Exercise Resources

This clinical series aims to demystify and simplify approaches to assessment and
management of chronic oedema in the community, including the promotion of selfcare,
to improve efficiency and the delivery of evidence-based care for patients with
chronic oedema. Part 4 looks at chronic oedema management, beginning with skin
care and exercise (Wound Care People, 2019).

Deconditioning is a term used to describe the physical decline a person might experience following a period of inactivity. It has long been recognised, but has previously been associated with prolonged periods of immobility or hospitalisation resulting from injury or illness. As we come out of the Covid-19 pandemic and the associated periods of lockdown and shielding the more vulnerable, there is evidence that some of the population are suffering the effects of deconditioning. It is apparent that this may be with or without coexisting medical conditions and needs to be considered as an additional or stand-alone diagnosis where symptoms exist, or where worsening of an underlying medical condition could be as a result of deconditioning. This article considers the causes and effects of deconditioning, its impact on physical and mental health, and how we can approach reconditioning programmes through health and society.

This two-part article aims to help healthcare professionals understand constipation; the possible causes, and the anatomical and functional problems. In the first part, the author explained anatomy and physiology of the lower gastrointestinal tract, what are normal bowel motions, frequency and variation, which includes the Bristol Stool Chart to view the types of bowel motions sufferers may often experience. Here, the focus is on conservative treatment interventions for constipation, exploring the four ‘Fs’ acronym (Rex, 2013): fibre (in diet); fluids (those best for health reasons); fitness (‘if you do not move, it will not move’); and finally feet, which relates to the best sitting position to help achieve bowel evacuation successfully.

Sandra Drummond unravels the mysteries of the diabetic diet
Dr Sandra Drummond Lecturer in Human Nutrition and Public Health Nutrition, Queen Margaret University College, Edinburgh. Article accepted for publication: April 2003

Teresa Burdett and Clare Wong give an overview of a community based initiative. Teresa Burdett RGN, RMN, DPSN, BSc, RHV, MSC is a Lifestyle Practitioner Smokestop Tutor, Walking for Health Accredited Leader and Health Visitor in Poole, Dorset.
Clare Wong RGN, BSc, RHV is a Smokestop Tutor, Walking for Health Accredited Leader and Health Visitor in Poole, Dorset. Article accepted for publication: March 2004

Nigel Denby outlines the role of diet and nutrition as simple treatments for the management of constipation.
Nigel Denby BSc Hons, is a Nutrition Consultant and Registered Dietician, Bedfordshire.
Article accepted for publication: January 2006