The Health and Healing Narrative

Promoting understanding between people and practitioners.

Charlotte

  • Medical Marvel Monday: Can One Vaccine Bring Cervical Cancer Deaths Close to Zero?

    When the NHS introduced routine Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccination for girls in 2008, few could have predicted just how transformative it would become. Fast forward to 2026, and researchers have reported something remarkable. Among women in England aged 20-24 who had been offered the HPV vaccine at 12-13 years of age, no deaths from cervical…

  • Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: Define, Detect, Treat, Advocate

    By Lisa Banirian Just as every structure needs a strong foundation, our bodies are supported by the spine. The spinal column consists of five regions and a total of 33 vertebrae, some of which are fused by adulthood. The spine works in conjunction with muscles, tendons, ligaments, and nerves that support movement and protect the…

  • Medical Marvel Monday: What If a Vitamin B12-Based Compound Could Help Fight Aggressive Brain Cancer?

    What if a vitamin you get from food could be re-engineered to help fight one of the most aggressive brain cancers? From a clinical perspective, glioblastoma is one of the most challenging cancers encountered in neuro-oncology; it is the most common malignant (cancerous) brain tumour in adults and among the most aggressive. Despite maximal treatment,…

  • Heat-related Illness: Symptoms, Prevention, and Emergency Treatment Explained

    From ultramarathon races and hiking expeditions up Kilimanjaro, to outdoor festivals such as LoveTrails, working with Trailmed, a UK-based events medical company, means I’ve helped look after people from all walks of life in various conditions. What is consistently striking, though, is how often heat-related illness catches people out — even experienced athletes who are…

  • When Patients Become Their Own Experts: Finding Growth, Forgiveness, and Purpose in Chronic Illness

    By Josette Pelatan, PhD Editor’s note: This article is a first-person opinion and lived-experience piece by a guest writer. The views expressed are those of the author and reflect her individual healthcare journey. Personal experiences with illness, diagnosis, and treatment can vary significantly, and this article is not intended to provide medical advice, replace professional…

  • Huntington’s Disease and the Turning Point in Neurogenetic Therapy

    By Bushra Zletni, MSc Receiving a life-changing diagnosis is always difficult, and for many families, a Huntington’s disease diagnosis introduces significant uncertainty and emotional burden. This condition progressively impacts movement, cognitive abilities, and mental well-being, influencing the everyday lives of both patients and their caregivers. For many years, the absence of treatments that modify the…

  • Resident Doctor Strikes 2026: Understanding the Bigger Picture

    Today marks the start of a 6-day walkout by resident doctors, formerly “junior doctors”, across England. The dispute between resident doctors and the government has been ongoing since 2023, with multiple rounds of strike action already behind us. Much of the public conversation focuses narrowly on pay, though this focus obscures the far more complex…

  • Meningitis in the UK: Symptoms, Causes, Vaccines, and the 2026 Kent MenB Outbreak-

    Meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges, the protective layer that surrounds the brain and spinal cord, made up of dura mater, arachnoid mater, and pia mater (see below). It can be caused by a number of infective and non-infective factors. The recent Kent 2026 MenB outbreak has brought meningitis back into the spotlight, with…

  • Trauma, the Nervous System, and Gentle Movement: A Doctor’s Perspective

    By Dr. Antti Rintanen, MD, MSc Trauma is an experience — or series of experiences — in which a real or perceived threat is encountered, often accompanied by overwhelming stress or loss of control. Most people have experienced at least one traumatic experience in their lifetime. However, only a small percentage develop an actual post-traumatic…

  • Understanding Functional Neurological Disorder (FND): A Complete Guide

    Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) is a common neurological condition — yet many people have never even heard of it. Even more concerning, it is still widely misunderstood. I was reminded of this when I recently attended a conference at the Walton Centre, a specialist neurology and neurosurgery trust in the North West. During the conference, consultant…

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