The obvious thinking behind this accusation is that sites like these make having casual sex easier than ever before. With Grindr in particular, these representatives explain, you can literally find the person in the closest proximity to you, who is up for sex within seconds. They can be at your doorstep, or you on theirs, within minutes.

I am not personally down on these hook up apps, but certainly the fact they exist does heighten the urgency of practicing of safe sex right now. The steady increase of STIs reported year in year out, can only worsen the more available casual sex is to those who look for it. It’s possible that the knowledge that such a facility is out there also increases the number of partakers who otherwise might not have sought out casual sex.

With more sexual health campaigns on the go than ever, the greater access there is to STI treatments, and information at the touch of our fingertips, on our laptops, iPads and even our phones, it is a wonder that STI rates are still climbing steadily.

UK Medix carried out a recent survey including 1,967 people, half were men and half were women, in which they asked questions about STI contraction and, more specifically, where these men and women picked up the STIs they had treated in the past. Alarmingly, 15% said that they caught their STI at a friend’s house and 7% said they picked up their STI at work or in their office at work. Grindr and other such websites didn’t figure here but what is apparent is that people still aren’t having barrier-protected sex. Of those surveyed, on average, it was 8 weeks before participants were tested for STIs after the event, despite 61% saying that they were not using protection at the time.

Perhaps it is a common belief that because there is a pill for everything these days that an STI is part and parcel of a free and unencumbered sexual lifestyle. What most people do not think of are the life-long viruses and infections that stay with people for life after skin to skin contact, such as herpes, genital warts, HPV, and potentially deadly viruses like HIV and syphilis. Currently one third of people who have HIV in Britain don’t even know they have the infection.

STI kits are even available online these days via reputable sites, such as Superdrug or Lloyds Pharmacy . It is not even necessary to go and see a GP face to face. It is important to check that they are regulated sites and that the laboratories in question are legitimate operations, but there are many of these out there and treatment is often free with a negative result. Whether it’s Grindr or a greater social attitude to the treating of STIs, rates are still high and steadily increasing and some are getting more than they bargained for after unsafe sex.

CBP is an uncomfortable condition that results in the swelling of the prostate and causes urinary infections. It usually requires long term use of antibiotics in order to treat. It can cause blood to present in the urine or semen, burning and pain when urinating or ejaculating, with bowel movements too and can also cause pain in the lower back. If it is not treated serious problems can arise such as not being able to urinate, abscesses on the prostate and even sepsis, which is where bacteria gets into the bloodstream. For the Italian study, a group of men, half who had CBP caused by chlamydia and the other half whom had CBP caused by another urethral, bacterial infection, were compared. Premature ejaculation was discovered in approximately 37% of the first group and a mere 12% of the second group; a markedly disparate result.

Premature ejaculation has long been associated with the prostate considering the mechanism by which men ejaculate. Until now though, men who presented with CBP were not tested for chlamydia at all so the work carried out at Santa Chiara has proved innovative in this area.

Chlamydia left untreated also affects fertility in men and women and is a silent disease in that often no symptoms are present. It also means this sexually transmitted infection can pass from person to person easily and quietly. Those most at risk are in the 16 to 24 year old age bracket and these have been the statistics for a long time now according to the Health Promotion Agency (HPA), year after year. Perhaps now that it is known chlamydia is related to premature ejaculation, those testing for the infection and receiving treatment will be on the rise. Discoveries like these are reported all of the time proving that we do not yet know the full extent of what it means to leave an infection like chlamydia untreated. STI testing is free and confidential and should be carried out after any risky behaviour and before having sex with a new partner. Chlamydia is common but is dangerous and studies like these remind us to be extra vigilant about our sexual health. Please see this website for further information on chlamydia testing.

Further information can be found here.

It has been quite well known for some time that individuals over 40 are at a higher risk of getting STIs than they may feel. Most experts have attributed the increase of STIs in this group to the way the consequences of intercourse are perceived and how much they should be discussed.

Whilst most 20 year olds would not find it odd to discuss their sexual relationships, many individuals over 40 tend to feel less comfortable discussing these issues. This becomes further complex when we realise that this effect also used to extend to GPs, that is, some studies in the past have demonstrated that GPs report feeling more comfortable discussing sexual health with 20 year olds than with 50 year olds.

Although it would hardly be surprising that individuals from younger generations worry about STIs and pregnancies, it appears that individuals older generations tend to believe that because pregnancy is not a concern, protection is needless.

This wilful blindness can be particularly damaging when we consider that the increase of divorces and internet dating has spiked in the over 40s. It seems to echo findings from The Royal Pharmaceutical Society who reported that 20 percent of people between the ages of 45 to 54 had unprotected sex last year. When comparing this to recent data from the Health Protection Agency, which shows that HIV diagnoses alone have doubled in the over-50s for the past ten years it is clear to see where the drive is coming from.

All of this information points to the need to consider this area holistically. Naturally it is helpful to urge individuals over 40 to get tested and to inform them about the risks they are facing. But if they are finding it challenging to discuss these issues in a face-to-face consultation, then it may be worth asking if there are other ways to get around the embarrassment they may feel.

Nevertheless, it is astonishing to see that sexual health is given due attention in the UK. Comparing today’s access to sexual health services, GUM clinics and birth control to what it was 20 years ago shows how far the UK has come. The complexity of needs is constantly addressed and re-evaluated.

One of those illnesses is Alopecia areata. Here we explain the diversity of symptoms, and follow the research history of a team whose efforts are said to be at the forefront in investigating the causes and treatments of alopecia areata.

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease that affects individuals at different stage of their lives. It manifests itself in the form of hair loss. Some individuals only have one occurrence with small round patches on their head or chin. Other individuals have recurring episodes of patches or complete hair loss on the head and body.

The length of time that a person has a bald patch varies greatly, and whilst some individuals can have it for a few months with full re-growth, other individuals have a complete lack of re-growth after a year.

The treatments to date are considered to have a fairly low success rate, as many patients tend to have their hair re-grow naturally after a few months. In addition to that, it has been noted that treatments on the market may not be a long-term solution, as it is not established that hair growth will remain after a patient stops to use the treatment.

In 2008 a team of scientists published a landmark study within this field of research. The study suggested a feasible process in the development of alopecia areata. Essentially it was argued that immune cells were attacking hair follicles as a result of hair follicles emitting danger signals to immune cells. They followed this finding up with animal studies and were able to establish which set of T cells played a key part in attacking the follicles.

Whilst that alone was striking, it was quickly out of the spotlight when the researchers demonstrated that all of their findings pointed to specific immune pathways that would be responsible in enabling the T cells to attack the hair follicles. In addition to that, they argued that currently regulated treatments for bone marrow disease were likely to be efficacious in the treatment of alopecia areata.

The most recent study that has been published in Nature Medicine was the first study from that team where they tested the so-called JAK inhibitor treatment on mice and humans with alopecia. The researchers administered the treatment to three patients who had more than 30 percent hair loss, and were considered to have moderate to severe alopecia areata. The key findings were promising as all of the human patients had fully restored hair growth at five month follow up. In addition to that, it was also reported that the T cells believed to be responsible for the attacks on the follicles were absent in the participants’ scalps. Based on this, the researchers concluded that the results are promising but that more large-scale studies would be needed to confirm the findings.

Given that we know that most patients have a complete re-growth after a year without substantial assistance from mediations we are inclined to think that these reports may not be the success story they have been hailed to be. Ironically, time will tell if the findings are substantial enough to illuminate the prognoses given today.

You can read more about Alopecia Areata here.

Dupilumab is a treatment that contains monoclonal antibodies and is meant to be injected on a weekly basis. Monoclonal antibodies are laboratory-engineered proteins that have been created to interfere with components of the immune response. Given its broad spectrum potential, the treatment is considered for a range of conditions including; eczema, asthma and rheumatoid cancer.

To date, the treatment has only been tested in asthma sufferers that have high levels of eosinophils. This is a sub-group of asthma sufferers that is particularly known for being unable to respond well to traditional treatments.  In the largest study of Dupilumab to date, the results suggested that 87% of asthma attacks were reduced. It appears that 104 participants that presented with moderate-to-severe esophilic asthma took part, and the study is yet to be published.

Given the limited sample of a broad level of severity, we would be keen to see the full publication before making any conclusions. Yet, in the context of other reports in mainstream media, it is difficult not to sprout a bit of cautious optimism. Specifically, there have been reports to suggest that Dupilumab is likely to be approved in the UK by 2018.

We will keep an eye on this development, the publications, trials and controversies that always crop up with any new treatment before it is marketed.  For the time being, you can read more information here.

If you are using an online healthcare provider based in the UK you can take confidence from the fact that these online clinics are regulated and inspected in exactly the same way as any other healthcare provider – including the NHS. Any website operating a medical service in the UK must have license from the Care Quality Commission. The CQC, as it is known, will inspect a medical provider on a regular basis to ensure that standards are being met and maintained. If a website is not appropriately licensed then you would be wise not to use them. You can access the Care Quality Commission’s database of clinics here.

We have used a couple of online clinics to assess the standard of service provided so that you we can present examples of excellent providers of online healthcare. The first website that we tested was Private Doctor Direct. The website is licensed with the Care Quality Commission and we have to say we were very impressed with the service that we received. The website is very easy to navigate with all of the conditions that they treat set out in a way that is simple to navigate and refine. The consultation was dealt with very swiftly and we were given the name of the doctor who reviewed our consultation along with his GMC reference number. This part of the process was very reassuring. The prices appeared to be pretty competitive when compared with other websites. We placed an order and it arrived the next day with a clear set of instructions.

The other website that we decided to try was called Online Clinic. This website had a nice look and feel and it is properly licensed. The only problem with it is that they will only prescribe for patients that are already registered with them.  While this is a nice and secure level of safety, it is not going to be convenient for everyone but we can see that it is a great service for those patients already registered with this clinic. If you are already registered then they have allocated patients with a unique login and the service then works in a very similar way to Private Doctor Direct. You login, choose your treatment and the doctor then issues a prescription direct to the pharmacy for next day delivery. You can also collect the treatment from their premises in Harley Street if you so wish but you have to do that the day after you place your order.

Both of the websites that we reviewed seemed extremely professional and we have no real criticisms. The one area where we think that they can improve is if they worked with a wider variety of pharmacists so that you could access a click and collect service. This would also be a good way of supporting your local high street pharmacy.

The first report comes from a case that was reported about a week ago regarding a 15-month-old toddler that had been infected with the H5N1 virus. The boy, who was from the Phnom Penh district in Cambodia, presented with a fever, diarrhoea and lethargy and was admitted to hospital where his diagnosis was made. Although the virus is known for being particularly aggressive, the boy’s condition turned stable once he had been treated with Tamiflu. While it is unfortunate that the toddler was infected, it is not the first time this has happened. In fact, the toddler was the 18^th human to be infected by the virus this year.

Given that researchers have long known about the nature of the H5N1 virus in terms of how it leads to quick worsening of symptoms, and that a fair amount of cases had been reported, one would assume that this would have led to a lot of research. However, rather than resulting in deeper research projects, this knowledge has led to overly cautious measures. A perfect example of that comes from a recent study, which is the second report we consider in this article.

The study, which was published in Journal of Clinical Investigation, was a trial looking into the efficacy of a recently developed vaccine against H5N1. As previous researchers had highlighted that researching a virus that could potentially cause a pandemic and led to security concerns, the researchers of the current study used a synthetic version of the virus. The researchers gave the vaccine to four patients, and took blood samples, which were used to take out antibodies thought to interact with H5N1 viruses. They then tested whether these antibodies would successfully target the synthetic version of the virus. The key findings indicated that the vaccination appeared to affect how the synthetic virus was binding between mutations, so that it blocked the process required for the virus to be transferable between mammals. Based on this the researchers confirmed the importance of studying viruses by using synthetic viruses, and of the potential to develop a H5N1 vaccination for humans.

While the security concerns are understandable, it is still debatable whether a synthetic virus would be of any use, as it could almost be seen as a ‘middle man’. If the synthetic virus is similar to the real virus, then expensive and time-consuming research has to be conducted to establish this. If it is not comparable, then the research and development of vaccinations will prove useless. If it is comparable, then what is to say that the same risks do not apply for the synthetic virus as they would for the original virus. Either way, time and money is lost addressing concerns created from politics rather than addressing research.

We recommend this website for influenza news - http://www.magnetic-health.co.uk/home/mutant-influenza-virus-developed/

• Live the autumn: whether you like it or not, the season is here so you might as well enjoy it. Even if you are not a big fan of days getting shorter and colder, there are so many things you can enjoy in the fall: from the changing colour of the leaves in the tree, to the fresh breezes to the smell of the new crisp air. Find what motivates you the most and schedule in a trip or two to an outdoor place you can fall in love with.
• Start something new: we are never too old to learn something new. So many new things start in the fall apart from school: take advantage of the time, find out what your neighbourhood can offer and sign up for exercise classes, dancing classes or any other activity that keeps you moving!
• If not…hobbies, hobbies, hobbies: remember to give yourself proper breaks throughout the month so schedule in your favourite activities. If classes are not for you, remember that there are always other activities you can do. For example, if you like photography but do not want to commit to lessons, take a long walk and take this time to shoot beautiful sceneries. If you like to play the piano, opt for playing it somewhere public rather than at home: this might not apply to all the UK but in London, for example, there is a piano inside the station of St. Pancras that can be played by anyone. Lastly, another thing you might like to do to relax is to get away. So if you like to travel, organise a day-trip in a place close to home that you have not seen yet and start wondering around. All these activities will help you keep busy without spending too much or committing to a class.
• Go back to the gym: if you are a gym person, start again the routine that you might have stopped whilst on holiday. This is the time to get organised again and a steady visit to the gym, along with a new routine, can help!
• Motivate yourself: the end of summer and the beginning of autumn can be a daunting period. Try to find short-term goals (they could be birthdays, holidays, fun activities with friends, etc…) that would keep you going and happy to continue to live healthily. If it is hard for you to find something to be motivated about, try setting up your own motivational goals: maybe buy a new pair of trainers when you reach a particular goal or reward yourself with a hot bath or a nice haircut. Remember to make the goals achievable, neither too easy or too hard, and at the right time, neither too close to one another nor too spread out. You could also motivate yourself by doing something nice to another person. Whatever it is, there is always something to be looking forward to so do not despair.
• Eat well: About.com has a list of wonderful low-fat dishes, using ingredients that are in season, that you will almost certainly enjoy making. The three foods listed as autumn foods are: pumpkin, apples and pecans. These are also foods that are not too expensive, and can be prepared in a wide variety of ways.

Take the time to enjoy the taste and feel of autumn without hibernating! You can find more tips on Webmd.com.

A diet comprising proteins, carbohydrates, fats and vitamins and minerals ensures your body receives the nutrition it needs for a healthy and active life. Maintaining the proper body weight is achieved by keeping a balance between your food intake and energy (calories) used. Being either overweight or underweight is unhealthy and makes it difficult to achieve an appropriate level of fitness. Being overweight places extra strain on body processes and on the joints. Many serious diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and back and joint problems are associated with being overweight or obese. On the other hand, lack of energy, fatigue and loss of muscle tone are characteristics of an underweight person.

Exercise

Frequently undertaken with the aim of weight loss, exercise should be viewed as an all-round health and fitness enhancer. Your level of fitness is reflected by your heart and lung functioning, muscle strength, flexibility, and body structure. Lack of physical activity and a sedentary lifestyle, usually lead to weight gain. They are also associated with an increased risk of serious diseases, such as heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure and diabetes, which may be prevented by taking regular exercise. Moreover, problems with muscles and joints that are part of the natural ageing process, such as arthritis, osteoporosis (loss of bone) and muscle wasting, can be delayed by strengthening exercises.

Physical exercise works the muscles to help us attain a healthy body shape and improve our physical performance. Importantly, exercise strengthens the heart muscle, enabling it to pump blood more efficiently. While exercise may be difficult at first, causing breathlessness, aches and fatigue, your body soon gets used to it. Both exercising and daily activities become easier as your physical health and fitness improve. The benefits of exercise are reflected not only in your physique but in your mental functioning. Physical activity stimulates chemicals in the brain, which ‘lift’ the mood and reduce stress levels and, in turn, may work to increase your ability and motivation to do more exercise.

What should I do?

The key to good health and fitness is to maintain a healthy weight. A healthy diet is achieved through eating sensibly; it does not necessarily have to exclude those ‘guilty’ foods, provided they are eaten in moderation and you are taking regular exercise. Physical activity should be part of your lifestyle whatever your age, and is easily incorporated into a daily routine (e.g. taking the stairs not the lift; getting off the bus a stop earlier, etc.) or as part of your social life (e.g. walking with a friend, going to a gym).

Before embarking on a health and fitness programme or dieting, it is advisable to consult your doctor particularly if you have any illnesses or problems with your health. Your doctor will be able to advise you on the best course of action. If you cannot get to see your own doctor then there are doctors online. we recommend The Online Clinic in the UK as they have a great reputation and they are properly licensed so you know that they are to be trusted. Here is their weight loss programme page - http://www.theonlineclinic.co.uk/weight-loss-program.asp

Here are some tips that can help you understand what the best workout might be for you:

• When do you want to work out? Whether you are a shift worker or you are in the office from 9 to 5 Monday to Friday, you have to set up some time during the week for your workouts. Improvised workouts are great, but they should only really be an addition to your scheduled workouts. This is because if you plan, you are more likely to do it even if you don’t feel like it.

• Do you like company? Answering this question will help you narrow down the different things you can do for you workouts. For example, if working out with someone motivates you or you do not mind having company, you should consider team workouts like doing sports or even just running together. If working out with someone gives you the chills and you’d rather not share your sweat, at least you know to skip the salsa-dancing or the zumba class.

• What do you like to do? Whether it’s dancing, being outdoors or doing cardio in the gym, consider doing something you truly enjoy. Life is too short to spend your workout time doing something you do not enjoy. There must be something you like, as there are countless possibilities. If you like being indoors with company, consider gym classes. In the summer time swimming, hiking or taking long walks might also be put into your workout routine. Know what you want out of it (i.e. lose weight, just stay healthy or work out some particular muscles) and go for it. If your aims do not fit with what you enjoy, compromise by alternating exercises you enjoy to exercises that help you achieve your goal.

• What CAN you do? Unfortunately for different reasons we all have types of exercise we can do and types of exercises we cannot do. This could be due to injuries or any other medical condition. For example, if you have heart disease, it might be best to consult your doctor before scheduling your exercise routine. This is because you might need to monitor your exercise very carefully. For more information on this you can read this article.

• What’s convenient? We all want to be superheroes and aim to go to the best workout place ever –whether that is a park we really like, or a gym we adore. However, let’s face it: we are constrained by our home and work locations. Instead of aiming to go to the faraway marvellous place and then ending up cancelling for different reasons, find a place that is nearer your house. You’ll be able to stick to your workout plan more easily and you will go more regularly as the lazy person inside you will not be able to stop you from going so close.

• And….change! Or not. Whatever you choose, stick to it. However, do so until you are bored of it. Stick to your workout for at least two weeks and then if you get bored of it after that, switch to something else. If you then like your second workout much more and you want to keep it going for a while, do so. As long as you keep yourself interested, you work out regularly and you feel good, nothing should stop you from changing your workout around or keeping it the same.