Charity helps men with eating disorder

Fear of eating disorders

 By Gurdeep Hundal

 

A charity devoted to supporting men with eating disorders is launching a nationwide campaign to raise more awareness.

Sam Thomas, the founder of Men Get Eating Disorders Too (MGEDT), became a national hero when he launched a website aimed at men.

The 25-year-old from Brighton developed an eating disorder when he was bullied at the age of 13.

After reading an agony aunt column in his mum’s magazine, he discovered he was suffering from bulimia, which was uncommon in men.

More than 15 per cent of young boys and men are suffering from an eating disorder in their early life, and many will hide the problem.

However, MGEDT aims to raise awareness of eating disorders in men, so they are able to get the support they need.

Currently, the website reaches an average of 800 – 1000 visits per month, but Sam is hoping to double this, through a nationwide campaign.

On Monday, posters and booklets will be distributed throughout schools, universities and doctors surgeries, to ease the secrecy associated with male eating disorders.

Mr Thomas hopes the campaign will help men to recognise their eating issues by seeking for help, as ‘eating disorders can ruin your life. Don’t suffer in silence.’

Is this the key to beating all forms of blood clots? Sirco may have the answer…

By Gurdeep Hundal

Scientists have developed a fruit drink that could prevent all clotting factors of the killer illness that causes deep vein thrombosis.

The syrup extracted from tomato pips, is the latest treatment for DVT. As well as cutting the risk of heart attacks and stroke, just like aspirin.

The new fruit-flavoured drink, Fruitflow, is the first to have been approved by the European Food Safety Agency (EFSA), as it improves blow flow and circulation. Unlike aspirin, the new tomato drink does not cause bleeding.

As researchers found that aspirin should not be taken unless you have a history of heart trouble, as it runs the risk of internal bleeding. Clinical trials have shown that Sirco fruit juice helps maintain a healthy blood circulation, by preventing the cluster of blood, which leads to clotting.

In Britain, more than 30,000 people are affected by DVT a year, while 10 per cent of all hospital beds, are caused by the illness.

However, Fruitflow is hoping to change this. As the effects of drinking the tomato juice, last just 18 hours in contrast to aspirin, which last up to ten days. The ingredient descends from the jelly extract found around the tomato seeds.

It was discovered by Professor Asim Duttaroy in 1999, when he worked as researcher at the Rowett Insitution of Nutrition in Aberdeen. Professor Duttaroy believes this drink is far safer than anti-inflammatory drugs that are sold behind the pharmacy counter.

“With lose dose aspirin, there can be side effects, but with the fruit drink there are none.”

His research shows that tomatoes contain an extract that can be dissolved in water, which helps to reduce the incidence of DVT.

David Keeling, an expert in DVT at the Oxford Haemophilia Centre and Thrombosis unit, believes it’s too sudden to judge how effective Sirco may be.

“It could be the safest alternative to aspirin, yet it could be a gimmick”.

Hepatitis C: Silent but deadly in Scotland

By Gurdeep Hundal

More than 50,000 Scots are estimated to be living with Hepatitis C, but many don’t even know they are sufferers, researchers warn.

In Scotland, eight in ten people are unaware they have the blood borne virus, as it can take years, even decades for symptoms to appear.

In most cases, the blood-borne virus does not cause any symptoms. But when it appears, they tend to be vague.

Possible symptoms of hepatitis C include: fatigue, weight loss, loss of appetite, nausea, flu-like symptoms, anxiety and difficulty concentrating.

The most common symptom is fatigue, which may be mild but can be extreme. Many people initially diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome are later found to have hepatitis C.

By contrast, patients who later become ill and seek help, show significant damage to their liver. As hepatitis C is a long-term debilitating condition that attacks the liver, leading to cirrhosis, liver failure and death.

Petra Wright, the Scottish Hepatitis C Trust Officer is hoping to change this, by raising more awareness of the virus in Inverness, Perth, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Stirling.

At a recent event in the Scottish Parliament, Mrs Wright had pleaded for financial support, to tackle the virus throughout Scotland.

As a direct result, the party has led to the implementation of an Action Plan, designed to increase diagnosis and treatment for sufferers, to improve care and support.

However, Mrs Wright believes there’s still a lot of stigma attached to this illness, making it harder for people to come forward.

‘Currently, hepatitis C is associated with drug addicts because many fail to realise it can affect anyone, and it can be caught in many ways, ’ she said.

Debbie, a charity worker at C level, was diagnosed with hepatitis C after her dentist was arrested and jailed for not sterilising his tools.

‘In my mind, I thought I would be fine. But when the results came back my hep b was negative, but unfortunately my hep c result came back positive.’

Paramedic operates in the back of a police car

By Gurdeep Hundal

Paramedic outside Camden Market

A North London paramedic is providing immediate treatment for victims in the back of a police car, as part of a new pilot scheme.

David Pierce, 46, a paramedic at the Royal Free Hospital spends every weekend in Camden and Kentish Town with police officers, to relieve pressure on other medics, by treating patients at the scene.

More than half of 999 calls in North London are related to bar disputes, street fights and traffic accidents, making it harder for ambulance workers to reach critically ill people.

The service operates on a Friday and Saturday from 7pm until the early hours. It has saved hundreds of hospital beds says Mr Pierce.

“By putting a paramedic in the back of a police car we can provide quick treatment for those who need it.” But if the patient is critically ill, they can be taken to hospital by a North London ambulance service.

A Spokesman for the Camden police said, the pilot scheme is a bonus for them. “It allow us to get on with solving crimes scenes, arresting suspects, instead of trying to provide first aid ourselves.”

But there have been times where paramedics have been attacked on duty, by those who have had too much to drink.

Antonio Agu, a Waterloo Paramedic was left with stitches to her left ear as she was attacked in the West End. “People who attack paramedics should be locked up. We are here to help, not to be struck on.”

Gary Barrett, Duty Officer at Camden Ambulance service says, “attacks on paramedics are very rare. We are fortunate to have police officers in Camden who can deal with these situations quickly.”

The pilot scheme will continue until May 2011 and several other London Boroughs will be following this idea, in a bid to save hospital beds.