News and Comment

Health and medical matters are in the news everyday, from the quirky and bizzar to the frankly scary. But behind the headlines things are usually a bit more complex and almost always a lot less alarming that the papers would have us believe. I comment regularly on news items, posted every week to this site. Below are all the news items I have published so far.

Here are all the articles from theFamilyGP.com on this issue:

  An almond a day keeps the doctor away!
  Breast Cancer Examination in the Headlines.

AIDS
  Record numbers of HIV cases in the UK

Alcohol
  What type of drinker are you? Report identifies 9 types of heavy drinker.

Allergies
  Latest research suggests that mothers' fears of allergies in babies are unfounded.

Alzheimers disease
  Can eating curry boost your brain - and stave off Alzheimer's?
  Ginkgo biloba does not prevent or delay the onset of Alzheimer's
  Living with an Alzheimers patient - help and advice for carers.
  Terry Pratchett to hand in petition to Downing Street
  World Alzheimer's Day - September 21st 2008

Asthma
  Are autumn babies at a greater risk of asthma?
  Asthma drugs hope.
  British Lung Foundation calls for retesting asthma and COPD patients
  Fungal pill may alleviate asthma symptoms
  Low vitamin E levels in pregnancy linked to asthma in children.

Autism
  World Autism Day

Back pain
  X-Stop relieves back pain

Bacterial vaginosis
  TheFamilyGP Video launch of new product Balance Activ to treat Bacterial Vaginosis.

Bird flu
  Video : Dr Chris gives his thoughts on the outbreak of Bird (Avian) flu in Suffolk

bone marrow transplants
  Penelope Cruz registers to be a bone marrow donor

Bowel cancer
  A new DIY test for Bowel Cancer could save thousands of lives each year
  Tackle bowel cancer with Matt Dawson

Breast cancer
  Breast cancer awareness month october 2007
  Learn how to check your breasts with the breast awareness guy!
  Many women are still not checking their breasts for signs of cancer.
  NHS to allow free access to Taxotere, a drug for early breast cancer treatment.

Breastfeeding
  Breastfeeding found to boost baby IQ

Cancer
  Doctor's Orders - what you can do to help reduce your risk of cancer.
  Gene therapy clears men of skin cancer
  Regular use of Vitamin E pills linked to lung cancer risk.
  Risk of cervical cancer doubles in poorer areas
  Sleep and exercise needed to reduce cancer risk in women
  Tiny magnets could be used in battle against cancer .

Cancer causes
  Hair dyes cause cancer fear!

Cervical cancer
  Largest study of cervical cancer vaccine suggests it could save hundreds of lives every year in the UK.
  The first vaccine that can prevent cervical cancer has been granted a licence

Clostridium difficile
  Dr Chris Steele describes how to prevent the Superbug C. Diff with 60p per day treatment

Coeliac disease
  Coeliac UK campaigns for food without fear in catering market.
  Dr Chris Steele appointed ambassador of Coeliac UK.
  New 5 minute test for coeliac disease

Cold and Flu
  Hot fruit drinks really do work against cold and flu symptoms!
  On the go Brits don't stop for colds

Constipation
  Overindulgence at Christmas can leave us all feeling the strain.

contraception
  Morning after pill free over Christmas holidays

cosmetic surgery
  NHS foots the bill for complications after cosmetic surgery abroad

Cystitis
  New supplement to help cystitis sufferers

Dehydration
  It's damned hot - and you're probably not drinking enough!

Diabetes
  Cuppa could fight diabetes.
  Do childhood infections cause diabetes?
  Froggy hope for diabetics.
  Large babies are often born to diabetic mothers.

Dieting
  Mediterranean diet reduces the risk of cancer, heart disease and Alzheimers.

Digestive system
  It's Gut Week again!

Dr Chris Steele
  Dr Chris Steele awarded Health Journalist of the Year 2007

Drugs
  Could a patch end the need for needles?
  Doctors warn of buying drugs via the Internet

Eating disorders
  Women over 40 'hate' their bodies

Embryo screening
  Embryo screening

Erectile Disfunction
  Talk Test Treat Today, a new Survey on Erectile Disfunction in men over 40, reveals lack of awareness.

Eye health
  National Eye Week 2006
  Sight saving drugs too expensive claims NHS watchdog

fibromyalgia
  Former Page 3 model Jo Guest's mystery illness could be fibromyalgia.

First Aid
  Carbon Monoxide - Be Alarmed!
  Dr Chris Steele provides advice on how to cope with water shortages.
  Zaptag device stores medial information in case of emergencies.

flu
  Don't forget your flu vaccination!
  Presenteeism Doesn’t Pay - should you go to work if you are sick?
  The True Cost of the Flu - £5m to the self employed.

food alert
  Contaminated pork update from the Food Standards Agency
  Irish pork contaminated with dioxins

Food poisoning
  Salmonella found in ready-to-eat herbs
  The Cadbury Salmonella scare

gadgets
  Gadgets and Gizmos 28 Feb 07

Genetic testing
  Watch this TV Show - The Killer In Me - all about genetic testing

Haemorrhoids
  HALO is new less painful operation to treat haemorrhoids (piles).

Hay fever
  Hay fever exam scam - or legitimate complaint?
  Students who suffer from hayfever can have their exam performance affected.

Headlice
  Headlice

Health News
  Dr Chris Steele is awarded MBE in the Queen's New Year Honours List.
  Dr Chris Steele puts 6 runners on course for the Manchester Run.
  Dr Chris Steele What's New 2 May 2007
  Health Headlines 26 Sep 07
  Health headlines 6 June 2007
  Health headlines for 7 May 2008.
  Health News 5 March 08.
  Health News 9 Jan 2008
  VAT on fruit juice is penalizing healthy eating says petition to 10 Downing Street.
  What's new 11 Nov 2007 - Dr Chris reviews the latest health products and gadgets.
  Whats new 13 June 2007

Heart disease
  Brush your teeth and protect your heart!
  Dr Chris discovers he has life threatening heart condition
  Statins halve the risk of heart disease and stroke
  Two glasses of wine a day can double the risk of high blood pressure.

hepatitis
  FaCe It campaing to raise awareness on World Hepatitis Day May 19th 2008.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome
  Peppermint oil and fibre shown to improve IBS

kidney disease
  Living with Kidney Disease DVD Launched

Liver
  LiverCheck lets you test the health of your liver from home.
  Yellow Alert Campaign helps to spot signs of liver disease in babies

Marfans syndrome
  Does England striker Peter Crouch have a medical condition ?

Measles
  Measles - New figures show cases are at all time high after MMR scares.
  Measles figures soar

Meningitis
  Meningitis Awareness Week, September 15-21

Menopause
  Background Information on Vaginal Dryness.

mental health
  Can a nasal spray cure shyness?

Migraine
  Migraine sufferers may be at greater risk for blood clots.

MMR
  Another study dispells MMR autism link
  Dr Chris Steele is 100% behind the MMR jab

MRSA
  Himalayan oregano plant kills MRSA

Nail care
  Good news for those with fungal nail infections.

NHS
  NHS Direct relaunches with top twenty chart

Norovirus
  Video Health: Winter Vomiting Bug (Norovirus)

Obesity
  'Anti-obesity vaccine' developed
  Children need more exercise
  Is Obesity all in the mind?
  UK Sat Fat Map shows everyone in Britain eating too much saturated fat.
  Women who are obese are at greater risk of developing ovarian cancer.

Omega 3
  Omega 3

Organ Donation
  The Government want to change the system of organ donation.

Osteoporosis
  Boots trials in-store Osteoporosis Screening Service
  Osteoporosis - Prevention and Treatment
  Osteoporosis Scan at Boots

Pain medication
  A new study shows that consumers are confused about common painkillers.
  Tesco Pharmacy offers free advice to customers.

Parkinsons disease
  Parkinsons disease linked to pesticides

Patient care
  This Morning's Help a Hospice appeal

phobias
  Even needle phobics can donate blood this Christmas

Pregnancy
  Caesarean babies more likely to develop asthma
  Do boffins produce better sperm?
  New caffeine guidlines during pregnancy
  Pregnant women unaware of health risks of some herb containing products
  The Dr Chris Steele How To Get Pregnant Plan.
  Too much exercise when pregnant may cause pre-eclampsia

PreMenstrual Syndrome
  Womans Wonder Bar chocolate helps relieve the symptoms of PMT.

pressure sores
  Award winning actress Miriam Margolyes fronts campaign to prevent pressure sores in NHS patients.

Prevention
  Polypill could save over 1000 lives each year

Prostate
  The P Test may detect Prostate Cancer

Psoriasis
  New patient information programme for Psoriasis sufferers launched.
  New treatments available for scalp psoriasis.

Quitting smoking
  Halloween horror- smokers treat!
  New non-nicotine anti-smoking treatment varenicline launched.
  The UK Smoking ban means there has never been a better time to quit smoking. Dr Chris gives his advice.
  Video Introduction to the Dr Chris Steele 10 Point Quit Smoking Plan.

Respiratory infections
  Deaths due to cold weather could rise this winter

Restless Legs Syndrome
  Two new approaches for Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)

Rheumatoid arthritis
  NICE reconsiders it's decision to limit the use of anti-TNF inhibitors in arthritis

Rosacea
  New non anti-biotic treatment for skin condition rosacea

schizophrenia
  New treatment for schizophrenia and other conditions.

Skin care
  All about Photodynamic Therapy
  Injectable tan warning
  Take care in the sun this summer.

Smoking
  Q & A: Quit Smoking
  Smoking accounts for health gap
  Smoking raises risk of skin condition psoriasis
  What's new 4th October 2006

Sports medicine
  Another doping scandal?
  Is watching England play football bad for your health?

Streptococcus
  Dr Chris Steele supports petition to Downing Street demanding screening for Group B Streptococcus

Stroke
  Stroke Awareness Campaign

Sunburn
  Britains Forced To Cover Up As We Continue To Ignore The Dangers Of Sunbathing

teeth
  Cheer up! It's national smile month, but why are Brits so Glum?

Viagra
  Beware adverts for The Original Blue Pill!

Vitamins
  Antioxidants don't slow ageing
  Vitamins C and E do not reduce the risk of prostate cancer

Weight loss
  Can you be fat and fit - research suggests no.
  Could a simple pill stop you from getitng fat?
  Here are 8 great tips to help your kids fight obesity.
  Large waistlines increase risk of premature death
  New weight loss pill may be available over the counter soon.
  Sainsburys shifts the fats off the shelves
  The Dr Chris Steele Body Mass Index (BMI) Calculator.
  Thin Secrets by Dr Lizzie Kingsley
  What's new 31 Jan 2007 - Fat Scan