Health

Wearing a Face Covering, why and how?

July 18, 2020 by Anne Sweet 5 Comments

It’s such a contentious subject at the moment isn’t it. Why should we wear a face covering? They are not going to stop the virus? I can’t breathe in them, they make me panic, they are uncomfortable, they take away my identity….and so on.

But, from 24th July it will be compulsory in the UK to wear face covering in shops, and it’s already compulsory on public transport.

Who is Exempt from wearing a Face Covering?

According to the official Government guidance, the following are exempt from wearing face coverings:

A child under the age of 11
An employee of the transport operator, when they are acting in the course of their employment
Any other person providing services to the transport operator, under arrangements made with the transport operator, who is providing those services
A constable or police community support officer acting in the course of their duty
An emergency responder such as a paramedic or fire officer acting in the course of their duty
An official, for example, a border force officer, acting in the course of their duties
If you are allocated a cabin, berth or other similar accommodation, at any time when you are in that accommodation, either alone, or only with members of your own household or a linked household
If you are onboard public transport but remain in your private vehicle, for example on a car ferry.

here are also a number of instances which the Government describes as a “reasonable excuse” where one does not need to wear a mask, including:

Those with a physical or mental illness or impairment
Those with a disability which means they cannot put on, wear or remove a face covering
Those who face severe distress due to putting on, wearing or removing a face covering
Those who rely on lip-reading for communication or who provide assistance to or travel with these individuals
Those who are travelling to avoid injury or escape the risk of harm
Those who need to remove it to avoid harm or injury or the risk of harm or injury to yourself or others
Those who need to eat, drink or take medication are permitted to remove their face covering
Those asked to remove their covering by the police or other officials
Those with autism.

Why Wear a Face Covering?

It’s claimed that they are not effective in stopping you from getting COVID19. This may be true, but if you can prevent others from breathing in your germs, and prevent yourself from breathing theirs, then surely it has to have some advantage. It’s not the perfect solution, it’s not going to get rid of COVID 19, but along with everything else, it may help in stopping the spread.

There are lots of different kinds of face covering available and the rulings do not state what type of face covering you need, so a simple piece of cloth (or a home made mask from a sock) may be all you need to get by without prosecution.

You can also get medical facemasks and ones used by those that work with chemicals. There is also no evidence that these will protect you from COVID19.

Then there is the argument that wearing a mask takes away your identity, hides who you really are. Who would rob a bank without a mask?

It’s difficult, but the law has been put in place, and without a face covering you could be facing a crime. (pun intended!)

Two things to remember

They may not be as protective as we wish, but they can help stop spread germs and if everyone wears one then airborne germs should lessen. Even if you feel you don’t need protecting, you are doing your part in helping to protect others, in particular those who can’t wear face coverings.
It won’t be forever. This will pass eventually (hopefully) and the more compliant we are as a human race to follow the imposed or recommended rules, the quicker we can get through this. (Fingers crossed.)

I Hate Wearing Face Coverings

For many people wearing a face covering can leave you gasping for air and even cause panic attacks. I’ve done a little research and come up with some helpful (hopefully) tips for you.

Accustomise yourself to wearing a covering. Wear your mask at home, get used to it in a safe environment. Don’t just put it on and think about it, do something, the washing up, the hoovering, play a computer game…anything that makes you think less about the fact your face is covered.
Expose yourself slowly, start with 10 minutes, then 20. Build up the time you wear your covering, but don’t wear it all day.
Try different types of covering. some are more effective than others but find something you find comfortable. We don’t know if wearing covers are going to work, but if you are obliged to wear one then find one that you feel comfortable in. You can buy cheap throwaway ones, or make one yourself. Or even buy more expensive ones. But they feel different and you need to find what works for you.

BREATH

Here are some breathing techniques that may help you

Practice breathing through your nose rather than your mouth. Do this first without a face covering until it becomes more natural. Then try it with a covering.
Take a deep breath in filling your lungs. Hold for a count of three then let it out quickly. Do this a couple of times. Then do it before putting on your face covering.
Take a deep breath in filling your lungs, then slowly release the breath. Practice several times before putting on your mask.
Practice slowing your breathing down, focus on your your breathing, in and out. Do the same with your face covering on.
Take a deep breathe and then when you release it, do a big sigh. Do this just before putting your covering on to trick your brain into thinking the trauma is already over.
Remember that breathing in your own breathe for periods of time is not a bad thing. We breathe out CO2 which when increased in our breathing in helps our blood cells release oxygen into our muscles and organs.

What about my Glasses?

If you wear glasses you may have noticed that wearing face coverings make them steam up. There are a few tips for this, but I admit, I’ve yet to try them.

Wash your glasses in soapy water, rinse and air dry (apparently this is the trick that surgeons use.
wipe shaving cream on your glasses and then wipe off with a tissue without rinsing.
wear a mask which fits really tightly over your nose, or add a thin metal wire to close the cap between mask and eyes

I hope this helps in some way. I’ve yet to go out, but when I do I have several face coverings ready. I’m trying to get ready by wearing them at home and practising my breathing techniques. I only wear reading glasses, so I’ll make sure I have mine washed in soap and ready.

If you have anything to add, then please do so in the comments.

Resources:

https://www.itv.com/thismorning/articles/help-i-have-a-phobia-of-face-masks

https://www.breathewithjp.com/

https://www.healthline.com/health-news/no-face-masks-cant-cause-co2-poisoning#The-bottom-line

How to stay healthy while stuck at home

June 26, 2020 by Anne Sweet 4 Comments

Maintaining your physical and mental health while stuck in lockdown can seem challenging at first. Many of the things you can normally rely on to make you feel good – going to the gym, family holidays, or even nights out with friends – are no longer available. Thankfully there are plenty of tips and tricks out there to help you adjust.

Much of it comes back to retaining a sense of routine (or creating a new one). Read five quick tips on how to stay healthy at home below.

Stay Healthy with Daily exercise

There are lots of ways to stay fit without stepping foot in a gym or sports hall. Many personal trainers are now offering free workouts online for you to join in with at home. Or you could weigh up your finances and kit out a home gym.

But of course, exercising doesn’t always need to be so strenuous. Simply getting out for a short walk each day, especially if working or parenting full time, can be enough to clear your mind.

Maintain a healthy diet

Whether you’re stuck at home with nothing to do or rushed off your feet as a key worker, eating a healthy diet may be the last thing on your mind. But making sure you’re getting enough of the good stuff at regular intervals is vital in fuelling your day.

Lockdown could even be the perfect opportunity to hone your cooking skills. And by getting fresh, tasty produce delivered from local suppliers, you’ll be supporting your community too.

stay healthy with fresh food, a chopping board of fresh vegetables ready to cook.

Look after your mental wellbeing

Emotional wellbeing has gained increased focus in recent years as awareness of mental health issues continues to grow. There’s lots you can do to look after yours, from yoga, to meditation, and getting better sleep.

Research shows meditation is Britain’s most popular wellbeing therapy. There are plenty of apps out there to guide you through the process.

Read, read, read

With international travel on hold for now, your next adventure could lie in the pages of a good book. Reading is an excellent way to pass time while focusing your mind – and it could make it easier to doze off at night too.

If fiction isn’t your thing, see what reading material you can find to help learn a new skill.

Check in with friends and family

Isolation doesn’t have to be isolating, The video conferencing software Zoom was downloaded 2.13m times when the UK lockdown was announced, and seeing a familiar face over the internet can go some way to restoring your sense of social connection.

Arrange weekly catchups, host a virtual pub quiz, or take part in a cook-a-long. Whatever you decide on, you’ll feel better for talking to those you love.

What’s helped you feel better while stuck at home?

This is a collaborative post.

How to Give Up Smoking

June 18, 2020 by Anne Sweet 3 Comments

The decision to quit smoking is one that can be very easily made; however, the journey to successfully giving up smoking can be a very tough one indeed. Here is a guide to help you along the way.

Reasons to Give Up Smoking

There are many reasons for wanting to give up smoking, the most significant of which will be the obvious health benefits. Perhaps some reasons are personal to you on your own journey, or maybe there are positive reasons you hadn’t even considered before. Reasons to give up smoking include:

Healthier breathing
Improved taste and smell
Improves the appearance of skin
Overall health benefits
Eliminates bad odours
Allows you to feel more free and less addicted

How to Give Up Smoking

Find Your Motivator

There are some reasons listed above which might be your motivator, but it’s important to focus on your main reason for wanting to quit. By deciding on and concentrating on this main motivator, it will help you to stay focused throughout the journey and help you to remember why you’re doing it.

The best motivators can be emotional ones, such as you would like to quit to stay healthy for yourself or your children, for example.

Switch to Vaping

Changing to e-cigarettes and eliminating traditional cigarettes can be a huge step in the path to quitting smoking. E-cigarettes do not contain the harmful tobacco which comes in traditional cigarettes. Vaping is a great tool to help you on your journey to quit because it still provides a nicotine supply and also helps you to have something to hold with your hand for those people whose fingers are itching to pick up a cigarette.

To make your switch to vaping even easier, you can try a vaping subscription like ZampleBox to ensure that you have the complete kit you need and a regular supply.

Make it a Joint Effort

It can be very difficult to try and give up smoking if you’re surrounded by friends or family who are persistent smokers. It can be a lot easier, both for quitting and for moral support if you make your journey a joint one. See if any friends or family members want to try and quit alongside you, to make the process easier.

Prepare as Best You Can

Smoking is an addiction that is going to be difficult to break. To improve your chances of success, set up a support system and coping methods in advance before you go completely cold turkey so that you can better prepare your mind and body for what’s to come.

Stay Active

You’re going to find it more difficult to resist cigarettes when you have a lot of time on your hands, when you’re bored or when you’re stressed. Exercise during this quitting period may be hugely beneficial to you. Not only will it keep you busy during periods of downtime, but it’s a perfect way to release built-up stress so that you don’t turn to cigarettes. So if you’ve had a stressful day, go for a jog or hit the gym.

Are you a smoker that feels ready to give up? It’s been 15 years for me!

This is a collaborative post.

LetsGetChecked At Home Test Kits for Coeliac Disease.

June 15, 2020 by Anne Sweet 1 Comment

LetsGetChecked At Home Test Kits for Coeliac Disease and other health related issues. A review and special offer for my readers.

Readers of my blog will know that I’m a chronic illness sufferer. This means I am sick long term with an auto-immune condition with many manifestations. My condition is so rare it’s difficult to know what symptoms may be caused by it, and what may be caused by something else. Coeliac disease is something that I’ve never been tested for, but something that has always concerned me.

I have talked to my GP about these concerns but after being passed from one Dr to another; I have never really got any answers to my problems.

I decided to test at home using the LetsGetChecked Coeliac test. This is a finger prick test performed at home and returned to a laboratory for a detailed report.

LetsGetChecked

LetsGetchecked is based in Dublin, Toronto and New York and offers more than 30 tests for general wellness, sexual health, men’s health and women’s health available in the US,UK, Canada and 14 European countries.

LetsGetChecked is revolutionising the way patients can monitor, track and improve their health from home. It is useful service for a lot of people for many reasons.

My personal reason for a home check is that I feel like I’m asking for help from Doctors all the time, but they blame everything on my current condition. If I complain of stomach pains, then it can be blamed on the constant contractions of my stomach muscles which is a part of my condition.

I have, however, been having issues with my stomach since before I got sick and I have often wondered if there was a crossover with another issue.

Sometimes I get bloated and sick, and I suffer from constipation and then diarrhea in succession. I had noticed that I felt worse after eating things with a lot of gluten in, like bread and pasta.

I was keen to find out if I did have markers for Coeliac Disease or maybe it was something else.

The Testing At Home.

The test arrives in the post and you receive a small box with everything you need to perform the test at home. The Coeliac test comes with a vial for your blood sample, sterile finger pricks, sterile wipes and plasters if needed.

The instruction booklet is clear and easy to follow. First you put in your details on the box and then use the unique numbers on the box lid (and a card you keep for later reference) onto the website to register your kit. If you download the app. to your phone you can access your details at any time.

Then it’s time to collect your blood. It’s best done first thing in the morning. If you are doing the Coelic test and you have been avoiding gluten, it’s best to abandon this for a few days before the test so you can get a good result on the effect it is having on your body.

To do the test your hands have to be washed and warm. It’s suggested that you stand up and hold your fingers down.

There is a short video here which explains the process in detail.

The lancet is pressed against your finger to produce a little blood. It doesn’t hurt, I’d say less than a pin prick, but I do have less sensitivity in my fingers. You wipe away the first drop of blood and then collect the rest in the container provided. You must fill the container to the level indicated, but it really isn’t much, and your finger will stop bleeding if you put a little pressure on it. A plaster is provided if it continues to bleed a little.

I put the container in the protective envelope and back in the box, which I then put in the return envelope. You must post it back as soon as possible.

You will get a phone call and e-mail when your test is ready. The results will be visible on the app. or the website.

My Results

I logged on to the app. to discover that I do not have Coeliac Disease.

This is an enormous relief even though it does not give me any answers to what is wrong with me. I can take some positives from it. I do not have Coeliac Disease which is an auto-immune condition, but I am sensitive to gluten. So I can assume that I have Non-ceoliac gluten sensitivity. The right kind of diet can help this.

I have tried to change my diet many times, but although it’s not easy, I think my results will just make me more determined to ease this discomfort myself and I don’t have to bother the GP for any more tests.

I will, however, discuss my results with my GP when I can and ask them if they agree.

LetsGetChecked Tests

There are many tests for you to choose from at LetsGetChecked, including the new COVID-19 test.

Maybe you have concerns about your sexual health or fertility, or it could be your kidneys or cholesterol that worry you? You can even test for vitamin deficiency or hormones.

The tests are completely confidential;

Using robotics, barcoding and automation, your sample will be processed in an anonymous and timely manner with results becoming available within two to five business days

However, you are not left alone as there is always a member of the medical team available to discuss your results and your next steps.

Is this something you may be interested in? If you use my referral link here and the code raisiebay, you can get 20% off your first order across the site.

*Note: This article is meant for educational purposes and is based on the author’s personal experiences. It is not to be substituted for medical advice. Please consult your own doctor before changing or adding any new treatment protocols.

Men’s Hair Loss

May 19, 2020 by Anne Sweet 1 Comment

There are many reasons why men suffer hair loss, alopecia, chemotherapy, injury, or just plain male pattern baldness.

My husband has male pattern baldness. It’s kind of strange as when we met he had this full head of lovely curly hair. He kept it short, but I loved it when it grew out a little and the curls showed. Our Little Man is the same, only a lot lighter in colour.

Male pattern baldness occurs to around six and a half million men in the UK. It starts by thinning hair or a receding hair line. It can cause distress to some men who don’t feel ready to lose their hair. Some can even suffer with their mental health because of their hair loss. I don’t know if my husband worries so much about his hair loss. He tends to feel happier once he shaves the whole lot off and goes completely bald.

He has tried products in the past to increase hair growth, but if I’m honest, I had more success than him. I had hair loss because of the medication I was on, but I no longer have a problem.

a man looking through a window with a bald patch on his head. — *Male pattern baldness*

Other Things to Try

If a man really doesn’t want to be bald their are so many things that can be done these days. Gone are the days of the toupee that look fake and blow away in gust. These days you can purchase stock hairpieces for men which look perfectly natural and cost a whole lot less than a professional hair transplant. Of course, if you have a spare £10,000 lying around you can go for the surgery instead!

For a natural looking hair piece you would be satisfied with a lace hair system professionally applied to your scalp and then styled the way you want. Personally I don’t mind bald men, but if you are young and it starts falling out early then you can start looking younger again with a really good hair piece.

What do you think? Hair or no hair?