Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cause a variety of diseases in humans and other animals. In 2019 the COVID-19 strain was discovered in Wuhan, Eastern China, and to date has caused 2,912 deaths within the mainland.
Further outbreaks in Iran, Italy and South Korea led the World Health Organisation to designate Covid-19 a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC). UK Chief Medical Officers have raised the risk to the UK from low to moderate. [Read more…]
People and their health histories are always completely unique and very complex. It is rare that patients get the opportunity to talk through all aspects of their health and share all their concerns. In my nutrition and lifestyle consultations, I want to offer patients the opportunity to talk at length about all aspects of their health, both past and present, mental and physical, as well as their lifestyle. [Read more…]
Short days and damp, dark conditions can leave anyone feeling a little gloomy. Being SAD is a well-documented phenomenon that occurs in conjunction with changes in season. This winter depression is also known as Seasonal Affective Disorder.
The winter months not only affect our mood but can also cause a physical effect due to the lack of sunlight. Sunlight exposure stimulates the hypothalamus (the area of the brain, which controls circadian rhythm). When this does not work in rhythm, your sleep pattern is disturbed and in turn, results in a physical disturbance. [Read more…]
January is a great time to boost your health. Thousands of us each year will take on a challenge. Whether that be dry January, Veganuary or just investing in a gym membership.
Whatever it is this year, what better way to start than knowing where you stand, with a full health check!
Many people will have over-indulged during the festive season, impacting on your health and your waistline. In fact, both heart attacks and strokes tend to peak at this time of year due to overindulging AND Christmas stress. More reason to take hold of your health! [Read more…]
At the end of October and the beginning of November each year we bring infertility to the foreground. National Fertility Week raises awareness of infertility and conveys the issues faced by want-to-be parents here in the UK. [Read more…]
Due to incomplete vaccination coverage thought out the UK, diseases such as whooping cough, diphtheria and meningitis are predicted to rise once more. London having the lowest MMR vaccination rate at just 83%.
Unicef research places Britain third worst among high-income countries for the number of children left unvaccinated.
The Menopause has had some well deserved political and media coverage recently. But is this “taboo subject” really getting the attention it needs?
Here we look at what “the change” really means on an individual basis, and how you can manage your menopause with a little help from your trusted doctor.
The menopause describes a time in a woman’s life when the female oestrogen hormone levels decline. The average age ranges normally from about 45-55 but some women will experience this a lot earlier or a lot later. With this, a whole spectrum of symptoms may occur and can affect each woman differently, or not at all.
Women experience the menopause in widely varying ways, however, every 8 in 10 women can suffer a number of these symptoms before, during, or even after menopause.
The menopause usually occurs between the ages of 45-55. IN the UK, the average age is 51, however there are cases of premature menopause which can affect women before 40 years. Early menopause is defined as perimenopause before the age of 45.
Perimenopause refers to the period of time right before menopause begins.
It is difficult to determine when the perimenopause begins, due to multiple factors taken into account when trying to confirm diagnosis. Many doctors will normally make a clinical diagnosis based on symptoms, erratic periods and rarely will need to order other tests. evaluate using period patterns and the superficial symptoms such difficulty sleeping.
Blood tests can be taken to measure levels of the reproductive hormone known as FSH, although this is not a very reliable blood test as levels are normal during the menopause.
If you have stopped having a menstrual cycle completely, for 12 consecutive months, you can be assured you have now entered menopause. Perimenopause can take a 2 – 8 year cycle before menopause then starts.
If a woman has a total hysterectomy whereby her ovaries have been removed, this will cause the lady to go into menopause. Dependent on her age, hormone replacement therapy may be indicated.
However if both ovaries are left intact you may still have the ability to produce hormones and therefore experience menopause naturally.
In some cases, a hysterectomy can cause ovarian failure, within two years of surgery.
Chemotherapy can also accelerate ovarian decline, resulting in menopause.
On average, Menopause will last 4-5 years, with most symptoms tailing off towards the end.
What should I be doing to help with menopause symptoms?
There are many things you can try to help reduce the symptoms both medical and with simple day to day adjustments.
If you feel that you are struggling with the effects menopause can bring, advice and support is available here at our clinic.
Organisations would be forced to introduce a menopause workplace policy, which would include training so managers understand the physical and psychological changes in a female employee.
According to reports one quarter of women polled had to leave a job due to menopause.
Flexible working hours and a better support system is thought to give equality within the workplace, as well as, helping end the stigma in the workplace.
Want to discuss HRT? For general enquiries book in today to see our doctors who are all qualified to help.
When we think about STI’s we automatically link it with a much younger generation, after all, with age comes wisdom. Well, at least you would like to think so.
Unfortunately, as wise as the older generation can be, they can also be complacent, believing everyone of a certain age would practise safe sex.
Currently in England, both girls and boys are offered the HPV vaccine between 12 and 13 years of age. Vaccinating before our young adults become sexually active is very important but not necessary.
Although HPV is usually passed from person to person by sexual contact, studies have found HPV around fingers, hands, mouths and genitals (providing all the more reason to protect teenagers!)
Many of our patients ask about the HPV vaccine for adults, so here we cover off some of the questions we are regularly asked about HPV.
Adults who are already sexually active, or have already contracted the Human Papillomavirus may find the vaccine is less effective in preventing the contraction of the same HPV strain again later in life.
However, it can protect you from other strains and potentially reduce your risk of HPV-related cancers.
99.7% of cervical cancers are caused by infection with high-risk HPV.
Your immune system can usually fend off high risk HPV, leaving your body to recover without treatment. BUT, in some cases the Human Papillomavirus does not leave the body and over the years the infection transforms normal cells into precancerous lesions or cancer.
HPV is very common, however, there are 100 different strains which can cause variation in symptoms.
Most HPV strains can cause common warts or verrucas which appear around the hands and feet. Gential HPV can affect the head, neck and anus as well as produce genital warts.
Unfortunately, high risk HPV normally goes undetected. That’s why regular checkups are so important.
The lack of symptoms, leave most people not knowing they are infected, making it even more important to be immunised against the virus.
There are some who are at greater risk than others and we would highly recommend the HPV vaccination to those people who fall into one of these categories –
Currently in the clinic we use the new Gardasil 9 Vaccine. Gardasil 9 is currently only available privately in the UK.
Unlike Gardasil which is used in the NHS and only protects against 4 types of HPV, Gardasil 9 protects against 9 sub-types of HPV including 7 high risk strains and will protect against approximately 90% of cervical cancers.
Like all immunizations which protect us against viruses, Gardasil 9 stimulates the body to produce antibodies that bind to the virus and prevent it from infecting cells.
The vaccine does not contain any live virus and does not cause cancer or other HPV-related illnesses.
Gardasil 9 was studied in more than 13,000 females and males before being made available. The studies showed the vaccine was almost 100% effective and so it was registered for use.
There is no proof that any one person is not eligible to have the HPV vaccine however, it is best to consult your doctor first if you are –
It is also best to check yours or your children’s medical history as you may already be up to date with your vaccinations.
Gardasil is provided free in schools for girls and boys aged 12–13 years as part of the National HPV Vaccination Program.
However if you want to further protect yourself or your child then we can provide you with the Gardasil 9 vaccine.
It is important to note, the HPV vaccination does not protect against other STI’s such as Chlamydia. Safe sex, even if you are immunised, is always important.
This month we celebrate our LGBT community, taking a look at lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender history. Not forgetting Gay pride!. LGBT History Month originated in the United States, and always celebrated in October to coincide with ‘National Coming Out Day’. We have chosen June this year to celebrate and commemorate the 1969 Stonewall riots. [Read more…]
