But study of 11 nations raises concerns about quality of care in UK despite praising efficiency and affordability.

The National Imaging Academy for Wales, based in Bridgend, is expected to open by mid-2018.

If you check your pay slip, you should see a number that indicates the amount of leave days you have – but how often do you actually use that leave? And more importantly, how often should you take leave? 

Experts agree: take your annual leave and avoid burning out mentally and physically.

Think about all the devices you have access to – from your car to smart phone and computer. Have you ever noticed how they have the ability to idle or hibernate?  

“This function saves battery life,” explains clinical psychologist Dr Colinda Linde. “Think about the last time you had too many tabs, files or apps open on your computer, and how the device became sluggish.

“Humans are the same – if our bodies and minds are switched on in ‘work’ mode 24/7, it results in inefficient performance, exhaustion and errors, as well as mood changes such as becoming more sensitive, more reactive, less tolerant.”

The importance of taking annual leave

“It’s important for people to take time off. All the research shows that proper rest periods improve wellness, reduce stress and increase productivity,” says Shelagh Goodwin, general manager of human resources at Media24.

“Under South African labour law, it is mandatory for employers to give paid leave to employees.”

Goodwin says she can rest well over a long weekend, as long it comes with a complete change of scenery and she doesn’t check emails. However, she believes a proper break should be at least two weeks long. 

Patterns of annual leave

Is there a pattern you should follow when it comes to taking annual leave? Goodwin believes it depends on the individual. 

“It is best to take chunks, rather than a day here and a day there, but whether you choose to take two two-week holidays in a year or one four-week holiday is up to you. Personally, I’m a fan of two holidays a year – and I really feel it when I have not had a break in more than six months.”

If it is not possible to take regular leave throughout the year, you do need to make the time to take a break from “work mode”. Dr Linde says regular mini-breaks tend to work better as there is a periodic opportunity to recharge and reset.

Listen to your body. Not taking a proper break can lead to burnout. “Take holidays!” Goodwin urges. “It’s good for you and it’s good for your company.” 

She does caution that employers have the right to determine when your leave may be taken. “If it’s a bad time to take leave from an operational point of view, the employer may refuse to approve it.” 

Make sure you plan you leave around your company’s operational needs so that you can take a break when you really need it. 

Identifying burnout

“Burnout starts with feeling there is too much to do but somehow this is managed by skimping on sleep, social activity, and other ‘luxuries’ that get in the way of work,” says Dr Linde.

Then exhaustion sets in, along with mood and body symptoms, for example irritability, tearfulness, and inexplicable aches and pains, headaches and digestive issues. 

“In the beginning there is still an internal – and sometimes external – pressure to achieve, and willpower can keep you going along with very short breaks,” explains Dr Linde. 

“After a prolonged period, cynicism and lack of meaning sets in, along with more apparent mood, body and behavioural symptoms – you may need caffeine to get started in the morning, you develop sugar cravings and your sleep is impaired.”

Your performance starts to drop and mistakes occur due to fatigue, poor concentration and poor memory.

Planning your annual leave is the first step you can take to avoid burnout. Factors that contribute to burnout include high stress, a heavy workload, a lack of control over job situations, a lack of emotional support and long work hours. Over time, this will lead to physical wear and tear. 

Signs of burnout include: 

• Feeling of lack of control over commitments
• Loss of purpose
• Loss of motivation
• Detachment from relationships
• Feeling tired and lethargic
• Feeling that you’re accomplishing less
• Increased tendency to think negatively

Learning to switch off

Dr Linde says it takes time to shift from work mode into rest/play mode, especially mentally. “If it feels too difficult to shut down from work completely, especially if you run your own business and feel uncomfortable being away for too long you could compromise,” she says. “Be available for phone or mail contact once (or twice) daily, at a set time, and not for too long (30-60 minutes).”

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At the end of that time, you need to shut off devices and keep away from work triggers until the next check-in time.

“You’ll be surprised at how quickly people will learn that they cannot access you outside the agreed times. They will adapt and learn to bring up the important matters at the time that they can contact you.”

Read more:

20 signs you’re on your way to burnout

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What is stress?

When Philip Madonsela’s HIV positive partner Duduzile Gumede defaulted on her antiretroviral therapy (ART) he was surprised to discover that she stopped collecting her medication from the clinic because she was taking their daughter’s treatment.

“At first I couldn’t understand why she was losing weight and getting sicker. Our daughter is also on ARTs. When I asked Duduzile why she was so sick, she kept on telling me that it was the side effects of the ARTs.

Then recently she suffered a stroke and I had to rush her to Rob Ferrari Hospital. That’s when I finally learned the truth – that she was not taking her own ARTs, but was taking the medication for her daughter.”

A Health24 article explains that if antiretroviral drugs are not taken exactly as prescribed on a regular basis, the patient may become resistant to the medication. When this happens, the medication does not effectively suppress the virus.

‘I knew I defaulted’

Gumede explained: “With my working hours and not having time to go to the clinic, I honestly didn’t think that sharing my daughter’s ART was wrong, or that it would harm me because we are both living with the HIV virus.

But when I noticed the changes, that I was getting sick, I was afraid to go back to the clinic for further help because I knew I defaulted.”

She did not foresee what could happen – that should would get sick, suffer a stroke and come close to death.

Gumede’s sister Phumzile Gumede said, “As she lied to her partner, our whole family was lied to in the same way. She would pretend to collect her ARTs every month. To be honest, we are more worried about the innocent child because if Duduzile was taking her ARTs, what was going to happen to her?

‘It was a stupid thing to do’

I asked my sister to show me her ART pack but to my surprise she went inside her house and come out with her daughter’s ARTs. I shouted at her and asked, ‘Why do you want to die?’ and she didn’t reply.”

Gumede now sees her stroke as a warning and a second chance to do things right.

“We all deserve to live longer. It may seem impossible, but with the help and support of community workers from Simunye HBC (home based care) I will not default again. I now understand that I should have not stopped collecting my ART or taking my child’s treatment because It was a stupid thing to do.”

Zodwa Mbele from Simunye HBC said “The are many similar cases where people think sharing their treatment is okay, because they think their HIV virus is the same. My advice to all people living with HIV is to never share their ARTs. It is better to ask for help and advice from health workers than to be sorry later.” – Health-e News.

Read more:

HIV medication side effects

HIV/AIDS: opportunistic infections

HIV/Aids and nutrition

Cynthia Maseko

Stairs can be difficult for many elderly and disabled people, and current alternatives such as elevators, stair lifts and escalators are expensive and use a lot of energy.

But there is some good news. Researchers say they’ve developed stairs that “recycle” a person’s energy, which could be of help to seniors and disabled people.

A ‘leg up’ on the ascent

The stairs use latched springs to store energy when someone goes down them. The energy is then released when a person climbs the stairs again.

People who want a good workout or improve their general stair-climbing abilities should have a look at this video. 

According to the researchers from Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University in Atlanta, the high-tech stairs absorb a person’s energy as they descend, which cuts forces on the ankle by 26%.

But when the person then ascends the same stairs, that energy is released, making the stairs spring up a bit. The ascent is therefore 37% easier on the knees than otherwise.

“Unlike normal walking where each heel-strike dissipates energy that can be potentially restored, stair ascent is actually very energy efficient; most energy you put in goes into potential energy to lift you up,” said Karen Liu, an associate professor in Georgia Tech’s School of Interactive Computing.

A more practical and affordable option

“But then I realised that going downstairs is quite wasteful,” she said in a school news release. “You dissipate energy to stop yourself from falling, and I thought it would be great if we could store the energy wasted during descent and return it to the user during ascent.”

Liu said she got the idea for the new technology after watching her 72-year-old mother struggle to climb stairs.

To test the machine, Liu’s team analysed patterns of energy use while nine volunteers went up and down the stairs.

Further study is needed, but energy-recycling stairs might become a more practical and affordable option, the study authors suggested. The study was published in the journal PLOS ONE.

“Current solutions for people who need help aren’t very affordable. Elevators and stair lifts are often impractical to install at home,” said Liu. “Low-cost, easily installed assistive stairs could be a way to allow people to retain their ability to use stairs and not move out of their homes.”

Read more:

Knee pain while using stairs first sign of arthritis

Weak muscles can put diabetics at risk on stairs

Would you take these crazy stairs?

Do you have to nag your child to ditch the couch and TV for some fresh air? And so you should.

According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, children need between 35 and 60 minutes of exercise every day to stay lean and healthy and lower their risk for health problems later in their lives.

But moving them off the couch can be as hard as getting them to eat their vegetables. Part of the problem is that kids spend too much time with the TV, computers, cell phones, and video game consoles.

Bad habits form during childhood

On average American kids are in front of screens for a whopping seven-and-a-half hours a day. In South Africa the problem is just as bad.

According to a survey by the Discovery Vitality ObeCity Index among Discovery’s Vitality members, South Africa’s biggest couch potatoes live in Bloemfontein. 

A previous Health24 article states that 60% of women in South Africa are obese and that the obesity problem is on the rise. Bad habits are formed during childhood and become harder to break once the child is older.

And not only is obesity unhealthy, but it also increases the risk for several chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart conditions later in life. A person suffering from diabetes has an increased risk of blindness through an inactive, unhealthy lifestyle. According to a previous study, children who are not getting enough physical activity are also be more prone to asthma and other respiratory problems at a later stage in their lives. 

Active children = healthy children

So how do you get your kids to put down the game controllers and get moving? Here are some practical tips on how to get your children off the couch and engage in a more active lifestyle. 

1. Limit screen time

Don’t allow your children more than an hour or two screen time per day. Give them “tasks” to do in order to earn their hour of screen time; an hour of physical activity equals an hour screen time for example. Don’t allow television sets or any devices with screens in their bedrooms. Not only is this distracting and tempting, but it could also prohibit them from getting quality sleep at night.

3. Expose your kids to a variety of activities

Take advantage of the extramural activities offered by their schools. Expose your kids to a lot of different kinds of activities through sports teams or clubs. If they find something they love, they’re more likely to stick with it as they move from primary school to high school. Studies have also shown that exercise does not only benefit your child’s present and future health and physical appearance, but also academic performance. 

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Read more:

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Typically, pancreatic cancer is only discovered when the tumours are already too large to treat.

By the time pancreatic cancer is detected, it is so severe that four out of five people will die after diagnosis, but a new blood test may accurately detect pancreatic cancer in its early stages. This discovery offers new hope for people at risk of this fast-moving and often fatal disease, researchers said.

Pancreatic cancer affects the pancreas, a gland which is located in the upper abdomen. Pancreatic cancer is often referred to as the “silent disease” because symptoms are few and non-specific, mostly leading to late diagnosis.

Cancer of the pancreas tends to affect people over the age of 50, and most sufferers are aged 65 to 80 at the time of diagnosis. Men are at slightly higher risk than women.

One of the deadliest cancers

More than 53 000 people in the United States are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer annually. It is the fourth leading cause of cancer death. While statistics provided by the Cancer Association of South Africa (Cansa) may not be the leading cause of death through non-communicable disease in South Africa, the survival rate is still at a low of 20%, although survival is on the increase through the advance of medical technology. 

“A long-standing concern has been that patients with pancreatic cancer are often not diagnosed until it is too late for the best chance at effective treatment,” said study co-author Robert Vonderheide, director of the Abramson Cancer Center at the University of Pennsylvania. “Having a biomarker test for this disease could dramatically alter the outlook for these patients.”

Biomarkers in blood can detect pancreatic cancer

Using stem cell technology to create a cell line from a patient with advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, researchers were able to turn back the clock on the progression of the disease. In doing so, they found a pair of biomarkers (or identifiers) in the blood that picked up pancreatic cancer in human cancer cells at different stages of tumour growth.

“Genetically reprogramming late-stage human cancer cells to a stem cell state enabled them to force the reprogrammed cells to progress to an early cancerous state, revealing secreted blood biomarkers of early-stage disease along the way,” said a summary of the report, published in the journal Science Translational Medicine.

One biomarker known as plasma thrombospondin-2 (THBS2), combined with a known later-stage biomarker called CA19-9, “consistently and correctly identified all stages of the cancer,” said lead author Ken Zaret, director of the Penn Institute for Regenerative Medicine.

“Notably, THBS2 concentrations combined with CA19-9 identified early stages better than any other known method. “The test could be done with an inexpensive, commercially available protein-detection assay, researchers said.

Further work needed

In principle, the test could be applied right away, though researchers cautioned they want to do further work “to be absolutely certain of the cutoff values that we have for what is a significant or likely call for disease,” a spokeswoman said in an email. “Some more work will be needed but in general the test and concept could be applied,” she said.

A key population for the test would include people with a family history of pancreatic cancer, those with a genetic predisposition to the disease, or who had a sudden onset of diabetes after the age of 50. Earlier this year, a separate team of researchers in the United States and China unveiled a new blood test for detecting pancreatic cancer. That method involved finding a protein dubbed EphA2 found in pancreatic tumours, according a report in the journal Nature Biomedical Engineering.

Read more:

Gene beats pancreatic cancer

Cooldrink, pancreatic cancer linked

Earlier pancreatic cancer diagnosis