A simple innovation developed by the staff at a Swindon hospital could soon change the way immobile female patients use the toilet during their hospital stays. The device is called UniWee. It is an adapted urinal bottle that is designed for women and could be now recognized at a national scale.

What Problem Does It Solve?

For women who are bed-bound or are unable to move freely in hospitals, relieving themselves could be a challenge. While there are traditional options like catheters, they do carry a risk of infection and discomfort. Bed pans can also be undignified and difficult to use. For years, the standard disposable male urinal bottle had been available, however, there was no widely accepted equivalent existed for women patients.

It is important to recognize the gap in care, and so the staff at the emergency department of Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (GWH) in Swindon decided to act.

Adapting A Male Bottle For Female Use

The hospital's emergency and trauma teams started to modify the standard male urinal bottle to make it usable for women. The adapted version features a wider, funnel-like opening and a bowl-shaped container which is made of carboard. The new design also allows women to urinate more comfortably and hygienically while sitting or even lying down. It also reduces the need for catheterization.

The UniWee is also being described as a "groundbreaking project" by the GWH and is being seen as a more dignified, less painful option for female patients.

An Idea Into Implementation

The early success of the UniWee within the Swindon hospital also spurred further development. The staff also collaborated with other NHS Trust across the South West to test the design and understand its broader impact.

There has been a deep research that went into device's effectiveness that has been formally published in the Emergency Medicine Journal. This is part of the British Medical Journal series. As a result, the manufacturer company of male urinal bottles has also stepped into create formal prototype for UniWee. This will prepare for larger scale production.

Support From NHS

Crucially, the NHS supply chain has now expressed support for the UniWee, raising hopes that it could be rolled out nationwide. This would allow hospitals across the UK to offer female patients a safer, more respectful way to manage toileting while immobile.

Dr Siân Thomas, an emergency doctor at GWH and the lead researcher on the project, said the team is excited about taking the UniWee forward.

“Our future studies will explore how the UniWee can reduce catheter use and improve bladder care for patients,” she said. “By gathering evidence, we hope to ensure that more patients and clinical teams benefit from this simple yet transformative solution.”

The next phase of research will include patient and public engagement to make sure the UniWee continues to meet the real-world needs of those who use it.

While for now, UniWee seems like a small innovation, the impact could be significant. It is a more humane alternative for women in hospital bed that allows them to carry on with their lives with dignity.

With peak summer months fast approaching, one must make the necessary changes to their lifestyle habits to suit the heat. This heat can affect people in many ways. Whether it is what kind of food you eat, your daily commute and other activities.

Another cause of concern for people now is how this heat could affect their heart. A new study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology April 2025, showed that when it's really hot both during the day and at night, more people die from heart problems. This kind of heat is much more dangerous for your heart than just being hot during the day or just at night. Researchers found that when it's hot all the time, it puts a lot of extra stress on people's hearts, making it more likely for them to have serious problems and even die. This means we need to think differently about how we handle very hot weather to keep people safe, especially those who already have heart issues.

To learn this, the scientists looked at information about almost two and a half million people who died from heart problems in China over several years. They compared when these deaths happened to how hot it was at every hour of the day and night. They found that when there was a compound heatwave, the chance of dying from a heart problem kept going up. However, when it was only hot during the day or only at night, the risk would go up and then come down a bit. This shows that constant heat puts ongoing stress on the heart.

Why Does The Heat Impact The Heart?

When temperatures rise, your body cleverly uses your circulatory system to release heat. Blood vessels near the skin's surface widen, and your heart beats faster, increasing blood flow by two to four times its normal rate, according to Cleveland Clinic.

The study showed that if there's a heatwave that doesn't cool down at night, people are much more likely to die from heart problems. The chance goes up by a huge 86%. This is much higher than if it's only hot during the day, where the risk goes up by only 19%. It's also much higher than if it's only hot at night, which has a 16% higher risk. This clearly shows that when the heat doesn't stop, it's much harder on our hearts and can be deadly for people with heart conditions.

The study also found that certain kinds of heart problems were much more likely to cause death during compound heatwaves. Things like sudden heart stopping, heart attacks, and heart failure were much more dangerous when the heat didn't let up at night. For example, the chance of dying from sudden heart stopping was much higher with constant heat compared to just daytime or nighttime heat. The same was true for heart attacks and heart failure, showing that continuous high temperatures put a huge strain on different parts of the heart.

How Do We Proceed?

Experts say that the usual ways we think about heatwaves don't really show how dangerous these constant hot periods are. We often just look at how hot it gets during the day or how long the heat lasts. However, we don't always think about how important it is for people to cool down at night. Because of this, we might not realize just how much more dangerous it is when the heat stays high all the time, and we might not do enough to protect people.

A lot needs to be done to protect the people from heat that doesn’t quit. This could mean having places where people can go to cool down in cities and helping people keep their homes cooler. These kinds of constant heatwaves are happening more often because of climate change, we need new ways to protect people who are at risk. Researchers are now planning to figure out how many more people might die from heart problems caused by heatwaves as the world gets even warmer.

Oral health is often a brushed off-pun and is intended as basic hygiene. However, Lt Gen Dr Vimal Arora, who is a former Director General of Armed Forces Dental Services and is currently the Chief Clinical Officer (CCO) at Clove Dental, says it is time we reframe how we look at our teeth, gyms, and even our jaws.

In an exclusive interview with Health And Me, he debunks popular myths and draws a compelling link between oral health and broader health issues, especially sleep apnea.

Myth #1: Sugar Is The Only Cause Of Cavities

While it is a common belief that sugar is the main villain when it comes to cavities, Dr Arora explains that poor oral hygiene plays a much bigger role in this. “Even if you’re consuming sugar, rinsing or brushing before bed can significantly reduce your risk,” he says. The problem arises when sugary substances linger in the mouth overnight, feeding bacteria that damage teeth.

Myth #2: Overbrushing Does Not Exist

Is this another misconception? You got that right. Brushing more does not mean cleaner teeth. Dr Arora strongly disagrees with this statement. “You’re not scrubbing tiles—you’re cleaning your own teeth,” he points out. Overbrushing, especially with a hard-bristled brush, can erode enamel—the hardest substance in the human body, but once gone, it never grows back. His advice: use a super soft brush, wet it before use, and apply gentle pressure.

ALSO READ: What Your Mouth Is Trying to Tell You?

Myth #3: Oral Health Is Only Limited To Your Mouth

Perhaps the most overlooked myth is that oral health is disconnected from the rest of the body. "This is not true," Dr Arora asserts. This is especially true when it comes to sleep apnea, a disorder where people often breathe through their mouth while sleeping.

“Sleep apnea isn’t just a sleep problem. It’s connected to how your jaws are aligned, how your airways function, and more,” he says. Dentists can play a pivotal role by fitting patients with oral appliances that reposition the jaw forward. This opens up the air passage and reduces apnea episodes—potentially reducing the need for machines like CPAPs. “Many dentists today are trained to do this,” he adds.

Scientific studies back this up. According to a 2019 paper published in the Journal of Dental Sleep Medicine, oral appliances can be an effective first-line treatment for mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea, especially in patients who are non-compliant with CPAP therapy.

What Can You Do?

Dr Arora recommends to quite literally watch your mouth. He says that one must take a moment every day to examine their own mouth. “Look at your teeth, gums, even your cheeks, in good sunlight. If you see discoloration, redness, or anything unusual—visit a dentist.”

He emphasizes making friends with your dentist, not fearing them. “At least 40% of our mouth can’t be seen directly. That’s why routine check-ups matter.”

Whether it’s protecting enamel, preventing cavities, or managing sleep disorders, oral health is deeply intertwined with overall well-being. And the first step to better health might just start with how gently—and frequently—you brush.

Condiments often get a bad rap in the world of healthy eating, but experts suggest it's time to reconsider that stance. While many people feel their meals are incomplete without the familiar kick of ketchup, mayo, mustard, soy sauce, ranch, or hot sauce, not all of these additions are detrimental to health. In fact, some might even enhance the nutritional profile of your meals.

"I would way rather folks add a condiment that really brightens their day and makes their food enjoyable than for them to swear off that food entirely," registered dietitian Abbey Sharp told USA Today. "If ranch is the only way that you’re going to eat vegetables, by all means, you should be adding ranch."

While many assume that condiments only add empty calories or sodium, some health professionals believe that the right choices can contribute positively to your diet. The trick lies in selecting those with fewer additives and better nutritional value.

Choosing the lowest-calorie condiment may seem wise, but calories aren't the only factor to consider. Some condiments, though low in calories, are packed with artificial additives, sodium, and sugar—ingredients that can elevate the risk of high blood pressure, stroke, and heart disease. On the other hand, healthier condiments often contain little added sugar and are rich in fiber, protein, and healthy fats.

Abbey Sharp warns against blindly choosing products labeled "fat-free" or "low-fat," as these can be loaded with sugar and salt to compensate for lost flavor. Instead, she recommends looking for items with shorter, simpler ingredient lists.

Homemade condiments are generally less processed and lower in calories, but plenty of store-bought options can also be healthy if you check the labels carefully. Experts have highlighted several condiments that offer both flavor and nutrition:

Pesto — Made with olive oil, Parmesan, basil, and pine nuts, pesto is not only flavorful but also a good source of zinc, supporting immunity and metabolism.

Mustard — While mustard is low in calories (about six per 10 grams), it often contains turmeric, which has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. However, it can be high in sodium, so moderation is key.

Guacamole — Rich in fiber, potassium, and healthy fats from avocados, guacamole can enhance satiety and overall nutrition. Sharp calls it her favorite condiment.

Balsamic Vinegar — Made from grapes, balsamic vinegar is packed with antioxidants that may protect cells and reduce heart disease risk.

Soy Sauce — Due to its high sodium content, consider making a homemade version using low-sodium vegetable broth, vinegar, brown sugar, and spices.

Tomato-Based Sauces — Tomatoes offer potassium, lycopene, and other nutrients. Homemade ketchup or salsa can reduce added sugar intake and avoid high-fructose corn syrup.

Hummus — A blend of chickpeas, tahini, garlic, and olive oil, hummus provides protein, fiber, and healthy fats.

Hot Sauce — Often containing just peppers, salt, and vinegar, hot sauce can support gut health and digestion—though sodium remains a concern.

Tahini — Ground sesame seeds provide plant-based protein and selenium, which supports brain and immune health. Just two tablespoons supply 10% of an adult’s daily protein needs.