Warning: Are you Underestimating the Risks at Work?

A recent study has shown that Canadians significantly underestimate the risks to their wellness and wellbeing that a corporate environment can pose. The study showed that employees were severely underestimating personal health risks, and this points towards a need for more targeted wellness programmes in workplaces across the country.

 

This very recent study looked at the huge inaccuracies in self-reported heart risk factors, and it compared the answers of individual respondents on healthcare questionnaires in the workplace to their actual medical results. Researchers looked at three key areas: cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetes. By comparing the data, researchers found that employees were significantly underestimating the risks to their personal health.

 

Almost half of those who took part in the study had at least one very important cardiovascular risk factor that they did not know about. Some of the employees in this category (about 27 percent) were under the age of 35, making the data all the more shocking.

 

Around 21 percent of respondents were found to have high blood pressure, around 37 percent had high cholesterol levels and around 10 percent had glucose levels that were out with the recommended norms from Health Canada.

 

The survey looked at 893 employees, and revealed that, when compared to their actual medical test results, the self-reported risk of cholesterol was underestimated by a whopping 250 percent, high blood pressure risk was underestimated by 58 percent and the risk of diabetes was underestimated by 76 percent.

 

In order to maximise the return on a company’s investment in a wellness programme, employers should make sure that they bring in medical staff as well, to test employees, rather than relying on self reporting, which is clearly inaccurate.

 

This will help staff to get the most out of their wellness programmes, as they will truly understand the health challenges that they are facing.

Categories: actual medical, blood pressure, employees, health, high blood, nbsp, percent, personal health, risk, Wellness programmes, work

Could a Test Determine Your Risk of Prostate Cancer?

While prostate cancer can be so slow to develop in some men that it never affects their wellbeing at all, for others the health concern can be a real killer. Up to now, there is no way to identify those whose wellness is at a high risk of dying from the disease, but scientists believe they have come one step closer. This breakthrough, which comes from the Institute of Cancer Research in London, means that we could soon have genetic tests that can identify high-risk men with prostate cancer – enabling them to be monitored throughout their lives – and other men who can avoid unnecessary treatment.

 

Award-winning wellness writer Sarah Boseley explains, ‘In some men, prostate cancer is so slow-growing that it will not cause them any harm in their lifetime – they will die with it, rather than of it. But in others, it is aggressive and a killer. Because side-effects of treatment can include impotence and incontinence, it has long been recognised that there is a need for tests to establish which men are in real danger and which are not.’ The researchers screened men from families with a history of prostate cancer, and, as a result have established that 14 mutations in known cancer genes can predict life-threatening disease. The investigators, who published their findings in the British Journal of Cancer, also found that men with these mutations were likely to have more aggressive disease.

 

Study co-leader Ros Eeles, professor of oncogenics at the Institute of Cancer Research and honorary consultant at the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, commented, ‘Our study shows the potential benefit of putting prostate cancer on a par with cancers such as breast cancer when it comes to genetic testing. Although ours was a small, first-stage study, we proved that testing for known cancer mutations can pick out men who are destined to have a more aggressive form of prostate cancer. We already have the technical capabilities to assess men for multiple mutations at once, so all that remains is for us to do further work to prove that picking up dangerous mutations early can save lives. If so, then in the future, genetic testing may be needed as part of the prostate cancer care pathway.’

 

As a result of these findings, doctors could screen men with prostate cancer in the family for their risk, much in the same way that doctors can now screen women for the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, which gives them a 50% chance of developing breast cancer. The 14 mutations which predict aggressive prostate cancer are in eight genes, which include BRCA1 and BRCA2. The others are ATM, CHEK2, BRIP1, MUTYH, PALB2 and PMS2. According to Dr Iain Frame, director of research at Prostate Cancer UK, ‘The minefield of prostate cancer diagnosis is one of the biggest hurdles facing treatment of the disease today. Current tests fail to differentiate between aggressive cancers that could go on to kill, and cancers that may never cause any harm.’

 

He continues, ‘This lack of clarity means that too often men and their doctors are left having to make incredibly difficult decisions on whether to treat the disease or not. We urgently need to understand more about which men are at risk of developing prostate cancer and in particular aggressive forms of the disease. Genetic testing to predict risk could revolutionise how we treat the 40,000 men diagnosed with the disease every year in the UK. These results are exciting as they add to the growing weight of evidence that men with a family history of prostate cancer who possess certain genes may be at higher risk, providing us with another crucial piece of the jigsaw.’

Categories: breast cancer, cancer, cancer research, Disease, genetic testing, high risk, prostate, prostate cancer, Research, risk, risk assessment

Warning: The Environment Could Give Your Child ADHD

The majority of the research to date seems to indicate that Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is hereditary, but a new body of research is coming to light which appears to suggest that environmental factors could play a part, too.  Exposure to these risk factors during childhood could damage the wellness and wellbeing of certain individuals, who then are at increased risk of going on to develop ADHD in later life.

 

It is difficult to understand the factors that may contribute to ADHD, particularly as there is no accurate test to diagnose patients with this disorder. It may be, however, that following a healthy diet and lifestyle and avoiding certain toxins in the environment can help to reduce the symptoms of ADHD for children who are (or are thought to be) affected by the condition.

 

Toxins during pregnancy may be a risk factor for children later developing ADHD. Pregnant women who are exposed, or expose their baby, to toxins such as tobacco, illicit drugs and alcohol may reduce the ability of vital nerve cells called neurons to function effectively. These produce neurotransmitters in the baby’s brain, and a reduction in these can increase the risk of the baby developing ADHD. Alongside a healthy diet, pregnant women should be careful not to expose their children to unhealthy environmental factors whilst still in the womb.

 

Processed food may also have a lot to answer for when it comes to ADHD. Children who eat a healthy, wholesome diet are much less likely to be hyperactive than those who eat an unhealthy, highly-processed diet. Health professionals have debated the link between diet and ADHD for a long time, and the FDA recently stepped in to look at this theory. They will be looking at whether Yellow No. 5 in particular (a food dye) can cause ADHD, as this has been banned in Britain and in other European countries already.

Categories: ADHD, Children, developing adhd, diet, environment, environmental factors, factors, healthy diet, Pregnant Women, risk, toxins

Could Breastfeeding be Healthier for Your Baby and You?

Breastfeeding is the natural way to feed your baby, but is it the healthiest? There are a number of health benefits to feeding your baby with breast milk, not just because it is packed with vital nutrients for your child’s development. It keeps their health in check and prevents them from catching illnesses, but it could also be good for you too. Studies show that it could lower your risk of postnatal depression and also prevent some cancers. Here are some of the main reasons why breastfeeding is the best way to nurture your baby, as well as helping you to stay healthy.

1 – You can increase the emotional bond

There is a distinct bonding experience between a mother and child during breastfeeding that can’t really be replicated. It strengthens that natural bond you have with your baby and also increases the closeness between you, both physically and emotionally. Getting your baby to latch on in the early stages can be difficult, but a nursing pillow can help with this.

2 – It can protect your baby from illness

Studies carried out by the World Health Organisation found that in children from around the globe, those who had been breastfed suffered from a reduced number of diseases, such as ear infections, stomach viruses and respiratory infections. The study also found that infants who have been breastfed early show a decreased risk of infant mortality between the ages of birth to one year.

3 – Helps you to lose weight

This is one for the mums – breastfeeding can help you lose your birth weight! This is because breastfeeding releases the hormone oxytocin which helps the woman’s abdomen shrink to its original size that it was before the pregnancy. It even helps you to burn 500 calories a day, helping you to shed those extra pounds you put on when you were carrying your baby.

4 – It increases intelligence

Research has found that there is a strong link between breastfeeding and your baby’s cognitive development. In children who breastfed for longer than six months, the IQ level was 3.8 points higher than a bottle-fed baby. There have also been studies which show that these children also have higher scores on reading and maths. This is thought to be connected to the emotional bond built up between mother and baby, which promotes intelligence.

5 – It lowers stress and the risk of postnatal depression

The breastfeeding technique could help improve the health of the mum as well as the baby, as studies have found that it can lower stress levels and reduce the risk of postnatal depression. This is because it releases hormones which promote a sense of calm and relaxation. Stress can lead to postnatal depression, so breastfeeding could help to reduce this risk.

6 – It may reduce cancer

Alongside the general health benefits to your baby’s health, it could also help to lower the risk of cancer in infants as well as you. Studies suggest that it could lower the chance of developing breast and ovarian cancers, and the longer the women breastfed for, the lower their risk was.

7 – It offers great savings to you and the environment

One of the main blessings to breastfeeding, aside from those to you and your baby’s health, is that it’s free! Formula and bottles add up and can be expensive, so breastfeeding is a great and natural solution to what to feed your baby. It’s also the best way to ensure your child gets all the nutrients they need to stay healthy.

Categories: Baby, Breastfeeding, emotional bond, health, Health Benefits, Postnatal Depression, risk, stay healthy, studies, Women

Can You Tell If You"ll Outgrow Your Asthma Condition?

A new study has discovered a way of using genetic testing to determine whether patients with asthma are likely to outgrow the condition, or if they will continue to experience symptoms as they grow older. The report, published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine, analysed data from a study spanning 40 years. Researchers discovered that children with asthma and higher risk scored including a number of genetic variants associated with asthma were more than 36 percent more likely to develop a life-long condition, whereas those with a lower genetic risk were not. Nearly half of all children with asthma will grow out of it by the time they reach adulthood. There are currently no tests to predict which children will do so, however. This new report could change that and identify those who will suffer with the chronic lung disease for life.

 

Recent genetic studies have found that several variants, including single nucleotide polymorphisms and SNPs, carry a small increased risk of asthma. In this study, researchers wanted to see whether these genetic risks are associated with the onset or severity of asthma, as well as the disruptions to daily life. The findings of the study showed that those with a higher genetic risk score were also more likely to develop atopic, or allergic, asthma, as well as impaired lung function – this is known as airway hyper-responsiveness, or incompletely reversible airflow obstruction. These individuals are more likely to miss school or work, and have an increased risk of hospitalisation due to asthma than those with a lower genetic risk. Researchers are keen to stress that this predictive value of the genotype score was independent of family history. Those with symptoms of asthma are urged to seek medical advice in order to determine if they have the condition.

Categories: Asthma, Children, condition, genetic, genetic risk, increased risk, new study, risk, study

Boys" cancer risk increased without same vaccine as girls, say ...

The HPV vaccine is routinely offered to girls of 12 and 13 to reduce the risk of cervical cancer, but health groups say boys not given the vaccine are at greater risk of viruses linked to other cancers Photograph: Burger/Phanie/Rex

Boys are being denied protection against the risk of cancer because they are not routinely offered the same vaccination as girls, a coalition of 25 patient groups and health organisations has claimed.

The coalition has launched an online petition for a “gender-neutral” approach with the HPV vaccine, which is already offered to girls of 12 and 13 to reduce the risk of cervical cancer.

Several backbench MPs backed the idea last year and vaccination advisers to the UK government have already pledged to consider the move but now HPV Action is stepping up the pressure on ministers to follow the example of the US, Australia and some Canadian provinces.

The vaccination combats a family of viruses that are also linked to a number of cancers prevalent in men including anal and penile cancer and genital warts. Peter Baker, campaign director for HPV Action, said: “Vaccinating girls alone is not enough to tackle HPV. Men can still get the virus from unvaccinated women from the UK and other countries or from other men.

“It is simply unfair to deny boys in the UK the same level of protection as girls or as boys in Australia and other countries where both sexes are now routinely vaccinated. The HPV vaccination is one of the easiest ways of preventing cancer.”

An online poll of 1,336 parents by YouGov for the organisation last month found 64% agreed with boys and girls being vaccinated, with 11% disagreeing and 25% unsure, said HPV Action, which includes the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV, the British Dental Association, the Terrence Higgins Trust and the Throat Cancer Foundation.

Categories: boys, cancer, cervical cancer, girls, hpv action, HPV Vaccine, risk, routinely offered, Vaccine

Boys" cancer risk increased without same vaccine as girls, say ...

The HPV vaccine is routinely offered to girls of 12 and 13 to reduce the risk of cervical cancer, but health groups say boys not given the vaccine are at greater risk of viruses linked to other cancers Photograph: Burger/Phanie/Rex

Boys are being denied protection against the risk of cancer because they are not routinely offered the same vaccination as girls, a coalition of 25 patient groups and health organisations has claimed.

The coalition has launched an online petition for a “gender-neutral” approach with the HPV vaccine, which is already offered to girls of 12 and 13 to reduce the risk of cervical cancer.

Several backbench MPs backed the idea last year and vaccination advisers to the UK government have already pledged to consider the move but now HPV Action is stepping up the pressure on ministers to follow the example of the US, Australia and some Canadian provinces.

The vaccination combats a family of viruses that are also linked to a number of cancers prevalent in men including anal and penile cancer and genital warts. Peter Baker, campaign director for HPV Action, said: “Vaccinating girls alone is not enough to tackle HPV. Men can still get the virus from unvaccinated women from the UK and other countries or from other men.

“It is simply unfair to deny boys in the UK the same level of protection as girls or as boys in Australia and other countries where both sexes are now routinely vaccinated. The HPV vaccination is one of the easiest ways of preventing cancer.”

An online poll of 1,336 parents by YouGov for the organisation last month found 64% agreed with boys and girls being vaccinated, with 11% disagreeing and 25% unsure, said HPV Action, which includes the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV, the British Dental Association, the Terrence Higgins Trust and the Throat Cancer Foundation.

Categories: boys, cancer, cervical cancer, girls, hpv action, HPV Vaccine, risk, routinely offered, Vaccine

Could The Pill Be Damaging For Your Heart?

In the field of sexual health research, there has been a bit of bad news recently. Women who have been on the oral contraceptive pill for more than five years are facing a serious threat to their wellness and wellbeing through an increased risk of heart disease. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists have released a bulletin, warning the public about the risks that oral contraceptives could pose.

 

This report indicates that women who are on a high dose of oral contraceptives have a much greater risk of developing a blood clot in the vein (thromboembolism), the death of a heart muscle (myocardial infarction) or a stroke.

 

These complications are occurring less and less frequently, however, as a lower dose of hormonal contraceptives becomes more standard. The risk is also being lowered due to better screening of women who are deemed to be high risk. The rates of pill use in women over 35 has also dropped significantly recently, leading to fewer serious side effects.

 

It is rare to suffer from a pill-related heart attack. They occur in only around one in 14,000 people who take the pill and are aged between 30 and 39. Strike is more common, however, occurring around five times more frequently in women of this age group who are taking oral contraceptive pills.

 

Even strokes are a rare event, though, affecting around one in 2,700 women who take the pill. The pill can cause a blood clot to occur more often and thus cause heart attacks and strokes, but this is still a very uncommon side effect. Hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy cause far more blood clots than the hormonal contraceptive pill.

 

Most heart attacks and strokes amongst those who take the contraceptive pill occur in women who also smoke, so to reduce your risk dramatically then cut down on smoking, and quit, as soon as possible.

Categories: blood clot, contraceptive, contraceptive pill, heart, heart attacks, oral contraceptive, oral contraceptives, Pill, risk, Women

Is it Possible to Spread HPV to Yourself?

When you talk about protecting your sexual health, it generally involves another person. Not only could your wellness be at risk to sexually transmitted infections (STIs) but you’ve likely caught the disease from a sexual partner, meaning that their wellbeing has likewise been affected. However, is it possible to give yourself an STI, or to help it spread to other parts of your body? The answer is yes, especially when it comes to the human papillomavirus (HPV)

 

According to award-winning wellness writer Hope Gillette, ‘Because of the risks involved with this sexually transmitted infection (STI), awareness initiatives and vaccine promotions have increased in recent years, but many individuals remain unaware there is a self-inoculation risk associated with HPV. Self-inoculation, or the transmission of a disease from one part of the body to another, is rarely thought of with HPV, which most individuals associate with the appearance of genital warts.The human papillomavirus is more diverse than this, however, and while it does commonly affect the surface of the vagina, anus, vulva, cervix, and penis head, it also can affect the mouth and the throat.’

 

Researchers at the University of Florida College of Public Health and Health Professions point out that, because HPV is capable of affecting your oral and sexual wellbeing, this makes it perfectly possible for you to spread the infection from your genital area to your mouth and throat without the aid of a sexual partner. Gillette notes, ‘Oral HPV is considered by the American Cancer Association to be one of the up-and-coming contributors to the rate of oral cancers seen annually in the United States; approximately 42,000 people are diagnosed with the condition annually.’ Maura L. Gillison, MD, PhD, of JohnsHopkinsUniversity in Baltimore, adds, ‘The number of oropharyngeal cancers caused by HPV is probably larger than the number caused by smoking and alcohol, at least in the US. This expands our idea of who might be at risk for head and neck cancers. There is a proven survival benefit to catching these cancers early, so recognizing that people without traditional risk factors may still be at risk is important.’

 

There are more than 100 strains of HPV, but not all of these strains lead to serious health risks. However, the Mouth Cancer Foundation states that if you do develop an oral HPV infection, you are a whopping 32 times more likely than other individuals to develop oral cancers. This increased risk is way beyond that which smokers or drinkers experience, even for people who both drink AND smoke. Gillette details, ‘Oropharyngeal cancer occurs in the area beyond the mouth from the base of the tongue to the back of the throat. Oral HPV infection is also more common among men than women, though researchers are unsure why this disparity exists.’ Men, you need to watch out as you are roughly three times more likely to develop an oral HPV infection than your female counterpart. In 2012, a study showed that approximately 10% of men ages 14 to 69 have an oral HPV infection, compared to just 3.6% of women.

 

So how can you prevent self-inoculation of HPV? Gillette advises, ‘While it is not always possible to prevent self-inoculation of HPV, examination of personal sexual habits is the first step toward keeping the virus at bay. Individuals who participate in activities which involve genital-to-mouth contact from their own bodies are at risk for oral infection. If these habits cannot be adjusted, research from the University of Texas School of Public Health in Houston suggests oral mouthwash, brushing and regular flossing can help reduce an individual’s risk of contracting oral HPV.’

Categories: hpv infection, human papillomavirus, oral, oral cancers, oral hpv, papillomavirus hpv, prevention, public health, risk, self innoculation, sexual partner, sexually transmitted

One for the Boys: Men who Eat Chocolate Reduce Stroke Risk

Although it’s no friend to your waistline, chocolate always seems like a friend to your emotional wellness. However, now men may be able to use the cocoa-y, sugary goodness to prevent a major health concern. This is according to a new large study from Sweden, which has found that simply eating one chocolate bar per week may help men to reduce their risk of having a stroke by about one-sixth.

This appetising conclusion was published this week in the journal Neurology by researchers at Stockholm’s Karolinska Institute. For the study, which was the first in a long line of recent studies on the potential heart and vascular benefits of chocolate to look specifically at men, the team spent 10 years following more than 37,000 men between the ages of 45 and 79. The results of the study revealed that men who at the most chocolate a week – roughly 2.2 ounces – were 17% less likely to have a stroke than the participants who ate little or no chocolate during than time span.

The researchers then pooled their data with that from four previous studies – including a near-identical 2011 study they conducted in women – in order to bolster their findings. The combined data, when re-analysed, came out with a similar result: men and women who ate the most chocolate had a 19% lower risk of stroke compared to those who ate the least. Jonathan Friedman, MD, a neurosurgeon at the Texas A&M Health Science Centre College of Medicine, in Bryan–College Station, who was not involved in the research, commented, ‘This was a meaningful reduction in stroke risk, and the results seem to be valid given the high number of patients.’

This study, which was funded by a Swedish research council, adds to a growing body of evidence that shows chocolate, or rather cocoa, to have some heart-healthy properties. In cocoa there are compounds known as flavonoids, which have been proven to lower your blood pressure, increase your levels of “good” HDL cholesterol, and improve the function of your arteries. Being a type of antioxidant, flavonoids can also prevent major health concerns, and may thin your blood and prevent it from clotting. This can help to stave off heart attacks and strokes.

However, the study authors are quick to point out that there are other substances in chocolate – or certain traits associated with chocolate lovers, which is more likely — that could just as easily explain the findings. In the chocolate lovers group, participants tended to be better educated and healthier overall than their peers, being less likely to smoke, have high blood pressure or have the heart-rate abnormality known as atrial fibrillation, which is a major risk factor for stroke. The researchers carefully controlled for these and other health measures, but Pierre Fayad, MD, a professor of neurological sciences at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, in Omaha, notes that the link between chocolate consumption and strokes can possibly be explained by health or lifestyle differences that went undetected.  ‘This association could also be due to the fact that [chocolate eaters] are healthier people,’ he adds.

While the new study adds to a wealth of research that hails the health benefits of chocolate, don’t go thinking that your doctor is going to start giving you different advice about your cardiovascular health. Fayad comments that following a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and treating known risk factors such as high blood pressure will all have a bigger impact on stroke risk than how much chocolate you consume. Plus, Friedman concludes, ‘Eating five chocolate bars a week might be worse for you in terms of obesity than it is good for you in terms of stroke risk.’

Categories: blood pressure, chocolate, chocolate lovers, high blood, major health, Research, risk, stroke, stroke risk, study

Top Tips For Male Preventative Care During Your 30s And Beyond

If you want to achieve optimal health, you need to be on top of a combative regimen rather than sitting around waiting for a disease to occur. When you hit your 30s and beyond, it’s easy to put off good nutrition and exercise, and doctor visits are reserved for the occasional injury of cold rather than vitamin programmes and preventative tests. But investing into your health as you would for other areas of your life is the wise decision. Diet and lifestyle choices have got progressively worse in many countries over the past few decades, so it’s your individual responsibility to make the healthy choice for your body. The best place to start is at your dinner table, or better yet at the supermarket. There are great ground rules that you can stick to help you make healthier choices. Focus on fruit and vegetables, as well as healthy proteins such as lean meats and legumes. Studies show that people who follow diets with at least five portions of fruit and vegetables each day show decreased risks of cancer and heart disease. Your dietary habits may well change as relationships, work schedules and children enter your life, but this basic set of rules will help you take stock of your diet and make healthier choices., whether you’re at home or work.

On top of your diet, you need to be exercising more as it takes on a greater importance in your 30s. As your hormones, including testosterone and growth hormones, begin to decline in your 30s, so exercise is a natural antidepressant and stress reliever, as well as helping to lower your risk of cancer. Most patients stop exercising because they feel they don’t have time, or because they choose an exercise that they don’t like, but there are so many to choose from and always a way to find time to fit it into your schedule. You simply need to start with small time commitments, and then increase it as exercise becomes more of a fixture in your routine. The next step in terms of prevention is to look at your family history – are there any worries or health risks you should be preparing for? Focus on your parents, siblings and grandparents, then look at what sort of illnesses affect your family. Are there certain types of cancer, or a history of stroke or heart disease? Consider the age that they became ill with these conditions as well, as it may be an indicator of when you’re more at risk.

These are all factors which will influence your preventative strategy, so it’s vital information. If there are illnesses you think you’re more at risk of, you should speak to your GP about screening and ways to lower your risk. After your 30s, this is the time you want to hold onto your health and prevent any energy slips. Improving your health during this decade significantly alter the next 40 years of your life. You may notice more aches, lose stamina and even face more serious health risks, but keeping up your exercise and nutrition will help to avoid this as much as possible. As with your 30s, many of your hormones begin to decline even further, so your exercise regime takes on an even more important role. Consider classes at your local fitness club or work out with a trainer to keep your motivation up. Supplements can be useful in keeping vital nutrients in your diet too, such as fish oils, multivitamins and Coq10 which is a powerful antioxidant that offers positive effects on your health.

Categories: diet, exercise, health, Health Risks, healthier choices, heart disease, men, preventative care, risk, time

Protein Supplements: The Inside Guide to this Diet Addition

Protein supplements have become synonymous with exercise and muscle gain, but are they actually good for you? Commonly associated with beefy men at the gym, it goes without saying that most of us don’t really know what we’re getting into when we take protein supplements. People around the world spend billions of pounds on nutritional weight gain aids, which allegedly promise to enhance your athletic performance, decrease the risk of fatigue and change your body composition. They even suggest themselves capable of enhancing your looks. Commercial protein supplements can contain whey, soy, egg albumin or wheat, among other ingredients. Protein supplements can also be in the form of isolates, which is a pure protein source; concentrates, which are less pure; hydrolysates, which are chemically or enzymatically digested so that they are quickly absorbed; or blends which a combination of various protein sources. With so many on the market, which are actually useful to you?

So are there any benefits to protein supplements? Studies have shown that they can bolster your strength, with those who take them reportedly have 33 per cent fewer medical visits, 28 per cent fewer visits due to viral or bacterial infections, 37 per cent fewer visits due to muscle problems and 83 per cent fewer visits due to heat exhaustion. Researchers have also found that protein can help to reduce blood pressure. Supplementation with soy protein can even help to reduce the markers of prostate cancer development. Whey proteins have the capacity to enhance the immune function and antioxidant activity, as well as improving cardiovascular health. But it’s not all good news. Protein supplements aren’t regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) which means that the supplement manufacturers don’t need to register their products with the FDA. This lack of monitoring could mean that contaminants could be in the products, such as arsenic, mercury and lead.The recommended daily intake of protein for adults is 0.75g of protein/kg of body weight. This means that you need around 45 to 56g of protein each day. Excessive protein intakes could lead to a build up ketones bodies, and when there is an accumulation of these, an abnormal but not necessarily harmful state known as ketosis could result. As kidneys remove these toxic ketones each day, you could lose a significant amount of water and this leads to a risk of dehydration. If you exercise heavily, this could exacerbate the problem and could put your health under serious risk.

Protein supplements for healthy adults who participate in recreational sports aren’t usually needed. If you’re active then you probably don’t require supplements and using them will be counterproductive, as the extra calories will cause you to gain weight (one gram of protein provides as many kilocalories as one gram of sugar). Athletes and vegetarians are the minority in terms of people who may need supplements to up their protein intake. Athletes, especially those who train with weights and burn a large amount of calories, may need extra supplementation. However, their need for extra protein can almost certainly be obtained through a higher protein diet, so protein supplements still wouldn’t be needed. As with any supplements or protein blends, it’s advised that you seek medical advice before beginning a course of dietary additions. You may find that your diet offers you enough of the vitamins and minerals that you need, therefore potentially putting your health at risk by overdosing on certain minerals and nutrients.

Categories: cent, fitness, Protein, protein supplements, risk, Supplements, visits

Are You Aware Of The Signs Of Testicular Cancer?

Testicular cancer is a form of malignancy that grows within the man’s testicle. But what is really happening within the body, and how can you tell the signs? Testicular cancer is actually quite uncommon, despite many people being under the impression that they’re at risk. It’s responsible for just half of one per cent of all male cancer deaths. However, although it is rare, it is the most common cancer in men aged between 29 and 35, and men in this age bracket should check themselves regularly. It is also more common in white men than other ethnicities. There are two major forms of testicular cancer, which are seminoma (the most common) and nonseminoma germ cell tumours. Usually, testicular cancer only occurs in one testicle. The most common sign is a painless swelling in the testicle, which some men notice after an injury to the scrotum. However, the injury isn’t the cause of the cancer. The cause of testicular cancer is actually unknown, but men who have an undescended testicle are more at risk of developing the disease. Also, the male children of women who took hormones while they were pregnant could also have a greater risk.

Nothing can be done to prevent testicular cancer, but any lump in the testicle should be reported to your GP as soon as possible. In all cases, early diagnosis lowers the risk of the cancer spreading so you should always report any worries or health concerns to your doctor. Another way to lower the risk of cancer remaining undiagnosed is to check yourself regularly for lumps. Certain bodily chemicals, such as beta human chorionic gonadotropin or alpha fetoprotein, are produced by some testicular cancers, and these are known as tumour markers. A small amount of blood will be drawn during your check-up to check for these, and the only way to determine is cancer is present is to remove the testicle. If the cancer is not treated, it will become fatal. But if it is treated, there is a high chance of survival – over 70 per cent of men are long-term survivors. There is no risk to other people though – cancer can’t spread to other people and poses no health risk to people you spend time with.

 

There are a number of very effective treatments for testicular cancer, meaning that the cancer can be cured even if it’s spread to other parts of the body. In addition to the affected testicle, your treatment may include a number of medications and surgical treatments. Additional surgery could include lymphatic tissue in the stomach for testing, and if need be the lymph nodes will be removed as well. Radiation therapy is a common treatment for men with seminomas, particularly in the early stages. And in some cases, chemotherapy may be used alongside other treatments. There may be side effects, which your GP will discuss with you at your appointment. After your therapy, you will be monitored regularly for signs that the cancer has come back, but the frequency of this will reduce as time goes on.If you find a lump or are unsure about the correct way to test for lumps on your own, you should speak to your GP who can advise you. There are a number of services available for people will testicular, and other forms of, cancer to help you deal with your symptoms and manage your treatments – your GP can also offer you information about these.

Categories: cancer, common, risk, Symptoms, testicle, testicular, Testicular Cancer

Is Your Job Sending You to an Early Grave?

Of all the things that affect corporate wellness, and your overall well-being, occupational stress is the worst, and the most common. We accept it as a part of life, but workplace stress is not only taking its toll on your emotions, but also your wellness. There are a number of chronic health conditions linked to stress, and some in particular that are related to on-the-job strain, so what might your high-octane career do to you?

 

Diabetes – In 2012, a study published in the Journal of Occupational Medicine, found that women who have stressful jobs are at an increased risk of developing diabetes. Fortunately for the fellas, the researchers did not find the same effect in men – I guess that glass ceiling is lined with sugar.

 

Heart attacks – When researchers at University College London undertook a review of studies in 2012, they discovered that those who have high-pressure jobs are 23% more likely to have a heart attack than those who don’t have stressful jobs, if such jobs exist.

 

Depression – A 2011 PLOS ONE study noted that, if you work more than 11 hours a day, you’re twice as likely to suffer from a major episode of depression as those lucky people who work more regular hours. Seeing as depression can also lead to a shorter life expectancy, increased risk of stroke and heart attack, disrupted sleep and addiction, it might be wise to start knocking off at 5.30pm.

 

Accelerated ageing – Not only is job stress causing a few extra frown lines here and there, it’s actually ageing you prematurely. Recent evidence has shown that people who have the most workplace stress have the shortest telomeres. There are the sections of DNA that are linked to longevity.

 

Higher risk of death – Researchers at Tel Aviv University conducted a 20-year study in which they discovered that, if you work in a hostile office environment, you have a significantly increased risk of death than those who work in calmer, happier places. The next time you complain that your job is killing you, at least you can be safe in the knowledge that you’re not actually being over-dramatic.

Categories: depression, Diabetes, Heart Attack, increased risk, Jobs, nbsp, Premature Death, risk, Stress, stressful jobs, work, workplace stress

Lesbian-Focused Health Tips For a Safe Sex Life

There are certain health risks to all women, but women who have sex with women are at an increased risk of specific health concerns. Your individual risks are shaped around the many factors that go beyond your orientation and practices, such as your family history and age. It’s important to understand the common risks associated with lesbian sex, and the steps you can take to ensure that you’re healthy and safe at all times. People always associate STIs with gay sex, but there are still sexually transmitted diseases to consider within lesbian relationships as well. For example, the HPV virus, bacterial vaginosis and trichomonas can spread between women. Likewise, oral, digital-vaginal or digital-anal contact, or using shared sex toys, can all spread infection. There is also a risk of sexual contact leading to HIV being spread, which is the virus that causes AIDs. There are ways to protect yourself against these infections though, from regular checks to medication.

As with anyone else, getting yourself checked for STIs regularly is very important. You and your partner should be tested, and you should never have unprotected sex with anyone unless you’re certain that you’re both clear of any diseases. Diseases can often be contracted without any symptoms, so being checked at a clinic is the only way to be sure that you’re both clean. Again, as with anyone, protection should be used to limit the spread of STIs. You can use dental dams or a condom that’s been split open during oral sex, and try not to share sex toys. Being monogamous is another reliable way to ensure that you’re both staying free of infections. In 2012, the Food and Drug Administration approved a drug named Truvada which is said to reduce the risk of sexually transmitted HIV infections in people who are high risks. It’s also used as an HIV treatment with other medications. You should limit the amount of alcohol you drink and don’t use drugs – these lower your inhibitions and could lead to you making unsafe choices. You should get vaccinated against HPV virus and hepatitis B.

 

Lesbians and bisexual women are, reportedly, at higher risk of anxiety and depression. This is particularly the case in young people who identify as gay, lesbian, transgender and bisexual. The contributing factors may include anything from social alienation or rejection from loved ones, to abuse or violence. This may also be more of a risk in lesbians who try to hide their orientation and sexual behaviour. The best way to combat this is to confide in a friend and share your feelings, to help you feel less alone and stressed by the situation. If you don’t feel like there is anyone you can turn to, you may benefit from counselling sessions where you can speak to someone trained in these matters. Likewise, lesbians and bisexual women may face unique risk factors for substance abuse, such as stress, the impact of sexism and discrimination, trauma from bullying and violence, or relying on bars and clubs for socialising and peer support. There are a number of groups and services available to help lesbians and gay people come to terms with their sexuality, and to deal with the impact it has on their mental, emotional and physical health in certain circumstances. The most important thing to do is to be vigilant of your health and ensure that you practice safe sex whoever you’re sleeping with.

Categories: Bisexual Women, health, hpv virus, Lesbians, risk, safe sex, Sex, Sex Toys, sexually transmitted, Women

Is Having Sex in the Shower as Hot as it Looks?

Having sex in the shower is often touted as an amazing sexual experience – but is it really? Trying new things is undoubtedly good for your wellness and wellbeing, and movies such as Blue Valentine and Skyfall build up sex in the shower to be some kind of sexual highlight. It seems very daring and romantic, and – best of all – can be done in the comfort and safety of your own home (unlike joining the mile high club!)

 

So what is the truth about sex in the shower – is it really as sexy as it seems? In truth – the answer is no. Whilst steamy, in a literal sense, and providing a bit of a thrill as you try something new, having sex in the shower is cramped, dangerous and overall rather anticlimactic. It’s one to avoid, unfortunately.

 

Shower sex comes with a big risk of slipping and falling. When you are wet (and possibly soapy) and attempting to do acrobatics under a stream of water, the risk of losing your footing is fairly high. Think about it – do you want to be naked and covered in soap when the paramedics arrive to deal with your broken leg?

 

In addition to this, water actually dries out the vagina and therefore you have to use a silicone-based lubricant in order to make things comfortable. Whipping out a lubricant halfway through a steamy shower session is hardly part of the romantic picture that you conjure up for yourself when you imagine shower sex. Having sex in the shower also makes using a condom far more difficult, due to the water, the positioning and the acrobatics involved with attempting to put one on under a stream of water and in a small room filled with steam. It also rather interrupts the ‘flow’ (if you will) of the traditional romp in the shower scenario.

Categories: high, nbsp, risk, Sex, shower, shower sex, truth, Water

Could Rheumatoid Arthritis Give You Deep Vein Thrombosis?

New research has found that rheumatoid arthritis greatly increases your risk of having both a pulmonary embolism and a deep vein thrombosis. This adds to an already extensive list of health concerns associated with rheumatoid arthritis, and has serious implications for the wellness and wellbeing of suffers of the debilitating disease. Arthritis causes swelling and inflammation of the joints, and it is only now that the associated health concerns of this disease are truly coming to light.

 

In the most recent study, the researchers found that just having the disease put the sufferer at much greater risk of developing a more serious condition such as DVT or PE, which is when the blood causes clots in the veins in the legs or in the lungs, respectively. For the purposes of the study, researchers in Taiwan looked at data taken from over 30,000 patients whose details were in Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Research Database, which was gathered between 1998 and 2008. Those who were suffering from rheumatoid arthritis were directly compared to people who were healthy and of roughly the same age and gender.

 

Looking at the data, it became evident that those who had RA were over three times as likely to develop DVT as the people who were completely healthy. They also had almost twice the risk of developing PE as the general healthy population. As part of the research, the team also discovered that patients with RA had an increased chance of developing other diseases too, such as hypertension, hyperlipidaemia, diabetes, heart failure and fractures of the lower leg. The disease appears to attack the body in more ways than just the obvious inflammation of the joints.

Categories: Arthritis, clots, deep vein, Deep Vein Thrombosis, developing, Disease, health concerns, Rheumatoid, Rheumatoid Arthritis, risk, vein thrombosis

What is the link Between Asbestos and Lung Cancer?

Former England football player Ian Wright is the face of a new campaign to reduce the number of asbestos-related deaths, which have been increasing in numbers over the past few years. The campaign is being carried out by the Health and safety Executive, labelled Asbestos: The Hidden Killer, and has found that 20 tradesmen a week die in the UK from asbestos damaging the lungs. This is the biggest cause of work-related deaths in the UK, with more than 4000 deaths a year attributed to this toxic substance. The diseases caused by it include mesothelioma, which is a type of cancer that attacks the membrane around the lung, and the same form of lung cancer that’s caused by smoking. Many of these deaths are amongst tradesmen such as builders, plumbers and electricians, who are exposed to it in homes around the country. The campaign hope to raise awareness of the issue and help to limit the risk of this happening more.

 

According to the HSE there are many workers who don’t realise the risk they are exposed to each day, mainly because asbestos was banned many years ago. However, there are many buildings which still have it present – this poses a significant risk to people’s health. If buildings were constructed or refurbished before 2000, then it is likely that they may have asbestos in them. It’s thought that around half a million buildings have it present in them. If a home or building has asbestos in it, and the fibres are disturbed by building work, for example, then the deadly dust could be inhaled either by tradesmen or by the people living in the building. The campaign states that the importance lies in educating tradespeople on the dangers of asbestos and how it is relevant to them. Changing the way they work could save their lives – campaigners hope that promoting the issue could help this take place. Tom King, 64, developed the life-threatening mesothelioma when his lungs were exposed to the dangerous asbestos on a job when we was working as a carpenter. He’d had no training in how to remove it, so he used to just throw it in skips when he found it in buildings. After having terrible chest pains and breathlessness in 2006, he visited his doctor – after having x-ray, it was diagnosed that he had mesothelioma. There is no cure for this form of cancer, but chemotherapy and radiotherapy can prolong life and improve your symptoms.

If you work in places that could be more at risk, then there are ways to reduce your risk. To begin with, you should contact the HSE for advice. You should avoid working with asbestos where you can, and if you’re not sure if it is present you should find out before beginning the job. Your boss or client should tell you if there is asbestos present before you begin work. Only a licensed contractor should deal with asbestos that’s present in sprayed coating, board or on pipes and boilers. You can only continue to work where asbestos is present if you’ve had training and you’re using the right equipment. To ensure that you minimise the dust from asbestos, use hand tools instead of power tools, and keep your materials damp but not wet. Cleaning up as you go with a vacuum cleaner can help to minimise the dust in the air and on your equipment, too. Proper masks that are suited to this kind of work are best used at all times as well.

Categories: asbestos, asbestos exposure, buildings, Campaigns, lung cancer, present, related deaths, risk, work

How Birth Control Pills Affect Your Health?

Over 150 million women around the world use birth control pills, yet while they are convenient there are also health risks attached to them. These side effects can be fluctuating weight, breast cancer, irregular periods and mood swings. What’s more, the longer you use the pills, the higher this risk is. Knowing about the risks is important so that you’re prepared and can be better equipped to make a decision about whether birth control pills are right for you.

 

Cancer issues

Studies suggest that birth control pills could lead to serious conditions such as cancer. It’s thought that this form of contraceptive could lead to breast, cervical or liver cancer. If you have a family history of cancer, this can increase the risk even higher. This is because women who have a history of the disease could carry an 11 percent higher risk of breast cancer – you should check with your GP before taking these pills if this is the case.

 

Disturbed mensuration

Regular menstruation is important, but birth control pills can affect this – some face disturbed periods and others suffer with no periods at all, or spotting for months. It can take around tow to six months for your periods to resume normality when you stop taking this form of contraception. You should consult your gynaecologist if your menstruation hasn’t started returning as normal after two months. They may be able to suggest a way to solve this issue.

 

Mood swings

Based on your hormones, its no surprise that these pills can cause mood swings – this means irritability, anxiety, sleepless nights, excessive sweating and restlessness. These side effects can even lead to depression in some women. It’s vital that you speak to your GP about this before you take these pills, particularly if you already suffer with these problems.

 

Heart at risk

Your risk of pregnancy may be lowered, but these pills also affect your heart. If you use birth control pills for a long time, you may face a higher risk of heart related diseases, such as high cholesterol and blood pressure. This is because these pills form a type of plaque in the arteries, which hardens and makes it more difficult for blood to travel through. To avoid this happening, you should use safe alternatives to these contraceptives such as condoms, so that you don’t need to use the pills all the time.

 

Loss of interest in sex  

Birth control pills have another way of avoiding unwanted pregnancies, by making you less interested in sex. The hormones present in the pills can lead to you losing interest in the act itself, as it can bar the exposure to the male hormone testosterone, prevents the ovaries from releasing eggs and thickens your cervical mucus to stop sperm entering the vagina. The longer you use them, the less sexually active you feel.

Weighty issues

As with many hormonal treatments, weight gain or loss is a risk of these contraceptives. It may be the case that you lose your appetite because of them, or that you become very restless. The alteration in your weight is most likely when you stop taking the pills, as your body tries to adjust to a normal routine. If your weight doesn’t return to normal, speak to your GP who may be able to advise of a way to resolve this. Other side effects that women complain of include a swelling or heaviness in the breasts, headaches in the morning, change in the hair structure such as it becoming more brittle, vomiting or dizziness, vaginal infections and acne.

Categories: birth, Birth Control, breast cancer, control, control pills, higher risk, Mood Swings, Pills, risk, Women

How Can Healthcare Screening For Gay Men Be Improved?

Men who have sex with other men don’t often reveal their sexual practices or sexual orientation to their GP. But this lack of disclosure could lead to a number of health problems being overlooked, either through a lack of information or an inadequately trained physician. Because of the greater societal pressure and lack of emotional support leading to the practice of unsafe sex could puts the risk of sexually transmitted diseases higher. This is especially the case when combined with drug abuse, psychological issues and behavioural disorders. Recent trends show that an increasing rate of sexual risk takers among these men, especially among young men. Periodic screening is thought to be more successful the earlier it is started, to assess the health risks and current health state, as well as giving GPs a better understanding of their patients’ medical past for any future appointments. The physician should offer advice and question their sexual orientation in a non-judgemental and confidential manner, to ensure that their patient feels comfortable in talking about their sexual practices.

Targeted screening for depression, sexually transmitted diseases, substance abuse, and a host of other disorders, should be performed routinely. The guidelines for these screenings do offer some suggestions for the care of men who have sex with other men, though they are inconsistent and subject to change. Men who have sex with men may identify themselves as heterosexual, homosexual or bisexual. Whatever label is used, it’s important to remember that these men are at an increased risk of HIV, anal cancer, and psychological or behavioural disorders. As such, their health care needs to be assessed differently regardless of how they classify their sexual orientation. The rate of men who had sex with men in the previous year was believed to be 1.7 to 2 per cent. However, surveys from 1996 to 200 show that this rate is at least 3.1 to 3.7 per cent. Previous estimates were, as a result, far too low and this could result in many men not being asked the right questions by their physician, leading to greater health risks.

 

This is something GPs need to consider when speaking to their male patients. Recent trends show that there has been a resurgence in the risky sexual practices that put men at risk of STDs and HIV infections. For example, the prevalence of men taking part in unprotected anal intercourse increased from 37 per cent to 50 per cent from 1993-94 to 1996-97. Particularly in the case of younger men, the disease risk isn’t assessed a lot of the time because if the numerous impediments to adequate care under the current healthcare system. Family GPs need to find an effective system in order to identify and assess the risk in men who have sex with men, so that the right screening can take place. Although men who have sex with men can be at a higher risk than other for preventable diseases and health problems, they don’t receive the appropriate preventative services. There are a number of hindrances for these screening guidelines, such as some physicians feeling uncomfortable discussing the concept of men having sex with men, or not understanding the issues these men face. As such, their patients will not feel comfortable in discussing these issues openly and that could put their health at risk. In creating a more in-depth and effective screening process, men who have sex with men won’t need to miss out on the health care services they require.

Categories: behavioural disorders, gay men, health care, health problems, Health Risks, risk, sexual, sexual orientation, sexual practices, sexually transmitted, STDs, transmitted diseases