1st Responder

Study reveals financial impact of stroke

2010-11-30T14:48:00.002Z

A new study has revealed the financial impact of having a stroke.

Scientists at King's College London questioned 799 patients to shed light on the challenges faced by stroke survivors.

Nearly a fifth of respondents said they had suffered a loss of income since their stroke, while 33 per cent said their outgoings had increased as a result of expenses such as extra domestic heating or having to make adaptations to their home.

More than half of patients who were employed at the time of their stroke said they had been forced to reduce their hours or give up work entirely.

The survey also revealed that almost half of respondents were not getting any support of help with their problems.

Joe Korner, communications director at the Stroke Association, which commissioned the research, said: 'This report paints a bleak picture of stroke survivors struggling to make ends meet.

'We know that many people have to give up work and go on benefits to survive hand-to-mouth, so it's distressing to find out that, despite the progress made in improving stroke provision in recent years, people aren't getting the support they need.'

According to the Stroke Association, about a third of people who have a stroke make a good recovery within a month, but most are left with long-term problems.
_________________________________________________________

Don't overlook that presistent cough

2010-11-30T14:47:00.000Z

People should not ignore a persistent cough or chest infection, as it could be a sign of something more serious, pharmacists have warned.

Graham Phillips, community pharmacist and board member of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, said that anyone who is repeatedly buying cough medicines or iron tablets for tiredness should ask their pharmacist for advice.

'We can discuss your symptoms with you and help you understand you may have an underlying problem that needs checking out with your GP,' he explained.

Mr Philips also emphasised the importance of recognising the key symptoms of lung cancer, after a survey by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society uncovered poor levels of awareness.

Lung cancer is the second most common cancer in the UK, with nearly 40,000 people diagnosed with the disease in 2007, but many people do not know the possible signs of symptoms.

Only 33 per cent of respondents identified having a cough as a warning sign, while just 11 per cent specifically mentioned a persistent cough.

Other key symptoms of lung cancer include breathlessness, breathing difficulties, wheezing, blood in the phlegm, coughing up blood, chest or lung pain, and weight loss.

The vast majority of survey respondents (92 per cent) recognised the importance of detecting cancer at an early stage, when it is usually much easier to treat.

However, 66 per cent admitted they would probably assume some of the key symptoms of lung cancer were merely signs of a bad cold or cough.
_________________________________________________________

Pioneering therapy to treat high blood pressure

2010-11-30T14:45:00.001Z

Australian scientists are testing a new minimally invasive treatment for persistent high blood pressure (hypertension).

The procedure uses radio waves, which are applied to nerves leading into and out of the kidneys via a catheter.

The energy emitted by the catheter device is used to silence the sympathetic nerves, which play a 'crucial' role in the elevation of blood pressure, according to principal investigator Professor Markus Schlaich, from the Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute in Melbourne.

He revealed: 'This study proves they can be specifically targeted with our novel approach.

'Renal denervation is a safe, quick and minimally invasive procedure that leads to a substantial and sustained blood pressure reduction without major side effects.'

The research team have published results from their first trial of the technique in the Lancet medical journal.

A total of 106 patients in Europe and Australia took part in the trial, which found that the procedure brought about an average blood pressure reduction of 33/11 mmHg, compared with patients who did not have the treatment.

The vast majority of patients (84 per cent) experienced a reduction in systolic blood pressure of at least 10 mmHg and there were no serious side-effects.

According to previous research, reducing systolic blood pressure by just 5 mmHg can reduce the risk of stroke by almost 30 per cent.

Chief investigator Professor Murray Esler, associate director of cardiovascular neurosciences at Baker IDI, claimed that the new procedure 'has the potential to become a truly revolutionary treatment with the scope to significantly impact the standard of care for the large number of patients suffering from uncontrolled blood pressure'.

Professor Graham MacGregor, chairman of the Blood Pressure Association, described the research as 'exciting' but said that more research is needed to see how safe and effective the therapy is in the long term.

'Most people won't need to undergo such invasive treatment as, for the majority, high blood pressure can be successfully controlled through prescribed medicines and a healthier lifestyle,' he added.
_________________________________________________________

Blood test may predict risk of heart failure

2010-11-30T14:43:00.000Z

US scientists have developed a blood test that could help to identify older people with a high risk of developing heart failure.

The test detects a protein called troponin T, which leaks into the blood when heart cells are damaged.

Scientists at the University of Maryland School of Medicine used the test on 4,221 over-65s, none of whom had a history of heart failure.

Participants had their levels of troponin T measured at the start of the study and again after two or three years.

Over the next 11.8 years, 1,279 of the participants were diagnosed with heart failure and 1,103 died from cardiovascular causes.

The researchers found that those who had detectable levels of troponin T at their two or three-year follow-up were more likely to develop heart failure or die from cardiovascular causes than those with undetectable levels.

Writing in the Journal of the American Medical Association, the study authors claimed that the blood test detected troponin T in almost all patients with chronic heart failure or heart disease 'and provides independent prognostic information with respect to heart failure admission and cardiovascular death in these patients'.

Professor Jeremy Pearson, associated medical director at the British Heart Foundation, said that the findings were interesting.

He added: 'Further studies are needed to determine whether this test can be used successfully to help intervention and treatment of heart failure, and ultimately reduce future risk.'
_________________________________________________________

New drug to reduce clot risk in patients with irregular heartbeat

2010-11-30T14:42:00.000Z

Patients with an irregular heartbeat may benefit from a new drug, which appears to be better than the standard treatment warfarin at cutting the risk of stroke and blood clots.

A clinical trial involving more than 14,000 patients has revealed that rivaroxaban reduced the risk of stroke and blood clots by an extra fifth, compared to warfarin.

The research was carried out by scientists at the University of Edinburgh and Duke University in North Carolina.

It suggests that thousands of Britons with an irregular heartbeat could benefit from taking the drug instead of warfarin.

Keith Fox, British Heart Foundation professor of cardiology at the University of Edinburgh, presented the research at the American Heart Association conference in Chicago.

He said: 'Our study showed that rivaroxaban is simpler to administer and patients taking it have fewer strokes and blood clots.

'We now have an effective alternative to warfarin for patients with irregular heart beats and one that reduces complications and is easier to administer.'

Professor Peter Weissberg, the British Heart Foundation's medical director, revealed that around 800,000 people in the UK have atrial fibrillation, which causes about one in seven first-time strokes.

'This important study adds rivaroxaban to the increasing list of new drugs that seem to be at least as good as warfarin, the current standard therapy to prevent strokes in atrial fibrillation,' he said.
_________________________________________________________

Southampton hospital reveals rise in Rickets

2010-11-30T14:40:00.000Z

The bone disease rickets could be affecting more than a fifth of children, medics have warned.

Researchers at Southampton General Hospital checked more than 200 local children for signs of bone problems caused by a lack of vitamin D.

Professor Nicholas Clarke, consultant orthopaedic surgeon at the hospital, and colleague Dr Justin Davies, a consultant paediatric endocrinologist, found that more than 20 per cent of the youngsters were affected - a discovery Professor Clarke admits was 'astonishing'.

Rickets is caused by a deficiency in vitamin D and is becoming more common as a result of children eating a poor diet and not getting enough sunlight.

Commenting on the findings, Professor Clarke said: 'In my 22 years at Southampton General Hospital, this is a completely new occurrence in the south that has evolved over the last 12 to 24 months.'

The professor revealed that the problem is affecting children from all socioeconomic backgrounds, despite the fact that the disease was once associated with poverty.

According to the NHS, rickets is most likely to affect children with dark skin, as they need more sunlight to get enough vitamin D.
_________________________________________________________

Vapour rubs improve sleep in children with colds

2010-11-30T14:38:00.000Z

Children with cold symptoms may sleep more easily if they are treated with a vapour rub before bedtime, a new study in Paediatrics journal shows.

Scientists at Penn State College of Medicine found that vapour rubs help to treat children with night-time coughs and congestion, as well as improving sleep for young cold sufferers.

A total of 138 children, aged two to 11, took part in the study, all of whom were suffering from coughing, congestion and poor sleep.

Participants were treated before bedtime with Vicks VapoRub, petroleum jelly or no treatment.

Parents whose children received the vapour rub typically reported less frequent and less severe coughing, less congestion and improved sleep compared to those whose children received petroleum jelly or no treatment.

Researcher Dr Ian Paul, associate professor of paediatrics and public health sciences at Penn State, commented: 'Safe and effective, evidence-based treatments are desperately needed by parents and healthcare providers for children.

'The results of this study suggest that an old, commonly used remedy is effective at providing symptomatic relief from night-time cold symptoms with the added benefit of improving sleep for children with colds and their parents.'

NHS figures show that the average child experiences between three and eight colds a year, as a child's immune system is not fully developed and is therefore less able to fight common infections than an adult's.
_________________________________________________________

Health information websites save NHS money

2010-11-30T14:36:00.002Z

Websites that provide reliable health information are saving the NHS millions of pounds a year, new research shows.

A study by scientists at Imperial College London found that 70 per cent of patients use the internet to search for health information.

The research also revealed that a third of people who log on to the NHS website do not feel the need to book a GP appointment afterwards.

This could be saving the NHS up to £44 million a year, the researchers say.

Bristol GP Knut Schroeder said: 'The internet is a great resource for health-related information, as long as people can use sources they can trust and rely on.'

Dr Schroeder revealed that many of his patients use websites to look up health-related information, such as symptoms or medical conditions.

'As a result, they are often better informed and are in a better position to use health services more appropriately,' he added.

Health minister Simon Burns said that the internet is increasingly being used in relation to health and that people must be able to find 'accurate, trusted information'.

A recent survey by consumer watchdog Which? revealed that patients are keen to have a personalised health information website from a trusted source.
_________________________________________________________

UK organ transplants reach record high

2010-11-30T14:34:00.001Z

A record 3,706 transplants were carried out in the UK last year, marking a five per cent increase over the previous year.

The number of cornea transplants has risen by 12 per cent, while kidney transplants were up by eight per cent.

Figures from NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) also show that the number of deceased organ donors rose to a record high of 959, while the number of living donors increased by seven per cent to 1,061.

Sally Johnson, director of organ donation and transplantation at NHSBT, said that she is 'delighted' that more lives have been saved.

'We have made huge improvements to the way we work in hospitals and in promoting the overwhelming need for organs and I am glad these changes are reaping real rewards with so many lives saved,' she commented.

'But there is more we must do if we are to save the three people a day who are currently dying due to lack of a suitable organ.'

The report also shows that the number of people on the organ donor register has risen by six per cent, from 16,124,871 at the end of March 2009 to 17,077,105 at the end of March 2010.

However, Ms Johnson said that more must be done to promote the importance of organ donation, as the number of patients waiting for a transplant rose by two per cent between March 2009 and March 2010.

She added that people can help by signing up to the NHS Organ Donor Register and letting their families know their views on donation.

A spokeswoman for the British Heart Foundation described the increase in the number of transplants as 'very exciting'.

But she added that the system could be transformed by introducing an opt-out policy, whereby people would automatically be placed on the organ donor register unless they chose not to be.
_________________________________________________________

Study suggests new stroke drug target

2010-11-30T14:24:00.000Z

US scientists have shed light on the brain's limited ability to recover after a stroke and uncovered a possible new therapy to aid neurological recovery.

When a person suffers a stroke, chemicals are released that 'dampen down' the activity of brain cells so that the spread of damage is limited.

However, this state - known as 'tonic inhibition' - persists for weeks and actually becomes detrimental to the brain's recovery.

Scientists at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and the University of Otago in New Zealand have now shown that it is possible to switch off this response and promote recovery in mice.

Dr Tom Carmichael, associate professor of neurology at UCLA's David Geffen School of Medicine, commented: 'It was surprising to find that the level of tonic inhibition was increased for so long after stroke and that there was an inflection point where the increased level eventually hindered the brain from recovering.

'It was also surprising that we could easily manipulate tonic inhibition in the brain after stroke to restore it back to a normal 'non-stroke' level and, in doing this, enhance behavioural recovery.'

Dr Andrew Clarkson, a research fellow at the University of Otago and a co-author on the Nature paper, added that the advance also provides hope for patients with traumatic head injuries.

He explained: 'The brain mechanisms of repair are similar so there is potential for this to work for them too.'

The researchers now hope to continue their studies in the laboratory before moving to clinical trials in humans.
_________________________________________________________

Resuscitation Council - 2010 guideline changes

2010-10-21T12:37:00.005+01:00

The 2010 Resuscitation Council guidelines have just been published and they don't make many fundamental changes to lay person first aid procedures.

The following changes in the BLS guidelines have been made to reflect the importance placed on chest compression, particularly good quality compressions, and to attempt to reduce the number and duration of pauses in chest compression:

1. When obtaining help, ask for an automated external defibrillator (AED), if one is available.

2. Compress the chest to a depth of 5-6 cm and at a rate of 100-120 min

3. Give each rescue breath over 1 second rather than 2 seconds

4. Do not stop to check the victim or discontinue CPR unless the victim starts to show signs of regaining consciousness, such as coughing, opening his eyes, speaking, or moving purposefully AND starts to breathe normally.

5. Teach CPR to laypeople with an emphasis on chest compression, but include ventilation as the standard, particularly for those with a duty of care.

CPR/Resuscitation changes explained

1. When obtaining help, ask for an automated external defibrillator (AED), if one is available.

The availability of defibrillators today in many workplaces and public areas as well as the overwhelming amount of evidence to show that defibrillators are essential in increasing a victim of cardiac arrest's life mean that we now should always ask for one to be brought to the scene of an incident.

2. Compress the chest to a depth of 5-6 cm and at a rate of 100-120 min

To ensure we get good quality chest compressions they simply need to be HARDER and FASTER than previously advised. Forget all that nelly the elephant rubbish and concentrate on compressing the chest sufficiently to pump the blood around the body and maintain a shockable rhythm so that when the defibrillator arrives it has a much better chance of success.

3. Give each rescue breath over 1 second rather than 2 seconds

This again just underlines the importance of minimising interruptions to chest compressions. Interruptions in chest compressions are common and are associated with a reduced chance of survival.

4. Do not stop to check the victim or discontinue CPR unless the victim starts to show signs of regaining consciousness, such as coughing, opening his eyes, speaking, or moving purposefully AND starts to breathe normally.

This line simply underlines that we should never stop CPR once it has started unless the above are present. I think this leaves no doubt in the rescuers mind what should be done.

5. Teach CPR to laypeople with an emphasis on chest compression, but include ventilation as the standard, particularly for those with a duty of care.

We welcome this particular line as we come across lots of first aiders who have been taught chest compression only CPR and have never been taught how to perform rescue breaths. Although this was and still is an option for rescuers who are unable or willing to perform rescue breaths it never was intended to be something that was taught as a norm.

"Chest compression combined with rescue breaths is the method of choice for CPR by trained lay rescuers and professionals and should be the basis for lay-rescuer education..........Those laypeople with a duty of care, such as first aid workers, lifeguards, and child minders, should be taught chest compression and ventilation"

"Compression-only CPR is another way to increase the number of compressions given and will, by definition, eliminate pauses. It is effective for a limited period only (probably less than 5 min) and is not recommended as the standard management of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest." _________________________________________________________

Aspirin and heart attacks - the truth

2010-10-21T12:21:00.002+01:00

Every year almost a quarter of a million people suffer heart attacks in the UK and a third die before reaching hospital*

Aspirin has been shown to reduce deaths from heart attack by 20-25%* and the earlier it is taken, the greater the benefit. When Paramedics are called to a person with a suspected heart attack, the first things they should do, if possible, is to give the patient a 300mg tablet of aspirin (unless the patient is hypersensitive to aspirin). This is referred to as ‘early aspirin’. But, a self-administered dose of aspirin taken upon onset of symptoms can be of even greater benefit; this is referred to as ‘immediate aspirin’.

It has been recommended, by eminent doctors and academics, that people at risk of a heart attack, that is, patients who have already had an attack, have a family history of heart disease, those with high blood pressure or cholesterol, and just about everyone over the age of about 50 years, should carry one or two tablets of soluble aspirin. A tablet to be chewed and swallowed immediately severe chest pain is experienced – even while 999 is being dialled!

What If I Already Take 75mg ‘Daily Aspirin’?

A ‘one off’ dose of 300mg aspirin, taken upon onset of chest pain, should not be confused with daily 75mg aspirin. Taking a daily prophylactic 75mg aspirin does not preclude the use of an emergency 300mg dose taken during a suspected heart attack or unstable angina.

Whats the Best Way of Carrying Aspirin?

You can of course carry aspirin in your wallet, bag or purse but you may find that the aspirin crumbles or becomes damp. There is a new device called ASPOD® (aspod.com ) specifically designed to carry an emergency dose of 300mg soluble aspirin. It attaches to your keyring, belt or bag, keeps you aspirin dry, safe and even illuminates so you can find them easily in the dark.

*British Heart Foundation 2007 Heart Disease Statistics
_________________________________________________________

Bacteria linked to asthma in children

2010-10-15T12:38:00.000+01:00

A significant number of childhood asthma attacks may be triggered by treatable bacterial infections, a study in the British Medical Journal suggests.

Researchers studied 361 children, aged four weeks to three years, in order to see whether viral and bacterial infections were common during severe asthma attacks.

They found that the number of attacks was similar among children with bacterial respiratory infections and those with viral infections.

Viral infections have long been known to trigger asthma attacks, but the finding that attacks can also be brought on by bacterial infections could lead to a new treatment approach.

Hans Bisgaard, professor of paediatrics at the Danish Paediatric Asthma Centre, revealed: 'We found a significant relationship between bacterial infections and acute asthma attacks - above and beyond the expected relationship between viral infections and attacks.

'Scientists will now look into whether treatment with antibiotics can help children when they have an asthma attack if they are also suffering from a bacterial infection. Being able to use antibiotics to treat asthma attacks in children would be revolutionary.'

On a less positive note, a new study funded by Asthma UK has found that boosting levels of vitamins C and E during pregnancy does not reduce infants' likelihood of developing asthma.

Anecdotal evidence had suggested that children whose mothers had low levels of vitamin E were more likely to have asthma, but scientists at King's College London and Imperial College London have found no evidence to support the theory.
_________________________________________________________

October marks start of UK flu season

2010-10-15T12:36:00.002+01:00

The UK's annual flu season has now begun and people in high-risk groups have been urged to have the flu jab as soon as possible.

Health experts have predicted that the strain responsible for last year's H1N1 'swine flu' pandemic will be of the seasonal flu viruses this year.

Professor John Watson, head of the respiratory diseases department at the Health Protection Agency (HPA), revealed that the agency has kept a close eye on the flu season in the southern hemisphere.

Some countries have experienced moderate levels of H1N1 activity, while others have had relatively few cases.

'We can never predict what will happen in any flu season but we will remain vigilant,' Professor Watson said.

'We should expect that flu viruses will circulate this winter and it remains important that everyone who is in an at-risk group receives their flu jab.'

Professor David Salisbury, director of immunisation at the Department of Health, recently advised people not to underestimate the effects of seasonal flu.

He said: 'It is not the same as getting a cold. It can seriously affect your health and the risks of developing complications are greater if you have certain pre-existing medical conditions.

'If you are in any of the identified at-risk groups, my advice, especially at this time of the year, is to visit your local GP surgery and get the vaccination as soon as possible.'
_________________________________________________________

Successful surgery may reduce stroke risk

2010-10-15T12:34:00.002+01:00

Patients who undergo surgery to open up the arteries in their neck are likely to benefit from the procedure, a long-running clinical trial published in the Lancet medical journal has found.

A procedure called carotid endarterectomy (CEA) can be performed to remove fatty deposits that narrow the arteries in the neck, but the procedure can cause immediate stroke and death.

However, the latest research shows that successful surgery can halve the risk of having a stroke over the next five years, leading researchers at the University of Oxford to conclude that the overall benefits of surgery outweigh the risks in otherwise healthy under-75s.

The researchers assessed the effectiveness of successful CEA at reducing the likelihood of a stroke in 3,120 patients with narrowed carotid arteries.

Half underwent immediate surgery, while the remainder were not operated upon unless there was a definite need for it in the future.

The risk of immediate stroke or death was three per cent among those who had surgery. But for those who had surgery and survived, the subsequent risk of stroke was substantially reduced over the next few years.

Ten per cent of patients who did not have surgery had a stroke within the next five years, compared to just 4.1 per cent of surgical patients.

After ten years, the risk of stroke was 10.8 per cent for those who had surgery and 16.9 per cent among those who did not.

Lead researcher Professor Alison Halliday, from the Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, commented: 'This trial took more than 15 years to complete because we wanted to know about the long-term effects of surgery.

'The definite benefits that we have found will be of practical value to doctors and patients deciding in the future whether to take the immediate risk of having such surgery.'

Every year, about 150,000 people have a stroke in the UK, making it the nation's third most common cause of death.
_________________________________________________________

Call for bolder action on organ donation

2010-10-15T12:33:00.000+01:00

Doctors in Scotland have welcomed a new campaign designed to improve organ donation rates.

The £500,000 marketing campaign was launched by health secretary Nicola Sturgeon during a visit to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.

It aims to encourage people to add their names to the organ donor register so that they may potentially save someone's life.

Ms Sturgeon said that organ donation 'can make something positive come out of a tragedy'.

She revealed that more than 600 patients are waiting for a transplant in Scotland, many of whom will not receive the organ they need in time.

Dr Brian Keighley, chairman of the British Medical Association (BMA) in Scotland, welcomed the initiative, but called for 'bold action' to address the shortage of potential organ donors.

He revealed: 'Despite many high-profile campaigns to generate an increase in the number of donors, there has been limited success.

'The BMA believes that a change to a system of presumed consent for organ donation addresses this problem, by making donation the default position from which people may opt out during their lifetime if they so wish.'
_________________________________________________________

Study may pave way for better asthma treatment

2010-10-15T12:31:00.002+01:00

Scientists hope that a new study will ultimately lead to better treatments for asthma - a condition that affects about 5.4 million people in the UK.

An international study, led by scientists at Imperial College London, has identified a number of versions of genes that appear to greatly increase an individual's chances of developing asthma.

The researchers looked at the DNA of more than 26,000 people, including 10,000 with asthma and a further 16,000 healthy volunteers.

Tests identified seven areas of the genome in which people with asthma showed differences when compared to people without asthma.

Commenting on the findings, which are published in the New England Journal of Medicine, Professor William Cookson from Imperial College London said: 'One of the problems with asthma research has been choosing where to intervene in the disease pathways.

'Our study now highlights targets for effective asthma therapies, and suggests that therapies against these targets will be of use to large numbers of asthmatics in the population.'

The study also suggests that asthma is not a single disease, and that asthma which develops in childhood may be biologically different from asthma that is acquired in adulthood.
_________________________________________________________

Campaign to raise awareness of early signs of cancer

2010-10-15T12:30:00.000+01:00

A new campaign focusing on the early signs of cancer will be launched in the new year, the government has announced.

Fifty-nine local campaigns will alert people to the early signs of breast, bowel and lung cancer - the three biggest cancer killers.

According to experts, early diagnosis greatly increases the chances of survival and estimates suggest that as many as 10,000 lives could be saved each year in England alone if survival rates matched the best in Europe.

Care services minister Paul Burstow said: 'Our aim is simple - we want to save many more lives and achieve cancer survival rates among the best in the world.

'Our campaign will help people to be more alert to the early signs and symptoms of cancer and encourage them to seek medical advice as soon as possible.'

Jane Hatfield, director of policy and research at Breast Cancer Care, described the announcement as 'excellent news'.

She observed: 'Our own research has shown there are groups of women, particularly the over-70s and those from socially deprived areas, who aren't aware of the signs and symptoms of breast cancer, so it's vital that these projects are tailored to local communities and are delivered in a way that all women can benefit from them.'

The government also plans to trial a centrally-led campaign to raise awareness of bowel cancer symptoms and to encourage people to visit a GP as soon as they are concerned.

Pilots will be run in two regions and, if successful, the government intends to roll out a nationwide campaign.
_________________________________________________________

Stockings to help prevent blood clots

2010-10-15T12:28:00.002+01:00

Thigh-length surgical stockings may be better at preventing dangerous blood clots than knee-high socks, a new study suggests.

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is particularly common in stroke survivors, many of whom are unable to move parts of their body.

This immobility increases the risk of blood clots developing in the leg veins and hospital patients are often given knee-high stockings to combat the risk.

However, the latest study from the University of Edinburgh suggests that these do little to prevent blood clots from developing in stroke patients.

The research team looked at more than 3,000 stroke patients in nine countries and found that those fitted with short stockings were 30 per cent more likely to develop DVT than those fitted with thigh-length stockings.

Martin Dennis, professor of stroke medicine at the University of Edinburgh, said that the findings may have 'important implications' for millions of patients.

'Unless reliable evidence emerges that short stockings do actually reduce the risk of DVT, long stockings should always be used in preference,' he added.

Meanwhile, doctors at University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff are trialling a new round-the-clock service to provide stroke patients with clot-busting drugs.

The drugs must be given quickly in order to work, but have previously only been available during regular working hours, as a specialist needs to be available to administer the dose.

However, staff have now agreed to work around the clock, seven days a week, to improve patients' chances of survival and reduce the likelihood of long-term complications.
_________________________________________________________

High dose aspirin "effective" against severe headaches

2010-10-15T12:27:00.000+01:00

People with severe headache or migraine caused by drug withdrawal may benefit from taking high doses of aspirin, a study in the journal Neurology shows.

Scientists at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) Headache Centre found that patients who were given intravenous aspirin reported a significant reduction in pain 25 per cent of the time.

A more modest reduction in pain was observed about two-fifths of the time.

The study involved 168 patients, aged 18 to 75 years, the majority of whom had been admitted to hospital for severe headache complicated by medication overuse.

Participants were given 1g of aspirin - three times the typical dose - and were treated five times, on average.

Lead investigator Dr Peter Goadsby, professor and director of the UCSF Headache Centre, commented: 'These results tell migraine sufferers, their doctors and insurance providers that high-dose intravenous aspirin is a beneficial way to treat difficult withdrawal headaches via a medicine that is not addictive or toxic.'

Headaches can have a range of causes, including stress, squinting and underlying conditions, and are extremely common.

For instance, NHS figures suggest that over 40 per cent of the UK's population may be affected by tension-type headaches at any one time.
_________________________________________________________

Two popular supplements are "ineffective but harmless"

2010-10-15T12:25:00.000+01:00

New research suggests that glucosamine and chondroitin, two supplements regularly prescribed to help patients with knee and hip osteoarthritis manage joint pain, produce "no clinically relevant effect".

The number of prescriptions issued for glucosamine and chondroitin has increased rapidly over the last ten years, with the treatments also available over the counter.

However, studies on the efficacy of glucosamine and chondroitin have produced mixed results, prompting Professor Peter Juni and a team of researchers at the University of Bern in Switzerland to launch their own investigation.

After looking at ten previously-published trials, Professor Juni and the team concluded that glucosamine and chondroitin, whether taken independently or together, had no bearing on joint pain or on joint space narrowing.

'Compared with placebo, glucosamine, chondroitin and their combination do not reduce joint pain or have an impact on narrowing of joint space,' the authors wrote.

'Health authorities and health insurers should be discouraged from funding glucosamine and chondroitin treatment.'

However, a spokesperson for Arthritis Research UK noted that Professor Juni also found glucosamine and chondroitin to be safe and had no issue with patients taking the supplements as long as they paid for them themselves.

'Glucosamine and chondroitin are two of the most popular health supplements for osteoarthritis and two of the most commonly investigated,' the spokesperson commented.

'Many trials have been done over the years but with mixed results. Some trials, but not all, have shown worthwhile improvements in pain. These compounds are also safe. NICE makes it clear in their guidelines on osteoarthritis that while they don't feel there's enough evidence to warrant the NHS paying for the supplements, some people may want to consider an over-the-counter trial as part of a wider self-management plan which includes exercise and keeping to an ideal weight, and we would support that view.'
_________________________________________________________

Campaign to reduce medicine wastage

2010-10-15T12:22:00.000+01:00

The Welsh Assembly government has launched a new campaign in a bid to reduce the amount of medicines that are wasted.

More than 250 tons of medicines are returned to pharmacies and GP surgeries across Wales each year, either because they are out-of-date, surplus to requirements or no longer needed.

This means that at least £50 million worth of medicines is wasted, but in reality the figure is far higher as many unwanted medicines are incorrectly disposed of through household refuse.

Patients will now be given advice with their medication on how to avoid wasted medicines, while radio adverts and leaflets will also help to spread the word.

Doctors will also receive letters from Wales' chief medical officer and the NHS chief executive, reminding them to only prescribe medicines where necessary.

Health minister Edwina Hart commented: 'Millions of pounds worth of waste medicines are being burnt every year. This is money that could be better spent elsewhere in the NHS.

'We all have a duty to play our part in reducing the amount of unnecessary prescribing of medicines. This will ensure that the NHS is able to spend its money in the most effective way.'

Meanwhile, the Welsh government is supporting a UK-wide campaign aimed at highlighting the recent increase in sexually-transmitted infections among over-50s.
_________________________________________________________

Experts develop early meningitis detection tool

2010-10-15T12:20:00.000+01:00

Scientists at the Health Protection Agency (HPA) have developed a new model that could be used to assess whether a suspected case of meningitis is bacterial or viral.

A lumbar puncture procedure is currently needed to confirm whether a patient's meningitis is viral or bacterial, the latter of which must be detected quickly to allow the best chance of survival.

Dr Toyin Ejidokun, an HPA consultant in communicable diseases, said that the new predictive model - which relies on a combination of blood tests and symptoms - could be used to provide a rapid indication of whether or not a patient needs antibiotic treatment.

'Prompt diagnosis and early intervention is crucial in protecting those with suspected meningitis and their close contacts, she confirmed.

'While further testing needs to take place to test the accuracy of the model, this simple model offers the prospect of a rapid predictive tool to help clinical and public health management of suspected bacterial meningitis cases.'

Steve Dayman, chief executive of Meningitis UK, described the model as an 'excellent step forward'.

Mr Dayman observed that it could help to save lives and pointed out that anything that helps to identify and treat the disease more quickly is a 'positive' development.
_________________________________________________________

Plaintain fibre may fight Crohn's Disease

2010-08-27T11:34:00.000+01:00

A new plantain-based food product could help to treat patients with Crohn's disease, a condition that causes chronic inflammation of the lining of the digestive system.

Figures suggest that about one in 800 people in the UK are affected by Crohn's disease, which is characterised by diarrhoea, bleeding and abdominal pain.

Now, scientists are conducting clinical trials to see whether a medical food containing fibres from plantains - a close relative of the banana - could help patients to remain in remission.

Previous research has shown that people with Crohn's disease tend to have elevated levels of a certain type of E. coli bacteria, which they are unable to fight off effectively.

Plaintain soluble figures have been found to prevent E. coli from penetrating the gut wall and causing chronic inflammation.

Professor Jonathan Rhodes, from the Liverpool Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), revealed: 'Dietary factors and the increased numbers of E. coli in the intestine of Crohn's patients suggested to us that there could be a link between the food that we eat and the transportation of bacteria in the body.'

Peter Laing, head of research and development at biotechnology company Provexis, added: 'In partnership with the BRC, we are hopeful that this new medical food, containing soluble plantain fibres, could help halt the progression of the disease and prevent it from returning.'

A recent study, published in the journal Genome Research, showed that vitamin D has a significant impact on the activity of many genes, including ones associated with Crohn's disease and type-1 diabetes.
_________________________________________________________

Salt on your salad Sir?

2010-08-27T11:31:00.000+01:00

Salad may seem like a healthy option at lunchtime, but a new survey suggests that many salad and pasta bowls in supermarkets, high-street cafes and fast-food chains contain surprisingly high levels of salt.

Experts at Consensus Action on Salt and Health (Cash) are warning that a single salad meal could provide over half of an adult's maximum recommended daily intake of salt.

The campaign group surveyed 270 salad and pasta bowls and found that one in ten contained more salt than a Big Mac.

For instance, EAT Spicy Crayfish Noodles contain 3.51g salt per portion, while Pret's Super (Duper) Humous Salad with French Dressing contains 3.2g - a significant chunk out of the maximum recommended allowance of 6g.

The Cash research also revealed that just 22 per cent of 'healthy' branded ranges qualified for a 'green' traffic light label.

Katharine Jenner, campaign manager at Cash, noted that many people choose salad when they are watching their waistline.

'Given the healthy image of salads, it's surprising to find that they contain such high levels of unnecessary salt,' she commented.

Cash chairman Professor Graham MacGregor, from the Wolfson Institute of Preventive Medicine, described the levels of salt in most of the surveyed salads as 'absurd'.

He pointed out: 'Clearly the manufacturers still have a long way to go if we are to reduce our salt intake to 6g a day and save the maximum number of lives.'

Commenting on the findings, the British Heart Foundation's Victoria Taylor explained that eating a diet high in salt can increase a person's risk of raised blood pressure, which is linked to heart disease and stroke.

She added that products need to be clearly labelled 'so that people know what's really in the food they buy'.
_________________________________________________________

Holidaymakers urged to get correct jabs

2010-08-27T11:29:00.002+01:00

UK holidaymakers have been reminded to get any recommended vaccinations before jetting off to exotic destinations.

The warning comes as Indonesian tourist hotspot Bali continues to battle an ongoing epidemic of rabies.

Stray dogs are common on the island and there have been 77 reported human exposures to rabies since August 2008.

Tourists planning to visit Bali, or indeed any other exotic location, are being urged to visit their GP surgery, travel health clinic or pharmacy for up-to-date guidance.

This should be done between six and eight weeks before every overseas trip so that there is time to organise any necessary vaccinations.

Dr Jane Wilson-Howarth, GP, travel health author and spokeswoman for the '8 Weeks To Go' campaign, said that 55,000 people die from rabies each year, even though it can be prevented through vaccination.

'I can't stress enough the importance of seeking reliable, up-to-date, expert advice from a GP, practice nurse or travel health clinic/pharmacy before travelling overseas,' she advised.

'It is important to remember that it's not only long-haul destinations that pose health risks. Even countries only a few hours away have very different health risks to the UK.'

Meanwhile, nurse and travel health expert Cate Riley advised holidaymakers to be prepared in case they are bitten, scratched or licked by an animal.

She advised: 'Take a sterile medical pack including syringes and needles, as medical and hygiene standards may differ to those in the UK - in some parts of the world hospitals may re-use needles.'
_________________________________________________________

New non-emergency NHS number

2010-08-27T11:28:00.000+01:00

A new phone number for people needing non-emergency medical care is being trialled in the north-east of England.

Patients in the region can now dial 111 if they want health advice, information about out-of-hours GPs, walk-in centres, emergency dentists and 24-hour chemists.

The free 24-hour service is being trialled by NHS County Durham and Darlington primary care trusts and is designed to relieve pressure on the 999 service, although people in need of emergency care should still contact the latter.

The new service should be used 'if you need help quickly and can't wait for an appointment with your GP or don't know who to call'.

'If we think you need an ambulance, we will send one immediately - just as if you had originally dialled 999,' the service adds.

Professor Stephen Singleton, medical director of NHS North East, said that the new 111 number should 'improve access to urgent healthcare for local people'.

'By better understanding what people really need from different local services, 111 will enable the commissioning of more effective and productive health care,' he claimed.

'Most importantly it will help improve efficiency across the whole healthcare system by reducing unnecessary waste and making sure people get access to the right service, first time.'

Jo Webber, director of the Ambulance Service Network, said that the scheme could transform patient care.

"This number will be the vital missing piece in the jigsaw of providing much more joined-up urgent and emergency services," she claimed.

'It will bring together GPs in and out of hours care, walk-in and urgent care centres, minor injuries units, social care and mental health services and community nursing teams.'

The non-emergency service will also be trialled in Nottingham, Lincolnshire and Luton later this year.
_________________________________________________________

Lunchtime sun may put you at risk

2010-08-27T11:25:00.000+01:00

Workers who dash outside on their lunch breaks to soak up the sun's rays could be putting their skin at risk, experts have warned.

Research by Tesco Bank's health insurance team suggests that just one in ten people apply suncream before going outdoors at lunchtime.

This means that 90 per cent fail to protect their skin during the hottest part of the day.

The survey also found that the average office worker eats their lunch outside three or four times a week if the weather is nice enough, with one in six admitting that they often succumb to sunburn.

Jeremy Sutton, head of health insurance at Tesco Bank, told the Daily Mail: 'We all enjoy time away from our desks at lunchtime during the summer months.

'While the sun is out, it's important to highlight the risk of spending long periods of time in the sun without protection at home as well as abroad.'

Cancer Research UK's SunSmart campaign urges people to be particularly careful about protecting their skin between the hours of 11am and 3pm.

This is because the sun's UV rays are strongest during the middle of the day.
_________________________________________________________

Sunbed users should protect eyes

2010-08-27T11:23:00.002+01:00

People who use sunbeds have been reminded to protect their eyes, as the devices can cause long-term problems and growths.

Users are advised to wear protective goggles or shades, but not everyone pays attention to the warning, instead choosing to simply shut their eyes.

Dr Susan Blakeney, optometric adviser to the College of Optometrists, noted that the college does not advocate the use of sunbeds.

However, she said: 'If you do use them it is important to ensure that you always use protective eye wear - as you would wear sunglasses when outside - to safeguard your eyes from UV rays.

'The skin on the eyelid is very thin and delicate so it's vital to protect this area from UV rays.'

Dr Blakeney warned that failure to wear goggles or specially designed 'winkies' while using a sunbed can lead to benign eye growths called pterygium, as well as vision loss in later life.

The warning comes just days after a new Australian study provided further evidence of a link between sunbeds and skin cancer.

Scientists found that young people who use sunbeds increase their risk of melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, by 41 per cent.
_________________________________________________________

Statins not a guarantee against heart disease

2010-08-27T11:22:00.000+01:00

Cholesterol-lowering statin drugs should not be seen as a quick and easy way to reduce the risk of heart disease, a leading heart expert has said.

Professor Peter Weissberg, medical director at the British Heart Foundation, made the remarks after an editorial in the American Journal of Cardiology considered whether statins could be used to 'neutralise the cardiovascular risk of unhealthy dietary choices'.

The professor commented that the idea of erasing the harmful effects of eating junk food by taking a statin tablet should not be taken literally.

'A junk-food diet has a wealth of unhealthy consequences beyond raising cholesterol,' he pointed out.

'It can cause high blood pressure through too much salt, or obesity through eating meals loaded with calories. These are all risk factors for life-threatening health problems such as heart disease, type-2 diabetes and stroke.'

The American Journal of Cardiology editorial was written by scientists at the International Centre for Circulatory Health at Imperial College London.

The authors claimed that the provision of statins in junk-food outlets 'might be a rational modern means to offset the cardiovascular risk'.
_________________________________________________________

Child asthma peak in September

2010-08-27T11:20:00.000+01:00

Hospital admissions for asthma among under-16s appear to peak in September, new figures show.

Provisional data from the NHS Information Centre indicate that child hospital admissions for asthma exceeded the monthly average for the year by 58 per cent in September 2009.

The figures mirror the pattern seen in 2008, when September saw a 102 per cent increase compared to the monthly average.

Tim Straughan, chief executive of the NHS Information Centre, said: 'Although provisional, these figures provide a useful insight at a national level into the admissions passing through our hospital doors in England.

'These figures appear to highlight September as a hotspot for asthma admissions among our very young children, which may prompt possible investigation as to why this may be.'

Erica Evans, head nurse at Asthma UK, pointed out that the September peak coincides with the start of the new school year.

She suggested that a number of factors may be involved, such as the spread of colds and viruses, stress, and children failing to take their regular preventer medicine over the summer holidays.

'It's essential that parents and school staff work together during the school year to make sure that asthma is well-managed and to avoid unnecessary hospital admissions for the condition,' Ms Evans advised.
_________________________________________________________

New NHS guidance for food allergies in children

2010-08-27T11:08:00.000+01:00

A new set of draft clinical guidelines on food allergies in children and young people has been published by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE).

The guidelines are designed to support GPs and other health professionals in recognising the signs and symptoms of food allergy.

They state that a food allergy should be considered if a child has one or more of a number of signs and symptoms, including skin conditions, respiratory complaints, gastrointestinal problems or anaphylaxis.

Youngsters who do not respond to treatment for atopic eczema, gastro-intestinal reflux disease and chronic constipation should also be assessed for a food allergy.

In the event of a suspected allergy, doctors should take a thorough clinical history, including a family history of allergies, assessment of symptoms and feeding history as an infant.

Dr Judith Richardson, associate director of the NICE Centre for Clinical Practice, commented: 'Food allergies in children are becoming more common, therefore it is important that there are appropriate, evidence-based approaches in treating those with this condition.'

NICE is now consulting on its draft guidelines and will be accepting responses until September 6th, before publishing final guidance in January 2011.

Researchers at Cambridge's Addenbrooke's Hospital recently launched a large trial to see whether daily doses of peanut flour, starting at about 1mg and gradually increasing over time, can help children to overcome potentially fatal peanut allergies.
_________________________________________________________

Malaria risk for Britons visiting relatives overseas

2010-08-27T11:05:00.000+01:00

Four-fifths of malaria cases in the UK involve residents who have travelled abroad to visit friends and family, new figures show.

Statistics published by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) indicate that 584 out of 722 cases (81 per cent) involving travellers from the UK occurred in people who had visited friends and family overseas.

The vast majority of cases affected people who had visited or arrived from African countries.

Public health minister Anne Milton revealed that malaria is one of the most common causes of death from infectious disease across the world.

'Although deaths from it in the UK are rare, it is a significant public health risk for UK travellers,' she warned.

'Whatever reason people have for their trip to a country where malaria is common, I urge them to talk to their doctor before they leave to make sure they are fully protected with the right tablets and are aware of the signs and symptoms.'

HPA figures show that, on average, almost 1,600 cases of malaria have occurred each year in the UK between 2005 and 2009.

The agency has recently published a new leaflet providing information on malaria for people travelling overseas, which can be downloaded from the HPA website.
_________________________________________________________

High-heeled shoes bad for your hips and knees

2010-08-27T11:03:00.001+01:00

Wearing high-heeled shoes alters a woman's posture and places up to 25 per cent more pressure on her knee and hip joints, experts have warned.

Lorraine Jones, a podiatrist at the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists, revealed that people who regularly wear high heels may increase their risk of leg, knee and back pain.

They may also face an elevated risk of osteoarthritis and corns.

She advised: 'Ideally, high heels should be a 'special occasion' shoe, but if you do wear them on a regular basis make sure you do daily calf muscle stretches and try to slip on a pair of trainers for your commute.'

Ms Jones also recommended wearing shoes that provide cushioning and support, preferably with a comfortable heel and wide toe box.

Her comments were made after a masters student at Iowa State University in the US showed that prolonged wearing of high heels can contribute to joint degeneration and osteoarthritis of the knee.

This occurs when the cartilage covering the ends of the bones in the knee wears away, causing the surfaces of the joint to become damaged.
_________________________________________________________

Meningitis risk may be increased by gene

2010-08-27T10:58:00.000+01:00

An individual's susceptibility to meningitis may be influenced by their genes, research suggests.

Scientists at Imperial College London and the Genome Institute of Singapore have identified genetic differences that appear to make some people more prone to developing meningitis and septicaemia, while others gain natural immunity.

Their study, which is published in the journal Nature Genetics, looked at more than 6,000 individuals and suggests that some people's genetic makeup makes them less able to attack meningococcal bacteria.

The research team compared genetic material from 1,500 people with meningococcal meningitis and more than 5,000 healthy volunteers.

Analysis revealed that those who had suffered from the disease tended to have variations in a number of genes involved in the immune response to bacteria.

Professor Michael Levin, from the department of paediatrics at Imperial College London, revealed that the majority of people have come into contact with the meningitis bacteria at some point, yet just one in 40,000 fall ill.

'Our study set out to understand what causes this small group of people to become very ill whilst others remain immune,' he explained. 'Our findings provide the strongest evidence so far that there are genetic factors that lead to people developing meningitis.'

Steve Dayman, chief executive of Meningitis UK, said that the finding could aid the search for an effective vaccine against meningococcal disease.

'We welcome the breakthrough and hope it will take us even closer to eradicating the disease and saving thousands of lives in the future,' he added.
_________________________________________________________

Tongue piercing may cause gaps in teeth

2010-08-27T10:48:00.003+01:00

People who get their tongue pierced may increase their risk of gapped teeth, new research suggests.

A team at the University of Buffalo in the US found that individuals can force a gap to develop between their teeth by repeatedly playing with their tongue stud.

Commenting on the findings, which are published in the Journal of Clinical Orthodontics, lead researcher Dr Sawsan Tabbaa explained: 'It is a basic tenet of orthodontic that force, over time, moves teeth.

'It makes perfect sense that constant pushing of the stud against the teeth - every day with no break - will move them or drive them apart.'

Dr Nigel Carter, chief executive of the British Dental Health Foundation, urged people to consider the study findings before getting their tongue pierced.

He pointed out that the temptation to play with the stud is 'very high' and that doing so could lead to 'hundreds of pounds worth of corrective treatment'.

The expert also warned that tongue piercings increase the risk of chipped teeth and infection.
_________________________________________________________

Large waist linked to greater risk of death

2010-08-27T10:46:00.000+01:00

People with a large waistline have a heightened risk of dying young, a study has found.

Researchers at the American Cancer Society in Atlanta found that those with a large waist circumference were more likely to die from any cause over a nine-year period than those with a smaller waist.

Previous research has revealed links between having a large waist circumference and inflammation, type-2 diabetes, abnormal cholesterol levels and heart disease.

It is thought that fat tissue around the organs in the abdomen is more dangerous than that found under the skin.

Writing in the Archives of Internal Medicine, the study authors observed: 'The reason for the stronger association between waist circumference and mortality among women with low BMI in our study is unclear.

'Future detailed analyses of the relationship between waist circumference and visceral adipose tissue or measures of insulin resistance within categories of BMI could identify biological reasons for potential differences in the strength of the association between waist circumference and mortality.'

The research team examined data on 48,500 men and 56,343 women, aged 50 and older.

Between 1997 and 2006, a total of 9,315 of the men and 5,332 of the women died.

Researchers found that those with very large waists (120cm or larger in men and 110cm or larger in women) were about twice as likely to die as those with small waists.

The study authors said that clinical guidelines may need to be updated to reflect the fact that people with a high waist circumference may be at increased risk, even if they are deemed to have a 'normal' weight.
_________________________________________________________

Public urged to be aware of carbon monoxide dangers

2010-08-27T10:41:00.003+01:00

People should keep an eye out for the signs and symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, health experts have said.

The warning comes after two teenage boys died in a holiday apartment in Northern Ireland, supposedly from carbon monoxide fumes.

Dr Anne Wilson, health protection consultant at the Public Health Agency, commented: 'Carbon monoxide poisoning can be fatal and can also cause long-term health problems if victims are exposed to low doses over a long period of time.

'The signs and symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are often mistaken for other illnesses, such as food poisoning or flu - the symptoms can be similar to flu but without a raised temperature.'

Signs and symptoms to look out for include headaches, nausea and vomiting, exhaustion, drowsiness, dizziness, palpitations, chest pain and collapse.

Dr Wilson urged people to look out for these signs and said that anyone with concerns should turn off all appliances, go outside and seek medical help.

Children, students, elderly people, pregnant women and those with heart or breathing problems are particularly at risk, although anyone can be affected.
_________________________________________________________

Stroke patients missing out on life-saving surgery

2010-07-22T10:10:00.000+01:00

Despite previous warnings, patients with symptoms of stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA or ‘mini stroke’) are missing out on life saving operations because they fail to recognise the symptoms, and when they do, they are routinely treated as low priority cases in the NHS, says a UK surgical audit published today (22^nd July).

The UK Audit of Vascular Surgical Services and Carotid Endarterectomy, which also flags up significant variations in the quality of vascular care provision in the UK, has prompted surgeons to call for an urgent review of vascular services. Ensuring that these high risk patients are fast-tracked into hospital - in the same way as potential heart attack patients - would avoid hundreds of needless deaths every year.

Irrefutable evidence exists that shows patients who show classic symptoms of TIA – facial or arm weakness, speech problems and blurred vision - are at risk of having a severe stroke if they do not receive surgery of the neck arteries (carotid endarterectomy or CEA) as soon as possible, ideally within 48 hours but no longer than 14 days.

However, a lack of public awareness of the symptoms of TIA combined with poor professional understanding of treatment and referral options, mean that instead of being treated as emergency cases at the first sign of symptoms, thousands of patients are waiting weeks or sometimes months for an operation that may be of no benefit by the time they receive it. In practical terms, if patients undergo surgery within two weeks, experts predict that around 200 strokes could be prevented for every 1,000 operations.

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) sets a timeframe of two weeks from symptoms to surgery, while the Government’s National Stroke Strategy (NSS) is 48 hours. The audit shows that only 3% of patients made the NSS guideline and approximately a third of patients made the NICE guideline of 14 days. Currently, the average wait from symptom to surgery is 28 days and referral to surgery is 19 days. Most delays in meeting the two week timeframe relate to presentation and referral, with 18% of patients failing to present to a GP or hospital and 40% not being referred on from primary care.

However, 18% of patients missed the deadline due to the limited availability of staff or operating time and 9% due to a lack of imaging equipment, prompting surgeons to call for an immediate review of the organisation of vascular services.

Each year in the UK, around 120,000 people have a stroke and 20-30% die within a month. Stroke is the largest single cause of significant adult disability, with nearly a million people living with the devastating after-effects. Stroke costs the economy £7 billion yearly and £2.8bn in direct hospital care. Of the estimated 10,000 patients per year who might benefit from carotid endarterectomy only 4,500 operations are performed annually in the UK. Stroke is a preventable and treatable disease and with better recognition of people at highest risk, early surgical intervention can significantly reduce the incidence and severity of stroke.

Professor Ross Naylor, consultant vascular surgeon at Leicester Royal Infirmary and member of the UK Audit Steering Group, said:

“Given the very high initial risk of stroke after a patient presents with their first symptom, achieving the NSS guideline of 48 hours from symptom to surgery must be our ultimate goal and multi-disciplinary team working is key to achieving this. Evidence shows that the best quality of care comes from those centres which are geared up to offer rapid access to TIA clinics which offer immediate access to imaging of the brain and its blood vessels. These centres can then quickly identify high risk for stroke patients, start their medical therapy and arrange for their immediate transfer to the nearest Vascular Surgery unit for urgent surgery. Healthcare purchasers and providers must stop tolerating delays in the system and address the problems. Strokes and TIAs are emergencies and must be treated as such.”

Vascular Society Audit chairman and Consultant vascular surgeon, Mr David Mitchell said:

"This study shows that services are currently not organised well enough to deliver the standards of care set out in NICE guidelines, or the NSS targets. A comprehensive service fit for purpose for urgent carotid surgery is unlikely to occur without centralisation of in-patient vascular services which would be achieved most effectively by the creation of formal networks of specialists working together 24 hours a day, 7 days a week”.
_________________________________________________________

Nearly half of Britons not interested in life-saving equipment

2010-07-20T10:34:00.000+01:00

Nearly half the people in the UK aren’t interested in applying for lifesaving heart equipment in their community or work place.

That's according to the survey the British Heart Foundation (BHF) did with Home Retail Group, owner of Argos and Homebase, which showed;

• 44 per cent of people ‘weren’t interested in applying for a defibrillator’ or said that ‘it wasn’t their job to apply for one’.
• 20 per cent knew of a defibrillator in their work place or community with 80 per cent admitting that they ‘hadn’t ever thought about it’ or thought they were ‘only located in medical centres’.
• 30 per cent of people didn't know the recommended response time to use a defibrillator.

With their official partner Home Retail Group, the BHF are trying to help save thousands of lives and have already raised more than £2.5 million to put defibrillators where they're needed most.

Since 1996, the BHF have provided over 6,000 public defibrillators with 700 machines funded through the partnership with Home Retail Group.

Making a difference

Ceri Wootton, Community Affairs Manager for Home Retail Group, said: “Most defibrillators can be positioned anywhere members of the public congregate but 33 per cent of people we asked thought you could only find them in medical centres.

"Through our network of over 1,000 stores, we have placed over 700 defibrillators while also trying and trying to encourage customers and the communities we work in to apply for a defibrillator.

“The survey results indicate the need for more defibrillators to be deployed strategically in areas of greatest need which could make all the difference in saving someone’s life. The BHF works hard to find the right locations so if there isn’t one in a suitable public facility near you, contact them.”

Safe and easy to use

Defibrillators are used to shock a person’s heart when they suffer a cardiac arrest. Research shows that using a defibrillator within five minutes of collapse provides the best possible outcome. For every minute that passes chances of survival decrease by 14 per cent.

Claire O’Neill, Heart Save Programme Lead at the BHF, said: “As success depends on reducing the time between the patient collapsing and providing a shock with the defibrillator, it is important that people recognise the signs and symptoms of a cardiac arrest and have the confidence to act quickly.

“They are designed to be used by members of the public, and are very effective at guiding the operator through the process of administering the shock. While it is highly desirable that those who may be called upon to use a defibrillator should be trained in their use, no inhibitions should be placed on any person willing to use one. They are safe and easy to use, and will not allow a shock to be given to a victim who does not require one.
_________________________________________________________

Is your AED cooking nicely?

2010-07-20T10:31:00.000+01:00

Are you cooking your AED?

There's a lot of debate around the AED industry at the moment about outdoor cabinets for AED's particularly locked ones.

Conventional outdoor AED cabinets heat up just like your car.

They build up super heated air and become a virtual greenhouse. This can put your AED out of commission & cause permanent damage to it.

Heartstation tested a competitor’s outdoor AED cabinet on an 80°F day in Chicago, and the temperature shot up to 125°F in less than 2 hours! This temperature is above all AED manufacturers’ maximum storage & operational recommendations. Imagine what happens after several hours on a really hot day.

An AED that doesn’t work because it’s overheated can be worse than no AED at all...talk about a lawsuit waiting to happen!
_________________________________________________________

Tea tree oil may provide skin cancer treatment

2010-07-20T10:28:00.000+01:00

Australian scientists believe tea tree oil may provide a safe and effective treatment for non-melanoma skin cancers and pre-cancerous growths.

Tests on animals suggest that the natural oil may prevent tumour growth and encourage existing tumours to shrink.

Researchers grew solid tumours under the skin of mice and treated them with a tea tree oil formulation.

They found that the tumours started to shrink within a day of treatment and were undetectable within three days.

Dr Sara Greay, whose findings are published in the journal Cancer Chemotherapy Pharmacology, said that the team were 'very excited' by their results.

'[We] are hoping to find funding for a small clinical trial of about 50 people with pre-cancerous lesions, with the aim of preventing the development of skin cancers,' she revealed.

Non-melanoma skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the UK and is almost always caused by long-term exposure to the sun.

Sun damage is most common in people with fair skin and light-coloured hair and eyes.
_________________________________________________________

"No evidence" that A&E target improves care

2010-07-20T10:26:00.000+01:00

Senior doctors have claimed that there is no evidence that the four-hour accident and emergency target benefits clinical care

The target was introduced at 90 per cent in 2004, remained at 98 per cent since 2005, and has now been lowered to 95 per cent by the new coalition government.

Writing in the British Medical Journal, a group of senior doctors argue that the four-hour standard has not benefited clinical care and has encouraged a shift away from needs-led care.

They showed that, in 2004, there was a 'spike' in the percentage of patients who were admitted to hospital or discharged during the last 20 minutes of the four hours.

Data for 2008-09, based on 12.2 million patients at English emergency departments, show that the spike was still occurring nationally and was even larger than in 2004.

'Good evidence-based indicators of quality in emergency medicine need development,' the experts wrote.

'We have no evidence that the 98 per cent four-hour target benefits clinical care, and our findings suggest that it has encouraged target-led rather than needs-led care.'

Meanwhile, a separate article in the British Medical Journal has identified an increased lack of flexibility in applying for speciality training.
_________________________________________________________

Lack of fitness does not lead to fatness

2010-07-20T10:24:00.000+01:00

Inactivity does not lead to childhood obesity, a new study suggests.

Scientists at the Peninsula Medical School in Plymouth have been taking part in the EarlyBird Diabetes Study - which observes a group of city schoolchildren - for the past 11 years.

They have challenged the assumption that inactivity leads to fatness and believe that the reverse may in fact be true - that obesity leads to inactivity.

Publishing their findings in the Archives of Disease in Childhood, the scientists reveal that physical activity had no impact on weight change in those children involved in the study.

However, the presence of excess weight led to less activity, suggesting that a child's level of fatness influences changes in the physical activity over time.

Commenting on the findings, Professor Andy Ness from Bristol University said that the team may be partly right.

He told the BBC that his own research has found evidence that physical activity predicts changes in fatness.

'But that doesn't mean there's not something going on the other way. We think it's a combination,' he revealed.
_________________________________________________________

Botox to treat migraine?

2010-07-20T10:21:00.000+01:00

Botox has been approved as a treatment for patients with chronic migraine.

The toxin has been licensed by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) for adults with chronic migraine, which includes headaches on at least 15 days per month and migraine symptoms on at least eight of these days.

The approval makes Botox the first preventative treatment to receive a specific licence for use in patients with chronic migraine.

It follows a large phase-III clinical trial involving 1,384 patients, which found that patients who received Botox injections into specific head and neck muscles typically had fewer headache and migraine days than those who were given injections of a placebo (dummy treatment).

Wendy Thomas, chief executive of the Migraine Trust, commented: 'Chronic migraine is currently an under-researched, under-diagnosed and under-treated condition.

'We welcome new therapies, especially preventative medication, for this potentially disabling condition.'

NHS figures suggest that about 15 per cent of UK adults are affected by migraine.
_________________________________________________________

Sharing your sneeze?

2010-07-20T10:20:00.000+01:00

About one in four people do not cover their mouth when they cough or sneeze, a new study has found.

Scientists at Otago University Wellington in New Zealand observed people in three public areas in the country's capital city.

Despite a recent public health campaign encouraging people to cover their mouth to prevent the spread of infectious diseases, researchers found that 26.7 per cent of coughs and sneezes went uncovered, while just 4.7 per cent were covered by a tissue, handkerchief or elbow.

Study author Nick Wilson, whose findings were presented at the International Conference on Emerging Infectious Diseases, commented: 'This study showed a low prevalence of recommended respiratory hygiene behaviours, suggesting that hygiene messages promoted in mass media campaigns have not been seen and/or have not been readily adopted by the public.'

Meanwhile, a study in the journal Thorax has revealed that the majority of hospital admissions and inpatient deaths from swine flu during the first wave of the pandemic in the UK in 2009 affected people with no previous underlying health problems or risk factors for the illness.
_________________________________________________________

Weight loss may ease menopause symptoms

2010-07-20T10:18:00.002+01:00

Overweight women who suffer from hot flushes during menopause may benefit from losing weight, new research suggests.

A study by scientists at the University of California, San Francisco, found that about half of 338 overweight participants (average age 53) were bothered by hot flushes at the start of the six-month trial.

Those who took part in an intensive weight-loss programme typically reported an improvement in their hot flushes.

Writing in the Archives of Internal Medicine, the study authors noted that hot flushes are among the main concerns of women during and after menopause.

'In multiple observational studies, women with a higher body mass index (BMI) have reported more frequent or severe hot flushes compared with women with a lower BMI,' they revealed.

'Our findings indicate that women who are overweight or obese and experience bothersome hot flushes may also experience improvement in these symptoms after pursuing behavioural weight-loss strategies.'

NHS data show that the average age for a British woman to reach the menopause is 52.

Other common symptoms include night sweats, irritability and recurrent urinary tract infections.
_________________________________________________________

Parents warned not to use spoons for giving medicine

2010-07-20T10:17:00.000+01:00

Parents have been advised not to use household spoons when giving medicine to children, as they vary greatly in size.

A study at the Alfa Institute of Biomedical Sciences in Athens, Greece, looked at 71 teaspoons and 49 tablespoons, which were obtained from 25 households.

The researchers found that teaspoons ranged in capacity from 2.5ml to 7.3ml, while tablespoons varied between 6.7ml and 13.4ml.

Professor Matthew Falagas, director of the Alfa Institute of Biomedical Sciences, revealed: 'A parent using one of the biggest domestic teaspoons would be giving their child 192 per cent more medicine than a parent using the smallest teaspoon, and the difference was 100 per cent for the tablespoons.

'This increases the chance of a child receiving an overdose or indeed too little medication.'

In light of their findings, which are published in the International Journal of Clinical Practice, the study authors have advised parents to use calibrated medicine syringes to ensure they are dispensing the correct doses of liquid medication.

A spokesman for the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain told the BBC that pharmacists 'always recommend that parents and carers only use spoons or syringes which are designed for the administration of medicines'.
_________________________________________________________

Asthma suffers face discrimination

2010-07-20T10:14:00.000+01:00

Britons with severe asthma are often subjected to discrimination, a new report has found.

The 'Fighting for Breath' report, published by Asthma UK and the Severe Asthma National Network (SANN), has prompted calls for greater recognition of the disabling nature of the condition, which affects a quarter of a million people in the UK.

Policymakers, commissioners, healthcare professionals, employers and the general public are being urged to treat people with severe asthma with fairness and respect.

Neil Churchill, chief executive of Asthma UK, revealed: 'Our report shows that people with severe asthma are some of the most marginalised in society, living hidden lives, facing discrimination from many areas of society and missing out on vital life opportunities.

'The government must enable those affected and their carers to access the benefits they need, protect spending on specialist nurse posts, and develop and implement consistent standards for asthma across the UK.'

Beverley Hargadon, senior respiratory research nurse at SANN, added: 'We hope that this report provides guidance to improve the future quality of care provision for people with severe asthma and their carers.'

A recent scientific study suggested that mild and severe asthma may actually be two separate diseases.

Mild asthma affects far more people than severe asthma and can usually be controlled by taking inhaled steroids.

In severe asthma, treatments tend to be less effective and the condition can therefore be hard to manage.
_________________________________________________________

Serious failings at out of hours provider

2010-07-20T10:10:00.000+01:00

The out-of-hours care provider Take Care Now has been found guilty of 'serious failings' by the NHS regulator.

A report by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) concluded that the firm had failed to learn from serious incidents involving diamorphine and had not made changes, despite warnings from a senior clinician.

Investigators also found that the care of patients may have been compromised by low levels of staff.

The CQC investigation was triggered by the death of David Gray, who died after receiving 100mg of diamorphine from a German out-of-hours doctor employed by Take Care Now.

Dr Daniel Ubani, the doctor in question, is no longer on the General Medical Council register and is not allowed to practise in the UK.

CQC chairman Dame Jo Williams commented: 'Take Care Now failed on many fronts. The lessons of its failure must resonate across the health service.'

The chairman noted that about seven million people contact GP out-of-hours services each year and said that providers, primary care trusts and individual clinicians 'all have a responsibility to ensure services are as safe as possible'.
_________________________________________________________

Workplace bullying can effect mental health

2010-07-20T10:08:00.000+01:00

People who are being bullied at work should not suffer in silence, as their mental health could be at risk, an expert has said.

Emma Mamo, policy and campaigns manager at mental health charity Mind, said that victims should talk to a more senior member of management if they are unhappy.

She explained: 'The way we feel about our work can have a huge impact on the way we feel in our personal lives, and being bullied by colleagues can be tremendously damaging to our self-esteem and overall wellbeing.'

Ms Mamo revealed that people can experience stress and depression and may have to be signed off work as a result of bullying.

She claimed: 'No workplace should take bullying lightly - not only does it undermine performance at work, but it can have repercussions for mental health.'

Her comments were made after a poll by recruitment consultancy Reabur found that one-fifth of employees felt they had been bullied by their boss, yet only eight per cent had reported the incident.
_________________________________________________________

Flu jabs may be "thing of the past"

2010-07-20T10:06:00.000+01:00

A new hi-tech skin patch could soon be used instead of injections to deliver vaccines, scientists have suggested.

The patches have already been tested on mice and were found to deliver flu vaccine effectively.

They consist of 100 'microneedles', each measuring just over half a millimetre, which deliver the vaccine.

The tiny needles then dissolve away and the backing is discarded.

According to scientists at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, US, the patches are easy to use and can be administered by the patient without any need for medical training.

Lead researcher Professor Mark Prausnitz, whose findings are published in the journal Nature Medicine, commented: 'We have shown that a dissolving microneedle patch can vaccinate against influenza at least as well, and probably better than, a traditional hypodermic needle.'

Co-researcher Dr Sean Sullivan added: 'We envision people getting the patch in the mail or at a pharmacy and then self-administering it at home.'

The advance could be used to deliver vaccines such as the flu jab, which is offered to people in at-risk groups, including over-65s, those with serious medical conditions and poultry workers.
_________________________________________________________

How safe are sunbeds?

2010-07-20T10:04:00.000+01:00

With the recession forcing many of us to stay at home this summer, it may seem even more tempting to achieve a tan artificially.

However, sunbeds increase your exposure to sunlight and subsequently give you a higher chance of developing skin cancer.

Statistics show that non-melanoma and malignant melanoma are the most commonly diagnosed cancers in the UK.

And according to Cancer Research UK, sunbeds are estimated to cause around 100 deaths from melanoma every year in the UK.

What's legal?

Until recently, sunbeds have been unregulated. However, in Scotland a new law banning under-18s from using tanning salons, and barring coin-operated and unsupervised machines, will come into effect in September 2009.

A similar scheme is under consideration in England and Wales.

How do sunbeds work?

Sunbeds cause the body to tan in exactly the same way as the sun, by emitting ultraviolet rays, UVA and UVB radiation, which stimulates melanin, a skin pigment.

Melanin is produced by cells called melanocytes. UV exposure stimulates these cells to divide, creating more melanin, which browns as it rises to the skin's surface and causes a tan.

How quickly we burn or tan depends on our skin type. Skin experts have classified skin types into six groups – type one for people with porcelain white skin (often accompanied by red hair, green eyes and lots of freckles), through to type six for natural black skin.

In between are groups ranging from those with fair to natural brown skin. The darker our skin, the more melanin we have and the better protected our skin is from ultraviolet light.

Sunbeds can emit either UVA or UVB rays from their fluorescent tubes, depending on the machine. Modern machines often produce higher levels of UVB to create a rapid and more natural tan. But UVB has a higher association with sunburn and cancer.

What are the risks?

Some modern tanning machines can emit UV radiation up to five times stronger than the midday Australian summer sun.

‘Sunbeds provide a strong dose of UV and you don’t know how much UV exposure you are getting,’ says Megan Dawe, senior skin cancer screening nurse at The Mole Clinic in London.

‘The changing colour when you tan shows the skin is being damaged.’
Cancer Research UK says using sunbeds under the age of 35 can increase the risk of melanoma by 75 per cent.

Professor James Ferguson, head of the University Department of Dermatology in Dundee, says UV damages the DNA in skin cells, which increases the risk of skin cancer and ages the skin.

Are there any benefits?

According to The Sunbed Association, UV exposure stimulates vitamin D production. This is essential for good bone health and can improve mood, helping to stem off conditions such as seasonal affective disorder (SAD).

It can also improve the appearance of skin conditions, such as psoriasis.

The association maintains that a tanning programme can be carefully controlled.

However, medical experts warn that daily casual exposure to sunlight, such as a 5-10 minute walk to and from the station, is enough to provide your body with all the vitamin D it needs.

This is because the body stockpiles what it needs in the summer for the winter.

Vitamin D can also be obtained through eating oily fish, eggs and other foods.

How to reduce the risks

Health experts warn against the use of sunbeds. But if you will use them, the British Photodermatology Group suggests no more than 20 treatments per year. Skin expert, Professor Ferguson, suggests below 10.

You should also:-

·    leave at least 48 hours between sessions
·    never sunbathe on the same day
·    wear goggles to protect the eyes
·    remove make-up in case it increases sensitivity to UV
·    keep time spent on a sunbed to a minimum, with less time spent on a UVB machine than one emitting UVA.

Be sun aware:-

·    Aftersun will soothe the skin, but won't prevent long-term damage or cancer.
·    For a risk-free tan, try a spray or rub-on chemical tan instead.
·    When you're out in the sun, use sun cream with a minimum of sun protection factor (SPF) 15.
·    Avoid sunbathing when the sun is at its strongest.

Who should not use sunbeds?

·    Under 18s.
·    Anyone with skin type one and two (people who never tan or who burn easily).
·    If you have a large number of moles.
·    If you freckle easily.
·    People who have a history of childhood sunburn.
·    If you have skin cancer or a family history of it.
·    People with sun-damaged skin.
·    If you take certain medications, such as antidepressants or antibiotics, which make your skin more sensitive to the sun (photosensitive).

What do to if you're worried

If you spot any changes to your skin, including freckles or moles that change shape, colour or size, or that start to itch, visit your GP who can refer you to a specialist.

Guinness may help reduce heart attacks

2010-06-03T10:53:00.000+01:00

Well we knew it all along, Guinness is Good For You!!

The old advertising slogan "Guinness is Good for You" may be true after all, according to researchers the BBC reports

A pint of the black stuff a day may work as well as a low dose aspirin to prevent heart clots that raise the risk of heart attacks.

Drinking lager does not yield the same benefits, experts from University of Wisconsin told a conference in the US.

Guinness was told to stop using the slogan decades ago - and the firm still makes no health claims for the drink.

The Wisconsin team tested the health-giving properties of stout against lager by giving it to dogs who had narrowed arteries similar to those in heart disease.

They found that those given the Guinness had reduced clotting activity in their blood, but not those given lager.

Clotting is important for patients who are at risk of a heart attack because they have hardened arteries.

A heart attack is triggered when a clot lodges in one of these arteries supplying the heart.

Many patients are prescribed low-dose aspirin as this cuts the ability of the blood to form these dangerous clots.

The researchers told a meeting of the American Heart Association in Orlando, Florida, that the most benefit they saw was from 24 fluid ounces of Guinness - just over a pint - taken at mealtimes.

We already know that most of the clotting effects are due to the alcohol itself, rather than any other ingredients

They believe that "antioxidant compounds" in the Guinness, similar to those found in certain fruits and vegetables, are responsible for the health benefits because they slow down the deposit of harmful cholesterol on the artery walls.
However, Diageo, the company that now manufactures Guinness, said: "We never make any medical claims for our drinks."

The company now runs advertisements that call for "responsible drinking".
A spokesman for Brewing Research International, which conducts research for the industry, said she would be "wary" of placing the health benefits of any alcohol brand above another.

She said: "We already know that most of the clotting effects are due to the alcohol itself, rather than any other ingredients.

"It is possible that there is an extra effect due to the antioxidants in Guinness - but I would like to see this research repeated."

She said that reviving the old adverts for Guinness might be problematic - at least in the EU.

Draft legislation could outlaw any health claims in adverts for alcohol in Europe, she said.

The original campaign in the 1920s stemmed from market research - when people told the company that they felt good after their pint, the slogan was born.

In England, post-operative patients used to be given Guinness, as were blood donors, based on the belief that it was high in iron.

Pregnant women and nursing mothers were at one stage advised to drink Guinness - the present advice is against this.

The UK is still the largest market in the world for Guinness, although the drink does not feature in the UK's top ten beer brands according to the latest research.
_________________________________________________________

Brush your teeth for a healthier heart

2010-06-03T10:51:00.000+01:00

People who don't brush their teeth twice a day have an increased risk of heart disease, scientists said Friday, adding scientific weight to 19th century theories about oral health and chronic disease.

British researchers studied nearly 12,000 adults in Scotland and found those with poor oral hygiene had a 70 percent extra risk of heart disease compared with those who brushed twice a day and who were less likely to have unhealthy gums.

People with gum disease are more likely to develop heart disease and diabetes because inflammation in the body, including in the mouth and gums, plays a role in the build up of clogged arteries, said Richard Watt from University College London, who led the study.

The 70 percent extra risk compares to a 135 percent extra risk of heart disease in those who smoke, he said.

Although the overall risk was low -- with a total of 555 heart attacks or other serious coronary problems among 11,869 people -- the effect of regular teeth brushing was significant.

"Compared to things like smoking and poor diet, which are obviously the main risk factors for heart disease, we are not claiming this is in the same league," Watt said.

"But ... even after controlling for all those things there is a still a relationship between this very simple measure of tooth brushing and heart condition," he told Reuters.

"In a way, it's really quite an old story, because back in the early 19th century there was a theory called focal sepsis, and people believed that infections in the mouth caused disease in the whole body," Watt said.

"As a result, they used to take everyone's teeth out."

Watt said such a response was "a bit dramatic," but his findings did suggest that twice-a-day brushing was a good idea.

Gum or periodontal disease is an infection of the tissues surrounding and supporting the teeth and is more likely to occur in people who do not brush their teeth regularly.

Heart disease is the leading killer of men and women in Europe, the United States and many other rich nations and together with diabetes, accounted for almost a third of all deaths around the world in 2005, according to the World Health Organisation.

The teeth brushing study published Friday in the British Medical Journal was the first to investigate whether the simple number of times someone brushes their teeth daily has any bearing on the risk of heart disease.

The results showed oral health behaviours were generally good, with 62 percent of participants saying they visited the dentist every six months and 71 percent reporting they brushed their teeth twice a day.

Once the data were adjusted for other known heart risk factors such as social class, obesity, smoking and family history of heart disease, those who reported less frequent teeth brushing had a 70 percent extra risk of heart disease compared to those who brushed twice a day.

Blood tests on those with poor oral hygiene were also positive for two factors called C-reactive protein and fibrinogen -- both of which signal inflammation in the body.
_________________________________________________________

Swansea player dies at only 22 years old

2010-06-03T10:49:00.000+01:00

Swansea City are in mourning following the death of Austrian striker Besian Idrizaj, aged 22.

The club confirmed Idrizaj died at home in Austria.

A Swansea statement read: "We can confirm that the agent of young striker Besian Idrizaj has informed the club that the striker has sadly passed away.
"It is understood that the popular 22-year-old died in his sleep on Friday night while at home with his family in Austria."

The statement continued: "The exact cause of death has not been confirmed and our thoughts are with his family, friends and team-mates at this time."
Ex-Liverpool player Idrizaj spent three years at Liverpool after signing from LASK Linz in 2005 and was sold to FC Eilenburg three years later.

He joined Blackburn Rovers in the summer of 2009, but soon moved on to the Swans, debuting against Scunthorpe in the Carling Cup in August.

Idrizaj also had loan spells with Luton Town and Crystal Palace while at Liverpool, having been named Austria's Young Player of the Year before signing on at Anfield.

He went on to make three Championship appearances, two as a replacement, without scoring for the Swans and had a year left on his contract.

Idrizaj made no senior Liverpool appearances, but scored a 26-minute hat-trick at Wrexham for the Reds.

If confirmed as a heart-attack, Idrijaz's death follows several other similar deaths that have hit the sport in recent years.

In June 2003 Cameroon's Marc-Vivien Foe died aged 28 after collapsing on the field while playing against Colombia in Lyon, France having spent the previous season on loan from Olympique Lyon at Manchester City.

In August 2007 Spanish international Antonio Puerta, 22, suffered a heart attack playing for Sevilla against Getafe and later died in hospital.

Two years later Espanyol skipper Daneil Jarque died aged 26 after suffering cardiac arrest following a training session

As reported by the BBC 16/05/2010
_________________________________________________________

Honour for pair who saved boss

2010-06-03T10:47:00.000+01:00

Two brave firefighters have been honoured for being life-savers – both on and off duty.

Crew Commander Andy Reid and firefighter John Sharpe were praised for their speedy response when Watch Commander Billy Scott collapsed with a suspected heart attack last year.

Today WC Scott told how his life was saved at Mauchline Community Fire Station, Ayrshire: “The evening had begun normally and, following a routine drill, I decided to remain behind at the office to complete some paperwork.

“CC Reid and FF Sharpe also stayed behind in order to catch up on some
computer work.

“Then suddenly I collapsed. The next thing I remember was waking up in hospital with tubes coming out of me.”

After WC Scott collapsed, the pair realised his vital signs were fading and knew they had to act fast.

They grabbed the defibrillator from their fire appliance and used it to save their boss’s life.

Since 2007, all front line appliances in Strathclyde Fire & Rescue have carried automated external defibrillators and it was the use of this piece of equipment, and the ability of FF Sharpe and CC Reid to remain calm, which saved WC Scott’s life.

CC Reid said: “John and I had to stay back in the station to write up incident reports, otherwise we would not have been around to help Billy.”
FF Sharpe added: “It is pure luck that we were in the station. Andy and I were working at the computer when we heard a noise behind us and saw that Billy had collapsed. “We quickly got the defibrillator out of the appliance and used it to resuscitate him.”

WC Scott was taken to Ayr Hospital where a cardiologist said his heart had stopped beating properly, and it was the use of the defibrillator which was able to shock his heart back into a proper rhythm.

Today WC Scott said he is eternally grateful for the swift actions of his colleagues. The life-saving duo were praised at a long-service medal ceremony and lunch at Strathclyde Fire and Rescue HQ in Hamilton, last week.

WC Scott added: “I owe my life to John and Andy – firefighters are supposed to be life-savers but I bet they didn’t think they would save a colleague’s life in their own fire station.”
_________________________________________________________

Universal AED sign unveiled

2010-05-11T10:42:00.000+01:00

On September 19th 2008 R.W.Koster wrote the following letter to the ILCOR councils, National Resuscitation Councils, AED manufacturers, public and governmental organisations

I am pleased to inform you that The International Liaison Committee on Resucitation (ILCOR) has unanimous approved the proposal of the ILCOR Task Force for a universal sign indicating the presence of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). The sign is designed in accordance with ISO 7010 for safety signs and shape. Colors and existing symbols are in accordance with ISO 3864-3. Its comprehensibility has been tested in accordance with ISO 9186-1, rev. 2007 and proved superior to alternative designs.

The AED sign is intended to indicate the presence of an AED, the localisation of an AED in a room, a container with an AED for public use or to indicate the direction to move in order to reach the AED, etc. It should assist in rapidly identifying the AED in a public place for immediate use in a victim of cardiac arrest. For this purpose the AED sign can be combined with other existing symbols like a standard arrow.

The AED sign can also be accompanied by the letters “AED” or equivalents in other language groups. The full text “defibrillator” or equivalent is not encouraged. Several examples of combinations are
shown.

It is ILCOR’s intention that this sign is adopted worldwide by the national councils that together form each ILCOR member council. The sign should also be adopted by all AED manufacturers for use with their products and by manufacturers of signage. Public organisations and governments should encourage the use of this universal AED sign.

We hope that this universal AED sign will assist in the awareness of the existence of AEDs and the rapid deployment of AEDs in the emergency of a cardiac arrest.

On behalf of the ILCOR Task Force AED signage,

R.W. Koster, chairman
_________________________________________________________

Statement on the training required to use an Automated External Defibrillator

2010-05-11T10:40:00.000+01:00

Statement on the training required to use an automated external defibrillator
from the UK Resuscitation Council

April 2009 revised November 2009

The majority of people who survive a cardiac arrest are resuscitated from ventricular fibrillation (VF) by the administration of a defibrillatory shock. This is most likely to be successful when it is given very soon after the onset of VF; emergency service personnel are often unable to arrive soon enough to help a victim.

Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are designed to be used by members of the public, and are very effective at guiding the operator through the process of administering the shock. They have become widely available, are safe and easy to use, and will not allow a shock to be given to a victim who does not require one.

AEDs have been used frequently by laypeople with modest training, and many reports testify to the success of this strategy. Operators without formal training have also used AEDs successfully to save lives.

While it is highly desirable that those who may be called upon to use an AED should be trained in their use, and keep their skills up to date, circumstances can dictate that no trained operator (or a trained operator whose certificate of training has expired) is present at the site of an emergency. Under these circumstances no inhibitions should be placed on any person willing to use an AED.

It is the view of the Resuscitation Council (UK) that the use of AEDs should NOT be restricted to trained personnel. Furthermore, the Resuscitation Council (UK) considers that it is inappropriate to display notices to the effect that only trained personnel should use the devices, or to restrict their use in other ways. Such restrictions are against the interests of victims of cardiac arrest, and discourage the greater use of AEDs by members of the public who may be able to preserve life and assist victims of cardiac arrest. This confirms similar advice from the British Heart Foundation.

The principles contained in this statement are aimed primarily at lay persons, first aiders and those who do not work as health care professionals. In health care environments where an AED is available, it is important that all staff who may be called on to use it are trained and that their qualifications are kept up to date. The status of training is a subject that should be reviewed during the annual appraisal process.

The Resuscitation Council (UK) advises that NHS Trusts should ensure that no restriction is placed on the use of an AED by an untrained NHS employee confronted with a patient in cardiac arrest when no more highly trained individual is present. The administration of a defibrillatory shock should not be delayed waiting for more highly trained personnel to arrive. The same principle should apply to individuals whose period of qualification has expired.
_________________________________________________________

Man survives 47 minutes in cardiac arrest

2010-05-11T10:38:00.000+01:00

Doctors Wouldn't Give Up on N.Y. Man, Delivering 4,500 Chest Compressions and 8 Defibrillator Shocks to Save Him.

What happens if your heart stops beating?

Is it possible to survive?

CBS station WCBS in New York recently met a Brooklyn man who lived after his heart quit for 47 minutes, and it's all thanks to a team of doctors who refused to give up until they brought him back from the dead.

"These doctors did not stop," Joe Tiralosi said, fighting through tears to find the words to describe his experience. "Without them, and I'm serious when I tell you, I wouldn't be here."

Tiralosi is a medical miracle. He's been to the edge and back, to a place most people don't return from. Now he's at home in Brooklyn, but three months ago he literally died.

"I think miracle best describes it," Tiralosi said.

Tiralosi suffered sudden cardiac arrest. His heart stopped beating for 47 minutes.

"Not a moment goes by that I don't take for granted every second because I know it only takes the blink of an eye to lose your life," he said.

Last week, the 56-year-old father of two returned to NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center to thank the medical team who saved his life and share his story with WCBS.

On Aug. 17, Tiralosi walked into the emergency room feeling sick and disoriented. He collapsed a minute later.

"The doctors themselves were responsible for giving my chance to live again," Tiralosi said.

Doctors Rahul Sharma and Flavio Gaudio led the team who worked on him. "It's a miracle for which it is difficult to find words," Dr. Gaudio said. "When Joe came in he was talking. It was his presence when he came in that made us all say we're not going to give up," Dr. Sharma added.

"I felt he had a good pulse with the compressions so part of me thought that we had bought some time," Gaudio said.

It took 4,500 chest compressions and eight shocks from a defibrillator to get Tiralosi stabilized at 11:55 a.m. While his doctors worked frantically to save him he barely remembers anything about that day.

"I kind of remember going out. I knew I was going out and I heard someone call my name, and I just went out," Tiralosi said.

Tiralosi's doctors said only one out of four people survive sudden cardiac arrest. Most die within 10 minutes of heart failure. And of those who survive 30 percent suffer serious brain damage.
_________________________________________________________

Pocket CPR for your iPhone

2010-05-11T10:35:00.000+01:00

Pocket CPR for iPhone from Zoll is a MUST-HAVE app for anyone who wants to learn how to perform CPR with ACCURACY.

The PocketCPR can be used in CPR training programs and for individual practice at home or at work. It is a great tool for families to learn CPR in order to be prepared if a loved one needs their help.

PocketCPR for iPhone:

• Actively utilizes the accelerometer hardware in the iPhone for real-time COACHING and actual FEEDBACK on CPR while you are learning and practicing.
• Measures the ACTUAL rate and depth of your compressions and lets you know if you need to push faster or slower, and whether you should push harder or softer.

Other CPR prompting devices can provide instructions on CPR or encourage you on the steps and pace of CPR, but ONLY PocketCPR for iPhone can:

1. Give instructions
2. Prompt on the steps for proper CPR
3. AND give you REAL-TIME feedback on the chest compressions you deliver.

PocketCPR for iPhone will remind you to Call for Help, to provide ventilations according to guidelines (optional), and to perform CPR at the correct rate and depth. The device algorithms are in complete compliance with American Heart Assocation and International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR) guidelines.

Pocket CPR for iPhone features include:

• Clear visual and audio step-by-step instructions on CPR performance, including initial steps for the Chain of Survival
• Option to go straight to chest compressions for those who are familiar with the initial Chain of Survival steps
• Precise metronome to pace chest compressions
• Accurate ability to detect rate of actual compressions and to state visually and audibly whether to PUSH FASTER or to PUSH SLOWER.
• Industry-proven technology to detect the depth of chest compressions.
• Audio and visual prompts to PUSH HARDER or to PUSH SOFTER.
• Prompts to remind the user to provide ventilations after the detection of 30 chest compressions.
• Feature to detect when chest compressions have stopped and to prompt user to START CPR.
• Complete Instructions for Use
_________________________________________________________

"Heart Risk" at football stadiums

2010-05-11T10:33:00.000+01:00

Too many football grounds in Europe do not have the right equipment and plans to save the lives of fans who have heart attacks, a study has found.

The poll of 187 stadiums found over a quarter did not have defibrillators and many did not have emergency plans.

The Sweden-led study, carried out by a group of club doctors, stressed more had to be done as it was not always easy to get ill fans to hospital.
Researchers said there should be mandatory rules covering the issue.

At the moment, it is simply considered good practice to have defibrillators at sports grounds.

But in recent years many governments - including the authorities in the UK - have been doing more to increase the availability of the life-saving equipment in public spaces.

Defibrillators work by delivering a controlled electric shock through the chest wall to the heart to restore a normal heartbeat.

Professor Mats Borjesson, the official medic for Swedish club GAIS and a member of the European Association of Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation, said every ground should have access to a supply of the machines.

"It is known that viewing and being emotionally engaged in a soccer game increases the likelihood of people suffering a heart attack so we think this should be a formal requirement."

He also warned facilities at sporting arenas elsewhere in the world may be even worse.

"As football is the biggest and best resourced sport in Europe, the situation may be even worse elsewhere."

But only 64% had a written medical action plan, covering issues such as medical staffing and communications with hospital.

The study, published in the European Heart Journal, gathered data from 10 countries, including England, France and Spain.

It did not name the grounds that took part, although the researchers said most of them were from the top divisions, and over the previous season there had been 77 heart attacks - one for every 589,000 spectators at these stadiums.
The 37 English grounds that were included were among the better performers, the study showed.

Ellen Mason, of the British Heart Foundation, said it was important the issue was being highlighted.

"Early access to a defibrillator increases the chance of survival so it's reassuring to know that so many stadiums in England had one."
_________________________________________________________

Aspirin linked to increased risk of Crohn's Disease

2010-05-10T16:16:00.002+01:00

People who regularly take aspirin may be more likely to develop Crohn's disease, new research suggests.

Crohn's is a chronic (long-term) condition that causes the lining of the digestive system to become inflamed, causing diarrhoea, abdominal pain and fatigue.

About 90,000 people in the UK have Crohn's disease, which tends to develop between the ages of 16 and 30 years.

Now, scientists at the University of East Anglia have found that people who regularly take aspirin for a year or more may be particularly at risk of the condition.

The team studied 200,000 people, aged 30 to 74 years, in the UK, Sweden, Denmark, Germany and Italy.

They found that those who were regular aspirin users were around five times more likely to develop Crohn's disease than those who rarely took the drug.

The findings were presented at the Digestive Disease Week conference in New Orleans and lead researcher Dr Andrew Hart, from the university's School of Medicine, said that aspirin use 'could be one of many factors which influences the development of this distressing disease'.

However, the researcher emphasised that people should continue to take aspirin because the overall risk of Crohn's disease is still 'very low'.
_________________________________________________________

Stressful jobs increase women's heart disease risk

2010-05-10T16:14:00.002+01:00

Women have been warned that stress in the workplace can increase their risk of heart disease.

The study of 12,000 female nurses in the journal Occupational and Environmental Medicine found that work-related stress has a greater effect on younger women.

Scientists asked the nurses - aged between 45 and 64 - about pressure at work and tracked their health for 15 years, during which time 580 nurses were admitted to hospital with ischaemic heart disease, including 369 cases of angina and 138 heart attacks.

When other health risks such as smoking and drinking were taken into account, it was found that those who described a stressful work environment were 35 per cent more likely to develop heart disease.

However, when the researchers broke the results down by age, they found it was only the women aged 50 and under who were significantly affected.

Lead author Dr Yrsa Andersen Hundrup, from the Research Centre for Prevention and Health, said: 'This study adds to the previous body of evidence suggesting harmful effects of excessive psychological demands at work on cardiac health, but is one among very few that demonstrates the effect among women.

'Additional work should be carried out to identify factors contributing to the perceived high work pressure.'

June Davison, cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation (BHF), said that stressed employees may pick up unhealthy habits which contribute to their risk of heart disease.

'Pressurised workers may reach for cigarettes, snack foods and alcohol to make themselves feel better,' she explained.

'If you feel under pressure you should try and tackle it in a positive way and get active during work hours.'
_________________________________________________________

Blood fat linked to increased heart risk

2010-05-10T16:13:00.000+01:00

A type of blood fat called triglycerides may have a role to play in the development of heart disease, new research suggests.

Scientists at Cambridge University analysed 350,000 people who had taken part in 101 previous studies.

They found that those with a genetic tendency to have high levels of triglycerides tended to have a greater risk of heart disease.

Mike Knapton, associate medical director at the British Heart Foundation, which helped to fund the research, said that the study adds to the findings of previous studies which had failed to reach a conclusion about the link between triglycerides and heart disease.

'It could yet prove to be an important step towards tackling cardiovascular disease, but we mustn't get ahead of ourselves,' he noted.

'There still needs to be larger trials before we can know whether lowering triglyceride levels can reduce heart disease risks.'

In the meantime, Mr Knapton said that people should aim to achieve a healthy diet, take regular exercise, stop smoking and take recommended medication to reduce their risk of developing heart disease.
_________________________________________________________

Don't pander to fussy eaters

2010-05-10T16:12:00.000+01:00

Purees and fruit-filled yoghurts can be a useful way to encourage fussy eaters to eat more fruit, an expert has claimed.

Ian Marber, founder of nutritional practice The Food Doctor, suggested that healthy eating can be promoted by presenting fruit in a visually appealing way.

'The vivid colours of fruit are inevitably more enticing and appetising than green vegetables, which are traditionally less popular with children,' Mr Marber claimed.

'Purees and compotes work well, as does mixing fresh fruit into yoghurts.'

The expert's comments follow a recent study from Maastricht University in Holland, which found that schoolchildren ate fruit more readily when it was presented in a creative way.

Their research, which is published in Appetite journal, concluded that visual appeal "had a strong effect on consumption of fruit" and the study authors urged parents to offer fruit to children "in a visually appealing manner".

According to the latest statistics from the NHS Information Centre, just one in five children, aged five to 15, ate the recommended five daily portions of fruit and vegetables in 2008.
_________________________________________________________

Meningitis vaccine may "wear off"

2010-05-10T16:11:00.000+01:00

The effectiveness of the meningitis C vaccine may wear off over time, a new study suggests.

Scientists at Oxford University discovered that the effects of the vaccine, which is administered to infants at three, four and 12 months of age, often wear off in less than ten years, leaving many teenagers at risk.

The researchers tested 250 children, aged six to 12 years, who had received the vaccine.

Presenting their findings at the annual conference of the European Society for Paediatric Infectious Diseases in Nice, they revealed that just one in four children still had protection after seven years.

Lead researcher Professor Andrew Pollard told the Daily Telegraph: 'This study is just the latest to show that the personal protection given by meningitis C vaccines in early childhood doesn't last forever and several countries have now responded to these findings by introducing teenage boosters.'

Sue Davie, chief executive of the Meningitis Trust, said that the charity supports the use of safe and effective vaccines and urged people to receive whatever vaccines are available.

'If, as a result of this research, a booster programme is introduced, we would actively encourage the introduction of this,' she added.
_________________________________________________________

Scientists discover new genetic clues to breast cancer

2010-05-10T16:09:00.000+01:00

UK scientists have identified five more genetic sites that increase a woman's risk of developing breast cancer.

The discovery, which is detailed in the journal Nature Genetics, brings the total number of common 'low-risk' genetic sites that are linked with the disease to 18.

According to the researchers, the five new genetic variations increase an individual's risk of developing breast cancer by between six and 16 per cent.

In the long term, it is hoped that a test can be developed that looks for a combination of these genetic variants in order to aid prevention and treatment decisions for those who are most at risk.

Study author Professor Nazneen Rahman, from the Institute of Cancer Research, said that although 18 gene regions have now been identified, 'we still don't know which genes are causing this increased risk'.

'Identifying the underlying genes and mechanisms behind breast cancer development is essential to increasing our understanding of the disease and ultimately finding new treatments,' the researcher added.

Dr Helen George, head of science information at Cancer Research UK, which helped to fund the study, added: 'This research takes us a step closer to developing a powerful genetic test for the disease.'

Genetic tests are already available for certain gene faults that are known to increase a woman's risk of developing breast cancer, including BRCA1 and BRCA2.
_________________________________________________________

Measures to manage IBS

2010-05-10T16:08:00.000+01:00

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is an unexplained stress-related disorder that affects around 10 to 20 per cent of the UK population.

The condition involves a long-term disturbed bowel habit – such as constipation or diarrhoea and abdominal discomfort or pain.

While it mainly affects younger people, and is slightly more common in women than men, IBS can affect people young and old, male and female.

With the fast pace of modern life – and the stresses this brings with it – Western counties have seen an increase in the number of young people with IBS.

'Our lifestyles are changing, and figures appear to show that medically unexplained conditions like IBS – along with chronic fatigue, unexplained backache and breathlessness – have increased,' says Dr Nick Read, consultant gastroenterologist, psychotherapist, and acting chairman of the Gut Trust, the UK charity that supports people with IBS.

'Now somewhere around 15 per cent of the population have symptoms identifiable as IBS,' he says.

Although there's no simple cure for IBS, there's plenty you can do to make the condition more manageable.

Causes

There are a number of factors that can lead to IBS. But experts agree that the major cause is stress – followed by diet and infections, such as gastroenteritis.
'I would say 95 per cent is down to stress, alongside other causes that play a smaller role,' says Dr Read.

'When you see patients, you understand that IBS is an expression of things going on in their life – major events or life stresses – such as people losing jobs, retirement, divorce, childbirth, and other relationship related problems,' he says.

Symptoms

It's important to remember that IBS is an unexplained disorder, and so many of the symptoms are common to other complaints of the intestines – such as colitis, infections in the rectum, or even haemorrhoids.

But the main symptoms, which should be long term rather than acute (6 months according to a report by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence), can include:

abdominal discomfort, such as distention or pain
sensation of lower abdominal pain
passage of mucus
bloating
condition made worse by eating
change in bowel habits, without an obvious cause such as illness or infection.

Further related symptoms can include:

tiredness
indigestion
nausea
anxiety and depression
backache
bladder irritability

What can you do?

Know the cause

'It's important for someone with IBS – as well as their GP – to ask a few questions.

What was going on when the IBS started?
When does the condition come and go?
What do the symptoms remind you of?

'Just understanding the root causes can make you much more empowered and able to deal with the condition,' says Dr Read.

Over-the-counter medicines

There are various over-the-counter products that can help with the symptoms of IBS. These include antispasmodics (Buscopan) and anti-diarrhoea (Imodium) medicines. Your pharmacist can give you advice on these.

However, medicines are often a bit 'trial-and-error' – they can give support, but they're not the whole answer.

Antidepressants

In the short term, antidepressants such as tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), can help in low doses. These will be prescribed by your doctor.

'In the long term, I worry that these drugs will stop people making the lifestyle changes that will help them improve their condition properly,' says Dr Read.
'But as a short term solution, they can be useful,' he says.

Alternative treatments

Some people may not want to talk about the situations that may have led to their IBS.

So, the key thing is to find things that will help them relax. This might simply be making more time for rest and relaxation, or undertaking alternative therapies – such as meditation, hypnotherapy, reiki, acupuncture – or touch therapies, such as massage.

These treatments have a certain 'healing effect', and they can help increase people's confidence and belief that they can manage their condition.
_________________________________________________________

How to make your home healthy

2010-05-10T16:01:00.000+01:00

Home is where the heart is, but it could also be making you and your family sick. Here are some simple changes that you can make, to benefit your health.

Pets

We are a nation of pet lovers, and we keep around seven million cats and six million dogs.

Pets can improve our emotional wellbeing – but they can also make us feel unwell.

'Pets can exacerbate allergy symptoms because they have allergens in their urine, saliva and skin dander,' says Lindsey McManus of Allergy UK.
Cats are by far the commonest animals to cause allergy in humans, but any animal can cause a problem.

Pets can also carry salmonella, which can lead to diarrhoea and vomiting.
Cats can carry a parasite leading to toxoplasmosis in their faeces. This can be dangerous to children and can cause pregnant women to miscarry.

The solution

'Vacuum regularly, with a machine that contains a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. This extracts even the smallest allergens from the air.

'Wash down surfaces regularly and damp dust,' says Lindsey McManus.
Discourage your pet from licking your face, and make sure that everyone in the family washes their hands after touching a pet.

Double glazing

Double-glazed windows are now common because they're energy efficient and help to keep out the chill.

Unfortunately, they form such a good seal against the wind and weather – they also dramatically cut down ventilation.

'In the past, homes were draughty. This had the one advantage of reducing the amount of house dust mites, which are a major cause of allergy' explains Dr Adrian Morris, consultant allergist at the Surrey Allergy Clinic.

'House dust mites thrive in warm damp houses that have low levels of circulating air,' he says.

Condensation can also quickly build up due to moisture created by cooking, breathing and showering. Dampness causes mould, which can make asthma symptoms worse.

The solution

'Leave your windows ajar when you're in the house to keep your home well ventilated,' says Lindsey McManus.

'Invest in an extractor fan in the kitchen to remove steam and cooking smells. When you have a shower, make sure that you close the door – so the steam can't escape to the rest of the house. Open the bathroom window afterwards,' says Lindsey McManus.

Central heating

Homes today are normally fitted with central heating, which makes life comfortable for human occupants – as well as the house dust mite.
'In the winter months, centrally heated homes become ideal breeding grounds for the house dust mite,' says Dr Morris.

Carbon monoxide poisoning can be caused by faulty or poorly maintained gas boilers.

The solution

Keep your central heating turned down as low as is comfortable, with a jumper on.

Keep windows open for ventilation.

Gas boilers should always be checked regularly by an expert to make sure that they're not leaking poisonous carbon monoxide into the home. This deadly gas can kill in extreme cases.

Kitchen chemicals

Sparkling kitchens look great. But household cleaning products can cause health problems and even in rare cases, chemical sensitivity syndrome.
Bleach is widely used to decontaminate surfaces and bathrooms. But it can release irritant vapours that can exacerbate asthma symptoms.

Many aerosol cleaning products contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are used as propellants. These VOCs can cause headaches, drowsiness and general feelings of being unwell.

The solution

There are lots of natural products that can keep your home clean and smelling fresh.

Lindsey McManus advises using bicarbonate of soda as an abrasive cleaner.
'It also makes a great natural air freshener, mixed with water and a few drops of essential oil. Put it in a plant sprayer and spray it round the room,' she says.

Vinegar can also be used to clean windows and surfaces – and lemon juice can remove stains from work tops.

Feather duvets

Lots of people believe that they're allergic to feathers in pillows and bedding. But they may not be blaming the true culprit.

'True feather allergy is rare,' says Dr Harry Morrow Brown, a specialist in allergy and respiratory medicine at the consulting rooms at Highfield House, Derby.
'In most cases, the house dust mites on the feathers cause the symptoms,' he says.

The solution

The usual advice is to swap your feather bedding for non-feather alternatives.
However, a recent study compared different types of bedding, including feather foam and synthetic fibre, and found that house dust mites caused the least problem in feathers.

'We now suggest you use a high quality cotton pillow case, with a dense weave – so that allergens can't come through,' says Dr Brown.

Baby bottles

There's been some concern that many hard plastic baby bottles contain the chemical Bisphenol A (BPA), which has been linked to an increased risk of breast and prostate cancer.

BPA is also found in a wide range of other plastic products, including lap top computers and tableware.

The Food Standards Agency in the UK has said that 'it's possible' that BPA may affect the hormone system in people's bodies. But there's not evidence that it causes harm in people.

The solution

If you're worried, switch to plastic bottles that don't contain BPA, or glass ones.

Don't fill up your baby's bottle with boiling water, since there's evidence that this makes it more likely the BPA will leach out of the plastic and into the fluid.

Discard old or worn bottles that are more likely to leach the BPA.

A good rule of thumb is not to keep a bottle longer than six months.
_________________________________________________________

Organ donors to decide who they help

2010-04-02T14:24:00.000+01:00

The new guidance for transplant teams states that in some exceptional cases people will be able to request that their, or a family members, organs are given to a member of their family or close friend if they die.

The government claims the new measures will provide greater flexibility in the allocation of organ donations.

Announcing the new rules, health minister Ann Keen said: 'This change is greatly welcomed, as it will bring much needed clarity to what is a sad and difficult time for the family of a deceased donor and a family member or close friend who could benefit from donation.

'Although requests to allocate an organ donated after death are likely to be rare, we want to ensure that the system is as fair as it can be and the wishes of organ donors and their families are taken into account. We hope these latest changes encourage more families and close friends to talk about their wishes before it is too late.'

Chris Rudge national clinical director for transplantation, added: 'With this change in policy, a significant balance has been struck between the wishes of those who agree to donate their organs unconditionally and the need to allocate organs on the basis of clinical need.

'This guidance will bring clarity to what is a complex situation and give frontline staff the necessary support in working with the families of deceased donors and organ recipients, at a time that is stressful for both parties.'

There are around 10,000 people in Britain currently in need of a transplant, with health officials claiming an average of one three people dying every day because of a shortage of organs.
_________________________________________________________

NHS breat cancer screening scheme backed

2010-04-02T14:16:00.002+01:00

The NHS breast cancer screening programme has gained support from a new report stating that the number of lives saved justifies any over-treatment occurring.

Produced by experts from the Wolfson Institute for Preventive Medicine at Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, the report also contradicts recent findings from Danish experts that raised issues with the benefits of mammography.

According to the latest study, which analysed 80,000 women, breast cancer screening saves the lives of two women for every one who may get treatment without necessarily requiring it.

Designed to spot dangerous tumours, mammography can also detect harmless lumps that leave some women facing unwarranted anxiety and surgery, but researchers argue this is better than missing them altogether.

'For every case like this, screening saves two women who would have otherwise died from breast cancer. This shows that the benefits of screening outweigh the harms,' said Professor Stephen Duffy, who carried out the latest analysis.

More than 45,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year in the UK, more than 12,000 of which die from the disease.
_________________________________________________________

Travellers offered meningitis vaccine

2010-04-02T14:12:00.000+01:00

A new meningitis vaccine will protect British travellers from the four major strains of the disease.

The vaccine will be available for the first time in Europe, and will particularly be of use to anyone travelling to countries including Africa and Saudi Arabia.

The new vaccine, Menveo, will hopefully protect anyone travelling to the so-called 'Meningitis Belt'. It has been licensed for use for anyone over 11-years-old.

Children in the UK have been vaccinated against meningitis C since 2000, but there is no routine vaccination in the UK against the other strains.

Linda Glennie, who is head of research at the Meningitis Research Foundation, told the BBC the next step was to find out 'if this vaccine has a potential wider use than just travel'.

The foundation estimates that there are around 3,500 cases of bacterial meningitis and septicaemia every year in the UK and Republic of Ireland. This means that every day nine people become ill with the diseases.

The highest burden of meningitis in the world is in the Meningitis Belt of sub-Saharan Africa, where epidemics can strike up to a quarter of a million people in a single year, with tens of thousands dying.
_________________________________________________________

Official - chocolate is good for you!

2010-03-31T18:46:00.002+01:00

Just in time for the Easter Bunny's arrival, researchers have more sweet news about chocolate and heart disease.

A new study suggests that eating a small piece of chocolate every day may reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke.

Researchers in Germany say that people who ate the equivalent of one square of a 100 gram (3.5 oz) chocolate bar per day had a 39% lower risk of having heart attack or stroke than people who ate much less chocolate.

But before you stock up on chocolate Easter eggs, researchers warn that the key to reaping the health benefits of chocolate is moderation. A single 100-gram bar of chocolate contains about 500 calories, and eating too much can contribute to unhealthy weight gain.

"Small amounts of chocolate may help to prevent heart disease, but only if it replaces other energy-dense food, such as snacks, in order to keep body weight stable," researcher Brian Buijsse, a nutritional epidemiologist at the German Institute of Human Nutrition in Nuthetal, Germany, says in a news release.

The study, published in the European Heart Journal, followed 19,357 adults for 10 years. The participants received medical checkups at the start of the study in 1994-1998, and every two to three years filled out questionnaires about how often they ate a 50 gram bar of chocolate. They could also indicate if they ate half or a bar or more than one.

The participants were not asked about what kind of chocolate they ate, but researchers asked a subset of 1,568 participants to describe the chocolate they ate in the last 24 hours to give an indication of what proportions might be found in the entire study. The results within this subset showed 57% ate milk chocolate, 24% dark chocolate, and 2% white chocolate.

By the end of the study, researchers found that people who ate the most chocolate, an average of 7.5 grams per day, had a 27% lower risk of heart attack and a 48% lower risk of stroke than people who ate the least amount of chocolate, an average of 1.7 grams per day.

"To put it in terms of absolute risk, if people in the group eating the least amount of chocolate (of whom 219 per 10,000 had a heart attack or stroke) increased their chocolate intake by six grams a day, 85 fewer heart attacks and strokes per 10,000 people could be expected to occur over a period of about 10 years," Buijsse says.

People who ate the most chocolate also had blood pressure that was about 1 point systolic (the top number in a blood pressure reading) and 0.9 point diastolic (the bottom number) lower than people who ate the least amount of chocolate.

Researchers say the benefits of chocolate on reducing heart disease risk appear to be because of the high flavanol content of cocoa. Flavanols are a type of antioxidant, and chocolates with a higher percentage of cocoa, such as dark chocolate, contain more flavanols.

"Flavanols appear to be the substances in cocoa that are responsible for improving the bioavailability of nitric oxide from the cells that line the inner wall of blood vessels," Buijsse says. "Nitric oxide is a gas that, once released, causes the smooth muscle cells of the blood vessels to relax and widen; this may contribute to lower blood pressure. Nitric oxide also improves platelet function, making the blood less sticky."

Experts say together with previous research the results of this study build a strong case that eating a daily dose of chocolate is healthy for the heart. "Basic science has demonstrated quite convincingly that dark chocolate particularly, with a cocoa content of at least 70%, reduces oxidative stress and improves vascular and platelet function," Frank Ruschitzka, professor of cardiology and director of heart failure/transplantation at the University Hospital Zurich in Switzerland, says in the release.
_________________________________________________________

New First Aid for Parents course - May 6th/13th

2010-03-30T09:49:00.009+01:00

We have scheduled another First Aid for Parents course at the Meadowside Centre, Whiteley to be held over two consecutive Thursday evenings.

The course will be on Thursday 6th and Thursday 13th May starting at 7pm and finishing at 10pm.

The course lasts six hours (split over the two evenings) and covers all the essential skills parents require, such as:-

• scene assessment and rescuer safety
• barrier use
• the chain of survival
• primary assessment
• rescue breathing - baby, child, adult
• cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) - baby, child, adult
• serious bleeding
• spinal injuries
• conscious choking baby, child, adult
• fits and seizures
• anaphylactic shock
• injury assessment
• bandaging
• scenario practice

The cost per person is just £39 and bookings can be made either by:-

• calling us on 02392 698711
• e-mailing us on mail@1stresponder.co.uk
• booking online via the website at http://www.1stresponder.co.uk/
_________________________________________________________

South Central Ambulance goes high-tech

2010-03-29T15:26:00.001+01:00

Hampshire ambulance crews can now spend less time transferring patients into A&E thanks to a new computer system.

Computer terminals have been installed in ambulances and at Queen Alexandra Hospital, Cosham, which allow crews to alert hospital staff when patients are en-route and give an estimated time of arrival.

The system allows for a quicker and more efficient handover at the hospital, improving the experience for the patient and freeing up ambulances to attend the next emergency.

Georgie Cole, project manager for South Central Ambulance Service, said: 'South Central Ambulance Service has been working closely with Queen Alexandra Hospital since November last year and the partnership has been a fantastic success.

'This initiative has radically reduced the amount of time that our ambulance crews spend at the emergency department, freeing them up ready for the next emergency call.

'Huge credit is due to the management and staff at Queen Alexandra Hospital to make this rapid improvement.'

The new alert system has been running for the last month.

The hospital and ambulance trust say they have already seen significant improvements, with patient handover times being reduced by 35 per cent compared to 2008/09, and further reductions expected in the future.

The new system also enables staff in A&E to plan for a patient's arrival to ensure space is available in the most appropriate place in the hospital.

Maria Purse, emergency pathway manager at QA hospital, said: 'The new technology has certainly enabled us to be more proactive when receiving patients in the emergency department and has led to a better experience for the patient.

'The implementation process has gone very well and there has been great support throughout the hospital and with the partnership between the trust and South Central Ambulance Service.

'The system undoubtedly benefits our patients.

'It enables our emergency department staff to provide a smoother handover process meaning ambulance crews can get out on the road more quickly and we can get the patient into the hospital and in the most appropriate place for treatment.
_________________________________________________________

BBQ sauces may have health benefits

2010-03-25T17:21:00.000Z

There may be unforeseen health benefits in sauces frequently used to make food tasty over the summer barbeque season, a new study at the University of Western Ontario has suggested.

Common marinades may be more than just tasty sauces, according to biology and psychology postdoctoral fellow Raymond Thomas, whose study revealed they can be a major source of natural antioxidants.

Neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, cardiovascular illnesses, cancers, inflammation and problems associated with cutaneous ageing can be prevented by foods rich in antioxidants.

Mr Thomas explained that 'herbs and spices are excellent sources of antioxidants, but estimating consumption rates can be difficult considering they are not generally consumed in large quantities, compared to fruits and vegetables'.

'Instead, they are used in relatively small amounts as ingredients in recipes and formulations such as spice mixes and marinating sauces that enhance food flavour,' he added.

A recent study by scientists at Harvard School of Public Health said that cutting back on saturated fat and eating polyunsaturated varieties can reduce coronary heart disease risk.
_________________________________________________________

Five school staff suspended over asthma death

2010-03-24T09:37:00.000Z

Five members of staff have been suspended at a school after an 11-year-old boy had a fatal asthma attack. An inquest into Sam Linton's death last week, decided neglect at Offerton High School, in Stockport, "significantly contributed" to his death.

It heard how Sam was made to sit in a corridor at the school as he struggled to breathe on 4 December 2007.

Stockport Council said five people were suspended but did not say if they were teachers or other staff members. The inquest on 17 March heard how valuable time had been lost as Sam was made to sit in the corridor. The boy died a few hours later in hospital.

The inquest ruled Sam's death was significantly contributed to by neglect on an "individual and systemic level". His parents have previously called for stronger implementation of first aid procedures at the school.

A joint statement from the school and Stockport Council and for Offerton School said that immediately after Sam's death, governors reviewed the way children with asthma and other medical conditions were handled. It added that systems and practices at the school had since been adapted too. "While the case did not meet the criteria for a Serious Case Review as set out in government guidance, the panel immediately commissioned an Independent Management Review (IMR) as all agreed that there were lessons to be learned."

The initial IMR report was completed in 2009 and its recommendations accepted by the Local Safeguarding Children's Board and action plans were put in place.

The council said progress had been made on the action plans and matters raised during the inquest will also be added to this process. Once the work is completed an executive summary will be published.

The council is working with Stockport Primary Care Trust to review the current policy on managing medical conditions and the updated version will be with schools at the start of the summer term.
_________________________________________________________

Cut out unhealthy fat to reduce heart disease risk

2010-03-23T16:27:00.000Z

Cutting back on saturated fat and eating polyunsaturated varieties instead may help to reduce a person's risk of coronary heart disease, new research shows.

Coronary heart disease develops when the walls of the coronary arteries become built up with fatty deposits, narrowing the vessels and restricting the delivery of oxygen to the heart.

People have long been advised to cut back on saturated fats, but scientists at Harvard School of Public Health claim that, until now, little research had actually confirmed the benefits of doing so.

Their latest study involved a meta-analysis of eight trials involving 13,614 participants who were required to replace saturated fat with polyunsaturated fat.

Overall, the researchers found that people who followed the dietary intervention reduced their risk of coronary heart disease by 19 per cent compared with those who did not.

Commenting on the findings, which are published in the journal PLoS Medicine, lead author Dariush Mozaffarian said: 'Our findings suggest that polyunsaturated fats would be a preferred replacement for saturated fats for better heart health.'
_________________________________________________________

Moderate alcohol consumption "benefits people with heart disease"

2010-03-23T16:24:00.000Z

Moderate alcohol consumption has previously been shown to be beneficial for healthy people, but new research suggests it may also be good for those who have already had a heart attack.

Scientists at the Catholic University of Campobasso in Italy combined the results of eight recent studies, all of which had looked at the impact of lifestyle habits on the prevention of future heart attacks or strokes after a first such event.

Data on 16,351 people were examined and the researchers concluded that those who drank one or two glasses of wine a day - or the equivalent in other alcoholic forms - reduced their risk of further problems by about 20 per cent.

Simona Costanzo, whose findings are published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, commented: 'We observed that regular and moderate consumption has beneficial effects even for people already affected by heart attack or stroke.

'Not only they are less likely to be affected by similar diseases again, but all-cause mortality too resulted to be lower than in those who did not consume any alcoholic beverage.'

However, care should be taken to only drink alcohol in moderation, as drinking over recommended limits can cause liver problems, reduced fertility, high blood pressure and an increased risk of heart attacks and some cancers.
_________________________________________________________

Epileptics may benefit from deep brain stimulation

2010-03-18T17:40:00.003Z

Patients with epilepsy who do not respond adequately to anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) may benefit from deep brain stimulation (DBS), new research suggests.

Scientists at Stanford University have previously shown that patients with refractory partial and secondarily generalised seizures often have fewer seizures after receiving the treatment.

In their latest study, they found that the benefits were ongoing and that participants typically had 56 per cent fewer seizures after two years.

The research, which is published in the journal Epilepsia, involved 110 participants, all of whom were experiencing partial seizures at least six times a month and had failed to respond to at least three standard treatments.

Lead author Dr Robert Fisher, director of the Epilepsy Centre at Stanford University, said that deep brain stimulation is a 'promising' therapy for epilepsy.

However, he cautioned: 'DBS therapy is invasive and serious complications can occur. Additional clinical knowledge would help to determine the best candidates for DBS therapy and establish ideal stimulation parameters.'

Around one in 131 people in the UK have epilepsy and, although there is no cure for the condition, about 70 per cent of patients are able to completely control their seizures with anti-epileptic drugs.
_________________________________________________________

Coffee linked to reduced prostate cancer risk

2010-03-16T13:12:00.001Z

Scientists claim to have found a link between coffee consumption and a reduced risk of advanced prostate cancer.

While it is too early for doctors to start advising their male patients to take up the habit of regular coffee drinking, data presented at the American Association for Cancer Research Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research Conference revealed a strong inverse association between coffee consumption and the risk of advanced prostate cancers.

In the study led by Kathryn Wilson, a postdoctoral fellow at the Channing Laboratory, Harvard Medical School and the Harvard School of Public Health, researchers found that men who drank the most coffee had a 60 per cent lower risk of aggressive cancer than those who did not drink any coffee.

'Coffee has effects on insulin and glucose metabolism as well as sex hormone levels, all of which play a role in prostate cancer. It was plausible that there may be an association between coffee and prostate cancer,' said Dr Wilson.

This is the first study of its kind to look at both overall risk of prostate cancer and risk of localised, advanced and lethal disease.

'Few studies have looked prospectively at this association, and none have looked at coffee and specific prostate cancer outcomes,' Dr Wilson revealed.

'We specifically looked at different types of prostate cancer, such as advanced versus localised cancers or high-grade versus low-grade cancers.'

However, caffeine itself is not the key factor in this association, Dr Wilson claimed. The researchers are unsure which components of the beverage are most important, as coffee contains many biologically active compounds such as antioxidants and minerals.

'Very few lifestyle factors have been consistently associated with prostate cancer risk, especially with risk of aggressive disease, so it would be very exciting if this association is confirmed in other studies,' said Dr Wilson.

'Our results do suggest there is no reason to stop drinking coffee out of any concern about prostate cancer.'

The researchers hope this association might also improve their understanding of the biology of prostate cancer and possible chemoprevention measures.
_________________________________________________________

Daily aspirin "not for healthy"

2010-03-16T13:08:00.002Z

“Healthy people who take aspirin in the hope of preventing a heart attack or stroke are doing themselves more harm than good,” The Daily Telegraph reported.

It said that healthy people who take a low dose of daily aspirin to reduce their risk of a heart attack are also increasing their likelihood of major internal bleeding.

The news is based on a study in almost 30,000 men and women aged between 50 and 75 without known heart disease. It found that taking 100mg aspirin daily almost doubled the risk of dangerous internal bleeding compared to dummy pills (placebo), while having no effect on heart attacks or strokes.

The Telegraph report is accurate. This well-conducted study suggests that the risks and benefits of aspirin are both small in this group of patients at low risk of vascular disease. Though it is possible that the risks outweigh the benefits neither outcome reached statistical significance.

There are other groups of patients who are at higher vascular risk, for example, those with high blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes, who may benefit from aspirin. People taking aspirin following a heart attack or stroke should continue to do so as instructed.
_________________________________________________________

Blood pressure changes before stroke

2010-03-15T19:21:00.000Z

“Swings in blood pressure ‘could better predict stroke than average high readings’,” reported The Daily Telegraph. The paper reported that “variations in people’s blood pressure rather than the average level predicts stroke most powerfully”.

The news story was based on a collection of studies published in The Lancet. The authors have presented a compelling argument that fluctuations in blood pressure may help to predict the risk of vascular events such as stroke.

As mentioned in an accompanying editorial published in the same journal, it is important to point out that the authors are not questioning the validity of using average blood pressure to predict risk, but are suggesting that variable blood pressure could also be used as a supplementary indicator of increased risk.

At this stage, further evidence needs to be presented that fluctuating blood pressure can be used in this way before guidelines on identifying cardiac risk would be updated. Patients should not stop taking their blood pressure medication, but should consult their GP if they have any queries regarding it.
_________________________________________________________

Dislocated shoulders show trend

2010-03-15T19:16:00.001Z

Young males face the biggest risk of shoulder dislocations, the majority of which occur during sports activities, new research has confirmed.

A dislocated shoulder occurs when the ball of the upper arm bone, or 'humerus', becomes displaced from the joint socket, usually during a traumatic injury.

A new study in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery looked at 8,940 patients who visited hospital emergency departments in the US between 2002 and 2006 with a dislocated shoulder.

Researchers found that 71.8 per cent of all dislocations occurred in men and nearly half affected people between the ages of 15 and 29.

Analysis revealed that 48.3 per cent of dislocations happened during sports or recreational activities, with a significant proportion of these relating to basketball.

However, the research indicated that elderly women also face a significant risk of shoulder dislocations.

Study co-author Dr Brett Owens, orthopaedic surgeon at Keller Army Hospital in New York, observed: 'We were not too surprised to find the high number of young males dislocating their shoulders during athletic activity.

'However, the rate of shoulder dislocations among elderly women was higher than we had previously assumed.'
_________________________________________________________

AED lack puts football fans at risk

2010-03-15T19:14:00.003Z

Many football stadia in Europe do not have defibrillators to treat spectators who suffer a heart attack, new research in the European Heart Journal has found.

A study of 187 top sporting venues in ten countries found that more than a quarter did not have on-site defibrillators and even more had no medical action plans or CPR training programmes in place.

The study authors claimed that the lack of preparedness was probably due to poor attention to safety procedures rather than financial constraints, as they had only looked at top clubs with good resources.

Researcher Mats Borjesson, associate professor of cardiology at Sweden's Sahlgrenska Academy, commented: 'At present, there are no formal recommendations about cardiovascular safety procedures at sports arenas in Europe and there still appears to be a lack of knowledge in the non-medical part of the sport.

'Both education and recommendations in this regard are needed.'

Ellen Mason, a spokeswoman for the British Heart Foundation, told the BBC that early access to a defibrillator 'increases the chance of survival' in the event of a heart attack.
_________________________________________________________

Liquid detergent capsules cause eye injuries

2010-03-15T19:13:00.000Z

Doctors have warned of a recent wave of eye injuries caused by children coming into contact with the liquid inside detergent capsules.

The capsules accounted for 40 per cent of eye chemical injuries in under-fives at the Western Eye Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust in London last year.

Furthermore, Rashmi Mathew and Melanie Corbett revealed that Guy's and St Thomas' Poisons Unit received 192 enquiries relating to liquid detergent capsules during 2007-08.

Although the majority of relevant cases of eye injury are treated without further complications, the doctors revealed that one child seen recently sustained extensive burns to the cornea, as their eye was not flushed out with sterile water until they reached the emergency department.

Writing in the British Medical Journal, the study authors noted that some manufacturers have made their hazard labels more prominent.

'But greater consumer awareness is required to reduce injury,' they warned.

'Such concentrated cleaning products must be kept out of the reach of children and immediate irrigation is crucial to reduce the risk of clinically significant injury.'

The Western Eye Hospital is internationally renowned and is the only facility in west London to offer 24-hour emergency eye care.
_________________________________________________________

New hope for migraine sufferers

2010-03-15T19:11:00.000Z

People who suffer from debilitating migraine headaches may benefit from a new device that fires magnetic pulses to the back of the head.

The device uses a technique called single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation and has been tested on 201 patients at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York.

Participants were given a portable device and told to apply two pulses 30 seconds apart as soon as they started to experience aura symptoms.

Aura affects around 20 to 30 per cent of migraine sufferers and involves neurological symptoms such as lights or lines in front of the eyes and tingling or numbness.

A total of 164 patients used their devices to treat at least one migraine and 39 per cent of those using the technique were pain-free after two hours, compared with just 22 per cent of patients who used a 'sham' device.

The findings are published in the Lancet Neurology journal and suggest that many patients may benefit from the technique.

Writing in an accompanying comment, Dr Hans-Christoph Diener from University Hospital Essen in Germany claimed that the therapy could be a 'major step forward' in the treatment of migraine with aura.
_________________________________________________________

Mental health programme helped hundreds after bombings

2010-03-15T19:08:00.000Z

Hundreds of survivors of the 2005 London bombings have been helped by a new mental health outreach programme, a report suggests.

The results of the programme, which are published in the journal Psychological Medicine, indicate that similar schemes should always be instigated in the aftermath of terrorist attacks.

Clinical psychologists targeted nearly 1,000 survivors after the 7/7 bombings, reaching potential patients by searching through hospital treatment records, police witness files and GP referrals.

More than one-third of people contacted by the programme needed treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder - yet just four per cent had been referred for treatment by their GPs.

This means that the vast majority would not have received the support they needed without the existence of the outreach programme.

Lead author Professor Chris Brewin, from the University College London department of clinical, educational & health psychology, commented: 'If this programme hadn't existed then there would be hundreds of people still suffering from post-traumatic stress or other psychological problems as a result of the 2005 terrorist attack.

'This study highlights that there are some extreme situations when relying on GPs and the primary care mechanism doesn't work.'

Fifty-six people died in the 2005 London bombings and a further 700 were injured.
_________________________________________________________

New number for non-emergency healthcare

2010-03-15T18:57:00.001Z

A new national phone number will be launched to cater for people who require non-emergency healthcare.

The free three-digit number - 111 - will enable patients to access non-emergency healthcare throughout the day and night, providing them with appropriate advice and information or re-routing them to a local service.

In doing so, the new number will provide an alternative for patients whose condition is not life-threatening, but who still require medical help.

Health minister Mike O'Brien explained: 'Patients have told us that they need clear, easy advice on how to find healthcare quickly when it's less urgent than 999 and I am delighted that Ofcom has allocated 111 for these purposes.'

The minister noted that the memorable number will 'provide more choice for patients to find the care they need', adding that it will be 'particularly useful outside of GP surgery hours and for people who are away from home'.

Patients calling 111 will be assessed before receiving clinical advice if they have a minor illness or injury.

Those needing to see a GP will be given details of their nearest centre, while patients who are deemed to need emergency care will be passed to the ambulance service.

NHS Direct will still operate as usual, while 999 will remain the number to call for emergency assistance.

The new number was recommended by Lord Ara Darzi in his review of the NHS.

Following his suggestion, Ofcom launched a consultation in July 2009 to see whether it would be a welcome move.
_________________________________________________________

Links added

2010-03-13T11:11:00.000Z

We have added some useful links which you can find on the right hand side of the blog page.

All sorts of stuff covering common conditions, HSE guidance and links to UK organisations.

We hope you find them useful.
_________________________________________________________

Course schedule

2010-03-13T10:01:00.003Z

We have now installed an online course schedule calendar, so you can see at a glance what's coming up and where the courses will be held.

To have a look at the schedule now, just click on the link.
_________________________________________________________

That will do nicely!

2010-03-13T10:00:00.007Z

We are now able to take payment by all major credit and debit cards and also via Paypal.

When paying by credit/debit card, we will telephone you to take payment over the phone, which means your payment is secure.

If paying by Paypal, we will provide details when confirming your booking to you so that you can make payment easily.

_________________________________________________________

First Aid for Parents course

2010-03-12T16:34:00.005Z

We are running a First Aid for Parents course over two evenings on 8th and 15th April (those are Thursdays) between 7pm and 10pm.

The course will be running at the Meadowside Centre, Whiteley and lasts 6 hours.

The cost is only £39 per person (normally £49 per person) and covers the following:-

• scene assessment and rescuer safety
• barrier use
• the chain of survival
• primary assessment
• rescue breathing - baby, child, adult
• cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) - baby, child, adult
• serious bleeding
• spinal injuries
• conscious choking baby, child, adult
• fits and seizures
• anaphylactic shock
• injury assessment
• bandaging
• scenario practice

You can book online via the website at www.1stresponder.co.uk/pages/booking.htm
_________________________________________________________

The first post ...

2010-03-12T16:21:00.005Z

Through the medium of the tinterweb, we are proud to bring you the 1st Responder blog!

As another way of reaching out to our customers, we think it's an ideal way to post up news, events, courses and other interesting stuff - well stuff that we think you might find interesting anyway!

As this is the first post, we thought that this would be an appropriate image ...

Well OK, that was a bit cheesy.

We hope you will keep coming back to see what's new and what we've been up to.

_________________________________________________________

1st Responder

Study reveals financial impact of stroke

Don't overlook that presistent cough

Pioneering therapy to treat high blood pressure

Blood test may predict risk of heart failure

New drug to reduce clot risk in patients with irregular heartbeat

Southampton hospital reveals rise in Rickets

Vapour rubs improve sleep in children with colds

Health information websites save NHS money

UK organ transplants reach record high

Study suggests new stroke drug target

Resuscitation Council - 2010 guideline changes

Aspirin and heart attacks - the truth

Bacteria linked to asthma in children

October marks start of UK flu season

Successful surgery may reduce stroke risk

Call for bolder action on organ donation

Study may pave way for better asthma treatment

Campaign to raise awareness of early signs of cancer

Stockings to help prevent blood clots

High dose aspirin "effective" against severe headaches

Two popular supplements are "ineffective but harmless"

Campaign to reduce medicine wastage

Experts develop early meningitis detection tool

Plaintain fibre may fight Crohn's Disease

Salt on your salad Sir?

Holidaymakers urged to get correct jabs

New non-emergency NHS number

Lunchtime sun may put you at risk

Sunbed users should protect eyes

Statins not a guarantee against heart disease

Child asthma peak in September

New NHS guidance for food allergies in children

Malaria risk for Britons visiting relatives overseas

High-heeled shoes bad for your hips and knees

Meningitis risk may be increased by gene

Tongue piercing may cause gaps in teeth

Large waist linked to greater risk of death

Public urged to be aware of carbon monoxide dangers

Stroke patients missing out on life-saving surgery

Nearly half of Britons not interested in life-saving equipment

Is your AED cooking nicely?

Tea tree oil may provide skin cancer treatment

"No evidence" that A&E target improves care

Lack of fitness does not lead to fatness

Botox to treat migraine?

Sharing your sneeze?

Weight loss may ease menopause symptoms

Parents warned not to use spoons for giving medicine

Asthma suffers face discrimination

Serious failings at out of hours provider

Workplace bullying can effect mental health

Flu jabs may be "thing of the past"

How safe are sunbeds?

Guinness may help reduce heart attacks

Brush your teeth for a healthier heart

Swansea player dies at only 22 years old

Honour for pair who saved boss

Universal AED sign unveiled

Statement on the training required to use an Automated External Defibrillator

Man survives 47 minutes in cardiac arrest

Pocket CPR for your iPhone

"Heart Risk" at football stadiums

Aspirin linked to increased risk of Crohn's Disease

Stressful jobs increase women's heart disease risk

Blood fat linked to increased heart risk

Don't pander to fussy eaters

Meningitis vaccine may "wear off"

Scientists discover new genetic clues to breast cancer

Measures to manage IBS

Causes

Symptoms

Know the cause

Over-the-counter medicines

Antidepressants

Alternative treatments

How to make your home healthy

PetsWe are a nation of pet lovers, and we keep around seven million cats and six million dogs.

The solution

Double glazing

Pets

We are a nation of pet lovers, and we keep around seven million cats and six million dogs.