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5 Top Tips To Quit Smoking

April 2, 2013 by

383291_blogGiving up smoking has a host of health benefits, but it can be really difficult; many people try to give up several times before either quitting for good or assuming that they will never be able to kick the habit. If you are thinking of giving up smoking, here are some tips to help you:

  1. Get help

Most people are aware that giving up smoking is really difficult and requires a lot of willpower. Many smokers find it easier t give up if they have help from other people; group support sessions are really helpful and informative for many people and most find it easier to give up when they try alongside others. There are local sessions available in most areas of the UK and you can find out more about services in your area by asking your GP or your dentist. If you do not want to attend group sessions, there is help available for individuals too.

  1. Change your routine

Many smokers have a set routine, which dictates when they smoke; for example, many people go out for a cigarette mid-morning at work, while others only smoke when they drink. Changing your routine will help you to reduce the number of cigarettes you smoke; it is also a good idea to keep busy, so that you are distracted and not thinking about smoking all the time.

  1. Avoid other smokers

There’s nothing worse than seeing other people smoking when you are trying your hardest to give up. If you regularly hang out with other smokers, try to avoid them for a while, as it is often hardest to quit at the beginning; once you have gone without smoking and you are feeling stronger and more confident, you will be able to see other smokers without feeling the need to cave in.

  1. Count the cost

One of the major incentives for giving up smoking is saving money; keep track of how much you save by writing down how much you would have spent on cigarettes per day, week or month. It is estimated that the average 20-a-day smoker saves more than £2,000 per year by giving up; imagine what you could do with that money! Many people also find it beneficial to use the money they save to treat themselves, whether it be something small now and again along the journey or an expensive treat to mark quitting for good.

  1. Focus on health

Your health is the major beneficiary of giving up smoking, so take time to research how smoking affects the body and the good things you are doing to your health by giving up smoking. Quitting this addiction increases life expectancy and reduces your risk of several life-threatening diseases, including heart disease, strokes, cancer.

 

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Filed Under: Diseases, Health Problems, Heart Problems Tagged With: , , ,

Signs And Symptoms Of Herpes

January 8, 2013 by

Herpes simplex is a common virus which can cause cold sores, sores around the mouth, and genital herpes.

Signs and symptoms of cold sores

These generally red sores can be painful, but usually clear up without any treatment within 10 days. They are most often caused by a strain of the herpes simplex virus known as HSV-1, in rare cases they can also be caused by the HSV-2 strain.

The virus is common and highly contagious the virus is transmitted via contact with an infected person and once you have the virus, it can stay in the body for many years, although it will remain dormant most of the time.

Genital herpes

This condition affects the genital areas and is a sexually transmitted infection, which is passed through sexual contact with an infected person. It also results from the herpes simplex virus and it can be caused by the strains HSV-1 and HSV-2. Both strains are very contagious. If you have symptoms you should see a herpes doctor in London and get treatment before having intimate contact with another person.

Symptoms can last for up to 20 days after the initial infection. The main symptom of genital herpes is sores and blisters that develop in the genital areas and additional symptoms include vaginal discharge, blisters on the cervix, generally feeling unwell, fever and pain when you urinate. Once you have the virus, it will remain in the body for a long time and you may suffer recurrent bouts of the infection.

What can be done?

If you have the condition for the first time, you should see your doctor as soon as possible and it is likely that they will prescribe you a course of anti-viral medication, which will help to prevent the virus from multiplying. If you have recurrent bouts and your symptoms are severe, you may be prescribed an intensive course of anti-viral tablets.

For those who have a cold sore, there is usually no need for treatment and the sore will heal within 7-10 days. However, you are able to use anti-viral cream to ease symptoms and reduce recovery time. Cold sore treatments are widely available and most do not require a prescription.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Filed Under: Health Problems, Sexual Health Tagged With: , , ,

Understanding Irritable Bowel Syndrome

October 19, 2012 by

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is an unpredictable condition that can have a negative impact on your life. For instance, the fact that you do not know when you might experience painful cramps in your abdominal area could put you under a lot of pressure. However, you can now enjoy a full, normal and active life if you take the right steps to manage the condition. One of the most effective treatments for IBS today is Colpermin IBS Relief, the most targeted treatment containing peppermint oil. In fact, 79 percent of people suffering from IBS reported fewer symptoms after 4 weeks of Colpermin treatment.

Colpermin IBS Relief

One of the most common symptoms of IBS is abdominal pain and cramping that occurs when your bowel becomes increasingly sensitive to pain from your gut. Colpermin is a slow-releasing gel formulation that is proven to reach the very source of your abdominal cramps and provide a much needed relief. It is taken in capsule form and the gastro-resistant coating of the capsules prevents them from dissolving until they enter the bowel, which is the source of IBS-related symptoms. In addition, the gel formulation allows a prolonged release of peppermint oil until it gets to the colon for effective relief from abdominal cramps.

Understanding IBS

An important step that you should take in managing IBS is to understand the condition, its causes and symptoms. In addition to abdominal pain, you may also experience flatulence, often needing to go to the toilet urgently or a change in your bowel habits, such as constipation, diarrhoea and sometimes both. If you suspect that you have IBS, you should visit your GP so that he or she can rule out other illnesses including infection, an overactive thyroid gland or food allergies

For more information on IBS and how Colpermin can help including access to the the Colpermin Symptom Checker  please visit http://www.ibs-symptoms.co.uk

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Filed Under: Family Health, Health Problems, Pharmacy

Baby Sleep Information

October 1, 2012 by

The famous baby care company, Johnson & Johnson, have published a new section on their website that is chock full of helpful advice on how to reduce the stress that can arise when there is an infant in the house.

No matter how much you love your new baby, the reality is that the baby can seriously disrupt your normal routine, especially when it comes to sleeping, and this will inevitably leave most parents feeling tired.

In fact, the company draws an analogy between jet lag and the tiredness associated with interrupted sleep. Just as undertaking several transatlantic flights in quick succession will cause jet lag, having your sleep interrupted by your baby over several nights will cause what they have dubbed “babylag.”

The company has come up with a 3-step bedtime routine, designed to get your baby off to a deep and relaxed sleep. They collaborated with a leading paediatrician to test the effectiveness of their baby sleep information and the results are impressive. After just seven days using the routine, a significant proportion of the babies whose parents used the routine were sleeping longer.

The website features a fun, interactive quiz that measures how “babylagged” you are. Tiredness affects the ability to make sound judgments, and also reduces reaction times. The interactive quiz, which takes just a few minutes to complete, is in three parts, and the site uses your results to estimate to what degree you are affected by babylag.

Following the quiz, the site takes you through the 3-step bedtime routine. These are simple steps that everybody can use. The steps help to relax both baby and parent.

The website has loads of suggestions and tips on many aspects of baby care. There are sections on nappy changing, how to give relaxing massages to your baby, and bath time routines.

You can take the test and get access to all the advice by visiting the website at http://www.johnsonsbaby.co.uk/microsites/babylag.

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Filed Under: Child Health, Family Health, Sleep problems

Sinus Congestion Information

September 27, 2012 by

Are you suffering from a stuffy nose that’s accompanied by a thick greenish or yellowish discharge, an irritated nose, an bad and irritating cough, or a bad headache? If you are, you may be suffering from a case of sinus congestion. Nasal congestion can be as a result of allergic reactions as in the case of being exposed to chemicals in the environment or workplace. Exposure to dust, smoke, pollen, trees, dust mites, animal dander, mold, and chlorine for swimmers are known to cause allergic reactions in people thereby leading to sinus congestion.

Each individual has their own unique trigger and such information can be obtained by visiting a healthcare professional who will do an assessment to ascertain which is your trigger. When a person inhales an inflammatory substance, it causes the nasal tissues to swell and secrete mucus. The inflammation can also cause the small bones of the nose to obstruct the nasal passageways. When this happens breathing becomes difficult and painful. Sinus congestion can be categorised into acute or chronic sinusitis.

When sinusitis occurs as a result of one having a common cold, it is known as acute sinuses. Caused by inhaling irritants and the existence of foreign bodies in the nasal cavities is known as chronic sinusitis. Sinus congestion causes a lot of discomfort and it is for this reason that it should be treated immediately it is diagnosed. The Sudafed range of products are the ideal choice for the treatment of this condition. They go straight to work to reduce the inflammation and also contain pain killers which help combat the pain and pressure.

Failure to treat sinus congestion in time puts one at risk of contracting a bacterial infection that leads to sinusitis. To avoid this, always seek treatment at the right time as opposed to waiting to out. In addition to that, exercise often and take plenty of fluids to keep your immune system strong.

For more information on sinus congestion please visit the Sudafed website http://www.sudafed.co.uk 

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Filed Under: Health Problems, Sleep problems

Latisse: Renewed Growth, Renewed Hope

August 14, 2012 by

A much overlooked effect of chemotherapy for women is the loss of their eyelashes. Surveys compiled recently have shown that many women believe that it is the loss of their eyelashes and eyebrows rather than their hair that make them feel like they have lost their femininity, causing them to lose confidence in their appearance and suffer psychologically. Problems with self-esteem are understandably common within cancer patients, and as their bodies recover from the disease, so too must their confidence if they are to get back to living their life to the fullest.

Many recovering cancer patients have turned to Latisse in order to help stimulate growth of eyelashes and eyebrows, aiding their full recovery after chemo treatment. Latisse, which is a product from Allergan (the company who brought us botox) is the first FDA approved treatment of its kind, and has received large amounts of proponents and acclaim throughout the world of cosmetics since its launch.

Rose Martin, a recovering cancer patient said:

“I heard about Latisse from a friend of mine who had seen an article about it in a magazine. I went to ask my doctor about it and he prescribed the treatment for me. After just a few weeks I started to notice renewed growth and was absolutely delighted. It seems strange to many people that anyone who has been through such an horrific and physically traumatic disease like cancer would care so much about their appearance but once the chemo is over it’s so important to feel like things are finally getting back to normal again. Sometimes it’s the smallest things that make the biggest difference, especially in terms of confidence. I now feel like I’m ready to take on the world again, cancer free and confident like before.”

Although Latisse has not been specifically developed for those recovering from cancer, it has certainly seen a growing popularity in recent times and many people swear by the effects it can have in terms of both appearance and confidence. If you feel that you or somebody you know could benefit from the treatment, then contact your doctor who will be able to advise you further.

 

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Filed Under: Cancer

Will health insurance cover treatments for sleep problems?

November 9, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Checking your policy

Insurance policies vary greatly and it is important to check the details of policies to determine which conditions, treatments and procedures are covered. Some insurance policies will cover sleep disorders, while others will not, so if you are diagnosed with a sleep disorder and you want treatment that is not covered by the NHS, you will have to check with your insurance provider if they will cover the cost. If you need tests and follow-up treatment, this could increase the cost of the treatment significantly, so you will need to check that these costs will be covered too, to avoid unexpected bills.

Sleep disorders

Some insurance providers cover certain sleep disorders, but not others and there may be a grey area, especially if the treatment you require is considered to be a cosmetic treatment. Many companies cover sleep apnoea, for example, but will not cover the cost of surgery for snoring, because it is often considered a cosmetic procedure. If visiting The Private Clinic make sure to ask about this.

Snoring can be a problem when it comes to insurance companies, as it is not considered by some as a medical condition and therefore cannot be covered by health insurance. If treatment is not covered and you are resident in the UK, you can see your GP and ask what kinds of remedies are available to reduce snoring and prevent snoring treatment.

Buying health insurance

There are so many insurance policies around that choosing the right one can be a bit of a minefield. When you are looking, make sure you choose a suitable level of cover and compare prices from different providers to ensure that you get the best deal for your money. You can compare different providers by using Internet sites or contact brokers directly for quotes. As a general rule, the more you pay, the more comprehensive the cover but if you have a specific condition or you are planning to get treatment, make sure you choose a policy that provides the level of cover you need and always check that any treatments or tests you have are covered before you go ahead.

If you have already been diagnosed with a sleep disorder, make sure your policy covers it, as some do not offer cover for pre-existing conditions and you may be advised to take out a more expensive, more comprehensive policy.

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Filed Under: Featured, Sleep problems Tagged With: , , ,

Sports Injuries are common practice

June 18, 2010 by

Sport is a brilliant way of releasing energy, keeping fit and meeting new people, but it does come with a high risk of injury. Sports injuries are very common and can happen to even the most amateur sportsmen amongst us.

Common sports injuries include twists and sprains, cuts and bruises and aches and pains. Most injuries are minor and heal quickly, but some can be very serious and result in months on the sidelines. Professional sportsmen are particularly prone to injuries as their bodies are put under constant strain. Contact injuries are particularly common in sports like rugby, where the body is subjected to great force from other people and hard surfaces. If you suffer an injury, take time out to have it treated; if you continue to play, the chances are you will make it worse. It is particularly important to get medical attention for head, neck and spinal injuries, as these could be extremely serious and potentially life threatening.

Dental injuries are also very common, with many people chipping, breaking and losing teeth as a result of participating in sports. If you lose a tooth, make sure you keep it in a glass of cool water or milk and see a dentist as quickly as possible; it may be possible to save the tooth if you get help quickly enough. Emergency dental services, are available 24 hours a day; costs may vary if you choose a private service will be more expensive. If you haven’t had a check-up for a while, you may find you need further treatments like fillings or root canal treatment, for example.

To prevent sports injuries, it’s important to prepare your body properly; always do a thorough warm up and cool down and wear protective clothing where possible; to protect the teeth it is advisable to wear a gum shield, especially if you are playing rugby or hockey where dental injuries are very common.

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Filed Under: Health Problems, Sports Injuries Tagged With: ,