Most deaths from Covid have been in people who have one or more chronic diseases. And most experts believe the likes of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, some cancers, autoimmune diseases and dementia have much in common – a big one being … Read More
Could early babies carry on growing in artificial wombs?
There’s some wonderful research going on to help prem babies right now. One of the gravest risks for extremely early babies is undeveloped lungs that are too fragile to handle even the gentlest ventilation techniques. “If a baby’s lungs are … Read More
Learn skincare basics to help baby eczema for a better night’s sleep
A short time ago I had a letter from a worried grandmother whose granddaughter’s baby eczema wasn’t getting better. I thought I’d devote more space to allaying her concern because baby eczema (atopic dermatitis) can be quite upsetting for parents … Read More
Older drivers should face a competence test for everyone’s safety
You may have seen me recently on Good Morning Britain, debating with the irrepressible Johnny Ball about whether the over-70s should have to retake driving tests. I must pin my colours to the mast – I’m keen on repeat driving … Read More
If your dog is diabetic it’s more likely that you have the disease too
How much do you love your dog? Are the two of you really close? Really really close? So close you share a disease? Well, a new study has revealed a shared risk of diabetes between dog owners and their pets. Swedish researchers … Read More
Having had Covid could boost benefits of the vaccine, startling study shows
Now here’s an interesting one. Could having an infection with coronavirus make your vaccination more powerful, as a study suggests? Well, I wouldn’t be surprised. I know when I had my first jab I still had antibodies resulting from my Covid infection … Read More
The dangers of ruling out older women for cervical cancer testing
Classical medical teaching is that cervical cancer is a condition affecting primarily “young women”. That is, women under the age of 50. As a consequence, cervical screening with the smear test stops abruptly at age 65. This always struck me … Read More
Exercise is an important old fashioned remedy which is still important today
Over the years a lot of medical treatments have been abandoned as new ones are discovered and take their place. But one treatment from the First World War persists to this day. It’s the use of exercise not only to … Read More
Risk of testing positive for Covid less likely among parents of young children
Nearly a year ago I came across research from New Zealand showing children didn’t infect their teachers with Covid-19. And now, Scottish research shows they not only don’t pass Covid on to their parents, they protect them from it. The study … Read More
Pregnant women now being offered Covid vaccine – but why were they ever excluded?
There’s a lot of confusion about the Covid vaccine and whether it’s safe for pregnant and breastfeeding women and their babies. Mums-to-be have written to me, asking why they were not given it from the start of the rollout if it is … Read More