https://patient.info/rss Latest updates from Patient.info FeatureArticle Copyright 2026 Patient.info Many people put off bowel cancer screening. Some feel embarrassed about collecting a stool sample, while others worry about what the result might show. Busy schedules, a lack of symptoms and the belief that bowel cancer only affects older people can also lead people to ignore their invitation. However, bowel cancer screening is one of the most effective ways to detect bowel cancer early, before symptoms develop. In some cases, it can even help prevent cancer from developing in the first place. The test is quick, free and can be completed from home. Dr Sarah Jarvis https://patient.info/features/cancer/what-is-bowel-cancer-screening-and-why-do-you-need-it doc_31271 2026-08-11T23:00:00.000Z Does achieving great skin really mean spending a fortune? The good news is that effective skincare doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag. Alongside a healthy lifestyle, there are plenty of affordable products that can help keep your skin looking and feeling its best. Victoria Raw https://patient.info/features/skin-conditions/can-you-get-great-skin-without-spending-a-fortune 54TFxeVUnh9CdhL3b3J5lb 2026-08-10T23:00:00.000Z Getting enough quality sleep is one of the best things you can do for your health. So naturally, social media has found a way to interfere with it. The latest viral craze, ‘gratification snoozing’, involves setting multiple alarms throughout the night so you can enjoy the feeling of falling back asleep. But while it may sound satisfying, this trend could be doing more harm than good. Here’s why experts say gratification snoozing isn’t the sleep hack it’s claimed to be - and what you should do instead to wake up feeling genuinely refreshed. Victoria Raw https://patient.info/features/healthy-living/gratification-snoozing-the-viral-sleep-trend-that-could-be-making-you-more-tired 5khLEtv2CUYQPRqYLFKVAq 2026-08-10T23:00:00.000Z Pilates is known for its ability to improve bodily strength, flexibility, and stamina. However, as with all exercise, it can also be effective for weight loss. The key to using Pilates for weight loss is to practise regularly and fuel this exercise with a well-balanced, nutritious diet that allows you to create a healthy calorie deficit. Amberley Davis https://patient.info/features/healthy-living/is-pilates-good-for-weight-loss doc_31905 2026-08-05T23:00:00.000Z The last few years have seen drastic changes in body shapes for many as beauty standards opt again for slimmer builds. This has given rise to a variety of social media trends - including skinnymaxxing. Here we explore why this is, what it means, and what the consequences are that many influencers will leave off their vlogs. Helena Barham-Coppola https://patient.info/features/mental-health/what-is-skinnymaxxing-and-why-are-health-experts-concerned-about-it 1cQK0XguF5aqHQm89mOWI0 2026-08-05T23:00:00.000Z Most of us know vitamin C is good for us, but do you know all the ways that this essential nutrient benefits your health? Here you can find out how easy it is to get enough vitamin C, as well as what happens when you consume too little and too much. Amberley Davis https://patient.info/features/diet-and-nutrition/vitamin-c-benefits-sources-and-deficiency doc_32131 2026-08-03T23:00:00.000Z Puberty blockers have become one of the most debated treatments in modern medicine. Recent developments, including the High Court's decision allowing a new UK clinical trial to proceed, have once again placed them in the spotlight. But what are these medicines, how long have they been used, what did the Cass Review conclude, and why are researchers still trying to answer some important questions? Thomas Andrew Porteus, MBCS https://patient.info/features/treatment-medication/puberty-blockers-what-the-evidence-says-and-why-scientists-are-still-studying-them 1Qbaun5cyOO8SByKJC7Zky 2026-08-02T23:00:00.000Z Looking after your joints is important if you want to stay active and keep moving comfortably - especially as you get older. Lots of things can affect your joint health, but carrying extra weight plays a major role. We look at how weight impacts your joints and share some simple ways to help reduce the strain. Victoria Raw https://patient.info/features/bones-joints-muscles/how-obesity-affects-joint-health-and-what-you-can-do-about-it 2R4c03f07K7uqh4avyENd4 2026-07-30T23:00:00.000Z Steroids are medicines used to treat many conditions, including asthma, arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, eczema, and autoimmune diseases. Dr Sarah Jarvis https://patient.info/features/treatment-medication/steroid-side-effects doc_30892 2026-07-29T23:00:00.000Z Colds are often associated with autumn and winter, but you can catch one at any time of year. Although they are less common during the warmer months, the viruses that cause colds continue to circulate throughout the summer. Most summer colds are mild and get better on their own within a week or two. Dr Sarah Jarvis https://patient.info/features/infections/can-you-catch-a-cold-in-summer doc_30625 2026-07-29T23:00:00.000Z