Page 46 - Real Rochdale Issue 05 Summer 2019
P. 46

Burn those




                       calories




             but don’t singe




                     your skin







           Warmer temperatures, longer days and the
           sight of the British countryside in full bloom
           ought to inspire us to get out of the house –
           and get fitter.                                         ABOUT THE WRITER
                                                                   Dr Chauhan is a respected GP, health and social care
           The good news is, losing weight and improving           campaigner, and champion of social justice and charity.
           your health doesn’t have to be arduous or               As a local GP, he has become a powerful advocate for
                                                                   his patients and introduced innovative methods to
           strenuous. Though be prepared to put a bit of           improve their care. His work mentoring and employing
           sweat on your brow.                                     young people has won national recognition.

           The NHS Choices website reports: “A brisk            body not exposed to sunlight, extensive sun
           10-minute daily walk has lots of health benefits     exposure is thought to be responsible for the
           and counts towards your recommended 150              vast majority of cases. In more than four out of
           minutes of weekly exercise.                          five cases skin cancer is a preventable disease.”
                                                                So that is how important proper protection is.
           If you want to drop those pounds and get the
           heart pumping, the popular NHS Couch to 5K           Last year’s temperatures also saw an
           is a superb way; and I have noticed day-to-day       unprecedented number of insect bites – with
           how much it has benefited my own patients’           charity ANTRUK warning of a plague of
           health.                                              vampire horseflies descending upon Britain.
                                                                Bites and stings can be nasty things and so
           Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned             stocking-up on repellents and following NHS
           marathon runner, hydration and protection            advice is essential.
           from the sun’s rays is massively important.
           Take on plenty of fluids and slap on that            Hay fever and rhinitis sufferers are possibly
           sunscreen whether exercising or enjoying a           less enamoured of the summer than some of
           few moments in the sun.                              us are. This is the time to monitor the pollen
                                                                count carefully. Antihistamines remain the
           There is a really useful NHS video on applying       most effective treatment when symptoms
           sunscreen to children, at:                           appear but avoiding pollen completely is the
                                                                best defence – though don’t let it deprive you
           www.nhs.uk/video/pages/how-to-apply-                 of going outside and increasing your vitamin D
           sunscreen.aspx                                       intake.

           The British Association of Dermatologists            I wish you all a great summer with hopefully
           says: “More than 100,000 new cases of skin           balmy temperatures, but make sure you are
           cancer are diagnosed annually in the UK, and         sensible in the sun and mix outdoor fun with
           while the disease can also occur on parts of the     sensible precautions.


          REAL ROCHDALE - Summer 2019                       46                                                                                                                    47                    REAL ROCHDALE - Summmer 2019
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