Edinburgh Homeopathy – which offers free homeopathic care to people who would otherwise be unable to access it – is returning to face-to-face consultations after Covid forced the clinic to move online.
Edinburgh Homeopathy is open to patients in Edinburgh and the surrounding areas two Fridays per month 10am-1pm and one Friday a month 1.30-4.30pm at Mulberry House, 21 Manor Place, Edinburgh EH3 7DX. Appointments and first prescriptions are free of charge.
The clinic is headed up by experienced NHS nurse and homeopath Karen Hooten RSCN BSc (Hons) FFHom (Nurse). Karen qualified as a children’s nurse in 1989 and in 2002 became one of the first national midwifery council registered nurses to qualify as a Specialist Nurse practitioner in homeopathy.
Karen says: “People seem to be increasingly disillusioned with modern medicine and homeopathy offers a real alternative. I have been using it in my clinical practice for more than twenty years and it’s proved to be effective for a wide range of acute and chronic conditions.”
Homeopathy is a natural form of complementary medicine which looks at the whole person rather than just symptoms. It can be used alone or in conjunction with conventional medicine.
Edinburgh Homeopathy – which is funded by charity Homeopathy UK – is part of a network of nine charitable clinics across the UK, including a further three in Scotland. The other clinics are in Coatbridge, Dumfries & Galloway, Scottish Borders, Winchester, Liverpool, Kent, Norwich and a new Virtual Clinic. To make a booking, visit www.homeopathy-uk.org.
Heart Research UK Healthy Heart Tip, written by the Health Promotion and Education Team at Heart Research UK
Healthy Heart Tip: Staying Hydrated This Summer
Staying hydrated is important for keeping your heart and circulatory system healthy. Thirst often feels similar to hunger, so drinking plenty of fluid can prevent over-eating and weight-gain. We have some tips to help you stay hydrated:
Am I dehydrated?
Symptoms of dehydration include headaches, tiredness, irritability and difficulty concentrating. If your urine is pale and clear then you are hydrated. If your urine is more yellow, brown or dark in colour with a strong smell, you are probably not drinking enough.
How much should I drink?
Aim to drink six to eight cups or glasses of fluid every day. You may need to drink more during hot weather, or if you are doing a lot of physical activity.
What should I drink?
Water is best, but if you don’t like water, you could try herbal teas or sugar-free squash. Coffee and tea also count, but try to cut out any added sugar.
You can get water from fruit and vegetables, such as cucumber, watermelon, tomatoes, oranges and apples. Avoid drinking too much alcohol as it causes you to urinate more, which can lead to dehydration.
The charity’s analysis of Police Scotland crime data found that online child sexual abuse offences had more than doubled over the last decade.
The data shows 1,298 Indecent Image offences and crimes of Communicating Indecently with a Child were logged in the year to March– up from 543 just ten years ago.
The NSPCC said the growth in crimes and the scale of abuse taking place against children should serve as a wake-up call for the next UK Prime Minister to make the Online Safety Bill a national priority.
The charity said it underlines the urgent need for Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak to commit to passing the legislation in full and without delay.
The NSPCC first secured the commitment to regulate social media four years ago in a bid to combat the inaction of Silicon Valley to abuse taking place against children on their platforms.
The legislation would put a duty of care on companies for their users and mean they would have to put measures in place to prevent and disrupt child abuse on their sites and protect children from harm.
“Being groomed has had a horrific impact on my life and I want no other young person to endure that. I know this delay to the Online Safety Bill will see more young people like me experience harm when it could have been prevented, and that is devastating.”
The NSPCC has written to both Conservative leadership candidates saying, ‘delay or watering down of the Bill will come at considerable cost to children and families. It would represent the reversal of an important manifesto commitment that commands strong levels of public support’.
As summer of sport takes hold, Dr Shree and INTIMINA tackle your unanswered questions about exercising on your period
Recent headlines surrounding menstruation and Wimbledon have brought the conversation around sport and exercise whilst on your period back to the forefront. Whilst there is evidence to suggest that getting active whilst on your period can be beneficial, the thought may be daunting for some. Luckily, intimate wellness brand, INTIMINA, are experts on the subject and on hand to share helpful advice.
So if watching the Women’s Euros has inspired you to get active, these tips from INTIMINA’s gynaecologist and healthcare advisor, Dr Shree Datta, will tell you everything you need to know about exercising on your period.
Should I exercise on my period?
Exercising whilst on your period is a matter of personal preference, and my main advice would be to listen to your body and what you feel up to. That said, there have been studies that suggest exercise may improve your mood and help with pain during periods, possibly due to the release of endorphins. So if you want to continue exercising or feel inspired to take up a new sport, don’t let your period stop you.
Can tracking your cycle be beneficial to sports performance?
The menstrual cycle has four key phases, which are marked by rising and falling levels of hormones such as oestrogen and progesterone. These hormones can affect our dietary needs, cravings, emotions as well as our response to different types of exercise. So, in short, yes, being in tune with your cycle and how you feel at each point of it can help you understand how your body will react.
It also can help to track your own sleeping, eating and exercise habits to take a personalised approach to your exercise programme and performance. Remember, your sleep is more likely to be affected in the days leading up to your period if you suffer from premenstrual symptoms and period pains – and fatigue can impact on your performance. Similarly, heavy periods may leave you feeling tired and “washed out” so it’s worth consulting your Gynaecologist if you find this is happening every month.
What should I wear if I’m exercising on my period?
There is no doubt that wearing comfortable clothes, underwear and shoes whilst exercising influences our concentration and mood, thereby affecting our performance. Knowing your period cycle and moods can help you plan which exercise is best for you on your period, along with what is most appropriate for you to wear. There’s no one size fits all (excuse the pun!) here, so it’s about figuring out what works best for you. Some women find looser clothing more comfortable in the first few days of their period, along with low intensity exercise.
Although period blood is a normal part of our monthly cycle, if you’re worried about period blood leaking through, you may want to consider loose clothing or dark colours as well as “doubling ” up on period products – for example, using a menstrual cup as well as period pants or sanitary towel. Why not try INTIMINA’s Ziggy Cup 2, made of petal thin silicone meaning it can’t be felt, making it perfect for sport and exercise.
Bear in mind that if you are regularly “flooding” or leaking blood through your clothes it’s worth speaking to your Gynaecologist as this may be a sign that you are losing a lot of blood during your period. This can be caused by several factors – for example, fibroids or polyps which can develop in the womb
What foods are best to eat to fuel me whilst on my period?
Studies suggest that diet and exercise performance may be most affected in the days leading up to and during your period. This is partly thought to be caused by the hormones we release in the second half of our menstrual cycle. Some research has shown that our total protein intake also increases in the second half of the cycle, along with an increase in appetite and cravings for sweet or salty flavour as a result of these hormonal changes.
Whilst every person’s dietary needs vary, a balanced diet with plenty of fibre, protein and iron throughout the menstrual cycle are key as well as staying well hydrated.
Bear in mind that long periods of dieting can have a knock-on effect on your hormone release and can therefore affect the length of your period as well as the frequency – but don’t forget that this isn’t the only factor that can affect your period, for example stress and a hectic lifestyle.
Tracking the impact of your menstrual cycle can help you consider what foods suit you best in the first and second half of the cycle, when to undertake strenuous exercise and how your moods may be affected depending on where you are in your menstrual cycle.
Danela Žagar, Spokesperson for INTIMINA, commented: “We know that people may have concerns around playing sport of exercising on their period, so we’re happy to have Dr Shree Datta on hand to share advice on how to stay active in a way that works for you.”
For more information on staying active whilst on your period, visit:
With COVID restrictions easing, a care home in Giffnock has opened its very own pub, bringing joy to the residents and the staff.
The team at Eastwood Court Care Home, on the outskirts of Glasgow, worked with an occupational therapist to look at ways of improving residents’ quality of life and provide a sense of purpose for those living in the facility.
The ‘Staying Inn’ pub opened in April and the bar has proven to be a huge success, with residents enjoying the odd sweet sherry, a quick half or even just some sparking water, improving both the mental and physical health of the bar’s patrons along the way.
Fiona Gibson, Care Home Liaison Occupational Therapist at East Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership, said that since working with the home to increase resident engagement, they have been able to reduce patients’ medication, stress and distress in residents with dementia and increase their food and fluid intake.
She said: “The opening day was brilliant and one of the staff said it was the best day they had experienced since COVID and lockdown. Residents can put their nice clothes on, have a drink, enjoy a pub quiz and during things like the Euros or the Platinum Jubilee, we had the bunting up.
“More than that, when loved ones come to visit, they can visit a place that has some meaning for residents and not just be in a room with a bed.
“They can choose if they want a beer, or a wee sherry or some chips and pub grub. Living life to the fullest doesn’t end because you’re in a care home and what we know is that when we can provide an occupation focused service for people, the overall mental health and wellbeing outcomes for residents improve. Everything that occupies your time is so important to your continued wellbeing and prevention of mental and physical health decline.”
Fiona worked with the Elizabeth Casson Trust to secure a grant to establish the bar, with donations from local businesses helping to kit it out, creating a purposeful space that residents value and enjoy.
Eastwood Court’s Activity Co-ordinator, Catherine McAllister, said: “We have regular pub quizzes, domino and musical afternoons, as well as the odd darts tournament. We’ve made mocktails and held a “forget-me-not” fundraiser in aid of the Alzheimer’s Society.
Catherine and activity co-ordinator colleagues, Lesley Brown and Jennifer Duffy, worked hard to bring the bar to life.
She added: “We have a TV in our bar which allows residents to an alternative programme to our lounge, offering choice. The Staying Inn provides a relaxing and calm environment for our residents.
It’s a perfect environment for everyone, with a wide choice of drinks to choose from our dementia friendly menu, which are served with snacks. Our residents are really enjoying our new pub and we hope they will continue to do so.”
Fiona also paid tribute to the care home staff. She added: “The team have brought the Staying Inn to life, working really hard to turn it into a reality and with our guidance and support, it really is a place that brings joy to everyone who uses it.”
The bar brings additional health benefits, combatting loneliness and isolation and, in some cases, bringing a renewed sense of purpose.
Emma Walker, Lead Occupational Therapist for Mental Health and Recovery Services in East Renfrewhire added: “It’s about improving quality of life and making sure people are functioning and engaging at their best.
“When you are in a care home, people’s functions can deteriorate quite quickly because other people are doing things for them, which can mean people lose all sense of purpose. That can lead to an increase in stress and distress and it can become a vicious cycle where physical and mental health decline.
“We’re trying to reverse some of that through tailored, holistic interventions to help people to reach their potential, even if that’s just basic things like getting their own shoes on to go to our wee pub.
“One resident was telling me about what she liked when going to the pub and her favourite tipple was a wee Babycham mixed with all sorts. There’s a lot of life to be had in a care home, no-one is calling last orders yet!”
Pictured: Residents and staff enjoy some time together at the Staying Inn pub.
Up to 25 July 2022, there were 2,367 confirmed and 65 highly probable monkeypox cases in the UK: 2,432 in total.
To expand the UK’s capability to detect monkeypox cases, some NHS laboratories are now testing suspected monkeypox samples with an orthopox polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test (orthopox is the group of viruses which monkeypox is part of).
Since 25 July 2022, the monkeypox case definition recognises those who are orthopox-positive as highly probable cases, and those who test positive on a monkeypox PCR test as confirmed cases.
Dr Sophia Makki, National Incident Director at UKHSA, said: “Monkeypox cases continue to rise, with the virus being passed on predominantly in interconnected sexual networks.
“Before you have sex, go to a party or event, check yourself for monkeypox symptoms, including rashes and blisters.
“If you have monkeypox symptoms, take a break from attending events or sex until you’ve called 111 or a sexual health service and been assessed by a clinician.
“Vaccination will further strengthen our monkeypox response and so we urge all those who are eligible for the vaccine to take it up when offered. It will help protect yourself and others you have had close contact with.
“While the infection is mild for many, it can cause severe symptoms and hospitalisation in some.
“Please remember that the vaccine may not provide complete protection against monkeypox, so it is still important to be alert for the symptoms of monkeypox and call 111 or a sexual health clinic if you develop any.”
The NHS will provide the vaccine to those eligible, so please wait until you are contacted.
While anyone can catch monkeypox, the majority of monkeypox cases in the UK continue to be in gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (MSM), with the infection being passed on mainly through close contact between people in interconnected sexual networks.
Before you go to a party or event, check yourself for monkeypox symptoms, including rashes and blisters.
If you have monkeypox symptoms, take a break from attending events or sex until you’ve called 111 or a sexual health service and been assessed by a clinician.
It can take up to 3 weeks for symptoms to appear after being in contact with someone with monkeypox, so stay alert for symptoms after you have skin to skin or sexual contact with someone new
With the rising cost of living, we’re all trying to find ways to make our weekly shop go further. As well as shopping smarter, did you know that you can actually prolong the life of some of your food shop staples, just with a few simple storage hacks.
We caught up with food industry expert Hannah Anderson, CEO of ethical online food brand 44 Foods to get some of her storage hacks that won’t just help your food last longer but will reduce food waste too.
1. Resist the rinse
“When you’re buying loose fruits or vegetables from the supermarket or your local food producer, it can be tempting to head straight to the sink when you get home to give them a good wash before they go in the fridge.
“In fact, when it comes to making your food last longer, it’s actually best to only wash your fruit or veggies just before you use them. Washing ingredients straight away can leave excess moisture which, once you’ve stored them, can lead to quicker mould growth. So if you want to make the most of your fresh produce, resist the rinse!”
2. Suss out your fridge shelves
“Where you store your food in the fridge can impact how long things last. It goes back to your science classes at school – heat rises and it’s the same principle within your fridge. The bottom of your fridge is cooler than the top which is why most fridges have a crisper drawer at the very bottom because that’s where it’s the least humid, making it perfect for veggies, salad items and fruits.
“Fresh meat should always be stored on the lower shelves as again, it’s colder and this will help your meat to last longer. The higher shelves are best for prepared foods – so things like leftovers are best up here as they’re things you want to use quickly and it’s the warmest part of the fridge. Remember though, not everything needs to go in the fridge and things like potatoes and onions do best in a cool, dark, well ventilated area.”
3. Say cheese
“Have you ever wondered why cheese bought at the supermarket will usually come in plastic wrap whereas if you pick some up from a local farm shop, it’s usually wrapped in some kind of parchment paper? As some of our expert 44 Foods cheese producers will tell you, that’s because paper wrappings allow cheese to breathe which plastic doesn’t. Cheese needs to take in oxygen, which not only helps the flavour but helps it to last longer and by wrapping it in plastic or cling film, you create the perfect environment for bacteria to grow. So when it comes to cheese, parchment is best.”
4. The sniff test
“Some major supermarkets like Morrisons and the Co-Op have already scrapped the use of use-by dates on things like milk and yoghurts in a bid to reduce food waste. With a mission to reduce food waste, we’re all for it and we’d always recommend the good old fashioned sniff test! Milk has a distinctive sour smell when it’s gone off so that’s the number one sign but if your milk starts to take on a yellow colour or starts to go lumpy, it’s time to get rid. If it still smells fresh, you’re good to go!”
5. The great egg debate
“There’s long been a debate on the best way to store eggs to keep them fresher for longer – to fridge or not to fridge? According to British Lion eggs, to keep your eggs fresh, the fridge really is the best place for them. We also recommend keeping your eggs in the carton they come in. Although lots of fridges come with their own egg storage trays, the cardboard carton is the original and the best for a very good reason – eggshells have tiny pores which can take in bacteria or even smells from other foods around them. The carton protects them from all of that making them last longer. Plus, you can recycle the cardboard carton too!”
For more tips on how to get the most out of your food or to find out more about reducing your food waste, visit www.44foods.com
Heart Research UK Healthy Heart Tip, written by the Health Promotion and Education Team at Heart Research UK
Healthy Heart Tip: Healthier Picnics
Picnics are always a winner in the summer months (when the weather allows!). They are the perfect way to socialise with friends and family while spending more time outdoors, which is good for us all. July marks National Picnic Month and here we share some top tips for creating heathier picnics this summer – goodbye squashed sandwiches and crushed crisps!
Get a Cool Bag
A healthy, nutrition packed picnic must be kept cool for optimal enjoyment. If there was ever a time to invest in a cool bag/box it is now. When you don’t have to worry about what will stay fresh in the warm weather, the sky really is the limit in terms of what you can pack. Think fresh salads, juicy fruits & protein packed yoghurts.
Prep in Advance
Homemade is always best and taking some time the day before your scheduled picnic to whip up something yummy can take your picnic to the next level. We love easy to grab things like these heart healthy cheese and courgette muffins which go down well with both adults and children.
Pop it on a Skewer
Skewers make everything more picnic friendly and just about any meal can be adapted to fit on a skewer. Try adding cooked meats, halloumi or feta cheese, cherry tomatoes, peppers, and olives or making a rainbow fruit skewer using lots of different colour fruits.
Sporting Memories Foundation Scotland in partnership with Edinburgh Leisure will be running a weekly club, supporting older adults to stay active, connected within their local community, and build amazing friendships through their common love of sport.
Starting on Tuesday, 16th August 2022, the weekly, free drop-in sessions will take place every Tuesday, from 10.30am to 12.00 at the Royal Commonwealth Pool. The sessions are the perfect forum to reminisce about local sporting heroes, share stories about past playing days and show off your knowledge over a quiz or fun game. Everyone is welcome and a cuppa will be available too.
Donna Mackey, Partnership Manager, SMFS, “We are really excited to launch our newest Sporting Memories partnership at the Royal Commonwealth Pool, a venue at the real heart of Edinburgh’s sporting heritage.
“We believe there are lots of older adults in the area who have a passion for talking about sport and who will benefit from attending a weekly group with like-minded people. The clubs are a great opportunity to build new friendships and become more active by taking part in some of our indoor games. We can’t wait to get started.”
Sam Scott, Health Development Officer (Dementia) at Edinburgh Leisure said: “These sessions were originally due to start in April 2020 but for obvious reasons, they had to be put on hold.
“However, Edinburgh Leisure’s partnership with Sporting Memories Foundation Scotland makes perfect sense, as does hosting these clubs at the Royal Commonwealth Pool, a building steeped in its own sporting history. These clubs will support the work we are already doing working with people living with dementia through our Movement for Memories programme.
“Using the rich history and heritage of sport, the Sporting Memories clubs are open to older adults who enjoy reminiscing about their experiences of watching or playing it. We just want anyone, with a love of sport, to come along and refreshments are provided.”
The clubs are run by trained by Sporting Memories volunteers who use a wide range of Sporting Memories reminiscence resources developed specifically to help prompt conversation and discussion. There is always great fun and laughter, friendships are forged, and some remarkable sporting stories often emerge.
Sporting Memories has developed an innovative and engaging approach to tackling the challenges of our ageing society. Their work focuses on: reducing loneliness and isolation; getting older people physically active; and helping people to live well with dementia.
Edinburgh Leisure’s Active Communities team launched Movement for Memories in September 2018. This programme supports people living with dementia and their carers to become or remain physically active in Edinburgh.
This work is supported with funding from the Life Changes Trust. The Trust is funded by the Big Lottery.
Environmental campaigners say bold action to limit polluting traffic is needed as a new report showing the links between air pollution and dementia is released.
The report, published yesterday (25 July 2022) by COMEAP, the UK Government’s Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants, suggests the most likely way that pollution impacts cognitive impairment is through circulation. Air pollutants, particularly small particles, can affect the heart and blood vessels, including the brain.
Environmental campaigners say that the Scottish Government and local councils are not taking enough action to reduce pollution from transport and other sources. Earlier this year, research by Friends of the Earth Scotland showed that Scotland breached air quality limits in 2021 after a historic low in 2020 due to the pandemic.
Friends of the Earth Scotland’s transport campaigner Gavin Thomson said: “Today’s report from the UK Government is further evidence that air pollution is devastating for human health, and it’s really worrying to see the links with dementia being strengthened.
“We have known for a long time that traffic fumes cause asthma and heart conditions, and evidence has been growing about the risk that tiny particles – from exhaust fumes, tyres and brakes – pose to our cognitive health. It is particularly dangerous for young children, the elderly, and people with pre-existing health conditions.
“Four cities in Scotland will soon have small clean air zones limiting polluting vehicles from the city centre. This is the first action we’ve seen to tackle air pollution but it’s nowhere near enough. To improve air quality in our communities and neighbourhoods, we need significant investment in public transport so that everyone can access it, while providing more space for walking, wheeling and cycling.”
