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Thursday, September 4, 2014

Stressed-out women are losing hair in their 20s: Third admit they had suffered thinning hair and blamed pressures of life and work

A sixth of women said hair had thinned before their 30th birthday

One in five high earning men and women blamed work stress for hair loss

Almost a sixth of women said they would rather be fat than bald

It's usually associated with ageing but stressed-out working women today are suffering hair loss as young as their twenties, a survey has found.

A third of women polled said they had suffered hair thinning, with nearly three-quarters blaming life and work stress on the condition of their hair.

A sixth of women surveyed said they had experienced hair loss by their 30th birthday while eight per cent said their locks had started to thin by the time they were 25.

A third of women said they had suffered hair thinning with a sixth admitting to experiencing hair loss before their 30th birthday

And 2.5 per cent had suffered hair thinning before their 20th birthday.

For British men in the L’Oreal Professionnel poll of 2,000 adults, hair loss set in at an average age of 38.

Two-thirds said they suffered thinning hair or baldness, with half blaming pressures from work or home.

Among both men and women, the condition was more prevalent among high-earners.

One in five high earning men and women on a salary of more than £75,000 a year blamed work stress for hair thinning, compared to just one in ten of those earning up to £15,000.

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Meanwhile two out of five men would rather suffer in silence compared to just one in ten women.

Adam Reed, a L’Oreal ambassador whose celebrity clients include model Sophie Dahl, said: ‘This research leaves little doubt that stress is currently the biggest factor facing women when it comes to their thinning hair.

'Given how prevalent hair thinning is across Britain, among both men and women, it is surprising how little awareness there is about the issue.

'British women are facing increasingly stressful lives as they struggle to balance work-life pressures and their hair is suffering as a result.

The average age for hair loss among men was 38 (file image)

‘As soon as a person notices hair loss, you should look at your current lifestyle and target areas causing you stress. Maintain a positive attitude and move forward with steps such as a healthier diet.’

According to the research, thinning hair is now a tell tale sign of ageing, coming third after 'sagging body' and 'wrinkles' among both sexes as the most worrying sign of getting older.

Women were most likely to discover they are losing hair as a result of examining their hair brush (51 per cent) or by finding hair in the shower or sink after grooming.

Nearly a tenth said they had learned of their hair loss from talking to their hairdresser, while just one in 20 was told by their partner.

A third said they wore clothing such as hoodies to 'disguise' or cover up their thinning locks and other said they would wear a wig.

Three per cent used styling products to prevent the problem getting worse.

A quarter said they would rather be celibate than bald and nearly a sixth admitted they would rather be fat than lose their hair.

For British men hair loss sets in at 38 but only half blamed the pressures of work and home for their hair thinning and loss. Two-thirds of men said they suffered thinning hair or baldness.

Yet the survey of more than 2,000 British adults by L'Oréal Professionnel found both men and women did not know what triggered the the relatively common condition.

A tenth of Britons had no idea what causes it and only half of women are aware that changes in hormones caused by pregnancy could trigger thinning hair or hair loss.

For those who are hair aware, one in ten women state their hair loss is due to dieting, one in 30 say it is due to shock or trauma and one in 50 says it is due to extensions.

Two thirds of men attributed their hair thinning to their genes.

But the onset of baldness is not restricted to older men as nearly half of men aged 16-24 and 47% of men aged 25-34 say their hair is already thinning.

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Bed rest during pregnancy could harm your baby: 'Putting your feet up increases risk of blood clots, diabetes, depression and having a smaller newborn,' warn experts

Bed rest can increase an expectant mothers' risk of blood clots, depression, diabetes and having babies with a lower birth weight

Figures show around a fifth of pregnant mothers are told to put their feet up

But Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine in the U.S. is warning against it

Bed rest could put expectant mothers and their unborn babies at risk, new research suggests.

Figures show around a fifth of pregnant women are told to put their feet up while they are expecting.

It is commonly recommended for women who have suffered premature contractions, high blood pressure or their waters breaking early.

But a new study has found the period of inactivity could raise their risk of muscle and bone loss, blood clots, diabetes, depression or anxiety, as well as other harmful side effects.

And the team of researchers noted the practise could affect a baby's birth weight, resulting in smaller newborns.

Bed rest could put expectant mothers at risk of muscle and bone loss, diabetes, depression and blood clots, experts have warned

The Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine in the U.S. has warned against prescribing bed rest for expectant mothers.

Dr Anthony Sciscione, director of the Delaware Centre for Maternal and Fetal Medicine said: 'There is no evidence bed rest improves outcomes.

'However there is evidence bed rest can be harmful for moms, babies and families.'

Surveys have shown obstetricians, gynaecologists and maternal-foetal medicine specialists prescribe bed rest even though most do not expect it will actually improve pregnancy outcomes.

It is sometimes recommended for a dilated cervix from premature labour, a short cervix, pre-eclampsia, inadequate growth of baby and the risk of miscarriage.

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But the Society has pointed out that bed rest is not proven to reduce the chance of premature delivery in women either at risk or already experiencing early labour.

One study found women out on bed rest were more likely to have their baby prematurely.

And there is no data indicating restricting activity is beneficial for any obstetric condition.

Having a small baby is often blamed on problems with blood flow to the placenta and bed rest is often prescribed in an effort to boost placental blood flow.

But again, experts say, studies have failed to back up this theory.

While there is no evidence the bed rest improves outcomes, there are several potentially harmful side effects.

It's widely known though that extended periods of activity restriction can result in muscle and bone loss.

The Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine in the U.S. has also warned periods of inactivity in pregnancy could also lead to lower birth weight in babies

This 'deconditioning' happens to pregnant and non-pregnant women, changes can occur after only a few days of immobility.

Bed rest may also increase risk of developing blood clots in the legs and movement of clots to the lungs.

Such clots are more common among pregnant women - and limiting physical activity may compound these risks.

Lack of movement may also increase a woman's risk of gestational diabetes.

The Society said being admitted to the hospital for pregnancy-related complications has been associated with a higher risk of this condition.

Elevated levels of blood sugar commonly occur in non-pregnant patients placed on activity restriction.

Bed rest also increases the risk of anxiety and depression, adverse psychological effects on the family, loss of income and lower birth weights.

Summing up the Society said the practice has very little evidence to support a benefit for mother or infant - but has well-described negative effects on the mother, newborn and the family.

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

The scientific secret to strong relationships

Many people say they live happy and healthy lives when they are involved in meaningful relationships, but it's unclear how people achieve these close and caring relationships, and how such bonds promote well-being.

In a new review that experts call a "gigantic contribution" to the field, scientists examined how relationships can encourage or thwart personal thriving.

Relationships can help people cope with stress and adversity, and enable them to thrive as they achieve goals and cultivate talents, said Brooke Feeney, an associate professor of social psychology at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh. [5 Ways Relationships Are Good for Your Health]

"I would define a thriving person as someone who is happy, [and] pursuing and progressing toward meaningful life goals," Feeney told Live Science in an email.

Thriving people often have purpose and meaning in life, a positive regard for themselves and others, healthy physical and mental health, and deep meaningful human connections, she added.

Parents, partners, friends and mentors can help people thrive. The type of support needed, however, varies depending on whether or not the person is facing a setback, such as losing a job or going through a divorce.

Hard times

During times of adversity, a so-called "support provider" can buffer a person against the debilitating effects of stress and also help that person thrive. First, the support provider can offer a safe haven where the person feels sheltered and able to free him or herself of burdens. Once the person feels safe, the support provider can offer fortification, which involves helping to develop the specific strengths and abilities relevant to coping with the adversity, Feeney said.

As the setback continues, the support provider can motivate and help the person get up and stay in the game by using strengths to rebuild, problem-solve or cope with the adversity in a positive way, she explained. Finally, the support provider can help the person redefine the adversity as something that isn't threatening, but rather is a catalyst for positive change.

For instance, a man may feel undesirable if he goes through an unwanted divorce. His friends can help set up a safe haven and listen to the man's challenges. But they can also remind him that divorce is common and tell him that he's handsome and funny. Redefining the divorce as a positive change may help the individual move forward and meet a new partner, the researchers said.

"Together, we refer to this as providing a source of strength (SOS) for thriving through adversity," Feeney said.

The study helps reveal when and in what ways close relationships can bring out the best in people, said Eli Finkel, a professor of psychology at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, who was not involved in the study.[6 Scientific Tips for a Successful Marriage]

"It adds important insights regarding situations in which people are struggling and look to their loved ones for support," Finkel told Live Science. "But the even larger contribution of this work is that it provides an insightful and compelling analysis of how loved ones can help us in our pursuit of personal growth."

Ordinary thriving

Even when setbacks aren't on the horizon, support providers can foster thriving in others. People who act as a "relational catalyst" can embrace opportunities for growth in everyday life, Feeney said. To start, they can encourage the person to leave his or her comfort zone and try new activities or pursue a goal.

If a person is concerned by real or imagined difficulties, the support provider can help them focus on the positive aspects and point out that even if an endeavor doesn't work out, its pursuit may provide space for growth.

"This also includes assisting the person in recognizing opportunities that might otherwise be missed," Feeney said.

The support provider can help the person find an attainable goal and create a strategy to pursue it. Friends who are available, but not overly intrusive, can then celebrate the person's successes, such as getting a degree, or respond in a sensitive way to failures or setbacks, such as not getting a job promotion.

Yet these supporters can also overstep their bounds, the researchers said. If they make a person feel weak, needy or inadequate, or even guilty or indebted, it can be hard for the person to thrive. Feeney named a variety of other ways a supporter can demean recipients, such as by making them feel like a burden, discounting their problems or accomplishments, blaming them for their misfortunes, restricting their independence, or taking too much control over the situation.

"We suggest that unresponsive and insensitive support behaviors will undermine thriving because they promote either overdependence or under-dependence in relationships," she said.

Science of relationships

The new study draws on findings from about 400 studies that examined close relationships, including many written by Feeney and her colleague Nancy Collins, a professor in the department of psychological and brain sciences at the University of California, Santa Barbara, over the past 15 years.

"It blends their best ideas from that era with a slew of new insights to generate a truly major contribution to the science of relationships and human thriving," Finkel said.

The review's framework may provide a foundation for developing relationship-based interventions for families, and training for mentors who work to help others thrive, Feeney said. People can thrive if they have supporters who have their backs in both good times and bad, she said.

"Building strong close relationships is a virtual prerequisite for human flourishing," Finkel said. "Whether we're seeking to persevere through adversity or to stretch ourselves in challenging new directions, support from our loved ones is crucial for success."

The study was published online Aug. 29 in the journal Personality and Social Psychology Review.

Copyright 2014 LiveScience, a TechMediaNetwork company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Drinking tea 'cuts risk of dying early by a quarter': Antioxidant ingredients in the drink are good for the heart

A study shows that drinking tea reduces the risk of dying from causes unrelated to the heart by a quarter

The benefits of tea are largely due to the antioxidant ingredients

The study involved 131,401 people aged 18 to 95

Experts also say it is better for you than coffee and tea drinkers are more physically active

Tea really is the best drink of the day – it can cut your risk of dying prematurely, say researchers.

A study shows that drinking tea reduces the risk of dying from causes unrelated to the heart by a quarter compared with those who don’t drink tea.

Experts say it is better for you than coffee, although habitual coffee drinkers tend to be more unhealthy and smokers.

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A study shows that drinking tea reduces the risk of dying from causes unrelated to the heart by a quarter compared with those who don’t drink tea (stock picture)

The benefits of tea are largely due to the flavonoid content, antioxidant ingredients that are thought to be good for the heart.

Study leader Professor Nicolas Danchin said previous research showed ‘divergent’ effects of tea and coffee on heart health.

He added, however: ‘If you have to choose between tea or coffee it’s probably better to drink tea.’

The European Society for Cardiology in Barcelona said that a glass of wine a day works only if you exercise too

The study involved 131,401 people aged 18 to 95 at low risk of cardiovascular diseases attending the Paris IPC Preventive Medicine Centre between January 2001 and December 2008.

There were 95 deaths from cardiovascular (CV) causes and 632 deaths from non-CV causes.

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Coffee or tea consumption was assessed by a questionnaire and classified as: none, 1 to four cups per day, or more than four cups. The researchers found that coffee drinkers had a higher CV risk profile than non-drinkers, particularly for smoking, with 57 per cent of those drinking more than four cups per day being smokers.

Non-coffee drinkers were more physically active, with 45 per cent having a good level of physical activity compared with 41 per cent of the heavy coffee drinkers.

The Barcelona conference was told that the high caffeine content in energy drinks may cause heart problems

‘This is highly significant in our large population,’ Prof Danchin said yesterday at the European Society for Cardiology meeting in Barcelona. Tea had a marked effect on blood pressure, with a significant reduction in the heavy tea drinkers, compared with non-drinkers.

Professor Danchin said: ‘Overall we tend to have a higher [CV] risk profile for coffee drinkers and a lower risk profile for tea drinkers. We also found big gender differences.

‘Men tend to drink coffee much more than women, while women tend to drink more tea than men.’ There was a trend for tea drinking to lower cardiovascular deaths but the effect was not statistically significant after adjusting for age, gender and smoking.

But tea lowered the risk of non-CV death, by a quarter for tea drinkers compared with no tea at all.

The study did not define the type of tea, or whether milk was added. Participants were just asked how much tea they drank per day.

Professor Danchin, of the Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou in Paris, said: ‘Tea drinking lowered the risk of non-CV death by 24 per cent and the trend towards lowering CV mortality was nearly [statistically] significant.’

He added: ‘Interestingly, most of the effect of tea on non-CV mortality was found in current or ex-smokers, while tea had a neutral effect in non-smokers.’

Coffee significantly increased non-CV mortality but the increased risk disappeared when the effect was adjusted for smoking.

Does a man's right hand reveal his FERTILITY? Men with a long ring finger have bigger testicles, study claims

Researchers in South Korea say finger ratios on the right hand of adult males is an indicator of the size of their testicles

Men with larger testes were found to have longer ring than index fingers

The study was based on 172 Korean men aged 20 to 69 years old

Their fingers and testicles were measured in size independently

However no correlation between testicle size and age or height was found

How do your fingers measure up? If you’re a man, it could reveal more about you than you thought.

Researchers say that the length of a man’s index finger compared to his ring finger on his right hand is an indicator of his testicle size.

And the study claims that the digit ratio could be used to predict testicle volumes of any male.

Researchers in South Korea say finger ratios affect the size of testicles. Men with larger testes were found to have longer ring than index fingers. The study was based on 172 Korean men aged 20 to 69 years old. In the image above, the man with hand on the left would have smaller testicles than the one on the right

The study was carried out by South Korean researchers from the Department of Urology at Gachon University Gil Hospital in Incheon and Seoul National University Hospital.

WHAT ELSE DO YOUR FINGERS REVEAL ABOUT YOU?

A previous study revealed that the size of men's and women's index and ring fingers is an indication of how attractive they are to the opposite sex.

According to the findings, a woman whose index finger is longer than her ring finger is likely to have a symmetrical and more appealing face.

For men, it is the opposite - those whose ring fingers are longer than their index fingers are more likely to be attractive to women.

The discovery was made by Bernhard Fink of the University of Vienna, who measured the fingers of 100 men and women and photographed their faces using a digital camera. He used a computer programme to assess the symmetry of each face.

They found that adult males with a ring finger longer than their index finger on their right hand had larger testicles.

Conversely, men with a longer index finger compared to their ring finger have smaller testicles.

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Prior to the study it had already been suggested that second to fourth digit ratio correlated with the male reproductive system.

This was based on the finding that Hox genes - which help lay out how a person’s body takes shape - control finger development and genital development during the embryonic stage.

Previous research has suggested that the size of a man's testicle correlates with the volume of semen he produces.

In the study a total of 172 Korean men aged 20 to 69 years, already hospitalised for urological surgery, were enrolled.

First, the researchers measured the length of the second and fourth digits of each participant.

Then, separately and independently, an experienced urologist measured their testes size.

The results then showed that digit ratio was inversely proportionate to adult testicular volume - meaning that a longer ring finger correlated to larger testicles and vice versa.

In the study the researchers also found that age and height did not have much effect on testicular volume, while weight had a marginal correlation.

In the study the fingers and testicles of the volunteers were measured in size independently and highlighted the correlation between finger and testicle size. However in the research no correlation between testicle size and age or height was found

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Thursday, September 4, 2014

Stressed-out women are losing hair in their 20s: Third admit they had suffered thinning hair and blamed pressures of life and work

More...

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Bed rest during pregnancy could harm your baby: 'Putting your feet up increases risk of blood clots, diabetes, depression and having a smaller newborn,' warn experts

More...

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

The scientific secret to strong relationships

Drinking tea 'cuts risk of dying early by a quarter': Antioxidant ingredients in the drink are good for the heart

More...

Does a man's right hand reveal his FERTILITY? Men with a long ring finger have bigger testicles, study claims

WHAT ELSE DO YOUR FINGERS REVEAL ABOUT YOU?

More...