Universal Medicine

This week on Universal Medicine, we return to the brain to discuss a potential discovery which could allow for early diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer’s. Affecting an estimated 850,000 people in the UK, Alzheimer’s is a neurological disease impacting numerous brain functions – including the storage and retrieval of memory. Evidence suggests that the allele of the disease could be inherited from the parental genome upon meiosis. It has been discovered that the expression of one gene variant in children called APOE4 is associated with a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s. Upon identification of this gene in children, it could allow for steps to be undertaken to delay the start of the disease – if not prevent it. Evidence from memory tests and brain scans on approximately 1200 children, aged 3-20 years, is what forms the foundation of this discovery. Research has found that the presence of APOE4 affects brain development often in regions were Alzheimer’s is common. Following...

A sore throat...everyone has had it. Everyone has gone through the struggle of trying to eat as well as speak without hurting their throat. Of course, with a sore throat the symptoms will have less of an impact overtime however there are ways in which these symptoms can be reduced at speed. This week, Universal Medicine will be exploring the causes of a sore throat, symptoms as well home remedies which you, readers, can use to get rid of the uncomfortable sensation within the throat. The troublesome sore throat, known as pharyngitis can be caused by a virus or bacteria; a sore throat is commonly caused due to obtaining a cold or flu. Also, other causes of a sore throat could be due to allergies as well as irritations caused by pollutants or chemicals. Moreover, it is evident that children are more likely to suffer from a sore throat than adults. This is because children obtain more colds/flu than adults which makes them more vulnerable to sore throats. Also, around 20-30 children ...

Some of you may remember, back in may, a blog post written by Gagandeep that so wonderfully outlined the NHS junior doctor contract crisis. If not, then definitely go and read it, but to summarise- there was uproar around an contract that tried to impose unsafe hours and unfair pay, which led to numerous strikes and general upheaval, after negotiations a fairer agreement was formed which was set to be voted on amongst junior doctors in June with the results announced in early July. Well, ladies and gentleman, today the results were announced, and the result (at a 58% to 42% split) was a NO to the new agreement. The vote was open to all junior doctors in the final two years of their degree and the reasoning generally seems to be down to level of uncertainty over whether the new agreement still properly gives them safe working hours and just reward for the strenuous and demanding work. The outcome of this vote has caused discord within the BMA ( British medical association) with the c...