Food allergies and anaphylaxis

food

An allergic reaction occurs when the body’s immune system reacts inappropriately in response to the presence of a substance that it wrongly perceives as a threat. The body doesn’t react to the irritant directly, but to the histamine released by cells damaged through the immune response on subsequent exposure.  Anaphylactic shock is an extreme allergic […]

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Your marathon survival guide

marathon

Marathon day is almost here.  You will have trained for months, dedicating hundreds of hours to pounding the pavements in preparation for the colossal feat of running the 26.2 miles.  It truly is an amazing challenge, so we’ve come up with some top tips to help you plan ahead and make the most of this […]

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Top tips for those watching the London Marathon

the London

Top tips for those watching the London Marathon – It’s a big date for the 40,000 people who run the 26 miles, but equally it’s a big day out for tens of thousands of friends, family members and supporters who come to central London to cheer the runners on. Although lot of focus (rightly) goes […]

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Heart attacks and cardiac arrest

attacks and

Heart attacks can happen to anyone, of any age. Although they are more likely to occur in older people. In the UK there are over 200,000 hospital visits each year due to heart attacks: that’s 1 every 3 minutes. More than 30,000 out of hospital cardiac arrests (when the heart stops beating effectively) occur in […]

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Childhood diseases: How to identify them

disease

Childhood diseases: How to identify them: Following the recent rise in Strep A and Scarlet Fever cases, this article will help you quickly identify common childhood diseases. How to recognise and treat mumps, measles, scarlet fever and hand foot and mouth.  People of any age can catch mumps, it is an unpleasant disease, but can […]

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How to enjoy a flipping good pancake day

pancake

Pancake day traditionally started to use up luxury ingredients prior to Lent. However, now it has now become a great family celebration. Statistics have revealed that frighteningly this one evening is often responsible for more people requiring hospital treatment for burns than on Bonfire night. By the end of the evening more than 250 people […]

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Staying safe whilst skiing

skiing

Skiing is a great option for a fun and active family holiday however the adrenaline rush is not without risks! Here are some tips to ensure you stay as safe as possible, keeping everyone warm, happy and healthy and some practical first aid tips should things go wrong. Prevention is key and it is vital […]

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How to treat a fever

fever

What is a fever? A part of the brain known as the hypothalamus controls body temperature, which usually varies very slightly throughout the day from the normal temperature of 37C (anything between 36.1 and 37.2 are still in the normal range). It is thought that in response to an infection, illness, or some other cause, the […]

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How to survive cold weather

During the winter months it is important to protect yourself from the dangers of cold weather. The elderly, frail and very young are at most risk, however, anyone can suffer from hypothermia and it can be very serious. Alcohol makes people more susceptible to hypothermia as it affects their ability to regulate their own body […]

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