AIDS in the BRING BACK THE SCAREMONGERS

Being jolly about the benefits of safer sex is far less effective than telling horror stories about the dangers of unsafe sex, according to new research. The June edition of the journal AIDS reports a study of 585 sexually active people which found that telling them how unsafe sex exposed them to a range of disease risks changed their behaviour better than simply telling them how safe sex protects them from infections.

Official: UK hospitals are bad for your health

After our reports of record numbers of patients in UK hospitals catching multi-drug resistant bugs in British hospitals (PN102, page 44), latest research has now found the food in NHS hospitals is so bad nearly 70 per cent of patients become malnourished within a week of admission. A study presented at the Royal College of Nursing conference, in May, found hospital meals were often left out of patients' reach or near urine or vomit bowls. The food was often so inadequate that patients were at further risk of death from starvation. The research found as many as two thirds of patients going into hospital are already malnourished. Caroline Lecko, a matron at King's College Hospital, London, said there were too many people around the wards at mealtimes and called for Œprotected mealtimes' to ensure patients ate properly.

Another study from the University of Liverpool, published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ), revealed that as many as 10,000 people in Britain are dying each year because of adverse reactions to their medications. Adverse reactions to drugs account for as many as one in 16 hospital admissions in this country and cost the NHS £466 million a year, the BMJ reports. A senior HIV pharmacist from Brighton, Heather Leake Date, revealed at the recent British HIV Association Conference (BHIVA) in Cardiff how large numbers of prescribing mistakes by HIV doctors had to be corrected by pharmacists. Patients collecting antiretrovirals and other drugs from UK HIV clinics are advised to check their prescriptions closely. Meanwhile, a study from Queens Hospital in New York reports that doctors may be spreading infections through their ties. Dr Steven Nurkin reported to the American Society of Microbiology in May that his team had found that nearly half of the ties worn by health workers harboured disease-causing bacteria. The British Medical Association (BMA) responded by suggesting that doctors wash their ties, as well as their hands, more regularly.

Cheap multivitamins 'slow progress of HIV'

Taking multivitamins may stop HIV infection developing into Aids, according to a study from Harvard University. Researchers gave 538 pregnant women with HIV in Tanzania either a cheap multivitamin supplement once a day over a six year period or a dummy pill. Of those taking the placebo, 12 per cent developed Aids, compared with 7 per cent on the multivitamins. Women on multivitamins also had less fatigue, diarrhoea and fewer mouth ulcers as well as lower levels of HIV in their blood.

The Harvard scientists said the $15 per-patient-per-year vitamins gave some hope to people in poor countries who could not even afford the cheapest generic antiretrovirals, which now cost around $1 a day.

New warning on mixing herbs with HIV drugs

Michelle Phillpot, senior dietician at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and PN's recipe page advisor, has warned of possible dangerous interactions between grapefruit seed extract (GSE) and antiretroviral drugs. GSE, or citricidal, is commonly taken by people with HIV for its anti-bacterial properties. However, it has been found that it is broken down by the same enzyme in the liver, and uses the same metabolic pathway, as some anti-HIV drugs. This means lower than adequate doses of antiretrovirals may reach the bloodstream leading to a risk of drug resistant HIV.

This warning follows similar reports about St John's Wort. People with HIV are strongly advised to check with their doctors about any complimentary or alternative therapies, including vitamins, they are taking that may interfere with antiretroviral therapies.

THERAPHY OF THE MONTH

Massage picture MASSAGE

Allan Anderson rubs us up the right way with his handy guide to massage

A centuries-old therapy

Massage is probably one of the oldest healing therapies in the world. No one is sure where the word derives from, possibly the Arabic masah, to stroke with hand, or the Greek massien, to knead. There are two basic philosophies: Eastern and Western. The Western style we use most takes a more practical approach by working directly on the muscles through hand manipulation to ease tension in the body and improve overall health.

Overall benefits

Massage works directly on the muscles and therefore it is ideal for relieving a variety of physical symptoms including chronic pain and tension. When muscles tense, they become stiff and painful and small acid crystals or Œknots' build up. By stretching the muscles, massage can help remove this acid and break down knots, reducing muscle ache. The stroking movements of massage help promote good circulation of blood to deliver oxygen and nutrients to all parts of the body. Regular exercise helps good circulation, but if you are immobile or recovering from a long illness you can suffer from reduced circulation and massage is therefore particularly beneficial. Massage also relaxes the mind. When we relax, our bodies produce more seratonin, the Œhappy' hormone. Massage can therefore lift the mood and help tackle depression.

Specific benefits for people living with HIV

Reduced anxiety boosts the immune system: the Touch Research Institute in the US has undertaken several studies into the benefits of massage for people with long-term medical conditions, including HIV and Aids. Their research shows that when we are relaxed we produce white blood cells and activate natural killer cells, which help fight infections. Therefore, by reducing anxiety, massage therapy can improve the body's defence system against illness and boost our immune system.

Relief from neuropathy: massaging the feet and hands can help to ease muscle tension and painful side effects caused by peripheral neuropathy, as well as increase circulation of the blood to extremities.

Reduced insomnia and increased energy levels: the side effects of certain HIV drugs can lead to sleepless nights and fatigue. Massage techniques can help in two ways. By applying slow, soothing strokes a massage can relax, calm and ease the mind and nerves. Many people find massage helps them sleep. Don't be surprised to find yourself dozing off during the massage itself. By keeping a fast pace with brisk strokes and tapping, a massage can be invigorating and leave you refreshed and alert.

Flushing out toxins: massage helps the body's circulation system and so it can assist in removing increased toxins caused by certain HIV treatments, and also alleviate swelling or water retention. It should be noted that you may suffer nausea and headaches after a massage if you have a particularly high level of toxicity moving through your body (nausea and diarrhoea are two ways our body deals with toxins it considers harmful).So you may want to consider starting the massage treatments gently or for shorter periods at first and building up the intensity over a few sessions to give your body time to adjust.

Another massage picture Where to go

There are many places to go for a massage. Ask first at your local HIV support group if they offer it free to clients. For private massage therapy, it is always best to use someone qualified and recommended by someone you know and trust. Consult your doctor if you need advice. And remember: massage is a complementary therapy. It does not provide a simple solution in itself but can improve your health and wellbeing alongside other complementary practices and drug therapies.

DIY massage tips:

Tension busters

Place palms on temples and very slowly rotate your hands forward, up and back several times. With your right hand on your left shoulder squeeze the hand together, making circular movements with the fingers. Repeat on the opposite side. Ideal for anyone who spends too long at the PC.

For the back

Lie with your back on the floor; clasp knees up to your chest and gently rock from side to side, then forward and backward.

For the feet

Using the palm of your hand, stroke the length of your foot, from heel to toe, starting gently and applying more pressure on each stroke. Using your thumb, make deep circular movements on the soles of your feet, working across the entire sole. Massage each toe individually, placing it between finger and thumb and rolling the toe between them.

Allan Anderson is a member of the International Guild of Professional Practitioners.
Email: allanthetherapist@hotmail.com

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