Health BLOG | berkeley-pharmacy

Why cases of adult eczema are on the rise – particularly in women

We tend to think as eczema as something that occurs in childhood, but the inflammatory skin disease is increasingly being seen as an adult-onset condition. It is estimated that around 15 million people in the UK are currently living with eczema, but while the condition is still primarily associated with children, one in 12 sufferers are actually adults. And according to various studies, it also affects more women than men. What’s more, atopic eczema, the most common kind of eczema, has increased two- to threefold in industrialised nations since the 1970s, studies say. Mild cases can be an itchy, occasional annoyance, but in severe cases the condition can be debilitating. An Allergy UK survey

'Half as many Britons' vape as smoke

The number of people vaping in the UK has reached 3.6 million - about half the number of smokers - figures from Action on Smoking and Health suggest. The data indicates most vapers are former smokers, with the main reason for using e-cigarettes being to give up tobacco. The findings come as the US continues to investigate a spate of serious lung injuries linked to vaping. India, meanwhile, says it will ban e-cigarettes as they pose a health risk. E-cigarettes allow users to inhale nicotine in vapour rather than breathing in smoke. The anti-smoking charity Action on Smoking and Health has been monitoring trends in their use since 2012. Its latest report suggests vaping helped an extra 70,000

Empty stomachs lead to poor decisions, research says

Making important decisions on an empty stomach can lead to poor choices, according to new research. Scientists at the University of Dundee found that hunger significantly altered people’s decision-making, making them impatient and more likely to settle for a small reward that arrives sooner than a larger one promised at a later date. The research suggests being hungry actually changes preferences for rewards entirely unrelated to food and may carry over into other kinds of decisions, such as financial or interpersonal ones. Benjamin Vincent, who carried out the study, believes it is important that people know an empty stomach might affect their preferences and there is also a danger those in

Humour, hobbies and friendships: Your tips for staying positive

Are you a glass half empty or a glass half full type of person? A US study revealed that optimists are more likely to live longer than those who have a more negative look on life. The theory goes that optimists may find it easier to control their emotions which protects them from the adverse effects of stress. Researchers in the US also suggested that pessimists could benefit if they thought about a future where everything turns out well. We have been finding out how some of you stay positive and what tips you might have for pessimists. 'Don't linger on negativity' The expression "the grass is always greener on the other side" does not necessarily ring true for Tania Guarda, from Lisbon in P

More pharmacies in England to offer free heart checks

More pharmacies in England will start offering people free, on-the-spot heart check-ups from next month. Shoppers would have their blood pressure and cholesterol tested. The programme, which could expand to every pharmacy in England, should prevent up to 150,000 heart attacks and strokes within a decade, say experts. It is part of the government's plan to do more in the community and ease strain on stretched hospitals and GP surgeries. Rapid detection It will be funded as part of a £13bn five-year contract for community pharmacies and, to begin with, will involve hundreds of pharmacies. Select pharmacies have already been offering these types of checks as part of a pilot scheme and say it wo