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Eczema On The Face – The Best Treatment To Get Rid Of Ezcema
Women’s Health If you have eczema on your face, here's what you should know about how to get rid of it, including the best eczema creams and face washes. |
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Exactly How To Treat The Eczema On Your Face – Women’s Health
Women’s Health |
Exactly How To Treat The Eczema On Your Face
Women’s Health “Eczema refers to a group of conditions that cause the skin to become red, itchy, scaly and inflamed,” Shah says. The inflammatory skin condition can be triggered by genetics, irritants, or allergies—messing up your skin's barrier and causing it to … |
This week in health – 22/06/2018
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!
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Eczema On The Face – The Best Treatment To Get Rid Of Ezcema – Women’s Health
Women’s Health |
Eczema On The Face – The Best Treatment To Get Rid Of Ezcema
Women’s Health If you have eczema on your face, here's what you should know about how to get rid of it, including the best eczema creams and face washes. Exactly how to treat the eczema on your face – Womens Health … |
This week in health – 15/06/2018
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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Rosacea and its impact on emotional health
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
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.
The post This week in health – 08/06/2018 appeared first on talkhealth Blog.
This week in health – 01/06/2018
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
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
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
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.
The post This week in health – 01/06/2018 appeared first on talkhealth Blog.
This week in health – 11/05/2018
Welcome to another week of talkhealth’s news round-up. This week, we will be looking at news around a new drug that could help cure male baldness, how delays in cancer treatment are having a huge impact on patients, and new movements in the world of diet and exercise. Take a look at each of these topics in more detail below.
Male baldness
Going bald can have a huge emotional and mental impact on an individual. For many men across the country baldness is a concern and worry, so recent research around a potential new cure is very promising.
Researchers have found that a drug originally intended to treat osteoporosis could unlock the cure to baldness. The drug contains a compound which targets a key protein responsible for slowing down hair growth and plays a role in baldness.
While more research needs to be done, this is a step in the right direction for the very real issue of male baldness. In addition to this, there is also a recent article which delves into why there is a stigma around male baldness in the first place, citing societal pressures as one of the main causes.
If you are affected by hair loss we want to hear your experiences. Take part in our latest survey and you could be in with the chance of winning a bundle of hair goodies.
Delays in cancer treatment
New official figures have found that many cancer patients are being put at risk due to delays in starting cancer treatment. Any patient suspected of having cancer should begin treatment within 62 days, however the report shows that nowhere has achieved this target for more than two years.
As a result of this 1 in 6 patients is now waiting much longer than they should to begin treatment. Identifying and beginning cancer procedures as early as possible has been proven to increase chances of successful treatment.
Alongside this, new research has found that rather than growing aggressively, cancer can slow down and speed up its growth. This often means that cancer can lay dormant before accelerating its development. It’s clear that more work needs to be done to help identify and treat cancer at the earliest possible stage to avoid a dormant stage before it grows aggressively.
If you want to find out more about cancer, take a look at our blog section around the subject.
Diet and exercise
Amongst the diet news this week, Sadiq Khan, the Major of London, has outlined proposals to ban all junk food adverts present on the London underground. Khan has stated that this is in an effort to tackle “ticking time bomb” of childhood obesity in the city. With childhood obesity in the city, and the UK in general, on the rise this forms part of a massive reform on junk food. Only last month, new sugar taxation on fizzy drinks was introduced in an effort to curb the problem of obesity in the country.
Another scheme which is well underway is the Daily Mile project. This school-based initiative aims to get younger children active during their school day. Adopted by over 3,600 schools worldwide, researchers have found that the scheme has been extremely beneficial to students taking part – highlighting the key role exercise plays in a healthy lifestyle.
If you want to find out more about diet and exercise, take a look at our talkweight section of the website, which includes further advice and articles.
There we have it for this week’s news round-up. If you want to continue the conversation on any of the topics covered here, head to our forums.
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Denialism on veganism: a systemic blind spot among doctors regarding the health benefits of plant-based diets
“So, where do you get your protein?”
A fellow doctor asked this question after finding out I became a vegan. Imagine my surprise, considering that doctors should know that a person’s daily protein requirement was less than one gram per kilogram of body weight.
While avoiding meat, dairy, and poultry altogether may mean the rejection of an entire food source that has all the essential amino acids a person needs, this abstinence leads to a trade-off that is pretty much worth it. Instead of consuming cholesterol-laden meat, vegans can opt for a balanced diet that provides all the protein they need without any of the artery-clogging fat.
It seems that doctors, being the health experts that we are supposed to be, have a blind spot when it comes to veganism’s role in health. You might think the above anecdote is an isolated incident, but it isn’t. How many local medical societies have boldly released statements about the benefits of a vegan way of life? How many doctors have openly endorsed — and are also following — plant-based diets?
Medical practice as a whole still speaks of a general passivity, if not ignorance, regarding the major contribution of plant-based nutrition in the prevention of non-communicable diseases. These diseases, by the way, happen to be the top causes of mortality worldwide.
Denial in systemic addiction
Ask a person who eats bacon if they can live without it forever and their reaction runs the gamut from mild anxiety to violent refusal. However, barely any bacon-eating person will admit the unhealthy, almost-addictive nature of their food choices — even if that person was a doctor.
While not quite meeting the criteria for addiction, man’s obsession with meat and compulsion to consume it hint at an unhealthy dependence almost akin to addiction. After all, we have been warned against the negative impact of animal agriculture on health and ecology. In fact, eating meat comes with many defense mechanisms common in addiction, such as denial.
“Mmm, bacon.” These two words have become the most common retort to ward off vegan advocates. They also reveal how a barbaric way of life — one we are barely even aware of — has become widely accepted despite it being harmful not only to our health, but to our planet and the many animals with which we share it. Once addicted, the brain will deny that it is on the path to self-destruction.
“Meat bias”
Even a medical education does not necessarily spare a person from the pro-meat propaganda. I, for one, have eaten meat for almost 40 years. Despite doctors lobbying against cow’s milk for babies, we have somehow forgotten to lobby against it for adults.
This “meat bias” can be found across all medical fields. Even as rheumatologists are now aware that gout is not caused by legumes, they still forget to conclude that foregoing meat is a great way for the human body to heal. Even as the American Medical Association adopts a resolution asking hospitals to exclude processed meat from their meals, many cardiologists neglect to recommend plant-based diets to all their patients, especially those with heart and weight problems.
No; just because we benefit from cow’s milk does not mean it is okay to have male cows masturbated, female cows raped, and baby cows killed for it. We can get the exact same benefits through more compassionate, more sustainable means that do not involve the unnecessary mass murder of animals and exploitation of natural resources.
No; it does not make sense for rational human beings, especially doctors, to continue to passively support the meat industry. We should know better about how animal agriculture is one of the leading drivers of deforestation, air pollution, and water degradation.
Passive denialism in the health industry
The passive refusal of many health professionals to acknowledge veganism as the key to better health may be evident in the relative absence of lectures in some medical schools about the pros and cons of veganism; the traditional focus on curative instead of preventive medicine, especially in terms of nutrition; and the lack of active recommendations by other medical societies about plant-based diets being superior to meat-based ones.
In essence, our low-key denial becomes a systemic practice that reflects our blind acceptance of the cruel, unhealthy way we eat — and our collective refusal to actively espouse veganism becomes a form of denialism. When denial becomes ridiculously widespread that it clouds even the judgment of specialists and health experts, it becomes more than an isolated defense mechanism and deserves its own suffix.
Veganism as a health recommendation
Doctors have every reason to encourage patients to shift to plant-based diets. According to the American Dietetics Association, “The results of an evidence-based review showed that a vegetarian diet is associated with a lower risk of death from ischemic heart disease. Vegetarians also appear to have lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, lower blood pressure, and lower rates of hypertension and type 2 diabetes than nonvegetarians. Furthermore, vegetarians tend to have a lower body mass index and lower overall cancer rates.”
Veganism prevents not only disease but also climate change. As health professionals, the health of the only planet we live in should also be every doctor’s concern.
According to the United Nations (UN) Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), raising cattle produces more greenhouse gases than transportation. Henning Steifeld of FAO said in a report that livestock turned out to be “one of the most significant contributors to today’s most serious environmental problems”, which included water pollution and deforestation.
It is in everyone’s best interest for all doctors to learn more about veganism. Neutrality regarding veganism isn’t a courtesy to people who eat meat; it is a form of denialism that endorses a cruel, unsustainable way of life despite its negative impact on our health, our fellow sentient creatures, and our planet.
*Conflicts of interest: I am a vegan doctor and the founder of Pangasinan Vegans.
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