So I have had a look and decided that I would write today about the science of a hangover and can it be avoided?

Cause 1: Dehydration

Most people are aware of the fact alcohol is diuretic, which means it makes you wee more. The result is that the next morning you run the risk of dehydration along with a dry mouth and headache. Lovely stuff.

Prevention: Try to drink water between alcoholic drinks and/or drink water before you go to bed.

If you’ve ever tried the approach of downing a pint of water before you go to bed after a heavy night on le booze you’ll be aware of the fact that, although it may help, it doesn’t mean you get away hangover free. So there must be more to a hangover than just the dehydration…

In fact, it turns out alcohol is pretty poisonous and not just in the “what’s your poison?” sense, more in a surprisingly toxic way

Cause 2: Acetaldehyde

When we drink alcohol it is absorbed into our blood stream and works its way around our body. When it reaches the brain it makes you feel relaxed an uninhibited, which is the part we all enjoy, however this is not the only place alcohol leaves its mark. In the liver alcohol is metabolised (broken down) into different compounds which can then be removed from the body as waste. This process requires several steps before the final non-toxic products of water and carbon dioxide are made.

The first step is to turn the alcohol into acetaldehyde using an enzyme called alcohol dehydrogenase. The side effects of having acetaldehyde in your system include nausea, headaches and vomiting – sound familiar?

Prevention: There is none. I know – rubbish. You just have to wait for your body to metabolise the acetaldehyde into its less harmful by-products (roughly 1 unit of alcohol per hour). So unfortunately if you spend the morning having an unwanted date hugging the toilet you just have to wait it out. As acetaldehyde is even more toxic than alcohol moderation is probably the key.

Cause 3: NAD+ depletion

The metabolism of alcohol and acetaldehyde use a compound called NAD+. This NAD+ is also vital for the day to day health of your cells. It helps converts water, oxygen and a compound called pyruvate into energy. If the NAD+ has been used up metabolising alcohol, your cells need to make more. The cells convert pyruvate into lactate and this reaction produces more NAD+. Unfortunately long term build up of lactate is also linked to kidney damage. The more I read about alcohol the more I realise it’s pretty nasty stuff! The second consequence is that when pyruvate is converted to lactate, your liver becomes less efficient at regulating your blood sugar levels and blood sugar can become very low. Ever had the desire to eat the entire contents of your cupboards after drinking alcohol? That’ll be the low blood sugar.

Prevention: There’s not a lot you can do about the depleted NAD+ other than wait for your liver to do its magic (otherwise known as metabolism) and restore the natural balance. As for the low blood sugar, based on the assumption you’re not still hugging the loo, it’s a good idea to make sure you eat.

Cause 4: Reactive oxygen species and cell damage:

I’ve grouped these together because I don’t think it’s fair to say they cause a hangover however for regular drinkers they probably represent the biggest danger since they can cause longer lasting damage.

The acetaldehyde that is made during alcohol metabolism is a bit of a renegade and can attach itself to things in the cell that it shouldn’t, including a protein called glutathione. When attached to acetaldehyde, glutathione is prevented from doing other important jobs inside the cell which, when experienced regularly can lead to cell damage . More worryingly acetaldehyde can also bind to DNA and damage it, which can increase the risk of developing cancer (not a lot of people realise that drinking alcohol can lead to Cancer).

There is a separate chemical pathway that your liver cells can use to metabolise alcohol. Instead of using alcohol dehydrogenase it uses an enzyme called cytochrome p450. This method of alcohol breakdown still produces acetaldehyde but has the added bonus of churning out reactive oxygen species. These little nasties are, as the name suggests, incredibly reactive. They can cause a lot of damage to your cells by reacting with proteins and DNA. This method of breaking down alcohol is used far less by your cells than the alcohol dehydrogenase method so the less you drink the less likely you are to produce the reactive oxygen species.

Prevention: Eat food rich in cysteine post alcohol which includes eggs, chicken and oats. Cysteine is an important building block of glutathione, so making sure you get more into your body gives your cells a fighting chance at making more glutathione. Have a glass of vitamin C rich orange juice. Vitamin C is powerful anti-oxidant, meaning it can interact with the reactive oxygen species, preventing them from reacting with protein and DNA in your cells.

Obviously the best prevention for a hangover and damaging your health long term is avoiding alcohol in the first place. Regular exposure to alcohol and the damage caused to cells is linked to an increased chance of developing cancer. To me this is a far more important reason to avoid drinking than a fuzzy head the morning after and is a very good argument in favour of moderation. If you feel drunk that means there’s too much alcohol in your body for your liver to metabolise and you’re getting a backlog of alcohol related nasties in your system – so moderation really is key. Simples!

References:

Bullock, C. (1990), The biochemistry of alcohol metabolism — A brief review. Biochemical Education, 18: 62–66. doi: 10.1016/0307-4412(90)90174-M. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1016/0307-4412(90)90174-M/pdf

1. While men do pee out of the penis, women do not pee out of the vagina. Know your anatomy. There are three holes and countless other sexy structures. Find your way around yours, get a hand mirror and go to town.

2. The vagina doesn’t connect to your lung If you lose something in there, don’t worry. Reach in all the way and pull it out. Do not- I repeat- do not, go hunting for whatever you’ve lost with a pair of pliers If you think you put something in there and you can’t find it, chances are good that it’s simply not there. Think of your vagina as being like a sock. If you lose a banana in a sock…it stays in the sock.

3. Yes, it’s true- your vagina can fall out. It can turn inside out just like a worn out sweat sock and hang between your legs as you get older. But don’t fret- this condition- called pelvic prolapse- can be fixed.

4. There’s no such thing as being revirginised. Once you lose it, it’s gone. Just so you know.

5. You can catch sexually transmitted diseases even if you use a condom. Sorry to break it to you, but skin of the vulva can still touch infectious skin of the scrotum- and BAM! Warts. Herpes. Molluscum contagiosum. So pick your partners carefully.

6. Every vulva is different and special. Some lips hang down. Some are tucked up neatly inside. All are beautiful. Don’t even think about labiaplasty or “vaginal rejuvenation surgery.” You’re perfect just the way you are.

7. Many women don’t have orgasms from intercourse alone. The clitoris is where the action is. Most women who do orgasm during sex have figured out how to hit with sweet spot, either from positioning or from directly stimulation of the clitoris with fingers.

8. Pleasurable sex is your birthright, and painful sex is NOT normal. 20 million women suffer from painful sex and most never seek help. Dont suffer in silence, speak to your GP

9. The only cancer a smear screens for is cervical cancer. It doesn’t check your ovaries, your uterus, or your colon

10. How much vaginal discharge you make varies widely. Some normal, healthy women spew loads of discharge and need to wear panty liners every day. Others are bone dry. As long as you are not at risk of STD’s and you have no itching, burning, or odour, you’re probably just fine. If in doubt, see your gynaecologist.

11. Menstrual blood is supposed to clot, so don’t freak out. Usually, what you think are clots are just pieces of uterine lining. As long as you’re not losing too much blood, small clots during your period need not concern you. Clots are just nature’s way of keeping you from bleeding too much. Blood is supposed to clot. It’s when the clots are large or you start to haemorrhage that we start to worry.

12. Some women do ejaculate during orgasm, but you’re normal if you don’t. The controversial “female ejaculation” most likely represents 2 different phenomena. If it’s a small amount of milky fluid, it likely comes from the paraurethral glands inside the urethra. If it’s a cup, it’s probably pee. Many times, it may be a little bit of both. But don’t stress out about peeing on yourself. Put a towel under you and surrender to the experience.

13. Safe sex (or even just orgasm alone) is good for you. Benefits include lowering your risk of heart disease and stroke, reducing your risk of breast cancer, bolstering your immune system, helping you sleep, making you appear more youthful, improving your fitness, Regulating menstrual cycles, relieving menstrual cramps, relieving chronic pain, reducing the risk of depression, lowering stress levels, and improving self-esteem.

Jar of Skunk – Skunk is a strong strain of the cannabis plant

A.K.A: weed, skunk, sinsemilla, sensi, punk, resin, puff, pot, marijuana, herb, hashish, hash, grass, ganja, draw, dope, bud, food.

Cannabis is the most commonly used illegal drug here in the UK. It can be rolled with tobacco in cigarette paper and smoked, it can be smoked through a pipe or bong, and it can be mixed into food and drink like tea and brownies. There has been constant debate around cannabis; over whether it should be illegal, over what classification it should be, and over whether it can possibly do more good than harm.

History - Cannabis is believed to have been used as a drug for over 4,000 years. Its use and euphoria-inducing side effects have been widely reported throughout history, and grown and used openly in most parts of the world at one time or another. Cannabis is illegal in most parts of the world, and has been since 1928 in the UK.

Effects - It can relax you: A big draw of cannabis for a lot of people is that it is an effective way to wind down and relax. People are left feeling chilled and often happy after taking it.

Social lubricant –  In company, taking cannabis can make you extremely talkative and very giggly.

The Munchies –  A common side effect of taking cannabis is feeling really hungry, often referred to as ‘the munchies’. Many people end up eating foods with high amounts of fat (e.g. Chocolate, sweets or crisps)

Hallucination – A heavy dose can mess with people’s senses – whether it’s becoming more aware of smells, sights and sounds, more conscious of how things feel, or suffering from a severe distortion of time or space.

Paranoia - Cannabis can make you unnecessarily suspicious. It leads to anxiety and sometimes develop into outright panic.

Dangers - It’s natural: People believe that because cannabis comes from a natural source – the cannabis plant – it isn’t harmful. This is dangerous in itself, as the risks of taking cannabis are very real.

Your mental health - The paranoia that sometimes arises from taking cannabis can become worse the more of it you take. On top of this, for people suffering from mental illness like schizophrenia, or having a history of it in their family, it can seriously exacerbate the disease or make the likelihood of being diagnosed with it far greater.

Loss of concentration - Prolonged and regular use of cannabis can have serious effects on the brain. It makes concentrating and learning far more difficult, and can also rob people of their motivation and drive. This danger is particularly prevalent in young people, as the areas of the brain that are responsible for focusing aren’t fully developed.

Smoking - Mixing cannabis with tobacco and smoking it brings with it all the risks of smoking, such as heart and lung disease. The two substances contain many of the same chemicals, so cannabis can lead to breathing difficulties and cancers in the same way that cigarettes can. People also tend to hold cannabis smoke in their lungs for longer, this can cause even more problems.

Cutting –  As with most drugs, cannabis can be ‘cut’ with other materials to make the product heavier, so that you get less drugs for your money. Some contaminants include henna, aluminium, and even lead.

Drinking and cannabis - When combining cannabis and alcohol, accidents are 16 times more likely.

Legal consequences

Classification : Cannabis is a Class B drug. Britain reclassified it as a Class C drug in 2004, before making it Class B again in 2009.

Possession : Being caught with cannabis can land you with up to five years in prison.

Supplying : Selling cannabis can lead to 14 years in prison and an unlimited fine. Giving the drug away can be seen as ‘supplying’ in the eyes of the law.

Driving : Driving whilst high is just as illegal as driving whilst drunk. Cannabis can also stay in your system, so you may still be driving illegally on the day after taking it.

Chlamydia: A bacterial infection that is found in sexual fluids

Most people who have chlamydia don’t notice any symptoms and won’t know they have the infection. However, if left untreated women can develop pelvic inflammatory disease, which can lead to pelvic pain, infertility or an ectopic pregnancy. It can also lead to an infection of the womb, ovaries or fallopian tubes, which can cause infertility. It has been linked to fertility problems in men. It can be successfully treated with antibiotics

Genital warts: A skin infection caused by types of the human papilloma virus (HPV)

Causes fleshy growths that appear around the genitals from three months after infection. The growths are usually painless but can be unsightly. The types of HPV that cause warts do not usually cause cell changes that develop into cancer. Warts can be successfully treated at a GUM clinic

Genital herpes: An infection caused by the herpes simplex virus

Causes painful blisters on the genitals. It is a long-term condition because the virus can lie dormant in the body and then become active again. It recurs an average four or five times in the first two years after infection. Flare-ups reduce over time. Symptoms can be controlled with anti-virals

Gonorrhoea: A bacterial infection that is found in sexual fluids

Like chlamydia, gonorrhoea can cause pelvic inflammatory disease in women if left untreated. In men it can lead to a painful infection in the testicles and prostate gland, increasing the risk of reduced fertility. It can be treated with antibiotics though some strains are becoming resistant

Syphilis: A bacterial infection passed on via infected sores

Syphilis causes painless infectious sore that lasts up to six weeks. Skin rash and sore throat then develop. If left to progress, syphilis can cause serious conditions such as stroke, paralysis, blindness or death. It can be successfully treated with antibiotics if caught early

HIV/AIDS: A viral infection that attacks the immune system. The final stage is AIDS

The human immunodeficiency virus attacks the immune system, and weakens the body’s ability to fight infections and disease. The final stage, when the body can no longer fight life-threatening infections, is AIDS. There’s currently no cure for HIV but there are treatments that enable most people with the virus to live a long and healthy life

Pubic lice: Tiny parasitic insects that live in body hair and are passed on by close contact

The 2mm-long blood-sucking lice cause itching and inflammation in affected areas. It can take weeks for symptoms to develop. They are not the same as head lice and aren’t linked to poor personal hygiene. Can be successfully treated with medicated ointments

Find an STi Clinic - Search online for your nearest STI testing and treatment clinic.

STIs are spread via unprotected sex or from a pregnant mother to her child. Left untreated, they can cause serious complications such as infertility and impotence and some may even prove fatal. The infections are caused by bacteria, viruses or parasites.

Recorded cases of infections are steadily rising. Whilst there is greater awareness and subsequent testing for the conditions, this is not the only reason. STIs are easily spread as they often show few, if any, symptoms. Younger adults are at greater risk as they are more likely to have unsafe sex with multiple sexual partners.

Some infections, such as chlamydia and gonorrhoea, may not cause any obvious symptoms. Conditions like syphilis can cause painless sores that can easily be missed.

Other STIs don’t cause symptoms straight away but can be spread during this window of time – it could take months before someone shows symptoms of genital warts, for example.

The virus that causes genital herpes also usually has few initial symptoms, so 80% of people carrying it don’t know they’ve been infected.

Also, precautions such as wearing a condom can’t prevent the spread of parasitic infections like pubic lice.

Find an STi Clinic - Search online for your nearest STI testing and treatment clinic.

See tomorrows blog for more details of various STIs

Hey guys!

So I know some of you are in to these so called  legal highs. Perhaps you think that because the drug hasnt been made illegal yet, it is maybe safer than its illegal counterpart Cannabis? So whats the deal with Spice Diamond? Well firstly it is illegal , in July 2009, the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) recommended that Spice be controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act.This recommendation was made on the basis that Spice contains synthetic cannabinoids which could pose an equal or potentially higher risk than naturally occurring THC, due to their method of manufacture. The ACMD also recommended that a generic definition of synthetic cannabinoids should be used to cover any new compounds that might be developed by those trying to get round the law. In August 2009, the government announced that Spice would become a Class B drug along with cannabis.

We may not know the long-term effects but we do know the short-term effects. Well I do as I have been doing my own research. Here’s what I’ve found out:

What Does Spice Abuse Look Like?

Spice may have similar effects to Cannabis but the high is usually induced much more quickly and is more intense. A Spice user is much more likely to have serious adverse effects than a person smoking weed.

Signs and Symptoms of Spice Use

“Spice” is a more difficult drug to identify than most, because it can take many forms and in fact, can be composed of many different chemicals. It has been and probably still is being promoted as a replacement for cannabis for those who cannot afford to have a positive drug test. The drug testing industry has caught up with this drug, however, and now there are tests that will show that it has been used.

Spice, also known as K2, has been sold as a legal replacement for cannabis. It is often packaged as “incense” and sold in convenience stores or head shops.

What’s In Spice?

There are a variety of chemicals that are sprayed onto plant material and sold as Spice or K2. The product is then smoked like Cannabis. These chemicals don’t even have names. They are just designated as HU-210, JWH-018 or JWH-073, among others. The initials JWH refer to the chemist who developed this particular set of chemicals.

Left behind after Spice use, you might find small pipes coated with the residue of burning plant materials or small foil packages. The product could be called Pep Spice, Spice Silver or Gold, Spice Diamond, Skunk, Yucatan Fire, Black Mamba and many other names.

For example:

• Seizures and tremors
• Coma and unconsciousness
• Vomiting
• Hallucinations and paranoia
• Numbness and tingling
• Very high blood pressure and heart rate – high enough to cause damage or danger
• Anxiety and panic attacks
• Threatening behaviour and aggression
• Terrible headaches
• Inability to speak.

A person can become so violently paranoid that he attacks other people around him. Some deaths have occurred as a result but it is difficult to pin down an exact number because tests for this drug have only recently been developed. Deaths from violent behaviour or suicide are some of the unfortunate side effects of Spice abuse.

Spice is Also Addictive

A person who shows signs of Spice use may not even be able to stop using the drug despite the fact that it is causing severe harm. A person using Spice is at risk of the most serious symptoms of use like coma and seizures. If a family can’t get a person using Spice to stop abusing this drug, it is vital that the drug abuser be gotten into drug rehab as soon as possible.

Effects of Spice Abuse

Parents hope to never see the effects of drug abuse in their children, but the effects of Spice could be particularly terrifying. Spice, or K2, is one of the new synthetics that are popular in many parts of the US. But the effects of using this drug can be dangerous, violent and threatening to life itself.

Sellers are usually head shops, and the drug is usually sold in small foil packets or small glass jars. It can be labelled as incense or pot-pourri to evade police attention. The packages could have been brand named Spice Gold, Spice Diamond, Yucatan Fire, Skunk, Galaxy Gold and any other name the manufacturers could think up.

The effects of using Spice can be damaging, dangerous and deadly. They include seizures, hallucinations, violent, aggressive behaviour  paranoia, rigidity, high blood pressure and high heart rate.

Addiction is One of the Effects of Spice

Despite the fact that a person may see that he is suffering adverse effects from using this drug, he may go back for more, time after time. That is the compulsive, addictive behaviour that can result from the use of Spice. It is easy to become addicted to this drug.

The drug is not actually just one chemical but could be composed of one or more from a list of chemicals, some of which were developed by chemist John W. Huffman, who was trying to create cannabinoids (marijuana-like drugs) to treat medical conditions. When they began being abused illicitly, he stated at different times how dangerous these drugs could be. The list of chemicals includes JWH-018, JWH-073, JWH-200, CP-47,497, and cannabicyclohexanol.

Home Office press release announcing ban on legal highs such as spice
EMCDDA Understanding the ‘Spice’ phenomenon

I just read a poll that revealed what i guess most women and girls already know. We can judge our bodies very harshly. At times, we are our own worst enemy. According to the poll, 97% of women experience daily “I hate my body thoughts.” On average, 13 of these negative thoughts pop up a day, according to the poll. If this sounds all too familiar, don’t give up hope.

While most women would agree that they struggle with “I hate my body” thoughts, keep this fact in mind. Women who frequently look at magazine and media images of thin women tend to judge themselves more harshly, so maybe reading those magazines and surfing through all those pictures on the web is actually making you feel worse?

What most of us want is for these negative thoughts to go away. Just vanish! But, realistically, these thoughts will pop in your head whether you like it or not. The mindful way to cope is to 1) respond rather than react to these thoughts and 2) actively work on self-acceptance. This is the crux of why I decided to write this blog.

A negative reaction to a thought like “I’m so fat” happens when you allow it to spiral into other things you don’t like about yourself–”I hate my bum,” “no one would ever find me attractive,” “I can’t stand how I look blah, blah, blah.” In other words, you feed into the thoughts like throwing fuel on a flame. Or, you can let the thoughts just burn out on their own. When you don’t feed into them with more knit-picking at yourself sometimes these thoughts lessen and can even fade away.

Rather than hear those thoughts we can beat ourselves up maybe through; starving, binging, purging, over exercising, cutting, picking all the things things we do to zone out of the negative thoughts. So here are my four tips too help you deal with those thoughts and move on:

1) Notice: When a negative thought pops into your head like, “I’m so fat.” Give yourself a gentle nudge and say in a calm and kind way, “There is that negative thought again.” The temptation may be to judge the thought–”How could I think something so terrible?” Allow the thought to be what it is without judgement. Say, “It is what it is.”

2) Where? Ask yourself, “where did that thought come from?” Typically, the thought doesn’t arrive out of the blue. There is often something else that is bothering you that gets translated into a negative thought about your body. For example, although it seems like quite a stretch, a stressful day can evolve into worry about your thighs.

3) Let It Go: Actively let the thought go. Imagine that negative thought sitting on a cloud and letting that cloud float by you. Your job is to let it go by without trying to reach out, grab the thought, analyse it, wrestle with it or the like. See it. Let it pass. Remember that if someone throws you a ball, you don’t have to catch it. Similarly  if you have a thought, you don’t have to take it and accept it as fact.

4) Acceptance: Intentionally place your attention to more affirming thoughts. Notice that they may not be “positive” thoughts like “I like my body.” Sometimes this is too great of a stretch for us girls. Work on self-acceptance statements like “I accept my body as it is.” “My body is healthy.” “I appreciate what it does for me.” Focus on neutrality, judgement and ultimately compassion toward yourself and struggles with your body. It might be hard at first but it will get better and better.

Stop letting your harsh inner critic get the best of you. Negative thoughts about your body will happen. But, it doesn’t have to overwhelm or divert your attention away from other important things. When you have “I hate my body” thoughts, practice responding mindfully. Eat, Drink & Be Mindful! We are all beautiful!

A number of so-called ‘legal highs’ including Black Mamba and Mexxy became illegal Class B drugs today.

Following advice from the government’s independent drug experts, the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD), new synthetic cannabinoids (such as those contained in Black Mamba and Annihilation), O-desmethyltramadol, methoxetamine (sold as Mexxy) and similar compounds have been classified under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.

Crime Prevention Minister Jeremy Browne said: ‘High-quality scientific advice is vital to the government’s ongoing work to tackle harmful drug use. The independent advice we receive from the ACMD is critical to our evidence-based drugs policy.

‘The government is addressing the harm caused by ‘legal highs’ by outlawing not just individual drugs, but whole families of related substances that have the potential to cause serious harm.

‘People who take ‘legal highs’ are taking serious risks with their lives because often they do not know what they are taking and the drugs may contain harmful substances.’

Since March 2012, methoxetamine was subject to the UK’s first temporary class drug order following advice from the ACMD.

In its advice on methoxetamine the ACMD indicated that the temporary ban may have had ‘real and immediate impact on tackling internet sales of methoxetamine with a significant proportion of UK websites ceasing to advertise its sale’.

What is the culture that lies behind the latest increase in number of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the UK?

There were almost half a million new cases of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the UK last year, figures show.

Experts at the Health Protection Agency (HPA) say young people are most affected.

And one in 10 of 15-24 year olds with an STI become infected again within a year.

Health ministers said they would look at what more could be done to increase young people’s awareness of risks.

The 482,696 new cases represent a 3% rise from the 2008 figures, continuing a “steady upward trend” that the HPA said had been seen over the past decade.

Urban and deprived areas have the highest rates of STIs. Hotspots include Hackney and Lambeth in London, as well as Nottingham, Manchester and Blackpool.

The rise is in part due to more testing, and the use of tests which are more sensitive at picking up signs of an infection – but experts believe unsafe sexual behaviour is also part of the story.

Dr Gwenda Hughes, an STI expert at the HPA, said: “These figures highlight the vulnerability of young women.

“Many studies have shown that young adults are more likely to have unsafe sex. Often they lack the skills and confidence to negotiate safer sex.

“Re-infection is also a worrying issue. Teenagers are repeatedly putting their own and others’ long-term health at risk.”

There were 217,570 diagnoses of chlamydia in 2009 – a 7% increase on the previous year. Cases of genital herpes went up by 5% to 30,126.

And diagnoses of gonorrhoea have gone up by 6% from 16,451 cases in 2008 to 17,385 last year.

Dr Colm O’Mahony, a consultant physician in sexual health, told BBC Radio 5 live, that the safe sex message was still not getting through to young people.

“In general, most STIs occur in young people because they lack the knowledge and self-esteem to actually avoid getting sexually transmitted infections – and that’s what we’ve been shouting about for years,” he said.

“We really need proper sex and relationship education in schools, and it needs to be a statutory obligation or this relentless increase will just continue unabated.”

The HPA says the bacteria which cause gonorrhoea are becoming more resistant to the most commonly used antibiotics.

Professor Cathy Ison, from the agency’s Centre for Infections, said: “We could see gonorrhoea becoming a very difficult infection to treat within the next five years.

“The infecting bacteria are very versatile. We’re trying to encourage companies to develop effective new antibiotics.”

Sexual health charities described the figures as “alarming” and joined the HPA in urging people to use condoms, and to have a health check if they have had unsafe sex.

Natika Halil, from the FPA, said: “Young men don’t wear condoms and it appears it’s young women who end up with the infection.

“The message from this data to the new government is that they mustn’t be tempted to cut services and campaigns in sexual health, or ignore the urgent need for statutory sex and relationships education in schools.”

Health Minister Paul Burstow said: “Left untreated, STIs can lead to infertility.

“We’re going to look at what more can be done to increase young people’s awareness of risks, to prevent infection and to access screening and treatment.”

It’s during sleep that our body rests and revitalizes, and our immune system is replenished and strengthened. This is when cells produce and release proteins essential for growth and tissue repair. If you are having trouble getting off to sleep or staying asleep, here are some simple, natural ways to give you a helping hand.

1. Drink calming herbal teas

Drinking calming herbal teas such as chamomile, passionflower, valarian, zizyphus or skullcap before bed is a lovely way to relax the nervous system and aid the transition into a restful sleep. These herbs are beneficial for people who have trouble sleeping.

As a tea, either using single herbs or a combination, pour a cup of boiling water over 2 teaspoon of dried herb, and leave to infuse for 10 to 15 minutes, and then sit back, relax and enjoy.

2. Reduce caffeine

Having too much caffeine can affect our ability to fall asleep easily, reducing the depth and quality of sleep. Caffeine stimulates the production of stress hormones, and inhibits the absorption of the hormone adenosine, needed to give us a sense of calmness, which can contribute to sleep problems.

If you have problems sleeping, avoid coffee or caffeine-containing drinks such as black tea, soft drinks or energy drinks after 2 pm.

3. Increase magnesium

Magnesium is considered the anti-stress nutrient as it helps to calm and support the nervous system making it beneficial for people who find it difficult getting off to sleep.

Magnesium occurs abundantly in wholesome natural foods, such as tofu, legumes, seeds, nuts, whole grains (oats, barley, millet, quinoa), wheat bran, and green leafy vegetables. Taking a magnesium supplement is also recommended (around 500 mg of elemental magnesium a day).

4. Reduce alcohol intake

Drinking alcohol regularly can cause sleep problems. Alcohol may help get you off to sleep initially, however it will interrupt your most restful, deepest REM sleep cycle. It is also thought that people who consume alcohol regularly have lower levels of natural melatonin in their body, which can contribute to sleeping difficulties.

5. Naturally boost melatonin

Melatonin is an important hormone that is produced at night to promote a deep and restful sleep. There are several natural ways you can increase your melatonin production including increase your sunlight exposure (especially in the morning), meditate, reduce alcohol intake and stress levels.

Include foods that contain melatonin such as oats, sweet corn, rice, ginger, tomatoes, bananas, almonds and seeds. Drinking cherry juice can also increase the natural levels of melatonin in the body, and may be an effective way to help you fall asleep.

6. Consume tryptophan-rich foods

Milk is a good source of the amino acid tryptophan, which is needed to make serotonin and melatonin, two of the brain’s calming and sleep inducing neurotransmitters. Other foods that contain tryptophan include almonds, bananas, turkey, chicken, beef, brown rice, and eggs. Warm almond milk with a teaspoon of cinnamon can make a great nightcap to help you sleep.

7. Calming ritual with lavender essential oil

Lavender essential oil has a lovely calming effect on the nervous system, making it ideal for people with nervous tension and sleep problems. Lavender can assist relaxation and help get you off to sleep. You could try placing a few drops of lavender in a warm bath before bed, in an oil burner, or place some dried lavender near your bed at night.