womensrunninguk.co.uk⁄ HEALTH NEWS
14 MARCH 20173%
The small
percentage
of women
who can
confidently
name a
symptom
of ovarian
cancer.
Source:
Target
Ovarian Cancer,
targetovarian
cancer.org.ukWORDS: JENNIFER BOZON. IMAGES: ISTOCKPHOTO.COMHealth not wealth
A landmark study by researchers at
the London School of Economics
has found that the majity of
human unhappine is caused by
phycal and mental ine and
failed relationships, rather
than money problems and
poverty. Focung on
tackling depreon and
anxiety would reduce
unhappine by 20%,
compared to 5%, if
policymakers focused
on eliminating poverty,
the rept found.SEARCH YOUR HEART
A blood test, developed at the University of Edinburgh and Glasgow, can predict
if seemingly healthy patients are at high risk of a heart attack. e test looks
for troponin, a substance released when the heart muscle is damaged, and is
currently used to con rm heart attacks that are suspected to have happened.
Researchers say, though, that it should be used to help patients avoid reaching
this point, and that it’s more e ective than blood pressure and cholesterol checks. e study involved 3,300 men with high cholesterol
but no history of heart disease, and found those with
higher levels of troponin were more likely to have a
heart attack or die of heart disease
within 15 years. By putting some
of these men on preventative
treatment, including statins, their risk of heart disease or a
heart attack was lowered. Further research is planned using
female subjects.
e scientists said troponin testing will help doctors
“identify apparently healthy individuals who have silent
heart disease so [they] can target preventive treatments to
those who are likely to bene t most.”I HAVE A PAIN UNDERNEATH MY
HEEL. I’VE TRIED USING HEEL
PADS AND MASSAGING WITH
A COLD GOLF BALL, BUT THAT
DOESN’T HELP FOR LONG...
This sounds like plantar fasciitis, a
condition where the layers of tissue
under the sole of the foot, usually
the heel, become inflamed. It usually
settles within 12 months. You’ve been
trying all the right techniques to
resolve it. There are some stretches
that you can also try to ease the
discomfort and you can find a great
information leaflet explaining these on
patient.info. Other treatment options
include a steroid injection into the sole
of the foot. This is renowned for being
painful, but may offer relief to some
people. As a runner, it would be a good
idea to seek a physiotherapy or podiatry
assessment too to look at your gait and
spot any abnormalities and imbalances
in the way you walk and run which
may be exacerbating the condition.SEND YOUR QUESTIONS FOR GP AND RUNNER DR JULIET MCGRATTAN TO:
[email protected]WR86_014.indd 14 13/01/2017 14: