Conclusively diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease was previously a costly process that was not always widely available, but developments in pharmacy blood tests mean that more people will be diagnosed earlier, helping to slow its progression. Following the recent approval in the United States of a blood test for use in patients showing symptoms over the age of 40, hopes have been raised for a simple, easy-to-use and widely available blood test that could diagnose a disease with complicated early symptoms. How does a dementia blood test work? Why does it matter? And how could it change the field of phlebotomy as a whole? How Is Alzheimer’s Disease Typically Diagnosed? At present, there is no single test that can confirm or deny dementia, although considerable research is being undertaken to try and fix this. Instead, the traditional diagnostic pathway relies on a range of assessments, tests and examinations of a person’s medical history. These include: A discussion with a GP regarding symptoms A referral to a specialist to examine one’s medical history in further detail Cognitive assessments to demonstrate issues with memory, concentration, language or spatial awareness Blood or urine tests Brain scans such as computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging Additional scans such as PET scans The goal is partly to positively identify certain biomarkers and behaviours associated with dementia, and to rule out some potential alternative causes of symptoms sometimes linked with dementia. How Could Blood Tests Be Used To Diagnose Alzheimer’s Disease? At present, blood tests are typically used to rule out other conditions or identify treatable conditions which can exacerbate dementia or present with dementia-like symptoms. Cognition is particularly strongly affected by your blood and organ function, and in the early stages of symptomatic dementia, issues with cognition and memory could be linked to: Anaemia Salt processing issues caused by kidney problems Elevated liver enzymes, often but not always related to alcohol intake Calcium levels Hypothyroidism, which can be reversed by proper treatment Vitamin B12 deficiency Folate deficiency Vitamin D deficiency Diabetes Autoimmune disorders Cardiovascular disorders Sexually transmitted infections The presence of biomarkers for any of these conditions could potentially rule out dementia or suggest a comorbidity, but if none of these is present, it could suggest that it is worth further examination. The problem is that the tests above can be relatively uncommon, forcing people to decide between going on a waiting list or paying considerable amounts of money to get certain scans done privately. Is it possible for a blood test to track any signs of dementia itself? Can Blood Tests Detect Dementia Itself? It is possible, and tests have been used in laboratory settings to determine a positive diagnosis. However, tailored blood tests would be needed for each type of dementia, making a widespread screening campaign much harder than it is for cancer. The two key biomarkers found in a brain affected by Alzheimer’s disease are amyloid and tau protein, both of which can be detected in blood as the body tries to flush them from building up in the brain, and they either leak into the blood or end up in the blood via spinal fluid. If a test could be developed that could combine multiple of these, it is possible for blood tests to detect dementia on a wider scale, but at present they are not quite available.

A vital element of private blood tests that makes them useful to individuals and companies alike is interpretation of the results, and a key element to this is to understand the role variation plays in any type of test. Many blood tests are undertaken multiple times, sometimes using several laboratories, systems of analysis and methods of collecting samples in order to generate the clearest picture possible of a person’s overall health or specific biomarkers. This biological variation is a known phenomenon and is accounted for by doctors, but to understand why, it is important to know why blood tests vary, how much of this is based on the person being tested and how much is based on the equipment, Why Do Blood Tests Vary Between Laboratories? When it comes to blood, no two tests will produce the exact same results, as even the slightest change in approach, methodology or the handling of blood samples can cause the results to shift slightly. There are countless different factors depending on the types of tests that have been requested, but here are the most critical variables. Human Biology The time of day, everything you eat and how much you drink can affect various biomarkers in your blood, as can stress, illness and hormonal cycles. All of this will affect test results, sometimes dramatically, which is why the pharmacy, clinic or laboratory taking your test might ask you to fast or abstain from certain foods for a day or more before your test. Environment Humidity and temperature can cause subtle changes to the reagent reactions used in testing, particularly during extreme weather conditions. This means that a test result may be different on a rainy day than a sunny one, due to changes in humidity levels and lab temperatures. Calibration of Instruments Precise instruments are calibrated to a particular set of reference tolerances, which can in some cases be subtly different in different laboratories or when used by different researchers. These variations are minuscule, but they do exist. Variation In Reagents Reagents are typically manufactured in batches, and whilst they are made to restrictive tolerances, there are minor differences between some test results. Sample Handling How a sample is collected, when it is collected, what temperature it is stored at, and the entire system of processing definitionally cannot be the same between laboratories, and this accounts for the same blood test producing different results. How Do Laboratories Account For Variation? Most laboratories use a tolerance system known as a reference change value to determine the range of test results that fall within an accepted set of variables. If two tests are different but fall within the RCV, they are typically treated as normal, but anomalous test results which cannot be accounted for through confounding factors often require further examination and testing, as it could be indicative of a problem. What Should You Do If You Are Worried About Different Test Results? Ultimately, if you are worried about any of the tests you receive, talk about them with your doctor, the doctor who requested the test or the laboratory which produced them for you and ask about the results. If you are still unclear, requesting another test can sometimes provide additional clarity.

An oral weight management treatment has been released with the potential to reach a wider number of people for whom an injectable is unsuitable. However, is it for everyone, and will it have as massive an impact as has been claimed? With the gradual rollout and release of a semaglutide (Wegovy) pill available at private pharmacies as part of a wider health and wellbeing plan, it is worth exploring what it is, how it differs from the injection, and the pros and cons of using it instead. What Is A Weight Loss Tablet? There have been countless weight loss pills from centuries of research, all attempting to help someone lose weight, but this most recent attempt simply replaces the once-weekly injections with a daily tablet. The only weight loss pill available on private prescription currently uses semaglutide, the active ingredient used in Wegovy, the most commonly taken weight loss injectable. How Does The Semaglutide Tablet Differ From The Injectable? This change in how you take it leads to a remarkable number of differences compared to taking injectable semaglutide or tirzepatide (Mounjaro): Instead of a weekly injection taken at a consistent time, you take a tablet every day in the morning, half an hour before you eat anything else. You must fast for eight hours before taking the tablet and drink no more than 120ml (just over four ounces) of water. You must wait half an hour before taking other medication after taking the semaglutide tablet. The tablet is slightly less effective on average than the injection, but both provide effective weight loss when paired with an appropriate management plan. Aside from these, the two treatments work very similarly. They activate a hormone which stops your stomach emptying as quickly, which helps you feel fuller for longer. They are proven to be effective in clinical trials for a wide number of people, and they currently cost a similar amount for doses, although as of August 2026, only the lowest and second-lowest doses are available in tablet form. The Pros And Cons Of The Wegovy Pill Pro: No Need To Prepare Needles Not everyone who needs Wegovy is comfortable with or able to safely inject themselves with the needle pen, nor do they have a fridge or sharps bin to safely store and dispose of materials. Instead, the tablet can be swallowed with a small sip of water, which is easier for a lot of people. Con: Extremely Rigid Scheduling A Wegovy injection can be taken at any time during the week, although it is best to take it on the same day and around the same time of day each week. A semaglutide tablet must be taken at least eight hours after you last ate anything on a completely empty stomach. After this, you cannot eat or drink anything else for another half an hour. Pro: Easier When You Are Travelling You do not need a portable fridge, cool box or hotel room with a fridge when you are travelling and need to take your semaglutide injection. Keep your blister pack with you and follow the instructions, and you can take it anywhere. Con: Daily Vs Weekly An injection only needs to be taken once a week, whilst a daily tablet will fundamentally change your lifestyle, particularly if you tend to eat or drink at night.

If you are flying away on holiday soon, excess earwax can prove to be very distressing when you are in a pressurised cabin. That is why you should make sure you have the problem tackled before you go. With summer bringing sizzling weather to the UK, many people will feel there is little point in venturing overseas. However, others will have long since made plans. While some will have been enjoying the World Cup across the Atlantic, some may be set to fly to Iceland or Spain next month to see the total eclipse of the sun. Others may simply have a getaway planned, be it short haul to Europe or long haul to somewhere further away. Whatever you plan to do, our pharmacy can help you get ready, whether that involves inoculations for countries that require vaccinations before you go, insect repellent, other medication, or earwax removal. Why Is Earwax A Problem Onboard A Plane? The last of these things would not be an issue you would normally associate with holiday health. But if you are going to be flying in a plane, this is the last thing you want, due to the way that the cabin is pressurised in flight: Once airborne, the plane can soar to altitudes of over 30,000 ft above sea level At such a high altitude, the air pressure outside is too low for people to be able to breathe To enable passengers to breathe, the cabin is pressurised to the equivalent level found around 8,000 ft up This means the pressure is still lower than you would normally experience and the changes happen quickly when the plane takes off and when it is coming in to land. Such pressure changes can be felt most strongly in the ear, which can sometimes go ‘pop’. But the ear is normally able to adjust by passing air through the Eustachian tubes to the jaw to balance out the pressure. However, earwax can cause a blockage that limits the flow of air or prevents it altogether, leading to severe pain as the pressure changes. Not only can this cause severe discomfort during a flight with little chance of relief and sometimes loss of hearing as well, but you can also find the problems continue after you land: The ear may continue to feel blocked and sore You may find you suffer tinnitus symptoms, such as buzzing in the ear Your hearing is impaired What Is The Best Way To Deal With Earwax? Such issues can spoil your holiday, so it makes sense to have them tackled beforehand. Ear discomfort can have multiple causes, with colds and sinus issues also causing blockages in the Eustachian tubes. In such situations, you would be wise to take some cold relief to clear the airways. However, if it is earwax, the best course of action is to get the wax removed. Trying to do it at home with means such as cotton wool buds can be very counter-productive, as this can push the wax in and make the blockage worse. This could lead to even greater discomfort on a plane. Instead, by having it removed properly at our pharmacy, you can enjoy complete relief from blockages that can cause discomfort, hampered hearing and, worst of all, a very unpleasant flight.

We have all had weeks where we seem to feel tired and unwell for no reason. We can blame it on stress, too much to do, or a lack of sleep. But what if the reason you feel low on energy and not at your best is actually a B12 vitamin deficiency? What is vitamin B12? B12 is a vitamin that is usually absorbed in the body through the food we eat, such as red meats, eggs, oily fish, and dairy products. It is also available as a dietary supplement and used to fortify breakfast cereals. It is a cofactor in producing enzymes for certain biological processes. The vitamin’s function in the body is the development of a well-functioning central nervous system, helping create red blood cells and synthesising DNA in cell replication. Although it does not directly boost energy, B12 supports the body’s processes, so you feel less fatigued, and your cognitive function is sharper. What are the signs of B12 deficiency? There are situations where the body becomes deficient in B12. Vegetarian and vegan diets sometimes mean a person becomes deficient, although yeast extracts and fortified plant milks are a good source of B12. In other cases, a person may not be able to absorb B12 due to a medical condition. This can lead to becoming B12 anaemic, a condition which can get worse if not treated. B12 anaemia can manifest with the following symptoms: Being short of breath or breathing rapidly Headaches Low appetite and issues with indigestion or heartburn Heart palpitations Blurred vision Fatigue and weakness in the body Ulcers in the mouth Diarrhoea Cognitive issues such as confusion and issues with memory and judgement Deficiency in the B12 vitamin can cause some of the same symptoms as B12 anaemia. If you have a shortage of B12, you may experience symptoms including: Weak muscles Cognitive and psychological issues such as confusion, depression, anxiety and memory problems Clumsiness and issues with balance Pins and needles or tingling sensations Incontinence To check whether you have a B12 deficiency, a private blood test service can analyse the levels in your bloodstream. The results will be used alongside your symptoms to determine a diagnosis. How is B12 deficiency treated? There are two main ways B12 deficiencies can be treated. The first is if you don’t get enough in your diet, then a supplement may be recommended to take between meals. However, the most common cause of B12 deficiency and anaemia is not diet-related. Pernicious anaemia is more common and is treated with a B12 injection so that it is better absorbed and stays in the body longer. These are usually administered every two or three months for the rest of your life for conditions where the lack of B12 is not diet-related. In the UK, the injection used is called hydroxocobalamin, also known by brand names Cobalin-H and Neo-Cytamen. It is safe to use for the majority of adults. However, for patients who are allergic to hydroxocobalamin or cobalt, it is not recommended. It is also not recommended for patients with arrhythmias or low potassium. Are there any side effects of B12? The B12 shot is considered safe; however, as with any treatment, there are some side effects. As the treatment is injected into the muscle, there will usually be some soreness at the injection site and potentially some swelling and itchiness. Serious side effects and allergic reactions are very rare, and if you experience them, you should seek immediate medical attention. Some mild side effects include feeling sick, diarrhoea, headaches, dizziness and hot flushes. These will pass in a short time, and your practitioner will talk through all the potential side effects with you before treatment. To book your B12 vitamin shot or a blood test to determine if you are deficient in B12, contact the team at Epicure in Swindon.

Yellow fever vaccinations and a certificate to prove it are needed before visiting many countries. This is not just a requirement in places where the disease is endemic, but in some nations where there are concerns about infections being imported. If you are travelling overseas, you should always check which travel vaccinations you need to have before visiting. In some cases, you won’t need any, especially when visiting developed countries with advanced health systems. But it is vital to know before you go. On the one hand, there are vaccines that It is advisable to take in certain countries. But there are others where it is mandatory and you will need certification as a condition of entry. What Is Yellow Fever? Yellow fever is a tropical disease spread by mosquitoes that bite during the daytime. The virus causes symptoms such as fever, muscular aches, headaches, nausea and vomiting. For the majority, the symptoms disappear after 3-4 days, but for the rest, the outlook is bad. Around 15 per cent of those infected go on to suffer severe symptoms such as high fever, organ failure, shock and jaundice (the last of these causes the skin to turn yellow, which is where the disease gets its name from). Severe case symptoms cause death in 50 per cent of patients within 7-10 days According to World Health Organization (WHO) figures, there are between 67,000 and 173,000 severe infections in Africa and the Americas each year, with between 31,000 and 82,000 deaths. The disease is difficult to treat, but vaccination, which we can provide, offers lifelong immunity with a high efficacy rate The disease is endemic in the tropics, with the WHO currently classifying 27 African countries and 13 Latin American nations as being ‘high risk’. What Countries Require Yellow Fever Certification Before You Can Enter? It is common that in such countries, you will need to be vaccinated and have yellow fever certification with you when you enter, without which you could be denied entry. Examples of such countries include: African nations such as Cameroon, Congo, Ghana, Kenya and Mali Panama in Central America South American countries including Brazil, Peru, Suriname and parts of Argentina However, it is also worth noting which countries may require you to have the vaccine certification, even if they are not countries presently affected by the disease. Yellow fever is not contagious, but this move prevents countries from having to treat imported cases, which can happen because the incubation period is 3-6 days after the mosquito bite. This means that in these countries, you will still need your yellow fever certificate if you are arriving from a country where yellow fever is present, to show you are very unlikely to have caught it thanks to your vaccination. These include (but are not limited to): Australia, Fiji and New Caledonia in Oceania Barbados, Jamaica and Curacao in the Caribbean African countries such as Egypt, Namibia and South Africa Middle Eastern nations like Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman South Asian countries such as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka Far-eastern countries like China and the Philippines Albania and Malta in Europe In most cases, this is required for all travellers from affected countries either aged over nine months or over a year. Whether you are only travelling to a country where yellow fever is a risk or going from there to somewhere else, getting vaccinated and a certificate is essential before you go.

Yellow fever vaccinations and a certificate to prove it are needed before visiting many countries. This is not just a requirement in places where the disease is endemic, but in some nations where there are concerns about infections being imported. If you are travelling overseas, you should always check which travel vaccinations you need to have before visiting. In some cases, you won’t need any, especially when visiting developed countries with advanced health systems. But it is vital to know before you go. On the one hand, there are vaccines that It is advisable to take in certain countries. But there are others where it is mandatory and you will need certification as a condition of entry. What Is Yellow Fever? Yellow fever is a tropical disease spread by mosquitoes that bite during the daytime. The virus causes symptoms such as fever, muscular aches, headaches, nausea and vomiting. For the majority, the symptoms disappear after 3-4 days, but for the rest, the outlook is bad. Around 15 per cent of those infected go on to suffer severe symptoms such as high fever, organ failure, shock and jaundice (the last of these causes the skin to turn yellow, which is where the disease gets its name from). Severe case symptoms cause death in 50 per cent of patients within 7-10 days According to World Health Organization (WHO) figures, there are between 67,000 and 173,000 severe infections in Africa and the Americas each year, with between 31,000 and 82,000 deaths. The disease is difficult to treat, but vaccination, which we can provide, offers lifelong immunity with a high efficacy rate The disease is endemic in the tropics, with the WHO currently classifying 27 African countries and 13 Latin American nations as being ‘high risk’. What Countries Require Yellow Fever Certification Before You Can Enter? It is common that in such countries, you will need to be vaccinated and have yellow fever certification with you when you enter, without which you could be denied entry. Examples of such countries include: African nations such as Cameroon, Congo, Ghana, Kenya and Mali Panama in Central America South American countries including Brazil, Peru, Suriname and parts of Argentina However, it is also worth noting which countries may require you to have the vaccine certification, even if they are not countries presently affected by the disease. Yellow fever is not contagious, but this move prevents countries from having to treat imported cases, which can happen because the incubation period is 3-6 days after the mosquito bite. This means that in these countries, you will still need your yellow fever certificate if you are arriving from a country where yellow fever is present, to show you are very unlikely to have caught it thanks to your vaccination. These include (but are not limited to): · Australia, Fiji and New Caledonia in Oceania · Barbados, Jamaica and Curacao in the Caribbean · African countries such as Egypt, Namibia and South Africa · Middle Eastern nations like Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman · South Asian countries such as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka · Far-eastern countries like China and the Philippines · Albania and Malta in Europe In most cases, this is required for all travellers from affected countries either aged over nine months or over a year. Whether you are only travelling to a country where yellow fever is a risk or going from there to somewhere else, getting vaccinated and a certificate is essential before you go.

Throughout human history, expectant parents have wondered what sex their baby (or babies) will be. Now, gender reveal tests can give you a clear answer early in the pregnancy. Better still, there are very good reasons why you can trust the result. Whether you are yearning to have a boy, longing for a girl, or simply curious about what you will have, early knowledge of your baby’s gender can be a wonderful thing to discover. It is true that some people still prefer to wait until the birth to find out, but knowing ahead of time helps with practical arrangements like decorating the baby’s room in gender-specific décor and choosing names. This also means you can hold a gender reveal party if you want, while your family may also be delighted to learn the news early. How Does A Gender Reveal Test Work? You can have the test carried out at our pharmacy just a few weeks into pregnancy. It is a simple blood test, and the way it works is quite simple, based on detecting the biological evidence in your bloodstream: Fragments of your baby’s DNA will find their way into your bloodstream A blood sample will contain some of these cells alongside your own The baby’s DNA cells contain the key biomarker of sex: chromosomes As women only have X chromosomes, any sign of a Y chromosome means you are expecting a boy If no Y chromosome is present, it’s a girl Having a reliable gender reveal test is essential if you don’t want to wait until the birth. Just imagine the calamity if you thought you were having a boy and made all the preparations for this, only to deliver a girl, or vice versa. How Else Can You Find Out A Baby’s Sex? In the past, people have used different methods to try to discover what sex their baby would be. Ultrasound scans are another reliable method. These can first detect the sex of a baby when carried out around the 16-20 week range. This means you still have at least half the pregnancy to go unless the baby arrives early, but it does allow less time than a gender reveal blood test. This makes the latter preferable if you want to have more opportunities to plan ahead. Some may wonder how people dealt with this question in the past. Did they just accept they would spend nine months guessing, or did they have their own ideas of how to find the answer? The truth is that there are still lots of dubious ideas out there about how to guess a baby’s sex. An example of this is the ring test, which works by taking the wedding ring of the mother, tying a piece of string to it, then dangling it over her pregnant belly. According to this test, when the ring eventually moves, it will either swing back and forth in a straight line, which indicates a boy, or in a circle, which means it’s a girl. Suffice to say, this is an old wives’ tale. However, some folk still believe in this kind of thing, which may be a very good reason for you to get a reliable gender reveal test, so you can be spared such nonsense!

Anyone who has experienced altitude sickness knows how horrid it can make you feel, so it is sensible to be as prepared for it as you possibly can before you head off on your holiday. What is altitude sickness? Altitude sickness is the experience of unpleasant symptoms that occur when you ascend too quickly, typically happening at 2,500 metres above sea level. This means anyone who is travelling to parts of the world known for its tall mountain ranges and sky-high cities are at risk of developing altitude sickness. This includes: The Himalayas in Nepal Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania Cusco in Peru La Paz in Bolivia Quito in Ecuador Bogota in Colombia Lhasa in Tibet (China) Leh in India Addis Ababa in Ethiopia The reason people who don’t typically live at altitude become ill is because of the change in oxygen levels and air pressure. As a result of this, the body might struggle to adjust to the different altitude, which means it gets less oxygen when breathing. What are the symptoms of altitude sickness? Altitude sickness can hit you very quickly, just a few hours after arriving at a higher elevation. Symptoms you may experience include: Appetite loss Dizziness Headaches Nausea Vomiting Fatigue Weakness Sleeping difficulties However, some people suffer with severe symptoms of altitude sickness, which can lead to high altitude cerebral oedema, or swelling of the brain. Signs of this include confusion, disorientation, being unable to walk in a straight line, hallucinations, and a severe headache. Some people might develop high altitude pulmonary oedema, which is the build up of fluid in the lungs. With this, they may experience severe shortness of breath, a tight chest, bloody mucus, or blue or pale skin, lips or fingernails. At its worst, it can be life threatening, which is why it is important to take the illness seriously and look after yourself before symptoms take hold. Can you avoid altitude sickness? The main way to avoid getting sick from high altitude is to ascend slowly, taking a few days to reach the higher altitude. This might mean arriving at a lower level area and driving to your destination, instead of flying there straight away. It is advisable to only increase elevation by 500 metres per day beyond 2,500 metres above sea level. This will give your body time to adapt to the lower oxygen levels in the air. While this might mean taking longer to reach your destination, at least you’ll know you’ll be in a fit state to enjoy it once you arrive. The NHS advises drinking plenty of water, up to five litres per day, as breathing more deeply can result in greater loss of fluid. By the same token, avoiding alcohol and caffeine is a good idea, as these dehydrate you. When it comes to food, eat plenty of carbohydrates to give you more energy, as the altitude will take it out of you. If you have suffered from altitude sickness before or are worried about it for your upcoming trip, you can also take medication to reduce the symptoms if you do get it. Your local pharmacy that offers travel vaccinations might also have Acetazolamide, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. These help to minimise the impact of altitude sickness for those who are moderately affected. How to relieve symptoms Travellers who do experience altitude sickness can be reassured that their symptoms typically get better after a few days, as their bodies acclimatise to the reduced oxygen levels. They can also take steps to relieve symptoms: Stop ascending further, as this will only enhance your illness Get plenty of rest until you feel better Drink lots of water to keep your body hydrated Eat carbohydrates to give yourself energy and combat feelings of fatigue Manage headaches with pain killers If symptoms persist, descend to a lower level Continue to take acetazolamide to prevent symptoms worsening With these tips in mind, all holidaymakers should feel confident they will be able to combat altitude sickness on their travels, even if they are planning expeditions at great heights.

The timescales for blood tests can vary, with results sometimes being available in mere minutes, whilst others require days or even weeks to emerge. If you want test results as quickly as possible, it is best to get in touch with a pharmacy that specialises in them. In some cases, rapid results can save lives, and nowhere is this perhaps best illustrated than in a pilot scheme which could potentially save the lives of people suffering from strokes. Why is this the case? How can the test help? And could this lead to other emergency blood tests being used to signpost emergency care? What Is The Emergency Blood Test For Strokes? A stroke is an emergency condition where blood cannot flow through part of the brain, causing brain cells to die and fundamental changes to how the body works. There are three different types of stroke, each of which has slightly different causes and requires different emergency treatment: Ischaemic Stroke - This is caused by a blockage cutting off blood flow, usually a blood clot. Haemorrhagic Stroke - This is caused by bleeding on or around the brain, typically caused by a burst blood vessel. Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA) - Sometimes known as a mini-stroke, this is a short-term stroke caused by a blood clot or air bubbles in the blood. Much of the delay in treating strokes, which can be the difference between a full recovery, lifelong side effects or death, is determining the cause of a stroke and thus the right type of specialist treatment. How Does The Test Work? The type of test is known as an LVOne test, and it checks for blood biomarkers linked to bleeds in the brain or the formation of blood clots. With an accuracy level of 95 per cent and results available in as little as ten minutes, it can be a vital tool for paramedics. The idea is that patients can be tested at the scene or in the ambulance by paramedics, and if it turns out positive, they can be directed to a specialist hospital that can provide a treatment known as mechanical thrombectomy. A mechanical thrombectomy is a procedure where a tube is inserted into a blood vessel, with a tool used to cut up and pull out blood clots, restoring blood flow to the brain quickly and minimising further issues. For strokes caused by blood clots, it is one of the most effective treatments for stopping a stroke, typically in combination with thrombolysis, an anti-clotting medication. Whilst it is very effective, it can only be used in certain cases and needs to be done as soon as possible following a stroke. The test, therefore, helps paramedics know to take a patient to the nearest specialist where a thrombectomy is available, rather than the nearest available hospital. The pilot scheme will be used in 280 ambulances over six months, checking to see how effective it is in patient outcomes. Could This Lead To Other Emergency Blood Tests? Rapid paramedic blood tests are relatively uncommon, but if this low-cost, fast test ultimately turns out to be beneficial, it could have a massive effect on stroke care, improving patient outcomes and lowering long-lasting effects. If this works, it could potentially lead to further rapid blood tests being possible, ensuring that other emergency treatments are provided quickly and minimising delays.

Rosacea is a condition that causes a reddening of the skin on the face. Most commonly, the redness appears on the cheeks, chin, forehead and nose and it can come and go. Although it can affect anyone, it is most common in those with fair skin who experience blushing or flushing easily. The severity of the condition will depend on various factors, but in general the redness becomes more persistent the longer you have rosacea. In some cases, blood vessels may become visible. If left untreated, rosacea can also cause bumps and pimples on the skin. While the cause of rosacea is unknown, the good news is that there are various ways in which you can treat it with the support of a skin rejuvenation clinic to boost your self-confidence and bring back your natural glow. What are the early signs of rosacea? The first signs of rosacea are normally short flushes where your face reddens. In the early stages of the condition, these will usually last only a few minutes. However, as rosacea develops the redness can persist for longer. These flushes are normally accompanied by a warm feeling in your skin, while for some it may feel painful. It is important to note that if you have a darker skin tone, the redness may not be visible, but you can still develop rosacea and experience the same hot or painful sensations. Certain factors can also trigger rosacea outbreaks, including exposure to sunlight, alcohol, hot or cold temperatures, aerobic exercise and stress. How do you treat rosacea? One of the most effective treatments for rosacea is intense pulsed light (IPL), which is a non-invasive procedure that delivers controlled light energy to your skin. Over time, this helps improve your overall skin balance and reduces the redness you may be experiencing. IPL has been found to be highly effective at reducing the appearance of fine veins and blood vessels, as well as at reducing overall redness on the face. It works by delivering gentle pulses of light to your skin, which are absorbed by the blood vessels causing the redness. Over the course of the treatment, this helps reduce the redness in your skin. Most people require a course of IPL sessions, spread out over weeks, to get the best results. Each session will involve your practitioner targeting the affected areas of your face with a laser. Most patients report feeling warmth or a snapping sensation as the laser passes over their skin, but on the whole it is painless and most people tolerate it well. Your practitioner will provide you with advice about how to look after your skin after each session and you shouldn’t be alarmed if you notice some redness following an IPL treatment as this is normal and it will usually resolve shortly after the session. If you’re unsure of whether IPL treatment is appropriate for you, contact our clinic to book a consultation with our team. We can assess your skin and create a treatment plan that is bespoke to your needs to ensure you get the right care for your skin.

When most people need to access a prescription, there are typically at least two steps, two departments and two buildings they need to visit before they can get the medication they need. Find out more about why a prescribing pharmacist changes all that. The general principle of most medical pathways is that a person visits a GP with an issue, they examine it, diagnose it and prescribe a particular medication for it. This prescription is then taken to a pharmacist who dispenses it. There are exceptions to this, such as the Pharmacy First service, and many pharmacists offer recommendations for over-the-counter medications, health services and overall advice, but for the most part, doctors prescribe and pharmacists dispense. However, a prescribing pharmacist is an exception to this, as they not only diagnose a condition and write a prescription but also dispense it. They are a vital necessity in a lot of cases, and to understand why, here is an explanation of what a prescribing pharmacist does, how they can help and how they have become the backbone of modern medicine. What Is A Prescribing Pharmacist? Historically, the divide between doctors and pharmacists was far stronger. Most medicines were only available on prescription, requiring a doctor to provide a prescription even for minor ailments. This has changed more broadly, not only through schemes such as Pharmacy First, but also through the increase of non-medical prescribers, such as prescribing pharmacists. There are typically two types of prescribing pharmacists: Pharmacist Independent Prescriber - They are trained to diagnose within a certain competence, and they can prescribe any drug with some exceptions that are detailed below. Pharmacist Supplementary Prescriber - They can prescribe any medicine that an NHS doctor could prescribe, which includes unlicensed medications as well as controlled substances. Both types of non-medical prescribers will have this speciality noted on their entry in a professional register. What Can A Prescribing Pharmacist Help With? A prescribing pharmacist can typically offer any medicine for any medical condition they have the confidence to prescribe for. The only major exceptions for this for pharmacist independent prescribers are: Diamorphine, also known as Heroin. Dipipanone, also known as Diconal. Cocaine. In all three cases, these controlled drugs are only prescribed for the treatment of addiction and thus require a prescriber who is qualified to help treat addiction. Can Doctors Ever Dispense Their Own Prescriptions? Alongside pharmacists who can prescribe, there are also dispensing doctors, who typically operate both a general practice and a pharmacy in rural areas where a local community is too far away from the nearest retail pharmacy. Will There Be More Prescribing Pharmacists? As the role of pharmacists changes further and becomes another medical pathway, it is likely that there will be an increase in prescribing pharmacists. Pharmacists are increasingly being empowered to prescribe prescription medicines for minor conditions without the need to visit a GP and with the knowledge of when to escalate symptoms to a GP, a specialist or a hospital. There is no reason to believe that this role will not expand, given the success of community pharmacists and the Pharmacy First scheme, although whether there will be a surge of pharmacists with the power of prescribing pharmacists remains to be seen.