NHS seeks to reduce winter deaths as sub-zero weather looms across UK

Sub-zero temperatures are expected to sweep across Britain this week after the first cold snap of the year, prompting warnings that vulnerable people should prepare for a freezing winter.

The chilly weather coincides with the launch of a major NHS campaign urging people with long-term health conditions and the over-65s to take action in an effort to reduce the 25,000 extra deaths that occur each winter.

Prof Keith Willett, medical director for acute care at NHS England, said: “It is vital that the most vulnerable people take preventative steps to keep healthy and stay well. We have a high number of A&E attendances over this time that are due to issues that could have been avoided had people sought advice at the first sign of illness.”

The Stay Well This Winter campaign will use TV, radio and social media to encourage people to wrap up warm and consult a pharmacist as soon as they feel unwell rather than waiting. It also encourages people, particularly those with long-term illnesses or mobility problems, to heat their homes to at least 18C (65F) and to check on friends and neighbours who may be vulnerable.

Prof Paul Cosford, director for health protection at Public Health England, said: “With winter on the way, now is a good time to make sure you, and those you know who may be particularly at risk from the cold, are as prepared as possible. If you qualify for the free flu jab, get it now.

“Also remember that eating a healthy, balanced diet and that staying physically active can keep you healthy.”

He added that assistance with heating costs is available to those who might need it. “There are a variety of ways you can apply for help to keep your house warm, such as winter fuel payments, warm home discounts and cold weather payments. If you meet the criteria, register for priority service with your energy and water suppliers.

“Try to maintain indoor temperatures to at least 18°C (65°F), particularly if you find it hard to get around, have a long-term illness or are 65 or over. You may prefer your living room to be slightly warmer,” he said.

Cold weather increases the risk of heart failure, kidney disease, stroke or dementia, as well as making heart attacks and strokes more likely.

For each degree centigrade the temperature falls below five degrees, there is a 10% increase in the number of older people seeing their GP about breathing problems, a 0.8% increase in emergency hospital admissions, and a 3.4% increase in deaths, research shows.

The UK shivered through a chilly Bonfire night, as temperatures fell below freezing in places, snow fell on higher ground and biting winds made conditions feel colder. On Sunday night temperatures outside the south-east were expected to fall below zero across much of the country.

Tom Crocker, a forecaster at the Met Office, said the cold snap is likely to last: “The forecast over the next few days is staying rather chilly.”

The BBC expects Monday night to be the coldest so far this winter, leading to widespread frost. Crocker expected Monday to be bright but cold across much of the country.

BBC Weather (@bbcweather)

Expect the coldest night of the season so far during Monday night. Widespread frost to greet you on Tuesday morning. Stav D pic.twitter.com/z4kNVZutss

November 6, 2016

“Tuesday looks like being another relatively bright day, but we have got quite persistent rain moving in from the west on Tuesday afternoon,” he said. Snow is expected to be widespread on higher ground.

The precipitation is likely to make Tuesday night warmer, he said, although it is still likely to be below freezing in rural areas.

“It will be turning a little bit milder towards the end of the week, but still chilly and unsettled,” Crocker said. Temperatures are expected to move into the low double figures, especially in the south.

Met Office (@metoffice)

It’s another #cold day – #temperatures will struggle but it will feel much #colder than this with a strong northerly #wind – wrap up warm! pic.twitter.com/EtlvuRFx02

November 6, 2016

NHS seeks to reduce winter deaths as sub-zero weather looms across UK

Powerful New Bodyweight Reduction Drug Seeks FDA Approval

If the FDA says yes, a significant new fat loss drug could hit the marketplace this yr. A substantial-dose formulation of liraglutide, the common diabetes drug from Novo Nordisk, melts up to ten % of body mass, studies present.

Liraglutide, available in 1.two mg and one.eight mg doses as Victoza, is already a huge achievement for Novo Nordisk. The firm has now filed with the FDA in search of approval for a 3. mg dose right after studies located key bodyweight loss positive aspects (in conjunction with diet program and exercise.)

In clinical trials, liraglutide helped people taking it drop 5 to ten % of their body mass, according to research published in the Global Journal of Weight problems. And while this study looked at people with diabetes, a preceding examine published in the Lancet examined the drug in non-diabetics and identified similarly impressive weight loss.

In late December, Novo Nordisk filed two submissions for liraglutide, a new drug application (NDA) with the FDA, and a Marketing and advertising Authorization Application (MAA) with the European Medicines Company, according to Drug Discovery &amp Advancement.

But some individuals could not have to wait even that long. In February, Novo Nordisk created the uncommon move of focusing on Mexico for an original approval of large-dose liraglutide. And other folks may not wait at all even though the scientific studies warn towards utilizing liraglutide “off-label” for excess weight loss, it would seem particular that patients will look for to use Victoza for that goal.

Liraglutide works by mimicking a hormone known as GLP-one, which slows digestion and stimulates the body’s natural manufacturing of insulin. Victoza has been extremely profitable for Novo Nordisk, with income jumping 58 percent in 2012, and climbing an further 14 % in the third quarter of 2013.

Experts are projecting that liraglutide would have blockbuster potential as a fat reduction application because the marketplace for excess weight reduction is so large.

The research in non-diabetics, conducted by Arne Astrup of the University of Copenhagen, tested 4 distinct doses of liraglutide: (one.two mg, 1.8 mg, 2.4 mg, and three. mg) towards placebo and another drug, Orlistat and located that folks taking the highest dosage of liraglutide misplaced an common of almost sixteen pounds. Folks taking the reduced doses also lost fat, in between ten pounds with one.2 mg  and 13 pounds at two.four mg.

Just as interesting, liraglutide was located to lower blood sugar in participants who had pre-diabetes, reduced blood sugar, and even aid reduce sleep apnea. The most frequent side effects from liraglutide were mild some participants knowledgeable nausea,vomiting and diarrhea when they first started out taking the drug but in most situations the difficulties subsided more than time.

Nevertheless, there are also a lot more critical safety concerns at present the FDA is investigating the total class of GLP-1 medicines to see if they increase the risk of pancreatitis. Victoza also carries a warning that animal scientific studies found it caused thyroid tumors, both benign and cancerous, in mice, and that it’s “not known” if it could carry the very same risk for people.

And then there’s the truth that liraglutide is administered as an injection, which will most likely demonstrate a barrier for numerous folks, specially offered the availability of oral weight loss medication like Qsymia and Belviq.

Just a few weeks ago the FDA accepted albiglutide (Tanzeum), GlaxoSmithKline’s GLP-1 contender, which only has to be injected when-a-week. One more GLP-one analog drug with equally promising weight reduction likely is Eli Lilly’s dulaglutide, also in the pipeline and also utilised as soon as-a-week. Pharmacists undertaking weight reduction rewards may be just as critical as diabetes management in identifying which GLP-1 drug is most profitable.

AstraZeneca’s Byetta is the other GLP-1 analog on the market Sanofi’s GLP-1 analog Lyxumi launched in Europe in late 2013, but the firm lately withdrew it is application for FDA approval in the U.S. pending an investigation into the drug’s cardiovascular safety.

For much more health information, comply with me right here on Forbes.com, on Twitter, @MelanieHaiken, and subscribe to my posts on Facebook.

Powerful New Bodyweight Reduction Drug Seeks FDA Approval

App assisting to beat autism seeks £100,000 crowdfunding stimulus

Brain in Hand has all around 125 consumers, but the firm hopes to increase this to four,000. This week, it will make the app accessible to individuals, obtaining previously licensed it only for organisations.

David Fry, the chief executive of the four-12 months-previous business, explained despite the fact that the hospitals using the app have reported expense financial savings of £300 to £800 a week for every patient that uses it, Brain in Hand has struggled to win government assistance.

“We have identified as a little organization we have not attracted government funding at all. We have had to elbow our way into the discipline of health care. It is challenging to adjust the way the NHS performs,” he explained.

“Even now, assistance for individuals with autism can be patchy. There is a enormous need to have for one thing like this.”

Brain in Hand was founded by Andrew Stamp, whose younger son has autism. Mr Stamp teamed up with Dr Tony Brown, a clinical psychologist, to create the app out of aggravation with the good quality of regional services.

The app increases independence between men and women with autism by helping them handle day-to-day anxieties, which can swiftly escalate into debilitating crises with no help.

It performs by suggesting options to every day dilemmas. It also consists of a traffic light program that lets end users alert a “mentor” if they are feeling highly anxious, allowing the person to get in speak to and offer assistance quickly.

Mr Fry mentioned that numerous key organizations have been interested in licensing the app for employees with autism or Asperger’s Syndrome.

There are much more than 700,000 folks on the autistic spectrum in the United kingdom, and only 15pc of adults with the condition are in full-time paid operate, in accordance to the National Autistic Society.

App assisting to beat autism seeks £100,000 crowdfunding stimulus