Embarrassing Problem? Back to Medical Specialists®…

The Channel 4 program Embarrassing Bodies has highlighted many obvious health problems that bring a great deal of distress to those suffering with them, but in the present day and age there are still thousands of people that are reluctant to go and speak to their doctor regarding genuine health issues that could be considered to be ‘embarrassing’.

A recent survey looked at around 61 million Google UK searches related to ‘embarrassing’ conditions, and discovered that the most embarrassing problems include anxiety, chlamydia and thrush.

However, Medical Specialists® Pharmacy helps thousands of patients around the world with countless other health concerns, problems that people are simply too reluctant to see their doctor about for treatment. With all prescription medications obtained from Medical Specialists®, the patient has to answer a series of medical questions (a consultation), and one of the GMC-registered doctors will assess and determine if that patient is suitable for the particular treatment. Basically, the patient doesn’t have to deal with any potential ‘embarrassing’ face-to-face contact.

Here, we run through the most common ‘embarrassing’ problems that Medical Specialists® patients have come to them seeking treatment for:

Acne

Acne usually starts in puberty, but it affects adults too. Around 80% of teenagers get some form of acne, and there are many myths about what causes it. Here are facts and details of acne treatments and products.

Acne consists of spots and painful bumps on the skin. It’s most noticeable on the face, but can also appear on the back, shoulders and buttocks. Severe acne can cause scarring.

The most common cause is when the skin reacts to hormonal changes. Skin contains sebaceous glands that naturally release sebum, an oily substance that helps protect it.

Adult acne is caused by raised levels of the hormone testosterone, which can cause too much sebum to be produced. It’s the sebum that can block hair follicles.

When dead skin cells mix with the blockage, it can lead to the formation of spots. Bacteria in the skin multiply, which can cause pain and swelling (inflammation) beneath the blockages.

There are different kinds of spots:

. Blackheads – small, blocked pores.
. Whiteheads – small, hard bumps with a white centre.
. Pustules – spots with a lot of pus visible.
. Nodules – hard, painful lumps under the skin.

Inflammatory acne is when the skin is also red and swollen. This needs to be treated early to prevent scarring.

Try not to pick or squeeze spots as this can cause inflammation and lead to scarring. Spots will eventually go away on their own, but they might leave redness in the skin for some weeks or months afterwards.

Medical Specialists® provide an extensive range of acne treatments, which include Aknemycin, Differin Cream, Differin Gel, Duac, Epiduo Gel, Minocin, and many more.

Chlamydia

Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted disease in the UK. It’s a bacterial infection, which is found in semen and vaginal fluids. Chlamydia is usually passed from one person to another during vaginal, oral or anal sex, or by sharing sex toys.

Half of men and the majority of women do not notice any symptoms. However, symptoms and complications may develop if it is left untreated. Usually symptoms appear between one and three weeks after having unprotected sex with an infected person. In some cases, the symptoms occur many months later, or not until the infection has spread. In women, Chlamydial infection usually affects the cervix and uterus (the womb). In men, it usually affects the urethra in the penis. Chlamydia sometimes causes infection of the eye, throat, and lungs. If not treated, Chlamydia can cause pelvic pain, infertility and blocked fallopian tubes in females. In males, testicular problems and reduced fertility can occur.

Sexually active people should test every year and when they have a new partner. If you think you might have Chlamydia, it’s important to get tested quickly. You can get tested whether or not you have symptoms. The Clamelle Chlamydia Test Kit from Medical Specialists® is everything you need for a confidential test at home, avoiding embarrassing visits to your doctor or GP. Just place your order and we will post the test kit to you, which you can use to check yourself. Take a quick urine sample and post the sample to the laboratory in the envelope provided, and the result is posted or emailed back to you by the laboratory a few days later.

For those diagnosed with chlamydia, Azithromycin is a broad-spectrum antibiotic, used to treat a number of infections caused by bacteria, including the sexually transmitted infections Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea. Moreover, Doxycycline is an alternative antibiotic treatment for treating Chlamydia. Doxycycline is equally as effective as Azithromycin, but the treatment needs to be taken twice daily for 7 days.

Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile Dysfunction (ED), also known as male impotence is a very common condition affecting about 4 in 10 men over 40. Erection problems may have considerable effects on a man’s self-esteem and may create stress that can damage his health and relationship with his partner. Erectile Dysfunction therapy is very effective and the three initial prescribed medications were Viagra, Cialis and Levitra.

Since July 2013 Sildenafil (the active ingredient in Viagra) is now available in a generic form. We also now stock the 2nd generation erectile dysfunction medication Spedra.
For men who find it difficult to swallow tablets Levitra Orodispersible is a new dissolvable version of the oral impotence treatment Levitra. They dissolve on your tongue within seconds, allowing you to take it discreetly whenever you need to.

Hair Loss

Almost a third of UK women (30%) and around two-thirds of men (66%) suffer thinning hair or baldness, according to the research.

Despite the fact hair loss is very common – approximately 80% of men experience some sort of hair loss at some time in their life – it seems two in five men would prefer to suffer alone in silence than seek help and one in ten women are doing the same.

There is no reason to suffer alone though, millions of people in Britain alone are battling hair loss and Medical Specialists® Pharmacy are here to help. With our extensive range of hair loss treatments for men and women, you can act now to halt the progression of hair loss, and even possibly see regrowth of hair.

Medical Specialists® can provide the prescription-only medication Propecia (finasteride), which is used to treat male pattern baldness and works by blocking the conversion of testosterone to DHT, which thought to cause hair loss.  It is obtainable following a quick and easy 4-step process, which includes an online consultation with one of the Medical Specialists’® in-house doctors.

Other options that can be used in conjunction to Propecia include Regaine Foam or Regaine Lotion, as featured in numerous television adverts. Obtainable from Medical Specialists Pharmacy, Regaine products contain the active ingredient Minoxidil; clinically proven to help prevent further hereditary hair loss. Minoxidil works by increasing the blood supply to the hair follicles, helping to strengthen existing hair and stimulate secondary hair growth.

Women can also take minoxidil, contained within Regaine for Women, and have the option of the over-the-counter treatment Florisene® – strongly recommended as an addition to any female hair loss treatment. Florisene® is especially recommended for women who have reduced hair volume (compared with several years ago) or who have recently noticed hair shedding as seen by more hairs in the brush, comb or when shampooing.

Obesity

In the USA and the UK, people with a body mass index (BMI) between 25 and 30 are categorised as overweight, and those with an index above 30 are categorised as obese. Obesity is a chronic condition characterised by an excess of body fat. It is a risk factor for several chronic diseases, including hypertension, dyslipidaemia, diabetes, cardiovascular disease; sleep apnoea, osteoarthritis, and some cancers. About 280,000 deaths a year are attributable to obesity.

Obesity treatments include Xenical, Orlistat and Alli. All work within the digestive system in the small intestine as a fat absorber. Orlistat (the active ingredient in all 3 treatments) works to blocks out some of the fat in food eaten in the patient’s diet. If the fat is not digested, it cannot be stored, and passes naturally out of your body through your stool.

Premature Ejaculation

Premature ejaculation is one of the most common and frustrating sexual problems that a man can suffer from, and is something they find difficult to discuss with their own doctor. Men with this problem climax (come) before penetration or in less than two minutes after penetration.

Ejaculating too soon is embarrassing and unsatisfying for both partners. It is particularly common in younger men however many middle-aged men also have this problem. It often occurs early in relationships when excitement, some anxiety and over stimulation are common features.

It is also more common in younger men who are finding out about sexual activity and sexual relationships, and men of all ages after a long period without sex. Premature ejaculation is rarely caused by any underlying disease, structural or physical problems.

There are different proven techniques to prevent premature ejaculation such as self-distraction (taking a deep breath and thinking about something boring), stop and start method (stopping and starting sexual stimulation and changing intercourse positions), and squeeze method (squeezing below the tip of your penis for 10 to 20 seconds when you feel the climax is imminent).

There are also creams and sprays used to desensitise the end of the penis. They act like a local or topical anaesthetic. Some condoms have special Benzocaine cream inside the teat end of the condom to help control climax and prolong sexual excitement for longer lasting lovemaking. Oral tablets or pills are now available to help prevent premature ejaculation, but unfortunately not via the NHS.

Thrush

Thrush is a fungal infection caused by Candida albicans. The most common symptoms in women are itching, soreness and redness around the vagina, vulva and anus, unusual vaginal discharge which may be thin, thick and look like cottage cheese or pain on passing urine or during sex.

Thrush infections are relatively common in men as well. The most common symptoms in men are irritation, burning or itching under the foreskin or at the tip of the penis, redness or red patches on the penis or under the foreskin, a thick or thin discharge, like cottage cheese, under the foreskin or discomfort when passing urine.

All these symptoms can be embarrassing while some people don’t have any signs or symptoms, and may not be aware they have thrush. Sometimes thrush symptoms will be noticed during a vaginal examination for a cervical screening test.

Canesten Oral and Cream Duo is an oral capsule and soothing cream to treat thrush. Each capsule contains 150 mg of the active ingredient Fluconazole. This treatment is suitable for men and women. Diflucan (Fluconazole) is an anti-fungal medicine prescribed as a single dose for vaginal thrush. You can take it at any time of day, either before or after a meal. This treatment is for women only.

Is the increasing struggle to see GPs driving patients to the Internet?

What would we do without the internet? You can buy all of your Christmas presents online and even order your weekly food shop to be delivered straight to your door. Moreover, in the present day, many of us choose to ‘Google’ our illness or health problem, its symptoms and relevant treatment(s).

The internet is a blessing in some ways, especially with the news this week that actually being able to see a GP in England is getting more and more difficult to achieve, according to the official patient survey.

The fact so many of us now struggle to actually speak to the receptionist at a doctor’s surgery, let alone arrange a visit to speak to someone about a health problem, could logically drive more people towards the internet.

Here people can undergo online consultations for a wide range of conditions like acne, hair loss, male impotence, etc, and see their medication delivered to their door the very next day. Yes, Medical Specialists™, the UK’s leading one-stop online pharmacy and doctors, can take all of the worry and stress out of trying to see your GP and then onto a pharmacy to go and collect your medications.

A poll comprising of around 900,000 patients discovered that in the last two years, there was a 6% increase in the number of people who reported difficulties getting through to try and arrange an appointment to see a GP, rising from 18% to 24%.

After they did finally manage to get through, 11% of them were not even able to actually book an appointment, the Ipsos MORI poll for NHS England revealed.

However, 75% did claim that they had a good experience of booking their appointment, and 86% said their overall experience was good when they did manage to see a doctor, or in some cases a practice nurse.

Unfortunately though the fact remains that long waits to see a GP about an ailment will become something of the norm.

Only last week the British Medical Association (BMA) said how patients could expect to be waiting longer to see a GP in the future due to funding cuts and a shortage of doctors.

BMA GP leader, Dr Chaand Nagpaul, spoke at the BMA’s annual conference, warning how waits of one or two weeks would “become the norm”.

Although waiting times were not measured for the survey, it does appear to be that a growing number of people are having difficulty with being able to see GP.

Mental Health Awareness Week highlights Britain’s anxiety woes

Monday saw the beginning of Mental Health Awareness Week which will run until the 18 May. Ran by the British charitable organisation Mental Health Foundation, this year’s specific theme is a problem that is spiralling all over the UK; anxiety.

Anxiety is a problem has that has got progressively worse over the last few decades and is recognised as one of the leading causes behind mental ill-health all around the world. With this week it is hoped more awareness is raised about anxiety, the leading causes of the condition and what steps you can take to live more easily with it.

The majority of us will experience some form of anxiety during the course of our lives. The stresses at work, or raising a family, trying to ride through the recession, or preparing for a job interview will all result in some degree of anxiety.

In addition, Medical Specialists™ Pharmacy have spoken to thousands of patients who are suffering with severe anxiety caused by health issues that have a huge detriment to their confidence and self-esteem. Problems such as erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, hair loss, acne, obesity and much more can all result in long-term anxiety without the necessary treatment(s), which can all be obtained from Medical Specialists™.

When anxiety becomes excessive, persistent and overwhelming, this is when it becomes so problematic that your daily life is effected and is also the primary symptom of a number of conditions, including phobias, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and social anxiety disorder (social phobia).

According the Mental Health Foundation, levels of anxiety are on the rise. Currently around one in five in the UK feels anxious most or all of the time. A survey carried out by the charity also found nearly half of Brits now feel more anxiety than they did in the past. The survey defined anxious as “generally feeling worried, nervous, or uneasy”.

An estimated three-fifths of the 2,330 British adults questioned by YouGov admitted they feel anxious on a daily basis and 7% would not hesitate to see a GP due to their feelings of anxiety. Just one in 20 say they never feel anxious.

So what exactly is on the nation’s mind and causing us sleepless nights? Well, perhaps unsurprisingly given the state of the economy, money problems were cited as the main cause of anxiety.

Of those polled, 45% said money/finance/debt was the main cause, 36% said the welfare of their children and loved ones, whilst 27% said work problems – i.e. long hours – were causing the most anxiety.

Older people were found to be less worried about finance, but women and older people were more concerned for loved ones. Even though there are a large number of people battling anxiety, almost a fifth of respondents admitted to doing nothing to deal with it.

“Anxiety is one of the most common mental health problems in the UK and it is increasing, yet it remains under-reported, under-diagnosed and under-treated,” said Jenny Edwards, chief executive of the Mental Health Foundation.

“A good ability to cope with anxiety is key to our resilience in the face of whatever life throws at us. However, experiencing it too much or too often means we risk becoming overwhelmed. Anxiety at this level can have a truly distressing and debilitating impact on our lives and impact on our physical as well as mental health. As individuals and as a society we need to be more anxiety aware. If we truly recognised the cost anxiety has on society, as well as the mounting distress it causes to individuals, communities and employers, we would act now.”

To help people understand anxiety in greater depth, the charity has compiled a new guide titled Are You Anxiety Aware?, which explains the different types of anxiety, the main reasons that can result in feelings of anxiety, in addition to the physical signs that could occur with anxiety (fast breathing, sweating, rapid and/or irregular heartbeat, etc.).

Would you shell out for a slimy snail facial?

As they slowly crawl about the garden, slimy snails can be an unsightly and an unwanted thing to see to say the very least. However, a ‘snail facial’ (yes, you read that correctly!), could actually offer anti-aging benefits for your skin, according to those offering this bizarre new procedure.

Having live snails slowly inching their way around your face may sound the stuff nightmares are made of, but this practice is being used as a beauty treatment in Japan.

Beginning today, the Clinical Salon health spa in the Ebisu district of Tokyo, is offering the snail facial for those brave enough to endure five minutes of snails being let free on the cheeks and forehead to randomly move around as they see fit.

This is part of a 60-minute treatment called the Celebrity Escargot Course. The treatment will set you back a whopping £161 (Y24,150), but the secreted snail mucus is said to contain several proteins, antioxidants and hyaluronic acid, which can apparently stave off dry skin, remove dead skin and minimise inflammation.

The hour-long therapy begins with the face being washed prior to the molluscs being placed on cheeks and the forehead. A series of massages comes next, followed by the use of masks, electrical pulse machines and creams containing snail mucus; all to make sure the live secretions infiltrate the skin.

Yoko Miniami, sales manager at Tokyo’s Clinical Salon which offers the treatment, said: “This salon is the only place in Japan where you can try a live snail facial. Snail slime can help the recovery of skin cells on the face, so we expect the snail facial to help heal damaged skin.”

Tokyo is probably a little too far to travel for Brits who have overdone the sunbathing during the recent hot weather – which is still continuing in the UK – but Miniami says the snail facial could help those with the after-effects of sun damage. She commented: “We are interested in the fact that snails have a function that can help heal skin damaged by ultraviolet rays.”

During the last two years in Japan and South Korea, snail face creams, serums and masks have become popular for many people looking to reduce wrinkles and have better skin. This is on top of other ‘out there’ treatments such as nightingale faeces facials and live fish pedicures.

These ‘alternative’ skin treatments are not for everybody however and may only appeal to a small percentage of those who wish to have younger looking skin.

Proven and popular treatments for acne and wrinkles include Differin Gel, Differin Cream and Epiduo Gel. They are available today from Medical Specialists Pharmacy with or without a prescription. If you are a little squirmish, they could prove a much better option than slithery snails being let loose onto your face!

How to cope with teenage acne

Acne is so prominent amongst teenage boys and girl to the extent that by many it is often discarded as simply being a ‘normal’ trivial problem and that the issue is not worth a second consideration in comparison to more serious health conditions. It can be especially easier for adults and those teens blessed with smooth skin to not empathise with those who are suffering with acne and many of whom face a daily battle with the condition.

According to the UK charity ‘The Acne Support Group’, approximately 85% of all teenagers will suffer some degree of acne and this highlights how widespread the problem is. Starting to break-out in spots during your high school years cannot come at a worse time. With the media scrutinising the appearance of celebrities, there is an increasing pressure on kids to grow-up much earlier than previous years and to look their best. Between the ages of 10 and 18 is a critical time in human development and having spotty skin to deal with as well just adds to other dilemmas.

In addition, the teenage period of life is usually the time when boys and girls typically begin to catch the eye of the opposite sex and form ‘cliques’ of close friends. A flare-up of red blemished skin is the last thing school kids will want in their battle for popularity with their peers. However, the problems lie much deeper than this though and many teenagers who suffer with acne are also suffering from stress, anxiety and depression. The emotional impact that living with the condition can have on their lives is sometimes massively underestimated and many are also facing daily torment in the hands of ruthless bullies with no regards to the anguish they are adding to.

The daily torment of trying to cope with acne can severely impact a teenager’s social development to the extent they struggle to interact with others and do not wish to go out with friends and do normal activities any other teenager would do. The problem can put such a dampener on certain sufferers that it prevents them from engaging in any physical activity such as sports so they don’t have to reveal any more of their skin. This is a situation that needs to be reversed though as exercise helps to improve mood and is beneficial for good overall health too.

So what are the causes for teenage acne, and what can be done about it? To some extent diet is a cause as high carbohydrate diets that many teenagers have including biscuits and chocolate, have been shown to be linked to some forms of acne. Surprisingly, a 2004 Norwegian study found no direct correlation between acne and teenager’s consumption of alcohol or cigarette smoking. Instead, this particular study found connections between the level of stress a teen had, and the amount of acne they were experiencing. In the study it was found that 19% of all kids who were discovered to have symptoms of anxiety and depression said they had acne. This was in comparison to just 12% of those who reported no such problems.

It could be a vicious cycle that is the root for a lot of teens. A breakout of spots can cause unneeded stress at such an important stage of their life and this can spiral into severe depression and low self-esteem. If their mood is at rock-bottom then there is a chance of them becoming reclusive and as so many people of all ages do, turn to junk food as the solution. It is not uncommon for many of us to seek solace in fatty and sugary food in times of desperation.

Another factor that could be making the acne worse in regards to stress is that it may stimulate the growth of nerve fibres near the sebaceous glands. This subsequently promotes a higher rate in the creation of sebum; the fatty substance that works together with cell debris and dead skin cells to form the dreaded blackheads.

For parents of a child who has to deal with acne, more should be done to try and help them cope with the issue in order for their son or daughter to lead a perfectly normal, happy school and social life. Some parents could turn a blind-eye to their child’s acne and assume it is just ‘part and parcel’ of adolescence and the growing up process. This is the wrong attitude to adopt though for a number of reasons. For instance, failure to properly treat acne at the earliest stage can result in permanent physical scarring later in life. The psychological damage this will cause could be catastrophic and affect the sufferer throughout their entire adult life too. The message is clear that you should never wait until the acne is serious; when spots first start to arise then take your child to see a dermatologist and seek the best treatment and advice of which products may help.

It can be a difficult process for parents when trying to boost the confidence on their child, but sitting them down for a heart-to-heart talk when spots first start to surface would be advisable. Don’t be afraid to bring up the subject of spots with your child and don’t wait for them to ask for help as sometimes he/she may simply refuse to ask for help due to embarrassment. Be understanding and show plenty of empathy. What you may think of as a few spots, may be a seriously confidence-denting and demoralising thing for a teenager. One of the most important things you should stress to your child though is that they are not alone in their struggles with spots and make them realise they are no ‘different’ to anyone else. Let your child know that there are many other teens just like them who are going through a similar thing. All of this will hopefully help to reduce stress-levels for your child and equip them with more confidence to let them live a life where they feel free to fulfil all their ambitions without being held back by acne.

Acne drug Accutane nothing but a massive pain

Acne is usually assumed to be a skin condition that is thought to be primarily restricted to teenagers. However, it may come as a surprise to learn that spots can show up in adults too! In fact, 80% of people between the ages of 11 to 30 are affected by acne, with 5% of women and 1% of men over the age of 25 being estimated to suffer from severe form of acne. It is therefore no surprise that Medical Specialists Pharmacy is constantly experiencing an astronomical number of patients requesting effective acne treatments such as Dianette, Spironolactone and Retin-A Gel 0.01%.

One unlucky adult though had an unfortunate experience with the acne treatment he decided to try, and was so irate he has now decided to go all the way to the European Union to get his case heard and is raging about its side effects.  38-year-old Jason O’Sullivan from Ireland used the prescription drug ‘Accutane’ for a skin complaint all the way back in 1998.

After just nine days O’Sullivan voluntary took himself off the course of treatment after suffering from swelling to his face and head. He also says he was struck down with muscular and joint pain, headaches, and subsequently continued to be plagued with chronic fatigue.

Jason now hopes to get the acne drug completely banned in his native Ireland after furiously complaining that he has not been able to work as a heavy machinery driver since he first took Accutane fourteen years ago. In addition, he says there are more than 6,000 fellow countrymen who are suffering from the side effects of the drug.

To support his complaint, O’Sullivan has managed to receive the backing of Fine Gael MEP Seán Kelly, and the pair now hopes that the case will be taken into consideration by the EU Petitions Committee.

O’Sullivan says, “I want to make people aware of the possible side effects of this drug, which was used originally in chemotherapy.”  Manufactured by Swiss company Roche Holding AG, Accutane first entered the market in 1982, but the drug was hauled from the US market in 2009 after juries awarded more than $33m (€26.6m; £21.13m) in compensation to users who blamed the drug for causing their bowel disease. Accutane has also been taken off the market in 11 other countries, including Denmark, Austria, France, Germany, Spain and Portugal.

Stress from the recession is causing an increase in skin problems

The United Kingdom has now been stuck firmly into the grip of a recession since 2008, causing millions of people to be made redundant in the last few years. With so many families now struggling to afford even the most basic things in life, nationwide stress levels are at an all-time high and most worryingly, there doesn’t seem to be an end in sight.

However this stress and tension could be bad for your skin and scalp, according to a survey conducted by the British Association of Dermatologists at their annual conference. This adds to hormone imbalances and poor lifestyle choices as the ever-growing number of causes for acne, dandruff, seborrhoeic dermatitis and other related problems.

Researchers involved in the snapshot survey of 105 dermatologists, found that 41% had noticed a rise in skin conditions triggered by stress, such as eczema and psoriasis, since the start of the credit crunch four years ago.

Half of the skin experts commented that they had witnessed a ‘slight’ increase of skin problems, whilst 5% claimed they had actually seen a ‘huge’ increase. Medical Specialists Pharmacy can concur with these survey results as since we expanded our range of products, we have witnessed a surge in sales for chemist shop items like T/Gel and Nizoral shampoo, both of which are used to treat dandruff and seborrhoeic dermatitis. Not only this, but we are inundated with high numbers of female patients who are seeking help for their acne through medications such as Dianette or Spironolactone.

British Skin Foundation spokesperson Dr Anthony Bewley, a consultant dermatologist, spoke out on how the underestimated emotional impacts that skin problems can cause major stress for their sufferers, saying, “Patients with skin disease feel enormously upset about their skin condition, as it affects their self-confidence and self-esteem in so many ways. All too often, the impact of skin disease is under-estimated. Many patients consider their skin conditions to be more psychologically damaging than diabetes or heart disease.”

Dr Bewley made his comments after learning that the results of the survey had found that roughly a sixth of the 729 men and women involved in the survey had admitted they had self-harmed because of their skin condition, with seven people further saying that they had even contemplated taking their own life.

Another member of the British Skin Foundation, Bevis Man, added to Dr Bewley’s comments and he said, “The recession brings with it a set of problems that add further stress and misery to the millions that already live with a skin disease in the UK.”

Although it seems acne, dandruff, etc. are on the increase. Perhaps other areas of health may strangely see a benefit. It has long been thought that in times of financial difficulty, we tend to skimp and reduce expenditure on indulgences like takeaway meals, alcohol and smoking. These three reductions usually lead to much better health. In fact, during the US Great Depression of 1929 to 1933, life expectancy increased and deaths related to heart disease, cancer, flu and vehicle accidents decreased. Amazingly, this was all occurring despite an unemployment increase of nearly 25%.

Dr Pixie McKenna gives her advice on ten common health problems

The 41-year old Irish medical expert Dr Pixie McKenna, has seen just about every kind of strange bodily problem and ailment during her four years on Embarrassing Illnesses and its sister series, Embarrassing Bodies. The focus of the programs is primarily to speak to people with a wide range of issues that they are uncomfortable discussing with their own GP.

This week Dr McKenna spoke out and explained ten of the most regular problems she gets quizzed about, and her advice on how to try and best tackle them. Here we give a run down on the ten common health issues:

1)      Flatulence

Also known as ‘passing wind’ or ‘farting’. Sometimes linked to a number of stomach and bowel conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, excessive flatulence can be distressful for the sufferer. Some people find medications such as Mebeverine can be effective in treating their symptoms.

Dr Pixie says: “Keep a food diary and correlate your ‘windy episodes’ with your food intake. Foods with sulphides, like eggs, are a big issue for people. You should also try to eat slowly. You can trap a lot of air when you eat and that creates a lot of gas. If your flatulence is really bad, see a doctor to rule out any underlying medical conditions.”

2)      Bad breath

This is also known as ‘halitosis’ and it is thought that persistent bad breath affects up to 50% of us. Dentists can usually give good advice on better oral health and may refer you for further tests if the problem persists.

Dr Pixie says: “Everyone should brush their teeth for two minutes a day and floss. Food can get jammed in between your teeth and you need to remove it. If you smell the floss afterwards, it stinks! Also, invest in an electric toothbrush. It’s like using a Dyson versus a broom to clean your mouth.”

3)      Painful sex

Often thought that this just affects women, surprisingly the problem can affect both sexes.  For women, when the pain is located in the vagina, this is most commonly due to sexually transmitted infection such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea or genital herpes. Pains deep in the pelvis could be because of pelvic inflammatory disease, irritable bowel syndrome or endometriosis (when womb lining grows outside the womb). Men’s problems are typically due to tight foreskins, inflammation of the prostate gland, or because of sexually transmitted infection.

Dr Pixie says: “There can be other gynaecological reasons for painful sex – it could be down to a fibroid or cervical polyp. Or there could be a ­psychological element. But by not actively exploring your symptoms further you could be missing a significant diagnosis. The other easily treatable common condition is chlamydia, which has no symptoms.”

4)      Snoring

It is estimated that 40% of people in England snore, so the problem is very common. Health professionals usually grade a person’s snoring problems on a scale of 1 to 3. Grade 1 is where snoring is not regular and breathing is unaffected. Grade 2 snoring is usually occasions of more than three days a week with mild breathing difficulties. Grade 3 sufferers are usually diagnosed with ‘obstructive sleep apnoea’, where the airways become partly or completely blocked for about 10 seconds.

Dr Pixie says: “Snoring can be caused by having very large tonsils or a floppy larynx. When you lie down, the muscles that keep your airways open relax and become limp, causing the airways to narrow and vibrate more. Sleep apnoea can be brought on by weight gain but a CPAP machine, a little device you wear at night, which makes the airwaves stay open, can help.”

Nasal blockage or swelling of the nasal passage can lead to snoring, as the person often opens their mouth to try and breathe better, which leads to snoring. Regular use of a nasal spray such as Nasonex and the taking of an anti-histamine tablet such as Loratadine can relieve these symptoms.

5)      Stretch marks

Stretch marks are common and either sex can get them, but are more frequently seen in nearly all women (9/10) during pregnancy. The abdomen, thighs and buttocks and thighs are the areas usually affected.

Dr Pixie says: “Laser treatment is not available on the NHS but your GP can refer you to the Red Cross, which provides a skin camouflage make-up service. They match your skin tone, and your GP can then prescribe that cream on an NHS prescription. Then, when you go on holiday and you want to cover the stretch marks on your body, you have something to camouflage them with.”

6)      Erectile dysfunction

Also known as male impotence, this is a very common problem amongst men and is thought that four in 10 men over the age of 40 years old suffer from it. Erectile dysfunction (ED) can sometimes have a detrimental impact on a man’s self-esteem and cause stress to his health and the relationship with his partner. Erectile Dysfunction therapy is very effective and the three medications available to treat ED are Viagra, Cialis and Levitra.

Dr Pixie says: “Any man suffering from erectile dysfunction should see their GP and have a blood pressure check and their blood tested for things like diabetes and high cholesterol. If you are on medication, like anti-depressants or blood pressure medication, that may be causing the problem. See a counsellor if stress is the reason.”

7)      Acne

Acne is especially common in teenagers and young adults. Estimates say 80% of people between the ages of 11 and 30 will be affected by acne. Sometimes acne can continue into adult life. About 5% of women and 1% of men over the age of 25 suffer from acne. In severe cases, medication such as Dianette has been shown to help combat the problem.

Dr Pixie says: “Women should go to their GP for antibiotics or the contraceptive pill, or they can see a gynaecologist. Men can also get antibiotics and for adults who have rosacea (a skin condition that causes facial redness and spots), this can be cleared with antibiotic treatment.”

8)      Obesity

To be classified as being ‘obese’, you must have a body mass index of 30 or more. As more people as generally less physically active than years gone by, and we are over indulging on fast foods, the problem has become massive. In 2008 (the last year with available figures), it was found that nearly quarter of adults (over 16 years of age) in England were obese.

Dr Pixie says: “The majority of those overweight are that way because of a combination of lifestyle and lack of exercise. They often say they are too busy to go running or to go to the gym. But I say to them, “If Barack Obama can always find time to go jogging then you certainly can.” We watch 22 hours of television a week on average so there is no excuse.”

9)      Bunions

A bunion is a deformity of the base joint of the big toe, usually appearing as a lump. They can be incredibly painful, and effect a person’s walking. The skin over the lump can become red, blistered or infected. Wearing appropriate shoes and taking painkillers may lessen the symptoms to some degree, but surgery is usually required to correct the problem.

Dr Pixie says: “If you don’t treat bunions as you get older, you can get arthritis in them and run the risk of becoming immobile. So try not to get them in the first place. If they get bad, surgical removal is the only alternative but a podiatrist would be the best person to ask about your options. They would look at your gait, how you walk, advise you on what shoes to wear and also give you a special device to put in your footwear, which takes the pressure off the bunion.”

10)   Incontinence

Urinary incontinence is the unintentional passing of urine. It is believed to affect more than 50 million people in developed nations. It is particularly a big problem amongst women over the age of 40, with some believing it to be even more common than hay fever. It affects men too though, with products now available such as Tena for Men, which can provide a discreet method of protection with a variety of absorption levels.

Dr Pixie says: “I would definitely go and see your GP. Usually, incontinence is a physical problem and not normally neurological. But you do need to check that it’s not MS or something more serious. I would suggest bringing along a diary to your GP to show how many times a day you pee and how many accidents you have because it is far easier for them to see how it is impacting on daily life. They might suggest pelvic floor muscle training, bladder training or reducing your caffeine intake.”

Medical Specialists always recommend that you talk to your GP about any health problems or issues. It is always advisable to have regular check-ups with your GP and know how to check certain parts of your body yourself. Medical Specialists realise that not everybody is happy taking to their GP about every problem, and that is why we offer a discreet and confidential online consultation service with our Doctors for certain embarrassing conditions like Erectile Dysfunction, Premature Ejaculation, Obesity, Stomach and Bowel (IBS etc), bladder problems (incontinence), Acne, Asthma and many more problems.

You can be assured of a private and confidential online consultation with one of our Doctors and if suitable, they will write you a prescription which is passed to our in-house Pharmacists, and dispensed and sent to you at your home, your place of work, or where ever you choose, discreetly within 24 hours.

A contraceptive gel for men could be introduced in the near future

Men are already spoilt for choice when it comes to their contraceptive needs. In regards to condoms, Durex and Skins in particularly have a vast range of different condoms to suit his and her preferences. Some condoms are ultra-thin to the extent you can barely feel it on, some are designed to have a ‘tingling’ effect for maximum pleasure, whereas others actually come in weird and wonderful flavours such as chocolate. If all this isn’t enough, a durex play vibrations ring can be used in conjunction with a condom to add to the pleasure!

However now, scientists in America are claiming that they are in the development stages of formulating a gel for men that can be applied topically as a method of contraception. The gel is said to contain the male hormone testosterone and a synthetic progestin named ‘nesterone’. The two have been tested in the past, but only by injection, a pill form, or via an implant. In addition, these previous tests resulted in such adverse side effects such as effecting cholesterol levels and outbreaks of acne.

Preliminary tests indicated that the gel managed to keep sperm concentration to less than one million sperm per millilitre within 89% of the men involved in the study and who were given the combination of the testosterone and nesterone. The researchers say that this level is low enough to possibly avoid pregnancy with ‘minimal side effects’. This is compared to only 23% of the participants who saw similar effects after only receiving testosterone. It is though that typical sperm concentration is 15 million per every millilitre.

Dr Christina Wang from the Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbour-UCLA Medical Center, led the study and commented on the findings at the Endocrine Society’s 94th Annual Meeting in Houston, Texas, “Up until now, the responsibility for contraception has traditionally always been with the female. With these new contraceptive methods for males, the responsibility will be shared.”

However, men should bear in mind that the gel is still in the early stages of production and its success rates of preventing pregnancy will be much lower that condoms, which boast a 98% effectiveness, and also the female birth control pill is an incredible 99% effective. Dr Wang also added that the treatment ‘warrants further study as a male contraceptive.”

During their life the average Briton will suffer over 9,000 ailments

The Benenden Healthcare Society have published the results of a survey that shows the average Brit suffers with accident or illness approximately 9,672 times during their life. This includes various conditions such as an upset stomach, headache, shaving cuts and backache. The survey quizzed 2,000 Brits and one in four of those described themselves as ‘accident prone’. Half admitted to having hit their head at some point in their life whilst getting out of the car. Furthermore, a quarter also said they had suffered a bite from their pet or had stood onto a plug.

From the survey, it seems we can expect to experience a sore throat on 3 occasions each year along with 4 cricked necks and 4 episodes of heartburn.  If this isn’t bad enough, we will roughly have 6 cases of upset stomach, 5 cramps and cut ourselves 5 times. This equates to some form of injury or pain once every 3 days. In addition, during our lifetime, we can look forward to a tripping or falling over a whopping 234 times, have 156 blisters and have a nosebleed 78 times.

A member of the Benenden Healthcare Society, Lawrence Christensen, commented on the survey, “Even without the threat of serious health conditions, the average human body takes an awful battering day to day, which demonstrates why life just isn’t designed to be easy. Whilst it’s unnecessary to suddenly develop a hypochondriac attitude to life, be sure to visit your GP if you do feel you are experiencing higher than average occurrences of ailments such as sore throats, stomach upsets and back pain.” Mr Christensen further added he would advise everybody to maintain good posture, wash hands regularly, eat healthily and engage in plenty of exercise.

At Medical Specialists Pharmacy, we strive to make life that little bit easier for you.  We have a massive range of products that can help you with many things such as erectile dysfunction, asthma, acne, premature ejaculation, sexual health and many more.  As we mentioned last week, we understand that the hot weather the UK is currently experiencing can be detrimental to asthma and allergy sufferers in particularly, so don’t delay in obtaining your inhalers, such as Ventolin Evohaler, which we sell cheaper than the NHS. If you have already been prescribed an inhaler, have lost your inhaler, or run out and cannot get a prescription immediately, we are able to supply you an inhaler to help your asthma symptoms. We offer both blue (relievers) inhalers such as Ventolin and Salbutamol, and brown (preventers) inhalers such as Qvar Beclomethasone, Qvar Easi-Breathe and Pulvinal Beclomethasone. Our constantly expanding product range now also includes Prevalin allergy nasal spray, Prevalin allergy kids nasal spray and Alomide allergy eye drops, which can all help to combat hay fever.

US teenager with acne problems has become a massive hit on YouTube

A 19 year old girl with severe acne from California, US, has become a huge YouTube sensation after she uploaded a video of herself discussing her ordeal and then showed viewers how to expertly cover up the spots with the aid of make-up. Cassandra Bankson, who is clearly quite intelligent and far beyond her years, initially talks to viewers with her face apparently picture perfect and flawless. It is only when she begins to wipe away all the foundation and other bits of make-up that her acne problems are revealed.

She then gives viewers close-ups of the brightly red coloured blemished skin on her face, which she then shows is evident on her shoulders, neck and back areas. After the video received an incredible 7.6 million hits around the globe, Cassandra was invited onto the American breakfast television show, ‘Good Morning America’, to discuss the history of her problems and how she deals with them. She painfully discussed the bullying she received at school and how she meticulously tried various methods of covering her acne with different make-up and techniques. She explained how she has found modelling work after her portfolio snaps showed her with perfect skin, thanks to her talents at spot-concealing.

Cassandra commented on her acne struggles, saying, “I filmed the video last November but it took me a month to post it, I thought I was going to get the same hate I got at school over my skin. But I thought if it could help one person, one girl or guy with the same condition, it would be worth it.” She was surprised by the massive positive response to the initial video, with people all around the world posting comments thanking her for her tips and requesting her to share anymore useful bits of advice. When speaking on Good Morning America, she said, “It was a real eye opener. It (acne) is such an epidemic for adults as well as teens."

She is currently training to become a nurse and one day hopes to produce her own skin care range of products. In addition, since her first video, she has subsequently posted many other videos of beauty tips that she herself has come across and found useful.

If you suffer from Acne, you do not have to suffer like Cassandra. We are fully aware of the damage that acne can do to a person’s confidence and how it effects their daily life. At Medical Specialists Pharmacy we have several prescription products that have been proved to effectively treat acne.  For women we offer the oral contraceptive pill, Dianette, for as little as £9.99 per month. As well as working effectively as a contraception and combating acne in women, Dianette can also be taken for excessive hair growth on the face and body (hirsutism) in women and female hair loss.

Spironolactone is another prescription only medication for women, and unlike Dianette, it is non-hormonal and does not work as a method of contraception. It also helps water retention. Spironolactone has been used for over 20 years as an anti-androgen in the treatment of acne and hirsutism and is the most widely prescribed medication for these problems in the USA. At Medical Specialists Pharmacy, prices start from as little as £17.63 per month.

For both men and women, we also have Retin-A Gel(tretinoin 0.025%), which is a prescription only medication and is used in the treatment of acne, fine lines and wrinkles but is more suited to people with oily skin. The Vitamin A contained in the gel, is thought to loosen the cells in the surface of the skin. This helps to unblock pores, so that the skin’s natural oil producing glands can function normally. In addition, tretinoin increases the turnover of the skin cells, which aids the natural exfoliation of the outer layers of skin. This also helps to unblock pores and decrease the formation of blackheads (comedones) and spots. Prices of this product start from as little as £15.88 per tube.

Proven cleansing routines for acne treatment

Acne is quite common in teenagers and according to an estimate; about 80% of the teenagers between the ages of 13 and 17 are affected by acne. Some men and women between the ages of 25 to 40 can also have acne.

Acne is caused by the over-functioning of sebaceous glands in your skin. The over-activity of sebaceous gland results in the over-production of sebum which is an oily substance. If you are prone to acne, the sebaceous glands in your skin will produce excessive amount of oil due to the influence of testosterone which is a hormone found in both men and women. At the same time, the dead cells of your skin would not shed and clog up the follicles. The build up of oil due to these factors causes blackheads. In some people, the build up of excessive oil provides an ideal environment for a bacterium called Propionibacterium. Because of this bacterium creating some substances on your skin, your immune system starts its functioning and your skin becomes red and you experience spots on your skin.

Contrary to the popular belief, acne is not caused by lack of personal hygiene and you cannot catch it from others. Your food or drink can however, have an effect on the appearance and severity of acne. When you are undergoing the acne treatment, you can make things better for yourself through the implementation of effective cleansing routines. By forming the habit of cleansing your facial skin in the morning and evening, you can have a healthier and better looking skin. It does not cost you anything and it gives impressive results.

· Formulate and implement an effective cleansing routine.
· Cleansing routine should be completed without any damage to your skin.
· Form habits and routines of cleansing, moisturizing on daily basis.
· Follow regular procedures scrupulously.
· Use mild soap on your skin with gentle lathering and rinsing action twice daily.
· Do not do overly rigorous cleaning and scrubbing and make sure the soap film is completely rinsed away in plenty of clear warm water.
· Use soft absorbent material for drying and do not rub your skin. Gently pat the skin to dry.

By following simple cleansing routines and proper treatment, you can get rid of acne and get a healthier and fresh skin. You can find out more on acne treatment on the Hair Treatment clinic.