Category Archive

Each Christmas the BMJ ­publishes what it calls the BMJ Christmas papers. The reports are never that serious, though all are based on meticulous research and they invariably make me smile. The authors are smart, witty and dedicated. I thought … Read More

Atrial fibrillation, once a rarity, is now quite common with approximately 6,000 cases being seen a year in the UK. It can be successfully treated with drugs, however, ablation therapy, ­is now seen as a procedure for patients whose atrial … Read More

There’s not a good thing to say about sugar. The list of the problems it causes gets longer and longer. Now you can add ­inflammation of the bowel to that list. Short-term increases in sugar consumption, such as binges of … Read More

There’s been a long debate about possible side effects of statins – the cholesterol-lowering drugs taken by around eight million UK adults to prevent heart ­attacks and strokes. The latest charge was they damage people’s memory. But now a six-year study of … Read More

The emergence of Extinction Rebellion has meant we’re all becoming familiar with the ­fallout climate change has in store for us. But were you aware that global warming will come to define the health of a whole generation? If the … Read More

 few years ago I was attached to a programme in India which was aimed at curbing childhood obesity. There were many approaches but one of the most successful was helping the mothers of families to cook more healthily. This approach … Read More

Could you ever see yourself swapping real meat for fake meat? Well pretty soon you could find yourself doing just that because it’s become a global trend. Greggs launching a vegan Quorn sausage roll last year was just the beginning. For me, … Read More

I’ve often wondered, if alternative medicines, including homeopathic remedies, only work at placebo level – they do you good if you believe they will – are they justified just for their placebo effect? The placebo effect will make one in … Read More

Homeopathy may be based on eccentric principles and be ineffective according to ­medical standards – but there are many people who believe in it. It doesn’t seem to bother them that no homeopathic remedy has ever been shown to have … Read More

Should we think of obesity as a disease? Even though many people say it’s self-inflicted, the World Health Organisation has considered it a disease since 1936. And the outcomes of obesity, such as type 2 diabetes, liver disease, cancer, ­arthritis, … Read More