Latest news with #JorjaHealthcareGroup
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Hay fever sufferers urged to do one simple thing to beat grim symptoms
For hay fever sufferers, warm months can mean misery, but the latest gadgets could be your new best friend in the fight against allergies and it's often a satisfying solution that's overlooked Hay fever season is in full swing, with more than 10 million people across the UK suffering from the pesky pollen allergy. Symptoms vary from a runny or blocked nose to itchy, red or watery eyes, fatigue and frequent sneezing. Symptoms are often worse from late March to September, particularly during warm, humid and windy conditions when the pollen count is at its peak. There is no cure for hay fever, but treatments are available to help manage symptoms and there's one must-do that can help and it's over overlooked. Electronic devices such as air purifiers, fans and even vacuum cleaners, can help to manage hay fever from the comfort of your home. Dr Mohamed Najjar of Jorja Healthcare Group explains, 'There are a number of ways that technology can help. For example, air purifiers can help reduce airborne particles, providing some relief. 'There are also devices called air quality monitors. While they don't clean the air, they alert you to problems, such as local pollen data, and some are available on smartphone apps. These indicate the levels of different types of pollen in the area by giving them a score. Some people find this useful in helping to identify the type of pollen they are allergic to.' Katie Lilywhite, air treatment expert at says, 'Pollen is a nuisance for anyone with hay fever, but simple steps can be taken to reduce its impact. Home comfort can be improved significantly simply by cleaning and ventilating your house to remove any unwanted particles. 'On humid days, the air can feel thicker and bring on worse hay fever symptoms. Humidity can also form mould, which makes the allergy worse. Investing in a dehumidifier can reduce the moisture in the air, meaning the air feels fresher inside your home.' We take a closer look at the ways tech can help you combat summer sniffling. Air purifier with HEPA filter Alex Hudson, environmental care engineer at Dyson, advises using an air purifier, such as the Dyson Purifier Cool PC1. He says, 'Using an air purifier with a HEPA filter can help remove pollen allergens from the air, reducing symptoms like sneezing, itchy eyes and a runny nose.' Antihistamines and nasal sprays Professor John Dickinson, head of the Exercise Respiratory Clinic, University of Kent, advises that over-the-counter remedies ought to be your first stop in tackling hay fever symptoms. He says, 'Antihistamines and nasal sprays directly target allergic inflammation and are clinically proven to relieve symptoms.' An Oscillating Positive Expiratory Pressure (OPEP) device can also help remove mucus from the airway. Filtered hoover Your vacuum can help combat symptoms, too. Alex says, 'The Dyson Gen5 Detect features whole-machine HEPA filtration that captures 99.99% of particles down to 0.1 microns, including pollen, dust mites, pet dander and mould spores. This means allergens that are picked up stay locked inside the vacuum and are not released back into the air.' POWERbreathe Hay fever can cause inflammation in your airways, making breathing more difficult, particularly if you also suffer from asthma or a mild respiratory condition. However, John says that using resistance based apparatus can make a difference. 'Devices like POWERbreathe, which are popular among athletes and elite footballers, can help strengthen your breathing muscles and reduce breathlessness during flare-ups, even if you have asthma,' he says. Multitasking fan Staying cool at night with a fan is a priority for a restful night's sleep in the summer, but it can also help with hay fever symptoms. The Midea AMS150-PBW Air Purifier Bladeless Fan ( can cool your home while removing up to 99.97% of allergens and germs. It also acts as an air purifier, and is described as 'silent yet powerful."
Scottish Sun
10-05-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
When I broke out in an agonising rash that left me bleeding docs blamed scabies – but 3 common foods were to blame
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) I COULDN'T sleep, I couldn't concentrate at work and I was cancelling social plans. I felt like my body was covered in ants due to a persistent itch - but I was completely unaware of a little-known allergy to foods in my daily diet. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 6 Lucy couldn't stop scratching an itch that presented all over her body Credit: Supplied-Lucy Gornall 6 "It was persistent and impossible to ignore," Lucy said Credit: Supplied-Lucy Gornall It was January 2022 when I suddenly developed the most frustrating itchiness all over my body; one moment it was my head, the next it was my leg. This wasn't just a little tickle. It was persistent and impossible to ignore. And when I did ignore it, the itchiness would grow and grow. A specialist mentioned that it might be scabies and so for several days, I lathered the cream on and washed my bedsheets every morning. I did two rounds of scabies treatments, but still the itchiness persisted. On a trip to Austria in March 2022, I broke down in tears as my incessant scratching was causing my skin to bleed. It took a (very expensive!) trip to an Austrian dermatologist to discover I had urticaria (the medical term for hives). My body was covered in these hives. And I was then told it caused by a histamine intolerance. Ever wondered why you don't quite feel right after eating certain foods such as cheese or chocolate? Or, feel as though your skin is itchier than normal after drinking red wine? Megan McKenna blasted the Prime Minister today for 'abandoning' a vow to create an 'allergies tsar' Perhaps yoghurt, beer and champagne - which are fermented foods - have left you bloated and struggling with digestive issues, despite the fact you've always eaten them? Or, like me, you have never even connected the dots. Histamine tolerance can also cause a runny nose, brain fog and fatigue. "It can even impact mental health, with reported symptoms such as anxiety, insomnia and panic attacks," says Dr Mohamed Najja from Jorja Healthcare Group. Some foods act as histamine liberators, meaning they trigger the body to release more histamine, even if they don't contain much themselves. Laura Southern The little-known problem primarily impacts women and tends to occur more frequently with age, often in the 40s and 50s but anytime from the age of 30. 'Histamines are chemicals that your immune system makes," explains Dr Najja. "They are released by white blood cells during an immune response, helping to respond to allergy triggers (such as pollen or certain foods)." 6 Chocolate is a trigger for histamine tolerance Credit: Alamy 6 Aged cheese, such as blue or parmesan, are no-gos Credit: Alamy 6 Lucy did two rounds of scabies treatment before a dermatologist finally diagnosed her with histamine intolerance Credit: Supplied-Lucy Gornall Histamine intolerance, he says, refers to an excess of histamine in the body. The body struggles to process or eliminate excess histamine. It can lead to a range of symptoms that may mimic allergies. But while allergies involve your immune system response, releasing histamines to get rid of whatever it sees as a threat (even if it's harmless), histamine intolerance, in contrast, is a problem with the body's ability to process histamine. "When histamine is released then the blood flow to the area increases, causing inflammation such as redness, swelling and itchiness," he says. The symptoms of histamine intolerance Symptoms of histamine intolerance can vary from one person to another. However, Dr Najjar says that common symptoms include: Abdominal pain and bloating Changes of bowel movement, which could include diarrhoea, nausea, gas and reflux. Skin rashes, flushing or hives Headaches Dizziness Fatigue Brain fog Runny nose or nasal congestion Shortness of breath or wheezing Heart palpiations Mental health effects A 2019 study in the journal Intestinal Research found participants suffering from histamine intolerance experienced an average of 11 symptoms. What foods trigger symptoms or antihistamine intolerance? When I got dianogsed, I had to laugh at the fact I was consuming foods and drinks daily that trigger histamine intolerance daily. At the time, I was shotting apple cider vinegar in the morning, drinking a fair bit of champagne and was eating spinach, tomatoes and chocolate every day. High histamine foods include aged cheeses such as parmesan and blue cheese and cured or smoked meats, such as salami and smoked salmon. Fermented foods such as soy sauce and miso also don't help. Aged, fermented and processed foods contain high levels of histamine because histamine forms during bacterial fermentation or food decay. Alcohol, especially red wine, champagne and beer, pickled or canned foods, beans and pulses, salty snacks and chocolate are all no-gos. 6 Wine was triggering Lucy's hives, she says Credit: Getty Laura Southern, nutritional therapist at London Gynaecology says: 'Some foods also act as histamine liberators, meaning they trigger the body to release more histamine, even if they don't contain much themselves." The list of histamine liberators are often 'healthy' foods. They include vinegar, tomatoes, citrus fruits, spinach, strawberries, and nuts, especially walnuts, cashews and peanuts. 'Some foods block DAO, the enzyme that breaks histamine down," says Laura. "These include energy drinks, black and green tea and alcohol.' A high dose vitamin C supplement can break down histamine. Tara Ghosh Laura adds: 'Histamine levels in food can vary based on storage time and processing. 'Histamine is often a 'gut' problem, so foods that damage the lining of the gut, or support the 'bad' bacteria in your gut can cause histamine reactions or make them worse. "These foods are UPFs, sugar, fried foods, processed meats, alcohol and sweeteners.' Hormones, particularly oestrogen, play a big role in the development of histamine intolerance, according to Tara Ghosh, a certified Hormone and Women's Health Coach. Therefore, she says, a lot of women may notice that menopause and perimenopause can make histamine issues worse. 'Having too much oestrogen in relation to progesterone leads to something called oestrogen dominance which can cause our allergies to be way worse or indeed appear out of nowhere for the first time," she says. Generally, oestrogen is on a downward slope during perimenopause, but with unpredictable peaks. 'While oestrogen is on a rollercoaster as we age, progesterone plummets,' Tara says. Foods that trigger histamine intolerance Foods that have been reported to have higher levels of histamine: Alcohol Pickled or canned foods – sauerkrauts Matured cheeses - blue, parmesan, camembert Smoked/cured meat products – salami, ham, sausages Shellfish Fresh or canned tuna, sardines, mackerel, salmon, herring Beans and pulses – chickpeas, soy flour Long-stored nuts – e.g peanuts, cashew nuts, almonds, pistachio Chocolates and other cocoa based products Seitan Rice vinegar Ready meals Salty snacks, sweets with preservatives and artificial colourings Aubergine Spinach Tomatoes Broad beans Foods that have been reported to have released histamine (histamine releasers): Most citrus fruits – lemon, lime, oranges Cocoa and chocolate Walnuts, peanuts Papaya, pineapples, plums, kiwi and bananas Legumes Wheat germ Most vinegars Additives – benzoate, sulphites, nitrites, glutamate, food dyes Foods that have been reported to block the diamine oxidase (DAO) enzyme: Alcohol Black tea Energy drinks Mate tea Source: Histamine Intolerance Awareness and Allergy UK Tara explains that oestrogen increases histamine and is linked to slowing down the production of the DAO enzyme which clears histamine from our body. As well as hormones, some medications and gastrointestinal issues such as irritable bowel disorder can actually get in the way of DAO working properly. How to treat histamine intolerance The NHS doesn't offer a histamine intolerance test, but you can buy them online. However, Dr Najjar advises against doing them without the support and expertise of a qualified medical practitioner. You may take antihistamines when your body is reacting to histamines - and, after being put on strong ones, I was given a long list of foods that I had to remove from my diet. Although you can take antihistamines, Tara claims: 'Most antihistamine treatments are just a band-aid, blocking your histamine receptors. 'What we need to think is, 'why is my allergy bucket so full and causing me this hell?' 'Reduce dairy, gluten, sugar and alcohol as these are inflammatory and limit fermented food (such as kombucha and sauerkraut), avocados, spinach, tomatoes, chocolate and citrus fruit as these stimulate histamine.' Tara adds: 'High levels of the stress hormone cortisol correlate with high histamine so find ways to calm your nervous system every day and prioritise your sleep. "A high dose vitamin C supplement can also break down histamine.' A process of eliminating potential histamine-rich trigger foods and then slowly reintroducing them, can help you discover where your tolerance lies. In a matter of days, my skin calmed. The itching ceased and I felt like a free woman! Still to this day, I am strict on what I eat and if I know I'll be drinking champagne or wine, or eating smoked salmon or anything fermented, I will take an antihistamine to prepare myself. My histamine intolerance dictates what I eat and drink and every day I have to stop and think before I put anything in my mouth. Honestly, the itchiness isn't worth it. So what can you eat? Laura says that low-histamine staples include fresh meat and poultry (not processed or leftover), freshly cooked fish and eggs (especially the yolks). Gluten-free grains like rice and quinoa, most fresh vegetables (like courgette, carrots and broccoli) and leafy greens (except spinach) are all okay. 'Vitamin C and B6 are crucial for DAO activity," says Laura. "I often suggest foods such as parsley, fresh greens, peppers, blueberries, chicken, turkey and sunflower seeds.' She adds: 'The gut plays a huge role in histamine regulation so I also encourage anti-inflammatory and gut-supportive foods such as freshly cooked root vegetables, herbs such as ginger, turmeric and thyme and omega-3-rich oils from flax or chia seeds." Laura adds that the freshness of your foods plays a part - even food that's been left in the fridge for a day could trigger symptoms.
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Four simple ways to improve your heart health, as study finds it can lower dementia risk
With dementia cases expected to double every 20 years, rising from 55 million today to 139 million by 2050, scientists are increasingly focused on finding ways to slow cognitive decline. While you've probably read all about the benefits of daily brain training puzzles for sharpening your ticker, new research suggests that switching your attention to heart health could similarly preserve memory and thinking skills later in life. A study published in the journal JAMA Network Open found that older adults who maintain good cardiovascular health tend to show fewer signs of brain degeneration, suggesting a powerful link between cognitive decline and heart health. The study authors analysed the brain proteins of 5,470 participants aged over 65, finding that those with better heart health had lower levels of the proteins 'neurofilament light chain' and 'total tau' - two key biomarkers for the detection of Alzheimer's disease. In recent years, there's been an increasing shift towards the association between cardiovascular disease and dementia, with an earlier study suggesting that adopting better heart habits could slash the risk of dementia by up to 60%. And while no single behaviour is guaranteed to prevent dementia, future-proofing your brain with healthy habits is a sensible way to set yourself up for cognitive longevity. We asked a GP to share their straightforward, science-backed ways to keep your ticker in top shape, so you can protect your grey matter in the process. In recent years, more of us have gravitated towards the weights room to reap the impressive benefits of strength training, which include better muscular strength and improved bone density. But if you're keen to keep your memory sharp over the decades, cardio should still retain a firm place in your weekly training routine. In fact, The British Heart Foundation recommends a mix of both aerobic exercise (think, jogging, swimming and cycling) as well as resistance training for optimal heart health. "Exercise really is the key to improving heart health," agrees Dr Mohamed Najjar of Jorja Healthcare Group. "Regular exercise helps to strengthen the heart muscle, improving its ability to pull oxygen from the blood. iIt also reduces levels of the stress hormone cortisol that can strain the heart, reducing your overall risk of a heart attack." Ultra-processed foods, or UPFs, are a hot topic in the world of nutrition right now. Estimated to account for roughly 57% of the daily calories we consume in the UK, they're typically foods that have gone through multiple rounds of processing and include hard-to-pronounce ingredients. Good examples include biscuits, crisps and sweets, as well as certain types of meat products like sausages. "Limiting the amount of ultra-processed meats you eat is a good idea, as they tend to be high in sodium and saturated fat," explains Najjar. "Instead, try to focus on eating a healthy diet rich in fruit, vegetables and lean protein, and opt for choices low in sugar, salt and processing to manage risk factors like cholesterol and high blood pressure - both of which are major contributors to heart disease." Whether it's too many work deadlines or the juggle of parenting, chronic stress can raise blood pressure and negatively impact heart health. One way to find relief is to try transcendental meditation, a mindfulness technique developed by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi that involves repeating a mantra silently in your head. Studies have found that transcendental meditation can shift the brain into a state of restful awareness, with one 2017 analysis concluding that practising it regularly could reduce systolic and diastolic blood pressure at a similar rate as other healthy lifestyle changes, such diet and exercise. 'Breathing deeply, or trying a relaxation technique such as meditation or yoga, can help to lower blood pressure, reducing the strain on the heart and helping to keep it healthy,' adds Najjar. While some studies have shown an association between moderate alcohol intake and a lower risk of dying from heart disease, experts are keen to stress that the key word is just that: 'moderate'. Several reviews have found that people who drink heavily or binge drink are not only more likely to develop heart disease, but they also put themselves at a higher risk of dementia too. In short, it's sensible to avoid overdoing it. "Excessive alcohol consumption is bad for heart health," notes Najjar, "as it's linked to high blood pressure, heart failure and cardiomyopathy - a disease of the heart muscle." Generally, the NHS recommends that men and women stick to drinking no more than 14 units of alcohol each week, spread across three days or more, with drink-free days sandwiched in between. What that looks like will depend on the type and strength of the drink, but it's roughly around six pints of medium-strength beer or six glasses of wine every seven days. Read more about heart health: 8 Brain And Heart Health Rules For A Longer Life (HuffPost, 2-min read) Heart disease warning as early deaths at highest rate in more than a decade (Sky News, 3-min read) Six exercises to keep your heart healthy after sitting for too long (Yahoo Life UK, 4-min read)
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Four simple ways to improve your heart health, as study finds it can lower dementia risk
With dementia cases expected to double every 20 years, rising from 55 million today to 139 million by 2050, scientists are increasingly focused on finding ways to slow cognitive decline. While you've probably read all about the benefits of daily brain training puzzles for sharpening your ticker, new research suggests that switching your attention to heart health could similarly preserve memory and thinking skills later in life. A study published in the journal JAMA Network Open found that older adults who maintain good cardiovascular health tend to show fewer signs of brain degeneration, suggesting a powerful link between cognitive decline and heart health. The study authors analysed the brain proteins of 5,470 participants aged over 65, finding that those with better heart health had lower levels of the proteins 'neurofilament light chain' and 'total tau' - two key biomarkers for the detection of Alzheimer's disease. In recent years, there's been an increasing shift towards the association between cardiovascular disease and dementia, with an earlier study suggesting that adopting better heart habits could slash the risk of dementia by up to 60%. And while no single behaviour is guaranteed to prevent dementia, future-proofing your brain with healthy habits is a sensible way to set yourself up for cognitive longevity. We asked a GP to share their straightforward, science-backed ways to keep your ticker in top shape, so you can protect your grey matter in the process. In recent years, more of us have gravitated towards the weights room to reap the impressive benefits of strength training, which include better muscular strength and improved bone density. But if you're keen to keep your memory sharp over the decades, cardio should still retain a firm place in your weekly training routine. In fact, The British Heart Foundation recommends a mix of both aerobic exercise (think, jogging, swimming and cycling) as well as resistance training for optimal heart health. "Exercise really is the key to improving heart health," agrees Dr Mohamed Najjar of Jorja Healthcare Group. "Regular exercise helps to strengthen the heart muscle, improving its ability to pull oxygen from the blood. iIt also reduces levels of the stress hormone cortisol that can strain the heart, reducing your overall risk of a heart attack." Ultra-processed foods, or UPFs, are a hot topic in the world of nutrition right now. Estimated to account for roughly 57% of the daily calories we consume in the UK, they're typically foods that have gone through multiple rounds of processing and include hard-to-pronounce ingredients. Good examples include biscuits, crisps and sweets, as well as certain types of meat products like sausages. "Limiting the amount of ultra-processed meats you eat is a good idea, as they tend to be high in sodium and saturated fat," explains Najjar. "Instead, try to focus on eating a healthy diet rich in fruit, vegetables and lean protein, and opt for choices low in sugar, salt and processing to manage risk factors like cholesterol and high blood pressure - both of which are major contributors to heart disease." Whether it's too many work deadlines or the juggle of parenting, chronic stress can raise blood pressure and negatively impact heart health. One way to find relief is to try transcendental meditation, a mindfulness technique developed by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi that involves repeating a mantra silently in your head. Studies have found that transcendental meditation can shift the brain into a state of restful awareness, with one 2017 analysis concluding that practising it regularly could reduce systolic and diastolic blood pressure at a similar rate as other healthy lifestyle changes, such diet and exercise. 'Breathing deeply, or trying a relaxation technique such as meditation or yoga, can help to lower blood pressure, reducing the strain on the heart and helping to keep it healthy,' adds Najjar. While some studies have shown an association between moderate alcohol intake and a lower risk of dying from heart disease, experts are keen to stress that the key word is just that: 'moderate'. Several reviews have found that people who drink heavily or binge drink are not only more likely to develop heart disease, but they also put themselves at a higher risk of dementia too. In short, it's sensible to avoid overdoing it. "Excessive alcohol consumption is bad for heart health," notes Najjar, "as it's linked to high blood pressure, heart failure and cardiomyopathy - a disease of the heart muscle." Generally, the NHS recommends that men and women stick to drinking no more than 14 units of alcohol each week, spread across three days or more, with drink-free days sandwiched in between. What that looks like will depend on the type and strength of the drink, but it's roughly around six pints of medium-strength beer or six glasses of wine every seven days. Read more about heart health: 8 Brain And Heart Health Rules For A Longer Life (HuffPost, 2-min read) Heart disease warning as early deaths at highest rate in more than a decade (Sky News, 3-min read) Six exercises to keep your heart healthy after sitting for too long (Yahoo Life UK, 4-min read)
