A new collaborative study led by a research team at the Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and University of California, Los Angeles could provide engineers new design rules for creating microelectronics, membranes, and tissues, and open up better production methods for new materials. At the same time, the research, published in the journal Science, helps uphold a scientific theory that has remained unproven for over a century.

Doctors need up to 10 donors with a rare blood type to help a two-year-old Florida girl with cancer.

Travelling to an exotic overseas destination? Awesome! Lying awake in the middle of the night with a major case of jet lag? Kill. Me. Now.

If this conundrum sounds all too familiar, the good news is, there’s hope. Research out of Australia (no surprises there – it’s a brutal time difference for anyone travelling from Europe, the UK or, you know, here) suggests that tweaking a few habits can noticeably diminish the effects of jet lag.

What is jet lag?

Your body works on a 24-hour cycle, known as a circadian rhythms or, more simply, body clock. These rhythms are influenced by exposure to light – sunlight triggers wakefulness; darkness triggers sleepy time – and control your body’s timeline of daily functions, including the production of the hormones that send you off to dreamland or keep you alert. When you travel across time zones, your body clock takes a while to adjust because it’s working off an internal clock acclimatised to your home country.

Depending on the time difference, that internal clock might have counted 12 hours and think it’s 9pm and ready to wind down, when the time is actually 12pm and you’re about to head out for lunch.

Read more: What happens to your body when you get motion sickness?

What the research found

The 2017 study, conducted by Qantas Airlines and the University of Sydney’s Charles Perkins Centre saw researchers from a variety of fields – including nutrition, physical activity, sleep and complex systems modelling – joining forces to find ways to limit the impact of long-haul flying on your body clock.

While they didn’t find a cure for jet lag, they did find tweaks that will help lessen its effects by helping travellers acclimatise to the destination timezone. Quantas implemented the findings into their long-haul flights and so far, feedback from passengers has been positive. Dr Steve Simpson, director of the Charles Perkins Centre in Australia gave us the low-down on how to use these hacks in your own travel…

1. Change your bedtime.

The aim is to shift your internal clock up to 90 minutes a day for several days before you fly. Flying East? Go to bed progressively earlier – aim for 15 minutes earlier each night in the week leading up to your trip. Heading West? Aim to hit the sack progressively later.

2. Skip the dinky-drinks.

Drinking alcohol on your flight can make you drowsy, inhibiting your natural sleep-wake cycle that you’ve been training so carefully. It also has a dehydrating effect, which has been shown to worsen jet lag.

3. Just water, please.

While you’re at it, pass on coffee and spicy food, too, both of which can have a stimulating effect, causing you to stay awake when you should be snoozing. But make sure you drink plenty of water.

4. Have the chicken.

Especially if it’s served with pasta or rice. One of findings from the study was that airline meals in carbs and tryptophan, an essential amino acid found in poultry, prompt the body to produce the sleep hormone melatonin and relaxing brain chemical, serotonin, sending you to sleep at appropriate times.

5. Go for a walk.

Moving around the cabin will help with blood circulation, so you feel fresher when you reach your destination.

6. Control your environment.

Exposure to sunlight triggers your body to wake up, while darkness prompts it to sleep. When you reach your destination, make a point of opening your curtains to flood your hotel room with light as soon as you wake up. At night time, avoid screens at least an hour before bed and make sure curtains are drawn tightly so the room is dark.

Cold temps also promote sleep. If your room as an air-con, keep it on at night and have a hot shower or bath just before bed – the drop in body temperature mimics your body’s natural lowering body temperature as you fall asleep and will help send you into that slumber state.

^{This article was originally published on www.womenshealthsa.co.za}

^{Image credit: iStock} 

Frank Heckers

Youre under 50. youre pretty fit. You cant have a heart attack, right? Truth is, starting at the age of 35, heart disease is the leading killer of women. About 35,000 women younger than 50 die of heart attacks annually—but only 20 percent of women believe theyre at risk for heart disease.

“We really need to bust the myth that this is just a disease of men and older women,” says Nieca Goldberg, MD, medical director of the New York University Womens Heart Program. Sixty-four percent of women die suddenly with their first heart attack without any warning signs at all, and 90 percent of those women had at least one risk factor that could have been addressed.

“Thats why its critical to figure out your risks and do prevention early on,” Dr. Goldberg says. And thats what the women were featuring here did. Using a variety of strategies, they tackled a range of risk factors, including scary family histories, high blood pressure, and obesity. We asked Dr. Goldberg to assess how well they did—and to help us all learn how to lower our own risks.

 

Frank Heckers

 

 

Loraine Morgan, 34

Risk factor: Family history

When Loraine Morgans dad was told he had high cholesterol, he took a pill and ignored it. Ditto with high blood pressure, and again with diabetes. “He took medications, but didnt make any major life changes,” says Morgan, 34, a mother of two with another baby on the way. But then, when her father was 63, one of his toes turned black, a complication of diabetes, and his whole foot had to be amputated. “That was a turning point for everyone,” she says. “The doctor said that 90 percent of his coronary arteries were clogged.”

The next day Morgan started running, made an appointment to get a physical, and looked in the mirror. She was 15 pounds overweight and decided to ditch those extra pounds. She also did some digging on her family history. Her father went on to have five amputations and died at 68. Her mom has high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Her maternal grandmother has had a stroke. Her paternal grandfather died of a heart attack. And most of her aunts and uncles have some risks for heart disease or diabetes. She realized that dealing with illness would be her destiny if she didnt make changes.

Morgan now runs about 40 minutes a day, five days a week, and lifts weights twice a week. “I was the first of my three sisters to change my lifestyle, and they all followed suit,” she says. She no longer eats the nightly steak-and-potatoes diet her parents followed. Instead, her meals are well-balanced and varied, with plenty of fiber, a lot of lean protein (she eats fish at least twice a week), and vegetables. She also eats every two hours to keep her metabolism up and blood sugar stable. “Every food decision I make now is because it has the best nutrients for my body,” Morgan says.

Dr. Goldbergs take:
“Morgans family has serious risks for diabetes and high cholesterol, so she was at risk, too. But with the lifestyle shes now leading, shes going to prevent it. Her numbers—BMI, 20; waist, 23 inches; LDL, 96; HDL, 78—are all very good. Id give her an A+ for heart health. Her running is a very big part of her program, and studies show that people at risk for type 2 diabetes who exercise regularly are able to fight it off. Shes also created a balanced diet, one she can live with. Now that shes pregnant, Morgan needs to get good nutrients for the baby without returning to the higher-fat foods of her youth.”

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Frank Heckers

 

 

Barbara Lesperance, 70

Risk factor: Age

Once women hit menopause and their estrogen levels drop, risks of problems like high cholesterol and high blood pressure go up. But Barbara Lesperance hasnt let menopause or her age affect her heart health. In fact, “I think Im healthier now than Ive ever been,” says the mother of four, grandmother of 10, and retired nurse.

She does a sweat-inducing 35-minute strength-training circuit at Curves three days a week and plays golf—she walks the front nine holes—three times a week. On her nongolfing days, Lesperance and her husband walk 2 miles after dinner. She eats healthy foods like chicken, salmon, and lots of fruits and vegetables and salads. For her efforts, she has lost 7 pounds since she retired seven years ago, her LDL (bad) cholesterol is at an all-time low of 102, and she feels that shes got more stamina now than she has had in a long time.

Dr. Goldbergs take:

“Lesperances only risk factor is her age. I think the best thing she is doing for herself, after years of taking care of others, is that shes now taking care of her own health. Her active lifestyle has taken years off her risk. Her exercise regimen is excellent and well-rounded with strength training, walking, and golf. And her healthy HDL level (66) is seen in people who exercise. Plus, her BMI of 22 and 29-inch waist show that she eats right. Id give her an A.”

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Frank Heckers

 

 

Jennifer Griola, 34

Risk factors: Overweight; had borderline gestational diabetes while pregnant

Jennifer Griola, a blogger and mother of two, busts the myth that you have to be thin to be heart-healthy—her BMI is 30 and her waist is 35 inches. Griola does a high-intensity workout six days a week for 90 minutes, alternating between an interval workout with a trainer and a cardio boot camp class.

She eats lots of vegetables prepares her food rather than relying on frozen meals, and rarely eats red meat, opting instead for ground turkey, chicken, and lots of lentils, beans, soy, and nuts in moderation. Not only has Griola lost about 90 pounds in five years, but her HDL has gone from 47 (in the unhealthy range) to 56, her LDL has dropped from 109 to 94, and her triglycerides (a fat associated with heart disease) have plummeted from 130 to a very healthy 56.

When she was pregnant with her first child—before her weight loss—Griola had borderline gestational diabetes and high blood pressure. (New evidence suggests that women who had high blood pressure while pregnant, especially those who had preeclampsia, have a higher risk of heart disease.) While nursing her baby, she started thinking about her lifestyle and being a better role model for her daughter. Thats when she launched her exercise-and-diet program, which she blogs about on Lost100.com.

“Because Id been an athlete, I never thought of myself as obese or at risk of a heart attack, but I probably was,” Griola says. By her second pregnancy, after shed lost weight, she had neither high blood pressure nor borderline gestational diabetes.

Dr. Goldbergs Take:

“Id give Griola an A–. Shes doing all the right stuff, and she has obviously found success doing it. Some people dont ever start an exercise program because they say it will never work, but shes proof that the scientific data is right: The dramatic change in her triglycerides and her better cholesterol stats came from losing the weight. She needs to reduce her waist size a bit more, which she can do by doing more muscle-strengthening exercise to lower her percentage of body fat.”

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Frank Heckers

 

 

Alissa Gardenhire-crooks, 39

Risk Factors: Family history; high blood pressure

Since grad school, Alissa Gardenhire-Crooks, a social-policy researcher, has had high blood pressure, a not-uncommon condition in African-Americans. In fact, both of her parents have hypertension, and her father had a mini-stroke in his mid-50s and a full-blown one in his late-60s. But Gardenhire-Crooks heart stats look great, thanks to her efforts to get back in shape (she had been sedentary since college) and change her diet. (Shes also on blood pressure medicine.)

During college, grad school, and her first years on the job, Gardenhire-Crooks had lost and gained 50 pounds several times and had become so frustrated with her weight that she saw a surgeon for bariatric surgery. “I was sad about being so heavy and not feeling good about myself,” she says. She also had a toddler who was very active. “I was really exhausted physically and worn out emotionally with the up-and-down dieting,” she says. (Yo-yo dieting is also very hard on the heart and arteries, studies show.)

While awaiting insurance approval for the surgery, Gardenhire-Crooks started a fitness plan, inspired by a personal trainer she met at a bodybuilding gym; he also gave her an education in nutrition. She lost 69 pounds, went from a size 20 to 8 (a transformation she blogs about at Size10Chronicles.com), and ditched the surgery idea. Gardenhire-Crooks currently lifts weights three times a week and does cardio six times a week. Shes also a Buddhist, and she meditates 20 to 30 minutes several times a week.

Though she wasnt a junk-food eater, carbs were her downfall. “I was addicted to bread, potatoes, and rice,” she admits. Now she does carb cycling, in which she eats no starches three days in a row. Her BMI is 27.5, HDL (good) cholesterol is 62, and LDL (bad) cholesterol is a low 92.

Dr. Goldbergs take:

“African-American women are at higher risk for heart disease and diabetes, but I dont think Gardenhire-Crooks will become a statistic. This woman has a plan that earns her an A–. If she keeps it up, shell lower her risks for heart disease and type 2 diabetes. The only thing she has to keep an eye on is her blood pressure, which is in the prehypertensive range at 128/70. Her meditation is a great way to keep blood pressure down, but she should also reduce the salt in her diet.”

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Frank Heckers

 

Frank Heckers

Debbie Ann Schneider, 46

Risk factors: Heart attack at 42; had been a smoker

Four years ago, after Debbie Ann Schneider had logged nearly an hour-and-a-half on the treadmill (she was absorbed in a TV show), she felt a touch of asthma and noticed that her heart rate kept going up even though she was slowing down. As she started to lie down she thought of a TV show shed seen three weeks earlier about how heart attack symptoms differ in women and men. Then her dog uncharacteristically put his head on her heart. That was it. Schneider went to her computer to look up symptoms of a heart attack and recognized a few in herself—chest discomfort, trouble breathing, nausea, and a general unwell feeling. She got up and drove herself to the hospital.

While being triaged (ever so slowly because she appeared to be a healthy young woman), her blood pressure kept dropping. Schneider had had a heart attack caused by a coronary artery spasm, in which a contraction of the artery stops blood flow to the heart. “If I hadnt seen that TV show, Id probably be dead,” she says.

Schneiders only obvious risk factor was that she had been a smoker (though she had quit five years earlier). Shed always been fighting those last 10 to 15 pounds, but she had been a vegetarian since 1991 and had always exercised. “I was perfectly healthy and fine, and had no idea I had any flaw or heart disease,” she says.

Now Schneider is considered at higher risk for a second heart attack, and she takes medication to prevent another spasm. But her healthy lifestyle is helping to keep her risks low. She exercises a couple of times a week and is trying to eat a Mediterranean diet. She takes omega-3 supplements and plant flavonoids, which may help lower her cholesterol. And she avoids stress. “I actually get chest pains when anything is too stressful,” she says. This built-in barometer has helped her kick stress out of her life.

Dr. Goldbergs Take:

“Smoking is a major risk factor in heart disease, so its great that Schneider quit. She didnt have a heart attack because of plaque buildup, but its important for her to keep exercising and eating right to lower her risks of another heart attack, which go up after a person has one. She has done a great job controlling her cholesterol—her LDL of 94 is great—but theres room for improvement, so Id give her a B+. Schneider needs to reduce her waist size (36) and boost her HDL (53) with exercise and diet. The stress reduction is great. Plus, she has two dogs, which can help reduce heart attack risk.”

Eat better, join a gym, drink more water, get eight hours of sleep every night…many of the most popular New Year's resolutions are focused on living a healthier, more balanced life. But what do those people who are already extremely healthy (in fact, it's their job to be) want to improve upon? We polled 20 wellness influencers, from nutritionists to celebrity trainers to healthy start-up founders, to find out what their self-improvement goals are for the upcoming year. From being more mindful to carving out time for themselves to working out a little less (if only we all had that problem), here are their resolutions for 2017.

RELATED: Top 10 Healthiest New Year's Resolutions

Embrace mindfulness and live in the now

"Be even more mindful with the words I use, making sure they are influential in a positive, hopeful, and inspiring way; not just for the clients I train, but for everyone I interact with, including myself." 
—Tanya Becker, co-founder and Chief Creative Officer of Physique57

"Furthering my meditation practice. I find that mindfulness not only allows me to react more calmly in stressful situations, but it also helps me feel happier overall and more in the moment, whether I’m eating, being active, or spending time with my hubby and pets."
—Cynthia Sass, MPH, RD, Health's contributing nutrition editor

"I resolve to listen closer, breathe deeper, and be more present. I hope to think less and risk more. And while focusing on all these things, I hope to empower others to do the same. I'm very excited for 2017!"
—Olivia Young, founder of box + flow

"My New Year's resolution is to commit—to be more instinctual and trust my gut. To work harder, and to live in the now."
—Derek DeGrazio, celebrity trainer and managing partner at Barry's Bootcamp Miami

"Journal every day. Each day can be a roller coaster of emotions and thoughts. Writing them down is a form of therapy that helps us unwind and re-evaluate situations. It's an incredible release!"
—Karena and Katrina, founders of Tone It Up

"Slow down and live in the moment more. I’m going to work on spending less time on my phone. In 2017 I’m going to be grateful for the little things and celebrate them when they happen, instead of waiting or even forgetting them."
—Elizabeth Stein, founder and CEO of Purely Elizabeth

RELATED: 13 New Year's Resolutions You Shouldn't Make

Pay it forward

"My New Year's resolution is to advocate on more result-oriented ways and less social ways to educate and support people's lives. This is an important year in health and I feel a strong commitment to providing people tools that help them invest in their health and their futures. I feel that the trends in fitness will be taking a backseat to people wanting life-long solutions that pay it forward in a really meaningful way."
—Tracy Anderson, Health contributing fitness editor, celebrity fitness trainer, and founder of the Tracy Anderson Method

"To do a random act of kindness every day. [It] forces you to think about how you can be more compassionate all day, so you can realize the perfect moment to act on it."
—Danielle DuBoise, co-founder of SAKARA LIFE

Carve out more personal time

"I want to make sure to spend more quality time with my closest friends and call my mom and sister more often. I’m going to work on improving my cooking skills. Professionally, I’m going to hire an assistant. And physically, I’m going to take more rest days. I’m on my feet working six out of seven days a week. I’d like to change that to five days a week." 
—Lacey Stone, celebrity trainer and founder of Lacey Stone Fitness

"Put more 'me' time on the calendar. It can be difficult to manage the work/life balance when you own a business because you're emotionally invested. This year, I'm going to make more of an effort to put the computer away and take time for myself."
—Tracy Carlinsky, founder of Brooklyn Bodyburn

"I am so busy and pulled in so many directions—single parent to twin girls, business owner—I don't take enough time to decompress. I know doing so will make me more grounded, balanced, and ultimately more productive."
—David Kirsch, celebrity fitness and wellness expert

RELATED: 7 New Year’s Resolutions That Put Your Mental Health First

Schedule in restorative workouts

"Take it down a notch! As a fitness pro, I often push myself as hard as possible in every. single. workout, choosing the most advanced poses or sequences. Movement is my 'drug of choice' and I'm working on sometimes allowing that movement to be peaceful or restorative rather than only the most intense."
—Amy Jordan, founder and CEO of WundaBar Pilates

"Being an athlete—specifically a boxer and a runner—my body is always tight, and I often don't take much time to stretch and recover, as I'm in a go-go-go mentality. I want to try out new yoga classes a few times a week and get into my own stretching routine so I can feel better doing what I love."
—Ashley Guarrasi, founding trainer of Rumble Boxing

Stress less

"Learn to only focus on controlling the things I can control. Too often we stress about things we really can't control, and it just makes us put unnecessary worry and pressure on ourselves."
—Skylar Diggins, Dallas Wings guard 

Fuel up the right way

"Be more mindful of how I'm fueling my body. Being 38 years old, it's getting harder to bounce back from eating badly consecutive days in a row. My goal is to incorporate a more Paleo-based way of eating, with lots of chicken and fish!"
—Alonzo Wilson, founder of Tone House

"Most resolutions focus on things to cut out. Here's what I plan to add more of in 2017: more colorful veggies on half of my plate, more outdoor workouts, and more books (for fun!)."
—Erika Horowitz MS, RDN

"I like to set my New Year's resolution to be realistic and achievable, so my nutrition plan is based on the 80/20 rule: stick to the Ketogenic diet six days a week, and one day a week splurge with my cheat food of choice (rhymes with "rasta")."
—Ross Franklin, CEO and founder of PureGreen Cold Pressed Juice

RELATED: 57 Ways to Lose Weight Forever, According to Science

Take a risk and try new things

"Trying new sports and workout classes. I want to break out of my comfort zone a bit more! I've never been rock climbing or snow skiing, so I'd like to try those. I would also like to make more of an effort to prioritize recovery. I work out hard and throw around some pretty heavy weights. Somewhere along the line I've started to skimp on stretching, foam rolling, and resting. Not okay!"
—Melody Scharff, instructor at the Fhitting Room

"I'm going to find a better balance between my strength training, mobility, and Jiu Jitsu. I tend to hyper focus on one type of training and my body needs the variety to perform and feel optimal. I'm committed to sitting down before the new year and re-structuring my schedule to reach my goals. If you don't plan, it won't happen!"
—Ashley Borden, celebrity fitness trainer

"Although I work out (and I'm lucky to LOVE working out), my exercise was all over the place in 2016 and I want to take it up a notch in 2017. This includes getting in a few races, planning a few hiking trips, and being consistent with four intense workouts a week."
—Keri Glassman, MS, RD, CDN, and founder of Nutritious Life and the Nutrition School

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Urinary incontinence is often a symptom of a larger underlying problem that can effectively be addressed.

Here are a few examples: 

1. Alcohol

Drinking too much alcohol can trigger urinary incontinence. Alcohol on its own is not a cause of urinary incontinence, but for those who are prone to bladder leaks, it can cause leakage, according to the National Association for Continence (NAFC).

This is not only because alcohol is an irritant to the bladder, but it also contracts and relaxes the detrusor muscle, the main muscle which forms the wall of the bladder and controls the excretion or retention of urine. As soon as the muscle relaxes, it causes the involuntary leakage of urine, especially in those who are already prone to incontinence.

What to do: If you do suffer from incontinence, stay away from alcoholic beverages, especially when you are at a social event and worry about leakage.

2. A lack of fluid

Contrary to popular belief, limiting your intake of fluids will not stop urinary leakage. When you don’t drink enough water, the urine in your bladder becomes more concentrated, which irritates the bladder, leading to urinary leakage.

What to do: Don’t allow yourself to become dehydrated for the sake of avoiding leakage. Use the colour of your urine as a guide of how hydrated you are and limit fluids before bedtime. Healthy urine is usually transparent yellow, the colour of pale straw.

3. Certain medications

Some medications may also have an effect on the bladder and lead to involuntary urine leakage. These include alpha-blockers, which are commonly used for treatment of high blood pressure, diuretics used for kidney conditions and, very rarely, some sleeping pills and anti-depressants.

What to do: If you take medication for another medical condition and are concerned about triggering incontinence, talk to your doctor to discuss side effects and alternatives.  

4. Obesity

It has been shown that an unhealthy body weight can cause unnecessary pressure on the bladder, which can worsen urinary incontinence. This is because the excessive fat deposits around the abdominal area place chronic strain on the urethra and bladder.

What to do: Clinical research studies have suggested that a reduction in body mass index by means of diet or gastric bypass surgeries could also reduce the level of urinary incontinence. If you suspect that an unhealthy weight is making your incontinence worse, discuss a weight-loss plan with your doctor or nutritionist.

5. Constipation

There are various reasons why constipation can lead to urinary incontinence. One is that constant straining during bowel movements can put strain on the pelvic floor muscles, which play a role in bladder control. This type of incontinence is known as urinary stress incontinence. Additionally, a bowel that is not emptied regularly can push down on the bladder, creating the constant urge to urinate, or involuntary urine leakage.

What to do: Treat the constipation first. When you visit the doctor for incontinence, note whether you’ve been suffering from constipation as well. Up your intake of fibre by including high-fibre foods such as whole grains, fresh fruit and vegetables. If the constipation persists, see your doctor as chronic constipation will not only worsen incontinence, but cause other medical complications as well.

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Marelize Wilke

Summer is here, which means higher temperatures and humidity, and more people using public pools and the gym.

Unfortunately this also means that it’s easier to catch a nasty foot fungus, which isn’t just unpleasant, but makes it embarrassing to display your feet (especially when wearing sandals).

Tinea pedis, also known as athlete’s foot, is commonly contracted in public showers and swimming pools. It can cause itching and cracking of the skin between the toes.

Toenail fungus is another unsightly condition, causing a thickened, discoloured nailbed. Toenail fungus is very common and can be difficult to get rid of. 

Luckily there are some simple precautions to avoid fungal infections of the foot.

1. Keep your feet clean and dry

Even though it’s summer, many of us wear closed shoes and socks to work or during exercise. Combat sweatiness by using a foot powder and wearing socks made from pure cotton. Synthetic materials in socks often increase sweat, creating the perfect environment for fungal infections. Change your socks every day. Pay attention to your feet when you bath or shower, and dry in between your toes.

2. Avoid walking barefoot at public showers or pools

When you are showering at the gym, a public camp site with shared bathroom facilities, or your nearest public pool, invest in a pair of slip-proof flip-flops. Damp environments are the biggest culprits when it comes to spreading fungal infections.

3. Don’t cover an existing infection with nail polish

If you already have a fungal infection of the toenails and want to show off that new pair of summer sandals, it might seem like an easy solution to simply slather on a thick layer of nail polish. But, covering the infection is the last thing you should be doing. Applying nail polish over the fungus cuts off oxygen and seals in the infection.  

Covering up and ignoring the infection will only lead to bigger problems later on, says Dr Tammy Gephart of the Podiatry Group of Georgia in the USA. And while it’s extremely rare, the fungus may continue living on the bristles of your nail polish, contaminating the product, causing reinfection or spreading the infection if you share your nail polish with someone else.

4. Don’t share nail clippers, nail files, socks or shoes

It goes without saying that fungus can live on the surfaces of these items and cause infection when coming into contact with the skin.

5. When you have a foot condition, make sure that it is indeed a fungus

When home remedies do not work for an existing condition, it’s important to consult a dermatologist or doctor to establish whether you have a fungal infection and not a skin condition like eczema or psoriasis. If you continue using the wrong treatment, the problem will persist.

6. Only go to trusted beauty salons for pedicures

Warmer weather and freshly pedicured toes go hand in hand and you might be tempted by bargain treatments. But do your homework and make sure that your therapist is licensed and uses the correct sanitation procedure for her tools. Foot baths must be cleaned daily as dirt can build up.

7. Let your shoes air out properly

Don’t throw your pair of trainers in the back of your cupboard after your workout. Let your shoes air out properly to avoid bacteria from growing.

^{Image credit: iStock}

Marelize Wilke

Hypnotherapy involves the use of hypnosis as a therapeutic technique for various health issues such as depression, anxiety, PTSD and addiction.

A previous Health24 article discussed the successful use of hypnotherapy to reduce IBS symptoms in children. 

However, the benefits of hypnotherapy as a technique to reduce IBS symptoms are currently still controversial – and research and discussion are ongoing. 

According to research recently published in The Lancet Gastroenterology and Hepatology, hypnotherapy in both group and individual sessions can help those with IBS manage their symptoms better and bring some relief.

“Regardless of the severity of their symptoms or their subtype, patients with IBS should consider hypnotherapy treatment,” said Carla Flik of the Julius Centre for Health Sciences and Primary Care at the University Medical Centre in Utrecht, the Netherlands, in a press release.

“It is also promising to see that group hypnotherapy is as effective as individual sessions, which may mean that more people could be treated in groups at lower cost, should this conclusion be confirmed in further studies,” she said in the release. 

Why hypnotherapy?

According to the International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFGD), hypnosis has already been shown to be an effective treatment for IBS in a number of previous clinical studies, including this one from 2003 published in BMJ Gut. This specific study states that 71% of the subjects responded well to hypnotherapy.

Hypnotherapy is done to achieve progressive relaxation, and involves soothing imagery and sensations to reduce an individual’s symptoms.

Up to now, the exact cause for IBS hasn’t been established completely, although it has been established that stress and the mental health of an individual are strongly linked to IBS. Evidence from research has shown that psychological stress has significant impact on intestinal sensitivity, the underlying mechanism of the digestive system, the immune activation in the gut, the central nervous system, as well as the microbiota in the gut.

Because of the strong evidence linking stress to IBS, hypnotherapy has been placed under the spotlight to see whether it can have any impact on the symptoms of those with IBS. And according to the IFGD, hypnotherapy does help improve the primary symptoms of IBS in patients. It may also help relieve other symptoms linked to IBS such as fatigue and backache.

Not a cure-all

It should, however, be noted that hypnosis cannot be seen as a cure for IBS. Up to 25% of cases fail to respond to hypnotherapy, according to the IFGD. And when hypnotherapy has a significant effect on symptoms, other treatments such as medication and diet should never be ignored.

Even when patients are benefiting from hypnotherapy, medication still has its place. Loperamide or a laxative can be very useful in providing relief from accompanying diarrhoea or constipation.

How long do the effects of hypnotherapy last?

According to the IFGD, most people treated with hypnotherapy remain well for up to five years after a course of treatment. Patients should, however, not stop taking their medication without consulting their doctor. 

What you should know before trying hypnotherapy

Hypnotherapy can be a time-consuming and expensive option. Patients should also be aware that not all therapists are licensed to practise clinical hypnosis. Here’s what you should know:

• No treatment for IBS should be given without the knowledge of a licensed medical professional. Inform your doctor about your decision, especially if you are already undergoing treatment for IBS.
• Do not stop your existing treatment when undergoing hypnotherapy. Always consult your doctor before making any treatment changes.
• Make sure that you find a skilled hypnotherapist. This can be done by consulting the South African Institute of Hypnotism. Note that not all hypnotherapists are equipped to treat medical issues – check their credentials first.
• Know and understand that hypnotherapy is not enough to treat IBS effectively, as specific procedures directly involving your digestive system (such as X-rays, tests and scans) are also needed.

Disclaimer: This article is meant to be informative and is in no way an endorsement or suggestion by the author. Individuals should always consult a medical professional before attempting any alternative treatment methods.

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Marelize Wilke

The largest extinction in Earth’s history marked the end of the Permian period, some 252 million years ago. Long before dinosaurs, our planet was populated with plants and animals that were mostly obliterated after a series of massive volcanic eruptions in Siberia.

From iPhones on Earth to rovers on Mars, most electronics only function within a certain temperature range. By blending two organic materials together, researchers at Purdue University could create electronics that withstand extreme heat.