t can be difficult finding out if you have a thyroid problem.

As someone who has had ongoing thyroid gland problems, for more than 40 years, I know this all too well.

Initially suffering from an overactive thyroid gland many symptoms were classic yet my doctor failed to give the correct diagnosis.

My weight was steadily decreasing, I seemed to be permanently racing around and, at its peak, I suffered severe diarrhoea and tummy problems. However, the doctor failed to do the simple diagnostic blood test needed and I visited various hospital departments for strange and unpleasant investigations for weeks.

Eventually, after weeks of resting up, the condition subsided but it reared its ugly head again a few years later when I was under stress. This time though a diagnosis was correctly made -- Hyperthyroidism.

Since then I underwent various treatments before eventually having radioactive Iodine treatment some years ago. This means that now my thyroid is under-active and daily supplementary medication is needed for the rest of my life.

Regular blood tests are now also a fact of life.

Hyperthyroidism is more dangerous than hypo though which is why doctors prefer the health problem to go the other way.

So, with this background, I have told two friends over the years to see a doctor when they shared how they were feeling.

One discovered she had an under-active thyroid gland and the other that she had thyroid cancer. Having had such varying symptoms over the years it is often easy now to spot thyroid issues in others.

Despite this the last time I experienced major thyroid problems I mistakenly thought it was the menopause, due to the type of symptoms and my age.

Here are some signs and symptoms which could mean that you have a thyroid problem and need investigation. Remember most times that your condition is easily treatable, although sometimes it may require surgery.

Remember also that you must consult a medical professional for a correct diagnosis.

Overactive thyroid or hyperthyroidism

    A fast heartbeat and or palpitations.
    Loss of weight but in rare cases increased weight due to over-eating.
    Loss of menstrual cycle, infertility or menstruation problems.
    Diarrhoea.
    Protruding eyes, in advanced cases.
    Pruritus, intense itching of the skin.
    Inability to sit still. Hyperactivity.
    Shaking hands and tremors.
    Hair loss.
    Swelling at the front of the neck.

Underactive thyroid or hypothyroidism

    Slow heartbeat.
    Increased weight.
    Dull waxy skin.
    Sluggish, slow movements.
    Lethargy and lack of energy.
    Heavy menstrual bleeding.
    Changes in menstruation.
    Nail problems.
    Brittle and dry hair.
    Constipation.

Thyroid cancer

Unfortunately, in some cases, thyroid cancer may be diagnosed so a doctor should be consulted in all cases. Usually, there will be swelling at the front of the neck in cancers but even with that sign it still may not be cancer or malignant.

Conclusion

As with all these types of conditions symptoms can vary but if you have any vague feelings as described above it is best to have your thyroid function tested. A simple blood test will show if your thyroid is not working correctly.

This small gland is responsible for regulating so much in your body it needs to function properly.

Remember that worry and stress will aggravate your condition so try to stay calm. Also, depression can quite naturally accompany thyroid problems but may need treating as a separate issue.

As a final thought, if you have close family members with thyroid disorders, especially your Mum, it may mean that you will follow suit. So check your family’s medical history.

Please note: This is based on personal experience. You should always consult your medical professional. The writer's treatment was a few years ago and treatments are changing all the time.

Check Web MD for the latest diagnosis methods and treatments available

"Veteran British actress Alison Steadman is once again at the forefront of this years Marie Curie Daffodil appeal in the UK. On sale are fake daffodils, like the fake poppies on sale prior to Remembrance Day in the UK.

The money raised goes to help Marie Curie nurses and hospices, and Steadman knows first hand how vital these nurses are.

In 2014 the charity website had more than one real-life story to share and here is Ms Steadman's:

"My mum was my rock. When I had stage fright, she gave me the courage to carry on. And when she was diagnosed with cancer, it was the first time I’d ever seen her scared. She was frightened about the future.

Marie Curie Nurses helped her to overcome her fear. She came back from her first visit to the Marie Curie Hospice, Liverpool feeling brighter and more optimistic.

The hospice staff made such a difference and the care mum received was second to none.

On one visit, a young male nurse came over, knelt down next to mum and said: ‘Now Marj, you must be hungry. Can we tempt you with a boiled egg and toast or how about a lovely bowl of custard?’ I’ve never forgotten that. It really touched me because it was the kind of thing I would have done for my mum.

Mum looked forward to going to the hospice and it became a home from home for her, my sisters and me.

It was so important to us that our mother, who supported and encouraged us when we needed it, received the best possible care."

If that story is not enough to guarantee you buy a Marie Curie daffodil and wear it with pride there are many others.

Give generously in order to support Marie Curie Cancer Care. Tweet #daffodilappeal to get the message out.

Garden daffodils burst into bloom in the UK in March but so do Marie Curie daffodils. Will you be wearing one and with pride?

Marie Curie Daffodil appeal

Note:
Four Gardens of Light open across the UK

This spring, Marie Curie will unveil four Gardens of Light across the UK at sites in London, Belfast, Glasgow and Caernarfon. The installations will mark the launch of the Great Daffodil Appeal, the charity's biggest fundraising drive.

In early 2014 we were all told that eating at least 'seven-a-day', rather than five portions, of fruits and vegetables is the secret to good health. However many people struggle to fit in five portions let alone seven!

Fast forward to February 23, 2017, and that advice has been amended to 10-portions-a-day!

Assuming the advice is good can you afford to follow it as the price of some fruit and vegetables rockets and there is a shortage in some cases?

A portion however may be nothing more than a handful of blueberries or half a dozen strawberries.

Can you afford to ignore good advice?

While the advice may be well intentioned and sound it will not be easy to follow.

The price of fruit and veg in the U.K. is sky high. Some produce bought from supermarkets is past its best at point of sale and quickly inedible. If money is tight, and even if it is not, throwing food away untouched will be galling.

Again it proves the government and researchers are out of touch with the lives of many British people.

Here is some advice as to what you can do to improve your fruit and veg intake:

Grow your own -- No matter whether you have a garden or not it is possible to grow some produce. It may not always be cheap but it does not have to be expensive. Start seeds off in old card egg boxes, or empty, clean yogurt pots, so individual seedlings are easy to pot on. You can grow tomatoes in hanging baskets and tubs so be inventive. An old bucket can act as a big plant pot. Radishes grow very quickly and careful planting can mean you have a ready crop throughout summer. Select crops that you know your family will want to consume.

Compost -- If any fruit or veg does begin to turn before you can consume it, use it rather than just binning it. Small composters are a great way to dispose of dead flowers, fruit, veg, peelings, egg shells, paper and old tea-bags but not cooked or raw food.

Plant potatoes gone to seed -- If potatoes begin to sprout before you can eat them plant them for an almost cost free crop of spuds. They will not count toward your seven-a-day but will save you money and enable you to buy fresh fruit and veg.

Frozen -- Frozen fruit and vegetables apparently do not count towards your daily quota. These days quick time freezing does however ensure some goodness is retained. In winter buy products such as tubs of frozen summer fruits which can be quickly stewed ready to add to breakfast cereal or use in other ways.

Windfall -- Windfall apples can be used once stewed. But what about free foods such as brambles, or blackberries? You can still find plenty growing wild and ready for you to pick in late summer come early august. Perfect for making jam, freezing or just eating straight away.

Cooking -- As consumers become lazy and use pre-cooked ready meals the art of simple cooking is forgotten. However it is cheaper in many cases to cook your own, with selective cooking and shopping.

Research -- Research best prices and shop around. Research recipes at your local library or online. Choose ones that will offer good value for money but also retain the nutrients of fruit and veg used.

Diversify -- Variety is the spice of life. If your usual choice of veg has gone up in price or is not available try an alternative. You may be surprised how tasty some fruit and veg really is.

Get an allotment

Finally -- Never get too bogged down with the latest health advice.

We are all individuals and our genes play a part in our health.

What may be great today could be dismissed tomorrow. It is however worth following a sensible diet and we all know fruit and vegetables have a wealth of benefits. Good health though is often also about lifestyle and exercise so make other changes including quitting smoking.

Whether G.M.O. fruit and veg offer the same positive health benefits is unclear.

Always ensure you thoroughly wash fresh fruit and veg, especially if not home grown, to remove any potential insecticide residue.

BBC News 2014
"A study of 65,226 men and women indicated the more fruit and vegetables people ate, the less likely they were to die - at any given age. Seven a day cut the risk of dying from cancer and heart disease. But the government says its "five-a-day" advice is sufficient and that many of us struggle to achieve even this.

Fruit and veg: For a longer life eat 10-a-day
​10 ways to hit your 10-a-day, with minimum effort

Early detection of Alzheimer's, but is it worth knowing that you will develop this disease?

Alzheimer's disease is a terrible condition. In so many ways the person affected dies in almost every sense of the word but their earthly body will still be alive and may even be in fairly good health.

It must be awful to be married for say forty years and then your partner develop Alzheimer's. In either a short or long period of time the affected person will lose short term memory and may become like a stranger to their partner and family. Some patients become aggressive and, ultimately, most will need long term care.

How sad and what a dreadful prospect for many of us

Recently, there have been press reports about recent discoveries regarding the early diagnosis of Alzheimer's. Our first reaction was why would you want to know, perhaps twenty years before it happened, that you were going to get Alzheimer's as you age. If you give the matter more thought though it is not as simple as that.

Life never is, is it?....................

A simple eye test used to detect early signs of Alzheimer's

Within the next few years it seems that a simple eye test, to detect Alzheimer's, will be available through Opticians. It is as simple as identifying dying cells. This is done by examining the eye, after a harmless fluorescent dye has been introduced.

Examining these cells, on the Retina of the eye, will be non-invasive and routine. In the past Doctors have found it difficult to follow any Alzheimer's changes to a patients brain. As the disease develops the brain shrinks and cells die.

Observing the changes in each cell, on the Retina, may provide the information necessary to make a correct and early diagnosis of Alzheimer's.

Blood pressure medication reducing the risk of Alzheimer's

Recent research seems to indicate that patients who take angiotensin receptor blockers, ARBs, in order to control their blood pressure, may have a lower risk of developing Alzheimer's. It appears that this medication may prevent blood vessel damage in the brain, which could contribute to Alzheimer's.

Trials are ongoing

Readers will need to exercise caution when they read this report. Research is ongoing and nothing is conclusive yet. However, early indications look positive.

So would you want to know if you were likely to develop Alzheimer's?

What would you do if you were given such a prognosis? Initially most people may feel that they would not want to know, but think about it:

1. If you were told that, in 20 years time, or more, you may develop Alzheimer's, what a wake up call that would be. All of those hopes, dreams and ambitions you have, that are still unfilled. With an Alzheimer's clock ticking down you would hopefully be spurred into action.
2. If you were given a reasonable length of time you could get your affairs in order. There may be close friends and family who you want to speak to again, apologise to or just show that you care.
3. You may have enough time to take drugs, that will help delay the onset of your Alzheimer's. Many of the current anti Alzheimer's medication needs to be given in the very early stages. Presently, by the time the medication is prescribed, it is already too late. With new medication and treatments, continually being discovered, you could take full opportunity of medical advances.

It is not time yet but, in the near future, you may be given the opportunity to be screened for the early signs of Alzheimer's. How will you feel? Will you want to know? What will you do with the information you have been given?

Of course if Governments simply screen, without revealing the results to the individuals concerned, it will be pointless. They could do this in order to assess the levels of care that will be needed in the future and for research purposes.

It is to be hoped that this new test is not used for such purposes, though.

The quick and easy test, if it works, could offer so many people a last chance at life. Well life as they know and love it.

Well? Would you want to know that you will probably develop Alzheimer's?

Note: Originally reported in 2012 this link dates to Summer 2016 http://www.medicaldaily.com/eye-test-early-alzheimers-human-clinical-trials-391648

"The retina is made from similar kinds of tissue as the brain and that tissue can be seen directly by looking into the eye. ... According to the Alzheimer's Association, the disease is caused by the buildup of amyloid plaques and tangles in the nerve cells in the brain. Aug 8, 2016"

Men don't make passes at girls who wear glasses.

What a sexist and out-dated statement that is.

Spectacles can be so stylish these days that people opt to wear them simply as a fashion statement.

If you do need glasses to correct a sight problem you may find there is just too much choice although in truth there are probably only a handful of basic shapes and types.

But what if you need two pairs of specs one for close vision and one for long distance?

Varifocal spectacles or glasses have lenses that have a gradual change in strength. Unlike Bi-Focals, where the lens has two distinct halves the varifocal lens gradually changes. When such glasses are properly prescribed, they will correct problems with long distance, near-sighted and arms length viewing, without the need for separate pairs of glasses.

Gone are the days when you would have put on your reading glasses to read, and then would need to swap to your distance glasses when you were going out. A pair of varifocal glasses will fulfil all of these functions for you.

What are the benefits of wearing varifocal spectacles as opposed to spectacles with ordinary lenses?

There are many benefits to wearing varifocal spectacles if your vision is poor in both close and in distance viewing. The benefits can be:-

• Convenience
• Cost
• Ease of use

The initial cost of a pair of varifocal glasses will be more than single lens spectacles. However on the whole they represent great value fir money as you will not have to buy two distinct pairs of glasses.

They are also much more convenient to use than two such pairs of glasses.

The alternative often means having an alternate pair of glasses hanging around your neck say for use with the computer.

Instead if you are wearing a pair of varifocal spectacles all you will need to do is move your head a little.

The alternative can also mean remembering to take both pair of specs with you when you go out, go to work or go on holiday.

Are varifocals for me?

If your eyesight test has shown that you need both reading spectacles and distance ones then varifocals may work for you.

However not everyone finds them easy to use. It can take time to adjust to wearing varifocals but in some cases it never works out.

Your optician will ensure that you have your field of vision tested first. This will show if varifocals would not work for you at all.

Many opticians in the UK offer a 28-day money back guarantee with varificals. This means that if you buy a pair of varifocal glasses and cannot get used to them at all you can take them back. In return you will be able to purchase a pair of readers and distance glasses instead.

Make sure you check if this is available at your opticians before you commit to buy.

How do you use varifocals?

The lenses graduate down from the top. The top part of the lens is used to look into the distance. The bottom part is used for close work. This is why it is important that you are measured properly for such glasses.

You can buy on-line but make sure that it is a reputable dealer who carries out your instructions to the letter. A reputable High Street optician service may be best for your very first pair of varifocals.

Varifocal lenses are much better these days but there is still a knack to wearing and using them properly

You need to get used to angling and moving your head a little more. When you are going to cross a road turn your head right and left rather than just looking to the right or left. If you just look toward the edge of your glasses you may find that the view is a little blurred.

When you use a computer it is important that the chair is at the right height for you and the screen is angled for optimum use. You must avoid having to tilt your head up so that you can view through the bottom of your varifocals, as this can give you neck problems.

To bring a book into your field of vision it is best to bring it close under your glasses rather than up in front of you.

Personal experience and problems if any

I was lucky on the whole as I soon adapted to wearing varifocals. Having alternated between two pairs of single lens glasses for a year or so varifocals were great by comparison but they did seem a little strange at first. This was mainly when I wanted to look to the right or left. After wearing varifocals for a short time this was no problem.

You may need to persevere with wearing Varifocals

When my husband finally needed both reading and distance glasses he opted for varifocals.

I knew he would not get on with them but, as I had no problems, he thought they sounded a good ides.

Within two days they were returned to the optician and two single lens pairs of glasses bought.

The first day he wore his varifocals off we went to the town. I had crossed the road and suddenly realised he was not with me. Looking around there he was marooned on the grassy verge of the dual carriageway looking lost. He then proceeded to attempt to cross over to me looking every inch like a spaceman on the Moon!

Of course I could not help but fall about laughing which I guess did not help.

Before you purchase varifocals think about your personal needs and conditions. If you suffer from regular migraines, severe headaches or dizzy spells varifocals will probably not be for you.

​Overall though I cannot recommend varifocal glasses enough

Having experienced, even briefly, having a second pair of glasses swinging around my neck, hung on a cord, whilst I chopped and changed which specs I was wearing, I found varifocals to be a marvel.

Varifocals in general

Varifocals come in all shapes and sizes these days. Your frames will need to have sufficient space though to accommodate your lens properly. If the size is too small it is hard for the optician to make a lens that has the correct graduation.

However most modern frames are able to accommodate varifocal lenses.

You can opt for reactolite or varifocal transition lenses with an anti-glare. This means that they also go gradually darker in bright conditions, such as sunny weather. The anti-glare improves the glasses performance when using the computer.

Varifocal sunglasses are also available. Often opticians will have an offer which includes half price varifocal sunglasses when you purchase a standard pair of varifocals. Check out what is available locally for you.

Varifocal contact lenses are also available;