Asthma hospital admissions could be prevented with correct inhaler usage

Asthma is a serious, yet sometimes underestimated health problem. Just imagine you are unable to breathe, unable to cry for help, unable to even speak, and paralysed with fear. This is an accurate description of how an asthma attack feels for the majority of the 5.4 million people in the UK who suffer with asthma.

It is believed that around 75% of asthma-related hospital admissions could have been averted through sufficient asthma management and a staggering 90% of deaths from asthma were preventable.

Part of this is through the actual correct/efficient use of asthma medication. According to a pharmaceutical-educational charity partnership, improved inhaler technique may help to drastically reduce the estimated 80,000 plus emergency hospital admissions for asthma, but healthcare professionals should be partly culpable as many are not carrying out proper training to patients for correct inhaler use.

A new study of healthcare professionals published in Thorax suggests that a shocking 70% could not demonstrate the right metered dose inhaler technique to asthma patients, and around half of the patients themselves were unable to use the correct technique with their inhaler.

It might be alarming to know that poor use of an inhaler can result it as little as 5% of the drug being transmitted to where it is urgently required – the lungs. Therefore, symptoms are not controlled and the risk of an emergency hospital admission suddenly increases a significant amount.

The good news is that Napp Pharmaceuticals have joined forces with the charity Education for Health to provide inhaler technique training to any CCGs and NHS providers looking to boost their respiratory services and undoubtedly cut asthma hospital admissions in the process.

Community pharmacists from Cambridgeshire and Peterborough CCG and Pharmicus in Gateshead will be involved with pilot programmes after the success of a similar inhaler technique programmed on the Isle of Wight, whereby trained multidisciplinary teams including GPs and respiratory nurses, led to a 50% drop in asthma emergency admissions and a 75% decrease in associated deaths.

Monica Fletcher, CEO of Education for Health said: “This training will enable healthcare professionals to provide the most accurate and up to date inhaler technique to their patients. There is no reason why, with the correct treatment and management, that the majority of people with asthma shouldn’t be able to live symptom free.”

Dr Joe diCapite, inhaler technique project manager at Napp said “We know that several CCGs recognise inhaler technique as an issue for their patients. Napp and Education for Health want to work in partnership with CCGs to create inhaler technique programmes that address the specific training needs of their healthcare professionals, with a shared aim of delivering better patient outcomes.”

If you have asthma and would like more information on using your inhalers, Asthma UK have provided helpful videos on how to correctly different asthma inhalers such as metered dose inhalers, easi-breathe inhalers, an autohaler and various other types of inhalers.

Stress of modern life disastrous for Brit’s sex lives

Whether it is money worries due to a crippling recession, or keeping busy on social media such Facebook or Twitter, there seems to always be something to distract us Brits in our day-to-day lives.

So much so that it seems these factors could be behind the revelation that couples in Britain appear to be having sex less now than at any other time during the last two decades. This is according to the findings extracted from a national survey on sex habits.

The figures from the National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles (Natsal) – conducted only once per decade – involved 15,000 participants aged 16 to 44. It would seem that modern life is having an impact on the libido of people from all ages.

To understand the decline, men polled during 2010 to 2012 stated that they had sex on average 4.9 times a month and women were around the same at 4.8. The survey, the third in the series, was carried out between September 2010 and August 2012.

However, the same survey from 1999 to 2001 found that men had sex roughly 6.2 times on average per month, whilst women were again at about the same number; 6.3.

Even further back, during 1990 to 1991 shows that men were having sex 6.4 times on average per month and for women it was 6.1 times. Clearly something has changed in the subsequent years.

Dr Cath Mercer, from University College London, said: “People are worried about their jobs, worried about money. They are not in the mood for sex. But we also think modern technologies are behind the trend too. People have tablets and smartphones and they are taking them into the bedroom, using Twitter and Facebook, answering emails.”

Dr Mercer also deduced from the survey’s findings that couples aged 16 to 44 could even be turning to online pornography as an alternative to sex.

Lead Natsal author Professor Kaye Wellings, of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said that stress caused by the recession and more people working even when away from the office are likely to be key factors for the decline.

“In a recession we find an association between unemployment and a low number of sexual partners, perhaps due to low self-esteem,” she commented.

Professor Wellings added: “The change in women’s behaviour across the three surveys has been remarkable. In some areas of sexual behaviour we have seen a narrowing of the gender gap, but in others we have seen women overtaking men in the diversity of their behaviour. These trends need to be seen against the backdrop of the profound changes in the position of women in society, the norms governing their lifestyles and media representations of female sexuality.”

The survey, analysed by researchers from University College London and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, also quizzed older people about their sex lives.

According to the results, 60% of men and 42% of women aged 65 to 74 had had sex in the previous year, albeit not on a regular basis compared to other groups. On average, men aged 65 to 74 were having sex 2.3 times per month and only 1.4 times for women.

There were also some other interesting findings from the survey, for instance:

.  A sixth of UK pregnancies are not planned.

. Half of men reported a recent sexual problem; impotence or a sexually transmitted infection are just some of these ‘problems’. Only a tenth were worried or distressed about their sex lives however.

. Around 15% of men had experienced a lack of interest in sex.

. Women under the age of 44 have an average of sexual 7.7 partners, while for men it is 11.7.

. After the survey in the year 2000, more people accept same-sex relationships but are now less tolerant of a cheating partner.

. Around 3.6% of men admitted to paying for sex in the previous five years, compared to hardly any women.

Over a third of 60-70 year olds are battling the bulge

Scottish researchers claim that despite being a problem mainly associated among younger people, obesity is more widespread than first thought and over a third of 60 to 70-year-olds are now at a dangerous weight level.

The team involved in the new study also discovered that the amount of males aged 18 to 22 with a waist measurement in excess of 40 inches (102 cm), has doubled, increasing from 4.6% to 10.7%.
Meanwhile, the number of women in the same age bracket who have a waist size greater than 34.5 inches (88 cm) has almost tripled, increasing from 9.25% to 24.4%.

The team from the University of Glasgow analysed statistics from the Health Survey of England and the Scottish Health Survey, contrasting information relating to 1994 to 1996 against similar facts from 2008 to 2010.

They found that the total number of people with a body mass index (BMI) reading of more than 30 (I.e. classified as ‘obese’) had risen 5 to 15% on average, with an evident peak at age 60 to 70. Up to 38% were obese over both sexes.

The peak was seen at five to ten years later than what was observed during 1994 to 1996 for men, and but was no different for women.

Prevalence of BMI over 30 has doubled in young English men (to 10.7%) and tripled in young Scottish males (to 12.1%). Women fared worse though with 17.8% in England having a BMI of over 30 and 20.1% in Scotland.

Waistlines are clearly expanding at a fast rate, with researchers finding the percentage of people having a ‘large’ waist circumference – 102 cm/40 inches for men, 88 cm/34.5 inches for women – spiralling from 30% to 70% for men aged 80 to 85 and for women between the ages of 65 and 70.

It seems Scots are gripped in an even worse obesity crisis than their English counterparts as the prevalence of a large waist circumference increased fourfold to 12.7% in young men, and almost fivefold in women, to 28.2%.

Professor Mike Lean, whose research has been published in the International Journal of Obesity, commented: “People are growing fatter later in life, with waist sizes rising more persistently than BMI which may indicate increased loss of muscle mass in old age. Within the 14-year period of this study, we also are seeing more young people entering adult life already obese, and more older people have adverse body composition. The continuing rise of waist circumference in older age groups is evidence of continued body fat accumulation and redistribution into older age, which is a major public health concern. The proportion of people with a ‘normal’ BMI has dropped to only about 15 per cent of UK adults by the age of 65. This rather small proportion now includes unhealthy people who have illnesses that have caused weight loss or prevent weight gain, as well as those who are genuinely healthy and active. So older people with an apparently ‘healthy’ BMI are not all healthy.”

Professor Lean added: “The use of BMI alone as a measure for adiposity in this age group may be misleading and using waist circumference might be better for identifying adverse changes in body composition.”

Healthy diet ‘could reduce risk’ of pregnancy complications

Certain modifications to lifestyle factors both in the months prior to, and during pregnancy, could ensure a woman has a healthy pregnancy without complications, according to a new study published in the British Medical Journal.

A study led by scientists at King’s College London, found that by maintaining a healthy weight, adhering to a healthy diet, and with a normal blood pressure (90/60 – 139/89 is generally deemed ‘normal’), then this can increase the possibility of the woman’s pregnancy going smoothly without encountering problems.

Unlike studies that have been conducted previously, researchers homed in on things than can boost the chances of women having a successful pregnancy and healthy baby, instead of analysing problematic issues.

For the study, the researchers assessed over 5,600 expecting first-time mothers from around the world including the UK, Ireland, New Zealand, and Australia.

None were due any more than one baby, and all women were quizzed on their previous medical history and dietary habits.
 
Blood pressure was taken and each woman had an ultrasound scan when they were between 10 and 21 weeks pregnant. Information about their births and babies was amalgamated obviously after each woman had given birth.

Of all those who participated in the study, 3,452 (61%) had an uncomplicated pregnancy. A lower proportion of women in the UK and Ireland had an uncomplicated pregnancy (58%) in comparison to their Australasian counterparts. (63%).

Common health problems for the women were found to be gestational hypertension (8%) and pre-eclampsia (5%). Meanwhile, being small for gestational age (11%) and premature birth (4%) were common issues among babies.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, it was discovered that maintaining a healthy diet – including at least three pieces a day – in the month before conception, meant the women were less likely to have any pregnancy problems.

The researchers say this backs up findings from past studies which show high fruit and vegetable intake during pregnancy can lower the risk of pre-eclampsia, premature birth and can result in babies born with a higher birth weight.

Commenting on their findings, the researchers say: “Based on a large prospective cohort study of healthy nulliparous women, we identified, replicated, and externally confirmed improvable factors associated with uncomplicated pregnancy. These related to optimizing weight, diet, cardiovascular fitness, and cessation of illicit drug use. Providing confirmation is forthcoming from other cohorts, this study should inform development of interventions to increase normal pregnancy outcomes.”

Online Pharmacy give away 1,000s of condoms in the run up to World AIDS Day

Shocking figures released ahead of World AIDS Day on 1 December reveal that roughly a fifth of those who have HIV in the UK, are unaware they are even carrying the virus.

Public Health England accumulated data from 2012 that shows 21,900 people out of 98,400 with HIV in the UK do not know they have it, with new cases reported in gay mean spiralling to an all-time record of 3,250 during last year.

Gay men account for the majority of people who have HIV, followed by black African men and women. Heterosexuals accounted for approximately 45% of new HIV cases in 2012; 2,880 in total.

Although it appears overall figures have decreased since 2011, the charity Terrence Higgins Trust have called for more action to be done to prevent the virus spreading, beginning with National HIV Testing Week, which runs from 22-29 November leading up to World AIDS Day.

World AIDS Day is an annual event dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV infection, and has been supported numerous times by Medical Specialists Pharmacy, and this year is no different.

This year Medical Specialists are giving away literally thousands of Skins condoms to all patients who obtain any sexual health products between 22 November and 2 December. Whether this be a clamelle chlamydia test kit, the antibiotic azithromycin for chlamydia and gonorrhoea treatment, or viagra, you will receive plenty of condoms…for free!

“Reducing undiagnosed HIV is now the single most important step we can take to halt the spread of infection in this country,” said the Terrence Higgins Trust’s acting chief executive, Paul Ward.

Mr Ward added: “Some communities are already making headway in this. Among gay men, testing rates are up, diagnoses are up, and as a result undiagnosed infection is coming down. Because of community-wide initiatives like National HIV Testing Week, hundreds more people with HIV now know their status, helping them access life-saving treatments and drastically reducing the chance of them passing the virus on. We’ve come so far, but we have to keep going. We know testing works and treatment works; all we need is the individual commitment and public funding to make it happen. If we can get this, we can turn the tide of the epidemic.”

Many people see ‘HIV’ as an abbreviated disease that they hope they never contract, whilst not actually understanding a lot about what it is, who is at risk, or the dangers of letting the virus go untreated.

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) attacks the immune system; our body’s natural defence mechanism against infections and disease. Health Protection Agency statistics from 2010 showed 95% of UK diagnoses stemmed from sexual contact, typically not wearing a condom during sexual activity is the cause. Sharing infected needles, syringes or other drug paraphernalia are also risk factors for HIV.

After infection, symptoms usually take between two to six weeks to arise and they include the common flu symptoms such as fever, sore throat, tiredness, muscular pain and also you could develop a body rash. If you believe you might be at risk then you should go for a test immediately and do not delay.
Delaying vital critical treatment can be fatal and somebody diagnosed at a late stage is actually nine times more likely to die within twelve months of receiving their diagnosis compared to somebody who gets tested and diagnosed at an early stage.

If HIV is left untreated or insufficiently managed, HIV then develops into AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome). At this stage the body is no longer able to fight off life-threatening infections due to the severe damage inflicted to the immune system.

National HIV testing week is a hugely important week and Medical Specialists hope that people shed the stigmas attached to HIV and AIDS, and to get tested immediately if they think they might be at risk. There is never any shame in seeking help for anything, especially when it comes to your health, and it could just save your life.

Achoo! Do you have a cold or flu?

The winter season for the majority of the Northern Hemisphere is not a pleasant time. Temperatures often plunge into the minuses as snow makes a regular appearance, as does ice, resulting in inevitable pandemonium for vehicle drivers and walking pedestrians.

Also prevalent at this time of the year are a huge number of colds, cases of flu, and various respiratory illnesses. Contagious viruses are of course active throughout the year, but winter is when we are most vulnerable. When it is cold, many people understandably choose to stay indoors, meaning a virus can spread rapidly through households.

Flu is transmitted between people when the infected individual then sneezes or coughs, releasing droplets into the air. Even touching a surface where the virus has been deposited can you put at risk of developing said virus.

It is worth noting there is a difference between a ‘cold’ and the flu, although they have some of the same symptoms and thus, are often mistakenly self-diagnosed. It is thought that around a third of Brits assume they just have a ‘bad cold’, when it is in fact the flu. This is a worrying statistic as thousands die each year from complications arising from flu.

A runny nose, coughing, a sore throat and sneezing are characteristics most common in colds, and usually develop over one or two days, lasting no more than a few days. However, some colds may last for as long as two weeks.

Flu usually strikes more suddenly than a common cold, symptoms are more serious and it lasts for a longer period of time. Flu symptoms include: sudden fever of 38-40°C (100-104°F), aches and pains in muscles and joints, sweats, a dry cough, headache and a feeling of exhaustion/needing to lie down.

One to three days following infection is the time when flu symptoms rear their ugly head, but many find they recover within one week, but a feeling of tiredness lingers for slightly longer than this. Severe colds may cause muscle aches and fever, which explains why many people struggle to differentiate the two.

Regardless of if it is a cold or flu you have, you must seek medical help if you also have chronic health condition such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease, or are experiencing a high fever, a severe headache, or abdominal or chest pain.

You can take preventative steps though to try and protect yourself and those around you by:

. Coughing or sneezing into a tissue.
. Disposing of used tissues straight away.
. Washing hands as soon as possible.
. Get an annual flu jab if you are in one of high-risk groups.
. Throwing a used tissue away as soon as possible.
. Washing your hands as soon as possible.
. Having a flu jab every year if you’re in an at-risk group (i.e. children under the age of 5, adults over the age of 65, pregnant women).

Painkillers, such as paracetamol, ibuprofen and aspirin, can help to ease your symptoms if you just have a cold – although aspirin should not be given to anyone under the age of 16. You should also rest, drink plenty of fluids, and eat healthily (a low-fat, high-fibre diet is generally advised).

You can usually treat yourself in the comfort of your own home if you have the flu. Make sure to get plenty of rest (most people know when they feel fit enough to carry on with their normal activities), keep yourself warm, and drink plenty of fluids.

Paracetamol or anti-inflammatory medicines such as ibuprofen can help to lower your high temperature and relieve aches if you are unwell with a fever.

Prescription antiviral medications such as Tamiflu (oseltamivir) are also widely used for both flu prevention and treatment.

Tamiflu stops the chemical neuraminidase – made by the influenzavirus – from having an impact that is. The virus relies on neuraminidase to spread in the airways, but because Tamiflu blocks neuraminidase from having an effect, the spread of the influenzavirus in the airways is reduced and the body’s immune system is more easily able clear-up the infection.

Bedtime aspirin could cut morning heart attack risk

The best time to take an aspirin to reduce the risk of suffering a heart attack when you wake up is at night prior to going to sleep, according to researchers involved in a new study.

Low-dose aspirin tablets are taken daily by millions of Brits who are high-risk of heart disease or other heart events as aspirin is effective at thinning the blood; meaning it is less likely to form a deadly clot.

A trial comprising of 290 heart patients found that it was more effective to take a 100mg aspirin tablet prior to going to bed instead of first thing in the morning.

The 290 participants were told to take the low-dose aspirin each morning for a duration of three months, followed by three months of taking the tablet at bedtime. Each person was monitored after each block of three months for their blood pressure and platelet levels.

Blood pressure did not seem to change according to what time the aspirin was taken, but the painkiller did manage to reduce platelet activity (a risk factor for heart attack).

Platelets are small, irregular-shaped cells that are present in the blood and form clots to prevent bleeding; for example stopping the blood flow from a wound.

However, platelet activity is usually at its highest during the morning which means you have a much bigger chance of having a heart attack either shortly prior to or shortly after waking up in the morning.

Previous studies have shown heart attacks are more common, in addition to more severe, at between 6am and midday, with up to 20% more damage to hearts during these hours.

Annually in the UK there are an estimated 103,000 people who suffer a heart attack and around 1.3 million live in the UK currently after having previously experienced one.

As previous studies have shown aspirin can reduce the risk by 10 per cent, many people who suffer with a heart attack are often advised to take a daily low-dose tablet.

Aspirin makes it more difficult for platelets to join together to form clots, as discovered in the findings by researchers at the Leiden University Medical Centre in the Netherlands, demonstrating that taking an aspirin before bedtime may help to reduce this peak period for platelet activity.

If taken before bedtime, the researchers found that aspirin could help to bring down platelet levels by up to 22 units.

Lead researcher Dr Tobias Bonten, of Leiden University Medical Centre in the Netherlands, said: “This simple intervention – switching aspirin intake from morning to bedtime – could be beneficial for the millions of patients with heart disease who take aspirin on a daily basis.”

Some British health experts stress you should not purely act on the basis on this study however.

Maureen Talbot, from the British Heart Foundation, said: “We know aspirin can be vital in reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke. Research into the best time to take a daily dose of aspirin is an interesting idea, but we would need to see much larger and longer studies before a change in practice can be recommended. For now, keep taking your daily aspirin as recommended by your doctor. If you have any concerns about your medication, talk it through with your GP.”

Think-tank want £10 prescription charges and £10 charge to see your GP

Prescription charges being increased to £10 is just one of many ideas put forth by a think-tank as a way to raise billions of pounds for financially struggling NHS services.

Reform, an independent centre-right think-tank want to raise prescription costs from the current charge of £7.85 to £10, and introduce charges to groups currently exempt from paying. The elderly and pregnant women would therefore have to pay for prescriptions with Reform’s new controversial suggestions.

In England an estimated 90% of prescriptions are dispensed free of charge, whilst Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have no prescription charges in place.

Prescription charges in England generate around £450 million a year, with the total government spend on prescription services standing at around £7.9 billion. However, the British Medical Association have said they believe the system is “unfair” and believe England should be like other countries in the British Isles and abolish prescription charges.

Reform say that increase of the cost of certain health services are vital though to fund improvements NHS services; surgeries opening at weekends being one example.

They say increasing prescription charges from £7.85 to £10, in addition to the cost of a Prescription Prepayment Certificate (a way for patients to obtain prescriptions in bulk to save money) rising from £104 to £120, would help to generate £134 million annually.

Reform also suggest the possibility of mimicking the French system, whereby there is a low prescription charge of £3, and only 20% of prescriptions are dispensed without charge, could raise £1.4 billion annually.

Other ways to generate money that Reform have suggested include bringing in a flat rate charge of £10 for GP consultations or £10 fines for each missed hospital appointment. They estimate this could raise £1.2 billion and £55 million a year, respectively.

Controversially, Reform also want to introduce a means-tested system for end of life care, forcing most dying patients to pay for any pain relief and nursing care they require.

Thomas Cawston, research director at the think-tank, attempted to defend Reform’s ideas, which are likely to cause outrage amongst millions of people.

He said: “The Government must find a way of generating more money for the NHS. “We currently have a system which is very generous. A lot of people who are reasonably well off wouldn’t mind paying £10 for a GP appointment on a Saturday morning, for example. Few will want to debate higher NHS charges but the funding outlook for the service makes it unavoidable. Prescription charges are the easiest route to new revenue, with exemptions for people on low incomes built in.”

Earlier in the year, a survey found that around half of GPs agree that patients should be charged for appointments, with figures of between £5 and £25 a time being put forward.

Dr Shailendra Bhatt, a GP in Hemel Hempstead in Hertfordshire, commented: “I work in a walk-in centre. The amount of people who come through the door for practically no reason at all and say “I was out and saw this sign for a walk-in centre where one can see a doctor, so I came in.” People don’t value the things if they get it cheap, worse still if they get it for nothing.”

Scientists discover gene that could lead to targeted asthma treatment

Young children with asthma may benefit from targeted treatment in the near future after US scientists discovered a ‘rogue’ gene – CDHR3 – which could be the cause of severe asthma in youngsters.

CDHR3 has been found to be particularly active within epithelial cells that line the inner surfaces of the airways. A faulty version of the gene can result in environmental triggers inducing allergic responses, the scientists found. CDHR3 is one of four genes that has been linked to the development of asthma; but the other three were already known as being associated with asthma.

The new study, published in the journal Nature Genetics involved a thorough comparison of the genetic codes, or genomes, of 3,695 Danish children and adults who have asthma. This comprised of a number of children younger than the age of six.

Data extracted children of both European and non-European ancestry was then used to replicate the findings, which are consistent with previous research suggesting other genes associated with the onset of childhood asthma are responsible for over-sensitive immune reactions.

Lead researcher Dr Hakon Hakonarson, from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (Chop) in the US, said: “Because asthma is a complex disease, with multiple interacting causes, we concentrated on a specific phenotype – severe, recurrent asthma occurring between ages two and six. Identifying a risk-susceptibility gene linked to this phenotype may lead to more effective, targeted treatments for this type of childhood asthma.”

Dr Hakonarson added: “Asthma researchers have been increasingly interested in the role of the airway epithelium in the development of asthma. Abnormalities in the epithelial cells may increase a patient’s risk to environmental triggers by exaggerating immune responses and making the airway overreact. Because the CDHR3 gene is related to a family of proteins involved in cell adhesion and cell-to-cell interaction, it is plausible that variations in this gene may disrupt normal functioning in these airway cells, and make a child vulnerable to asthma.”

The researchers now hope their findings will lead to a more targeted treatment a condition which affects a staggering 5.4 million Britons; many of whom will probably be struggling in the coming months due to the fact that cold winter weather can exacerbate asthma symptoms.

Even a basic cold virus can trigger a serious asthma attack and worsen symptoms for around 90% of people with asthma and According to Asthma UK, three quarters of people with asthma blame cold for triggering their symptoms. Common symptoms are: coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, tightness in your chest and difficulty speaking in full sentences.

Asthma UK have five important pieces of advice that are vital in controlling your asthma symptoms during the cold weather:

1. Keep taking your regular preventer medicines as prescribed by your doctor.

2. If you know that cold air triggers your asthma, take one or two puffs of your reliever inhaler before going outside.

3. Keep your blue reliever inhaler with you at all times.

4. Wrap up well and wear a scarf over your nose and mouth – this will help to warm up the air before you breathe it in.

5. Take extra care when exercising in cold weather. Warm up for 10–15 minutes and take one or two puffs of your reliever inhaler before you start.

Huge panic as new bird flu strain is found in a Taiwanese woman

A bird flu strain that health experts thought could not be contracted by humans has been detected in a woman in Taiwan.

This has now sparked panic that there could be an uncontrollable global pandemic ignited if dangerous flu symptoms are not identified at an early enough stage.

Currently, it is being downplayed as an isolated case but clearly this virus, as others have done previously, has the ability to transmit across different species.

The 20-year-old Taiwanese woman was first admitted into hospital in May of this year due to a lung infection. She was released from hospital after being treated with Tamiflu (oseltamivir) and antibiotics, according to the research published online in the journal Lancet Respiratory Medicine.

Roche’s Tamiflu reduces the severity and duration of influenza by preventing the virus from replicating within the body. It belongs to a group of medicines known as ‘neuraminidase inhibitors’.

These medicines prevent the influenza virus from spreading inside the body and so help to ease or prevent the symptoms arising from the influenza virus infection. Tamiflu came to worldwide prominence during the 2009 deadly H1N1 swine flu epidemic.

After one of the as yet unidentified woman’s throat swabs was forwarded to the Taiwan Centres for Disease Control, health experts confirmed she had the H6N1 strain of bird flu.

The patient was employed at a deli and had not apparently come into contact with any live birds, baffling investigators as to how she became infected. Numerous members of her family and friends subsequently developed flu-like symptoms, but nobody else tested positive for H6N1.

Ever since 1996 when the H5N1 bird flu strain spear in southern China in 1996, there has been a nervous tracking of its progress. After all, it has claimed the lives of over 600 people – the majority of deaths occurring in Asia.

China has been hit with various other bird flu strains to cause concern over the years, such as the H7N9 strain. There were 135 reported cases of H7N9 in eastern China between February and July of this year alone, 45 of which proved fatal. As yet though, no bird flu strains have been shown to mutate into a form that is easily transmitted among humans.

Marion Koopmans, a virologist at the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment in the Netherlands, said in a commentary accompanying the new report: “The question again is what would it take for these viruses to evolve into a pandemic strain?”

Ms Koopmans says there should be more thorough analysis of animal flu viruses and additional research into viruses that could cause a global problem. “We can surely do better than to have human beings as sentinels,” she wrote.

New guidance recommends millions more to take statins

There could soon be millions more British patients being prescribed cholesterol-lowering statins such as atorvastatin or pravastatin to safeguard against heart attack and stroke, following the publication of new guidelines in the United States of who would benefit from taking statins; the first such guidance to be released in the US in a decade.

The updated guidelines are based upon the findings of a new study conducted over four years by the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology, who decided to ‘think outside the box’ so to speak, as to what constitutes putting someone at a risk of heart attack and/ or stroke.

The researchers, unlike many of their peers who conduct similar studies, shifted their interests away from high cholesterol and instead utilised a formula to calculate risk and looked at a person’s age, gender, race, together with certain health factors like smoking.

“This guideline represents a departure from previous guidelines because it doesn’t focus on specific target levels of LDL, or bad cholesterol, although the definition of optimal LDL cholesterol has not changed,” Dr Neil Stone, author of the report, said in a statement.

Dr Stone added: “The likely impact of the recommendations is that more people who would benefit from statins are going to be on them.”

Dr Donald Lloyd-Jones, one of the experts who help to draft the new guidelines, said: “We’ve been undertreating people who need statin therapy. Statins lower cholesterol levels, but what they really target is overall cardiovascular risk.”

More African-Americans – a demographic usually at a higher risk of stroke – could be prescribed statins in accordance to the new guidelines.

Under the guidance, there would now be approximately 44% of men and 22% of women who would be deemed suitable for taking statins – or 33 million Americans.

This is in stark contrast to previous US guidelines that meant only 15% of adults in America were recommended for statin treatment, whereby patients had to have a target set to lower their cholesterol to. These numerical targets have now seemingly been abandoned.

In creating the guidelines, the panel analysed four particular groups who they believed to need statins more than most: patients currently with heart disease, people with LDL levels of 190 or higher due to genetic risk, adults aged between 40 and 75 with type 2 diabetes and older adults with a 10-year risk of heart disease in excess of 7.5%.

Those in the panel also stressed the importance of a “diet pattern” which includes fruit, vegetables and whole grains, with all adults engaging in moderate to vigorous exercise three to four times per week.

Many of the patents on statins have expired, with significantly cheaper generic statins now available. Crestor (rosuvastatin), a statin manufactured by AstraZeneca, still remains under patent however and in 2012 alone the drug had impressive sales of $8.3bn (£5.2bn).

Statins are actually the most commonly prescribed drugs in the UK, used by almost a tenth of the population. As cholesterol is still the primary factor in the process of prescribing statins, it is worth noting that NHS guidelines state that LDL cholesterol should not be higher than 3.0 and overall cholesterol no higher than 5.0.

E-cigarettes described as life-savers – but how safe are they?

Scientists say that if all the smokers around the world converted to using e-cigarettes instead of smoking regular tobacco cigarettes, millions of deaths could be avoided.

According to public health charity Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), smoking is responsible for the deaths of around 100,000 each year just in the UK alone. Globally, 600,000 lives are lost due to secondhand smoke exposure alone.

ASH also say that an estimated 80% of deaths from lung cancer can be attributed to smoking, in addition to 80% of deaths from bronchitis and emphysema, and around 17% of deaths from heart disease can be put down to smoking.

The pros and cons of e-cigarettes were the source of discussion on Tuesday as 250 scientists, experts, policymakers and industry figures all convened for the E-Cigarette Summit at the Royal Society in London.

In the UK there are currently about 700,000 people using e-cigarettes. There are those who combine ‘vaping’, as it is usually referred to, with regular tobacco-based cigarettes, whereas others quit smoking regular cigarettes and simply use e-cigarettes.

A battery-operated e-cigarette works by vaporising a liquid solution containing nicotine. Regular cigarettes are comprised of thousands of toxic chemicals that are linked to a wide number of health problems such as many types of cancer, heart disease and stroke. Despite still containing nicotine – albeit a much lesser amount – e-cigarettes are considered substantially safer than regular cigarettes.
“Cigarettes are killing 5.4-million people per year in the world,” said health psychology professor and Cancer Research UK director of tobacco studies Robert West as he spoke to delegates.

Professor West said millions of lives could be saved each year if smokers switched to e-cigarettes and added: “The big question, and why we’re here, is whether that goal can be realized and how best to do it…and what kind of cultural, regulatory environment can be put in place to make sure that’s achieved. I think it can be achieved but that’s a hope, a promise, not a reality.”

He also commented how e-cigarettes were involved in nearly a third of all attempts to quit smoking. They are between 95% and 99% safer than regular cigarettes, yet some countries still insist on banning them. Whether or not regulation involving medicinal rules should be introduced was a hot topic for debate among the delegates, of which some voiced concerns about e-cigarettes becoming a gateway for people who have not previously smoked.

Added to the fears about e-cigarettes, is just how safe they are without necessary regulations in place. Some poorly-manufactured e-cigarettes have been reported to overheat and even combust.

ASH CE Deborah Arnott acknowledged the benefits of them for public health, but stressed there is still a certain lack of understanding about their long-term effects. She also said that perhaps worryingly, tobacco companies are buying out the major e-cigarette manufacturers.

She commented: “ASH thinks that e-cigarettes have significant potential. They are a lot less harmful than smoking. Clearly smokers find them attractive, primarily as a way of quitting and moving away from smoking, which they know will kill them. I think the jury’s out and these products need regulating because there’s a real concern that their safety and effectiveness is not guaranteed without regulation.”

Arnott added: “The tobacco companies are moving in. For them it’s potentially a ‘Kodak moment’ because if everyone moved to e-cigarettes, they’d lose their market, so they’ve got to be in there. A lot of the bigger e-cigarette companies have already been bought up. If there are carcinogens in there, you won’t see an immediate effect but 10, 15, 20 years down the line, people will be dying from that. The development of e-cigarettes is definitely running ahead of the science.”

The misunderstood mystery of the migraine

When somebody says they have a ‘migraine’, the chances are there will be those who almost dismiss their complaint as just some fancy word for headache and suggest the sufferer taking a painkiller.

However, a headache and a migraine differ in many ways and the latter is a severely debilitating condition for the estimated one in four women and one in 12 men in the UK who are affected by them on a regular basis. This equates to around 15% of adults in the UK who are suffering.

You may be surprised to learn that in fact migraine is the most common neurological condition, and the problem is actually more prevalent than epilepsy, asthma and diabetes. Migraine does not pick and choose who it targets; it can affect people regardless of age, race, culture or social class, although they are more commonly experienced by women (two thirds of sufferers are women) and attacks usually begin during teenage years.

If you are still confused as to what constitutes a migraine as opposed to merely a headache, it would be advised to understand some of the signs and symptoms of migraine.

There are actually five stages of migraine, although not everybody will experience all five. They are:

1. ‘Prodromal’ (pre-headache) stage. As well as physical symptoms such as ache and pains for hours or days prior to the migraine attack, some people may notice a change in mood, a drop in energy levels, appetite and behaviour change.

2. Aura. Some people experience a sensation, or aura, just before their migraine starts. They are neurological interruptions such as seeing flashes of light or blind spots, temporary blindness and seeing things almost like you are looking through a broken mirror. The aura stage usually lasts from anywhere between 15 minutes and an hour.

3. Headache stage. Normally a pulsating or throbbing pain that is on one particular side of the head. You will probably feel queasy and sick, followed by vomiting. There will be an increased sensitivity to bright light and loud sounds, which is why many people with migraine want to rest in a quiet, dark room. This stage can vary in length from four to 72 hours.

4. Resolution stage. Here the migraine is fading slowly but surely. If you do have a migraine, at this point you might find your headache comes to an abrupt end after you have vomited, and sleep can help to relieve the symptoms.

5. ‘Postdromal’ or recovery phase. There could be a feeling of exhaustion and weakness afterwards.

The big question therefore is why do migraines occur? The answer is believed to be due to alterations to chemicals in the brain. The chemical in question is one called serotonin, which declines during a migraine.


If serotonin levels are low, this can cause blood vessels in a certain area of your brain to spasm; suddenly contracting and becoming narrower.

Low levels of serotonin can make the blood vessels in a part of your brain spasm (suddenly contract), which makes them narrower. The symptoms of the aura stage may follow soon after and then after the blood vessels have dilated (widened), this is believed to be responsible for the headache. What causes this drop in serotonin has not yet been fully established.

It is worth remembering that severity and patterns of symptoms associated with migraines could differ from one person to the next. But the fact there usually is a pattern is important and you should be aware of this to plan how to manage your migraine.

It is vital you consult a doctor to get a diagnosis as the fact remains that around half of all cases are left without a diagnosis or treatment. Like patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome are often advised to do, you should ideally maintain a diary, documenting when your symptoms have begun, what activities you were doing at that particular time, or what you may have eaten prior to your symptoms beginning. For example, you could find that alcohol consumption leads to you experiencing excruciating headaches – and no, not through a hangover!

If you are experiencing something that you suspect to be migraine or frequent and severe headaches, you must get your symptoms checked out by a doctor for an accurate diagnosis to start with, followed by appropriate treatment. Unfortunately, there is no cure for migraines but a variety of treatments may help to ease symptoms.

You may have to be patient in trying to find what works best at easing your migraine symptoms and if you find that over-the-counter medicines are relatively ineffective, your doctor can help with other treatment options such as prescribing stronger painkillers, anti-sickness medicines, or anti-inflammatory medicines. If you still find you are not responding well to treatment, your doctor may refer you to a specialist migraine clinic for further analysis of the cause for your symptoms.

Premature ejaculation a big problem for couples in China

It would be interesting to find out corresponding results for UK women after a recent online survey showed that incredibly there could be around 96% of women in China who are not satisfied with their sexual partners.

Typical points for complaint from the female respondents included the fact that sexual intercourse was not lasting long enough (under 15 minutes), or their male partner having a sexual health problem.

In fact, over a fifth (22%) of the women who completed the survey laim they have ended a relationship or even divorced their husband because of persistent premature ejaculation problems. Moreover, 21% of men have also ended relationships for similar reasons.

Premature ejaculation is, and should, be considered a genuine medical problem that still requires treatment like anything else and as such, there are options available for men with premature ejaculation. Priligy and Stud 100 spray are just two popular treatments.

The report, published on Sept. 25 by the International Society for Sexual Medicine in Beijing, states that over half of Chinese couples are unhappy with their sex lives.

Furthermore, 96% of women and 80% of men claim that they are not enjoying sexual intercourse for sustained periods.  In comparison to other countries in the Asia-Pacific region, the figures for China are actually higher, according to the report.

The study into sexual health or other such issues was conducted over the duration of six months and included 3,567 people spanning across nine countries and territories in the Asia-Pacific region, including: Australia, South Korea, Malaysia and the Philippines.

However, it seems that on average, Chinese couples engage in sexual intercourse around nine times a month on average. This is higher than the overall average for the region of 7.7.

The old saying of ‘quality, not quantity’ could be true though and indeed the amount of times couples had sex was not found to be the primary factor in sexual well-being. Instead, libido, willingness to actually have sex, in addition to intimacy levels in the relationship, were discovered to be far more important.

Jiang Hui, a physician studying male reproductive medicine at Peking University Third Hospital says that a large proportion of his patients are concerned they are unable to satisfy their partners sexually and of these patients, over 80% suffer with premature ejaculation.

Jiang also says that a lot of patients mistakenly think that premature ejaculation is purely only down to psychological issues like pressure, stress and fatigue. He says this is the main reason that a lot of men in China do not seek any kind of treatment for premature ejaculation.

Causes of bad breath and how to treat it

Just under seven weeks (48 days!) are what only remain between now and Christmas. During the next month especially, many people will be planning Christmas parties, whether this be with work colleagues or family and friends.

However, imagine you are standing across the room from handsome stranger and your eyes meet. Maybe they happen to be the good-looking person from the other department that you always have had a crush on, but never quite had the courage to speak to and ask out. Later on when the drinks are flowing, confidence has increased, there is some mistletoe conveniently located above you both, and you are about to share a kiss.

But at this point for many people, is where panic kicks in. What about bad breath! Yes, bad breath is a cause of worry for millions of people around the UK and can even result in considerable distress.
With a lot of kissing happening under the mistletoe around the festive period, perhaps now is the time to understand what causes bad breath, what can be done to limit your chances of repeatedly suffering with it, and to be aware of some of the great products out there that can treat bad breath.

Bad breath is also known as ‘halitosis’, and is a common problem that will effect everybody at some stage of their life – usually when they first wake up in the morning. For some, bad breath is a persistent issue that can ruin social lives and result in major loss of self-esteem.

Firstly, the facts – It is thought that around one in 4 people suffers with regular bad breath, although it may differ between what people report as ‘bad breath’. The most cases of bad breath are caused by Volatile Sulfuric Compounds (VSCs). The waste emitted by those bacteria is the main source of these compounds and partly why your dentist advises you to brush your teeth daily!

The brainchild behind revolutionary mouthwash CB12, Dr Thomas Norlin, has previously spoke in great detail the significance of VSC gases and what provided him with the motivation to develop the remarkable CB12 mouthwash.

He said: “The majority of VSCs are produced when protein remnants in the mouth break down into amino acids. The two amino acids that form the main substrate for the production of VSCs are cysteine and methionine. VSCs originate from food, such as a protein-rich diet, milk products and cheese. They also originate from blood, a dry mouth or anything that increases the number of germs, i.e. the amino acids. Certain bacteria have enzymes that break down these amino acids and the result is sulphurous gases, i.e. VSCs which consist of the gases hydrogen sulphide, methyl mercaptan and dimethyl sulphide. Methyl mercaptan is the component of VSCs that causes the worst smell, even in very small quantities. We also know now that there is a correlation between VSCs and periodontitis.

Dr Norlin added: “In other words, there are elevated levels of VSCs in deep gum pockets, so patients with gum pockets have higher levels of VSCs than other patients. Studies often measure only hydrogen sulphide and not methyl mercaptan to detect VSCs. In order to show the presence of methyl mercaptan a gas chromatography is required. The methyl mercaptan smells the worst and is more aggressive, also it is not neutralised as easily as hydrogen sulphide. With the development of CB12 there was one primary aim: to eliminate all gases and not just some of them. By using a gas chromatography as part of thorough research it has been proved and later published in several scientific journals that CB12 eliminates VSCs for a longer period and is more effective than any other product that exists on the market.”

VSCs are just one of many reasons for bad breath however, and others include:

. Poor oral hygiene

Bacteria accumulated on your gums, teeth and tongue can cause tooth decay, gum disease and plaque (the soft white deposit that can develop on teeth). This bacteria works together with saliva to break down food particles and proteins, causing an unpleasant smelling gas to be released. Failing to brush and floss on a regular basis will mean any food that is still caught between your teeth will be broken down by the bacteria, causing bad breath.

. Smoking

Smoking causes a whole range of problems for the teeth and gums which have a knock-on effect for breath. Regular use of tobacco can and will stain your teeth, lead to a loss of taste, and can cause gum disease by having a detrimental impact on the attachment of bone and soft tissue to your teeth, interfering with the normal function of gum tissue cells. Many of the harmful chemicals contained within tobacco smoke dry the mouth and promote growth from the ‘wrong’ type of bacteria, leading to bad breath. Stopping smoking can both lower your risk of gum disease and help to improve your breath.

. Strong smelling food and drink

Something that smells strong going in, will probably smell strong coming out! Garlic, onions, spices, coffee and alcohol are some of the worst culprits for bad breath. This type of bad breath is usually only temporary and can be limited by avoiding these food and drinks, in addition to maintaining good dental hygiene.

. Unhealthy/crash dieting

Fasting, crash dieting and low-carbohydrate diets may help you to lose weight quickly, but they can be disastrous for your breath. Such diets can cause to body to break down fat for fuel instead of carbs, which then starts the production of molecules called ‘ketones’. One type of ketone, called acetone, is released in your urine and breath.

Treating bad breath

Treatment for bad breath will usually depend on the cause. As we have highlighted already, stopping smoking, avoiding certain food and drink, eating enough carbs, having good oral hygiene, using CB12 mouthwash and fresh breath sprays such as Gold Spot, are just some of the things you can do to try and alleviate the problem.
Make sure to attend regular dental check-ups as dentists can ensure any plaque is removed from your teeth – especially in areas difficult to get to. They can also spot any early signs of gum disease and advise appropriate treatment as early as possible.

Raid at Manchester house uncovers 800 ‘Viagra-style’ ED tablets and 20,000 illegal cigarettes

Trading standards officers swooped onto an address in Greater Manchester after receiving a tip-off regarding the illicit dealings of contraband at a pub in the surrounding area – all under the noses of management who were unaware of the rogue dealer at the pub.

Officials first monitored The Harbord Harbord pub in the heart of Middleton, Greater Manchester, and part of the JD Wetherspoon chain, after getting word of the illegal activities that were taking place there.

After watching the pub, they trailed the suspected rogue dealer to an address in nearby Langley. Then, they made their move and the officials raided the property.

There, they found a Samurai sword, a dagger and an air rifle. Further checks of the property uncovered a staggering 20,000 contraband cigarettes which were concealed in the linings of three sofas, hidden behind books, within divan drawers, and even stashed inside a bread bin.

In the midst of hidden packs of Ronson cigarettes that were being sold on for about £3, officials found 40 kilos of hand-rolling tobacco and 800 ‘sildigra-100’ tablets.

Sildigra-100 are Indian-produced erectile dysfunction tablets that contain sildenafil (Viagra’s active ingredient) but are not approved in the UK and as such, sale of them is illegal.

It was later discovered that no duty had been paid on any of the cigarettes or hand-rolling tobacco found at the address, which were also said to be fake.

Following the raid, a 58-year-old male was immediately arrested on suspicion of counterfeiting. The man has been released on bail before further enquiries are carried out, but is due back at prison in December.

A massive £1.9b is lost every year by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs due to the huge trade in tobacco smuggling, partly fuelled by regular increases in tobacco price when each budget comes around. However, the illicit dealings are believed to be the cause of more serious illegal activity around the Greater Manchester area.

Councillor Jacqui Beswick, cabinet member for regulation at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “Activities like this pose a clear risk to our communities. Drugs to treat medical problems should only be prescribed by a doctor and cigarettes should display all the appropriate health warnings.”
She added: “The profits derived from selling counterfeit goods are also often used to fund more serious criminal activity so we will continue to work with the police to stamp it out. I would urge members of the public to report anything suspicious by phoning the citizens advice consumer service on 08454 04 05 06. Alternatively they can contact the police on 101.”

Worrying times: Are half of all Brits suffering from stress?

Children, money, work, home, health…These are just some of the demanding things we have to deal with on a daily basis. On top of this, the UK’s crippling recession and endless governmental cutbacks simply do not help matters when it comes to the everyday Brit trying to get on with their life and make ends meet.

According to new research conducted by health insurers Bupa, almost half of Britons could in fact be ‘stressed’, after the study of over 10,000 people found that in total, 44% said they were suffering from stress.

Of this group, for over a quarter, the problem of stress appeared to be a chronic issue with 28% admitted to feeling this way for over a year. Worryingly, 27% believe they are often feeling “close to breaking point”.

However, stress levels were not equal amongst the sexes, and across varying age groups. For example, it was discovered that stress levels seemed to be highest within those aged between 45 and 54.

It was found that 50% of this age group are stressed, in comparison to 38% of those aged 55 and over. Women are more likely to regard themselves as stressed – 49% say they are suffering from stress, compared to only 39% of men. Unsurprisingly, given the horrendous credit crunch in the UK, the primary cause of anxiety and stress according to the respondents was money, then work, family life and coping trying to live with a long-term health problem.

Demographically, it was revealed that people living in the Midlands are likely to be the most stress in the country – 46% saying they are stressed.

At the other end of the scale, the Welsh appear to be least stressed, with 40% saying they are suffering from stress, although this could still be considered quite high and not drastically different from the estimated proportion of those stressed in the Midlands.

Dr Martin Baggaley, medical director at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust said: “This research shows stress is extremely common in this country. While low-level and irregular bouts of stress can be beneficial and manageable, it’s concerning to see that so many people are experiencing sustained and relentless stress. If left unchecked for a prolonged period of time, stress can cause much more serious, long-term mental and physical illnesses such as anxiety and depression, and be a contributing factor in health problems such as heart disease and even obesity.”

Alarmingly, stress seems to cause many people to turn to alcohol, with 30% of men and 22% of women admitting to drinking more during stressful times. In addition, only 61% would only seek help if they struggle to cope with daily life.

Dr Baggaley added: “There is agrowing problem of long-term stress in this country, which needs to be addressed.  It’s important that people realise that stress is not just something that you have to put up with. If you recognise that you are under unusual pressure, try self-help techniques – for example deep breathing, taking exercise and avoiding unhealthy behaviours – these can all make a real difference and help you to feel back in control. If self-help isn’t having an effect, or if you’re concerned about your stress levels or feeling very anxious, you should always talk to your GP or a healthcare professional.”

Contraceptive pills now as popular as condoms among under-15s

Although according to the law they shouldn’t even be having sex to start with, new figures to be published show that the contraceptive pill is now as popular as condoms among under-15s for the first time ever.

The figures are part of a report compiled by the Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC), which demonstrate an interesting variation in contraception trends and preferences around the country.

More teenage girls than ever are now preferring to use oral contraceptives to avoid unwanted pregnancies, although health experts are still trying to hammer home the important message that condom use should still be maintained to safeguard against the vast number of sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

In March of this, year shocking statistics emerged that showed in the previous three years more than 15,000 under-16s were diagnosed with STIs such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea, chlamydia and genital herpes.

At the time, Lisa Powers, policy director at the Terrence Higgins Trust, said: “We are suffering in this country from poor sexual health. This is partly down to the fact that we have had generations of people who have not had sex and relationships education in school. Young people are under more pressure than ever before because they do not just learn about sex in the playground, but also on the internet. Young people are not being taught about the dangers of having sex without a condom.”

The HSCIC report states that in 2012, around 6,600 young girls under the age of 15, or 39% of those who attended NHS contraceptive clinics, said the contraceptive they used was the pill. In comparison, 6,900 (40%) had used condoms.

Usage of oral contraceptives has continued to rise in recent years and have always been popular in older teenage and adult groups. Contraceptive pills such as Dianette and Yasmin are two popular examples, with each also incredibly effective at treating acne and hirsutism.

However, it is only now that first the pill is now comparable to condoms among under-15s.
For instance, figures from in 2011-12 show condoms as a primary contraception method for 46% of teenagers at the clinics, whilst only 36% listed the pill.

Jason Warriner, clinical director at sexual health charity the Terrence Higgins Trust, believes it would make sense to have regular STI screenings for those prescribed contraception.

He said: “The good thing is young teenagers are accessing contraception services, going on the pill or getting something like the implant. But it is vital to make sure when they start on a form of contraception they are offered an STI screening at the same time and are given advice about using condoms in addition to their chosen form of contraception. It is about using condoms to reduce the risk of STIs and HIV. The key message is for people to regularly get tested, when they change partners and ensuring their partners are tested as well. I would like to see every woman who is on the pill offered STI screening each time they receive a repeat prescription, every three to six months. For girls under 15, they fall within the national chlamydia screening programme, but that only tests for one infection. The key message is about prevention, using condoms to prevent getting an infection and building that around your contraceptive needs.”

20% tax on sugary drinks could ease Britain’s obesity crisis

Researchers say that if a 20% tax was slapped onto all sugary drinks then this would help to bring down the total number of obese adults in the UK by an estimated 180,000.

Writing in the British Medical Journal, the researchers from Oxford and Reading argue that the 20% tax on Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Fanta and other sugar-sweetened drinks, would help to curb the worrying rise in sales of such drinks which they say is merely adding fuel to the fire of the nation’s obesity crisis.

The authors of the paper have spent time to calculate both the financial impact of introducing a 20% tax, and how much effect it could have in regards to trying to curtail the problem of obesity.

Dr Adam Briggs, lead study author from the Nuffield Department of Population Health at Oxford University, said their research has shown that taxing sugar-sweetened drinks “is a promising population measure”.

He commented: “Sugar-sweetened drinks are known to be bad for health and our research indicates that a 20% tax could result in a meaningful reduction in the number of obese adults in the UK. Such a tax is not going to solve obesity by itself, but we have shown it could be an effective public health measure and should be considered alongside other measures to tackle obesity in the UK.”

Dr Briggs and colleagues modelled the health effects of a 20% by using the information extracted from several separate surveys. These surveys had provided data on the trends of drink purchases, drinks consumption, and the prevalence of obesity throughout the UK.

They calculated that a 20% tax would equate to a 60p can of 330ml Coca-Cola now costing 72p, and help to cut the number of overweight adults in the UK by 0.9% (285,000 adults) and reduce the number of obese adults by 1.3% (180,000) adults. The tax would also result in roughly 40p being added to the cost of two-litre bottle.

The age group most effected would likely be those aged 16 to 29 the researchers say, as these typically consume a lot more sugary drinks in comparison to other age groups.

Because it is merely the over 30s who would be impacted by the introduction of the tax, this has led to some groups arguing that the tax would be misguided and simplistic, not having much of an impact on older people who could actually benefit most from losing weight.

Gavin Partington, director general of the British Soft Drinks Association, argued that soft drinks should not be blamed for Britain’s obesity problems.

He said: “There’s ample evidence to suggest that taxing soft drinks won’t curb obesity, not least because its causes are far more complex than this simplistic approach implies. Indeed, the latest official guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence points to the need to look at overall diet and lifestyle. Trying to blame one set of products is misguided, particularly when they comprise a mere 2% of calories in the average diet.”

In addition, Tom Sanders, professor of nutrition and dietetics at King’s College London, argued that the findings of the study were somewhat “naive”.

He said: “Most nutritionists agree it would be better to drink water than sugar-sweetened beverages. However, many consumers like sweet drinks and if they could not afford to buy sugary fizzy drinks they can always revert to drinking tea with added sugar as in the past. The cost of sugar-sweetened beverages is currently so low that any price increase would be so marginal that it would be unlikely to affect intake.”

However, the facts do not lie when it comes to fizzy drinks and the fact remains that a typical sugary drink still contains a shocking six to 15 teaspoons of sugary. Just one teaspoon of sugary works out at around 16 calories and 4g of sugar. On top of this, a regular consumption of the drinks has been linked to an increase in the risk of tooth decay and diabetes as well as obesity.

In fact, earlier this year doctors led calls for a tax on sugary drinks, in addition to other recommendations such as the number of fast food outlets close by to schools and colleges to be severely limited and a ban on junk food advertising before the watershed.

New York’s smoking laws due to be tightened

In the UK we have just come to the end of Stoptober, which finished on 28 October. The campaign was to encourage smokers to think about their health and the dangers of tobacco, in the hope that many will stop smoking for good.

However, across the Atlantic Ocean it seems our American counterparts are just as dedicated to reducing the number of people smoking with the fantastic news that New York City Council has voted to increase the minimum age for buying cigarettes from 18 to 21.

The current age limit of 18 years of age is a federal minimum that is standard in many places. Smokers are banned from smoking in any New York park and beach, in addition to the majority of the city’s restaurants.

The banning of anyone under the age of 21 purchasing or being sold cigarettes in New York City is amongst the strictest anti-smoking legislation in the U.S., and will be set at a higher age than nearly all other areas of the U.S. with the exception of just a few select places.

Those who lobbied for the change in the law have pointed to disappointing city statistics that show smoking rates for the youth of New York City has plateaued at 8.5% since 2007.

New York City mayor, Michael Bloomberg, is a strong advocate for anti-smoking measures and he now has 30 days to sign-off the bill. After this, the bill will be activated 180 days later.

“We know that tobacco dependence can begin very soon after a young person first tries smoking so it’s critical that we stop young people from smoking before they ever start,” Bloomberg said in a statement.

Mr Bloomberg had initially attempted to pass through legislation that would force all shops to have cigarettes out of public view, but this plan was scrapped earlier this year.

Another measure to be pushed through by New York City council members will see a base price of $10.50 (£6.55) being set for a packet of cigarettes and to bolster law enforcement’s role in the trade of illegal tobacco sales and distribution.

“This will literally save many, many lives,” said city councillor James Gennaro, the bill’s sponsor, whose mother and father died from tobacco-related illnesses. “I’ve lived with it, I’ve seen it…but I feel good today.”

As expected, cigarette companies have hit back and argue youths who smoke will simply turn to the black market to obtain their cigarettes, whilst there are those who consider it absurd that a person deemed to be old/mature enough to serve in the military is then told they are not old enough to smoke.

“New York City already has the highest cigarette tax rate and the highest cigarette smuggling rate in the country,” said Bryan D. Hatchell, a spokesman for R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, which produces Camel and various other brands. “Those go hand in hand and this new law will only make the problem worse.”

Following yesterday’s vote, New York is now the largest city by some distance to ban the sake of cigarettes to 19 and 20-year-olds and a similar ban could occur in Hawaii, depending on the vote in December.

Presently, Needham, Massachusetts already has a minimum tobacco-buying age of 21 in, and this age will also be applied come January in nearby Canton, Massachusetts. New Jersey are also contemplating the same approach to buying cigarettes too.