Health

[SteveH]

New rule may stop up to 145,000 heart attacks and strokes a year
The change could help up to 2.1million people

Between 50,000 and 145,000 heart attacks and strokes and other acute illnesses could be prevented over the next decade if people took extra drugs to cut their cholesterol levels, a health watchdog has said. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) set new targets for up to 2.1 million people with cardiovascular disease who have suffered a heart attack or stroke ? with the aim of preventing another attack.

Its guidance recommends that if statins alone are not doing enough to cut cholesterol in this group, then medics should consider offering further treatments. Nice estimates the move could stop up to 145,000 heart disease incidents over the next 10 years, including heart attacks, strokes, angina and premature deaths.

cont https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/uk-news/new-rule-stop-up-145000-28286748?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[Meleri]

While shopping in Tesco Llandudno Junction last week an elderly gentleman was coughing so much he had to hold on to a fridge shelf. He repeatedly coughed & sneezed over rows of pots of yogurt. I dread to think how many people caught something off that yogurt afterwards. I have been wearing a mask when shopping for 4 weeks now, as I have had a cold & like your wife Steve have been asked why was a wearing one as Covid is over. As a precaution I have also started wiping the handles on trolleys I use, you can never be too careful 

[SteveH]

Well done Meleri, we both still wear masks and carry the hand sanitizer, yesterday I was sitting next to a woman in a medical setting, and she thanked me for wearing a mask as she was venerable, I said I was vulnerable too, and why was she not wearing a mask? she looked shocked.......

[SteveH]

Reminds me to keep an eye on our neighbours if they are alone..........................

Christmas can be lonely, here's what you can do if you're feeling overwhelmed
We've got advice, as well as charities and campaigns to support you if you're not looking forward to the festive season

Christmas may be the happiest time of the year for some, but for others, the pressures that come with the season, fears and worries can sometimes be overwhelming. That's why it's so important for us to look after our mental health as well as keep an eye on others.

Many of us get swept up in the excitement of festive plans ? but for some, financial pressures, isolation, lack of emotional support, or simply exhaustion in the run-up to one of the most chaotic times of the year can make Christmas daunting. If you're dreading Christmas, whatever the reason, help is out there and here are some of the places you can look to for support.

cont https://www.inyourarea.co.uk/news/christmas-can-be-lonely-heres-what-you-can-do-if-youre-feeling-overwhelmed/


PS
AN INSPIRING friendship group has organised a group activity for Christmas Day to combat loneliness and support poor mental health.

Meet the five friends combating loneliness this Christmas;  John Churchward from Wrexham, Tom Goodwin from Conwy, Dave Jones from Bangor, Damon Alexander-Cole from Hawardon and Steve Upton from Newcastle.

cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/23991331.meet-friends-combatting-loneliness-christmas-day/

[SteveH]

RSV: Jab for winter virus could cut baby hospitalisations by 80%, study says

Hospital admissions from a winter virus could be reduced by more than 80% if babies are given a single dose of a new antibody treatment, a study says.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms, but can lead to bronchiolitis and pneumonia.

The trial involved children in the UK, France and Germany.

More than 30,000 under fives are hospitalised with RSV in the UK annually, resulting in 20 to 30 deaths.

One British parent said her son getting RSV was "very scary" as a first-time mother.

Lorna and Russell Smith's eldest son, Caolan, got the virus when he was eight months old and was admitted to hospital twice - each time requiring oxygen.

Now aged two, he has made a full recovery.

cont https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-67828720

[SteveH]

6 dementia warning signs to look out for
Dementia is a catch-all term that covers a range of conditions

Alzheimer's disease and dementia have caused one in 10 deaths across the nation, a charity dedicated to finding a cure to the devastating illness has revealed. Alzheimer's Research UK has called for any drugs that combat the disease 'deemed safe and effective' to become available via the NHS as soon as possible.

The charity's research found that 74,261 people died from dementia (an umbrella term for various conditions that gradually worsen) and Alzheimer's (the most common form of it) in 2022, compared with 69,178 in 2021, with more than 48,000 being women, it said.

A spokesperson for Dementia UK said Alzheimer's symptoms are 'usually mild at the beginning' and 'gradually worsen' over time. They said those with the condition may have problems with their memory, concentration and speech, which can 'all culminate' in them 'withdrawing' from social and family circles.

cont https://www.inyourarea.co.uk/news/6-dementia-warning-signs-to-look-out-for/

[SteveH]

The key symptoms of norovirus amid rise in number of cases across Wales
Hospitals across Wales have had to bring in visiting restrictions due to rising cases this winter

Norovirus has caused problems for hospitals across Wales this winter. High levels of the vomiting bug has led to some health boards having to bring in visiting restrictions in a bid to stop spread.

Most recently, Swansea Bay University Health Board warned the virus was circulating in communities, and issued urgent advice in a bid to reduce the amount of people with the bug. And earlier this month, the sickness bug led to the closure of wards at Wrexham Maelor Hospital and affected schools and care homes.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/key-symptoms-norovirus-amid-rise-28367526

[SteveH]

How to lose weight safely in the new year, according to the NHS
The NHS lists seven things you should do to lose weight, and four you should definitely avoid

There are lots of ways you can lose weight, from making small changes to what you eat and drink to finding more support. If you're overweight, losing weight will give you more energy and help to reduce the risk of obesity, heart disease and type 2 diabetes, according to the NHS.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/how-lose-weight-safely-new-28310571

[SteveH]

Please remember to use a mask if you feel you have an infection, before mixing with others, the rise in numbers is probably due to friends and families meeting over Xmas period...............

People urged to come forward for flu/Covid vaccine in North Wales

Public Health Wales has called the rise as concerning In December, Public Health Wales published data showing recorded flu cases more than doubled over a period of three weeks.

All adults eligible for a free flu vaccine can now drop in to one of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board's (BCUHB) community vaccination clinics without an appointment for their jab.

Flu is now circulating in North Wales, alongside Covid-19 and other winter viruses.
The best way to protect against flu is to get the annual flu vaccine. The vaccine can stop you getting flu, lessen the severity of symptoms if you do catch the virus, and reduce your chances of passing it on.

It also helps to protect the wider community from outbreaks, and reduces the pressure on local NHS services during the busiest time of the year.

More than 270,000 people in North Wales have already boosted their protection against flu by getting the flu vaccine this winter.

Find locations, dates and times for clinics here.  ....https://bcuhb.nhs.wales/covid-19/covid-19-vaccinations/drop-in-for-your-covid-19-autumn-booster/

Walk in without an appointment
From Tuesday, January 2, vaccination clinics have been offering both the flu vaccine and Covid-19 Autumn booster. All eligible adults will be able to drop in to a clinic to receive the vaccines without an appointment. Residents can choose to receive one or both vaccines.

Many GP surgeries and community pharmacies will also continue to offer flu vaccination.

Painless nasal spray flu vaccines are available from GP surgeries for children aged two and three (age on August 31 2022). Schoolchildren from Reception to Year 11 can still get a spray flu vaccine at catch-up clinics organised by school immunisation teams.

If you have already received a letter with details of your Covid-19 Autumn booster appointment, you can stick to the date and time on your letter or choose to drop into a vaccination centre at an earlier date. If you choose to drop in, there is no need to contact BCUHB to cancel your appointment. You will be able to get a flu vaccine at your appointment if you have not already had one this winter.

BCUHB is asking people who do drop in to be patient ? you may face a short wait at busier times.

A spokesperson said: "Please be prepared to help our teams by waiting for a slot to become available."

[SteveH]

Dr Michael Mosely told about inflammation and why 'sitting is the new smoking'
Professor Janet Lord explained to the health expert how the condition is linked to a number of potentially fatal health conditions

An expert has given her top five tips for tackling inflammation. Janet Lord, who is professor of immune cell biology and from the Institute for Inflammation and Ageing at Birmingham University, says the condition is linked to a number of potentially fatal health conditions.

Speaking on Michael Mosley?s BBC podcast Just One Thing, she linked it with heart disease and strokes. Prof Lord said: ?For example, inflammation can damage the blood vessels, increasing your chance of cardiovascular disease. It reduces the ability of insulin to reduce blood glucose, so you get insulin resistance and then eventually diabetes. ?

She said: ?I always say that sitting is the new smoking, so we know that it?s a separate risk factor for age related disease. So you can be physically active, do your 150 minutes of aerobic exercise a week. But if you spend for example, each day, 8 to 10 hours sitting, you pretty well wipe a lot of that good work out. And so my top tip is Don?t sit if you can help it for more than an hour at a time.?

Prof Lord said she has this advice for people: ?People can either put a timer on their watch or if I say if you?re an older adults if you do insist in watching three editions of Flog It stand up for one of them. Just get into the habit of not sitting for any length of time and it really will help your health.?

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/dr-michael-mosely-told-inflammation-28444798?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

Health officials have warned of further measles outbreaks across England after cases in the West Midlands rose by more than 30% in less than a week.

The region has seen the largest surge in cases outside London, with more than 300 suspected infections reported between 23 October last year and Monday.

Dr Ronny Cheung, children's consultant, warned the infection "at best will cause children great discomfort and at worst deaths".

Official figures show uptake of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine across the country is at its lowest point in more than a decade.

In 2022/23, some 84.5% of youngsters in the country had received both doses of the jab by the time they were five years old - the lowest level since 2010/11. Up to 92.5% had received one dose, figures show.

UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) data released on Monday has shown there were 198 lab-confirmed cases in the West Midlands and 104 "likely" cases.

The majority (80%) have been found in Birmingham while 8% were identified in Coventry, with the rest spread across surrounding areas.

This has risen from 133 confirmed and 96 suspected cases, reported on 11 October last year.

cont https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cw0d7rpr6ndo

[SteveH]

UPDATE

Measles outbreak: Your questions answered

Measles outbreaks are rising across England, with areas including the West Midlands seeing their highest number of cases since the 1990s.

It has prompted health officials to encourage people to get vaccinated, with official figures showing uptake of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine is at its lowest point in more than a decade.

Here the BBC answers some of the questions people have been searching for.

What is measles?.........read on ............ https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-68007804

[SteveH]

11 health issues a pharmacist can help you with without going to GP
You do not need an appointment and many pharmacies are open until late and at weekends

Nobody likes spending hours on hold trying to get an appointment with their GP - but there is an alternative. It can often be much quicker and easier to pop into your local pharmacy to ask for their advice.

Pharmacists have to have more than five years of training and can offer clinical advice and over-the-counter medicines for a range of minor illnesses. As qualified healthcare professionals, they are ideally placed to help with coughs, colds, sore throats, tummy trouble, and many aches and pains.

When symptoms indicate a more serious condition, they can also guide you on whether to seek further help from a GP or other healthcare professional. You do not need an appointment and many have a private consultation room where you can discuss your health issues without being overheard.

cont https://www.inyourarea.co.uk/news/11-health-issues-a-pharmacist-can-help-you-with-without-going-to-gp/

[SteveH]

Millions of parents in England are being contacted by the NHS and urged to make an appointment to have their children vaccinated against measles, as cases rise across the country.

More than 3.4 million children aged under 16 are unprotected and at risk of becoming ill, NHS England says.

Areas with low uptake of the MMR vaccine, such as the West Midlands and London, are being targeted first.

A similar campaign last winter pushed up vaccinations by 10%.

UK health officials said last week that an outbreak of highly contagious measles in the West Midlands could spread rapidly in other towns and cities with low vaccination rates.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-68057317

[SteveH]

Spike in Welsh cases of '100 day cough' that can be deadly for babies

Public health experts in Wales are encouraging all pregnant women and parents of babies and young children to ensure that they have had their whooping cough vaccinations

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/spike-welsh-cases-100-day-28500617