J. K. Rowling: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Book 7) [Adult Edition] Wow! I can't get over this amazing ending to J K Rowling's dynasty! I read it to the children over the holiday in Devon, finishing it on the car journey back (and oh, what fun creating different voices etc - though not a patch on Steven Fry...) - I haven't stopped thinking about the book and the ending for three days & nights. What an incredible, powerful imagination. Well done JKR, you have surpassed yourself! (*****)
Sarah Muir: The Complete Horse and Rider Excellent guide to tack including different types of saddle, weights of rug, etc, as well as information on seat position, aids, jumping and competition. Useful for beginner and experienced rider alike, and especially to those of us in horse therapies. (*****)
Tony Pavord: The Complete Equine Veterinary Manual Fantastic guide aimed at owners, but essential reading for therapists who need to know basic anatomy, physiology, conformation, ailments, and much, much more. Invaluable for assignments! (*****)
New controversies surround the swine flu / H1N1 vaccine now as doctros and scientists debate its safety & whether 1 or 2 doses will be needed to provide immunity.
Take a look at the video below - & bear in mind that the news broadcaster has spoken to 3 doctors who are happy with the vaccine safety & only this one who is not.
So what am I going to do? To be honest, I will await more evidence for now! The CMO & Government advisers feel that it is safe, hence the vaccination programme being planned.
Dr Alison Grimston is a holistic doctor who works with complementary therapies and nutritional supplements. She only recommends the best, pharmaceutical grade nutritional supplements, such as those on www.holisticdoctor.usana.com.
Disclaimer: The content of our website is not a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor relating to any medical condition.
Here I am 1 week post-op my cervical C6-7 discectomy (after 6 weeks unable to work due to the accompanying right arm pain & weakness) and 2 weeks after I fell & broke my left wrist... Arm in plaster (yup, I'm left handed) and I'm afraid, while the right arm and hand are regaining power well, my left is incapacitated. So typing is painful...
Fortunately my friend Kat Sanders stepped into the breach & gave me this wonderful article to use. Thanks Kat & what great info it is!
Why Probiotics?
Of late,
we’ve been hearing the words probiotics being thrown about a lot in the realm
of health and fitness. The health benefits are the same that fermented food
like yoghurt gives us. They’re dietary supplements of live bacteria or yeast that
are healthy for the human body because:
·They help minimize the effect of
antibiotics: While
antibiotics are useful in fighting infections and preventing new ones from
targeting your body, their overuse can lead to a suppression of your natural
immune system because new strains of bacteria that are resistant to most known
antibiotics develop in your body when you take too many of them. Probiotics
help nullify this effect and boost your immune system so that your body is
naturally able to fight infection.
·They aid the digestive process: It’s not enough to just watch what
we eat; we also need to ensure that the nutrients in the food we put in our
bodies is effectively absorbed and that we benefit from them. Probiotics help
in the digestive process and enhance the absorption of protein, calcium,
phosphorous and fat.
·They prevent vaginal and urinary
tract infections in women: There are various healthy bacteria in a woman’s vagina that help
maintain hygiene and health. Factors like oral contraceptives, too many
steroidal treatments, menopause, spermicides, diabetes, antibiotics, and the
reduction of estrogen due to external factors or age kill these bacteria and
cause infections of the vaginal and urinary tracts. Probiotics prevent
embarrassing infections and helps maintain good hygiene.
·They lower blood pressure and
cholesterol: Clinical
trials have shown that lactic acid bacteria are effective in reducing both
total and LDL cholesterol levels in people who are healthy. And the peptides
produced during the fermentation of milk and other lactic products are thought
to be useful in controlling and lowering blood pressure.
·They prevent colon cancer: Cancer is a dreadful disease, and
when it affects your colon, you reach a stage where your intestines are blocked
and you’re unable to eat anything at all. Probiotics help maintain good colon
health by minimizing the carcinogenic effects of cooked meat.
If you’re
allergic to dairy products or don’t eat them for other reasons, probiotics are
the best way to gain all these health benefits.
By-line:
This article
is written by Kat Sanders, who regularly blogs on the topic of how to become a radiology tech
at her blog The Heath Tech's Blog. She welcomes your comments and questions at
her email address: katsanders25@gmail.com.
This is the site of Dr Alison Grimston, a United Kingdom GP and
spiritual healer who works with animals and people. Here she offers
insights and information on integrating the best of complementary and
scientific medicine in human and animal care. For more information on how nutritional supplements can transform your life see http://www.holisticdoctor.usana.com
Disclaimer: The content of our website is not a substitute for
professional medical advice or treatment. Always seek the advice of
your doctor relating to any medical condition.
I was delighted to be told of this recent study in Northern Ireland showing good results with complementary therapies in both physical and mental health.
My personal view, though, is that all the while people get health care for free, they do not value it as much as when they have to put something of themselves (money is only a representation of energy) into the deal. They then see less improvement. Homeopathy fares well in Northern Ireland
report
Complementary and Alternative Therapies Backed for NHS Funding
A major Government-funded study, carried out in Northern Ireland and commissioned by the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety,
found there would be a range of benefits to patients in providing access to
complementary and alternative medicine, and that the treatments could even save
the health service money.
Treatments administered after referral from local GPs included acupuncture,
homeopathy, chiropractic, osteopathy, reflexology and aromatherapy.
The Health Minister in Northern Ireland has made the independent evaluation
report available to download on the Department’s website. As well as an
extensive report with detailed responses from patients, GPs and practitioners,
using a validated audit tool, focus groups and surveys, the report has made
recommendations about the way forward. www.dhsspsni.gov.uk/index/hss/complementary-alternative-medicine.htm
The Results
Following the pilot, 80% of patients reported an improvement in their
symptoms, 64% took less time off work and 55% reduced their use of
painkillers.
In the pilot, 713 patients with a range of ages and demographic
backgrounds and either physical or mental health conditions were referred to
various complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies via nine GP
practices in Belfast and Londonderry.
Homeopathy received the highest percentage of reported
improvements :In relation to treatment programme,
patients who availed of chiropractic and osteopathy treatments (56%) were less
likely to record an improvement in their level of wellbeing, compared with
patients availing of acupuncture (77%) and homeopathic treatments (79%) (see
page 31 of the report).
Health
improvement
• 81% of patients reported an improvement in their
physical health • 79% reported an improvement in their mental health • 84%
of patients linked an improvement in their health and wellbeing directly to
their CAM treatment • In 65% of patient cases, GPs documented a health
improvement, correlating closely to patient-reported improvements • 94% of
patients said they would recommend CAM to another patient with their
condition • 87% of patient indicated a desire to continue with their CAM
treatment
Painkillers and medication
• Half of GPs
reported prescribing less medication and all reported that patients had
indicated to them that they needed less • 62% of patients reported suffering
from less pain • 55% reported using less painkillers following treatment •
Patients using medication reduced from 75% before treatment to 61% after
treatment • 44% of those taking medication before treatment had reduced their
use afterwards
Health service and social benefits
•
24% of patients who used health services prior to treatment (i.e. primary and
secondary care, accident and emergency) reported using the services less after
treatment • 65% of GPs reported seeing the patient less following the CAM
referral • Half of GPs said the scheme had reduced their workload and 17%
reported a financial saving for their practice • Half of GPs said their
patients were using secondary care services less
Despite initial
scepticism, the GPs involved were almost unanimously in favour after seeing
tangible results. In 99% of patient cases GPs said they would refer the patient,
or a different patient, to the scheme again and in 98% of cases GPs said they
would recommend the service to other GPs. However, they also called for more
information to help build their understanding of CAM therapies.
(Source: Department of Health,
Social Services and Public Safety : Evaluation – Complementary and
Alternative Medicines Pilot Project in Northern Ireland, May 2008 (see web-link
above); and circular email from Get Well UK)
Enjoy your week, and live healthily!
Alison
This is the blog of Dr Alison Grimston, a United Kingdom GP and spiritual healer who works with animals and people. Here she offers insights and information on integrating the best of complementary and scientific medicine in human and animal care.
Disclaimer: The content of our website is not a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor relating to any medical condition.
Alzheimer’s is one disease that people dread to be diagnosed with. Who can blame them?
It is one of the most debilitating disease known to man and it affects not only one area or one system but all. Of course, since it is a progressive disease, effects on the various systems of the body does not happen at one time.
As the disease progress, the effects become wide-range.
Alzheimer’s disease is perhaps the best-known disease under Dementia, a disorder that affects the mental processes. It is characterized by the progressive loss of memory that may lead to inattention and an inability to focus at a task, language problems and behavioral changes.
Patients with Alzheimer’s disease for instance may initially find themselves at a loss for words or unable to remember some bits of facts that happened the day before. But as the days progress, they will find themselves starting to forget important things like their addresses, their age and sometimes even their names.
Patients who are in the later stages of Alzheimer’s will start to forget how to do routine things like brushing their teeth, taking a bath or using their utensils. Some may not speak altogether because they will often forget the words that they should be using or saying. Some will also behave differently, brought on by the frustration of not being able to do the things that they used to do. Often, patients at the later stages will become dependents, acting like children who do not know what to do with themselves.
Although there are medicines that can slow down the progress of the disease, especially if discovered early on, there is no solution to the problem. Once it settles into the system, it will be there for life and there is no chance at present of it ever disappearing.
Nutritional supplements may help prevent and slow down Alzheimers by reducing oxidative stress in the brain - a major cause of ageing. High doses of Vitamin E have been shown to reduce the progression of Alzheimers, and results with vitamins C and A & zinc, selenium & rutoid have also been positive. It is important to ensure that any antioxidants are able to cross the blood brain barrier to reach the brain. Coenzyme Q 10 and grapeseed extract are helpful here.
A combination of a potent, broad spectrum, pharmaceutical grade antioxidant complex with chelated minerals is the minimum recommendation for Alzheimers. Optimal prevention can be attained if calcium and magnesium tablets and omega 3 fatty acids are taken as well, with Ginkgo biloba and grapeseed extract being added.
Like medicines, there are activities that according to scientists can slow down the progression. If using respite care, ensure that some of these will be part of the daily or weekly routine. Below are just some of them:
Read
Something as simple as reading the newspaper every day and keeping your mind informed with the latest news is already something that can prevent the disease from settling in. Just make it a point to use your brain. Be an analytical reader and raise questions and do not just absorb the texts and then forget about it. Being an active reader and allowing your imagination free reign will go a long way for exercising the brain. In fact, studies have shown that people who love to read are less likely to be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.
Answer puzzles
Another mental exercise that people with Alzheimer’s do to help slow down the process is to answer puzzles such as word hunts, cross words and even Sudoku. The more that you use your brain, the better will be your prognosis. Answering word games will also make sure that you practice words and increase your vocabulary, making it less likely for you to forget words and language.
Attend classes
Being old does not mean that you cannot learn. Patients with Alzheimer’s should make a point of learning something new. This will exercise their brains. Creative tasks such as arts and crafts is another way to tap into the brain’s resources without tiring them out. Learning a new thing also gives people with Alzheimer’s the sense of purpose that they have lost since they were diagnosed with the disease.
Dr
Alison Grimston is a holistic doctor who works with complementary therapies and
nutritional supplements. She only recommends the best, pharmaceutical grade
nutritional supplements, such as those on www.holisticdoctor.usana.com.
Disclaimer: The content of our website is not a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor relating to any medical condition.
Although I would always recommend a low GI diet for diabetics, it now appears that where diabetics are persisting with high GI foods, whey can help...
Interestingly, the amazing (how does he have time) Dr John Briffa has analysed several studies on low GI and high GI diets - see bottom for more info!
With thanks to USANA Health Sciences for this information:
In type 2 diabetics, whey added to high-GI meals may increase insulin secretion
and improve blood glucose clearance after a meal. This can be of significant
benefit to those with reduced insulin secretion and/or compromised blood glucose
regulation.
Whey improves insulin response in type 2 diabetics
In a study
published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, researchers
evaluated whether supplementation of high-glycemic meals (GI) with whey proteins
would increase insulin secretion and improve blood glucose control in type 2
diabetics.
Subjects with type 2 diabetes were served a high-GI breakfast
and lunch supplemented with whey on one day, and lean ham and lactose on another
day.
When whey was included in the meal, insulin responses were
significantly higher for both breakfast and lunch than when it was not included.
In addition, blood glucose response was significantly reduced after lunch with
the inclusion of whey.
In type 2 diabetics, whey added to high-GI meals
may increase insulin secretion and improve blood glucose clearance after a meal.
This can be of significant benefit to those with reduced insulin secretion
and/or compromised blood glucose regulation.
American
Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 82, No. 1, 69-75, July 2005
Now for Dr John Briffa's info:
Low GI diet outperforms high fibre one in diabetics
Please feel free to let me know what you think - I know it can sometimes seem a minefield for docs & patients alike, the rate of change of scientific research.
Dr
Alison Grimston is a holistic doctor who works with complementary therapies and
nutritional supplements. She only recommends the best, pharmaceutical grade
nutritional supplements, such as those on www.holisticdoctor.usana.com.
Disclaimer: The content of our website is not a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor relating to any medical condition.
Although diets high in fat have been associated with an increase in cancer risk, a recent study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology concluded that a greater intake of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids may be protective against colorectal cancer.
Researchers paired 1,455 men and women diagnosed with colorectal cancer with an equal number of healthy control subjects matched for age, gender and region of residence. Total fatty acid, as well as saturated fatty acid, monounsaturated fatty acid, omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid, trans-fatty acid, and trans-monounsaturated fatty acid intake were determined. Intake levels of individual fatty acids, such as eicosapentanoic acid (EPA) and docosahexanoic acid (DHA), were also calculated. Greater intake of omega-3 fatty acids, EPA, and DHA were dose-dependently associated with reduced colorectal cancer risk. Compared to those with the lowest intake, participants whose omega-3 intake was in the highest group experienced a 37 percent lower risk of colorectal cancer. Subjects with intakes of EPA and DHA in the top fourth had a reduced risk of 41 and 37 percent, respectively. The authors concluded that the observed effects of different types of fatty acids illustrates the importance of the type of fat in the origins and prevention of colorectal cancer.
Source: American Journal of Epidemiology 2007 166(2):181-195
This is the blog of Dr Alison Grimston, a United Kingdom GP and
spiritual healer who works with animals and people. Here she offers
insights and information on integrating the best of complementary and
scientific medicine in human and animal care.
Disclaimer:
The content of our website is not a substitute for professional medical
advice or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor relating to
any medical condition.
Today I thought I would write a little about heart disease, and how you can help prevent it or stop it from worsening.
What is heart disease?
The term "heart disease", refers to several possible conditions that can affect your heart or blood vessels in your heart. There are various types of heart disease including coronary artery disease (CAD), heart failure, heart arrhythmias, and cardiac valvular disease.
Are women at risk for heart disease too?
Yes, women and men develop heart disease especially as they age. The older a woman gets, the more likely she is to have risk factors for heart disease including high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, high homocysteine levels, obesity, and an inactive lifestyle. There seems to be a cardioprotective effect of the menstrual cycle that rapidly disappears once women pass the menopause, when their previously lower risk of heart disease starts to catch up with that of men.
How can I reduce my risks for heart disease?
You can reduce your risk for heart disease by monitoring your blood pressure and your blood cholesterol, and taking high dose, pharmaceutical grade nutritional supplements including Coenzyme Q 10. Also, follow the advice of your doctor should you develop high blood pressure or high blood cholesterol. You can avoid smoking and avoid second-hand cigarette smoke, watch your diet to stay heart healthy, and be physically active everyday. If you have high blood pressure or a family history, get tested yearly for diabetes, because this puts you at even greater risk for heart disease.
It is also important to maintain a healthy weight for your height because being overweight is a risk factor for heart disease. Limit the amount of alcohol you drink to one drink for females and three drinks for males per day. You can also reduce your risk for heart disease by finding ways to reduce the stress in your life, or to successfully cope with stress that can't be avoided. I have found meditation and yoga to be particularly good here.
Ensure that you take regular exercise. This is fundamental in reducing your risk of heart disease, and in increasing your health and well-being generally. Look at your weekly schedule, and try to see where you can add in more exercise. Choose a form of exercise that you love – it could be team sports, tennis, use of the gym, or walking or jogging. I use several forms of exercise myself – horse-riding, jogging, walking, dance, yoga, and cycling. This variety is great for me!
Why are my blood cholesterol numbers so important?
We all have cholesterol in our bodies. It is important in making cell membranes and nerve fibres. We have cholesterol from two sources: our bodies manufacture it and we consume some cholesterol in the foods we eat. Traditionally it has been felt important to know what the level of LDL cholesterol is in our blood because this is the cholesterol that can build up in the walls of the arteries in our bodies.
However, these problems only occur if the LDL cholesterol is oxidised in the body, causing it to stick to the vessel walls and create blockages. It appears that homocysteine levels are a good marker of the amount of oxidation occurring in the vessels, although it is rarely measured by doctors. The amount of oxidation and homocysteine levels can be reduced by taking a well-balanced, high dose nutritional supplement containing anti-oxidant vitamins and mineral cofactors that help them to work.
Any build up of plaque can block the flow of blood in the arteries. When blockage occurs in the arteries leading to our heart we can suffer a heart attack. We need to know the number of HDL (good) blood cholesterol because higher levels of HDL seem to be related to a better prognosis and lower heart disease.
So, the higher the HDL blood cholesterol number the healthier our heart is and the lower the LDL blood cholesterol number is the healthier our heart is.
If you wish to find out more about nutritional supplementation and the high dose, pharmaceutical-grade nutritional supplements that I use, go to www.holisticdoctor.usana.com.
This is the blog of Dr Alison Grimston, a United Kingdom GP and
spiritual healer who works with animals and people. Here she offers
insights and information on integrating the best of complementary and
scientific medicine in human and animal care.
Disclaimer:
The content of our website is not a substitute for professional medical
advice or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor relating to
any medical condition.
This is the blog of Dr Alison Grimston, a United Kingdom GP and spiritual healer who works with animals and people. Here she offers insights and information on integrating the best of complementary and scientific medicine in human and animal care.
Disclaimer:
The content of our website is not a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor relating to any medical condition.
I was interested in news published on the website for the Princes Foundation for Integrated Health - Buteyko breathing, developed in Russia in the 1950s and since spread internationally, especially to Australia and New Zealand, has at last been recognised by the British Thoracic Society in their recently republished asthma guidelines.
The breathing method has been shown to help in the management of asthma, and I remember a dearly loved patient of mine who died 2 years ago who endorsed it. He even leant me a book on the subject, bless him!
Many of us recognise the benefits of swimming on asthma, as long as the asthma is not too severe. Swimming, and singing also, seems to help asthma by teaching people to hold their breath and control their breathing. There is now trial evidence that the Buteyko technique also helps.
This is the blog of Dr Alison Grimston, a United Kingdom GP and spiritual healer who works with animals and people. Here she offers insights and information on integrating the best of complementary and scientific medicine in human and animal care.
Disclaimer:
The content of our website is not a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor relating to any medical condition.
While being aware of the Law of Attraction more than your average Doc, I do find it difficult to think positive thoughts about the current Government and its approach to General Practice.
I’ll keep this post brief, as I feel we should be trying to focus on the positive.
Just before Christmas the Government announced that it was going to trash months of careful negotiations between our representatives and the NHS employers, in favour of enforced extended hours.
We were given an opportunity to vote between 2 bad deals in the spring – either accept extended hours or have it forced on us with any pay gain being awarded to the PCT rather than us.
Now the crunch has happened.
I work 40 hours a week as a part time GP – I have a portfolio week, working for the urogynaecology clinic at Eastbourne Hospital on Wednesday afternoons, at the practice on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Friday mornings, one 6 hour shift per week for the out of hours service (giving telephone advice, seeing patients at the out of hours base, and visiting the house bound elderly). I remain available for a further standby shift per week, which may be 14 to 19 hrs, and I have to attend meetings and read around the subject to keep up to date – a further 4-6 hours per week.
You can imagine the hours of my full time colleagues, working at least 4.5 11 hour days per week plus some out of hours and the reading/ continuing medical education.
Yet the Government, in its wisdom, feels that it can impose an additional shift per week on us. My full-time colleagues are having to add 1x 1hr shift per week (7-8 in the morning) or 1x 1.5 hr shift for 3 out of 4 weeks (6:30-8pm) to accommodate the minority of commuters who don’t want to take time off work to attend the GP. I am having to add pro – rata.
Although 80% of our patients are happy with our current opening times, the Government thinks it can win votes by saying that it has made GPs extend their hours.
How safe am I when I have been in from 8am, making tough clinical decisions at 8pm? On a regular basis? And will our children know us at the end of the day?
If I was a single parent, rather than married with the most amazing husband, how could 7-8am fit in with getting the kids ready for school and on the bus? How could even more evenings be good for us?
From the patients’ point of view, our most complex and needy patients are the elderly people who make up the vast majority of our consultations. They have complicated needs, multiple medical problems, and are on many drugs (as current medical evidence indicates that these help prevent a recurrence of their stroke or heart attack, and progression of their diabetes and complications). For them it is not just preferable for them to see a doctor who knows them well, it is really important to prevent things from being missed. It is here that the continuity of care of a personal doctor makes all the difference. Otherwise, a drug started this week may be changed next. Or ad rug that they had side effects from last year may be restarted, despite it being written clearly in the allergies section of the notes. These people would rather see their GP during the day than come out in the evening, when they feel more vulnerable.
On a social level, I do not feel that it is right for the employers attitude that work is more important than health to be reinforced.
But here is the inexorable march onwards to the downfall of the NHS and particularly primary care.
When locums come in, do a dreadful job, charge £525 per day (more than us), leaving us to pick up the pieces, phone the patients that didn’t understand what they were saying, and add the computer codes that they did not put in but that the Government demands for our business to get paid properly…..
When the Government claims that we have been given the option of extended hours (well, it was an option, and many sensible practices said no & took the accompanying £26,000 pay cut to their businesses)……
When Darzi suggests polyclinics according to local need, but the Government imposes them for each PCT whether appropriate to the local population or not…..
Where will general practice be in 5 years time?
Where will the best GPs be working then?
Oh dear, I said it would be brief didn’t I! Just wanted to say SOMETHING!
I love you all, I have the most wonderful patients in Hailsham by the way!
This is the blog of Dr Alison Grimston, a United Kingdom GP and spiritual healer who works with animals and people. Here she offers insights and information on integrating the best of complementary and scientific medicine in human and animal care.
Disclaimer:
The content of our website is not a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor relating to any medical condition.
"Thank you so much for ALL the help you gave us regarding his head, chest and eye problems..... I did find our journey with you so interesting, what a refreshing and informative doctor you are!" Best Wishes, D & J S, 2007
"Thank you very much for seeing me yesterday and for the advice and information you gave me in response to my quesions."
Yours sincerely, JH
"Thank you very much for all you have done for us, we are both very grateful." EK, 2007
"I would just like to say thank you for all the years you have been looking after me, with all my problems."
Sincerely, CR, 2007
"We would BOTH like to thank you so much for all your help and advice and at all times your efficient and expert medical care. Right from the time that we first met you..., you have shown us kindness and understanding."
P & M W, 2007
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