokers. See your dentist as soon as possible if you think you
have gum disease, and obviously try to give up smoking.
Hepatitis C is a virus that can damage the liver, and there’s no vaccine to protect against it. You can catch it through a blood transfusion (if you had one before September 1991), or by sharing equipment for injecting drugs, or through unprotected sex or sharing a razor or toothbrush with someone who has the virus. There are usually no signs or symptoms for many years, and some with the infection will stay well throughout their life. But liver damage can occur even after a long time. Tests are available and drug treatment will cure
the infection in about half of those treated. If you want to know
more, check out the website: www.nhs.uk.hepatitisc.
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...
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Ibuprofen, an anti-inflammatory drug found in millions of medicine cabinets across Britain, could now cause concern for the nine million people who suffer from arthritis as a study claims that the most popular over-the-counter painkiller could be linked to an increased risk of heart attack. These latest results fuel the growing fears that have gathered in the past nine months over Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Ibuprofen is widely used to relieve aches and pains caused by inflammation, and has become a popular choice for people concerned about the recent warnings about the painkiller Coproxamol and arthritis treatment Vioxx. That still leaves paracetamol and aspirin as alternatives. But if you want to try a herbal remedy, there’s a new one called Zyflamend from New Chapter which, so the makers claim, inhibits the body’s production of the COX-2 enzyme, just as NSAIDs do. The supplement contains a number of herbs known for
their anti-inflammatory, pain relieving and detoxifying properties,
including turmeric, rosemary, ginger, holy basil (yes, that’s what the
blurb says), green tea and oregano. Zyflamend is priced ?25.49 for 60
softgel tablets from most leading health food stores nationwide.
Carnation Footcare are launching their latest 'Put power in your Step' campaign in September with a series of free days in selected Superdrug stores nationwide. The campaign is aimed at educating the public about the benefits of orthotic insoles to correct poor posture and prevent and relieve body pain. People are invited to visit their nearest
participating store where they will be able to meet with Carnation's
specialists for a free pronation test (that means how and where you
put your weight) and to discuss any foot care queries. For details and
information on the Carnation Footcare range, log onto
www.carnation Over 10% of all acute admissions involve Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and cost the NHS around ?600m a year. Many of these admissions could be avoided with improved oxygen therapy services at home, to support adults and children with breathing difficulties, including those with long-term medical conditions such as cystic fibrosis and emphysema. Now the NHS is coordinating a new service to ensure
that patients have access to the latest Patients are promised round-the-clock access to expert
advice and support in making the best use of the latest equipment,
including lighter-weight cylinders, smaller, more efficient
concentrators, liquid oxygen and, for the first time, portable systems
that support greater mobility and independence. For enquiries call
0207 210 4850. In edition 64:- In edition 64 of healthwise Helen covers 5 new topics: Diabetes affects many people as they get older Ageing population & cancer rates The proportion of the world`s population aged 60 or over currently stands at 10% Three quarters of people in the UK are not eating the recommended five portions of fruit and vegetables a day. What to do about prostrate cancer No surgery is usually the best policy for prostrate cancer in older men. Summer is mainly when we plan those trips abroad and get tummy bugs.
Index to all previous Healthwise editions For books on Health visit the Amazon Family and Health Section. Don't forget if you buy books or videos from Amazon by linking from laterlife, you generate money for Charity.
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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The
complete family health guide
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Visit our Product section too: Health and Beauty in laterlife where we have selected a small range of Health stores where you can buy products online. Between them they cover the spectrum of traditional and alternative health products and therapies that you might be interested in. For more information on Health and Health related matters visit our Health section
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