News

Sepsis know the Signs and Symptoms

21st February 2015

Sepsis is a common and potentially life-threatening condition triggered by an infection. Each year in the UK, it is estimated that more than 100,000 people are admitted to hospital with sepsis and around 37,000 people will die as a result of the condition. In sepsis, the body’s immune system goes into overdrive, setting off a series of reactions including widespread inflammation, swelling and blood clotting. This can lead to a significant decrease in blood pressure, which can mean the blood supply to vital organs such as the brain, heart and kidneys is reduced. If not treated quickly, sepsis can eventually lead to multiple organ failure and death. Signs and Symptoms of Sepsis Early symptoms of sepsis usually develop quickly and can include: a high temperature (fever) chills [More…]

Newer heart attack test ‘could save women’s lives’

20th February 2015

Doctors could spot twice as many heart attacks in women by using a newer, more sensitive blood test, a study claims. The test looks for minute traces of a protein that signals that the heart muscle may have been damaged. Standard tests still used by much of the NHS only detect higher levels of this protein, called troponin. Research from the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh shows the standard test misses many cases of heart attack in women with symptoms like chest pain. A heart attack is a medical emergency and early diagnosis and treatment can mean the difference between life and death. Doctors rely on blood tests to help them judge if a patient with chest pain might be having an attack, but a normal [More…]

Does Antibacterial Hand Gel Do More Harm Than Good?

20th February 2015

If you’re one of those people who smother their hands with antibacterial sanitiser the minute you step off of public transport, listen up. Regularly using hand sanitiser may be doing you more harm than good. Triclosan the active ingredient in many sanitisers, can kill a lot of the good bacteria on your hands. New research also shows that sanitiser can cause your skin to absorb more bisphenol A (BPA). BPA is a chemical used in the production of almost all plastics. “Studies have linked high amounts of BPA to hormone disorders, heart disease, cancer, infertility and even diabetes,” Long says. So what can we do about it? According to Tara Long we should limit the amount of hand sanitiser we use. Back to soap and [More…]

CPR for Cats and Dogs

17th January 2015

CPR for cats and dogs is similar to CPR for humans. These directions assume the animal is unconscious and the risk of being bitten by the animal is not present Remove any obstruction. Open animals mouth and make sure the air passage is clear. If not remove the object obstructing the air passage. Extend the head and give several artificial respirations: For large dogs: close the animal’s jaw tightly and breathe into the nose. The animal’s chest should rise. Give 2 breaths. For small dogs and cats you may be able to cover the nose and mouth with your mouth as you breathe. The animal’s chest should rise. Give 2 breaths. Next perform chest compression For large dogs you may be able to position the [More…]

Hypothermia in Cats: Symptoms and Treatment

17th January 2015

If the temperature drops far enough this winter, your cat could be at risk of developing hypothermia. This can potentially be fatal, especially if it is not promptly treated. Here’s what you need to know to protect your cat from the dangers, plus some tips on what to expect if your cat is affected. How Hypothermia Occurs Being exposed to cold air is the most common cause of hypothermia, especially if your cat’s fur is also wet. Cold water can also trigger hypothermia if exposure happens for long enough. Other causes can include shock, toxic shock, malnutrition and conditions that affects the part of the brain that regulates body temperature. Preventing Hypothermia As far as possible, look to limit or prevent your cat’s exposure to [More…]

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