UK Health Centre - News Archives - January 2009 »

Obesity Risks Outweigh Bariatric Surgery Risks

Sunday 31st January 2010

Following the news of bariatric surgery carrying many risks and with numerous patients requiring compensation following badly performed surgeries; this week sees a change in the tide with a statement by a leading nutritionist. Geisinger Center for Nutrition and Weight Management’s leading director, Dr. Christopher Still, warns that the health risks associated with obesity could far outweigh the ones recently associated with bariatric surgery.

Older People with a Few Extra Pounds are Healthier

Saturday 30th January 2010

According to a recent study published in the Journal of the American Geriatric Society, those older people who carry around a few extra pounds could in fact be healthier than those of a more “normal” weight. The study, as conducted by the University of Western Australia, could provide a compelling excuse for all those men and women who have tirelessly dieted throughout their lives.

Less Sleep Less Brain

Friday 29th January 2010

For the first time a study shows a strong correlation between lack of sleep and a smaller amount of “grey matter” in certain parts of the brain. This increases concern as to the severity of particular sleeping disorders, such as insomnia, as it is evident that not only do they take their toll on the sufferer’s wellbeing but it now appears their brains could be suffering too.

Save Yourself and Visit Your Dentist

Thursday 28th January 2010

Some of us (although we may not admit it) will put off an annual trip to the dentist in order to delay the need for that filling that fell out a couple of months ago. However, the Oral Cancer Foundation in America is now urging people that there is so much more to a dentist check-up than the need for fillings. Going to the dentist could quite literally save your life if you are developing life-threatening diseases such as oral cancer.

Hair transplant surgery for hair extension damage

Wednesday 27th January 2010

All the latest celebrities are doing it, many women are now doing it, and with hair extensions available in many high street stores for affordable prices, the craze is continuing. However, doctors are now warning that all of these people are putting their hair under unnecessary amounts of pressure which could leave them fighting to keep their own hair let alone their extensions.

Study reveals many athletes don’t know what they’re doing when it comes to Protein Supplements

Tuesday 26th January 2010

Following a recent survey conducted at the Université de Montréal Department of Nutrition by Martin Fréchette, it is thought that many athletes are drowning their bodies with protein supplements when their bodies already have adequate amounts of protein. Additionally, the questionnaire revealed that many of these athletes are simply taking the supplements to boost their athletic performance but are totally oblivious as to what the protein supplements are and are not doing to their bodies.

Diabetes – the new epidemic

Monday 25th January 2010

With the first study of diabetes within NHS hospitals conducted, the results appear worse than everyone expected. The current diabetes rate within the UK is thought to be around 4%, yet within hospitals this rate is dramatically increased by five times to 20%, therefore showing that around one in every five hospital patients are suffering from the disease. However, it is also being questioned as to whether or not doctors are becoming all too ready to diagnose a patient with diabetes when it isn’t necessary.

Children that are secondhand smokers could have extended sleep problems

Sunday 24th January 2010

Unfortunately, many children are exposed to secondhand smoke on a regular basis, be it their parents, grandparents, friends and so on that are smoking around them; but doctors and scientist warn that this could be having a severe impact on their overall wellbeing. The February edition of Pediatrics (already available online) gives an in-depth report on a study based on exactly this kind of problem; focusing predominantly on children who suffer from...

When Bariatric Surgery causes problems

Saturday 23rd January 2010

The recent progression of bariatric surgery; a surgical technique that aids obese patients to lose weight by implementing their stomachs with a band, staple and so on, has led to a worrying amount of claims made to the Medical Defence Union and harsh questions as to who “qualifies” for the surgery. It is thought that some obese patients are trying to gain weight to enable themselves to qualify for the surgery, but with a worrying number of patients claiming for compensation after their surgeries, it is clear the right solution for obesity hasn’t been found with bariatric surgery as of

Girl suffers severe allergic reaction to Tamiflu

Friday 22nd January 2010

There have been numerous concerns over the issuing of Tamiflu and none more so than its potential side-effects. It appears that skeptics were right to be concerned as 19 year old, Samantha Millard, sadly becomes a perturbing message for us all. The teenager took the Tamiflu having called the NHS swine flu helpline; just 3 days later she was hospitalised and placed on a life support machine. One month on, she exposes the truth behind her ordeal and reveals that shockingly she didn’t even have swine flu in the first place.

Eat like a Viking

Thursday 21st January 2010

Following recent news that the Mediterranean style of eating could help us shed all of our unwanted pounds, Professor Arne Astrup who is a leading obesity expert has waged war on the Mediterranean diet with the Nordic diet. In fact, he is that confident that this diet could help us Brit’s who have an obesity rate twice of Scandinavia’s, that he has recently launched a £12.2 million scheme to expand the Nordic diet.

Dreaded Dentist Drill could be out of a job

Wednesday 20th January 2010

We’ve all been there, gripping the side of the chair until our knuckles go white, our heartbeat quickening at the sound of that dreaded drill…but fear no more as scientists have just revealed a plasma jet that does the same job but without the pain. Not only that but the jet boasts credentials of being able to eradicate the tooth decay within 20 seconds and without the grating noise and pain most of us associate with the dentist.

Sitting down could be killing you

Tuesday 19th January 2010

Millions of us do it on a daily basis; we sit in our cars to get to work then sit at our desks for the majority of the day before sitting back in our cars so we can get home to sit on our sofas. However, a recent study that has been published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine has shockingly claimed that long periods of sitting could be severely decreasing our health with no amount of exercise being able to help this muscular inactivity.

Diabetes UK Continues to reach out to Thousands

Monday 18th January 2010

With around 2.25 million people in the UK alone suffering from Type 2 diabetes, and a staggering 0.5 million people thought to be unknowingly suffering from the disease, Diabetes UK took action back in June 2009. With backing from Phillip Schofield, Diabetes UK set up a “Measure Up” Roadshow which toured the UK from June until December of last year and encouraged nearly 80,000 people to take part in several tests to see if they could be suffering from diabetes.

Dieting the Mediterranean way cuts the risk of stomach cancer

Sunday 17th January 2010

Following a study published in the online version of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition it has been revealed that the Mediterranean diet can be associated with lower risks of devastating diseases such as stomach cancer or gastric cancer. Typically, the Mediterranean diet consists of healthy vegetables, olive oil, and little red meat or dairy. With the diet also being linked to lower risks of diabetes, depression, obesity and so on, perhaps we should all be adopting the Mediterranean’s style of cuisine.

Type 2 Diabetes & Sleep Apnoea have a fatal link

Saturday 16th January 2010

For the first time a study has revealed how an untreated case of obstructive sleep apnoea could worsen a type 2 diabetics health as their control over their blood glucose levels becomes harder. Not only that, but the study discovered that many type 2 diabetes sufferers are in fact suffering from sleep apnoea, albeit unbeknown to them.

You Don’t Snooze You Lose

Friday 15th January 2010

Published yesterday in Science Translational Medicine, it was revealed what many had already feared – if you have chronic sleep loss one night, refreshing sleeps for the next few days may not be enough to eradicate the effects of your lost sleep. It comes with a dire warning for people with long shift patterns; e.g. lorry drivers, as experts warn that continual amounts of sleep loss without the right sleep pattern can dramatically reduce concentration and performance to a point where they are putting themselves and others in danger.

A Mobile Dentist could be coming your way

Thursday 14th January 2010

Forget the ice cream man making his appearance down your road every day during the summer months; it now appears we could be seeing mobile dentists down our streets! Sound bizarre? It is a new innovative idea created by DentalXpress who hope to reach out to the thousands of people who are unable to get registered at their local dentist. With around 50% of dentists being unable to add anyone onto their systems, the necessity for an innovation like DentalXpress are offering is clear.

Plump lips & a pout are the key to looking younger

Wednesday 13th January 2010

Well ladies, it appears that grey hair, wrinkles and general signs of age can all be eradicated with plump lips and a pout. In research conducted internationally at seven top universities they found that not only do plump lips provide the most predominant feature to help you look longer, but also investigated just why our lips can become shrunken with age.

Running barefoot better than trainers

Tuesday 12th January 2010

As we move into a world overtly obsessed with keeping fit and kitting ourselves out in all the latest hi-tech gear; it appears that rather than moving into a safer, healthier lifestyle we are actually significantly increasing our risks of sports injury. Take for example the Tarahumara Indians, they run up to 150 miles in one day…barefoot! We run a couple of miles a day in our swanky, top of the range running shoes and discover excruciating pain in our knees, hips and ankles. So where are we going wrong?

Blood Test Reveals what Children really are suffering from Nut Allergies

Monday 11th January 2010

Recently we’ve all witnessed the growing concern for those who suffer from nut allergies, with nut allergy warnings on many foods packaging, but it seems we’ve been a little bit too “nutty” over the allergy. Research conducted at University Hospital South Manchester at the University of Manchester reveals a new mode of testing that is far more accurate than previous ones, which have led to many fake results.

Try a Holistic New Years Resolution

Sunday 10th January 2010

So, we’re ten days into the New Year, ten days into our new diets and fitness regimes and already many of us are failing. With work, children, cooking, cleaning and so much more to think about, dieting, healthy eating and exercise are some of the last things we have time to think about.

Monitoring Blood Glucose Levels for Type 2 Diabetics

Saturday 9th January 2010

According to the latest report produced by the Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) their recent investigations into studies that use two groups of patients, one of whom monitored their blood glucose levels, the others not, is suggestive that blood glucose monitoring offers little or no benefit to these patients.

Award for Top Cosmetic Surgeries of 2009

Friday 8th January 2010

The UK’s cosmetic surgery giants The Harley Medical Group have released their official statistics as to what surgeries proved the most popular throughout 2009. It has already been commented upon that despite the economic climate, the cosmetic surgery industry has seen little effects. Chairman of The Harley Medical Group, Mel Braham, hopefully expects a further 20% increase in non-surgical treatments throughout 2010.

Time, Vasectomy Reversal & Sperm Count

Thursday 7th January 2010

This month’s publication of the online edition of the Journal of Endourology sees the first researched comparison between the commonly used microscope procedure against the robot-assisted procedure for vasectomies. With the increasing introduction of robots into these types of surgeries the findings could hold the key to further improvements to vasectomy reversals, namely in the quicker recovery period of the patient and increased return speeds of sperm counts.

Dieting device that tells you if you are eating too quickly

Wednesday 6th January 2010

This latest dieting device to take the media by storm is the Mandometer developed by scientists in Stockholm of the Karolinska Institute. The device acts like a set of portable scales that not only weighs the portion size but also the speed at which that portion is consumed. Whilst the Mandometer was first developed to help not only dieters but people suffering from bulimia who tend to eat too quickly; it is now hoped that the device could help in the battle against childhood obesity.

Scots are sick to the back teeth of dentist shortages

Tuesday 5th January 2010

Due to the ever-increasing number of dentists that have made their practices private, there comes a growing shortage of NHS available dentists. As many as 80,000 Scots are still on a waiting list or without an NHS dentist, with most dental practices showing no signs of shortening their waiting lists. With little else that they can do, many patients in need of a dentist are pleading with the Scottish government to improve the healthcare system they all pay for.

Help for all children suffering from egg allergies

Monday 4th January 2010

With Swine Flu still taking its hold on many people across the world, there is still a worry as to what happens should a child suffering from an egg allergy need vaccinating. The normal H1N1 vaccine is grown in eggs which sparked fears that any child suffering from an egg allergy could obtain a severe allergic reaction to the vaccination.

Nicotinamide could play a role in triggering type 2 diabetes

Sunday 3rd January 2010

In a recent study published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology an investigation has been placed into the relationship of type 2 diabetes and an overload of the food enrichment with niacin. Scientist believe that this could be affecting the body in several different ways, including insulin resistance. They also believe that the excessive use of niacin within our foods, and its lack of excretion through sweating could be contributing to the ever-growing frequency of type 2 diabetes.

Late-night adolescents at risk of depression

Saturday 2nd January 2010

Whilst it may seem like an impossible challenge to make your teenager go to bed at a reasonable time of a night, your insistence could help reduce the risk of them developing depression and suicidal thoughts. This latest study was conducted by researchers at Columbia University Medical Center in New York and looked at 15,500 teenagers data to try and see what significance a good night’s sleep had on their overall wellbeing.

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