Kings Medical Practice News www.kingmedicalpractice.co.uk

Abdominal aortic aneurysm are swellings of the main blood vessel in the body. This swelling means the wall of the blood vessel is much weaker in that area. They often give no symptoms until they burst which can be fatal. They are an important cause of male death over the age of 65years. If picked up early they can be repaired by surgery with good outcomes. To find these before they burst the NHS Abdominal Aortic Screening Programme started in 2009. The aim is to reduce deaths from aneurysms through early detection. We have been screening men in their 65th Year at the practice. Last year we had 86.54% of those invited attending for screening which is even better than the national average of 82.7%. Of the 52 patients screened, 1 was found to have an aneurysm that required surgery. Compare this to screening for breast cancer which picks up on average 4 cancers per 1000 women. This is a very good pick up rate. So when you or your relative is invited for screening please attend! It is

Health Topic-Menopause Menopause can be a daunting time for many women. Strictly speaking the menopause is your last menstrual period. However for most women it is the time of life leading up to, and after, their last period. This is usually early 50's but from the age of 45 this can be normal. Symptoms include flushes, sweats, mood swings, dry hair and skin, vaginal dryness and reduced sex drive. There are many treatments for symptoms not just Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) Wearing lighter clothing, reducing spicy foods, caffeine, smoking and alcohol can all help reduce flushes. Exercise such as swimming or jogging can help as can weight loss. Complimentary medication such as Black Cohosh, Red Clover, Soy and Evening Primrose some women can find helpful. It is important to make sure these don't interact with any of your other medicines. The leaflet 'Menopause- alternatives to HRT' can be found at www.patient.co.uk and can provide further information about th

Health Topic-Eczema Many people suffer with dry skin conditions including eczema. Eczema sufferers lose excess water from the skin and need regular use of emollients (non cosmetic moisturisers) to protect the skin and reduce eczema flares. Emollients help to: Relieve itching Strengthen the skin barrier to make it more protective against bacteria, irritants and allergens. Emollients come as ointments creams and lotions. Ointments are the most effective but can feel stiff and greasy. They are best for very dry skin areas. They are less likely to cause skin sensitivity. They should be applied every 6-8 hours. Caution: Ointments that contain more than 50% paraffin can pose a fire risk after application Creams are easy to apply so are often more popular for daytime use. However they contain preservatives and sometimes cause sensitivity reactions. They need to be applied generously and more frequently, every 3-4 hours to repair the skin barrier. Bath and shower gels can be applie