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Telegraph
4 days ago
- Health
- Telegraph
Midlife men, here's how to get in shape for summer
I was 33 when I took over the editorship of Men's Health back in 1997, it was a very different magazine then and a very different world. The male bodies we presented on the cover were specially imported from foreign parts and they may as well have been beamed down from Mars – no one looked as lean and muscular on the UK high street then. My own body was also a very different machine. The intervening years and many, many interviews with experts have taught me a lot – what follows are some of my favourite summer shape up tips for men, and by men I don't mean Californian gym gods or even fresh-faced magazine editors. These are aimed solidly at mature individuals with better things to do than work out all day. Learn calorie maths What I've learnt above all other lessons, is that the latest miracle diet is either useless or simply an old diet in disguise. The man who revealed the underlying, unbreakable, eternal mathematics of energy consumption changed my entire outlook. Missing meals, giving up bread, the cabbage soup diet (if you insist) are all routes to one simple goal: calorie deficit. If you want to lose fat you have to be using more calories than you are consuming. We all instinctively know this – if you run a mile to the bakery and eat a dozen doughnuts that run is unlikely to help you lose fat. Calorie deficit has to be done steadily, or it is unhealthy and unsustainable. Samuel Quinn, personal training lead at the Nuffield Health chain of gyms, has transformed many bodies. He recommends dropping 500 calories per day across the week, losing half from your diet and burning half through movement. 'The smart watches and trackers are really useful, so you can track whether you are using those 250 calories and you can swap an espresso for your latte, choose protein and salad at the barbecue over white rolls.' Jonathan Cooke, trainer at JC Fitness in Edinburgh, says research shows that losing between one per cent and half a per cent of bodyweight per week is realistic, 'We look at the timescale our clients have available, and we set an achievable goal.' Anyone can adopt this system once you master the simple biological sums – between now and that wedding anniversary, there will be a weight loss path. Know your walks The Nineties workouts were hard and fast. Men's Health used to shout 'Lose Your Gut!' from the news stand. When I discovered the power of non-exercise movement to churn through calories, it was like a curtain being pulled aside. I lived through many cardio booms – Fartlek anyone? – all fun, but for these purposes a walk may be the answer. High intensity interval training (HIIT) burns a lot of calories very quickly but if you're more of a high-intensity Netflix viewer, daily steps can provide a more accessible route. Cooke says, '10,000 steps will burn around 300-500 calories. What I recommend is making steps systematic. I have a short walking route, a medium walking route and a long route and I know exactly to the step what each walk will net me.' This means that if steps are below target one day you can undertake the precise walk needed to fill the shortfall. He recommends increasing your steps in attainable increments. If you are currently walking very little, lurching into 10,000 steps a day programme will feel extremely hard and may well fail. Eat protein The protein industry has grown from a few shelves in Holland and Barratt to a multi-million pound money spinner. The cover models we used feature in Men's Health were so muscular they could barely make it across the studio floor without a steak. Since then, I learnt that most of us don't need a protein shake, we need to watch our meals and eat frequently. If you want a shake as a cheering prop, we all do that, but chicken, fish, meat, beans all work just as well. Samuel Quinn says, 'As a rule of thumb it's 1.1 to 1.5 grams of protein per kg of body weight per day. (This is 3-4 large skinless chicken breasts for an 85kg man). That's going to maintain muscle mass and support your muscle if you're in a calorie deficit – it's a manageable amount. In my experience, that is enough to sustain a very lean and healthy body composition.' Think about calories per gram Most of us know the basics – cakes are bad, carrots good but when an expert trainer explained the science of hunger, I was able to spread the word to all the men who'd expanded over the years. Putting a lot of vegetables on your plate, then pausing and putting on even more, could change your body shape forever. Some foods are filling but not packed with calories – the simplest way to navigate this is to think of foods in terms of energy density. 'Think about calories per gram,' says Jonathan Cooke, 'If I take an apple and a Reese's peanut butter cup they will weigh the same but the calories will be completely different.' Cooke says the number one reason people leave diets is hunger. Eating more fruit and vegetables (all mainly fibre and water) and will make you feel full. 'The body has sensors, they are sensitive to distention (the physical stretch of your stomach) but not calories,' he says. So being full of low calorie-dense foods consisting of fibre and water will stop hunger but not stop your weight loss. This includes, by the way, cabbage soup. Prioritise sleep I've always been a horrible sleeper, but what when I was younger I'd coffee my way through the crisis and assume my brain may be less able but my body was unconnected. Sleep experts revealed to me that along with an inability to focus or remember anything, appetite and sleep were intimately connected. London nutritionist Lily Soutter says, 'Sleep can have a massive impact on the way we eat. On average, people eat three to four hundred calories more after sleep deprivation. You're also more likely to reach for quick-fix sugary foods.' Samuel Quinn emphasises that a lack of sleep will rob you of your exercise benefits. 'You don't benefit from the exercise while you're exercising – the exercise is stress – the benefits come while we sleep, we recover and become stronger.' Pressure your muscles The first gym I ever went to was in a smelly side room of a sports centre and full of men with huge chests and gigantic legs – weights were exotic, lifting them was eccentric and somewhat outsider. Now my 84-year-old mother works out with bands. Like most things in fitness, for the beginner or returner, complex regimes are a waste of time. Weights are for everyone and the results come with the simplest approach. Cooke says, 'The majority of our clients work out twice a week. This is a terrifying area for most people. They don't know what they are doing, they hate the gym, so I keep it simple.' He prescribes two to three challenging sets, anywhere between six and 30 repetitions on the muscle groups they care about most. 'Muscles respond to tension: if it's not challenging, it won't work.' He recommends that beginners only use machines rather than free weights, easier and safer – the muscle will not know the difference. Measure all your progress There weren't any wrist worn body data devices when I was at Men's Health, we had notebooks with exercises scrawled in them. Motivation is hard for many – people start and then they stop. That distant dream is too rosy and vague to keep you going. When I learnt about the power of feedback as a motivator, I was able celebrate even the smallest of micro victories. It's the daily work that counts, the yearly work will emerge naturally. Cooke says, 'You don't know if you're making progress toward your goal unless it's specific and you are self-monitoring. Set a weight loss goal, a calorie goal, a protein intake goal, and activity goals.' Cooke monitors body weight five out of seven days a week to supply a rolling average, this joins all the other measures. 'I also recommend transformation photos taken at home with the same light and the same camera.' All these precise progress measures allow you to tick off walks completed, healthy meals consumed, weight lost, remain excited about what you are doing and stay with the programme. A cabbage soup target could be included...
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
GK Barry urges women to book a smear test after doctors found early signs of HPV
GK Barry has urged women not to avoid their smear tests as she opened up about her own test, where doctors found the early signs of human papillomavirus (HPV) and were able to act quickly I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here star GK Barry spoke on Loose Women about the importance of getting a smear test and how the often-avoided test can save your life. The influencer said that thanks to her recent cervical screening test, doctors were able to find early signs of an STI called human papillomavirus (HPV). The 25-year-old said that doctors found "bad cells" during her screening. GK, whose real name is Grace, then made a return visit for a colposcopy - a procedure to treat abnormal cells. On June 15, the TikTok creator said: "When my smear test came up, I went to go and get it, and thank god I did because, when I went I tested positive for HPV. I just had some bad cells so I had to then go and get a colposcopy... and get it burnt off". She explained that she has check ups "so regularly" to "keep an eye on them," referring to the "bad cells" infected with HPV. The social media influencer spoke further about how she thinks people don't get smear tests due to embarrassment or out of fear. Speaking passionately on the topic, Grace said: "My thing is a lot of people my age... they just think it will be alright. They don't want to know what the answer is. I think it's so important to get your smear test done because 90% of the time nothing's wrong". According to Nuffield Health, one in 20 smear test "note abnormal cell changes and most of these changes won't lead to cervical cancer. But in some cases the abnormal cells will need to be removed so they can't become cancerous". She opened up in her advocacy, adding: "I'm the first one out of a lot of my friends and family to have to go back and get something done like a colposcopy, but I'd rather be told I've got something early and be able to live than, because I was too scared of catching something or the answer, catch something late and end up dying". Grace 's experience has reached over 2.2 million views on TikTok alone with many fans of the show commenting a mix of support and their own uncomfortable experiences. Unintentionally, the comment section became a forum for young and older women alike to help work past the narrative that avoiding the pain is worth the risk. One user wrote: "I won't go because I refuse to be put in pain, and yes, it is painful. When they can find less traumatising ways, I'll go". In a collective effort to convince what would be a stranger, one of 198 replies to the comment alone." Another comment read: "I don't trust doctors either but after watching my mum go through her cancer battle (bowel) - still chemo/ radiotherapy- the effects cancer has on your body, I would take a smear everyday over that. I've had smears that hurt and [were] uncomfortable and ones that were fine but it was nothing compared to seeing what someone with cancer goes through".# What is HPV and does it cause cancer? According to Cancer Research UK, HPV is a common virus that infects the skin and cells lining the inside of the body. It usually has no symptoms and for most people, will be cleared from the body without causing any problems. It's contracted through close skin-to-skin contact, typically during sexual activity, including vaginal, anal, or oral sex. There are different types of HPV which range from low to high risk. High risk HPV types can cause cancer if they stay in the body for a long time. Cervical cancer is often linked to HPV as it causes nearly all cases. You can get a HPV vaccination to help prevent cancer and protect against HPV. Cancer Research state that in the UK all children aged 11-13 in the UK can get the HPV vaccine. It's also available for free to people up to the age of 25 who missed their vaccine when they were offered it, men who have sex with men (up to the age of 45), and some transgender people (up to the age of 45). Safe sex, cervical screenings and stopping smoking can also reduce your risk of HPV. How to book a smear test The NHS website states that an invitation for a smear test - or cervical screening - will be sent via the NHS App, text or letter when it's time to book for you to book an appointment once your 25th birthday has passed, and then every three years. Within the invitation, you will receive instructions on where and how to book, though most screenings are done by female nurses and doctors at your GP surgery, says the NHS website. If you have missed your last screening, there is no need to wait for an invitation. To book an appointment, the NHS advise you call your GP or arrange a screening online. There is also the option of booking at your local sexual health clinic or walk-in centre, however this is only available in some parts of England so it's important to check. Help us improve our content by completing the survey below. We'd love to hear from you! When should you book a smear test? Smear tests are best to have done when you are not experiencing your menstrual period so try to avoid the two days before and after you're expected to bleed, advises the NHS. If you do not experience a period then you can book at any time. The NHS also suggest you book after you have finished any treatments if you have unusual vaginal discharge or a pelvic infection. Note that before being tested, you should avoid the use of any vaginal medicines, lubricants or creams for at least two days before your screening as they can affect the results.
Time of India
08-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Longevity decoded: 70-year-old cardiologist reveals the one change that made him stronger than ever
'If I'm Going to Be Old, I'd Rather Be Strong and Old' The Science Behind Strength You Might Also Like: No supplements needed: Longevity doctor shares the one daily nutrient that could add years to your life — EricTopol (@EricTopol) Heart-Healthy Gains Beyond the Gym It's Never Too Late to Begin You Might Also Like: Stanford longevity expert reverses his age by 10 years with one radical lifestyle shift At an age when most people begin to slow down, 70-year-old cardiologist Dr. Eric Topol is doing the opposite — lifting, lunging, and powering through a new chapter of vitality. Once a traditional advocate of aerobic exercise for heart health , Dr. Topol is now rewriting the rulebook with one transformative shift in his fitness routine: strength single line sums up the philosophy behind Dr. Topol's dramatic lifestyle change. After decades in cardiology and publishing cutting-edge medical research, the acclaimed physician began digging deeper into what truly supports healthy aging . The result? A rigorous commitment to resistance training — and a body that now, remarkably, feels fitter and stronger than to Dr. Topol shared that over the past year, dedicating one-hour sessions three times a week — or 30-minute sessions four to five times — has radically boosted his strength and endurance. 'I'm more fit and stronger than I can ever remember,' he Topol's findings aren't just anecdotal. The benefits of strength training are backed by a growing body of research, particularly in the field of cardiology. His book Super Agers : An Evidence-Based Approach to Longevity emphasizes the critical role resistance workouts play not just in muscle building but in comprehensive cardiovascular to a report from The Mirror, Physiotherapist Helen Alexander from Nuffield Health echoes this in her work with cardiac rehab patients. She highlights that strengthening muscles improves arm and leg function, reducing strain on the heart during daily tasks and aerobic exercises. The key, she says, is consistency: 'Start with an exercise that you can repeat 10 to 12 times, with the last couple repetitions starting to feel a bit challenging.'Assistant professor Abbi Lane of the University of Michigan, an American Heart Association fellow, adds another layer to the conversation. Resistance training, she explains, impacts more than traditional heart risk factors like blood pressure and cholesterol. It boosts sleep quality, uplifts mood, enhances blood vessel function, and even improves overall quality of Lane advocates for a combined approach of aerobic and strength training, describing their effects as 'additive or synergistic.' But even if you can't commit to both, she says, 'any type of exercise is better than no exercise.'For those who think strength training is a young person's game, Dr. Topol is living proof that age is no barrier. He recommends starting small — bodyweight exercises like planks, push-ups, and squats — before progressing to light weights. His message is simple but powerful: it's never too late to become stronger, healthier, and more the world grapples with the secrets of longevity, this 70-year-old heart expert may have just lifted the lid — literally — on one of the simplest, most powerful steps toward a longer, stronger life.
The Guardian
29-05-2025
- Health
- The Guardian
How to stop hay fever: 13 remedies that actually work (and the ones that don't)
I grew up playing in the woods, sleeping with my dog and dead-heading flowers for my dad. This rampant early exposure should have turned me into a hay fever immunity machine, but here I am, all itchy eyes and streaming nose as summer hoves into view. Not that I can see it very well. The Guardian's journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more. 'You cannot cure hay fever,' is the rather dispiriting verdict of the NHS website, which recommends staying inside with your doors and windows shut. I sought a second opinion from Dr Unnati Desai, national lead for GP Services at Nuffield Health. 'Trying to avoid any type of pollen from about February to September in the UK is near impossible,' she says. 'Instead, find the right way to control your symptoms.' Or stop the pollen getting up my schnozz in the first place, says Dr Megha Pancholi, clinical lead at Boots Online Doctor. 'Simple things can reduce your exposure, like wearing wraparound sunglasses and applying petroleum jelly around your nose.' Well, that's a look. The more experts I spoke to, the more hay fever cures were touted. To find out which ones actually worked, I set about squirting them up my nose, swallowing them, wearing them and, in a few welcome cases, sleeping with them. Here, I reveal the remedies that won by a dribble-free nose. I've spent three decades testing consumer products, from heated clothes airers to computer software, so I'm professionally sceptical of manufacturers' claims to magically improve our lives by buying their stuff. As a long-term freelancer, I also have a solid background in running away from work to hang out with trees, which feed my soul and torture my sinuses with pollen. People's hay fever triggers and symptoms vary widely, so my own experience wasn't enough for this test. I shared products with my similarly sneeze-ravaged husband, Alan, and also consulted doctors, pharmacists and allergy experts to find out what remedies we should be using and why they might work. Testing hay fever cures is by necessity a long-winded process, and not just because I kept stopping to blow my nose, or whichever part of my face the snot was coming from. Many remedies can be safely 'layered', or combined with each other, but I wanted to find out how well each one worked on its own. So I used them separately for a few days each, beginning in March, when 2025's balmy spring began. I wasn't exactly comparing like with like. Unlike, say, the best mattresses, which all have similar benefits in similar ways, hay fever cures take a wild array of different approaches. Some soothe symptoms while others block allergens; some are drug-based and others adamantly not; some provide immediate relief while others take weeks to make a lasting difference. Then there was a rollercoaster of other variables that changed by the day, such as pollen count, time spent outdoors and degree of cat cuddling. This meant I couldn't get too hung up on details such as the precise number of minutes each product took to stop me sneezing, or the exact daily weight of soggy tissues. But I wanted meaningful test results, so I got Alan to try all the remedies as well, if only to stop him and his nose from costing us an extra loo roll a day. We then compared notes on each product's efficacy, convenience and value for money. I don't sleep in the woods, but my hay fever symptoms are worse at night. I regularly wake up at 3am with a scratchy throat, and Alan and I both greet the morning alarm with sneezing fits. What's going on? Indoor air is relatively static, so dust and pollen build up unless you clear them. 'Humidifiers can help by moistening the air, meaning dust and pollen find it harder to float around,' says Hannah Shore, head of sleep science at Mattress Online. 'Air purifiers can take a lot of the floating particles out of the air. Look for one with a 'quiet' setting so you can use it overnight.' I tried a couple of air purifier models: a large wifi-connected MeacoClean, whose Hepa (high efficiency particulate air) filter powerfully rid our bedroom of allergens within a few hours, and a compact Vitesy Eteria. The MeacoClean's night mode was unobtrusive while I fell asleep, and neither of us woke up sneezing. The desktop Vitesy helped keep my nose relatively clear while I worked. Relief: our symptoms cleared within hours, albeit indoors only. MeacoClean CA-Hepa wifi air purifier £199.99 at Meaco£199.99 at Amazon Vitesy Eteria compact air purifier £129 at Amazon 'A thin layer of petroleum jelly inside the nostrils helps trap pollen before it enters the nose,' says GP and author Dr Roger Henderson. Turns out the Vaseline trick actually works, genuinely calming my nose down. Alan found it effective but 'disgusting', noting that it smells of a petrol forecourt, which may be to some people's taste but not ours. It's also slimy and makes your nostrils glisten snottily in the light, which I'm guessing isn't high on our fashion editor's looks of the season. I found a more palatable alternative in organic barrier balms. The beeswax and seed oil formulation of HayMax gives it a firmer texture than Vaseline, and its frankincense, aloe and lavender varieties all smell delicious. Alan was an instant fan when it stopped his nose from running. I found it more effective for symptom prevention rather than cure – and the lavender version helped me sleep. Relief: won't stop a full-on sneezing fit, but helped me breathe and soothed symptoms for a couple of hours. HayMax balm £8.49 for 5ml at Boots£8.49 for 5ml at Holland and Barrett Vaseline original petroleum jelly £1.80 for 50ml at Boots£1.80 for 50ml at Superdrug 'I regularly deal with patients suffering from summer allergies, primarily allergic rhinitis,' says ENT (ear, nose and throat) surgeon Dr Anil Joshi. 'Saline (salt water) sprays moisturise the nasal mucosa, aid in the clearance of allergens and reduce inflammation. This can provide significant relief for patients with chronic rhinosinusitis and nasal allergies, especially when coupled with other therapies.' My own GP recommended saline spray years ago, and although I hated it at first (feeling much as I imagine it would to be water-boarded in the sea), it soon became a powerful ally in my war on a runny nose and sore throat. I like using straight-up saline, but Alan hated the 'salty aftertaste' and preferred xylitol-sweetened Xlear. Relief: within half an hour, although you'll need to blow your nose a lot. Xlear nasal spray £10.23 for 45ml at iHerb£9.99 for 45ml at Amazon Boots saline nasal spray £6.99 for 100ml at Boots 'Beconase and Flixonase contain small amounts of steroid such as beclometasone,' says Dr Naveed Asif, GP at the London General Practice. 'These help to reduce the body's allergic response to triggers such as pollen.' Steroid sprays aren't drug-free like saline spray, but they're safe for medium-term use (up to about three months, says the NHS) and they're brilliant value. Their main downside is that it takes a couple of weeks to feel the effects. I continued with the other remedies while Alan started on the Beconase. 'It took ages to work,' he said after two sprays a day for three weeks. 'But it's definitely helped, because I've stopped going through an entire kitchen roll to blow my nose.' For that, I am very grateful. Relief: takes two weeks to have an effect, then provides long-term relief from a range of symptoms. Beconase hay fever spray £10.99 for 180 sprays at Superdrug£11 for 180 sprays at Boots Antihistamines were recommended by most of the experts I spoke to, including those who were advocates of more natural approaches. 'Your symptoms are driven by excess histamine production,' says medical herbalist Siobhán Carroll. 'Antihistamines quell inappropriate histamine production and reduce the snowball effect of increased inflammation in the body.' The key is finding the antihistamine that works for you. 'They all work in a similar way, but people may respond differently to each one,' says Pancholi of Boots Online Doctor. 'Some antihistamines may be more effective for certain individuals than others, providing longer relief or causing less drowsiness.' I took cetirizine (Piriteze) and loratadine (Clarityn) for a week each, and they both reduced my symptoms, but not quickly or consistently. Cetirizine also triggered an attack of zits on my chin. Not just once, but within a few days of every single attempt to take it. I found my ideal match in the newer 'second-generation' non-drowsy antihistamine fexofenadine (Allevia), which has proved especially good at soothing my itchy eyes. I find my symptoms return by evening, though, rather than the advertised 24 hours. Relief: within 30 minutes and lasting several hours, but not the whole day. Allevia tablets £11.49 for 30 x 120mg tablets at Superdrug£12.49 for 30 x 120mg tablets at Boots Vacuuming is a hay fever sufferer's nightmare in the short term because it disturbs dormant dust, but it's also essential for ridding your space of allergens. 'Vacuums with Hepa filters are certified to trap more than 99.97% of airborne particles, including pollen, dust mites and pet dander,' says Dr Daisy Mae, allergy expert for Bed Factory Direct. 'In your bedroom, this can hugely impact sleep.' And don't forget to vacuum your mattress, she adds. I gave Alan the job of blitzing the bedroom with an Ultenic Hepa vacuum, whose alarming headlight revealed revolting levels of dust under the bed. Sneezing his way through the task, an hour later the room felt more comfortable and we slept soundly, with no runny noses to greet us in the morning. Relief: aggravates symptoms at first, but relief is powerful and lasting if you keep up the vacuuming. Ultenic U16 flex cordless vacuum with Hepa filter £135.97 at Amazon I love using eye drops that have been stored in the fridge, and pharmacist Rita Ghelani approves. 'Using eye drops daily keeps your eyes hydrated and feeling less sore,' she says. 'You can use special allergy eye drops, or those that lubricate and soothe the eyes.' My favourite budget choice is Boots hay fever relief eye drops, whose 2% sodium cromoglicate content relieves that niggling summer itch in my lower eyelids. If you wear contact lenses, then your best bet is Pollinosan hay fever eye drops from A Vogel, whose natural hyaluronic acid content soothed my eyes for several days during the great dandelion seed blizzard of April 2025. Relief: immediate but not long-lasting. Boots hay fever relief 2% w/v eye drops £4.85 for 10ml at Boots Optrex hay fever relief 2% w/v eye drops £6.25 for 10ml at Superdrug£6.49 for 10ml at Boots A Vogel Pollinosan hay fever eye drops £10.49 for 10ml at Holland & Barrett£13.99 for 10ml at Victoria Health Pharmacist Kiran Jones of Oxford Online Pharmacy recommends wearing sunglasses as part of a layered strategy. 'Start a nasal steroid two weeks before the hay fever season, use a barrier balm around the nostrils, wear wraparound sunglasses and check the Met Office three-hour pollen forecast.' My cheap, decidedly un-stylish pair of wraparounds proved surprisingly effective at blocking pollen and other airborne intruders (including midges) – and also stopped me from rubbing my eyes. When I upped the pollen-blocking ante by adding a wide-brimmed hat, the relief was even more noticeable – at least for my eyes. Sadly, my respiratory symptoms marched on. I tested this outfit in a particularly floral bit of park and nearly blew the glasses clean off with my pollen-triggered coughing fit. Relief: stopped my eyes feeling puffy and itchy within a few minutes when outdoors, but did nothing to relieve coughing and sneezing. Bollé wraparound sunglasses Sign up to The Filter Get the best shopping advice from the Filter team straight to your inbox. The Guardian's journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. after newsletter promotion £10.32 at Staples£22.95 at Allergy Best Buys Uilyniu wraparound sunglasses £11.49 for two pairs at Amazon Forclaz women's anti-UV trekking cap £12.99 at Decathlon 'Anti-allergy bedding is treated to resist irritants,' says Shore of Mattress Online. 'Look for products approved by Allergy UK.' Alan and I tried a few samples of bedding from Silentnight and Bed Factory Direct for a week in early May, when the pollen count was particularly high. We slept well, and I especially enjoyed the cooling, cushioned feel of the mattress protector. The pillow protector was scratchy against my face, though, so I added an old pillowcase – which possibly defeated the whole point. Relief: helped us sleep without sneezing, but more of a long-term strategy than instant relief. Silentnight anti-allergy pillow protector £12 a pair at Argos£12 a pair at Amazon Silentnight anti-allergy duvet From £19 for a double at Silentnight£24 for a double at Argos Silentnight anti-allergy mattress protector £17 for a double at Boots£14.30 for a double at Amazon If high pollen days leave you so ravaged by symptoms that you fear going outside, then a mask with a built-in Hepa filter may be your only option. For those of us who just want to breathe and see more easily in summer, however, these fabric gas masks are a bit too much. When I wore a Respro Allergy Mask for walks in my local parks and nature reserves, I looked like I was heading for the trenches. My sneezing did stop after a few minutes, but I also felt hot and daft, and my eyes stayed itchy. The main relief it gave was the pleasure of taking it off once I was back indoors. Relief: didn't relieve my itchy eyes, but powerfully prevents respiratory symptoms while wearing. Respro allergy mask N95 £39.95 at Allergy Best Buys Cleaning the pollen off your face before bed was a strategy mentioned by a few of the experts I spoke to. 'Make sure you get rid of any pollen particles on your skin, particularly your hands, face and any long hair,' says sleep expert Shore. Even a quick wipe with cleanser helps, says Cultskin founder Dr Tijion Esho: 'Cleansing around the eye area can help ease itching and prevent allergens from being transferred into your eyes.' And don't forget to moisturise. 'Moisturiser provides a strong skin barrier,' says dermatologist Dr Benjamin Chun-Man Lee. And that doesn't apply only to adults: 'Studies have shown the value of moisturising in infancy to halt the progression of hay fever and allergic rhinitis.' An extra cleansing session at night didn't make much difference for me, because I always have a bath and wash my face before bed anyway. But every little counts, and it's worth starting now if you're not in the habit of cleaning muck – including allergens – off your face before bed. Relief: extra cleansing at night helps fend off symptoms by morning. Byoma Milky moisture cleanser £13.99 for 175ml at Cult Beauty£14 for 175ml at Space NK No7 cleansing balm £10.75 for 125ml at Boots 'When your body is dehydrated, it can produce more histamine,' says sports nutritionist Jess Hillard. Cutting down on booze can help, says pharmacist Ghelani. 'Some alcoholic drinks contain histamine, the chemical that sets off an allergic reaction in the body. Alcohol also dehydrates you, and that can make your symptoms worse.' Electrolyte powder in water can help your body retain water even when you're sweating a lot, so I tried that. I wouldn't say the cocktail washed away my symptoms, but a few days of careful dosing made me feel more alert when the weather was hot and the pollen was high. Relief: not immediate in my experience, but good hydration is a long-term anti-allergy strategy. Warrior Creatine plus electrolytes £17.99 for 80 servings at Warrior 'A natural decongestant can make it easier to breathe,' says Henderson. 'Aloe-vera-infused decongestants also help soothe irritation.' The strong snot-banishing fumes of Vicks VapoRub and Olbas Oil proved a hit with my husband, but I opted for Olbas patches. I evicted Alan to the spare room, slapped a patch on the empty pillow and slept like a dream – although my hay feverish eyes turned a bit pink from the mild vapour. Relief: quick and moderately effective relief for blocked noses, but may irritate eyes. Olbas Breathe Easy patches £6.49 for six at the Independent Pharmacy£5.95 for six at Amazon Vicks VapoRub £6.75 for 100g at Boots£6 for 100g at Amazon Unprocessed local honey is the hay fever cure du jour for Instagram influencers. Duly influenced, Alan and I spent weeks feasting on the handiwork of Hampshire bees in early spring. But my eyes still itched and Alan's nose still required lockdown-stockpile levels of loo roll, so I can't say it worked. 'Some people believe that eating local honey helps build up your body's resistance against local pollen,' says Crystal Wyllie, GP at Asda Online Doctor. 'But there isn't enough scientific evidence to support this. If eating local honey is your only hay fever remedy, you could be wasting money and leaving yourself at risk on high pollen days.' A cheap, easily available pill that stops you sneezing and sends you to sleep? Sign me up! Actually, don't, because first-generation antihistamines such as chlorpheniramine (Piriton) left me more tired than before. They made me drowsy, but this didn't translate into satisfying sleep – and I woke up during the night with a hay fever-triggered sore throat. It's not just me. 'One study found that sedating antihistamines cause non-REM sleep, which doesn't involve dreaming but a lot of snoring,' says Chun-Man Lee. 'Participants in the study woke up feeling unrefreshed because of the lack of true rest.' Sedating antihistamines do work for many users, as sleep aids as well as hay fever treatments. But they didn't do the trick for me. I was once a xylometazoline addict. The active ingredient in Sudafed Blocked Nose Spray and others, xylometazoline, opens a blocked nose by shrinking your blood vessels, and the relief feels magical if you're bunged up by hay fever or a cold. But it soon creates a physical dependency – so it actually made my symptoms worse. 'Many brands of nasal decongestant sprays contain xylometazoline (or oxymetazoline), which works by causing the blood vessels in the lining of the nose and sinuses to contract and narrow,' says Ghelani. 'Initially, the ingredient appears to help reduce swelling and the general feeling of congestion. However, products containing it should not be used continuously for more than seven days, as they can cause rebound congestion.' I ignored this advice in my early days of using a blocked nose spray to soothe hay fever symptoms. After weeks of daily use, I eventually struggled to breathe without it, especially at night. I weaned myself off it by only using it in one nostril, then every other night, and eventually – at last – not at all. Hay fever, also known as seasonal allergic rhinitis, is a set of symptoms triggered by your body's response – or overreaction – to pollen. If you're one of the unlucky 49% whose immune system sees pollen as a threat, your body 'protects' you from it by producing histamine and other chemicals that make your nose run, your eyes itch, and your head ache. I make light of how my body's own snotty overreaction affects my loo-roll bill, but for many people, the symptoms have a ruinous impact on their ability to work, sleep and simply enjoy summer. 'There isn't a 'one size fits all' in terms of symptoms,' says Desai of Nuffield Health. 'It comes down to the type of pollen you're allergic to and how your body responds to the allergies.' Some of the less common symptoms she mentions are allergic conjunctivitis, tightness in the chest and wheezing when breathing out. 'In some cases, medication may be needed to treat all three areas. If you suffer from severe hay fever, a GP can provide inhalers or oral steroids to help manage your overactive immune system.' Hay fever season lasts much longer than summer. Tree pollen arrives first, as early as February, when trees start to pollinate. This lasts until about mid-May, at which point grass is the chief offender, especially when the massive council lawnmowers are out. Flower pollen (known by some killjoys as 'weed pollen') comes next, from about June to September. More bad news: hay fever season is getting longer, and it's down to the climate crisis. The Met Office cites research that 'highlighted how increasingly unusual weather – as a result of climate change – coincided with increasingly erratic pollen seasons'. Other studies forecast that the climate emergency will increase the severity of hay fever season by up to 60%. Perhaps I then won't feel so silly going out in a Hepa mask and wraparounds. Jane Hoskyn is a journalist and WFH pioneer with three decades of experience in rearranging bookshelves and 'testing' coffee machines while deadlines loom. Her work has made her a low-key expert in all manner of consumables, from sports watches to solar panels. She would always rather be in the woods, ideally with a decent hay fever remedy to hand
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Surgeon instructs teenage patient to perform 'heil Hitler salute,' recording reveals
Surgeon Kuldeep Stohr is being investigated for potential failures in 800 medical cases. A surgeon suspended from the private Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge,UK, asked a patient to perform a 'heil Hitler salute,' recordings released by ITV News last week revealed. Surgeon Kuldeep Stohr is being investigated for potential failures in 800 medical cases. The latest recording was submitted as part of a complaint against her during her private practice. A Sky News investigation revealed that the trust may have downplayed concerns about Stohr as early as 2016 after an initial review found there may have been some issues with surgeries she performed. A senior source at the hospital told Sky News that children were "severely permanently harmed" and "some of the cases are horrendous." The patient, teenager Georgia D'Arcy, was instructed to perform the salute during a consultation, ITV News reported. Hospital management also reportedly heard Stohr deliver the instruction. 'If I say can you do this sort of movement for me, so like a heil Hitler or a heil Caesar, any pain when you do that?' Stohr is heard saying in the clip. The 18-year-old reportedly broke her rib while on holiday in 2023, which was confirmed by a hospital in Dubai as well as the Cambridge institution. When meeting with Stohr in January at the Nuffieldhospital, recordings revealed that the surgeon disputed that the rib was broken and grew increasingly frustrated with the family. 'You're still not letting it go, are you?' Stohr told the mother in response to requests for an MRI of the rib. After the mother responded 'Pardon' to Stohr's comments, she responded 'You're not letting it go, are you. You've come here for an opinion, and how do you explain what I've just said? I'll get an MRI scan of what's relevant.' 'Okay, I'm getting angry actually, so I need to take just a deep breath,' she later told the mother. '... I just need to take a deep breath and channel my emotions, I'm sorry.' In a statement, Ms Stohr told ITV: "I am not able to comment on individual cases due to my duty to protect patient confidentiality. "I always strive to provide the highest standards of care to my patients. I am cooperating fully with the investigation, and it would not be appropriate to say more at this time." A spokesperson for Nuffield Health stressed to the news site: 'We are aware of this complaint that dates back to January 2024. We took the complaint extremely seriously and conducted a thorough investigation at the time, ensuring that the patient's family received regular updates throughout the process. 'At Nuffield Health we hold ourselves to the highest standards of care and professionalism. The standard of care and conduct fell significantly below what we expect from any of the independent consultants who operate out of our hospitals, and we issued a full apology to the patient and their family. 'The consultant in question no longer practices at our Cambridge Hospital, and she hasn't operated here since October 2023.' A hospital source told Sky News that much of the damage suffered by patients had been entirely "avoidable." "The lives of children and families have been ruined," the source said. "Stohr destroyed people's lives by performing very poor surgery. She destroyed some hip joints." In one case, a child was said to have been left with a broken arm for 11 days after Stohr failed to spot the injury. Staff were "bullied and intimidated when they tried to raise concerns," and told there was no problem with Stohr's practice. The surgeon was also said to have failed to consistently take CT scans after surgeries took place, despite post-surgical expectations for treating Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip. One mother who approached Stohr for support in treating her son's painful birth defect on his foot was told by the surgeon, "There is no operation within my remits or that I can or am willing to perform, go away and leave it in the hands of God," the mother told Sky News. While the child was treated at another hospital, his mother said, "I've been told that if she had done something sooner or even attempted to do something sooner, then he probably would have stood a bit better chance than what he's currently going through." Sign up for the Health & Wellness newsletter >>
