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Your gas stove might be making your asthma worse. Here’s what you can do about it

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/nusrat-homaira-1199433">Nusrat Homaira</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/unsw-sydney-1414">UNSW Sydney</a> We may think of air pollution as an outdoor problem, made up of car exhaust and smog. But if the air inside our homes is polluted, this can also affect our health. In Australia, around 12% of childhood asthma can <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29642816/">be attributed</a> to gas stoves and the toxic chemicals they release into the air. And while there’s a growing push to phase out gas indoors, some 38% of Australian households <a href="https://www.mja.com.au/journal/2018/208/7/damp-housing-gas-stoves-and-burden-childhood-asthma-australia">rely on natural gas</a> for cooking. Recommended interventions – such as replacing a gas stove with electric – may not be possible for those who are renting or struggling with the cost of living. This is important because, as our <a href="https://ghrp.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s41256-024-00361-2">research</a> shows, childhood asthma is more common in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas. If you’re living with gas, here’s how it can affect you or your child’s asthma, and what you can do to improve air quality. <h2>What is asthma?</h2> Asthma is the most common chronic condition in Australian children. The respiratory condition affects <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/chronic-respiratory-conditions/asthma">almost</a> 400,000 of those aged aged 14 and under – close to 9% of that age group. Asthma narrows the airways and obstructs airflow, making it hard to breath. Many people manage the condition with inhalers and <a href="https://asthma.org.au/manage-asthma/asthma-action-plan/">asthma action plans</a>. But it can be serious and even fatal. Australian emergency departments saw <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/chronic-respiratory-conditions/asthma">56,600 presentations</a> for asthma in 2020-21. While there is no single cause for asthma, both indoor and outdoor air pollution play a <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38247719/">significant role</a>. Being exposed to small <a href="https://aafa.org/asthma/asthma-triggers-causes/air-pollution-smog-asthma/#:%7E:text=Air%20pollution%20can%20increase%20your,if%20you%20already%20have%20asthma.&text=Small%20airborne%20particles%2C%20found%20in,%E2%80%9Cparticulate%20matter%E2%80%9D%20or%20PM.">airborne particles</a> increases your risk of getting asthma, and can aggravate symptoms if you already have it. <h2>Gas stoves release nitrogen dioxide</h2> The gas stoves commonly found in Australian homes release toxic chemicals into the air. They include carbon monoxide (CO), PM₂.₅ (small particles, often from <a href="https://www.epa.vic.gov.au/for-community/environmental-information/air-quality/pm25-particles-in-the-air">smoke</a>), benzene, formaldehyde and nitrogen dioxide (NO₂). All are harmful, but nitrogen dioxide in particular is <a href="https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA656312383&sid=googleScholar&v=2.1&it=r&linkaccess=abs&issn=00220892&p=AONE&sw=w&userGroupName=anon%7E7027bb9f&aty=open-web-entry">associated</a> with asthma developing and getting <a href="https://www.atsjournals.org/doi/10.1164/rccm.200408-1123OC">worse</a>. Gas heaters can also <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9731022/">produce</a> nitrogen dioxide. As nitrogen dioxide is a tasteless, invisible gas, it’s difficult to know how much is in your air at home unless you have an air monitor. However one US <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2662932/">study</a> showed houses with gas stoves can have nitrogen dioxide levels three times higher than houses with electric stoves. This is particularly concerning for households with children, given children tend to spend <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11477521/">most</a> of their time indoors. <h2>Banning gas</h2> There is a growing push across Australia to replace gas stoves with electric stoves, which are more energy efficient and can reduce indoor air pollution. <a href="https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/new-victorian-homes-go-all-electric-2024">Victoria</a> and the <a href="https://www.climatechoices.act.gov.au/energy/canberras-electrification-pathway/preventing-new-gas-network-connections">Australian Capital Territory</a> have announced bans on gas connections in new homes from 2024. Sydney’s Waverley council recently made a similar <a href="https://www.waverley.nsw.gov.au/environment/climate_resilience_and_reducing_emissions/go_electric">move</a>. But until a ban on using household gas appliances is implemented across the country, the problem persists for children who are currently living in old homes or rented properties with gas stoves. <h2>Do exhaust fans in the kitchen help?</h2> Using a high-efficiency <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24750219/">exhaust hood</a> placed over an existing gas cooktop can be effective. They can <a href="https://www.mja.com.au/journal/2018/208/7/damp-housing-gas-stoves-and-burden-childhood-asthma-australia">capture</a> more than 75% of air pollutants and direct them outside. Cooking on the back burner – rather than the front burner – can also <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24750219/">improve their efficiency</a>. However exhaust hoods with lower flow rates, or hoods that don’t vent the air outside, are less effective. And an exhaust hood only improves air quality if you use it. One <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10520075/">study</a> in Melbourne found more than 40% of people didn’t use an exhaust hood regularly while cooking. For many people, installing high-efficiency exhaust hoods will not be practical – especially for those renting or experiencing socio-economic disadvantage. <h2>Natural ventilation</h2> There is a free way to ventilate your home. Keeping windows open during and after cooking will increase air flow and <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32970538/">evidence shows</a> this can improve overall air quality. However this is not always possible, especially during cooler months of the year which can be especially chilly in places such as Victoria and Tasmania. Unfortunately, people are also more likely to use gas heaters during those cooler months. <h2>What about heaters?</h2> There are two kinds of gas heaters, flued and unflued. Like cooking with gas, unflued gas heaters release air pollutants including nitrogen dioxide directly into the home. Flued heaters are better for air quality because they use a chimney, or “flue”, to send emissions outside. If you can, replacing your unflued gas heater with a flued one – or even better, an electric heater – can significantly <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15075170/">alleviate</a> asthma symptoms. If you can’t replace your unflued gas heater, <a href="https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/environment/factsheets/Pages/unflued-gas-heaters.aspx">do not use it overnight</a> in the room where you or your children sleep. Asthma can’t be cured, but its symptoms can be controlled by managing triggers – and this may be easier to do indoors than out. Improving air quality, even in a rented or old property, can help people with asthma breathe more easily.<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/238787/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/nusrat-homaira-1199433">Nusrat Homaira</a>, Senior Lecturer, School of Clinical Medicine, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/unsw-sydney-1414">UNSW Sydney</a> Image credits: Shutterstock 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/your-gas-stove-might-be-making-your-asthma-worse-heres-what-you-can-do-about-it-238787">original article</a>. </div>

Body

Readers response: How do you feel about online shopping compared to traditional in-store shopping?

When it comes to shopping for things we want and need, many people have a preference over whether they shop in a physical store or online. We asked our readers which they prefer when shopping for food, clothes or anything else their hearts desire, and the response was overwhelming. Here's what they said. Ellen Polsen - Why would one buy online? I like to feel and see the things I purchase, particularly garments, as fabrics today are mostly rubbish. Jennie Craven - I do a little of each. But usually use stores that I know or brands where the sizing is correct for me. I always use a payment system that I understand. Gail Ladds - I love online shopping! I often forget that I’ve bought something then get a nice surprise when it arrives lol. Debra Coats - Online is okay when you cant go to the store. I did online shopping for about 8 months after open heart surgery but when i was given the all clear to shop and drive, I was in my element as its a moment of getting out of the house and seeing others around me. Karen Peardon - I have done some online shopping (mainly craft supplies) only because I have been very ill for months but I love in-store shopping more. Retail therapy!! Christine Whyte - Have not and will not ever do it, very old school and too wary of the dangers out there, besides I like getting out and choosing for myself. Helga Bonello - I like to see feel and touch products before I buy. Online scammers are a worry, besides we need a reason to go out and be sociable. Olimpia Palumbo - My family does on line shopping and usually end up with the worst fruit and sometimes the wrong items. Image credits: Shutterstock

Money & Banking

What causes food cravings? And what can we do about them?

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/gabrielle-weidemann-91497">Gabrielle Weidemann</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/western-sydney-university-1092">Western Sydney University</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/justin-mahlberg-1634725">Justin Mahlberg</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/monash-university-1065">Monash University</a> Many of us try to eat more fruits and vegetables and less ultra-processed food. But why is sticking to your goals so hard? High-fat, sugar-rich and salty foods are simply so enjoyable to eat. And it’s not just you – we’ve evolved that way. These foods <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5928395/">activate</a> the brain’s reward system because in the past they were <a href="https://doi.org/10.1037/a0030684">rare</a>. Now, they’re all around us. In wealthy modern societies we are bombarded by <a href="https://theconversation.com/junk-food-is-promoted-online-to-appeal-to-kids-and-target-young-men-our-study-shows-234285">advertising</a> which intentionally reminds us about the sight, smell and taste of calorie-dense foods. And in response to these powerful cues, our brains respond just as they’re designed to, triggering <a href="https://doi.org/10.1111/obr.12354">an intense urge</a> to eat them. Here’s how food cravings work and what you can do if you find yourself hunting for sweet or salty foods. <h2>What causes cravings?</h2> A food craving is an intense desire or urge to eat something, <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15589112/">often focused on a particular food</a>. We are programmed to learn how good a food tastes and smells and where we can find it again, especially if it’s high in fat, sugar or salt. Something that <a href="https://doi.org/10.1111/obr.12354">reminds us</a> of enjoying a certain food, such as an eye-catching ad or delicious smell, can cause us to <a href="https://doi.org/10.1111/obr.12354">crave it</a>. The cue triggers a physical response, increasing saliva production and gastric activity. These responses are relatively automatic and difficult to control. <h2>What else influences our choices?</h2> While the effect of cues on our physical response is relatively automatic, what we do next is influenced by <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/1090198107303308">complex</a> factors. Whether or not you eat the food might depend on things like cost, whether it’s easily available, and if eating it would align with your health goals. But it’s usually hard to keep healthy eating in mind. This is because we tend to prioritise a more immediate reward, like the <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physbeh.2010.04.029">pleasure of eating</a>, over one that’s delayed or abstract – including health goals that will make us feel good in the long term. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/S0022-3999(00)00076-3">Stress</a> can also make us eat more. When hungry, we <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8656885/">choose larger portions</a>, underestimate calories and find eating more <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0195666315000793">rewarding</a>. <h2>Looking for something salty or sweet</h2> So what if a cue prompts us to look for a certain food, but it’s not available? <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2014.04.005">Previous research</a> suggested you would then look for anything that makes you feel good. So if you saw someone eating a doughnut but there were none around, you might eat chips or even drink alcohol. But our <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2024.107640">new research</a> has confirmed something you probably knew: it’s more specific than that. If an ad for chips makes you look for food, it’s likely a slice of cake won’t cut it – you’ll be looking for something salty. Cues in our environment don’t just make us crave food generally, they prompt us to look for certain food “categories”, such as salty, sweet or creamy. <h2>Food cues and mindless eating</h2> Your <a href="https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/161283824.pdf">eating history</a> and <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.24179">genetics</a> can also make it harder to suppress food cravings. But don’t beat yourself up – relying on willpower alone is <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2015.01.004">hard</a> for almost everyone. Food cues are so powerful they can prompt us to <a href="https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797613484043">seek</a> out a certain food, even if we’re not overcome by a particularly <a href="https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797613484043">strong urge</a> to eat it. The effect is more intense if the food is easily available. This helps explain why we can eat an entire large bag of chips that’s in front of us, even though our pleasure decreases as we <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9384(81)90310-3">eat</a>. Sometimes we use finishing the packet as the signal to stop <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physbeh.2015.03.025">eating</a> rather than hunger or desire. <h2>Is there anything I can do to resist cravings?</h2> We largely don’t have control over cues in our environment and the cravings they trigger. But there are some ways you can try and control the situations you make food choices in. <ul> <li> Acknowledge your craving and think about a healthier way to satisfy it. For example, if you’re craving chips, could you have lightly-salted nuts instead? If you want something sweet, you could try fruit. </li> <li> Avoid shopping when you’re hungry, and make a list beforehand. Making the most of supermarket “click and collect” or delivery options can also help avoid ads and impulse buys in the aisle. </li> <li> At home, have fruit and vegetables easily available – and easy to see. Also have other nutrient dense, fibre-rich and unprocessed foods on hand such as nuts or plain yoghurt. If you can, remove high-fat, sugar-rich and salty foods from your environment. </li> <li> Make sure your goals for eating are <a href="https://www.aafp.org/pubs/fpm/issues/2018/0300/p31.html">SMART</a>. This means they are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound. </li> <li> Be kind to yourself. Don’t beat yourself up if you eat something that doesn’t meet your health goals. Just keep on trying.<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/237035/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> </li> </ul> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/gabrielle-weidemann-91497">Gabrielle Weidemann</a>, Associate Professor in Psychological Science, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/western-sydney-university-1092">Western Sydney University</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/justin-mahlberg-1634725">Justin Mahlberg</a>, Research Fellow, Pyschology, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/monash-university-1065">Monash University</a> Image credits: Shutterstock 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/what-causes-food-cravings-and-what-can-we-do-about-them-237035">original article</a>. </div>

Food & Wine

What’s the difference between a heart attack and cardiac arrest? One’s about plumbing, the other wiring

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/michael-todorovic-1210507">Michael Todorovic</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/bond-university-863">Bond University</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/matthew-barton-1184088">Matthew Barton</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/griffith-university-828">Griffith University</a> In July 2023, rising US basketball star Bronny James collapsed on the court during practice and was sent to hospital. The 18-year-old athlete, son of famous LA Lakers’ veteran LeBron James, had experienced a <a href="https://apnews.com/article/bronny-james-cardiac-arrest-3953eee8789e83f3cccfb6dd798bc54e">cardiac arrest</a>. Many media outlets incorrectly referred to the event as a “<a href="https://en.as.com/nba/lebron-james-son-bronny-plays-for-the-usc-trojans-for-the-first-time-since-suffering-a-heart-attack-n/">heart attack</a>” or used the terms interchangeably. A cardiac arrest and a heart attack are distinct yet overlapping concepts associated with the heart. With some background in <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKrgEv7-rVM&t=16s">how the heart works</a>, we can see how they differ and how they’re related. <h2>Understanding the heart</h2> The heart is a muscle that contracts to work as a pump. When it contracts it pushes blood – containing oxygen and nutrients – to all the tissues of our body. For the heart muscle to work effectively as a pump, it needs to be fed its own blood supply, delivered by the coronary arteries. If these arteries are blocked, the heart muscle doesn’t get the blood it needs. This can cause the heart muscle to become injured or die, and results in the heart not pumping properly. <h2>Heart attack or cardiac arrest?</h2> Simply put, a heart attack, technically known as a myocardial infarction, describes injury to, or death of, the heart muscle. A cardiac arrest, sometimes called a sudden cardiac arrest, is when the heart stops beating, or put another way, stops working as an effective pump. In other words, both relate to the heart not working as it should, but for different reasons. As we’ll see later, one can lead to the other. <h2>Why do they happen? Who’s at risk?</h2> Heart attacks typically result from blockages in the coronary arteries. Sometimes this is called coronary artery disease, but in Australia, we tend to refer to it as ischaemic heart disease. The underlying cause in about <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507799/#:%7E:text=It%20has%20been%20reported%20that,increases%20beyond%20age%2050%20years.">75% of people</a> is a process called <a href="https://youtu.be/jwL4lkSlvSA?si=H2as7dQkhbIqWWkU">atherosclerosis</a>. This is where fatty and fibrous tissue build up in the walls of the coronary arteries, forming a plaque. The plaque can block the blood vessel or, in some instances, lead to the formation of a blood clot. Atherosclerosis is a long-term, stealthy process, with a number of risk factors that can sneak up on anyone. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, diet, diabetes, stress, and your genes have all been implicated in this plaque-building process. Other causes of heart attacks include spasms of the coronary arteries (causing them to constrict), chest trauma, or anything else that reduces blood flow to the heart muscle. Regardless of the cause, blocking or reducing the flow of blood through these pipes can result in the heart muscle not receiving enough oxygen and nutrients. So cells in the heart muscle can be injured or die. <figure class="align-center zoomable"><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/597616/original/file-20240531-17-o2j0w.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/597616/original/file-20240531-17-o2j0w.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/597616/original/file-20240531-17-o2j0w.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=338&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/597616/original/file-20240531-17-o2j0w.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=338&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/597616/original/file-20240531-17-o2j0w.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=338&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/597616/original/file-20240531-17-o2j0w.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=424&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/597616/original/file-20240531-17-o2j0w.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=424&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/597616/original/file-20240531-17-o2j0w.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=424&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" alt="Heart attack vs cardiac arrest" /></a><figcaption>Here’s a simple way to remember the difference. Author provided</figcaption></figure> But a cardiac arrest is the result of heartbeat irregularities, making it harder for the heart to pump blood effectively around the body. These heartbeat irregularities are generally due to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_soKG-Tzh0&t=903s">electrical malfunctions</a> in the heart. There are four distinct types: <ul> <li> ventricular tachycardia: a rapid and abnormal heart rhythm in which the heartbeat is more than <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10541285/">100 beats per minute</a> (normal adult, resting heart rate is generally 60-90 beats per minute). This fast heart rate prevents the heart from filling with blood and thus pumping adequately </li> <li> ventricular fibrillation: instead of regular beats, the heart quivers or “fibrillates”, resembling a bag of worms, resulting in an irregular heartbeat greater than 300 beats per minute </li> <li> pulseless electrical activity: arises when the heart muscle fails to generate sufficient pumping force after electrical stimulation, resulting in no pulse </li> <li> asystole: the classic flat-line heart rhythm you see in movies, indicating no electrical activity in the heart. </li> </ul> Cardiac arrest can arise from numerous underlying conditions, both heart-related and not, such as drowning, trauma, asphyxia, electrical shock and drug overdose. James’ cardiac arrest was attributed to a <a href="https://www.espn.com.au/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/38260006/bronny-james-cardiac-arrest-caused-congenital-heart-defect">congenital heart defect</a>, a heart condition he was born with. But among the many causes of a cardiac arrest, ischaemic heart disease, such as a heart attack, stands out as the most common cause, accounting <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11898927/">for 70%</a> of all cases. So how can a heart attack cause a cardiac arrest? You’ll remember that during a heart attack, heart muscle can be damaged or parts of it may die. This damaged or dead tissue can disrupt the heart’s ability to conduct electrical signals, increasing the risk of developing arrhythmias, possibly causing a cardiac arrest. So while a heart attack is a common cause of cardiac arrest, a cardiac arrest generally does not cause a heart attack. <h2>What do they look like?</h2> Because a cardiac arrest results in the sudden loss of effective heart pumping, the most common signs and symptoms are a sudden loss of consciousness, absence of pulse or heartbeat, stopping of breathing, and pale or blue-tinged skin. But the common signs and symptoms of a heart attack include chest pain or discomfort, which can show up in other regions of the body such as the arms, back, neck, jaw, or stomach. Also frequent are shortness of breath, nausea, light-headedness, looking pale, and sweating. <h2>What’s the take-home message?</h2> While both heart attack and cardiac arrest are disorders related to the heart, they differ in their mechanisms and outcomes. A heart attack is like a blockage in the plumbing supplying water to a house. But a cardiac arrest is like an electrical malfunction in the house’s wiring. Despite their different nature both conditions can have severe consequences and require immediate medical attention.<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/229633/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/michael-todorovic-1210507">Michael Todorovic</a>, Associate Professor of Medicine, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/bond-university-863">Bond University</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/matthew-barton-1184088">Matthew Barton</a>, Senior lecturer, School of Nursing and Midwifery, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/griffith-university-828">Griffith University</a> Image credits: Shutterstock 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/whats-the-difference-between-a-heart-attack-and-cardiac-arrest-ones-about-plumbing-the-other-wiring-229633">original article</a>. </div>

Body

Amanda Keller breaks down over simple question about her husband

Amanda Keller couldn't hold back her tears during a recent episode of ABC's heartwarming new series, The Assembly, where high-profile figures are interviewed by a classroom of journalists-in-training, who are all autistic and can ask whatever they want. One student, Savannah, asked her the simple question: “Do you love your husband?” The Jonesy and Amanda radio host teared up as she told the student her question was "beautiful", before opening up about her husband, Harley Oliver. “I think I’m going to cry, because my husband is going through some stuff at the moment,” Keller told her. “My husband has Parkinson’s disease, and we've been married 34 years, and life is changing around us. “He’s so good with it, in a way that I’m not, actually. We’re learning to find ourselves in the midst of changing circumstances, and part of me thinks – it’s easy for me to say, he’s the one going through it – but part of me thinks it’s a real privilege to be with someone long enough that you go through these changes with them.” She wrapped up her answer saying: “So yes, I love him very much, even though we’ve got some stuff going on.” Another student, Evie, then asked her what prompted the pair to go public with Oliver's diagnosis and she admitted that she'd had to think "long and hard” about sharing the news for a few reasons. “One is that I work on breakfast radio, and a big part of that is sharing your life – and even though it wasn’t my story to tell, it affected me too, and our lives,” she told the class. “ … Another reason I wanted to was that I wanted to open the window into why people look at us strangely when we’re out," she continued. “I wanted to free us up by saying, ‘Here's what’s going on.’ I think that’s why I did it.” However she admitted that opening up about their personal struggle has been "hard" at times but she is "glad" she did it. Keller first revealed the heartbreaking news about her husband's Parkinson's diagnosis in an episode of her Double A Chattery podcast last October. As the interview session wrapped up, she told the students that it had been a high point of her career. “What a life highlight this has been,” she told the class. “Thank you, I’ve loved it.” Images: ABC/Instagram

Relationships

Billy Connolly shares candid admission about Parkinson's battle

Billy Connolly has shared his candid thoughts around death as he discussed his ongoing battle with Parkinson's. The comedian and actor, 81, recalled how he was told to "confront his illness" after being diagnosed with Parkinson's and prostate cancer on the same day. "You just confront it and make decisions based on it," he told <a href="https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/sir-billy-connolly-reveals-first-33564191" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Mirror</a>. <div> <div id="adspot-mobile-mobile-3-above"></div> </div> "You just have to think 'Don't think you are being badly treated [in life] or you have the bad pick of the straws. You are one of millions'." "Then you then realise death is not the big thing everyone has made it out to be. It is nothing. It is just a sudden nothing." Despite the dual diagnosis, Connolly reflected on the "funny week", as he said, "On the Monday, I had hearing aids. On the Tuesday I got pills for heart burn, which I have to take all the time, and on the Wednesday I got news that I had prostate cancer and Parkinson's." The star then joked that he probably got the disease following his several appearances on Michael Parkinson's chat show, saying, "I just thought 'I have got Parkinson's. I wish he (Michael) had kept it to himself!' It was easy (making fun of it)." Earlier this year, Billy issued a health update in which he said being sick feels "strange", telling GB News in February, "Being unwell is strange. Everybody else is OK and you've got this thing that's wrong... you're out of step." Two years ago, ahead of receiving an award, he told <a title="bafta.org" href="https://www.bafta.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bafta.org</a> he's determined to not let the condition "dictate" who he is and is determined to not let it get him down. "It's really important to work, to draw, to write, to walk silly for your grandchildren," he said at the time. "Doing the same thing you've always done is good for you. I don't let the Parkinson's dictate who I am – I just get on with it. I've had a very successful career and I have no regrets at all." Image credits: Joanne Davidson/Shutterstock Editorial

Caring

How long does back pain last? And how can learning about pain increase the chance of recovery?

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/sarah-wallwork-1361569">Sarah Wallwork</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-south-australia-1180">University of South Australia</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/lorimer-moseley-1552">Lorimer Moseley</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-south-australia-1180">University of South Australia</a> Back pain is common. One in thirteen people have it right now and worldwide a staggering 619 million people will <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7186678/">have it this year</a>. Chronic pain, of which back pain is the most common, is the world’s <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7186678/">most disabling</a> health problem. Its economic impact <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92510/">dwarfs other health conditions</a>. If you get back pain, how long will it take to go away? We scoured the scientific literature to <a href="https://www.cmaj.ca/content/cmaj/196/2/E29.full.pdf">find out</a>. We found data on almost 20,000 people, from 95 different studies and split them into three groups: <ul> <li>acute – those with back pain that started less than six weeks ago</li> <li>subacute – where it started between six and 12 weeks ago</li> <li>chronic – where it started between three months and one year ago.</li> </ul> We found 70%–95% of people with acute back pain were likely to recover within six months. This dropped to 40%–70% for subacute back pain and to 12%–16% for chronic back pain. Clinical guidelines point to graded return to activity and pain education under the guidance of a health professional as the best ways to promote recovery. Yet these effective interventions are underfunded and hard to access. <h2>More pain doesn’t mean a more serious injury</h2> Most acute back pain episodes are <a href="https://www.racgp.org.au/getattachment/75af0cfd-6182-4328-ad23-04ad8618920f/attachment.aspx">not caused</a> by serious injury or disease. There are rare exceptions, which is why it’s wise to see your doctor or physio, who can check for signs and symptoms that warrant further investigation. But unless you have been in a significant accident or sustained a large blow, you are unlikely to have caused much damage to your spine. Even very minor back injuries can be brutally painful. This is, in part, because of how we are made. If you think of your spinal cord as a very precious asset (which it is), worthy of great protection (which it is), a bit like the crown jewels, then what would be the best way to keep it safe? Lots of protection and a highly sensitive alarm system. The spinal cord is protected by strong bones, thick ligaments, powerful muscles and a highly effective alarm system (your nervous system). This alarm system can trigger pain that is so unpleasant that you cannot possibly think of, let alone do, anything other than seek care or avoid movement. The messy truth is that when pain persists, the pain system becomes more sensitive, so a widening array of things contribute to pain. This pain system hypersensitivity is a result of neuroplasticity – your nervous system is becoming better at making pain. <h2>Reduce your chance of lasting pain</h2> Whether or not your pain resolves is not determined by the extent of injury to your back. We don’t know all the factors involved, but we do know there are things that you can do to reduce chronic back pain: <ul> <li> understand how pain really works. This will involve intentionally learning about modern pain science and care. It will be difficult but rewarding. It will help you work out what you can do to change your pain </li> <li> reduce your pain system sensitivity. With guidance, patience and persistence, you can learn how to gradually retrain your pain system back towards normal. </li> </ul> <h2>How to reduce your pain sensitivity and learn about pain</h2> Learning about “how pain works” provides the most sustainable <a href="https://www.bmj.com/content/376/bmj-2021-067718">improvements in chronic back pain</a>. Programs that combine pain education with graded brain and body exercises (gradual increases in movement) can reduce pain system sensitivity and help you return to the life you want. These programs have been in development for years, but high-quality clinical trials <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2794765">are now emerging</a> and it’s good news: they show most people with chronic back pain improve and many completely recover. But most clinicians aren’t equipped to deliver these effective programs – <a href="https://www.jpain.org/article/S1526-5900(23)00618-1/fulltext">good pain education</a> is not taught in most medical and health training degrees. Many patients still receive ineffective and often risky and expensive treatments, or keep seeking temporary pain relief, hoping for a cure. When health professionals don’t have adequate pain education training, they can deliver bad pain education, which leaves patients feeling like they’ve just <a href="https://www.jpain.org/article/S1526-5900(23)00618-1/fulltext">been told it’s all in their head</a>. Community-driven not-for-profit organisations such as <a href="https://www.painrevolution.org/">Pain Revolution</a> are training health professionals to be good pain educators and raising awareness among the general public about the modern science of pain and the best treatments. Pain Revolution has partnered with dozens of health services and community agencies to train more than <a href="https://www.painrevolution.org/find-a-lpe">80 local pain educators</a> and supported them to bring greater understanding and improved care to their colleagues and community. But a broader system-wide approach, with government, industry and philanthropic support, is needed to expand these programs and fund good pain education. To solve the massive problem of chronic back pain, effective interventions need to be part of standard care, not as a last resort after years of increasing pain, suffering and disability.<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/222513/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/sarah-wallwork-1361569">Sarah Wallwork</a>, Post-doctoral Researcher, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-south-australia-1180">University of South Australia</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/lorimer-moseley-1552">Lorimer Moseley</a>, Professor of Clinical Neurosciences and Foundation Chair in Physiotherapy, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-south-australia-1180">University of South Australia</a> Image credits: Shutterstock 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/how-long-does-back-pain-last-and-how-can-learning-about-pain-increase-the-chance-of-recovery-222513">original article</a>. </div>

Body

Kyle Sandilands' warning about new "right to disconnect" laws

Kyle Sandilands has warned Aussies against "abusing the system" put in place by new 'right to disconnect' laws. As of August 26th, employees of large companies can legally refuse to respond to "unreasonable" after-hours calls from their employer. Discussing the new laws on KIIS FM on Monday morning, Sandilands warned workers about celebrating the laws too soon, as they could come with a catch depending on the leniency of employers. "It doesn't mean they won't railroad you out behind the scenes," the radio host said. Kyle then argued that while it would be illegal under the new legislation for bosses to punish workers for not responding after hours, some devious managers could find ways around the laws. "Don't think for a second: 'Screw that real estate agent boss'," Kyle said. "Because eventually they will find a way to get rid of you to work around the boundaries." Sandilands then urged Aussies not to "abuse the system", saying, "Everyone you can say, 'oh by law, I don't have to respond to that' and they will then go, 'no worries'." "And then they get you for every little tiny infringement. You will go if they want you to go, one way or another. So, don't abuse the system." Jackie O then chimed in on the debate, saying the laws were a direct response to a modern working problem. "I feel like that might happen," Jackie said. "I think it's sometimes because the thing is that work hours now are infinity. When you didn't have email and mobile phones, you never got bothered outside of work hours." Kyle replied, "And nothing got done. It was the late 1970s. The world spun very slowly back then." Image credits: KIIS FM

Legal

Hero security guard tears up while speaking about girl he saved

Laila Johnson, 11, and her mother Samantha, 34, from Candelo near Bega in regional NSW, were sightseeing in London when the young girl was stabbed in a <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/11-year-old-australian-girl-identified-as-london-stabbing-victim" target="_blank" rel="noopener">random attack</a> in Leicester Square. Abdullah, a security who was working nearby during the random attack, had jumped into action and saved her life by holding down the alleged attacker, Ioan Pintaru, until police arrived. On Thursday, Laila and her mum talked about the terrifying incident on Sunrise, and spoke about the incredible bond they had formed with the hero security guard. When shown the clip of Laila and her mum on Sunrise the day after, Abdullah was moved to tears by the heartfelt interview. “I will try to be in contact with them all my life,” Abdullah said, wiping away tears from his eyes. “She is just like my little sister now.” Abdullah was hailed as a hero for his bravery, and recognised at the Pakistan High Commission in London as part of their Independence Day celebrations on the 14th of August. Samantha had told Sunrise that Abdullah “is an absolutely gorgeous human”. “He’s just been checking in on Laila and myself and, yeah, we’ve just been keeping in contact,” she said. “He’s quickly taken Laila in as a little sister, and I think that he will continue to check in on her for a very long time." Pintaru — a Romanian citizen with no fixed address — was not asked to enter any pleas and was remanded in custody before his next hearing on September 10. He was charged with attempted murder and possession of a bladed article in a public place. Images: Seven

Caring

What your nose can tell you about your health

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/dan-baumgardt-1451396">Dan Baumgardt</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-bristol-1211">University of Bristol</a> Thanks to a quirk known as <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/brain-babble/201502/is-how-the-brain-filters-out-unimportant-details">unconscious selective attention</a>, your brain has learned to ignore your nose. A prominent feature that’s positioned closely to the eyes, the schnoz could get in the way of our vision – but the nervous system cleverly filters it out. You can choose to look for your nose though. Either close one eye or look left, right or downwards and it’ll pop into view. But, although your brain works hard to stop your nose from interfering with your line of vision, your snout is not something to ignore. Like <a href="https://theconversation.com/navel-gazing-checking-your-belly-button-can-tell-you-a-lot-about-your-health-228759">many other</a> parts of your body, examining the nose can help diagnose external skin conditions – and internal diseases. <h2>Acne</h2> While there are a <a href="https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/acne/">number of forms</a> of <a href="https://patient.info/skin-conditions/acne-leaflet">acne</a>, <a href="https://dermnetnz.org/topics/acne-vulgaris">acne vulgaris</a> is the most common – and it often affects the nose. This skin condition develops from the clogging of tiny glands in the skin that secrete protective oils, which leads to <a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/comedonal-acne#outlook">open and closed comedones</a>. Open comedones – better known as blackheads – develop a dark coloured plug, whereas closed comedones are whiteheads that form when the pore is blocked completely. Clogged pores can also develop into larger lumps and bumps which can become infected, inflamed and and pus-filled and can even scar the skin. <a href="https://dermnetnz.org/topics/rosacea">Acne rosacea</a> has a different appearance. It is an inflammatory skin condition that causes erythema – or reddening of the skin – most often across the nose and cheeks. Rosacea <a href="https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/skin-hair-and-nails/rosacea/#:%7E:text=Although%20rosacea%20can't%20be,you%20can%20stop%20treatment%20temporarily.">is currently incurable</a> but it can be managed, often with long-term treatment. Patients with rosacea may often develop a rash papules and pustules that resembles acne – and also have visible blood vessels that appear as thin red or purplish lines across the nose and cheeks. In some cases, rosacea can cause the skin of the nose to grow and thicken. This condition is referred to as <a href="https://patient.info/doctor/rosacea-and-rhinophyma">rhinophyma</a>, and, like other visible skin conditions, can result in profound changes to appearance and seriously affect self-esteem in sufferers. <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cO9pa0aGBTY?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure> Both acne vulgaris and rosacea have been connected with <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32238884/">various risk factors</a> and health conditions, though some links are stronger than others. In the case of rosacea, the list includes <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32621366/">high blood pressure and cholesterol</a>, <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29107339/">diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis</a>. <h2>Wolf’s nose</h2> <a href="https://www.sarcoidosisuk.org/information-hub/what-is-sarcoidosis/">Sarcoidosis</a>, is an inflammatory disease that can affect any of the body’s tissues – though mainly the lungs and lymph nodes. The condition can generate patches of bluish or purplish rashes, particularly on the body’s extremities where the skin is typically cooler. This includes the ears, the fingers and toes, and of course, the nose. When sarcoidosis affects the nose, it’s known as <a href="https://dermnetnz.org/topics/lupus-pernio">lupus pernio</a>, although the name is a misnomer because this condition is not the same as the <a href="https://lupusuk.org.uk/the-symptoms/">autoimmune disease known as lupus</a>. Regular lupus is a completely different condition where the body attacks its own tissues. It takes its name from the Latin word for “wolf” and the name dates back to <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32380218/">medieval times</a> when the associated skin rash was said to resemble the bite of a wolf. When lupus, rather than sarcoidosis, affects the skin it generates a <a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321594">butterfly rash</a> – or <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK555981/">malar rash</a>, which fans across the cheeks and nasal bridge. This rash can look very similar to rosacea. In fact, lupus is known as <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/nm1103-1337a">“the great imitator”</a> because it shares similar symptoms to many different diseases. <h2>Trigeminal trophic syndrome</h2> <a href="https://dermnetnz.org/topics/trigeminal-trophic-syndrome">Trigeminal trophic syndrome</a> is a rare condition triggered by damage to the <a href="https://teachmeanatomy.info/head/cranial-nerves/trigeminal-nerve/">trigeminal nerve</a>, which controls chewing but also gives sensation to the face. When the smaller nerve branches supplying the area of skin around the nostrils are damaged, sensation is affected. The patient notices either the skin becoming desensitised, or numb – or that it prickles, like pins and needles, creating an urge to pick or scratch. Repeated damage to the skin can <a href="https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/trigeminal-trophic-syndrome/">cause ulcers</a> to develop around the nostrils. This condition differs from <a href="https://theconversation.com/skin-picking-is-often-trivialised-as-a-bad-habit-but-dermatillomania-can-be-dangerous-224659">skin picking disorder</a> – or dermatillomania – when a psychological compulsion drives the desire to pick at the skin. So, close one eye every now and then in order to admire your hooter, or, even better have a good look at it in the mirror. It deserves more recognition than the blind spot your brain allows.<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/228760/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/dan-baumgardt-1451396">Dan Baumgardt</a>, Senior Lecturer, School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-bristol-1211">University of Bristol</a> Image credits: Shutterstock 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/what-your-nose-can-tell-you-about-your-health-228760">original article</a>. </div>

Body

4 things ancient Greeks and Romans got right about mental health

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/konstantine-panegyres-1528527">Konstantine Panegyres</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-melbourne-722">The University of Melbourne</a> According to the World Health Organization, about <a href="https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/depression">280 million people</a> worldwide have depression and about <a href="https://www.who.int/health-topics/mental-health#tab=tab_2">one billion</a> have a mental health problem of any kind. People living in the ancient world also had mental health problems. So, how did they deal with them? As we’ll see, some of their insights about mental health are still relevant today, even though we might question some of their methods. <h2>1. Our mental state is important</h2> Mental health problems such as depression were familiar to people in the ancient world. Homer, the poet famous for the Iliad and Odyssey who lived around the eighth century BC, apparently <a href="https://www.loebclassics.com/view/LCL496/2003/volume.xml">died</a> after wasting away from depression. Already in the late fifth century BC, ancient Greek doctors recognised that our health partly depends on the state of our thoughts. In the Epidemics, a medical text written in around 400BC, an anonymous doctor <a href="https://www.loebclassics.com/view/LCL477/1994/volume.xml">wrote</a> that our habits about our thinking (as well as our lifestyle, clothing and housing, physical activity and sex) are the main determinants of our health. <h2>2. Mental health problems can make us ill</h2> Also writing in the Epidemics, an anonymous doctor <a href="https://www.loebclassics.com/view/LCL477/1994/volume.xml">described</a> one of his patients, Parmeniscus, whose mental state became so bad he grew delirious, and eventually could not speak. He stayed in bed for 14 days before he was cured. We’re not told how. Later, the famous doctor <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Galen">Galen of Pergamum</a> (129-216AD) <a href="https://dfg-viewer.de/show?tx_dlf%5Bdouble%5D=0&tx_dlf%5Bid%5D=http%3A%2F%2Fcmg.bbaw.de%2Fepubl%2Fonline%2Fmets%2Fsuppl_or_05_03.xml&tx_dlf%5Bpage%5D=1390&cHash=a0a715a587fa4e89a8839ccb310b0734">observed</a> that people often become sick because of a bad mental state: <blockquote> It may be that under certain circumstances ‘thinking’ is one of the causes that bring about health or disease because people who get angry about everything and become confused, distressed and frightened for the slightest reason often fall ill for this reason and have a hard time getting over these illnesses. </blockquote> Galen also described some of his patients who suffered with their mental health, including some who became seriously ill and died. <a href="https://dfg-viewer.de/show?tx_dlf%5Bdouble%5D=0&tx_dlf%5Bid%5D=http%3A%2F%2Fcmg.bbaw.de%2Fepubl%2Fonline%2Fmets%2Fsuppl_or_05_03.xml&tx_dlf%5Bpage%5D=1392&cHash=c93bf32c31975103b100e918bee893d9">One man</a> had lost money: <blockquote> He developed a fever that stayed with him for a long time. In his sleep he scolded himself for his loss, regretted it and was agitated until he woke up. While he was awake he continued to waste away from grief. He then became delirious and developed brain fever. He finally fell into a delirium that was obvious from what he said, and he remained in this state until he died. </blockquote> <h2>3. Mental illness can be prevented and treated</h2> In the ancient world, people had many different ways to prevent or treat mental illness. The philosopher Aristippus, who lived in the fifth century BC, used to advise people <a href="https://www.loebclassics.com/view/LCL486/1997/volume.xml">to focus on the present</a> to avoid mental disturbance: <blockquote> concentrate one’s mind on the day, and indeed on that part of the day in which one is acting or thinking. Only the present belongs to us, not the past nor what is anticipated. The former has ceased to exist, and it is uncertain if the latter will exist. </blockquote> The philosopher Clinias, who lived in the fourth century BC, <a href="https://www.loebclassics.com/view/LCL486/1997/volume.xml">said</a> that whenever he realised he was becoming angry, he would go and play music on his lyre to calm himself. Doctors had their own approaches to dealing with mental health problems. Many <a href="https://books.google.com.au/books?id=KPHaAAAAMAAJ&q=caelius+aurelianus+drabkin+on+acute+diseases&dq=caelius+aurelianus+drabkin+on+acute+diseases&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjpqszXwuSGAxUjamwGHS1yCuoQ6AF6BAgHEAI">recommended</a> patients change their lifestyles to adjust their mental states. They advised people to take up a new regime of exercise, adopt a different diet, go travelling by sea, listen to the lectures of philosophers, play games (such as draughts/checkers), and do mental exercises equivalent to the modern crossword or sudoku. For instance, the physician Caelius Aurelianus (fifth century AD) <a href="https://books.google.com.au/books?id=KPHaAAAAMAAJ&q=caelius+aurelianus+drabkin+on+acute+diseases&dq=caelius+aurelianus+drabkin+on+acute+diseases&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjpqszXwuSGAxUjamwGHS1yCuoQ6AF6BAgHEAI">thought</a> patients suffering from insanity could benefit from a varied diet including fruit and mild wine. Doctors also advised people to take plant-based medications. For example, the herb <a href="https://www.psychiatriki-journal.gr/documents/psychiatry/30.1-EN-2019-58.pdf">hellebore</a> was given to people suffering from paranoia. However, ancient doctors recognised that hellebore could be dangerous as it sometimes induced toxic spasms, killing patients. Other doctors, such as Galen, had a slightly different view. He believed mental problems were caused by some idea that had taken hold of the mind. He believed mental problems could be cured if this idea was removed from the mind and <a href="https://dfg-viewer.de/show?tx_dlf%5Bdouble%5D=0&tx_dlf%5Bid%5D=http%3A%2F%2Fcmg.bbaw.de%2Fepubl%2Fonline%2Fmets%2Fsuppl_or_05_03.xml&tx_dlf%5Bpage%5D=1396&cHash=1697e4b73dd653092cd8398749f1989f">wrote</a>: <blockquote> a person whose illness is caused by thinking is only cured by taking care of the false idea that has taken over his mind, not by foods, drinks, [clothing, housing], baths, walking and other such (measures). </blockquote> Galen <a href="https://dfg-viewer.de/show?id=9&tx_dlf%5Bid%5D=http%3A%2F%2Fcmg.bbaw.de%2Fepubl%2Fonline%2Fmets%2Fsuppl_or_05_03.xml&tx_dlf%5Bpage%5D=1418">thought</a> it was best to deflect his patients’ thoughts away from these false ideas by putting new ideas and emotions in their minds: <blockquote> I put fear of losing money, political intrigue, drinking poison or other such things in the hearts of others to deflect their thoughts to these things […] In others one should arouse indignation about an injustice, love of rivalry, and the desire to beat others depending on each person’s interest. </blockquote> <h2>4. Addressing mental health needs effort</h2> Generally speaking, the ancients believed keeping our mental state healthy required effort. If we were anxious or angry or despondent, then we needed to do something that brought us the opposite of those emotions. This can be achieved, they thought, by doing some activity that directly countered the emotions we are experiencing. For example, Caelius Aurelianus <a href="https://books.google.com.au/books?id=KPHaAAAAMAAJ&q=caelius+aurelianus+drabkin+on+acute+diseases&dq=caelius+aurelianus+drabkin+on+acute+diseases&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjpqszXwuSGAxUjamwGHS1yCuoQ6AF6BAgHEAI">said</a> people suffering from depression should do activities that caused them to laugh and be happy, such as going to see a comedy at the theatre. However, the ancients did not believe any single activity was enough to make our mental state become healthy. The important thing was to make a wholesale change to one’s way of living and thinking. When it comes to experiencing mental health problems, we clearly have a lot in common with our ancient ancestors. Much of what they said seems as relevant now as it did 2,000 years ago, even if we use different methods and medicines today. <hr /> If this article has raised issues for you, or if you’re concerned about someone you know, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.<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/232824/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/konstantine-panegyres-1528527">Konstantine Panegyres</a>, McKenzie Postdoctoral Fellow, researching Greco-Roman antiquity, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-melbourne-722">The University of Melbourne</a> Image credits: Shutterstock 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/4-things-ancient-greeks-and-romans-got-right-about-mental-health-232824">original article</a>. </div>

Mind

Young woman praised for "speaking the truth" about Australia's history

A young Aussie woman has gone viral on TikTok after sharing the "hard truths" about the country's history. The unidentified woman was quizzed on facts about her home country by content creator Surgen TV, who stopped her while she was walking down a street in London. She nailed a series of "true or false" questions, and when asked to share something that most people don't know about Australia, her "eloquent" left many Aussies proud. While she initially shared some facts about the "Great Emu War" - which occurred in 1932, when soldiers were armed with machine guns in WA to battle huge flocks of emus in a bid to stop them destroying crops - it was the second fact she shared that got people's attention. “The Indigenous population of Australia actually only makes up 3 per cent of the total population, that’s because of colonisation and ‘The Stolen Generation’,” she shared. She then went on to explain that it referred to a period in Australian history where Aboriginal children were removed from their families through government policies. “British and European colonisers wanted to ‘breed out’ the Indigenous culture, and basically would start trying to make mixed-race babies so they could eventually wean out the Indigenous population,” she explained. “It was a very cruel time in Australia, a very bad part of our history," she added, referencing the shameful historic event that occurred between 1910 and the 1970s and also affected Torres Strait Islander families. <div class="embed" style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #323338; font-family: Figtree, Roboto, 'Noto Sans Hebrew', 'Noto Kufi Arabic', 'Noto Sans JP', sans-serif; background-color: #ffffff; outline: none !important;"><iframe class="embedly-embed" style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; border-style: initial; vertical-align: baseline; width: 567px; max-width: 100%; outline: none !important;" title="tiktok embed" src="https://cdn.embedly.com/widgets/media.html?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2Fembed%2Fv2%2F7403055715738275105&display_name=tiktok&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2F%40surgentv%2Fvideo%2F7403055715738275105&image=https%3A%2F%2Fp16-sign-useast2a.tiktokcdn.com%2Fobj%2Ftos-useast2a-p-0037-euttp%2F264c1403859149ada045f8a67b39f02d_1723658241%3Flk3s%3Db59d6b55%26x-expires%3D1724155200%26x-signature%3DYT6AZq2dtbZnpwrrXok7hry4Yps%253D&key=5b465a7e134d4f09b4e6901220de11f0&type=text%2Fhtml&schema=tiktok" width="340" height="700" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></div> Many were quick to praise the woman, with First Nations people applauding her for “talking about our history in such a respectful way and with a caring tone”. “Indigenous Australian here, we love sis and appreciate her and her voice,” one commented. “Well done. For speaking the truth,” another shared. "Using her voice right," a third wrote. “I can’t completely describe how relieved I am to hear this nuanced response from a young Australian,” added another. “Well said young lady, well put ... you make me proud to be an Australian,” added another. Others were impressed by how "articulate" she was, with some Aussies admitting they'd never even heard of the Emu War. “Am I the only one who just got schooled on the Emu War," wrote one. “She’s beautiful, smart, and respectful,” added another. The video has gained almost 800,000 views since it was shared on Saturday, with over 81,000 likes. Images: TikTok

International Travel

Thinking about trying physiotherapy for endometriosis pain? Here’s what to expect

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/peter-stubbs-1531259">Peter Stubbs</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-technology-sydney-936">University of Technology Sydney</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/caroline-wanderley-souto-ferreira-1563754">Caroline Wanderley Souto Ferreira</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-technology-sydney-936">University of Technology Sydney</a> Endometriosis is a condition that affects women and girls. It occurs when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus ends up in other areas of the body. These areas <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/endometriosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20354656">include</a> the ovaries, bladder, bowel and digestive tract. Endometriosis will <a href="https://endometriosisaustralia.org/understanding-endometriosis/">affect</a> nearly one million Australian women and girls in their lifetime. Many high-profile Australians are affected by endometriosis including <a href="https://www.endofound.org/bindi-irwin-shares-her-endometriosis-story-in-detail-as-she-prepares-to-receive-endofounds-blossom-a">Bindi Irwin</a>, <a href="https://www.endofound.org/actress-sophie-monk-reveals-endometriosis-diagnosis">Sophie Monk</a> and former Yellow Wiggle, <a href="https://endometriosisaustralia.org/emma-watkins-ambassador/">Emma Watkins</a>. <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0092867421005766">Symptoms</a> of endometriosis include intense pelvic, abdominal or low back pain (that is often worse during menstruation), bladder and bowel problems, pain during sex and infertility. But women and girls wait an average of <a href="https://www.epworth.org.au/newsroom/reducing-time-to-an-endometriosis-diagnosis">seven years to receive a diagnosis</a>. Many are living with the burden of endometriosis and not receiving treatments that could improve their quality of life. This includes physiotherapy. <h2>How is endometriosis treated?</h2> No treatments cure endometriosis. Symptoms can be reduced by taking <a href="https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/endometri/conditioninfo/treatment">medications</a> such as non-steriodal anti-inflammatories (ibuprofen, aspirin or naproxen) and hormonal medicines. Surgery is sometimes used to diagnose endometriosis, remove endometrial lesions, reduce pain and improve fertility. But these lesions can <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39098538/">grow back</a>. Whether they take medication or have surgery, many women and girls continue to experience pain and other symptoms. Pelvic health physiotherapy is <a href="https://australian.physio/inmotion/physiotherapists-can-help-endometriosis">often recommended</a> as a non-drug management technique to manage endometriosis pain, <a href="https://www1.racgp.org.au/ajgp/2024/january-february/endometriosis">in consultation</a> with a gynaecologist or general practitioner. The goal of physiotherapy treatment depends on the symptoms but is usually to reduce and manage pain, improve ability to do activities, and ultimately improve quality of life. <h2>What could you expect from your first appointment?</h2> Physiotherapy management can differ based on the severity and location of symptoms. Prior to physical tests and treatments, your physiotherapist will comprehensively explain what is going to happen and seek your permission. They will ask questions to better understand your case and specific needs. These will include your age, weight, height as well as the presence, location and intensity of symptoms. You will also be asked about the history of your period pain, your first period, the length of your menstrual cycle, urinary and bowel symptoms, sexual function and details of any previous treatments and tests. They may also assess your posture and movement to see how your muscles have changed because of the related symptoms. They will press on your lower back and pelvic muscles to spot painful areas (trigger points) and muscle tightness. If you consent to a vaginal examination, the physiotherapist will use one to two gloved fingers to assess the area inside and around your vagina. They will also test your ability to coordinate, contract and relax your pelvic muscles. <h2>What type of treatments could you receive?</h2> Depending on your symptoms, your physiotherapist may use the following treatments: General education Your physiotherapist will give your details about the disease, pelvic floor anatomy, the types of treatment and how these can improve pain and other symptoms. They might <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38452219/">teach you about</a> the changes to the brain and nerves as a result of being in long-term pain. They will provide guidance to improve your ability to perform daily activities, including getting quality sleep. If you experience pain during sex or difficulty using tampons, they may teach you how to use vaginal dilators to improve flexibility of those muscles. Pelvic muscle exercises Pelvic muscles often contract too hard as a result of pain. <a href="https://www.physio-pedia.com/Pelvic_Floor_Exercises">Pelvic floor exercises</a> will help you contract and relax muscles appropriately and provide an awareness of how hard muscles are contracting. This can be combined with machines that <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7843943/">monitor muscle activity or vaginal pressure</a> to provide detailed information on how the muscles are working. Yoga, stretching and low-impact exercises <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27869485/">Yoga</a>, <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37467936/">stretching and low impact aerobic exercise</a> can improve fitness, flexibility, pain and blood circulation. These have <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28369946/">general pain-relieving properties</a> and can be a great way to contract and relax bigger muscles affected by long-term endometriosis. These exercises can help you regain function and control with a gradual progression to perform daily activities with reduced pain. Hydrotherapy (physiotherapy in warm water) Performing exercises in water improves blood circulation and muscle relaxation due to the <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4049052/">pressure and warmth of the water</a>. Hydrotherapy allows you to perform aerobic exercise with low impact, which will reduce pain while exercising. However, while hydrotherapy shows positive results clinically, scientific studies to show its effectiveness studies <a href="https://anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?ACTRN=12619001611112">are ongoing</a>. Manual therapy Women frequently have small areas of muscle that are tight and painful (trigger points) inside and outside the vagina. Pain can be temporarily reduced by <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37176750/">pressing, massaging or putting heat on</a> the muscles. Physiotherapists can teach patients how to do these techniques by themselves at home. <h2>What does the evidence say?</h2> Overall, patients report <a href="https://www.wmhp.com.au/blog/endo-story">positive experiences</a> pelvic health physiotherapists treatments. In a <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37176750/">study of 42 women</a>, 80% of those who received manual therapy had “much improved pain”. In studies investigating yoga, one study <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27869485/">showed</a> pain was reduced in 28 patients by an average of 30 points on a 100-point pain scale. Another study showed yoga was beneficial for pain in <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27552065/">all 15 patients</a>. But while some studies show this treatment <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36571475/">is effective</a>, a review <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9740037/">concluded</a> more studies were needed and the use of physiotherapy was “underestimated and underpublicised”. <h2>What else do you need to know?</h2> If you have or suspect you have endometriosis, consult your gynaecologist or GP. They may be able to suggest a pelvic health physiotherapist to help you manage your symptoms and improve quality of life. As endometriosis is a chronic condition you <a href="https://www9.health.gov.au/mbs/fullDisplay.cfm?type=item&q=10960">may be entitled</a> to five subsidised or free sessions per calendar year in clinics that accept Medicare. If you go to a private pelvic health physiotherapist, you won’t need a referral from a gynaecologist or GP. Physiotherapy rebates can be available to those with private health insurance. The Australian Physiotherapy Association has a <a href="https://choose.physio/find-a-physio">Find a Physio</a> section where you can search for women’s and pelvic physiotherapists. <a href="https://endometriosisaustralia.org/">Endometriosis Australia</a> also provides assistance and advice to women with Endometriosis. Thanks to UTS Masters students Phoebe Walker and Kasey Collins, who are researching physiotherapy treatments for endometriosis, for their contribution to this article.<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/236328/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/peter-stubbs-1531259">Peter Stubbs</a>, Senior Lecturer in Physiotherapy, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-technology-sydney-936">University of Technology Sydney</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/caroline-wanderley-souto-ferreira-1563754">Caroline Wanderley Souto Ferreira</a>, Visiting Professor of Physiotherapy, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-technology-sydney-936">University of Technology Sydney</a> Image credits: Shutterstock 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/thinking-about-trying-physiotherapy-for-endometriosis-pain-heres-what-to-expect-236328">original article</a>. </div>

Body

Readers response: What is the best thing about retirement?

When it comes to retirement, there are a thousand ways to spend your day now that work isn't a priority. It's the perfect time to travel, take up a new hobby or simply indulge in the endless time to relax in your golden years. We asked our readers what the best thing is about retirement, and the response was overwhelming. Here's what they said. Maree Commens - Six Saturdays and one Sunday. Jill Waterhouse - Everything. Although I'm probably more busy now than when I was working because I can do more things that I like. Chaz Maree - Being with my husband, he worked away for a lot of his career. The day he retired I cried when he pulled up in the driveway knowing he would never leave me again. Stuart Ferguson - Not having someone else plan my travel itinerary for most of the year. Jill Harker - Doing whatever I feel like every day! Claudia Ukalovic - Spending some time with our grandchildren. Faye Cheyne -The alarm gets set only when I choose!! Marlene Hassett - More time at home with my dog. Margie Buckingham - Absolutely love being retired. We can do whatever we like, whenever we like, however we want to! I’m so busy with so many individual pursuits/hobbies, my grandchildren, my elderly parents and executing our renovations that I just don’t know how I fitted everything in while working full time. I still have a cleaner bc I just don’t have time for that…. lol. Vaughan Stephen Brummer - No more alarms and not knowing what day of the week it is. Michael L Carrigg - Not having to tolerate corporate bs ever again. Les Thornborough - Not having to get up and travel to work. Image credits: Shutterstock

Retirement Life

What your nails can tell you about your health

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/dan-baumgardt-1451396">Dan Baumgardt</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-bristol-1211">University of Bristol</a> As a medical student, nails were one part of my anatomy course that I really struggled with. I found it difficult, at first, to stomach the sight of <a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/nail-bed-injury#Pictures">painful nail injuries</a>. My squeamishness may have stemmed from witnessing someone sharply removing a plaster from their stubbed big toe – only to take the whole toenail away with it. Ouch. I’ve recovered now, which is lucky since nails can tell doctors a lot about the health of a patient. <a href="https://teachmeanatomy.info/upper-limb/misc/nail-unit/">Toe and fingernails</a> are an extension of your skin, like hair. They are formed of keratin, a tough material that grows in the direction of your fingertip into a <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/nail-matrix">hard plate</a>. <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/cuticle#:%7E:text=It's%20important%20to%20keep%20your,and%20keeps%20your%20nails%20clean.">The cuticle</a> (the strip of skin covering the junction between skin and nail) offers extra protection against injury and infection. Keep an eye on any changes in the appearance and texture of your nails – they can give important clues about your health. Here are some key things to look out for. <h2>Spoon-shaped nails</h2> Your toe and fingernails should have a slight convex curve without any dips or depressions in them. In contrast, <a href="https://www.pcds.org.uk/clinical-guidance/koilonychia">koilonychia</a> is a condition where the nail is concave – in some cases, forming a central depression deep enough to hold a drop of fluid, like medicine in a spoon (hence the common name of “spoon nails”). Typically, nails affected in this way also look thinner and can become more brittle. Koilonychia can indicate anaemia, meaning there are not enough red blood cells in a person’s circulation to carry oxygen to the body’s tissues. This is associated with <a href="https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/iron-deficiency-anaemia/">iron deficiency</a>. Low iron can be caused by poor nutrition, <a href="https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coeliac-disease/">coeliac disease</a>, or cancer of the gastrointestinal tract, for example. <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/B9781416023562500244">Mechanics and hairdressers</a> can be at particular risk of developing koilonychia because of their work with <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3442766/">petroleum-based solvents</a> found in engine oils and perm agents. However, the possible underlying causes of spoon-shaped nails are <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/jdv.13610?saml_referrer">extensive</a>, so it’s worth checking with your doctor if you have this condition over a long period. <h2>Discoloured nails</h2> Normally, the nail beds (the skin beneath the nail) should be of a well-perfused pink colour. Discoloration of either the bed or the entire nail can occur as a result of disease or infection. Yellow nails, for instance, might indicate a <a href="https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/fungal-nail-infection/">fungal infection</a> or changes due to a skin condition such as <a href="https://patient.info/skin-conditions/psoriasis-leaflet/psoriatic-nail-disease">psoriasis</a>. <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PRftXdvENRw?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure> Then there is <a href="https://dermnetnz.org/topics/white-nail">leukonychia</a> – the technical term for white discolouration of the nails, which can take several forms. In some cases, white marks on nails can indicate heavy metal poisoning by <a href="https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/lead-poisoning-and-health">lead</a> or <a href="https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/arsenic">arsenic</a> – both of which remain a problem in <a href="https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789289071796">many countries worldwide</a> because of pollution in the water system. If the whiteness extends over the whole of the nail and involves multiple nails, the problem is more likely to be a deficiency of protein in the circulation. This could potentially indicate either liver or kidney disease. However, small white marks on your nail most likely suggest some form of traumatic damage – ranging from stubbing or dropping something heavy on your toe, to closing a door on your finger. Even the common practices of nail biting and overenthusiastic manicuring can lead to damage to the nail. And if you’ve ever stubbed your toe or trapped a finger, you may also have noticed a resulting dark purple, blue or red discolouration to the nail. This is a <a href="https://dermnetnz.org/topics/subungual-haemorrhage">subungual haematoma</a> – a collection of blood between the nail and its bed after trauma. These typically heal themselves over time, but can also trigger infections or separation of the <a href="https://dermnetnz.org/topics/onycholysis">nail from the bed</a>. <h2>Emergency nail tests</h2> During a medical emergency, a patient’s nails are often checked by doctors for blood oxygen saturation. This is measured by a <a href="https://www.yalemedicine.org/conditions/pulse-oximetry">pulse oximeter</a>, which attaches to a finger and shines light through the fingertip, then measures the amount of blood passing through. This demonstrates how much oxygen is entering the bloodstream, and therefore how effectively your heart and lungs are working. Another indication of how well your circulation is functioning is the <a href="https://www.resus.org.uk/library/abcde-approach">capillary refill time (CRT)</a> test, when a clinician presses on a nail or fingertip for five seconds to make the skin underneath blanch. <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/EwaDSZRH1LE?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure> After they stop pressing, the skin should return to its prior colour within two seconds. Longer than this and you could be dehydrated, cold, or have <a href="https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-642-28233-1_4#:%7E:text=Discussion%3A%20Clinical%20signs%20of%20poor,increase%20in%20capillary%20refill%20time.">poor peripheral perfusion</a> – where the heart isn’t pumping hard enough or something is making it harder for enough blood to reach the furthest parts of your body, possibly as <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557753/">a result of shock</a>. Nails can also be pressed to check a patient who is drowsy or unconscious. This test forms part of the <a href="https://www.glasgowcomascale.org/">Glasgow Coma Scale</a>, which measures responsiveness and the extent of impaired consciousness in patients. <h2>What to do if you notice something unusual</h2> There are many more examples of nail problems besides these, including crumbling nails, pitted or lined nails, <a href="https://patient.info/doctor/clubbing">clubbed</a> or swollen nails, and those with <a href="https://theconversation.com/what-your-feet-can-tell-you-about-your-health-227728">red marks</a> under them. And the list of potential diagnoses is extensive, ranging from the mild to the serious. If you’re worried about nail discoloration or a change in the shape of your nails, do get them checked by your GP. This can also go for serious nail injuries – especially if you end up pulling off the nail. If you injure the skin under your <a href="https://www.bssh.ac.uk/patients/conditions/1020/nailbed_injuries">nail</a>, it’s important to care for it properly to prevent complications such as an infection – while also checking for other damage like a broken bone. And a final word of warning: <a href="https://theconversation.com/gel-manicures-and-acrylic-nails-might-look-beautiful-but-they-come-with-ugly-health-risks-232857">false or painted nails</a> can hide visible changes. So, be careful not to gloss over your nails, and take note of what they might be telling you about your health.<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/232687/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/dan-baumgardt-1451396">Dan Baumgardt</a>, Senior Lecturer, School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-bristol-1211">University of Bristol</a> Image credits: Shutterstock 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/what-your-nails-can-tell-you-about-your-health-232687">original article</a>. </div>

Body

Meghan Markle opens up about past trauma

Meghan Markle has opened up about her mental health struggle in a new interview. In a joined interview with her husband Prince Harry for CBS Sunday Morning, the Duchess of Sussex admitted that she hasn't "really scraped the surface" on her struggle, as the couple launched their new project <a href="https://archewell.org/theparentsnetwork/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Parents' Network</a>. The Parents’ Network aims to support parents who lost or almost lost their child to cyberbullying and other traumas related to social media use. While speaking about online bullying and its effects on young children, the Duchess of Sussex spoke about her own experience and connection to the families, as she also had suicidal thoughts in 2021. “When you’ve been through any level of pain or trauma, I believe part of our healing journey — certainly part of mine — is being able to be really open about it,” she told Jane Pauley. "And you know, I haven't really scraped the surface on my experience. But I do think that I would never want someone else to feel that way," she continued. "And I would never want someone else to be making those sort of plans. And I would never want someone else to not be believed." "So, if me voicing what I have overcome will save someone, or encourage someone in their life to really genuinely check in on them and not assume that the appearance is good, so everything's OK, then that's worth it. "I'll take a hit for that." In a 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey, Meghan revealed that she had suicidal ideation while pregnant with son Archie due to the pressure of life as a royal and the way the British media treated her. “I just didn’t want to be alive anymore,” she said at the time. She also recalled reaching out to palace officials and said that she did not receive any mental health help. The initiative, launched with the couple’s Archewell Foundation, aims to make sure that no other families go through what they did. “Our kids are young; they’re 3 and 5. They’re amazing,” she told Pauley. “But all you want to do as parents is protect them. And so, as we can see what’s happening in the online space, we know that there’s a lot of work to be done there, and we’re just happy to be able to be a part of change for good.” Images: CBS Sunday Morning

Caring

Castor oil is all the rage among health influencers – what you need to know about this alternative remedy

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/veronique-seidel-1542416">Veronique Seidel</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-strathclyde-1287">University of Strathclyde </a> Castor oil, which was once used by fascists in Italy as <a href="https://www.rcpe.ac.uk/remoteandruralremedies/activities/exhibitions/medicines.html#:%7E:text=Due%20to%20its%20use%20as,the%20bludgeon%20and%20castor%20oil'.">punishment</a> because of its quick-acting laxative effect, is now a weight-loss trend on TikTok. Not drinking it, but rubbing it on your belly. Influencers are also pouring it in their belly buttons and wrapping towels soaked in it around their midriff. They claim it can <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@karinawaldron/video/7333667470756072709?lang=en">melt belly fat</a> and <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@sarahjmce/video/7322670147473362207?lang=en&q=castor%20oil&t=1716463274921">help with bloating</a>. Castor oil – made from the beans of the castor plant – is an ancient medicine. References to it appear in an ancient Egyptian medical text called the <a href="https://www.nationalgeographic.com/premium/article/castor-oil-real-health-benefits">Ebers Papyrus</a> (1550BC). It was used as a laxative and to treat various skin conditions. Cleopatra is said to have <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/wellness/cleopatra-used-it-as-a-beauty-aid-now-castor-oil-is-staging-a-cosmetics-comeback/2019/07/05/2d457584-92c5-11e9-aadb-74e6b2b46f6a_story.html?itid=sr_1_4c3daa8b-2b15-41d9-9b45-f1b2af1d7cf7">used it</a> in her hair and to brighten the whites of her eyes. The odourless oil is rich in a fatty substance called ricinoleic acid that strongly stimulates bowel movements. Today, it is an approved <a href="https://dps.fda.gov/omuf/monographsearch/monograph_m007">over-the-counter remedy</a> in some countries for short-term constipation and is used for cleansing the bowel before medical examinations. However, there’s not much scientific evidence to indicate that this laxative effect is better than other commonly used laxatives, such as <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3862068/">senna</a> – which has also been used for centuries. Other reported traditional uses for the oil include as a cure for sore and itchy eyes, to relieve joint and period pain, and as a means to induce labour. But, again, the evidence for these things is scant. Castor oil isn’t just imbibed, it is also widely used in skin creams, hair conditioners and other cosmetic products, such as lipsticks. It is used to moisturise, soothe irritated skin and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Its moisturising properties have been attributed to ricinoleic acid. As part of haircare products, it is said to help with hair loss and dandruff. But taking castor oil as a standalone product is not risk free. The main side-effects of imbibing the oil are abdominal cramps, vomiting, bloating and dizziness. Vulnerable people, such as the elderly, babies, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and those with liver or kidney failure should avoid taking castor oil. As should anyone with inflammatory bowel disease, appendicitis or gastrointestinal obstruction or perforation. The side-effects of castor oil can also be exacerbated in people with <a href="https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/jom-1988-880520/html">eating disorders</a> who may choose to use the oil to lose weight by speeding up the passage of food through the gut. However, if you want to apply the oil to your skin or scalp, proceed with caution. In some people, it can trigger an allergic reaction. It is always advised to apply a small amount of pure castor oil or a castor oil-containing cosmetic product onto a small patch of skin. If there is no allergic reaction after 24 hours, then it can be assumed that the product can be applied safely to a larger area of the body. Ultimately, though, there are generally safer and better remedies out there. And rubbing it on your belly – sadly – won’t melt the fat.<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/232782/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/veronique-seidel-1542416">Veronique Seidel</a>, Senior Lecturer, Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-strathclyde-1287">University of Strathclyde</a> Image credits: Shutterstock 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/castor-oil-is-all-the-rage-among-health-influencers-what-you-need-to-know-about-this-alternative-remedy-232782">original article</a>. </div>

Body

Is your smartwatch making you anxious? Wearables can lead people to stress more about their health

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/caleb-ferguson-72">Caleb Ferguson</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-wollongong-711">University of Wollongong</a> Wearable trackers and monitors (such as smartwatches) are <a href="https://www.idtechex.com/en/research-report/wearable-technology-forecasts-2023-2033/928">increasingly popular and sophisticated</a>. For people living with heart conditions, they can provide important information, including updates about abnormalities in heart rate and rhythm. But a recent study published in the <a href="https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/JAHA.123.033750">Journal of the American Heart Association</a> found using wearables to monitor heart conditions like atrial fibrillation – an irregular heartbeat – can actually make people more anxious about their health. It’s a catch-22 situation: the wearable device may help you better manage your chronic heart condition, but wearing it could make you anxious – which is bad for those conditions. So what are the tradeoffs? And how can we get the most out of wearables, without unnecessary worry? <h2>Wearables to monitor heart conditions</h2> Wearables are playing an increasing role in managing and <a href="https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1901183">detecting</a> conditions like atrial fibrillation, the <a href="https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD013408.pub2/full">most common heart rhythm problem</a>. Atrial fibrillation <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/heart-stroke-vascular-diseases/atrial-fibrillation-in-australia/contents/how-many-australians-have-atrial-fibrillation">affects</a> around 2% of the general population, and about 5% of those aged over 55. Symptoms may include palpitations, fatigue and shortness of breath, although some patients may live relatively symptom-free. Self management is important to improve quality of life and prevent complications, such as stroke and heart failure. People with atrial fibrillation also often experience high rates of <a href="https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD013508.pub3/full">anxiety linked to their condition</a>. <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11886-020-01396-w">Psychological distress</a> – including anxiety, depression and worry about symptoms – affects between 25% and 50% of those living with the condition. Wearable devices can help people understand and monitor their condition by providing heart rate and rhythm data and alerts to detect atrial fibrillation episodes. This can be helpful to understand the impact of their disease, particularly for those living with paroxysmal (or episodic) atrial fibrillation. <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10800119/">One study</a> found smartwatches were very effective at detecting irregular heart rhythms – and could help manage and even prevent them. But any benefits of using wearables to monitor atrial fibrillation need to be balanced with the high rates of anxiety people with this condition experience, to make sure their use doesn’t exacerbate psychological distress. <h2>Wearables can empower patients</h2> For many people, the sense they are receiving reliable, objective and personalised health data can encourage <a href="https://www.cvdigitalhealthjournal.com/article/S2666-6936(21)00020-7/fulltext">feelings of confidence, safety and assurance</a>, especially when combined with symptom trackers or patient diaries. This may allow patients to self-manage their condition at home with their families, rather than spending time in hospital – reducing anxiety and stress. In a clinical setting, data may also encourage patients to take part in <a href="https://academic.oup.com/eurjcn/article/16/3/178/5924768">shared decision-making</a>. Interpreting health data together with doctors or other health-care professionals, they can develop goals and action plans, including when to seek help from a GP – and when to go to hospital. Patients who understand their condition <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.2147/JMDH.S19315">tend to report</a> fewer atrial fibrillation symptoms. <h2>But wearables can induce anxiety</h2> The study published by the Journal of the American Heart Association examined the behaviour and wellbeing of 172 people with atrial fibrillation over a nine-month period. It found the 83 people who used wearables to monitor their condition were more worried about their symptoms and treatment, with one in five experiencing “intense anxiety”. Chronic anxiety can contribute to stress, burnout and poor physical health, which in turn can <a href="https://www.jacc.org/doi/full/10.1016/j.jacep.2021.12.008">exacerbate heart conditions</a>. Previous <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12911-017-0486-5">research</a> has also explored the impacts of wearables on patients with long-term conditions, including heart disease. Patients in this study similarly reported increased anxiety while using these devices, as one explained: <blockquote> I am one of these people who do worry about things. I do get concerned about myself […] and I just thought this is silly. This is reminding me every day, […] I wonder what my reading is, how good it is or how bad it is […]. Every time as soon I started thinking about it, I started thinking about my illness. </blockquote> Some people also <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10777278/">describe</a> being a “prisoner of the numbers”. They feel they “need to keep checking the device to know how they were doing, leading to the device dominating their lives”. The volume and frequency of notifications, alarms and vibrations from wearable devices can be overwhelming and make people worry about their health. Information overload can also discourage self-management, with notifications instead prompting people to seek health advice more often than they otherwise would. But this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. For other people, low levels of health or digital literacy – not knowing how to use the devices or interpret the data – may make them feel so stressed or anxious they <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12911-017-0486-5">abandon wearables</a> altogether. <h2>The future of wearables</h2> In the future, digital devices may help paint a holistic picture of health and wellbeing through a “<a href="https://theconversation.com/digital-diagnosis-how-your-smartphone-or-wearable-device-could-forecast-illness-102385">digital phenotype</a>” that combines data like sleep patterns, weight changes and physical activity. But more research is needed to understand the effects of wearables – including their notifications and alarms – on patients’ anxiety levels. If you already use a wearable device for health monitoring, it can be helpful to regularly review the data and notification settings. You may wish to discuss how you are using your device to help you self-manage your condition with your doctor or nurse. With any chronic disease, having a management action plan is important. This includes discussing with your health-care professional when to seek care (such as attending the emergency department or GP). Meanwhile, there’s still work to be done to help make nurses and doctors feel more confident <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10376178.2018.1486943">integrating wearables</a> – and the data they provide – into patient care.<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/235596/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/caleb-ferguson-72">Caleb Ferguson</a>, Professor of Nursing; Director of Health Innnovations, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-wollongong-711">University of Wollongong</a> Image credits: Shutterstock 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/is-your-smartwatch-making-you-anxious-wearables-can-lead-people-to-stress-more-about-their-health-235596">original article</a>. </div>

Body

Our research shows 4 in 10 Australians in aged care are malnourished. What can we do about it?

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/jonathan-foo-1551045">Jonathan Foo</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/monash-university-1065">Monash University</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/marie-claire-oshea-1373994">Marie-Claire O'Shea</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/griffith-university-828">Griffith University</a> In the next 40 years <a href="https://treasury.gov.au/sites/default/files/2023-08/p2023-435150-fs.pdf">in Australia</a>, it’s predicted the number of Australians aged 65 and over will more than double, while the number of people aged 85 and over will more than triple. If you’re not really interested in aged care, you should be. Given these figures, you will almost certainly be engaging with aged care services at some stage – either for yourself, or supporting family members or friends seeking aged care. One service you are likely to encounter is residential aged care homes. In the past few years this sector has been under more scrutiny than ever before. Changes to legislation, workforce and funding are in motion. But the question remains as to whether these changes can happen fast enough to meet our ageing population’s needs. One area of need not being adequately met at present is nutrition. In a <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/12/13/1296">new study</a>, we’ve found four in ten older Australians living in residential aged care are not receiving enough of the right types of nutrients, resulting in loss of weight and muscle. This is known as malnutrition. <h2>Good nutrition is essential for healthy ageing</h2> Malnutrition in older people is <a href="https://www.agedcarequality.gov.au/providers/food-nutrition-dining/why-meals-matter">associated with</a> poorer overall health, such as increased risk of falls and infections. This can accelerate loss of independence for older people, including the need for extra assistance with basic activities such as bathing and dressing. Older people are at increased risk of <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(22)02612-5/abstract">malnutrition</a> for a range of reasons. These can include decreased appetite, difficulties with chewing and swallowing, and the presence of other chronic diseases such as Parkinson’s disease or dementia. Importantly, ensuring adequate nutrition is about more than just offering healthy foods. We eat not only to meet nutritional requirements, but for enjoyment and socialisation. We each have different preferences around what we want to eat, when and with whom. Food provision poses a challenge for residential aged care providers who must navigate the range of residents’ preferences together with dietary restrictions and texture modifications. This must also be balanced against the practicalities of having the right number of appropriately trained kitchen and mealtime assistance staff, and working within funding constraints. Understanding more about who is malnourished in aged care can help providers better address this problem. <h2>Malnutrition is an ongoing problem in aged care</h2> We looked at more than 700 aged care residents in New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia. We assessed participants for malnutrition using a screening tool that collects data on medical history and dietary intake, and includes a physical examination of muscle and fat. We found 40% were malnourished, including 6% who were severely malnourished. This likely underestimates the true rate of malnutrition, as residents with dementia were excluded. International <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/15/13/2927">studies</a> have shown an average of 80% of aged care residents with dementia are malnourished or at risk of developing malnutrition. Our findings are broadly in line with a synthesis of <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378512219301148">38 international studies</a>, which reported an average malnutrition rate in residential aged care of 52%. In Australia, malnutrition was highlighted as <a href="https://www.royalcommission.gov.au/aged-care">a priority</a> for immediate attention in the 2021 Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. Its report cited <a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/british-journal-of-nutrition/article/dairy-food-supplementation-may-reduce-malnutrition-risk-in-institutionalised-elderly/52E93ADD586C634A3913A2AFE9D07847">an Australian study</a> of 215 residents, published in 2017, which found 68% were malnourished or at risk of malnutrition. It’s difficult to directly compare malnutrition rates between studies due to differences in diagnostic measurements. But it’s clear malnutrition is an ongoing challenge in aged care. <h2>What can we do about it?</h2> Since the royal commission, we’ve seen the strengthening of the <a href="https://www.agedcarequality.gov.au/providers/quality-standards/strengthened-quality-standards">quality standards</a> to be included in the new Aged Care Act, anticipated to be introduced to parliament in 2025. The strengthened quality standards provide an important framework to guide action by aged care providers on malnutrition. Key requirements include partnering with residents to design food options, regular assessment and reassessment of resident nutrition requirements, developing systems to monitor and improve satisfaction with food, designing pleasant dining environments, and providing staff with the training they need to achieve all of the above. However, achieving these standards will require investment of money and time. At the moment, <a href="https://kpmg.com/au/en/home/insights/2023/09/australian-aged-care-sector-analysis.html">64% of residential aged care providers</a> in Australia are operating at a financial loss. While we know carers and facility managers want to provide the best care possible, it’s difficult to achieve this when contending with underlying financial problems. As such, our teams at Monash and Griffith universities are focusing on strategies that minimise the burden on staff and providers. We are working on automating malnutrition screening. Current tools take 10–15 minutes and should be used when a new resident moves into an aged care home and regularly during their stay. But anecdotal evidence suggests providers lack the staff and funding needed to routinely carry out this screening. Instead, we aim to use existing data from aged care providers, including quarterly reports from the <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/qi-program">National Aged Care Mandatory Quality Indicator Program</a>, to detect malnutrition automatically. This will allow staff to focus more on care. Given the complexity of malnutrition, it’s likely that addressing the issue at a national scale will take some time. In the short term, for those with loved ones in aged care homes, we encourage you to be actively involved in their care, including noticing and speaking up if you think more can be done to optimise their nutrition.<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/235507/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/jonathan-foo-1551045">Jonathan Foo</a>, Lecturer, Physiotherapy, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/monash-university-1065">Monash University</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/marie-claire-oshea-1373994">Marie-Claire O'Shea</a>, Senior Lecturer, School of Health Sciences and Social Work, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/griffith-university-828">Griffith University</a> Image credits: Shutterstock 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/our-research-shows-4-in-10-australians-in-aged-care-are-malnourished-what-can-we-do-about-it-235507">original article</a>. </div>

Body

Robert Irwin hits back over nasty reports about mum

Robert Irwin has hit back at the nasty comments about his close relationship with mum Terri Irwin. The wildlife conservationist appeared with I’m A Celebrity... co-star Julia Morris on The Kyle & Jackie O show on Monday morning to discuss their Gold Logie nominations, when Kyle Sandilands expressed his surprise that Terri didn't join Robert in the studio for the interview. “Are you saying that the press reports are inaccurate that everywhere you go, your mother’s there?” Sandilands asked. “I hear it all the time but I don’t believe it’s even true.” Robert laughed and jokingly responded: “Who would’ve thought press reports are inaccurate?” But, co-host Julia Morris was quick to come to his defence. “Can I just address that because it drives me absolutely nuts,” she said on-air. “It takes all my strength not to go onto the internet and go absolutely spare every time [Robert and Terri headlines are] written. All I want you to do is every time you see that written that, you know, ‘Terri hangs around’, I want you to go directly to who’s written that story and know that that person hates their parents.” “If you’ve got parents that are as unbelievably awesome as Terri, and you have a great relationship, you want them to be around at all times,” she added. “If you’re trying to hide stuff from your parents, or your parents are constantly badgering or at you, then you don’t want them around and you can’t get why anyone would want their parents around, you know?” she concluded. Robert then chimed in and explained that people often don't understand his close relationship with his mother, and how they became especially tight as a family following Steve Irwin's death in 2006. “I think loss brings a family together like nothing else. People forget,” he said. “I think when we lost dad, our little tight knit family unit became incredibly tight.” “And we travel with the whole family everywhere most of the time. It’s nice.” This comes after a few <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/travel/international-travel/every-day-is-precious-fans-defend-robert-irwin-over-posts-with-mum" target="_blank" rel="noopener">trolls</a> criticised his close relationship to his mother during a trip to the US back in May. A few outlets have also suggested that the mother and son are unhealthily attached, but many fans have since defended their close relationship. “People saying why Robert has he’s mum in so many photos. Remember every day is precious. Life is fragile. The Irwin’s like millions of other families have experienced loss on a monumental scale,” one wrote on Instagram. Image: The Kyle and Jackie O Show

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Entertainment

Travel

Health

Lifestyle

Finance

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Your gas stove might be making your asthma worse. Here’s what you can do about it

Readers response: How do you feel about online shopping compared to traditional in-store shopping?

What causes food cravings? And what can we do about them?

What’s the difference between a heart attack and cardiac arrest? One’s about plumbing, the other wiring

Amanda Keller breaks down over simple question about her husband

Billy Connolly shares candid admission about Parkinson's battle

How long does back pain last? And how can learning about pain increase the chance of recovery?

Kyle Sandilands' warning about new "right to disconnect" laws

Hero security guard tears up while speaking about girl he saved

What your nose can tell you about your health

4 things ancient Greeks and Romans got right about mental health

Young woman praised for "speaking the truth" about Australia's history

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Is your smartwatch making you anxious? Wearables can lead people to stress more about their health

Our research shows 4 in 10 Australians in aged care are malnourished. What can we do about it?

Robert Irwin hits back over nasty reports about mum

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