‘Fat but fit’ still risk heart disease

Even if medical tests don’t show up any problems, being overweight is bad for the heart, experts say.

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NHS cyber-defender Marcus Hutchins back online

Marcus Hutchins was arrested earlier this month on a trip to cyber-security conferences in Las Vegas.

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Probiotics help poplar trees clean up contaminated groundwater

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Granulins are brain treasure, not trash

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New way to activate stem cells to make hair grow

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Allure Just Banned The Term ‘Anti-Aging’ And Everyone Else Should, Too

Women’s interest magazines are emotional rollercoasters rife with contradictory statements about self-love and confidence. They often tell us to love ourselves the way we are while pushing weight loss and wrinkle creams. 

That’s what makes this news so exciting: Allure just declared it will no longer use the term “anti-aging,” acknowledging that growing older is something that should be embraced and appreciated rather than resisted or talked about as if it’s a condition that drains away beauty.

“Whether we know it or not, [the term is] subtly reinforcing the message that aging is a condition we need to battle — think antianxiety meds, antivirus software, or antifungal spray,” wrote Editor-in-Chief Michelle Lee on Monday, adding, “Repeat after me: Growing older is a wonderful thing because it means that we get a chance, every day, to live a full, happy life.”

Fashion has slowly but surely done a better job at being more inclusive and accepting of race, size and age. The beauty industry has been a bit slower on its feet. Plus-size model Precious Lee previously pointed out that beauty advertisements exclude models over a certain size, for example, despite the fact that women of all sizes can wear makeup.

Like visual representation, language matters, too. Lee not only banned “anti-aging” from Allure, but called on readers to think about their own words: 

When talking about a woman over, say, 40, people tend to add qualifiers: ‘She looks great…for her age’ or ‘She’s beautiful…for an older woman.’ Catch yourself next time and consider what would happen if you just said, ‘She looks great.’ Yes, Americans put youth on a pedestal. But let’s agree that appreciating the dewy rosiness of youth doesn’t mean we become suddenly hideous as years go by.

It’s great to see Allure pioneer a movement to embrace aging, and commit to actually helping women live their best lives in any decade. Allure’s September issue stars actress Helen Mirren, who, aside from looking drop-dead gorgeous in a slew of on-point looks (including one corset belt that might just change our minds about corseted dressing), waxes poetic on the topic.

She explained to Lee that women “know we’re getting older. You just want to look and feel as great as you can on a daily basis.”

Mirren’s no-holds-barred approach shines through in the rest of her spread and interview, too. She talks plastic surgery, being too polite in her younger years and the Trump family. 

Head to Allure to read both the Mirren interview and the magazine’s statement on “anti-aging.” 

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Health24.com | 5 ways to help your partner cope with ADHD

We normally associate ADHD with young children. The condition is however also prevalent in adults, and not only affects their daily activities and career, but also their relationships.

Fidgeting, a lack of concentration, inability to finish a task, a short attention span and impulsive behaviour – these were once thought of as something only occurring in young children and teenagers. But according to research published in the South African Medical Journal, up to 65% of children with ADHD will carry on displaying ADHD symptoms into adulthood. 

Nowadays there is a bigger awareness of the prevalence of adult ADHD, and with more research being done medical professionals now realise how profoundly ADHD can impact the lives of adults. 

A big challenge is when a partner misinterprets ADHD symptoms. Symptoms in adults differ from those in children, making diagnosis harder. A person might not even know that their spouse suffers from ADHD. According to a Health24 article, ADHD is often misdiagnosed in both children and adults, making it difficult to determine the cause of your partner’s troublesome behaviour.

If your spouse is diagnosed with ADHD, there are some practical tips on how to cope, according to Dr Renata Schoeman, our ADHD-expert and registered psychiatrist.

1. Do adequate research 

If your partner suffers from ADHD, educate yourself properly. Understand the symptoms and the cause, as well as when certain behaviour patterns are likely to be triggered or aggravated.

dealing with ADHD in your spouse

2. Discuss a proper treatment plan 

ADHD is a disorder that requires proper treatment. Seek medical help or help from a counsellor and discuss the steps for treatment.

ADHD in couples

3. Empathise with your partner

While it can be hard to maintain a relationship when your spouse seems absent or distracted, remember that this is not about you, but in fact, symptoms of a disorder. A person with ADHD often experiences feelings of disappointment and frustration, which can be mistaken as being selfish. Take a step back and get a more objective view of the situation.

couples suffering from ADHD

4. Focus on the positives

Don’t focus too much on relationship problems connected with your partner’s ADHD. Focus on their wonderful qualities, things that make you laugh, the good times and why you became a couple in the first place.

ADHD in couples

5. Don’t tolerate excuses

While changes in behavioural patterns are inevitable in ADHD sufferers, your partner should take responsibility for the situation. Empathy is important, but your partner also needs to take action.

woman chatting to doctor

All images supplied by iStock

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Anger and hatred can make us feel happy, says study

People have higher life satisfaction if they feel emotions they desire – even if they are unpleasant.

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Health24.com | 7 things in your home that can cause sinusitis

If you suffer from chronic sinusitis, you might be blaming your condition on a number of factors – from the time of year to the air-conditioning at the office. But have you ever taken a look at what might be lurking in the nooks and crannies of your own home?

We hate the idea that the safe haven we call “home” can make us sick. And we like to think that our living spaces are clean, which might however not be always the case – especially when it’s windy, humid or damp.

Chronic sinusitis is caused by inflammation in the tissue lining the sinuses. This can lead to infection and the onset of unpleasant symptoms such as a sinus headache, thickened mucus, congested nasal passages and fever.

What’s lurking in your home?

Sinusitis may be caused by external factors such as dust, pollen, animal hair, house-dust-mites and fumes given off by chemicals. So if you have sinusitis and it’s not clearing up, it’s time to check how clean your house really is.

1. Dust

It can be very easy to merely clean and vacuum on the surface while neglecting hard-to-reach areas such as curtain rails, skirting boards and nooks and crannies such as blinds and ventilators. Always pay attention to these often-overlooked areas, especially if you live in a dusty or windy area. Your vacuum cleaner might seem like the most effective cleaning appliance, but you might want to bear in mind that it can actually contribute to the dust problem if you don’t clean the filter often enough. A dirty filter will just blow dust back into the air. Make sure you regularly empty the filter bag of your vacuum cleaner.

vacuuming a rug

2.  Mould

Before you say “yuck” and protest that you don’t have a mould problem in your house, check it out. Mould is more common than you think and can appear near leaky sinks, underneath wallpaper, on leaky ceilings, underneath carpets, on curtains and blinds and even on your clothes. If you can’t pinpoint the cause of your sinusitis and you live in humid or damp conditions, start investigating. Mould isn’t always visible to the naked eye.

mould

3. Your fluffy friends

Of course we aren’t suggesting you get rid of your pets, but if you find your cat or dog is shedding hair in the house, it can be the cause of your sinus problems, especially if they’re allowed on bedding or upholstery, where the hair tends to stick. If your sinusitis is extremely bad, try keeping them off beds and couches. Vacuum your house and groom your pets regularly. Also regularly clean areas such as cages and cat litter boxes to remove bacteria and allergens.

cats on a duvet

4. Perfumes and toiletries

Investigate your beauty products and toiletries as strong fragrances found in products such as hairspray and perfumes can linger in the air, triggering sinus symptoms. If you can’t find the specific fragrance or product that’s making your head feel thick and heavy, limit your use of perfumed products. Also be mindful of where you get ready for the day – spraying perfumed products in poorly ventilated, enclosed spaces can aggravate sinus problems.

woman spraying her perfume

5. Your cleaning products

It may sound counter-intuitive blaming cleaning products when dirt’s the main problem, but harsh chemicals can also affect your sinuses. Replace normal household detergents with “milder” brands.

cleaning products

6. Houseplants and flowers

Plants and flowers add a touch of colour to any home, but they might be to blame for your poor sinus health. Flowers with a high pollen count such as daisies and chrysanthemums can be especially harsh on your sinuses, while house plants such as ficus can produce allergens through their sap, which can attach to dust particles. Rather choose plants with a low pollen count that actually filter the air such as mother-in-law’s tongue.

flowers

7. The swimming pool

Your swimming pool might be a treat during summer months, but chlorine might be the cause of your sinusitis. Studies have proven a definite link between swimming and sinus symptoms. High chlorine levels can cause chlorine sensitivity, which can aggravate sinusitis. An indoor pool, heated tub or sauna can also increase moisture levels in your house, which leads to mould (see point 2). Keep chlorine levels as low as possible and make sure there’s no mould and leakage. 

girl swimming

All images supplied by iStock.

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Health24.com | SEE: Swallow this gastric balloon to lose 15kg

Losing weight is life-long struggle for many people.

A recent study showed that 70% of South African women and a third of men being classified as overweight or obese.

According to the Heart and Stroke Foundation 40% of women in South Africa are obese; this is an indication that their body mass index (BMI) is greater than 30kg/m2.

But scientists are now developing a new weight-loss method without undergoing surgeries such as a gastric bypass.

A gastric balloon that can be swallowed has proven to be able to help people lose a significant amount of weight without surgery.

Take a look at how this procedure works:

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