Evening Chronicle

Footballers Have Been Warned Spitting [ ... ]

FOOTBALLERS have been warned spitting could increase the risk of spreading swine flu as players at two Premier League clubs were struck down by the virus. The Health Protection Agency (HPA) said the "disgusting" habit - a common sight at many matches - could lead to infections being passed on.

One in Four Babies Born [ ... ]

ONE in four babies born in England are still delivered by Caesarean section - around double the figure recommended by the World Health Organisation, new figures have shown. The rate for Caesareans has risen sharply in the last 25 years despite repeated calls for it to be cut.

More Than 95% of Women [ ... ]

MORE than 95% of women in the UK are unable to choose where to give birth, according to a new report. The National Childbirth Trust (NCT) study claims most women do not yet have access to a real choice between the three options of home birth with a midwife, a local midwifery facility or birth centre, and an obstetric unit in a hospital.

A Hard-Hitting Advertising Campaign About [ ... ]

A HARD-HITTING advertising campaign about how easily swine flu can spread has been launched by the Government. The campaign features a father travelling home from work, sneezing and spreading germs as he goes. When he finally arrives home, he turns the volume down on the television as his son watches cartoons.

There has Been a Dramatic [ ... ]

THERE has been a dramatic rise in the number of people admitted to hospital for problems caused by obesity, new figures have shown. Over the last five years, the number of people needing care because they are very overweight has jumped by 360% and by 60% in the last year alone.

Some Health Trusts Are Failing [ ... ]

Surgeons Are Carrying Out Cutting-Edge [ ... ]

Nearly 100 Patients Are to [ ... ]

NEARLY 100 patients are to be contacted after being treated by a healthcare worker who may have been infected with HIV. A total of 89 patients will be contacted by the Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust and Kettering General Hospital NHS Trust in Northants and offered a blood test to establish whether they have picked up the illness. Letters have been posted by the Mid Yorkshire Trust to 46 patients who were treated by the worker at Pontefract General Infirmary between 1999 and 2001, while Ket...

A New Discovery About the [ ... ]

A NEW discovery about the health benefits of fish oil could pave the way to new treatments for life-threatening conditions such as sepsis and stroke, say scientists. Researchers found the body converts a fatty acid in fish oils into a powerful anti- inflammatory biochemical called resolvin D2. It was this chemical that accounted for the ability of fish oil to combat diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.

Swimmer Going to Great Lengths ; an Olympic Sporting Hero has Challenged a Tyneside Disabled Woman to the Swim of Her Life.

ADISABLED woman who used to weigh 34 stone has been given the challenge of a lifetime by Olympic swimmer Chris Cook. Nine years ago, profoundly deaf Carrie Sanderson suffered a stroke, which was followed by two more over a period of a few years, and she has needed round-theclock care from husband Eddie ever since.

Heart Attacks Have Become More [ ... ]

HEART attacks have become more common in middle-aged women over the past two decades but a woman's chances of survival have greatly increased, two studies have shown. While the incidence of heart attacks has increased, all women - and especially those younger than 55 - have also experienced a greater increase than men in their chances of survival following a heart attack. The British Heart Foundation said the research highlighted the importance of looking after our hearts "by not smoking, hea...

Girls Whose Mothers Are On [ ... ]

GIRLS whose mothers are on a diet are almost twice as likely to have an eating disorder, a poll of more than 500 teenagers found. Many girls said their mother had the biggest influence on their own self-image and they feel damaged by the effects of their mum's dieting and views on food. The survey of 512 teenage girls, with an average age of 14 found 6% had an eating disorder, rising to one in 10 among those whose mothers diet.

Advice That's Worth Its Salt ; Health Reporter Helen Rae Finds Out Why Shoppers Are Being Urged to Be More Aware of the Salt Content in the Food They Eat.

TYNESIDE dietitians and community nutrition assistants are urging people to pay closer attention to the salt levels in the food they are buying, by checking food labels and packaging. The move follows a recent survey by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) which showed many people are still unaware of the salt content of everyday foods - and that salt levels vary across brands.

Patients with Illnesses Like Cancer, [ ... ]

PATIENTS with illnesses like cancer, diabetes and heart disease should be screened for depression, according to new NHS guidance. Men and women with long-term health problems are known to be two or three times more likely to be depressed than those who are healthy. As a result, GPs should screen for depression by asking a series of questions rather than just focusing on physical aspects of an illness, according to guidance from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (Nice).

Healthier Fo or the Long Haul ; Health Reporter Helen Rae Finds Out How One North East Dad has Dramatically Improved His Life by Changing What Food He Eats.

Aver ad utore WAGON driv for famed bre makers Warbu ons has lost mo than three stone thanks his diet and exercis with the help of h daughter. Jeff Jarrett, 46, of No Kenton, Newcastle, now fe energised and enjoys playing g regularly as his hobby. s to se, his orth eels golf The father decided to atte weight-loss classes to support daughter, Rachel, but soon star to reap the benefits himself. end his rted He said: "I have more energy do my job, and when I am play golf, I find it easier walking...

Maggie's Matters

IT has been a fabulous week, despite the grim, grey weather and the dark nights. We have had some great fundraising events, for four of which we owe direct thanks to Maggie's Edinburgh.

The Choice Is Yours ; Health Reporter Helen Rae Finds Out Why a Woman From the Region Is Backing a New Campaign to Ensure People Use the Correct Healthcare Services for Their Needs.

A NORTH East woman has welcomed a new campaign that is aimed at boosting public awareness about the healthcare services available to them. Research has shown that a significant number of people still go to hospital Accident and Emergency departments when there are other services more convenient and suitable for their needs.

Dr Scott's

JIM was quite apologetic about coming to see me. "I feel champion now doc, but the wife insisted that I come". He described how when he woke that morning his arm felt strange, he couldn't shave properly and the can opener completely defeated him as his fingers wouldn't do what he wanted them to.

Nintendo Is to Use Government [ ... ]

NINTENDO is to use Government branding to promote the health benefits of its latest computer exercise game. The Wii Fit Plus is the first game to incorporate logos from the Department of Health's Change4Life campaign, which aims to get people interested in exercise and healthy eating. Fans of the Wii use a balance board and choose from a range of activities, including yoga, using hula hoops and skiing. The Change4Life brand will be used by Nintendo online, in TV advertising, in PR material an...

The Number of Babies Diagnosed [ ... ]

THE number of babies diagnosed with Down's syndrome has risen sharply in the last 20 years - largely due to women delaying motherhood, research has shown. Increasing numbers of older mothers is behind a 71% rise in the number of babies with the condition - from 1,075 diagnoses in 1989/ 90 to 1,843 in 2007/8. However, the number of babies born with Down's has remained fairly static over the same period due to improved screening and subsequent abortions, the study found.