Every year, thousands of people in the UK get a bout of cold, (which is not the same as influenza), but can still leave you feeling unwell for 7-10 days. This year, there seems to be a particularly nasty version doing the rounds – the Queen has only just recovered after weeks of staying indoors at Sandringham […]
Last month, the UK government published draft legislation for a tax on sugar-sweetened drinks, which is set to begin from April 2018. The rate has yet to be set but it is hoped the move will help tackle the nation’s obesity problem. What is clear, however, is that the drinks industry is seeking to make any levy […]
With increased awareness among the general public regarding obesity, many people are looking to adopt healthier lifestyles. But, despite our best intentions, it’s all too easy to set about this in the wrong way. Initiatives like JanUary, the annual campaign by the National Obesity Forum, help to ensure our self-improvement drive doesn’t go to waste, […]
Health professionals are at the forefront of tackling the problem of alcohol misuse in our society. For many people, problem drinking may only be flagged up when they go to see their GP on another matter or attend A&E in a crisis. It’s an ongoing project at the Medical Council on Alcohol to educate medical professionals […]
In our clinics, the majority of injuries we see are caused by prolonged static inactivity, not acute trauma, often caused by people sitting at their desks for hours at a time without moving. Studies show that two thirds of office workers now even eat lunch at their desks, and nearly a quarter of us work […]
Read More… from Going back to work can be a pain in the neck – literally
The EU sugar market has long been regulated by quotas which imposed limits on production of beet sugar. However, since September 30th, production and export restrictions have been lifted as part of the Common Agricultural Policy reforms. European sugar groups are now able to produce and export as much as they want. Traders have already […]
As a half-Asian woman married to a French man, I appreciate how different countries and cultures have different attitudes to being a woman and in particular, the focus and extent to which we look after our bodies after having a baby. We focus so much on giving birth and too often forget the changes our […]
Read More… from No more squeamishness about pelvic floor exercises
Wheelchair travel by land, sea and sky; easier would it be that a camel pass through a needle’s eye. The holiday companies cheerily name themselves ‘Accessible Travel’ and ‘Can Be Done’ to tempt the disabled traveller, and, to be true, they do provide an exceptional service. Beyond their control, however, are the planes, trains and […]
Hepatitis B is a devastating virus that infects around 250 million people worldwide and is endemic proportions in parts of Africa. Left untreated, it can cause cirrhosis, liver cancer and early death. Tackling the spread of this virus is essential and vaccination programmes have been started in many countries since 1990 including the Gambia, with […]
Most people in Britain enjoy drinking in moderation and use it to good effect as a social glue and superlative relaxant. But think about alcohol and your teenage children, and suddenly you want to put the Pimms in a locked box and throw away the key. Or you go all French and offer them watered […]