An expert debunks some myths about tinnitus: a condition which adversely affects the daily lives of 300,000 people in the UK.
Tinnitus – noise heard in the ears or the head - is far more common than most people think. During the 1950s a series of experiments put 80 people with normal hearing in a soundproofed room for five minutes; 94 per cent experienced hearing sounds such as humming, buzzing or ringing, although none had previously complained of tinnitus.
Over 60 years later and scientists are still struggling to understand this frustrating condition. No win no fee solicitors Claims Direct can help people who suffer tinnitus as a result of working conditions make a personal injury claim and receive the compensation they need and deserve.
Claims Direct can also help people with rehabilitation and put them in touch with support groups. But in terms of researching tinnitus, it is excellent organisations such as Deafness Research UK which are leading the fight to find out more about treating tinnitus.
Andrew Goodwin, an Outreach Advisor for Deafness Research, offers advice to people who want to know more about their hearing loss and assists people to find out what help exists. He is well aware of the myths surrounding tinnitus – myths which can hinder sufferers’ attempt to get better.
Myth 1: Only old people suffer from tinnitus
Andrew Goodwin: This perception is entirely wrong. You can suffer tinnitus at any age. There is no evidence that certain types of people get it more than any others. Tinnitus seems unrelated to age, gender or race.
Myth 2: If I get tinnitus I will realise it straight away
AG: Frustratingly, there are so many people out there who have Tinnitus and are not aware they have a recognised condition. People will have ringing in their ears and feel that they are the only one who has it as it is so rarely talked about in the media.
Myth 3: I don’t listen to loud music and don’t have a noisy job so I won’t get tinnitus
AG: It is true that one type of tinnitus is caused by exposure to loud noise over time, so occupations such as steelworker or anyone in the nightclub industry is at risk. However, another type of tinnitus seems to be activated by stress, so any stressful job, such as stockbroker, lawyer or teacher, could be a factor in causing tinnitus. At the moment, not enough is known about tinnitus to be able to say with absolute certainty what the causes are. What we do know for certain is that stress and noise are two key factors. The strong link between tinnitus and stress means that most treatments will start with relaxation treatments.
Myth 4: The papers say there is a cure so there is no need to worry
AG: There are NO cures for Tinnitus at the moment. You may have read of pills containing Ginkgo Biloba supposedly being a cure. We have funded research into this and have found, through double-blind testing, (where both the dispensers and the testers don’t know if they have received the Ginkgo Biloba or a placebo) that it has no discernible effect on the tinnitus.
Myth 5: I’ll cut out caffeine and the problem will be sorted!
AG: It used to be thought that reducing the caffeine in your diet would help, but again, proper research has proven that to be false. In fact, if you were to cut out caffeine too drastically, the caffeine withdrawal would make the tinnitus worse! Likewise, other research that has been completed recently has proved that changing your diet will have little impact on the tinnitus.
Myth 6: It is best to just do nothing about the tinnitus as it will probably just go away of its own accord
AG: The vast majority of people leave it and never even talk about it with friends or relations. It is only if it becomes a serious issue, affecting sleep patterns and the ability to communicate, do people then seek help from their doctor. In most cases, tinnitus seems to go away or is sporadic. However, in the cases where people seek help, it rarely goes away; it just becomes more manageable. However, as with any other medical condition, the sooner you seek help the better. We do hear of distressing cases where people have committed suicide because they were unaware of the help that is available.
Myth 7: If you have tinnitus, there is little hope of easing the symptoms
AG: There definitely are a few treatments that can have a positive effect, one is Tinnitus Retraining Therapy. In this instance, a box will be tuned with the sound of the patient’s specific tinnitus and it will be played to them for between five and ten minutes each day. The idea behind this is that the tinnitus excites the fight or flee response in us as it is a sound we cannot identify, so our brain doesn’t know if it is a threat or not. So, by playing this sound on a regular basis, the brain gets used to it and identifies it as an external source, becomes less threatened by it and so pays less attention to it. The tinnitus never goes away but it becomes far more manageable.
‘You’re not alone’
Andrew is keen to reassure tinnitus sufferers that there are positive steps they can take to cope with tinnitus.
He said: “Things have improved enormously over the last few years, thanks mainly to the huge amount of research that Deafness Research UK has funded. Nowadays, most GP’s will know that Tinnitus is not fictional and is a very real, very distressing condition. This is also reassuring as, if you start suffering symptoms associated with tinnitus, you should always visit a GP first. If needed, they can refer to you a Tinnitus Specialist for help.
The most important thing to realise is that there IS help out there. Download our factsheet to find out more, but there are lots of treatments that can help manage the condition. Remember most of all, you are not alone. There are Tinnitus Support groups up and down the country at which you can find out how different people have found ways of coping.”
Author: James Christie
Claims Direct - Advice on tinnitus and accident at work claims.
www.claimsdirect.co.uk
Claims Direct can also help people with rehabilitation and put them in touch with support groups. But in terms of researching tinnitus, it is excellent organisations such as Deafness Research UK which are leading the fight to find out more about treating tinnitus.
Monday, 25 July 2011
It's new! It's tough! It's designed especially for health workers. Toughbook CF-H2
Panasonic has launched what looks to be an exciting new product, the Toughbook CF-H2, its second generation, fully rugged tablet PC designed specifically for health workers.
Setting new standards in ease of use, connectivity and productivity, the CF-H2 is a lightweight, water-resistant, shock and drop-tolerant and easily disinfected tablet device that meets the highest demands for mobility and networking within clinical environments. It allows doctors and nursing staff to benefit from instant access to medical records at the point of care, accurate documentation on patient conditions and medication, and enables greater efficiency of clinical processes.
With the latest Intel® CoreTM i5-2557M (1.7GHz) Ultra Low Voltage processor with vProTM and the Intel® HD 3000 graphics for enhanced multimedia capabilities, the Toughbook CF-H2 performance has been improved more than 400%*over its CF-H1 predecessor. The CF-H2 is ideal for power hungry healthcare applications such as Electronic Patient Records (EPR) and Patient Administration Systems (PAS). RAM has also been raised to 2 gigabyte as standard, with up to 6 gigabyte optional, and it comes with a 160 gigabyte hard disk drive as standard with 128 gigabyte SSD as an option.
Working with existing customers within the healthcare market, Panasonic has created a 2nd generation device that is the ultimate tool for medical staff.
Clean, reliable and durable
The CF-H2 has also been designed for easy disinfection, reducing the risk of infections being spread from patient to patient. Maintaining its fanless design, limiting the opportunity for germs to be transported by the device, the CF-H2 Health model features a smooth surface with sealed buttons and no exposed ports. Panasonic has also developed a special exterior case material, which can withstand frequent alcohol wipes. To further aid in disinfection, a Panasonic-designed software utility can be programmed to remind users to wipe the unit down at defined intervals and automatically records a successful cleaning for the hospital’s permanent records.
The CF-H2 remains the toughest rugged tablet in its range. It is drop tested to 90cm and has water, dust, vibration and temperature protection.
Ergonomically designed for clinicians
The CF-H2 is designed for clinicians who need to multi-task whilst holding the device in one hand. Lightweight rugged design (approx. 1.58kg), with an easy grab handle, the fanless device maintains a low surface temperature using its unique heat dissipation system and is available as a dual touch (digitizer and touchscreen) and touchscreen model.
The best screen visibility on the market
The CF-H2 always ensures the screen delivers just the right level of brightness for optimum viewing whatever the conditions, inside or out. To achieve premium visibility the CF-H2 uses a 10.1” display with Panasonic Transflective Plus technology. This operating mode helps to reduce power consumption and enhance battery life as no backlight is required in bright environments. This results in a massive enhancement of up to 6,000nit equivalent of transflective brightness under a 200K lx environment.
Functionality to fit every purpose
For maximum productivity around the hospital, medical staff need to perform a wide range of tasks. The CF-H2 is ideally suited. Optional Barcode readers are available to assist with data capture requirements.
For taking photos, the CF-H2 Health features an optional auto focus, 2.0 megapixel camera with one LED light.
For Using Audio Applications whilst working, the CF-H2 features a front speaker to enhance audio capability.
Healthcare workers often need interfaces to connect devices and peripherals for data capture and communication purposes. The CF-H2 is perfectly positioned to fulfill this requirement with a USB 2.0, LAN and serial port (optional 2nd USB 2.0 port in lieu of LAN port) available directly integrated within the device.
The CF-H2 also has all the options covered to ensure medical data is secure. Quick user authentication can be achieved using the optional fingerprint reader enhanced security. There is an optional contactless smartcard reader, which is compliant with ISO 14443 type A and type B, or an integrated, contact smartcard reader covered and sealed with it own latch for maximum protection and security.
Built to stay connected on the move
Ensuring medical workers can always stay in touch when on the move, the Toughbook CF-H2 offers WLAN, 3G (optional), Bluetooth and GPS (optional) for navigation and job scheduling. To improve data transfer capability, the Ericsson F5521gw HSPA+ module with wireless ready connection manager can be integrated as an option, significantly increasing download speeds up to 21Mbps. Available upon request, the device can also be switched into Anti-Theft-Protection mode by utilizing the latest Intel® ATP technology.
The power to last
To ensure that medical workers have a device that can work for as long as they do, even when access to power is lost, the CF-H2 can operate for up to 6.5 hours (MobileMarkTM 2007, 60nit) running on Windows® 7 by using the hot swappable, high-capacity twin-batteries developed internally by the Panasonic battery division. The CF-H2 charges its 2 batteries at the same time, in a rapid parallel mode, for quicker charge times (approx 3 hours).
All units also use the Panasonic Power Management Utilities technology to maximize power efficiency by managing the power of all relevant resources required by the CPU depending on each task or by definition of individual user profiles.
Improved system start-up
To maximise the efficiency of health workers, the CF-H2 also includes Panasonic’s Quick Boot Manager which can reduce the boot-up time of the device down to approximately 15 seconds****.
“This next generation Toughbook CF-H2 for the health sector is the ultimate rugged medical tablet,” said Stephen Yeo, Panasonic Toughbook European Marketing Director. “Listening closely to our existing customers, we have built a second generation device that is more powerful, easier to use and with more functionality than any comparable device on the market whilst maintaining all the essential health features required from clinicians in a busy medical environment.”
Compatibility that counts
To ensure existing customers can continue to use existing peripheral equipment, the new CF-H2 is compatible with many of the CF-H1 peripherals such as docking stations in order to provide long-term product lifecycle stability.
Backed by outstanding service
Every Toughbook comes with a 3-year warranty covering hardware failures for systems used as designed; with a 96-hour repair commitment and a 5-year spare parts guarantee.
Availability and pricing
The CF-H2 Health range is available from September 2011, starting at €1949 MSRP (excluding vat).
FACTFILE:
Panasonic Toughbooks are designed to give mobile workers in challenging environments reliable and secure access to their data and applications. Toughbooks are designed to overcome the situations where traditional mobile PCs fail including vibration, knocks, water, dust, disinfectants, sunlight, battery life, and one-handed operation. By finally giving workers access to IT in challenging environments, business processes, productivity and customer experience can be dramatically improved. Panasonic Toughbook made its first rugged mobile PC in 1994 and today has a 65% share of the European Durable and Rugged notebook computer market (unit sales 2010, VDC Research, March 2011).
For further information visit www.toughbook.eu.
Setting new standards in ease of use, connectivity and productivity, the CF-H2 is a lightweight, water-resistant, shock and drop-tolerant and easily disinfected tablet device that meets the highest demands for mobility and networking within clinical environments. It allows doctors and nursing staff to benefit from instant access to medical records at the point of care, accurate documentation on patient conditions and medication, and enables greater efficiency of clinical processes.
With the latest Intel® CoreTM i5-2557M (1.7GHz) Ultra Low Voltage processor with vProTM and the Intel® HD 3000 graphics for enhanced multimedia capabilities, the Toughbook CF-H2 performance has been improved more than 400%*over its CF-H1 predecessor. The CF-H2 is ideal for power hungry healthcare applications such as Electronic Patient Records (EPR) and Patient Administration Systems (PAS). RAM has also been raised to 2 gigabyte as standard, with up to 6 gigabyte optional, and it comes with a 160 gigabyte hard disk drive as standard with 128 gigabyte SSD as an option.
Working with existing customers within the healthcare market, Panasonic has created a 2nd generation device that is the ultimate tool for medical staff.
Clean, reliable and durable
The CF-H2 has also been designed for easy disinfection, reducing the risk of infections being spread from patient to patient. Maintaining its fanless design, limiting the opportunity for germs to be transported by the device, the CF-H2 Health model features a smooth surface with sealed buttons and no exposed ports. Panasonic has also developed a special exterior case material, which can withstand frequent alcohol wipes. To further aid in disinfection, a Panasonic-designed software utility can be programmed to remind users to wipe the unit down at defined intervals and automatically records a successful cleaning for the hospital’s permanent records.
The CF-H2 remains the toughest rugged tablet in its range. It is drop tested to 90cm and has water, dust, vibration and temperature protection.
Ergonomically designed for clinicians
The CF-H2 is designed for clinicians who need to multi-task whilst holding the device in one hand. Lightweight rugged design (approx. 1.58kg), with an easy grab handle, the fanless device maintains a low surface temperature using its unique heat dissipation system and is available as a dual touch (digitizer and touchscreen) and touchscreen model.
The best screen visibility on the market
The CF-H2 always ensures the screen delivers just the right level of brightness for optimum viewing whatever the conditions, inside or out. To achieve premium visibility the CF-H2 uses a 10.1” display with Panasonic Transflective Plus technology. This operating mode helps to reduce power consumption and enhance battery life as no backlight is required in bright environments. This results in a massive enhancement of up to 6,000nit equivalent of transflective brightness under a 200K lx environment.
Functionality to fit every purpose
For maximum productivity around the hospital, medical staff need to perform a wide range of tasks. The CF-H2 is ideally suited. Optional Barcode readers are available to assist with data capture requirements.
For taking photos, the CF-H2 Health features an optional auto focus, 2.0 megapixel camera with one LED light.
For Using Audio Applications whilst working, the CF-H2 features a front speaker to enhance audio capability.
Healthcare workers often need interfaces to connect devices and peripherals for data capture and communication purposes. The CF-H2 is perfectly positioned to fulfill this requirement with a USB 2.0, LAN and serial port (optional 2nd USB 2.0 port in lieu of LAN port) available directly integrated within the device.
The CF-H2 also has all the options covered to ensure medical data is secure. Quick user authentication can be achieved using the optional fingerprint reader enhanced security. There is an optional contactless smartcard reader, which is compliant with ISO 14443 type A and type B, or an integrated, contact smartcard reader covered and sealed with it own latch for maximum protection and security.
Built to stay connected on the move
Ensuring medical workers can always stay in touch when on the move, the Toughbook CF-H2 offers WLAN, 3G (optional), Bluetooth and GPS (optional) for navigation and job scheduling. To improve data transfer capability, the Ericsson F5521gw HSPA+ module with wireless ready connection manager can be integrated as an option, significantly increasing download speeds up to 21Mbps. Available upon request, the device can also be switched into Anti-Theft-Protection mode by utilizing the latest Intel® ATP technology.
The power to last
To ensure that medical workers have a device that can work for as long as they do, even when access to power is lost, the CF-H2 can operate for up to 6.5 hours (MobileMarkTM 2007, 60nit) running on Windows® 7 by using the hot swappable, high-capacity twin-batteries developed internally by the Panasonic battery division. The CF-H2 charges its 2 batteries at the same time, in a rapid parallel mode, for quicker charge times (approx 3 hours).
All units also use the Panasonic Power Management Utilities technology to maximize power efficiency by managing the power of all relevant resources required by the CPU depending on each task or by definition of individual user profiles.
Improved system start-up
To maximise the efficiency of health workers, the CF-H2 also includes Panasonic’s Quick Boot Manager which can reduce the boot-up time of the device down to approximately 15 seconds****.
“This next generation Toughbook CF-H2 for the health sector is the ultimate rugged medical tablet,” said Stephen Yeo, Panasonic Toughbook European Marketing Director. “Listening closely to our existing customers, we have built a second generation device that is more powerful, easier to use and with more functionality than any comparable device on the market whilst maintaining all the essential health features required from clinicians in a busy medical environment.”
Compatibility that counts
To ensure existing customers can continue to use existing peripheral equipment, the new CF-H2 is compatible with many of the CF-H1 peripherals such as docking stations in order to provide long-term product lifecycle stability.
Backed by outstanding service
Every Toughbook comes with a 3-year warranty covering hardware failures for systems used as designed; with a 96-hour repair commitment and a 5-year spare parts guarantee.
Availability and pricing
The CF-H2 Health range is available from September 2011, starting at €1949 MSRP (excluding vat).
FACTFILE:
Panasonic Toughbooks are designed to give mobile workers in challenging environments reliable and secure access to their data and applications. Toughbooks are designed to overcome the situations where traditional mobile PCs fail including vibration, knocks, water, dust, disinfectants, sunlight, battery life, and one-handed operation. By finally giving workers access to IT in challenging environments, business processes, productivity and customer experience can be dramatically improved. Panasonic Toughbook made its first rugged mobile PC in 1994 and today has a 65% share of the European Durable and Rugged notebook computer market (unit sales 2010, VDC Research, March 2011).
For further information visit www.toughbook.eu.
Teenagers’ teeth problems: Some questions and answers
A qualified dentist fields some of the questions teenagers who are worried about their teeth are posting on Yahoo Answers.
If you have a dental query do you (a) phone a friend for advice, (b) research the answer yourself or (c) seek expert help from a dentist?
Well, according to new research many people experiencing dental pain are exploring a fourth option; turning to Twitter for advice.
Dental-related tweets cover issues including toothache, wisdom teeth and dental braces such as Invisalign and Inman Aligner. Pop singer Lily Allen recently used Twitter to update her followers on the day-to-day progress following a painful tooth extraction.
A study with the catchy title ‘Public Health Surveillance of Dental Pain via Twitter’ collected 4,859 tweets relating to dental pain over just seven days.
It was found that 22 per cent of these tweets were about action “taken or contemplated” and 14 per cent of these actively sought advice from the Twitter community.
The Yahoo Answers website offers even more direct answers about dental queries than Twitter does. The people posing the questions seem to mostly be teenagers – perhaps reflecting young people’s preference for using internet forums.
I asked London dentist Dr. Glafcos Tombolis, who runs Ethicare, to look at some of the questions posed by teenagers on Yahoo Answers.
Kathryn asked: “Will Invisalign clear braces work?” She is 17 and her main concern is that her front six teeth (top and bottom) are pretty crowded – one of the answers mentioned that Invisalign takes a little longer than normal braces.
Glafcos Tombolis: It’s not necessarily true that Invisalign can take longer to have an effect than more old-fashioned braces – sometimes Invisalign can obtain quicker results. The fact that they are clear braces makes them great for self-conscious younger patients. Kathryn should ask her dentist to take a look at the degree of crowding in her teeth and advise her further.
Totoro’s question has the title: “How many months of bulimia until tooth decay?” After 6 months of bulimia will she have tooth decay and will her dentist be able to tell? Is there a legal obligation to tell her parents (her age was not specified)?
GT: Bulimia involves regurgitating acid into the mouth - a harmful action which initially causes acid erosion rather than decay. The effect of this is rather like acid rain falling on rock; it damages the surface. In a tooth’s case this is the enamel. Damaged surface enamel can make tooth decay more likely and cause painful tooth sensitivity too. The dentist should be able to see the results of bulimia. If a patient is below the age of 16, then parents do have a right to know about matters like this.
Tod asks: If you brush AND floss, do you floss before or after you brush?
GT: I always advise that it is better to floss first.
Singergr’s question has the title: “Tooth changing colour after filling?” The Yahoo Answers member had a filling behind one of his front teeth and discovered to his horror that a tiny part of the tooth looks a blue-ish colour and isn’t smooth.
GT: This discolouration could result from a filling being the wrong shade. It could be that the tooth’s nerve is dying off, which often results in a grey stain appearing. Singergr really needs to see their dentist to find out more.
Alex is one of many teenagers with a wisdom tooth enquiry. At the age of 14 she had an X-Ray where her bottom wisdom teeth were clearly visible under the gum line. However, now 16, she has been told by her orthodontist that she “isn’t going to get wisdom teeth”. Will the wisdom teeth definitely come through?
GT: It’s very rare that you can safely predict that wisdom teeth won’t emerge and need attention. There is always potential for wisdom teeth to emerge, apart from in rare cases where the wisdom teeth are ‘buried’ deep in the jawbone, far away from the mouth.
Lindsey, who is 14-years-old asked: “How young is too young for teeth whitening?”
GT: UK guidelines say that anyone under the age of 14 shouldn’t have teeth-whitening treatment. The youngest patients I have given teeth whitening treatment to have been 17.
www.ethicaredental.co.uk
If you have a dental query do you (a) phone a friend for advice, (b) research the answer yourself or (c) seek expert help from a dentist?
Well, according to new research many people experiencing dental pain are exploring a fourth option; turning to Twitter for advice.
Dental-related tweets cover issues including toothache, wisdom teeth and dental braces such as Invisalign and Inman Aligner. Pop singer Lily Allen recently used Twitter to update her followers on the day-to-day progress following a painful tooth extraction.
A study with the catchy title ‘Public Health Surveillance of Dental Pain via Twitter’ collected 4,859 tweets relating to dental pain over just seven days.
It was found that 22 per cent of these tweets were about action “taken or contemplated” and 14 per cent of these actively sought advice from the Twitter community.
The Yahoo Answers website offers even more direct answers about dental queries than Twitter does. The people posing the questions seem to mostly be teenagers – perhaps reflecting young people’s preference for using internet forums.
I asked London dentist Dr. Glafcos Tombolis, who runs Ethicare, to look at some of the questions posed by teenagers on Yahoo Answers.
Kathryn asked: “Will Invisalign clear braces work?” She is 17 and her main concern is that her front six teeth (top and bottom) are pretty crowded – one of the answers mentioned that Invisalign takes a little longer than normal braces.
Glafcos Tombolis: It’s not necessarily true that Invisalign can take longer to have an effect than more old-fashioned braces – sometimes Invisalign can obtain quicker results. The fact that they are clear braces makes them great for self-conscious younger patients. Kathryn should ask her dentist to take a look at the degree of crowding in her teeth and advise her further.
Totoro’s question has the title: “How many months of bulimia until tooth decay?” After 6 months of bulimia will she have tooth decay and will her dentist be able to tell? Is there a legal obligation to tell her parents (her age was not specified)?
GT: Bulimia involves regurgitating acid into the mouth - a harmful action which initially causes acid erosion rather than decay. The effect of this is rather like acid rain falling on rock; it damages the surface. In a tooth’s case this is the enamel. Damaged surface enamel can make tooth decay more likely and cause painful tooth sensitivity too. The dentist should be able to see the results of bulimia. If a patient is below the age of 16, then parents do have a right to know about matters like this.
Tod asks: If you brush AND floss, do you floss before or after you brush?
GT: I always advise that it is better to floss first.
Singergr’s question has the title: “Tooth changing colour after filling?” The Yahoo Answers member had a filling behind one of his front teeth and discovered to his horror that a tiny part of the tooth looks a blue-ish colour and isn’t smooth.
GT: This discolouration could result from a filling being the wrong shade. It could be that the tooth’s nerve is dying off, which often results in a grey stain appearing. Singergr really needs to see their dentist to find out more.
Alex is one of many teenagers with a wisdom tooth enquiry. At the age of 14 she had an X-Ray where her bottom wisdom teeth were clearly visible under the gum line. However, now 16, she has been told by her orthodontist that she “isn’t going to get wisdom teeth”. Will the wisdom teeth definitely come through?
GT: It’s very rare that you can safely predict that wisdom teeth won’t emerge and need attention. There is always potential for wisdom teeth to emerge, apart from in rare cases where the wisdom teeth are ‘buried’ deep in the jawbone, far away from the mouth.
Lindsey, who is 14-years-old asked: “How young is too young for teeth whitening?”
GT: UK guidelines say that anyone under the age of 14 shouldn’t have teeth-whitening treatment. The youngest patients I have given teeth whitening treatment to have been 17.
www.ethicaredental.co.uk
Herbs that could help the menopause
Naturally enough (no pun intended) many women want to try herbal remedies to combat their menopausal symptoms, but often find it difficult to know which ones to choose. Some herbs aren’t suitable for everyone, others might cause side effects or interact with some conventional medicines. New EU regulations in May 2011 mean that registered herbal remedies have to contain the right ingredients in the right dose and must be made according to strict safety standards.
In the Summer 2011 issue of The Menopause Exchange newsletter, research associate Alyson Huntley PhD looks at the scientific evidence behind popular herbs for the menopause, including black cohosh, red clover and St John’s wort. She also discusses the effectiveness, side effects and recommended dose of these herbs.
“Some women find that certain herbs can ease their menopausal symptoms, especially hot flushes and mood swings,” says Norma Goldman, who is the founder and director of The Menopause Exchange. “Safety is a key issue, however, and women should speak to their doctor before taking any herbal remedies. This is particularly important if they have any chronic medical conditions, have or have had breast cancer or take any medicines regularly.”
The Menopause Exchange is completely independent – it’s not sponsored by any companies and is funded purely by subscriptions from individuals and healthcare professionals. Other articles in the Summer 2011 issue include continuous combined HRT, menopause skincare essentials and alcohol and smoking in relation to the menopause.
SPECIAL OFFER FOR NEW MEMBERS
The Menopause Exchange is offering new members an 18 month subscription instead of the usual 12 month subscription until the end of October 2011.
Visit The Menopause Exchange website at www.menopause-exchange.co.uk.
In the Summer 2011 issue of The Menopause Exchange newsletter, research associate Alyson Huntley PhD looks at the scientific evidence behind popular herbs for the menopause, including black cohosh, red clover and St John’s wort. She also discusses the effectiveness, side effects and recommended dose of these herbs.
“Some women find that certain herbs can ease their menopausal symptoms, especially hot flushes and mood swings,” says Norma Goldman, who is the founder and director of The Menopause Exchange. “Safety is a key issue, however, and women should speak to their doctor before taking any herbal remedies. This is particularly important if they have any chronic medical conditions, have or have had breast cancer or take any medicines regularly.”
The Menopause Exchange is completely independent – it’s not sponsored by any companies and is funded purely by subscriptions from individuals and healthcare professionals. Other articles in the Summer 2011 issue include continuous combined HRT, menopause skincare essentials and alcohol and smoking in relation to the menopause.
SPECIAL OFFER FOR NEW MEMBERS
The Menopause Exchange is offering new members an 18 month subscription instead of the usual 12 month subscription until the end of October 2011.
Visit The Menopause Exchange website at www.menopause-exchange.co.uk.
Thursday, 21 July 2011
That's Beauty and Living: Liberate reveals almost half of women teased about...
That's Beauty and Living: Liberate reveals almost half of women teased about...: "Liberate, the new cosmetic surgery group, has been completing some public research around some shocking topics, with the most notable reveal..."
Tuesday, 19 July 2011
Charity’s pioneering ‘Takin’ Charge’ project helps young men with rare genetic disease prepare for adulthood
Young men living with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy will benefit from a new programme called ‘Takin’ Charge’ designed to help them prepare for adulthood. The pioneering project is possible due to a “generous” grant of almost £500,000 awarded over the next five years to Action Duchenne, the UK charity for Duchenne by the Big Lottery’s ‘Reaching Communities’ Fund.
Duchenne is a life limiting disease resulting from damage to the dystrophin gene. It hits 1 in 3,500 male births in the UK.
The availability and quality of care for young people with Duchenne during later teenage years, a critical period of life when preparing for adulthood, is often poor or non-existent in many areas of the UK.
The availability and quality of care for young people with Duchenne during later teenage years, a critical period of life when preparing for adulthood, is often poor or non-existent in many areas of the UK.
Action Duchenne’s ‘Takin’ Charge’ project is aimed at 14-19 year-old males who are going through ‘Transition to Adulthood’, preparing them to reach their full potential in their twenties and beyond.
Nat Sloane, who is the Big Lottery Fund’s England Chair, said: “Action Duchenne is giving young men living with this rare muscle wasting disease the chance to take control over their lives and reach their full potential. I am delighted the Big Lottery Fund can help groups like this make such a difference to individual lives.”
Nick Catlin, CEO of Action Duchenne points out: “Advances in Standards of Care and medical breakthroughs have extended the life expectancy of young men living with Duchenne from late teens to 30/40 years. But support for the learning and education of these young men has not kept up and our ground-breaking new programme is designed to help them become better prepared for life after school.”
He added “Achieving Lottery funding marks a significant milestone in our history by recognising the value of our services and the magnitude of our efforts in the community. ‘Takin’ Charge’ is the next step to giving our boys independent, rewarding lives and we are truly grateful to BIG for making our project a reality.”
Action Duchenne’s project promotes self-advocacy and independent living and covers important areas such as employment and sexual health. Working closely with the Centres of Excellence, the project aims to offer an accredited e-learning programme that will help equip young people with Duchenne to become advocates for themselves, opening the door to new opportunities in education and employment.
Mark Silverman, who is a trustee of Action Duchenne said, “We are absolutely delighted to win this funding for the Takin’ Charge programme. It is not so long ago that the outlook for Duchenne patients was pretty bleak with no hope, now at last we are seeing recognition of the changed expectations for young people with Duchenne.
Nat Sloane, who is the Big Lottery Fund’s England Chair, said: “Action Duchenne is giving young men living with this rare muscle wasting disease the chance to take control over their lives and reach their full potential. I am delighted the Big Lottery Fund can help groups like this make such a difference to individual lives.”
Nick Catlin, CEO of Action Duchenne points out: “Advances in Standards of Care and medical breakthroughs have extended the life expectancy of young men living with Duchenne from late teens to 30/40 years. But support for the learning and education of these young men has not kept up and our ground-breaking new programme is designed to help them become better prepared for life after school.”
He added “Achieving Lottery funding marks a significant milestone in our history by recognising the value of our services and the magnitude of our efforts in the community. ‘Takin’ Charge’ is the next step to giving our boys independent, rewarding lives and we are truly grateful to BIG for making our project a reality.”
Action Duchenne’s project promotes self-advocacy and independent living and covers important areas such as employment and sexual health. Working closely with the Centres of Excellence, the project aims to offer an accredited e-learning programme that will help equip young people with Duchenne to become advocates for themselves, opening the door to new opportunities in education and employment.
Mark Silverman, who is a trustee of Action Duchenne said, “We are absolutely delighted to win this funding for the Takin’ Charge programme. It is not so long ago that the outlook for Duchenne patients was pretty bleak with no hope, now at last we are seeing recognition of the changed expectations for young people with Duchenne.
“They are increasingly living much longer and whilst variations in standards of care still exist across the United Kingdom, people living with Duchenne can reasonably expect to have an adult life where they take their place in the community and make a positive contribution.”
Two other programmes will run in parallel with ‘Takin’ Charge’ : ‘Letting Go’ will support parents of young people going through Transition to Adulthood, giving advice and strategies on how to best to promote independence, and ‘What about Us?’ will support siblings of young people with Duchenne aged 14-19 years.
FACTFILE:
The Big Lottery Fund is the largest distributor of Lottery money to good causes. It is responsible for delivering 46 per cent of all funds raised for good causes (about 13 pence of every pound spent on a Lottery Ticket) by The National Lottery.
Since June 2004, BIG has awarded over £3.6bn to projects supporting health, education, environment and charitable purposes. Most of its funding is awarded to voluntary and community sector organisations.
BIG delivers funding throughout the UK, mostly through programmes tailored specifically to the needs of communities in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland as well as some programmes that cover the whole UK.
BIG is a non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).
For more information, please visit: www.biglotteryfund.org.uk
Two other programmes will run in parallel with ‘Takin’ Charge’ : ‘Letting Go’ will support parents of young people going through Transition to Adulthood, giving advice and strategies on how to best to promote independence, and ‘What about Us?’ will support siblings of young people with Duchenne aged 14-19 years.
FACTFILE:
The Big Lottery Fund is the largest distributor of Lottery money to good causes. It is responsible for delivering 46 per cent of all funds raised for good causes (about 13 pence of every pound spent on a Lottery Ticket) by The National Lottery.
Since June 2004, BIG has awarded over £3.6bn to projects supporting health, education, environment and charitable purposes. Most of its funding is awarded to voluntary and community sector organisations.
BIG delivers funding throughout the UK, mostly through programmes tailored specifically to the needs of communities in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland as well as some programmes that cover the whole UK.
BIG is a non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).
For more information, please visit: www.biglotteryfund.org.uk
Sunday, 17 July 2011
OralSeven for healthier teeth and gums
Most people are aware moisturising the skin daily is a way of keeping it healthy and feeling comfortable. However, it may come as a surprise that similar benefits can be achieved by moisturising the mouth and gums using specially formulated products. After all it is not only teeth that need a little bit of TLC!
OralSeven is a new range of oral care products which include naturally occurring enzymes to give a mouth watering experience and ensure perfect oral hydration throughout day and night.
Saliva is vital because it not only keeps the mouth moist, but contains beneficial enzymes and bacteria which play an important role in the digestive process and a protective role for teeth and gums and helps prevent bad breath.
Changes in lifestyle and stress, combined with smoking and alcohol consumption, reduces the production of saliva that is necessary to keep the mouth moist. Increase in the use of medications such as antibiotics also hinders saliva production and the problem is made worse by the use of conventional dental ingredients containing harsh, drying ingredients such as alcohol and SLS
To keep and maintain a healthy flow of saliva and protect the delicate bio system of the mouth, use OralSeven as part of your daily regime. Brush each morning and night with OralSeven™ Toothpaste which is free of harsh drying or foaming detergent (SLS); Sloosh after brushing your teeth with alcohol free OralSeven™ Mouthwash; and if you want an extra boost use OralSeven™ Moisturising Mouth Gel at night which soothes, lubricates and protects the mouth and gums for up to 7 hours providing an extra benefit for those in need of additional oral hydration.
A Mouthwatering Experience All Day Every Day!
The OralSeven range is available through independent pharmacies (telephone: 0115 8419795 for stockists) and retails at: OralSeven Toothpaste (75ml) containing fluoride and calcium £6.50 ; Alcohol free OralSeven Mouthwash (250ml) £6.99, 500ml £9.99; OralSeven Gel (48ml) £10.49. All products are sweetened with Xylitol)
OralSeven is a new range of oral care products which include naturally occurring enzymes to give a mouth watering experience and ensure perfect oral hydration throughout day and night.
Saliva is vital because it not only keeps the mouth moist, but contains beneficial enzymes and bacteria which play an important role in the digestive process and a protective role for teeth and gums and helps prevent bad breath.
Changes in lifestyle and stress, combined with smoking and alcohol consumption, reduces the production of saliva that is necessary to keep the mouth moist. Increase in the use of medications such as antibiotics also hinders saliva production and the problem is made worse by the use of conventional dental ingredients containing harsh, drying ingredients such as alcohol and SLS
To keep and maintain a healthy flow of saliva and protect the delicate bio system of the mouth, use OralSeven as part of your daily regime. Brush each morning and night with OralSeven™ Toothpaste which is free of harsh drying or foaming detergent (SLS); Sloosh after brushing your teeth with alcohol free OralSeven™ Mouthwash; and if you want an extra boost use OralSeven™ Moisturising Mouth Gel at night which soothes, lubricates and protects the mouth and gums for up to 7 hours providing an extra benefit for those in need of additional oral hydration.
A Mouthwatering Experience All Day Every Day!
The OralSeven range is available through independent pharmacies (telephone: 0115 8419795 for stockists) and retails at: OralSeven Toothpaste (75ml) containing fluoride and calcium £6.50 ; Alcohol free OralSeven Mouthwash (250ml) £6.99, 500ml £9.99; OralSeven Gel (48ml) £10.49. All products are sweetened with Xylitol)
Back to Basic as Charity Fundraisers Open New Facility for People with Brain Injuries
A new facility to help people with serious brain injuries has opened in Salford thanks to the fundraising efforts of kindhearted staff at an Altrincham-based motorcycle insurance firm.
Marathon runs, cycle rides and even a trek across Arctic waste lands were among activities undertaken by employees of Carole Nash in aid of the Brain & Spinal Injuries Centre (BASIC). The £15,000 they raised covered the cost of a conservatory extension to the charity’s specialist BodyBASIC gym. This now houses three high tec machines which will help hundreds of brain injured people every year to recover their balance, gait, posture and ability to support their own weight.
The new facility was officially opened by Carole Nash’s chief executive, David Newman, who himself raised several thousand pounds undertaking a gruelling expedition to the North Pole. Fellow director Simon Jackson also made a major contribution by completing the Great North Run with a team of Carole Nash employees. Other activities which the company’s staff used to raise money included a Manchester to Blackpool cycle ride and a sponsored walk from Styal to popular bikers’ haunt, the Cat and Fiddle pub near Macclesfield.
BASIC fundraiser Andy Golightly said that the support of Carole Nash staff had been vital. “We’re incredibly grateful firstly that Carole Nash nominated BASIC as the company’s Charity of the Year and secondly that so many staff got involved and raised so much money. Without them and their efforts our 450 clients would have been denied access to an invaluable facility which will improve their health and wellbeing and lead to a better quality of life.”
The BodyBASIC gym is just one of over thirty services provided by BASIC which also includes counselling, complementary therapy, vocational guidance and practical advice. Over their 25-year history they have developed into a unique, innovative and diverse organisation and are professional experts at rebuilding lives following brain and spinal injury.
Opening the gym extension David Newman said: “I am immensely proud of the way Carole Nash as a whole got behind this major fundraising challenge. It fills me with such pride to now be stood here seeing how that money has been used and knowing that so many lives will be improved by this facility and the brilliant staff who operate it. This can only add to the already magnificent work that BASIC does and which my colleagues and I have previously witnessed first hand when visiting the centre.”
Marathon runs, cycle rides and even a trek across Arctic waste lands were among activities undertaken by employees of Carole Nash in aid of the Brain & Spinal Injuries Centre (BASIC). The £15,000 they raised covered the cost of a conservatory extension to the charity’s specialist BodyBASIC gym. This now houses three high tec machines which will help hundreds of brain injured people every year to recover their balance, gait, posture and ability to support their own weight.
The new facility was officially opened by Carole Nash’s chief executive, David Newman, who himself raised several thousand pounds undertaking a gruelling expedition to the North Pole. Fellow director Simon Jackson also made a major contribution by completing the Great North Run with a team of Carole Nash employees. Other activities which the company’s staff used to raise money included a Manchester to Blackpool cycle ride and a sponsored walk from Styal to popular bikers’ haunt, the Cat and Fiddle pub near Macclesfield.
BASIC fundraiser Andy Golightly said that the support of Carole Nash staff had been vital. “We’re incredibly grateful firstly that Carole Nash nominated BASIC as the company’s Charity of the Year and secondly that so many staff got involved and raised so much money. Without them and their efforts our 450 clients would have been denied access to an invaluable facility which will improve their health and wellbeing and lead to a better quality of life.”
The BodyBASIC gym is just one of over thirty services provided by BASIC which also includes counselling, complementary therapy, vocational guidance and practical advice. Over their 25-year history they have developed into a unique, innovative and diverse organisation and are professional experts at rebuilding lives following brain and spinal injury.
Opening the gym extension David Newman said: “I am immensely proud of the way Carole Nash as a whole got behind this major fundraising challenge. It fills me with such pride to now be stood here seeing how that money has been used and knowing that so many lives will be improved by this facility and the brilliant staff who operate it. This can only add to the already magnificent work that BASIC does and which my colleagues and I have previously witnessed first hand when visiting the centre.”
FACTFILE:
BASIC was founded by Bolton businessman Derek Gaskell after his wife returned home following life saving brain surgery at Hope Hospital, Salford. Initially she was unable to do anything for herself being incapable of walking or talking and suffering depression. Over many years she made a good recovery but affected by the experience Mr. Gaskell launched Neurosurgical Research (later named the Brain & Spinal Injuries Centre) in 1986.
BASIC was founded by Bolton businessman Derek Gaskell after his wife returned home following life saving brain surgery at Hope Hospital, Salford. Initially she was unable to do anything for herself being incapable of walking or talking and suffering depression. Over many years she made a good recovery but affected by the experience Mr. Gaskell launched Neurosurgical Research (later named the Brain & Spinal Injuries Centre) in 1986.
Today it provides counselling, information and support services locally, regionally and nationally for patients and their families. Its achievements include funding life-saving technology for the Greater Manchester Clinical Neuroscience Centre and the UK’s first specialist subarachnoid haemorrhage nurse. For further details visit http://basiccharity.org.uk.
Carole Nash was ranked as the UK’s 40th biggest UK insurance broker in August 2010 by Insurance Times magazine and employs over employs over 300 staff in the UK and in Ireland. It provides insurance for some 300,000 classic, vintage, modern, custom and off road motorcycles – around 20 percent of all licensed machines. Its market-leading status has also been confirmed by the independent bikers’ survey, RiDER Power, which has found the company the Most Used Broker in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009. The company is also a leading player in the classic car sector with its portfolio also spanning modern car, van, military vehicle, travel and home insurance.
Carole Nash was ranked as the UK’s 40th biggest UK insurance broker in August 2010 by Insurance Times magazine and employs over employs over 300 staff in the UK and in Ireland. It provides insurance for some 300,000 classic, vintage, modern, custom and off road motorcycles – around 20 percent of all licensed machines. Its market-leading status has also been confirmed by the independent bikers’ survey, RiDER Power, which has found the company the Most Used Broker in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009. The company is also a leading player in the classic car sector with its portfolio also spanning modern car, van, military vehicle, travel and home insurance.
Thursday, 14 July 2011
Be a real superhero with Bio-Synergy and “Marvel’s” Captain America
This Summer Bio-Synergy (the UK’s foremost sports supplement company) is delighted to be linking up with Marvels Captain America : The First Avenger to run an exclusive on-pack promotion on the new Bio-Synergy performance range. The promotion will give participants the chance to win a fantastic adventure weekend for a group of you and your friends!
The rousing action and adventure epic Captain America: The First Avenger hits our screens on the 22nd July 2011! What started off as an amazing comic book adventure will now be hitting the big screens featuring Chris Evans as Captain America (Steve Rogers) and Academy Award winning Tommy Lee Jones as Colonel Chester Phillips.
The exclusive Captain America : The First Avenger Competition images will be displayed on their new transforming and strengthening performance range including Thermogen, NO2, Kre-Akalyn which are set to turn you into an agile lean mean fighting machine. The products are available online with Amazon, Littlewoods and the Bio-Synergy website.
Prizes include an action thrilled adventure day at Go Ape for 4 people! Go Ape is a tree top adventure, set in lush Green forests across the UK Go Ape parks are full of tree-top high wires, tricky crossing (with ladders, walkways, bridges and tunnels made of wood, rope and super-strong wire) and zip wires! Participants are let loose into the forest canopy and free to swing through the trees, and be your own super heroe! Runners Up will have the chance to win an Xbox, a private viewing to the movie or a Captain America goodie bags!
FACTFILE:
Bio-Synergy – is one of Britain’s most innovative and popular sports nutrition companies. Over the past 13 years, the brand’s products have won awards and been given the highest ratings by publications including Slim at Home, Body Fit, Daily Mail, News of the World, Daily Telegraph and Men’s Health, to name just a few.
The First Avenger Captain America - Is focused on the early days of the Marvel Universe when Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) volunteers for an experiment that turns him into the super soldier, Captain America.
The rousing action and adventure epic Captain America: The First Avenger hits our screens on the 22nd July 2011! What started off as an amazing comic book adventure will now be hitting the big screens featuring Chris Evans as Captain America (Steve Rogers) and Academy Award winning Tommy Lee Jones as Colonel Chester Phillips.
The exclusive Captain America : The First Avenger Competition images will be displayed on their new transforming and strengthening performance range including Thermogen, NO2, Kre-Akalyn which are set to turn you into an agile lean mean fighting machine. The products are available online with Amazon, Littlewoods and the Bio-Synergy website.
Prizes include an action thrilled adventure day at Go Ape for 4 people! Go Ape is a tree top adventure, set in lush Green forests across the UK Go Ape parks are full of tree-top high wires, tricky crossing (with ladders, walkways, bridges and tunnels made of wood, rope and super-strong wire) and zip wires! Participants are let loose into the forest canopy and free to swing through the trees, and be your own super heroe! Runners Up will have the chance to win an Xbox, a private viewing to the movie or a Captain America goodie bags!
FACTFILE:
Bio-Synergy – is one of Britain’s most innovative and popular sports nutrition companies. Over the past 13 years, the brand’s products have won awards and been given the highest ratings by publications including Slim at Home, Body Fit, Daily Mail, News of the World, Daily Telegraph and Men’s Health, to name just a few.
The First Avenger Captain America - Is focused on the early days of the Marvel Universe when Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) volunteers for an experiment that turns him into the super soldier, Captain America.
As Captain America, Roger joins forces with Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan) and Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell) to wage war on the evil hydra organisation, led by the villainous Red skull. He fights a hidden enemy across war-torn Europe and becomes The First Avenger.
Bio-Synergy Performance Range includes Thermogen, Ribose, N02, Beta Performance, Kre-Alkalyn, Joint Formulae, Glutimine, Arginine will be available online at Littlewoods, Amazon and www.bio-synergy.co.uk
Bio-Synergy Performance Range includes Thermogen, Ribose, N02, Beta Performance, Kre-Alkalyn, Joint Formulae, Glutimine, Arginine will be available online at Littlewoods, Amazon and www.bio-synergy.co.uk
Wednesday, 13 July 2011
Personal injury. What you should do
Whilst it is not the intention of That's Health to promote the so-called “compensation culture” there are times when someone has received a personal injury that has potential life-changing consequences. Perhaps that is why you are now at home reading That's Health?
So if you have been unfortunate enough to suffer a personal injury that was not your fault, then you will need all the help, assistance and support possible, and that will come in the form of a personal injury solicitor who is experienced and skilled within in this area of the law.
Serious Law have over 20 years experience, and will ensure you receive all of the compensation which you are entitled to. Important if you or a loved one needs specialist or attention.
Serious Law solicitors will firstly prioritise your immediate situation, and ensure you have the expert help and assistance that is required. This can mean initial immediate funding for nurses, carers, or home or vehicle adaptations. You may find that you are unable to work due to your brain injury and your solicitor will know the financial help you are entitled to from the State, not to mention fighting for your rightful compensation.
The next approach Serious Law solicitors will take is to gather all the info necessary for your accident claim. This will include witnesses, details of the accident, and receipts for any expenses you have incurred as a result of your accident. Additionally, you may be assessed by an independent medic, who can determine the long term effects of your injury.
To find out more speak to their friendly team of experts by calling Serious Law on 0800 61 66 81. Or you can visit their website at www.seriousinjurylaw.co.uk
Serious Law have over 20 years experience, and will ensure you receive all of the compensation which you are entitled to. Important if you or a loved one needs specialist or attention.
Serious Law solicitors will firstly prioritise your immediate situation, and ensure you have the expert help and assistance that is required. This can mean initial immediate funding for nurses, carers, or home or vehicle adaptations. You may find that you are unable to work due to your brain injury and your solicitor will know the financial help you are entitled to from the State, not to mention fighting for your rightful compensation.
The next approach Serious Law solicitors will take is to gather all the info necessary for your accident claim. This will include witnesses, details of the accident, and receipts for any expenses you have incurred as a result of your accident. Additionally, you may be assessed by an independent medic, who can determine the long term effects of your injury.
To find out more speak to their friendly team of experts by calling Serious Law on 0800 61 66 81. Or you can visit their website at www.seriousinjurylaw.co.uk
That's Beauty and Living: Marks & Spencer Celebrates Five Years of Post-Surg...
That's Beauty and Living: Marks & Spencer Celebrates Five Years of Post-Surg...: "This summer marks five years since Marks & Spencer became the first high street retailer to launch its own collection of feminine and pretty..."
Crown Oil Team to Scale Kilimanjaro for Children’s Charity MedEquip4Kids
An eight man team at Crown Oil are in intensive training in preparation to climb Kilimanjaro, to raise money for the charity MedEquip4Kids. The company are supporting the project so that every penny raised in sponsorship will go to the charity. Flying out on September 14 and returning on the September 25, the team will climb the mountain via the 56km Lemosho route to reach the 5895 metre (19341ft) summit.
MedEquip4Kids provides special equipment and facilities for neo-natal units, children’s wards, maternity units and children’s outpatient departments. Recent projects have ranged from the supply of defibrillators and the support of clown doctors to the equipping of a multisensory room. “Our work is about improving children’s healthcare, this often means helping to take some of the anxiety out of hospital visits and treatment,” explained Ghazala Baig, deputy director at MedEquip4Kids.
“We hope to raise at least £10,000, though it would be better if we could smash this target rather than just limp over the line,” explained trek coordinator Terry Day. “The team are combining gym work with hiking trips to the Lakes and Snowdonia at weekends to get used to the climbing and build endurance.”
Supporters can follow the team at http://www.crown-oil.blogspot.com/ and make donations at http://www.justgiving.com/Crown-Oil where there is also an update on the group’s progress.
MedEquip4Kids provides special equipment and facilities for neo-natal units, children’s wards, maternity units and children’s outpatient departments. Recent projects have ranged from the supply of defibrillators and the support of clown doctors to the equipping of a multisensory room. “Our work is about improving children’s healthcare, this often means helping to take some of the anxiety out of hospital visits and treatment,” explained Ghazala Baig, deputy director at MedEquip4Kids.
“We hope to raise at least £10,000, though it would be better if we could smash this target rather than just limp over the line,” explained trek coordinator Terry Day. “The team are combining gym work with hiking trips to the Lakes and Snowdonia at weekends to get used to the climbing and build endurance.”
Supporters can follow the team at http://www.crown-oil.blogspot.com/ and make donations at http://www.justgiving.com/Crown-Oil where there is also an update on the group’s progress.
Tuesday, 12 July 2011
Local carers at risk of losing out across England
Carers’ organisations across England are disappointed that their local Primary Care Trusts (PCT) have not committed to using all of their allocated budget to support unpaid carers.
Two of the country’s leading carers’ charities, The Princess Royal Trust for Carers and Crossroads Care, have launched the Give Carers a Break campaign to ensure every pound of the £400million allocated by the Government for carers’ breaks is spent on carers.
Research from the two charities has shown that the vast majority of PCTs are failing to show how they will be spending the cash on carer services – in complete contradiction of government guidelines.
Nine out of ten PCTs responding to the survey from the two charities still haven’t committed to using the funding to support carers. And while over half of respondents said they will revise their plans to support carers, England’s five million unpaid carers fear they will miss out again if PCTs aren’t held to account.
The campaign to push PCTs to give carers the support they desperately need is being backed by new Dragon’s Den star Hilary Devey.
Millionaire business-woman Hilary, a long-term supporter of The Princess Royal Trust for Carers, said: “As a former carer and a business-woman it makes perfect sense to me that carers should be supported in this way. Breaks from caring responsibilities make all the difference to the carers’ mental and physical health and well-being. It’s a sound investment that saves money in the long run because without breaks many carers are not able to continue as their health deteriorates and they end up needing care or hospitalisation themselves.”
The overwhelming majority of PCTs (82%) claimed they had worked with carers’ organisations or carers to develop plans and budgets but local carers’ organisations dispute this claim, pointing out that nearly half (40%) of PCTs did NOT engage with them in any way at all.
Liz Fenton, Chief Executive, The Princess Royal Trust for Carers said, “As part of this campaign we’re calling on the Government to ensure every PCT spends their allocated budget supporting carers. Because the money is not ‘ring-fenced’, cash-strapped PCTs are not obliged to spend the money on carers and are in danger of diverting the funds elsewhere.”
The Princess Royal Trust for Carers and Crossroads Care used the Freedom of Information Act to obtain this data from PCTs in England.
Monday, 11 July 2011
Pioneering E-Lites comment on BAT’s ‘safe cigarette’ bid
The UK's top electronic cigarette manufacturer E-Lites says the race to develop a safe new alternative smoking device has already been won.
The company has issued a 'defiant' response to news that tobacco giant BAT is planning the launch of a ‘nicotine delivery product’.
E-Lites, which has, over the past four years, developed some of the most sophisticated electronic cigarettes on the market, says BAT’s non-electronic nicotine inhaler is unlikely to win many fans among British smokers who are already switching to e-cigarettes in record numbers.
E-Lites Director Dermot Ryan said: “Plans by BAT to produce a rival device to the electronic cigarette could be viewed as a cynical attempt to gatecrash this fast-growing industry. Ultimately, we are confident that our new generation of products are the most credible alternative to tobacco cigarettes. We’re proud that E-Lites is completely removed from the world of tobacco manufacturing. We are focused purely on our genuine alternative. Can BAT say the same thing?
“Electronic cigarettes are making a major impact on tobacco cigarette sales. Advanced technology such as that contained in the E-Lites G9 range is creating a great alternative to tobacco. With products that are reliable, robust and satisfying – but much healthier – smokers get a very similar experience but can feel much better about it. This is surely the future.”
The healthier credentials of E-Lites were highlighted at a Tobacco Amnesty supported by Dr Hilary Jones, which marked World No Tobacco Day on 31st May. He said: “Electronic cigarettes are another alternative for people who want to avoid the known carcinogenic effects and other by-products of smoking tobacco. I understand the addictive power of smoking and there are some people who like the hand-to-mouth habit and the inhalation of nicotine. If they can't quit completely, then this is a healthier option."
Regulation for ethical electronic cigarette companies, like E-lites, is through Trading Standards, supported by ECITA and its Industry Standard of Excellence. ECITA works closely with trading standards, the MHRA and the European Commission promoting a harm reduction policy through the use of electronic cigarettes. This ensures the products are safe and provide a genuine alternative to traditional cigarettes. The ECITA mark is essential proof that the product has been regulated and complies with British Trading Standards.
The company has issued a 'defiant' response to news that tobacco giant BAT is planning the launch of a ‘nicotine delivery product’.
E-Lites, which has, over the past four years, developed some of the most sophisticated electronic cigarettes on the market, says BAT’s non-electronic nicotine inhaler is unlikely to win many fans among British smokers who are already switching to e-cigarettes in record numbers.
E-Lites Director Dermot Ryan said: “Plans by BAT to produce a rival device to the electronic cigarette could be viewed as a cynical attempt to gatecrash this fast-growing industry. Ultimately, we are confident that our new generation of products are the most credible alternative to tobacco cigarettes. We’re proud that E-Lites is completely removed from the world of tobacco manufacturing. We are focused purely on our genuine alternative. Can BAT say the same thing?
“Electronic cigarettes are making a major impact on tobacco cigarette sales. Advanced technology such as that contained in the E-Lites G9 range is creating a great alternative to tobacco. With products that are reliable, robust and satisfying – but much healthier – smokers get a very similar experience but can feel much better about it. This is surely the future.”
The healthier credentials of E-Lites were highlighted at a Tobacco Amnesty supported by Dr Hilary Jones, which marked World No Tobacco Day on 31st May. He said: “Electronic cigarettes are another alternative for people who want to avoid the known carcinogenic effects and other by-products of smoking tobacco. I understand the addictive power of smoking and there are some people who like the hand-to-mouth habit and the inhalation of nicotine. If they can't quit completely, then this is a healthier option."
Regulation for ethical electronic cigarette companies, like E-lites, is through Trading Standards, supported by ECITA and its Industry Standard of Excellence. ECITA works closely with trading standards, the MHRA and the European Commission promoting a harm reduction policy through the use of electronic cigarettes. This ensures the products are safe and provide a genuine alternative to traditional cigarettes. The ECITA mark is essential proof that the product has been regulated and complies with British Trading Standards.
You can find out more about their products at www.e-lites.co.uk.
(EDITOR: Surely all attempts to make smokers more healthy are to be welcomed?)
(EDITOR: Surely all attempts to make smokers more healthy are to be welcomed?)
That's Parenting: John Lewis announces new arrival - “Pure Beginning...
That's Parenting: John Lewis announces new arrival - “Pure Beginning...: "Britain’s top department store, John Lewis, has announced a new addition to its baby care range with the launch of one of South Africa’s mos..."
Be fresh and confident
Excess sweating can be a real problem, but here are some ways to avoid this.
Hot & bothere?
Sweating is an important and natural part of regulating our body temperature. But for a relatively small number of us, it can be a problem, if they suffer from excessive sweating, or hyperhidrosis. This can be embarrassing, distressing and difficult to live with.
And there are times for all of us when sweating just isn’t helpful! Important presentations, social occasions, holidays, sports events, weddings… certain situations can make anyone hot under the collar (or the arms!).
High & dry
“sk:n will give you peace of mind to focus on the important things so you don’t have to sweat the small stuff.”
Hot & bothere?
Sweating is an important and natural part of regulating our body temperature. But for a relatively small number of us, it can be a problem, if they suffer from excessive sweating, or hyperhidrosis. This can be embarrassing, distressing and difficult to live with.
And there are times for all of us when sweating just isn’t helpful! Important presentations, social occasions, holidays, sports events, weddings… certain situations can make anyone hot under the collar (or the arms!).
High & dry
sk:n has addressed this irksome problem. A spokesman said: “Here at sk:n, we have the solution. A simple, highly effective treatment can wave goodbye to excess perspiration for around 6 months at a time. Botox is injected into the problem areas to block excess nerve signals to the sweat glands, reducing the amount of sweat released and leaving you dry and confident.
“sk:n will give you peace of mind to focus on the important things so you don’t have to sweat the small stuff.”
(EDITOR: If you think you have a problem with excessive sweating, arrange an appointment with your GP, he or she can refer you to to a skin specialist.)
Sunday, 10 July 2011
That's Holiday: Don't let heartburn and indigestion ruin your holi...
That's Holiday: Don't let heartburn and indigestion ruin your holi...: "Research shows 66% of travellers do not stock up on medical supplies before travelling 20 million or so Britons go abroad every year and ar..."
That's Holiday: Holiday Health – Make sure you take what you need ...
That's Holiday: Holiday Health – Make sure you take what you need ...: "Special article by Emma Mihill ND NT DipCNM MBANT, Higher Nature Nutritional Therapist Likely holiday health hazards When travelling to fo..."
Tuesday, 5 July 2011
Opportunity to meet the 'new' buyers of Telecare and Telehealth
With public sector health budgets under scrutiny and in some cases in the doldrums, the private healthcare sector has emerged as the new buyer of Telecare and Telehealth products and services.
On the 12th of July, Telecare and Telehealth sellers will have the chance to meet not just traditional public sector health and care purchasers, but also a range of new types of buyers: private health and care providers, global pharmaceutical and healthcare companies, national pharmacy chains, communications and electronics multinationals, and investors. Organised by SEHTA, the South East Health Technologies Alliance, ICE-T Meet the Buyers 2011 is taking place at the British Medical Association, BMA House, London.
With public health and social care sector procurement paralysed by organisational changes and budgetary cuts, innovative Telecare and Telehealth sellers are turning to the private healthcare marketplace to maintain and improve their business revenues. ICE-T Meet the Buyers 2011 provides access to this developing marketplace.
The event offers companies the prospect of meeting up to 30 major buyers with the interest and budget for purchasing Telecare and Telehealth products and services. There are opportunities for partnering, networking and deal-making. Online partnering for the event is now live. Once registered, sellers can preview details of participating buyers, make contact before the event and pre-book up to twelve 30-minute one-to-one partnering meetings.
To find out more about this event, please visit: http://icetmtb2011.meeting-mojo.com
On the 12th of July, Telecare and Telehealth sellers will have the chance to meet not just traditional public sector health and care purchasers, but also a range of new types of buyers: private health and care providers, global pharmaceutical and healthcare companies, national pharmacy chains, communications and electronics multinationals, and investors. Organised by SEHTA, the South East Health Technologies Alliance, ICE-T Meet the Buyers 2011 is taking place at the British Medical Association, BMA House, London.
With public health and social care sector procurement paralysed by organisational changes and budgetary cuts, innovative Telecare and Telehealth sellers are turning to the private healthcare marketplace to maintain and improve their business revenues. ICE-T Meet the Buyers 2011 provides access to this developing marketplace.
The event offers companies the prospect of meeting up to 30 major buyers with the interest and budget for purchasing Telecare and Telehealth products and services. There are opportunities for partnering, networking and deal-making. Online partnering for the event is now live. Once registered, sellers can preview details of participating buyers, make contact before the event and pre-book up to twelve 30-minute one-to-one partnering meetings.
To find out more about this event, please visit: http://icetmtb2011.meeting-mojo.com
Monday, 4 July 2011
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