BBC Radio Cornwall broadcast for June 2009

My next health phone-in show will go out live on the 28th June 2009. As always details of the show can be seen at the BBC Radio Cornwall web page and an interesting selection of some of the previous shows questions and answers can be seen on the sites ever growing A-Z Health Section . Feel free to post a question and I will do my best! More information on contacting me in London or Scotland can be seen by clicking on the links.

Update on NHS funding of Osteopathy & Acupuncture

Following the publication of the NICE guidelines outlined in my previous entry I have had a number of queries asking how to get osteopathy & acupuncture on the NHS... to be quite honest I don't know!

However, I did contact NICE and asked them directly; here is their reply;

"NICE is not directly involved in putting the recommendations made in our guidance into practice. This is the responsibility of individual local NHS bodies such as Primary Care Trusts and Hospital Trusts.

NICE does publish implementation tools, which give advice and support to those tasked with implementing our guidance. In the case of our clinical guideline on Low Back Pain, we will be publishing some tailored advice to commissioners in early August, which will address the specific challenges raised by this guidance. However, it is still up to local commissioners to interpret the guidance and decide on the best way to provide the service recommended in their area.

Therefore, the best way for you to find out how this guidance will be implemented in your area would be to contact your local primary care trust."

So, there you have it. I have now contacted my local PCT (Enfield) for some guidance and will update the blog as details become available... watch this space.

Osteopathy & Acupuncture on NHS

This month the papers are buzzing with news that National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence regarding the availability of osteopathy and acupuncture on the NHS. The Guardian notes that this move will cost the NHS £24.4m to provide acupuncture and another £16m for manipulative therapy. But £33.6m will be saved by stopping the practice of injecting therapeutic substances into people's backs and £13.2m from reducing the number of sufferers sent for an MRI scan or X-ray. One could see this sudden interest in the alternatives as a cheap option but what ever the reason the incorporation of osteopathy and acupuncture can only elevate the profile of these safe and effective methods.
However, The Times did report positive outcomes in cases of cure chronic headaches back in March 2004. The study showed that acupuncture was as cost effective as other treatments offered by the NHS, so why has it taken so long for the policy makers to finally give patients this option?
Its still unclear just how a patient will be able to get osteopathy and acupuncture on the NHS - if the practitioner needs to be employed by the NHS or carry out the therapy in a NHS hospital or if the patient can visit the practitioners private clinic is still very unclear.
A good summary on this news story can be found on the website NHS Choices, click here to read more.

It's that time of year again...

It will be no surprise to a sufferer but over 9 million of us in the UK suffer with hay fever symptoms. Because the allergic reaction to various pollens is so powerful the symptoms can be miserable to say the least; itchy and swollen eyes and throat, sneezing wheezing and a nose that won’t wither clear or stop running are all part and parcel of this seasonal allergy.
For some hay fever can start very early in the year. Tree pollen starts causing trouble from February and continues through until late May with the Birch and Oak being the worst to live near of you are sensitive to tree pollen. If you manage to get through the early part of the season don’t feel left out! The grasses are there to get you between May and September with a peak rise in grass related allergies over June and July. For those who don’t fit this calendar of events, it’s worth keeping in mind that between summer and autumn weed pollen and fungal spores can be over looked potent triggers.
If you have tried all the conventional methods and over the counter pharmacy products then it may be time to look for an alternative. The remedy known as Luffa (tincture or tablets) and a Luffa based nasal spray has been shown to be effective in easing some of the most troublesome symptoms. I would suggest taking it a good month before your season starts to ‘prime’ yourself up for the allergic time. If you feel that you are prone to chest infections or reactive asthma keep taking your usual medications but add a does or two of a rather odd sounding plant extract called quercetin. Belonging to the family of plant chemicals known as flavonoids, quercetin offers impressive anti-inflammatory properties. It also inhibits the release of histamine, which causes congestion and irritation to the ling, nasal cavity and eyes. You can find this great supplement in good health stores as a single preparation or as part of a specialist formula such as formula ALR made by Michaels Naturopathic Formulations.
Allergy UK offers some good general and background advise.

Easter Sunday Call-in

My health phone-in show is now well into it's 2009 schedule and the next show will go out live on the 12th April. As always details of the show can be seen at the BBC Radio Cornwall web page and an interesting selection of some of the previous shows questions and answers can be seen on the sites ever growing A-Z Health Section . Feel free to post a question and I will do my best! More information on contacting me in London or Scotland can be seen by clicking on the links.

Can you cure a cold sore?

What is it about a cold sore; it tends to pop up just when you don’t need it the most, typically when you are low, stressed or both. Well that’s the reason. If you are low, stressed or recovering from an illness you are at your most vulnerable to their attack. Your immune guard is off duty. Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV) that is carried in some 80% of the adult population. The virus enters the body through the skin or mucous membranes of the mouth or genitals. There are 2 types of HSV, aptly named type 1 and type 2! HSV-1 is the classic cold sore suffered by so many. HSV-2 is more restricted to the genital area, however cross infection can occur. Estimates have 1 in 5 people suffering from recurrent bouts of cold sores many of which could be prevented by taking stock of diet and boosting the immune system. Taking the amino acid called L-Lysine at a single dose of 500mg per day for prevention or twice a day if you feel one on the brew. Lysine interferes with the reproductive cycle of HSV and slows its progression. For many it’s a simple answer that works. There is also great value in looking to your diet. Certain foods can promote the growth of HSV, those foods high in another amino acid called arginine. Following a low arginin diet offers real benefit in many cases eg. nuts, chocolate (sorry!), seeds oats, lentils and brown rice. In addition keep your coffee intake down since caffeine increases the amount of arginine your body uses. Finally, consider using the homeopathic preparation called ZymaDerm-2. This contains homeopathic concentrations of iodine, melissa, geranium and peppermint. Applied locally ZymaDerm-2 can improve healing and kill off the local HSV flare up.

BBC Radio Cornwall broadcast for February 2009

My health phone-in show has now restarted for 2009 and the next show will go out live on the 8th February. As always details of the show can be seen at the BBC Radio Cornwall web page and an interesting selection of some of the previous shows questions and answers can be seen on the sites ever growing A-Z Health Section . Feel free to post a question and I will do my best! More information on contacting me in London or Scotland can be seen by clicking on the links.