Gastroparesis Awareness: A Hidden Digestive Condition

Gastroparesis is a long-term digestive condition that is still widely misunderstood, yet it can have a major impact on physical health, mental wellbeing, and day-to-day life.

Raising awareness helps people recognise symptoms earlier, seek appropriate support, and feel less alone.

What Is Gastroparesis?

Gastroparesis means delayed stomach emptying. Food moves from the stomach to the small intestine more slowly than normal, even though there is no physical blockage. 

The condition is usually linked to damage or dysfunction of the nerves and muscles that control digestion, particularly the vagus nerve.

Symptoms to Be Aware Of

Symptoms can vary in severity and may come and go, which often makes diagnosis difficult. Common symptoms include:

Ongoing nausea or vomiting

Feeling full after only a few mouthfuls

Bloating and abdominal discomfort

Acid reflux or heartburn

Unintentional weight loss

Poor blood sugar control (especially in people with diabetes)

Because these symptoms overlap with other gastrointestinal conditions, people can wait years for a clear diagnosis.

Causes and Risk Factors

In the UK, gastroparesis is most often associated with:

Diabetes (Type 1 and Type 2)

Nerve damage following surgery

Certain viral infections

Side effects of some medications

Idiopathic gastroparesis, where no clear cause is found

Managing Life With Gastroparesis

There is currently no cure, but symptoms can often be managed with medical guidance and lifestyle adjustments. Common approaches include:

Eating small, frequent meals

Reducing high-fat and high-fibre foods

Choosing soft or blended meals

Medication to improve stomach motility or reduce nausea

Nutritional support where needed

Living with gastroparesis can be physically draining and emotionally challenging. Anxiety, frustration, and low mood are common — making holistic healthcare essential.

Why Gastroparesis Awareness Matters

Greater awareness can lead to:

Faster diagnosis and treatment

Better understanding from employers and loved ones

Improved access to specialist care

Reduced stigma around invisible chronic illness

Being listened to and believed is often one of the biggest hurdles for people with gastroparesis.

UK Support and Help

If you’re affected by gastroparesis, these UK-based organisations offer reliable information and support:

NHS https://www.nhs.uk

Your GP is the first step for referrals, investigations, and access to gastroenterology services.

Guts UK https://gutscharity.org.uk

Provides clear, patient-friendly resources on gastroparesis and other digestive conditions. Previously known as the Digestive Disorders Foundation

Offers educational materials and awareness campaigns focused on digestive health.

PINNT https://pinnt.com/Home.aspx

Supports people who need enteral or parenteral nutrition, including those with severe gastroparesis.

If symptoms are affecting your quality of life, speak to your GP and ask about further investigation or specialist referral.

Gastric electric pacemakers are also a treatment option 

https://www.nuffieldhealth.com/treatments/gastric-electrical-stimulation-for-gastroparesis

That’s Health Takeaway

Gastroparesis is often invisible, but its impact is very real. Awareness, education, and access to the right UK support services can make a meaningful difference — not just medically, but emotionally too.

Incidentally, El Dyson, a friend of this blog who introduced us to the existence of Gastroparesis has a GoFundMe campaign to raise money to have a gastric pacemaker fitted. 

You can visit her appeal fund here: https://gofund.me/b6f40683

National Toothache Day: Why Dental Pain Should Never Be Ignored

National Toothache Day is a timely reminder that tooth pain isn’t just an inconvenience — it’s your body waving a red flag. 

Whether it’s a dull throb, a sharp jolt when you sip something cold, or an ache that keeps you awake at night, toothache usually means something needs attention.

What actually causes toothache?

Toothache can stem from a range of issues, including:

Tooth decay or cavities

Gum disease or infection

Cracked or broken teeth

Worn enamel causing sensitivity

Impacted wisdom teeth

Sinus problems that mimic dental pain

Ignoring it rarely makes it go away. In fact, it often gets worse.

The knock-on effects of dental pain

Ongoing toothache can affect far more than your mouth. Many people report:

Poor sleep and fatigue

Difficulty eating properly

Headaches and jaw pain

Reduced concentration and mood

Left untreated, infections in the mouth can spread, leading to more serious health complications.

What you can do right now

If you’re experiencing toothache:

Rinse gently with warm salt water

Avoid very hot, cold, or sugary foods

Use a toothpaste for sensitive teeth

Take appropriate pain relief if needed (as directed)

These steps may help ease discomfort — but they’re not a cure.

When to seek help

If pain lasts more than a day or two, is severe, or comes with swelling, fever, or a bad taste in the mouth, it’s time to seek professional advice. In the UK, your dentist should always be your first port of call, and urgent issues can be assessed via the NHS if needed.

Prevention really is better than cure

National Toothache Day is also a nudge to prioritise prevention:

Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste

Clean between teeth every day

Attend regular dental check-ups

Don’t put off minor problems

A healthy mouth supports overall health — and saves a lot of pain down the line.

Today’s takeaway: toothache is never “just one of those things”. Listen to it, act early, and give your smile the care it deserves.

PPRX strengthens access to Mounjaro and Wegovy as demand surges

PPRX, a fully registered UK pharmacy, has confirmed expanded national access to prescription weight-loss injections Mounjaro and Wegovy, responding to unprecedented demand from patients seeking clinically supported weight management outside the NHS.

As NHS access to GLP-1 weight-loss treatments remains limited due to strict eligibility criteria and long waiting lists, increasing numbers of patients are turning to regulated private pharmacies for faster, medically supervised care. 

PPRX offers a fully compliant alternative, providing access to Mounjaro (tirzepatide) and Wegovy (semaglutide) through a secure online consultation process, with next-day delivery across the UK and Northern Ireland.

Mounjaro and Wegovy are prescription-only injectable treatments that work by regulating appetite and improving metabolic control. Clinical studies show both treatments are effective for long-term weight management when prescribed and monitored appropriately.

PPRX operates as a legitimate UK pharmacy and is registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). Patients and partners can independently verify the pharmacy’s registration on the official GPhC register:

https://www.pharmacyregulation.org/registers/pharmacy/9012740

“Our priority is patient safety, transparency, and proper medical oversight,” a spokesperson for PPRX told That's Health.

“We're seeing strong demand from patients who are informed, motivated, and seeking responsible access to treatment. Every prescription is issued following a clinical assessment by a UK-registered prescriber, with ongoing pharmacist support.”

Through its digital consultation pathway, PPRX enables patients to access treatment without needing a GP appointment, yet still maintaining full regulatory compliance. 

Each order includes a genuine manufacturer pen, needles, swabs, sharps disposal, pharmacist guidance, and temperature-controlled next-day delivery.

PPRX provides detailed educational resources to ensure patients understand their treatment, including safety information, dosing guidance, and injection support.

Mounjaro information:

https://www.pprx.co.uk/mounjaro

Mounjaro product page:

https://www.pprx.co.uk/product/mounjaro/

Mounjaro prices:

https://www.pprx.co.uk/mounjaro-prices

Wegovy information:

https://www.pprx.co.uk/wegovy

Wegovy product page:

https://www.pprx.co.uk/product/wegovy/

Wegovy prices:

https://www.pprx.co.uk/wegovy-prices

The pharmacy delivers nationwide, including major cities such as London, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Belfast, and surrounding regions across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

Industry analysts note that private pharmacies are increasingly filling a gap created by rising obesity rates and constrained NHS capacity. 

Regulated providers like PPRX play a key role by offering controlled access, patient education, and pharmacovigilance within a compliant framework.

PPRX has confirmed continued investment in pharmacist-led support, supply-chain resilience, and patient education as part of its 2026 expansion strategy.

For more information, visit: https://www.pprx.co.uk

A Lasting Legacy: Kenneth Townsley’s Vision Lives on Through Kentown Support

Kentown Support was deeply saddened to learn of the death of Kenneth Townsley, (PICTURED) Founder of The Kentown Wizard Foundation. 

Ken was a remarkable visionary whose life and work had a profound and lasting impact on the lives of thousands of children and young people across the UK. 

The Kentown Wizard Foundation continues to reflect the values and generosity that shaped Ken’s life and work.

In 2025, Dr Helena Dunbar established Kentown Support, funded by The Kentown Wizard Foundation. Set up as an independent not-for-profit organisation, Dr Dunbar as CEO, defined the charity’s mission to transform children’s community palliative care provision across the UK through meaningful collaboration and a unique model of programme delivery.

Kentown Support has also partnered with The Cicely Saunders Institute, King’s College, London in the funding of a new Centre of Excellence for children's palliative care research, education and training. The new Centre reflects a long-term commitment to building capacity in a field that has historically been under-resourced and under-researched and sets the standard globally for high quality research, education, and care. 

In addition to funding several research studies, Master’s and PhD scholarships, the new centre will also ensure it builds research capacity and knowledge for care professionals and parents/carers of seriously ill children, advancing Ken’s legacy for the benefit of all.

Dr Dunbar said told That's Health:  “I feel honoured and privileged to be able to continue Ken’s legacy and vision through Kentown Support. We are making groundbreaking strides in closing gaps in children’s community palliative care.

"Our model is strengthening collaboration and integration with existing services at a local level and is ensuring that seriously ill children can

 remain at home, cared for by skilled professionals and able to meet their complex needs whilst giving their families the support they need at such a difficult time.”

Significant challenges remain across the children’s palliative care sector, including shortages of skilled personnel, limited access to 24/7 specialist children’s community palliative care and fragmented services. Kentown Support’s aim is to work alongside existing services and organisations to address these gaps and improve the quality, accessibility and coordination of children’s community palliative care through cultural change and a fully collaborative approach.

Through its work, Kentown Support will continue Ken Townsley’s vision of improving and impacting the lives of thousands of seriously ill children across the UK. His legacy will live on in every family supported, every professional empowered and every child enabled to receive compassionate, expert care at home.

Kentown Support extends its deepest sympathies to Ken’s family, friends, the staff and board of trustees at The Kentown Wizard Foundation and all who were touched by his extraordinary life and generosity.

www.kentownsupport.org.uk

Menopausal hair loss. What You Can Do

Around 40% of women over 50 notice some degree of hair thinning, and around 50% of women over 50 experience some degree of hair loss. 

Yet despite hair changes being common symptoms of the menopause, these aren’t often talked about, and many women struggle in silence.

In the Winter 2025–2026 issue of The Menopause Exchange newsletter, Neil Harvey RIT, chair of the Institute of Trichologists, discusses the causes and impact of hair loss and hair thinning at the menopause. 

He looks at what could be making the symptoms worse, along with the range of medical and non-medical treatments, such as medicines, HRT, nutrition and dietary supplements.

“Hormonal changes are the most common causes of hair changes at this time of life,” says Norma Goldman, founder and director of The Menopause Exchange. “But other things can make hair loss or hair thinning worse, such as thyroid conditions, iron deficiency, some medicines, and stress or anxiety. The good news is that there are effective treatments available for hair loss and hair thinning, so it’s important that women speak to their GP, menopause specialist or trichologist (a specialist in diseases or problems affecting the hair and scalp).”

The Menopause Exchange’s subscribers include women, men, healthcare professionals, complementary therapists, workplace managers, employees and journalists. Other articles in the Winter 2025–2026 issue of The Menopause Exchange quarterly newsletter include side-effects of HRT, menopause myths you might still believe, and CBT, systemic psychotherapy & mindfulness, as well as news, Ask the Experts Q&As and information about Norma Goldman’s webinars, talks and workshops.

The Menopause Exchange, which was established in 1999, is unbiased and independent and isn’t sponsored by any companies or organisations. Their free quarterly newsletter contains articles written by top UK medical experts, including menopause consultants, GPs, specialist menopause nurses, pharmacists, dietitians, complementary practitioners, a menopause counsellor and a pelvic health physiotherapist.

To join The Menopause Exchange, anyone can sign up for free at their website, http://www.menopause-exchange.co.uk. You can also find them on Facebook and Twitter (@MenopauseExch).

New BOHS guidance highlights the need to control cancer risks arising from Diesel Engine Exhaust Emissions at work

The British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS), the Chartered Society for Worker Health Protection, and the Faculty of Occupational Hygiene, have published new Guidance for Occupational Hygienists on the Assessment and Control of the Health Risks from Diesel Engine Exhaust Emissions (DEEEs). 

While the guidance provides professional information for experts, it should also help health and safety and other professionals understand the required approaches to control exposure to diesel engine exhaust emissions.

Scientific experts are calling on employers who use diesel powered plant, equipment and vehicles to ensure that they understand the best way of controlling emissions or obtain expert competent advice to assist them.

“Diesel engines power significant parts of the UK economy. Whilst a transition to other power sources is best for the environment and for human health, it is not always easy to do so.” BOHS President-Elect, Sarah Leeson told That's Health.

“If diesel engine exhaust emissions are present in the workplace, they need to be controlled so that harmful exposures are reduced to as low a level as can be reasonably achieved. We have produced this guidance to help enable those responsible for health in the workplace to ensure that this is achievable.”

Research studies have highlighted that DEEEs create serious occupational health risks. DEEEs are associated with increased risks of cervical cancer in women, progressively increased risks of lung cancer as exposure increases, head and neck cancer, as well as laryngeal cancer, gastric and rectal cancers in drivers and oesophageal cancers in machinery operators. Short-term exposure to diesel engine exhaust emissions can cause eye and respiratory irritation, headaches, nausea and dizziness.

It is estimated that occupational exposure to diesel engine exhaust emissions contributes to around 650 deaths each year in the UK primarily from lung and bladder cancer. Thousands more workers are thought to be exposed to diesel fumes as part of their daily work, particularly in construction, transport, logistics, warehousing, mining, manufacturing and maintenance activities.

The guidance supplements and provides updated information to complement the Health and Safety Executive’s guidance HSG187, Control of diesel engine exhaust emissions in the workplace – HSE (2012) reflecting advances in technology, current scientific evidence and continuing public health concerns.

Diesel engine exhaust emissions are a complex mixture of harmful substances and their composition varies depending on factors such as engine age, maintenance, operating conditions and fuel type, meaning exposure levels can differ widely between workplaces.

While ultra-low sulphur fuels, diesel particulate filters (DPFs) and new technology diesel engines (NTDE) have reduced some emissions, these measures have not eliminated risk, particularly where diesel-powered vehicles or plant operate in enclosed or poorly ventilated environments.

The new BOHS guidance is designed to help occupational hygienists and employers:

Understand the nature and variability of diesel engine exhaust exposures

Carry out effective measurement and assessment of the health risks

Identify and implement appropriate control measures

Reduce preventable cases of serious work-related ill health

BOHS CEO Professor Kevin Bampton commented, “It’s 14 years since the diesel engine exhaust emissions were declared to be cancer-causing and personal injury lawyers in the UK are now actively recruiting clients who think that they may have been over-exposed to emissions at work. 

"Controlling exhaust emissions is not only an environmental must and morally right as an employer, but it should be up there on the corporate risk register as something that could have a serious impact on the current and future balance sheet, if not managed correctly.”

https://www.bohs.org

SINGU acquires Synbiotix to expand healthcare facilities management capabilities

SINGU, a top European provider of cloud-based software for property operations and facility management has acquired UK-based Synbiotix. 

The acquisition strengthens SINGU’s presence in the United Kingdom and expands its healthcare capabilities, with a particular focus on supporting the operational and regulatory needs of the UK’s National Health Service (NHS).

Synbiotix is an established provider of specialised software solutions for healthcare facilities management with a focus on catering, compliance, infection prevention and control (IPC), as well as audit and governance processes. 

Its solutions support healthcare organisations in managing regulatory requirements efficiently, reducing operational risk and improving patient safety. 

Through the acquisition, Synbiotix adds a critical healthcare-specific component to SINGU’s building operations platform, and complements the existing Micad solutions.

Following SINGU’s acquisition of Micad in 2025, which expanded its space and asset management capabilities, the addition of Synbiotix further strengthens the Group’s integrated facilities management offering. 

Together, SINGU provides the core CAFM and maintenance platform, Micad adds space, compliance, and asset intelligence, and Synbiotix delivers specialist digital tools for a complete facilities management operation. Combined, these solutions enable healthcare organisations to manage facilities, catering, and operational requirements through a single, coordinated technology environment.

Paweł Malon, Group CEO, told That's Health: “The acquisition of Synbiotix significantly strengthens our position in the healthcare market and further establishes SINGU as a leading European provider of property operations software. 

"We are committed to building an integrated, end-to-end platform that drives value across complex property operations. I look forward to working with Mark Edell and his team to drive operational excellence and improve patient experience.”

Synbiotix will continue to operate within the SINGU Group, ensuring continuity for existing customers while gaining access to a scalable, cloud-based platform designed to meet the evolving needs of the healthcare sector. 

The integration also creates new opportunities to develop Synbiotix’s solutions within a broader ecosystem and extend them to the existing Micad customer base—supporting seamless operations across more than 200 NHS Trusts and many other clients.

“Joining SINGU represents a strategic milestone for Synbiotix. We contribute deep healthcare expertise and many years of experience working with the NHS, while benefiting from the technological strength and scalability of the SINGU platform. This combination creates new opportunities to further develop our solutions and deliver even greater value to healthcare organisations,” added Mark Edell, Managing Director of Synbiotix.

The acquisition of Synbiotix forms part of SINGU’s continued growth strategy in Europe and underlines the strategic importance of the healthcare sector to the Group. It follows SINGU’s acquisition of Micad and net-haus in 2025, and reflects a targeted buy-and-build approach aimed at creating a leading, vertically integrated platform for mission-critical applications across property operations.

For more information, visit SINGU.com.