Page 47 - Real Rochdale Issue 05 Summer 2019

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