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A woman has revealed that she is so sensitive to latex that she has an adverse reaction whenever she comes near to balloons. Sarah Tuffs of Huddersfield was diagnosed with the allergy two years ago and her employer has responded by making sure there is no latex in the workplace at all. However, it is more difficult to control her allergy elsewhere, as she doesn't even have to touch a balloon in order to suffer a reaction. 'If I'm on a bus and a child gets on with a balloon, I have to get off,' she told the Huddersfield Examiner. Ms Tuffs also encountered problems at her local Chinese New Year celebrations and even has to avoid balloons in the supermarket. The 54-year-old grandmother could potentially benefit from wearing an allergy alert bracelet. This would ensure that if she does suffer an allergic reaction or needs any kind of emergency care, medics would know about her underlying health issues. Common allergens include pollen, animals, insects, certain chemicals and medicines, as well as foods such as nuts and dairy products. 
The government has reaffirmed its commitment to investing in research to help tackle dementia. According to care services minister Phil Hope, dementia is one of today's most important health issues as people are living much longer than they used to. As a result, he believes research is the key to improving the quality of care and finding new treatments. While sufferers can take steps to manage their condition, such as wear a dementia alert bracelet, a cure has not yet been discovered. The Alzheimer's Research Trust has welcomed the comments, as it believes 'much more action' on dementia research is needed from the government. Chief executive Rebecca Wood said putting more funding into this area would 'offer hope to the hundreds of thousands of people affected by this devastating condition'. The charity group recently launched a TV campaign to raise awareness of the need to step up investment in dementia research, as it believes it is 'seriously underfunded'. 
Plane passengers who are allergic to household pets should not be forced to travel with animals in the cabin. An editorial in the Canadian Medical Association Journal said the preferences of pet owners should not supersede the wellbeing of other passengers. Pet allergies can induce a number of symptoms such as sneezing fits, while many sufferers are forced to manage their condition by wearing an allergy alert bracelet. 'Airlines must choose to put their needs of their human passengers first - or be forced to do so,' the article stated. The authors added that pets can easily be accommodated in the cargo hold of an aircraft, which is 'where they belong'. According to Allergy UK, pets such as cats and dogs are among the most common allergens. The charity also believes that the overall number of people who suffer from an allergy is rising by about five per cent every year. 
Women who put on lots of weight in the early period of their pregnancy could be more likely to develop diabetes. Research published in Obstetrics and Gynecology said the risk is significantly higher if a female puts on more weight than is recommended during the first three months. The findings from the Kaiser Permanente Division of Research suggest that many mothers could need to wear a diabetic bracelet after the birth of their child. Lead author Monique Hedderson has therefore urged healthcare providers to make sure their patients know about how much weight they should be putting on during this period. 'Our research shows that weight gain in early pregnancy is a modifiable risk factor for gestational diabetes,' she commented. Diabetes is a very common condition in the UK, which official figures say affects about 2.3 million people. However, the NHS believes that about 500,000 more Britons are unaware that they are diabetic. 
The British Medical Association (BMA) has reminded people what health risks could be in store for them if they are obese. According to the group, obesity has been linked with many serious health problems including cardiovascular disease and diabetes. The BMA is also warning that being clinically overweight could also maximise the risk of cancer. However, spokesman Dr Dean Marshall said part of the problem the UK faces is that many people do not actually consider themselves obese, despite being aware they are overweight. 'When they see stories or figures [about obesity] in the media, they don't seem themselves as in that group,' he commented. Dr Marshall added that many obese people put off addressing their weight issues as they believe they have a lifetime in which to tackle the problem. If you or a relative does go on to develop a condition such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes, it could be a good idea to ensure the patient wears a medical alert bracelet. This can help to ensure a medic knows about the problem if a person ever needs emergency treatment. 
Scientists in the US believe taking exercise could improve the mental health of someone with a chronic illness. People with ongoing health conditions often wear a medical alert bracelet to provide a degree of peace of mind. After all, this can ensure that medics are made aware of any underlying health issues if a person needs emergency treatment. This could go some way towards reducing stress should a sick person ever go out or take a holiday overseas. However, researchers at the University of Georgia are saying physical activities such as walking and weight lifting can also help to reduce the symptoms of anxiety. As a result, they believe taking exercise could be an effective and affordable way of coping with chronic health conditions. 'Exercise seems to work with just about everybody under most situations,' said Pat O'Connor, co-author of the research. Lead author Matthew Herring added that the findings could be important because the ageing population means more and more people are living with chronic illnesses. Only this week, the Audit Commission warned that the growing number of older people in Britain is putting councils under an increasing amount of financial pressure. 
Older people with diabetes could be more likely to experience cognitive decline if they experience stress. This is the conclusion of a study by researchers at the University of Edinburgh, who said stress increases the risk of memory loss among diabetics aged over 60. As a result, they believe that cognitive decline in patients with type two diabetes could be slowed down if levels of the stress hormone cortisol are properly regulated. However, the Insulin Dependent Diabetes Trust has questioned whether the research conclusively proves whether diabetes heightens the risk of memory loss. A spokeswoman for the group said diabetes is too complicated an issue and can be affected by numerous factors, such as what type of insulin a patient takes. If you or a member of your family is affected by diabetes, it may be a good idea to buy a diabetic bracelet. This type of medical jewellery can be a great way of letting medics know about the wearer's diabetes, should they ever need emergency treatment. 
The Royal College of Nursing is issuing a new booklet to carers and relatives of dementia patients to provide medics with vital information. For instance, a family member could describe things that typically worry the dementia patient and preferences such as whether or not they like their food cut up. This could effectively complement an Alzheimer's alert bracelet, which allows dementia patients to carry relevant data wherever they go. Broadcaster Angela Rippon, whose mother suffered from Alzheimer's, believes it is essential to provide doctors with up to date information. Speaking to the Daily Mail, she said it could prove very useful for student nurses, as they do not get any specific training in looking after dementia patients. 'Most of them haven't had any experience of it and don't recognise it, let alone know how to deal with it,' Rippon commented. While a booklet of this nature may prove useful in a hospital or care home, it does not negate the need to wear a medical alert bracelet. By having a piece of medical jewellery located near a pulse point, medics will instantly find out about any health issues should a person ever need emergency treatment. According to the NHS, about 570,000 people in England are currently living with dementia. 
Men who are displaying signs of bowel cancer need to be aware of its symptoms, a cancer survivor has said. Roland Hutchinson, a 74-year-old man from Derby, developed the condition ten years ago and has since made a full recovery. Speaking to the Derby Telegraph, he revealed that he had been passing blood for several months before he went to see a doctor. This proved to be a key decision, as he was eventually diagnosed with bowel cancer and referred for treatment. Mr Hutchinson believes that if he had not visited the doctor when he did, he may not have recovered. 'I might not have been here to look forward to celebrating my golden wedding anniversary next month,' he commented. According to official figures, about 30,800 new cases of bowel cancer are diagnosed in England every year. If you or a relative suffers from the disease, it may be wise to purchase a medical alert bracelet. This will ensure that a paramedic or doctor knows about the condition in the event of a cancer patient needing emergency care. 
If you are highly sensitive to foods such as peanuts, it could be prudent to wear an allergy alert bracelet just in case of an emergency. But scientists now believe they may be on the way towards finding a possible cure for the condition. The NHS is backing trials at Cambridge University which involve giving allergy sufferers tiny amounts of peanuts. It is hoped this will enable children to build up a tolerance towards the food, which could give doctors a way of treating peanut allergies. Dr Andrew Clarke, one of the researchers behind the upcoming trials, said this is going to be the largest test of its kind. 'It should give us a definitive idea of whether the approach works and whether it's safe,' he commented. Dr Clarke added that the lives of those who took part in preliminary studies have been transformed, as they can now buy food and eat out without worrying about suffering an adverse reaction. According to Peanut Allergy UK, the condition currently affects 1.8 per cent of youngsters who are starting school. 
Many parents may be prepared to take steps such as buying a medical alert bracelet for their child if they have a chronic health condition. But one mother believes a local health authority is being slightly overzealous in suggesting that her daughter could be at risk of developing cancer and heart disease. Lucy Davies is a healthy five-year-old who enjoys physical activities such as ballet, but she was recently told by Bournemouth and Poole Primary Care Trust (PCT) that she is officially overweight. The young girl's height and weight are well within the recommended levels for her age, but a recent height and weight check at her school saw her being placed one per cent outside the healthy category on the body mass index. As a result, the PCT sent a letter to her family warning that Lucy is overweight and at risk of developing several chronic health problems. Susan Davies, Lucy's mother, branded the letter as an insult, adding: 'Young girls have enough pressure on them to be thin, without being told they are fat aged five. 'This is a horrible scare tactic.' According to official data, about one in four British children are overweight. 
Scientists have come up with a new method that could revolutionise the delivery of cancer care. A study published in Science Translational Medicine shows that doctors have devised personalised blood tests that can gauge the effectiveness of cancer treatment. By examining genetic material in this way, medics could be able to calculate exactly how much radiotherapy and chemotherapy each individual patient needs. The personalised blood tests could also be used to detect whether the disease is recurring earlier than existing screening methods. Professor Victor Velculescu, one of the scientists behind the study, said this could enable people to manage their own cancer. 'This will be a step towards cancer becoming a manageable chronic disease rather than an acute terminal disease,' he commented. About 126,000 people in the UK die from cancer every year, NHS figures show, but there are various steps people can take to manage their condition. For instance, wearing a cancer alert bracelet can ensure paramedics know about your illness and treatment regimen should you ever need emergency care. 
Older people who don't have eye problems seen to immediately are putting themselves at risk of developing dementia. Researchers at the University of Michigan have found that if senior citizens avoid getting treatment for visual disorders, they are far more likely to develop the degenerative illness. This was said to be because good eyesight is necessary to indulge in activities such as reading - a mentally stimulating pursuit that can stave off conditions such as dementia. Lead author Dr Mary Rogers has therefore urged elderly people who are suffering from poor vision to see an ophthalmologist and get treatment. 'It is important for elderly individuals to seek medical attention so that the causes of the problems can be identified and treated,' she commented. Dr Rogers warned that visual disorders are very common among older people and can have 'serious consequences' if they not dealt with straight away. Official figures show that about 570,000 in England have dementia, although this number is widely expected to double over the next three decades. If you have a friend or relative with the condition, it may be wise to ensure they wear an Alzheimer's alert bracelet. This could be a good way of making sure emergency medics know about their condition in the event of them needing quick treatment. 
A paramedic has revealed that he looks for a medical alert bracelet at the scene of every emergency straight away. Joe Garda, who works for Spring Hill Fire Rescue in the US, said medical jewellery is used to ascertain whether a patient has any underlying health issues. For instance, he told Hernando Today that an alert bracelet could show if a person has conditions such as diabetes, heart disease or certain allergies. Mr Garda also noted that information such as emergency contact phone numbers can also be useful in this situation. If you are ever involved in a medical emergency, it is likely that it will not be your GP administering care, while the paramedics at the scene won't have instant access to your full medical records. This means that wearing a medical alert bracelet could potentially be a lifesaver, as letting paramedics know about the state of your health could inform their decisions. If, for instance, you are allergic to certain medication, you have to ensure medics do not unwittingly administer this particular drug. This comes shortly after media commentator and author Patty Randall told the Calgary Herald that anyone with a chronic health condition should wear a medical alert bracelet if they go on holiday. 
People with heart disease often take a number of steps to manage their condition, such as wearing a medical alert bracelet and taking statins. However, a new study published in The Lancet has concluded that taking statins can slightly increase the risk of developing diabetes among people aged over 60. Nevertheless, researchers at the University of Glasgow said that people who have been prescribed statins should continue taking their medication. The British Heart Foundation has agreed with this point of view, saying the benefits of statins 'far outweigh' the risk. Professor Peter Weissberg, medical director at the charity, said: 'More research is needed to confirm this association and understand its implications for the use of statins in people at low risk of developing heart disease.' Dr Iain Frame of Diabetes UK also urged people on statins to continue taking their medication, as he too believes the risks are 'heavily outweighed' by the benefits. 
They say happiness is good for the soul, but according to scientists, it's also good for the body. Research published in the European Heart Journal showed that a positive outlook on life can help you avoid conditions such as heart disease. It has been well-documented that mental states such as depression and anxiety can bring on cardiovascular problems. However, this may be the first time that scientists have found that positive emotions can actually stave off heart disease. Lead researcher Dr Karina Davidson has therefore encouraged people to indulge in a hobby for at least 15 minutes a day. 'Spending a few minutes each day truly relaxed and enjoying yourself is certainly good for your mental health and may improve your physical health as well,' she commented. According to the British Heart Foundation, about 2.6 million people in the UK have coronary heart disease. If you are one of these people, it could be wise to wear a medical alert bracelet to ensure doctors know about your illness should you ever need emergency treatment. 
People who want to look after their heart have been encouraged to spend time outdoors. According to research by Warwick Medical School published in Maturitas, ensuring you get plenty of vitamin D can make you less vulnerable to heart disease. The British Heart Foundation has therefore stated that people should carry out their recommended 30 minutes a day of physical activity outdoors, as exposure to sunlight can trigger vitamin D synthesis. Fotini Rozakeas, a cardiac nurse at the charity, also suggested including vitamin D-rich foods such as eggs and oily fish in a balanced diet. The expert said these steps could both form part of a 'heart healthy lifestyle'. Dr Oscar Franco, one of the researchers behind the recent study, added that high levels of vitamin D have been linked with a 'substantial decrease' in cardiovascular disease. If you do go on to develop heart disease, wearing a medical alert bracelet may be a prudent step to take. These can ensure that doctors are fully aware of underlying health problems in the event of you needing emergency treatment. 
More and more people in the UK could need to wear a diabetic bracelet in the near future, as rising obesity levels are driving up the number of people with the condition. According to the National Heart Forum (NHF), about eight in ten men will be overweight or obese by 2020, along with seven in ten women. Researchers have warned that this means more people will be at risk of developing diabetes, as well as conditions such as heart disease. Professor Klim McPherson, chairman of the NHF, believes this will put considerable pressure on the public purse and has therefore urged the government to step up its efforts to address this issue. 'The serious health problems associated with obesity mean that these continuing rising trends will impose a substantially increased burden on the NHS,' he stated. According to official figures, about 2.3 million people in the UK already have diabetes, although the NHS believes about 500,000 more have the condition without knowing it. 
Wearing a diabetic bracelet is just one way in which the UK's two million diabetics can manage their condition. Much depends on the quality of care provided by the NHS, which has this week been hailed in a new report. Organisations including the Royal College of Paediatric and Child Health and the NHS Diabetes Information Service joined forces to see how well the health service is dealing with the condition and found that excellent progress is being made. Dr Rowan Hillson, national clinical director for diabetes, has welcomed the findings, but insisted that more work still needs to be done. 'In the next year I hope to see more focus on working with patients to help them understand and manage their diabetes more effectively and improve their health,' he commented. One key statistic revealed in the report was that 22,947 people under the age of 18 in England now have diabetes. Type one diabetes is the most common form of the condition among young people, but overall about 90 per cent of diabetics have type two diabetes. 
Many people have to wear a medical alert bracelet because of some hereditary disease. However, scientists may be able to pre-empt the onset of these conditions thanks to a newly-developed test, which could potentially save lots of lives. Researchers at Edinburgh University are using saliva to examine DNA and determine whether a person could develop an inherited illness. Dr Juan Diaz-Mochon, one of the scientists involved in the trials, believes this could represent a speedy alternative to existing methods of DNA analysis. 'Our method could help reach the goal of complete genome analysis in a few hours for less than £637,' he commented. Dr Diaz-Mochon added that the market for DNA testing is expanding very rapidly, since it is becoming far more affordable. This comes shortly after scientists at Imperial College London concluded that obesity is partly down to our genetic make-up, as many obese people are missing sections of DNA common in the wider population. 
Doctors and nurses on medical dramas are inadvertently sending out the wrong messages to the viewing public. This is the view of Andrew Moeller of Dalhousie University, who said that TV medics don't always carry out the right procedures if one of their patients suffers a seizure. Healthcare professionals should take steps such as check for a medical alert bracelet, he said, as well as turning the patient on their side to make sure their airways stay clear in the event of them vomiting. However, Mr Moeller said at least 46 per cent of doctors and nurses on the TV don't handle seizures correctly. As a result, he has urged people prone to seizures such as epileptics to lobby the TV industry to adhere to first aid guidelines on screen. Mr Moeller said the television is a powerful medium for educating the public, which means first aid issues need to be portrayed accurately. Epilepsy affects 456,000 people in Britain, NHS figures show, although it is not usually a life-threatening condition. 
Last week, a study in the American Academy of Neurology journal advised us that antioxidants in chocolate could help to reduce the risk of having a stroke. However, dietary experts have been keen to stress that this isn't a licence to eat as much chocolate as you like. The British Dietetic Association (BDA) accepted the findings of the recent study, noting that very dark, quality chocolate is particularly rich in these antioxidants. But it insists that it still has to be eaten as part of a healthy, balanced diet and lifestyle. Sian Porter, a dietician at the BDA, said: 'If you scoff loads of chocolate to prevent a stroke, you would need to have a healthy diet where you are cutting down on saturated fat and salt.' The expert added that people could also stave off the risk of having a stroke if they remain physically active as well. If you are one of those deemed to be at risk of suffering a stroke, wearing a medical alert bracelet may also be a prudent move. If you ever need emergency care, a doctor needs to know straight away if you have any serious health issues. Wearing medical jewellery can be a great way of being prepared without disrupting your day-to-day life. 
We're told from an early age that eating your greens is a good way of keeping healthy. And now scientists have backed up that advice by revealing what they believe are the best foods to help fight cancer. Italian gastroenterologist Professor Attilio Giacosa named broccoli as one of his top recommendations, along with cauliflower and cabbage. This is because they contain chemicals that can stop cancer cells from developing, as do Brussels sprouts. However, Professor Giacosa said this does not mean these chemicals can simply be included in a pill for cancer patients. 'It is the vegetable product on its own that is the optimal source to prevent tumours,' he commented. Professor Giacosa added that the way in which the veg is cooked always makes a big difference, as steaming can be particularly beneficial. Official figures show that about one in three people will be diagnosed with cancer at some point, so if you are one of these individuals, it could be wise to take steps to manage your condition. Wearing a medical alert bracelet, for instance, will ensure that doctors know about your illness should you need emergency treatment. 
People with a chronic health condition such as epilepsy have been encouraged to wear a medical alert bracelet if they venture overseas. According to media commentator and author Patty Randall, people of all ages are keen to travel abroad even if they have some type of disabling illness. However, she told the Calgary Herald that positive steps can be taken to reduce the likelihood of falling ill while on holiday. For instance, Ms Randall said wearing a medical alert bracelet could be a particularly good idea when leaving the country. A piece of medical jewellery will allow doctors to find out quickly and easily whether a person has any underlying health conditions in the event of them needing emergency treatment. Since it won't be your GP providing care during a holiday, ensuring medics know about conditions such as epilepsy could potentially be a lifesaver. According to figures from the NHS, about 456,000 people in the UK are affected by epilepsy, including one in every 280 children. 
If you're in danger of suffering a stroke, it can be a wise move to wear a medical alert bracelet. But did you know that eating chocolate may also be a good idea? Research presented at the American Academy of Neurology's annual meeting found that chocolate is rich in antioxidants called flavonoids. As a result, scientists are speculating that eating chocolate could reduce the risk of death if you suffer a stroke. However, study author Sarah Sahib of McMaster University acknowledged that further tests may have to be carried out. 'More research is needed to determine whether chocolate truly lowers risk, or whether healthier people are simply more likely to eat chocolate than others,' she said. It's safe to say that most people would be happy if scientists lean towards the first option, as it could allow us to feel less guilty next time we reach for the Galaxy or Cadbury's Dairy Milk. 
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