This is usually very affordable life insurance, and is set over a fixed period of time which guarantees to pay out if it transpires you die before the policy expires. One important factor to note with these policies is that there is no cash in value; and that the total sum which is paid out on death can mean that it will have reduced in overall value. The total premiums paid may well not cover the total costs of a funeral if that was the intention but if it is as a cash sum for your family or friends there may not be a problem.

There are varying different policies for Term Insurance

Level Term Insurance

This insurance policy means the full fixed sum is paid on death (if terms and conditions have been met) and will remain the same for the duration of the policy.  The time period is between 5 – 30 years and can be an agreed time period, the paid sum is not index linked.

Advantages of level term insurance

The premium paid each year remains the same for the duration of the policy

Disadvantage of level term insurance

You do not have a cash pay – out at the end of the term and the coverage ends / stops when payments stop

Increasing Term Insurance and Decreasing Term Insurance

These two types of term insurance are as their name implies one goes up yearly the other down.  They are used usually for differing financial purposes.

Advantages of Increasing Term Insurance

The Increasing Term Insurance is used so the benefits increase year by year with the premiums increasing accordingly.

Disadvantage of Increasing Term Insurance

As a long term protection scheme this may not be your best option as the premiums may increase more than the overall benefits.

The Decreasing Term Insurance is sometimes referred to as mortgage Protection Insurance and is specifically aimed as a debt repayment. This can be for all different kinds of loans with the beneficiary receiving an ever decreasing amount in line with the policy issued. This form of repayment is to prevent you from passing on debts to your family or beneficiary.

Advantages of Decreasing Term Insurance

This type of insurance is usually used to cover a mortgage, a loan or any other type of debt; and it is generally purchased by people who have financial obligations that decrease over time.

Disadvantage of Decreasing Term Insurance

This has as the name implies a decreasing value as your debt or mortgage reduces which means there is no maturity value.

Renewable Term Insurance

The policy is as the name suggests one that at the designated end of the policy you have the option of renewal but as you have aged so the policy premiums will have increased. There is no build up cash value and the beneficiary of the policy will only receive the policy value. When you take out a renewable term policy you can take it out over a fixed period of time usually from 10-30 years. Often when these policies are set up the terms can be more favourable as they can offer more level premiums.

Advantages of Renewable Term Insurance

It may be of benefit to choose an annual renewable term insurance if you have not fully established your life insurance financial needs. This type of policy can be altered or cancelled without a penalty which you would have with longer term policies

Disadvantage of Renewable Term Insurance

The renewal of these policies tend to depend on an examination from a doctor to assess the new premium rate, and if you have poor health or smoke this will mean higher payments.

Convertible Term Insurance

These policies are not really suitable for the over 50’s looking for insurance as they are usually commenced at an early age with the option to change them as time and circumstances alter. They are an excellent way to build foundation blocks as the premiums are reasonably low with the ability to build up a cash value for investment.

Advantages of Convertible Term Insurance

This type of policy allows you the flexibility of changing the policy into a whole life, variable life or universal life insurance policy.

Disadvantage of Convertible Term Insurance

This type of policy is the one you wish you’d set up years ago as you could convert it and you wouldn’t be refused based on your health even though your premiums would increase.

It is important to note that the information in this article is advice only and should not be considered financial advice please speak to a financial adviser for full, comprehensive and up to date guidance.

When you are looking for over 50′s life insurance you are mainly looking for the most affordable life insurance and the best life insurance, but can one policy be both. That is a difficult one to answer; you really need to look around to make sure the policy fits you and your lifestyle as it stands now, and that is possibly very different than when you were younger. It is a good idea to take a hard look at your life circumstances and ask yourself some pertinent questions.

Do I need over 50’s life insurance?

Can I afford over 50’s life insurance?

Am I too old to get life insurance?

Will I have to take a medical?

Will my outdoor pursuits affect my policy?

Once you have thought about why you want life insurance you really enter the arena, over 50’s life insurance is big business and everyone wants your business. The sales people are good at their jobs and want you to buy their policy before you have a chance to look around. So, make sure you are not bamboozled into buying something that is not suitable for your needs.

Have an idea of what you would like in a perfect world, and then work out the reality of what you can reasonably afford

Visit all the insurance comparison sites this may seem tedious but you can really start refining what you want when you see the price of policies and what some include and others don’t.

Compare policies of the over 50’s life insurance options and work out what is best for your future

Ask lots of questions; be specific about clauses and time periods, if you have rock climbing or diving as your pastime passion, make sure you disclose this as you may require a high risk policy

Don’t sign up immediately to any insurance policy give yourself time to think, preferably a couple of days. A good insurance broker or sales person will always wait for you to make an informed decision.

READ the small print

What is life insurance?

Life insurance at over 50 is a sound investment plan which enables you to leave funds to a particular person. The financial agreement you make is where you make set payments to an insurance company for a certain period of time and they agree to pay a certain amount to a beneficiary you name. The flexibility and the amount covered are entirely up to you.

There are three main types of life insurance policies

Term life insurance – the policy is for a specific period, premiums are paid over an agreed period of years payment is on death within the policy period.

Whole life insurance – the policy is covered to a certain age (usually 100), premiums are paid over an agreed period of years, have a death benefit, have a cash value and can be liquidated to release the funds.

Universal life insurance – these are very flexible and you can pay in any amount up to a certain maximum. They have a cash value and can be liquidated to release the funds.

Your responsibilities

You will be bound to pay the agreed amount of premiums over a fixed period of time, and be aware of the life insurance policy clauses.

If you pay into a life insurance policy you need to make sure you have the funds to be able to commit to it for the entire term. If you stop paying you may be subject to financial penalties or at worst not get anything back.

Life insurance company responsibilities

If the life insurance policy is in force at the time of your death the company will pay monies due to your beneficiary.

Why take out life insurance?

Life insurance for over 50’s  is mainly purchased to either pay for

• to maintain the life style of the family due to premature death
• mortgage protection
• to fund retirement – cash value policies only
• to cover the wages or hiring of help of spouse
• funeral expenses
• to pay off outstanding debts

I recently started worrying about if there would be enough
money in the pot for my wife and family to survive if I wasn’t
around. I noticed that my policies were a little thin on the ground
so I started to look in to a new Life insurance policy to see
what deals were available.

What I really like about the internet is that you can go and
visit these compare sites and get quotes without anyone hassling
you.

While I was searching I came across a really good life cover
compare site where it draws from over 400+ insurance providers
so you have a great deal of choice.

If you need insurance then use this link below to go an visit:

Life Insurance Compare Site

There are a variety of different insurances you may like to look at here at Plus Fifty. We have tried to refine the information so that it is relevant to the over 50’s age group and made suggestions about what to look for.

We have tried to include options and recommendations on how to go about looking at different types of over 50 insurance and where to get the best advice.

I am sure you have found through life that personal endorsement whilst always worth a look at is not always the best option for yourself. We have had a couple of very dodgy builders who were personally recommended!

When looking at any type of over 50 insurance the best piece of guidance I can offer is research it until you understand what you are paying for. It is all too easy to say yes to the first sales person who comes along as they are very good at their jobs, they know this is long term big business. Brokers are better at looking at options on your behalf however they still tend to work off commission.

Sleep on it whatever anyone says; take a couple of days to make sure you have insurance which exactly meets all your requirements. Any good Insurance sales person will wait for you to make a fully informed decision and they don’t mind explaining how it works to you. Ask questions if you don’t understand and if you still don’t understand it ask again.

And last but not least – Always READ the small print

Click on the links below to help you find the information you’re looking for

Life Insurance

Health Insurance

Travel Insurance

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Fact or Myth – The Male Menopause is one of those conditions which has in the past been dismissed without thought. Many men who have and are still suffering from the condition which is often called Andropause, late-onset hypogonadism or low testosterone, remain it seems sidelined by the medical profession. Medically it is recognised as PADAM “partial androgen deficiency of the aging male”, however the medical community still seem divided about the condition as it does not display the same defined characteristics of the female menopause. Personally I think linking it as an equivalent does nothing to enhance the condition and more to diminish it. Individuals do not all respond the same to the same set of circumstances, conditions or illnesses it seems very narrow minded to be dismissive, the condition clearly requires much more research.

The  male menopause symptoms can include a combination of:-

Feeling generally under the weather
Poor memory recall
Un-motivated with low self esteem
hot flushes
weight gain
sweating, night sweats
insomnia and tiredness
Feeling nervous, irritable
General muscle weakness
Low energy to undertake menial tasks
Lack of sexual interest
Erectile dysfunction
Poor or low quantity of  ejaculated fluid
depression

If you are worried that you are suffering from some of the symptoms and have a sympathetic doctor go and visit them and ask for a testosterone blood test. If you have not got a sympathetic doctor ask for a second opinion.

One of our visitors has had experience of the Male Menopause and has very kindly submitted a very personal account.

January 2012

The  Andropause and Testosterone Replacement Therapy. 

By Dale A Haines

Back in 2007 after many years suffering severe back pain  a sudden deterioration in my health meant I was eventually diagnosed with  Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma having cancer of both the stomach and the  spine.

I went through two regimes of chemotherapy. One was of  eight sessions of eight hours each being connected to a drip into my hand and  one regime was of three sessions of chemotherapy injected directly into the  spine. These treatments were complemented so to speak with eighteen sessions of  radio therapy.                                                                                           

I was warned that I’d feel pretty rough during this but  overall I didn’t feel too bad considering what was being done to my body and how  rough I’d felt before my diagnoses. The doctors assured me anyway that things  would improve once the treatment had finished but this could take a year or  so.

My treatment finished and I was pronounced as being in  remission in early 2008, and so began the wait for my health to return. However  it didn’t and, whilst I felt better than during the treatments, I was simply not  feeling ‘right’.

My haematologist  had warned me that my libido would take quite a hit but that that too would  return. It also stayed dormant and to my view got worse.  I accepted this as possibly being an outcome from the damage that the  spinal tumour had done to my spinal cord, leaving me with numb areas in my lower  body as well as pins and needles.

However I plodded  on and, as my wife would assure you, this was about all I did. She just assumed  that this was how I always had been as we only met in 2008 shortly after my  moving into remission and we married in 2009. I knew I had been better than I  was nowadays and I knew that basically I was a bit of a miserable old git much  of the time as I simply suddenly was feeling old.

My regular  hospital check ups showed no ongoing cancer problems but I was told that due to  both my cancer and previous problems from a major road accident in 1996 this was  probably just how I was now – and basically, yes I was getting  old.

My symptoms got  worse. I couldn’t get a good night’s sleep; when I did finally doze off I’d have  a very disturbed night and end up waking un-refreshed and often in a pool of  sweat. During chemotherapy your brain power takes a hit but this too I was  assured would improve however my concentration levels remained very poor and my  memory was increasingly fuzzy. What had been diagnosed as arthritis pain got  worse and, combined with something called palmar-plantar syndrome from my  chemotherapy and my spinal damage, my hands often felt like they were being  stamped on. I became increasingly irritable and would ‘lose it’ at the slightest  thing. And where had my strength gone? I could at times barely carry a single  bag of shopping up our front steps without a break, and when I’d done it, I’d be  puffing and blowing like some old steam loco.

But time and again  I was assured that there was nothing wrong. Eventually of course if you’re told  this often enough you simply believe it and just decide that this is as good as  it gets when it isn’t good at all. Often I’d jokingly say that if I was a woman  then I’d be going through the menopause. This was always met with comments from  various quarters (not the wife I must add) in the vein of there being no such  thing, it’s just like all men and their man flu, you’re just getting old and  like complaining……

Then there was an  article in the paper about something called the Andropause. This was the male  equivalent of the menopause and that the existence of this ‘change of life’ in  men was now being investigated more thoroughly as well as becoming medically  accepted in reality.

As with oestrogen  in women it appears that around age 50 (plus or minus) the production of  testosterone in the male can, in some men, tail off dramatically. Again, as with  oestrogen in women keeping their systems running smoothly, testosterone is the  hormone in the male which keeps the male system in balance and when the  production of that hormone drops then, again as with women in the menopause, the  system can go right off the rails.

The article made  highly interesting reading especially when interviews with other sufferers  mentioned all of the problems from which I was suffering; irritability,  tiredness, lack of muscle strength, night sweats, poor concentration, poor  memory very diminished libido, depressive thoughts, mood swings and so it went  on and on.

There was a internet link mentioned in the article to a  web based questionnaire to see if there was a chance you may be suffering from  testosterone deficiency a.k.a the andropause or, more often associated with  cancer, something called hypogonadism. I went to the web page, filled in the  quiz and was somewhat disturbed to find I was right up there in the “go to the  doctor at once” group. A final score of less than 40 was an ‘OK’ more than 54  meant that you might benefit from replacement therapy. My score was  77!

Eventually after a few NHS cock-ups I managed to prevail  on my GP to send me for blood tests to check my testosterone levels. It was a  bit hard convincing her of the need for these tests however I went to the local  hospital phlebotomy clinic on December 12^th 2011 and received a  telephone call from my doctor at midday on December 15^th informing me  that my results were in and that my testosterone levels were “Very low indeed”. My doctor told me that she had written out a prescription for me and I could  collect it that afternoon. It was for something called Testogel which is a gel  based medication which contains 50mg of testosterone and which was to be used  every day.

The prescription was filled by my pharmacy the following  day and I started the treatment at once.

Now I know people tend to be a bit over the top and  proselytize when things work and work well but I was totally and utterly amazed  that within 24 hours I felt better than I had done, not just literally but  actually in YEARS !!!

At first I thought it was just one of my better days but  it wasn’t I was feeling just too well for it to be that. I was actually feeling ‘totally’ well and not just slightly improved but radically, massively and  unbelievably improved.

I felt healthy – truly healthy.

Yes I still have the odd ache but I have had spinal  cancer and I have a leg which was rebuilt in 1998 after a road accident so I  expect a bit of an ache or two (and I’m 60) but the overall all-body, all day  and night discomfort simply vanished.

Everything was massively, almost inconceivably,  wonderfully improved. My poor wife didn’t know what had hit her. She’d never met  this man she was now married to and living with; some one who plays around and  wanders about whistling and smiling and not moping and being miserable, someone  who is rational and not always on edge about to fall off into a  row.

And as for the libido – Well that’s between me and the  wife!

I must radiate the fact that I am feeling better as  people I meet comment without prompting how much healthier I look and sound.

Since my diagnosis two of my friends have also been  diagnosed and they too are finding their treatment is similarly as life altering  as mine has been. One of them is on the gel as am I and the other is on three  weekly injections and they are both wearing the same silly grin that I tend to  do these days.

I truly do feel a new man and I have found only one  drawback – I’m having to shave everyday again now as opposed to once or twice a  week tops – oh and my voice timbre has changed too which is interesting! And  although the gel is a daily forever thing it’s worth the 5 minutes out of my  life that the gel takes to be absorbed by the skin for the mammoth change it has  done to my wellbeing.

So to any man in his 50s and 60s I would say that if  you’re simply feeling old before your time, and especially if you’ve undergone  any cancer treatment then a visit to the doctor for a simple blood test could be  the best thing you have ever done for  yourself.

We thought we would add a fun page to plus fifyty to bring a smile to your face by adding jokes that we hear of.  If you have an anecdote or joke please send it to us using the form at the bottom of the page

12/01/2012

Australian Love Poem

From Ann- Marie

##########################################################

TWO PRAWNS:

Far away in the tropical waters of the Coral Sea , two prawns were  swimming around.  One called Justin and the other called Christian.

The prawns were constantly being harassed and threatened by sharks that inhabited the area.

Finally one day Justin said to Christian, ‘I’m fed up with being a prawn;  I wish I was a shark, and then I wouldn’t have any worries about being  eaten.’
A large mysterious cod appeared and said, ‘Your wish is granted’

Lo and behold, Justin turned into a shark.
Horrified, Christian immediately swam away, afraid of being eaten by his  old mate.

Time passed (as it does) and Justin found life as a shark boring and  lonely.

All his old mates simply swam away whenever he came close to them.

Justin began to realise that his new menacing appearance was the cause of  his sad plight.

While swimming alone one day he saw the mysterious cod again and he  thought perhaps the mysterious fish could  change him back into a prawn.

He approached the cod and begged to be changed back, and, lo and behold,  he found himself turned back into a prawn.

With tears of joy in his tiny little eyes Justin swam back to his friends  and bought them all a cocktail.

(The punch line does not involve a prawn cocktail – it’s much worse).
Looking around the gathering at the reef he realised he couldn’t see his  old pal.
‘Where’s Christian?’ he asked.

”He’s at home, still distraught that his best friend changed sides to the enemy & became a shark’, came the reply.

Eager to put things right again and end the mutual pain and torture, he set off to Christian’s abode.

As he opened the coral gate, memories came flooding back.
He banged on the door and shouted, ‘It’s me, Justin, your old friend, come  out and see me again.’

Christian replied, ‘No way man, you’ll eat me. You’re now a shark, the  enemy, and I’ll not be tricked into being your dinner.’

Justin cried back ‘No, I’m not. That was the old me. I’ve  changed.’………

(You’re going to love this…………………………..)

.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.

‘I’ve found Cod.

I’m a Prawn again Christian’

THE TOMATO PLOT:

An old Italian lived alone in New Jersey. He wanted to plant his annual tomato garden, but it was very difficult work, as the ground was hard. His only son, Vincent, who used to help him, was in prison. The old man wrote a letter to his son and described his predicament: Dear Vincent, I am feeling pretty sad, because it looks like I won’t be able to plant my tomato garden this year. I’m just getting too old to be digging up a garden plot. I know if you were here my troubles would be over.. I know you would be happy to dig the plot for me, like in the old days. Love, Papa A few days later he received a letter from his son. Dear Pop, Don’t dig up that garden. That’s where the bodies are buried. Love, Vinnie At 4 a.m. the next morning, FBI agents and local police arrived and dug up the entire area without finding any bodies. They apologized to the old man and left. That same day the old man received another letter from his son. Dear Pop, Go ahead and plant the tomatoes now. That’s the best I could do under the circumstances. Love you, Vinnie

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December 2011

It was a very early start six in the morning at the pick up point and too early for more than a hot drink before leaving.some people took a croissant or sandwich to eat on the journey which was a good idea as the first stop was at Folkestone immediately prior to boarding the train at the channel tunnel. The facilities are good but the time allowed is governed by the train times and whereabouts in the queue your coach is. On this occasion a quick coffee and a “comfort stop”!

You remain on the bus for the duration of the journey usually thirty five minutes although there is limited space to get off and stretch your legs should you wish to do so.

The journey through France is very rural passing evocative names such as Dunkirk . On arrival coaches a only allowed to drop and pick up at one point on the outskirts of the city which means there is quite a lot of walking to do.

Bruges has predominantly cobbled streets and many uneven surface sand narrow pavements, all very charming but to those with a degree of unsteadiness or poor sight a considerable amount of attention needs to be paid to the road surface rather than the attractive architecture.

An attractive river circles the town and it is possible to take an enjoyable boat trip with a commentary on the sights.

We could really have done with a map of the area as the Christmas market was a little difficult to find on this occasion as it was not nearly as large as the last time I came. There were many attractive stalls and hot waffles and gluvine,(warmed spiced red wine) cafes were plentiful with a good variety of menus but overall expensive.

It was a little disconcerting to see that in one otherwise very clean establishment a small dog had been seated at a table with its owners and was being fed by them at the same time!

Bruges is justifiably famous for two main things ,beautiful lacework and gorgeous chocolates and I purchased samples of both in the many shops selling them.

The return journey was slightly longer as passport control was more in evidence-it was necessary to leave the coach to comply with this as the coach and storage areas were inspected.

We had a brief stop of twenty minutes at a duty free shop where it was possible to buy a drink and use the toilet facilities and then home arriving back at eleven thirty. A rather long but overall enjoyable day.

 Constipation is a common complaint which most people have suffered from at some time during their life. Constipation affects all ranges of age groups including the Plus Fifty age group with a greater prevalence amongst women. It is a common misconception that it is only a problem to frail immobile, elderly people. Constipation can be attributed to a combination of factors or only one or two. Bowel motility problems, bowel surgery or anatomic irregularities also play a significant part. Age does not seem to be a major factor although as the population ages the bowel problems can appear to become more prevalent as it can be a cumulative factor. Years of on and off constipation may cause haemorrhoids, which may be the reason for seeking help form your GP rather than the contributing constipation problem.

In this article bowel evacuations or poo may be referred to as, faeces, bowel motions, faecal matter, excrement or stools.

Constipation can be attributed to many situations psychological, as well as physical, both of which can affect your digestive system and therefore your bowels.

The physical effects of constipation are

Stool consistency – hard, solid, lacking in moisture, lumpy,

Physical effects – painful to evacuate, straining, incomplete emptying

Regularity – Less than two stool per week,

The condition can be an on-going (Chronic) or sudden (Acute) situation. Chronic constipation assessment as defined by the Rome II criteria means that if you have been suffering from these symptoms 25% of the time over a period of three months or more you will need to consult your doctor for advice. Many people have suffered for years with poor bowel habits as they have not been aware of any different

It is important to state that if you have experienced a change in bowel habits and your symptoms have come on suddenly you will need to visit your doctor for a thorough investigation urgently.

There are two types of constipation

Idiopathic constipation – this means it is of unknown origin which does not respond to conventional treatment

Functional constipation- the bowel is working properly but there is a problem

The problems can include

            Colonic inertia

            Pelvic floor muscle dysfunction

            Delayed stool transit

What does the bowel do?

The bowel is where all the food and fluids you consume is utilised by the body. All the nutrients, carbohydrate, vitamins and minerals are extracted and converted into fuel for the body to use as energy.

Bowel motility

This refers to the transit time of food travelling through your digestive system to evacuation. When Your GP refers to low motility or transit time this is what they are referring to. You may become constipated due to a physical cause which causes a lack of motility in your bowel this may be attributed to change of diet or environment.

Bowel movement

This refers to what you personally consider regular bowel movements for you. This can mean anything from opening your bowels three times a day to only four times a week. It directly relates to what you eat, drink, your level of fitness and your digestive transit time. Food tends to travels through the colon within 12 – 48 hours.

Sometimes referred to in the UK as the “Meyers Scale”, it was developed by Dr. Ken Heaton at the University of Bristol

Looking at the stool chart you will be able to assess your faeces and the degree of constipation you may be experiencing. If you regularly evacuate your bowels and it is either type 3/4 then the consistency is fine. Types 1/2 indicate constipation and likewise 6/7 diarrhoea.

Psychological links to constipation

The psychological aspect of constipation is an important and significant factor; many people do not like to have their bowels open in public toilets as it is often considered something which should be done only at home.

In Roman times communal toilets were accepted as the hygienic way to visit the toilet, sitting side by side. If this sounds unthinkable to you, you are not alone; the thought of someone hearing you evacuating your bowels let alone sitting next to you is often aberrant.

These problems with where you can or can’t go to the toilet can begin in early childhood with innocent comments from parents becoming learned experiences. Children often need to go to the toilet when they are out shopping but are often  told “hang on” or told “you should have gone before we left home” these are akin to subliminal messages, setting up a pattern of bowel habits for the future. Being teased as a child after having an accident can also have a significant effect, the embarrassment will be remembered and have a life style impact on toileting behaviour.

Anxiety can have an effect on the body’s digestive system. It can occur when you have an incident where you are unable to successfully evacuate your bowels due to apprehension. If this occurs on a regular basis you will either learn to wait until you return home or to avoid social situations. Many can relate to the queue for the toilet being a stressful situation, either the thought of being listened to, the odour which will emanate from the cubical once you have left or the time restriction of the people waiting.

Emotional distress, and depression, has an effect on how we behave. This emotional behaviour then affects our choices regarding our intake of food types, and the amount of liquids and what type of liquids. Junk food does not contain any nutrients to aid motility in the gut and alcohol actively acts as a diuretic diverting fluid away from the bowel and out of the body.

Causes of constipation

Lack of exercise

Lack of fluids

Lack of fibre

Change in your daily routine

Ignoring the urge to have your bowels open

Stress related to anxiety, depression or lack of privacy

Medication and their side effects

Symptoms of constipation

The symptoms below are not always associated with constipation and are often dismissed as linked to other conditions such as menstrual period pain, over eating, eating too many vegetables, thirst or general tiredness.  These symptoms are relevant and when giving your medical account of your condition to your doctor should be included.

Abdominal pain
Bloating or bloated stomach
Stomach cramps
Headaches
Fatigue

Medicines and Constipation

Medicines can directly affect your bowels, so be aware that if you do suffer from constipation mention it to the GP at the time they will often be able to substitute an alternative or prescribe a laxative to maintain your bowel habit. If your doctor is aware you suffer from constipation on a regular basis they will be able to monitor and advise or refer you to someone who could offer help and advice.

Medications known to affect the bowel causing constipation

Analgesics/opiates – pain relief medicines

Antacids (calcium and magnesium) – for the relief of heart burn
 
Anticholinergic - These block the activity of a substance in the body called acetylcholine which carries messages between nerve cells.

Antidepressants – these work by increasing the levels of chemicals called neurotransmitters in the brain

Anti-hypertensives – These are medicines which lower your blood pressure

Anti-Parkinson agents – These are used to treat a condition known as Parkinson’s which affects nerve cells

Barium – This is used in x-ray examinations to outline the digestive tract

Calcium channel blockers -These are used to in the treatment of stable angina patients

Diuretics – These are often called water tablets they increase the amount of urine which is excreted

Iron supplements – These are used for the prevention and treatment of anaemia

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents – NSAIDs – used to ease pain in many conditions

Sucralfate – These are used for the treatment of ulcers in the stomach and upper intestine as well as chronic gastritis

Chronic Constipation

This is where you have experienced constipation for many months even years on and off, the term chronic means of long duration. If you have suffered from constipation for a long time it will not need urgent investigations and many simple measures can be taken which may improve the motility and consistency of your faeces. It is a good idea to try looking at your lifestyle with specific consideration to:-

Fibre – Do you eat the recommended 5 portions per day?

Fluids – Are you drinking enough?

Exercise – Are you taking regular exercise?

Psychological – Are you under stress which is affecting your digestion?

Acute Constipation

The term acute means that the condition has come on rapidly. This is a more situation as it may be the result of a medical condition. If you suddenly begin to suffer from any, or a combination of the following you will need to seek medical help.

        If your bowel habits have altered noticeably over a period of three to four weeks

        You have symptoms of unexplained tiredness

        You have lost weight without dieting

        Abdominal pain

        You are experiencing vomiting

        You have noticed a lump on your stomach

        You are experiencing bleeding when you do have your bowels open.

Constipation Relief and Treatment

If you have only recently been suffering you will often look for the quick solution to immediately relieve your symptoms. Usually the first stop will be the chemist and laxatives, but which type is appropriate for you? It is advisable to speak to the pharmacist for advice if you are concerned about which to use, especially if this is an unusual episode for you.

Constipation treatment can often seem conflicting as information is sought by many people but may not be in line with your lifestyle or just not be put into practice. Treatment then becomes totally ineffective and the cycle of constipation continues. If your symptoms are related to functional constipation, making a choice to address the problem is a long term decision there is no choice but to make a lifestyle change. If it is idiopathic constipation your bowel management will require thorough investigation by the continence team and a bowel management plan designed to fit in with your lifestyle.

If constipation is functional then constipation treatment needs a commitment from the sufferer to actively help themselves. A record in a food diary over an average week period can give a good indication of your fibre intake and it will provide ideas where you can increase it. A good diet for the relief of constipation requires between 18-30 grams on a daily basis. The majority of western society does not reach this on a daily basis some not on a weekly basis! Increasing fibre into your diet should be a gradual process otherwise you could suffer from bloating, flatulence and abdominal discomfort.   Ideally the increase of fibre should occur over a two to four week period the results will become increasingly better as the weeks continue. Increase in fibre goes hand in hand with increasing fluid intake and exercise. You never know you could really become quite healthy so no downside really.

It is recommended that you eat between 18- 30 grams of fibre each day that fibre can be found in many foods.

Beans and pulses

Brown rice

Bran

Fruit, apricots, prunes, raisins apples, citrus fruits

Nuts

Oats

Seeds

Vegetables – beans, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower

Wholemeal pasta

Wholemeal/ whole grain bread

Whole wheat breakfast cereals

Diet for Constipation Recommendations

If you are unable to actually consume the recommended amount of fibre you may need to discuss with your doctor the possibility of taking a regular laxative. However, this should not be your first step, lifestyle changes are by far more preferable.

Laxatives

What is a laxative?

A laxative is a remedy for constipation which is used as short term solution to the immediate problem. It is a resolution to improve both the amount of times you have your bowels open on a regular basis and the consistency of the bowel motions.

Adjustments in lifestyle and diet are the long term remedy for constipation.

The most natural laxative you can take is a bulk forming one – fruit and vegetables this one is clinically proven to work wonders on your bowels. If you are  normally healthy, fit and have not had bowel surgery, if you eat five portions every day ,drink enough fluids, exercise you won’t suffer from constipation.

What type of laxative do I need?

There are a variety of different laxatives available on the market they have differing actions to promote bowel actions. It is important that all laxatives are taken as directed on the packaging.

Laxatives may be either

            Oral – taken by mouth

            Rectal – this includes enemas and suppository

Some are oral laxatives are taken at night to facilitate a bowel motion in the morning others must not be. Laxatives work in different ways, some act faster than others and have implications for the absorption of medicines you may be taking for other ailments. Please consult with your doctor prior to taking any oral laxatives if you are taking other medication.

Caution always needs to be mentioned prior to beginning to take laxatives as there are thoughts in the medical profession that over use of laxatives can cause constipation, due to nerves and muscle damage in the bowel. The question being posed is was the bowel causing the problem initiating the use of laxatives or the laxatives?

Bulk forming laxatives

This increases the size of the stool, by doing this it can stimulate the natural peristaltic action of the bowel to move the motion on. The way the stool is increased is by eating substances such as bran in your diet. Ispaghula or pysllium  husk and can be taken as a supplement if you are not able to eat enough fibre but it must not be taken before bedtime and you must increase the amount of water you take each day. 

Side effects can include - constipation if not enough water/fluids are taken, flatulence and   bloating 

Emollient or lubricant laxatives

These are stool softeners; they prevent the hardening of the faeces by adding moisture. These are often used for patients who are recovering form bowel surgery or haemorrhoids to prevent straining.

Side effects can include –vitamins and medicines may not be absorbed as well in the intestine due to the increased rate of movement of the stool, pruritus ani

Osmotic laxatives

These work by increasing the amount of fluid that is retained in the stool as it passes through the digestive system. The stool is easier to pass but it is a slower method to treat the constipation, it can take up to four days to be effective.

Side effects can include – nausea, abdominal bloating and flatulence skin rashes

Stimulant laxatives

This kind of laxative is effective by stimulating the muscles that line your bowel. These are the harshest of the laxatives and should not be considered prior to improving your diet for your constipation. Stimulant laxatives should not be taken for over a week if you feel you need a stimulant laxative after this time you will need to discuss this with your doctor.

Side effects can include – malabsorption of medication/contraceptive pill, gastric irritation or vomiting, abdominal cramps

How long should I take laxatives for?

Laxatives are a short term relief for constipation and should not be taken for longer than seven days without medical consultation. Once you have corrected your constipation and are passing stools which are soft and comfortable to evacuate, you can stop the laxatives however you will need to as a long term solution alter your diet and lifestyle. If the constipation returns it may be due to medication you are taking or an underlying disease you will need to consult with your doctor. Long term use of laxatives should not be stopped but reduced over a period of time. The aim is to return full motility function to the bowel.

If your chronic condition requires laxatives on a regular basis you will be monitored by a continence team and have a bowel management plan.

Be aware that herbal “natural” remedies for constipation often contain a stimulant which may not necessarily be the right laxative for you.

Enemas

An enema is a liquid preparation that is introduced into the body via the rectum to produce a bowel movement. Enemas are not the first choice of laxative as there are many oral alternatives however some people like to be able to administer these in the comfort of their own homes. When administered by professionals they will ask for your informed consent to the procedure. They will explain the procedure for the administration of the enema as well as possible side effects.

There are two types of enema

Evacuant – this is used to promote a bowel movement phosphate and sodium citrate is the most commonly used

Retention-this is used to soften the compact faecal matter to allow a bowel movement. These oils often include nut oils therefore it is important prior to use to establish if there is an existing allergy.

Instruction on the packaging for the use of over the counter (O.T.C.) enemas should be followed explicitly to ensure a positive bowel movement. Care needs to be taken when administering an enema as the vagal nerve in the rectum can be stimulated which may result in a slowing of the heart rate and a feeling of lightheadedness.

Suppositories

These can be used as a stimulant laxative when you have constipation. They are made in the shape of a bullet for easy insertion into the anus. It is important that they are not swallowed orally and that they are inserted far enough into the anal passage to not be expelled immediately. The suppository will melt in the rectum having a stimulant affect which will lubricate the bowel allowing the compacted faeces to be expelled. You should always follow the instructions on the packaging to allow for a good bowel movement.  Suppositories once inserted usually take between 15-30 minutes to have an effect. If your constipation continues after you have been using suppositories for three days you should consult your doctor.

Calling at Fiji,Sumatra,Samoa,Hawaii

February 2011

My cruising trip was a one month segment of a round the world cruise.  I had read cruise reviews and decided I wanted to go on only the one aspect of the trip and  it is good that you can pick and choose in this way. I joined at Sydney Australia and left it at L.A. In U.S.A. It really pays to book as early as you can for the greatest savings. Also as a single traveller you find single cabins are taken very quickly. Sharing with a friend or a strangers possible and a matter of personal choice. Some liners include all gratuities, this one being one with the added addition of if you live within a certain distance of the port of embarcation or airport of departure a door to door taxi service is included.

 On board the ship the shops are well stocked and attractive. It is relatively easy to calculate what is excluded from the price quoted,principally any shore excursions you may choose. Prices are available and may be booked in advance, it is a good idea to think of all the other add ons like drinks from the bar, telephone calls , Internet connection etc. As these can all add up.

It is possible often to have a short extension to either end of your trip and I spent an extra three days sightseeing in Sydney in a very well positioned hotel . All transport costs too and from the hotel are included with a rep overseeing that you and you luggage are taken care of.

When booking I had selected to sit at a large table in the dining room seating is from two to eight is available. Some movement is possible if you ar dissatisfied, or you may close to eat at the Lido, a self service less formal facility just inside or on deck. I found very agreeable company and enjoyed excellent food and service in the spotless restaurant.

My single cabin had a comfortable bed, plenty of drawer space,a tv,phone, and ensuite facilities.this was kept immaculate,used towels changed twice daily in addition to the  fresh fruit and iced water.

 Some people prefer an outside cabin with a sealed porthole but with so little time spent there I feel the sight of rising and falling water is not worth the significant extra cost. There was a saying”the more you pay the more your sway” which sums up the experience of more expensive cabins on the higher decks where facilities such as balconies are possible.

During days at sea there is a wide provision of activities and you may choose to do as much or as little as you like. For example there are handicrafts, art classes,quoits,bridge,a golf simulator,line dancing. Also available were a well stocked library,films,3 times a day as well as a series of interesting lectures by very knowledgable people often relating to places to be visited. These generally are also available on share days when you can go ashore by yourself, with an excursion to local places of interest.

Some people have done many cruises and have already visited all there is to see so stay aboard and others have physical constraintspreventing them especially if landing is by tender. It is possible to cruise with considerable disabilities, using walking aids and Zimmer  frames , many passengers were in their 90′s. Some cabins have special adaptations and there is a very well equiped medical centre with a doctor on call.

One big attraction for single elderly ladies is the presence of gentleman dance hosts who provide partners for both dance lessons during the day and for a couple of hours each evening. The resident band played each evening with a wide variety of popular dance music which you could take advantage of prior to the nightly entertainment.

A daily  world newspaper is printed and provided free on your bed each night together with a similar broadsheet full of useful information about the next days programme, local currency, if in port( available from reception) weather forecasts etc and if you can’t sleep there is always the 24 hr computer centre.

All in all a very busy / relaxing trip,  one which I would recommend taking.

October 2011

We arrived at our woodland lodge for our  in Wales for our week break and the site manager showed us our lodge. We had decided on a lodge holiday as something a bit different. It is cozy and has all the comforts you are used to at home with a couple more thrown in for good measure such as a Jacuzzi bath and sauna both of which we didn’t use but as I say there if wanted. We were using the lodge as a base for daily excursions out. The one drawback of the lodge that we found was the smell of cigarettes, it had permeated into the whole cabin furniture and fabrics and for a none smoker it is the most foul smell to have to put up with. And despite air fresheners and fabreze which unfortunately didn’t live up to the adverts claim every evening on return the lodge smelt unpleasant.

St Clears is the nearest large town with a variety of shops, pubs and facilities. We visited The Black Horse pub and ate in their restaurant, the food was really good quality pub food and the staff both friendly and accommodating the same cannot be said for The Savoy County Inn on the way to Tenby where even after being told they served food till 9:00 pm one day when we returned a couple of days later were told at 8:30 we couldn’t be served.

A recommendation encouraged us to visit the Elaichi Bangladesh restaurant which was excellent. The food was mouthwatering, the staff polite and helpful, a thoroughly good meal.

But, Wales is magnificent, what a rich abundance of history, natural beauty and stunning scenery. The whole week was filled with visits and experiences that filled us with such enthusiasm we want to move there. It is peaceful, the people are so friendly, and did I say it is stunningly beautiful and it rained for quite a bit of the time too.

Places we visited included, Kidwelly castle which cost £10:00 for a family ticket and was an excellent example of a Norman castle. The wonderful thing about Wales is that there are so many ruins of castles and many of them are free to visit so if you enjoy wandering around ancient monuments you can certainly get your fill here.

Llys-y-fran reservoir was another visit which had the most impressive dam when we arrived it was quiet windy so the water was spilling over and blowing all very dramatic. The surroundings have been carefully landscaped to allow enjoyment of the whole area walks, bike rides picnic areas and abundant wildlife.

We visited the golden grove another lovely park which was spectacular dressed in it’s autumnal golden colours on our way to visit the Usk reservoir. On the way there we were treated to a superb natural display of the Red Kites which were soaring in the skies around this area.

The next day our daughter somehow persuaded us to goes horse riding, it was absolutely lovely the people who looked after us were marvelous and we had a lovely walk on our horses, Lady, Dunstan and Rosie through an enchanting forest. After our ride we drove on to Amroth where we stopped for a bite to eat at The Pirate cafe where my daughter assures me they make the best hot chocolate ever, overflowing with marshmallows and a lump of flake!

The botanical garden was a lovely trip although in the autumn probably not at its most spectacular. The enormous glass dome housing a wide variety of plants from faraway places such as Chili, Australia, and South Africa were growing quite happily. As with all these places cheeky sparrows knew they were onto a good thing and a few very well fed looking crew patrolled the area around the cafeteria.

Our last day saw a trip to St David’s the countries smallest city with its spectacular cathedral, bishops place and village feel about it. If you have a chance visit The Sampler tea rooms as they not only have good food and homemade honey and jams but a wonderful display of war time memorabilia, which may sound an odd combination but it’s fascinating.

We went on down to St Justinians where the RNLI have a lifeboat, and watched as a leisure boat came in which had been visiting the seas around the islands looking out for  wild birds, seals and porpoise, a trip I think we will try and take when we return to this wonderful place.

Peter and Lesley -Brighton