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The South Wales Magazine


Do I need to take electrolytes in a heatwave?
The electrolyte products industry has ballooned into a massive market. Here’s what some GPs think about electrolyte replacement products (Alamy/PA) As heatwaves become more regular in the UK, so do warnings about dehydration. Alongside the familiar advice to drink plenty of water, there’s another message that’s become increasingly hard to ignore: replenish your electrolytes. Supermarket shelves and social media are buzzing with electrolyte replacement products promoted as “mu


Cardiff women warned menopause may increase risk of varicose veins
Cardiff women going through the menopause could be at a greater risk of developing varicose veins, warn experts from a clinic in the city. Huw Davies, Consultant Vascular Surgeon at Premier Veins Up to 40% of women over 50 suffer from varicose veins and hormonal changes during menopause may be partly to blame. Huw Davies, Consultant Vascular Surgeon at Premier Veins at Oaktree House, Oaktree Court, Cardiff Gate Business Park, said: “There’s already so much scaremongering surr


How to handle World Cup heartbreak, according to a psychiatrist
With the World Cup in full swing, emotions can run high. Dr Gbolagade Akintomide explains how to manage it all. The World Cup can be a stressful time for people (Alamy/PA) With the World Cup taking place from now until mid-July across the United States, Canada and Mexico, it’s an intense time for football fans. Featuring 48 teams competing in 104 matches at 16 stadiums, while there will be many highs, football fans are likely to experience lows too. Here, Dr Gbolagade Akintom


Jeremy Clarkson reveals prostate cancer news – 5 things men over 60 need to know about the disease
Prostate cancer is very common but is shrouded in misconceptions. Jeremy Clarkson opens up about his health on the show (Alamy/PA) Former Top Gear host-turned-farmer Jeremy Clarkson opened up about his “aggressive” cancer diagnosis in the latest episodes of his popular Amazon Prime Clarkson’s Farm series. Talking to farm manager Kaleb Cooper and land agent Charlie Ireland during discussions about harvest planning in episode seven, Clarkson said: “I’ve got cancer. “I disappear


How sudden increases in temperature can affect the body – and how to manage it
Hot weather can make you feel weak and tired, so here’s how to stay safe. How to keep cool when the mercury rises (Alamy/PA) Despite a week of rain, thunderstorms and unsettled weather, the Met Office predicts that temperatures will rise significantly this weekend. Dan Stroud, meteorologist at the Met Office, told The Press Association that he expects conditions to become much warmer, with temperatures widely above average, especially in southern areas on Saturday and Sunday.


Katherine Ryan on what might be the most embarrassing thing about childbirth
The comedian admits she pooed during two of her four labours – saying ‘it’s nothing to worry about because no one will remember’ The truth about labour: Katherine Ryan (Andrex/Dawn Productions/PA) As a mum of four, Katherine Ryan is well aware of both the joys and the horrors of childbirth. And the outspoken comedian, who gave birth to her latest baby seven-and-a-half months ago, is keen to stress that nothing about the birth process should be embarrassing or taboo – includin


A huge new wellness resort is coming to Manchester – here’s a peek inside the Bucharest version
As the first ‘Therme’ is being built in the UK, Claire Spreadbury finds out what to expect. Anyone for a dip? (Therme Manchester/PA) A wellbeing resort, which developers claim will be the ‘world’s largest’ of its kind, is set to open in Manchester in 2028. Building is underway at the 65,000 square-metre site for Theme Manchester – which will cost an estimated £500 million to complete. The spa and water park will include more than 20 saunas and almost two kilometres of water s


6 changes to make now to improve your sleep in warm weather
Simple adjustments can significantly reduce the impact of high temperatures on your sleep. Try to cool down your environment and your mind, advises the expert (Alamy/PA) As summer approaches, many of us look forward to longer days and warm evenings spent outdoors. But while rising temperatures are welcome during the day, they can become far less appealing at night when it’s time to sleep. If you’re concerned about how the warmer weather might affect your rest this summer, you


6 unexpected signs you’re dehydrated – and what to do about it
Dehydration can sometimes sneak up on you with some surprising symptoms. Make water a priority during the heatwave (Alamy/PA) As temperatures across the UK continue to climb to record highs, it’s important that staying hydrated doesn’t slip down the priority list. Dehydration is very common during heatwaves, and can range from mild to severe explains Dr Naveed Asif, GP at The London General Practice. “Most of us are probably mildly dehydrated the majority of the time and expe


When It’s your child, experience matters at Nuffield Health
At Nuffield Health Cardiff & Vale Hospitals, specialist paediatric teams deliver care that is carefully designed around the needs of children and young people, ensuring they feel comfortable, listened to and fully supported at every stage of their journey. Nuffield Health Cardiff & Vale Hospitals Every parent knows that few things matter more than their child’s health. From the first unexplained tummy ache to a niggling sports injury or concerns about development, deciding wh


How to boost your chances of living to 100 – as Sir David Attenborough approaches milestone
Everyone is talking about the latest longevity health trends, but to what extent can we actually increase our lifespan? Sir David Attenborough turns 100 on May 8 (Ian West/PA) The nation’s favourite broadcaster, natural historian and environmental advocate Sir David Attenborough will celebrate his 100th birthday next month on May 8, marking a remarkable seven-decade career that has defined natural history storytelling and reshaped humanity’s understanding of the planet. To ce


6 overlooked signs of coeliac disease to never ignore
The symptoms tend to be persistent, reoccurring and unexplained. Symptoms of coeliac disease can range from mild to severe, and often come and go (Alamy/PA) While many people recognise the common digestive issues linked to coeliac disease, fewer are aware of the more subtle symptoms that can easily go unnoticed. In the lead-up to Coeliac Awareness Month in May, we spoke with Alice Andrews, health policy lead at Coeliac UK, who helped clear up some common misconceptions about


Four pools in Cardiff take part in Swimathon 2026
Fairwater, Western, Eastern and Maindy leisure centres in Cardiff are hosting fundraising challenges for Swimathon 2026. Swimathon 2026 at Cardiff Leisure Centres The world’s biggest fundraising swim - which began 40 years ago - happens over the weekend of 20-22 March and sees fundraisers’ proceeds going to Cancer Research UK, end of life charity Marie Curie and the Swimathon Foundation. Individuals can choose to swim a variety of distances - 500m, 1.5k, 2.5k, Swimathon 5k


8 simple ways to boost your kidney health
Measures include staying hydrated, maintaining a balanced diet low in sodium, and controlling blood pressure. Your kidneys work hard for you, so protect them with these lifestyle tweaks (Alamy/PA) Relying too heavily on anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen for pain relief could negatively affect kidney health, warn experts. Kidney Care UK and the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) have urged consumers to be cautious about frequently using NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflamm


A New Era in Patient Care at St Joseph’s Hospital Newport
St Joseph’s Hospital has successfully performed its first robotic assisted surgical procedure, marking a significant milestone in its continued investment in advanced patient care. Robotic-Assisted Surgery from Mako SmartRobotics™ at St Joseph’s Hospital in Newport. Following a recent investment of over £1 million, independent private healthcare provider St Joseph’s Hospital in Newport is now able to offer all patients considering hip and knee replacement surgery even more ac


‘You don’t need to hit 10k steps’: Rita Ora’s workout philosophy and why less can be more
The British artist says listening to her body has helped transform her relationship with fitness. Rita Ora now opts for low impact strength training as opposed to intense cardio (Primark/PA) Rita Ora, 35, has spent more than a decade living at speed. From chart-topping singles and global tours to becoming an X Factor judge and a familiar face on prime-time TV, her career has been defined by momentum. And in an industry where visibility is currency and stamina is key, slowing


Are statins the best choice for me?
Discussing your personal circumstances with a GP is essential when considering statins. Statins are often taken to lower cholesterol (Alamy/PA) New research suggests that most side-effects linked to statins are not caused by the drugs. The new study, published in The Lancet, looked at data from 123,940 people who were were followed up for an average of 4.5 years after initiating treatment and took part in 19 clinical trials comparing the effects of statins to a placebo. Resea


Award‑winning joint care at Nuffield Health Cardiff and Vale Hospitals
Nuffield Health Cardiff and Vale Hospitals are celebrating national recognition for patient safety in orthopaedic surgery. Nuffield Health Cardiff and Vale Hospitals This year, Nuffield Health hospitals performing joint replacements across England and Wales have, (for the fifth consecutive year), achieved the National Joint Registry (NJR) Gold Quality Data Award, the registry’s highest mark for data quality and compliance. This reflects rigorous standards designed to improve


The Vale Resort Reveals £500k Gym Refurb
The all-new gym space offers state of the art equipment, new dedicated training zones and a brand new look for 2026. The Vale Resort Gym South Wales’ iconic Vale Resort has today unveiled the completion of a significant refurbishment of its extensive gym in time to help guests kick-start their new year fitness goals, investing £500,000 in the latest in fitness technology and equipment, as well as all-new training zones, to maximise the health and wellness experience for guest


Things you are too embarrassed to ask your doctor – but really should
Surgeon and social media star Dr Karan Rajan gives the lowdown on being honest about your ailments. Being honest with your doctor could save your life (Alamy/PA) There are some subjects many of us find hard to talk to our doctors about – bowel habits, sexual organs and personal hygiene spring to mind. But these are problems that we shouldn’t be afraid to discuss, says surgeon and social media star Dr Karan Rajan, 35, who has more than 10 million followers on social media, has
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