32 Health


THE HERALD FRIDAY FEBRUARY 3 2017


Giving Alzheimer’s the boot Over 50s look to health tech Iolo Williams: Supporting TheWelsh1000Walk


to sign up and raise vital funds for Alzheimer’s Society.” Each walk has a dedicated guide,


who will lead a maximum of 12 people and ensure your walk is enjoyable and safe.


Krysia Groves, one of the NATURALIST and TV


presenter Iolo Williams is calling on people across Wales to don their walking boots and join hundreds of others on April 22 in aid of Alzheimer’s Society. TheWelsh1000Walk is a major


fundraising event that will attempt to circumnavigate the coast of Wales, including Anglesey and Offa’s Dyke, in one day. This is a total distance of 1,057 miles along the Welsh national coastal path. There are 71 separate walks for people to choose from, ranging in length and difficulty, and each will be led by an experienced


leader. Iolo Williams, who joined a walk


near his home town last year, said: “I was delighted to join one of the walks last year. My late father lived with dementia, so I have first-hand experience of the devastation it causes. The work of the Alzheimer’s Society is crucial in helping to improve treatment for people living with dementia today and search for a cure for tomorrow. “Fresh air, exercise and meeting


new people are key stimulators for our mental health, so I am thrilled that I can continue to support TheWelsh1000Walk and urge people


many volunteer leaders on TheWelsh1000Walk, explains. “I led a walk on the first TheWelsh1000Walk event and it was a fantastic day out. I really encourage others to sign up and reap the benefits of exercise, fresh air and beautiful views, all for a worthy cause. I’m thrilled to be leading a walk again in 2017.” Jeremy Hughes, Chief Executive


Officer for Alzheimer’s Society, said: “I am delighted TheWelsh1000Walk has once again chosen to raise vital funds for Alzheimer's Society. This ambitious fundraiser is run entirely by volunteers and we would love to see hundreds of people sign-up and walk a stretch of the beautiful Welsh coastal path, to help support the 850,000 people living with dementia in the UK."


Antibiotic overuse behind ‘Superbug’ epidemic THE EPIDEMIC of ‘superbug’


Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) in UK hospitals a decade ago was mainly caused by excessive use of antibiotics, not dirty hospitals, according to a new study. In the past, over-prescribing


of fluoroquinolone antibiotics had allowed drug-resistant C. difficile to thrive in the guts of patients by wiping out other non-resistant types of bacteria and leaving the way clear for the rapid growth of resistant C. difficile. This boosted the number of infections and led to an epidemic in hospitals. In 2007, the NHS responded


by starting a programme of ‘deep- cleaning’ and other infection control measures. But the study shows that dirty hospitals were not the culprit; cases of C. difficile fell only when fluoroquinolone use was restricted and used in a targeted way, as one part of many efforts to control the outbreak. The researchers analysed data on


the numbers of C. difficile infections and the amounts of antibiotics used in hospitals and by GPs in Oxfordshire,


Leeds and nationally. Over 4,000 bacterial samples were genetically analysed to look for drug resistance. Results showed that a more


measured use of fluoroquinolones led to around an 80% fall in the number of drug-resistant C. difficile infections across the UK. In Oxfordshire, approximately 67% of C. difficile bacteria samples were resistant in September 2006, compared to around 3% in February 2013. Despite adopting measures such


as better hand-washing and hospital cleaning, the number of cases caused by non-resistant C. difficile stayed the same before and after the outbreak, and the rate of transmission between people in hospitals did not change. Therefore the findings suggest that appropriate use of antibiotics is the best way to control this ‘superbug’. The study was carried out by


scientists at the University of Oxford, University of Leeds and Public Health England and has been published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases. The work was funded by a partnership of funders,


including the UK Clinical Research Collaboration, of which the MRC is a partner. Co-author Derrick Crook,


Professor of Microbiology at the University of Oxford, remarked: “Our study shows that the C. difficile epidemic was an unintended consequence of intensive use of an antibiotic class, fluoroquinolones, and control was achieved by specifically reducing use of this antibiotic class, because only the C. difficile bacteria that were resistant to fluoroquinolones went away. “These findings are of international


importance because other regions such as North America, where fluoroquinolone prescribing remains unrestricted, still suffer from epidemic numbers of C. difficile infections.” Dr Ghada Zoubiane, MRC


Programme Manager for infections, added: “This work is a great example of how collaborations of funders from the NHS, charity and academic sectors can come together to solve pressing public health problems.”


THE OVER 50s are health


conscious as around 1.3 million wear health devices, such as Fitbits, Apple watches and Jawbones, to make sure they’re doing enough exercise, according to Saga Health Insurance. The poll of almost 9,000 over 50s


shows that the most common reasons people wear health devices are to motivate them to move more, to get fitter and to keep a closer eye on their health. It appears as though the over 50s


live by the mantra of ‘move more and eat less’ to keep trim. Many keep a close eye on their weight, with around one in three stepping on the scales weekly to make sure they don’t put on unwanted pounds. As well as monitoring their activity


levels and watching their weight, the over 50s are keen to keep a close eye on their overall health as more than a third check their blood pressure and one in eight check their BMI monthly. Stopping full-time work seems to


inspire people to give their health and exercise regime an overhaul as around nine out of 10 over 50s say they are able to dedicate more time to leisure activities when they’ve retired. In fact, more than half of people


who have stopped working full time say they’re able to go on more walks and one in 10 say they spend more time in the saddle cycling. In addition, people are also able to enjoy a regular swim and more exercise classes such


as yoga, pilates and tai chi. As well as spending more time


doing their favourite activities, those who don’t have to go to work every day are also inspired to take up new activities. Around one in six say they have started taking new exercise classes, such as spin and legs and bums and tums in a bid to improve fitness levels in retirement. More than a third of over 50s are


looking to do more exercise this year but its important people don’t try to do too much too quickly as it may cause an injury. If Saga Health Insurance customers do have muscle, bone or joint pain then they can call Saga for a free telephone assessment with a physiotherapist. This means people can get health advice quickly and any aches and pains won’t stop them doing what they love to do. Kevin McMullan, Head of Saga


Health Insurance, commented: “It’s great to see so many over 50s monitoring their health regularly and keeping active. Most people need a friendly push, whether that’s from friends or family or a fitness tracker telling you get up and walk around more. The key to any exercise routine is to find activities you like doing as you’ll then be more likely to keep it up. Looking after your health should not be left too late; keeping fit and looking after your body throughout life is the best way to help ensure an active and enriching life in retirement.”


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