Healthwise 92    November 2007

Healthwise is a regular column written especially for laterlife.com members and visitors by Helen Franks, journalist and author. Welcome to healthwise 92.  

For previous articles in the healthwise series visit 'more healthwise'   

 

Exercise glow ‘protects your knees’

Of all our joints, knees can seem the most vulnerable to ageing. But if you’re concerned about aching knees, the worst response is to stop exercising them, according to new research.

It’s the tibial cartilage (the connective tissue in between the shin bone and the knee joint) that protects from osteoarthritis of the knee. And the best way to increase tibial cartilage is to exercise sufficiently hard to break out in a sweat at least once a week, researchers from Melbourne, Australia report in the October issue of Arthritis Care& Research.

‘Both intensity and duration of physical activity are clearly important and our data suggest that 20 minutes of activity to result in sweating or shortness of breath at least once a week is the minimum that is needed,’ says lead researcher, Dr Tina Racunica.

 

Juggling time and money makes you stressed

It’s Stress Awareness Day on November 7th – and the signs are that over-50s are just as much in need of advice on stress-busting techniques as their children are. One in four women over 50 feel stressed or worried most days and blame the pressure of juggling too many responsibilities, even after they have given up work, according to one recent study.

Around one in three women and one in four men spend time caring for grandchildren, parents and grown-up children every week and one in three retired people say they don’t have enough time to get everything done. A second study has found that it’s lack of money rather than lack of time that explains our stressed out lives today. Nearly one in two believe that a win on the lottery would be the best way to learn to relax and stop worrying.

 

Getting round NICE

The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) has caused consternation with its ruling that restricts the medication that GPs can prescribe for osteoporosis to a single drug. It’s perhaps no surprise that it’s the cheapest available, known as Alendronate – which has proved unsuitable for one in four patients. More than seven out of ten osteoporosis specialists says post-menopausal women will be at greater risk of hip and other joint fractures as a result of the NICE ruling.

And there’s particular concern that NICE’s intervention will prevent women from getting the benefit of the newly launched once-yearly medication Aclasta.

 ‘Patients who take daily tablets are required to follow such a strict dosing regime that many fail to keep taking their medicine,’ says Richard Eastell, Professor of Bone Metabolism at Sheffield University. ‘Aclasta is a very effective drug in reducing hip fractures and because the treatment is once a year, it will make it a much simpler therapeutic programme.’ It’s worth bearing in mind that GPs are entitled to prescribe other osteoporosis drugs if Alendronate doesn’t work for their patient – and well worth reminding them of that entitlement.

 

Spotting symptoms

Wear a spotty blouse or tie on Friday November 23rd for the good of your health. The day has been claimed as Dress Spotty Day by Lynn’s Bowel Cancer Campaign to remind people to look out for the symptoms of bowel cancer. The TV presenter Lynn Faulds Wood set up the LBCC as a former sufferer – she devotes most of her working life now to raising awareness to what is now the second biggest cancer killer in the UK. ‘Getting people to be aware of dangerous symptoms is so important’, she says. Bleeding from the bowel and changes in bowel habits are the most commons signs that something is wrong. But millions of us suffer these symptoms every day.

Get to know which are important and how to test them to see if serious before going to your GP - ring our 24-hour recorded symptoms hotline - 0870 24 24 870 or get our Step by Step guide, free from Lynn’s Bowel Cancer Campaign, 5 St George’s Rd, Twickenham, TW1 1QS.

 

What does it mean?

A floater
What is it?
A floater is a tiny bit of membrane that floats in the jelly in the back part of the eye. They tend to be more common in shortsighted people and are more visible in bright sunshine.

Is it dangerous?
Normally entirely harmless. A sudden shower of floaters, however, can indicate that a blood vessel inside your eye has burst or that the retina has become torn. This is more likely if you can also see flashing lights or if a persistent floater makes you feel you are looking through dirty water.

What to do?
Seek urgent medical attention if you get any of these symptoms.

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Double vision
What is it?
You can have double vision in one or both eyes. If you have it in one eye (monocular) you will still see double when the other eye is closed and is usually the sign of a cataract. Binocular double vision disappears when one eye is closed.

Is it dangerous?
Binocular double vision can indicate a medical problem which will need to be diagnosed and treated if appropriate.

What to do?
Your optometrist will advise whether to see your GP. Diagnosis and treatment of the underlying medical condition causing the double vision may be necessary.

*********************

Dry eyes
What is it?
A feeling of discomfort in the eyeball as a result of an inadequate quality or supply of tears

Is it dangerous?
No. It’s often a sign of ageing and can be a symptom of the menopause. It may also be a side effect of medication such as eye drops that are used to treat other eye conditions. A smoky atmosphere or central heating can also dry out the eyes.

What to do?
As with any eye problem, it is important to find the cause before getting treatment. See an optometrist to find out what is the problem in your case. Artificial tears purchased over the counter at the pharmacy may be all that’s needed.


********************

Puffy red eyes
What is it?
This may be conjunctivitis, an inflammation of the membrane that covers the white of the eye and the inside of the eyelid

Is it dangerous?
If it’s itchy but not painful, then it’s probably hay fever. If you have any pain in your eye or if your vision is affected you should see your optometrist as soon as possible as this may be caused by something more serious such as glaucoma or iritis.

What to do?
Only use eye drops if you are certain that its hay fever. Otherwise see your optometrist.


 

If in any doubt about any of the information covered in healthwise articles and it's relevance for you, consult your GP.

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