Glaucoma is the number one cause of irreversible blindness globally. Dr Michelle Wright explains that it can affect any one of any age, including babies. Around 100,000 people in Switzerland have been diagnosed with glaucoma and the same number again have glaucoma but don’t know yet because they haven’t been tested.   What are the risk factors? Risk factors include advancing age, a family history, diabetes, high blood pressure, a history of migraines or myopia, and being of African or Caribbean origin.   What is Glaucoma? The usual cause of glaucoma is a build-up of pressure wit ..read more

Heart attacks: do men and women experience different symptoms? In this week’s Health Matters, Dr Michelle explains all. What is Cardiovascular Disease? Cardiovascular disease is the term used to describe diseases of the heart and blood vessels in the body.  The cardiovascular diseases are largely caused by fatty deposits (known as atheroma) that can build up and cause blockage of blood vessels. If this happens in the artery blood vessels of the heart, it can lead to a heart attack and if it happens in the artery blood vessels in the brain, it can lead to a stroke.  Cardiova ..read more

The rollercoaster of adolescence: how can I tell if my teen is struggling? There are so many things that our young people have on their mind these days; reasons why they might struggle with their mental health. But perhaps one of biggest stressors adolescents face is adolescence itself! Can you remember the rollercoaster of yours? So much is going on for our young people during these formative years. There are changes in physical development, the main one being puberty itself – the development of secondary sex characteristics, starting periods, changes in height, weight, and appearance. A ..read more

Tetanus is the topic up for discussion in this week’s Health Matters. Dr Michelle explains what symptoms it can cause and when, and how often, you should be vaccinated. What is Tetanus and how can it get into the body? Tetanus is an infection caused by the bacterium Clostridium tetani that lives pretty much everywhere, particularly in soil and dirt from outside.  It can get into the body through a break in the skin and might be a large, obvious skin wound. It can also be a tiny cut, or just a prick from a thorn on a rosebush whilst gardening.   The bacterium produces a toxin ins ..read more

January was cervical cancer awareness month in many countries around the world: an opportunity to raise awareness about the fourth most common cancer in women globally, as well as vaccination against Human papillomavirus (or HPV for short), which causes over 95% of cervical cancers. Dr Michelle explains the importance of HPV vaccination and regular cervical screening, as well as WHO’s Global Strategy to reduce cervical cancer rates and associated deaths. In higher-income countries, cervical cancer screening and HPV vaccination, as well as access to treatment services, has gone a long way to re ..read more

Post-Natal Depression by Dr Michelle Wright Today with the final part in the series on post-natal depression, Dr Michelle continues her conversation with Sophie from the Post-partum Depression Switzerland Association.   Last time Sophie shared her personal story – her struggle with post-partum depression and how it was recognised and the treatment available.   This time, the focus is on the important work of the Association and the support it offers to people across the country.  The post Post-Natal Depression Part 3 appeared first on HealthFirst ..read more

Post-Natal Depression by Dr Michelle Wright This is the first of three shows on the important topic of post-natal depression.   Dr Michelle recently had the privilege of speaking with Sophie from the Post-partum depression Switzerland Association.   Today, they are discussing some background information about post-partum depression and how many people it affects. Next time, you can hear their conversation about Sophie’s personal story, and then in the final episode, more about what the Association does in terms of support it provides for new parents across the country.   The pos ..read more

Meet the team, our quarterly introduction to the team members at HealthFirst. Introducing Dr Michelle Wright. Why did you become a doctor? When I was ‘growing up’, I always wanted to become a newsreader on the television! But then I was good at science at school. I particularly enjoyed biology and anything to do with the human body, so that’s where my interest in becoming a doctor began. I’ve also always been a ‘people person’ and so combining that with my love of science made medicine an obvious choice. But then, I guess you could say that as my career has evolved. My desire to read the news ..read more

Three well-being wins for the winter months by Dr Mecky McNeil As outlined in our blog Chasing Away the Winter Blues: Unwrapping the Layers of Seasonal Affective Disorder, during the darker winter months many of us find our mood and well-being are affected. To help you beat those winter blues, our top three well-being wins will kick-start your 2024 and see you through the cold-weather season. Embrace the winter warmth with our top three well-being wins that will thaw your spirits and elevate your happiness. As the frosty season settles in, join us in celebrating the small triumphs that bring j ..read more

Chasing Away the Winter Blues: Unwrapping the Layers of Seasonal Affective Disorder by Dr Michelle Wright As the days grow shorter and the temperature takes a nosedive, many of us find ourselves in an annual dance with the winter blues. But for some, it is more than just a case of the cold-weather gloom, it is a profound shift in mood known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). What is Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD? Seasonal Affective Disorder, sometimes called ‘winter depression’, affects around two to three in every 100 people living in the northern hemisphere. It is a form of depressio ..read more