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Aussie gold medallist withdraws on eve of Paralympics to be with dying mother

<p>An Australian athlete has withdrawn from the Aussie Paralympic team just hours before the event is set to begin. </p> <p>Heath Davidson, a  37-year-old wheelchair tennis player from the Mornington Peninsula, announced on Monday night that he would not be making the trip to Paris for the Games as he will spend time with his mother who has been moved into palliative care.</p> <p>Davidson announced the news in a statement on Instagram, explaining his reasoning behind the "difficult decision". </p> <p>"I have made the difficult decision to withdraw from the 2024 Paralympics. My mum has been admitted into palliative care and I want to be here at home with her during this time," he wrote. </p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C_ISWSIz4r0/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C_ISWSIz4r0/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Heath Davidson (@heathdavidson13)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>The Aussie Paralympic team was quick to throw their support behind Davidson, with Australian Paralympic Team Chef de Mission Kate McLoughlin saying, “Heath is a much-loved member of the Australian Paralympic Team. He adds spark to the Village with his quick wit and cheery personality.”</p> <p>“We’ll miss having him here in Paris, but we all understand that family comes first and we know he’s made the right decision for himself and his family. We want Heath to know that every member of the team is wrapping their arms around him virtually from Paris.”</p> <p>The 2024 Games in Paris would've been Davidson's third Paralympics, after won gold in the wheelchair tennis doubles alongside Dylan Alcott at the Rio De Janeiro Games in 2016, with the pair then backing it up with a silver medal in Tokyo 2021. </p> <p><em>Image credits: SportsPressJP/AFLO/Shutterstock Editorial </em></p>

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Devastating new details emerge on Heath Ledger's death

<p>New details have emerged about the hours after Heath Ledger's death, as a Hollywood director has shared how he found out about Ledger's passing. </p> <p>Heath Ledger was found dead in his New York loft on January 22nd 2008, with his death being ruled as an accidental overdose and attributed to a mixture of prescription drugs, including OxyContin, Vicodin, Valium, Xanax, Unisom and Restoril.</p> <p>Now, 16 years on from the high profile death, Hollywood director Stephen Gaghan has shared how he found out about Heath's death. </p> <p>At the time of his passing, Ledger and Gaghan were working together on an adaptation of Malcolm Gladwell’s novel <em>Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking</em>.</p> <p>Appearing on Malcolm Gladwell's <em>Revisionist History</em> podcast, in which the novelist discusses abandoned projects, Gaghan recalled getting a phone call from Ledger's father when his body was found. </p> <p>“They were there with the body and our script was in bed with him, and your book was on the bedside table,” he said on the podcast.</p> <p>“I think my number was on the script, like written. These guys, as you can imagine, they are in shock and they dialled that number and I don’t know why.”</p> <p>“I’m in an airport with my wife [Minnie Mortimer] just going from one place to another, and I literally just collapse, never happened to me before or since,” the director added. “My feet went out from under me. I just literally sat down because I was like, ‘What?’"</p> <p>"The emotion, what they were going through, I should not have been a party to in any way really, and yet as a human or as somebody who just cares, I just was there and I was listening and my wife was looking at me."</p> <p>"I remember her face and I was just like, I was speechless. I just listened and listened and listened. It was just really, really sad. And it’s still sad. For me, I just had to put a pin in it.”</p> <p>When discussing the adaptation of <em>Blink</em>, Gaghan shared how Leo DiCaprio was originally in on the film idea, and how the part of the lead seemed to be written especially for Ledger. </p> <p>“I’d gotten to be very, very close with him instantly,” Gaghan recalled. “I just had a real connection with him that was kind of unusual and really special to me. I got really excited and I started seeing him as the main character."</p> <p>"Once I started seeing that I couldn’t unsee it, and obviously it was very delicate in a way. Leo’s totally cool. I mean, obviously, he has a thousand choices, but in my mind it was a big deal.”</p> <p>Gaghan soon abandoned the revived project after Ledger’s untimely death.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images </em></p>

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Do blue-light glasses really work? Can they reduce eye strain or help me sleep?

<p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/laura-downie-1469379">Laura Downie</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-melbourne-722">The University of Melbourne</a></em></p> <p>Blue-light glasses are said to <a href="https://www.baxterblue.com.au/collections/blue-light-glasses">reduce eye strain</a> when using <a href="https://www.blockbluelight.com.au/collections/computer-glasses">computers</a>, improve your <a href="https://www.ocushield.com/products/anti-blue-light-glasses">sleep</a> and protect your eye health. You can buy them yourself or your optometrist can prescribe them.</p> <p>But <a href="https://mivision.com.au/2019/03/debate-continues-over-blue-blocking-lenses/">do they work</a>? Or could they do you harm?</p> <p>We <a href="https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD013244.pub2/full">reviewed</a> the evidence. Here’s what we found.</p> <h2>What are they?</h2> <p>Blue-light glasses, blue light-filtering lenses or blue-blocking lenses are different terms used to describe lenses that reduce the amount of short-wavelength visible (blue) light reaching the eyes.</p> <p>Most of these lenses prescribed by an optometrist decrease blue light transmission by <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/opo.12615">10-25%</a>. Standard (clear) lenses do not filter blue light.</p> <p>A wide variety of lens products are available. A filter can be added to prescription or non-prescription lenses. They are widely marketed and are becoming <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/opo.12615">increasingly popular</a>.</p> <p>There’s often an added cost, which depends on the specific product. So, is the extra expense worth it?</p> <h2>Blue light is all around us</h2> <p>Outdoors, sunlight is the main source of blue light. Indoors, light sources – such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and the screens of digital devices – emit varying degrees of blue light.</p> <p>The amount of blue light emitted from artificial light sources is much lower than from the Sun. Nevertheless, artificial light sources are all around us, at home and at work, and we can spend a lot of our time inside.</p> <figure class="align-center zoomable"><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/549210/original/file-20230920-16-tsb23b.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/549210/original/file-20230920-16-tsb23b.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/549210/original/file-20230920-16-tsb23b.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=450&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/549210/original/file-20230920-16-tsb23b.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=450&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/549210/original/file-20230920-16-tsb23b.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=450&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/549210/original/file-20230920-16-tsb23b.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=566&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/549210/original/file-20230920-16-tsb23b.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=566&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/549210/original/file-20230920-16-tsb23b.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=566&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 2262w" alt="Blue light-filtering lenses block some blue light from screens from reaching the eye" /></a><figcaption><span class="caption">Screens emit blue light. The lenses are designed to reduce the amount of blue light that reaches the eye.</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-vector/blue-light-blocking-ray-filter-lens-2286229107">Shutterstock</a></span></figcaption></figure> <p>Our research team at the University of Melbourne, along with collaborators from Monash University and City, University London, sought to see if the best available evidence supports using blue light-filtering glasses, or if they could do you any harm. So we conducted a <a href="https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD013244.pub2/full">systematic review</a> to bring together and evaluate all the relevant studies.</p> <p>We included all randomised controlled trials (clinical studies designed to test the effects of interventions) that evaluated blue light-filtering lenses in adults. We identified 17 eligible trials from six countries, involving a total of 619 adults.</p> <h2>Do they reduce eye strain?</h2> <p>We found no benefit of using blue light-filtering lenses, over standard (clear) lenses, to reduce eye strain with computer use.</p> <p>This conclusion was based on consistent findings from three studies that evaluated effects on eye strain over time periods ranging from two hours to five days.</p> <h2>Do they help you sleep?</h2> <p>Possible effects on sleep were uncertain. Six studies evaluated whether wearing blue-light filtering lenses before bedtime could improve sleep quality, and the findings were mixed.</p> <p>These studies involved people with a diverse range of medical conditions, including insomnia and bipolar disorder. Healthy adults were not included in the studies. So we do not yet know whether these lenses affect sleep quality in the general population.</p> <h2>Do they boost your eye health?</h2> <p>We did not find any clinical evidence to support using blue-light filtering lenses to protect the macula (the region of the retina that controls high-detailed, central vision).</p> <p>None of the studies evaluated this.</p> <h2>Could they do harm? How about causing headaches?</h2> <p>We could not draw clear conclusions on whether there might be harms from wearing blue light-filtering lenses, compared with standard (non blue-light filtering) lenses.</p> <p>Some studies described how study participants had headaches, lowered mood and discomfort from wearing the glasses. However, people using glasses with standard lenses reported similar effects.</p> <h2>What about other benefits or harms?</h2> <p>There are some important general considerations when interpreting our findings.</p> <p>First, most of the studies were for a relatively short period of time, which limited our ability to consider longer-term effects on vision, sleep quality and eye health.</p> <p>Second, the review evaluated effects in adults. We don’t yet know if the effects are different for children.</p> <p>Finally, we could not draw conclusions about the possible effects of blue light-filtering lenses on many vision and eye health measures, including colour vision, as the studies did not evaluate these.</p> <h2>In a nutshell</h2> <p>Overall, based on relatively limited published clinical data, our review does not support using blue-light filtering lenses to reduce eye strain with digital device use. It is unclear whether these lenses affect vision quality or sleep, and no conclusions can be drawn about any potential effects on the health of the retina.</p> <p>High-quality research is needed to answer these questions, as well as whether the effectiveness and safety of these lenses varies in people of different ages and health status.</p> <p>If you have eye strain, or other eye or vision concerns, discuss this with your optometrist. They can perform a thorough examination of your eye health and vision, and discuss any relevant treatment options.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/213145/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/laura-downie-1469379"><em>Laura Downie</em></a><em>, Associate Professor in Optometry and Vision Sciences, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-melbourne-722">The University of Melbourne</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/do-blue-light-glasses-really-work-can-they-reduce-eye-strain-or-help-me-sleep-213145">original article</a>.</em></p>

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Robert Irwin "dating" Heath Ledger's niece

<p>Robert Irwin is reportedly dating Heath Ledger's niece after the pair were spotted on a romantic outing. </p> <p>The 18-year-old wildlife warrior was seen with Scarlett Buckley, also 18, as the pair were pictured enjoying a sunset stroll in Queensland earlier this month.</p> <p>In photos published by <em><a href="https://www.newidea.com.au/robert-irwins-girlfriend">New Idea</a><a href="https://www.newidea.com.au/robert-irwins-girlfriend"> magazine</a></em>, the two are seen smiling at each other after picking up takeaway for a picnic on the beach.</p> <p>At one point, according to the publication, Robert pulled Scarlett in for a hug as the sun went down.</p> <p>While neither have spoken publicly about their blossoming new romance, Robert has been conspicuously following Scarlett's private Instagram account for some time. </p> <p>Scarlett – who has an identical twin sister, Rorie – is the daughter of Heath Ledger’s sister Kate, who runs a design and media productions company.</p> <p>Robert and Scarlett have plenty in common, as they both grew up in the public eye after suffering the devastating loss of a family member. </p> <p>Heath Ledger was at the top of his Hollywood career when he was found dead in January 2008 following an accidental prescription drug overdose.  </p> <p>Kate has been vocal about keeping her late brother’s legacy alive, creating the Heath Ledger Scholarship for promising young Australian actors. </p> <p>Speaking to <em>Who magazine</em> in 2018, she said the Dark Knight actor is “hugely important” in the lives of her children.</p> <p>“There’s not a day that goes by that we don’t share stories or talk about him. He is very much alive in our house.”</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images / Instagram </em></p>

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How Heath Ledger inspired Johnny Depp’s donation to Australian hospital

<p dir="ltr">Johnny Depp has made a significant donation to an Australian children’s hospital, as part of a larger $1.17 million gift to charities around the world.</p> <p dir="ltr">The sum comes from the sale of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) - digital assets that represent real-life products such as art and video games - which Depp raised through his NFT community, Never Fear Truth.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-e5849e45-7fff-f569-d5d9-a9750f426720"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">Depp’s donation will be split between the Perth Children’s Hospital, UK-based Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity, the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles, and Robert Downey Jr’s Footprint Coalition, which fundraises for non-profit organisations that focus on environmental sustainability.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/PCHFWA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PCHFWA</a> Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation (via CAF America)<a href="https://twitter.com/GOSHCharity?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GOSHCharity</a> Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity (via CAF America)<a href="https://twitter.com/fp_coalition?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@fp_coalition</a> The Footprint Coalition<a href="https://twitter.com/ChildrensLA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ChildrensLA</a> The Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles (CHLA)</p> <p>— Never Fear Truth (@JohnnyDeppNFT) <a href="https://twitter.com/JohnnyDeppNFT/status/1544413863839514625?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 5, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">“Johnny Depp’s Never Fear Truth NFT sale was always intended to benefit charities and we are pleased to be able to confirm that nearly $800,000 ($AUD 1.17 million) in total donations have been contributed,” Never Fear Truth tweeted.</p> <p dir="ltr">The Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation issued a statement thanking the actor for his donation.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Thank you so much for your generosity in helping support PCHFWA and WA sick kids,” the organisation wrote on Twitter. </p> <p dir="ltr">“These funds will make a significant impact in helping keep (Perth Children’s Hospital) world-class for our children and families.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Many fans praised Depp’s acts of kindness, and it turns out that his choice to support the West Australian hospital is particularly special.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-4e18ba45-7fff-2408-772d-b7792f5e3e27"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">Part of the money raised through Depp’s NFT community came from the sale of an NFT depicting his painting of late actor Heath Ledger, who grew up in Perth.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/tv/CbkRwlgDle1/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/tv/CbkRwlgDle1/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Never Fear Truth (@johnnydeppnft)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">Carrie Robinson, the CEO of PCHFWA, told <em>The West Australian</em> that Ledger’s family had nominated the hospital as the recipient of the money raised from the painting’s sale.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It’s great to see the legacy of Heath Ledger continuing to make an impact on the WA community,” Robinson said.</p> <p dir="ltr">Other paintings included in the sale include portraits of Depp, his daughter Lily Rose, his friend and late actor River Phoenix, and Hollywood legends such as Marlon Brando, Al Pacino and Elizabeth Taylor.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I’ve always used art to express my feelings and to reflect on those who matter most to me, like my family, friends and people I admire,” Depp said when he offered his paintings publicly for the first time.</p> <p dir="ltr">“My paintings surround my life, but I kept them to myself and limited myself.</p> <p dir="ltr">“No-one should ever limit themselves.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-7a46deee-7fff-39d9-efa7-f32189b75097"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Getty Images / Instagram</em></p>

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How does a defibrillator work?

<div class="copy"> <h2>Defibrillator? I’ve seen one of those!</h2> <p>No TV medical drama show is complete without a doctor at some point shouting, “Clear!” as he or she applies a <strong>defibrillator</strong> to a dying patient. More often than not, with a massive convulsion, the patient is shocked with hundreds of joules of <a rel="noopener" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electricity" target="_blank">electricity</a> and miraculously brought back to life.</p> <p>In the real world, defibrillators are a little less dramatic, but they do save countless lives.</p> <h3>How does a defibrillator work?</h3> <p>As the name suggests, the defibrillator is a device that stops <em>fibrillation</em> – the condition where the heart starts to beat erratically, usually during <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/health/hearts-stopped-young/">cardiac arrest</a>.</p> <p>It does this by generating a powerful electrical current – about 300 joules of electrical energy – which is passed through the heart. This has the effect of stopping the uncontrolled trembling and resetting the beating to normal.</p> <p>There is a common misconception – thanks to those medical dramas – that a defibrillator is used when the heart stops beating entirely, or ‘flat lines’.</p> <p>Unfortunately, this exaggerates the capabilities of the device.</p> <p>Rather than restart the heart, the device works to reset the natural pacemaker in our bodies to return the heart to normal function and rhythm.</p> <p>If the heart has stopped,<strong> a defibrillator will do little to restart it</strong>, so other techniques such as CPR are applied.</p> <p>It is even possible to have an automatic defibrillator placed inside the body for patients who have a disorder of the heart known as <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/health/hearts-stopped-young/">arrhythmia</a>. These devices, about the size of a pocket watch, administer the appropriate electrical shock if they sense the heart going into fibrillation.</p> <p>They differ from a <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/health/bionic-heart-beats-like-the-real-thing/">pacemaker</a>, however, as they do not assist the heart in maintaining a pace. Rather, they deliver an electrical shock when they sense that the heart is approaching a dangerous heartbeat.</p> <p>The shock produced by the defibrillator is generated via a built-in battery, which releases a massive pulse of energy. This electrical energy is directed down two wires, each ending at a pad, known as a paddle.</p> <p>With a defibrillator in a hospital, a doctor applies a conductive gel to maximise the flow of electricity to the patient. The paddles have insulated, plastic handles to prevent the user being shocked along with the patient.</p> <p>Automatic defibrillators, such as those you might see at a shopping centre, use an adhesive pad, which can be quickly and easily applied by anyone and avoid the need to hold the pads during use.</p> <p>They can also electronically guide a user through the defibrillation process without the need for a medical professional.</p> <p>Where the pads are placed is crucial.</p> <p>There are two correct positions – the first with the pads above and to the left, and below and to the right of the heart; the second with the paddles placed in front of and behind the heart.</p> <p>These positions ensure that the electrical current moves around and through the heart.</p> <em>Image credit: Shutterstock</em></div> <div id="contributors"> <p><em>This article was originally published on <a rel="noopener" href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/technology/how-does-a-defibrillator-work/" target="_blank">cosmosmagazine.com</a> and was written by Jake Port. </em></p> </div>

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Heath Ledger: A life in pictures

<p>Iconic Australian film star Heath Ledger passed away today at the age of 28 due to an accidental mixture of prescription drugs.</p> <p>Ledger’s career first started in the early 90s with smaller roles, but he quickly shot to fame after appearing in the hit 1999 American romantic comedy<span> </span><em>10 Things I Hate About You</em>. This role, where he broke hearts as bad boy Patrick Verona, earned him several awards and brought him directly into the public eye.</p> <p>Ledger went on to star in 2001’s<span> </span><em>A Knight’s Tale</em>, which developed a cult following in later years despite not being popular at the time.</p> <p>It was only once he appeared in 2005’s controversial film<span> </span><em>Brokeback Mountain</em>, which saw Ledger fall in love with another shepherd, played by Jake Gyllenhaal, that he received critical acclaim for his role as the film showed his diverse acting range.</p> <p>It was also while filming<span> </span><em>Brokeback Mountain </em>where Ledger met his partner Michelle Williams and their love resulted in a daughter called Matilda.</p> <p>Long-time friend Matt Amato told<span> </span><em><a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://people.com/celebrity/heath-ledger-documentary-natural-dad-to-matilda/" target="_blank">People</a></em><span> </span>that Ledger was a “natural dad”.</p> <p>“I met Matilda three days after she was born and they were just a beautiful painting together,” he said.</p> <p>“He just held her and would wrap her in her blanket.</p> <p>He wasn’t treating her in any precious way, he was just natural and just trusted the whole thing, and I was really struck by that. And that’s kind of how it always was.”</p> <p>In 2008, Ledger appeared in his iconic role as the Joker in<span> </span><em>The Dark Knight</em>, which was a role he received widespread acclaim for.</p> <p>After his passing, Ledger was posthumously awarded the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor and the Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role. He also won a Screen Actors Guild award for Male Actor in a Supporting Role in<span> </span><em>The Dark Knight</em>.</p> <p>Scroll through the gallery to see Ledger throughout the years.</p>

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The heartfelt way Magda Szubanski remembers Heath Ledger

<p>Comedian and LGBT activist Magda Szubanski has posted a heartfelt tribute to her late friend and worldwide famous actor, Heath Ledger.</p> <p>In the past, Magda has honoured the late Joker actor in emotional posts to social media and she has proven time and time again she is not one to shy away from remembering Heath.</p> <p>The pair both went viral in 2006 at the AFI Awards when Magda’s Kath &amp; Kim character ‘Sharon Strzelecki’ met Heath Ledger on the red carpet.</p> <p>She squealed in excitement from seeing the then 27-year-old and, in a moment no one expected, the actor grabbed ‘Sharon’s’ face and in Magda’s own words “pashed ME!”</p> <p>The actress hilariously fell to the ground in shock and later presented an award alongside Dannii Minogue to Heath, and joked he had given her a “Heath rash.”</p> <p>Later, in a 2017 post the beloved Australian comedian took to Instagram to give inside details about their special on-air moment.</p> <p>“Ah beautiful Heath. This is one of my favourite career moments ever. Heath had no idea I was going to do this,” Magda shared, mentioning the Aussie actor at the time was having a “rough” experience with the Australian media and was “nervous” to be appearing on a red carpet.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BZ0IhqxDWOI/" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BZ0IhqxDWOI/" target="_blank">A post shared by Magda Szubanski (@magda_szubanski)</a> on Oct 3, 2017 at 10:36pm PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>“The producers and I planned that, as Sharon, in her role as stage manager for the event, I would surprise Heath with a "Sharon pash". I'd met him a couple of times and he was such a great guy. When the moment came I was so 'in the moment' I naturally did what Sharon would do: I fangirl screamed.</p> <p>“Heath had NO idea any of this was gonna happen. But being the magical, receptive actor he was, he totally went with the flow and then upped the stakes even further, grabbed Sharon's (my) face and pashed ME!</p> <p>“Tell ya, he almost turned me.</p> <p>“Then the next day he rang me and said he'd had so much fun he wanted to be written into @kathandkim as Sharon's stalker. He and I had a chat about it when I was in London. And then he went off to play The Joker. And well...</p> <p>“Anyway, this is the beautiful, playful, lighter side of The Joker. I'm so honoured I got to share this moment with him. And as my friend Ron just said, had romance blossomed our love child would've been called #Sheath.</p> <p>“Always in our hearts #heathledger.”</p> <p>Heath tragically died in an accidental prescription drug overdose in 2008 in New York, at the age of 28.</p> <p>He shares one daughter, 13-year-old Matilda Ledger, with American actress Michelle Williams.</p>

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Man offers to trade truck for liver to save his dying wife

<p>A California man has taken to Facebook to make a desperate plea to help save his dying wife.</p> <p>Verlon Robinson, 55, offered to give away his pick-up truck and trailer to anyone who could donate a healthy section of liver that would save his wife. He even offered to throw in one of his kidneys to the deal.</p> <p>Verlon’s wife, Marie, suffers from cirrhosis of the liver. She is on an organ transplant waiting list but Verlon says he is worried she won’t get a liver in time.</p> <p>“To all that don’t know I have a very sick wife, with a non-reversible liver disease,” Verlon wrote in a post last week.</p> <p>“I do have an 04 Dodge pick-up that I would gladly trade anyone,” he said. “Plus I could throw in a nice tent trailer.</p> <p>“I would do anything to trade places with her but as you know that’s impossible. So please if you are O-positive or negative blood type and would consider giving her some of your liver we have insurance that would cover all surgeries.</p> <p>“PS I have good kidneys and I would throw in one.”</p> <p><img width="439" height="585" src="http://cdn.newsapi.com.au/image/v1/989513d7a833c363a2f55297ca6176ee?width=650" alt="Man offers to trade truck for liver to save dying wife. Picture: Verlon Robinson/Facebook" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/></p> <p>Verlon had to later change his proposal after being told it was “against the rules to offer my material stuff”.</p> <p>“Since most of you do not want my truck or trailer, it’s probably OK,” he quipped. “However they did say I could still offer my kidney. So kidney is still out there.”</p> <p> </p>

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Johnny Ruffo's inspirational act of kindness hours after gruelling chemotherapy

<p>Johnny Ruffo has marked his final round of chemotherapy in a very inspirational way.</p> <p>Just hours after his chemotherapy session, the former <em>Home and Away</em> star participated in a charity walk for children with Duchenne’s Muscular Dystrophy.</p> <p>The 29-year-old took part in the 150km ‘Walk to Save Our Sons’, which aims to raise awareness for the severe muscle condition that impacts one in 3,500 boys.</p> <p>Talking to <em>Today</em> before starting the walk, Ruffo brushed off his own struggles, focusing on those living with this genetic condition.</p> <p>"I'll pull through it… I'm blessed, in comparison," he said. "At the end of the day, these kids have it far worse than I do. [They] will be lucky to live to 25 or 30, whereas I'm 30 on Thursday."</p> <p>The Aussie actor and singer has already raised $21,000 towards finding a cure for the disease.</p> <p>"I'm lucky compared to these kids," he continued. "I would much rather give to them."</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media"> <div style="padding: 8px;"> <div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 62.5% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;"> <div style="background: url(data:image/png; base64,ivborw0kggoaaaansuheugaaacwaaaascamaaaapwqozaaaabgdbtueaalgpc/xhbqaaaafzukdcak7ohokaaaamuexurczmzpf399fx1+bm5mzy9amaaadisurbvdjlvzxbesmgces5/p8/t9furvcrmu73jwlzosgsiizurcjo/ad+eqjjb4hv8bft+idpqocx1wjosbfhh2xssxeiyn3uli/6mnree07uiwjev8ueowds88ly97kqytlijkktuybbruayvh5wohixmpi5we58ek028czwyuqdlkpg1bkb4nnm+veanfhqn1k4+gpt6ugqcvu2h2ovuif/gwufyy8owepdyzsa3avcqpvovvzzz2vtnn2wu8qzvjddeto90gsy9mvlqtgysy231mxry6i2ggqjrty0l8fxcxfcbbhwrsyyaaaaaelftksuqmcc); display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;"></div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bf14XE8g3FI/" target="_blank">A post shared by SaveOurSons DuchenneFoundation (@saveoursons)</a> on Mar 2, 2018 at 5:01pm PST</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>In August, Ruffo announced that he had been diagnosed with brain cancer.</p> <p>"On Sunday I went into hospital with a migraine," he told <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="https://www.nowtolove.com.au/tvweek" target="_blank"><em>TV WEEK</em></a></strong></span>. "I had to have emergency surgery to have a brain tumour removed. I am on the mend and feeling positive. Keep me in your thoughts."</p> <p>Ruffo shared his journey with Australia, sharing photos in his hospital bed and of the large scar running across his forehead.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media"> <div style="padding: 8px;"> <div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 50% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;"> <div style="background: url(data:image/png; base64,ivborw0kggoaaaansuheugaaacwaaaascamaaaapwqozaaaabgdbtueaalgpc/xhbqaaaafzukdcak7ohokaaaamuexurczmzpf399fx1+bm5mzy9amaaadisurbvdjlvzxbesmgces5/p8/t9furvcrmu73jwlzosgsiizurcjo/ad+eqjjb4hv8bft+idpqocx1wjosbfhh2xssxeiyn3uli/6mnree07uiwjev8ueowds88ly97kqytlijkktuybbruayvh5wohixmpi5we58ek028czwyuqdlkpg1bkb4nnm+veanfhqn1k4+gpt6ugqcvu2h2ovuif/gwufyy8owepdyzsa3avcqpvovvzzz2vtnn2wu8qzvjddeto90gsy9mvlqtgysy231mxry6i2ggqjrty0l8fxcxfcbbhwrsyyaaaaaelftksuqmcc); display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;"></div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BXl7r5-AH1S/" target="_blank">A post shared by Johnny Ruffo (@johnny_ruffo)</a> on Aug 9, 2017 at 5:11pm PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Ruffo first shot to fame after auditioning for X-Factor in 2011. He placed third in the competition with singer Reese Mastin coming out on top.</p> <p>In April 2012, he then went on to win the mirror ball in<em> Dancing with the Stars </em>and then made his acting debut on <em>Home and Away </em>in 2013 as Chris Harrington.</p> <p>His acting landed him a TV Week Logie nomination for Most Popular New Talent.</p> <p>Ruffo announced that he was leaving the show in 2016 and said, "I've loved my time in Summer Bay. There's a lot more coming up for Chris and I hope fans continue enjoying his time on screen."</p>

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“He is very much alive in our house”: Heath Ledger’s family still celebrate his birthday

<p>It’s been 10 years since Heath Ledger’s life was cut short by an accidental drug overdose.</p> <p>But Heath’s sister Kate says the actor is still “very much alive” with the family celebrating his birthday every year.</p> <p>The older sister of the Australian actor told WHO magazine how the Ledger family are in “constant contact” with Heath's daughter Matilda and her mother actress Michelle Williams.</p> <p><img width="314" height="393" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/89/b7/66/89b766ea6fc3f8ee5e4a69d8432e7032.jpg" alt="Image result for michelle williams daughter" class="irc_mi" style="margin-top: 0px; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em>Matilda Ledger with her mother Michelle Williams. </em></p> <p>“We have a family get-together on Heath's birthday and celebrate and laugh at all the wonderful funny things he did and everything he was,” Kate said.</p> <p>“There's not a day goes by that we don't share stories or talk about him. He is very much alive in our house.”</p> <p>Kate also gushed about her niece, describing the “amazing” 12-year-old as a “source of delight”. </p> <p>“We keep in constant contact with Michelle and Matilda, and visit frequently,” she said.  </p> <p>Her comments come as Heath is set to be honoured at this month's G'Day USA Gala in Los Angeles.</p>

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4 depression sufferers reveal what NOT to say to them

<p>Words friends and family use to try and help a person suffering from depression can sometimes feel like extra blows of misery.</p> <p>Often it's because the words show the helper doesn't understand what the sufferer is really going through.</p> <p>This hurts because depression is already a lonely experience and feeling others don't get it can amplify the numbness and despair. </p> <p>Four sufferers of depression from across the country (names have been changed) describe in their own words how the best intentions of friends and family have sometimes left them feeling much worse.</p> <p><strong>Angela</strong></p> <p>I have quite a good friend and she meant well but she said once, 'if you ever need a friend, you can talk to me because friends are better than pills'. I knew she meant well. But I thought, well there is a chemical imbalance in my brain and I actually do need the pills for that you know. </p> <p>She just didn't get it. It was a feeling that 'you have no idea; even if I did come to talk to you, how would you be able to understand and help?'</p> <p>When I told my parents I had depression, they said: 'you are a smart, intelligent girl, no no you don't'. That was incredibly, incredibly difficult to hear. That was a couple of years ago. We are on good terms, but I don't talk to them at all about depression. </p> <p>Others try to be well meaning and say 'you have a good life, there are people out there who really have stuff to worry about, just don't worry'. But that just shows me how different my mind is from theirs. They don't understand.</p> <p><em>What helps: Being quite gentle with me is helpful. Acting like it's no big deal. Saying 'it's OK, lots of people have it, you are not alone'. I find that really helpful.</em></p> <p><strong>Catherine</strong></p> <p>The last time I was sick a friend said she would come around and take me out for a walk. That was OK. But I wanted to be able to say no. But my friend kept coming around. I said 'no, I'm not feeling very well' and hoped she would respect that and give me some space. She still kept coming around. So basically I had to kick her out and that made me feel terrible. You have to come across like a real witch, and then they feel cross with you.</p> <p>So that's one thing, I don't like being crowded and pestered when what I would really like is to be able to say 'I am not well and this is what I need' and that can be something or nothing. </p> <p>Another one is 'get up and go outside and you will feel better'. They are right, you will feel better. But sometimes getting up and going outside is an extremely difficult thing to do. You haven't brushed your teeth, you haven't washed your hair, and you are going to have to get dressed and you don't even know what clothes are clean anymore. Someone outside in their car on the phone giving you a pep talk and asking how hard can it be to walk around the block, doesn't realise how much effort they are asking for when you are really down.</p> <p><em>What helps: Simply saying to me 'one day things will be better'. Texting can be better than a phone call when checking on me. Then I know you are out there and thinking of me but I don't have to do all the explaining that I am unwell on a phone call. </em></p> <p><strong>Douglas </strong></p> <p>A very good friend said nothing, absolutely nothing. I stood and said, just letting you know I have been diagnosed with depression, been to a doctor, taking some drugs blah blah blah, and then there was complete silence. Total silence for as long as I would have let it go on. There were minutes and minutes of absolute silence. And I was 'oh well I'm going to go and do something else now'. A few months later he said sorry he never said anything. It was so weird and so hard when you are depressed and a bit down. </p> <p>Just occasionally people go 'oh yeah when I missed out on those tickets to the concert, I was really depressed'. They just don't get it. We are not just talking about being pissed off or annoyed about something. It's like if someone has a broken leg and someone with a broken fingernail says 'yeah I know what it's like'.  </p> <p>Someone said to me once, 'isn't it strange though that it is really a Western thing'. I'm sure it's not. They made it seem like it's a luxury problem to have.</p> <p>One thing people do say is 'you probably need to do more exercise'. Because they think the endorphins will make everything all right or something. It is true, I probably do need more exercise, but it is not going to cure my depression. It's not seeing it as an illness. It's like saying to someone with asthma, 'go and do a bit more exercise'.</p> <p><em>What helps: Saying 'is there anything I can do to help' or 'can I check in on you'. Ring or text to see how I am doing.</em> </p> <p><strong>Samantha </strong></p> <p>One of the worst things people have said is 'cheer up'. I understand people are trying to help but when they say 'cheer up' I think they are coming from an angle where they just think you are sad. It makes it worse because you know they don't understand and it can make you quite frustrated. It makes the whole situation a lot worse than it might possibly be.  </p> <p>One time someone said to me 'what have you got to be depressed about? Life isn't that bad'. All those things, from the perspective of someone suffering from depression, makes it worse by about 10-fold. Looking at my life I thought, 'yeah it is pretty good so why am I depressed?' then you start to feel guilty about being depressed. They don't understand that it is more mental than just a feeling. It's not like taking a few Panadol, then feeling better in a couple of hours. It's far from it. </p> <p>People have mentioned why don't you do something that makes you feel good. Or eat healthy and maybe you need to lose weight. That was kind of a kick in the guts because I've come to them in my time of need and the response I get is that maybe I need to lose weight (and I don't). I feel sorry for people who don't know how to react and know what to say. They say it with best intentions.</p> <p><em>What helps: Listen to me, reassure me that I'm not a disappointment and it's OK that I am having a bad day and feel this way. </em></p> <p><strong>Mental health foundation tips</strong></p> <p>If a person suffering from depression is ready to talk:</p> <ul> <li>Initiate the talk.</li> <li>Listen more than talk. Listening is a way of understanding how someone feels.</li> <li>Save any suggestions, solutions or advice for a later discussion.</li> <li>Offer neutral comments such as 'I can see how that would be hard'.</li> <li>Use appropriate body language. Try to maintain eye contact and sit in a relaxed position.</li> <li>Use open-ended questions that can't be answered with a simple 'yes' or 'no'.</li> <li>When approaching a difficult conversation, stay calm. Be firm, fair and consistent. If you are wrong, admit it. Just taking the time to talk to or be with the person lets them know you care and can help you understand what they're going through.</li> </ul> <p><em>If you are troubled by this article, experiencing a personal crisis or thinking about suicide, you can call the Depression Helpline at 0800 111 757 or visit <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://depression.org.nz/" target="_blank">depression.co.nz</a></strong></span>.</em></p> <p><em>Written by Ewan Sargent. Republished with permission of <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Stuff.co.nz</span></strong></a>.</em></p>

Mind

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Why Aussies need to take the diabetes epidemic more seriously

<p>Diabetes has become one of today’s major health epidemics and is arguably the chief crisis facing Australia’s medical system in the immediate future. Diabetes Australia says 1.7 million Australians currently have some form of diabetes, with 280 Australians developing the condition every day. But we’re still some way from the public recognising the scope of the threat this condition presents, particularly when it comes to type 2 diabetes.</p> <p>Type 2 diabetes is a condition where the body fails to produce enough insulin in the pancreas, or becomes resistant to the normal effects of insulin. While some have a genetic predisposition towards the condition, lifestyle factors like high blood pressure, insufficient physical activity, obesity and a poor diet all play a part.</p> <p>Though it might not get as much press as other conditions, if left untreated the risks of type 2 diabetes can lead to serious long-term complications.</p> <p>Professor Mark Febbraio, Head of the Cellular and Molecular Metabolism Laboratory and Head of the Diabetes and Metabolism Division at the <a href="https://www.garvan.org.au/foundation/diseases-we-research/type-2-diabetes/%20" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Garvan Institute for Medical Research</span></strong></a>, says, “The concept of type 2 diabetes, because it’s a chronic disease, isn’t really that scary to people. But the consequences of diabetes are very dire.  </p> <p>“If you have type 2 diabetes that isn’t managed effectively, then you’ll have much higher levels of glucose, or sugar, in your blood than you should. Too much glucose can cause terrible complications, especially over a long period of time. It can lead to problems like blindness, kidney failure and severe damage to blood supply which can result in amputations of limbs.”</p> <p>Diabetes Australia says that people with diabetes are four times more likely to suffer heart attacks and strokes, three times more likely to suffer kidney failure and 15 times more likely to have to undergo amputation. Diabetes is also the leading cause of preventable blindness in Australia, and more than 30 per cent of those diagnosed with the condition experience anxiety, depression and distress.</p> <p>Perhaps the most tragic thing about the prevalence of type 2 diabetes in Australia is the fact that plenty of measures can be taken to decrease the likelihood of it occurring.</p> <p>As Garvan’s Professor Febbraio states, “The thing is, people know what they need to do, they just don’t do it. And that’s why we have an obesity, type 2 diabetes epidemic.</p> <p>“If somebody is on the path to type 2 diabetes, the best thing they can do is exercise. While not being effective at reducing body weight in all individuals, it certainly has an effect in some individuals. And it has the added benefit of leading to insulin sensitivity. So, for people who have insulin resistance, exercise is certainly contributing to the healing process.</p> <p>“So, if you’re in pre-diabetes, even a half hour walk everyday would probably be of benefit.”</p> <p>While the threat of type 2 diabetes is very real, it’s by no means a death sentence and can be managed if you’re willing to make the appropriate lifestyle changes. </p> <p>Professor Febbraio says exercise and healthy eating choices are the best course of action. “If you exercise and you don’t lose weight, it doesn’t mean that it’s a failure,” he explains.</p> <p>“And the thing is, diabetes is linked to many diseases including liver cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer and Alzheimer’s. These diseases are what we call metabolic diseases now, because if people exercise these diseases can be prevented.</p> <p>“People also need to eat well, which means eating a lot of vegetables and less processed carbohydrates, so cutting down on bread and pasta, because they really play havoc with glucose control. And obviously being active is a big part of it.”</p> <p>Type 2 diabetes is one of the most significant challenges facing the Australian medical system today. <a href="https://www.garvan.org.au/foundation/diseases-we-research/type-2-diabetes/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The Garvan Institute</span></strong></a> is leading the way in research into this debilitating condition, to point the way towards earlier, more-effective preventative measures, personalised treatments and ultimately a better understanding of the disease. </p> <p>For more information or to support Garvan’s research into Diabetes, please visit <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://garvan.org.au/" target="_blank">garvan.org.au</a></strong></span>.</p> <p>THIS IS SPONSORED CONTENT BROUGHT TO YOU IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE <a href="https://www.garvan.org.au/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">GARVAN INSTITUTE</span></strong></a>. </p>

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Why palliative care is so important

<p><em><strong>Dr Cathy Stephenson is a GP and forensic medical examiner.</strong></em></p> <p>I walked past two friends of my daughters, fundraising for the Mary Potter Hospice in Wellington.</p> <p>As well as feeling proud that these young women were choosing to fill their free time with such worthy pursuits, the sight of the "hospice" logo brought back some very vivid memories for me.</p> <p>Some years ago now, my gentle loving mother-in-law was told she had motor neurone disease. This has to be one of the cruellest diseases in the world.</p> <p>Gradual loss of all motor ability, including movement, speech and eventually swallowing and breathing, yet retention of mental and cognitive faculties – I suspect it is a deeply frightening journey to be going through, and I fervently hope scientists around the world are making progress towards an eventual cure.</p> <p>Until then, I had no idea that patients with illnesses like this could even access the hospice service, let alone be offered such a wide range of support – I had always assumed that the hospice only catered for people with cancer, at the very end of their life.</p> <p>Over the years that followed, as my mother-in-law's health declined, the local hospice played a hugely important role in her care. They offered a regular place of respite – very aptly named, as it does indeed provide relief for not only the patient but their caregivers too.</p> <p>During these respite stays, the skilled hospice team could reassess her needs, adjust medications, and offer the kind of holistic care that is difficult for families to provide at home. Arts and craft sessions, massages for tired limbs and achy muscles, and sympathetic counselling when required are just some of the benefits we saw during her visits there.</p> <p>The fact that families, and especially grandchildren, were welcome there made it a place surprisingly full of life and vitality, and often laughter amidst the grief.</p> <p>Once at home, the team remained involved – providing whatever was needed in the family setting, and enabling her to choose where she wanted to spend the final weeks and days of her life. Their support, kindness, energy and compassion meant that she could be home, surrounded by family, at the very end – as she had wished.</p> <p>Around New Zealand, there are dozens of hospices of varying sizes. Anyone with a life-limiting illness (including conditions such as heart failure, multiple sclerosis and chronic lung disease, as well as cancer) can access their local service, with a referral from a GP, hospital specialist or a district nurse.</p> <p>The hospice team has a unique approach, known as "palliative care" – the focus is on the whole person, in a spiritual, emotional and social sense, as well as dealing with the physical issues. Their aim is to help people make the most of their lives – to live every moment in whatever way is important to them. Contrary to popular belief, although most hospices have some inpatient facilities, the majority of care provided by a hospice team actually happens at home.</p> <p>As loved ones, whanau and caregivers are such an integral part of the journey, the hospice care extends to them as well – both before and after death. I remember feeling quite overwhelmed by the genuine empathy and kindness that was extended to us all during this time.</p> <p>As with all health services in this era of increasing demand, funding is an issue for hospices – the majority of their money comes from government, but the shortfall (many millions per annum I believe) comes from fundraising.</p> <p>From our experience, I know that the difficult journey we had to make would have been so much harder without the care and support of our local hospice team, and I am forever grateful to them for their kindness and dedication.</p> <p><em>Written by Dr Cathy Stephenson. First appeared on <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Stuff.co.nz</span>.</strong></a></em></p>

Caring

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Depression or dementia? Why these two conditions often get misdiagnosed

<p><em><strong>Marissa Sandler is the CEO and co-founder of <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.careseekers.com.au/" target="_blank">Careseekers</a></span>. Previously a social justice lawyer and researcher for over 15 years, Marissa is passionate about helping people live with dignity and finding innovative solutions to problems.</strong></em></p> <p>When an elderly parent begins to be withdrawn, forgetful, moody and lacking initiative, families often jump to the conclusion that their loved one has the first signs of dementia.</p> <p>A quick simple search on “Dr Google” and anyone will think they have diagnosed dementia. Its symptoms are wide, varying and include:</p> <ul> <li>Memory loss that affects day-to-day function</li> <li>Weight loss</li> <li>Problems misplacing things</li> <li>Changes in personality or behaviour</li> <li>A loss of initiative</li> </ul> <p>Although dementia is a common condition amongst an ageing population it is important to take stock of what else is going on for the elderly person before diagnosing dementia. Mental health issues like depression may present many of same symptoms as dementia. So it is important to consider the following:</p> <ul> <li>Has the person recently lost their spouse? Or close friends? Relatives or acquaintances?</li> <li>Is the person having enough contact with other people in a week? Loneliness can be a common cause of depression.</li> <li>Has the person recently retired from work or had to cut down on other activities due to illness?</li> </ul> <p>Harry tells of his experience of thinking his mother was suffering from dementia when it turned out to be a mild form of depression.</p> <p>“When mum started to forget things and start snapping at us more than often we all immediately thought oh no, it’s the start of dementia. She started not wanting to go out, see her friends and was very absent minded. Once I called and she didn’t even know what day it was.</p> <p>We took her to the GP and he started asking us about her week, what her life used to be like and what it was now. The minute he started talking about this the penny dropped. Mum had been attending bridge four times a week but since losing her license she could only get a lift once a week. This meant she was at home alone all day every day which was obviously getting her down; without a set routine, she started to stop having to keep track of her diary and appointments and this is what was making her absent minded, not dementia!</p> <p>We arranged for someone to take her to her bridge games and suddenly her mood lifted, she was looking in her diary, knew what day it was and wasn’t at all forgetful, she even started calling us up and arranging to meet us for lunch. She was like a different lady.”</p> <p>Harry’s tips for other children who are worried that their parents have dementia are as follows:</p> <ul> <li><strong>Look at what has changed in your parent’s life recently.</strong> Has there been a big trauma, like losing a spouse or close friend or negative change to their routine e.g. not being able to get out and about as much</li> <li><strong>Think about your parent’s emotional history.</strong> Are they usually a very positive person or are they actually prone to down periods?</li> <li><strong>Make sure you pop into your parents more often as they get older.</strong> As their bodies get more fragile they may not be out and about as much and seeing as many people. Even a daily phone call can make all the difference.</li> <li><strong>Run it past a GP.</strong> It may be dementia and it may be depression or it may be a combination but it is best to let a GP know there has been a change in your parent’s mental state, whatever the cause.</li> </ul> <p>Have you experienced anything like this in your family? Share your tips in the comments below. </p>

Caring

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The key to cutting your risk of dementia

<p><em><strong>Dr Kate Gregorevic is a geriatrician with a research interest in health and lifestyle factors that are associated with healthy ageing and recovery from illness.</strong></em></p> <p>The more we learn about the dementia, the more we learn how much of it is preventable. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="https://www-ncbi-nlm-nih-gov.ezp.lib.unimelb.edu.au/pubmed/21775213" target="_blank">Worldwide, increasing physical activity could prevent up to a million new cases of dementia each year.</a></strong></span> Our brains are also like muscles as they need exercise and challenge to maintain peak performance. <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://bmcgeriatr.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12877-016-0315-1" target="_blank">A recent review published in BMC Geriatrics found that a combination of physical and cognitive exercise is even better</a></span></strong> for avoiding dementia, but what does this mean and how can you incorporate this into everyday life?</p> <p>Many of our daily activities use our bodies and brains simultaneously. When we cook dinner we are conceptualising the meal we want to create. We plan the ingredients needed then take them from our pantry and fridge. We prepare them using our hands. We move around the kitchen, aware of the space around us, as we put things on to cook and remove them when they are done. Planning and preparing a meal is a surprisingly complex activity. This is called dual tasking.</p> <p>Cognitive exercises have also been shown to improve memory, spatial awareness and executive function. Executive function refers to the complex planning and reasoning that is performed by the frontal parts of the brain in humans. It includes the ability to perform abstract thought, to reconsider a situation and change your mind and to think before acting. This part of the brain contributes to the ability to focus attention. People who have dysfunction in the frontal lobes of the brain can also become more apathetic and experience labile mood with frequent mood swings.</p> <p>In a study that looked at a combined intervention using exercise and cognitive training, even watching an educational DVD and answering questions afterwards was as effective as computer training. The participants also attended exercise classes at the local YMCA, which included 30 minutes of aerobic activity, 10 minutes of strength along with some stretching. All groups in this 12-week trial had improvement in cognitive testing.</p> <p>Many of the family members of dementia sufferers are terrified of suffering the same fate as their loved ones and developing dementia. Sadly, there is still no cure for dementia, but the rates of dementia are going down. An 85-year-old today is less likely to have dementia than 20 years ago. This demonstrates the great strides we are making in preventing dementia by controlling cardiovascular risk factors, such as blood pressure and decreased rates of smoking. By including an enjoyable physical activity as a routine part of life, whether it is a brisk walk or an exercise class with friends, you can significantly decrease your chance of dementia. It doesn’t seem to matter which cognitive activity you choose, as long as it is a challenge. It’s probably not enough to watch an interesting documentary on television, but there is increasing evidence for computer based brain training. Even better, try a physically and mentally challenging activity like yoga or tai chi.</p> <p>Our research found that a successful training program includes cardiovascular or strength training sessions combined with attention, or executive function/working memory practice. It seems that both cardiovascular and strength exercises are needed for the training to exert a positive influence on cognitive performance.</p> <p>However, there is no one best cognitive and physical activity to prevent dementia. The key is consistency, so that you can stay motivated. It is not enough to make a temporary lifestyle change, dementia is a chronic disease, and prevention takes long-term change. The best motivation to exercise is by doing something that is enjoyable today!</p> <p><em>To find out more information about ageing well, visit <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://elderhealthaustralia.com/" target="_blank">Elder Health Australia here.</a></strong></span></em></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/health/caring/2016/09/kate-gregorevic-older-people-living-longer-and-stronger/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The extremely pleasant upsides to getting older</span></em></strong></a></p> <p><a href="/health/body/2016/05/four-pillars-of-happy-and-healthy-ageing/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The 4 pillars of happy and healthy ageing</span></em></strong></a></p> <p><a href="/health/mind/2016/09/trick-to-keep-your-brain-young-as-you-age/"><em><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Trick to keep your brain young as you age</span></strong></em></a></p>

Mind

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The truth behind 5 common nutrition myths

<p>Is agave really better than white sugar? Will cleansing help my body detoxify? We all hunger for nutrition advice, but not all the advice you hear is worth believing. Here are the truths behind five common nutrition myths, as told by registered dietitian Cara Rosenbloom.</p> <p><strong>1. Processed meat causes cancer</strong></p> <p>Remember last year's scary headline? World Health Organisation says processed meat causes cancer. Turns out, the science was not as dire as the headline made it sound.</p> <p>The WHO report said that eating 50 grams of processed meat every day (about one hot dog) increased the relative risk of colorectal cancer by 18 per cent. That's not the same as "causing cancer". </p> <p>To put it into perspective: The average person has a five per cent risk of developing colon cancer; those who eat a lot of a processed meat increase their risk to six per cent.</p> <p>Meats that are not processed - such as steak, veal and fresh pork (like pork chops or loin, not bacon or ham) are less strongly linked to colorectal cancer than processed meats.</p> <p>So what does this mean for your dinner plate? The American Institute for Cancer Research suggests avoiding processed meat and limiting red meat to no more than 18 ounces per week (about 500g). Steaks and pork chops are better choices than sausages, deli meats or bacon.</p> <p><strong>2. Natural sweeteners are better than regular sugar</strong></p> <p>Let's face it: If you bake cookies using a cup of sugar, it really doesn't matter what type you use if you eat all of the cookies, right? Whether it's date sugar, agave or evaporated cane juice, when it comes to sugars, the quantity you consume matters more than the type.</p> <p>Guidelines recommend no more than six (for women) to nine (for men) teaspoons of any type of added sugar daily. Higher consumption is linked to an increased risk of heart disease, obesity and diabetes.</p> <p>Maybe you prefer coconut sugar because it's less refined or may cause less of an insulin spike than white sugar. That's fine, but you still need to watch portion size.</p> <p>Despite the different colours, textures and flavours, all sugars contain a similar number of calories (10-20 per teaspoon) but scant amounts of vitamins, minerals and fibre. Enjoy a spoonful in your coffee or in that bite of dessert, but don't believe any sugar is a health food.</p> <p><strong>3. Sea salt is healthier than table salt</strong></p> <p>Much like natural sugars, the health halo over sea salt is also undeserved. Although it's often marketed for its content of trace minerals, like copper and manganese, they're in such tiny quantities that they contribute very little to the body. Plus, we already get enough of these nutrients from the foods we eat daily.</p> <p>The truth is that sea salt and table salt contain the same amount of sodium by weight, and that's the nutrient of most concern. Consumed in excess (more than 2300 mg/day), sodium may put you at higher risk of stroke, kidney disease and high blood pressure.</p> <p>From a culinary point of view, however, the type of salt matters. Different varieties will change the flavour profile and texture of a dish. For example, flaky Maldon adds a terrific crunch, while Hawaiian sea salt imparts an earthy flavour. So choose a pinch of a particular salt for its culinary characteristics, not because you're sprinkling health onto your meals.</p> <p><strong>4. Quinoa is super-high in protein</strong></p> <p>Quinoa is often listed alongside poultry and meat as a stellar source of protein, so it's time to set the record straight. Quinoa has eight grams of protein per cup, but a three-ounce serving of meat or poultry has around 25 grams of protein - hardly comparable.</p> <p>The confusion lies in the terminology. Quick science lesson: Protein is made up of smaller units called amino acids. A "complete" protein contains all nine essential amino acids - and quinoa is one of relatively few plant-based foods in this category. But being a complete protein isn't the same as being high in protein.</p> <p>Quinoa is delicious and does add some protein to your meals, but with 40 grams of carbohydrates per cup, its culinary use is as a grain, not a protein. When compared with other grains, quinoa has a moderate amount of protein - not as much as wheat, but more than brown rice or oats.</p> <p><strong>5. Cleansing helps removes toxins from the body</strong></p> <p>Cleansing involves using laxatives, juices or herbal remedies to remove "toxins" from the body to accelerate weight loss or boost energy. But there is little scientific research on the effectiveness of cleansing, simply because most "detox diets" don't identify the specific toxins they aim to remove.</p> <p>Some people report feeling "energetic" after cleansing, but that may be because most detox diets involve eliminating processed foods. The downside to detoxing? Expensive supplements, possible nutritional deficiencies and false hope from unsubstantiated claims.</p> <p>You can skip the extravagant juice concoctions and costly supplements, since your body self-cleanses daily. We all have built-in detox systems: the skin, intestines, liver and kidneys effectively remove waste from your body through sweat, urine and faeces.</p> <p>So, a good workout (to sweat), some water (to pee) and a high fibre diet (to poo) will cleanse you naturally. And of course, you'll have less to "cleanse" if you don't drink too much alcohol, smoke or rely on a diet filled with processed foods.</p> <p>Are there any nutrition “myths” you would like to know more about? Let us know in the comments below.</p> <p><em>Written by Cara Rosenbloom. First appeared at <a href="http://Stuff.co.nz" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Stuff.co.nz.</span></strong></a></em></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/health/body/2016/09/foods-that-relieve-pain-naturally/"><em><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">5 foods that relieve pain naturally</span></strong></em></a></p> <p><a href="/health/body/2016/08/why-you-should-always-eat-skin-on-fruit-and-veggies/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Why you should always eat skin on fruit and veggies</span></em></strong></a></p> <p><a href="/health/body/2016/09/simple-ways-to-boost-your-immune-system/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">7 simple ways to boost your immune system</span></em></strong></a></p>

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Common misconceptions about hearing aids

<p>Hearing aid technology has come a long way since its first incarnations but many people still believe they are expensive, ugly and uncomfortable. That’s just not true. Here are four more misconceptions about hearing aids and why they’re wrong.</p> <p><strong>“Hearing aids don’t work well”</strong></p> <p>Modern hearing aids have come along way. They are now quite sophisticated electronic instruments that are better able to help those with hearing loss than you’d think. Advancements in technology have meant hearing aids now facilitate clearer speech, less background noise, and a more natural hearing experience. However, hearing aids don’t restore normal hearing and it takes time to get used to them before the full benefits become apparent. Once you get used to them, hearing aids almost always result in better hearing.</p> <p><strong>“Hearing aids are so big, bulky and ugly”</strong></p> <p>Today’s hearing aids are small, well-designed and discrete. In fact, most hearing aids are hardly noticeable anymore.</p> <p><strong>“Hearing aids are too uncomfortable to wear”</strong></p> <p>While it’s true that it is more comfortable to not have anything in your ears, modern hearing aids are no longer big or bulky and are better designed with comfort in mind. Hearing and sound will also be different with hearing aids, which may be uncomfortable and frustrating at first. It is simply a matter of getting used to both the sounds and the sensation of having something in your ears but as diligent hearing aid users will tell you, you become used to it.</p> <p><strong>“It doesn’t matter where you get hearing aids from as long as they’re cheap”</strong></p> <p>While buying hearing aids off the web is cheaper, not all hearing aids are created equally. When it comes to your hearing, it’s advisable to get professional care. Audiologists are the best people to help you get the most out of your hearing aids with qualified hearing evaluations, professional recommendations as to the most appropriate type of hearing aid, expert instruction regarding proper hearing aid usage and follow up care.</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/health/hearing/2015/02/finding-the-right-hearing-aids/" target="_blank">Finding the right hearing aids for your needs</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/health/hearing/2015/02/apps-for-hearing-impaired/" target="_blank">Great apps for the hearing impaired</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/health/hearing/2015/03/hearing-loss-bad-for-relationships/" target="_blank">Hearing loss could be harming your relationship</a></strong></em></span></p>

Hearing

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Heath Ledger’s father speaks out about his son’s tragic death

<p>In 2008, Heath Ledger died from a lethal overdose as a result of mixing prescription medications.</p> <p>His sister, Kate, warned him of the dangers and risks he was taking the night before his death. His father, Kim, recalls her words to him.</p> <p>“You can’t mix drugs that you don’t know anything about’” she said to the 28-year-old.</p> <p>“He said ‘Katie, Katie, I’ll be fine’. Well, that’s a cavalier boy’s answer. It just put his whole system to sleep I guess,” Mr Ledger said.</p> <p>The official toxicology report found that the actor’s death was a result of “acute intoxication by the combined effects of oxycodone, hydrocodone, diazepam, temazepam, alprazolam and doxylamine”, and his death was “accident, resulting from the abuse of prescribed medications.” There is nothing to suggest that the Perth born Oscar winner intended to take his own life.</p> <p>According to the United Nations 2014 World Drug report, Australia ranks first in the world for recreational drug use and second for opioid painkillers such as codeine and morphine. Now, in the eight years since his death, Kim Ledger want to raise awareness about the misuse of prescription medications.</p> <p>It was a one-off thing,” he said. “That’s what killed us…Heath mixed a couple of drugs together with sleeping tablets and he’s gone forever. That’s something we (himself, wife Sally and sister Kate) just have to deal with.”</p> <p>Addiction medicine specialist Dr Christian Rowan warns that 450 Australian die each year as a result of misusing prescription opioids. The Ledger family, knowing the pain all too well, wants the stigma of prescription drug addictions to be reduced.</p> <p>“Losing a child is something that never leaves you. You can live with the pain, but it never leaves you.</p> <p>“By speaking about Heath and what happened to him, we can send a message to Australians and hopefully we can save someone’s life.”</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="/health/mind/2016/04/couple-battles-alzheimers-with-loving-video/"><em>This couple won’t let Alzheimer’s erase 70 years of love</em></a></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="/health/mind/2016/04/photo-series-shows-dementia-battle/"><em>Beautiful photo series captures the pain of dementia</em></a></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="/health/mind/2016/04/alzheimers-linked-with-negative-thoughts-about-ageing/"><em>New research links Alzheimer's risk with negative thoughts about ageing</em></a></strong></span></p> <p> </p>

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Prince Harry reveals he regrets not speaking about Diana’s death

<p>Prince Harry has revealed he regrets not opening up about how the death of his mother, Princess Diana, affected him until about three years ago.</p> <p>The 31-year old shared his personal journey at an event for mental health charity “Heads Together”, a joint initiative between himself, Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge.</p> <p>Amongst the crowd were many athletes, including Footballer Rio Ferdinand and cyclist Victoria Pendelton- both who admittedly have suffered from depression at the height of their careers.</p> <p>He told the BBC the event was an opportunity to highlight that anyone can suffer from mental health issues.</p> <p>"It is OK to suffer, but as long as you talk about it. It is not a weakness. Weakness is having a problem and not recognising it and not solving that problem."</p> <p>"A lot of people think if you've got a job, if you've got financial security, if you've got a family, you've got a house, all that sort of stuff, everyone seems to think that is all you need and you are absolutely fine to deal with stuff," he said.</p> <p>Prince Harry made his comments about his mother's death as he talked to Ferdinand, saying: "You know, I really regret not ever talking about it."</p> <p>The prince spent the day playing backyard cricket with the events attendees, many of whom opened up about their respective battles with mental illness, despite their career success’.</p> <p>How do you overcome feelings of depression? Let us know in the comments below.</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="/news/news/2016/06/duchess-of-cambridge-spectacular-outfit/"><em>The Duchess of Cambridge steps out in her most spectacular outfit yet</em></a></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="/news/news/2016/06/queen-sends-her-second-tweet/"><em>Queen sends her second tweet</em></a></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="/news/news/2016/06/queens-scolds-prince-william/"><em>The Queen scolds Prince William on live television</em></a></strong></span></p>

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