For Spring 2013 Newsletter, please click here

Q. What is the official distance in kilometres for competitive marathon races?
A: 42.195 km

Q: The six races (previously five) that make up the World Marathon Majors are New York, Boston, Chicago, London, Berlin and ________.
A:Tokyo
Q: In recent times, competitive marathon races have been dominated (in number of wins) by runners from which continent?
A: Africa

Q: Women marathon made its official Olympic debut in which year?
A: 1984

Q: True or False.Marathon was one of the medal events at the first modern Olympics (1896). A: True

What is Hay Fever?

Hay fever (seasonal allergic rhinitis) is an allergy to pollen. The pollen season separates into three main sections:

1. -  Tree pollen - late March to mid-May.
2. -  Grass pollen - mid-May to July.
3. -  Weed pollen - end of June to September

To get the latest pollen forecast, view the met office weather map which provides aUK forecast of the pollen count and provides any hay fever sufferers with an early warning.

Who Gets Hay Fever?

Hay fever is very common. It affects about 2 in 10 people in the UK. It often first develops in school-age children and during the teenage years, but may start even later in life. Hay fever tends to run in families. You are also more likely to develop hay fever if you already have asthma or eczema. A tendency to these atopic illnesses can run in families.

Hay Fever Symptoms

• Common symptoms include sneezing, runny or blocked nose, itchy eyes, mouth and throat. Less common are headaches and hives. 
• Asthma symptoms – such as wheeze and breathlessness, may get worse if you already have asthma. Some people have asthma symptoms only during the hay fever season.
• The symptoms may be so bad in some people that they can affect sleep, interfere with school and examinations, or interfere with work.

Hay Fever Prevention

Although it is very difficult to avoid exposure to pollen, there are a number of measures you can take that will help you to minimise exposure and ease the severity of your hay fever symptoms. Following these steps may help provide some relief from your symptoms:

• Keep windows closed when at home and overnight. Most pollen is released in the early morning and falls to ground level in the evenings when the air cools.
• When outdoors, wear sunglasses to keep pollen out of your eyes. For any outdoor tasks, such as gardening, hay fever sufferers should wear a mask.
• Avoid drying clothes outside when pollen counts are high. If you do, shake items before bringing them inside. 
• Keep car windows closed when driving and fit a pollen filter to reduce the impact of pollen spores.
• When indoors: vacuum regularly, avoid bringing fresh flowers indoors, and be aware that pets can bring pollen in on their fur.
• Don’t allow smoking in the house as this will irritate the lining of your nose, eyes, throat and airways, making your hay fever symptoms worse.
• After being outside, shower and wash your hair to remove pollen.

Hay fever sufferers can benefit from a wide range of medication which can be prescribed by your GP, or alternatively purchased over the counter from your local pharmacy.
 
Your GP or hospital consultant can help you find the most appropriate treatment for you especially if you also have asthma and other allergies. Treatments include antihistamine tablets or nasal sprays, corticosteroid nasal sprays and drops, nasal decongestants, eye drops, immunotherapy, and alternative therapies.

Treatment for Severe Symptoms

Rarely, a short course of steroid tablets is prescribed for a week or so. For example, for students sitting examinations,   A short course is usually safe. However, you should not take steroid tablets for long periods to treat hay fever, as serious side-effects may develop.

Leading up to the summer holidays, Breathing Matters have been asked about the different portable oxygen concentrators (POCs) available for purchase. 

We thought we would put together a table of POCs on the current market to make it easier for you to make a considered opinion on which to buy.

Please click the following link: Comparison table of oxygen concentrators_2012

We hope this helps.

The British Association for Lung Research are holding a Pulmonary Fibrosis Patient Support Day in Nottingham on Saturday 13th July 2013.

Topics for discussion will include:

• Why IPF occurs
• Review of clinical trials in IPF
• Lung transplant for IPF
• Hoping for the best, planning for the worst
• Update on Pirfenidone
• Management of cough
• Breathlessness management

If you are interested in registering for this event, please download the Registration Form

For more information, click here for the programme.  The patient day is free to attend, but places are limited, so book early to avoid disappointment.

Q: What present is traditionally given on a 2^nd wedding anniversary?

A: Cotton

Q: What is morse code for the number 2?

A: 2 dots, 3 dashes [ . . _ _ _ ]

Q: Who came second in the Olympic Tennis Final 2012?

A: Roger Federer

Q: In which century did Henry II reign?

A: 12^th Century (1139-1189)

Q: What is the birthstone of the  second month, February?

A: Amethyst

I am a normal guy of 33 who used to be fit and active when I was a teenager, taking part in athletics at national and county level and then did nothing once I hit my 20′s. I spent a few years in my late 20’s sometimes with a bit of chest pain, or if someone would push my chest it didn’t feel right. I didn’t think much of this just that my chest muscles must be weak. I decided I should get fit and as I used to do a lot of athletics, I would start with running. I made it about a mile and was so out of breathe I couldn’t believe it. Again, I just put this down to being unfit or getting older. I then started coughing a lot and used to carry cough mixture around with me, I just thought I had a cough. It then came to the point that my director at work made me go to see a doctor.

X-Rays showed that I had multiple shadows in my lungs. As you can imagine, your first thought is cancer! Which was made worse by the doctor going over cancer with me. Months and months of tests ruling this disease and that disease out but still cancer hanging over my head!! Which I can tell you is really scary. I would walk 100m and get out of breathe, things were just getting worse and no-one could tell me what was wrong.

In November 2011, I was diagnosed with sarcoidosis (which I had never heard) of the lungs and skin. After looking into this disease, it is more common that I would ever of thought, but I don’t know anyone who has heard of it.

Since then, I have been taking prednisone. As most people know, these types of steroids have a lot of negatives with gaining weight, muscle waste and slight depression being three of them.

In November 2012, I was informed that my lungs had got worse and I had many holes with one being the size of a clementine and my lungs only worked to about 60% of a normal person’s lungs. 

I spent the rest of November and December thinking my life was over, Im going to die. I have a disease that doctors don’t seem to understand and that has no cure whatsoever. 

After feeling a little bit down after the news I received in November 2012, I was now at the point that I wanted to really challenge myself and my disease. I have started a 12 week training programme to get fit and healthy and transform my fitness level (my doctor is aware of what I am doing). I have taken many before pictures and am documenting everything I am doing and I will be sharing my progress on twitter @StewArmstrong .

The Local paper ‘Sutton Guardian’ interviewed me yesterday.

I aim to prove that anyone, no matter how ill or whatever fitness level you are, anyone can get healthy with the right focus, dedication, training plan and nutrition.

If I can raise a little bit of awareness of sarcoidosis or inspire one person, then I will be very happy.

I hope you can follow me on Twitter @StewArmstrong

This year’s Breathing Matters and UCLH Charity Bike Ride is on Sunday 9th June 2013 at Richmond Park. 

Join us for a 7 mile cycle ride in the beautiful Richmond Park – in South West London and the city’s largest Royal Park.  There is no registration fee, we just ask that you raise £25 minimum sponsorship.  There will be a prize for the highest fundraiser, a free T-shirt and goodies at the end of the ride.   This is a fully marshalled route.

Registration time: 10.15 – 10.30am.

Meeting Place: Robin Hood Gate Car Park, Richmond Park. Cars must enter the park at other gates. Public Transport:  Trains to Richmond, Kingston, or Barnes.

We recommend you wear suitable clothing and helmet.

There are cycles for hire at Richmond Park: Tel: 07050 209249, postcode TW10 5HS or visit http://www.parkcycle.co.uk

Come with family and friends … and perhaps a picnic for a fun day out.

Simply email Donna Basire with your details on: breathingmatters@ucl.ac.uk to secure your place.

David J Dainty 07.06.39 – 03.07.12 

By Keith Millman MBE

David Dainty was a committed general dental practitioner practising amongst likeminded colleagues who were prepared to offer ‘out of hours’ services to patients in need.

He was born in Letchworth, Hertfordshire moving with his parents to Stanford-le-Hope where he attended Palmers Boy’s School in Grays.  He pursued dental studies at the London Hospital Dental School where he qualified in 1963.  Always a keen sportsman, he played football and water polo for his dental school and proudly boasted that he was an ‘Old Londoner’.

After qualifying, he practised as an assistant for a short while in Essex.  Coming to Devonshire in 1964, he was welcomed into a Kingsbridge family practice where he quickly established himself with kindly demeanour.  David remained in this practice, eventually becoming a partner, always pursuing postgraduate studies until his retirement as senior partner in 2005.

An active member of the BDA since qualifying, he joined the Plymouth Section and became Chairman 1976-1977.  He became the second Editor of the Branch magazine Contact Point and was elected President of the Western Counties Branch in 1987.  He was also on the editing board of Dental Update.

As a young man, he joined Round Table and later the 41 Club.  On the foundation of the Kingsbridge Estuary Rotary Club, he was invited to join and worked in several offices.  During their 25^th year celebrations, he was honoured to be elected as their President and awarded the accolade of a Paul Harris Fellowship for services to the Rotary Movement.  Closer to home, he was a governor of West Alvington primary school, a parish councillor and a stalwart of the Anglican Church, where he was joint treasurer.

David loved his golf and retirement gave him the opportunity to pursue this interest after a hard working life looking after his patients.  He was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis two years ago.

West Alvington Parish Church was full to overflowing for David’s funeral service.  Colleagues, former patients and friends were standing along both side aisles.  Those unable to gain access to the interior were able to participate through a pre-installed public address system outside.

He leaves his devoted wife Hilary after a happily married life of 49 years, three daughters and seven grandchildren to whom we extend our sincere sympathies.

The family are very grateful to everyone who attended David’s funeral and gave so generously enabling his family to donate £2000 to Breathing Matters, and also his former partner and close friend Keith Millman MBE for allowing us to use his very fitting tribute to a much loved husband, father, granddad and friend.

Q: What is Santa called in Italy?

A: Babbo Natale

Q: In which century was St Nicholas first mentioned?

A: The fourth century.

Q: Which American government agency tracks Santa’s sleigh?

A: NORAD [North American Aerospace Defense Command] – www.noradsanta.org

Q: Can you name all Santa’s reindeer?

A: Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, Rudolph.

Q: How many letters do children mail to Santa each year?

A: Nearly 100,000 letters are sent to the North Pole.

Q: In Holland, how does Santa deliver gifts?

A: On horseback.  In Holland, Santa is known as Sinterklaas.

HOW DID YOU DO?