The internet is fast becoming more trusted than the family doctor in terms of understanding an illness and working out what to do about it – which worries many doctors and health bodies. Rather than fight the tide, a doctor in the US has welcomed the sharing of medical information and the search for answers on his website called HealthKeep. It lets people upload all their symptoms and medical conditions anonymously and then crowd-source the answers. It lets people with similar conditions explore what others are thinking or doing.

Do you love your dog? Good for you – literally. Having a pet helps you stay calmer and less inclined to heart disease says a recent study.

Tired after lunch? Read the rest of this entry »

Be Sociable, Share!

• 

We all want to eat good, healthy foods… but some common foods are very, very healthy and it may pay to add more to your diet.

Mushrooms, for example, contain lots of vitamin D, the vitamin getting a lot of good publicity lately. Vitamin D leads to lower rates of obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, blood pressure and more. Yet vitamin D is not found naturally in many foods – apart from mushrooms and a few others.

Mangoes are great for you – rich in vitamin A and C, and full of fibre and antioxidants. Have as many as you can during mango season! Read the rest of this entry »

Be Sociable, Share!

• 

A recent article on hive health media talked about the importance of good posture, and it wasn’t just because grandmama was coming to dinner.

There is a physical response the body makes to bad posture; just one is when the diaphragm is squeezed when slouching oxygen intake is reduced and this affects the brain’s ability to concentrate. One study showed that people who were directed to sit and stand well had better concentration and they were happier.

Get happier! Some quite simple strategies can make quite a difference it seems. Learn to argue less Read the rest of this entry »

Be Sociable, Share!

• 

“After having an anaphylactic episode myself earlier this year I was on the hunt for a comfortable medical wristband. I found the silicone Medibands in my local pharmacy and liked the look and feel of them”, Dr Forgon-Smith said.

“Prior to discovering these medic alert bracelets, I posted my allergies to peanuts and crustaceans on the lock screen of my I-phone, but this isn’t as reliable especially when you are swimming or exercising and can’t have your phone on you.

“I think the bands are especially appealing Read the rest of this entry »

Be Sociable, Share!

• 

Chris Bunney knows the dangers associated with having a potentially fatal health condition. In 2009 he went to the gym at 7.24am. He left at 7.34am. For one hour and forty minutes he wandered around the nearby supermarket in a daze, unaware he was quickly heading towards a hypoglycaemic coma.

When Chris collapsed on the floor on the supermarket, he had a lucky chance meeting with a stranger that recognised his Type 1 diabetic symptoms who called for an ambulance. Chris was so close to death that the paramedics took over an hour to stabilise him. Read the rest of this entry »

Be Sociable, Share!

•