Sarah’s Health Notes: A bunch of going-into-winter things
This week I’m literally writing a few notes, rather than a single feature. Really because I had several things I wanted to tell you about – all quite short. So here goes…
Firstly, varicose veins
The photo above will hopefully look like me flaunting my pins in black opaques after my unsightly varicose veins are removed (technical term is ‘stripped’…eek) in mid-November. My crop are unsightly but not dangerous, the doctor told me, but on the other hand I have lived for far too long with a too obvious bulging vein on the front of my left ankle, left behind after vein surgery 25 years ago. I’d also sprouted some bulges where my horse fell on me above my right knee, plus a full-blown one behind my right knee… So I’m taking myself off to have them fixed at the Varicose Vein Clinic, Winterbourne Hospital in Dorchester.
Day One: three hours, under local, doing belt and braces removal: I come out with bandages the length of my legs and need lift home. Day Two: bandages off, legs checked and I can drive again. I realise I’m quite excited at the thought of getting pretty pins back, finally. But, the important thing is not to get them done during bare legs season; you want to hide compression stockings etc. under 40 denier plus black opaques, until everything’s recovered.
Secondly, staying well for winter
Whether you choose to have flu, Covid and/or other vaccinations (e.g. RSV), it makes sense to take every care you can. And that means supporting your immune system to fight off enemies. Here’s what my family and I will be taking, following the advice of our longtime go to expert, pharmacist Shabir Daya at Victoria Health. As Shabir says, a number of factors including high stress levels, close contact in confined areas (offices, classrooms, public transport for instance), lack of sleep and nutritional deficiencies can all play a role in compromising the immune system. (Click on the names to find them online.
DoSe by VH Daily Immunity/£29 for 60 capaules. A powerhouse of immune system primers – vitamins and herbs – which is suitable for anyone over 12.
BetterYou D1000/£7.95 for 15ml, plus D400 Infant Vitamin D/£7.45 for 15ml for children under five years. Super easy to take – just squish in the side of mouth – these vitamin D3 formulations follow UK Government advice.
Solgar CoQ-10/£71 for 30 capsules. For virus related lack of energy plus, plus. Co-enzyme Q10, a vitamin-like substance, has a vital role in generating cellular energy, stimulating the immune system, increasing circulation and a host of other good things.
10 Day Get Well Stay Well/£27 for 60 capsules. I have a stash of this wonder product for me, my family and friends. When my husband and I were dripping and snuffling with an appalling cold just before a trip to New York, Gill Sinclair (co founder of VH) sent me this and – Abraca-flipping-dabra! – we started bouncing again. The same recovery has been repeated several times. Never be without it.
Silver Life Masks/£29.69 for two. Experts are now suggesting wearing a mask in confined areas, inside and out. Developed by health scientists, Silver Life, which are made with anti-viral/anti-bacterial silver in the cotton and polyester mix, are the most rigorously tested and best-fitting masks, filtering both incoming and outgoing air: the black version is pretty chic too. And they can be washed up to 100 times without losing effectiveness. Now in three sizes, and three colours: black, navy and grey.
Last thing for this week, braces
No, not the sort that hold up trousers but the stretchy, wraparound type that can support and stabilise wobbly ankles, knees etc. A couple of weeks ago, I took a tumble down a hill via a rabbit hole, turning my ankle and landing painfully with a thump and a squawk. My ankle swelled like a puffball but luckily I had an ankle brace with me (yep, one of my must-carry things along with blister plasters…) A few days later, an octogenarian neighbour twisted her knee; the doctor gave her topical analgesic (effect minimal) but didn't mention a brace. So she borrowed mine (I have a wardrobe of brace supports from riding days, and they do last for ages), which is really helping, she says. Lots online, some really sophisticated but I get quite simple ones online or from a pharmacy, like these:
PRIZE DRAWS
