Special wellbeing booklet has been produced by the borough council
A free wellbeing and health advice booklet to help individuals and families stay healthy in response to the coronavirus pandemic has been produced by Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council.
The aim of the booklet is to provide residents with advice and support regarding their overall health which could or may have been impacted by these challenging times and supports making positive changes to improve physical and mental health.
Suitable for the whole family its covers topics such as physical exercise at home; sleep, healthy eating and highlights the many support networks and organisations which available to help and offer assistance.
Copies of the booklet have been circulated across the borough and are available in GP surgeries, schools, parish councils, voluntary groups and food banks.
Copies are also available to those visiting any vaccination centre in the borough.
Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Health, Councillor David Bill said: “Our health and wellbeing is constantly being stretched in these difficult times and this booklet offers practical assistance for the whole family, from the very young to those who remain at home continuing to shield. “Keeping our mind and body active, looking after our diet and taking care of each is a priority and whilst currently we do not have easy access to gyms, exercise classes and some residents may not even be able to leave their home this booklet offers a wide range of guidance and support.
“I would urge residents to request a copy or when visiting any of the vaccination centres across the borough to pick one up. “Feedback so far has been extremely positive and the booklet is being utilised by local organisations throughout the borough.”
For anyone who would like a printed copy please visit www.hinckley-bosworth.gov.uk/ healthguidance or telephone 01455 238141.
Our health and wellbeing is constantly being stretched in these difficult times and this booklet offers practical assistance for the whole family
RESEARCHERS in Leicester are to study if giving dialysis to kidney failure patients overnight will reduce the damage to their heart.
Most patients typically have four hours of dialysis, three times a week, through daytime appointments at a hospital or clinic.
Although dialysis is necessary to keep these people alive, it can lead to scarring of the heart, which can build up over time and cause heart failure.
Researchers believe this damage is caused by having to remove water and waste products quickly during the standard four-hour treatment.
Carrying out this procedure during the day can also have a detrimental impact on a patient’s quality of life.
The NightLife trial at the University of Leicester, supported by the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) Leicester Biomedical Research Centre, is assessing the effect of dialysis overnight on patient quality of life and costs to the NHS.
The study involves 350 patients and will see 200 of these having six to eight hours of dialysis while they sleep, three times a week.
The other patients will have dialysis during the daytime.
The British Heart Foundation has awarded almost £150,000 to the researchers in Leicester, who will carry out MRI scans to determine if having dialysis for an extended period overnight reduces scarring.
Researchers will carry out the scans on both sets of patients at the start and end of the trial, with the funding also ensuring additional blood tests can be carried out on these patients to identify heart and circulatory diseases.
The research is being led by Dr Matt Graham-Brown, NIHR academic clinical lecturer and honorary consultant nephrologist at the University of Leicester. Dr GrahamBrown said: “Dialysis is a crucial, life-saving procedure for people living with kidney failure, but it can also have a severe impact on their hearts.
“The procedure is also very burdensome for patients, who must sacrifice a large amount of time and energy to undergo it.
“By extending the length of time over which the dialysis takes place, the removal of water and waste products can be done more slowly, and this may reduce the build-up of scarring in the heart.
“If we can improve this, then it is likely to improve survival, as statistics show that heart disease is the leading cause of death in people living with kidney failure.
“Importantly this new way of delivering dialysis frees up time for patients during the day, giving them more free time to socialise, work and care for others.
“Overall, we expect the NightLife trial to influence the way dialysis is delivered for patients to improve quality of life and important patient outcomes.”
DIALYSIS LINK TO HEART PROBLEMS EXAMINED
THIEVES are taking orders from would-be dog-owners before scouring the streets for matches as demand for pets soars, according to the RSPCA.
The animal welfare charity urged owners to take extra care of their pets following a recent series of thefts.
The RSPCA’s Woodside Animal Centre, in Scudamore Road, Leicester, said demand for smaller dogs, in particular, is “huge” at the moment and believes this, at least partly, explains the apparent rise in thefts.
Branch manager Amanda Lovett said her team has struggled to keep up with the number of inquiries from families searching for puppies.
“Last week, we shared a French bulldog online and we had more than 150 people inquire about him,” she said.
“Because there is such a demand for them, prices have gone up a lot and thieves know they will get a lot of money for selling them on.”
With certain breeds being particularly popular, those searching for a pet often share their specific requests on social media, which Amanda believes has led to dogs being stolen to order.
“People will say ‘Okay, just give me three weeks or so’ and they will actively go out looking for that breed to steal because they know they will get a lot of money for it.
“If people don’t ask questions they get away with it,” she said.
The rise in dog thefts is a growing measures were being “looked into”.
During the pandemic, the Woodside Animal Centre branch has continued to operate remotely while it is unable to allow visitors under lockdown rules.
As well as doing property checks via videos or photographs of prospective owners’ homes, the centre has also advised owners to be cautious and to take basic steps to reduce the risk of falling victim to the thieves.
Amanda said: “I’m advising people to walk in pairs rather than alone with the dog and make sure two people have their hands on the lead.
“I’m also telling people not to take dogs off their leads in a place they’re unsure of, or to use a long lead.”
Police have shared a number of theft appeals recently.
A force spokesman said: “Officers would like to remind dog owners and kennel operators to ensure their properties are fully secured and to be vigilant about any unscheduled calls.”