New Year, New You: Your Path to Health and Wellness
As the calendar flips to January, many of us embrace the opportunity to start anew and make resolutions for the year ahead. One common theme that resonates with people around the world is the desire to prioritise their health and wellness. In the pursuit of a healthier lifestyle, one invaluable resource that can help you on your journey is the pharmacy services offered by us here at Whitworth. We provide a range of services that can help you kickstart your journey to a "New Year, New You". Let's explore how these services can enhance your well-being and set you on the path to a healthier, happier life.
In the United Kingdom, smoking stands as a leading contributor to illness and fatalities, claiming approximately 80,000 lives annually. If you're eager to safeguard your well-being while enjoying a more youthful and energetic lifestyle, it's time to take the crucial step of stubbing out the cigarettes for good.
But let's face it, quitting smoking is easier said than done. This is precisely why we proudly provide our Stop Smoking clinic – an NHS-funded service that equips you with the expert guidance and support needed to bid farewell to smoking for good.
In your journey to quit smoking, our Stop Smoking Service is your trusted companion.
Here's what you can expect when you embark on this transformative experience:
Create your personal 'Quit Smoking Action Plan'; We help you develop a customised plan tailored to your unique circumstances, setting a date to quit and offering the expert advice and support essential for success.
One-on-one behavioural support sessions; Our fully trained and accredited stop-smoking advisors provide individualised, one-on-one behavioural support to ensure you're never alone on this journey.
Access to essential tools and products; Access a range of nicotine replacement and stop-smoking products that have been proven effective in helping you conquer your cravings.
Tracking Progress; To keep you motivated, we'll measure carbon monoxide levels at every visit, helping assess your progress.
Whether you've been a lifelong smoker or just a few years into the habit, quitting smoking can have a profound impact on your overall health and well-being.
Here's how:
· Reduced Risk of Developing Cancer
· Lowered Risk of Heart Disease and Heart Attacks
· Healthier, More Youthful-Looking Skin
· Improved Fitness Levels
· Enhanced Breathing
· Better Performance in Bed
· Boosted Fertility
· Heightened Enjoyment of Food and Drink
· Diminished Stroke Risk
· Alleviated PMS and Menopausal Symptoms
· Protection for Loved Ones from Second-Hand Smoke
· Financial Savings
It's never too late to take control of your life and quit smoking. Whether you've been smoking for decades or just a short while, our Stop Smoking Service is suitable for anyone who aspires to quit smoking for good. Don't let smoking hold you back – embrace a healthier, more vibrant you today and every day.
If shedding those extra pounds is on your New Year's resolution list, our Weight Management Service is here to help you melt away those extra pounds.
So, weight loss, we firmly believe that it's a journey, not a magic trick. Shedding those extra pounds can be a tough, ongoing process, and for individuals dealing with obesity, it can sometimes feel like an endless cycle of attempts and disappointments. That's precisely why we offer the Whitworth Weight Management service.
Did you know that 63% of adults in the UK are either overweight or obese? Or that 35% of 10-year-olds are also overweight or obese? Being underweight is also not good for your health. Weighing too little can contribute to a weakened immune system, fragile bones and feeling tired.
Our Weight Management Service is a free initiative that provides you with the extra support you need to lose weight and get healthy in a sustainable way. We will provide all the health and well-being advice you need to break old habits and take control of your weight.
When you arrive for your first appointment, we will take you to a private consultation room so we can have a private chat. We will discuss your needs, measure your blood pressure, check your weight and calculate your BMI. We will also discuss any health issues you have or any medication you’re currently taking. Once we have this essential information, we can agree on your weight loss goal.
We will also discuss healthy lifestyle habits that can help you reach your weight loss goals faster. This includes food diaries, portion sizes, healthy eating habits, making sense of food labels and how to increase your physical activity healthily and sustainably.
You can visit us every week for a chat about how you are progressing and ask any questions you have. Our pharmacies are here to offer continuous guidance and support throughout your journey.
We recommend taking monthly progress photos to witness your transformative journey unfold. The benefits of embarking on a weight loss journey are numerous, including:
· Better blood sugar and diabetes management
· Improved heart health
· Reduced risk of stroke
· Enhanced sleep
· Improved mobility,
· Boosted self-esteem,
· Decreased joint pain,
· Increased energy,
· A higher sex drive, and
· A reduced risk of certain cancers
Now, you might be wondering if this service is suitable for you, and what sets it apart from other weight management services. Weight loss journeys can be fraught with setbacks and demotivation, but at Whitworth Pharmacy, we're here to support and help you overcome those challenges.
Blood Pressure Checking Service
High blood pressure often goes unnoticed until it becomes a serious health concern. Our NHS-funded Blood Pressure Checking Service helps you keep tabs on this vital aspect of your health.
When you step into a private consultation room for a blood pressure check at Whitworth, a member of our team explains the steps and guides you through the process.
Once we have taken your reading, we can then provide insights into whether you have good, low or high blood pressure and what those numbers signify. We will also offer advice and support, which might include suggestions like:
· Embracing a balanced, healthy diet
· Reducing salt intake
· Committing to regular exercise
· Moderating alcohol consumption
· Quitting smoking
· If necessary, they can even refer you to a doctor
Our blood pressure checks cater to anyone with concerns or curiosity about their blood pressure. According to NHS guidelines, all adults over 40 should undergo a blood pressure check at least once every five years.
Certain individuals face a higher risk of blood pressure issues, including those:
· With a family history of high blood pressure or heart disease
· Who are overweight
· Who lead a sedentary lifestyle
· Who exceed alcohol consumption limits (2-3 units for women, 3-4 units for men)
· Who consume a high-salt or processed food diet
· Of Asian or African-Caribbean descent
Additional risk factors include:
· Being over 60, which increases your chances of high blood pressure by 50%
· Not consuming at least five servings of fruits and vegetables daily
Furthermore, Were you aware that high blood pressure affects nearly a third of UK adults? It's also a leading cause of heart attacks (over 20%) and strokes (over 50%). Many individuals remain unaware of their high blood pressure until it's too late, which is why we recommend regular checks, especially for those over 40.
For those who prefer monitoring their blood pressure at home, we offer a range of home blood pressure monitors both in-pharmacy and through our online shop.
Our pharmacy team is always available to address any concerns you may have regarding your blood pressure, so start 2024 knowing your numbers and what they mean!
Our NHS Health Check Service is a comprehensive evaluation of your health that can identify risk factors and help you maintain your well-being.
The NHS Health Check is an NHS-funded service, which is a comprehensive health assessment designed for individuals aged between 40 and 74. This initiative aims to detect the initial indicators of various health issues, including:
· Stroke (Hyperlink)
· Kidney disease (Hyperlink)
· Type 2 diabetes (Hyperlink)
· Heart disease (Hyperlink)
· Dementia (Hyperlink)
Many of these ailments manifest with minimal or no noticeable symptoms, underscoring the significance of an NHS Health Check.
When you visit our pharmacy for your NHS Health Check, your journey begins in a private consultation room. Here, our pharmacist will initiate the process by asking you general health-related questions, encompassing your personal health as well as that of close family members. This helps in identifying potential hereditary health concerns.
Subsequently, we conduct a series of health assessments, including measuring your blood pressure, height, and weight, and obtaining a small blood sample from your fingertip through a quick and painless pinprick test. Following these evaluations, our pharmacist will review the results with you and provide personalised guidance on enhancing your health through simple lifestyle adjustments. You'll also receive a copy of your test results to take home.
The outcomes of your test can indicate whether you are at an elevated risk of developing specific health conditions. If this is the case, we may arrange a follow-up health check or make a referral to your GP or another healthcare professional.
The NHS Health Check service is for individuals aged between 40 and 74, who haven't experienced a stroke and don't have a pre-existing health condition.
If you've received an invitation letter from your GP surgery or local authority for your five-yearly health check, don't hesitate to reach out and arrange your NHS-funded health check appointment with us.
Did you know you can now book our pharmacy services using our NHS Approved Whitworth Pharmacy app?
Access all the benefits of your pharmacy from your phone! 📱 Say goodbye to long queues and waiting times download our app HERE today.
This January, commit to making your health a top priority. With our pharmacy services at your disposal, you can make "New Year, New You" more than just a slogan. Take advantage of the Stop Smoking Clinic, Weight Management Service, Blood Pressure Checking Service, and NHS Health Check Service, to set yourself on a path to enhanced health and wellness. Start the year off right, and your future self will thank you for it!
