Category Archive

It is possible to die well and it is possible to die badly. Having been close to two of each kind of death, it became clear to me that what distinguishes dying well from dying badly is the effect on … Read More

Recently I wrote an item for this page on little-known ­ Klinefelter syndrome (KS) and it created quite a bit of interest, so I thought I’d give you more detail. KS is a genetic condition caused by a random error when a … Read More

Here’s a problem. All pregnant women are offered the flu jab but less than half take up the offer. Why? Are mums-to-be worried the jab may harm their ­unborn baby? Well, a new study should reassure the doubters. The benefits of vaccination … Read More

Artificial sweeteners have been fooling us. We thought they were better for us than sugar but new research says they’re just as bad, possibly even worse. This shocking news emerged from a study of more than 450,000 middle-aged people started … Read More

First, some good news – I firmly believe that our later years are the best years. The truth is, you can have the time of your life when you reach your 60s and 70s. Work, mortgage and worries about bringing … Read More

Years ago I used to struggle to carry the shopping from the supermarket, grumbling with every step, muttering I was nothing more than a beast of burden. Little did I know that every step was doing me good. At least … Read More

Left-handedness runs in our ­family. Way back when I had my children, left-handedness ­carried a stigma. Children were encouraged to “change hands”. Some were even forced to write right-handed. I’ve always felt the opposite. I treasure left-handedness as special. Recently researchers have … Read More

Here’s a puzzle. Bowel cancer, usually a disease of advancing age, is occurring in younger and younger people. Why should this be? Cases are rising among adults under 50 in nearly all countries studied. The exception is Japan. It has … Read More

Yoga is a discipline I’ve long been a fan of, and I practise sun salutations several times a week. I know it does me good and now I have to add another benefit – it could be a life saver … Read More

These days I’d have thought being stressed is a condition of any pregnancy. New research, however, shows women who become stressed during pregnancy are at greater risk of having children with a personality disorder. That makes me wonder how many … Read More