Why laughter really is the best medicine

Cat videos. A tickle attack. Tina Fey doing basically anything.

Chances are at least one of these things has reduced you to a fit of giggles or you can think of something else that’s left your eyes watery and your abs aching. Think about how that felt — did all your muscles turn to jelly and your entire body relax? Did you momentarily forget your annoying day at the office?

However you’d describe the experience, it probably felt great. And there are plenty of reasons why: a good laugh can do everything from soothing tension by taming stress and stimulating circulation to boosting endorphins, the feel-good brain chemicals responsible for that post-hilarity high. A study even found that participants had a higher tolerance for pain after watching funny clips from South Park, The Simpsons, and Friends.

Cracking up is also a great way to bond — studies show it’s 30 times more likely to happen in a social context than when alone. Sharing a joke or a laugh helps us connect on a personal, human level, it builds and strengthens relationships. These strong bonds have been shown to be possibly the most important piece in long and healthy lives. There’s always time for a good joke.

But laughter isn’t just a temporary fix — research shows it has long-term benefits too. Some studies indicate that a sense of humour is associated with enhanced immune function and one study found that depressed patients who took part in a Laughter Yoga group (which is exactly what it sounds like) experienced a significant decrease in depression and a significant increase in life satisfaction, suggesting the laughing practice was at least as effective as group exercise for boosting mental health.

It may not come as a surprise then that laughter plays a pretty important role in health care too. In fact, it’s a sneaky way many doctors get nervous patients to relax and the tactic is often hugely successful.

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Did you know Defibrillators are tied to long-term complications?

Implantable defibrillators devices that detect and correct an abnormal heart rhythm are associated with a high risk of long-term complications, a new study suggests.

•  High rate of complications

"An implantable cardioverter-defibrillator is a highly effective treatment option to reduce the risk of sudden cardiac death," said lead researcher Dr Isuru Ranasinghe, a senior cardiologist at the University of Adelaide in South Australia.

"However, there is a substantial and persistent risk of device-related complications and re-operations in the years after implantation."

These complications include device malfunction, infection and inflammation.

Ranasinghe said the rate of complications is higher than previously reported. "The continued occurrence of complications long after the initial implantation indicates the need for vigilance and ongoing surveillance of ICD-related complications," he said.

But one cardiologist not involved with the study called the risk of complications "modest" and added that the benefits offered by the devices outweigh the risks.

ICDs are battery-powered devices placed in a "pocket" under the skin to keep track of a patient's heart rate. When an abnormal or chaotic heart beat occurs, the device is meant to shock the heart and restore a normal heart rhythm.

•  Simpler may be better

For the study, researchers analysed the performance of three types of implantable defibrillators – single-chamber, dual-chamber and cardiac resynchronization therapy devices (CRT-D). The investigators found the chances for trouble were greater with more complex devices, especially CRT-D devices.

Compared with simpler devices, CRT-D devices have a 38 percent higher rate of complications, and quadruple the risk for procedures such as battery replacement and upgrades, the researchers determined.

"This is important because choosing a simpler device at the start may help patients by reducing complications and delaying the need to replace the device," Ranasinghe said.

The ICD lifespan is typically up to seven years, depending on when the battery needs replacing, Ranasinghe said.

"More complex devices are more active, and their battery needs replacing earlier, compared with simpler devices," he explained.

"There is considerable debate as to the added benefit of more complex devices compared with simpler, single-chamber ICDs," Ranasinghe said. "Where possible, using a simpler device may reduce the risk of ICD-related harm."

One expert believes the risk of complications is "modest", not significant enough to change current practice.

"Clinical trials have shown that implantable defibrillators prolong life, with benefits that outweigh potential risks," said Dr Gregg Fonarow, a professor of cardiology at the University of California, Los Angeles.

•  Higher risk for women and blacks

These new findings "further reinforce current guideline recommendations for the use of these implanted devices in patients at risk for sudden death who are eligible and without contraindications," Fonarow said.

For the study, Ranasinghe and colleagues collected data on more than 114,000 men and women aged 65 and older who received an ICD between 2006 and 2010. The patients were followed for three years.

The researchers found that women and blacks had a somewhat higher risk of complications compared to men and whites. In addition, younger seniors – those 65 to 69 at implantation – had more complications than people 85 and older, Ranasinghe said.

Why women and blacks are more susceptible to complications isn't clear and requires further investigation, he said.

"Still, our findings can be used by physicians and patients to make an informed choice when weighing up the risks and benefits of an ICD," Ranasinghe added.

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How to cope with seasonal allergies

Your nose is runny, you have a scratchy throat and itching eyes, and yet it's not quite a cold or the flu. It could well be allergies.

According to the South African Allergy Society, scores of people across the globe suffer from Allergic Rhinitis, otherwise known as hay fever.

“Over 500 million people worldwide suffer from hay fever, with children and adults 30 to 40 years old, experiencing the worst symptoms, says Allison Veinings, Executive Director of the Self-Medication Manufacturers Association of South Africa (SMASA).

What are seasonal allergies?

“Allergies result when the immune system identifies a foreign substance, such as dust or pollen, incorrectly, then classifies it as harmful and treats it as such,” explains Veinings.

Hay fever in particular is the result of outdoor allergens such as pollen, and is periodic in nature. Grass is one of the main triggers of hay fever in summer, with allergic conjunctivitis (the allergic inflammation of the delicate membrane covering the inner and external part of the eyelid) being the most common seasonal allergy.

More prevalent among those with asthma, eczema and hay fever, its symptoms include redness and excessive watering of the eyes, swelling of the eyelids and whites of the eye, and itchiness.

Winter allergies cause similar symptoms to summer allergies i.e. an itchy nose and eyes, sneezing and watery eyes, and are generally triggered by the use of heaters or fireplaces – the mould spores and insect parts that are often trapped in these objects are released into the air and find their way into the nose, setting off a reaction. Other indoor triggers are animals and mites.

The problem with winter allergy symptoms is that they can easily be misdiagnosed as a common cold or flu. If symptoms persist for longer than 10 days, it is more likely an allergy than a cold or flu. If not treated and medicated correctly, allergies can linger for weeks or even months.

Diagnosis and treatment

“Following the timeline of how and when irritations start can highlight whether someone is a seasonal allergy sufferer,” says Veinings.

“The best remedy for allergies would obviously be to avoid allergens completely, however as this is not always possible, a sound knowledge of self-medication and responsible self-care is key for hay fever sufferers,” she concludes.

SMASA, which advocates responsible self-care throughout the year, suggests the following actions to maintain a solid self-care routine during allergy season:

•  Keep a pack of tissues on hand for days when allergies are at their worst.
•  Use eye drops to relieve itchy, watery eyes. 
•  Use an antihistamine to reduce nasal itching, sneezing and discharge.
•  Use a decongestant during winter to clear mucus.

As with any ailment or illness, prevention is better than cure. Consult your local chemist, nurse or health professional for the correct over-the-counter products to manage hay fever and other seasonal allergies and schedule an appointment with your doctor if symptoms persist. 

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The top five simple ways you can improve your health

Whether you're trying to get in shape or simply looking to lead a healthier lifestyle, it only takes a few simple changes to dramatically improve your wellbeing. 

1. Embrace the outdoors

If you want to improve your health, clear your mind and decrease the risk of heart disease, it's important to ensure you have enough vitamin D – and the best source is simply from sunlight. Studies have shown that vitamin D deficiency can increase your risk of heart disease by 64 per cent and can also help to lower blood pressure – so spending just 20 minutes each day outside could help protect your heart. Try adding a brisk walk to your daily activities – you will also be improving your respiratory and joint health.

2. Pack your plate with colour

The more colourful your plate, the more nutritious the food you're eating. If you're watching your sugar levels, try blueberries and raspberries which are lower in fructose but are full of powerful phytonutrients. Search for foods packed with Lycopene such as carrots, sweet potatoes, squash and red tomatoes – it's great for helping to protect you from heart disease, strokes and high blood pressure. Also found in peppers, papaya and even watermelons, Lycopene is in its most usable form when cooked and combined with healthy fats – it does need to be consumed in large supplies.

3. Up your Omega intake

Our body needs a range of healthy fats, especially omega 3 found in oily fish, nuts and seeds. Not only can a diet rich in essential fatty acids aid joint health, it can also benefit brain health, concentration, protect against heart disease, boost the immune system and speed up healing. The Mediterranean diet is packed with fresh fruit and vegetables, alongside fresh fish and plenty of healthy oils – they also eat far less junk food! A diet rich in healthy oils also enables us to absorb and utilise many vitamins and phytonutrients.

4. Stay hydrated

Our bodies are made up of approximately 60 per cent water, essential for flushing out toxins. Staying hydrated can help the blood pump more efficiently, and can also lead to suffering from less aches and pains after exercise. Because our kidneys play a vital role in regulating blood pressure, keeping hydrated and monitoring your sodium intake could reduce high blood pressure significantly. Many people confuse thirst pangs for hunger pangs so often just drinking a glass of water whenever you are hungry can help to control cravings.

5. Reduce stress

Turn off your phone, hide the laptop and find some time for you. Stress is one of the biggest threats to our overall health as it can lower the immune system, as well as making it easier to rely on stimulants such as caffeine and refined carbohydrates such as sugar for an artificial 'feel good' boost.

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