Monat: Januar 2024

The toilet is a notoriously private place, where unless you’re a parent of children under four years of age or a velcro pet, you’re usually left to do your business in peace. 

So, given the private nature of our time on our toilets, it can be a little difficult to know whether we’re guilty of committing any restroom faux-pas– until now that is.

Ladies, if you’re prone to squatting over a porcelain bowl in the name of hygiene, we’ve got some bad news for you. Here’s why experts don’t recommend the toilet technique.

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Why do people squat over the toilet?

When you really think about the sheer volume of cheeks public restrooms at airports, shopping centres or petrol statins encounter each week (we’re talking in the thousands), it’s natural to feel a little trepidation about making direct contact. 

But when you’ve spent 12 hours stuck in the middle seat on a flight, taking advantage of the free-flowing mini beverages, sometimes holding it in simply isn’t an option. 

A 2019 review in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health explored a spectrum of women’s bathroom behaviours, finding several commonalities across the board. 

Comparing the data, researchers found many individuals avoided using public toilets entirely, with most admitting to being worried about the general cleanliness of bathrooms shared with strangers. Alas, the affinity for squatting over public toilets appeared to be understandably high among women.

Why you should never squat

Anyone who has popped a squat over a toilet bowl in their lifetime will remember the feeling- it’s essential the same thing you do in your 8 AM pilates class. The strain on your legs, core and back is anything but relaxing– a state most people might associate with a successful bathroom break. 

According to Dr Carol Figuers, EdD, professor at Duke University School of Medicine, the act of squatting while doing your business can lead to more than just discomfort in the moment.

“When you don’t completely sit down, your muscles are not completely relaxed,” she says. “In order for the bladder to completely empty, the pelvic floor muscles have to be let go.”

The pelvic floor specialist explains that an individual’s muscles are usually 30 to 40 per cent tensed when squatting, meaning a portion of your bladder contents will remain. Why is this a problem? 

In the short term, carrying around ‘old’ urine places you at risk of an accidental leak if you sneeze, laugh, jump or cough (depending on your overall pelvic floor strength. In the long term, Dr Figuers says that ‘old’ urine can cause irritation inside the bladder, leaving you feeling like you need to urinate more often than you usually would. 

What you should do instead

While the likelihood of you catching some terrible flesh-eating bacteria or life-ruining STI is extremely minute, we’ve all heard enough horror stories and urban legends to render our apprehension valid. 

If you find yourself in a less-than-satisfactory bathroom situation, Dr Figuers recommends simply fashioning a ‘nest’ of toilet paper to sit on, or utilising a paper seat cover if the facilities have any on offer. 

And if you are forced to, infrequent squatting or hovering is generally fine, but for the sake of your pelvic control, don’t make it a habit. 

Almost a month into 2024, weight loss may still be top of mind for the scores of people who made it their New Year’s resolution.

Now, doctors are sharing the best time to weigh yourself — the morning — while advocating for consistency when you step on the scale.

“Weight can fluctuate during the day, so, it’s good to pick the same time each day to weigh yourself,” Dr Mert Erogul told Parade recently.

The slight fluctuations in weight between morning and evening can be attributed to the food and drinks consumed throughout the day, to the activities and exercises performed, and nominally, to bowel movements.

People tend to weigh less when they wake up because breathing and sweating as they sleep causes them to lose fluids. A study also found that adults burn around 50 calories an hour during slumber.

“When you wake up in the morning, you’re dehydrated because you haven’t been drinking during the night. Then, you go to the bathroom and pee out the fluid,” Dr Neil Floch explained to Parade. “If you have a bowel movement, you could lose another quarter of a pound to a pound from that. So this is when you will be at your lowest weight.”

“Then, once you get dressed, eat breakfast and have something to drink, your weight is going to go up slightly,” he added.

The doctors’ advice comes as losing weight placed fourth in a Forbes Health/OnePoll survey about 2024 New Year’s resolutions.

33.8 per cent of the 1,000 adults polled said they want to lose weight — while 48 per cent set the goal of improving fitness; 38 per cent aim to fix their finances; and 36 per cent seek better mental health.

All the while, our obesity crisis rages on.

Excess weight and obesity have been found to raise the risk of developing diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and several types of cancer.

Erogul says people trying to lose weight should look to shed 500 grams to one kilogram a week.

“Very low-calorie diets are associated with greater early weight loss, but no difference in the long term,” he said.

So, why do some people hit their health and fitness goals whereas others don’t? Listen in as organisational psychologist Dr Amantha Imber helps you make habits stick. 

WANT MORE FROM AMANTHA?

To hear today’s full interview, where she chats about how to make health habits a little bit easier…search for Extra Healthy-ish wherever you get your pods.

You can grab Amantha’s book, The Health Habit (Penguin, $36.99) here. For her Habit Hijacker quiz see here, follow her @amanthai, or check out her podcast How I Work here.

WANT MORE BODY + SOUL? 

Online: Head to bodyandsoul.com.au for your daily digital dose of health and wellness.

On social: Via Instagram at @bodyandsoul_au or Facebook. Or, TikTok here. Got an idea for an episode? DM host Felicity Harley on Instagram @felicityharley. 

In print: Each Sunday, grab Body+Soul inside The Sunday Telegraph (NSW), the Sunday Herald Sun (Victoria), The Sunday Mail (Queensland), Sunday Mail (SA) and Sunday Tasmanian (Tasmania). 

Experts have issued a warning about a common mistake some people make when eating chia seeds.

The antioxidant-rich superfood is known to improve digestion and ease constipation – but, if consumed without liquid, can form “a concrete-like mass in your digestive tract”, which can lead to them getting stuck.

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Numerous videos suggesting eating and drinking chia seeds have gone viral recently after many claimed the seeds could be used to aid dieting.

“Chia seeds can absorb up to 27 times their own weight in water, so please don’t eat it dry, or you’ll be seeing a GI doctor soon,” gastroenterologist at California’s UCLA Health, Dr Wendi Lebrett, said in a popular video on TikTok.

In the clip, Dr Lebrett shared an image of a ball of chia seeds impacted in a person’s oesophagus – the passage that connects the mouth to the stomach.

To avoid such an incident, she advised drinking plenty of water while eating chia seeds, and to always soak them first, “otherwise it can form a thick, gloopy concrete-like mass”.

Dr Lebrett also referred to a 2014 report published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology, detailing the case of a 39-year-old man with impacted chia seeds in his oesophagus.

The patient, who also suffered from asthma, presented at a hospital in North Carolina, complaining he was having trouble swallowing.

About 12 hours before seeking medical attention, he told doctors he’d swallowed a tablespoon of dry chia seeds – with tests confirming a “gel of hydrated chia seeds” had obstructed his oesophagus.

The man ultimately required an endoscopy to push the chia seeds into his stomach and resolve the blockage.

Left untreated, an oesophageal blockage can lead to difficulty swallowing, inability to eat, trouble breathing, and tearing of the oesophagus.

“Patients should never consume dry chia seeds. They can absorb many times their weight in water and expand and may become lodged in a patient’s oesophagus, especially if there is a history of swallowing problems,” the report’s authors said.

“However when used properly, chia seeds are safe. They should only be mixed with sufficient amounts of liquid to allow them to expand before consumption.”

A girl is now allergic to her own sweat and tears following an eczema “flare up”.

Summah Williams, 11, was diagnosed with eczema as a baby but the condition had always been mild up until late last year when her skin started “shedding like a snake”, leaving her unable to move or even maintain a normal body temperature. 

The Queensland girl’s mother, Karyn, says her daughter repeatedly developed staph infections – symptoms of which include redness and swelling of the infected area – but they had been controlled by commonly prescribed medicines. 

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“We were using a lot of cortisone and antibodies to clear that up. We weren’t sure what was causing it,” she said.

“It just went out of control. She was red raw, swollen, her face started peeling. She was freezing all the time. So itchy.

“(The hospital) said she had a staph infection. She was on antibiotics for five days. But once she started antibiotics, her whole body just started to shed like a snake.”

“It was awful to watch, it was very confronting.”

While doctors put the scary event down to severe eczema, Williams believes her daughter’s flare up was a case of Topical Steroid Withdrawal (TSW), caused by continued use of topical steroids used to treat eczema, such as cortisone. 

Victorian Dermal Group medical practitioner, Goran Gacovski explains that TSW can occur “when a person suddenly discontinues or reduces the use of these topical steroids after long-term usage, leading to withdrawal symptoms… such as redness, oozing, itching, and skin peeling, among others.”

“Symptoms can persist for years but often decrease in severity over time.”

To move away from steroid creams, Summah was placed on a new, injection-based medication called Dupixent, which has cleared up 80 per cent of her flare ups. 

“So it’s helped her,” explains Summah’s mum. 

“But now we have side effects around the face and neck which are quite red, quite severe around her eyes.”

Summah also lost hair on her eyebrows in her flare up. 

“She just doesn’t look like she did before.”

“She’s always like ‘why was I born this way?’”

Emotions run high especially when Summah’s skin is feeling itchy. But perhaps one of the most brutal side effects of the new medication is that her skin retaliates to even her tears.

“She gets really self-conscious and cries,” details her mum, “asking why she can’t be like her friends with lovely skin, but then gets ‘panda eyes’ when she cries as she’s even allergic to her own tears and sweat – which is heartbreaking as she loves dancing.”

Despite all her struggles, she has remained resilient, continuing to pursue her dream of one day being a professional dancer.  Summah, who has won awards for dancing, is back in the studio and grateful for the friends she has at dance that support.

“She still has a positive outlook on (dancing). Still wants to have a career in it. 

“I just keep telling her, you know, it will be okay. It’s not going to be forever.”

Williams is determined to seek answers and raise awareness about TSW, after struggling to get the right diagnosis for Summah, despite telling medics repeatedly she suspected she had TSW.

“That was what made me quite angry in the hospital. Because I was trying to say this isn’t normal eczema, this is TSW. I’ve read a lot about it, but it’s kind of dismissed by dermatologists.

“But so many people are suffering from the flaky, red skin. It’s … people going through all the same things and they’ve all used steroid cream.

“When you stop it, it just goes haywire. There’s not enough information around.”

President of the Eczema Association of Australasia, Cheryl Talent, affirms that “information, especially in Australia is very varied and there are not many medical practitioners who are experts in managing this condition. 

“Medical practitioners in general have not up to now recognised TSW as an actual condition, although slowly this is changing.”

But the lack of awareness has “now become a huge problem concerning the use of topical steroid treatments,” Talent believes, with even a “topical steroid phobia” now existing in the public domain. 

“If used appropriately, topical steroid treatment can be really helpful in managing many skin problems, predominantly eczema.”

Gacovski recommends to simply limit usage, follow prescriptions, and gradually reduce the use of topical steroids under medical supervision.

Eczema affects up to 30 per cent of the Australian population at some point in their life, and CEO of natural skincare brand MooGoo, Melody Livingstone says the recent erratic weather changes can contribute to flare ups. 

“With what we’re experiencing now with extreme heat and humidity, we always see a spike in calls and inquiries about how to manage your eczema.” 

She recommends Aussies prone to eczema to keep the skin cool, avoid harsh soaps and detergents and moisturise regularly to maintain a healthy skin barrier. 

“Unfortunately, if you do suffer from skin sensitivity. You do have to be a bit more vigilant about your day to day routine and what you use on your body.”

Talking about money with your partner can be tricky, but journalist and author Nicole Haddow is here to make it a little less stressful. She shares her top tips for financial self-care for couples. 

WANT MORE FROM NICOLE?

To hear today’s full interview, where she discusses couple money talks, f***-off funds & boosting financial wellness…search for Extra Healthy-ish wherever you get your pods.

Grab Nicole’s book Couple Goals: Building a strong financial future and an even better relationship (Hachette, $34.99) here. Or, catch her @nicolehaddow or via her site here.  

WANT MORE BODY + SOUL? 

Online: Head to bodyandsoul.com.au for your daily digital dose of health and wellness.

On social: Via Instagram at @bodyandsoul_au or Facebook. Or, TikTok here. Got an idea for an episode? DM host Felicity Harley on Instagram @felicityharley. 

In print: Each Sunday, grab Body+Soul inside The Sunday Telegraph (NSW), the Sunday Herald Sun (Victoria), The Sunday Mail (Queensland), Sunday Mail (SA) and Sunday Tasmanian (Tasmania). 

Want to build a strong financial future and stronger relationship? Journalist and author Nicole Haddow discusses navigating couple money talks, splitting household costs and whether women should have a f***-off fund.  

WANT MORE FROM NICOLE?

Grab Nicole’s book Couple Goals: Building a strong financial future and an even better relationship (Hachette, $34.99) here. Or, catch her @nicolehaddow or via her site here.  

WANT MORE BODY + SOUL? 

Online: Head to bodyandsoul.com.au for your daily digital dose of health and wellness.

On social: Via Instagram at @bodyandsoul_au or Facebook. Or, TikTok here. Got an idea for an episode? DM host Felicity Harley on Instagram @felicityharley. 

In print: Each Sunday, grab Body+Soul inside The Sunday Telegraph (NSW), the Sunday Herald Sun (Victoria), The Sunday Mail (Queensland), Sunday Mail (SA) and Sunday Tasmanian (Tasmania). 

When it comes to lifesaving advancements, few things can compare to the invention of CPR. We’ve been reminded of the steps involved since childhood, often refreshing our technique through a first aid course.

But, with everything going on in our busy lives, perfectly remembering the steps of a method we may rarely (if not ever) need to use can easily fall off our list of priorities. 

Now, research reveals only five per cent of Aussies hold a current first aid qualification, with many simply unable to afford up-to-date training amidst the current cost of living crisis. 

Alas, in an effort to reinstate the importance of learning CPR, piquing the engagement of younger generations, the Red Cross has decided to bring the lifesaving technique into 2024. 

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While we’d all like to be the kind of people who spring into action during an emergency, seamlessly performing vigorous CPR on someone in need, most of us would more likely step aside, feeling overwhelmed at the prospect of remembering the correct procedures. 

As important as first aid certifications are, retaining lifesaving information beyond a two-day course can feel like an impossible task for most people. 

But as University of Wollongong psychology lecturer Tim Byron explains, music has proven to be a powerful tool when it comes to helping us access memories during moments of stress. 

„For CPR in particular, being able to remember a song with a tempo in that range can be a really good thing,“ he says. „Most people are pretty good at being able to remember the tempo or pitch of a piece.“

The best new songs for CPR

You may be familiar with the past use of certain songs to ensure someone stays on rhythm while performing CPR, most notably the aptly named 1997 hit Stayin’ Alive by The Bee Gees. 

Now, though Dua Lipa’s Dance The Night was officially voted the top song for CPR during a Red Cross campaign to find the resuscitation technique’s new soundtrack, pop superstar Taylor Swift has an undeniable knack for writing music to the rhythm of 100 to 120 beats per minute. 

Unless CPR is performed at this correct pace (stimulating the natural rhythm of the human heart) pounding down on an unconscious person’s chest will do little more than potentially crack a few ribs. 

So, when it comes to finding the perfect song to help you remember the right pace for administering CPR, it may be as simple as choosing your favourite Swift era.

Taylor’s best CPR tracks throughout the eras:

#1. Taylor Swift (Debut) – Picture To Burn

#2. Fearless – Love Story

#3. Speak Now – Sparks Fly

#4. Red – 22

#5. 1989 – Welcome To New York

#6. Reputation – Dress

#7. Lover – The Man

#8. Folklore – Mirrorball

#9. Evermore – Gold Rush

#10. Midnights – You’re On Your Own, Kid

Of course, nailing the timing of CPR is of little use unless you sufficiently understand how to administer the technique itself. 

The latest musical search highlights the importance of engaging the younger generations in the importance of learning (and refreshing) CPR skills. Experts recommend enrolling in a refresher course every 12 months to ensure your skills remain up to date, and therefore more likely to effectively save a life. 

With the risk of brain damage and death increasing every minute a person stops breathing, experts say CPR should always be performed in conjunction with calling emergency services (000). 

Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of skin cancer, just six months after a breast cancer diagnosis. 

Revealed in a statement to People, representatives for the Duchess shared that she has a type of malignant melanoma, which she discovered after having moles removed amidst her cancer treatment.

The news comes just days after Catherine, Princess of Wales was admitted to hospital for scheduled abdominal surgery, and news broke about King Charles beginning treatment for a benign prostate condition.

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“Following her diagnosis with an early form of breast cancer this summer, Sarah, Duchess of York, has now been diagnosed with malignant melanoma,” said the spokesperson. “Her dermatologist asked that several moles were removed and analysed at the same time as the duchess was undergoing reconstructive surgery following her mastectomy, and one of these has been identified as cancerous.”

At just 64 years old, “Fergie”, as she’s commonly known, had only just completed her breast cancer treatment and reconstruction, sharing that she “beat breast cancer” in a social media post on New Year’s Eve. 

Just three weeks later she was dealt the devastating diagnosis of a malignant melanoma – the most deadly form of skin cancer.

One of Ferguson’s friends told People that the double cancer diagnosis  “a matter of months has obviously been a shock and a blow.”

„[She] is very resilient and in good spirits,” the friend added. “Her time in Austria helped her gather her strength, and her family is supporting her.”

The spokesperson continued, “The Duchess wants to thank the entire medical team which has supported her, particularly her dermatologist whose vigilance ensured the illness was detected when it was.”

“She believes her experience underlines the importance of checking the size, shape, colour and texture and emergence of new moles that can be a sign of melanoma.”

The majority of skin cancers are caused by exposure to the sun, and Australia has the highest incidences in the world, two to three times as high as the UK, where Ferguson lives. 

Within Australia, skin cancers account for around 80 per cent of all newly diagnosed cancers each year, according to the Cancer Council. 

While our hearts go out to Fergie and her family at this difficult time, it also serves as a poignant reminder not to put off those skin checks. 

While some skin cancers can take months to grow, some can develop in a matter of weeks – so the importance of getting timely and regular skin checks really can’t be understated. 

“The sooner a skin cancer is identified and treated, the better your chance of avoiding surgery or, in the case of a serious melanoma or other skin cancer, potential disfigurement or even death,” writes the Cancer Council. 

Of course, prevention is always better than cure. So in addition to remembering to book in (and actually go to) your skin cancer screens, sunscreen should be worn every day, no excuses, along with other forms of sun protection – a hat, sunglasses, protective clothing and seeking shade wherever possible. 

It’s also crucial to become familiar with the signs of a potentially malignant mole. 

The Cancer Council advises all people to become familiar with the appearance of your skin, so you know if something has changed. You should also keep an eye out for: 

• Any crusty, non-healing sores
• Small lumps that are red, pale or pearly in colour
• New spots, freckles or any moles changing in colour, thickness or shape over a period of weeks to months.

To book in for a skin check, talk to your GP or dermatologist, or book in to see a specialist at Australian Skin Cancer Clinics – which you can go to without a referral.