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Did you know that 30% of 65-year olds fall at least once per year? The number of people aged 65 and over has been predicted to increase by 40% in the next 17 years

Falls and fall related injuries are a real danger… falls are the largest cause of emergency hospital admissions for older people. Hip fractures, are the most common serious injury resulting from a fall.

At the beginning of this week the world came together to raise awareness for diabetes. The global campaign is led by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), with many activities taking place all around the world. Millions of people shared their experiences with diabetes and explained what it’s really like to live with the condition.

Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) is condition used to describe pain felt in muscles, tendons & nerves. Also known as work-related upper limb disorder, or non-specific upper limb pain. RSI often occurs in the upper body such as the arms, hands, wrists and elbows where there is repetitive movement and overuse.

It is World Alzheimer’s Day and whilst Alzheimer’s is one of the most common diseases in the UK, people still don’t fully understand what it is. We are going to debunk 10 of the most notorious myths surrounding Alzheimer’s and Dementia.

Recently our team at Repton Medical, all became Dementia friends. We attended an information session which gave us a deeper understanding of how people living with dementia feel and cope with day to day life. We learnt to see the person and not the disease. There is surplus information available based around dementia such as on the Alzheimer's Society website. We decided to put together a list from a number of sources of how to spot the early signs of dementia.

Diabetes affects 1 in 16 people within the UK, that’s an estimated four million people living with diabetes. Diabetes is commonly associated with foot health related problems, in medical terms; diabetes affects the circulation by causing arteries to become ‘furred up’ (atherosclerosis). This can affect the major blood vessels, specifically the ones associated with the feet, causing the feet to feel cold, lose sensation and develop cuts or sores (Diabetes UK).

Breastfeeding is the most natural and normal thing to do within the early stages of a child’s life. However, many people in this society have put a stigma on the act, especially if it is shown in public. World Breast Feeding week is trying to fight against that by normalising the act and encouraging women to change the social stigma placed on breast feeding.

Dementia is a progressive disease that leads to memory loss, confusion and communication problems. It can be confusing for not only the dementia sufferer but also their family and friends. To increase awareness of the disease, the Alzheimer’s Society has created an annual Dementia Awareness Week which takes place this week.

Around 35% of over 65’s will fall in the space of a year, and that figure rises rapidly to approximately 50% for those aged 80 and over. Falls can happen to anyone regardless of age or medical condition. Many falls are caused by a mixture of factors such as slips and trips, reduced mobility, age or being on medication.