One by one, the long-term effects of Covid are revealing themselves. Some of them are physical, like a distorted sense of smell, and some are mental, such as being unable to concentrate. One of the more serious may affect our … Read More
It is vital to know the psychiatric symptoms of dementia – including anxiety
Anyone who knows someone with dementia understands that the most distressing aspects of the condition are the psychiatric symptoms such as depression, anxiety and agitation. A review published in 2015 revealed up to 90% of patients with dementia living at … Read More
Women have been overlooked in our hunt for the ultimate hangover cure
Waking up after a heavy night, feeling at death’s door and wondering how you’ll get through the day, is never fun. And it’s tempting to try any weird and wonderful concoction that promises to ease your hangover. But you might … Read More
We should do anything to stop people smoking – including e-cig licences
When I was a feisty junior doctor I considered not treating patients who were smokers. I reckoned I couldn’t help them anywhere near as much as they could help themselves by quitting. I didn’t of course, but I firmly believe … Read More
Sexual violence can affect women’s health for life and lead to serious illness
Sexual violence against women is bad enough, but who would have thought it’s a cause of long-term illness? So while women may survive the experience of sexual violence, the ongoing effects may emerge later in the form of illnesses like … Read More
Clever mini stomachs grown in a dish are used by scientists to study Covid
This is mind-boggling research. A lab-grown model of the human stomach that can be used to study how infections affect the gastrointestinal system has been developed by a UK-led team of international scientists. Great Ormond Street Hospital and a veterinary institute … Read More
People are reluctant to discuss embarrassing body complaints so diagnosis is delayed
One of my friends, who’s also in her eighties, has an embarrassing problem that is causing her real distress. She suffers from excruciating rectal pain after going to the toilet properly – so severe she fears she’s got cancer. I … Read More
The dangers of drinking during pregnancy need to be taken more seriously
When it comes to the subject of Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) I must admit I’m not objective. It’s because I’ve seen the awful toll drinking alcohol has on an unborn baby. FASD is a condition caused by exposure to alcohol before birth. … Read More
Artificial intelligence may find aggressive breast cancer cases tests fail to spot
A particularly aggressive form of breast cancer, known as HER2-low, is thought to be present in about half the 55,000 new cases of the disease that emerge in the UK each year. This is a sub-category of breast cancer that isn’t … Read More
The Queen might only have mild symptoms, but treat Ma’am like Mum
Our dearly beloved Queen has mild symptoms but is still game for “light duties”. Is there no end to this wonderful woman’s sense of duty? She puts us all to shame. Along with the whole nation, I wish her a speedy recovery. … Read More