January 2023 Newsletter

 

Pagets disease (11th January 2023)

Paget’s disease can cause :

  • Constant, dull bone pain
  • Joint pain, stiffness and swelling
  • A shooting pain that travels along or across the body
  • Numbness and tingling
  • Or loss of movement in part of the body

If you’re concerned that you may be affected by Paget’s disease symptoms, you can make a routine appointment with your medical practice.

Paget’s disease affects bone growth and is estimated to affect around 1% of the over 55s. It’s the second most common bone disorder after osteoporosis.

Learn more about Paget's disease on the Arthritis Foundation Website

 

Samaritans’ Brew Monday (16th January 2023)

January can seem like the darkest month of the year. If you’re struggling, Samaritans are promoting Brew Monday to raise awareness of the support they offer.

 

Cervical Cancer Prevention Week (23rd to 29th January)

It’s Cervical Cancer Prevention Week, and Jo’s cervical cancer trust is holding its biggest event yet, raising awareness for cervical cancer.

The symptoms of cervical cancer can include:

  • Unusual vaginal bleeding, especially after menopause
  • Changes to vaginal discharge
  • Pain or discomfort during sex
  • Unexplained pain in your lower back or between your hip bones (pelvis)

If you notice changes, it’s better to get checked.

Learn more at Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust here

 

Dry January

Have you previously considered reducing your alcohol intake? Alcohol affects the human body in several different ways, and reducing alcohol consumption might improve things for you in ways you didn’t expect.

Try this self-assessment tool about the amount of alcohol you drink. The questions are tailored to your responses and at the end, if you’re honest, you should get a good idea of whether your drinking is a problem or not.

Each January people from across the UK sign up to be free of alcohol for 31 days. Reducing the amount you drink can have long-term health benefits. Follow the link to find out more.

Drink Aware Self Assessment

Drink Aware - How to reduce your drinking

Alcohol Change - Dry January

 

Men's Wellbeing

The period immediately after Christmas can be challenging for some. Men in particular may find it difficult to open up about their feelings.

You can find out more about men’s mental health and support here.

 

STIs

If celebrations over the festive season have led to unplanned and unprotected sexual activity, make sure you get checked for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Not all STIs have symptoms.

 

Young Carers

If you’re under 25 and giving support with daily life to a friend or family member, you may be a young carer.

If you’re a young carer offering support with daily living to someone in your life, have you looked at the support that is available to you?

Learn more about Young Carers here

Get help for Young Carers

 

Staying warm and winter payments

Cold weather payments 

The government has advice on keeping warm this winter. Being too cold can have negative consequences for your health.

Depending on where you live, and whether you receive certain benefits, you may be eligible for a cold weather payment, or additional support over winter.

If you were born before 26th September 1956 you may be eligible for a winter fuel payment. If you’re eligible, you should get the payment automatically, but, if you don’t, you can find out more here.

Tips for keeping warm and well this winter

Learn more about cold weather payments here

 

Glaucoma Awareness Month

Glaucoma is more common in older adults, but your ethnicity, family history and some medical conditions may make you more likely to develop glaucoma. You can find out what increases your risk.

The most common form of glaucoma does not always present with symptoms and may only be picked up when testing for other things. If you are having problems with your vision, it’s worth having a look at this list, but you should also see a trained optician for assessment.

Signs and Symptoms of Glaucoma

 

Flu and Flu Vaccination

It’s “flu season” and there are some fairly classic symptoms of flu. Flu is not just a “bad cold” and you should be aware of the symptoms and self-care advice.

You may be eligible for a free flu vaccination if you:

  • Are 50 or over
  • Have certain health conditions
  • Are pregnant
  • Live in residential care
  • Are the main carer for someone, or receive carer’s allowance
  • Live with someone more likely to become ill if they get flu. 

Learn more about the Flu Influenza Vaccine here

 

New Year, new you

New Year is a fantastic time to think about our health and well-being. With the opportunity to change things, now that the festive goodies are out of the way, there is better time to think about our diet.

If you haven’t exercised in a meaningful way for some time, the New Year can be a brilliant opportunity to start as the hours of daylight start to get longer. As with all new things, start gently!

Parkrun is a free event held each week across the country to help get you up and moving.

Eight tips for healthy eating

 Fitness program: 5 steps to get started

 

Diabetic education programmes

Do you know what your risk of diabetes is? If not, you should try this diabetes risk score, which will give you advice based on your circumstances. Knowing if you’re at increased risk can help improve your long-term health outcomes.

If you’re a type 1 diabetic, you might find a course about life with type 1 diabetes useful. You can join a course no matter how long it is since you were diagnosed, and many diabetics have really positive things to say about participating.

If you’re a diabetic, or at high risk of diabetes, you can find out more about the education courses available to support you on your journey. Health education improves outcomes.

 Find out your risk of type 2 diabetes

 Doing a type 1 diabetes course

Managing Your Diabetes

 

JAM Card

If you have a hidden condition that means you may need more time to respond to something, you may find the “ just a minute” (JAM) card helpful. Available as a physical card, or on an app, it can help others understand they may need to allow you more time. 

Learn more about the JAM Card here

 

Blood and plasma donation

If you’ve not donated blood before, could you consider doing so? If you’re over 18 and in good health, your donation could save someone’s life.

Plasma donors are in great demand. If you live near a plasma donation centre, your plasma could be used to make vital medicines for serious illnesses.

 Save a life. Give blood.

 Save a life. Give plasma.

 

Who to call and when

Health services are under pressure over the winter, and ensuring that you’re using the right service for the issue you’re having makes the health service work better for everyone.

Ambulances are for life-threatening emergencies. There is clear advice about when 999 is the most appropriate service for you. If you’re not sure whether 999 is right, you should check this link:

Alder Hey Children’s Hospital has developed a symptom checker for children. The symptom checker gives a list of symptoms against a number of common childhood conditions and advice about what you should do next.

If you have a baby, it can be very difficult to know what is normal, or when to seek help. Lullaby Trust has developed an app to help you identify if your baby is seriously unwell and in need of medical assessment or advice.

If you have babies or young children, knowing how to help them with a range of health issues and injuries can be vital.

North West Ambulance Service - Make the right call

When to call 999

 Alder Hey Symptom Checker

 Baby Check App - Lullaby Trust

Learn first aid for babies and children

 

Strikes

Across the UK there are likely to be strikes including ambulance services and nursing staff. Advice for patients details what might be affected and when. To see advice about how strikes may affect you, here.

Published: Jan 9, 2023