Let’s Talk Mental health in Kids: How has Covid-19 affected our children?

Posted on 02/06/202002/06/2020 by MM Health

Often, when we discuss mental health, we think only of adults. As we start to emerge from the lockdowns to which we have been subject, it is useful to ponder some pertinent questions about our children’s mental health.

It is with this in mind that NHS England’s top doctor for children and young people’s mental health has urged parents to be alert to signs that children could be experiencing anxiety, distress or low mood as some pupils return to school. Such feelings might be experienced both by pupils heading back to the classroom after months away and those who would like to return but remain stuck at home feeling left out or isolated. For those pupils that do return to school, there is the added complexity of adjusting to a new learning environment in which social interaction is tempered by the rules around social distancing, wearing of masks, and alterations to the learning and play environment.

Signs that parents should look out for include:

Children becoming more easily upset or finding it hard to manage their emotions
They may appear anxious or distressed
Increasing trouble with sleeping and eating
Appearing low in mood, withdrawn or tearful
Reporting worried or negative thoughts about themselves or their future
For younger children, there may be more bed wetting.

If a parent is worried about their child’s mental health, they can help by:

Making time to talk to the child
Allow the child to talk about their feelings
Trying to understand their problems and providing reassurance that they have heard them and are there to help
Helping the child do positive activities
Trying to keep a routine over the next few weeks
Looking after their own mental health.
Paying extra attention if they have children with autism spectrum disorder, learning disabilities and ADHD; taking extra time to explain change and manage any anxiety and distress. This might necessitate additional contact with specialist health and care services.

External help is also available from:

NHS 111 online or GPs for urgent problems such as signs of self-harm or injuries in children
Rise Above, a resource with advice for pupils, parents and schools about a wide range of issues that young people face
MindEd, a free educational resource for parents and professionals working with children
Young Minds Parents’ helpline, can provide advice and support to any parent or carer who’s concerned about their child’s mental health.
The NHS website, which has a wide range of resources on just about every health issue.

Can breastfeeding mothers take ibuprofen? What if the mother has COVID-19?

Posted on 01/06/202001/06/2020 by MM Health

This week is breastfeeding awareness week in the U.K. In recognition of this, we’ll be posting a series of short articles on breastfeeding advice alongside our usual content.

The first one relates to updated information bulletin produced by U.K. Medicines Information Pharmacists on the 21st of May, 2020. You may download a copy of this bulletin here. Please take note of the disclaimer at the top of the bulletin.

In summary, here is what we currently know about breastfeeding and ibuprofen:

Ibuprofen is one of the painkillers of choice whilst breastfeeding
Only very small amounts of ibuprofen pass into the breast milk, and these amounts are far below the doses that would normally be given to infants directly
The properties of ibuprofen are such that there is no risk of it building up in the infant’s system.
There have been no side-effects reported in infants exposed to ibuprofen through breast milk
Ibuprofen is widely available to purchase as an over-the counter medicine and is also found in some cold and flu remedies.
This also applies to ibuprofen formulated as the lysine salt.
This applies to infants born full term and healthy. If an infant is unwell, or premature, or the mother is taking multiple medicines, then an individual risk assessment will need to be made.
If a breastfeeding mother is infected with coronavirus (COVID-19) it is still advisable for her to breastfeed her infant since the benefits of breastfeeding outweigh any risk of transmission of the infection. For the latest guidance, see Public Health England.

The latest NHS advice regarding the use of ibuprofen to manage the symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) is available here.

Reflections on Mental Health

Posted on 25/05/202025/05/2020 by MM Health

I have many friends that work in mental health. In fact, one of them, Butho, has published an excellent post in relation to his experiences serving people who had been in some way affected by or involved in dealing with the fallout from the Manchester Arena bombing a few years ago. You can read his article on LinkedIn.

It is, in a sense, refreshing that we can now talk candidly about mental health. I grew up in an era within my culture when men, in particular, were expected not to cry or show any emotions that hinted at vulnerability. An outcome of this outlook is that many suffered in silence and failed to find true fulfilment in life. It is likely than many sought to drown their sorrows in the beer bottle, failed to reach their potential in their families or work life, and died premature deaths. I can think of a number of family members about whom this might be true.

A recent conversation with someone I know brought this to the fore. He has been battling some personal demons (drug addiction) and slowly making progress. However, he has found, lately, that he breaks down at the flimsiest of triggers and finds himself sobbing. This is disconcerting for a mature man in his fifties; but he recognises that there are underlying issues for which he needs professional help.

I had the conversation above last week, which, coincidentally, was Mental Health Awareness Week in the U.K. This is a worthwhile focus that, in my view, was overshadowed by the focus on Covid-19. This might have had the unfortunate effect of reducing the impact and reach of any campaigns that were actually undertaken by different organisations. In light of the fact that mental health problems are likely to be exacerbated by job losses and current restrictions on movement, we should look at continuing the focus on mental health and publicising the resources available to help those facing mental health challenges.

As we consider this possibility, it is also poignant that mental health statistics indicate that women are more likely to be diagnosed with self-referred conditions such as stress and depression; but when it comes to bipolar illness and schizophrenia, gender differences diminish. One possibility is that males are somehow more resilient when it comes to such conditions. However, it is also likely that men do not refer themselves as readily to health professionals when they experience some mental health challenges. If you have any experience with this, you are welcome to shed more light in the comments below.

Whatever the explanation, the good news is that nobody needs to suffer in silence. If you, or anybody you know, are facing mental health challenges, seek help from a medical professional. If your doctor or pharmacist is not in a position to help, they will be able to refer you to someone who can.

The video below gives an overview of five of the most common mental health challenges encountered in the U.K. It’s worth having a look if it’s something you don’t regularly deal with.

Covid-19 vs Hydroxychloroquine, Chloroquine, Azithromycin, Ibuprofen: The scientific view so far

Posted on 20/05/202020/05/2020 by MM Health

One of the outcomes of the emergence of Covid-19 is that it has shown how the slow, methodical manner in which scientists prefer to gather evidence, upon which to base advice, can prove unsatisfactory in a world in which rapid answers are required both in the political and social spheres. Nowhere is this more vividly illustrated than in the plethora of opinions about supposed causes, cures and preventatives for the infection. In this post we look at the main allegations in relation to the four drugs above and compare them with the findings and views of the main body of scientific understanding. This is of course not a substitute for any medical intervention that a qualified professional might prescribe individually for you. It is also not intended as a commentary on the choices or actions of any individual in relation to any of the drugs.

Let’s start with ibuprofen. This is a drug that is widely used as an anti inflammatory pain-killer that also helps reduce high temperatures.
The allegation: Back in March 2020, growing circulation of rumours online and in social media, alleging that ibuprofen could make symptoms of Covid-19 worse, led to cautionary advice being given that, wherever possible, people should use paracetamol in preference to ibuprofen; even though there was no evidence that ibuprofen could cause worse outcomes for those infected with the coronavirus.
The confirmed findings: On the 14th of April, 2020, the Commission of Human Medicines (CHM) Expert Working Group on coronavirus (COVID-19) release an update that it had reached the conclusion that there was insufficient evidence to establish a link between use of ibuprofen, or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and susceptibility to contracting COVID-19 or the worsening of its symptoms. In other words, ibuprofen, aspirin, naproxen and similar medicines are considered safe to use if you get infected with Covid-19.

Hydroxychloroquine: The British National Formulary indicates that this is licensed for use in active rheumatoid arthritis, systemic and discoid lupus erythematosus and skin conditions caused or aggravated by sunlight (all under expert advice). In children, it is not licensed for the last use. It is recognised as having similar properties for the prophylaxis of malaria as Chloroquine in those already using it for other licensed conditions, but is not itself used for this primary purpose in the U.K. (See Chloroquine below). The drug has recently been in clinical trials for effectiveness against Covid-19.
The allegation: This drug was widely alleged to be effective in treating Covid-19, Including receiving an endorsement on the 19th of March, from a very high office, as a potential “game-changer.”
The confirmed findings: Results from randomised controlled trials across a number of countries have so far found the drug to be ineffective against Covid-19. These are the kind of studies that do the most to try to eliminate participant and observer bias and are therefore regarded as “gold standard” at the experimental stage of drug use. Although other studies continue, particularly in the U.K., results so far have not been encouraging and concerns have been raised about increased risks of side effects for participants. The drug is therefore not recommended for use in the treatment of Covid-19 at this stage.

Chloroquine: This is used in rheumatoid arthritis and lupus erythematosus like Hydroxychloroquine (see above); but, in addition, is used for prophylaxis against and treatment of certain types of malaria (see BNF online).
The allegations: Chloroquine received the same endorsement as Hydroxychloroquine, from the same sources, as a prophylaxis and treatment against Covid-19.
The confirmed findings: Like Hydroxychloroquine, scientific studies so far have failed to find any benefit from the use of chloroquine in coronavirus patients. There are confirmed reports of death involving an Arizona man who took the drug for this purpose. At this stage therefore, it is not recommended for either prophylaxis or treatment of Covid-19.

Azithromycin: This is an antibiotic used for a wide range of bacterial infections. At the minute it has no known use in viral infections. Covid-19 is caused by a coronavirus.
The allegation: Azithromycin has been promoted as a potential cure for Covid-19, either alone or in combination with Hydroxychloroquine. This was partly fuelled by news released in late March, by Pfizer, from a very small trial involving the two drugs.
The confirmed findings: The methodology of the Pfizer study has been questioned. Not only does the Centre for Evidence-based medicine confirm the absence of evidence for benefits from the use of the drug for Covid-19 patients, it highlights the potential for side effects. In addition, ongoing findings from other studies continue to highlight the absence of evidence for the effectiveness of the drug.

Conclusion
Decisions around the use of any medication by individuals are dependent on several factors, among the most significant of which are education and trust. The information above relates to the education element, which is a mainly cerebral function. Trust, on the other hand, will be influenced by emotions and biases. It is likely that, because of the public nature of the discourse around some of these drugs, and the affiliations associated with the debates, readers will find themselves agreeing or disagreeing with the conclusions based on the opinions of public figures with whom they align. If you are concerned about this, it is recommended that you discuss it at length with a trained medical practitioner and reach a conclusion based on an objective evaluation of facts as they unfold.

Covid-19, Race, NHS workers and Inequality: The UK Situation

Posted on 18/05/202018/05/2020 by MM Health

On the 29th of April, NHS England released guidance to all health professional bodies and NHS employers highlighting the need to undertake specific risk assessments for BAME (Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic) employees in light of growing evidence that they were likely to be more adversely affected by Covid-19, with potentially higher mortality rates. The NHS Employers’ Federation, the Royal College of Nursing, the Royal College of Psychiatrists, General Practitioners, and Pharmaceutical Publications have drawn attention to the NHS England guidance, as has the media. In addition to this, NHS England wrote an open letter to BAME health personnel on the 1st of May, assuring them of the steps that it was taking to enhance their protection in light of the identified risks.

The implications of the implementation of the NHS guidance are vast, as it might mean that BAME staff need to be reassigned to roles away from frontline duties, thus lessening their exposure to the risk of contracting Covid-19. This is a particular challenge in light of the high proportion of health workers from a BAME background. The Guardian reports that one in five NHS staff in England are from a BAME background, as are about half of all doctors in London; while the Financial Times indicates that people from BAME communities comprise 44 per cent of the overall NHS staff and about 13 per cent of the UK population. In any event, it appears that the removal from frontline duties of a significant portion of this population would have detrimental effects on the abilities of the NHS to deliver good quality services during a pandemic. Community pharmacies would not be spared the challenge.

The alternative is to ensure that all staff, irrespective of ethnic or racial background, have access to adequate PPE to undertake their duties safely; and that procedures and controls are in place to ensure that they take make use of such PPE. Ongoing discussion with higher risk individual/groups will also help identify additional steps to minimise the risks.

The video presents a background to the ongoing discussion around racial differences in mortality rates in the UK. It was prepared in response to a question from a colleague arising from the news outlined above.

Displacement Values: The Video Series

Posted on 13/05/202013/05/2020 by MM Health

Over the course of the first two weeks of May, I have published a number of videos on my Podcast and social media platforms on the topic of displacement values. While the videos have no audio commentary, they are still useful if you want to get to grips with the concept; which, I have found, tends to confuse a lot of pharmacy graduates. Nurses, doctors and pharmacy technicians should also find them useful.

I’m working on a full lecture that incorporates both these videos and additional material for those who want a more comprehensive treatment of the subject. Let me know what you would like to see in the lecture and look out for it in the next few weeks.

In the meantime, I’ve put together the videos from the past two weeks in one convenient location below. Enjoy