As we age, we begin to feel the effects of a life working, playing sports and wear on our joints. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis where the cartilage on each end of the bones in a joint has been worn away, leaving bone rubbing on bone.
Hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders play sport every year for enjoyment and to keep in shape. While exercise is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle, constant stop-start movements in many sports can place stress on muscles and joints. There are a few simple things you can do to ensure you get the most out of your fitness programme and help prevent injuries.
The thought that you, or your children, may have threadworms probably makes you feel ill, not to mention wondering if your standards of hygiene and cleanliness have slipped. In most cases, hygiene is not the issue. Instead it is more the fact that threadworms (also known as pinworms) are fairly common in the wider environment, and easy to catch. The good news is that threadworms are easily treated.
There is a broad awareness of the need to maintain a healthy body weight for good health but it is a complicated issue that many people struggle with. You can see if you are in a healthy weight range by calculating your Body Mass Index (BMI) using a weight to height ratio. Healthy eating and activity are keys to reducing obesity and maintaining a healthy weight. Drinking plenty of water is also vital.
As the days grow shorter and the skies greyer, many of us start to feel the effects of winter not just in our bodies—but in our minds too. It is common to feel flat, fatigued or unmotivated during the colder months. Maintaining positive mental health is just as important as managing physical health and there are many practical steps we can take to support our wellbeing through the season.
