This is the eleventh and final blog post in a series titled Wonderful Websites. The first focused on general health and can be read here. The second focused on mental health and mental illness and can be read here.
The third post focused on shopping and can be read here. The fourth focused on money and can be read here.
The fifth focused on gigs, shows and theatres and can be read here. The sixth focused on paganism and can be read here.
The seventh focused on gay culture and society and can be read here. The eighth focused on TV, Online Streaming & Films and can be read here.
The ninth focused on music & radio and can be read here. The tenth focused on technology and can be read here.
Here’s Wonderful Websites for autism and Asperger’s syndrome:
1. The National Autistic Society – A great online resource. It covers autism and Asperger’s syndrome for all ages and people in all circumstances.
2. NHS Choices – Autism Spectrum Disorder a great website for understanding the basics of autism and Asperger’s syndrome. It includes sections on: overview, symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment and adults with autism.
3. Scope: Autism – A fantastic website for all things disability. Their website has sections for people whom are disabled, a section for families and a section for professionals. They also have a telephone helpline.
4. Child Autism UK – A useful website if you have a child who has or you suspect has autism.
6. Asperger-Syndrome.me.uk – This website has some great content, but you can’t copy/paste the information as the information is saved as images rather than text. This means it’s usefulness for research purposes is limited.
Are there any websites around autism or Asperger’s syndrome that you think are useful that aren’t on the list? If so leave a comment below and let me know.
I’m a type 1 diabetic who has always struggled to have good control of my blood sugars.
I’ve been using a traditional glucose meter (a TEE2). Every diabetic will have a glucose meter. The meter tells the tester what their blood sugar is at the time that the reading is taken.
Nothing had really changed in the management or treatment of my diabetes for the last decade. That was until just over a week ago. It started when I saw this photo in the media:
I saw this photo of Theresa May (the current Prime Minister) who is Type 1 diabetic. I wondered what it was on her arm. (I’ve added on the circle and arrow on to the photo.)
A sensor that has a needle that goes into the interstitial fluid is placed on the back of an arm. The sensor on the skin is about the size of a two pound coin. The sensor takes a reading every minute and stores readings at 15 minute intervals. The sensor can store 8 hours of data. A sensor lasts 14 days.
A Reader downloads data from the sensor, including the most current blood sugar reading by placing the reader near the sensor (using Fear Field Communication (NFC)). You don’t even need a Reader if you have a phone with NFC. You can download an App available for both Android and Apple smartphones that allows you to use your phone as a reader. I haven’t got a phone with NFC, so would need a reader.
So I did some research. I read the entire FreeStyle Libre website including watching tutorial videos and FAQs. Then I read some posts on the Diabetes UK Forums. I watched every video about the FreeStyle Libre on YouTube.
I discovered that in November of last year (2017) the FreeStyle Libre became available on the NHS. However from reading the forums it seemed that availability depended on local criteria.
I decided I needed to trial the FreeStyle Libre as part of a new health plan to improve my health and prevent illness where possible.
I managed to buy two sensors at my local Boots Pharmacy. A sensor cost more than £50 each. This was because I thought I’d probably have to self-fund due to the cost to the NHS.
But I couldn’t buy a Reader anywhere. I rang my local Diabetes Specialists Centre. Their criteria for starting me on the FreeStlye Libre is: 1. is type one diabetic and 2. testing blood sugar 6-10 times a day. I met the criteria so they sorted me out with a Reader.
The Diabetic Specialist Nurse at my local Diabetes Centre was amazing. She sorted me a Reader. I saw the Diabetic Consultant in January and have been awaiting an appointment with a Dietitian. She said she’d chase this.
The Diabetic Specialist Nurse and I also arranged an appointment together in a few weeks time. This is so I can give her an update on my use of the FreeStyle Libre and so that she could write to my GP about putting the sensors on prescription. She informed me that if there was no improvement in my blood sugar control after 6 months, that my GP may choose to stop prescribing the sensors.
Excited I put on the sensor:
The sensor should be placed on the back of the arm. Start by cleaning with a pre-injection swab (provided with the sensor).
The sensor is assembled by pulling off the lid of the white tub, then matching up the gray lines and pressing down. Really easy and simple.
Place to your skin and press down. It’s painless and makes a clicking sound.
There it is. Sensor on.
I’ve chosen to put a 10cmx10cm dressing on my sensor to better protect it.
All set up. Quick, easy and simple. I’ll let you know how I go on.
I’ve been wearing the sensor and using the reader for a few days now. So here’s the pros and cons I’ve discovered so far:
Pros
Cons
The sensor isn’t noticed by others being on the back of my arm (covered even by short sleeves).
I don’t feel the sensor in my arm at all. No discomfort or pain.
The reader is pocked sized.
It’s quick and easy. A quick swipe and you have your current blood sugar along with a line graph showing your blood sugar throughout the day (and night) from readings the sensor has taken.
It’s more discrete swiping the reader near your arm, rather than getting out your glucose meter and pricking your finger.
I can check my blood sugar as often as I want, without worrying about running out of testing strips.
The reader has a whole host of useful features including: reading alarm reminders, logbook, daily graph, average glucose, daily patterns, time in target glucose range (which you set when you setup the reader), sensor usage, add notes to go with readings (including units of rapid-acting insulin, units of long-acting insulin, food – carbs, medicine and exercise).
It tells you how many days you have before you need to change the senor on the home screen.
The daily graph along with arrows showing whether your blood sugar is increasing (and how quickly), stable or decreasing (and how quickly) are enabling me to make better bolus insulin adjustments. The food notes will enable me to better match the number of rapid insulin units I need to administer based on the number carbs I’ve eaten.
The reader is helping me to identify trends in my blood sugars and helping me prevent my blood sugar from rising too high.
FreeStyle have software for both Windows on Mac that uses the data to create reports that you can share with Health Professionals.
If you have a phone with NFC you can use an App on your phone rather than using the reader. The Apps appear to have all the same features as the Reader.
The reader comes with with a USB wire (for connecting to computers) and has a plug to charge it from mains. According to the manufacturer, a full charge lasts about a week with average use.
The sensor takes the reading from interstitial fluid rather than blood. This means that the reading is 10-15 mins behind. This is not an issue if your blood sugar is stable, but could be an issue if it’s dropping.
The reader feels a little flimsy and doesn’t come with any cover or pouch to protect it from damage and general wear and tear.
The DVLA don’t currently allow readings from this monitor to count as a before driving test. Therefore a traditional glucose meter and finger pricking is still required prior to driving.
The sensors are expensive, costing over £50 each. This is a Con whether you are paying for them privately or whether the NHS is being charged for them (as we pay for the NHS through our taxes).
I was going to do this blog posts as a vlog (video blog). But I couldn’t get my head around the video editing software, so opted for the written method instead. That’s why the photos of me look like image captures from a video, because they are.
The FreeStyle Libre Glucose Monitoring System is just one part of my new health plan. I also want to become SmokeFree for good and lose weight through a better diet and regular exercise.
During my working and personal life I have met people who have told me that they are on the autistic spectrum or have been diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome. But I’ll be honest, I don’t know that much about autism or Asperger’s syndrome.
So I’m writing this Autism & Asperger’s Syndrome Series to educate myself and others.
What is Autism?
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is the name for a range of similar conditions, including Asperger syndrome, that affect a person’s social interaction, communication, interests and behaviour.
In children with ASD, the symptoms are present before three years of age, although a diagnosis can sometimes be made after the age of three.
It’s estimated that about 1 in every 100 people in the UK has ASD. More boys are diagnosed with the condition than girls.
Click here to display content from YouTube. Learn more in YouTube’s privacy policy.
What is Asperger’s Syndrome?
Asperger’s Syndrome is a Pervasive Developmental Disorder that falls within the autistic spectrum. It is a life-long condition, which affects about 1 in 200 people, more commonly in men than women. Those with Asperger’s Syndrome are usually of average or above average intelligence.
The condition is characterised by difficulties with Social Interaction, Social Communication and Flexibility of Thinking or Imagination. In addition, there may be sensory, motor and organisational difficulties.
Signs and Symptoms
The signs and symptoms include difficulties interacting with others and unusual thinking patterns. Behaviour is likely to be affected, as explained below:
Examples of Autism Spectrum Behaviours:
Communication
Echoing words/phrases without context
Taking an adult to the biscuit tin rather than asking or pointing
Taking language too literally
Social Interactions
Preference to play alone
Difficulty relating to other people
Not understanding other’s thoughts and emotions
Repetitive behaviours
Hand flapping
Toe walking
Spinning wheels
Lining up cars
Restrictive behaviour
Eating only yellow food
Insisting on walking the same route
Only watching Thomas the Tank Engine
…
People with autism may or may not have the following:
Exceptional attention to detail
Sensory differences, this is most noticeable when children are over-sensitive to stimuli e.g. distress at loud noises
Trouble with co-ordination
Unusual eating behaviour such as only eating certain foods
Additional learning disabilities
A very small percentage have unusual abilities for example with music or memory
People with autism and Asperger’s syndrome are at higher risk of developing or have these other conditions: learning disabilities, ADHD, epilepsy, dyspraxia, dyslexia, dyscalculia, OCD, depression, anxiety, bipolar, sleeping problems, Tourette’s syndrome or other tick disorders.
Diagnosis
People get diagnosed with autism or Asperger’s syndrome by their GP referring them to a Specialist Team. These days people are often diagnosed as children. The specialist team usually includes a Paediatrician, a Psychologist, a Psychiatrist, a Speech & Language Therapist and a Occupational Therapist.
Treatment Approaches
As every person with autism or Asperger’s syndrome is different, the treatment for each person is different; depending on the individual’s needs. However treatment includes interventions around developing communication skills, interaction skills, the ability to imagine and traditional academic skills.
It is also useful for parents/carers and other family members to go on a parenting and autism course. This is because these courses are packed with strategies to best support a child with autism.
Parents/carers and other family members can also get peer support which will help them feel less isolated and give them opportunities to learn from others at a local support group. If there isn’t a group locally, there’s lots of message boards online.
In the next post in this Autism & Asperger’s Syndrome Series I’ll be listing useful websites around autism and Asperger’s syndrome.
This is the first blog post in a series titled Wonderful Websites. This post focuses on the most wonderful websites for general health.
1. NHS Choices is crammed with health information. Information on health conditions, treatments, medications, public health issues, carers right, services, practically everything you could ever want to know about health and healthcare in the UK. Delivered by the NHS you can be assured of correct information that is up to date and based on research and evidence.
2. Patient.info has a A-Z list of articles written by doctors, information videos, a symptom checker and an active online community. On more than one occasion while at work in the NHS, I’ve seen doctors checking this valuable website.
3. NetDoctor is similar to Patient.Info, but with more of a focus on healthy living and healthy eating.
4. eMC (Medicines.org.uk) is a useful website for looking up information about medicines.
I use British National Formulary (BNF) but the medical terminology can be difficult for some from a non-medical/non-nursing background to understand; this is why eMC made it on this list instead of the BNF.
5. Office of National Statistics – Health and Social Care is the best place to find statistical information about health. It is regularly updated based on data from the NHS, Local Authories and other Government Departments.
6. National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) provides pathways, guidelines and advice across the UK for best possible evidence-based healthcare. The guidance they provide is developed by groups of clinical experts who provide experience of what works in practice and by examining and analysing research.
If you want to know what care you or a relative or friend should be receiving and check that it’s high quality visit NICE’s website.
7. Health For Teens I found while doing research for this post. It’s specifically aimed at teenagers and looks appealing. They even create content in consultation with young people. I think the name of the website maybe off-putting to young people though – but this is just my personal opinion.
Are there any health websites that you think are useful that aren’t on the list? If so leave a comment below and let me know.
The next post in the Wonderful Websites series will look at websites for mental health and mental illness.
Are you a Doctor, Nurse, Healthcare Assistant or Other Healthcare Professional? Or a Student?
Ways The Human Body Can Go Wrong covers every system of the body, what can go wrong when the body malfunctions or fails, symptoms (including why these happen) and cures/treatments available.
It includes knowledge around essential skills for Clinical Excellence such as Assessment, All Age Observational Norms, Models of Care, Communication/Handover Tips, the role of Specialities, Medication Tips, Dealing with Errors, Documentation Advice and a list of Useful Resources.
It is written in plain English, but highlights important medical terminology. It has been written at a level where someone from a non-medical background can pick it up and learn, but that it is still valuable to those with significant Clinical Experience.
My dear friend Roy decided to follow in his family’s footsteps and enlist in the Royal Navy.
I wanted to maintain our friendship, to continue to support Roy, to make him laugh and to entertain him. So I came up with the idea of sending him a weekly email on random topics.
These emails were on a variety of topics, always being entertaining, sometimes being interesting, sometimes funny and occasionally being serious.
Topics included: Jokes, Puzzles, Inspirational Quotes, Future Technology to Be Excited About, How to Fight A Shark, How to Woo A Turtle, Some of the Most Amazing Jobs in the World, Facts About Castles, Do Aliens Exist?, The Kindest Humans, A List of Cakes, 13 Weird Body Facts, 20 Super Space Facts, Ancient Egyptian Curses, 10 Weird Olympic Games, The Great Emu War of 1932, Quiz: Flags of the World, Legendary Characters from the UK and others.
My Royal Navy Friend is a copy of these emails. In total, there are 52 emails. Dispersed throughout the book are also Royal Navy facts and stories.
This workbook has been designed for anyone that is struggling with alcohol or has struggled with alcohol in the past.
It is written in a Motivational Interviewing style, one of the key therapies used to support people with alcohol issues. It has been designed using a trauma-informed approach and is strength–based.
What you will find in this book is more than just worksheets about alcohol. You’ll find all the tools someone needs to get into recovery from alcohol and stay there. It’s a therapy-based book, not an alcohol-based book.
SpellCast is a comprehensive compendium of spells, oils, charms and talismans. It is purely a book about magic, folk magic for the 21st century. The spells are ones that are tried and tested, with some that will stand the test of time.
In SpellCast you will read about the power of Instant Magic, of Banishment & Bindings, Blessings, Cleansing, Communication, Death, Employment, Finance & Money, Fertility, Friendship, Happiness & Joy, Health, Love & Relationships, Luck Magic, Protection, Transformative Magic and WishCraft.
This book will change your life. Your life will be abundant in all meanings of the word.
This book contains everything that you need to know about mental health and mental illness. Mental Health Wisdom is divided into three sections.
Understanding is section one and is all about the facts of mental health.
In section two, Empathy Through Lived Experience, the author shares his personal experience of mental illness.
Life Hacks is section three. It’s all about self-care and quick and easy ways to improve your mental health, prevent mental illness or relapse of mental illness.
Mental Health Wisdom contains everything that you need to know about mental health and mental illness.
Mental Health Wisdom is divided into three sections.
Understanding is section one and is all about the facts of mental health.
In section two, Empathy Through Lived Experience, the author shares his personal experience of mental illness.
Life Hacks is section three. It’s all about self-care and quick and easy ways to improve your mental health, prevent mental illness or relapse of mental illness.
If you find my blog educational or entertaining, please consider making a purchase or donation on Ko-Fi.
Categories
Amazon
Antony Simpson is a participant in the Amazon EU Associates Programme, an affiliate advertising programme designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.co.uk.
