healthcare west midlands | Secure Healthcare Solutions

Autism West Midlands is the leading charity in the West Midlands for people affected by autism. We exist to enable all people with autism, and those who love and care for them to lead fulfilling and rewarding lives.

Because autism is closely linked to anxiety, one of the main benefits of professional care and support is to minimise anxiety and distress. This is achieved by close knowledge of the individual with autism, and by providing security and structure.

Professional support can also expand boundaries. Even though people with autism are often resistant to change and anxious about change, they may also be open to new experiences. Professional care can, for example, expand dietary choices. Additionally, where people with autism need a structured day, part of the structure can and should be activities which they enjoy.

People with autism often have strong interests, even obsessions, in certain subjects – for example Dr Who; The Beatles; computer games. A structured programme will enable them to spend some time in following these interests, as part of a balanced programme of activities. A balanced programme for an adult with autism might include some time at College; some time in physical activity (for example swimming or a walk); some time on personal care; perhaps sometime on food preparation; some time on the individual’s particular interests. This is only one example: some people with autism would not be physically or mentally able to carry out all these activities; others – for example someone high-functioning with Asperger syndrome – may be fully able to plan their own time. The message is to try to deliver a varied programme within a known structure. The structure will tend to minimise anxiety; the variety can help develop skills and provide interest.

Please click here for downloadable information sheets

Voluntary donations help fund a variety of our projects in the West Midlands. Donations also pay for equipment for our service users to enjoy and help families gain access to services in the community specifically for those with autism.

Download a fundraising pack now

With your support, Autism West Midlands can help people with autism to live as independently as possible, in both residential care and their own homes. We can provide activities and events to support families from sibling groups to stay and play sessions and parent support groups. Our Helpline is also a listening ear, providing support and advice to those who need it. The work that we do is possible because of the support from you.

For just £15.00 per year become a supporter of Autism West Midlands and you will receive the following;

– Online supporters welcome pack

– Digital supporters certificate

– Exclusive supporters web access to our very own digital Autism Matters magazine

In this section you can find out how to get involved with Autism West Midlands, including fundraising activities, volunteering opportunities, membership and events. More details here.

Most of us welcome hot weather, but when it’s too hot for too long there are health risks. If a heatwave hits this summer, make sure the hot weather doesn’t harm you or anyone you know. Older people are at high risk for developing heated-related illness because the ability to respond to summer heat can become less efficient with advancing years. Fortunately, the summer can remain safe and enjoyable for everyone who uses good, sound judgement.

Heat stress, heat fatigue, heat syncope (sudden dizziness after exercising in the heat, heat cramps and heat exhaustion are all forms of “hyperthermia,” the general name given to a variety of heat-related illnesses. Symptoms may include headache, nausea, muscle spasms and fatigue after exposure to heat. If you suspect someone is suffering from a heat-related illness:

Get the victim out of the sun and into a cool place, preferably one that is air-conditioned.
Offer fluids but avoid alcohol and caffeine. Water, fruit and vegetable juices are best.
Encourage the individual to shower, bathe or sponge off with cool water.
Urge the person to lie down and rest, preferably in a cool place.

Heat stroke is especially dangerous for older people and requires emergency medical attention. A person with heat stroke has a body temperature above 40 and may have symptoms such as confusion, combativeness, bizarre behavior, faintness, staggering, strong rapid pulse, dry flushed skin, lack of sweating, possible delirium or coma.

The temperature does not have to hit 38 for a person to be at risk for hyperthermia. Both an individual’s general health and/or lifestyle may increase the threat of a heat-related illness. Health factors which may increase risk include:

Age-related changes to the skin such as poor blood circulation and inefficient sweat glands.
Heart, lung and kidney diseases, as well as any illness that causes general weakness or fever.
High blood pressure or other conditions that require changes in diet. For example, people on salt restricted diets may increase their risk. However, salt pills should not be used without first asking a consulting doctor.
The inability to perspire caused by medications including diuretics, sedatives, tranquilizers and certain heart and blood pressure drugs.
Taking several drugs for various conditions. It is important, however, to continue to take prescribed medication and discuss possible problems with a physician.
Being substantially overweight or underweight.
Drinking alcoholic beverages.

Lifestyle factors also can increase risk, including extremely hot living quarters, lack of transportation, overdressing, visiting overcrowded places and not understanding weather conditions. Older people, particularly those at special risk, should stay indoors on especially hot and humid days, particularly when there is an air pollution alert in effect. People without fans or air conditioners should go to shopping malls, movie houses and libraries. Friends or relatives might be asked to supply transportation on particularly hot days. Many communities, charities, networking groups, religious groups and senior citizen centres also provide such services as cooling centres.

Seek help from a GP or contact NHS 111 if someone is feeling unwell and shows symptoms of:

breathlessness
chest pain
confusion
intense thirst
weakness
dizziness
cramps which get worse or don’t go away

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men – Almost 40,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year in England. Many men’s prostates get larger as they get older due to a non-cancerous condition known as prostate enlargement or benign prostatic hyperplasia. Symptoms that the cancer may have spread include bone and back pain, a loss of appetite, pain in the testicles and unexplained weight loss.

Prostate cancer can develop when cells in the prostate start to grow in an uncontrolled way. Prostate cancer often grows slowly to start with and may never cause any problems. But some men have prostate cancer that is more likely to spread. This needs treatment to stop it spreading outside the prostate.

Inherited mutations in this gene might let abnormal cells live longer than they should, which can lead to an increased risk of prostate cancer. BRCA1 and BRCA2: These tumor suppressor genes normally help repair mistakes in a cell’s DNA (or cause the cell to die if the mistake can’t be fixed).

Signs and symptoms

Prostate cancer that’s contained inside the prostate (called localised prostate cancer or early prostate cancer) doesn’t usually cause any symptoms. But some men might have some urinary problems. These can be mild and happen over many years and may be a sign of a benign prostate problem, rather than prostate cancer.

Changes to look out for include

needing to urinate more often than usual, including at night – for example if you often need to go again after two hours
difficulty starting to urinate
straining or taking a long time to finish urinating
a weak flow when you urinate
a feeling that you’re not emptying your bladder fully
needing to rush to the toilet – sometimes leaking before you get there
dribbling urine after you finish.

Less common symptoms include

pain when urinating
pain when ejaculating
blood in your urine or semen*
problems getting or keeping an erection – this isn’t a common symptom of a prostate problem and is more often linked to other health conditions such as diabetes or heart problems.

*Blood in your urine or semen can be caused by other health problems. Talk to your doctor if you see any blood in your urine or semen.

For some men the first symptoms of prostate cancer might be new pain in the back, hips or pelvis. This can be caused by cancer that’s spread to the bones (advanced prostate cancer). These symptoms are often caused by other problems such as general aches or arthritis. But it’s still a good idea to get them checked out by your GP.

Most men with early prostate cancer don’t have any symptoms. If you’re worried about your risk or are experiencing any symptoms, visit your GP or speak to our Specialist Nurses.

Are you at risk?

In the UK, about 1 in 8 men will get prostate cancer at some point in their lives.

Men aged 50 or over, men with a family history of prostate cancer and black men are more at risk of getting prostate cancer.

Find out more about your risk.