Fitness And Health

Many households could be overpaying for their TV Licence without realising it

Many people may be able to get their TV Licence for less than they think, with some eligible households saving up to £90 a year.

TV Licensing says discounts are available to certain groups. For example, if you’re aged 74 or over and you, or a partner living at the same address, receive Pension Credit, you may be entitled to a free licence.

People in a care home or sheltered accommodation may also qualify for a reduced fee of £7.50, while those who only watch on a black-and-white TV pay £60.50. Meanwhile, anyone who is blind (severely sight impaired) can apply for a 50% discount, cutting the cost to £90.

50% TV Licence discount

A TV Licence costs £180 per year, following a price rise on April 1, 2026. However, TV Licensing rules state you could get it for £90.

It explains: “If you are blind (severely sight impaired) and can provide the appropriate evidence, you are eligible to apply for a 50% concession.”

“Your licence will also cover anyone who lives with you”, it confirms. However, it adds that “if you are partially sighted (sight impaired), you are not eligible.”

Do I qualify for a 50% blind concession TV Licence?

TV Licensing explains that a blind concession Licence costs £90 for colour and £30.25 for a black and white Licence. It asks that it be provided with a copy of ONE of these documents to confirm that you’re certified as blind (severely sight-impaired):

• CVI (Certificate of Visual Impairment) to confirm that you’re certified as blind (severely sight impaired)
• BD8 Certificate to confirm that you’re certified as blind (severely sight impaired)
• A certificate or document issued by a Local Authority that shows you are registered as blind (severely sight impaired)
• A copy of a certificate from an Ophthalmologist (eye surgeon), stating that you are blind (severely sight impaired).
• Tax coding notice from HMRC showing you receive Blind person’s allowance
• A copy of your National Registration Card signed by an Ophthalmologist stating that your are blind (severely sight impaired)
• DHSS documentation or certificate stating that your are blind (severely sight impaired) for Isle of Man residents only
• Health and Social Services documentation or letter from Optometrist for residents of Northern Ireland only

I live with someone who is blind, can I still get the discount?

Yes. The TV Licence experts note that if you or someone you live with is blind (severely sight impaired), regardless of their age, you can apply for a blind concession.

If you already have a TV Licence but it isn’t in the blind person’s name, you’ll need to transfer it to them. This can be done by submitting a first-time blind application and entering the TV Licence number currently linked to your address.

I am partially sighted (sight-impaired). Can I get the discount?

No. TV Licence rules state: “People who are partially sighted (sight impaired) do not qualify for a 50% blind concession.”

How to apply for a blind concession

If you already have a blind licence, you can sign in here to renew it. If you are applying for the first time, you can fill out the official form here.

He said anyone who will be sitting in a plane for hours should take precautions

Dr Amir Khan has urged all Brits who are about to jet off on their summer holidays to follow his advice. It revolves around how to stay healthy when on a plane, and specifically how to avoid blood clots.

The NHS warns that anyone for travelling for four hours or more – whether that is by air, car, bus, or train – is at risk of blood clots forming. Also known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), it happens when blood flow slows down, a blood vessel gets hurt, or your blood clots too easily.

The danger comes when a DVT breaks off and becomes lodged in your lungs, causing a blockage. This is known as a pulmonary embolism (PE), and it can be fatal.

But there are things you can do to mitigate the risk, as Dr Khan explained to co-host Cherry Healey on the No Appointment Necessary podcast. He said: “People worry about blood clots on flights, right? So you want to reduce your risk of that happening.

“Every one to two hours you should be getting up or having a little wander up and down the plane, or doing your calf movements where you’re stepping up and down on the seat—you know, while you’re sitting down. The one thing you don’t need, some people go, ‘Oh, I’m going to have some aspirin before I fly because it’ll reduce my (risk of DVT)’.

“There is no evidence it reduces your risk of a blood clot, but there is plenty of evidence it increases your risk of bleeding. So do not take aspirin if it’s not prescribed for you or not recommended to you. Don’t take it as a ‘just in case I get a blood clot’ kind of medication. It doesn’t do that.

“And then, the other big thing, what blood loves is lots of volume and fluid, so drink water. Drink lots of water on that flight.”

DVT and PE explained

According to the NHS, symptoms of DVT (deep vein thrombosis) in the leg include:

• throbbing pain in 1 leg (rarely both legs), usually in the calf or thigh
• swelling in 1 leg (rarely both legs)
• red, blue or darkened skin around the painful area – this may be harder to see on brown or black skin
• swollen veins

Many people associate DVT symptoms showing only in your legs, but they can also happen in your arm depending on where the clot is. “Sometimes the only symptom you may have is pain in your lower tummy. This is a symptom of pelvic vein thrombosis, but this is rare,” it continues.

Anyone with suspected DVT should ask for an urgent GP appointment or ring 111. If you’re pregnant you can also call an early pregnancy unit (if you’re less than 20 weeks) or your maternity unit, if you have the phone number.

You should go to A&E or call 999 if you have DVT symptoms and feel shortness of breath and/or have chest pain. You should not drive yourself.

Symptoms of a pulmonary embolism include:

• difficulty breathing that comes on suddenly
• chest pain that’s worse when you breathe in
• coughing up blood

You should go to A&E or call 999 if:

• you have severe difficulty breathing
• you feel pain in your chest or upper back
• your heart is beating very fast
• someone has passed out

Treatment

Often, people who may have DVT or PE are given an injection of anticoagulant to stop the clot becoming larger and prevent any new clots forming.

If tests confirm you have a pulmonary embolism, you will continue with anticoagulant injections for at least five days. You will also need to take anticoagulant tablets for at least three months. Treatment and recovery is normally successful, provided DVY and PE are spotted and treated early on.

To prevent it, the NHS urges people to wear loose-fitting clothing, sit comfortably with plenty of leg room, and drink lots of water. People should also stand up regularly, move your feet and toes regularly, wear flight socks, and press the balls of your feet down hard against the floor every so often.

Other threats to health

Dr Khan also issued another warning. He said that, due to the large numbers of people flying and the places planes go, there was the risk of lots of harmful bacteria on a plane.

He urged people to take appropriate steps to minimise the risk of catching a bug on a plane. He said: “When people are on planes, A) they might have been travelling from somewhere where bacteria that you’re not used to are, but B) not everybody washes their hands when they go to the toilet, and we know this, and it’s gross.

“And so they’ll be touching all the things that, you know, that little twisty thing for your tray table and all of that stuff. And if you’re touching it and then you’re eating something—which is usually why you put the table down, right?—then you could get the bacteria introduced. So I would say, yes, hand sanitiser, and do have a little alcohol wipe down.”

Certain holiday destinations have seen a rise in cases of a nasty infection

British travellers have been issued a food warning amid an outbreak of a bug that causes “explosive” diarrhoea. Mexico and the US are among some of the holiday destinations that have seen a rise in cyclosporiasis.

Cyclosporiasis is an infection caused by a microscopic parasite called Cyclospora. This is typically spread by eating food or drinking water contaminated with human faeces containing the parasite.

Symptoms can include “watery diarrhoea” and “explosive bowel movements”, and can last several weeks. In an update provided on its website, Travel Health Pro explained that “most” UK cases have been linked to visits to Mexico.

It said: “Cyclospora is a parasite found in some tropical and subtropical countries. In the UK, infections are most commonly linked to summer travel abroad.

“Cyclospora has been found in Central and South America, South and Southeast Asia, and most UK travel-related cases and outbreaks have been associated with visits to Mexico.”

The US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also recently published data showing there had been 843 confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis in the US between May 1 and July 9 this year. No deaths have been reported, and 86 people were admitted to hospital, the CDC said.

As part of its advice, Travel Health Pro provided guidance on eating while abroad. It said: “People usually become infected by eating or drinking food or water contaminated with human faeces. Foods most commonly linked to Cyclospora include fresh produce such as soft or unpeeled fruit, lettuce, green salads and herbs like coriander or basil.”

It continued: “You can reduce your risk of Cyclospora infection by following good food and water hygiene, even if you are staying in a luxury hotel or high-end all-inclusive resort.” To do so it said you should:

• Wash your hands regularly with soap and clean water; use alcohol hand gel only when handwashing is not possible
• Where there is no clean water supply, drink only bottled or boiled tap water (this includes brushing your teeth)
• Avoid ice in drinks
• Avoid fresh produce that may not have been washed with bottled or boiled water, including berries, salads, vegetables and herbs like basil or coriander
• Choose fruit that you can peel yourself, such as bananas and oranges
• Eat food that has been freshly cooked and is served hot
• Remember that smoothies, juices and other drinks may contain raw fruit, herbs or vegetables

Symptoms

Travel Health Pro said: “Not everyone infected with Cyclospora will become ill. If you do get symptoms, they will usually start about a week after consuming contaminated food or drinks.”

Symptoms of Cyclosporiasis include:

• Watery diarrhoea
• Fever
• Stomach cramps
• Loss of appetite and weight loss
• Tiredness and muscle pain
• Bloating and excess wind
• Feeling sick

It said: “Cyclospora infections are usually mild and resolve themselves. However, symptoms can sometimes last for several weeks and return even after a person seems to have recovered. People with a weakened immune system, including those living with HIV, may be at greater risk of severe illness.”

The CDC added: “Cyclospora infects the small intestine (bowel) and usually causes watery diarrhoea with frequent and sometimes explosive bowel movements.”

When to seek help

Travel Health Pro says you should do the following if you become ill abroad:

• Drink plenty of “safe” fluids, such as bottled water, or tap water that has been thoroughly boiled and cooled
• Use oral rehydration solutions so that you do not become dehydrated
• Get early medical advice if you have a weakened immune system or are at higher risk of complications
• Seek medical help if your symptoms are severe or do not improve

If you are back in the UK, you should ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if you have diarrhoea and you’ve recently travelled abroad and:

• The diarrhoea is severe and has lasted for more than three days
• You have bloody diarrhoea or bleeding from your bottom
• You have a high temperature (fever)
• You are dehydrated
• You have a weakened immune system or other condition

The NHS said: “If you’re still abroad, get medical advice where you are as soon as possible.”

There’s also a handy hack you should try – and it involves socks

The British Red Cross has highlighted something many of us already know: “it can be difficult to sleep in a heatwave”.

However, what fewer people realise is that the amount of sleep you get can influence how your body copes with the heat – and we’re not just talking about your mood.

It explains: “If it’s too hot or too cold, your internal body temperature may be affected, disrupting your ability to fall asleep and stay asleep. This is important as getting good-quality sleep during a heatwave helps your body recover, stay cool, and maintain overall physical and mental health.

For people in vulnerable groups, getting sufficient rest is especially important. Good-quality rest can help support the immune system, improve energy levels, promote heart health, and help the body manage the additional strain caused by extreme heat.

How can I sleep during a heatwave?

Discussing how to sleep during a heatwave and periods of high temperatures, it is important to aim for the recommended seven to nine hours of sleep each night. With temperatures expected to rise across the UK this week, this is a timely reminder of the importance of prioritising rest during hot weather.

It explains: “According to the NHS, an adult usually needs between seven to nine hours sleep a night. However, this will change depending on age, health and personal circumstances. Teenagers, children and babies need more sleep than others.”

In fact, a lack of sleep, even for one night, can impact your health and may negatively affect your:

• immune system
• alertness and reaction times
• attention
• cognitive ability
• mood changes and irritability
• anxiety and depression
• quality of life and social activity

The NHS notes that there are signs and symptoms of sleep problems you should keep an eye out for.

You may:

• find it difficult to fall asleep
• lie awake for long periods at night
• wake up several times during the night
• wake up early and be unable to get back to sleep
• feel down or have a lower mood
• have difficulty concentrating
• be more irritable than usual

It adds: “Longer-term sleep problems can affect our relationships and social life, and leave us feeling tired all the time, eating more and not able to do daily tasks.”

If you regularly struggle to sleep and find it difficult to get at least seven hours of rest, consider speaking to your GP. This is particularly important if poor sleep is starting to affect your daily life and wellbeing.

Did you know that cooling your feet may help you feel cooler overall? The Red Cross suggests placing a pair of socks in the fridge during the day and putting them on before bed to create a refreshing cooling effect as you wind down for the night.

You can read more about how to stay cool and sleep during a heatwave here.

21 cases of the viral disease have been confirmed in the UK

People that are eligible for the Mpox vaccine in Northern Ireland are being urged to step forward before the summer holidays as 21 cases of the viral disease, formerly known as monkeypox, have been confirmed by the Public Health Agency in the last three weeks.

This is a significant rise as, according to the BBC, only nine cases of Mpox had been reported in Northern Ireland since 2023. The Public Health Agency is asking people to learn the symptoms, be vigilant about the signs and get vaccinated but not everyone will be eligible for the vaccine.

The main symptoms the Public Health Agency is urging people to keep an eye out for include rashes with blisters, aches, fever and swollen glands that can last for up to three weeks.

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According to the NHS, the first symptoms of mpox include:

• a high temperature, or feeling hot, cold or shivery
• a headache
• muscle aches
• backache
• swollen glands
• shivering (chills)
• exhaustion
• joint pain

The telltale sign of mpox is a distinctive rash which usually appears one to five days after the other symptoms. It can appear on any part of the body including the hands, soles of the feet, mouth or genitals.

The rash is sometimes mistaken for chickenpox. It starts with small raised spots that turn into ulcers or small blisters filled with fluid, the blister eventually forms a scab that later falls off.

Dr Rachel Coyle, Consultant in Health Protection at the PHA, said: “We want to remind those who are eligible to get vaccinated. Vaccination is available for those eligible in Northern Ireland through sexual health clinics, also known as genitourinary medicine or GUM clinics.

“While anyone can catch mpox, the majority of mpox cases in the UK are in gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM).

“Therefore, those eligible for the vaccine include gay, bisexual or other men who have sex with men who have multiple sexual partners, and those who participate in group sex or attend sex on premises venues. Staff who work in these premises are also eligible.

“If you think you may be eligible and have not yet received your first dose or completed the course of two vaccines, contact your local GUM clinic and enquire about getting the vaccine.”

Mpox is passed from one person to another through any close physical contact with mpox rash, blisters or scabs. This can include during sexual contact or other skin-to-skin contact.

It can also be passed through contaminated surfaces like bedding or towels and through the coughs and sneezes of a person that has mpox if they are close enough to you.

Mpox is usually mild and can get better in a few weeks even without treatment. However, while you have symptoms you can pass on the virus to other people and some may be more vulnerable to more severe symptoms. This includes older people, young children and anyone taking medication that affects their immune system.

Dr Amir Khan has opened up about his own mental health, saying he has a “full-blown case”

A doctor has asked if “anyone else has this”, revealing he’s diagnosed himself with a form of anxiety. Doctor Amir Khan, who is known for his appearances on ITV, opened up about something called anticipatory anxiety.

In a video uploaded to social media platform Instagram, the medical professional shared more about his experience. Speaking to his more than one million followers, he said: “I’ve diagnosed myself with something called anticipatory anxiety and I need to know if anyone else has this.”

He explained how this phenomenon causes his brain to prepare for the “worst case scenario”, which in reality, doesn’t happen. “You know, when you’ve got like a meeting coming up or you’ve got an awkward conversation with someone you just don’t want to have,” Dr Amir said.

“It could be, I don’t know your boss at work, a friend, a family member, literally anyone – a meeting normally for me. Well then my brain decides we’re not just going to have one conversation in my head with these people, we’re gonna have 47, it just replays conversations in my head and what they’re going to go like.

“I’ll imagine them saying something awful. So I prepare my perfect comeback, then they say something even worse in my head, so I then prepare for that.

“Then I imagine myself calmly standing my ground, walking away with dramatic dignity, probably to a soundtrack that only I can hear. By the time I’ve finished, I’ve won an argument that never actually happened.

“Then the real conversation comes along and they’re lovely, they’re polite, we agree on things. The meeting lasts like just six minutes, so then it’s just a chat. And I come away thinking, ‘Why on earth did I spend two days emotionally preparing for that?’

“Well, that is anticipatory anxiety, and I have a full-blown case of it all the time.” He said this occurs when your brain starts worrying about something before it’s happened and because your brain’s threat system is trying to protect you, it “often throws in a bit of catastrophizing as well”.

Dr Amir said: “It’s trying to help me it, believes that if it rehearses every possible disaster, I’ll be ready for anything. But in reality most of those disasters, just don’t happen.

“So all that’s really happened is I put myself through stress, once in my imagination and then once again in real life, except the real life version usually turns out absolutely fine.” He added: “Please tell me this isn’t just me.”

He was met by support in his comment section with one person saying: “Omg Amir this is me! I drive myself mad doing it. Glad I’m not alone. Thanks.”

Another commented: “Yes! Amir you most definitely are not alone, this is so me.” And one person replied: “I do this too, it can be exhausting.”

Anticipatory anxiety is a recognised form of anxiety. On its website, Anxiety UK says: “Anticipatory anxiety is where a person experiences increased levels of anxiety by thinking about an event or situation in the future.

“Rather than being a specific disorder in its own right, anticipatory anxiety is a symptom commonly found in a number of anxiety-related conditions, such as generalised anxiety. Anticipatory Anxiety can be extremely draining for people as it can last for months prior to an event.

“The worries people experience specifically focus on what they think might happen, often with catastrophic predictions about an event. The nature of negative predictions about the event will be the difference between an anxiety level that is incapacitating or merely uncomfortable.”

The NHS lists common symptoms of general anxiety as:

• Feeling tired, restless or irritable
• Feeling shaky or trembly, dizzy or sweating more
• Being unable to concentrate or make decisions
• Trouble sleeping
• Worrying about the past or future, or thinking something bad will happen
• Headaches, tummy aches or muscle pain
• Dry mouth
• Pins and needles
• Noticing your heartbeat gets stronger, faster or irregular, or you get short of breath when you start feeling anxious

It says that if you cannot tell if shortness of breath is from anxiety or if you are worried about any other symptoms, you should see a GP.

The 28-year-old was on a six-week trip when she was involved in an accident in the motorhome she had hired

A Brit’s dream holiday turned into a nightmare after a horror motorhome crash left her unable to walk. Emma Blood, 28, was travelling in Western Australia when the collision left her trapped, seriously injured and facing a year-long recovery.

The hospitality worker from Milton Keynes had travelled to Australia on March 19, 2026, with plans to spend six weeks exploring. Inspired by stories from other travellers, she teamed up with three women she had met through a travel group and hired a motorhome to travel around and live in while exploring the region.

Just nine days into the trip, on March 29, Emma and the three women were travelling towards Margaret River when she lost control of the motorhome, due to slipping on the Western Australia mud roads, and crashed into a tree. Two passengers suffered minor injuries, but Emma was trapped from the waist down in the wreckage and had to be cut free by firefighters.

She was then airlifted to Perth Trauma Hospital, where she spent 10 days before flying back to the UK to continue her recovery. She said: “There are still a lot of blank spaces in my memory, I’m not sure whether I lost consciousness or whether it’s just a trauma response.

“I recall the moment of impact, when the vehicle struck a tree on the driver’s side where I was sitting. The force of the crash pushed everything forward, and I ended up trapped from the waist down.”

While the other passengers escaped with relatively minor injuries, Emma suffered devastating damage to her leg. One passenger required stitches to her face, and another was left with a bruised finger, but Emma faced a far more serious outcome.

Emergency services were alerted after her phone automatically contacted them following the collision. Upon arrival, a fire crew had to cut Emma free before she was airlifted to Perth Trauma Hospital.

Doctors discovered she had broken her femur in three places. She underwent emergency surgery lasting around six hours, during which surgeons inserted an intramedullary nail – a metal rod fixed inside the bone with six screws to stabilise the fractures.

Emma said: “I remember being in and out of consciousness, having scans and being moved around the hospital. It felt like something out of 24 Hours in A&E or Casualty, being rushed about.

“One of the most difficult moments was definitely standing for the first time after surgery. It was terrifying because I had no control over my leg, at first they thought there could be spinal injuries but it turned out to be okay.”

Complications continued when doctors discovered her haemoglobin levels had dropped dangerously low, resulting in a blood transfusion several days later. Emma spent 10 days in the hospital in Australia before her father flew out to help bring her home.

She said: “I couldn’t have travelled back on my own, I needed someone with me the whole way. If my dad hadn’t come to pick me up, I would have had someone to take me who I didn’t know.”

After arriving back in the UK on April 8, she was admitted to Milton Keynes Hospital for around another week before continuing her recovery at home.

In the early stages of recovery, Emma could not move her injured leg without using a strap around her foot and required assistance with everyday tasks, including showering.

She said: “It felt like I had lost all independence. I have been told a full recovery could take up to a year, but I am making great progress.

“My older brother is helping me, he’s a sports physiotherapist and thanks to him I progressed from a walking frame to two crutches, and now I only rely on one.”

She spends time in the gym every day, rebuilding strength and mobility and recently celebrated a major milestone by getting back behind the wheel of a car.

She said: “Driving again was huge for me, both physically and mentally. Although the accident cut short my dream trip, I will go back to finish it.

“There is still a lot of trauma attached to what happened, but for now, I am going to focus on getting back to my full health and independence.”

This is a “natural” part of being a woman, he said

A doctor has revealed why women start to put on belly fat as they age, stating it’s a “normal” part of life. According to the expert, women can expect to see their weight fluctuate when they get older.

In a clip from his podcast No Appointment Necessary, shared to his Instagram page, Dr Amir Khan issued some reassurance about weight before and after the menopause. He explained how fat is distributed on the body differently as a result of this hormonal change.

Menopause is a natural life stage that typically affects women between the ages of 45 and 55. It happens when hormone levels in the body drop to a point where periods cease completely.

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As a consequence of these hormonal shifts, the body can experience a broad range of symptoms that can impact both physical and mental health. These include hot flushes, mood swings, and brain fog.

However, it can also affect how your body stores fat. On the podcast, his co-host Cheery Healey said: “Lots of women find that when they go through perimenopause and menopause, they gain weight.”

Dr Amir responded: “So, before the menopause, fat distribution in women is usually around the hips, thighs, and buttock area. And that fat distribution is completely normal and healthy and women should have fat there, you don’t want to lose it.”

He explained why. “It’s really good for your fertility,” he said.

“It’s really good for your overall health. It is expected and needed.”

But after menopause, you might notice that you are more prone to weight gain around the tummy. Dr Amir continued: “After the menopause, as the hormones shift, things change.

“And that fat usually deposits around the tummy area and the hips as well and so people can refer to it as a ‘meno belly’. It’s not really a great term but it is just the shift of weight, really.”

He added: “Normal, natural, not the end of the world, part of being a woman, an adult woman.” His advice is supported by the NHS website, which says: “Weight gain during perimenopause and menopause is common.

“It often happens around the stomach and upper body.”

Other symptoms of menopause

The other symptoms of menopause, as listed by the NHS, include:

• Changes to your periods
• Hot flushes and night sweats
• Sleep problems
• Mood changes, poor memory and brain fog
• Vaginal problems such as dryness, a burning feeling, irritation or itching in and around the vagina
• UTIs (urinary tract infections)
• A faster, slower or more noticeable heartbeat (palpitations)
• Weakening bones (loss of bone density), which can lead to osteoporosis
• Feeling the need to pee more or not being able to control when you pee (urinary incontinence)
• Headaches and migraines that are worse than usual
• Muscle aches and joint pains
• Hair thinning or hair loss
• Skin changes, including dry and itchy skin
• Reduced sex drive (loss of libido)
• Sensitive teeth, painful gums or other mouth problems

The health body says you should contact your GP if:

• You think you have symptoms of menopause or perimenopause and want to know what your options are
• You have symptoms like a fast heartbeat (palpitations)
• You still have periods but your bleeding pattern has changed and you’re bleeding more, not less, than before
• You have not had a period for 12 months or more, and you have any vaginal bleeding

The most commonly prescribed treatment for menopause symptoms is hormone replacement therapy (HRT).