Friday, September 28, 2012

Call for action on Abortion in Victoria and globally

September 28 is the Global Day of Action for Access to Safe and Legal

Abortion, and Women’s Health Victoria is pleased to support this cause.

“We recognise that unsafe abortion remains a major cause of maternal

mortality and morbidity in the developing world”, said Rose Durey, Policy

and Health Promotion Manager at Women’s Health Victoria.

“We believe that women around the world should be free to make

decisions regarding their reproductive health.

“We should also use today to reflect on the difficulties experienced by

women who have unintended pregnancies in our own state.

“Although abortion in Victoria is now a legal health service, it remains

difficult to access for many women. Women in rural areas have to travel

long distances to access abortions, women experiencing socioeconomic

disadvantage would struggle to meet the cost, and abortion is only

available in public hospitals under very specific circumstances,” Ms

Durey said.

“Women should be free to exercise reproductive choice wherever they

live, whether that is in Victoria or a developing nation”, Ms Durey said.


For more details, please click here


Thursday, September 27, 2012

Men’s Health


Men’s Health

I once read that according to some theories, biologists say that the normal lifespan of a human being should be 120 years. But hat in most developed countries; average life expectancy is about 80 years for women and about 5 years less for men. So why do we die earlier than 120 years? The answer simple: many of us die of illness! This is a significant figure and should be a very important consideration for the male population, in particular, because the cold hard truth is that men are significantly more likely to die of diabetes, cancer, pneumonia, influenza, cardiovascular disease and many other complaints, than women.

Men are four times more likely to commit suicide, two times more likely to die in an accident, and so on. It’s obviously a risky business being a man! Despite playing the dying duck when they have a cold, the truth is that most men do not like to admit, even to themselves, that they have a health problem indeed men make 150 million fewer visits in a year to their doctors than women. And male patients are more likely to wait until a problem that could have been easily treated or prevented becomes severe or life threatening.
With the advent of programmes like Channel 4’s ‘Embarrassing bodies’ we’ve just about seen it all now, and although, like me, you might have wondered what induces the ‘star’ sufferers to bare all on TV when apparently they were too embarrassed to visit their own GP’s, this really is the bottom line, (quite literally, in some cases) - we are still, and this applies more to men than women, embarrassed to take our bits to the doctor.  
One area that affects many men, as they get older is ‘problems with the waterworks.’ This may be nothing sinister but may be due to a serious prostate or bladder problem.  So which is it?  Well, you won’t know unless you go to the doctor! I can remember my mother telling me, when I was reluctant to go to the doctor, that the human body was like a machine to a doctor, moving parts that can and do go wrong.  So, much like your car mechanic, the sight of your white bits, will be nothing your doctor hasn’t seen before.   I am sure doctor’s have more empathy for us than your local mechanic has for your 4X4, but you get the point!
Another problem of our modern age is skin cancer.  Unlike women who spend a long time looking in the mirror and applying lotions and potions to various parts of their bodies men may not even be aware of some of the moles they have.   No one thinks that the worst will happen to them and it is easy to dismiss a spot or sore, thinking that it won’t be anything sinister.  But it might be.  If you are a man, the first thing to do is bare your manly physique to your partner, or even a friend so that they can see what you look like normally, especially on your back where you cannot see well.   If anything changes, moles begin to bleed, darken or itch or get irregular borders, see the doctor.  Even the worst type of skin cancer, malignant melanoma, if caught early enough can be excised and stopped from spreading.
An often often hidden problem is that of mental health.   Possibly where all other taboos have been broken down, this remains the ‘elephant in the room’ for many of us. Ask people if it would be acceptable for employers to discriminate against someone on the grounds of race, religion, sexual orientation or disability and the answer is likely to be an outraged "of course not".  But ask the same question about someone with a mental illness and the certainty seems to waiver.
So whether your problem is above or below the belt, if you are a man, we know that you may be reluctant to go to the doctor until you are nagged or frog marched there! It would be nice if we never got ill, but we do and how ill we become depends largely on how soon we seek help.  Modern medicine has marvelous and evolving treatments that have taken years to develop, just to help us feel better and live longer!  
The first step is to know your body and to recognise when something changes.  We need to take account of our life style, do you smoke, overeat, do little exercise?  While you are putting those things rght, gen up on the symptoms of some of the related diseases, you know what they say, knowledge is power, and often things are a lot less frightening when they actually have a name rather than being allowed to remain the stuff of nightmares conjured up by our fevered imagination.
We all like something for nothing don’t we?  Well we have an excellent health service, and its’ free, it’s state of the art, and it could save your life, now all you have to do is use it!  

Please note that all information and content on UK Health Radio and this blog are provided by the authors, producers and companies themselves and is only intended as additional information to your general knowledge and is not a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment. So please do not delay or disregard any medical advice received due to information gathered on UK Health Radio.
UK Health Radio – the health radio station for the United Kingdom, Europe and beyond at www.ukhealthradio.com – is kindly sponsored by www.1-stop-health-shop.com



Amanda Thomas

Breast Radiation Injury Rehabiliation Service

The breast radiation injury rehabilitation service was launched following a pilot in July 2012. It is a highly specialised national service for men and women who are experiencing pain from injury following radiotherapy for breast cancer.

Radiation induced injury is a rare condition affecting the arm on the same side as the treated breast. It cannot be reversed but when left untreated people can develop secondary complications that can result in significant deterioration in their health, these can include:
  • Severe pain
  • Paralysis of arm or hand which limits the function of the limb
  • Swelling of the arm on the side of the treated breast (Lymphoedema)
  • Breathing problems due to lung damage or recurring chest infections
  • Osteoporosis (Brittle bones)
  • Psychological concerns
These symptoms can develop many years after the radiotherapy treatment and is often referred to as ‘late effects’.

Why Choose Us?

Our aim is to provide an assessment for people with radiation induced axillary tunnel damage following treatment for breast cancer. With our team of internationally renowned clinicians our goal is to deliver improvement in pain and in quality of life for individuals with complex and long term conditions.

What we offer

Upon receipt of referral, all individuals are assessed by a telephone triage call from our specialist nurse. After assessment individuals are invited to attend a two day clinic at one of our three specialist centres – Bath, Manchester or London.
The two day clinic consists of:
Day one. Individual appointments with:
  • Pain Physician and Consultant Nurse in pain
  • Oncology
  • Respiratory Physician
  • Psychology
  • Rheumatology
  • Occupational Therapy
  • Physiotherapy
  • Lymphoedema Nurse Specialist
  • Social Worker
Day two
  • Rehabilitation therapy group day is an opportunity for rehabilitation in a group session and an opportunity to have informal questions and answer sessions with our Oncologist.
Where appropriate individuals can be admitted to the RNHRD for an intensive inpatient programme of rehabilitation or may be referred to local service for assessment or treatments
Telephone advice and follow up is available to those who attend the service.

How to access our service

This service is free of charge for all individuals registered with a GP in England who meet the diagnostic criteria above. We will also accept individual referrals for other UK and non UK individuals for which an individual price for the service can be provided.

All referrals should be sent to:

Professor Candy McCabe
Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases
Upper Borough Walls
Bath
BA1 1RL

candymccabe@rnhrd.nhs,uk

For existing referral queries please contact Janice Goodway on 01225 473462 or Rnh-tr.BRIRS@nhs.net

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

NEOVASC INC. ANNOUNCES PUBLICATION OF TIARA ACUTE PRECLINICAL DATA IN JOURNAL OF


Vancouver, BC, Canada – September 18, 2012

 

Neovasc Inc. (TSXV: NVC) today announced that acute results from preclinical studies of its TiaraTM valve for the transcatheter treatment of mitral regurgitation were published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC).


The study reports that the initial experience with the Tiara transcatheter mitral valve was encouraging and that implantation of Tiara valves was feasible, relatively straightforward and resulted in a securely-implanted, well-functioning device that maintained good hemodynamics in the test animals. The study, which will be published in the October 9, 2012 edition of JACC, is currently available on-line.

“We are very pleased with the results of our Tiara implantations in preclinical animal models,” noted Alexei Marko, CEO of Neovasc. “Publication of the first results from the acute phase of these studies in a prestigious journal such as JACC highlights the potential value of Tiara for the treatment of patients with mitral regurgitation who cannot be treated surgically. We look forward to sharing long-term Tiara results from studies in chronic animal models at TCT 2012 next month.”

In the published study, Tiara valves were implanted successfully in 81% of the test animals, with total procedure times ranging from 17 to 26 minutes. In the successful implantations, angiographic and echo imaging demonstrated excellent function of the Tiara, with no obstruction of the left ventricular outflow tract, no pericardial effusion, no encroachment on the aortic valve, no transvalvular gradients and most importantly, no significant paravalvular leak. All animals remained hemodynamically stable during the implant procedure without the need for rapid pacing.


The report, Tiara: A Novel Catheter-Based Mitral Valve Bioprosthesis: Initial Experiments and Short-Term PreClinical Results, was authored by Shmuel Banai, MD, E. Marc Jolicoeur, MD, Marc Schwartz, RCIS, Patrick Garceau, MD, Simon Biner, MD, Jean-Francois Tanguay, MD, Raymond Cartier, MD, Stefan Verheye, MD, Christopher J. White, MD and Elazer Edelman, MD, PhD. It is being published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, Vol. 60, No. 15, 2012, and is currently available on-line at: http://content.onlinejacc.org/article.aspx?articleid=1358177.

 

Dangerous online ‘slimming pills’ must not stop us advancing the use of effective anti-obesity medication

By Graham Rowan, Chairman of Obesity Management Association
 
Horror stories of the effects of ‘slimming pills’ bought over the internet continue to emerge as more and more people seek help to try and take control of their weight. With the obesity epidemic spiralling out of control, increasing numbers are turning to the web for quick fix solutions, with disastrous consequences. The Obesity Management Association is working hard to educate people about the dangers of buying drugs off the internet and raise awareness of effective anti-obesity medication and how it should be prescribed and monitored.
 
Preventative action to stem the rising tide of obesity is always the preferred course of action, but for some people it is too late and we need to look at different ways they can be helped without placing extra burden on the state. Licenced and proven medication, monitored and prescribed by doctors in private clinics, is an important part of the solution. In OMA member clinics medication has already helped thousands to tackle their obesity and make a step change in their lifestyles for the benefit of themselves and their families.

Unless we start to take the role of medication seriously – as it appears NICE is now doing with its appraisal of Phentermine and Topiramate – our hospital waiting rooms will be filled with people queuing up for gastric surgery and our health service will be crippled.

Now is the time for a change in approach, moving the focus from the shortcomings of dangerous internet drugs towards the opportunities and positive impact that effective anti-obesity treatment can have to transform lives.
 
 
Find out more about the OMA at:  www.omaorg.com
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Towards Tomorrow Together

Mel Scott who has been left heartbroken since the stillbirth of her first, much loved, child Finley decided to fund a new charity Towards Tomorrow Together that aims to support others who experience the same tragedy. She has set up an online crowd funding campaign called If Your Baby Died Who Would Help? http://www.indiegogo.com/Ifyourbabydied?a=468970 which is raising funds in order to register her new charity so it can continue to work with bereaved parents.
The initiative started three years ago by supplying memory boxes to her local hospital with donations that had been taken at Finley’s funeral. The aim now is to expand the operation to include providing support such as; a ‘mentor’ who supports at the time of the loss, a special regulated ‘cold cot’ to each hospital that allows parents to spend extended time with their children and funding holistic therapies to baby-loss parents to help them cope with the range of emotions that follow a loss, as well as supporting parents during any subsequent pregnancies, which are often times high anxiety.
All of this additional support and the facilities cost at least £83,000 per year, per county, in the UK. In order to help, people are invited to share the link throughout their networks, and to contribute anything they can spare.
When Mel went into labour at 41+5 days of pregnancy, finding out that her son had died, despite an emergency caesarean and efforts to resuscitate him failing, was a life-changing event. Not only the trauma of the birth itself, but the pain, confusion and realisation of that day does not fade. Mel was lucky, her husband and Finley’s grandparents arrived and a midwife helped them all to make some important memories, including taking photographs and footprints. While Mel came to terms with the fact the Finley would not be waking up.
Thanks to the care of the staff the family have many memories that they treasure, this will not be the case for all of the 17 families that will experience this in the UK today and everyday. This important care varies from county-to-county depending on the skills of the staff, hospital policies and the extra support given by the voluntary sector in that area. The services that Towards Tomorrow Together will fill this gap and ensure that this much-needed support is provided when needed.
Anyone who would like to be part of this important campaign can donate today at: If Your Baby Died? http://www.indiegogo.com/Ifyourbabydied?a=468970
 
UK Health Radio (www.ukhealthradio.com) is pleased to support this wonderful charity.

Aspirin the Wonder Drug!


Aspirin the Wonder Drug!

There is no doubt that there have been many miracles in the field of medicine over the years, the discovery of penicillin, of radium, drugs that treat diabetes and many treatments that have helped cure cancer. Amongst them all, in my opinion, one stand out medicine is the humble Aspirin. I put myself on a daily dose of baby aspirin (75mg) about 10 years ago when I first heard about the advantage it had in reducing the incidence of stroke and heart attack, although at that time I was not at specific risk of either.   Since then the humble little aspirin has gradually been giving away more of its secrets.  The latest news  -that a daily dose of aspirin can reduce the incidence of some cancers and stop others from spreading - is only the last in a long line of discoveries highlighting this drug's extraordinary potential. And Aspirin is not a new discovery.  It was used in ancient times, as an extract from willow bark, for treating fever and pain.

Despite its wonderful benefits in treating various maladies, the actual mechanism of how Aspirin is able to work on so many different medical problems is still a mystery to scientists. It’s first use in modern times came when it was used in the 1850s, to relieve the pains of "rheumatism." It worked but no one had any idea why!

In fact the reason that I chose to take it Aspirin, was not recognised as a benefit of the drug until the late 20th century when doctors started to give it to patients as a preventative against heart disease. Researchers had begun formulating a theory of heart disease that hinged on some sort of inflammation process and the involvement of something called C-reactive protein. (CRP) CRP is a marker for inflammation: if CRP levels in the blood are raised this indicates an inflammatory process.

Taking aspirin reduces CRP levels, and so may also reduce the risk of future heart problems.  There have been concerns that taking this medication in the long term might give rise to other problems such as stomach ulcers.  Its preventative benefits have seen many symptomless patients taking the medication, but there are those who say that it should really only be taken by patients who have been identified as being at risk of heart disease or stroke.  I can imagine that some of you will think I'm mad to be taking a powerful medicine every day when I don’t really know that is doing me any good, and which, in fact, may actually be harming me. But my view is that lots of people take supplements and vitamins - the evidence for those has often been questioned - and I do try to minimise the risks: I take my aspirin after breakfast every day on a full stomach to try to protect my stomach lining.

The more I hear about this drug the more impressed I am with it and so for now, stomach irritation notwithstanding, I am keeping it on my shopping list, along with my seaweed tablets and ginseng.  Oh and that’s another thing, for a drug that packs a big punch has a very small price!

Please note that all information and content on UK Health Radio and this blog are provided by the authors, producers and companies themselves and is only intended as additional information to your general knowledge and does not substitute professional medical advice or treatment. So please do not delay or disregard any medical advice received due to information gathered on the UK Health Radio.
UK Health Radio – the health radio station for the United Kingdom, Europe and beyond at www.ukhealthradio.com – is kindly sponsored by www.1-stop-health-shop.com



Amanda Thomas


Back pain solution to be revealed at Pharmacy Show

An innovative back pain relief device which could dramatically reduce one of the UK ’s most common medical complaints will be showcased at the Pharmacy Show 2012.
Rophi Cushions Ltd will be exhibiting the Rophi Cushion– a posture improving, pain relieving cushion which alleviates spinal stenosis by aligning the spine and pelvis whilst the user is asleep.
The cushion sits within a medical stocking and is placed between the user’s legs whilst they sleep in the semi-foetal position. Unlike a regular cushion, it comfortably stays in place all night, inhibits perspiration and is fully washable at 65 degrees Celsius.
The company will showcase its product to clinicians, pharmacists and healthcare professionals at the Pharmacy Show, the UK ’s only CPD-accredited training, education and sourcing event for the UK pharmacy community.
Four out of five adults in the UK suffer from back pain at some point in their lives and treating the condition costs the NHS over £1 billion a year.
Robert Lloyd, Technical Director of Rophi Cushions Ltd, said: “Back pain is one of the most common ailments that patients bring to their doctors – but for many of those appointments, the remedy is invariably short-term at best with recurring pain.
“The Rophi Cushion has the potential to dramatically reduce lower back pain for sufferers of all ages, ultimately benefitting both the patient and clinician.
“For a patient, the Rophi Cushion presents a genuinely long-term and cost-effective solution to a problem which can have such a distressing and long-lasting impact on their life.
“Such is the recurrent nature of back pain complaints, healthcare professionals at the Pharmacy Show will undoubtedly recognise the value and potential of the Rophi Cushion and we look forward to meeting interested parties.”

Rophi Cushions Ltd can be found at stand F35 of the Pharmacy Show, which is being held at the NEC in Birmingham from September 30 – 1 October.
 
UK Health Radio (www.ukhealthradio.com) are attending the Pharmacy Show and special editions of the Health Kicks Show (www.health-kicks.co.uk) hosted by John Hicks will be recorded at the event. UKHR will also be attending next February's Back Pain Show at Olympia.

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Poly Cystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)



 
Poly Cystic Ovary Disease


Here at UK Health radio groups who want to publicise various health conditions often contact us.   One such letter recently came in from Cheryl and Nadine who wrote to ask for help with raising awareness for Poly Cystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).  The condition affects 10% of the female population in the UK.  The cause is not fully understood but it is thought that there may be a genetic influence and as such it seems unlikely that a woman could alter her predisposition to PCOS.

Most PCOS sufferers are over weight, many through no fault of their own, as PCOS is known to cause weight gain.  There's no current proof of any benefit of preventative weight loss, although this had been the hymn sheet that doctors have been singing from for many years.  Obviously, however, the best advice for overall health is to maintain a normal weight or BMI, particularly if you have strong indicators that PCOS could affect you.
Some of these indicators include: 
  • A tendency in the family towards Type 2 diabetes (non-insulin dependent diabetes.)
  • The knowledge that a close relative already has PCOS
  • A tendency towards early baldness in the men in the family (before 30 years of age) - That was an interesting one I thought, I wasn't expecting that!   

There is evidence that PCOS can trigger things such as heart and liver disease, strokes, depression, diabetes and even cancer yet research in this area seems to be sluggish and proper help, treatment and support, Cheryl says, elude most patients. It also can have an impact on fertility with sufferers finding it hard to conceive. And an increase in male pattern hair growth and acne are found in up to 70 per cent, with hormonal abnormalities found in up to 50 per cent of women with PCOS.  Hirsutism – the medical name for unwanted hair growth, especially when it occurs on the face, is the cause of secret misery for many PCOS sufferers.

Links for the PCOS site are on our website with YouTube links detailing women’s experience with the condition and there is also a link to Cheryl and Nadine’s own YouTube video clip also with PCOS sufferers stories.

Cheryl and Nadine aim to raise awareness of a condition that few people, apart from those suffering from PCOS have heard of. They want to see more research into the condition, and are even offering up the sufferers in their own support group to the scientific community to take part in research studies!  
 
They have a face book page the details of which are listed below. They unfortunately had their original page hacked so the site has had to be set up again which explains its embryonic feel.   
 
By and large Cheryl points out, sufferers have to do their own research because the doctors often don’t have any information to offer.  Cheryl feels strongly that medical professionals sometimes do not take this condition seriously. Cheryl’s own experience has led her to call for PCOS to be given greater attention.  She feels that doctors should see PCOS sufferers for a check up every 6 months to monitor any changes in the condition, and should offer more in the way of testing and investigation.  Although Cheryl knows that there is no cure for PCOS, she feels that a lot more could be done to alleviate symptoms in PCOS sufferers.    If you suffer from this condition please do get in touch with us or with Cheryl and Nadine direct.
 
 

Please note that all information and content on UK Health Radio and this blog is provided by the authors, producers and companies themselves and is only intended as additional information to your general knowledge.  This information is not in any way a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment, so please do not delay or disregard any medical advice received due to information gathered on the UK Health Radio.
UK Health Radio – the health radio station for the United Kingdom, Europe and beyond at www.ukhealthradio.com – is kindly sponsored by www.1-stop-health-shop.com



Sunday, September 16, 2012

Nordic Walking - Fitness, Fresh Air and Friendliness



Fitness, Fresh Air and Friendliness
by UK Health Radio Guest Contributor. Rodger Matthews


'In six months I lost a stone, said goodbye to those Bingo Wings, rediscovered my waistline and have less cellulite. Even my husband said my bum was smaller'.
'Sitting at my computer all day kills my back. Now I feel more relaxed and I sleep so much better. It was like having my shoulders and neck massaged'

These are just two of the many comments from individuals who have found the benefits of taking up Nordic Walking. Seen by many as an alternative to spending time cooped up in a gym it offers the advantage of exercising in the fresh air and because it is a group activity an opportunity to make friends.

NordicWalking is walking with a difference it's a bit like cross country skiing but without the skis. Ideal, in fact, for those who want to get fit prior to a skiing trip. It was first introduced by skiers in Finland the 1930's as a means of keeping fit during the summer months when snow was not available. They soon realised this form of training was giving them a massive advantage and that it was a perfect way to keep their hearts and lungs in top condition whilst improving their upper body strength. The actively is widely used throughout Europe it is rapidly gaining popularity here in the U.K.as the combined social and health benefits are becoming increasingly recognised.

Instructor Beverley Boon who operates out of Bushy Park in the London Borough of Richmond is well aware of the health benefits from undertaking a course of Nordic Walking training. 'Whether you are young and feel the need to work out or older and keen to improve your overall fitness, Nordic Walking is more than a stroll in the park. It is a great all body work out using 90% of your skeletal muscles. Regular users see improvements to muscles that have lain dormant for some time (the wobbly bits that women sometimes complain about). Stamina improves, it's good for the heart and helps those who are prone to osteoporosis.'

'What could be better for your overall health and well-being' she adds 'than a fitness regime in the open air. A brisk walk in the morning sunshine or a walk through the seasons on a crisp, bright morning when the frost paints the fronds on the ferns, when the mist hangs in the park or if we are lucky the ground is carpeted with snow and yet inside you are warm and content'

'As an exercise activity it is fairly unique in that it is beneficial not only for the super fit but for those with recognised medical problems. Whatever age you are Nordic Walking offers health benefits whilst being enjoyable.

This fastest growing exercise activity appeals to all ages and fitness levels. Although it involves specialist techniques it is easy to learn. All the activity is undertaken in the open air surrounded by attractive countryside and in a sociable environment where participants can chat as they walk. Additional physical benefits over hiking or a brisk walk in the park are that it tones the upper and lower body at the same time whilst using 90% of the skeletal muscles. Whilst Nordic walking is particularly good for the heart and lungs it also benefits those who may have neck, shoulder and back problems. The poles used by the walkers propel the walkers along at a faster rate without feeling the effort. If you are a sportsman the techniques used are ideal for cardiovascular and endurance conditioning. If you merely wish to lose weight then note NordicWalking burns off 46% more calories than ordinary walking.

So if you are looking to:

·         manage your weight

·         keep your heart strong and healthy

·         reduce your blood pressure

·         give yourself more energy

·         and improve your physical and mental well being

now is the time to give Nordic walking a try. You will feel better for it!





If you would like to experience NordicWalking in Bushy Park or Richmond Park and take advantage of the exciting offers available you can contact Beverley Boon a qualified instructor on 07903 356 092 or 07903 356 092

 

UK Health Radio Announces Broadcasting From ‘The Pharmacy Show 2012’


 
UK Health Radio is pleased to announce that they will be broadcasting from The Pharmacy Show 2012, to be held at The National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham, UK.
Come visit our booth and join John Hicks, presenter of the popular Health Kicks Show, for a live recorded interview.  Bring your health and wellness questions and get answers, or just come and network with us to share opinions, get feedback, or simply gain wisdom on topics of interest. 

John (pictured above) said: “The mission of UK Health Radio is to improve the quality of life of people across the globe by providing health and wellness information through radio broadcasts and a resource website, allowing professionals to share best practice, their expertise and passion and for suppliers to showcase their products and services. By having an outside broadcast studio at The Pharmacy Show, we not only get to meet in person both pharmacists and people interested in health and wellness, but we keep our knowledge of products and the industry right up to date.”
“We are aiming to meet the public and those in the industry to record interviews to be broadcast throughout October in a series of special shows called ‘Live from The Pharmacy Show’.  I fully expect to be bringing back some fascinating material to broadcast.” John added.

This event is scheduled to host over 6000 pharmacy professionals and over 350 vendors in the pharmaceutical industry.  As one of the largest pharmacy events in the UK, The Pharmacy Show 2012 is sure to bring excitement to your day and leave you with a stronger presence in the industry, more knowledge, and a more stable network.
For Pharmacists, The Pharmacy Show is providing assessments and the majority of your CPD requirements as well as over 55 hours of workshops and seminars to give you the advantage in the markets for the rest of 2012 and many years to come.  The debates will be fierce, the issues will be addressed, and you will truly leave a stronger pharmacy rep than you ever were before.

For more information concerning the event, please visit thepharmacyshow.co.uk and to learn more about UK Health Radio or to join us for live streams, please visit us at UKHealthRadio.co.uk, or follow us on Twitter (@ukhealthradio).  To find out more about John Hicks and his contributions to the industry, please visit Health-Kicks.co.uk. 
UK Health Radio hope they’ll see you at the Pharmacy Show!

Monday, September 10, 2012

World Suicide Prevention Day


U Can Cope


Entitled “U CAN COPE” Over one hundred UK organisations are combining their efforts to broadcast a message of hope on World Suicide Prevention Day, starting today, the 10th September 2012

This has a special resonance as a new friend of mine Angie Dowds (from ITV’s The Biggest Loser) committed suicide last year.   I did not know her very well - we were planning to work on her biography - but I was shocked and immediately felt guilty, maybe if I had called her at a time when she was feeling very desperate, I could have helped her or offered a different perspective?  I still think about her often. 

According to the Office for National Statistics suicide rates in the UK in 2010 were 17 per 100,000 men aged over 15 and just over 5 per 100,000 women in the same age group.   Professor Stephen Platt, Professor of Health Policy Research at the University of Edinburgh says that “Men are over three times as likely to commit suicide as women.  The middle years, from your mid-thirties to your mid-fifties are those with the highest suicide rates.”

And it is a sobering thought that each year in the UK, twice as many people die by suicide than lose their lives in road traffic accidents.

On the 10th September 2012 the Samaritans and the Royal College of Psychiatrists are leading a coalition of more than one hundred UK organisations - from mental health bodies to the Professional Cricketers’ Association - to spread the message that it is possible to overcome suicidal thoughts and feelings and to highlight the fact that there are many resources available to help those who are struggling to cope.

Spearheading the campaign is a film called “U Can Cope” featuring a number of very strong, emotional and honest testimonials by men and women who, for very different reasons, had found themselves thinking that suicide was their only option. They all sought help, however, and came to realise they were not alone, that it was a huge relief to talk to someone about their problems and that they could find new reasons for living.  The film promotes three main messages:

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·      <!--[endif]-->Anyone can experience suicidal thoughts,
<!--[if !supportLists]-->·      <!--[endif]-->There is always hope,
<!--[if !supportLists]-->·      <!--[endif]-->There is always help.

Consultant Liaison Psychiatrist Dr Alys Cole-King has been quoted as saying  “Suicidal thoughts start because people feel overwhelmed by their problems or their situation and find it hard to ‘see a way out’. It’s not that they necessarily want their life to end, it’s just that they cannot cope with their emotional or physical pain any more.”
“The underlying reasons are different for each person. Sometimes it may be due to a mental illness or triggered by things like the loss of a relationship, the loss of support, physical illness, and financial worries, appearing in court or the death of a loved one.  All these are types of event that any of us can (and do) experience during our lives. However, no matter how desperate you feel, if you know where to get help and how to get help, you can get through the crisis.”

The message of the “U Can Cope” film is backed up by three new resources which offer contacts, guidance and practical help to people in distress in the form of leaflets and on-line via the Connecting with People and Royal College of Psychiatrists’ websites. They are called:
<!--[if !supportLists]-->·      <!--[endif]-->“Feeling On The Edge? Helping you get through it”;
<!--[if !supportLists]-->·      <!--[endif]-->“Feeling Overwhelmed? Helping you stay safe”;
<!--[if !supportLists]-->·      <!--[endif]-->“U Can Cope”. 

The film is due to be shown at the joint launch event for the Call to Action for Suicide Prevention in England and the Government’s Suicide Prevention Strategy, on World Suicide Prevention Day and you can find a link to all the information surrounding this event on the UK Health Blog.

Please note that all information and content on UK Health Radio and this blog is provided by the authors, producers and companies themselves and is only intended as additional information to your general knowledge.  This information is not in any way a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment, so please do not delay or disregard any medical advice received due to information gathered on the UK Health Radio.
UK Health Radio – the health radio station for the United Kingdom, Europe and beyond at www.ukhealthradio.com – is kindly sponsored by www.1-stop-health-shop.com


Organisations funding the “U Can Cope” film and campaign for World Suicide Prevention Day:


http://ucancope.org

Connecting With People: http://www.connectingwithpeople.org/
The Royal College of Psychiatrists: http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/
Betsi Cadwaladr University Local Health Board Charitable Funds: http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sitesplus/861/home
Primhe and Primhe Training CIC: http://primhe.ning.com/
British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy: http://www.bacp.co.uk/
STORM Skills Training CIC: www.stormskillstraining.co.uk  
Mental Health Foundation: http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/
British Association of Social Workers: http://www.basw.co.uk/
Cariad yn Cyfri: www.cariadyncyfri.co.uk

There are scores of further organisations and individuals offering their support and practical help to the “U Can Cope” Campaign including: The Professional Cricketers’ Association, The Royal College of General Practice, The College of Emergency Medicine, The Royal College of Nursing, The College of Medicine, IASP Cultural special interest group, Big White Wall, CALM, Public Health Wales, PAPYRUS, Heads Up Cornwall.                             

Sunday, September 9, 2012

Prevention of ACL Injuries in Football


 
UK Health Radio Guest Contributor, Saudi academic researcher Abdullah F. Alghannam, has published his paper, titled ‘Prevention of ACL Injuries in Football’, on UK Health Radio.
ACL injuries threaten the careers of many athletes and recreational participants in many sporting events. In football, the occurrence of ACL injury is considerably high.

However, it was shown that prevention training programs could reduce the risk of this problem and therefore would be an advantage in terms of both avoidance of injury and being time and cost effective. The current review was aimed to address the specific components of both successful and unsuccessful prevention programs to provide evidence-based global guidelines for the reduction of ACL injury risk.

To read the full paper: please click here

  

 

Please note that all information and content on UK Health Radio and this blog is provided by the authors, producers and companies themselves and is only intended as additional information to your general knowledge. This information is not in any way a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment, so please do not delay or disregard any medical advice received due to information gathered on the UK Health Radio.

 

UK Health Radio – the health radio station for the United Kingdom, Europe and beyond at www.ukhealthradio.com – is kindly sponsored by www.1-stop-health-shop.com

Aspirin brings about its beneficial effects by modification of diastolic blood pressure of smokers


UK Health Radio Guest Contributor in Kuwait, Ayed Al-Shammari  B.Pharm. MSc., shares his joint paper “Aspirin brings about its beneficial effects by modification of diastolic blood pressure of smokers”:

Smoking promotes arthrosclerosis which means hardening of blood vessels and blocking of arterioles.

When this affects the blood vessels that supply the heart, it can lead to destruction of heart muscle.

To try and find out why the aspirin had exerted such a beneficial effect, some of the major risk factors which contribute to the risk of heart attacks and strokes were examined in the subjects who took part in the trial, and they all were smokers.

It has been observed that diastolic pressure had been modified during the treatment with aspirin.


 

 

Please note that all information and content on UK Health Radio and this blog is provided by the authors, producers and companies themselves and is only intended as additional information to your general knowledge. This information is not in any way a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment, so please do not delay or disregard any medical advice received due to information gathered on the UK Health Radio.

UK Health Radio – the health radio station for the United Kingdom, Europe and beyond at www.ukhealthradio.com – is kindly sponsored by www.1-stop-health-shop.com

The rationale for the use of combined drug therapy for hypertension in Kuwait


UK Health Radio Guest Contributor Ayed Al-Shammari  B.Pharm. MSc., shares his paper on the rationale for the use of combined drug therapy for hypertension in Kuwait



 

 

 

 



 

Please note that all information and content on UK Health Radio and this blog is provided by the authors, producers and companies themselves and is only intended as additional information to your general knowledge. This information is not in any way a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment, so please do not delay or disregard any medical advice received due to information gathered on the UK Health Radio.

UK Health Radio – the health radio station for the United Kingdom, Europe and beyond at www.ukhealthradio.com – is kindly sponsored by www.1-stop-health-shop.com

Gender differences in symptoms and responses to medical treatment


The 1-stop-health-shop is examining gender differences in symptoms and responses to medical treatment.

Gender-based medicine or simply gender medicine is the field of medicine that studies the biological and physiological differences between the human sexes and how that affects differences in disease.

Traditionally, medical research has mostly been conducted using the male body as the basis for clinical studies.  

The findings of these studies have often been applied across the sexes and healthcare providers have assumed a uniform approach in treating both male and female patients.


© 2012 www.1-stop-health-shop.com. All rights reserved.

 

 

 

Please note that all information and content on UK Health Radio and this blog is provided by the authors, producers and companies themselves and is only intended as additional information to your general knowledge. This information is not in any way a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment, so please do not delay or disregard any medical advice received due to information gathered on the UK Health Radio.

UK Health Radio – the health radio station for the United Kingdom, Europe and beyond at www.ukhealthradio.com – is kindly sponsored by www.1-stop-health-shop.com

Assessment of the Reported Effectiveness of Five Different Quality-Improvement Initiatives for the Prevention of Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections in Intensive Care Units


Lawrence F Muscarella, Guest Contributor to UK Health Radio, writes:

Five studies that evaluated five different quality-improvement initiatives for the prevention of central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) in adult, paediatric and/or neonatal intensive care units (ICUs) and that were published within the past two years in an infection-control and epidemiology journal were reviewed, assessed and compared.

Each is a prospective cohort study that similarly concludes that the evaluated initiative was responsible for a significant and calculated reduction in the CLABSI rate, ranging from 30.3% to 85%. The soundness of these conclusions and calculations, however, like the legitimacy of several other common uses of CLABSI data, requires, in addition to satisfying a number of other criteria, that each study’s CLABSI rates be accurate and complete.

The primary goal of this analysis, therefore, was to confirm the hypothesis that each of these five studies had validated its CLABSI rates. The analysis found, however, that these five studies did not validate the accuracy and completeness of their CLABSI rates, which raises reasonable questions about each study’s assessment of and conclusions about the initiative’s effectiveness for the prevention of CLABSIs.

In addition to their aims, calculations, and conclusions, these five studies share in common a number of features, as well as circumscribing qualities, which are discussed.

The distinction between a qualitative assessment and a quantitative determination of an initiative’s performance is also discussed.

Both the circumspective use of CLABSI data that have not been validated and the cautious interpretation of conclusions about central-line care that are based on these CLABSI data are recommended.

For the full article, please visit: http://www.myendosite.com/articles/OEJ2012.pdf

 

© 2012 Lawrence F Muscarella. All rights reserved.

 

 

 

Please note that all information and content on UK Health Radio and this blog is provided by the authors, producers and companies themselves and is only intended as additional information to your general knowledge. This information is not in any way a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment, so please do not delay or disregard any medical advice received due to information gathered on the UK Health Radio.

UK Health Radio – the health radio station for the United Kingdom, Europe and beyond at www.ukhealthradio.com – is kindly sponsored by www.1-stop-health-shop.com