The sweetener behind Splenda may reduce immune function, a UK research team has discovered, which could pave the way for future treatments for autoimmune disease. In a study of mice, a high dose of sucralose reduced levels of T-cells, a crucial element to how the body fights illness. Dysfunction of these T-cells is linked to rheumatoid arthritis. And they are responsible for destroying the pancreas in type 1 diabetes. Finding ways to stop them could theoretically lead to a cure for both diseases. The results are published in the acclaimed journal, Nature. “We believe it may be worth studyin ..read more

Most people have heard about a TENS machine in the context of labour pains. But research also shows they can also be used in some chronic pain conditions, such as fibromyalgia. What does TENS stand for? TENS is short for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation. A TENS machine is a small, battery-operated device that has leads connected to sticky pads called electrodes, with the aim of relieving pain. Can TENS be used in fibromyalgia? Evidence is conflicting as to whether TENS can be used to relieve fibromyalgia pain. And experts who compile reviews of lots of studies generally haven’t ..read more

Riser recliners can be an important part of maintaining independence in my extensive experience of working with people with stiff and painful joints. There are many benefits of riser recliners which help keep you independent: Reduce joint pain For people with joint pain as a result of arthritis, fibromyalgia or many other health conditions, the riser function of a riser recliner chair can reduce the pressure on the joints as you stand down and sit up. The powered back rest recline and tilt in space functions also enable you to passively reposition and stretch out lower limb joints, reducing ..read more

A minimally invasive treatment that injects tissue into the spine to relieve pain associated with degenerative disc disease lowers pain and improves function over a sustained period, says research due to be presented at a conference. The treatment – viable disc allograft supplementation – injects specialised cells and fluid into a patient’s damaged disc. The cells of the injected fluid encourage the cells in the damaged disc to regenerate with healthy tissue. A total of 50 people took part in the three-year study; 46 had allograft treatment and four had treatment with saline solution (ie a ..read more

Genicular nerve radiofrequency ablation, a minimally invasive treatment for arthritis knee pain, can significantly reduce pain, says new research. What is genicular nerve radiofrequency ablation? Probe needles are placed next to the knee nerves that send pain signals to the brain. The probes generate radio waves, creating a ball of heat to dull or destroy the pain nerve endings. These nerves do not control muscles or affect balance, so the procedure is safe, and only local anaesthetic is needed. The treatment lasts for six months to up to two years. What does the new research show? A total ..read more

Some antidepressant drugs do help in some pain conditions, but most are either ineffective or the evidence is inconclusive, despite being used for a range of pain conditions. The evidence, published by The British Medical Journal adds to mounting research that challenges the role of medicines for pain. The use of antidepressant has doubled in many countries in recent years and their off-label (unapproved) treatment of common pain conditions such as osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia and persistent headaches, is thought to have contributed to this rise. So a team from Australia has looked in depth ..read more

Metformin, a diabetes drug that has been used for decades, could be added to the toolkit of treatments for osteoarthritis if it performs well in new trials. Taken by millions of people to control blood sugar levels, metformin also seems to stimulate the release of an enzyme that protects cartilage against wear and tear, which eases inflammation and pain. A previous study in Arthritis Research & Therapy found obese people with osteoarthritis who took metformin are 70% less likely to need knee replacement surgery than those not on the drug. Another in BMJ Open reveals that mice with early ..read more

Singer, actress and broadcaster, Fiona Kennedy has a full and active life. When she isn’t appearing on TV, recording albums or singing at national and global events, Fiona can be found on the golf course, walking her dogs or spending time with her family. But in 2020, COVID-19 knocked her sideways. “I am used to be very healthy and was shocked by how ill I was when I had COVID,” she says. “Lungs are obviously vital to us all, and as a singer I’ve always been acutely aware of how mine are performing. Yet suddenly I couldn’t walk more than 12 steps without having to stop… and this went on for t ..read more

Horticulturalist, writer and broadcaster, Anne Swithinbank is a regular panellist for BBC Radio 4’s Gardener’s Question Time and enjoys a well-established writing, broadcasting and events career.   While life sounds rosy – gardening, riding and sea swimming fill her days – it hasn’t all been picture perfect for Anne. A condition she was born with, congenital hip dysplasia, eventually led to a hip replacement operation many years later. “It wasn’t until I started walking as a toddler that my congenital hip dysplasia was picked up,” she says. “I spent a long time in plaster and the doctor ..read more

Image credit: Keith Barnes Photography One of the leading wine experts worldwide, Oz Clarke’s working life began in an entirely different field: the stage. Starring in West End shows including Evita and The Mitford Girls, Oz toured with the Royal Shakespeare Company before side stepping into the wonderful world of wine. Like all of us, the humdrum of pandemic isolation took its toll on Oz. But thanks to his plethora of interests, from being an avid football supporter to keeping fit on his bike, the monotony of life within lockdown was certainly shaken up. Not to mention his five-year-old d ..read more