Thursday, 19 October 2023
That's Food and Drink: The Recipe for Success: The Importance of Good Hyg...
That's Food and Drink: The Recipe for Success: The Importance of Good Hyg...: Food is a universal language that unites people from all walks of life. Whether it's a home-cooked meal or a dining experience at a rest...
Oticon is First to Embrace the Revolutionary Audible Contrast Threshold (ACT™) Diagnostic Test to Take on the Number One Challenge with Hearing Loss
Oticon is pleased to announce it will be the first hearing aid company to incorporate the new Audible Contrast Threshold (ACT™) diagnostic test, invented by Interacoustics Research Unit (IRU), into its Oticon Genie 2 fitting software. The move affirms Oticon’s commitment to supporting hearing care professionals to conduct more personalised and effective hearing aid fittings and ensuring better outcomes for hearing aid users.
The problem:
ACT has been developed to address the number one challenge with hearing loss experienced by 1 in 5 of the world’s population: Difficulty hearing speech in background noise. Going beyond the traditional audiogram, the ACT diagnostic test is a significant opportunity for the field of audiology. It will objectively quantify hearing in noise ability for people with or without hearing loss. ACT is a simple, evidence-based method to diagnose hearing in noise difficulties, a well-known challenge for hearing care professionals globally.
The solution:
Thanks to the introduction of ACT, hearing care professionals will have additional diagnostic information to provide a more personalised solution quickly and easily for specific hearing loss and to optimally fit a hearing aid the first time. Through diagnostic integration, the Oticon Genie 2 fitting software will automatically and immediately calculate the optimal amount of help a client needs in noise.
Based on the language-independent ACT test which takes an average of 2 minutes to conduct, the software auto-generates personalised help-in-noise settings, providing the correct dose of ‘contrast’ to better separate speech from noise, based on a person’s ACT value. The prescription enables hearing care professionals to fully deploy the advanced capabilities of Oticon hearing aids (Oticon Real and onwards) in the most effective way. The integration is expected to be available in the next release of the Genie 2 fitting software in 2024.
Thomas Behrens, Vice President of Audiology, Oticon comments: “At Oticon, we have dedicated decades of research into BrainHearing™, and have demonstrated the considerable effort for hearing aid users to understand speech in complex noise environments. Hearing aids should support a user to tackle this important challenge optimally and with an ACT assessment, hearing care professionals can ensure our advanced hearing aids do that to the best of their ability. Embracing the new ACT diagnostic test, we are challenging the conventions to explore a new way of working with hearing care and improve the benefit of hearing aids for our users from the first fit. ACT redefines how we can compensate for hearing loss, and we are proud to be the first company to make the introduction and make strong contributions to making it a new industry standard.”
Oticon is renowned for its research into hearing aid technology that can support hearing aid users to thrive in complex listening environments. For the 7 years that ACT has been under development, Oticon has been supporting this research initiative, as well as taken the lead in developing an evidence-based prescription of Oticon hearing aids using ACT values. For the past 2 years, Oticon has worked alongside the IRU team and the Eriksholm Research Centre, also under the Demant umbrella, to clinically trial ACT, heading up the biggest clinical study Oticon has ever conducted, spanning several countries around the world. For more details on the trial, visit: https://www.oticon.global/act
EDITOR: As someone who suffers with difficulty with hearing speech in background noise, I'm really pleased to be able to share this wonderful news!
18 million Brits could have prediabetes. Improved testing is needed to halt a diabetes tsunami, warns expert
New analysis from London Medical Laboratory has revealed up to 18 million UK adults may well have prediabetes, meaning they're on the edge of developing type 2 diabetes. That’s considerably higher than the 7 million figure that is normally quoted.
Dr Avinash Hari Narayanan (MBChB), who is the Clinical Lead at London Medical Laboratory, says: ‘Our analysis of the latest research into prediabetes raises some big questions. Why is the potential number of people with prediabetes so high? More vitally, how can we prevent them from developing “full-blown” type 2 diabetes, creating massive pressure on the NHS and altering millions of lives?
"Prediabetes means your blood sugars are higher than normal, but not high enough for you to be diagnosed with diabetes.
"But it does mean you are at a high risk of developing type 2 diabetes. People with prediabetes (also known as Impaired Glucose Regulation or non-diabetic Hyperglycaemia) have higher than normal blood glucose levels, suggesting early features of diabetes. Recent research has shown prediabetes may already be causing long-term damage to the body, affecting the heart and circulatory system.
"Concerningly, prediabetics are really unlikely to experience any symptoms, meaning the condition goes unnoticed even at the threshold of type 2 diabetes, when irreversible damage has already occurred. This invisible killer shortens lives by up to ten years. That’s why we launched our “Give the finger to diabetes” campaign to identify undiagnosed cases with a simple fingerprick blood test. In 2019, there were almost 14,000 diabetes-related deaths in the UK. The earlier people are diagnosed, the better the outcome.
‘The most commonly quoted figure for the number of people who have prediabetes is around 7 million. That figure dates back to 2009 research by Diabetes UK which, two years ago, released updated estimates suggesting 13.6 million people were at risk of developing diabetes.
‘This is still considerably smaller than our calculation, which is based on results from the most comprehensive research into prediabetes ever conducted in the UK. This study, published on the British Medical Journal’s “BMJ Open” website, found 35.3% of randomly selected participants were prediabetic. Growing obesity rates and an increasing population (there are now 53 million adults in the UK) mean that some 18.5 million Brits are now likely to be prediabetic.
‘Increased testing is needed to establish which of us are among this at-risk population. The most accurate test to identify prediabetes is known as the HbA1c test, which can be done at your local medical practice but is also now available as a revolutionary and convenient home-fingerprick test from London Medical Laboratory."
He went to to provide more details: "What will these test results tell you?
• An HbA1c of 41mmol/mol or below is considered normal.
• An HbA1c of 42 - 47 mmol/mol is considered in the prediabetic range.
• An HbA1c of 48mmol/mol or above indicates that you have diabetes.
‘The sooner this problem is detected the better we can manage it. Those who discover they have prediabetes should take it as a warning sign that they are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The good news is that prediabetes is not “full” diabetes yet and, with the right support, up to 50% of cases of type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed. Remember, type 2 diabetes can come on slowly, usually in people over the age of 40.
"London Medical Laboratory’s fingerprick HbA1c “Diabetes - Diagnosis and Monitoring” test is considered the gold standard in regular testing. It is used to measure the average level of blood glucose over the previous two to three months and both accurately monitor and diagnose diabetes. It can be taken at home through the post, or at one of the many drop-in clinics that offer these tests across London and nationwide in over 95 selected pharmacies and health stores. For full details, see: https://www.londonmedicallaboratory.com/product/diabetes-check."
Revolutionising Global Healthcare: TBD Media Group Launches Inspiring Global Health Campaign
This innovative campaign spotlights pioneers shaping the future of healthcare, presenting state-of-the-art technologies, ground-breaking research, and revolutionary strategies. Dive into a world where healthcare intersects economic development, social justice, and global security.
Paolo Zanini, CEO of TBD Media Group, passionately stated, "We're convinced healthcare evolution is vital for global well-being. Through our Global Health campaign, we illuminate the remarkable endeavours of trailblazers, inspiring action and change worldwide."
Beyond celebrating healthcare leaders, our campaign unveils innovative solutions to urgent issues, from COVID-19 challenges to healthcare accessibility in developing nations and disparities in underserved communities. Witness the transformative influence of technology, collaboration, and community engagement.
TBD Media Group's Global Health campaign is a testament to its commitment to innovation, development, and social responsibility. Through pioneering technology, digital progress, and visionary leadership, TBD Media Group strives to make a positive mark on society and the world.
To find out more about the Global Health campaign, click here: https://www.reuters.com/plus/tbd-media-group/global-campaign
Social Care Future
Commissioned by the #SocialCareFuture movement, the star of Marvel’s Loki 2 and The Witcher warns that ‘without big changes to the way we think about social care, we and the people we care about face losing control of our lives and contact with the people and things that make our lives worthwhile.’
Liz says: “I am thrilled to support this movement – everyone should have the right to live in a place they call home with the people and things that we love, in communities where we look out for one another, doing things that matter to us. I hope everyone can get behind calling for a brighter #SocialCareFuture.”
The campaign calls for greater investment by central government in growing these and other innovative approaches like community micro-enterprises and personal assistance, as well as the adoption of different behaviours and practices by local councils, in partnership with the people and communities they serve.
Anna Severwright, a convener of the Social Care Future movement, who herself draws on social care to live her life says: ”Social care isn’t just under-resourced, it’s also under-imagined. That is getting in the way of growing the care and support we and our families need and deserve. Progress depends on shifting how the public thinks and feels about social care and on building stronger support for investment and reform. The public must see social care as more relevant to themselves and their families, more valuable to the wider community, and feel more optimistic about the potential for change for it to get greater investment.”
Dr Anna Dixon, who chaired the Archbishops Commission on Reimagining Care says: ”Our commission concluded that without a shift in public attitudes both to care and to those who draw on care or support to live our lives, then much needed investment and reform will continue to elude us. I’m pleased to see Social Care Future lead the way in striving to positively shift how the wider public imagines and feels about social care and its importance to everyone in society.”
The film is premiering in Manchester at a gathering to mark the 5th anniversary of the movement and is available to watch at https://bit.ly/SCFLiz
#SocialCareFuture (www.socialcarefuture.org.uk) is an influential group of disabled people, campaigners, providers and organisations that are committed changing public attitudes to social care. hosted by the registered charity In Control Partnerships and convened on a voluntary, unpaid basis by Anna Severwright, Julie Stansfield, Martin Routledge and Neil Crowther.
Monday, 16 October 2023
New out-of-hours service to support working people with neuro conditions
Exercise is good for you, as everyone knows, but for people with neurological conditions it can help to manage the complexities of the condition. Physical activity can improve muscle function, aerobic fitness, mobility and quality of life. Studies have even shown that intense work-outs can also help with fatigue and cognition, two widely reported symptoms affecting people with neurological conditions.
A diagnosis of MS or Parkinson’s, or even a stroke can occur when people are still within working age. In fact, for people with MS, diagnosis often occurs when they are still in their thirties and for Parkinson’s patients many people are in their 50s and 60s.
The out-of-hours classes are designed to accommodate the busy schedules of these working people, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to prioritise their health and wellbeing.
“Our vision at the Centre is to help people with neurological conditions to live life to the full and for many of our members that means staying in work,” said Jody Barber, Head of Integrated Clinical Services at the Chilterns Neuro Centre. “We want to do what we can for all people affected by MS, Parkinson’s and strokes so our new out-of-hours service is another step towards achieving that.”
"Exercise helps maintain independence, strength and function for people with neuro conditions,” said Joe Harman, Exercise Lead and Musculoskeletal Therapist at the Centre. It helps our members to positively manage and cope with the progression of their condition."
Initially the out-of-hours services includes classes that can be accessed live online before or after the working day, although the Centre will keep this under review and could expand further depending on demand.
If you have MS, Parkinson’s or experienced a stroke and feel you would benefit from the services offered by the Centre, or you know someone who would then please get in touch by phoning 01296 696133 or by emailing info@chilternsneurocentre.org.
Saturday, 14 October 2023
The Wise Woman of Wellington, Shropshire: A Herbal Heart Medicine and Dr. William Withering
The story of this herbal remedy, which later became known as Digitalis purpurea or foxglove, holds a significant place in the history of medicine and pharmacology. This report aims to shed light on the key individuals involved, the context of the discovery, and the lasting impact of this encounter on the world of medicine.
1. Introduction:
The Wise Woman of Wellington, Shropshire, remains an enigmatic figure in the history of medicine. Her name may have been lost to time, but her contribution to the field was nothing short of remarkable. The story begins in the late 18th century when the renowned Dr. William Withering lived in the quaint town of Wellington in Shropshire, England, which was his birthplace.
2. The Wise Woman of Wellington:
The identity of the Wise Woman of Wellington, Shropshire, is not definitively known. She was a local herbalist who possessed an extensive knowledge of native plants and their medicinal properties. Her reputation for effective remedies had spread beyond the town, and this reputation reached the ears of Dr. William Withering.
3. Dr. William Withering:
Dr. William Withering was a prominent English physician, botanist, and geologist. He was a respected figure in the medical community and had a keen interest in botanical medicines. In 1785, he made a fateful visit to Wellington, his home town, where he encountered the Wise Woman and her herbal remedy for heart ailments.
4. The Discovery:
During his visit to Wellington, Dr. Withering was introduced to the Wise Woman's herbal medicine for heart conditions. This remedy was made from the purple foxglove plant (Digitalis purpurea). Recognising the potential significance of this treatment, Dr. Withering obtained samples of the herbal remedy and started conducting extensive research to understand its properties and effects.
5. Digitalis purpurea (Foxglove):
The purple foxglove, or Digitalis purpurea, is a biennial plant native to Europe. The plant contains cardiac glycosides, including digitoxin and digoxin, which have a profound effect on the heart's contractions. These compounds, when used in appropriate doses, can help regulate heart rhythm and strengthen the heartbeat.
6. Medical Impact:
Dr. William Withering's research on Digitalis purpurea led to the development of an effective treatment for heart conditions, which he named "digitalis." This marked a significant breakthrough in the treatment of heart diseases and laid the foundation for modern cardiology and the use of digitalis-based medications. Digitalis preparations, such as digoxin, continue to be used today to manage various heart conditions.
7. Legacy:
The legacy of the Wise Woman of Wellington, Shropshire, lives on through the invaluable contribution of her herbal remedy and Dr. William Withering's ground-breaking research. The encounter between the Wise Woman and Dr. Withering underscores the importance of traditional knowledge and the synergy between local healers and scientific inquiry.
8. Conclusion:
The story of the Wise Woman of Wellington, Shropshire, and her herbal heart medicine is a fascinating episode in the history of medicine. Her contribution, when combined with the scientific rigor of Dr. William Withering, resulted in a ground-breaking discovery that continues to impact the field of cardiology. This tale serves as a testament to the collaborative potential between traditional wisdom and modern medicine, offering a valuable lesson in the evolution of medical knowledge.
Although there is much speculation about the exact location of the birthplace of Dr William Withering in Wellington, it is speculated that the family home was in Wellington's Market Square or also perhaps on what later became known as Park Street. But researchers have, as yet, been unable to establish the address of his family home, from which his father practiced as an apothecary. Although a drawing of the birthplace does exist.
He is commemorated in the town by the Wetherspoon Pub Company which named their pub in the town the William Withering in his honour. There is a display in the pub (including an animated portrait of the great man) which is well worth a visit.
https://www.jdwetherspoon.com/pubs/all-pubs/england/shropshire/the-william-withering-wellington
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