Western Telegraph | Blogs

Splash!

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 16:22:02 +0000

The few six weeks or so of this year have been imbued with the essence of patience for me. Doing nothing, whilst waiting for others to do something has, in fact, shown me that even when you remain perfectly still there will still be circles of movement around you.

Hypothyroidism gives you half a life.

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 10:51:58 +0000

Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland doesn't make enough thyroid hormones. This slows down the metabolism of the body, leading to symptoms such as always feeling cold, fatigue and easily putting on weight. Your thyroid gland makes two hormones: thyroxine (also called T4) and triiodothyronine (also called T3). Together, these hormones regulate your body's growth and metabolism. Your metabolism is how quickly your body uses resources to create energy and how quickly this happens in the body. It affects lots of things, including how much you weigh and how much you sleep. It is quite difficult to get your GP to diagnose this condition; this is because today GPs mainly rely on blood tests to diagnose their patients. Before the use of blood testing Doctors would use the pinch method where they would gently pinch your skin at top of your arms also taking your temperature on waking, before you start moving about, gives a good indication. If your body temperature is below 37 Centigrade is another clue. Hypothyroidism can go undiagnosed for a lifetime. You may have a GP that is aware of the symptoms, if not do your own research, and present it to your GP, to see what they make of your findings. Treatment used to be taking natural Thyroid extract; today we are given synthetic treatments which do not work as good as the natural form of Thyroid extract. There is lots of information about Hypothyroidism on the Internet, investigate this for yourself and If you feel you have the symptoms, go to your GP and get yourself checked out, armed with the knowledge you have acquired..I found a book called "Hypothyroidism Type 2" by Mark Starr, M.D. very enlightening.

Forget High Speed Rail Links, Lets Have A National Cycle Network

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:15:37 +0000

I pay road tax but hardly use my vehicle; we mostly walk with the exception of sometimes driving at weekends, for long distances we use the train as cheaply as possible by booking in advance. If our Government really wanted a healthy population they would instead of spending millions on a high speed rail link, upgrade existing lines and add more rural connections and at the same time build an independent vehicle free National Cycle Network, where cyclists along with walkers could travel around the UK and into Europe in safety, far away from the dangers of cars and their pollution. We already have a few cycle paths in Pembrokeshire but they need linking up to all major towns, it would bring more holiday cyclists and tourists, providing much needed jobs and income for the county. Come on Wales let’s build this Cycle Network and lead the UK in providing a healthier life for our citizens and tourists. : )

60 Years and STILL Going Strong!

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0000

As a Liberal Democrat, there are many withing my Party that favours a Republic and an elected Head of State.

Jan 2012 - What happened to Winter?

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 10:00:00 +0000

Bang went New Year and the computer but blue skies above.

Good Customer Service

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 10:59:15 +0000

If you look at the photo with this blog article, you will find a good reason why Sainsbury's should come to Haverfordwest.

Christmas Cheer December 2011

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 10:30:00 +0000

Unease about the future but this didn't stop the Italians ejoying themselves and cooking up a storm of goodies for the festive season.

Prostate Problems and Nettles

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 11:57:41 +0000

Prostate Problems A large percentage of men over 50 will suffer problems with an enlarged Prostate. Symptoms vary from excessive urination, trouble passing urine and erectile dysfunction, along with various aches and pains around the groin area. Most people visit their GP to get treatment for this sometime excruciating painful condition. In their sixties my father and his two brothers all suffered from complete urination blockage, which is extremely painful and dangerous which can badly damage your kidneys as the urine backs up all the way back to your kidneys, which can prove fatal. All three were hospitalised and operated on, my dad’s brothers were diagnosed with Prostate Cancer and had their Prostate removed. My dad had a simple operation to open up the tube that was blocked by the enlarged Prostate. I had always assumed that this Prostate problem would eventually visit me, as it seemed genetic in our family. My assumptions proved quite correct a few months ago. It started with me having no strength of flow as I passed urine, and increased frequency in having to urinate. It got worse and I had to get up a couple of times in the night causing me sleep problems. I researched online for natural herbal treatments. I already knew about the herbs Saw Palmetto and Pumpkin Seed Oil which had proved helpful to some people as a food supplement that relieved their symptoms, I obtained both herbs and did get relief from them, but something did not seem quite right, my wife came across an article saying Nettle Root soaked in 40% proof Vodka, for at least 2 weeks is useful for the problems I was suffering. I started taking a teaspoon of our homemade tincture 3 times a day, allowing the tincture to sit under my tongue so it was easily absorbed into the body. It seems to be working very well and I have regained full urine flow. I will continue to take the Nettle Root Tincture for a few months and then stop and see if everything is OK without it. I strongly believe in treating my health problems with Herbal rather than Pharmaceutical products, I have been doing this for years, I am not endorsing what I am doing, and would encourage anyone suffering from health problems to contact their GP and other medical advisors, and get yourself checked out.

Feeling restless: January 4th

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 15:01:40 +0000

First thing I had to walk across town to a briefing that took 2.5 hours. It was about Antarctica and the Antarctic treaty but then it moved onto the more serious stuff of safety, especially medical issues, a lot about frost bite, altitude sickness and sunburn. Not only is the sun very strong in Antarctica, but it bounces off the snow and can burn the underside of your nose and chin quite badly so that is something I have learnt today. Dehydration is also a big issue because the air down there is so dry as well as being very cold. My kit has now gone so I am left standing in the clothes that I shall wear in tomorrow and I will leave a small bag here in Punta for my return.

5th January: Union Glacier

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 15:04:57 +0000

I have had a very dramatic day which started by being woken at 5.45 am this morning and given just 30 minutes to be ready for the pickup to take me to the airport.