Michael Mol - TV presenter, speaker, master of ceremonies

Medical Male Articles

A COLLECTION OF MEDICAL ARTICLES FOR MEN.
AS APPEARED IN MAKSIMAN AND WRITTEN BY DR. MICHAEL MOL.

I am a pain in the back ...

Two years ago, doubled over in agony, I shuffled painfully out of a Neurosurgeons consulting room, carefully considering the prognosis he had handed me. “There’s no doubt that you will one day need a back operation,” he said – “but let’s try and delay it until you’re ninety-five.” And so my youth was gone forever. Where once this body could withstand the relentless beatings and bashings of rigorous sport and adventure without flinching, it would now need to be cared for and serviced like a second hand car. Thankfully I’m not alone - eight out of ten people will experience lower back pain at some time in their lives, brought on by any number of causes.

Here is a healthy approach then, to a perpetual problem:
Rule out any red flags associated with back ache, such as: one-sided (unilateral) leg pain, numbness, decreased power in one limb, sudden loss of bladder and bowel control and severe continuous pain, particularly after a traumatic incident (a bad fall). A red flag naturally implies stopping the race and going for help immediately.

In the absence of those symptoms, you’re in the clear – but probably still in pain, so first & foremost get some horizontal rest. But here’s the catch – for no longer than two days. More than 48 hours on your back is detrimental to your recovery, and to your psyche, so it’s in your best interest to resume your normal activities as soon as possible, but always within the limits of your pain.

With your back, back in action, maintenance of a healthy spine becomes your next priority. Regular exercise is a powerful deterrent to debilitating back problems, and a physiotherapist or biokinetist could lend invaluable advice here. There’s little to beat the benefit of swimming. The resultant loss of excess weight decreases stress on your spine, and the increase of muscle strength stabilizes the vertebrae, in particular your abdominals.

Stand tall, and keep an upright posture. Sitting is unhealthy – but if you must sit, use a chair with solid lower back support, or better yet - as I write this I’m sitting on a huge yellow ball … hmmm, long story.
It’s always better to push than to pull. Pick up objects with bent knees and a straight back and try to avoid lifting your wife over your head.
If you must sleep, do so on your side with your knees pulled towards your chest. If you’ve slept on your stomach for twenty years and can’t break the habit – put a pillow under your pelvis to straighten your spine, or under your knees if you snore flat on your back.

I’ve made no mention of surgery, and for good reason: For 99% of us - the one back operation we should avoid at all cost - is the first one. Though surgery has its place, always get a second opinion before you fall under the knife.

If you’re the spineless type - please ignore this advice…

Copyright © Carpe Diem Media

The bald and the beautiful.

My Grandfather was so bald, he could’ve been Kojak - I’ve seen more hair on a golf ball! My own father has an ever-broadening divide between the sparse & withery vegetation on either side of his head, and so I am preparing to “meet my dome.”

Long before Julius Caesar grew his hair long in the back and combed it forward (as did Napoleon) men through the ages have suffered in silence from male pattern hair loss. Today’s no different, only the stigmas have changed… some say if you lose it in front – “you’re a thinker,” if you lose it at the back – “you’re sexy.” But if you lose it on top – “you think you’re sexy!”

7 out of 10 men will suffer from Androgenetic Alopecia, which is the scientific name for the genetic predisposition in men for pattern hair loss - and is the cause of over 95% of all balding.

That doesn’t leave much room for all the Old wives tales about balding – and rightly so, because most of them are downright wrong; Standing on your head or massaging your scalp is an act of futility, there is simply not enough evidence to label bad circulation as a cause. Wearing a hat, long hair or a ponytail has no detrimental impact on your follicles. Stress plays a possible role, but for significant hair fallout you’d have to live through several months of extreme emotional turmoil. Sweating is a possible contributing factor, through clogging and killing follicles – but most shampoos will combat that consequence. A good rule of thumb is - if it didn't make you bald when you were 15, it's probably not making you bald now.

Science has yet to prove what is truly responsible, but this they do know: DHT (Dihydrotestosterone) is a naturally occurring hormone (that assists with sexual development during puberty), which triggers an autoimmune response, initiating an attack on the hair follicle. With each progressive growth cycle (as we get older!) the hair gets shorter and thinner, withering until it finally turns into unpigmented vellus hair – or peach fuzz!

Our individual susceptibility to that hormone differs – and that’s where genetics come into play. The tendency to lose hair is inherited from either parent (it’s a myth that the mothers’ side is more crucial!), and stretches as far back as 6 generations.

So, beside a proper haircut, that can make a vast difference in diffusing hair loss, is there any real hope for the “bald & beautiful?” Absolutely! For the first time in history, medical science has shown that hair loss can be treated, and even reversed. You’re no longer obliged to glibly accept your fuzzy fate, but rather speak to a qualified dermatologist who’ll introduce you to a new world of “hair-raising technology.”

Copyright © Carpe Diem Media

A lesson in Cellular Biology.

As a child, my mother lead me to believe that if my ears glowed, someone, somewhere was talking about me. More recently I came across the real reason for red ears (which makes me wonder about the validity of the tooth fairy) Though her theory was a little shaky, it definitely had to do with talking … on a cellphone. Cell phones emit electromagnetic waves or radiation, which we call radio frequency (RF), similar to that of microwave ovens and TV’s. Unlike deeply penetrating X-rays or Gamma rays, RF fields cannot cause radioactivity in the body. They do, however, penetrate exposed tissues to depths of up to one centimeter at the frequencies used by mobile phones. That RF energy is absorbed in the body and produces heat, hence the glowing ear.

The industry predicts that there will be as many as 1.6 billion mobile phone subscribers worldwide in the next three years (a lot of hot heads!). Given the immense numbers of users, even small adverse effects on health could have major global implications. That’s why the World Health Organization (WHO) has made a determined effort to find factual and scientifically researched answers to the question we’re all asking – Is the cell phone hazardous to my health?

The overall opinion, and one shared by leading global researchers of the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and the WHO, is that Mobile phones pose NO health risk. The heat energy that’s generated is well within the safety margin, and easily tolerated by the body. Current scientific evidence also indicates that exposure to RF fields emitted by mobile phones and their base stations (those fake palm trees), is unlikely to induce or promote cancers. So forget the rumours about tumors, it’s been proven otherwise.

Yet for those who noticed that little word “unlikely” - the worrying implication is that although no real dangers have been found, they also have not necessarily all been ruled out, and maybe more research needs to be done. When cigarettes first hit the shelves many years ago, they weren’t considered a health risk …

A hands-free appliance definitely decreases the RF exposure to your head - so if you’re a cautious caller, take this precaution to heart – or better still to your hip! Oddly enough, scratching your head with a cellphone increases the amount of RF energy absorbed – so fight the itching urge.

What am I personally doing about the dilemma of “do I, or don’t I dial?” Call me on my cell and
I’ll tell you …

Copyright © Carpe Diem Media

A heartfelt message ...

People say leaping off the 216m high Blaauwkraans bridge with an elastic band attached to your ankles can’t be good for the heart. But the truth is, when it comes to risk factors for heart disease (HD) - just being born a South African male is far more dangerous than bungi jumping. One in three men will suffer from cardiovascular disease before the age of sixty.

Unfair? Yes, but that’s not all – a family history of early heart disease, diabetes and simply ‘growing older’ are all factors that increase your odds of getting heart disease, and there’s nothing you can do about them either.

There are however, risk factors that you can change – and it makes sense not to add insult to injury. Smoking is the single biggest risk factor for a heart attack and more than doubles your likelihood (each cigarette shortens your life by about 5.5 minutes, so for each year you smoke, you take off one month of your life!). The risk of HD increases with a rise in blood cholesterol levels – which can be combated with a low fat diet and medication. High Blood Pressure increases the workload of your heart, weakening it over time, and making it more susceptible to an attack. Potatoes are a risk factor … more specifically, inactive couch potatoes!! Regular exercise plays an important role in preventing HD, not to mention reducing other risk factors such as stress and excess body weight - lending new meaning to the old adage: “no pain, no gain”

Chest pain is one of the most common reasons that people visit emergency rooms, and there are numerous triggers, ranging from benign causes, e.g. anxiety and reflux (heartburn), to the most dangerous of all … Ischaemic Heart Disease.

Ischaemia is a state of insufficient blood supply that brings oxygen to the heart, resulting in a Myocardial infarction … or a heart attack. The pain of a heart attack is usually described as “crushing” chest pain. Other warning signals of heart attack include pain that spreads to the shoulders, neck or arms, light-headedness, feinting, sweating, nausea and shortness of breath.

A heart attack doesn’t usually happen all at once – it may last for hours, and each minute of the attack without treatment can cause more irreversible damage to the heart muscle. If you experience chest pain of any kind, act immediately. Call an Emergency number or get to an Emergency Unit fast … don’t be a hero!

Copyright © Carpe Diem Media

The cost of cholesterol.

"I was fit. I ate the right food. I never smoked. I wasn't aware that there was a history of high cholesterol in my family. It never occurred to me to have my cholesterol checked, until I started having palpitations and was tired 20 minutes into my training. By then it was too late. I was rushed in for a triple - bypass operation. If only I had spoken to my doctor earlier. No matter how fit and healthy you think you are, my advice is that you keep checking your cholesterol and your cardio- vascular risk."

A sobering testimony from a previously untouchable Springbok center that played 24 tests … Danie Gerber.

High cholesterol affects eight out of ten South Africans – and you’re probably one of them. Cholesterol is a waxy fat-like substance that is manufactured in the liver, found throughout the body and needed for normal functioning. It’s coated with a layer of protein to facilitate transportation in the bloodstream, creating a lipoprotein. Low density lipoproteins (LDLs) aka bad cholesterol, carry most of the cholesterol in the blood. Excess LDLs build up on the walls of arteries leading to a narrowing of the vasculature, known as atherosclerosis, and subsequently slows down blood flow. The more LDLs in your blood, the greater your risk of a heart attack or stroke. High density lipoproteins (HDLs) or Good cholesterol on the other hand carry cholesterol back to the liver for reprocessing or excretion and in doing so help prevent cholesterol from building up, and thus prevent cardiovascular disease.

According guidelines, acceptable cholesterol levels are:
  • Total cholesterol less than or equal to 5mmol/L
  • LDL Cholesterol less than or equal to 3mmol/L
  • HDL Cholesterol greater than or equal to 1.2mmol/L

High Cholesterol levels are caused by a number of factors, chief of which is your family historty and diet: saturated fat, which is found in meat, eggs and dairy products, raises the level of LDL cholesterol in your blood. Unsaturated fat such as vegetables, sunflower and olive oil, not only lowers LDL, but also raises the HDL level in your blood. Regular & sustained physical activity also lowers LDL and raises HDL-cholesterol. Sex too plays a role, yes as a physical activity! But in gender terms, men should have regular testing done from the age of 45, and women from 55. Some good news, is that a glass of wine a day is good for you, increasing HDL levels!

Whether you consider yourself at risk or not, an 8 in 10 probability warrants a regular blood test, after all… Cholesterol doesn’t kill, ignorance does.

Copyright © Carpe Diem Media

Costly Cholesterol - more wine and less whine.

High cholesterol affects eight out of ten South Africans – and you’re probably one of them. Cholesterol is a waxy fat-like substance that is manufactured in the liver, found throughout the body and needed for normal functioning. It’s coated with a layer of protein to facilitate transportation in the bloodstream, creating a lipo(fat)-protein. Low density lipoproteins (LDLs) aka bad cholesterol, carry most of the cholesterol in the blood. Excess LDLs build up on the walls of arteries leading to a narrowing of the vasculature, known as atherosclerosis, and subsequently slows down blood flow. When your heart muscle no longer receives sufficient oxygenated blood, because of narrowing arteries, you’re standing near the front of the queue for a heart attack. Thus the more LDLs in your bloodstream, the greater your risk of a myocardial infarction (heart attack) or stroke. High density lipoproteins (HDLs) or Good cholesterol on the other hand carries cholesterol back to the liver for reprocessing or excretion and in so doing prevents cholesterol from building up, thus actively curbing cardiovascular disease (CVD).

The standard cholesterol test, drawn from a sample of blood or a finger prick, measures your total cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol levels. Depending on the result, it may be beneficial to do a follow up qualitative test to determine your LDL-cholesterol levels as well.

According to recent guidelines, acceptable cholesterol levels for a middle aged man are:
• Total cholesterol less than or equal to 5mmol/L
• LDL Cholesterol less than or equal to 3mmol/L
• HDL Cholesterol greater than or equal to 1.2mmol/L

High Cholesterol levels are caused by a number of factors, chief of which are your family history and diet. Since there’s little you can do about your genetics (you can pick your friends, but you can’t pick your family) let’s turn the spotlight onto diet: Saturated fat, which is found in meat, eggs and dairy products, raises the level of LDL cholesterol in your blood. Unsaturated fat from vegetables, sunflower and olive oil, not only lowers LDL, but also raises the bloods HDL level. As a rule then, try to reduce your intake of all saturated and animal fats, remembering that low fat is better than No fat. Not only is a small amount of dietary fat required to regulate the uptake of certain vitamins & nutrients, but fat free foods are often loaded with extra replacement carbohydrates, so what you sacrifice in fat, you make up for in kilojoules... which if not used wisely – will end up as fat anyway! How do you “use kilojoules wisely?” Regular and sustained physical activity is how, which also happens to lower LDL and raise HDL-cholesterol. Sex too plays a role, to a lesser degree as a physical activity, and a greater degree as gender predisposition. Men are more likely to suffer the ill effects of high cholesterol and should have routine testing done from the age of 45. Some good news though, amongst bad, is that a glass of wine a day will increase your HDL levels!

Diet aside, is there a place for medication? Absolutely, but keep a pill for plan B, once lifestyle modifications have proved unsatisfactory.

A possible 4 out of 5 strike rate, regardless of whether you’re an overweight, inactive stressed out diabetic smoker, warrants a regular blood test. After all… Cholesterol doesn’t kill, ignorance does.

Copyright © Carpe Diem Media

The Cost of Lekker Living.

What’s the opposite of “Unhappy?” I wish it were “Happy” – but it isn’t. If you bang your head against the wall, that makes you unhappy. When you stop are you happy? No, you’re simply “not unhappy” – if you were “happy,” then the key to happiness would be to bang your head against the wall just so that you could stop and “be happy.” In reality, the opposite of “unhappy” is simply “not unhappy.” So why the grammar lesson? The same could be said of sickness ... the opposite of sick is not healthy, it’s simply “not sick.” Being healthy is not merely the absence of disease; it is the pro-active approach to overall wellness. There has been a noticeable shift toward positively influencing health, rather than reactively managing it, an emphasis on maintenance rather than repair – prevention being better than cure.

Technically, in our prosperous Western world, the average lifespan has never been so high. That statistic however is due to a reduction in infant mortality rates rather than an increase in adult life expectancy - which has not been nearly as impressive. Despite incredible medical advances over the past 100 years we’ve still experienced an increase in mortality due the chronic metabolic diseases such as diabetes, cancer & cardio vascular disorders. They’re referred to as lifestyle diseases, and tend to develop unawares, over a long period of time.

The jolting statistic is that 1 in 3 South African men will suffer from cardiovascular disease before the age of 60. In this country, heart disease and stroke is public enemy number #1 - claiming more lives than cancer and violence combined. Yet 50% of these cardiac disease associated deaths could be prevented by targeting the major risk factors of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, overweight, physical inactivity and smoking.

These silent killers can be stopped in their tracks through positive lifestyle management. It’s never too late to adopt a healthy way of life – even the smallest of changes can make the biggest of differences.

So if you’ve just realized that the good life is bad for you, and you need to change – may I suggest that you start by banging your head against the wall ... it isn’t the secret to happiness but it does burn up 150 calories per hour!

Copyright © Carpe Diem Media

Forget the Tali-ban, ban the tan!

By the time you’ve read this article you will be a lot older – so my advice is to stop reading before it’s too late! We’re all ageing, and if you’re over 20, the effects of ageing are starting to show in your skin. Genetically programmed chronological ageing causes biochemical changes in collagen and elastin, the connective tissues that give skin its firmness and elasticity, and results in sagging skin and wrinkles. Grin and bare it – err, I mean, “bear” it – because there’s nothing that can reverse the process.

Photo-ageing, however, which is the effect of chronic sun exposure on the skin and which hastens the effect of chronological ageing, can be dealt with. You have two options; Emigrate to the northernmost tip of Finland for the European winter and enjoy 24hours of darkness a day. Or accept that as a native of sunny South Africa you will never be able to avoid the sun – and take steps to limit your exposure to the fiery centre of our solar system.

What about the natural attractiveness of a “Healthy tan?” you ask. Look up the word - “Oxymoron” – because that was a great example. Dermatologists are now actually referring to a tan as a scar.

The wavelengths of light that damage your skin are Ultraviolet A & B, and they have different effects. UVA’s short term effect is tanning, and its long term effect is ageing (breaks up elastin & collagen). UVB’s short term effect is sunburn, and its long term effect is skin cancer. UVB is a problem during our summer months and UVA can cause damage the whole year round. Apart from staying out of the sun from 10am to 3pm on weekdays, and between 10:30am to 3:30pm on weekends – you need to smear on lotion that will protect you from both sets of rays, but which one? There are sunscreens and sun blocks. A sunscreen contains a chemical that absorbs the energy of the ultra violet light, thereby protecting the skin. A sun block on the other hand reflects the sunlight and actually physically blocks the radiant energy and prevents it from reaching the skin. So when picking a product, read the labels. You should look out for compounds like aminobenzoates, cinnamates, avobenzone, oxybenzone, and titanium dioxide. But since few of us have a degree in organic chemistry here is a basic guideline… look at the suffixes: the “–ates” protect against sunburn and skin cancer, the “–zones” protect against premature ageing. The “–oxides” are block outs. You need the “–ates” in summer, and the “–zones” all year round, and always opt for a sun protection factor (SPF) rating of 15 to 30.

As for that natural attractiveness of a dark skin… may I suggest a tan from a can.

Copyright © Carpe Diem Media

Watch my back ...

”Watch my back!” is Hollywood’s favourite phrase - and one you and I should be using all the time when it comes to preventing skin cancer. Melanoma is not the most common malignancy, but six out of every seven deaths from skin cancer are due to an aggressive melanoma. It commonly starts on the upper back or trunk, and early detection is essential for an optimal outcome. If it’s only skin deep, the cure rate for superficial lesions is almost 100% - but once it has spread – there’s a 90% chance of fatality within ten years.

It has the appearance of a flat, brown or black mole, irregular in shape and at least 6 mm in diameter. The early signs of melanoma can be a change in an existing mole or similar pigmented lesion. Changes such as a darkening colour, asymmetrical border, increasing size or elevation and oozing or bleeding should alert you, and warrant an immediate visit to your physician.

The single most important cause is exposure to ultra violet rays of the sun. The carcinogenic effect is worsened by the hole in the ozone layer over the South Pole – and has resulted in an increased incidence of Melanoma in South Africa, New Zealand and Australia. Those at greatest risk then would be people living in the superior rugby playing hemisphere, and those with a history of sunburn and long hours of exposure in the outdoors. Don’t retreat indoors, just be on your guard - sunscreens rated 15 or higher offer the best protection against those harmful rays. In the un PC world of Melanoma you may consider yourself an officially disadvantaged individual if you have fair skin, blue eyes, red hair, freckles or atypical moles… I wonder where that ranks me, being a Mol?

There’s no point in keeping your back against the wall, get someone to watch it for you – regularly. Just remember, it’s inappropriate to watch and wait, because this condition can be fatal if not treated as early as possible. So here’s a call to vigilance for the sake of longevity – and if you forget all else just remember to protect yourself from the sun when your shadow is shorter than you are!

Copyright © Carpe Diem Media

Wonder drug!

There's an old wonder drug that's making a resurgence on the market today. With only four to six doses per week it dramatically reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure and strokes. It offers protection against colon and prostatic cancer, lowers cholesterol, combats obesity and reduces the ill effects of stress and anxiety. The drug boosts physical energy, enhances mental vigor and vastly improves psychological well-being - to such an extent that it has been prescribed as an anti depressant. This promising prescription also promotes longevity, both qualitatively and quantitively. The wonder drug is called, tah dah... exercise!

It's freely available over the counter without a prescription and costs virtually nothing. Yet despite all of those numerous benefits mentioned above (which have been clinically proven) its efficacy is hindered by one
phenomenon ... maintenance. The advantages of exercise are dependent on its regular use over a long
period of time. Though infrequent bouts of physical activity are better than none, real improvement in health is only experienced when exercise goes beyond an irregular habit and becomes a lifestyle. Improving your fitness by working out once a week or running yourself to a standstill on weekends is less effective than introducing a moderate level of exercise into your daily routine. Scientists have proved that a regular dose of "lifestyle physical activity" - like brisk walking or raking the leaves can improve health as much as those agonizing gut busting gym sessions. Whatever the chosen activity, it should be performed for at least thirty to sixty minutes, 4 to 6 times weekly. Pick an activity that is enjoyable, one that uses most muscles and significantly elevates the heart rate. Vary the duration and intensity of the exercise, keeping in mind that when you decrease intensity, you increase duration and vice versa. Remember, your intention
should be pleasure, not pain, especially since you're in this for a long haul and not a crash course.

If you're of the opinion that God didn't intend for us to exercise - for "if he meant us to touch our toes he would've put them higher up our bodies" then start slowly... if you're going up, take the stairs - if you park, do so in the far corner of the lot, and simply make a point of walking the dog daily ... whether you have a dog or not.

Copyright © Carpe Diem Media

The Anti Antibiotics Aunty.

The concept of using chemicals to kill bacteria, and thus treat infections, has been around for centuries. But it was only in 1928 when Sir Alexander Fleming noticed some bacteria he was cultivating would not grow in the presence of a certain fungus. The fungus was called Penicillium, the precursor to penicillin, which would become the worlds first antibiotic and a wonder drug of the 20th century.

By either killing the bacteria, or reducing their ability to multiply, antibiotics give the body’s own immune system a chance to fight more effectively against invading organisms. But, as their name implies, Antibiotics are only effective against bacteria and have NO effect against viruses.

Antibiotics should therefore only be used if you have a bacterial infection. Unfortunately, many viral infections can mimic the symptoms and signs of bacterial disease, and antibiotics are often prescribed unnecessarily. So what’s the harm in covering yourself you may wonder? Apart from denting your pocket and exposing you to a gamut of side effects, the main reason that antibiotics should not be taken needlessly is the problem of bacterial resistance.

Bacteria are constantly evolving new methods to allow them to survive exposure to an antibiotic. The more often bacteria are exposed to an antibiotic, the more likely they are to develop resistance to that antibiotic. Some bacteria are now resistant to most, if not all, antibiotics, and if you consider that very few new classes of antibiotic have been developed in the last decade, antibiotic resistance has become a major concern for the health profession worldwide.

What can you do to alleviate the problem? There’s an all too common practice of prescribing antibiotics for the common cold or flu (caused by a virus) – exacerbated by patients who expect to get a prescription for antibiotics when they visit their doctor… or else “find another doctor who will!” Antibiotics will not cure a cold or even change its course, so don’t put pressure on your GP by asking for it.

When there’s a definite indication for treatment, your Family Physician has been trained to select the antibiotic best suited for your illness. Make sure you take the medication correctly, and always complete the course. If an antibiotic is stopped in midcourse, the bacteria may be partially treated and not completely eradicated, causing the bacteria to develop resistance to the antibiotic, ultimately resulting in a resistant re-infection.

In effect, my health and ability to beat an infection is in your hands – so please… be considerate.

Copyright © Carpe Diem Media

Please Zits still… howzit possible?

Acne is the most common skin disease in the world, affecting 90% of adolescents…fact. Acne clears up and disappears by the age of 25 … fiction! Acne can and does persist into adulthood in more severe forms affecting the body and the face – afflicting men more often than women. But despite it’s worldwide prevalence, there are still many myths surrounding the simple pimple parade.

Myth 1: Acne is caused by poor hygiene. Those who believe this tend to scrub their skins vigorously, which damages and inflames the skin – actually making the acne worse. In essence a number of factors cause Acne – hormones that stimulate physical maturity generate an increase in sebum (oil) production, which causes plugging of skin pores, resulting in an over production of normal skin bacteria in the clogged follicles and an ensuing inflammatory reaction.

Myth 2: Acne is caused by diet. Extensive scientific studies have not found a connection between diet and acne. Yahoo! Chocolates, slap tjips and pizza are not pimple factories – just remember that’s not to say they’re good for you.

Myth 3: Acne is caused by stress. Half true – a recent study implicates stress’ indirect effect on skin – largely due to hormonal changes brought on by unusually anxious circumstances, not the average day to day stress.

Myth 4: You should squeeze pimples. Resist the drivel and don’t do it. The trauma of squeezing injures the sebaceous follicle, and spreads the contents of the blackhead deeper into the tissue causing an inflammatory reaction, and worsening the acne.

Myth 5: Acne is just a cosmetic disease. True, it’s not a threat to your physical health, but it’s more than just skin deep. Acne can result in permanent cutaneous scars, not to mention the emotional ones.

Myth 6: You just have to let acne run its course. No, with the products available today - acne can and should be effectively cleared up, and should be done as early as possible to prevent permanent scarring.

Myth 7: Acne is caused by too little sex. No comment!

Whoever started asking “old wives” their opinions should be tarred and feathered … or at least have their pimples squeezed!

Copyright © Carpe Diem Media

Tired of being Tired...

We all get tired, and many of us at times have felt depressed. But the obscure condition known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), Myalgic Encephalitis (ME) or Yuppie Flu is not like the normal ups and downs we experience in everyday life. In this instance you feel too tired to do normal activities or are easily exhausted with no apparent reason. Researchers have compared CFS to the mind fog of a serious hangover (which I trust you know little about!), with a distinct difference - the profound weakness of CFS does not go away with a few good nights of sleep. Instead, it slyly steals your energy and vigor over months and sometimes years.
Because physical examination in people with CFS is normal and twice as many women vs. men are likely to develop the syndrome – the obvious question is whether it’s a purely psychological disorder, just another form of depression? The answer is NO. So the next question is what is causing your tiredness and whether it’s serious enough see a doctor. The key indication is fatigue of sudden onset after a flu-like illness. Thereafter the following diagnostic criteria apply: Debilitating Fatigue lasting for six months or longer that significantly affects lifestyle. In addition four or more of the following symptoms must be present: Post-exertional malaise lasting more than 24 hours (NB); impaired memory or concentration; sore throat; muscle pain; multi-joint pain; headaches of a new pattern or severity; tender lymph nodes in the armpit or neck and sleep difficulties or unrefreshing sleep.
Since the cause of CFS is largely unknown, there is no definite cure, and treatment remains primarily symptomatic. About one third of persons with CFS recover fully, but no-one knows why. For the rest the prognosis is poor, though it will never result in death. Factors predicting a long term CFS include a lifetime history of depression, more than 1.5 years of chronic fatigue and age over 40 at onset of the illness.

CFS is a largely controversial and misunderstood illness, viewed with skepticism on one end and too easily diagnosed on the other. If yours is a chronic tiredness that goes beyond the everyday strains of yuppie-dom, then find a knowledgeable physician first & foremost - before limping with this label for life.

Copyright © Carpe Diem Media

A Passport to Health.

Thailand: Land of smiles, white beaches, azure waters and exotic food… or so I was told. All I experienced was the white ceiling in my hotel room, flushing waters and exotic disease – it was not a land of smiles, but rather of grimacing for me as I battled delirious fever and severe stomach cramps for a few unforgettable days.

Certainly not what I had in mind when I flipped through the glossy brochure. Yet, almost half of travelers to developing countries will end up this way if they don’t take precautions. Here are some simple safety measures then, to reduce your risk of illness far away from home…

Visit your physician at least 6 weeks prior to travel, for a general check up and to discuss relevant immunizations for the country you’re visiting.

The old adage "Don't drink the water" is good advice in developing countries. Bottled water is usually safe, especially if carbonated. Check the seal on the bottle though, as some bottles are re-used and refilled from tap water to be sold as ‘still water’ to unwary tourists. Remember, ice is no safer than water – unless it’s boiled ice! Boiled water and drinks made with boiled water are generally harmless. This includes coffee and tea. In an emergency, one drop of laundry bleach into one litre of water should suffice.

For those that insist on brushing their teeth, use bottled water, or a minute amount of hot tap water, or no water at all.

Foods that are safest are those that are fully cooked and served hot. Fruits that you peel yourself, such as bananas, are by and large harmless. The exception is watermelon, which may be injected with tap water to increase its weight at the market.

Insects spread many tropical diseases, with the biggest threat coming from mosquitoes. Travelers to developing countries should carry an insect repellent containing the ingredient DEET. This is not a time for sweet smelling herbal ointments. Insect repellents should be applied and reapplied ad nauseum, especially at dusk when the anopheles (malaria) mosquito is most active.

In developing countries, even simple medical supplies may be hard to find, so pack these basic provisions: cold remedies (anything to stop the snot!); pain & fever remedies (aspirin or paracetamol); Diarrhea remedies (immodium or lomotil) and an antibiotic to go with that, like Ciprofloxacin; Motion sickness medication; Skin products (antibiotic ointments and cortisone creams for bites and rashes); And a mini First Aid kit with clean paraphernalia.

Finally, there is one thing worse than being confined to your hotel room, and that’s being confined to a cell! Remember to keep your prescription drugs in their original bottles, as customs officials are not pleased to see plastic bags full of loose pills.

Copyright © Carpe Diem Media

Oh my Gord!

“Oh my GORD!” you say as you clutch a hand to your chest and let a burp escape after a lavish business lunch. Your colleagues mistakenly think you’re calling on your Heavenly Father when in fact you’re referring to your Gastro Oesophageal Reflux Disease – a condition in which your stomach’s acidic contents flow back (or reflux) into the oesophagus because of an abnormally relaxed valve. The resulting awkward sensation is that of a burning pain in the chest that radiates to your back – commonly referred to as heartburn. Common because all of us at one time or another have experienced it, but in your case – it’s a regular occurrence that has started to damage the lining of your gullet, and is now classified as a disease. Sometimes the acid reflux reaches all the way to your throat and mouth, leaving a bitter taste that burns. In severe cases, the refluxed fluid irritates the larynx and respiratory tract, resulting in hoarseness, wheezing and a dry hacking cough.

“Why me? Why don’t I have a normal one way valve?” is a question that you share with approx 5% of the population and a question that doesn’t have a satisfying answer. 1 in 5 cases are due to a weakened valve, but the majority is simply caused by a stomach-oesophagus valve that relaxes spontaneously more frequently than normal, and one that’s easily aggravated by a number of factors: Overeating is a prime example, simply because the greater the volume of food in the stomach, the higher the tendency to reflux. Fatty meals also increase this tendency because fat delays the emptying of the stomach, as does coffee, alcohol and citric acid fruit juices... no wonder that business lunch is a killer! Increased intra-abdominal pressure from being overweight (or pregnant!) also tends to force the stomachs contents back into the oesophagus. Lying down eliminates gravity’s attempt at keeping the acid at bay, and pain relief is often gotten by sitting up. Then of course, let not one article go by without a dig at the smokers amongst us... tobacco aggravates GORD by preventing the valve from working properly, by increasing acid production and by delaying the emptying of the stomach.

How can I be sure that it’s GORD that I’m suffering from? A good question, especially since the symptoms are very similar to a Heart attack or Angina. In broad strokes, heart pain is exacerbated by exercise and relieved by rest – and generally has a shorter duration than heartburn (which could last up to two hours). Heartburn in turn responds rapidly to antacids, whereas angina doesn’t. Stomach ulcers, gallstones and gastritis can also produce similar symptoms. So for a definite diagnosis, you’ll need to swallow a camera (preferably one that’s manned by a specialist, and designed to be swallowed!) Gastroscopy also allows a physician to examine the lining of the oesophagus and look out for any long-term consequences of GORD such as scarring, tearing or narrowing – which makes swallowing very difficult. Most worrying of all is the development of an abnormal mucosal lining, known as Barrett’s Oesophagus – which is a precursor to Oesophagus cancer.

Unfortunately GORD cannot be cured, but it can be managed effectively through medication (which I suggest you consult your physician about) & lifestyle changes – which include weight loss, smaller meals, avoiding spicy and fatty foods (especially at night), limiting coffee & alcohol intake and raising the head of your bed by a few inches... which may even protect you from tokoloshes as well!

The Ins and Outs of Insomnia.

I don’t know about you, but I have to set my alarm at a deafening level or I won’t wake up – and when the buzzer does jolt me awake – I clamber to hit the snooze button repeatedly to snatch those last few minutes of sleep. Or maybe you pry yourself out of bed, hop into a cold shower and have to gulp down a big cuppa caffeinated coffee before the haze clears. Maybe in the evenings you can’t finish reading a book or watching TV programs because you nod off prematurely… sound familiar? You’re not alone. Insomnia is a common sleep complaint, but it’s important to note that insomnia is only a symptom, not a disease. Insomnia encompasses many types of sleep bedlam, that include difficulty falling asleep, sleeping too lightly, being easily disturbed, or early morning awakenings with inability to fall back asleep. The timing is important in determining the cause of your insomnia – which ranges from stress and poor environment to a number of medical and psychological disorders

“I only need three hours a night!” is a boast I’ve heard once too often – and it usually comes from a gentleman who always seems to have a cup of coffee in his trembling right hand and who’s dark rings under his twitching eyes make him look like he’s had a fisticuffs fallout with the sandman … which in actual fact he has – because in adults 8 to 8_ hours is considered fully restorative for our brains and our bodies. On the flipside, the true function of sleep has not been fully determined, so the absolute number of hours necessary to fulfill its function is still unknown.

Insomnia is therefore relative, and best defined in terms of impaired performance during waking hours. Daytime sleepiness, short-term memory loss, inability to concentrate, decreased job effectiveness and a poorly functioning immune system are direct effects of sleep deprivation. A recent study showed that patients with mild to moderate sleep deprivation had an increased risk of motor vehicle accidents as well – more so than drunk drivers who had slept their full eight hours, now there’s a sobering fact!

Primary Insomnia is a diagnosis that’s made when all other possible causes of sleeplessness have been ruled out, and is the most likely cause of sleep deprivation in today’s overworked man. It begins with a prolonged period of stress in a person with previously adequate sleep. The stress manifests in body tension and agitation, causing physical arousal during the night. The proper management of this problem doesn’t begin with a sleeping pill, which is never regarded as a cure, only a temporary solution – it starts with good sleep hygiene as follows:

Keep a regular routine of bedtime and wake time
Start slowing down or unwinding at least 30min before you climb under the covers
Don’t sleep on an empty stomach or a full one – opt for a light snack before retiring, but avoid alcohol, nicotine and caffeine
Exercise daily, preferably in the late afternoon, but at least 4 hours before bedtime
Don’t force yourself to sleep. If in 15-30min you haven’t dozed off, get up a do something relaxing
until you do
Keep the bedroom dark & quiet, and at a comfortable but cool temperature.
Take the TV out of your room (apart from the obvious disturbance, your chances of getting lucky are greater – and sex is a great sleep initiator)

Sleeplessness may not be an exact science, but the odds are that you’re not sleeping enough, and most worrying of all – you don’t realize it. So this is a wake-up call! If sleep deprivation is used as a form of torture – why do we torture ourselves?