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Meet the Experts
Dr Adam Abbs
General Practitioner
About our Author
Overview
Dr Adam Abbs is Medical Lead for Europe and UK for biomarker company Hurdle.bio. An NHS-trained GP, he graduated from Hull York Medical School in 2010 with an MBBS, then worked across a range of specialties in Newcastle and Manchester. In 2019 he transitioned into a focus on telemedicine, leading to him developing a career at the forefront of digital health, exploring new ways to deliver exceptional clinical care to patients in innovative, safe, and cost-effective ways. He also has an interest in medical writing and clinical education, writing the Handbook of Remote Consultations, which gained RCGP accreditation in 2020.
GMC Number
7078829
Medical Experience
Medical Lead – Hurdle
Medical Doctor – The Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust
Clinical Director – Medicspot
Medical Doctor – webdoctor.ie
Training & Qualifications
MBBS, PGCCE, fHEA
Specialisms and Areas of Interest
General Practice, Telemedicine
Publications
Handbook for Remote Consultations: A Guide to Telemedicine (2020)
Articles by this Author
Ozempic Side Effects (And How To Manage Them)
If you’re looking to lose weight then medication like Ozempic can help.
Mounjaro Side Effects (And How To Manage Them)
If you’re looking to lose weight then a medication like Mounjaro can help.
Mounjaro vs Wegovy for Weight Loss
If you’re looking to lose weight then medication like Mounjaro and Wegovy can help you to do so more effectively – and faster – than just dieting and making lifestyle changes.
Mounjaro vs Ozempic for Weight Loss
If you’re looking to lose weight then medication like Mounjaro and Ozempic can help you to do so more effectively – and more sustainably – than just dieting and making lifestyle changes.
Semaglutide Tablets UK
If you’re looking to lose weight then medication like semaglutide tablets can help you to do so more effectively – and more sustainably – than dieting and making lifestyle changes alone.
Rybelsus vs Ozempic for Weight Loss
If you’re looking to lose weight then medication like Rybelsus and Ozempic can help you to do so more effectively – and faster – than just dieting and making lifestyle changes alone.
Orlistat Side Effects (And How to Manage Them)
Like most medications, Orlistat can have side effects. Most often these side effects are mild, but it’s still important to know what you can expect, and how you can manage them.
Orlistat vs Xenical for Weight Loss
If you’re looking to lose weight then medication like Orlistat and Xenical can help you to do so more effectively – and faster – than dieting and making lifestyle changes alone.
Orlistat vs Ozempic for Weight Loss
If you’re looking to lose weight then medication like Orlistat and Ozempic can help you to do so more effectively – and faster – than dieting and making lifestyle changes alone.
Orlistat vs Wegovy for Weight Loss
If you’re looking to lose weight then medication like Orlistat and Wegovy can help you to do so more effectively – and faster – than dieting and making lifestyle changes alone.
Semaglutide Injections
If you’re looking to lose weight then medication like semaglutide injections can help you to do so more effectively – and more quickly – than just dieting and making lifestyle changes.
Wegovy Side Effects (And How To Manage Them)
Like most medications, taking Wegovy can have side effects. Most often these side effects are mild, but it’s still important to know what you can expect, and how you can manage them.
Wegovy vs Ozempic for Weight Loss
If you’re looking to lose weight then medication like Wegovy and Ozempic can help you to do so more effectively – and faster – than dieting and making lifestyle changes alone.
Menopause
Menopause is a natural process that happens when your hormone levels change, you no longer produce eggs in your ovaries, and your periods stop. Learn more about symptoms, diagnosis and treatment options.
Vitamin D deficiency
Vitamin D deficiency is when you don’t have enough vitamin D in your body to be healthy. Vitamin D is responsible for keeping your bones, muscles, and teeth healthy. Learn how to maintain correct levels of Vitamin D in your body.
UTIs
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are very common in women - some experts predict that around 50 to 60% of women will develop a UTI at least once in their lifetime. Learn how to manage the symptoms of UTIs and when to visit a doctor.
Flu
Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is a common viral infection that affects your nose, throat and lungs. Learn more about symptoms, diagnosis and available treatments.
Male Fertility
Infertility (also known as “subfertility” is estimated to affect around 1 in 7 couples in the UK with about 30% of cases being due to male infertility. Learn more about common symptoms and available treatments.
Birth Control
Birth control is an important part of many people’s lives. However, the large number of contraception options can be confusing.
Fatigue
Fatigue is the main health issue for 5-7% of people attending primary care (seeing their GP). Extreme fatigue can dramatically impact a person’s life with a loss of motivation and energy.
Heavy period
Heavy periods are menstrual periods that last for more than 7 days or involve particularly heavy bleeding. The medical term for heavy periods is menorrhagia. Heavy periods are normal for some women, but they can sometimes be a sign of a medical problem that may need treatment.
Premature Ejaculation
Ejaculation is when semen is expelled from the penis during male orgasm. Premature ejaculation is when this happens earlier than you or your partner would like; it may also be described as “cumming too soon”. It is the most common sexual health problem in men and affects between 30 to 50% of men.
Visiting the MHS: A look at health devolution in Manchester
Earlier this year, the BMA took a trip to Greater Manchester (GM) to see first-hand some of the developments that have been happening since funding was devolved in April 2016.
Full survey results: One in 20 amateur racers admit to doping
Analysing the results of CW’s online poll, we grapple with the implication that one in 20 British amateur riders is a doper
How to deal with Raynaud's in the winter months
Raynaud's phenomenon is a common condition in which the blood vessels in the extremities overreact to cold or stress. As the days get colder, how can Raynaud's sufferers manage their condition?
4 Myths About Ear Infections You Need To Know
Wondering if you or your child has an ear infection? Some common symptoms include inflammation or pain inside the ear, fever, difficulty hearing, discharge running out of the ear and itching or irritation around the ear.
What you need to know about the coronavirus
A strain of coronavirus that emerged in China’s Hubei Province late last year has now caused deaths in the double digits, infected hundreds more, and spread to Thailand, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and the US, making headlines across the globe.
Should you be worried about the coronavirus?
A strain of coronavirus that emerged in China’s Hubei Province late last year has now caused deaths in the thousands, with upwards of 90,000 cases of the virus reported across more than 77 countries around the world.
Coronavirus: what experts know so far about COVID-19
Infections have now exceeded 2 million cases globally with over 170,000 deaths. The US, Italy and Spain are the countries with the highest infections. These countries overtook mainland China, where the novel strain of coronavirus first surfaced last year.
Cold shower benefits: 8 reasons to take the plunge
We asked Dr Adam Abbs, GP at Medicspot, to talk us through the expert-backed cold shower benefits.
8 healthful reasons to take a cold shower tomorrow morning
We’ve all felt the unpleasant shock of a cold shower, whether it’s down to being last in line for the bathroom or because someone’s turned a tap on elsewhere in the house. However, it’s becoming increasingly popular for athletes to ditch the hot tap in the name of health, with many keen to see for themselves whether the cold shower benefits live up to the hype.
8 compelling cold shower benefits
We present a case for intentionally turning the temperature dial down.
Cystitis
Cystitis is an infection and inflammation of the bladder. It is most commonly caused by a urinary tract infection (UTI) and occurs when bacteria travel up the urethra (the tube you pee from) and enter the bladder.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics are used to treat or prevent some infections caused by bacteria. There are many classes of antibiotics and different antibiotics are used to treat different types of infections.
Ringworm
Ringworm is a common skin infection caused by fungi. It is called ringworm because it causes a circular, ring-like rash on the body. Despite the name, it is not caused by worms.
Hair Loss
It’s normal for some hair to fall out and on average we lose between 50 and 100 hairs a day which are usually replaced with new hairs. As we age, this regrowth can slow, causing our hair to become thinner.
Cold Sores
A cold sore is a sore or blister that develops on the lips or around the mouth. They are caused by the herpes simplex virus.
Impetigo
Impetigo is a bacterial skin infection that causes sores or blisters on the skin. It is most common in young children, but anyone can get it.
Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis is inflammation of the conjunctiva, the thin membrane that lines the eyelid and covers the white part of the eye.
Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a skin condition that causes patches of scaly skin on the body. The patches may be sore or itchy. It is a chronic (long-term) condition that causes flare-ups (where symptoms are more severe) throughout a person’s life.
Blepharitis
Blepharitis is a condition that causes inflammation of the eyelids. It is a common condition that is more likely to affect people with oily skin or conditions like seborrheic dermatitis (dandruff), acne rosacea, dry eye, and allergies that affect the eye.
Eye Stye
A stye (also known as a hordeolum) is a small abscess on the eyelid. It is usually caused by a bacterial infection.
Red Eyes
A red eye occurs when tiny blood vessels beneath the surface of the eye become inflamed making the eyes appear red and bloodshot. It can affect one or both eyes and is usually caused by something irritating the eye. In most cases, a red eye is not a sign of anything serious and clears up on its own once the irritation is removed. It does not usually cause permanent damage to your eye.
Dust Allergy
A dust allergy is an allergy that is triggered by dust. Allergies occur when the body’s immune system reacts to a harmless substance it perceives as a threat, triggering the release of a chemical called histamine. Dust allergy is commonly caused by house dust mites. It may make symptoms of asthma or eczema worse.
Hay Fever
Hay fever is a type of allergy that is triggered by pollen (a fine powder produced by plants and flowers). It is also known as seasonal allergic rhinitis.
Allergies
An allergy occurs when your immune system reacts to a normally harmless substance, triggering a process in your body called an allergic reaction. The substances that trigger an allergic reaction are called allergens.
Weight loss
Being overweight or obese can have serious implications for your health and increases your risk of many diseases such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, strokes, oestoarthritis and some cancers. Being overweight can also affect your psychological health as it can lead to feelings of depression and low self-esteem and may contribute to social isolation.
Incontinence
Urinary incontinence is a condition where you pass urine involuntarily (when you don’t want to). It is a common condition, but the exact number of people with urinary incontinence is unknown. Many people feel embarrassed by their condition or assume it’s a normal part of getting older and cannot be treated. For this reason, many people don’t talk about their condition, even with their GP.