Boosting empathy-based medicine
An article in the Hippocratic post that warns that a move to digitising our interactions with clinicians needs to bring patient and doctor closer together, not form a barrier.
Fight Pain with Food
Originally published in the Hippocratic Post written by Salma Khan, this article suggests several foods that might help with pain suppression. There is some evidence that all of these foods have some inflammation & pain relieving properties but of course just as for medication taken in pills and capsules, dose is important and the amount you might get from any of these foods is probably quite variable. If you are going to try these food to relieve chronic pain it would be best to have your prescription medication close to hand to use if needed.
Allergies that start in adulthood
Article originally written for the Hippocratic Post
Dr Adrian Morris is an allergy specialist and he explains why we think adults suddenly become allergic to pollen or foods or mites long after most people become allergic as children and the risk increases with increasing age. The outcome can be asthma, eczema or food allergies.
When we are a child and growing up our immune systems are rapidly developing and reacting to our environment so perhaps it is not too surprising when that is the time of our lives most of us acquire allergies & asthma, often after prolonged or repeated exposure to a particular allergen. Once our immune systems mature though this is clearly a much less common phenomenon affecting around 4 in 1000 adults who get asthma as adults.
So I Can Breathe
Air pollution is a massive problem throughout the world, known to cause millions of premature deaths due to respiratory disease, heart disease, stroke and much more including cancer.
Following baby noses for clues about asthma
Scientists in the UK have made a preliminary finding that the cells taken from the noses of newborn babies react differently to being stimulated by various irritants known to be asthma triggers. Those that react quickly tend to be from babies who do not go on the develop asthma, and those who respond more slowly did tend to develop asthma. This suggests that there is either a genetic difference between the babies that causes this difference in response or something happens to them while still in their mothers wombs.
We already know that differences in mothers diet has an impact on their children developing asthma and this may be one outcome. Later in life an asthmatic childs airway lining cells are linked to asthma symptoms.
As a result of this interesting study a new study has been launched to test the airway cells of 1000 new born babies in a bid to prove that this observation remains true when testing many more children.
The authors stated:
“Something is happening pre-birth which predisposes them to being susceptible to asthma and then something else occurs after birth which results in them developing asthmatic symptoms. In other words, having these poor responding nose cells puts the bullet in the gun, but doesn’t pull the trigger. We can’t stop the bullet going in the gun but we can maybe look at what it is that pulls the trigger.
“We were the first researchers to use new-born babies’ nose cells in this way and it will be interesting to see if we can identify what is different between the children that go on to develop asthma, and those that don’t.”
Read the original article here
Submitted by GAtherton on Thu, 2017-02-09 14:30
A Sense of Purpose Can Keep You Healthy
Research is showing us the importance of having a purpose in life.
This article was originally written for the New Scientist Journal by Teal Burrell
SOMETHING to live for. This simple idea is at the heart of our greatest stories, driving our heroes on. It is the thread from which more complex philosophies are woven. As Nietzsche once wrote, “He who has a why to live for can bear almost any how”.
Which foods can improve your gut bacteria?
In this series the team of BBC journalists and doctors investigate the truth behind a variety of different health topics that have recently been highlighted in the media. For example they regularly test which diets intended to lose weight actually work the best by carrying out simple experiments with volunteers. The experiments are generally well designed though often involve too few people to be 'proper' science - and the presenters point this out. Their aim is to inform us better on how we can improve our health without any commercial bias.
British Heart Foundation – 10 minute living room workout
We know that 10-15 mins exercise every day is important to maintain lung health - it really can stop your lungs deteriorating if you have a chronic lung infection as it exercises your lungs, ribcage muscles and diaphragm. The British Heart Foundation have published this short video to help with a gentle 10 min workout you can do in your living room. If in doubt consult your doctor before starting.
Submitted by GAtherton on Mon, 2017-01-30 17:11
Aspergillosis Survivor Reaches the South Pole
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Chris Brooke has survived aspergillosis, had 40% of one of his lungs removed and has proved that deep serious fungal infections need not limit your life outlook.
It should be mentioned that as Chris had surgery he was one of the lucky few who can have the part of their lung removed that is infected with the fungus Aspergillus. Many of those patients recover very well from such a serious operation but we have never heard of one quite so ambitious as Chris before!
Sadly most people who have an Aspergillus infection of their lung cannot be operated on like this and rely on effective management of the infection using antifungal drugs. There is still much to be done to give the quality of life back to those people that Chris now enjoys.
Article originally written by Andrew Cain for the Crewe Chronicle
A Paramedic from Crewe is one of five army reservists who took part in an epic and unique memorial service for a fellow adventurer.
Chris Brooke, a paramedic from Crewe who now lives in Birmingham, is one of five who completed an Antarctic expedition in memory of Henry Worsley, who aimed to complete the first ever solo unsupported and unassisted crossing of the Antarctic landmass.
Henry was airlifted off the ice just 120 miles short of completing his attempt and sadly died on January 24, 2016.
So Chris, along with fellow reservists Lou Rudd, Ollie Stoten, Alex Brazier and Jamie Facer-Childs, aimed to complete Henry’s planned route by January 17 after holding a memorial service for him at the Shackleton Glacier.
The achievement is particularly remarkable for Chris, who had 40% of his right lung removed after suffering from aspergillosis.
The latest expedition, called South Pole Expedition Army Reserves (SPEAR17), was led by Lou, who reached the South Pole on a previous expedition with Henry in 2012.
Before setting out, Lou said: “The memorial service will be a special part of the expedition. Travelling the second part of this route from the Pole has been incredibly challenging, and Henry has been very much in our thoughts as we faced everything Antarctica could throw at us.
“Henry’s wife Joanna has given us her blessing and I know Henry would have appreciated the idea too.”
The team set out from the coastline of Antarctica in November last year, reaching the South Pole on Christmas Day. They then continued across the continent – a route completed by just six people in history.
During the trek Lou added: “Once we reached the Pole, five of the original six were medically fit to continue and we are now within 140 miles of reaching the Ross Ice Shelf, our planned pick-up point and the end of our journey.
“Our route was changed when Henry sadly died, and the last 400 miles were in honour of Henry. We intend to complete his last journey.
“More people have landed on the moon than have walked across the continent of Antarctica. We are following in the footsteps of explorers like Shackleton and Scott.
“My friend and fellow adventurer Henry joins those Polar greats as he tested himself to the limits of endurance. In Henry’s memory, we are setting out to finish what he started.”
The expedition also raised money for ABF The Soldier’s Charity, the national charity of the British Army, to raise awareness and funds as a consequence of the trip and hoped to raise £100,000.
To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/spear17.
Submitted by GAtherton on Wed, 2017-01-25 14:20
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