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submitted by /u/germano_nh [link] [comments] |
source https://www.reddit.com/r/Health/comments/i1k21y/fda_authorizes_first_2_coronavirus_tests_to/
FDA authorizes first 2 coronavirus tests to measure antibody levels
source https://www.reddit.com/r/Health/comments/i1k21y/fda_authorizes_first_2_coronavirus_tests_to/
FDA authorizes first 2 coronavirus tests to measure antibody levels
FDA authorizes first 2 coronavirus tests to measure antibody levels
https://ift.tt/2Xe5dIQ August 01, 2020 at 07:17AM https://ift.tt/1R552o9
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57,000+ cases on Friday as July count tops 11 lakh
57,000+ cases on Friday as July count tops 11 lakh Fatalities in July were 1.6 times higher than the deaths recorded in June (11,988). As the pandemic continued to surge, the second half of July saw around 7.3 lakh new infections. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J
Gum disease associated with higher gastrointestinal cancer risk
Gum disease associated with higher gastrointestinal cancer risk submitted by /u/shallah
[link] [comments] https://ift.tt/eA8V8J August 01, 2020 at 06:53AM https://ift.tt/1R552o9
[link] [comments] https://ift.tt/eA8V8J August 01, 2020 at 06:53AM https://ift.tt/1R552o9
Overwhelmed, Stressed, Scared: School Nurses Brace for the Fall Semester
Overwhelmed, Stressed, Scared: School Nurses Brace for the Fall Semester
https://ift.tt/2PbWmDd July 31, 2020 at 07:28PM https://ift.tt/1R552o9
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submitted by /u/germano_nh [link] [comments] |
Coronavirus distancing measures sees global flu infections plummet
Coronavirus distancing measures sees global flu infections plummet
https://ift.tt/2PbUOZZ July 31, 2020 at 07:26PM https://ift.tt/1R552o9
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submitted by /u/shallah [link] [comments] |
Dr. Anthony Fauci and Top Health Experts to Tell House Panel There’s No End in Sight to the Pandemic
(WASHINGTON) — There’s no end in sight to the coronavirus pandemic, Dr. Anthony Fauci and other top government health experts will tell Congress on Friday.
“While it remains unclear how long the pandemic will last, COVID-19 activity will likely continue for some time,” Fauci, along with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention head Dr. Robert Redfield and Health and Human Services testing czar Adm. Brett Giroir say in prepared testimony for a special House panel investigating the pandemic.
At a time when early progress seems to have been lost and uncertainty clouds the nation’s path forward, Fauci, the government’s top infectious disease expert, is calling on lawmakers — and all other Americans — to go back to public health basics such as social distancing and wearing masks.
The panel, the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis, is divided about how to reopen schools and businesses, mirroring divisions among Americans.
A rebound of cases across the South and the West has dashed hopes for a quick return to normal life. Problems with the availability and timeliness of testing continue to be reported. And the race for a vaccine, though progressing rapidly, has yet to deliver a breakthrough.
Fauci’s public message in recent days has been that Americans can’t afford a devil-may-care attitude toward COVID-19 and need to double down on basic measures such as wearing masks in public, keeping their distance from others and avoiding crowds and indoor spaces such as bars. That’s echoed by Redfield and Giroir, though they are far less prominent.
Fauci’s dogged persistence has drawn the ire of some of President Donald Trump’s supporters and prompted a new round of calls for his firing. But the veteran of battles against AIDS and Ebola has stuck to his message, while carefully avoiding open confrontations with the Trump White House.
In an interview with The Associated Press earlier this week, Fauci said he was “disturbed” by the flat-out opposition in parts of the country to wearing masks as a public health protective measure.
“There are certain fundamentals,” he said, “the staples of what you need to do … one is universal wearing of masks.”
Public health experts say masks help prevent an infected person who has yet to develop symptoms from passing the virus to others. For mask wearers, there’s also some evidence that they can offer a degree of protection from an infected person nearby.
Fauci said in his AP interview that he’s concerned because the U.S. has not followed the track of Asian and European nations also hit hard by the coronavirus.
Other countries that shut down their economies knocked back uncontrolled spread and settled into a pattern of relatively few new cases, although they continued to experience local outbreaks.
The U.S. also knocked back the initial spread, but it never got the background level of new cases quite as low. And the resurgence of COVID-19 in the Sunbelt in recent weeks has driven the number of new daily cases back up into the 60,000-70,000 range. It coincided with economic reopening and a return to social gatherings, particularly among younger adults. Growing numbers of emergency room visits, hospitalizations and deaths have followed as grim consequences.
Nearly 4.5 million Americans have been infected since the start of the pandemic, and more than 150,000 have died, according to figures compiled by Johns Hopkins University.
Fauci said there’s evidence the surge across the South may be peaking, but upticks in the Midwest are now a concern.
“They’ve really got to jump all over that because if they don’t then you might see the surge we saw in some of the Southern states,” he told the AP.
Though Fauci gets push-back from White House officials, other medical experts in the administration are on the same page when it comes to the public health message.
Giroir, the testing czar, told reporters Thursday: “I think it’s very important to make sure that we all spread the public health message that we can control all the outbreaks occurring right now.”
He said controlling the outbreaks will require people to wear masks, avoid crowded indoor spaces and wash their hands frequently.
Native Americans Feel Devastated by the Virus Yet Overlooked in the Data
Native Americans Feel Devastated by the Virus Yet Overlooked in the Data
https://ift.tt/3fdkYpT July 31, 2020 at 05:58PM https://ift.tt/1R552o9
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submitted by /u/zsreport [link] [comments] |
Antibody drug lowers risk of death in elderly covid-19 patients - Cuban study
Antibody drug lowers risk of death in elderly covid-19 patients - Cuban study Researchers, including from Cuba's Center of Molecular Immunology, which developed itolizumab, said timely use of the drug in combination with standard therapy helped reduce inflammation and prevented covid-19 from worsening. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J
20 Minute HIIT Workout
20 Minute HIIT Workout 
Join Under Armour trainer Monica Jones for this 20 minute dumbbell HIIT circuit.
The post 20 Minute HIIT Workout appeared first on Under Armour.
July 30, 2020 at 11:30PM https://ift.tt/2BOwLgE https://ift.tt/1ilzca6Signs of Improvement
Signs of Improvement 
How do you know if the exercise you are doing is working?
The post Signs of Improvement appeared first on Under Armour.
July 30, 2020 at 12:00AM https://ift.tt/2QOVbvc https://ift.tt/1ilzca6Exercise for Weight Loss
Exercise for Weight Loss 
Which helps me lose weight faster: cardio or lifting weights? How do I balance the two?
The post Exercise for Weight Loss appeared first on Under Armour.
July 29, 2020 at 07:00PM https://ift.tt/2MZTwRa https://ift.tt/1ilzca6PE fund Advent International buys controlling stake in API manufacturer RA Chem Pharma
PE fund Advent International buys controlling stake in API manufacturer RA Chem Pharma The US private equity fund is understood to have pipped a rival offer from a consortium consisting another PE fund Carlyle Group and former Mylan Labs CEO Hari Babu. Bangalore-based Microlabs controls the entity currently. An official announcement is expected soon. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J
'I Used a Simple Workout and Diet Plan to Get Into the Best Shape of My Life at 62'
'I Used a Simple Workout and Diet Plan to Get Into the Best Shape of My Life at 62'
https://ift.tt/30gI2Qd July 31, 2020 at 01:19PM https://ift.tt/1R552o9
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submitted by /u/kugkug [link] [comments] |
Herd immunity not a strategic option for India, says govt
Herd immunity not a strategic option for India, says govt The Centre on Thursday said herd immunity cannot be a strategic choice or option for a country of India’s size as this would come at a huge cost in terms of lakhs of infected people and many deaths. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J
India’s Covid toll tops 35,000, fifth highest in world now
India’s Covid toll tops 35,000, fifth highest in world now India now has the fifth highest Covid-19 death toll in the world after overtaking Italy’s fatality count of 35,132. The country’s overall toll stood at 35,748 on Thursday night. Of these, 18,356 have come in July alone, more than all Covid-19 deaths in the previous months put together. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J
Public health expert says 'zero doubt' most U.S. virus deaths were avoidable
Public health expert says 'zero doubt' most U.S. virus deaths were avoidable
https://ift.tt/30gGR3o July 31, 2020 at 05:55AM https://ift.tt/1R552o9
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submitted by /u/kugkug [link] [comments] |
Nearly one in three children around the world have high levels of lead in their bloodstream, according to a new study, as widespread lead pollution puts millions of young people at risk of irreversible mental and physical damage
Nearly one in three children around the world have high levels of lead in their bloodstream, according to a new study, as widespread lead pollution puts millions of young people at risk of irreversible mental and physical damage
https://ift.tt/2CTquks July 30, 2020 at 07:38PM https://ift.tt/1R552o9
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submitted by /u/magenta_placenta [link] [comments] |
Alzheimer's: 'Promising' blood test for early stage of disease
Alzheimer's: 'Promising' blood test for early stage of disease
https://ift.tt/3065Wh6 July 30, 2020 at 07:29PM https://ift.tt/1R552o9
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submitted by /u/magenta_placenta [link] [comments] |
Antioxidant-rich Foods Like Black Tea, Chocolate, And Berries May Increase Risk For Certain Cancers
Antioxidant-rich Foods Like Black Tea, Chocolate, And Berries May Increase Risk For Certain Cancers submitted by /u/psioni
[link] [comments] https://ift.tt/eA8V8J July 30, 2020 at 06:40PM https://ift.tt/1R552o9
[link] [comments] https://ift.tt/eA8V8J July 30, 2020 at 06:40PM https://ift.tt/1R552o9
India records biggest daily jump of 52,123 Covid-19 cases as recoveries cross 10 lakh
India records biggest daily jump of 52,123 Covid-19 cases as recoveries cross 10 lakh The country registered a record increase of 52,123 infections in 24 hours while the death-toll climbed to 34,968 with 775 people succumbing to the disease in a day, the ministry data updated at 8am showed. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J
‘Amazing, Isn’t It?’ Long-Sought Blood Test for Alzheimer’s in Reach
‘Amazing, Isn’t It?’ Long-Sought Blood Test for Alzheimer’s in Reach
https://ift.tt/2D1FbBT July 30, 2020 at 03:16PM https://ift.tt/1R552o9
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submitted by /u/kugkug [link] [comments] |
USA's Dr Fauci to speak at ICMR event on ethics of vaccines for Covid-19
USA's Dr Fauci to speak at ICMR event on ethics of vaccines for Covid-19 The symposium will have leading medical experts and scientists as speakers. The event would be conducted from 4:30 pm to 6:45 pm today. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J
Remdesivir sells at 10x prices, NPPA unable to regulate as it's not notified as a 'drug'
Remdesivir sells at 10x prices, NPPA unable to regulate as it's not notified as a 'drug' The NPPA can only control prices of devices and products that are defined as drugs under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. A product or device that is not notified as a drug goes out of the NPPA's purview. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J
DCGI asks Serum Institute to revise protocol for phase 2, 3 trials of Oxford COVID-19 vaccine
DCGI asks Serum Institute to revise protocol for phase 2, 3 trials of Oxford COVID-19 vaccine On Wednesday evening, SII submitted a revised protocol for conducting the trials to the DCGI. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J
HC notice to Telengana, Centre on pvt hosps’ charges
HC notice to Telengana, Centre on pvt hosps’ charges A day after directing the state to ensure strict implementation of ICMR guidelines to tackle the pandemic effectively, the high court on Wednesday issued notices to Telangana, Centre, ICMR, IRDA and drug control authorities for inaction on private hospitals. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J
Flu vaccine could protect against serious heart and stroke complications: Flu vaccination in high-risk patients was associated with a 28% reduced risk of heart attack, a 47% reduced risk of TIA and a 73% reduced risk of death.
Flu vaccine could protect against serious heart and stroke complications: Flu vaccination in high-risk patients was associated with a 28% reduced risk of heart attack, a 47% reduced risk of TIA and a 73% reduced risk of death.
Flu vaccine could protect against serious heart and stroke complications: Flu vaccination in high-risk patients was associated with a 28% reduced risk of heart attack, a 47% reduced risk of TIA and a 73% reduced risk of death. submitted by /u/TobySomething
[link] [comments] https://ift.tt/eA8V8J July 30, 2020 at 06:52AM https://ift.tt/1R552o9
[link] [comments] https://ift.tt/eA8V8J July 30, 2020 at 06:52AM https://ift.tt/1R552o9
America Needs to Rethink Its COVID-19 Testing Approach
America Needs to Rethink Its COVID-19 Testing Approach
https://ift.tt/3f7j8GN July 30, 2020 at 05:20AM https://ift.tt/1R552o9
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submitted by /u/kugkug [link] [comments] |
Dr. Fauci recommends wearing goggles to prevent catching the coronavirus
Dr. Fauci recommends wearing goggles to prevent catching the coronavirus
https://ift.tt/2X8lW0l July 30, 2020 at 05:07AM https://ift.tt/1R552o9
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submitted by /u/kugkug [link] [comments] |
Banana and berry breakfast smoothie bowl
Looking for a lighter breakfast to suit the warmer weather? This fruity and nutritious smoothie bowl will start your day off the right way. The banana is a source of potassium, as well as dietary fibre for healthy digestion. Plus, the raspberries, blueberries and goji berries provide vitamin C, as well as powerful antioxidants, which fight against free radicals in the body. Finally, we’re topping our smoothie bowl with a sprinkling of granola and shredded coconut for crunchy texture, plus chia seeds, which are a vegetarian source of omega-3 fatty acids. Grab a spoon and tuck in!
Serves 1
1 banana
100g raspberries
50g blueberries
1 tbsp dried goji berries
200ml apple juice
2 tbsp granola
1 tbsp coconut shreds
2 tsp chia seeds
1 Tip the banana, raspberries, blueberries, dried goji berries and apple juice into a blender and blitz until smooth.
2 Pour the smoothie mixture into a bowl and sprinkle with the granola, coconut shreds and chia seeds. Enjoy your smoothie bowl immediately.
The post Banana and berry breakfast smoothie bowl appeared first on Healthy Magazine | Food | Fitness | Beauty | Health.
Sun Pharma to acquire Canada's Aquinox Pharmaceuticals
Sun Pharma to acquire Canada's Aquinox Pharmaceuticals Sun Pharmaceutical Industries on Wednesday said that a wholly-owned subsidiary of Taro Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd will acquire Aquinox Pharmaceuticals (Canada) Inc for $8.2 million. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J
What does vitamin K2 do?
The discovery of vitamin K as an essential nutrient for blood clotting was first published in a German scientific journal back in the 1920s (where it was termed ‘koagulationsvitamin’). Now, after nearly a century of research, it’s understood to be important for bone health and decreasing our risk of heart problems as well.
Although there are several types of vitamin K, the ones we hear about most often are vitamins K1 and K2. While vitamin K1 is typically found in greens, including kale, spinach and broccoli, foods rich in vitamin K2 are rare in a typical western diet. Natto, a traditional Japanese food made with fermented soybeans, is rich in K2. Other dietary sources include dairy products made from the milk of grass-fed cows, but as UK dairy cows are typically grain-fed, our dairy products usually have much lower levels. K2 can also be found in high-fat meats, liver, and other organ tissue, but that’s not much good if you’re vegetarian. Luckily, the body is able to metabolise some vitamin K1 into K2, but this process isn’t particularly efficient. Luckily, it can also be taken as a dietary supplement.
How does vitamin K2 work?
As well as helping blood to clot, vitamin K activates the proteins that help to regulate calcium deposition. This means that it supports the calcification of bones and prevents calcium deposits from forming in the blood vessels. While vitamins K1 and K2 are often grouped under the generic label ‘vitamin K’, studies have indicated it’s the K2 that has this regulating effect. And as calcium deposits in the arteries surrounding the heart are a major risk factor in heart attacks, an intake of vitamin K2 is believed to help prevent cardiovascular disease.
The vitamin might also support dental health, as the protein needed to build strong teeth, osteocalcin, is the same one activated by vitamin K2 to regulate bone calcification. However, more research needs to be conducted to be certain of its effect.
What’s the evidence?
Over the past 20 years, a fair amount of research has been done into the effects of vitamin K2 alone. However, some studies were conducted on animals, so we can’t assume their outcomes are directly transferrable to humans. Some human studies have been fairly small-scale and others observational, so more large-scale, controlled trials need to be carried out in order to draw firm conclusions.
Heart disease A study of 4807 subjects looked at the impact of vitamin K2 on heart health. Over the course of seven to 10 years, those with the highest intake of vitamin K were found to be significantly less likely to develop artery calcification. They were also found to have a 57% lower risk of dying from heart disease. A similar effect was not observed with vitamin K1. However, as the study was observational, we cannot assume cause and effect in the same way as we can with a trial where variables are controlled.
Osteoporosis One 2013 study investigated the effects of vitamin K2 on bone density – 244 healthy postmenopausal women took either a supplement of vitamin K2, or a placebo, for three years. Those who took the supplement saw a decrease in age-related decline in two out of the three bones for which density was measured, suggesting that vitamin K2 could prevent, or slow, osteoporosis. But more research is needed to observe the effects over longer periods.
Cancer survival A clinical study investigated the impact of vitamin K2 on liver cancer survivors. Participants in the study who were given a daily oral dosage of 45mg of menatetrenone (a vitamin K2 analogue) were shown to have a lower chance of the cancer returning and increased survival rates, compared to a control group. However, the study was fairly small, so a larger placebo-controlled trial is required to prove the effects.
Diabetes In a 2011 trial, 42 healthy young men took either a vitamin K2 supplement or a placebo over four weeks to investigate the effects on insulin sensitivity. At the end of the four weeks, the men given vitamin K2 displayed increased insulin sensitivity compared to a control group. The results indicate its potential use for diabetes management. Even so, larger-scale studies involving men and women need to be carried out to draw firm conclusions.
Who can take it?
Most healthy adults can take vitamin K2 supplements*, although it may not be advisable for pregnant and breast-feeding women to do so. Children and teenagers will need a smaller dose, so consult a doctor first. Anyone on blood-thinning medication, such as warfarin, should also seek the advice of a doctor before taking vitamin K, as doing so could counteract the medicine’s effects and increase the risk of blood clots.
*If you are pregnant, breast-feeding or under medical supervision, consult your doctor before taking supplements.
The post What does vitamin K2 do? appeared first on Healthy Magazine | Food | Fitness | Beauty | Health.
Hetero launches Favipiravir in India under the brand ‘Favivir’ to treat Covid-19
Hetero launches Favipiravir in India under the brand ‘Favivir’ to treat Covid-19 This is the second drug developed by Hetero after Covifor, the generic version of Remdesivir injection to be administered intravenously in a hospital for treatment of severe Covid-19, under the license from Gilead Sciences. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J
Maine CDC recommends getting flu shot as soon as they are available: here have been reported cases of co-infection of COVID and influenza, so it’s important that we do what we can to reduce that risk of respiratory infection
Maine CDC recommends getting flu shot as soon as they are available: here have been reported cases of co-infection of COVID and influenza, so it’s important that we do what we can to reduce that risk of respiratory infection submitted by /u/shallah
[link] [comments] https://ift.tt/eA8V8J July 29, 2020 at 03:07PM https://ift.tt/1R552o9
[link] [comments] https://ift.tt/eA8V8J July 29, 2020 at 03:07PM https://ift.tt/1R552o9
Everything you don’t know know about SPF
Whether you find yourself bewildered in the sun care aisle or consider yourself SPF-savvy, with new research constantly being done in the field of UV damage, it’s never a bad idea to swot up. Plus, the fact remains that we, the great British public, have dermatologists and skin cancer specialists tearing out their hair in frustration. ‘People know what they should be doing, but it’s not translating into a change in behaviour,’ says Dr Rachel Abbott, a consultant dermatologist and British Skin Foundation spokesperson. ‘There’s such a time lag between the damage being done and the development of skin cancer that people just don’t see it as a problem.’ In countries like Australia, where government-funded prevention schemes are in place, skin cancer rates are declining. But in the UK, they’re on a steady increase. Dr Abbott shares the lesser-known facts when it comes to sun cream.
You’re being cheap
‘Really, sun cream should be a last resort,’ says Dr Abbott – better to protect yourself by covering up or keeping out of the sun. ‘That’s partly down to its limitations – the main one being that we just don’t put enough on.’ A 2018 study found we get less than half the sun protection we think we’re getting from sun cream because we apply it too thinly. Sun protection factor (SPF) numbers denote how many times our skin’s natural protection against UVB rays will be multiplied – so SPF 30 should mean 30 times more protection. ‘But only if you apply the required amount,’ says Dr Abbott, ‘which is why we encourage people to go for higher SPFs – 30 or 50, so if it’s diluted down to SPF 10, they’re still getting pretty good protection.’ Note also that SPF numbers don’t tell us how well sunscreen protects against UVA rays.
So how much should we apply? Official guidelines suggest using 2mg of cream per square centimetre of skin. ‘Around a shot glass for the body is a useful guide, and a teaspoon for the face,’ says Dr Abbott.
It might pull a vanishing act
Not only do we sweat and rub sun cream off (so never believe those ‘once-a-day’ claims on bottles), but applying it in direct sunlight increases evaporation, so we stand to lose up to 60% of coverage. ‘This is one of the main drawbacks with chemical sun creams,’ says Dr Abbott.
‘There are two types of sunscreen – physical (mineral) blockers, like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, and chemical blockers, which absorb UV rays. You need to put chemical blockers on 20 minutes before you’re out in the sun, but you can use a physical blocker immediately.’ Many physical sunscreens are also reef-friendly – look for mineral SPF formulations.
High SPF moisturiser won’t cut it
A recent UK study found that when using SPF moisturisers (rather than sunscreen), users tend to miss more of the face, particularly around the eyes – something Dr Abbott puts down to worries about stinging. But even if we did manage to cover every square millimetre, SPF-spiked moisturisers and make-up still wouldn’t get the job done on their own. ‘The regulation is pretty light,’ says Dr Abbott. ‘Some manufacturers put sunscreen into a product so they can say it’s anti-ageing. It doesn’t mean the sunscreen works to an effective level, and while they might mention the SPF, they won’t comment on the UVA star rating.’ Plus, it’s unlikely we’re reapplying our face cream or foundation every couple of hours, so we’re subject to the same longevity issues.
Step away from the scent
So you’ve slathered on the broad-spectrum, five-star rated, mineral-based factor 50. Well done, you. But spritzing a bit of perfume on top is a big no-no. ‘Putting perfume over the top could simply spray off the sun cream,’ says Dr Abbott, ‘but most fragrances, particularly those containing essential oils, will oxidise on contact.’ Not only does this increase the likelihood of allergens being released, but oxidisation lessens efficacy, and the ensuing chemical cocktail can compromise protection. If you must scent up, spray it on your clothes.
Shade won’t save you
A key lesson here: it’s the UV radiation in sunlight, not sunlight itself, that damages skin. So while trees, a jaunty umbrella or beach-side bar awning will block some UV rays, you’re not off the sun-cream hook. ‘Shade blocks around 70% of rays,’ says Dr Abbott, ‘so it’s a good idea to still wear SPF, a hat and sunglasses.’
Supplement with snacks
Food is by no means a first line of defence, but some may help protect against sun damage. Antioxidants fight free radicals, which can be triggered by UV radiation, and vitamin C helps prevent wrinkles caused by UVA rays – blueberries are rich in both. Lycopene, found in watermelon, absorbs UVA and UVB radiation, while betacarotene – which we convert into vitamin A – has been found to provide natural sun protection after 10 weeks of consumption. Find it in carrots, sweet potatoes and leafy greens. You might benefit from supplements, too. ‘A study from Australia found a form of vitamin B3, nicotinamide, could reduce risk of skin cancer in those with sun damage,’ says Dr Abbott.
The post Everything you don’t know know about SPF appeared first on Healthy Magazine | Food | Fitness | Beauty | Health.
Your new holiday health to-do list
After saving for it, shopping for it, maybe even shrinking for it, you’re determined that nothing – not even coronavirus – is going to ruin your holiday…
For those of us who are choosing to jet off this year, the experience is likely to be quite different from normal. But while we’ve got the hang of face masks on public transport and have made a habit of singing Happy Birthday twice-over internally while washing our hands, there are other hidden health hazards that are worth prepping for. Check these off your holiday to-do list and enjoy your break, the way you’re supposed to…
Tick it off: I’m not in the right headspace
If you’ve suffered from low mood, low motivation and anxiety throughout lockdown, they’re not necessarily going to switch off when you zip up your suitcase. And even if you haven’t, we tend to load our trips with expectation, and take on more work before we leave, piling on the pressure.
According to the Institute of Leadership & Management, 73% of people feel stressed in the run-up to a holiday. ‘If plenty of sleep and eating well help you maintain your mental equilibrium, then keep doing that,’ says clinical psychologist Dr Catherine Wikholm, co-author of The Buddha Pill: Can Meditation Change You? (Watkins Publishing, £10.99). ‘There is nothing wrong with staying up late, drinking more than usual and eating heavy meals once in a while, but keep a watchful eye that it doesn’t negatively affect your mood.’
Bookmark online support sites on your phone and prime a friend in case you need back-up. ‘Have someone to call in case you’re struggling,’ says Dr Wikholm. ‘Pick someone you can be honest with.’ But other than that, put your phone away. ‘A holiday is a time to connect with people you are actually with. Just enjoy your experience, be present with your companions and forget about comparing your travels with anyone else’s.’
Tick it off: I haven’t thought about my exercise habits
For many of us, it wouldn’t be a holiday without some brilliant opportunities to exercise differently – and more luxuriously. The hotel gym is a few floors away, you can see the pool from your balcony and those new running routes are just the fitness inspiration you’ve needed. But each change from the norm should be approached with a tiny bit of caution, especially in the age of coronavirus.
‘It’s ironic, but I see people coming back from holidays all the time with infections and injuries caused by taking exercise while away,’ says GP Dr Arun Ghosh, who cites poorly maintained equipment, lack of supervision and hygiene issues as big things to watch for. ‘Beware lifting heavier weights than you should, and look out for things such as frayed cables on equipment and trip hazards such as mats left out on the floor.’
Even in five-star hotels, gyms can have their issues. ‘Obviously people sweat over equipment, so there’s a chance of picking up an infection.’ Dr Ghosh advises that you wash your hands thoroughly before, after and during a gym visit and make sure you don’t touch your eyes or mouth with your hands while working out. ‘The very best way to avoid picking up bacteria, viruses or fungi is washing with hot soapy water, and lots of it,’ he says. ‘Wipe clean machines before using them. And if you are planning on joining a Pilates or yoga class, take your own yoga mat or use a towel over the gym’s mat.’
If you’re heading out for a run or long swim, ‘you can easily get dehydrated, even if you’re in the sea,’ says Dr Ghosh. ‘Never exercise in the heat. Even early mornings can be very hot in some countries, which is why locals often exercise in the evening, after dark. Just make sure you think things through and plan ahead.’
Tick it off: Could I come down with leisure sickness?
You’ve probably had this before – when you go on holiday, start to relax, then promptly become unwell. ‘What’s usually going on is that you are already incubating,’ says immunologist Dr Jenna Macciochi. ‘But if you are busy before a holiday, your body will be producing a lot of the stress hormone cortisol, which suppresses the immune system. Once you finally relax, it kicks in and starts fighting the infection. That’s when you get symptoms such as a runny nose.’
It’s also vitally important to wear a face mask, wash your hands regularly and abide by social-distancing measures if you do decide to fly. If you are seated close to an infected plane passenger, you have an 80% chance of catching a bug yourself, says US research. ‘When people are cooped up and in the dry air of a plane, infection spreads easily,’ says Dr Macciochi.
Also be aware of the potential stress to your immune system caused by diet changes. ‘Much of our immunity is based in our microbiome, the gut flora in our digestive system,’ says Dr Macciochi. ‘If this comes under fire from unfamiliar food, it can suppress it.’ Take pre- and probiotics during your holiday and in the run-up and get enough sleep. ‘Being over-tired inevitably means your immune system can’t function at its best,’ she warns.
Read more: How good gut health can boost your immunity
Remember: if you start to display coronavirus symptoms when you are on holiday – if you have a high temperature, a new continuous cough, or a loss, or change to your smell, or taste – you should stay indoors, avoid contact with other people and follow local public health guidance. Your travel insurance provider should be able to advise you on what to do and what cover you are eligible for.
The post Your new holiday health to-do list appeared first on Healthy Magazine | Food | Fitness | Beauty | Health.
Do you have reverse SAD?
Reverse – or summer – seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a tough condition for people to get their heads around. We understand winter seasonal affective disorder: the days are shorter and the weather is colder, so we look forward to summer.
Most of us are in better spirits when the sun’s shining, but for 1% of the UK population, the opposite is true. Instead of enjoying the warmer weather, for them it triggers anxiety and insomnia.
Professor Lance Workman is a visiting professor of psychology at the University of South Wales with a specialist interest in seasonal affective disorder (SAD). We asked him to explain what causes summer SAD and how to manage the symptoms…
Have you got summer SAD?
If you suffer from winter SAD, everything slows down. You feel more lethargic, put on weight, crave starchy foods, feel depressed and may start sleeping more. But it’s almost the polar opposite for summer SAD – sufferers feel agitated, they’re on a shorter fuse, and become more anxious.
It’s normal to feel a bit hot and bothered during the summer – especially when we’ve spent a lot of it cooped up inside – but for those with summer SAD, that feeling doesn’t stop after a few cloudy days; it continues throughout the warmer months. Their feelings tend to be more intense, too.
If you suffer from the following symptoms, you could have summer SAD:
● You’re sleeping shorter hours
● Your sleeping pattern is different to winter; ie you’re waking up during the night
● You’ve lost your appetite
● You feel bad tempered or annoyed by little things that don’t normally bother you
● You can’t sit still and get very fidgety
● You’re rowing more with your partner, friends or family
What causes summer SAD?
We know winter SAD is caused by how much light (or lack thereof) there is during the day, but there’s some debate over whether summer SAD is caused by heat or light. There is evidence to show that light affects serotonin levels in the brain. While those with winter SAD have reduced serotonin levels, people with summer SAD may have too much, so they become irritated and anxious.
Evidence suggests people with brown eyes tend to suffer more from winter SAD than those with blue eyes. Brown eyes filter out more daylight, so less light reaches the brain, affecting serotonin levels. There was a significant difference in those with blue eyes – they had much lower levels of winter SAD – so I’m now considering looking at the evidence in reverse; do those with blue eyes tend to suffer more from summer SAD?
The sleep hormone melatonin may be involved in summer SAD, too. In winter, people produce more, which makes you feel sleepy. But many people produce less in summer, leading to sleepless nights. This lack of sleep can then have a knock-on effect, making your symptoms feel worse. And while everyone experiences changes in neurotransmitter and hormone levels, some of us may experience bigger changes than others.
Women tend to suffer from summer SAD more than men, while significantly more women than men have winter SAD. This may be because women are more likely to seek help for their health issues, but women also experience greater fluctuations in their hormone levels. This strongly suggests that SAD has a hormonal element as well.
Managing reverse summer SAD symptoms
There are two common stress points during the day when your symptoms may feel worse; the middle of the afternoon, when the temperature is at its highest, and just before bed. I recommend that sufferers get out for an early morning or evening walk – don’t stay in all day and vegetate – and try to keep your home as cool as possible. It can also be difficult to unwind before sleep if your bedroom is too warm, your mind is racing and you’re worried about not getting any sleep.
Follow the tips below to help manage your symptoms and remember that – thanks to our typical British summers – you may not be suffering for too long this season anyway…
4 ways to tackle summer SAD
1 Plan ahead. If you know you suffer from insomnia every summer, take action a few months before. Put up well-lined curtains to block out the light – this makes a real difference to the length and quality of your sleep.
2 Cool down your bedroom before bed. Open the windows an hour before, put on a fan to help get rid of the warm air, and you could even put bottles filled with ice water in your bed to cool it down – like a reverse hot-water bottle!
3 Avoid extreme heat. Get out for walks during the cooler times of day and rethink your drinks – rather than having a hot tea or coffee, switch to iced versions if you still need the caffeine hit.
4 Keep a diary. Many people may not realise they have summer SAD, as they feel better as soon as the seasons change. But by tracking your symptoms, you can then talk to your GP about appropriate treatment.
The post Do you have reverse SAD? appeared first on Healthy Magazine | Food | Fitness | Beauty | Health.
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How to navigate a friendship shift
While lockdown prevented us from seeing our friends in person, it would have been even more difficult to navigate the past few months without the support of our friends on the other end of a Zoom call, or over a WhatsApp message. Friends who know you inside out, who will be there for you when life is doing its worst, benefit your health in so many ways – and those gains start in childhood. A study at Concordia University, Canada, found that having a friend around buffers negative experiences. Researchers concluded that when school children were alone during a negative event, such as getting into trouble with a teacher, the stress hormone cortisol rocketed and self-worth dipped. However, if a friend was present, the impact on cortisol and self-worth was reduced.
Friendships also have implications for our longevity. Research published in the Journal Of Epidemiology & Community Health looked at the data of around 1500 people aged 70+, and found that those with the strongest social networks were 22% more likely to live longer over the next decade than those with the fewest friends.
‘Good friendships have enormous potential to boost everything from our mood to our physical health,’ says psychologist Suzy Reading. ‘That sense of connection to, and belonging with, others is a basic human need and essential to our wellbeing. Without it, we leave ourselves open to greater risk of depression and stress.’
Do your friends fit?
However, as any woman juggling career, relationship and family will know, it can be easy to leave meeting up with friends on the back burner – especially in the midst of a global pandemic. ‘Circumstances change as we move through the decades and this can challenge friendships,’ says Reading. The intense bonds of our teens and early 20s are challenged by navigating marriage, motherhood and mortgages in our 30s. The key to maintaining those bonds with your tribe? Don’t feel that you have to live up to a Hollywood version of the perfect friendship. ‘It doesn’t take much to stay connected,’ says Reading. ‘If you’re busy, send a text to say you’re thinking of them, or send a photo saying, “This is what I did this morning, I’d love to have shared it with you.” It’s about finding creative ways to keep the connection.’
What also impacts on friendship is when our life moves at a different speed to those of our pals. ‘I see this all the time with my clients,’ says psychotherapist Hilda Burke. ‘The lifestyle choices we make in our 30s – whether we settle into a long-term relationship, having children or not – tend to come home to roost in our 40s.’ With the most recent Office for National Statistics figures showing that childlessness is on the rise – one fifth of women are childless by the age of 45, compared with one in nine women born in 1940 – and numerous studies confirming declining rates of marriage, we are now very likely to have single and/or childless friends. Or, indeed, we may be that friend ourselves.
So how best can you stay connected as lockdown eases, when friend wants to spend Friday night at home, while the other wants to go to a cocktail bar? ‘It’s important that you both realign your expectations,’ says Burke. ‘Acknowledge that your friendship isn’t going to be the same as it was 10 or 20 years ago, and give each other space to grow and be who you want to be.’ If you’re the coupled-up friend, it’s tempting to think you can get all your emotional support from your partner, but experts agree that friends offer something unique. ‘They are often better placed than your partner to give advice,’ says Reading. ‘Your partner’s judgement can be skewed because your decisions directly affect them. Friends, on the other hand, can offer a more balanced view.’
Quality trumps quantity
Another bonus of growing older is realising you don’t have to be buddies with everyone. In fact, it’s far better to focus on fewer friends than to spread yourself too thinly and studies show we become pickier about who’s in our social circle as we age. Stanford University psychologists looked at interviews conducted over 34 years with men and women at various ages, and found that by our 30s, we let go of less meaningful relationships in favour of a select group.
So how do you work out who is worth your efforts? ‘The best way to gauge a friendship is by asking yourself whether they make you feel brilliant, or drained?’ says Burke. ‘It’s impossible to keep every friendship going that you’ve accumulated over the years. You need to check whether your friends still fit.’
Reading believes there are five types of friend every woman needs in her life. ‘You need an advocate who will be your cheerleader, plus a devil’s advocate who challenges you and stops you running on autopilot. You need a listener, someone to whom you can lay bare your hopes, dreams and fears, without being judged. A work friend who will understand your career triumphs and niggles, as well as the lifelong buddy to whom you don’t need to explain anything, they just “get” you,’ she says. ‘You might get a few of those functions in one friend, or have different friends for each of them. Also, think about whose team you’re on and what purpose you serve, because friendship isn’t only about what you’re taking, it’s about what you’re offering, too.’
Ultimately, friendship is about kindness, love, laughter and support. It’s a ‘How are you?’ text when life is rough. It’s remembering their birthday without the help of Facebook. It’s meeting up after months of separation in lockdown and picking right back up from where you left off.
The post How to navigate a friendship shift appeared first on Healthy Magazine | Food | Fitness | Beauty | Health.
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