Don’t miss the latest episode of The House of Wellness with Chemist Warehouse on The Breeze, where Mike is joined by country music star Kaylee Bell, sports journalist and commentator Nicky Styris, Prostate Cancer Foundation chief executive Peter Dickens and resident pharmacist Piyara Perera.
Featured Guest: Kaylee Bell
Kiwi country star Kaylee Bell opened up about her journey to motherhood, sharing the challenges she faced from a young age with endometriosis.
Kaylee suffered from undiagnosed complications following peritonitis at age 16. After years of chronic pain, fatigue and uncertainty, she eventually “parked” her health for a while.
“Right or wrong, I got on with my life and just coped,” she admitted.
“Then you get into your early thirties and you start to think about children and what that might look like… it was just kind of told to me that’s just not really going to be a thing in my path.”
After navigating the highs and lows of pregnancy, including issues that required hospitalisation, Kaylee welcomed her son James earlier this year.
Kaylee emphasises the importance of proactive health care and resilience and advocates for better awareness and support around women’s health issues. She hopes her story will help normalise the balance between motherhood and career.
Featured Guest: Nicky Styris
At 58, broadcaster Nicky Stryis not only looks great, but feels great too, and she joined Mike to chat about fitness for over 50s.
Nicky emphasised the importance of exercise for those over 50, highlighting its role in maintaining muscle mass, bone density, flexibility, balance and overall functionality.
She encouraged starting with simple, safe movements - like squats, wall sits, resistance bands, or even standing on one foot while brushing your teeth - and gradually building strength two to three times a week.
She stressed the importance of creating habits, listening to your body and avoiding comparisons with others, especially when recovering from illness.
Featured Guest: Peter Dickens
Chief Executive of the Prostate Cancer Foundation, Peter Dickens, says they have been supporting New Zealand men for 25 years, providing education, advocacy and funding for research into one of the country’s deadliest cancers.
Each year, more than 4,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer and around 700 lose their lives, yet there is no government-funded national screening programme.
The foundation is campaigning for pilot screening programmes and better access to advanced treatments, aiming to bring New Zealand in line with places like Australia and Europe.
“If you are 50 or over, you should be talking to your GP about getting that right now,” Peter said.
“And if you have other risk factors like a lot of cancer in the family… you really should be looking at doing that from the age of 40.”
Resident Pharmacist: Piyara Perera
This week, Piyara joined Mike to discuss seasonal changes, including springtime hay fever and sleep disruptions from daylight saving.
Hay fever occurs when the immune system overreacts to harmless substances like pollen, dust or pet dander, releasing histamine and triggering sneezing, itchy eyes and a runny or blocked nose.
Managing symptoms can involve environmental controls like keeping windows closed, using air conditioning or showering after being outdoors, alongside supporting the immune system through diet and stress management.
Sleep disruptions such as those caused by daylight saving can throw off the body’s circadian rhythm. Melatonin, a naturally occurring hormone that signals the body to wind down, is now available over-the-counter for those over 55 with primary insomnia.
Alongside short-term melatonin use, lifestyle habits like consistent sleep schedules, limiting screens before bed and reducing afternoon caffeine remain crucial for maintaining healthy sleep.
Check out our extended chat with Kaylee Bell here and tune in next Sunday for The House of Wellness on The Breeze.
