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Hopefully a couple of helpful tips from my own experience.

If you'd have said 'screening' or 'blood pressure' to me in my 20s or 30s I'd probably have laughed, said I'm fine and isn't that just for old people anyway? My mind has changed.

In my mid 40s I was having investigations for an episode - which they eventually put down to a muscular event. But they did a thorough job (NHS initially then private) and found that I had a genetic heart condition that I had no idea about and hadn't had any symptoms for. It effects about 1 in 500 people and one of the variants unfortunately kills otherwise fit and healthy young people including Gabby Logan's brother. Thankfully I don't have that strain, although there was still a low sudden death risk which reduces as you get older. Worrying, especially given both my parents have had heart issues. Ultimately, no intervention needed except having to manage blood pressure - mine wasn't extreme, but was raised and very high BP does run in the family.

Why writing now? We're a few years on and last night I saw the cardiologist for an MOT - he's going to run some further tests for precise data, but he's happy its being managed well and has actually removed some restrictions he originally put in about the intensity of exercise I could do. Bully for me!

The point is that I had no idea about this condition or how long I'd had it. It was only found by accident and if left unmanaged it may only have revealed itself at the problem stage. A simple ECG was all that was needed to identify that there was a problem needing investigation. So if you do get the chance through private providers or otherwise please do take up any screening options available. You may feel fine, but you never quite know what's going on below the surface.

As for blood pressure they call it the Silent Killer for good reasons and the more you learn about it the more you realise just how important it is. Do get yours checked by a doctor from time to time and you can get a home monitor for about £30 too.
 
This could be huge for the world in terms of reducing population and for couples who don't want a kid but dislike the alternatives (anything I read about 'the pill' is pretty unpleasant and although I've no real interest in being a father I'm not getting the snip). If it becomes affordable a guy would have to be a complete idiot to cause an unwanted pregnancy.

www.bbc.co.uk

Male contraceptive pill prototype stops sperm swimming

Early tests in mice look promising for a non-hormonal, on-demand pill that immobilises sperm.
www.bbc.co.uk
 
Anyone else sprained their ankle before and recovered from it fully? Sprained my left ankle almost 4 weeks ago - inverted type sprain. Done all the RICE recovery and rehab (myself) but there is still a puffiness around round bone of the fibula compared to my right ankle and a little soreness of the ligaments. Just very, very slow recovery. Is this normal?
 
Bada-Bing! said:
Anyone else sprained their ankle before and recovered from it fully? Sprained my left ankle almost 4 weeks ago - inverted type sprain. Done all the RICE recovery and rehab (myself) but there is still a puffiness around round bone of the fibula compared to my right ankle and a little soreness of the ligaments. Just very, very slow recovery. Is this normal?
Click to expand...
A] define "recovered fully".
B] 4 weeks is too soon.
C] RICE is only really the first few days.
D] define "done all the ... rehab (myself).
E] yes, this is normal after 4 weeks.

F] PM me if you want some professional advice, though as a chiropractor, I don't deal with all that many ankle sprains.
 
BrokenWing said:
Yeah, I was told by physio that correct rehab can be four months.
Click to expand...
Wow what grade sprain was yours?

I think mine was a grade 1. But that is a self diagnosis. Grade 2 at worst, which may be why it's taking longer to recover.

My greatest fear is re-spraining it again which I understand is more likely once ankles are sprained. Want to get back to
 
Which Tyler said:
A] define "recovered fully".
B] 4 weeks is too soon.
C] RICE is only really the first few days.
D] define "done all the ... rehab (myself).
E] yes, this is normal after 4 weeks.

F] PM me if you want some professional advice, though as a chiropractor, I don't deal with all that many ankle sprains.
Click to expand...
A - well having no further residual pain in the ankle . I think the posterior talofibular liagament is the one that is taking longest to heal. Slight pain in my heal when I take steps (such as going down stairs) which is why I still have a slight limp after 3 1/2 weeks.

B - that is what I thought. Thinking it was a grade 1 sprain I read on NHS it would take 2 weeks.

C - noted although I am still putting a cold pack wrapped in a tea towel on the puffy part of my ankle. I read that swelling can still occur 4-6 weeks, but to see the dr if there is still swelling after 3 months.

D - based on YouTube videos. Keeping the joint moving and stretches. Managed walking and cycled yesterday without issues.

E - noted

F - will do thanks. Just being a bit impatient as thought it would fully recover after 2 weeks and certainly after 3 weeks. But if still not after 4 weeks will pm you.

Question. - what is the difference between a physio and a chiropractor?
 
Bada-Bing! said:
Wow what grade sprain was yours?

I think mine was a grade 1. But that is a self diagnosis. Grade 2 at worst, which may be why it's taking longer to recover.

My greatest fear is re-spraining it again which I understand is more likely once ankles are sprained. Want to get back to
Click to expand...
No idea, I've done it several times probably due to not doing correct rehab, first time my entire foot pretty much went purple.

I was told that not letting it properly recover sort of messes up the positional feedback, so I'd put my full weight on my foot when it's not level or stable and go over on it again.

Spent weeks going through training when everyone else was doing PT and I'd be in the physio room with my foot in a bucket of ice water.
 
Bada-Bing! said:
Question. - what is the difference between a physio and a chiropractor?
Click to expand...
For biomechanical stuff... the physio is worth an extra 7 points in scrabble.

There are differences in training, but those shouldn't be relevant for anyone who's been in practice for a few years; then it's down to what patients an individual ends up seeing, and what further training is done post-grad.
We're all trying to do more-or-less the same thing with more-or-less the same tools.

So... for biomechanical stuff; there are greater differences between individuals of each profession than there are between the professions per se (same goes if you add osteopathy into the discussion)

Out in the real world... and with a liberal use of stereotypes... Physios have a shallower knowledge of a wider range of issues than chiro.s typically do more exercise-based care with hands-on as an optional bolt-on, whilst chiros would know more about fewer things and typically do more hands-on care with exercise as a (much less optional) bolt-on. Equally, physios would tend to be larger practices with more pooled equipment, but also more individuals with different specialisations. But that's all pretty stereotyped and not terribly accurate.

ETA: Oh, and chiropractic is self-evidently superior... :)
 
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