All posts tagged: health

Red blood cells

Quick Question – What are oxygen sats?

Published by Dr Juliet McGrattan

We seem to have developed a range of new vocabulary since the onset of the Covid-19 global pandemic. Suddenly words such as self-isolate, health modelling and social distancing have become the norm. Some of the medical terminology that’s now filling our social media feeds can be unknown and confusing. A question I’ve seen a few times is, ‘What are oxygen sats?’ so I thought I’d answer it in my #quickquestion series. Red blood cells carry oxygen around our body. They pick up oxygen molecules when they travel through the lungs and then transport it around the body attached to haemoglobin, which is a protein in the red cell. Our body’s organs and tissues need a steady supply of oxygen for them to function. Oxygen sats is the short form of oxygen saturation and is a measure of how close blood is to being completely saturated with oxygen. Sats are measured in per cent and the goal is 100 per cent. You might also see oxygen abbreviated to its chemical symbol O2. Healthy people will have …

Quick Question – How can I stop hay fever affecting my exercise?

Published by Dr Juliet McGrattan

I’m beginning to sneeze already! As soon as March kicks in and the tree pollens start to appear, hay fever can begin to interrupt exercise. If you’re unlucky, the sneezing, itchy eyes and runny nose can go on until October. You can feel grumpy, lethargic and not in the least like exercising and being outdoors just makes things worse. What can you do to get rid of hay fever symptoms? How can you stop hay fever affecting your exercise plans and performance? In this week’s #quickquestion I’m sharing my four Cs for exercising with hay fever.

What I learnt by having a social media detox on holiday.

Published by Dr Juliet McGrattan

I decided to have a complete break from social media while we were away on holiday this year.  I use my phone and computer A LOT. I run social media (FB, Twitter and Instagram) for three accounts and little and often seems to be the only way I can manage that, so although I do schedule some posts, I’m frequently checking the feeds and interacting with people. I also have numerous email accounts for all my different work roles. Much of the work I do crosses time zones so when most people’s email goes quiet, mine fires up. I absolutely LOVE my jobs and didn’t particularly feel I needed a break from them but I felt I simply had information overload and wasn’t being as productive as I could be.

www.drjulietmcgrattan.com

Tips For Being Active When You Work From Home.

Published by Dr Juliet McGrattan

Data from the Office of National Statistics showed that in 2014 there were 4.2 million people regularly working from home. With studies demonstrating reduced stress, increased happiness and increased productivity,  it’s no wonder that this figure is increasing all the time. As you may know, I had a recent change in career direction and I now find myself working from home 90% of the time. I love it. I love my house and enjoy spending time in it, I work well there. I have however found that I have to make an effort to be active during my working day. I don’t have colleagues to walk over to talk to, a coffee room to visit and I don’t need to nip out to get a sandwich at lunch time. I don’t have a commute, there’s no stroll to the bus stop, no crammed train to stand on and no brisk ‘late for work’ walk. So, whilst I’m happier, I’m aware there’s a risk I may not be healthier.  Reducing our sedentary time is an important part …

My Top Blog Posts of 2017

Published by Dr Juliet McGrattan

I have big plans for my blog for 2018. I enjoy creating and writing posts and I want to use this amazing opportunity to help keep us all motivated to move. Whether it be an educational post, an interview with an inspiring person, a kit review or a personal anecdote, it’s wonderful to see the power of the written word. Comments and feedback, here on the blog or on social media, re-inforce to me that I should keep going – even when it’s hard to cram in the hours it takes to keep a blog running! 

drjulietmcgrattan.com

The easiest and best thing you can do for your health this year.

Published by Dr Juliet McGrattan

Did you know, there is a single, very simple resolution that you can make this year that will improve your health? It doesn’t need a vision board. It doesn’t need breaking down into chunks to be achievable. It won’t take up any of your time and it doesn’t require sweaty selfies on social media to prove you’re doing it. What is it?

ZaaZee www.drjulietmcgrattan.com

Active Women Interview – meet Deborah Todd

Published by Dr Juliet McGrattan

I first met Deborah over a sports vest on Twitter! She was launching ZAAZEE her women’s sports wear brand. ZAAZEE caught my eye because they were a new business in Manchester and I try to ‘shop local’ whenever I can. I was so impressed by the quality that I went on to buy two sports bras. I finally met Deborah in person, over a coffee in town and immediately loved this warm, quirky woman who has an overwhelming passion for meeting new women and making them feel good about themselves. I was curious to find out about the woman behind this growing, quality brand and discover whether she had always been interested in exercise.

www.drjulietmcgrattan.com #activewomen

Active Women Interview – meet Joanna Bott

Published by Dr Juliet McGrattan

Cancer Research UK tells us that 1 in 8 women in the UK will develop breast cancer during their lifetime. You might have heard that if you regularly exercise for half an hour five times a week, then you can reduce your risk of breast cancer by up to 20%. What many people don’t know is that physical activity can also help to ease symptoms during breast cancer treatment, such as fatigue and lymphoedema (tissue swelling) and reduce the risk of the cancer coming back after treatment. It’s my pleasure to introduce you to Jo who was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 26. She is a wonderful example of an active woman who is using the power of physical activity to optimise her health and to give her the energy to help others affected by breast cancer too. Tell us a bit about yourself Jo My name is Jo and I live with my husband, one cat, one rat and one fish. I’m a Head Veterinary Nurse having been nursing for the past 14 …