General Health 63
Our guide to cosying up with someone new this Christmas
It’s been a long hard year for a lot of us. The COVID-19 pandemic has meant we’ve all had to change the way we live, social lives included. So, with the nights drawing in and weather getting colder, the idea of snuggling up on the sofa (local lockdown allowing) might be a lot more appealing […]
Feeling run down? How to spot a winter cold, the flu or a Christmas hangover
The cold weather can make some of us more likely to pick up bugs when we’re out and about. Plus, this time of year sees many of us enjoying a lot of overindulgence or a glass of bubbly or 2. Drinking more than you usually would can lead to restless sleep and dehydration. So, as […]
Mental health in lockdown
The UK is living through lockdowns and local-level restrictions due to COVID-19. This means we might not be able to go to work, visit loved ones, or enjoy recreational activities. In the first lockdown, this took a heavy toll on our mental health. One survey taken in April 2020 found that 24% of adults had experienced loneliness in the […]
Maintaining a routine during lockdown
Working from home during lockdown isn’t easy. You might struggle to get organised and motivated, or end up working until 10pm and forgetting to eat dinner. If you’re not currently working, e.g. because you’ve been furloughed, there’s a chance you’d feel even more adrift. The good news is, there’s a simple solution: creating a routine. Why is it important to keep a routine? Keeping a routine is a really good […]
Urology Awareness Month 2020
Each September The Urology Foundation (TUF) runs Urology Awareness Month to help raise awareness of urological disease and raise money for important research and training for medical professionals on these conditions. This year we’ve decided to get involved and help support TUF throughout the month of September. Often people are embarrassed to talk about urological […]
The history of birth control
When was the pill invented? The very first pill was invented by a chemist in Mexico City called Dr Carl Djerassi in the late 1940’s. Using wild yam roots, he was able to synthesise progestogen, a steroid hormone that produces the effects of the natural female sex hormone. A progesterone pill works by thickening the […]
What do the different smear tests results mean?
A smear test or cervical screening is a test done to check the health of the cervix. All those with a cervix, aged 25-64 will be invited to a screening at least every 5 years, but in some cases it is more often. Women between 25-49 are invited at least every 3 years, and 50-64 […]
Coronavirus (COVID-19) new guidance and new tests
As we are all aware, the COVID-19 pandemic continues to be the biggest challenge facing the UK and the world at this current moment. As we move through the pandemic, government guidance has to change regarding what we can and can’t do, all in an attempt to halt the spread of the virus. In fact, […]
How to use our acne service
Acne is a condition that will affect most of us at some point in our lives, not just teenagers. We recognise that acne can impact self-esteem, which can in turn affect our social interactions, school or working life. Back in February we launched our new and improved acne service, aiming to tailor acne treatment to […]
Coping with stress in a pandemic
Each year, April marks Stress Awareness Month. Organised by the Stress Management Society, the awareness campaign aims to open up the conversation around stress. Stress is very common, and as many as 74% of UK adults have felt so stressed at some point over the last year that they felt overwhelmed or unable to cope. […]