Posts tagged “Health”

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Yet another reason to drink more water...

Posted on 24th April 2019 at 08:30

We all have our own particular pet subjects and, as many people have pointed out over the years, drinking water is one of ours. To us, it’s such a no brainer – our bodies are over 75% water after all – and yet so many people still seem to struggle with it. Why is this?

Well, the simple answer is that something which should be so simple and instinctive has become incredibly complicated. Not only in terms of how much water we should drink each day but exactly what constitutes water. And, as an aside, it’s amazing how creative people can be when trying to explain the rationale behind what they’re drinking each day. We’re not just talking about alcohol either….

What on earth is the Appendix for?

Posted on 10th April 2019 at 08:30

Having been asked this question several times recently – and heard some great old wives’ tales in the process (!) – we thought it was time to as dispel some very popular misconceptions about the Appendix, some of which we’re sure you’ve heard before…

Despite its small size, the Appendix only tends to be mentioned in hushed tones accompanied with words of dread. Why is this? Well, probably, because the only time we spare it a thought is when there’s a problem.

For good reason, Appendicitis is one of the most feared medical emergencies, due to its rapid onset and levels of pain involved. Added to this, there’s always the worry that it will burst, although this is something of an old wives’ tale.

So let’s find out all about the Appendix and dispel a few myths in the process.

Nettles, a spring green we bet you've never thought of before

Posted on 27th March 2019 at 08:15

There’s nothing like the first fresh spring greens of the year. Sprouting broccoli, spring cabbage, kale. After the traditional, heavier foods of the winter, it’s a real treat to have some fresh spring greens.

But what about something much more local and you can easily pick yourself? One that you’ll never see in your local supermarket or probably have ever considered before. Nettles. Yes, nettles.

Sadly, nettles have something of a PR problem. And that’s putting it mildly… Not only were many of us were stung – hopefully not too badly – during childhood, but their invasive nature gives them a bad reputation for gardeners. This is a real shame as it means that we miss out on their many benefits too.

What's the difference between our approach and the conventional one?

Posted on 13th March 2019 at 08:00

Not surprisingly there are some questions that regularly come up – and we’d be very rich by now if we had a pound every time they did (!). The one we’d like to focus on today is one of the most popular, although that doesn’t make it an easy one to answer.

Bitter experience shows us that, if we go into too much detail, people’s eyes tend to glaze over as they go into mental meltdown. Making it too simple isn’t any better, as people tend to end up completely confused…

Having – unintentionally – caused mental overload to various people over the years (!), we’ve found that an analogy is the simplest way to explain how the two approaches differ. And having experimented with various different ones over the years (!) we’ve found that the one which works best uses the example of how you look after your house.

So, if you're sitting comfortably, then here we go.

Ouch, is it a Sprain or a Strain?

Posted on 27th February 2019 at 08:30

Over the years, we’ve seen many different clients with many different injuries – and, as you can imagine, heard some very interesting stories as to how whatever it was happened. There’s often the temptation to ask whether, whatever they were doing at the time really was a good idea (!), but it’s one we try not to succumb to. And before we digress any further – or break any confidences – we’d better stop there…

However good the story, the symptoms of Sprains and Strains are very similar. Muscle tenderness, swelling, pain and restricted movement. So, it’s not surprising that they’re easily confused even though there are differences, if you know what to look for. However, the good news is that they can both be easily treated at home with the RICE protocol and a little common sense, more about this in a moment.

Diets, diets and more diets

Posted on 13th February 2019 at 08:15

A couple of weeks ago we looked at “Low fat high carb” diets. How much confusion there still seems to be about them AND how this has unwittingly contributed to rising levels of Diabetes and Obesity. However, with the huge number of different diets out there being marketed as “the one” – particularly at this time of year (!) – it’s not surprising that many people are still completely confused about the different options; let alone which is the best one for them.

So, this week, we’re going to have a look at the two most popular types of diets in the last couple of years. Low Carb and Intermittent Fasting. But, don’t be fooled. They both appear in many different guises, each with their own particular programme and celebrity endorsement (!).

Diabetes and the dangers of the "Low Fat High Carb" diet

Posted on 30th January 2019 at 08:25

Last April – goodness it doesn’t seem that long ago (!) – we wrote about the worrying increase in those being diagnosed with Diabetes Type II Diabetes, also known as “Non Insulin Dependent Diabetes”. Even worse, it’s now being diagnosed in much younger people – those still in their teens and early 20’s – rather than people of middle age, who also tended to be overweight and sedentary. If you missed this post you can find it here .

Sadly, yet again, it’s become clear that this trend is being fuelled by poor lifestyle choices. In other words, poor diet and increasingly sedentary lifestyles. Not surprisingly, both of these are also linked to Obesity, a well known risk factor for Diabetes, as well as many other conditions.

This has led to the modern dietary advice of eating a “Low Fat, High Carb” diet being put under the spotlight. Suddenly it doesn’t seem to be such a healthy option, leaving many confused and unsure about exactly what they should be eating. And, just as importantly, what they should be avoiding.

So, this week, we’re going to have a look at what most people understand as a “Low Fat, High Carb” diet and why it isn’t quite what they think it is.

Fevers are not to be feared

Posted on 16th January 2019 at 08:30

It’s interesting how the mention of certain words is guaranteed to cause panic, particularly those of a medical bent. There are so many we could mention (!) but let’s just focus on the one we’d like to talk about today, fevers.

Turn back the clock a few decades and fevers weren’t viewed in the same way as they are today. They were seen as part and parcel of many illnesses, particularly the childhood – often spotty – ones. Chicken Pox, Mumps, Measles and the like.

Come back to today and the prevailing view is that they are “bad”, to be avoided at all costs. And, if you’re unlucky enough to have one, brought down as quickly as possible.

But is it really that simple? Let’s find out.

Help, the Doctor says I've got blood pressure

Posted on 2nd January 2019 at 11:30

Over the years, we’ve heard this numerous times from clients and our reply is always the same. Thank goodness you have or you wouldn’t be talking to us! And, yes, we know this is probably not the answer they were expecting, but it always prompts a smile and helps puts things into perspective…

Blood pressure – and by that we mean high blood pressure (!) – is becoming an increasing problem worldwide, not just in the West. It’s estimated that 1 in 4 adults in the UK have high blood pressure, Hypertension if you want to be more technical. So, this week, let’s find out about high blood pressure and why it’s such a concern.

Isn't it time for a new recipe for a stressfree family gathering?

Posted on 19th December 2018 at 07:45

Not surprisingly, the subject of Christmas – AHHHH!!! – has been coming up with clients over the last few weeks and we thought it was about time to suggest an alternative less stressful approach. And, while we’re focussing on the 25th December, it applies equally to any family gathering ...

Even though you probably don’t want to be reminded of it (!) let’s start with a quick reminder of the traditional recipe for Christmas:

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