Study reveals financial impact of stroke

A new study has revealed the financial impact of having a stroke.

Scientists at King's College London questioned 799 patients to shed light on the challenges faced by stroke survivors.

Nearly a fifth of respondents said they had suffered a loss of income since their stroke, while 33 per cent said their outgoings had increased as a result of expenses such as extra domestic heating or having to make adaptations to their home.

More than half of patients who were employed at the time of their stroke said they had been forced to reduce their hours or give up work entirely.

The survey also revealed that almost half of respondents were not getting any support of help with their problems.

Joe Korner, communications director at the Stroke Association, which commissioned the research, said: 'This report paints a bleak picture of stroke survivors struggling to make ends meet.

'We know that many people have to give up work and go on benefits to survive hand-to-mouth, so it's distressing to find out that, despite the progress made in improving stroke provision in recent years, people aren't getting the support they need.'

According to the Stroke Association, about a third of people who have a stroke make a good recovery within a month, but most are left with long-term problems.
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Don't overlook that presistent cough

People should not ignore a persistent cough or chest infection, as it could be a sign of something more serious, pharmacists have warned.

Graham Phillips, community pharmacist and board member of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, said that anyone who is repeatedly buying cough medicines or iron tablets for tiredness should ask their pharmacist for advice.

'We can discuss your symptoms with you and help you understand you may have an underlying problem that needs checking out with your GP,' he explained.

Mr Philips also emphasised the importance of recognising the key symptoms of lung cancer, after a survey by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society uncovered poor levels of awareness.

Lung cancer is the second most common cancer in the UK, with nearly 40,000 people diagnosed with the disease in 2007, but many people do not know the possible signs of symptoms.

Only 33 per cent of respondents identified having a cough as a warning sign, while just 11 per cent specifically mentioned a persistent cough.

Other key symptoms of lung cancer include breathlessness, breathing difficulties, wheezing, blood in the phlegm, coughing up blood, chest or lung pain, and weight loss.

The vast majority of survey respondents (92 per cent) recognised the importance of detecting cancer at an early stage, when it is usually much easier to treat.

However, 66 per cent admitted they would probably assume some of the key symptoms of lung cancer were merely signs of a bad cold or cough.
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Pioneering therapy to treat high blood pressure

Australian scientists are testing a new minimally invasive treatment for persistent high blood pressure (hypertension).

The procedure uses radio waves, which are applied to nerves leading into and out of the kidneys via a catheter.

The energy emitted by the catheter device is used to silence the sympathetic nerves, which play a 'crucial' role in the elevation of blood pressure, according to principal investigator Professor Markus Schlaich, from the Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute in Melbourne.

He revealed: 'This study proves they can be specifically targeted with our novel approach.

'Renal denervation is a safe, quick and minimally invasive procedure that leads to a substantial and sustained blood pressure reduction without major side effects.'

The research team have published results from their first trial of the technique in the Lancet medical journal.

A total of 106 patients in Europe and Australia took part in the trial, which found that the procedure brought about an average blood pressure reduction of 33/11 mmHg, compared with patients who did not have the treatment.

The vast majority of patients (84 per cent) experienced a reduction in systolic blood pressure of at least 10 mmHg and there were no serious side-effects.

According to previous research, reducing systolic blood pressure by just 5 mmHg can reduce the risk of stroke by almost 30 per cent.

Chief investigator Professor Murray Esler, associate director of cardiovascular neurosciences at Baker IDI, claimed that the new procedure 'has the potential to become a truly revolutionary treatment with the scope to significantly impact the standard of care for the large number of patients suffering from uncontrolled blood pressure'.

Professor Graham MacGregor, chairman of the Blood Pressure Association, described the research as 'exciting' but said that more research is needed to see how safe and effective the therapy is in the long term.

'Most people won't need to undergo such invasive treatment as, for the majority, high blood pressure can be successfully controlled through prescribed medicines and a healthier lifestyle,' he added.
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Blood test may predict risk of heart failure

US scientists have developed a blood test that could help to identify older people with a high risk of developing heart failure.

The test detects a protein called troponin T, which leaks into the blood when heart cells are damaged.

Scientists at the University of Maryland School of Medicine used the test on 4,221 over-65s, none of whom had a history of heart failure.

Participants had their levels of troponin T measured at the start of the study and again after two or three years.

Over the next 11.8 years, 1,279 of the participants were diagnosed with heart failure and 1,103 died from cardiovascular causes.

The researchers found that those who had detectable levels of troponin T at their two or three-year follow-up were more likely to develop heart failure or die from cardiovascular causes than those with undetectable levels.

Writing in the Journal of the American Medical Association, the study authors claimed that the blood test detected troponin T in almost all patients with chronic heart failure or heart disease 'and provides independent prognostic information with respect to heart failure admission and cardiovascular death in these patients'.

Professor Jeremy Pearson, associated medical director at the British Heart Foundation, said that the findings were interesting.

He added: 'Further studies are needed to determine whether this test can be used successfully to help intervention and treatment of heart failure, and ultimately reduce future risk.'
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New drug to reduce clot risk in patients with irregular heartbeat

Patients with an irregular heartbeat may benefit from a new drug, which appears to be better than the standard treatment warfarin at cutting the risk of stroke and blood clots.

A clinical trial involving more than 14,000 patients has revealed that rivaroxaban reduced the risk of stroke and blood clots by an extra fifth, compared to warfarin.

The research was carried out by scientists at the University of Edinburgh and Duke University in North Carolina.

It suggests that thousands of Britons with an irregular heartbeat could benefit from taking the drug instead of warfarin.

Keith Fox, British Heart Foundation professor of cardiology at the University of Edinburgh, presented the research at the American Heart Association conference in Chicago.

He said: 'Our study showed that rivaroxaban is simpler to administer and patients taking it have fewer strokes and blood clots.

'We now have an effective alternative to warfarin for patients with irregular heart beats and one that reduces complications and is easier to administer.'

Professor Peter Weissberg, the British Heart Foundation's medical director, revealed that around 800,000 people in the UK have atrial fibrillation, which causes about one in seven first-time strokes.

'This important study adds rivaroxaban to the increasing list of new drugs that seem to be at least as good as warfarin, the current standard therapy to prevent strokes in atrial fibrillation,' he said.
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Southampton hospital reveals rise in Rickets

The bone disease rickets could be affecting more than a fifth of children, medics have warned.

Researchers at Southampton General Hospital checked more than 200 local children for signs of bone problems caused by a lack of vitamin D.

Professor Nicholas Clarke, consultant orthopaedic surgeon at the hospital, and colleague Dr Justin Davies, a consultant paediatric endocrinologist, found that more than 20 per cent of the youngsters were affected - a discovery Professor Clarke admits was 'astonishing'.

Rickets is caused by a deficiency in vitamin D and is becoming more common as a result of children eating a poor diet and not getting enough sunlight.

Commenting on the findings, Professor Clarke said: 'In my 22 years at Southampton General Hospital, this is a completely new occurrence in the south that has evolved over the last 12 to 24 months.'

The professor revealed that the problem is affecting children from all socioeconomic backgrounds, despite the fact that the disease was once associated with poverty.

According to the NHS, rickets is most likely to affect children with dark skin, as they need more sunlight to get enough vitamin D.
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Vapour rubs improve sleep in children with colds

Children with cold symptoms may sleep more easily if they are treated with a vapour rub before bedtime, a new study in Paediatrics journal shows.

Scientists at Penn State College of Medicine found that vapour rubs help to treat children with night-time coughs and congestion, as well as improving sleep for young cold sufferers.

A total of 138 children, aged two to 11, took part in the study, all of whom were suffering from coughing, congestion and poor sleep.

Participants were treated before bedtime with Vicks VapoRub, petroleum jelly or no treatment.

Parents whose children received the vapour rub typically reported less frequent and less severe coughing, less congestion and improved sleep compared to those whose children received petroleum jelly or no treatment.

Researcher Dr Ian Paul, associate professor of paediatrics and public health sciences at Penn State, commented: 'Safe and effective, evidence-based treatments are desperately needed by parents and healthcare providers for children.

'The results of this study suggest that an old, commonly used remedy is effective at providing symptomatic relief from night-time cold symptoms with the added benefit of improving sleep for children with colds and their parents.'

NHS figures show that the average child experiences between three and eight colds a year, as a child's immune system is not fully developed and is therefore less able to fight common infections than an adult's.
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Health information websites save NHS money

Websites that provide reliable health information are saving the NHS millions of pounds a year, new research shows.

A study by scientists at Imperial College London found that 70 per cent of patients use the internet to search for health information.

The research also revealed that a third of people who log on to the NHS website do not feel the need to book a GP appointment afterwards.

This could be saving the NHS up to £44 million a year, the researchers say.

Bristol GP Knut Schroeder said: 'The internet is a great resource for health-related information, as long as people can use sources they can trust and rely on.'

Dr Schroeder revealed that many of his patients use websites to look up health-related information, such as symptoms or medical conditions.

'As a result, they are often better informed and are in a better position to use health services more appropriately,' he added.

Health minister Simon Burns said that the internet is increasingly being used in relation to health and that people must be able to find 'accurate, trusted information'.

A recent survey by consumer watchdog Which? revealed that patients are keen to have a personalised health information website from a trusted source.
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UK organ transplants reach record high

A record 3,706 transplants were carried out in the UK last year, marking a five per cent increase over the previous year.

The number of cornea transplants has risen by 12 per cent, while kidney transplants were up by eight per cent.

Figures from NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) also show that the number of deceased organ donors rose to a record high of 959, while the number of living donors increased by seven per cent to 1,061.

Sally Johnson, director of organ donation and transplantation at NHSBT, said that she is 'delighted' that more lives have been saved.

'We have made huge improvements to the way we work in hospitals and in promoting the overwhelming need for organs and I am glad these changes are reaping real rewards with so many lives saved,' she commented.

'But there is more we must do if we are to save the three people a day who are currently dying due to lack of a suitable organ.'

The report also shows that the number of people on the organ donor register has risen by six per cent, from 16,124,871 at the end of March 2009 to 17,077,105 at the end of March 2010.

However, Ms Johnson said that more must be done to promote the importance of organ donation, as the number of patients waiting for a transplant rose by two per cent between March 2009 and March 2010.

She added that people can help by signing up to the NHS Organ Donor Register and letting their families know their views on donation.

A spokeswoman for the British Heart Foundation described the increase in the number of transplants as 'very exciting'.

But she added that the system could be transformed by introducing an opt-out policy, whereby people would automatically be placed on the organ donor register unless they chose not to be.
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Study suggests new stroke drug target

US scientists have shed light on the brain's limited ability to recover after a stroke and uncovered a possible new therapy to aid neurological recovery.

When a person suffers a stroke, chemicals are released that 'dampen down' the activity of brain cells so that the spread of damage is limited.

However, this state - known as 'tonic inhibition' - persists for weeks and actually becomes detrimental to the brain's recovery.

Scientists at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and the University of Otago in New Zealand have now shown that it is possible to switch off this response and promote recovery in mice.

Dr Tom Carmichael, associate professor of neurology at UCLA's David Geffen School of Medicine, commented: 'It was surprising to find that the level of tonic inhibition was increased for so long after stroke and that there was an inflection point where the increased level eventually hindered the brain from recovering.

'It was also surprising that we could easily manipulate tonic inhibition in the brain after stroke to restore it back to a normal 'non-stroke' level and, in doing this, enhance behavioural recovery.'

Dr Andrew Clarkson, a research fellow at the University of Otago and a co-author on the Nature paper, added that the advance also provides hope for patients with traumatic head injuries.

He explained: 'The brain mechanisms of repair are similar so there is potential for this to work for them too.'

The researchers now hope to continue their studies in the laboratory before moving to clinical trials in humans.
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Resuscitation Council - 2010 guideline changes

The 2010 Resuscitation Council guidelines have just been published and they don't make many fundamental changes to lay person first aid procedures.

The following changes in the BLS guidelines have been made to reflect the importance placed on chest compression, particularly good quality compressions, and to attempt to reduce the number and duration of pauses in chest compression:

1. When obtaining help, ask for an automated external defibrillator (AED), if one is available.

2. Compress the chest to a depth of 5-6 cm and at a rate of 100-120 min

3. Give each rescue breath over 1 second rather than 2 seconds

4. Do not stop to check the victim or discontinue CPR unless the victim starts to show signs of regaining consciousness, such as coughing, opening his eyes, speaking, or moving purposefully AND starts to breathe normally.

5. Teach CPR to laypeople with an emphasis on chest compression, but include ventilation as the standard, particularly for those with a duty of care.

CPR/Resuscitation changes explained

1. When obtaining help, ask for an automated external defibrillator (AED), if one is available.

The availability of defibrillators today in many workplaces and public areas as well as the overwhelming amount of evidence to show that defibrillators are essential in increasing a victim of cardiac arrest's life mean that we now should always ask for one to be brought to the scene of an incident.

2. Compress the chest to a depth of 5-6 cm and at a rate of 100-120 min

To ensure we get good quality chest compressions they simply need to be HARDER and FASTER than previously advised. Forget all that nelly the elephant rubbish and concentrate on compressing the chest sufficiently to pump the blood around the body and maintain a shockable rhythm so that when the defibrillator arrives it has a much better chance of success.

3. Give each rescue breath over 1 second rather than 2 seconds

This again just underlines the importance of minimising interruptions to chest compressions. Interruptions in chest compressions are common and are associated with a reduced chance of survival.

4. Do not stop to check the victim or discontinue CPR unless the victim starts to show signs of regaining consciousness, such as coughing, opening his eyes, speaking, or moving purposefully AND starts to breathe normally.

This line simply underlines that we should never stop CPR once it has started unless the above are present. I think this leaves no doubt in the rescuers mind what should be done.

5. Teach CPR to laypeople with an emphasis on chest compression, but include ventilation as the standard, particularly for those with a duty of care.

We welcome this particular line as we come across lots of first aiders who have been taught chest compression only CPR and have never been taught how to perform rescue breaths. Although this was and still is an option for rescuers who are unable or willing to perform rescue breaths it never was intended to be something that was taught as a norm.

"Chest compression combined with rescue breaths is the method of choice for CPR by trained lay rescuers and professionals and should be the basis for lay-rescuer education..........Those laypeople with a duty of care, such as first aid workers, lifeguards, and child minders, should be taught chest compression and ventilation"

"Compression-only CPR is another way to increase the number of compressions given and will, by definition, eliminate pauses. It is effective for a limited period only (probably less than 5 min) and is not recommended as the standard management of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest." _________________________________________________________

Aspirin and heart attacks - the truth

Every year almost a quarter of a million people suffer heart attacks in the UK and a third die before reaching hospital*

Aspirin has been shown to reduce deaths from heart attack by 20-25%* and the earlier it is taken, the greater the benefit. When Paramedics are called to a person with a suspected heart attack, the first things they should do, if possible, is to give the patient a 300mg tablet of aspirin (unless the patient is hypersensitive to aspirin). This is referred to as ‘early aspirin’. But, a self-administered dose of aspirin taken upon onset of symptoms can be of even greater benefit; this is referred to as ‘immediate aspirin’.

It has been recommended, by eminent doctors and academics, that people at risk of a heart attack, that is, patients who have already had an attack, have a family history of heart disease, those with high blood pressure or cholesterol, and just about everyone over the age of about 50 years, should carry one or two tablets of soluble aspirin. A tablet to be chewed and swallowed immediately severe chest pain is experienced – even while 999 is being dialled!

What If I Already Take 75mg ‘Daily Aspirin’?

A ‘one off’ dose of 300mg aspirin, taken upon onset of chest pain, should not be confused with daily 75mg aspirin. Taking a daily prophylactic 75mg aspirin does not preclude the use of an emergency 300mg dose taken during a suspected heart attack or unstable angina.

Whats the Best Way of Carrying Aspirin?

You can of course carry aspirin in your wallet, bag or purse but you may find that the aspirin crumbles or becomes damp. There is a new device called ASPOD® (aspod.com ) specifically designed to carry an emergency dose of 300mg soluble aspirin. It attaches to your keyring, belt or bag, keeps you aspirin dry, safe and even illuminates so you can find them easily in the dark.

*British Heart Foundation 2007 Heart Disease Statistics
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Bacteria linked to asthma in children

A significant number of childhood asthma attacks may be triggered by treatable bacterial infections, a study in the British Medical Journal suggests.

Researchers studied 361 children, aged four weeks to three years, in order to see whether viral and bacterial infections were common during severe asthma attacks.

They found that the number of attacks was similar among children with bacterial respiratory infections and those with viral infections.

Viral infections have long been known to trigger asthma attacks, but the finding that attacks can also be brought on by bacterial infections could lead to a new treatment approach.

Hans Bisgaard, professor of paediatrics at the Danish Paediatric Asthma Centre, revealed: 'We found a significant relationship between bacterial infections and acute asthma attacks - above and beyond the expected relationship between viral infections and attacks.

'Scientists will now look into whether treatment with antibiotics can help children when they have an asthma attack if they are also suffering from a bacterial infection. Being able to use antibiotics to treat asthma attacks in children would be revolutionary.'

On a less positive note, a new study funded by Asthma UK has found that boosting levels of vitamins C and E during pregnancy does not reduce infants' likelihood of developing asthma.

Anecdotal evidence had suggested that children whose mothers had low levels of vitamin E were more likely to have asthma, but scientists at King's College London and Imperial College London have found no evidence to support the theory.
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October marks start of UK flu season

The UK's annual flu season has now begun and people in high-risk groups have been urged to have the flu jab as soon as possible.

Health experts have predicted that the strain responsible for last year's H1N1 'swine flu' pandemic will be of the seasonal flu viruses this year.

Professor John Watson, head of the respiratory diseases department at the Health Protection Agency (HPA), revealed that the agency has kept a close eye on the flu season in the southern hemisphere.

Some countries have experienced moderate levels of H1N1 activity, while others have had relatively few cases.

'We can never predict what will happen in any flu season but we will remain vigilant,' Professor Watson said.

'We should expect that flu viruses will circulate this winter and it remains important that everyone who is in an at-risk group receives their flu jab.'

Professor David Salisbury, director of immunisation at the Department of Health, recently advised people not to underestimate the effects of seasonal flu.

He said: 'It is not the same as getting a cold. It can seriously affect your health and the risks of developing complications are greater if you have certain pre-existing medical conditions.

'If you are in any of the identified at-risk groups, my advice, especially at this time of the year, is to visit your local GP surgery and get the vaccination as soon as possible.'
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Successful surgery may reduce stroke risk

Patients who undergo surgery to open up the arteries in their neck are likely to benefit from the procedure, a long-running clinical trial published in the Lancet medical journal has found.

A procedure called carotid endarterectomy (CEA) can be performed to remove fatty deposits that narrow the arteries in the neck, but the procedure can cause immediate stroke and death.

However, the latest research shows that successful surgery can halve the risk of having a stroke over the next five years, leading researchers at the University of Oxford to conclude that the overall benefits of surgery outweigh the risks in otherwise healthy under-75s.

The researchers assessed the effectiveness of successful CEA at reducing the likelihood of a stroke in 3,120 patients with narrowed carotid arteries.

Half underwent immediate surgery, while the remainder were not operated upon unless there was a definite need for it in the future.

The risk of immediate stroke or death was three per cent among those who had surgery. But for those who had surgery and survived, the subsequent risk of stroke was substantially reduced over the next few years.

Ten per cent of patients who did not have surgery had a stroke within the next five years, compared to just 4.1 per cent of surgical patients.

After ten years, the risk of stroke was 10.8 per cent for those who had surgery and 16.9 per cent among those who did not.

Lead researcher Professor Alison Halliday, from the Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, commented: 'This trial took more than 15 years to complete because we wanted to know about the long-term effects of surgery.

'The definite benefits that we have found will be of practical value to doctors and patients deciding in the future whether to take the immediate risk of having such surgery.'

Every year, about 150,000 people have a stroke in the UK, making it the nation's third most common cause of death.
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Call for bolder action on organ donation

Doctors in Scotland have welcomed a new campaign designed to improve organ donation rates.

The £500,000 marketing campaign was launched by health secretary Nicola Sturgeon during a visit to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.

It aims to encourage people to add their names to the organ donor register so that they may potentially save someone's life.

Ms Sturgeon said that organ donation 'can make something positive come out of a tragedy'.

She revealed that more than 600 patients are waiting for a transplant in Scotland, many of whom will not receive the organ they need in time.

Dr Brian Keighley, chairman of the British Medical Association (BMA) in Scotland, welcomed the initiative, but called for 'bold action' to address the shortage of potential organ donors.

He revealed: 'Despite many high-profile campaigns to generate an increase in the number of donors, there has been limited success.

'The BMA believes that a change to a system of presumed consent for organ donation addresses this problem, by making donation the default position from which people may opt out during their lifetime if they so wish.'
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Study may pave way for better asthma treatment

Scientists hope that a new study will ultimately lead to better treatments for asthma - a condition that affects about 5.4 million people in the UK.

An international study, led by scientists at Imperial College London, has identified a number of versions of genes that appear to greatly increase an individual's chances of developing asthma.

The researchers looked at the DNA of more than 26,000 people, including 10,000 with asthma and a further 16,000 healthy volunteers.

Tests identified seven areas of the genome in which people with asthma showed differences when compared to people without asthma.

Commenting on the findings, which are published in the New England Journal of Medicine, Professor William Cookson from Imperial College London said: 'One of the problems with asthma research has been choosing where to intervene in the disease pathways.

'Our study now highlights targets for effective asthma therapies, and suggests that therapies against these targets will be of use to large numbers of asthmatics in the population.'

The study also suggests that asthma is not a single disease, and that asthma which develops in childhood may be biologically different from asthma that is acquired in adulthood.
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Campaign to raise awareness of early signs of cancer

A new campaign focusing on the early signs of cancer will be launched in the new year, the government has announced.

Fifty-nine local campaigns will alert people to the early signs of breast, bowel and lung cancer - the three biggest cancer killers.

According to experts, early diagnosis greatly increases the chances of survival and estimates suggest that as many as 10,000 lives could be saved each year in England alone if survival rates matched the best in Europe.

Care services minister Paul Burstow said: 'Our aim is simple - we want to save many more lives and achieve cancer survival rates among the best in the world.

'Our campaign will help people to be more alert to the early signs and symptoms of cancer and encourage them to seek medical advice as soon as possible.'

Jane Hatfield, director of policy and research at Breast Cancer Care, described the announcement as 'excellent news'.

She observed: 'Our own research has shown there are groups of women, particularly the over-70s and those from socially deprived areas, who aren't aware of the signs and symptoms of breast cancer, so it's vital that these projects are tailored to local communities and are delivered in a way that all women can benefit from them.'

The government also plans to trial a centrally-led campaign to raise awareness of bowel cancer symptoms and to encourage people to visit a GP as soon as they are concerned.

Pilots will be run in two regions and, if successful, the government intends to roll out a nationwide campaign.
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Stockings to help prevent blood clots

Thigh-length surgical stockings may be better at preventing dangerous blood clots than knee-high socks, a new study suggests.

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is particularly common in stroke survivors, many of whom are unable to move parts of their body.

This immobility increases the risk of blood clots developing in the leg veins and hospital patients are often given knee-high stockings to combat the risk.

However, the latest study from the University of Edinburgh suggests that these do little to prevent blood clots from developing in stroke patients.

The research team looked at more than 3,000 stroke patients in nine countries and found that those fitted with short stockings were 30 per cent more likely to develop DVT than those fitted with thigh-length stockings.

Martin Dennis, professor of stroke medicine at the University of Edinburgh, said that the findings may have 'important implications' for millions of patients.

'Unless reliable evidence emerges that short stockings do actually reduce the risk of DVT, long stockings should always be used in preference,' he added.

Meanwhile, doctors at University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff are trialling a new round-the-clock service to provide stroke patients with clot-busting drugs.

The drugs must be given quickly in order to work, but have previously only been available during regular working hours, as a specialist needs to be available to administer the dose.

However, staff have now agreed to work around the clock, seven days a week, to improve patients' chances of survival and reduce the likelihood of long-term complications.
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High dose aspirin "effective" against severe headaches

People with severe headache or migraine caused by drug withdrawal may benefit from taking high doses of aspirin, a study in the journal Neurology shows.

Scientists at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) Headache Centre found that patients who were given intravenous aspirin reported a significant reduction in pain 25 per cent of the time.

A more modest reduction in pain was observed about two-fifths of the time.

The study involved 168 patients, aged 18 to 75 years, the majority of whom had been admitted to hospital for severe headache complicated by medication overuse.

Participants were given 1g of aspirin - three times the typical dose - and were treated five times, on average.

Lead investigator Dr Peter Goadsby, professor and director of the UCSF Headache Centre, commented: 'These results tell migraine sufferers, their doctors and insurance providers that high-dose intravenous aspirin is a beneficial way to treat difficult withdrawal headaches via a medicine that is not addictive or toxic.'

Headaches can have a range of causes, including stress, squinting and underlying conditions, and are extremely common.

For instance, NHS figures suggest that over 40 per cent of the UK's population may be affected by tension-type headaches at any one time.
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Two popular supplements are "ineffective but harmless"

New research suggests that glucosamine and chondroitin, two supplements regularly prescribed to help patients with knee and hip osteoarthritis manage joint pain, produce "no clinically relevant effect".

The number of prescriptions issued for glucosamine and chondroitin has increased rapidly over the last ten years, with the treatments also available over the counter.

However, studies on the efficacy of glucosamine and chondroitin have produced mixed results, prompting Professor Peter Juni and a team of researchers at the University of Bern in Switzerland to launch their own investigation.

After looking at ten previously-published trials, Professor Juni and the team concluded that glucosamine and chondroitin, whether taken independently or together, had no bearing on joint pain or on joint space narrowing.

'Compared with placebo, glucosamine, chondroitin and their combination do not reduce joint pain or have an impact on narrowing of joint space,' the authors wrote.

'Health authorities and health insurers should be discouraged from funding glucosamine and chondroitin treatment.'

However, a spokesperson for Arthritis Research UK noted that Professor Juni also found glucosamine and chondroitin to be safe and had no issue with patients taking the supplements as long as they paid for them themselves.

'Glucosamine and chondroitin are two of the most popular health supplements for osteoarthritis and two of the most commonly investigated,' the spokesperson commented.

'Many trials have been done over the years but with mixed results. Some trials, but not all, have shown worthwhile improvements in pain. These compounds are also safe. NICE makes it clear in their guidelines on osteoarthritis that while they don't feel there's enough evidence to warrant the NHS paying for the supplements, some people may want to consider an over-the-counter trial as part of a wider self-management plan which includes exercise and keeping to an ideal weight, and we would support that view.'
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Campaign to reduce medicine wastage

The Welsh Assembly government has launched a new campaign in a bid to reduce the amount of medicines that are wasted.

More than 250 tons of medicines are returned to pharmacies and GP surgeries across Wales each year, either because they are out-of-date, surplus to requirements or no longer needed.

This means that at least £50 million worth of medicines is wasted, but in reality the figure is far higher as many unwanted medicines are incorrectly disposed of through household refuse.

Patients will now be given advice with their medication on how to avoid wasted medicines, while radio adverts and leaflets will also help to spread the word.

Doctors will also receive letters from Wales' chief medical officer and the NHS chief executive, reminding them to only prescribe medicines where necessary.

Health minister Edwina Hart commented: 'Millions of pounds worth of waste medicines are being burnt every year. This is money that could be better spent elsewhere in the NHS.

'We all have a duty to play our part in reducing the amount of unnecessary prescribing of medicines. This will ensure that the NHS is able to spend its money in the most effective way.'

Meanwhile, the Welsh government is supporting a UK-wide campaign aimed at highlighting the recent increase in sexually-transmitted infections among over-50s.
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Experts develop early meningitis detection tool

Scientists at the Health Protection Agency (HPA) have developed a new model that could be used to assess whether a suspected case of meningitis is bacterial or viral.

A lumbar puncture procedure is currently needed to confirm whether a patient's meningitis is viral or bacterial, the latter of which must be detected quickly to allow the best chance of survival.

Dr Toyin Ejidokun, an HPA consultant in communicable diseases, said that the new predictive model - which relies on a combination of blood tests and symptoms - could be used to provide a rapid indication of whether or not a patient needs antibiotic treatment.

'Prompt diagnosis and early intervention is crucial in protecting those with suspected meningitis and their close contacts, she confirmed.

'While further testing needs to take place to test the accuracy of the model, this simple model offers the prospect of a rapid predictive tool to help clinical and public health management of suspected bacterial meningitis cases.'

Steve Dayman, chief executive of Meningitis UK, described the model as an 'excellent step forward'.

Mr Dayman observed that it could help to save lives and pointed out that anything that helps to identify and treat the disease more quickly is a 'positive' development.
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Plaintain fibre may fight Crohn's Disease

A new plantain-based food product could help to treat patients with Crohn's disease, a condition that causes chronic inflammation of the lining of the digestive system.

Figures suggest that about one in 800 people in the UK are affected by Crohn's disease, which is characterised by diarrhoea, bleeding and abdominal pain.

Now, scientists are conducting clinical trials to see whether a medical food containing fibres from plantains - a close relative of the banana - could help patients to remain in remission.

Previous research has shown that people with Crohn's disease tend to have elevated levels of a certain type of E. coli bacteria, which they are unable to fight off effectively.

Plaintain soluble figures have been found to prevent E. coli from penetrating the gut wall and causing chronic inflammation.

Professor Jonathan Rhodes, from the Liverpool Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), revealed: 'Dietary factors and the increased numbers of E. coli in the intestine of Crohn's patients suggested to us that there could be a link between the food that we eat and the transportation of bacteria in the body.'

Peter Laing, head of research and development at biotechnology company Provexis, added: 'In partnership with the BRC, we are hopeful that this new medical food, containing soluble plantain fibres, could help halt the progression of the disease and prevent it from returning.'

A recent study, published in the journal Genome Research, showed that vitamin D has a significant impact on the activity of many genes, including ones associated with Crohn's disease and type-1 diabetes.
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Salt on your salad Sir?

Salad may seem like a healthy option at lunchtime, but a new survey suggests that many salad and pasta bowls in supermarkets, high-street cafes and fast-food chains contain surprisingly high levels of salt.

Experts at Consensus Action on Salt and Health (Cash) are warning that a single salad meal could provide over half of an adult's maximum recommended daily intake of salt.

The campaign group surveyed 270 salad and pasta bowls and found that one in ten contained more salt than a Big Mac.

For instance, EAT Spicy Crayfish Noodles contain 3.51g salt per portion, while Pret's Super (Duper) Humous Salad with French Dressing contains 3.2g - a significant chunk out of the maximum recommended allowance of 6g.

The Cash research also revealed that just 22 per cent of 'healthy' branded ranges qualified for a 'green' traffic light label.

Katharine Jenner, campaign manager at Cash, noted that many people choose salad when they are watching their waistline.

'Given the healthy image of salads, it's surprising to find that they contain such high levels of unnecessary salt,' she commented.

Cash chairman Professor Graham MacGregor, from the Wolfson Institute of Preventive Medicine, described the levels of salt in most of the surveyed salads as 'absurd'.

He pointed out: 'Clearly the manufacturers still have a long way to go if we are to reduce our salt intake to 6g a day and save the maximum number of lives.'

Commenting on the findings, the British Heart Foundation's Victoria Taylor explained that eating a diet high in salt can increase a person's risk of raised blood pressure, which is linked to heart disease and stroke.

She added that products need to be clearly labelled 'so that people know what's really in the food they buy'.
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Holidaymakers urged to get correct jabs

UK holidaymakers have been reminded to get any recommended vaccinations before jetting off to exotic destinations.

The warning comes as Indonesian tourist hotspot Bali continues to battle an ongoing epidemic of rabies.

Stray dogs are common on the island and there have been 77 reported human exposures to rabies since August 2008.

Tourists planning to visit Bali, or indeed any other exotic location, are being urged to visit their GP surgery, travel health clinic or pharmacy for up-to-date guidance.

This should be done between six and eight weeks before every overseas trip so that there is time to organise any necessary vaccinations.

Dr Jane Wilson-Howarth, GP, travel health author and spokeswoman for the '8 Weeks To Go' campaign, said that 55,000 people die from rabies each year, even though it can be prevented through vaccination.

'I can't stress enough the importance of seeking reliable, up-to-date, expert advice from a GP, practice nurse or travel health clinic/pharmacy before travelling overseas,' she advised.

'It is important to remember that it's not only long-haul destinations that pose health risks. Even countries only a few hours away have very different health risks to the UK.'

Meanwhile, nurse and travel health expert Cate Riley advised holidaymakers to be prepared in case they are bitten, scratched or licked by an animal.

She advised: 'Take a sterile medical pack including syringes and needles, as medical and hygiene standards may differ to those in the UK - in some parts of the world hospitals may re-use needles.'
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New non-emergency NHS number

A new phone number for people needing non-emergency medical care is being trialled in the north-east of England.

Patients in the region can now dial 111 if they want health advice, information about out-of-hours GPs, walk-in centres, emergency dentists and 24-hour chemists.

The free 24-hour service is being trialled by NHS County Durham and Darlington primary care trusts and is designed to relieve pressure on the 999 service, although people in need of emergency care should still contact the latter.

The new service should be used 'if you need help quickly and can't wait for an appointment with your GP or don't know who to call'.

'If we think you need an ambulance, we will send one immediately - just as if you had originally dialled 999,' the service adds.

Professor Stephen Singleton, medical director of NHS North East, said that the new 111 number should 'improve access to urgent healthcare for local people'.

'By better understanding what people really need from different local services, 111 will enable the commissioning of more effective and productive health care,' he claimed.

'Most importantly it will help improve efficiency across the whole healthcare system by reducing unnecessary waste and making sure people get access to the right service, first time.'

Jo Webber, director of the Ambulance Service Network, said that the scheme could transform patient care.

"This number will be the vital missing piece in the jigsaw of providing much more joined-up urgent and emergency services," she claimed.

'It will bring together GPs in and out of hours care, walk-in and urgent care centres, minor injuries units, social care and mental health services and community nursing teams.'

The non-emergency service will also be trialled in Nottingham, Lincolnshire and Luton later this year.
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