Tag: health

Prostate cancer overtakes breast cancer to become Britain’s no 1 cancer

An estimated 57,192 men are diagnosed annually, according to the latest available figures for 2018, in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and 2017 in Wales. In total, 57,153 people were diagnosed with breast cancer over the same period. Lung cancer accounted for 48,054 new cases and bowel cancer for 42,879.

The increase is thought to be due partly to celebrities including Stephen Fry and Bill Turnbull speaking publicly about the disease.

Former BBC Breakfast presenter Bill, 64, said: “It is very humbling to think that by sharing my prostate cancer experience, I may have helped more men come forward to have those important conversations with their GP and ultimately get diagnosed sooner.

“What we urgently need now is the research to make sure that men get the best tests and treatments possible.”

Prostate Cancer UK is appealing for support from the Government and the public.

Chief executive Angela Culhane said: “We need research now more than ever, which is why it is devastating that so much of it has been brought to a standstill by the COVID-19 crisis.

“Accelerating research to recover from this setback will cost millions.”

More cancers are now being caught at stage three, when the disease is locally advanced but more treatable than if it has spread.

The number diagnosed at stage one – when it can be unclear whether the cancer will ever cause harm – has also risen, highlighting the need for better monitoring to ensure men do not have unnecessary treatment.

About 400,000 men in the UK are living with or have survived prostate cancer.

Source: Read Full Article

Prostate cancer breakthrough in fight to beat killer disease

Researchers identified new cancers in more than a third who were found to have the highest level of inherited risk. It was the first time genetic screening was used to assess prostate cancer risk and could lead to a more effective screening programme.

Study leader Ros Eeles, professor of Oncogenetics at The Institute of Cancer Research in London, said: “A man’s risk of prostate cancer is determined in part by which combination of at least 170 different genetic changes they happen to inherit.

“Our pilot study assessed men’s genetic risk by testing for more than 130 genetic changes.”

They were able to identify prostate cancers in seven of the 18 apparently healthy men who were found to have the highest risk levels.

Researchers also looked at how aggressive the cancers of those within the top 10 percent of the genetic score were.

All seven prostate cancers turned out to be manageable by active surveillance, with a mean prostate-specific antigen (PSA) score of 1.8 – a level between zero and 2.5 is considered safe.

The Institute and London’s The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust worked with GPs to invite more than 307 men aged between 55 and 69 to participate in screening.

Patient Remy Smits, 59, said: “Although I met the criteria for joining, I did not think I would be in the highrisk group. I had a PSA test not long before and it was relatively low (2.1) so I was surprised when I got called back. “They detected cancer the size of a grain of sand which is remarkable. While the cancer came as a shock, I feel better knowing it has been identified at a very early stage.”

A full pilot study, called Barcode1, will involve 5,000 patients from 70 GP practices.

The findings were presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology virtual annual meeting.

Professor Paul Workman, of The Institute, said: “It’s vital that we find ways of putting our increased knowledge of the genetics and biology of cancer to work not only to find new treatments, but also to identify targeted methods for early detection.

“This larger-scale pilot, if successful could show the potential of genetic screening to be a lifesaver.”

The Royal Marsden’s Professor David Cunningham, said: “Earlier and faster diagnosis is often the key to successfully treating cancer.

“Using genetic screening for men most at risk for prostate cancer will mean less invasive procedures and fewer side-effects.”

Source: Read Full Article

John Humphrys health: BBC Two’s Mastermind presenter ‘on verge of becoming an alcoholic’

John Humphrys holds more than 45 years of journalism experience under his belt. He grilled politicians on BBC’s Radio 4 Today programme, reported on the Watergate affair while living across the pond, and had a bit of a drinking problem too.

In a candid interview with The Telegraph in 2006, John revealed: “I used to drink a huge, huge amount: beer, wine, whisky, brandy, you name it.

“Absolutely anything. I was on the verge of becoming an alcoholic.”

He continued: “I would have a couple of martinis before lunch, a bottle of wine with lunch, a brandy and a cigar after lunch, then come back to the office, crack open a bottle of wine and carry on drinking.”

READ MORE

  • Carol Vorderman health: The Maths Factor star’s health battle

It wasn’t till a good friend of his pulled him to the side and said: “Look, John, you have got to stop this.”

Still young, at 32 years old, John stopped drinking. “I wouldn’t be here if I had carried on drinking,” John confessed.

After addressing his relationship with alcohol, John went on to become a very big name in the media.

Alcoholism – do you have a drinking problem?

Drink Aware is an independent UK-wide alcohol education charity.

It stated: “Alcoholism is the most serious form of problem drinking, and describes a strong, often uncontrollable, desire to drink.”

People suffering from alcoholism “may build up a physical tolerance or experience withdrawal symptoms if they stop”.

Otherwise known as alcohol addiction or alcohol dependence, the charity explained: “Alcoholics can be secretive about it and can become angry if confronted.”

Symptoms of alcoholism

Alcoholism can present itself in the following symptoms, for instance, appearing intoxicated more regularly and an inability to say no to alcohol.

Some sufferers may have a lack of interest in previously normal activities, while others may need to drink more to achieve the same effect.

Moreover, alcoholics may appear tired, unwell or irritable and may experience anxiety, depression or other mental health issues.

It’s also a sign when someone becomes secretive and dishonest about their drinking.

Treating alcoholism

The very first step of treating alcoholism is acknowledging there is a problem.

READ MORE

  • Lauren Steadman health: Who Dares Wins contestant explains condition

Drink Aware add that the second step is to seek help from a healthcare professional, such as your local GP to be referred to a specialist.

Alternatively, alcohol support services are available, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA).

AA is free and there is no waiting list to join the support network – their helpline is 0800 9177 650.

Doctors will diagnose alcoholism when three or more of the following have been present together in the past year:

  • An overwhelming desire to drink
  • An inability to stop or to control harmful drinking
  • Withdrawal symptoms when stopping drinking
  • Evidence of alcohol tolerance
  • Pursuing the consumption of alcohol to the exclusion of alternative pleasures
  • Continuing to drink despite clear evidence of harmful consequences

A key stage of treatment is detoxification – this involves stopping drinking completely.

This is so the body can adjust to being without alcohol in its system.

During this time a person may experience physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms.

Examples of physical withdrawal included hand tremors, sweating and nausea.

Psychological alcohol withdrawal can include irritability, restlessness and insomnia.

Source: Read Full Article

How to get to sleep: The one thing to do during the day to ensure a good night’s rest

Sleep helps to rejuvenate people’s bodies, mind and energy. Finding it hard to drift off lately? Sleep expert Stephanie Romiszewski reveals her tips.

The leading expert at the Sleepyhead Clinic, Romiszewski said: “Sleep quality is more important than quantity.

“You shouldn’t get bogged down into how many hours of sleep you get.”

She continued: “Everyone is different and the amount of sleep you need may differ to someone else’s.”

READ MORE

  • How to sleep: The one thing you should avoid for a good night’s sleep

Shifting the focus from how many hours you sleep to good-quality shuteye, here’s exactly what you need.

With temperatures soaring in recent weeks, the bedroom needs to be cool.

Romiszewski advised upon a simple tip – closing the bedroom curtains during the day to limit the temperature from increasing too much.

This week has seen the UK reach heights of 27 degrees – now that’s hot.

In partnership with Romiszewski, Victoria Billings – who works at Worcester Bosch (heating and hot water manufacturer) – said: “Opening your curtains during the day will increase the temperature of the room.

“This can work wonders for energy saving in winter, but it can have a reverse effect in the summer.

“It can make bedrooms become too warm, getting us all hot and flustered!

“So, by keeping curtains shut in your bedrooms during the summer months you’ll keep them cooler and help create a better environment for great sleep.”

The International Dermal Institute confirmed that women have skin that is 25 percent thinner than men.

Romiszewski added: “The research shows that a preference to sleeping in hotter conditions is more common in women.

“It may explain why women are likely to prefer sleeping with an extra blanket, or more duvet, to men.”

But the optimal bedroom temperature is to be kept at 17 degrees.

READ MORE

  • How to sleep: Three ways to help your sleep pattern

Romiszewski commented: “Our core body temperature drops just before sleep onset.

“Having a temperature too high in your bedroom can unhelpfully increase the amount of time it takes you to fall and stay asleep.”

And if you have any pets in the house, take stock of where they rest their heads.

“During the summer, pets often migrate to the coolest places in the house,” Romiszewski revealed.

To ensure a good night’s sleep, keep the curtains drawn during the day and invest in a fan.

Additionally, make sure the sheets – if using any – are made of cotton.

Cotton is a breathable material, making them feel cooler on your skin.

One trick is to fill up a hot water bottle, freeze it, and place it by your feet at night.

Source: Read Full Article

Missouri Hairstylist Exposed at Least 91 People to Coronavirus After Working While Symptomatic



According to Goddard, health officials believe the stylist contracted the virus while traveling in a different area of Missouri.

"The good news is both the clients and the hairstylists were masked," Goddard said of those exposed at the salon.

The Great Clips location closed for sanitizing and deep cleaning after learning of the sick employee, the co-owners of the salon told KYTV, adding that the stylist is currently "following medical advice and taking appropriate actions."

Goddard noted that it is now "safe to go" back to the location.

As information about the coronavirus pandemic rapidly changes, PEOPLE is committed to providing the most recent data in our coverage. Some of the information in this story may have changed after publication. For the latest on COVID-19, readers are encouraged to use online resources from CDC, WHO, and local public health departments. PEOPLE has partnered with GoFundMe to raise money for the COVID-19 Relief Fund, a GoFundMe.org fundraiser to support everything from frontline responders to families in need, as well as organizations helping communities. For more information or to donate, click here.

Source: Read Full Article

Vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms: The sign in your vision you could be lacking B12

Vitamin B12 deficiency occurs when the autoimmune system attacks cells in the stomach – named pernicious anaemia. There’s a sign in your vision that you could be lacking the nutrient.

Inside the stomach there’s a protein called intrinsic factor.

Someone suffering from pernicious anaemia has an immune system that attacks cells in the stomach.

Specifically, the immune system targets cells that are responsible for making intrinsic factor.

READ MORE

  • Vitamin K2 deficiency: The sign in your body to watch out for

Usually, intrinsic factor combines with vitamin B12 – sourced from food – and travels to a part of the gut called the distal ileum.

Here, the mixture of vitamin B12 and intrinsic factor is absorbed into the body.

This enables the nutrient to benefit the body’s red blood cells, nerve cells and DNA.

With pernicious anaemia, this doesn’t happen – instead, prolonged absence of vitamin B12 leads to symptoms.

Researchers from Mahidol University, Thailand, did a case study on a young man who had some of his bowel removed.

Having suffered from gangrene at a young age, the boy had his parts of his bowel – including the ileum – cut out at 11 years old.

At the time of the study, the 19-year-old has low levels of vitamin B12 in his body.

This would make sense, as the part of the bowel where vitamin B12 is usually absorbed – the ileum – had been cut out.

He also had less than the normal number of cells in his bone marrow – called hypocellular – and the bone marrow is where red blood cells are created.

He had complained of blurred vision and his visual acuity was 5/200.

Treatment was intramuscular injections of 1,000 micrograms of cyanocobalamin – a man-made form of vitamin B12.

Four months later, the man’s visual acuity improved, as did his levels of vitamin B12 and the bone marrow returned to normal functioning.

READ MORE

  • Vitamin B12 deficiency: Nine symptoms of the condition

The researchers concluded: “This is a frank case of optic neuropathy in a patient with vitamin B12 deficiency due to a massive small bowel resection.”

Symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency

The NHS confirms “disturbed vision” is one symptom caused by a vitamin B12 deficiency.

Others include depression, irritability, and changes in the way you walk and move around.

Additionally, some people may experience mouth ulcers, pins and needles, and a pale yellow tinge to the skin.

Treatment

Treatment for a vitamin B12 deficiency is injections of man-made versions of the nutrient.

This would either be hydroxocobalamin or cyanocobalamin – the latter was the treatment option for the boy in the case study.

In the UK, hydroxocobalamin is the recommended option as it stays in the body for longer.

These injections will be administered by a medical professional, such as a nurse or doctor.

Source: Read Full Article

Dementia symptoms: Three warning signs in your sleep to watch out for

Dementia is a terrifying prospect because there is no known way to prevent it and it becomes increasingly destabilising for the person affected and their loved ones. Dementia is not a disease in itself but a collection of symptoms associated with brain damage. Spotting these symptoms can be tricky at first because they can be easily confused with general defects of ageing.

READ MORE

  • Dementia: The best diet plan to prevent Alzheimer’s disease

It is imperative to stay alert to the warning signs of dementia because the sooner you receive a diagnosis, the sooner you can take steps to slow the onset.

There are a number of symptoms associated with sleep that may help you spot dementia.

In fact, according to Dementia UK, sleep disturbance is very common in dementia, with a significant percentage of people with dementia experiencing disturbed sleep at some point in their condition.

“This may involve people waking up during the night confused, sleeping during the day and being awake at night, waking too early as well as an increase in restlessness in the early evening or night making it difficult to get to sleep,” explains the health body.

Sleep can be particularly worrying for people with Lewy body dementia.

Lewy body dementia, also known as dementia with Lewy bodies, is the second most common type of progressive dementia after Alzheimer’s.

As Dementia UK explains, many people with Lewy body dementia experience REM sleep behaviour disorder, which can cause vivid nightmares and violent movements during the night, insomnia, excessive daytime sleeping and restless leg syndrome.

Understanding the link between dementia and sleep disturbances

According to Dementia UK, these problems arise as dementia can affect the part of the brain that controls our circadian rhythms, otherwise known as our body clock.

DON’T MISS
Best supplements to prevent type 2 diabetes: A mineral which regulates blood sugar [TIPS]
Hair loss treatment: An ancient herb which strengthens hair strands aiding in hair growth [TIPS]
Bowel cancer warning: Does your poo look like this? What your stool says about your health [INSIGHT]

“This leads to a disruption in the sleep/wake cycle and can be extremely difficult to manage both for the person but also their family carers,” explains the health body.

In addition, people with dementia may be experiencing other problems which can disrupt sleep, such as anxiety, depression or untreated pain.

“They may have decreased activity during the day or may struggle to relax if they are in an environment that feels unfamiliar,” says Dementia UK.

As the health site points out, this may be even more difficult during the coronavirus outbreak, as many usual routines and levels of activities have been reduced causing increased levels of distress for families.

READ MORE

  • Dementia care: This type of exercise could ward off the condition

Why sleep is critical for someone with dementia and tips to aid the sleep-cycle

“Good sleep hygiene for the person with dementia and the carer can help to reduce difficulties such as avoiding caffeine, alcohol and heavy meals prior to bedtime,” explains Dementia UK.

What does the health site recommend?

Trying to maintain a regular routine and including some exercise and/or activity during the day is important as is reducing the frequency and length of any daytime napping if possible.

“A good environment for sleep is essential which includes making sure the temperature is not too hot or too cold and reducing noise or bright lights,” says the health body.

Other key tips

If the person with dementia needs to get up during the night to use the toilet, try using a low level light and keeping the light on in the bathroom so they are less likely to disturb others, says Dementia UK.

“Having a night light and a clock which indicates day and night may help orientate someone with dementia and reduce distress,” it adds.

Sleep and dementia risk

Certain sleep routines may raise your risk of developing dementia too, research has found.

According to a study conducted by the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, sleeping more than nine hours per night was linked to a decrease in memory and episodic learning, both risk factors of dementia.

Source: Read Full Article

Coronavirus test: NHS to provide antibody tests after successful negotiations

When it comes to testing for COVID-19, at the moment, the only testing available to all adults and children aged over five are swab tests to check if someone is infected with the deadly virus. However, tests will be available on the NHS “for people who need them”, No 10 stated. How do these tests work and does it mean if infected you may get infected again?

READ MORE

  • Coronavirus symptoms: Pernio is a warning symptom

Antibody tests will be supplied on the NHS after a deal was agreed on.

Health and care workers will be first in line for these tests in the hopes to bring a clearer picture on the amount of infections in the UK.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock will set out further details about these tests on the NHS today and will discuss in more detail the deal which was secured after successful negotiations between the Government and pharmaceutical firm Roche, Downing Street announced.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman told reporters: “The tests will be free for people who need them, as you would expect.

“NHS and care workers will be prioritised for the tests.”

Prime Minister Boris Johnson had previously said that antibody testing will be a “game-changer “in the fight against COVID-19 as it may reveal how many people have had  coronavirus and may now have a degree of immunity.

What exactly is the antibody test and how does it work?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said: “Antibody blood tests, also called antibody tests, check your blood by looking for antibodies, which show if you had a previous infection with the virus.

“Depending on when someone was infected and the timing of the test, the test may not find antibodies in someone with a current COVID-19 infection.

“Antibodies are proteins that help fight off infections.”

READ MORE

  • Low blood pressure symptoms: The one sensation that could signal it

Public Health England (PHE) said last week that scientific experts at its Porton Down facility had carried out an independent evaluation of a new antibody blood test developed by Swiss pharmaceutical company, Roche.

Professor John Newton, national co-ordinator of the UK coronavirus testing programme, said although it was still unclear to what extent the presence of antibodies indicates immunity to COVID-19, it was still a “very positive” development.

Professor Newton added: “Scientific experts at PHE Porton Down carried out an independent evaluation of the new Roche Sars-CoV-2 serology assay in record time, concluding that it is a highly specific assay with specificity of 100 percent.

“This is a very positive development because such a highly specific antibody test is a very reliable marker of past infection.

“This, in turn, may indicate some immunity to future infection, although the extent to which the presence of antibodies indicates immunity remains unclear.”

The coronavirus tests being used by the NHS already involve taking a swab up the nose or from the back of the throat.

These tests tell if a person currently has COVID-19.

The antibody test is a blood test which searches for antibodies in the blood to see whether a person has had the virus.

The World Health Organisation says there is no evidence people who have antibodies are protected from being infected again.

Source: Read Full Article

Adele's Former Personal Trainer Shares His Top Quarantine Health and Fitness Tips

Adele created a huge buzz when she posted a photo of herself with a new look and to celebrate her 32nd birthday on May 5.

London-based personal trainer Pete Geracimo is one of the health pros behind Adele’s fitness journey, having worked with the 15-time Grammy winner ahead of her 2016 and 2017 world tours.

"She quit smoking, reduced her drinking, got rid of sugar and stopped eating processed foods," Geracimo recently told PEOPLE. "She made healthier food choices and is training regularly."

The London-based trainer believes that there are lots of small, significant steps that you can take to keep in shape within the confines of your own home.



Set Your Timer

When it comes to getting the most out of a workout it's best to do mini circuits of exercises within a time limit. It keeps us focused on the task, pushes us to work harder to beat the clock, and stops us from wasting time procrastinating or being distracted by things in the house.

You will actually get the most out of your workout and spend less time doing it. I put a certain someone through her paces with mini timed circuits and, yes, I got an earful for it but it worked like a charm!

Challenge Yourself

One positive about being in quarantine is it allows us to work discreetly on things we're weak at in the comfort of our own homes. So in many ways, it's the perfect time to set ourselves daily challenges where we do an exercise or movement or whatever form we wish and progress it every day.

For example, learning to do a push-up. Start with one. Then with each passing day, add an additional repetition. You can even split the task to be performed in the morning and afternoon. You'll be surprised how quickly this will build your confidence and momentum and the next thing you know, you'll be doing 30+ push-ups in a row. Challenge accepted and beaten!

The Power of One

Another bonus of lockdown is that it allows us time to focus on our eating lifestyle so that we can filter out bad habits. A great rule of thumb that I tell my clients is to just change one thing and to do it for two solid weeks before attempting to change anything else. The problem most people face is that they try and change too much too soon and end up failing miserably.

Here's a list I told a certain songstress to slowly get rid of … processed food, sugar, dairy and reduce alcohol intake. I think you all know how that turned out! So, don’t do it all at once. Make it a gradual elimination.

All in Proportion

The one thing that I’ve been enjoying about being in quarantine is that I've reignited my love for cooking easy, creative meals again: 15-minute prep time dishes that take no time at all and include a diversity of ingredients.

Imagine yourself building your meal … pick a protein, pick some veg and pick a carb.

Now we all know that a big problem with today’s ‘diets’ is portion control. Everything seems to be super-sized. So, if you can't be bothered to measure out your food portions, a trick that I use when sizing up my food is to use my hands. One hand equates to the amount of total protein. My other hand equates to the combined total portion of carbs and fat.

Of course, nothing is more accurate than actually measuring your food. However, I’m realistic and know that people can't be bothered to measure. So, by eyeballing the measure and then ONLY eating until you feel satisfied and NOT stuffed, you can roughly get a good idea of the right portion size.

Source: Read Full Article

Mary Berry health: Bake off judge’s condition left her ‘alone and feeling terrible’

Mary Berry has a regal demeanour that is steeped in British symbolism and heritage. It is not a coincidence that she is tied to franchises that celebrate Britishness such as Britain’s Best Home Cook and the Great British Bake off, a show she took part in for six years. In fact, Mary is so wedded to the idea of Britishness it is hard to imagine life without her.

READ MORE

  • Paddy McGuinness: Star’s wife opens up about their kids’ condition

It may come as a shock to know that Mary faced a life-threatening health battle as a child that could have robbed the nation of her talents.

In her autobiography, Mary revealed that she was struck down with polio at the age of 13.

The TV judge divulged that her health took a turn for the worse after complaining about a headache and sore throat.

Mary was then subjected to drastic measures in a bid to contain the disease, revealing she was placed in a glass isolation room for a month.

She said: “Alone and feeling terrible, the one thing I wanted was my mother. But my parents had to stay on the other side of the glass, only able to smile and mouth words of reassurance.”

Mary added: “During their visits, I was in floods of tears. I just couldn’t understand why Mum wasn’t coming in to give me a cuddle, to talk to me and comfort me.”

Fortunately, she recovered from polio but the disease has left her with a permanent curvature of the spine and a slightly misshapen left hand.

As the NHS explains, polio is a serious viral infection that used to be common in the UK and worldwide.

DON’T MISS
Hair loss treatment – the essential oil that could boost hair growth at home by five times [TIPS]
Parkinson’s disease symptoms: The sign when you go to the toilet to watch out for [INSIGHT]
Parkinson’s disease warning – the smelly symptom you shouldn’t ignore [INSIGHT]

 

Most people with polio don’t have any symptoms and won’t know they’re infected, but for some people, the virus causes temporary or permanent paralysis, which can be life threatening, notes the health body.

Cases of polio in the UK fell dramatically when routine vaccination was introduced in the mid-1950s but the infection is still found in some parts of the world, and there remains a very small risk it could be brought back to the UK.

How do I know if I have it?

“Most people with polio won’t have any symptoms and will fight off the infection without even realising they were infected,” explained the NHS.

A small number of people will experience a flu-like illness three to 21 days after they’re infected, however.

READ MORE

  • Bill Turnbull health: Presenter ‘taking break’ from cancer treatment

Symptoms can include:

  • A high temperature (fever) of 38C (100.4F) or above
  • A sore throat
  • A headache
  • Abdominal (tummy) pain
  • Aching muscles

In a small number of cases, the polio virus attacks the nerves in the spine and base of the brain, which can cause paralysis, usually in the legs, that develops over hours or days, notes the NHS.

“The paralysis isn’t usually permanent, and movement will often slowly return over the next few weeks and months,” explained the health body.

It added: “But some people are left with persistent problems. If the breathing muscles are affected, it can be life threatening.”

Long-term complications

Although polio often subsides quickly without causing any other problems, it can sometimes lead to persistent or lifelong difficulties, as in Mary’s case.

“A few people with the infection will have some degree of permanent paralysis, and others may be left with problems that require long-term treatment and support,” explained the NHS.

These can include:

  • Muscle weakness
  • Shrinking of the muscles (atrophy)
  • Tight joints (contractures)
  • Deformities, such as twisted feet or legs

There’s also a chance that someone who’s had polio in the past will develop similar symptoms again, or worsening of their existing symptoms, many decades later, notes the NHS.

Mary has not found her long-term problems to be an impediment, however: “I manage well, and have the perfect excuse never to darn socks.”

Source: Read Full Article