Category Archives: Health

Steripod Review: Why You Should Protect Your Toothbrush & Put The Seat Down When You Flush

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steripod-review-keep-your-toothbrush-cleanIt is the season for colds and flu. Viruses are rife in the winter. These can be passed on via infected droplets lurking in the air or on shared objects and surfaces.  A major culprit for contamination is our toothbrushes so what can we do to guard them against germs? According to a recent study at the University of Manchester, there are more than 10 million bacteria on your toothbrush right now. That means there are considerably more bacteria on your toothbrush than your average toilet seat – which has 50 bacteria per square inch, or average public lavatory floor – which has 2 million bacteria per square inch.

Most people don’t realise that every time you flush the loo, an aerosol spray of tainted water is released with droplets able to land as far away as 10 feet. Researchers from the University of Alabama found that brushes stored in the bathroom – in other words all of them – are contaminated with faecal matter lingering in the bristles. Toothbrushes aren’t particular about whose faecal matter it is, so it’s likely it won’t just be your own that is going into your mouth every time you clean your teeth. (I expect you will never flush the toilet with the lid up again!).

It is likely your toothbrush will be exposed to numerous invisible contaminants in the months that you use it, including a high proportion of pathogenic nasties such as E.coli and Staphylococci. Airborne bacteria are not the only pollutants which sully your toothbrush.  Germs and bacteria can pass from surface to surface, spreading the likes of oral herpes (cold sores), candida (oral thrush) and the HPV virus.

Protect it

Fortunately, you can safeguard your toothbrush with a Steripod toothbrush protector which clips on to any manual or electric toothbrush, creating a protective ‘pod’ (rather like a crash helmet) which surrounds the brush head and shields it from both airborne and cross contamination.  Steripod is designed to safeguard a toothbrush, protecting it against environmental contamination, the use of thymol encapsulated in plastic dotted with tiny holes releases vapours providing a fresh environment in which to keep your toothbrush.

Steripod has been specially designed so that air can circulate freely which means your toothbrush can dry naturally – contaminants require a moist atmosphere to multiply most effectively, so the drier your brush, the lower the risk of bad bugs on your bristles.  It does not require batteries or cables, meaning that it’s easy to protect your brush.

Here are dentist Mervin Druin’s top tips to ensure your brush remains as hygienic as possible.

  1. Don’t flush where you brush 

If you store your toothbrush near your toilet make sure you close the lid when you flush to minimise the dispersal of contaminated water droplets.

  1. Rinse thoroughly after use

Rinse your toothbrush thoroughly under running water after use, making sure that all toothpaste has been removed. Shake off as much excess water as possible.

  1. Store it upright

Store your brush in an upright position – never in a bathroom cabinet where air cannot circulate as this could promote bacterial growth.

  1. Replace your toothbrush regularly

Make sure to replace your toothbrush and Steripod every 3 months – buy them at the same time. If like many of us you need a reminder www.steripod.co.uk can send you a gentle email nudge every 80 days to remind you that your pod and your brush need an update!

And if you’ve been suffering with a cold or flu it’s a good idea to replace your toothbrush rather than risk reinfecting yourself.

  1. Don’t share it

Never be tempted to share a toothbrush, even with your loved one. And avoid contact with other toothbrushes that may be stored in the same vicinity.

Get your pod on   

Steripod comes in a wide range of colours so you can identify your brush from other bathroom sharers. A pack of two gives six months protection and costs £4.99 from larger Boots stores, Boots.com, Amazon.co.uk, Superdrug, ASDA, Boyes Stores and selected independent pharmacies.   For more information visit www.steripod.co.uk

It is almost Christmas and this great little gadget would make a perfect stocking filler. The smell was a bit strong when we first opened it, but it subsided. It is a great idea and it really works. In fact, tt is such a great idea we are not sure how no one thought of it before.

 

Giving Birth – The Real Story

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Giving Birth – The Real Story

  • 72% of mums-to-be are nervous about giving birth
  • Over half of respondents (61%) said their births didn’t go according to plan
  • The biggest fear (27%) about giving birth was medical complications affecting themselves or their baby
  • Almost a quarter (22%) found their birth partners more annoying than helpful

giving birth, birth, childbirth, the truth about giving birth

For most women, experiencing pregnancy and giving birth will be one of the most momentous times of their lives, but this doesn’t come without a certain amount of worries and anxiety. New research from The Baby Show with MadeForMums, which will be returning to Kensington, Olympia from the 21st to 23rd October, revealed that 72% of mums-to-be were nervous about the prospect of giving birth with the biggest worry cited as medical complications (27%)  affecting themselves or their baby. This was followed by 18% saying they were scared of unwanted interventions (e.g. inductions, caesarean section or forceps) and then 17% saying they were anxious about not being able to manage the pain.

The research found that while most mums-to-be will stay close to home the nearer the due date gets, some babies are keen to get things moving in unusual or inconvenient places. Of the mums surveyed, 42% went into labour in their home, with 28% in hospital. These were some of the more unusual findings;

  • Tube station escalator
  • Car showroom
  • Whilst watching a live rugby match
  • On the A1 motorway
  • In IKEA

While the majority of women (92%) chose to have their partners by their side in the birthing room, when it actually came to the labour, almost a quarter (22%) of people admitted they found their birthing partner more annoying than actually helpful, either falling asleep or playing games on their phones whilst mum does all the hard work! Senior midwife, maternity educator and managing director of Marie Louise Maternity, Marie Louise Hurworth says: “Being a birth partner is one of the most important jobs you could have. But it can be challenging and should be taken very seriously. Being there and sensitive to her changing needs will go a long way and set the foundations for your new family. Even if you are unsure of how to help, stand nearby and make eye contact to let her know you are there and willing to help at any opportunity. One of the most important things is that you don’t become disconnected; remember to participate throughout the journey.”

When asked for amusing labour stories The Baby Show were inundated with funny anecdotes from women across the UK including;

  • Nina Motylinski-Davies from East Sussex said: “What kept me going throughout my horrendous labour experience was the fact my husband, who after not getting the opportunity to try the gas the first time round, was determined to have a go this time. Put simply, he got absolutely off his face. He climbed into the birthing pool naked, asked the midwife for a margarita, text my Mum saying he could murder a curry when she was actually asking how I was doing, and then danced around the room to Neil Diamond! I look back and laugh now….”

 

  • Clare Boss from London told The Baby Show: “With my first baby, the fire alarm in the hospital went off which resulted in two firemen coming in to check on the room whilst I was legs akimbo and mid-push!!”

 

  • Laura Jackson from Cheshire explained her dramatic birth story: “I opted for a home birth and hired a birthing pool but sadly never got round to using it! I woke in the middle of the night with a small leak, one week over due, which turned out to be my waters breaking. I woke my husband who immediately started filling up the birthing pool whilst I called the hospital who said the midwives would take around an hour to get to my house. Within moments I had a really strong contraction and suddenly I knew my baby’s head was already out. I was desperate to get into the pool but it wasn’t full and my husband was having problems with the valves. He was in complete disbelief and just said ‘the heads not out’ whilst staring at the front door thinking this would make the midwives appear! Thankfully he snapped into action because with the next contraction he literally had to catch our baby. Such an amazing experience but personally I felt it was a shame for happening so fast…”

 

Wing Yan Lee, Marketing Manager at The Baby Show says: “Birth plans can be a contentious subject and as our results show many births don’t go according to plan. However, most experts would still agree that planning and looking into your birth options is essential, allowing you to prepare and feel in control of your birthing experience, no matter what direction it takes. We have midwives on hand throughout the show who are able to answer any questions or concerns, no matter how big or small, regarding your pregnancy, birth and beyond.”

Marie Louise continues: “Each and every woman is different and has specific individual needs so there is no one rule for all when it comes to labour and birth. As healthcare professionals we focus on women’s individuality and are guided by what women tell us; we then use technology according to the woman’s history and verbal communication to ensure we do our very best to make the entire process as safe, easy and calm as possible. It’s natural to be nervous about your birth and potential intervention but always remember that our aims are reflective of yours to have a happy, healthy mum and baby.”

Once you’ve arrived home and settled into a new routine, another subject you may be thinking about is sex… Am I ready? Will my partner be expecting sex straight away? Will it be hurt? Will it be the same?

The highest number of couples surveyed chose to wait between six weeks to three months before having sex again (42%) whilst one in five (20%) waited just 0 to six weeks. Reassuringly, a quarter of new mums said they didn’t feel self-conscious about their bodies during sex post-baby, and 29% said at first they did but their partners made them feel comfortable and relaxed.

Marie Louise says: “Guidelines suggest that women wait until they “feel ready” to have sex after birth but there isn’t enough discussion about it. Once again, everyone is different and has a unique experience during childbirth. You may have had a home water birth with no complications or you may have had a forceps delivery in hospital. If you have had a C-section, for example, you may feel ready mentally but your wound may need more time to heal. Or maybe you don’t feel ready mentally but your body has healed well. The most important thing is that you do what’s right for you at the right time and always ask a health professional if you are concerned.  If you are experiencing pain during sex postnatally don’t just put up with it, talk about it.”

From the 21st to 23rd October the biggest pregnancy and parenting event of the year, The Baby Show with MadeForMums, will be returning to Olympia, London.  The Show is the must-attend event for mums and dads-to-be and new parents, with over 200 exhibitors showcasing all the latest essentials for your new arrival, plus a stage programme jam packed with fashion shows and informative talks by renowned baby experts.

Advance tickets are available from £12.25, while on-the-door tickets cost £20.  For more information visit www.thebabyshow.co.uk.

Opening times:

Friday 21st, Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd October, open from 10:00am-5:30pm each day.

 

 

Pink Parcel Review: The Parcel That Every Woman Needs On Her Period

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pink-parcel-review-the-parcel-that-everyone-need-on-her-periodpink-parcel-review-the-parcel-that-everyone-need-on-her-period1 pink-parcel-review-the-parcel-that-everyone-need-on-her-period2One of the perks of being the editor of Frost is coming across great things. And Pink Parcel is a great thing indeed. Not only do they send you a box of sanitary protection, but the box also has other great stuff to make your period a much better experience. Chocolate, make up, candles…it really does perk you up when you open the box.

It is easy to set up, you choose your brand of tampons and pads, select your dates, and then your parcel is sent to you. The first one is £6.99 and then they are £10.50 from then on, including postage and packaging. Each parcel contains the following: tea, tampons, pads, something sweet and a beauty product. It will also contain deals and offers. The September box had a £60 nakedwines.com voucher and a postcard featuring a quote from Amy Schumer. There is also a booklet which tells you all about the products in your box, along with some other fun stuff.

The box hits all the right spots: tea, because it makes the world go round, something sweet to help with the cravings, and a beauty product so you can take some time out to pamper yourself. The tampons and pads will be your favourite brands too. The September box (pictures above) has a great eye gel from AA Skincare- it’s vegan and full size, a Cotswold Lavender Slumber SprayNew CID Cosmetics I-Glow Mini and Schwarzkopf Bonacure Colour-Freeze Shampoo. Add in a relax tea light set, Nairn’s Oat Crackers, some Cuppanut Coconut & Cranberry Infusion tea and an Ombar Centres Coconut & Vanilla bar. Yum. A lot of thought has been put into Pink Parcel. That is clear from everything, but particularly the way the tampons and pads are set out. The light ones are in a velvet pouch which it tells you to keep on you for now. Then it has some day one and some night ones. All in different compartments. Genius. I love Pink Parcel and I think you would to. It helps make a difficult time of the month much easier and we deserve that.

pink-parcel-september-review

Some news from a swimming pool in Georgia. A woman got banned from swimming because she was on her period.

pink-parcel-banned-from-swimming-on-her-period pink-parcel

A leisure centre hit the headlines last month after banning women from swimming when they are on their period.

The fitness club in Georgia put up posters warning women to avoid the pool while menstruating, claiming it was a threat to public hygiene.

When confronted over their misogynist actions, the Vake Swimming Pool and Fitness Club which is based in Georgia’s capital city, Tbilisi, justified the ban by saying, “We’ve had incidents where we’ve found tampons in the pool.”

As the backlash grew, a number of disgruntled female customers took to social media to protest.

One customer expressed her disgust on Facebook. Sophie Tabatadze wrote, “Do you even realise how offensive that is? And, by the way, since according to your rules we are not allowed to use a swimming a pool 5-6 days each month, do we a preferential price compared with men?”

 

Incredibly, the club, which is one of the most exclusive places to workout in the city, responded by refusing to back down.

They said, “Our statement is not sexist and has a preventive objective. We had a case, when the water was contaminated. We try to follow norms of hygiene and we ask our members to do the same.”

The club told Buzzfeed its policy had been in place for years.

However medical advice directly contradicts the club’s claims that taking a dip while you’re menstruating is unclean and NHS direct actually recommends gentle swimming as a way of relieving painful cramps.

Pink Parcel wants women to engage in positive dialogues surrounding their periods, not ostracise them into thinking that they need to be ashamed or embarrassed of such a natural function.

 

The Thing That Parents Need To Do For Energy

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fitness-get healthyParenting is exhausting. That is hardly news. What is harder is finding ways to get more energy and to feel healthier. You are not going to like it, but I have the answer: exercise. Now it is hard to fit it in and hard to find the motivation, but trust me; it will change your life. Even ten minutes will make a difference. Going for a walk or running with the pram is also an option. Anything you can do at all will make a difference. I have been doing Fitness Blender. It is an amazing website full of free workout from a husband and wife team. It has changed my body shape and made me much healthier. I do level fives now. Not bad as when I originally did their 5 Day Challenge I found it hard and my muscles ached the next day. Now I find it easy. They have a bar at the side which lets you know how many calories you have burned and you can search via type of exercise, calories burned, length, equipment needed or what part of the body you want to focus on. Definitely check it out. A walk is better than nothing, but doing an actual exercise program will change your body and your life. We also have an exercise bike which I use. I can burn 500 calories in an hour on the bike. Not shabby at all.

The other thing that makes a difference is: your diet. I know, you hate me even more now, right? But mainlining on caffeine and sugar is not going to help. Try to eat as well as possible. Stay hydrated. Drink water, eat your five-a-day. I am a much better mother now that I am healthier and have more energy. On the plus side the toddler thinks it is hilarious when I exercise. He giggles so much he falls over or tries to join in. I usually try and do it when he naps or my husband comes home, but we are both so busy I will just fit it in whenever I can. No excuses are allowed. I try to exercise five days a week. Try it yourself, I promise it makes a difference to your energy levels.

What do you think? What do you do for energy?

Do You Have to Lose Your Hair During Breast Cancer Treatment?

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breast cancer, hair loss,

Breast cancer, by its very nature, can challenge a woman’s perception of her femininity. Who wants people to think they have abnormal breasts? I didn’t. Breast surgery can also be psychologically traumatic, and radiotherapy can affect the appearance of the breast too.

Sometimes, as part of cancer treatment, chemotherapy drugs are used, and some of these cause hair-loss – another devastating blow to confidence and self-esteem. Even when hair regrows, it may be damaged, becoming delicate and curly (so-called chemo curl) for a long time afterwards.

So does your hair have to fall out or weaken? Well, chemotherapy tends to damage fast-growing cells, which is why it works against cancer. However, for the same reason, hair follicle cells are also sometimes affected.

Wearing ‘cold-caps’ during treatment can help by lowering scalp temperature. This reduces blood supply to hair-roots and thus local exposure to the chemo-drug. This can limit hair damage/loss in many people, but not all.

Recently, hairdresser and biochemist, Daniel Field, has developed products to protect hair during and after chemotherapy.

Daniel has a fascinating story. Whilst young, he hated the smell of his mother’s perming lotion, and decided to invent non-smelly products. They were so successful that he became a very young millionaire. He then opened several hairdressing salons and trained as a hairdresser himself.

Sadly he later had the heart-breaking experience of shaving his own mother’s hair when she started to lose it during treatment for ovarian cancer. He told me of the frustration he felt, as he tried his best to cut a nice style into a less than perfect wig for her.

This inspired him to use his biochemical expertise to develop natural products to protect hair during chemotherapy. They restore the alignment of hair amino acids, thus reversing damage and chemo-curl, improving texture and strengthening delicate hair. He also has hair-colour products which are so gentle that they can be used whilst having chemotherapy. His Hair Growth Active spray keeps hair in the growing phase, thus encouraging regrowth after hair-loss.

But breast cancer treatment affects hair in other ways too. Many women require anti-oestrogen treatment for years after diagnosis, such as tamoxifen or aromatase-inhibitors. These reduce natural oestrogens and thus can cause scalp irritation or dryness and dry/frizzy hair. The hair can thin, sometimes leading to male-pattern baldness. Daniel tells me that his products are able to help these problems too.

Daniel has recently opened a suite in central London where he provides hair-care services and advice. A wig service is also provided by Jane Whitfield, and Fiona Murphy, who has her own interesting story, provides beautician services specially for people going through cancer. Daniel’s hair products can also be ordered from his website and he offers fifteen minute free consultations.

So yes, some people will suffer hair loss or damage during their breast cancer treatment but it isn’t inevitable, and there are steps you can take which may help. Take care of yourself during this difficult time.

By Dr K Thompson, author of From Both Ends of the Stethoscope: Getting through breast cancer – by a doctor who knows

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01A7DM42Q http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A7DM42Q

http://faitobooks.co,uk

Note: This article expresses personal views. No warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of information given and you should always consult a doctor if you need medical advice.

Further Information:

http://www.breastcancer.org/tips/hair_skin_nails/cold-caps

http://danielfieldsuite.co.uk

http://www.sparklethroughchemo.co.uk

http://bit.ly/2d7Vn2l

 

 

Crobar by Gathr – Award Winning cricket flour protein bar

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crobar-frost_magazine

Crobar is the first insect-based food product to retail in the UK and Gathr have now added Coffee & Vanilla and Raspberry & Cacao to the original range of Peanut and Cacao. They are made from fruit, nuts and cricket flour and contain no added sugars or sweeteners.

Gathr is leading the trend of food producers who are looking at alternative sources of protein and vitamins in their products, and have plans on developing insects into a viable and more sustainable source of protein in our diets. Crickets contain more protein and less fat than an equivalent amount of beef, plus are high in iron and vitamin B12. They are not only good for you, they are good for the planet.

Insects are already available to buy as food in the UK, but Gathr has taken things one step further by using them as a key ingredient and incorporating them into everyday food.

Gathr’s products won ‘Best New Food Concept’ at the IFE World Food Innovation Awards.

Don’t be put off by the fact that it contains insects, albeit that they are ground into a flour. I can happily say it tastes delicious. I’m not partial to coffee flavoured sweets or cakes but the flavour was subtle and suitably balanced by the cacao. That said, I preferred the raspberry & cacao flavour.  Free from gluten, soy and dairy it was a tasty snack and easily satisfied my sweet tooth. I’d love to say it made me jump higher as well – but it didn’t.

Available in smaller 30g sizes the new flavours RRP from £1.79 each and are available online on the Gathr website, Amazon Prime and at selected retailers. For further information and multipack orders visit the Gathr website.

They will also be available to buy in-store from South East Asian Cuisine specialists Nusa Kitchen.

As well as energy bars, Gathr also stocks organic cricket flour, which can be used in everyday cooking. Recipes on the website.
 www.gathrfoods.com

www.gathrfoods.com/recipes

www.nusakitchen.co.uk

Don’t trust your scales – why you should be focusing on reducing your visceral fat, not your weight

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don'ttrustthescalesBy Andy Kay, Training Manager at British Military Fitness 

If you’ve been watching your scales to see if your exercise regime is paying off, you might be wasting your time. New research has found that doing between two and four months of endurance training can cause either no, or very minimal, reduction in body weight, with participants in a study losing only between zero and 4kg of weight.[1]

Does this mean you should throw in the towel and swap evenings working up a sweat for nights on the couch? No! The same researchers studied the reduction in visceral fat, and found that after two to six months it was markedly reduced, with participants who had lost no weight, having reducing their visceral fat by 6%.

So, what is visceral fat?

Visceral body fat is what is created when the body stores excess calories as fat cells around your organs. You might not always be able to see it on the outside but excess visceral fat is bad news, being known as a risk factor for coronary heart disease and diabetes, as well as being linked to a number of different cancers and even Alzheimer’s disease.

This is because an excess of visceral body fat can interfere with liver function and can disrupt your organs’ normal function. This can lead to an increase in cholesterol, particularly bad cholesterol, as well as increased insulin resistance, which can lead to type 2 diabetes.

How much is too much?

It can be hard to identify if you have too much visceral body fat, but the World Health Organization recommends that a waist to hip ratio higher than 0.9 for men and 0.85 for women is high risk. Divide the circumference of your waist by the circumference of your hips to work this out.

What can you do about it?

As the researchers found, exercise is highly effective in reducing this type of fat, even if it has little effect on weight, with every 1% reduction in body weight associated with a 3% reduction in visceral body fat. Steady state cardio such as running, cycling and swimming, as well as exercise classes based on high intensity interval training such as BMF, are highly effective in reducing fat and helping people to get fitter. Exercise two to four times a week to gain the benefits, and ensure you are leading an active lifestyle the rest of the time, with more time spent walking and less spent sitting down.

What are the first steps to reducing visceral fat?

If you have a high waist to hip ratio and want to reduce your visceral body fat the first step is to get active and start exercising. From there, the focus should be on limiting portion sizes and making sensible choices when it comes to nutrition. Swap sugary and salty snacks in favour of complex carbohydrates, protein and vegetables and try to prepare as much of your own food as possible.

For more information, please visit: www.britishmilitaryfitness.com or to sign up to a free British Military Fitness trial go to: https://www.britmilfit.com/try-bmf-for-free/

[1] http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/obr.12406/abstract

 

 

 

Breast Cancer: in the young, the pregnant and with family history

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Pink Ribbon logoOn 17th September, the UK’s leading annual event for anyone affected by breast cancer will take place. There will be information from a range of experts, including Frost Magazine’s medical consultant Dr Kathleen Thompson. 

Registration: 10.00 am – coffee.

Morning session:  diagnosis, management and treatment for young women 

DIAGNOSIS : 10.30 Chairs introduction. Chairs: Mark Ho-Asjoe (St Thomas), Laura Johnson (Royal Marsden) 

 10.35 Breast cancer: the extent of the problem for young women: Bernard Rachet, reader in cancer epidemiology, London school of hygiene and tropical medicine 

10.55 From diagnosis onwards: navigating the breast cancer system: Denise Flett, young women’s breast cancer clinical nurse specialist (CNS), Royal Marsden hospital 

11.15 Reactions to diagnosis: getting the treatment you want: Kathleen Thompson, doctor, patient and author of From Both Ends of the Stethoscope 11.35 Panel 11.45   Short break + pastry 

TREATMENT: 12.00 Surgical options for hereditary and non-hereditary breast cancer. Breast conservation in young women Hisham Hamed, consultant oncoplastic breast surgeon, honorary senior lecturer, Guys and St Thomas Trust 

12.35 New options for the management of different breast cancer subtypes: Justin Stebbing, professor of oncology, Imperial college, London  

Following lunch: pregnancy, trials and survivorship 

2.15 Reserved (charity and sponsor, Philips)
2.35 Pregnancy and breast cancer: Alison Jones, breast cancer consultant, including for pregnancy and clinical trials, Leaders in Oncology Care 

3.10 Living with and beyond breast cancer: Susannah Stanway, consultant, medical oncology, breast unit, Royal Marsden hospital; also acute oncology unit, Croydon university hospital 

Venue: Royal Society of Medicine,1 Wimpole Street, London W1G 0AE 

BOOK (Event Brite): http://tinyurl.com/h45xfbf

* 16th September. Separate CPD day for clinicians: rsm.ac.uk/breastcancerforum