When life is busy with balancing work, family, and everything in between, it’s easy for your own health to slip down the priority list – and easy to assume that how you’re feeling is ‘just stress’ or ‘just getting older.’ Preventative health screenings are about taking a small amount of time now to reduce uncertainty […]
Skin changes are a natural part of getting older, but during midlife, particularly around perimenopause and menopause, those changes can become more noticeable. You may find your skin is suddenly drier, more sensitive, or developing patches of pigmentation that weren’t there before. While many of these shifts are linked to hormonal changes, it’s still important […]
Bowel cancer is a topic nobody likes to talk about, but recent years have thankfully brought greater awareness, thanks in part to Dame Deborah James, known as Bowelbabe. Her openness about her diagnosis and treatment helped millions of people understand the importance of recognising the signs early. April is also Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, which […]
April is Stress Awareness Month, an event aimed to increase public awareness about the causes, effects and management of stress. Stress is something most of us live with to some degree. However, when stress becomes constant, it can start to affect the body in unexpected ways. If you’ve been feeling unusually tired, struggling with your […]
Nutrition & Hydration Week (16-22 March) is a timely reminder that what we put into our bodies has a direct impact on how we feel. When energy levels dip or minor illnesses seem to linger, it’s easy to blame stress, poor sleep, or a busy schedule. While those factors certainly play a role, nutritional deficiencies […]
Endometriosis Awareness Month shines a light on a painful and debilitating disease that affects approximately 10% of reproductive-age women. While pelvic pain is one of the most recognised symptoms of endometriosis, other comorbidities are highly common. For many women, it affects energy levels, digestion, mental wellbeing, relationships, and fertility. At EssexPrivateGP, we regularly see women […]
If you’ve noticed new aches, stiffness, or sore joints appearing during your 40s or 50s, you’re not alone. Joint pain is a surprisingly common symptom of perimenopause and menopause, yet it’s one that often catches us off guard. Many women worry that these changes signal arthritis or long-term joint damage, when in fact hormonal shifts […]
With February marking National Heart Month, it’s a good time to talk about chronic inflammation. While short-term inflammation is a normal and helpful response to injury or infection, chronic inflammation is a low-level, ongoing state that can gradually affect the body over time, often without obvious symptoms at first. At EssexPrivateGP, we often see patients […]
Cervical Cancer Prevention Week, which this year is happening week commencing 19th January, is an important reminder of how powerful prevention really can be. Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers, yet screening rates have fallen in recent years, often because life gets busy, or appointments feel easy to postpone. Smear tests may […]
Dry January has become a popular way to reset after the festive season, but the benefits of cutting back on alcohol go far beyond a clearer head and a lighter wallet. Even moderate drinking can have subtle effects on hormones, sleep quality, and heart health, often without us realising. Many patients tell us they’re surprised […]