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      Everything You Really Need To Know About Irritable Bowel Syndrome

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      For some, IIrritable Bowel Syndrome, or IBS, is a chronic disorder that characterises daily living. For others, it is a periodically unwelcome visitor. IBS affects 15 to 20% of the general population and is a complex disorder without definitive answers.

      Defining IBS

      It is rarely one single symptom that qualifies IBS. IBS is a ‘syndrome’, meaning a group of symptoms. Irritable Bowel Syndrome affects predominantly the colon or large bowel. It is the part of the digestive tract that stores stool. It is not a disease but a functional disorder, meaning that the bowel does not work, or function, correctly.

      IBS does not damage the colon or other parts of the digestive system. It is not a precursor to other health problems or diseases such as colon cancer.

      IBS is not synonymous with inflammatory bowel disease. The main forms of which are Crohn’s Disease and ulcerative colitis. This involves inflammation of the intestines and is more severe than IBS.

      IBS is often sub-classified as diarrhoea type or constipation type. This depends on the major symptoms experienced by the individual.

      Prevalence

      IBS usually begins around age 20 and is more common among women. It is the most common disease diagnosed by gastroenterologists. Also, one of the most common disorders seen by primary care physicians/general practitioners.

      READ MORE: Tracey-Lee Lusty Opens Up About Her Bariatric Surgery And What Being Body Positive Means To Her Now

      Symptoms

      Common Symptoms

      Symptoms vary from person to person and may even vary for an individual from day to day. It could fluctuate between extremes such as diarrhoea and constipation. The most common symptoms are abdominal cramping (especially in the lower left side of the abdomen), discomfort and bloating.

      Other Symptoms

      Incomplete evacuation

      Mucus in stool

      Flatulence

      The sudden need to pass a stool upon waking in the morning or after breakfast or coffee

      Another symptom of IBS is bowel movements that are inconsistent with one’s normal patterns. However, with ‘normal’ bowel movements varying significantly from person to person, it is difficult to establish criteria just on one’s frequency of bowel movements. Signs and symptoms often resemble those of other disorders or diseases, making diagnosis that much more difficult.

      The following are not symptoms of IBS:

      These symptoms could indicate other forms of bowel disease or problems.

      Factors That Make It Worse

      Hormonal changes (during the menstrual cycle, for example)

      Smoking

      Food sensitivity (to wheat or lactose, for example)

      Processed and smoked foods

      Insufficient or excessive fibre

      Abnormal intestinal bacteria

      Gas-forming foods such as pulses and cabbage

      Drinks containing caffeine and/or alcohol as well as carbonated drinks

      Sensitivity to artificial additives, colourants, flavourants etc.

      Antibiotics

      Certain painkillers, antidepressants and antihistamines

      Stress, anxiety and depression

      It’s clear that IBS is often interlinked with other disorders. This suggests that finding a solution for one ailment (such as stress or hormonal imbalance) could indirectly relieve associated IBS symptoms.

      READ MORE: New Research Shows Where Women Carry Fat Could Protect Them From Brain Disease

      IBS and Emotional Stress

      The stomach area has been referred to in some cultures as the ‘seat of our emotions’. Ample research has been done over the past three decades. The results support theories that there is a close link between IBS and emotions. One of the first references to the concept of an “irritable bowel” appeared in the Rocky Mountain Medical Journal in 1950. The term was used to categorise patients who developed symptoms of diarrhoea, abdominal pain or constipation, but where no well-recognised infective cause could be found.

      In 2001, researchers led by Dr Svein Blomhoff of the National Hospital in Oslo, Norway, studied the effects of emotional words on women with IBS. The women’s rectal muscles responded by contracting or relaxing in 70 to 77 percent of cases. The strongest responses were to words that were related to sadness and anxiety. Researchers concluded that when treating IBS, the emotional and mental state of the patient is important in determining a course of treatment.

      This psychosomatic link makes IBS even more difficult, particularly for non-sufferers, to understand.

      The digestive tract is a highly complex and sensitive system involving several different types of nerve pathways that run between the brain and the digestive organs, which interact with other systems in the body, including higher-order functions such as emotional processing. The intestinal lining hosts an entire network of nerves, known as the enteric nervous system.

      READ MORE: Flying Pregnant? Get These Health Checks First

      Stress

      Stress has a strong impact on the gastrointestinal tract of any person, whether a sufferer of gastrointestinal disorders or not. Symptoms such as abdominal pain and inconsistent passage of faeces are common in anxiety-based disorders. Not only can inner conflict or responses to one’s environment precede gastrointestinal symptoms, but these symptoms are also likely to produce further symptoms of anxiety or depression. In addition to the direct effects that stress has on the digestive system, there may be indirect effects, for example compulsive ‘comfort eating’ or smoking during stressful times, which also affects digestion.

      Diagnosis

      No specific laboratory test exists to diagnose IBS and diagnosis is rarely immediate. Instead, ongoing processes of elimination are employed, such as the elimination of certain foods in the diet. For example, if dairy products are cut out of the diet but IBS symptoms do not improve within that period, lactose intolerance is ruled out and an elimination of wheat may begin. Diagnosis is also made through the exclusion of other ailments. For example, an evaluation of the patient’s stool might reveal that the cause of symptoms is due to a gastrointestinal infection.

      IBS is generally diagnosed on the basis of a complete analysis of medical history that includes a careful description of symptoms and a physical examination. Doctors generally use a set list of specific symptoms, called the Rome criteria and Manning criteria, to make an accurate diagnosis. It is suggested that patients keep a diary to record and supply daily symptoms to their doctor.

      Treatment

      No cure has been found for IBS but many options are available to treat the symptoms. Your doctor will give you the best treatment for your particular symptoms.

      Medication

      Medication affects people differently, and no one medication or combination of medications will work for everyone with IBS. You will need to work with your doctor to find the best solution for you.

      Antispasmodics are commonly prescribed, which help to control colon muscle spasms and reduce abdominal pain. Probiotics are often recommended to IBS sufferers to restore the natural bacterial balance in the digestive system. Fibre supplements are generally advised for constipation (however, bloatedness and gas can worsen with increased insoluble fibre intake). Dietary and lifestyle changes should always be tried before laxatives or anti-diarrhoea medication is used. Any medication should be used very carefully since some are habit-forming and could impair intestinal functioning even further in the long term.

      Diet

      As discussed above, fibre may be beneficial to the colon or it may aggravate symptoms. It is suggested that IBS sufferers gradually add foods with fibre to their diet – a sudden influx of fibre can be too harsh on a sensitive digestive system. Large meals can cause cramping and diarrhoea, thus it is best to eat small meals throughout the day. It is also important to keep hydrated and drink between six and eight glasses of water per day. Many IBS sufferers find that spicy foods exacerbate their symptoms.

      READ MORE: 6 Reasons You Could Struggle To Get Pregnant With PCOS & What You Can Do About It

      Soluble fibre helps both diarrhoea and constipation. It dissolves in water and forms a gel-like substance. Some foods that contain soluble fibre are apples, beans and citrus fruits. Psyllium, a natural vegetable fibre, is also a soluble fibre. Insoluble fibre helps constipation by moving material through your digestive system and adding bulk to your stool. Insoluble fibre is found in wholegrain bread, wheat bran and many vegetables.

      Stress Management

      The colon, like the heart and the lungs, is partly controlled by the autonomic nervous system, which responds to stress. Thus it is no surprise that the digestive system reacts to stressful situations – when one is nervous or upset during times of conflict, for example. Occasionally, antidepressants are prescribed to alleviate stress-related symptoms – certain types of antidepressants are more suited to a diarrhoea-type IBS and others are more suited to a constipation-type IBS. Lifestyle changes and relaxation techniques such as meditation and exercise should, as far as possible, be the primary source of stress management. More

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      Finally, A Medical Aid Is Offering DNA Tests To All Members

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      In South Africa, having a medical aid is a must. The cover is essential, since being sick is costly and most South Africans can’t afford access to medication without it. But the healthcare industry is largely reactive, acting when there is a disease or disability that needs to be treated. Instead of being preventative, acting before the onset of disease.

      Now, Fedhealth is filling the gap by offering DNA testing to members, regardless of their membership level. They’ve partnered with medical biotech company Intelligene to offer members a way to mitigate possible future health risks. Genetic testing offers a myriad of potential applications from identifying markers that could lead to disease and can even offer ideal diet outlooks.

      READ MORE: Many Women Are Battling Depression During Pregnancy. Here’s What To Know, If You’re Struggling

      “Whether it’s a better understanding of themselves, avoiding unnecessary blood tests, knowing which nutrients they require more of, fine-tuning their exercise routines or taking the appropriate medication or supplements, genetic testing is hugely motivational and empowering for patients”
      Dr. Christa North from Intelligene.

      How the Fedhealth DNA tests work

      Through the use of pharmacogenetics – the study of how a person’s genes affect the efficacy of certain medications – patients’ health can be vastly improved. They’ll know ahead of time whether a medication is likely to benefit them and is safe to take. It can also help doctors select the medications and doses best suited for each person. Which in turn could improve treatment success, as well as reduce healthcare costs. A US study from 2018 predicted that pharmacogenetic-guided medication management for depression would result in annual savings of over $3900 per year (around R67 500) per patient.

      READ MORE: Tracey-Lee Lusty Opens Up About Her Bariatric Surgery And What Being Body Positive Means To Her Now

      How to apply for the DNA Test

      As part of the pilot programme, Fedhealth has identified a group of members currently using chronic medication to manage one of five specific conditions, including diabetes and hypertension. They’ll offer free genetic testing to these members to test for drug-to-person interaction to identify whether the medication they’re using is doing the best possible job to manage their condition.

      They’ll also be offering gene testing to members with a specific claim history to see if they’re at risk for contracting certain diseases. This testing could reveal, for example, that a person’s body doesn’t process sugar properly, which means they’re at a higher risk of developing diabetes. While they may feel healthy at the moment, knowing this now means that they can make lifestyle changes to ensure that they don’t become diabetic in future.

      READ MORE: The STI Tests You Need, According To Your Exact Risk Profile

      The gene testing itself is painless and requires a simple cheek swab to be taken and sent to the laboratory for testing. There it is processed and over 800 000 gene data points are collected, after which it is stored in a secure vault.

      If you’re voluntarily wanting to do the test, this will come from your scheme’s savings pocket. Another avenue is through Fedhealth themselves, who identify members whose health outcomes could be improved. This would then be taken from the risk-benefit of the medical scheme, says Jeremy Yatt, Principal Officer at Fedhealth. “Members and Adult beneficiaries would be able to start the process inside the scheme’s member portal i.e. Fedhealth Family Room,” says Yatt. “We will include this ability in our Fedhealth memberapp once The Intelligene app is ready in the smartphone stores.” Costs start at R2900, depending on the type of report needed from DNA testing. More

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      Exactly How Sleep Deprivation And Weight Gain Are Linked – And How To Prevent The Spread

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      Before, we thought that sleep deprivation and weight gain weren’t related. But research in recent years has shown that not only are they linked, but getting too few zzz’s can have a major impact on an expanding waistline.

      In a study by the University of Chicago, researchers determined that four nights of sleep deprivation reduced insulin sensitivity in fat cells by a whopping 30 percent. And the less sensitive your cells are to insulin, the less your body produces the hunger-regulating hormone leptin.

      “This is one of the first studies to show that a cell outside of the brain – the fat cell – also needs sleep,” says study author Matthew Brady, vice-chair of the Committee on Molecular Metabolism and Nutrition at the University of Chicago.

      Brady and a team of researchers put seven young, healthy subjects through two study conditions: First, they spent 8.5 hours in bed for four nights in a row (participants slept for roughly eight hours each night, the ideal length). One month later, they spent 4.5 hours in bed for four nights.

      Previous research has shown that getting only four hours of sleep negatively affects metabolism. After the fourth night, the subjects took a glucose tolerance test and had fat cells biopsied. And, yes, food intake was controlled and identical.

      READ MORE: Will Eating Less Really Help You Shrink Your Stomach?

      How Sleep Affects Fat

      The authors found that sleep deprivation made fat cells less sensitive to insulin, a hormone that cells use to take in glucose for energy. Brady explains that insulin-stimulated glucose uptake is proportional to the secretion of leptin, a hormone made in the fat cell that regulates hunger. The less sensitive cells are to insulin, the less leptin they produce, and the hungrier you are. And the magnitude of the decrease, in this case, was very surprising.

      “A 30 percent reduction in insulin sensitivity is equivalent to metabolically ageing the subjects 10-20 years just from four nights of four and a half hours of sleep,” Brady says.

      “It’s not that we took someone who was on the tipping point of developing metabolic disease and just pushed them over the edge. These were very young, healthy subjects.”

      Brady says the findings are important because they suggest that sleep could be a treatment for obesity. To that end, his next study will consist of trying to improve the sleep of overweight or obese subjects who have obstructive sleep apnea to see if sleep quality has any effect on insulin sensitivity and metabolism.

      He’s excited about the possible impact such a study might have: “It’s hard to get people to diet and exercise but if you could show that improving your sleep quality and duration has a positive benefit, that may be an easier therapeutic intervention for people to undertake.”

      Getting more sleep can also yield weight loss results. In a study published in JAMA Internal Medicine, overweight participants who went from sleeping only 6.5 hours a night to sleeping a full 8.5 hours were able to reduce their daily caloric intake by a huge 270 calories.

      In another literature review, authors noted that sleep deprivation is linked with a higher intake of calories throughout the day. Sleeping less than six hours a night is associated with a higher BMI (Body Mass Index) and having less sleep for five days in a row can result in short-term weight gain. Even working nights and having irregular schedules is linked with a less favourable metabolic profile.

      READ MORE: Exactly How To Lose 2kg, 5kg Or 10kg, According To A Dietician

      Ways To Get Better Sleep

      While the University of Chicago study still leaves some questions unanswered – namely, if “catching up” on sleep over the weekend can reverse the effects – it’s clear that getting enough sleep is important for both your mind AND your body. Here are five ways you can improve your sleep now.

      1. Make a Bedtime Routine

      Pick an hour for shutting down every night and stick to it – on weekends, too. A regular bedtime and waking time will help you fall asleep.

      2. Power Down

      Checking your cell before bed amps up brain activity, making it harder to doze off. Plus, the blue light emitted from gadgets can suppress the sleep hormone melatonin. At least an hour before bedtime, turn off your TV and computer and don’t use your phone.

      READ MORE: 6 Weight Loss Strategies That’ll Get You Closer To Your #BodyGoals

      3. Chill Out

      A cooler body makes it easier to fall asleep. Exaggerate that feeling with a toasty, pre-bed bath or shower. Lower your thermostat a bit, then pile on the blankets—you’ll save money on your heat while you’re at it.

      4. Sip Wisely

      No caffeine after sundown and no booze before bed. While drinking alcohol may help you fall asleep faster, you could wake up in the middle of the night. Enjoy a cup of decaf or herbal tea instead.

      5. Drown Out Noise

      Sleep with a fan on or invest in a sound machine that can produce white noise to block the racket of the outside world. More

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      The Ultimate Guide To Self-Love

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      Let’s celebrate the month of love with the ultimate gift to ourselves; a guide to self-love. This Valentine’s Day, forget about the chocolates and teddy bears. Let’s prioritise self-love, try something new and celebrate every inch of ourselves.

      This 28-day calendar provides you with easy-to-follow daily activities and workouts to help you reconnect and form healthy self-care habits.

      Note to self: Happy Valentine’s Day. I Love You.

      28 Days of Self-Love Calendar

      Whether you’re a newcomer or an experienced self-care guru, this guide is for you.

      Read a book 

      Spend 30 minutes outside

      Try out manifesting

      Declutter a space

      Bake something delicious

      Run or walk for 30 minutes

      Buy yourself flowers

      Listen to a motivational podcast

      Meditate for 10 minutes

      Stretch it out and do some yoga! 

      Try a new workout

      Have a self-care Sunday  

      Wear your fav outfit and try a new makeup look

      Say “yes” to something fun

      Try a new healthy recipe

      Journal about your day

      Get more sleep

      Perform a random act of kindness

      Take a hot bath and relax 

      Make a happy playlist and practise trending TikTok dances

      Go sugar-free today

      Spend time with a loved one 

      Experiment with art therapy

      Create a budget for March

      Read the new issue of Women’s Health

      Buy yourself dinner 

      Make a vision board 

      Write down things you are grateful for. Reflect on the past month. More

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      The STI Tests You Need, According To Your Exact Risk Profile

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      Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are common, but the types of STI testing you need may vary by your risk factors. Find out what’s recommended for you…
      If you’re sexually active, particularly with multiple partners, you’ve probably heard the following advice many times: Use protection and make sure you get tested. This is important because people can have a sexually transmitted infection (STI) without knowing it. In many cases, no signs or symptoms occur.
      READ MORE: Here’s How To Have A Discussion With Your Doctor About Sex
      But what types of STI testing do you need? And how often should you be screened? The answers depend on your age, your sexual behaviours and other risk factors.
      If you’re a woman, don’t assume that you’re receiving STI testing every time you have a gynaecologic exam or Pap Smear. Regardless of your gender and age, if you think you need STI testing, request it from your doctor. Talk to your doctor about your concerns and mention specifically what infections you think you might have. Here are some guidelines for STI testing for specific sexually transmitted diseases.
      Chlamydia and gonorrhea
      Get screened annually if:You’re a sexually active girl or woman under age 25You’re a woman older than 25 and at risk of STIs — for example, if you’re having sex with a new partner or multiple partners
      Chlamydia and gonorrhea screening is done either through a urine test or through a swab inside the penis in men or from the cervix in women. The sample is then analysed in a laboratory. Screening is important because if you don’t have signs or symptoms, you can be unaware that you have either infection.
      HIV, Syphilis and Hepatitis
      The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) encourages HIV testing, at least once, as a routine part of medical care if you’re an adolescent or adult between the ages of 13 and 64. The CDC advises yearly HIV testing if you are at high risk of infection.
      Request testing for HIV, Syphilis and Hepatitis if you:Test positive for gonorrhea or chlamydia, which puts you at greater risk of other STIsHave had more than one sexual partner since your last test
      Use intravenous (IV) drugs
      Your doctor tests you for syphilis by taking either a blood sample or a swab from any genital sores you might have. The sample is examined in a laboratory. A blood sample is taken to test for HIV and hepatitis.
      Genital Herpes
      No good screening test exists for herpes, a viral infection that can be transmitted even when an infected person doesn’t have symptoms. Your doctor may take a tissue scraping or culture of blisters or early ulcers, if you have them, for examination in a laboratory. But a negative test doesn’t rule out herpes as a cause for genital ulcerations.
      READ MORE: 12 Reasons Why You’re Suddenly Experiencing Painful Sex
      A blood test also may help detect a herpes infection, but results aren’t always conclusive. Some blood tests can help differentiate between the two main types of the herpes virus. Type 1 is the virus that more typically causes cold sores, although it can also cause genital sores. Type 2 is the virus that more typically causes genital sores. Still, the results may not be totally clear, depending on the sensitivity of the test and the stage of the infection. False-positive and false-negative results are possible.
      HPV
      Certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV) can cause cervical cancer while other varieties of HPV can cause genital warts. Most sexually active people become infected with HPV at some point in their lives, but never develop symptoms. The virus typically disappears within two years.
      No HPV screening test is available for men, in whom the infection is diagnosed only by visual inspection or biopsy of genital warts. In women, HPV testing involves:
      Pap Smear. Pap tests, which check the cervix for abnormal cells, are recommended every two years for women between ages 21 and 30. Women age 30 and older can wait three years between Pap tests if their past three tests have been normal.
      HPV test. Samples for the HPV test are collected from the cervical canal. This test usually isn’t offered to women younger than 30 because HPV infections that will ultimately clear up on their own are so common in this age group.
      HPV has also been linked to cancer of the vulva, vagina, penis and anus. Vaccines can protect both men and women from some types of HPV, but they are most effective when administered before sexual activity begins.
      READ MORE: 7 Reasons Your Period Might Be Late — Other Than Pregnancy
      At-Home STI Testing
      Gaining acceptance and popularity are at-home test kits for certain STIs, such as HIV, chlamydia and gonorrhea. For home STI testing, you collect a urine sample and then follow the instructions in the package insert. However, tests done on samples you collect yourself may have a higher rate of false-positive results, meaning the test indicates you have an STI that you really don’t have. If you test positive from a home test, contact your doctor or a public health clinic to confirm the test results.
      If you test positive for an STI, the next step is to consider further testing and then to get treatment as recommended by your doctor. In addition, inform your sex partners. Your partners need to be evaluated and treated, because you can pass some infections back and forth.
      Expect to feel various emotions. You may feel ashamed, angry or afraid. It may help to remind yourself that you’ve done the right thing by getting tested so that you can inform your partners and get treated. Talk with your doctor about your concerns. More

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      New Research Shows Where Women Carry Fat Could Protect Them From Brain Disease

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      When it comes to protecting from brain disease, we know a few rules that’ll help us age gracefully: exercise regularly and go easy on the sugar and fats. But a new study has linked the natural fat deposits in female bodies as a key protector against brain disease.

      Not all fat is bad

      Like avocados, not all fats are bad. We know this to be true when looking at our diets: high-fat diets that include pizza and excess animal fats tend to have higher negative outcomes than a diet high in olive oil, fatty seeds and nuts and other plant-based fats.

      But a new study shows that the propensity for women to collect fat in places like their hips, butt and backs of the arms (called subcutaneous fat), could protect against brain disease like dementia and stroke. Males, on the other hand, store fat around major organs in the abdominal region, called visceral adiposity, which promotes inflammation.

      Before, the differences in immune response to brain disease were thought to be down to hormonal discrepancies, but this study offers a new perspective. In ScienceDaily, Alexis M. Stranahan, PhD, neuroscientist in the Department of Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine at the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, said that “When people think about protection in women, their first thought is oestrogen. But we need to get beyond the kind of simplistic idea that every sex difference involves hormone differences and hormone exposure.”

      READ MORE: A New Study Shows That Nightmares Are A Good Predictor Of Future Dementia

      Where you store fat matters

      The study scientists started by inducing obesity in rats, then observing the differences in fat distribution around the body in the males and females. They then noticed that where female rats stored fat correlated with protection against inflammation. They also performed liposuction on the rats before inducing obesity, and were then studied after taking on a high-fat diet, which is known to cause inflammation in the body. The elimination of the fat meant that the rats had less protection against inflammation.

      “When we took subcutaneous fat (fat stored under the skin) out of the equation, all of a sudden the females’ brains start to exhibit inflammation the way that male brains do, and the females gained more visceral fat (fat around the abdominal area),” Stranahan says. “It kind of shunted everything toward that other storage location.” It turns out where the female rats stored fat correlated with a higher level of protection against inflammation, particularly where brain disease is concerned, author’s noted.

      READ MORE: 7 Reasons Your Period Might Be Late — Other Than Pregnancy

      So, what are the implications for your health?

      Without the liposuction surgery, female rats on a high-fat diet only displayed inflammation similar to the level of male rats after menopause, showing that the fat storage was protective in females before this period. It’s notable that even after liposuction, a high-fat diet still correlated with high levels of inflammation, so stick to a whole foods diet.  

      Stranahan notes that this likely has implications for using the BMI as a benchmark for overall health. “We can’t just say obesity. We have to start talking about where the fat is. That is the critical element here,” Stranahan says. A more accurate reading? Looking at the hip to waist ratio, she says.

      READ MORE: 7 Ways To Meditate For Anxiety Relief That Are *Actually* Easy To Do

      The bottom line: where fat is stored links to inflammation in the brain. Visceral fat promotes inflammation while subcutaneous fat acts as protection, and high-fat diets are not a good idea to take on (kinda, sorta duh), since they promote inflammation. More

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      A New Study Shows That Nightmares Are A Good Predictor Of Future Dementia

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      We spend a third of our lives asleep. And a quarter of our time asleep is spent dreaming. So, for the average person alive in 2022, with a life expectancy of around 73, that clocks in at just over six years of dreaming.

      Yet, given the central role that dreaming plays in our lives, we still know so little about why we dream, how the brain creates dreams, and importantly, what the significance of our dreams might be for our health – especially the health of our brains.

      My latest study, published in The Lancet’s eClinicalMedicine journal, shows that our dreams can reveal a surprising amount of information about our brain health. More specifically, it shows that having frequent bad dreams and nightmares (bad dreams that make you wake up) during middle or older age, may be linked with an increased risk of developing dementia.

      In the study, I analysed data from three large US studies of health and ageing. These included over 600 people aged between 35 and 64, and 2,600 people aged 79 and older.

      All the participants were dementia-free at the start of the study and were followed for an average of nine years for the middle-aged group and five years for the older participants.

      At the beginning of the study (2002-12), the participants completed a range of questionnaires, including one which asked about how often they experienced bad dreams and nightmares.

      I analysed the data to find out whether participants with a higher frequency of nightmares at the beginning of the study were more likely to go on to experience cognitive decline (a fast decline in memory and thinking skills over time) and be diagnosed with dementia.

      READ MORE: 7 Brain Cancer Symptoms Every Woman Should Know About

      Weekly nightmares

      I found that middle-aged participants who experienced nightmares every week, were four times more likely to experience cognitive decline (a precursor to dementia) over the following decade, while the older participants were twice as likely to be diagnosed with dementia.

      Interestingly, the connection between nightmares and future dementia was much stronger for men than for women. For example, older men who had nightmares every week were five times more likely to develop dementia compared with older men reporting no bad dreams. In women, however, the increase in risk was only 41%. I found a very similar pattern in the middle-aged group.

      Overall, these results suggest frequent nightmares may be one of the earliest signs of dementia, which can precede the development of memory and thinking problems by several years or even decades – especially in men.

      Alternatively, it is also possible that having regular bad dreams and nightmares might even be a cause of dementia.

      Given the nature of this study, it is not possible to be certain which of these theories is correct (though I suspect it is the former). However, regardless of which theory turns out to be true – the major implication of the study remains the same, that is, that having regular bad dreams and nightmares during middle and older age may be linked to an increased risk of developing dementia later in life.

      READ MORE: Are Your Drinking Habits Ruining Your Brain Health?

      The good news is that recurring nightmares are treatable. And the first-line medical treatment for nightmares has already been shown to decrease the build-up of abnormal proteins linked to Alzheimer’s disease. There have also been case reports showing improvements in memory and thinking skills after treating nightmares.

      These findings suggest that treating nightmares might help to slow cognitive decline and to prevent dementia from developing in some people. This will be an important avenue to explore in future research.

      The next steps for my research will include investigating whether nightmares in young people might also be linked to increased dementia risk. This could help to determine whether nightmares cause dementia, or whether they are simply an early sign in some people. I also plan to investigate whether other dream characteristics, such as how often we remember our dreams and how vivid they are, might also help to determine how likely people are to develop dementia in the future.

      This research might not only help to shed light on the relationship between dementia and dreaming, and provide new opportunities for earlier diagnoses – and possibly earlier interventions – but it may also shed new light on the nature and function of the mysterious phenomenon that we call dreaming.

      This article is taken from The Conversation, where it’s been published under a Creative Commons license.

      READ MORE: What Really Happens To Your Body (And Brain) On A Detox Diet?

      Abidemi Otaiku

      NIHR Academic Clinical Fellow in Neurology, University of Birmingham More

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      12 Reasons Why You’re Suddenly Experiencing Painful Sex

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      Painful sex, or dyspareunia, can cause problems in a couple’s sexual relationship. In addition to physically painful sex, there is also the possibility of negative emotional effects, so the problem should be addressed as soon as it becomes evident.
      In many cases, a woman can experience painful sex if there is not sufficient vaginal lubrication. When this occurs, the pain can be resolved if the female becomes more relaxed, if the amount of foreplay is increased, or if the couple uses a sexual lubricant.
      READ MORE: Everything You Need To Know About Having A Coregasm 
      In some cases, a woman can experience painful intercourse if one of the following conditions is present:
      1. Vaginismus
      This is a common condition in which there is a spasm in the vaginal muscles, mainly caused by the fear of being hurt.
      2. Vaginal Infections
      These conditions are common and include yeast infections.
      3. Problems with the cervix
      In this case, the penis can reach the cervix at maximum penetration, so problems with the cervix (such as infections) can cause pain during deep penetration.
      4. Problems with the uterus
      These problems may include fibroids that can cause deep intercourse pain.
      5. Endometriosis
      Endometriosis is a condition in which the endometrium (tissue lining the uterus) grows outside the uterus.
      6. Problems with the ovaries
      Such problems might include cysts on the ovaries.
      7. Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
      The tissues deep inside become badly inflamed and the pressure of intercourse causes deep pain.
      8. Ectopic Pregnancy
      A pregnancy in which a fertilised egg develops outside of the uterus.
      9. Menopause
      The vaginal lining can lose its normal moisture and become dry.
      10. Childbirth
      Intercourse too soon after surgery or childbirth.
      11. Sexually Transmitted Infection
      These may include genital warts, herpes sores or other STIs.
      12. Injury to the vulva or vagina
      These injuries may include a tear from childbirth or from a cut (episiotomy) in the perineum (area of skin between the vagina and the anus) that is made during labour.
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      How can painful sex in women be treated?
      Some treatments do not require medical intervention. For example, in the case of painful sex after pregnancy, wait at least six weeks after childbirth before attempting intercourse. Make sure to practice gentleness and patience. In cases in which there is vaginal dryness or a lack of lubrication, try water-based lubricants.
      Some treatments for female sexual pain do require a doctor’s care. If vaginal dryness is due to menopause, ask a healthcare professional about oestrogen creams or other prescription medications. Other causes of painful intercourse also may require prescription medications.
      For cases of sexual pain in which there is no underlying medical cause, sexual therapy might be helpful. Some individuals may need to resolve issues such as guilt, inner conflicts regarding sex, or feelings regarding past abuse.
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      Call a doctor if there are symptoms such as bleeding, genital lesions, irregular periods, vaginal discharge, or involuntary vaginal muscle contractions and ask for a referral to an SSASSERT-certified sex counsellor if there are other concerns that need to be addressed. More