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This week in health – 22/06/2018

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Welcome to talkhealth’s weekly round-up of all the top news stories in the world of health. This week we’ll be covering a wide range of topics, including the current debate around medicinal cannabis, the expected rise in the number of cancer cases and the effects of poor mental health. So, let’s get right in to it.

Cannabis oil for medicinal purposes

Probably the biggest news story in the world of health this week is the rising campaign for the use of medicinal cannabis oil. According to The Independent, three-quarters of the British public believe that doctors should be able to prescribe cannabis for medicinal purposes, and this has led to a wider review to come from the government.

The long-standing debate stems from the fact that medical cannabis challenges scientific norms and the regulation of medicines. While cannabis has been proven to show general success with conditions such as seizures, wider proof of the drugs benefits for a range of conditions is still unverified.

Some success stories of cannabis with conditions such as anxiety have been touted, and some campaigners have set up companies that are already providing cannabis oil. However, there is clear proof of some of the risks associated to the use of the drug. With further reviews and research due to be conducted by the government, the campaign to use of cannabis oil for medicinal purposes is clearly gaining steam, and we are sure we’ll be hearing more about this over the coming months and years.

Rising cancer cases in older generation

A recent report has estimated that the number of cancer cases diagnosed each year in elderly people is set to rise by 80% over the next 20 years.

Leading cancer charity, Cancer Research UK, claims that by 2035 around 234,000 people over the age of 75 will be diagnosed with cancer each year. This is a sharp increase compared to the 130,000 yearly diagnoses now. This is largely led by the UK’s growing elderly population and the government has labelled cancer as a priority in light of these new statistics.

Developing cancer in older years is more common as the cells in our body often become damaged in older age. In addition to this, older people with cancer are more likely to have complex medical and social needs, which makes it harder to provide adequate support and treatment.

Earlier this week, the government announced a budget increase of £20bn by 2023 to help combat issues such as rising cancer numbers in the elderly, and it is hoped that this additional funding will help support an aging population and the issues that come alongside this.

Mental health and its impacts

A recent study has found that those suffering with mental health problems are more likely to find themselves in difficult struggles with debt.

The Institute of Fiscal Studies which conducted the report found that four out of ten people aged between 25 and 54 with a mental health problem were operating on an income with is less than 60% of the UK average. In many ways, these two issues end up circling one another, with lower incomes resulting in more day-to-day struggles which can contribute to poor mental health in individuals. Shockingly, 40% of people with mental health problems found themselves below the poverty line, and this issue needs to be tackled.

If you are struggling with your mental health, head over to our Men’s Health and Women’s Health sections of the website, where we provide further support and information.

Useful guides

Finally, rounding up this week’s rundown we have two useful guides to share with you.

The first guide comes from The Telegraph, which explores hair loss treatments. With many people living with hair loss, this condition can have a huge impact on an individual’s wellbeing and emotional health. The guide explores a range of different hair loss treatments and can advise which ones are likely to help combat the problems of hair loss.

Secondly, we have a guide from i news, which aims to help those of you struggling with sleep problems. The guide explores different ways to help bring your stress levels down and get your prepared for the perfect night’s sleep.

And that’s it for this week, be sure to join us next week for our round up of the biggest news stories in the world of health!

The post This week in health – 22/06/2018 appeared first on talkhealth Blog.

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What Effect Would A Wet Wipes Ban Have On Ostomates?

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You may have seen the news recently and the talk of the Government banning wet wipes.  With the current focus on the environment, recyclable products are much more in favour at the moment.  Wet wipes contain non-biodegradable plastics, are single use and cannot be recycled.  Despite warnings on the packet, they are still flushed down the toilet and account for over 90% of material sewage blockages according to Water UK*.  

Much of the focus in the media has been on parents – one of the biggest uses of wet wipes tend to be when changing a child’s nappy and cleaning mucky hands and faces.  But as an ostomate it made me wonder what we would do, should this ban come into fruition.  

Stoma Bag Changing Routine

I generally change my bag every evening when I have my shower.  Not all ostomates change this often but I get sore skin if I leave my bag on for too long.  My general routine involves:

  1. Cut my new bag to size and get out all the things I need
  2. Remove stoma bag using adhesive remover spray
  3. Clean the area with a wet wipe
  4. Use an adhesive remover wipe to remove any bits of the adhesive from the bag stuck on skin
  5. Clean the area again with a wet wipe to remove any fonal traces of output and adhesive remover
  6. Dry well with a dry wipe
  7. Spray ostomy barrier spray
  8. When dry, place clean bag over stoma and press down firmly
  9. Attach baseplate extenders if required

Check out mine and Ste’s STOMA BAG CHANGE RACE on YouTube

Using Wet Wipes During A Bag Change

The wet wipes I use during a bag change are provided by my delivery company, Bullens.  I have also used baby wipes before, although some people don’t suggest this.  My wipes are not flushed down the toilet, I dispose of them in the rubbish bag with the rest of my waste. 

I recently ran a poll on Twitter to see what other people used to clean their stoma during a bag change.

Just over half of all the ostomates who responded to my poll use some form of wet wipe – either a baby wipe or one of the complimentary wet wipes provided by their stoma su[pplies delivery company.

   

There were some great points made relating to the poll including:

  • Baby wipes aren’t always ideal for use around the stoma site as they can leave residue
  • Different things affect people’s skin differently and what wiorks for one may not work for another
  • Check the wipes you are using are meant for the skin and not bathroom surfaces – many of these contain bleach
  • Trio Heathcare recommended using their adhesive remover wipes over baby wipes.  Order your sample here

So What Can We Use Instead?

Luckily there are lots of different things we can use to clean our stoma area.

Dry Wipes

I use dry wipes to dry the area around my stoma after cleaning.  These can also be used damp to clean the area.  As there are no chemicals used, this can help prevent sore skin and residue that means your bag will not stick properly

Adhesive Remover Wipes

Use these to help remove any sticky residue from the bag baseplate without having to scrub which can irritate the skin.  You could also use the adhesive remover spray with a dry wipe if preferred

Reusable Soft Cloths

I found these cloths in Primark and they were really inexpensive.  I use them to wash my face and to remove my makeup.  They are super soft though and could be used damp to clean your stoma area, before being placed in the wash to reduce waste.

Shower

I like to remove my bag before I shower so I can give my skin some bag free time.  Rather than cleaning the area before you get ihn, you can use the shower to clean the area around your stoma.  Warm water is recommended as it does not contain anything which could irritate your skin.  Do not use any shower gels too close to your stoma, as this may cause irritation or prevent the bag from sticking due to the residue they leaves behind.

No Need To Panic!

The media are very accomplished at causing panic but I really don’t think there needs to be one about this!  For both ostomates and parents there are many alternatives, and it would be great for companies to start coming up with more environmentally friendly options for us all, this may give them the push they need.  

I hope you enjoyed reading my post and the alternatives to wet wipes will be useful to you.  I would love to hear what you use in the comments and if there is anything I should add to my list

You can see more of my posts over on my blog – The Spoonie Mummy

*Reference – https://inews.co.uk/news/environment/wet-wipe-ban-uk-opportunity-end-flushaway-culture/

 

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This week in health – 15/06/2018

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As another week comes to a close, here at talkhealth we’ve rounded up all of the top news stories from the week in the world of health. From Professor Green talking about depression and the impact of loneliness through to the food poisoning dangers of tea towels, there’s a wide range of topics on offer this week. So, lets just into the top health headlines from the week.

Medication and depression

Famous British rapper and presenter Professor Green has opened up about his battles with depression and his apprehension of taking antidepressants. In a revealing interview, Professor Green has spoken about his time dealing with anxiety and depression and has claimed he feels “like an idiot” for not trying antidepressants sooner. Well-known for his active role with the charity Calm, Professor Green has long been an advocate for raising awareness of male suicide, and this latest insight into his battles with depression should help raise this cause into the spotlight again.

Alongside this, new research from US based researchers has found that many commonly prescribed drugs may increase the chances of developing depression. The research found that, among the study participants, rates of depression were 7% higher for those taking medication where depression may be a side effect.

Lead author Dima Qato, an assistant professor at the University of Illinois, said: “Many may be surprised to learn that their medications, despite having nothing to do with mood or anxiety or any other condition normally associated with depression, can increase their risk of experiencing depressive symptoms and may lead to a depression diagnosis.”

If you are at all concerned that your medication may be having an adverse effect on you, either mentally or physically, you should contact your GP immediately.

To find out more about mental health, please head to our men’s health and women’s health sections of the website.

The importance of exercise in middle age

Exercise is important regardless of age. However, new research has found that middle aged people who are not exercising are putting themselves at heightened risk of increased blood pressure, frailty, dementia and an early death.

The independent reports found that a lack of exercise in middle age could contribute to several issues, with dementia and an early death being the most severe. One report found that those who were aged 50 with a systolic blood pressure of 130mmHg or above were nearly one-and-a-half times more likely to develop dementia than those with ideal blood pressure.

In addition, a separate report noted that men categorised as frail between the ages of 37 and 45 were over two-and-a-half times more likely to die than non-frail people of the same age, with similar findings in women of the same age range.

If you are struggling to keep fit, look at our men’s health and women’s health sections of the website for advice on keeping fit.

Loneliness and its effects

Loneliness can have a huge impact on an individual, both mentally and physically. A new study has highlighted this and has found loneliness may double a person’s risk of dying from cardiovascular disease.

The study also revealed that people who felt lonely were three times as likely to report symptoms of anxiety and depression – this was true for both men and women. These people also reported a much lower quality of life in general.

If you are struggling with loneliness or mental health issues, reach out to friends and family, your GP, or take a look at our forums and connect with like-minded people.

Tea towels and food poisoning

Finally, Scientists from the University of Mauritius have found that multi-use tea towels could be putting your household at risk of food poisoning.

The research examined 100 multi-use towels that had been used for a month and concluded that bacteria such as e-coli was more likely to be found on towels that have been used for multiple functions. Multiple use increases the chance of cross-contamination of potential pathogens that can spread bacteria and lead to food poisoning.

The government recommends washing or changing dish cloths, tea towels, sponges and oven gloves regularly and letting them dry before re-use.

That rounds up this week’s top stories from the world of health. If you want to continue the conversation, head over to the talkhealth forums!

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What a Good Relationship With Your Doctor Looks Like

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Cup of tea, glasses and an x-ray form, to illustrate getting good medical help © livingpositivelywithdisability.com

Have you ever walked out of an appointment with your GP and wondered what you paid all that money for? Have you ever felt like they didn’t really listen, palmed you off, even scoffed at your symptoms?

Getting good medical help is so important, not just to make it a more pleasant experience for you, but to ensure that you are getting the right preventative checks, early intervention and an informed, thorough management of illnesses.

What I have covered below is by no means an exhaustive list and I am sure there are plenty of people who know a lot more about it than me, but here is what I have learnt so far in my life (and medical) journeys:

I’ve said before that there are doctors and then there are doctors. Due to knowledge base, preference and/or personality, every doctor is different and not all of them can give you the help you need…

The Right Doctor

I remember the first time I met my current GP.

My husband had bundled me into the doctors office. I was in tears. I was distraught. I had been trying to be strong for so long, bottling things up inside, that I had become a tight wire of anxiety and I was about to snap (or maybe I already had).

My GP took the time to really listen to me and go over all the aspects of my situation and all the ways I could seek help. He set up a management plan and he referred me to the people who would make that management plan happen. He took extra time to make sure everything was in place for me before he let me leave his office.

He rang me to make sure I was OK in the following days and he booked me for another appointment two weeks after the first.

Unfortunately, it takes a very special doctor to handle the above situation in the right way. I say “unfortunately” only by virtue of it being so rare. Unfortunately, low level negligence is normal, but it is not right.

Scott has been my GP for about 7 yrs now. I had a few before him but he is the right mix of dedication, genuine care for patients, holistic overview and ongoing learning that I need from my GP. If you, like me, are a (let’s be honest) high maintenance patient, it is doubly important that you too have a doctor who is open minded, continually learning from the current medical literature, genuinely cares about their patients and is willing to go the extra distance, every time.

Everybody needs something different. Some of my previous GPs were nice people, fine doctors, but just not the right fit for me. You need to find the right fit for you and to not be afraid to keep looking if the fit isn’t right. Your health is far too important to put it in the hands of someone who perhaps doesn’t care for you in the way that you need, or even someone who doesn’t have the same outlook as you. GP-patient relationships are intimate, sensitive things and good communication and trust is so important.

A good doctor is a consistent doctor. The worst thing you can do is just see anyone who’s available (unless you can’t help it, which happens). You need (using that word very purposefully) a doctor who knows you, your medical background, your family and personal situation. All these factor are incredibly important when making decisions about the medical management of a patient. And with that knowledge base, trust grows. You learn to trust your doctor and put faith in their decisions and they learn to trust you and do things for you that they wouldn’t necessarily do for a stranger walking in their door (like not charge you because they know you came in last week with the same complaint, charge the whole family as one person or order additional tests a new doctor wouldn’t consider because they don’t know the whole picture). Building that relationship over time with a good GP is important and beneficial in so many ways.

A good doctor should…

  1. in all dealings with you, show you respect as a fellow human being – you may not have their degrees, but that does not make you lesser.
  2. not be rude, or even impersonal.
  3. not talk at you, but with you.
  4. make you feel at ease.
  5. listen to you and express empathy.
  6. not hurry you through the appointment because they’re running behind schedule (that’s their issue, not yours).
  7. not discount what you say out of hand but instead discuss all aspects of what you are experiencing, what their take on it is, and why.
  8. explain things thoroughly but clearly (after all, you probably don’t have a medical degree and, if you’re anything like me, you may have barely passed science in high school, too).
  9. order appropriate follow up tests and investigations.
  10. contact you about important test results, even if by text and even if the results are clear. In this way, a good doctor acknowledges the stress and worry of waiting for test results and seeks to reassure their patients.
  11. ring you in the days after the appointment to check in if you have presented with mental health issues for the first time, or presented with borderline hospitalisation symptoms. A good doctor’s care of their patients goes beyond their door. A good doctor doesn’t just want your money; they have your back.

The best advice I could give you for finding long term high quality medical care is to create a social web of good information and good services. If you’re happy with one service provider, ask them to recommend others. If your doctor leaves the practice, ask the receptionist (who you’ve developed a really good relationship with, of course!) to recommend another. (Gently) grill everyone you meet, from social workers to pharmacists. Make the most of your existing relationships and contacts to make the next connection you need.

A lot of the time you have to be super assertive and ask the right questions, as I have learnt from dealing with medical professionals for my disabled child over the last 14 yrs, but there are definitely people out there who are more than worth their weight in gold when it comes to giving you help. 

When it’s time to move on

Not happy with your doctor but not sure whether you should look for someone else?

I encourage people to take part in their diagnosis, listen to their inner compass when it tells them something doesn’t sound right and seek second, third (or even more) opinions when those doubts arise.

Discuss your situation with friends and family if you feel like you need a sounding board for your concerns. Maybe go online and chat with support groups (using your judgement to make certain they are informed and actually supportive) to get the ‘inside story’ and possibly even recommendations for other specialists (or at least how to access that information).

Making decisions: parenting exercises

Something that I’ve found that works for me when making tough decisions that you could try if you like the sound of it, is what I call a parenting exercise: I pretend that I (Lowen) am the parent of me (Lowen) – what would I tell myself? “Stop being silly”? (no, that would be that pesky, negative inner voice in your head, not your parenting self). You may find your parenting self might say, “Hmmm, maybe you should get a recommendation and go and see someone else for a second look,” or, “Try this medication for a few weeks and see if it helps, like the Specialist said it would”, or “I think you’re over thinking it, love,” or, “Maybe sleep on it and see if you still have reservations in the morning”. Our parenting selves tend to be more logical and also more loving than the rest of the jumble of thoughts in our head. It can be an effective way of stepping back and looking at the situation in a clearer light.

Being part of the process

These are all ways of making a measured decision about how you want to progress in managing your illness. And that bit I just highlighted is so important – we shouldn’t just be treated by a doctor – we should always be part of the decision-making process.

If you are coming away from your appointment feeling like you weren’t part of the process, it probably is time to move on.

You don’t have to put up with substandard services just because they are all that’s been offered to you.

Get a second opinion. Ask friends and trusted professionals for recommendations.

Keep looking until it feels right.

 

Best of luck, hope you hit gold with your doctor and they are caring and informative.

 

For related articles, click on the titles below:

How to Survive a Day Stay in Hospital

How to Be a Good Support Person at a Medical Appointment

And click here to get a ray of sunshine in your inbox, by signing up for the monthly newsletter with new, free tips for living positively made just for subscribers.

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P.S Did you know that you have legal rights regarding the medical help you recieve? Come this way for more information.

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Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the sports hall (GCSEs are here again, along with depression, stress and anxiety).

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Doesn’t time fly? I can hardly believe that once more a querulous cohort of GCSE students are being ushered begrudgingly into sports halls up and down the country with the weight and expectations of their parents resting heavy upon their slender adolescent shoulders.

I remember only vaguely at this vantage point my own GCSE experiences, perhaps it was the heady self assurance of youth, or the lack of expectation from my parents but I don’t remember it being a particularly big deal – but perhaps that is only with the benefit of hindsight. What I do know now is that in the interceding years there has fomented an atmosphere of rank terror and ever mounting pressure. Yes it is true, the students of today stand poised to enter and inherit a very different world and job market than the carefree days of yesteryear but even still the lunacy that accompanies the rhetoric around the importance of exams does perhaps pinpoint quite why we’ve seen the largest surge in diagnoses of anxiety, stress and depression amongst our youth ever.

So this is my antidote to that. All of this, all of the pressure, the expectation, the terror, is white noise, a buzzing fly for the thousands of you for whom these exams represent either the crowning glory of your academic life or a nasty gut punch after toiling for the last two years for what will feel like no good reason.

It may feel like the fate of the universe depends on your GCSE performance, but it really doesn’t. It’s all going to be okay. It’s important to remember that no matter what happens with your GCSEs, it remains a stepping stone and nothing more. A sort of gateway exam as it were. Obviously some of the recent and ongoing changes from alphabetical to numerical have thrown up confused and mixed messages and for many who are possibly university bound, the boundaries that were once so simple differ magnificently from one university to another. Hopefully though this will force schools to look at university entry and offer advice earlier than usual. With certain institutions and courses stipulating what now constitutes a grade C when in old money it was pretty obvious, it may be you’ll need to revise your plans and either do a resit or re-examine where you want to study post A levels. The same is true for certain HNDs, BTECs, Internships etc. who may have minimum requirements in English and Maths but what that shakes out in new money is somewhat subjective.

Your results when they filter through, squatting at the end of the summer holidays like a spectre at a banquet will necessarily impact the choices you make next, but, and it’s an important but – good or bad, nothing is permanent. As much as it feels like the most important thing in the world right now, as long as you’ve done well enough to keep your options open you’ll be just fine. My business partner is one of the smartest people I know, BA from Durham, MA from Warwick, PhD from Columbia, he had lousy GCSE results comparative to his ability and pretty unremarkable A levels if we’re getting into finger pointing. Equally, people I went to school with who performed astonishingly at GCSE level were middle of the pack come A level. As worried as you might be you are only ever really judged on your highest level of accomplishment, so as long as you do well enough to not close down avenues, things will work out just fine if you apply yourself and move forward in a positive fashion.

So no matter whether you’re the big winner or the wooden spooner come results day, try to hold on to the fact that it is, comprehensively, not the end of the road, just a bump in it. You can do resits alongside A levels or BTECs etc, you may need to slightly adjust certain plans to accommodate your new circumstances but you should never submit to feeling like a failure, nor should you be too smug. It all shakes out in the wash and if you know where you want to be, I guarantee if you apply yourself then your GCSEs are just business as usual.

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Rosacea and its impact on emotional health

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Rosacea

Rosacea is a lifelong condition that can adversely affect emotional health and quality of life. Even when the physical symptoms of rosacea are relatively mild the impact on the quality of life for those living with the condition can be significant.

In a recent talkhealth survey assessing the impact of rosacea, in response to the question “How would your life change and what would you do differently if you were clear of rosacea symptoms”, 54% of respondents said they would either be less self-conscious or more confident/have more confidence.

Additionally, 28% of respondents referred to an improvement in their social life such as going out more, socialising more and improved relationships/dating if they didn’t have rosacea. Here’s what some of our respondents had to say:

  • “My life would change dramatically, because I would feel more confident going out, without worrying who is looking at me, & I would feel much more confident & relaxed in photos, also on the dating scene!”
  • “I would have a lot more self confidence in myself and be able to walk round with my head held high instead of worrying about what people think about the state and condition of my skin as Rosacea has had a huge impact on my day to day life.”
  • “My self-confidence would grow and help improve my anxiety that I feel with my red patches on my face due to rosacea. It would be amazing if I could wake up and have clear skin like I had before! It’s overwhelming to even think about it, it would be life changing and I might even join in with family gatherings and photos.”

Below, we’ve created a word cloud of some of the most recurring words used in response to the question:

These results for the talkhealth survey tallied with other surveys and studies carried out on the emotional impact of rosacea. In a survey conducted by the National Rosacea Society in America 75% of respondents reported that their rosacea had lowered their self-esteem and 70% reported that their rosacea made them feel embarrassed. This survey also found that medical therapyled to reported improvements in emotional wellbeing (70% of respondents), professional interactions (60%) and social life (57%).

Research published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy indicates that severe rosacea negatively impacts emotional well-being with elevated psychological stress (depression and anxiety) and social phobia scores, suggesting that patients with severe rosacea are self-conscious about their appearance leading to the avoidance of social situations.

If you are living with rosacea and are struggling with either the physical or emotional impacts of the skin condition, you can find more support and articles here. In addition to this, talkhealth also provide a free patient support programme, myrosacea which provides 24 weeks of self-management support and advice, written and designed by medical professionals.

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This week in health – 08/06/2018

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We’ve come to the end of another week and, as such, talkhealth will be looking through all the top news stories from the world of health. This week’s roundup includes new treatments and research, and overview of the summer months to come and a new revealing accounts of mental health problems. So, without further ado let’s take a look at the biggest news stories from this week.

New treatments and research

Scientists are set to trial a new blood test that can help identify whether a pregnant woman is likely to give birth prematurely.

The team, located at Stanford University, recently published their preliminary reviews which found that the blood test could be up to 80% accurate in high-risk women. The researchers claim that the new method is as accurate as ultra-sound scans in predicting a new-born’s due date.

Every year around 15 million babies are born too early (before 37 weeks), and the new research could help identify these issues early and allow doctors to put in the necessary steps to ensure a healthy birth. While there is still plenty more work that needs to be done prior to this method being used clinically, these preliminary results are highly promising.

Additionally, other research coming out of the US suggests that marijuana could be used to help cure and control eczema.

This is according to researchers based at the University of Colorado. The relief and treatment comes from the anti-itch effects of cannabis which could help minimise one of the most common attributes of the skin decision. Instead of being smoked, it is suggested that this would be applied topically, and wouldn’t involve getting the user “high”. The new topically applied treatment has been cleared by the World Health Organisation is promising, and this new treatment may provide a natural alternative to commonly used steroids.

Summer is here

The weather is certainly picking up, sunny days are just on the horizon. While we all love the sun, it is always worth remembering it comes with its own dangers and problems.

With pollen levels set to reach a seasonal high shortly, those suffering with hayfever may find their enjoyment of the sun curtailed. If you do suffer with hayfever, why not take a look at this helpful guide which includes a range of tips to help you reduce hayfever symptoms.

The sunny weather also brings the risk of skin cancer. Heightened exposure to sun runs this risk however, there are plenty of ways to help you reduce these risks. If you are worried about the chances of skin cancer, this rundown of top ways to prevent the condition is integral reading.

Finally, hot weather can make exercise and running the last thing you want to do. In this sweltering heat, it can be extremely uncomfortable and, in some cases, dangerous to get outside and keep fit. But the weather doesn’t have to stop your passion for running and exercise, and this guide from the Independent has some great advice to keep you running even during the heatwaves.

If you are looking for more health related tips and tricks, take a look at our pages on men’s health and women’s health.

Mental Health

Finally, we have some useful insights and accounts of people living with mental health problems.

First up is Wing-Sum Wong, who suffers with bipolar disorder. The financial worker goes in to great detail about living with the disorder in her column in the Telegraph and provides a huge insight into living with the condition on a day-to-day basis and her journey to date.

Alongside this, Tottenham and England defender, Danny Rose, has opened up about his battle with depression. The football star, who is set to line-up at this year’s World Cup in Russia has disclosed his illness in a frank interview which has appeared across multiple news outlets. Rose approaches his battle with injury, pressures and combat with racial abuse in connection with his battle with depression.

If you are struggling with mental health problems and you’re looking for further support, take a look at our mental health page.

And that rounds up this week’s biggest stories from the world of health. If you want to continue the conversation, head over to our forums.

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1 in 8 people will have type 2 diabetes by 2045

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Concerning new research just presented at this year’s European Congress on Obesity in Vienna indicates that almost one in eight people will have type 2 diabetes and that almost a quarter of people worldwide will be obese by 2045.

The study was presented by Dr Alan Moses of Novo Nordisk Research and contributors from University College London. You can read the full study here.

They predict a highly significant rise from 14% in 2017 to 22% in 2045 for obesity and a rise in diabetes from 9% to 12% in the same period.

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a condition that causes a person’s blood sugar to become too high.

Type 2 diabetes (which is the most common type of diabetes) is where the body does not produce enough insulin or is no longer able to react to insulin.

Insulin is a hormone produced by your pancreas that controls the amount of sugar in your blood.

What is obesity?

Obesity is a definition of how overweight a person is. A person who is obese is someone who measures 30 – 39.9 on the BMI scale. Someone who is obese has a lot of excess fat.

An image of the BMI calculator which you can click on to take you to an external link for type 2 diabetes by 2045

How does this relate to pancreatic cancer?

Obesity and diabetes are well documented risk factors for pancreatic cancer. This means that if there is a significant rise in either of these two diseases we will likely see a rise in pancreatic cancer.

Recent studies have shown that risk is higher in people who are obese (have a Body Mass Index of more than 30). Some studies show that obese women who carry their weight on their stomach area are at an increased risk of developing pancreatic cancer.

There have been a number of reports which suggest that diabetics have an increased risk of developing pancreatic cancer.

What can be done?

Dr Moses believes that is possible to turn this trend around “despite the challenge all countries are facing with obesity and diabetes, the tide can be turned – but it will take aggressive and coordinated action to reduce obesity and individual cities should play a key role in confronting the issues around obesity, some of which are common to them all and others that are unique to each of them.”

We all have our part to play by trying to live a healthy lifestyle. For help on losing weight, the NHS offer a free plan to help you lose weight please click here to see it.

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This week in health – 01/06/2018

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Welcome to another week of talkhealth’s round up on the biggest news in the world of health. This week, we will be looking at subjects including new cancer research, new reports about obesity as well as the rising popularity of vaping. So, let’s get started on the top health news stories this week.

New cancer research

Cancer

We’re starting off this week’s run down with some promising news around a new vaccine that could significantly extend the lives of people diagnosed with one of the most aggressive forms of brain cancer, glioblastoma.

The research found that those who took part in the study lived almost twice as long as standard treatments for the condition. The immunotherapy vaccine DCVax was given to participants alongside traditional forms of treatment and saw very positive results. As it stands the longest survivors have lived for over seven years after surgery.

Whilst the study has not yet concluded, and full results are not yet available, researchers are cautiously optimistic about the study and feel they may be close to making a major breakthrough in treatment for those affected by glioblastoma.

Obesity news

Obesity

In other news, recent research has thrown doubt over the term “healthy obesity”.

The study examined a large sample of women who were classed as overweight or obese but otherwise healthy. The research found that many of the 90,257 women taking part still had a heightened risk of cardiovascular disease.

Those behind the study were quick to highlight that the study showed an association between obesity and cardiovascular disease, rather than a cause and effect. Prof Schulze, one of the researchers behind the study added that the study suggests “that even individuals in good metabolic health may benefit from early behavioural management to improve their diet and increased physical activity in order to guard against progression to poor metabolic health.”

If you are concerned about your weight or are looking for any tips to help you keep on top of it, take a look at some further information we have.

The rising number of readmissions in hospitals

According to new data, there is an increasing number of readmissions in to hospitals with preventable conditions, such as pneumonia and pressure sores.

This comes from Nuffield Trust research who found that a small and growing proportion of emergency readmissions – around 1% – were preventable, affecting 185,000 people last year. These were conditions that were either or diagnosed or treated during the first admission to the hospital, leading to repeat visits. These unnecessary trips put many patients at risk and add additional pressure to the already stretched NHS and identifying these conditions on the first visit has been made a high priority to help alleviate issues for both individuals and hospitals.

Smoking and vaping

Vaping

Finally, the rise in popularity of vaping continues to grow.

New figures and stats on the BBC have found that the number of vapers globally has risen exponentially over the last 7 years, from 7 million in 2011 to around 41 million in 2018. It is estimated that this number will reach 55 million by 2021. You can explore all the results and stats here.

Alongside this, if you are looking to kick the habit completely, why not take a look at how physical exercise can help you stop smoking for good. Yesterday was World No Tobacco Day, but if you’re still smoking don’t forget there’s never a better time to quit than right now.

And that’s our round up for the week. If you want to continue the conversation, head over to our forums and get involved.

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Why You Might Need Hip Surgery

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The hip is a crucially important joint in the body. Problems with it create severe difficulties with walking and can subsequently affect the back, knees, ankles, and feet. Issues with the hips are often addressed with surgical intervention, even though they can stem from a variety of conditions and injuries.

For all its vital functions in the body, the hip is a reasonably simple structure; a basic ball-and-socket joint that many people study in elementary school science. That’s why it’s so common for surgery to be used for hip repairs.

The surgery itself involves several variables, primarily focused on just how much of the ball, socket, or cartilage is damaged, and how much must be replaced. A surgical team that devises the ideal plan for repairs will help the patient’s hip surgery recovery to be shorter and less painful.

At the root of the severity of the hip’s condition is the origin of its problems. Each patient has different circumstances for the decline of his or her hip, so it’s important that the patient provides good feedback to the surgeon about the history and decline of the hip.

Most hip problems are associated with old age, specifically with osteoarthritis. The impact of years of activity, such as at manual labor, can be a sharp decline in the condition of joints, particularly the hips. Inflammation and damage to soft tissue in the joint can make movement painful, often leading to reduced physical activity that exacerbates the condition by causing weight gain.

Other problems with the hip can stem from osteoporosis. This is a condition is caused when the body consumes calcium from the bones to compensate for a lack of calcium in the diet. While we often think of the spine as the primary center of this condition, it damages bone throughout the body and can increase the chance of a fracture that either causes or results from a fall.

Younger patients can have hip problems as well. Many athletes experience hip deterioration that can require surgery at a younger age than might be expected. Almost every sport can contribute to hip damage. The rapid stops and starts of tennis can be tough on joints. Contact sports like rugby can damage cartilage. Weightlifting can force the hip to bear more weight than it was designed for. The list goes on and on, but the result is the same: a marked decline in the condition of the patient’s hips. And the treatment is often surgical.

The final factor that can contribute to hip problems is trauma. We know that we can experience an acute hip injury in a car accident or other event, but sometimes the damage is not immediately visible. Symptoms may be difficult to notice due to other, more painful injuries, or they may even be painless until years later. In time, the hip can deteriorate to a point that requires surgical intervention.

The causes of hip problems are numerous, and issues can develop at any age. Today, the surgical repairs made to our hips have almost as much variety as the underlying problems themselves. These innovative techniques are helping us have shorter recoveries, less pain, and a better chance at a life free from hip pain.

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