Medical | Fab after Fifty | Information and inspiration for women over 50

Living with Arthritis

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Post by Ceri Wheeldon Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live with arthritis? Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live with arthritis? I have never really given arthritis too much thought in terms of how it affects everyday living. I came across this video which shows a young man wearing an arthritis simulation suit including adapted gloves and goggles etc. to mimic arthritis and show the difficulties encountered daily even in the simplest of tasks by those who suffer from the condition. It makes for interesting viewing and certainly makes you think! This video was created as part of the Seconds Matter Campaign in support of people with Arthritis. Premier Care created the campaign with the main objective of raising awareness around a condition that affects one in five adults...
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Stigma around gynaecological cancers could be costing lives

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Article by Eve Appeal. Age is a significant factor in gynaecological cancers. One in five women aged 46-55 even said they hadn’t sought medical advice for symptoms such as changes to periods, persistent bloating or pelvic discomfort because they believed they were normal for someone of their age – when in fact postmenopausal bleeding is a key symptom of womb cancer, which women of this age group are at higher risk of developing – with almost three quarters (73%) of cases in the UK diagnosed in women aged between 40 and 74. Age is also a significant factor in the incidence rate of other gynaecological cancers; three quarters of ovarian cancer cases in the UK are diagnosed in women over 55, and vaginal and vulval cancers occur most commonly in women over...
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Changes to the NHS you need to know about

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The healthcare system is facing huge financial pressures; the demand on health services is rising whilst funding for these services are either being stagnated or reduced. Here, Fab After Fifty takes a look at some of the recent changes that have happened to the healthcare system and the NHS that have affected those over 50, as well as giving a summary of some of the changes that we could see in the future. Some recent changes to the healthcare system A new health and social care regulator In 2009, a new health and social care regulator, the Care Quality Commission (CQC), was created and aimed to join up regulation for health and social care. NHS health checks Also in 2009, another major change to the healthcare system saw the introduction of NHS Health Checks for...
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Action on Hearing Loss’ myth-busting guide to tinnitus

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Tinnitus can be hard to live with. People who suffer with the characteristic and persistent ringing or buzzing inside the ear or head say it plays havoc with sleep and concentration, making life, work and even leisure stressful. But don’t despair. Action on Hearing Loss, while determinedly seeking a cure for tinnitus, has many products specifically designed to help the one in 10 people in the UK who live with the condition. This week is National Tinnitus Week and Action on Hearing Loss (formerly RNID), the UK’s largest deafness and hearing loss charity, know it’s the ideal time to highlight how to manage the condition, which affects 12% of people in their sixties and 25-30% of the over-70s. And management is the key word here. Tinnitus can be managed –...
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Music is the Food of Love

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Article by Fab after Fifty Love is in the air. The airwaves actually, as romantic films and music play a backdrop to this week’s Valentine’s Day. But spare a thought for those that are deaf or hard of hearing; not only do they miss out on music, they can often feel socially isolated and even lonely. Understanding and support from loved ones is essential to those without perfect hearing, but also from society in general. Many deaf people state that ‘it’s easier to stay in’ than venture out into wider world where difficulties around hearing and making oneself understood abound. While those recently diagnosed or realising that their hearing is impaired speak of a ‘shrinking world’. Does a friend or family member have a hearing issue? ...
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Ways you can minimise winter health risks

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Article by FabafterFifty As the New Year starts and we have lots of good intentions to exercise more, eat more healthily, sart that long awaited project, the last thing we want is to…. catch a cold. Winter is the time of year when you’re most likely to come down with an illness, and no matter how well prepared you may think you are, Yahoo News has reason to say otherwise with their recent report on some of the most likely places where germs could spread. Before you start wiping down every single kitchen surface and toilet seat in both home and office, there are a few simple preparations you can make which reduce the risk of coming down with something nasty this winter. Your body Most importantly – stop putting it...
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Not just old age: The medical conditions health professionals can fail to recognise

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Article by FabafterFifty Often, as the years creep by, it can be tempting to put potential medical symptoms down to simply getting older. But, there are certain conditions which are more common in the over 50s so it’s important for patients and GPs to be vigilant. Here are just some of the cases which highlight why… CERVICAL CANCER The average age of cervical cancer sufferers is 48 and symptoms of cervical cancer and the menopause can have similarities. In both, irregular bleeding is common. But, despite that, one grandmother’s GP failed to look at the possibility of cervical cancer when she visited complaining of fever and experiencing heavy bleeding. A year after 55-year-old Cheryl Humpage first went to her GP with symptoms, she was finally diagnosed with cervical cancer. But, by...
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As seen in EastEnders, your partner and prostate cancer

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Article by Nikolaas Harding BBC EastEnders character, 79 year old Stan Carter, played by Timothy West CBE, has recently revealed to his family that he has prostate cancer – a secret that he has kept for three years. 40,000 men like Stan are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year in the UK and 40,000 families like the Carters are left struggling to come to terms with the situation. Men over 50 are at higher than average risk of prostate cancer, meaning that many women of this age could face the prospect of supporting their partner through the disease. A positive diagnosis and treatment can put huge emotional strain on a relationship and the family unit. Impact of Prostate Cancer on Relationship Rebekah Howe, 54, mother of 5 from Bedford, sadly lost her husband Mark to...
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Vaping and Electronic Cigarettes: What are they and can they help a 40 year smoker?

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Article by Fabafterfifty Electronic cigarettes have caused a stir in recent years when they emerged as a new alternative to smoking, offering the same experience but without the actual smoke. The dangers of smoking tobacco have become common knowledge over the last few decades, yet despite this knowledge the dangerous habit of smoking hasn’t died out. Electronic cigarettes have been on the scene for several years now, and have undergone some great technological improvements along the way, drawing many advocates such as Vaping Point’s Liz – a 65 year old ex-smoker turned electronic cigarette reviewer helping silver surfers know what the world of vaping is all about. This article is aimed at getting you up to speed on what electronic cigarettes are and if/how they can help you as a smoker to quit cigarettes. What are electronic cigarettes? Electronic cigarettes, or ‘e-cigs’, are devices that imitate...
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Tips for keeping Cholesterol levels under control

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Six in 10 adults in the UK have raised cholesterol – could one of them be you? Cholesterol is one of the biggest risk factors for heart disease and stroke. Notoriously known as one of UK’s silent killers, high cholesterol doesn’t necessarily present any symptoms and so the only way to be sure of your risk is to get checked. Each week, Life Line Screening performs around 1,300 health screenings across the UK and Ireland. Last year alone, they identified over 5,000 people with high cholesterol levels. Cholesterol checks are available at Life Line Screening as a simple finger-stick screening. To learn more about your health and for more information about the full range of health screening services provided by Life Line Screening visit www.lifelinescreening.co.uk. Rising cholesterol There are two main types of cholesterol found in...
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Living with Arthritis

Stigma around gynaecological cancers could be costing lives

Changes to the NHS you need to know about

Action on Hearing Loss’ myth-busting guide to tinnitus

Music is the Food of Love

Ways you can minimise winter health risks

Not just old age: The medical conditions health professionals can fail to recognise

As seen in EastEnders, your partner and prostate cancer

Vaping and Electronic Cigarettes: What are they and can they help a 40 year smoker?

Tips for keeping Cholesterol levels under control

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