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Political instability and weak governance lead to loss of species, study finds
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Category Archives: Medicine
Contaminated blood report ‘full of lies’
Government officials have apologised for using a discredited report into the contaminated blood products scandal, the BBC can reveal.
Health24.com | 10 most popular stories on Health24 in 2017
‘The plane is going to crash’: Anxiety aboard flight SAA 323
It was an emotionally turbulent two hours in the air for a panic-stricken passenger on a flight from Johannesburg to Cape Town – fortunately a stranger came to the rescue. Health24 investigated.
SA on alert: What you should know about the deadly Listeriosis outbreak
In December, Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi announced that more than 30 people have died since the start of an outbreak of Listeriosis.
Approximately 557 cases have been reported, with the majority occurring in Gauteng province. Motsoaledi said they had traced 70 patients, of whom 36 have died.
SA on alert: what you should know about the ‘black death’ plague
News24 reported on 25 October that South Africa was one of nine countries warned by the World Health Organization (WHO) to take precautionary measures against the “black death” plague, mainly known as bubonic plague, which can be treated successfully with antibiotics.
‘I gave up coffee for 14 days – and this is what happened’
What happens when a self-confessed coffee-holic gives up coffee for 14 days? News24 intern James de Villiers found out.
‘I gave up sugar for 14 days and this is what happened’
Just how difficult is it to completely give up sugar – especially if you are a self-confessed sugar-holic?
We introduce Stefni Herbert, a Health24 content producer who consumes more sugar per day than just about the entire team combined!
This man has been injecting snake venom for 30 years – and this is what happened
For nearly 30 years, London-based reptile enthusiast and musician Steve Ludwin has been injecting himself with snake venom – a practice that has almost killed him.
SEE: Meet the man with the most teeth in the world
The average person has 32 teeth, which we use to bite into a delicious apple, chew a piece of meat or form the sounds in certain words.
But what happens when we have too many teeth? “No problem,” you mutter under your breath, “one or two more can’t hurt, right?” Maybe not, but how about five extra teeth?
Meet Vijay Kumar from India who has 37 teeth – with five more than the average person he holds the world record for the person with the largest number of teeth.
SEE: Why people are freaking out about pictures of holes
A phobia is an irrational and persistent fear of certain objects or situations. Some people have an intense fear of snakes and others can’t stand the thought of public speaking.
But a small number of people have a fear of something quite unique: holes. It’s known as trypophobia, and very little research exists on the condition. In fact, some researchers are referring to it as “the most common phobia you have never heard of”.
‘Use dagga every day,’ doctors tell HIV patients
Research presented at the 9th International AIDS Society (IAS) Conference on HIV Science in Paris suggests daily cannabis use could have a protective benefit on the liver of patients co-infected with hepatitis C and HIV.
‘I never had sex, so how could I be HIV positive?’
Saidy Brown was 14 when she discovered that she was HIV positive. Now 22, she spoke openly about the day that changed her life at the 8th National Aids Conference.
Image source: iStock
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Liver surgeon Simon Bramhall marked initials on patients
Simon Bramhall admits marking his initials on the livers of two transplant patients.
Learning from mussels: New way to make stronger, more stretchy polymers
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‘Depression lost me my job’: How mental health costs up to 300,000 jobs a year
Employers are being urged to help staff, with mental health at work plans and open discussions.
Southend hospital set to pilot Airbnb-style scheme
A healthcare firm aims to recruit people with spare rooms in a bid to tackle hospital “bed blocking”.
Typhoid vaccine set to have ‘huge impact’
Around 22 million people get typhoid fever each year and 220,000 die.
Health24.com | SEE: How this woman’s foot fungus got out of control
Your feet are an important but often neglected part of your anatomy. Consider the seemingly insignificant foot problems people suffer from: ingrown toenails, nail fungus, athlete’s foot (tinea pedis), warts etc.
The danger is, however, that if you leave these conditions untreated, they can end up becoming a serious problem.
When something less serious goes wrong
Next time you see the onset of nail fungus but don’t feel like bothering about it, think twice.
Elizabeth, a 19-year old from England, was so grossed out by her ingrown toenails that she couldn’t even look at them. She even showered with socks on to hide them!
When she finally consulted a doctor, ingrown toenails ended up being the least of her problems – she had developed a severe fungus in both toenails, which resulted in their removal.
The results are nasty – watch the video at your own peril!
What’s the deal with foot fungus?
There are thousands of species of fungi, but only a few can cause disease or uncomfortable symptoms. Early symptoms of nail fungus may involve the nail lifting off the skin, turning white or yellow, and thickening. If a fungus is left untreated, it can get to the point where the nail becomes so thick, it needs to be removed.
It’s not only fungal infections that can take their toll on our feet. Ingrown toenails occur when one or both sides of the toenail grow into the skin. Left untreated, the areas can become badly infected.
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Take care of those feet
While conditions such as toenail fungus, athlete’s foot and ingrown toenails are not uncommon, it’s important to treat the problem before it becomes serious. Here are some tips on how to take better care of your feet and avoid these unfortunate conditions:
- Keep the skin on your feet and between the toes clean and dry, especially after using public showers and swimming pools.
- Put on clean socks every day and give your shoes time to air instead of wearing the same pair day after day.
- If you exercise, get your workout shoes fitted properly to avoid ingrown toenails and bunions.
- Don’t try and lodge out an ingrown toenail by yourself.
- Consult a doctor or pharmacist to treat a case of toenail fungus.
Image credit: iStock
Health tourism charges come into force in England
Providers of NHS treatment are now required to charge patients who aren’t eligible for free care.
