The seeds of cultivated cereal crops, or grains as they are also known, have been used as a staple of man’s diet for thousands of years. Indeed the cultivation of rye, the first cereal crop from around 10,000 BC, is credited with enabling our hunter-gatherer ancestors to form more settled, complex civilisations. Throughout most of our history we’ve eaten these grains “whole” in the form of unpolished rice or wholewheat flour, for example. It’s only in last 120 years or so that more refined milling techniques have enabled the white or refined forms of these cereal crops to become the preferred choice in much of western society. What impact does this change have for our health?
Hands on peripheral arterial disease
Peripheral arterial disease (PAD), also known as peripheral vascular disease (PVD), is a vascular condition which affects the legs. It is caused by atherosclerosis – narrowing and hardening of the arteries – and has previously been described as being similar to angina in the legs. Sufferers get cramping pains in their legs when they walk, which is relieved by rest. This is similar to the chest pain that occurs in people with coronary heart disease (CHD). The similarities between CHD and PAD do not end there: the causes and treatments also overlap. In this article, we explore how two patients presented with symptoms suggestive of PAD and how they were treated.
Using neurolinguistic programming to help patients achieve their goals
How can you help patients to achieve their goals when trying to improve their health? In this article, we explore the neurolinguistic programming (NLP) technique of defining “keys to an achievable outcome”. The theory is that the more specific you are about the goal you are aiming for, the more achievable it becomes. This follows two articles in previous issues where we examined how to develop rapport with patients using linguistics and body language effectively (see www.bjpcn.com if you missed them).
Warfarin for atrial fibrillation: ‘faff’ or lifesaver?
Improving the management and prevention of stroke is a priority for the NHS. Atrial fibrillation (AF) is widely recognised to be a major cause of stroke. Moreover, it is a preventable cause in that the increased risk of stroke associated with AF can be markedly reduced by anticoagulation with warfarin. Yet a substantial number of cases of AF remain undetected and untreated. Of more concern, even after identification of AF, many individuals at high risk of stroke do not receive warfarin. This article reviews the evidence on the importance of AF as a cause of stroke and assesses the benefits of anticoagulation and our reluctance to anticoagulate. Finally, it explores ways of improving on current practice, to increase the proportion of patients with AF receiving anticoagulants.
Editorial
Happy 60th birthday to the NHS! The service has transformed the health of people in this country over its 60 years, and a significant part of this has been in cardiovascular disease and diabetes, the focus of BJPCN. We hope this issue will provide a ‘party bag’ of useful goodies that you can dip into to help in your everyday practice over the next sixty years!
Familial hypercholesterolaemia: caring for the one in 500 patients affected
Familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) is the commonest genetic disorder in people of European and Japanese descent, affecting about 1 in 500 people. It is characterised by high levels of total and LDL cholesterol and is the most important clinical syndrome leading to premature coronary heart disease (CHD). Despite huge advances in unravelling its complex pathophysiology and the effectiveness of modern treatments, awareness of the syndrome and its consequences remains low and affected individuals are still overlooked and denied the potential benefits of treatment.
Lipid lowering as part of secondary prevention of CVD: doing it the nice way
All patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) should be offered drug treatment to reduce their cholesterol levels without waiting for the management of modifiable risk factors, recommends the latest guidance on lipid modification from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE). The much-anticipated guideline finally puts to bed the ‘5 and 3’ or ‘4 and 2’ debate over cholesterol levels for primary and secondary prevention. In this article, we review what the guidance says about lipid lowering in secondary prevention.
Making sense of type 1 diabetes in primary care
Primary care has traditionally managed people with type 2 diabetes, and people with type 1 diabetes have largely been the responsibility of secondary care. However, as blood glucose targets have become tighter and growing numbers of people with type 2 diabetes have started to require insulin, many in primary care have gradually taken on insulin management. As primary care professionals become more confident in the management of patients on insulin, many practices will be keen to take on the challenge of type 1 patients. This article looks at how type 1 differs from type 2 diabetes, which type 1 patients might be managed appropriately in primary care, and recaps on insulin regimens and dose adjustment.
Looking after women with diabetes during pregnancy
The care of pre-existing diabetes during pregnancy is complex and the remit of secondary care, but much can be done by primary care staff to ensure that pregnant women and their babies are safely on the right track by the time pregnancy is confirmed. In this article, we explore how to provide women with pre-existing diabetes with detailed and accurate preconceptual advice. Work needs to begin before contraception is discontinued to significantly reduce the risks for both mother and baby. In women with gestational diabetes, practice nurses can also be proactive postnatally, preventing progression to type 2 diabetes.
Starting on a sulphonylurea
Editorial
It is hard to believe that time goes so quickly. The spring lambs in the fields are now all fat, while they were small and wobbly not two minutes ago. Summer is on its way – fingers crossed for some balmy days! I have the relief of some respite from travelling round the country delivering training sessions during the summer, as everyone is taking a well-earned break. Reflecting while on the train, I recognised again that I always learn more than the students whenever I teach. I would like to share some of these gems of wisdom so you can think about them over this summer period.
Advising people newly diagnosed with diabetes about diet
Do you see patients with diabetes? Do you advise them about their diet? If so, you have an incredibly important role in developing patients’ self-confidence and empowering them to be able to make healthier choices. In this article we look at how to advise patients newly diagnosed with diabetes about diet. A patient-centred approach is vital, with advice offered in a supportive, non-judgmental and non-didactic manner.
