Dr Nick Brown of Rowden Surgery in Chipenham writes his weekly medical column on the issues affecting the health service and its patients.

One in two could see swine flu symptoms

Dr Nick Brown

8:49am Friday 17th July 2009

Earlier this month the World Health Organisation classified the H1N1 Swine flu outbreak as a pandemic indicating the highest level of international infection risk.

The secrets of herbal medicine

Dr Nick Brown

7:00am Monday 29th June 2009

Medical herbalism has been practised in variety of ways, and as a part of conventional medical practice, for centuries, in many different countries.

Cardiovascular prevention and the polypill

Dr Nick Brown

7:00am Monday 15th June 2009

Recently I have had a few patients who have started the polypill, which has prompted me to wonder what has happened to this preventative treatment for cardiovascular disease?

The secrets of homeopathy

Dr Nick Brown

9:07am Tuesday 9th June 2009

Homeopathy is a holistic method of treating conditions by allegedly boosting the body’s natural energy to encourage healing.

Tackling the "worried well"

Dr Nick Brown

9:03am Tuesday 9th June 2009

Before we even consider specific medical screening tests, most doctors will agree that the most important factors for a long and healthy life are lifestyle issues which revolve around the way we choose to live our lives.

How to spot ovarian cancer

Dr Nick Brown

7:30am Monday 4th May 2009

Last month saw National Ovarian Cancer awareness week.

Jade's tragedy highlighted cervical cancer risks

Dr Nick Brown

9:29am Friday 1st May 2009

There has been a sudden surge of public interest in cervical cancer as a result of the public battle fought by Jade Goody against this disease.

Have scientists found a cure for peanut allergy?

Dr Nick Brown

11:10am Monday 20th April 2009

Up to five per cent of children suffer from food allergies and 1.5 per cent suffer from peanut allergy and this incidence is rising.

Taking a look at Complementary and Alternative Therapies

11:00am Monday 13th April 2009

Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) is a popular choice for many people seeking a solution to health and life style issues. 20% of the UK population try it each year, often paying for treatment privately and spending up to £200 million per year.

So why is your 13 year old Daughter being offered the HPV Vaccine?

11:03am Tuesday 7th April 2009

Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer of women worldwide and 70% of cases are associated with the sexually transmitted viruses HPV types 16 and 18.




Your Say Your Gazette

I refer to the article on Chippenham RFC seeking permission from the Rugby Football Union to allow their second team to be promoted to Southern Counties (level seven of the RFU league structure) should they finish top of Dorset & Wilts 1 North (level eight), (Gazette & Herald, February 28). The most interesting aspect of the article was actually what was not said by the club’s representative or was not mentioned.  − Colin Brockhurst, Corsham

Set up reserve league »

A newsletter hit my doormat on March 2 from ‘Nick Watts and the Lib Dem team’ headlined: Freeze Wilts council tax say Lib Dems. This document goes on to tell us that: “hard-working families cannot afford unnecessary council tax hikes in these difficult times” and so “Nick Watts and the Liberal Democrats have promised not to support any attempt by Wiltshire Conservatives to hit families by increasing council tax this year”.  − Peter Kemp, Chippenham

Don't believe claims »

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