JANUARY NEWSLETTER 2014

By the time you receive this Newsletter, Christmas and New Year celebrations will be over! However, I can still wish all WPPG members a healthy and happy 2014 - with a repeat of last year’s summer (hopefully!)

ADMINISTRATION – PAYMENT OF ANNUAL WPPG SUBSCRIPTION

This will become due on 1 April 2014. If you have already set up a standing order, as a large number of our members have, then this will not concern you. If however you pay by cash or cheque each year then you may wish to make a note in your diary that £5 per household will be due from 1 April. This can be placed in an envelope (cheques payable to WPPG) with your name and postcode and popped into the red box on the wall in the Village Surgery, Wstd.

PILATES

Our numbers confirm how successful our 3 classes on Tuesday afternoons are. We have now been running for over five years and have managed during that time not to increase the non-profit-making £5 charge per person, per hour, (inclusive of equipment). However, with rising costs and the purchase of more advanced equipment, we now find it necessary to increase this to £6 per person per hour commencing on the 7 January 2014.

OSTEOPOROSIS – What is it? Why is it important? How do I prevent it? By Dr Modi

Osteoporosis is a condition affecting the bones, causing them to become fragile and more likely to fracture (break). Fractures commonly occur in the spine, wrist and hips but can affect any other bone. Osteoporosis develops slowly over several years. There can be no warning signs or symptoms until a minor fall or sudden impact causes a bone to fracture. Healthy bones should be able to withstand a fall from standing height, so a bone that breaks after a minor fall or injury is known as a fragility fracture. A simple cough or a sneeze may cause the fracture of one of the bones of the spine which can be serious, depending on where it occurs. A sign of osteoporosis is the stooping (bent forward) position that develops in older people. It happens when the bones in the spine are fractured, making it difficult to support the weight of the body.Osteoporosis does not usually cause pain unless a bone is broken. Spinal fractures are the most common cause of pain associated with osteoporosis Bones are at their thickest and strongest in early adult life and are constantly renewed and repaired through a process called bone turnover. However, as you age, this process is no longer balanced and bone loss increases. This means bone is very slowly broken down over time and your bones become less dense as you get older causing them to become weaker and more likely to fracture.Women are at greater risk of developing osteoporosis than men. After the menopause, the level of oestrogen in the body falls causing a reduction in bone density. Women are at even greater risk of developing osteoporosis if they have an early menopause (before the age of 45), have a hysterectomy before the age of 45 or their periods are absent for a long time (more than six months) as a result of over-exercising or over-doing dieting. In most men the exact cause is unknown.Many hormones in the body can affect the process of bone turnover. If you have a disease of the hormone-producing glands, you may be at higher risk of developing osteoporosis.These includehyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid gland) disorders of the adrenal glands,such as Cushing’s

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syndrome, disorders of the pituitary gland and hyperparathyroidism (over activity of the parathyroid glands). Other things that increase the risk of osteoporosis include heavy drinking and smoking, rheumatoid arthritis, malabsorption problems as experienced in Coeliac disease and Crohn’s disease, and long periods of inactivity such as long-term bed rest.Unfortunately osteoporosis is often diagnosed after the weakening of the bones has led to a fracture. If you are at high risk of osteoporosis your doctor can refer you for a bone density scan, known as a DEXA scan. This is a painless procedure that takes around 15 minutes to perform and measures your bone mineral density (BMD). Although a bone density scan canhelp to diagnose osteoporosis, your BMD result is not the only factor that determines your risk of fracturing a bone. Your doctor will also consider other risk factors such as your age, sex, BMI, family history, medical history and any previous fractures before deciding whether you need treatment for osteoporosis. Treatment should be discussed on a case by case basis for each individual rather than adopting a one size fits all philosophy.Osteoporosis can be prevented by doing regular exercise. Adults should do at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity (ie fast walking 5 times a week, Pilates, etc). Weight-bearing exercises are particularly important in improving bone density. Weight-bearing exercises are exercises where your feet and legs support your weight. When exercising, wear footwear that provides your ankles and feet with adequate support such as trainers, or boots for walking. People over the age of 60 can also benefit from regular weight-bearing exercise. This can include brisk walking, Pilates or Keep-Fit classes, or a game of tennis. Swimming and cycling are not weight-bearing exercises but are very beneficial for your overall health and fitness.Eating a healthy, balanced diet can help to prevent osteoporosis as well as many other conditions including heart disease, diabetes and some forms of cancer. Calcium is important for maintaining strong bones. The recommended intake of calcium is a least 700 mg a day. This is equivalent to a pint of milk. Calcium can be found in a number of different foods, including green leafy vegetables, dried fruit, tofu and yoghurt.Vitamin D is important as it helps your body to absorb calcium. Vitamin D can be found in eggs, milk and oily fish. However, most vitamin D is made in the skin in response to sunlight. A short exposure to sunlight (10 minutes twice a day) throughout the summer should provide you with enough vitamin D for the year. Some people are at risk of not getting enough vitamin D. This includes the housebound people with a poor diet or those who keep covered up in sunlight and women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Vitamin D supplements can be purchased from pharmacies and health food shops if you are not getting enough via your diet or lifestyle.

SYLVIA FOSTER (PRACTICE MANAGER)

I have now been in post for 4 months and the time has flown by. We have had a very busy time organizing ‘flu clinics and carried out nearly 3,500 ‘flu vaccinations. We have also been immunizing all 2 and 3 year-olds against ‘flu – another very busy period for the surgery. Shingles vaccination – there has been a nationwide shortage of this vaccination – at present we are able to order 20 vaccinations a week. The vaccine is available for 70 and 79 year olds. We now have a new website. We hope it is more informative and interactive than the old website. Please take a look and let me have any comments. We have also carried out a patient survey and results will be published by 31.3.14. We have made changes to the online prescription request service – we do realize this caused some frustration, however, we believe it is a much more user friendly and efficient service. Some appointments are now available to book online. We have also introduced a text reminder service for appointments whereby a patient can cancel an appointment by text. We hope this will reduce the number of ‘Did not attend for appointment’

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and thereby allow the Surgery to have more appointments to offer. If you have any suggestions please do not hesitate to contact me.

AN EXPLODING PRESSURE COOKER – By Nadia Osgood (Editor’s daughter)

“It all happened so quickly! I had been cooking apples in my pressure cooker in order to make apple puree and was ready to begin. Taking the lid off (with difficulty) the next thing I knew was a terrible burning sensation in my face, neck and arm! I was screaming, my two sons aged eleven and eight gave me one look and went rushing to the ‘phone. I heard “Nana please come over now as the pressure cooker has exploded and mummy is screaming and covered all over with apple!” Mum and Dad made record time covering the 25 mile journey. They found me shivering, having a cold shower in an attempt to reduce the pain. My elder son had rung the paramedics by that time and my parents and the paramedics arrived about the same time. The paramedics dipped muslin strips into aloevera and laid these gently over all the burns to keep the skin cool and help to take away the pain and this really was a great relief. The next day after the aloevera treatment I went to see my GP who prescribed Flamazine and advised me to go to a Dermatologist. However, as I was leaving, a nurse at the surgery mentioned the specialist Burns Unit at ChelmsfordHospital. My sister from Berkshire motored up and took me to the Burns Unit. I cannot speak too highly of this amazing Burns Unit who treated me in spite of the fact I did not have an appointment. I had in total 4 treatments which consisted of razoring all the skin from my face and neck, to remove the dead skin, and applying cling film directly onto the skin(as this relieves the stinging). Apparently it is the air touching the fresh skin which causes it to sting - and it really worked. I was prescribed an antibacterial wash (Octenisan) and was told to wash the skin 3 times a day to gently remove the crust that forms – it is best to keep the skin free of this crust which is trying to form a scab. After washing I was told to apply Bactroban 2% ointment which is an antibacterial cream which also keeps the burns moisturized. While the burns were healing they itched and I was advised to take Piriton. Deeper burns were covered and treated with Flamazine, which is a silver sulfadiazine which effectively dissolves this crusty gunky matter which forms on the burns. It is important this is removed and kept away from the burned area as this is what causes infection and scarring – as it harbours bacteria. Burns heal well if kept covered for as long as possible. I kept the bad burn on my wrist covered for 2 weeks; I used flamazine every day on this wound until all the fleshy matter had dissolved and I was left with pink skin. The nurse told me if the wound starts to bleed a bit this is good and a sign that the flamazine has done its job and the wound can just be covered without it. I had petroleum mesh strips to put on the wound to prevent the dressing from sticking and removing freshly formed skin cells. Each time I went the wounds were dressed. I have been left with some brown pigmentation scars but I am hoping they will fade over time. I feel so lucky to have been treated by this amazing and dedicated Burns Unit team.”

FIRST AID FOR BURNS AND SCALDS – By Dr Debbie Gilham

Burns are caused by dry heat and scalds by liquids or steam. They are both treated in the same way by removing the cause and cooling the area affected as soon as possible.

  • Stop the burning process as soon as possible and remove any sources of heat.
  • Put out flames with water or smother with a blanket. If the victim’s clothing is burning roll the victim on the ground to smother the flames.
  • Remove clothes that are over the burn as soon as possible as they can retain heat, but do not pull off clothing that has stuck to the skin as this may cause skin damage.
  • For electrical burns – disconnect the victim from the source of the electricity before attempting first aid. Avoid putting yourself in danger.

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  • For chemical burns – remove affected clothing. Brush the chemical off the skin if it is in a dry form. Then wash the burn with lots and lots of water.
  • Cool the burnt area immediately with cool or tepid water. Put the affected area under a running tap for at least 20 minutes. A shower or bath is useful for larger areas. Do not use very cold water or ice as this can damage the skin.
  • Remove jewellery. This may cause tightness or constriction if any swelling occurs.
  • Cover the burn – ideally with cling film. Cling film is ideal to cover a burn or scald as it is sterile, protective and soothing, does not stick to skin and a doctor can see through it. Do not use the first few inches of cling film as these may not be clean. A clear plastic bag is an alternative and is good for a foot or hand. Apply cling film in layers rather than around like a bandage or it can cause constriction if the injured area swells.
  • Give painkillers. Paracetamol or Ibuprofen may help to ease pain.

Do not do the following:

  • Prick any blisters. Leave them intact, to lessen the risk of infection.
  • Apply creams, ointments, oils, grease, etc. (The exception is for mild sunburn when a moisturizer cream may help to soothe.)
  • Put on an adhesive, sticky or fluffy dressing.

HAPPY NEW YEAR By Pat Walker, Dietician

This is about the time of year when we think about losing some weight and increasing our exercise to help ourselves become fitter and healthier. A Christmas dinner of 6000 Kcals can be consumed, so it is important to lose the pounds. We generally need around 2000Kcals/day for a woman and 2,500Kcals for a man. It always seems harder to lose the pounds than put them on. To lose one pound you need to use up 4000Kcals/day.Small changes – BIG BENEFITS!

First of all have smaller portions and use a smaller plate, with plenty of vegetables. Check the food labels for fat and sugar (gms per 100gms of food). Remember this rhyme: 1,2,3 feel free 10,15,20 that’s more than plenty! Try swapping foods, find a lower calorie food. Full fat milk – swap to skimmed. Fizzy drinks – to diet drinks or sugar free drinks. Sugar-coated breakfast cereals to porridge or some other unsweetened cereals. Hard cheese, Cheddar, Stilton – change to Edam, Gouda or low fat cottage cheese. Tinned fish in oil to tinned in brine. Double cream change to natural yoghurt. Instead of frying try grilling or steaming. Choose carefully if you are having takeaways. INDIAN choose tandoori, madras, or chicken, prawn or vegetable curry. Have plain rice or chappatis. CHINESE choose steamed fish, chicken chop suey or Szechwan prawns, with boiled rice. In both cases avoid food with creamy sauces and deep fried dishes. All these “swapped” foods are lower in calories, some dramatically so. With these changes it will help to lose weight. Remember – small changes BIG BENEFITS. I wish you a HEALTHY and HAPPY 2014 – A New Year/New You!

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Newsletter Editor: Andy Capy Telephone 01582 832305 Email:

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