BARRY WATERFRONT
The Waterfront Medical Centre

Dr Nick Davies answers your questions regarding the flu season.



It’s not long before autumn is upon us again and we see the usual seasonal rise in viral infections, patients filling the waiting room with an array of various symptoms including fevers, sore throats, coughs, colds, earaches and upset stomachs.

Although most of the viral infections that are seen are usually not serious, flu is typically more miserable and the symptoms more pronounced. In the vast majority of cases the illness will settle with general supportive treatment without any specific need for antibiotics.

What’s the difference between a cold and flu?
Colds usually have symptoms such as a runny nose, sore throat and cough. Flu however tends to have a more sudden onset than colds, is a highly contagious acute viral infection that can affect people of all ages and is often associated with high fever, headaches, aching muscles, cough or other respiratory symptoms. Unlike a cold the patient is usually quite ill and bed bound and unlike colds, flu can be potentially serious particularly in the very young or elderly. It is thought about 12,000 people each year die from flu or its complications. Flu is usually transmitted through coughing or sneezing via the air.

How can flu be treated?
For most people flu can be treated with rest, increased fluids and simple over the counter remedies containing paracetamol. High temperatures lead to increased sweating and fluid loss so increasing your fluid intake is helpful. Linctuses such as Honey and Lemon may help alleviate cough.

Will antibiotics help?
Antibiotics are ineffective against flu. Anti viral drugs are sometimes used in flu epidemics and drugs such as Tamiflu can be used in the prevention and treatment of flu in adults and in children aged over 1 year if given early enough in the first 12-48hours.

Can I be vaccinated against flu?
Flu epidemics occur mainly in the winter and can result in widespread disruption of services as well as affect the health of the population. To help prevent this, the Department of Health runs a seasonal flu vaccination programme whereby a vaccine is produced based on the strains of the virus expectedly to be circulating. The aim is to vaccinate 75% of the at risk population.

Who is entitled to vaccination?
Flu clinics are held in most surgeries and immunisations are offered to those most at risk, i.e. aged over 65, those patients who have chronic respiratory, heart or liver disease, renal disease, diabetes mellitus, patients who have problems with their immune system, carers of the disabled or elderly or those living in long term residential accommodation.

Are there any complications with this vaccination?
Side effects are usually mild and can include soreness at the injection site, muscle aches or fever. As the vaccine contains no live virus it cannot cause flu. Patients with egg allergy should not have the vaccine. Flu epidemics are thankfully infrequent and even more infrequent are flu pandemics where millions of patients from different countries develop flu. Flu can lead to complications such as bronchitis and pneumonia and are more common in at risk groups and although uncommon, deaths from flu usually occur in these patients. For this and economical reasons immunisation is not offered to everyone in the population.

Waterfront Medical Centre Heol Y Llongau The Waterfront Barry Vale of Glamorgan CF63 4AR. For appointments please call 01446 734131 during surgery hours.

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VALE HOTEL GOLF & SPA RESORT
Caviar facial

As a member of the Vale Hotel, Golf and Spa Resort in Hensol, I regularly use the pool and the gym. Being a very busy dentist and mother to two teenage boys, I have little time to pamper myself, so rarely visit the spa.

I was very excited when I heard that the Spa now offers a Gerard’s luxury Caviar Cream Facial, and immediately booked an appointment.

After being introduced to Nicola, my therapist, the first step to this experience was the Caviar Veil gel which contained Caviar extract, Phytosqualene and seaweeds to regenerate my skin, stimulate my cells’ metabolism and reduce the blushing and swelling of my eyelids. Next, came the Caviar Cream, a deep tonic containing caviar and marine collagen, which reactivates cell regeneration, reduces wrinkles and expression lines and protects against damaging UV rays from the sun.

Finally, my skin was treated to the Age Out Pearls, concentrated disposable capsules with silk effect containing vitamin C and Tocotrienols. The Age Out Pearls have a bio-regenerating, anti-oxidizing action and protect against pollution.

Here’s the promise: This Caviar facial with its powerful factors of vitality and regeneration is pure and concentrated energy and is transmitted to cells with excellent results. The skin is re-born and relaxed again and it turns into a new, radiant, sublime beauty.

Did it live up to its promise? Not only did I enjoy the quality ‘me’ time, I was very pleased with the result of the treatment. My skin looked refreshed and had a lovely glow. This is definitely a miracle in a jar and a must for anyone’s bedside table. Caviar Cream is a 24hr cream that can be used both as a day and night cream. Apply onto a perfectly clean and moisturised skin with a quick and gentle massage . The result is vitalised, supple, firm and new skin.

Dr. Jeannette Pugh B.D.S

The Caviar Cream facial costs £55. Allow 60 minutes. Available at The Vale Hotel, Golf and Spa Resort Hensol Vale of Glamorgan CF72 8JY. Telephone 01443 665888 today for your appointment.

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CELTIC MANOR RESORT
Elemis Body Sculpting Therapy

Although Summer is drawing to a close and our strappy outfits are about to be replaced by warmer woolens, the promise of a smooth, toned and sculpted body, cleansed and free of toxins is something that every woman lusts after.

The Elemis Body Sculpting Cellulite and Colon Therapy treatment combines several different steps aimed at cleansing and toning your body, while also helping to improve the movement of the lymphatic system, ridding you of waste and toxins. The luxury experience promises to reduce cellulite and leave your skin silkier and smoother.

On arrival at the Forum Spa you feel as though you are about to embark on some serious pampering. My treatment began with the Elemis trademark hot lime foot cleanse and massage which sent me into a whirl of relaxation. The next step was invigorating as a cactus brush was swept over my body to increase circulation. The Body Sculpting Lipo- Refining Serum was massaged over my legs, hips and thighs. My therapist Julie paid close attention to problem areas by kneading the skin quite vigorously to stimulate blood flow and drain away excess fluid.

I was then smeared from the hips to the knees in a Detoxifying Fennel and Birch Peel off Body Mask which, despite its strong fennel scent reminded me of a thick pancake mix! Once this mask was applied my legs were wrapped in plastic sheeting to allow the fennel and birch to work their magic at drawing out impurities and stimulating blood flow. J

ulie then focused on my digestive system with a deep abdominal massage designed to help detoxify my body. The treatment came to an end with a soothing scalp massage, then the body mask was peeled off and my legs cleansed with hot lime mitts before the Body Sculpting Firming Cream was smoothed into my legs.

The whole experience, which lasted just under an hour was extremely relaxing. In order for the treatment to perform at its peak it needs to be carried out regularly as well as being complemented by a 3-Step Home Care Programme. One treatment was not a miracle worker but did leave me feeling rebalanced. My skin felt softer, more supple and enriched and my jeans felt a little looser than they had when I arrived.

The Elemis Body Sculpting Cellulite and Colon Therapy treatment is available at the Forum Spa at the Celtic Manor Resort 01633 410262.

Renee Godfrey

Renee has recently taken on a role in communications at Atlantic College. She adores being close to the sea at St Donats Castle where she can pursue her passion for surfing when she finds time. With her active and fast paced lifestyle, Renee is well placed to take time out, relax and review our beauty treatments. ....................................................................................................................

PENARTH
Something you might find a-peeling!

Anyone who knows me well knows that I don’t have beauty treatments. In my youth I was a tomboy, happy in jeans and baggy sweaters with perhaps a comb scraped through my hair as a nod to grooming.

As I’ve matured I do try a bit harder. I have my hair cut regularly (an easy maintenance style I grant you) and try to remember to moisturise every night but that’s as far as it has gone. Now that I’m seeing more and more lines I thought it might be time to invest a little more in my skin. I had heard good things about Ener-chi in Penarth and decided to give it a try.

As soon as I met Judy Mancuso, the owner, she put me immediately at ease and suggested I try a natural enzyme facial peel by the Hungarian organic skin care company Eminence. Jayne Manley was my therapist for the treatment. An irritatingly youthful looking 39 year old and fully qualified, she had a soothing, calming voice and, again, I felt completely safe in her hands.

Jayne explained that the treatment helped dry, dehydrated, oil-deficient, clogged, blemished or acne skin types (did she mean me?). She then went on to extol the many benefits which included a stimulated cellular renewal and brightness of complexion, a clearing of clogged pores and assistance in treating and preventing acne, removal of dead skin allowing easier penetration to the skin of other products for better results and finally, a refining of the skin, assisting in the removal of blemishes and the renewal of skin texture.

The active ingredients include naseberry for refining the skin and removing dead tissue, apple (whole fruit) for nourishing and toning the skin, grape (whole fruit) for assisting in skin renewal, medlar/apple for moisturising the skin and providing essential oils, lactic acid for accelerating the removal of dead cells and growth of new ones and Biocomplex™, an antioxidant vitamin booster.

After we’d gone through my medical history, Jayne steamed my face with hot flannels to open up the pores. She then double cleansed my skin with a lemon cleanser. Once completed, she exfoliated with a stone crop to remove any dead skin and congestion. Soothing chamomile tonic toner was then applied to remove any surface oil in preparation for the peel.

Each application of product was applied with Jayne’s expert fingertips and the wafts from the various floral notes were very pleasant. A yang and pumpkin pro-enzyme peel was then applied and I immediately felt a tingling hot sensation. Not pleasant but not unbearable either. The peel was left on for a couple of minutes to do its magic.

In the meantime, Jayne massaged my feet using the reflexology technique and almost immediately she noticed that my stress levels were very high and that I had a weakness in my lower back, which was absolutely spot on. She then went on to massage my face, neck and shoulders with rose and geranium massage oil. This really helped to ease the built up tension.

My skin was then cleansed and toned to remove all remaining products. To finish the treatment, Jayne applied an apricot whipped moisturising cream to my face which smelt good enough to eat. I was left for a few minutes to gather myself together and Jayne then gave me some helpful tips for future skincare.

To my mind the proof of any beauty treatment is how the skin looks and continues to look a week following the treatment. A lot of treatments boast big improvements when all they really do is moisturise the top layer of skin. This treatment did what it said it would. It took the top layer of dead, unhealthy looking skin away to leave skin which is now as soft and peachy as a baby’s bottom. It just looks fresh and healthy and I’d like to think that it has knocked a good few years off me. When the effects start to wear off, I’ll definitely be going back for more.



My general rule of thumb with anything like this is...

Did I think it was worth the money?

Would I do it again?

Would I recommend it to a friend?

The answer to all three is yes!

Jennifer Hobbs-Roberts

Ener-chi 31 Hickman Road Penarth CF64 2AL (near Blockbuster) For appointments please phone 029 2070 7356 also at, 57 Heol Isaf, Radyr, near Cardiff www.enerchi4health.com