Universal Medicine

Sugar: although a sweet way to entice the taste buds, it often lacks the right nutritional values when supplemented into certain products. Yes... a balanced diet is crucial, meaning that certain amounts are acceptable in daily consumption. Yes… it is a big ask to cut out our favourite treats completely. Yes… as an ingredient, it can be of benefit to the environment because it is manufactured without the use of pesticides and other harmful products. However, it is vital that we regulate the intake due to potential health implications. Obesity: affecting over 15 million people in the UK alone, it is becoming a growing problem due to the development of fast-food chains and easy on the go treats. This week on Universal Medicine, we will be looking at how the Soft Drinks Industry Levy (SDIL) is planning to tackle this impeding problem with the introduction of a sugar tax. The pie-chart compares the sources of added sugar for children aged 11-18, collated from the National Diet & Nu

The eye is a vital organ within the body and enables the completion of many everyday tasks. By taking an insight into the optometry field, Universal Medicine will be exploring some common eye issues which individuals come across. Cataracts Firstly, cataracts are something which tends to occur in older individuals. To understand cataracts the stages in producing a clear image through the eye needs to be acknowledge. Primarily, to produce an image, the iris controls the amount of light which enters the pupil which allows the light to move onto the lens. Moreover, the lens will focus the light so it reaches the retina. There are receptors which can carry this information to the brain to form an image. When an individual has cataracts, the lens becomes less clear which means a misty image is produced a s th e lig ht i s no t full y focus sed ont o the retina . Furthermore, this issue could potentially start to heavily affect vision hence it needs to be treated. The scientific rea

An ongoing battle between the Presidential candidates ended with a decisive victory for the Republican Party. Donald Trump led the campaigns for the party which witnessed controversial quotes from the man himself whilst the campaigns continued. Although we are not going to look at the President-elect today, we are going to look at how the national healthcare of the United States of America is going to be affected. In 2010, Barack Obama introduced a  Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act  (PPACA) to the United States of America on the 23rd of March. This PPACA was signed in order to grant American citizens more affordable healthcare (similar to NHS). With a population of over 308 million in 2010, this was an immense number of people looking for healthcare and the introduction of a new scheme to this sized population seemed like a dangerous task. Although, after 6 years from the introduction, the scheme has had its pros and cons. For example, a pro is that tens of millions of peop

This week on Universal Medicine, we will explore the shift in guidelines proposed by the RCS – Royal College of Surgeons. Traditionally, a paternalistic approach has been adopted in regards to providing treatment. This encapsulates the ideology that the doctor “knows best” and restricts the freedom of decision by the patients. However, this approach has led to hospitals being taken to court if the decision ends up inflicting harm. NHS trusts have had to pay out more than £1.4 billion during 2015-2016 (figure by NHS Litigation Authority). Consequently, the RCS has put forward a new guideline which means that clinicians are now required to present all options and let the patient decide – an approach following from the principles of autonomy. Autonomy is a key pillar of medical ethics whereby patients have the self-government over their health: they are free to make a decision as to which treatment is  to be undertaken. Certainly, as presented by Leslie Hamilton – RCS council member w

Now, there are a few terms which individuals have to be familiar with to understand the basics of gum disease. Firstly, the scientific term for gum disease is "Periodontitis" whereas "Gingivitis" is the term given to gum inflammation. Periodontitis is preventable so this week Universal Medicine will be revealing the causes of gum disease as well as symptoms, treatments and possible prevention. The first stage of periodontitis is gingivitis- this is when the gums become red, swollen and start to feel tender. This stage is significant in the long term as the damage could potentially be reversed. The direct cause of Gingivitis is through the formation of plaque which is due to the lack of brushing and flossing. Furthermore, plaque is actually a thin layer of bacteria which constantly forms on the surface of the teeth which can eventually harden and cause an infection. Also, the plaque produces an acid which can damage the surface of the tooth. The gums attachin

Regardless of any limitations, a dentist is vital to one's wellbeing. However, after finishing full time education at 19 years old the perk of free dental treatment does not apply. This week, Universal Medicine will be exploring the cost of dental treatments as well as discovering how the BDA feel about these NHS prices. Recently, the British Dental Association has referred to the cost of NHS dental treatment as a "Tax on health". Statistics discovered by the BDA indicate that, approximately, 600,000 patients have to go to general practitioners so their oral issues can be solved. The BDA feel that the rise in the amount of patients having to go to general practitioners is due to the prices NHS are charging for dental treatments. Of course, an obvious consequence of high treatment prices will mean a lot of individuals will avoid going to important dental appointments as they may not be willing to pay the high price. This could result in the appearance of more seriou

Winter is once again on its way around and despite the excitement of Christmas for those who celebrate, or the mesmerising beauty of snow when it comes around, this time of the year can be quite daunting for a few-namely, asthma sufferers. The cold air can exacerbate symptoms by causing the airways to constrict and become even narrower.The indoors does not always hold respite either as more time indoors increases exposure to common triggers such as dust, and pet hair. So to start from the beginning- What exactly is asthma? Well, asthma is a common respiratory condition caused by inflammation of the airways making it more difficult to breathe. The symptoms include Wheezing, breathlessness and coughing. It can happen randomly but is generally in response to a trigger, some of which include exercise (this is called exercise-induced asthma) allergens- dust irritants- deodorant, smoke If not controlled asthma can interfere with a healthy lifestyle. Sufferers may be unwilling or un

You're probably thinking that this is related to football and set-pieces taken by the legendary David Beckham...well you're in for a surprise. Today we shall be looking into the ancient Indian art of yoga as well as the benefits from regular practice. The body is a fascinating production from evolution, a species dominating the planet. But whilst still being a great force upon Earth, we do have to boost our traits every now and then. So what actually is yoga? Well, it's a form of exercise which allows the body to focus on strength, flexibility and breathing. This, in turn, helps boost the physical and mental well being of the individual. The art of yoga is often portrayed with religion and praying as well as a leisure activity that the elderly partake in, although it is an art practiced across all genres of people varying in size, age and ability. Originating in north India almost 5,000 years ago, it has spread across the world like a wildfire with countries taking their

A dentists' needle...the worst nightmare for a child. The fear of needles is known as "Needle phobia" and is a growing issue with young individuals. This often prevents a treatment from going ahead as the individual is emotionally distressed about the situation. However, research from University of São Paulo has potentially discovered the ideal solution for children who require a local anaesthetic without the fear of the consequences from a needle. This week, Universal Medicine will be exploring anaesthetics as well as the future of local anaesthetics. Firstly, we need to understand the science behind a local anaesthetic. There are two types of anaesthetics, one that can knock out the entire body contrasting to the anaesthetic which can numb a certain area which is often used in dentistry. When the body’s sensory neurone detects a dangerous stimulus it responds by sending a signal to the brain (this does not happen in a reflex). However, a local anaesthetic can bl