January - 2021

Heavy smokers 89% more likely to die with coronavirus, study suggests

Heavy smokers are 89% more likely to die following a coronavirus diagnosis, research suggests. Early in the outbreak, the UK’s chief medical adviser Professor Chris Whitty stressed “if you are going to give up smoking, this is a very good moment to do it”. Health secretary Matt Hancock also warned “it is abundantly clear from the research into previous coronaviruses that smoking makes the impact of a coronavirus worse”. Feeling there was little research to back up these claim

Skipping dinner linked to 74% higher risk of obesity, study suggests

Dieters may skip meals in an attempt to lose weight, however, research suggests going without dinner could have the opposite effect. Previous studies show people who do not eat breakfast tend to be heavier, possibly due to them reaching for unhealthy snacks mid-morning. With the effects of skipping other meals being less understood, scientists from Osaka University in Japan analysed more than 26,000 students. Results suggest those who “occasionally” or “more than occasionally

This '20-20-20' rule could help protect your eyesight during lockdown

An eye health charity is recommending people learn the “20-20-20 rule” to protect their eyesight, as research reveals lockdown has increased the amount of time we spend staring at screens. Nearly two in five (38%) people in the UK who have been using screens more during lockdown believe their eyesight has been affected as a result, leading to difficulty reading, migraines and poorer night vision, according to a poll by Fight for Sight. The charity therefore wants to encourage

Covid: How a £20 gadget could save lives

One of the mysteries of Covid-19 is why oxygen levels in the blood can drop to dangerously low levels without the patient noticing. It is known as "silent hypoxia". As a result, patients have been arriving in hospital in far worse health than they realised and, in some cases, too late to treat effectively. But a potentially life-saving solution, in the form of a pulse oximeter, allows patients to monitor their oxygen levels at home, and costs about £20. They are being rolled

Did you know you should clean your toothbrush? This is how to do it

Everyone (well, nearly everyone) would agree that brushing your teeth is a non-negotiable part of a personal hygiene routine, but did you realise it is also important to keep your toothbrush clean? Leaving your toothbrush next to the sink can expose it to all of the germs lurking in your loo. A toothbrush’s primary job is to remove bacteria from your mouth, so what’s the point of brushing your teeth with a toothbrush riddled with germs? To illustrate the point a US dentist kn

Ex-smokers enjoy 'returned taste buds', 'fresh air' and even 'freedom' since quitting the habit

Ex-smokers have revealed how their lives have improved since ditching the habit. Early in the coronavirus outbreak, the UK’s chief medical adviser Professor Chris Whitty stressed “if you are going to give up smoking, this is a very good moment to do it”. As many as one million smokers are said to have attempted to quit during the UK’s first lockdown, making 2020 one of the most successful years for ditching the habit on record. In a video supported by the charity Action on Sm

The surprising health benefits of 2020

The coronavirus pandemic has been a challenging time for millions worldwide, however, 2020 may have brought unexpected health benefits for some. The unprecedented infectious outbreak has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths in the UK alone, while many more survivors endure lingering complications known as “long COVID”. Extreme restrictions that kept us locked down in our homes have also had a serious impact on people’s mental health, with experts warning the emotional turm