Health

Apr132017 by Shiksha AroraNo Comments

The silent addiction to painkillers

Shane D'Souza, a software engineer, has been treating himself with painkillers for 6 years. When he tries to avoid gulping two codeine containing pain killers frequently at work, the withdrawal symptoms consist of this unbearable pain. Ultimately he has no choice, but, to surrender to his addiction. From migraines to arthritis there is a pill available for every condition today, but, with a heavy price to pay. More and more people in the UK are becoming victims of an unseen addiction, The addiction to painkillers. While painkillers provide relief for acute conditions, a wide group of people misuse are dependent on them for long term, chronic pain relief. Opioid painkillers, such as those containing codeine, are known to initiate a dependency in the long run. According to Neal Patel ...

Mar262017 by <a href="hidalgocarolina.wordpress.com">Carolina Hidalgo</a>No Comments

Zumba: the workout that can help you defy stereotypes

Fitness, Gender, Health, Sport

Alice* is a senior lecturer in a very traditional career. She has been in the academia for ten years now, but since 2015 she is also performing as Zumba instructor. According to several researches and the campaign #ThisGirlCan, Zumba is an excellent exercise for people’s body and mind. Still, Alice does not want to disclose her hobby as she fears being taken less seriously in her work environment. It's Tuesday evening and Alice arrives in London wearing a formal office outfit. She just got off from the train that brings her to the city after a long commute. Alice has to change clothes quickly, she has a Zumba class to teach in half an hour. “It’s always nice to come when you have a Zumba class in the evening”. Alice did her PhD in London, got a full time job and then a position as

Mar252017 by Arifa KhanNo Comments

Do we appreciate having the NHS?

Health, Medical, News, NHS, Politics

The National Health Service (NHS) Confederation states that every 36 hours over 1 million patients are seen by the NHS. This clearly impersonates that the service is being used at a high demand and is regularly in use. The NHS was formed on the 5th July 1948 and aimed to provide a good standard healthcare for every citizen. However, presently, only after around 60 years, debates on the privatisation of the NHS have risen, leading to marches and protest on “save our NHS”. These marches included people who were wishing to have a high-quality service by the NHS which would be under democratic control. Moreover, they also wanted it to be a care free at the point of use. Other additional wants included to oppose Conservative Party privatisation drive and remove the Private Finance Initiative

Mar252017 by <a href="https://twitter.com/Nayh_pielover">Naiara Marmol</a>No Comments

Mainstream Vegan: UK’s economy becomes greener

Animals, Culture, economy, Experience, Food, Health, Taste, trends, Uncategorized

It's official. UK lactose intolerants are cheering and hipsters are more mainstream than ever. Dairy-free milks have been added for the first time ever to the inflation basket. The results published by the Office for National Statistics included soya and almond milk to a list which the main purpose is to serve as a reference of the actual consumer trends. The Office and several analysts point out that this may have happened due to the recent growth of "free-from" diets such as Veganism. A new wave of millennials addicted to new trends and worried about their health have pushed these products up to the top of the list. Every day we see in supermarkets how new meat-free, gluten-free or dairy-free options appear on the shelves, on most occasions, at a high value. This can be explained as a

Mar232017 by Khyati RajvanshiNo Comments

Thriving without money: Local London Charities tell the tale

#breakingnews, Audio, Environment, Harrow, Health, Media, News, Social media, Video

With the country facing harsh financial climate, hundreds of charities in London are striving to create a better environment for local people. Despite their efforts, a new survey now shows that all of them are in danger. How do local charities function and achieve their goals in London? What are the dangers that are stopping them from thriving? Leah Robertson joined Mind in Harrow just over a year ago with a burning passion. Passion to help those in need, especially those who suffer from mental health issues. With experience in working at mental health care homes, she holds a postgraduate diploma in Mental Health Nursing from King's College London. She is currently the coordinator of the Support & Wellbeing Information Service Harrow (SWiSH), and is in charge of supporting people wit

Feb272017 by Blyth BrentnallNo Comments

What’s to blame for the NHS crisis?

Health, International, Medical, News, Politics, Uncategorized

People waiting in hospital corridors for hours on end, being sent home in taxis - the NHS is in crisis, but who's to blame? There is little agreement on the cause of the NHS' decline. On the one hand, the Daily Mail promotes the idea that immigrants are to blame. But protesters against cuts to the NHS and Labour politicians such as Clive Lewis, blame the Tories’ policies of austerity. Others, such as the GMB trade union worker, Gavin Davies, agree that immigrants are not to blame, but perceive the NHS crisis as a more nuanced problem. Right-wing news outlets such as The Daily Mail tend to point the finger at immigrants. One of their headlines proclaimed, “Sickly immigrants add 1 billion to NHS bill.” The Telegraph too has joined in the blame game, with stories such as one headlined, “N

Feb272017 by <a href="www.manisha.contently.com">Manisha Ganguly</a>No Comments

Jeremy Hunt summoned to Commons on misplacement of NHS patient data

#breakingnews, Health, Medical, News, Politics

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt is being questioned to reveal if he was aware of the misplacement of sensitive patient information Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt, has been summoned to the House of Commons today to be questioned urgently by Jon Ashworth, Shadow Secretary for Health, regarding the loss of more than half a million patient data records of the NHS, according to the Labour Whips. The misplacement of sensitive patient data, reported by the Guardian today morning, was first uncovered by the NHS in March of last year but kept under wraps. The patient records, mislaid by the contracted private company under NHS Shared Business Services (SBS) to ensure their delivery, were mistakenly stored in a warehouse between 2011-2016, causing one of the biggest data mishaps in NHS’ 69-year histo

Dec132016 by Arifa KhanNo Comments

Britain’s first three-person DNA raises religious and ethical concerns

Health, Medical, ReportingWeek2

Doctors await a consent from the Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority (HFEA) to produce Britain’s first baby with a three-person DNA. The treatment is known as mitochondrial replacement therapy (MRT). It is aimed for the women who have the risk of passing on fatal genetic disorders to their children. Although this treatment may seem to be the key to for producing healthy babies, not people of all faith a question remains whether people of all faiths are willing to participate in this treatment. Jahangeer Khan, is an Islamic scholar from the Ahmadiyya Muslim community says “Actually only two parent children can be ever allowed in Islam, for inheritance reasons. Not to speak of potential health risks which haven’t yet been assessed”. He explains that “using genetic ma

Dec132016 by <a href="https://thesecondopinionblog.wordpress.com/">Isabella Laws</a>No Comments

Access denied: healthcare for the homeless is in short supply

Health, ReportingWeek2

“You can’t discriminate against someone who is ill based upon the colour of their skin, their sexuality, or disability. But you can discriminate against someone who is homeless," says Stan, speaking from experience, as he was homeless for over twenty years. Homelessness is a growing issue, and those sleeping rough often face difficulties in accessing healthcare, and receiving the treatment they need. In the last year alone, government statistics report there has been a ten per cent increase on homelessness and figures look set to continue to rise. Yet NHS policy lags behind its data, and homeless people continue to be marginalised from accessing the services they need. Being homeless has an undeniable impact on your health - the life expectancy for a homeless person is just 47 years

Dec122016 by Arifa KhanNo Comments

Figure of Children self-harming increases dramatically

#breakingnews, Health, News, ReportingWeek2

19,000 children were taken in to hospital after harming themselves in the last year, reports the childrens’ charity NSPCC. Which is in an increase in 14% over the past three years. Childline, a service provided by the NSPCC, says self-harming is found to be one of the frequent issues why they are contacted. Teenagers between 13-17 are the most likely to end up at a hospital due to overdosing on pills, burning themselves or even cutting their bodies. Through a day about 50 children are given counselling on self-harm, during the previous year the helpline had dealt with more than 18,00 calls regarding the same issue. President of Childline Dame Esther Rantzen says: “Self-harming is at epidemic level among young people”. She said many a time young people felt remorseful and fearful to a