18th October Anti Slavery Day

18^th October Anti Slavery Day

What do you think when you hear Anti Slavery Day?  That slavery is something of the past?  That it is surprising that we even need an anti-slavery day? All that should be true and yet slavery is still rife in many parts of the world.

Slavery has existed almost as long as human beings themselves, having been recorded as far back as the fifth century BC.  Many people were treated as dogs - locked up with chains around their hands, feet and even their necks.  Beatings with whips was common practice and body parts were often cut off over trivial things or nothing at all.

They were not seen as human but as objects - a commodity that could be bought and sold for money to better the capitalist market and the wealthy individual!

So when did we 'stop' slavery?   The Abolition of the Slave Trade Act was finally passed in 1807 and all slaves were freed over the next twenty years.

How disappointing then that in the 21st century we need a day like this!

Did you know that millions of people in the modern world are treated as slaves?  It's happening in places like Africa, South Asia, Latin America and even Europe.

It's not true to say we've regressed completely.  Slavery is illegal, the problem is much of it, including child slavery, goes on behind closed doors and in some places the laws aren't enforced enough.

Someone once wrote a play on human trafficking - because at the time they had been reading a lot about young women who were being exploited in the UK and thought it was important that these women were given a voice!

Your money could help a slave escape his master and find a job that would not involve the exploitation of his person.   A sum as little as £10 could provide briefings for campaigners to send leaflets to government that protests against the problem and demands the freedom of slaves.  If you're interested in getting involved and taking action visit the anti slavery day website for more information. 

Let's all show we support anti slavery - beginning right now.  One small impact from you could make such a huge difference in the long-run ... so show your support for Anti Slavery Day!

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

UK Health Radio

 Anti Slavery Day website

World Rabies Day 28th September

World Rabies Day 28^th September

Thankfully in the UK we do not have too many concerns about the dread disease rabies, as our quarantine and strict border controls make it virtually unheard of However this is not the case in all parts of the world and the 28^th September is world rabies awareness day, a day that is designed to raise awareness about both human and animal rabies.   The day is also about teaching everyone about the impact of rabies, how to prevent it and how to eradicate sources of the disease across the world.

Since it started the day has educated over 100 million people and vaccinated over 3 million animals against the disease.

Each year one person dies every ten minutes from rabies.  Yet human rabies is completely preventable if adequate rabies treatment is given.  Many of us travel abroad on holiday and it is important to be aware of the dangers of contracting rabies from a diseased animal.  So if you have been bitten, how do you know if you might have rabies?  Signs you’ll want to look out for are numbness at the spot you were bitten, a high temperature and hallucinations.  Rabies can literally drive you mad.

The majority of rabies related deaths are in Africa and Asia.  Children are particularly vulnerable because they are most likely to be bitten by dogs with uncontrolled rabies.  This major source of rabies can be avoided through pet vaccination, education of children and ensuring proper access to medical resources.

In 2006 when researchers and professionals formed the Alliance for Rabies Control the goal was to generate awareness and resources to contribute to rabies prevention and control.  Furthermore, the Global Alliance for Rabies Control now has every major national and international animal health partner on board.

The first World Rabies Day in 2007 exceeded expectations with 400,000 people taking part across 74 countries.   That has now spread across 125 countries.  Visit the website on http://www.rabiesalliance.org

Please note that all information and content on UK Health Radio and this blog is provided by the authors, producers and companies themselves and 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

UK Health Radio

Blood Cancer Awareness Month

September 2013-09-16

Blood Cancer Awareness Month

This month is International Blood Cancer Awareness Month The awareness month was first launched in America but this month, Bright Red which is a regional blood cancer charity in the UK are making September International Blood Awareness Month to raise awareness of this important cause in the UK. 

As the Leukaemia and Lymphoma Society in the US have pointed out, there is still a lot of education to do surrounding blood cancers.   With over fifty different blood cancer types, collectively, it is an extremely common form of cancer, probably far more than people realise.   Bright Red have taken great inspiration from the US to bring this awareness month to the UK and hope that you will be able to join them to make a difference, wherever in the world you may be. 

Blood cancers are very complex and there are lots of elements that need to be addressed.   Not only do is more education of blood cancers themselves needed but we also need to raise awareness of how people can help. For example Anthony Nolan, and Be the Match have huge roles to play in the treatment of blood cancers. Awareness and registration as a potential bone marrow donor is therefore, hugely important.   Similarly, patients undergoing treatment for blood cancer often require at least one blood transfusion, and potentially a platelets transfusion too.   So raising awareness of the importance of donating blood, is also vital. 

Bright Red hope that you will be able to participate in the awareness month for blood cancers in some way.  However large or small your participation may be you can help to make a difference.

Anyone within the UK can get involved with the awareness month by organising events or donations.  If you would like to get involved call Ashley at Bright Red on 0191 2695467, or email support@brightred.org.uk.  

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.  It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment. 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

UK Health Radio

The Potential Dangers of Health By Internet

The Potential Dangers of Health By Internet

I was recently in touch with a very interesting writer called Burton Paul.  Burton is a healthcare academic and consultant. He is a doctoral candidate in pursuit of a PhD at Imperial College, Faculty of Medicine, London and I was very interested in what he had to say about our increasing tendency to research our medical complaints on line.  It is something that many of us will have done, but is it always a good idea? Burton had this to say:

A patient today can access information like never before, empowering them to better manage their health. Imagine what the future will look like when the children of today seek medical attention having known the internet all of their lives?
Burton’s research at Imperial College Faculty of Medicine involves understanding the triggers and motivations that leads the Internet user to search for health information on the Internet.  Probably one of the best pieces of advice he can give us is  - Don’t panic – learn not to believe everything you read!

The Internet is not only a way of learning about symptoms and treatments. One of its most powerful uses is to connect people who are experiencing similar challenges, providing possibilities for exchange of view and emotional support. It can be enormously comforting, especially to people with a rare condition or long-term illness, to discover that they are not alone in the daily challenges they face. Useful advice from people with more experience of the condition than you can immeasurably enhance your quality of life. If you have a confirmed diagnosis with a particular disease, by using some of the tools and methods in Burton’s forthcoming book, you will be able to search the internet for other patients who are already living with this particular condition or disease, whether through blogs, forums, websites, social media and so on.

Anyone who gets a diagnosis of a particular disease, especially if it is life- altering or life threatening, experiences high emotion. There is no telling how much of what you read can affect your own state of mind. This is where it can be important to search and find others who can provide clear emotional support and guidance for what you are experiencing.

Burton’s top tips for getting information from the Internet are well worth keeping in mind:

•      Be skeptical, but not cynical, about health information on the Internet.

•      Check, check and check again.

•    You cannot reach a diagnosis via the web; even doctors often need to confirm indications through test results, for example on blood or urine, or MRI scans.

•     Try to understand the motivations of the more vocal people who contribute to Internet health discussions. Some may be angry; others may have a vested interest.

•      Try to be clear about your own motives, and self-aware about your own feelings, so you don’t end up being infected by other people’s emotions.

•      Credible websites will have information prepared by experienced medical professionals; will not charge for diagnoses, and ideally will be independent of manufacturers or other service providers.

Burton will soon be releasing his book. For anything you would like to know about this article or his forthcoming book please contact him on burton.paul@imperial.ac.uk

Please note that all information and content on UK Health Radio and this blog are provided by the authors, producers and companies themselves and 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

UK Health Radio

World Awareness Day – Cervical Cancer

World Awareness Day – Cervical Cancer

This month is World awareness month for Cervical screening.  Cervical screening is very important because it can stop cervical cancer from developing in the first place. This is one of the few cancers that is preventable because abnormal cell changes can be picked up before they have a chance to develop into a cancer. Cancer Research UK offers the following information.

The screening test involves a nurse or doctor taking a small sample of cells from the surface of the cervix. They do this by putting an instrument called a speculum inside the vagina and then scraping the cervix with a small soft brush. The doctor or nurse either rinses the brush in a pot of liquid, or removes the head of the brush and leaves it in the liquid. They then send the sample to the laboratory. This is called liquid based cytology. In the lab, a pathologist puts the sample under a microscope. They examine the cells and report any abnormal ones. In the past, cells used to be collected from the cervix using a wooden spatula and the cells were spread onto a glass slide. This was called a cervical smear or PAP smear. The cells are preserved better with liquid based cytology, so the results are more reliable.

Women between the ages of 25 and 60 are offered NHS cervical screening and the programme will contact women between these ages every 3 to 5 years and ask them to go for a cervical screening test. Currently, the exact age groups for screening vary slightly between the different countries of the United Kingdom. In England and Northern Ireland, women between the ages of 25 and 64 are screened. Between the ages of 25 and 49 you have screening every 3 years. Between 50 and 64 years you have screening every 5 years. In Scotland, women between 20 and 60 years are invited for screening every 3 years while in Wales, women between 20 and 64 are screened every 3 years. 

Research has shown that cervical cancer is very rare before the age of 25. But changes in the cervix are quite common in younger women. So screening younger women can lead to unnecessary treatment and worry. Following recommendations from the UK National Screening Committee in 2012, Wales and Scotland now plan to raise the screening age from 20 to 25. Scotland will also extend screening for women up to the age of 64.

Make sure that you begin having regular cervical screening as soon as you are 25 if you are sexually active. If you are under 25 and are at all concerned about screening or have any unusual symptoms talk to your GP or go to a well woman clinic.  If you are 65 or over and have never had a cervical screening test you can ask to have one.

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.  It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment. 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

UK Health Radio

Animals and Health

Animals and our Health

A strong link has been identified between health and animals.  Cuddling your kitty or patting your pooch is said to reduce blood pressure and add to the general well being of pet owners.   The link is considered so beneficial that it is a common sight these days to see animals visiting retirement homes where the residents enjoy interacting with dogs cats and even parrots.   Perhaps contact with the visiting pets reminds them of their younger days and the pets they used to have.   Whatever the reason the effect has been proved to lift spirits and make a most enjoyable interlude for the residents of many of the retirement homes where animals have come to visit.

Recently I visited an animal farm called Farmtastic that is near Chippenham in Wiltshire.  Here the owners Dave and Lizzie have got together a great collection of beasts from cuddly rabbits to Alpaca and even a tame deer that will gratefully nibble food from your hand.  With goats and sheep and chickens and pigs and even a Barn owl it really is a great place to visit.   The animals are friendly too and will take food from visitor’s hands.   It is a great way to introduce children to animals and for the adults too to feel the benefit of a day spent communing with charming and gentle creatures.  After a particularly busy week I know I felt refreshed and reinvigorated after my visit.  Comments that I read about Farmtastic that visitors had left on Trip Advisor mentioned the fact that it was possible to pet the creatures and to feed them, unlike so many other places where visitors were not encouraged to interact with the animals. Farmtastic offers a great day out with kite flying, picnic spots, animal feeding, horse grooming, alpaca walking, hot food, tea, coffee and drinks and it is free to park. 

There is no doubt that being with animals is soothing to the soul and there is scientific proof that it does lower blood pressure.  I can remember when a friend of mine was very ill in hospital, taking my dog to see her on the ward.  She used to look after him every day for me when I was at work.  The sister who sanctioned the visit told me that getting a visit from a much-loved pet often had a great effect on patients who had been missing their animals.    So there is clearly a link between well-being and the animals that we love.  So the next time you are feeling stressed you could visit an animal farm like Farmtastic or give your hound a hug and see if it makes a difference!

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.  It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment. 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

UK Health Radio

August - National Road Victim Month

August - National Road Victim Month

This month is National Road Victim month and we are urged to make a difference and raise awareness.

A road accident can happen to anyone, and it can be devastating, we have all seen the bunches of flowers placed at the side of the road to mark the spot where a loved one died, and paused maybe to think – there but for the grace of God…..

Have you lost a friend or relative in a traffic accident?  While we remember lost loved ones every day, Road Victim Month each August aims to remember those who have died in road traffic accidents and promote what they call ‘road peace.’

This special month was first established and celebrated in 1998 by the RoadPeace organisation.   It aims to remind the public of how devastating road accidents are and how they can impact on people's lives.

The month of August was chosen specifically as a number of poignant road accidents have happened in this month throughout history.  Bridget Driscoll, the first person in the UK to die in a road traffic accident died in August 1896.   Diana, Princess of Wales also died in August 1997.

A number of events will be held throughout the month, including service of remembrance on 10 August 2013 at the RoadPeace Wood at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire and an annual ceremony will be held on the steps of Liverpool Anglican Cathedral on 31 August 2013 remembering everyone who has been killed on the roads.   Those roadside memorials of flowers and wreaths at the sites of accidents are also encouraged throughout this month.

For more details visit the National Road Victim Month website, where you can find out more about this important celebration of lost lives.

RoadPeace, the organisers of the event are an independently funded national charity for road crash victims.   RoadPeace is also a member of the European Federation of Road Traffic Victims.

If you would like to get involved either by joining the group to become a member, showing your support by giving a donation or holding a fundraising event just visit the official website for more information.

This is the link for the  National Road Victim Month website.

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.  It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment. 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

UK Health Radio