Category: #elderly, #vulnerable

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IT’S SLEEP SUNDAY – LET’S TALK ABOUT 10 NATURAL REMEDIES TO HELP WITH FATIGUE…

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Chronic Fatigue is in the news a lot, especially if you have suffered from Covid-19. Here are 10 Natural ways to help with fatigue. 

 1. If you are suffering from a case of afternoon slumps then eat or smell peppermint. It is known to wake up and help decrease fatigue. In fact, research at the University of Northumbria found that in a test involving word recall, peppermint-gum chewer’s scores were up to 36% higher than non-chewers.

 2. They also say that Siberian Ginseng which has been around for centuries is known for its anti-fatigue qualities. It acts like a tonic, which can then increase the body’s vital energy. Anyone taking antidepressants, diabetes, or blood clotting medication should consult their physician first.

3. Vitamin B12 is also popular and it is naturally found in fish, dairy produce, organ meats, beef, and pork and is water-soluble. Vitamin B12 contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism, the functioning of the nervous system, homocysteine metabolism, psychological function, red blood cell formation and function of the immune system. 

4. Graded Exercise Therapy. Studies have repeatedly shown that graded exercise therapy helps those with CFS.

5. Sleep, of course, is a natural remedy for fatigue… People with CFS often have broken or disordered sleep and may even suffer from insomnia. Going to bed and getting up in the morning at the same time every day. Avoid naps during the day (although I cannot manage without mine) and take time to relax before you go to bed.

6. Liquorice root, in a standardised form, is a commonly used natural remedy for chronic fatigue. This herb, which helps regulate normal system function and allows your body to better cope with stress, has been used for thousands of years in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine. To help restore cortisol levels, look for standardized liquorice root in extract or pill form. Speak to your physician if you take blood thinners, potassium, or blood pressure medications as interactions can occur.

7. The NHS added that an excellent way to keep up your energy throughout the day is to eat regular meals and healthy snacks every 3 to 4 hours, rather than a large meal less often.

8. Cut out caffeine, the NHS say try to stay off caffeine completely for a month to see if you feel less tired without it.

9. Healthline quote the top 11 best vitamins and supplements for boosting your energy including Ashwagandha, Rhodiola Rosea, CoQ10, Vitamin B12, Iron, Creatine, Citrulline, Beetroot Powder, Melatonin, Tyrosine, Caffeine with L-Theanine.

10. Very Well Health writes that Tea contains two things that appear to offer health benefits: polyphenols and theanine. While tea hasn’t been studied specifically as a treatment for FMS and ME/CFS, research suggests that these two ingredients may hold some promise for sufferers.

Please remember to check with your GP first before taking any supplements especially if you are taking any other types of medication. 

Source: Very Well Health University of Northumbria The Healthy Science Direct NHS Healthline 

 

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OSTEOPENIA AND BACK PAIN…

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Osteopenia is when your bones are weaker than normal and your bone density is lower than the average adult, but not so far gone that they break easily, which is the hallmark of osteoporosis. Your bones are usually at their densest when you’re about 30. Osteopenia, if it happens at all, usually occurs after age 50. The exact age depends on how strong your bones are when you’re young. If they’re hardy, you may never get osteopenia. If your bones aren’t naturally dense, you may get it earlier.

Losing bone density is a normal part of ageing. This happens at different rates in different people. In fact, many people have osteopenia in later life as their bones get older. It could also be due to genetics, medication taken for a different condition or having naturally smaller denser bones.

Osteopenia is considered a chronic condition, but it affects everyone differently. While some people with osteopenia may struggle to complete daily tasks without experiencing intense back pain or injuring a bone, other people don’t even realize they have this condition. 

UCF Health writes that “back pain is common in people who have osteopenia because the spine loses its bone density, which makes it more difficult to support the body. Without strong spine support, the body struggles to hold itself up to walk or to sit in an upright position.“

There typically are no symptoms in the early stages of bone loss. But once your bones have been weakened by osteoporosis, you might have signs and symptoms that include: Back pain, caused by a fractured or collapsed vertebra. Loss of height over time.

Having osteopenia does increase your chances of developing osteoporosis which then increases the risk of fractures. Chronic low back pain patients have an increased incidence of osteopenia and osteoporosis. 

If your mother or grandmother suffered from osteoporosis (we all know someone who does), you can also start to see the signs of osteopenia between the ages of 30 and 40, when bone loss gradually starts.

Bone density is measured with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). DEXA is an imaging test that uses X-rays to determine whether you have healthy bones, osteopenia or osteoporosis. It provides a score called a T-score:

  • +1 to –1 indicates normal bone density.
  • –1 to –2.5 indicates osteopenia.
  • –2.5 or lower means osteoporosis.

DEXA gives healthcare providers a “baseline measurement.” That means they can compare the current test results to future results to determine whether bone density decreases over time.

There’s no cure for osteopenia, but it’s important to look after your bone density as much as possible. Treatment involves a simple approach to keep your bones as healthy and strong as possible and prevent it from turning into osteoporosis.

Source: UCF Health Cleveland Clinic Web MD

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NATIONAL CARERS WEEK 7th-13th JUNE, 21…

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National Carers Week takes place this year from 7th-13th June and with over a year of a pandemic to deal with there could not be a more appropriate time to raise awareness of carers.

Did you know that carers have lost, on average, 25 hours of support a month they previously had from services or family and friends before the pandemic and our recommendations as to what should be done to give carers the breaks they desperately need.

According to the Carers Week website fewer than one in five (14%) exhausted unpaid carers are confident that the support they receive with caring will continue following the COVID-19 pandemic.

After an extraordinarily challenging year providing many more hours of care for loved ones during the pandemic – coping with reduced support from health and care services as well as limited help from family and friends – unpaid carers are seriously worried about the support they will have to help them care in the future.

Research released for Carers Week has found that carers lost, on average, 25 hours of support a month they previously had from services or family and friends before the pandemic.

72% of carers have not had any breaks from their caring role at all. Of those who got a break, a third (33%) used the time to complete practical tasks or housework, and a quarter (26%) to attend their own medical appointments.

Three quarters (74%) reported being exhausted as a result of caring during the pandemic, and more than a third (35%) said they feel unable to manage their unpaid caring role.

The six charities supporting Carers Week – Carers UK, Age UK, Carers Trust, Motor Neurone Disease Association, Oxfam GB and Rethink Mental Illness – are calling on the UK Government to provide £1.2 billion funding for unpaid carers’ breaks, so that those providing upwards of 50 hours of care are able to take time off for their own health and wellbeing.

On behalf of Carers Week charities Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK, said:

Carers have sacrificed their physical and mental health caring for loved ones over the course of this pandemic. They are exhausted having cared around the clock, and do not know how they can continue without a break.

“Many are looking to support services to be able to take that time for themselves but are desperately worried that they will not continue in the future.

“Without the right support, the stress and challenges of the last year could lead to far more carers breaking down. It is essential that the Government ensures that carers can take breaks and that those providing upwards of 50 hours of care each week get a funded break.

“Unpaid carers need hope and support in the future and they must be at the heart of the Government’s plans for social care reform.”

Carers Week is an annual campaign to raise awareness of caring, highlight the challenges unpaid carers face and recognise the contribution they make to families and communities throughout the UK. It also helps people who don’t think of themselves as having caring responsibilities to identify as carers and access much-needed support.

This year we are coming together to Make Caring Visible and Valued.

The campaign is brought to life by thousands of individuals and organisations who come together to provide support for carers, run activities, highlight the vital role carers play in our communities and draw attention to just how important caring is.

This year, carers across the country are continuing to face new challenges as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many people are taking on more caring responsibilities for their relatives and friends who are disabled, ill or older and who need support.

They need to be recognised for the difficulties they are experiencing, respected for all they are doing, and provided with information, support and understanding. So during Carers Week, we’re coming together to help Make Caring Visible and Valued.

There are 6.5 million people in the UK who are carers. They are looking after a family member or friend who has a disability, mental or physical illness or who needs extra help as they grow older. Caring’s impact on all aspects of life from relationships and health to finances and work can be significant, and carers are facing even more difficult circumstances this year. Whilst many feel that caring is one of the most important things they do, its challenges should not be underestimated. Caring without the right information and support can be tough.  It is vitally important that we recognise the contribution carers make to their families and local communities, workplaces and society, and that they get the support they need.

Head down to the Carers Week website for lots for information and how you can make a difference.

Source : Carers Week