Contents:
- Editor's welcome
- Doodlher
- Toni Baker
- Petrus - 50 years of changing lives
- Gardening tips for Spring
- No One Round Here Reads Tolstoy
- Kingsway Business Park set for 'unprecedented year'
- Alpha Photography
- Williams BMW Rochdale named UK's best BMW retailer
- Access all Areas open event at Hopwood
- Lieutenant Commander Lawrence Scholes
- Collection of British literary treasures from Littleborough's Honresfeld Library saved by National Libraries charity
- Laser assisted fat loss - how to lose inches from your waistline
- Cheese & onion pie recipe
- Setting up a business
- Rochdale AFC appointed as female football talent hub
- Beauty feature: Repair and protect your nails
- Lily May Boutique - affordable fashion
- Rochdale in Bloom reaches Britain in Bloom nationals
- Albert Mill
- Hairdressing Trend - The bixie
- Spring into action »
Spring 2022Spring into action
You may feel that you have been bombarded with health news this year, so I am guessing you missed this telling statistic. Whilst the average life span for women has plateaued, men’s life expectancy has continued to rise.
Good news for the fellas, but this trend also displays a growing ennui about the treatment of women and a worrying shift in self-care.
Covid and lockdown have been particularly hard on females experiencing gynaecological concerns. They have been unable to see GPs face-to-face and talk about the symptoms they may be experiencing. Appointments for everything from smear tests to midwifery checks have also been too readily cancelled. Then there is the plain fact that a small proportion of doctors are dismissive, ignorant, or even arrogant about conditions such as endometriosis.
No wonder 2022 sees the first-ever women’s health strategy being drawn-up. Documents such as these often call for consultation and my tip is to keep an eye out and make sure your voice is heard. Also, when preventative health appointments are offered to you, take them.
Please look into the benefits of a healthy diet and exercise, cutting down on alcohol and also being more aware of the unhelpful social media adverts that can cause body dysmorphia.
For all of us, the advent of spring with its longer days and hopefully better weather are a challenge to get fitter. The world is opening-up again, too. Gyms, aerobics, Zumba and all the other myriad of classes are there for you to use, and many at accessible times and prices.
Surgeries never closed during lockdown, but some of their clinics were curtailed. They should be open again with some serving-up information on nutrition and others helping alleviate conditions such as COPD.
Each springtime, I warn patients about allergies, including hay fever and asthma, which can be caused by air quality, temperature, and pollen. Have you re-stocked your medicine cupboard with antihistamine or indeed all the creams that treat bites and stings? You will need them.
One difference about Spring 2022 is that it will see vulnerable people more reliant than ever on others for food and warmth. Visiting an elderly neighbour to see if they are okay, talking to a rough sleeper about their health (if you feel comfortable enough to do so), and donating to a food bank, will all help.
Look after yourself and others this Spring. I will say this ad infinitum: keep up with your Covid vaccines! May the coming of brighter days bring hope and optimism and give you the tools to lift your health and mood.
ABOUT THE WRITER
Dr Chauhan OBE is a respected GP, health and social care campaigner, and champion of social justice and charity.
As a local GP, he has become a powerful advocate for his patients and introduced innovative methods to improve their care.
His work mentoring and employing young people has won national recognition and he was awarded an OBE in 2020 for his creation of the Homeless-Friendly charity.