23 May 2019
"Stroke deaths in England halved in a decade," reports The Guardian, but the Sun warns us that, "Stroke rates are rocketing among young Brits due to obesity and cocaine use". Both headlines were prompted by a new study where researchers looked at NHS stroke data from between 2001 and 2010. They found the number of people in England dying from stroke fell sharply during this time, with drops each year of about 6%.
Health News
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Sleep apnoea possibly linked to cancer risk in women
22 May 2019
"Snoring or waking up exhausted 'could be linked to cancer'," reports the Sun. Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a relatively common condition where the walls of the throat relax and narrow during sleep, interrupting normal breathing. This makes people wake up briefly to catch their breath, though many people with OSA do not remember doing so.
"Snoring or waking up exhausted 'could be linked to cancer'," reports the Sun. Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a relatively common condition where the walls of the throat relax and narrow during sleep, interrupting normal breathing. This makes people wake up briefly to catch their breath, though many people with OSA do not remember doing so.
Heart scan may detect young people at risk of sudden cardiac death
21 May 2019
Heart scan ‘could pick up signs of sudden death risk’ BBC News report
Heart scan ‘could pick up signs of sudden death risk’ BBC News report
Can doing a daily crossword or Sudoku puzzle keep your brain young?
16 May 2019
"Sudoku number crunching could subtract 10 years off your brain age," the Daily Telegraph reports.
"Sudoku number crunching could subtract 10 years off your brain age," the Daily Telegraph reports.
Supplement used for joint pain may reduce risk of heart disease
15 May 2019
"Glucosamine supplements 'may cut heart risk'," reports BBC News. Researchers analysed the diet and lifestyle of almost half a million adults aged 40 to 69 in the UK, and followed them up for an average of 7 years.
"Glucosamine supplements 'may cut heart risk'," reports BBC News. Researchers analysed the diet and lifestyle of almost half a million adults aged 40 to 69 in the UK, and followed them up for an average of 7 years.
Antibiotics after forceps and ventouse births halve infections in mothers
14 May 2019
"Mothers' infections rates 'could be halved' with routine antibiotics," reports The Daily Telegraph. This was the result of a large UK study in which women were given a single dose of antibiotics after an assisted vaginal birth to prevent infection. An assisted vaginal birth is when forceps or a ventouse suction cup are used to help deliver the baby.
"Mothers' infections rates 'could be halved' with routine antibiotics," reports The Daily Telegraph. This was the result of a large UK study in which women were given a single dose of antibiotics after an assisted vaginal birth to prevent infection. An assisted vaginal birth is when forceps or a ventouse suction cup are used to help deliver the baby.
No clear evidence hormone treatment in early pregnancy helps prevent miscarriage
09 May 2019
"Hormone 'can reduce chances of miscarriage'," reports BBC News
"Hormone 'can reduce chances of miscarriage'," reports BBC News
UK couples having less frequent sex than 10 years ago
08 May 2019
"Young Brits are having less sex than a decade ago because they're too busy watching Netflix," reports the Sun. Researchers used survey data from almost 35,000 people aged 16 to 44 in the UK. The surveys were done in 1991, 2001 and 2012. The surveys found women were most likely to report having sex 3 times a month in 2012, compared with 4 times a month in 2001 and 1991, while men were most likely to report having sex 3 times a month in each year.
"Young Brits are having less sex than a decade ago because they're too busy watching Netflix," reports the Sun. Researchers used survey data from almost 35,000 people aged 16 to 44 in the UK. The surveys were done in 1991, 2001 and 2012. The surveys found women were most likely to report having sex 3 times a month in 2012, compared with 4 times a month in 2001 and 1991, while men were most likely to report having sex 3 times a month in each year.
Social media effect on teen life satisfaction 'is tiny', study reports
07 May 2019
"Time spent on social media has only a 'trivial' impact on life satisfaction among adolescents," reports The Guardian
"Time spent on social media has only a 'trivial' impact on life satisfaction among adolescents," reports The Guardian
Can erection problem medicines help reverse heart failure?
02 May 2019
"Viagra-like erectile dysfunction drug Cialis may tackle heart disease too," reports the Sun. Researchers investigated the effect of the medicine tadalafil, brand name Cialis, on sheep hearts.
"Viagra-like erectile dysfunction drug Cialis may tackle heart disease too," reports the Sun. Researchers investigated the effect of the medicine tadalafil, brand name Cialis, on sheep hearts.
New type of dementia identified
01 May 2019
"Form of dementia that 'mimics' Alzheimer's symptoms discovered," reports The Guardian. An international team of researchers has proposed a name for a type of brain disease that causes dementia symptoms: Limbic-predominant Age-related TDP-43 Encephalopathy, or LATE.
"Form of dementia that 'mimics' Alzheimer's symptoms discovered," reports The Guardian. An international team of researchers has proposed a name for a type of brain disease that causes dementia symptoms: Limbic-predominant Age-related TDP-43 Encephalopathy, or LATE.
Poor sense of smell in the elderly linked with higher risk of dying
30 April 2019
'Routine sense of smell tests could be used to spot signs of dementia' The Guardian reports
'Routine sense of smell tests could be used to spot signs of dementia' The Guardian reports
Guidelines issued on activity and screen time for babies and toddlers
25 April 2019
"Kids under two should never be allowed to watch any screens – or they'll get fat," warns the Sun. The alarming headline gives the flavour of reports in much of the UK media about the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommendations on how much time each day children under age 5 should spend on physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep.
"Kids under two should never be allowed to watch any screens – or they'll get fat," warns the Sun. The alarming headline gives the flavour of reports in much of the UK media about the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommendations on how much time each day children under age 5 should spend on physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep.
Widely used diabetes drug may hold potential to aid long-term weight loss
24 April 2019
'Diabetes drug metformin could help you lose weight, say scientists who found it works better than diet and exercise at keeping the bulge off' the Mail Online reports
'Diabetes drug metformin could help you lose weight, say scientists who found it works better than diet and exercise at keeping the bulge off' the Mail Online reports
Regularly skipping breakfast linked to increased risk of heart disease and stroke
23 April 2019
'Skipping breakfast may raise risk of heart disease by up to 87 per cent, study finds' The Sun reports
'Skipping breakfast may raise risk of heart disease by up to 87 per cent, study finds' The Sun reports
Screen time may increase chances of attention problems in children aged 3 to 5
18 April 2019
"How just 2 hours' screen time a day as a toddler can make children more likely to 'be badly behaved or have ADHD'," the Mail Online reports. Researchers in Canada looked at parents' reports of how much time their children spent using screens each day at age 3 and 5.
"How just 2 hours' screen time a day as a toddler can make children more likely to 'be badly behaved or have ADHD'," the Mail Online reports. Researchers in Canada looked at parents' reports of how much time their children spent using screens each day at age 3 and 5.
Scan mums-to-be at 36 weeks for breech births, says study
17 April 2019
"Breech baby scan 'would save lives'," reports BBC News. Researchers in Cambridge scanned around 4,000 women at 36 weeks to see whether their babies were in the breech position, meaning their bottom would come out first.
"Breech baby scan 'would save lives'," reports BBC News. Researchers in Cambridge scanned around 4,000 women at 36 weeks to see whether their babies were in the breech position, meaning their bottom would come out first.
Statins 'do not work' for half of people prescribed them, study reports
16 April 2019
"Statins are not effective at lowering cholesterol levels for half of patients," the Daily Mirror reports. Statins are a widely used and well established medicine for lowering cholesterol. A large body of evidence has shown that statins are effective in reducing so-called "bad cholesterol", which in turn can reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke.
"Statins are not effective at lowering cholesterol levels for half of patients," the Daily Mirror reports. Statins are a widely used and well established medicine for lowering cholesterol. A large body of evidence has shown that statins are effective in reducing so-called "bad cholesterol", which in turn can reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke.
'Therapy reduces symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome,' reports study
11 April 2019
"Answer to irritable bowel syndrome is the mind, study shows," states The Telegraph. The headline is based on research conducted in the UK involving people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). They were provided with different types of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) on top of usual treatment, compared with usual treatment alone, to help reduce their IBS symptoms.
"Answer to irritable bowel syndrome is the mind, study shows," states The Telegraph. The headline is based on research conducted in the UK involving people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). They were provided with different types of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) on top of usual treatment, compared with usual treatment alone, to help reduce their IBS symptoms.
'Faecal transplant may help children with autism,' study suggests
10 April 2019
"Autism symptoms can be reduced 50% in children who received faecal transplants," reports the Mail Online. A new US study involving 18 children with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) found an improvement in digestive and autism symptoms 2 years after receiving a faecal transplant.
"Autism symptoms can be reduced 50% in children who received faecal transplants," reports the Mail Online. A new US study involving 18 children with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) found an improvement in digestive and autism symptoms 2 years after receiving a faecal transplant.
Dietary supplements 'do not help improve health outcomes'
09 April 2019
"Taking vitamin supplements does not help you live longer but may actually cause you harm, study suggests," reports the Sun. A US study reports that vitamin and mineral supplements do not reduce the risk of death. And there's a suggestion that high-dose calcium supplements could actually increase the risk. But the study is hampered by numerous limitations, so the results are not clear-cut.
"Taking vitamin supplements does not help you live longer but may actually cause you harm, study suggests," reports the Sun. A US study reports that vitamin and mineral supplements do not reduce the risk of death. And there's a suggestion that high-dose calcium supplements could actually increase the risk. But the study is hampered by numerous limitations, so the results are not clear-cut.
Poor diet now killing more than smoking
04 April 2019
"Bad diets killing more people globally than tobacco, study finds," reports The Guardian. In a new analysis, researchers have estimated that 11 million deaths around the world were related to poor diet. They found eating a diet high in salt, but low in fruit, wholegrains, nuts and seeds, was associated with more than half of the deaths.
"Bad diets killing more people globally than tobacco, study finds," reports The Guardian. In a new analysis, researchers have estimated that 11 million deaths around the world were related to poor diet. They found eating a diet high in salt, but low in fruit, wholegrains, nuts and seeds, was associated with more than half of the deaths.
Does eating a few squares of dark chocolate a day improve blood pressure?
03 April 2019
"Eating a few squares of dark chocolate every day 'improves your blood pressure in just one month'," is the overoptimistic headline in the Mail Online. Unfortunately for chocoholics, the study involved just 30 people, so the results are not particularly robust. And all 30 were young healthy adults, so we do not know whether there would be any benefit for older people with a confirmed diagnosis of high blood pressure.
"Eating a few squares of dark chocolate every day 'improves your blood pressure in just one month'," is the overoptimistic headline in the Mail Online. Unfortunately for chocoholics, the study involved just 30 people, so the results are not particularly robust. And all 30 were young healthy adults, so we do not know whether there would be any benefit for older people with a confirmed diagnosis of high blood pressure.
E-cigarettes 'do not promote smoking in teens'
02 April 2019
"The sharp increase in the use of e-cigarettes has not led more British children to take up cigarettes or regard smoking as normal," The Guardian reports. There's been some concern about the popularity of e-cigarettes among young people, and whether it could increase the number of teen smokers by making smoking seem more socially acceptable.
"The sharp increase in the use of e-cigarettes has not led more British children to take up cigarettes or regard smoking as normal," The Guardian reports. There's been some concern about the popularity of e-cigarettes among young people, and whether it could increase the number of teen smokers by making smoking seem more socially acceptable.
Children's growth patterns 'predict obesity risk before age 5'
27 March 2019
"Weighing children when they start school is already too late," reports the Mail Online. A study on childhood obesity suggests children's weight and growth patterns should be measured before they start school. One in 3 children in the UK are overweight or obese by the time they leave primary school, according to Public Health England.
"Weighing children when they start school is already too late," reports the Mail Online. A study on childhood obesity suggests children's weight and growth patterns should be measured before they start school. One in 3 children in the UK are overweight or obese by the time they leave primary school, according to Public Health England.
