Innholdsfortegnelse for July 2022 i Woman's Weekly Living Series

1 I know my numbers Understanding your cholesterol, blood pressure and weight are all important to help you manage heart-problem risks. ✣ High blood pressure (hypertension) increases the likelihood of heart disease, but many of us don’t know we have it because there are usually no symptoms. So it’s best to get checked at a pharmacy or by a GP, or use a monitor at home. A reading between 120/80mmHg and 140/90mmHg could mean a risk of developing high blood pressure. Seek advice from your GP. ✣ Cholesterol: Too much of this in your blood raises your risk of cardiovascular diseases. If cholesterol is high, your doctor may suggest controlling it with medication such as statins, as well as lifestyle changes. ✣ Weight: Being overweight or obese makes you more…

Try probiotics A US study found that probiotics – the friendly bacteria found in live yoghurt – may ease the symptoms of hay fever by influencing the activity of the body’s white blood cells involved in the immune system. Or try... Research has shown how Lactobacillus probiotics, such as Bio-Kult (£9.50 from pharmacies and supermarkets) can help to lower nasal congestion and support optimal immune function. Grate some ginger Consider adding the plant into stir-fries and other dishes for relief from hay fever symptoms. It’s a natural antihistamine, so can help to ease congestion. Find the culprit Symptoms differ depending on the time of year and the pollens you’re allergic to. The hay fever season generally begins with the release of pollen by trees as early as February, and continues…

HOW MUCH DO YOU NEED? This varies from person to person and our stage of growth and development. The national recommended average is seven and a half hours, but quality is more important than quantity, says sleep expert Dr Nerina Ramlakhan. ‘Getting six hours of deep, uninterrupted sleep is far better than seven or eight hours of broken sleep.’ Our sleep is divided into five 90-minute cycles – four of light to deep sleep phases and one of REM (rapid eye movement). ‘The healing process takes place during the deep sleep,’ says Dr Ramlakhan. But it can be disrupted by things such as snoring – a very common problem, but one that we’re often reluctant to address. Speak to your GP, as it may be a sign of sleep apnoea,…

We spend a lot of time in it, so it’s a good idea to make your home as healthy as possible – and set it up so as it’s great for your wellbeing. The simplest method is to avoid sitting for long periods. Get up and move regularly throughout the day. It’s good for physical health – including flexibility and balance – but also crucial for healthy brain function and a strong immune system, says immunologist Dr Jenna Macciochi. ‘Any kind of movement will get your lymphatic system going. Unlike your blood circulatory system, your lymphatic system doesn’t have a heart to pump the cells around – it relies on the movement of your muscles. Your lymphatics are the super highways of your immune system – helping move cells around…

Measles affects the respiratory tract and the central nervous system, causing otitis media, pneumonia, bronchitis, convulsions, encephalitis and blindness. One in 25,000 will also get the severe brain injury subacute sclerosing panencephalitis. Measles tends to be more severe in the high-risk group – this includes infants under one year, pregnant women, adults and those with suppressed immunity. Since the introduction of vaccination, measles was rare until in recent years, when unfounded vaccine scares have led some parents choosing not to have their children vaccinated. It is this group that’s at higher risk, and vaccination status must be considered if the diagnosis is made. Usually vaccination or prior measles infection gives almost lifelong immunity. The diagnosis is usually made by history and clinical examination. The ‘prodromal phase’ occurs 10-12 days after…

Brain tumours may be benign (non-cancerous), grade 1 or 2, which grow slowly and are less likely to return after treatment. Or malignant (cancerous), grade 3 or 4, which either start from cells in the brain (primaries) or have spread from elsewhere (secondaries), and may grow back after treatment. There are many types, depending on the specific cell type they grow from. Primary tumours affect around 11,000 people in the UK and roughly half are cancerous. Secondary tumours spread from tumours elsewhere in the body, and are more common. The cause is not clear but can have a family or genetic tendency, and are more common if you smoke, are overweight or have had previous exposure to medical radiation from X-rays and CT scans, or radiotherapy treatment. Symptoms include headaches,…

Scars are a natural part of the body’s repair and healing. They usually fade and become paler but never completely disappear. After cuts or surgery, you may have a straight line, but abrasions can cause wider, irregular scars and may be more obvious on tanned skin, as scars don’t pigment. On darker skin types, scars may fade to leave a brown or white mark. We see scars on skin but they occur internally too. Most scars don’t cause problems other than cosmetically. However, sometimes scar tissue, especially after a burn or across a joint, hardens or constricts, causing contractures and limiting movement. Some scars caused by skin diseases – such as acne and chickenpox, or those where injury had caused a loss of underlying fat – can have a sunken…

Motor Neurone Disease (MND) affects the motor cells of the brain and nerves, called motor neurones, of adults of any age, but is more common around 60 to 70 years old. The motor neurones begin to fail, although we don’t know why. It isn’t directly inherited, but if a relative has it, or has frontotemporal dementia, the risk is slightly higher. The pathway of MND is very variable and people can live with it for many years, although it usually shortens life expectancy and is nearly always fatal. There is no cure, but treatments will help the impact on daily life. The symptoms Onset is usually slow, with symptoms that may be mild or mistaken for other things initially. Common symptoms include leg weakness, cramps and twitches, causing trips or…

Dogs sniff out COVID-19 Sniffer dogs are better at detecting COVID-19 than tests, according to research from Finland. Labrador retrievers and white shepherds spotted up to 97% of positive cases, and trained dogs detected 99%, according to the University of Helsinki study. Lateral flow tests detect up to 72% of cases. A dog’s keen sense of smell is already used to warn of epileptic fits, Parkinson’s and cancer. WHAT’S THAT? Compact pill dispenser This handy little dispenser will make sure you keep on top of taking your medication. Each day’s box is removable so you can take what you need if you’re staying away, and it’s divided into morning and afternoon. The boxes are bright and colourful so you won’t lose them. Stop the pills for arthritis You might manage…

It was more than two decades ago that we first fell in love with Fern Britton’s fiery personality on ITV’s This Morning – and a lot has changed since. The presenter went through very public weight issues, work challenges and a painful marriage split, but now, she says, she’s in a happier place. This summer Fern turns 65, and while she’s open about her debilitating arthritis, she’s fit and healthy. ‘It’s been a long time getting to the dawn, but I’m in another brand-new chapter and do feel it will be all right,’ she says. ‘I have a lot of peace in my life, which I really appreciate. I’m doing much more yoga, meditation and walking – a bit of self care.’ ‘I’m doing more yoga, meditation and walking’ Now…

Myth one It’s caused by obesity ‘Four out of 10 people are in the overweight range’ Not everyone who has type 2 (T2) diabetes is obese. In fact, only half of those who have it are in the obese range. ‘There are 10% in the normal range,’ says Professor Roy Taylor, a leading diabetes expert. ‘And four out of 10 people are in the overweight range.’ Research by him and his team at Newcastle University suggests that T2 diabetes is caused, not by obesity specifically, but by the storage of too much fat for your body, particularly in your liver and pancreas, affecting their ability to help regulate the levels of sugar in your blood. When your body takes on more calories than it burns, it stores them as fat.…

1 Measles is self-limiting, and for most children, it is not a serious illness, although it is very unpleasant at the time. However, there are possible serious complications. 2 If you suspect measles, your doctor must see and examine you. They may need to do a painless confirmatory test, taking a sample of ‘oral fluid’. 3 There is no treatment, but fluids, rest and paracetamol will all help with symptoms. The patient should be isolated from any elderly, pregnant or vulnerable family members. 4 The vaccine is safe and effective. Parents should have their children vaccinated, or have themselves vaccinated if they were not as infants.…

1 You will see a neurologist or neurosurgeon, who will then examine you for localising signs of how the tumour may be affecting your nervous system. 2 Scans such as CTs (using X-rays) or MRIs (using magnetic fields) give a 3D picture of the brain to show where the tumour is growing. 3 An EEG – electroencephalogram – using scalp electrodes may help reveal abnormalities by showing brain activity, and locating any abnormalities if you are having fits. 4 A biopsy, under general anaesthetic, via a hole made in the skull, uses a fine needle to take a sample to show the tumour type.…

How I’ve learnt to control my eczema ‘I use steroids to calm my flare-ups’ Lulu O’Hagan, 59, from Richmond, London I’ve had debilitating eczema since childhood. I get it all over – my skin gets so red, sore and itchy that I can’t help but scratch until I bleed. I’d rub my feet together until they were raw. I even got it on my nipples so my bra would stick to them because they were cracked and weeping. I’d soak my bra off at the end of each day. My mum would bandage me every evening and my dad would sit on my legs because the pressure eased the itching. I got terrible skin infections. The psychological damage is more recognised these days, but back then, people just told me…

Getting out to the coast is a great way to boost your health. Research has shown that the sea air , sound of the waves and seascape (view of the sea and sky) improves our mental health. Here’s our pick of six of the best British breaks… Sussex beach house Pevensey Bay Beach House in Sussex is set directly on a quiet shingle beach, where all you can hear is the sea. A contemporary living space with a wood burner and squashy sofas opens out onto a fabulous ‘beach garden’ with a decked terrace for al fresco dining and sundowners. Eagle-eyed fans of ITV drama Flesh and Blood will recognise the beach house and surroundings, where much of the series was set. If you can drag yourself away, the pretty…

1 Vitamin E creams can be used but there’s no medical evidence for them. Moisturisers will soften the scar, and sunscreen is vital to prevent sensitivity. 2 Camouflage make-up for facial scars is available from pharmacies or beauticians. Or go online to search for the ‘Changing Faces’ charity skin camouflage service. 3 Silicone gel sheets can be used on healing skin to flatten scars and relieve itching. They must be used for at least three months. 4 Pressure dressings of elastic material may be used 24 hours a day for six to 12 months under specialist supervision to flatten and soften large scars.…

Sensory gardens use plants and features to engage all five senses and are a joy for all, especially people who have sensory impairments. A border of old-fashioned scented plants, like lily of the valley, can stimulate memory in older people and those with dementia. Edible plants will encourage children to explore using touch and taste. And textured and rustling leaves provide a great way for sight-impaired people to experience the garden. Stop, listen and smell Introduce sound with plants that rustle in the wind, such as quaking grass (Briza maxima) or sacred bamboo (Nandina domestica). A bird feeder will attract the chirrup of birds, while a wind chime will signal the faintest breeze. Smell is one of our strongest senses: group fragrant plants in a sheltered corner where the scent…

1 Keep a food diary Take note of foods which trigger symptoms and steer clear of those. Common culprits for irritable bowel syndrome include fatty, spicy or processed foods, fizzy drinks and sweeteners. 2 Exercise regularly It will help reduce levels of the body’s stress hormones, such as cortisol. And learn relaxation techniques such as yoga and mindfulness to keep stress under control, because anxiety makes IBS symptoms worse. 3 Time it right Delaying or skipping meals can play havoc with blood sugars, which in turn will aggravate IBS symptoms. But aim for a 14-hour break from eating overnight to give your gut a break to heal and repair.…

Forget 10,000 steps It’s an arbitrary figure anyway, probably set by marketing men in Japan years ago to sell pedometers. Some health experts are concerned that the target is too unrealistic and puts many of us off even trying. Instead of aiming for a set amount of steps, simply try to increase the amount of walking you do each day. Build it into your daily routine. Get out of breath For maximum benefits, make sure some of your walking leaves you slightly breathless and sweaty. Raising your heart rate is crucial for your brain and general fitness too. ‘A brisk walk helps to protect against cardiovascular diseases, cancer, bone-thinning osteoporosis and dementia,’ says Dr Melanie Wynne-Jones. Pick up your pace Don’t take longer strides to go faster. Maintain your natural…

Many of us will agree that our bank accounts are far from healthy at the moment. Inflation is at its highest rate in 30 years, and we’re counting the pennies in every aspect of our lives. But rest assured that getting healthy doesn’t have to cost the earth – or anything, in fact. While the latest running shoes and bum-sculpting leggings might make fitness look fancy, they’re ultimately accessories to the real action, and you’ll get the same results with or without them. ‘It’s possible for people to achieve a high level of fitness without spending money,’ reassures personal trainer Tommy Hogan-Wilkes. Here’s how… Go gym-fee free YouTube is an Aladdin’s cave of free workouts that can replace expensive gym memberships and paid classes. Love doing yoga? Stream ‘Yoga with…

The hospital nurse ‘Florence inspired me to think more about the next generation of nurses’ Nichole McIntosh, 47, is assistant director of nursing at North Middlesex University Hospital, London, and on a clinical quality secondment to a Clinical Commissioning Group. She lives in East London with husband Melbourne and children Tyrese, 15, and Tamia, 9. As a child, I loved the clean calmness of a surgery or clinic and my friend’s mother was an inspirational nurse – dignified, gentle and always smiling. When I came to the UK from Jamaica in 1996, there were bursaries to attract young people into the profession. After qualifying in 2000, I worked at The Royal London Hospital on a respiratory ward. Within six months, I was promoted to senior staff nurse, and realised a…

The kidney is made up of blood vessels carrying blood to tiny filters connected to a tube. Each kidney contains about a million filters and tubes. A cyst occurs when one tube expands, often to a very large size, although it’s not known what causes it. Occasional kidney cysts are common. Up to five in each kidney is considered normal, ranging from a few millimetres to 5cm wide, and rarely lead to any problems. Having more cysts is abnormal, but may not be due to serious disease. There are more serious cysts – some are a form of cancer, but these do not look the same as normal cysts. We also see other types of cysts including very small cysts, infections and stones in two conditions: medullary sponge kidney, which…

DAIRY-FREE ELDERFLOWER LEMON CHEESECAKE The elderflower adds a sweet floral note to this baked cheesecake, which is lovely served with fresh raspberries. PER SERVING 460 cals, 31g fat, 5g sat fat, 30g carbs SERVES 12 For the base: ✣150g (5oz) digestives ✣45g (1½oz) olive oil spread, melted For the filling: ✣750g (1½lb) dairy-free cream cheese ✣175g (6oz) caster sugar ✣254g carton Alpro single soya (or dairy-free single cream) ✣2tbsp cornflour ✣1tbsp vanilla bean paste ✣Finely grated zest and juice of 1 lemon ✣3tbsp elderflower cordial ✣2 eggs For the topping: ✣4tbsp elderflower cordial ✣Edible flowers, such as elderflowers ✣Raspberries, to serve You will need: ✣18cm (7in) springform tin, greased and lined with cling film 1 Heat the oven to 180C/ Gas 4. Blitz the digestive biscuits in a food processor…

1 Maintaining general health, keeping active with core strength exercises and localised exercises will help deal with symptoms and staying independent. 2 Mobility and strength will gradually decline and it’s best to prepare for this, so consider accommodation, mobility access and increasing needs for support. 3 As movement, swallowing and breathing become increasingly difficult, treatments such as mobility aids, a feeding tube and oxygen mask may eventually be necessary. 4 You can get more information and advice, and find local support from the Motor Neurone Disease Association, either at mndassociation. org or by calling 0808 802 6262.…