A smokeless method of vaporising and then inhaling dagga packs a much more powerful punch than simply smoking weed, researchers say.

That could raise safety concerns for users – driving, for example.

Marijuana vaporisers heat dagga to a temperature just below combustion, allowing people to inhale the intoxicating chemical tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) from the plant material without breathing in any smoke.

This method produced much more intoxication in a small group of test participants than smoking the same amount of dagga through a typical marijuana pipe, according to the report published online in JAMA Network Open.

More adverse effects

The study participants also had more adverse effects associated with their dagga use when they used vaporisers, and had more pronounced impairment of their ability to think and control their movements, the researchers said.

“It’s often a fine line between someone getting the drug effect they desire and having a drug effect that’s too strong, and maybe produces paranoia and adverse effects that are uncomfortable for the person,” said lead researcher Tory Spindle.

“That sort of thing might be more likely with vaporisers,” he added. Spindle is a postdoctoral research fellow at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, in Baltimore.

Don’t confuse ‘vaporisers’ and ‘vaping’

These vaporisers aren’t to be confused with “vaping” – a term used to describe electronic cigarettes.

Survey data has shown that vaporising is becoming a more popular method of using marijuana, particularly in states in the US that have legalised recreational use of the drug, Spindle said.

“It heats it to a temperature that doesn’t reach combustion,” Spindle said of the vaporising devices. “If you look at the cannabis after it’s done vaporising, it doesn’t turn into the black ash material it would when you smoke it. It looks exactly like it did when you put it in.”

To see if vaporisers deliver a different high than smoking marijuana, Spindle and his colleagues recruited 17 healthy adults who were not frequent marijuana users and asked them to both smoke the drug from a pipe and inhale the fumes produced by a vaporiser.

The same 25mg dose of marijuana produced a significantly stronger high when vaporised than when smoked, the findings showed. Pre-rolled joints sold at dispensaries typically contain 1g of marijuana.

Greater impairment

People on vaporised dagga also showed greater impairment than when they smoked the drug, based on testing that gauges the ability to think, reason and perform fine motor skills.

Vaporised dagga came with more side effects as well, including heart racing (24% versus 18% for smoked), paranoia (17% versus 10%), hunger (38% versus 33%), dry mouth (67% versus 43%), and red eyes (25% versus 16%).

Blood tests revealed that people had much higher levels of THC in their circulation after using a vaporiser, about 14.4 nanograms per millilitre (ng/mL) of blood compared with 10.2 ng/mL when they smoked dagga.

The effects typically wore off between six to eight hours for both vaporised and smoked dagga, the researchers said.

More chemicals consumed

Heating but not burning dagga appears to ensure that more of the weed’s high-producing chemicals are imbibed by the user, Spindle said.

“Our theory is that when you combust cannabis, more of the THC is lost due to the combustion process,” Spindle said. “The vaporiser is a more efficient delivery method than the smoked cannabis.”

People who don’t use marijuana regularly should approach vaporisers with caution, said Nadia Solowij, a professor at the University of Wollongong in Australia.

“There is a perception that it is a safer route given that it avoids burning the plant matter, thus reducing toxins formed by that process,” said Solowij, who wrote an editorial accompanying the new study. “These findings raise concerns for inexperienced users, which include those using [marijuana] both recreationally but also trying cannabis for medical reasons,” she added.

“It may be wise to use a smaller amount of cannabis in a vaporiser to achieve the desired effect,” Solowij concluded.

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An antibacterial called triclosan is common in dust and could result in dust-dwelling bacteria becoming antibiotic-resistant, researchers report.

“There is this conventional wisdom that says everything that’s in dust is dead, but that’s not actually the case. There are things living in there,” said study leader Erica Hartmann, an assistant professor of environmental engineering at Northwestern University in Chicago.

Triclosan still used

The researchers analysed dust samples from 42 athletic facilities in the Pacific Northwest region. In dust with higher concentrations of triclosan, bacteria were more likely to have genetic changes indicating antibiotic resistance.

“Those genes do not code for resistance to triclosan,” Hartmann explained in a university news release. “They code for resistance to medically relevant antibiotic drugs.”

Triclosan was widely used in antibacterial hand soaps and cleaning solutions until 2017, when the US Food and Drug Administration banned such uses due to concerns about a number of dangerous side effects, including hormone system disruption.

However, triclosan is still used in some toothpastes and several other products, the researchers said.

“There are many products with triclosan that are not labelled because they are within the purview of the EPA [Environmental Protection Agency] instead of the FDA,” Hartmann said. “These things might include antimicrobial gym equipment, such as yoga mats and textiles.”

Majority of microbes not bad

Hartmann noted that soaps and cleansers still contain other antimicrobial chemicals, including benzalkonium chloride, and her team is examining how it affects bacteria in dust.

Antibiotic resistance is a serious public health threat. Nearly 25 000 people in the United States die each year from antibiotic-resistant infections, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

One way to reduce that threat is to stop using antimicrobial products, according to Hartmann.

“The vast majority of microbes around us aren’t bad and may even be good,” she said. “Wipe down gym equipment with a towel. Wash your hands with plain soap and water. There is absolutely no reason to use antibacterial cleansers and hand soaps.”

The study was published in the journal mSystems.

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The Davies family lost Billy when he was just 16 years old, and still do not know what happened to him.

The teams help those who attempt severe self-harm or suicide who might otherwise need to go to hospital.

Writing an e-mail. Sending a text message. Surfing the internet.

These are activities taken for granted by most, but denied to paralysed people who’ve lost the use of their arms and hands.

Using only their minds

Now, thanks to a brain implant, a small group of paralysed patients can directly operate an off-the-shelf tablet device just by thinking about it.

The implant reads their brain waves, allowing the participants to move a cursor on their tablet and perform mouse clicks, said lead researcher Dr Paul Nuyujukian, an assistant professor of bioengineering and neurosurgery at Stanford University in California.

With their minds alone, the participants navigated commonly used tablet programmes, messaged family and friends, looked up websites, checked the weather and shopped online.

One participant, a musician, even played a bit of Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy” on a digital piano interface.

“The tablet became second nature to me, very intuitive,” one of the participants said in the study. “It felt more natural than the times I remember using a mouse.”

Implant monitors brain patterns

Three paralysed subjects had a 100-electrode implant placed into the motor regions of the brain, with a thin bundle of wires leading to a plug fixed to the skull, Nuyujukian said. The implant is about the size of a large pea, or a baby aspirin.

Two of the participants in this latest study had weakness or loss of movement of their arms and legs due to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease), a progressive disease affecting the nerves in the brain and spine that control movement. The third participant was paralysed due to a spinal cord injury.

The implant monitors brain patterns and feeds them into a computer algorithm, which decodes the thoughts and translates them into wireless signals, researchers said. Those signals are sent to the tablet, allowing subjects to control the device.

“If you think back to the old one-button computer mouse of yesteryear, that’s the signal we are able to extract from the brain,” Nuyujukian said. “It’s the equivalent of a cursor velocity and a one-button click.”

It usually takes about five to 10 minutes to calibrate the system to accurately translate a person’s brain waves into cursor movements, Nuyujukian said.

Workable from day one

“The participant is instructed to imagine moving the cursor to the right or the left or up or down while the cursor is actually making that movement automatically,” he said. “It turns out that simply imagining making that movement is very similar to the patterns of neural activity that occur when one actually makes this movement.”

Subjects are able to make up to 22 point-and-click selections per minute while using a variety of apps, and type up to 30 characters per minute using standard e-mail and text apps.

“Participants can control these on day one. That is possible, and we have shown that,” Nuyujukian said. “That’s not to say there is no benefit to practice. Our participants definitely feel more comfortable and capable with these systems after a week or two of actually practising it.”

The project is a collaboration that included researchers from Brown University, Massachusetts General Hospital and Stanford. The findings were published in the journal PLOS ONE.

Last year, this same research group published a paper in which they were assessing the same patients’ ability to type words using their thoughts, said Dr Thomas Oxley, a clinical instructor and director of innovation strategy at Mount Sinai Hospital Health System’s department of neurosurgery in New York City.

“They’ve now gone beyond that to demonstrate that this system can e-mail, text message and surf the internet, amongst other things,” said Oxley, who wasn’t involved with the study. “Those seem to be the three most-used applications in this group.”

‘Locked-in syndrome’

The researchers have further honed their system by integrating other useful “smart” computer technologies, Oxley said.

For example, the paralysed people’s typing speed underwent a “big jump primarily because they utilized predictive text, and it made a big difference in the patient’s capacity to usefully utilize the system and interact with their social network,” Oxley said.

This latest advance is the culmination of 15 years of research into brain patterns of movement, built on top of decades of previous neuroscience, Nuyujukian said.

The system could transform the lives of people with “locked-in syndrome”, whose paralysis has robbed them of the ability to speak, Oxley said.

“That’s so exciting for patients who’ve lost the capacity to speak, to be able to communicate with their loved ones again,” Oxley said.

However, it will be years before the technology reaches the point where it becomes widely available, Nuyujukian said.

“The final device needs to be something that’s fully implantable, that needs to be miniaturized. It cannot be a giant stack of computers and a giant cart. That’s not a clinical device,” Nuyujukian said. “It needs to be something that is just as accessible and easy to use as many of the other implantable technologies that we have for interacting with the brain, like deep brain stimulators or cochlear implants.

“This isn’t something that will be clinically available, say, next year,” Nuyujukian noted.

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Tracking pounds regained after weight-loss surgery can help predict a patient’s risk for serious health problems like diabetes, a new study says.

“Clinicians and patients want to know the extent of weight regain following bariatric surgery and how it may affect their health,” said study lead author Wendy King, an associate professor of epidemiology at the University of Pittsburgh.

Significant variation in weight loss

“Our study will help clinicians and patients understand the timeline, magnitude and impact of weight regain, as well as lead to further studies on how to best avoid and manage weight regain for better health outcomes,” King said in a university news release.

The study included more than 1 400 adults who had a type of weight-loss surgery called roux-en-Y gastric bypass. They had their weight checked eight times over almost seven years after surgery, on average.

Maximum weight loss occurred two years after surgery on average, but there was significant variation. About 20% of the patients continued to lose weight more than four years after surgery, the study found.

But no matter when maximum weight loss occurred, the rate of weight regained was highest in the first year following greatest weight loss. And the percentage of weight regained helped predict major health problems, according to the study authors.

As an example, the researchers pointed to someone who lost 150 pounds (68Kg) after bariatric surgery, and then put back on 28 pounds (12.7kg). That person regained 19% of the maximum weight lost.

Surgery leads to better health

The researchers said this level of weight regain was tied to a 51% higher risk of diabetes progression and a 28% higher risk of decline in physical health-related quality of life.

Doctors should realise that this level of weight regain may lead to the progression or development of various health problems. Besides diabetes, these problems include high blood pressure and high cholesterol, the researchers said.

King noted that five years after maximum weight loss, patients maintained an average of 73% of their maximum weight loss.

“So despite weight regain, in general patients are much healthier having had surgery,” King said.

Study senior author Dr Anita Courcoulas is chief of minimally invasive bariatric surgery at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. She said the study “highlights the importance of longer-term, close follow-up to help maximise weight and health results following bariatric surgery.”

The study was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

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Urinary incontinence can severely affect one’s quality of life. There are ways to manage the problem without even thinking about surgery – however, this doesn’t prevent thousands of women from suffering in silence.

‘Too embarrassing’

According to a new poll from the University of Michigan, nearly half of all women over the age of 50 live with some form of urinary incontinence, ranging from a minor inconvenience to a major issue.

More than 1 000 women between the ages of 50 and 80 took part in the poll and more than 50% admitted to suffering from urinary incontinence in some form – yet two-thirds of these women have never consulted a doctor as they reckon the issue is “too embarrassing”.

The poll also showed that these women are finding ways of managing their urinary incontinence without medical intervention – including the use of special underwear or pads, wearing dark clothes and limiting fluid intake.

Not ‘a normal part of ageing’

Women over the age of 65 were more likely to talk to medical professionals than younger women, even though younger women also suffer from urinary incontinence. It’s a misconception that only older women suffer from incontinence, even though the onset of menopause tends to increase the prevalence.

The poll shed some light on why urinary incontinence is still a very underdiscussed subject, even though there are ways to manage it with the help of a medical professional. In South Africa, there is a notable lack of studies on the prevalence of urinary incontinence in women, according to the South African Urogynaecology Association.

What do women do instead?

As mentioned above, these women are finding ways of managing urinary incontinence without medical intervention. Only 38% indicated that they incorporate pelvic floor exercises in their daily routine to help manage urinary incontinence.

Could new guidelines break the silence?

But across the globe, medical professionals are trying to break the silence.

“Urinary incontinence is a common condition that may not be routinely screened for in primary care, yet it can impact a woman’s quality of life and health, and is usually treatable,” said Carolyn Swenson, MD, a urogynaecologist at Michigan Medicine and IHPI member who helped develop the poll questions and analyse the findings in a press release. “It’s not an inevitable part of ageing and shouldn’t be overlooked.”

Earlier this year, new guidelines from the Women’s Preventive Services Initiative (WPSI) suggested that women should be screened annually for urinary incontinence by using a series of questionnaires to determine bladder abnormalities.

The WPSI stated that the sooner women seek medical intervention for urinary incontinence, the earlier it can be managed and prevented from becoming worse.

Don’t ignore incontinence, ever

Urinary incontinence, especially if it occurs suddenly, could signify a serious underlying medical condition such as urinary stones, a tumour or a stroke. Go to the doctor, especially when:

• Urinary incontinence happens suddenly, as this can be caused by nerve damage
• Urinary incontinence has a severe impact on the quality of your life and your mental health
• You have a constant feeling of fullness and pressure in your bladder

How to talk to your doctor

If you suffer from urinary incontinence and don’t see improvement through self-care, you shouldn’t hesitate to see a doctor, even if you feel embarrassed.

“Incontinence is never ‘normal’ and you should go to your doctor as soon as possible,” says Dr Prenevin Govender, Health24’s resident incontinence expert.

Here’s how to prepare for your doctor’s appointment to feel more at ease:

• Drink water beforehand in case you need to provide a urinary sample.
• Make a list of questions and don’t be embarrassed to talk openly to your doctor.
• Think carefully about possible risk factors that could have triggered your urinary incontinence, such as vaginal births, pregnancy or menopause.
• Be prepared to be referred to a urologist if there is an underlying problem.

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Marelize Wilke

A third of those needing transfers to intensive care units waited more than three hours in 2017.

When she started knitting after her bereavement, Clare didn’t realise it would raise thousands for charity – and help her find love again.

Have you started stocking up on charcoal, wood and meat? Who doesn’t enjoy a braai during the summer holidays? We rounded up our best tips and tricks for a healthy, safe braai.

1. 6 healthy snacks to enjoy at your braai this weekend

For many of us, the potato chips and dips served before the main meal are almost more enticing than the meat. However, these snacks, high in saturated fat, low in fibre and devoid of nutrients can quickly take their toll on your waistline. This article offers some yummy alternatives on what to serve as snacks at your next braai – and they’re certainly not boring.

2. The hidden danger of your wire bristle braai grill cleaner

Keeping your braai grill clean is important for food safety, but please beware when using a wire bristle cleaner. Bristles can break off and stick to the grill, and subsequently the food, posing a serious health risk, according to the American Medical Association (AMA). Prevent this by making sure your equipment is in good nick, and always check the meat before serving.

3. 7 steps to a healthier braai this summer

This comprehensive article packed with practical tips was written by our nutritional experts from Nutritional Solutions and is a great read if you are worried what all those summer braais might do to your weight-loss efforts.

4. Have a cancer-free braai

Grilling meat on an open fire has been proven to be carcinogenic, but that doesn’t mean that you have to quit braaing altogether. This article is an oldie, but a goodie, and provides guidelines on how to reduce carcinogens when braaing meat.

5. 7 ways to avoid food poisoning this summer

Higher temperatures increase the risk of contracting a food-borne illness as the heat creates the perfect breeding ground for potentially dangerous bacteria such as salmonella. Whether you are buying large quantities of meat to serve to guests, or travelling to a camping or picnic spot, here are some tips to avoid getting ill.

6. How to keep kids safe around a fire

Campfires and braai fires might be exciting for children, but accidents can happen if you are not paying attention. This article offers insight on how to keep the little ones safe around the fire to avoid burns and an unexpected trip to the emergency room.

7. 5 easier, healthier recipes for your braai feast

Have you been given the task of making a salad or side dish for your next braai? These recipes are not only lighter in kilojoules, but are tasty and refreshing for a summer al fresco feast. These were developed and compiled by our experts at Nutritional Solutions. 

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Compiled by Marelize Wilke