Innholdsfortegnelse for September 2019 i Woman's Weekly Living Series

Blocked circulation This is more common in older people. The retinal artery can be blocked by blood clots (from the heart or neck carotid artery), hardening or inflammation of the arteries, blood conditions and drugs, such as the oral contraceptive pill. This produces sudden painless sight loss, sometimes with early warning symptoms. Immediate drugs or surgery may rescue your sight, and you’ll need treatment for the cause. Retinal vein blockage is more common if you smoke, have raised eyeball pressure, blood pressure or cholesterol levels, or diabetes/blood-clotting problems. Vision loss is painless and may improve with injections, laser therapy and treatment for underlying conditions. A stroke affecting the visual cortex also causes you to lose one ‘side’ of your vision and possibly a drooping mouth or movement/speech difficulties. Retinal detachment…

Q: What are the biggest risks for my dog this summer? A The biggest problem is still people leaving their dog in the car in hot weather. With all the publicity there has been about this, I’m sure every dog owner is aware of the risks, but many people still don’t realise just how quickly things can go wrong, even on an overcast day. Sadly, I have seen the results of this myself first hand. If you will need to leave the dog, even for a couple of minutes, it’s best not to take them with you at all. And remember, it’s not just cars – a conservatory, shed or greenhouse can be equally dangerous environments. Q: My dog still needs to be taken for a walk on hot days,…

1 Maintain a healthy weight – less work for your lungs, and may reduce body inflammation. 2 Eat a balanced diet, including rainbow fruit and vegetables for vitamins and minerals. 3 Exercise within your abilities – getting pink and slightly puffed can improve lung fitness. 4 Don’t smoke – it’s bad for your lungs, heart and other organs. Get help from nhs.uk. 5 Keep a symptom diary to identify allergens, such as house dust, pets, food and drink. 6 Wear a face mask for DIY and keep windows open if using household chemicals. Follow safety precautions at work. 7 Avoid asbestos when doing DIY or at work. Visit hse.gov.uk/asbestosfor more advice.…

CALM ANXIETY Lack of sleep can lead to an excess of the stress hormone cortisol, which may increase glucose intolerance, belly fat and even weaken muscles and the immune system. Taking a nap can help the release of the growth hormone – an antidote to cortisol, which helps boost immunity and reduce stress and anxiety. SNOOZE TIP: For the most restorative nap, always snooze in a quiet, dark room (darkness stimulates the sleep hormone melatonin), at a comfortable room temperature with few distractions. Lie down if you can as it’s usually harder and not so restful to nod off when you’re sitting upright. You might also want to use a blanket to keep you warm as your body temperature drops when you sleep. TRY THESE PRE-NAP SNACKS Cheese and crackers…

Just 15 minutes a day of sunshine on bare arms and face can boost our mood and vitamin D levels, but longer exposure can burn our skin, or encourage wrinkles, age spots, skin cancer and sight loss. Wrap-around sunglasses (look for the CE mark) protect against cataracts and age-related macular degeneration, as well as pollen, if you’re a hay fever sufferer. Choose a sunscreen with five-star protection against UVA (ultraviolet A) and a high SPF (sun protection factor) up to 50 for UVB. Apply it generously before going out, and top up regularly and after swimming. Add a broad-brimmed hat and loose cover-up clothing in natural fibres, but stay in the shade between 11am and 3pm when the sun’s hottest. If you get sunburnt, or develop prickly heat (a raised…

It’s an infuriating milestone – the day you look down and notice a growing spare tyre. Blame your hormones. As levels fall, so does your metabolism, so you burn less energy and store more fat. Thanks to falling oestrogen and progesterone around menopause, extra fat is stored around your middle. Falling hormones also lead to a reduction in muscle mass. And, because muscle tissue burns glucose in your body, a reduced amount means more glucose being stored as fat around your tummy. But it’s not just how it looks that matters. Excess belly fat has been linked to an increased risk of some cancers, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. So, what can you do? MANAGE STRESS As stress rises, so do levels of stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline, which provide you…

Migraine affects one in five women, and causes a loss of an estimated 25 million working days each year. But it isn’t just a bad headache – migraine can have body-wide effects, and produces abnormalities in brain signals, blood vessels and chemistry, although the process isn’t fully understood. The causes Migraine can start in childhood, but is often most common in midlife; also there may be a genetic link. Women’s hormones play a major role in triggering the condition – migraines are often worse leading up to a period, but may improve during pregnancy or after the menopause. But a range of factors can trigger an attack. The symptoms There are two main types – migraine with aura and migraine without it. Auras are early warning symptoms, and may include…

With more than 55,000 new cases (including 400 men) each year, almost one in eight women will face this diagnosis. Rates have increased by a fifth since the 1990s (although they’re slowing down). Around a quarter may be preventable and almost half occur in women over the age of 65. But survival rates are increasing, too, thanks to earlier diagnosis and better treatments. Almost 90% live at least five years after being diagnosed, while many live for 20 years or more. The causes Environment/lifestyle factors can trigger gene mutations that lead to cancer, but some may be avoidable. Almost one in 10 cases are linked to excessive body weight, possibly because it affects hormone levels. One in 16 are linked to alcohol. Inactivity is another factor; smoking may increase some…

What’s that? It’s an easy fix for dry eye. Pop the Optase Moist Heat Mask (£10.99, Boots) in the microwave for 25 seconds to heat it up then cover your eyes for relief. Also helps styes, cysts and blepharitis. This month it’s... Time to get sun savvy Skin cancer has become increasingly common in the UK over the last decade. Melanoma, a type which can spread to other organs in the body, is now this country’s fifth most common cancer, with 13,500 new cases diagnosed each year and 2,000 deaths. It’s caused by skin cells that begin to develop abnormally because of exposure to UV (ultraviolet) light from the sun and sunbeds. Sudden intense exposure (such as getting sunburnt on holiday) is believed to trigger it and you’re more at…

THE NIGGLE… YOU FEEL EXHAUSTED You need… A relaxing bath Whether you enjoy baths regularly or as a special indulgence, they are the ultimate mix of alone-time  and relaxation! These tips will help you enjoy the experience even more and get you ready to face tomorrow. How to get it right… • Lavender and jasmine essential oils are ideal for adding to a bath before bed. Pour a few drops under the running tap, or lather up with the beautifully scented Korres Lavender Blossom Showergel, £8, and you’ll feel more rested in no time. Neal’s Yard Remedies Seaweed & Arnica Foaming Bath, £15.50, is also restorative when you’re feeling overtired. • If your skin is dry and flaky, or you suffer from Keratosis Pilaris (bumpy ‘chicken skin’) pour a glug…

THIS CHRONIC LUNG DISEASE affects around one in 11 children and adults, and costs the NHS a billion pounds each year. But although many think their asthma control is ‘good enough’, two out of three daily deaths are preventable. Unfortunately, a recent national review showed that sufferers and even health professionals don’t always react quickly enough. Asthma produces inflammation, mucus and narrowing/tightening in tiny airways. This can happen suddenly or be triggered by viruses, moulds, allergies to house dust, animals, or pollen, cold or damp air, exertion, cigarettes, emotions, foods, additives, pollution and many other irritants. It can also run in families, and improve with age, or start in adult life. GETTING THE RIGHT DIAGNOSIS Asthma symptoms vary between people and from time to time. You may have a persistent…

EXMOOR Exmoor is a unique, unassuming corner of the UK which never fails to satisfy, excite or surprise. Straddling the counties of Somerset and Devon, it became a national park in 1954. It may be among the smallest, but what it lacks in size is made up for in beauty and contrast. Like its fictional heroine Lorna Doone, Exmoor is both wild and gentle, and it’s easy to see why author R. D. Blackmore chose the setting for his famous novel. The scenery stirs the imagination, thanks to the coastline of stark cliffs lining the Bristol Channel, wooded valleys, tumbling streams and wild, empty moors. Exmoor, measuring approximately 21 x 15 miles, has it all and is so compact that it’s easy to explore. Unlike other UK national parks, it…

1 Carry sunscreen and a first-aid kit. 2 Steer clear of cattle, especially cows with calves. And if chased, let dogs go – they can make you a target and can run faster than cows (or us). 3 On beaches, be aware of tide times, depth changes, rip tides, warning flags and reflected UV light. 4 If you hear thunder or see lightning, leave higher ground or lakes and head for a building. Don’t shelter under trees or near power lines, or wire or electric fences. 5 Carry drinking water and snacks in case of unexpected delays.…

‘Some experts say it increases a woman’s life expectancy’ Q What’s the latest thinking? A That, far from being a risk to women’s health, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is not only the most effective way to deal with many menopause symptoms, it may actually improve women’s health. Some experts say that oestrogen reduces the risk of heart disease (a bigger threat to women’s health than breast cancer), dementia, osteoporosis and certain cancers – and that it actually increases a woman’s life expectancy. Q What about the breast-cancer risk? A That risk was highlighted in a 2002 study by the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI), which linked HRT to an increased risk of breast cancer, stroke and heart attack. But critics point out that the study was flawed – the breast-cancer risk…

Italian feast Tuscany is renowned for its rustic, hearty food, so why not visit the stunning Italian region to discover its culinary secrets and learn more about its rich cultural heritage? Spend a week learning how to create tasty local specialities including pici, or thick spaghetti, here served with wild boar or rabbit sauce. Visit a winery where you can enjoy a private tasting, and be sure to get lost in Siena’s ancient streets, taking in the medieval architecture of its churches and museums, before retiring to your private villa for a delicious dinner. HOW TO: Flavours holidays offers the seven-night Cooking in Tuscany trip for £1,599pp, including accommodation in a private villa, five cookery lessons, all meals and local wine, visits to local towns, transport throughout and £100 towards…

1 STAND We can spend up to 10 hours a day on our bottoms – and that’s bad news for our hearts. Studies show that – compared to the shortest time spent sitting – the longest time spent sedentary was associated with a 90% increase in death from cardiovascular events. Break up long periods of sitting with short bouts of activity. Set a timer to remind you to move every half hour; get off the sofa during TV ad breaks; or try an activity tracker to monitor your movements. 2 DANCE Research from the University of Sydney found dancing could almost halve your risk of dying from cardiovascular disease. And it doesn’t matter what dance you do as long as you work up a sweat. Both the social and physical…

You’re back from holiday, but it’s not just a tan you’ve acquired. All those buffet breakfasts, poolside cocktails and leisurely meals mean you’ve also gained a few pounds – which may have left you feeling sluggish, rather than refreshed. ‘When you’re on holiday, you’re in a very different routine,’ says nutritional therapist Chris Newbold, who has devised this seven-day post holiday diet to get back into balance and reverse any holiday weight gain. What to do ✿ Get bac k into a routine. This means eating three square meals instead of grazing on snac ks all day. ✿ Eat fresh, quality produce and cut out all processed foods and read y meals. They might be convenient, but they’re full of additives, chemicals and sugars. ✿ Eat plenty of v egetables.…

Our bodies constantly monitor our blood levels of oxygen, carbon dioxide and acidity, adjusting breathing as necessary – for example, when we’re exercising or oxygen levels are low (high altitude). But unexplained rapid or laboured breathing, at rest or on slight exertion, should ring alarm bells. When we inhale, air travels down to the alveolar sacs where oxygen passes into the blood and carbon dioxide is collected for breathing out. Conditions that narrow the airways (such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), damage the alveoli (fibrosis) or target lung tissue (pneumonia, cancer, TB, immune-system disorders, blood clots or toxins) force us to breathe more rapidly. There may be other symptoms such as a cough, wheezing, chest pain, weight loss, blood-stained sputum, sweats or cyanosis (blue lips, tongue or nails). Treatment…

You may be expecting night sweats, hot flushes and mood swings – but what about the other side effects you may not associate with the menopause? We asked menopause expert and nutritional therapist Alison Cullen for some guidance. Thinning hair Why? Falling oestrogen levels affect the growth cycle. Low iron is another trigger, particularly if you’ve had heavy periods over the last few months, and lack of protein, and stress can also have an effect. Fix: Up your intake of protein (fish, lean red meat) and iron (leafy green veg, pumpkin and sunflower seeds, dried apricots, chickpeas and blackcurrants). Use a hair-thickening shampoo. If there’s no improvement after three months, ask your GP to check for low thyroid function. Palpitations Why? Dehydration, excess salt, not enough magnesium, caffeine and sugar…

IT PROTECTS YOUR HEART A study by New England Research Institute found that men who had sex at least twice a week were up to 45% less likely to develop life-threatening heart conditions than men who had sex less than once a month. Another study found that women who had two orgasms a week were up to 30% less likely to have heart disease than those who didn’t. Finally, researchers linked frequent intercourse to lower blood pressure. IT KEEPS YOU FIT Like any exercise, sexual activity burns calories – up to 200 in 30 minutes (if you can keep going for 30 minutes!) – about the same as 15 minutes on a treadmill at 10mph. And if you have moderately active sex twice a week, you’ll burn an extra 5,000…

Falls don’t just afflict the elderly. Statistics show that workers suffer more than 120,000 trips and 37,000 falls from height each year – although, unless we’re seriously injured, we’re less likely to report it if it happens at home or outside. Falls are, however, the leading cause of death in older people. If we’re younger, we may survive major injuries, albeit often with lasting pain or disability. And even if we recover physically, taking a tumble can sap our confidence, so we restrict our activities – and the resulting loss in fitness can make us more likely to fall again. Footwear, DIY, hazards underfoot, distractions and alcohol all increase our risk. And as we get older, medical causes become a more common factor. One in three people over 65 falls…