CARE@HOME

• Number 10

  

  The tenth edition of Care@Home magazine focuses on stress: its ills, its influence and its impact on our health.

  Since COVID-19, the WHO has seen a global rise of 25% in cases of anxiety and depression. These are directly related to the stress of the pandemic.

  Although stress is a normal reaction of the body that allows us to adapt to a change in environment, it is no less harmful when it becomes chronic. It can be the trigger for various psychological or physical health problems!
  
  To soothe stress, many over-the-counter medications have emerged, but are they suitable for everyone?
  
  You will discover in this edition the various impacts that stress can cause on health as well as the advice of our professionals to reduce it.

  Care@Home - Number 10

• Number 09

  

  This edition of Care@Home is dedicated to breast cancer.

  According to the World Health Organization, nearly one woman in twelve will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. Unfortunately, breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death in women. To raise awareness of the importance of breast screening, the Pink October campaign was launched in the United States in 1985. Since then, every year from October 1 to 31, numerous campaigns and actions have been carried out. Around the world, the aim is to raise public awareness of breast cancer, inform the public of the importance of early detection and raise funds for medical research.
  
  Once you've beaten cancer, you'll need to remain vigilant for the rest of your life. Although the various treatments we know today to combat cancer are proving effective, the fact remains that they can be the source of future health problems, which can appear many years after the end of treatment.
  
  In particular, the Ligue Cardiologique describes the problems of cardiac toxicity associated with cancer treatments. These are not the only problems that cancer sufferers face. Thirty to 50% of them also have to contend with malnutrition during treatment, which can directly lead to death.
  
  Faced with the tangle of treatments and operations, some people prefer to turn to so-called "alternative" medicines, but is this always a good thing?

  Care@Home - Number 09

• Number 08

  

  The 8th edition of our Care @ Home magazine is dedicated entirely to menopause and andropause.

  Our team of specialists takes a close look at these two natural phenomena.
  
  Phenomena that are often poorly understood, and are a source of stress and anxiety that we will all experience in the course of our lives.
  
  Menopause, more widely known to the general public, still raises questions about treatments aimed at reducing the symptoms of ovarian failure.

  What are the benefits and risks of such treatments ?

  In this issue, you'll learn more about the different treatments used today and their impact on health.
  
  Dr. Brohet explains the various studies carried out on the subject.
  
  For a long time, andropause was wrongly considered to be a male menopause. And it still leaves many men wondering. Dr Ward sets the record straight on andropause, and explains the various treatments available.
  
  We also cover this topic in our section on animals: does menopause exist in our dogs and cats?

  Care@Home - Number 08

• Number 07

  

  In this 7th edition of our Care@Home magazine, we take a look at the problem of insomnia.
  
  Sleep is necessary for both body and mind to remain in good health. Nevertheless, more than one Belgian in two estimates that they suffer from sleep disorders more than twenty nights a month. As well as reducing quality of life, insomnia increases the risk of illnesses such as depression and cardiovascular disorders. Add to this the COVID-19 crisis and subsequent anxiety, and the quality of sleep has only worsened.
  
  To alleviate this problem, we all have tricks up our sleeves. But do they really work? Do you have to count sheep to fall asleep? Between myth and reality, Doctor Nawara disentangles the true from the false for us.
  
  You'll also find our garden section, where you'll discover the various rules you need to respect with regard to your neighbors. This way, you'll be able to enjoy your garden without neighbourly conflict as soon as the fine weather arrives.
  
  We haven't forgotten our animal friends! Animal welfare is a growing concern for us all, which is why a law on animal possession permits will come into force on July 1, 2022. It will then no longer be possible to take in an animal without showing proof of identity.

  Care@Home - Number 07

• Number 06

  

  In this issue of April, we'd like to inform you about the various benefits of practicing sport and the good habits you can adopt to improve your health.
  
  According to the WHO (World Health Organization), regular physical activity is an essential protective factor in the prevention of non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and certain cancers. 5 million deaths could be avoided every year if the world's population were more physically active.
  
  In our "Garden and pets" section, you'll also discover that pets are not exempt from sporting activities. On the contrary, these little furballs love it!
  
  The warm weather is back, and it's time to get out and about. Many people take advantage of this to take care of their outdoors. This April, we'll be taking a look at how you can get rid of weeds around your home without using pesticides. We also give you a few tips on how to combat invasive plants.

  Care@Home - Number 06

• Number 05

  

  In our fifth edition, we take a closer look at a subject that deserves more attention: addiction.

  It's all the more important to talk about it when you consider that 6% of the Belgian population drink too much alcohol, that cannabis remains the most abused drug and that tobacco kills more than 20,000 Belgians a year. We also looked at the solutions needed to overcome these addictions.

  Long considered a shame or a simple problem of willpower, certain addictions are now recognized as illnesses. The WHO defines them as "a state of periodic or chronic dependence on substances or behaviors". There are two types of addiction: firstly, product addictions (alcohol, tobacco, medicines, opiates, cocaine) and secondly, behavioral addictions (gambling, video games, sport).

  Unfortunately, there is no magic cure for these addictions. It requires a great deal of self-help, and it's strongly recommended that you have ongoing support and are surrounded by people who can motivate you to maintain your state of sobriety.

  In this issue, you'll find out more about addictions thanks to the many contributors to this month's issue. Two addiction specialists are interviewed. You'll also discover the consequences of alcohol and cocaine on the heart. Learn more about cannabis legislation in Belgium and how abstinence works.

  Care@Home - Number 05

• Number 04

  

  Discover the Care@Home edition for February 2022 ! In this edition, we take a look at the problem of excessive sugar consumption in the population.
  
  Some food companies use colorful marketing tactics to promote products that contain very high levels of sugar and are therefore harmful to health. The target audience for these ads is often children, who are very sensitive to this type of visual. This is all the more problematic given that two out of three children and one out of five adults consume too much sugar every day.
  
  To counter this problem of over-consumption of sugar, the World Health Organization (WHO) is tending to implement new healthy eating policies in public establishments. To this end, it is establishing nutritional standards for food served and sold in these establishments. The aim is to reduce the number of deaths each year linked to unhealthy diets.
  
  To reduce your consumption at home, discover our experts' advice on unearthing hidden sugar and opting for a healthier diet. The various names for sugar will no longer hold any secrets for you! You'll be able to recognize it in all its forms. You'll also have the opportunity to take a little test to assess your own daily sugar intake and find out if you need to reduce it.
  
  As with every edition, we haven't forgotten our animal friends! Our veterinary surgeon will analyse with you the latest "trend" in dog food. Thanks to Créaves de Perwez, you'll learn what to do and what not to do if you discover a wild animal in distress. We'll also tell you about the "Batrachian Rescue" campaign, and how you can get involved!

  Care@Home - Number 04

• Number 03

  

  For this edition, we've chosen to focus on the environment.
  
  More and more of us are concerned about climate change and the quality of our environment. Today, we can no longer deny the link between the state of the environment around us and our health. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution is one of the greatest environmental risks to our health.
  
  In 2021, the WHO has set new guidelines for air quality. It recommends thresholds for six pollutants: suspended particulate matter (PM), ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2) and carbon monoxide (CO). The aim is for each country to meet the reference thresholds for better air quality, and thus reduce the associated illnesses and premature deaths.
  
  Unfortunately, most sources of pollution, such as energy, transport and waste management, are beyond people's control. While we can all do our bit to reduce air pollution, such as cycling instead of driving, the WHO is calling for strong action on the part of political leaders in every country.
  
  In this issue, you'll discover the different impacts of the quality of our environment on our health, and learn a few good habits to adopt.

  Care@Home - Number 03
  

• Number 02

  

  For this second edition, we've chosen to talk about obesity, as it affects more and more people around the world every year, without sparing children.
  
  According to the WHO, in 2016, more than 340 million children and adolescents aged between 5 and 19 were overweight or obese. At the same time, 1.9 billion adults were overweight, and of these, over 650 million were obese.
  
  We know that the fundamental cause of overweight and obesity is due to an imbalance between calories consumed and expended, but today we are consuming more and more calorie-rich foods and engaging in less physical activity.
  
  Unfortunately, excess sugar is everywhere. Although it may play a role in preserving certain foods, its excessive presence is not always justified. Children's cereals are a good example.
  
  Once in a state of obesity, it is very difficult for a person to regain a healthy weight on their own. Physical activity is more complicated at this stage, so it's best to seek professional help. It's important that in every society, individuals can be helped to adopt a healthy lifestyle. Policies should be put in place to encourage better eating habits by making the purchase of health-promoting products much more financially advantageous.
  
  In the meantime, in this issue you'll find sound advice from our various health professionals.

  Care@Home - Number 02
  

• Number 01

  

  Discover the first issue of our health magazine Care@Home here.
  

  Les P’tites Fées Bleues's team is delighted to present the very first issue of CARE@HOME, your new monthly health magazine.
  
  This project was born to help older or isolated people who don't always know where to turn for help.
  
  Through our magazine, we aim to help all those for whom using the Internet is complicated, providing them with a range of relevant medical information, as well as lighter advice on home, garden and pet care.
  
  For our first issue, we turned our attention to the delicate subject of cancer. Today, according to the World Health Organization, cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide. Almost a third of cancer deaths are due to lack of physical exercise, high body mass index, excessive alcohol consumption, smoking and a diet low in fruit and vegetables.
  
  A large number of cancers could be prevented by avoiding all these risk factors. Early detection would also give the patient a better chance of recovery, with treatment more likely to be effective. Screening also plays a key role, uncovering signs of cancer or pre-cancer before a person even develops symptoms. The importance of screening cannot be overstated!
  
  In this issue, you'll find advice from our various healthcare professionals on how best to support your loved ones through this difficult period.

  Care@Home - Number 01