The number of people being admitted to A&E after taking cocaine is at an all time high, reports the BBC, at seventeen a week. In 2007-2008, 894 people in England were treated for a “cocaine-induced health emergency”, as opposed to 740 in 2006-2007 and 448 in 2003-2004. The number of people being taken to hospital read more »

Seasonal Affective Disorder – SAD – is usually associated with the winter months. However, it can also affect some people during the summer, reports The Times. Kerri Simpson suffers from what is essentially the opposite of the usual symptoms of SAD – instead of becoming depressed by the shorter days and colder weather, she in read more »

Those suffering from Parkinson’s are not getting the treatment they require, reports the Telegraph. The All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Parkinson’s Disease carried out a study of the state of the care system in place for sufferers, and found that healthcare professionals are not being trained to help deal with it. Diagnosis is often read more »

Suicide, murder and heart attack rates are expected to increase as a result of the recessions, reports the BBC. An analysis in the Lancet of economic changes and death rates predicts that the UK will see around 290 more suicides because of rising unemployment. It’s thought by mid-2010 10% of the workforce may be unemployed. read more »

Mothers of twins and multiple births need more help and advice according to a new poll, reports the BBC. Tamba (Twins and Multiple Births Association) surveyed 1,300 mothers, and found that only 36% had been given specific advice on how to cope with twins or triplets. The sessions include information about how to be healthy read more »

New research has shown that drinking coffee could help reverse the effects of Alzheimer’s disease, reports the BBC. The study carried out in Florida tested mice who had been bred to have symptoms of Alzheimer’s. They were then given caffeine equivalent to two shop bought cups of coffee, or 14 cups of tea a day, read more »

Under-age binge drinkers are consuming up to 20 units of alcohol a week, reports the Independent. A new survey that looked at the drinking habits of 13,000 14-17 year olds in the north west of England revealed that half drink to get drunk and that one in 20 drink alone. The survey was published by read more »

New research has shown that there may be a link between a genetic variation and developing schizophrenia, reports the BBC. Three separate teams analysed thousands of DNA samples in the biggest study ever into the genetics of schizophrenia, and the findings showed that the illness can come from common as well as rare genetic forms. read more »

Whilst technology has been blamed for the rise in childhood obesity – the lure of video games mean children are exercising less – it is now being used to help obese children in American lose weight, reports the Times. In a trial being carried out by the University of Southern California, 50 teenagers are to read more »