Declining oestrogen levels during menopause increase a woman’s risk of developing heart disease. But what most women don’t realise is that hypothyroidism also causes high cholesterol which can result in coronary heart disease. Menopause and the Risk of Heart Disease Have you had your cholesterol levels checked recently? If you’re a woman in your forties, […]
CONDITIONS
Itchy Skin: Causes and Treatment of Atopic Eczema
As I write this, it’s taking all the self-control I possess not to stop typing and give in to my itching skin and have a good, long scratch. For the past three weeks I’ve been suffering with a flare-up of atopic eczema on my chest and the backs of my knees. It’s been a few […]
Help! My Head Cold has Affected my Brain
All morning I’ve sat in front of my computer trying to write without much success. There’s a box of tissues close at hand and a fog in my brain so thick I’m surprised I’m able to compose this sentence. Head Cold Brain Fog ‘I can’t think straight,’ I complained to my partner earlier. ‘I’m trying […]
Lost for Words: Living with a Stammer
There’s a beautifully written article about stammering in The Guardian this week by the writer Maggie O’Farrell. Entitled ‘The monster in my mouth’ she describes how she’s always stammered and has developed coping strategies over the years that she still uses today: …regard the telephone as an instrument of treachery, exhort others to speak for […]
Fit by Fifty: Groin Strain – What a Pain!
It’s a freezing February day and I’m sitting here with an ice-pack strapped to my groin. Now, before you make assumptions, let me make it clear that this is not something I picked up in Fifty Shades of Grey and is definitely not recommended as a means of beating the winter chill! Groin Strain – […]
Hypnotherapy and Wart Removal
When I was eight a wart appeared in the centre of my right thumb. It was a hard, calloused lump and I used to enjoy colouring it in with ink from my fountain pen. What Causes Warts? At the time the myth about warts was that they were caused by frog urine, but as I […]
Throw Away the Supplements: Natural Food Sources of Calcium
Another week, another health scare. The Health pages of newspapers in the past couple of weeks have been full of the news that taking calcium supplements can almost double the risk of having a heart attack. What is the Role of Calcium in the Body? Calcium is the mineral most needed by the body as […]
Iron Deficiency Anaemia – Symptoms, Causes and Treatment
Today I celebrated my blood test results. After almost two years of being severely iron deficient, my iron levels are finally well within the normal range. What is Iron Deficiency Anaemia? Iron deficiency anaemia occurs when your body doesn’t have enough iron. Iron is a mineral responsible for the production of haemoglobin, an iron-rich protein […]
Food Allergy or Food Intolerance?
One man’s food is another man’s poison. Lucretius 50BC Do you find yourself avoiding particular foods because of a bad reaction? If so you’re in good company. The number of people who think they have a food allergy or food intolerance is on the increase in the UK. Food Allergies are On the Rise According […]
Are You Vitamin D Deficient?
Earlier this year the UK’s four Chief Medical Officers wrote to health professionals reminding them to be alert to the signs and symptoms of vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D deficiency made news headlines again last week when a young couple called for an inquiry into two London hospitals responsible for the care of their four-month-old […]