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Published: Thursday, 14 September 2017 08:33
Health benefits of sweating
No one likes looking sweaty. In fact, sometimes the thought of getting all hot and sweaty is actually enough to put us off working out in the first place. We’ve been brought up believing that sweating is not nice, that women should ‘glow’ not sweat, that those little sweat patches we sometimes get under our arms are not something we want. But did you realise that sweating actually has some health benefits?
It improves our mood
When we exercise we feel happy and there’s a scientific reason for that. When we sweat, we release endorphins. Endorphins are the feel good chemicals in our bodies, which help ease stress and anxiety and make you feel happier and more relaxed.
It helps our skin
It has always been thought that sweating is the worst thing ever when it comes to keeping your skin spot-free, but this could have been wrong. Dr Virginia Hubbard, Consultant Dermatologist at London Bridge Hospital says “Sweating is an essential part of our skin health,” “It can have the same effect on skin health as a facial treatment – the pores enlarge and the dirt and dead skin cells on the surface are cleared away.” Word of warning though, you can’t just sweat and go as all that dirt from your pores will accumulate on the surface of your skin. So aim to clean your face three times a day. And don’t forget to apply the SPF.
It clears the body of toxins
Sweating is a massive detoxifier for our bodies and can help clear the kidneys of excess salt and calcium buildup. So even though the gym is the last place you may feel like heading the morning after the night before, a sweaty work-out could de-bloat you, clean your clogged arteries and help cure your hangover.
It keeps illnesses at bay
A study from Eberhard Karls University Tubingen in Germany suggests that human perspiration contains a naturally occurring antimicrobial peptide called dermcidin. Dermcidin helps to fight off bad bacteria that our skin comes into contact with. So sweat acts as a kind of invisible force field against germs. Plus sweating can help with the healing process. When we get a cut or a wound, our bodies sweat out dermcidin to help kill potential bacteria, and help cuts and grazes to heal.
It regulates body temperature
Sweating acts as our own personal air conditioning system helping to maintain and regulate our body temperature. When our skin gets wet with sweat, it feels cooler. Then, as that sweat evaporates into the air, heat is removed as well.
It lowers risk of kidney stones
Research from the University of Washington found that regular exercisers sweat out salt and tend to retain calcium in their bones, rather than the salt and calcium going into the kidneys where stones form. People who sweat frequently also tend to drink more water, which can act as another stone prevention mechanism.
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Published: Monday, 06 March 2017 14:27
In June last year Eva first came to our medical centre. A 27yr. old lovely lady for a gynae check-up. Eva had never had a cervical smear test as she was in the process of moving to Spain when she was 25yrs. – the age that UK screening currently starts in the UK.
On examination it became apparent that ‘something was not right’ and investigations began immediately.
Regretfully the outcome for Eva was that despite a brave battle she did lose her life due to Cervical Cancer.
Damian, Eva’s husband says:
‘It always happens to someone else. You’re young, you’re fit and strong. You’ll be fine. At 28 years old, despite a brave battle the cancer won. Everyone who knew Eva loved her. The Eva Carter Cervical Cancer Awareness Fund has been set up to bring awareness to this terrible disease, that, with early detection can be cured.
Eva, as a Registered Nurse and a national carer can continue to care and her name can live on. Please help her to help you.
Due to the help and generosity of all the Vincent’s Corner pub staff and customers, Lee and Helen of the Pig & Whistle in the old town of Benidorm, friends and family of Eva, there is money raised to make a difference and hopefully save a life in Eva Carters name.’
The money raised in Eva’s fund is to pay for young women (aged 30yrs. or younger) to have a cervical smear test.
If you are a young woman who would like to have a smear test please call us for an appointment at The Family Medical Centre, Albir 966 865 072.
The Family Medical Centre will also be subsidising the cost of the test to allow more women to benefit from this fund. To take advantage of this opportunity you must quote The Eva Carter Cervical Cancer Awareness Fund at the time of booking your appointment.
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Published: Monday, 06 March 2017 14:27
Skin cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world. Non-melanoma skin cancers are a group of cancers that slowly develop in the upper layers of the skin.
They affect more men than women and are more common in the elderly.
Symptoms
The first sign is usually the appearance of a lump or discoloured patch on the skin that doesn’t go away after a few weeks and slowly gets bigger over months or sometimes years.
In most cases, cancerous lumps are red and firm and sometimes turn into ulcers, while cancerous patches are usually flat and scaly.
Non-melanoma skin cancers most often develops on areas of skin regularly exposed to the sun, such as the face, ears, hands, shoulders, upper chest and back.
Types of non-melanoma skin cancer
Non-melanoma skin cancers usually develop in the outermost layer of skin (epidermis), and are often named after the type of skin cell from which they develop.
The two most common types of non-melanoma skin cancer are:
- basal cell carcinoma (BCC) – also known as a rodent ulcer, BCC starts in the cells lining the bottom of the epidermis and accounts for about 75% of skin cancers
- squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) – starts in the cells lining the top of the epidermis and accounts for about 20% of skin cancer
Basal cell carcinoma
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) usually appears as a small, shiny pink or pearly-white lump with a translucent or waxy appearance. It can also look like a red, scaly patch.
There's sometimes some brown or black pigment within the patch.
The lump slowly gets bigger and may become crusty, bleed or develop into a painless ulcer.
Squamous cell carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) appears as a firm pink lump with a rough or crusted surface. There can be a lot of surface scale and sometimes even a spiky horn sticking up from the surface.
The lump is often tender to touch, bleeds easily and may develop into an ulcer.
Preventing non-melanoma skin cancer
Non-melanoma skin cancer isn't always preventable, but you can reduce your chances of developing it by avoiding overexposure to UV light.
You can protect yourself from sunburn by using high-factor sunscreen, dressing sensibly in the sun, and limiting the amount of time you spend in the sun during the hottest part of the day.
Sunbeds and sunlamps should also be avoided.
When to get medical advice
See your Dr if you have any skin abnormality, such as a lump, ulcer, lesion or skin discolouration that hasn't healed after four weeks. While it's unlikely to be skin cancer, it's best to be sure.
