Derriford

The well known health risks related to asbestos, a commonly used building material, have again arrived at the forefront of the news.

A recent report from The Committee on Carcinogenicity suggests that a five year old child is five times more likely to contract Mesothelioma, a debilitating form of cancer, than a 30 year old adult who is exposed to asbestos at the same time. This is because of the longer life of the child and the increased time for the cancer to develop. The full article can be read on the BBC website by following this link http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-22813533.

The report is cause for alarm because of the extensive use of asbestos as a building material in schools. Despite campaigns for asbestos to be removed from schools, the current government plan is to leave it in place, unless it is disturbed or damaged.

A further recent report on the BBC website details the problems encountered at a school in Cwmcarn, Wales. The school was identified as having airborne asbestos particles and was closed to students in October 2012. Since then the pupils have been bussed 12 miles to the nearest school. The complications relating to asbestos removal have lead to disagreements between building contractors and the local council. The delays mean that the school is not likely to open on time for the new academic year in September 2013. You can read the full article on the BBC website by clicking this link http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-east-wales-22920554.

The uncertainty surrounding the best way to deal with a building that is found to contain asbestos and the large number of school buildings that are known to be affected raises grave concerns about the future health of our younger generations who are now thought to face the greatest risk. It would appear that charities and organisations like Asbestos Victim Support, http://www.asbestosvictimsupport.org.uk/ and the Asbestos Advice Helpline http://www.asbestosadvicehelpline.com/ will be offering support to the unfortunate sufferers of chronic diseases like Mesothelioma for a long time to come.

My story

Starting Uni was meant to be the beginning of the rest of my life. I was based in a new area of the country, studying the subject I’d always wanted (Psychology). I looked forward to making the lasting friends I hadn’t up until this point. Life should have been perfect.

Then I was hit by a series of strange, discomfiting symptoms.

Constantly needing the toilet. It was ridiculous- I could have just been, yet a quarter of an hour later I had to go again. A horrible painful stinging, which persisted no matter what I did. I thought perhaps I was allergic to my fabric conditioner, so changed it, but to no avail. I was convinced my new flatmates thought I was weird because I kept having to dash off all the time.

If it’d happened the once, it wouldn’t have been so bad. Yet my unknown bane flared up throughout my undergrad career, causing me to wonder if it was stress related. Perhaps you’re wondering why I never went to a doctor, but it seemed such a trivial problem, even while it was wrecking my life. Far from being a paradise of sexual excess, I can count the number of times I had sex during my Uni years on one hand. Most of the time it was too painful.

My last few months at Uni, I was online, killing time. My mysterious condition was back, complete with itchy soreness and cloudy, discoloured urine. Really fed up by this time, I looked it up- I can’t remember the exact search term. Within seconds I was reading an article that could have been written about me. At last my enemy had a name. Cystitis.

What is cystitis?

As its NHS page explains, cystitis is inflammation of the bladder. It’s normally caused by an infection, yet frequent sources are irritation (using strong washing powders/shower gels) or damage (since it’s regularly caused by sex, some wag once nicknamed it ‘the honeymooner’s disease). Despite the fact there seems to be little to no discussion of it, it’s an extremely common condition- it’s estimated that 1 in 3 women will have had one bout by the time they’re 24 years old.

Although men can and do suffer from cystitis, it’s overwhelmingly a feminine illness. The culprit seems to be the woman’s shorter urethra- that is, the tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body. Since the urethra is located extremely close to the anus, bacteria from the anus can easily reach the urethra, leading to an infection.

Certain types of women seem more prone to infections. As mentioned previously, poor personal hygiene is sometimes a factor- make sure you always wipe from front to back when you go to the toilet, using separate tissues! Being sexually active significantly raises your chances of contracting it- not only are bacteria more likely to get into your bladder during sex, sex itself can bruise your urethra and bladder, causing cystitis-like symptoms. Pregnancy comes with attendant difficulties: the extra pressure on your womb may prevent your bladder from emptying fully, making a breeding ground for bacteria.

Lastly, if you have diabetes or you’re postmenopausal, you’re likelier to contract cystitis. While the high sugar content of a diabetic’s urine encourages bacteria to grow, postmenopausal women have smaller amounts of certain hormones, lowering the body’s natural defences to infection.

What should you do?

A mild cystitis attack generally lasts between 4-9 days. It may be treated in a variety of ways: drinking large amounts of water (between 1.2 litres a day) and taking painkillers such as paracetomal. If you’re suffering from a more severe case, your GP will put you on a course of antibiotics.

Many sufferers have their pet remedies- cranberry juice seems to be the one thing that’s universally agreed upon, yet nobody seems to know where this came from! Read this Daily Mail article for further alternative remedies.

At the end of Uni I mustered up the courage to visit my GP. She didn’t seem able to provide a reason for my regular attacks- I wasn’t particularly promiscuous, I had good personal hygiene, I didn’t seem to match their criteria. The antibiotics actually worsened my symptoms. I despaired.

It was then I discovered Angela Kilmartin’s website. The leading expert on cystitis, she offers a range of informative books and DVDs on the topic, explaining how you can not only prevent but permanently banish this painful, debilitating illness from your life. It doesn’t matter what your age is or how often you have suffered from the condition, she will have a programme in place to help you. I admit initial scepticism, but after investigating further, have been won over to her methods. Having suffered herself, she knows how frustrating it can be when doctors misdiagnose or refuse to acknowledge the severity of the issue.

It makes me angry that so many years of my life were wasted, but thanks to Angela, I’ve managed to put those behind me. I’m now studying for a MA, enjoying the Uni experience I should have had the first time around!

My Uncle Ted was quite the character. Dapper, ex army, a teller of tall tales, he was always in demand around holiday time. I can still remember him swearing in six different languages as he plugged the Christmas lights into every power source but still got nothing- “Suzy, these ___ folderols are on the blink again!” I loved receiving his letters, written in exquisite copperplate and illustrated with bendy cats.

The last few years of his life, he started to change. He became quiet, moody, withdrawn. He’d forget himself mid sentence; his wonderfully rich, startling vocabulary deserted him. Now I realise he was suffering from dementia, but the transformation from somebody vibrant, strong and independent into somebody who needed help with the simplest tasks was devastating.

I couldn’t stand it. I stopped seeing him. I’ll never forgive myself for being so cowardly and selfish.

What is dementia?

Despite the lack of information, dementia is actually quite common, and on the increase due to our ageing population. Of the 800,000 sufferers in the UK, the majority are aged over 65. Indeed, there’s a dramatic spike once that milestone is reached; it’s believed 1 in 3 people over 65 will eventually develop the condition.

Since it’s a gradually progressive disease, it can be extremely subtle, with early signs dismissed as ordinary forgetfulness. As well as the memory loss associated with the illness, other effects include decreased mental agility and impaired judgement. Since several symptoms tally with depression (a lack of interest in hobbies, a disinclination to socialise, an inability to control their emotions), patients can sometimes be misdiagnosed. Depression itself can be caused by the disease.

While most forms of dementia can’t be cured, you can contain it if it’s caught early. There is absolutely no reason why- if they receive the right treatment and support- dementia sufferers can’t continue to lead active, fulfilling lives.

For further information, visit the Dementia UK website.

Getting a diagnosis

If you suspect that you or somebody close to you is suffering from dementia, the first step should be to get in touch with a GP. They’ll chat about the symptoms and go through a number of tests (such as the ones covered by the Alzheimer’s Association website). If the GP can’t make a conclusive diagnosis, the patient may be referred to a neurologist (a specialist in conditions affecting the brain and nervous system).

They will undergo further tests- most likely brain scans such as a computerised tomography (CT) scan or a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. By now the neurologist should have a full picture and be able to confirm whether or not the patient has dementia. They’ll discuss the form of dementia, how it’s is likely to develop, and recommend which drugs (if any) should be taken to treat it.

Living with dementia

Understandably, a diagnosis can come as a great shock, both to the sufferer and those around them. Any suggestion that you may lose your independence and not think as clearly as you used to is extremely frightening. As the condition worsens, relatives sometimes feel as though they can’t cope. There are few things as upsetting as a loved one not recognising you or changing personality. This article on Patient.co.uk does a good job of explaining the various dilemmas faced by family members.

The most important thing is to be positive and make sure the sufferer receives all the support they need. Although dementia patients were often placed in care homes in the past, this isn’t always the right solution, and may even prove a setback. Where possible, the patient should be cared for in familiar surroundings; companies such as Managing Care offer special dementia services, with the focus upon making the client’s life as sociable and fun as possible.

There are a great many therapeutic activities open to dementia sufferers: practising the arts, keep fit and music can be a tremendous release, allowing them to let out emotions they can’t otherwise express. They may also benefit from regular sessions with a sympathetic counsellor- this is particularly helpful shortly following diagnosis.  Cognitive training- exercises with the intention of enhancing memory and concentration- is useful during the early stages of the condition.

If you thought that getting a straight smile was impossible without being lumbered with bulky, metal braces, think again; Incognito is here!

Incognito is a lingual brace system; lingual braces are attached to the back of the teeth (known as the lingual side), so that they are invisible when you smile.

About Incognito

Incognito is an ideal treatment for people who want a straighter smile without having to wear highly visible braces. Many people are conscious about their image and worry about how they will look if they have visible braces and this treatment provides a really effective alternative.

Incognito braces are fine and light and they are designed and manufactured for the individual; each individual bracket is custom-made to fit the contours of the tooth perfectly and maximise comfort.

How are Incognito braces fitted?

Fitting lingual braces is more complex than traditional braces because the contours of the lingual side of each tooth are different; this means that every bracket needs to be fitted individually. Your dentist will fix the brackets in position and then thread the wire through. Once the brace is firmly in place, treatment can begin and you will be advised to see your dentist on a regular basis so that they can check your progress.

Why should I choose Incognito?

Incognito braces at Harley Street Dental Studio have a number of benefits; firstly, they are made entirely for you so that they fit your perfectly and you experience maximum comfort and optimum results. The most important benefit of lingual braces for most patients is that they are completely invisible when you smile; this means that you can go through the entire treatment process without anyone else even knowing that you are wearing braces and there is no need to feel self-conscious or worry about other people’s opinions.

Incognito braces have been developed with the patient in mind; they are light and small and they use the latest technology to prevent friction and discomfort. The braces also work quickly and they are made from gold to prevent allergies. Incognito braces are suitable for patients of different ages and they can address a wide range of orthodontic issues, including crooked teeth, misalignment and crowding; Incognito braces can be worn on both the top and bottom teeth.

If you are looking for a discreet, effective and painless treatment and a beautiful new smile, look no further than Incognito!

When I decided to opt for laser eye surgery three years ago, I knew I needed to research it well before choosing my clinic. There are hundreds of laser eye surgery clinics all over the country boasting a wide range of prices, and it’s best to know how much to spend to get what service.

I’ve always wanted laser eye surgery. Ever since I realised I couldn’t wear contacts (they irritated my eyes) I’ve had to wear glasses. No matter what style I go for – smart square ones, Harry Potter-style round ones or vintage ‘50s diamantes complete with little plastic wings (think Grease) – they’ve never suited me. They clash with my face shape, making me look boxy and highlighting my rather large nose. So after years of hating glasses but not being able to afford surgery, my bonus at work meant that I could finally get the treatment I’d so desperately longed for!

After a painless and relatively comfortable treatment in a middling priced surgery (I paid around £1500 for each eye) I was told to spend a night in a hotel wearing a mask. When I did accidentally peek at the light, my eyes stung! But after a night, I found that my eyes were more accustomed to the light, and more importantly, worked perfectly! I ran straight home and spent the whole day reading labels, magazines and TV text from varying distances, getting used to the concept of not having to wear glasses ever again!

However, this happiness didn’t last very long. Pretty soon my eyes began itching, suffering from dryness and sensitivity. A visit to my doctor confirmed that I had corneal ectasia, a building up of fluid behind the front lens in the eye due to the thinning of the cornea. I’m not usually squeamish but this news really did turn my stomach. My eyes risked serious damage, and I had to quickly schedule another surgery in order to undo the terrible work my original clinic had done.

The cost of this surgery didn’t come cheap. I had to fork out for it immediately, meaning my funds took a serious hit and I had to get a loan from my mother. So as soon as I recovered (and I did, thank goodness) I got in touch with a local lawyer and inquired about no win no fee medical negligence claims. Their ‘no win no fee’ policy meant I could afford to at least try and get some compensation for my botched surgery. After a speedy trial, my case won, meaning I could repay my mother and even fund taking some time off work to enjoy my new eyes!

So before you opt for laser eye surgery, make sure you do your research – make sure the person performing your surgery has a specialist qualification, not just a few days training! Get some quotes from people who have already had the surgery. Many may advocate it but there are some that wouldn’t, and it’s worth hearing why. Finally, make sure you know your legal standpoint on the matter. Claiming compensation for clinical negligence saved my eyesight, and my money situation!