One in four women use Google to diagnose health issues
New research reveals one in four women have misdiagnosed themselves online, then bought the wrong products to try and relieve their symptoms. Searching their symptoms online and self-medicating can come with some pretty unpleasant side effects as a result of misdiagnosing - this affected a tenth of the 1,000 women surveyed.
Worries about what could be wrong commonly drive women to look for help online. We may also feel uncomfortable talking about health issues with friends or family, another reason why our first port of call may be to check online.
The study found symptoms including having problems sleeping, headaches, depression, muscle pain, itching and fatigue were most likely to prompt women to diagnose themselves. While most women spent a few days worrying over symptoms before speaking to anyone and a third waited at least two weeks; fear that something may be seriously wrong prevented one in 20 women from getting checked out by a GP for a number of years.
If going to your family GP or confiding in someone really is an issue, please tread very carefully when searching online for information. The Health Counter, the sponsors of Channel 4's BAFTA award-winning Embarrassing Bodies, offers a personal and confidential online doctor service for those times when you would rather not go to your own GP. Made up of a panel of registered GPs, the online doctors service delivers remote medical consultations.
Have a comedy giggle and grab a health boost
New research has revealed watching 30 minutes of telly that makes you laugh is very good for you. Having a good giggle not only helps to relieve stress but researchers also believe it is an excellent calorie burner.
While you sit back and have a hearty chuckle, experts say you can burn as many calories as you would in a short gym session. Though do bear in mind, coupling your comedy TV time with a snack attack, will significantly negate the positive health benefits!
Have a jolly Easter!
Bored at work? Beware of those calorific snack attacks
Female office workers consume 650 to 750 calories in snacks each day, just under a third of their daily recommended calorie allowance, a new study has revealed. Wowzer.
The survey by My Voucher Codes, found 87% of female office workers snack at their desks, while 50% confessed to eating between 650 to 750 calories on snacks alone. 2% admitted they can eat up to 850 to 950 calories over a working day, almost half of the 2,000 calories women are advised to eat each day.
Boredom was the main reason stated for snacking at work, while others said they snack to be more sociable. Over two thirds of the female office workers surveyed felt they snack more at work than they do at home. Chocolate and biscuits were cited as most favourite snacks with fruit and crisps also polling highly too.
Having healthy snacks in and around the office can help. I try to keep away from an every-single-day chocolate fix by keeping fruit on hand and having a regular Graze box delivered. If you would like a free Graze box, courtesy of moi, leave a comment below and I'll pass on the code you will need to claim yours!
Image courtesy of Press Loft/Treat Her
Five reasons to go nuts for almonds
1. Almonds are a great natural source of protein and fibre. They're also high in essential nutrients including vitamin E, calcium, magnesium and zinc.
2. Celebrity almond fans include Elle Macpherson, Lisa Snowden, Karren Brady and Gary Barlow who enjoy a handful every day. Rumour has it that Mr Barlow insisted his X Factor contestants incorporated daily snacking on almonds as part of their strict diet.
3. Omega 3 fatty acids are natural providers of good skin health. Though oily fish is often cited as the best source, did you know, flaxseeds and almonds are also excellent vegetarian-friendly sources?
4. Along with dates, almonds are believed to be among the earliest cultivated foods, with both getting a mention in the Old Testament of the Bible.
5. In India, almonds are considered a prized brain food for children.
"When you snack on almonds, you can feel satisfied knowing that you're eating something you love which is also providing you with the nutrients you need, says dietician, Kimberly Haider. "That's positive news on National Almond Day and every day."
Visit Almond Board for more information including smart snacking tips from Karren Brady, snack suggestions and almond recipes.
Can we boost our grey matter with the white stuff?
New US research certainly seems to think so. Milk drinkers, irrespective of age and health, performed significantly higher on a range of brain and cognitive tests than those who drank little or no milk in the study of 972 men and women.
Each participant was asked to keep a detailed record on their diets and how often they consumed dairy products, even including milk added to tea and coffee. The research, published in the International Dairy Journal, showed adults who consumed dairy products five or six times per week performed better in a series of tests to check memory, concentration and learning ability.
Interestingly, the study also found those who regularly drink milk also tend to maintain a healthy diet, compared to non-milk drinkers.
So, will this new research make you more likely to reach for a milky drink before tackling a looming work deadline? I'd love to know...
Image courtesy of Press Loft/Dotcomgiftshop
Are you a prescribed medicine skipper?
New research from Pharmacy2U, has revealed one in three of us fails to collect our prescriptions following GP visits. I couldn't quite believe what I was reading, so delved a little further into people's reasons given as part of the survey.
I've had a shocking run of ill health over Christmas and was diagnosed with severe bronchitis. Without three courses of antibiotics I would still be in a state of constant breathlessness, incessant painful coughing and insomnia. For me: when I need to see my GP, whatever they prescribe, goes. I need their help to get better and they know which medications work best to get my chest problems under control. That prescription sheet doesn't leave my hand until I've handed it in to the pharmacist.
Of the 2,000 people surveyed the main reasons given for not handing over their prescription were: they were too busy to go to a chemist's, 15% also said they just couldn't be bothered to go. One in five were put off by the price and did not want to pay for their prescription, 12% disagreed with their doctor's diagnosis while others decided they would just get better without the prescribed medicine, or looked for cheaper alternatives elsewhere.
Additionally, 34% of patients on regular medication admitted to forgetting to pick up repeat prescriptions. As a regular medication taker for asthma myself, I can imagine this could really lead to problems with long-term health conditions.
"Particularly worrying are the numbers of patients on repeat prescriptions who regularly forget to pick up medication and run out," says Julian Harrison, commercial director of Pharmacy2U. "Among them are people suffering from serious, long-term conditions such as diabetes, asthma and COPD, where compliance is crucial."
Getting your health right is so important. If you are a prescribed medicine skipper at the moment, here's some helpful tips to try on for size:
Many chemists offer a free prescription pick-up service where they will collect your prescriptions from your GP surgery, so you only have the one trip to make to your local chemist to collect. If you really don't have time: use the online prescription services all the major pharmacies offer, pop your prescription in the post and have the items delivered to your door.
Finally, Cost-wise, if you have to buy more than 4 items over a three-month period, buying a pre-payment prescription certificate is a really great money saver - I can't recommend this enough. Saves me a small fortune!
Top tips to burn off Christmas calories
We consume around 7,000 calories on Christmas Day alone as we gorge on a fine feast of foods, drinks and snacks throughout the day and into the night. Not to mention the excess eating, snacking and boozing that happens over the festive season as a whole.
But, fear not. If you want to avoid piling on the festive pounds, help is at hand from York Fitness on how to burn off those extra calories...
One mince pie contains 185 calories - minus additions such as brandy butter or cream, of course. The solution - 15 minutes of press-ups
Two glasses of your favourite vino contains around 185 calories. The solution - 20 minutes of continuous lifting of kettlebell weights
Did you know just SIX Quality Street or Roses chocolates contain 268 calories - yikes! The solution - 18 minutes of moderate skipping
For the non-vegetarians reading this blog, five mini pigs in blankets equals 375 calories. The solution - get on your exercise bike for 35 minutes
One slice of your mum's special Christmas cake contains 249 calories. The solution - run or jog on a treadmill or outside at 12kph for 23 minutes
One handful of nuts is equal to 256 calories. To counteract this - work your punchbag for 28 minutes - continuously
Merry Christmas to all my blog readers...
Get outdoors, laugh and sing to beat winter blues
Mind, the UK's leading mental health charity, is urging us to get outside to guard against winter blues and to improve mental health.
Many of us feel a dip in mood as the days get darker and research shows this is largely due to a reduction in sunlight. Our internal patterns of sleep, appetite, sex drive, temperature, mood and activity all rely on natural light cycles. As daylight hours diminish to just eight in December, the winter blues can be something that affects us all. You may feel low, eat and sleep more or feel less inclined to get out and socialise or even go to work.
Getting outdoors, or ecotherapy, increases our exposure to sunlight and can positively impact on our mood. Research shows outdoor exercise can be as effective as antidepressants in treating mild to moderate depression and anxiety.
Exercise, laughter and music all stimulate and boost endorphins, the feelgood chemicals in our bodies that help to lift our mood. Make a point of spending time with those who make you smile. Or pop on a quality tune and sing-along gleefully. It is also important to eat well.
"By simply getting outdoors, we can all help ourselves in strengthening mental resilience," says Paul Farmer, Chief Executive of Mind. "Whether going for a lengthy bike ride, a quick jog around the local park or just time pottering in the garden, I encourage everyone to step outside and find something they enjoy this winter."
Mind has developed a super information and ideas site to coax people outdoors this winter. Use the Ecominds activity picker to conjure up some truly inspiring, fun and unusual suggestions...
Would you drink this for better health?
As health fads go, this one certainly made my morning cuppa splatter everywhere when I first heard of this amphibian-related wellbeing kick from Peru.
Yes, we may all have come across some health crazes that raise an eyebrow, but seriously, are people really drinking juice from frogs regularly?
Sadly, yes. One lady who runs a Peruvian juice stand in Lima has confessed to adding frogs to her juice and milkshakes for a number of years. She claims the juice extracted from the frogs can help to strengthen the body, reduce fatigue, while also acting as an effective tonic for bones and eyes. The juice is combined with up to 20 different types of fruit, and can also include a splash of wine, depending on each customer's preference.
If you think this woman is alone in loving her daily frog kick, you're very wrong. Her stand is ever popular, whizzing up to 80 drinks containing juices extracted from frogs each day. Some locals have even admitted they are unable to start the day without one.
I don't care what the purported health effects are, I wouldn't and couldn't try even a sip of that. Yuck.
The question is, could you?
Eight tips to improve work-related back pain
If, like me, you are becoming increasingly wary of what working long hours each day is doing to the health and wellbeing of your back, these tips from the British Chiropractic Association will help to relieve the aches, pains and potential long-term damage our poor posture and bad habits are causing. 
1. Relax when sitting into your chair, making sure your bum is against the back of the seat with your shoulder blades touching the back rest of your chair.
2. Make sure your feet touch the floor, or use a foot rest.
3. Remove any obstacles from under your desk to ensure you have enough leg room.
4. There should be space between the front of your seat and the back of your calves.
5. Your hips should be higher than your knees. Tilt your seat, if needed.
6. Arms should be flat and your elbows level with the desk or table you are using. The BCA also advises using a chair with arm rests.
7. Take regular breaks. Never sit at the computer for more than 40 minutes, aim for less if possible.
8. When you take a break, walk around and stretch a little, do something completely different.
