Yes, we all know exercise is good for you but exactly to what degree? The answer is it’s crazily good. We already know physical inactivity increases the risk of many diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and some … Read More
How deep breathing helps you relax, sleep and stops you being anxious
Slow, deep breathing helps you relax. It gets you off to sleep. And it quells feelings of anxiety. But why should such a simple thing be so calming? Whenever I’ve written or talked about this subject the explanation I’ve given … Read More
Could social media be behind the drop in teenage pregnancies?
I remember when the UK had the highest rate of teenage pregnancy in Europe and we were wringing our hands because all attempts to lower it failed. Now we find the number has halved in the past eight years. Among … Read More
Times have changed – kids now prefer being at school to the holidays
As a child I couldn’t wait for the school holidays and the freedom from lessons and discipline. They never felt too long and were often cruelly short. Turns out it’s not at all the same for our present generation of … Read More
Dangerous, unproven treatments are putting lives at risk – here’s what to look out for
Bad medicine, dishonest medicine enrages me. Very often it’s dangerous. Very often it’s expensive. Very often it’s unproven. And very often it’s preying on the insecurities of parents who want to do the best for their children. How some doctors … Read More
Ovarian and bowel cancer ‘can be prevented’ by taking contraceptive combined pill
As someone who was involved in the early research on the pill, I got used to study after study announcing side effects and dangers, some true, some not so true. First it was a boon, then a curse. But now … Read More
It looks like the NHS as we know it won’t last much longer
Years ago, I did a TV programme on “qualys” – a way of measuring how much difference a treatment made to your quality of life versus its cost. The idea of qualys was thought up by an economist with the … Read More
How pessimists can learn to live longer
I’ve written many times that optimists live longer than pessimists. But what if you’re not a natural optimist – can you learn optimism? Well you can if you believe in the work of Dr Barbara Fredrickson, psychologist at the University … Read More
Your sense of smell could be the key to helping you live longer
Well now. Your chance of dying could depend on your sense of smell. Big claim. How do we know? Scientists from Stockholm University have followed more than 1,700 Swedes, aged between 40 and 90, for 10 years. At the beginning … Read More
There’s hope for menopausal women who want kids
Recently I wrote about PRP (platelet enriched plasma) being used in an experimental way to improve sexual arousal when injected vaginally (as yet unproven). It’s usually used for wound healing. Now another experimental use of PRP has hit the news … Read More