Innholdsfortegnelse for February 2024 i Woman's Weekly Living Series

With a career spanning over six decades, Dame Judi Dench has long been a national treasure, and, at 89, she shows no sign of slowing down. Since 2012, the actor has battled with macular degeneration, a medical condition that has impaired her vision, something she says was ‘the most terrible shock to the system’. Yet her zest for life continues to be inspirational. It’s clear that Dame Judi’s positive outlook on life is just one of the things that keeps her looking and feeling years younger than she is. ‘Sometimes in life, you think all the minuses are stowed against you, but there are always pluses to be found if you look hard enough for them,’ she says. It’s the same stoic attitude that helped her through the death of…

In lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus or SLE), symptoms range from mild to severe. These commonly include joint pain, skin rashes and tiredness. Sometimes it results in kidney problems and other organ disease, including liver, heart and lung inflammation. Headaches, mouth ulcers, fevers, hair loss and light sensitivity also may occur. Stress and tiredness may make your symptoms worse. Lupus is an autoimmune disease, where the body’s natural immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues. The causes aren’t fully understood. It’s not contagious, but possible triggers include viral infections or certain medicines, including some types of blood pressure drugs, anti-seizure medications and antibiotics. People with drug-induced lupus usually get better when they stop taking the medication. Sunlight, hormonal changes – including at puberty, childbirth and the menopause – may also be triggers.…

TAKE THE TEST 1 How many hours do you sleep each night? A Four to five B Eight or moreC Five to six D Seven to eight 2 What’s your relationship with sleep? A My sleep patterns bother meB Complicated. I’ve never been a good sleeperC I don’t think about it – sleep comes easilyD I love sleeping but rarely feel refreshed 3 How long does it take you to drop off? A Five minutesB 45 minutesC 20 minutesD Up to two hours or longer 4 Do you wake up during the night? A Occasionally, but I go straight back to sleepB If I do, I’m not awareC I’m awake for hours when I doD Every night, many times 5 Generally, how do you feel at 9am? A Sluggish and…

OATS Start the day by eating rolled oats for breakfast. They are easy to digest, have a low glycaemic index (GI) value, so will keep you full until lunch and are a great source of B vitamins and magnesium. Stir into smoothies, make home-made granola, or prepare overnight oats by layering oats and milk with fruit, nuts and seeds and leave in the fridge while you sleep. PUMPKIN SEEDS These contain healthy, unsaturated fats (ALA ) to help heart health, mood-boosting magnesium, iron and zinc, copper and vitamin K, which aid healing. ‘Eat raw or roast – add to salads, porridge and smoothies,’ says Inessa nutritionist Aliza Marogy. TINNED FRUIT Tinned fruit such as peaches, mangoes and pineapples are a great backup for when you can’t buy fresh. They last…

Pet power Owning a dog or cat can help an ageing brain in later life. Pet owners had slower cognitive decline than non-owners, according to research from the University of Maryland in America, published in the journal Scientific Reports. Researchers think the positive health benefits stem from the fact that pets offer social support, help reduce stress and encourage more physical activity. 3 WAYS TO… protect your eyes in winter Parvinder Sagoo, lead pharmacist from Simply Meds Online, shares his tips… 1 INVEST IN EYE DROPS ‘The dry winter air can cause eyes to run. This can lead to irritation and dryness, making them sore. To help give them back moisture, use eye drops when needed. This will also help to soothe the area.’ 2 GET TESTED ‘Night driving…

Recharge mentally and physically with this eating plan from nutritionist Juliette Bryant*. You’ll be eating light, healthy foods to reset your system and help you lose weight – at least 7lb in seven days. ‘You’ll boost energy levels and feel mentally more alert,’ says Juliette. This plan will also encourage you to eat in a healthier way, as opposed to constantly dieting. ‘When you feed your body the right foods, your system falls back into balance and weight naturally comes off,’ she adds. DAY 1 BREAKFAST Green alkalising smoothie Blend 15cm-piece cucumber, handful of kale, 5 stems mint, 3 stems parsley, 2.5cm piece fresh ginger, 1 avocado, 230ml coconut water, juice of 1 lime and 1tbsp hemp seeds. LUNCH Broccoli and avocado soup Blend 160g broccoli florets, ½ avocado, ¼…

Pulmonary fibrosis can be caused by different conditions that scar the lungs and stiffen them. Some types have identifiable causes, but often a definite cause can’t be found and it’s called idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). It’s not cancer or cystic fibrosis, and isn’t contagious. Interstitial lung disease (ILD), of the tissue supporting lung air sacs, causes lung scarring, inflammation or a mix of both. The causes of ILD include hypersensitivity pneumonitis (extrinsic allergic alveolitis), pneumoconiosis (occupational ILD), pulmonary fibrosis associated with connective tissue/autoimmune disorders (such as rheumatoid arthritis), and drug induced pulmonary fibrosis. Risks include being exposed to dust (wood, metal, asbestos) or allergens (bird feathers, mould); rarely the tendency is genetically inherited. Smoking causes specific pulmonary fibrosis. All types cause scarring, reduced breathing efficiency and reduced oxygen absorption. Symptoms…

New flames A flickering of scented candles makes rooms feel instantly cosy and will also fill the space with a gorgeous aroma. Apothecary Calm 3 Wick Candle, £17, M&S, is a treat for the senses, with a blend of lavender and clary sage that instantly calms the mind. Transport yourself to a 5* spa with the aptly named The White Company Spa Restore Signature Candle, £22, thewhitecompany.com, which comes with a 28-hour burn time. Fancy at-home facial Cheat a spa-like treatment at home by using these indulgent products, which add an extra level of luxury to your pampering session. Sanctuary Spa Warming Micro-Dermabrasion Refining Polish, £9.75, Amazon, warms up as it’s worked into skin, which feels heavenly – it will also leave skin looking radiant in seconds. Use two to…

Sleep apnoea happens if your airways become narrowed, stopping you breathing properly during sleep. The commonest type is called obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), which is linked to being overweight, with a narrowing of the upper airways. Other risk factors include having a large neck, enlarged tonsils/adenoids, smoking, drinking alcohol (especially if heavily), sleeping on your back, a family history of apnoea and getting older (although children and young adults can get it). Symptoms mainly happen during sleep, including making unusual sounds, such as choking, gasping, snorting or loud snoring. Your breathing may also stop and start, and you may wake frequently. In the day, you may notice you’re tired or moody, and have headaches or difficulty concentrating. It’s important to discuss your symptoms with your GP, as sleep apnoea can…

Crohn’s is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which affects people of all ages. The cause is unknown but it’s probably an autoimmune reaction, where the body fights its own tissues in those with a genetic tendency. It’s more common in smokers and those with a previous stomach infection or abnormal balance of gut bacteria. There’s no evidence that a particular diet causes it. Symptoms usually start in childhood or early adulthood, with diarrhoea, stomach aches/cramps, blood in the faeces, fatigue and weight loss. They may be constant or recur unpredictably every few months (flare-ups). Other symptoms include fever, nausea, joint pains, mouth ulcers and patches of painful, red and swollen skin – usually on the legs. Joint and eye inflammation can occur too. See a GP if you or your…

An estimated 5,000 lives may be saved and 21,000 strokes avoided over three years thanks to the NHS scaling-up the use of blood thinning drugs. The direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) prevent strokes by treating and preventing blood clots in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), a condition that causes an irregular and abnormally fast heart rate, and is responsible for an estimated one in five strokes. A stroke happens when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off. It’s the UK’s fourth biggest killer and a leading cause of disability, so the news is welcome, but there are also some simple things we can all do to cut our likelihood of having a stroke. ‘You can reduce risk by making healthy lifestyle choices,’ says the Stroke Association’s Juliet…

We trust our doctors with our health and expect them to give us drugs that will be beneficial. Most of the time, they do. But mistakes can happen – and that includes mistakes that we might make in taking our prescribed pills correctly. There are 237 million medication errors made annually in the UK. ‘These errors cost the NHS nearly £100 million every year and they’re also responsible for around 1,700 deaths,’ says Dr Deborah Lee, a GP for the Dr Fox Online Pharmacy. ‘Tragically, around a third of these errors occur in general practice.’ There are safety nets in place – doctors are expected to follow what is known as ‘the five rights of medicines management’, as Dr Lee explains. ‘These five rights – giving the right medicine, to…

GET SOME FRESH AIR Need to relax? Then head outdoors for a walk. It’s an effective way to reduce stress, which can be a trigger for tension headaches. Exercise also encourages good blood flow around the body and releases chemicals that block pain signals to the brain, says nutritionist Suzie Sawyer. Aim to walk for at least 30 minutes every day. Lower the lights Bright light can bring on a headache, and research shows that light sensitivity – known as photophobia – can make existing pain much worse. Keep the lights dimmed indoors, add anti-glare protectors to your screens and consider wearing blue-light filtering glasses when using devices. Digital detox Could eye strain be the cause of your pain? Prolonged exposure to digital devices can result in eye fatigue and…

Today, some of Clare Smith’s childhood behaviours and how she mixed with others might be flagged up by teachers, parents and even her GP. But growing up in the 1960s, little was known about the condition she managed to conceal, which would have a profound effect on her and eventually change the course of her life. What’s more, in those days, it was thought that only boys could know the frustration of seeing the world in a different way and struggling to find a place in it. ‘I was so desperate to be accepted’ ‘I was a very clumsy child, always tripping over my own feet!’ says Clare, 67, from Sheringham, Norfolk. ‘In those days, it was called ‘clumsy child syndrome’ and just made my family laugh. My parents were…

Being creative is good for your mental health. Whether you want to pick up a new skill or take a deep dive into a long-held passion, a craft holiday is the perfect way to relax and meet like-minded people. SPIN THE WHEEL Go on an adventure in clay with a one- or three-day stay at the family-run Vinegar Hill Pottery, in the seaside village of Milford-on-Sea, Hampshire. Guided by master potter Dave Rogers, you’ll practise throwing clay on a wheel to create bowls, plates and other vessels, and learn how to glaze. Courses include tea, coffee and cake, plus lunch, provided by Dave’s wife Lucy. Stay in one of two bright and airy en-suite rooms, or glamp in ‘Rosie’, the showman’s wagon. TO BOOK A three-day pottery course is £408,…

VITAMIN D ‘This vitamin is essential for everything from stronger bones and brain health to weight and blood pressure management. Research suggests it may even help fight COVID-19,’ says Dr Deborah Lee of the Dr Fox Online Pharmacy. ‘Most of us need a supplement, as it’s hard to get enough from its best natural source – sunlight. The NHS recommends 400iu (10μg) daily, and the best form is vitamin D3. Being menopausal can increase your risk of deficiency, meaning you may need a higher dose.’ TRY… Nutriburst Vitamin D3 + K2 (£15.99, nutriburstvitamins.com) IRON We need this nutrient to make red blood cells to transport oxygen around our bodies. ‘Low iron can cause extreme tiredness and fatigue,’ says nutritionist Rob Hobson. If you’re worried you might be anaemic, ask your…