Claire Richards has opened up about her experience perimenopause, saying that she feels “lucky” to be experiencing it at this stage in her life. The Steps singer, 46, said on Good Morning Britain: “I feel quite lucky to be going through it [perimenopause] in a period where others have spoken out about it already. There’s a lot more information for me to find. “And I think half the population is going to go through at some point and I was surprised at how little we know as women about perimenopause, menopause, [or] anything that happens to us. Here’s everything you need to know about perimenopause... What is perimenopause? Perimenopause is the transitional period before menopause, and can occur any time between your mid-30s to mid-50s. According to The Menopause Charity, menopause is when your ovaries stop producing eggs and your hormone levels fall. Perimenopause is the gradual process before this when your ovaries start to slow down, and The Menopause Charity says it can last for a few months or several years. Menopause begins when you have not had a period for 12 months, the NHS states. What are the symptoms? The first symptoms of perimenopause are usually (but not always) changes in the normal pattern of your periods, the NHS says. Otherwise, the symptoms are very similar to what women experience once they have reached the menopause. Everyone experiences perimenopause differently, but according to the NHS, mental health symptoms can include mood changes, anxiety, low self-esteem and brain fog. Common physical symptoms can include hot flushes, restlessness, heart palpitations, migraines, muscle aches and joint pains, weight gain, dry and itchy skin, reduced sex drive, vaginal pain and dryness, and consistent urinary tract infections (UTIs). What helps ease the symptoms? Lifestyle adjustments can help ease perimenopause and menopause symptoms. The NHS advises plenty of rest, a healthy diet, regular exercise and doing relaxing things, as well as steering clear of alcohol and cigarettes. Vaginal moisturisers or lubricants can help ease vaginal dryness. Speak to your GP if you are concerned about your symptoms. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can be prescribed for people going through both perimenopause and menopause, replacing oestrogen as hormone levels start to drop. Talking therapy (CBT) is another option and could help with symptoms including low mood and anxiety. Read More Woman says she started to wear ‘terrible wigs’ after her job banned her pink hair Joe Wicks defends decision to pull five-year-old daughter out of school TikToker sparks backlash for complaining about popular European vacation spots: ‘Dying to go home’ Can a vegan diet help with hot flashes in menopausal women? Alzheimer’s: How and when to talk to someone about their memory loss What are gynaecological cancers and how can you prevent them?

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British Formula 2 star Oliver Bearman will drive for Haas in practice sessions in Mexico and Abu Dhabi later this year. The 18-year-old, from Chelmsford, is a member of the Ferrari Driver Academy and Haas currently receive their engines from the Italian giants. As a result of their partnership and Haas’ requirement to fill at least two first practice sessions a season with a rookie driver, Bearman will feature in FP1 in Mexico City later this month and at the season-finale in Abu Dhabi in November. Bearman is currently sixth in the F2 standings with four victories to his name. He won the Italian F4 championship in 2021 and raced in Formula 3 last year, finishing third. “I am so happy to be joining MoneyGram Haas F1 Team driving in Mexico and Abu Dhabi,” said Bearman. “Getting to Formula 1 has been my dream since I was go-karting so to be driving a car for the first time this year is really special. “I’m grateful to the team, and of course Ferrari, for allowing me this chance. I’m working hard to make sure I’m ready to support the team as best I can on both occasions.” Haas team principal Guenther Steiner added: “We’re very happy to offer Oliver Bearman these outings in Mexico and Abu Dhabi “He’s had a stellar rookie season in Formula 2, four wins is testament to that, and as part of the Ferrari Driver Academy – we know his background preparation coming into these weekends will be first-rate. We look forward to welcoming Oliver into the team and have him drive the VF-23.” Bearman will be present in the paddock this weekend in Qatar as he embeds himself within the Haas team ahead of his first outing in Mexico City on 27 October. Read More ‘Referees make mistakes’: Pierre Gasly compares Liverpool VAR farce to Abu Dhabi controversy Aston Martin boss urges F1 to stick to 10 teams Mick Schumacher holds talks with Alpine over 2024 drive

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While your child may be excited about returning to school this September, there’s also a little anxiety about the one thing that can put a spanner in the works: a cold. As Dr Dave Nichols, of MyHealthChecked, an at-home wellness testing company, puts it: “The return to school following the summer holidays often coincides with a rise in a number of respiratory illnesses, including the common cold.” Common symptoms include a cough, sore throat, nasal irritation, nasal discharge (rhinorrhoea), a fever or generalised malaise, explains Nichols. “While the common cold can affect all population groups, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence report this to be far higher amongst children, who experience an average of five to eight colds per year.” Nichols continues: “Adults who have regular contact with children are also seen to have colds more frequently.” He says children are especially important in the transmission, acting as reservoirs for the infection as they have fewer antibodies and a more immature immune system, making them more susceptible to the common cold. “Direct contact with the skin or hand contact with an infected object are key ways the virus is transmitted,” notes Nichols. “Which explains why numbers seen amongst children are higher, as they are more likely to have close contact with each other in nursery and school.” While there is no cure for the common cold, he says prevention remains crucial in order to protect ourselves from illness. Here are some top tips to reduce the chances of catching a cold… Adopt good hygiene measures Basic good hygiene measures are an important way of reducing the transmission of viruses, says Nichols. Wash hands frequently with warm soap and water if you (or the kids) have symptoms, or have come into close contact with someone who has symptoms. He says to avoid sharing items within households, such as towels, can also help. Get into a physical exercise routine Ensuring regular physical exercise is important because it has been shown to reduce the chances of people developing viral illnesses such as the common cold, advises Nichols. “Exercise plays an important role in boosting immunity by increasing the circulation of some important immune cells, which fight against infection,” says Nichols. “It also plays a key role in helping to reduce stress and the release of stress-related hormones within the body, which has an important impact.” Eat healthy foods to maximise your wellbeing “Eating well will help support a good functioning immune system,” says Dr Emeka Okorocha, medical doctor and TV personality. “The body needs a range of nutrients and vitamins to stay strong and healthy, and prevent the development of disease.” He highlights the following vitamins… “Vitamin A, which is converted from beta carotene found in vegetables such as sweet potatoes and beetroots, is very good for helping support the mucosal lining in your nose and lungs – and helps defend against infection. “Vitamin C has always been considered a good preventative vitamin from catching colds, this can be found naturally in fruits like strawberries, blueberries, blackberries and raspberries – and in leafy vegetables like spinach as well as broccoli, peppers and peas. “Vitamin D that many of us get from natural sunlight is also ideal for overall health – and studies have shown that people lacking in vitamin D are more likely to succumb to infection.” In winter months, when there are lower levels of natural sunlight, he says you can obtain vitamin D from foods such as salmon, mackerel, eggs, and mushrooms. Berries are very beneficial Okorocha continues: “I love fresh berries – strawberries, raspberries and blueberries, for example, are high in antioxidants and contain lots of vitamin C, which helps our bodies to produce antibodies that keep us from getting sick. “Berries are also high in flavonoids which help protect cells in our immune system by promoting activation and secretory processes within cells.” He says studies have indicated that regularly eating fruits such as blueberries may decrease your likelihood of catching a cold. Get adequate rest and sleep Ensuring you’re getting adequate amounts of rest and sleep is crucial in helping to reduce your risk of becoming unwell, urges Nichols. “A healthy adult needs between seven to nine hours of sleep per night, with children requiring longer,” says Nichols. “Sleep quality has been shown to be an important predictor of immunity, with those regularly sleeping under the recommended amounts more likely to develop a cold. “Improving your sleeping pattern is therefore an important way to reduce the chances of becoming unwell.” Read More Former royal chef explains why Prince William and Kate’s children don’t eat with them ‘You think it’s going to be a money making machine’: How modern life killed the hobby People defend bride after father-in-law explains why he left wedding early 4 hacks to get teens off the sofa and get active – as study warns of heart damage Elle King opens up about her ‘deep depression’ amid two-year postpartum journey BBC Radio 2’s Tony Blackburn reveals he had sepsis and pneumonia in health update

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