Category Archive

Are you a meat and two veg ­person? Is the burger a staple of your diet? Well, if you are, how would you respond to having to pay a meat tax? If a recent study is anything to go by … Read More

Around 2.4 billion people globally drink alcohol, a drug which alters perception and ­depresses brain function – and now we know the only safe level of consumption is zero. Its health risks include a range of cancers, and any possible … Read More

Putting nursery-age children ­together with elderly people in care homes began a few years ago. And, slowly, health trusts and care workers are realising the huge benefits of doing so – particularly within social care for the elderly. Now the … Read More

The latest stats on childhood obesity make frightening ­reading. A record number of 11 year olds are now classed as severely obese. Not just fat or obese, but severely obese. About 24,000 children are in this category. They face the likelihood … Read More

Ever since I can remember, the separation of female patients from male patients on hospital wards has been written in ­tablets of stone. No encroachment of one gender into hospital territory of the other has been tolerated. Well, with people lying … Read More

The need for pregnant women to take folic acid, the B vitamin that ensures proper brain and spinal development, is crucial. Without it, babies are prone to spina bifida that affects the lower spine and nerves to the legs, and hydrocephalus, which … Read More

Now here’s a stat that’s food for thought. By 2050 there’ll be as many adults aged 65 plus as there are children under 18. This means there are going to be more and more people with dementia, and experts are … Read More

When I was at medical school there was a particularly clever female student. She could beat everyone at ­everything. The rumour was her ­exceptional brightness was due to her having gone to nursery very young. At the time I doubted … Read More

We know simply losing weight can reverse Type 2 diabetes. But until now no one thought when you start losing weight was crucial. Now we know the earlier you lose weight, the better. Experts are saying you should shed pounds … Read More

Half of women will develop dementia, Parkinson’s or have a stroke in their lifetime, whereas only a third of men will be affected in the same way. But why is this? Dutch scientists say preventive measures could substantially reduce the … Read More