Latest news with #BenendenHealth
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Ricky Gervais admits that he always Googles his symptoms
The 63-year-old comedian confessed to researching his symptoms online and jumping to conclusions about the worst-case scenarios Ricky Gervais has spoken about his health woes, explaining that he's 'reminded every day' of his situation. The 63-year-old comedian said everything is 'sort of slower' and 'aches more', even when just walking downstairs. Appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live this week, he also confessed to Googling his symptoms, often leading him to the worst-case scenario. "Now, this is as good as it will ever be, it's not like I'll get better, do you know what I mean?" he said to Jimmy. "Like they won't go, 'Oh, he's 70 now, he was terrible at 60,' but this is it... I'm reminded every day that I'm getting older. Everything is just sort of slower, aches more. "When I get up in the morning, right, when I walk downstairs, it's like I've got false legs. Do you know what I mean? Not like false legs today, bionic - like pirate legs. Stiff. It just hurts." He later added: "What happens is I wake up and I go, 'Oh I've got a lump or a pain' and I go to Jane, 'What do you think that is?' She goes, 'Go to the doctor' and I go 'What, do you think it's serious?' She goes 'No, I don't know'. "So I Google it, right? Whatever it is... put in the symptoms and the first few are all right. Could be stress, course, could be this, could be diet, and I go, 'Oh that's great, that's great, that's fine, that's fine, that's fine.' And then I just push my luck and number seven [says] cancer. I go 'Jane, I'm dying'." Ricky certainly isn't alone in these habits. Figures suggest that Brits consulted 'Dr Google' almost 50 million times in 2022, according to Benenden Health. Although it's tempting to self-diagnose this way, experts suggest it may lead to an incorrect result while inducing more panic. In 2023, Cheryl Lythgoe, Matron at Benenden Health, said: "It's of little surprise to see that physical health is leading the way as one of the most search for health terms, as throughout the COVID-19 pandemic many people have become more conscious of their health. What's concerning is the apparent reliance on Google for this information, possibly leading to an incorrect self-diagnosis or panic. "When there's a long wait for doctor's appointments it's easy to get impatient and the ability to self-diagnose via the internet can for some be too tempting. If you are looking for advice online, I would recommend visiting trusted sources such as the NHS website as a first port of call to ensure the advice is from experts and more likely to be accurate. "However at the first signs of illness, it's always best to consult a pharmacist or a GP. This will ensure the correct treatment, if necessary, is sought." Despite his health fears, Ricky told Jimmy that going to a doctor feels like 'admin' and he'll only do it every 10 years when situations seem especially dire. In fact, he's previously taken matters into his own hands, once dangerously attempting to remove a skin tag from his eyelid at home. "You know those skin tags you get? ...I had one on my eyelid and it looked f*****, so I cut it off with a pair of nail scissors," he said. "I was gnawing through it with these little nail scissors, and it was bleeding. "I came downstairs, [I said], 'I'm bleeding,' and [Jane] said, 'What did you do?', I said 'I cut it off'. She went, 'Are you f***ing mad? You could get sepsis.' So, I just sort of got loads of Savlon everywhere."
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
How to speak to your boss about a women's health issue
You've got a banging headache, intense cramps and you're finding it difficult to focus in a hot office full of chatter. You're well aware that it's because you're just about to start your period — and you know that working from home would make things much easier. But not only is asking your boss to work remotely out of the question, explaining why you want to is also a no-go. More than two thirds of women (70%) find dealing with periods at work challenging, according to a 2024 report by Benenden Health. Yet 42% of women feel uncomfortable discussing their health with their manager because of a deeply-entrenched stigma surrounding "women's problems". Although 80% of women go through the menopause while they're still at work, four out of five are offered no support for their symptoms. An estimated 10% of women globally have endometriosis, a condition in which tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows outside it. The condition can cause debilitating symptoms, yet because of stigma and a lack of workplace support, women with the condition are often forced to take on lower-paid roles or reduce their working hours. Yet despite growing awareness of such issues, many women still find it difficult to talk about their health and needs at work. Because of stigma and a lack of support, three in 10 women have lied to an employer about why they've needed time off work when struggling with a health issue. Read more: Five questions you shouldn't be asked in a job interview 'Many workplaces still foster environments where talking about personal health, particularly women's health, is taboo,' says psychologist Amelia Miller, co-founder of Ivee — a platform that connects women returning to work after a career break and companies in need of skilled senior female talent. 'Women, more so than men, fear being seen as weak, less committed, or a burden. Without clear progression pathways, women are forced to push themselves to prove their worth, and so avoid any discussions that could be perceived as needing special treatment,' she explains. 'Asking for adjustments can feel like drawing attention to a perceived 'deficit', when they're trying to prove their value.' Gender stereotypes continue to worsen the issue. Historically, the workplace was viewed as a man's domain, while women were expected to handle responsibilities at home. Clearly this dynamic has changed, but the legacy of these outdated beliefs still lingers. Deep-rooted stigma around women's health, especially gynaecological health, often makes it difficult for women to speak openly about their experiences. Doing so is often still wrongly perceived as a sign of weakness — or seen as "proof" that women aren't suited to the workplace. 'Part of the problem is that most workplaces remain dominated by men at a senior level,' adds Miller. 'The consequences of this are endless, the main one being that younger women in the organisation have fewer role models, and so fewer senior women are paving the way for conversations around health issues in the workplace. Without visible role models or clear, empathetic pathways for support, women may stay silent.' It might not come naturally to talk about your health at work but it's a crucial step in getting the support you need. 'Before starting the conversation, it's important to check your company's policies on workplace adjustments and medical leave,' says Miller. 'Many employers now have guidelines around health accommodations, and knowing this heading into the conversation can give you confidence.' Once you've got this information, request a private meeting with your manager or with HR, rather than bringing it up informally. This helps to set the right tone and allows you to speak without distractions. Before you go into the meeting, write down a list of reasonable adjustments that your employer can make that would help you work. Dr Lalitaa Suglani, a psychologist working with Office Freedom, suggests: 'Flexible working hours or remote work during flare-ups, allowing additional breaks when needed, access to a quiet space to rest if experiencing pain, adjusting deadlines or workloads temporarily if necessary, or leave options.' Simple things like better seating, standing desks, heating pads, or ergonomic chairs can make a huge difference for women managing physical pain. There's no need to share lots of medical details with your boss. Instead, focus on explaining how your condition affects your work and what adjustments would help. Be clear about the outcome you are hoping for. 'Managers often appreciate when you suggest simple accommodations that you've come prepared with. It makes it easier for them to say yes, and shows that you're thinking proactively about staying productive,' says Miller. Read more: Could child-friendly co-working spaces fix the childcare crisis? 'Flexible working hours, or operating with core hours, allows employees to adjust their start and finish times for days when they're struggling with symptoms. This form of flexibility also sends a powerful message about performance being valued over presenteeism, and employers will likely see an increase in productivity as a result.' Under the 2023 Flexible Working Act, all employees are allowed to submit two flexible working requests per year from day one of employment. 'Requesting flexibility could be a great segue in for a conversation around adjustments for health issues in particular,' adds Miller. It can help to frame the discussion as a collaboration between you and your employer. 'Position it as a conversation about finding solutions together, rather than placing blame or making demands,' says Suglani. 'Be clear but maintain your boundaries. Share what's necessary to get the support you need while maintaining your privacy.' Perhaps most importantly, employers need to step up. It's crucial for employers to educate themselves and their leadership teams about common women's health conditions and to create inclusive policies. Read more: How 'mum brain' stigma is holding women back at work These show employees that support is available without putting an additional burden on them to educate their bosses. 'It's essential to normalise discussions around women's health through workshops, internal campaigns, or leadership-driven conversations to help remove the culture of silence which can isolate affected employees,' says Miller. 'A top-down approach is best here to encourage confidence.' When approached about periods, menopause, perimenopause or any other condition, employers should listen without judgement. 'Employers should create a space that feels safe, respectful, and validating,' says Suglani. 'A good employer will recognise that supporting employee wellbeing isn't just the right thing to do, it directly contributes to a healthier, more engaged, and more productive workplace. Read more: How to manage 'time blindness' at work if you have ADHD Can body doubling make us more productive at work? How to work multiple jobs without burning outSign in to access your portfolio
Wales Online
29-04-2025
- Health
- Wales Online
Why you should avoid sleeping on your stomach, according to health experts
Why you should avoid sleeping on your stomach, according to health experts A new survey of 2,000 adults has revealed that the most popular sleeping position is on the right side - but experts say it's not the best for your health This is the healthiest position to sleep in (Image: Getty Images ) A survey of 2,000 adults has found that the most favoured sleeping position is on the right side. The study, conducted by non-profit healthcare provider Benenden Health, discovered that a fifth of participants do not think their sleep habits affect their overall health. However, experts have cautioned against certain sleeping positions. Interestingly, while the right side was the top choice for most, experts suggest that it is actually the left side that's considered the healthiest. They also recommend lying on your back with a pillow under your knees, but warn against sleeping on your stomach due to potential health risks. Most Brits sleep on their right hand side (Image: Getty Images ) Dr Cheryl Lythgoe, society matron at Benenden Health, promotes side sleeping as the best position, particularly for those troubled by snoring or sleep apnoea. This advice is especially relevant for individuals suffering from heartburn or gastric issues, as the slight elevation can aid digestion. On the other hand, she cautions that sleeping on your stomach can cause damage to your spine, joints, and nerves, potentially leading to chronic neck and back pain. This position could also heighten the risk of respiratory problems, as the extra weight on the lungs and other breathing organs can make breathing more difficult. She highlights: "Sleeping positions that place undue stress on the spine, such as lying on your stomach or curling up in a tight foetal position, can exacerbate physical discomfort. These positions often lead to misalignment of the spine and increased pressure on the neck and lower back, potentially resulting in chronic pain and disrupted sleep patterns." Article continues below The lead physiotherapist at a leading healthcare provider's flagship hospital in Kent, Jordan Dehara, offered his insights on mitigating joint pain, suggesting that pillows could be the solution. He advised that sleeping in the foetal position with a pillow between your legs or on your back with a pillow under your knees can help alleviate stress on the lumbar spine and hips, while also emphasising the importance of selecting the right pillow. Article continues below According to recent findings, four in ten report experiencing aches, pains, and soreness upon waking up. A stiff neck is cited as the most common issue following poor sleep, followed by muscle soreness and headaches. Nevertheless, the majority have never attempted any form of remedy or treatment for these ailments. Of those who have sought solutions, 40 per cent turned to regular physical activity and 34 per cent purchased over-the-counter pain medications. However, just 14 per cent have ever sought advice from a healthcare professional regarding their sleep-related discomfort, as reported by data. Jordan emphasised the importance of sleep awareness, saying: "Many of us are unaware of how their sleeping positions can significantly impact physical comfort and overall health. Educating people about the importance of proper sleeping positions is crucial for preventing chronic pain and improving sleep quality."
Telegraph
06-04-2025
- Health
- Telegraph
All the reasons you wake up at night – and how to fix it
Do you struggle to sleep through the night without disruptions? If so, you're far from alone. Sleep disturbances are something of an epidemic in the UK, with almost one in five people in the country getting insufficient sleep, according to the charity Mental Health UK. But it isn't just nodding off which is the problem but actually staying asleep. According to the not-for-profit Benenden Health, which recently commissioned a sleep survey of 2,000 adults across the country, half of those aged 55 and over are woken in the night by the need to go to the toilet; while either ambient noise, snoring, job stress or general anxiety led to sleep disruptions in anywhere between 13 and 30 per cent of the respondents. Unsurprisingly, this isn't good for our long-term health, with sleep quality being just as important as the number of hours we spend in bed. Last year, a major study published in the scientific journal Neurology, found that people who experience disrupted sleep during their 30s and 40s, a time when many are either juggling young families or busy work-life patterns, are more likely to suffer from memory loss or cognitive decline later in life. So why do so many of us struggle to get adequate shut-eye? According to Dr Hussain Al-Zubaidi, lifestyle and physical lead for the Royal College of GPs, sleep is complex: during the night, we repeatedly cycle between various phases, from light to deep and finally to rapid eye movement (REM) sleep where most dreaming occurs. 'When we sleep, each 90-minute cycle moves through various stages and depths in terms of how unconscious we are,' says Dr Al-Zubaidi. 'If you manage to get into the deeper phases of sleep, not much will wake you up. But it's between the sleep cycles [or in the lighter phases] that you're more likely to be disturbed.' So, assuming that you go to bed at 10pm, what are some of the common disruptors which can affect you at various times of the night? Why you wake up in the first two hours (10pm to midnight) Dr Al-Zubaidi points out that the beginning of the night is actually the most critical, because at this point each sleep cycle is quite short, making you more susceptible to being woken up again. '[During] the first early cycles, you only get brief moments in deep sleep, around 10 to 15 minutes,' he says. 'It's only if your sleep stays uninterrupted that you can get to cycles four or five, where you start getting those much longer periods of deep sleep. But if you're woken up in that early stage, then everything resets again.' Too much screen time before bed According to Dr Virginia Skiba, a sleep medicine specialist at Henry Ford Health and spokesperson for the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, research suggests that blue light emitted from our phones, tablets or laptops can suppress levels of melatonin, the sleep hormone, making it both harder to drift off in the early part of the night and harder to stay asleep when you do. ' Disconnect from electronics at least 30 minutes to an hour before bed,' advises Dr Skiba. 'Instead of using your phone before bed, I recommend finding something that helps you relax and wind down, such as reading a book, colouring or listening to relaxing music. Wearing blue light glasses in the evening [while watching TV or on your phone] may help regulate melatonin production in some individuals, but the findings are mixed.' Feeling too hot Something else which can wake us during the first hour or two in bed is simply being too hot. 'The body uses temperature as a sleep-triggering signal,' says Dr Al-Zubaidi. 'When it notices a drop in temperature, it will release hormones which make you feel sleepy. And so it can be very difficult to try to go to sleep or maintain sleep if you're feeling quite warm.' This is why the old trick of accessing the cold side of the pillow can help you nod off, because it gives the body the cooling trigger it needs to access deeper sleep. 'Another trick is to open the window before going to bed, or spraying a little bit of cold water on your bedsheets, just to bring the temperature down,' says Dr Al-Zubaidi. Why you don't sleep well between midnight and 6am At the start of each 90-minute sleep cycle, the body returns to lighter phases where you're more aware or you might move around. 'You're technically asleep, but you're still feeling things, you've got active control of what's going on, your brain's just in a lighter activity mode,' says Dr Al-Zubaidi. 'So it's in those moments that you'll notice that painful shoulder, or the need to wee which might trigger you to wake up.' Needing to wee As we get older, more and more of us start to experience the call of nature in the middle of the night. But Dr Skiba says that this can be exacerbated by drinking too much fluid in the evening. 'I recommend reducing fluid intake around one to two hours before bedtime,' she says. If you're not consuming excess fluid in the evening, but still waking up to use the bathroom multiple times a night, Dr Skiba suggests getting checked for obstructive sleep apnoea. This is when your breathing stops and starts, causing you to wake up momentarily, which then makes you aware that your bladder needs emptying. According to the NHS, waking up multiple times per night to urinate can be a sign of obstructive sleep apnoea. Eating too late at night Studies have shown that eating dinner late in the evening can make you more vulnerable to sleep disruption as the body's digestive processes will be interfering with your circadian rhythms. 'This can lead to heartburn or acid reflux since stomach acid can flow back into the oesophagus when you lay down too soon after eating,' says Dr Skiba. 'Try and have your last meal around two to three hours before bed. If you're still hungry late at night, avoid eating a large, unhealthy meal and grab a light snack like a banana, yogurt or a handful of nuts.' Drinking alcohol Alcohol is great for relaxation and sometimes makes it easier to fall asleep quicker, but research has shown that it causes problems later in the night as it reduces the duration of the REM sleep phase, meaning that our sleep tends to be lighter and more prone to disruption. 'As a diuretic, alcohol also increases the need to urinate, leading to more trips to the bathroom during the night,' says Dr Cheryl Lythgoe, advanced nurse practitioner at Benenden Health. 'To allow your body enough time to metabolise the alcohol and reduce its detrimental effect on sleep, it's best to avoid alcohol at least three hours before bedtime.' Vitamin deficiencies According to Dr Lythgoe, persistent sleep disruptions in the middle of the night can also be a sign of various nutritional deficiencies, including magnesium, iron, calcium and vitamin D. ' Magnesium is crucial for muscle relaxation and neurotransmitter function, and a deficiency can cause restless sleep,' she says. 'Similarly, low levels of vitamin D are linked to poor sleep quality and quantity. Iron deficiency may cause restless leg syndrome, while calcium helps the brain produce melatonin and its deficiency can affect sleep quality.' To address this, she recommends trying to follow a more nutrient-rich diet. 'The Mediterranean diet for example, which is rich in magnesium, calcium and tryptophan, has been linked to better sleep quality and fewer insomnia symptoms,' she says. Sleep apnoea Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), where breathing repeatedly stops and starts, sometimes dozens or hundreds of times, is one of the few things which can wake you up during the deepest sleep phases. It occurs because the muscles in the back of the throat relax too much, causing the airway to either narrow or collapse. Snoring can be a telltale sign, but not everyone with OSA snores, and not everyone who snores has OSA. 'People often wake up in the middle of the night, puffing or choking,' says Dr Al-Zubaidi. 'As a result, people with OSA have terrible sleep and they often need to use CPAP [continuous positive air pressure] machines to recreate the pressure in the airway, which is normally there when they're awake.' However, if you're suffering from sleep apnoea, Dr Lythgoe says that addressing congestion in your sinuses through nasal sprays, losing weight or simply changing your sleeping position can make a big difference. 'It's more prevalent in those who are overweight and have a neck size greater than 40.6cm,' she says. 'It's also more common in older men, smokers, regular alcohol drinkers and people who sleep on their backs. Maintaining a healthy weight and regular movement is the first thing I'd recommend. I'd then suggest avoiding alcohol, cigarettes, vapes or sedative type medications as these can all relax the muscles in the throat, increasing the likelihood of airway obstructions [during sleep].' Why you can't sleep after 4 or 5am Low mood Researchers have found that people who suffer from anxiety or depression, have a greater tendency to wake at an abnormally early time in the morning, curtailing their sleep. 'We know this is a very clear symptom of depression and there are lots of theories as to why this happens,' says Dr Al-Zubaidi. 'One idea is that for most of human existence, if you were depressed, that would be associated with a survival risk – you couldn't find food, you were under threat from another tribe – and so waking early was a way to help you mitigate that threat.' If you're repeatedly waking two or three hours earlier than normal with symptoms of anxiety or low mood, Dr Al-Zubaidi recommends trying to find different ways to manage or compartmentalise your thoughts. 'It could be setting aside time for journaling or writing down the things that you're worried or nervous about to try and 'time-box' all of that to a different part of the day,' he says. 'So for example, maybe at 8 or 9am, you set aside 15 minutes for jotting down those anxieties and giving yourself the space to ruminate, but at a time which isn't at night. And of course it's also important to try and support the depression symptoms by maybe getting active and trying to improve nutrition.'
BBC News
07-02-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Benenden Health: New NI members face two-year surgery wait
Benenden Health members from Northern Ireland will have to be a member for two years before they can claim for surgical Health is not-for-profit mutual friendly society that provides discretionary healthcare to its the rest of the UK, the Benenden Health eligibility period is six will remain six months for people in Northern Ireland who joined Benenden before February company said members from Northern Ireland were more than three times more likely to claim straight after qualifying than those elsewhere in the UK, due to the "significant pressures on the healthcare system". This puts Benenden at risk of effectively replacing the system in the region, the company told The Nolan Show."That isn't the role of Benenden Health, who aim to complement public healthcare, not replace it, nor do we have the financial resources to do so." Dr Tom Black, a GP and former chair of the BMA in Northern Ireland told the show that the situation was "another symptom of the difficulties in the health service". 'A very difficult position' Dr Black said the health service in Northern Ireland does not have "the funding, the workforce, and our waiting lists are getting longer". "None of us see any improvement in this in the next five to 10 years," he said, adding that more funding from Westminster is needed."The public know we're in difficulties. They're doing the best they can to get themselves seen privately, very often through insurance but also very often bunching up in families and paying for granny's hip replacement in cash."That's a very difficult position for patients and the health service." Dr Black added that it was difficult to provide a service when the Sláintecare programme in the Republic of Ireland was "paying double the wages and taking a lot of the workforce away". "I'm sitting here in Derry and I can't get a GP to work for me because they go to Buncrana for twice the money and half the work," he told the show. Balancing act Benenden said the 24-month eligibility period will "protect the collective interests" of aims to "balance treatment costs" while ensuring "high quality, affordable, healthcare services" are offered. Insurance expert Malcolm Tarling said there was a "difficult balance" for insurers to find between providing affordable cover to as many as possible while also protecting existing customers. "If they don't [find that balance] premiums will go through the roof to such a level that it will become virtually impossible for many people to get [insurance]." Different companies have different approaches, he said, and "the stance of one company is not necessarily going to be replicated by others"."All insurers will look at regional differences and changes in provision of state healthcare in areas and set their premiums and conditions to reflect that," he added.
